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 process for manufacturing reclosable bags (30) by forming a film (50) includes moving the film (50) and attaching to the film (50) sequentially and crosswise with reference to the direction of movement of the film (50), a fastener (1) including a first strip (2) supporting at least one reclosable profile (10) engaged with another reclosable profile (12) that is complementary thereto and supported by a second strip (4) or a part of the first strip (2), which will subsequently be attached to the film (50). Each strip (2, 4) includes at least one web (6, 8) extending substantially mostly sideways on one side of the profiles (12). The above arrangements make possible special fasteners (1) that include sliders (9), gasket membranes (26), fasteners inverted within the bag (30), peel seals (18, 20, 21) and hinged fasteners (1).

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 method for making a reclosable bag (56) with gussets (36, 38) in which a zipper profile (16) is attached to bag-making film (10), while leaving side margins (20, 22) of the film. The film (10) is folded as a tube (26). Gusset-forming wheels (34, 35) indent the tube (26) to form the side gussets (36, 38). The side gussets (36, 38) are sealed to the tube (26) and/or the zipper profile (18) with the profile sealed to the tube. The tube (26) is sealed and cross-cut to form the bag (56). In an alternative method, lengths of tubular gusset material (112) are positioned on a lower web (110) of film (101) transverse to a bag-forming direction. A zipper (124) is sealed in the bag-forming direction to the webs (108, 110), and the gusset material (112). The webs (108, 110) and the material (112) are sealed to each other to form an end seal (140) as well as cross-cut and sealed to form the gussets (144, 148) of a reclosable bag (147).

Abstract: A reclosable package for scoopable products, such as flour and detergent. The package has a closed plastic zipper installed in a gusset. The gusset comprises first and second panels connected at a fold line. The zipper comprises first and second zipper portions respectively joined to the first and second gusset panels. In one embodiment, the zipper portions are connected by a fold line situated adjacent the gusset fold line. In another embodiment, the zipper portions are connected by a fold line situated away from the gusset. In a third embodiment, the zipper portions are not connected prior to opening the package along the gusset fold line. A peel seal is placed between the zipper portions and above the interlocked profiled closure elements of the zipper.

Abstract: A reclosable bag having a top flap with holes configured to allow a stack of such bags to be mounted on a wicket or a pair of dispensing posts, and having a slider-actuated zipper (e.g., a string zipper) installed in a mouth at the top of the bag. The top flap is connected to a double layer of film that forms one side of the receptacle mouth and is joined to one strip of the zipper. The flap, which extends downward near its connection to the double layer of film, can be wrapped under and around the bottom of one side of the slider. The holes in the flap (for the wicket) are disposed above the zipper when the wrapped-around flap is fully extended upward.

Abstract: A method of making slider-actuated string-zippered packages. The method can be applied on a form-fill-seal machine or a machine that makes packages without filling, and involves transverse application of string zipper material on packaging film.

Abstract: A reclosable package has a flexible zipper and a flexible funnel that can be turned inside out to provide a spout for dispensing the package contents. The funnel has a terminal portion that is offset relative to a midplane of the package. Initially, the funnel is tucked inside the filled package in an unopened state. The funnel can be accessed by pulling apart the zipper halves. The consumer must reach inside the open package and pull the funnel inside out. Then the tip of the funnel is snipped, cut or torn to provide a spout for dispensing product. The offset of the opening allows the consumer to better direct the pour of the package contents, while making the bag easier to handle, especially large bags. The funnel itself directs the package contents, especially fine powders, away from the reclosable zipper profiles so that one or both profiles do not become clogged with matter that might interfere with interlocking.

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 or portions of the web material being wrapped around a tube; (b) joining first and second flangeless zipper strips to first and second portions of the web material that do not form part of the portion or portions of the web material that are wrapped around the tube; (c) inserting a slider on the first and second flangeless zipper strips joined to the web material; (d) cross sealing the web material at a location downstream from the tube; and (e) dropping product through the tube and onto the most recently formed cross seal.

Abstract: A method for making a reclosable bag (56) with gussets (36, 38) in which a zipper profile (16) is attached to bag-making film (10), while leaving side margins (20, 22) of the film. The film (10) is folded as a tube (26). Gusset-forming wheels (34, 35) indent the tube (26) to form the side gussets (36, 38). The side gussets (36, 38) are sealed to the tube (26) and/or the zipper profile (18) with the profile sealed to the tube. The tube (26) is sealed and cross-cut to form the bag (56). In an alternative method, lengths of tubular gusset material (112) are positioned on a lower web (110) of film (101) transverse to a bag-forming direction. A zipper (124) is sealed in the bag-forming direction to the webs (108, 110), and the gusset material (112). The webs (108, 110) and the material (112) are sealed to each other to form an end seal (140) as well as cross-cut and sealed to form the gussets (144, 148) of a reclosable bag (147).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a film for forming reclosable bags includes moving the film and attaching to the film sequentially and crosswise with reference to the direction of movement of the film, a fastener including a first strip supporting at least one reclosable profile engaged with another reclosable profile that is complementary thereto and that is supported by a second strip or a part of the first strip, which will subsequently be attached to the film. Each strip includes at least one web extending substantially mostly sideways on one side of the profiles. The above arrangements make possible special fasteners that include sliders, gasket membranes, fasteners inverted within the bag, peel-seals and hinged fasteners.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making reclosable packages having slider-actuated string zippers. More specifically, the apparatus is a form-fill-seal machine having means for placing product on a web of packaging film; means for forming a receptacle having an interior volume and a mouth, with the product in the interior volume and a string zipper installed in the mouth, the web of packaging film forming at least one wall of the receptacle; a slider insertion device for inserting sliders on the string zipper; and means for sealing the receptacle so that ambient air cannot enter the interior volume. The form-fill-seal machine may further include either means for aligning an edge of the web with a flangeless zipper strip of the zipper strip before the web is joined to the flangeless zipper strip or means for trimming an edge of the web after a portion of the web proximal to the edge has been joined to a flangeless zipper strip of the string zipper.

