WALL OF A CUP AND A CUP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of attaching splash guards to cups, corresponding attaching apparatus, a cup that has attached to it such a splash guard, and a method of producing cups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, for example, in the fast food industry and in vending machines, disposable cups generally are in the shape of an inverted truncated cone, which has a closed base and an open top. To prevent contents of the cup, such as a beverage, from spilling out, it is generally necessary for a lid to be placed on the top aperture of the cup.

However, it is thus necessary when selling beverages contained in cups to provide such cup lids to seal the apertures, and this adds to the cost of both stocking and transporting beverages. Furthermore, the use of the lid itself involves many unreliable factors. For example, because the lid is generally made with a plastic mould, the lid itself is softer and thus a seal failure may easily occur between it and the cup aperture, which in turn could still cause some of the beverage to spill out through the gap between the lid and the cup aperture. This is especially true in cases where a consumer holding the cup is walking or might otherwise shake it sharply. If one were to apply an additional sealing part to control the gap size, this would severely affect the use convenience of the disposable cup. In addition, disposable cups have an especially great diversity of models and sizes, and since each model of cup requires a matching lid, this further adds to the cost of stocking and transport.

Furthermore, even if there is a structure that makes use of the cup itself, e.g., one where an integral shut-lid is formed by using sections of the cup wall, such a structure must also be formed into a drinking aperture of any shape that is convenient for drinking use by the consumer. However, when the consumer is not drinking, and especially when it is sharply shaken during a walk or when placed in a vehicle, the risk remains that the beverage contained in the cup will spill, especially directly from the drinking aperture. In WO2013175020 such a cup is provided with internal splash guards which extend underneath the drinking aperture to prevent the liquid from splashing out through the drinking aperture when the cup is in a vertical position but allow the liquid to flow through the drinking aperture when the cup is tilted.

However, there remains the need to provide an efficient and reliable method to make a cup having such a splash guard. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and attaching apparatus, suitable for large-scale production, for attaching splash guards to cup walls. Such attaching method and attaching apparatus cause a splash guard to be attached to a desired position on a cup wall without undesired shifting during the positioning process. Therefore, reliable attachment of the splash guard to the cup wall is achieved. Thus, the cup contents is efficiently and reliably blocked from spilling out from a drinking aperture when no drinking is occurring. Additionally, the present invention further provides a cup obtained by the method of the present invention with such a splash guard attached thereto and a method of producing a cup wherein the cup can be conveniently opened and closed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of attaching a splash guard to a cup wall, the method comprising the steps of:

a) positioning the splash guard at a predetermined position relative to the cup wall; b) causing the splash guard and the cup wall to become attached.

The method preferably comprises, prior to step a), the step

a') constructing a cup from a piece of material, said cup comprising a base, a top defining a top aperture, the cup wall extending between said base and said top, wherein a flat piece of material is wrapped around a cup-shaped mould, and connecting two ends of the piece of material to form a seam in the cup wall.

Preferably, the aforesaid cup has a drinking hole. Preferably, the splash guard is suitable for reducing spillage of the cup content through the drinking hole.

The aforesaid predetermined position of the splash guard is preferably located upstream of said drinking hole and near said drinking hole.

The attachment of the splash guard to the cup wall is preferably fixed.

The cup wall preferably has an inner side and an outer side.

The splash guard is preferably attached onto the inner side of the cup wall.

The splash guard is preferably in the form of an anti-splash piece.

Said drinking hole can be delimited by a cup lid and/or the cup wall. Preferably, said cup lid is formed by folding an upper part of said cup wall inward.

The drinking hole is preferably smaller than the top aperture of the cup.

In one arrangement, at least two splash guards are attached to the inner wall of said cup at uniform, circumferential intervals.

Said splash guards may be punched out from flat pieces of material.

The method also preferably comprises the step of providing a male mould, and, prior to the step a), the method further comprises the steps of:

x) causing a face of the splash guard to become removably attached to an outer circumferential side of the male mould; and

y) fitting the cup over said male mould.

Preferably, following the step b), the method further comprises the step of:

c) removing said cup from the male mould, with said splash guard having been attached to the inner side of the cup wall.

The method preferably comprises, in the step x), applying vacuum suction to said splash guard through a pneumatic line provided in said male mould, and thus causing said splash guard to become attached by suction onto the outer circumferential surface of said male mould.

Preferably, said splash guard comprises a fixed part and a bendable part and the method preferably comprises, in the step b), causing said fixed part and the inner side of the cup wall to become fixedly attached so that said bendable part can bend relative to said fixed part.

Preferably, before the step x), the splash guard is directly punched out by a blanking press or is supplied by a hopper in which pre-punched splash guards have been placed.

Preferably, in the step x), said fixed part is removably attached to the outer circumferential surface of said male mould.

In one arrangement, a slot is provided in the outer circumferential surface of said male mould adjacent to the position of said fixed part of said splash guard that has already been attached to the outer circumferential surface of said male mould. The method preferably further comprises the step of bending said bendable part into said slot and accommodating it therein.

Preferably, said male mould comprises a recessed section, said recessed section comprising a plane that is recessed in the direction from said male mould's outer circumferential surface to its longitudinal central axis, said plane being roughly parallel to and radially separated from the longitudinal central axis of said mould, and, the step x) includes attaching said fixed part to said plane of said recessed section to prevent said fixed part from extending beyond said male mould's outer circumferential surface.

Preferably, said slot is located in said recessed section.

Preferably, the method comprises providing a positioning structure, and, using the positioning structure, positioning the fixed part of the splash guard on the outer circumferential surface of the male mould so as to prevent said fixed part from shifting after the step x) and before the step b).

In one arrangement, said positioning structure is provided in the form of a recess on the outer circumferential surface of said male mould. The shape of the recess preferably matches the shape of said fixed part so that said fixed part can be embedded into said recess in the step x). Preferably, the recess is provided in said plane of said recessed section.

The method may comprise, in the step y), when the male mould is in a vertical position relative to a ground surface with a base of the male mould corresponding to the cup base facing up, orienting the cup with the top aperture facing down and fitting the cup over the male mould, starting at the base of the male mould.

Preferably, the step a) comprises causing said cup to rotate relative to said splash guard around the longitudinal central axis of said male mould, and using a circumferential positioning structure to position the cup on said male mould at a predetermined circumferential position with respect to said male mould and thereby to effect a predetermined circumferential position of said splash guard with respect to the cup.

In one arrangement, the circumferential positioning structure comprises a protruding strip protruding radially outwardly from the outer circumferential surface of said male mould and extending longitudinally along the outer circumferential surface of said male mould. During rotation of the cup rotating relative to the splash guard located on said male mould, the cup's longitudinal seam which has a protruding portion protruding radially inwardly from the inner side of the cup wall and extending longitudinally along the inner side of the cup wall rotates to the position of said longitudinal protruding strip, the protruding portion of the seam abuts the longitudinal protruding strip of the male mould which stops the cup from rotating further relative to said splash guard and thus completes the circumferential positioning of the cup relative to said splash guard.

In one arrangement, said circumferential positioning structure comprises a sensor disposed on said male mould or nearby and a marker being provided on said cup, and the method includes the step of, during rotation of the cup relative to said splash guard positioned on said male mould, when said sensor detects the position of said marker, stopping the rotation of said cup and thereby completing the circumferential positioning of said cup relative to said splash guard on said male mould.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of rotating the cup base by an external rotating mechanism joined to said cup base.

