Abstract:
A method of making a reclosable product package ( 64, 100, 142 ), a package-making apparatus ( 10 ) for the method and the reclosable product package ( 64, 100, 142 ) in which block cheese or another product ( 45 ) which does not slide well during packaging in placed on a continuous length of thermoplastic packaging film ( 12 ). Various folding directions ( 44, 62, 90, 106, 114 ) of the packaging film ( 12 ) and various placement of reclosable zippers ( 73, 108, 119 ) produce various reclosable product packages ( 64, 100, 142 ) with various peel seal ( 40, 41, 87, 88 ) arrangements.

Description:
[0001]     This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/057,415 filed on Jan. 25, 2002 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to reclosable product packages of the type in which perishable food products and other goods are packaged for sale to consumers in retail outlets. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reclosable product package, a apparatus for and a method of making the product package to effectively package block cheese and other products that do not slide well during packaging, in order for the products to be put into a cheese box or other container.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0003]     The present invention relates to improvements in the package-making art and may be practiced in the manufacture of reclosable thermoplastic bags and packages of the kind that may be used for various consumer products. Such packages often include a form of peel seal to render the pack moisture-tight and/or airtight prior to the initial opening. A zipper means protects any remainder of the product therein after the initial opening.  
         [0004]     The indicated art is fairly well developed but nevertheless remains open to improvements contributing to increased efficiency of manufacturing. In the prior art, Malin et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,907) discloses a horizontal form-fill-and-seal (HFFS) machine in which a continuous length of packaging is folded lengthwise over the products to be packaged and the edges are aligned. A zipper is fed between the aligned longitudinal edges of the packaging film. The longitudinal edges are sealed to one another, and a pair of parallel sealing devices seals the zipper to the folded packaging film. Side seals are produced by conventional means, which also separate the completed packages from the packages being formed.  
         [0005]     An improvement in the use of machines that dispense packaging film in a horizontal manner would be an enhanced ability to package block cheese and other products that do not slide well during packaging. This enhanced ability could reduce snagging or interference with dispensers which position the product to be packaged on the package-making machine. Existing packaging methods could also be improved to provide various reclosable fastener and peel seal arrangements. The various reclosable fastener and peel seal arrangements would increase the sealing properties of the package after a user opens it.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method for producing a reclosable product package, an apparatus used for making the reclosable product package and the resultant reclosable product package. In the package-making method, a continuous length of thermoplastic packaging film is dispensed in a bag-forming direction.  
         [0007]     In a first embodiment of the present invention, a first profile from a continuous supply of zippers is attached transverse to a longitudinal edge of a continuous length of packaging film, with the first profile including a first set of at least two interlocking members. The packaging film and the first profile are cut at a first cut between the two interlocking members of the first profile. The packaging film is advanced to accommodate at least one product and a second profile from the continuous supply of zippers is attached transverse to the longitudinal edges of the packaging film with the second profile including a second set of at least two interlocking members, the interlocking members of the first profile being mateable with the interlocking members of the second profile. The packaging film and the second profile are then cut at a second cut between the two interlocking members, with the result of a packaging sheet having at least one of the first interlocking members of the first profile and at least one of the second interlocking members of the second profile at opposite ends of the packaging sheet. The packaging sheet is folded at a fold transverse to the longitudinal edges and opposing inner surfaces are sealed at the longitudinal edges to form an envelope. The interior faces of the packaging sheet adjacent to the fold are sealed to form a transverse peel seal. The envelope is then placed in a box with the interlocking members protruding from the box. A product is placed into the envelope, which is in the box when the interlocking members are mated.  
         [0008]     In a second embodiment of the present invention, a continuous length of packaging film is advanced to accommodate at least one product. A zipper is supplied from a zipper dispenser with the zipper having a first profile with a first interlocking member and a second profile with a second interlocking member with the first and second interlocking members interengaged. The first profile is attached to the packaging film transverse to the longitudinal edges of the packaging film. The packaging film is cut adjacent to the first profile and the packaging sheet is folded at a fold transverse to the longitudinal edges. The opposing inner surfaces of the longitudinal edges are sealed to form an envelope. The interior faces of the packaging sheet adjacent to the fold are sealed to form a transverse peel seal. The envelope is placed in a box with the zipper and an opposing face of the envelope opposite to the zipper protruding from the box. The product is placed into the envelope and the second profile of the zipper is attached to the packaging sheet to form a reclosable product package in the box.  
         [0009]     In a third embodiment of the present invention, a zipper is supplied with the zipper having a first profile with a first interlocking member and a second profile with a second interlocking member with the first and second interlocking members interengaged with each other. The first profile of the zipper is attached to a mid-portion of a continuous length of packaging film with the zipper disposed transverse to the longitudinal edges of the packaging film, leaving side margins of film on opposite ends of the zipper. At least one product is placed along a central axis of the packaging film. The side margins are folded over the product and sealed in a fin seal to form a tube. Peel seals are formed within the tube adjacent to the longitudinal sides of the product and the second profile of the zipper is sealed to the inner surface of the tube. The tube is cut adjacent to a forward transverse edge of the zipper and cross-sealed.  
         [0010]     In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the side margins of the film are sealed under the product in a fin seal to form a tube, rather than above the product as described above.  
         [0011]     In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a product is placed along one longitudinal half of a continuous length of packaging film transverse to the longitudinal edges of the packaging film. A continuous supply of zippers is supplied with the zippers having a first profile with a first interlocking member and a second profile with a second interlocking member with the first and second interlocking members interengaged. The continuous supply of zippers is placed between the product and a first longitudinal edge of the packaging film. The packaging film is folded down the center thereof and over the product. The continuous supply of zippers is sealed to the folded length of packaging film. The inner surfaces of the folded length of packaging film are peel sealed adjacent to the product, transverse to the longitudinal edges. The longitudinal edges of the folded packaging film are sealed to one another. The folded packaging film is sealed crosswise at intervals adjacent to the product to create a reclosable product package.  
         [0012]     In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the continuous length of packaging film is advanced to accommodate at least one product. A continuous supply of zippers is supplied with the zippers having a first profile with a first interlocking member and a second profile with a second interlocking member with the first and second interlocking members interengaged. A zipper length is cut from the continuous supply of zippers and the first profile of the zipper length is sealed adjacent to a first longitudinal edge of the packaging film with the zipper length parallel to the edge. The packaging film is cut transverse to the longitudinal edges at a point adjacent to the zipper length such that the cut sheet is more than twice the zipper length. The cut packaging sheet is folded at a first fold adjacent to the attached zipper area and transverse to the longitudinal edges and the opposing inner surfaces of longitudinal edges are sealed from the transverse edges to the first fold, forming an envelope. The second profile of the zipper is sealed to the packaging sheet and the interior faces of the fold are sealed to form a first peel seal. The envelope is placed in a box with the transverse edges protruding from the box. The product is placed within the envelope and the transverse edges are sealed with a second peel seal. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention during a zipper placement and a zipper cutting operation;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention during a packaging film and a product placement;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of a first type of profiles with interlocking members which may be used with the present invention with the interlocking members shown as male ribs with double barbed end sections;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a detailed view of a second type of profiles with interlocking members which may be used with the present invention with the interlocking members shown as U-shaped ribs with single barbed end sections;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of a third type of profiles with interlocking members which may be used with the present invention with the interlocking members shown as male ribs with double barbed end sections matching to U-shaped ribs with single barbed end sections;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention during a zipper placement operation;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention during a packaging film and a product placement;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention during a zipper and product placement;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9A  is a side view of a reclosable product package produced from the third embodiment of the present invention with the view taken from reference line  9 A- 9 A of  FIG. 9B ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 9B  is an end view of the reclosable product package produced from the third embodiment of the present invention with the view taken from reference line  9 B- 9 B of  FIG. 9A ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is an end view of the reclosable product package produced from the third embodiment of the present invention with an end seal removed to illustrate the zipper and peel seal sections of the reclosable product package;  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention during a zipper and product placement;  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention during a zipper and product placement;  
         [0027]      FIG. 13A  is an end view of the reclosable product package produced from the fifth embodiment of the present invention with the view taken from reference line  13 A- 13 A of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 13B  is an end view of the reclosable product package produced from the fifth embodiment of the present invention with the view taken from reference line  13 B- 13 B of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention during a zipper placement and a folding operation;  
         [0030]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention during a packaging film and a product placement; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 16  is an end view of the reclosable product package produced from the sixth embodiment with an end seal removed to illustrate the zipper and peel seal sections of the reclosable product package.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]     Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, a perspective view of a package-making apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . In the figure, a continuous length of thermoplastic packaging film  12  is dispensed flat from a supply dispenser  14  in direction  16 .  
