U.S. patent application number 13/967098 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-20 for stretch sleeve labeled foam container.
The applicant listed for this patent is New Wincup Holdings, Inc.. Invention is credited to William Lloyd Prickett, Jr..
Application Number | 20140048440 13/967098 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50099310 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140048440 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prickett, Jr.; William
Lloyd |
February 20, 2014 |
STRETCH SLEEVE LABELED FOAM CONTAINER
Abstract
A food or beverage container may include an open-ended expanded
polystyrene (EPS) foam body and a stretch sleeve label. The stretch
sleeve label may be made of a material which may enable a high
quality design to be displayed on the outside of the EPS foam body.
The stretch sleeve label may be stretched over the exterior surface
of the EPS foam body and released to fit the contours of the EPS
foam body. The stretch sleeve label may be affixed to the EPS foam
body using an adhesive. The EPS foam body, the stretch sleeve
label, and/or the adhesive may comprise compostable or recyclable
materials, such that the entire food or beverage container may be
compostable or recyclable.
Inventors: |
Prickett, Jr.; William Lloyd;
(Buford, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
New Wincup Holdings, Inc. |
Stone Mountain |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50099310 |
Appl. No.: |
13/967098 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61683017 |
Aug 14, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.5 ;
29/235; 29/448 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/36 20130101;
Y02W 90/14 20150501; Y10T 29/53657 20150115; Y02W 90/10 20150501;
B65D 25/205 20130101; B65D 1/265 20130101; Y10T 29/49867
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/459.5 ;
29/448; 29/235 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/20 20060101
B65D025/20 |
Claims
1. A food or beverage container comprising: an open-ended expanded
polystyrene (EPS) foam body; and a stretch sleeve label enveloping
at least one portion of an exterior surface of the open-ended EPS
foam body, wherein the stretch sleeve label comprises a material
that is capable of fitting the at least one portion of the exterior
surface of the open-ended EPS foam body when stretched around the
exterior surface and released.
2. The food or beverage container of claim 1, wherein the stretch
sleeve label enables a display of a high quality design on the
exterior surface of the open-ended EPS foam body.
3. The food or beverage container of claim 1, wherein the
open-ended EPS foam body and the stretch sleeve label comprise
compostable or recyclable materials.
4. A method for manufacturing a shrink sleeve labeled expanded
polystyrene (EPS) container, the method comprising: receiving an
EPS container having an open-ended EPS foam body; and applying a
stretch sleeve label to at least one pre-defined portion of an
exterior surface of the EPS container, wherein the stretch sleeve
label comprises a material that is capable of fitting the at least
one pre-defined portion of the exterior surface of the EPS
container when stretched around the exterior surface and
released.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the stretch sleeve label enables
a display of a high quality design on the exterior surface of the
EPS container.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the EPS container and the stretch
sleeve label comprise compostable or recyclable materials.
7. An apparatus for manufacturing a shrink sleeve labeled expanded
polystyrene (EPS) container, the apparatus comprising: a container
dispenser capable of dispensing an EPS container having an
open-ended EPS foam body; and a label dispenser capable of applying
a stretch sleeve label to at least one pre-defined portion of an
exterior surface of the EPS container, wherein the stretch sleeve
label comprises a material that is capable of fitting the at least
one pre-defined portion of the exterior surface of the EPS
container when stretched around the exterior surface and
released.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the stretch sleeve label
enables a display of a high quality design on the exterior surface
of the EPS container.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the EPS container and the
stretch sleeve label comprise compostable or recyclable
materials.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a bullet mandrel
for stretching the stretch sleeve label to a diameter that exceeds
the exterior surface of the EPS container.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/683,017, filed Aug. 14, 2012, the
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in
their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Disposable containers, such as food and beverage containers,
for example, may be made of paperboard, polypropylene, or expanded
polystyrene (EPS) foam. Paperboard may be desirable for a number of
reasons. For example, paperboard may provide a high-quality
printable surface from the lip of the cup to its base. Paperboard,
however, may be a poor insulator of heat. A paperboard cup
containing a hot beverage, for example, may be difficult to hold.
