JP2002521278A - Container with label - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The present invention is a container having an outer surface and a label including a label attached to a part of the outer surface with a wet adhesive, the container having a polygonal cross section. Wherein the label covers at least two adjacent surfaces of the container. Appropriate steps for applying such labels to such containers are also provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container having a piece of label affixed with a wet adhesive and having a substantially rectangular cross section.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic bottles containing liquid consumer products are typical of the variety of containers for consumer products to which the present invention can be applied, and such containers typically have a substantially rectangular cross-section, e.g., liquid, granular or powdery. It has a container body configured to be filled with a predetermined amount of product. Such containers further have a neck which is closed by a removable closure and optionally a handle.

[0003] Such containers are typically covered by at least one label to provide information about the product to be placed therein, as well as advertising information. Various processes are known and used in the art for applying labels to such approximately square containers.

In some cases, the label is applied to the surface of the container using a wet glue. Such a process does not allow a piece of label to be adhered to more than one side at a time if the container body has a substantially rectangular cross section. However, for containers having a substantially circular cross-section, such as those used for bottles of mineral water or wine, such as bottles, it may be necessary to apply a piece of wet-adhesive label that covers the entire periphery of the bottle. It is possible. Such a label is applied by rotating the bottle from end to end when applying the label. However, such labels have the disadvantage that they can cover only a small part of the container, since in theory they are limited to at most one side surface (in fact, in general, the unrimmed edge part is The surface on which the label is applied is more limited).

When a large decorative surface is required, a self-adhesive label is used. At this time, several adjacent sides of the container having a substantially rectangular cross section are
It can be used as a base for labeling. The process of applying such a self-adhesive label is known in the art.

In view of the various solutions that exist in the art of labeling containers having a substantially rectangular cross-section, an enlarged decorative surface is glued on several adjacent sides of the container. Obviously, there is still a need for a container having a piece of label. Similarly, there is a need for a step of applying such labels to such containers. Wet glued labeling on several adjacent sides can be accomplished, for example, by applying one label per side in wet glue or applying a self-adhesive label. It is faster and cheaper than the technology used to

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a container in which a piece of label is applied with a wet adhesive to at least two adjacent sides of the container. It is another object of the present invention to provide a process for applying a label to a package as described above.

[0008]

Summary of the Invention

The container of the present invention has an outer surface, is provided with one label stuck to a part of the outer surface with a wet adhesive, has a substantially polygonal cross section, is a container with a label attached, The label is characterized by covering at least two adjacent sides of the container. Appropriate steps for applying such labels to such containers are also provided.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG.
A container (1) having a container body (10) and an opening is provided. The container is made of any suitable material, such as metal, glass or thermoplastic material, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene. The container may be any suitable process such as, for example, injection molding, injection blow molding, blow molding or thermoforming, in the case of containers made of thermoplastic material, or if the container is made of cardboard. Are manufactured, for example, by a wrap-around process. The container is for holding all kinds of consumer products, for example food, cleaning agents or pharmaceuticals. The container preferably contains a cleaning solvent in the form of a cleaning agent or a washing solvent. Such products can be liquids, granules or powders, but are preferably liquids. The container according to the invention can be of any kind, such as a can, a tank, a portable liquor bottle, a trough, etc., but is preferably a bottle.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container has a container body (10), a neck (11) closed by a closure, and preferably has a handle (16). The container according to the present invention includes, for example, a groove provided on a handle for preventing slippage and easy handling of the container in use, and a container provided around a portion of the container body (10) to which the label (17) is attached. Any other design shall be provided, such as a recess (12) in the body (10). Such recesses (12) prevent premature wear of the surface of the label (17) during transport or handling operations when the container bodies usually collide with each other, thereby increasing friction on the surface of the label. belongs to.

