Abstract:
An apparatus and method for the application of labels to packaging employing the application of superheated steam or other fluids in an enclosed space at atmospheric pressure are presented. Such an apparatus and method will more effectively, efficiently and safely attach shrink labeling to consumer packaged goods (CPG) with enhanced time, water and energy savings.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 62/052,620 filed on Sep. 19, 2014 by the applicant. This application also utilizes features disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,119,954 issued on Feb. 21, 2012 entitled “Convective Heating System For Industrial Applications”, U.S. Pat. No. 8,435,459 issued on May 27, 2013 entitled “Heating and Sterilizing Apparatus and Method of Using Same”, U.S. Pat. No. 8,940,245 issued on Jan. 27, 2015 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Sterilizing Items” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/425,086 entitled “One Atmosphere Boiler Instant Superheated Steam Apparatus and Method” filed on Nov. 14, 2007 the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Shrink labeling for the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry may be accomplished with hot-air or steam. However, some common hot-air process problems exist. Possible high distortion utilizing hot-air may lead to slow production. Though hot-air production systems have a lower capital cost, sometimes the sheen of the labels is adversely affected during the process. 
         [0003]    A boiler steam process may be used instead. Problems commonly reported with boiler steam are stickiness of, and residual water underneath, the labels. Boiler steam production and use can be very capital intensive, requiring boiler certifications and, often, specialized nozzles. There is also a huge loss of energy in the necessary hot piping. Steam piping from boilers can have long runs and, as such, lower the efficiency of the system. A new method and system is needed to overcome these current deficiencies and is disclosed herein. 
         [0004]    The steam generator presently described may be employed for such labeling and other applications. The steam produced in the described system is offered with a low capital cost structure and will produce high label quality. With this system, high energy efficiency savings are possible up to 50-95% over traditional boiler steam. As an example; changing from traditional 80 kW generation to the present apparatus and method of (4-12) kW saves, per year, in the range of $60000-$65000 at $0.10/KW hr, assuming continuous operations. The cost of changing over to the present system could be as small as $1000 per month for a normal 4 year period of purchase amortization. The return on investment is potentially high. One of the additional benefits of the present system is the ability to mix and match bottle sizes without a need to change any set-up. There is no need to be restricted to a one belt-line either. The disclosed steam generation equipment can be placed adjacent to the label shrinkage machine. Operation speed may increase 10 fold while enjoying increased energy efficiency and mix and match features. The system also may be installed within a few hours. In addition, no certifications are required as there are no boilers. The smaller size of the system allows relocation as desired as well. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    This application discloses an energy efficient apparatus and method where steam is generated and then superheated to a level over 100° C. A preferable temperature may be about 110-500° C. and, possibly, up to 1000° C. The superheated steam is then projected into an enclosed area such as a container or a tunnel wherein bottles or other packaging are to be held. Shrink labels, which are commonly known in the art, are pre-positioned on containers, bottles or other items. These items are then placed in, for a specific period of time, or conveyed through at a specific rate, the enclosed area in which the superheated steam is being projected. After exposure, the labels will be shrink-fitted to the item or container. The apparatus may or may not have a conveying means to propel the items through the superheated steam atmosphere produced by the steam generator. The steam generator and superheating device may be the type as is described below or other equivalent means. 
         [0006]    It has been determined that applied steam, can perform CPG labeling at less than a 1 second residence time. For CPG, the temperature required is about 120° C.-300° C. In this temperature range, less than a 1 second residence time is required for maximum shrinkage. In one perceived embodiment numerous smaller belts (conveyors) having varying speeds, heights, etc. may be employed. Numerous entry points for the steam or hot gas are anticipated. Hot steam can transfer anti-microbial properties to the treated items and make them glossier as well. The steam entry points may be designed to maximize conveyor time and shrinkage rates to accommodate oddly shaped items thus treated (different rates and volumes of steam application for differing shaped portions of an item). Such has not been possible in any system prior to this apparatus. Units with plastic belts and one or more tunnels with direct steam entry points and one final heat air entry point can reduce cost immensely. New unit kits and retrofit kits for bridging energy efficiency to old units are contemplated. Water savings when going to OABs over Boilers can be almost 300 Kg/hr when going from 304 kW to 4 kW. A savings of up to 300 kW every run is contemplated. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an embodiment of a water efficient labeling apparatus. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is top view of the water efficient labeling apparatus. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the water efficient labeling apparatus showing the chamber entrance. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the water efficient labeling apparatus showing the chamber exit. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a view of the fluid chamber and conveyor assembly for the labeling apparatus. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a view of the fluid supply, control and heating systems of the labeling apparatus. 
       
    
    
       [0013]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DRAWINGS - REFERENCE NUMERALS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                  10. labeling apparatus 
                 15. stand 
               
               
                   
                  20. fluid superheater 
                 22. fluid aperture 
               
               
                   
                  24. fluid connection 
                 26. fluid reservoir 
               
               
                   
                  28. pump 
                 40. containment chamber 
               
               
                   
                  42. chamber entrance 
                 44. chamber exit 
               
               
                   
                  60. conveyance means 
                 80. controller 
               
               
                   
                  82. power hookup 
                 84. transformer 
               
               
                   