Preferably, the male mould comprises a relative fixed part to which said splash guard is attached and a mobile base that rotatable freely relative to said relative fixed part, wherein when said cup is fitted on the mobile base, and when a rotational force is applied to the cup base through said external rotating mechanism, said cup is caused to rotate together with said mobile base relative to said relative fixed part.

The external rotating mechanism preferably comprises a driving component and pivoting components complementing said driving component. The pivoting components are preferably disposed so as to pivot within the external rotating mechanism between an open state and a shut state relative to the cup fit over said male mould. Thus, said method preferably comprises the step of pivoting said pivoting components to a shut state so as to cause the pivoting components and said cup to be joined. Thus, driven by the driving component, the pivoting components rotate the cup. Moreover, said method preferably comprises the step of pivoting said pivoting components to an open state so as to cause the pivoting components and the cup to disengage.

Preferably, the pivoting components are biased into the shut state by a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism may be provided by return springs. When said locking plate catches in the recesses, the return springs push said pivoting components to move towards the shut state.

The pivoting components may be provided with arms radially extending towards the cup so as to be joined to said cup in said shut state. Friction aiding members may be disposed the ends of said arms to aid said pivoting components in gripping said cup.

Preferably, a locking plate is movably installed on said driving component. The outer circumferential edge of said locking plate pushes against the inside, i.e. the side facing the cup, of said pivoting components. Recesses are provided on said pivoting components. During the translational motion of said driving component, said locking plate shifts relative to said driving component and thus relative to the pivoting components. When said locking plate catches in said recesses, said pivoting components are allowed to snap into the shut state. When said locking plate comes out from said recesses, said pivoting components are forced to move to said open state.

Said external rotating mechanism further comprises a blocking head fixedly connected to said locking plate. Said blocking head extends from said locking plate in the direction of the cup base and abuts the cup base when said driving component moves towards the cup base. A stop is further fixedly connected to said driving component. Said stop is preferably located between said blocking head and said locking plate. A biasing component is provided between said stop and said blocking head. One end of said biasing component is fixedly connected to said stop, and the other end is fixedly connected to said blocking head. In said open state of said pivoting components, said stop pushes against said locking plate under the biasing force of said biasing component.

Preferably, a fixed stopping component is provided at a position a certain distance from the base of the cup when the cup is fitted on the male mould. This distance is preferably at least greater than the longitudinal height of said slot and less than the height of the cup. When said cup is removed from the male mould, the cup comes into contact with the stopping component and is thus stopped from being further removed from the male mould, causing a portion of the cup to remain fitted over said male mould, wherein in this partially fitted state, pressure is applied through the cup onto the already bent bendable part so as to further maintain its bent state relative to the fixed part of the splash guard. Preferably, the method includes, in step b), binding said splash guard and cup wall together using an ultrasonic welding head.

Preferably, the method includes, in step c), causing said cup to detach from said male mould under the action of compressed air.

After step c), the cup is fed into a cup receptacle, and the cups are stacked together in the cup receptacle.

In a second aspect, the present invention comprises a method of attaching a splash guard to a cup wall, the method comprising the steps of:

a) positioning said splash guard at a predetermined position relative to one side of a piece of material used to make said cup; and

b) causing said splash guard and said one side of said piece of material to become attached.

After the step b), the method further comprises the step of:

c) making the flat piece of material with the splash guard connected thereto into a cup, said cup comprising a base, an aperture top, a cup wall extending between said base and said top, wherein said flat piece of material is wrapped around a cup-shaped male mould, and connecting two longitudinal sides of the piece of material and thus forming a seam on the wall of said cup.

In a third aspect, the present invention comprises an apparatus for attaching splash guards to cup walls, said apparatus comprising work stations:

a positioning station, said positioning station being constructed so as to position the splash guard at a predetermined position relative to the cup wall;

a fixing station, said fixing station being constructed so as to cause said cup wall and said splash guard to become attached, and being located downstream of said positioning station.

The apparatus preferably further comprises a male mould and further comprises work stations:

an attaching work station adapted to cause a face of said splash guard to become removably attached to the outer circumferential surface of said male mould;

a fitting work station adapted to fit said cup over said male mould and located downstream of said attaching work station;

a removing work station adapted to remove the cup together with the splash guard attached to the cup from said male mould.

In one arrangement, said apparatus is constructed as a turntable and the work stations are arranged around the turntable, wherein multiple male moulds are installed on said turntable, said turntable being constructed for intermittent rotation so as to enable said male moulds to stop at each work station and complete the corresponding action at said work station.

Preferably, in said male mould, a pneumatic line is provided for creating vacuum suction. At said attaching work station, said vacuum suction causes said splash guard to become attached by suction onto the outer circumferential surface of said male mould.

Said splash guard preferably comprises a fixed part and a bendable part.

Preferably, said fixed part and the inner side cup wall become fixedly attached, and said bendable part can bend relative to said fixed part.

Said fixed part is preferably removably attached to the surface of the outer circumferential side of said male mould.

A slot is preferably provided on the surface of the outer circumferential side of said male mould adjacent to the position of said fixed part that has already been attached. Said slot is preferably configured to accommodate said bendable part bent therein.

Said apparatus preferably further comprises a positioning work station and uses a positioning mechanism in said positioning work station at least to position said fixed part on the outer circumferential surface of said male mould so as to prevent said fixed part from shifting prior to said fixing work station.

Said positioning structure is preferably provided in the form of a recess on the outer circumferential surface of said male mould. The shape of the recess preferably matches the shape of said fixed part so that said fixed part can be embedded into said recess.

Said male mould preferably comprises a recessed section. Said recessed section comprises preferably a plane that is recessed in the direction from the outer circumferential surface of the mould to its longitudinal central axis. Said plane is preferably substantially parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the male mould and radially spaced from it. At said attaching work station, said fixed part is preferably attached to said plane of said recessed section to prevent said fixed part from extending beyond said recessed section. Said slot is preferably located in said recessed section.

Preferably, at said fitting work station, the male mould is in a vertical position relative to the ground with the base of the male mould facing upward so as to enable the cup to fit over the male mould starting from the base of said male mould and going down towards the ground.

At said positioning work station, said cup preferably rotates relative to said splash guard around the longitudinal central axis of said male mould, and a circumferential positioning means is preferably provided to position the cup at a predetermined circumferential position relative to said splash guard.

Said apparatus preferably further comprises an external rotating mechanism. Said external rotating mechanism is preferably configured to engage the base of said cup so as to rotate said base. Said male mould preferably comprises a relative fixed part attached to said splash guard and a mobile base that can rotate freely relative to said relative fixed part, wherein said cup and said mobile base are arranged in close tandem. When rotational force is applied to the cup base through said external rotating mechanism, said cup rotates together with said mobile base relative to said relative fixed part.

Said circumferential positioning means preferably comprises a longitudinal protruding strip protruding from the outer circumferential surface of said mould. When, rotation of the cup relative to the splash guard, the longitudinal seam of the cup rotates to a position near said longitudinal protruding strip, the blocking action of the longitudinal protruding strip stops the cup from rotating further relative to said splash guard located on the male mould and thus positions the cup at a predetermined circumferential position relative to the splash guard.

