Apparatus and method for attaching straws to containers

• US 6,526,725 B1
• Filed: 06/08/2000
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shrink Packaging Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Shrink Packaging Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Williams, Edward F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada, Rinaldi I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRUONG, THANH K
• Application Number:
  US09/590,357
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 531/331, 531/332, 534/10, 833/31, 833/43, 833/44, 836/63, 493/87
• US Class Current: 53/410
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/205 for adding drinking straws to a container
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4795 Rotary tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/9372 Rotatable type

Abstract

A straw application machine for automatically applying drinking straws, wrapped in protective cover, to beverage containers at very high speeds. The machine comprises a guide roller which presses each straw of a web of parallel straws into a slotted straw drum. A blade cutting drum separates the straws as it rotates in close association and synchronization with the slotted straw drum. A strip of sticky tape runs along the back of the web of parallel straws and a protective cover is removed from the tape exposing an adhesive prior to passing underneath the right side of the guide roller. After the straws are cut from the web, an ejector bar applies each straw to a beverage package where it is retained by the adhesive tape or glue. Multiple servo motors control the operating speed of the machine. Alternate embodiments for the slotted straw drum include a drum center having rubber ends with slots for holding a larger straw, and a drum center having end plates with inserts for holding straws.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for separating straws from a web at a high rate of speed and attaching each of said straws to one of a plurality of containers, the improvement comprising:

means, rotating in a first direction and having a plurality of slots, for receiving said web of straws;

means, rotating in a second opposite direction and having a plurality of blades, for cutting each of said straws from said web;

means, disposed adjacent to said straw receiving means, for pressing each of said straws into one of said plurality of said slots, wherein said pressing means rolls along an outer surface of said straw receiving means to facilitate said high rate of speed; and

means for controlling said receiving means and said cutting means, said receiving means disposed adjacent to said cutting means wherein each of said plurality of blades serially enters a slot on said receiving means to accomplish said cutting.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises a straw guide assembly for guiding said web of straws into said apparatus.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein:

said receiving means comprises a first plurality of slots extending a first predetermined depth into said receiving means, and a second plurality of slots extending a second predetermined depth into said receiving means, said first plurality of slots alternating with said second plurality of slots around the circumference of said receiving means.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of blades are equally spaced a predetermined distance from each other around the circumference of said cutting means.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said plurality of blades extend a predetermined distance above said circumference of said cutting means.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said pressing means cooperates with a straw guide assembly to provide tension to said web of straws enabling said straws to align with said straw slots of said receiving means.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of blades of said cutting means extend into said plurality of slots of said receiving means on each side of straw holding slots as said receiving means and said blades of said cutting means rotate in opposite directions.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises a first servo motor coupled to an ejector bar for controlling the speed of applying each of said straws to said plurality of containers.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said controlling means comprises a second servo motor for controlling the rotation of said receiving means and said cutting means.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises means positioned above said receiving means, for removing a protective cover of an adhesive tape on said web of straws.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises means positioned adjacent to said receiving means for applying an adhesive to said web of straws.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said receiving means comprises a drum.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein said drum comprises aluminum.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein said drum comprises an inner aluminum portion and an outer flexible material portion.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein said drum comprises:

a center cylindrical, metallic center portion having at least one groove for receiving an ejecting arm;

a first flexible material, circular end means, positioned on a first end of said center cylindrical metallic portion, for holding a first portion of a straw;

a second flexible material, circular end means, positioned on a second end of said center cylindrical metallic portion, for holding a second portion of said straw; and

each of said first and second flexible material, circular end means comprises said first plurality of slots extending a first predetermined depth into said straw drum and said second plurality of slots extending a second predetermined depth into said straw drum.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said drum comprises:

at least one groove around the central circumference of said drum for receiving an ejecting arm;

a first end portion of said drum comprises a group of said plurality of slots positioned around the circumference of said first end portion;

each of said first group of said plurality of slots around said first end portion of said drum comprises insert means for grasping a straw;

a second end portion of said drum comprises a second group of said plurality of slots positioned around the circumference of said second end portion; and

each of said second group of said plurality of slots around said second end portion of said drum comprises insert means for grasping said straw.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said insert means comprises a spaced apart first leg and second leg extending from a base providing flexible upper ends for grasping said straw.

