Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages on horizontal form-fill-seal machines
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsMichael J. McMahon, Art Malin, Steve Ausnit
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing.
Claims33
A method of making reclosable packages, said method comprising the steps of:
- feeding a supply of forming film in a package forming direction;
- forming said forming film into a chain of bottom package portions and advancing said chain in said package forming direction;
- feeding a supply of top film in said package forming direction;
- laying said top film on to said chain of bottom package portions;
- sealing said top film to said chain of bottom package portions to form a chain of packages, each of said packages including a pair of opposing film extensions on one side thereof which are not sealed to each other;
- feeding a supply of interlocked reclosable zipper between the film extensions of said packages;
- sealing a length of said reclosable zipper to the film extensions of each of said packages;
- providing a supply of sliders, each of said sliders being insertable on to said reclosable zipper and adapted to open and close said reclosable zipper as said slider is moved along said zipper in opening and closing directions, respectively;
- and
- for each of said packages, removing a slider from said slider supply and inserting said slider on to said reclosable zipper length.
The method according to claim Including the step of cutting each of said packages from said package chain.
A method of making packages having slide zippers, said method comprising the steps of.
- providing a supply of packages, each of said packages having a reclosable zipper;
- providing a supply of sliders, each of said sliders being insertable on to said reclosable zipper and adapted to open and close said reclosable zipper as said slider is moved along said reclosable zipper in opening and closing directions, respectively;
- and
- for each of said packages, removing a slider from said slider supply and inserting said slider on to said reclosable zipper.
A method of making reclosable packages, said method comprising the steps of:
- feeding a supply of forming film in a package forming direction;
- forming said forming film into a chain of bottom package portions, each of said bottom package portions having a lip on one side thereof;
- advancing said chain of bottom package portions in said package forming direction;
- feeding a supply of interlocked reclosable zipper in said package forming direction;
- sealing a length of said reclosable zipper to the lip of each of said bottom portions;
- providing a supply of sliders, each of said sliders being insertable on to said reclosable zipper and adapted to open and close said reclosable zipper as said slider is moved along said zipper in opening and closing directions, respectively;
- for each of said bottom portions, removing a slider from said slider supply and inserting said slider on to said reclosable zipper length;
- feeding a supply of top film in said package forming direction;
- and
- sealing said top film to each bottom package portion and its corresponding length of reclosable zipper to form a chain of packages, each of said packages having a length of reclosable zipper and a slider.
A method of making reclosable packages, said method comprising the steps of:
- feeding a supply of package film in a package forming direction;
- folding said package film about a bottom crease to form opposing package walls, said opposing package walls advancing in said package forming direction;
- feeding a supply of interlocked reclosable zipper between said opposing package walls;
- sealing said reclosable zipper to said opposing package walls;
- providing a supply of sliders, each of said sliders being insertable on to said reclosable zipper and adapted to open and close said reclosable zipper as said slider is moved along said reclosable zipper in opening and closing directions, respectively;
- removing sliders from said slider supply and inserting said sliders on to said reclosable zipper;
- and
- cross-sealing said folded film at package-width intervals to form a chain of packages, each of said packages having a reclosable zipper and a slider.
A method of making reclosable packages, said method comprising the steps of:
- feeding a supply of package film in a package forming direction;
- folding said package film about a bottom crease to form opposing package walls, said opposing package walls advancing in said package forming direction;
- feeding a supply of interlocked reclosable zipper between said opposing package walls;
- sealing one-half of said reclosable zipper to a first of said package walls;
- providing a supply of sliders, each of said sliders being insertable on to said reclosable zipper and adapted to open and close said zipper as said slider is moved along said zipper in opening and closing directions, respectively;
- removing sliders from said slider supply and inserting said sliders on to said reclosable zipper;
- cross-sealing said folded film at package-width intervals to form a chain of packages, each of said packages having a reclosable zipper and a slider;
- filling each of said packages;
- and
- sealing the unsealed half of the reclosable zipper of each of said packages to the other package wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.