US4094729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for making open profile bags
Assignee: Minigrip Inc
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Filing: 1977-04-12
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Granted: 1978-06-13
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Expires: 1997-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and mechanism for preparing individual reclosable thin plastic bags with rib and groove profiles delivered in unengaged position on the finished bag, whereby said bags are made from a continuous supply of layers of film having critically shaped small rib and groove profiles on facing surfaces thereof interlocked with each other and continuously advancing the layers of film and inserting a fixed separating finger between the rib and groove profiles so as to draw them apart, maintaining the profiles in alignment by grooves which do not press the profiles flat but carefully guide them laterally, guiding the film profile layers toward each other and then immediately pressing the profile layers together with a sealing and cutting means following the finger, so that the profiles are interlocked at the location of sealing only.
Inventors
- 👤 Salvatore Boccia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:09
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D33/00; B65D33/16; B65D33/25; B65D33/2508; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/346; B29C66/40; B29C66/41; B29C66/43; B29C66/431; B29C66/4312; B29C66/432; B29C66/4322; B65D33/2541; A; A44; A44B; A44B19/00; A44B19/10; A44B19/16; B29C65/74; B29C65/743; B31; B31B; B31B70/00; B31B70/74; B31B70/81; B31B70/813; B31B70/8131; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S493/00; Y10S493/916; Y10S493/927; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1054; Y10T156/12; Y10T156/1313
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A mechanism for preparing bags of thin plastic film having continuous reclosable fastener profiles on the surface thereof comprising in combination: means for continuously advancing facing layers of thin plastic bag film having facing interlocking rib and groove profiles on the inner surface extending along one edge of the layers with the profiles being interlocked; a separating finger positioned between the rib and groove profiles along the path traveled by the layers having a leading separating edge so that the profiles are forcibly separated as they are advanced by the rib element being pulled out of the groove element; aligning means positioned immediately after said separating edge holding said rib and groove elements in exact opposing alignment immediately after they are separated and while traveling over the separating finger; and a heat sealing means positioned immediately after the separating finger intermittently pressing the layers together transversely joining the rib and groove profile elements and heat sealing said layers and profiles by applying heat thereto, said heat sealing means moved intermittently against the bag film at spaced locations to form a cross seal at spaced locations on the film with the rib and groove elements remaining separated between said spaced locations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A mechanism for preparing bags of thin plastic film having continuous reclosable fastener profiles on the surface thereof comprising in combination: means for continuously advancing facing layers of thin plastic bag film having facing interlocking rib and groove profiles on the inner surface extending along one edge of the layers with the profiles being interlocked; a separating finger positioned between the rib and groove profiles along the path traveled by the layers having a leading separating edge so that the profiles are forcibly separated as they are advanced by the rib element being pulled out of the groove element; aligning means positioned immediately after said separating edge holding said rib and groove elements in exact opposing alignment immediately after they are separated and while traveling over the separating finger; and a heat sealing means positioned immediately after the separating finger intermittently pressing the layers together transversely joining the rib and groove profile elements and heat sealing said layers and profiles by applying heat thereto, said heat sealing means moved intermittently against the bag film at spaced locations to form a cross seal at spaced locations on the film with the rib and groove elements remaining separated between said spaced locations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A mechanism for preparing bags of thin plastic film having continuous reclosable fastener profiles thereon having the structure of claim 1: wherein said sealing means is positioned a distance no greater than 1/2 inch from said separating finger and aligning means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
A mechanism for preparing bags of thin plastic film having continuous reclosable fastener profiles thereon having the structure of claim 1: wherein said aligning means includes groove means in the surfaces of said separating finger facing the profiles with the groove means having sufficient depth to permit the profiles to extend therein without engagement with the base of the groove and with the grooves having a width only slightly greater than the profiles so as to maintain them in accurate alignment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A mechanism for preparing bags of thin plastic film having continuous reclosable fastener profiles thereon having the structure of claim 1: wherein said finger is tapered so as to become narrower in the direction of movement of the film for guiding the layers toward each other immediately in advance of the sealing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mechanism for preparing bags of thin plastic film having continuous reclosable fastener profiles thereon having the structure of claim 1: including a pulling means maintaining a tension of the film in the direction of its movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mechanism for preparing bags of thin plastic film having continuous reclosable fastener profiles thereon having the structure of claim 1: wherein said sealing means includes means for cross-cutting the layers of film to form individual bags.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-12 | 1981-12-12 | 1982-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-12 | 1985-12-12 | 1986-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-12 | 1989-12-12 | 1990-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |