Abstract: There is provided an article conveyor mechanism comprising a drive chain 13 on which is pivotally mounted a number of carriages 16 each having a conveyor 17 secured thereto. Each conveyor 17 has a plurality of pockets 18. Each conveyor 16 has two pins 19, 20 for engaging in respective grooves 21, 22 which are identical to each other in shape, but which are offset. When the chain 13 is driven, the conveyors remain parallel to each other throughout their endless paths.

Abstract: A packaging machine (5) for moving a spaced series of groups of containers along a path of travel in a packaging machine line is disclosed. The packaging machine includes a variable pitch lugged conveyor belt assembly (12) having a pair of conveyor chains (61, 62) equally spaced from a longitudinal axis extending along the path of travel, and a pair of generally parallel side guides (17) mounted one each on a pair of accessory rails (14) movably supported on the framework (7) of the packaging machine, and extending along opposite sides of the path of travel. The conveyor chains are constructed to be moved laterally toward and away from each other, and the side guides are constructed to be simultaneously moved laterally toward and away from the conveyors with the accessory rails, respectively, as the conveyor chains are moved.

Abstract: A packaging machine places cartons on an carton conveyor in an inverted-T configuration with the panels of the carton being generally horizontal and the walls of the carton collapsed together in a generally vertical orientation. An overhead assembly has carrier assemblies for picking up the cartons, opening the cartons, and lowering the cartons onto article groups. Each carrier assembly has a pair of opening members with protruding fingers for insertion within cut-outs formed in the cartons. After a carrier assembly has engaged a carton in an inverted-T configuration, one of the opening members in the carrier assembly is moved away from the other opening member, thereby opening the carton. Each carrier assembly has cam followers which travel within three cam plates, one for controlling an orientation of the carrier assembly, one for supporting the carrier assembly, and one for opening and closing the opening members.

Abstract: A carton flap folding assembly (10) and a method of folding carton flaps is disclosed. The carton flap folding assembly includes a rotatable cam plate (25) which defines upper and lower cam tracks (29, 30). The cam plate is affixed to drive sprockets (35, 36) which drive associated chains through a lower chain guide (45) or an upper chain guide (50), respectively. Lever assemblies (62, 70) operatively engage the cam track, and effect shifting of an associated chain guide. A plurality of lugs (87, 88) project from the upper and lower chain, and are arranged to comprise composite lug assemblies (91). The composite lug assemblies are moved into prescored flap areas of a carton blank, and fold the flaps inwardly to a first extent. The lever assemblies are actuated to slide the chain guides in opposite directions, which moves the lugs mounted to the upper and lower chains in opposite directions. This movement folds the flaps to a second extent.

Abstract: A method for filling and closing a package which is initially open on its upper side and has sealable plastic material about the periphery (2) of that side. The package is first conveyed to a location (6), where it is filled. Thereafter, a covering foil sheet (12) is sealed to periphery (2) to cover the open side. The package is brought to a standstill at the filling location (6), and filled through an opening (11) in a strip of the covering foil (7). The strip of covering foil (7) is then moved in a direction (10) lateral to the direction of conveyance (5) of the package, until the open side of package (1) is covered by the foil strip (7). A foil cover piece is then punched from the foil strip (7), leaving a new opening (11), and is sealed to the periphery (2) of the open side of the package (1). The sealed package (1) is then moved from filling location (6) by the conveyor belt (4).

Abstract: A carton flap folding assembly (10) and a method of folding carton flaps is disclosed. The carton flap folding assembly includes a modular housing (12) positioned on the framework (22) of a packaging machine, and along the path of travel of articles of product moved along the packaging machine. The carton flap folding assembly includes a drive gear (26) which moves a drive pulley (28) and a star wheel assembly (29) in a timed relationship with respect to one another and with the groups of articles of product conveyed along a path of travel past the assembly. A spaced series of generally protruding lugs (33) are formed along the length of an endless lug belt (32), and a top star wheel disc (84) and a spaced bottom star wheel disc (85), each having a spaced series of generally protruding teeth (86) formed thereon are also provided as a part of the carton blank flap folding assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an irreversible tamper evident system for a button closure is provided. The irreversible tamper evident system is provided by a color change system carried by the flexible button portion of the closure. The color change system comprises an indicator coating over a dark colored substrate coating. The indicator coat is preferably colored with a light colored transparent colorant such as an orange colored fluorescent dye. The indicator coat is preferably a liquid material which can be cured by evaporation, heat, UV irradiation or the like, to form a solid layer. When the substrate layer and indicator layer are in intimate contact, a first color is observed. Depending upon the relative colors used for this substrate and indicator layers, this first color can be a combination of the colors of the two layer or can be primarily the color of the substrate layer.

