Automated equipment designed to transform flat paperboard stock into finished drinking cups involves multiple stages. These stages typically include feeding the material, cutting and shaping the cup body, forming the base, applying seam seals (using heat or adhesives), and stacking the finished product. Different models exist, catering to various cup sizes, production speeds, and levels of automation.
This automated process offers significant advantages over manual production methods, including increased output, consistent quality, reduced labor costs, and improved hygiene. The development of such equipment has played a crucial role in the widespread availability and affordability of disposable cups for everyday use, significantly impacting the food service and beverage industries. Earlier methods of cup manufacturing were far slower and more labor-intensive.