EP2108591A1 - Device for applying self-adhesive labels to containers and self-adhesive label - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a pressing unit (20) arranged in a transport direction of a container i.e. glass container, with respect to a separating unit. The pressing unit presses a label on outer circumference of the container. The pressing unit presses an opening area of the label on the container, where the area is located in the direction. The pressing unit presses a central area of the label on the container in a manner different from the pressing of the opening area on the container. The central area is provided subsequent to the opening area in a transport direction of the label. An independent claim is also included for a method for affixing a label having an adhesive section to a container.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for applying labels to containers. Such devices and methods have been known for a long time from the prior art. It is also known, so-called self-adhesive labels d. H. Labels which have an adhesive layer on one side to be used for mounting on containers. The labels are pressed with their adhesive layer, which is applied flat on the label to the container and so fixed to this container. In such large-area labels, however, the problem arises that it can sometimes come to wrinkling during application or after application. Furthermore, in this case, high demands are placed on the quality of the container, for example, high demands on the glass quality of the containers, since unevenness of the glass can lead to distortions and wrinkles of the labels.

Also usually two labeling units are necessary in 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, only a limited graphic design is possible because of the application of partial labels.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device and a method for labeling containers, which also allows attachment of large-scale labels on containers. Furthermore, a possibility should be created to prevent wrinkles and distortions even with not quite exact surfaces of the containers.

This is achieved according to the invention by a device according to claim 1, a method according to claim 7 and the use of a special self-adhesive label according to claim 14. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims. An inventive device for applying labels with a self-adhesive portion of containers has a transport device which transports the container along a predetermined transport path, and a separation unit which separates the label from a carrier material and arranged in a transport direction of the container after the separation unit pressing unit which presses the label to an outer periphery of the container. According to the invention, the pressing unit is designed in such a way that it presses a starting area of the label lying in the direction of transport of the container in a different manner against the container than a central area of the label adjoining this starting area in the direction of transport of the label.

In the prior art, the labels are pressed with uniform pressure to the container, which is also useful when using self-adhesive labels with a continuous adhesive portion. As below in detail explained, however, labels are used for the inventive device, which have no continuous self-adhesive area but in particular self-adhesive start and end portions and a non-adhesive central portion. For this reason, in the Andrückprozess in a central region of the label other contact pressures or other types of Andrückung used, as in the beginning and end.

Preferably, the pressing unit has a first pressing body for pressing the initial region of the label and a second pressing body for pressing the central region of the label to the container, wherein the first Andrückkörper and the second Andrückkörper at least in the nature of pointing in the direction of the container surface or Differentiate elements. In this case, the first Andrückkörper and the second Andrückkörper connect directly to each other or merge into each other. Usually, a pressing board is used for pressing in the initial area and in the central area another material, such as soft brushes or a hard or soft sponge. This different Andrückkörper serves not to press the label in the same way as in the beginning and in the end, but only to achieve a fixation of the label, so then the end portion of the label are pressed again (in the correct position) on the container can.

By using labels with a non-adhesive central area, distortions and distortions in the central area of the label can be prevented, as the Label does not necessarily adapt to the contour of the container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the pressing unit is designed such that it presses in the transport direction of the containers lying end portion of the label in a different manner to the container than the central region of the label. In this way, labels are particularly preferably provided which have a self-adhesive initial area and a self-adhesive end area and do not provide any adhesive film in the area between them. Under the transport direction of the containers is understood in particular the transport direction of an outer wall of the containers, which coincides with a longitudinal direction of the labels, d. H. in particular a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the containers direction of the labels. More specifically, the labels are usually mounted on the containers and during the attachment process, the containers rotate, so that the transport direction results from the rotational movement of the containers and the transport movement of the containers in their entirety.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the pressing unit has a third pressing body, wherein the third pressing body and the second pressing body differ, at least in terms of the nature, of the surface pointing in the direction of the containers.

The second pressure body preferably has a sponge body or a brush body. This sponge body or brush body, as mentioned above, only has the task to fix the label. Especially Soft brushes or, as mentioned, sponges are used in this area.

