Lollipop wrapping apparatus with two labelers

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a lollipop wrapping apparatus (12), wherein the lollipop (11) comprises a stick and an eatable head and wherein at least the head is wrapped into a film (3,4). This apparatus comprises two label supplies (5,8), which can attach two different labels at the lollipop (11). One label is attached at the wrapping film, the other label at the stick.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lollipop wrapping apparatus, wherein the lollipop comprises a stick and an eatable head and wherein at least the head is wrapped into a film.

[0002] Lollipops are well known to the person skilled in the art and conventionally comprise an eatable head, which is made from a sugar mass or the like. Into this head, a stick is inserted to hold the lollipop. Prior to its consumption, at least the head of the lollipop is wrapped, preferably into a plastic film. Nowadays, this wrapping and/or the decoration of the lollipop becomes more and more sophisticated.

[0003] It is therefore the problem of the present invention to provide a lollipop wrapping apparatus, which can provide such sophisticatedly wrapped and/or decorated lollipops.

[0004] The problem is solved with a lollipop wrapping apparatus, wherein the lollipop comprises a stick and an eatable head and wherein at least the head is wrapped into a film, wherein the apparatus comprises a first label supply which provides a first label at the film and a second label supply which provides a second label for the stick of the lollipop.

[0005] The present invention relates to a lollipop wrapping apparatus, which wraps at least the head of the lollipop into a film, preferably a plastic film. The film can be twisted around the lollipop and/or the upper and/or the lower end of the wrapping can be twisted. Alternatively, the lollipop can be covered between one or two films, which is/are sealed to accomplish a closed wrapping for the lollipop.

[0006] According to the present invention, the inventive apparatus comprises a first label supply which provides a first label at the film, which wraps the head of the lollipop and a second label supply which provides a second label for the stick of the lollipop. Thus, the inventive apparatus comprises at least two label supplies, which can attach two different labels at the lollipop. This allows much more flexibility in decorating the lollipop.

[0007] The label is preferably made from paper and/or plastic, with a print on its visible front side and preferably has an adhesive layer at its backside.

[0008] Preferably, the label is placed between two films, which is then utilized to wrap the lollipop. The two films can be attached to each other or just laid upon each other. The two films can be twisted around the head of lollipop, as a single- or a double-twist, or can be sealed to an additional wrapping layer.

[0009] Preferably, the wrapping of the lollipop comprises an inner and an outer film for wrapping the lollipop head. One layer is preferably the double layer with the label in-between. The head of the lollipop is placed between the inner and the outer film, which are then sealed together, preferably around the entire circumference of the head of the lollipop. Consequently, the inventive apparatus comprises a sealing unit, which, under the influence of heat and/or pressure, seals the two films together. Upstream from this sealing unit, the film supply is provided, which places the label between the two, not yet sealed films. The label can be glued and/or sealed to one or both of the films. However, it is also feasible to just place the label between the two films and not attach it to one of the films.

[0010] Preferably, the second label is placed around the stick of the lollipop. Preferably, the second label is wrapped around the stick of the lollipop and the outstanding ends of the label are glued or sealed together. The supply of the second label is preferably located downstream from the supply of the first label and more preferably even downstream from the wrapping station of the lollipop and/or the sealing station of the film(s).

[0011] Preferably, the two labels are supplied independently.

[0012] Preferably, at least one, more preferably both labels are provided on a carrier, which is preferably provided as a roll. The labels, which are preferably peelably attached to the carrier, are more preferably removed from the carrier by moving the carrier around an edge and thereby removing the label from the carrier.

[0013] Preferably both labels are supplied from one source and are attached to the lollipop, either simultaneously or subsequently or only to the stick or only between the films which wrap the head of the lollipop.

[0014] The invention is now explained according to figures 1 - 3. These explanations do not limit the scope of protection.

Figures 1 and 3

show the inventive apparatus.

Figure 2

shows the supply of the first label.

[0015] Figures 1 and 3 schematically show the inventive lollipop apparatus 12, which packages lollipops, which comprise a stick and an edible head, into a film, preferably a plastic film. Each lollipop is provided with a label in the vicinity of the films as well as with a label around the stick. The inventive lollipop wrapping apparatus 12 therefore comprises a first and a second label source 1, 2, here rolls 1, 2. Each label is provided with a peelable adhesive layer on a carrier, which is rolled up in to the roll 1, 2. Each label is supplied by rolling off the rolls 1, 2 and providing the carrier with the labels towards a label supply 5, 8. Here, the carrier is bended around an edge, while it is moving, which delaminates the label from the carrier so that it can be attached to the film and/or the stick of the lollipop. In the present case, the head of the lollipop is wrapped with an inner film 3 and an outer film 4. The label is placed between the two films 3, 4.These films are then utilized to wrap the lollipop head. The first label supply, which supplies the label for the film is located upstream from a wrapping-/sealing-station and upstream from the location, where the two films are placed on top of each other. The film supply delaminates the label from the carrier and then glues it to one of the films, here the outer film 4. The remaining carrier is removed from the supply station and preferably rolled up again.

[0016] The second label supply station 8 is provided downstream from the wrapping- and/or sealing station of the lollipop head. In this station, the label is delaminated from the carrier and then wrapped around the stick of the lollipop, wherein the two outstanding ends of each label are glued together.

[0017] Figure 2 shows details of the first label supply 5. As can be seen, the carrier is moved around an edge, here almost 180°, to delaminate the label from the carrier which is then removed from the label supply 5. In the present case, each label comprises an adhesive layer at its front or its backside. With the adhesive layer on the back side, the label is attached to the film, here the outer film and to the carrier prior to its adhesion to the film.

List of reference signs:

1	roll for the first label
2	roll for the second label
3	inner film
4	outer film
5	supply of the first label
6	exit double film with label
7	exit wrapped and labeled lollipop
8	supply of the second label
9	removal of the carrier
10	removal of the carrier
11	lollipop
12	lollipop wrapping apparatus
13	first label
14	second label

Claims

1. Lollipop wrapping apparatus (12), wherein the lollipop (11) comprises a stick and an eatable head and wherein at least the head is wrapped into a film (3, 4), characterized in that the apparatus comprises a first label supply (5) which provides a first label (13) at the film (3, 4) and a second label supply (8) which provides a second label (14) for the stick of the lollipop.

2. Apparatus (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that an inner and an outer film (3, 4) for wrapping the lollipop head are provided and that the first label (13) is placed between the two films (3, 4).

3. Apparatus (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second label (14) is placed around the stick of the lollipop.

4. Apparatus (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two labels (13, 14) are supplied independently.

5. Apparatus (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both labels (13, 14) are supplied from one source (1, 2).

Drawing