Patent ID: 8128545

Claim:
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 capable of unwinding material from a supply roll and advancing 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 located downstream from said unwind station, said punch station capable of punching a predetermined pattern through said material; c) a folding station located downstream from said punch station, said folding station capable of longitudinally folding said material upon itself such that said first surface is exposed; d) a bonding station located downstream from said folding station, said bonding station capable of bonding said first and second surfaces together along a longitudinal line to form a continuous tubular structure; e) a sealing station located downstream from said bonding station, said sealing station capable of forming a transverse seal across said continuous tubular structure which is aligned to said predetermined pattern; f) a cutting station located downstream from said sealing station, said cutting station capable of transversely cutting said continuous tubular structure to form discrete articles; g) a first station capable of receiving and advancing each of said discrete pouches in a machine direction, 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 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, said second station capable of positioning and attaching 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; and i) a third station located downstream from said second station, said third station capable of unfolding said lip and securing opposite ends of said lip to said outer surface of said second leg.