NL2008716C2 - Labelling method and device for fixing a sleeve around a container. - Google Patents

Description

Labelling method and device for fixing a sleeve around a container

The invention relates to a labelling method for 5 arranging a sleeve around a container. The invention also relates to a labelling plant for producing labelled containers .

Heat shrinkable sleeves can be used to provide a label on containers for e.g. identifying the content of the 10 container.

From EP 1 587 736 A1 it is known to arrange sleeves around containers having a rim by prearranging several sleeves in an open position. Retractable pins are used for holding the sleeve in an upright position. A 15 container suspended on cables can be positioned in the opened sleeve. Subsequently the sleeve is fixed to the container using heat. The known method is not suited for high speed labelling.

EP 1 016 595 discloses preformed conical sleeves. 20 The sleeves are formed having a permanent opened position. A container is positioned in the sleeves.

A problem associated with the known method is to increase the speed and in another embodiment to increase the reliability of the sleeving method. It is a goal of the 25 present invention to improve the known method.

According to a first aspect of the invention a labelling method for fixing a sleeve around a container is provided.

The method comprises supplying sleeves. Preferably 30 sleeves of heat shrinkable foil are supplied. Preferably tubular sleeves are supplied. The heat shrinkable sleeves can comprise printed foil and form the labels having for example product information that is to be arranged around 2 the container. The sleeve supply could be connected to a supply of flattened tubular heat shrinkable foil such as a reel with winded foil.

The method further comprises supplying a 5 container. In an embodiment the method allows a continuous operation of feeding sleeves and containers. In an embodiment a continuous method is provided that allows to continuously feed either sleeves and/or containers for fixing the sleeves.

10 In an embodiment the supplied sleeves and/or supplied containers are conveyed. A method that comprises the continuous conveying of sleeves and/or containers allows operating at higher speeds. Such continuous conveying is an improvement of EP 1 587 736-A1. Conveying can comprise 15 supporting the sleeve/container in an upright position. In an embodiment conveying comprises supporting the container in a hanging arrangement.

In an embodiment the method comprises arranging the sleeve around the container. The container and sleeve 20 arranged around the container are transported into a heat shrink oven and the sleeve is heat shrunk around the container to fix the sleeve to the container. For heat shrinking preferably steam is used. The container and sleeve are preferably held in an upright position. The longitudinal 25 axis of the sleeve extends in a vertical direction. Steam can be applied onto the sleeve from the sides while transporting the sleeve/container through the heat oven.

According to an embodiment the method comprises holding the sleeve in a predetermined position with respect 30 to the container. This will allow to position and eventually fix the sleeve at a desired position around the container.

A predetermined position according to this application is a position or orientation of the sleeve with 3 respect to the container in which the sleeve is to be fixed to the container. Holding the predetermined position can comprise a support for the sleeve to hold that position with respect to the container. At least two and preferably three 5 degrees of freedom of the sleeve with respect to the container are locked.

Holding in accordance to the invention can comprise an auxiliary supporting element, auxiliary to the sleeve, container and conveyor. The auxiliary support allows 10 positioning the sleeve in a desired position with respect to the container, e.g. halfway a container. Examples are an opened position, a rotationally locked position, an elevated position of sleeve or container and so on.

In an embodiment holding in the predetermined 15 position in accordance to the invention comprises the container engaging the sleeve to hold its desired orientation after supplying the sleeve.

According to an embodiment providing a sleeve of heat shrinkable foil comprises providing flattened tubular 20 foil, opening the foil and cutting sleeves from the foil. This automated and continuous method, e.g. known from W02011-031160 in the name of the same applicant, explicitly included by reference, allows high speed supply of tubular foil and individual sleeves. This will increase the speed at 25 which the labelling method can operate.

According to a further embodiment the method, supplying the sleeve comprises ejecting the cut sleeve into the predetermined position. Accordingly in a single operational step the sleeve is put in the predetermined 30 position. Providing and supplying the sleeve, by cutting the sleeve from foil, is according to the invention directly followed by bringing the sleeve in the predetermined position in which it will be fixed to the container. This 4 prevents further operational steps for handling the cut sleeve and/or obtaining the predetermined position after supplying the sleeve. The method accordingly is reduced in complexity. This will save costs, not only operational but 5 also for configuration.

In an embodiment holding the predetermined position is maintained until after transporting the container with sleeve into the heat shrink oven. The predetermined position is maintained until the heat 10 shrinking starts. The assembly of container and supported sleeve in the predetermined position are transported into the heat oven for heat shrinking and fixing the sleeve around the container. In this embodiment, a single operation from ejection of the sleeve until transporting the sleeve 15 into the oven is needed for positioning the sleeve in the predetermined position with respect to the container. The predetermined position is such that it can be obtained after ejection of the sleeve and allows a container to be positioned surrounded by the sleeve. The sleeve support 20 functions continuously until the sleeve is connected by heat to the container. EP 1 016 595 does not show heat shrinking while the sleeve is supported in its predetermined position.

According to an embodiment holding the sleeve in the predetermined position comprises opening the sleeve. In 25 the opened state a container can be received in tubular sleeve. The container can be lowered into the sleeves.

The improved support in accordance to one of the embodiments of the invention results in more container design freedom. Square, round, oval, conical and spoonable 30 effects could be used in combination with this method/device. Further the uptime of the method/device is improved.

5

The inventor found that use can be made of the properties of the fold of the sleeve. The folds formed in the tubular sleeve are the result of flattening the foil allowing more easy transport of the foil e.g. winded on a 5 rack. Although the tubular foil is opened, these folds will remain present after opening and ejection. These folds, extending in a longitudinal direction of the sleeve form a part that is more stiff and can be compared with a rill or crease. The higher stiffness allows complicated handling and 10 guidance thereof. Although in an embodiment the sleeve is opened prior to ejection thereof for supplying the sleeve, the sleeve will have a tendency to close as a result of the remaining form-memory of the sleeve material. In the closed state the foil/sleeve is flat.

15 In an embodiment holding the sleeve in a predetermined position comprises supporting the sleeve radially inwards. By providing the support from outside inward a container can still be received in the opened sleeve and support of the sleeve can be continued after 20 arranging the container. The sleeve supporting function is continuous until the heat shrinking starts and the sleeve is connected by heat.

In a further embodiment radially inward tension is provided on the folds of the tubular sleeve formed from 25 flattened tubular foil. As the folds of the sleeve provide longitudinal stiffness in the sleeve engaging on the sleeve folds can be transferred onto the sleeve as a whole. As a result of the shape memory, the sleeve wants to regain its flattened position. The pushing on the folds counters this 30 effect and opens the sleeve.

In a further embodiment holding the sleeve in a predetermined position comprises locking the rotational freedom of the sleeve, in an embodiment using the folds of 6 the sleeve. This will allow positioning the sleeve in a fixed rotational position with respect to the container, e.g. allowing a labelling text to be positioned and fixed onto the container at a predetermined position. Locking the 5 rotational freedom deprives the label from at least one degree of freedom in its predetermined position.

