MODULAR POUCH MAKING MACHINE

A rotary continuous pouch machine has a modular construction for increased flexibility and versatility. The machine has a base unit module which unwinds a continuous web of pouch material, folds it and forms a plurality of vertical seals to define a series of pouches having an open top. A product feed module supplies product to a filling module which fills the pouches through the open top. A top sealer on the base unit module closes the filled pouches and a knife module severs the web into individual pouches. Each module can have its own, individually-controlled servo motor for driving the moving parts of the module and for providing feedback signals of speed and position to a main control module. The control module governs the servo motors so as to maintain registry and tension of the web at each module. The modules are interchangeably connected to one another so that each module can be exchanged for another of the same type but of different size or other characteristic without requiring replacement of the other modules.