Method for making a flat bottom pillow pouch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9296171-B2
Application number	US-4617008-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 11, 2008
Priority date	Mar 11, 2008
Publication date	Mar 29, 2016
Grant date	Mar 29, 2016

Abstract

The present invention discloses a flat bottom pillow pouch that can stand upright on its bottom transverse seal. The flat bottom pillow bag can be made from the same film as a standard pillow pouch and requires less film than prior art stand up packages. The flat bottom pillow pouch disclosed herein has no gussets.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method for making a pillow-pouch having a flat bottom, said method comprising the steps of:
a) forming a first end-seal with a pair of sealing jaws to form an open-ended tube wherein said first end-seal is formed beneath a product-delivery tube having an extension in a retracted position, wherein said extension comprises two flexible flaps, and wherein said flexible flaps flex inwardly to form said retracted position;
b) providing said extension in an extended position thereby forming a package bottom having a pair of outwardly-extending flaps;
c) folding said end-seal with a folding device;
d) folding each of said outwardly-extending flaps inwardly and beneath said package bottom; and
wherein said providing of said extension into an extended position occurs by actuating a closing mechanism.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein after step a) said closing mechanism is released and said flexible flaps automatically flex back into said extended position of step b).

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said folding of said first end-seal comprises folding with a fork having at least two fingers and an open area therebetween.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said tube comprises film having a thickness of less than 180 gauge.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said folding of said first end-seal occurs such that a folded end-seal is created that is substantially 90 degrees from the top end-seal.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said flaps are sealed to said bottom of said package.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said flaps are sealed via residual heat imparted by said heat sealing jaws which formed said first-end seal.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said folding step of d) is performed via a folding member, and wherein said folding member provides heat to seal said flaps to said bottom of said package.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein step d) further comprises the step of applying vertical pressure between each of said flaps and said package bottom.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said extension further comprises a pedestal located within said extension.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said folding step of d) is performed via a folding member, wherein said folding member comprises pivoting extensions, and wherein said pivoting extensions apply said vertical pressure.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein during said extended position said flexible flaps are parallel with said product-delivery tube.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said folding of step a) complises forming said first end-seal without a side gusset.

14. A method for making a pillow-pouch having a flat bottom, said method comprising the steps of:
a) forming a first end-seal with a pair of sealing jaws to form an open-ended tube wherein said first end-seal is formed beneath a product-delivery tube having an extension in a retracted position;
b) providing said extension in an extended position thereby forming a package bottom having a pair of outwardly-extending flaps, wherein said extension in step b) further comprises telescoping an extension from within said product-delivery tube downward;
c) folding said end-seal with a folding device; d) folding each of said flaps inwardly and beneath said package bottom and applying vertical pressure between each of said flaps and said package bottom, wherein said extension further comprises a pedestal located within said extension, wherein said pedestals are utilized to apply said vertical pressure;
e) sealing said flaps to the bottom of said package.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said folding of step d) is performed by a folding member, wherein said folding member comprises pivoting extensions, and wherein said pivoting extensions apply said vertical pressure against said pedestals.

Assignees

• Bierschenk Patrick Joseph
• Dierl Martin Bernhard
• Huebner Chad Arthur
• Reaves Jerry Mike
• Frito Lay North America Inc

Inventors

• Bierschenk Patrick Joseph
• Dierl Martin Bernhard
• Huebner Chad Arthur
• Reaves Jerry Mike

Classifications

• B65B41/16

  by rollers · CPC title

• B31B70/36

  by continuously feeding them to stationary members, e.g. plates, ploughs or cores · CPC title

• B65D75/48

  containing liquids, semiliquids, or pastes, e.g. cushion-shaped packages · CPC title

• B65B51/146

  Closing bags · CPC title

• B65B9/2056

  Machines for packages of special type or form · CPC title