In an embodiment holding the sleeve in a predetermined position comprises support of the sleeve extending in a longitudinal direction of the tubular sleeve, 10 preferably onto an exterior side of the fold in the sleeve. The longitudinal extended support is preferably combined with guiding the sleeve.

In an embodiment the tubular sleeve having folds is ejected, wherein the folds of the sleeve are used to 15 guide the sleeve into the predetermined position. A groove can be used to guide the sleeve fold. The groove can have both a guidance function and a supporting function.

In an embodiment folds of the sleeve are aligned with guides or grooves in the supporting elements for 20 supporting the sleeve in the predetermined position. The guides are aligned with an ejection direction of the sleeve supply.

In an embodiment the method comprises providing a dummy support for temporarily supporting the sleeve.

25 Preferably the dummy support supports the sleeve in its predetermined position from inside out. The dummy support can be pushed away by supplying the container. The dummy support can be spring biased, preferably in an upward direction. By lowering a container onto the dummy, the dummy 30 is moved downwardly against the spring and is e.g. retracted in a bottom part of support device.

7

One or more holding or supporting methods can be combined in order to achieve sufficient support for the sleeve .

Different orders for supplying the containers and 5 sleeves are possible. However it was discovered the orders have different advantages.

In an embodiment the containers are supplied and positioned first on a conveyor and the sleeve is arranged over the container positioned on the conveyor. A supporting 10 element can partially surround the position of the container on the conveyor. This support is limited in size and volume and still allows efficient support in accordance with the invention. During heat shrinking steam can still easily reach the sleeve. The supporting element can provide guides 15 for positioning the container with respect to the support elements. The conveyor can e.g. have opposite guiding columns on opposite sides of a container position as supporting elements for the label. The support elements for supporting the sleeve in the predetermined position can be 20 fixed to the conveyor.

In another embodiment the sleeve is supplied to a conveyor upstream from the container supply. The supplied sleeve is held in the opened predetermined position. The sleeve is transported and containers are arranged into the 25 opened sleeve. In this embodiment the predetermined position is an opened position that allows positioning the container into the opened sleeve such that the sleeve surrounds the container .

A specific advantage of this embodiment is that 30 the method can comprise determining whether the sleeve is correctly positioned before positioning the container. If not, arranging the costly product in the incorrectly held sleeve is rejected. Rejecting can comprise redirecting the 8 sleeve such that sleeve and sleeve support leave the conveyor directed towards the heat oven.

In an embodiment the method further comprises deep drawing or thermoforming packaging containers, such as cups 5 or the like, on a packaging material strip in at least one longitudinal row. The containers will have a rim. The rim of the container can be used to hold the position of the container .

In a further aspect the invention provides an 10 improved labelling plant for fixing a sleeve around a container. Heat shrinkable sleeves are used. Sleeves are supplied and containers are supplied. Sleeves and containers are transported into a heat oven for fixing the sleeve around the container.

15 According to an embodiment the labelling plant comprises a sleeve supply for supply sleeve made of heat shrinkable foil. The sleeves are preferably tubular. The sleeve supply can be connected to a supply of flattened tubular heat shrinkable foil such as a reel with winded 20 foil. The sleeve supply could comprise an opening unit for opening the tubular foil, a cutting unit for cutting sleeves from the opened tubular foil and an ejection unit for ejecting the sleeve from the sleeve supply. The sleeve supply allows providing individually cut sleeves to be 25 arranged around containers.

In an embodiment sleeves are cut from the flattened tubular foil and are ejected and subsequently opened by positioning the sleeve in the predetermined position.

30 The labelling plant also comprises a container supply. The supplied containers can be individual containers or can be products comprising multiple containers. The container can already contain a product such a drink or 9 fluid or diary product or nuts or candy. Containers are arranged to hold a portion and can have a lid for opening the container and allowing access to the content of the container. An embodiment comprises a removable seal for 5 opening the container. The container can have a circumference and can have a circular or elliptical cross section and extend tubularly or conically. The container can also have grips or indentations.

In an embodiment the labelling plant also 10 comprises a device for arranging the sleeve around a container. In an embodiment the device for arranging the sleeve around a container is the ejection unit or container supply.

In an embodiment the labelling plant also 15 comprises a heat shrink oven for fixing the sleeve to the container. The oven for heat shrinking is in an embodiment a steam oven comprising multiple nozzles and several stages for fixing the container.

The plant can further comprise a conveyor for 20 transporting the containers from container supply and sleeves from the sleeve supply into the heat shrink oven. Containers and sleeves are collected on the conveyor, assembled and the sleeve is fixed to the container while being transported through the oven. A continuous high-speed 25 process can be obtained.

In accordance to an embodiment the labelling plant further comprises a sleeve support for positioning one or more sleeves in a predetermined position with respect to the one or more containers. The support allows orienting and 30 positioning the sleeve with respect to the container, e.g. halfway the container or acute. The support can be an auxiliary device to help positioning the sleeve with respect to the container.

10

In the application the predetermined position is a position that allows fixing the sleeve at a desired position around the container.

In a further embodiment the conveyor is arranged 5 to transport the sleeve support and the sleeve support is arranged to receive the ejected sleeve from the sleeve supply. This allows positioning the sleeve supplied to the conveyor in a single operation in its predetermined position. The complexity of the machine is significantly 10 reduced. The conveyor will transport the sleeve support holding the sleeve in the predetermined position into the heat over, guiding the heat shrinking process.

In a further embodiment the labelling plant comprises a sleeve support discharge positioned downstream 15 from the heat oven. This will allow discharging the sleeve support. As the sleeve is fixed to the container, support is no longer needed.

In a further embodiment the sleeves support is arranged to support the sleeve in an opened, generally 20 tubular, predetermined position, which will allow receiving the container in the opened sleeve. Such support allows the sleeve to be arranged around the container.

In an embodiment the sleeve support is supplied upstream from the device for arranging the sleeve around the 25 container. The sleeve support will receive the sleeve or container in the device for arranging the sleeve around the container and will orientate the container with respect to the sleeve.

In an embodiment the sleeve support comprises an 30 inside support element for supporting the sleeve in an opened position from inside out.

In an embodiment the sleeve support, specifically the inside support element, comprises a dummy element that 11 guides and/or temporarily supports the sleeve in the predetermined position. The dummy element can be spring biased to the support position. The dummy element is arranged such that positioning the container onto the sleeve 5 support will move the dummy element against the spring bias into a chamber, such as in a foot of the sleeve support. The dummy support will hold the sleeve in the predetermined position until the container is arranged inside the sleeve.

The dummy support is preferably used in 10 combination with outside support. The dummy support allows ejecting the sleeve onto the support device, while the support device is moving at a high speed generally perpendicular to the ejection direction. The outward directed support from the dummy supports the transition and 15 acceleration of the sleeve during ejection and into the predetermined position.

