Labeling device for container, notably for a bottle
containing a liquid to be drunk, and related
manufacturing method
The present invention relates to a labeling device for
a container and a related manufacturing method.
A particularly valuable application of the invention
relates to the labeling of a bottle containing a liquid
to be drunk. The device may also be used for the
labeling of containers or bottles designed to contain
other types of liquids, for example perfumes.
Bottles containing a liquid usually comprise various
items of essential sale-related information and
elements of decoration or publicity information, for
example trademarks, logos, etc.
In order to apply such information to containers, it is
customary to provide metal covers, adhesive labels or
else films made of heat-shrinkable and printable
plastic material covering all or a portion of the
container.
With such solutions, it is necessary to provide several
operations in order to obtain the labeling of the
container.
In order to place such information on a glass
container, it is also possible to provide direct
prints, for example by heat transfer, enameling,
lacquering or screen-printing. This however
substantially increases the cost price of the
container.
The object of the present invention is to remedy these
drawbacks.
More particularly, the object of the present invention
is to provide a labeling device for a container, which
device is particularly easy to manufacture and install
and is economical.
A further object of the present invention is to provide
a labeling device that does not require adhesive in
order to keep it on the associated container.
According to a first aspect, the invention relates to' a
labeling device for a container, notably for a bottle
containing a liquid to be drunk, comprising at least
one sleeve designed to cover at least one portion of
the container. The sleeve is made of an elastic
synthetic material and sized so as to elastically grip
said portion of the container after the device is
installed on the container. The sleeve comprises on its
outer surface means for providing information and/or
means of decoration made in one piece with said sleeve.
These means can be in relief and/or hollowed out on the
outer surface of the sleeve. These means may form
publicity information, decoration, trademarks or else
information relating to the liquid contained.
The inner portion or portions of the sleeve match in
shape the' portion or portions of the container designed
to be covered. In the free state of the sleeve, i.e.
when it is not installed on the bottle, the portion or
portions of the sleeve have, in cross section, an inner
perimeter less than the outer perimeter of the
corresponding portion or portions of the container. The
device is held on the container by the elastic grip of
the sleeve.
It becomes possible to install the device and label the
bottle in a single operation without using additional
means such as glues or adhesives.
Moreover, with such a device, it is possible to provide
at less cost specific outer shapes that 'may be
different from that of the associated bottle. It is
possible to provide, for one and the same bottle type,
a plurality of labeling devices having an outer
appearance that is substantially different from that of
the bottle and conferring on it the desired special
shape, for example for promotional operations. It is
therefore possible to obtain bottles labeled with
devices of different shapes without it being necessary
to change the bottling line to a new bottle format, the
labeling of the bottles being carried out during a
final operation.
Furthermore, when bottles fitted with these devices are
stored inside a carton, it is not necessary to provide
spacers between them in order to prevent them colliding
during subsequent transport. Specifically, the sleeves
partially or completely covering the bottles make it
possible to absorb the impacts, which substantially
reduces the risk of breakage of the bottles. It becomes
possible to display the bottles on a shelf by directly
using the carton that has been used for their
transport.
Moreover, in the case of a bottle containing a liquid
to be drunk, the sleeve makes it possible to delay the
heating of the contained liquid when the bottle has
been previously cooled. The sleeve thus forms a means
of heat protection for the contained liquid.
Preferably, one or more portions of the sleeve capable
of resiliently enclosing the portion or portions of the
container each have, in the free state, in cross
section, an inner perimeter that is 1 to 15% less than
the outer perimeter of the corresponding portion or
portions of the container, and preferably less than 7%.
Advantageously, the sleeve is made of a thermoplastic
elastomer (TPE).
The sleeve may comprise, at a top end, a collar
extending outward. Alternatively, or additionally, the
sleeve may comprise, at a bottom end, a radial collar
extending inward.
In one embodiment, the sleeve comprises, on its outer
surface, at least one recess, hook or clip for the
coupling of an element outside the device. The recess
is advantageously designed not to be open-ended. It is
also possible to provide, on the outer surface, a
surface suitable for gluing.
According to a second aspect, the invention also
relates to a bottle containing a liquid to be drunk,
notably a fizzy liquid, furnished with a labeling
device as defined above.
According to a third aspect, the invention also relates
to a method for manufacturing a labeling device for a
container, notably for a bottle containing a liquid to
be drunk, wherein the elastic synthetic material(s) of
a sleeve of the device designed to cover at least a
portion of the container is (are) injected into a mold,
the mold comprising a core adapted at least to the
profile of the portion of the container to be covered,
then one end of the molded sleeve is pulled so as to
strip the device from the mold by reversing the sleeve.
