Methods and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing film containers

Apparatus for filling and closing a container comprising, in combination:

• a male die;
• a female die, with the male and female dies being movable relative to each other with the male die insertable into the female die;
• a container placement mechanism placing a container onto the male die while separated from the female die;
• a product loading mechanism placing product into the female die while separated from the male die and with the container received therein;
• and a container closing mechanism closing the container while the female die is separated from the male die.

A container having six walls, said container comprising;

• a formed bag consisting of a flexible film, said formed bag further comprising six walls consisting of a covered end wall and four integral side walls integral with and perpendicular to one closed end wall, wherein said closed end wall is opposite said covered end wall, wherein further said side walls are slit at their respective intersections, thus forming four flaps at the covered end of the formed bag;
• a product contained within the walls of the formed bag;
• and
• a cover heat sealed onto said flaps, thus forming said covered end wall.