WO2000023330A1 - Method and apparatus for applying heat transfer labels onto objects - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for applying heat transfer labels onto objects Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2000023330A1 WO2000023330A1 PCT/US1999/024350 US9924350W WO0023330A1 WO 2000023330 A1 WO2000023330 A1 WO 2000023330A1 US 9924350 W US9924350 W US 9924350W WO 0023330 A1 WO0023330 A1 WO 0023330A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- contact heater
- labeled object
- label
- post
- labeled
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for decorating articles and more particularly to an improved method and apparatus for applying heat-transfer labels onto objects.
- Heat-transfer labels are well known in the art and are commonly applied onto objects, such as bottles, containers or other similar articles, to identify the particular product contained within the object.
- One type of heat-transfer label which is well known and widely used in the art comprises a label-carrying continuous web, such as a paper sheet, a wax release layer affixed onto a surface of the web and a transfer portion, or label, which is disposed on the wax release layer.
- the transfer portion comprises a protective layer affixed onto the wax release layer, an ink design layer affixed onto the protective layer and an adhesive layer affixed onto the ink design layer.
- Heat-transfer label decorators are well known and are commonly used in the art to apply the transfer portion of heat-transfer labels onto objects.
- Heat-transfer label decorators also commonly referred to as decorator systems or decorators, typically comprise a turret for sequentially positioning the object at various application stations, a label transfer system for transferring a label from the continuous carrier web onto the desired article at a transfer station, a web transport assembly for sequentially positioning the labels on the carrier web at the transfer station and conveyors for feeding articles into to the turret before labeling and for removing articles from the turret after labeling.
- Heat-transfer label decorators also typically comprise a heater for post-treating the labeled object, the heater being typically positioned along the conveyor at a position located away from the turret and the label transfer system.
- U.S. Patent No. 5,565,055 there is disclosed a method and system for decorating a round, oval or irregularly-shaped, open-ended article with a heat-transfer, wrap- around label supported on a carrier web.
- the system comprises a turret for positioning the open-ended article at a transfer location.
- the turret comprises a continuously rotating mandrel and a motor, the motor being coupled to the mandrel for continuously driving the rotation of the mandrel.
- the rotating mandrel is appropriately sized and shaped to be inserted into the open-ended article through the open end thereof and to follow the circumferential contour of the interior surface of the open-ended article when the open-ended article engages and rolls about the rotating mandrel.
- the system also includes a feed mechanism for positioning the label on the carrier web at the transfer location, the surface speed of the web matching that of the rotating mandrel.
- the system further includes means for transferring a label from the carrier web to the exterior of the open-ended article, the label, during transfer, pressing the interior surface of the open-ended article into engagement with the rotating mandrel in such a way as to cause the open-ended article to engage and roll about the rotating mandrel.
- the system further includes conveyor means for feeding the open-ended article to the turret before labeling and for removing the open-ended article from the turret after labeling.
- heat transfer label decorators typically perform three principal application steps in order to properly apply the transfer portion, or label, of a heat transfer label onto an object, such as a bottle or container.
- the object to be decorated and the heat-transfer label are preheated, this first step often being referred to as the preconditioning step in the art.
- Preconditioning is often accomplished using a pre-heater, a flame or a corona discharge which is located along the conveyor at a location spaced adequately away from the turret.
- Pre-heating a heat-transfer label causes the wax layer to begin to wear away, thereby creating a weakened adhesion between the transfer portion of the heat-transfer label and the paper sheet.
- the object is often properly orientated by an indexing mechanism prior to the second step.
- the heat transfer label is subjected to heat and the adhesive portion of the label is pressed into contact with the object.
- the wax layer continues to melt, thereby allowing the transfer portion of the heat transfer label to transfer from the paper sheet and onto the object, this second step often being referred to as the heat-transfer application step in the art.
- the wax layer does not melt during the heat- transfer application step. Rather, a portion of the wax layer remains on the side of the transfer portion of the heat transfer label which is exposed to the environment.
- the wax layer serves two principal purposes. First, the wax layer enables the label to transfer from the paper sheet to the object. Second, a portion of the wax layer forms a clear protective layer over the label.
- each object which has the transfer portion of a heat transfer label applied thereto is subjected to heat by a heater at a location along the conveyor spaced adequately away from the turret, this third step often being referred to as the post-treatment step in the art.
- the post-treatment step is accomplished by subjecting the labeled object to jets of high temperature gas either as direct gas flame or as hot air jets to produce wax surface temperatures of about 300 °F to 400 °F for a period of time sufficient to remelt the wax coating without substantially heating the article to which the label has been transferred.
- Post-treating a labeled object serves a plurality of functions.
- post- treating a labeled object serves to cure the transfer portion of the heat-transfer label onto the object to ensure proper adhesion.
- post-treating a labeled object also serves to eliminate air entrapment between the label and the object, thereby smoothing out the label and improving the overall aesthetics of the labeled object.
- post-treating a labeled object serves to remelt the wax coating on the label. Upon cooling of the remelted wax coating through use of ambient or force-cooled air, the cooled wax layer solidifies to form a clear, smooth and glossy protective coating over the label.
- the wax layer coating a labeled object creates a dulling in the label, which significantly compromises the aesthetics of the label, which is highly undesirable.
- the post-treatment step is often accomplished by subjecting the labeled object to a direct gas flame, this process often being referred to as flaming in the art.
- flaming thin walled, heat sensitive objects tends to distort or melt the object due to the heat sensitivity of the materials being decorated.
- an apparatus for applying a label onto an object comprising a label transfer system for applying the label onto the object at a transfer station to yield a labeled object, a contact heater for post- treating the labeled object at a post-treatment station, said contact heater being disposed to selectively contact the labeled object, and a turret for sequentially advancing the labeled object from the transfer station to the post-treatment station.
- the present invention is also directed to a method for post-treating a labeled object, comprising the steps of supporting the labeled object, and selectively contacting the labeled object with a contact heater.
- Fig. 1 is a schematic top view of an apparatus for decorating an object constructed according to the teachings of the present invention
- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the contact heater shown in Fig.1 ;
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the contact heater shown in Fig. 1 ;
- Fig. 4 is top plan view of another embodiment of the contact heater shown in Fig. 1 ;
- Fig. 5 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the contact heater shown in Fig. 1 ;
- Fig. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the contact heater shown in Fig. 1.
- apparatus 11 can be used to apply a label supported on a continuous carrier web onto an object O, such as a rounded container, so as to yield a labeled object O L .
- object O such as a rounded container
- the label is supported on carrier web to form a heat-transfer label, heat-transfer labels being well known and commonly used in the art.
- Apparatus 11 comprises a turret 13 for sequentially advancing object O before decoration and for sequentially advancing labeled object O L after decoration, an indexing mechanism 15 for properly orientating object O at an indexing station 17, a label transfer system 19 for applying a label from the carrier web onto object O at a transfer station 21 so as to yield a labeled object O L , a contact heater 23 for post- treating labeled object O L at a post-treatment station 25, an infeed conveyor 27 for delivering objects O into turret 13 at an entry station 29 and an outfeed conveyor 31 for removing labeled objects O L away from turret 13 at an exit station 33.
- Turret 13 comprises a fixed plate 35 having a top surface 37 onto which object
- a starwheel 39 is fixedly mounted on a central shaft 41 which, in turn, is rotatably mounted on fixed plate 35.
- Central shaft 41 is rotatably driven by a motor (not shown) so as to rotate starwheel 39 relative fixed plate 35.
- starwheel 39 rotatably advances object O in a counterclockwise direction, as represented by arrow A in Fig. 1 , from entry station 29, to indexing station 17 and to transfer station 21 and then advances labeled object O L from transfer station 21 to post-treatment station 25 and to exit station 33.
