Apparatus and method for manufacturing tubing for reclosable bags

Abstract

Extruding tubular bag material having interlocking profiles thereon and guiding the profiles together flattening the tube and interlocking the profiles.

I claim as my invention: 
     
       1. A mechanism for joining rib and groove shaped plastic interlocking mating profiles within a continuous tube of plastic material wherein the profiles are constructed so that the rib is interlockingly received within the groove profiles when the profiles are pressed together, comprising, means for advancing the tube axially along a path,   joining means applying opposed forces to the outer surfaces of the tube forcing the profiles together, and   aligning means in advance of said joining means aligning the opposed profiles so that the rib profile is in registry with the groove profile.   
     
     
       2. A mechanism for joining rib and groove shaped plastic interlocking mating profiles within a continuous tube of plastic material wherein the profiles are constructed so that the rib is interlockingly received within the groove profiles when the profiles are pressed together, comprising, means for advancing the tube axially along a path,   opposed pressing means applying forces to the outer surface of the tube for forcing the profiles together, and   a guiding means by which the profiles are aligned so that the rib profile is in registry with the groove profile being located within the tube ahead of said pressing means.   
     
     
       3. The method of joining rib and groove shaped plastic mating profiles within a closed continuous tube wherein the profiles are constructed so that the rib interlockingly receives the groove profile when the profiles are pressed together, comprising, advancing the tube relatively axially,   applying opposed forces to the outer surfaces of the tube forcing the profiles together,   and aligning the profils in advance of applying said forces so that the rib profile is in registry with the groove profile.   
     
     
       4. The method of joining rib and groove shaped plastic mating profiles within a closed continuous tube wherein the profiles are constructed so that the rib interlockingly receives the groove profile when the profiles are pressed together, comprising, advancing the tube relatively axially,   applying opposed forces to the outer surfaces of the tube forcing the profiles together, and   guiding said profiles from within the tube to aligned mating positions in advance of applying said forces so that the rib profile is in registry within the groove profile.   
     
     
       5. A mechanism for joining rib and grooved shaped plastic interlocking mating profiles within a continuous tube of plastic material wherein the profiles are constructed so that the rib is interlockingly received within the groove profiles when the profiles are pressed together, in accordance with claim 1, wherein said aligning means includes a member having recesses for receiving the profiles and maintaining them in alignment. 
     
     
       6. A mechanism for joining rib and groove shaped plastic interlocking mating profiles within a continuous tube of plastic material wherein the profiles are constructed so that the rib is interlockingly received within the groove profiles and the profiles are pressed together, in accordance with claim 1, wherein said path is vertical and said aligning means includes a guiding member within the tube guiding said profiles. 
     
     
       7. A mechanism for joining rib and groove shaped plastic interlocking mating profiles within a continuous tube of plastic material wherein the profiles are constructed so that the rib is interlockingly received within the groove profiles and the profiles are pressed together, in accordance with claim 1, wherein said aligning means includes a guide having grooves for receiving the profiles and a plate spaced from the guide with adjustable spacing means therebetween to adjust the distance between the guide and plate and maintain the tube in a flattened condition. 
     
     
       8. A mechanism for joining rib and groove shaped plastic interlocking mating profiles within a continuous tube of plastic material wherein the profiles are constructed so that the rib is interlockingly received within the groove profiles when the profiles are pressed together, in accordance with claim 1, wherein said advancing means flattens the tubes at a first location in advance of the aligning means with the profiles substantially in alignment before reaching said aligning means. 
     
     
       9. A mechanism for joining rib and groove shaped plastic interlocking mating profiles within a continuous tube of plastic material wherein the profiles are constructed so that the rib is interlockingly received within the groove profiles when the profiles are pressed together, in accordance with claim 5, wherein said recesses have a wider portion first receiving the profiles and taper to a more narrow portion for positioning the profiles. 
     
     
       10. A mechanism for joining rib and groove shaped plastic interlocking mating profiles within a continuous tube of plastic material wherein the profiles are constructed so that the rib is interlockingly received within the groove profiles when the profiles are pressed together and wherein the tube and the profiles are integrally formed of one piece and the profiles are within the tube, comprising.Iadd., a die for extruding a tube, .Iaddend. means for advancing the tube axially .Iadd.from the die, .Iaddend.and means .Iadd.positioned after the die .Iaddend.joining and interlocking said profiles within the tube .Iadd.while advancing the tube from the die. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       11. A mechanism for joining rib and groove shaped plastic interlocking mating profiles within a continuous tube of plastic material wherein the profiles are constructed so that the rib is interlockingly received within the groove profiles when the profiles are pressed together, in accordance with claim 1, wherein said aligning means is located within the interior of the tube.