# US 2014/0150381 A1 · Assembling apparatus, assembling method and packaging combination > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150381 A1 - Document ID: US20140150381A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/116,984 - Filed: 2012-05-11 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-11 - Assignees: Poly-clip System GmbH & Co. KG - Inventors: Jürgen Hanten; Francesco Niedecker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150381A1 ## CPC - B65B 7/00: Closing containers or receptacles after filling - B65B 61/186: {by applying or incorporating rigid fittings, e.g. discharge spouts} - B65D 35/245: {Suspension means integral with, or attached to the container (B65D51/242 takes precedence)} - B65D 35/38: Nozzles - B65D 51/18: Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures {(B65D51/247 takes precedence)} - B65D 2251/0015: of the 41-type - B65D 2251/0093: Membrane - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for assembling a packaging combination including a tubular casing having a first end and a second end, wherein the tubular casing is partially filled with filling material and closed at its first as well as its second end by a closure means, like a closure clip, and wherein the partially filled tubular casing comprises a plait-like portion at its first end being at least approximately free of filling material, and further including a dispensing device having a passageway extending through the dispensing device with an inlet opening at its one end and a dispensing opening at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction. The present invention further relates to a packaging combination comprises a tubular casing, a dispensing device and a sealing device removably attached to the dispensing device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for assembling a packaging combination including a tubular casing having a first end and a second end, wherein the tubular casing is partially filled with filling material and closed at its first as well as its second end by a closure means, like a closure clip, and wherein the partially filled tubular casing comprises a plait-like portion at its first end being at least approximately free of filling material, and further including a dispensing device having a passageway extending through the dispensing device with an inlet opening at its one end and a dispensing opening at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction, wherein the apparatus comprises: at least one supporting means for accommodating and retaining the at least partially filled tubular casing, including at least one cartridge for arranging the at least partially filled tubular casing; at least one shaping means for creating a defined shape to the first end of the tubular casing, including at least one gripper means for gripping the first end of the at least partially filled tubular casing and at least one forming shoulder for forming a defined shape to the said first end; and at least one mounting means for mounting the dispensing device to said first end of the tubular casing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is coupled with a drive means for moving said cartridge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the drive means include a piston/cylinder assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the forming shoulder of the shaping means is a shaping ring having an inner surface corresponding to the shape to be created of the first end of the tubular casing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the shaping ring consists of ring segments. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripper means of the shaping means include at least one claw for gripping the first end of the tubular casing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shaping means and/or the gripper means include a drive means for reversible moving the shaping means and the gripper means relative to each other. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising receiving means for receiving the partially filled tubular casing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising receiving means for receiving the dispensing device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising attachment means for attaching a closure cap and/or a dispensing nozzle to the dispensing device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least the supporting means, the shaping means and the mounting means are arranged in work stations. ### Claim 12 A method for assembling a packaging combination including a tubular casing having a first end and a second end, wherein the tubular casing is partially filled with filling material and closed at its first as well as its second end by a closure means, like a closure clip, and wherein the partially filled tubular casing comprises a plait-like portion at its first end being at least approximately free of filling material, and further including a dispensing device having a passage way extending through the dispensing device with an inlet opening at its one end and a dispensing opening at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction, the method comprises the steps of: accommodating and retaining the at least partially filled tubular casing; positioning a forming shoulder at the first end of the tubular casing; gripping the first end of the tubular casing; forming a defined shape to the first end of said tubular casing by moving the tubular casing and the forming shoulder relative to each other; and mounting a dispensing device to said first end of said tubular casing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of receiving the at least partially filled tubular casing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of moving the at least partially filled tubular casing between working stations including at least the supporting means, the shaping means and the mounting means. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of attaching a closure cap and a dispensing nozzle to the dispensing device. ### Claim at position 16 16-23. (canceled) ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment means for attaching a seal to the dispensing opening of the dispensing device. ### Claim 25 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of attaching a seal to the dispensing opening of the dispensing device.