MXPA99007704A - Apparatus and methods for securing articles to containers - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for securing a pour spout fitment to a panel of a filled and sealed thermoplastic coated carton, wherein a machine (10) is mounted over a conveyor (12) conveying a line of cartons. Within the machine (10), a selected panel surface of each filled and sealed carton is heated to a predetermined temperatures;next, at least an annular surface of a flange of the fitment is heated to a predetermined temperature. When the heated surface of the fitment is applied to the heated surface of the carton, the heat energy is transferred to the latter surface to an extent capable of activating the thermoplastic coating thereon. Upon pressing and cooling, the fitment and the carton surface are bonded together, without the need for a back-up or support mechanism, such as a mandrel or anvil. Alternatively, the fitment may be secured to the carton by way of a jetted-on, circular bead of hot melt adhesive.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHODS TO SECURE ARTICLES IN CONTAINERS DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY This invention relates primarily to an apparatus and method for securing an article to a container and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method wherein a support mechanism, such as a spindle or anvil, is not required. To date, items, such as spout accessories, have been secured to thermoplastic coated container panels by the following methods. In US-A-4,813,578, the following method is used: a spindle is inserted into the interior of the still open mouth of the container, with the spindle supporting the inner surface of a barrier layer and forming a support support. Hot air or radiant heat is applied to the outer surface of an upper skirt wall immediately around an opening to thereby soften the polyethylene coating, with a pour spout attachment flange placed over the softened layer for thereby Adhere the tab to the wall. An external spindle is also used to press the assembly against the internally positioned spindle. This pressure is maintained until the coating cools and therefore effects permanent adhesion of the flange to the wall. Other methods, such as ultrasonic adhesion and impulse heating, can be used. US-A-5,249,695 merely discloses that adhesion to the polymer-coated paperboard panel is achieved by soldering or otherwise adhering a spout attachment flange to the polymer coating. US-A-4,964,562 and US-A-5,152,438 each use an ultrasonic sealing furnace and a supporting support spindle operating around respective pouring openings. US-A-4,948,015 discloses the use of an ultrasonic furnace for adhering a flange of a spout fitting to an interior or rear surface of a container panel around a pour opening. US-A-4,669,640 suggests fusing a pour spigot flange to an inner surface of a container skirt upper part either thermally or ultrasonically. US-A-5,088,643 states that the spout attachment is preferably adhered to the outer surface of the container panel by pulse heating under pressure as an ultrasonic seal although other methods may be used as desired. US-A-4,925,034 discloses the adhesive bonding of a pour spout attachment by hot melt glue to an upper outer surface of a container.

US-A-5, 101, 999 suggests that a spigot or lock be "Adhered to the top of the package by any suitable means such as an adhesive applied to a lower surface of the lock to be adhered to the top of the package." Where the package is coated with an outer thermoplastic layer of polyethylene, which discourages such adhesion, perimeter cuts may be made that may be indent or applied as perforated cuts. Such indentations or perforated cuts only need to penetrate the outer layer of polyethylene to allow the adhesive to adhere with the underlying carrier or paper layer. WO-A-88/05012 discloses a container having an upper edge portion on which a laminated cover is adhered. The adjacent surface of the roof is heated above its melting point, in order to attach to the edge portion. WO-A-96/39332 of the applicant discloses a pour spout adhesion applied to a container carrying pourable product on a location where the container has one of a partial depth cut and an opening formed therein. The adhesion includes a body and may have a removable cover mounted therein. The body includes an internal projection, an outer mounting flange, and an inner end wall having a network segment cut therein so as to be movable like a fin about a pivot axis.

