Methods and machinery for manufacturing packaging

Abstract

There is provided a method of manufacturing sachets. The method involves moving a web of semi-rigid material through a cutting station and simultaneously cutting a discrete cut in the web of semi-rigid material while the web of semi-rigid material continues to move through the cutting station. The method also includes sandwiching the web of semi-rigid material between a first flexible web of material and a second web of flexible material such that the first web of flexible material seals the discrete cuts in the semi-rigid web of material and the second web of flexible material forms a continuous elongate reservoir with the web of semi-rigid material. There is also provided an apparatus for cutting a web of material. The apparatus has a cutting roller and at least one cutting element protruding beyond the exterior surface of the roller, wherein the cutting element has a cutting profile that is at least partly a zigzag shape. Another apparatus for cutting a web of material the apparatus has a first cutting element and a second opposing cutting element, each cutting element having a cutting profile that is at least partly a zigzag shape. Each cutting element is associated with a cam and a rail that are arranged such that the first cutting element follows a path and the second cutting element follows a path that mirrors the path of the first cutting element. The paths have adjacent sections and/or intersecting sections in which the cutting elements come together to discretely cut the web of material while leaving the material intact.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.