Thomas, Toby R. (Pleasant Prairie, WI, US)
Aversa, Samuel D. (Farmington, NY, US)
Athans, John D. (Victor, NY, US)

Plaque It!

10/647819

03/13/2007

08/25/2003

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Pactiv Corporation (Lake Forest, IL, US)

53/412

493/213, 53/570, 53/562, 53/133.400, 53/459, 53/469, 53/139.200, 53/284.700

B65B1/04; B65B61/18

493/214, 53/459, 53/412, 53/455, 53/570, 53/550, 493/927, 53/133.4, 53/469, 53/562, 53/450, 53/139.2, 493/213

1992152	Tobacco pouch	February, 1935	Yeates
2064432	Sealable container	December, 1936	Keidel
2506311	Bag pouch	May, 1950	Moore
2560535	Tobacco pouch	July, 1951	Allen
2848031	Sliderless fastener for pouch	August, 1958	Svee et al.
2898027	Container for fluent materials	August, 1959	Scholle
2978769	Plastic bag or container	April, 1961	Harrah
2994469	Container opening and resealing device	August, 1961	Troup et al.
3054434	Bag closure	September, 1962	Ausnit et al.
3104798		September, 1963	Stone
3172443	Plastic fastener	March, 1965	Ausnit
3181583	Reclosable plastic container	May, 1965	Lingenfelter
3198228	Integral reclosable bag	August, 1965	Naito
3226787	Double extruded fastener strips	January, 1966	Ausnit
3256981	Strippable package for sutures	June, 1966	Kurtz
3259951	Slide fastener	July, 1966	Zimmerman	24/399
3262634	Bag	July, 1966	Goodwin
3282493	Synthetic resinous bag construction having frangible sealing means	November, 1966	Kamins et al.
3313471	Reclosable or wall hanging container	April, 1967	Dickard et al.
3325084	Pressure closable fastener	June, 1967	Ausnit
3326399	Magnetic plastic fastener and method of making same	June, 1967	Ausnit
3338285	Package or wrapper of plastic material	August, 1967	Jaster
3339606	Slide closure	September, 1967	Kugler
3368740	Sheet material with film tear line	February, 1968	Rohde
3371696	Reclosable bags with rib and groove elements formed of different materials	March, 1968	Ausnit
3381592	Machine for producing bags of plastic material	May, 1968	Ravel	493/197
3387640	Tobacco pouch	June, 1968	Butler
3416986	Method of laminating an extruded plastic sheet	December, 1968	Carley
3417675	Method of making a plastic bag and a magnetic sliderless fastener therefor	December, 1968	Ausnit
3425469	CONTAINER WITH FORCE DIFFERENTIAL FLEXIBLE FASTENER	February, 1969	Ausnit
3426396	PROFILED STRIP SLIDE FASTENER	February, 1969	Laguerre	24/427
3437258	SELF-SUPPORTING LIQUID BAG	April, 1969	Kugler	229/58
3456867	BAG ASSEMBLAGE	July, 1969	Repko
3460337	SYNTHETIC YARN AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME	August, 1969	Feild
3462068	BAG AND CLOSURE MEANS	August, 1969	Suominen
3471005	PIPE TOBACCO POUCH	October, 1969	Sexstone
3473589	PLASTIC BAG	October, 1969	Gotz
3532571	METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING CONTINUOUS PLASTIC TUBING WITH SEPARABLE PRESSURE RECLOSABLE FASTENER STRIPS ATTACHED TO THE SURFACE THEREOF	October, 1970	Ausnit
3535409	METHOD OF MAKING SHEET MATERIAL WITH FILM TEAR LINE	October, 1970	Rohde
3543343	TUBE EXTRUDER	December, 1970	Staller et al.
3565147	PLASTIC BAG HAVING REINFORCED CLOSURE	February, 1971	Ausnit
RE27174		September, 1971	Ausnit	383/35
3608439		September, 1971	Ausnit
3613524	METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING BAG STOCK	October, 1971	Behr	493/214
3619395	METHOD OF MAKING A PILFER PROOF PACKAGE	November, 1971	Skendzie
3625270	PILFERPROOF PACKAGE	December, 1971	Skendzic
3633642	BAG OF PLASTICS MATERIAL SHEETING	January, 1972	Slegel
3640381	PACKAGE WITH DESTRUCTIBLE PORTION FOR DISPENSING	February, 1972	Kanada et al.	229/206
3655503	PACKAGE OF COMPOSITE FILM WITH PEELABLE, HEATSEALABLE SURFACES	April, 1972	Stanley et al.
3679511		July, 1972	Ausnit	156/251
3701191	APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING A SLIDER ON A FASTENER STRIP	October, 1972	Laguerre	29/768
3701192	MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING SLIDERS FOR INTERLOCKING FASTENER STRIPS	October, 1972	Laguerre	29/768
3711011	RESEALABLE PACKAGING DEVICE	January, 1973	Kugler
3722672	SLIDE FASTENER DEVICE	March, 1973	Ebata
3738567	DRAW BAND CLOSURE BAG	June, 1973	Ruda	383/75
3744211	AUTOMATIC BAG FILLING METHOD	July, 1973	Titchenal et al.	53/459
3746215	RECLOSABLE SEALED POURING BAG	July, 1973	Ausnit et al.
3780781	OPENABLE BAG	December, 1973	Uramoto
3785111	METHOD OF FORMING CONTAINERS AND PACKAGES	January, 1974	Pike	53/410
3790992	PROFILED CLOSING MEMBERS WITH SLIDE	February, 1974	Herz	24/400
3815317	METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR MAKING FILLED BAGS	June, 1974	Toss	53/451
3817017	BAG CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD FOR FILLING THE SAME	June, 1974	Titchenal	53/437
3818963	MAILING BAG	June, 1974	Whitman
3827472	RECLOSABLE BAG	August, 1974	Uramoto
3839128	APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING THERMOPLASTIC CONTAINERS HAVING THERMOPLASTIC CLOSURES	October, 1974	Arai
3868891	MACHINES AND METHODS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CONTAINERS AND THE PRODUCT THEREFROM	March, 1975	Parish	493/194
3903571	Slider stop for seam type zippers	September, 1975	Howell
3909887	Bottom end stop for slide fasteners	October, 1975	Yoshida
3948705	Method for making multiple plastic bags with reclosable fasteners thereon	April, 1976	Ausnit
3953661	Extrusion apparatus, process and article	April, 1976	Gulley
3988184	Method for applying closure strips to plastic film	October, 1976	Howard	156/66
3991801	Plastic fasteners with connecting web	November, 1976	Ausnit
4003972	Method of extruding tubing for fastener bags	January, 1977	Herz
4094729	Apparatus for making open profile bags	June, 1978	Boccia	156/515
4101355	Method of and means for making variable width zipper profile film	July, 1978	Ausnit	156/66
4112990	Envelope	September, 1978	Anderson
4118166	Extrusion apparatus	October, 1978	Bartrum
4153090	Reusable transit container	May, 1979	Rifkin
4189050	Packing of the folding bag type	February, 1980	Jensen et al.
4189809	Fastener device and method of manufacturing	February, 1980	Sotos
4191230	Integral extruded construction for bags	March, 1980	Ausnit
4196030	Method of making extruded construction for bags	April, 1980	Ausnit
4212337	Closure fastening device	July, 1980	Kamp
4235653	Method for making reclosable bags	November, 1980	Ausnit
4240241	Method and apparatus for making a reclosable package	December, 1980	Sanborn, Jr.
4241865	Reclosable shipping sack and method	December, 1980	Ferrell
4246288	Reclosable package	January, 1981	Sanborn, Jr.
4249982	Apparatus for making reclosable bags	February, 1981	Ausnit
4252238	Package for a stack of refreshers	February, 1981	Spiegelberg et al.
4277241	Apparatus for forming bags of thermoplastic material	July, 1981	Schulze	493/196
4279677	Method of means for joining plastic fastener strip to film	July, 1981	Takahashi
4285376	Reclosable plastic bag construction made from a one piece extrusion	August, 1981	Ausnit
4295919	Forming an integral closure for a thermoplastic container	October, 1981	Sutrina et al.
4309233	Method of manufacturing separable slide fastener	January, 1982	Akashi
4341575	Means for joining flexible fastener strips to film	July, 1982	Herz	156/66
4355494	Reclosable bags, apparatus and method	October, 1982	Tilman	53/416
4363345	Reclosable container	December, 1982	Scheibner
4372793	Method of joining flexible fastener strips to flexible web	February, 1983	Herz	156/66
4379806	Pressure-sensitive adhesive tape and process	April, 1983	Korpman
4415386	Method and apparatus for assembling and attaching zipper closure strips to sacks	November, 1983	Ferrell et al.	493/213
4419159	Manufacture of plastic bags with interlocking profile extrusions	December, 1983	Herrington
4428477	Resealable package for premoistened towellettes	January, 1984	Cristofolo
4428788	Film-tape-closure device slot cast integrated interlocking structure and extrusion method	January, 1984	Kamp
4430070	Method of and apparatus for uninterruptedly assembling components for making bags	February, 1984	Ausnit
4437293	Method and apparatus for making a reclosable package	March, 1984	Sanborn, Jr.
4446088	Method and mold for making an improved egg carton	May, 1984	Daines	264/155
4490959	Method and mechanism for filling bags	January, 1985	Lems	53/459
4497678	Method of making a laminate construction	February, 1985	Nussbaum
4498939	Method and apparatus for making zipper bags	February, 1985	Johnson
4514962	Method and apparatus for filling reclosable bags	May, 1985	Ausnit	53/457
4515647	Method and apparatus for forming an integral closure for a thermoplastic container	May, 1985	Behr
4517788	Mechanism for filling bags of different sizes	May, 1985	Scheffers	53/459
4518087	Sealed flexible container with non-destructive peelable opening	May, 1985	Goglio
4522305	Opening arrangement for packing containers with pressurized contents	June, 1985	Jacobsson
4528224	Method of making multiple reclosable bag material	July, 1985	Ausnit
4540537	Method and extruding die apparatus for producing a plastic closure strip	September, 1985	Kamp
4555282	Method of and means for bonding synthetic resin profiled fasteners to film substrate	November, 1985	Yano
4561109	Plastic bags with releasable closure which resists opening from inside	December, 1985	Herrington
4563319	Method of making quadruple profile tubing	January, 1986	Ausnit et al.	264/146
4573203	Reusable plastic bag with loop handle	February, 1986	Peppiatt
4581006	Method of and means for positioning sliders on zippers for reclosable bags	April, 1986	Hugues et al.	493/213
4582549	Method and apparatus for producing bag making material having reclosable fasteners	April, 1986	Ferrell
4584201	Resealable package, method of making and use	April, 1986	Boston
4586319	Method of and means for easy opening bags	May, 1986	Ausnit	53/468
4589145	Packaging material and package	May, 1986	Van Erden et al.
4601694	Thin wall reclosable bag material and method of making same	July, 1986	Ausnit
4602405	Containers provided with sealable sliding fasteners	July, 1986	Sturman et al.
4612153	Process and apparatus for thermoforming a thermoplastic carton having an aperture therein for latching the cover	September, 1986	Mangla	264/154
4615083	Locking slider for slide fastener and method of production thereof	October, 1986	Mayerhofer
4617683	Reclosable bag, material, and method of and means for making same	October, 1986	Christoff
4620320	Substantially leakproof zipper closure for bags and method	October, 1986	Sullivan	383/203
4638913	Multiply package having delaminating easy open seal	January, 1987	Howe, Jr.
4646511	Turning panel flap of zipper-equipped package material	March, 1987	Boeckmann et al.	53/551
4651504	Double funnel bag material and method	March, 1987	Bentsen	53/452
4652496	Magnetic recording medium	March, 1987	Yasufuku et al.	428/425.9
4654878	Plastic bag chain	March, 1987	Lems	383/37
4655862	Method of and means for making reclosable bags and method therefor	April, 1987	Christoff et al.	156/66
4656075	Plastic net composed of co-extruded composite strands	April, 1987	Mudge
4663915	Method of packaging and apparatus	May, 1987	Van Erden et al.	53/450
4664649	Method and apparatus for producing drawstring bags	May, 1987	Johnson et al.
4665552	Zipper equipped bags and method of and means for manually filling and separating them	May, 1987	Lems et al.	383/37
4665557	Multiple omega closures	May, 1987	Kamp	383/63
4666536	Method of and means for making reclosable bag material, and material produced thereby	May, 1987	Van Erden et al.
4673383	Fusible rib bonding of fasteners to substrate	June, 1987	Bentsen
4682366	Attachment of plastic zipper to incompatible bag wall web	July, 1987	Ausnit et al.
4691372	Manufacture of multi-layered reclosable bag making material and bags made therefrom	September, 1987	Van Erden	383/63
4698118	Apparatus for forming plastic fastener and plastic accessory strips and uniting the same with a film	October, 1987	Takahashi et al.
4703518	Attachment of plastic zipper to the outside of incompatible bag wall web	October, 1987	Ausnit	383/63
4709398	Chain bags, method and apparatus	November, 1987	Ausnit	383/63
4709533	Method and apparatus for making reclosable bags in a form, fill and seal machine	December, 1987	Ausnit
4710157	Former for form, fill and seal packaging machine	December, 1987	Posey	493/213
4713839	Resealable reusable flexible plastic bag with loop handle	December, 1987	Peppiatt
4736450	Gusseted bags with reclosure features	April, 1988	Van Erden et al.
4736451	Extruded zipper having combination stabilizing and differential opening means	April, 1988	Ausnit
4744674	Non-reclosable mechanically fillable and closable link bag structure and method	May, 1988	Nocek
4755247	Plastic net composed of co-extruded composite strands	July, 1988	Mudge
4755248	Slot-cast intergrated interlocking film closure structure	July, 1988	Geiger et al.
4782951	Reclosable package and method of making reclosable package	November, 1988	Griesbach et al.
4786190	Reclosable package having outer reclosable closure and inner non-reclosable closure	November, 1988	Van Erden et al.