In one embodiment, the core comprises at least one
engraving and/or one relief. Stripping from the mold
can be carried out manually or in an automated manner.
With such a stripping from the mold by reversing the
sleeve, after having installed the device on the
container to be labeled, the traces of the mold parting
line and any possible burrs of material that may be
present on the sleeve are no longer visible from the
outside by the consumer. Specifically, after the device
is stripped from the mold, these molding traces are on
the inner surface of the sleeve designed to come
against the container to be labeled. After the device
is stripped from the mold, the presence of molding
marks on the outer surface of the sleeve that may cause
a negative impression for the consumer is avoided.
Moreover, stripping the device from the mold by
reversing the sleeve makes it possible to provide on
the core of the mold etchings and/or reliefs making it
possible to obtain on the sleeve the publicity
information, the decoration, the trademarks, the
information relating to the contained liquid, etc.,
that are intended to be seen by the consumer when the
device is installed on the associated container.
Placing the engravings and/or reliefs on the core makes
it possible to substantially reduce the manufacturing
cost of the manufacturing mold relative to placing
these engravings and/or reliefs on one or both portions
forming the mold.
Producing the device by molding plastic material also
means that it is possible to easily change its color
and vary its roughness by polishing, dulling, sanding
etc. the core of the mold. It is also easy to obtain
sleeves having very different visible appearances and
feels. Moreover, it is possible to obtain, at less
cost, devices of different and original shapes that are
especially adapted to the containers on which they are
intended to be installed.
The present invention will be better understood on
studying embodiments taken as nonlimiting examples and
illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:
- figure 1 is a view in section of a labeling device
installed on a bottle according to a first embodiment
of the invention,
- figures 2 to 5 illustrate schematically the method
for manufacturing the labeling device of figure 1, and
- figures 6 to 8 are respectively views in section of
labeling devices installed on bottles according to
second, third and fourth embodiments of the invention.
Figure 1 shows a device 10 designed for the labeling of
a bottle 12. In the figure, the device 10 and the
bottle 12 are shown in an assumed vertical position.
The device 10 may be used for labeling a bottle
containing a liquid 13 to be drunk, for example water,
wine, fruit juice, an alcoholic drink, or else a fizzy-
drink such as soda or Champagne.
Naturally, the device 10 may also be used for labeling
bottles or containers designed to contain other types
of liquids, for example perfumes.
The bottle 12, with a vertical axis 14, is closed at
its bottom end by a bottom 16 extended axially upward
by a cylindrical side wall 18, itself extended by a
frustoconical portion, then by a cylindrical neck 20
the top end of which is closed off by the stopper 22.
In a manner known per se, the stopper 22 in this
instance comprises a stopping portion installed inside
the neck 20 of the bottle extended by a head portion of
generally spherical shape. A shoulder is formed between
these portions and defines an annular bearing surface
capable of coming into contact against the top end of
the neck 20. Naturally, it is possible to use other
stoppers of different shapes or else other means for
closing off the bottle, for example a cap.
The device 10 comprises a sleeve 24 in the form of a
tubular casing radially surrounding the majority of the
bottle 12 and coming into contact against the latter.
More precisely, the sleeve 24 presses against the side
wall 18, the frustoconical portion and the neck 20 of
the bottle.
As will be described in greater detail below, the
sleeve 24 is obtained by molding a synthetic material
so as to match the shape of the portions of the bottle
12 that are to be covered. The material of the sleeve
24 is an elastic flexible synthetic material. It may
for example be made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).
As an indication, it is possible to use the
thermoplastic elastomer sold under the trademark
Onflex® from the company Polyone or else that sold
under the trademark Teflaboc® from the company CTS.
Alternatively, it is also possible to make the sleeve
with an elastomer, for example of rubber, silicone,
natural latex or else recycled elastomers.