         [0033]     A zipper dispenser  17  feeds a first profile  20  to the packaging film  12 . The first profile  20 , which includes at least two interlocking members  21 , is sealed by a sealing bar  23  to a midsection of the packaging film  12 . The first profile  20  extends transverse to longitudinal edges  24  and  25  of the film.  FIGS. 3, 4  and  5  provide a detailed view of the profile  20  and a profile  35 , each profile including interlocking members which may be used with the package-making apparatus  10  of the present invention; however, alternative profiles with interlocking members known to those skilled in the art may be substituted.  
         [0034]     After the first profile  20  is attached to the packaging film  12 , a cutter  28  cuts the packaging film and the first profile  20 . The cutter  28  cuts along an axis  32  transverse to the longitudinal edges  24  and  25 , with the first cut  33  positioned between two of the interlocking members  21  of the profile  20 . Cutting, slicing, or any other separating method known to those skilled in the art may accomplish the cut along the axis  32 . The packaging film  12  is advanced in direction  16  for a spacing to accommodate at least one product.  
         [0035]     A second profile  35  is dispensed from the zipper dispenser  17 . The second profile  35  with interlocking members  21  is sealed by the sealing bar  23  to the midsection of the packaging film  12 . The second profile  35  extends transverse to longitudinal edges  24  and  25  of the film. After the second profile  35  is attached to the packaging film  12 , the cutter  28  cuts the packaging film and the second profile  35 . The cutter  28  cuts along the axis  32  with the second cut  38  positioned between two of the interlocking members  21 . After the second cut is made, a packaging sheet  39  is produced with the first profile  20  disposed at the first cut  33  and the second profile  35  disposed at the second cut  38 .  
         [0036]     An upper peel film area  40  and a lower peel film area  41  are shown on the second profile  35 ; however, the upper and the lower peel film areas may be alternatively positioned on the first profile  20 . The upper and the lower peel film areas  40  and  41  can be used together or separately and are discussed further below. The peel film areas  40  and  41  as well as other peal film or peel seal areas noted in the application may comprise peel seal material printed on or the peel seal may be formed by any other conventional method known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0037]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the packaging sheet  39  is ultimately placed in a box  42 . A fold blade  43 , moving in direction  44 , folds and separates the packaging sheet with enough space to allow placement of a block of cheese or another product  45 . Seal bars  46  and  47  seal the longitudinal edges  24  and  25  while the packaging sheet  39  is separated. After the sealing of the longitudinal edges, a resultant envelope is formed. Once the envelope  48  is formed, the fold blade  43  is retracted in direction  49 . Another seal bar  50  seals the packaging sheet  39  to form a transverse peel seal  51  adjacent to the fold  52 .  
