a form , fill , seal and separate packaging machine for reclosable containers is accomplished by a plurality of stations disposed along a path of travel of a thermoplastic web including a pair of mated , resealable closure strips present on the base web . the machine is intermittent in its operation , with movement of the web through the machine controlled so that the various steps of forming , filling , sealing and separating the reclosable containers are performed during periodic stops of the machine . the machine is further characterized by its use of two pairs of web belts to move the web through the machine . a first pair of web belts initially receive the folded web stock and partially form and completely fill the containers . the second pair of web belts overlap with the downstream end of the first pair of belts , but are disposed lower than the first belts . when the filled partially formed containers pass from the first pair of belts to the second pair of belts , the unsealed free ends are exposed for final sealing and severing .