Flexible packaging

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for forming and filling a flexible package are provided in which an evacuation device ( 26 ) and a fitment ( 20 ) are attached to a sheet of flexible material ( 16 ). The sheet of flexible material ( 16 ) is formed into a package that is filled and sealed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of forming and filling a flexible package, comprising: 
 partially forming the package;    attaching an evacuation device;    filling the package; and    sealing the package.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible package is a plastic bag.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evacuation device is attached before the package is partially formed.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evacuation device is attached after the package is partially formed.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein sealing the package comprises making a top seal.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein partially forming the package comprises folding a sheet of flexible material.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein partially forming the package comprises forming side seals.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the side seals are formed on a horizontal form, fill, and seal machine.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein partially forming the package comprises forming a tube from a sheet of flexible material.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein partially forming the package comprises forming a bottom seal.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the bottom seal is formed on a vertical form, fill, and seal machine.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , and further comprising attaching a fitment to the flexible package.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , and further comprising coupling the evacuation device and the fitment, and wherein attaching the evacuation device comprises attaching the coupled evacuation device and fitment.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fitment is attached to an inside surface of the flexible package, and is located within the flexible package.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fitment penetrates the flexible package.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , and further comprising making a hole in the flexible package for receiving the fitment.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the fitment is a port that includes a valve.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fitment is attached before attaching the evacuation device, and wherein the evacuation device is attached proximate the fitment.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the evacuation device is attached to the fitment.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evacuation device is attached to an inside surface of the flexible package.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evacuation device is seamed into a seal of the flexible package.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the evacuation device is a dip strip.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein attaching the evacuation device comprises attaching a fitment adapted to prevent the package from interfering with flow through the fitment.  
     
     
         24 . A method of forming and filling a flexible package, comprising: 
 attaching a fitment to a sheet of flexible material;    attaching an evacuation device proximate the fitment;    partially forming the package from the sheet of flexible material;    filling the package; and    sealing the package.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the flexible package is a plastic bag.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the fitment is attached before the package is partially formed.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the fitment is attached after the package is partially formed.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein sealing the package comprises making a top seal.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein partially forming the package comprises folding the sheet of flexible material.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein partially forming the package comprises forming side seals.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the side seals are formed on a horizontal form, fill, and seal machine.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein partially forming the package comprises forming a tube from the sheet of flexible material.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein partially forming the package comprises forming a bottom seal.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the bottom seal is formed on a vertical form, fill, and seal machine.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 24 , and further comprising coupling the evacuation device and the fitment, and wherein attaching the fitment and attaching the evacuation device comprise attaching the coupled evacuation device and fitment.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the fitment is attached to an inside surface of the flexible package, and is located within the flexible package.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the fitment penetrates the sheet of flexible material.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 24 , and further comprising making a hole in the flexible material for receiving the fitment.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the fitment is a port that includes a valve.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the evacuation device is attached to the fitment.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the evacuation device is attached to an inside surface of the flexible package.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein attaching the evacuation device comprises seaming the evacuation device into a seal of the flexible package.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the evacuation device is a dip strip.