US3184895A - Method of packaging - Google Patents

Description

May 25, 1965 D. J. o'coNNoR 5 METHOD OF PACKAGING original Filed June 25. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1y May 25, 1965 D. J. o'coNNoR 3,184,895

METHOD OF PACKAGING Original Filed June 23. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEIY TOR. o/zal .f 060177505 v portions of United States Patent O 3,184,895 METHOD OF PACKAGING Donal J. OConnor, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Morton Salt Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 38,190, .lune 23,

1960, which is a division of application Ser. No. 628,7 40,

Dec. 17, 1956, now Patent No. 2,956,710, granted Oct.

18, 1960. This application Aug. 4, 1964, Ser. No.

Claims. (Cl. 53-28) This invention relates to a method of packaging free owing material and particularly to packaging individual particulate materials such as salt, pepper, various seasonings and the like. The instant application is a continuation of my copending application, Serial No. 38,190, led lune 23, 1960, now abandoned, as a division of my then copending application Serial No. 628,740 filed December 17, 1956, now Patent No. 2,956,710, issued October 18, 1960, and wherein are claimed packets formed in accordance with the hereinafter disclosed and claimed process.

Over the past several years, considerable demand has been created for containers or packets in which individual portions or requirements of salt, pepper or the like might be stored and which are convenient to use and so inexpensive that, after one use, the container with the unused portion of its contents can be discarded. Such containers have particularly struck the fancy of that portion of the -food dispensing industry represented by operators of refreshment stands at amusement parks, outdoor theaters and lamusement areas of all kinds, drive-in restaurants, railroads and airlines serving preassembled meals to their patrons, manufacturers of make-youraown salad kits, manufacturers of cake mixes, pie mixes, etc., and -a host of other food suppliers, caterers and the like.

Although the broad idea of packaging such material in small individual lots is not new, the practice thus far has been largely confined to packaging such small quantities of these materials into paper envelopes which can be opened by tearing across one corner, or by pulling a tab, to create an exit through which the contents are dischargeable. Although such a method of packaging may be quite `satisfactory for the dry ingredients of cake or pie mixes and the like, it is not satisfactory as a method of packaging materials which are satisfactorily dispensed only by a sprinkling act; for example, cinnamon is more often sprinkled and not just poured onto the top surface of a pie ready 4for the oven. However, where such a material has been packaged in an ordinary envelope, the opening one ordinarily forms by tearing one corner thereof often is so large that, only with great difficulty, is one able to control the flow of the contents in the dispensing act. The problem is particularly acute when such packets are used to store individual portions of salt or pepper. More often than not, far too much seasoning Ywill be poured onto the food, to the displeasure and annoyance of the user and, in some cases, rendering the food unfit for consumption. The average individual is accustomed to dispensing salt, pepper as well as other seasonings by a shaking action, and he is not trained to exercise the degree of skill and care required to dispense these materials from the torn corner of an envelope.

Moreover, packaging of free iiowing materials in paper envelopes has introduced numerous problems and is not particularly adapted to high speed packaging techniques.

Thus a lfirst and principal object of the present invention is to provide a method `of packaging free flowing material which not only uses inexpensive materials but is so simple in its practice that individual lots of such materials can be conveniently and practically packaged Fice in large quantities at a high rate of speed using relatively uncomplicated machinery and at a very tiny unit cost.

Another but equally important object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of packaging such materials by which the packaged materials may be safely stored until needed and then conveniently dispensed and at a predeterminable or pre-selected controllable rate.

Thus another object of the invention is to provide a method of packaging free flowing material within an enclosure from which said material can be subsequently dispensed only by a shaking action.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of packaging such material which involves sealing the same within a packet having an openable exit, the orifice size of which may be adjusted or Set in accordance with the size of the particles stored in the packet, for example, to avoid free flowing of the contents during the act of dispensing, but also large enough to prevent clogging.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method by which such packets can be economi-cally formed and also filled using high speed machinery in a continuous operation whereby astronomically large numbers of filled packets can Ibe produced at an exceedingly low unit cost.

With these and other objects in mind, the present invention contemplates a method of packaging, which involves, as a continuous operation, the steps of feeding deformable, preferably transparent, waterproof plastic or other sheet stock over a rotating drum while heating and drawing portions of lthe sheet stock into the form of spaced receiving pockets, filling the pockets with free tiowing material as the pockets reach a horizontal position on its travel about the rotating drum, then aligning therewith hacker material from a second roll, securing the two sheets together about said filled pockets, as by the application of heat and pressure, and thereafter diecutting individual packets from the joined strips so that each packet includes one or more filled pockets.