In an embodiment the conveyor is arranged to transport the container, the sleeve arranged around the container and the sleeve support holding the sleeve in the 20 predetermined position with respect to the container into the heat shrink oven. The conveyor is arranged to transport the container/sleeve/support assembly into the heat shrink oven. This allows performing or at least starting the heat shrinking operation on the heat shrinkable film while the 25 film is held in the predetermined position with respect to the container. This will reduce product loss as the foil is held in its predetermined position directly before starting the heat shrinking, which can improve the heat shrinking results .

30 In a further embodiment a sleeve support supply is provided and is arranged for supplying sleeve supports to the conveyor. The sleeve support is embodied as a carrier for supporting one or more sleeves in a predetermined 12 position. The sleeve support supply allows supplying sleeve supports or carriers to the conveyor. Each sleeve support can support one or more sleeves in a predetermined position. Each sleeve can be held in a predetermined position with 5 respect to each container. The sleeve support supply is positioned upstream from the sleeve supply and the container supply. By providing a separate sleeve support supply the sleeve supports are carried by the conveyor as separate entities and can be removed from the conveyor, e.g. when it 10 is determined that the sleeve is not, despite effective control according to the invention, held in the desired predetermined position, and the sleeve support can be discharged from the conveyor before entering the heat shrink oven. Further separate sleeve supports allow to increase the 15 pitch between respective container products, irrespective of the properties of the conveyor. Further cleaning of the sleeve support/carrier is possible when they are separated from the conveyor. The sleeve support supply increases the flexibility of the system for different sized products. It 20 further allows easy cleaning and sterilizing.

A separate sleeve support, supplied from a carrier supply allows easy cleaning and sterilization of machine parts and quick changeovers adapted to a different sized container .

25 In another embodiment however, the sleeve supports are fixed to the conveyor.

In an embodiment the sleeve supply is positioned upstream from the container supply, wherein the container supply is the device for arranging the sleeve around the 30 container. The container supply is arranged to supply the container in the opened sleeve held in the predetermined position. The sleeve is already held in the predetermined 13 position followed by positioning the container in the opened sleeve .

In an embodiment the container is supplied downwardly into the opened sleeve. In another embodiment the 5 opened sleeve with sleeve support is raised with respect to the product container to surround the container.

In a further embodiment the container supply is positioned upstream from the sleeve supply. In this embodiment preferably the sleeve supply and device for 10 arranging the sleeve around the container are the same.

First containers are positioned on the conveyor having a sleeve support and thereafter the sleeve is applied to the container and held in its predetermined position.

In an embodiment the sleeve support comprises a 15 fold guide for guiding folds of the sleeve. Guiding the fold of the sleeve will increase the reliability of the operation. The ejection of the sleeve into the predetermined position will be more controlled. The guide can be formed by a groove formed in a support column.

20 The labelling plant can comprises a controller arranged to eject the sleeves from the ejection unit when folds in the sleeves are aligned with the fold guide of the sleeve support. This will allow guiding the sleeve toward the predetermined position when shot from the ejection unit. 25 In an embodiment the sleeve support comprises a platform for supporting a part of the circumferential edge of the sleeve and at least a sleeve support element such as a column for providing radially inwardly directed support along a part of the longitudinal length of the sleeve. The 30 support for a circumferential edge of the sleeve can be arranged to provide vertical direction locking the position of the sleeve as a first degree of freedom, while the 14 radially inward directed support will open the sleeve allowing the container to be received in the opened sleeve.

By providing support extending over a part of the longitudinal length of the sleeve, the sleeve position is 5 supported and especially during the fixing of the sleeve onto a container having a conically shaped cross section of having a stack rim, this support will decrease the risk of pull-down during shrinking near the stack rim.

In an embodiment the sleeve support also comprises 10 a surface for supporting the container position. This will allow the sleeve support to control the position of both the sleeve and the carrier which will result in a better positioning of the sleeve in the predetermined position with respect to the container. In an embodiment the container 15 position support can comprise a lowered part for receiving part of the bottom of a container. This allows guiding and controlling the position of the container.

In a further embodiment the sleeve support, and specifically the sleeve support column, is arranged to 20 prevent rotational moving of the sleeve. In an embodiment the sleeve support comprises a longitudinal directed guide arranged to receive the fold of the sleeve and locking the rotational degree of freedom. This will allow the label having a print to be positioned in a predetermined position 25 with respect to the container and continue to hold that position during the heat shrinking in the oven.

In an embodiment the column is provided with a groove extending over a part of the length of the column and is arranged for receiving preferably the fold of the sleeve. 30 The groove, preferably V-shaped, receives the sleeve fold and prevents rotational movement.

In a further embodiment the container supply is arranged for supplying packaging containers such as cups or 15 the like formed by deep drawing or thermal forming. In an embodiment the container supply comprises a form fill seal machine for forming cups and bottles. in a clocked manner on a packaging interior strip at least one longitudinal row.

5 In an embodiment the container supply comprises a form fill seal machine for forming cups and bottles. Preferably several adjacent rows are formed. In an embodiment the containers are formed according to a predetermined pattern of e.g. 2x2 or 2x3 containers in a single packaging material 10 strip. Preferably the containers are filled with product. Preferably the containers are sealed. The method and plant according to the invention allow handling of filled containers in an upright position, thereby preventing disturbance of the product held in the container.

15 In a further embodiment the container forming the receiving surface for the label is conically shaped. Such conical shapes are hard to label as during heat shrinking a label will tend to move towards the conical tip of the product. Using the support according to the invention, the 20 label is held in a predetermined position during heat shrinking. This will prevent the tendency of the label to move from its desired position and will reduce the pull up risk. Also sleeving of the stack rim will be improved.

It will be clear to the skilled person that the 25 drawing shows only preferred embodiments, and that other embodiments fall within the scope of the invention. Although the drawing will show preferred embodiments, and the invention was described with the appended claims, it will be clear to the skilled person that the invention can encompass 30 other features mentioned explicitly in this description, but also implicit features. It will be clear to the skilled person that any of these explicit or implicit features can be combined with features mentioned in this description or 16 in the claims. Divisional applications directed at these features are possible.

Embodiments will now be described referring to the drawing, wherein: 5 Fig. 1 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of a system and method for sleeving a product,

Figure 2A-2C show perspective views of the first embodiment of the invention,

Figure 3 shows three perspective views and three top 10 views of a carrier according to a second embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4A shows a top view of a third embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4B and 4C show perspective and top views of the 15 third embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5A shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5b shows a cross sectional view of the fourth embodiment, 20 Figure 6 shows schematically a top view of a system according to the invention

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the invention, and Figures 8a-8c show views of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

25

Figure 1 shows schematically a system for labelling containers. A foil roll 500 is provided in a foil stock 501. Foil is supplied in step SI. In an embodiment a splicer is used in step SI to connect subsequent foils from 30 rolls to provide a continuous feed of foil.