WO-A-92/14604 discloses a method and apparatus for adhering a spigot to an open top, sealed bottom package. A conveyor moves the container successively to three stations. In the first station, a hole punch drills a hole. In the second station, a glue applicator applies adhesive to the joint site. In the third station, a spigot adhesion assembly applies a spigot to the prepared site. The container is subsequently filled and sealed at the top. The glue applicator includes a horizontal injector that rotates in a circle in a vertical plane to form a complete circle of bonding agent on the vertical exterior surface of the container around the hole, ready to receive a ringed flange from the fitting. US-A-5473857 discloses an accessory application apparatus, for applying plastic spigot fittings to full and sealed packages, integrated in line with a conventional production line of forming / filling / sealing. The apparatus advances formed, filled and sealed containers to an accessory application station. For this purpose, the containers are brought from the end of the forming / filling / sealing production line by means of a continuous line conveyor terminating in a terminal plate between a pair of continuous line conveyors; an exhaust allows the pair of conveyors to advance one-to-one containers to an indicator pallet conveyor that extends through the accessory application station and advances the containers to a continuous delivery conveyor. A hopper and associated gravity supply rail provide a series of accessories to an accessory applicator anvil at the application station. Each attachment has a flange the bottom surface of which is coated with hot melt adhesive as the fitting slides past a hot melt adhesive applicator roll. A fixture retaining mechanism receives and places each fixture in such a manner that the underside of the flange coated with hot melt adhesive faces an outer side of the wall of the filled package. The accessory applicator anvil intermittently carries accessories from the accessory retaining mechanism in supporting relationship with the container filled in register with the spigot hole, thereby pressing the lower surface of the flange coated with hot melt adhesive against the layer of extrusion on the outer side of the container wall, whereby the accessory is adhered to the filled and sealed container. WO-A-97/04953 describes a similar system, except for the on-line integration with a forming-filling-sealing machine. WO-A-97/16302 discloses a method for securing a pour spout attachment to a thermoplastic coated container, where filled and sealed skirt tip containers are diverted onto a guiding tower where each of a plurality of receivers Slants that rotate with the tower receive a spout attachment, present the attachment to a heat source to make the underside of a flange of the accessory sticky, and place the accessory on an already heated portion of a roof panel of an container around an opening or curl of weakness in it, to join together the accessory and the panel.

The receivers are continuously cooled to promote adhesion. In practice, a section of a flat top conveyor extending from a forming-filling-sealing machine to a covering machine would be altered to adapt it to the attachment adhesion machine. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided which comprises making a first package forming a first container, filling the container with contents, sealing the filled container and then advancing the first container by conveying means, characterized by the subsequent installation of adhesion means in the conveyor means without altering the conveyor means and manufacturing a second package forming a second container, filling the second container with contents, sealing the second full container, advancing the second container by said conveyor means , and operating the adhesion means to adhere an article to an outer surface of the second Hay and sealed container. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing a package, comprising forming means for forming a container, filling means after said forming means for filling said container with contents, sealing means after of the filling means for sealing the filled container, article adhesion means after the sealing means for adhering the article to an outer surface of the filled and sealed container, and conveying means extending further, in turn, from the forming means, the filling means, the sealing means and the adhesion means for advancing the container beyond, in turn, the forming means, the filling means, the sealing means and the adhesion means , characterized in that the adhesion means were installed in the conveyor means without the conveyor means having been altered. Due to these aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide an article adhesion station downstream of a sealing station of a form-fill-seal machine without altering the existing conveyor (s). In this way, the provision of the station does not involve work or extra costs to adapt the existing transporter (s) or the subsequent removal of the station involves work or extra costs to restore the existing transporter (s) if and when the adherence of the Items is no longer required. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a package, comprising forming a container, filling the container with contents, sealing the filled container at the top, and adhering a ringed portion of an accessory. spout for pouring by means of an adhesive to an outer surface facing upwards, of the filled and sealed container, characterized in that said adhesion comprises applying the adhesive to the outer surface of the filled and sealed container to provide a sphere in the form of a closed loop of adhesive, and apply the ringed portion to said sphere, which is in a manner corresponding to that of the ringed portion. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for use in the manufacture of a package, comprising conveyor means, forming means adjacent to the conveyor means for forming a container on the conveyor means, filling means adjacent to the conveyor means. conveying means for filling the formed container, upper sealing means adjacent to the conveying means for sealing the upper part of the filled container, and accessory attaching means adjacent to the conveying means for adhering a pour spout attachment to a surface outer facing upward of the filled and sealed container, characterized in that the accessory adhesion means consist of adhesive application means for applying a jet of adhesive to the outer surface of the filled and sealed container, jet moving means arranged to move said jet in relation to the outer surface for providing on said outer surface a sphere of adhesive in the form of a closed loop of adhesive, and means for applying a portion of an accessory to said sphere to adhere the accessory to the container. Due to the application of the ring sphere of adhesive after sealing the top, the sphere can be applied to the outer surface facing upwards, so that there is a lower tendency for the adhesive to run over the surface (or even flow through a pour hole, if provided, into inside the container), and in this way reduce the adhesion efficiency of the accessory to the container and / or thus stain the conveyor and other surfaces and thus alter the operation of the system. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a method for securing articles to container panels is provided, said method consists of the steps of: a.- heating to a predetermined temperature a surface of a panel selected from an upright container; b.- receive an item from a source of supply through a receiver; c- moving the receiver so as to expose a selected surface of said article to a heat source to heat the surface to a predetermined temperature; d.- moving the receiver further so as to place the heated surface of the article on the surface of the upright container; and e.- pressing a cooled anvil against another selected surface of the article to adhere the heated surface thereof to the heated surface of the upright container. Due to this aspect of the invention, a simple and effective cooling of the heated adhesive material is achieved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for receiving an article and placing it on a selected panel of an upright container is provided, said apparatus consists of a pivotally mounted fluidic piston and cylinder device having a reciprocable receiver provided therein, a first fluidized, stationary mounted piston and cylinder device, having a reciprocable support provided thereon for pushing the article from a rail within the receiver, a second piston and cylinder, fluidic device , stationary mounted, having a reciprocable heated tool provided thereon to heat a surface of the article with the pivoting of the article in alignment therewith by the pivotally mounted piston and cylinder device, the piston and cylinder, pivotally mounted, after further pivoting the same, serves to place the heated surface of the article over the selected panel. Due to this aspect of the invention, a simple and effective application of the article to the container is achieved. Preferred embodiments of the invention each provide an improved apparatus and method for securing an article to a thermoplastic coating of a laminate, in particular securing a pour spout attachment to a container panel coated with thermoplastic. Both the pour spout attachment and the panel can be heated, by suitable heating mechanisms, to a predetermined temperature, so that, when the attachment is applied to the container panel, the heat from the attachment is transferred to the panel to elevate the temperature of a portion that receives the accessory from the surface of the panel at a level capable of activating the thermoplastic coating; with cooling, the attachment and the surface of the container adhere together. The preferred apparatus and method are applied downstream of all forming, filling and sealing operations performed on the container, and are capable of being installed and performed on an existing conveyor system downstream of a conventional forming, filling and sealing machine, without that no alteration of this existing system is necessary. Preferably, the apparatus is a machine mounted on a conveyor carrying filled and sealed containers, said machine includes stations in which each successive container, or pair of containers, enters the machine; (a) the selected upper lock panel (s) is / are heated; the flange (s) of (a) spout attachment (s) is / are heated and placed on the selected panel (s); the tab (s) is / are pressed while cooling to adhere; the manufactured packaging (s) is / are inspected; and the package (s) comes out (in) from the machine. The apparatus and method is adaptable, when required, to multiple in-line guides, wherein a feeder bowl would include multiple unloading rails, or multiple supply bowls could be used.

