A labeling tool

Abstract

 A labeling tool (17) for folding and attaching labels (14) onto closure systems of beverage bottles (15) is disclosed. The labeling tool comprised at least two folding means (13, 13a) and a channel (18) formed by and in between said folding means. Both ends of labels are folded and attached partly on the top and side surfaces of the closure systems of bottles while, in operation, said bottles move on a conveyor line to which said labeling tool is installed. The folding means (13, 13a) are spaced apart from each other for forming a channel (18). In particular, the folding means have inclined inner surfaces which make said channel a converging channel in the direction of the movement of said conveyor line.

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for attaching labels, such as banderoles, label strips, on top of the closure systems for beverage bottles, wherein the labels are folded and bended in the absence of a conventional piston mechanism exerting pressure on conveyed bottles.

Background of the Invention

[0002] In beverage bottling plants, closing machines attach closure systems to bottles upon filling in a continuously conveyed line. Closed bottles are then usually conveyed to an information adding station, wherein information or banderols, is fixed to the bottle or its closure. The bottles are then sorted and packaged for shipment out of the plant.

[0003] Information adding station, mentioned above, generally has a folding and rolling unit in order to fix labels on the bottles. A conventional pneumatic folding unit comprises air cylinders, air pipes, elbows, filter, lubricating unit, plastering parts, aluminum block and control valves. For a mass beverage producer, the speed of the line is up to 25000 bottles/hour especially for small volumes and for such a fast line pneumatic components lifetime is dramatically shortened. Inappropriate environmental conditions and problems at pressurized air line of the producer (bad filtering and moisture) are also inadvertently affecting a healthy working process. Besides these complications, conventional pneumatic labeling systems fail to properly fold the sides of labels or banderoles and further, alignment of labels on the bottles may be poor.

[0004] In some beverage bottling plants, the information adding station applies banderoles on the tops of the closure systems of beverage bottles. The term "banderoles" as used in this application also means, depending on the purposes, label strips and/or tax labels or tax strips or ID strips. Conventional labeling tools mostly apply pressure on the banderol and hence the closure system of the bottle. A small movement of the bottle causes the banderol being badly aligned on the closure of the bottle. The piston mechanism, due to pneumatic constraints, is usually not quick enough to suffice the needs of the filling line and is therefore a major constraint in the overall process of beverage production plant.

[0005] Conventional piston mechanisms for labeling are well known, and there are several patents documents in the corresponding field. One of these is US patent US4976803A where a pressing station for metal foil sheets applied around the top and the neck of bottles is disclosed. By means of bell-shaped pressing elements which can axially be lowered towards the bottle top, the foil sheets are firmly applied to the top of the closure system and neck of the bottle. Each component of above mentioned systems needs frequent maintenance and replacement of various pneumatic parts, eventually increasing service costs. Besides, extend and retract positioning of pneumatic elements usually need very sensitive adjustments, whereas the pressure deviations in the supplied air is requiring to re-adjustment of these positioning parameters and supplied pressurized air also has an additional cost for plant operator.

[0006] The present invention discloses a novel labeling tool which is capable of folding the sides of labels in the absence of a conventional piston mechanism exerting pressure on conveyed bottles, therefore preventing shaking or rotating bottle as most of the piston mechanisms required. The labels fit on the closure systems of the bottles with a straight alignment. The present eliminated the need for frequent maintenance as the labeling mechanism is free of parts requiring lubrication or pressurized air supply. A further advantage achieved by the present invention is the positive impact on the bottle alignments on a moving conveyor.

Objects of the Invention

[0007] Primary object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the conventional labeling systems identified in the background of the invention.

[0008] A further object of the present invention is to reduce the service and maintenance costs of a labeling system while providing perfectly aligned and fixed labels.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to fold the sides of the labels in the absence of a conventional piston mechanism exerting pressure.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to create a simplified, non-complex and economic labeling system for attaching labels on the closure systems of beverage bottles, whereby the labeling system is adjustable with respect to the size of the bottles.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to increase the speed of labeling system by elimination of pneumatic parts.

Summary of the Invention

[0012] A labeling tool for folding and attaching labels onto closure systems of beverage bottles is disclosed. The labeling tool comprised at least two folding means and a channel formed by and in between said folding means. Both ends of labels are folded and attached partly on the top and side surfaces of the closure systems of bottles while, in operation, said bottles move on a conveyor line to which said labeling tool is installed. The folding means are spaced apart from each other for forming a channel. In particular, the folding means have inclined inner surfaces which make said channel a converging channel in the direction of the movement of said conveyor line. The channel formed by the folding means is converging in at least one direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of said conveyor line.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] The figures whose brief explanations are herewith provided are solely intended for providing a better understanding of the present invention and are as such not intended to define the scope of protection or the context in which said scope is interpreted in the absence of the description. To this end;

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the labeling tool according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows another perspective view of the labeling tool according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the labeling tool in which the folding means are brought next to each other.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the labeling tool where the labels are folded onto closure systems of beverage bottles conveyed continuously on a conveyor line.