The container body (10) has a substantially polygonal cross section, preferably a square cross section, most preferably a substantially rectangular cross section. The container body (10) has at least three sides, but preferably has four sides (13): front, back, right side and left side. For clarity, if the sides of the container do not have the same surface, the front and back (as opposed to each other) will be the sides with the largest surface, while
The left and right sides (again facing each other) are the sides with the smallest surface. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the cross section is rectangular,
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the dimensions from the front to the back of the container body (10) are as follows.
It is preferably smaller than the dimension from the left side to the right side. Two adjacent faces (
13) are joined at an edge (14). The cross section of the container is substantially polygonal, but the surface (13) of the container has a longitudinal direction in a straight configuration and a radial direction in a curved configuration, wherein the radial direction is radially curved with less than 100 degrees. Is more preferable, and more preferably, it is curved in a radial shape at less than 80 degrees. This curvature of the sides is designed so that air can easily escape from the space between the outer surface of the container and the inner surface of the label (17). Preferably, the two sides (13) are joined by a rim (14) that is curved at a non-acute angle of at least 5 degrees, more preferably at least 9 degrees. . The container body (10) has a label (17)
Has at least one label affixing portion (15). Container body (1
This labeling part (15) of 0) is preferably configured as a recessed part of the container body (10), as described above, to prevent premature wear of the label during handling and transport. The labeling portion (15) is provided on at least two adjacent sides of the container, but in a preferred embodiment of the invention covers the entire outer periphery of the container.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container (1) is a bottle. The bottle (1) can have any suitable volume, but preferably the volume is greater than 1/4 liter, more preferably greater than 1/2 liter and more than 1 liter Is most preferred. The bottle (1) preferably has a handle (16), which is more preferably molded integrally with the bottle body (10). Bottle (1
) Has a neck (11) at the top which includes means for securely closing the closure. The closure can be of any type, for example, quickly closing or screwing in via a bayonet, but is preferably removable. Although any fastening means can be adapted to the bottle according to the invention, this fastening means is preferably a screw which fits the screw of the removable closure. Alternatively, the securing means may be a system of at least two plugs and / or notches that fits at least two corresponding plugs and / or notches of the removable closure to define the plug-in means. Good. For example, any type of closure, such as a spout and a cap including a metering means, may be fitted to the neck (11) of the bottle. The closure may include child-deterrent means or child-resistant means. The first use may be configured to ensure that the bottle has not been previously opened (ie, a tamper-resistant feature). The closure can be made of any suitable material, such as a metal, a thermoplastic, or a combination of these materials, but is preferably made entirely of polyethylene or polypropylene.

The label (17) is adhered to the container. Label (17) can be made of any suitable material, such as paper or thermoplastic, and is preferably made of paper. It can also be coated, printed or varnished. If the label (17) is made of paper and the container contains an aggressive product, for example a chlorine-based product, it is preferred that the label (17) be coated with a bleach-resistant varnish. . Such varnishes are known in the art and usually include, for example, UV-cured varnishes. The label (17) shall have any suitable shape and size so as to cover at least two adjacent surfaces of the container body (10). Label (17) is on the front, back,
It is preferable to cover the left side and / or the right side. The thickness (weight) of the label (17) can take any suitable value, but is preferably comprised within the range of 40 to 200 gr (grams) / m ² , preferably in the range of 40 to 100 gr / m ² . More preferably, it is comprised in. Such labels are usually manufactured from rolls of perforated film or from sheets to cut the labels into the correct shape and size.

The label (17) is located at the recessed labeling position (15) of the container body (10), as described above, to protect against premature wear during the transport operation. When the label (17) is made of a thermoplastic material, the label (17) is replaced with the label (1).
7) to eliminate any electrostatic extra-charge on the surface and to ensure that no electrostatic interaction occurs between the surface of the container and the label during the labeling operation. , Thereby ensuring that the label (17) is placed in the correct position on the bottle, such as by a Corona-treatment. Such surface treatments are well known and are used in the art of labeling. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container is a bottle with an integrated handle (16), in which case the label (17) is
It is preferable to cover the side opposite to the side containing the handle (16). Label (17
) Shall be designed to fit evenly over the surface of the container, in particular a recess or a part of the container comprising a projection, for example a handle (16). Labels (17) are printed for use as informational and advertising aids. It is assumed that any printing technology is used, such as, for example, offset printing or flexography. The present invention provides an enhanced labeling surface by providing the placement of labels on at least two adjacent sides of the container while using inexpensive bonding techniques and label materials. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the labels are arranged continuously on the front and on the left and / or right side. In another embodiment of the present invention, the label is applied to all sides of the container so as to cover the entire circumference of the container (ie, for example, a bottle).

The label (17) is affixed to the container body (10) by a bonding process by wet bonding which will be further described below. The use of wet adhesives is known in the art of labeling cylindrical containers, such as wine bottles. One advantage of this technique is that it uses inexpensive materials for adhesives and labels, and that the machine is simpler than, for example, those used for self-adhesive labels.
As a result, the total cost of applying a wet-adhesive label to several adjacent sides of the container according to the invention is much less than in the known art.

[0016] The bottles can be placed in a labeling station (20
), But the rotary label sticking station shown in FIG. 1 is preferred.
The rotary label applying station (20) is provided with an integral rotating pocket (21) having a concave shape provided along the outer periphery of the rotary label applying station (20).
), Each recess being suitable for carrying one container, for example one bottle. 2
Two transfer lines are connected to the rotary label application station (20),
One of them is for supplying unlabeled containers, and the other is for receiving labeled containers exiting the rotary station (20).

A stack of labels is stored in a label feeder (2) provided adjacent to the rotary plate.
It is housed in 2). The label (17) is provided by a peeling means (23) (or a label
Pallets "), which are peeled off the stack of labels one by one. Peeling means (
23) has a shape as shown in FIG. 1, for example, and includes a set of integral rotary label supports (23) provided on the outer periphery of the rotating plate. Alternatively, each of the label supports (23) may be provided with a label feeder (22) for rotational movement.
And peel off one label (17). Since the side of the label (17) in contact with the label support (23) is the outer side, the inner side of the label (17) is arranged outwards, so that the inner surface of the label (17) is glued to the adhesive roll. By contact with (24), a predetermined amount of wet adhesive is applied to the inner surface of the label (17) as shown in FIG. The bonding roll (24) is preferably a rotating column made of foam-like material. The adhesive roll (24) is preferably arranged vertically, with a continuous supply of wet adhesive at the top. The amount of the wet adhesive on the surface of the adhesive roll (24) is quantified by adjusting means such as a scraper (not shown).