In order that the invention is clearly understood and carried out easily, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a machine accessory adhesion mounted on an existing conveyor; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic diagram of stations within the machine of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a skirt top package, and a perspective view of a pour spout fitting to be affixed to the package; Figure 3A is a side elevational view of a heater arrangement for heating a selected panel of the package; Figure 4A is a side view, in partial section of an accessory charging apparatus operating in a heating and accessory fitting station; Fig. 4B is a side view, in partial section of the accessory charging apparatus and an accessory heating apparatus operating in the accessory fitting and heating station; Fig. 4C is a side view of the accessory charging apparatus and the accessory heating apparatus and of an accessory positioning apparatus operating in the accessory fitting and heating station; Figure 4D is an enlarged detail of Figure 4B; Figure 5 is a side view in partial section of a press and cooling arrangement; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing double stations within the machine of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic side view of the apparatus including an attachment adhesion machine that constitutes another embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a diagramatic, opposite side view of that other embodiment; Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view, diagrammatic from above, of that other embodiment; Figure 10 is an elevation taken in the direction of arrow X in Figure 9; Figure 11 is an elevation taken in the direction of arrow XI in Figure 9; Figure 12 is a view taken in the direction of arrow XII in Figure 9; Figure 13 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a modified apparatus constituting a third embodiment of the invention; and Figure 14 is a diagrammatic side elevation of that modified apparatus. Referring now to Figures 1 to 7 in greater detail, Figure 1 shows a machine 10 mounted on a flat top conveyor 12 carrying transported, filled and sealed thermoplastic coated containers 14 (Figure 3), which come from a typical and well known forming, filling and sealing machine (not shown). Figure 2 represents the seven stations I to VII, through which the container 14 is guided inside the machine 10, that is, the station I for entry of the filled and sealed container (figure 1, conveyor 12 entering the machine 10); II To heat a selected panel of the container (Figure 3A); lll To load and heat a spout attachment 20 and place it on the heated selected panel (Figures 4A, 4B and 4C); IV To press and cool the accessory (figure 5); V For a second pressing and cooling of the accessory (figure ); VI For inspection; Y; VII For exit from the packaging of the machine 10. Any of several known retention and transportation techniques (not shown) are used to ensure that the containers 14 to have attachments 20 adhered thereto are carried in a spaced relation on the conveyor 12. existing (which allows the containers 14 to vary their space ratios) through the stations l-VII of the machine 10. These techniques include, for example, screws 11 shape-forming synchronizers, shuttle systems and clamps with movements forward and backward, and the so-called systems of "walking pillow" with air cylinder provisions forward and reverse. If the containers 14 to be advanced by the conveyor 12 are not going to have accessories applied to them, then either the machine 10 can be operated so that only its conveyor (the screws 12) will work, or its conveyor can be moved away of interference with the containers 14 (for example the screws 12 can be displaced laterally outwards). Alternatively, the conveyor 12 itself can take the form of a conveyor which prevents the containers 14 from moving relative to it along or through it, for example it could be a chain conveyor with cavities. Figure 3 illustrates the package 14 having an upper panel 16 with a weakened line 18 formed therein; and a spout attachment 20 coated with high density polyethylene, or another plastic having a body 22, a cap 23, and an outer mounting flange 24. The weakened line 18 may be a circular marking line or a line of partial depth cutting. In some applications it may be an opening. Figure 3A illustrates a round heat tool 25 having a ringed shape for encircling the weak line 18 in the form of a loop in the panel 16. The tool 25 is adapted to be extended by an air cylinder 25a to lean against and heat a portion of the ringed surface around the weakened line 18 at a predetermined temperature, and then retracted therefrom. The predetermined temperature is below the melting point of the thermoplastic coating of the package. As shown in Figure 4A station III includes a lane 26 with spout accessories 20 stacked and slidable downwards, supporting flange against flange. The fittings 20 are oriented and supplied to the rail 26 by a well-known vibrator parts feeder, shown at 28 in FIG. 1, mounted on the upper part of the machine 10. At the bottom of the rail 26, a stirrup 29 on the The distal end of a piston 30 of a first fixed cylinder 32 serves to push the end of the fitting laterally into an opening 33 formed in a receiver 34 on a piston 35 of a second cylinder 36. The cylinder 36 is secured at the rear end of the piston. same to a horizontal pivot 38. After receiving the accessory 20, the second cylinder 36 pivots to a predetermined number of degrees downward (counter clockwise) to a selected position, such as the one shown in Figure 4B, for become axially aligned with a fixed third cylinder 42. In this position, a piston 40 of the fixed third cylinder 42, having a hot ringed tool 44 on the end of the third mo, it extends so as to cause the hot tool 44 to engage the face 46 of the flange 24 of the accessory 20, thereby heating the flange to a predetermined temperature. Said predetermined temperature is below the melting point of the plastic mounting flange 24.

