Labelling machine for labelling containers, such as bottles
AssigneeKHS ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
InventorsRudolf Zodrow, Rainer Buchholz, Wolfgang Rogall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to a labelling machine, and more particularly to a labelling machine for applying labels to containers in such a manner that the labels constitute visible proof that the containers have not been opened. One such type of container is a beverage bottle having a screw-top closure. Before the label is applied to the container, a verification is conducted on the transport path of the container to determine whether the container to be labelled has a correct closure and also to determine whether there is a label correctly positioned to be transferred to the container.
Claims15
Apparatus for applying at least one strip to a container, the container having at least a first part and a second part, the first part of the container comprising a bottle and the second part of the container comprising a closure, the closure being removable from the bottle, and the strip comprising a label having a first end and a second end, the first end of the label for being applied to the bottle and the second end of the label for being applied to the closure, said apparatus comprising:
- means for supporting the container during application of the at least one strip;
- means for applying hot adhesive to at least a portion of the closure, said hot adhesive being for attaching the second end of the label to the removable closure;
- means for applying the at least one label to the container, said means for applying the at least one label to the container comprising means for applying cold adhesive to at least a portion of the at least one label, the at least a portion of the at least one label substantially comprising the first end of the at least one label;
- means for providing relative movement between the container and said means for applying the at least one label to the container;
- inlet means for providing containers to the means for providing relative movement;
- outlet means for removing containers from the means for providing relative movement;
- first sensor means for detecting a presence of the removable closure disposed on the bottle;
- and
- means for activating said means for applying hot adhesive to apply hot adhesive to at least a portion of the closure upon at least said first sensor means detecting the presence of the removable closure disposed on the bottle.
A method for applying labels to bottles having screw-top closures by using a labelling machine, the labels having a first end for being attached to the bottles and a second end for being attached to the closures, said labelling machine comprising:
- means for supporting the bottle during said application of the at least one label;
- means for applying adhesive to:
- at least a portion of the closure, and
- at least a portion of the first end of the at least one label,
- said means for applying adhesive comprising:
- first means for applying adhesive to at least a part of the first end portion of the at least one label, said first means for applying adhesive being for applying cold adhesive to the at least a part of the first end of the at least one label;
- and
- second means for applying adhesive to the at least a portion of the closure, said second means for applying adhesive being for applying hot adhesive to the at least a portion of the closure;
- at least one labelling station for applying the at least one label to the bottle and closure;
- means for providing relative movement between the bottle and said at least one labelling station;
- inlet means for providing bottles to be labelled to said means for providing relative movement;
- outlet means for removing bottles after labelling from said means for providing relative movement;
- first sensor means for detecting a presence of a closure on the bottle to be labelled;
- means for activating said means for applying adhesive to apply adhesive to:
- the at least a portion of the closure, and
- the at least a portion of the first end of the at
- least one label, upon at least said first sensor means detecting the presence of the closure on the bottle to be labelled;
- and said method comprising the steps of:
- positioning the bottle to be labelled onto said means for providing relative movement;
- providing relative movement between the bottle and said at least one labelling station;
- sensing the presence of the closure on the bottle with said first sensor means;
- activating the means for applying adhesive with the means for activating to thereby apply:
- hot adhesive to the at least a portion of the closure;
- and
- cold adhesive to said at least a part of the first end portion of the at least one label;
- attaching the first end portion of the at least one label with adhesive thereon to the bottle;
- attaching the second end of the label to the adhesive on the screw-on closure of the bottle;
- and
- removing the bottle from said means for providing relative movement.
Apparatus for applying at least one label to a container, the container having a first part and a second part, the first part of the container comprising a bottle and the second part of the container comprises a closure, the closure being removable from the bottle, the at least one label having a first end for being attached to the bottle and a second end for being attached to the closure, said apparatus comprising:
- means for supporting the container during said application of the at least one label;
- means for applying hot adhesive to at least a portion of the closure of the bottle, the hot adhesive being for adhering the second end portion of the label to the closure on the bottle;
- at least one labelling station for applying the at least one label to the container, said at least one labelling station comprising:
- a label supply means for supplying the at least one label;
- means for applying cold adhesive to at least a portion of the at least one label, the at least a portion of the at least one label substantially comprising the first end portion of the at least one label, and the cold adhesive being for adhering the first end portion of the label to the bottle;
- a label gripping means for affixing the at least one label to the container;
- and
- a means for transporting the at least one label from said label supply means to said label gripping means;
- means for providing relative movement between the container and said at least one labelling station;
- inlet means for providing containers to be labelled to the means for providing relative movement;
- outlet means for removing containers after labelling from the means for providing relative movement;
- first sensor means for detecting a presence of the at least one label on said label gripping means;
- and
- means for activating said means for applying hot adhesive and said means for applying cold adhesive to thereby apply hot adhesive to the at least a portion of the closure, and cold adhesive to the at least a portion of the first end of the at least one label, upon said first sensor means detecting the presence of the at least one label on said label gripping means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.