Method of forming bottom-gusseted package with tape elements

Abstract

A bottom-gusseted package comprises a package body, and a bottom gusset positioned transversely of a longitudinal axis of the package body. Formation of the bottom-gusseted package is effected by positioning individual sleeves transversely of the longitudinal axis of a flexible web which forms the package body. Tape elements are applied in overlapping relationship to opposite ends of each individual sleeve. During package formation, the flexible web is cut to form individual packages, and each individual sleeve can be cut to form a bottom gusset in one package, and a top sleeve portion in an adjacent package. A top sleeve portion of the package body can be configured to include a reclosable fastener. The tape elements facilitate formation such that the packages can be formed and filled on an associated vertical form, fill and seal apparatus have conventionally configured heat-sealing jaws.

1 . A method of making bottom-gusseted packages, comprising the steps of:
 providing a flexible web of material having a longitudinal axis,   providing a plurality of individual sleeves;   joining said individual sleeves to said flexible web in spaced apart relationship longitudinally of said flexible web, with the spacing between said individual sleeves corresponding to the length of each of said bottom-gusseted packages being formed, including applying tape elements to said flexible web of material in respective overlapping relationship with opposite ends of each of said individual sleeves;   folding said flexible web of material and joining the lateral margins thereof to form a folded flexible web, and to thereby form a package body for each of said bottom-gusseted packages, each package body including a front package panel and a rear package panel joined at opposite side margins thereof, said individual sleeves being positioned generally within said folded flexible web; and   cutting said folded flexible web at intervals each corresponding in length to said length of each of said bottom-gusseted packages so each individual sleeve provides a bottom gusset for one of the packages being formed.   
     
     
         2 . A method of making bottom-gusseted packages in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said cutting step includes cutting through each of said individual sleeves so that a portion of each individual sleeve provides: (1) said bottom gusset for one of the packages being formed, and (2) a top sleeve portion for an adjacent one of said packages being formed.   
     
     
         3 . A method of making bottom-gusseted packages in accordance with  claim 2 , including:
 providing each of said top sleeve portions with a reclosable fastener positioned within the respective top sleeve portion, each said reclosable fastener comprising fastener elements respectively joined to confronting inside surfaces of each top sleeve portion.   
     
     
         4 . A method of making bottom-gusseted packages in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein:
 each of said top sleeve portions includes a peelable seal positioned above said reclosable fastener for gaining access to said reclosable fastener.   
     
     
         5 . A method of making bottom-gusseted packages in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said folding step includes folding at least one of said tape elements.   
     
     
         6 . A method of making bottom-gusseted packages in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein
 said folding step includes folding at least one end of at least some of said individual sleeves.   
     
     
         7 . A method of making bottom-gusseted packages in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 inner and outer surfaces of each of said folding sleeves exhibit differing heat-sealing characteristics.   
     
     
         8 . A method of making bottom-gusseted packages in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said step of applying said tape elements includes respectively applying individual tape elements to overlap each of the opposite ends of each of said individual sleeves.   
     
     
         9 . A method of making bottom-gusseted packages in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein:
 said applying step includes applying said individual tape elements to the opposite ends of said individual sleeves after said individual sleeves have been joined to said flexible web of material.   
     
     
         10 . A method of making bottom-gusseted packages in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein:
 said step of applying said tape elements includes applying said individual tape elements to the opposite ends of each of said individual sleeves before said individual sleeves are joined to said flexible web of material.   
     
     
         11 . A method of making bottom-gusseted packages in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said step of applying said tape elements includes applying first and second elongated tape elements to extend between successive ones of said individual sleeves after said individual sleeves have been joined to said flexible web of material.   
     
     
         12 . A bottom-gusseted package, comprising:
 a package body formed from a flexible web having a longitudinal axis, said flexible web being folded to define a front package panel and a rear package panel of said package body, said front and rear package panels being joined to each other at respective lateral side margins of said package body,   said flexible web being joined to itself along a seam which extends parallel to said longitudinal axis of said flexible web;   a bottom gusset positioned between said front and rear package panels, and extending upwardly and inwardly from lower edges of said front and rear package panels; and   a pair of tape elements applied to said flexible web in respective overlapping relationship with opposite ends of said bottom gusset.   
     
     
         13 . A bottom-gusseted package in accordance with  claim 12 , including:
 laterally opposite side seals that join the front and read package panels and said tape elements to each other at the respective lateral side margins of said package body.   
     
     
         14 . A bottom-gusseted package in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein:
 at least one of said tape elements is folded and extends between said front and rear package panels.   
     
     
         15 . A bottom-gusseted package in accordance with  claim 12 , including:
 a top sleeve portion positioned between said front and rear package panels at an upper portion of said package, generally opposite said bottom gusset.   
     
     
         16 . A method of making bottom-gusseted packages, comprising the steps of:
 providing a flexible web of material having a longitudinal axis,   providing a plurality of individual sleeves;   joining said individual sleeves to said flexible web in spaced apart relationship longitudinally of said flexible web, with the spacing between said individual sleeves corresponding to the length of each of said bottom-gusseted packages being formed;   folding said flexible web of material and joining the lateral margins thereof to form a folded flexible web, and to thereby form a package body for each of said bottom-gusseted packages, each package body including a front package panel and a rear package panel joined at opposite side margins thereof, said individual sleeves being positioned generally within said folded flexible web; and   cutting said folded flexible web at intervals each corresponding in length to said length of each of said bottom-gusseted packages so each individual sleeve provides a bottom gusset for one of the packages being formed,   wherein said cutting step includes cutting through each of said individual sleeves so that a portion of each individual sleeve provides: (1) said bottom gusset for one of the packages being formed, and (2) a top sleeve portion for an adjacent one of said packages being formed.   providing each of said top sleeve portions with a reclosable fastener positioned within the respective top sleeve portion, each said reclosable fastener comprising fastener elements respectively joined to confronting inside surfaces of each top sleeve portion,   each of said top sleeve portions including a peelable seal positioned above said reclosable fastener for gaining access to said reclosable fastener.