Method and apparatus for guiding a fastener in a bag making machine
AssigneePactiv Corporation
InventorsDavid G. Vanderlee, Aaron L. Strand
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for guiding a fastener in a bag making machine includes a stationary support, an elongated internal guide, and a slitting mechanism. The elongated internal guide is mounted to the support and positioned within an enclosed space defined by the fastener. The fastener is moved downstream with the internal guide within the enclosed space. The fastener is slit upstream from the support. While the fastener is guided, a sealer may seal the fastener to a moving web of plastic film along a seal adjacent to the internal guide.
Claims19
A method of guiding a moving fastener in a bag making machine, comprising:
- providing a fastener including first and second opposing tracks, said first and second tracks including respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins extending from said respective first and second profiles, said first and second fins initially being joined, said fastener, by itself, defining an enclosed space;
- providing a stationary support and an elongated internal guide mounted to said support, said elongated internal guide having a longest dimension extending in a direction of movement of said fastener;
- positioning said internal guide within said enclosed space;
- moving said fastener downstream with said internal guide within said enclosed space;
- and
- slitting said fastener upstream from said support and at a location on said fastener outside of said interlocking profiles.
A method of guiding a fastener in a bag making machine, comprising:
- providing a fastener including first and second opposing tracks, said first and second tracks including respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins extending from said respective first and second profiles, said first and second fins initially being joined to each other along a breakable juncture to form an enclosed space;
- providing a stationary support and an elongated internal guide mounted to said support;
- positioning said internal guide within said enclosed space;
- moving said fastener downstream with said internal guide within said enclosed space;
- and
- slitting said fastener along said breakable juncture upstream from said support.
A method of guiding a moving fastener in a bag making machine, comprising:
- providing a fastener including first and second interlocking profiles in a interlocked position and a fin structure connected between said first and second profiles, said fin structure and said first and second interlocking profiles defining an enclosed space;
- guiding a movement of said fastener with an elongated internal guide extending substantially in a direction of said movement of said fastener and being mounted to a stationary support, said elongated internal guide being located within said enclosed space and said stationary support being at least partially outside of said enclosed space;
- and
- slitting said fin structure of said fastener at a location between said stationary support and an upstream end of said elongated internal guide to provide an opening to said enclosed space through which said stationary support extends.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.