Packaging process and apparatus

Claim 2

A process for manufacturing packages made with water-soluble film having a tensile strength of at least about 500 p.s.i. and a stiffness of at least about 2.5 grams in a machine of the type which includes an applicator for applying solvent activator to the film which comprises the steps of applying tension to such film to advance it through the machine, applying a controlled amount of solvent activator to preselected areas of such film before any part of the package is formed, moving portions of said film into a sealing alignment with at least one of said portions being a preselected area, pressing said portions together to form a seal and a film package envelope open at one end thereof, filling the package through the open end thereof, pressing second portions of said film together at least one of which is a preselected area to seal the open end of the package and moving said filled package out of the machine.

Claim 3

A process as specified in claim 1 which includes the step of pressing one preselected area against another preselected area to form both of the said seals in the filled package.

Claim 4

The process specified in claim 1 further comprising the step of applying heat to said preselected areas of said film conjointly with the step of applying pressure to form said seal.

Claim 5

The process specified in claim 2 further comprising the step of applying heat to said preselected areas of said film conjointly with the step of applying pressure to form said seal.

Claim 6

The process specified in claim 1 further comprising the step of applying a solvent activator consisting of water to said film.

Claim 7

The process specified in claim 2 further comprising the step of applying a solvent activator consisting of water to said film.

Claim 8

The process specified in claim 1 further comprising the step of applying a solvent activator consisting of water and an additive to said film.

Claim 9

The process specified in claim 2 further comprising the step of applying a solvent activator consisting of water and an additive to said film.

Claim 10

The process specified in claim 1 further comprising the steps of applying said solvent activator to said film in discrete droplets.

Claim 11

The process specified in claim 2 further comprising the steps of applying said solvent activator to said film in discrete droplets.

Claim 12

The process specified in claim 9 further comprising the step of applying between 30 and 230 discrete droplets per linear inch to said preselected areas of said film.

Claim 13

The process specified in claim 10 further comprising the step of applying between 30 and 230 discrete droplets per linear inch to said preselected areas of said film.

Claim 14

The process specified in claim 1 further comprising the step of advancing the filled package out of the machine such that the film following the package completely supports the weight of at least one filled package.

Claim 15

The process specified in claim 2 further comprising the step of advancing the filled package out of the machine such that the film following the package completely supports the weight of at least one filled package.

Claim 16

A process for manufacturing packages made with at least two strips of water-soluble starch film each having a tensile strength of at least about 500 p.s.i. and a stiffness of at least about 2.5 grams in a machine of the type which includes an etched roll for applying water to the film strips to make it adhesive which comprises the steps of: applying tension to a first strip of such film, applying between 30 and 230 discrete droplets of water per linear inch to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips to activate and tackify the surface thereof before any part of the package is formed, moving said first and a second strip of film into sealing alignment with each other by the continued application of tension to the said film strips, pressing a portion of said first and second strips of film together to form a longitudinal seal between the two strips of film along a line at opposite ends thereof, pressing said two strips of film together to make a first cross seal across the film strips between said longitudinal seals to form a package envelope open at one end thereof, filling the package envelope by depositing material between said longitudinal seals and against said first cross seal, moving said package envelope under tension to another station and pressing said two strips of film together to make a second cross seal and form a final package and moving said final package out of said machinE by the application of tension to said film strips.

Claim 17

A process for manufacturing packages made with at least two strips of water-soluble starch film each having a tensile strength of at least about 500 p.s.i. and a stiffness of at least about 2.5 grams in a machine of the type which includes an etched roll for applying water to the film strips to make it adhesive which comprises the steps of: applying tension to a first strip of such film, applying between 30 and 230 discrete droplets of water per linear inch to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips to activate and tackify the surface thereof before any part of the package is formed, moving said first and a second strip of film into sealing alignment with each other by the continued application of tension to the said film strips, pressing a portion of said first and second strips of film together to form a longitudinal seal between the two strips of film along a line at opposite ends thereof, pressing said two strips of film together to make a first cross seal across the film strips between said longitudinal seals to form a package envelope open at one end thereof, filling the package envelope by depositing material between said longitudinal seals and against said first cross seal, moving said package envelope under tension to another station and pressing said two strips of film together to make a second cross seal and form a final package and moving said final package out of said machinE by the application of tension to said film strips.

