Method and device for applying pouring elements to packaging and packaging produced according to said method

Abstract

A method and a device for applying pouring elements packages, especially to rectangular multi-layer composite packages for liquids. To facilitate an automated application of a pouring element be introduced through a stamp opening, a stamping station provided, where an opening is stamped into a fed-in unfolded tube to receive a pouring element, as well as a station to apply the pouring elements to the openings prepared in the stamping station. If applicable, other stations are provided for the preparation of the package bottom and the filling as well as the closing of the finished package, or for extracting packages that either have not been provided or have not been properly provided with a pouring element, with at least one rotatable transport means that is rotated by a respective angle corresponding to the number of stations being provided to transport at least one respective tube.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . A method for applying pouring elements to packages, comprising the steps of: 
 feeding flat-folded package jackets;    separating and unfolding the package jackets into a respective rectangular tube;    transporting at least one tube to a stamping station where an opening to receive the pouring element is stamped into the tube;    transporting at least one tube to a station for applying pouring elements into the opening prepared in the stamping station;    preparing a package bottom; and    filling and closing the package.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the pouring elements are screwed closures.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the respective screwed closures are applied with a threaded lid already screwed on.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the pouring elements have a respective flange glued to an interior side of the package.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the pouring elements have a respective flange welded to an interior side of the package.  
     
     
         22 . A device for applying pouring elements to packages comprising: 
 a stamping station where an opening to receive a pouring element is stamped into a fed-in unfolded tube;    a station for applying the pouring element to the opening prepared in the stamping station; and    transport means for transporting at least one tube, wherein the transport means is rotatable around an angle corresponding to a number of stations provided in the device.    
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein a first additional station is provided to transfer the tube having a pouring element to a downstream unit.  
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein the downstream unit is provided as a transfer unit to pivot the tubes around a horizontal axis by 180° and feed the tubes to a mandrel wheel where the bottom of the package is formed.  
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein a second additional station is provided to extract the tubes where one of the pouring elements was not applied and the pouring element was not properly applied.  
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 25 , wherein the stamping station, the station for applying, the first additional station, and the second additional station have a plurality of receiving means to receive a plurality of tubes.  
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein the transport means has four stations.  
     
     
         28 . The device according to  claim 25 , wherein the stamping station, the station for applying, the first additional station, and the second additional station have a plurality of receiving means.  
     
     
         29 . The device according to  claim 27 , wherein the receiving means are arranged on the transport means along the outer sides of a square.  
     
     
         30 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the transport means includes at least one upstream means to unfold a package jacket into the tube.  
     
     
         31 . A package comprising: 
 a pouring element having a fastening flange, wherein the package is produced by feeding flat-folded package jackets;    separating and unfolding the package jackets into a rectangular tube;    transporting at least one tube to a stamping station where an opening to receive the pouring element is stamped into the tube;    transporting at least one tube to a stamping station for applying pouring elements into the opening prepared in the stamping station;    preparing a package bottom; and    filling and closing the package.    
     
     
         32 . The package according to  claim 31 , wherein the pouring element is applied at an interior side of the tube in such a way that the flange of the pouring element ends essentially flush with an interior wall of the tube.  
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the packages are rectangular multi-layer packages for liquids.  
     
     
         34 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the packages are rectangular multi-layer packages for liquids.  
     
     
         35 . The device according to  claim 22 , further comprising at least one of a station for preparing a bottom of the package, a filling station, and a closing station.  
     
     
         36 . The device according to  claim 22 , further comprising a station for preparing a bottom of the package, a filling station, and a closing station.  
     
     
         37 . The package according to  claim 31 , wherein the package is a rectangular multi-layer composite package.  
     
     
         38 . The package according to  claim 31 , wherein the fastening flange is a resealable screwed closure with a threaded cap.