         [0038]     A product dispenser  53  places the envelope  48  and the product  45  in the box  42 . Once the envelope  48  and the product  45  have been placed in the box  42 , a sealing device  54  moving in directions  55  and  56  interlocks the profiles  20  and  35 . The sealing device  54  also seals one or both of the peel film areas  40  and  41 . A box closer  58  folds the envelope  48  and lowers a box lid  60  in direction  62 , thereby enclosing a reclosable product package  64  in the box  42 . During use of the resultant product package  64  and after the product  45  is removed, the peel seal  51  may be opened. The opened peel seal increases the volume of the product package  64  allowing easy reinsertion of the product  45  into the package.  
         [0039]      FIG. 3  depicts a first type of the profiles  20  and  35  with interlocking members  21 , which may be used with the present invention. In the figure, a plurality of interlocking members  21  on the first profile  20  is matched to another plurality of interlocking members  21 . Similarly, a plurality of interlocking members  21  on the second profile  35  is matched to another plurality of interlocking members  21 . The interlocking members are shown in the figure as male ribs, each with a double barbed end section  68 . During packaging, the double barbed end sections  68  secure the first profile  20  when interlocked with the second profile  35 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 4  depicts a second type of the profiles  20  and  35  with interlocking members, which may be used with the present invention. In the figure, a plurality of interlocking members  21  on the first profile  20  is matched to another plurality of interlocking members  21 . Similarly, a plurality of interlocking members  21  on the second profile  35  is matched to another plurality of interlocking members  21 . The interlocking members are shown in the figure as U-shaped ribs, each with an inward-facing single barbed end section  72  at the ends of the “U”. During packaging, the barbed end sections of the first profile  20  secure the first profile when interlocked with the barbed end sections of the second profile  35 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 5  depicts a third type of the profiles  20 ,  35  with interlocking members, which may be used with the present invention. In the figure, a plurality of interlocking members  21  on the first profile  20  is matched to another plurality of interlocking members  21 . Similarly, a plurality of interlocking members  21  on the second profile  35  is matched to another plurality of interlocking members  21 . The interlocking members are shown in the figure as male ribs with double barbed end sections  68  and as U-shaped ribs with inward-facing single barbed end-sections  72 . During packaging, the barbed end sections of the first profile  20  secure the first profile when interlocked with the barbed end sections of the second profile  35 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 6  depicts the package-making apparatus  10  of a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a continuous length of thermoplastic packaging film  12  is dispensed flat from a supply dispenser  14  in direction  16 . The packaging film  12  is advanced in direction  16  for a spacing to accommodate at least one product.  
         [0043]     The zipper dispenser  17  feeds a zipper  73  to the packaging film  12 . The zipper  73 , with profiles  74  and  76  engaged by their interlocking members, is sealed by the sealing bar  23  to the midsection of the film. The zipper  73  extends transverse to the longitudinal edges  24  and  25  of the film with only the profile  76 , resting on the packaging film  12 , being attached to the film. The other profile  74  is secured by the engagement of the interlocking members of the profiles. The zipper  73  may include interlocking members such as an arrow  78  and a tulip  80 . The zipper may also include a slider, interlocking members such as those detailed in  FIGS. 3, 4  and  5 , or other interlocking members known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0044]     After the zipper  73  is attached to the packaging film  12 , the cutter  28  cuts the packaging film. The cutter cuts along the axis  32  with the cut  33  positioned adjacent to the zipper  73  on a side of the zipper opposite to the direction  16 . After the first cut  33  is made, a packaging sheet  39  is produced. The upper peel film area  40  and the lower peel film area  41  are shown on the profile  74 ; however, the upper and lower peel film areas may alternatively be positioned on the profile  76 .  
         [0045]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the packaging sheet  39  is ultimately placed in a box  42 . The fold blade  43 , moving in direction  44 , folds and separates the packaging sheet with enough space to allow placement of a block of cheese or another product  45 . Seal bars  46  and  47  seal the longitudinal edges  24  and  25  while the packaging sheet  39  is separated. After the sealing of the longitudinal edges, a resultant envelope  48  is formed. Another seal bar  50  seals the packaging sheet  39  to form a transverse peel seal  51  adjacent to the fold  52 . After the envelope  48  is formed, the fold blade  43  is retracted in direction  49 .  