One of the significan-t yfeatures of the inventive process is that the pockets which are so formed on the drum include both a storage area or body portion which receives the particulate material and also a communicating tapered neck or spout which extends outwardly therefrom and has a cross-section which gradually and progressively decreases along its entire length in a direction away from the storage area portion of the pocket. After the two strips have been brought together to seal the contents with which the pockets have been filled and preferably before or at the time the. joined strips are severed or divided into individual pockets, the inventive process includes the further step of scoring the joined sheets across said tapered spout to provide a weakened line along which the packet may be opened by folding back along the score line to expose an orifice communicating with the stored contents in the main body of the pocket.

Since the cross-section of the neck portion by reason of its tapered shape is progressively decreasing in a direction away from the storage body, it will be readily seen that by selective location `of said scoring, a wide variety of different sizes of exit orifices may be obtained and so that the rate at which the contents are dispensed will be determined by where the score line is located.

Thus it is a feature of my invention therefore that I can package pepper and salt as well as other sizes of particulate material in the same size and shape of packet and by selecting the appropriate location for the scoring of the neck portion in accordance with the particle size of the contents provide aV dispensing shaker for each. It will also be apparent that by varying the location of the score line, I can also change the dispensing rate of the et 12 being essentially ilat.

stored material. Thus, in accordance with the selected location of the score line, stored material of a particular particle size maybe freely dispensed from its packet as in a stream, or the orice of the packet may be so restricted that the same particle size material can be dispensed only through a vigorous shaking of the packet.`

Thus an important object achieved by my invention is to provide a method of packaging quantities of flowable materials each in separate but common sized and shaped packets which allows the packager to preselect the ow rate at which each of the packaged materials is .to be subsequently dispensable. The Ymethod has-the advantage that it affords the packager versatility in satisfying his customers wants. At the same time it keeps the packaging procedure simple and the costs at a minimum.

Although presumably the spout which I form may be given a conical or other tapered shape, I prefer that it be more nearly pyramidal, since the resultant triangular cross-section not only gives increased strength to the spout to resist crushing as when packaged with a large number of other packets, but it also contributes to a cleaner break when the packet is folded back along the scoring line. A snap break is more likely to occur than if the surface of the spout or neck were more rounded.

Likewise, although the storage area of the pockets which I form to receive the material in my packaging process, may be given any one of the Variety of diiferent shapes, I preferably form them to the shape of a partial cylinder because I yiind not only does such a shape afford more convenience in the fillingV step of the process, but also because I 'find that, in the iinal packet, said shape has greater rigidity and is more resistant to crushing. Where the storagey pockets are formed in relatively thin plastic material, I nd it desirable to impress ribs orother designs into the material so as to increase its rigidity.

Many other objects as Well as advantages and featuresV of the present invention will be apparent from the more specific description of the steps of the method which I preferably follow in the practice of the invention and f which will now be described.

Now referringto thek drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one form of packet in which materials are packaged according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a section taken through the packet disclosed in FIGURE l along lines 2-2 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3 3 in FIGURE 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 44`in FIGURE 1 looking in the direction indicated by the ar- Y a rstmernber 11 of heat softenable, thin, substantially water impervious plastic sheet material such asV polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or acetate which is shaped -to have an intermediately disposed depressed area indicated gen'- erally at 12. This depression or pocket embodies a cylindrically-shaped storage area or main body portion 13 to receive the `contents to be packaged and a tapered neck 14 communicating with said storage area 13 through which the contents are dispensed, the surrounding marginal portions 15 of said member 11 about said depressionen pock- The storage pocket 12 is enclosed by a at backing member 16 bonded to the rear side of said marginal portions 15 of Athe iirstY member, thereby sealing in its contents. Said backing member 16 may be of aluminum foil, lacquered paper or other inexpensive waterproof sheet stock.` It may also be of the same material as member 11.

In order that the contents'may be dispensed through neck portion14, member 11 is weakened as by scoring or impressing a line ofperforations 17 in the plastic so las to extend transversely across the neck 14 and from edge to edge of the packet. Weakening the packet in this manner permits the neck to be broken by folding back the corner of the packet 10 to provide an opening or dispensing oritice.