To compensate for the lack of insulation provided by a single
paperboard cup, a plurality of such cups may be nested together. A
separate cardboard sleeve may also be used to provide insulation,
or the cup may include handles.
[0003] EPS foam containers typically provide better thermal
insulation than do paperboard containers. Accordingly, EPS foam
containers tend to be more suitable than paperboard containers for
containing hot or cold food or beverages, at least in terms of
thermal insulation. The thermal insulating properties of EPS foam
also prevent heat transfer to the user, which provides for safety
of use. When used with cold drinks, for example, the insulating
properties prevent condensation, which may be perceived as sweating
or even leakage from the container.
[0004] The exterior surface of an EPS foam container, however, may
not provide for high-quality printing. Techniques are used for
improving the appearance of EPS foam containers by wrapping paper
around the EPS foam body of the container. There is a need,
however, for continued improvement in the appearance of EPS foam
containers to make them more attractive to end users, and/or to
provide for advertising on the container. There is also a need for
disposable, preferably fully recyclable, EPS foam containers that
have high-quality printing on all or part of the exterior surface
of the container.
SUMMARY
[0005] Embodiments are described herein for a food or beverage
container that includes an open-ended expanded polystyrene (EPS)
foam body and a stretch sleeve label. The stretch sleeve label may
envelope at least one portion of the exterior surface of the
open-ended EPS foam body. The stretch sleeve label may enable the
display of a high quality design on the exterior surface of the EPS
foam body and may be made of a material that is capable of fitting
a form of the open-ended EPS foam body upon application. The
stretch sleeve label may be affixed to the exterior of the EPS foam
body with or without the use of an adhesive. The EPS foam body, the
stretch sleeve label, and/or the adhesive may be made of
compostable or recyclable materials, such that the entire food or
beverage container may be compostable and/or recyclable.
[0006] System, method, and apparatus embodiments are described
herein for manufacturing a stretch sleeve labeled EPS container.
According to an example embodiment, a container may be received
that has an open-ended EPS foam body and a stretch sleeve label may
be applied to at least one pre-defined portion of the exterior
surface of the EPS container. The EPS container may be provided via
a container dispenser, and the stretch sleeve label may be applied
using a sleeve dispenser. The stretch sleeve label may be applied
such that it conforms to the contours of the EPS container at the
pre-defined portion after release of the stretch sleeve label.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIGS. 1A-1C provide example embodiments of stretch sleeve
labeled expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam containers.
[0008] FIGS. 2A-2C provide partial cutaway views of example
embodiments of EPS car cups that may be suitable for stretch sleeve
labeling.
[0009] FIGS. 3A-3F provide partial cutaway views of example
embodiments of straight-walled EPS cups that may be suitable for
stretch sleeve labeling.
[0010] FIGS. 4A-4C provide cross-sectional views of example
embodiments of EPS food containers that may be suitable for stretch
sleeve labeling.
[0011] FIG. 5 depicts an example apparatus and process for
manufacturing a stretch sleeve labeled EPS container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Embodiments are described herein for food and/or beverage
containers having an expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam body, and a
stretch sleeve labeling that provides for high quality printing on
the exterior surface of the container. For example, the body of the
container may be an EPS foam body that may be fully, or at least
partially, enveloped by a stretch sleeve covering. The EPS foam
body may provide thermal insulation and may be useful in containing
food products, or hot or cold beverages, for example, in a manner
that is comfortable to a user. The stretch sleeve label may be made
of a material that is capable of fitting the form of an EPS
container by stretching the sleeve around the contours of the EPS
container. For example, the sleeve may be made of a low density
polyethylene (LDPE) material. The sleeve may be stretched a
predetermined amount (e.g., up to about 55%) to fit the contours of
the EPS container. The sleeve may be stretched over the exterior
surface of the container and released to conform to the exterior
surface of the container.
