Sets of pre-padded bags and methods of making same

A method of forming a chain of sets of pre-padded bags, comprising the steps of:

• providing a continuous length of seamless lay-flat tubular film having opposite longitudinal edges;
• longitudinally slitting at least one of the longitudinal edges of the lay-flat tubular film to open the film;
• inserting into the opened lay-flat tubular film, at each of a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations along the continuous length of the film, a set of fluid-absorbent pads spaced apart from each other across the film;
• forming a longitudinal seal along the continuous length of the lay-flat tubular film adjacent the or each slit longitudinal edge to form an outer side seal for at least one bag of each set;
• forming a longitudinal seal along the continuous length of the lay-flat tubular film at least at one position intermediate the opposite longitudinal edges of the lay-flat tubular film so as to form interior side seals of the bags, whereby the bags of each set are connected along the respective interior side seals;
• and
• forming longitudinally spaced, transverse seals across the film in between the sets of pads so as to form end seals for each bag set.

A method of forming a chain of sets of pre-padded bags, comprising the steps of:

• providing a continuous length of film having opposite longitudinal edges;
• disposing on the film, at each of a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations along the continuous length of the film, a pair of fluid-absorbent pads spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of a central area of the film;
• folding the film to bring the opposite longitudinal edges inwardly toward the central area of the film and positioning the opposite longitudinal edges on opposite sides of the central area, such that a first portion of the film is in overlying relation with an underlying portion of the film to enclose the pads on one side of the central area and a second portion of the film is in overlying relation with another underlying portion of the film to enclose the pads on the other side of the central area;
• sealing the longitudinal edges of the film to the underlying portions of the film so as to form interior side seals of the bags, whereby the central area connects the bags of each pair along the respective interior side seals;
• and
• forming longitudinally spaced, transverse seals across the film in between the pairs of pads so as to form end seals for each pair of bags.

A method of forming a chain of sets of pre-padded bags, comprising the steps of:

• providing continuous first and second films each having opposite longitudinal edges;
• disposing on the first film, at each of a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations along the continuous length of the first film, a set of fluid-absorbent pads spaced apart from each other across a width of the first film;
• positioning the second film in overlying relation with the first film;
• sealing the first and second films together along the longitudinal edges of each film;
• forming a longitudinal seal along the continuous lengths of the first and second films at least at one position intermediate the opposite longitudinal edges of the films so as to form interior side seals of the bags, whereby the bags of each set are connected along the respective interior side seals;
• and
• forming longitudinally spaced, transverse seals across the first and second films in between the sets of pads so as to form end seals for each set of bags.