Abstract: The profiles of a segment of profile zipper are separated and then the profiles at the central portion of the segment are rejoined while the profiles at the ends of the segment are maintained separated. The segment is transported to overlie a bag film web transverse to a moving direction of the web and attached to the web. The web is formed into a reclosable bag with side wall gusset portions of web tucked between the separated profiles.

Abstract: A method of forming a gusseted plastic zipper bag. The zipper profiles are provided intermittently on a carrier web, the thickness of which is less than the bag film, the carrier web is attached to the bag film that has windows cut therein that are aligned transversely so that profile-free section of the carrier web covers the windows. During bag formation the sections of the bag film with windows covered by the carder web are folded to form gussets.

Abstract: A reclosable package is provided having a front wall and a rear wall joined at the bottom and sides and an open top containing a zipper. The zipper has a first profile and a second profile, each including interlocking members adapted to mate with each other. One profile has a flange secured to its associated wall at a location proximal a top end of that wall. The second profile has a flange portion secured to the other wall proximal a top end of that wall and to the first wall at a location below the location at which the first flange is secured to the first wall. A line of weakness extends along the second flange portion parallel to the profile interlocking member and between the two securing points.

Abstract: A zipper bag contains interlocking profiles on the front and rear walls of the bag. The bag further has gusseted side walls that include portions aligned with the interlocking profiles that are relatively thin as compared with the remainder of the bag walls. The thinned sections may be profile-free portions of a carrier web for the profiles. Windows are cut out of the sidewalls and covered by the profile free sections of the carrier web.

Abstract: Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing.

Abstract: A method of making reclosable packaging utilizes a longitudinally extending web of film material having cutouts therein. A length of zipper strip substantially half the width of the web and having an attached slider is applied transversely across the web of film material with the slider positioned in the cut out. The web is folded longitudinally with the zipper attached to the web and the slider positioned in the cut out. The edges of the web are brought together longitudinally and seamed to form a tube. The opposite ends of the tube are sealed to form the package. The resultant bag has the slider seated in the cut-out where it is readily visible to a consumer.

Abstract: A method for attaching reclosable zipper to a package is provided. A pair of opposing film extensions are provided on the package above the seal at the package opening. The reclosable zipper is then inserted between the film extensions on the package and sealed thereto.

Abstract: The apparatus and method attaches a section of unsupported interlocking zipper transversely to portion of film drawn around a fill tube of a form fill and sea machine. This includes the steps of driving and guiding said zipper horizontally around the outside of the film formed around the tube in a direction transverse to direction of movement of the film, after the formation of the fin seal. An alternative embodiment drives and guides the zipper horizontally around the inside of the film formed around the tube prior to the formation of the fin seal. A retractable ledge may be used to guide the zipper in the alternative embodiment. A slider operated zipper can also be used in this alternative.

Abstract: A continuous method of providing a gasket to a reclosable fastener strip having reclosable closure strips with interlocking profiles. The fastener strip is moved longitudinally, the profiles are disengaged and the closure strips are separated by approximately 90.degree. from one another. A membrane is conveyed, independently of the fastener strip, along a path that brings it parallel to one of the closure strips. Thereafter, the separated closure strips are brought back together to sandwich the membrane between their respective profiles and the profiles are re-engaged.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing bags on an automatic forming, filling and sealing (FFS) machine (100) wherein a tube (20) capable of forming walls (38, 40) of a bag is sequentially cut into portions by a cut which is approximately transverse with respect to the direction of movement of the tube (20). A fastener assembly (50) is attached to the cut end of that part of the tube (20) that is below the filling chute (110) of the FFS machine.

Abstract: A reclosable bag is formed of walls defining a closure with a mouth. The walls have interlocking profiles on their internal surfaces adjacent to the mouth to enable the bag to be sealed. One of the two profiles has a spreader which fits between and spreads the interlocking members on the other profile to bring about a more effective sealing of the bag.