The sleeve 24 has a cylindrical portion 24a of large
diameter surrounding the side wall 18 of the bottle
which is extended by a frustoconical portion 24b
tapering inward and coming to press against the
frustoconical portion of the bottle, itself extended by
a cylindrical portion 24c of small diameter partially
covering the neck 20. The whole of the sleeve 24
presses against the bottle 12. The cylindrical portion
24a of large diameter, respectively of small diameter
24c, has, in the free state, an inner diameter less
than the outer diameter of the side wall 18,
respectively of the neck 20, of the bottle 12. The
frustoconical portion 24b of the sleeve 24 has a
variable inner diameter. In cross section, the inner
diameter of this frustoconical portion 24b is less than
the outer diameter of the frustoconical portion of the
bottle 12. More precisely, in cross section, the sleeve
24 has, over the whole of its length, an inner diameter
that is 1 to 15% less than the outer diameter of the
corresponding covered portion of the bottle 12, and
preferably less than 7%.
When the device 10 is fitted over the bottle 12, the
device is deformed elastically which makes it possible
subsequently to hold it axially on the bottle by
elastic gripping of the sleeve 24. In this way, the
sleeve 24 is held in position on the bottle 12 without
the provision of additional means such as adhesives or
glue.
In the illustrated embodiment, the bottle 12 is
circular in cross section. Naturally, it is possible to
provide bottles having a different cross section, for
example elliptical or polygonal such as triangular,
rectangular, square, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. In this
case, in cross section, the inner perimeter of the
associated sleeve is less than the outer perimeter of
the bottle, and advantageously 1 to 15% less than this
outer perimeter, and preferably less than 7%.
The sleeve 24 comprises, on its outer surface,
protrusions or protuberances 26, 28 which in this
instance in a nonlimiting manner have a generally
annular shape. The protuberances 2 6, 2 8 are made in one
piece with the sleeve 24. Specifically, they are
obtained when the sleeve 24 is molded. Advantageously,
these protuberances 2 6, 2 8 may be used to form on the
sleeve 24 publicity information, decoration,
trademarks, making it possible to identify the product,
or else information relating to the contained liquid.
Since the sleeve 24 is obtained by molding, it is
understandable that it is possible to easily provide
information, decoration, trademarks, etc., of complex
shapes and specific to the associated bottle 12. As an
alternative or as an addition to the protuberances 2 6
and 28 forming reliefs, it is of course possible to
provide on the outer surface of the sleeve 24 detents
or recesses which may or may not pass through the
thickness of the sleeve so as to partly or wholly form
these items of information, decoration, trademarks,
etc., or in order to allow the coupling of a part or
element external to the sleeve 24, for example a
publicity medium. As an indication, the thickness of
the sleeve may be between 0.8 and 3 mm. Naturally, it
is possible to provide a greater thickness.
As illustrated in figures 2 to 5, in order to
manufacture the device 10, a mold 30 is used comprising
portions 32, 34 that can be moved relative to one
another and a central core 36 provided between these
portions so as to delimit a cavity of the sleeve 24
that is to be installed on the bottle 12 (figure 1) .
The core 36 is conformed to the desired profile and
dimensions of the sleeve 24 so that it matches the
bottle. The core 36 comprises, on its surface, recessed
portions or engravings 38, 40 making it possible to
obtain the formation of the protuberances 26, 28 when
the sleeve 24 is molded.
When the mold 30 is closed around the punch 36, the
plastic material is injected in order to obtain the
sleeve 24 of the device 10. After the portions 32, 34
of the mold (figure 3) are opened, the sleeve 24 placed
on the core 36 is stripped from the mold. With respect
to this, the large-diameter end. of the sleeve 24 is
pulled so as to withdraw it from the core 36 by rolling
it up in the direction of the opposite end of small
diameter of the sleeve 24 (figure 4) . The sleeve 24 is
pulled until it is fully withdrawn from the core 36.
The device 10 is stripped from the mold by reversing
the sleeve 24 so that the surface comprising the
protuberances 26, 28 which, after molding, is in
contact with the core 36 forms, after being stripped
from the mold, the outer surface of the sleeve 24
(figure 5) . The surface of the sleeve 24 initially in
contact with the portions 32, 34 of the mold forms,
after being stripped from the mold, the inner surface
of the sleeve 24 intended to press against the bottle.
Therefore, the traces of the mold parting line 30 and
any possible burrs of material on this parting line are
not visible on the sleeve 24 for the consumer when the
device 10 is installed on the bottle 12. Conversely,
the protuberances 2 6, 28 that are present on the outer
surface of the sleeve 24 and may form publicity
information, decoration or trademarks making it
possible to identify the product, or else information
relating to the contained liquid can be seen by the
consumer. After the sleeve 24 has been stripped from
the mold, the device 10 can be force-fitted onto the
bottle 12. To make it easier to install the sleeve 24
on the bottle 12, it is possible to use lubricants such
as silicone, water, soap, etc.
