Zipper and zipper arrangements and methods of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags that includes a zipper and at least one slider. The zipper includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track has a first profile and the second track has a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The first track has one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile. At least one slider is inserted onto the first profile via a respective one of the primary notches. The slider is adapted to engage and disengage the first and second profiles in response to movement along the zipper. The second track may have one or more to spaced primary notches interrupting the second profile. The spaced primary notches of the second track are generally aligned to respective ones of the primary notches of the first track. At least one slider is inserted onto the aligned pairs of primary notches via a respective one of the generally aligned notches.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a zipper having spaced primary notches according to one embodiment.(not shown) 121 (see FIG. 7d) located in the fold areas to assist in separating portions of the zipper from the remainder thereof. These perforation lines may be used in a method where the bag has been filled with product and the zipper is later added to the filled bag. The zipper 120 of FIGS. 7a-c is shown as being folded in a general shape of an accordion or z-fold along the fold areas 122.

In another embodiment, a zipper includes a plurality of fold areas or regions to assist in folding the zipper along the fold areas. The zipper has a first track with a plurality of spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile and a second track with a plurality of spaced slits (not shown) 75 (see FIG. 5a) interrupting the second profile. The slits are generally aligned with respective ones of the primary notches. The plurality of fold areas are generally aligned with respective ones of the aligned slits and primary notches. The zipper may include a breakable line of weakness or an area of weakness (not shown) located in the fold areas to assist in separating portions of the zipper from the remainder thereof.

It is contemplated, however, that the zipper may be folded in other shapes, such as being rolled or packed. The zipper 120 of one box may be spliced to a zipper arrangement (not shown) of a second box. The zipper may also be folded without the sliders 16 (not shown).

The zipper arrangement and sliders of the present invention may be made from a variety of suitable materials. Some examples of materials that may be used in forming the profiles, tracks, and fins include the following resins: high density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), metallocenecatalyzed LLDPE, polypropylene (PP), ethylene-propylene copolymer (E-P copolymer), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), low density polyethylene (LDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), and nylon.

The fins may be comprised of a plurality of layers where the outer layer is made of a lower melting temperature material and the inner layer is made of a higher melting temperature material to assist in inhibiting fusion of the fins. Similarly, one fin may be made of a plurality of layers where the outer layer is made of a lower melting temperature material and the inner layer is made of a higher melting temperature material. For example, the lower melting temperature materials may include EVA, LDPE, VLDPE, LLDPE, and metallocene-catalyzed LLDPE.

The slider may be molded from any suitable plastic, such as, for example, nylon, polypropylene, polystyrene, Delrin, or ABS. The opposing wall panels may be made from any suitable thermoplastic film such as, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, copolyester, or mixtures thereof. Furthermore, the wall panels of the present invention can have multiple layers joined by coextrusion or lamination. Thus, one skilled in the art can design and coextrude multi-layered polymeric bags which will incorporate the various properties inherent in differing polyethylene and polypropylene compositions. It is further possible to incorporate pigments, metallic components, paper, and/or paper/plastic composites into or on the layer or layers of the polymeric bags of the instant invention.

Methods of Forming Notches

The primary notches and optional secondary notches may be formed by a variety of methods. For example, one method of forming the primary notches in a zipper is shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 illustrates a punching apparatus 160 that forms aligned primary notches. The punching apparatus 160 includes a movable member 162 and an air cylinder mechanism 163. The air cylinder mechanism 163 controls the movement of the moveable member 162.

The moveable member 162 is shown in FIG. 8 as punching aligned primary notches that extend through the male and female profiles. The moveable member 162 preferably leaves at least a portion of the first and second fins so as to allow a slider to be placed onto a cut edge of the fins. A portion 164 from the zipper 10 is shown as being discharged from the zipper 10 by the moveable member 162. The moveable member 162 notches the zipper 10 at desired intervals, such as intervals being about a bag distance apart.

The punching apparatus 160 may also contain a second moveable member (not shown) that can form a plurality of secondary notches in a similar manner as described above for the moveable member 162. Alternatively, the punching apparatus may comprise a tiered moveable member (not shown) that simultaneously punches a plurality of aligned primary and secondary notches. According to another embodiment, a punching apparatus (not shown) may be designed to punch a first track without punching a second track. One such punching apparatus would include a moveable member located vertically above the zipper and adapted to move in a downward direction for punching a first track without punching a second track. This embodiment may be employed without first separating the male and female profiles.

Method of Placing at Least One Slider onto a Zipper

One method of placing at least one slider onto a zipper is shown in FIGS. 9-11. Referring to FIG. 9, an escapement mechanism 180 drops the sliders 16 one at a time in respective ones of the aligned pairs of the primary notches of the zipper 10. The escapement mechanism 180 is located downstream from the punching apparatus 160 of FIG. 8. The escapement mechanism 180 is preferably one bag repeat downstream from the punching apparatus 160. The escapement mechanism 180 may be located upstream from the form, fill and seal machine discussed above in FIG. 6.

