JPH04253621A - Method and device for manufacturing elexible film pouch, and assembly of ultrasonic hone and anvil - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain more efficient ultrasonic sealing by using, during a pouch filling process, a process for ultrasonic-sealing a pouch container, and by using an assembly of an ultrasonic horn and an anvil as a means for sealing and cutting a thermoplastic film. CONSTITUTION: A pouch 10 has a rear face 11, a lengthwise seal 12, a bottom seal 13 and a top seal 14. A first step for a film is performed by overlapping respective end rims of the film to form joints. The joint is passed through an ultrasonic horn and an anvil of a lengthwise ultrasonic sealer. Since the joint is positioned between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil, when pressure and ultrasonic energy is applied to the ultrasonic horn and/or the anvil, a thermoplastic material is heated at the joint to be joined. Following this step, the film is of a tubular form. Concurrently, a side joint is sealed to form a top joint of the pouch, and a bottom seal is further formed on a pouch below.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing filled pouches from film using ultrasonic welding. More specifically, the present invention relates to techniques for forming pouches by sealing the joints of films using ultrasonic sealing assemblies and for cutting the films to form individual pouches. .

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are various techniques for forming pouches from films. Regardless of the technique, a seal must be formed. The flat film must be manipulated to provide a front section and a rear section. This can be done in many ways. One convenient method is to first form a tube from the film and then form the tube into a pouch. In this technique, there is a longitudinal joint where the film is formed into a tube and an end seal that forms the tube into a pouch. An advantage of forming a film into a tube and then forming the tube into a pouch is that the pouch can be filled during the process of forming the pouch from the tube. It is advantageous to manufacture the pouch and fill it in the same process.

0003

A variety of techniques can be used to seal the film and form the pouch. Adhesives can also be used to form the seal. A heated platen can be used to seal the thermoplastic film. Dielectric heating, also known as radio frequency (RF) heating, can also be used. However, ultrasonic sealing is superior to both of these techniques and is particularly advantageous for manufacturing/filling processes. When using adhesives, there is the problem of solvent removal.

[0004] Also, curing time is required. Using a heated platen is not efficient because the film must be heated by heat transfer. In the RF energy, the entire thickness of the film is heated, not the surface of the film. Although this provides a good seal, its application is limited to films that absorb sufficient amounts of RF energy to soften. Also, because the entire thickness of the film is heated, there is a possibility of overheating of the film and the deposition of film pieces, known as flash, on the electrodes. This affects subsequent seals formed by the electrodes until these are removed. It has been found that manufacturing pouches from thermoplastic films using ultrasonic sealing provides improvements over methods using adhesives, heated platens, or RF energy. In ultrasonic sealing, only the surfaces to be joined are heated. These surfaces are heated by absorbing impact energy. Not the entire thickness of the film is heated. This offers many advantages. It is possible to manufacture pouches using films that do not absorb RF energy well. The problem of flash formation is also eliminated. No flash occurs because only the impact surface is heated.

The use of ultrasonic sealing has been found to have distinct advantages in the manufacturing/filling process. These are the steps that fill the pouch when it is formed. A problem with the pouch manufacturing/filling process is that during the filling process, the product tends to contact the area of the pouch that is to be sealed. In other types of seals, including RF seals, this results in a weaker seal. However, in ultrasonic sealing, the surfaces to be bonded are cleaned before bonding. This is done by surface-to-surface vibration. As a result, it was found that the use of ultrasonic sealing in the manufacturing/filling process has distinct advantages. This creates a uniform, high-strength seal.

Ultrasonic techniques have been used to bond various materials. These techniques have also been used to make bags or pouches. U.S. Patent No. 4,734
, No. 142 discloses a bag sealing machine that utilizes ultrasonic sealing. The bags produced will contain meat or product. US Pat. No. 4,767,492 discloses using ultrasonic technology to seal tubular containers. After filling, these containers are sealed in a separate step. US Pat. No. 4,866,914 discloses an ultrasonic device for sealing pouches. The product is placed into a pouch, which is then ultrasonically sealed in a separate step. It is noted in this US patent that foreign matter adhering to the sealing surface is removed during the sealing process. These US patents demonstrate current ultrasonic pouch sealing technology. However, none of these patents is directed to applying ultrasonic sealing during the manufacturing/filling process.