Abstract: An article clip packaging machine for applying carton members to the article rims of preselected article groups. The machine has a conveyor with an infeed end for receiving preselected article groups. At least two carton member feeding structures are synchronized with the conveyor for placing carton base and carton top members, respectively, on the preselected article groups. A securing assembly attaches the carton base and top members to the rims of the article groups to provide article group carriers.

Abstract: After manufacturing, by known means, a tubular body (30), the successive drawing of two pieces is carried out in order to form two cups (50, 70). Two cups (50, 70) are simultaneously inserted into the body (30) with the drawing tool and their lateral parts (51, 71) are joined to the inner face of the body (30). The prescoring (32) and grooving (33) of the lid are then carried out. Next the end of the body (30) is folded over in order to form a seam (35), thus completing the lid. After filling the body, a bottom comprising two cups (50', 70') and a seam (35') are installed, as previously. The body (30) and the external cups (50, 50) are made of the same rigid material.This type of package is intended equally well for packaging chemicals, foodstuffs and other industrial products.

Abstract: A bottle conveying and packaging system has guide tracks for guiding groups of bottles positioned adjacent one another in a transverse direction, from a grouping station to a packaging station. The guide tracks correspond in number to the transversely lying bottles in the groups, and the tracks engage beneath collars of the bottles located beneath the bottle closures thereof. The tracks have horizontal, upwardly inclined and downwardly inclined sections, and push rods on an endless belt are provided for pushing the groupings along the tracks from an incoming conveyor to the packaging station at which the bottles rest on a conveyor at that station where packaging material is fed, whereafter the packaged groupings are conveyed to a foil wrapping station.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved combination comprising a resealable container with a matching lockable lid and methods of formation "in-line" and use thereof. The container includes a rounded container lip near the top extremity of the container. The matching lid includes a substantially rounded lid lip which is slightly larger than and of substantially the same shape as the lip for the container. The transverse cross-sectional shape of the lid lip is that of a substantially smooth curve, and the transverse cross-sectional shape of the container lip for receiving, engaging and compressing the smooth curve of the lid lip is substantially V-shaped in order to exert force upon the smooth curve of the lid lip after mating engagement for effectuating a seal therebetween. The novel features of the container and lid hereof are such that they may be formed separately on separate machines or may in other embodiments be formed and used "in-line".

Abstract: An automated machine for the high-speed packaging of multiple surgical needles each with an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover structure providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the needles and attached sutures. Additionally, the automated packaging machine incorporates operative mechanism adapted to wind the sutures into a peripheral channel of the tray and facilitating the attachment of the cover to the tray which contains the needles and attached wound sutures, and from which cover there is concurrently formed a separate product-identifying label as a component of the tray upon removal of the cover to gain access to the contents of the tray.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming stacked article groups utilizing clip-type article group carriers. The overall apparatus is aligned in a generally linear, continuous orientation. The apparatus longitudinally moves infeed cans from an infeed end to an output end. The apparatus generally comprises (a) an article grouping and clip-type carrier application assembly having at least one input and first and second output lines; (b) a first conveyor disposed to receive and transport first article groups having clip-type carriers attached thereto from and first output line, the first article groups being transported at a first vertical level; (c) a second conveyor disposed to receive and transport second article groups having clip-type carriers attached thereto from the second output line, the second article groups being transported at a second vertical level which is above the first vertical level; and (d) means to merge the second article groups over the top surface of the first article groups.

Abstract: The method applies to a receptacle-closing carousel that includes a rotary platform fitted with receptacle holding members and associated with a receptacle insertion member and with a receptacle extraction member. The method consists in cantilevering out a length of heat-sealable strip in the receptacle insertion direction over a sector of the platform that extends between the receptacle extraction member and the receptacle insertion member, relative to the direction of rotation of the platform.

