Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages on horizontal form-fill-seal machines

A method of making reclosable packages freclosable packages on a horizontal form-fill-seal machine, said method comprising the steps of:

• feeding a supply of package film in a package forming direction;
• folding said package film about a bottom crease to form opposing package walls, said opposing package walls advancing in said package forming direction;
• feeding a supply of interlocked reclosable zipper between said opposing package walls;
• sealing said reclosable zipper to said opposing package walls;
• providing a supply of sliders, each of said sliders being insertable on to said reclosable zipper and adapted to open and close said reclosable zipper as said slider is moved along said reclosable zipper in opening and closing directions, respectively;
• removing sliders from said slider supply and inserting sliders on to said reclosable zipper while said reclosable zipper remains fully interlocked;
• cross-sealing said folded film at package-width intervals to form a chain of packages, each of said packages having a reclosable zipper and a slider;
• opening the reclosable zipper of each package thereby forming a mouth on an upper end of each package;
• filling each package through said mouth;
• and
• closing the reclosable zipper of each package.