# US 9,434,492 B1 · Method of filling a plurality of bottom gusseted pouches disposed on a roll > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,434,492 B1 - Document ID: US9434492B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/800,222 - Filed: 2015-07-15 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-25 - Applicants: James Russell; John Ferber - Inventors: James Russell; John Ferber - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434492B1 ## CPC - B65B 43/123: {Feeding flat bags connected to form a series or chain} - B31B 70/00: Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags - B31B 70/008: {Stiffening or reinforcing (B31B70/876 takes precedence)} - B31B 70/10: Feeding or positioning webs - B31B 70/8133: {Applying the closure elements in the cross direction} - B31B 70/844: {Applying rigid valves, spouts, or filling tubes} - B31B 70/942: {by winding up} - B31B 70/946: {the bags being interconnected} - B31B 2155/00: Flexible containers made from webs - B31B 2155/0012: {having their openings facing in the direction of movement} - B31B 2155/002: {by joining superimposed webs, e.g. with separate bottom webs} - B31B 2160/10: rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents - B65B 43/36: applied pneumatically - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B31B: MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER (making wound articles, e.g. wound tubes, B31C; combined making and filling B65B) ## Abstract A method of filling a plurality of bottom gusseted pouches disposed on a roll in a top-to-bottom end orientation is provided. The method comprises unwinding the respective bottom gusseted pouch from the roll; providing access to an interior compartment defined by front and back panels and the bottom gusseted end of the respective bottom gusseted pouch; filling the interior compartment with at least one item to produce a filled pouch; and cutting the respective bottom gusseted pouch from the roll by cutting between the top end of the respective bottom gusseted pouch and the bottom gusseted end of an adjacent bottom gussetted pouch connected to the respective bottom gusseted pouch. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of filling a plurality of bottom gusseted pouches disposed on a roll, the method comprising: a) providing each of the plurality of bottom gusseted pouches with front and back panels, a bottom gusseted end, a top end, and sealed first and second side edges, wherein the plurality of bottom gusseted pouches are serially connected to one another in a top-to-bottom end orientation on the roll, wherein the top end of a respective bottom gusseted pouch on the roll is connected to the bottom gusseted end of an adjacent one of the plurality of bottom gusseted pouches on the roll; b) unwinding the respective bottom gusseted pouch from the roll of bottom gusseted pouches; c) providing access to an interior compartment defined by the front and back panels and the bottom gusseted end of the respective bottom gusseted pouch; d) filling the interior compartment with at least one item to produce a filled pouch; e) cutting the respective bottom gusseted pouch from the roll by cutting between the top end of the respective bottom gusseted pouch and the bottom gusseted end of the adjacent one of the plurality bottom gusseted pouches connected to the respective bottom gusseted pouch; and f) repeating steps b)-e) with respect to the adjacent one of the plurality bottom gusseted pouches. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of providing access to the interior compartment includes opening the top end of the respective bottom gusseted pouch. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plurality of bottom gusseted pouches are further connected in a side-to-side orientation on the roll such that the first side edge of the respective bottom gusseted pouch is connected to the second side edge of a side positioned bottom gusseted pouch on the roll. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the respective bottom gusseted pouch and the side positioned gusseted pouch are unwound, opened, filled, and cut in parallel in accordance with steps b), c), d), and e). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the respective bottom gusseted pouch is unwound from the roll of bottom gusseted pouches so that the bottom gusseted end of the respective bottom gusseted pouch is located vertically below the top end of the respective bottom gusseted pouch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of sealing the top end to enclose the at least one item within the interior compartment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a heat seal between the top end of the filled pouch and the bottom gusseted end of the adjacent bottom gusseted pouch prior to step e). ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top end is a top resealable end, wherein the step of providing access to the interior compartment includes opening the top resealable end of the respective bottom gusseted pouch. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method in accordance with claim 8, further comprising the step of closing the top resealable end to enclose the at least one item within the interior compartment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the top resealable end includes a closure mechanism. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method in accordance with claim 8, further comprising the step of forming a heat seal between the top resealable end of the filled pouch and the bottom gusseted end of the adjacent bottom gusseted pouch prior to step e). ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the plurality of bottom gusseted pouches are further connected in a side-to-side orientation on the roll such that the first side edge of the respective bottom gusseted pouch is connected to the second side edge of a side positioned bottom gusseted pouch on the roll. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the respective bottom gusseted pouch and the side positioned gusseted pouch are unwound, opened, filled, and cut in parallel in accordance with steps b), c), d), and e). ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the respective bottom gusseted pouch is unwound from the roll of bottom gusseted pouches so that the bottom gusseted end of the respective bottom gusseted pouch is located vertically below the top resealable end of the respective bottom gusseted pouch. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of providing access to the interior compartment includes providing a fitment disposed in at least one of: i) the front panel; ii) the back panel; iii) between the front and back panels positioned at the top end; or iv) between the front and back panels and positioned at an angle relative to the top end. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising the step of sealing the fitment to enclose the at least one item within the interior compartment. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method in accordance with claim 16, wherein a fitment cap is used to seal the fitment. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method in accordance with claim 15, wherein the step of cutting the respective bottom gusseted pouch from the roll occurs prior to the step of filling the interior compartment with at least one item to produce the filled pouch. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method in accordance with claim 15, wherein the plurality of bottom gusseted pouches are further connected in a side-to-side orientation on the roll such that the first side edge of the respective bottom gusseted pouch is connected to the second side edge of a side positioned bottom gusseted pouch on the roll. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the respective bottom gusseted pouch and the side positioned gusseted pouch are unwound, opened, filled, and cut in parallel in accordance with steps b), c), d), and e). ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method in accordance with claim 15, wherein the respective bottom gusseted pouch is unwound from the roll of bottom gusseted pouches so that the bottom gusseted end of the respective bottom gusseted pouch is located vertically below the top resealable end of the respective bottom gusseted pouch. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The method in accordance with claim 15, wherein at least one of the front panel, the back panel and the bottom gusset is a supported film including a first film layer and a second film layer. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the first film layer has a lower heat index than the second film layer. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method in accordance with claim 23, wherein the second film layer is an outer surface of at least one of the front panel or the back panel. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The method in accordance with claim 22, wherein at least one of the first film layer and the second film layer is formed of nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, a metal foil, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method in accordance with claim 25, wherein two or more of the front panel, the back panel, and the gusset webbing are formed of different materials. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the supported film is fabricated by lamination, extrusion, coextrusion, or combinations thereof.