Abstract: An article rotating assembly and process for rotating articles to a predetermined orientation on a moving conveyor. The assembly comprises movable article control structures and cooperating vertical motion and rotational motion assemblies which are synchronized with the conveyor. Each article control structure is constructed and arranged for vertical and rotational movement above the moving conveyor and is controlled by cam follower and guide track structures to engage and rotate articles on the moving conveyor to a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A z-tab innerseal for a container and method of application involves an innerseal having a first sealing portion for sealing a first portion of an opening defined by an upper rim of a container, a second sealing portion for sealing the remainder of the container opening and a flap portion between the first and second sealing portions which is adapted to be grasped and pulled upwardly by a user to remove the innerseal from the container opening. An advantage of the flap portion is that it allows the innerseal to be removed without having to penetrate or scrape the innerseal with a sharp object such as a knife. A method of forming the improved innerseal includes providing a blank of stock material having a folded portion, cutting the blank to form an innerseal, mounting the innerseal onto the rim of a container and sealing the innerseal to the container by passing the assembly through a heating station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packing pots or cups in two rows in a package formed of a jacket characterized by providing a blank having a base panel, a pair of lateral panels connected by fold lines to the base panel and a pair of upper panels connected to the lateral panels by fold lines, said base panel having first and second tabs, first and second lateral parts and a median part having first and second lateral zones and a central zone; relatively folding the blank in the base zone so that the first lateral part and the median part of the base panel are folded relative in a first direction through approximately a quarter of a turn relative to the second lateral part to release the second tabs from the plane of the median part; applying paste to the second tabs; relatively folding by about another quarter of a turn in the same direction in order to bring the second lateral zone of the median part over the first lateral part; relatively folding by about a quarter of a turn in a second direction opposite the fi

Abstract: A group of objects is packaged in a package formed of a blank having a base panel, base flaps joined at respective longitudinally extending fold lines to the base panel, a pair of side panels joined at respective transversely extending fold lines to and longitudinally flanking the base panel, and respective pairs of side flaps joined at respective longitudinally extending side fold lines to the side panels. Each pair of side flaps transversely flanks the respective side panel. The blank is advanced longitudinally parallel to the side fold lines to a loading station with the blank horizontal and similarly the group of objects is advanced horizontally and longitudinally to the station and deposited on the base panel there. The side flaps are folded up through about 90.degree. and thereafter the base flaps are folded up through between 45.degree. and 80.degree.. The side panels are then folded up through about 90.degree.

Abstract: The invention describes a liquids package comprising a tube with side walls at the ends of which there are fitted a flat bottom (3) and a top which incorporates a pourer orifice, the tube consisting of paper and the bottom (3) being so welded to the tube along part of an edge by means of a plastics rim (21) that the flat main area (14) of the bottom (3) is disposed at a distance from the outer cut edge of the tube. So that the package can also be constructed for aseptic purposes and in order to render production simple and economical, it is envisaged that the bottom (3) comprise, separate from the tube, a main area (14) of paper coated with synthetic plastics material, being provided with a metal interlining, like the tube.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging machine includes an elongated frame, packaging forming stations for forming a lower container and top or cover for a package, a vacuum seal and sizing station, a chill station and a cutoff or package separating station. The vacuum seal and sizing station includes an upper tool defining an upper chamber and a lower tool defining a container chamber. The lower tool is movable towards and away from the upper tool and defines a vacuum chamber therewith. A pressure and sealing bar disposed within the upper chamber is movable to seal the package top to the container. A platform is adjustably positionable in the container chamber to vary the volume or size of the vacuum chamber. A product sizing plunger carried by the upper tool engages and compresses the product placed within the container prior to application of a vacuum and sealing of the cover or top to the container.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method of storing and transporting a solution of peracetic acid or a solution with similar properties. In the system the solution of peracetic acid or the like is poured in one or more containers (1) in the plug (4) of which there is made a microscopic hole (5), which bottles (1) are then sealed in a closed vessel (6) of flexible and non-corrodible material, the cover of which becomes loose when too high a pressure is formed inside the vessel (6) and which cover (7) can be sealed again by pressing it closely when the pressure has been released from the vessel.

Abstract: A method for applying a shrink sleeve to the closure end of a conveyed container and apparatus for performing the method. Shrink sleeves supplied in the form of a hose are expanded over a mandrel which is disposed at an inclined position relative to the conveying direction of the containers such that the closure ends of the containers enter the lower open ends of the shrink sleeves as the containers are conveyed and before the respective shrink sleeves are cut off.

Abstract: A device and method of constructing articles of fresh cut parts of plants and artificial decorative embodiments. The packaging is characterized by enveloping such articles with an inflated balloon. The article being placed in an open container, a balloon is then inflated and receives the article and container and is then securely attached to the container, thereby enclosing the article. A device for constructing the packaged article employs a rigid conduit which is received in the balloon to facilitate reception of the article and container. The gas used to inflate the balloons can be air or nitrogen. If cut flowers are used, the container is provided with some water and plant food.

