Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
  • G09F3/08—Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself
  • G09F3/10—Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself by an adhesive layer
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
  • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
  • B44C1/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects
  • B44C1/16—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects for applying transfer pictures or the like
  • B44C1/165—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects for applying transfer pictures or the like for decalcomanias; sheet material therefor
  • B44C1/17—Dry transfer
  • B44C1/1712—Decalcomanias applied under heat and pressure, e.g. provided with a heat activable adhesive
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C3/00—Labelling other than flat surfaces
  • B65C3/06—Affixing labels to short rigid containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C3/00—Labelling other than flat surfaces
  • B65C3/06—Affixing labels to short rigid containers
  • B65C3/08—Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies
  • B65C3/14—Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies the container being positioned for labelling with its centre-line vertical
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C3/00—Labelling other than flat surfaces
  • B65C3/06—Affixing labels to short rigid containers
  • B65C3/08—Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies
  • B65C3/14—Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies the container being positioned for labelling with its centre-line vertical
  • B65C3/16—Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies the container being positioned for labelling with its centre-line vertical by rolling the labels onto cylindrical containers, e.g. bottles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
  • B65C9/08—Label feeding
  • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
  • B65C9/08—Label feeding
  • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
  • B65C9/1865—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip
  • B65C9/1869—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip and being transferred directly from the backing strip onto the article
  • B65C9/1873—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip and being transferred directly from the backing strip onto the article the transfer involving heating means, e.g. for decals
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
  • B65C9/20—Gluing the labels or articles
  • B65C9/24—Gluing the labels or articles by heat
  • B65C9/25—Gluing the labels or articles by heat by thermo-activating the glue
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
  • B65C9/40—Controls; Safety devices
  • B65C9/42—Label feed control
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
  • B65D23/08—Coverings or external coatings
  • B65D23/0807—Coatings
  • B65D23/0814—Coatings characterised by the composition of the material
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
  • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
  • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
  • G09F3/0286—Forms or constructions provided with adaptations for labelling machines
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
  • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
  • G09F2003/023—Adhesive
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
  • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
  • G09F2003/0257—Multilayer
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
  • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
  • G09F2003/0257—Multilayer
  • G09F2003/0258—Multilayer without carrier
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
  • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
  • G09F2003/0257—Multilayer
  • G09F2003/0261—Multilayer encapsulated in polymer
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
  • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
  • G09F2003/027—Forms or constructions used to hang up an item, e.g. a perfusion bottle
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
  • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
  • G09F2003/0272—Labels for containers
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
  • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
  • G09F2003/0272—Labels for containers
  • G09F2003/0273—Labels for bottles, flasks
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
  • G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
  • G09F2003/0272—Labels for containers
  • G09F2003/0275—Shock absorbing labels

Definitions

• the present invention is directed to a technique for labeling containers, and more particularly to a technique for. applying decorative and/or informational labels to glass containers. Still more particularly, the invention is directed to a technique for fabricating a label composite which applies only the inks for the graphics, a method for applying the label inks to the container and a method to coat the entire container including the label to protect the inks and improve the physical characteristics and appearance of the container.
• Glass containers are currently labeled in three different ways.
• the predominant method is printed paper labels glued to the container at the time of filling and sealing.
• Such labels offer almost unlimited art potential and are commonly used on food, and both returnable and non-returnable beverage containers. This is the lowest cost technique, but offers little resistance to label damage from handling and exposure to moisture or water, and may not survive the washing procedures required of a returnable container, thereby requiring re-labeling.
• a second, and more recently developed, container labeling technique is that of applying a thin styrofoam label to cover the container from shoulder to heel, with the decorative and/or informational material being printed on a more dense outer skin of the styrofoam label.
• This is widely used on lighter-weight one-way bottles common in the beverage industry. It offers some impact resistance and a large surface area for printing product information and instructions, as well as company logos. It is, however, more costly than the paper label, has little durability, becomes easily soiled, and will not survive the alkali washing of a returnable beverage container, or the pasteurization required by some beverage containers. Also, because the printing surface is relatively rough, high definition printing is not possible.
• a third container labeling technique is that of printing ceramic ink directly on the container surface using a screen printing technology. While the label appearance is generally good, the technique is typically limited to two or three colors due to cost considerations.
