Patent ID: 6044621
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: B31B,B65D,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing reclosable packages on a horizontal form-fill-and-seal machine, said method comprising the steps of:providing a sheet of thermoplastic sheet material having at regular intervals therealong a length of zipper strip attached transversely across the center thereof and having strips without zipper strip along two lateral edges thereof, said zipper strip having interlocked male and female interlocking profiles, one of said male and female interlocking profiles having a web wider than that of the other on at least one of two lateral sides thereof, the greater width of the wider web being at least one flange running therealong, said one of said male and female interlocking profiles having said wider web being attached to said sheet, and the other of said male and female interlocking profiles not being in contact with said sheet said at least one flange being oriented in a direction of motion of said sheet on said horizontal form-fill-and-seal machine, said at least one flange being sealed to said sheet to attach said interlocked male and female interlocking profiles thereto;providing a product conveyor to deposit a product to be packaged onto said sheet of thermoplastic sheet material;folding said two lateral edges of said sheet of thermoplastic sheet material toward one another and around said product;sealing said two lateral edges of said sheet to one another to form a tube therefrom enclosing said product;sealing said tube transversely to each said length of zipper strip without sealing said webs of said male and female interlocking profiles to each other; andcutting said sealed tube to separate each completed package from the next.