18. An apparatus for separating straws from a web of straws and attaching each separated straw to a container of a plurality of containers at a high rate of speed comprising:

means for receiving said web of straws, said receiving means rotating in a first direction and having a plurality of straw slots;

means for pressing each straw of said web into one of said plurality of straw slots;

means, disposed adjacent to said receiving means and rotating in an opposite second direction, for separating each straw serially from said web at said high rate of speed;

means, disposed adjacent to said straw receiving means, for pressing each of said straws into one of said plurality of said slots, wherein said pressing means rolls along an outer surface of said straw receiving means to facilitate said high rate of speed;

means coupled to said receiving means and said separating means for controlling the rotation of said receiving means and said separating means; and

means extending within a portion of said receiving means for ejecting each of said separated straws to contact one of said plurality of said containers.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said apparatus comprises a straw guide assembly means for guiding said web of straws into said apparatus.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein:

said web receiving means comprises a cylindrical straw drum having a first plurality of slots extending a first predetermined depth into said straw drum, and a second plurality of slots extending a second predetermined depth into said straw drum, said first plurality of slots alternating with said second plurality slots around the circumference of said straw drum.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said separating means comprises a cylindrical drum having a plurality of blades spaced a predetermined distance from each other around the circumference of said drum.

22. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said plurality of blades extend a predetermined distance above the perimeter of said blade cylindrical drum.

23. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said separating means comprises a plurality of blades extending into said plurality of straw slots of said receiving means on each side of said straw slots as said receiving means and said blades of said separating means rotate in said opposite directions.

24. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said ejecting means comprises a first servo motor coupled to an ejector bar for controlling the speed of applying each of said straws to said container.

25. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said controlling means comprises a second servo motor for controlling the rotation of said receiving means and said separating means.

26. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said apparatus comprises means positioned above said pressing means, for removing a protective cover of an adhesive tape on said web of straws.

27. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said apparatus comprises means positioned adjacent to said receiving means for applying an adhesive to said web of straws.

28. The apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein said straw drum comprises aluminum.

29. The apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein said straw drum comprises an inner aluminum portion and an outer flexible material portion.

30. The apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein said straw drum comprises:

a cylindrical, metallic center portion having at least one groove around the circumference of said straw drum for receiving said ejecting means;

a first flexible material, circular end means, positioned on a first end of said cylindrical metallic center portion, for holding a first portion of a straw;

a second flexible material, circular end means, positioned on a second end of said cylindrical metallic center portion, for holding a second portion of said straw; and

each of said first and second flexible material, circular end means comprises said first plurality of slots extending a first predetermined depth into said straw drum and said second plurality of slots extending a second predetermined depth into said straw drum.

31. The apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein said straw drum comprises:

at least one groove around the central circumference of said straw drum for receiving said ejecting means;

a first end portion of said straw drum comprises a plurality of slots positioned around the circumference of said first end portion;

each of said plurality of slots around said first end portion of said straw drum comprises insert means for grasping a straw;

a second end portion of said straw drum comprises a plurality of slots positioned around the circumference of said second end portion; and

each of said plurality of slots around said second end portion of said straw drum comprises insert means for grasping said straw.

32. The apparatus as recited in claim 31 wherein said insert means comprises a spaced apart first leg and second leg extending from a base providing flexible upper ends for grasping said straw.

33. A method for separating straws from a web of straws and attaching each separated straw to a container of a plurality of containers at a high rate of speed comprising the steps of:

receiving said web of straws by means having a plurality of straw slots for holding said straws, said straw holding means rotating in a first direction;

pressing each straw of said web into one of said plurality of straw slots by means disposed adjacent to said holding means wherein said pressing means rolls along an outer surface of said straw holding means to facilitate said high rate of speed;

separating each straw serially from said web at said high rate of speed with means disposed adjacent to said receiving means;

controlling the rotation of said receiving means and said separating means with servo drive means; and

ejecting each of said separated straws to contact one of said plurality of containers with means extending within portion of said receiving means.

34. The method as recited in claim 33 wherein said method comprises the step of guiding said web of straws into said receiving means with a straw guide assembly.

35. The method as recited in claim 33 wherein said step of receiving said web of straws comprises the step of providing a straw drum having a first plurality of said straw slots extending a first predetermined depth and a second plurality of slots having a second predetermined depth into said straw drum, said first plurality of slots alternating with said second plurality of slots around the circumference of said straw drum.