The device according to the invention is preferably used in particular for wrap-around labels or for all-round labels with a gap. So far, such wrap-around labels or wraparound labels have seldom been used in the field of self-labeling because there has always been the problem of wrinkling.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the pressing unit is designed such that it presses a lying in the direction of transport of the container initial portion of the label with a higher pressure to the container as a subsequent in the transport direction of the label at this initial area central region of the label.

This means that in the central area only a fixation of the labels is made so that the labels can not slip in the longitudinal direction of the container.

The present invention is further directed to a method for applying labels with a self-adhesive portion of containers, wherein the containers are transported along a predetermined transport path and wherein the labels are pressed by means of a pressing on outer walls of the containers. According to the invention, an initial region of the label lying in the direction of transport of the containers is pressed onto the container in a different way than in the container Direction of transport of the label to this initial area subsequent central region of the label.

Thus, it is also proposed in the method according to the invention that the label is pressed in a central area in a different way than a beginning and in particular an end region. It would also be possible to press the label in the central area at least partially or completely not at all to the container. In this case, a different pressing or attachment means that only certain areas, namely in particular the beginning and end areas are pressed.

Preferably, the initial portion of the label is pressed against the container at a higher pressure than the central portion of the label.

In a further preferred method, the pressing unit also presses the central area onto the label in a different manner than an end area of the label adjoining this central area in the transport direction. As mentioned above, in this way, the start and the end area are pressed with higher pressure and the intermediate area is only temporarily fixed.

In a further preferred method, the label is applied to the container at a circumferential angle which is between 300 ° and 400 °, preferably between 220 ° and 380 ° and more preferably between 350 ° and 370 °. This labels are used, which surround the container substantially completely.

In a further advantageous method, the container is a glass container. In particular for glass containers, the method can be used very advantageously since, in particular in the case of glass containers, such unevenness occurs, which is prevented by the use of non-adhesive portions of the labels. It has surprisingly been found that it is sufficient to fix a central portion of the label only temporarily and that the label keeps stable even when using only a self-adhesive start and end portion of the container.

In a preferred method, the label has a self-adhesive layer only in an initial region and an end region.

Preferably, the self-adhesive layer extends continuously in the initial region in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. Again, these are the longitudinal direction of the containers.

The present invention is further directed to the use of a self-adhesive label for mounting on a peripheral wall of a container in a circumferential direction of the container, wherein according to the invention the label in the circumferential direction of the container comprises a self-adhesive layer provided with a self-adhesive layer, a self-adhesive layer provided with a self-adhesive layer End portion and having a central portion lying between this initial portion and end portion, which has no adhesive material and thus is not carried out self-adhesive. The use of such labels, which in the central area of the label are not self-adhesive, has hitherto not been proposed in the beverage-producing industry because it was believed that the provision of a continuous adhesive portion is required to stably attach the label to the container.

Preferably, the self-adherent layer covers between 1% and 40%, preferably between 5% and 30%, and more preferably between 10% and 25% of the label.

Further advantages and embodiments will be apparent from the attached drawings:

Fig. 1

eine Veranschaulichung einer Vorrichtung zum Anbringen von Etiketten an Behältnissen;

Fig. 2a

eine Andrückeinheit aus dem Stand der Technik;

Fig. 2b

eine weitere Ansicht der Andrückeinheit nach dem Stand der Technik;

Fig. 3a-3b

spezielle Andrückeinheiten für speziell ausgebildete Behältnisse;

Fig. 4a-4b

Behältnisse mit speziell ausgebildeten Umfangswänden;

Fig. 5a

eine erfindungsgemäße Andrückeinheit in einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 5b

eine erfindungsgemäße Andrückeinheit in einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Fig. 6

ein erfindungsgemäß zu verwendendes selbstklebendes Etikett.