- Fixed plate 35 includes an opening 43-1 at indexing station 17, an opening 43- 2 at transfer station 21 and an opening 43-3 at post-treatment station 25.
- Turret 13 also comprises a cup assembly 44-1 disposed within opening 43-1 , a cup assembly 44-2 disposed within opening 43-2 and a cup assembly 44-3 disposed within opening 43-3.
- Cup assemblies 44 are capable of rotatable and vertical displacement and are disposed so that the top surface of each cup assembly 44 is coplanar with top surface 37 of fixed plate 35 in the absence of a downward force on cup assembly 44. In use, cup assemblies 44 serve to hold the object to be decorated in place during the associated application steps.
- the particular construction of cup assemblies 44 is not critical to novelty of the present invention and accordingly could be replaced by alternative holding means without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
- Turret 13 further comprises a nozzle 45-1 disposed above opening 43-1 , a nozzle 45-2 disposed above opening 43-2 and a nozzle 45-3 disposed above opening 43-3.
- Nozzles 45 are disposed to project down into the object to be decorated which, in turn, displaces cup assemblies 44 below top surface 37 of fixed plate 35. In this manner, nozzles 45 serve to hold the object to be decorated securely in place in cup assemblies 44 and to provide air into the interior of the object to provide internal support for the object.
- apparatus 11 is not limited to the use of nozzles 45. Rather, nozzles 45 could be replaced with alternative support means, such as mandrels, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
- Label transfer system 19 is located at transfer station 21 and serves to apply a single label disposed on the carrier web onto object O so as to yield a labeled object O L .
- Label transfer system 19 comprises a heatable platen 47 and a rubber label transfer roller 49 which is translationally-movable towards and away from the object to be decorated. It is to be understood that the particular construction of label transfer system 19 does not serve as a principal feature of the present invention and accordingly, may be represented by any label transfer system which is well known in the art.
- Apparatus 11 further comprises a web transport system 50 for delivering the web of labels into position between label transfer system 19 and object O.
- web transport system 50 may be a label carrier web transport system with electro-optical label detection of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,452,659 to Geurtsen et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.
- Indexing mechanism 15 is positioned at indexing station 17 and serves to properly orientate object O before object O is advanced to transfer station 21 for decoration.
- indexing mechanism 15 does not serve as a principal feature of the present invention and accordingly, indexing mechanism 15 represents by any indexing mechanism which is well known in the art. It should also be noted that the proper orientation of object O before advanced to transfer station 21 for decoration is not required in certain applications. As a result, indexing mechanism 15 and indexing station 17 could be eliminated from apparatus 11 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
- Infeed conveyor 27 and outfeed conveyor 31 may be in the form of standard conveyor belts. However, it is to be understood that conveyors 27 and 31 could be in the form of alternative transport means without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
- contact heater 23 represents any heating mechanism which is disposed to selectively contact labeled object O L for post-treatment purposes.
- contact heater 23 is movable in and out of contact with labeled object O L , as represented by arrow B in Fig. 1.
- FIG. 2 there is shown a first embodiment of a contact heater 23-1 for post- treating labeled object O L .
- Contact heater 23-1 comprises a rotatably driven, conductive roller 51 and a heating element 53 disposed within roller 51.
- heating element 53 heats roller 51 to a temperature sufficient to post-treat labeled object O L without melting, distorting or otherwise damaging labeled object O L , which is an object of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 there is shown a second embodrment of a contact heater 23-2 for post-treating labeled object O L .
- Contact heater 23-2 comprises a rotatably driven, conductive roller 55 which is disposed between a pair of thermal radiators 57, each thermal radiator 57 having a heating element 59 disposed therewithin.
- heating elements 59 heat thermal radiators 57 which, in turn, heat conductive roller 55 to a temperature sufficient to post-treat labeled object O L without melting, distorting or otherwise damaging labeled object O L .
- FIG. 4 there is shown a third embodiment of a contact heater 23-3 for post- treating labeled object O L .