4787880	Method of making extruded zipper strips and bags containing the same	November, 1988	Ausnit	493/213
4790126	Fill and seal machine for reclosable bags	December, 1988	Boeckmann	53/451
4791710	Self-aligning closable extruded profile plastic fastener and method	December, 1988	Nocek et al.
4792240	Extruded zipper strips for bags	December, 1988	Ausnit	383/63
4807300	Plastic zipper bag with anchor-socket attachment arrangement	February, 1989	Ausnit et al.	383/65
4812074	Apparatus for making bag material	March, 1989	Ausnit et al.	493/213
4817188	Bag with separate attached zipper and method of making	March, 1989	Van Erden
4832505	Tamper evident link bags	May, 1989	Ausnit et al.
4835835	Method and apparatus for making extruded separable fastener with reactivatable adhesive	June, 1989	Gould
4840012	Zippered film feed	June, 1989	Boeckmann	53/410
4840611	Gusseted bags with reclosure features	June, 1989	Van Erden et al.	493/213
4844759	Method of and means for applying reclosable fasteners to plastic film	July, 1989	Boeckmann	156/66
4846585	Easy open bag structure	July, 1989	Boeckmann et al.
4848064	Zipper bag filling machine and method	July, 1989	Lems et al.	53/459
4850178	Device for opening a double link bag chain	July, 1989	Ausnit	53/570
4855168	Synthetic resin sheet having notching strip and container	August, 1989	Imaizumi
4863285	Manufacture of bags	September, 1989	Claxton	383/37
4875587	Easy open shrinkable laminate	October, 1989	Lulham et al.
4876842	Method of and apparatus for packaging product masses in a form, fill and seal machine	October, 1989	Ausnit	53/410
4877336	Bottom loaded duplex bag having a handle and method of making same	October, 1989	Peppiatt
4878987	Transverse zipper bag material and method of and means for making same	November, 1989	Ven Erden	156/519
4889731	Package having peelable film	December, 1989	Williams, Jr.
4890935	Leak resistant zipper	January, 1990	Ausnit et al.
4892414	Bags with reclosable plastic fastener having automatic sealing gasket means	January, 1990	Ausnit	383/63
4892512	Method of making reclosable flexible containers having fastener profiles affixed to exterior of bag walls	January, 1990	Branson	493/194
4894975	Method and apparatus for making reclosable bags with fastener strips in a form fill and seal machine	January, 1990	Ausnit	53/412
4895198	Money organizer and carrier	January, 1990	Samuelson
4902140	Detachable handle for shipping sacks	February, 1990	Branson
4909017	Reclosable bag material, method and apparatus	March, 1990	McMahon et al.	53/410
4923309	Tamper-evident package	May, 1990	Van Erden
4924655	Film guide system	May, 1990	Posey	53/133.2
4925316	Reclosable bag having an outer reclosable zipper type closure and inner non-reclosable closure	May, 1990	Van Erden et al.
4925318	Packing, method of manufacturing same, and strip material therefor	May, 1990	Sorensen
4929225	Method of making bags and bag material having hinged zipper strips	May, 1990	Ausnit et al.	493/213
4941307	Zipper guide system for form tooling	July, 1990	Wojcik	53/412
4944409	Easy open package	July, 1990	Busche et al.
4945714	Form, fill, seal and separate packaging machine for reclosable containers	August, 1990	Bodolay et al.	53/568
4947525	Zipper closure with internal peel seal	August, 1990	Van Erden
4969309	Method and apparatus for producing resealable packages	November, 1990	Schwarz et al.	53/412
4969967	Method of manufacturing packing and strip material therefor	November, 1990	Sorensen et al.
4971454	Reclosable bag having a top closure attached to a bag body composed of multiple thermoplastic layers	November, 1990	Branson et al.
4974395	Zipper guide and spreader device for form, fill and seal machines	December, 1990	McMahon	53/551
4993212	Method and apparatus for guiding a zippered film in form, fill and seal package making machines	February, 1991	Veoukas	53/451
5005707	Reclosable package	April, 1991	Hustad et al.	383/210
5007142	Method of assembling a snapped-together multipart plastic slider with a plastic reclosable fastener	April, 1991	Herrington
5007143	Rolling action zipper profile and slipper therefor	April, 1991	Herrington
5010627	Foldable plastic slider and method of assembly with a plastic reclosable fastener	April, 1991	Herrington et al.
5014498	Web control means and method for bag making machine	May, 1991	McMahon	53/451
5017021	Reclosable profile having improved closure members	May, 1991	Simonsen et al.
5020194	Leakproof zipper with slider	June, 1991	Herrington et al.
5022530	Modified zipper elements for easy open containers	June, 1991	Zieke
5023122	Easy open bag structure	June, 1991	Boeckmann et al.
5024537	Tape carried pre-cut zipper	June, 1991	Tilman	383/63
5027584	Method and apparatus for unfolding folded zipper film	July, 1991	McMahon et al.	53/451
5033868	Flexible plastic bag with perforated handle	July, 1991	Peppiatt
5035517	Reclosable shipping sack	July, 1991	Edelman	53/133.4
RE33674	Openable bag	August, 1991	Uramoto
5036643	Form, fill, seal and separate packaging machine for reclosable containers including means for applying zipper to web	August, 1991	Bodolay	53/128.1
5042224	Zipper tracking in form, fill and seal package machines	August, 1991	McMahon	53/133.4
5046300	Method and apparatus for forming a reclosable package	September, 1991	Custer et al.	53/412
5063069	Zippered closure for thermoformed package	November, 1991	Van Erden et al.
5063639	Zippered closure for packages	November, 1991	Boeckmann et al.	24/30.5R
5063644	Foldable zipper slider with compression-type latch	November, 1991	Herrington et al.
5065899	Sectional or pre-cut zipper strips, magazine storage and feed means, and method	November, 1991	Tilman
5066444	Process and apparatus for reducing color contamination in the process recycle of zippered thermoplastic bags	November, 1991	Behr
5067208	Plastic reclosable fastener with self-locking slider	November, 1991	Herrington et al.
5067822	Method of forming recloseable packages, profiles used therein, and packages produced thereby	November, 1991	Wirth et al.
5070583	Gull wing zipper slider	December, 1991	Herrington
5071689	Hinged zipper	December, 1991	Tilman	428/121
5072571	Zippered film plural sheet strip guide system and method for zippered film for form, fill and seal package making machines	December, 1991	Boeckmann	53/133.4
5085031	Transverse zipper application for horizontal form, fill and seal machine	February, 1992	McDonald	53/412
5088971	Method of making protruding end stops for plastic reclosable fastener	February, 1992	Herrington
