Adding mass to slider end stomps with ultrasonics in a reclosable package

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus wherein extra mass is added to a profile of a slider zipper prior to the ultrasonic or thermal forming of the end stomps. This results in an end stomp of increased size and height, thereby providing a greater resistance to the slider being pulled from the ends of the zipper.

1 . The process of:
 providing a length of zipper material for a reclosable package;   providing a length of additional material adjacent to the length zipper material;   forming end stomps on the length of zipper material from a portion of the length of zipper material and a portion of the length of additional material.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of forming end stomps is performed by ultrasonic or thermal welding. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2  wherein the length of zipper material is formed from polyethylene and the length of additional material is formed from polyethylene. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the length of additional material is provided on a top of the length of zipper profile. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the length of additional material is provided at a top of the length of zipper material, the length of additional material further including sheets which extend over sides of the length of zipper material. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the length of additional material is provided at a first side of the length of zipper material. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 6  further wherein the length of additional material is provided at a second side of the length of zipper material. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the length of additional material is provided adjacent to and above the length of zipper material. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the length of additional material is provided below the length of zipper material. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the length of additional material is fed to be parallel to the length of zipper material. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 3  further including the step of cutting away the length of additional material in locations where an end stomp is not formed. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the end stomps rise above the length of zipper material. 
     
     
         13 . The process of
 providing a length of zipper material for a reclosable package;   inserting a slider onto the length of zipper material, the slider including an extension of additional material extending therefrom;   forming end stomps on the length of zipper material from at least a portion of the extension of addition material.   
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13  wherein the extension of additional material is inserted on a side of the length of zipper material. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the length of zipper material includes first and second profiles and wherein the extension of additional material is inserted between the first and second profiles of the length of zipper material. 
     
     
         16 . The process of:
 providing a length of zipper profile for a reclosable package;   providing a length of additional material perpendicular to the length of zipper profile;   forming end stomps on the length of zipper material from a portion of the length of zipper material and a portion of the length of additional material.   
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 16  wherein the length of additional material travels through a clamp device which periodically positions the length of additional material against the length of zipper material. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17  wherein the clamp device positions the length of additional material perpendicularly with respect to the length of zipper material. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 18  wherein the clamp device further includes a cutting device for periodically cutting the length of additional material. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19  wherein the step of forming the end stomps is performed by an ultrasonic or thermal device configured with the clamp device.