It is also known to use ultrasonic horns and anvils to seal and cut films. In US Pat. No. 3,939,033 a method is disclosed in which the stationary jig has a first lifting means for sealing and a second lifting means for cutting. That is, sealing and cutting are not performed on the same surface. However, it has been found that it is possible to both seal and cut the same surface. the result,
A more efficient ultrasound device is obtained.

[0008] During the manufacture and filling of thermoplastic pouches, it has been found advantageous to manufacture the pouches using ultrasonic sealing techniques. Ultrasonic sealing has advantages over the use of adhesives, heat transfer or dielectric heating. The clear advantage is
While heating the filling surface that is to become part of the seal to at least its melting point, it is possible to simultaneously clean that surface. This is important when the pouch is manufactured and filled in the same process. In such packaging processes, the substance to be packaged, for example a liquid, may contaminate a portion of the sealed area as it flows into the open pouch. This area must be clean to get a good seal. This can be achieved in various ways. However, the most efficient method is to use ultrasonic sealing technology. This method ensures that the sealed area is clean when sealed.

It is also part of the invention to use an ultrasonic sealing device consisting of an ultrasonic horn and anvil for the dual purpose of sealing and cutting the film. This is achieved by the same surface of the ultrasonic horn and anvil. The molded cut surface is a part of the anvil, and is preferably triangular in cross-section. The outer base angle of the triangle is approximately 120° to 160°. This results in internal angles of 20 to 60°. The top of this shape should have a smooth edge.

0010

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention utilizes an ultrasonic horn and anvil assembly as a means for ultrasonically sealing the pouch container and for sealing and cutting thermoplastic film during the pouch filling process. It is intended for use. In this regard, the ultrasonic horn and/or anvil must have a special shape so that it can perform the dual function of sealing the thermoplastic film and then cutting the thermoplastic film in the sealing area.

[0011] In order to ultrasonically seal a thermoplastic film and then cut the film, at least one of the ultrasonic horn or anvil must be shaped for the cutting process. Both the ultrasonic horn and the anvil of the ultrasonic sealer can be configured to perform cutting. But it doesn't have to be that way. It is sufficient that only the ultrasonic horn or anvil has a shape suitable for cutting. In this regard, it is desirable that the shape of the anvil be suitable for cutting. The reason is that shaped parts wear faster. This is because it is desirable for the anvil to wear more rapidly than the ultrasonic horn.

0012

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The method of the present invention will now be described with respect to the manufacture of pouches with spouts. An example pouch is shown in FIG. This pouch is designated by the numeral 10 and has a back surface 11, a longitudinal seal 12, a bottom seal 13, and
It has a top seal 14. Also provided is a beak-shaped spout 15 having a notch 17 and an associated seal 16. The back of the pouch is shown.

In the process of manufacturing and filling the pouch of FIG. 1, the first step of the film is to form a tube, which involves overlapping each edge of the film by about 0.1 cm to 1.0 cm and bonding. This is done by forming a section. This joint passes between the ultrasonic horn of the longitudinal ultrasonic sealing device and the anvil. Now, since the joint is located between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil, when pressure and ultrasonic energy are applied to the ultrasonic horn and/or the anvil, the thermoplastic material is heated at the joint and bonded. do. Preferably, the pressure is applied to an ultrasonic horn. After this stage,
The film takes the form of a tube. At the same time, it is desirable to seal the side joints to form the top joint of the pouch and seal it to the lower pouch. Also, at this time, it is desirable to form a beak-shaped spout on the lower pouch and further form a bottom seal on the lower pouch. This is because the film is at rest and it is then possible to apply more than one action to the film for better efficiency. In this manner, the side seals, top and beak seals, and bottom seals are all formed in one step, albeit for different pouches. This top and beak spout joint is formed using separate lateral ultrasonic seals, particularly side seals. This downward lateral ultrasonic sealing device contacts the inner surface of the tube in a first stage to form both a top occluding junction and a beak-shaped jetting junction, thus applying pressure and ultrasound. The top joint of the pouch is joined and a beak-shaped spout is formed by adhering the surface to the shape. This film now forms an upside-down pouch with an open top. At this point, the pouch is ready to be filled with a substance that is typically a liquid. After filling, the filled pouch is moved downwards and the lateral ultrasonic sealer is activated for another cycle. In the next cycle, a pouch bottom seal is formed on the filled pouch. At the same time, a top seal is formed on the adjacent pouch along with a seal forming a beak-shaped spout. During each cycle after these seals are formed, the application of ultrasonic energy is stopped and the pressure of the anvil against the ultrasonic horn is increased. In this way, the anvil and ultrasonic horn cut the film to form a beak-shaped spout in the upper pouch, from the top-sealed but unfilled upper pouch to the sealed and filled lower pouch. It functions as a cutting device that cuts.

