A system arranged for heat shrinking a shrink label to enclose an object and a method for providing an object with a shrink label

Abstract

A system arranged for heat shrinking a shrink label to enclose an object, comprising a heat shrinking apparatus arranged for providing a first medium to the object for transferring thermal energy to the shrink label for shrinking the shrink label, a pressure apparatus arranged for being used in the system, comprising a gas flow arrangement arranged for providing a gas flow comprising for maintaining the first medium inside the heat shrinking apparatus, and a method for providing an object with a shrink label using the system.

Description

[0001] Title: A system arranged for heat shrinking a shrink label to enclose an object and a method for providing an object with a shrink label

[0002] Description:

[0003] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system arranged for heat shrinking a shrink label to enclose an object.

[0004] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a pressure apparatus arranged for being used in a system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0005] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for providing an object with a shrink label using a system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure or a pressure apparatus according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0006] An object, such as a container, which may be empty or filled with liquids or other pourable materials like grains or pills generally may be provided with a label. The label is often formed of a shrink film, also referred to as shrink label, to enclose or envelop the container. For this purpose the shrink label may be cylindrically shaped. The label may be provided with information for instance related to the brand name, contents of the container, and the like printed on it.

[0007] Such a shrink label is generally fitted onto the container in a sequence of steps by a label mounting system including a conveying means for conveying the container along a predetermined conveying path, a label fitting apparatus for fitting a shrink label in an unshrunk condition onto the container while being conveyed by the conveying means, and a heat shrinking apparatus for heat shrinking the shrink label fitted onto the container. In order for such a shrink label to be shrinkable, it is usually made of a thermoplastic material like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). A known heat shrinking apparatus comprises a heat shrinking chamber provided with a heat shrinking chamber inlet opening, arranged for receiving, via the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening, the object and wherein the heat shrinking chamber is provided with a heat shrinking chamber outlet opening arranged for removing the object from the heat shrinking chamber, wherein the heat shrinking chamber is arranged for providing a first medium to the object for transferring thermal energy to the shrink label for shrinking the shrink label

[0008] By supplying the first medium, heat may be transferred to the shrink label to enhance its temperature to a minimum temperature to start shrinking. In particular, a heat shrinking apparatus using water vapor as a medium to transport thermal energy by latent energy transfer allows for a very uniform transfer of heat to the product. Such a uniform transfer of heat is advantageous when high-quality and distortion-free graphics, for example, are important.

[0009] A drawback of the known heat shrinking apparatus is that the energy consumption of the heat shrinking apparatus is relatively high.

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for overcoming the drawback mentioned.

[0011] The objective is achieved by providing the system for heat shrinking a shrink label with a pressure apparatus comprising a gas flow arrangement arranged for providing a gas flow comprising a second medium for maintaining the first medium at a side of the heat shrinking inlet opening facing the heat shrinking chamber and / or for maintaining the first medium at a side of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening facing the heat shrinking chamber.

[0012] The present disclosure relies at least partly on the insight that the energy consumption for providing an object with a shrink label may be reduced by a relative large extent by preventing, or at least significantly reducing the first medium to exit the heat shrinking chamber via the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening and / or via the heat shrinking label outlet opening. By providing the pressure apparatus the first medium may be maintained in the heating shrinking chamber between the heating shrinking chamber inlet opening and the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening thereby preventing the first medium to exit the heat shrinking chamber.

[0013] In this regard, it is beneficial if the system further comprises: a detection arrangement arranged for detecting a characteristic of a gas, preferably the first medium, surrounding the object; and a control arrangement, communicatively coupled with the detection arrangement and the pressure apparatus, for providing a predetermined gas flow taking into account the characteristic of the medium, preferably the first medium, detectable by the detection arrangement, for maintaining the first medium at a side of the heat shrinking inlet opening facing the heat shrinking chamber and / or for maintaining the first medium at a side of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening facing the heat shrinking chamber.

[0014] The provision of the detection arrangement and the control arrangement is at least partly based on the insight that the position of the first medium relative to the heat shrinking inlet opening and / or the heat shrinking outlet opening may be determined by measuring a characteristic of medium surrounding the object. This allows for a more accurate control of the system as regards maintaining the first medium inside the heat shrinking chamber.

[0015] In this regard, it is noted that the first medium may be drawn out of the heat shrinking chamber by movement of the object through the heat shrinking chamber from the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening to the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening. The movement of the object may cause a flow of the first medium that is direction towards the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening. By providing the pressure apparatus, a counter flow may be realised causing a pressure thereby preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the first medium exiting the heat shrinking chamber via the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening.

[0016] By providing the pressure apparatus at the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening for realising the pressure for maintaining the first medium at a side of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening facing the heat shrinking chamber, the first medium may actually be partly pushed out of the heat shrinking chamber via the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening. Such exiting of the first medium from the heat shrinking chamber via the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening may be prevented, or at least significantly reduced, by also providing a pressure apparatus at the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening.