Claim 18

A process as in claim 15 wherein 150 discrete droplets per linear inch are deposited on said film strip.

Claim 19

A process as in claim 16 wherein the 150 discrete droplets per linear inch are deposited on both strips of film.

Claim 20

A process as in claim 17 further comprising the step of stopping the film advance during the time that pressure is applied to the strips of film to form a seal.

Claim 21

A process for manufacturing packages made with at least two strips of water-soluble starch film having a tensile strength of at least about 500 p.s.i. and a stiffness of at least about 2.5 grams in a machine of the type which includes an etched roll for applying water to the film to make it adhesive which comprises the steps of: applying between 30 and 230 discrete droplets of water per linear inch to at least one of said film strips to activate and tackify the surface thereof before any part of the package is formed, moving said first and a second strip of film into sealing alignment with each other, pressing a portion of said first and second strips of film together to form the package for material contained therein.

Claim 22

A process for manufacturing packages made with at least two strips of water-soluble starch film having a tensile strength of at least about 500 p.s.i. and a stiffness of at least about 2.5 grams in a machine of the type which includes an etched roll for applying water to the film to make it adhesive which comprises the steps of: applying between 30 and 230 discrete droplets of water per linear inch to at least one of said film strips to activate and tackify the surface thereof before any part of the package is formed, moving said first and a second strip of film into sealing alignment with each other, pressing a portion of said first and second strips of film together to form the package for material contained therein.

Claim 23

A process for manufacturing packages made with at least two strips of water-soluble film having a tensile strength of at least about b 500 p.s.i. and a stiffness of at least about 2.5 grams which includes an applicator for applying water to the film which comprises the steps of: applying tension to a first strip of such film applying solvent activator to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips to activate and tackify the surface thereof before any part of the package is formed, depositing material on one of said strips of film, bringing said strips of film into sealing alignment and applying pressure to said strips of film to seal said package and moving said package out of said machine under tension.

Claim 24

A process for manufacturing packages made with at least two strips of water-soluble film having a tensile strength of at least about b 500 p.s.i. and a stiffness of at least about 2.5 grams which includes an applicator for applying water to the film which comprises the steps of: applying tension to a first strip of such film applying solvent activator to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips to activate and tackify the surface thereof before any part of the package is formed, depositing material on one of said strips of film, bringing said strips of film into sealing alignment and applying pressure to said strips of film to seal said package and moving said package out of said machine under tension.

Claim 27

An apparatus as specified in claim 28 wherein said means for applying a controlled amount of activator to preselected areas of said film comprises an etched roll having a screen rating of between 30 and 230, said roller being positively driven at a speed consistent with the speed of applying pressure to seal said packages, said etched roll being rotatable through a solvent activator bath whereby solvent activator is picked up in the etched area of said roll for deposition on said film, means for keeping the film in contact with said etched roll and means for removing excess solvent activator from the surface of said etched roll to confine the solvent activator only to the etched areas of said roll.

Claim 28

An apparatus as in claim 22 wherein said screen rating is 150.

Claim 29

An apparatus as in claim 22 further comprising means for adjusting the angle of contact of said film to said etched roll to vary the time the film is in contact with said roll.

Claim 30

An apparatus as specified in claim 21 further comprIsing means for applying heat to said film conjointly with said pressure to form a seal.

Claim 31

An apparatus as specified in claim 21 wherein said solvent activator is water.

Claim 32

An apparatus as specified in claim 21 further comprising means for applying solvent activator to preselected areas of each of two strips of film.

Claim 33

An apparatus as in claim 22 further comprising a dancer bar interposed between said etched roll and said means for pressing a portion of said preselected areas and film together to keep tension on said film and to prevent said film from forming into loops.

Claim 34

An apparatus as specified in claim 27 wherein said means for applying solvent activator to preselected areas of each of two strips of film comprises two etched rolls, each of said etched rolls being rotatable through a solvent activator bath whereby solvent activator is picked up in the etched area of each of said roll and deposited on said two film strips and means for pressing the preselected areas of each film strip together to form a seal.

