# US 5,704,194 A · Process and apparatus for applying wrapped packages to cups

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- Number: US 5,704,194 A
- Document ID: US5704194A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/601,578
- Filed: 1996-02-14
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1996-02-14
- Assignees: Fleming Printing Company
- Inventors: Richard J. Niehaus
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704194A

## CPC

- B65B 61/202: {for attaching articles to the outside of a container (B65B61/205 takes precedence)}
- 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)

## Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for applying wrapped packages to each cup associated with a nested stack of cups. The stack of cups is continuously fed through a channel defined by a conveyor belt assembly and a pair of rotatable cylindrical rollers having helical continuous grooves formed therein along a fixed path without rotating the cups. The cups are partially denested by the rollers to expose a package receiving surface of each cup. A rotatable applicator assembly retrieves a wrapped packages from a holding bin and applies the package to then exposed package receiving surface of each cup. The packages are removably secured to the cups by an adhesive applied between the package and the package receiving surface of each cup prior to the application of the package to the cup. The wrapped package is urged into engagement with the package receiving surface of each cup by a package compression device. The cups are renested as the cups exit the channel such that the package is held in compressive communication the cup. The nested cups are then packaged and shipped to the desired location.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of applying wrapped packages to each cup associated with a nested stack of cups, comprising the steps of:
feeding the stack of cups through a channel so that an exterior side wall package receiving surface of each cup is facing upwardly as the cup passes through the channel;
partially denesting the cups in the channel to expose the package receiving surface of each cup;
retrieving a wrapped package from a pile of wrapped packages;
applying adhesive between the wrapped package and the package receiving surface of the cup;
transferring the wrapped package into alignment with the package receiving surface of the cup;
removably securing the wrapped package to the package receiving surface of the cup in the channel;
applying compressive force to the wrapped package after the wrapped package is applied to the cup; and
renesting the cups in the channel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of applying adhesive between the wrapped package and the package receiving surface of the cup includes applying adhesive to the package receiving surface of each cup after the cup is denested and before the package is applied thereto.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of applying adhesive between the wrapped package and the package receiving surface of the cup includes applying adhesive to a cup receiving surface associated with each wrapped package prior to the application of the package to the cup.

### Claim 4

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.

### Claim 5

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.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the step of applying adhesive between the wrapped package and the package receiving surface of the cup includes applying adhesive to the package receiving surface of each cup after the cup is denested and before the package is applied thereto.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the step of applying adhesive between the wrapped package and the package receiving surface of the cup includes applying adhesive to a cup receiving surface associated with each wrapped package prior to the application of the package to the cup.