Figure 5 shows another perspective view of the labeling tool where the labels are folded onto closure systems of continuously conveyed beverage bottles.

Figure 6 shows another perspective view of the labeling tool where the labels are folded onto closure systems of conveyed beverage bottles.

Figure 7 shows another perspective view of the labeling tool where the labels are folded onto closure systems of conveyed beverage bottles and then bottles are conveyed into rollers for better attachment of labels.

Figure 8 shows another perspective view of the labeling tool where the labels are folded onto closure systems of conveyed beverage bottles and then bottles are conveyed into rollers for better attachment of labels.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0014] The following list of references will be used hereinafter in this specification;

13

Folding means

13a

Folding means

14

Label/banderol

15

Bottle

16

Rolling unit

17

Labeling tool

18

Channel

19

Auxiliary folding member

20

Connection plate

21

Connection holes

22

Bottle cap

23

Horizontal plate

24

Adjustment device

25

Screw

26

Support structure

[0015] Referring now to the figures outlined above, the present invention proposes a device and method for attaching labels (14) on top of closure systems of beverage bottles (15) in a faster and easier way compared to conventional pneumatic systems.

[0016] Fig. 4 demonstrates the folding process of the labels (14) by the usage of a labeling tool (17) according to the present invention. As shown in Figs 1 and 2, two independents folding means (13,13a) are adjusted according to diameter of the beverage caps (22) and a channel (18) is formed by said folding means (13,13a) which are spaced apart from each other (13,13a). The two ends of said labels (14) are folded onto bottle caps (22) while moving through said channel (18) on a conveyor line. Said channel (18) is converging in at least one direction which is perpendicular to the direction of movement on said conveyor line. As shown in Figures 4 to 8, labels (15) are folded while being conveyed through said adjusted channel (18) and then bottles are conveyed to roller units (16) for better attachment of the labels on their closures.

[0017] In order to achieve the objects of the invention, the labeling tool (17) basically comprises two folding means (13,13a) which have inclined inner surfaces with respect to the horizontal axis (X, Fig.6) of said labeling tool (17), a channel (18) formed by and in between said folding means (13,13a), wherein both ends of labels (14) are folded and attached partly on the top and the side surfaces of the closure systems (22) of bottles while being moved on a conveyor to which said labeling tool (17) is installed. The labeling tool (17) further comprises a horizontal plate (23) positioned on top of the said folding means (13,13a), at least two connection plates (20) enabling the mounting of the said system located on the horizontal plates (23) by moving along the vertical "Y" and horizontal "X" directions as shown in Fig.6. The labeling tool (17) further comprises an auxiliary folding member (19) positioned on one of said folding means (13,13a) at a lower portion of the same, such that one end of the labels can be made to adhere a lower portion of the bottle, whereas the other end of the labels adheres to an upper position of the bottles.

[0018] The labeling tool (17) a minimum level of maintenance since it lacks a large number of pneumatic components. As a consequence, the labeling tool (17) according to the present invention enables more efficient labeling, particularly in the desired speed of labeling as required by the beverage filling plant. As a further consequence, the labeling tool (17) is extremely cost effective both in terms of its initial cost and also operational costs during service life.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the folding means (13,13a) being spaced apart from each other (13,13a) for forming a channel (18) are positioned or adjusted according to the dimension of the bottle closure systems. Even though a channel (18) is formed naturally by the folding means being in spaced apart position, said channel is made convergent with the inclined inner surfaces of the folding means (13,13a) as seen in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0020] An auxiliary folding member (19) is positioned to one of said folding means (13,13a) at its lower portion. The auxiliary folding member (19) enables folding one end of the labels (14) such that the labels may adhere to the closures with an uneven distribution. This is made particularly when a label is deemed to adhere not only to the closure system but also to the bottle neck in order to provide anti tamper indication. In such cases the label is folded onto the closure system with an uneven distribution such that one side of the label is longer than the other side, hence allowing adhesion to the bottle at the one part. If the lower sleeve of the closure system is somehow opened for the first time, the label would then tear and tampering would be indicated.

[0021] As shown in figures 4 to 8, labels (14) are fixed on top of the bottle closure systems (22) of bottles (15) that are moving at a certain speed on top of a conveyor (not shown). Before entering the labeling unit (17), the labels (14) are partly fixed or adhered on the top surfaces of closures (caps) of the bottles with the aid of a label applicator (not shown). The label applicator delivers a label on the top surface of the cap of each bottle carried on the conveyor. Hence, each bottle arrives the labeling unit (17) with a partly fixed label as adhered to the upper surface of the cap. Full adhesion is then achieved by folding the ends of the labels on both sides of the bottle after which the rolling unit compresses the labels on the side surfaces of the caps and the bottle neck.

