A method and apparatus for making a structurally resilient package with a desired shape on a vertical form, fill, and seal machine. The method comprises sealing a film to form a back seal; forming a first end seal to form a partially formed first package; flattening a first side of the partially formed first package to form a flat first side; filling the partially formed first package with product; forming a second end seal on the partially formed first package to form a first package from the partially formed first package; flattening the second side of the first package to form a flat second side, wherein the flattening the first side and the flattening the second side occur on a first machine.

A device for producing tubular bags sealed on multiple sides, the device including a forming shoulder for deforming a plane film web into an envelope web and a forming tube surrounded by the envelope web, the forming tube having, adjacent to a forming shoulder outlet, fins for forming film overlap areas, and a film guide having first and second film guide elements, each of which is associated with one of the fins.

A gas-sealed body with cushioning function is adapted to be inflated by a processing machine. The processing machine includes an inflation bar and pressing wheels adjacent to the inflation bar. The inflation bar is to inflate the gas-sealed body. The pressing wheels roll on a rolling track of the gas-sealed body for conveying the gas-sealed body. The gas-sealed body includes an inflation channel, gas inlets, pillow structures, and gas chambers. Each gas chamber includes one or more gas inlets, one or more cushion-part gas column, and a main-part gas column. When each of the inflation inlets is inflated, the corresponding one or more cushion-part gas column and the corresponding main-part gas column are inflated and expanded in order.

A bag-making and packaging machine, that makes bags by forming a conveyed film into a cylindrical film and putting product inside the cylindrical film, is disclosed. The bag-making and packaging machine includes a pair of ultrasonic sealing members, a cutting member, and clamps. The pair of ultrasonic sealing members are configured to sandwich the cylindrical film along a direction intersecting a conveyance direction and perform transverse sealing. The cutting member is configured to move between the pair of sealing members and cut transversely sealed portions of bags that have been made. The clamps are provided under the pair of sealing members and the cutting member. The clamps are configured to restrain the bags when the transversely sealed portions are cut.

An apparatus for forming a seal (40-44) along an edge portion of a flexible package (10) that is made from a sheet of flexible material (137) includes an elongated film folding member (102) and at least one heating and/or sealing member (104), the at least one heating and/or sealing member (104) extending along a first heat/seal axis parallel to a lengthwise axis (108) of the film folding member (102). A first engagement end (112) of the film folding member is adapted to contact a portion of the sheet of flexible material (137) during a sealing process and the at least one heating and/or sealing member (104) is adapted to heat the portion of the sheet of flexible material (137) during the sealing process such that the contact between the first engagement end (112) and the portion of the sheet of flexible material creates the seal along the edge portion of the flexible package (10).

A device for producing tubular bags sealed on multiple sides, the device including a forming shoulder for deforming a plane film web into an envelope web and a forming tube surrounded by the envelope web, the forming tube having, adjacent to a forming shoulder outlet, fins for forming film overlap areas, and a film guide having first and second film guide elements, each of which is associated with one of the fins.

A gas-sealed body with cushioning function is adapted to be inflated by a processing machine. The processing machine includes an inflation bar and pressing wheels adjacent to the inflation bar. The inflation bar is to inflate the gas-sealed body. The pressing wheels roll on a rolling track of the gas-sealed body for conveying the gas-sealed body. The gas-sealed body includes an inflation channel, gas inlets, pillow structures, and gas chambers. Each gas chamber includes one or more gas inlets, one or more cushion-part gas column, and a main-part gas column. When each of the inflation inlets is inflated, the corresponding one or more cushion-part gas column and the corresponding main-part gas column are inflated and expanded in order.

An exchangeable ultrasonic welding module contains an ultrasonic transducer assembly (4) with a horn (5) and an anvil (7). The module contains a member (1) provided with a guideway (8) in a mating guideway (18) on the frame (10) of a filling tube (14). A locking element (11) secures the member (1) and the frame (10) in a fixed position relative to each other. The member (1) is provided with an element (2) for linear motion of a sliding carriage (3) and an adjustable stop (6) for restricting the carriage movement (3). The ultrasonic transducer assembly (4) is firmly affixed to the carriage (3), whereas the anvil (7) is affixed to the member (1). The frame (10) may contain an adjustable stop (9) for locking the member (1) in a defined position as the member is inserted into the mating guideway (18).

A reclosable pour-spout packaging, such as a bag, has a top handle and can be manufactured on a form-fill-seal machine. A reclosable structure can reversibly close and open the interior of the packaging. The handle can comprise a cut extending through the packaging. An additional seal area in the packaging can provide support so that a punch and die assembly can punch or cut the handle in the additional seal area. Additionally or alternatively, a laser device, a blade, a knife, or another cutting tool can form the handle in the additional seal area. The additional sealed area can provide stiffness for carrying the packaging and also prevent access into the packaging where the handle is made. The additional seal area can be positioned below the top seal of the packaging so that less material is used for the handle.

A device for selectively retaining a package opening in a gaping configuration and a package including the device applied to a package body. The device includes a circumferential strip with side seams formed as vertical or longitudinal hinges. One or more tabs extend in a first axial direction from an upper edge of the circumferential strip at the side seams. Each tab is coupled to the circumferential strip with a horizontal or transverse hinge. The tabs are pivotable about the horizontal or transverse hinges in opposite directions away from the opening axis to respective folded-out positions, which inhibits the device from folding at the side seams and retains a gaping open configuration of the device and package. The vertical hinges include thru cuts or line of perforations that go through the entire material thickness of the circumferential strip and the one or more tabs and extend for a majority of the full axial length of the device. The horizontal hinges may be in the form of a living hinge or alternatively thru cuts or a line of perforations.