Patent Publication Number: US-2003236159-A1

Title: Reclosable bag and method of manufacture

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention is directed generally to the field of reclosable bags, and more particularly to closure mechanisms for such bags and a method of manufacturing a reclosable bag that facilitates reliable and efficient removable retention of articles within such bags.  
       [0003] 2. Technical Background  
       [0004] Numerous containers exist for supporting articles and facilitating the transport of such articles from one location to another. For trips of limited duration, involving articles that do not require airtight sealing, are not hazardous, and are not particularly fragile, economically manufactured paper and plastic bags have become the container of choice for much of the consuming public. In certain settings such as grocery or convenience stores, plastic bags are now utilized more frequently than paper bags. In other settings, such as department stores and schools, paper bags seem to be the container of choice for transporting goods and consumables, respectively.  
       [0005] Generally speaking, such bags, either paper or plastic, are inexpensive to manufacture, are relatively easy to store in bulk without requiring a significant amount of storage space, and although they may be used on more than one occasion, are typically viewed by the consuming public as being disposable. As a result of these attributes, these bags generally have a limited number of utilitarian features. While such bags may have a carrying handle and/or an expandable bottom, such bags typically do not incorporate pockets or reliable closure mechanisms due, at least in part, to the increased costs associated with incorporating such features in the various manufacturing processes used to manufacture such bags. Tongue and groove fasteners, such as those known by the trade name, “Zip Lock®”, for example, are difficult to incorporate in bags used for carrying articles, increase the costs associated with manufacturing such carrying bags, and are typically difficult to manipulate and unreliable for repeated opening and closing operations.  
       [0006] In some instances, shopping bags and lunch bags, among others, have been fitted with inexpensive clips and other external closure devices. Often times, such closure devices are impractical to use, are difficult to properly engage, and/or require folding of the bag which can interfere with the bags carrying handle or otherwise make carrying the bag a difficult task.  
       [0007] What is needed therefore but seemingly unavailable in the art is a flexible bag that may be readily used for both the temporary storage and/or the transport of a wide variety of items. Such a reclosable bag should be appropriate for containing an individuals lunch, personal items, purchased items, or other items, and should be convenient to use, reusable when desired, but inexpensive enough to manufacture so that the bag may be disposed of after a single use. Moreover, the bag of the present invention should have a fastening mechanism that is robust enough to provide for multiple openings and reclosings of the bag without altering the functionality of the fastening device or damaging the bag and that is easy to open and reclose. It is to the provision of such a reclosable bag and method of manufacturing a reclosable bag that the present invention is primarily directed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] One aspect of the present invention is directed to a reclosable bag including a body having sealed sides, a sealed bottom and a top opening. The body includes a front panel having an inner surface, a back panel having an inner surface, and a fastener. The fastener includes a first member affixed to an inner surface of the front panel and a second member affixed to the inner surface of the back panel such that the second member is substantially aligned with and opposed to the first member. The body is constructed and arranged to urge the first member into reclosable engagement with the second member such that the top opening is self-closing.  
       [0009] In another aspect the present invention relates to a process of manufacturing a reclosable bag. The process includes the steps of affixing a first fastener to an inner surface of a front panel and affixing a second fastener to an inner surface of a back panel. The back panel is secured to the front panel such that the first and second fastening members are substantially aligned with, opposed to, and urged into releasable engagement with one another to form a body having sealed sides, a sealed bottom and a self-closing top opening.  
       [0010] In yet another aspect the present invention is directed to a reclosable bag. The reclosable bag includes a body having sealed sides, a sealed bottom, a top opening, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The bag further includes a hook and loop fastener thermally adhered to the inner surface of the body between the top opening and the sealed bottom. The hook and loop fastener is constructed and arranged to permit selective opening and closing of the top opening.  
       [0011] A still further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a reclosable bag. The method includes the steps of thermally adhering a hook and loop fastener including a hook member and a loop member to the inner surface of a plastic web material as the web material is paid out of a web material roll, and folding the web material over and onto itself so that the hook member is substantially aligned with and facing the loop member. The sides of the plastic web material are sealed to form a body including a front panel, a rear panel, sealed sides, a sealed bottom and a top opening adapted to be selectively opened and closed by urging the hook member and loop member into and out of engagement with one another.  