Claim 37

A process for manufacturing packages of water-soluble film in a machine of the type which includes an applicator for applying solvent activator to the film to make it adhesive which comprises the steps of pulling at least a first and a second strip of such film through the machine, applying a controlled amount of solvent activator in the form of discrete droplets to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips to activate the surface and make it adhesive, moving said strips of film into sealing alignment with each other, pressing together a portion of at least two of said film strips including part of the preselected area to form a seal between the two strips of film and a packaging envelope with an opening therein, filling the package through such opening, pressing together a second portion of the same two film strips including part of the preselected area to seal the opening in the package and then removing said package from the machine.

Claim 38

A process for manufacturing packages of water-soluble film in a machine of the type which includes an applicator for applying solvent activator to the film to make it adhesive which comprises the steps of pulling at least a first and a second strip of such film through the machine, applying a controlled amount of solvent activator in the form of discrete droplets to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips to activate the surface and make it adhesive, moving said strips of film into sealing alignment with each other, pressing together a portion of at least two of said film strips including part of the preselected area to form a seal between the two strips of film and a packaging envelope with an opening therein, filling the package through such opening, pressing together a second portion of the same two film strips including part of the preselected area to seal the opening in the package and then removing said package from the machine.

Claim 39

The process specified in claim 31 which includes the step of applying between about 30 to 230 discrete droplets of solvent activator to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips.

Claim 40

The process specified in claim 31 which includes the step of applying heat to the film when it is pressed together to form a seal.

Claim 41

A process for manufacturing packages of water-soluble film in a machine of the type which includes an applicator for applying solvent activator to the film to make it adhesive which comprises the steps of pulling at least a first and a second strip of such film through the machine, applying a controlled amount of solvent activator which consists Of water and an additive to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips to tackify the surface and make it adhesive, moving said strips of film into sealing alignment with each other, pressing together a portion of at least two of said film strips including part of the preselected area to form a seal between the two strips of film and a packaging envelope with an opening therein, filling the package through such opening, pressing together a second portion of the same two film strips including part of the preselected area to seal the opening in the package and then removing said package from the machine.

Claim 42

A process for manufacturing packages of water-soluble film in a machine of the type which includes an applicator for applying solvent activator to the film to make it adhesive which comprises the steps of pulling at least a first and a second strip of such film through the machine, applying a controlled amount of solvent activator which consists Of water and an additive to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips to tackify the surface and make it adhesive, moving said strips of film into sealing alignment with each other, pressing together a portion of at least two of said film strips including part of the preselected area to form a seal between the two strips of film and a packaging envelope with an opening therein, filling the package through such opening, pressing together a second portion of the same two film strips including part of the preselected area to seal the opening in the package and then removing said package from the machine.

Claim 43

A process for manufacturing packages of water-soluble film in a machine of the type which includes an applicator for applying solvent activator to the film to make it adhesive which comprises the steps of pulling at least a first and a second strip of such film through the machine, applying a controlled amount of solvent in the form of discrete droplets in an area along the length at each side of at least one of said film strips and periodically applying a controlled amount of solvent activator in the form of discrete droplets in an area across the width of at least one of said film strips to tackify the surface and make it adhesive, moving said strips of film into sealing alignment and then pressing a portion of the adhesive area at both sides along the length of said strip against a second one of said strips without pressing the strips together across the entire width thereof to form a first longitudinal seal at both sides of said strips and thereafter pressing one of said adhesive areas positioned across said strip against the second one of said strips to form a second seal and a packaging envelope with an opening between said longitudinal seals, filling the package envelope through such opening, and then pressing a second one of said adhesive areas across said strip against the second one of said strips to seal the opening in the filled package and to form a second packaging envelope.

Claim 44

A process for manufacturing packages of water-soluble film in a machine of the type which includes an applicator for applying solvent activator to the film to make it adhesive which comprises the steps of pulling at least a first and a second strip of such film through the machine, applying a controlled amount of solvent in the form of discrete droplets in an area along the length at each side of at least one of said film strips and periodically applying a controlled amount of solvent activator in the form of discrete droplets in an area across the width of at least one of said film strips to tackify the surface and make it adhesive, moving said strips of film into sealing alignment and then pressing a portion of the adhesive area at both sides along the length of said strip against a second one of said strips without pressing the strips together across the entire width thereof to form a first longitudinal seal at both sides of said strips and thereafter pressing one of said adhesive areas positioned across said strip against the second one of said strips to form a second seal and a packaging envelope with an opening between said longitudinal seals, filling the package envelope through such opening, and then pressing a second one of said adhesive areas across said strip against the second one of said strips to seal the opening in the filled package and to form a second packaging envelope.

