Package making – With contents treating – Reshaping
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-25
2002-10-29
Gerrity, Stephen F. (Department: 3721)
Package making
With contents treating
Reshaping
C053S136100, C053S238000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06470653
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for securing an accessory to a box for foodstuffs and more specifically to an apparatus for mounting a premium package in an opening in a box for cereal, foodstuff or other consumer product.
As an aid to the marketing of breakfast cereals, it is a common practice of many cereal manufacturers to include a premium in the cereal box to promote the sale of the cereal beyond the marketability of the product itself. It will be appreciated that such promotional devices must meet several requirements. First of all, because the premiums are typically given away with the product, that is, they are provided at no additional cost to the consumer, such devices must be relatively inexpensive. Additionally, such premiums must have the ability to be easily included with the product without disruption of the normal handling of such product. Thus, it is desirable that the promotional product be includable with the product without requiring different boxes, cartons and the like which would increase the cost of such promotion. Similarly, the promotional device should not require special handling or care by the manufacturer and retailer of the product beyond that normally given. Finally and most importantly, the promotional device should have consumer appeal to maximize the promotional value of the device.
Promotional devices include items such as coupons, toys, novelty items and the like which are placed within the product box. It can then be appreciated that the promotional device is hidden. Typically, therefore, access to the promotional device occurs only after consumption of most, if not all, of the product. Thus, the promotional value of the premium is reduced because only facsimile or representations of the premium, appearing on the outside of the box, are visible to the purchaser are available at the time of purchase and customer enjoyment of the premium is delayed.
Inclusion of the premium within the product box is disadvantageous for other reasons. First, as the premium cannot be seen from the outside of the box, it is impossible for the manufacturer to verify that a premium is actually present in any particular box without opening the box and destroying its marketability. Omission of the premium can cause customer dissatisfaction and may actually reduce market appeal of the product. Additionally, in order to promote the sale of the product with a particular premium, the outside of the box must include printing advertising the existence of the premium. Accordingly, it is necessary to inventory a variety of different cartons with different graphics corresponding to the particular premium utilized. Once again, the overall cost of the promotion is increased.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,886 represents a significant advancement in the inclusion of promotion premiums in packaging which overcomes many of the shortcomings described above and experienced in the prior art. Nonetheless, it is apparent that improvements in the art of premium packaging and apparatus facilitating such packaging are desirable and the present invention is directed thereto.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus for disposing a premium package on an exterior panel of cereal or foodstuff box includes a supply or stacking station, a cereal compressing station, a premium inserting station, a cover applying and sealing station and a conveyor assembly which moves the boxes horizontally from one station to the next. The boxes are stacked in the stacking station positioned over the conveyor assembly and removed serially and individually by transverse members of the conveyor assembly. The compressing station includes a synchronous plunger which engages a previously formed opening in the box and ensures a suitable space within the box for the premium package. The premium package which is sealed by a first layer of transparent material is installed in the cut out either manually or by a synchronous loader. The sealing station includes an adjustable pressure plate which holds the premium package in place while a second, larger adhesive and transparent cover is disposed over the premium package and secures it to the box.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which installs a premium package on a cereal or foodstuff box.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus wherein various supplying, compressing and sealing stations operate in synchronism.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for assembling a premium package into a pre-formed opening on a panel of a cereal or foodstuff box.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for applying a premium package to an opening in a box which is retained thereon by an adhesive cover.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following description of the preferred embodiment and appended drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to the same component, element or feature.
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Lutz David Stewart
Strehlow David R.
General Mills Inc.
Gerrity Stephen F.
Murray David
O'Toole John A.
Taylor Douglas J.
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