[0022] As shown in fig. 1 to 2, formed channel structure (18) can be adjusted to any of desired bottle cap (22) diameter. Fig. 6 demonstrates the bottles (15) that are moving at a certain distance from each other and at a certain speed towards the X axis, as shown in the Fig. 6. The bottles move along the channel (18) formed by the parts of the tool (15), the width of said channel being adjustable based on the diameter of the bottle caps (22). The folding means (13,13a) have increasingly inclined inner surfaces which enable that labels (14) eventually are folded and attached to the side surfaces of the bottle cap (22) and the bottle neck.

[0023] The labeling tool (17) as proposed by the present invention is positioned fixedly during the labeling process by the connection plate (20). The labeling tool (17) comprises a plurality of connection holes (21) formed on the connection plates (20). Said connection holes (21) serve to keep the labeling tool (17) stable and integral by use of plurality of corresponding fixing elements (not shown).

[0024] A horizontal plate (23) is positioned horizontally above one of each said folding means (13,13a) upper surface with respect to the horizontal axis of said labeling tool (16). The folding means (13, 13) having inclined inner surfaces are connected to horizontal plates via a plurality of screws. Labels are first placed on top of the upper surfaces of bottle caps and then bottles are conveyed through the adjusted channel (18) formed by folding means (13,13a) in spaced apart position. Once the bottles enter into the labeling unit (17), the folding means (13, 13) then help the sides of the labels (14) folded onto the side surfaces of the caps (22) and the bottle neck.

[0025] In a subsequent step, the bottles (14) are conveyed to the rolling unit (16) which then ensures that labels have firmly adhered to the side surfaces of the bottle caps and bottle necks by applying pressure on said side surfaces with use of rollers. As shown in Fig. 7, the rolling unit (16) is placed at a rear location of the labeling tool (17) in the direction of the movement of the conveyor line. The rolling unit (16) comprises enough number of roller which rotate around their own axis and which apply sufficient on the labels from the side, thus ensuring firm adhesion of the labels (14) on the bottle caps (22) and necks in part.

[0026] As shown in fig. 4, a label applicator delivers a label (14) on the top surface of each bottle cap, the label then being only partly adhered to the cap. The label applicator may be set to deliver a label such that one end of the label would be set sufficiently long enough to reach the lower part of the bottle neck for the purposes of tamper evidencing. Since the label in this case is not folded with an even distribution on the left and right parts of the corresponding cap, an auxiliary folding member (19) is used to fold the long end of the label properly on the side of the bottle neck. The position of the auxiliary folding member (19) on the horizontal and vertical axis can be set with the help of an adjustment device (24). The adjustment device (24) is placed below one of said folding members (13,13a) and comprises one or more setting screws (25). The setting screw(s) (25) is used to fix auxiliary folding member (25) in a desired position.

[0027] Supporting structures (26) are provided for adjusting the position of the folding means (13,13a) and hence the channel (18) formed in between. Fig. 5 shows the support structures (26) which may be screw driven in order to adjust the position of the folding members in the horizontal and vertical dimensions for fitting to the bottle height and the cap width. Labeling tool (17) is a simple inexpensive mechanical device which may be mounted easily and maintained as such.

Claims

1. A labeling tool (17) for folding and attaching labels (14) onto closure systems of beverage bottles (15), said labeling tool (17) comprising at least two folding means (13,13a) and a channel (18) formed by and in between said folding means (13,13a), wherein both ends of labels (14) are folded and attached partly on the top and side surfaces of the closure systems (22) of bottles while, in operation, said bottles move on a conveyor line to which said labeling tool (17) is installed,
characterized in that,

● said folding means (13,13a) is spaced apart from each other (13,13a) for forming a channel (18),

● said folding means (13,13a) have inclined inner surfaces such that said channel (18) is a converging channel in the direction of the movement of said conveyor line.

2. A labeling tool (17) as set forth in Claim 1 wherein one of the folding means (13,13a) have an auxiliary folding member (19) for folding a relatively longer end of a label.

3. A labeling tool as set forth in Claim 2 wherein said auxiliary folding member (19) comprises an adjustment device (24) for adjusting the position of said auxiliary folding member (19) with respect to the folding members (13,13a).

4. A labeling tool (17) as set forth in Claim 1 wherein the tool comprises at least two horizontal plates (23) positioned above each of said folding means (13,13a) for adjusting the position of the folding means (13,13a).

5. A labeling tool (17) as set forth in Claim 1 wherein the tool further comprises a rolling unit (16) positioned in a rear location with respect to the movement of the conveyor line.

6. A labeling tool as set forth in Claim 5 wherein said rolling unit (16) comprises a plurality of pressure cylinders rotating around their own axis.

Drawing