Patent Grant
7506488
This invention generally relates to reclosable plastic bags, and more particularly, to methods of applying sliders to a fastener-carrying plastic web and methods of making reclosable plastic bags by using a pre-applied slider-operated fastener.
In one method of making slider-operated reclosable bags, a single bag is made per film index. For example, by drawing five inches of film per index from a fastener-carrying web of film, each unit operation performs a task at locations spaced at five inch increments and a five inch wide bag can be made. In this method, a single preseal forming station, notch forming station, slider inserter station, and end termination forming station are located at five inch increments.
One way to increase the number of bags which can be produced per index is to use a double index and dual unit operations. In other words, rather than drawing five inches of film per index from the fastener-carrying web to make a five inch wide bag, ten inches of film are drawn per index from the fastener-carrying web. By using dual unit operations which are spaced at five inch increments and a double index draw, two five inch wide bags can be made per index rather than a single five inch wide bag per index.
A problem in using a double index draw and dual unit operations to make slider-operated reclosable bags involves interference from the trailing slider. In a typical operation, a guiding mechanism is used to guide the track and insert the slider onto the track as it indexes forward. Where a dual slider inserter step is used in conjunction with a double index, two sliders are inserted onto the track. However, as the film indexes forward, the trailing slider interferes with the guiding mechanism, making this method impracticable.
Hence, there exists a need for methods of applying sliders to fasteners for reclosable bags and methods of making slider-operated reclosable bags using a double index draw and dual unit operations that overcome the problems associated with interference from the trailing slider.
To overcome the aforementioned shortcomings, the present invention provides methods of making slider-operated reclosable bags using at least a double index and dual unit operations which eliminate interference from the trailing slider. The present invention also provides methods of applying one or more sliders to a fastener-carrying web of plastic film using at least a double index and dual unit operations which eliminate interference from the trailing slider.
According to one embodiment, the invention relates to a method of applying at least two sliders onto a fastener. A fastener is provided which includes first and second opposing tracks having respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins which extend from the respective first and second profiles. At least first and second notches are formed into the tracks and fins. The first notch is located downstream from the second notch. The first and second notches assist in defining a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is located upstream from and adjacent to the second notch, and the second segment is located between the first and second notches. First and second sliders are fed into the first notch, where the first slider is located upstream from the second slider. The first slider is applied onto the second segment of the tracks as the fastener indexes forward, the tracks are closed, and the second slider is applied onto the second segment of the tracks as the fastener indexes forward. As the fastener indexes forward, the second slider is released to travel with and remain on the second segment. As the fastener indexes forward, the first slider is passed through the second notch, is applied onto the first segment, and is released to travel with and remain on the first segment of the tracks. The fastener may be applied to a web of plastic film.
The invention further relates to a method of making reclosable plastic bags. A web of plastic film is provided. A fastener is provided which includes first and second opposing tracks having respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins which extend from the respective first and second profiles. The first and second fins are sealed to each other. At least first and second notches are formed into the tracks and fins. The first notch is located downstream from the second notch. The first and second notches assist in defining a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is located upstream from and adjacent to the second notch, and the second segment is located between the first and second notches. First and second sliders are fed into the first notch, where the first slider is located upstream from the second slider. The first slider is applied onto the second segment of the tracks as the fastener indexes forward, the tracks are closed, and the second slider is applied onto the second segment of the tracks as the fastener indexes forward. As the fastener indexes forward, the second slider is released to travel with and remain on the second segment. As the fastener indexes forward, the first slider is passed through the second notch and is applied onto the first segment of the tracks. The fastener is conveyed to an end stop applicator where at least a first end stop is formed on the first segment and at least a second end stop is formed on the second segment. The fastener is applied to a web of plastic film, and the web is formed into a plurality of interconnected plastic bags.
According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a method of applying at least two sliders onto a fastener. A fastener is provided which includes first and second opposing tracks having respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins which extend from the respective first and second profiles. At least first and second openings are formed into the tracks and fins. The first opening is located downstream from the second opening. The first and second openings assist in defining a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is located upstream from and adjacent to the second opening, and the second segment is located between the first and second openings. The second segment is moved into a different plane from a plane of the first segment. At generally the same, the first slider is fed into the first opening and the second slider is fed into the second opening. As the fastener indexes forward and at generally the same time, the first slider is applied onto the second segment of the tracks and the second slider is applied onto the first segment of the tracks. The fastener may be applied to a web of plastic film.