As seen most clearly when FIGURES 3 and 4 are considered in conjunction with FIGURE 1, the spout thus formed by the tapered neck 14 has a triangular shape `in section (FIG. 3) which progressively decreases in size in a direction away from the storage pocket'l (FIG. 4) so that it possesses a` generally pyramidal shape in outward appearance. Although its ridge 18 and angularly related sides 19 and 2t) which give it the pyramidal appearance could be replaced by a more .rounded surface so that it would have a more nearly conical shape, the illustrated pyramidal shape is to be preferred. Firstit-gives greater strength and Shape retention to the spout so that it is not as easily crushed and deformed with resultant obstruction of the opening therethrough. However, more importantly it contributes to a clean snapbreak along the scoring 17 and avoids the possibility of the tear going wild as certain biaxially oriented lms'are inclined to do, and thereby enlarging the size of the opening beyond that desired;

Although preferably the tapered neck 14 or. spout will u be directed toward one corner of the pocket as illustrated in FIGURE 1 because of the greaterconvenience it affords in bending back the portion of the pocket yalong scoring line 17 to provide anexit for the contents stored in pocket 13, the tapered neck could be directed Vtoward the end of the pocket as illustrated in the modification 'according to FIGURE 5, details of said latter modification being otherwise the same as in FIGUREI. It should be, however, recognized that when .the spout 14 is'directed cornerwise as in the preferred embodimentof FIGUREI, 'it is necessary to extend the ridge 18 and angledY sides 19 and 20 of the spout onto the cylindrical surface'of the body 13- as illustrated at 21 in FIGURE i1, otherwise the opening `from body 13 into its neck 14 will be considerably restricted by reason -of said downwardly curvingA surface of the pocket 13 in this region. In the case of .the modiication according to FIGURES such an extension of the walls of the spout is not necessary unless, ofv course, the' end'walis 22 and 23 at right angles to the marginal pori tions 15 is to be preferred because of the Vgreater strength and rigidity it affordsrthe pocket against crushing and also the desirable ornamental effect achieved.

The tapered shape given the spout or neck 14 provides `an infinite number of potential orifices each Iof a ,different size within the range defined by its minimum and maximum cross-sections ofthe neck 14 whereby -tlepackager is able, in accordance with where hc Alocates the'y perforated linef17 across nec-k y141, to lpreseleota sizeof exit opening or dispensing orice 'expos'able by bending back'the pocket along said line 17.V This he can relate to the particle size of material stored in pocket 13 to'o'btain a iiow ratewhich will meetthe vlultimate' users requirement. YThe Ycloser the scoring'line 17 isvlocatedY to pocketk 13 andY therefore the more remote from the out'erpend'of'the neck, thelarger willV be the opening ork dispensing vorifice `that 'will be formed therein by saidV bending. Conversely, the farther down said neck and toward the outer end thereof he locates the score line, the smaller the size of the dispensing opening will be. Thus the packager can conveniently and simply adapt his packaging machinery to for-m a shaker packet for either salt, pepper or other particulate material which it is desired to be dispensed .by sprinkling rather than by pouring. Obviously, of course, if the user so desire, the packager can also locate perforations 17 close enough to the end wall of storage area 13 to permit free flowing of the stored contents therefrom. In each instance, the location 4for the scoring line 17 is dictated by the speed desired `for the :flowing of the contents in the dispensing act. Also, for example, if the packet is used to store a liquid, the selected location for the scoring will determine whether the liquid is to be discharged in a stream or by drops.

In accordance with the present invention, such packaging can be conveniently and economically considered as a continuous process in which relatively large numbers of such packets are provided at a low unit cost 'by using an apparatus such as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG- URE 6. Referring to said FIGURE 6, .it is proposed that the packaging operation be conducted according to the present invention by continuously feeding a first strip 111 of heat softenable plastic film from a rotatably supported roll 211 and passing it through an oven or other heating means 125 fwherein the plastic film is heated to a desired softening point, the iilm continuing over a continuously driven rotating drum 126 having a plurality of female die portions 127 spaced about its periphery in rows, aligned portions of the softened plastic strip 1111 being caused to take the shape of said mold depressions 12'7 by the apfplication of uid pressure lfrom means 128 or by using a vacuum which will lsuck the softened plastic into the mold depressions 127. Conceivably the drawing could be performed by other means such as through the cornlbined action of male and female dies. Both the vacuum sucking and uid pressure techniques as well as the use of male and female dies are well known in the art and for the purposes of the present description, it is believed, need not be more specifically described. The mold depressions 127 will of course, be initially given the shape of the depressed area or pocket 12 to rbe formed in member 11 of the packets including the cylindrically shaped storage area 13 and tapered communicating neck or spout 14.

