Process and apparatus for assembling and liquor-charging of packages of paper and the like

The invention relates to an apparatus for the successive production of a number of paper packages fitted with respective spouts on a part of the top end portion thereof and charged with a liquid drink. The spout includes a spout proper having a general cylindrical outer configuration and formed generally therethrough with a liquid spouting passage provisionally closed or valved, and an attaching flange permanently fixed to the root end of the spout proper. For better sanitary purposes, the spout is introduced into the open end of a semipackage from inside thereof. The spout introduction and attaching job is carried out directly before charging with liquid. Only thereafter, liquid charging-in and top-closing jobs are carried out in a sterilized atmosphere. Within the sanitary execution of these jobs, the spout introducing and sealing attachment are included for increasing the sanitary safety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to improvements in the processes and 
apparatuses for assembly and liquorcharging of paper packages. 
2. Prior Art 
Conventional bottles for preserving liquid drinks and the like are being 
more and more replaced by paper packages. This kind of container package 
is manufactured from the material carton stock, assembled into a 
semiassembled package or semipackage and then charged with the liquor to 
be contained and sealed off, for providing a liquid-containing package 
assembly as a final product package, and in a production line. In this 
way, a considerable reduction in its manufacturing cost can be realized. 
In addition, the used empty packages are collapsed into minimum possible 
volume wastes, which can be discarded with ease and convenience. These 
merits of paper packages have accelerated its broad use in recent decades. 
It should be noted that nowadays provision is broadly made of spout means 
on the upper end portion of the paper package so as to make it easier to 
pour out the contained liquor and to assure sealing against leakage upon 
partial use of the contained liquor. 
It is, however, a conventional practice to execute the spout-attaching job 
directly before the liquid-charging step with use of a liquid charging 
unit while the semipackage without spout is being carried along on a 
carrier means, and indeed, after execution of the package bottom 
assemblying step. 
With employment of the foregoingly set forth conventional technique for 
attachment of a spout onto each of the paper semipackages directly before 
execution of liquid charging step, unavailable fouling problems will be 
invited. Or more specifically, since the spout-attaching unit is arranged 
on the stock-conveying line of a paper package stock-carrier unit, fouling 
parts of the spout-attaching unit may mostly be feared during and after 
the action of the liquid-charging unit, or conversely the latter unit may 
be fouled by contact with the spout-attaching unit when working in fouled 
conditions. 
On account of the conventional provision of spout-attaching unit on the 
stock-carrier line, the latter line becomes longer than required. As an 
example, when a defective final product package attached with spout should 
have been found by inspector at the terminal end or so of the whole 
carrier line, more losses due to defective final products will be invited 
with increase in the length of the carrier line. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A main object of the invention is to obviate the foregoing conventional 
drawbacks by providing such a possibility as attaching the spout at an 
initial stage of assemblying both the ends of a hollow cylindrical 
semipackage. 
Another object is to provide a unique technique for attaching a spout to 
the hollow cylindrical semipackage in a definitely reliable manner. 
Still another object is to provide an improved technique for the execution 
of a bottom assembling job of the semipackage after attachment of a spout 
thereto, and in a most reliable manner and within a least possible space 
requirement. 
According to the present invention, the foregoing objects may be attained 
by adopting such an improved process for assembling and liquor-charging of 
a series of paper-made or the like packages comprising a step for 
attaching a spout onto a closable top end portion of each of said packages 
in an successive order, said package having a hollow cylindrical main body 
and a closable top end and a closable bottom end, as extensions of said 
main body and the, outside and inside surfaces of said package being 
coated with a sealable and settable agent; a step for successively capping 
said hollow packages onto each of a plurality of radially extending and 
intermittently rotated mandrels in such a mode that said closable package 
bottom is directed radially outwards of said mandrels; a step for 
assembling the open package bottom of each of said packages in a 
successive order, while being held on and in said capped state; a step for 
discharging the thus bottom end assembled packages to a conveying carrier 
in a successive order; a step for charging a predetermined quantity of 
liquor to each for said bottom end assembled semipackages while being 
mounted on said conveying carrier; and a further step for assemblying and 
closing said closable open top end of each of said semipackages. 
According to the invention, such an improved apparatus is proposed for 
satisfying several foregoing objects, as comprising: feeder means for 
feeding piecewise a series of paper-made semipackages held horizontal, 
each thereof having a closable open top end portion and a closable open 
bottom end portion, said top end portion being formed with a small lateral 
opening for later holding a spout; a holding unit holding piecewise said 
semipackages horizontally; a sucker shiftable relative to said semipackage 
held on said holding unit and partially projectable into the top end 
portion of said semipackage for introducing cylindrical main portion of a 
spout held on tip end of said sucker into said small lateral opening; 
means for fusingly attaching said spout onto said top end portion from 
inside of said hollow semipackage; a mandrel unit arranged in succession 
of said holding unit and having a plurality of radially extending mandrel 
arms and performing an intermittent rotary motion; means for causing the 
semipackage held on said holding unit and fitted with said spout to be 
capped on one arm of said mandrel unit in such a manner that said bottom 
end portion of said semipackage directs radially outwards; means for 
assembling said open semipackage bottom while the semipackage being 
mounted on said mandrel unit and subjected to an intermittent rotary 
motion thereof; a conveyor unit for conveying the bottom-assembled 
semipackage; means for holding said semipackage on said conveyor unit 
upright with its bottom end directing dowwards and for discharging said 
semipackage; a liquor-charging unit for charging a liquor into said 
semipackage through the top end thereof while the semipackage is being 
conveyed on said conveyor unit; and means for assembling the top end 
portion of said semipackage while the semipackage is being conveyed on 
said conveyor unit. 
In the present invention, the semipackage is fitted with the spout and the 
thus provided intermediate semipackage is subjected in a sterilized 
chamber to several processing jobs, such as assembling and closing the 
open top end portion; sterilizing; liquor charging and sealing-off. In the 
sterilizing step, sterilization treatment of the semipackage proper as 
well as the attributed spout is executed, thus resulting in a highly 
reliable and safety sterilized semipackage per se. For the execution of 
the invention, a separate step for sterilization of the spout per se can 
be dispensed with. As a result, a highly compact and economical production 
plant can be provided, and indeed, the liquor charging may be carried into 
effect in a highly reliable sterilized manner. 
In the present invention, several jobs for assembling of semipackage 
bottoms, liquor-charging and semipackage top-end sealing are executed on 
the semipackage stock. However, upon attachment of the spout, it is 
necessary to arrange any fouling means, indeed, in close proximity of the 
liquor-charger, and it is further possible to substantially shorten the 
overall production line including package-assembly and liquor-charging 
means, especially semipackage conveying line for conveying 
bottom-assembled semipackages. Even in occasional occurrence of 
defectively attached spouts, package stock loss may be reduced to a 
possible minimum. As a result, spouted paper packages of high sanitary 
quality can be produced in a highly efficient manner. 