Abstract: A container sealing machine for placing an elastomeric lid with a transverse wall and a depending sidewall upon the open upper end of the container has a frame providing a cavity adapted to receive therein the upper portion of the container. A multiplicity of stretching fingers are movably mounted on the frame and extend inwardly of the cavity. The fingers have upstanding lips at their inner ends adapted to engage the inside surface of the sidewall of the lid and are movable relative to the cavity. Initially, this movement stretches the lid and thereafter it causes the sidewall of the lid to be moved off the lips, and the sidewall of the lid then contracts against the sidewall of the container to effect its sealing. Generally, the finger moving means includes a base plate on which the fingers are slidably seated, a base plate on which the fingers are slidably seated, and a rotatable cam ring above the fingers which cooperate to produce the movement of the fingers.

Abstract: A container is provided in the form of a cup-like container body with a round mouth closed by a lid which becomes removably replaceable upon tearing away of a circumferentially extending tear strip which initially surrounds the mouth rim of the container body as a radially outer, integral part of the lid flange. As the lid is differential pressure-thermoformed, its radially outer region is formed into a generally inverted U-shaped structure which near the juncture of the base and radially outer leg of the inverted U, is provided, within the channel, with an inverted V-shaped notch of substantially diminished wall thickness to provide a line of weakness which preferably extends nearly fully around the circumference of the lid, but for at an angularly short tear-starting site.

Abstract: In combination, a container and a linerless cap and a method of forming the cap. In the method the cap is molded from plastic and includes a top well, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending substantially annular wall having an upper end integral with and depending from the top wall and a lower free end. Thereafter the free end is engaged by a curling tool to progressively turn the free end away from the internal wall to curve the free end into a curvilinear compressible and resilient free end adapted to be engaged for sealing. The engageable free end of the seal can have a coil, O, U, J or quarter round cross sectional shape and can be a rim, plug or corner seal.

Abstract: The method and machine according to the invention allow the closing of containers, particularly pots and small trays for food products. The method consists successively in separably fixing a strip of closure material (1) on a support strip (2), the closure material strip comprising pre-cutouts (4) defining lids (5) for closing the containers (6), separating from the support strip (2) the portion (10) of the closure material strip (1) which is situated externally of the lids (5), fixing a lid (5) on each of the containers (6) and separating the support strip (2) from each of the lids (5) fixed on the containers (6). The machine according to the invention comprises a supply station (7) for delivering a complex formed by a closure material strip (1) fixed separably to a support strip (2), a separation station (9) for separating from the support strip (2) the portion (10) of the strip (1), and a recovery station (12 ) for receiving the support strip (2).

Abstract: A recipient having an axially upwardly open neck formed with at least one radially projecting neck thread is capped by fitting a circumferentially thermally shrinkable sleeve around a plug, fitting the plug into the open neck to block same, fitting the sleeve also around the neck over the neck thread, and heating the sleeve and thermally shrinking it circumferentially into tight engagement with the plug and with the neck and neck thread. The sleeve can be first fitted around the plug and then shrunk over the plug, after which the plug and sleeve are fitted together to the recipient, whereupon the sleeve is shrunk over the neck. Alternately the plug is fitted to the neck, then at the same time the sleeve is fitted around the plug and around the neck, and then the sleeve is heated to shrink it onto the plug and neck at the same time.

Abstract: A support tray 6a with a product 11a thereon is covered loosely by a cover sheet 8 in a first chamber portion 12 to be drawn upwardly into contact with the heated walls of a shallow first mould cavity. The combination of the product 11a, support tray 6a and cover sheet 8 is then advanced to a second chamber portion 13 defined by a deeper second mould cavity into which the cover sheet can be drawn while vacuum is applied to the interior of the ensuing pack through slits in the tray 6a, by means of suction ports 20.

Abstract: A tubular body provided with a first end wall is filled through the open end thereof and sealed by a second end wall. One of these walls has a hole therethrough closed by a closing means, this wall being initially of generally concave configuration with the closing means disposed entirely inwardly of a plane passing through the rim of the wall. The concave wall is subsequently changed to a generally convex configuration with the closing means disposed at least partially outwardly of the plane.