[0013] Various types of stretch sleeve labels may be applied to the
exterior of a container. For example, a stretch sleeve label may
have a stretching rate of up to about 10%. A modified stretch
sleeve label may have a stretching rate of up to about 20%. A super
stretch sleeve label (e.g., TripleS.RTM. super stretch sleeve) may
have a stretching rate of up to about 55%. The stretching rate may
allow the stretch sleeve label to be stretched to a predetermined
amount for fitting around a container. Each type of stretch sleeve
label may conform to different shaped containers upon application.
The container upon which the stretch sleeve label may be applied
may depend on the stretching rate of the stretch sleeve label. Once
the stretch sleeve is fit around the container at a desired
location, the stretch sleeve may be released, thereby enabling the
stretch sleeve to contract and fit the form of the container. The
stretch sleeve label may be decorative, and thus provide the
appearance of high quality printing on the exterior surface of the
container.
[0014] Different types of stretch sleeve labels may have a
different set of characteristics. For example, a stretch sleeve
label may have a stretch rate of up to about 10% and/or less than
about 5% bottle difference. A modified stretch sleeve label may
have a stretch rate of up to about 20% and/or less than about 20%
bottle difference. A super stretch sleeve (e.g., TripleS.RTM.)
label may have a stretch rate of up to about 55% and/or less than
about 35% bottle difference. Each of the stretch sleeves may be
made of a recyclable material, such as an LDPE material, for
example. The cost associated with each stretch sleeve label may
vary, for example, depending on the set of characteristics
associated with the stretch sleeve label.
[0015] The stretching rate for different types of stretch sleeve
labels may vary within respective ranges. For example, a stretch
label may have a stretching rate of about 8-10%, a modified stretch
label may have a stretching rate of about 10-20%, and a super
stretch label may have a stretching rate of about 20-55%. As the
stretch sleeve label may have a lower stretching rate, it may be
applied to a container, or portions thereof, in a location having a
fairly consistent or cylindrical shape. As the modified and super
stretch sleeve labels may have greater respective stretching rates,
they may be applied to a container, or portions thereof, having
greater contours in accordance with their respective stretching
rates. The stretch sleeve labels may be used individually or in any
combination to fit the contours of a container.
[0016] According to an example embodiment, the stretch sleeve label
may be used for advertisement on the exterior of an EPS container.
The stretch sleeve label may be clear or colored with any desirable
design, lettering, symbols, or other visible design for example.
The layout of the design may be chosen such that, after the label
is applied to the container, the resultant design is not distorted
due to the stretching. The placement of the design on the stretch
sleeve label may be chosen such that, after the label is fit onto
the container, the design resides within a predefined area on the
EPS container.
[0017] The stretch sleeve label may include a temperature sensitive
indicator, which may indicate to the user a relative temperature of
the exterior surface of the container. For example, the stretch
sleeve may indicate whether the exterior of the container is hot or
cold by using one or more color-coded indicators corresponding to
the relative exterior temperature of the container.
[0018] Compostable, recyclable, or non-recyclable materials may be
selected for the EPS foam and/or the stretch sleeve. Thus, the
entire container may be recyclable, compostable, or a combination
of both. The stretch sleeve label may have a lower carbon footprint
(e.g., about 31% less) than other labeling materials. As the
stretch sleeve material may be stretched to a larger size to fit
larger containers, less material may be consumed in the manufacture
of the stretch sleeve label (e.g., may save up to 35% of the label
material). As less material may be used for each stretch sleeve
label, a lower transportation volume may be used for each
container, or a greater number of labels may be shipped.
[0019] A number of stretch sleeve labeled EPS foam containers are
disclosed herein. Each such container may have an EPS foam body
having an exterior that is partially or totally enveloped in a
stretch sleeve label. The stretch sleeve label may be made of a
material that may be the appropriate length to fit an EPS foam
container, or a portion thereof. The stretch sleeve material may be
smaller in diameter in its unstretched state than the EPS foam
container to which it may be applied. The stretch sleeve may be
stretched to a diameter that is larger than the greatest exterior
diameter of the EPS foam container that the stretch sleeve is
provided to cover. The stretch sleeve may be fit over the EPS foam
container in its stretched state and released to fit the contours
of the container at a desired location (e.g., the entire exterior
surface of the container, or a portion thereof) after contraction.
