Full Wrap Pressure Sensitive Label

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel adhesive placement that allows a pressure sensitive label to be fully wrapped around the neck of a bottle using the centerline transfer method.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 039,246, entitled "Full Wrap Pressure Sensitive Label," filed June 15, 2020, and currently pending, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to bottle labels, and more particularly to a full wrap bottle design using an adhesive placement on the back of the label and a method for applying the label to a bottle. [Background technology]

[0003] Alcoholic beverages and similar non-alcoholic beverages are often packaged in "longneck-style" bottles. These bottles are typically labeled at the neck of the bottle to, for example, indicate the brand of the beverage, the ingredients of the beverage, and the nutritional information of the beverage. Some labels are wrapped only partially around the circumference of the neck of the bottle, while others are wrapped completely around the neck of the bottle. The latter label type is called a "full wrap" label. For full wrap labels, "cold glue" labels are most commonly used.

[0004] Cold glue labels require that an adhesive be applied to the label in a first step before the label is actually applied to the bottle. The label may be applied to the bottle using an efficient center line transfer method, which requires that the label be applied by first gluing the label along a center line of the bottle's neck before each side of the label is individually wrapped around the neck of the bottle. Because cold glue labels require that adhesive be applied to the label first before the label is applied to the neck of the bottle, applying cold glue labels can be time consuming. As a result, the industry has moved to applying "pressure sensitive labels" where possible to save time.

[0005] Because pressure sensitive labels already contain the adhesive, one step is eliminated in the process compared to cold glue labels. Pressure sensitive labels will only stick to a bottle if sufficient pressure is applied. The degree of adhesion between the bottle and the label is affected by the amount of pressure used to apply the adhesive to the surface of the bottle. Unfortunately, bottle manufacturers have not understood how to position the adhesive on the back of a pressure sensitive label to allow the label to be fully wrapped around the circumference of the bottle neck using an efficient centerline transfer method. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a novel adhesive arrangement that allows pressure sensitive labels to be completely wrapped around the neck of a bottle using a centerline transfer method. Each label has opposed first and second side edges, as well as upper and lower edges, a front (or "front") and a back (or "back"). In some embodiments, the first side edge can be the left edge when looking at the back of the label, and the second side edge can be the right edge in the same orientation.

[0007] Adhesive is applied to the back of the label such that the adhesive placement has a pattern. The adhesive starts at the inside of the second side edge of the back of the label and covers substantially the entire back. A small border is provided around the adhesive where the label does not contain adhesive. The small border may be larger at the first side edge of the spine of the label than at the second side edge, forming a wider margin that also does not contain adhesive.

[0008] A material known in the industry as a "deaden" that overlaps the adhesive is also provided on the rear surface of the label. Deaden are used in the bottling industry to cover up the portion of the label that has the adhesive, so that air bubbles and other imperfections that are formed by the adhesive when the label is applied to the bottle are muted by the deaden. Thus, these bubbles and imperfections are preferably not visible from inside the glass. The deaden in the labels that are the subject of this application is provided as a strip of material adjacent the top edge of the rear surface of the label that covers some of the adhesive and some of the adhesive-free border. The deaden is applied along substantially the entire top edge of the label, but the margin on the second side edge of the label (including where the adhesive is present) is free of deaden.

[0009] To apply the improved labels, bottlers may use a centerline transfer method. More specifically, the bottle is spun at a constant speed such that the linear velocity of the bottle neck matches the linear velocity of the pressure sensitive label being ejected from an aggregate spender plate. The pressure sensitive label attaches itself to the neck of the bottle at the center of the label. This is known as a center tack application.

[0010] The process uses a labeling machine that can spin each individual bottle at any speed, clockwise or counterclockwise. The machine uses individual servo motors that drive the plate on which each bottle rests. The crown of the bottle is held directly above the servo plate so that the bottle can be spun around its axis.

[0011] The bottle and label are spun in a first direction so that the left side of the label is wiped down against a pair of brushes located on the outside diameter of the labeling machine. This is accomplished by spinning the bottle in the same direction as the machine. The brushes are positioned to wipe the label without causing wrinkles.

[0012] Once the entire left side of the label has been adhered to the bottle, the right side of the label is wiped against a pair of brushes located inside the diameter of the labeling machine. The right side is wiped by spinning the bottle in the opposite direction to the direction the machine spins. Similarly, the brushes are positioned to wipe the label without causing wrinkles.

[0013] Once the entire right side has been wiped, there is one final brush that ensures that the overlapping edge of the label adheres to the left edge of the label. The bottle is preferably positioned so that the final brush effectively wipes this final edge. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] For a better understanding of various embodiments of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a full wrap pressure sensitive label constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0016] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

[0017] [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG.