In one arrangement, said circumferential positioning means comprises a sensor disposed on said male mould or nearby. A marker is preferably provided on said cup. When, during rotation of the cup relative to said male mould, said sensor detects the position of said marker, the rotation of said cup is stopped thereby completing the circumferential positioning of said cup relative to said splash guard on said male mould. Preferably, said splash guard is fixedly attached to said cup wall using an ultrasonic welding head.

Said cup is preferably detached from said male mould under the action of compressed air.

A fixed stopping component is preferably provided at a position spaced a certain distance from the base of the cup fitted on said male mould. Said distance is preferably at least greater than the longitudinal height of said slot and less than the height of said cup. When said cup is removed from the male mould, said cup hits said stopping component and thus is stopped from being further stripped from the male mould, causing a portion of the cup to remain fitted over said mould. In this partially fitted state, pressure is applied through said cup onto said already bent bendable part so as to further maintain its bent state relative to said fixed part.

Said apparatus preferably further comprises a cup receptacle downstream of said removing work station wherein the cups are vertically stacked together in said cup receptacle.

Said apparatus preferably further comprises a blanking press wherein said splash guard is directly punched out by said blanking press or is supplied by a hopper, and pre- blanked splash guards are placed in said hopper.

Said external rotating mechanism preferably comprises a driving component and pivoting components complementing said driving component. Said pivoting components are preferably configured so as to pivot between an open state and a shut state relative to said cup fitted over said male mould. In said shut state, said pivoting components and said cup are engaged. Thus, driven by said driving component, the pivoting components rotate said cup. In said open state, said pivoting components and said cup are disengaged.

A locking plate is preferably movably installed on said driving component. The outer circumferential edge of said locking plate pushes against the inside, i.e. facing the cup, of said pivoting components. Recesses are preferably provided on said pivoting components. During the translational motion of said driving component, said locking plate shifts relative to said driving component and thus relative to the pivoting components. When said locking plate catches in said recesses, said pivoting components become fixed in said shut state. When said locking plate comes out from said recesses, said pivoting components are released to said open state.

Said external rotating mechanism preferably further comprises a blocking head fixedly connected to said locking plate. Said blocking head preferably extends from said locking plate in the direction of the cup base, and therefore is blocked at the cup base when said driving component moves towards the cup base. A stop is preferably fixedly connected to said driving component. Said stop is preferably located between said blocking head and said locking plate. A biasing component is preferably provided between said stop and said blocking head. Preferably, one end of said biasing component is fixedly connected to said stop, and the other end is fixedly connected to said blocking head. Thus, in said open state, said stop pushes against said locking plate due to the biasing force of said biasing component.

The pivoting components are preferably provided with a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism may be provided by return springs. Thus, when said locking plate catches in said recesses, it pushes the pivoting components to move towards a shut state.

The pivoting components are preferably provided with arms radially extending towards the cup so as to be joined to the cup. At the ends of said arms are preferably provided friction aiding members to aid said pivoting components in gripingthe cup.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a cup with a splash guard, said cup having been obtained by a method of the first or second aspect of the invention or using the apparatus of the third aspect of the invention.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a cup comprising a cup body defining a top aperture and a base and an upstanding wall extending between the base and the top aperture, closure flaps integrally formed with said cup body and interface sections between said cup body and said closure flaps, wherein said closure flaps, upon action of an external force applied thereon, are configured to toggle between an open upright position and a closed slanted position; wherein in said open position, said top aperture of the cup is open, and in said closed position, said closure flaps are depressed towards the cup base, thus causing said cup top aperture to be closed by said closure flaps.

Preferably, the interface sections between said cup body and said closure flaps comprise a pair of curved lines. Said pair of curved lines are preferably formed on two diametrically opposite sides on the cup wall and are located below the rim of said cup.

Each curved line preferably has opposing first end and second end that end at said rim. Preferably, each curved line is convex in the direction of the base.

Drinking holes are preferably formed at the corresponding first ends and/or second ends of said pair of curved lines.

One of said drinking holes is advantageously located at or near the interface of said cup rim with the seam; and least one of said splash guards is positioned at the seam on the inner wall of said cup.

The present invention further provides a method of producing cups wherein the cups are conveniently opened and closed. In such a cup, the cup may be closed by a part of the cup wall itself. In order to enable the consumer to open and close the cup as easily as desired during use, an additional step for opening/closing such cups may be added in the cup production process so as to reinforce the memory of the cup material at these two positions and thus facilitate future open/closing of the cup by the consumer.

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a method of producing cups, said cups being produced to comprise a cup body having an upstanding wall defining a top aperture and a base, closure flaps integrally formed from said cup body and interface sections between said cup body and said closure flaps, wherein said closure flaps, upon application of an external force, switch between an open upright position and closed slanted position; in said open position, said cup top aperture being open, and in said closed position, said closure flaps being depressed towards the cup base, thus causing said cup top aperture to be closed by the closure flaps; characterised in that

said method comprises the step of causing said closure flaps to move between said closed position and said open position one or more times so as to increase material memory of the interface sections between said cup body and said closure flaps for the open and closed positions so as to facilitate the movement of the closure flaps between the open and closed positions.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of any one of the six aspects of the present invention may comprise one or more features of the other aspects of the present invention.

Accordingly, the invention provides methods, an apparatus and a cup as defined in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 presents a diagram of exemplary attaching apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the attaching apparatus comprises a work turntable, which comprises eight male moulds disposed in sequence along the circumference. These male moulds pass each attaching work station in sequence.

FIG. 2 depicts blanking presses which are located, by way of example, on two sides of a mould.

FIG. 3 depicts a splash guard positioning structure which is located on a mould.

FIG. 4 depicts a recessed section 150 of a mould, a slot 160, and push rods 180 located on two opposite sides of the mould, wherein the push rod can bend the bendable part 44 of the splash guard into the slot 160.

FIG. 5 presents a longitudinal cut-away view of a mould provided with a longitudinal protruding strip.

FIG. 6 presents a horizontal cut-away view of a mould provided with a longitudinal protruding strip.

FIG. 7 depicts an ultrasonic welding machine located on both sides of the mould.

FIG. 8 presents a cup that has been half-stripped from a mould and push rods located on two sides of the mould, wherein the cup already has splash guards attached to it, and the splash guards' bendable parts are bent upwards and are facing the fixed parts.

FIG. 9 depicts a cup which, following welding, remains on the mould and already has splash guards attached to it.

FIG. 10 depicts one possible structure of a splash guard according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 1 depicts an exemplary external rotating mechanism for rotating a cup around a mould located therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the description below, reference is made to the attached drawings which constitute a part of this specification, in which at least one specific embodiment is depicted graphically. The description below may describe additional embodiments. It should be understood that it is possible to conceive and make other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims. Therefore, the detailed description below should not signify limitation. Although the present invention is not limited to the or each embodiment herein described, a person skilled in the art will gain a clear understanding of every aspect of the present invention through the discussion of the examples provided in the text below.

A Cup Having a Splash Guard The present invention relates to the fabrication of a cup 10 as follows: the cup 10 comprises a closed base, a top edge forming an aperture, and a cup wall extending between the base and the top. The cup 10 may be a paper cup or a plastic cup, or it may be made from any other suitable material.