Once the inner surface of one label (17) comes into contact with the adhesive roll (24) and is coated with adhesive, a so-called gripper cylinder (25) (see FIG. 1) Be moved. The gripper cylinder (25) is a means that allows the adhesive coated label to be moved onto the surface of the container. In order to apply the label as defined previously, according to the invention, the means of transport need to be a conforming means. As explained previously, the invention applies to containers having a substantially polygonal cross section, so that the distance between the surface of the gripper cylinder (25) and the labeling part (15) of the container varies. I do. However, the gripper cylinder (25) must remain at the same distance from the container labeling surface (15), while the container is rotating on a rotary labeling station, so that the label (17) is Evenly and accurately arranged.

Various means can be used to adapt the distance of the gripper cylinder (25) from the labeling part (15) of the container body (10). For example, during the labeling operation, especially during rotation of the container, the gripper cylinder (
25) shall be used which keeps it pressed continuously and firmly. A preferred means of keeping the gripper cylinder (25) at the same distance from the labeling portion (15) of the rotating container is a cam system. In this case, the gripper cylinder (25) is rotatably mounted, for example, on a plate, which is provided in an oval groove. As shown in FIG. 3A, the cam system is adapted to rotate when the container is rotatably positioned with its front-to-back surface facing the gripper cylinder (25). ) Is located near the labeling station. Once the container is rotated and its left-to-right surface (ie, the long side-to-side surface) is oriented toward the surface of the gripper cylinder (25), as shown in FIG. Move away from the labeling station (20). In this way, the gripper cylinder (
The distance between the surface of 25) and the labeling surface (15) of the container remains continuous and substantially the same, and the gripper cylinder (25) is mounted on the labeling part (15) of the container body (10). Label (17)
) Can be accurately moved from the surface of the gripper cylinder (25) to the surface of the container.

Finally, once the label (17) has been placed on the container, the labeled container is moved to a wiping station (26) (not shown in FIG. 1). During the labeling process, some air is pumped into the space between the label (17) and the container. This air tends to wrinkle the surface of the label (17), making the appearance of the container to which the label is affixed unattractive and making the label (17) weaker. In order to remove the air, a wiping step using wiping means is required, for example by means of at least one roll of foamy material, to expel air from the space between the label (17) and the container. Press the surface of the label (17). Such a wiping station can be provided as an integral part of the rotary labeling station (20) or can be arranged as a separate element behind the rotary labeling station.

[0021] The speed of the labeling machine suitable for applying labels to substantially square containers according to the invention is greater than 100 bottles / min for 1 liter bottles, more preferably greater than 160 bottles / min. Most preferably, it exceeds 200 bottles / minute.

For the sake of clarity, the directions of rotation of the different elements are indicated by arrows in FIGS.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a labeling station according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows labels arranged on at least two adjacent sides according to the invention;
It is a perspective view of a container.

FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view showing a part of the labeling station according to the present invention. More specifically, the container is shown oriented such that the left-to-right surface (ie, the longer side) of the container is oriented toward the gripper cylinder.

FIG. 3B is a schematic plan view showing a part of the labeling station according to the present invention. More specifically, the container is shown oriented such that the front-to-back surface (i.e., shorter) of the container is oriented toward the gripper cylinder.

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Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A container (1) to which a label having an outer surface is attached, comprising a label (17) attached to a portion (15) of said outer surface with a wet adhesive, and having a substantially polygonal cross section. The label (17) has at least two adjacent
A container characterized by covering two surfaces. 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said container (1) has a substantially rectangular cross section. 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container (1) is a bottle. 4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the label (17) on which the piece of wet adhesive is applied covers the front, left and / or right side and back of the container. Container with the label described. 5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is made of a thermoplastic material.
A container to which the label according to any one of Items 4 to 4 is attached. 6. The label according to claim 1, wherein the label is made of paper.
A container to which the label described in is attached. 7. A process for producing a container to which the label according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is applied, wherein (i) a step of supplying an unlabeled container to a rotary label application station (20). Wherein each container (1) is placed in one integral rotary pocket (21) of the rotary station; and (ii) using a peeling means (23) to remove one of the labels from the stack of labels. Removing the label (17); and (iii) contacting the label (17) with an adhesive roll (24), wherein a predetermined amount of a wet adhesive is transferred to the surface of the label. Covering the surface of the roll with a cold wet adhesive; and (iv) applying the one wet adhesive applied label to the single rotary polish by an adaptive applying means (25). (V) applying air to a space defined between the outer surface of the container and the inner surface of the label. And (vi) carrying out the container with the label attached thereto from the rotary label attaching station, and manufacturing the container with the label attached.