Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making gusseted packages having openable and reclosable interlocking seals, the seals having male and female portions, snap detents, and formed transversely to the direction of film flow. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine with gussets forming tooling where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strips inside at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed. The reclosable seal provides auditory and tactile indications of seal closing. Some packages are formed with the thermoformable strips in the gusset, and some are formed with the gusset free of strip material.

Abstract: Methods for making packages having improved openable and reclosable interlocking seals from a continuous web of composite packaging film, the seal having male and female portions of arrowhead shape in cross section, snap detents, and being formed transversely to the direction of film flow during package formation at line speed. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strip inside in ends abutting folded facing relationship at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying strip fastener elements or zippers to web material includes an unwind stand holding a roll of film material, an infeed dancer arrangement of rollers, a zipper apparatus which conditions zipper material, cuts zippers and delivers zippers to a zipper feed apparatus. The zipper feed apparatus loads zippers into a sealing platen of a rotating turret. The rotating turret carries the zippers successively to a position adjacent a surface of the film and a seal bar presses the film to successive zippers to seal the zippers thereto while a new zipper is being received in a sealing platen of the turret at a loading station at a rotational position at a distance from the sealing station. The film with zippers attached is drawn downstream of the turret to a rewind dancer roll assembly and thereafter to a rewind stand for winding into a roll of zippered film.

Abstract: A method of producing a compression preservation bag includes the following first step and second step, thus allowing the longitudinal and widthwise lengths thereof to easily changed, and thus, providing for a wide size variation of the bag. The first step is carried out to form a rectangular, flat, cylindrical, and bottomed bag part formed of a laminate film and having a mouth portion at one end thereof in a longitudinal direction thereof. The second step is carried out to install a closing means made of synthetic resin and having a length corresponding to a length of the mouth portion of the bag part on a region in the vicinity of the mouth portion of the bag part by thermal fusion or the like. The closing structure functions to freely open and close the mouth portion of the bag part.

Abstract: The method of forming a tamper-evident plastic bag or similar container includes providing a zipper with interlocking first and second profiles with respective first and second flanges. The second flange is longer than the first flange. A distal portion (with respect to the interlocking elements of the profiles) of the second flange is sealed to the web thereby forming a transport seal to carry the zipper with the web through a form, fill and seal machine. At the form fill and seal machine hard seals are formed between the web and the first flange and a proximal portion of the second flange. The transport seal is a peel seal or alternatively the second flange is formed with a frangible section between the distal and proximal portions and the transport seal is a hard seal. In both cases the second flange provides tamper evidence and/or a hermetic barrier for the completed bag.

