Method for placing a product in a flexible recloseable container
View Patent ↗An invention for forming, filling, and sealing a flexible recloseable container. Both vertical and horizontal methods for placing product within the container are disclosed. The invention includes guiding a web of film which has interlocking fastener strips sealed to the web. A slider for locking and unlocking the fastener strips is placed in the correct orientation, spread apart at a pair of inner feet, and inserted over the fastener strips. The slider is positioned to close a substantial portion of the strips, and then an end stop, docking station, and corner seal are formed against a sealing plate. The slider is then repositioned, and a tamper evident seal may be placed over the fastener strips.
1. A method for placing a product in a flexible recloseable container, comprising:
feeding a quantity of flexible film;
feeding a supply of interlockable fastener strips, each of the fastener strips including an opposing flange;
forming a first tamper-evident seal between opposing flanges;
placing the slider over the fastener strips after said forming a first tamper evident seal without stopping the web of flexible film during said placing;
joining the fastener strips with the web of flexible film;
placing a second tamper evident seal over the fastener strips;
forming a seal across at least a portion of the web; and
placing a product within the web.
2. The method of claim 1 which further comprises orienting a slider before said placing a slider by vibrating a plurality of sliders in a container.
3. The method of claim 1 which further comprises joining the fastener strips with the web of flexible film without stopping the web of flexible film.
4. The method of claim 1 which further comprises pushing the slider onto the fastener strips.
5. The method of claim 1 which further comprises holding the slider stationary and moving the fastener strips through the slider.
6. The method of claim 1 which further comprises spreading apart at least a portion of the fastener strips and placing a product within the web after said spreading.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein placing a product is after said forming a seal and which further comprises forming a second seal across the web after said placing a product.
8. The method of claim 1 which further comprises fusing together the fastener profiles and a portion of the web at a first location, and placing a product within the web after said fusing at a first location.
9. The method of claim 1 which further comprises synchronizing said placing the slider with said feeding of fastener strips by detecting the feeding of a portion of flexible film or fastener strip equivalent to about the width of a container.