The invention further relates to a method of making reclosable plastic bags. A web of plastic film is provided. A fastener is provided which includes first and second opposing tracks having respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins which extend from the respective first and second profiles. The first and second fins are sealed to each other. At least first and second openings are formed into the tracks and fins. The first opening is located downstream from the second opening. The first and second openings assist in defining a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is located upstream from and adjacent to the second opening, and the second segment is located between the first and second openings. The second segment is moved into a different plane from a plane of the first segment. At generally the same, the first slider is fed into the first opening and the second slider is fed into the second opening. As the fastener indexes forward and at generally the same time, the first slider is applied onto the second segment of the tracks and the second slider is applied onto the first segment of the tracks. The second segment is moved back into the plane of the first segment. The fastener is conveyed to an end stop applicator where at least a first end stop is formed on the first segment and at least a second end stop is formed on the second segment. The fastener is applied to a web of plastic film, and the web is formed into a plurality of interconnected plastic bags.
According to a still further embodiment, the invention relates to a method of applying at least two sliders onto a fastener. A fastener is provided which includes first and second opposing tracks having respective first and second interlocking profiles and respective first and second fins which extend from the respective first and second profiles. At least first and second notches are formed into the tracks and fins. The first notch is located downstream from the second notch. The first and second notches assist in defining a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is located upstream from and adjacent to the second notch, and the second segment is located between the first and second notches. At generally the same time, the first slider is fed into the first notch and the second slider is fed into the second notch. As the fastener indexes forward and at generally the same time, the first slider is applied onto the second segment and the second slider is applied onto the first segment.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. This is the purpose of the figures and the detailed description which follow.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
a-2g depict an enlarged view of the slider inserter operation shown in
a-4e depict an enlarged view of the slider inserter operation shown in
a-6d depict an enlarged view of the slider inserter operation shown in
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Turning to the drawings,
The process depicted in
While the fastener 10 is temporarily stopped at the preseal station, the fins 20, 22 are sealed to each other along the generally U-shaped preseals 28, 29. Preseal 28 includes a pair of opposing sides 28a, 28b and a bottom 28c bridging the opposing sides 28a, 28b while preseal 29 includes a pair of opposing sides 29a, 29b and a bottom 29c bridging the opposing sides 29a, 29b. The opposing sides 28a, 28b and 29a, 29b are generally located along an upper portion of the fins 20, 22 and extend downward from the interlocking profiles 16, 18. The bottoms 28c, 29c are generally located along a lower portion of the fins 20, 22. The seal bars 24a, 24b have generally U-shaped projections 30a, 30b corresponding to the shape of the preseals 28, 29, respectively. Although the preseals 28, 29 are illustrated as being generally U-shaped, the area between the opposing sides 28a, 28b and 29a, 29b of the preseals 28, 29, respectively, may be sealed as well so that the preseals 28, 29 appear like solid rectangles. The preseals 28, 29 extend to the bottom of the profiles 16, 18.
After forming the preseals 28, 29, the fastener 10 is double indexed (i.e., conveyed approximately two bag-width distances) forward to a notching station. The notching station includes a first pair of reciprocating cutters 32a, 34a and a second pair of reciprocating cutters 32b, 34b. Either each cutter 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b moves back and forth between open and closed positions or one of the cutters in the pair is stationary while the other cutter moves back and forth. Cutters 32a, 32b form rectangular projections while cutters 34a, 34b form rectangular holes for receiving the respective projection. The fastener 10 is temporarily stopped at the notching station so that the preseals 28, 29 become aligned between the separated pairs of reciprocating cutters 32a, 34a and 32b, 34b, respectively. While the fastener 10 is stopped, the pairs of reciprocating cutters 32a, 34a and 32b, 34b are brought together such that the rectangular projections of the cutters 32a, 32b punch rectangular sections 36a, 36b through the rectangular holes of the cutters 34a, 34b, thereby leaving generally U-shaped notches 38a, 38b in the fastener 10. Prior to being punched out, the rectangular sections 36a, 36b are disposed between the opposing sides 28a, 28b and 29a, 29b of the preseals 28, 29 and above the bottoms 28c, 29c of the preseals 28, 29, respectively. Therefore, the preseals 28, 29 generally encompass the notches 38a, 38b and define a periphery thereof such that the preseals 28, 29 provide a leak-resistant barrier to entry into an interior of the fastener 10 between the fins 20, 22 via the notches 38a, 38b. The leak-resistant barrier effectively minimizes leaks in the reclosable plastic bags ultimately formed by the manufacturing process.