The roll provides a heat shrinkable foil 502 in flattened form. The foil is fed to a buffer 503. Buffer 503 allows buffering S2 of foil e.g. when a roll 500 is 17 replaced, to provide a continuous feed 505 to the downstream applications such as the illustrated sleeving device 506 comprising a mandrel 507 and ejection unit 508.

The flattened foil is opened S3 using the tip 515 5 of mandrel 507. The sleeving device further comprises a cutting unit 514 for cutting of sleeves S4.

Ejection unit 508 comprises two rotatable wheels for physically engaging the cut sleeve, accelerating the sleeve and ejecting the sleeve S5 from the mandrel over the 10 container 511. A suitable controller is arranged to operate the units and to synchronize the ejecting with the containers. Containers are aligned with the ejection unit 508 .

Sleeves 510 are cut and shot over containers 509 15 supported and conveyed S6 in direction 516 by conveyor 512. Conveyor 512 transports the sleeved containers further downstream e.g. into a steam oven 513. Foil 502 is a heat shrink foil. The steam will heat shrink S7 the sleeve and the sleeve is attached to the container, providing a 20 labelled container 518. In a subsequent step S22 a drying process can be applied.

Advantages of a system set up according to figure 1 are high speed, accuracy and reliability. Not only sleeves are provided at high speed using the ejection unit 508, but 25 also the heat shrinking in the oven 513 is executed quickly, limiting the actual heating of the container 511 that could already contain the product such as a dairy product. The illustrated system also allows handling of thin foils of less than 60 pm. It is a goal to improve such a high speed 30 handling, sleeving, labelling device/method.

Although embodiments of the invention are not explicitly shown in Figure 1, it will be clear to the skilled man that the invention can be combined with (parts) 18 of the system/method of figure 1. Still at least some embodiments of the invention could comprise a different system or method.

Figure 1 shows arranging the sleeves over the 5 containers in a vertical downward direction.

Figure 2A is a schematic representation of part of a system 10 according to the invention and part of the method according to the invention. Figure 2A focuses on the ejecting S5 and positioning of the sleeve from the mandrel 10 11 onto the carrier 20. Although figure 2A shows ejecting the cut sleeve 14 from the mandrel 11, the invention is in some embodiments not limited to this feature. Mandrel 11, rollers 12,13 and cutting device 514 are part of schematically illustrated sleeve supply 8.

15 In the sleeving system 10, flattened tubular foil is fed from a foil supply (not shown in Figure 2a) in a downward direction 19 over mandrel 11 having a more or less circular cross section. In this embodiment the sleeve 14 is cut using the schematically illustrated cutting device 514 20 while the sleeve is still held open over the mandrel 11.

In an embodiment foil is fed from a flattened foil supply for tubular foil and is opened by passing the foil over the mandrel 11. In other embodiments the sleeve is opened only after cutting.

25 Even though the foil is opened, the sleeve will still display a longitudinal fold 15 which remains present in the foil 14 as a result of form or shape memory of the foil. Sleeve 17 shows two folds 155, 165.

The cut sleeve 14 is held between rollers 12, 13 30 positioned in the proximity of the downstream end of mandrel 11. Rollers 12,13 are part of the ejection unit of the sleeve supply 8. Rollers 12,13 are controlled to synchronize 19 ejection of the sleeve 14 with the alignment of a support/carrier 20.

Mandrel 11 is directed towards conveyor 21 shown schematically. The conveyor 21 can support carriers 20 on 5 the conveyor surface. Carriers 20 are supplied S8 from a carrier supply 7, illustrated schematically. The carrier supply 7 is arranged to position the carriers onto the conveyor having a pitch 154. The pitch 154 can be controlled with carrier supply 7. The pitch can dependent on any 10 combination of the speed of supply of sleeves, the size and/or thickness of the sleeves 14 and downstream handling of the carriers 20. As the carriers 20 are not fixed to the conveyor surface, the pitch can be easily varied. This reduces downtime of the system 10, when sleeving parameters 15 are changed.

In the shown embodiment carrier 20 comprises a support surface 25 from which two columns 27, 28 extend upwardly, the columns having a V-shaped groove 23, 24 respectively. The carrier 20 is arranged to hold the sleeve 20 14, 17 in a supported predetermined position.

The assembly 26 of sleeve and carrier shows the sleeve held in a predetermined position. In this embodiment, as will be shown in figures 2b, the support of the same supported predetermined position is held until the heat 25 shrinking starts.

'Holding in a supported predetermined position' or 'device to hold in a supported predetermined position' (or herein after referred to as 'predetermined position') is a position or orientation of the sleeve with respect to the 30 container in which the sleeve is to be fixed to the container. Holding the predetermined position can comprises some kind of support for the sleeve to hold a position with respect to the container additional to the support of the 20 sleeve by the conveyor. Figure 1 is an example of a sleeve not held in a supported predetermined position.

Holding in the predetermined position comprises preferably locking two, three or more degrees of freedom of 5 the sleeve.

Preferably an auxiliary element, such as a sleeve support or carrier, is used. In an embodiment the sleeve is supported by a first element (e.g. a conveyor or plate), while the container is supported by another element (e.g.

10 hanging on transport wires. Examples of predetermined positions are an opened position, a rotationally locked position, an elevated position of sleeve or container and so on. Examples will be provided hereunder. The predetermined position can be a position without the container/product.

15 Carriers 20 are supplied to the conveyor 21 and travel in direction 29 passing the downstream end 22 of mandrel 11. While passing and in synchronism with the carriers moving past the downstream end of the mandrel 11, sleeve 14 is ejected S5 onto and/or into the carrier 20. As 20 shown, sleeve 17 is still in the process of moving downwards according to arrow 19 into the carrier.

In an embodiment the sleeve supply device 8 supplies, in this embodiment ejects, the sleeve onto the conveyor into the predetermined position, here an opened 25 position allowing to position a product 30 into the opening 36.

As part of the labelling device and method of an embodiment of the invention, an individual sleeve 14, 17 is brought in its predetermined position by ejecting it from 30 the mandrel. Specifically the mandrel and ejecting method allows high speed handling of sleeves which speeds are over 400 sleeves per minute. Further, this also allows handling sleeves of limited thickness, preferably less than 50 21 micron. Other embodiments comprise different handling of individual sleeves without ejecting it from the mandrel.

In this embodiment the supplying of the sleeve 14, 17, independent of the ejecting of the sleeve, comprises 5 aligning folds 15, 165, 155 with grooves 23, 24 to guide S9 and hold the folds 155, 165 in the grooves 23, 24 respectively. In the embodiment using ejecting from the mandrel 11, the foil 14 transported over the outer mandrel surface having the fold 15 is arranged such that fold 15 is 10 aligned with the columns 27, 28 and is ejected when the alignment occurs when the carrier 20 moves underneath the mandrel downstream end.

