Multi-compartment package, system and method

An instrumentation for continuously manufacturing, in repetitive cycles, from film sheeting a multiplicity of peripherally sealed dispensing packages each having two sealed juxtaposed compartments, each compartment containing a material, the instrumentation comprising:

• first and second continuous supplies of film sheeting, each supply extending in a generally planar sheeting portion;
• means for dividing longitudinally the first sheeting portion into first and second halves and directing the halves in opposite directions, and aligning the halves to be proximate and parallel;
• means for feeding the second sheeting portion and the first and second halves of the first sheeting portions so that said second sheeting portion and said halves are aligned and mutually parallel, thereby determining two opposed outer portions and one inner portion, each pair of adjacent portions being separated by a predetermined distance;
• means for simultaneously forming a first lateral seal, opposed side seals, and said first plurality of juxtaposed compartments, of each of a predetermined number of packages, the packages attached at contiguous side seals when the number of packages is more than one;
• means for injecting a material between each pair of adjacent portions;
• means for simultaneously forming a second lateral seal of each package, opposed to the first lateral seal;
• and
• reciprocating means for releasably holding the fully sealed package in a fixed position in the interim between repetitive cycles to thereby maintain the feeding sheet portions in alignment between the feeding means and the sealing means.

A process for continuously manufacturing, in repetitive cycles, peripherally sealed packaging having a plurality of sealed juxtaposed compartments, each compartment containing a material, said process comprising the steps of:

• feeding at least three coflexuous supplies of flexible film sheeting, each extending in a generally planar portion, so that the portions are aligned and mutually parallel, thereby determining two opposed outer portions and at least one inner portion, each pair of adjacent portions separated by a predetermined distance;
• forming simultaneously a first lateral seal and opposed side seals peripherally determining and common to a plurality of rearwardly open juxtaposed compartments;
• injecting a material between each pair of adjacent portions;
• forming a second lateral seal of the package, opposed to the first lateral seal and common to the plurality of compartments;
• and
• disengagingly holding the fully sealed package in fixed position in the interim between repetitive cycles to thereby maintain the feeding sheet portions in alignment between the feeding step and the sealing step.