Machine for attaching a reclosable fastener to a flexible material

A machine for attaching a reclosable zipper-type fastener to a flexible material having a surface including an indicia disposed along at predetermined intervals, said machine primarily intended for use with a host apparatus that supplies a signal to said machine, said machine comprising:

• means for supplying a flexible material to said machine;
• at least one motor for indexing a predetermined length of flexible material along a path through said machine with said motor indexing said flexible material in response to said signal from the host machine;
• an indicia detector disposed along said path of said flexible material that upon detection of said indicia provides a cue;
• a cutting device for forming at least one cut through a predetermined segment of said flexible material in response to said indicia detector cue, said cut forming means disposed along said path of said flexible material;
• means for supplying a predetermined length of a reclosable fastener having a perimeter and distal ends;
• means for fusing said distal ends of said predetermined length of said fastener disposed downstream from said supplying means comprising a cooling station and a heating station that respectively heat and cool said distal ends of said fastener in response to said indicia detector cue;
• a controllable, endless belt that receives said fasteners from said supplying means and conveys said fasteners to said fusing means such that said fastener passes adjacent to said fusing means, said controllable endless belt conveying said fasteners in response to said host signal;
• and
• means for sealing said fused fastener to said flexible material in overlying relation to said cut along said perimeter of said fused fastener around said cut in response to said indicia detector cue.