Pocket tape with alternating adhesive and non-adhesive zones and overlying carrier tape

A method for sticking, a container, a pocket tape, a method for the production of a pocket tape, a device for the production of a pocket tape, a method for the production of an adhesive tape, an adhesive tape and a device for the production of an adhesive tape, regarding sticking a pocket into a container to receive an article, through use of adhesive in adhesive zones that are spaced from one another by non-adhesive zones.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional Patent Application of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/394,526, filed Mar. 21, 2003, and entitled “PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR STICKING OBJECTS”, which claims foreign priority benefit under European Patent Office Application No. 02007421.7, filed on Mar. 28, 2002, and entitled “PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR STICKING OBJECTS”, the contents of both being incorporated in entirety by reference herein.

The invention relates to the mounting of objects, such as for example drinking straws which are packed into pockets, onto containers, such as for example film drinks pouches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

From the state of the art a method is known for applying drinking straws to film pouches, as explained in the following based onFIG. 10. Drinking straws11are packed into film pockets2, which are already joined and form a pocket tape1. On the pocket tape there is an adhesive film layer, which is covered by a carrier tape4(also termed cover tape or liner). The carrier tape4is pulled off at a diversion roller10so that the adhesive location is exposed. The individual straw pockets2are cut off singly from the incoming pocket tape1further along in the process by a cutting stage with a knife5. The knife can here move to and fro and/or also rotate. With appropriate devices, e.g. a vacuum opening in the diversion pulley9, the pockets2are held on the diversion pulley9. A pressure device7, which inFIG. 10is equipped as a lever, presses the pocket2with the drinking straw11against the drinks pouch3which is transported past the device for mounting the drinking straws. In this way the drinks pouches3are fitted with drinking straws11packed in pockets2by sticking them to the pockets2.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to suggest further improvements for fast and fault-free mounting, in particular providing methods, devices and objects which enable an improvement to this method and an improvement to the products manufactured by the method.

With the aid of the adhesive tape according to the invention, which incorporates adhesive zones, which are spaced out by non-adhesive zones in the direction along the adhesive tape, it is possible to produce a pocket tape according to the invention with which non-adhesive zones are formed in the sections between the centers of two adjacent pockets. With a pocket tape of this type according to the invention, it is possible to carry out a method according to the invention, with which pockets are stuck to containers and during which a knife, which cuts off pockets from the pocket tape, does not come into contact with the adhesive. Consequently, clogging of the knife with adhesive, which would impair the service life of the blade, is prevented.

For the invention it is advantageous if an adhesive with high initial adhesive force is used. The adhesive tape according to the invention, the pocket tape according to the invention and the container according to the invention all have the advantage that the process can be implemented with a soft adhesive which can exhibit this sort of high initial adhesive force. Due to the fact that a cover of the adhesive (e.g. a pocket or a carrier tape) with the container according to the invention and also with the embodiments of the pocket tape and adhesive tape according to the invention protrudes over the original adhesive zone, a certain flow of the adhesive can be accepted without the adhesive escaping to the outside.

With the adhesive tape according to the invention it is possible to apply single adhesive locations to any objects. This occurs due to the fact that the adhesive of one adhesive zone is applied to the object together with the carrier tape. Due to the covering carrier tape, it is possible to apply pressure. Then, the carrier tape can be easily removed. This takes place due to the fact that the carrier tape, from which the adhesive has already been transferred to an object, can be pulled off, releasing the carrier tape from the last stuck adhesive zone. Also when the carrier tape has been parted, it is easily possible to grip the carrier tape and pull it off, because there are sections at which the carrier tape does not adhere to the object. The tedious search for a corner on which the carrier tape can be gripped and pulled off, which is familiar with commercially available double-sided adhesive tapes, is not needed. After removal of the carrier tape, the adhesive remains on the object. The adhesive tape according to the invention can therefore be realised as double-sided adhesive tape or also as transfer adhesive tape.