Abstract: A unit (3) for sterilizing strip packaging material (2) with preapplied opening devices (5) on a packaging machine (1) for packaging pourable food products, the unit (3) having a bath (8) for containing a sterilizing agent in which the material (2) is fed continuously, and an aseptic chamber (15) having an input (12) connected to an output of the bath (8); the aseptic chamber (15) houses two drying rollers (20) cooperating with opposite faces of the material (2) and having respective recesses (20a) at a longitudinal portion (2a) of the material (2) fitted with the opening devices (5), and two nozzles (27) for directing sterile air onto the longitudinal portion (2a) of the material (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of automatically manufacturing bags fitted with complementary closure strips associated with an actuating cursor, in which at least one film adapted to form the bag walls is fed continuously, closure assemblies comprising complementary closure strips associated with an actuating cursor are provided, and each closure assembly made in this way is fixed on the wall-forming film, wherein the closure assemblies are brought onto the film transversely to the travel direction of said film, and the length of each closure assembly is greater than the width of the bag, such that, while it is being brought into position, the actuating cursor is located in the vicinity of one end of the closure assembly beyond the edge of the film.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing plastic bags are disclosed. A web of plastic is folded to form an elongate folded web having free ends and closer tape is secured to the free ends of the elongate folded web. End stops are formed in the closer tape at spaced locations thereof and an indicia is formed in the end stops. The elongate folded web is simultaneously severed and sealed at the spaced locations to produce individual bags.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing bags including complementary closure strips, the method comprising the steps consisting in: separately feeding a film and closure strips having sequential thin zones at the same pitch as the bags; and fixing the strips to the film; the method further comprising the steps consisting in: detecting loss of synchronization between the closure strips and means acting in the assembly station; and in the event of loss of synchronization being detected, modifying the size of the sequential thin zones provided in the strips so as to reestablish synchronization. The present invention also relates to a machine for implementing the method, and to the bags obtained thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing packaging bags with side gussets comprising steps which consist in forming cutouts in the sheet of the bag, placing closure means (70) between two associated cutouts, forming side gussets, bringing the edges (14, 16) of the sheet together, wherein the cutouts open onto a transverse generatrix (18) of the sheet which corresponds to the top of a respective bag.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing recloseable bags (10). The recloseable opening (32) of the bags is surrounded by mutually opposite halves (20, 22) of a recloseable strip, these halves being firmly welded to mutually opposite bag walls (12, 14) and, at the ends, being welded to the two lateral longitudinal sealed seams (16) of the bag (10). The apparatus is characterized, on the one hand, by at least one inner sealing jaw (72) between the two bag walls (12, 14) in the crossover region of the longitudinal sealed seam (16) and recloseable strip (18), and, on the other hand, by at least one counter-jaw (82, 84) on the outside of a bag wall (12, 14). The counter-jaw is located opposite the inner sealing jaw (72) such that, between the inner sealing jaw (72) and the counter-jaw (82, 84), it is possible to position a bag wall (12, 14) by way of its crossover region and to press flat the relevant half (20, 22) of the recloseable strip (18) and weld the same to the bag wall (12, 14).

Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper closure by a vertical form, fill and seal process. The method includes providing a pocket in a film web into which a zipper closure is positioned and attached. The film web is folded and sealed to form side panels and seams, which result in a package. The pocket provides an internal tamper evident-structure for the package. An external tamper evident-structure can be provided between the distal ends of the mating profiles of the zipper closure.

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: A reclosable zipper is provided. The reclosable zipper is comprised of a first profile interlockable with a second profile. Each profile includes an interlocking member and a flange extending from the interlocking member on one side thereof. One of the zipper flanges is longer than the other and the zipper flanges are attached together by a peel seal. A slider may optionally be included for opening and closing the zipper. Lengths of the reclosable zipper are attached to a length of thermoplastic film via the longer zipper flange, either transverse or parallel to a running direction of the film, to form a supply of package making material. The supply of package making material is fed into an FFS machine or the like where it is made into reclosable packages.

Abstract: A package bag in a rectangular-like shape for enclosing an object to be packed W, which package bag is configurated by a film F having a sealant layer 20 to be fusion-bonded so as to cause interfacial peeling, ply separation, or cohesive failure, and thermally sealed portions provided in at least three sides or four sides 3 in a state enclosing the object to be packed in an inside of the package bag, wherein at least one of the thermally sealed portions 4 along one of the sides is a strippable seal 8a, which is associated with an unsealed portion 8 as stripping margins positioned between the strippable seal 8a and an film edge 6; and the strippable seal 8a is formed in at least a part of the one of the thermally sealed portions 4 to be in a wave-like shape or in a V-like shape protruding toward the film edge 6.

Abstract: The invention relates to a set of at least three consecutive bags (2) in a succession, each bag having two closure strips (6) and a cursor (8) situated at a respective distance (d1, d2) from one end (10a) of the strips (6), the strips and the cursor being identical between the bags. Between the bags in each pair of adjacent bags, the said distances (d1, d2) are different.

Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closable by a slider device, on a horizontal form, fill and seal process. The method includes applying the slider device to the zipper construction prior to incorporating the zipper construction with side panels to form the package. A tamper-evident seal may be provided encasing the slider device to provide indication whether access has been gained to the interior of the package.