The V-shaped groove 23, 24 is an embodiment of a foil fold guide that is arranged to receive, guide S9 and 15 thereafter abut folds 15, 155, 165 of sleeve 14, 17. The columns 27, 28 and grooves 23, 24 as well as support surface 25 are each arranged to limit the degrees of freedom of the sleeve held in the predetermined position. Holding the folds 15, 155, 165 will lock the rotational degree of freedom. The 20 columns 27,28 are examples of outside inward support for holding the sleeve in the predetermined position abutting on an outside surface of the sleeve. An advantage of this embodiment is the lack of actuating elements for engaging.

As a result of the form and shape memory of the 25 sleeve 17, the sleeve will be biased to return to its flattened form. I.e. folds 155, 165 tend to be forced away from each other. The carrier 20 however forces the folds towards each other. This results in an opened position of the sleeve as indicated for assembly 26. In its 30 predetermined position the sleeve is held in such a way that an opening 36 is present at the top side of the sleeve. The opened state allows positioning a container 30 into said opening according to arrow 34.

22

In other embodiments the carrier including the sleeve in a predetermined position is fed upwards onto the container 30.

Further when the folds 155, 165 are received in 5 the grooves 23, 24, the rotation of the sleeve with respect to the carrier 20 is prevented. Folds 155, 165 provide an increased stiffness to the sleeve 17 extending in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve. This increased stiffness is used by receiving the folds in the groove and 10 locks the rotational freedom of the sleeve with respect to the carrier.

Figure 2a shows an example of a container 30 to be used in combination with the invention. The container is supplied S10 from a (not shown) container supply. Although 15 the invention isn't limited to a specific container/product to be sleeved, a preferred embodiment uses container 30 comprising a rim 33 near a top end. The container 30 has container volume 32 for receiving a suitable product such as a dairy product, such as yoghurt or ice-cream, or milk, but 20 also other single portion nutrients such as nuts.

The container product 30 is in a preferred embodiment of the invention a thermo-formed product formed from a plastic sheet, e.g. using deep drawing (not shown Sll). Thermoforming can be part of the system 10 according 25 to the invention, in particular part of the container supply.

The product container 30 in a preferred embodiment of the invention can have an outer wall 31 surrounding the container volume 32 that is conically shaped, wherein the 30 cross sectional area of the container is smaller near the bottom end and larger near rim 33.

As the sleeve 39 is held in its predetermined position before the container 30 is moved 34 into the opened 23 sleeve, a suitable detector 41 can determine S16 whether the sleeve 39 is held in the predetermined position, specifically, whether the sleeve 39 is opened 36 and/or the folds of the sleeve are held in the V-groove 23, 24 of the 5 columns 27, 28. Further sensor 41 can determine whether the sleeve 39 is supported on the support surface 25.

If one or more of the above conditions is not fulfilled, the carrier 38 including the sleeve 39 can be discharged (not shown S17). The discharging of the 10 carrier/sleeve assembly from the conveyor before product 30 is entered into the opened 36 sleeve 39 prevents waste of costly product already present in container 30. Although the incorrectly positioned sleeve is discharged, this operation saves the loss of the product container 30 reducing costs.

15 Specifically, as the carrier 38 is supported only on (and not connected to) conveyor 21, the carrier 38 can be easily discharged from said conveyor, e.g. using a pusher (not shown) directed in a direction perpendicular to transport direction 29.

20 In figure 2B further downstream features of the device and methods are shown schematically. The container 30 is moved S12 downwardly 34 into the opened 36 sleeve 39 being held in its predetermined position by carrier 38. The container wall 31 will be at least partially surrounded by 25 the sleeve 39 forming the intermediate sleeved product 37.

The intermediate product 37 is, in an embodiment continuously, moved S15 according to arrow 29 using the conveyor into the heat oven 513 shown schematically. The heat oven 513 is arranged to shrink S7 the sleeve 30 surrounding the product container. A suitable heat medium such as steam can be used. The steam is e.g. directed at the sleeve from opposite sides along the conveyor passing through the heat tunnel 513.

24

As the columns of carrier 38 surrounds the sleeved surface area of the container with a relatively small area, the heat transfer medium, such as steam, can reach most parts of the sleeve. Transfer of heat is limited only a 5 little bit. The sleeve held in the predetermined position will shrink almost similar to the sleeve according to figure 1.

The carrier 38 holding the sleeve 39 in its predetermined position enters the heat oven 513. The 10 sleeve's predetermined position is supported until the heat shrinking actually starts. By providing support until into the heat shrink oven, the position of the sleeve with respect to the container is held stable until the sleeve is fixed. This allows for much more accurate positioning of the 15 sleeve. Even at high speed, such as at least 500 products per minute or more, accurate positioning of the sleeve, specifically in regard of a rotational relation between product and sleeve, is possible.

A conical container surface 31 would, during 20 shrinking, result in a force pushing the sleeve downwardly as a result of the conical shape. The support surface 25 prevents however that the sleeves moves off the container as a result of this downwardly pushing force. This will reduce product loss.

25 In figure 2C further downstream processing is shown. The labelled product 520 is transported S19 further downstream on conveyor 21 in direction 29. In step S20 the carrier 40 is separated from labelled container 42 by discharging the carrier in direction 43. Step S20 is shown 30 only schematically, other kinds of separation are possible.

In an embodiment the labelled container 42 is lifted from the container e.g. by engaging the rim of the container. The labelled product is fed into a dryer 522 in 25 step S22 resulting in the finished product 523 that can be processed further in a further downstream direction 524.

The separated carrier 40 can also be processed further downstream 43 including cleaning and drying (not 5 shown S24). As a result the carrier 40 can be reused again in the labelling method according to the invention to be supplied to conveyor 21 upstream from the sleeve supply 8 using a carrier supply 7.

Although the invention is illustrated in the above 10 in a certain order of steps, clearly the invention allows to leave out processing steps (such as drying S22) or to perform steps in a different order.

In figure 3 a further embodiment of the carrier 50 is shown in more detail. Carrier 50 comprises two columns 15 51, 52 having grooves 53, 54 extending from a support surface 55. The support surface 55 will support an edge 60 of the tubular sleeve after its supply to the carrier 50.

The grooves 53, 54 will engage a fold of the sleeve. The columns 51, 52 will support to a longitudinal side of the 20 sleeve.

The carrier can comprise more support elements for holding the sleeve in the predetermined position that will allow positioning the container in the sleeve and said position will allow the sleeve to be shrunk in its desired 25 position with respect to said container.

As an example additional support arm 162 is shown as a strip like connection between the columns 52,53. The support arm 162 will provide support near the top edge 59 of sleeve 56. When the conveyor 21 is moving at high speeds and 30 sleeve 56 is supplied from the sleeve supply device into the carrier 50 the sleeve is to be accelerated in the conveying direction 29 very quickly. Some additional, temporary, 26 support, is offered by arm 162 specifically when the conveying direction corresponds with direction 163.