- Contact heater 23-3 comprises a internally heated platen 61 and a steel transfer roller 63 disposed in close proximity to platen 61.
- platen 61 is heated which, in turn, heats steel transfer roller 63 to a temperature sufficient to post-treat labeled object O L without melting, distorting or otherwise damaging labeled object O L .
- FIG. 5 there is shown a fourth embodiment of a contact heater 23-4 for post- treating labeled object O L .
- Contact heater 23-4 comprises a internally heated platen 65and a plurality of steel transfer rollers 67 disposed in close proximity to platen 65.
- platen 65 is heated which, in turn, heats steel transfer rollers 67 to a temperature sufficient to post-treat labeled object O L without melting, distorting or otherwise damaging labeled object O L .
- rollers 51 , 55, 63 and 67 may be embossed to create a texture on labeled object O L .
- rollers 51 , 55, 63 and 67 may be contoured to conform to the surface of labeled object O L .
- rollers 51 , 55, 63 and 67 may be coated with a non-stick material (i.e., TEFLON) to prevent possible label transfer or contamination from labeled object O L .
- TEFLON non-stick material
- FIG. 6 there is shown a fifth embodiment of a contact heater 23-5 for post- treating labeled object O L .
- Contact heater 23-5 comprises a internally heated pad 69 having an edge 71.
- pad 69 is heated and edge 71 is drawn against labeled object O L in a squeegee-type manner to effectively post-treat labeled object O L without melting, distorting or otherwise damaging labeled object O L .
- infeed conveyor 27 advances object O into entry station 29 and onto top surface 37 of fixed plate 35, as represented by arrow C in Fig. 1.
- Motor driven starwheel 39 rotatably advances object O onto indexing station 17 where indexing mechanism 15 properly orientates object O for decoration.
- Starwheel 39 then rotatably advances properly orientated object O onto rotating cup assembly 44-2 at transfer station 21.
- Nozzle 45-2 protrudes down into object O, pushes cup assembly 44-2 downward below fixed plate 37 and inflates object O with air, thereby providing object O with internal and external support.
- the web of heat-transfer labels are passed over internally heated platen 47 and transfer roller 49 moves translationally towards object O and transfers a label from the web into contact with object O, which is being rotated by cup assembly 44-2.
- nozzle 45-2 retracts and starwheel 39 rotatably advances labeled object O L onto rotating cup assembly 44-3 at post-treatment station 25.
- nozzle 45-3 protrudes down into object O, pushes cup assembly 44-3 downward below fixed plate 37 and inflates object O with air, thereby providing object O with internal and external support.
- Contact heater 23 then moves translationally towards and selectively contacts labeled object O L , the heat produced by contact heater 23 effectively post- treating labeled object O L .
- nozzle 45-3 retracts and starwheel 39 rotatable advances labeled object O L to exit station 33 where outfeed conveyor 31 moves labeled object O L away from turret 13, as represented by arrows D in Fig. 1.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP99955015A EP1198388A1 (en) | 1998-10-19 | 1999-10-19 | Method and apparatus for applying heat transfer labels onto objects |
AU11219/00A AU1121900A (en) | 1998-10-19 | 1999-10-19 | Method and apparatus for applying heat transfer labels onto objects |
CA002346936A CA2346936A1 (en) | 1998-10-19 | 1999-10-19 | Method and apparatus for applying heat transfer labels onto objects |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10471698P | 1998-10-19 | 1998-10-19 | |
US60/104,716 | 1998-10-19 | ||
US10758998P | 1998-11-09 | 1998-11-09 | |
US60/107,589 | 1998-11-09 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2000023330A1 true WO2000023330A1 (en) | 2000-04-27 |
WO2000023330A9 WO2000023330A9 (en) | 2001-06-21 |
Family
ID=26801857
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1999/024350 WO2000023330A1 (en) | 1998-10-19 | 1999-10-19 | Method and apparatus for applying heat transfer labels onto objects |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1198388A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU1121900A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2346936A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000023330A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1524193A1 (en) * | 2003-10-16 | 2005-04-20 | SII P & S Inc. | Thermal activation device |
