Guide for zippered film in a form, fill and seal packaging machine

Claim 1

A form, fill and seal packaging machine comprising: means for supplying a continuous plastic bag film in a tubular configuration having interlocked recloseable fastener elements on respective opposing plies of said film, means for feeding said film through a filling station, a filling station for supplying a predetermined amount of product to said bag film, guide means immediately preceding said filling station and position inside said bag film for providing uninterrupted guidance of said film through said filling station, said guide means includes a first guide wheel for engaging an interior surface of said bag film and a second guide wheel for engaging said fastener elements, separating means preceding said filling station for separating said fastener element, a support arm for supporting said guide means and said separating means, wherein said support immediately follows said guide wheel and said separating means on said support arm is positioned between the fastener elements, means for pressing said fastener elements together in an interlocking relationship, means for laterally sealing said bag film to form a bag assembly having first and second side seams, and means for severing said bag assembly from said bag film.

Claim 13

An apparatus for providing uninterrupted guidance through a forming station of a reclosable bag film in a tubular configuration having interlocked fastener elements comprising: a guide means positioned inside said bag film for providing uninterrupted guidance of said bag film through said forming station including a first guide wheel engaging an interior surface of said bag film and a second guide wheel having a beveled fastener element engaging surface for engaging interlocked fastener elements on opposing plies of said bag film, said first and second guide wheels having an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the faces of said bag film, and separating means positioned along the path travelled by said bag film for separating said interlocked fastener elements as said bag film is advanced.

Claim 14

An apparatus for providing uninterrupted guidance through a forming station of a reclosable bag film in a tubular configuration having interlocked fastener elements comprising: a guide means positioned inside said bag film for providing uninterrupted guidance of said bag film through said forming station including a first guide wheel engaging an interior surface of said bag film and a second guide wheel having a beveled fastener element engaging surface for engaging interlocked fastener elements on opposing plies of said bag film, said first and second guide wheels having an axis of rotation generally perpendicular to the faces of said bag film, and separating means positioned along the path travelled by said bag film for separating said interlocked fastener elements as said bag film is advanced.