WO2016016763A1

WO2016016763A1 - Bottle labels with vitreous base

Info

Publication number: WO2016016763A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/055495
Authority: WO
Inventors: Onofrio Acone
Original assignee: Etike' Ip S.A.S. Di Alessandro Marciano & C.
Priority date: 2014-08-01
Filing date: 2015-07-20
Publication date: 2016-02-04

Abstract

The present invention concerns an innovative label (2) comprising: - A first layer (7) reproducing, at least for a part of its overall size, elements in high/low relief; - A second layer (8) that covers the first layer (7) at least in correspondence of the elements in high/low relief. In accordance with the invention, the first layer (7) is of a vitreous material that comprises: a) an efficient quantity of glass powder coming from the chipping of a glass, preferably of recycle, and b) an efficient quantity of atomized glass powder.

Description

TITLE BOTTLE LABELS WITH VITREOUS BASE

Technical field

The present invention refers to the technical field relative to the labelling of glass containers, preferably bottles, for beverages in general. In particular, the invention refers to a new type of label with vitreous base .

It is described here below also the relative method of realization of said label.

Background art

Patent under international publication number O2010/029402 has been known for a long time.

Such a publication discusses the realization of labels for bottles which result to be long-lasting and therefore resistant to humidity, thermal excursions and, naturally, wear due to the passage of time.

The innovation was represented by the realization of labels in ceramic material.

More in detail, the label was represented by a layer in ceramic material that bore characters in high/low relief in such a way as to give a three-dimensional effect. The characters reproduced, naturally, the writing that wanted to be borne on the label itself.

At least the part of label bearing such characters in high and low relief resulted to be then coated with a layer of enamel.

The productive process foresaw, therefore, the pouring in a mould, reproducing the characters in high/low relief, of a ceramic material in such a way that, in the fluid state, it fills the spaces of the mould conforming itself in the form of a label, of a pre-determined thickness, reproducing on one of its faces (the one opposite to the face of application to the bottle) the characters in high/low relief.

A certain firing was the next step so that an only partial drying took place, in such a way as to extract the label from the mould and re-curve it at will as per the conformation of the bottle to which it was destined.

Once the drying was completed, the next step was the pouring on the face bearing the characters in high/low relief of a material of enamel in such a way that it covered the characters.

Last, the firing was completed so that the enamel and the ceramics consolidated together, binding one to the other intimately.

The result is therefore that of a true and proper label, of a pre-determined thickness, applicable to a bottle that results not only of a precious and appealing aspect but also long-lasting. It substitutes, therefore, in a perfect manner the traditional labels of paper and with ink writing, with the advantage of resulting to be well-visible and resistant in time.

A technical inconvenience linked to this type of label consists, however, in the fact that, being of a ceramic material, it is not recyclable.

In that sense, in most cases, the entire bottle on which it is applied cannot be recycled, which implies a very strong environmental impact.

In fact, it is always more felt, if not even obligatory in many Italian and foreign cities, the need to sort the waste collection. Actually, specific collectors for the collection of glass have existed for some time.

Such a strong limit of non recycling of the bottle to which such a type of label is applied is therefore not acceptable nowadays.

Alternatively, it would be necessary to remove the label from the bottle, in order to render the bottle recyclable. Naturally, this procedure has to be made manually by the final user of the bottle or anyway by the person that disposes of it before throwing it away in the specific collection container. Naturally, this is a manual operation that is not comfortable and that anyway depends on the common sense and the ecological conscience of the single person.

The recycling of said bottles without the removal of the labels can naturally pollute an entire glass collection, with obvious harm of ecological and economic nature.

Disclosure of invention

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide a new type of label for glass containers, preferably bottles, which solves all said technical inconveniences.

In particular, it is the aim of the present invention to provide a new type of label that, apart from resulting to be long-lasting, washable, resistant to environmental attacks, re-usable and bearing well-visible characters of the three-dimensional type, results also to be ecologically compatible and therefore recyclable together with the bottle on which it is applied.