In summary, the lateral ultrasonic energy sealing device seals the bottom joint of the filled lower tubular pouch while simultaneously sealing the top joint of the upper pouch and forming the beak-shaped spout of the upper pouch. It is something to do. This step can be carried out simultaneously with the other sealing steps since the film is in a stationary position. Thus, during this manufacturing/filling process, during periods when the film flow is stopped,
It becomes possible to carry out three different sealing steps. sealing the side joints to form a tube, the side joints forming a top seal and spout to the preformed pouch;
Form a bottom closure seal on the lower pouch just filled with material. After the top seal of the upper pouch and the beak-shaped spout are formed, the delivery of ultrasonic energy is stopped and the pressure between the anvil and the ultrasonic horn is increased, thereby emptying the filled lower pouch. Cut from the upper pouch. The filled lower pouch is then advanced and packaged, and the formed upper pouch is filled. Also during the above process, a beak-shaped spout is formed when the lateral seal is formed.

A problem with these pouch containers is that the lateral seal area becomes contaminated when the pouch is filled. This is due to contamination by the contents flowing into the pouch. This is due to the material flowing inside the pouch scattering and the product dripping at the end of the filling process. Because the thermoplastic inner surfaces must be bonded together, excessive contamination can affect the integrity of the lateral seal. However, because only the joints of the thermoplastic film are heated during ultrasonic sealing, rather than the entire thickness of the film, ultrasonic sealing can weld seal pouches more effectively than using other techniques. I can do it. This is because the ultrasonic energy is concentrated on the bonded inner surfaces of the thermoplastic film and is very effective at removing contaminants from these surfaces prior to forming the seal. This is in contrast to high frequency heating, known as dielectric heating, where the entire thickness of the thermoplastic film is heated. In dielectric heating, the bonding energy is not concentrated solely on the thermoplastic bonding surface. Nor does the energy assist in cleaning the interface.

A longitudinal seal is shown in FIG. Ultrasonic horn 20 and anvil 21 each have a flat working surface. Both of these surfaces may be smooth, or one surface may be textured and the other surface may be smooth. In use, the face 22 of the ultrasonic horn is in close proximity to the face 23 of the anvil. The anvil can optionally be cooled by flowing water or other fluid through each device. If desired, the ultrasonic horn can also be cooled by air jets. In this embodiment, each of the ultrasonic horn and the stationary jig is designed to be cooled. In this regard, the anvil has an inlet port 27 and an outlet port 28 for flowing cooling fluid. Any frequency commonly used for ultrasonic sealing can be applied, but frequencies from about 10 KHz (kilohertz) to 70 KHz, especially from about 20 KHz to 40 KH
It is preferable to use a frequency of z. Energy is supplied to the ultrasonic horn through booster 29.

Although the longitudinal sealing device is designed to be capable of sealing, it is not necessary to be capable of cutting the film. However, if it is desired that the device can also be used for cutting, the anvil of the ultrasonic horn is provided with a contact surface as shown in cross-section in FIG. The angle A of the surface 30 is approximately 120° to 160°, in particular approximately 15°.
The angle is 0° to 175°. As a result, the interior angle is approximately 20°
The angle is between 60° and 60°. The top surface 23(a) is an edge and is sufficient to form an effective seal, but increasing the pressure between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil allows the film to be cut.