         [0046]     The product dispenser  53  places the envelope  48  and the product  45  in the box  42 . Once the envelope  48  and the product  45  have been placed in the box  42 , the packaging sheet is sealed to profile  74  by the sealing device  54  moving in the directions  55  and  56 . The sealing device  54  also seals one or both of the peel film areas  40  and  41 . A box closer  58  folds the envelope  48  and lowers a box lid  60  in direction  62 , thereby enclosing a reclosable product package  64  in the box  42 . During use of the resultant product package  64  and after the product  45  is removed, the peel seal  51  may be opened. The opened peel seal increases the volume of the product package  64  allowing easy reinsertion of the product  45  into the package.  
         [0047]      FIG. 8  depicts the package-making apparatus  10  of a third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a continuous length of thermoplastic packaging film  12  is dispensed flat from the supply dispenser  14  in the direction  16 .  
         [0048]     The zipper dispenser  17  feeds a zipper  73  to the packaging film  12 . The zipper  73 , with profiles  74  and  76  engaged by their interlocking members, is sealed by the sealing bar  23  to a midsection of the packaging film  12 . The zipper  73  extends transverse to the longitudinal edges  24  and  25  of the film with only the profile  76 , resting on the packaging film  12 , being attached to the film. The other profile  74  is secured by the engagement of the interlocking members. Side margins  82  and  84  of the packaging film  12 , extending to the longitudinal edges  24  and  25 , are provided on opposite sides of the zipper  73 . In this regard, the combined length of the side margins  82  and  84  is greater than that of the zipper  73  to allow proper sealing, as discussed in a further step of the method.  
         [0049]     The product  45  is placed onto the packaging film  12  by the product dispenser  49 . In the figure, the product  45  is placed along a central axis  85  of the packaging film  12 . When the product  45  is placed in this position, the resultant reclosable product package  100  is depicted in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . Alternatively, if the product  45  is first placed with an edge  86  on the central axis  85 , the resultant reclosable product package  100  is depicted in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0050]     As shown in  FIG. 8 , peel film areas  87  and  88  are disposed adjacent to the product  45 . The peel film areas  87  and  88  provide a fold-back opening area for the product package, as will be discussed later. After the zipper is attached to the film and the product  45  is placed, a fold-guide  89  serves to continuously fold the packaging film  12  over the product in direction  90 . A sealing device  91  seals the peel film areas  87  and  88  and seals the side margins  82  and  84  to form a tube. A fin  92  sealing the tube shape of the packaging film  12  is shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B  and  10 .  
         [0051]     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a cross-jaw section  94  seals and cuts a leading edge  96 . After movement in direction  16 , the cross-jaw section  94  seals the side margins  82  and  84  to the profile  74 . The upper peel film area  40  shown on the profile  74  may be sealed to provide a peel seal or the leading edge  96  may be sealed to provide a cut-open section. After continued movement in direction  16 , the cross-jaw section  94  cuts a trailing edge  98  with the result of a reclosable product package  100 .  
         [0052]     The reclosable product package  100  manufactured in the third embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B  and  10 . For manufacturing the product package  100  of  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the product  45  is placed along a central axis  85  of the packaging film  12  before the packaging film under-wraps the product. When the leading edge  96  or a peel seal at the leading edge is separated, the zipper  73  can be accessed. To access the product  45 , the zipper  73  is opened and the peel film areas  87  and  88  are peeled back and outward in direction  102  to coincide with the quantity of the product desired by the user. The peel film areas  87  and  88  peel back to increase the inner diameter of the product package  100  without tearing the package. Without tearing the product package  100  during opening, the package can be resealed by the zipper  73 .  
