Patent ID: 8182629
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: B65C,B65G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for labeling a container having a side wall, a top and at least one ear extending outwardly from the container side wall, said method comprising the steps of advancing the container into a container orienting apparatus comprising positioning the container within the star wheel pocket, rotating the container within the star wheel pocket by rotating that star wheel while there is static frictional engagement between the side wall of the container and the grippy surface of the stationary roll pad, extending a container retainer from a retracted position into engagement with the top of the container so that the container retainer presses the container down against the container conveyor when the container is in, or as it enters, the star wheel pocket, continuing to rotate the container until it is oriented to a desired rotational orientation and preventing further container rotation by engagement between the stop and the container ear so that static frictional engagement between the side wall of the oriented container and the grippy surface of the stationary roll pad is overcome, maintaining contact between the side wall of the oriented container and the grippy surface of the stationary roll pad while rotation of the oriented container is prevented, thereby generating forces that would lift the oriented container out of the star wheel pocket or skew the container in the star wheel pocket, overcoming those forces through the container retainer acting on the oriented container, rotating the star wheel and advancing the oriented container until it is no longer in contact with the grippy surface of the stationary roll pad, retracting the container retainer after the oriented container is no longer in contact with the grippy surface of the stationary roll pad, and applying a label to the oriented container after the container retainer is retracted.