• a recent development is the preprinting of a ceramic ink decal which is then transferred to the glass container surface. This permits high definition printing and offers greater opportunities for color and art variety. Fired ceramic inks are extremely durable and will survive the alkali washing processes required of a returnable container.
• both the direct printing ceramic ink and ceramic ink decal techniques require subsequent high temperature firing to fuse the ink to the glass substrate.
• both techniques require extreme attention to detail, a high level of maintenance and are run off-line at slow speed, with high labor costs. Due to the high cost, ceramic inks are the least commonly used labeling technique. It is common practice in the glass container industry to treat the outer surface of the containers with materials to counteract the effects of high glass- to-glass friction experienced on freshly manufactured glass products. Glass containers are conveyed with a great deal of glass-to-glass contact and at times considerable line pressure. Without treatment there is considerable visible scratching which may result in breakage. It is common to surface treat at two locations in the operation.
• the containers pass through a vapor which leaves a tin oxide film bonded to the surface.
• the containers are sprayed with a dilute water solution of a material which after evaporation of the water leaves a film to provide surface lubricity.
• the tin oxide film is most costly, both for materials and system maintenance.
• the lubricity of the second film though needed to prevent surface damage, may cause problems in subsequent labeling of the container.
• a labeling system wherein a removable backing layer is reverse printed with, e.g., a vinyl, or acrylic ink which is then cured and the printed ink overprinted with adhesive.
• the label is then applied to the container with its adhesive surface in contact with the container, and the backing layer is separated from the label, e.g., by the application of heat, while concurrently the ink bonds to the container.
• the labeled container is then applied with a suitable coating, which is then cured.
• the printing process provides the desired high definition printing capability, and the coating provides the required degree of impact resistance and durability. It is a further object of the invention to eliminate the cost of tin oxide coating.
• a token amount of lubricating film is applied after annealing.
• This is preferably a film compatible with the adhesion materials on the label inks and with the coating, although it could alternatively be a film readily removed by oxidizing flame treatment prior to labeling.
• This lubricating film is sufficient to enable damage-free conveying from the lehr, through the inspection stations and into the labeling machine staging area.
• Yet another object of this invention is to foster continued further reduction in container weight. It has been demonstrated that a container entirely coated with a nominal 0.6 mil of the coating will survive a 30-40% increase in fracture impact over an uncoated container.
• the invention also provides a system for applying the above-described label in an efficient manner so that it can be performed on-line.
• the efficiency is in part due to a novel label web indexing mechanism including a movable shuttle roller and alternating braking mechanisms at the supply and take-up ends. This is especially advantageous when simultaneously applying labels to a plurality of containers.
• the collection of the used web on a take-up reel permits re-use of the web for further cost savings. It is also possible to modify existing commercial container labeling systems to accomplish the label application, in which case the heat necessary for ink release and adhesive activation can be provided by heating the container to a temperature of 200 °F prior to entering the labeling machine.
• Fig. 1 illustrates all of the materials and their order of layering in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a system for applying the label of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a diagram of a novel web indexing mechanism which may be used in the system of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining a suitable mechanism for applying the overcoat layer in the system of Fig. 2;
• FIG. 1 shows the glass container 1 and the label and substrate before- application of the label to the container.
• the label fabrication begins with a backing layer 10 of a suitable material, e.g., a polypropylene film, which may be provided with an acrylic coating 12 to provide a high gloss surface.
• the backing layer 10, either with or without the acrylic coating 12, is preferably then coated on the side to be ink printed with a release material 14 activatable by heat.
• the desired label is then printed on this coated backing layer 10 with a suitable ink, preferably vinyl or acrylic ink 20.
• the ink 20 is then cured, e.g., by heat or by electron beam or U-V energy.
• a transparent bonding layer 30 is applied, preferably by printing only over the ink pattern, and this is then covered with an adhesive layer 40 printed over the bonding layer 30. All of these operations are accomplished in one pass through a multiple station gravure printer. The film-ink-adhesive laminate is then rolled up and forwarded to the container labeling system.
• the application of the label to a container will now be described with reference to Fig. 2.
• the bottles will be conveyed from the forming machine through an annealing lehr.
• the application of tin oxide before lehring is not necessary, nor would it serve any useful purpose with the new system.
