According to some illustrative embodiments, a protective product is provided that includes: at least one expandable slit paper sheet, said at least on expandable slit paper being expanded between opposing ends of said slit paper; a first embossed paper sheet facing said expanded slit paper sheet and a second paper sheet facing an opposite side of said at least one expanded slit paper sheet, at least one of said first embossed paper sheet and said second paper sheet being fixed to said expanded slit paper sheet at the opposing ends of said expanded slit paper sheet and thereby maintaining said expanded paper in its expanded state, said first embossed paper sheet having a plurality of embossings that increase the rigidity of said embossed paper sheet, whereby inhibiting deformation of said embossed paper sheet that is fixed to said expanded slit sheet paper.

A bag forming apparatus for forming a flat bottom of a bag includes a base, opposing sidewalls that extend upright relative to the base, and a top that is operably coupled to an upper portion of each of the sidewalls. The top has an intermediate pivot axis between the sidewalls that enables the top to pivot about the pivot axis between a collapsed state and an expanded state. In the collapsed state, the upper portions of the respective sidewalls are closer together and the top extends upright relative to the base to form a tip for insertion into an opening of the bag. In the expanded state, the upper portions of the respective sidewalls are spaced further apart and the top extends horizontally relative to the base to form a platform for forming the flat bottom of the bag.

An exemplary web of preformed bags includes first and second layers, first and second side edges that hermetically join the first and second layers, a plurality of transverse seals extending between the first and second side edges, a plurality of first lines of weakness in the first layer, and a plurality of second lines of weakness in the second layer. The first lines of weakness are weaker than the second lines of weakness. The preformed bags are defined by the first and second side edges, the first and second lines of weakness, and the transverse seals.

A flexible bag comprising a first wall and a second wall superposed over the first wall, the walls being connected to each other along their longitudinal edges by two gussets. As per a bag formation process, successively: the bag is closed with a flap extending from one of the walls and held on the other wall to form a closed end of the bag; the first wall of the bag is gripped at a predetermined distance from the closed end with the lower grippers and the second wall by the upper grippers and the walls are separated to form a side on the gussets; the second wall is released by the upper grippers and the closed end is folded by a folding device on to the second wall, thus making the bottom.

An automated packaging station is capable of being used to package objects. The automated packaging station includes a supply of web material, a surface (202), an aperture (206) therein, and a closing system. The automated packaging station is configured to form the web material into a pouch. The aperture (206) is configured such that an object can be inserted therethrough. The automated packaging station is configured to bias open the pouch beneath the surface such that the object inserted through the aperture falls into the pouch. The closing system is configured to close the pouch to form a package around the object in response to the object being inserted through the aperture. The object is capable of being shipped to a recipient in the package.

An automated packaging station is capable of being used to package objects. The automated packaging station includes a supply of web material, a surface (202), an aperture (206) therein, and a closing system. The automated packaging station is configured to form the web material into a pouch. The aperture (206) is configured such that an object can be inserted therethrough. The automated packaging station is configured to bias open the pouch beneath the surface such that the object inserted through the aperture falls into the pouch. The closing system is configured to close the pouch to form a package around the object in response to the object being inserted through the aperture. The object is capable of being shipped to a recipient in the package.

A breathable bag (1) especially suitable for packaging horticultural products (2) comprising a mesh casing (3), which is capable of housing the products to be packaged and at least one first band (5) of flexible material applied on the outside of and joined to the casing by affixed areas (6, 7) affixed to said casing, the first band covering a region (8) of the casing that has a hole (9), the practical access to the hole (9) being prevented by the affixed joining areas (6, 7) between the first band (5) and the casing (3), and the first band (5) being equipped with at least one tear line (10) that determines in the first band (5) a removable portion (5c) from the casing (3) that is sufficient to leave uncovered or to open a practical access to said opening (9).

A breathable bag (1) especially suitable for packaging horticultural products (2) comprising a mesh casing (3), which is capable of housing the products to be packaged and at least one first band (5) of flexible material applied on the outside of and joined to the casing by affixed areas (6, 7) affixed to said casing, the first band covering a region (8) of the casing that has a hole (9), the practical access to the hole (9) being prevented by the affixed joining areas (6, 7) between the first band (5) and the casing (3), and the first band (5) being equipped with at least one tear line (10) that determines in the first band (5) a removable portion (5c) from the casing (3) that is sufficient to leave uncovered or to open a practical access to said opening (9).

According to some illustrative embodiments, a protective product is provided that includes: at least one expandable slit paper sheet, said at least on expandable slit paper being expanded between opposing ends of said slit paper; a first embossed paper sheet facing said expanded slit paper sheet and a second paper sheet facing an opposite side of said at least one expanded slit paper sheet, at least one of said first embossed paper sheet and said second paper sheet being fixed to said expanded slit paper sheet at the opposing ends of said expanded slit paper sheet and thereby maintaining said expanded paper in its expanded state, said first embossed paper sheet having a plurality of embossings that increase the rigidity of said embossed paper sheet, whereby inhibiting deformation of said embossed paper sheet that is fixed to said expanded slit sheet paper.

A plurality of pouch containers are continuously manufactured from materials including: a plurality of separate-type tubular film members each including a portion to be formed as a barrel portion; and a single first belt-shaped film member and a single second belt-shaped film member each including a plurality of portions each to be formed as a gusset portion. The step of closing an opening end of each of the separate-type tubular film members includes: supplying the belt-shaped film member to the opening end by conveying the belt-shaped film member in parallel with the separate-type tubular film members at the same speed as a conveyance speed of the separate-type tubular film members, to cause the belt-shaped film member to overlap with an opened joining margin of each of the separate-type tubular film members; and joining the joining margin to a portion of the belt-shaped film member that overlaps with the joining margin.