ULTRA HIGH SPEED LABELING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high speed placement of labels onto containers (1) by a continuous motion. The label stock (16) is transferred to a rotary vacuum drum (10), carried by rotation of the vacuum drum to a glue application station (18) and then to a label application station (15) where the glue coated labels are wrapped onto containers. As the containers reach the labeling position they are already rotating so that their surfaces are moving at the same speed as the drum surface. The labeled containers are then discharged onto a conveyor (9) where they are held against rotation and stabilized by a pair of parallel belt drives (12, 14). Glue is imprinted onto each label by a roller (30) with a patterned surface. The roller picks up glue as it rotates past a glue bar surface (31) which emits glue from a tapered exit (40). The tapered configuration causes build up of suitable pressure so as to force the glue into the pattern on the glue roller. A downstream edge (42) of the glue bar surface acts as a doctor to spread and wipe off excess glue. The excess glue collects in a hollow (43) adjacent to the edge, and may be recirculated.

Description: FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY Cotles used to identify Stales party to the PCT on the fiont pages of pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT. - 1 - ULTRA HIGH SPEED LABELING APPARATUS .AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to apparatus and methods for continuous high speed wrapping of labels onto upright containers. 10 2. PRIOR ART Mechanical handling of containers for label application normally includes a number of components integrated to operate as a unit for wrapping a label onto a container. Such apparatus, as disclosed in U.S. Patent ■,,- NO. 4,242,167, may include a means of label stock supply, a means for cutting label segments, an adhesive assembly for applying adhesive or glue to label segments, a vacuum drum for transfer of the label segments to a position where they are wrapped onto a container, and means for 20 feeding containers to and away from the labeling position. Speed limitations of any one subcomponent have been found to limit the speed of the overall operation. The apparatus of U.S. Patent No. 4,242,167 is designed to operate at a speed of approximately 100 containers per -*, r minute. It has been discovered that adhesive application methods used in prior apparatus do not accommodate a high speed labeling operation. A glue roller/glue bar assembly is commonly used for imprinting a glue pattern onto , Q labels. As disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,104,845, hot melt adhesive is channeled from a reservoir through a passageway inside a glue "bar". The passageway terminates in a glue deposit portal on the surface of the glue bar, in face-to-face contact with the roller. Glue deposited 5 onto the roller surface becomes increasingly difficult to - 2 - u spread and drain. Excess glue results in uneven, messy printing. In addition, when the apparatus is operated at a speed exceeding 600 containers per minute, the glue may fling off the roller. Another significant disadvantage of the prior art is that the overall speed of a labeling operation is limited by the discharge conveyor. The rate of discharge must be adjusted to accommodate spinning and instability of exiting containers. As shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,765,991 and 3,834,963 conventional apparatus discharges containers between a single belt positioned opposite a stationary wall. This design, however, imparts additional instability to exiting containers and does not permit container discharge in excess of 600 containers per minute. It is the object of this invention to achieve high speed labeling of containers by overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art. It is another object of this invention to avoid such disadvantages by providing an apparatus and method which places labels on containers at high speeds while efficiently spreading and draining glue. Another object of this invention is to enable a high speed labeling operation by stabilizing exiting containers in order to operate the discharge conveyor at high speeds. It is a further object of this invention to prevent instability during discharge in order to enable operation at speeds of 1000 or more containers per minute. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a labeling apparatus and method which, in novel fashion, adapts conventional components for high speed continuous placement of labels onto containers. To achieve the - 3 - objective of applying labels directly onto cylindrical containers at a rapid rate, this invention improves the speed and efficiency of glue application and facilitates rapid container exit by stabilizing container discharge. The glue application assembly includes means for -"* depositing glue onto a glue roller by a specially designed glue bar which has a tapered glue deposit portal, a trailing edge which acts as a glue wiper, and a hollow groove adjacent the edge which collects excess glue. The ■ taper of the deposit portal, in conjunction with rotational forces of the glue roller, creates sufficient pressures to force glue into grooves between knurls on the roller surface. This allows for rapid rotation of the glue roller and high speed labeling. Glue deposited through the tapered glue portal is spread into an even layer by a lip-like trailing edge on the glue bar while excess glue is collected in the hollow next to the trailing edge. Stabilizing and rapid discharge of labelled containers are achieved through the use of two parallel belts positioned on opposite sides of a discharge conveyor. The belts address the slides of the spinning containers to dampen rotation and prevent container instability along the discharge conveyor. According to the invention, these features permit the apparatus to function at a high rate of label application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus; FIGURE 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the discharge conveyor and stabilizer belts; - 4 - o FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the glue roller and glue bar assembly; and FIGURE 4 is a side view along section 4-4 of figure 3 of the glue bar and glue roller. 