The cup wall may, for example, be divided into a cup body and flaps integrated with the cup body. The flap, when for example its top is subjected to external force, can alternate between an open upright position and a closed slanted position. In the open position, the top aperture of the cup 10 is open, the cup wall including the flaps being roughly similar to the cup wall of a traditional cup. In the closed position, for example, the flaps, which are located on two sides of a diameter, are depressed towards the cup base, thus causing the top aperture of the cup 10 to be shut by the at least partially overlapping flaps.

Interface sections are formed between the cup body and the flaps. The interface sections, for example, consist of a pair of curved lines, each curved line preferably formed on each of two diametrically opposite sides on the cup wall and located below the top edge of the cup 10. Preferably, the curved lines are centrally symmetrical relative to the geometric centre of the cup aperture. However, their relative positions are not limited to this. All that is necessary is that the curved lines are located at two roughly diametrically opposite positions of the cup aperture. The size and shape of the pair of curved lines are not even limited to being symmetrical. In addition, each curved line has a first end that ends at the top edge and a second end that is opposite to the first end. Moreover, the curved line is convex or parabolic relative to the base of the cup 10. That is, the distance of the two opposite ends of the curved line from the base of the cup 10 is greater than the distance of the centre of the curved line from the base of the cup 10.

In fact, the curved lines actually perform the role of a hinge allowing the flaps, when subjected to external force applied onto their tops, to toggle between two stable positions. Persons skilled in the art should understand that a lid which closes the cup aperture is actually formed by inclining the flaps inward. In particular, the flap dimensions should be designed such that when the flaps are inclined downwardly and towards each other, they can at least partially overlap so as to close the aperture of the cup 10.

In addition, the first end and the second end of each of the pair of curved lines intersect with the rim of the cup 10 at respective intersection points, and a certain distance is kept between these intersection points. That is, the two first and/or two second ends of the pair of curved lines do not join at a point on the cup wall but are spaced apart. Therefore, when the flaps are in the closed slanted position, drinking holes are formed at the corresponding first ends and/or second ends. One of the two drinking holes may be disposed at or near an intersection of the cup rim with a longitudinal seam 50 (see FIG. 6) in the cup wall.

However, it is possible to conceive of the drinking hole of the present invention without limiting it to the specific structure described above. Rather, a drinking hole can be delimited by any shape of a cup lid, cup lid parts, cup wall, as is the case with the drinking holes of common pop-top can beverages, or by simply setting it at a suitable position near the rim on the cup wall.

In addition, on the cup wall, preferably on the inner wall of the cup 10, there is further attached, preferably fixedly attached, a splash guard 40. As shown in FIG. 10, the splash guard 40 in particular exhibits the form of an anti-splash piece. The splash guard 40 comprises a fixed part 42 and a bendable part 44. Preferably, between the fixed part 42 and the bendable part 44, a crease 46 which may be formed in advance extends transversely across the entire width of the splash guard 40. The fixed part 42 may be fixedly connected to the cup wall through adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, heat sealing, or some other method, and the bendable part 44 can pivot or fold along the crease 46 relative to the fixed part 42. For example, when the fixed part 42 has been fixedly attached to the inner wall, the bendable part 44 may be in an upwardly-bent state relative to the inner wall, e.g., bent towards the cup top aperture. It should be noted that the term "upward" herein means a relative direction that is closer to the cup top aperture; it is not decided by the actual spatial orientation of the cup 10.

The aforesaid splash guard 40 is positioned in a predetermined position relative to the inner wall of the cup 10. For example, the splash guard is appropriately positioned directly below where the drinking hole is located, or more precisely, in a position upstream of the drinking hole as liquid flows out from inside the cup 10. As stated above, the drinking hole can be appropriately and precisely positioned at the cup seam 50. Therefore, preferably, the splash guard 40 is also at the seam 50 position. It can be understood in the description given below that a pair of splash guards 40 can be attached respectively below two drinking holes or that just one splash guard 40 may be provided as needed. In addition, if at least two splash guards 40 are provided, these splash guards 40 may be located at the same height of the cup inner wall or at different heights, as required. Preferably, the splash guards 40 are located at diametrically opposite positions. That is, one may imagine at least two splash guards 40 spaced at uniform intervals along the circumference of the cup wall.

In addition, it should be noted that splash guard 40 positions on the cup wall should be designed as follows: when the flaps are in closed slanted position described above, the overlapping flaps will be unable to force the bendable parts 44 of the splash guard 40 to bend downward. That is, the angle of the bendable parts 44 relative to the fixed parts 42 will be no greater than 90 degrees. The bendable parts 44 extend upwardly, or, at most, horizontally, and do not hang down.

The shape and size of the bendable parts 44 of the splash guard 40 are so designed as to block the contents of the cup 10 from splashing out when the cup 10 is shaken. In other words, by tilting upward, i.e., by bending the bendable part 44 towards the cup aperture, it is possible to effect a further effective reduction in the possibility of the cup contents splashing out from the drinking hole. In order to aid correct positioning of the splash guard 40, longitudinally symmetrical recesses or notches may be provided on each side of the fixed part 42 or of providing a pair of holes within the fixed part 42. This pair of recesses or notches may or may not be symmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis of the splash guard 40.

Cup Production Process

Generally, the following steps may be taken to form the cup body: wrap a flat piece of, for example, umbrellalike-shaped material around a cup-shaped mould to form a cup- tube shape. Join the cup wall by using a method such as thermal forming and bonding. Then, for example, automatically feed paper and punch out the cup base. Seal the cup base to the cup body. Blow in hot air to heat the paper cup base and the lower part of the cup body. Apply a rolling pressure with a mechanical press roller to the base and the lower part of the cup 10 and thereby form indentations, commonly known as knurling.

In embodiments of the present invention, the cup top aperture does not need to undergo edge curling. Generally, a paper cup shaping machine can be used to execute the continuous work procedures described above: materials feeding, base blanking, heating, flipping over, (sealing) knurling, cup removing, and so on.

In one embodiment, to fixedly attach a splash guard 40 to a cup wall before the cup is shaped as described above, the splash guard 40, especially the fixed part 42 thereof, is previously and fixedly attached manually to a predetermined position on a flat, for example, umbrellalike-shaped piece of material, i.e. in the shape of a cup 10 in whose side wall has been cut longitudinally and such cup has been unfolded flat on a plane, through a known attachment method, such as adhesive bonding or welding, or by using automated equipment, for example, a mechanical arm or any suitable mechanism. After the splash guard 40 has been fixedly attached, the cup body to which the splash guard 40 is attached is shaped. When a flat piece of cup material, for example, umbrellalike-shaped material is wrapped onto the cup-shaped mould, the splash guard 40 which is attached thereto is tightly pressed between the piece of material and the mould, especially when the splash guard 40 is already bent. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a splash guard 40 with the bendable part 44 bent relative to the fixed part 42 as desired. The steps of feeding the cup base and connecting the cup base can take place before or after attachment of the splash guard 40.

However, a drawback of the method as described above is that the splash guard 40 cannot be attached at certain positions. For example, the splash guard cannot be attached to the cup seam 50 as described above. This is because if the splash guard is directly attached to the cup seam 50, the splash guard bendable part 44 that is bent upwards (in the direction of the cup aperture) will be permanently welded onto the cup wall while the cup wall is undergoing welding in the subsequent paper cup shaping process. If the splash guard attachment position is not at the seam 50, that will diminish the effectiveness of the seal between the flaps of the cup when the paper cup is used after it is shaped. However, in situations where sealing requirements are not stringent, as for example with paper cups that hold cold drinks, such a production method may be employed.

In another embodiment, firstly the cup body is shaped using the production method described above. After that, the splash guard 40 is fixedly attached onto the cup wall, preferably at the seam 40. Such an approach can increase the sealing performance of the cup and achieve a reliable and effective attachment.

In some situations, when the cup 10 is delivered to a designated work station, the splash guard 40 can be fixedly attached to a predetermined position on the inner wall of the cup. For example, it can be attached to a position on the inner wall of the cup that is upstream of the drinking hole. Preferably, a pair of mechanical arms may be used to attach the splash guard 40 to the inner wall of the cup. At, for example, its free end, a mechanical arm removably supports by, for example, adhesive attachment or suction attachment, a splash guard 40. For example, when the cup is in a vertical position, a mechanical arm performs a vertical motion and moves into the interior of the cup. The cup is moved to the desired circumferential position by rotation, with the result that one of the pair of mechanical arms, using, for example, a horizontal motion, fixedly attaches, using a known method, one of a pair of splash guards to a position such as the cup seam 50. Another mechanical arm correspondingly fixedly attaches the other splash guard 40 to the position on the cup inner wall diametrically opposite to the seam 50.

Clearly, actual mechanical arm operations are not limited to movements with the orientations described above. All that is necessary it that they be able to enter the interior of the cup and attach at least one splash guard to the desired position on the inner wall of the cup 10. Preferably, a retaining block can be provided on a corresponding position on the outside of the cup 10 to facilitate pressing of the splash guard 40 by a mechanical arm such that the splash guard is formed in a folded state. For example, image recognition technology may be used to position the mechanical arm to the desired circumferential position in the same manner as described above. Of course, a person skilled in the art could fully understand that the splash guard 40 could be manually attached to the inner wall of a shaped cup 10. However, optimally, in large-scale cup production, the apparatus attaches a splash guard 40 to the desired position on a cup wall as further described below.

In addition, to make it easier for the user to open and close a cup of the sort described above during subsequent use, the following step may be added to the production process: the aforesaid flap is first moved into the closed slanted position and is then moved into the open position. The purpose is to strengthen, for example, a pair of curved lines formed on the cup wall and the closed position of the cup material itself, i.e., the closed state of the cup, to facilitate material memory. However, clearly, the step is not limited to the sequence wherein the flap is first closed and then opened. In fact, it is only necessary to move at least once between a closed position and an open position to achieve a material memory of the two positions, especially of the closed position, in the cup production process. Preferably, the cup 10 is made from any suitable material having a certain elasticity. Such material is sufficiently hard not to become deformed as a result of a slight external impact, but it is also sufficiently soft to enable the cup to remain stable in the open or closed positions described above.

Using a Mould to Attach a Splash Guard onto the Cup

In large-scale production, apparatus 100, including a male mould 120, is used to attach the splash guard 40 to the cup 10. Fixedly attaching the splash guard 40 to the cup 10 is preferable. During the attachment process, the cup 10 is fit over the male mould 120. For example, at least one part of the male mould 120 can, as shown in FIG. 3 or 4, be roughly in a shape corresponding to the interior of the cup 10. However, the male mould 120 in the present invention is not limited thereto. The male mould 120 may be of any shape or size suitable for insertion into the cup 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, for example, a pair of material piece blanking presses 1600 are installed on both sides of the male mould 120. The blanking presses 1600 directly punch out splash guards 40 from a continuous strip of material such as a paper roll. Moreover, with the aid of push rods 180 (see FIG. 4) disposed on two sides of the male mould 120, the splash guards 40 are directly pushed onto the outer wall of the male mould 120. However, the splash guards 40 may also be pre-blanked and stored, for example, in a hopper. When needed, the splash guards 40 in the hopper may be directly supplied to the mould 120.

In an advantageous embodiment, a pneumatic tube (not shown) is placed in the mould 120. When a splash guard 40 is fed onto the mould 120, suction is created with the vacuum in the tube. This suction is sufficient to removably attach a splash guard 40 to the outer circumferential surface of the male mould 120.

However, in some situations, such a removable attachment might lead to the following: when the splash guard 40 is subjected to a subsequent operation, the splash guard 40 rotates or shifts in some other undesired way. Therefore, preferably, a splash guard positioning means is provided on the male mould 120.

For example, as can be seen in FIG. 3, a recess 130 can be provided on the male mould 120. The shape and dimensions of this recess 130 correspond to the splash guard 40, particularly the exterior shape and dimensions of the fixed part 42 or are slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the splash guard (see also FIG. 10). Therefore, when, for example, a push rod 180 or another mechanism feeds the splash guard 40 onto the outer surface of the male mould 120, the splash guard 40, particularly the fixed part 42, may be suitably embedded into the recess 130 so that the splash guard 40 can be positioned at the desired position on the mould 120, without rotating or shifting in some other undesired way as a result of an external jolt or other influence.

If, as described above, a symmetrical pair of recesses are provided on two sides of the fixed part 42 of the splash guard 40 or the fixed part 42 includes a pair of notches, a pair of corresponding bumps projecting from the outer surface of the male mould 120 or a pair of corresponding recesses in the outer surface of the male mould 120 may be respectively provided on the male mould 120. When the splash guard 40 is fed onto the outer surface of the male mould 120, the pair of recesses or notches on the splash guard 40 engage respectively with the pair of bumps or recesses in the male mould 120. Therefore, before the splash guard 40 is fixedly attached to the inner wall of the cup 10, the splash guard 40 is prevented from rotating or shifting in another direction as a result of an external jolt, with the result that the correct attachment position on the inner wall of the cup 10 is achieved. Of course, the positioning means is not limited to the form described above. All that is necessary is that it be able to position the splash guard 40 at the desired position on the outer circumferential surface of the male mould 120 in a stable manner.

As stated above, after the positioning means is used to complete positioning of the splash guard 40, the splash guard 40 is removably retained at this position by activating the tube's vacuum suction.

Preferably, as shown in an exemplary manner in FIG. 10, the fixed part 42 (which has a smaller lateral width) of the splash guard 40 is, as stated above, attached to the outer wall of the male mould 120, and the bendable part 44 (which has a greater lateral width) maintains the ability to freely pivot/fold relative to the fixed part 42.

However, it should be noted that, if the splash guard 40 is a flat piece of material, and if suction is used to attach it to the exterior of the male mould 120 with a certain degree of curvature, both sides of the splash guard 40 will project tangentially from the outer circumferential surface of the male mould 120, thus hindering or blocking the cup 10 from smoothly fitting over the mould 120. If multiple vacuum holes are distributed along the male mould 120 to attach the splash guard 40 by suction in an attempt to attain a complete fit of the splash guard 40 onto the male mould 120, the cup manufacturing costs will greatly increase.

Therefore, in some situations, recessed sections 150 are formed on two diametrically opposite sides (but may also be limited to only one side) of the male mould 120 and at least at the position of the fixed part 42 of the to-be-positioned splash guard 40. The recessed section 150 includes a flat surface (not indicated by a reference numeral) which is recessed relative to the outer circumferential surface of the male mould 120. This flat surface is preferably substantially parallel to a longitudinal central plane of the male mould 120 and is radially outwardly spaced therefrom. As is clear from FIG. 4, the aforesaid flat surface is formed by cutting the male mould 120 along a plane that is roughly parallel to, and radially spaced apart from, the mould's longitudinal central plane and from the mould outer circumference inward. Of course, other forming methods may be conceived. For example, the male mould 120 may be pre-formed to have recesses, or the male mould 120 may be formed by stacking multiple parts including a traditional cup- shaped part and a smaller-diameter part.

As a result, after the fixed part 42 of the splash guard 40 is attached to this flat surface, it will not project out from the area of the flat surface. That is, it will not project beyond the outer circumference of the male mould 120. The cup 10 may subsequently be fitted more easily over the male mould 120 without hindrance.

Preferably, the recessed section 150 is located at a top portion of the male mould 120, i.e., at what is generally the largest diameter of the cup-shaped male mould 120. But the invention not limited to this particular position. For example, recessed section 150 could be spaced a certain distance from the top of the male mould 120 and extend a suitable distance longitudinally along the male mould 120, the distance being, for example, greater than the entire longitudinal height of the splash guard 40. The advantage of such a design lies in the fact that it can provide a flat mould surface and not a curved mould surface in the subsequent process of fixedly attaching the splash guard 40 so that pushing, pressing and other such actions by push rods or other such tools are more stable and reliable. In another respect, when being attached to the outer circumferential surface of the male mould 120, e.g., when attached by suction, the two sides of the fixed part 42 of the splash guard 40 will not project beyond the outer circumference of the male mould 120 and thus not present an obstacle to the fitting of the cup 10 over the male mould 120.

Preferably, the dimensions of the bendable part 44 of the splash guard 40 are designed to be larger than the fixed part 42 to help it better prevent contents from splashing out from the drinking hole. However, because the width of the bendable part 44 of the splash guard 40 will therefore be relatively large, if a recessed section 150 is formed at a position corresponding to the bendable part 44 on the male mould 120 it may be necessary to excise further portion from the male mould 120 inward to accommodate the bendable part 44. If the width of the bendable part 44 exceeds half of the maximum diameter, then it may not even be possible to achieve an effective attachment of the splash guard 40.

Accordingly, a slot 160 may be provided in the flat surface of the recessed section

150 of the male mould 120, just below the position of the attached fixed part 42, and below a crease 46, if a crease 46 has already been formed on the splash guard 40 during the blanking of the splash guard 40. The dimensions of the slot 160 are designed to be able to accommodate the bending of the bendable part 44 into the slot. For example, push rods 180, which are at the same horizontal level as the slots 160, can press the bendable parts 44 from both sides of the male mould 120 into the slots 160. That is, the bendable part 44 bends inward relative to the suction-attached fixed part 42 into the slot 160.

Preferably, one may conceive that the slot 160 may be recessed from the flat surface of the recessed section 150 further radially inward towards the central axis of the male mould 120, as shown clearly in FIG. 4.

After completing the step of removably attaching the splash guard 40 to the male mould 120, the cup 10 is fitted over the mould 120. Preferably, if the male mould 120 is in a vertical position and having its base end, i.e. the one corresponding to the closed base of the cup 10, facing up, gravity may be used to cause the cup top aperture to face downward and to fit the cup 10 over the male mould 120. Of course, if the male mould 120 is in another tilted position, the cup 10 can be fit over the male mould 120 by some other known method in the art.

After the step of fitting the cup 10 over the male mould 120 is completed, the cup 10 is preferably positioned at a predetermined circumferential position relative to the splash guard 40. Preferably, as stated above, the splash guard 40 is circumferentially aligned with the position of the cup drinking hole, particularly with the seam 50. In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, such a circumferential alignment is achieved by rotating the cup 10 relative to the splash guard 40 and using a cup positioning structure (FIG. 6).

The cup positioning structure may comprise a protruding strip 170 extending longitudinally along the exterior wall on the outer circumferential surface of the male mould 120 and protruding radially from the said exterior wall. This protruding strip 170 may, for example, be integrated with the entire male mould 120. Alternatively, for example, a longitudinally-extending keyway may be provided in the male mould 120. Assuming that this keyway is, for example, rectangular in cross-section, a key having a matching shape is inserted into this keyway, and a protruding strip 170 is provided on the outward-facing side of this key. Therefore, after installation of the key in the keyway, a protruding strip 170 on the outer circumferential surface of the male mould 120 extends radially beyond its outer circumference and extends longitudinally.

The protruding strip 170 needs only to extend a certain distance along the outer wall of the male mould 120. When the cup 10 is rotated, the protruding strip 170 rests against the cup inner wall and moves relative to the cup inner wall. While the cup 10 is being rotated relative to the mould 120, as shown in FIG. 6, the cup's longitudinal seam 50 also rotates. Once the longitudinal seam 50 abuts the protruding strip 17, the circumferential positioning of the cup 10 is completed because of the longitudinal protruding strip 170 is able to stop the rotation of the cup 10.

The positioning structure described above may also be provided in the form of a sensor or, for example, a photosensitive device, disposed on or near the male mould 120.

For example, an identifier (not shown; e.g., a colour mark) is provided on the cup 10.

When the sensor detects the location of the identifier while the cup 10 is rotating around the male mould 120, the cup 10 stops rotating, thus completing said circumferential positioning of the cup l O.

The rotation of the cup 10 relative to the splash guard 40 may be carried out with the aid of an external rotating mechanism 300 (FIG. 1 1 ). For example, the rotating mechanism 300 initially engages the cup base or the lower part of the cup outer wall, and then the rotating mechanism is spun. With the aid of, for example, binding friction, the cup 10 is made to rotate around the male mould 120. A known mechanism may be employed to rotate around the male mould 120 at, for example, a constant slow speed. But preferably, the cup's rotation may be completed in the following way: as shown in FIG. 5, the male mould 120 comprises a mobile base 122 and a relative fixed part 124. The relative fixed part 124 has attached to it the splash guard 40 and includes a slot 160 (if appropriate). Preferably, a recess (not indicated by a numeral) may be provided in the centre of the mobile base 122. This recess matches an extension 128 that extends from the relative fixed part 124 of the male mould 120. Roller bearings 129 may, for example, be provided between the recess and the extension 128 to enable the mobile base 122 of the male mould 120 to rotate freely relative to the relative fixed part 124 of the male mould 120. The mobile base 122 may be sized and shaped to match closely with the cup base and the relative fixed part 124 of the male mould 120 may be sized and shaped to match loosely with the cup body.

When the cup 10 is fitted over the male mould 120, the rotating mechanism 300 that is located outside the male mould 120 is joined to the cup base. A momentary rotational force is applied to the cup base using friction. The rotating mechanism 300 then releases the cup 10 and is pulled away and, under the effect of inertia, the cup 10 continues to rotate and the cup base thereby drives the mobile base 122, which is tightly coupled to the cup base, to rotate freely relative to the relative fixed part 124. Such a rotation need not exceed one revolution in order to "find" the cup seam 50 and to circumferentially align the splash guard 40 with this seam 50 using the aforesaid positioning structure.

