A machine for applying tubular film to products includes a film feed path along which a supply of continuous tubular film is fed, and a sleeve eject station at which the film tubing is cut into sleeves that are ejected onto products passing the sleeve eject station. At least one sensor is positioned along the film feed path upstream of the sleeve eject station for detecting a splice in tubular film traveling along the film feed path. A controller is configured for controlling the machine such that, upon detection of a splice in the tubular film, a defective sleeve that includes the splice thereon is ejected into a gap between successive products so as to prevent application of the defective sleeve to any product.

An apparatus for applying a tubular band from a supply of flat tubular material to a container includes a flat film feed path and a cutter positioned for cutting tubular material traveling along the feed path. A former is positioned downstream of the cutter for opening the tubular material and includes a film passage with an inlet side and an outlet side. The flat film feed path enters the film passage and a cut segment of tubular material is opened within the film passage to create an opened tubular band. A pusher pushes the opened tubular band out of the outlet side of the former for container application. The pusher includes a film engaging portion that is aligned with and movable into and out of the film passage. The film engaging portion is offset from the flat film feed path to prevent interference with flat tubular film entering the passage.

The present invention relates to a labelling machine (1) for applying labels (2) to receptacles (3) comprising a web (11) having a succession of decorative patterns (15); a cutting unit (12) configured to cut said web (11) so as to obtain individual labels (2); a conveying means (14) configured to advance the individual labels (2); a control unit (17) configured to control a positioning of the web (11) in relation to a reference station (18); a determination device (19) configured to determine and/or detect a relative positioning of the decorative patterns (15) in relation to the reference station (18); and a removal device (20) configured to remove incorrect labels (2) that are determined and/or detected as a function of the relative positioning of the decorative patterns (15) in relation to the reference station (18). Also included is a method for applying labels (2).

Disclosed herein is a film fitting head which holds a tubular film fitted on a mandrel in a stable position and can prevent the film from rotating and being displaced in a peripheral direction. The film fitting head (40) includes a mandrel (M) for receiving a tubular film (L) in a fitted state in a film supply position, feeding the tubular film in a film fitting position, and fitting the tubular film onto a body portion of a container. The mandrel (M) includes a film holding portion (85) provided above a lifting member (88) located in a standby position. An outer peripheral surface of the film holding portion (85) has a tapered surface that is tapered down toward a top, and an outer peripheral length of a lower end (85a) of the film holding portion (85) is set to be approximately equal to a peripheral length of the tubular film (L) in an open state.

A machine for applying tubular film to products includes a film feed path along which a supply of continuous tubular film is fed, and a sleeve eject station at which the film tubing is cut into sleeves that are ejected onto products passing the sleeve eject station. At least one sensor is positioned along the film feed path upstream of the sleeve eject station for detecting a splice in tubular film traveling along the film feed path. A controller is configured for controlling the machine such that, upon detection of a splice in the tubular film, a defective sleeve that includes the splice thereon is ejected into a gap between successive products so as to prevent application of the defective sleeve to any product.

A label-affixing machine affixes a label, which is conveyed by a label conveying body, to the back surface of a product being conveyed. The label-affixing machine includes a label holding unit configured to hold a label so that an adhesive surface of the label faces outward, a pressing mechanism configured to press a label conveying body, which is disposed on a side facing the label holding unit, against the adhesive surface of the held label by moving the label conveying body toward the label holding unit, and a controller that controls the drive of the label conveying body and the pressing mechanism to affix the label to the back surface of the product.

Disclosed herein is a film fitting head which holds a tubular film fitted on a mandrel in a stable position and can prevent the film from rotating and being displaced in a peripheral direction. The film fitting head (40) includes a mandrel (M) for receiving a tubular film (L) in a fitted state in a film supply position, feeding the tubular film in a film fitting position, and fitting the tubular film onto a body portion of a container. The mandrel (M) includes a film holding portion (85) provided above a lifting member (88) located in a standby position. An outer peripheral surface of the film holding portion (85) has a tapered surface that is tapered down toward a top, and an outer peripheral length of a lower end (85a) of the film holding portion (85) is set to be approximately equal to a peripheral length of the tubular film (L) in an open state.

A label printing system and method are generally provided. The label printing system may be optimized for deployment at a user location. The label printing system may comprise a label print engine configured to receive a formatted digital data related to a label and print the related label on media. The label printing system may further comprise a finishing machine configured to receive a printed label from the label print engine and perform a finishing task on one or more printed labels. A central processor may be connected to the label print engine and the finishing machine and configured to send label print and finishing information to the label print engine and the finishing machine respectively. A user portal may be connected to the central processor. The user portal is configured to send an art file related to a label to be printed to the central processor. The central processor is configured to receive the art file and generate a formatted digital data based on the art file to be sent to the print engine for printing of a label.

An apparatus for applying a tubular band from a supply of flat tubular material to a container includes a flat film feed path and a cutter positioned for cutting tubular material traveling along the feed path. A former is positioned downstream of the cutter for opening the tubular material and includes a film passage with an inlet side and an outlet side. The flat film feed path enters the film passage and a cut segment of tubular material is opened within the film passage to create an opened tubular band. A pusher pushes the opened tubular band out of the outlet side of the former for container application. The pusher includes a film engaging portion that is aligned with and movable into and out of the film passage. The film engaging portion is offset from the flat film feed path to prevent interference with flat tubular film entering the passage.

A label fitting device cylindrically opens and feeds downward an individual label, and thereby fits the individual film body around a fitting target carried to a fitting position. The label fitting device includes a feed unit which feeds downward the label base material while changing the carrying direction thereof, and a label fitting unit which carries downward the label and fits the label to the container. The label is formed by cutting the label base material fed by the feed unit. The label fitting unit is provided so as to be turnable relative to the container to thereby enable adjustment of the fitting angular position of the cylindrical label relative to the circumferential direction of the container.