Frito-lay North America, Inc.

Joseph Paul Sagel

Eduard Edwards

Eric Thomas Henderson

Edward Anthony Bezek

Steven Kenneth Tucker

David Jackson Lestage

Benjamin Adam Avis

Susan Tanner

An apparatus and method for reducing stress marks and pleats on a package. The apparatus includes the use of an elongated filling tube. The dimensions of the elongated filling tube reduce the stress on the film as it is being formed around the filling tube. Further, the dimensions of the elongated filling tube prevent the formation of pleats as the sealing jaws must travel a decreased distance to seal, and the filling tube cross section better resembles the final package.

Form-fill-seal machine including a filling tube with at least a partially elliptical cross-section

An improved method and apparatus for making a multi-compartment package on a form, fill, and seal machine. Two pairs of heat sealing jaws are provided below a product delivery tube.

Method for producing multi-compartment packages

An improved package for heating dry food products is provided. The present invention allows a dry food product to be heated in a microwave oven. The package has barrier properties and at least a portion of an outer surface that is water absorbent, so that the food package may be wetted prior to being heated in the microwave in order to prevent burning of the food products inside.

Package for microwaving dry foods

Form-fill-seal machine including a filling tube with an elliptical cross-section

An easy open bag and method for making the same. A film is fed into a jaw assembly comprising a first seal jaw comprising a blade gap and a second seal jaw comprising a removable insert. The removable insert comprises a blade pin. When the first and second seal jaws are mated, a notch is formed. The film also comprises a score line in the outer layer. Upon tearing the notch the tear propagates along the score line. Thus, the package can be easily opened by initiating a tear at a tear notch.

Easy open bag

Elliptical filling tube

Snack products are cooled after stacking in a rigid container by blowing cooled, dry area into the containers. The process provides sufficient cooling to prevent implosion of the rigid containers under conditions of changing temperature and pressure yet requires much less space than conventional cooling.

In-canister product cooling

Food container array

Food container

A method for making a vertical stand up package having one or more open or closed compartments within the package, and method and apparatus for manufacturing the same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form, fill and seal packaging machines. The invention involves producing a flat bottom bag that can stand upright having an internal compartment from a single sheet of flexible packaging film. A different product can be placed into the compartment. The compartment can also be used as a dipping well. In one aspect a multi-compartment package can be made.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Joseph Paul Sagel