EP2186734B1 - Shrinkable label as well as method and apparatus for labelling containers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a label and a method for labeling containers and a device for labeling containers. Methods and devices for labeling containers have long been known from the prior art. It is possible to attach the labels in different ways to the containers. Thus, it is known to provide labels of a paper-like material with an adhesive layer and then to attach to the container. It is also known in the meantime to use self-adhesive labels, which are deducted from a carrier strip and then adhered to the container. Finally, it is also known in the art to make labels from a shrinkable material and to shrink these labels in a shrinkage process on the containers. More specifically, it is known that a process for shrinkable label material in the form of wrap-around labeling or tube labeling is used, wherein the labels are shrunk after labeling by means of hot air or water vapor.

The labels known in the prior art usually have rectilinear side edges.

On the other hand, containers have become known recently, which have curved or straight forms on its outer circumference.

From the DE 94 11 443 U1 a labeling machine is known. This labeling machine is suitable for pressure-sensitive and self-adhesive labels, in which case containers can be guided continuously past a stationary dispensing edge.

The DE 102 04 313 A1 describes a method and apparatus for cutting label sleeves from a flat label tube tape. In this case, a flat label sleeve is detected at the latest immediately after cutting off the label tube tape on one side, continuously transported away uniformly by a cutter and while also detected on the opposite side and temporarily non-uniformly transported relative to the other side in the same direction and subsequently by a lateral distance extension open on the two flat sides.

The DE 20 2005 002 793 U1 describes an all-around labeling device. In this case, a cutting device in the form of a rotating roller and a rotating separating element is formed, wherein the rotating separating element has on its circumference at least one cutting tool and in particular a cutting blade.

The US 6,467,620 B1 describes a container on which a label is arranged in a curved region of the container.

From the EP 1 634 817 A2 For example, an article with a labeled jacket surface and a device for labeling an article are known.

In this case, usually two labeling units are necessary from the prior art, which serve for the application of a front and a back label. This means that In many applications, a larger and thus more expensive machine type is required to achieve labeling. Furthermore, because of the application of partial labels only a limited graphic design is possible. When using an all-round labeling usually a hot gluing or UV gluing is required, which is not always desired. In a Schlauchetikettierung is sometimes expected to greatly increase the cost of a corresponding device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for labeling containers, which also allow the attachment of large-scale labels on containers. In addition, a possibility should also be created to prevent wrinkles and distortions even if the surfaces of the containers are not quite exact. It is also conceivable to retrofit a device according to the invention to existing machines. This can also be adapted and shrunk labels of a bottle contour with a corresponding labeling.

This is inventively achieved by a method for labeling containers according to claim 1 and a device for labeling containers according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A label according to the invention, in particular for containers, has four side edges, wherein two first side edges of the four side edges can be joined to one another and the two second side edges each extend between the first side edges. According to the invention, the label is made of a shrinkable material, and preferably at least one of the two second side edges extends along a predetermined extension line, this extension line deviating from a shortest geometric connecting line between the two first side edges.

The two side edges that can be joined to one another are, in particular, those side edges which, in the affixed state, run essentially in the longitudinal direction of the container to be labeled. These two side edges can be applied directly to each other in the circumferential direction of the container on the one hand, but it would also be possible to arrange an end portion of the label above or below the other end portion of the label and in this way to add the two side edges together, or the relevant End sections of the label.

According to the invention, therefore, the label is not formed as a shell, which is arranged around the container and then shrunk, but in the manner of a label, which is first applied to a circumference of the container. Thus, in a non-applied to the container condition of the label, the two side edges are separated from each other, while classic shrink labels have no corresponding first side edges, but run continuously in the circumferential direction of the container.

Conventionally known labels typically have a rectangular cross-section, which means that the two further side edges simultaneously also represent the shortest geometric connecting line between the respective first side edges. In the label according to the invention, however, preferably at least one of these two side edges is not arranged on the shortest geometric connecting line between the two first side edges, but differs therefrom. For example, it would be possible for one of the two side edges to have at least one curved section. This curved section can be adapted to a special form of bottles, so that these containers can be consistently provided with a corresponding label.