[0017] Alternatively, a pressure apparatus may also be provided at the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening without providing a pressure apparatus at the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening for preventing the first medium to exit the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening for instance during idle status of the system when no objects are being moved into the heat shrinking chamber via the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening.

[0018] Preferably, the first medium comprises a gas and / or water vapor. More preferably, the first medium consists of air and water vapour.

[0019] It is advantageous, if the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object, detectable by the detection arrangement, is at least one of a temperature and a humidity.

[0020] The present disclosure relies at least partly on the insight that the temperature and humidity may be used to detect a position of the first medium relative to the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening and / or the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening when the temperature and / or the humidity of the first medium are different from ambient conditions and the characteristics of the gas provided via the gas inlet opening of the gas inlet arrangement.

[0021] In a practical embodiment of the system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the pressure apparatus further comprises: a receiving chamber, provided with an object inlet opening, arranged for receiving, via the object inlet opening, the object and an object outlet opening, arranged for removing, via the object outlet opening, the object from the receiving chamber; and wherein the gas flow arrangement comprises at least one of: a gas inlet arrangement arranged for providing the second medium, via a gas inlet opening thereof, into the receiving chamber of the pressure apparatus; and a gas outlet arrangement arranged for removing the second medium, via a gas outlet opening thereof, from the receiving chamber of the pressure apparatus, preferably wherein the gas inlet opening is provided at a side of the gas outlet opening facing away from the object inlet opening.

[0022] Providing both the gas inlet arrangement and the gas outlet arrangement is beneficial for drying the object originating from the heat shrinking chamber.

[0023] An embodiment wherein the gas flow arrangement comprises the gas inlet arrangement and not the gas outlet arrangement may be beneficial for allowing to use a relative small gas flow comprising the second medium, thereby allowing to realise a heat shrinking apparatus having a relative low energy consumption.

[0024] In this regard, it is beneficial if the heat shrinking chamber is coupled for fluid flow with the receiving chamber, via at least one of: the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening and the object inlet opening, wherein the gas inlet opening is provided at a side of the gas outlet opening facing away from the object inlet opening for allowing the object to be moved from the heat shrinking chamber into the receiving chamber; and the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening and the object outlet opening, wherein the gas inlet opening is provided at a side of the gas outlet opening facing away from the object outlet opening.

[0025] Preferably, the detection arrangement is further arranged for detecting the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object at a first distance from the object inlet opening and wherein the control arrangement is further communicatively coupled with at least one of the gas inlet arrangement and the gas outlet arrangement and further arranged for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement and the gas outlet arrangement for realising a predetermined flow of the second medium in the receiving chamber taking into account the characteristic of the medium, detectable by the detection arrangement, for providing the gas flow for maintaining the first medium at a side of the heat shrinking inlet opening facing the heat shrinking chamber and / or for maintaining the first medium at a side of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening facing the heat shrinking chamber.

[0026] In this regard, it is beneficial is the first distance is related to the position of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening or the position of the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening.

[0027] In an embodiment, the detection arrangement is further arranged for detecting the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object when the object is outside the receiving chamber, preferably at a side of the object inlet opening facing away from the receiving chamber.

[0028] Preferably, the gas inlet opening and the gas outlet opening are provided above the object, during use when the object is received by the receiving chamber. Providing both the gas inlet opening and the gas outlet opening above the object is beneficial for realising a gas flow that may drive the first medium down and back into the heat shrinking chamber.

[0029] In this regard, it is noted that the first medium may have a higher temperature as compared to the ambient temperature or the temperature of the gas originating from the gas inlet opening. As a result of this temperature difference, the first medium will move upwards once exiting the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening or the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening. Providing both the gas inlet opening and the gas outlet opening above the object will counter the flow of the first medium in a relative effective manner.

[0030] In a practical embodiment, the gas inlet opening, during use, is provided at a lower height above the object than the gas outlet opening. This is beneficial for realising an even more effective manner of countering the flow of the first medium out of the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening or the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening.

[0031] Preferably, the object outlet opening is provided at a side of the gas inlet opening opposite to the object inlet opening.

[0032] It is beneficial if the system further comprises: a register provided with a data element comprising a first predetermined value of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object and / or comprising a second predetermined value of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object; a determining unit, communicatively coupled to the register, arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement, is different from the first predetermined value and / or the second predetermined value and arranged for providing an output signal when the determining unit determines that the characteristic is different from the first predetermined value and / or the second predetermined value; wherein the control arrangement is further communicatively coupled to the determining unit and arranged for receiving the output signal for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement and the gas outlet arrangement for realising the predetermined flow of the second medium in the receiving chamber for maintaining the first medium at a side of the heat shrinking inlet opening facing the heat shrinking chamber and / or for maintaining the first medium at a side of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening facing the heat shrinking chamber.

[0033] In an embodiment, the first predetermined value is related to the first predetermined distance from the object inlet opening and wherein the second predetermined value is related to a second distance from the object inlet opening.

