Bottom-gusseted package and method
AssigneeInnoflex Incorporated
InventorJames W. Yeager
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bottom-gusseted package comprises a package body, and a bottom gusset positioned transversely of a longitudinal axis of the package body. Formation of the bottom-gusseted package is effected by positioning individual sleeves transversely of the longitudinal axis of a flexible web which forms the package body. During package formation, the flexible web is cut to form individual packages, with each individual sleeve positioned to form a bottom gusset in a respective package. Optionally, the individual sleeve portions can be configured such that when the flexible web is cut to form individual packages, and each individual sleeve is be cut to form a bottom gusset in one package, and a top sleeve portion in an adjacent package.
Claims8
A method of making bottom-gusseted packages, comprising the steps of:
- providing a flexible web of material having a longitudinal axis,
- providing a flexible, sleeve-forming web;
- cutting said flexible, sleeve-forming web into a plurality of individual sleeves;
- joining said individual sleeves to said flexible web in spaced apart relationship longitudinally of said flexible web, with the spacing between said individual sleeves corresponding to the length of each of said bottom-gusseted packages being formed;
- folding said flexible web of material and joining lateral margins thereof to form a folded flexible web, and to thereby form a package body on each of said bottom-gusseted packages, each package body including a front package panel and a rear package panel joined at opposite side margins thereof, said individual sleeves being positioned within said folded flexible web;
- and
- cutting said folded flexible web at intervals each corresponding in length to said length of each of said bottom-gusseted packages, whereby each individual sleeve provides a bottom gusset for one of the packages being formed,
- said cutting step includes cutting through each of said individual sleeves, wherein a portion of each individual sleeve provides:
- (1) said bottom gusset on one of the packages being formed, and (2) a top sleeve portion comprising a pair of flanges on an adjacent one of said packages being formed,
- including forming an end seal between said front and rear package panels below said pair of flanges of said top sleeve portion, and forming side seals at opposite ends of said pair of flanges of said top sleeve portion.
A method of making bottom-gusseted packages in accordance with claim wherein:
- said sleeve-forming web comprises a folded web of sleeve-forming material, wherein an inside surface of said folded sleeve-forming web does not heat-seal to itself.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.