CLUSTER PACK COMPRISING LABELLED CONTAINERS

Abstract

A cluster pack with at least two containers, each of which each container carries a label. One or more glued joints interconnect the containers. At least one of the glued joints is applied in a cut-out section of a label.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A cluster pack with at least two containers, wherein each container carries a label, wherein said containers are interconnected by at least one glued joint, wherein at least one of said glued joints is applied in a region of said label, and wherein said label comprises a cut-out section in a region of said glued joint.

14. The cluster pack of claim 13, wherein said cut-out section occupies up to 5% of a surface area of said label.

15. The cluster pack of claim 13, wherein said cut-out section occupies up to 10% of a surface area of said label.

16. The cluster pack of claim 13, wherein said cut-out section occupies up to 20% of a surface area of said label.

17. The cluster pack of claim 13, wherein said cut-out section is larger than said glued joint.

18. The cluster pack of claim 13, wherein said cut-out section is larger than said glued joint by at least by 10%.

19. The cluster pack of claim 13, wherein said cut-out section is larger than said glued joint by at least by 20%.

20. The cluster pack of claim 13, wherein said cut-out section is larger than said glued joint by more

21. The cluster pack of claim 13, wherein said cut-out section intersects an edge of said label.

22. The cluster pack of claim 13, wherein said cut-out section is in said label.

23. The cluster pack of claim 13, wherein said containers each have a height, wherein each of said containers has a lower half defined by said height, and wherein said glued joint is arranged in said lower half of said container.

24. A method for producing, a cluster pack, said method comprising providing a first container, applying, to said first container, a label with a cut-out section, applying an adhesive point in said cut-out section, wherein said container is aligned beforehand in such a way that said adhesive point is applied in said cut-out section, providing a second container, and joining said first and second container to form a cluster pack.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising forming said cut out section in said label during manufacture of said label.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising forming said cut out section in said label after said label has been manufactured but before applying said label on said first container.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising labeling said second container with a second container label having container label that has a cut out section, and aligning said second container before joining said first and second containers, wherein aligning said second container comprises positioning said second container so as to form a glued joint in said cut out section of said container label of said second container.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising placing at least one of said adhesive points in a region of two opposing cut-out sections of two adjacent containers.

29. An apparatus for producing a cluster pack that has at least two containers, each of which carries a label, said containers being interconnected by at least one glued joint, at least one of which is applied in a region of said label, wherein said label comprises a cut-out section in a region of said glued joint, said apparatus comprising means for aligning a container, means for applying a label to a container, means for applying an adhesive point, and means for producing a cut-out section in a label, wherein said means for aligning said container is configured to align said container in such a way that said means for applying an adhesive point applies an adhesive point onto said cut-out section.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a sensor unit, a holding-and-aligning unit, and a hardening-and-compacting unit, wherein said sensor unit is configured for detecting at least one of surface features of said containers and equipment elements carried by said containers, wherein said holding-and-aligning unit is configured for rotating and aligning said containers about a container axis, wherein said hardening-and-compacting unit is configured to hold a group of containers in position pressed against one another at least temporarily, wherein said containers are oriented, brought together, and compacted in such a way that an adhesive point, which forms a glued joint, or a set of two or more adhesive points, which form a common glued joint, lies in a region of at least one cut-out section of one of said two containers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] These and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying figures, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a container with a label; and

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a container 2 having a cylindrical body 4 and a shoulder region 8 on top of the body 4 and extending conically onto the bottleneck 6. The container 2 is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) with a wall thickness of 0.15 mm. Although the illustrated container 2 is a bottle, the principles described herein are applicable to other containers.

[0039] A thin plastic label 10 surrounds the body 4. As a result of its construction, the label 10 has relatively low tensile strength. The label's length is such that it lies snugly in contact around the body 4. Although its ends are adhesively bonded or welded together, in general, no adhesive bonds the label 10 to the container 2. Typically, the label 10 is a roll-fed label.

[0040] The label 10 comes from from an endless roll that has been printed with information regarding the the container 2. To label a container 2, a section of this roll is separated to form the label 10. The separated section is approximately as long as the container's circumference. A pair of punch pliers or another punching tool then forms a cut-out section 12 at a particular location on the label 10. A suitable locations is its edge, preferably at a location that does not contain any important information.

[0041] The cut-out section 12 is configured as a semi-circular or U-shaped gap that passes through the banderol's edge. In some embodiments, the diameter of the cut-out section 12 is between 5 mm and 50 mm. In others, it is between 10 mm and 30 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the cut-out section 12 is punched out with a diameter of 20 mm. After formation of the cut-out section 12, the label 10 is separated from the endless roll, for example by cutting it off the roll.

[0042] The label 10 is then laid around the body 4 and its ends bonded to each other by adhesive, which is applied onto an end section of the label 10. The label 10, which essentially covers the lower half of the container 2, is arranged in such a way that the cut-out section 12 is located at the lower edge of the label 10, namely the edge that is nearest the container's lower end 14.

