Method and apparatus for forming, filing and sealing tubular packaging

Abstract

A method and apparatus for forming a tubular package is disclosed. A longitudinally advancing strip of film material is guided about a mandrel so as to form a tubular body. As the film advances, margins of the film at the longitudinal edges are guided together into a fin and the fin is guided against the tubular body portion. The edge margins are then welded to each other and to the tubular body portion to form a tube closed cylinder. Individual packages may be formed and filled using conventional form, fill and sealing equipment.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for forming a package at a form, fill and seal machine, said method comprising the steps of: 
 longitudinally advancing a strip of film material about a mandrel so as to form a tubular body, said strip of film material having opposed longitudinal edges;    guiding marginal portions of said strip adjacent said longitudinal edges together so as to form a fin;    guiding said fin against said tubular body as said strip advances toward said mandrel; and    sealing said marginal portions to each other and said fin to said tubular body.    
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said marginal portions are simultaneously sealed to each other and to said tubular body.  
     
     
         3 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  comprising the further steps of forming a first transverse seal across a section of said tubular body, filling a product into said tubular body section and then forming a second transverse seal across said tubular body.  
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said marginal portions are sealed to each other and said fin is sealed to said tubular body by welding the same.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for forming a package comprising: 
 a mandrel;    a film material supply, means for longitudinally advancing a strip of film material from said supply and about said mandrel;    means for guiding said advancing strip into a tubular body;    means for guiding longitudinal edge margins of said strip together to form a fin as said strip advances toward said mandrel;    means for guiding said fin to fold against said tubular body;    means for sealing said longitudinal edge margins to each other; and    means for sealing said fin to said tubular body.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein a single welder seals said longitudinal edge margins and seals said fin to said tubular body.