The depressions 12 thus formed in the strip of plastic film 1,11 serve to hold the strip in place on the drum as it is rotated. As each depression is brought up to the horizontal position indicated at 129, they are filled with salt, pepper or other particulate material by volumetric filling devices 130.

As drum 126 continues to rotate, the filled depressions 12 are brought into alignment beneath a second strip 116 of backing sheet material fed off roll 216, the two strips being brought together and fed beneath means such as pressure belt y131 so that heat and pressure are applied to seal the two strips in joined relation. For this purpose the contacting side of strip 116 is coated with a lacquer or other material which will bond to the plastic film 111 under the application of heat and pressure as the ad jacent portions of the two films are pressed into contact between the drum 126 and belt 131. Thereafter the joined strips leave the drum and are passed through cutting dies 132 where sections containing a filled pocket with a surrounding sealed margin are cut out from the joined strips. Simultaneously the scoring indentations 17 are provided in the plastic film across the necks 14 of the pockets 12 at their desired locations, the packets 10, thus Iformed, dropping from the joined strips 111 and 116 into a conta-incr or conveying means 133.

Although as l.previously discussed, the plastic film 111 may be anyrof several known heat softenable plastic materials, polystyrene is to be preferred not only because it is relatively inexpensive but also because when used in a thickness between .003 and .005 inch it will keep the shape to which it is formed by means 12b even though it also retains its inherently exible character. It lalso possesses a very low moisture transmission rate. Sheet stock 116 is preferably a 70# CZS litho paper although a Iwide variety of other materials might be utilized as previously discussed. Preferably also the paper is lacquered with a heat seal coating such as pyroxseal 26-79-1 which when -activated by heat and pressed against the polystyrene film strip 111 will lprovide the required seal. Any other convenient means of effectively bonding the two sheets together, however, may be employed.

Although I prefer to use a transparent plastic for member 11 of my packets so that the contents stored in pocket 12 will be readily visible as =will also any adver-tising legend or other information printed on the backing member 16, the backing layer 16 instead may be transparent. Likewise either or both layers of the packet may be transparent, translucent or opaque according to the particular requirements or desires of the manufacturer of user.

Conceivably the rigidity of the pocket 13 might be increased by forming ribs extending lengthwise or laterally thereof or by forming a design therein simultaneously with the drawing thereof into the molding depression-s 127 by suitably shaping the surface of said depressions 127.

It will furthermore be recognized that although the description of the invention thus far has been predicated on an assumption that each packet 10 will contain a single pocket 12, it is also possible to so arrange cutting dies 132 that they wil-'l so divide the joined strips 111 and 116 into packets each of which contains a pair of depressions located either lengthwise of each other or side by side, one being filled with pepper, for example, and the other with salt. Preferably, for greatest convenience in using the two spouts should not extend in the same direction. Thus if a dual-pocket packet were to be formed having pockets according to FIGURE 1 their spouts would preferably be directed in one case to the left hand and in the other case to the right hand corner. If the pockets were formed according to the arrangement shown in .FIGURE 5, most satisfactory results would be obtained if the spout were faced in opposite directions. Obviously also the perforations or scoring means which work in conjunction and simultaneous with the shearing blades of cutting dies 132 will be so adjusted relative to t-he shearing blades that the weakened lines formed across the two pockets of each packet will be a different distance from the outer end of their respective necks and in accordance with whether the pocket contains pepper or salt.

Thus it has been demonstrated that all of the objects as well as the described advantages and other `features of the invention can be obtained in a convenient, simple and practical manner.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A process of packaging quantities of flowable materials each in separate packets so as to preselect the flow rate at which each of the packaged quantities of materials is subsequently dispensable, comprising the steps of forming a series of pockets in a first shape-retaining flexible sheet each having a storage area and a relatively long and narrow tapered neck opening into said area, the necks of said pockets having their maximum cross section at said opening which is large enough that the tiowable materials when placed in said pockets can freely ow therethrough and which necks gradually and progressively taper therefrom along their full length to a minimum cross section at their outer end remote from said storage area, then placing quantities of one said fiowable material in some said pockets and placing quantities of other said ftowable material in other said pockets, aligning a second sheet with the rst sheet to cover the open side of said pockets and intimately joining the two sheets together throughout the area of the first sheet between the pockets so as to seal said owable materials within the which each packet may be folded back to expose `a dis-- pensing orifice communicating with the iiowable material sealed within the pocket, and locating said weakened linear sections at one distance from the outer end of the necks of some of said pockets and at another distance for other of such pockets, said distances being such that the size of orifices produced by said folding back will en force the ow characteristics required to dispense the owable material sealed Within each said packets,

