Method and apparatus for producing multi-compartment packages

Abstract

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 which produce seals having different sealing strengths.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for making a multi-compartment package, said method comprising the steps of:
 forming a folded packaging film web from an unwinding roll of packaging film;   forming a first vertical end seal on said folded packaging film web;   forming a vertical middle seal on said folded packaging film web;   forming a second vertical end seal on said folded packaging film web, wherein said vertical middle seal is located between said first vertical end seal and said second vertical end seal;   cutting said folded packaging film web at said first vertical end seal and said second vertical end seal to produce a multi-compartment, vertically oriented pouch having a top, as well as a first compartment and a second compartment separated by said vertical middle seal, wherein each said compartment comprises an open mouth at the top of the pouch;   optionally opening said open mouths;   filling each said compartment through its open mouth with a predetermined amount of a first product or a second product;   forming a horizontal top seal on said pouch which closes said open mouths and forms a sealed first compartment between said first vertical end seal and said vertical middle seal, and a second sealed compartment between said second vertical end seal and said vertical middle seal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first compartment is filled with a first product and wherein said second compartment is filled with a second product which is different from said first product. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said first product comprises snack chips and wherein said second product comprises salt. 
     
     
         4 . The method in  claim 2  wherein said first product comprises a food product with a moisture content of less than 4% by weight, and said second product comprises a food product with a moisture content of greater than 5% by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The method in  claim 2  wherein said first product comprises a food product with a first seasoning, and said second product comprises a food product with a second seasoning which is different than said first seasoning. 
     
     
         6 . The method in  claim 1  wherein said middle vertical seal is thinner than said first vertical end seal and said second vertical end seal. 
     
     
         7 . The method in  claim 1  wherein said middle vertical seal comprises a first seal strength, said first vertical end seal comprises a second seal strength, said second vertical end seal comprises a third seal strength, and said horizontal top seal comprises a fourth seal strength, wherein said first seal strength is lower than said second seal strength, said third seal strength and said fourth seal strength. 
     
     
         8 . A multi-compartment package made by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A horizontal form, fill, and seal machine comprising:
 a forming neck configured to convert an unwinding roll of packaging film into a folded packaging film web;   at least one pair of end heat seal bars configured to form a first vertical end seal and a second vertical end seal on said folded packaging film web;   a pair of middle heat seal bars configured to form a vertical middle seal between said first vertical end seal and said second vertical end seal;   a cutter configured to cut said folded web at said first vertical end seal or said second vertical end seal, thereby producing a vertically oriented pouch with a top, and a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein each compartment comprises an open end at said top;   at least two feeders configured to feed a predetermined amount of a first product or a second product into said compartments through said open ends;   a sealer configured to seal said open ends to form a sealed multi-compartment package.   
     
     
         10 . The horizontal form, fill, and seal machine of  claim 9  wherein one said feeder is configured to feed a first product into said first compartment and wherein another said feeder is configured to feed a second product into said second compartment, wherein said first product is different than said second product.