Method of producing a hermetic reclosable package using seal bars with non-parallel geometry

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed which include a pair of opposed seal bars for the manufacture of reclosable packages. The method and apparatus are particularly adaptable to form fill seal manufacture of reclosable packages. The first opposed seal bars includes a concave metal sealing surface and the second opposed seal bar includes a rubberized or otherwise deformable sealing surface. This allows a hermetic seal to be formed across an abrupt transition of thickness of material between the opposed seal bars, such as when a zipper ends adjacent to a side seal in a reclosable bag.

1 . A pair of opposed seal bars including a first seal bar and a second seal bar, wherein the first seal bar has a concave sealing surface. 
     
     
         2 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 1  wherein ends of the first seal bar are closer to the second seal bar than is a central area of the first seal bar. 
     
     
         3 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 1  wherein the second seal bar has a deformable sealing surface. 
     
     
         4 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 3  wherein the deformable sealing surface is rubberized. 
     
     
         5 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 1  wherein the first seal bar includes a metal sealing surface. 
     
     
         6 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second seal bars is heated. 
     
     
         7 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 1  wherein the first and second seal bars are heated. 
     
     
         8 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 1  wherein the first and second seal bars have a reciprocating relationship with respect to each other. 
     
     
         9 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 1  wherein the deformable sealing surface is adapted to accommodate a transition in thickness from a side seal between first and second sheets of web to a zipper engaged between the first and second sheets of web adjacent to the side seal. 
     
     
         10 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 1  wherein the deformable sealing surface is adapted to accommodate a transition in thickness from a side seal between first and second sheets of web to a zipper engaged between the first and second sheets of web adjacent to the side seal, wherein the zipper includes a first and second profile with a peel seal therebetween. 
     
     
         11 . A pair of opposed seal bars including a first seal bar and a second seal bar, wherein the first seal bar has a concave sealing surface; and further including first and second sheets of web with a zipper between the pair of opposed seal bars. 
     
     
         12 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 11  wherein ends of the first seal bar are closer to the second seal bar than is a central area of the first seal bar. 
     
     
         13 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 11  wherein the second seal bar has a deformable sealing surface. 
     
     
         14 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 13  wherein the deformable sealing surface is rubberized. 
     
     
         15 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 11  wherein the first seal bar includes a metal sealing surface. 
     
     
         16 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the first and second seal bars is heated. 
     
     
         17 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 11  wherein the first and second seal bars are heated. 
     
     
         18 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 11  wherein the first and second seal bars have a reciprocating relationship with respect to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 11  wherein the deformable sealing surface is adapted to accommodate a transition in thickness from a side seal between the first and second sheets of web to the zipper engaged between the first and second sheets of web adjacent to the side seal. 
     
     
         20 . The pair of opposed seal bars of  claim 11  wherein the deformable sealing surface is adapted to accommodate a transition in thickness from a side seal between the first and second sheets of web to the zipper engaged between the first and second sheets of web adjacent to the side seal, wherein the zipper includes a first and second profile with a peel seal therebetween.