Apparatus for applying a solvent to plastic labels

Abstract

In the application of a volatile solvent to a plastic, roll-on label for a bottle, a large diameter solvent applicating roll is formed with small diameter gravure rolls that extend from the surface of the solvent applicating roll. The small diameter rolls are circumferentially spaced from each other a distance that is equal to the spacing between the leading edge and trailing edge of a plastic label carried on the surface of a transfer drum. The small gravure rolls are relatively rotatable with respect to the large roll and are supplied with solvent from behind within the large roll. As the small rolls contact the labels on the transfer drum, they will transfer solvent to the leading and trailing edges of the plastic labels thereby resulting in the adhesion of the leading edge of the label to a bottle that is in rolling contact with the transfer drum and after the bottle rolls along the drum to wind the label thereon, the trailing edge of the label will overlap and adhere to the leading edge, thus making a 'solvent seal' thereon. The solvent is applied by the small gravure rolls that are rotated by contact with the label in one embodiment or by contact of drive rollers with the drum surface. A considerable saving in solvent is accomplished due to very little evaporation taking place.