Methods for applying sliders to reclosable plastic bags

A method of applying at least two sliders onto a web of plastic film comprising:

• providing a web of plastic film;
• providing a fastener including first and second opposing tracks, the first and second tracks including respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins extending from the respective first and second profiles;
• forming at least a first and a second opening into the tracks and the fins, the first opening is located downstream from the second opening, the first and second openings assist in defining a first segment and a second segment, the first segment is located upstream from and adjacent to the second opening, the second segment is located between the first opening and the second opening;
• moving the second segment into a different plane from a plane of the first segment;
• feeding a first slider into the first opening and a second slider into the second opening at generally the same time;
• applying the first slider onto the second segment of the tracks and the second slider onto the first segment of the tracks at generally the same time as the fastener indexes forward;
• and
• attaching the fastener to the web of plastic film.

A method of making reclosable plastic bags comprising:

• providing a web of plastic film;
• providing a fastener including first and second opposing tracks, the first and second tracks including respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins extending from the respective first and second profiles;
• sealing the first and second fins to each other;
• forming at least a first and a second opening into the tracks and the fins, the first opening is located downstream from the second opening, the first and second openings assist in defining a first segment and a second segment, the first segment is located upstream from and adjacent to the second opening, the second segment is located between the first opening and the second opening;
• moving the second segment into a different plane from a plane of the first segment;
• feeding a first slider into the first opening and a second slider into the second opening at generally the same time;
• applying the first slider onto the second segment of the tracks and the second slider onto the first segment of the tracks at generally the same time as the fastener indexes forward;
• moving the second segment back into the plane of the first segment;
• conveying the fastener to an end stop applicator;
• forming at least a first end stop on the first segment of the tracks and at least a second end stop on the second segment of the tracks;
• attaching the fastener to the web of plastic film;
• and
• forming the web into a plurality of interconnected plastic bags.