Method and apparatus for labeling containers

Abstract

A label for a container is formed by wrapping a length of label material around a cylindrical mandrel and introducing heat, adhesive or other sealing means into a gap between the leading end portion of the label material and the trailing end portion as the label material is wrapped around the mandrel. The cylindrical sleeve is slid off of the mandrel and telescoped over a container passing thereunder. The container with a cylindrical sleeve therearound is then moved to a heating station which heats the label material, preferably foam polystyrene, to cause it to shrink into conformity with the contour of the container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the top plan view of the overall system for labeling a container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view, partly in section, showing a container with a sleeve there-around immediately following transfer from a mandrel to a container but before heat shrinking.

FIG. 3 is a view, partly in section, showing the container after heating and shrinking of the sleeve to form a label in snug engagement with the sidewall of the container.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view showing label stock material being wrapped around a mandrel carried on a rotatable turret and the dispensing nozzle carried on a second turret having a pair of cams, each engaged in a cam groove.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the paths followed (1) by the outermost surface of the mandrels and (2) by the nozzles.

FIG. 7 is a modified embodiment in which the dispensing nozzle is rigidly mounted on the second turret so that the nose or dispensing end of the nozzle follows only a circular path and is positioned in the gap between the trailing edge and leading edge of label material only for an instant as there is no overlap of the circular path traveled by the outer edge of the mandrel and the circular path of the dispensing end of the nozzle.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the paths followed (1) by the outermost surface of the mandrels and (2) by the nozzles for the embodiment of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view showing a further embodiment with a heater in a discrete portion of the mandrel.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic views showing positioning of the nozzle in the gap at various arcuate positions under the embodiment of FIGS. 4-6.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a modified nozzle.

FIG. 13 is a modified embodiment showing the utilization of a susceptor mounted on the mandrel and an induction coil for heating the susceptor.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the mandrel and susceptor.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the mandrel with the susceptor positioned therein.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a portion of the mandrel and susceptor and a cooperating roll-down roller.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are views showing vacuum holes in the mandrel adjacent a recess for receiving the susceptor.

Claims

1. A method for labeling a container having a body portion comprising the steps of: (a) wrapping a length of label material around a rotating cylindrical mandrel, said length of label material having a leading end portion which makes initial contact with said mandrel and a trailing end portion which overlaps said leading end portion upon completion of said wrapping, said trailing end portion defining a gap spaced from said leading end portion immediately prior to said completion;(b) positioning in said gap a medium for causing said trailing end portion to adhere to the overlapped leading end portion;(c) urging said trailing end portion into sealing engagement with said overlapped leading end portion to form a label blank; and(d) positioning said label blank around said body portion.

2. The method according to claim 1 further including the step of shrinking said label blank into engagement with said body portion.

3. The method according to claim 1 further including the steps of (a) providing a nozzle for dispensing said medium in said gap, and (b) dispensing said medium while moving said nozzle along a path followed by said gap.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said medium comprises heated gas or a liquid dispensed from a nozzle and further including the steps of: (e) rotating said mandrel in a first direction about its own axis and causing said mandrel to be rotated about a second axis such that the outer periphery of said mandrel follows a path defining a circle; and(f) causing said nozzle to move along said path during step (b).

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein said mandrel is mounted for rotation about its own axis for rotation in a first direction and is mounted for rotation about said second axis in the same direction and wherein said nozzle is mounted for rotation along an annular path in a direction opposite from said first direction, said annular path including a major segment lying outside of said circle and a minor segment following the path of said circle and further including the step of causing said nozzle to dispense said medium into said gap while said nozzle is moving along said minor segment.

6. A method for preparing a label for affixing to a container comprising the steps of: (a) wrapping a length of label material around an outer surface of a rotating cylindrical mandrel, said length of label material having a leading end portion which makes initial contact with said mandrel and a trailing end portion which overlaps said leading end portion upon completion of said wrapping, said trailing end portion defining a gap spaced from said leading end portion immediately prior to said completion;(b) positioning in said gap a medium for causing said trailing end portion to adhere to said leading end portion; and(c) urging said trailing end portion into sealing engagement with said leading end portion to form a label blank.