[0018] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first step in applying the label of FIG.

[0019] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second step in applying the label of FIG.

[0020] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a third step in applying the label of FIG.

[0021] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth step in applying the label of FIG.

[0022] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fifth step in applying the label of FIG.

[0023] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sixth step in applying the label of FIG.

[0024] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a seventh step in applying the label of FIG.

[0025] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular disclosed embodiments, but rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the specification. To clearly illustrate the features of the present invention, the dimensions of the elements are not necessarily maintained in the drawings. Any dimensions included in the drawings are provided by way of example only, and it will be understood that dimensions different from those provided in the drawings are within the scope of the present invention.

[0027] The description of the present invention refers to specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized, and changes may be made, without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is defined by the appended claims. Therefore, this description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, nor is it intended to limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0028] Referring first to Figure 1, a full wrap pressure sensitive label 1 is illustrated (hereinafter simply label 1). More specifically, the inner surface (or "back surface") 5 of label 1 is illustrated. The inner surface 5 of label 1 is the surface of the label that will contact the neck of a bottle when label 1 is applied using the methods described below with respect to Figures 4-10. The outer or front surface of the label (illustrated in Figures 6 and 8) faces the customer and will contain information or features that the beverage manufacturer wants the customer to see (e.g., product name, artwork, nutritional information).

[0029] A novel adhesive arrangement on the inner surface 5 of the label 1 allows the pressure sensitive label to be fully wrapped around the neck of a bottle using a centerline transfer method. The adhesive arrangement includes two different materials, an adhesive material 15 and a "deaden" material 20, which are applied to the paper 10 (or other foreseeable material) that constitutes the label 1. The adhesive material 15 is preferably pre-applied directly to the paper 10 on the inner surface 5 of the label 1. The adhesive material 15 preferably covers substantially the entire inner surface 5, starting near a second edge 25 (on the right side of the label 1). However, a small border 30 is preferably provided around the adhesive material 15 where the paper 10 does not include the adhesive material 15. Additionally, a margin 35 may be provided on the inner surface 5 of the label 1 near a first edge 40 (on the left side).

[0030] A Dedon material 20 is also provided on the inner surface 5 of the label 1. The Dedon material 20 preferably overlaps the adhesive material 15 in an overlap area 45. The Dedon material 20 may cover a particular portion of the label 1 and the adhesive material 15 therein, so that when the label 1 is applied to a bottle in the manner described below, any air bubbles and other defects formed by the adhesive material 15 are covered by the Dedon material 20 and are not visible from the inside of the bottle. The Dedon material 20 in the novel adhesive arrangement is preferably provided along an upper or top edge 50 of the inner surface 5 of the label 1. The Dedon material 20 is located along substantially the entire upper edge 50 of the label, but preferably is not provided in a margin 55 near the second or right edge 25 of the label 1 where the adhesive material 15 is present.

[0031] Figure 2 illustrates the label 1 and its various layers when cross-sectionally taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1, and Figure 3 illustrates the label 1 and its various layers when cross-sectionally taken along line 3-3 in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in each of the margin 35 and the portion of the border 30 located at the upper edge 50, the Dedon material 20 is preferably applied directly to the paper 10.

[0032] To apply the improved label 1, a bottle labeler or manufacturer may use a centerline transfer method. FIGS. 4-10 illustrate an exemplary assembly 60 that may be used to apply a label to a bottle using a centerline transfer method. As shown in FIG. 4, where a label such as label 1 is to be applied to a bottle such as bottle 65, the bottle 65 is depicted as moving along a bottle path 70 within the assembly 60. A spreader plate 75, or the like, as known and understood in the art, may introduce a label such as label 1 (not shown in FIG. 4) into the assembly 60 so that the label may be applied to the bottle 65. To carry out the process described below, a first outer brush 80, an inner brush 85, and a final brush 90 are preferably provided along the bottle path 70.

[0033] As the bottle 65 is introduced into the assembly 1, it is preferred that the bottle 65 be fed so that the bottle 65 rotates at a constant speed to match the linear speed at which the label is introduced into the assembly 1. When this occurs, as shown in FIG. 5 , the inner surface 5 of the label 1 may be applied to the bottle 65, and more specifically, to the neck 95 of the bottle 65, at the centerline 100 of the label 1 (center tack application).

[0034] The method process described uses assembly 60 that includes a labeling machine capable of spinning individual bottles, such as bottle 65, at nearly any speed, either clockwise or counterclockwise. Individual servo motors (not shown) preferably drive a plate (not shown) on which each bottle rests. The crown of each bottle, such as bottle 1, is held directly above the servo plate so that the bottle can be spun about its axis.

