Donald Taylor Wright

US Patent:

60983698, Aug 8, 2000

Filed:

Jul 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/118575

Inventors:

William A. Bodolay - Lakeland FL
Donald K. Wright - Murphysboro IL
Lester Siebert - Cobden IL

International Classification:

B65B 6120

US Classification:

531334

Abstract:

An apparatus for attaching a reclosable fastener to a web of flexible material primarily intended for use with a host packaging machine to form a reclosable container. The attaching apparatus is operatively connected to and driven by a programmable motor and function controller in cooperative relation with the host machine and guides the web of flexible material from which the containers will ultimately be formed along a first path through the attaching apparatus. A supply of reclosable zipper-type fasteners is also provided, and the fasteners are guided along a second path of the apparatus. Individual zipper-type fasteners are removed from the fastener supply path and disposed in juxtaposition to a segment of the flexible material in overlying relation to a cut which has been formed through a predetermined segment of the flexible material. The individual fastener is then sealed to the flexible material in overlying, surrounding relation to the cut, and the web, with the reclosable fastener attached thereto, is then passed to the host packaging machine for forming, filling, sealing and separating a reclosable container.