         [0053]     Alternatively, for manufacturing the product package  100  of  FIG. 10 , the product  45  is first placed with an edge  86  on the central axis  85  before the packaging film under-wraps the product. See  FIG. 8  for the product placement. Similar to opening the product package depicted in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the zipper  73  of  FIG. 10  is opened and the peel film areas  87  and  88  are peeled back and outward in direction  102 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 11  depicts the package-making apparatus  10  of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a continuous length of thermoplastic packaging film  12  is dispensed flat from the supply dispenser  14  in direction  16 .  
         [0055]     The zipper dispenser  17  feeds a zipper  73  to an underside  103  of the packaging film  12 . The zipper  73 , with the profiles  74  and  76  engaged by their interlocking members, is sealed by the sealing bar  23  to a midsection of the packaging film  12 . The zipper  73  extends transverse to the longitudinal edges  24  and  25  of the film with only the profile  76 , resting on the packaging film  12 , being attached to the film. The other profile  74  is secured by the engagement of the interlocking members. Side margins  82  and  84  of the packaging film  12 , each extending to the longitudinal edges  24  and  25 , are provided on opposite sides of the zipper  73 . In this regard, the combined length of the side margins  82  and  84  is greater than that of the zipper  73  to allow proper sealing as discussed in a further step of the method.  
         [0056]     The packaging film  12  advances in direction  16  to cover the product  45 . In the figure, a product dispenser  104  places the product  45  to align with the central axis  85  of the packaging film  12 . When the product  45  is placed in this position, the resultant product package is depicted in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . Alternatively, if the product  45  is placed with a longitudinal edge  86  aligned with the central axis  85 , the resultant product package  100  is depicted in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0057]     As shown in  FIG. 11 , peel seal areas  87  and  88  are disposed adjacent to the product  45 . Similar to the under-wrap method of the third embodiment, the peel film areas  87  and  88  provide a fold-back opening area for the product package.  
         [0058]     After the zipper  73  is attached to the film and the product  45  is placed, a fold-guide  89  serves to continuously fold the packaging film  12  under the product in direction  106 . The sealing device  91  seals the side margins  82 ,  84  to each other while sealing the peel film areas  87  and  88  to form a tube. The sealing device  91  also seals the longitudinal edges  24  and  25  to form the fin  92 , shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B  and  10 .  
         [0059]     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the cross-jaw section  94  seals and cuts the leading edge  96 . The leading edge  96  may be sealed to provide a cut-open section. After movement in direction  16 , the cross-jaw section  94  seals the side margins  82  and  84  to the exposed profile  74  of the zipper  73 . The upper peel film area  40  (shown as a heavily bordered area on the profile  74  for illustrative purposes) may be sealed to provide a peel seal. After continued movement in direction  16 , the cross-jaw section  94  cuts and seals a trailing edge  98 . A product package  100  manufactured in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B  and  10 .  
         [0060]      FIG. 12  depicts the package-making apparatus  10  of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a continuous length of thermoplastic packaging film  12  is dispensed flat from the supply dispenser  14  in direction  16 .  
         [0061]     A product  45  is placed onto the packaging film  12  by the product dispenser  49 . The product  45  is placed along a longitudinal half of the packaging film  12  transverse to the longitudinal edges  24  and  25 . A zipper  108  with interlocked profiles is fed from a continuous supply  110  to a lengthwise area between the product  45  and the longitudinal edge  25  of the film. The peel film areas  87  and  88  are located adjacent to the product  45  and transverse to the longitudinal edges  24  and  25 . Similar to the under-wrap method of the third embodiment and the over-wrap method of the fourth embodiment, the peel film areas  87  and  88  provide a fold-back opening area for the product package.  
         [0062]     After the zipper  108  is fed to the packaging film  12 , a fold-guide  112  serves to continuously fold the packaging film over the product  45  in direction  114 , so that ultimately the two longitudinal edges  24  and  25  are brought into alignment with each other. After the folding operation is complete, the zipper  108  and the product  45  are covered by a folding portion  116  of the packaging film  12 .  
