Abstract: An improved carrier tape is disclosed comprising a cover strip and a base strip formed of a plastic material and designed to mechanically interlock with each other. The cover strip includes a top surface from which opposed sidewalls extend downwardly. The cover strip is further provided with a pair of longitudinally extending humps which project upwardly from the top face. The humps are generally semi-circular in cross-section and are positioned adjacent the edges of the cover strip, spaced inwardly of the sidewalls. The humps define living hinges for the adjacent surfaces of the cover strip top face and the sidewalls so that when the humps are depressed the sidewalls move laterally outwardly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making reclosable bag material wherein a film has a longitudinal formation axis extending the length of a bag to be made therefrom and the film is incrementally advanced longitudinally, strips of extruded plastic profiled reclosable fastener strip are movable laterally axially across the film for location at one end of a bag made from the film with the profiles projecting in a direction toward the film, the strip is rotated to have the profiles facing away from the film and a strip base placed on the film and the base heat bonded to the film.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for advancing a continuous length of bag making plastic film having a reclosable fastener strip extending therealong with a filling tube over which the film is formed, means for sealing the edges of the film over the filling tube, opposed pairs of advancing belts for pressing the film against the tube and driving it incrementally downwardly, means for guiding the fastener between the belts of one of the pairs and means for driving the belts incrementally to move the film downwardly as it is filled and cross-sealed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for form, fill, and seal operation using bag-making sheet material having complementary male and female reclosable profiles includes sheet guide and tensioning devices to ensure continuous, effective packaging. The inventive features address the presence of tracking problems in sheet feed using bag material having profiles and being of a laminated type, and serve to ensure wrinkle-free, acceptable sealing of bag edges.

Abstract: A bag has wall panels defining a receptacle space and providing a bag mouth between upper end portions of the wall panels. A tamper evident, and if desired hermetic seal, non-reclosable closure located inwardly from a reclosable closure and located below upper ends of the upper end portions is accessible to be opened when the reclosable closure is open, and the reclosable closure is arranged for interim opening and closing of the bag. The non-reclosable closure may be a peel seal or a tear line. The reclosable closure may be formed from pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A carrier tape is provided comprising a longitudinally extending base strip and a generally coextensive cover strip. The strips are extruded of a plastic material with at least one of the strips being formed with an integral longitudinal profile and the other of the strips having surfaces thereon which engage the profile in a continuous mechanical interlock. The surfaces of the other strip may comprise a mating profile. At least one of the strips is provided with longitudinally spaced cavities for receiving products to be carried. The tape is also provided with spaced sprocket holes for driving the tape.

Abstract: A chain of plastic bags having zipper-locking profiles is compactly stacked in a rectangular carton in successive layers such that the bags of the chain lie flat in the carton and the zipper profile portions of successive bags in chain do not lie on top of one another by means of an automatic apparatus. The apparatus comprises an oscillating guideway for laterally depositing the bags of the chain in rows extending back and forth between opposed lateral sidewalls of the carton and a vertically movable lift table having a horizontally reciprocating platform on which the carton is disposed. The lift table operates to lower the carton beneath the guideway as the carton is being filled and to move the carton transversely of the guideway so that the zipper profiles of successive bag rows are disposed offset from one another.

Abstract: A chain bag dispensing arrangement comprising a container housing a folded pack of unfilled chain bags connected by frangible links. The bags are adapted to be withdrawn seriatim through a dispensing slot in one wall of the container. Each succeeding bag may be braked against a surface along the slot, when partially withdrawn from the bag to facilitate separation of the lead bag by breaking of the link connecting them. A floating drag and holddown board lies on top of the bag pack. The pack may have one stack of fan folded bags or it may comprise a plurality of stacks wherein each fan folded layer has a plurality of bags.

Abstract: A carrier tape is provided comprising a longitudinally extending base strip, a generally coextensive cover strip, and at least one elongated profile strip bonded to one of the other strips. Each of the strips is extruded of a plastic material and at least one of the base or cover strips is formed with an integral longitudinal profile which engages the profile of the profile strip in a continuous mechanical interlock. The base strip is provided with longitudinally spaced cavities for receiving products to be carried. Either the base strip or profile strip is provided with spaced sprocket holes for driving the tape.

Abstract: A system for handling zipper-equipped wrapper sheet material to be used in a form, fill, and seal machine for wrapping product enables the wrapper sheet to be drawn from a supply with a flap sheet portion overlying a panel sheet portion and subsequently disposing the flap sheet portion such that it is folded back away from the panel sheet portion to fully open up the wrapper sheet material. The folding over of the flap sheet portion brought about by apparatus which permits continuously flow of wrapper sheet to the form, fill, and seal machine at conventional machine high speed production rates. The system is made adjustable to handle zipper-equipped wrapper sheet material of various sizes. Devices are included to ensure proper tensioning of the line of wrapper sheet material passing to the form, fill, and seal machine.

Abstract: A feed conveyor arrangement is disclosed for horizontally unwinding zipper-equipped sheet packaging material from a supply roll and turning back a flap portion of the sheet material for reception of product prior to delivery into a form, fill, and seal machine. The feed conveyor utilizes a special guide wheel device for maintaining the zipper, and hence the sheet material, in an aligned flow path and holding down the flap portion only adjacent the zipper. A subsequent flap turning wheel device turns the flap portion away from the remaining panel area of the sheet below the zipper line, pivoting the flap about the hold down area of the guide wheel device. The guide wheel device is in the form of skewed wheels acting on the upper surface of the flap at opposed sides of the zipper. The flap turning wheel device includes an offset wheel which applies both upward and horizontal forces to the upturned inner surface of the flap to open up the sheet material.

Abstract: A chain of plastic bags having zipper-locking profiles is packaged in a rectangular carton in successive layers wherein the profiles of the bags of each layer are aligned generally along a straight line that is oblique with respect to a front wall of the carton, the straight lines aligning the profiles of successive layers following a zigzag course, which oscillates between the front wall and a back wall of the carton.