Abstract: A reclosable plastic zipper assembly of indefinite length is disclosed, the assembly including a ribbon having a first zipper strip profile and a second zipper strip profile, where the first zipper strip profile includes at least one rib, and where the second zipper strip profile includes at least one recess. The at least one rib and at least one recess are complementary in shape such that the zipper strip profiles may be mated by inserting the at least one rib into the at least one recess along the length of the plastic zipper assembly. The reclosable plastic zipper assembly further includes a bead and a pair of perforations, where the zipper strip profiles may be mated by folding the ribbon along the length of the plastic zipper assembly around the bead, where a first perforation is on the ribbon between the bead and the first zipper profile, and the second perforation is on the ribbon between the bead and second zipper profile, wherein the zipper assembly has been extruded through a single die.

Abstract: A reclosable child-resistant plastic zipper assembly of indefinite length is disclosed. The assembly has a first zipper strip and a second zipper strip, the zipper strips having complementary reclosure profiles. The zipper assembly lacks upper flanges, but instead terminates at a pair of closure tabs that meet at an opening point when the strips have been mated to provide the closure. The zipper strips each further include a texturized gripping region on the exterior surfaces to enable a user to open the zipper assembly. The assembly may be affixed to the upper end of a bag or other flexible container to provide child-resistant access to the contents therein.

Abstract: The present invention includes a kit for a baby bottle liner constructed and arranged to fit into a cavity of a baby bottle. The baby bottle liner includes a continuous, profiled, elongated reclosable fastener with a first and a second continuous elongated profile strip that are dimensioned to provide an airtight and/or watertight seal upon interconnection thereof. The baby bottle liner further comprises an airtight and watertight side seal at each end of the reclosable fastener. Each side seal connects an end of the reclosable fastener to an inside surface of a front wall and an inside surface of a back wall of the liner. The baby bottle liner can be constructed from a microwavable plastic and also visually indicate that a predetermined safe temperature range has been reached.

Abstract: A fastener profile assembly and method of forming a fastener profile assembly is provided. The assembly includes a continuous supply of two interlocking profiles which are sealed at either end with a compression molded segment seal. The compression molded segment seal is formed through the application of heat and pressure to the interlocking profiles, thereby fusing the area and forming one end of the profile. Advancement of the profiles and application of heat and pressure to a second area forms the second end of the profile assembly. Manufacture of a fastener in such a manner allows for highly automated profile production with precise, accurate registration of the fastener profile.

Abstract: A reclosable fastener strip for securing to a film web comprises first and second elongated profile strips having interlocking hooks, recesses and protuberances. Each hook, as extruded, has a half arrowhead-shaped tip, a concave or partial-concave tail, and a generally upstanding neck connecting the tip and tail. Each recess has a base with a pair of generally upstanding neck elements disposed on opposite ends of the base. The base does not extend laterally beyond the neck elements. Each protuberance, as extruded, has a rounded tip, a concave or partial-concave tail, and a generally upstanding neck portion connecting the tip and tail. The profile strips are readily secured to the web without entrapping air between the profile strips and the film web and form an vacuum tight seal. The interlocking hooks, recesses and protuberances are sized, constructed and arranged to provide a vacuum tight seal upon interconnection thereof.

Abstract: The present invention includes a baby bottle liner constructed and arranged to fit into a cavity of a baby bottle. The baby bottle liner includes a continuous, profiled, elongated reclosable fastener. The continuous, profiled, elongated reclosable fastener has a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip. The first continuous elongated profile strip and the second continuous elongated profile strip are dimensioned to provide an airtight and/or watertight seal upon interconnection thereof. The baby bottle liner further comprises an airtight and watertight side seal at each end of the reclosable fastener. Each side seal connects an end of the reclosable fastener to an inside surface of a front wall and an inside surface of a back wall of the liner. The invention also provides a baby bottle with a baby bottle liner and a kit for infant nursing that has a plurality of baby bottle liners.