       [0012] The reclosable bag and method of manufacturing a reclosable bag in accordance with the present invention provides a number of advantages over other reclosable bags and methods of manufacturing reclosable bags currently known in the art. For example, the reclosable fastening member is disposed along the inner surface of the reclosable bag of the present invention. As a result, the reclosable bag of the present invention is less likely to be inadvertently opened when the exterior surface of the bag comes into contact with any of a variety of foreign surfaces during transport. As a result, the contents contained within the bag are less likely to spill out or otherwise be inadvertently lost. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastening member may be positioned between an integral handle formed in the front and back panels of the bag, and the bottom of the bag. As a result, the bag is less likely to be inadvertently opened when the bag is being carried by the handle.  
       [0013] Further advantages result from the manufacture of the reclosable bag in accordance with the present invention. For instance, the reclosable bag of the present invention may be manufactured from a continuous sheet of web material with a single cut. In addition, a reclosable fastening member may now be applied to the inner surface of a reclosable bag in a cost-effective manner.  
       [0014] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein.  
       [0015] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding of the invention, illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0016] The invention will now be described in a non-limiting manner, with reference to the accompanying figures.  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a reclosable bag shown in an expanded configuration in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.  
     [0018]FIGS. 2A is a perspective view of the reclosable bag depicted in FIG. 1 shown in a collapsed configuration in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.  
     [0019]FIGS. 2B is a perspective view of the reclosable bag depicted in FIG. 2A shown in an expanded configuration with the top opening fastened in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.  
     [0020]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred process of manufacturing a reclosable bag in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.  
     [0021]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a preferred process of manufacturing a reclosable bag in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0022]FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a preferred method of applying a reclosable adhesive to the web material depicted in FIG. 4 in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.  
     [0023]FIG. 6 schematically depicts a preferred method of forming a reclosable pocket on the web material depicted in FIG. 4 in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.  
     [0024]FIG. 7 schematically depicts a preferred method of affixing a fastener to the web material depicted in FIG. 4 in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.  
     [0025]FIG. 8A schematically depicts a preferred method of manipulating the web material depicted in FIG. 4 to form the elements of the body of the reclosable bag in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.  
     [0026]FIG. 8B schematically depicts a preferred method of forming an expandable bottom gusset in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.  
     [0027]FIG. 8C is an exploded partial perspective view depicting the cooperation of the gusseting bar and gusset wheel depicted in FIG. 8B.  
     [0028]FIG. 9 schematically depicts a preferred method of forming a handle in the web material depicted in FIG. 4 in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.  
     [0029]FIG. 10 schematically depicts a preferred method of sealing the side edges and bottom of the web material depicted in FIG. 4 to form a reclosable bag in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0030] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawing figures to refer to the same or like parts. An exemplary embodiment of the reclosable bag of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and  2 B and is designated generally throughout by reference numeral  10 .  
     [0031] Generally speaking, a preferred reclosable bag  10  includes a body  12  formed from the mating of a front panel  14  to a back panel  16 . Reclosable bag  10  preferably includes a sealed bottom  18 , sealed sides  20  and  22 , and a top opening  24 . Together, front panel  14 , back panel  16  and bottom  18  define a cavity  26  capable of receiving a variety of items to be stored and/or transported within reclosable bag  10 .  
     [0032] A fastener  28  (FIG. 2A) including a first member  30  preferably affixed to an inner surface of front panel  14  and a second member  32  preferably affixed to an inner surface of back panel  16  permits a user to repeatedly open and close top opening  24  of reclosable bag  10 . In a preferred embodiment and as will be described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, reclosable bag  10  may preferably be constructed and arranged to urge first member  30  and second member  32  of fastener  28  into releasable engagement with one another such that top opening  24 , and thus reclosable bag  10 , is self-closing.  