Abstract: A lid and cup assembly for storing and dispensing comestibles is disclosed which provides a tamper-evident package to indicate unauthorized tampering. The tamper-evident package for storing and dispensing comestibles and the like, includes a cup formed of a sidewall member having at its open end a rim with an unrolled peripheral edge. The package also includes a lid configured and dimensioned for engagement with the cup at its open end. The lid includes a panel member having along its periphery an annular rib configured and dimensioned so as to snap-fittingly and sealingly engage the cup. The annular rib is formed of an inner wall an outer wall and a transverse top wall. The outer wall has three spaced apart detent ribs of predetermined length for securing engagement with the cup peripheral edge at least when the lid is pried off. The outer wall also has adjacent at least one of the detent ribs a pair of tear lines on each side of the respective detent rib.

Abstract: A method of constructing a closure and applying it to a container to provide a hermetically sealed, tamper-indicating package which can be easily opened without danger of contaminating the container contents by fragmentation of the sealing element. The sealing element is formed as a laminated liner disk haivng an inner foil layer and an outer tough thermoplastic layer. A heat sealing layer allows the liner disk to be hermetically sealed to the container by induction heating after the closure is attached to the container. A frangible opening line is created by melting through the thermoplastic layer and heat sealing layer to the metal foil layer.

Abstract: The present invention is an end closure structure for a container having a flexible central member (6) with an outwardly dished center section and at least one opening structure (18) in the central member (6), a removable thin flexible closure member (12) disposed over the opening structure (18) which is in a first sealing relationship (32) with a portion of the opening structure (18) and a second sealing relationship (34) with the top surface of the central member (6), an upwardly extending flange member (8) circumferentially disposed from the peripheral edge of the central member (6), and a downwardly extending sealing skirt (10) circumferentially disposed from a top edge of the flange member (8).

Abstract: A method of forming a form stable, preferably product contour tight package in a roller operated packaging machine. A thermoformable web (14) is pre-heated to a suitable forming temperature and the web is thereafter supplied to a mould tray (20). The tray is provided with vacuum passages and/or other arrangements for forced forming to the contour of the tray. A sealing tool (22) surrounds, completely or partly, the periphery of the tray and is used for sealing of the second web to the first one. The heat of the sealing tool is superposed, primarily by heat radiation, onto the cooling, preferably such that a boarder region (26) head/cold is created in the marginal portion of the mould tray.

Abstract: This relates to press-on closure assemblies for containers. It is known to provide containers which are formed of plastic or glass with a neck finish including an end sealing surface and a recessed, generally cylindrical, but possibly tapered, surface disposed between two opposed axially spaced shoulders. A separately formed insert is pressed over the neck finish and positioned between the two shoulders in opposed relation to the recessed surface of the neck finish. The insert has lugs or threads for interlocking engagement with a closure which may be removed by rotation. The closure and the insert are preassembled and pressed onto the container neck finish with a gasket or sealing material carried by the closure engaging the end sealing surface. The past problem is the rotation of the insert relative to the container neck finish, thereby preventing removal of the closure.

Abstract: A container capping method and system for applying mechanical lock type tamper-evident closures to containers wherein the closures are heated prior to closure application to temporarily increase the flexibility thereof in a manner that tamper-indicating portions of the closures more readily withstand the closure application process without incurring visible damage or otherwise degrading the tamper-indicating function.

Abstract: In a toner cartridge system including a container having a dry toner storage area and dry toner dispensing opening with a flange portion, a removeable, heat sealed strip tape including a flange portion for coacting with the flange portion of the toner dispensing opening to cover the opening, the improvement wherein the flange portion of the strip tape which coacts with the flange surrounding the dispensing opening includes preconfigured openings of suitable shape to complement the toner filler nozzle. Disclosed configurations for the opening include a substantially circular one, a simple slit and two slits orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glue-free method for sealing closures to paperboard food containers, and also to the novel closures for such method. The present invention is particularly applicable to containers for moisture sensitive food items such as salt, and is characterized in the use of a thermoplastic vinyl chloride ethylene copolymer which functions both to provide a heat seal and effective resistance to moisture vapor transmission. The copolymer has sufficient slip to permit handling of the closures in automatic forming and heat sealing equipment.

