초록 ▼

Apparatus for making flexible packages having an openable and resealable interlocking closure from a continuous web of flexible film, the closure being formed transversely to the direction of film flow at the consumer preferred position across one end of the package during package formation at line

Apparatus for making flexible packages having an openable and resealable interlocking closure from a continuous web of flexible film, the closure being formed transversely to the direction of film flow at the consumer preferred position across one end of the package during package formation at line speed. The system utilizes a converter device mounted atop or adjacent to standard packaging apparatus to form a small amount of the running packaging film into the resealable closure structure as an integral part of the film extending transversely to the long dimension of the package. The converter functions with both horizontal and vertical form/fill/seal wrapping machines and with overwrap packagers, and uses diverse packaging films such as polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, high and medium density polyethylene and various film laminations. The package formation begins by feeding the plastic packaging film into the converter where the film is first automatically fanfolded across the entire width of the film to form a stack, the layers of which are immediately heat sealed together forming a multilayered semi-rigid strip of typically one half inch width extending completely across the film width in plane with the film. The number of folds in the stack varies depending on the thermoforming properties and thickness of the particular film being used. In one embodiment of the invention, the resealable locking feature is next thermoformed into the multilayered strip which then continues through the packaging machinery in the usual manner, encircling the product and passing through the end sealer where the package ends are sealed and cut, and the front and back film panels are pressed together closing the resealable locking feature. In another embodiment of the invention the multilayered semi-rigid strip carried by the packaging film is abraded on one surface to remove the thermoplastic coating and leave that surface of the strip uncoated, the film being then passed into the package forming apparatus where the product wrapping takes place. After emerging from the package forming apparatus the package ends are sealed and the package resealable locking feature is completed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for making a flexible package comprising a package body, a resealable interlocking closure, and end seals at opposite ends of the package, comprising in combination,a) means for transporting in lengthwise direction a web of flexible packaging material of selecte

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for making a flexible package comprising a package body, a resealable interlocking closure, and end seals at opposite ends of the package, comprising in combination,a) means for transporting in lengthwise direction a web of flexible packaging material of selected width and indeterminate length,b) means for fanfolding said web in the direction of the running length at package length intervals to form a stack of packaging material extending widthwise of the web,c) means for securing together the fanfolded layers of each of said stacks of packaging material,d) means for forming different lengths of each of said secured stacks into inner and outer portions of a resealable interlocking closure,e) packaging means for wrapping a product within that portion of the flexible packaging material extending between a sequential pair of said resealable interlocking closures,f) package sealing and severing means for sealing and severing from one another adjacent ends of successive packages, andg) means for pressing the inner portion into the outer portion of the resealable interlocking closure.