InFIG. 1a pocket tape1is illustrated. The pocket tape consists of a film material and exhibits pockets2aligned parallel to one another. The pockets2on the pocket tape1could also be arranged longitudinally behind one another.

Each of the pockets2contains one or more drinking straws11. Instead of drinking straws, pieces of cutlery, for example made of plastic, stirring tools, accessory parts or small gifts could be contained in the pockets, whereby, also here, one or more of these sorts of objects can be accommodated in a pocket. For the foodstuffs field the pockets2have the advantage that an hygienically clean packaging of the straws11or other objects is possible in the pockets2.

The pockets2arise due to the fact that inFIG. 1a thin film band is provided in front of and behind the drawing plane, between which the drinking straw11is situated. The films in front of and behind the drawing plane are welded together in the sections13to separate the drinking straws11from one another. Furthermore, the sections13have the function that when a single pocket2on the pocket tape1is cut off in the sections13, no external air can access the drinking straw11so that it remains hygienically clean even after the pocket2is cut off.

Adhesive zones12are provided along the pocket tape1. The adhesive zones12are located in the longitudinal direction of the pocket tape1, mainly in the centre of each pocket2. As illustrated inFIG. 1, slight deviations from the exact position of the adhesive zones12are however possible in relation to the pocket2.

It is also possible according to the invention that, as shown in the center ofFIG. 1, the adhesive zone12extends up to the section13to the left of the center pocket2.

As shown inFIG. 1, an adhesive zone12is provided for each pocket2. However, a number of adhesive zones12can also be provided for each pocket2. Also, a number of carrier tapes4can be provided.

The adhesive zones12are repeated, mainly periodically, along the pocket tape1. Also, the formation of the pockets2and the sections13in the pocket tape1is repeated periodically. Ideally, the periodicity of the adhesive zones12and the periodicity of the pockets2are the same.

The material enveloping the drinking straws11may be of any suitable plastic or also paper, textile, foil or film material.

The adhesive which is applied in the adhesive zones12can be any suitable adhesive. Adhesives with a high initial adhesive force are advantageous. Adhesives can even be applied which exhibit a certain flow property, so that a good adhesive force is produced. Such adhesives are also termed soft adhesives. An example of an applicable sort of adhesive is “hot-melt” adhesive.

The sections13inFIG. 1can also extend according to the invention right up to each drinking straw11, so that the main part of the pocket tape1consists of sections13. The adhesive zone12can also extend from one section13over the drinking straw up to the adjacent section13.

For cutting the pocket tape1up into individual pockets2, it is advantageous if the sections13are large, because then a larger area arises in which the cutting process for parting a pocket2from the pocket tape1can take place.

InFIG. 2embodiments of the adhesive zone12according to the invention are illustrated. Possible forms of the adhesive zone12are square, rectangular, circular, triangular or any other regular or irregular shape. It is also possible to divide up the adhesive zone12into a number of individual adhesive zones, each with the previously mentioned shapes. Then the adhesive zone12can be subdivided into two, three, four or more adhesive zones.

InFIG. 3an embodiment of an adhesive tape14according to the invention is illustrated. This type of adhesive tape14can be advantageously provided in the pocket tape1, as shown inFIG. 1. Adhesive zones12are provided on a carrier tape4. The various adhesive zones12are separated from one another by non-adhesive zones. In the embodiment illustrated, the non-adhesive zones15extend laterally from the upper edge to the lower edge of the carrier tape4. The adhesive zones12along the carrier tape4are spaced from one another by the non-adhesive zones15. The non-adhesive zones15can be formed by the omission of adhesive20. Also, it is possible according to the invention to form the non-adhesive zones15by rendering the adhesive ineffective, for example, by irradiation or subjecting the adhesive to certain chemicals, vapours, gases, dusts, etc. Also, the adhesive20can be covered by a layer to create non-adhesive zones15.

On the upper and lower edges of the carrier tape4non-adhesive areas16are provided which extend along the carrier tape4. Consequently, the carrier tape4protrudes in all directions over the areas of the adhesive zone12, whereby the adhesive can flow a little without it escaping to the outside.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the sizes of the adhesive zone12and the non-adhesive zone15need not always be identical, but they should be substantially similar.

