Method and plant for applying a heat-shrinkable label to containers

Abstract

A container labelling method consisting of predisposing means ( 3 ) for supporting at least one container ( 2 ) in an erect position; from below, mounting onto the body of said at least one container a heat-shrinkable label in the form of an annular band; and causing the ( 5 ) label to adhere to said container. The method is implemented by a plant ( 1 ) comprising a device for supporting and transporting ( 3 ) at least one container which acts from above on the container suspended in an erect position; means for mounting a heat-shrinkable annular band ( 4 ) onto the container from below; and means for causing said label to adhere to said container ( 6 ) by heat-shrinkage.

1 . A container labelling method comprising the following operative steps: 
 a. predisposing means for supporting at least one container in an erect position,    b. from below, mounting onto the body of said at least one container a heat-shrinkable label in the form of an annular band,    c. causing the label to adhere to said container.    
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said support to means act in proximity to the upper end of the container.  
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that said at least one container upperly presents an outer rim or collar.  
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , characterised in that said support means act on said rim or collar.  
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , characterised in that the label adheres to the container by heat-shrinkage due to the action of a hot fluid.  
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that said fluid is steam.  
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that said fluid is hot air.  
   
   
       8 . A container labelling plant, comprising a device for supporting and transporting at least one container, and means for mounting a heat-shrinkable annular band onto said container, characterised in that said device for supporting said at least one container acts from above on the container suspended in an erect position, the means for mounting a heat-shrinkable label onto said container acting from below, means being provided to cause said label to adhere to said container by heat-shrinkage.  
   
   
       9 . A plant as claimed in  claim 8 , characterised in that said at least one container comprises a rim or collar, said support and transport device comprising at least two steel cables supporting the container rim, and at least one gripper arranged to grip said rim to cause said at least one container to translate along said steel cables.  
   
   
       10 . A plant as claimed in  claim 8 , characterised in that said support device supports said container by means of a gripper arranged to act in a region close to the container mouth.  
   
   
       11 . A plant as claimed in  claim 10 , characterised in that said support device acts on a collar or rim of the container.  
   
   
       12 . A plant as claimed in  claim 8 , characterised in that said means for mounting said label onto said container comprise at least one movable support plate for the label disposed vertically.  
   
   
       13 . A plant as claimed in  claim 8 , characterised in that a unit for maintaining the label vertical is associated with said plate.  
   
   
       14 . A plant as claimed in  claim 13 , characterised in that said unit comprises four rods.  
   
   
       15 . A plant as claimed in  claim 13 , characterised in that said unit for maintaining the label vertical is movable relative to said plate.  
   
   
       16 . A plant as claimed in  claim 13 , characterised in that said unit is fixed relative to said plate.  
   
   
       17 . A plant as claimed in  claim 8 , characterised in that said means for causing the label to adhere by heat-shrinkage comprises a system for delivering a hot fluid.  
   
   
       18 . A plant as claimed in  claim 17 , characterised in that said hot fluid is steam.  
   
   
       19 . A plant as claimed in  claim 17 , characterised in that said hot fluid is air.  
   
   
       20 . A plant as claimed in  claim 8 , characterised in that said means for causing the label to adhere by heat-shrinkage are associated with said means for mounting the label onto the container.  
   
   
       21 . A plant as claimed in claims  12  and  20 , characterised in that said means are associated with said plate.  
   
   
       22 . A plant as claimed in  claim 17 , characterised in that said means for causing the label to adhere to the container comprise a cylinder and a plurality of dispensing nozzles for a hot fluid.  
   
   
       23 . A plant as claimed in claims  21  and  22 , characterised in that said plate comprises a circuit for connecting said dispensing nozzles to said hot fluid delivery system.  
   
   
       24 . A plant as claimed in  claim 10 , characterised by being positioned along the container forming and filling line.