Abstract: A device and method for forming a pocketed card stock or paper member having a wide peripheral edge. A template (12) is provided having a forming edge with a shape corresponding to the wide peripheral edge of the member. A flexible sheet of card stock or paper (14) is also provided. An urging device (62) is provided for urging the flexible sheet of card stock or paper (14) adjacent to the template (12) such that an extended portion (54) thereof extends beyond the forming edge of the template (12) and a remaining portion thereof does not extend beyond the forming edge of the template (12). A folding device (26) is provided for urging the extended portion (54) around the forming edge and a securing device (24) is provided for securing the extended portion (54) to the remaining portion of the flexible sheet of card stock or paper (14) after the extended portion (54) has been urged around the forming edge to form a wide edge.

Abstract: A folding machine which takes a prescored blank of paper, folds side flaps up, and glue tabs down, applies a glue line to the tabs, and folds end flaps of the blank about score lines onto the glue tabs to form boxed pockets and then delivers the finished folder for use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preparing cylindrical members for paper containers having a thermoplastic resin layer as the innermost layer by cylindrically forming a preform sheet made up of a laminate comprising at least a paper layer and the thermoplastic resin layer, the laminate is arranged so that the thermoplastic layer becomes the innermost layer of the paper containers and is selected from the group consisting of polyesters and ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers. The method includes the steps of folding the innermost layer along one edge of the preform sheet back over itself, irradiating the folded edge and another edge of the preform sheet both of which are made of the thermoplastic resin layer of polyesters or ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers using a carbon dioxide gas laser irradiation, thereby softening or melting the thermoplastic resin layer, overlapping the irradiated edges, and pressing the overlapped portion to seal the thermoplastic resin layers together.

Abstract: A double-chamber tea bag has a centerfold that is crimped by squeezing it between a toothed wheel and a plain wheel and a headfold in which the front chamber has a flap that folds over the part of the end of the front chamber between triangular folds at each corner.

Abstract: Wrappings from thin pleated sheets are made from a continuous thin paper tape and the like by first making transversal folds in the tapes to form pleats, fixing the edges of the pleats and then folding the fixed edges to form hems. The hemmed pleated tape may then be cut into individual wrappings. The paper tape is coated with heat-setting material so that the pleats can be fixed by melting and resetting this material.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding an edge (11) of a continuous web (10) is disclosed, wherein the continuous web (10) is held against a belt (1) which is twisted through substantially 180.degree. between two wheels (2, 3) to fold over the edge (11) during the twisting action. The belt (1), which is endless, runs over two other wheels (4, 5) in order to return to the wheels (2, 3).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving confidential facsimile messages includes a receiver to receive a sheet of facsimile paper having two margins each coated with a heat-molten adhesive strip and to form the sheet of facsimile paper into a paper roll, a first rolling means and a second rolling means to roll the paper flat, and a heating element to melt the heat-molten strip so that the margins are sealed.

Abstract: In the sealing of paper sheets, particularly envelopes, such as for example self-enveloping forms, by knurling of the edges to be joined together, the preliminary moistening of the same edges is provided, which leads to a seal tight closure or sealing.

Abstract: A method of opening a folded web of flexible heat-sealable packaging material prior to formation of the material into sealed reclosable packages. The web has a pair of interlockable reclosable closure strips extending longitudinally of the web on an inside face of the web, and one section of the web is folded over on another section of the web so that the closure strips are interlocked. The method comprises advancing the folded web in a first plane to a web-opening station, and opening the folded web while maintaining the closure strips interlocked as the web advances through the web-opening station. The web is opened by diverting both sections of the web relative to one another so that they assume a co-planar position in a second plane different from the first plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of erecting a carton blank, a tool (15) for carrying out the method and a carton blank (1) used in the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing rolls of thermoplastic film stock wherein zipper elements are interlocked for structural support while the web is open, resembling a "Z" in cross-section, and ready for use on container and packaging machines.

Abstract: Seals are formed in bags made from a flexible web. The sealing element is a heated wire. The thermal conductivity of the wire is selected in reference to the melt and tack characteristics of the film being sealed such that when the film is placed in heat-exchange relationship with the wire, the film is sealed. Further, at least a portion of the film travels on the sealing element. The resistance across the sealing element remains constant during sealing and while the web travels sequentially.