In the present invention, use is made of a rotary mandrel unit, having a 
plurality of radially extending mandrel arms which are adapted for 
cappedly receiving semipackages while being subjected to bottom assembly 
job, and indeed, in one-to-one relationship. By adopting such mandrel 
unit, the conveying line length for conveying semipackages while each 
being subjected to a bottom-end assemblying job, can be shortened 
substantially. With this improved arrangement, sanitary spout-fitted 
semi-packages can be manufactured in a highly economical way. 
It is highly advantageous to cap the spout-fitted semipackage on each one 
of radially extending mandrel arms, and indeed, in such style or attitude 
of the semipackage that the flap surface to which a spout has been 
attached directs substantially in parallel to the rotary plane of the 
mandrel unit. By adopting such arrangement, semipackages can be discharged 
onto conveyor means, without being subjected to any change in the angular 
position of the semipackage. It is unnecessary to provide such means as 
above for change of semipackage angular position and otherwise to be 
arranged between said mandrel and conveyor. For this reason, the overall 
manufacturing plant can be made highly compact.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Now, referring to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the 
invention will be described more in detail. 
Before describing detailed structure and function of the inventive method 
as well as apparatus, a paper package proper 1 and a dispersing or pouring 
unit 2 to be attached thereto in accordance with the present invention 
will be set forth with reference to FIGS. 40 through 42, for better 
understanding of the invention. At the present stage, it should be noted 
that the paper package proper is illustrated with common reference numeral 
1 throughout the present specification, regardless of the occasionally 
occupying specific and various shapes and states, such as its folded-down 
stock sheet state; an erected empty box-like state or a liquid-filled and 
pouring unit attached status as final product or so. 
As shown specifically in FIG. 41, the pouring unit 2 consists mainly of a 
flat base flange portion 3 and a short height cylindrical portion 4 
attached thereto, said flange 3 being defined by a straight lateral edge 
5a, a pair of straight and parallel side edges 5b; 5c and a semi-circular 
edge 5d extending therebetween. 
In FIG. 40, the final product attached with the pouring unit 2 onto one of 
top flaps and preferably filled therein with a proper liquor or drink, not 
shown, is illustrated. The package is also shown with same reference 
numeral 1, only for simplicity and convenience of the description and 
drawings. 
In FIG. 42, the bottom of the package 1 is illustrated in up-and-down state 
serving for better understanding. 
As seen, there are formed triangular foldable lines as at 6a on one of side 
flap 6. In opposing arrangement, there is another symmetrical flap 6 
having a similar triangular foldable lines, although not specifically 
denoted. There is further provided a pair of somewhat differently shaped 
bottom flaps 7A and 7B adapted for partially being overlapped one after 
another, as is clearly understood from FIG. 40. Naturally, all these 
bottom flaps are continuous to each other, as well as to the main box-like 
body of the package 1. This continuous feature is applied also to the top 
cover panels, not specifically reference-numbered, at this stage, even 
though appearing in FIG. 40. 
Now, referring back to FIG. 1, numeral 10 represents a package stock supply 
section, which serves for attaching a pouring unit 2 to each of the 
package stocks 1 which have been prepared from paper boards as 
conventionally through several preforming steps such as press-forming of 
folding lines, folding and sticking to provide a hollow box structure 
opened at flapped ends and finally collapsing the hollow box under 
pressure to provide a continuous double-sheet package stock. Further, 
numeral 20 represents a package bottom assembler section adapted for 
assembly of the bottom flaps into final shape, as will be more fully 
described hereinafter. 
Numeral 30 represents a paper package-sterilizing, liquid-charging and 
top-sealing section, adapted successively for performing these jobs onto a 
number of paper packages. In FIG. 2, a schematic end view of this section 
30 is shown, when seeing in the direction of small arrows II--II shown in 
FIG. 1. 
The package stock supply section 1 comprises a stock feeder 11 in which a 
stack of flattened package stocks 1 is stored; a stock transfer unit for 
successive take-out of flattened paper stocks 1 from the feeder 11 and 
opening each of these stocks into a square-sectioned hollow pillar and 
shifting the latter successively onto a provisional station S1, said 
transfer unit being, however, not shown on account of its very popularity 
and for avoiding excess crowding of the drawing; a spout-attaching unit 12 
for successive introduction of a spout unit 2 through the upper opening of 
each of said hollow pillar stocks 1, and attaching its flange portion 3 
onto one of top flaps of the stock; a spout dispenser 13 for successive 
supply of spouts through chute means 14 to a proximity of 
spout-introducing position of the foregoing unit 12; and a package stock 
introducing and discharging unit, not shown, adapted for transfer of the 
package stock provisionally held at position S1 through S2 to the 
foregoing unit 12 and for feed-out of the package stock 1 attached with 
spout unit, towards the next succeeding processing stage. Although not 
shown, these related units are provided each in two parallel sets. Details 
of the spout-attaching unit 12 will be described more fully at a later 
stage of the description. 
Package bottom assembler section 20 comprises a vertical type turret unit 
21 including a plurality of radial mandrels as at 22 and arranged to 
perform an intermittent rotary motion; a package bottom folding and 
shaping unit 25; heaters 23 and 24 for applying heat to the bottom portion 
of the stock 1 and a pair of guide arms 26 and further guide means 27 as 
well as a package bottom-pressure former 28. These parts or units denoted 
with 23; 24; 25; 27 and 28 are arranged in proximity of outer ends of 
mandrels 22 at the intermittently stopping positions of the latter. As for 
the foregoing units 25 and 28; and guide means 27, these will be more 
fully described hereinafter. 
Paper package-sterilizing, liquid-charging and top-sealing section 30 
comprises a conveyor for transfer of package stocks 1, bottom flaps of 
each of the bottom portion which have already been assembled together, 
successively in their elected state, in an intermittent mode. The section 
30 further comprises a primary package top folder 32; a sterilizer agent 
sprayer 33; driers 34; a cooler 35; a liquid charger 37 fitted with a 
charging nozzle 38; a secondary package top folder 39; a heater 40; and a 
package top folding and pressurizing unit 41 at a certain higher level 
than the conveyor 31 and substantially in succession one after another as 
shown. The sterilizer dispenser 33 applies a sterilizer liquid in form of 
sprays, consisting preferably of an aqua-solution of hydrogen peroxide or 
the like over the whole inside wall surface of each semiassembled package 
1, which will be referred to as "semipackage" hereinafter, thereby all the 
inside surfaces of the semipackages, as well as the inside surface of each 
spout 2 being subjected to an optimum sanitary treatment. 
It should be noted that both of the foregoing sections 20 and 30 are 
mounted within the interior space of a sterilized chamber 42. 
The foregoing spout-attaching unit will be described more specifically with 
reference substantially to FIGS. 3 and 4. 
