Apparatus and method for conforming a label to the contour of a container

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for conforming a label to the contour of a container. The apparatus includes a conveyor configured to move the container along a travel path, a heat source positioned along the conveyor and configured to heat at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity as the container moves along the travel path, and a mechanical pressure applicator positioned along the conveyor downstream from the heat source. The mechanical pressure applicator is configured to apply pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container as the container moves along the travel path. The method includes heating at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity, and applying mechanical pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container.

1 . A method of conforming a detached edge portion of a label to a contoured section of a container, the method comprising: 
 heating at least the detached edge portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity; and    applying mechanical pressure to at least the heated detached edge portion of the label to conform it to the contoured section of the container.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sufficient temperature is between about 95° F. and about 165° F.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heating step includes: 
 rotating the container about its longitudinal axis in front of a stationary heat source.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying step includes: 
 rotating the container about its longitudinal axis in front of a stationary mechanical pressure applicator.    
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for conforming a detached edge portion of a label to a contoured section of a container, the apparatus comprising: 
 a conveyor configured to move the container along a travel path,    a heat source positioned along the conveyor, the heat source configured to heat at least the detached edge portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity as the container moves along the travel path;    a mechanical pressure applicator positioned along the conveyor downstream from the heat source, the mechanical pressure applicator configured to apply pressure to at least the heated detached edge portion of the label to conform it to the contoured section of the container as the container moves along the travel path.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the container as it passes in front of the heat source and the mechanical pressure applicator.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the conveyor includes a flat, segmented chain conveyor having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the heat source includes at least one hot air blower connected to a nozzle positioned along the second edge of the conveyor, the nozzle configured to focus the heat on the detached edge portions of the label.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the mechanical pressure applicator includes at least one linear brush positioned along the second edge of the conveyor.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the rotation mechanism includes a vertically oriented belt positioned along the first edge of the conveyor and a compression plate positioned along the second edge of the conveyor, the belt configured to move in the same direction as the travel path of the container.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the belt is positioned a sufficient distance away from the compression plate such that the belt is capable of engaging the container as it travels along the travel path and pressing it against the compression plate, thereby causing the container to rotate about its longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       12 . A method of conforming upper and lower detached edge portions of a label to upper and lower contoured sections of a container, respectively, the method comprising: 
 heating at least the upper and lower detached edge portions of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity; and    applying mechanical pressure to at least the heated upper and lower detached edge portions of the label to conform them to the upper and lower contoured sections of the container, respectively.    
   
   
       13 . A method of conforming a label to the contour of a container, the method comprising: 
 heating at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity; and    applying mechanical pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the sufficient temperature is between about 95° F. and about 165° F.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the heating step includes: 
 rotating the container about its longitudinal axis in front of a stationary heat source.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the applying step includes: 
 rotating the container about its longitudinal axis in front of a stationary mechanical pressure applicator.    
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for conforming a label to the contour of a container, the apparatus comprising: 
 a conveyor configured to move the container along a travel path,    a heat source positioned along the conveyor, the heat source configured to heat at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity as the container moves along the travel path;    a mechanical pressure applicator positioned along the conveyor downstream from the heat source, the mechanical pressure applicator configured to apply pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container as the container moves along the travel path.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the container as it passes in front of the heat source and the mechanical pressure applicator.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the conveyor includes a flat, segmented chain conveyor having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the heat source includes at least one hot air blower connected to a nozzle positioned along the second edge of the conveyor, the nozzle configured to focus the heat on the label.