Apparatus and method for forming and filling pouches of varying dimensions

Abstract

An apparatus for forming and filling pouches of varying dimensions, said apparatus comprising a forming drum and a filling drum, wherein at least one of said forming drum and said filling drum further comprise members capable of being adjusted radially. A method of manufacturing pouches of varying dimensions, comprising the steps of: a) forming pouches having a first width on a device comprising a forming drum, wherein multiple forming members on said drum are initially positioned at a first distance from the center of said drum; b) re-positioning each of said forming members to a second distance from the center of said drum; c) forming pouches having a second width different from said first width on said device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for forming pouches of varying dimensions, said apparatus comprising a forming drum, wherein said forming drum further comprises forming members capable of being adjusted radially.  
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for filling pouches of varying dimensions, said apparatus comprising a filling drum, wherein said filling drum further comprises filling members capable of being adjusted radially.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for forming and filling pouches of varying dimensions, said apparatus comprising a forming drum and a filling drum, wherein at least one of said forming drum and said filling drum further comprise members capable of being adjusted radially.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for forming pouches of varying dimensions, said apparatus comprising a forming drum, wherein said forming drum further comprises forming members capable of being temporarily inactivated.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for filling pouches of varying dimensions, said apparatus comprising a filling drum, wherein said filling drum further comprises filling members capable of being temporarily inactivated.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for forming and filling pouches of varying dimensions, said apparatus comprising a forming drum and a filling drum, wherein at least one of said forming drum and said filling drum further comprise members capable of being temporarily inactivated.  
     
     
         7 . A method of manufacturing pouches of varying dimensions, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) forming pouches having a first width on a device comprising a forming drum, wherein multiple forming members on said drum are initially positioned at a first distance from the center of said drum;    (b) re-positioning each of said forming members to a second distance from the center of said drum;    (c) forming pouches having a second width different from said first width on said device.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said second distance is less than said first distance.  
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing pouches of varying dimensions, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) forming pouches having a first width on a device comprising a forming drum, wherein multiple forming members on said drum are initially positioned at a first distance from the center of said drum;    (b) inactivating at least one of said forming members;    (c) forming pouches, at least some of which have a second width different from said first width on said device.