The escapement mechanism 180 comprises a slider holder 182, a threader or slider finger 184, and a restraining finger 186. The slider holder 182 is designed to be compatible with an assembly of sliders 16 or individual sliders. The slider holder 182 includes a vertical column with a channel sized to hold the sliders 16. The channel of the slider holder 182 includes an open top and an open bottom. It is contemplated that the slider holder 182 may be shaped in a different manner than shown in FIG. 9. For example, the slider holder may be rectangular or square. Additional examples are shown in the application entitled “Assembly And Accumulation Of Sliders For Profiled Zippers”, Ser. No. 09/307,893 which has been filed concurrently with this application, and is incorporated herein be reference in its entirety. The shape of the slider holder generally corresponds to the shape of the assembly of the sliders or individual sliders. The slider holder 182 is preferably designed to allow one slider 16 at a time to be placed in a primary notch of the zipper 10.

As shown in FIG. 9, a zipper 10 is advanced toward the escapement mechanism 180 in a direction of the arrow. The zipper 10 may be pushed or pulled through the escapement mechanism 180. At a time when one of the aligned pairs of primary notches is generally located below the open bottom of the channel of the slider holder 182, a slider 16c is dropped in the aligned pair of primary notches (hidden in FIG. 9) of the zipper 10. The slider 16c may be placed in the notches by gravity and driven mechanically or electro-mechanically. The zipper 10 continues to move forward through the escapement mechanism 180. The threader finger 184 engages the dropped slider 16c and holds it in place as the zipper 10 is either pushed or pulled such that the slider 16c is threaded onto the profiles. An edge of the slider 16c abuts the threader finger 184 and is prevented from moving forward with the zipper 10. Thus, the aligned pair of primary notches is moving away from the slider 16c, while the slider 16c is being moved along the male and female profiles.

Referring to FIG. 10, the threader finger 184 is then moved away from the path of the slider 16c, resulting in the slider 16c moving forward with the zipper 10. The movement of the threader finger 184 from the path of the slider 16c corresponds to the desired placement of the slider 16c relative to a primary notch 12c. If a greater distance is desired between the slider 16c and the notch 12c, then the threader finger 184 remains abutting the slider 16c for a longer period of time. At the same time that the threader finger 184 is moved from the path of the slider 16c, the restraining finger 186 is moved toward the sliders 16. The restraining finger 186 holds the next slider (16d) in place as the zipper 10 is being advanced through the escapement mechanism 180.

According to this embodiment, the threader finger 184 and the restraining finger 186 are powered by independent pistons. Internal air passages allow only one of the threader finger 184 and the restraining finger 186 to be fully retracted when the other is completely extended. Referring to FIG. 11, the threader finger 184 is returned to the same position shown in FIG. 9 after the slider 16c has advanced past the threader finger 184. At the same time, the restraining finger 186 returns to a position away from the assembly of sliders 16. The next slider (16d) will be placed into an aligned pair of primary notches 12d as the zipper 10 is advanced forward.

According to one embodiment, the slider to be used in the method described above may be of the type described above in FIG. 2. A separator finger of the slider may extend at least partially between the male and female profiles so as to disengage the male and female profiles in response to movement along the zipper. It is preferable that the slider be positioned in the primary notch so that the separator finger of the slider remains between the male and female profiles.

According to another method of the present invention, a slider may be placed on a zipper as described above. The zipper may be of a length generally corresponding to a width of the bag after the slider is placed on the zipper.

According to yet another method of the present invention, a slider may be placed onto a zipper where only a first track has a plurality of spaced primary notches interrupting a first profile. In this method, the sliders are pushed downward onto a second profile and into respective ones of the primary notches. The sliders are slid onto the first profile via the respective primary notches. This method may use a similar type of escapement mechanism 180 that would allow the sliders to be pushed downward onto a second profile. The sliders of the type described above in FIG. 2 are preferably positioned so that a separator finger of the slider remains between the male and female profiles. Additional, a slider may be placed on a zipper having a length generally corresponding to a width of the bag after the slider is placed on the zipper.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments illustrated, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes and variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The embodiments and obvious variations thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising:

a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and said second track having a second profile, said first and second profiles being releasable engageable to each other, said first track having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile; wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin, and

at least one slider inserted onto said first profile via one of said primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper.

2. A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising:

a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and said second track having a second profile, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other, said first track having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile; and

at least one slider inserted onto said first profile via one of said primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper, wherein a depth of said primary notches is less than an internal opening of said slider.

3. A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising:

a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and said second track having a second profile, said first and second profiles being releasable engageable to each other, said first track having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile;

at least one slider inserted onto said first profile via one of said primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper, wherein said slider is pushed downward onto said second profile.