FIG. 1 1 specifically presents an exemplary external rotating structure 300 of this sort. This external rotating structure 300 comprises a driving component 301 . This driving component 301 rotates while being driven by a motor (not shown), such as, for example, an electric motor. Simultaneously, the driving component 301 may also be able to move translationally back and forth towards or away from the cup base fitted over the male mould 120 while being driven by, for example, an air cylinder (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1 1 , the locking plate 302 fits loosely over the driving component 301 so that the locking plate 302 can undergo relative axial movement along the driving component 301 and the other components connected to the driving component 301 . It should be understood that the locking plate 302 is not limited to the plate form shown in FIG. 1 1 .

On the driving component 301 , there is also a stop 310 which is fixedly connected thereto. This stop 310 may be a plate-shaped object similar to the locking plate 302. However, it should be understood that the locking plate 302 and the stop 310 are not limited to being plate shapes. For example, the stop 310 may at least also be a protrusion that extends from at least one side of the driving component 310 and that extends roughly in a radial direction from the driving component 310. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1 1 , the stop 310 is disposed at the end of the driving component 301 facing the cup base.

In addition, the external rotating mechanism 300 may further be provided with a blocking head. This blocking head is fixedly connected to the locking plate 302, and it extends from the locking plate 302 towards the cup base. In particular, the stop 310 may be located between the blocking head and the locking plate 302. In addition, between the stop 310 and the blocking head there may be further provided an elastic component such as a spring 303. The elastic component 303 may be fixedly connected at one end to the blocking head and is fixedly connected at the other end to the stop 310.

As shown in FIG. 1 1 , the blocking head may comprise a frame constructed from a longitudinal support 31 1 , which extends longitudinally, and a radial support 305, which extends radially. With the aid of the biasing force of the spring 303 in its initial state (as shown in FIG. 1 1 ), the stop 310 may snugly rest against the locking plate 302.

In addition, the external rotating mechanism 300 is also provided with pivoting components 304. With the use of pivots 313, the pivoting components 304 can pivot between an open state and a closed state. In the open state, the pivoting components 304 are not in contact with the cup 10, but in the closed state, the pivoting components 304 engage the cup, particularly the outer circumferential wall near the cup base. Preferably, the pivoting components 304 are, as shown in FIG. 1 1 , constructed as a pair of pivoting rods located on two sides of the cup 10. However, the pivoting components 304 may be multiple (not limited to two) pivoting components 304, and preferably disposed symmetrically relative to the drive component 301 . In addition, in order to facilitate their engagement with the cup 10 in a radial direction, the pivoting components 304 may preferably, at the ends near the cup 10, be provided with arms 318 radially extending towards the cup 10. The ends of the arms 318 are preferably provided with friction aiding members 307 for making supple contact with the cup 10 and increasing the friction of the engagement.

In some situations, the pivots 313 can, for example, be disposed on a support 314 that extends roughly radially from two sides of the driving component 301 or that is in any other way fixedly connected to the driving component 301 and thereby have the pivoting components 304 located on two sides of the driving component 301 . Of course, if there are multiple pivoting components, then multiple pivots 313 fixedly connected to the driving component 301 may be correspondingly disposed. Preferably, the pivoting components 304 are also provided with biasing components such as return springs 308. Thus, when the locking plate 302 catches in the recesses 312 as described below, the pivoting components 304 are allowed to pivot inward, i.e., towards the cup 10.

The open and closed states of the pivoting component 304 can, for example, be achieved by recesses 312 disposed on the pivoting components 304. Specifically, the gap between the pair of pivoting components 304 and the radial distance of the locking plate 302 are set so that, when the locking plate 302 catches in the recesses 312 located on the pivoting components 304, the pair of pivoting components 304, using the pivots 313, move towards the cup 10 because of the action of the return springs 308 and ultimately and preferably joins with the cup 10 through the arms 318 located thereon. When the locking plate 302 leaves the recess 312, the locking plate 302 resists the action of the return springs 308 causing the pivoting components 304 to pivot 313 outward, i.e., away from the cup 10, to release the cup.

Of course, one may also envisage having multiple pivoting components 304, in which case the recesses 312 may be provided in accordance with actual conditions on one or more of these pivoting components 304 so that when the locking plate 302 shifts relative to the pivoting components 304, it can catch in one or more recesses 312 and cause the corresponding pivoting components 304 to enter into a closed state.

Next, the operating principles of the external rotating mechanism 300 will be described in detail.

When the male mould 120 fitted with a cup 10 moves towards a next position, the external rotating mechanism 300, with the aid of, for example, an air cylinder, advances towards the cup base. At this point, the locking plate 302, because of the biasing force of the spring 303, maintains tight contact with the stop 310, and the outer circumferential edge of the locking plate 302 pushes against the pivoting components 304. However, the locking plate 302 is not in the recesses 312 of the pivoting components 304. Therefore, the pivoting components 304 are in an open state and are not joined with the cup base.

Then, when the external rotating mechanism 300 advances to the point where its blocking head hits the cup base, i.e., when the advance of the blocking head 305, 31 1 is obstructed because of the cup base, the driving component 301 continues to advance because the spring 303 is connected between the stop 310 on the driving component 301 and the blocking head. However, at this point, because it is fixedly connected with the obstructed blocking head, the locking plate 302 maintains the position shown in FIG. 1 1 and does not move, though the stop 310 continues to advance because it is driven by the driving component 301 .

When the driving component 301 continues to advance, it drives the support 314 that is fixedly connected thereto. The pivots 313 and the pivoting components 304 that can pivot on the pivots 313 relative to the driving component 301 together advance longitudinally towards the cup base. Therefore, a relative shift occurs between the immobile locking plate 302 and the advancing pivoting components 304. That is, the locking plate 302 actually "retreats" (retreating is represented in FIG. 1 1 as a downward direction) relative to the pivoting components 30. The locking plate 302 is thereby caused to enter the recesses 312 on the pivoting components 304. That is, the pivoting components 304 enter a closed state and are joined to the cup 10 by the arms 318 and friction aiding members 307. After the pivoting components 304 engage the cup 10, the driving component 301 , rotating at an even speed, is driven by, for example, an electric motor and thus the arms 318 of the pivoting components 304 apply a spinning force to the cup base through the friction between them.

After completing the application of the spinning force, the driving component 301 , again with the aid of an air cylinder, is caused to retreat. At this point, likewise because of the action of the spring 303, the locking plate 302 and the blocking head 305, 31 1 temporarily remain immobile, but the pivoting components 304 are driven by the driving component 301 to retreat. Therefore, a relative shift again is produced between the pivoting components 304 and the locking plate 302. That is, the locking plate 302 actually "advances" relative to the pivoting components 304. The locking plate 302 is thereby caused to leave the recesses 312 on the pivoting component 304. That is, the pivoting components 304 again return to an open state and are no longer joined to the cup 10.

Subsequently, the driving component 301 continues to retreat. At this point, the stop 310 again pushes against the locking plate 302, and thereby pulls back the locking plate 302 and the blocking head 305, 31 1 fixedly connected thereto together in tandem with the driving component 301. Thus, the external rotating mechanism 300 returns to the initial position and completes one work cycle.

When the cup 10 completes circumferential positioning relative to the splash guard 40, the splash guard 40, particularly its fixed part 42, is fixedly attached by various methods to the inner wall of the cup 10. In one arrangement, as shown in FIG. 9, ultrasonic welding devices are installed on two sides of the male mould 120, and welding heads 190 of the ultrasonic welding devices are caused to press onto the cup 10 from two sides, preferably onto the recessed section 150 of the male mould 120 and its flat surface and thus enable the splash guard 40, particularly its fixed part 42, located on the male mould 120 to effectively bind with the cup wall.