With the retraction of the hot ringed tool 44, as shown in Figure 4 C, the second cylinder 36 then pivots further in a counter clockwise direction downwardly around the pivot 38 to a position in alignment with the weakened line 18 of the panel 16. The piston 35 of the second cylinder 36, and its accessory loaded receiver 34, extend to place the flange 24 of the accessory 20 on the panel 16 around the weakened line 18. As shown in Figure 4D, the tool ring 44 may consist of a round block 46 having a round hole 48, comparable to the inside diameter of flange 24, formed on an end face 50 thereof. A connector hole 52 is formed in the center of the other face 54, a deeper hole 56 is formed in the face 54 out of the center of the hole 52, suitable for the insertion therein of a heat source (not shown) and an even deeper hole 58 is also out of the center of the hole 52, suitable for the insertion therein of a temperature sensing probe (not shown). The hole 58 may extend to a point near the face 50, outside the center of the periphery of the gap 48. The end face 50 is machined flat and, preferably, includes a coating of a non-tacky coating material for coupling the flange 24. The tool 25 of Figure 3A may be formed to be similar to the tool 44 of Figure 4D for coupling and heating the panel 16 around the weakened line 18.

With the retraction of the piston 35, the cylinder 36 pivots in a clockwise direction to its initial position shown in Figure 4A, and the conveyor 12 guides to the IV station (Figure 2), where a suitable anvil cooled and in Cup shape, represented at 60 (Figure 5), and mounted on a piston 62, is pressed by an air cylinder 64 against the exposed surface 66 of the flange 24 to adhere the flange to the panel 16.

In station V the pressure by an additional cooled anvil 60 and an assembly air cylinder 64 is administered to improve the adherent action. After inspection by any convenient means, such as a photocell arrangement (not shown), in station VI, the packages consisting of the filled and sealed containers 14 and their adhered accessories 20 exit the machine 10, to be taken by the conveyor 12 to a boarding point (not shown). Figure 6 represents a double guide arrangement wherein each of two adjacent containers 14 are processed concurrently by dual equipment in the manner described above. The vibrator parts feeder 28 is adaptable to provide accessories oriented to the double rails 26. It should be noted that the thermal energy required to be supplied to the flange 24 by the hot ringed tool 44 depends on several parameters, like. the melting point of the flange surface material 46, b. the storage temperature of accessories 20, c. the ambient temperature inside the machine, d. the humidity, and e. the melting point of the thermoplastic coating of the container. With reference to figures 7 to 12, the apparatus consists of an accessory adhesion machine 101 mounted on a conveyor 102 carrying the formed, filled and sealed thermoplastic coated containers (not shown). The conveyor 102 can be an existing conveyor of a forming, filling and sealing machine or it can be another existing conveyor which constitutes a linear extension of the existing conveyor of that machine. Whatever the case, the path of the packages from before the top sealing station (not shown) of the forming, filling and sealing machine to after the machine 101 does not turn on itself. The conveyor 102 is a double conveyor with endless chain, the two chains of which define between the same cavities that they receive closed the filled and sealed containers in the upper part 14. These cavities receive in a sufficiently closed way the containers 14 so that the containers are held firmly in them and therefore can receive exactly the tabs 24 of the accessories 20. The apparatus consists of a double indicator arrangement where each two adjacent containers are processed jointly by double equipment. A vibrator accessory supplier 103 supplies accessories in a condition oriented to the double rails 104.

The feeder 103 consists of a reserve bowl 105 connected by a single rail 106 to the double rails 104, there having a toothed wheel oscillatingly rotated 107 in the branch from the rail 106 to the rails 104 to prevent attachment of the accessories 20 in the place of the branch. The edge walls of lane 106 and initial sections 104a of the rails 104 have projections to provide sub-cuts for receiving and guiding the tabs 24 of the accessories 20, while the last sections 104b of the rails 104 have side walls without such projections so that the accessories 20 can be easily lifted from the same. In particular, each rail 104 includes a channel 108 with a terminating wall 109 through a lower end thereof. Each channel 108 has a pair of protruding bands 110 adhered to the upper edges of the respective side walls thereof. Halfway through each section 104 is an exhaust device 111 that includes a trigger 112 and where the fittings in section 104a are supplied one by one to section 104b. The rails 104, the exhaust devices 111, and the exit end area 106a of the rail 106 are part of an accessory adhesion device 113 having respective opposite end walls 114 and 115 arranged one after the other throughout. of the advancement path of the containers in the conveyor 102. The end walls 114 and 115 are interconnected by members 116 extending parallel to that advance path. Between the two plates 114 and 115 there are only two stations and these are double stations, i.e. an adhesive application station 117 and an accessory pick-up and placement station. 118. Mounted on plate 114 is an electric motor 119 having a removable safety cover 120 anchored through a chain 121. The output of motor 119 is taken to a gear transmission 122 from single to double pulse, the double outputs of which are two parallel movements synchronized in side-by-side circles performed by two eccentric output pins 123. A support link 124 is mounted on the pins 123 and therefore performs a movement parallel to itself. Fixed to the link 124 is a mounting 125 for a pair of adhesive injectors 126 consisting of respective dosing devices 127 and respective nozzles 128 that deliver respective metered jets of adhesive. The dosing devices 127 are pneumatically operated through a compressed air port 129 connected to a compressed air line (not shown), and are supplied with adhesive through respective tap tubes 130 connected to the adhesive supply lines. respective (they are not shown either). Fixed to respective opposite sides of the end plate 114 are photoelectric sensors 131 which disable the two stations 117 and 118 when a package does not approach the station 117. Fixed to the plate 115 is a clamp 132 to which a table is fixed 133 through which an impeller 134 is mounted which serves to guide a lifting and positioning support plate 135 rotatably through 180 °. Mounted on the plate 135 in a rectangular arrangement are four pneumatic piston and cylinder devices 136 reciprocating respective suction nozzles 137 perpendicular to the plate 135.

Provided between the stations 117 and 118 is a support bracket138 carrying a cover sheet 139. Beyond the end wall 115 are fixed a pair of photoelectric detectors 140 which stop the packages approaching the station 117 in case of that a preselected number of containers leaving station 118 are without accessories 20 therein. The machine 101 and the conveyor 102 are mounted in a housing 141 on which a cabinet 142 is carried containing controls for the pneumatically operated articles of the apparatus. Adjacent to the housing 141 stands a platform assembly 143 carrying the bowl 105, a hot melt glue unit 144 and a cabinet 145 for electrical controls of the electrically operated main articles of the apparatus. Shown adjacent to the assembly platform 143 are access stairs 146. In operation of the apparatus described with reference to figures 7 to 12, filled and sealed containers 14 at the top arrive in pairs at station 117, where, with the stationary containers, jets of hot melt adhesive are dosed from the nozzles 128 onto the respective ceiling panels • i 16 of the packages 14 of the pair, to form circular spheres of hot melt adhesive concentric with and only outside the circular loops of weaknesses 18, the nozzles 128 each perform more than one turn, in order to apply the adhesive hot melt relatively uniformly and to provide a relatively deep sphere of adhesive in order to obtain a strong adhesion of the accessory to the container, particularly to thereby ensure that the adhesive retains its tack sufficiently to ensure that the thermoplastics of the accessory and The container will merge well with the adhesive. The pair of containers carrying the circular spheres are guided to the station 118, where the two nozzles 137 additionally of the rails 104 firmly apply the respective spout accessories 20 carried by them to the respective spheres of casting adhesive in hot, the respective tabs 24 being applied coaxially to the circular spheres, while the two suction nozzles 137 closest to the rails 104 are applied to two pour spout fittings in the respective rail sections 104b. Then the suction is released from the pair of nozzles 137 additionally from the rails 104, but is applied to the pair of nozzles 137 closest to the rails 104 and the pneumatic devices 136 are operated to retract all four nozzles 137 upwards, so that the closest pair of nozzles 137 lifts the following two pour spout accessories 20 from sections 104b. When the nozzles 137 are fully retracted, the device 134 rotates the plate 135 to 180 ° C, to await the arrival of the next pair of containers from the station 117. Meanwhile, the pair of containers to which the spout accessories have been applied are guided out of station 118, and exhaust devices 111 supply the following two spout accessories 20 to sections 104b.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 differs from those of FIGS. 7 to 12 mainly in that the apparatus can receive an existing conveyor 102 'in a non-cavitated form, for example a pallet conveyor extending from a forming machine, container filler and sealer and, when the containers 14 are for receiving the spout accessories 20, they are laterally exchanged laterally in pairs within cavities 150 provided between an endless chain guide conveyor 151 and a fixed vertical plate 152 which it extends parallel to the runs of the endless chain conveyor 151 and the conveyor 102 '. Immediately upstream of the adhesive application station 117 is a container loading station 153 in which a container end-end plate 154 stops the guide pair 14a of packages 14 on the conveyor 102 'and in which a pusher plate 155 pushes the pair of containers 14a into a recess 150 'provided by one of a series of pairs of right angle bracket plates 156 of the guide conveyor 151. Before the plate 155 pushes the pair of containers 14a laterally, a device container retainer 157 immediately upstream of station 153 and consisting of a movable vertical plate 158 and a fixed vertical plate 159 embraces the pair of immediately following containers 14b until plate 155 has completely retracted the advance of container pair 14a within of the gap 150 '. The recess 150 'advances parallel to, and in the same direction as, the advance of the containers 14 along the conveyor 102' and brings the pair of containers 14a first to the station 117 where, with the fixed plate 152, it forms the cavity 150 and the circular spheres of adhesive are applied to the respective containers by the nozzles 128 (not shown in figures 13 and 14). Then the same gap 150 'advances the pair of containers 14a to the next station, which is the attachment lifting and positioning station to which the accessories 20 are supplied two at a time by the rails 104 supplied from the bowl 105. Each pair of containers leaving the station 118 is returned to the conveyor 102 'by the cooperation between a guide 168 and a pair of conveyor chains (not seen) advancing the pair of containers on the conveyor 102'. Each pair of packages can be discharged from that conveyor by means of a container discharge device 160. The guide chain conveyor 151 is driven by an electric motor 161 through a combination of brake / clutch 162, a gearbox 163, a guide 164, a gear train 165, and a drive arrow 166. At its other end, the chain passes around an idler shaft 167. All three modes described with reference to the drawings have the advantage that the course of the Full and sealed containers in the upper part that leave the forming, filling and sealing machine do not need to be interrupted or returned to each other, with which it is possible to minimize the space requirement for that trajectory and also to maintain a higher average speed of the containers along the path. Another advantage of the three modes is that they can be installed immediately adjacent to an existing conveyor downstream of the forming, filling and sealing machine or, even in the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 12, the attachment adhesion machine. can be installed immediately above an existing cavity conveyor, such as to apply adhesive and then accessories to the containers while they are in the cavities of that existing conveyor; in this respect, said existing conveyor can be the exit end area of the conveyor of the forming, filling and sealing machine itself. It should be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention provide a novel method for applying an article, such as a pour spout attachment to an upright container coated with thermoplastic in a machine mounted on a conveyor downstream of a sealing station of a forming machine , filler and sealer, thus saving valuable floor space in production areas. It should also be evident that, by heating a surface of an accessory, such as a spout attachment, remotely from a thermoplastic coated container to a predetermined temperature, there is no need to use the well-known methods hitherto of (1) a surface of container being supported by a support mechanism, such as a spindle or an anvil; or (2) apply ultrasonic vibration and pressure to a combination of accessory surface and container panel. It should also be evident that the filled and sealed container provides a box type support, capable of being subjected to the application of pressure involved, without the need for a support of a spindle or anvil, as is used up to now. It should also be further evident that the upper lock of the container could be any of a top skirt configuration, bevel top part or flat top part configuration, with the various heating, positioning and cooling apparatuses properly directed.

Claims (24)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A method comprising the manufacture of a first package forming a first container, filling the container with contents, sealing the filled container and then advancing the first container by conveyor means, characterized by the subsequent installation of adhesion means in the conveyor means without altering the conveying means and manufacturing a second package forming a second container, filling the second container with contents, sealing the second filled container, advancing the second container by the conveying means, and operating the adhesion means to adhere an article to an outer surface of the second filled and sealed container.

2. A method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the installation consists of installing the adhesion means on the conveyor means.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the conveyor means prevent each container from moving in relation to and along or through the conveyor means while the container is advanced by them.

4. A method according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the conveyor means allow each container to move along and in relation to the conveyor means while the container advances through them, the installation of the means of adhesion is accompanied by the installation, in and in parallel with the conveyor means without altering said conveyor means, second conveying means which prevent the second container from moving in relation to and along or through the conveyor means while the container is advanced by the same, and the advance of the second container beyond the means of adhesion is carried out by the second conveyor means.

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the adhesion is to apply adhesive to the outer surface of the second filled and sealed container to provide a sphere in the form of a closed loop of adhesive, and apply to said sphere a ringed portion of the article, whose ringed portion is of a shape corresponding to that of the sphere, whereby the adhesive adheres the article to the second container.

6. A method according to claim 5, further characterized in that the sphere extends around an opening and a weak loop on the outer surface.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims further characterized in that the adhesion consists of the steps of: a.- heating a portion of the outer surface of the second filled and sealed container to a predetermined temperature; b.- receive the item from a source of supply by a receiver; c- displacing the receiver so as to expose a selected surface portion of the article to a heat source to heat the selected surface portion to a predetermined temperature; d.- moving the receiver further so as to place the heated surface portion of the article on the heated surface portion of the second container; and e.-pressing a chilled anvil against a selected surface of the article to join the heated surface portion of the article to the heated surface portion of the second container.

8. A method according to claim 7, further characterized in that the displacement of step c and the displacement of step d each consist of the pivoting of said receiver;

9. A method according to claim 7 or 8, further characterized in that the displacement of step d includes the extension of a piston of a pivotally mounted piston and cylinder fluid device carrying said receiver. 10.- An apparatus for manufacturing a package, which comprises forming means for forming a container, filling means after the forming means for filling said container with contents, sealing means after the filling means for sealing the filled container, article adhesion means after the sealing means for adhering the article to an outer surface of the filled and sealed container, and conveying means extending beyond, in turn, the forming means, the filling means, the sealing means and the means of adhesion to advance said container beyond, in turn, the forming means, filling means, sealing means and adhesion means, characterized in that the adhesion means were installed on the conveyor means without the conveyor means have been altered. 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, further characterized in that the conveyor means prevent the container from moving in relation to and along or through the conveyor means while the container is advanced by them. 12. An apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, further characterized in that the conveyor means allow the container to move along and in relation to said conveyor means while the container is advanced by them, and additionally consists of seconds conveyor means arranged in parallel with the first conveyor means and extend beyond the adhesion means and prevent the container from moving relative to and along or through the second conveyor means while the container is advanced by them. 13. An apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 12, further characterized in that the adhesion means consist of adhesive application means including an adhesive jet nozzle on the outer surface, and nozzle movement means arranged for moving the nozzle on a path in the form of a closed loop, thereby providing on the outer surface a sphere in the form of a closed loop of adhesive, and wherein the adhesion means additionally consist of article application means for applying a ringed portion of the article to said sphere. 14. An apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 13, further characterized in that the adhesion means consist of heating means for heating to a predetermined temperature a portion of the outer surface, a receiver for receiving the article from a source of supply, a heat source for heating a portion of the article surface to a predetermined temperature, movement means for displacing the receiver so as to expose the article therein to the heat source and for moving the receiver further to place the portion of heated surface of the article on the heated surface portion of the container, a cooled anvil, and pressing means for pressing the cooled anvil against a selected surface of the article to adhere the heated surface portion of the article to the heated surface portion of the container . 15. An apparatus according to claim 14, further characterized in that the movement means consist of pivoting means for rotating the receiver about a pivot axis. 16. An apparatus according to claim 15, further characterized in that the receiver is mounted on a reciprocating piston of a piston-cylinder, fluidically mounted, pivotally mounted device, and a stirrup on the end of a reciprocating piston of a reciprocating device. piston and cylinder, fluidic, stationary mounted serves to push the article from the source of supply to the receiver. 17. An apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 16, further characterized in that the heating means consist of a tool heated on a reciprocating piston of a piston device and fluidic cylinder. 18. An apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 17, further characterized in that the heat source is a heatable tool mounted on a reciprocating piston of a piston device and fluidic cylinder. 19. An apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 18, further characterized in that the cooled anvil is mounted on a reciprocating piston of a piston device and fluidic cylinder. 20. A method for manufacturing a package, comprising forming a container, filling the container with contents, sealing the upper part of the filled container, and adhering a ringed portion of a spout attachment by means of adhesive to an outer surface facing upwards of the filled and sealed container, characterized in that the adhesion consists in applying the adhesive to the outer surface of the filled and sealed container to provide a sphere in the form of a closed loop of adhesive, and applying the ringed portion to said adhesive. sphere, which is of a shape corresponding to that of the ringed portion. 21. An apparatus for use in the manufacture of a package, consisting of conveyor means, forming means adjacent to the conveyor means to form a container on the conveyor means, filling means adjacent to the conveyor means for filling the container formed, means of top sealing adjacent to the conveying means for sealing the upper part of the filled container, and attachment adhesion means adjacent to the conveying means for adhering a pour spout attachment to an outer surface facing upwards of the filled container and sealing, characterized in that the attachment adhesion means consist of adhesive application means for applying a jet of adhesive to the outer surface of the filled and sealed container, jet moving means arranged to displace the jet in relation to the outer surface to provide on said surface ext A sphere of adhesive in the form of a closed loop of adhesive, and application means for applying a portion of an accessory to the sphere to adhere the accessory to the container. 22. A method for securing articles to container panels, said method consists of the steps of: a.- heating to a predetermined temperature a surface of a panel selected from an upright container; b.- receive an item from a source of supply through a receiver; c- moving the receiver so as to expose a selected surface of the article to a heat source to heat the surface to a predetermined temperature; d.- moving the receiver further so as to place the heated surface of the article on the surface of the upright container; and e.- pressing a cooled anvil against another selected surface of the article to adhere the heated surface thereof to the heated surface of the upright container. 23. A method according to claim 22, further characterized in that the displacement of step c and the displacement of step d consist of pivots. 24. An apparatus for receiving an article and placing it on a selected panel of an upright container, said apparatus consists of a pivotally mounted, fluidic piston and cylinder device having a reciprocating receiver provided therein, a first piston and cylinder, fluidic, stationary mounted device, having a reciprocable abutment provided thereon for pushing the article from a rail within the receiver, a second, fluidically mounted, piston-cylinder device, having a reciprocable heated tool provided therein for heating a surface of the article with the pivoting of the article in alignment therewith by the pivotally mounted piston and cylinder device, the pivotally mounted piston and cylinder, after further pivoting thereof, serve to position the heated surface of the article on the selected panel.