Abstract: A multilayer film useful for making plastic adhesive labels for glass substrates such as glass bottles. The multilayer films contain a base layer, an adhesive layer, and optionally an intermediate layer to improve interlayer bonding between the base layer and the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer comprises a heat-activated thermoplastic adhesive that is not tacky at room temperature. Films of the present invention are sufficiently non blocking at room temperature so as to not require the use of a separate release liner. The film can be utilized in conventional graphics printing operations and made into labels. Labels made from films of the present invention can be thermally adhered to glass substrates and exhibit sufficient adhesion to glass substrates to withstand washing/rinsing, filling, and pasteurization processes utilized in the bottling industry.

Abstract: A labeling machine applies an adhesive to labels for attachment to containers and has a glue bar which engages a glue roller. A label drum receives and delivers labels into engagement with containers for wrap around labeling of the containers. An adhesive is delivered to the glue bar. The adhesive is a hot melt adhesive which can maintain its label bond while withstanding high heat such as from a pasteurization process. The hot melt adhesive has a viscosity which tends to increase if the adhesive is not kept in constant motion or is allowed to set. The shear of the adhesive is increased during adhesive transfer to ensure low viscosity transfer of the adhesive from the glue roller to a label positioned on the label drum.

Abstract: Method for applying heat shrinkable segments of material (16) (e.g., labels or ornamental bands) to articles (25) (e.g., containers or ornaments) which have convex surfaces. The segment (16) is attached at both ends by adhesive to the convex surface (46) (or the trailing end of the segment (16) may be lapped over and adhesively attached to the leading end of the segment (16)). The adhesive attachments are confined to a narrow sector, e.g., the sector of widest diameter, or a circumference of a sphere, leaving major portions of the segment (16) on either side of such narrow sector unattached. These major portions are then heat shrunk onto the convex surface (46).

Abstract: An apparatus for applying heat transfer labels, disposed on a web, to containers. In one embodiment, the apparatus is intended for round, non-tapered containers and comprises a continuously rotating turret, a container transport system for continuously delivering containers to and away from the turret and a web transport system for moving a web containing heat-transfer labels into position for label transferring. The turret includes a rotably driven shaft and a plurality of cup assemblies arranged in a circle around the shaft and coupled thereto. Each cup assembly includes a cup used to hold a container, the cup being rotably driven independently of the shaft and in a required direction. A nozzle assembly is associated with each cup assembly and is used to secure a container within its respective cup and, if necessary, to inflate the container to impart sufficient rigidity thereto for labelling. Each cup assembly and its associated nozzle assembly together define a container holding station.

Abstract: A system for applying labels to objects includes an object supply for supplying objects substantially equally spaced and aligned in single file for labeling. The system also includes a label applicator for applying a label to an object from the object supply and a label supply for supplying the labels to the label applicator. Each of the labels are joined at an end to at least one other of the labels. The system also includes a labeling finisher to detach the end of each label from the at least one other label and to smooth the end of each label onto their respective object.

Abstract: A method for attaching a label to an outer surface of a package. The label is printed by a printer onto a label web, the label is separated from the web, and tacked to the wrap of the package. The label printed is introduced onto a suction plate, which is arranged on an end of a pivoted swing arm, with a printed side of the label facing the suction plate so that an rim of the label web extends over a pressure roller. Vacuum is applied to the suction plate in order to hold the label, the label is separated from the label web by a shear device and an adhesive precoat is applied on an unprinted side of the label. The package is moved, and the pivoted swing arm is rotated against the package by an actuator (5) so that one edge of the label is brought into an adhering contact with the outer surface of the package by the line pressure exerted by the pressure roller.

Abstract: Cylindrical containers are rolled between two parallel belts which travel in opposite directions and engage diametrically opposite sides of the containers. One of the belts carries labels under the rolling containers so that the label is wrapped around it. The other belt moves at a somewhat greater velocity so that the container moves slowly downstream as they roll rapidly about their own axes. From the labeling belt, the drive belt continues to move the containers over a roll-on pad on which the label is pressed firmly in place.

Abstract: To apply automatically a label to an object, particularly a food product, of substantially cylindrical irregular shape, the object is introduced into a loop purposely formed in a conveyor belt, with one end of the label interposed between the object and the belt. The object is enveloped almost entirely with the belt inside the loop together with the label, whereupon the conveyor belt is moved causing the rotation of the object and of the label, the ends of which label are overlapped and then glued together.

Abstract: An improvement in labeling machines of the type disclosed in Wesley U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: A strip of tape is cut at intervals into precise cut lengths equal in length to that of a desired label of non-rectangular shape. The cut lengths of tape are positioned in exact alignment with a punch of a punch cutting assembly for punching out the label and the punched label is separated from waste about the rim of the label for delivery free of the waste. The cut lengths are transferred to a transfer drum periphery and held momentarily under vacuum pressure which vacuum pressure is released to allow the cut lengths to shift circumferentially about the periphery of the transfer drum against a stop to accurately locate the cut lengths prior to further transfer to the punch cutting assembly.

Abstract: A tapered article labelling machine and method providing the capability for automated high-speed accurate register continuous application of generally crescent shaped labels to curved and tapered articles, including auxiliary sub-assembly machine stations for accomplishing continuous tapered article infeed, adhesive application and label feed and application respectively to the sidewall surface thereof, label compression after adhesive application to accomplish label conformation to the tapered article exterior sidewall supporting surface during adhesive set, and thereafter automatic delivery of labeled articles from the machine to inspection and cartoning stations or the like.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes a rotatably driven transfer means adapted to receive a design configuration and follower means synchronously driven therewith for carrying and orienting an article to receive the design from the transfer means into alignment therewith in nonslip rolling contact. The respective transfer means and article share a respective center and apex as established by the follower means. In another embodiment the transfer means and article are forced into engagement via an elastic interface.

Abstract: An automatic ply applying apparatus and method for forming an elastic annular body, such as a vehicle tire, by transporting each ply to a former, retaining a portion of the ply adjacent to the leading end of the former, applying the leading end portion of the ply to the peripheral surface of the former and applying the remaining portion of the ply to the peripheral surface of the former during rotation of the former.

Abstract: A form of adhesive label is disclosed which enables instructions, e.g. for the use of the contents of a container to which the label is to be attached, to be detachably secured, with the label, to the container. The label comprises a backing sheet with adhesive on one face protected by a siliconized paper release sheet, and an "instruction" strip glued to its other face. The strip has a first band of adhesive along one transverse edge of its rearward face, a tear line next to the band of adhesive, and a transverse fold line spaced from the tear line and about which the remainder of the strip is folded to lie between the front portion of the strip and the sheet. Adjacent the fold line is a second band of adhesive which with the first band secures the strip to the backing sheet. The remainder of the strip is folded concertina-fashion or otherwise about fold lines so as to lie entirely between the two bands of adhesive. The tear line and a second tear line enable the strip to be detached for study.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for decorating the sides of bottles and similar articles having a variety of cross-sections, of the type in which a label is pressed onto the article from a carrier web while both the web and article are in motion. The apparatus includes a cam and cam follower mechanism wherein the cam is profiled in the cross-section of the article. The cam and cam follower are driven by a cable moving at the linear velocity of the carrier web in order to coordinate web advance with article rotation. The article is housed on a laterally movable swing arm during labelling to provide a variable axial location.

Abstract: A decoration is transferred to a cylindrical body by employing a surface so configured as to maintain continuous contact with that body throughout the time of transfer; the body is supported for rotation during and as an incident to transfer but it may be positively driven at a greater speed, particularly in the instance where the decoration is a thin film label, which needs to be tensioned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying indicia to the surface of generally cylindrical articles. The machine utilizes a rotary article transport assembly or turret mechanism which has a plurality of gripper hands mounted thereon for holding the cylindrical articles to be decorated. At least one article orienting station is provided to orient the article so that the indicia is applied over the proper portion of the surface of the article. After orienting, the article is rotated in a holding assembly and the indicia carrying tape or foil is pressed against the appropriate portion of the outer surface of the article by a heated die carried on a cylindrical drum mounted immediately adjacent to the article being decorated. Means are provided for rotating the article being decorated and the die carrying drum at the same peripheral surface speed. Also, means are provided for positively feeding the decorating tape between the bottle and the transfer die.

Abstract: A decoration is transferred to a cylindrical body by employing a surface so configured as to maintain continuous contact with that body throughout the time of transfer; the body is supported for rotation during and as an incident to transfer but it may be positively driven at a greater speed, particularly in the instance where the decoration is a thin film label, which needs to be tensioned.

Abstract: Disclosed are a labelling machine and method, a label for use therein, a container having the label secured thereto, and an adhesive applicator head especially adapted for use in the machine and the method. Adhesive is applied to the container in a pattern corresponding to a line of holes adjacent the leading edge of the label with a portion of the adhesive contacting the label adjacent the leading edge and a portion exposed through said holes to contact the portion of the label adjacent the trailing edge which is overlapped over said leading edge and said holes.

Abstract: The invention relates to means for printing on labels at a bottle labelling machine. The machine has glue applying means, a stack of labels and a label transfer station arranged about a circle, at least one pick-up element for the labels, a support for said pick-up element, means for rotating said support and thereby said pick-up element so that pick-up element successively receives glue, picks up a label and transfers it to another member for subsequent application to a bottle, and means for printing said labels prior to application to said bottles. In accordance with the invention the printing means comprises an inking element positioned between the glue applying means and the stack of labels. A roll having a stamp pad jacket transfers printing ink to the inking element and a brush is also provided to wipe the inking element after printing. Sun and planet gears are provided to cause appropriate pivoting of the various elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to an assembly for applying labels to the longitudinal surface of cylindrical articles. The assembly includes a label dispenser which carries the labels to a label station and dispenses them, one at a time, at the labelling station. The labels are carried on a backing tape and are slid off the tape at the labelling station. The assembly also includes means for advancing the articles to the labelling station, for example, a walking beam, and means for supporting the article at the labelling station so that it is free to rotate about its longitudinal axis. A cylindrical roller is disposed in a two position parallel arrangement with an article at the labelling station such that, in one position, the roller is spaced from the article and, in a second position, the roller is in physical contact with the article along a longitudinal contact line. Means are provided for moving the roller to its two positions, and further means are provided for rotating the roller about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A labeling machine, system, and method capable of accommodating offset printed label tapes or other label tapes having discontinuities between the individual labels of a repeat print pattern, with feeding and severing such in controlled fashion utilizing a printed indicia code and a two stage feeding and cutting cycle, while uniquely securing and advancing articles or containers to be labeled with novel equipment, both in a manner to allow extremely accurate and dependable label application and subsequent label verification on the article as well as label position checking, and with discharge means positively governing discharge of the labeled articles according to acceptability or non-acceptability.