TH29260A - The process and equipment for assembling pouring spout components into rectangular, flat-top packaging containing free-flowing products. - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention describes a process for assembling pouring spouts onto flat-top rectangular packaging containing free-flowing product, where the pouring spout is individually bonded with adhesive to the delivered packaging and sealed. A suitable device for this purpose, with a feeding device for the packaging and pouring spout, and an adhesive bonding station, enables fully automated assembly, eliminating errors caused by incorrect positioning and incomplete bonding of the pouring spout. Furthermore, it aims to avoid the risk of packaging exiting the bonding station without the pouring spout being properly sealed. This is characterized by the following steps: horizontal, one-on-one, and upright loading of packaging; individual separation and loading of packaging into the bonding station; and the function of delivering the pouring spout, coating the pouring spout with adhesive, bonding the adhesive, and pressing the pouring spout onto a pre-defined area of each packaging.

Claims (16)

1. The method for attaching pouring spouts to rectangular, flat-top boxes containing free-flowing product, where the spouts are individually attached to closed boxes, is characterized by the following steps: - feeding upright boxes (1) arranged in a horizontal line; - separating the boxes (1) by slowing and then accelerating their movement; - bringing the separated boxes (1) into a longitudinally movable attachment station to the conveyor path depending on the presence of pouring spouts (11); - applying the adhesive to the pouring spouts (11); and - attaching and pressing the pouring spouts (11) onto a designated area of each box (1). 2. The method under claim 1 is characterized by the horizontal input boxes (1) being arranged in a longitudinal direction with consecutive positions. 3. The method under claim 1 or 2 is characterized by the use of a hot melt adhesive for bonding the pouring spout parts (11). 4. The device for attaching the pouring spout (11) to the rectangular cross-section box with a flat top (1), which is filled with free-flowing product, with a feeding mechanism for the box (1) and the pouring spout (11), and the adhesive bonding station is characterized by the use of a horizontal conveyor chain (2) to guide the bottom of the box (1). A separator (3) is provided to separate the box (1), and there is a carrier piece with a number of carriers for conveying the separated box (1). Above the carrier piece is a carrier chain (10) with a number of pouring spout carriers for attaching the pouring spout (11) to the box (1), with the spacing between the pouring spout carriers corresponding to the spacing between the carriers provided on the carrier piece. The adhesive bonding station is incorporated with a dispensing piece for dispensing the adhesive onto the pouring spout, and a sensor is provided to detect the presence of the pouring spout (11) on the carrier piece. The pouring spout moves within the clamping station. 5. The device under claim 4 is characterized in that the separator (3) is assembled with a brake assembly (4) for stopping the delivered box (1) on the moving conveyor chain (2) and an acceleration assembly (5) for accelerating the delivered box (1) on the moving conveyor chain (2). 6. The equipment under claim 5 is characterized by the provision of at least two conveyor belts (6) which act on the side walls of several adjacent boxes (1) in a set, and a brake (4). 7. The device under claim 5 or 6 is characterized by the provision of at least one pair of vertically arranged separating rollers (7) as an accelerating unit (5). 8. Any of the devices under claims 4 through 7 are characterized by the provision of at least one carrier line (8) which, by means of a carrier designed as a carrier extension (9), will carry the box (1) by the end wall. 9. Any of the devices under claims 4 through 8 are characterized in that the conveying speed of the carrier element is greater than the conveying speed of the conveyor chain (2). 10. Any of the devices under claims 5 through 9 are characterized by the conveyance speed of the acceleration unit (5) being greater than the conveyance speed of the brake unit (4). 11. Any of the devices under claims 4 through 10 are characterized in that each part carrier and nozzle is equipped with two spring-loaded expandable clamps for lifting and releasing the parts at the nozzle. (11) 12. Any of the devices under claims 4 through 11 are characterized in that each part carrier and dispensing nozzle is incorporated with at least one pressing part (22) for pressing the part (11) onto the top of the box. 13. One of the devices under claims 4 through 12 is characterized by the provision of a dispensing roller (14) for dispensing the hot melt adhesive onto the incoming pouring spout (11). 14. Any of the devices under claims 4 through 13 are characterized in that the separator (3), carrier and conveyor chain (2) or carrier chain (10) are constructed to be adjustable so that the pouring nozzle (11) can be attached to boxes (1) of various sizes. 15. The device under claim 14 is characterized by the fact that two (8) conveyor belts, arranged in a stacked manner, are provided as the conveyor unit, and these conveyor belts are of a type that can be adjusted relative in height. 16. Any of the devices under claims 4 through 15 are characterized in that each set of operations (4, 5 and 8) through which the box has moved is arranged in a straight, sequential line.