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention may be further understood by detailed reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, unlabeled containers 1 are conveyed on feed conveyor 6 toward labeling position 15 by a feed screw 3 , n and two tangentially disposed star wheels 4 and 5. Containers 1 travel freely along conveyor 6 and are carried loosely in the notches of star wheels 4 and 5, along an S-shaped path. As each container 1 begins its exit from main - j r star wheel 5, it advances between roll on pad 7 and bottle rail 8. A spin is imparted to each container 1 as it tangentially exits the star wheel 5 and bears against roll on pad 7. Once it is spinning, the container is ready for label application. 2 Q Vacuum drum 10, positioned in tangent with star wheel 5, carries to labeling position 15 a sequence of glued labels 20 on its surface. As spinning containers reach labeling position 15, labels are wrapped sequentially by contact between the unlabeled containers 1 y r and the glued leading edge 17 of the label 20 located on protrusion 11 of the vacuum drum 10. After a label is wrapped, the labeled containers 2 continue to spin as they exit onto the discharge conveyor 9. As shown in Figure 2, spinning and instability -. Q of the labeled containers which would otherwise limit the speed of operation of the apparatus are dampened by dual stabilizer belts 12 and 14. The belts, positioned in parallel along the container discharge path, are driven in opposing directions around post 26 and press against the 5 sides of the containers to prevent them from spinning. - 5 - o Belts 12 and 14 travel at approximately the same speed as discharge conveyor 9 in order to insure smooth container exit. Stabilizer belts 12 and 14 are preferably constructed of a plurality of stacked round polyurethane c belt members 13. The number of individual belt units on each stabilizer belt can be varied according to the height of containers to be processed on the apparatus. Tension member 21, placed along the belt path ensures proper belt tension. - jQ Referring to the figures, the continuous preparation of label segments is hereinafter described. Label segments are formed by continuously feeding label stock 16 via a roll (not shown) to the vacuum drum 10. Pressure rollers (not shown) advance the stock through a , c cutter, which continuously severs predetermined lengths of label, while the leading edge 17 of the label 20 is held by suction onto protrusion 11 of vacuum drum 10. After each label segment 20 is cut, it is positioned on the surface of vacuum drum 10 and rotated 0 through a glue printing position 21 where glue is printed o onto the label by glue roller 30 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Protrusions 11 on vacuum drum 10 act as platens for printing of the leading and trailing edges of the label segment. According to the invention, glue may 5 alternatively be printed on only the leading edge of a label, leaving the trailing edge to be attached either to the container or to the leading edge by another means such as solvent or heat bonding. The glue roller 30 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 0 receives glue from the face of a glue bar 31. Glue 36 is fed from glue tank 36A through internal glue channel 25 to the glue bar face 31 for application to the surface of rotating glue roller 30. Channel 25 leads to a triangular shaped, tapered opening 40 on the glue bar face 35. As 5 glue enters tapered opening 40, the rotation of glue - 6 - roller 30 causes build up of suitable pressures in the tapered configuration 40 so as to force glue into the patterned surface formed by grooves 44 between knurls 45 on the glue roll 30. Other patterns which result in a similar operation will be apparent to those of ordinary 5 skill in the art. Figure 4 shows the taper to be an angle of 15°. The invention may successfully create suitable pressures at other angles of taper between 5° and 45°. Taper 40 may also peak at a point which is offset from the centerline T^Q of glue channel 25. Alternative taper configurations develop varying patterns of pressuring glue into the knurled face of glue roller 30. Excess glue collects in hollow 43. Edge 42, downstream of the tapered opening 40 on the glue bar face i c wipes and doctors off excess glue on the surface of glue roller 30 and collects it in vertically disposed hollow 43. The glue is spread by edge 42 and excess glue runs into hollow 43, where it may be collected for recirculation. 0 While this invention has been described in conjunction with its preferred embodiment, modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 5 0