Numeral 51 represents a horizontally elongated turret rotatable about an 
axis X--X, which comprises a rotatable shaft 52; a main body portion 53 
fixedly mounted on the latter; and four holder units 54 for holding 
respective package stocks, said units being arranged at equidistant from 
one after another about the axis X--X. Each set of these holders 54 is so 
designed and arranged to hold a package stock 1 by contacting a pair of 
diagonal corners thereof from outside, as may be most clearly understood 
from FIG. 3, for the purpose of holding the semipackage in parallel to the 
central axis X--X. Thus, by moving the semipackage in parallel to the 
central axis to-and-fro, it is possible to introduce into or reversely to 
discharge from the package holder. In addition, it is also possible to 
shift the semipackage, while being held by the package holder 54, in 
parallel to the central axis. 
The rotational central shaft 52 is fixedly attached with a gear 55, a 
turret driver, not shown, being kept in engagement therewith. This driver 
is designed and arranged in such a way that the semipackages held by the 
turret 51 are successively and intermittently positioned at provisionary 
holding stations S3, S4; S5 and S6, respectively. The first station S3 
serves to introduce or discharge the semipackage into or from the package 
holder 54, respectively. The third station S5 serves for introducing the 
spout 2 into the interior space of semipackage 1 under consideration. Th 
fourth station S6 serves for fusingly attaching the flange portion 3 of 
each introduced spout 2 onto one of the top end laps of the semipackage, 
thus being called briefly "spout-seal-on-station" hereinafter, when 
necessary. 
In FIG. 5, representing a side elevation of a semipackage, introduce and 
discharge unit 57 is adapted for introducing and discharge treatment of 
the semipackage into and from the package holder when the semipackage is 
held provisionally at the first station S3. In this FIG. stations S1; S2; 
S3 and P0 represent those for provisionally holding respective 
semipackages 1. Although not shown, there is provided a holder at each of 
these stations for holding the semipackage in an axially movable attitude. 
Further, as seen from FIG. 5, all the semipackages held at these stations 
are arranged not only in a straight line one after another, but also in 
straight line registration with the horizontal mandrel 22 of the bottom 
portion assembling unit 20. In other words, turret 51 is arranged midway 
in the axially carrying route for the semipackage 1 under the action of 
the package holder at the station S3 to shift the semipackage from station 
S1 to mandrel 22. The unit 57 comprises a guide bar 58 arranged in 
parallel to the linear arrangement of semipackages 1; a slider 59 slidably 
mounted thereon; a rod 60 movable horizontally in unison with slider 59; 
four pressure applicators 61 fixedly mounted on the movable rod 60; and a 
pivotable lever 62 linked through a link member 62a with slider 59 for 
reciprocatingly driving the latter on and along guide bar 58. The pivotal 
movement of lever 62 is hinted by a double head arrow 100 shown. With 
leftward sliding movement of slider 69 in FIG. 5, pressure applicators 61 
will push respective semipackages 1 from behind leftwards by a 
predetermined one step or pitch length. As may be well adjudged from joint 
observation of FIGS. 5 and 6, slider 59 is fitted with a pressure air 
cylinder 63 which, when energized, operates to provide a partial 
rotational movement of the movable rod 60 through the intermediary of a 
small lever 64 for receding the pressure applicators 61 off from contact 
with respective semipackages 1. 
FIG. 7 represents a sectional view taken along a section line VII--VII 
shown in FIG. 4 of the spout-attaching unit 51, while FIG. 8 represents a 
sectional view taken along a section line VIII--VIII shown in FIG. 7. 
Numeral 70 represents a spout-insertion unit mounted at a position in 
horizontal alignment with the specific semipackage 1 held by package 
holder 54 provisionally stopped at S5 and comprising a sucker 71 for 
holding suckingly a spout 2; a cross bar 72 movable in the transversal 
direction relative to the axial line of the semipackage 1 and mounting the 
sucker; a two-stage cylinder unit 73 which positions sucker 71 at two 
differrent operating positions through the intermediary of the cross bar 
72 and guide means 74 for properly guiding the rectangular corners of the 
leading end of each semipackage 1 under consideration. 
Two-stage cylinder 73 operating upon the sucker 71 is so designed and 
arranged to position the sucker at three different positions: viz. a 
ready-for-operation position shown in full line in FIG. 7; a 
spout-receiving position for receiving a spout 2A held at a ready 
position, only schematically shown in chain-dotted line in FIG. 7, upon 
delivery thereto through delivery chute 14 shown in FIG. 2; and a 
spout-inserting position for introducing a spout 2 within the hollow 
interior space of a semipackage 1 under consideration and shown in FIG. 9. 
In FIG. 7, numeral 76 represents a pusher positioned in close proximity to 
the tail or bottom end of a semipackage 1 under consideration, while 
numeral 77 represents a carrier rod which mounts the pusher 76. As hinted 
by a double head arrow 101, carrier rod 77 performs a reciprocating motion 
under the acting drive means, not shown. All these related members 
constitute a semipackage forwarding mechanism. Numeral 78 represents a 
further pusher arranged in proximity of the forward end of the semipackage 
1 under consideration. 79 represents a driver rod mounting the pusher 78. 
80 represents a stationary guide sleeve for slidably holding the driver 
rod 79. As shown in FIG. 3, the operating end of a crank lever 81 
pivotable about a support pin 82 as a center, is linked with drive bar 79 
at the rear end thereof. The opposite or motion receiving end of crank 
lever 81 carries a follower 83 cooperating under pressure with a disc cam 
85 fixedly mounted on a rotatable drive shaft 84, as shown in FIG. 3. With 
rotation of cam 85, thus, crank lever 81 will perform a preciprocating 
pivotal movement, thereby to drive shaft 79 and pusher 78 being subjected 
to a reciprocating movement. The pusher 78 is formed with a part which is 
capable of contacting the lower wall of the semipackage 1, under 
consideration as may be most clearly understood from FIG. 4. With 
rightward shift of pusher 78, the semipackage 1 will perform, therefore, a 
receding motion in the righthand direction, when seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
Therefore, pusher 78, drive shaft 79 and their related drive means 
constitute in combination, thus, a semipackage-receding unit. 
Next, spout supply unit 13 for feeding the spouts piecewise to a position 
adapted for transfer the latter to the sucker 71 will be described in 
detail. 
The chute 14 already shown in FIG. 2 is formed with a channel-sectioned 
guide groove 112 adapted for receiving the cylindrical spout proper 4, 
shown only by its outline configuration, of each spout unit 2; a guide 
surface 113 adapted for guidance of crosswise extending straight line edge 
5a of the flange portion 3 of the unit 2, if necessary, reference may be 
made to FIG. 41, and a drop-preventing means or holder 114 extending 
longitudinally of the chute and effective only at a small distance from 
the guide groove 112, as shown in the cross-section of the chute in FIG. 
14. At least the lower end portion of chute 14 is arranged vertically, as 
shown in FIG. 13. 
