Patent ID: 8439812
Filing Date: 2013-05-14
Classification: B31B

Abstract:
1. A machine for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch, said discrete pouch having a first major surface, an oppositely aligned second major surface, a pair of sides joining said first and second major surfaces together, a closed bottom and an open top, said machine comprising: a) an unwind station to unwind material from a supply roll and advance said material in a machine direction, said material having a first surface and an oppositely aligned second surface, first and second sides, and a width dimension extending between said first and second sides; b) a punch station to punch a predetermined pattern through said material, said predetermined pattern comprises a pair of spaced apart, approximately C-shaped configurations, each of said pair of approximately C-shaped configurations being aligned along a common centerline which is aligned perpendicular to said machine direction, each of said pair of approximately C-shaped configurations having a base member with two legs extending outward from said base member, and said two legs being aligned approximately parallel to said machine direction and situated downstream from said base member; c) a folding station located downstream from said punch station to longitudinally fold said material upon itself such that said first surface is exposed; d) a bonding station located downstream from said folding station to bond said first and second surfaces together along a single longitudinal line to form a continuous tubular structure; e) a sealing station located downstream from said bonding station to form a transverse seal across said continuous tubular structure which is spaced adjacent to said predetermined pattern; f) a slitting station located downstream from said sealing station to transversely slit said continuous tubular structure adjacent to said transverse seal to form discrete pouches; g) a first station to receive and advance said discrete pouches in a machine direction, said closed bottom leading each of said pouches through said machine, said first station lifting and folding a portion of said first major surface upon itself to form a lip having a first surface which is exposed, said lip being aligned approximately perpendicular to said machine direction, said second major surface having an inner surface and a transverse edge located adjacent to said open end, and said transverse edge is distally spaced apart from said lip such that a portion of said inner surface is exposed; h) a second station located downstream from said first station to position and attach a closure system transversely across said exposed inner surface, said closure system including a track having a first leg and a second leg, each leg having an outer surface, said outer surface of said first leg being secured to said exposed inner surface adjacent to said transverse edge, said first and second legs being joined together by an opening/closing mechanism which includes a member capable of being manually moved back and forth such that said opening/closing mechanism can be sequentially opened and closed; and i) a third station located downstream from said second station to unfold said lip and secure opposite ends of said lip to said outer surface of said second leg.