Process for manufacture of a flexible package

Abstract

A process for the manufacture of flexible packages. The process may utilize a continuous flexible wall material sequentially attached to a reinforcing member. The process may have the ability to form multiple packages in a single moment.

1 . A method for manufacturing a flexible package, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a continuous flexible wall material,    b) providing a reinforcing member, said reinforcing member comprising a perimeter,    c) attaching a first portion of said flexible wall material to a first portion of said perimeter of said reinforcing member, to provide a composite structure comprising an attached first portion and an unattached second portion,    d) cutting said continuous flexible wall material to form a package pre-form,    e) attaching a second portion of said flexible wall material to said unattached second portion.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said perimeter of said reinforcing member comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, and opposed side edges.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said leading edge and said trailing edge comprise hinge elements.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said flexible wall material is first attached to said opposed side edges of said perimeter of said reinforcing member.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said flexible wall material is attached to said leading edge and said trailing edge of said perimeter of said reinforcing member subsequent to said first attachment.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said perimeter of said reinforcing member comprises a configuration selected from the group consisting of square, rectangle, circle, ellipse, polygon and oval.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein attachment of said flexible wall material to said remaining portion of said perimeter of said reinforcing member occurs with said reinforcing member in a closed or a partially closed configuration.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a step of forming a package pre-form seal outboard of said reinforcing member, wherein said package pre-form seal comprises opposed longitudinal side edges.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said package pre-form seal is cut at a position intermediate to said side edges of said package pre-form seal.  
     
     
         10 . A method for manufacturing a flexible package, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a continuous flexible wall material,    b) providing a reinforcing member comprising opposed side edges, a leading edge and a trailing edge opposed said leading edge wherein said leading edge and said trailing edge comprise hinge elements,    c) attaching said flexible wall material to said opposed side edges of said reinforcing member to provide a composite structure,    d) at least partially closing said reinforcing member,    e) forming a package pre-form seal outboard of said reinforcing member, wherein said package pre-form seal comprises two opposed longitudinal side edges,    f) cutting said package pre-form seal at a position intermediate to said side edges of said package pre-form seal to form a package pre-form,    g) at least partially opening said reinforcing member,    h) attaching said flexible wall material to said leading edge and said trailing edge of said reinforcing member.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said flexible wall material is provided into a trough wherein said trough comprises at least one folding board, wherein said folding board allows said flexible wall material to fold in an upward direction.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein closure is achieved by a method selected from the group consisting of mechanical closure, closure bars, magnetic force, air blasts, external pressure, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein opening is achieved by a method selected from the group consisting of suction cups, pry bars, flat ploughs, tongs, magnetic force, air blasts, ploughs, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said hinge elements comprise living hinges.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein more than one said package pre-form seal is located outboard of at least one edge of said reinforcing member, wherein said flexible wall material is unbonded between said multiple package pre-form seals.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said cutting occurs at a position intermediate to said multiple package pre-form seals.  
     
     
         17 . An intermediate product in a continuous manufacturing process comprising: 
 a) a continuous flexible wall material,    b) a plurality of reinforcing members attached to said flexible wall material at spaced apart locations along said flexible wall material.    
     
     
         18 . The intermediate product of  claim 17  wherein said continuous flexible wall material is partially attached to said reinforcing members.  
     
     
         19 . The intermediate product of  claim 17  wherein said reinforcing members are in either an open or partially open configuration.  
     
     
         20 . The intermediate product of  claim 17  wherein said reinforcing members are in a closed or partially closed configuration.  
     
     
         21 . The intermediate product of  claim 17  comprising a package pre-form seal between said reinforcing members.