Specifically as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a large number of spouts 2 
arranged in a mutually contacting series by their respective flange 
portions are slidably mounted in the elongated chute 14 under gravity 
action. Thus, when the lowermost spout has been taken out, all the 
remaining upper spouts can automatically slide down. At the upper end of 
chute 14, an automatic feeder 13 is connected for replenishing of spouts 
therefrom, as shown in FIG. 2 by way of example. A feed-out or outlet 
opening 115 is formed at the lower end of chute 14, as specifically shown 
in FIGS. 11 and 13. 
In close proximity of the lower end of chute 14, there are provided a 
slider 117; a pair of parallel guide shafts 118 adapted for allowing 
transversal movement of slider 117 relative to chute 14; and a pressure 
air cylinder 119 for driving the slider 117 in a reciprocating manner. The 
slider comprises a main body portion 120 formed with a spout-reception 
space 121 adapted for receiving the lowermost of the spouts 2; a stopper 
122 adjustable in the position and adapted for supporting the cylindrical 
portion of the spout introduced into the spout-reception space 121; a 
front plate portion 123 adapted for support of a part of spout flange 
portion (refer to FIG. 12); and an elongated, laterally extending 
projection 124, having an upper surface 124A extending in registration 
with the upper surface 120A of main body portion 120. Although not shown, 
the upper end of spout-reception space 121 is formed with a tapered 
portion or portions for assuring an easy and smooth piecewise introduction 
of a spout from the outlet opening of chute 14, although not shown. 
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, when stopper 122 mounts the cylindrical spout 
proper 4a of a spout 2a, an attribute "a" or "b" being attached 
specifically for the purpose of clearer understanding at this stage of 
description, the lower end of similar spout proper 2b arranged directly 
above the foregoing spout 2a is kept substantially in registration with 
the upper surface 120A of main portion of a slider 127 and with the upper 
surface 124A of projection 124. Thus, even if the slider 117 has been 
shifted by a small horizontal distance to the position shown in FIG. 18, 
the lowermost spout 2b positioned at this stage is supported by the upper 
surface 120A of slider main body 120 as well as upper surface 124A of 
projection 124, thus being positively prevented from dropping out of the 
chute 14. These surfaces 120A and 124A serve in combination, thus, as 
stopper means for the prevention of drop-out of spout(s) from the delivery 
opening 115 of the chute 14. Additionally, main body 120 of slider 117 is 
formed at the upper surface thereof with a slit 120B for avoiding 
otherwise possible interference with the flange portion of spout 2b held 
in the chute 14 during horizontal movement of slider 117. 
Pressure air cylinder 119 constitutes a slider drive unit for driving the 
slider 117 between a first, spout-reception position where the containing 
space 121 thereof kept in alignment with the spout feed-out opening 115 of 
chute 14 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in full lines and a second, spout 
carry-out position off-set from said first position as shown in FIG. 12 in 
chain-dotted lines. 
Next, the spout-supplying function of the previously described unit will be 
set forth hereinbelow more specifically. 
First, it is assumed that the containing space 121 of slider 117 is kept in 
alignment with the lower end of chute 14, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. 
Under these conditions, a series of spouts are mounted in or on the chute 
and kept in mutually contacting and overlapping state by their flange 
portions, including the lowermost one positioned in the containing space 
121, as was referred to hereinabove. Next, air cylinder 119 is actuated in 
shift the spout-charged slider 117 towrds left in FIGS. 11 and 16. By this 
shift movement, the spout 2a carried therein is positioned off from the 
now lowermostly positioned spout 2b in the chute, and carried to the 
take-out position, as shown in FIG. 18, as was referred to above. During 
this shift movement of the slide, the last remaining spout 2b in the chute 
14 is mounted jointly on the stopper surfaces 120A and 124A, thus being 
positively prevented from dropping-out. With arrival of slider 117 at the 
spout-take-out position, sucker 71 is advancingly shifted in FIG. 12 to 
the neighboring position to the spout 2b which is therefore sucked by the 
sucker and then the latter will go back to the normal position, thereby 
the spout being taken away downwards in FIG. 12. At this operation stage, 
only one spout is held in the slider 117 and kept separated from the 
remaining spout series in the chute. Therefore, the present spout takeout 
operation can be carried out in a positive and reliable manner, while the 
remaining spout series in the chute is not ill-affected by the suckingly 
take out operation to any detrimental degree. It will be seen that part of 
the flange portion of the spout held in the slider 117 is bound by contact 
with the front plate 123 during the foregoing suck-out stage. However, the 
flange portion is flexible so that it can be sucked out forcibly upon 
deflection and with a small amount of resistance. Upon taking-out 
operation for the spout under consideration, the slider 117 will be 
brought back into the starting position for new spout reception, shown in 
FIGS. 15 and 16. In this position, the next spout in the chute will shift 
under gravity to the lowermost position and brought into the sider as 
before, and so on. In this way, the spouts contained in the chute will be 
successively and piecewise shifted to the takeout position to be subjected 
to a sucking takeout operation. 
In FIG. 3, numeral 90 represents an ultrasonic wave horn consisting of part 
of the spout-sealing unit arranged in proximity of the extension line of 
the semipackage held by the package holder 54 when the held semipackage is 
halted at the spout-sealing position. 91 represents an anvil for 
supporting the semipackage under consideration by its inside wall surface. 
The horn 90 is arranged up-and-down movably in FIG. 3 under the action of 
air-cylinder 92. 93 represents a presser arranged in proximity of the 
righthand end of the held semipackage. 94 represents a horizontally 
extending driving bar mounting the presser 93. Driving bar 94 is 
mechanically connected with a drive means, not shown, which was referred 
to hereinbefore as means for driving the drive bar 77 to perform a 
reciprocating movement. Therefore, driving bars 94 and 77 perform 
respective reciprocating motions in synchronism with each other. Thus, 
these elements constitute in combination a package advancing mechanism 
capable for pressure-forwarding the semipackage under consideration and 
leftwards in FIG. 3. 
Numeral 95 represents a further presser which is arranged in proximity of 
the lefthand end of the semipackage under consideration. 96 represents a 
driving bar holding the presser 95. Numeral 97 represents a sleeve which 
slidably mounts the driving bar 96. Pivotable lever 81 is connected with 
the rear end of driving bar 96, in the similar way as in the case of drive 
bar 79, thus the latter being capable of performing a reciprocating 
movement in synchronism with the foregoing drive bar 79. 
As is clearly understood from FIG. 4, presser 95 is formed with a part 
which is engageable with the bottom surface of the semipackage under 
consideration. With rightward shifting movement of the presser 95 when 
seeing in FIG. 3, the semipackage recedes towards left in synchronism 
therewith. It may be understood, therefore, presser 95, driving bar 96 and 
driver mechanism therefor constitute in combination a package-receding 
mechanism. 
As shown in FIG. 19, the package-bottom fold-on mechanism 25 comprises a 
folding guide 142 in addition to the foregoing pair of folder arms 26 
which are held fixedly on a pair of shafts 143 arranged in parallel with 
the rotational axis of turret 21. 