These and other aims are therefore reached with a label (2) for glass containers, preferably for bottles, particularly for wine or sparkling wine bottles, as per claim 1.

The label (2) in accordance with the invention comprising :

A first layer (7) reproducing, at least for a part of its overall size, elements in high/low relief;

A second layer (8) that covers the first layer (7) at least to cover the elements in high/low relief.

In accordance with the invention, the first layer (7) is realized in a vitreous material.

In this manner, all said technical inconveniences are solved easily.

In particular, the realization of a first layer of vitreous material allows at this point to recycle integrally the entire bottle with the label applied on it, without the need for removing it.

The vitreous material is, further, resistant to environmental and atmospheric attacks, and is long- lasting .

Advantageously, the vitreous material can comprise a) an efficient quantity of glass powder coming from the chipping of a glass, preferably of recycle, and b) an efficient quantity of atomized glass powder.

Advantageously, the quantity of said glass powder a) can be comprised between the 90% and the 10% by weight, with respect to the sum of a) + b) , and the quantity of said atomized glass powder b) can be comprised between the 10% and the 30% by weight, with respect to the sum of a) + b) .

Advantageously, the vitreous powder a) can have an average granulometry comprised between 0,04 mm and 0,3 mm and said atomized glass powder b) can have an average granulometry comprised between 0,08 mm and 0,0250 mm.

Advantageously, the second layer (8) can be an enamel and/or a colour.

Advantageously, the enamel and/or colour is resistant to temperatures over the 700°C.

It is also described here a method for the realization of a label comprising the operations of: - Arrangement of a quantity of vitreous material inside a receiving alveolus (102) of a mechanical press ( 105) ;

- Pressing of the vitreous material in such a way as to compact it and form a label reproducing the elements in high/low relief;

- Extraction of the label obtained and coating with enamel and/or colour to cover at least the characters in high/low relief reproduced on the label.

Such a method allows to obtain labels of a very reduced thickness, even in the order of the millimeter

(for example, about one millimeter).

Advantageously, the vitreous material poured in the alveolus is a) an efficient quantity of glass powder coming from the chipping of glass, preferably of recycle and b) an efficient quantity of atomized glass powder.

Advantageously, before the operation of coating with enamel/colour an operation of pre-firing of the label is foreseen.

Advantageously, after the phase of coating of the label with enamel/colour, a firing phase is foreseen.

Brief description of drawings

Further features and advantages of the present label, as per the invention, will result to be clearer with the description that follows of some embodiments, made to illustrate but not to limit, with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 represents in an axonometric view a bottle to which is applied, as a way of non-limiting example, a label as per the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a front view and a top view of a label as per the invention, in such a way as to highlight an eventual pre-determined thickness ( dx ) with which such a .

6 label can be realized and with the writings and/or designs and/or lines in high/low relief borne on it;

- Figure 3 shows a top and perspective view of the bottle to which such a label is applied in such a way as to highlight the fact that the label, realizable in accordance with the present invention, can naturally have a curvature so as to follow the curvature of the surface to which it is applied;

- Figure 4 and figure 5 show two sections that highlight the layers with which such a label is realized in accordance with the invention;

- Figure 6 and figure 7 highlight means for applying the label to the surface to which to fix it, for example by means of glue points 12 as per figure 6 or an adhesive or bi-adhesive tape 212 as per figure 7;

- Figures from 8 to 10 refer to the method of realization to realize the labels as per the present invention .

Description of one preferred embodiment

With reference to figure 1, a bottle is schematically represented, for example a bottle of wine, to which a label is applied as per the present invention.

The label, as clarified below in the present description, can be realized either with a certain radius of curvature (Ri) or in flat form. In this way, it can adapt itself to any conformation of surface to which it is applied .

The label can therefore be concave, convex or flat and anyway be conformed according to different shapes, curvatures and sizes, as per the specific needs and tastes .

As shown in figure 2, the label bears characters and/or writings and/or lines 6 in general in high/low relief . In particular, the section of figure 4 cuts out a stretch of section of the bottle 9 to which the label is applied, highlighting a section of the label applied to the bottle.

