Form, fill and seal method and apparatus for forming reclosable bags

摘要

A method is disclosed for forming reclosable packages at a form, fill and seal (FFS) apparatus (20) by advancing a film of package making material longitudinally to form a tube while guiding opposite longitudinal edges of the film into a fin (36). A zipper (38) having interlocking members (42,44) and an attached flange (46) is fed into the fin by capturing external surfaces of the interlocking members within a first guide member (50) positioned adjacent to said fin (36) and feeding the flanges along opposite sides of a second guide member (54) positioned within said fin. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.