Abstract: The present invention was directed to an expandable package which facilitates packaging of compressible articles, such as sanitary products, disposable diapers and the like. The expandable package includes an outer bag body, and at least one inner expansion element, which is maintained in a folded condition so that articles within the package are maintained in a compressed state. The package includes at least one preferentially weakened area in the outer bag body, which when opened, permits the inner expansion elements to unfold, thus facilitating convenient separation and removal of individual articles from within the package by consumers.

Abstract: A method of forming a bag with at least one gusset on one side including the steps of (a) forming a bag blank having a front panel and a back panel connectable along opposite sides, (b) forming a gusset along one side of one of the front and back panels, the gusset comprising first and second gusset panels inwardly V-folded, which gusset panels have a removable gusset portion at a selected position on the one side, (c) adhesively adhering one side of a patch to one of the gusset panels to a location adjacent the removable gusset portion, the patch having a second adhesive on portions extending beyond the one gusset panel location to the removable gusset portion and beyond the V-fold, and (d) removing the removable gusset portion from the gusset.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing the bottom of a bag includes a frame through which a bag to be folded is longitudinally advanced. The apparatus includes a pair of cooperating grippers carried by a reciprocably movable gripper carrier. The grippers are operated to opposite edges of the bag, and laterally tension the bag. The apparatus includes a vertically reciprocable fold plate which then is moved downwardly to engage and downwardly fold a leading end portion of the bag. Adhesive is applied thereto, and the bag advanced, by movement of the gripper carrier, for advancement of the folded bag to at least one pair of intermittently-driven nip rollers. The grippers are released, and the nip rollers thereafter operated to compress and complete sealing of the bag bottom.

Abstract: A reclosable bag includes front and rear panels joined to each other, and optionally includes inwardly extending side gussets. The bag includes a reclosable fastener assembly joined to the exterior of the bag, with the fastener assembly including cooperating, first and second fastener elements. The fastener elements are respectively secured to the front and rear panels of the bag, and permit an open mouth of the bag to be closed, and the top of the bag folded and maintained in a folded disposition by the cooperating fastener elements.

Abstract: A block of bags for a product filling process includes a plurality of bags stacked in overlying relationship. Each bag of the block has a top edge, a bag mouth and opposite first and second side edges. First and second weakened segments extend from adjacent edge points on respective opposite lateral edges of the bag. A central line of perforations extends between inner ends of the first and second weakened segments. A tear-off region is defined between the central line of perforations and the top edge. During automatic filling of the bag, the weakened segments are torn to form an open bag mouth, and the central line of perforations is torn after filling to separate the bag from the block. The weakened segments can be cuts and are spaced from the lateral edges of the bag to define frangible bridges at the lateral edges, wherein the frangible bridges are broken during opening of each bag.

Abstract: A block of bags for a product filling process includes a plurality of bags stacked in overlying relationship. Each bag of the block has a top edge, a bag mouth and opposite first and second side edges. First and second edge lines of perforations extend from edge points on respective opposite lateral edges of the bag. The edge points are spaced closely to the bag mouth of the bag. A central line of perforations extends between inner ends of the first and second edge lines of perforations. The central line of perforations is offset from the edge points, away from the bag mouth. A tear-off region is defined between the central line of perforations and the top edge. During automatic filling of the bad, the edge lines of perforations are torn to form an open bag mouth, and the central line of perforations is torn after filling to separate the bag from the block.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying strip fastener elements or zippers to web material includes an unwind stand holding a roll of film material, an infeed dancer arrangement of rollers, a zipper apparatus which conditions zipper material, cuts zippers and delivers zippers to a zipper feed apparatus. The zipper feed apparatus loads zippers into a sealing platen of a rotating turret. The rotating turret carries the zippers successively to a position adjacent a surface of the film and a seal bar presses the film to successive zippers to seal the zippers thereto while a new zipper is being received in a sealing platen of the turret at a loading station at a rotational position at a distance from the sealing station. The film with zippers attached is drawn downstream of the turret to a rewind dancer roll assembly and thereafter to a rewind stand for winding into a roll of zippered film.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a desired sealing force is provided, which incorporates a closed loop control system. The system includes a platen, which has a surface for making contact with one or more items to be sealed, a motor for producing a linear movement, a linkage coupled to the platen and the motor for transferring the linear movement produced by the motor to the platen, and a transducer coupled between the linkage and the platen for measuring the force applied to the platen via the linkage through the linear movement of the motor and producing a signal representative of the force measured. A motor controller produces a motor control signal, which is supplied to the motor for controlling the same. The motor control signal is used to control the linear movement produced by the motor. The motor controller further receives the feedback signal from the transducer, and correspondingly adjusts the value of the control signal used to control the magnitude of the linear movement.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for stacked articles, such as stacked plastic or paper bags, includes a frame, and a plurality of sprocket assemblies about which one or more conveyor chains extend. The apparatus includes a plurality of wicket wire holding assemblies mounted on the chains at spaced apart intervals for intermittent, incremental movement along a conveyor path defined by the conveyor chains. Each of the holding assemblies includes a pair of support arms, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the arms. The apparatus includes an arrangement for simultaneously adjusting the spacing between the support arms of all of the holding assemblies, including an adjustment drive chain trained about the sprocket assemblies, and a mechanism for moving the adjustment drive chain relative to the conveyor chains of the apparatus.

Abstract: A process for making an internally-reinforced bag assembly includes formation of an outer bag body with a plurality of longitudinally oriented, laterally spaced pleats or tucks therein. An inner reinforcement layer is applied to the outer bag body after formation of the pleats, whereby the inner layer spans and overlaps each of the pleats. An apparatus embodying the present invention effects bag formation in this fashion. Advancement through the forming apparatus effects formation of the outer web into a gusseted tube, and formation of a square bottom seal. The completed bag assembly includes the inner reinforcement layer, which is dimensioned to define a circumference which is less than a circumference defined by the bag body. The resultant bag assembly resists bulging and deformation under the influence of particulate, granular, or other flowable products packaged therein.

Abstract: A folding apparatus of a bag-making machine includes a plurality of folding mechanisms each having a pair of nip rollers which receive a sheet or bag from an associated carrier structure, to thereby sequentially form transverse folds in each sheet or bag. In order to abate lamination-like adhesion of relatively thin, light gauge film materials to the belts and other surfaces of the folding apparatus, the belts and/or guide rollers of the apparatus are preferably provided with grooved sheet-contacting surfaces. The apparatus is additionally configured to abate wrinkling or buckling of a leading edge portion of each sheet or bag which can occur attendant to its reversal in direction of movement as it is directed between the nip rollers of each folding mechanism. High-speed operation is facilitated while avoiding improperly folded bags, or equipment jamming.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying strip fastener elements or zippers to web material includes an unwind stand holding a roll of film material, an infeed dancer arrangement of rollers, a zipper apparatus which conditions zipper material, cuts zippers and delivers zippers to a zipper feed apparatus. The zipper feed apparatus loads zippers into a sealing platen of a rotating turret. The rotating turret carries the zippers successively to a position adjacent a surface of the film and a seal bar presses the film to successive zippers to seal the zippers thereto while a new zipper is being received in a sealing platen of the turret at a loading station at a rotational position at a distance from the sealing station. The film with zippers attached is drawn downstream of the turret to a rewind dancer roll assembly and thereafter to a rewind stand for winding into a roll of zippered film.