Vertical form, fill, seal machine and methods

Abstract

In a vertical form, fill, seal machine that produces liquid-filled stand-up pouches, a flat vertical fill tube is surrounded by an envelope of thermoplastic film that is closed along one longitudinal edge and open along the opposite longitudinal edge. A main drive assembly includes drive members that press opposite sides of the envelope against the flat fill tube. An auxiliary film drive assembly is responsive to film tension. Stand-up base cups are formed seriatim along the closed longitudinal edge of the envelope. Fitments are inserted seriatim into the open longitudinal edge, in correspondence with respective cups, and are sealed to the thermoplastic film, first by a spot-sealer and then by a top sealer. End seal/cut-off assemblies provide a seal transversely of the envelope that is bisected by a knife to release a leading pouch that has been formed, filled, and sealed. Prior to end sealing and cut-off, a predetermined quantity of liquid is dispensed from the bottom of the fill tube into a pouch next to the leading (just-filled) pouch. A deflater assembly evacuates and stabilizes a region of the envelope at which each end seal is formed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.