• the bottles will then typically have been sprayed with a lubricant, and according to this invention it must be a lubricant which is compatible with the printed adhesives and coating, or which can be sufficiently removed to permit the subsequent labelling.
• a suitable lubricant would be ammonium stearate applied in a one-half percent (1/2%) water solution.
• the bottles will then normally be subjected to a number of inspection criteria which are well known in the industry.
• the bottles are received along a conveyor 100 from an inspection area.
• a typical system may provide bottles at a rate of 400 per minute, and it would be preferable according to this invention to divide this into two streams of 200 per minute each. For convenience, only one container stream is shown, it being understood that the remaining one or more container streams would be processed in the same manner.
• the bottles are passed one-at-a-time by a star wheel control device 102 to a loading station 104.
• the bottles are then moved downwardly in Fig. 2 onto an indexing table 106 by means of a suitable placement device.
• the indexing table 106 will include container holders, e.g., suction holders or the like, which are arranged in groups of three, with each group of three being arranged rectilinearly. There may be supports at the neck of each container to absorb pressure during the container transfer.
• container holders e.g., suction holders or the like, which are arranged in groups of three, with each group of three being arranged rectilinearly.
• the indexing table is then rotated counterclockwise in Fig. 2 from the loading station to a container orienting station generally designated at reference character 108.
• the container may here be rotated to a particular orientation, although this will be unnecessary in many container labeling systems.
• the rotating of the container would preferably be performed by rotation of individual container holder suction cups on the indexing table 106 until the correct position is detected, e.g., by suitable photo-electric means, at which point the holders would be locked in their correct positions. (If locked, they will have to be unlocked prior to the label application step, as the label application step requires rotation of the bottles as will be described in more detail below. )
• the indexing table 106 is further rotated to bring the bottles to the label transfer station.
• the web 112 formed in the manner described with reference to Fig. 1, is juxtaposed with the three bottles with a respective label being adjacent each container.
• the vinyl or acrylic ink labels are then transferred to the bottles, in a manner which will be described in more detail below, and the indexing table is then rotated to a coating station 114 where a suitable protective coating is applied.
• a suitable coating material would be UV- curable or heat-curable acrylic, one example of which is a UV-curable acrylic identified as R796Z80, which is composed of film formers, resins, reactive diluents and additives and butyl acetate solvents, manufactured by PPG Industries, Inc. and available from Brandt Manufacturing Systems, Inc.
• any clear acrylic coating, as well as a number of other overcoat materials, could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
• the indexing table 106 is then further rotated to bring the labeled and coated bottles to an unloading station where each container is off-loaded onto a container conveyor.
• the bottles could be removed. All bottles could be removed from the indexing table 106 to a single conveyor 120, taking care to ensure that the acrylic coatings are not disturbed. It may, be necessary, with suitable care taken, to use an air knife. It may, however, be necessary to move the bottles by clamping them at their neck and carrying them onto the conveyor 120 in a known manner.
• the bottles are held in groups of three on the indexing table 106.
• the acrylic coating on the bottles is cured in a suitable manner, e.g., by heat or U-V energy.
• a suitable manner e.g., by heat or U-V energy.
• U-V curing it would be desirable to position U-V lamps on either side of each container. If desirable, it would also be possible to rotate each container by 90° during the curing process to provide full coverage of the container by the opposing lamps.
• the conveyor 120 carries the bottles to a further container inspection area (if desired) and thence to a packing or filling station. The handling of the label during application of that label to the container in the system of Fig. 2 will now be discussed in more detail.
• the label has been fabricated in the form of a film-ink-adhesive laminate which has been rolled up.
• the web will preferably have a leader and a tail area for continuous feed through the application equipment when the leader and tail pieces of successive laminates are connected.
• the laminate is held on a supply reel 116.
• the adhesive has been permitted to cure to a point at which it is no longer tacky, thus permitting the label to be rolled up and subsequently unrolled.
• the adhesive Prior to application of the label to the container, the adhesive may have to be activated, and this may be done by applying heat to the web 112 at some point prior to the warm platen 130, e.g., at the location designated by reference character 132.
• the heat could be applied by way of infra-red lamp array and would have to be sufficient to permit the adhesive to melt, e.g., on the order of 180 °F.