Groove 53 extends in a vertical direction and tapers towards the lower end close to support surface 55.

5 The groove 53 will allow guiding the fold in the sleeve.

Said fold is more rigid than other parts of the sleeve. The tapering groove 53 will allow position the sleeve 56 more accurately. Specifically in the embodiment as shown, the sleeve's predetermined position will be somewhat conically 10 shaped similar to the conical shape of the product container wall 31.

Columns 51, 52 support opposing sides of the sleeve 56 which will allow using the form memory of the tubular sleeve present in the sleeve as a result of its 15 originally flattened form. The columns will push the folds inwardly, which will force the formally flat sides of the foil to move outwardly, creating a foil held in an opened position as shown in Figure 3. Folds 57, 58 are received in the grooves 53, 54. The circumferential top edge 59 can 20 extend in a surface formed by (or just under) the top ends of columns 51, 52.

In the top views one can clearly see how the circumferential edge 59 is squeezed into an opened position of generally circular form, while folds 57, 58 are received 25 in grooves 53, 54. The bottom circumferential edge 60 is supported by support surface 55.

An embodiment of a product container 65 comprises a rim 66, a conical container surface 67 and an underside or bottom 68. When the container 65 is positioned in the 30 carrier 50, the rim 66 will be supported at the underside by column ends 51, 52. In this embodiment bottom 68 extends a distance from rim 66 which is less than the height of columns 51, 52 extending from the carrier surface 55 27 resulting in a space 69 between the bottom 68 and the support surface 55. As the sleeve 56 is supported with the circumferential edge 60 by the support surface 55 the sleeve extends beyond the bottom 68. If the assembly in said 5 relationship is transported into the heat oven, the sleeve can underlap the bottom 68 of the container 65 resulting in a more desired sleeving result.

When the predetermined position of the sleeve is an elevated position, the support surface supporting an 10 bottom edge of the sleeve and the bottom of the container are disaligned. The sleeve is supported at a different height than the bottom of the container.

Figure 4A shows a top view of another embodiment for applying sleeves to a container. This embodiment is 15 suited for sleeving and labelling a product comprising multiple containers, such as product 131 shown in figure 4B. The deep drawn container product 131 is just one of the examples that can be sleeved using the method. In other embodiments a 2x1 instead of a 2x2 container product, a 2x3 20 or 2x4 or other patterns of containers in a single product can be sleeved. Although similar conical shaped container wall is shown, the method is not limited to such embodiment. Different sizes, cross sections, shapes and patterns can be labelled.

25 In this embodiment a first and second carrier supply 98, 99 will supply a carrier to the respective conveyors 96, 97. The carriers are arranged to hold a sleeve in a predetermined position and the carriers are arranged to enter a heat oven 155. The carrier supplies 98, 99 comprise 30 rotating bars 100-103 having a helical aperture arranged to supply the respective carriers at a suitable pitch. Distance 106 indicates the distance between respective carriers. The distance 106 corresponds to a distance between the helical 28 apertures on bars 100-103. Other carrier supplies and means for arranging a desired pitch between carriers are possible.

As a result of the carriers being separated from the conveyor, the pitch between the carriers can be arranged 5 and adapted to the container product 131 and/or to other sleeving properties such as the sleeve thickness or ejection speed of the ejection mechanism formed at the downstream end of a mandrel.

When the carrier 105 is released from the 10 respective carrier supplies 98, 99 the carriers are supported by the conveyor and transported downstream in direction 123. Accordingly, the carriers will move underneath the two mandrels 110 shown in top view that allow opening a flattened tubular foil to form a sleeve, to cut 15 the sleeve and to eject the sleeve into the carrier. Sleeve 109 is shown ejected into the carrier 105 downstream from mandrel 110.

In the top view of figure 4a, it is clearly shown that the mandrel is rotated over an angle of 45° such that 20 the folds in the flattened foil fed to the mandrel are also rotated over 45° and will be aligned with the columns of the carrier and will be engaged in the grooves in said columns. After positioning the sleeve in the predetermined position a pusher (not shown) will exert a force 112, 113 in order to 25 move the carrier supporting the sleeve onto a collection conveyor 115. Clearly a single line or a double line could be formed S25 of carriers but also a double line as shown in figure 4a. By combining S25 the stream of carriers supporting the sleeve 109 in its predetermined position, the 30 processing speed is further increased.

If it is determined using a suitable sensor (not shown) that a sleeve 109 is incorrectly positioned, the pusher 112 is not used and carrier 120 continues on conveyor 29 97 downstream and can be discharged S26 in direction 121.

The carrier supporting the incorrectly positioned sleeve is discharged before the container product 131 is positioned into the opened sleeve. Again, this is the result of using 5 carriers separated from the conveyors that allow the easy discharge according to figure 4A. Collected carriers 119 are transported by conveyor 115 further downstream in direction 123 .

In another embodiment carriers are collected on 10 the conveyor 96 or 97 while discharged carriers are collected on separate conveyors.

In figure 4B it is schematically illustrated to pack the collected carriers and form a super carrier 132 e.g. by using a device for temporary holding a position 133 15 that allows positioning the respective carriers at suitable positions. The super carrier 132 places the carrier in accordance with the pattern of containers in the product container 131. The product container 131 can be lowered with the respective containers in the opened sleeves 136-139 20 according to arrow 130. The lowering can be performed while the super carrier 132 is carried by conveyor 134 and processed for further handling downstream.

Device 133 is simply an example of one of many possible auxiliary elements or guides that can be used to 25 assemble the super carrier 132. In another embodiment guides guide the single carriers into a super carrier form. Step S29 of combining the single carriers into a super carrier can be embodied as desired.

In figure 4C super carrier 152 comprising 2x2 30 individual carriers is filled with product 154. Each of the containers of the product is arranged in the opened sleeves of the super carrier 132. The super carrier with product is conveyed downstream on conveyor 153 into heat oven 155 for 30 heat shrinking the sleeves still held in the predetermined position which corresponds with the desired position of the sleeve with respect to the container surface. The heat will shrink the sleeves onto the container surface.

5 Downstream from heat oven 155 the super carrier 159 is separated from the labelled product 158. The super carrier can discharged 160 and downstream disassembled into individual carriers. The individual carriers can be fed back to the carrier supply 98, 99 to be reused in the method. An 10 additional cleaning or sterilizing step can be part of the process .

Figure 5a shows a further embodiment. A conveyor 218 fixedly supports arms 224,225 extending upwardly. A container 226 (dotted lines) was already supplied to the 15 conveyor upstream. The conveyor 218 transports in direction 217 the containers 226 along sleeve supply supplying sleeves 219 downwardly 221. Sleeve folds 232,233 are aligned with grooves 228,229 formed in columns 222,223 connected to arms 224,225. Grooves 229,228 end in a support surface 235,236 20 arranged to support a bottom end of sleeve 219.

Three sleeving positions are illustrated in figure 5a. The second position shows the sleeve being lowered into the grooves 228,229 guided by folds 232,233. In the third position the sleeve 219 is held in the predetermined 25 position, elevated with respect to the bottom of the container 226.

Figure 5b shows a cross sectional view. As shown sleeve 219 can be oriented with respect to an upper part of the container 226 allowing to use a relatively small label 30 around a top part of the bottle. The support 222,223 is conveyed together with the container and sleeve into the heat shrink oven in order to support the predetermined position until the sleeve is fixed around the container.

31

In an embodiment the sleeve 219 is supplied from a sleeve supply such as a mandrel. Other types of supply are also possible.

Figure 6 shows schematically a top view of a 5 system comprising the method of figures 4a-4c. Carriers supplies 98,99 are shown in a left-hand part of the figure.

A super carrier is formed and a 2x2 product is arranged into the opened sleeves. The sleeves are fixed to the containers by heat shrinking in heat oven 513.

10 The separated carriers are cleaned in a cleaning/sterilisation unit 201 in step S31. Sleeved product is dried in dryer 522.

After sterilization super carrier 202 is disassembled in step S34 by a disassemble unit 203. The 15 individual carriers are transported to an upstream end of carrier supplies 98,99. In this embodiment a single carrier supplies is split by a splitter 210 at step S33 to supply carriers to each carrier supply 98,99.

Figure 7 shows a 3x2 container product 260 of six 20 containers 261. A single carrier 265 comprises six sleeve positions for opened sleeves 262, each held between columns 263,264 extending upwardly from carrier 265. The carrier surface comprises to planes 266,267 positioned at an angle. This will allow condensation or water to be guided away from 25 the carrier 265.

In order to support the sleeves with the longitudinal direction in a generally vertical direction, the ends of grooves formed in column 263 end somewhat elevated with respect to the surface. Stops 270 will allow 30 holding and supporting the sleeve at a height similar to the height of the support surface near the middle edge between surfaces 266,267.

32

Figure 8a shows a further embodiment comprising a carrier having a sleeve supporting element that supports from inside out. The sleeve support element 243 comprises two vertical guides 250,251 formed generally complementary 5 to guides 228,229. Guides 250,251 will guide the longitudinal folds of sleeve 241 and lock the degrees of freedom.

Sleeve 241 is fed from above over sleeve support 243. The bottom edge of sleeve 241 is supported by an upper 10 end of carrier 242. The sleeve 241 is held in a similarly opened predetermined position.

In order to arrange a container 240 into the opened sleeve 241, sleeve support 243 is spring biased upwardly by a spring 244 shown in the cross sectional view 15 of Figure 8b. Arranging the container into the opened sleeve will move the sleeve support or dummy 243 into the carrier house 242. The weight of the container, specifically the weight of the product contained in the container 204 will force the dummy into its retracted position as indicated in 20 the Figure 8b received and surround by carrier 242.

Figure 8c shows the dummy 243 spring biased outwardly. Dummy 243 comprises a top part 248 formed conically to ease application of the sleeve around dummy 243. A vertical part 249 forms a sleeve guide.

25 The embodiment according to figures 8a-8c illustrates an embodiment wherein the sleeve supply is positioned upstream from the container supply. The sleeve supply or container supply can be any of the above mentioned supplies. In embodiment the carrier 242 is moved upward in 30 order to lower container 240 into the opened sleeve.

Within the scope of this invention many embodiments are possible. Elements disclosed with respect to 33 any of the embodiment mentioned above can be combined or replaced elements from other embodiments.

34

Clauses 1. Labelling method for arranging a sleeve around a container comprising: 5 - supplying a sleeve of heat shrinkable foil by providing flattened tubular foil, opening the foil and cutting sleeves from the foil; - supplying a container; - arranging the sleeve around the container; 10 - transporting the container with sleeve into a heat shrink oven; - heat shrinking the sleeve around the container to fix the sleeve to the container; wherein the method comprises holding the sleeve in a 15 predetermined position with respect to the container; and wherein supplying the sleeve further comprises ejecting the cut sleeve into the predetermined position.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein holding the predetermined position is maintained until after 20 transporting the container with sleeve into the heat shrink oven .

3. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein holding the sleeve in the predetermined position comprises opening the sleeve.

25 4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein holding the sleeve in the predetermined position comprises locking rotational freedom of the sleeve.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein holding the sleeve in the predetermined 30 position comprises support extending in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical sleeve.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises during ejecting 35 guiding the sleeve into the predetermined position by leading the folds of the sleeve in a groove extending in a longitudinal direction of the sleeve.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein ejecting 5 the sleeve comprises aligning folds of the sleeve with the grooves .

8. Method according to any of the previous claims, wherein holding the sleeve in the predetermined position comprises supporting the sleeve radially inward.

10 9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein containers are positioned on a conveyor, and wherein the sleeve is ejected over the container positioned on the conveyor.

10. Method according to any of the previous 15 claims, wherein the ejected sleeve is supported in an opened predetermined position, is conveyed and sequentially the container is supplied and arranged into the sleeve in the opened predetermined position.

11. Method according to any of the previous 20 claims, wherein the method comprises determining if the sleeve is held correctly in the predetermined position and rejecting the sleeve before entering the heat oven if the sleeve is held in another position than the predetermined position .

25 12. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein supplying containers comprises deep drawing or thermoforming packaging containers, such as cups or the like, on a packaging material strip having containers in at least one longitudinal row and having a rim.

30 13. A labelling plant for containers comprising: a sleeve supply for supplying heat shrinkable sleeves, the sleeve supply connectable to a supply of flattened tubular heat shrinkable foil, the sleeve supply 36 comprising an opening unit for opening the tubular foil, a cutting unit for cutting sleeves from the opened tubular foil and an ejection unit for ejecting the sleeve from the sleeve supply, 5 - a container supply, - a device for arranging the sleeve around the container, - a heat shrink oven for fixing the sleeve to the container, and 10 - a conveyor for transporting containers from the container supply and sleeves from the sleeve supply into the heat shrink oven wherein the labelling plant further comprises a sleeve support for positioning one or more 15 sleeves in a predetermined position with respect to the container, and wherein the conveyor is arranged to transport the sleeve support and the sleeve support is arranged to receive the sleeve ejected from the sleeve supply.

20 14. Labelling plant according to claim 13, wherein the sleeve support is arranged to support the sleeve in an opened, generally tubular, predetermined position that allows receiving the container in the opened sleeve.

15. Labelling plant according to any of the 25 claims 13 or 14, wherein the conveyor is arranged to transport the container, the sleeve arranged around the container and the sleeve support holding the sleeve in the predetermined position with respect to the container into the heat shrink oven.

30 16. Labelling plant according to any of the claims 13 - 15, further comprising a sleeve support discharge positioned downstream from the heat oven.

37 17. Labelling plant according to any of the claims 13 - 16, wherein the labelling plant further comprises a sleeve support supply for supplying to the conveyor sleeve supports for supporting one or more sleeves 5 in a predetermined position with respect to the container, the sleeve support supply positioned upstream from the sleeve supply and container supply.

18. Labelling plant according to any of the claims 13 - 17, wherein the container supply is positioned 10 upstream from the sleeve supply, wherein the sleeve supply and device for arranging the sleeve around the container are the same.

19. Labelling plant according to any of the claims 13 - 17, wherein the sleeve supply is positioned 15 upstream from the container supply, wherein the container supply is the device for arranging the sleeve around the container and wherein the container supply is arranged to supply the container in the sleeve in the predetermined position.

20 20. Labelling plant according to claim 19, wherein the labelling plant comprises a rejection unit downstream from the sleeve supply for rejecting incorrectly positioned sleeves from further downstream processing, the rejection unit comprising a sensor for determining the 25 position of the sleeve.

21. Labelling plant according to any of the claims 13 - 20, wherein the sleeve support comprises a fold guide for guiding a fold of the sleeve and wherein a controller is arranged to eject sleeves from the ejection 30 unit when folds in the sleeves are aligned with the fold guide of the sleeve support.

22. Labelling plant according to any of the claims 13 - 21, wherein the sleeve support comprises a 38 platform for supporting a part of a circumferential edge of the sleeve and at least a column for providing radially inwardly directed support over a part of a longitudinal length of the sleeve.

5 23. Labelling plant according to any of the claims 13 - 22, wherein the sleeve support is arranged to prevent rotational moving of the sleeve.

24. Labelling plant according to any of the claims 13 - 23, wherein the container supply is arranged for 10 supplying packaging containers such as cups or the like formed by deep drawing or thermoforming in a clocked manner on a packaging material strip having containers in at least one longitudinal row and having a rim.

25. Labelling plant according to any of the 15 claims 13 - 24, wherein the container supply is arranged for supplying containers having a rim or collar.

Claims (24)

A method of applying labels by applying a sleeve around a container comprising: 5. feeding a sleeve of heat-shrinkable foil by providing flat tubular foil, opening the foil and cutting sleeves from the foil; - feeding a container; 10. fitting the cover around the container; - transporting the container with the cover inwards in a heat-shrink oven; - heat shrinking the cover around the container to secure the cover around the container; Wherein the method comprises keeping the sleeve in a predetermined position relative to the container; and wherein supplying the cover further includes firing the cut cover to the predetermined position. Method according to claim 1, wherein the holding of the predetermined position is retained until after the transport of the container with the sleeve inside the heat-shrink oven. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein keeping the cover in the predetermined position comprises opening the cover. 4. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein keeping the cover in the predetermined position comprises blocking the degree of freedom of rotation of the cover. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein maintaining the sleeve in the predetermined position comprises supporting that extends in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical sleeve. 5 6. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the method further comprises guiding the cover during the shooting to the predetermined position by guiding the folds of the cover into a groove which extends in a longitudinal direction of the cover. The method of claim 6, wherein the firing of the cover comprises aligning the folds of the cover with the grooves. 15 A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein keeping the cover in the predetermined position comprises supporting the cover radially inward. 20 A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein containers are positioned on a conveyor belt, and wherein the sleeve is shot over the container that is positioned on the conveyor belt. 25 10. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the shot sleeve is supported in an opened predetermined position, is transported and then the container is supplied and arranged in the sleeve in the opened predetermined position. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises determining whether the sleeve is correctly held in the predetermined position and rejecting the sleeve before it enters the heat oven in case the sleeve is held incorrectly. 5 12. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein supplying containers comprises deep-drawing or thermoforming packaging containers, such as packages or the like, from a packaging material plate with container in at least one row and provided with an edge. 13. A label applicator system for containers comprising: a sleeve supply for supplying heat-shrinkable sleeves, the sleeve supply being connectable to a supply for flat tubular heat-shrinkable foil, the sleeve supply being a unit for opening tubular foil, a cutting unit for cutting of covers from the opened tubular foil and a firing unit for firing the cover from the cover supply, - a container supply; - a device for fitting the cover around the container; 25. a heat-shrink oven for attaching the sleeve to the container; and - a conveyor belt for transporting containers from the container supply and covers from the hoist supply inside the heat-shrink oven; Wherein the label applicator system further comprises: a sleeve support for positioning one or more sleeves in a predetermined position relative to the container; and wherein the conveyor belt is adapted to transport the cover support and wherein the cover support is adapted to receive the cover being fired from the cover supply. 5 A label applicator system according to claim 13, wherein the sleeve support is adapted to support the sleeve in an opened, substantially tubular predetermined position that allows the container to be received in the opened sleeve 10. 15. Label applicator system as claimed in any of the claims 13 or 14, wherein the conveyor belt is adapted to transport the container, the sleeve arranged around the container and the sleeve support that holds the sleeve in the predetermined position relative to the container into the inside of the container. heat shrink oven. 16. Label applicator system according to any of claims 13-15, further comprising a drain for cover supports positioned downstream of the heat oven. 17. Label applicator system according to any of claims 13-16, wherein the label applicator system further comprises a cover support feeder for supplying cover supporters for supporting one or more sleeves in a predetermined position relative to the container on the conveyor belt, the The cover support supply is positioned upstream of the cover supply and the container supply. 18. Label application system according to any of claims 13-17, wherein the container supply is positioned upstream of the cover supply, the cover supply and device for applying the cover around the container being the same. 19. Label applicator system according to any of claims 13-17, wherein the sleeve supply is positioned upstream of the container supply, wherein the container supply is the device for arranging the cover around the container and wherein the container supply is adapted to supply the container in the sleeve in the predetermined position. 20. Label applicator system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the label applicator system comprises a reject unit downstream of the sleeve supply for rejecting incorrectly positioned covers for further downstream processing, the reject unit comprising an observer for determining the position of the cover. 21. Label applicator system according to any of claims 13-20, wherein the sleeve feed comprises a folding guide for guiding a fold of the sleeve and wherein a control unit is arranged to fire covers from the firing unit when folding the covers in one line brought with the folding guide of the cover support. A label applicator system according to any of claims 13-21, wherein the sleeve support comprises a platform for supporting a portion of a peripheral edge of the sleeve and at least one column for providing radial inwardly directed support over a portion of a sleeve lengthwise of the cover. 23. Label applicator system according to any of claims 13-22, wherein the cover support is arranged to prevent a rotational movement of the cover. 24. Label applicator system according to any of claims 13-23, wherein the container supply is adapted to feed packaging containers such as cups and the like formed by deep-drawing or thermoforming from a packaging material plate with containers in at least one row and provided with an edge. The label applicator system according to any of claims 13 to 24, wherein the container supply is adapted to supply containers that have a collar or rim.