Abstract: In a container for accommodating hot liquid fills, an end closure capable of inward deflection in response to a decrease in internal pressure created by thermal contraction as the liquid fill cools. The closure is formed of conventional metal stock and includes, as formed, a central portion domed to define either a concave configuration or a convex configuration as viewed from the exterior of the container. The domed portion, as a step or steps prior to filling, is predeflected, either once or twice depending upon its initial configuration, to arrive at an outwardly domed configuration preparatory to inward deflection in response to the cooling of the product and for the accommodation of an internally generated vacuum.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container with a lid comprising folding a blank of material to form an inner lid element having a flat bottom and a frame along at least two sides of said bottom, placing the inner lid element into an open end of a filled container with the bottom of the inner lid element facing into the container, placing a blank of material for an outer lid element against the frame of the lid element and joining the outer lid element to the inner lid element.

Abstract: A seal and closure for a container end includes a metal foil seal having a cylindrical part sealed to the inner surface of the container adjacent the end, a transverse diaphragm part recessed inwardly from the end, and a tear tab on the diaphragm. An annular groove is formed in the cylindrical part between the container end and the diaphragm, the groove defining a tear line so that the membrane and the inward portion of the cylindrical part separate from the remainder thereof when the tear tab is pulled. An insertable lid covers the seal.

Abstract: A novel ice cream product container with complementary closure member is disclosed. The container body member is usually of paperboard and formed from an integral blank comprising edge-reinforcing flaps articulated to wall members, which reinforcing flaps are then folded down upon and secured to their respective wall members to provide a reinforced portion of double thickness in the container formed from the blank. This folded-over, reinforced portion is also present in the flat-folded tube produced from the blank, the squared-up tube, the erected container, and finally in the closed and filled package. This folded-over, reinforced portion of double thickness contains defined areas of low resistance adapted to receive lugs formed in a wall of the complementary closure member. The closure member also provides a complementary channel between essentially upstanding and downstanding walls for receiving the reinforced portion of the container walls in frictional engagement therewith.

Abstract: A thin-walled can body having a terminal curled rim at an open end thereof, has this open end closed and sealed by a diaphragm which is first formed into a dished shape by a forming tool which then cuts the dished diaphragm from a web and places it on the open end of the body. The upturned edge portion of the diaphragm is subsequently pressed into adhesion between a heat-sealable layer of the diaphragm and the curled rim, the latter being hot, by a presser tool comprising a mount carrying a spring-loaded pad. The pad is resiliently deformable and applies controlled pressure directly on the diaphragm, thus effecting complete conformity of the latter to any irregularities of the curled rim.

Abstract: A device for applying a stretch film lid to a cup has a planar stretching member, including a relatively rigid peripheral portion, and a multiplicity of finger elements spaced thereabout and extending inwardly therefrom. The finger elements are readily displaceable from the plane of the stretching member, and define, upon displacement, a passageway configured to permit the cup to pass through. Securing means is engageable with the stretching member to secure a stretch film thereto. When a cup is urged against the stretching member, it displaces the finger elements, thereby defining the passageway, with the finger elements and securing means cooperating to extend the stretch film along a plurality of axes, to permit the application of the stretched film to the cup.

Abstract: Bags having side panels and front and back panels -- such as laminated paper bags in which produce such as biscuits and cookies are sold -- may have closures attached to them so that the bag is closed and sealed with product inside for wholesale and retail sales, and may be opened and re-closed by the end purchaser. Where the closures comprise a pre-formed plastic closure having at least one open jaw into which the top of the bag, when shut, is inserted, and which are applied to a portion of the front panel of the bag. Apparatus is provided for applying the closure to the bag, which apparatus comprises means for applying the closure to the folded top of the bag which is intended to be inserted in the closure when in use, means for applying adhesive to the closure, and means for maintaining the closure and surface of the bag in contact one with the other while the adhesive between them becomes effective.

Abstract: A process for forming peelable seals between a layer of spunbonded olefin material and an unsupported film of polyethylene or to a supported film of a laminated or coated backing, such as polyethylene coated mylar, to form a peel-seal packet, container or pouch. The spunbonded olefin material is first pretreated with a heated die in the areas that are to form the peel-seal with heat and pressure suitable to render uniform surface characteristics to the spunbonded olefin. The heat, pressure and dwell time of the pretreatment are sufficient to reduce the high spots and internal weaknesses of the spunbonded olefin material following which a web of synthetic polymeric material having a heat sealable surface may be peelably sealed by a conventional heat sealing method.

Abstract: A novel bag closure system is provided which has considerable advantages over conventional tin tie closure systems. A specially-designed closure strip having bag material-receiving recesses is affixed to the bag and the bag is closed using the closure strip. Equipment is described for effecting the closure automatically.