In particular, the section of figure 4 shows a layer

7 which, in correspondence of the opposite face to the one of connection with the surface of the bottle, is conformed in such a way as to form raised parts 10 and depressions that represent the characters 6 in high/low relief that want to be obtained in the label. Such raised parts and depressions, therefore, reproduce the shape/design/writing/logo, etc. that wants to be borne on the label.

It is clear that any writing, letter, shape and design can be borne in high/low relief on the layer 7, without any limitation.

In accordance with the invention, the layer 7 is composed of a composition of substantially vitreous /siliceous -based materials.

Preferably, said composition comprises a dry mixture of vitreous/siliceous materials.

The vitreous materials of said mixture are of any origin and of any type. A material derived from recycle glass or from a glass of a particular type (borosilicate glass, borosilicate glass of alkali metal, soda lime glass and the like) can be adequately used, as vitreous materials can also be used in a completely amorphous or not completely amorphous state (sintered glass), coloured or non coloured, on condition that they present sufficient resistance to heat and/or chemical resistance.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vitreous mixture of said composition comprises: a) an efficient quantity of glass powder coming from the chipping of a recycle glass, and b) an efficient quantity of atomized glass powder.

The powder a) comes from the chipping of any recycle glass, for example, bottle glass, flagon glass, used glass containers, window glasses, industrial waste glasses. The average granulometry of this glass powder is comprised between 0,04 mm and 0,3 mm; preferably, between 0,045 mm and 0,2 mm.

The powder b) is a glass powder transformed (by means of methods commonly known and used in the field) in very small expanded spheres of average granulometry comprised between 0,08 mm and 0,0250 mm; preferably between 0,04 mm and 0,0125 mm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the vitreous mixture of said composition comprises from 90% to 70% by weight of the powder a) and from 10% to 30% by weight of the powder b) .

Preferably, said mixture comprises from 85% to 75% by weight of the powder a) and from 15% to 25% by weight of the powder b) ; still more preferably, said mixture comprises about 80% by weight of the powder a) and about 20% by weight of the powder b) .

The atomized glass powder b) is advantageously used because its microspheres render the final composition particularly slippery and fluid, facilitating a lot the dry pressing phase of the composition, which is described below .

Advantageously, to the composition above is further added a moderate quantity of one or more silica or polymer-based binding composts, preferably silica-based (for example, various silicates, preferably potassium silicate, sodium silicate, or sodium carbonate) .

Said one or more binding compounds, advantageously, help the particles of the composition above to bind one to the other and to compact themselves in a stable and homogeneous way during the subsequent pressing and firing elaboration phases, which will be described in detail below .

Said alloys are added in an average quantity comprised between 15% and 5% by weight, with respect to the overall weight of the mixture a) + b) ; preferably, between 12% and 8% by weight; more preferably, of about 10% by weight, with respect to the overall weight of the mixture a) + b) .

To the composition above there can be eventually added, if desired, other additives, for example colouring pigments, with the aim of adjusting the final vitreous paste to the various commercial needs.

Said additives are freely selected among those known and commonly used in the industry of the elaboration of glass, such as crystalline silica or natural oxides. The materials described above are mixed, preferably using a known mixer for dry powders, for example like those commercialized by the company Eirich, "R 05 T" mixturer model, with legal office in Walldiirner StraBe 50, 74736 Hardheim, Germany, or by the company CIMMA "TP mixture MIXTURER", mixturer model, with legal office in Via Quaglino 14/16, 27100 Pavia, Italy, or better still, by the company TECNOEDILSISTEM SPA " REALMIXTURE" model, with legal office in Via Pastenelle 3, localita Pizzolano, Fisciano (SA) , Italy. The mixing can take place according to commonly known modalities that are used in the field, in such a way as to obtain the final composition of the invention, ready to be used in the subsequent phases for the preparation of the labels.

Said final composition of the invention, ready for use, presents itself visibly under the form of a powder, colourless or variously coloured, with an overall humidity comprised between 5% and 15% by weight on average with respect to the overall weight of the composition, preferably, between 10% and 12% by weight.

Above said layer 7, in particular way at least to cover characters in high/low relief, a layer of enamel 11 or a colour, in any case an external coating, is distributed .

The enamel is a type of enamel that is well-known, is commonly used in the field and is applied with well- known apparatus and application methods used in the vitreous field, as explained in this description in detail below .

Figure 5 is a section similar to that of figure 4 in which just the characters 10' have been changed. For the rest it remains all the same, even the coating of enamel/colour.

The productive process is therefore described in detail with reference to figures from 8 to 10.

As schematically shown in figure 8, a mould (101, 105) is foreseen, composed of a mechanical press.

A fixed inferior punch 101 is foreseen which forms an alveolus or receiving seat 102. Such an alveolus traces the shape of the surface of the label which will result to be at sight. In that sense, the base of the alveolus is conformed according to such depressions 103 and raised parts 104 as to reproduce a label that foresees equivalent writings/designs/logos/lines in high/low relief.

The superior part 105 is the complementary punch, which is conformed to be inserted, at least in part, into the alveolus 102.

A feeding cart 110 is then foreseen, for example transversally or rotatably, in such a way as to be above the alveolus 102 to pour inside it the composition of the vitreous powder of the invention as previously prepared and described. Once a pre-determined quantity of the vitreous powder above has been poured inside the alveolus, as per figure 9, the next step is to lower (for example, by means of an actuator) the punch 105 so that by being inserted inside the alveolus it compacts the powder placed inside it, forming the corresponding body.

Just as a way of non limiting example, the pressing of the powder can take place, thanks to the reciprocal movement between punch and alveolus, under a mechanical pressure applied that varies from 200 and 240 bar, preferably from 210 and 230 bar, more preferably of about 220 bar for a variable overall period of time of about 3 seconds to about 1 second, preferably, of about 2 seconds.

Naturally, the corresponding body represents exactly the layer (7; 7') shown in figure 4 or in figure 5.

The mechanical press is a known press in the field; for example, it can be realized in steel. The same can also be realized in more than one part, mobile and compoundable among them.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention foresees that the punch 105 moves towards the alveolus, nothing would impede an opposed condition in which it is the inferior part 101 that moves towards the punch that remains still.

Alternatively, both could move to get closer one to the other.

At this point, once the powder has been compacted, preferably under a pressure that touches the 220 bar for a period of time of about 2 seconds, this forms a layer (7; 7') in vitreous powder which results to be solid and compact .

Specific extractors, for example in the form of vertically mobile pistons and placed in pre-fixed points inside the alveolus, can be controlled in exit to favour the extraction of the layer formed inside the alveolus.

It is clear that any form of label can be obtained, conforming specifically the alveolus and the punch. The punch in fact creates the back surface of the label, specifically the one which is applied, for example, to the bottle, while the base of the alveolus, as said, generates the surface at sight with the characters in high/low relief .

It would therefore be enough to conform the punch in convex form (therefore roundish) to create a label in which its base of application to the bottle is concave (that is bent in such a way as to follow the radius of curvature of the surface to which it is applied) .

Naturally, nothing would impede even to invert the forms of the punches in such a way that the punch 105 shows the characters in high/low relief, while the base of the alveolus forms the surface of the label that is applied to the bottle.

Preferably, in order to complete the process of solidification of the layer (7, 7') obtained, the next step is a phase of heating of the same in the oven, for example, at a temperature comprised between 100°C and 200°C, for a period of time comprised between 1 min and 5 min .

Once this phase has been completed, as per figure

10, the next step is the final phase in which at least the part of label showing the writings in high/low relief is coated with a layer of enamel and/or colour.

The enamel and/or the colour are not limited, but can be selected from the products of this type that are well-known and commonly used in the field of the enameling and/or of the colouring of glass manufacturings, with the only condition that they are resistant to the high temperatures necessary for the subsequent firing phase of the finished product. Preferably, said enamel and/or said colour are resistant to temperatures superior to 700°C; more preferably, to temperatures comprised between 750° and 950°, still more preferably, comprised between 800°C and 900°C.

