Abstract: A packaging line station having a frame, a die assembly, a drive motor, and an anvil roller. The frame has a base with two vertical stanchions extending upwardly from sides thereof and a top cross-member affixed across the stanchions. The die assembly includes a yoke affixed to the cross-member, a die wheel rotatably affixed to side arms of the yoke, a drive shaft affixed to the die wheel and a cutting die affixed to the die wheel. The drive motor is connected to the drive shaft. The drive shaft and the anvil roller extend between the stanchions. The cutting die and the anvil roller and spaced apart by a nip for receiving a traveling web. As the web passes through the nip the web is cut by blades of the rotating die to form a slit. An adhesive resealable tape or label is then applied over the slit.

Abstract: A packaging line station having a frame, a die assembly, a drive motor, and an anvil roller. The frame has a base with two vertical stanchions extending upwardly from sides thereof and a top cross-member affixed across the stanchions. The die assembly includes a yoke affixed to the cross-member, a die wheel rotatably affixed to side arms of the yoke, a drive shaft affixed to the die wheel and a cutting die affixed to the die wheel. The drive motor is connected to the drive shaft. The drive shaft and the anvil roller extend between the stanchions. The cutting die and the anvil roller and spaced apart by a nip for receiving a traveling web. As the web passes through the nip the web is cut by blades of the rotating die to form a slit. An adhesive resealable tape or label is then applied over the slit.

Abstract: A gearbox has a partly toothed drive gear wheel with a toothed segment and a toothless segment on its circular peripheral surface. A driven gear is completely toothed and meshes with the toothed segment of the drive gear when it is presented to a mesh point between the gears. Pawls on the gear shafts synchronize the initiation of the mesh. The number of teeth on the drive gear is selected so that 360 degrees of rotation of the drive gear results in 360 degrees of rotation of the driven gear. As the drive gear toothless segment just reaches the mesh point, a brake on the driven gear shaft is actuated to accurately stop the motion of the driven gear shaft. The driven gear shaft is thereby halted while the drive gear is free to turn until its teeth once again reach the mesh point.

Abstract: A re-closable, stand-up package with a tamper-evident opening system. Production of the package originates from only two feed rolls. One roll is a flexible film web and the other is an adhesive tape. A reclosing layer is constructed from a strip of web material taken from a side of the feed roll and a length of the tape. The strip portion of the closure layer is perforated along tear lines which define a package opening. The tape and the strip are then adhesively joined so that they partially overlap vertically. The closure layer is then applied to the web over a slit in the front panel forming a re-closable primary opening. A gusset fold at the bottom of the package permits the package to be free-standing vertically upright. Contents of the package can be dispensed only after rupture of the closure layer strip.

Abstract: In the manufacturing process for producing a package, a resealing tape strip is formed and applied to packaging film before any slits or cuts are made. A package opening slit is then cut into the packaging film from the opposite side of the film in the area of the tape strip but short of cutting into it. The tape strip has an adhesive layer coextensive with one side of the tape while adhesive deadening material is selectively printed in areas on the tape film web to produce a differential adhesive quality of the tape. The shape of the tape may be provided with a curved edge to enhance its function or for aesthetic reasons. The opening slit is preferably cut with a laser and may be cut into different shapes to affect the opening characteristics of the package.

Abstract: A package reclosing strip includes an adhesive layer that extends the full width of a flexible film strip. Formation of a dry edge on the strip, suitable for grasping by the user, is accomplished either by adhering a strip of material such as a dry tape or by the application of a liquid overcoating which chemically deadens the adhesive. The dry edge tape material is preferably made of mono-oriented polypropylene. The film strip is substantially transparent and includes graphics on the underside, beneath the adhesive coating. The graphics show through the film strip, providing visibility of the graphics from the outside.

Abstract: A resealable carton, having a product-containing bag liner, is constructed such that the liner bag is positively held in the folded, sealed condition by the incorporation of a fold support ledge which extends inwardly from an end wall of the carton. The bag is held against the support ledge by one of the closure flaps, which creates a tightly constructed U-shaped fold in which the bag is folded around the end of the closure flap. The liner is secured in that position in part by being captured between the top of the inner closure flap and an outer closure flap along a top run of the fold. A bottom fold is held between the support ledge and the inner closure flap. The support ledge may be formed in various ways including folding the end wall, embossing the end wall or forming the ledge by adding a bead of self-adhesive material to the end wall.

Abstract: A novel package wrapper is made of plastic film with a line of package-opening perforations through the film positioned in one face of the package and being overlaid by a piece of plastic tape which seals the perforations, the tape having a dry edge. The shrink wrap film and tear down tape exhibit the same shrink characteristics as those of the shrink wrap film, so that when the wrap film is shrunk during packaging the tape shrinks the same amount as the film and does not itself pucker or wrinkle the film. Package opening is accomplished by grasping the tape dry edge and pulling it toward the line of perforations. The tape peels from the wrapper film until it reaches the perforations, where continued pulling of the tape ruptures the film through the perforations and permits the film to be further torn to open the package.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a composite packaging material for easy-open packages includes means for pulling a running length of packaging film, the film having defined rupture characteristics. The packaging film is perforated with a sequence of spaced apart at least one perforation separated from another at a substantially constant fixed interval between adjacent ones of the sequence along the length of the film. A tape with a continuously extending dry edge is formed from a continuous supply of tape and tape pieces are formed and spaced apart along the length of the film. Successive discrete pieces of tape are adhered to the packaging film in overlying sealing relationship to successive ones of the sequence of at least one perforation.

