Device for closing slider-operated zipper on filled reclosable pouch

An apparatus for closing slider-operated zippers on moving reclosable packages, comprising:

• a conveyor belt on which the packages are conveyed;
• opposing drive belts that move at substantially the same speed as the speed of the conveyor belt and engage each package below the zipper on opposing sides thereof;
• a guideway disposed above said drive belts and comprising a straight channel section shaped to allow passage of a zippered portion of each package, including the slider, therethrough while maintaining the orientation of the slider, and further comprising a vertical slot, in communication with said channel, that allows passage of a portion of each package immediately below the zippered portion;
• and
• first and second obstructions respectively movable between extended and retracted positions, wherein said first and second obstructions in said extended positions arrest the slider in said straight channel section until the forces exerted by the slider on the obstructions are sufficient to deflect said first and second obstructions to said retracted positions.

An apparatus comprising:

• a stationary channel comprising a first section that converges from an entrance end and a second section in communication with said first section and extending to an extend end of said channel, said second section having a profile that generally matches a profile of a slider mounted to a zippered portion of a package;
• means for transporting the package from a position in front of said entrance end of said channel to a position to the rear of said exit end of said channel along a straight line, the package being disposed during transport in front of said entrance end so that its slider is in a zipper open position and enters said entrance end of said first section of said channel leading the open portion of the zipper;
• a first projection movable between an extended position and a retracted position, said first projection in said extended position projecting into said second section of said channel and into the path of the slider of the package being transported, and said first projection in said retracted position not projecting into said second section of said channel;
• and
• a first spring arranged to resist movement of said first projection from said extended position to said retracted position.

A method for closing a slider-operated zipper on a moving filled package, comprising the following steps:

• conveying a package forward in a straight line;
• guiding a slider on a zippered portion of the package through a channel as the package moves forward;
• blocking forward movement of the slider at a predetermined position inside the channel as the package continues to move forward;
• and
• releasing the slider when the force being exerted by the slider in the forward direction reaches a level substantially equal to a predetermined threshold.

An apparatus for closing a slider-operated zipper on a moving filled package, comprising:

• means for conveying a package forward in a straight line;
• means for guiding a slider on a zippered portion of the package through a channel as the package moves forward;
• and
• means for blocking forward movement of the slider at a predetermined position inside the channel as the package continues to move forward and then releasing the slider when the force being exerted by the slider in the forward direction reaches a level substantially equal to a predetermined threshold.