Abstract: In a method for forming reclosable packages on a conventional form-fill-and-seal (FFS) machines, first and second interlocking members are fed toward and longitudinally parallel to the filling tube thereof in an uninterlocked condition. A thermoplastic film is wrapped around the filling tube enclosing the first and second interlocking members, and the lateral edges of the film are bonded together to form a longitudinal seam. At least one of the first and second interlocking members is attached by a heat sealing bar to the inside of the tube so formed from the thermoplastic film. A fold is formed in the tube between the first and second interlocking members to bring the members into a facing relationship, and the members are then interlocked with one another. At intervals, transverse seams are formed to produce individual reclosable packages, which may also be separated from one another. The packages are filled with product during the course of their manufacture.

Abstract: In a method for forming reclosable packages on a conventional form-fill-and-seal machine, a "Y-type" zipper strip is fed toward and longitudinally down the filling spout thereof. A thermoplastic film is wrapped around the filling spout enclosing the zipper strip, and the lateral edges of the film are bonded together to form a longitudinal seam. The zipper strip webs are attached by sealing bars to the inside of the tube so formed from the thermoplastic film between the fill tube and the sealing bars. At intervals, transverse seams are formed to produce individual reclosable packages, which may also be separated from one another. The packages are filled with product during the course of their manufacture.

Abstract: A plastic bag with a recloseable zipper-type closure is formed with grip strips on its lips to ease the opening of the bags. The grip strips are extruded from a grip strip extruder which is moved relative to a movement of the zipper type profile to produce a regularly repeating pattern. The strips facilitate opening the bag even with wet or oily fingers. A method and apparatus for forming the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic bag with a recloseable zipper-type closure is formed with grip strips on its lips to ease the opening of the bags. The grip strips are extruded from a grip strip extruder which is moved relative to a movement of the zipper type profile to produce a regularly repeating pattern. The strips facilitate opening the bag even with wet or oily fingers. A method and apparatus for forming the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic film bag for foodstuffs or the like having opposed film bag walls joined at their edges and forming a mouth between the walls and at one side reclosable fastener strips between the walls at the bag mouth having facing releasably interlocking profiles thereon with a sealing strip extending from one profile to the wall of the other profile with the sealing strip being sufficiently broad to avoid stress thereon and preferably with the sealing strip having a frangible fracture line extending substantially parallel to the profile to be torn when the profiles are first separated with the fracture line formed in various ways including perforations, or a score line, or an insert in the sealing web defining the frangible fracture line or the web being formed of multiple parts joined by a portion that fracture more easy than the sealing web.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for a tray arrangement for a series of continuously linked trays. The trays are adapted to be stacked by a twisting mechanism and by a series of curved side guards which twist and bend the links connecting the trays in order to arrange the trays into the proper configuration. The trays are then unstacked by another series of curved side guards and twisting mechanism and then each tray is in turn moved to a filling station where filling material is dispensed therein. The filled tray is then moved to a lid closing station where the attached flipped open lid of the tray is closed atop the tray. The tray is then pulled by a side grasping pull flange to a position where an overhead piston driven mechanism seals the lid and cuts the link, separating the tray from the nested of the trays.

Abstract: A tray for foodstuffs or the like having a continuous edge rim and a flexible cover placed over the top of the tray and sealed to the rim with an elongate continuous interlockable separate rib and groove profile on strips sealed to the surface of the cover wherein upstanding pull flanges above the rib and groove profiles may be pulled apart and the cover severed between the profiles for access to the contents so that the cover may be opened and closed.

Abstract: A bag with an openable mouth carries a reclosable extruded plastic zipper inside the mouth. The zipper has complementary profiles separably interlockable in a closed condition of the zipper. A gasket flange structure in separably sealingly grippingly interengageable by and between the profiles in the closed condition of the zipper, and may also serve as a tamper evident or tamper discouraging device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a vertical tubular form fill package feeding the film vertically downwardly over a spout, pressing the outer lateral edges of the film together between pressure rollers, feeding joined strips of plastic zipper consisting of interlocking elements and attaching webs between the outer edges of the film and the spout, positioning guide bars on either side of the zipper between the zipper webs and sealing bars outwardly of the guide bars with the sealing bars simultaneously forming a fin seal at the outer edge and joining the zipper webs to the inner surfaces of the film between the fin seal and the spout and thereafter cross-cutting and sealing to form packages enclosing contents dropped through the spout.