In-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine and method

Abstract

An in-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine labels containers, such as beverage containers, in an in-line fashion maintaining the elevation of the containers during their linear transport. The in-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine of the present invention receives bottles in flood feeder or linear fashion. A timing screw or the like properly separates, and both spatially and temporally disposes, the containers for sleeving. The timing screw propels the containers onto a pedestal system. The pedestals of the pedestal system maintain their horizontal nature due to offset pivotable attachments to the track system upon which they travel. In coordinated fashion with the travel of the pedestal system, iris carriers carrying sleeves upon articulating radial arms descend upon the bottles. Once the label sleeve has reached the appropriate point (generally adjacent to the central portion of the bottle), the iris carrier allows the label sleeve to engage the central portion of the bottle. Frictional attachment or otherwise allows the finger rods of the iris carrier to pull away from the sleeve as the iris carrier continues to descend down towards the pedestal. The sleeve then becomes attached to or engaged by the bottle until the finger rods of the iris carrier free themselves from the sleeve label. A container stabilizer may provide lateral bottle support and aid the ensleevement process. The finger rods then dilate to better disengage the bottle as the iris carrier ascends up and away from the bottle. The bottle is then transported to an exit conveyor having been properly sleeved, while the iris carrier returns to transport another sleeve.