7. The method according to claim 6 further including the steps of (a) providing a nozzle for dispensing said medium in said gap and (b) dispensing said medium while moving said nozzle along a path followed by said gap.

8. The method according to claim 6 wherein said medium comprises heated gas or a liquid dispensed from a nozzle and further including the steps of (d) rotating said mandrel in a first direction about its own axis;(e) causing said mandrel to be rotated about a second axis such that the outer periphery of said mandrel follows a path defining a circle; and(f) causing said nozzle to move along said path during step (b).

9. The method according to claim 6 further including the steps of: (d) rotating said mandrel about its own axis in a first direction;(e) carrying said mandrel along a rotational path in the same direction as said first direction, said rotational path being about a second axis spaced from said mandrel axis such that the path followed by the outer surface of said mandrel is circular;(f) moving said nozzle along an annular path, said annular path including a major segment lying outside of said circular path and a minor segment following said circular path circle; and(g) causing said nozzle to dispense said medium into said gap while said nozzle is moving along said minor segment.

10. Apparatus for labeling containers, said containers having a body portion comprising: (a) a turret having one or more pockets, said turret being rotatable about an axis;(b) a cylindrical mandrel positioned in one or more of said pockets, each said mandrel being rotatable in said pocket about its own axis, the path followed by the outermost portion of each said mandrel as it is rotated on said turret about said turret axis defining a segment of a circle;(c) a dispenser for feeding a length of label material having a leading end and a trailing end to each said mandrel as it rotates about its own axis and is rotated about said turret axis, said leading end contacting said mandrel followed by said length being wrapped therearound, said trailing end and an adjacent portion of said length overlying a portion of said length adjacent said leading end and cooperating therewith to define a gap immediately prior to said trailing end contacting the portion of said length adjacent said leading end;(d) a nozzle for dispensing a medium into said gap for causing the portion of said web adjacent said trailing end and the portion of said web adjacent said leading end to form a seal; and(e) a cam for directing movement of said nozzle along the path followed by said gap and to a position to dispense said medium into said gap.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 further including a rotary support mechanism carrying said nozzle throughout an annular path, said support mechanism carrying said nozzle along a circular path throughout a major portion of said annular path, said circular path being outside of the path followed by the outermost portion of said mandrel as it is rotated about said turret axis, and, cooperating with said cam, carrying said nozzle along the path followed by said gap throughout a minor portion of said annular path.

12. Apparatus for preparing a label for affixing to an article comprising: (a) a turret having one or more pockets, said turret being rotatable about an axis;(b) a cylindrical mandrel positioned in one or more of said pockets, each said mandrel having an outer surface and being rotatable in said pocket about its own axis, the path followed by the outer surface of each said mandrel as it is rotated on said turret about said turret axis defining at least a segment of a circle;(c) a dispenser for feeding a length of label material having a leading end portion and a trailing end portion to each said mandrel as it rotates about its own axis and is rotated by said turret, said leading end portion contacting said mandrel outer surface followed by said length being wrapped therearound, said trailing end portion overlying said leading end portion and cooperation therewith to define a gap immediately prior to said trailing end portion contacting said leading end portion;(d) a nozzle for dispensing a medium into said gap for causing said trailing end portion to form a seal with said leading end portion; and(e) a cam for directing movement of said nozzle along the path followed by said gap and to a position to dispense said medium into said gap.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 further including a rotary support mechanism carrying said nozzle throughout an annular path, said support mechanism carrying said nozzle along a circular path throughout a major portion of said annular path, said circular path being outside of the circular path followed by the outer surface of said mandrel as it is rotated about said turret axis, and, cooperating with said cam, carrying said nozzle along the path followed by said gap throughout a minor portion of said annular path.

14. A method for forming a cup having an upper portion and tapering inwardly to a smaller portion having a body portion, said body portion including an upper end and a lower end, said upper end having a larger cross sectional size than said lower end, comprising the steps of: (a) wrapping a length of plastic material around a rotating cylindrical mandrel, said length of material having a leading end portion which makes initial contact with said mandrel and a trailing end portion which overlaps said leading end portion upon completion of said wrapping, said trailing end portion cooperating with said leading end portion to define a gap spaced from said leading end immediately prior to said completion;(b) positioning in said gap a medium for causing said trailing end portion to adhere to said leading end portion;(c) urging said trailing end portion into sealing engagement with said leading end portion to form a cylindrical blank(d) transferring said cylindrical blank to a tapered mandrel, said tapered mandrel having a larger cross sectional size in a first area than in a second area; and(e) shrinking said cylindrical blank into engagement with said tapered mandrel.

