Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for applying a heat shrink film to a container

US4923557A · kind A · utility

75Cited by
8References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 1, 1988
Grant dateMay 8, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 1, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T156/1033
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method, for the application of solvent reactive, heat-shrink film or labels, to a container having a curvilinear, frusto-conical, or other irregular aspect to the configuration of its outer wall. Adhesive and solvent are applied, respectively, to the leading and trailing ends of a label in preparation for full wrap-applying same to a container. The leading end of the label is brought into adhesive contact with the container, and the container is spun about its axis to wrap the label therearound. At least a portion of the label seam, adjacent the irregular wall aspect of the container, is left free-standing or unsupported by the container wall. To ensure a positive seal within this unsupported seam portion, compressive forces are applied thereto as the trailing end of the label comes into initial contact with the underlying leading end. Thereafter, the label is subject to heat, causing the unsupported portions of the label to shrink and conform to the irregular configuration of the container.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.