Process and apparatus for applying wrapped packages to cups

A method of successively applying wrapped packages to each cup associated with a nested stack of cups, comprising the steps of:

• continuously feeding the stack of cups along a fixed path without rotating the cups;
• partially denesting the cups to expose a portion of the outer surface of each cup without rotating the cups;
• applying adhesive and a wrapped package to the exposed outer surface of each denested cup;
• urging the wrapped package into engagement with the cup surface;
• and
• renesting the cups.

A method of applying wrapped packages to exterior side wall receiving surfaces of each cup associated with a nested stack of cups, comprising the steps of:

• feeding a stack of nested cups to a denesting area;
• maintaining the cups in a fixed rotational position whereby the exterior side wall package receiving surface of each cup is in a relatively upright position;
• partially denesting the cups to expose the upright package receiving surface of each cup;
• retrieving wrapped packages from a pile of wrapped packages;
• applying adhesive between the retrieved wrapped package and the upright package receiving surface of each denested cup;
• transferring the retrieved wrapped package into alignment with the upright package receiving surface of a denested cup;
• removably securing the retrieved wrapped package to the upright package receiving surface of the denested cup;
• applying compressive force to the wrapped package after the wrapped package is applied to the denested cup;
• and
• renesting the cups.