Abstract: A hinged zipper assembly includes first and second zipper members each having a facing side, an opposite side, an upper edge, and an opposite lower edge. Each of the zipper members has a profile protrusion that extends from the facing sides and are located between the upper and lower edges. The profile protrusions mesh with each other to interlock with each other. A living hinge is formed in the first zipper member and/or the second zipper member between the lower edge and the profile protrusion. The zipper members are formed with flanges that extend from the lower edges. The flanges are configured to be affixed to panels of an enclosure that is closed by meshing of the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members with each other.

Abstract: A zipper for a reclosable bag includes a first interlocking element, and a second interlocking element. The first interlocking element and the second interlocking element are configured to cooperate to selectively open and close the zipper. One or both of the first interlocking element and the second interlocking element are formed of at least 85% repulpable material.

Abstract: A hinged zipper assembly includes first and second zipper members each having a facing side, an opposite side, an upper edge, and an opposite lower edge. Each of the zipper members has a profile protrusion that extends from the facing sides and are located between the upper and lower edges. The profile protrusions mesh with each other to interlock with each other. A living hinge is formed in the first zipper member and/or the second zipper member between the lower edge and the profile protrusion. The zipper members are formed with flanges that extend from the lower edges. The flanges are configured to be affixed to panels of an enclosure that is closed by meshing of the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members with each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve, a method for forming a valve, and a package. The valve is made of at least three layers—a first exterior layer (i.e., a base layer), at least one interior layer (i.e., a bubble layer), and a second exterior layer (i.e., a channel layer)—and an attachment section located on each of at least two of the at least three layers. A bubble is formed between two of the first exterior layer and the at least one interior layer, and the bubble includes an enclosed material. A channel is formed between two of the second exterior layer, the at least two interior layers, and the first exterior layer, and the channel includes an inlet and an outlet. A physical characteristic of the bubble biases the channel towards a closed position that restricts flow of contents from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve, a method for forming a valve, and a package. The valve is made of at least three layers—a first exterior layer (i.e., a base layer), at least one interior layer (i.e., a bubble layer), and a second exterior layer (i.e., a channel layer)—and an attachment section located on each of at least two of the at least three layers. A bubble is formed between two of the first exterior layer and the at least one interior layer, and the bubble includes an enclosed material. A channel is formed between two of the second exterior layer, the at least two interior layers, and the first exterior layer, and the channel includes an inlet and an outlet. A physical characteristic of the bubble biases the channel towards a closed position that restricts flow of contents from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a package with a rigid or semi-rigid container and a polymeric or plastic header with a reclosure, such as a zipper. The rigid or semi-rigid container is typically provided in a stack of flat containers. The header is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the containers. The container, typically inverted, is filled, and the bottom is formed by folding and sealing the bottom portion of the container.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an end clip for a closure for a reclosable package or similar apparatus. The end clip includes any of a variety of inwardly extending engagement elements to engage portions of a closure held therebetween, particularly the flanges of the closure. The end clip is ultrasonically welded or similarly bonded to itself through the closure flanges.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an end clip for a closure for a reclosable package or similar apparatus. The end clip includes any of a variety of inwardly extending engagement elements to engage portions of a closure held therebetween, particularly the flanges of the closure. The end clip is ultrasonically welded or similarly bonded to itself through the closure flanges.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a package with a rigid or semi-rigid container and a polymeric or plastic header with a reclosure, such as a zipper. The rigid or semi-rigid container is typically provided in a stack of flat containers. The header is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the containers. The container, typically inverted, is filled, and the bottom is formed by folding and sealing the bottom portion of the container.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a package with a rigid or semi-rigid container and a polymeric or plastic header with a reclosure, such as a zipper. The rigid or semi-rigid container is typically provided in a stack of flat containers. The header is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the containers. The container, typically inverted, is filled, and the bottom is formed by folding and sealing the bottom portion of the container.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a package with a rigid or semi-rigid container and a polymeric or plastic header with a reclosure, such as a zipper. The rigid or semi-rigid container is typically provided in a stack of flat containers. The header is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the containers. The container, typically inverted, is filled, and the bottom is formed by folding and sealing the bottom portion of the container.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a package with a rigid or semi-rigid container and a polymeric or plastic header with a reclosure, such as a zipper. The rigid or semi-rigid container is typically provided in a stack of flat containers. The header is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the containers. The container, typically inverted, is filled, and the bottom is formed by folding and sealing the bottom portion of the container.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a package with a rigid or semi-rigid container and a polymeric or plastic header with a reclosure, such as a zipper. The rigid or semi-rigid container is typically provided in a stack of flat containers. The header is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the containers. The container, typically inverted, is filled, and the bottom is formed by folding and sealing the bottom portion of the container.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a package with a rigid or semi-rigid container and a polymeric or plastic header with a reclosure, such as a zipper. The rigid or semi-rigid container is typically provided in a stack of flat containers. The header is sealed, glued or otherwise secured to the containers. The container, typically inverted, is filled, and the bottom is formed by folding and sealing the bottom portion of the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed which include a pair of opposed seal bars for the manufacture of reclosable packages. The method and apparatus are particularly adaptable to form fill seal manufacture of reclosable packages. The first opposed seal bars includes a concave metal sealing surface and the second opposed seal bar includes a rubberized or otherwise deformable sealing surface. This allows a hermetic seal to be formed across an abrupt transition of thickness of material between the opposed seal bars, such as when a zipper ends adjacent to a side seal in a reclosable bag.