5092684	Post-applied zipper base with grip strip	March, 1992	Weeks
5092831	Method of and apparatus for opening a folded web of heat-sealable packaging material prior to formation of the web into sealed reclosable packages	March, 1992	James et al.
5096516	Method of making dual reuseable pouches	March, 1992	McDonald et al.	156/66
5100246	Pull bead and guide rails for easy open flexible containers	March, 1992	La Pierre et al.
5105603	Packaging machine for producing a reclosable package for a product	April, 1992	Natterer	53/412
5107658	Method of making a reclosable package	April, 1992	Hustad et al.	53/408
5111643	Apparatus and fastener supply strip for attaching reclosable fastener to plastic bags	May, 1992	Hobock	53/551
5112138	Resealable reusable flexible plastic bag with loop handle	May, 1992	Peppiatt
5116301	Method of making a double zipper pouch	May, 1992	Robinson et al.
5121997	Perforated tear strip for easy-open flexible containers	June, 1992	La Pierre et al.
5127208	Method and apparatus for forming a reclosable package	July, 1992	Custer et al.	53/412
5129734	Seal system for block cheese	July, 1992	Van Erden
5131121	Protruding end stops for plastic reclosable fastener	July, 1992	Herrington et al.
5147272	Method of making a vented pouch	September, 1992	Richison et al.	493/195
5152613	Plastic film zipper bag having straightened heat seals	October, 1992	Herrington, Jr.
5161286	End clamp stops for plastic reclosable fastener	November, 1992	Herrington, Jr. et al.
5167608	Bag severing and sealing apparatus	December, 1992	Steffens, Jr. et al.	493/214
5179816	Apparatus for automatically forming, filling, sealing and separating film packaging from a film webbing	January, 1993	Wojnicki	53/133.4
5186543	Tear-open bag having guide strips	February, 1993	Cochran
5188461	Packing, method of manufacturing same, and strip material therefor	February, 1993	Sorensen	383/210.1
5189764	Plastic reclosable fastener with structure for retaining slider in closed position	March, 1993	Herrington et al.
5198055	Method of forming recloseable packages, profiles used therein, and packages produced thereby	March, 1993	Wirth et al.
5209574	Reclosable plastic bag with sliderless zipper	May, 1993	Tilman	383/63
5211482	Closure for post filling application to packaging	May, 1993	Tilman
5224779	Tamper-evident, reclosable flexible packages	July, 1993	Thompson et al.
5247781	In-line application of closure to packaging film	September, 1993	Runge	53/412
5254073	Method of making a vented pouch	October, 1993	Richison et al.	493/195
5259904	Oscillating grip strip for recloseable plastic bags and method and apparatus for making the same	November, 1993	Ausnit	156/244.15
5273511	Method to improve welding of profiled plastic film or tape	December, 1993	Boeckmann	493/195
5283932	Flexible plastic zipper slider with rigidizing structure for assembly with profiled plastic zipper	February, 1994	Richardson et al.
RE34554	Bags with reclosable plastic fastener having automatic sealing gasket means	March, 1994	Ausnit
5301394	Plastic reclosable fastener with slider detent lock for locking slider in closed position	April, 1994	Richardson et al.
5301395	Plastic reclosable fastener with structure for restraining slider in closed position and for facilitating reopening fastener	April, 1994	Richardson et al.
5322579	Method of forming side seams for zippered bags or packages	June, 1994	Van Erden	156/66
5334127	Reclosable plastic bags made with open mouth and method of making open mouth bags	August, 1994	Bruno et al.	493/194
5366294	Recloseable package having recloseable profile strips with a heat barrier	November, 1994	Wirth et al.
5383989	Method and apparatus for manufacturing reclosable plastic bags utilizing pre-heated zipper	January, 1995	McMahon	156/66
5391136	Tamper-evident sealing system for envelope and method of making same	February, 1995	Makowka	493/210
5400565	Vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine for making recloseable product filled bags	March, 1995	Terminella et al.	53/133.4
5400568	Method and apparatus for making and filling a bag	March, 1995	Kanemitsu et al.	53/412
RE34905	Method and apparatus for making reclosable bags in a form, fill and seal machine	April, 1995	Ausnit	53/412
RE34906	Motor-driven throttle valve assembly	April, 1995	Tamaki et al.	123/399
5403094	Reclosable zipper	April, 1995	Tomic	383/63
5405478	Tubular plastic end stops bonded to plastic zipper	April, 1995	Richardson et al.
5405629	Multi-seal reclosable flexible package for displaying thinly sliced food products	April, 1995	Marnocha et al.	426/122
5412924	Method of making reclosable plastic bags on a form, fill and seal machine	May, 1995	Ausnit	53/412
5415904	Snap fastener and packaging bag with the same	May, 1995	Takubo et al.	428/35.2
5425216	Method of making reclosable plastic bags on a form, fill and seal machine with open zipper profiles	June, 1995	Ausnit	53/410
5425825	Reclosable zipper with tamper evident feature	June, 1995	Rasko et al.
5426830	Axial assembly of multi-part slider on zipper	June, 1995	Richardson et al.
5431760	Zipper slider insertion through split track	July, 1995	Donovan
5435864	Reclosable zipper with tamper evident feature	July, 1995	Machacek et al.
5442837	Integrated end stops for zipper slider	August, 1995	Morgan
5442838	Rolling action zipper profile and slider	August, 1995	Richardson et al.
5448807	Plastic end clips fused to plastic zipper	September, 1995	Herrington et al.
5448808	Foldable zipper slider with improved compression-type latch	September, 1995	Gross
5456928	Tamper-evident, flexible, reclosable package	October, 1995	Hustad et al.
5461845	Zippered film and bag	October, 1995	Yeager	53/451
5470156	Closure arrangement having a peelable seal	November, 1995	May	383/210
5482375	Tubular plastic end stops bonded to plastic zipper	January, 1996	Richardson et al.
5486051	Closure arrangement having a breakaway seal	January, 1996	May
5489252	Closure arrangement having a peelable seal	February, 1996	May	383/210
5492411	Tamper evident peelable seal	February, 1996	May	383/5
5505037	Vertical form, fill and seal machine for making recloseable bags	April, 1996	Terminella et al.	53/133.4
5509735	Closure arrangement having a peelable seal	April, 1996	May	383/210
5511884	Recloseable plastic bag with easy open and easy reclose profiles	April, 1996	Bruno et al.	383/63
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WO/1999/024325	May, 1999			METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLACING A PRODUCT IN A FLEXIBLE RECLOSEABLE CONTAINER

Sipos, John

Jenkens & Gilchrist

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/373,212 09/373,312, filed Aug. 12, 1999, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,011 on Jun. 6, 2000.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of filling a package, made from a continuous web of material comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected packages made from said web, each package including first and second opposing body panels joined along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the sides, the package including a fastener attached to the first body panel along a mouth portion of the package disposed opposite the bottom, the fastener initially being at least partially unattached to the second body panel while the fastener is attached to the first body panel; separating each package from said plurality of interconnected packages; filling the separated package with a product via a fill opening between the fastener and the second body panel; and attaching the fastener to the second body panel of the filled package to seal the fill opening.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fastener includes first and second interlocking profiles and first and second fins extending from the respective profiles, the first and second fins being joined along the breakable area of weakness, the first fin being attached to the first body panel, the second fin being at least partially unattached to the second body panel while the fastener is attached to the first body panel.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fill opening in the step of filling the package is between the second fin and the second body panel.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of attaching the fastener to the second body panel includes attaching the second fin to the second body panel.

5. The method of claim 1 further including the step of sealing said first and second body panels above said fastener.

6. A method of making and filling a packages, comprising: providing a package including first and second opposing body panels; attaching a fastener to the first body panel along a mouth portion of the package; attaching said first and second panels to each other to form a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the sides opposite the fastener; filling the package with a product via a fill opening between the fastener and the second body panel; and attaching the fastener to the second body panel to seal the fill opening.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fastener includes first and second interlocking profiles and first and second fins extending from the respective profiles, the fill opening in the step of filling the package being between the second fin and the second body panel, wherein the step of attaching the fastener to the first body panel includes attaching the first fin to the first body panel, and wherein the step of attaching the fastener to the second body panel includes attaching the second fin to the second body panel.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second fins are joined to each other along the breakable area of weakness.

9. A method of making and filling packages, comprising: providing a plastic web and a fastener in a longitudinal direction; folding the web to provide first and second opposing panels joined along a longitudinal bottom; attaching the fastener to an inner surface of the first panel near a longitudinal edge thereof opposite the longitudinal bottom; sealing the first and second panels to each other at spaced seals transverse to the longitudinal direction to form the packages; filling each package with a product via a fill opening between the fastener and the second panel; and attaching the fastener to an inner surface of the second panel to seal the fill opening.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said bottom includes a gusset.

11. A method of filling a package made from a continuous web of material, comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected packages made from said web, each package including two panels defining a mouth portion and a reclosable fastener that is useful for opening and closing said mouth portion after said package is filled, said fastener having a final attachment position on said two panels and being attached to said two panels along only a portion of said final attachment position so as to define an unattached segment and an attached segment of said fastener, said unattached segment and the adjacent one of said two panels define a fill opening therebetween; filling said package with a product through said fill opening; and separating each package from said plurality of interconnected packages; attaching said unattached segment of said fastener to said panels along the entirety of said final attachment position.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said package includes a bottom with a gusset.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said fastener includes a first interlocking profile with a first fin and second interlocking profile with a second fin.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said first and second fins are joined along a breakable area of weakness.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein, during said providing step, said first fin is attached to a first one of said two panels along said final attachment position and said second fin is at least partially unattached to a second one of said two panels along said final attachment position, said second fin and said second panel defining said fill opening.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said second fin is entirely unattached to said second one of said two body panels along said final attachment position.

17. A method of making and filling packages, comprising: providing first and second opposing panels of a plastic web and a fastener in a longitudinal direction; attaching said fastener to an inner surface of said first panel; sealing said first and second panels to each other at spaced seals transverse to said longitudinal direction to form said packages; filling each package with a product via a fill opening between said fastener and said second panel; and attaching said fastener to an inner surface of said second panel to seal said fill opening.

18. A method of filling a package, made from a continuous web of material comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected packages made from said web, each package including first and second opposing body panels joined along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging said sides, said package including a fastener attached to said first body panel along a mouth portion of said package disposed opposite said bottom, said fastener including first and second interlocking profiles, and first and second fins extending from said respective profiles, said first fin being attached to said first body panel, said second fin being at least partially unattached to said second body panel while said first fin is attached to said first body panel, said package further including a tramper-evident feature positioned below said first and second interlocking profiles; separating each package from said plurality of interconnected packages; filling said separated package with a product via a fill opening between said fastener and said second body panel; and attaching said fastener to said second body panel of said filled package to seal said fill opening.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said fill opening for filling said package is between said second fin and said second body panel.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said attaching said fastener to said second body panel includes attaching said second fin to said second body panel.

21. The method of claim 18, further including sealing said first and second body panels above said fastener.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said tamper-evident feature is a breakable area of weakness on at least one of said first and second fins.

23. A method of making and filing a package, comprising: providing a package including first and second opposing body panels; attaching a fastener to said first body panel along a mouth portion of said package, said fastener including first and second interlocking profiles, first and second fins extending from said respective profiles, and a breakable area of weakness providing a tamper-evident feature, said first fin being attached to said first body panel, said second fin being at least partially unattached to said second body panel while said first fin is attached to said first body panel; attaching said first and second panels to each other to form a pair of sides and a bottom bridging said sides opposite said fastener; filling said package with a product via a fill opening between said fastener and said second body panel; and attaching said fastener to said second body panel to seal said fill opening.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said fill opening in filling said package is between said second fin and said second body panel, and wherein attaching said fastener to said second body panel includes attaching said second fin to said second body panel.

25. A method of making and filling packages, comprising: providing a plastic web and a fastener in a longitudinal direction, said fastener including first and second interlocking profiles, first and second fins extending from said respective profiles, and a breakable area of weakness; folding said web to provide first and second opposing panels joined along a longitudinal bottom; attaching said fastener to an inner surface of said first panel near a longitudinal edge thereof opposite said longitudinal bottom; sealing said first and second panels to each other at spaced seals transverse to said longitudinal direction to form said packages; filling each package with a product via a fill opening between said fastener and said second panel; and attaching said fastener to an inner surface of said second panel to seal said fill opening.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said bottom includes a gusset.

27. A method of filling a package made from a continuous web of material, comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected packages made from said web, each package including first and second body panels defining a mouth portion and a reclosable fastener that is useful for opening and closing said mouth portion after said package is filled, said fastener having a final attachment position on said first and second body panels and being attached to said first and second body panels along only a portion of said final attachment position so as to define an unattached segment and an attached segment of said fastener, said unattached segment and said adjacent second body panel defining a fill opening therebetween, said fastener including first and second interlocking profiles and first and second fins extending from said respective profiles, said first fin being attached to said first body panel, said second fin being at least partially unattached to said second body panel while said first fin is attached to said first body panel, each of said packages including a tamper-evident feature below said first and second interlocking profiles; filling said package with a product through said fill opening; separating each package from said plurality of interconnected packages; and attaching said unattached segment of said fastener to said panels along the entirety of said final attachment position.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said tamper-evident feature is a breakable area of weakness on at least one of said first and second fins.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein said first fin is attached to said first body panel along an entire length of said package during said filling step.

30. A method of making a reclosable package, comprising: supplying a web of plastic material in a longitudinal direction, said web having first and second opposing body panels; supplying a reclosable fastener including a first profile and a second profile adapted to releasably interlock with said first profile, said fastener including a slider for opening and closing said first and second profiles; with said slider attached to said reclosable fastener, attaching said first profile to said first panel; creating individual packages from said web and said reclosable fastener; filling said individual package with a product via a fill opening between said second profile and said second panel; and attaching said second profile to said second panel to seal said fill opening.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said bottom includes a gusset that expands in response to filling said package with said product.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein said supplying said web includes folding said web to develop said first and second opposing body panels.

33. The method of claim 30, further including separating said individual packages from a remainder of said web.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein said fastener includes a plurality of first sealant ribs on an outer surface of said second profile to facilitate attaching said second profile to said second panel.

35. The method of claim 30, further including a tamper-evident feature below said first and second profiles.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said tamper-evident feature is a breakable area of weakness on at least one of a pair of fins attached to said first and second profiles.

37. The method of claim 30, further including creating end terminations on said individual packages for stopping movement of said slider.

38. The method of claim 30, further including sealing said first and second body panels above said fastener.

39. The method of claim 30, wherein said attaching said first profile to said first panel occurs along an entire length of said individual package.

40. The method of claim 30, wherein said attaching said first profile to said first panel occurs via attaching to said first panel a structure that is connected to said first profile.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said connected structure is a fin connected to said first profile.

42. A method of filling a package made from a continuous web of material comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected packages made from said web, each package including first and second opposing body panels joined along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging said sides, said package including a fastener attached to said first body panel along a mouth portion of said package disposed opposite said bottom and a slider for opening and closing said fastener, said fastener including first and second interlocking profiles and first and second fins extending from said respective profiles, said fastener initially being at least partially unattached to said second body panel while said fastener is attached to said first body panel; separating each package from said plurality of interconnected packages; filling said separated package with a product via a fill opening between said fastener and said second body panel; attaching said fastener to said second body panel of said filled package to seal said fill opening; and sealing said first and second body panels above said fastener.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said fill opening is between said second fin and said second body panel.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein said fastener is entirely unattached to said second opposing body panel before filling said separated package.

45. The method of claim 42, further including folding said web to provide said bottom and said first and second opposing body panels.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said attaching said fastener to said first body panel occurs after folding said web.

47. The method of claim 42, wherein said slider is attached to said fastener prior to said fastener being attached to said first body panel of said web.

48. A method of filling a package made from a continuous web of material comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected packages made from said web, each package including first and second opposing body panels joined along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging said side, said package including a fastener attached to said first body panel along a mouth portion of said package disposed opposite said bottom and a slider for opening and closing said fastener, said fastener including first and second interlocking profiles and first and second fins extending from said respective profiles, said fastener initially being at least partially unattached to said second body panel while said fastener is attached to said first body panel; creating a pair of end terminations for stopping movement of said slider near said respective sides of said package; separating each package from said plurality of interconnected packages; filling said separated package with a product via a fill opening between said fastener and said second body panel; attaching said fastener to said second body panel of said filled package to seal said fill opening; and sealing said first and second body panels above said fastener.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein said fill opening is between said second fin and said second body panel, wherein said attaching said fastener to said first body panel includes attaching said first fin to said first body panel, and wherein attaching said fastener to said second body panel includes attaching said second fin to said second body panel.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein said fastener is entirely unattached to said second body panel before filling said separated package.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein said bottom is formed by folding said web.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein attaching said fastener to said first body panel occurs after folding said web.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein said slider is attached to said fastener prior to said fastener being attached to said first body panel of said web.

54. The method of claim 48, wherein said first fin is attached to said first body panel along an entire length of said package during said filling step.

55. A method of filling a package made from a continuous web of material, comprising: attaching a reclosable fastener with an attached slider to a web, said reclosable fastener including a first profiled and a second profile adapted to releasably interlock with said first profile, said first profile being attached to said web, said slider for opening and closing said first and second profiles; creating individual reclosable packages from said web and said reclosable fastener; filling each of said individual packages with a product via a fill opening between said second profile and said web; and attaching said second profile to said second panel to seal said fill opening in said individual packages.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein said web includes first and second body panels, and said method including sealing said first and second body panels above said fastener.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said package further includes a tamper-evident feature below said first and second profiles.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein said tamper-evident feature is a breakable area of weakness on at least one of a pair of fins attached to said first and second profiles.

59. The method of claim 55, wherein said package further includes a tamper-evident feature below said first and second profiles.

60. The method of claim 55, further including creating a pair of end terminations for stopping movement of said slider near respective sides of said package.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein said web includes first and second body panels, and further including sealing said first and second body panels above said fastener.

62. The method of claim 55, wherein said plurality of interconnected packages includes a bottom disposed opposite of said fill opening, further including folding said web to form said bottom and said first and second panels.

63. The method of claim 55, wherein said first fin is attached to said first body panel along an entire length of said package during said filling step.

64. A method of filling a package made from a continuous web of material, comprising: providing a plurality of interconnected packages made from said web, each package including first and second body panels defining a mouth portion and a reclosablefastener that is useful for opening and closing said mouth portion after said package is filled, said fastener having a final attachment position on said first and second body panels and being attached to said first and second body panels along only a portion of said final attachment position so as to define an unattached segment and an attached segment of said fastener, said unattached segment partially defining a fill opening; filling said package with a product through said fill opening; separating each package from said plurality of interconnected packages; and attaching said unattached segment of said fastener to said panels along the entirety of said final attachment position.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein said package includes a tamper-evident feature below said fastener.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein said tamper-evident feature is a breakable area of weakness on at least one of a pair of fins attached to said first and second profiles.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein said fastener includes a slider, said slider being attached to said fastener prior to said fastener being attached along said final attachment position.

