[0001] The present invention relates to a method for applying and attaching an article.
To be more precise, the application relates to a method for applying a spoon packed
in plastic film to a plastic pot. The plastic pot is preferably of the two compartment
type where the spoon is attached between the compartments,
[0002] Two-compartment pots are especially known in connection with yoghurt but are also
used for dessert products or other ready-prepared products which can be eaten straight
from the pot. The products in the two compartments have different consistencies and
can be mixed together in the main compartment immediately prior to use. These products
may be yoghurt and a cereal product or rice pudding and jam, that is, components which
should not be stored or kept together. These products have been on the market for
a number of years, and are often used as snacks between meals in situations in or
outside the home. In these cases, there is a greater user friendliness if the product
has a spoon attached to the pot.
[0003] In theory, a spoon of this kind may be attached to the top, the bottom or the sides
of the pot. A feature common to all these attachment sites is that they will increase
the cost of and hamper the packing in the outer packaging. Placing the spoons in one
of these locations will also cause limitations with respect to decoration, printed
patterns and colours on the pot or lid.
[0004] More specifically, the application relates to a method for applying or affixing a
spoon to a two-compartment pot, wherein the pot consists of a main compartment and
a smaller side compartment connected together by a flexible connecting bridge, characterised
in that the pots are carried on a conveyor belt which ensures directional orientation
of the pots, the side compartment is bent upwards and held in place, glue is applied
to the wall of the main compartment with a glue gun, and then a spoon is applied using
an application wheel.
[0005] In the two-compartment pots in question, one compartment (the main compartment) is
usually larger than the other, and the compartments are joined together by a flexible
plastic connecting bridge. On a pot of this kind, the most suitable place for the
attachment of a spoon, which will not have any consequences for outer packaging and
decoration, is the part between the compartments under plastic. This location and
the application method according to the present invention will allow the use of standard
pots, aluminium lids and standard outer packaging. The location of the spoon does
not involve any cost-increasing steps as regards packaging. A spoon which is attached
in this way will also be protected against external influences so that there is a
smaller chance of the spoon being ripped off unintentionally. It will also be easier
to pack the pots in outer packaging when the spoon is thus attached.
[0006] The invention will now be explained in more detail with the aid of drawings:
- Figure 1
- is a sectional view of a pot consisting of a main compartment and a side compartment.
- Figure 2
- shows the pot where the side compartment has been bent upwards and glue is applied
with a glue gun.
- Figure 3
- shows how the spoon is affixed to the glue on the main compartment using an application
wheel.
- Figure 4
- is a schematic illustration of the whole application process including orientation
of the pot before and after application.
[0007] Figure 1 is a sectional view through a pot 10 which is made of plastic and consists
of a large main compartment 11 and a smaller side compartment 12. The main compartment
may, e.g., be filled with yoghurt and the side compartment may be filled with a cereal
mix, jam or the like. The pot is circular in form and the two compartments are joined
together by means of a flexible, bendable connecting bridge 14 having a weakening
groove. Between main compartment 11 and side compartment 12, a "space" 20 is formed
below the connecting bridge 14. A spoon 15 is attached in this space by means of the
method according to the invention. This spoon, which preferably is a folding spoon,
is pre-packed in plastic and is attached to the main compartment by means of the method
of the invention.
[0008] In order to apply the spoons to the pots, it is essential that the pots are oriented
correctly. This is done by carrying filled pots 10 along on a conveyor belt 27, preferably
of rubber or another suitable material. A conveyor belt 28 rotates in the same direction
as the conveyor belt 27, but at a different speed. Thus, the pots are turned around
and fall with space 20 over a ridge 29 which is located across conveyor belt 27. Gradually,
all the pots will be oriented in the right position one after another, that means
to say that the smallest compartment 12 faces towards the application wheel 18. Figure
4 shows a pot before and after orientation.
[0009] The next step in the process is that the correctly oriented pots are carried forward
to a device which bends the side compartment 12 upwards as shown in Figures 2 and
3. The pots are held in place between upper conveyor belt 26 and lower conveyor belt
25. The side compartment 12 is bent upwards to the desired angle with the aid of a
longitudinal clamp 21. A weakening groove in the connecting bridge 14 allows the side
compartment to be bent upwards in this way. Thus, easier access to the space 20 between
the compartments 11 and 12 is procured by enlarging the space.
[0010] The pots are then carried past one or two glue guns 17 which apply glue 16 in one
or two strings on the main compartment 11 wall facing the space 20, see Fig. 2. Once
glue has been applied thereto, the pots are carried forward to an application wheel
18 as shown in Fig. 3.
[0011] The spoons 15, which are made of plastic and are preferably folding spoons, are pre-packed
in plastic and are supplied in long rolls 30 which are cut up during application of
the spoons.
[0012] These plastic rolls of spoons are inserted into the application wheel 18 for the
gluing of the spoons to the pots. A cutting means such as, e.g., a knife 19, serves
to cut the packed plastic spoons one by one from the roll. The application wheel 18
moves the spoon into position in front of an air nozzle 22. With the aid of an air
pulse, the spoon is blown towards the previously applied string of glue on the main
compartment 11 wall. An alternative to affixing the spoon with the aid of air is to
use a hammer driven by an air cylinder which pushes the spoon into place.
[0013] The longitudinal clamp 21 which holds the side compartment in the upwardly bent position,
is then removed. The pots with spoons glued thereon are conveyed forward and are ready
for packing.
1. A method for applying or affixing an eating utensil (15), e.g., a spoon, to a two-compartment
pot, wherein the pot consists of a main compartment (11) and a smaller side compartment
(12) joined together by a flexible connecting bridge (14), the eating utensil being
placed in a space (20) between the compartments, characterised in that the pots (10)
are carried on a conveyor belt which ensures directional orientation of the pots,
the side compartment (12) is bent upwards and held in place, glue is applied to the
main compartment (11) wall with a glue gun (17), and then the eating utensil (15)
is applied in the space (20) using an application wheel (18).
2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the directional orientation on
the conveyor belt is carried out by conveying the pots (10) over a ridge (19) which
fits into the space (20) between main compartment (11) and side compartment (12).
3. A method according to claims 1- 2, characterised in that the eating utensil (15) is
connected to the application wheel (18) in continuous plastic rolls.
4. A method according to claims 1 - 3, characterised in that the application takes place
with the aid of a hammer or air blowing from an air nozzle (22).