Claim 47

The apparatus specified in claim 36 which includes means for pulling at least two strips of film to advance them through the machine and in which said means for applying solvent activator is adapted to apply solvent activator to at least one strip of film in an area along the length at both sides of at least one film strip and in which the means for establishing the first longitudinal seal is adapted to press the adhesive area along both sides of the film against inactive film to establish a longitudinal seal at both sides of the packaging envelope.

Claim 48

A process for manufacturing packages of water-soluble film in a machine of the type which includes an applicator for applying solvent activator to the film to make it adhesive which comprises The steps of: applying tension to a first strip of such film and simultaneously applying tension to a second strip of such film to move said film strips through the machine, applying a controlled amount of solvent activator consisting of water and an additive to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips to activate and tackify the surface thereof before any part of the package is formed but insufficient to reduce the strength of the film below that needed to withstand the said tension forces applied to the film, moving said first and second strips of film into sealing alignment with each other by the continued application of tension solely to the said film strips, pressing a portion of said first and second strips of film together to form a seal between the two strips of film and a packaging envelope open at one end thereof, filling the package through the open end thereof, pressing a second portion of said film strips together to seal the open end of the package, and moving said package out of said machine by the continued application of tension solely to said film strips.

Claim 49

A process for manufacturing packages of water-soluble film in a machine of the type which includes an applicator for applying solvent activator to the film to make it adhesive which comprises The steps of: applying tension to a first strip of such film and simultaneously applying tension to a second strip of such film to move said film strips through the machine, applying a controlled amount of solvent activator consisting of water and an additive to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips to activate and tackify the surface thereof before any part of the package is formed but insufficient to reduce the strength of the film below that needed to withstand the said tension forces applied to the film, moving said first and second strips of film into sealing alignment with each other by the continued application of tension solely to the said film strips, pressing a portion of said first and second strips of film together to form a seal between the two strips of film and a packaging envelope open at one end thereof, filling the package through the open end thereof, pressing a second portion of said film strips together to seal the open end of the package, and moving said package out of said machine by the continued application of tension solely to said film strips.

Claim 50

A process for manufacturing packages of water-soluble film in a machine of the type which includes an applicator for applying solvent activator to the film to make it adhesive which comprises the steps of: applying tension to a first strip of such film and simultaneously applying tension to a second strip of such film to move said film strips through the machine, applying a controlled amount of solvent activator in the form of discrete droplets to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips to activate and tackify the surface thereof before any part of the package is formed but insufficient to reduce the strength of the film below that needed to withstand the said tension forces applied to the film, moving said first and second strips of film into sealing alignment with each other by the continued application of tension solely to the said film strips, pressing a portion of said first and second strips of film together to form a seal between the two strips of film and a packaging envelope open at one end thereof, filling the package through the open end thereof, pressing a second portion of said film strips together to seal the open end of the package, and moving said package out of said machine by the continued application of tension solely to said film strips.

Claim 51

A process for manufacturing packages of water-soluble film in a machine of the type which includes an applicator for applying solvent activator to the film to make it adhesive which comprises the steps of: applying tension to a first strip of such film and simultaneously applying tension to a second strip of such film to move said film strips through the machine, applying a controlled amount of solvent activator in the form of discrete droplets to preselected areas of at least one of said film strips to activate and tackify the surface thereof before any part of the package is formed but insufficient to reduce the strength of the film below that needed to withstand the said tension forces applied to the film, moving said first and second strips of film into sealing alignment with each other by the continued application of tension solely to the said film strips, pressing a portion of said first and second strips of film together to form a seal between the two strips of film and a packaging envelope open at one end thereof, filling the package through the open end thereof, pressing a second portion of said film strips together to seal the open end of the package, and moving said package out of said machine by the continued application of tension solely to said film strips.

Claim 52

The process specified in claim 39 further comprising the step of applying between 30 and 230 discrete droplets per linear inch to said preselected areas of said film.