Vertical stand-up pouch with zipper seal quick change module
A vertical stand-up pouch, or flexible package having a zipper seal mechanism incorporated therein, and method for manufacturing same, constructed with a quick change module modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch from a single sheet of packaging film by inserting a zipper seal mechanism on a first side of the packaging film tube and creating a vertical crease along the tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. The zipper seal mechanism is attached to the packaging film prior to sealing the sheet of the packaging film along its longitudinal seam forming a tube comprising, in part, a quick change module that easily installs on the base of a forming tube. Likewise, the crease is formed using fixed or stationary modifications to prior art vertical form, fill, and seal machines comprising, in part, a quick change module that easily installs on the base of a forming tube.
1. A method of making a flexible reclosable stand-up package on a vertical form, fill, and seal machine comprising the steps of:
a) feeding a continuous sheet of packaging film having a first and second lateral edge toward said form, fill, and seal machine;
b) dispensing a length of zipper seal mechanism toward said form, fill, and seal machine, wherein said seal mechanism comprises, in opposing and interlocking combination, a first element having a first profile portion and a first tab portion extending away from said first profile portion, and a second element having a second profile portion, which is complementary to and interlocks with said first profile portion, and a second tab portion extending away from said second profile portion;
c) forming said packaging film into a tubular shape about a forming tube of said form, fill, and seal machine, bringing said lateral edges together in an adjacent relationship as said packaging film advances downwardly over said forming tube;
d) feeding said length of zipper seal mechanism longitudinally into a space between said packaging film formed into the tubular shape and said forming tube and in a direction parallel to said forming tube;
e) attaching a portion of said tab portions to said packaging film formed into the tubular shape prior to longitudinally sealing said tubular shape;
f) forming a longitudinal seal in said packaging film by sealing said lateral edges in said adjacent relationship to one another to produce a tube enclosing said zipper seal mechanism;
g) forming a vertical crease in said tube of packaging film prior to traversely sealing said film tube;
h) forming a space between an inner surface of said film tube and said interlocked profile portions of said zipper seal mechanism prior to traversely sealing said film tube;
i) forming a first traverse seal on said film tube, wherein said first traverse seal includes a portion of said vertical crease and a portion of said zipper seal mechanism, said first traverse seal sealing all layers of said film tube and said crease together, and sealing all layers of said film tube and said zipper seal mechanism together;
j) dropping a product into a partially formed package created by steps a) through i);
k) forming a second traverse seal on said film tube, wherein said second traverse seal includes a portion of said vertical crease and a portion of said zipper seal mechanism, said second traverse seal sealing all layers of said film tube and said crease together, and sealing all layers of said tube and said zipper seal mechanism together; and
l) severing said package from said film tube at said second traverse seal.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said packaging film has lettering oriented perpendicular to a direction of travel of said film.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
m) standing up said package on said crease with said lettering oriented upright.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the crease of step g) is formed by at least one adjustable, stationary tucker bar positioned between a pair of forming plates.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said tucker bar comprises a fluoropolymer.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the space of step h) is formed by guiding the interlocked profile portions of said zipper seal mechanism in a direction parallel to said forming tube while projecting the tab portions of said zipper seal mechanism away from said forming tube.