Based onFIGS. 4 and 10, an embodiment of the method according to the invention for sticking a pocket2on a container is explained. A pocket tape1according to the invention, for example the pocket tape1described inFIG. 1, is passed to a device, as shown inFIG. 10, for sticking pockets onto drinks pouches. The carrier tape4is removed at a deviation roller10due to the fact that it is pulled off and transported away. The deviation roller9, as shown inFIG. 10, is schematically illustrated in a plan view inFIGS. 4aand4b. InFIGS. 4aand4bthe pocket tape1fed in from the right in each case is illustrated close to the deviation roller9. The pocket tape1is composed of consecutively arranged pockets2, each of which contains a drinking straw11. On the outside of the pocket tape1adhesive zones12are illustrated in which adhesive20is located on the pocket tape1. At a point in time, as illustrated inFIG. 4a, at which an adhesive zone12with adhesive is located in front of the knife5, a cutting process is not carried out. With the state as inFIG. 4bwhere the knife5has no adhesive zone12in front of it, the knife can move onto the deviation roller9so that a pocket2is cut off from the pocket tape1by the sharp front blade edge. The cutting movement of the knife is controlled in the method by a suitable controller, so that the cut occurs between the pocket centers. The cut takes place advantageously in the sections13of the pocket tape1. The control device receives the information mechanically, electrically, optically or in some other form, of when the cutting process is to be carried out in dependence of the position of a pocket2and/or an adhesive zone12. The deviation roller9, as shown inFIG. 4, can also be formed as a deviation pulley, as illustrated schematically inFIG. 10. The individual pockets are then placed in the indentations in the deviation pulley9. The control of the cutting process can also be triggered or controlled by the rotational position of the deviation pulley or the deviation roller9.

The pockets2present to the left of the knife5are then all singled out and can be held on the deviation roller9by appropriate devices, such as for example, a vacuum opening or other clamping devices.

Due to the fact that the knife5separates a pocket2from the pocket tape1at a location at which no adhesive of an adhesive zone12is present, the knife5does not make contact with the adhesive of the adhesive zones12. Consequently, clogging of the knife by adhesive can be largely eliminated. This type of clogging can disadvantageously shorten the service life of the knife5or lead to operational faults. With the method according to the invention, using a pocket tape1according to the invention with an adhesive tape14according to the invention, the service life of the knife, i.e. the time during which a knife cuts without problems, can be significantly increased.

Once the pockets2have been singled out, the pockets2are pressed against drinks pouches3with a pressure device7, as illustrated inFIG. 10.

A further embodiment of a method according to the invention for sticking a pocket2to a container3consists of applying the adhesive20with a head, as illustrated for example inFIG. 6, on the pocket tape1and then cutting a pocket2from the pocket tape1, as described above and sticking the pockets2. A carrier tape4may then be omitted. A roller31can also be employed on which the adhesive20is applied and with which the adhesive is then applied to the pocket tape, for example, by applying pressure. The surface of the roller is here advantageously at least partially poorly adhesive. For this, the roller can, for example, exhibit a surface coated or provided with silicone, Teflon, rubber or an anti-adhesion layer, e.g. anti-adhesion paint coating. The roller acts as a transfer roller.

The adhesive is advantageously immediately applied to the roller31in adhesive zones12spaced out by non-adhesive zones15and these zones are transferred to the pocket tape2. The adhesive zones12are here positioned on the pockets2on the pocket tape1such that the pockets2can be cut off from the pocket tape1in the section13in the section of the non-adhesive zones15. With this method a circulating carrier tape4can, so to say, be replaced by a roller, whereby the reliability can be improved.

