Package making – Methods – Forming a cover adjunct or application of a cover adjunct to...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-28
2001-03-27
Sipos, John (Department: 3721)
Package making
Methods
Forming a cover adjunct or application of a cover adjunct to...
C053S133200, C493S057000, C493S213000, C493S929000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205746
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fitment or closure applicator. More specifically, the present invention relates to a post processing fitment applicator for formed, filled and sealed gable top cartons.
2. Description of the Related Art
Gable top cartons have long been the preferred package for milk and milk related products. Recently, gable top cartons have assumed a new role as the preferred package for juices, particularly orange juice. The consumers preference for gable top cartons is at least partially generated by the perception of freshness associated with the gable top carton. The opposing top panels meeting to form the gable top with a top fin creates an image of a fresh, healthy product contained within the carton. The only detraction from this image was the lack of a tight reseal of the carton after the initial opening of the carton by a consumer. The integrated closure formed from the side of the top of the carton allowed for good pourability, however, the resealing was adequate at best.
This minor detraction was alleviated with the introduction of plastic fitments applied to the gable top cartons. The fitments, which generally include a spout with a flange and a cap, allowed for a tight reseal of the carton after the initial opening. The use of fitments on cartons further enhanced the consumer's perception that gable top cartons contained fresh and healthy products.
In the rush to meet the consumer's demand, the packaging industry developed new packaging/filling machines that applied a fitment to cartons prior to sterilization or filling. The demand to have packaging machines with the smallest “footprint” (the area of the machine) in a dairy meant that most older machines did not have sufficient space within the machine to incorporate a fitment applicator. This rendered older machines without the ability to provide a carton with a fitment thereby reducing their value to the dairy or like facility. Thus a need to apply a fitment on a formed, filled and sealed carton grew throughout the packaging industry.
Another problem necessitating the need to apply a fitment on a formed, filled and sealed carton pertains to maintaining a sterile environment within a form, fill and seal packaging machine to produce an extended shelf life (“ESL”) product, a high acid ambient distribution (“HAAD”) product, or an aseptic product. The ESL product allows for a product to have double or triple the refrigerated shelf life of a non-ESL product. The HAAD product allows for a high acid (pH<4.5) product such as orange juice to be stored unrefrigerated for an extended time period. The aseptic product allows for any product to be stored unrefrigerated for an extended time period. All of these products need to be produced in a sterile, contaminant-free environment.
Current in-line fitment applicators generate substantial amounts of possible contaminants such as dust, paper particles and fitment particles. Ultrasonic fitment applicators generate the greatest amount of contaminants due to the enormous sealing pressures utilized during application of the fitment to the carton. Other applicators such as hot melt fitment applicators may introduce undesirable chemicals, and also may provide inadequate seals. Although the use of induction heat sealing avoids some of the potential problems of in-line applicators, such induction heat sealing applicators necessitate the use of a carton with an aluminum barrier layer which increases the cost of the package. Further, the deliver of fitments from a supply of fitments introduces contaminants into the packaging machine environment.
Some post processing fitment applicators are currently available from the packaging industry. However, these applicators are little more than stand-alone reproductions of current in-line fitment applicators. Such applicators are not the denouement of post processing fitment applicators from the packaging industry.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a post processing fitment applicator to apply a fitment to a formed, filled and sealed carton.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a post processing fitment applicator that is capable of properly orienting a fitment for placement on a carton.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a post processing fitment applicator that is capable of applying a fitment to a moving formed, filled and sealed carton.
One aspect of the present invention is a post processing fitment applicator for applying fitments to each of a series of formed, filled and sealed cartons. The applicator includes a conveyor, a continuous track, a plurality of fitment carriers, a chute and a hot melt dispenser. The conveyor transports the series of formed, filled and sealed cartons through the applicator. The continuous track is partially positioned in proximity to the conveyor. Each of the plurality of fitment carriers is moveable about the continuous track for placing a fitment on a formed, filled and sealed carton. The chute delivers fitments from a supply of fitments to each of the plurality of fitment carriers at a receiving point along the continuous track. The hot melt dispenser is disposed subsequent to the receiving point along the continuous track and coats each of the fitments on each of the plurality of fitment carriers with hot melt.
Each of the plurality of fitment carriers of the post processing fitment applicator may include a fitment holder for holding a fitment and a fitment displacement mechanism for placing the fitment on a formed, filled and sealed carton. The supply of fitments of the post processing fitment applicator may include a hopper connected to the chute, a holding bin, and an elevator disposed to transport fitments from the bin to the hopper. The conveyor system may transport a set number of cartons at predetermined intervals for application of fitments to the cartons. The post processing fitment applicator may also include a housing encompassing at least the continuous track and the hot melt dispenser. Each of the plurality of fitment carriers of the post processing fitment applicator may be moveable toward and away from the cartons being conveyed on the conveyor system. The fitment displacement mechanisms of the post processing fitment applicator may include an U-shaped frame with a projection thereon for engagement with a fitment.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method for applying a fitment to a formed, filled and sealed carton. The first step of the method includes placing a fitment in a fitment carrier being moved along a continuous track. The next step includes rendering the fitment in an adhesive state. The next step includes conveying the formed, filled and sealed carton along a conveyor system disposed in relation to a portion of the continuous track. The final step includes applying the fitment in the adhesive state to the carton as the carton is conveyed along the conveyor system.
The method may also include centering the formed, filled and sealed carton by a plurality of projections on the fitment carrier before applying the fitment. The rendering step of the method may include dispensing hot melt to the back of the fitment. The rendering step of the method may alternatively include heating the back of the fitment to a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the fitment. The fitment applying step of the method may include engaging the back of the fitment to a pre-scored area of the formed, filled and sealed carton while the fitment is within the fitment holder, and displacing the fitment from the fitment holder by actuation of the fitment displacement mechanism. The method may also include orienting the fitment prior to placement of the fitment on the fitment carrier.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a post processing fitment applicator that includes means for transporting cartons, a plurality of fitment carriers, means for moving each of the fitment carriers, a chute an
Krewer Martin
Larsen Arid
Moss Sheila
Sipos John
Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA
Welsh & Katz
LandOfFree
Post-processing fitment applicator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Post-processing fitment applicator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Post-processing fitment applicator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2446449