Apparatus for applying drinking straws

• US 6,282,865 B1
• Filed: 05/04/2000
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA (Tetra Laval Holdings BV)
• Original Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA (Tetra Laval Holdings BV)
• Inventors: Bergstrom, Jan-Ake, Strandberg, Jan, Ohlund, Johan, Quist, Jens
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): TAWFIK, SAMEH
• Application Number:
  US09/423,894
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 531/351, 535/20, 531/281, 534/10, 534/12, 535/80, 156/358, 156/249
• US Class Current: 53/128.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/205 for adding drinking straws to a container

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for applying drinking straws on prefabricated packaging containers. The apparatus includes a rotary drive means for advancing drinking straws which are guided in towards the drive means wrapped in protective envelopes, and continuously disposed as drinking straw belts. The apparatus also includes guides for drinking straws belts and drinking straws, and a device for separating drinking straws from the belt, and a device for applying the drinking straw on the side wall of the packaging container. The drive means of the apparatus routes continuously, and the device for separating drinking straws from the belt is disposed to accompany a part distance of the rotation of the drive means, this movement being realised by means of a cam and a cam roller cooperating therewith. The apparatus further includes a continuously driven conveyor on which the packaging containers are advanced so that one passes the drive means. The device for applying drinking straws to the side wall of the packaging container is disposed to accompany a part distance of the movement of the conveyor belt. The accompanying movement is realised in that the applicator device is journaled in two eccentric shafts.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying straws to prefabricated packaging containers, comprising a rotary drive means for continuous belts of drinking straws wrapped in protective envelopes, guides for drinking straw belts and drinking straws, a conveyor for the packaging containers, a device for separating the drinking straws from a belt, and a device for applying the drinking straws to the side wall of the packaging containers, wherein the drive means rotates continuously;

the device for separating the drinking straws is disposed to accompany a first portional distance of the rotation of the drive means;

the conveyor is driven continuously; and

the device for applying drinking straws is disposed to accompany a second portional distance of the movement of the conveyor belt.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for separating drink straws comprises a knife and a holder therefor, secured on an eccentric shaft;

and that a cam with a cooperating cam roller is disposed to realise the movement accompanying the rotation of the drive means.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for applying drinking straws comprises two arms connected by a bracket which is journalled to two eccentric shafts.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein both shafts have the same eccentricity.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the two arms, on the occasion of the application, are disposed to move at a speed which is adapted to the speed of the conveyor.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive means, the device for separating drinking straws and the device for applying drinking straws are mechanically interconnected.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive means has on its circumferential surface a number of recesses, each one of which being intended to receive a drinking straw.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the drive means rotates a distance of one recess for each packaging container which passes the drive means.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for applying drinking straws comprises at least one arm which is connected to a bracket which is journalled to two eccentric shafts.