METHODS OF MAKING SLIDE-ZIPPERED RECLOSABLE PACKAGES ON HORIZONTAL FORM-FILL-SEAL MACHINES

• Main Authors: MALIN, ART, AUSNIT, STEVE, MCMAHON, MICHAEL J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 21.11.2000
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CONVEYING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGINGARTICLES OR MATERIALS; MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNERANALOGOUS TO PAPER; MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN AMANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; STORING; TRANSPORTING; UNPACKING; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUSTO PAPER

Disclosed are methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages on horizontal form-fill-seal (HFFS) machines and horizontal form-vertical-fill-seal (HVFS) machines. In an embodiment of the present invention, a chain of packages is formed, filled and sealed on an HFFS machine or the like. A pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package. As the chain of packages is indexed forwardly, a reclosable zipper is inserted between the film extensions of the leading package and sealed thereto. A slider is then inserted on to the reclosable zipper of the leading package and the completed leading package is cut from the chain. In a second embodiment packages having reclosable zippers are output from an HFFS machine or the like, either individually or in a chain. A slider is then inserted on to the zipper of each package in turn. Still further in a third embodiment packages are formed, filled and sealed on an HFFS machine or the like. During package formation, a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. Still further, in a fourth embodiment packages are formed, filled and sealed on horizontal form-vertical fill-seal (HVFS) machine or the like. During package formation, a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing.