Process for making a recloseable package

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.

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       44 . A process for packaging product, comprising: 
 a. providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members, said first interlocking member being attached to said web on a line that is generally parallel to said first and second edges, said second interlocking member having an attachment region that is facing away from said web;    b. rotating said zipper relative to said web to move said attachment region of said second interlocking member adjacent to said web;    c. attaching said web to said second interlocking member at said attachment region;    d. placing said product adjacent to said web;    e. folding said web around said product;    f. sealing said web at a region adjacent to said first and second edges; and    g. forming individual packages from said web.    
   
   
       45 . A process for making a recloseable package, comprising: 
 a. providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members, said first interlocking member being attached to said web on a line that is generally parallel to said first and second edges, said second interlocking member having an attachment region that is facing away from said web;    b. exposing a top and a bottom of said zipper by folding said first edge toward said second edge;    c. cutting spaced notches in said zipper while said top and said bottom are exposed;    d. moving sliders over said zipper at said notches;    e. creating a pocket of said web around said zipper and said slider;    f. attaching said web to said second interlocking member at said attachment region; and    g. orienting said pocket to a position transverse to a plane in which said web resides.    
   
   
       46 . The process of  claim 45 , wherein said creating said pocket includes rotating said slider relative to said web to move said attachment region of said second interlocking member adjacent to said web.  
   
   
       47 . The process of  claim 45 , wherein said creating said pocket includes folding a web around said zipper and said slider.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 45 , further including moving said web with said attached zipper and associated sliders to a horizontal form-fill-seal machine.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 45 , further including moving said web with said attached zipper and associated sliders to a vertical form-fill-seal machine.  
   
   
       50 . A process for making a recloseable package, comprising: 
 a. providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members, said first interlocking member being attached to said web and located at an intermediate portion of said web between said first and second edges, said second interlocking member having an attachment region that is facing away from said web;    b. exposing a top and a bottom of said zipper;    c. creating zipper segments from said zipper while said top and said bottom are exposed, each of said zipper segments being for an individual product package; and    d. adding a slider onto each of said zipper segments.    
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein said creating zipper segments includes presealing said zipper at spaced locations.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said creating zipper segments includes adding notches to said zipper at spaced locations.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said notches are located at said areas of said presealing.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said zippers are placed over said notches.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 54 , further including applying an end termination for each of said zipper segments.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 50 , further including applying an end termination for each of said zipper segments.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 50 , further including attaching said web to said attachment region to form a pouch around said zipper and said slider.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 50 , further including moving said web with said attached zipper and associated sliders to a horizontal form-fill-seal machine.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 50 , further including moving said web with said attached zipper and associated sliders to a vertical form-fill-seal machine.  
   
   
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