Show:

Fig. 1

an illustration of a device for applying labels to containers;

Fig. 2a

a pressing unit of the prior art;

Fig. 2b

another view of the pressing unit according to the prior art;

Fig. 3a-3b

special pressure units for specially designed containers;

Fig. 4a-4b

Containers with specially designed peripheral walls;

Fig. 5a

a pressing unit according to the invention in a first embodiment;

Fig. 5b

a pressing unit according to the invention in a further embodiment;

Fig. 6

a self-adhesive label to be used according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for applying labels. This device 1 has a transport device 2, which conveys the containers on a circular path along the arrow P1. In this case, turntables are preferably arranged on the transport device 2, which effect that the containers 8 also rotate (see arrow P2) about their own longitudinal axis. The reference numeral 5 refers to a separation unit, which are fed to endless label strips 3 and which separates the actual label 6 from a substrate 7. After this separation, the label is first attached to the container 8 with a start portion 6a. The reference numeral 20 refers to a (only schematically shown) pressing unit, which presses the labels on the outer periphery of the containers 8, during which the containers are guided along the transport path T.

FIG. 2a shows a pressing unit 20, as it is currently used internally in the applicant. This pressing unit 20 here has two support rods 32 on which a carrier strip 34 is arranged, for example in the form of a metal plate. In this case, this carrier is curved, wherein the curvature is adapted to a curvature of the transport path T. In this embodiment, a sponge 36 is located on this carrier 34, and on this sponge 36 a Teflon belt 38 is again used, which serves to press the label 6 against the container 8.

FIG. 2b shows a plan view of the in FIG. 2a shown pressing unit.

The FIGS. 3a and 3b show two further pressing units 20, which are currently used internally by the applicant. These pressing units also each have support rods 32, on each of which support plates 34, and sponges 36 and Teflon strips 38 are provided. The arrow P3 respectively marks the inlet side, ie the side from which the label is brought to the pressure unit. At these inlet sides, the pressing units each have inclined surfaces 40, which facilitate a pressing of the labels to the containers. The respective upper partial images in the FIGS. 3a and 3b show sections along the lines A - B. It can be seen that the sponge body 36 is formed in each case with an inclined surface, which is adjusted or inclined relative to the vertical by an angle of α and -α.

This inclination is for special containers used in the FIGS. 4a and 4b are shown provided. These containers have in this case no vertically or vertically extending wall portion, but in the case of FIG. 4a this wall section is inclined inwards by an angle α (viewed from below upwards) and in FIG. 4b is the wall portion (viewed from bottom to top) each inclined by the angle α to the outside.

FIG. 5a 1 shows a first embodiment of a pressing unit 20 according to the invention. It can be seen here that the pressing unit has three partial areas or three pressing bodies 22, 24 and 26. The middle (second) Andrückkörper 24 is opposite the first Andrückkörper 22 and the third Andrückkörper 26 offset radially outward. Preferably, therefore, the pressing unit in the region of the second pressing body 24 to an exposure, said exposure to the two other Andrückkörpern 22 and 26 between 0.5 mm and 4 mm preferably between 0.7mm and 2 mm and more preferably in the range of about 1 mm is exposed or set back. In this way it is achieved that the central region of the label, which is pressed in the region of the middle pressing body 24, is pressed against the container with a lower pressure and thus wrinkling or warping is prevented. At the in FIG. 5a In the embodiment shown, the pressing bodies gradually merge into one another, but it would also be possible for the edges 25 not to extend as in FIG FIG. 5a shown steep but at a shallower angle.

Also in the in the FIGS. 5a and 5b shown embodiment, a Teflon tape 38 is again used, which is glued to the sponge 36.

FIG. 5b shows a further embodiment of a pressing unit according to the invention. Here, hard brushes are respectively used in the area of the first pressing body 22 and the third pressing body 26, and in the area of the second pressing body 24 therebetween soft brushes which apply a correspondingly lower pressure to the label. Here, too, the areas merge step by step. However, it would also be conceivable a transition, in which in a longitudinal direction of the container, which is perpendicular to the figure, in some areas of the second Andrückkörper further projects up or down and not in other areas.