• a preferred adhesive would be that disclosed in copending application no. A-5637 identified above.
• the heating of the bottles prior to the labelling station is sufficient that the adhesive is activated immediately upon contact with the bottle, and no preheating of the adhesive is necessary.
• higher rates e.g., 500 per minute, it may be that additional preheating of the adhesive will be needed.
• the adhesive used may be of a type which does not require activation.
• a suitable coating material to prevent adherence of the adhesive to the layer 10 when the label is rolled up onto the supply reel 116.
• a still further option would be to omit the adhesive entirely in the process of fabrication of the label, and to apply the adhesive for the first time to the web 112 at the location 132, or to apply it to the container itself just prior to the labelling station.
• the labeling web will be passed across a warm platen 130 prior to the label transfer station.
• the purpose of this warm platen is to ensure that the temperature of the label laminate, and especially the release agent 14, is such as to permit easy separation of the backing layer 10 from the ink label. This typically requires a release temperature of approximately 200 °F with a few degrees tolerance on either side.
• a heated roll 134 is then used to press the label onto each container, and the backing layer 10 is then removed by a take-up reel 150.
• the indexing table 106 holds the bottles in groups of three, and it is desirable to handle the labeling web in such a manner as to permit application of labels to three bottles substantially simultaneously. It will also be recalled that, for a rate of approximately 200 bottles per minute for each indexing table, and with the bottles being handled in groups of three, the table is indexed a little less than once per second. Accounting for table travel time, this allows approximately 1/2 second for each label transfer.
• the present inventors have devised a novel and effective mechanism whereby, during this 1/2 second interval, the labelling web 112 in Fig. 2 is advanced past the bottles by an amount corresponding to two successive labels to make ready for labeling the next three bottles.
• the label supply reel 116 and/or first capstan 142 are provided with brake mechanisms. Beginning with three unlabeled bottles at the label transfer station, it will first be noted that the bottles are preferably held in position such that their centers are separated from one another by a distance at equal to the linear distance between leading edges of successive labels. The label web is then advanced to a position such that the beginning of each of three different labels will be in contact with the circumference of a respective container. The web is then pulled past the bottles, with the bottles being rotated by the adhesion with the web.
• the preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 includes a separate heated roll 134 for each of the three containers in a group. In addition, the rolls may preferably be implemented in the form of inflated bladders to permit accommodation of minor surface irregularities.
• the web and bottles must be out of contact with one another, while they must obviously be in contact during the application of the label. This will require either that the web be moved toward and away from the indexing table or that the bottles be movable radially with respect to the indexing table. The latter would be preferred.
• the slow movement of the web past the bottles is accomplished, with the brakes on the supply reel 116 and capstan 142 in Fig. 2 disengaged, by moving the roller 144 in the rightward direction in Fig. 3 while a brake associated with capstan 146 or take-up reel 150 is engaged.
• the roller 144 is permitted to rotate freely during this rightward movement.
• movement of the web 112 through a distance L will be accomplished by moving the roller 144 through a distance L/2.
• the roller 144 is moved by a distance L equal to one-half the length of a label so that the labels may be completely applied, and then the roller 144 must continue its movement by an amount sufficient to move the used web beyond the labelling station until the leading edge of the next unused label is at the proper position for application to the container closest to the roller 144.
• the brake on the supply reel 116 or capstan 142 is applied while that on capstan 146 or take-up reel 150 is released.
• the roller 144 is quickly moved back to its leftward position in Fig. 3 while the take-up reel 150 takes up the slack.
• Fig. 4 provides a brief diagram for explaining one technique for applying the protective coating at station 114 in Fig. 2.
• a drum 160 having apertures in its periphery would provide the acrylic (e.g., urethane) coating solution to a sponge belt 162.
• a backing roller 164, or leading and trailing rollers if desired, would then press the sponge belt 162 against the periphery of the labelled container 166.
• the thickness of the applied coating could be controlled by controlling the rate at which the coating material is supplied by the drum 160 depending on bottle shape and area to be coated additional belt arrangements may be necessary and the flexible belt 162 will conform to the curve in the shoulder of the container.
• a benefit of the coating material is that it adds to the strength of the container, and may therefore permit fabrication of thinner bottles while still meeting industry standards for strength and durability.