[0043] A rotating disk then aligns the container 2, which has now had the label 10 applied to it. It does so having an optical detection device identify the cut-out section 12. To facilitate this, the cut-out section's color differs from that of the label 10. The rotating disk then rotates the container 2 so that an adhesive nozzle deposits an adhesive point 13 into the cut-out section 12.

[0044] The process of joining two containers requires first and second containers, each of which has a label as described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, and each of which has been aligned in an identical manner. In this situation, one or more adhesive points 13 are applied. Following this, or at the same time, the second container is also aligned in such a way that, when the containers are joined, holding devices, clamping strips, or the like, which incur a shaping effect, cause the adhesive points 13 to come in contact in the cut-out section 12, or the adhesive application there, in the label of the second container. Hardening or cross-linking of the adhesive then forms a glue joint or an adhesive point. This adhesive point connects the two containers.

[0045] The cut-out section 12 is applied in the lower half of the container 2, nearer to its lower end 14 than its upper end, namely the container neck 6.

[0046] The cut-out section 12 allows adhesive points to also be applied in those regions in which the label 10 covers the container 2, i.e. related to the height of the container 2, between the container's neck 6 and its lower end 14, in the lower and middle regions of the container 2. It is advantageous that the label is not damaged when the containers are detached from one another.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a paper label 10 that has been adhesively bonded onto a container. The paper label 10 is approximately 10 centimeters wide and approximately 15 centimeters high. The cut-out section 12 is already cut into the label 10 during production. In this embodiment, the cut-out section is an oval or elliptical hole having a minor axis of about 15 millimeters and a major axis of about 30 millimeters. The label 10 forms the edge of the cut-out section 12. However, in this case, the cut-out section 12 is not at the edge of the label 10.

[0048] The label 10 is adhesively bonded onto a container, and the container is aligned, by the detection of the differences in the light permeability, in such a way that an adhesive point 13 can be arranged in the cut-out section 12. The adhesive point 13 is then, after joining with a second container, hardened to form a glued joint.

[0049] In some cases, it is useful to provide more than one adhesive point. This is useful in cases in which the containers are very heavy and also in cases where one may wish to use leverage to detach containers. Such configurations can be achieved by combining the features of FIGS. 1 and 2. As a rule, An additional adhesive point is provided in the region of the label on the container surface, depending on the respective loading force, and the adhesive strength that is therefore required due to, for example, different container volumes.

[0050] In some embodiments, it is useful to place the e further adhesive points 13.2 between the container's base and bottom of the label. This permits one to exploit the advantageous leverage effect when detaching the containers from the cluster pack.

[0051] Accordingly, a method is also encompassed for producing a cluster pack out of containers 2. This comprises, among other elements, a sensor unit for detecting surface features of the containers and/or equipment elements carried by the containers, and is, in particular, a camera system, which scans the container surface and compares the data, by means of a control unit, with the data relating to the angular position of the container 2, and is available to the respective treatment steps. This takes place by means of suitable holding and alignment units for rotating and aligning the containers 10 about a container axis.

[0052] Also provided for is at least one unit for applying adhesive points 10 onto the container surface, as well as a hardening and compacting unit that holds a group of containers 2 in position, pressing them against each other as it does so, at least temporarily, until the adhesive has adequately dried and/or hardened. At that point, the cluster is once again released.

[0053] The cluster packs according to one of the foregoing embodiments are formed by equipping containers with labels, each of which has a cut-out section. These cut out sections can be manufactured as part of the label itself. Of, they can be added by providing a cutting station immediately before the application of the label onto the container.

[0054] Ideally, any such cutting station is an integral constituent of the labeling module. The cutting station can either cut, punch, or even burn the cut-out section of the label. Various implementations of a cutting station include rotating perforation tools, laser cutter burners, etc. A suitable transport or suction means removes the residue.

[0055] The adhesive point for connecting two containers 2 is applied onto the container surface in such a way that it comes to lie at least partially in the region of a cut-out section on the container surface. The containers that are to be connected are oriented in such a way and subsequently brought together and compacted such that the adhesive point that forms a glued joint, or the two or more adhesive points that, together, form a common glued joint or bridge will do so in the region of at least one cut-out section of two adjacent containers.

[0056] As an alternative, two or more adhesive points, that form a common glued joint or bridge are arranged in the region of two opposed cut-out sections of two adjacent containers.

[0057] In this situation it is advantageous if, in order to increase the adherence strength, at least one further application of adhesive is provided on at least one of two containers that are to be joined. Thus further application of adhesive is in the region outside the label. Ideally, it is beneath the label in the region between the lower label end and the container base.

[0058] In this situation, with all the foregoing embodiments and variants, the application of the labels with the cut-out sections can take place in one or a plurality of separated labelling machines arranged upstream of the device for the container alignment and the application of the adhesive points, or it can take place in an individual treatment device.