         [0063]     Downstream of the fold-guide  112 , and when the longitudinal edges  24  and  25  are brought into alignment, a sealing operation is performed by the sealing device  91 . The sealing device  91  seals the longitudinal edges  24 ,  25  to each other and the zipper  108  to the packaging film  12 . Downstream of the sealing device  91  is the cross-jaw section  94 , which cuts and seals the leading edge  96  to form the side seal  97 , shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B . The cross-jaw section  94  further cross-seals the peel film areas  87  and  88  to the packaging film  12  as well as sealing the trailing edge  98  to form a side seal  99 . A reclosable product package  100  is shown in  FIG. 13A . To form the reclosable package  100  of  FIG. 13B , the sealing device  91  seals the longitudinal edges  24 ,  25  above a lower portion  117  of the product  45 .  
         [0064]     When accessing the product  45 , the user opens the zipper  108  of the reclosable package  100  and peels the peel film areas  87  and  88  back and outward in direction  102  to coincide with the quantity of the product desired by the user. The peel film areas  87  and  88  are peeled back to increase the inner diameter of the product package  100  without tearing the package. Without tearing the product package  100  during opening, the package can be resealed by the zipper  108 .  
         [0065]      FIG. 14  depicts the package-making apparatus  10  of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a continuous length of packaging film  12  is dispensed flat from the supply dispenser  14  in direction  16 . With the packaging film advanced to accommodate a consumer product  45 , a zipper  108  with interlocked profiles  74  and  76  is fed from a continuous supply  110  to an area adjacent to the longitudinal edge  24  of the film. A cutter  118  cuts a zipper length  119 . The zipper length  119 , with profiles  74  and  76  joined by their interlocking members, is sealed by the sealing bar  91  to the packaging film  12  with only the profile  76 , resting on the packaging film  12 , being attached to the film. The other profile  74  is secured by the engagement of the interlocking members of the profile.  
         [0066]     Downstream of the sealing device  91 , the cross-jaw section  94  cuts the packaging film  12  along the axis  32  transverse to the longitudinal edges  24  and  25  to produce a packaging sheet  39 . The fold blade  43 , moving in direction  44 , folds and separates the packaging sheet with enough space to allow placement of a block of cheese or another product  45 . The seal bars  46  and  47  seal the longitudinal edges  24  and  25  while the packaging sheet  39  is separated. The seal bar  46  also seals the exposed profile  74  of the zipper length  119  to the packaging film  12  as well as a peel area  40  or  41  that may be provided with the zipper. Another sealing bar  126  folds and seals the packaging sheet  39  in directions  128  and  130  thereby creating a peel seal  133 . A resultant envelope  134  is shown in  FIG. 16 : After sealing of the longitudinal edges, the fold blade  43  is retracted in direction  49 .  
         [0067]     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the product dispenser  53  places the envelope  134  and the product  45  in the box  42 . The product  45  is shown as a block; however, the product may in liquid form to fill a sealed area of the envelope  134 . Once the envelope  134  and the product  45  have been placed in the box  42 , the sealing device  54  moving in directions  55  and  56  seals transverse edges  135  and  136  to form a peel seal  140 , shown in  FIG. 16 . The box closer  58  folds the envelope  34  and lowers a box lid  60  in direction  62 , thereby enclosing a reclosable product package  142  in the box  42 .  
         [0068]     A reclosable product package  142  manufactured in the sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 16 . When the zipper  119  is opened, the peel seals  133  and  140  are peeled back and outward in direction  102  to coincide with the quantity of the product desired by the user. The peel seals  133  and  140  peel back to increase the inner diameter of the product package  142 . Without tearing the product package  142  during opening, the package can be resealed by the zipper  119 .  
         [0069]     Thus, the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby and its scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.