• the durability could be further enhanced by adding microspheres to the coating material, such as those available from Potter's Industries.
• An additional benefit of the coating layer is that it will tend to fill in any scratches or other similar surface defects in the container, thereby substantially improving the appearance of the container.
• a further significant advantage would be that, in recycling of the bottles, it would no longer be necessary to segregate the bottles by color.
• the glass would all be clear flint ⁇ flass and the coating would be burned off prior to or at the time of melting down of the returned bottles.
• a further improvement would be the inclusion in the protective overcoat layer of a light blocking agent to hinder or prevent changes in the taste or appearance of the container contents, e.g., beer.
• the light blocking agent would block a suitable wavelength of light, e.g., U-V light at approximately 400 nanometers, and would be substantially clear so that it would not have a significant effect on the color of the clear coating, and would be entirely compatible with a colored coating. It would be necessary, of course, that the U-V blocking agent added to the coating material not interfere with whatever curing process was used for the coating, even if that curing process were U-V curing.
• a first option is a single-film label which may be gravure printed on a polypropylene or suitable paper web 200 for subsequent heat release.
• a protective coating may be applied to the container after labelling, and this coating may be cured, by U-V, E-B or other energy, if desired.
• this is illustrated as layer 202 which would be applied to the web 200 first, so that it will be on the exterior of the package after label application.
• a suitable material for the film material 202 is acrylic
• the label ink 204 is vinyl or acrylic.
• An adhesive 206 (e.g., comprising both of the layers 30 and 40 in Fig. 1) is applied in stripes to provide escape passages for air and moisture.
• the adhesive could be either (1) applied to the film at the time of printing of the single film on the web, cured and reactivated prior to application of the film to the container, or (2) applied to the printed web immediately before application of the film to the container. (It could, of course, alternatively be applied to the container. )
• a second option would be a two-layer label wherein the first layer would comprise the components 200 and 204, and optionally the protective antiabrade layer 202, as in the first option of Fig. 5A.
• the second layer would be a cushion layer 208 of organic material.
• the cushion layer could be applied (1) to the web-film laminate at the time of printing or immediately prior to application of the first film to the container, or (2) to the container itself immediately prior to application of the film to the container.
• the cushion layer would preferably be organic, and would be designed to release CO, micro-bubbles when energized with heat, U- V or E-B energy, either at the time of laminating or immediately prior to application to the container.
• the cushion layer may contain glass or plastic microspheres.
• a third option (Fig. 5C) would be the same as the second option but the cushion layer would be a clear layer 210 applied during a single pass or multi-pass during the label printing. It would then be cured during the printing operation with U-V, E-B or other energy.
• a sixth option would be to apply a clear cushion coating after application of the label of Fig. 5A.
• the web 200 on the side of the bottle, i.e., between the web 200 and the remainder of the laminate, to facilitate removal of the web 200 while the label is still hot. It may in some cases be preferable net to use a release agent, in which case the web may be peeled off after cooling of the label.
• a further feature of the invention is that the web, e.g., 10 in Fig. 1, may be reused after separation from the label.
• the used web may be taken from the take-up reel and re-laminated with whatever layer configuration is being used for labelling. This would represent a considerable cost savings. It would be necessary to modify present label printing machines to run several webs side-by-side, as opposed to the present practice of simultaneously printing plural labels on a web which is multiple labels wide and then slitting the wide web into single label-wide webs, but this may be justified by the cost savings.
• the inventions provide low-cost labelling systems which can be easily modified to meet various product requirements, and methods of applying the label in-line with the container manufacture.
• the systems will operate at speeds in excess of 400 containers per minute, and can handle containers of varying size and shape with simple modular changeover. They are also advantageous in that they are designed for use between the container inspection stations and final pack.
• the web markings allow for accurate registry of the labels during printing and application, and the re-use of the web may result in significant cost savings. Also, the printing of the labels on a continuous web wound on reels facilitates transportation and machine loading, and the ability to connect the webs end- to-end will permit continuous labelling without interruption.
• the labelling system of this invention can be operated on demand, with nominal heat up time of the U-V or E-B cure system.
• the end product is also improved.