2. A process of packaging quantities of at least two sizes of particulate materials each in separate packets so as to preselect the flow rate at which each of the packaged quantities of materials is subsequently dispensable, comprising the steps of depressing spaced portions of a first sheet of shape-retaining flexible material to form a series of pockets therein each having an upstanding end wall through which a relatively long and considerably narrower tapered neck opens, the necks of said pockets having their maximum internal cross section at said opening large enough that each said sizes of particulate material when placed in said pockets can freely ow therethrough and which necks gradually and progressively taper therefrom along their full length to a minimum cross section at their outer end remote from said storage area, then placing measured quantities of one said size of particulate :material in some said pockets and placing measured quantities of another size of particulate material in other said.

pockets, aligning a second sheet with the first sheet so as to cover the open side of said pockets and intimately joiningthe two sheets together throughout the area of the fir-st sheet between the pockets so as to seal said particulate materials within the pockets, thereafter severing the joined sheets along lines disposed intermediate the pockets to form individual packets each containing at t necks of said pockets in which one size of particulate material is sealed and at another distance from theouter ends of the necks of the pockets containing the other size of particulate material whereby the size of orifice produced by said folding back will enforce the flow characteristics required to dispense the particle size material sealed within each said packets.

3. A process of packaging quantities of owable material each in' separate packets so as to preselect the how` rate at which each of the packaged quantities of. mate- Yrial is subsequently dispensable, comprising the steps of forming a series of spacedrpockets in a first sheet each having a storage area into which a relatively long and narrow tapered neck opens at one end, the necks of said pockets having a'maximum Yinternal `cross section at their said opening which is large enough that the flowable material when placed' in said pockets can freely -iiow therethrough` and which necks gradually and progressively taper therefrom to a minimum cross section at their` outer end remote from said storage area, then placing quantities of said material Vin Yeach said pockets, aligning a backer sheet with'the first sheet to cover the openside 'of' said pockets and intimately joining the two sheets together throughout the Varea of the first sheet between the pockets soas to seal saidfmaterial--Within the pockets, thereafter severing the joined sheets'along lines disposed intermediate the pockets to form individual packets each containingat least one sealed pocket and a surrounding at margin, also weakening a linear section of the first sheet across the neck of each said pockets intermediate said maximum and minimumfcross sections along which each packet may be opened to expose a dispensing orifice communicating with the material sealed within the pocket, and varying the locations of said weakened linear sections relative to the storage area of therrespective pockets whereby the size of orifice produced by opening along said linear section will be of one size for some of said packets and will be of a different size for other of said packets, said orifice sizes being in accordance with the flowk characteristics required to dispense the quantity-of material sealed within each said packets.

4. A process of packaging quantities of fiowable materials each in separate packets so as to Vpreselect the flow rate at which each of the packaged quantities Vof materials is subsequently dispensable, comprising the steps of depressing Vspaced portions of afirst shape-retaining liexible thermoplastic sheet to form a series of; pockets therein each of a generally rectangular, generally cylindrical shape having an upstanding end wall through which a relatively long and considerably narrower tapered neck opens, the necksof each said pockets having their maximum internal cross sectionat said opening large enough thattthe flowable materialsjwhen placed lin said pockets can freely iiow therethrough andfwhich necks gradually and progressively taper therefrom along their full length to a minimum cross section at their outer end remote fromsaid end wall, then placing measured quantities of said materials ineach said pockets, aligning a back'er sheet over the first sheet so as to cover the open side of said pockets and intimately joining the two sheets together throughoutithe area of the `first `sheet between the pockets so as to seal said materials within therpockets, thereafter severing Vthe joined sheets alonglines disposed intermediate the pockets to form individual packets each containing at least one sealed pocket vvand Va surrounding at margin, simultaneously weakening a linear section of the first sheet across the neck ofteach said pockets intermediate said maximum and minimum cross sections along which each packet may be folded back to expose a dispensing orifice communicating with the material sealed within the pocket, and varying the location of said weakened linear sections relative to the end wall of said respective pockets in order to vary the size of orifice produced by said folding back, Ythe size of orice being selected for each pocket in accordance with the iow characteristics of the material sealed within :said pocketand the dispensing rate therefor required. Y

