Abstract: The present invention describes a process of making strap using both post consumer and non-post consumer PET of wide distribution intrinsic viscosity (IV) through direct solid state polymerization in a flaked state to produce PET with increased, heterogenous IV suitable for high performance strap extrusion. The process increases the IV of post-consumer resins, consisting principally of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), by chopping the post-consumer plastic into flakes and chunks, rolling the flakes and chunks, preheating the flakes, and further heating the flakes and chunks in an atmosphere of hot nitrogen gas, thereby increasing the intrinsic viscosity. PET polymers having increased viscosities according to the present invention provide a polymer useful in manufacturing high performance strap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for low cost thermal printing in a thermal printer having a software controlled thermal print head that moves in relation to a print ribbon disposed adjacent to a print area of a printed medium. The thermal print head is selectively energized to heat the print ribbon which deposits the ink onto the printed medium as the print head moves in relation to the print ribbon in a print stroke. The cost of printing is decreased by efficient use of the ink on the print ribbon. Between print strokes, the print ribbon is displaced an incremental interval to position an unused portion of the print ribbon for printing on the printed medium during a subsequent print stroke. The precise displacement of the print ribbon may be software controlled based on the detection of indices disposed at spaced intervals along the print ribbon which further increases the efficient usage of ink on the print ribbon.

Abstract: A reclosable bag is formed of a first wall and a second wall of a polymeric sheet material joined to form an enclosure with a mouth defined by the wall edges. The bag has a closure for selectively opening and sealing the mouth. The closure includes a first and a second mutually interlocking profile, each of which extends along and is bonded to the internal surface of its respective first and second wall. The first and second mutually interlocking profiles are extruded from a first polymeric resin material, and have a web portion which is bonded to the wall. Coextruded onto the web portions, or applied to the web portions following the extrusion of the strips, is at least one rib of a second polymeric resin material which includes an ultraviolet-light-excitable tracer material. The second polymeric resin material has a lower melting point than the first polymeric resin material, and is used to bond the profiles to the sheet material of the walls.

Abstract: Packages being produced on a form, fill and seal machine as provided with transverse zippers inserted thereinto through a fin seal gap. Pairs of fin sealing bars are separated by a gap to produce the fin seal gap. The fin seal gap is opened, perhaps by vacuum means, and a zipper probe inserts a zipper having a web into the tube of plastic sheet material being formed into bags. The web of the zipper is sealed to the plastic sheet material, and the zipper probe withdrawn from the tube. Cross seal jaws seal both transverse ends of the package, a knife separates each package from that previously made, and a fin gap sealer seals the fin seal gap to complete the manufacture.

Abstract: Packages being produced on a form, fill and seal machine as provided with transverse zippers inserted thereinto through a fin seal gap. Pairs of fin sealing bars are separated by a gap to produce the fin seal gap. The fin seal gap is opened, perhaps by vacuum means, and a zipper probe inserts a zipper having a web into the tube of plastic sheet material being formed into bags. The web of the zipper is sealed to the plastic sheet material, and the zipper probe withdrawn from the tube. Cross seal jaws seal both transverse ends of the package, a knife separates each package from that previously made, and a fin gap sealer seals the fin seal gap to complete the manufacture.

Abstract: Packages being produced on a form, fill and seal machine as provided with transverse zippers inserted thereinto through a fin seal gap. Pairs of fin sealing bars are separated by a gap to produce the fin seal gap. The fin seal gap is opened, perhaps by vacuum means, and a zipper probe inserts a zipper having a web into the tube of plastic sheet material being formed into bags. The web of the zipper is sealed to the plastic sheet material, and the zipper probe withdrawn from the tube. Cross seal jaws seal both transverse ends of the package, a knife separates each package from that previously made, and a fin gap sealer seals the fin seal gap to complete the manufacture.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing reclosable packages on a form, fill and seal machine includes the step of providing a continuous sheet of thermoplastic material with a Z-fold extending longitudinally therealong before the sheet is wrapped around a filling tube for forming and filling the packages. The Z-fold is maintained on the tube of thermoplastic material thus formed until it reaches a loop opener on the outside surface of the filling tube. The loop opener transforms the Z-fold into a loop extending longitudinally along and outwardly from the filling tube and from the tube of thermoplastic material wrapped therearound. Simultaneously, a continuous plastic zipper having a pair of mutually interlocking profiles is directed into the tube of thermoplastic material along a channel on the outside surface of the filling tube.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing reclosable plastic bags or packages, wherein sections of zipper profiles are pre-softened at intervals equal in length to the width of the bags or packages to be manufactured. The pre-softening enables the zipper profiles to be fused together and completely flattened when a seal bar clamps thereacross to form a side seal area transverse to the zipper.

Abstract: A workpiece for use in forming a carrier tape cover strip is provided with a substantially tubular shaped member having a pair of opposed surfaces. A pair of opposed sidewalls depend from, extend between and connect the opposed surfaces and a longitudinally extending hump is provided on each of the opposed surfaces. The humps comprise identical dovetail configurations in cross section.

Abstract: An improved carrier tape is provided comprising a cover strip and a base strip formed of a plastic material and designed to mechanically interlock with each other. The cover strip includes a top surface from which opposed sidewalls extend downwardly. The spacing between at least portions of the sidewalls is substantially equal to the width of the base strip so as to engage the sidewalls of the base strip in a mechanical interlock. At least one of the sidewalls includes a segment extending outwardly away from the other sidewall so as to define a camming surface to which a force may conveniently be applied to urge the sidewalls apart and thereby facilitate the application of or removal of the cover strip from the base strip. The cover strip may further be provided with a hump which, in cross section, has a dovetail configuration.A method for forming the cover strip and work piece used in practicing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A one piece integral carrier tape is provided comprising an elongated plastic strip member divided longitudinally by a living hinge into first and second segments so that one segment may be folded over onto the other segment. Component cavities extend along the tape and a plurality of sprocket holes is provided in one of the segments and tabs and tab engaging surfaces are provided on the segments to enable the one segment to be releasably secured to the other segment when the plastic strip is folded along the living hinge. A method of forming the carrier tape is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wrap spring clutch/brake apparatus includes a clutch mechanism for supplying increased frictional torque at low rotational speeds to a load. The clutch mechanism is formed of an inner cylindrical-shaped member, an outer annular member disposed concentrically around the inner cylindrical-shaped member, and a garter spring disposed concentrically around the outer annular member. The outer annular member is formed of a plurality of identical-shaped segmented fly-weights. Each segmented fly-weight has an inner arcuate section and an outer arcuate section disposed in a spaced apart relationship from the inner arcuate section by intermediate section. The inner arcuate section is disposed to be frictionally engaged with the outer circumference of the inner cylindrical-shaped member at lower rotational speeds to add increased frictional torque to the shaft output and is adapted for radial movement away from the frictional engagement with the inner member at relatively high rotational speeds.

Abstract: An improved carrier tape is disclosed comprising a cover strip and a base strip formed of a plastic material and designed to mechanically interlock with each other. The cover strip includes a top surface from which opposed sidewalls extend downwardly. The cover strip is further provided with a pair of longitudinally extending humps which project upwardly from the top face. The humps are generally semi-circular in cross-section and are positioned adjacent the edges of the cover strip, spaced inwardly of the sidewalls. The humps define living hinges for the adjacent surfaces of the cover strip top face and the sidewalls so that when the humps are depressed the sidewalls move laterally outwardly.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for making, and the resulting material for fabricating reclosable bags and in which a length of web of predetermined width of bag material as wound on a mandrel has fastener strip sections joined to and across the width of the web. The web is adapted to travel continuously spirally about the mandrel. The fastener carrying web may be folded longitudinally and resiliently flexible profiles of the folded fastener strip sections separably joined. Ends of the fastener strips before, and after, folding may be flow melted and fusedly flattened. Ends of the fastener strips may be aligned with a fold juncture of an underturned flange of the web and the margin then unfolded to extend beyond the strip ends.