Abstract: A draw tape bag apparatus passes a web of plastic material having edge notched hems in the opposite edges to receive closing tapes. A hem sealer unit seals the folded layers of the web longitudinally of the folded edge to form the hem. The sealer unit includes a drum unit rotatably mounted on a shaft. The drum unit includes first and second drum parts having coaxial peripheral surfaces. A heat concentrating and release tape is secured to each drum part. The adjacent intermediate ends of the drum parts have telescoping and mating fingers and receses. Separate adjustment screws are coupled to the machine frame adjacent each drum part. Each screw is coupled to the outer race of a ball bearing secured to the adjacent outer end wall of the drum part. The setting of the screw accurately locates the heat concentrating tape axially of the drum. Hot air nozzles are mounted externally to the drum parts in alignment with the tapes and heat the web passing over the tapes to heat seal the web layers in the hem.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding and sealing sheets comprises means for feeding a sheet, means for bulging a portion of the sheet, means for folding the bulged portion, and means for adhering a sheet portion face to face to a portion thereof trailing the fold. Apparatus for enhancing the security of information on a front side of a sheet comprises said apparatus for folding and sealing sheets, where a plurality of folds are provided and the front side of said sheet is concealed from view inside said folds, said folds being sealed along the lateral side edge portions thereof. Address information may be applied adjacent the trailing edge of said sheet, and the trailing edge portion is folded to expose the address information to view.

Abstract: An oven-heated hot wheel sealing unit for heat sealing thermoplastic film. The unit includes an oven having a heater for heating the air therein. A plurality of rotors are rotatably supported within the oven. Each of the rotors includes a wheel having a rim adapted to extend outside of the oven for engaging the thermoplastic film to be heat sealed. Each rotor has a plurality of spaced fins disposed axially thereof and parallel to the wheel. Stators are positioned within the housing and provided with structure to receive the fins on the rotors. The fins on the rotors have a plurality of vanes adapted to circulate the heated air within the oven for heating the wheels by convection. The rims of the wheels extend through openings in non-stick stripper shoes on the outsides of the oven for stripping the thermoplastic film from the wheels after heat sealing the film.

Abstract: A method of folding into packages, in connection with the manufacture thereof, disposable absorbent articles such as diapers or incontinence protectors comprising an absorbent body (1) enclosed in a casing extending laterally beyond the absorbent body and having casing portions intended to seal around the abdomen of the wearer, as well as elastic leg bands or threads (6, 7) affixed to the casing with portions (6', 7') extending at least partially along either side edge of the article at a distance beyond the absorbent body. The ends of the article are folded in with approximately equal lengths toward the mid-section of the article, which is thereafter folded together in the same direction into a four-folded state. The elastic portions (6', 7') at the center of the article are simultaneously held laterally stretched so as to encompass the laterally positioned article ends. The folded article, upon release of these elastic portions, is held together thereby in the state of a compact, four-folded package.

Abstract: An improved thermoplastic film heat bonding apparatus includes a heated seal bar, a support member supporting the heated seal bar for reciprocating motion against a platen and a resilient coupling between the support member and the heated seal bar to allow deflection of the heated seal bar with respect to the support member providing better conformance between the platen and the face of the seal bar contacting the platen for more uniform and repeatable heat seals. Springs are used to provide the resilient coupling between the support member and the heated seal bar. One mounting providing both resilient coupling and continuous adjustable spacing between the support member and the heated seal bar includes a bracket supporting a threaded member passed through the support member and a coil spring biasing the bracket and support member apart. The bracket is itself resiliently mounted to the heated seal bar also by compression coil springs.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing a hem in a moving web of plastic film having a structure including a folding surface having a web passing on one side of the surface and an edge of the web on the other side of the surface to produce a hem in the web prior to leaving the surface. Heat sealing apparatus is supported adjacent the structure for heat sealing the hem while the web is moving and prior to the sealed hem leaving the surface. The surface is provided with an opening in alignment with the heat sealing apparatus and the heat sealing apparatus seals the hem through the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a machine-direction heat seal in a moving web of plastic film including a block adapted to be supported on one side of the hem and having a plurality of rollers mounted thereon at spaced locations in tandem for engaging the film along the path of the heat seal to be formed in the hem. The block has a corresponding plurality of surfaces each of which is adapted to be engaged by a side of one of the rollers. A heater is provided for heating the block and its plurality of surfaces and the rollers are maintained in contact with the plurality of surfaces whereby movement of the hem though the heat sealing apparatus causes the plurality of rollers to rotate and maintain contact with the plurality of surfaces whereby the rollers are in turn heated by conduction from the block and produce the heat seal in the hem.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing articles of filter paper in which the wet strength of the regions of weak points resulting from mechanical working is increased by the application of a wet strengthener of cross-linked cationic polyalkylenimines. For this purpose, the wet strengthener is applied only to the regions of the weak points after the filter paper has been manufactured. Seams or edge reinforcements are formed by relief printing before the application of the wet strengthener and a heat treatment takes place after application of the thermoplastic wet strengthener to cause the wet strengthener to harden. The application of the wet strengthener is effected in measured doses so that the legally prescribed maximum amounts to be added are not exceeded.

