Patent ID: 6609353
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: A44B,B31B,B65B,B65D

Abstract:
A method of making reclosable bags on a form-fill-seal machine, said method comprising the steps of:feeding a length of thermoplastic film into said form-fill-seal machine, said thermoplastic film having opposite longitudinal edges; folding said thermoplastic film over a forming collar and around a filling tube of said form-fill-seal machine to bring said longitudinal edges of said thermoplastic film in adjacent relationship to form a tube; feeding a length of zipper from a continuous zipper supply into said film tube, said zipper including first and second interlocking profiles, said first and second interlocking profiles each having first and second interlocking members and an integral flange, wherein said first and second interlocking members of said first profile interlock with respective said first and second interlocking members of said second profile, and wherein said interlocking members of said first profile are interlocked with respective interlocking members of said second profile as part of said continuous zipper supply; sealing each of said profiles to said thermoplastic film; cross-sealing said film tube to form a first side of a bag; providing a continuous supply of sliders; applying a slider with a slider inserter mechanism from said continuous supply of sliders to the zipper downstream of said continuous supply of zipper, wherein applying said slider urges said first interlocking member of said first profile away from said first interlocking member of said second profile and urges said second interlocking member of said first profile toward said second interlocking member of said second profile thereby increasing the sealing between said second interlocking members of said first and second profiles; cross-sealing said film tube to form a second side of said bag capturing said slider between said first side and said second side; and cutting said bag from said film tube; whereby each bag is provided with a zipper and a slider for opening and closing the zipper.