                 100. auxiliary heater 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    An embodiment of the present apparatus is depicted in  FIGS. 1-6 . A steam generator (other fluids including ion containing fluids are contemplated as well) is attached to a containment area that may or may not be equipped with a conveying means. Steam is produced and then superheated by the generator. The superheated steam generator may be of the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/425,068 which is disclosed by reference in its entirety. In such a superheated steam generator as disclosed in Ser. No. 14/425,068 a mist of water, or, in certain cases, other fluid, is projected directly on a hot surface or heating elements where it is instantly transformed into superheated steam. Any well-insulated heater containing heated surfaces capable of achieving appropriate temperatures on which water droplets (or other liquids) can be converted to high temperature steam (or fluid) is contemplated and may be utilized. Configurations of heaters and coils composed of materials that have P, B, C, Ni, Fe, Mo, Cr, Si, Al, O and rare earths are envisioned as well. 
         [0015]    Large amounts of energy are quickly transferred during the rapid formation of superheated steam as well as during the large expansion in volume of the water droplets to steam during the process. In this type of application, such a rapid formation of superheated steam is new to the art. The rapid expansion of the droplets into steam and the resulting energy release helps to propel the steam out of the steam generator and onto objects and surfaces within the chamber. Atomized droplets constitute an unstable fluid stream. During the operation of this apparatus, unstable fluid streams impact on hot surfaces and form electrons in the conduction band which may provide the advantages described herein. In particular, the mist or unstable fluid stream (unstable fluid morphology) impinges on a very hot surface, preferably where electrons are in the conduction band, and due to this, causes instant boiling. The hot surface is envisioned as being a heating element or a metal, ceramic or plastic-like surface. The spinodal region of the P sat /T sat  curve is avoided and thus high purity gas (waterless steam) is produced. Films of trapped steam that normally reduce boiling efficiency are overcome by the present application. Boiling films that are problems in normal boilers can be avoided. Other advantages of this apparatus are that quick antimicrobial or electric work can be accomplished through the use thereof. 
         [0016]    The superheated steam is then allowed to flow into a containment tunnel or chamber into which items to be treated are placed or fed. The generation of steam and the accumulation of steam in the chamber are done at atmospheric pressure, thereby avoiding the use of a boiler or the build-up of dangerous pressure. This type of generation and containment system thus offers a much safer and less expensive method of steam treatment where boilers and pressure resistant chambers, fixture and piping are required. 
         [0017]    After generation, the superheated steam is projected into the containment area which may be a tunnel or simple chamber. The chamber may be straight in configuration or it may be bent or curved either side to side or up and down. Due to the entire process being accomplished at atmospheric pressure, thin, as well as thick, cross sections for the chamber are contemplated. The containment area need not be sealed. The apparatus is operated at atmospheric pressure, resulting in no dangerous pressures. An atmosphere of superheated steam or other fluid is envisioned, wherein the fluid does not enter under pressure and the items inside of the chamber are not forcefully contacted by the fluid. The items are enveloped by the fluid atmosphere and the properties of the superheated steam or other fluid are allowed to apply or shrink labels or packaging on to or around the items to be treated. 
         [0018]    In one application items to be treated are held in the containment area or are passed through the steam atmosphere at a pre-determined speed or for a specific time to allow the labels to shrink on the items. The elevated temperature of the superheated steam permits much shorter hold times than current systems. Also, the nature of superheated steam eliminates many of the problems associated with the use of hot-air and boiler steam. 
         [0019]    A contemplated method comprises generating steam, superheating the steam, projecting the superheated steam into a containment area and placing items to be treated or labeled into the containment are for a specified period of time. A conveyor system or belt(s) may be used to pass the items through the superheated steam atmosphere. The production and projection of the superheated steam continues throughout the process. 
         [0020]    It is also anticipated that the apparatus and method may be employed without the use of a containment area. Handheld versions of instant steamers are presented above that can be used for direct application of superheated steam when the touch-up of a label that is wrinkled or flawed. Shrink control may easily be handled with the use of such a handheld device. Robotic devices may also be employed in the parts manipulations (loading, unloading of items, etc.). 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1-6  represent an embodiment of the apparatus of the present application and picture a labeling apparatus  10  comprised of a fluid superheater  20  a containment chamber  40  into which superheated steam and items to be treated are introduced and a conveyance means  60 . The conveyance means  60  may be supported by stand  15  and the apparatus may be controlled by controller  80 . 
         [0022]    The superheater  20  is connected to the chamber  40  by fluid connection  24  through fluid aperture  22  located through the top of chamber  40 . Chamber  40  may be constructed of any suitable material capable of tolerating contact with a superheated fluid. The chamber  40  may be insulated as well to retain the heat of the superheated fluid and as a safety feature. In this embodiment the fluid aperture  22  is a single one located at the top of the chamber  40 . However, multiple apertures at different positions are envisioned as well. Before heating, fluid, such as water, is contained in reservoir  26  and pumped by pump  28  to the superheater  20  where it is converted to a superheated fluid. The superheated steam generated by superheater  20  flows into the chamber  40  via fluid connection  24  without pressurization or other means of force. 
         [0023]    Items are moved through the chamber  40  by a conveyance means  60 , which, in this embodiment, is a conveyor belt passing through the chamber  40  via chamber entrance  42  and chamber exit  44 . An embodiment without a conveyance means  60  is envisioned as well. A sealed chamber or a chamber with a door or flap, or flaps, is contemplated also. If desired, an auxiliary heater  100  may be attached to the chamber  40  to provide heated air to the system. In one embodiment the auxiliary heater  100  is positioned within the stand  15  underneath the chamber  40  and conveyance means  60 . Power is provided to the labeling apparatus  10  by an external source of electricity through a power hookup  82  and transformer  84  regulated by controller  80 . Multiple chambers  40  and conveyance means  60  are contemplated. 
         [0024]    The above descriptions provide examples of specifics of possible embodiments and should not be used to limit the scope of all possible embodiments. Thus the scope of the embodiments should not be limited by the examples and descriptions given, but should be determined from the claims and their legal equivalents.