Method and apparatus for securing a pouring spout to a container

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1, wherein said producing step includes pressing a laterally outer section of said bent portion against said wall while leaving a laterally inner section of said bent portion spaced longitudinally from said wall.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 1, wherein said inserting step comprises inserting a generally cylindrical stem of said spout against an annular face of said flare tool.

Claim 5

A method according to claim 3, wherein said producing step comprises producing relative longitudinal movement between said annular face of said flare tool and an annular face of said staking tool which coaxially encircles said annular face of said flare tool.

Claim 6

A method according to claim 4, wherein said producing step comprises longitudinally moving said staking tool while holding said flare tool and said wall stationary.

Claim 7

A method according to claim 1, wherein said inserting step comprises inserting a stem of said spout longitudinally through said hole until a lateral flange of said spout abuts against a surface of said article wall disposed opposite a surface of said article wall contacted by said bent portion.

Claim 8

A method according to claim 6, wherein adhesive is applied to one of said flange and said article wall to adhesively secure said flange to said wall.

Claim 9

A method according to claim 1, wherein said inserting step comprises adhering said spout to a longitudinally reciprocable applicator by means of air suction, and longitudinally displacing said applicator toward said hole.

Claim 12

A method according to claim 9, wherein said inserting step comprises inserting a stem of said spout longitudinally through said hole until a lateral flange of said spout abuts against a surface of said article wall disposed opposite a surface of said article wall contacted by said bent portion.

Claim 13

A method according to claim 10, wherein adhesive is applied to one of said flange and said article wall to adhesively secure said flange to said wall.

Claim 14

A method according to claim 9, wherein said inserting step comprises adhering said spout to a longitudinally reciprocable applicator by means of air suction, and longitudinally displacing said applicator toward said hole.

Claim 15

Apparatus for attaching a spout to a wall of an article comprising: means for positioning an article wall and a spout at predetermined positions relative to one another; a spout applicator for inserting a stem of the spout longitudinally through a pre-formed hole in the article wall; a flare tool having a face arranged to contact the stem once the stem passes through the hole, and bend a portion of the stem laterally outwardly; a staking tool having a face arranged to oppose the bent portion of the stem; means for producing relative movement between said flare tool and said staking tool such that said face of said staking tool bends the bent portion of the skirt back against the article wall.

Claim 16

Apparatus for attaching a spout to a wall of an article comprising: means for positioning an article wall and a spout at predetermined positions relative to one another; a spout applicator for inserting a stem of the spout longitudinally through a pre-formed hole in the article wall; a flare tool having a face arranged to contact the stem once the stem passes through the hole, and bend a portion of the stem laterally outwardly; a staking tool having a face arranged to oppose the bent portion of the stem; means for producing relative movement between said flare tool and said staking tool such that said face of said staking tool bends the bent portion of the skirt back against the article wall.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said staking tool is mounted on an outer periphery of said flare tool for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said face of said staking tool is ring-shaped and encircles said flare tool, said face of said staking tool including a radially inner portion of concave shape defined by a radius of curvature, and a radially outer portion of generally conical shape extending from a radially outer end of said inner portion.

Claim 19

A method according to claim 15 including a powered actuator operably connected to said staking tool for longitudinally sliding said staking tool, a switch for energizing said actuator, and means movable with said spout applicator for operating said switch.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said face of said flare tool includes a pair of tapered surfaces arranged coaxially relative to one another, a radially inner one of said tapered surfaces defining a first cone angle, and a radially outer one of said tapered surfaces defining a second cone angle larger than said first cone angle, said outer tapered surface extending to an outer periphery of said flare tool.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said spout applicator includes suction means for gripping a spout by suction, said applicator being longitudinally movable for inserting said stem.

Claim 22

Apparatus for attaching a spout to a gable top of a paperboard container comprising: means for positioning a spout and a portion of a paperboard blank at predetermined positions relative to one another; a spout applicator for gripping a spout by suction, said applicator being longitudinally movable for inserting a stem of the spout longitudinally through a pre-formed hole in the blank portion; a flare tool having an inclined face arranged to contact the stem once the stem passes through the hole, and bend a portion of the stem laterally outwardly; a staking tool encompassing said flare tool and being slidable relative thereto, said staking tool having a face arranged to oppose the outwardly bent portion of the stem; and means for sliding said staking tool such that said face of said staking tool bends a laterally outer section of the bent portion of the skirt back against the article wall while leaving a laterally inner section of said bent portion spaced longitudinally from said wall.

Claim 23

Apparatus for attaching a spout to a gable top of a paperboard container comprising: means for positioning a spout and a portion of a paperboard blank at predetermined positions relative to one another; a spout applicator for gripping a spout by suction, said applicator being longitudinally movable for inserting a stem of the spout longitudinally through a pre-formed hole in the blank portion; a flare tool having an inclined face arranged to contact the stem once the stem passes through the hole, and bend a portion of the stem laterally outwardly; a staking tool encompassing said flare tool and being slidable relative thereto, said staking tool having a face arranged to oppose the outwardly bent portion of the stem; and means for sliding said staking tool such that said face of said staking tool bends a laterally outer section of the bent portion of the skirt back against the article wall while leaving a laterally inner section of said bent portion spaced longitudinally from said wall.

Claim 24

Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said face of said staking tool includes a radially inner portion of concave shape defined by a radius of curvature, and a radially outer portion of generally conical shape extending from a radially outer end of said inner portion.

Claim 25

A method according to claim 20 including a powered actuator operably connected to said staking tool for longitudinally sliding said staking tool, a switch for energizing said actuator, and means movable with said spout applicator for operating said switch.

Claim 26

Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said face of said flare tool includes a pair of tapered surfaces arranged coaxially relative to one another, a radially inner one of said tapered surfaces defining a first cone angle, and a radially outer one of said tapered surfaces defining a second cone angle larger than said first cone angle, said outer tapered surface extending to an outer periphery of said flare tool.