FIG. 4 illustrates the top and bottom seals of the pouch of FIG. 1, as well as the anvil assembly that forms the beak-shaped spout. This device forms a bottom seal of the lower pouch, a top seal, and a seal centered near the beak-shaped spout of the adjacent upper pouch. After these seals are formed, increase the pressure between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil;
Remove the thermoplastic material between the bottom seal of one pouch and the top seal of another pouch and any excess material in the beak spout area. The ultrasonic sealing device must have sufficient energy to complete the seal and then thin the material so that the thermoplastic film can be cut. The surface topography also contributes to reducing the film thickness. 10K
The use of ultrasound frequencies between Hz and 70 KHz is preferred, with frequencies between about 20 KHz and 40 KHz being optimal.

The device shown in FIG. 4 is an anvil assembly 40 of a lateral ultrasonic sealing device. The device consists of a base support plate surface 41 supporting top and bottom sealing anvils 42 and a beak-shaped spout sealing anvil 43. Each of these anvils is raised upwardly from the plane of the support plate to its limit point. Sealing anvil 42 has a surface 44 that contacts a corresponding ultrasonic horn surface, and anvil 43 has a surface 45 that contacts a corresponding ultrasonic horn surface. The base plate can be cooled by fluid circulating through the plate through ports 46,47.

The contact surfaces 44, 45 are in the form of edges and are effective in forming the desired seal and subsequently cutting the film. Preferably, this surface is an edge to accommodate the desired seal. The shape of the anvil of this ultrasonic sealing device is illustrated in more detail in FIG. In FIG. 5, the external angle A of the anvil, which also has a horizontal axis, is approximately 120° to 160°, in particular approximately 1
Preferably, the angle is between 35° and 150°. the result,
Preferably, the internal angle is approximately 20° to 60°, particularly approximately 70° to 45°. These anvils are shaped to provide effective sealing and to effectively cut the film after sealing. During the sealing process, the pressure between the anvil and the ultrasonic horn is about 10 kg/cm2 to 50 kg/cm2. This pressure is approximately 20 kg/kg to cut the film.
cm2 to 100kg/cm2. This pressure increase depends on the pressure utilized during the sealing process. Pressure can be increased by moving the anvil relative to the ultrasonic horn, or by moving the ultrasonic horn relative to the anvil.

FIG. 6 shows a complete lateral ultrasonic sealing system forming top and bottom pouch seals and a beak spout seal. This device generally consists of anvil assembly 4
0 and an ultrasonic horn 35. This device forms top and bottom seals as well as a beak-shaped spout seal. The ultrasonic horn consists of a flat surface 36 that contacts shaped holes 44, 45 in the anvil. This ultrasonic energy is transmitted from booster 37 to the horn. However, as mentioned above, rather than having the anvil shaped for this purpose, it can be shaped so that the ultrasonic horn can cut the film. Either the ultrasonic horn or the anvil must be shaped so that it can cut the film after sealing. If the ultrasonic horn serves the function of cutting the film, the contact portion 36 of the ultrasonic horn should be shaped as shown for the anvil. In such a case, the anvil would have a flat surface.

[0022] The ultrasonic horn is made of titanium, monel alloy,
It can be made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. Titanium is an effective metal for ultrasonic horns. The anvil can be made of the same or different metal than the ultrasonic horn. The anvil may also be stainless steel. The anvil should have a slow rate of wear.