In this embodiment, the sleeve 24 and the protuberances
26, 28 are obtained by molding of a single plastic
material. It is however possible to provide an
overmolding of the protuberances 2 6, 28 onto the sleeve
24 with a second plastic material having for example a
different color or hardness. After overmolding, the
protuberances 26, 28 are in one piece with the sleeve
24.
In the embodiment described, the sleeve 24 covers the
majority of the outer surface of the bottle 12.
Naturally, the axial dimension or height of the sleeve
2 4 can be modified and for example have a height
substantially equal to that of the labels
conventionally stuck to the bottles containing a liquid
to be drunk, as is shown in the embodiment of figure 6
in which the identical elements bear the same reference
numbers.
The variant embodiment of figure 7 differs from the
embodiment of figure 6 only in that the device 10
comprises a second sleeve 42 gripping another portion
of the bottle and being offset axially relative to the
first sleeve 24. The sleeve 42 comprises protuberances
26. Naturally, it is possible to- provide a greater
number"of sleeves.
The embodiment illustrated in figure 8, in which the
identical elements bear the same reference numbers,
differs from the first embodiment in that the sleeve 24
comprises, at its top end, a collar 44 that is thicker
than the sleeve. The collar 4 4 extends radially outward
and presses against the bead of the neck 20 of the
bottle. This collar 44 makes it possible to locally
increase the stretch-resistance of the sleeve 24 so as
to prevent a possible deformation of its top end when
the device 10 is fitted onto the bottle 12, and more
precisely when the top end of the sleeve 24 travels to
the bead of the bottle 12 which has a larger diameter
than that of the portion of the neck 2 0 intended to be
covered by this end.
The sleeve 24 also comprises, at its bottom end, a
collar 4 6 that is thicker than the sleeve. The collar
4 6 extends radially inward and is designed to press
against the bottom 16 of the bottle so as to prevent a
possible upward axial movement of the sleeve 24. The
collar 4 6 forms a means for holding the sleeve 2 4 in
position on the bottle 12. The collars 44, 4 6 may have
without distinction a profile which in cross section is
rectangular, square, triangular, round, etc.
By virtue of the invention, the user 'has a device
comprising a low-cost molded sleeve making it easy to
label a container and able to have on its outer surface
publicity information, decoration, trademarks or else
information relating to the contained liquid. Obtaining
the sleeve by molding makes it possible to easily
modify the feel, the appearance and the colors of the
device. Moreover, the device makes it possible to
obtain, at less cost, a labeling of the bottle for
example with a special shape that is distinct from the
profile of the bottle.
CLAIMS
1. A labeling device (10) for a container, notably
for a bottle containing a liquid to be drunk,
comprising at least one sleeve (24) designed to cover
at least one portion of the container, said sleeve
being made of an elastic synthetic material and sized
so as to elastically grip said portion of the container
after the device is installed on the container,
characterized in that the sleeve (24) comprises on its
outer surface means (26, 28) for providing information
and/or means of decoration made in one piece with said
sleeve.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or
more portions of the sleeve (24) capable of elastically
gripping the portion or portions of the container have,
in the free state, in cross section, an inner perimeter
that is 1 to 15% less than the corresponding outer
perimeter of the portion or portions of the container,
and preferably less than 7%.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which
the sleeve (24) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
4. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the sleeve (24) comprises, at a top
end, a collar (44) extending outward.
5. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the sleeve (24) comprises, at a bottom
end, a radial collar (46) extending inward.
6. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, wherein the sleeve (24) comprises, on its outer
surface, at least one recess or hook for the.- coupling
of an element outside the device.
7. A bottle (12) containing a liquid to be drunk,
notably a fizzy liquid, furnished with a labeling
device (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims.
8. A method for manufacturing a labeling device for a
container, notably for a bottle containing a liquid to
be drunk, characterized in that the elastic synthetic
material(s) of a sleeve of the device designed to cover
at least a portion of the container is(are) injected
into a mold, the mold comprising a core adapted at
least to the profile of the portion of the container to
be covered, then one end of the molded sleeve is pulled
so as to strip the device from the mold by reversing
the sleeve.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the core
comprises at least one engraving and/or one relief.

The labeling device (10) for a container (12), in particular for a
bottle containing a drinking liquid, includes at least one sleeve (24) for covering
at least one portion of the container. The sleeve (24) is made of resilient synthetic
material and is sized so as to resiliently enclose said portion of the container after
mounting the device onto the container.