Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) making a vent hole in a package; (b) loading product into a receptacle of the package via an opening; (c) closing the opening; (d) placing an air-permeable layer of material over the vent hole; (e) squeezing the receptacle after steps (a) through (d) have been performed to force air out the vent hole; and (f) after step (e) has been performed, sealing the package so that air cannot enter the receptacle via the vent hole. In accordance with some embodiments, the vent hole is formed in the receptacle and sealed by means of an air-impermeable patch or by joining two walls of the receptacle together. In accordance with other embodiments, the vent hole is formed in a zipper tape attached to the receptacle and various means can be used to seal the vent hole after air removal.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a press-to-open zipper for reclosable packages are disclosed. In a first embodiment, extensions are formed obliquely on the consumer side the zipper profiles and are squeezed together to separate the zipper profiles and open the package. In a second embodiment, arched portions are formed on the product side of the zipper profile. These arched portions are squeezed together to separate the zipper profiles and open the package. In a third embodiment, one of the zipper profiles includes a rounded portion with a semi-circular cross section upon which interlocking elements are formed. By squeezing together the zipper profiles by the edges thereof, the profiles rotate with respect to each other about the rounded portion so as to release the interlocking of the interlocking elements and open the package.

Abstract: A package comprising: a receptacle comprising front and rear walls joined to each other at top and bottom cross seals and connected to each other along first and second sides of the receptacle, the front wall comprising a loop that projects outward and that extends across the front wall from the first side to the second side of the receptacle; and a pair of zipper strips having mutually interlocked profiles, the zipper strips being disposed inside and joined to the loop.

Abstract: A reclosable package comprising front and rear panels extending between top and bottom transverse seals, the front panel having a line or lines of weakened tear resistance for forming an opening, through which a zipper can be accessed. The zipper is suspended from the top transverse seal and attached to the front panel at a lower elevation. At least a major portion of the base strip of a forward zipper part is disposed between the front panel and the base strip of a rearward zipper part. Respective upper portions of the zipper base strips are joined to each other in the top transverse seal. A lower portion of the base strip of the forward zipper part is joined to the front panel in a transverse band-shaped zone of joinder. No portion of the base strip of the rearward zipper part is joined to the rear panel outside of the top transverse seal.

Abstract: A method of making slider end stops on zippers comprising two interlockable profiled closure members. The method comprises the steps of: opening a section of a zipper tape to form a gap between the profiled closure members; inserting a first portion of a body into the gap with a second portion of the body projecting above the tops of the profiled closure members; and joining the first portion of the body to adjoining sections of the profiled closure members. Then the body is narrowed down the middle to form a neck where the zipper tape will later be cut, each half of the body forming a respective slider end stop, but on different zipper segments. Alternatively, two bodies can be inserted into the gap and then joined to adjoining sections of the closure members. The zipper tape is cut between the two bodies, which will ultimately form respective slider end stops on different zipper segments. In an alternative embodiment, the zipper tape and the bag making film can be integrally formed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reclosable package having a hooded slider-operated zipper, comprising the following steps: (a) interlocking profiled closure members of first and second flanged zipper strips; (b) inserting a slider on the zipper strips; (c) folding zipper flanges of the first and second flanged zipper strips so that respective portions of the zipper flanges confront each other at a position above the profiled closure members; (d) joining the mutually confronting portions of the zipper flanges to each other to form a hood over the profiled closure members; (e) guiding first and second portions of web material into mutual confrontation; (f) guiding the mutually interlocked first and second zipper strips to positions whereat a portion of one zipper flange confronts the first portion of web material and a portion of the other zipper flange confronts the second portion of web material; and (g) joining respective portions of the zipper flanges to the first and second portions of web material respectivel

Abstract: A method of manufacture comprising the following steps: (a) guiding a web material in a machine direction through a vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) machine with a portion of the web material being wrapped around a tube; (b) joining first and second portions of a closure tape to first and second fin portions of the web material that do not form part of the portion of the web material that is wrapped around the tube, the closure tape being rupturable and not reclosable; (c) cross sealing the web material at a location downstream from the tube; and (d) dropping product through the tube and onto the most recently formed cross seal.