     [0033] In a preferred embodiment, and in order to increase the capacity of cavity  26 , bottom  18  is preferably expandable and may preferably be gusseted. In addition, and in order to facilitate the transport of reclosable bag  10 , reclosable bag  10  preferably includes a handle  33  (FIGS. 2A and 2B). In order to expedite manufacturing and to minimize the cost associated with manufacturing reclosable bag  10 , handle  33  is preferably an integral handle formed by punching or otherwise removing a portion of body  12  to preferably form a first orifice  34  near the top of front panel  14  and a second orifice  36  near the top of back panel  16 . Although either orifice  34  or  36  may be grasped to facilitate carrying of reclosable bag  10 , orifices  34  and  36  are preferably aligned so that a user may pass the fingers of a single hand through both orifices in order to securely support reclosable bag  10 .  
     [0034] Although not required, reclosable bag  10  may also include a reclosable pocket  38  disposed on the exterior surface of body  12 . Reclosable pocket  38  preferably includes a flap  40  sealed along its sides and bottom to front panel  14  of reclosable bag  10 . Flap  40  preferably cooperates with a reclosable fastener  42  disposed on the exterior surface of front panel  14  to provide a reclosable opening through which items may be inserted into and removed from reclosable pocket  38 .  
     [0035] A preferred embodiment of reclosable bag  10  is depicted in FIG. 2A in a collapsed or unexpanded configuration. Reclosable bag  10  is preferably made from a plastic material such as polyethylene and is preferably manufactured from a 3-layer co-extruded polyethylene film. A preferred polyethylene film is manufactured by Transco, USA, and preferably includes a first linear low density hexene layer, a second high density layer and a third low density layer including a matting agent. The linear low density hexene layer preferably forms the inner surface of reclosable bag  10  while the third layer, also preferably low density, forms the exterior of reclosable bag  10 . The high density lager is preferably sandwiched between these two layers as is commonly known in the art to provide some amount of stiffness to reclosable bag  10 . The above-mentioned polyethylene film is typically produced in a 32″ wide roll at a thickness of approximately 2.75 mil. in a single wound sheeting format. As will be described in greater detail below, the inner low density layer is well-suited to be heat sealed while the low density outer layer&#39;s matte finish is well-suited for accepting inks, dyes, pigments and other indicia depositing materials. Accordingly, the exterior surface of reclosable bag  10  may preferably be printed with words, graphics, puzzles, games, pictures and/or other indicia prior to manufacturing reclosable bag  10  in accordance with the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the indicia may be deposited on reclosable bag  10  after manufacture, if desired.  
     [0036] Sealed sides  20  and  22  are preferably heat sealed along their entire lengths to form sealed side edges. When formed with a gusseted bottom  18 , bottom  18  may also be heat-sealed such that bottom  18  is recessed within reclosable bag  10  when reclosable bag  10  is in a collapsed or unloaded configuration as depicted in FIG. 2A. As a result of this configuration, among other things, front panel  14  and back panel  16  may preferably be urged toward one another, and as a result, first fastening member  30  and second fastening member  32  may themselves be urged toward one another to provide the self-closing functionality of the present invention. Thus, when unloaded, reclosable bag  10  is substantially flat and may be stacked atop other reclosable bags  10  to, among other things, facilitate the packaging of a large number of reclosable bags  10  within a small volume of packaging space.  
     [0037] A preferred reclosable bag  10  may also provide such self-closing functionality when reclosable bag  10  is in an expanded or loaded configuration as shown in FIG. 2B. When loaded or otherwise expanded, bottom  18  may be urged away from top opening  24  and expanded as front panel  14  is moved away from back panel  16 . When so expanded, bottom  18  preferably provides a sufficiently stable base for reclosable bag  10  to rest upon when reclosable bag  10  is positioned on a substantially horizontal surface in an upright position. The stiffness provided by the middle high density polyethylene layer preferably provides sufficient rigidity for reclosable bag  10  to remain in an upright position, and in conjunction with the construction of the sealed sides  20  and  22  may preferably enable reclosable bag  10  to retain its self-closing functionality when reclosable bag  10  is in a loaded configuration as depicted in FIG. 2B.  
