Zipper fusing machine for attaching zipper material to a plastic web

A zipper fusing machine for continuously fusing zipper material to folded plastic bag film, the zipper fusing machine comprising:

• a frame,
• a zipper fusing mechanism mounted on the frame to continuously fuse the zipper material to the plastic bag film, the zipper fusing mechanism including,
• a pair of endless belts disposed on opposing sides of a fuse path, each belt having a leg portion disposed adjacent the fuse path, the leg portions being disposed parallel and closely spaced to each other to engage the plastic bag film and the zipper material being fed therebetween through the fuse path, the belts being constructed and arranged to move passively with the plastic bag film and the zipper material, and
• a pair of heaters disposed on opposing sides of the fuse path, one located behind the leg portion of each belt to fuse the plastic bag film and the zipper material;
• and
• a zipper supply mechanism mounted on the frame to supply the zipper material from a zipper supply roll to a feed path, the zipper supply mechanism including a nip-roll assembly to feed the zipper material and a weighted tension assembly to adjust the tension of the zipper material along the feed path,
• the nip-roll assembly comprising first and second opposed rollers, the first roller being a driving roller, the second roller being a driven roller and biased toward the first roller so that when the zipper material is placed between the first and second opposed rollers and the driving roller is rotated, the zipper material is forced between the opposed rollers,
• the weighted tension assembly including a pivot arm and first and second series of pulleys, the first series of pulleys being rotatably mounted on a fixed support, the second series of pulleys being mounted at one end of the pivot arm, the other end of the pivot arm being pivotally mounted on the frame, the zipper material being fed between the first and second series of pulleys in a serpentine manner.

A zipper fusing machine for attaching a length of zipper material to a length of folded plastic bag film, the plastic bag film including a folded edge and an open edge extending along the length thereof and having a width therebetween, the fusing machine comprising:

• a frame having opposed ends, a pair of rails extending longitudinally between the ends, and a support member slidably mounted to the rails;
• and
• a zipper fusing mechanism constructed and arranged to fuse the zipper material to the plastic bag film along a fuse path, the fusing mechanism being removably mounted on the support member,
• the zipper fusing mechanism being adapted to be mounted to the support member in one of a first configuration, wherein the zipper fusing mechanism faces one end of the frame, and a second configuration, wherein the zipper fusing mechanism faces the other end of the frame, the first and second configurations enabling the zipper fusing machine to fuse the zipper material close to the folded edge of the plastic bag film or close to the open edge of the plastic bag film, respectively.