US2002134050A1PendingUtilityA1

Method and apparatus for placing a product in a flexible recloseable container

44
Priority: Nov 7, 1997Filed: Mar 12, 2002Published: Sep 26, 2002
Est. expiryNov 7, 2017(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Ronald G. Thieman
B65B 61/18B65B 25/068B65B 9/213B65B 9/20B65B 25/005B65B 61/188B65B 9/207B31B 70/8132Y10S493/927B65B 9/06B65B 9/093B65B 61/02B65B 9/073
44
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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Claims

Abstract

An invention for forming, filling, and sealing a flexible recloseable container. Both vertical and horizontal methods for placing product within the container are disclosed. The invention includes guiding a web of film which has interlocking fastener strips sealed to the web. A slider for locking and unlocking the fastener strips is placed in the correct orientation, spread apart at a pair of inner feet, and inserted over the fastener strips. The slider is positioned to close a substantial portion of the strips, and then an end stop, docking station, and corner seal are formed against a sealing plate. The slider is then repositioned, and a tamper evident seal may be placed over the fastener strips.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for placing a product in a flexible recloseable container, comprising: 
 feeding a web of flexible film with interlockable fastener strips;    orienting a slider to a predetermined orientation;    placing the slider over the fastener strips;    moving the slider relative to the fastener strips such that the fastener strips are generally closed;    forming a transverse seal generally across the film; and    placing a product within the web.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  which further comprises stopping the web of flexible film before said placing the slider.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  which further comprises spreading apart the feet of the slider before said placing the slider.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  which further comprises spreading apart at least one closure element of the fastener strips before said placing the slider.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said feeding includes forming the web in a generally tubular shape.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein during said placing of the product the container is in a substantially vertical orientation.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said feeding includes forming the web in a generally folded shape.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein during said placing of the product the container is in a substantially vertical orientation.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein during said placing-of the product the container is in a substantially horizontal orientation.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  which further comprises placing a tamper evident seal on the container.  
     
     
         11 . A method for placing a product in a flexible recloseable container, comprising: 
 feeding a web of flexible film with interlockable fastener strips;    orienting a slider to a predetermined orientation;    spreading apart the feet of the slider;    placing the slider over the fastener strips;    forming a transverse seal generally across the film; and    placing a product within the web.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  which further comprises stopping the web of flexible film before said placing the slider.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  which further comprises spreading apart at least one closure element of the fastener strips before said placing the slider.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said feeding includes forming the web in a generally tubular shape.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein during said placing of the product the container is in a substantially vertical orientation.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said feeding includes forming the web in a generally folded shape.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein during said placing of the product the container is in a substantially vertical orientation.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein during said placing of the product the container is in a substantially horizontal orientation.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  which further comprises placing a tamper evident seal on the container.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for placing a product in a flexible recloseable container, comprising: 
 means for feeding a web of flexible film with interlockable fastener strips, the strips including shoulders;    a slider for locking and unlocking the fastener strips, said slider having feet;    a slider application machine for placing said slider on the fastener strips, said slider application machine including a rotatable selector wheel and a spreading ridge, said wheel including a pocket for accepting said slider and moving said slider while said slider is in contact with said spreading ridge such that the feet are spread apart sufficiently to pass over the shoulders;    a sealing mechanism for forming at least a partial transverse seal generally across the film; and    means for placing a product within the web of flexible film.    
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  which further comprises means for moving the slider relative to the fastener strips such that the fastener strips are generally closed.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20  which further comprises a guide for orienting the fastener strips to accept said slider from the pocket.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said means for feeding stops the web when said selector wheel rotates to place said slider on the fastener strips.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said means for feeding forms the flexible film into a generally tubular shape.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein said means for placing places the product within the web in a generally vertical manner.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said means for feeding forms the flexible film into a generally folded shape.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein said means for placing places the product within the web in a substantially vertical orientation.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein said means for placing places the product within the web in a substantially horizontal orientation.

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