The stretch sleeve labeled EPS foam container may provide thermal
insulation, while simultaneously providing for the display of high
quality printed matter that may be attractive to a user of the
container, for example. The stretch sleeve label may provide for a
container having less side-wall deflection than an unwrapped
container, which may provide greater container stability and better
insulation for items (e.g., food and/or beverages) held within the
container.
[0020] FIGS. 1A-1C provide example embodiments of stretch sleeve
labeled EPS foam containers 102, 104, 106, respectively. Each of
the containers 102, 104, 106 has a larger upper side wall 108, 110,
112, a transitional portion 120, 122, 124, and a smaller lower side
wall 114, 116, 118, respectively. Such a configuration may be
referred to as a car cup. While the EPS foam containers in FIGS.
1A-1C illustrate a car cup, the stretch sleeve labeled EPS foam
containers described herein are not limited to such an embodiment,
but may include any type of EPS foam food and/or beverage
container.
[0021] Each of the containers 102, 104, 106 may have an upper side
wall 108, 110, 112, a lower side wall 114, 116, 118, and a
transitional portion 120, 122, 124 extending between the upper side
wall 108, 110, 112 and the lower side wall 114, 116, 118,
respectively. The diameter of each of the containers 102, 104, 106
(transverse to its longitudinal axis) may be greater in the upper
side wall 108, 110, 112 than it is in the lower side wall 114, 116,
118. The transitional portions 120, 122, 124 may be curved, flared,
or straight. Each container 102, 104, 106 may include a rim collar
126, 128, 130 that extends from the top of the upper side wall 108,
110, 112, respectively, to the top rim of the cup. Each container
102, 104, 106 may include a bottom portion (not shown in FIGS.
1A-1C) that extends to the bottom rim of the container 102, 104,
106.
[0022] The container configurations depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C, and
described elsewhere herein, are merely provided as examples.
Numerous container configurations are known, and any configuration
may be employed in the embodiments described herein. For example,
the cups shown in FIGS. 1A-1C may be 20 ounce cups, while other
standard (e.g., 3.5-64 ounce cups, such as 8, 12, 16, or 32 ounce
cups) or non-standard cup sizes may be employed. Techniques for
manufacturing an EPS cup or other similar containers are well
known, and need not be described herein. It should be understood
that other EPS containers, such as food containers for example, may
be stretch sleeve labeled as described herein.
[0023] Any portion, or the entirety, of the exterior of each
container 102, 104, 106 may be enveloped by a stretch sleeve label.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the stretch sleeve label may extend between
the lower edge of the rim collar 126 and the transitional portion
120. As shown in FIG. 1B, the stretch sleeve label may extend from
the lower edge of the rim collar 128 to the bottom of the container
104. As shown in FIG. 1C, the stretch sleeve label may extend from
the top of the rim collar 130 to the bottom of the container 106.
While the EPS foam containers in FIGS. 1A-1C may illustrate a
stretch sleeve label being stretched over certain areas of a
container, the stretch sleeve label is not limited to being
stretched over such areas.
[0024] In any of the embodiments described herein, an adhesive may
be used to affix the stretch sleeve label to the exterior of the
container. In an example, the adhesive may be a pressurized
adhesive, which may enable the stretch sleeve label to be affixed
to the container upon the application of pressure to the points at
which the adhesive may be applied, for example. The adhesive may be
colorless or it may be a color adhesive, such that it matches the
color and/or design on the stretch sleeve label. The adhesive may
be made of a compostable and/or recyclable material, such that the
entire stretch sleeve labeled container may be compostable and/or
recyclable, for example.