A preferred manufacturing/filling apparatus is shown in FIG. In this manufacturing/filling apparatus, the pouch of FIG. 1 is manufactured and filled with the top facing downward. That is, first the beak spout and top seal are formed in the lower portion of the tube, the partially formed pouch is filled, and then the bottom seal is formed. This arrangement is required when forming a pouch with a beak-type seal because the beak portion must be formed after the pouch is filled. Film 51 is unwound from supply roll 50. This film is placed on the tension roller 52
and extends downward over the direction determining rollers 53 and 54. The film then advances downwardly over rollers 56 and extends to the production/fill section. At point 57, the film is formed into an open tubular shape. The forming device 57 is supported by a filling conduit 59 which receives the product to be packaged, usually a liquid product, from a supply conduit 58. The film is advanced by feed conduit 58 into the open state to joint formation and longitudinal sealing section 60 . In this sealing section, the guides 61 shape the film so that an overlapping longitudinal joint is created which is sealed by the longitudinal ultrasonic sealing device. A longitudinal ultrasound horn 63 receives ultrasound energy from transducer 62 . The anvil is carried by a filling conduit 59. The tubular shaped film emerges from the longitudinal seal 60 and is moved downwardly by the controller 64. A controller 64 moves the film intermittently and stops film flow to permit sealing, cutting, and filling operations. This controller includes a drive roller 65 that moves the film.

In the region below the controller, the tube is laterally sealed at point 67. This is done by means of a lower sealing device as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. This lower sealing device forms the top seal and beak-shaped spout of the tube;
Form a pouch with an open end. This pouch is in an inverted configuration. At the same time, the filled lower pouch receives the bottom seal. This is all done by means of a first pressure applied between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil, and by ultrasonic energy. With a second higher pressure of the ultrasonic horn acting on the anvil and without applying ultrasonic energy, the film is cut to separate the lower pouch and the film is cut to create a beak-shaped spout in the upper pouch. Form. During this process, after the formation of the top seal and beak-shaped spout, the pouch is filled through the spout 66 of the fill tube 59. After the filling step, the filled pouch moves downward and the lateral ultrasonic sealing device performs another cycle of sealing the bottom of this pouch and the top of another pouch and forming a beak.

As mentioned above, the film flow is intermittent. The film flow is stopped for the sealing process and for filling the pouch. Thus, each time the film flow is stopped, the longitudinal ultrasonic sealing device 63 is actuated as well as the transverse ultrasonic sealing device 67. Also, while the film flow is stopped, the formed pouches are filled.

[0026] Virtually any film that can be welded by ultrasonic energy can be used to make the pouch of the present invention. Particular thermoplastic films can be either amorphous or crystalline. A suitable film is made of acrylic copolymer cellulose, phenylene oxide,
Includes polycarbonate and polystyrene. Generally, crystalline resins are not as easily sealed using ultrasonic techniques as amorphous resins. Crystalline films are more rigid. A flexible film is preferred. However, acetal resins, fluoropolymers, nylon resins, and polyester resins can be used with ultrasonic sealing techniques. A preferred film is one that includes at least one layer of ethylene vinyl acetate. The other layer or layers can be polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene and polybutadiene.

Pouches that can be manufactured using current ultrasonic sealing technology can be of virtually any size. However, preferred sizes range from about 50 cc to about 2 liters. These are dimensions that can be conveniently handled by this type of packaging technology. Materials packaged within such pouches include personal care products, household care products, and food products. The category of personal care products includes liquid soaps, shampoos and lotions. Within the category of household care products are cleaning and polishing compositions, textile bleaching compositions, and general purpose soap compositions. In the food field, this includes various sauces, gravies, fruit seasonings, etc.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE 1 This example illustrates a method of manufacturing and filling pouches using the manufacturing/filling apparatus of FIG.

