Patterned cut pouch forming machine, and method

Apparatus for forming product containing pouches from a travelling web of adhered films includes a film support surface, including a plurality of mold configurations, and a film retention chamber in the film support surface preceding and trailing each of the mold configurations. A vacuum system applies vacuum to the mold configurations and film retention chambers to form product containing pockets and to secure the film in the film retention chambers. Separation blades in synchronous register with the mold configurations separate the pouches from the travelling web. In one form the film support surface comprises a rotary forming drum and a rotary blade drum includes the separation blades.