[0035] As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the bottle 65 and label 1 are spun in a first direction (preferably counterclockwise) so that the left side 105 of the outer surface 107 of the label 1 (and thus the second or right edge 25 of the inner surface 5 of the label 1) is wiped down by the outer brush 80 (located outside the diameter of the bottle path 70). In this way, the right side of the inner surface 5 of the label 1 is applied to the bottle 65 first. This is because, as described above, substantially the entire right side of the inner surface 5 of the label 1 (except for the border 30), including the margin 55, includes the adhesive material 15. Such adhesive material 15 serves to initially secure the label 1 to the bottle 65. In another embodiment, multiple first brushes such as the brush 80 may be provided.

[0036] 8 and 9, once the entire left side 105 of the outer surface 107 of the label 1 has been applied to the bottle 65, the bottle 65 may begin to spin in the opposite direction (clockwise in the illustrated embodiment). The right side 110 of the outer surface 107 of the label 1 (left side of the inner surface 5) is wiped against the inner brush 85 located inside the diameter of the bottle path 70, thereby applying the right side 110 to the bottle 65. As this occurs, the left edge 40 preferably overlaps the right edge 25 by approximately the width of the margin 35, and the dedon layer 20 substantially forms the upper periphery of the label 1.

[0037] 10, once the entire right side 110 has been wiped, the final brush 90 can ensure that the overlapping edge of the label 1 overlaps and adheres to the left edge 105 of the label 1. The bottle 65 should be positioned so that the final brush effectively wipes down this final edge.

[0038] It should be noted that the above process may also be carried out in the reverse manner, i.e., bottle 65 may be rotated first clockwise and then counterclockwise, for example.

[0039] From the foregoing, it will be seen that the various embodiments of the present invention are well adapted to attain all of the objects and advantages set forth above, together with other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the present structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations of the present embodiments are useful and may be employed independently of other features and subcombinations. Many possible embodiments of the present invention may be constructed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, it will also be understood that all disclosures set forth herein or illustrated in the accompanying drawings should be construed as merely illustrative and not limiting of the present invention. The various configurations described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the concepts, principles and scope of the present invention.

[0040] However, many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are deemed to be covered by the present invention, which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A pressure sensitive label that can be applied to the neck of a bottle, comprising: having an inner surface, The inner surface is An adhesive material; a border around the adhesive material where the label does not contain the adhesive material; a first margin that is free of the adhesive material and is located at a first side edge of the inner surface; The first margin is wider than the border, the inner surface further comprises a dedon material at least partially overlapping the adhesive material; the adhesive material is applied directly to the paper that makes up the label on the inner surface of the label; A label, wherein the Dedon material is applied directly to the paper at at least one of the first margin and the border.

2. A pressure-sensitive label that can be applied to the neck of a bottle, comprising: having an inner surface, The inner surface is An adhesive material; a border around the adhesive material where the label does not contain the adhesive material; a first margin that is free of the adhesive material and is located at a first side edge of the inner surface; The first margin is wider than the border, the inner surface further comprises a dedon material at least partially overlapping the adhesive material; The Dedon material is provided as a strip adjacent an upper edge of the inner surface.

3. 3. The label of claim 2, wherein the inner surface further includes a second margin at a second side edge of the inner surface that includes the adhesive material but does not include the Dedon material.

4. 2. The label of claim 1, wherein the first margin has a width between 0.3 inches and 0.6 inches.

5. The label of claim 1 , wherein the first side edge is a left side edge.

6. The label of claim 3 , wherein the second side edge is a right side edge.

7. The label of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensitive label is applied using a centerline technique.

8. 2. The label of claim 1, wherein the border has a width between 0.03 inches and 0.1 inches.

9. 1. A pressure sensitive label that can be applied to the neck of a bottle, comprising: having an inner surface, The inner surface is an adhesive material covering a first portion of the label; a border around a first portion of the label; a first margin located at a first side edge of the inner surface and forming a second portion; a dedon material at least partially overlapping said first portion and said second portion, said dedon material being provided as a strip adjacent an upper edge of said inner surface; and a second margin in the first portion located at a second side edge of the inner surface.

10. 10. The label of claim 9, wherein the first margin has a width between 0.3 inches and 0.6 inches.

11. The label of claim 9 , wherein the first side edge is a left side edge.

12. The label of claim 9 , wherein the second side edge is a right side edge.

13. 10. The label of claim 9, wherein the pressure sensitive label is applied using a centerline technique.

14. 10. The label of claim 9, wherein the border has a width between 0.03 inches and 0.1 inches.

15. The label of claim 9 , wherein the first portion has a greater surface area than the second portion.

16. 10. The label of claim 9, wherein the dedon material comprises a greater surface area than the second portion.

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