With opposite and synchronized rotations of these shafts 143, the arms 26 
can perform respectively a large pivotal movement in a plane perpendicular 
to the central rotational axis of turret 21, as well as parallel to the 
rotary plane of mandrels 22 and more specifically substantially in 
symmetry relative to the central axis Y--Y of the latter. These fold-in or 
-on arms 26 perform a large arcuate pivotal movement, as shown in FIG. 23 
by a pair of small arrows A1 and A2, for folding triangular panels 6 into 
position. The folding guide 142 is arranged to move along central axis 
Y--Y of the mandrel and formed with a pair of inclined operating surfaces 
145 and 145' adapted for acting upon the respective tip ends 7a and 7b of 
bottom flaps 7A and 7B, and an inclined slit 146 is formed therebetween, 
as shown specifically in FIGS. 24 and 25. 
When the folding guide 142 is moved in the direction shown by a small arrow 
B from the position illustrated in FIG. 24 until it is brought into 
pressure contact with the top-and-bottom inverted bottom end of the 
semipackage 1, the bottom flaps 6A and 6B are folded-in and -on into 
position as illustrated in FIG. 25. 
To fold-on arms 26 and folding guide 142 are connected respective and 
separate drive means. In FIGS. 26 through 28, a first drive means 148 
adapted for allowing pivotal reciprocating movements of fold-on arms 26 is 
shown. It should be noted that in these drawings, the folding guide and 
its related drive means have been omitted for purposes of simplifying the 
drawings. The first drive means 148 comprises a pair of gears 149 fixedly 
mounted respectively on the shafts 143 and kept in meshing with movable 
rack means 150 from both sides thereof; a lever 151 mechanically connected 
with the rack means 150; a crank lever 152 linked with the lever 151; an 
intermediate shaft 153 mounting said crank lever 152; a link lever 154 
fixed to the intermediate shaft 153; a connecting rod 155; a pivotable 
lever 157 connected with connecting rod 155 and pivotable about a 
supporting shaft 156 as a center; a cam follower 158 fixed on lever 157; a 
drive shaft 159; a cam 160 fixedly mounted on drive shaft 159; and a 
pressure air cylinder 161 urging under pressure the cam follower 158 
against the cam 160. With rotary movement of cam 160, the rack means 150 
will thus perform a reciprocating movement, whereby the fold-on arm pair 
26 is reciprocatingly rotated in synchronism therewith. The range of 
angularly reciprocating movement of the arm pair 26 extends between then 
most receded position shown in FIG. 19 so as to assure the bottom of the 
semipackage 1 mounted on mandrel 22 to perform its free and thus 
trouble-free movement and the ready-position for performing a positive 
triangular-panel fold-in job, as shown in FIG. 23. 
As a modification, the rack means 150 may be dispensed with and the pair of 
gears 143 are arranged to mesh with each other. In this case, one of these 
gears is arranged to swivel in synchronism with the rotation of cam 160, 
the pair of hooked levers 26 being swivelingly reciprocated. 
As still another modification, a grooved cam may be employed and the air 
cylinder may be dispensed with, and, instead of the foregoing pressure 
contact of cam follower 158 with cam 160 with use of the air cylinder 161 
in the foregoing. 
As a still further modification of the drive power source provided with the 
cam, an air cylinder can be used. 
In FIGS. 29 through 31, the second drive means 165 for execution of linear 
shifting movement of folding guide 142 will be illustrated. It should be 
mentioned, however, that the folding-in pawls or levers 26 and the already 
described first drive means have been omitted from these drawings to avoid 
excess crowding thereof. 
This second drive means 165 comprises a block 166 for holding the folding 
guide 142; a lever 167 connected with the block; a further lever or link 
168 connected with the lever 167; an intermediate shaft 169 holding said 
lever 168; a still further lever 170 fixedly mounted on shaft 169; a 
connecting rod 171; a link 173 connected with rod 171 and pivotable on 
support pin 172 as a center; a cam follower 174 fixedly mounted on link 
173; a drive shaft 159; a cam 175 fixedly mounted on shaft 159; and a 
pressure air cylinder 176 acting upon cam follower 174 so as to hold the 
latter in pressure contact with cam 175. It will be seen, therefore, that 
with rotary movement of cam 175, folding guide 142 will execute a 
reciprocating movement. The drive shaft 159 is so designed and arranged to 
commonly serve as drive shaft for the foregoing first drive means 148. In 
addition, the drive shaft 159 is arranged to rotate in synchronism with 
the intermittent rotary means driving the turret 21. For this purpose, 
folding-in pawl 141 and folding guide 142 will operate as will be later 
more fully described, in synchronism with the intermittent rotary movement 
of the turret. 
In the present second drive means 165, a grooved cam may be used in place 
of the face cam shown, for dispensing with the air cylinder. As a further 
alteration, air cylinder means can be employed in place of cam means. 
In FIG. 19, guide means 27 consists of a first guide 180 and a second and 
next succeeding guide 181. As seen from FIGS. 20 and 21, the first guide 
180 consists of a pair of bars which are in contact with inclined surfaces 
of bottom flaps 7A and 7B of the semipackage 1 while being conveyed 
thereof as mounted on the mandrel for the purpose of preventing otherwise 
possible spring back movement of these flaps. This first guide 180 
represents rather smaller effective lateral range or width when seen in 
the shifting direction of the semipackage under consideration. With 
progress of shifting of the semipackage, it is applied pressure at rather 
more central portion of the combined bottom flaps 7A; 7B. With such 
arrangement and function of these related elements, these bottom flaps 
become rather compact and concentrated together towards final bottom 
structure as the semipackage under consideration is shifted further and 
further. 
There is provided the second guide 181 at a downstream position from the 
first guide. This second guide 181 serves for applying pressure upon the 
bottom flap ends for binding of the latter together against spring back 
thereof. As may be well understood from FIG. 19, the gap distance between 
the shifting locus C of the tip end of the mandrel and the second guide 
181 changes as the semipackage under consideration proceeds to shift. 
Thanks to this structure and arrangement of these related parts, the 
bottom flaps 7A; 7B will become rather more compact and even at the 
position P5, and the bottom of the semipackage will not collide against 
the package bottom folding and pressurizing mechanism 28 which is 
positioned only at a small distance from the tip end of mandrel 22, as the 
semipackage proceeds to shift. Additionally, it should be noted that an 
auxiliary guide bar 183 is provided in close proximity of the junction 
point between the first and second guides 180; 181, for execution of 
better guidance of folded end portion of the bottom flap 7B. 
At this stage of description, the general function of the above described 
apparatus will be set forth. 
Now, turning back to FIG. 1, a large number of package stocks equally 
denoted with common reference numeral 1 only for convenience and each 
taking the form of a collapsed cylindrical, overlapped double-sheet paper 
board stock, are preliminary stored one after another into a vertical 
stack, within the feeder 11 provided in the package stock supply unit 10. 
Then, these stocks 1 are taken out by means of a conventional conveyor 
means, not shown, piecewise one after another from the feeder 11 and 
conventionally expanded into hollow square cylindrical envelopes and 
carried to the first station S1. 
