Process and apparatus for forming dual compartment pouches from a continuous web

A process for forming a dual compartment package comprising the steps of:

• (a) forming an elongated rectangular U-shaped package having an inside and outside wall configured to form an open top end and an inside and outside wall configured to form an open bottom end, the top end having an inner side;
• (b) filling the U-shaped package with product;
• (c) separating a zipper assembly having inter-locking members into a first zipper component and a second zipper component;
• (d) attaching the first zipper component to the inner side of the open top end walls thereby sealing the top end to the first zipper component;
• (e) placing the open bottom end walls adjacent the first zipper component;
• and
• (f) reattaching the second zipper component to the first zipper component thereby locking the open bottom end walls between the inter-locking members of the zipper assembly.

A process for forming a dual separated compartment package comprising the steps of:

• (a) forming an elongated rectangular U-shaped package having an inside and outside wall configured to form an open top end and an inside and outside wall configured to form an open bottom end, the top end having an outer side;
• (b) sealing a center portion of the U-shaped package forming a dual separated compartment package;
• (c) filling the two compartments of the U-shaped package with product;
• (d) separating a zipper assembly having inter-locking members into a first zipper component and a second zipper component;
• (e) attaching a portion of the first zipper component to the outer side of the open top end walls;
• (f) placing the open bottom end walls adjacent the top end walls and the first zipper component;
• and
• (g) reattaching the second zipper component to the first zipper component thereby locking the open top and bottom end walls between the inter-locking members of the zipper assembly.

An apparatus for forming a dual compartment package comprising:

• (a) mechanism for continuously supplying two layers of flexible web material;
• (b) mechanism for forming spaced transverse seals along the two layers of web material;
• (c) mechanism for folding the sealed layers of web material into U-shaped packages having dual compartments, the packages each having an inside and outside wall configured to form an open top end and an inside and outside wall configured to form an open bottom end, the top end having an inner side and an outer side;
• (d) mechanism for filling the dual compartments with a product;
• (e) mechanism for separating a zipper assembly having inter-locking members into a first zipper component and a second zipper component;
• (f) mechanism for attaching the first zipper component to the inner side of the open top end walls sealing the top end to the first zipper component;
• (g) mechanism for placing the open bottom end walls adjacent the first zipper component and reattaching the second zipper component to the first zipper component thereby locking the open top and bottom end walls between the inter-locking members of the zipper assembly;
• and
• (h) mechanism for separating the individual U-shaped packages from the continuous web material.