Abstract: A reclosable zipper strip is dispensed through a feeding mechanism and, when an optical sensor detects one of the splotch seal portions of the zipper strip, a desired length of zipper strip is advanced over an elevator platform. A knife is then signaled to descend and sever the advanced portion of zipper strip, which is thus deposited onto the elevator platform. As the selected portion of the zipper strip is being positioned and deposited onto the elevator, the web of flexible film is being positioned above the platform. A sealing head is then positioned over the web of flexible film, while at the same time the elevator platform is driven upwardly so that the zipper strip portion positioned thereon comes into contact with the web of flexible film. The heat passing through the web of flexible film creates an airtight seal of the zipper strip to the web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reclosable bag that is substantially impermeable to oxygen by using a nylon layer in the bag side wall material. A preferred embodiment uses a bag wall comprised of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and nylon. LDPE and nylon layers are laminated together. When used as a baby bottle liner, the bag is constructed and arranged to fit into a cavity of a baby bottle. The bag includes a continuous, profiled, elongated reclosable fastener. The continuous, profiled, elongated reclosable fastener has a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip. The first continuous elongated profile strip and the second continuous elongated profile strip are dimensioned to provide an airtight and/or watertight seal upon interconnection thereof. The fastener provides an airtight and watertight side seal at each end of the reclosable fastener.

Abstract: A fastener strip comprising a reclosable portion including an elongated first backing, including a trough extending lengthwise along the first backing and an elongated second backing, including a ridge extending lengthwise along a second backing, the ridge removably insertable into the trough to essentially prevent air flow across the trough, and a generally planar portion including essentially no ridge and essentially no trough, and a plug that joins the ridge of the reclosable portion and the trough of the reclosable portion at the adjacent end of the reclosable portion to the plug in an airtight seal that prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion.

Abstract: A modular reciprocating heat seal jaw assembly is disclosed for sealing reclosable fastener strips to a web of thermoplastic film and for sealing the web of thermoplastic film into a series of reclosable bags. The jaw assembly includes first and second sealing jaws and means for slidably mounting the first and second sealing jaws on a first pair of parallel shafts near the lateral ends of the first and second sealing jaws in a horizontal configuration. A mechanical system is providing for selectively effecting reciprocal movement of the first and second sealing jaws together and apart as required. A modular frame is provided for supporting the first and second sealing jaws and the first and second pairs of parallel shafts and for maintaining the lateral and vertical position of the first and second sealing jaws as they are moved toward or away from each other. The modular frame and heat seal jaw assembly may be inserted into existing form-fill-seal machine to make them more efficient and accurate.

Abstract: A reclosable fastener strip for securing to a film web comprises first and second elongated profile strips having interlocking hooks, recesses and protuberances. Each hook, as extruded, has a half arrowhead-shaped tip, a concave or partial-concave tail, and a generally upstanding neck connecting the tip and tail. Each recess has a base with a pair of generally upstanding neck elements disposed on opposite ends of the base. The base does not extend laterally beyond the neck elements. Each protuberance, as extruded, has a rounded tip, a concave or partial-concave tail, and a generally upstanding neck portion connecting the tip and tail. The profile strips are readily secured to the web without entrapping air between the profile strips and the film web and form an vacuum tight seal. The interlocking hooks, recesses and protuberances are sized, constructed and arranged to provide a vacuum tight seal upon interconnection thereof.

Abstract: A reclosable fastener strip for securing to a film web comprises first and second flangeless, elongated profile strip having a plurality of interlocking hooks, recesses and protuberances. Each hook, as extruded, has a half arrowhead-shaped tip, a concave or partial-concave tail, and a generally upstanding neck connecting the tip and tail. Each recess has a base with a pair of generally upstanding neck elements disposed on opposite ends of the base. The base does not extend laterally beyond the neck elements. Each protuberance, as extruded, has a rounded tip, a concave or partial-concave tail, and a generally upstanding neck portion connecting the tip and tail. The profile strips are readily secured to the web without entrapping air between the profile strips and the film web and form an airtight and watertight seal. The interlocking hooks, recesses and protuberances are dimensioned to provide and airtight and watertight seal upon interconnection thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reclosable bag that is substantially impermeable to oxygen by using a nylon layer in the bag side wall material. A preferred embodiment uses a bag wall comprised of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and nylon. LDPE and nylon layers are laminated together. When used as a baby bottle liner, the bag is constructed and arranged to fit into a cavity of a baby bottle. The bag includes a continuous, profiled, elongated reclosable fastener. The continuous, profiled, elongated reclosable fastener has a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip. The first continuous elongated profile strip and the second continuous elongated profile strip are dimensioned to provide an airtight and/or watertight seal upon interconnection thereof. The fastener provides an airtight and watertight side seal at each end of the reclosable fastener.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the aforementioned prior art devices and meets the afore-mentioned needs by providing an apparatus and method for accurately sealing a multi-purpose reclosable zipper strip to a web of flexible film in an airtight manner. Moreover, the inventive apparatus and method is capable of repeatedly performing the steps necessary to seal the multi-purpose reclosable zipper strip to the web of flexible film with high manufacturing throughout and low cycle times. Generally, the apparatus and method utilize the multi-purpose reclosable zipper strip having airtight splotch seals fused in a series along desired lengths of the zipper tape. The multi-purpose reclosable zipper strip is dispensed through a feeding mechanism and, when an optical sensor detects one of the splotch seal portions of the multi-purpose reclosable zipper strip, a desired length of multi-purpose reclosable zipper strip is advanced over an elevator platform.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the afore-mentioned prior art devices and meets the afore-mentioned needs by providing an apparatus and method for accurately sealing a multi-purpose reclosable zipper strip to a web of flexible film in an airtight manner. Moreover, the inventive apparatus and method is capable of repeatedly performing the steps necessary to seal the multi-purpose reclosable zipper strip to the web of flexible film with high manufacturing throughout and low cycle times. Generally, the apparatus and method utilize the multi-purpose reclosable zipper strip having airtight splotch seals fused in a series along desired lengths of the zipper tape. The multi-purpose reclosable zipper strip is dispensed through a feeding mechanism and, when an optical sensor detects one of the splotch seal portions of the multi-purpose reclosable zipper strip, a desired length of multi-purpose reclosable zipper strip is advanced over an elevator platform.

