Method of applying a label to a container having a curved portion

摘要

A method of applying a label (L) to a container (10) which includes an intermediate portion (P) of the side wall (14) thereof which has an annular curved surface wherein the vertical height of the portion having a curved surface is a minor portion of the entire height of the container. A narrow rectangular label (L) of shrinkable material is first provided with one or more longitudinally extending strips of adhesive (15) extending intermediate the longitudinal edges of the label at the area of the label which is to contact the portion of greatest diameter on the curved portion of the container. The strip of adhesive material is shorter than the length of the label so that the adhesive material does not contact the overlapping edges of the label. An adhesive (16) is applied to the trailing edge of the label only and the label is wrapped about the compound curved portion with the adhesive strip engaging the curved portion of the container at the area of greatest diameter. The edges of the label are overlapped and bonded and the overlapped label is then shrunk into position by moving the container and label through an oven. The curved portion of the container may have a compound curvature.