The notches 38a, 38b which are formed at the notching station assist in defining or forming the first and second segments 54a, 54b, respectively, on the tracks 12, 14 of the fastener 10. The second segment 54b of the fastener 10 is located downstream from and adjacent to notch 38b. The first segment 54a is located upstream from the second segment 54b and is located between notch 38a and notch 38b. Notch 38b is sufficiently wide to hold at least two sliders. Although the notching station has been described as being equipped with reciprocating cutters, other cutting devices (not shown) such as rotary cutters may also be used in embodiments of the invention.
After forming the notches 38a, 38b, the fastener 10 is double indexed forward to a slider inserter station. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The process of applying the first and second sliders 40a, 40b onto the tracks 12, 14 during the double index of the fastener 10 begins as shown in
Also as shown in
Turning to
Distance x and distance y are set using conventional techniques for indexing fixed distances of flexible material such as, but not limited to, using the motor position on the index, using a set time delay, or using an encoder on the surface of the tracks 12, 14. Using motor position on the index involves, for example, using a servo motor. With every revolution of a servo motor, a fixed distance of track is fed. Each revolution of the servo motor equals a certain number of pulses, and a certain numbers of pulses equals a certain distance of track. For example, if one revolution of the servo motor equals 30,000 pulses and 30,000 pulses equals 10 inches of track, the grippers will open every 15,000 pulses where the value of x is set at 5 inches. With time delay, a distance of track can be equated to a time measurement. For example, if one inch of track is equated to 1/10 sec, the grippers will open at 4/10 sec when the track moves a distance x of 4 inches. With an encoder, a wheel may be fixed to or mounted on the track to feed a certain portion of the track during each revolution of the servo motor. For example, if one revolution of the servo motor equals 30,000 pulses and 30,000 pulses equals 10 inches of track, the grippers will open every 15,000 pulses where the value of x is set at 5 inches. Through the process detailed above and as shown in
After applying the first and second sliders 40a, 40b onto the second and third segments 54b, 54c of the fastener 10, respectively, and completing the double index of the fastener 10, notches 38c, 38d become positioned at an end stop applicator station. In the embodiment shown in
At the end stop application station, the end stop applicator applies end stops 42a, 44a and 42b, 44b to the respective fastener ends 46a, 48a and 46b, 48b on opposite sides of the respective notches 38e, 38f. In the plastic bags ultimately formed by the manufacturing process, end stop 42a is located at the fastener end 46a of one bag, end stop 44a is located at the fastener end 48a of the adjacent bag, while end stop 42b is located at the fastener end 46b of one bag and end stop 44b is located at the fastener end 48b of the adjacent bag. The end stops perform three primary functions: (1) preventing or inhibiting the sliders from going past the ends of the fasteners, (2) holding the profiles together to resist stresses applied to the profiles during normal use of the plastic bag, and (3) minimizing leakage from inside the plastic bag out through the fastener ends.
The end stop applicator station embodiment shown in
Instead of applying injection-molded end stops, other types of end stops may be applied to the fastener ends 46a, 46b, 48a, 48b including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,924,173, 5,833,791, 5,482,375, 5,448,807, 5,442,837, 5,405,478, 5,161,286, 5,131,121, 5,088,971, and 5,067,208. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,208, for example, each end stop is in the form of a fairly rigid strap/clip that wraps over the top of the fastener. One end of the strap is provided with a rivet-like member that penetrates through the fastener fins and into a cooperating opening at the other end of the strap.
While the fastener 10 is temporarily stopped during the dwell phase of the cycle in the method depicted in
After each of the stations has completed its respective function on the temporarily stopped fastener 10, movement of the fastener 10 resumes. The fastener 10 moves approximately two bag-width distances forward so that the next station can perform its respective function. The preseals 28, 29 are advantageous because they allow the fastener 10 to be controlled during such downstream operations as notch formation, slider application, and end stop application and when the fastener 10 is tensioned by various rollers in the bag-making machine. The preseals 28, 29 keep the interlocking profiles 16, 18 together and prevent or inhibit them from moving longitudinally relative to each other.