Abstract: A fastener profile assembly and method of forming a fastener profile assembly is provided. The assembly includes a continuous supply of two interlocking profiles which are sealed at either end with a compression molded segment seal. The compression molded segment seal is formed through the application of heat and pressure to the interlocking profiles, thereby fusing the area and forming one end of the profile. Advancement of the profiles and application of heat and pressure to a second area forms the second end of the profile assembly. Manufacture of a fastener in such a manner allows for highly automated profile production with precise, accurate registration of the fastener profile.

Abstract: The present invention includes a baby bottle liner constructed and arranged to fit into a cavity of a baby bottle. The baby bottle liner includes a continuous, profiled, elongated reclosable fastener. The continuous, profiled, elongated reclosable fastener has a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip. The first continuous elongated profile strip and the second continuous elongated profile strip are dimensioned to provide an airtight and/or watertight seal upon interconnection thereof. The baby bottle liner further comprises an airtight and watertight side seal at each end of the reclosable fastener. Each side seal connects an end of the reclosable fastener to an inside surface of a front wall and an inside surface of a back wall of the liner. The invention also provides a baby bottle with a baby bottle liner and a kit for infant nursing that has a plurality of baby bottle liners.

Abstract: The present invention includes a reclosable back-seam bag and method for making the bag. The reclosable back-seam bag includes a bag body having a top seal and a bottom seal, and a front wall and a back wall. The front wall is joined to the back wall at the top seal and the bottom seal. A reclosable fastener assembly including two ends, a first continuous elongated profile strip and a second continuous elongated profile strip is included in the bag. The first continuous elongated profile and the second continuous elongated profile provide an airtight and watertight seal upon interconnection thereof. An airtight and/or watertight side seal at each end of the reclosable fastener assembly is also provided. A continuous airtight and watertight lower seal along the length of the reclosable fastener assembly is positioned below the profiles. The lower seal connects the reclosable fastener assembly to the front wall.

Abstract: An evacuable storage container for holding compressible articles including a flexible, air-impermeable bag defining an interior and having first and second openings, a one-way valve mechanism sealingly positioned over the first opening, and configured to allow fluid to pass through the valve mechanism out of the bag and to substantially prevent fluid from entering the bag, and a zipper seal adjacent the second opening that is configured to substantially close the second opening. The zipper seal is integral with the bag and includes a first strip including at least one rib that extends from the surface of the first strip, and a second strip opposite the first strip, the second strip including at least two ribs that extend from the surface of the second strip and that are offset from the rib of the first strip such that the first and second strips may be sealingly engaged.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing plastic film stock material including a sealing head utilizing heated air for continuous welding of reclosable plastic closure strips of plastic film. The sealing head is an elongated block having tapered walls which form a narrow bottom edge. The edge is curved longitudinally to match the curvature of a cooperating platen to define a small welding gap through which pass plastic webs to be welded. The sealing head includes a plurality of air distribution manifolds interconnected by passageways to provide a tortuous path for air flowing through the head from an inlet to an elongated, narrow exit slot formed at the bottom edge of the head. Multiple sealing heads are mounted on a carrier frame for positioning adjacent the platen to produce elongated welds to secure two-piece closure strips to a plastic web.