Abstract: A reclosable package comprising a hooded zipper with a pair of off-center lines of perforations that are hermetically sealed by a layer of material. The lines of perforations facilitate tearing off the hood to gain access to the zipper. One method of manufacture involves joining the hooded zipper to respective web portions formed by folding a web and then slitting the folded web in two. Another method of manufacture involves joining the hooded zipper to respective web portions formed by slitting a web in two and then orienting the two web portions into mutually confronting positions. The package may be constructed to have a wicket flap.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a press-to-open zipper for reclosable packages are disclosed. In a first embodiment, extensions are formed obliquely on the consumer side the zipper profiles and are squeezed together to separate the zipper profiles and open the package. In a second embodiment, arched portions are formed on the product side of the zipper profile. These arched portions are squeezed together to separate the zipper profiles and open the package. In a third embodiment, one of the zipper profiles includes a rounded portion with a semi-circular cross section upon which interlocking elements are formed. By squeezing together the zipper profiles by the edges thereof, the profiles rotate with respect to each other about the rounded portion so as to release the interlocking of the interlocking elements and open the package.

Abstract: A slider-zipper assembly for reclosable packaging in which the slider is coupled to the top portions of the zipper parts. The zipper can be either a flanged zipper or a string (i.e., webless) zipper. In one embodiment, the slider has a pair of diverging profiled projections that fit in and interlock with respective profiled grooves in the zipper parts. In another embodiment, the slider has a pair of diverging profiled grooves that receive and interlock with respective profiled projections that project upwardly from the zipper parts. Alternatively, the slider could have one projection and one groove for interlocking with the respective zipper parts. The diverging profiles on the slider cause adjacent sections of the zipper to open as the slider is moved in the zipper opening direction. Alternatively, the projections on the slider could be discontinuous.

Abstract: A slider-operated zipper having recessed slider end stops. The recesses can be formed in top portions of the profiled closure members or in outwardly facing side portions of one or both profiled closure members. Alternatively, the openings of throughholes that pass through the profiled closure members can serve as end stop recesses. The slider has one or more projections or ridges designed to impinge on a wall of a respective recess or throughhole opening in the zipper, thereby stopping the slider, provided that the pull off resistance is not overcome.

Abstract: A method of making slider end stops on zippers comprising two interlockable profiled closure members. The method comprises the steps of: opening a section of a zipper tape to form a gap between the profiled closure members; inserting a first portion of a body into the gap with a second portion of the body projecting above the tops of the profiled closure members; and joining the first portion of the body to adjoining sections of the profiled closure members. Then the body is narrowed down the middle to form a neck where the zipper tape will later be cut, each half of the body forming a respective slider end stop, but on different zipper segments. Alternatively, two bodies can be inserted into the gap and then joined to adjoining sections of the closure members. The zipper tape is cut between the two bodies, which will ultimately form respective slider end stops on different zipper segments. In an alternative embodiment, the zipper tape and the bag making film can be integrally formed.

Abstract: A reclosable package has a flexible zipper and a slider. The zipper comprises first and second zipper parts having interlocking elements, first opposing portions on one side of the interlocking elements and second opposing portions on the other side of the interlocking elements. The slider has a top wall, first and second side walls connected to the top wall, an opening end, a closing end, and first and second camming means that have respective fixed positional relationships to the first and second side walls and that cam the first opposing portions of lengthwise sections of the first and second zipper parts located inside the slider in opposite directions during movement of the slider in an opening direction along the zipper, while the second opposing portions of the lengthwise sections of the first and second zipper parts located inside the slider do not move further away from each other during the slider movement in the opening direction.