68. The method of claim 64, further including sealing said first and second body panels above said fastener.

69. The method of claim 64, wherein said fastener includes a slider, said slider being attached to said fastener prior to said fastener being attached along said final attachment position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to packages to be filled with a product on a form, fill, and seal machine and, more particularly, to a reclosable package filled through its tip on a form, fill, and seal machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical reclosable package includes first and second opposing panels joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. A reclosable fastener extends along a package top disposed opposite the bottom. The fastener generally includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track includes a male profile, while the second track includes a female profile adapted to releasably interlock with the male profile. The first and second tracks are thermally fused to, or integrally formed with, the respective first and second panels. To open and close the fastener, the package may be provided with a slider mounted to the fastener.

If reclosable packages of the foregoing type are to be prepackaged with a product and then sold in a store, the packages are typically prepared on a horizontal or vertical form, fill, and seal machine. In the form, fill, and seal machine, the package is first formed into the shape of a pouch having a fill opening at either the top or the bottom. If the fill opening is disposed at the bottom, then the top is sealed prior to filling the package. Similarly, if the fill opening is disposed at the top, then the bottom is sealed prior to filling the package. Next, the package filled with the product via the fill opening. Finally, the fill opening is sealed shut to fully enclose the product within the package. If the product delivered to the package includes food, then the fill opening is typically provided at the package bottom and a tamper-evident feature is provided along the top. The tamper-evident feature indicates to a consumer whether or not the package has been tampered with prior to purchase.

Some reclosable packages include a gusset along the bottom which expands in response to filling the package with a product. The gusset is advantageous because it increases the volume of product that can be contained in the package and, when the gusset expands, it allows the package to stand up on a store shelf. The stand-up package obviates the use of additional features such as headers with holes for hanging the package from a hook or post. The bottom gusset, however, makes it less practical to provide a fill opening at the bottom because most of the product resides in the gusset.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a fill-through-the-top reclosable package includes first and second opposing body panels joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The bottom optionally includes a gusset. The package is provided with a reclosable fastener extending along a package top disposed opposite the bottom. The fastener includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track includes a male profile, while the second track includes a female profile adapted to releasably interlock with the male profile. To provide tamper evidence, the first and second tracks are joined to each other along an area of weakness. The first and second tracks are optionally provided with respective first and second fins joined to each other along the aforementioned area of weakness to effectively create a single fin comprised of the first and second fins. To open and close the fastener, the package is optionally provided with a slider mounted to the fastener.

The package is convertible between a pre-filled condition and a post-filled condition. In the pre-filled condition, the first track is connected to the first panel, but the second track is only connected to the second panel along the sides thereby creating a fill opening between the second track and the second panel in a region between the sides. After the package is filled with a product via the fill opening, the package is converted to the post-filled condition. In the post-filled condition, the second track is connected to the second panel to seal the fill opening.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of making a reclosable package includes the following sequence of steps:

• • (a) supplying a web of plastic material;
  • (b) supplying a reclosable fastener including first and second opposing tracks, the first track including a male profile, the second track including a female profile adapted to releasably interlock with the male profile, the first and second tracks being joined to each other along an area of weakness;
  • (c) folding the web to provide first and second opposing panels;
  • (d) attaching the first track to the first panel;
  • (e) sealing the web such that the first and second panels are joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides;
  • (f) filling the package with a product via a fill opening between the second track and the second panel; and
  • (g) attaching the second track to the second panel to seal the fill opening.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, another method of making a reclosable package includes the following sequence of steps:

• • (a) supplying a web of plastic material in a longitudinal direction;
  • (b) supplying a reclosable fastener including first and second opposing tracks, the first track including a male profile, the second track including a female profile adapted to releasably interlock with the male profile;
  • (c) folding the web along one or more longitudinal folds to provide first and second opposing panels, the longitudinal folds creating a bottom of the package;
  • (d) attaching the first track to the first panel;
  • (e) sealing the web along a pair of sides, the bottom bridging the pair of sides;
  • (f) filling the package with a product via a fill opening between the second track and the second panel; and
  • (g) attaching the second track to the second panel to seal the fill opening.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for performing the above methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a reclosable plastic bag in a pre-filled condition embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along line 2 — 2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the reclosable plastic bag in a post-filled condition;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4 — 4 in FIG. 3;

• • FIGS. 5a and 5b are a diagrammatic representation of a method and apparatus for making and filling the reclosable plastic bag;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a method and apparatus for sealing the reclosable plastic bag;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line 7 — 7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along line 8 — 8 in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken generally along line 9 — 9 in FIG. 6 .

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 3 depict a fill-through-the-top reclosable package 10 , and FIGS. 2 and 4 depict a top portion of the package 10 . Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the package 10 includes first and second opposing body panels 12 and 14 joined to each other along a pair of sides 16 and a bottom 20 bridging the pair of sides 16 . The bottom 20 optionally includes a gusset 22 .

The package 10 is provided with a reclosable fastener 23 extending along a package top disposed opposite the gusseted bottom 20 . The fastener 23 includes first and second opposing tracks 24 and 26 . The first track 24 includes a rib-type male profile 28 and a first fin 30 extending downward from the male profile 28 , while the second track 26 includes a groove-type female profile 32 and a second fin 34 extending downward from the female profile 32 . The male and female profiles 28 and 32 are adapted to interlock with each other. The first track 24 includes a plurality of narrow first sealant ribs 36 on an outer surface of the first fin 30 to facilitate connecting the first fin 30 to the first panel 12 , and the second track 26 includes a plurality of narrow second sealant ribs 38 on an outer surface of the second fin 34 to facilitate connecting the second fin 34 to the second panel 14 . To provide tamper evidence, lowermost ends of the first and second fins 30 and 34 are joined to each other along a line of weakness 40 to effectively create a single fin comprised of the first and second fins 30 and 34 . The line of weakness 40 may be a scored line, a perforated line, a thinned die line, or a tear strip. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second tracks 24 and 26 do not include the respective depending fins 30 and 34 , and tamper evidence is provided by joining the lowermost ends of the profiles 28 and 34 instead of the lowermost ends of the fins.