15. The method according to claim 14 further including the steps of (f) providing a nozzle for dispensing said medium in said gap, and (g) dispensing said medium while moving said nozzle along a path followed by said gap.

16. The method according to claim 14 wherein said medium comprises heated gas or a liquid dispensed from a nozzle and further including the steps of: (f) rotating said cylindrical mandrel in a first direction about its own axis and causing said mandrel to be rotated about a second axis such that the outer periphery of said cylindrical mandrel follows a path defining a circle; and(g) causing said nozzle to move along said path during step (b).

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein said cylindrical mandrel is mounted for rotation about its own axis for rotation in a first direction and is mounted for rotation about said second axis in the same direction and wherein said nozzle is mounted for rotation along an annular path in a direction opposite from said first direction, said annular path including a major segment lying outside of said circle and a minor segment following the path of said circle and further including the step of causing said nozzle to dispense said medium into said gap while said nozzle is moving along said minor segment.

18. The method according to claim 14 wherein said mandrel has an end adjacent said second area and said cylindrical blank, following step (d), extends axially beyond said end and further including the step of positioning a plastic disc on said end prior to step (e), said shrinking step causing said axially extending portion to shrink radially inwardly and urging said radially shrunk portion into sealing engagement with said plastic disc.

19. A method for forming an article having a body portion extending along an axis, said body portion having a larger cross section size in a first axial area than in a second axial area, comprising the steps of: (a) wrapping a length of shrinkable material around a cylindrical mandrel, said mandrel having a cylindrical outer surface extending around a longitudinal axis, said material having a leading end portion contacting said mandrel first and a trailing end portion;(b) sealing said trailing end to said leading end portion to form a cylindrical blank;(c) sliding said cylindrical blank off of said cylindrical mandrel;(d) positioning said cylindrical blank around a non-cylindrical member; and(e) shrinking said shrinkable material into engagement with said non-cylindrical member.

20. A method according to claim 19 further including the steps of: (f) wrapping a length of said shrinkable material around an outer surface of said cylindrical mandrel such that said trailing end portion overlaps said leading end portion upon completion of said wrapping, said trailing end portion cooperating with said leading end portion to define a gap spaced from said leading end portion immediately prior to said completion;(g) positioning in said gap a medium for causing said trailing end portion to adhere to said leading end portion; and(h) urging said trailing end portion into sealing engagement with said leading end portion to form a cylindrical blank.

21. The method according to claim 20 further including the steps of: (i) rotating said cylindrical mandrel about its own axis in a first direction;(j) carrying said cylindrical mandrel along a rotational path in the same direction as said first direction, said rotational path being about a second axis spaced from said cylindrical mandrel axis such that the path followed by the outer surface of said cylindrical mandrel is circular;(k) moving said nozzle along an annular path, said annular path including a major segment lying outside of said circular path and a minor segment following said circular path circle; and(l) causing said nozzle to dispense said medium into said gap while said nozzle is moving along said minor segment.

22. The method according to claim 19 further comprising the steps of: (f) positioning a susceptor in said mandrel, said susceptor having an outwardly facing sealing surface extending along a path which is parallel to said longitudinal axis;(g) heating said susceptor;(h) coordinating said wrapping step with the rotation of said mandrel such that, when said trailing end portion overlies said leading end portion, said susceptor underlies said leading and trailing end portions; and(i) urging said trailing end portion against said leading end portion to urge said leading end portion against said susceptor sealing surface to effect step (b).

23. The method according to claim 22 further including the steps of: (j) causing the sealing surface of said receptor to be recessed from the cylindrical outer surface of said mandrel, and(k) maintaining said first end portion in spaced relationship with said susceptor sealing surface until said first end portion is contacted by said second end portion.

24. The method according to claim 23 further including the steps of: (l) providing vacuum apertures in said mandrel adjacent said susceptor; and(m) applying vacuum to said apertures to retain said leading end portion against said outer surface.