Further, these stocks 1 are intermittently conveyed by means of the package 
introducing and discharge unit 57, shown in FIG. 5, through stations S2 
and S3, and to the package holder 54 of turret 51. It is to be noted that 
turret 51 is kept provisionally stationary during the carrying movement of 
each package stock. 
Next, with intermittent rotary movement of the turret 51, the semipackage 
under cnsideration will be forwarded further through stations S4 and S5. 
Until arrival of the semipackage at the station S5, the sucker 71 is 
advanced towards a spout 2, as shown in FIG. 32, prefed through chute 14 
and slider 117 (refer to FIG. 18), and, now carrying the spout under 
consideration, is held at its receded and ready-for position, as shown in 
FIGS. 7 and 33. 
Under these operating conditions, when the semipackage, shown equally with 
common numeral 1, is conveyed to station S5 and halted thereat, presser 76 
is advanced leftwards in FIG. 7 under the action of drive bar 77, thereby 
the semipackage under consideration being forwarded likewise in the 
leftward direction, until the periphery of the forward end thereof is 
introduced into guide member 74, so as to bring about the state shown in 
FIG. 34. 
Then, sucker 71 is driven to advance in the lateral direction relative to 
the central axis of the semipackage, thereby the hold spout 2 being 
introduced from inside into a reception opening 8 formed through the wall 
of the semipackage (See FIG. 9). Then, the sucker 71 is released from the 
spout-holding service position and returns to the original 
ready-for-service position. At the same time, the pusher 78 arranged at 
the front end side of the semipackage under consideration will move in the 
rightward direction in FIG. 7, so as to return the semipackage to the 
original position. 
Then, the semipackage 1 is transferred from station S5 to S6 by a partial 
rotational movement of turret 51 and halted thereat. At station S6 in FIG. 
3, first, presser 93 will advance leftwards, so as to forward the 
semipackage 1 correspondingly, thereby the front end of the latter being 
capped on the anvil 91. In this position, the flange portion 3 of spout 2 
is mounted on anvil 91, as illustrated in FIG. 10. 
Next, ultrasonic wave horn 90 will descend under the action of air cylinder 
92, until the horn tip end is brought into pressure contact with the 
outlet surface of semipackage 1 under consideration, thereby ultrasonic 
vibrations being applied thereto. By this ultrasonic transmission, the 
heat-sealable coating layer applied beforehand onto the inside wall 
surface of the semipackage and the spout-flange 3 made of a properly 
selected thermo-fusible resin are thermally and fusingly united with each 
other, for attaining a satisfactorily thermo-fused structure around the 
spout element or unit 2. 
Upon completion of the fushingly jointing job between the spout element and 
the semipackage proper, the horn 90 will be elevated to its original 
off-service position, whereupon the presser 95 arranged at the left hand 
side of semipackage 1 shown in FIG. 3 is shifted rightwards under the 
action of drive shaft 96 for drawing out the semipackage from engagement 
with anvil 91, so as to recede it to the original position. 
Then, the semipackage 1 fusingly fitted with a spout 2 is shifted by the 
intermittent rotation of turret 51, to the former station S3, and, during 
holding thereat, the semipackage will be horizontally carried to a new 
station P0 under the action of the package-introducing and discharge unit 
57 shown schematically in FIG. 5. It is to be noted that simultaneously 
with discharge of the semipackage 1 under consideration, a new semipackage 
designated with same reference numeral 1 as before only for convenience, 
is conveyed from station S2 into the semipackage holder at station S3. On 
the other hand, the foregoing semipackage held at station P0 is conveyed 
and capped on the mandrel 22 kept at a horizontal preparation position and 
included in the package bottom assembling unit 20 contained in the 
sterilized chamber 42 shown in FIG. 1. At this stage, the semipackage 1 is 
so positioned that the bottom fold-on surface directs in the perpendicular 
direction relative to the rotational axis of mandrel 22 and more 
specifically further that the spout-attaching surface at the package head 
portion or in other words such surface through which the spout-insertion 
opening 8 has been bored is kept in parallel with the rotational plane of 
mandrel 22, and the semipackage is capped onto the latter, while taking 
the presently set forth special attitude. 
With stepwise rotation of turret 21, the semipackage capped on the mandrel 
22 will be rotatingly shifted from station P1 through P2-P7. At stations 
P2 and P3, the thermo-fusible and heat-sealable coating layers already 
applied onto the front and rear wall surfaces at the package bottom 
portion are brought together into fusion under the action of heaters 33; 
34 shown in FIG. 1. At station P4, the folding arms 26; 26 push the 
triangular panels 6; 6 positioned front and rear, respectively, of the 
semipackage 1 under consideration, relative to the shifting direction of 
mandrel 22, together inwards, as shown in FIG. 23. Then, the folding guide 
142 is moved towards mandrel 22 for folding-in of bottom flaps 7A; 7B, as 
most clearly seen from FIGS. 24 and 25. It should be noted that during the 
above shifting movement of folding guide 142 in the above mentioned 
manner, the folding-in arms 26 will be receded for avoiding the occurrence 
of interference with the folding guide 142. Upon completion of the 
shifting movement of folding guide 142 to its final operating position 
shown in FIG. 25, a new semipackage will be fed to station P4, as shown in 
FIG. 19, while the bottom-folded-in semipackage will be forwarded to the 
next succeeding station P5. 
Next, the thus bottom-folded-in semipackage 1 is transferred from position 
P4 to P5 by the corresponding shift movement of mandrel 22. Since the slit 
146 on folding guide 142 extends substantially in the shifting direction 
of semipackage, the tip ends of bottom flaps 7A; 7B will be disengaged 
from the slit 146 during the shifting movement of mandrel 22. In order to 
easily perform said disengagement of bottom flap tip ends from slit 146, 
the folding guide 142 is shifted only a small distance in the receding 
direction from the mandrel, and indeed, in synchronism with the shifting 
movement of the latter. This shifting movement of the folding guide is 
easily brought about under the action of cam 175. 
As may be well seen from FIGS. 19 through 22, package bottom folded in 
position in the foregoing manner under the action of folding guide 142 is 
subjected to a provisional binding action by the first guide 180 and in 
advance of complete separation of the package bottom from the guide 142, 
thereby the folded-in shape of the package bottom being positively 
prevented from its spring-back movement towards its original state before 
folding. As being slidingly guided by contact with first guide 180 and 
therealong, the package bottom is further folded in more and more compact 
state under pressure. With further contacting and sliding with and along 
second guide 81, the package bottom is further compacted into a 
substantially flat shape. The semipackage will be forwarded to station P5 
in this flattened state, so as to allow its bottom to be introduced into a 
small gap space "g", shown in FIG. 19, formed between the tip end of 
mandrel 22 and the operating end of package bottom folding and 
pressurizing unit 28, and indeed, without any hindrance. Then, the unit 28 
is advanced for establishing a pressure-contact of the package bottom 
against operating end of mandrel 22, resulting in the desired pressurized 
and fused-together formation of the package bottom. At this stage, 
assembly and fusing formation of the package bottom have been completed. 