[0034] Preferably, the determining unit is further arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement, at the first distance, is exceeding the first predetermined value and arranged for providing a first output signal when the determining unit determines that the characteristic at the first distance is exceeding the first predetermined value, wherein the control arrangement is further arranged for receiving the first output signal for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement and the gas outlet arrangement for realising a first predetermined flow of the second medium in the receiving chamber; and / or the determining unit is further arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement, at the first distance, is below the first predetermined value and arranged for providing a second output signal when the determining unit determines that the characteristic at the first distance is below the first predetermined value, wherein the control arrangement is further arranged for receiving the second output signal for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement and the gas outlet arrangement for realising a second predetermined flow of the second medium in the receiving chamber, wherein a flow rate of the first predetermined flow is larger than a flow rate of the second predetermined flow.

[0035] It is advantageous if the detection arrangement is further arranged for detecting a characteristic of the medium surrounding the object at the second distance from the object inlet opening, wherein the second distance is relative to the position of the other of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening and the position of the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening.

[0036] In this regard it is beneficial if the determining unit is further arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement, at the second distance is exceeding the second predetermined value and arranged for providing a third output signal when the determining unit determines that the characteristic at the second distance is exceeding the second predetermined value, wherein the control arrangement is further arranged for receiving the third output signal for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement and the gas outlet arrangement for realising a third predetermined flow of the second medium in the receiving chamber and / or the determining unit is further arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement, at the second distance is below the second predetermined value and arranged for providing a fourth output signal when the determining unit determines that the characteristic at the second distance is below the second predetermined value, wherein the control arrangement is further arranged for receiving the fourth output signal for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement and the gas outlet arrangement for realising a fourth predetermined flow of the second medium in the receiving chamber, wherein a flow rate of the fourth predetermined flow is larger than a flow rate of the third predetermined flow.

[0037] According to the second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a pressure apparatus arranged for being used in a system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0038] Embodiments of the pressure apparatus correspond to embodiments of the system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. The advantages of the pressure apparatus correspond to advantages of the system according to first aspect of the present disclosure presented previously.

[0039] In this regard, it is beneficial if the pressure apparatus further comprises a receiving chamber, provided with an object inlet opening, arranged for receiving, via the object inlet opening, the object.

[0040] Preferably, the gas flow arrangement further comprises at least one of: a gas inlet arrangement arranged for providing a second medium, via a gas inlet opening thereof, into the receiving chamber of the apparatus; a gas outlet arrangement arranged for removing the second medium, via a gas outlet opening thereof, from the receiving chamber of the apparatus, preferably wherein the gas inlet opening is provided at a side of the gas outlet opening facing away from the object inlet opening.

[0041] Providing both is beneficial for also realise drying of the object.

[0042] An embodiment wherein the gas flow arrangement comprises the gas inlet arrangement and not the gas outlet arrangement may be beneficial for allowing to use a relative small gas flow comprising the second medium, thereby allowing to realise a heat shrinking apparatus having a relative low energy consumption. It is advantageous if, the pressure apparatus further comprises: a detection arrangement arranged for detecting a characteristic of a medium surrounding the object at a first distance from the object inlet opening; a control arrangement, communicatively coupled with the detection arrangement and at least one of the gas inlet arrangement and the gas outlet arrangement, arranged for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement and the gas outlet arrangement for realising a predetermined flow of the second medium in the receiving chamber taking into account the characteristic of the medium, detectable by the detection arrangement.

[0043] Preferably, the detection arrangement is further arranged for detecting the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object when the object is outside the receiving chamber, preferably at a side of the object inlet opening facing away from the receiving chamber.

[0044] It is beneficial if the gas inlet opening and the gas outlet opening are provided above the object, during use when the object is received by the receiving chamber.

[0045] Preferably, the gas inlet opening, during use, is provided at a lower height above the object than the gas outlet opening.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the pressure apparatus, the detection arrangement is arranged for detecting a predetermined characteristic of a gas surrounding the object . In this regard it is beneficial if the characteristic of gas of the medium surrounding the object, determinable by the detection arrangement, is at least one of a temperature and a humidity.

[0047] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises an object outlet opening arranged for removing the object from the receiving chamber.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the pressure apparatus, the object outlet opening is provided at a side of the gas inlet opening opposite to the object inlet opening. It is advantageous if the pressure apparatus further comprises: a register provided with a data element comprising a first predetermined value of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object at the first distance from the object inlet opening and / or comprising a second predetermined value of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object at a second distance from the object inlet opening; a determining unit, communicatively coupled to the register, arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement, is different from the first predetermined value and / or the second predetermined value and arranged for providing an output signal when the determining unit determines that the characteristic is different from the first predetermined value and / or the second predetermined value; wherein the control arrangement is further communicatively coupled to the determining unit and arranged for receiving the output signal for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement and the gas outlet arrangement for realising the predetermined flow of the second medium in the receiving chamber.

[0049] According to the third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for providing an object with a shrink label using a system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure or a pressure apparatus according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. Thee method comprises the steps of: receiving, by the receiving chamber, via the object inlet opening, the object; providing, by the gas inlet arrangement, the second medium, via the gas inlet opening, into the receiving chamber of the apparatus; removing, by the gas outlet arrangement, the second medium, via the gas outlet opening, from the receiving chamber of the apparatus; detecting, by the detection arrangement, the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object at the first distance from the object inlet opening; controlling, by the control arrangement, the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement and the gas outlet arrangement for realising the predetermined flow of the second medium in the receiving chamber taking into account the characteristic of the medium, detected, during the step of detecting, by the detection arrangement.

[0050] Embodiments of the method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure correspond to embodiments of the system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and the pressure apparatus according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. The advantages of the method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure correspond to advantages of the system according to first aspect of the present disclosure and the pressure apparatus according to the second aspect of the present disclosure presented previously.

[0051] Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: receiving, by the heat shrinking chamber, via the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening, the object; providing, by the heat shrinking chamber, the first medium to the object for transferring thermal energy to the shrink label for shrinking the shrink label; removing, via the heating shrinking chamber outlet opening the object from the heat shrinking chamber.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the third aspect, a pressure of the first medium corresponds to an ambient pressure.

[0053] Preferably, the first medium comprises steam.

[0054] It is advantageous if the first predetermined value of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object at the first predetermined distance from the object inlet opening is in the range of 45 °C to 50 °C and / or wherein the second predetermined value of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object at the second predetermined distance from the object inlet opening is in the range of 45 °C to 50 °C.

[0055] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the invention are illustrated in the following description with reference to the enclosed drawings which are provided by way of illustration only and which are not limitative to the present invention.

[0056] Fig. 1. shows schematically an isometric view of an embodiment of a system arranged for heat shrinking a shrink label to enclose an object in accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure;

[0057] Fig. 2 shows schematically a top view of the system of Fig. 1 ;

[0058] Fig. 3 shows schematically a side view of the system of Fig. 1 ;

[0059] Fig. 4 shows schematically an embodiment of a method for providing an object with a shrink label in accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure;

[0060] Figures 1 to 3 show schematically an embodiment of a system 1 arranged for heat shrinking a shrink label 4 to enclose an object 2 in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure. The system 1 comprises a heat shrinking apparatus 3 and a pressure apparatus 13 in accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0061] The heat shrinking apparatus 3 comprising a heat shrinking chamber 5 provided with a heat shrinking chamber inlet opening 7 and a heat shrinking chamber outlet opening 9. The object 2 is received into the heat shrinking chamber 5 via the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening 7, and the object 2 is removed from the from the heat shrinking chamber 5 via the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening 9.

[0062] The pressure apparatus 13 comprises a receiving chamber 23 provided with an object inlet opening 25 and an object outlet opening 27. The object is received into the receiving chamber 23 via the object inlet opening 25, and the object 2 is removed from the receiving chamber 23 via the object outlet opening 27.

[0063] In the embodiment of figures 1 to 3 the system 1 comprises a first pressure apparatus 13 and a second pressure apparatus 13, wherein the heat shrinking camber 5 of the heat shrinking apparatus 3 is coupled for fluid flow with the receiving chambers 23 of the first and second pressure apparatus 13. The heat shrinking chamber inlet opening 7 coincides with the object outlet opening 27 of the first pressure apparatus 13 and the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening 9 coincides with the object inlet opening 25 of the second pressure apparatus 13. Arrow D indicates the transport direction of the object 2 through the system 1 , for allowing the object 2 to be moved from the first receiving chamber 23 into the heat shrinking chamber 5 and from the heat shrinking chamber 5 into the second receiving chamber 23.

[0064] The heat shrinking chamber 5 is arranged for providing a first medium 11 to the object 2 for transferring thermal energy to the shrink label 4 for shrinking the shrink label 4, wherein the first medium 11 comprises steam and wherein a pressure of the first medium 11 corresponds to an ambient pressure.

[0065] The pressure apparatus 13 comprises a gas flow arrangement 15 arranged for providing a gas flow comprising a second medium 17, for maintaining the first medium 11 inside the heat shrinking chamber 5, in particular for maintaining the first medium 11 at a side of the heat shrinking inlet opening 7 facing the heat shrinking chamber 5 and at a side of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening 9 facing the heat shrinking chamber 5.

[0066] To achieve this specific gas flow, the gas flow arrangement 15 comprises a gas inlet arrangement 29 for providing the second medium 17, via a gas inlet opening thereof, into the receiving chamber 23 of the pressure apparatus 13 and a gas outlet arrangement 31 for removing the second medium 17, via a gas outlet opening thereof, from the receiving chamber 23 of the pressure apparatus 13. The gas inlet opening and the gas outlet opening are provided above the object 2, when during use the object 2 is received by the receiving chamber 23, wherein the gas inlet opening is provided at a lower height above the object 2 than the gas outlet opening.

[0067] In the first pressure apparatus 13, the gas inlet opening is provided at a side of the gas outlet opening facing away from the object outlet opening 27 for generating an gas flow 14 in the first receiving chamber 23. In the second pressure apparatus 13, the gas inlet opening is provided at a side of the gas outlet opening facing away from the object inlet opening 25 for generating an gas flow 16 in the second receiving chamber 23. The system 1 furthermore comprises a detection arrangement 19 arranged for detecting a characteristic, such as a temperature and / or a humidity, of the medium surrounding the object 2.

