A method of making a storage bag comprising the following steps performed in any order: (a) forming a composite tube having an inner surface comprising a higher melting polymer, an outer surface comprising a lower melting polymer, two ends, and a diameter; (b) flattening the tube in a direction perpendicular to the diameter; (c) forming a joint at one of the ends at a temperature between respective melting points of the higher melting polymer and the lower melting polymer; (d) providing a composite sheet having a first side comprising a higher melting polymer and a second side comprising a lower melting polymer; and (e) disposing the composite sheet over the joint such that the first side comprising a lower melting polymer engages the joint and forming a lap seam over the joint at a temperature between respective melting points of the higher melting polymer and the lower melting polymer, and a storage bag made by such method.

An improved mailer folding apparatus that forms mailers from mailer blanks. The mailer folding apparatus comprises a transport assembly and one or more folding assemblies. The transport assembly moves mailer blanks and/or mailers through the mailer folding apparatus. The one or more folding assemblies may each comprise a folding system and a carriage system. The folding system may selectively allow for the folding of a mailer blank into a mailer. A carriage of the carriage system may move the folding system longitudinally between different positions relative to the transport assembly. An engagement system separate from the carriage system or integrated into the carriage system may engage and disengage the folding system with the transport system for selectively feeding a mailer blank through the folding system, or disengage the folding system for allowing a mailer blank or folded mailer to bypass the folding system.

A flexible package having a closure device and a lap or fin seal is provided that reduces or eliminates an air gap present at the fin or lap seal portion of packages. The package can include a film with a closure applied to the film. The flexible package can include a film having a closure device applied to the film transverse to the first and second side edges of the film, with the first side edge portion extending into the fin seal such that at least a portion of the first side edge portion eliminates an air gap between the fin or lap seal and at least one of the first and second side edge portions.

Bags are made, with which a stack is formed. To do this, a tube is formed with a strip of flexible material, a portion of tube is separated at the front of the tube forming a first flap at the rear of the portion of tube, the first flap prolonging the first wall of the portion beyond the end of the second wall adjacent to the first wall, a bag is formed with each portion of tube, and a stack of bags is formed, the first wall of the first of the bags being against the second wall of the adjacent second bag. An anti-adhesive coating is applied on to the first wall of the first bag and a coat of adhesive is applied on to the second wall of the second bag ensuring the temporary attachment with the anti-adhesive coating.

A flexible package having a closure device and a lap or fin seal is provided that reduces or eliminates an air gap present at the fin or lap seal portion of packages. The package can include a film with a closure applied to the film. The flexible package can include a film having a closure device applied to the film transverse to the first and second side edges of the film, with the first side edge portion extending into the fin seal such that at least a portion of the first side edge portion eliminates an air gap between the fin or lap seal and at least one of the first and second side edge portions.

Articles having mechanically strengthened seams (320) and methods of making the same are provided. An article includes at least one material sheet (311) and a seam (320) formed from an overlap of two portions (310, 314) of the at least one material sheet (311) and an adhesive (312) deposited between the two portions (310, 314) of the at least one material sheet (311) along at least a portion of the overlap, the adhesive (312) sealing the two portions (310, 314) of the at least one material sheet (311), wherein at least one of the two portions (310, 314) of the material sheet (311) comprises a plurality of indents (322) on a surface thereof, such that the adhesive (312) penetrates the material sheet (311) at the indents (322) to provide a mechanical bond between the two portions (310, 314) of the at least one material sheet (311).

A method of making a storage bag comprising the following steps performed in any order: (a) forming a composite tube having an inner surface comprising a higher melting polymer, an outer surface comprising a lower melting polymer, two ends, and a diameter; (b) flattening the tube in a direction perpendicular to the diameter; (c) forming a joint at one of the ends at a temperature between respective melting points of the higher melting polymer and the lower melting polymer; (d) providing a composite sheet having a first side comprising a higher melting polymer and a second side comprising a lower melting polymer; and (e) disposing the composite sheet over the joint such that the first side comprising a lower melting polymer engages the joint and forming a lap seam over the joint at a temperature between respective melting points of the higher melting polymer and the lower melting polymer, and a storage bag made by such method.

Bags are made, with which a stack is formed. To do this, a tube is formed with a strip of flexible material, a portion of tube is separated at the front of the tube forming a first flap at the rear of the portion of tube, the first flap prolonging the first wall of the portion beyond the end of the second wall adjacent to the first wall, a bag is formed with each portion of tube, and a stack of bags is formed, the first wall of the first of the bags being against the second wall of the adjacent second bag. An anti-adhesive coating is applied on to the first wall of the first bag and a coat of adhesive is applied on to the second wall of the second bag ensuring the temporary attachment with the anti-adhesive coating.

A forming station for forming pairs of three side seal pouches including a shaped outer top surface and an inner forming slot. The inner forming slot has an upper portion extending from an upper entry edge, and a transition portion. The inner forming slot may further include a lower portion.

A method of making a storage bag comprising the following steps performed in any order: (a) forming a composite tube having an inner surface comprising a higher melting polymer, an outer surface comprising a lower melting polymer, two ends, and a diameter; (b) flattening the tube in a direction perpendicular to the diameter; (c) forming a joint at one of the ends at a temperature between respective melting points of the higher melting polymer and the lower melting polymer; (d) providing a composite sheet having a first side comprising a higher melting polymer and a second side comprising a lower melting polymer; and (e) disposing the composite sheet over the joint such that the first side comprising a lower melting polymer engages the joint and forming a lap seam over the joint at a temperature between respective melting points of the higher melting polymer and the lower melting polymer, and a storage bag made by such method.