To open and close the fastener 23 , the package 10 is optionally provided with a slider 42 mounted to the fastener 23 . The slider 42 disengages the profiles 28 and 32 in response to movement along the fastener 23 in an opening direction and engages the profiles 28 and 32 in response to movement along the fastener 23 in a closing direction. To accommodate the slider 42 and make it difficult to open the fastener 23 without using the slider 42 , the fastener 23 is preferably free to pull flanges extending upwardly from the male and female profiles 28 and 32 . To stop movement of the slider 42 near the sides 16 of the package 10 and thereby prevent the slider 42 from sliding off the end of the fastener 23 , a pair of end terminations 44 and 46 are mounted to the fastener 23 near the respective sides 16 of the package. 10 . The end termination 44 stops movement of the slider 42 in the opening direction, while the end termination 46 stops movement of the slider 42 in the closing direction. The end terminations 44 and 46 may be a separate element attached to the fastener 23 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, or may be integrally formed with the fastener 23 . Examples of end terminations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,971 to Herrington, U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,121 to Herrington et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,286 to Herrington et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,478 to Richardson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,837 to Morgan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,807 to Herrington, U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,375 to Richardson et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,173 to Dobreski et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The package 10 is convertible between a pre-filled condition and a post-filled condition. In the pre-filled condition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first fin 30 is connected to the first panel 12 , but the second fin 34 is not connected to the second panel 14 , except along the sides 16 , thereby creating a fill opening between the second fin 34 and the second panel 14 . After the package 10 is filled with a product via the fill opening, the package 10 is converted to the post-filled condition shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the post-filled condition, the second fin 34 is connected to the second panel 14 to seal the fill opening. If the bottom 20 includes the gusset 22 , the gusset 22 expands in response to filling the package 10 with the product. The gusset 22 is advantageous because it increases the volume of product that can be contained in the package 10 and, when the gusset 22 expands, it allows the package 10 to stand up on a store shelf 48 . The stand-up package 10 obviates the use of additional features such as headers with holes for hanging the package from a hook or post.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for making and filling the reclosable package 10 . The method and apparatus are illustrated in FIGS. 5a-b, 6 , 7 , 8 , and 9 . Referring first to FIGS. 5a and 5b, a core 50 supplies a web 52 of plastic material. A folder 53 folds the web 52 to provide first and second opposing panels 12 and 14 joined along a bottom 20 having one or more fold lines. The folder 53 optionally includes a gusset point 54 that creates a gusset 22 . The folded web 52 is conveyed between a pair of rollers 56 that bring the first and second panels 12 and 14 is close proximity to each other. A spool 58 supplies a reclosable fastener 23 having the structure discussed above. The fastener 23 is fed between the upper portions of the first and second panels 12 and 14 .

A sealer 60 seals the first fin 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) to the first panel 12 in the machine direction, i.e., the direction of movement of the web 52 . The sealer 60 may be a stationary convective (hot air) sealer that does not contact the web 52 , a reciprocating heated bar sealer that intermittently contacts the web 52 , or a band sealer comprising a heated band that moves with the web 52 until the seal is made. The first sealant ribs 36 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) on the outer surface of the first fin 30 facilitate this attachment between the first fin 30 and the first panel 12 . At this time, the second fin 34 remains disconnected from the second panel 14 . Another reciprocating heated bar sealer 62 seals the first and second panels 12 and 14 to each other in the transverse direction. The side seals 16 are generated by the sealer 62 at bag width distances apart to create individual packages 10 . If the bottom 20 includes a gusset 22 , a heated bar sealer 64 creates a pair of angle seals 66 along the gusset 22 on opposite sides of each side seal 16 . The first and second panels 12 and 14 are attached to each other at the angle seals 66 .

If the packages 10 are provided with respective sliders 42 , the sliders 42 are mounted to the fastener 23 at bag width distances apart either before the fastener 23 is attached to the web 52 or after the fastener 23 is attached to the web 52 . FIG. 5b depicts the sliders 42 as being installed after the fastener 23 is attached to the web 52 and after the formation of the side seals 16 . To stop movement of the slider 42 near the sides 16 of each package 10 , a pair of end terminations 44 and 46 are mounted to the fastener 23 on opposite sides of each side seal 16 .

The sliders 42 may be installed using various techniques. For example, the slider 42 may have hinged wings that fold and snap permanently in place to attach the slider 42 to the fastener 23 . Further details concerning such a hinged slider may be obtained from U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,010,627, 5,063,644, and 5,070,583 to Herrington, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In an alternative embodiments the slider 42 may have a pair of side walls that are temporarily flexed away from each other as the slider 42 is mounted on the fastener 23 and then returned to their original position after the slider 42 is mounted. In another alternative embodiment, prior to the formation of the side seals, the fastener 23 is cut apart at a location where a side seal is to be generated, the ends formed by the cutter are moved laterally relative to each other to expose the ends, and the slider 42 is threaded onto one of the exposed ends. Further details concerning this technique of inserting a slider through a split fastener may be obtained from U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,760 to Donovan, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In yet another alternative embodiment, prior to the formation of the side seals, the fastener 23 is notched at a location where a side seal is to be generated and the slider 42 is threaded onto the fastener 23 via the notch. The notch is sized to accommodate the slider 42 . Further details concerning this technique of inserting a slider onto a notched fastener may be obtained from U.S. application Ser. No. 09/307,937 to Provan et al. entitled “Zipper and Zipper Arrangements and Methods of Manufacturing the Same”, filed May 10, 1999, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

After forming the side seals 16 and installing such optional components as a slider 42 and end terminations 44 and 46 , a cutter 68 separates the packages 10 from each other at the side seals 16 . Each package 10 is then placed beneath a fill tube 70 having a spout that is inserted into a fill opening between the second fin 34 and the second panel 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The fill tube 70 conveys a predetermined amount of product to the interior of the package 10 . The gusset 22 expands in response to filling the package 10 with the product.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method and apparatus for sealing the filled packages 10 so that they are ready for shipment to and display at a store. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced, profiled guides 72 , a pair of moving members 74 , a reciprocating heated bar sealer 76 , and a stationary backing plate 82 . The profiled guides 72 are shaped in cross-section to support each package by either the fastener 23 , the slider 42 , and/or the end terminations 44 and 46 . As best shown in FIG. 7, the illustrated guides 72 include respective first steps 78 for engaging the respective lower shoulders of the slider 42 and respective second steps 80 for engaging the lower sides of the end terminations 44 and 46 . The opposing inner vertical faces of the guides 72 below the second steps 80 are spaced sufficiently apart to allow the fins 30 and 34 to fit therebetween, but sufficiently close to minimize the amount of air in the package head space above the product in the filled package. Each filled package 10 may be manually placed between the guides 72 or automatically fed into the guides 72 by conventional conveying equipment. The guides 72 are preferably made of a low-friction, rigid material such as hard anodized aluminum or ultra high density polyethylene.

The moving members 74 are disposed on opposite sides of the package 10 beneath the respective guides 72 . The moving members 74 continuously or intermittently convey the packages 10 supported by the guides 72 to the sealer 76 . Each moving member 74 is preferably a Teflon-coated glass-cloth belt encompassing a pair of spaced pulleys. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the reciprocating heated bar sealer 76 is disposed within one of the conveyor belts, while the backing plate 82 is disposed within the other of the conveyor belts. When a package 10 is disposed between the sealer 76 and the