Vertical multipack

Abstract

Multiple side-by-side packages are produced on a vertical form, fill, and seal machine by using a former/delivery tube assembly designed for this purpose. The front and back surfaces of the package are sealed together to form separate pouches. The technology is extendable to more than two pouches simultaneously and can handle pouches of the same or different sizes and food products that are either the same or unlike.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A product package having a first and a second edge opposite each other, said package comprising: 
 a first pouch;    a second pouch, attached to said first pouch and separated from said first pouch by a first seal;    a second seal that runs across said first edge of said package, perpendicular to and intersecting said first seal; and    a third seal that runs across said second edge of said package, perpendicular to and intersecting said first seal;    wherein said product package is formed from a single sheet of film.    
     
     
         2 . The product package of  claim 1 , wherein said first and said second pouches are of equal size.  
     
     
         3 . The product package of  claim 1 , wherein said first and said second pouches are of unequal size.  
     
     
         4 . The product package of  claim 1 , wherein said first seal is laser scored for easy separation of said first and second pouches.  
     
     
         5 . The product package of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second pouches contain the same product.  
     
     
         6 . The product package of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second pouches contain complementary food products.  
     
     
         7 . The product package of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second pouches contain dissimilar food products.  
     
     
         8 . The of product package of  claim 1 , wherein said film has one or more layers, said layers being formed of materials from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyester, paper, polyolefin extrusions, and adhesive laminates.  
     
     
         9 . A vertical form, fill, and seal machine having the capability of producing a plurality of side-by-side packages.  
     
     
         10 . The vertical form, fill, and seal machine of  claim 9 , wherein said vertical form, fill, and seal machine forms a single sheet of packaging film into a package having a front surface and a back surface and makes a vertical seal that seals a portion of said front surface to a portion of said back surface.  
     
     
         11 . The vertical form, fill, and seal machine of  claim 9 , wherein said produces side-by-side packages that contain identical products.  
     
     
         12 . The vertical form, fill, and seal machine of  claim 9 , wherein said machine produces side-by-side packages that contain different products.  
     
     
         13 . The vertical form, fill, and seal machine of  claim 9 , wherein said machine is capable of producing side-by-side packages that are the same size.  
     
     
         14 . The vertical form, fill, and seal machine of  claim 9 , wherein said machine is capable of producing side-by-side packages that are unequal in size.  
     
     
         15 . A method of packaging products, comprising: 
 feeding a roll of packaging film into a vertical form, fill, and seal machine such that said packaging film is directed to form a front surface and a back surface for a plurality of pouches;    forming a vertical seal on said packaging film, wherein said vertical seal seals a portion of said front surface to a portion of said back surface;    forming a first horizontal seal on said packaging film; and    after advancing said film a given distance, forming a second horizontal seal on said packaging film;    wherein said vertical seal extends from said first horizontal seal to said second horizontal seal.    
     
     
         16 . The packaging method of  claim 15 , further comprising, prior to forming said second horizontal seal, placing a plurality of products into first and second pouches that are separated by said vertical seal.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of food products are identical foods.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of food products are dissimilar.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said side-by-side packages are of equal size.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said side-by-side packages are of unequal size.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein more than two side-by-side packages are produced.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising forming an aid to separation between said side-by-side packages.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said packaging step uses a single sheet of packaging film.  
     
     
         24 . A method of packaging products, comprising the steps of: 
 installing, on a vertical form, fill, and seal machine, a former and multiple delivery tubes designed to produce multiple side-by-side packages;    packaging a plurality of products into side-by-side packages.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising forming a vertical seal that seals a front portion of said package to a back portion of said package to form said side-by-side packages.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising forming first and second horizontal seals, separated from each other by a vertical distance, which are each intersected by a vertical seal that seals a front portion of said package to a back portion of said package to form said side-by-side packages.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said packaging step uses a single sheet of packaging film.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said plurality of food products are identical foods.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said plurality of food products are dissimilar.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said side-by-side packages are of equal size.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said side-by-side packages are of unequal size.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein more than two side-by-side packages are produced.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising forming an aid to separation between said side-by-side packages.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said packaging step uses a single sheet of packaging film.