Brian V Douglas

US Patent:

6701695, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Apr 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/124996

Inventors:

Brian Douglas - Hewitt NJ 07421

International Classification:

B65B 3102

US Classification:

53511, 531334, 53561, 533293, 156 66

Abstract:

A form-fill-and-seal (FFS) packaging machine is described wherein a zipper is attached to the package simultaneously with the sealing operation at the sealing and evacuation station. The attached zipper is thereafter welded in place at the zipper welding and cutting station. A zipper blank feeder and a channel-forming die with an impulse sealer are integrated into the sealing die of a packaging machine forming a combination work station. The zipper is installed at an existing work station and shares the existing lifting device. This enables the retrofitting of an FFS packaging machine to include a zipper attachment function without changing the footprint thereof. The combination work station forms a channel for the zipper blank between the thermoformed web and the lidstock. While the sealing die is providing a seal about the lid, the impulse sealer in the channel-forming die attaches the zipper to an initial attachment portion of the packaging film. Upon completion of the package, this initial attachment portion, if retained, becomes the tamper-indication portion of the package.

US Patent:

6868654, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

Jul 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/624291

Inventors:

Brian Douglas - Hewitt NJ, US

Assignee:

Pro-Pac Services, Inc. - Ringwood NJ

International Classification:

B65B061/18

US Classification:

53511, 531334, 53561, 53201, 156 66

Abstract:

A form-fill-and-seal (FFS) packaging machine is described wherein a zipper is attached to the package simultaneously with the sealing operation at the sealing and evacuation station. The attached zipper is thereafter welded in place at the zipper welding and cutting station. A zipper blank feeder and a channel-forming die with an impulse sealer are integrated into the sealing die of a packaging machine forming a combination work station. The zipper is installed at an existing work station and shares the existing lifting device. This enables the retrofitting of an FFS packaging machine to include a zipper attachment function without changing the footprint thereof. The combination work station forms a channel for the zipper blank between the thermoformed web and the lidstock. While the sealing die is providing a seal about the lid, the impulse sealer in the channel-forming die attaches the zipper to an initial attachment portion of the packaging film. Upon completion of the package, this initial attachment portion, if retained, becomes the tamper-indication portion of the package.