36. The method as recited in claim 33 wherein said step of separating each straw serially from said web comprises the step of providing a cylindrical drum having a plurality of blades spaced a predetermined distance from each other around the circumference of said cylindrical drum.

37. The method as recited in claim 36 wherein said step of providing a plurality of blades around the circumference of said cylindrical drum comprises the step of extending said blades a predetermined distance above the surface of said blade cylindrical drum.

38. The method as recited in claim 33 wherein said step of separating each straw serially from said web comprises the steps of:

rotating in a first direction said receiving means comprising a straw drum having said plurality of straw slots with straws of said web pressed therein; and

rotating in an opposite second direction said separating means comprising a blade drum having said plurality of blades extending therefrom in close association with said straw drum.

39. The method as recited in claim 38 wherein said step of rotating said straw drum in said first direction and said blade drum in said second direction comprises the step of providing a plurality of blade slots in said straw drum on each side of said straw slots for receiving said plurality of blades extending from said blade drum.

40. The method as recited in claim 33 wherein said step of ejecting each of said separate straws comprises the step of coupling a first servo motor to an ejector bar for controlling the speed of ejecting and applying each of said separated straws to one of said plurality of containers.

41. The method as recited in claim 33 wherein said step of controlling the rotation of said receiving means and said separating means with servo drive means comprises the step of providing pre-programmed second servo motors for controlling the speed of said apparatus.

42. The method as recited in claim 33 wherein said method comprises the step of removing a protective cover of an adhesive tape on said web of straws with means positioned above said receiving means.

43. In an apparatus for separating straws from a web at a high rate of speed and attaching each of said straws to one of a plurality of containers, the improvement comprising:

means, rotating in a first direction and having a plurality of slots, for receiving said web of straws;

means, rotating in a second opposite direction and having a plurality of blades, for cutting each of said straws from said web;

means for controlling said receiving means and said cutting means, said receiving means disposed adjacent to said cutting means wherein each of said plurality of blades serially enters a slot on said receiving means to accomplish said cutting;

said receiving means comprises a drum, said drum having at least one groove around the central circumference of said drum for receiving an ejecting arm;

a first end portion of said drum comprises a group of said plurality of slots positioned around the circumference of said first end portion;

each of said first group of said plurality of slots around said first end portion of said drum comprises insert means for grasping a straw;

a second end portion of said drum comprises a second group of said plurality of slots positioned around the circumference of said second end portion; and

each of said second group of said plurality of slots around said second end portion of said drum comprises insert means for grasping said straw.

44. The apparatus as recited in claim 43 wherein said insert means comprises a spaced apart first leg and second leg extending from a base providing flexible upper ends for grasping said straw.

45. An apparatus for separating straws from a web of straws and attaching each separated straw to a container of a plurality of containers at a high rate of speed comprising:

means for receiving said web of straws, said receiving means rotating in a first direction and having a plurality of straw slots;

means for pressing each straw of said web into one of said plurality of straw slots;

means, disposed adjacent to said receiving means and rotating in an opposite second direction, for separating each straw serially from said web at said high rate of speed;

means coupled to said receiving means and said separating means for controlling the rotation of said receiving means and said separating means;

means extending within a portion of said receiving means for ejecting each of said separated straws to contact one of said plurality of said containers;

said web receiving means comprises a cylindrical straw drum having a first plurality of slots extending a first predetermined depth into said straw drum, and a second plurality of slots extending a second predetermined depth into said straw drum, said first plurality of slots alternating with said second plurality slots around the circumference of said straw drum;

said straw drum comprises at least one groove around the central circumference of said straw drum for receiving said ejecting means;

a first end portion of said straw drum comprises a plurality of slots positioned around the circumference of said first end portion;

each of said plurality of slots around said first end portion of said straw drum comprises insert means for grasping a straw;

a second end portion of said straw drum comprises a plurality of slots positioned around the circumference of said second end portion; and

each of said plurality of slots around said second end portion of said straw drum comprises insert means for grasping said straw.

46. The apparatus as recited in claim 45 wherein said insert means comprises a spaced apart first leg and second leg extending from a base providing flexible upper ends for grasping said straw.