Abstract: A composite web of packaging material for making gusseted packages having openable and reclosable interlocking seals, the seals having male and female portions, snap detents, and formed transversely to the direction of material flow. The packaging material is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the packaging material, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine with gussets forming tooling where the packaging material is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strips inside at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed. The reclosable seal provides auditory and tactile indications of seal closing. Some packages are formed with the thermoformable strips in the gusset, and some are formed with the gusset free of strip material.

Abstract: A novel continuous web of composite packaging film for making packages having improved openable and reclosable interlocking seals, the seal having male and female portions of arrowhead shape in cross section, snap detents, and being formed transversely to the direction of film flow during package formation at line speed. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strip inside in ends abutting folded facing relationship at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed.

Abstract: Methods of making packages having improved resealable interlocking closures from a web of film, the closure having male and female portions formed in line with or transversely to the film flow during package formation. The film is fanfolded to form a stack, the layers of which are heat sealed together. The strip is abraded on one surface to remove the thermoplastic coating, the film then being formed into packages having overlap longitudinal package seals, and in which portions of the strip are apposed. The package ends are sealed and the locking closure is formed in the strip, the female portion formed in the package face that includes the longitudinal package seal. In another embodiment the inner and outer parts of the resealable closure are separately formed. Layering other than by fanfolding to form a stack may be utilized, by heat sealing a strip of heat sealable material to the packaging film, Also optionally formed in the resealable closure are hinges and reinforcing V-notches.

Abstract: Gussetted packages having openable and reclosable interlocking seals, the seals having male and female portions, snap detents, and formed transversely to the direction of film flow. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine with gussets forming tooling where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strips inside at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed. The reclosable seal provides auditory and tactile indications of seal closing. Some packages are formed with the thermoformable strips in the gusset, and some are formed with the gusset free of strip material.

Abstract: Apparatus for making packages having interlocking closures from a web of film, the closure having male and female portions and being formed in line with or transversely to the direction of film flow. A converter fanfolds the film into spaced apart stacks of heat sealed together layers. Abrading means abrade one surface of each strip to remove the thermoplastic coating. A package former forms packages having longitudinal seals, and places strip portions in apposed position. The package ends are sealed and the locking closure is formed in the strip. The locking closure female portion is formed in the face including the longitudinal seal. In another embodiment the strip inner and outer parts of the resealable closure are separately formed before package formation. Alternatively, layering is done by heat sealing a strip of heat sealable material to the packaging film. Optionally formed in the resealable closure are hinges and reinforcing V-notches.

Abstract: Apparatus for making packages having improved openable and reclosable interlocking seals from a continuous web of composite packaging film, the seal having male and female portions of arrowhead shape in cross section, snap detents, and being formed transversely to the direction of film flow during package formation at line speed. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strip inside in ends abutting folded facing relationship at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed.

Abstract: Methods for making packages having improved openable and reclosable interlocking seals from a continuous web of composite packaging film, the seal having male and female portions of arrowhead shape in cross section, snap detents, and being formed transversely to the direction of film flow during package formation at line speed. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strip inside in ends abutting folded facing relationship at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making gusseted packages having openable and reclosable interlocking seals, the seals having male and female portions, snap detents, and formed transversely to the direction of film flow. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine with gussets forming tooling where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strips inside at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed. The reclosable seal provides auditory and tactile indications of seal closing. Some packages are formed with the thermoformable strips in the gusset, and some are formed with the gusset free of strip material.

Abstract: A novel continuous web of composite packaging film for making packages having improved openable and reclosable interlocking seals, the seal having male and female portions of arrowhead shape in cross section, snap detents, and being formed transversely to the direction of film flow during package formation at line speed. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strip inside in ends abutting folded facing relationship at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed.

Abstract: Methods for making packages having improved openable and reclosable interlocking seals from a continuous web of composite packaging film, the seal having male and female portions of arrowhead shape in cross section, snap detents, and being formed transversely to the direction of film flow during package formation at line speed. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strip inside in ends abutting folded facing relationship at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed.

Abstract: Packages having improved openable and resealable interlocking closures and methods and apparatus for making the same from a continuous web of film, the closure having male and female portions and being formed either in line with or transversely to the direction of film flow during package formation at line speed. A converter device adjunct to standard packaging apparatus forms a small amount of the running packaging film into a multilayer strip as an integral part of the film. The converter functions with both horizontal and vertical form/fill/seal wrapping machines and with overwrap packagers, and uses diverse packaging films and film laminations of which the substrates may be non-plastic. The packaging film is fed into the converter where the film is fanfolded to form a stack, the layers of which are heat sealed together forming a multilayered strip in plane with the film. The number of stack folds varies depending on the thermoforming properties and thickness of the particular film being used.