[0025] In some embodiments, an adhesive may not be implemented for
affixing the stretch sleeve label to the container. For example,
the stretch sleeve label may be applied such that it is affixed to
the container based on friction between the container and the
contracted sleeve.
[0026] FIGS. 2A-2C provide partial cutaway views of example
embodiments of EPS car cups 202, 204, 206 that may be suitable for
stretch sleeve labeling. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the stretch
sleeve label may fit on various forms of car cups having a number
of different dimensions. For example, as illustrated in FIGS.
2A-2C, the height of the EPS car cups 202, 204, 206 may range from
6.785-7.660 inches and/or the diameter at the top of the EPS car
cups 202, 204, 206 may range from 4.113-4.543 inches. Similarly,
other portions of the EPS car cups 202, 204, 206 may include
different dimensions that may be considered for stretch sleeve
labeling. For example, EPS car cups 202, 204, 206 may include upper
side walls 208, 210, 212, lower side walls 214, 216, 218, and
transitional portions 220, 222, 224, respectively. The upper side
walls 208, 210, 212, the lower side walls 214, 216, 218, and the
transitional portions 220, 222, 224 may each have different
dimensions. While FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate particular dimensions of
EPS car cups that may be suitable for stretch sleeve labeling, the
dimensions of an EPS container suitable for stretch sleeve labeling
are not limited as such.
[0027] FIGS. 3A-3F provide partial cutaway views of example
embodiments of straight-walled EPS cups that may be suitable for
stretch sleeve labeling. FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a 12-ounce
straight-walled EPS cup 302, 16-ounce straight-walled EPS cup 304,
20-ounce straight-walled EPS cup 306, and 24-ounce straight-walled
EPS cup 308, respectively, each of which may have respective
dimensions that make the cups suitable for stretch sleeve labeling.
FIGS. 3E and 3F show additional embodiments of straight-walled EPS
cups 310 and 312 having a rim collar, which may also be considered
for stretch sleeve labeling.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3A-3F, each of the straight-walled EPS
cups 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 may have a height ranging from
4.685-7.253 inches; a diameter at the top ranging from 3.663-3.665
inches; a diameter at the bottom ranging from 1.946-2.546 inches; a
thickness at the sides ranging from 0.083-0.100 inches (not shown
in FIG. 3E or 3F); a thickness at the bottom ranging from
0.085-0.100 inches (not shown in FIG. 3E or 3F); a height of a
bottom portion of the container ranging from 0.536-1.484 inches
(not shown in FIG. 3E or 3F), which may or may not hold liquid;
and/or an angle of the side wall of the cup ranging from 4.25-10.00
degrees. FIGS. 3E and 3F further illustrate straight-walled EPS
cups 310 and 312, each having a rim collar with a height ranging
from 0.600-0.967 inches; a side wall with a height ranging from
4.131-4.294 inches; a diameter at the bottom of the side wall
ranging from 2.301-2.439 inches; a diameter at the bottom of the
container ranging from 2.210-2.349 inches; and a diameter where the
sidewall meets the rim collar ranging from 3.380-3.431 inches.
While FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate particular dimensions of
straight-walled EPS cups that may be suitable for stretch sleeve
labeling, the dimensions of an EPS container suitable for stretch
sleeve labeling are not limited as such.
[0029] FIGS. 4A-4C provide cross-sectional views of example
embodiments of food containers 402, 404, 406 that may be suitable
for stretch sleeve labeling. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C,
respectively, the stretch sleeve label may conform to different
forms of food containers, such as straight-walled EPS container
402, rounded EPS container 404 having a rounded exterior body,
and/or concave EPS container 406 having a concave exterior body,
for example. The containers 402, 404, 406 may be of different
dimensions, and each may be enveloped, at least partially, by a
stretch sleeve label as described herein. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4C,
each of the EPS containers 402, 404, 406 may have a height ranging
from 1.814-3.010 inches; a rim collar ranging from 0.494-0.625
inches; a side wall ranging from 1.180-2.135 inches; a diameter at
the top ranging from 3.931-3.960 inches; a diameter where the side
wall meets the rim collar ranging from 3.698-3.716 inches (not
shown in FIG. 4C); a diameter at the bottom of the side wall
ranging from 2.899-3.141 inches; a diameter at the bottom ranging
from 2.096-2.899 inches; and/or an angle of the side wall ranging
from 10.00-12.50 degrees. While FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate particular
dimensions of EPS food containers that may be suitable for stretch
sleeve labeling, the dimensions of an EPS container suitable for
stretch sleeve labeling are not limited as such.