In the embodiment according to the invention, the label has an adhesive coating in at least one section. This means that here the label is not only shrunk on the container, but also at least partially adhered to the container.

While in the prior art labels are either shrunk onto the container or adhered to the container, in this preferred variant it is thus proposed to use a combined process, that is, both to shrink and at least partially glue the label. Furthermore, a label can be provided, which on the one hand is shrinkable and, on the other hand, has an adhesive coating at least in one section. Thus, the embodiment of the invention is a shrinkable self-adhesive label. In this case, according to the invention, this adhesive coating is arranged on the label from the outset, but it would also be possible to apply an adhesive to the label by a corresponding method.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the label in a longitudinal direction of the container in an initial region and / or an end region, i. Areas, which include each of the first side edges, an adhesive coating on. With this coating at the beginning or end, the label can first be fixed to the container, then wrapped around the container and finally connected in a shrinking process with the container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the label is made of a material and in particular a thermoplastic material selected from a group of materials comprising PP (polypropylene, OPP (oriented polypropylene), OPS (oriented polystyrene), PET, PE, PVC, Combinations thereof and the like etc. These materials are particularly suitable for shrinkage processes under thermal influence.

The present invention is further directed to a container having a label of the kind set forth above. In this case, this container has a contact surface for the label, wherein this contact surface is preferably formed curved in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container circumferential direction.

Preferably, a distance between the two first side edges is greater than an outer circumference of the container in the region in which the label is arranged on the container. This means that, at least before the shrinking process or before the label is fixedly arranged on the container, the length of the label is greater than the outer circumference of the container. This means that there is an overlapping area in which an initial portion and an end portion of the label are adhered to each other.

The present invention is further directed to a method of removing labels from a container, which label has at least four side edges and is attached to the container by a shrinking operation.

According to the invention, the label has at least one adhesive portion and is attached to the container with this adhesive portion.

Again, this adhesive portion serves to at least temporarily fix the label to the container.

In a further preferred method, the label is produced prior to attachment to the container by a punching operation. In the usual in the art shrink labels they are first cut, then pulled over the container and finally shrunk on this. In this cutting process, however, straight courses of the margins result, which in the present case is preferably not wanted. By a punching process, however, can also label forms with other configurations, such as curved lines and the like produce.

Thus, a method is proposed in which both a bonding process, as well as a shrinking process is used to attach the label to a container.

In a further preferred method, the label is formed such that two first side edges extend substantially in a longitudinal direction of the container and at least one of the two second side edges extends along a predetermined extension line, this extension line extending from a shortest geometric connecting line between the first two Page margins deviates. This means that even in this preferred method, at least one side edge assumes a curved, kinked, or generally deviating course from a straight line.

Preferably, two end portions of the label are glued together, and arranged in this way the label on the container.

In a further advantageous method, the label is first glued in sections on the container and then subjected to a shrinking process. As part of this shrinking process, the label is placed on the designated area of the container. Preferably, the label does not have an adhesive coating in at least one area, but is merely arranged on the container in these areas by means of a shrinking process.

In a further preferred method, the container is rotated relative to the label about its longitudinal axis. By this turning operation, on the one hand, the label can be arranged on the container. On the other hand, it would also be possible to align the label exactly opposite the container by a corresponding turning operation.

The present invention is further directed to an apparatus for applying self-adhesive labels having a release means which separates the labels from a carrier and a delivery unit which feeds the labels to the containers, the labels being applied to the container with an adhesive portion become.

According to the invention, the device has a shrinking device which fixes the labels to the container by means of a shrinking process. This shrinking device is preferably arranged downstream of the release device in a transport direction of the containers.

It is also possible here again that the label only partially has a self-adhesive coating and is otherwise not self-adhesive.

Thus, a device according to the invention can be used in particular for wrap-around labels or also for wrap-around labels with a gap. In the prior art, such wrap-around labels or wrap-around labels have seldom been used in the field of self-labeling since the problem of wrinkling always occurred. In particular, the use of labels with a non-adhesive central area can cause distortions and distortions in the Central area of the label can be prevented because the label does not necessarily adapt to the contour of the container. Furthermore, materials are used which are shrinkable, which applies in particular to the label material and the gluing. Furthermore, it would also be conceivable to carry out the gluing by UV radiation or by the temperature, for example a temperature of more than 60 ° C.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has a rotating device which rotates the containers about their longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the containers are preferably conveyed on a transport device such as in particular a transport carousel. The labels are thereby supplied to the containers with one or more dispensing units.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1a - 1c

Drei Darstellungen von erfindungsgemäßen Etiketten;

Fig. 2a - 2b

ein Behältnis, auf dem die Etiketten gemäß Fig. 1a - 1c anbringbar sind; und

Fig. 3

eine Vorrichtung zum Anbringen selbstklebender Etiketten an Behältnisse.

Show:

Fig. 1a - 1c

Three representations of labels according to the invention;

Fig. 2a - 2b

a container on which the labels according to Fig. 1a - 1c are attachable; and

Fig. 3

a device for applying self-adhesive labels to containers.

Fig. 1a - 1c show a schematic representations of a label according to the invention 1. This label has two first side edges 1a, 1c and two second side edges 1b, 1d. The reference character L refers to a longitudinal side or longitudinal direction of the label, in which case the label extends in a state applied to the container in this longitudinal direction L perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container, that is, in the direction L is wound around the container ,

It can be seen that the label 1 has two second side edges 1b, 1d, wherein one of the two side edges, in this case the lower side edge 1d, does not run along the dashed geometric connecting line G between the two first side edges 1a, 1c, but instead the one in FIG Fig. 1 shown course E assumes. Hereby, the edge 1d has a curved or wavy region.

This wavy area serves to attach the label to a container.

The reference numeral 4 refers to an initial region, the reference numeral 5 to an end portion of the label 1, which may be provided with an adhesive or self-adhesive layer, respectively. In these coatings, the label can be placed on the container.

The reference numeral 8 denotes a region which is provided with an adhesive layer in order to bring about an even more stable hold of the label on the container. In addition, the entire label 1 is shrinkable, that is, it can be contracted when heated.

At the in Fig. 1 shown areas 8 - as mentioned above - applied an adhesive layer. It will be here preferably a layer or a glue used, which is itself temperature resistant, since the label - as mentioned above - still needs to be shrunk to the container.

The in the Fig. 1a - 1c shown embodiments of the label 1 differ in particular with respect to the respective areas 8, in which an adhesive layer is arranged. At the in Fig. 1a shown embodiment, a plurality of adhesive dots 8 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the label one behind the other. These areas are preferably 8 in the in Fig. 1a shown embodiment equidistant. At the in Fig. 1b In the embodiment shown, an adhesive strip is provided which extends continuously along the longitudinal direction L of the label from the initial region 4 to the end region 5.

At the in Fig. 1c In the embodiment shown, two areas 8 are provided, which are provided here in the beginning or end sections of the label, so that the label can be glued to the container with the initial section and with this end section and then shrunk onto it. Here, the two areas extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the label. 1

Fig. 2a and 2b show two representations of a container to which the label 1 can be applied. At the in Fig. 2b shown representation is the container shown there by 90 ° relative to the in Fig. 2a twisted representation shown. This container 10 in this case has a base body 18 corrugated here and an upper part 14 to which the label is to be attached. This top 14 is difficult to label in several ways.

On the one hand, this upper part 14 has a lower edge 16 which has a curved course. In addition, the upper part 14 is curved itself in a region 14 a, which makes the application of the label very difficult. However, it is possible that in the Fig. 1a - 1c shown label on this container 10 apply. It serves the in Fig. 1 shown area 8 of the label also to attach the label 1 at least temporarily along a predetermined contour line on the container 10.