5. 'A process of packaging quantities 'cf ilowable materials each in separate but common sized and shaped packets so as to preselect the flow rate at which each of the packaged quantities of materials is subsequently dispensable, comprising the steps of depressingfspaced Vportions of a rst shape-retaining flexible sheet to forma series of pockets therein each having a storage area and a relatively long and considerably narrower. tapered neck opening into said area, the necks of said pockets including a rigidifying ridge extendingflengthwise thereof VAand having their maximum internalcross section at said yopening largeV enough that the fiowable materials when placed in said pockets can freely flow therethrough andiwhichnecks gradually and progressivelyV taper therefrom` along their Y 'pockets so as to seal saidmaterials withinfthe pockets, thereafter'dividing the joined sheets alonglinesV disposed intermediate lthe pockets to form individual packets each containing at least one sealed pocketfand a surroundingV liat margin, simultaneouslylinearly scoring'the ,rst sheet across the neck of each said pockets intermediate said maximum and minimum cross sections along which each packet may be folded back to expose a dispensing orifice communicating with the material sealed within the pocket, and varying the location for said scoring of the necks of said respective pockets for each said materials in order to alter the size of orice produced by said folding back in accordance with the iiow characteristics required to dispense the materials sealed Within each said packets.

No references cited.

FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A PROCESS OF PACKAGING QUANTITIES OF FLOWABLE MATERIALS EACH IN SEPARATE PACKETS TO AS TO PRESELECT THE FLOW RATE AT WHICH EACH OF THE PACKAGED QUANTITIES OF THE MATETIALS IS SEQUENTIAL DISPENSABLE, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF FORMING A SERIES OF POCKETS IN A FIRST SHAPE-RETAINING FLEXIBLE SHEET EACH HAVING A STORAGE AREA AND A RELATIVELY LONG AND NARROW TAPERED NECK OPENING INTO SAID AREA, THE NECKS OF SAID POCKETS HAVING THEIR MAXIMUM CROSS SECTION AT SAID OPENING WHICH IS LARGE ENOUGH THAT THE FLOWABLE MATERIALS WHEN PLACED IN SAID POCKETS CAN FREELY FLOW THERETHROUGH AND WHICH NECKS GRADUALLY AND PROGRESSIVELY TAPER THEREFROM ALONG THEIR FULL LENGTH TO A MINIMUM CROSS SECTION AT THEIR OUTER END REMOTE FROM SAID STORAGE AREA, THEN PLACING QUANTITIES OF ONE SAID FLOWABLE MATERIAL IN SOME SAID POCKETS AND PLACING QUANTITIES OF OTHER SAID FLOWABLE MATERIAL IN OTHER SAID POCKETS, ALIGNING A SECOND SHEET WITH THE FIRST SHEET TO COVER THE OPEN SIDE OF SAID POCKETS AND INTIMATELY JOINING THE TWO SHEETS TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE AREA OF THE FIRST SHEET BETWEEN THE POCKETS SO AS TO SEAL SAID FLOWABLE MATERIALS WITHIN THE POCKETS, THEREAFTER SEVERING THE JOINED SHEETS ALONG LINES DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE THE POCKETS TO FORM INDIVIDUAL POCKETS EACH CONTAINING AT LEAST ONE SEALED POCKET AND A SURROUNDING FLAT MARGIN, WEAKENING A LINEAR SECTION OF THE FIRST SHEET ACROSS THE NECK OF EACH SAID POCKETS INTERMEDIATE SAID MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM CROSS SECTIONS ALONG WHICH EACH PACKET MAY BE FOLDED BACK TO EXPOSE A DISPENSING ORIFICE COMMUNICATING WITH THE FLOWABLE MATERIAL SEALED WITHIN THE POCKET, AND LOCATING SAID WEAKENED LINEAR SECTIONS AT ONE DISTANCE FROM THE OUTER END OF THE NECKS OF SOME OF SAID POCKETS AND AT ANOTHER DISTANCE FOR OTHER OF SUCH POCKETS, SAID DISTANCES BEING SUCH THAT THE SIZE OF ORIFICES PRODUCED BY SAID FOLDING BACK WILL ENFORCE THE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED TO DISPENSE THE FLOWABLE MATERIAL SEALED WITHIN EACH SAID PACKETS.

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