Does the automatic self-adhesive labeling machines support multiple bottle types?

In modern packaging production lines, automatic self-adhesive labeling machines have become an indispensable and important equipment, widely used in food, daily chemicals, medicine, chemicals, beverages and other industries. The diversity of product packaging also puts higher requirements on the compatibility and flexibility of labeling equipment. Especially when the products involve different bottle types such as round bottles, flat bottles, square bottles, etc., companies often care about one question when purchasing labeling equipment: Does the automatic self-adhesive labeling machine support multiple bottle types? Is it compatible with containers of different shapes?

This article will analyze this issue and systematically explore the ability, technical principles, classification and selection suggestions of automatic self-adhesive labeling machines in adapting to multiple bottle types, to help users choose the appropriate labeling solution more scientifically and reasonably.

1. The basic working principle of the automatic self-adhesive labeling machine

The automatic self-adhesive labeling machine is an automated equipment that uses self-adhesive label paper to label products at high speed and accurately. Its basic principle includes the following steps:

Conveying system: convey the containers to be labeled to the labeling area at a certain distance;

Positioning device: accurately position the container to ensure that the label is attached to the designated position;

Label peeling mechanism: peel the label off the base paper through the peeling plate;

Labeling device: accurately stick the label on the product surface with the help of rollers or label pressing devices;

Compacting device: ensure that the label is firm and does not warp.

Labeling accuracy mainly depends on positioning accuracy, labeling head control accuracy and container shape adaptation.

2. Introduction to common bottle types and labeling difficulties

Automatic labeling machines face a wide variety of bottle types, and different bottle types pose different challenges to the labeling system. The following are the three most common ones:

Round Bottle

Typical representatives include beverage bottles, medical plastic bottles, and cosmetic bottles.

Labeling features:

Can rotate 360 degrees;

Applicable to full-circle labeling, semi-circle labeling, and fixed-point labeling;

The surface curvature is uniform and labeling is relatively simple.

Technical requirements:

It is necessary to be equipped with a synchronous rotation mechanism or a round bottle rolling device;

For high-speed labeling equipment, accurate positioning is required to avoid label deviation.

Flat Bottle

Commonly seen in flat containers such as shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and skin care products.

Labeling characteristics:

Usually double-sided labels (front + back) are required;

The surface is flat but the bottle body is easy to shake or tip over;

When the bottle shape has an arc, it is easy to wrinkle.

Technical requirements:

A double-sided guide mechanism is required to ensure that the bottle body is stable and accurately positioned;

The chain belt or sponge wheel wrapping labeling method is mostly used.

Square Bottle

Mostly used for condiment bottles, sauce bottles, chemical products, etc.

Labeling characteristics:

Usually multi-sided labeling is required (1~4 sides);

Clear edges and corners, high requirements for labeling head path control;

Some square bottles have wide shoulders or unstable bottoms, which are easy to deviate during transportation.

Technical requirements:

Precisely synchronize the control of label release and labeling speed;

Cooperate with the bottle rotating mechanism to achieve multi-sided labeling.

3. Does the automatic self-adhesive labeling machine support multiple bottle types?

The answer is: Yes, but a multifunctional or customized model must be selected.

Single bottle type dedicated machine vs multi-bottle type compatible machine

Single bottle type dedicated machine: such as the fully automatic round bottle labeling machine, which has a simple structure and fast speed, but only supports round bottle labeling;

Multi-bottle type compatible machine: equipped with a variety of labeling modules and adjustment devices, which can adapt to multiple bottle types such as round bottles, flat bottles, and square bottles.

For example, a double-side labeling machine + round bottle module combination equipment can realize the labeling of the front and back of flat bottles or square bottles, and at the same time, by adding a round bottle clamping device, the circumferential labeling of round bottles can be realized.

Adjustability of core components

To achieve bottle type compatibility, the labeling machine needs to have the following features:

Adjustable bottle guide: adapt to different bottle widths and heights;

Adjustable labeling head angle/position: adapt to bottle surface inclination or multi-faceted structure;

Flexible program settings: the control system supports different bottle type parameter presets and one-click switching.

4. Actual application scenarios and cases

Case 1: Labeling application in daily chemical enterprises

A daily chemical enterprise produces shampoo (flat bottle), hand sanitizer (round bottle), and softener (square bottle). It originally planned to use three labeling machines, but finally chose a multi-functional double-side labeling machine equipped with a round bottle module to achieve one machine labeling for different products. The equipment switches bottle types through preset programs, saving a lot of equipment investment and manual debugging costs.

Case 2: Labeling of square bottles in condiment factories

A condiment enterprise produces glass square bottles that need to be labeled on four sides, and a turntable multi-faceted labeling machine is selected. The machine is equipped with a servo steering system, which can realize the bottle body turning once every 90°, accurately completing multi-faceted labeling, and improving efficiency by more than 30%.

5. Purchase suggestions: How to choose labeling equipment that is suitable for multiple bottle types?

Clarify the differences in product bottle types and sizes

If the bottle types are very different (such as square bottles + round bottles), give priority to equipment with strong compatibility; if the bottle shapes are consistent but the capacities are different, ordinary adjustable structures can meet the needs.

Evaluate production efficiency requirements

Labeling speed and accuracy are key indicators. Multifunctional equipment is slightly slower than single-bottle equipment. If the output requirements are extremely high, two labeling lines can be set up.

Choose well-known brands or manufacturers that support customization

Whether the equipment can achieve multi-bottle compatibility often depends on the manufacturer's process design capabilities and non-standard customization experience. It is recommended to choose a supplier that supports debugging, timely after-sales service, and reasonable structural design.

With the increasing market demand for packaging aesthetics and diversity, modern automatic self-adhesive labeling machines are moving towards multi-bottle, modular, and intelligent directions. For small and medium-sized enterprises, choosing a general-purpose labeling machine that supports multiple bottle types can effectively save equipment investment and improve production capacity flexibility; for enterprises with fixed production lines and large-scale production of single bottles, it is recommended to choose a dedicated and efficient labeling machine to maximize efficiency.

Regardless of the labeling requirements, it is recommended to fully communicate with the self-adhesive labeling machine supplier about the bottle style, label style and labeling method before purchasing, and conduct on-site proofing or simulated operation tests to ensure that the equipment fully matches the production scenario.

If you need professional customization of automatic self-adhesive labeling machines, please contact labeling equipment manufacturers with R&D strength and rich project experience to obtain efficient, stable and sustainable packaging solutions.

http://www.beiltpack.com
Shanghai BEILT Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd