Abstract:
A method for automatically attaching a lifter to a straw feeds a single straw from a supply of straws and feeds a single lifter from a supply of lifters. The straw is aligned with an aperture in the lifter and the two pieces are assembled to provide a straw assembly. A glue dispenser deposits a quantity of adhesive on the straw and the adhesive is spread between the lifter and the straw to retain the lifter on the straw. In addition to the method described above, an apparatus is described which performs this operation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for positioning and retaining a lifter on a straw. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatic high speed assembly and retention of lifters on straws.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Various designs have been proposed in the prior art for placing a straw within a beverage container. The straw is designed to become accessible to the user when the beverage container is opened. One prior art design relies upon user manipulation to align the straw with the container opening, other prior art designs have the straw pre-aligned with the container opening and still other prior art designs include some type of mechanism that aligns the straw with the container opening upon opening of the container.  
           [0003]    While all of these prior art designs include various methods of aligning the straw with the container opening, they all rely on the buoyancy of the straw within the liquid filled container to propel the straw from the container through the container opening. The straws can be manufactured from a buoyant material, an integrally formed lifter can be incorporated with the straw or an auxiliary lifter can be assembled to the straw to enhance the buoyancy of the straw to ensure it will be propelled through the container opening.  
           [0004]    Soda pop and other liquid filled containers are typically processed on a high-speed filling line in order to meet the demand for the product. Thus, when inserting a straw system within these containers, the straw system must also be inserted at a high rate of speed. When the straw system includes a straw with an auxiliary lifter, the lifter and straw will also need to be assembled at a high rate of speed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention provides the art with a high speed assembly method and mechanism for assembling and retaining a lifter onto a straw. The system is designed to automatically position a lifter on a straw, add a gluing agent, evenly distribute the gluing agent and engage the lifter with the gluing agent. The system is designed to operate in conjunction with a straw insertion system which in turn is designed to operate in conjunction with a high speed filling system.  
           [0006]    Other advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the subsequent detailed description, appended claims and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a side view of a straw and lifer which is to be inserted into a container;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a side view of a mechanism which inserts the straw into the container in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a top view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the straw feeding system shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the lifter feeding system shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the initial positioning system shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the gluing and final positioning system shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8 is a top view of a mechanism which is designed to install a lifter onto a straw in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 9 is a side view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 8; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of one of the carriages shown in FIG. 8. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]    Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a straw assembly which is designed to be inserted into a container in accordance with the present invention and which is designated by the reference numeral  10 . Straw assembly  10  comprises a straw  12  and a lifter  14 . Lifter  14  is secured to straw  12  in order to enhance the buoyancy of straw  12 . The position for lifter  14  on straw  12  will be dictated by the clearance necessary to effectively operate with the respective straw delivery system which delivers straw assembly  10 .  
         [0019]    Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a mechanism  20  for assembling a respective straw assembly  10  into each of a plurality of containers  22  is disclosed. Mechanism  20  comprises a hopper  24 , a vibratory or centrifugal feeder  26 , a lifter assembly mechanism  28 , a lifter assembly wheel  30 , a feeding track  32 , a feeding track  34 , a positioning system  36 , a gluing or adhesive system  38 , a final positioning system  40 , and an insertion system  42 .  
         [0020]    Mechanism  20  is designed for high speed insertion of straw assembly  10  into each of containers  22 . In general, hopper  24  is filled with a plurality of straws  12  and feeder  26  is filled with a plurality of lifters  14 . Straws  12  are fed to lifter assembly wheel  30  which positions each straw  12  in line with a respective lifter  14  where it is assembled onto straw  12  by mechanism  28 . Wheel  30  feeds straw assembly  10  to track  32 . As each straw assembly moves down track  32 , positioning system  36  initially locates lifter  14  on straw  12 , gluing system  38  dispenses a specified amount of glue and final positioning system  40  engages straw  12  and lifter  14  to position lifter  14  in its final position while rotating either straw  12  or lifter  14  to spread the glue evenly. Once the final position of lifter  14  on straw  12  is achieved, feeding track  32  aligns straw assembly  10  with an opening in a respective container  22  which is fed to a position adjacent feeding track  32  by feeding track  34 . At this point, insertion system  42  inserts straw assembly  10  within container  22 , container  22  is rotated to a generally vertical position to be transferred to a system which retains straw assembly  10  within container  22 .  
         [0021]    The present invention is directed to the unique high speed system for securing lifter  14  onto straw  12  in the proper position as shown in FIGS.  4 - 8 . FIG. 4 illustrates hopper  24  and the feeding of straws  12  to lifter assembly wheel  30 . Hopper  24  comprises an open container  50  which includes a funnel like section  52  which leads to an opening  54  through which a single straw  12  is allowed to pass. Hopper  24  can be a vibratory feeding hopper if improvement in the feeding of straws  12  is required. As wheel  30  rotates in a counterclockwise direction, each of a plurality of pockets  56  align with opening  54 . A feeding mechanism  58  releases one straw  12  which is then picked up by the open pocket  56  to move straw  12  counterclockwise with wheel  30 . As wheel  30  continues to rotate, each pocket  56  with its associated straw  12  engages feeder  26  and lifter mechanism  28 .  
         [0022]    Referring to FIG. 5, feeder  26  includes a bowl  60  within which a plurality of lifters  14  are stored. Bowl  60  is a vibratory or centrifugal feeding bowl which, when activated, feeds lifters  14  in a proper orientation to a track member  62 . Track member  62  curves to a position adjacent wheel  30  such that the lifter  14  at the end of track member  62  is positioned at a radial distance with respect to wheel  30  to be aligned with the radial position of pockets  56  in wheel  30 . As wheel  30  rotates, a sensing system  64  determines when a respective straw  12  within one of the pockets  56  is aligned with an aperture extending through lifter  14 . At the time of alignment, lifter assembly mechanism  28  is actuated to push straw  12  through the hole in lifter  14  while simultaneously releasing lifter  14  from track member  62 . As wheel  30  continues to rotate, straw assembly  10  (straw  12  and lifter  14 ) travel counterclockwise with wheel  30  in each of the respective pockets  56 .  
         [0023]    As wheel  30  continues to rotate, each of straw assemblies  10  are fed to a respective pocket  70  in positioning track  32 . While straws  12  and straw assemblies  10  rotate within pockets  56  of wheel  30 , a guard system  72  ensures that straws  12  and straw assemblies  10  are kept within pockets  56  until engagement with positioning track  32  where straw assemblies  10  are fed to pockets  70 .  
         [0024]    Referring to FIG. 6, positioning track  32  moves straw assemblies  10  horizontally as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and eventually feeds each straw assembly  10  adjacent to feeding track  34 . As straw assemblies  10  are moved along positioning track  32 , they engage positioning system  36  which includes a pair of positioning members  74  and  76 . Positioning members  74  and  76  are angled with respect to track  32  to form a funnel shaped positioning system that accurately locates each lifter  14  onto its respective straw  12 . The accurate positioning of lifter  14  on straw  12  is needed for the gluing operation described below. After initial positioning of lifter  14  by positioning members  74  and  76 , straw assemblies  10  continue along track  32  until they are engaged by gluing system  38 . While the present invention is being described having positioning members  74  and  76  for positioning lifter  18 , it is within the scope of the present invention to utilize other positioning devices known in the art for locating lifter  18 .  
         [0025]    Straw assemblies  10  proceed horizontally as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and eventually engage gluing system  38  as shown in FIG. 7. Gluing system  38  comprises a glue dispenser  82  which deposits a specified amount of glue in the corner formed by straw  12  and lifter  14 . After the glue has been positioned on straw assembly  10 , continued movement of feeding track  32  delivers each straw assembly  10  to final positioning system  40 .  
         [0026]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, final positioning system  40  includes a pair of positioning members  86  and  88  which are designed to move lifter  14  on straw  12  in the direction towards the glue deposit. Thus, final positioning of lifter  14  can be accomplished by pushing lifter  14  further on straw  12  or by pushing lifter  14  opposite to the original direction of assembly. Regardless of which direction lifter  14  is moved to place it in its final position, glue dispenser  82  deposits the glue in the appropriate corner. In order to ensure a complete distribution of the glue between lifter  14  and straw  12 , final positioning system  40  includes a mechanism  90  which rotates straw  12  during the final positioning move of lifter  14  to provide means for spreading the glue on straw  12 . While final positioning system  40  utilizes mechanism  90  for rotating straw  12 , it is within the scope of the present invention to rotate lifter  14  during the final positioning move if desired. The moving of lifter  14  in the direction of the glue and the rotational motion provides means for spreading the glue or adhesive on straw  12 . While the present invention utilizes lifter  14  as means for spreading the glue or adhesive, it is within the scope of the present invention to use brushes, sprays, spreaders or the like to spread the glue on straw  12 . While the present invention is being described having positioning plates  86  and  88  for positioning lifter  18 , it is within the scope of the present invention to utilize other positioning devices known in the art for locating lifter  18 .  
         [0027]    Once final positioning system  40  has properly positioned lifter  14 , continued movement of feeding track  32  delivers each straw assembly  10  to a position adjacent feeding track  34  which aligns each straw assembly  10  with an opening in a respective container  22  and deposits a single straw assembly  10  within each container  22 . Track  34  then continues the horizontal movement of containers  22  with straw assemblies  10  until a rotation mechanism positions containers  22  vertically in order to feed them to a system which retains straw assembly  10  within container  22 .  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIGS.  8 - 10 , a mechanism  120  for assembling lifter  14  onto straw  10  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. Mechanism  120  comprises a support structure  122 , a chain feeding system  124 , a plurality of carriages  126 , a glue applicator  128 , a straw feeding system  130 , a lifter feeding system  132  and an outfeeding system  134 .  