Claims: - 7 - υ What is claimed is; 1. Labeling apparatus for high speed application of labels to cylindrical containers comprising: (a) a cylindrical rotary drum having a plurality of protrusions thereon and means for retaining a label on a face thereof such that an end of said label contacts the top of a protrusion; (b) glue application roll means having a patterned surface for applying glue onto the ends of said label retained on said protrusions; (c) a glue bar connected to a glue tank for applying glue to a surface of said glue application roll means through a tapered opening formed in a face of said glue bar which face addresses said glue application roll means; (d) means for spreading said glue into said grooves and drawing excess glue from the surface of said glue application roll means. (e) conveyor means for continuous container feed of cylindrical containers in rapid succession to a label applying station; (f) means for imparting spin opposite to the direction of said cylindrical rotary drum to said containers at the label application station such that the ends of said labels contact a surface of said container and are applied thereto; (g) a discharge conveyor for carrying said labeled containers in rapid succession from said label application station; (h) independently mounted stabilizer belt means for dampening axial rotation of said labeled containers while supporting them in an upright position as they are discharged on said discharge conveyor. - 8 - > • 2. Labeling apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the means for spreading and draining excess glue includes a hollow disposed orthogonally to the glue application roll means and forms an edge which doctors excess glue over said glue application roll means and provides a means 5 for removal of excess glue for collection and draining. 3. Labeling apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the patterned surface of said glue application roll means is an alternating series of knurls and grooves. 4. Labeling apparatus as in claim 2 wherein 0 said hollow is integrally formed in the glue bar face. 5. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said glue is hot melt glue. 6. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said independently mounted stabilizer belt means 5 comprises at least two oppositely rotating parallel belts which contact said labeled containers on opposite sides. 7. An apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said parallel belts are constructed of a plurality of polyurethane belt members. o 8. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said means for spreading and drawing excess glue includes a trailing edge on the glue bar face which contains a lip and creates a lateral hollow in which excess glue may be collected and drained. 9. A method of applying labels in rapid sequence to cylindrical containers comprising the steps of; (a) continuously transporting a rapid sequence of cylindrical containers toward a label application station; (b) positioning a leading edge of a label segment on protrusions formed on the periphery of a vacuum drum; (c) applying glue to said leading edge of each label segment; - 9 - o (d) advancing the label segment to the label application station; (e) imparting a spin to each container and thereby affixing the label segment to said container; (f) rapidly discharging said containers in non-rotating upright condition by simultaneously supporting them and dampening rotation about their axes. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of applying glue includes the additional steps of channeling glue onto a vertically positioned glue bar, depositing ^Q glue onto a glue application roll through a tapered portal on said glue bar, spreading said glue evenly over the surface of the glue application roll and collecting excess adhesive in a recess orthogonal to the glue application roll. 5 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the steps of positioning and applying glue to a leading edge includes the additional steps of positioning and applying glue to a trailing edge. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the steps of affixing the label segment to the container includes the additional steps of affixing the trailing edge to said leading edge. 13. Labeling apparatus for high speed application of labels to containers comprising: (a) means for continuously feeding containers to a label application station; (b) means for imparting spin to said continuously fed containers prior to label application; (c) a vertically positioned glue bar Q containing a tapered portal which receives glue at its uppermost end from a supply of same and deposits said glue, under pressure, onto a glue application roll means containing a patterned surface; 5 - 10 - 0 (d) means for spreading and collecting excess glue from the surface of said glue application roll means; (e) a cylindrical rotary drum with vacuum means for retaining a label on its surface, which drum _ first brings an edge of said label into contact with the deposited glue on said glue application roll means, and secondly brings the label into contact with said continuously fed spinning containers; such that said label is applied to said container; - n (f) discharge means for conveying said labeled container away from said label applying station; (g) independently mounted oppositely rotating parallel stabilizer belts which receive said labeled containers from said discharge means and dampen - .- axial rotation of said labelled containers while supporting them in an upright position. 14. Labeling apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said means for spreading and collecting excess glue includes a hollow which is located adjacent to said tapered portal on said glue bar. 15. Labeling apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said patterned surface is a series of alternating knurls and grooves. 16. Labeling apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said tapered portal is triangularly shaped. 5 17. Labeling apparatus as in claim 15 wherein said tapered glue emission portal peaks to a point which is offset from the centerline of the glue emission portal. 18. Labeling apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said patterned glue application roll means has a surface 0 which contains grooves between knurls. 19. Labeling apparatus as in claim 16 wherein said triangularly shaped tapered portal has a taper angle between 5° and 45°. - 11 - 20. Labeling apparatus as in claim 18 wherein said triangularly shaped tapered portal has a taper angle of approximately 15°.

Inventors: DICKEY DANIEL M, DICKEY, DANIEL, M.
Applicants: CMS GILBRETH PACKAGING SYSTEMS, CMS GILBRETH PACKAGING SYSTEMS, INC.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B65C9
IPC codes: B65C3, B65C9