Filling and sealing machine for providing a flat bottom package

Abstract

An apparatus for forming a pliable package having a flat bottom is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hollow guide form (16). The guide form, in a preferred embodiment, has a rectangular cross-section. Also provided are means (2) for forming pliable sealable material (12) which is received from a continuous roll, around guide form (16) to form a continuous seamed packaging preform (30). Members (32), (34) are also provided for advancing the continuous packaging preform (3) such that a seamed preform (58) extends below bottom (20) of guide-form (16). A pair of opposing and movable tucking jaws (60) and (62) are located close to the bottom end (20) of guide-form (16). Each of the tucking jaws includes a pair of pointed extension members (68) and (70), and (72) and (74) respectively separated a selected distance, for contacting and partially collapsing preform (58) to form a tuck in the preform (58) when tucking jaws (60) and ( 62) are moved toward each other. A pair of opposing and movable sealing jaws (76) and (78) are located at 90.degree. angles with respect to the tucking jaws. Sealing jaws (76) and (78) are moved toward each other such that they collapse preform (58) and provide a seal portion (96) of a selected width across preform (58). Also provided are means (104) and (106) which cut through the preform at the seal portion (96).