As a way of non-limiting example, among the enamels that can be used we can cite the following: white slipware of COLORIFICI COLOROBBIA, Via del Lavoro 65, 50056 MONTELUPO FIORENTINO (Firenze), Italy - gloss white of COLORIFICI COLOROBBIA SPA Via del Lavoro 65, 50056 MONTELUPO FIORENTINO (Firenze), Italy.

As a way of non-limiting example, among the colours that can be used we can cite the following: CS31 CRYSTAL RED of COLORIFICI COLOROBBIA SPA, Via del Lavoro 65,- 50056 MONTELUPO FIORENTINO (Firenze), Italy.

Figure 10 shows a nozzle 120 through which the layer of enamel and/or colour can be sprayed on the label in such a way as to cover the entire face of the label that results to be at sight or at least the area that includes the characters in high/low relief.

Figure 10 shows a conveyor belt 121 on which supports 122 rest on which the labels realized are placed (for example, planes in refractory material). On said supports the labels 2 are placed (represented in figure in a non-limiting way according to a bent form) . The labels pass under the nozzle 120 that sprays them over with a coating material.

Other equivalent methods of distribution of the coating layer can be employed, without for this moving apart from the present inventive concept (for example, spreading) .

From here they are transported inside specific ovens, always placed on refractory supports, and fired at a temperature of about 850°C for about an hour. The sizes that can be oDtamed for such labels are naturally adaptable on the basis of the needs.

Nevertheless, preferred thicknesses (which include the layer in vitreous material and the overlying coating) are comprised within a range between 1 mm and 3 mm, with a preferred measure of 2 mm.

Such thicknesses result to be by far inferior with respect to the average thicknesses that can be obtained with the known labels in ceramics described in WO2010/029402 (about 5 mm-6 mm) . This is because the use of ceramics obliged to a production by pouring in mould, while now, in accordance with the use of the vitreous material, a production in mechanical press is possible, which precisely allows to obtain thicknesses that are much subtler and therefore more similar to classic labels of paper, though keeping the features and all the advantages of durability in time and recyclability mentioned above.

Claims

A label (2) comprising:

- A first layer (7) reproducing, at least for a part of its overall size, elements in high/low relief;

- A second layer (8) that covers the first layer (7) at least in correspondence of the elements in high/low relief;

- Characterized in that the first layer (7) is a vitreous material.

A label (2), as per claim 1, wherein the vitreous material comprises a) an efficient quantity of glass powder coming from the chipping of a glass, preferably of recycle, and b) an efficient quantity of atomized glass powder.

A label (2), as per claim 2, wherein the quantity of said glass powder a) is comprised between the 90% and the 10% by weight, with respect to the sum of a) + b) , and the quantity of said atomized glass powder b) is comprised between the 10% and the 30% by weight, with respect to the sum of a) + b) .

A label (2), as per claim 2 or 3, wherein said vitreous powder a) has an average granulometry comprised between 0,04 mm and 0,3 mm and said atomized glass powder b) has an average granulometry comprised between 0,08 mm and 0,0250 mm.

A label (2), as per any of claims from 1 to 4, wherein the second layer (8) is an enamel and/or a colour.

6. A label (2), as per claim 5, wherein said enamel and/or colour is resistant to temperatures over the 700°C.

7. A method for the realization of a label comprising the operations of:

- Arrangement of a quantity of vitreous material inside a receiving alveolus (102) of a mechanical press ( 105 ) ;

- Pressing of the vitreous material in such a way as to compact it and form a label reproducing elements in high/low relief;

8. A method, as per claim 7, wherein the vitreous material poured in the alveolus is a) an efficient quantity of glass powder coming from the chipping of glass, preferably of recycle and b) an efficient quantity of atomized glass powder.

9. A method, as per claim 7 or 8, wherein before the operation of coating with enamel /colour an operation of pre-firing of the label is foreseen.

10. A method, as per one or more of claims from 7 to 9, wherein, after the phase of coating of the label with enamel/colour, a firing phase is foreseen.