Subsequently, the label is shrunk by the shrinking operation on the container 10. In this case, the container 10 is rotated relative to the label so that the curved course of the side edge 1d comes to lie exactly on the course 16 of the upper part 14. It would thus be possible to precisely align the container or a rotational position of the container with respect to the label 1 with electronic sensor devices. Such sensors can determine, for example, which region of the edge 16 is arranged in an initial region of the label 1. The person skilled in the art recognizes that other areas of the container 10, such as, for example, jagged areas, can also be labeled in this way.

Fig. 3 shows a rough schematic representation of a device according to the invention for labeling of containers 10. In this case, the reference numeral 22 refers to a transport device which transports the containers 10 along the arrows P1. This may be, for example, a conveyor belt, or a plurality of gripping clamps, which carry the containers 10. The reference numeral 24 refers to a first feeder, such as a star wheel, which holds the containers 10 with a certain division the transport wheel 30 supplies. At this transport wheel 30, the labels are moved here in a clockwise direction. The labeling is therefore designed here as a rotary.

The reference numeral 26 refers to an alignment unit, which the in Fig. 2 aligns shown containers on a certain positioning. In this case, for example, a camera may be provided which takes pictures of the containers, so that they can be subsequently aligned. For this purpose, rotatable carriers can be arranged on the transport wheel, for example, on which in turn the containers 10 are located, so that the containers 10 can be rotated.

The reference numeral 28 refers in its entirety to a dispensing unit, which supplies the containers 10 labels 1. In this case, this dispensing unit 28 may have a (not shown) dispensing edge, which causes a kinking of label strips and thus a detachment of self-adhesive labels from its carrier.

The reference numeral 32 refers to a pressing unit, by means of which the labels are pressed against the containers 10 in a first step. This may, for example, be known from the prior art brushing or Anrolleinheiten.

About another transport wheel 34, the containers are returned to the transport device 22 and transported again.

Reference numeral 36 refers to a first shrinking unit which serves to pre-shrink the labels. This may be, for example, a passage oven, through which the containers 10 are conveyed through.

A further shrinking unit 38, in particular a steam tunnel 38, adjoins this preshrunk unit in the transport direction P1. In this steam tunnel 38, the already equipped with labels 1 containers 10 are exposed to hot steam and thus the labels 1 completely shrunk to the containers 10.

All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, provided they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

Claims (10)

1. A method of applying a label (1) of a shrinkable material to a container (10), wherein the label (1) has at least four side edges (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) and is applied to the container (10) by a shrinking procedure, and the label (1) has at least one adhesive portion (8) and is applied to the container (10) with this adhesive portion (8), characterized in that the label (1) is a self-adhesive label (1) which is pulled off from a carrier strip.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that two first side edges (1a, 1c) of the four side edges (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) are capable of being joined to each other, and the two second side edges extend in each case between the first side edges (1a, 1c), and at least one of the two second side edges (1b, 1d) extends along a pre-set extension line (E), wherein this extension line deviates from a shortest geometrical connecting line (G) between the two first side edges (1a, 1c).
3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the extension line has a curved or corrugated region.
4. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the label (1) is produced by a stamping procedure before application to the container (10).
5. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 or 3, characterized in that the label (1) is formed in such a way that two first side edges (1a, 1c) extend substantially in a longitudinal direction of the container (10) and at least one of the two second side edges (1b, 1d) extends along a pre-set extension line (E), wherein this extension line deviates from a shortest geometrical connecting line (G) between the two first side edges (1a, 1c).
6. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that two end portions (4, 5) of the label are glued to each other.
7. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the label is first glued locally to the container (10) and is then subjected to a shrinking procedure.
8. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the container (10) is rotated about its longitudinal axis with respect to the label (1).
9. An apparatus (20) for applying shrinkable, self-adhesive labels (1) with at least four side edges (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d), with a release device which separates the labels (1) from a carrier strip, and with a supply unit (28) which supplies the labels to the containers (10), wherein the labels (1) are applied to the container (10) with an adhesive portion (8), wherein the apparatus (20) has a shrinking device (36, 38) which fastens the labels (1) to the container (10) by a shrinking procedure.
10. An apparatus (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that the apparatus has a rotating device which rotates the containers (10) about their longitudinal axis.

Images