Packaging method and apparatus

A package forming method comprising:

• forming a tube from a continuous film supplied in a forward movement direction;
• contacting a first part of the tube to fold the first part of the tube inwardly in a first folding direction transverse to the forward movement direction to produce a first fold;
• holding a second part of the tube in a manner that is transverse to the forward movement direction during the folding of the tube;
• generating a partial lateral tear at a first height in the first folding direction between the first part of the tube and the second part of the tube during the folding of the tube;
• producing a first seal on a first side of the partial lateral tear and producing a second seal on a second side of the partial lateral tear, the second side being located downstream the first seal in the forward movement direction;
• producing a transverse cut with respect to the forward movement direction, the transverse cut being produced by cutting the tube at the first height to produce upstream the transverse cut a closed end tube, and to produce downstream the transverse cut a package that includes the first fold.