Abstract: A slider-zipper assembly includes a zipper having two interlockable zipper parts and a slider mounted to said zipper, one or both of the zipper parts having a longitudinal channel with closed ends and a substantially constant profile between the closed ends. The slider causes confronting portions of said the zipper parts to engage during slider travel in a first direction and to disengage during slider travel in a second direction opposite to said first direction. The slider comprises a pair of projections or a single extended projection arranged to project into and travel along the longitudinal channel during slider travel. One closed end of the channel lies in the path of one of the two projections or one end of the extended projection when the slider travels in an opening direction. The other closed end of the channel lies in the path of the other of the two projections or the other end of the extended projection when the slider travels in a closing direction.

Abstract: A slider-zipper assembly for reclosable packaging in which separation of the zipper halves occurs in the vertical plane. The package comprises front and rear walls disposed on opposing sides of a vertical plane; first and second zipper parts respectively joined to the first and second walls; and a slider for displacing the first zipper part relative to the second zipper part in a downward direction parallel to the vertical plane. In one embodiment, the slider comprises a top wall, first and second side walls connected to the top wall, and an inclined projection projecting from an inner surface of the second side wall. The projection engages a groove in the vertically displaceable zipper part. The end of the projection nearest to the closing end of the slider is located closer to the top wall than is the other end of the projection. In another embodiment, a projection can be formed on the zipper part that engages an inclined groove formed in the slider.

Abstract: A plastic zipper for use in a reclosable package or bag. The zipper includes a pair of fastener strips respectively having male and female interlockable members formed thereon. The male member has a profile with an expanded head. The female member has a profile with a groove for receiving the expanded head of the male member. The female member preferably includes a base, first and second walls extending from the base, first and second hooks respectively extending from the first and second walls toward a center plane of the female member, and first and second wings respectively extending from the first and second walls away from the center plane. The wings have surfaces for guiding an impinging male member toward an opening defined by the hooks of the female member. Preferably, the plastic zipper has a target width to zipper height ratio substantially equal to or greater than unity.

Abstract: A slider-zipper assembly for reclosable packaging in which the slider is mounted inside the zipper. Each zipper part comprises a base and a closure element connected to the base, the respective closure elements being mutually engageable. The slider comprises a body having one end where the zipper is open and another end where the zipper is closed, a first direction being directed from the closed end to the open end and a second direction being opposite to the first direction. A pair of camming surfaces on the slider have respective fixed positional relationships to the body and are divergent in the first direction. These camming surfaces are disposed so that the zipper parts are respectively cammed toward each other as the slider is moved in the first direction and cammed away from each other as the slider is moved in the second direction. No part of the slider confronts the exterior surfaces of the bases of the zipper parts.

Abstract: A slider-zipper assembly for reclosable packaging in which the slider is coupled to the top portions of the zipper parts. The zipper can be either a flanged zipper or a string (i.e., webless) zipper. In one embodiment, the slider has a pair of diverging profiled projections that fit in and interlock with respective profiled grooves in the zipper parts. In another embodiment, the slider has a pair of diverging profiled grooves that receive and interlock with respective profiled projections that project upwardly from the zipper parts. Alternatively, the slider could have one projection and one groove for interlocking with the respective zipper parts. The diverging profiles on the slider cause adjacent sections of the zipper to open as the slider is moved in the zipper opening direction. Alternatively, the projections on the slider could be discontinuous.

Abstract: A slider-zipper construction that provides a watertight seal below the interlocked zipper profiles on the product side of the zipper. The seal comprises at least one seal part that is compressible or at least partially collapsible. The slider is designed to compress or at least partially collapse that seal part in the area below the plow of the slider, where the zipper profiles cannot be interlocked due to the interference of the plow.

Abstract: A slider-operated zipper having recessed slider end stops. The recesses can be formed in top portions of the profiled closure members or in outwardly facing side portions of one or both profiled closure members. Alternatively, the openings of throughholes that pass through the profiled closure members can serve as end stop recesses. The slider has one or more projections or ridges designed to impinge on a wall of a respective recess or throughhole opening in the zipper, thereby stopping the slider, provided that the pull off resistance is not overcome.