While the process described above is directed to a process of forming two preseals, forming two notches within the preseals, applying two sliders into the previously formed notches, and applying two end stops proximate the previously applied sliders by having the various stations perform their respective functions on different parts of the continuous fastener 10 spaced approximately at a double index either simultaneously or at generally the same time, it is contemplated that the process may be modified. For example, the process may be modified by having the various stations perform their respective functions on different parts of the continuous fastener 10 spaced approximately at a triple index, a quadruple index, etc. either simultaneously or at generally the same time. In other words, the process could be modified to form three or more preseals, to form three or more notches within the preseals, to apply three or more sliders into the previously formed notches, and to apply three or more end stops proximate the previously applied sliders by having the various stations perform their respective functions on different parts of the continuous fastener 10 spaced approximately at a triple index, a quadruple index, etc. either simultaneously or at generally the same time. After applying the end stops 42a, 44a and 42b, 44b using the process described above, the fastener 10 is preferably applied to a flat web of plastic film that is then formed, filled with product, and made into individual plastic bags. Alternatively, the fastener 10 may be conveyed to a storage medium, such as a spool, and placed in an intermediate storage facility, and then applied to the plastic film at a later time.
Finished bags may be produced by attaching the slider-operated fastener to a flat web of plastic film and then conveying the web to a vertical or a horizontal form-fill-seal (FFS) machine. One example of a suitable method for attaching the slider-operated fastener to a flat web of plastic film and then conveying the web to a horizontal FFS machine is shown in
After tacking the fastener 10 to the web 50, the fastener-carrying web 50 is conveyed to the horizontal FFS machine. At a folding station of the FFS machine, the web 50 is folded in half with the fastener 10 inside the web 50 and proximate the fold 51. To fold the web 50, the web 50 is conveyed over a horizontal roller 58, under a triangular folding board 60, and then between a pair of closely spaced vertical rollers 62. The folded web 50 includes a pair of overlapping panels 64, 66 joined along the fold 51.
After folding the web 50, the fastener fins 20, 22 are permanently sealed to the respective web panels 66, 64 by respective seal bars 68, 70. The seal bars 68, 70 are sufficiently wide that they generate the fin seals across the entire width of a bag. Either both of the seal bars 68, 70 move back and forth between open and closed positions, or one of the seal bars is stationary while the other seal bar moves back and forth. The fastener-carrying web 50 is temporarily stopped while the seal bars 68, 70 are brought together to seal the fastener 10 to the web 50. Both of the seal bars 68, 70 are preferably heated. The temperature, pressure, and dwell time of the seal bars 68, 70 are properly adjusted to allow the seal bars 68, 70 to generate the permanent fin seals. In an alternative embodiment, the seal bars 68, 70 are replaced with a continuous heat sealing mechanism such as a pair of hot air blowers that blow heated air onto the respective fastener fins.
After sealing the fins 20, 22 to the respective web panels 66, 64, the web panels 64, 66 are sealed to each other along a side seal 72 by a pair of reciprocating seal bars 74, 76. The side seal 72 is transverse to a direction of movement of the folded web 50 and is aligned with a center of notch 38a (and preseal 28) or notch 38b (and preseal 29). Also, the side seal 72 extends from the folded bottom 51 to an open top 53 of the folded web 50. Either both of the seal bars 74, 76 move back and forth between open and closed positions, or one of the seal bars is stationary while the other seal bar moves back and forth. The folded web 50 is temporarily stopped while the seal bars 74, 76 are brought together to seal the web panels 64, 66 to each other. At least one of the seal bars is heated. The other bar may be heated as well or may simply serve as a backing against which the heated seal bar applies pressure when the seal bars 74, 76 are brought together. The temperature, pressure, and dwell time of the seal bars 74, 76 are properly adjusted to allow the seal bars 74, 76 to generate the side seal 72. After generating the side seal 72, the folded web 50 is conveyed to a cutter 78 for separating the folded web 50 into individual plastic bags. While the folded web 50 is temporarily stopped, the cutter 78 cuts the folded web 50 along a center of the side seal 72 to produce the individual plastic bag 80. The plastic bag 80 is filled with a product through its open top 53 at a filling station 82. Finally, the open top 53 is sealed by a heat sealing mechanism 84. The end result is a filled and sealed bag 80 ready for shipment to a customer such as a grocery store or convenience store.
While the web 50 is temporarily stopped in the method depicted in
While the process described above is directed to a process for attaching the slider-operated fastener 10 to a flat web 50 of plastic film and then conveying the web 50 to a horizontal FFS machine, it is also contemplated that a vertical FFS machine may be used. Further details concerning the method of making the slider-operated fastener 10, attaching the slider-operated fastener 10 to the web 50 of plastic film, and making finished bags may be obtained from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/637,038 entitled “Method And Apparatus For Making Reclosable Plastic Bags Using A Pre-Applied Slider-Operated Fastener” which is herein incorporated by reference.