WO2011093958A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 | 2011-08-04 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Method and systems for applying heat transfer labels |
WO2014074766A1 (en) | 2012-11-08 | 2014-05-15 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Systems, methods, and media for labeling three dimensional surfaces |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN112027264A (en) * | 2020-09-01 | 2020-12-04 | 温州医科大学附属第一医院 | Medical bottle labeling machine |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4143754A (en) * | 1977-07-07 | 1979-03-13 | Morgan Fairest Limited | Labelling machines with article guide plate |
US4452659A (en) | 1981-12-11 | 1984-06-05 | Dennison Manufacturing Company | Web transport system with electro-optical label detection |
US4832783A (en) * | 1985-07-01 | 1989-05-23 | Dennison Manufacturing Company | Apparatus for rotational decoration of articles |
US5108537A (en) * | 1990-11-06 | 1992-04-28 | Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. | Apparatus for applying wrap-around labels to containers |
US5362355A (en) * | 1991-12-23 | 1994-11-08 | Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc. | Apparatus for applying labels to containers |
US5565055A (en) * | 1995-05-08 | 1996-10-15 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Decoration of articles |
US5650037A (en) * | 1995-10-13 | 1997-07-22 | Krones, Inc. | Thermal ink transfer decorating apparatus |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4275856A (en) * | 1978-10-27 | 1981-06-30 | Diamond International Corporation | Heat transfer labeling machine |
US4511425A (en) * | 1983-06-13 | 1985-04-16 | Dennison Manufacturing Company | Heated pad decorator |
US5464495A (en) * | 1991-08-01 | 1995-11-07 | Krones Ag Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik | Method and apparatus for applying labels to containers and containers resulting therefrom |
AU677018B2 (en) * | 1992-08-31 | 1997-04-10 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Method and apparatus for decorating articles |
-
1999
- 1999-10-19 CA CA002346936A patent/CA2346936A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-10-19 WO PCT/US1999/024350 patent/WO2000023330A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-10-19 AU AU11219/00A patent/AU1121900A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-10-19 EP EP99955015A patent/EP1198388A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4143754A (en) * | 1977-07-07 | 1979-03-13 | Morgan Fairest Limited | Labelling machines with article guide plate |
US4452659A (en) | 1981-12-11 | 1984-06-05 | Dennison Manufacturing Company | Web transport system with electro-optical label detection |
US4832783A (en) * | 1985-07-01 | 1989-05-23 | Dennison Manufacturing Company | Apparatus for rotational decoration of articles |
US5108537A (en) * | 1990-11-06 | 1992-04-28 | Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. | Apparatus for applying wrap-around labels to containers |
US5362355A (en) * | 1991-12-23 | 1994-11-08 | Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc. | Apparatus for applying labels to containers |
US5565055A (en) * | 1995-05-08 | 1996-10-15 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Decoration of articles |
US5650037A (en) * | 1995-10-13 | 1997-07-22 | Krones, Inc. | Thermal ink transfer decorating apparatus |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of EP1198388A4 * |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1524193A1 (en) * | 2003-10-16 | 2005-04-20 | SII P & S Inc. | Thermal activation device |
US7176954B2 (en) | 2003-10-16 | 2007-02-13 | Seiko Instruments Inc. | Thermal activation device |
WO2011093958A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 | 2011-08-04 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Method and systems for applying heat transfer labels |
WO2014074766A1 (en) | 2012-11-08 | 2014-05-15 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Systems, methods, and media for labeling three dimensional surfaces |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1198388A4 (en) | 2002-04-24 |
EP1198388A1 (en) | 2002-04-24 |
AU1121900A (en) | 2000-05-08 |
WO2000023330A9 (en) | 2001-06-21 |
CA2346936A1 (en) | 2000-04-27 |
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