Apparatus and method for forming reclosable storage containers

A form, fill and seal apparatus of the type that forms film material into flexible pouches, the form, fill and seal apparatus including means for storing and supplying the film material, a generally vertical fill tube assembly downstream thereof and around which the sheet material is generally wrapped, and sealing and severing means downstream of the fill tube assembly for sealing and severing the sheet material into flexible pouches that enclose the filled product therewithin, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• means associated with said film material storing and supplying means for providing a continuous web of film material having mating flexible closure strips longitudinally positioned at generally opposing locations along said continuous web of film material, said mating flexible closure strips having generally complementary interlocking means for selectively engaging and disengaging said strips from each other;
• flexible closure strip engagement means associated with said generally vertical fill tube assembly, said engagement means engaging said mating flexible strips together to form a flow of continuous joined web of film material having mated flexible closures strips;
• web spreading means located generally vertically downstream of said engagement means, said web spreading means receiving said continuous joined web of film material to modify its cross-section, configuration by increasing a longitudinal dimension of its cross-section, said web spreading means including means for guiding said mated flexible closure strips during passage of the joined web through said spreading means;
• a pair of pinch rollers positioned a substantial distance down stream from a forming collar so that the film material can accomodate movement of the mating flexible closure strips into alignment with each other until their respective interlocking profiles interlock;
• and
• said sealing and severing means seals and severs said joined web downstream of said spreading means for completing formation of pouches from said joined web.