Now, turning back to FIG. 1, when the thus bottom-formed semipackage 1 is 
conveyed to station P7, a conventional discharge unit, not shown, is 
actuated to discharge the semipackage under consideration therefrom onto 
conveyor means 31 arranged horizontally at a predetermined small distance 
below the turret 21. In this position, the surface to which the pouring 
unit 2 is attached, of the semipackage mounted in position on mandrel 22 
is now in parallel with the common rotating plane of all the mandrels, and 
thus when the semipackage is transferred to the conveyor means 31, while 
the present positional attitude of the semipackage is kept unchanged, the 
said surface thereof will be kept in parallel with the carrying direction 
of the conveyor. Therefore, the semipackage 1 can be carried forward 
intermittently on the moving conveyor and subjected to successive jobs for 
liquor-charging and package head assembling. In optional execution of 
sterilized charging, the empty semipackage will be subjected to a 
sterilizing treatment in advance of the liquor-charging step per se. 
On the other hand, the mandrel 22 now devoid of the semipackage will return 
to the original station P1 where the bare mandrel is capped again with a 
new semipackage. 
In the present embodiment, as set forth hereinbefore, package bottom 
fold-in unit 25 comprises a pair of folding arms 26 which are pivotingly, 
oppositely and symmetrically movable about the central line of the mandrel 
and in a plane parallel to the common rotary plane of all the mandrels 22; 
and a folding guide 142 for folding-in, acting upon under pressure or 
pressing against bottom flaps. And, therefore, triangular bottom panels of 
the capped-on semipackage 1 under consideration can take such a position 
relative to the mouting mandrel 22 that an inclined surface to be formed 
on top of the semipackage may be held in parallel to the common rotary 
plane of all the mandrels 22, and thus triangular panels 6;6 to be folded 
inwards at the package bottom are positioned front and rear in the 
shifting direction of the semipackage-mounting mandrel 22. In this style 
and arrangement of the semipackage under consideration, the triangular 
panels 6;6 of the latter are folded under the action of the pivoting 
folder arms 26 and then, the related bottom flaps 7A;7B are folded 
together under the pressing action of folding guide 142 for providing and 
forming necessary folding edge lines. Since the fold-in arms 26;26 and the 
folding guide 142 are driven by respective and separate drive means, the 
pivotingly operating strokes of these folding arms may be selected to be 
larger as desired, regardless of the shifting stroke of the folding guide. 
Therefore, these arms 26;26 can recede to a certain remote off-service 
position, so as to provide no hindrance to the shifting movement of the 
semipackage during the rotary movement of turret 21. The thus prefolded 
semipackage is separated from the folding guide 142, as the mandrel 22 
under consideration moves further, and towards the next succeeding 
pressure-folding unit 28. During this semipackage-moving period, the 
outermostly appearing inclined surface of bottom flaps 7A;7B is bound at 
first by sliding contact with first guide 180 and subjected to a further 
folding-in effect and then, the outermost tip end of the flap combination 
7A;7B will be subjected to a still further binding and folding-in action 
by sliding contact with second guide 181. As the semipackage consisting of 
flaps 7A;7B is kept in sufficiently folded-in state in this way, it can be 
introduced into a small gap space "g" formed between the unit 28 and the 
front end of mandrel 22 without hindrance, as was referred to hereinbefore 
and subjected to a sealing and fixing job. Thus, in the present invention, 
the semipackage capped on the mandrel is kept such that the 
outermost-appearing inclined surface of the assemblying bottom portion is 
kept in parallel to the overall rotary plane of the mandrels and subjected 
to a bottom-folding and shaping step while keeping the foregoing position 
and thus, can be discharged to the conveyor 31 kept in parallel to the 
said common rotary plane while keeping the foregoing position per se. And, 
in this way the inclined surfaces of the semipackage head are positioned 
at both the sides of the semipackage-conveying direction. In this way, 
otherwise necessary additional turning treatment of the semipackage by 
90-degrees can be avoided definitely, resulting in a highly compact 
structure of the whole arrangement in comparison with conventionally 
available similar machines. 
In the spout supply unit as set forth hereinbefore, the lower most one of a 
series of mutually contacting spouts in the chute is taken out from the 
delivery opening provided at the lower end thereof onto a slider which is 
shiftable to a certain spout-take-out position remote from the chute. In 
this way, the spout mounted provisionally on the slider can be separated 
effectively from the remaining spout series in the chute and taken out 
from the slider by means of a vacuum pad or the like sucker and in a 
highly reliable manner. 
Further, with use of the spout take-out and attaching unit as set forth 
hereinbefore, while operates in such a way that during intermittent 
rotation of turret 51 carrying thereon a plurality of semipackages 1, the 
jobs for successive spout-introduction into these semipackages and for 
sealing attachment of spouts thereto, can be executed, a highly convenient 
and efficient spout-attaching possibility being realized. In this case, 
again as referred to hereinbefore, the turret 51 has such a structure as 
capable of holding semipackages in parallel to the central axis X--X of 
rotation of the turret. By arranging the turret to direct its central axis 
horizontally, it is possible to construct it so as to have its axial 
length only slightly longer than the longitudinal length of the 
semipackage under treatment and to arrange it midway at a properly 
selected intermediate position in a horizontal semipackage-conveying 
route, as most clearly shown in FIG. 5, and thus the whole apparatus can 
have a highly compact overall arrangement. In addition, semipackage 
introduction into and discharge from one of the package holders on the 
turret 51 may be carried out in an easy and simultaneous manner which 
accelerates the whole package forming and processing jobs. 
In addition, the spout-attaching unit so far shown and described may be 
arranged outside of the sterilized chamber arranged upstream of the 
package bottom assemblying unit of a package assembly, liquor-charging and 
seal-off arrangement so that the sterilization of the semipackages may be 
executed only after spout-attaching job, thereby assuring a highly safe 
and effective liquor charging under sterilized conditions. 
In the foregoing embodiment, spout supply unit 13, FIG. 2, has been so 
designed and arranged that spouts 2 are supplied through a chute 14 under 
gravity action. However, in practice, spout-supplying work can be executed 
in reliance on other kind of spout feeder. Such a modified structure of 
spout-feeder will be illustrated hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 35 
through 39. In this modification, spouts are fed successively piecewise by 
means of chain conveyor means. 
In FIG. 35, a chain conveyor 200 is shown which is in engagement with a 
lower sprocket wheel pair 201;202 and an upper sprocket pair 203;204 to 
provide a closed conveyor chain circuit. An inside guide plate 205 is 
provided for better guiding the range of chain defined between sprocket 
wheels 201 and 204. In the similar chain guide purposes, a outer guide 
plate 206 is provided for better guidance of substantial part of the chain 
ranged between sprocket wheels 202 and 203. 