Abstract: A reclosable package comprises a slider-operated zipper wherein at least one of the zipper parts has a hinged flap to which a marginal portion of a panel of packaging film is joined. The hinged flap swings away from the rest of the zipper part in response to a pulling force tending to pull that zipper part away from the other zipper part. The flap is disposed between a base strip of the zipper part that it forms a part of and a sidewall of the slider. The slider is retained on the zipper by retaining ledges projecting from a distal end of a plow that pries open the zipper during slider travel in an opening direction.

Abstract: A reclosable vacuum storage bag that can be hermetically sealed by flat resealable means that extend across the full width of the bag. The flat resealable means are designed to provide a barrier to prevent ambient air from leaking into the evacuated interior volume of the bag. The storage bag is also provided with a plastic zipper. The flat resealable means can be arranged on the product side of the zipper, on the user side of the zipper, or in between two zippers installed in the storage bag.

Abstract: A reclosable package having a slider-operated zipper wherein the contents of the package are accessed through the front wall of the package, not through the top of the package. The reclosable package comprises: a bag body comprising front and rear walls of bag making material; a flexible zipper joined to the front wall and not joined to the rear wall; and a slider mounted to the zipper, the slider being movable in a first direction along the zipper for opening the zipper and movable in a second direction along the zipper for closing the zipper. Alternatively, the flexible zipper is joined to the front wall along first and second zones of joinder disposed at different heights on the front wall, and is joined to the rear wall only in zones of joinder where the zipper is joined to both of the front and rear walls.

Abstract: A reclosable package has a slider-operated string zipper joined to the receptacle mouth. The slider includes a plow that pries apart the zipper sections lying in its path during slider travel in an opening direction; first and second sidewalls disposed on opposite sides of the plow and bounding a slider tunnel, and first and second ledges supported by the plow. The first zipper part passes through a first space between the first sidewall and the plow, while the second zipper part passes through a second space between the second sidewall and the plow. The first ledge is the only portion of the slider that underlies any portion of the first zipper part, while the second ledge is the only portion of the slider that underlies any portion of the second zipper part. Accordingly, the ledges retain the zipper parts with the spaces on the opposing sides of the plow.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making reclosable packages having slider-actuated string zippers. More specifically, the apparatus is a form-fill-seal machine having means for placing product on a web of packaging film; means for forming a receptacle having an interior volume and a mouth, with the product in the interior volume and a string zipper installed in the mouth, the web of packaging film forming at least one wall of the receptacle; a slider insertion device for inserting sliders on the string zipper; and means for sealing the receptacle so that ambient air cannot enter the interior volume. The form-fill-seal machine may further include either means for aligning an edge of the web with a flangeless zipper strip of the zipper strip before the web is joined to the flangeless zipper strip or means for trimming an edge of the web after a portion of the web proximal to the edge has been joined to a flangeless zipper strip of the string zipper.

Abstract: A method of forming, filling and sealing a reclosable package with a slider activated zipper wherein a base film moves longitudinally to a filling station and, in a moving direction, away from said filling station. At the filling station a product is fed onto the base film. As the base film carrying product is moved from the filling station, a zipper with a slider attached is fed onto the moving film in the moving direction of the base film. The zipper has a first profile and a second profile, each of which has an attached web extending away from the slider. A top film is applied over the base film and the first profile web is sealed to the base film and the second profile web is sealed to the top film. The package is completed by transversely cross-sealing the base film and the top film together on opposite sides of the product. The base and top films may be formed from the same sheet folded over or may be formed from separate sheets.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a film for forming reclosable bags includes moving the film and attaching to the film sequentially and crosswise with reference to the direction of movement of the film, a fastener including a first strip supporting at least one reclosable profile engaged with another reclosable profile that is complementary thereto and that is supported by a second strip or a part of the first strip, which will subsequently be attached to the film. Each strip includes at least one web extending substantially mostly sideways on one side of the profiles. The above arrangements make possible special fasteners that include sliders, gasket membranes, fasteners inverted within the bag, peel-seals and hinged fasteners.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making reclosable packages having slider-actuated string zippers. More specifically, the apparatus is a form-fill-seal machine having means for placing product on a web of packaging film; means for forming a receptacle having an interior volume and a mouth, with the product in the interior volume and a string zipper installed in the mouth, the web of packaging film forming at least one wall of the receptacle; a slider insertion device for inserting sliders on the string zipper; and means for sealing the receptacle so that ambient air cannot enter the interior volume. The form-fill-seal machine may further include either means for aligning an edge of the web with a flangeless zipper strip of the zipper strip before the web is joined to the flangeless zipper strip or means for trimming an edge of the web after a portion of the web proximal to the edge has been joined to a flangeless zipper strip of the string zipper.