An alternative method of making a slider-operated fastener for use in reclosable plastic bags is shown in
The process depicted in
After forming the preseals 128, 129, the fastener 110 is double indexed forward as shown in
As discussed above, the notches 138a, 138b assist in defining or forming the first and second segments 154a, 154b, respectively, on the tracks 112, 114 of the fastener 110. The second segment 154b of the fastener 110 is located downstream from and adjacent to notch 138b. The first segment 154a is located upstream from the second segment 154b and is located between notch 138a and notch 138b. The notches 138a, 138b are sufficiently wide to hold at least one slider.
Instead of forming generally U-shaped notches 138a, 138b in the fastener 110 as described above, a cut or slit may be made in the fastener 110. Further details concerning the construction of the formation of a cut or slit in the fastener 110 may be obtained from U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,760 to Donovan, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
After forming the notches 138a, 138b, the fastener 110 is double indexed forward to a slider inserter station. As shown in
At the slider inserter station, a first slider 140a is applied onto the second segment 154b of the tracks 112, 114 and a second slider 140b is applied onto the third segment 154c of the tracks 112, 114 through the process detailed below and shown in
As shown in
The slider inserter station further includes a first pair of grippers 141a, 143a and a second pair of grippers 141b, 143b which assist in holding and positioning the first and second sliders 140a, 140b, respectively, as the sliders move along the tracks 112, 114. The first and second pair of grippers 141a, 143a and 141b, 143b have tapered edges 203, 204 and 201, 202, respectively, and are similar to those described above with respect to
The second and third segments 154b, 154c of the tracks 112, 114 of the fastener 110 may be positioned at a sufficient angle relative to one another to avoid interfering with the first and second slider inserter units 155a, 155b or the first and second pair of grippers 141a, 143a and 141b, 143b through a variety of methods. One suitable method (not shown) involves pivoting the first and second slider inserter units 155a, 155b in from the side and using the first and second slider inserter units 155a, 155b to move or bend the second and third segments 154b, 154c of the tracks 112, 114 into the first and second planes, respectively, while the fastener 110 is temporarily stopped (i.e., at dwell). Another suitable method involves using separate fingers (not shown) to move or bend the second and third segments 154b, 154c of the tracks 112, 114 into the first and second planes, respectively, either while the fastener 110 is temporarily stopped (i.e., at dwell) or while the fastener 110 is being indexed.
Alternatively, only one of the segments of the tracks 112, 114 may be bent to avoid interfering with the first and second slider inserter units 155a, 155b or the first and second pair of grippers 141a, 143a and 141b, 143b. Specifically, the third segment 154c of the tracks 112, 114 may be bent into a plane which is transverse or horizontal to the tracks 112, 114 of the fastener 110 at an angle that is sufficient to allow slider 140b to avoid interfering with the first and second slider inserter units 155a, 155b or the first and second pair of grippers 141a, 143a and 141b, 143b while the second segment 154b is retained in the same plane as the tracks 112, 114 of the fastener 110.
Alternatively, the second segment 154b of the tracks 112, 114 may be bent into a plane which is transverse or horizontal to the tracks 112, 114 of the fastener 110 at an angle that is sufficient to allow slider 140a to avoid interfering with the second slider inserter unit 155b or the second pair of grippers 141b, 143b while the third segment 154c is retained in the same plane as the tracks 112, 114 of the fastener 110.
As shown in
As shown in
Once the first and second sliders 140a, 140b are in position within the notches 138c, 138d respectively, the first slider 140a is now in position to become applied or threaded onto the second segment 154b of the tracks 112, 114 and the second slider 140b is now in position to become applied or threaded onto the third segment 154c of the tracks 112, 114 once the double index of the fastener 110 begins.
As shown in
As shown in
Through the process detailed above and as shown in
After applying the first and second sliders 140a, 140b onto the second and third segments 154b, 154c of the fastener 110, respectively, and rotating the second and third segments 154b, 154c back into the same plane as the remainder of the tracks 112, 114, the double index of the fastener 110 is completed such that notches 138c, 138d become positioned at an end stop applicator station similar to the one described with respect to
At the end stop applicator station, the end stop applicator applies end stops 142a, 144a and 142b, 144b to the respective fastener ends 146a, 148a and 146b, 148b on opposite sides of the respective notches 138e, 138f. In the plastic bags ultimately formed by the manufacturing process, end stop 142a is located at the fastener end 146a of one bag, end stop 144a is located at the fastener end 148a of the adjacent bag, while end stop 142b is located at the fastener end 146b of one bag and end stop 144b is located at the fastener end 148b of the adjacent bag.