A device for realising the method is illustrated inFIG. 9. A head17is arranged adjacent to a roller31and can apply adhesive20intermittently to the roller31. A pocket tape1can be fed past the roller31so that the adhesive20is transferred from the roller31to the pocket tape1. Furthermore, downstream the roller31a cutting device5is provided to separate the pockets2. The pockets2can be stuck to the containers3with a pressure device7. The head17can be controlled such that the adhesive20is positioned on the pocket tape1such that adhesive zones12are formed which are placed approximately in the centre of a pocket2. Consequently, the pockets2can be cut off in the region of the non-adhesive zones15from the pocket tape1in the section13. The adhesive zones12are spaced out by non-adhesive zones15. For the control of the head17control devices21and signal or pulse transducers23,24,25, as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8and as described below, are provided advantageously. Also an inspection camera as shown inFIG. 8can be employed advantageously.

The container according to the invention is shown enlarged inFIG. 5. Here, reference is made to a drinks pouch as an example of a drinks vessel, fluids container or other package. On the drinks pouch3is located a pocket2in which a straw11is enclosed. Furthermore, an adhesive zone12is illustrated which extends centrally in relation to the direction lateral to the pocket, i.e. in the direction of the double arrow22. In relation to the longitudinal direction of the pocket2, the adhesive zone12can be provided at any location. The preferred position can depend on the container onto which the pocket is to be stuck. With film pouches filled with liquid, a position in the lower section may be preferred.

To the right and left of the drinking straw22parts13′ and13″ of zones13on the pocket tape1can be seen. Parts13′ and13″ have arisen through the cutting off of pockets2from the pocket tape1.

Due to the fact that the non-adhesive sections15, as shown inFIG. 3, were used with the adhesive tape14of the pocket tape1, the adhesive zone12in the direction of the double arrow22does not extend to the edge of the pocket2. As a result and due to the fact that the pocket2is longer in its longitudinal direction than the width of the carrier tape4, the pocket2protrudes beyond the adhesive zone12in each of the directions22and23. Without the non-adhesive zone15the adhesive zone12would extend to the edges of the pocket2in the direction of the double arrow22, as in the state of the art.

Due to the fact that the pocket2protrudes beyond the adhesive zone12in each of the directions22and23, a soft adhesive can also be used which can also flow slightly without the adhesive escaping from between the pocket2and the film pouch. Consequently, an adhesive can be used with which a substantially higher tack value, i.e. a higher initial adhesive force is achieved.

A device according to the invention for the production of an adhesive tape14according to the invention is illustrated inFIG. 6. A head17is provided to transfer adhesive20in portions to a carrier tape4. The device according to the invention for the production of an adhesive tape14according to the invention also incorporates a device which feeds the carrier tape4. This can be, for example, a take-off spooling device. Furthermore, the device according to the invention includes means for transporting the carrier tape4away under the head17. These means are not illustrated inFIG. 6.

Through rollers or other deviation devices advantages can be obtained in that the carrier tape4has contact with the head17. The contact may be very slight.

Also it is possible according to the invention that the carrier tape4is separated from the head17and the adhesive is applied, e.g. sprayed on, over a certain distance.

A method according to the invention for the production of the adhesive tape14according to the invention is explained based onFIG. 6. A device, which is not shown, for feeding the carrier tape4supplies the incoming carrier tape4from the left inFIG. 6. The carrier tape4can for example be wound off a roll.

While the carrier tape4runs past the head17, adhesive20is intermittently output by the head17and applied to the carrier tape4. This produces adhesive zones12and non-adhesive zones15.

After applying the adhesive20in the adhesive zones12on the carrier tape4, the adhesive tape14so produced then runs to the right out ofFIG. 6. It can then be directly used further, for example, in the production of a pocket tape1according to the invention or it can be rolled up. If the adhesive tape14according to the invention is rolled up, then it is advantageous if a carrier tape4is used which has poor adhesion on both sides. It is also advantageous if one side has clearly worse adhesion properties than the other so that when winding off the rolled up adhesive tape14according to the invention, the adhesive20always remains in the adhesive zones12on one side of the carrier tape4.