• the label is of high visual quality and is also durable, and the coated container has a high degree of impact resistance. This is especially true if microbubbles, microspheres, etc., are used to such- an extent as to form an energy-absorbing network for dissipating impacts, but it is also to be noted that a high degree of impact resistance is obtained even when the outer layer is clear and the underlying label highly visible.
• the label with overcoat will be able to withstand the water wash and pasteurization processes associated with non-returnable containers, and with chemical modifications to the overcoat, returnable containers will be able to survive the alkali wash required prior to refilling. Nor will the label or overcoat be adversely affected by water, alcohol or organic materials used in the filling operations.
• the labels on adjacent containers will not abrade each other during the filling and packaging operations associated with transport, store display and consumer purchasing, and the labels will also be chemically and physically stable.
• the coating materials can be cured in-line by U-V, E-B in a few seconds in a very energy efficient manner.
• the present invention provides a method of overcoating a labelled glass container to provide increased impact and abrasion resistance, while maintaining high gloss and visual enhancement of the label and coated portion.
• the invention also provides a method of overcoating a labelled glass container to provide for surface improvement both structurally and in appearance by filling surface flaws or microfissures with the overcoat material so as to make the flaws invisible. Such flaws may be from the glass mold itself.
• the present invention provides a method of reverse printing a film, paper or other printing web of multiple inking, eliminating a costly label process at the container filling plant and at the same time giving the glass container industry a value added product.
• a coupling agent to promote adhesion of the overcoat material to the container surface may be necessary to meet certain container processing and use requirements, specifically, but not limited to the typical beer industry pasteurization process.
• a suitable coupling agent is "A-1120" available from Union-Carbide Corporation.
• the application of the coating may be accomplished by belt or roller coating described elsewhere, or by spraying the material.
• the materials are sprayed it is necessary to prevent any material from contacting the finish of the container.
• This is the area including the opening, top seal surface, thread or closure cover area and protuberance immediately below.
• This can be accomplished, for example, by using a container gripper device designed to completely cover the area described above, e.g., designed with a split housing which when closed will dovetail to form a barrier to the spray material.
• the gripper devices may be attached to a conveyor network whose design allows for variable spacing of the glass containers to optimize the coating, drying, and
• the design may also provide for rotating the gripper and container at the spraying and U-V curing positions to insure uniform coating and processing.
• the heat release material 12 in Fig. 1 may be dispensed with and instead the ink printed directly on the acrylic layer 12, as is the case with the illustrations of Figs. 5A- 5C.
• the adhesion between the container and ink will be greater than that between the ink and acrylic layer 12, and the substrate and acrylic layer can simply be peeled off.
• the heat release layer 14 of Fig. 1 is to be used, or added to the labels of Figs. 5A-5C, it should be a material which either will not transfer to the container with the ink, or will be compatible with any subsequent overcoat if it does transfer, e.g., an acrylic material. It should also be a material which can be printed.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
• Labeling Devices (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Surface Treatment Of Glass (AREA)
• Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
• Adhesives Or Adhesive Processes (AREA)

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• 1989
  • 1989-11-07 DE DE68929534T patent/DE68929534T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1989-11-07 AT AT89912549T patent/ATE157059T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1989-11-07 EP EP89912549A patent/EP0441858B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1989-11-07 AT AT99201674T patent/ATE293825T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1989-11-07 DE DE68929237T patent/DE68929237T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1989-11-07 JP JP2500340A patent/JPH04501694A/ja active Pending
  • 1989-11-07 DE DE68928268T patent/DE68928268T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1989-11-07 AT AT96200911T patent/ATE195193T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1989-11-07 AT AT89912908T patent/ATE168344T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1989-11-07 EP EP99201674A patent/EP0945842B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1989-11-07 WO PCT/US1989/004886 patent/WO1990005667A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1989-11-07 WO PCT/US1989/004888 patent/WO1990005353A1/en unknown
  • 1989-11-07 EP EP96200911A patent/EP0737954B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1989-11-07 WO PCT/US1989/004887 patent/WO1990005031A1/en unknown
  • 1989-11-07 EP EP89912908A patent/EP0441879B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1989-11-07 WO PCT/US1989/004885 patent/WO1990005088A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1989-11-07 JP JP1511817A patent/JPH04503260A/ja active Pending
  • 1989-11-07 DE DE68928740T patent/DE68928740T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

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