     [0038] While reclosable bag  10  may be utilized to hold and carry a wide variety of items, reclosable bag  10  is particularly well suited for carrying consumable items such as food. Accordingly, reclosable bag  10  is well suited for application as a “lunch bag”. When constructed as described above, a large number of reclosable bags  10  may be manufactured at low cost, may be packaged in large quantities to be sold in bulk at retail establishments, and may be treated as a disposable bag or may be reused as desired by the user. Unlike a traditional paper lunch bag, fastener  28 , preferably a hook and loop fastener, provides a reliable closing mechanism that enables food items to be securely retained within reclosable bag  10 . Reclosable bag  10  may be easily opened for filling cavity  26  with food and other items, quickly closed with fastener  28 , easily carried via handle  33  formed, for example, by first orifice  34  and second orifice  36 , and easily opened to retrieve food items from within cavity  26  during lunch or as desired. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reclosable pocket  38  may be utilized for storing smaller items such as change or other currency, or notes for a teacher.  
     [0039] Because fastener  28  is preferably positioned within reclosable bag  10 , reclosable bag  10  is unlikely to be inadvertently opened during transit. Unlike other reclosable bags, the fastener is not disposed on the exterior surface of the bag and is thus unlikely to be inadvertently opened due to contact with objects that come into contact with the bag. Moreover, fastener  28  is preferably positioned beneath orifices  34  and  36  so that small items contained within reclosable bag  10  are unlikely to spill out of orifices  34  and  36 .  
     [0040] A method of manufacturing reclosable bag  10  in accordance with the present invention will now be described with references to FIGS.  3 - 10 . In accordance with a preferred process of manufacturing a reclosable bag  10  in accordance with the present invention, and as shown in the flow chart depicted in FIG. 3, a fastener is preferably adhered to the inner surface of a web material as the web material is paid out of a web material roll as indicated at block  44 . As indicated at block  46 , the web material may then be folded over and onto itself. Thereafter, the sides of the web material may be sealed, preferably by heat, as indicated at block  48 .  
     [0041] The various phases of a preferred method of manufacturing reclosable bag  10  of the present invention will now be described with reference to the schematic diagram depicted in FIG. 4. As shown in the drawing figure, a web material roll  50  of web material  52  is preferably positioned on a roll stand (not shown) at a conventional unwind station  54 . Web material  52 , preferably a co-extruded polyethylene film as described above, is paid out of web material roll  50  by conventional bag forming machinery and conveyed to an adhesive station  56  where reclosable fastener  42  is preferably adhered to one side of web material  52 . Web material  52  is then preferably conveyed to a pocket forming station  58  where a flap  40 , preferably a co-extruded polyethylene film, is preferably paid out of a roll and brought into engagement with web material  52  such that flap  40  is aligned with respect to one edge of web material  52  and reclosable fastener  42 . As web material  52  and web of flap  40  pass through pocket forming station  58 , the bottom edge of flap  40  is preferably sealed to the bottom edge of web material  52 . Web material  52  with adhered flap  40  may then pass through a fastener forming station  60  where fastening members  30  and  32  are preferably positioned on and heat sealed to a side of web material  52  opposite the side of web material  52  carrying flap  40 . Web material  52  so configured is then preferably conveyed to a folding station  62  where web material  52  is folded over and onto itself such that the ends of web material  52  and the fastening members  30  and  32  are aligned with and adjacent one another. The folded web material  52  may then be turned and conveyed to a handle forming station  64  where orifices  34  and  36  are formed in web material  52 , but is preferably first conveyed through a gusset forming station  63  as will be described in greater detail below. Web material  52  may then pass through a cutting/sealing station  66  where web material  52  and flap  40  are preferably cut to form sealed sides  20  and  22 . The resulting reclosable bag  10  may then be removed from the path of web material  52  and stacked at a stacking station  68  for packaging.  
