Abstract: A machine direction method of manufacture of reclosable packages is disclosed wherein a semi-circular or similarly shaped perforated pattern is punched in the web in registration with the package side seals. Continuous lines of perforation are punched in the web parallel to the top of the package. The web is folded and shaped into a package with a header which includes the semi-circular perforated pattern and the lines of perforation. A similar transverse direction method of manufacture is disclosed. When the top corner of the header is pulled, the header tears along the shaped perforation until it meets the horizontal line of perforation, thereby avoiding tearing through the area of the header that is sealed to the zipper flange, the header then tears along the horizontal perforation and finally follows the shaped perforation on the opposite end of the package.

Abstract: The reclosable bag includes a slider-operated zipper with a removable header formed over the zipper. The removable header includes a broad top seal provides room for a hang aperture and which can be shaped to stabilize or park the slider prior to removal of the header. Additionally, the broad top seal can be configured so as to leave a portion of the edges of the web immediately above the zipper unsealed.

Abstract: A reclosable bag is disclosed with a zipper sealed to the exterior surface of front and rear web panels. The interlocking elements of the zipper, prior to initial opening of the reclosable bag, are separated from each other by a removable header formed by lines of weakness immediately above the seal lines between the zipper flanges and the web panels. The initial opening of the bag is performed by tearing the lines of weakness and removing the header. This allows the interlocking elements of the zipper to interlock with each other for the subsequent reclosing of the bag. The zipper can be applied across the top of the bag or along a corner thereof.

Abstract: A package comprising: a receptacle comprising front and rear walls joined to each other at top and bottom cross seals and connected to each other along first and second sides of the receptacle, the front wall comprising a loop that projects outward and that extends across the front wall from the first side to the second side of the receptacle; and a pair of zipper strips having mutually interlocked profiles, the zipper strips being disposed inside and joined to the loop.

Abstract: Reclosable packages containing food product that can be exposed to cooking temperatures without rupture of the product compartment. The various disclosed embodiments have the following common features: means for forming a first interior volume that is hermetically sealed, at least a portion of the first interior volume containing product; means for forming a second interior volume that is in fluid communication with the exterior of the package via a vent hole and is not in fluid communication with the first interior volume; and frangible means designed to rupture when the pressure inside the first interior volume increases to a predetermined level during cooking. The second interior volume will be in fluid communication with the first interior volume as a result of rupture of the frangible means.

Abstract: A reclosable package comprising front and rear panels extending between top and bottom transverse seals, the front panel having a line or lines of weakened tear resistance for forming an opening, through which a zipper can be accessed. The zipper is suspended from the top transverse seal and attached to the front panel at a lower elevation. At least a major portion of the base strip of a forward zipper part is disposed between the front panel and the base strip of a rearward zipper part. Respective upper portions of the zipper base strips are joined to each other in the top transverse seal. A lower portion of the base strip of the forward zipper part is joined to the front panel in a transverse band-shaped zone of joinder. No portion of the base strip of the rearward zipper part is joined to the rear panel outside of the top transverse seal.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a zipper design, with or without a leading flange, to improve front panel zipper fabrication and end use applications. The profiles of the zipper include a plurality of interlocking elements, which may include C-shaped, J-shaped or repeating male interlocking elements. In the unflanged version, a portion of the interlocking elements of one of the profiles is sealed directly to the interior of a bag on a first side of the front panel bag opening, while the base of the other profile is sealed on a second side of the front panel bag opening, aligned so that interlocking elements of one profile can interlock with interlocking elements of the other profile.

Abstract: A slider-zipper construction that provides a watertight seal below the interlocked zipper profiles on the product side of the zipper. The seal comprises at least one seal part that is compressible or at least partially collapsible. The slider is designed to compress or at least partially collapse that seal part in the area below the plow of the slider, where the zipper profiles cannot be interlocked due to the interference of the plow.