[0030] Embodiments are described herein for making or manufacturing
a stretch sleeve labeled EPS foam container. For example, the
stretch sleeve labeled EPS foam container may be made by providing
an EPS foam container body, stretching the stretch sleeve material
over (e.g., a predetermined distance over) the exterior surface of
the EPS foam container, positioning the stretch sleeve material at
the desired location on the EPS foam container, and releasing the
stretch sleeve material allowing it to contract and conform to the
exterior surface of the EPS container body.
[0031] FIG. 5 depicts an example apparatus and process for
manufacturing stretch sleeve labeled EPS foam containers. The
stretch sleeve labeled EPS foam container 514 may be manufactured
from a container body 504 and a stretch sleeve label 510 using a
conveyor 506, a stretch sleeve label applicator or dispenser 508,
and/or a mandrel 512. As shown in FIG. 5, one or more manufactured
EPS foam containers, such as an EPS foam container 504 for example,
may be dispensed (e.g., one at a time) onto a conveyor 506.
[0032] EPS containers provided for a stretch sleeve labeling
process as described herein may not be cured (e.g., shrunk to their
stable dimensions) prior to application of the stretch sleeve
label. The EPS containers may continue to shrink to a stable size
immediately after their manufacture. The application of labeling to
EPS containers prior to their having achieved their stable size may
result in undesirable wrinkling of the applied label, as the label
may not shrink consistent with the shrinkage of the foam body
itself. With stretch sleeve labeling, the containers can continue
to shrink after application of the label, as the label will
continue to contract to the shrinking dimensions of the foam body
as it cures. Consequently, manufacturers need not retain as much
pre-labeled inventory as they would if the containers had to be
cured before application of the labels.
[0033] According to an example, a cured or pre-cured EPS container
body 504 may be fed into an automatic container dispenser 502, such
as a hopper for example, that may enable the container to be
properly placed on the conveyor 506. For example, the container
body 504 may be placed onto the conveyor 506 upside down (e.g.,
bottom side up) or right side up (e.g., bottom side down). Any
mechanical means may be used to stabilize the container body 504 on
the conveyor so that the container body 504 may be conveyed below a
stretch sleeve label applicator or dispenser 508. As the container
body 504 may be made of a light-weight EPS foam or other
lightweight material, the container body 504 may be held in place
while on the conveyor 506 and/or during application of the stretch
sleeve label 510. For example, the container body 504 may ride on a
puck or vacuum implemented by the conveyor 506. According to an
example embodiment, the puck or vacuum may be specific to the
dimensions of the container body 504. While FIG. 5 illustrates
placing the container body 504 under the label dispenser 508 via a
conveyor 506, any other positioning device may be used to place the
container body 504 under the label dispenser 508 for application of
the stretch sleeve label 510.
[0034] The stretch sleeve label 510 may be provided by the label
dispenser 508 for application to the container body 504. The size
and/or type of the stretch sleeve label may be determined by the
label dispenser 508 (e.g., during the manufacturing process). In
another example, the size and/or type of the stretch sleeve label
510 may be predetermined. For example, the stretch sleeve label 510
may be provided in a predetermined size and/or type that
corresponds to the container body 504, such that the stretch sleeve
label 510 naturally fits the contours of the container body 504 at
a predetermined position (e.g., from the bottom to the upper rim of
the container) after being stretched over the container body 504
and released. In another example, the stretch sleeve label 510 may
be provided in a consistent size and/or type by the label dispenser
508 and may be stretched to fit a desired position on the container
body 504 (e.g., from the bottom to the upper rim of the container).
