Application system for sliders at form-fill-seal machine
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorMichael J. McMahon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for manufacturing reclosable bags having slide zippers on a form-fill-seal machine is provided. In a first embodiment the sliders are preapplied to the zipper and the bags are made using conventional form-fill-seal techniques. In a second embodiment a coil of sliders is fed into the form-fill-seal machine where the sliders are applied to the zippers by an insertor mechanism. In a third embodiment a magazine of individual or connected sliders is used to feed a slider insertor mechanism which then applies the sliders to the interlocked zippers. In a fourth embodiment bulk sliders are introduced into a vibratory feeding bowl which then orients and feeds the sliders to the slider insertor mechanism.
Claims9
A method of making reclosable bags on a form-fill-seal machine, said method comprising the steps of:
- feeding a length of thermoplastic film into said form-fill seal machine, said thermoplastic film having opposite longitudinal edges;
- folding said thermoplastic film over a forming collar and around a filling tube of said form-fill-seal machine to bring said longitudinal edges of said thermoplastic film in adjacent relationship to form a tube;
- applying sliders at spaced intervals to a length of zipper, said zipper including two interlocking profiles, each of said profiles having an interlocking member interlockable with the interlocking member of the other profile and an integral flange having a portion extending beyond said sliders,
- feeding said length of zipper with said sliders applied into said tube;
- sealing each of said integral flange portions of said profiles that extend beyond said sliders to said thermoplastic film;
- cross-sealing said film tube to form a first side of a bag;
- cross-sealing said film tube at a distance from said first side to form a second side of said bag so as to capture a single slider between said first and second sides;
- and
- cutting said bag from said film tube;
- wherein each bag is provided with a zipper and a slider for opening and closing the zipper.
An apparatus for making reclosable bags comprising:
- means for supplying a length of thermoplastic film having opposite longitudinal edges;
- means for folding said thermoplastic film into a tube so as to bring said longitudinal edges into adjacent relationship;
- means for feeding a length of zipper having a plurality of sliders applied thereto into said tube, said zipper including two interlocking profiles, each of said profiles having an interlocking member interlockable with the interlocking member of the other profile and an integral flange having a portion extending beyond said sliders, said sliders being at spaced intervals with respect to each other;
- means for sealing said integral flange portions of said profiles that extend beyond said sliders to said thermoplastic film;
- means for cross-sealing said tube to form a first side of a bag;
- means for cross-sealing said tube at a distance from said first side to form a second side of said bag so as to capture a single slider between said first and second sides;
- and
- means for cutting said bag from said tube;
- wherein each bag will be provided with a zipper and a slider for opening and closing the zipper.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.