If the adhesive tape14according to the invention, which is produced according to the invention, is used immediately, then it is sufficient if the carrier tape4has poor adhesion properties on only one side.

The required poor adhesion can for example be obtained by a coated carrier tape material. Especially advantageous are siliconised carrier tapes4. Also Teflon or other anti-adhesion coatings can be used, e.g. anti-adhesion paints. Also, carrier tapes can be used which consist completely of a low-adhesion material.

During the production of the adhesive tape14according to the invention it is possible to apply adhesive to adhesive zones12with a number of heads or with a number of adhesive application elements in parallel adjacent to one another on a carrier tape material running off a master roll. Thereafter, the carrier tape material is cut up into single carrier tapes4. It is also possible according to the invention to make individual carrier tapes4from a master roll and to then provide them with the adhesive20in the adhesive zones12.

A device according to the invention for producing a pocket tape1according to the invention is illustrated inFIG. 7. Rollers18and19, which may be of the same or different size, are provided to accommodate a pocket tape1and a carrier tape4running in between them and to press them together. Furthermore, a device17similar to that inFIG. 6is provided to apply adhesive20to the carrier tape4in the adhesive zones12. The device according to the invention for producing a pocket tape1according to the invention must be so equipped that the adhesive zones12mainly meet on a pocket2in the center of the direction along the pocket tape1. In particular it is advantageous if the non-adhesive zones15meet between the adhesive zones12on those parts of the pocket2which belong to the sections13(seeFIG. 1) in which the pockets2can be later cut off from the pocket tape1.

With the device schematically illustrated inFIG. 7this is achieved in that a control device21is provided which is connected to a signal transducer24and the head17. The signal transducer24can acquire a certain position of a pocket2. The signal transducer24may be equipped mechanically, electronically, optically or in some other manner. A grooved wheel, in which the drinking straws11lie, may be advantageous for the formation arrangement of the signal transducer. The signal transducer24signals to the control device21, for example, the start, center or end of a pocket2or of a drinking straw11in the pocket2. The control device21can then signal the head17to apply the adhesive20. Consequently, it is possible to match the adhesive zones12and the non-adhesive zones15exactly to the relevant pocket2of the pocket tape1.

According to the invention it is however possible to synchronise the application of the adhesive20by the head17to a timed cycle whereby the cycle can be made dependent on the speed of the carrier tape4or of the pocket tape1.

The amount of adhesive20applied per adhesive zone12is advantageously preset.

Instead of using two deviation rollers18and19to join the carrier tape4and the pocket tape1, it is also possible to use only one roller for the deviation of either the carrier tape4or the pocket tape1or even to use no roller and the feeding together of the pocket tape1and the carrier tape4is then achieved in that a constriction point is provided through which the two tapes1and4are pulled.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention for the production of a pocket tape1according to the invention arises due to the fact that the head17does not apply the adhesive to the carrier tape4, but is instead arranged such that the adhesive20is applied to the pocket tape1. The covering of the adhesive zones12with the carrier tape4occurs however analogous to the device described above. Also here, the adhesive application by the head17can be triggered by the passage of single pockets or pocket contents or it can also be synchronised to a timed cycle whereby the cycle depends on the speed of the carrier tape or the pocket tape1.

FIG. 8also illustrates a device according to the invention for the production of a pocket tape1according to the invention. A head17is provided to transfer adhesive20to a carrier tape4. The carrier tape4is guided or transported through diversion rollers28. Devices for clamping the carrier tape4can also be provided. The device also incorporates one or more diversion rollers27for guiding a pocket tape1. Rollers18and19are provided to bring the carrier tape4and the pocket tape1together and so to stick them together with the adhesive. The two tapes are pressed together by the rollers18and19.

Furthermore, a grooved wheel25is provided whereby the drinking straws11of the pocket tape1can be accommodated in the grooves. Consequently, a feed of drinking straws is possible in which the distance between adjacent drinking straws and/or the rate or cycle with which the drinking straws11or the pockets2are fed can be adjusted. Also, it is alternatively or additionally possible that the grooved wheel25functions as a pulse transducer, whereby a passing drinking straw11triggers a pulse.

A checking device30for checking the carrier tape is provided downstream from the head17. The checking device30can, for example, be provided to just check for the presence and/or the lateral position of the carrier tape4or the adhesive tape14. Also it can check the properties of the adhesive tape14, such as for example the size and/or quality or the presence of adhesive zones12on the carrier tape4. The checking device30can advantageously also be connected to the control device21and when faults are found and depending on the fault it can initiate suitable measures, such as switching off, warning, adjusting rollers on a clamping device or make adjustments to other rollers or the head17or similar.

Furthermore, a control device21is provided which is connected to one or more pulse transducers and the head17. The control device21can control the head such that it applies adhesive20targeted on the carrier tape4. Devices29for guiding the pocket tape1are provided at suitable positions.

A pulse transducer24is provided at the roller18and formed such that it detects passing drinking straws. To detect a drinking straw the pulse transducer24may for example be equipped optically, mechanically, electronically or in some other way. It is connected to the controller21and can pass on these control pulses.

An inspection camera26which is connected to the control device21is provided to take pictures of the finished pocket tape1. From the pictures various parameters can be determined in the control device21using suitable image processing and image evaluation software. These include advantageously the size of the non-adhesive zone15, the size of the adhesive zone12, the correct position of the adhesive zone12in relation to the drinking straw11and a correct distance between the adhesive zones12.

The inspection camera26can be used for monitoring and control purposes. For example, using the inspection camera26, it is possible to check the relative position of the adhesive zone12in relation to a pocket2on the pocket tape1during the operation and then to possibly readjust the adhesive application by the head17with respect to time, i.e. to delay or speed up in comparison to the previous rate.

With the device inFIG. 8it is also possible according to the invention that the head17applies the adhesive20in the adhesive zones12on the pocket tape1.

In the following methods according to the invention for producing a pocket tape1according to the invention are explained. With both methods a carrier tape4and a pocket tape1are fed in. The pocket tape1can, for example, be pulled from a storage container or be wound from a roller. The carrier tape4can similarly, for example, be wound off a reel. With both methods the carrier tape4and the pocket tape1are also brought into contact with one another by appropriate devices18and19. A signal transducer23,24,25signals the passing of a certain part of the pocket tape1to the controller21. The control device21then controls the head17such that it transfers adhesive20to the adhesive zones12. With a method according to the invention the adhesive can be output onto the carrier tape4and with another method according to the invention the adhesive can be output to the pocket tape1. If the adhesive is applied to the pocket tape1, then it is applied through the control device21such that it is applied in the direction longitudinal to the pocket tape1mainly in the centre of each pocket2. The adhesive-free zones15lie mainly in the section which is labelled with13inFIG. 1, i.e. in the section in which a pocket2can be cut off from the pocket tape1.

If the adhesive is applied by the head17onto the carrier tape4, then the adhesive application takes place in the adhesive zones12so that when the carrier tape4and the pocket tape1are brought together, the adhesive zones12mainly lie in the longitudinal direction of the pocket tape1centrally with reference to the relevant pocket2. The non-adhesive zones15are mainly positioned in the sections13of the pocket tape1. The control of the head17for the application of the adhesive20in the adhesive zones12can also occur through the setting of a timed cycle, whereby the cycle depends on the speed of the carrier tape4or the pocket tape1.

The pocket tape1according to the invention so produced can then be inspected by an inspection camera26as described above.

The pocket tape1according to the invention so produced can then be rolled up or placed loosely in a package. It is also possible that the pocket tape1so produced is used immediately with a device as illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 10. In this case it is possible to feed the carrier tape4, illustrated inFIG. 10and removed, i.e. pulled off via the diversion roller10, to the device to the left as it is illustrated inFIG. 7and thereby achieve an enclosed circuit for the carrier tape4. It is also possible to wind up the pulled-off carrier tape4and to use it again for the production of adhesive tape14or pocket tape1according to the invention.