The label dispenser 508 may cut the stretch sleeve label at the
determined length for application. The stretch sleeve label 510 may
be prepared with any desired coloring, design, lettering, etc. For
example, stretch sleeve label 510 may be prepared with a
high-resolution advertisement.
[0035] As the container body 504 passes below the stretch sleeve
applicator 508, the stretch sleeve label 510 may be stretched over
a bullet mandrel 512, such that the bullet mandrel 512 causes the
stretch sleeve label 510 to open into its cylindrical shape over
(e.g., a predetermined distance over) the exterior surface of the
container body 504. The label dispenser 508 may include a label
stretching device (not shown) for stretching the stretch sleeve
label 510 over the container 504. The opened stretch sleeve label
510 may be carried down to a desired or pre-configured point on the
container body 504. For example, the leading edge of the stretch
sleeve label may be carried down to the upper rim of the container
body 504 (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 1C), or to the edge of the rim
collar (e.g., as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B).
[0036] The stretch sleeve label 510 may be cut and/or released from
the label dispenser 508 at the appropriate point, so that when the
leading edge of the sleeve is carried down to the desired point of
the container body 504 and/or the trailing edge of the stretch
sleeve label 510 ends up at the appropriate location along the edge
of the container body 504 (e.g., at the transition portion, as
depicted in FIG. 1A, or at the bottom of the container, as depicted
in FIGS. 1B and 1C) after the stretch sleeve label 510 contracts to
fit the container body 504. For example, any design on the stretch
sleeve label 510 may be located such that it ends up in a
pre-defined area on the container body 504 after release from the
label dispenser 508 and contraction of the stretch sleeve label 510
on the container body 504.
[0037] The label dispenser 508 may be configured to affix the
stretch sleeve label 510 to the exterior surface of the EPS
container body 504 using an adhesive (e.g., pressurized adhesive
that may be activated upon application of pressure) for example. In
an example embodiment, the adhesive may be applied in beads or
lines to the side of the container body 504 before the stretch
sleeve label 510 is applied, and/or the stretch sleeve label 510
itself may be provided with adhesive already applied to the inner
surface of the label (e.g., the surface that will be applied to the
exterior surface of the container body 504). If a pressurized
adhesive is used, the adhesive may be activated as pressure is
applied to the stretch sleeve label 510 on the container body
504.
[0038] When the stretch sleeve label 510 is released, it may
naturally conform to the contours of the container body 504 at the
desired position due to its natural compression on the container
body 504. In this example, adhesive may not be applied, or it may
be applied to maintain the positioning of the stretch sleeve label
510 during use. The stretch sleeve label 510 may be stretched to
reach the desired position and the adhesive may be used to maintain
the positioning of the stretch sleeve label 510 after it is
released. The adhesive may be used to help the stretch sleeve label
510 maintain a desired position on the container body 504.
[0039] The finished container 514 may include the container body
504 and the stretch sleeve label 510 attached to the container body
504 at the desired or pre-configured position. The finished
container 514 may be conveyed away to be stacked for packaging and
shipment. Once the stretch sleeve label 510 has been applied and/or
conforms to the container body 504, it may be immediately ready for
shipment and/or use. The final stretch sleeve labeled container 514
may have greater rigidity characteristics compared to those of the
container body 504 prior to labeling, which may enable for a better
grip on the final stretch sleeve labeled container 514. This may be
because the stretch sleeve label 510 may fit snugly against the
contours of the container body 504.
[0040] The described embodiments are provided as examples and are
not meant as limitations. For example, while the food or beverage
containers described herein may be referred to as EPS containers,
the containers may be made of EPS, polyethylene terephalate (PET),
polylactic acid (PLA), and/or another disposable material having
similar insulation properties. Additionally, while certain features
or elements are described in particular combinations herein, each
feature or element may be used alone or in other various
combinations.
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