Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding a fastener in a bag making machine includes a stationary support, an elongated internal guide, and a slitting mechanism. The elongated internal guide is mounted to the support and positioned within an enclosed space defined by the fastener. The fastener is moved downstream with the internal guide within the enclosed space. The fastener is slit upstream from the support. While the fastener is guided, a sealer may seal the fastener to a moving web of plastic film along a seal adjacent to the internal guide.

Abstract: A tamper-evident reclosable plastic bag comprises first and second opposing panels, a zipper, a slider, and an end termination. The first and second opposing panels are fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The zipper extends along a mouth formed opposite the bottom. The zipper includes a first track with a first profile and a second track with a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The first and second profiles are engaged to each other while the slider is in the closed position. The first and second profiles are disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider from the closed position to the open position. The end termination is near one end of the zipper adjacent to one of the pair of sides.

Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag comprises first and second opposing body panels, a zipper, a slider, and first and second upstanding panels. The opposing body panels are fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The zipper extends along a mouth formed opposite the bottom. The zipper includes a first track with a first profile and a second track with a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The first and second profiles are engaged to each other while the slider is in the closed position, and the first and second profiles are disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider from the closed position to the open position. The first and second upstanding panels extend upwardly from the respective first and second body panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically counting and stacking articles, comprising: a conveyor for conveying a plurality of articles to at least one fixed stack position; and at least one stacking mechanism, the stacking mechanism comprising: an article carriage peripherally disposed about the fixed stack position, the carriage extending substantially perpendicular to the fixed stack position, wherein the carriage has at least one stacking dog for engaging and suspending articles above the fixed stack position; an article pusher located below the fixed stack position, the pusher capable of projecting an article positioned at the fixed stack position at a distance effective to engage the article with the stacking dogs and suspend the article therefrom; an article pullback mechanism positioned upstream of the article pusher for retaining subsequently conveyed articles in a queued relation; and a counter for counting articles suspended above the fixed stack position.

Abstract: Method of sequentially removing articles from a stack of nested articles and for controlling their movement to a location remote from the stack. The method is particularly suited for denesting and feeding large multiple cell cartons such as eighteen cell cartons to a conveyor for subsequent printing. The cartons are placed in a vertical stack and the stack of nested cartons is supported by a set of rotary brushes on opposite sides at the bottom of the stack. The cartons are preseparated and sequentially fed by a second set of rotary brushes from the bottom of the stack to a denesting station. The height of the stack of cartons at the denesting station is sensed by a photoelectric eye for controlling the rotation of the sets of brushes and the feed of cartons to the denesting station. A pair of counter-rotating feed screws having multiple operating sections denest the cartons at the denesting station and sequentially feed them to a conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for sequentially removing articles from a stack of nested articles and for controlling their movement to a location remote from the stack. The apparatus is particularly suited for denesting and feeding large multiple cell cartons such as eighteen cell cartons to a conveyor for subsequent printing. The cartons are placed in a vertical stack and the stack of nested cartons is supported by a set of rotary brushes on opposite sides at the bottom of the stack. The cartons are preseparated and sequentially fed by a second set of rotary brushes from the bottom of the stack to a denesting station. The height of the stack of cartons at the denesting station is sensed by a photoelectric eye for controlling the rotation of the sets of brushes and the feed of cartons to the denesting station. A pair of counter-rotating feed screws having multiple operating sections denest the cartons at the denesting station and sequentially feed them to a conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for sequentially removing articles from a stack of nested articles and for controlling their movement to a location remote from the stack. The apparatus is particularly suited for denesting and feeding large multiple cell cartons such as eighteen cell cartons to a conveyor for subsequent printing. The cartons are placed in a vertical stack and the stack of nested cartons is supported by a set of rotary brushes on opposite sides at the bottom of the stack. The cartons are preseparated and sequentially fed by a second set of rotary brushes from the bottom of the stack to a denesting station. The height of the stack of cartons at the denesting station is sensed by a photoelectric eye for controlling the rotation of the sets of brushes and the feed of cartons to the denesting station. A pair of counter-rotating feed screws having multiple operating sections denest the cartons at the denesting station and sequentially feed them to a conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for sequentially removing articles from a stack of nested articles and for controlling their movement to a location remote from the attack. The apparatus is particularly suited for denesting and feeding large multiple cell cartons such as eighteen cell cartons to a conveyor for subsequent printing. The cartons are placed in a vertical stack and the stack of nested cartons is supported by a set of rotary brushes on opposite sides at the bottom of the stack. The cartons are preseparated and sequentially fed by a second set of rotary brushes from the bottom of the stack to a denesting station. The height of the stack of cartons at the denesting station is sensed by a photoelectric eye for controlling the rotation of the sets of brushes and the feed of cartons to the denesting station. A pair of counter-rotating feed screws having multiple operating sections denest the cartons at the denesting station and sequentially feed them to a conveyor.