Patent ID: 6066081
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: B29C,B29L,B31B,B65B

Abstract:
An apparatus for attaching a fitment to a partially formed container having a preformed hole and for disinfecting the partially formed container prior to introducing the partially formed container to a form, fill and seal machine, comprising:means for maintaining an array of flat container blanks having preformed holes;a first station for sequentially withdrawing a container blank from said maintaining means and opening its top and bottom ends;conveyor means for receiving the container blank from said first station and sequentially moving the container blank through the apparatus and for introducing the container blank to the form, fill and seal machine;means for transferring the open-ended container blank to said conveyor means;attaching means adjacent said conveyor means for securing the fitment to the container blank so as to cover the preformed hole prior to the introduction of the container blank to the form, fill and seal machine and while the ends of the partially formed container are open; andmeans for disinfecting at least a portion of the inner wall of the open-ended container blank while the container blank is in a substantially vertical orientation and both ends of the container blank are open prior to the introduction of the container to the form, fill and seal machine for bottom forming and sealing, filling and top forming and sealing.