The end stop applicator station may include a first pair of chilled, reciprocating molds 147a, 149a and a second pair of chilled, reciprocating molds 147b, 149b which operate similar to those shown in
While the fastener 110 is temporarily stopped during the dwell phase of the cycle in the method depicted in
While the process described above is directed to a process of forming two preseals, forming two notches within the preseals, applying two sliders into the previously formed notches, and applying two end stops proximate the previously applied sliders by having the various stations perform their respective functions on different parts of the continuous fastener 110 spaced approximately at a double index either simultaneously or at generally the same time, it is contemplated that the process may be modified. For example, the process may be modified by having the various stations perform their respective functions on different parts of the continuous fastener 110 spaced approximately at a triple index, a quadruple index, etc. either simultaneously or at generally the same time. In other words, the process could be modified to form three or more preseals, to form three or more notches within the preseals, to apply three or more sliders into the previously formed notches, and to apply three or more end stops proximate the previously applied sliders by having the various stations perform their respective functions on different parts of the continuous fastener 110 spaced approximately at a triple index, a quadruple index, etc. either simultaneously or at generally the same time. After applying the end stops 142a, 144a and 142b, 144b using the process described above, the fastener 110 is preferably applied to a flat web of plastic film that is then formed, filled with product, and made into individual plastic bags as described above with respect to
The process depicted in
After forming the preseals 228, 229, the fastener 210 is double indexed forward to a notching station as shown in
As discussed above, the notches 238a, 238b assist in defining or forming the first and second segments 254a, 254b on the tracks 212, 214, respectively, of the fastener 210. The second segment 254b of the fastener 210 is located downstream from and adjacent to notch 238b. The first segment 254a of the fastener 210 is located upstream from the second segment 254b and is located between notch 238a and notch 238b. The notches 238a, 238b are sufficiently wide to hold at least one slider.
After forming the notches 238a, 238b, the fastener 210 is double indexed forward to a slider inserter station. As shown in
At the slider inserter station, a first slider 240a is applied onto the second segment 254b of the tracks 212, 214 and a second slider 240b is applied onto the third segment 254c of the tracks 212, 214 through the process detailed below and shown in
As shown in
The slider inserter station further includes a first pair of grippers 241a, 243a and a second pair of grippers 241b, 243b which assist in holding and positioning the first and second sliders 240a, 240b, respectively, as the sliders move along the tracks 212, 214. The first and second pair of grippers 241a, 243a and 241b, 243b have tapered edges 303, 304 and 301, 302, respectively, and are similar to those described above with respect to
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Through the process detailed above and as shown in
After applying the first and second sliders 240a, 240b onto the second and third segments 254b, 254c of the fastener 210, respectively, the double index of the fastener 210 is completed such that notches 238c, 238d become positioned at an end stop applicator station similar to the one described with respect to
While the fastener 210 is temporarily stopped during the dwell phase of the cycle in the method depicted in
While the process described above is directed to a process of forming two preseals, forming two notches within the preseals, applying two sliders into the previously formed notches, and applying two end stops proximate the previously applied sliders by having the various stations perform their respective functions on different parts of the continuous fastener 210 spaced approximately at a double index either simultaneously or at generally the same time, it is contemplated that the process may be modified. For example, the process may could be modified by having the various stations perform their respective functions on different parts of the continuous fastener 210 spaced approximately at a triple index, a quadruple index, etc. either simultaneously or at generally the same time. In other words, the process could be modified to form three or more preseals, to form three or more notches within the preseals, to apply three or more sliders into the previously formed notches, and to apply three or more end stops proximate the previously applied sliders by having the various stations perform their respective functions on different parts of the continuous fastener 210 spaced approximately at a triple index, a quadruple index, etc. either simultaneously or at generally the same time. After applying the end stops 242a, 244a and 242b, 244b using the method as described above, the fastener 210 is preferably applied to a flat web of plastic film that is then formed, filled with product, and made into individual plastic bags as described with respect to
While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/924,163, filed Aug. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,608 which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/245,080, filed Sep. 17, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,146 on Aug. 24, 2004.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 10245080 | Sep 2002 | US |
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