# US 11,077,974 B2 · Systems and methods for forming dual layer water soluble packets > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,974 B2 - Document ID: US11077974B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/397,300 - Filed: 2019-04-29 - Published: 2019-08-15 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-24 - Assignees: Multi-Pack Chicago LLC - Applicants: Multi-Pack Chicago LLC - Inventors: Andreas Kepinski; Thomas McLenithan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077974B2 ## CPC - B65B 47/10: by vacuum - B65B 1/02: Machines characterised by the incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles (from flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material B65B9/00) - B65B 1/12: of screw type - B65B 9/042: {for fluent material} - B65B 31/021: {the containers or wrappers being interconnected} - B65B 37/005: {by endless belts or chains} - B65B 41/12: Feeding webs from rolls - B65B 55/24: Cleaning of, or removing dust from, containers, wrappers, or packaging {; Preventing of fouling} - B65B 57/02: responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages - B65B 61/02: for perforating, scoring {, slitting,} or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging {(scoring ampoules B65B3/006)} - B29K 2029/04: {PVOH, i.e. polyvinyl alcohol (B29K2031/04 takes precedence)} - B29K 2105/256: {Sheets, plates, blanks or films} - B29K 2995/0062: water-soluble - B29L 2031/712: {Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages (closures therefor B29L2031/56; ink or toner cartridges B29L2031/7678; squeeze tubes B29L2023/20; suitcases B29L2031/7418)} - B65B 2009/047: {Rotary pocket formers} - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A method of forming dual layer water soluble packets includes drawing a base film into a cavity of a mold, drawing air through openings in the base film, metering an amount of a first product of a first color onto the base film in the cavity, metering an amount of a second product of a second color onto the amount of the first product, and, sealing a lid film to the base film. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for forming dual layer water soluble packets, comprising: a plurality of cavities operatively engaged to a motor for moving the cavities; a base film supply roll configured to supply a base film to cover the plurality of cavities; a laser to form openings in the base film; a vacuum source to draw the base film into at least one cavity of the plurality of cavities and draw air through the openings in the base film; a first product feeder for metering an amount of a first product of a first color onto the base film in the at least one cavity; a second product feeder for metering an amount of a second product of a second color onto the amount of the first product a lid film supply roll to supply a lid film onto the base film; and a lid film roller for sealing the lid film to the base film. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 comprising a drum, a belt, a flat-bed, or platens configured to move the cavities. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the openings in the base film are formed by the laser before the base film is drawn into the cavity. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the openings in the base film are formed by the laser after the base film is drawn into the cavity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the openings are formed by the laser after the base film has been stretched into the at least one cavity and before the amount of the first product is metered onto the base film in the at least one cavity. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein the laser comprises a 30-watt CO2 laser. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein the density of the first product and the second product are increased by drawing air through the openings. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the first color and the second color are different. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 wherein the first product and the second product are compacted in the base film in the cavity. ### Claim 10 A packet forming assembly for forming dual layer water soluble packets, comprising: a plurality of cavities operatively engaged to a motor for moving the cavities; a base film supply roll configured to supply a base film to cover the plurality of cavities; a laser to form openings in the base film; a vacuum source configured to apply vacuum to the lower side of the base film to draw the base film into at least one cavity of the plurality of cavities and; draw air through the openings in the base film; a first product feeder meter for metering an amount of a first product onto an upper side of the base film in the at least one cavity while applying the vacuum to the lower side of the base film; and a second product feeder meter for metering an amount of a second product onto the amount of the first product while applying the vacuum to the lower side of the base film. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The packet forming assembly according to claim 10 wherein a density of the first product and the second product are increased by the vacuuming. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The packet forming assembly according to claim 10 wherein air is drawn through the openings while metering the first product and the second product. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The packet forming assembly according to claim 10 wherein the openings in the base film are formed by the laser before the base film is drawn into the cavity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The packet forming assembly according to claim 10 wherein the openings in the base film are formed by the laser after the base film is drawn into the cavity. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The packet forming assembly according to claim 10, further comprising a lid film supply roll to supply a lid film to the plurality of cavities; and a lid film roller for sealing the lid film to the base film. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The packet forming assembly according to claim 10, further comprising a drum, a belt, a flat-bed, or platens configured to move the cavities. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The packet forming assembly according to claim 10, wherein the laser comprises a 30-watt CO2 laser. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The packet forming assembly according to claim 10, wherein the first product comprises a first color and the second product comprises a second color and the first color and the second color are different. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The packet forming assembly according to claim 10, further comprising compacting the first product and the second product in the base film in the cavity. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) The packet forming assembly according to claim 10, further comprising forming a boundary between the first product and the second product. ### Claim 21 A system for forming dual layer water soluble packets, comprising: A laser configured to forming openings in a base film; a vacuum source configured to apply a suction force to draw the base film into a cavity of a mold; a first product feeder configured to deposit an amount of a first product of a first color onto a first side of the base film in the cavity while applying the suction force to a second side of the base film; a second product feeder configured to meter an amount of a second product of a second color onto the amount of the first product while applying the suction force to the second side of the base film; and a lid film roller configured to seal a lid film to the first side of the base film; wherein the openings are formed by the laser after the base film has been stretched into the cavity and before the amount of the first product is deposited onto the first side of the base film in the cavity.