Method and apparatus for shaping webs in a vertical form, fill, and sealing system

A method for forming a package, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) feeding a first web of material and a second web of material into a package forming apparatus in a machine direction, said package forming apparatus comprising at least one nozzle for dispensing a product between said webs, wherein said first and second webs of material each have a length oriented in the machine direction, a width oriented in a cross-machine direction, and two opposing faces;
• b) passing at least one of said first and second webs of material adjacent to a forming guide to at least temporarily shape at least one of said first and second webs of material across the width of the at least one of said first and second webs in order to space at least a portion of at least one of said first and second webs of material away from said at least one nozzle;
• c) dispensing a product between said first and second webs of material using said at least one nozzle, wherein said first and second webs of material are in a face-to-face relationship by said at least one nozzle;
• and
• d) sealing portions of said first and second webs of material together with said product therebetween to form a package containing said product.