Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages on horizontal form-fill-seal machines

Abstract

Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, 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.

1 - 33 . (canceled)  
   
   
       34 . A method for making reclosable packages comprising the steps of: 
 advancing along a horizontal form-fill-seal machine a bottom portion of a package formed from a supply of bottom forming film;    feeding along said horizontal form-fill-seal machine a supply of top film;    feeding along said horizontal form-fill-seal machine a length of reclosable zipper having interlockable mating portions between said bottom package portion and said top film;    providing a supply of sliders, each of said sliders being insertable onto said reclosable zipper and adapted to interlock said mating portions when said slider is moved in a first, closing, direction and to disengage said mating portions when said slider is moved in a second, opening, direction;    removing a slider from said slider supply and inserting said slider onto said length of reclosable zipper; and    sealing said length of reclosable zipper to said bottom package portion and to said top film thereby forming said reclosable package.    
   
   
       35 . The method in accordance with  claim 34  wherein said bottom forming film is formed into a chain of said bottom package portions as said bottom forming film is moved along said horizontal form-fill-seal machine.  
   
   
       36 . The method in accordance with  claim 35  further comprising the step of feeding a length of reclosable zipper for each of said bottom package portions of said chain, each of said lengths of reclosable zipper having a slider inserted thereon.  
   
   
       37 . The method in accordance with  claim 36  wherein each of said lengths of reclosable zipper has its associated slider inserted thereon while said mating portions are interlocked.  
   
   
       38 . The method in accordance with  claim 34  comprising the further step of sealing sections of said bottom package portion to said top film.  
   
   
       39 . The method in accordance with  claim 34  wherein said reclosable zipper is simultaneously sealed to said bottom package portion and to said top film.  
   
   
       40 . The method in accordance with  claim 39  wherein said reclosable zipper is simultaneously sealed to said bottom package portion and to said top film and further comprising the step of sealing sections of said bottom package portion to said top film.  
   
   
       41 . The method in accordance with  claim 40  wherein said reclosable zipper is simultaneously sealed to said bottom package portion and to said top film as said bottom package portion is sealed to said top film.