After the splash guard 40 has been fixedly attached to the cup wall, the splash guard 40 is released from the male mould 120, and the cup 10 is removed from the male mould 120. The cup 10 can be removed from the male mould 120 by blowing compressed air from the male mould 120 into the cup 10. For example, because the cup 10 and the relative fixed part 124 of the male mould 120 are loosely coupled, and particularly since a relatively large gap is retained between the recessed section 150 of the mould and the cup wall, compressed air can be blown into the gap thus enabling the air flow to enter the gap formed by the paper cup and the mould and thus complete the removal of the cup 10. The position where the compressed air is blown in is not limited to the gap between the cup 10 and the male mould 120 at the recessed section 150. For example, compressed air can be blown from a channel in a base section of the male mould 120 towards the cup base.

During the removal of the cup 10 from the male mould 120, the bendable part 44 of the splash guard 40 is driven by the fixed part 42 that has already been fixedly attached to the cup wall and gradually departs from the slot 160 where the bendable part 44 was located. Then, as the cup 10 moves along the male mould 120, the bendable part 44 folds upwardly onto the fixed part 42 so that the bendable part 44 and the fixed part 42 face each other. The bendable part 44 thus becomes located in an upwardly bent state between the cup inner wall and the outer circumferential surface of the male mould 120 until the cup 10 is completely removed from the mould 120.

In some situations, relatively powerful compressed air would be used in order to very quickly strip the cup 10, together with the fixedly attached splash guard 40, from the male mould 120. However, the result of this may be that, after leaving the male mould 120, the upwardly bent bendable part 44 of the splash guard 40 fails to undergo adequate upward bending and gradually recovers to its unfolded state or remains only slightly bent up. Thus, it is necessary to use a bend-finalising auxiliary machine to achieve reliable bending of the bendable part 44.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a stopping component 200 can provided at a position that is axially spaced by a certain gap distance from the base of the cup 10 when the cup 10 is fitted over a mould 120. The stopping component 200 is mounted on a stable base (not shown) using a known method. When the cup 10 is removed from the male mould 120 with compressed air, the cup 10 stops upon contact with the stopping component 200. That is, a portion of the cup 10 remains fitted over the male mould 120.

At this point, as shown in FIG. 8, the bendable part 44 of the splash guard 40 remains in a complete upwardly bent state. That is, it is bent such that the bendable part 44 and the fixed part 42 face each other. In this state, a mechanism such as push rods (not shown) may be used to press the cup 10 towards the male mould 120 again from two sides so as to further finalise the upward bending of the bendable part 44. Clearly, the gap distance described above is at least greater than the longitudinal height of the slot 160 and preferably greater than the sum of the longitudinal height of the slot 160 and the length of the bendable part 44 and smaller than the height of the cup 10 itself so as to ensure that when the cup 10 hits the stopping component 200, the bendable part 44 of the splash guard 40 is in the upwardly bent state facing and pressed against the fixed part 42 between the male mould 120 and the cup wall.

The bend-finalising auxiliary machine is not limited to the stopping component 200 and the push rods described above. A suitable structure acting within the cup interior could also be used for example.

After the upward bending of the bendable part 44 is reliably finalised, the cup 10 is completely removed from the male mould 120 by causing the male mould 120 or the stopping component 200 to shift laterally, i.e., so that the stopping component 200 is no longer located under the cup base, and then, for example, continuing to blow in compressed air or by allowing gravity to act on the cup 10. Cups 10 removed from the male mould 120 are conveyed into a cup receptacle (not shown), and they are stacked one upon another.

Using the Mould Attachment Process

Each of the steps described above can be completed sequentially at corresponding work stations. However, it would be more advantageous to use the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 to complete them. This apparatus 100 comprises a work turntable 1 10. On the turntable 1 10 there are provided multiple, corresponding to the number of work stations, e.g., eight, male moulds 120. The turntable 1 10 rotates intermittently throughout the production process so as to enable the male moulds 120 to stop at each work station and complete the corresponding action or to implement an automated process of attaching the splash guards 40.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the turntable 1 10 includes, in an exemplary manner, possible work stations 1001 to 1008. At the first or attachment work station 1001 , one face of the splash guard 40 can be removably, such as by vacuum suction for example, attached to the outer surface of the male mould 120.

Then, the turntable 1 10 causes the male mould 120 to turn to the next, optional work station, i.e., the bending work station 1002 for bending the bendable part 44 into the slot 160 in the recessed section 150 of the male mould 120. At this bending work station 1002, the bendable part 44 of the splash guard 40 is folded along the crease 46 by, for example, a push rod (not shown) into the slot 160 located on the male mould 120 below the fixed part 42.

At the third or fitting work station 1003, the fitting work station is particularly, preferably, and exactly located in a vertical position so that the cup 10 can be fitted over the male mould 120 from a position above the mould base.

Then, at the fourth or circumferential position work station 1004, the rotating mechanism 300 shown in FIG. 1 1 is used to cause the cup 10 to drive the mobile base 122 of the male mould 120 to rotate around the relative fixed part 124 of the male mould 120. While the cup 10 is rotating around the male mould 120, circumferential positioning of the cup 10 relative to the splash guard 40 is completed with the aid of the protruding strip 170 or a photosensitive equipment. As described above, the splash guard 40 may be positioned at the seam 50 of the cup 10.

Then, the turntable 1 10 rotates the male mould 120 to the fifth or fixed attachment work station 1005. At the fixed attachment work station 1005, ultrasonic welding heads 190 are brought to a position near the cup 10 and corresponding to the location of the splash guard 40, and fixed attachment is completed between the splash guard 40 and the cup wall.

At the sixth or semi-removing work station 1006, the cup 10 is partially removed from the mould 120 by blowing in compressed air. As described above above, in an advantageous embodiment, a stopping component 200 is disposed a certain gap distance from the cup base. Therefore, at the semi-removing work station 1006, a portion of the cup 10 is still fitted over the male mould 120.

When the apparatus is the turntable 1 10, the stopping component 200 can extend in a curved direction along the rotation of turntable 1 10 from the location of the semi-removing work station 1006 to the position of the adjacent bend-finalising work station 1007. Due to this arrangement, the cup 10 remains partially fitted over the male mould 120 during transition from the semi-removing work station 1006 to the adjacent bend-finalising work station 1007. At the seventh or bend-finalising work station 1007, a mechanism such as push rods described above is used to press the cup 10 to which the splash guard 40 has already been attached so as to more effectively achieve finalised upward bending of the bendable part 44 of the splash guard 40.

When the male mould 120 is moved from the bend-finalising work station 1007 to the removal-completing work station 1008, the stopping component 200 is no longer present below the cup base, and the cup 10, under the action of compressed air or the weight of the cup 10 itself, is finally detached from the male mould 120 and is delivered into a cup receptacle (not shown).

As stated above, one exemplary advantageous form of apparatus for implementing the method of the present invention has been described herein. It will be appreciated that the apparatus 100 need not necessarily comprise a bending work station, a semi-removing work station, and so on. Moreover, the attachment work station 1001 could, for example, comprise a positioning work station 1001 ' for accurately positioning the splash guard 40 onto the male mould 120. Of course, the apparatus 100 may also include any combination of the various work stations described above.

Modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, the invention being defined in the appended claims.