     [0042] A preferred method of applying a reclosable fastener  42  to the web material depicted in FIG. 4 is shown schematically in FIG. 5. In a preferred embodiment, a reclosable fastener roll  70  is conventionally suspended above web material  52  at adhesive station  56 . Reclosable fastener  42 , preferably a reusable adhesive, is preferably paid out of reclosable fastener roll  70  and thereafter aligned and adhered to web material  52 . While not shown in the drawing figure, reclosable fastener  42  preferably includes a release liner (not shown) that may be carried on and cover the adhesive as web material  52  is conveyed to pocket forming station  58 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that the release liner will remain on reclosable fastener  42  when the final reclosable bag  10  is shipped for retail sale. While not required, the release liner is preferably utilized to prevent premature reclosable adherence of flap  42  to the adhesive covered by the release liner.  
     [0043] A preferred method of forming a reclosable pocket  38  on web material  52  depicted in FIG. 4 is shown schematically in FIG. 6. As web material  52  carrying reclosable fastener  42  arrives at pocket forming station  58 , a flap material roll  72 , again conventionally suspended on an unwind stand, pays out a web of flap  40 . A tension roller  73  brings the web of flap  40  onto web material  52  such that flap  40  is positioned over reclosable fastener  42  and aligned on web material  52  such that bottom edge  74  of flap  40  will be substantially aligned with the bottom of front panel  14  at the completion of the reclosable bag  10  forming process. As web material  52  and flap  40  continue through pocket forming station  58 , a first drum sealer  76  will preferably apply sufficient heat to seal bottom edge  74  of flap  40  to web material  52 . Once sealed, web material  52  may continue to fastener forming station  60  where first fastening member  30  and second fastening member  32 , preferably a hook member and a loop member, respectively, may preferably be adhered to web material  52  by heat.  
     [0044] A preferred method of affixing fastener  28  to web material  52  depicted in FIG. 4 is shown schematically in FIG. 7. As web material  52  arrives at fastener forming station  60 , a hook member roll  78  and a loop member roll  80  are preferably suspended beneath web material  52  on conventional unwind stands to apply first member  30  and second member  32  to the underside of web material  52 . Tension rollers (not shown) are used to track and align first member  30  and second member  32  onto predetermined locations on the underside of web material  52 . As first member  30  and second member  32  are brought into engagement with web material  52 , web material  52  preferably passes under a second drum sealer  82  and third drum sealer  84  positioned above the location where first member  30  and second member  32  come into contact with web material  52 . The second and third drum sealers  82  and  84 , respectively, transfer a sufficient amount of heat directly onto the upper surface of web material  52 , thereby adhering first member  30  and second member  32  to their respective positions on the underside of web material  52 . As discussed above, first member  30  and second member  32  are preferably positioned and aligned on web material  52  such that first member  30  will mate with second member  32  to form fastener  28 , preferably a hook and loop fastener, when reclosable bag  10  has been formed in accordance with the preferred manufacturing process of the present invention. Once first member  30  and second member  32  are fixedly adhered to web material  52 , web material  52  may preferably be conveyed to folding station  62 .  
     [0045] A preferred method of manipulating web material  52  depicted in FIG. 4 to form the elements of body  12  of reclosable bag  10  in accordance with the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 8A. As web material  52  enters folding station  62 , web material  52  is preferably manipulated by a folding mechanism  86 , which preferably folds web material  52  over and onto itself at its center. As shown in FIG. 8A, the center of web material  52  preferably becomes the bottom edge  88  of body  12  as a result of the folding step. The halves of web material  52  folded over and onto each other as a result of the folding step form front panel  14  and the back panel  16  of body  12 . In a preferred embodiment folding mechanism  86  is preferably a conventional V-board, although other folding mechanisms may be utilized.  
     [0046] Once web material  52  has been folded as described above, nip rollers (not shown) squeeze the web material  52  together and turn folded web material, preferably 90°, so that folded web material  52  may be conveyed through to the next processing station.  