[0068] In the embodiment of figures 1 to 3, two detection arrangements 19 are provided. A first detection arrangement 19 is provided in the receiving chamber 23 of the first pressure apparatus 13, near the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening 7. A second detection arrangement 19 is provided in the receiving chamber 23 of the second pressure apparatus 13, near the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening 9.

[0069] The detection arrangement 19 of the first pressure apparatus 13 is at a first distance from the object inlet opening 25 and is arranged for detecting a characteristic of the medium surrounding the object 2, at the first distance from the object inlet opening 25, wherein the first distance is related to the position of the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening 7.

[0070] The detection arrangement 19 of the second pressure apparatus 13 is at a second distance from the object inlet opening 25 and is arranged for detecting a characteristic of the medium surrounding the object 2, at the second distance from the object inlet opening 25, wherein the second distance is relative to the position of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening 9.

[0071] The detection arrangement 19 is further arranged for detecting the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object 2, when the object 2 is outside the receiving chamber 23, preferably at a side of the object inlet opening 25 facing away from the receiving chamber 23.

[0072] A control arrangement 21 is communicatively coupled with the detection arrangement 19 and the gas inlet arrangement 29 and the gas outlet arrangement 31 of the pressure apparatus 13. The control arrangement 21 is arranged for providing a predetermined gas flow 14, 16 taking into account the characteristic of the medium, detectable by the detection arrangement 19, for maintaining the first medium 11 inside the heat shrinking chamber 5. In particular, the control arrangement 21 is arranged for controlling the gas inlet arrangement 29 and the gas outlet arrangement 31 for realising a predetermined flow of the second medium 17 in the receiving chamber 23, taking into account the characteristic of the medium for providing the gas flow for maintaining the first medium 11 inside the heat shrinking chamber 5.

[0073] The system 1 further comprises a register 33 provided with a data element comprising a first predetermined value, preferably a temperature in the range of 45 °C to 50 °C, of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object 2 and a second predetermined value, preferably a temperature in the range of 45 °C to 50 °C, of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object 2. The register 33 is communicatively coupled to the control arrangement 21 and a determining unit 35. The determining unit 35 is arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement 19, is different from the first predetermined value and / or the second predetermined value and arranged for providing an output signal when the determining unit determines that the characteristic is different from the first predetermined value and / or the second predetermined value.

[0074] The control arrangement 21 is further arranged for receiving the output signal provided by the determining unit 35. Based on this output signal, the controlling arrangement 21 controls the gas inlet arrangement 29 and the gas outlet arrangement 31 , for realising the predetermined flow of the second medium 17 in the receiving chamber 23. Thereby, the first medium 11 is maintained within the heat shrinking chamber 5.

[0075] The first predetermined value is related to a first predetermined distance from the object inlet opening 25 and the second predetermined value is related to a second distance from the object inlet opening 25. When the determining unit 35 determines that the characteristic, detected by the first detection arrangement 19, at the first distance, is exceeding the first predetermined value, a first output signal is provided. Based on the first output, the gas inlet arrangement 29 and the gas outlet arrangement 31 of the first pressure apparatus 13 are controlled by the control arrangement 21 for realising a first predetermined flow of the second medium 17 in the receiving chamber 23 of the first pressure apparatus 13.

[0076] When the determining unit 35 determines that the characteristic, detected by the first detection arrangement 19, at the first distance, is below the first predetermined value, a second output signal is provided. Based on the second output, the gas inlet arrangement 29 and the gas outlet arrangement 31 of the first pressure apparatus 13 are controlled by the control arrangement 21 for realising a second predetermined flow of the second medium 17 in the receiving chamber 23 of the first pressure apparatus 13, wherein a flow rate of the first predetermined flow is larger than a flow rate of the second predetermined flow.

[0077] When the determining unit 35 determines that the characteristic, detected by the second detection arrangement 19, at the second distance, is exceeding the second predetermined value, a third output signal is provided. Based on the third output, the gas inlet arrangement 29 and the gas outlet arrangement 31 of the second pressure apparatus 13 are controlled by the control arrangement 21 for realising a third predetermined flow of the second medium 17 in the receiving chamber 23 of the second pressure apparatus 13.