Abstract: A method of making slider end stops on zippers comprising two interlockable profiled closure members. The method comprises the steps of: opening a section of a zipper tape to form a gap between the profiled closure members; inserting a first portion of a body into the gap with a second portion of the body projecting above the tops of the profiled closure members; and joining the first portion of the body to adjoining sections of the profiled closure members. Then the body is narrowed down the middle to form a neck where the zipper tape will later be cut, each half of the body forming a respective slider end stop, but on different zipper segments. Alternatively, two bodies can be inserted into the gap and then joined to adjoining sections of the closure members. The zipper tape is cut between the two bodies, which will ultimately form respective slider end stops on different zipper segments. In an alternative embodiment, the zipper tape and the bag making film can be integrally formed.

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) making a vent hole in a package; (b) loading product into a receptacle of the package via an opening; (c) closing the opening; (d) placing an air-permeable layer of material over the vent hole; (e) squeezing the receptacle after steps (a) through (d) have been performed to force air out the vent hole; and (f) after step (e) has been performed, sealing the package so that air cannot enter the receptacle via the vent hole. In accordance with some embodiments, the vent hole is formed in the receptacle and sealed by means of an air-impermeable patch or by joining two walls of the receptacle together. In accordance with other embodiments, the vent hole is formed in a zipper tape attached to the receptacle and various means can be used to seal the vent hole after air removal.

Abstract: A slider for use with interlocking profiles in a reclosable plastic bag is disclosed. The slider includes a rotary device which allows the user to hold the reclosable plastic bag and operate the slider with a single hand. The rotary device can be a thumbwheel which is journaled for rotation about an axis in the side or top of the slider, and can also be a flexible or elastic band which passes through and is retained by slots formed in the slider.

Abstract: A reclosable slider zipper is disclosed wherein the profiles have several interlocking ribs thereby allowing the profiles to be interlocked in various alignments. A slider is provided to open and close the reclosable slider zipper. This results in increased reliability in alignment of the profiles during manufacturing processes and similarly results in increased smoothness and tactile feel for the consumer.

Abstract: A generally tube-shaped package that has a tear strip joined to a web of packaging film, the tear strip incorporating an encapsulated tear notch. The package is filled with cookie or bread dough. In accordance with one embodiment, the tear strip is part of a tape that is joined to a web of packaging film. Preferably, the tear strip has a tear bead. Optionally, tearing off of the tear strip provides access to a peel seal, which in turn must be sundered to gain access to the dough. In accordance with another embodiment, the tear strip comprises a portion of a web of packaging film, which portion is bounded by a pair of mutually parallel capped tear lines. A tear bead is disposed between the tear lines. Methods of manufacturing such packages are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reclosable package having a hooded slider-operated zipper, comprising the following steps: (a) interlocking profiled closure members of first and second flanged zipper strips; (b) inserting a slider on the zipper strips; (c) folding zipper flanges of the first and second flanged zipper strips so that respective portions of the zipper flanges confront each other at a position above the profiled closure members; (d) joining the mutually confronting portions of the zipper flanges to each other to form a hood over the profiled closure members; (e) guiding first and second portions of web material into mutual confrontation; (f) guiding the mutually interlocked first and second zipper strips to positions whereat a portion of one zipper flange confronts the first portion of web material and a portion of the other zipper flange confronts the second portion of web material; and (g) joining respective portions of the zipper flanges to the first and second portions of web material respectivel

Abstract: A reclosable package comprising a hooded zipper with a pair of off-center lines of perforations that are hermetically sealed by a layer of material. The lines of perforations facilitate tearing off the hood to gain access to the zipper. One method of manufacture involves joining the hooded zipper to respective web portions formed by folding a web and then slitting the folded web in two. Another method of manufacture involves joining the hooded zipper to respective web portions formed by slitting a web in two and then orienting the two web portions into mutually confronting positions. The package may be constructed to have a wicket flap.

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) guiding a web material in a machine direction through a vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) machine with a portion of the web material being wrapped around a tube; (b) joining first and second portions of a closure tape to first and second fin portions of the web material that do not form part of the portion of the web material that is wrapped around the tube, the closure tape being rupturable and not reclosable; (c) cross sealing the web material at a location downstream from the tube; and (d) dropping product through the tube and onto the most recently formed cross seal.