As may be well seen from FIG. 36, the chain conveyor system is, in fact, 
arranged in two parallel rows. Sprocket wheels 201;202 are supported 
rotatably on respective support arms 209, FIG. 36, which extend laterally 
from a common support plate 208, fixedly attached to a base plate 207. On 
the other hand, sprocket wheels 203;204 are rotatably mounted on 
respective and adjustable support arms 212;213 which are rigidly supported 
on support plate 211 extending vertically from an upper plate 210. 
As shown in FIG. 35, the upper pllate 210 is arranged in parallel to the 
base plate 207, four pillars 214 extending rigidly between these plates 
207 and 210. Base plate 207 is supported rigidly on a further and smaller 
base plate 215 through three support plates 216. 
Base plate 215 is supported from below by an upstanding main pillar 217, as 
shown in FIG. 35. Guide plates 205 are supported through a plurality of 
spacer rods 218 by a support plate 208 and at both the sides thereof. 
Guide plate 206 is supported by a support plate 211 and at both the sides 
thereof in the similar manner. 
As shown in FIG. 39, each of two parallel conveyors 200 consisting of the 
chain conveyor system comprises a series of spaced outer link plates 219 
and inner link plates 220 and a number of connecting link pins 221, as 
conventionally. At an outer side of each link plate 219, an outwardly 
extending angular projection 222 is formed on or attached fixedly with, a 
support piece 223 being firmly attached thereto as shown. Between two 
neighboring support pieces 223, a spout 2 is caught and held in position 
by its cylindrical portion 4 for being carried along with spout-conveying 
movement of the chain conveyor. 
Although the cylindrical main portion 4 of each of spout units is shown 
only by its outer configuration, in practice, each of these main portions 
may be fitted with a pull open spout nozzle and/or screwed cap and the 
like conventional means. Naturally, this feature may be embodied in 
substantially all the spout units 2 shown and/or described herein. 
The spout-conveying range starting from the uppermost sprocket wheel 204 
arranged nearly at the effective starting end "a" of the chain conveyor 
system, where, although not shown, a spout accumulation magazine may 
preferably be fitted on, and ending directly above the spout-sucking and 
delivery section "b", is covered with an elongated covering 224 formed 
with a correspondingly long slit 224a adapted for guiding the flange 
portions 3 of spout series 2, in a sliding manner. 
The circulating motion of the chain conveyors 200 may be carried out in the 
following manner: 
With actuation of a pressure air cylinder S mounted fixedly on a vertical 
slide 225 which is slidable to-and-fro on and along one of the support 
pillars 214, a horizontally arranged slide plate 226 passing through the 
vertical slide 225 is pushed forward and the tip end of the horizontal 
slide 226 is introduced into an idle gap between two successive support 
pieces 223. 
Vertical slide 225 is connected through a connecting rod 227 with a 
pressure air cylinder S' supported by one of support plates 216. With 
actuation of the air cylinder S', the slide 225 is driven to move along 
the support pillar 224. 
Thus, under the conditions as shown, when the air cylinder S' is actuated 
so as to move the vertical slide 225 upwards, the tip end of the plate 
226, kept in contact with the upper support member 223 causes the latter 
to move upwards, thereby shifting the chain conveyor 200 one step. When 
vertical slide 225 has been driven upwards by one step, the air cylinder S 
is actuated so that the engageable plate 226 is receded rightwards in FIG. 
35, thereby the tip end thereof being disengaged from contact with support 
piece 223. 
At this instance, another pressure air cylinder S' is actuated so that 
vertical slide 225 performs a downward movement along the related support 
pillar 214. 
With each execution of a foregoing rectangular motion cycle of the 
engageable plate 226, the conveyor chain 200 is caused to perform one 
pitch shift movement and so on. Therefore, the conveyor chain 200 can 
execute a series of intermittent shifting motion. 
At the spout-sucking supply secton "b" for spout member 2, the chain cover 
224 is partially broken away so as to provide an opening, to which a 
sucker unit 71 is arranged in an opposed relationship from outside. 
In the following, the operation mode of the present modification will be 
set forth. 
With actuation of air cylinders S and S' which are of the double-acting 
type, in FIG. 35, the engageable plate 226 attributed to the cylinder S 
will perform cyclic motion in the shape of a rectangle, thereby the tip 
end of the plate 226 pushing, each time of the moving cycle, the support 
piece 223 on outer link plate 219 of the chain conveyor 200 upwards by one 
pitch or step. Thus the chain conveyor system performs an intermittent and 
partial cyclic motion when seeing the whole conveyor system as was 
referred to hereinabove. 
As a number of spouts flow down from above and off the magazine, to the 
effective starting point "a", the main cylindrical portion 4 of each spout 
unit 2 is forcibly introduced into idle gap provided between two 
neighboring support pieces 223 on outer link plate 219 of the chain 
conveyor 200, as specifically shown in FIG. 39, while the flange portion 3 
of each spout unit 2 is kept in contact with the elongated slit 24a, 
thereby the spout series being fed forward in an intermittent manner. 
When a spout 2 is intermittently fed to the sucking station "b" where the 
cover 224 is partially broken away so as to represent a spout-delivery 
opening, sucker 71 is actuated for receiving suckingly the now arrived 
spout 2. Upon returning movement of the sucker 71 carrying the spout to 
the original position, a semipackage 1 is advanced, as was referred to 
hereinbefore. With rightward advancing movement of the sucker 71 as seen 
in FIG. 35, the cylindrical main portion 4 of the carried spout 2 is 
introduced into an attaching opening, as was referred to, for the purpose 
of attaching the spout onto the semipackage 1. When the sucker 71 returns 
to its original position, the semipackage 1 will recede to the next step 
job. The timing for joint actuation of two air cylinders S and S' for 
execution of a rectangular cyclic movement schema of the engageable plate 
member 226; for take-out of each spout 2 by the sucker 71 and attaching it 
to the semipackage 1 and the like related jobs are controlled by properly 
selected electronic control means, not shown. 
In place of the intermittent stepwise cyclic movement of a conveyor chain 
system as at 200, so far shown and described, a timing belt having on its 
outer surface a series of spaced recesses or projections adapted for 
receiving a number of spouts by their cylindrical spout propers may be 
used. This timing belt is driven by an intermittent stepwise rotating 
pinion or the like member which is driven through a mechanical combination 
of a reciprocating rack member shown as at 150 in FIG. 23; a cam clutch 
and a pressure air cylinder. 
By employing the forced drive mechanism for stepwise conveyance of a large 
number of spouts by means of conveyor chain, timing belt or the like, in 
place of the gravity action mode chuting system, shown in FIG. 2, clogging 
of spouts at joints in conveying routes, and overlapped flange portions of 
spouts as may occur during conveyance thereof, with deformed spout flanges 
or the like causes. 
On the other hand, by replacing outside link plates with properly modified 
ones mutual positioning and proper modification of support members for 
holding the conveying spouts of different size and configuraion may be 
easily attained.