Furthermore, it would also be possible, the embodiments of FIGS. 5a and 5b to combine with each other, ie, for example, to provide a sponge with a Teflon tape in the region of the first and third Andrückkörpers and in the intermediate region a brush body, in particular soft brushes. Also in the Fig. 5a and 5b shown Andrückkörper inclined surfaces like those in the Fig. 3a and 3b having shown Andrückkörper.

FIG. 6 shows a label for a use according to the invention. This label is attached in its direction of extension E on the outer circumference of a container. The label has an initial portion 6a and an end portion 6c, each provided with a self-adhesive layer. A central portion 6b of the label is not provided with a self-adhesive layer and thus does not adhere to the container on its own. Furthermore, it would also be possible to provide only individual adhesive strips or adhesive dots instead of a continuous layer in the longitudinal direction L of the container.

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 (15)

Device (1) for applying a label with a self-adhesive portion to a container (8), with a transport device (2), which transports the container (8) along a predetermined transport path (T), with a separation unit (5), which the Label (6) separated from a carrier material (12) and a in the transport direction of the containers (8) after the separation unit (5) arranged Andrückeinheit (20) which presses the label (6) to an outer periphery of the container (8), characterized in that the pressing unit (20) is designed in such a way that it presses a starting area (6a) of the label in the transporting direction of the containers (8) in a different manner against the container (8) than in the transport direction of the label (FIG. 6) adjoining this initial region (6a) central region (6b) of the label (6). Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing unit (20) has a first pressing body (22) for pressing the starting area (6a) of the label (6) and a second pressing body (24) for pressing the central area (6b) the container (8), wherein the first Andrückkörper (22) and the second Andrückkörper (24) differ at least in terms of the nature of the in the direction of the containers (8) facing surfaces. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing unit (20) is designed such that it presses an end region (6c) of the label (6) lying in the transporting direction of the containers (8) in a different manner against the container (8) than the central region (6b) of the label (FIG. 6). Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure unit (20) has a third pressure body (26), wherein the third pressure body (26) and the second pressure body (24), at least in the nature of in the direction distinguish the containers (8) facing surfaces. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 2-5, characterized in that the second pressing body (24) has a sponge body or a brush body. Device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure unit (6) is designed such that it has an in the transport direction of the containers (8) lying start region (6a) of the label with a higher pressure container (8). Presses as a in the transport direction of the label (6) to this initial area (6a) subsequent central region (6b) of the label (6). Method for applying labels (6) with a self-adhesive portion to containers (8), wherein the containers (8) are transported along a predetermined transport path (T) and wherein the Labels (6) by means of a pressing unit (20) on outer walls of the containers (8) are pressed, characterized in that in the transport direction of the containers (8) lying start region (6a) of the label (6) in a different manner to the container (8) is pressed as a in the transport direction of the label (6) adjoining this initial region central region (6b) of the label (6). A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the initial region (6a) of the label (6) is pressed at a higher pressure to the container (8) than the central region (6b) of the label (6). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressing unit (20) presses the central area (6b) in a different manner to the container (8) than an end area (6c) adjoining this central area (6b) in the direction of transport. of the label. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the label (6) with a circumferential angle to the container (8) is placed between 300 ° and 400 °, preferably between 320 ° and 380 ° and more preferably between 350 ° and 370 °. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (8) is a glassy container (8). Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the label (6) has a self-adhesive layer only in the initial region (6a) and in the end region (6c). A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the self-adhesive layer extends in the initial region (6a) in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction extending direction (L) throughout. Use of a self-adhesive label (6) for attachment to a peripheral wall of a container (8) in a circumferential direction of the container (8), characterized in that the label (6) in the circumferential direction of the container (8) has a self-adhesive layer provided with a self-adhesive layer A starting portion (6a), a self-adhesive layer provided with a self-adhesive end portion (6c) and between this initial portion (6a) and the end portion (6c) lying central portion (6b) having no adhesive material. Use according to claim 14, characterized in that the self-adhesive layer covers between 1% and 40%, preferably between 5% and 30% and particularly preferably between 10% and 25% of the label.

Images