         [0029]    Support structure  122  supports the remaining components of mechanism  120  at an appropriate level above a plant floor. Chain feeding system  124  includes an endless chain  136  that runs between a pair of pulleys  138  and which is powered by a drive system  140 . Drive system  140  provides continuous movement of chain  136  between pulleys  138 .  
         [0030]    Carriages  126  are secured to chain  136  and move with chain  136  as it moves between pulley  138 . Each carriage  126  includes a straw support  142  and a lifter support  144  that moves axially along a pair of slides  146  extending longitudinally across carriage  126 . Straw support  142  is adapted to support a single straw  12  and lifter support  144  is adapted to support a single lifter  14 . Each carriage  126  also includes a cam follower  148  which engages a cam track  150  to move lifter support  144  and thus lifter  14  axially along slides  146  as chain  136  moves between pulleys  138  as detailed below. Glue applicator  128  is supported above chain  136  and carriages  126  by a support structure  152 . Support structure  152  positions a glue gun  154  longitudinally between the ends of carriages  126  and is positioned to place a prespecified quantity of glue at a prespecified position on each straw  12  positioned on straw supports  142  of carriages  126 , as also described below.  
         [0031]    Straw feeding system  130  includes a vibratory feeder or hopper  160  which positions a single straw  12  into each straw support  142  of carriage  126 . Vibratory feeder or hopper  160  is designed to orient each straw  12  by placing the pleated section of each straw  12  at a specified side of carriage  126  prior to the placement of straw  12  into straw support  142 .  
         [0032]    Lifter feeding system  132  also includes a vibratory feeder or hopper  162  which positions a single lifter  14  into each lifter support  144  of carriage  126 . Lifter support  144  and straw support  142  are designed such that the center hole in lifter  14  is in registry with straw  12 . Thus, when lifter support  144  is moved longitudinally with respect to straw support  142  and straw  12 , lifter  14  will engage straw  12  to assemble lifter  14  onto straw  12 . The design for lifter  14  is illustrated as being symmetrical and thus there is no need to correctly orient each lifter  14  in a side to side manner. It is within the scope of the present invention to properly orient a non-symmetrical lifter  14  using vibratory feeder or hopper  162  if desired.  
         [0033]    Outfeeding system  134  is designed to receive each straw assembly  10  from its respective carriage  126 , move each straw assembly  10  from a horizontal position to a vertical position and then transport straw assemblies  10  to containers  22  which are designed to accept a single straw assembly  22 . Outfeeding system  134  includes an orientation device  164  and a transportation conveyor  166 . Orientation device  164  relies on the position of the center of gravity for straw assembly  10  to move it from a horizontal position to a vertical position. After the assembly of lifter  14  to straw  12 , the center of gravity of the assembly is closer to one end because lifter  14  is positioned closer to one end. Orientation device  164  relies on this off center position of the center of gravity for straw assembly  10  and gravity to cause straw assembly  10  to properly orient itself as it moves through orientation device  164 . Orientation device  164  feeds straw assemblies  10  to transportation conveyor  166  which moves them to the bottle assembly area by gravity or by vibratory feeding.  
         [0034]    The sequence of operation for mechanism  120  is to have straw feeding system  130  feed a single straw  12  to a respective straw support  142  of carriage  126 . A single lifter  14  is fed by lifter feeding system  132  to a respective lifter support  144  before, after or simultaneously with straw  12 . Chain  136  moves carriage  126  with straw  12  and lifter  14  along support structure  122  until cam follower  148  engages cam track  150  to move lifter support  144  longitudinally along carriage  126  to assemble lifter  14  to straw  12 . As shown in FIG. 8, cam track  150  is designed to push lifter  14  onto straw  12  and along straw  12  to a position beyond its final position where glue gun  154  dispenses a prespecified amount of glue or adhesive onto straw  12 . Cam track  150  then pushes lifter support  114  and thus float  14  onto the dispensed glue such that the glue is now located between flat  14  and straw  12 . The purpose for pushing lifter past its final position and then bringing it back over the glue is to ensure that any bead of glue or adhesive which is left at the interface of lifter  14  and straw  12  will be at the bottom of lifter  14  after straw assembly  10  is inserted into container  22 . It is within the scope of the present invention to design cam track  150  to move and thus position lifter  14  anywhere along straw  12  if desired. After the gluing operation, straw assembly  10  continues along support structure  122  with chain  136  until it encounters outfeeding system  134  which transfers straw assembly  10  from carriage  126  to a vertical position in line to be inserted into container  22 .  
         [0035]    While the above detailed description describes the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and alteration without deviating from the scope and fair meaning of the subjoined claims.