[0078] When the determining unit 35 determines that the characteristic, detected by the second detection arrangement 19, at the second distance, is below the second predetermined value, a fourth output signal is provided. Based on the fourth output, the gas inlet arrangement 29 and the gas outlet arrangement 31 of the second pressure apparatus 13 are controlled by the control arrangement 21 for realising a fourth predetermined flow of the second medium 17 in the receiving chamber 23 of the second pressure apparatus 13, wherein a flow rate of the fourth predetermined flow is larger than a flow rate of the third predetermined flow. Figure 4 shows schematically an embodiment of a method 100 for providing an object 2 with a shrink label 4 in accordance with the third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0079] The method 100 using a system 1 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and / or a pressure apparatus 13 according to the second aspect of the present disclosure comprises the steps of: receiving 101 , by the receiving chamber 23, via the object inlet opening 25, the object 2; providing 103, by the gas inlet arrangement 29, the second medium 17, via the gas inlet opening, into the receiving chamber 23 of the pressure apparatus 13; removing 105, by the gas outlet arrangement 31 , the second medium 17, via the gas outlet opening, from the receiving chamber 23 of the pressure apparatus 13; detecting 107, by the detection arrangement 19, the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object 2 at the first distance from the object inlet opening 23; and controlling 109, by the control arrangement 21 , the gas inlet arrangement 29 and the gas outlet arrangement 31 for realising the predetermined flow of the second medium 17 in the receiving chamber 23 taking into account the characteristic of the first medium 11 , detected, during the step of detecting 107, by the detection arrangement 19.

[0080] The method 100 furthermore comprises the steps of: receiving 111 , by the heat shrinking chamber 5, via the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening 7, the object 2; providing 113, by the heat shrinking chamber 5, the first medium 11 to the object 2 for transferring thermal energy to the shrink label 4 for shrinking the shrink label 4; and removing 115, via the heating shrinking chamber outlet opening 9 the object 2 from the heat shrinking chamber 5. In this embodiment of the method 100 in relation to figures 1 to 3, objects 2 are continuously transported, for example using a conveyor belt (not shown), via the receiving chamber 23 of the first pressure apparatus 13 to the shrinking chamber 5 of the heat shrinking apparatus 3. In the shrinking chamber 5 of the heat shrinking apparatus 3 the first medium 11 is provided to the objects 2 for shrinking the shrink label 4. After applying the shrink label 4 to the objects 2, the objects are transported from the shrinking chamber 5 of the shrinking apparatus 3 to the receiving chamber 23 of the second pressure apparatus 13. During the execution of the method 100, the gas inlet arrangement 29 and the gas outlet arrangement 31 of the first and second pressure apparatus 13 are continuously controlled by the control arrangement 21 , for providing the gas flows 14, 16 in order to maintain the first medium 11 inside the shrinking chamber 5.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system (1) arranged for heat shrinking a shrink label (4) to enclose an object (2), the system (1) comprising: a heat shrinking apparatus (3) comprising a heat shrinking chamber (5) provided with a heat shrinking chamber inlet opening (7), arranged for receiving, via the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening (7), the object (2) and wherein the heat shrinking chamber (5) is provided with a heat shrinking chamber outlet opening (9) arranged for removing the object (2) from the heat shrinking chamber (5), wherein the heat shrinking chamber (5) is arranged for providing a first medium (11) to the object (2) for transferring thermal energy to the shrink label (4) for shrinking the shrink label(4); a pressure apparatus (13) comprising a gas flow arrangement (15) arranged for providing a gas flow comprising a second medium (17) for maintaining the first medium (11) at a side of the heat shrinking inlet opening (7) facing the heat shrinking chamber(5) and / or for maintaining the first medium (11) at a side of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening (9) facing the heat shrinking chamber (5).

2. The system (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the system (1) further comprises: a detection arrangement (19) arranged for detecting a characteristic of a medium, preferably the first medium (11), surrounding the object (2); and a control arrangement (21), communicatively coupled with the detection arrangement (19) and the pressure apparatus (13), for providing a predetermined gas flow taking into account the characteristic of the medium, detectable by the detection arrangement (19), for maintaining the first medium (11) at a side of the heat shrinking inlet opening (7) facing the heat shrinking chamber (5) and / or for maintaining the first medium (11) at a side of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening (9) facing the heat shrinking chamber (5).

3. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object (2) is at least one of a temperature and a humidity.

4. The system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure apparatus (13) further comprises: a receiving chamber (23), provided with an object inlet opening (25), arranged for receiving, via the object inlet opening (25), the object (2) and an object outlet opening (27), arranged for removing, via the object outlet opening (27), the object (2) from the receiving chamber (23); and wherein the gas flow arrangement (15) comprises at least one of: a gas inlet arrangement (29) arranged for providing the second medium (17), via a gas inlet opening thereof, into the receiving chamber (23) of the pressure apparatus (13); and a gas outlet arrangement (31) arranged for removing the second medium (17), via a gas outlet opening thereof, from the receiving chamber (23) of the pressure apparatus (13), preferably wherein the gas inlet opening is provided at a side of the gas outlet opening facing away from the object inlet opening (25).

5. The system (1) according to 4, wherein the heat shrinking chamber (5) is coupled for fluid flow with the receiving chamber (23), via at least one of: the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening (9) and the object inlet opening (25), wherein the gas inlet opening is provided at a side of the gas outlet opening facing away from the object inlet opening (25) for allowing the object (2) to be moved from the heat shrinking chamber (5) into the receiving chamber (23); and the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening (7) and the object outlet opening (27), wherein the gas inlet opening is provided at a side of the gas outlet opening facing away from the object outlet opening (27).

6. The system (1) according to claim 2 and 4, wherein: the detection arrangement (19) is further arranged for detecting the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object (2) at a first distance from the object inlet opening (25); and wherein the control arrangement (21) is further communicatively coupled with at least one of the gas inlet arrangement (29) and the gas outlet arrangement (31) and further arranged for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement (29) and the gas outlet arrangement (31) for realising a predetermined flow of the second medium (17)in the receiving chamber (23) taking into account the characteristic of the medium, detectable by the detection arrangement (19), for providing the gas flow for maintaining the first medium (11) at a side of the heat shrinking inlet opening (7) facing the heat shrinking chamber (5) and / or for maintaining the first medium (11) at a side of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening (9) facing the heat shrinking chamber (5).

7. The system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first distance is related to the position of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening (9) or the position of the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening (7).

8. The system (1) according to claim 2 and 4, wherein the detection arrangement (19) is further arranged for detecting the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object (2) when the object (2) is outside the receiving chamber (23), preferably at a side of the object inlet opening (25) facing away from the receiving chamber (23).

9. The system (1) according to any one of the claims 4 to 8, wherein the gas inlet opening and the gas outlet opening are provided above the object (2), during use when the object (2) is received by the receiving chamber (23).

10. The system (1) according to any one of the claims 4 to 9, wherein the gas inlet opening, during use, is provided at a lower height above the object (2) than the gas outlet opening.

11. The system (1) according to any one of the claims 4 to 10, wherein the object outlet opening (27) is provided at a side of the gas inlet opening opposite to the object inlet opening (25).

12. The system (1) according to claims 2 and 4, wherein the system (1) further comprises: a register (33) provided with a data element comprising a first predetermined value of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object (2) and / or comprisinga second predetermined value of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object (2); a determining unit (35), communicatively coupled to the register (33), arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement (19), is different from the first predetermined value and / or the second predetermined value and arranged for providing an output signal when the determining unit determines that the characteristic is different from the first predetermined value and / or the second predetermined value; wherein the control arrangement (21) is further communicatively coupled to the determining unit (35) and arranged for receiving the output signal for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement (29) and the gas outlet arrangement (31) for realising the predetermined flow of the second medium (17) in the receiving chamber (23) for maintaining the first medium (11) at a side of the heat shrinking inlet opening (7) facing the heat shrinking chamber (5) and / or for maintaining the first medium (11) at a side of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening (9) facing the heat shrinking chamber (5).

13. The system (1) according to claim 6 and 12, wherein the first predetermined value is related to the first predetermined distance from the object inlet opening (25) and wherein the second predetermined value is related to a second distance from the object inlet opening (25).

14. The system (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: the determining unit (35) is further arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement (19), at the first distance, is exceeding the first predetermined value and arranged for providing a first output signal when the determining unit determines that the characteristic at the first distance is exceeding the first predetermined value, wherein the control arrangement (21) is further arranged for receiving the first output signal for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement (29) and the gas outlet arrangement (31) for realising a first predetermined flow of the second medium (17) in the receiving chamber (23); and / or the determining unit (35) is further arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement (19), at the first distance, isbelow the first predetermined value and arranged for providing a second output signal when the determining unit determines that the characteristic at the first distance is below the first predetermined value, wherein the control arrangement (21) is further arranged for receiving the second output signal for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement (29) and the gas outlet arrangement (31) for realising a second predetermined flow of the second medium (17) in the receiving chamber (23), wherein a flow rate of the first predetermined flow is larger than a flow rate of the second predetermined flow.

15. The system (1) according to claim 6 and any one of the claims 12 to 14, wherein the detection arrangement (19) is further arranged for detecting a characteristic of the medium surrounding the object at the second distance from the object inlet opening (25), wherein the second distance is relative to the position of the other of the heat shrinking chamber outlet opening (9) and the position of the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening (7).

16. The system (1) according to claim 15, wherein: the determining unit (35) is further arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement (19), at the second distance is exceeding the second predetermined value and arranged for providing a third output signal when the determining unit (35) determines that the characteristic at the second distance is exceeding the second predetermined value, wherein the control arrangement (21) is further arranged for receiving the third output signal for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement (29) and the gas outlet arrangement (31) for realising a third predetermined flow of the second medium (17) in the receiving chamber (23); and / or the determining unit (35) is further arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement (19), at the second distance is below the second predetermined value and arranged for providing a fourth output signal when the determining unit (35) determines that the characteristic at the second distance is below the second predetermined value, wherein the control arrangement (21) is further arranged for receiving the fourth output signal for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement (29) and the gas outlet arrangement (31) for realisinga fourth predetermined flow of the second medium (17) in the receiving chamber (23), wherein a flow rate of the fourth predetermined flow is larger than a flow rate of the third predetermined flow.

17. A pressure apparatus (13) arranged for being used in a system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. The pressure apparatus (13) according to claim 17, the pressure apparatus (13) further comprises: a receiving chamber (23), provided with an object inlet opening (25), arranged for receiving, via the object inlet opening (25), the object (2).

19. The pressure apparatus (13) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the gas flow arrangement (15) further comprises at least one of: a gas inlet arrangement (29) arranged for providing the second medium (17), via a gas inlet opening thereof, into the receiving chamber (23) of the apparatus (13); a gas outlet arrangement (31) arranged for removing the second medium (17), via a gas outlet opening thereof, from the receiving chamber (23) of the apparatus (17), preferably wherein the gas inlet opening is provided at a side of the gas outlet opening facing away from the object inlet opening (25).

20. The pressure apparatus (13) according to claim 18 and 19, wherein the pressure apparatus (13) further comprises: a detection arrangement (19) arranged for detecting a characteristic of a medium surrounding the object (2) at a first distance from the object inlet opening (25); a control arrangement (21), communicatively coupled with the detection arrangement (19) and at least one of the gas inlet arrangement (29) and the gas outlet arrangement (31), arranged for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement (29) and the gas outlet arrangement (31) for realising a predetermined flow of the second medium (17) in the receiving chamber (23) taking into account the characteristic of the medium, detectable by the detection arrangement (19).

21. The pressure apparatus (13) according to claim 20, wherein the detection arrangement (19) is further arranged for detecting the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object (2) when the object is outside the receiving chamber (23), preferably at a side of the object inlet opening (29) facing away from the receiving chamber (23).

22. The pressure apparatus (13) according to claim 19, wherein the gas inlet opening (29) and the gas outlet opening (31) are provided above the object (2), during use when the object (2) is received by the receiving chamber (23).

23. The pressure apparatus (13) according to any one of the claims 19, wherein the gas inlet opening (29), during use, is provided at a lower height above the object (2) than the gas outlet opening (31).

24. The pressure apparatus (13) according to claim 20 or 21 , wherein the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object (2) is at least one of a temperature and a humidity.

25. The pressure apparatus (13) according to any one of the claims 17 to 24, wherein the pressure apparatus (13) further comprises an object outlet opening (27) arranged for removing the object (2) from the receiving chamber (23).

26. The pressure apparatus (13) according to claim 25, wherein the object outlet opening (27) is provided at a side of the gas inlet opening (29) opposite to the object inlet opening (25).

27. The pressure apparatus (13) according to claims 18, 19 and 20, wherein the pressure apparatus (13) further comprises: a register (33) provided with a data element comprising a first predetermined value of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object (2) at the first distance from the object inlet opening (25) and / or comprising a second predetermined value of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object at a second distance from the object inlet opening (25);a determining unit (35), communicatively coupled to the register, arranged for determining that the characteristic, detectable by the detection arrangement (19), is different from the first predetermined value and / or the second predetermined value and arranged for providing an output signal when the determining unit (35) determines that the characteristic is different from the first predetermined value and / or the second predetermined value; wherein the control arrangement (21) is further communicatively coupled to the determining unit (35) and arranged for receiving the output signal for controlling the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement (29) and the gas outlet arrangement (31) for realising the predetermined flow of the second medium (17) in the receiving chamber (23).

28. A method (100) for providing an object (2) with a shrink label (4) using a system (1) according to claims 2 and 4 or a pressure apparatus (13) according to claims 18, 19 and 20, the method (100) comprising the steps of: receiving (101), by the receiving chamber (23), via the object inlet opening (25), the object (2); providing (103), by the gas inlet arrangement (29), the second medium (17), via the gas inlet opening, into the receiving chamber (23) of the apparatus (13); removing (105), by the gas outlet arrangement (31), the second medium (17), via the gas outlet opening, from the receiving chamber (23) of the apparatus (13); detecting (107), by the detection arrangement (19), the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object (2) at the first distance from the object inlet opening (25); controlling (109), by the control arrangement (21), the at least one of the gas inlet arrangement (29) and the gas outlet arrangement (31) for realising the predetermined flow of the second medium (17) in the receiving chamber (23) taking into account the characteristic of the medium, detected, during the step of detecting (107), by the detection arrangement (19).

29. The method (100) according to claim 28 using a system (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 16, the method (100) comprising the steps of:receiving (111), by the heat shrinking chamber (5), via the heat shrinking chamber inlet opening (7), the object (2); providing (113), by the heat shrinking chamber (5), the first medium (11) to the object (2) for transferring thermal energy to the shrink label (4) for shrinking the shrink label (4); removing (115), via the heating shrinking chamber outlet opening (9) the object (2) from the heat shrinking chamber (5).

30. The method (100) according to claim 29, wherein a pressure of the first medium (11) corresponds to an ambient pressure.

31. The method (100) according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the first medium (11) comprises steam.

32. The method (100) according to any one of the claims 28 to 31 using a system (100) according to claim 12 or an apparatus (13) according to claim 27, wherein the first predetermined value of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object (2) at the first predetermined distance from the object inlet opening (25) is in the range of 45 °C to 50 °C and / or wherein the second predetermined value of the characteristic of the medium surrounding the object at the second predetermined distance from the object inlet opening (25) is in the range of 45 °C to 50 °C.

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