Abstract: Apparatus for heat sealing a hem in a moving web of plastic film using a plurality of rollers or wheels mounted on a block at spaced locations for engaging the film along the path of a heat seal to be formed in the hem. The rollers are heated by contact of one of their sides against a heated block. The small force holding the rollers against the heated block is provided by a slight angular orientation of the roller relative to the direction of film travel.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a machine-direction intermittent heat seal in a moving web of plastic film including a block adapted to be supported on one side of the hem and having a plurality of wheels having heat conducting surfaces spaced around the periphery and mounted on the block at spaced locations in tandem for engaging the film along the path of the intermittent heat seal to be formed in the hem. The block has a corresponding plurality of surfaces each of which is adapted to be engaged by a side of one of the wheels. Gears interconnect the wheels to maintain the wheels in register with the intermittent portions of the heat seal in the hem during rotation of the wheels.

Abstract: Apparatus for heat sealing a pair of hems in a moving web of film having structure including a pair of spaced surfaces over which each hem of the pair of hems is adapted to pass. A first block is supported by the structure with respect to one of the surfaces and on one side of one of the hems. A plurality of rollers is mounted on the first block at spaced locations in tandem for engaging the film along the path of the heat seal to be formed in the one hem. A second block is supported by the structure with respect to the other of the surfaces and on one side of the second hem. The second block has a plurality of rollers mounted thereon at spaced locations in tandem for engaging the film along the path of a heat seal to be formed in the second hem. Heaters are provided for each of the blocks and the respective plurality of rollers whereby movement of the hems through the heat sealing apparatus causes the plurality of rollers mounted on the blocks to rotate and produce the heat seals in the pair of hems.

Abstract: A sealer is disclosed for sealing upper and lower portions of a web without sealing the portions together, such as side gussets in side gusseted bags. A sealing bar is placed below the web and fixed with respect to the machine. Another sealing bar is placed above the web, parallel to the first one. An air cylinder can urge the upper sealing bar down against the lower one to seal the web. A platen is placed within the side gusset to prevent the portions from being sealed to each other, and the platen floats vertically to accommodate the motion of the sealing bars.

Abstract: A method of folding a continuous web of a thermoplastic film material incorporating complementary interengagable profiled fastener elements, and aligning and interengaging the complementary fastener elements. Moreover, also provided is a device over which the web of thermoplastic film material is folded, with the device possessing structure for superimposing and aligning the fastener elements and interengaging the fastener elements which are adapted to be utilized in the production of reclosable plastic bags.

Abstract: The present invention involves a folding apparatus for folding a flexible sheet during the manufacture of an article such as a diaper or personal incontinence pad. Briefly, the apparatus comprises at least one folding board. The folding board, in turn, comprises four panels which are joined by three hinges for allowing the board to bend along three specified fold lines. The first hinge allows the board to bend between the first and second panel along a first centrally-located fold line which extends from the leading edge of the folding board to the trailing edge. The second hinge allows the board to bend between the first and third panel along a second fold line which extends from the leading edge to one of the sides edges of the board. The third hinge allows the board to bend between the second and fourth panel along a third fold line which extends from the leading edge to the other side edge of the board.