     [0047] Folded web material  52  may optionally be conveyed directly onto handle forming station  64  as shown in FIG. 4, but it is preferably conveyed to a gusset forming station  63  depicted in phantom lines in FIG. 4. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that when web material  52  is conveyed directly to handle forming station  64 , the bottom edge  88  of body  12  depicted in FIG. 8A will also be the bottom edge of reclosable bag  10  at the completion of the reclosable bag  10  forming process. However, when folded web material  52  is first conveyed to gusset forming station  63  as depicted in FIG. 8B, folded web material  52  may preferably first be conveyed through an expandable bottom gusset forming station  63 . Although expandable bottom gussets may be formed in a number of ways, a preferred method in accordance with the present invention is depicted in FIG. 8B.  
     [0048] After folded web material  52  has been rotated, preferably by 90°, a gusseting bar  90  having a slotted end  92  is preferably inserted into the open top  94  of folded web material  52  and a gusset wheel  96  is preferably urged into the slotted end  92  of gusseting bar  90 . As a result, bottom edge  88  of folded web material  52  is carried by gusset wheel  96  into slotted end  92  of gusseting bar  90 . The construction of and cooperation of a preferred gusseting bar  90  having a slotted end  92  and gusset wheel  96  are depicted in greater detail in FIG. 8C. Generally speaking, the distance gusset wheel  96  is inserted into slotted end  92  of gusseting bar  90  determines the overall width of the expandable gusset formed in gusseting station  63 . For example, in order to obtain a gusseted bottom having a four (4) inch expanded width, gusseting wheel  96  is preferably inserted two (2) inches into slotted end  92  of gusseting bar  90 . As shown in FIG. 8B, once folded web material  52  passes over gusseting wheel  96 , an expandable gusset  100  is formed in folded web material  52 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that sufficient tension is applied to folded web material  52  during this step in order to retain the formed expandable gusset  100  after bottom end  98  of folded web material  52  leaves gusset wheel  96 .  
     [0049] Once gusset  100  has been formed as described above, folded web material  52  having an expandable gusset  100  is preferably conveyed to a handle  33  forming station  64 . A preferred method of forming a handle in folded web material  52  is shown schematically in FIG. 9. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, folded web material  52  enters handle forming station  64  and passes under a handle punch  102 , which repeatedly engages folded web material  52  to punch a portion of web material  52  and create first orifice  34  and second orifice  36  in folded web material  52 . One of skill in the art will recognize that prior to entering handle forming station  64 , folded web material  52  preferably passes through a plurality of compensating dancer rollers and dancer bars that enable the folded web material to be continuously conveyed while a portion of the folded web material is periodically stopped to conduct the handle punching step.  
     [0050] Once the handles have been punched at the handle forming stations  64 , folded web material  52  is preferably conveyed to a cutting/sealing station  66 . While the steps of cutting and sealing may be performed as separated steps in accordance with the present invention, a preferred method of sealing the side edges  20  and  22  and bottom  18  of folded web material  52  is shown in FIG. 10. As folded web material  52  is conveyed into cutting/sealing station  66 , folded web material  52  passes beneath a hot knife  104 , which is periodically passed through folded web material  52  at the required location to form reclosable bag  10  having the desired width. For example, if requirements call for a reclosable bag that is twelve (12) inches tall, eight and three-quarters (8¾) inches wide and having a four (4) inch bottom gusset, such as reclosable bag  10  designed to function as a “lunch bag,” hot knife  104  will be passed through folded web material  52  as each 8¾″ length of folded web material  52  passes beneath hot knife  104 .  
     [0051] In a preferred embodiment of the process of the present invention, hot knife  104  is preferably maintained at a temperature sufficient to both cut and seal folded web material  52  at a location where hot knife  104  passes through folded web material  102 . A sufficient temperature is defined herein as a temperature of between about 600° F. and 800° F. More preferably, hot knife  104  will be maintained at temperature of about 700° F. Once a cut is made with hot knife  104 , a final sealed side  22  is formed along the entire length of reclosable bag  10  extending beyond hot knife  104 , and an initial sealed side  20  is formed on the lead end of folded web material  52 . Subsequent cuts may preferably form subsequent reclosable bags  10  until the assembly line is stopped or the end of web material roll  50  is reached.  
     [0052] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
     [0053] While the present invention has been described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, that the invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design or arrangement may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above-mentioned description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims.