WO1998038093A1

WO1998038093A1 - Method for securing fitments to containers

Info

Publication number: WO1998038093A1
Application number: PCT/IB1998/000230
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Lynn Davis
Original assignee: Elopak Systems Ag
Priority date: 1997-02-27
Filing date: 1998-02-25
Publication date: 1998-09-03
Also published as: AU6002998A

Abstract

In a method for securing pour spout fitments to containers either a selected surface (12) of the container (10), or a flange (20) of a pour spout fitment (16), receives an adhesive washer or ring (22) having an outer backing layer (24) of foil, paper or plastic. The backing layer (24) is to be removed just before the fitment (16) is applied to the container surface (12) to become bonded to an erected container (10), without a support mechanism, such as a mandrel or anvil being required, and without any heat or vibration having to be applied.

Description

METHOD FOR SECURING FITMENTS TO CONTAINERS

This invention relates generally to a method for securing fitments to containers and, more particularly, to such a method wherein either a selected surface of the container, or a flange of a pour spout fitment, receives an adhesive washer having an outer covering layer of foil, paper or plastic, to be removed just before the fitment is applied to the container surface, to bond the fitment to an erected container, without a support mechanism, such as a mandrel or anvil being required, and without any heat or vibration having to be applied.

Heretofore, pout spout fitments have been secured to thermoplastic-coated container panels by the following known methods . In US-A-4, 813, 578, the following method is employed:

A mandrel is inserted into the interior of the still-open mouth of the container, with the mandrel abutting the interior surface of a barrier layer and forming a back-up support. Hot air or radiant heat is applied to the external surface of a gable top wall immediately around an opening to thereby soften the polyethylene coating, with a pour spout fitment flange placed on the softened layer to thereby adhere the flange to the wall. An external mandrel is also employed to press the assembly against the internally positioned mandrel. This pressure is maintained until the coating cools and thereby effects permanent adhesion of the flange to the wall. Other methods, such as ultrasonic adhesion and impulse heating, may be employed. US-A-5, 249, 695 merely recites that attachment to the polymer-coated paperboard panel is accomplished by welding or otherwise adhering a spout fitment flange to the polymer coating.

US-A-4, 964,562; US-A-5, 152, 438 ; GB-A-2, 238 , 287; US-A-

5,484,374; and US-A-4, 948, 015 each utilize an ultrasonic sealing horn and a back-up support member operative to seal pour spout fitment flanges around respective pouring apertures .

US-A-4, 669, 640 suggests fusing a pour spout flange to an inside surface of a carton gable top either thermally or ultrasonically .

US-A-5, 088, 643 states that the pour spout fitment is preferably adhered to the outer surface of the container panel by impulse heating under pressure such as ultrasonic sealing although other methods may be used as desired.

US-A-4, 483, 464 discloses a container having an adhesive film mounted on an inner surface of the container across and around an opening, and adapted to be pierced by pressing down on a pouring spout having a blade-like inner end.

US-A-4, 925, 034 discloses adhesively bonding a pour spout fitment by a hot melt glue to a top outer surface of a container.

US-A-5, 101, 999 suggests that a spout or closure be attached to the package top by any suitable means such as an adhesive applied to a bottom surface of the closure to be attached to the package top. Where the package is coated with an outer thermoplastic layer of polyethylene, which discourages such adhesion, US-A-5, 101, 999 discloses perimeter cuts which may be serrated or applied as perforated cuts. Such serrations or perforated cuts need only penetrate the polyethylene outer layer to allow the adhesive to bond with the underlying carrier or paper layer . According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for securing a fitment to a container, comprising attaching said fitment to a surface portion of said container by way of a layer of adhesive, characterized by, prior to said attaching, displacing a covering layer covering said layer of adhesive, to expose said adhesive.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination of a container having a surface portion, a fitment adapted to be attached to said surface portion, and a layer of adhesive on one of said surface portion and said fitment, characterized in that a covering layer is displaceably secured to the otherwise exposed surface of said layer of adhesive.

The invention provides an improved method for securing a fitment to a container, particularly but not exclusively for securing a pour spout fitment to a thermoplastic-coated container panel. An advantage is that no support mechanism in combination with ultrasonic vibration and substantial pressure, and no application of heat are required.

The present method is applicable downstream of all forming, filling and sealing operations performed on a container.

Moreover, the present method is adaptable to being performed over an existing conveyor system downstream of a conventional forming, filling and sealing machine, without requiring alteration of the existing conveyor system.

When the container is a thermoplastic-coated erected or formed container, it serves to provide a box-type support for receiving the fitment.

In a preferred embodiment, in which a pour spout fitment is attached to a thermoplastic-coated container panel, one or the other of the pour spout fitment and the panel has an adhesive washer adhered thereto, with a backing or covering layer of foil, paper or plastic, in turn adhered to the outer surface of the adhesive washer, to be removed just before the pour spout fitment is applied to the container panel .

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which: -

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gable top container and of a pour spout fitment to be mounted on the container;

Figure 1A is a fragmentary perspective view of a flat top container onto which such pour spout fitment may be mounted;

Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, but of a modified version;

Figures 3 and 4 are fragmentary plan views of alternate arrangements of a part of respective blanks from which the container of Figure 1 or 1A can be made; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the plane of the line 5-5 of Figure 4, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawing in greater detail, Figure

1 illustrates a gable top container 10 having an upper panel 12 with an opening 14, or a circular score line 14A

(Figure 3) or a partially cut circular line 14B (Figures 4 and 5) formed therein. The opening 14, score line 14A, or partially cut line 14B may be formed in a flat top container (Figure 1A) or other type top closure configuration.

A suitable pour spout fitment 16 includes a body 18 and an external mounting flange 20, with a washer-like layer 22 of adhesive secured to the outer face of the flange, and a protective film or backing layer 24 peelably secured to the outer face of the layer of adhesive. The backing layer 24 may be formed of a suitable material, such as foil, paper or plastic, and may be of a size the same as or larger than the layer 22 of adhesive.

If preferred, as shown in Figure 2, the washer-like layer 22 of adhesive and its associated backing layer 24 may be first secured to the panel 12, around the opening

14, in lieu of being secured to the outer face of the flange 20.

In each of the Figure 1 and Figure 2 arrangements, in operation, just before the pour spout fitment 16 is applied to the panel 12 of the container 10, the backing layer 24 is removed from the layer 22 of adhesive, thus to provide for the fitment to become bonded to the container.

A suitable cap 26 is threadedly, or otherwise, mounted on the pour spout fitment 16, until it is desired to pour the contents from the container 10.

It should be apparent that the preferred examples described with reference to the drawing provide an improved manner of applying a pour spout fitment to a container. With no heat or ultrasonic vibration being required, the advantages of reduced power consumption and reduced noise levels can be obtained, while the disadvantages of product temperature rise and inherent production speed limitations due to heating and cooling time can be eliminated. Additionally, the amount of mechanical components required is substantially reduced, and floor space savings are possible. Furthermore, by having a covering layer on the adhesive until operational application of the pour spout fitment to the container, a sanitary seal is provided.

It should be further apparent that the erected or formed container provides a box-type support, capable of being subjected to the application of the pressure, if any, necessary to achieve adhesion, without the need for a mandrel or anvil back-up, as heretofore used.

It should be still further apparent that, in lieu of a hole or opening 14 in the carton panel, a loop of weakness, such as a score line (Figure 3) or a partial depth cut (Figures 4 and 5) , could be formed on the designated panel.

It should also be apparent that the container top closure could be any of a gable top, slant top, or flat top configuration .

Claims

C AI S

1. A method for securing a fitment to a container, comprising attaching said fitment (16) to a surface portion (12) of said container (10) by way of a layer (22) of adhesive, characterized by, prior to said attaching, displacing a covering layer (24) covering said layer (22) of adhesive, to expose said adhesive (22) .

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said surface portion (12) is an external surface portion (12) and, prior to said displacing and said attaching, said container (10) is filled and sealed.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said surface portion (12) has one of a through opening (14) and a loop of weakness (14A;14B), said fitment (16) is a pour spout fitment (16) including an external flange (20) , said adhesive layer (22) is washer-like in shape, and said attaching includes bringing said flange (20) to encircle said one of said opening (14) and said loop (14A;14B).

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the adhesive layer (22) and the covering layer (24) are provided on the external flange (20) of the fitment (16) .

5. A method according to claim 2, wherein the adhesive layer (22) and the covering layer (24) are provided on said external surface portion (12) of the container (10) .

6. A combination of a container (10) having a surface portion (12) , a fitment (16) adapted to be attached to said surface portion (12) , and a layer of adhesive (22) on one of said surface portion (12) and said fitment (16) , characterized in that a covering layer (24) is displaceably secured to the otherwise exposed surface of said layer of adhesive (22) .

7. A combination according to claim 6, wherein said container (10) is in a filled and sealed condition and said surface portion (12) is an external surface portion (12) of said container (10) .

8. A combination according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said surface portion (12) has one of a through opening (14) and a loop of weakness (14A;14B), said fitment (16) is a pour spout fitment (16) including an external flange (20) , and said adhesive layer (22) is washer-like in shape.

9. A combination according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said covering layer (24) is peelably secured to said otherwise exposed surface.

10. A combination according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the adhesive layer (22) and the covering layer (24) are provided on an end surface of the fitment (16) .

11. A combination according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the adhesive layer (22) and the covering layer (24) are provided on said surface portion (12) of the container (10) .

12. A combination according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the container (10) is one of a gable top configuration, a slant top configuration and a flat top configuration.