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) during a respective indexing portion of a respective work cycle, advancing a fastener tape made of flexible thermoplastic material along a process pathway, the fastener tape not advancing during a respective dwell time of the respective work cycle; (b) during each dwell time, forming or attaching a respective structural feature of a type on the portion of the fastener tape that is resident at a first fixed station situated along the process pathway, the structural features of that type being spaced at intervals along the portion of the fastener tape that is downstream of the first fixed station; (c) while the fastener tape is advancing along the process pathway during the indexing portion of each work cycle, transmitting light toward a volume of space at a second fixed station, the process pathway intersecting and passing through the volume of space; and (d) photodetecting at least portions of the transmitted light after some or all of the transmitte

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed which include a pair of opposed seal bars for the manufacture of reclosable packages. The method and apparatus are particularly adaptable to form fill seal manufacture of reclosable packages. At least one of the opposed seal bars includes a rubberized or otherwise deformable sealing surface. This allows a hermetic seal to be formed across an abrupt transition of thickness of material between the opposed seal bars, such as when a zipper ends adjacent to a side seal in a reclosable bag.

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) continuously advancing a web of bag making material at a first rate; (b) continuously joining portions of a downstream portion of a fastener tape to respective portions of the continuously advancing web of bag making material; (c) intermittently advancing an upstream portion of the fastener tape while the downstream portion is advancing continuously, the halt at the end of each intermittent advance being the start of the next work cycle, the upstream portion of the fastener tape being stationary during a respective dwell time of each work cycle and advancing during the remainder of each work cycle at a second rate faster than the first rate; (d) accumulating a portion of the fastener tape disposed between the upstream and downstream portions to compensate for the difference in the first and second rates during the aforementioned remainder of each work cycle; and (e) inserting a respective slider onto the upstream portion of the fastener tape during e

Abstract: A reclosable package having a two-dimensional zipper attachment on the exterior of one wall. The zipper comprises a pair of zipper strips that have straight central sections and end sections that curve or bend, diverging from the straight central section. Directly below the interface of the zipper profiles, the wall has a line of weakened tear resistance that can be torn open after the zipper has been opened. A flap portion of the wall, with one of the zipper strips attached to its periphery, can then be folded back to provide a wide opening for accessing the package contents.

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) during a respective indexing portion of a respective work cycle, advancing a fastener tape made of flexible thermoplastic material along a process pathway, the fastener tape not advancing during a respective dwell time of the respective work cycle; (b) during each dwell time, forming or attaching a respective structural feature of a type on the portion of the fastener tape that is resident at a first fixed station situated along the process pathway, the structural features of that type being spaced at intervals along the portion of the fastener tape that is downstream of the first fixed station; (c) while the fastener tape is advancing along the process pathway during the indexing portion of each work cycle, transmitting light toward a volume of space at a second fixed station, the process pathway intersecting and passing through the volume of space; and (d) photodetecting at least portions of the transmitted light after some or all of the transmitte