Abstract: A resealable package using zipper material and a corresponding method and apparatus are disclosed. In the package, the zipper material beads terminate entirely inboard of the outer periphery of the sealed area. The package is formed by forming a lateral loop in a first one of the webs, positioning the zipper material along the first web crossing the loop substantially at a right angle, cutting the zipper material in the region of the loop, and then straightening the first web, thereby creating a gap between the cut ends of the zipper material, then bonding the second web to the first web to form a package with a sealed area in the gap. In the preferred embodiments of the apparatus, the lateral loop forming means has at least one transversely oriented loop forming bar moveable into and away from corresponding loop forming groove(s) in a table along which one of the webs is advanced.

Abstract: A resealable package having upper and lower webs defining a product containing area between them, the webs being permanently sealed to each other around the majority of the periphery of the product containing area and being temporarily and resealably sealed along the remainder of the periphery via a peelable seal between the two webs and an interlocking bead structure which effects an openable and reclosable seal between the two webs, the peelable seal being elongated and generally extending along a seal line and having a leading tear edge of reduced area so as to facilitate initiation of an opening along the peelable seal, the peelable seal being formed using a crowned seal heating plate.

Abstract: Form and fill packaging apparatus including a vacuum thermoformer where a first plastic web is formed to provide receptacles for receiving articles, a filling station where articles are placed in the formed receptacles, a sealing station where a second web is placed over the filled receptacles and sealed to portions of the web around the receptacles, first web drive means for driving the first web through the thermoformer, filling station and sealing station, and a feed mechanism for positively feeding the second web to the first web at the sealing station synchronously with driving of the first web.

Abstract: A resealable package using zipper material and a corresponding method and apparatus are disclosed. In the package, the zipper material beads terminate entirely inboard of the outer periphery of the sealed area. The package is formed by forming a lateral loop in a first one of the webs, positioning the zipper material along the first web crossing the loop substantially at a right angle, cutting the zipper material in the region of the loop, and then straightening the first web, thereby creating a gap between the cut ends of the zipper material, then bonding the second web to the first web to form a package with a sealed area in the gap. In the preferred embodiments of the apparatus, the lateral loop forming means has at least one transversely oriented loop forming bar moveable into and away from corresponding loop forming groove(s) in a table along which one of the webs is advanced.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically assembling and packaging articles including an assembler at which the articles are assembled and discharged one after another, a form and fill packaging line including a vacuum thermoformer where a plastic web is formed to provide receptacles for receiving the articles, a filling station where articles are placed in the formed receptacles, and a sealer where a sheet seals closed the filled receptacles, a transporting line receiving the articles from the assembler and transporting them to the filling station, the articles being presented in a group at a location spaced from the web at the filling station, and a first transfer mechanism for engaging the articles one group at a time and transferring them to a corresponding group of the receptacles at the filling station.