Apparatus and methods for reducing the tack of adhesive ooze around components and other materials associated with articles and labeling and packaging of articles. In some embodiments, the packaging includes a substrate, an adhesive, a component, a de-tackifying agent, and an ooze zone. The substrate may be a shrink sleeve label. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive used to attach the component to the substrate. The component may be a smart component or a promotional material. The de-tackifying agent may reduce the tackiness of the adhesive that oozes (i.e., progresses) beyond the interface of the component and the substrate into an adjacent ooze zone when heat, pressure, or heavy coat weight is applied to the packaging.

A method of applying a linerless label to an article wherein a web of joined labels is die cut from a web of label material in which the adhesive is protected by a water-soluble coating which provides a cushion between an anvil and die cutting means. The water-soluble coating is at least partially removed by exposure to water in a press following die-cutting, in a label applicator, or in an off-line unit. The web of joined labels may be wound and unwound between each of the above options. The web of joined labels may be separated in a label applicator by breaking a weakened boundary between adjoining labels or by cutting at a boundary between the label and the adjoining label. The linerless label may contain anti-counterfeit means that may be subsequently identified overtly and/or covertly.

A method of applying a linerless label to an article wherein a web of joined labels is die cut from a web of label material in which the adhesive is protected by a water-soluble coating which provides a cushion between an anvil and die cutting means. The water-soluble coating is at least partially removed by exposure to water in a press following die-cutting, in a label applicator, or in an off-line unit. The web of joined labels may be wound and unwound between each of the above options. The web of joined labels may be separated in a label applicator by breaking a weakened boundary between adjoining labels or by cutting at a boundary between the label and the adjoining label. The linerless label may contain anti-counterfeit means that may be subsequently identified overtly and/or covertly.

An apparatus for cleaning a surface of a glue roller of a labeling station that applies labels to containers includes a modular cleaning unit that one can insert into the apparatus to displace at least one segment of a multi-segment vacuum drum.

An apparatus for cleaning a surface of a glue roller of a labeling station that applies labels to containers includes a modular cleaning unit that one can insert into the apparatus to displace at least one segment of a multi-segment vacuum drum.

A healthcare product package (10) comprises a container (2) for containing a healthcare product and an information unit (1) which is located inside the container. The information unit (1) comprises a carrier (3), for instance a base card, and at least one information article (4, 6, 8) attached to the carrier (3).

A gluing system for applying glue on products is disclosed. The gluing system includes a glue applicator configured to deposit melted glue on products, a glue container configured to contain excess melted glue discharged from the applicator and fresh melted glue, a glue delivering unit configured to deliver glue from the container to the applicator and a glue discharging unit configured to convey excess glue not used by the applicator to the container. The container is divided by a partition into a first chamber, containing the fresh melted glue, and into a second chamber containing the excess melted glue and separated from the first chamber. The partition includes a filter allowing flow of the fresh melted glue and the excess melted glue from both the first and second chambers to the delivering unit.

A gluing system for applying glue on products is disclosed. The gluing system includes a glue applicator configured to deposit melted glue on products, a glue container configured to contain excess melted glue discharged from the applicator and fresh melted glue, a glue delivering unit configured to deliver glue from the container to the applicator and a glue discharging unit configured to convey excess glue not used by the applicator to the container. The container is divided by a partition into a first chamber, containing the fresh melted glue, and into a second chamber containing the excess melted glue and separated from the first chamber. The partition includes a filter allowing flow of the fresh melted glue and the excess melted glue from both the first and second chambers to the delivering unit.

The invention relates to a device (10A-10E) for labeling containers (12). The device (10A-10E) has a container conveyor (14) for conveying containers (12) and at least one label dispenser (18) for providing labels. The device (10A-10E) has at least one planar drive system (16A-16E) which is configured so as to transport labels from the at least one label dispenser (18) to the container conveyor (14) in order to apply the label onto the containers (12). The device can improve flexibility during labeling processes.

The invention relates to a device (10A-10E) for labeling containers (12). The device (10A-10E) has a container conveyor (14) for conveying containers (12) and at least one label dispenser (18) for providing labels. The device (10A-10E) has at least one planar drive system (16A-16E) which is configured so as to transport labels from the at least one label dispenser (18) to the container conveyor (14) in order to apply the label onto the containers (12). The device can improve flexibility during labeling processes.