Method for making bag constructions having inwardly directed side seal portions

• US 6,224,528 B1
• Filed: 10/12/1999
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ampac Flexibles LLC
• Original Assignee: Kapak Company LLC
• Inventors: Bell, Gary M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): PARADISO, JOHN ROGER
• Application Number:
  US09/416,224
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 493/196, 493/195, 493/194, 493/200, 493/201, 493/212, 493/213, 493/214, 493/224
• US Class Current: 493/196
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/00 Joining or sealing of preformed parts , e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor general aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts B29C66/00; using porous material formed by internal pressure generated therein for joining preformed parts B29C44/1228, B29C44/326
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/18 using heated tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/0242 Heating, or preheating, e.g. drying B29C66/3464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/221 being in the form of a sinusoidal wave B29C66/2272 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/229 Other specific patterns not provided for in B29C66/221 - B29C66/227
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/53263 said spouts comprising wings, e.g. said spouts being of ship-like or canoe-like form to avoid leaks in the corners
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/72321 consisting of metals or their alloys
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7234 comprising a barrier layer
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/80 General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8322 Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8511 Bag making machines
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/0625 LLDPE, i.e. linear low density polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/086 EVOH, i.e. ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/003 PET, i.e. poylethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2077/00 Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/008 : Standing pouches, i.e. "Standbeutel"
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 383/903 : Stress relief
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 383/906 : Dispensing feature

Abstract

A bag construction includes first and second opposed panel sections. Each of the panel sections have first and second opposite side edges. The panel sections are secured to one another along at least a portion of the first and second opposite side edges by first and second side seals, to define a bag construction interior. The first and second side seals each have an inner edge portion adjacent to the bag construction interior. The first side seal inner edge portion has at least one non-linear edge section extending over a part of the first side seal inner edge portion. The non-linear edge may include an edge with a plurality of spaced inwardly directed projections, or an edge with curved portions, or an undulated edge. The seals may be used in a variety of packaging arrangements, and help to provide an arrangement which will stand upright when filled or at least partially filled with material.

Claims

1. A method for constructing a pouch arrangement having first and second opposed panel sections, said method including:

(a) providing first and second continuous webs of panel section material;

(b) orienting the first and second webs with respect to one another to form a continuous feed of pouch blank with front and back faces and first and second opposite side edges; and

(c) heat sealing the continuous feed of pouch blank by;

(i) forming first and second side seals defining a bag construction interior between first and second panel sections;

said first and second side seals each having an inner edge portion adjacent to the bag construction interior;

(A) the first side seal inner edge portion having a first section of at least nine inwardly directed projections alternating with a plurality of outwardly directed recesses;

(1) the first side seal inner edge portion first section extending a distance of at least 30% of a length of a side edge of the first panel section;

(2) each of the first section inwardly directed projections having a height of at least 0.5 mm;

(3) each of the first section inwardly directed projections having a length of at least 12 mm;

(B) the second side seal inner edge portion having a second section of at least nine inwardly directed projections alternating with a plurality of outwardly directed recesses;

(1) the second side seal inner edge portion second section extending a distance of at least 30% of a length of a side edge of the second panel section;

(2) each of the second section inwardly directed projections having a height of at least 0.5 mm;

(3) each of the second section inwardly directed projections having a length of at least 12 mm;

(d) forming a base gusset member oriented in extension between the first and second panel sections; and

(e) separating the pouch blank into individual ones of the pouch arrangements by cutting along the first and second side seals.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said step of forming first and second side seals includes;

(i) forming the first side seal inner edge portion first section to extend a distance of about 30-100% of a length of a side edge of the first panel section; and

(ii) forming the second side seal inner edge portion second section to extend a distance of about 30-100% of a length of a side edge of the second panel section.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said step of forming first and second side seals includes;

(i) forming each of the first section inwardly directed projections to a height of no greater than 4 mm; and

(ii) forming each of the second section inwardly directed projections to a height of no greater than 4 mm.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said step) of forming first and second side seals includes;

(i) forming each of the first section inwardly directed projections to a length of no greater than 20 mm; and

(ii) forming each of the second section inwardly directed projections to a length of no greater than 20 mm.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said step of forming first and second side seals includes;

(i) forming the first side seal inner edge portion first section to extend a complete length of the first inner edge portion; and

(ii) forming the second side seal inner edge portion second section to extend a complete length of the second inner edge portion.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) said step of forming first and second side seals includes;

(i) forming each of the first and second section of inwardly directed projections of a uniform size and shape.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein:

(a) said step of forming the base gusset member includes;

(i) providing a base gusset member having a plurality of distribution apertures.

8. A method according to claim 6 further including:

(a) securing a fitment to the first and second panel sections.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein:

(a) said step of forming the first and second panel sections further includes forming a slanted portion of the first and second panel sections slanted relative to the first and second side seals;

the fitment being secured to the first and second panel sections along the slanted portion.

10. A method according to claim 6 further including:

(a) forming a transverse openable and reclosable closure arrangement extending between the first and second panel sections.

11. A method according to claim 6 wherein:

(a) said steps of forming first and second side seals includes;

(i) forming the first side seal inner edge portion first section to include at least twelve inwardly spaced directed projections; and

(ii) forming the second side seal inner edge portion second section to include at least twelve spaced inwardly directed projections.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said step of forming a base gusset member includes orienting a continuous base gusset between first and second webs.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) said step of orienting the continuous base gusset between first and second webs includes orienting a perforated continuous base gusset between first and second webs.

14. A method according to claim 12 further including:

(a) orienting an openable and recloseable zipper closure between first and second webs.

15. A method according to claim 12 further including:

(a) orienting a pour spout between first and second webs.