A polyethylene/ethylene-vinyl acetate coextrusion film 51 having a thickness of 0.20 mm and a width of 16 cm is transferred from a supply roll 50 to rollers 52, 53, 54.
and 56 to the pouch making and filling machine. The film is fed in a continuous strand 51 to the production/filling machine. The film is placed in the mold 5 of the upward shaping device.
7, the film is formed into a tubular shape with overlapping longitudinal joints. The films overlap by approximately 10 mm. The film passes between a longitudinal ultrasonic horn 63 and a stationary jig. Impact pressure is approximately 40k
g/cm2. Film flow stops momentarily during this process. The film edge is held between the longitudinal ultrasonic horn and the anvil (as shown in Figure 2), and the 20
The side joints are formed by applying ultrasonic energy at a frequency of KHz. At the same time, a lateral bottom seal is formed in the lower part of the tube as a beak-shaped spout. This includes a transverse ultrasonic horn and a movable anvil assembly 6
7 (as shown in FIGS. 4-6). A top seal and beak spout are formed on the pouch, while a bottom seal is formed on the filled lower pouch. An ultrasonic frequency of 35 KHz is used to form these seals. The impact pressure of the lateral ultrasonic horn and anvil assembly during sealing is approximately 40 kg/cm2. After the side and top seals are formed on the pouch along with the beak-shaped spout, the newly formed pouch with an open bottom has 25
Filled with 0cc bleach. The closed and sealed lower pouch is cut, transported and packaged. This cutting reduces the impact pressure of the ultrasonic horn on the stationary jig to approximately 90 kg/cm.
This is done by increasing it by up to 2. No ultrasonic energy is applied at this point. This completes the machine cycle. This cycle is then repeated.

The sealed joints of a typical number of pouches are tested in a pressure tester. The pressure tester has stationary and moving platens. The specimen is placed between these platens and the pressure exerted by the pouch is increased. A breaking strength of 150 kg or more indicates an acceptable filled pouch. These pouches are always 1
Over 50kg.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a pouch with a beak-shaped spout formed using ultrasound technology.

2 is an elevational view of a sealing device for sealing the longitudinal joint of the pouch of FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an anvil for sealing and cutting the film.

4 is a plan view of the ultrasonic horn/anvil assembly forming the top and bottom seals and beak-shaped spout of the pouch of FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic horn/anvil taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the lateral ultrasound horn and anvil assembly.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a manufacturing/filling apparatus for manufacturing and filling pouches.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Back
12 Longitudinal seal 13 Bottom seal
14 Top seal 15 Spout port
16 Seal 17 Notch
20 Ultrasonic horn 21 Anvil
22 Horn surface 23 Anvil surface
27 Inlet port 28 Outlet port
29 Booster 30 side
35 Ultrasonic horn 36 Contact part
37 Booster 40 Anvil assembly
41 Base support plate surface 42 Anvil
43 Anvil 44 Contact surface
45 Contact surface 46 Port
47 Port 50 Supply roll
51 Film 52 Roller
53 roller 54 roller
56 Roller 57 Supply conduit
58 Molding device 59 Filling conduit
60 Sealing part 61 Guide
62 Transducer 63 Ultrasonic horn 64 Controller 65 Drive roller
66 Spout 67 Sealing device

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A method of manufacturing a sealed and shaped flexible film pouch containing a liquid substance, the method comprising forming a portion of the flexible film into a pouch using ultrasonic energy. filling the partially formed pouch with the liquid substance; and first contacting the filled opening with the pouch using ultrasonic energy applied to the anvil by an ultrasonic horn. A method for producing a flexible film pouch, comprising the steps of closing the pouch by sealing with pressure, and cutting the film by increasing contact pressure. 2. The method according to claim 1, comprising: (a
(b) contacting the overlapping edges of the film of the tubular shape with ultrasonic energy; joining the overlapping edges to form a tube;
(c) sealing the lower portion of the tube with ultrasonic energy to form a first pouch; (d) filling the first pouch with a substance; (e) using ultrasonic energy; (I) sealing an upper portion of the first pouch to seal the pouch; (II) sealing another lower portion of the tube to form a second pouch; 2. A method for producing a flexible film pouch, comprising the steps of: cutting the pouch. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the mold shapes the film into a tubular shape having an overlapping area of about 0.1 cm to 1.0 cm.
A method for manufacturing a flexible film pouch. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the polymerized edge is about 10 kg/cm 2 to about 50 kg/cm 2 .
by the ultrasonic energy due to the contact pressure of the ultrasonic horn and anvil up to and from about 10KHz to 70KHz
A method for producing a flexible film pouch, characterized in that the pouch is contacted by ultrasonic energy up to 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of sealing the upper and lower portions and the step of cutting one tube from another comprises about 10 kg/cm 2 to about 70 kg.
Ultrasonic horn and anvil contact pressure up to /cm2,
and contacting the tube with ultrasonic energy of about 10 KHz to 50 KHz, and then applying a contact pressure between the ultrasonic horn and anvil of about 20 kg/cm to about 1
A method for producing a flexible film pouch, characterized in that the film is increased to 00 kg/cm2 and cut within the formed sealed area. 6. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the flexible film has at least one layer bondable to itself by ultrasonic energy.
A method for manufacturing a flexible film pouch. 7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the flexible film has at least one polyene layer and an ethylene vinyl acetate layer. 8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the polyene layer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene and polybutadiene. 9. The method of claim 2, wherein the flexible film is provided as a continuous sheet, formed into a continuous tubular shape and sealed to form a continuous tube. 1. A method for producing a flexible film pouch, comprising: 10. The method of claim 2, wherein the flexible film is in a rest position when the upper and lower portions are sealed and one pouch is cut from another pouch. A method for producing a flexible film pouch, characterized by: 11. The method of claim 2, wherein when sealing the top seal to form a beak-shaped spout adjacent the pouch and the top seal, excess film in the beak-shaped spout area is removed from the second A method for producing a flexible film pouch, characterized in that the pouch is cut at the step of. 12. A shaped, sealed, flexible film pouch for holding a liquid substance, the pouch having a side joint, a lower joint, an upper joint, and a spout all sealed by ultrasonic energy. A flexible film pouch comprising one or more layers. 13. The flexible film pouch according to claim 12, wherein the spout is located at the upper edge of the pouch and has a beak shape. 14. An apparatus for making and filling pouches, comprising: (a) means for shaping a flexible film into a tube having a polymerizing longitudinal joint; and (b) a first superstructure. a sonic horn and anvil assembly; (c) means for positioning an overlapping longitudinal joint of the flexible film between the first ultrasonic horn and the anvil; and (d) a first ultrasonic horn and anvil assembly; activating the sonic horn and anvil assembly;
means for sealing the overlapping joints to form a tube;
(e) positioned subsequent to the first ultrasonic horn and anvil to form top and bottom closures in the tube;
a second ultrasonic horn and anvil assembly forming a pouch; (f) actuating the second ultrasonic horn and anvil assembly at a first contact pressure to seal the top and bottom closures; , and means actuated at a second contact pressure to cut the sealed film and separate the filled pouch from the tube; and (g) forming the top closure after forming the bottom closure. 1. A pouch manufacturing/filling apparatus, comprising: a filling means for filling the pouch. 15. The device according to claim 14,
Approximately 10 k between the first ultrasonic horn and the stationary jig
Production and production of a pouch, characterized in that it is equipped with means for generating a contact pressure of from g/cm2 to 70 kg/cm2.
filling equipment. 16. The device according to claim 14,
A pouch manufacturing and filling apparatus, wherein the second ultrasonic horn and anvil assembly comprises an anvil having a raised cutting surface. 17. The device according to claim 16,
A pouch manufacturing and filling apparatus, characterized in that the raised cutting surface has a bottom exterior angle of about 120° to 160°. 18. The device according to claim 14,
A pouch manufacturing/filling apparatus, wherein the second stationary jig has a surface capable of cutting the film after sealing. 19. The device according to claim 18,
During sealing, a pressure of about 10 kg/cm2 to 70 kg/cm2 is generated between the second ultrasonic horn and the anvil, and during cutting, a pressure of about 20 kg/cm2 to 100 kg is generated.
A pouch manufacturing and filling device, characterized in that it is equipped with means for generating a pressure of up to g/cm2. 20. An ultrasonic horn and anvil assembly for sealing and cutting a thermoplastic film, wherein upon application of a first pressure and ultrasonic energy, the film is sealed while a second An ultrasonic horn and anvil assembly comprising a shaped contact surface on either the ultrasonic horn or the anvil that is capable of cutting the film when a higher pressure is applied. 21. The ultrasonic horn and anvil assembly of claim 20, wherein the shaped contact surface has a generally triangular cross-sectional shape with an exterior bottom angle of about 120° to 160°. Features an ultrasonic horn and anvil assembly.