# US 2018/0022484 A1 · Zipper closer

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- Number: US 2018/0022484 A1
- Document ID: US20180022484A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/656,753
- Filed: 2017-07-21
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2016-07-21
- Assignees: Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC
- Applicants: Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC
- Inventors: Emmanuel K. Christophel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180022484A1

## CPC

- B65B 7/02: Closing containers or receptacles deformed by, or taking-up shape, of, contents, e.g. bags, sacks
- B65B 43/465: {for bags}
- B65B 43/50: using rotary tables or turrets {(B65B43/46 takes precedence)}
- B65B 51/046: {Applying a closure element to the mouths of bags}
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)

## Abstract

A zipper closure device for use with a turret type flexible pouch fill machine. The zipper closer device has a pair of rollers supported by an arm which is permitted to oscillate within a support module. The support module is mounted such that the rollers oscillate in a radial direction with respect to the access of rotation of the turret. The support module is supported by an arm in a post which permits positioning of the closer device with respect to the position of the pouches to be closed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for use with a rotating turret for closing a zipper of a flexible pouch which is supported between a pair of grippers, the device comprising:
a support module mounted in a fixed position with the turret; and
an arm having a top end and a lower end; the top end pivotally mounted to the support module such that the lower end pivots along a radius from an axis of rotation;
a pair of rollers mounted to the lower end of the arm, the rollers spaced apart to accept the pouch there between.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the rollers oscillate radially with respect to the turret as the pair of rollers travel along the pouch.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein each of the rollers has an annular surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device of claim 3, wherein the annular surface of each roller is resilient.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the support has an inverted u-shaped cavity adapted to receive the top of the arm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the support has at least one adjustable stop to limit the travel of the arm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The device of claim 5, wherein a pair of stops are mounted to the support, each of the pair extending in to the cavity from opposite sides of the support module.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1 wherein a vertical axis passing through the pivot axis of the arm and ½ of the cord height.

### Claim 9

A packaging machine for filling a pouch having a closure, comprising
a housing;
a turret rotateably mounted within the housing, the turret having at least two spaced apart grippers for supporting a pouch;
a support member mounted to the housing;
a arm pivotally mounted to the support; and
a pair of rollers spaced apart, to receive a portion of the pouch having the closure thereafter, the rollers move radially inwardly and outwardly as the closure passes between the rollers.