Method and apparatus for forming a reclosable package

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides a method and apparatus for applying a reclosable fastener to a packaging film during the form, fill and seal formation of a package, and allows the reclosable profile to be placed other than at the fin seal.
In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus for applying a reclosable profile element to a packaging film, the apparatus including a central member having an upper section and a lower section, the upper section including means for forming a longitudinally extending web of packaging film with marginal edges into a tube about a perimeter of the upper section, the lower section having an outer perimeter which is less than the tube forming perimeter of the upper section; a means for generating a loop in the packaging film, the loop running generally parallel to the axis of the tube, and utilizing packaging film which is in excess of the portion of the tube required to conform the tube to the outer perimeter of the lower section; a means for threading a reclosable profile element into the loop of packaging film; and a means for adhering the reclosable profile element to the inner surface of the loop of packaging film.
In another aspect, the invention is a method of applying a reclosable profile element to a packaging film which includes the steps of forming a web of packaging film over a shoulder and into a tubular shape about a central member having an upper section and a lower section; joining the marginal edges of the packaging film to form the film into a tube having a perimeter larger than the outer perimeter of the lower section; advancing the tube of packaging film along the length of the central member; forming a longitudinally extending loop in the packaging film from an excess of packaging film made available by conforming the tubular packing film to follow the outer perimeter of the lower section of the central member as the packaging film is advanced along the length of the central member; threading a reclosable profile element along the length of the central member and into the loop of film; and adhering the reclosable profile element to the inner surface of the loop