# US 9,233,770 B2 · Method and unit for forming tubular lengths of web material, particularly in a labelling machine

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- Number: US 9,233,770 B2
- Document ID: US9233770B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/765,333
- Filed: 2013-02-12
- Published: 2013-08-15
- Granted: 2016-01-12
- Earliest claimed: 2012-02-13
- Assignees: Sidel
- Applicants: SIDEL S.p.A. con Socio Unico
- Inventors: Mattia Giuliani; Mirko Rossi; Antonio Secchi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9233770B2

## CPC

- B65C 3/00: Labelling other than flat surfaces (of fabrics B65C5/00)
- B29C 53/44: rotatable about the axis of the article
- B29C 63/426: {in combination with the in situ shaping of the external tubular layer}
- B29C 65/18: using heated tools
- B29C 65/7847: {using vacuum to hold at least one of the parts to be joined (vacuum work holders in general B25B11/005)}
- B29C 65/7885: {Rotary turret joining machines, i.e. having several joining tools moving around an axis}
- B29C 66/1122: {Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints (B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence)}
- B29C 66/3472: {in the plane of the joint, e.g. along the joint line in the plane of the joint or perpendicular to the joint line in the plane of the joint}
- B29C 66/4322: {by joining a single sheet to itself (B29C66/4332 takes precedence)}
- B29C 66/49: {Internally supporting the, e.g. tubular, article during joining (B29C66/63 takes precedence)}
- B29C 66/496: {using a support which remains in the joined object}
- B29C 66/81422: {being convex}
- B29C 66/81811: {of the welding jaws}
- B29C 66/8322: {Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis}
- B29C 66/91423: {using joining tools having different temperature zones or using several joining tools with different temperatures}
- B29C 66/91653: {by controlling or regulating the voltage, i.e. the electric potential difference or electric tension}
- B65C 3/065: {by placing tubular labels around the container (applying preformed tubular sheathings of plastics in general B29C63/18; applying protective covers to closures B67B5/03)}
- B65C 9/00: Details of labelling machines or apparatus {(attaching articles to carriers B65B15/00; cards of samples G09F5/04)}
- B29L 2031/744: {Labels, badges, e.g. marker sleeves}
- B65C: LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES (nailing or stapling in general B25C, B27F; applying labels for packaging purposes B65B; labels, name-plates G09F ){(series-printing machines B41L; containers for the storage or transport of packages B65D)}
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

An example includes a method for forming tubular lengths of web material. The example can include winding a portion of web material in a tubular configuration such that opposite vertical ends of said linear portion overlap. The example can include welding said overlapping ends to fix said linear portion of web material in sleeve configuration. This welding can include heating up at a first temperature a first region of said portion over the whole of which said ends overlap and heating up at a second temperature lower than said first temperature a second region of said portion adjacent to said first region, said ends of said portion of labelling web material overlapping over only a part of said second region. One or more examples relate to a forming unit configured to implement the method outlined above.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A unit for forming tubular lengths of web material, comprising:
a winding body to receive and wrap a portion of said web material into a tubular configuration with opposite ends overlapping, the winding body defining an axis;
a sealing element comprising a rectilinear strip-like active working surface adapted to cooperate with said portion of said web material wrapped around said winding body to weld said ends so as to obtain a sleeve label, wherein said working surface comprises:
at least a first region and a second region, each region defined by a longitudinal strip region parallel to the axis of the winding body, having a height corresponding to a height of said working surface, and positioned substantially adjacent laterally to one another, independently and controllably heatable to respective first operative temperature and second operative temperature, said second temperature being lower than said first temperature,
wherein said first region of said working surface is configured to cooperate with said portion of said web material wrapped around said winding body at a first corresponding sleeve label region, over the whole of which said ends overlap and said second region is adapted to cooperate with said portion of said web material wrapped around said winding body at a second corresponding sleeve label region, over a part of which said ends overlap; and
an actuator assembly for moving said sealing element into and out of engagement with the overlapped edges of the web material wrapped around said winding body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The unit according to claim 1, wherein said working surface comprises at least one further region, adjacent to either of said first region and said second region and controllably heatable, in a manner independent of said first region and said second region, to a respective further operative temperature.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The unit according to claim 2, wherein said further region is adjacent to said second region on the side opposite said first region; said further operative temperature being lower than said second operative temperature.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The unit according to claim 2, wherein said further region is adjacent to said first region on the side opposite said second region; said further operative temperature being higher than said first operative temperature.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The unit according to claim 2, wherein said further operative temperature is equal to one of said first operative temperature and said second operative temperature to which said either first or second region is heatable.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The unit according to claim 1, wherein the web material comprises a label.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The unit according to claim 1, wherein the winding body is to receive and produce the complete wrapping of the portion of said web material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The unit according to claim 1, wherein said second region is adapted to cooperate with said portion of said web material wrapped around said winding body at a second corresponding sleeve label region, over only a part of which said ends overlap.

### Claim 9

A unit for forming tubular lengths of web material, comprising:
a winding body to receive and wrap a portion of said web material into a tubular configuration with opposite ends overlapping, the winding body defining an axis;
a sealing element comprising a rectilinear strip-like active working surface adapted to cooperate with said portion of said web material wrapped around said winding body to weld said ends so as to obtain a sleeve label, wherein said working surface comprises:
at least a first region and a second region, each region defined by a longitudinal strip region parallel to the axis of the winding body, having a height corresponding to a height of said working surface, and positioned substantially adjacent laterally to one another, independently and controllably heatable to respective first operative temperature and second operative temperature, said second temperature being lower than said first temperature,
wherein said first region of said working surface is configured to cooperate with said portion of said web material wrapped around said winding body at a first corresponding sleeve label region, over the whole of which said ends overlap and said second region is adapted to cooperate with said portion of said web material wrapped around said winding body at a second corresponding sleeve label region, over a part of which said ends overlap,
wherein said sealing element comprises a rectilinear bar which defines said working surface; and
an actuator assembly for moving said sealing element into and out of engagement with the overlapped edges of the web material wrapped around said winding body.