Method and apparatus for making slider-operated string-zippered bag with transverse application of zipper

A method of manufacture comprising the following steps:

• (a) joining a major portion of a length of string zipper to first and second webs of packaging film, with mutually parallel first and second lateral edges of said first web being respectively generally aligned with mutually parallel first and second lateral edges of said second web, the length of said string zipper being greater than the width of said first web, and said string zipper being oriented generally transverse to said first and second lateral edges of said first and second webs, a minor portion of said length of string zipper being not joined to said first and second webs and extending beyond said second lateral edges of said first and second webs, said minor portion of said length of string zipper having a slider mounted thereto;
• (b) cutting said first and second webs along respective transverse lines located as close as possible to said string zipper, without cutting said string zipper.
• (c) joining said second web to said first web along first and second band-shaped zones that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to said length of string zipper;
• and
• (d) joining said second web to said first web along a third band-shaped zone that is parallel to said length of string zipper,
• wherein said first through third band-shaped zones define a pocket having a mouth that is closed to the extent said string zipper is closed.

A method of manufacture comprising the following steps:

• (a) joining a major portion of a length of string zipper along a transverse line starting at a first lateral edge of a first web of packaging film and extending across a width of said first web, a minor portion of said length of string zipper extending beyond a second lateral edge of said first web and being not joined to said first web, said minor portion of said length of string zipper having a slider mounted thereto;
• (b) laying a second web of packaging film over and aligned with said first web, with said major portion of said length of string zipper disposed between respective portions of said first and second webs;
• (c) joining said second web to said major portion of said length of string zipper;
• (d) joining said first and second webs together in first and second band-shaped regions extending across the width of said first web, said first and second band-shaped regions being located on opposite sides of said major portion of said length of string zipper, the distance between said first band-shaped region and said major portion of said length of string zipper being less than the distance between said second band-shaped region and said major portion of said length of string zipper;
• (e) cutting said first and second webs along respective transverse lines located between said first band-shaped region and said string zipper, but as close as possible to said string zipper;
• (f) moving said slider from its position on said minor portion of said length of string zipper to a position on said major portion of said length of string zipper;
• (g) severing said minor portion of said length of string zipper from said major portion of said length of string zipper;
• and
• (h) joining confronting portions of said first and second webs along first and second lines of joinder that extend from said string zipper to said second band-shaped region.

A machine comprising:

• means for joining a major portion of a length of string zipper to first and second webs of packaging film, with mutually parallel first and second lateral edges of said first web being respectively generally aligned with mutually parallel first and second lateral edges of said second web, the length of said string zipper being greater than the width of said first web, and said string zipper being oriented generally transverse to said first and second lateral edges of said first and second webs, a minor portion of said length of string zipper being not joined to said first and second webs and extending beyond said second lateral edges of said first and second webs, said minor portion of said length of string zipper having a slider mounted thereto;
• means for joining said second web to said first web along first and second band-shaped zones that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to said length of string zipper;
• and
• means for joining said second web to said first web along a third band-shaped zone that is parallel to said length of string zipper, wherein said first through third band-shaped zones define a pocket having a mouth that is closed to the extent said string zipper is closed;
• means for moving said slider from its position on said minor portion of said length of string zipper to a position on said major portion of said length of string zipper;
• and
• means for severing said minor portion of said length of string zipper from said major portion of said length of string zipper.

A slider insertion device comprising:

• a pusher that is movable along a substantially horizontal line between retracted and extended positions;
• a first actuator that causes said pusher to move substantially horizontal;
• a rigid member that supports said first actuator, said rigid member being movable along a substantially vertical line between retracted and extended positions;
• and
• a second actuator that causes said rigid member to move substantially vertical.

A method of manufacture comprising the following steps:

• (a) interlocking respective lengths of first and second flangeless zipper strips to each other;
• (b) paying out a portion of a first web of packaging film having first and second lateral edges that are mutually parallel;
• (c) joining a back of at least a major portion of said length of first flangeless zipper strip to a band-shaped portion of said first web that is disposed transverse to said first and second lateral edges of said first web;
• (d) paying out a portion of a second web of packaging film having first and second lateral edges that are mutually parallel, said second web overlying said first web with said major portion of said length of first flangeless zipper strip and a major portion said length of second flangeless zipper strip disposed between said first and second webs;
• (e) joining a back of at least said major portion of said length of second flangeless zipper strip to a band-shaped portion of said second web that is disposed transverse to said first and second lateral edges of said second web;
• (f) joining said second web to said first web along first and second band-shaped zones that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to said lengths of first and second flangeless zipper strips;
• (g) joining said second web to said first web along a third band-shaped zone that is parallel to said lengths of first and second flangeless zipper strips;
• (h) cutting said first and second webs along respective lines close to said lengths of first and second flangeless zipper strips respectively;
• and
• (i) inserting a slider on said lengths of first and second flangeless zipper strips with said first and second webs joined thereto,
• wherein said first through third band-shaped zones define a pocket having a mouth that is closed to the extent said major portions of said lengths of first and second flangeless zipper strips are interlocked.