초록

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for making a two-compartment package, said method comprising the steps of: forming a first end seal with a first pair of sealing jaws to form an open ended tube of packaging film;filling said open ended tube with a predetermined amount of a first product;forming a middle seal on said ope

1. A method for making a two-compartment package, said method comprising the steps of: forming a first end seal with a first pair of sealing jaws to form an open ended tube of packaging film;filling said open ended tube with a predetermined amount of a first product;forming a middle seal on said open ended tube with a second pair of sealing jaws disposed between the first pair of sealing jaws and a discharge end of a product delivery tube to form a first compartment of length L2 between said first end seal and said middle seal containing said first product;filling said open ended tube with a predetermined amount of a second product;after the step of filling said open ended tube with a predetermined amount of the second product and after the second pair of sealing jaws have disengaged from the packaging film, pulling said open ended tube downward a distance L1+L2, wherein L1+L2 is an overall length of the two-compartment package; andforming a second end seal with said first pair of sealing jaws to seal said open ended tube and form a two-compartment package having a second compartment of length L1 between said second end seal and said middle seal containing said second product. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising cutting said two-compartment package away from said open ended tube. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said first product comprises snack chips and wherein said second product comprises salt. 4. The method in claim 1 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 1 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 seal is thinner than said first end seal and said second end seal. 7. The method in claim 1 wherein said middle seal comprises a first seal strength, said first end seal comprises a second seal strength, and said second end seal comprises a third seal strength, wherein said first seal strength is lower than said second seal strength and said third seal strength.