Patent ID: 6968604

Claim:
A method of manufacturing reclosable packages, each package having a slider-operated zipper with end portions that function as slider end stops, comprising the following steps: (a) transmitting sufficient ultrasonic wave energy into first and second areas of a zipper tape to cause material of first and second interlocked zipper parts of said zipper tape to deform and fuse in said first and second areas, said first and second areas being separated by a gap, the fused material of said first and second zipper parts in said first and second areas each forming a respective slider end stop without the fusion or joinder of any additional material; and (b) applying sufficient heat and pressure onto a third area of said zipper tape to cause material of said first and second zipper parts to deform and fuse in said third area, at least part of said third area being located between said first and second areas in said gap.