The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 02, 2004
Filed:
Jan. 29, 2002
Michael R. Resterhouse, Muskegon, MI (US);
Fogg Filler Company, Holland, MI (US);
Abstract
A container and spout assembly apparatus for assembling a plurality of flexible containers with corresponding spouts. The container and spout assembly apparatus comprises a plurality of assembly stations, a container introduction station, a spout introduction station and a container removal station. Each of the plurality of assembly stations is substantially rotatably positioned about a general axis of rotation. In addition, each of the plurality of assembly stations includes a container manipulating assembly, a spout grasping and positioning member and a joining assembly. The container manipulating member is capable of retaining and manipulating a flexible container. The spout grasping and positioning member is capable of relatively positioning a spout in a desired position relative to a flexible container upon at least one of manipulation and retention thereof by the container manipulating assembly. The joining assembly is capable of joining a container and spout positioned into a desired position relative to a flexible container by the spout grasping and positioning member. The container introduction station is capable of sequentially introducing containers to respective container manipulating assemblies of the plurality of assembly stations. The spout introduction station is capable of sequentially introducing spouts to respective spout grasping and positioning members of the plurality of assembly stations. The container removal station is capable of removing an assembled container and spout from each of the plurality of assembly stations.