4. A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising:

a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form one or more aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other; wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile, wherein said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin, and

at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via one of said aligned pairs of primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper.

5. A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising:

a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form one or more aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other; and

at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via one of said aligned pairs of primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper, wherein a depth of said first primary notches is less than an internal opening of said sliders.

6. A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising:

a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form one or more aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other; wherein a depth of said first primary notches is less than an internal opening of said sliders; and

at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via one of said aligned pairs of primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper, wherein a depth of said second primary notches is less than an internal opening of said sliders.

7. A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising:

a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form one or more aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other; wherein said first track includes one or more first secondary notches and said second track includes one or more second secondary notches, said second secondary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first secondary notches to form aligned pairs of secondary notches, said first and second secondary notches extending at least partially into said respective first and second profiles, and

at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via one of said aligned pairs of primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipped.

8. The zipper arrangement of claim 7, wherein said slider includes a respective separator finger that extends at least partially between said first and second profiles to aid in disengaging said first and second profiles as said slider is moved along said zipper, at least one of said aligned pairs of secondary notches being adapted to engage said separator finger of one of said respective slider.

9. A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper arrangement comprising:

a zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form one or more aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasable engageable to each other; wherein said first track includes one or more first secondary notches and said second track includes one or more second secondary notches, said second secondary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first secondary notches to form aligned pairs of secondary notches, said first and second secondary notches extending at least partially into said respective first and second profiles; wherein said first primary notches merge into respective ones of said first and secondary notches, and

at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via one of said aligned pairs of primary notches, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper, at least one of said aligned pairs of secondary notches being adapted to park a respective one of said sliders.

10. A folded zipper for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper comprising:

first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form aligned pairs of primary notches said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other;

said zipper including a plurality of fold areas generally transverse to a length of said zipper and aligned with respective ones of said aligned pairs of notches, said zipper being folded along said fold areas.

11. The folded zipper of claim 10, wherein said zipper is folded in a general shape of an accordion.

12. The folded zipper of claim 10, wherein said fold areas divide said zipper into a plurality of zipper segments, said zipper segments of said folded zipper being generally parallel to each other.

13. The folded zipper of claim 10, wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile and said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile.

14. The folded zipper of claim 13, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin.

15. The folded zipper of claim 10, further including at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via a respective one of said aligned pairs of primary notches before said zipper is folded along said fold areas so as to form a folded zipper arrangement said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper.

16. The folded zipper of claim 15, wherein said at least one slider is a plurality of sliders.

17. The folded zipper of claim 10, wherein said fold areas include respective fold lines to assist in folding said zipper.

18. The folded zipper of claim 10, wherein said zipper further includes a breakable line of weakness or an area of weakness in said fold areas to assist in detaching portions of said zipper.

19. The folded zipper of claim 10, wherein said one or more first spaced primary notches is a plurality of first spaced primary notches and said one or more second spaced primary notches is a plurality of second spaced primary notches.

20. A method of making a folded zipper for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said method comprising:

providing a zipper comprising a zipper, said zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other, said zipper including a plurality of fold areas generally transverse to a length of said zipper and aligned with respective ones of said aligned pairs of notches; and

folding said zipper along said fold areas.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of folding said zipper includes folding said zipper in a general shape of an accordion.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said fold areas divide said zipper into a plurality of zipper segments, and wherein said step of folding said zipper is performed in a manner such that said zipper segments are generally parallel to each other.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile and said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein said zipper further includes at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via a respective one of said aligned pairs of primary notches before said zipper is folded along said fold areas so as to form a folded zipper arrangement, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said at least one slider is a plurality of sliders.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein said fold areas include respective fold lines to assist in folding said zipper.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein said zipper further includes a breakable line of weakness or an area of weakness in said fold areas to assist in detaching portions of said zipper.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein said one or more first spaced primary notches is a plurality of first spaced primary notches and said one or more second spaced primary notches is a plurality of second spaced primary notches.

30. A method of placing a slider onto a zipper, said method comprising:

providing said zipper, said zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and said second track having a second profile, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other, said first track having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile;

providing at least one slider, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper;

mounting said slider onto said second profile and into a respective one of said primary notches; and

sliding said slider onto said first profile via a respective one of said primary notches.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said at least one slider is a plurality of sliders.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein said slider comprises a first side wall, a second side wall and transverse body member bridging said first and second side walls, said transverse body member including a separator finger.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein said slider comprises a separator finger, said separator finger extending at least partially between said first and second profiles so as to disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper.

36. The method of claim 30, further including a step of positioning said slider so that a separator finger of said slider remains between said first profile and said second profile.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein said one or more first spaced primary notches is a plurality of first spaced primary notches.

38. A method of placing a slider onto a zipper, said method comprising:

providing said zipper, said zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and said second track having a second profile, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other, said first track having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile; wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile, wherein said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profiles, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin,

providing at least one slider, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper;

mounting said slider onto said second profile and into a respective one of said primary notches; and

sliding said slider onto said first profile via a respective one of said primary notches.

39. A method of placing a slider onto a zipper, said method comprising:

providing said zipper, said zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced first primary notches interrupting said first profile, wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile, wherein said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin, said second track having a second profile and one or more plurality of spaced second primary notches interrupting said second profile, said second primary notches being generally aligned with respective ones of said first primary notches to form generally aligned pairs of primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other;

providing at least one slider, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper;

positioning said slider in a respective one of said aligned pairs of primary notches; and sliding said slider onto said first and second profiles via a respective one of said aligned pairs of primary notches.

40. A folded zipper for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said zipper comprising:

first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced slits interrupting said second profile, said slits being generally aligned with respective ones of said primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other;

said zipper including a plurality of fold areas generally transverse to a length of said zipper and generally aligned with respective ones of said aligned slits and primary notches, said zipper being folded along said fold areas.

41. The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said zipper is folded in a general shape of an accordion.

42. The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said fold areas divide said zipper into a plurality of zipper segments, said zipper segments of said folded zipper being generally parallel to each other.

43. The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile and said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile.

44. The folded zipper of claim 43, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin.

45. The folded zipper of claim 40, further including at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via a respective one of said primary notches before said zipper is folded along said fold areas so as to form a folded zipper arrangement, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper.

46. The folded zipper of claim 45, wherein said at least one slider is a plurality of sliders.

47. The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said fold areas include respective fold lines to assist in folding said zipper.

48. The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said zipper further includes a breakable line of weakness or an area of weakness in said fold areas to assist in detaching portions of said zipper.

49. The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said one or more first spaced primary notches is a plurality of first spaced primary notches.

50. The folded zipper of claim 40, wherein said one or more spaced slits is a plurality of spaced slits.

51. A method of making a folded zipper for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags, said method comprising:

providing a zipper comprising a zipper, said zipper including first and second opposing tracks, said first track having a first profile and one or more spaced primary notches interrupting said first profile, said second track having a second profile and one or more spaced slits interrupting said second profile, said slits being generally aligned with respective ones of said primary notches, said first and second profiles being releasably engageable to each other, said zipper including a plurality of fold areas generally transverse to a length of said zipper and generally aligned with respective ones of said aligned slits and primary notches; and

folding said zipper along said fold areas.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein said step of folding said zipper includes folding said zipper in a general shape of an accordion.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein said fold areas divide said zipper into a plurality of zipper segments, and wherein said step of folding said zipper is performed in a manner such that said zipper segments are generally parallel to each other.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein said first track has a first fin extending downward from said first profile and said second track has a second fin extending downward from said second profile.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin.

56. The method of claim 51, wherein said zipper further includes at least one slider inserted onto said zipper via a respective one of said primary notches before said zipper is folded along said fold areas so as to form a folded zipper arrangement, said slider being adapted to engage and disengage said first and second profiles in response to movement along said zipper.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein said at least one slider is a plurality of sliders.

58. The method of claim 51, wherein said fold areas include respective fold lines to assist in folding said zipper.

59. The method of claim 51, wherein said zipper further includes a breakable line of weakness or an area of weakness in said fold areas to assist in detaching portions of said zipper.

60. The method of claim 51, wherein said one or more first spaced primary notches is a plurality of first spaced primary notches.

61. The method of claim 51, wherein said one or more spaced slits is a plurality of spaced slits.

62. A method of forming and filling a package, said method comprising:

providing a zipper having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting a portion of said zipper;

mounting a slider onto said zipper via a respective one of said primary notches, said slider being adapted to open and close said zipper;

attaching said zipper to a web of thermoplastic film;

forming said zipper-carrying web of film into a package having an open end;

filling said package via said open end with a product; and

wherein said step of mounting said slider occurs before said step of attaching said zipper.

63. A method of forming and filling a package, said method comprising;

providing a zipper having one or more spaced primary notches interrupting a portion of said zipper; wherein said zipper includes first and second opposing profiles releasably engageable to each other and a first fin extending downward from said first profile; wherein said zipper includes a second fin extending downward from said second profile; wherein said first fin is detachably connected to said second fin,

mounting a slider onto said zipper via a respective one of said primary notches, said slider being adapted to open and close said zipper;

attaching said zipper to a web of thermoplastic film;

forming said zipper-carrying web of film into a package having an open end; and

filling said package via said open end with a product.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein said zipper further includes a plurality of fold areas and a breakable line of weakness or an area of weakness in said fold areas to assist in detaching portions of said zipper.