GB2228251A

GB2228251A - Indexing and registering label webs

Info

Publication number: GB2228251A
Application number: GB8902922A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Sams
Original assignee: Sato UK Ltd
Current assignee: Sato UK Ltd
Priority date: 1989-02-09
Filing date: 1989-02-09
Publication date: 1990-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2009-02-09
Also published as: GB2228251B; GB8902922D0

Abstract

A label web 10, comprising a series of labels coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive and mounted upon a backing of laminar material from which the labels can be readily peeled, has regularly spaced castellations 14 or cuts 13 along each longitudinal edge by which the web can be indexed through a label printer and applicator, and a further succession of regularly spaced transverse cuts 12 through the material of the labels and of the backing strip by which individual labels can be accurately registered at the printing station of the printer and applicator in dependence upon the required location of the printed indicia on that label. Teeth 786 serve to index the web. Label registration is controlled by member 1100 whose barbs engage in cuts 12. Rack and pinion 1102 adjusts the position of the barbs, and hence adjusts label registration. <IMAGE>

Description

ADRESTVF LABELS AND APPLICATORS FOR PRTNTTNC AND DISPENSING SUCH LABELS This invention relates to adhesive labels and applicators for printing and dispensing such labels.

Labels coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive and mounted on a backing of release paper, usually in elongate strip form, are commonplace items of commerce and are widely used for labelling articles to provide indicna relating to price, stock-codes, "sell-by" dates and so on. Such label assernblies are usually termed "label webs" and this term will be used herein to mean the combination of the elongate strip of release paper or other laminar material and the labels detachably adhered thereto.

To enable such webs to be indexed through a label applicator the longitudinal edges are provided, usually in both components of the web, but not necessarily so, with notches, cuts or castellations. One particular label web incorporating the latter feature is described and clairned in GB -A-l 28Q 126. This label web has achieved considerable commercial success and furthermore the basic label has been adapted for a large number of specific uses. Amongst others, some labels are printed in an applicator with a bar code and this will occupy a substantial proportion of the area of each label, others are pre-printed with, for example, the logo or name of the retailer or other user who will apply specific indicia to the label just before application to an article.These and other, multifarious, requirements of practice at the point of use mean that problems arise as between the indexing or drive function of the label web and the registration function, that is, the location of each label when on the printing platen of the label applicator.

Hitherto, in all previously proposed label webs, these functions have been combined with resultant lack of flexibility in use so that the printed area of each label is dictated by the features of the label web which satisfies the indexing or drive function.

Tt has also been proposed, inter alia in l'S-A-'I 274 661 to provide a label web with cuts passing through both the label and backing strip materials, but the sole purpose of such cuts is to enable drive or indexing of the web through an applicator. As the web passes through an applicator, material is displaced so that edges of the cuts take on the same indexing function as the edges of the castellations of GB-A-1 289 126. The mechanism of the applicator of this U.S. Patent can be slightly adjusted to vary the location of labels relative to the operative facets of the print head of the applicator, but the basic function of the cuts remains a duality, namely drive/ indexing and registration for printing purposes.

From these background facts it becomes apparent that there is a need for a label web which in conjunction with a label applicator, can in a very simple manner meet the various requirements of the end user.

The castellated label of GB-A-1 289 126 has been used hitherto in conjunction with applicators as disclosed and claimed in GB-A-1 408 755. This label web can also be fed through other label applicators. By a modification to certain of the applicators as described in GB-A-l 408 755 the label web in accordance with the present invention can be indexed and registered.

According to the present invention there is provided a label web coinprising a series of labels mounted upon a backing strip of a laminar material from which the labels can readily be peeled, at least the backing strip having successive reans along at least one edge for indexing the web through a label printer and applicator, and at least the backing strip having distinct successive means along at least one edge for providing registration of said labels at the printing station of the printer and applicator.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a label web comprising a series of labels coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive and mounted upon a backing of laminar material from which the labels can be readily peeled, the label web having regularly spaced castellations along each longitudinal edge by which the web can be indexed through a label printer and applicator, and a succession of regularly spaced transverse cuts through the material of the labels and of the backing strip by which individual labels can be accurately registered at the printing station of the printer and applicator in dependence upon the required location of the printed indicia on that label.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a label web comprising a succession of labels each coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive by which the labels are detachablv adhered to a backing strip of a material having release properties relative to the selected adhesive, the label web considered as a whole having regularly spaced castellations along each edge serving when installed in a label printer and applicator to index or drive the label web through the applicator and printer and the label web having regularly spaced cuts in each edge at right angles to the length direction of the web and laterally inwardly of the castellations, the cuts extending transversely into the width of the web by an amount sufficient to enable the cuts to co-operate with the mechanism of the label printer and applicator to ensure registration of successive labels at a printing station of the printer whereby printed indicia can be accurately applied at a predetermined area of that label.

The invention will now be described, hy way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figures la and lb illustrate two forms of label web in accordance with the invention, which can be fed through a label printer and applicator modified as will herennafter be described with reference to Figures 2, 3 & 4; Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the required modification to certain of the label applicators disclosed in GB-A-l 408 755; Figure 2a is a plan view of a single label illustrating the print-out location for the adjustment of Figure 2:: Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to Figure 2 but showing a different adjustment; Figure 3a is a view similar to Figure 2a but illustrating the location of the print-out corresponding to the adjustment of Figure 3; Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the feed teeth and the registration barbs of the modified applicator of Figures 2 and 3, and Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the form for the registration barbs shown in Figures 2, 3 & 4.

Referring now to the drawings, Figures la and lb each show two edge portions of a label web 10. As is conventional the labels are mounted on a backing strip of laminar material, usually paper, treated with a release agent, normally a silicone. Such backing strips are conventional and need no further description.

As is very clear the outline of each label web edge is conventional and is in accordance with the disclosure of GB-A-1 289 126. The labels are configured similarly to the backing strip, although this is not necessarily so, and overall, each longitudinal edge can be said to be "castellated".

In accordance with the present invention cuts 12 extending at right angles to the length of the web are regularly spaced in the labels and the backing strip at the label pitch. Each cut 12 extends from the corresponding edge of the web by an amount such that it is adequate to provide a registration function in a modified label printer and applicator to be described hereinafter.

The cuts may be, more broadly described, as transverse to the length direction. The location of the cuts will dictate the position of each label on the printing platen and hence the area of the label which is printed. The cuts are disposed laterally inwards of the castellations so that the parts of the applicator which co-operate with the castellations on the one hand and the cuts on the other hand, lie in different longitudinal paths.

Figure la illustrates two edges of a label web in accordance with the invention in which the castellations are used to effect drive, as is conventional, and cuts 12 are provided in the narrower width of the label web to enable registration to be effected independently of the drive edges. In the web of Figure la the cuts 12 are shown at one extreme end of the narrower width, i.e. in line with the transverse edges of the castellations, but it will be understood that the positions of the cuts may be varied over the whole length of the narrower width as indicated by the shaded range x, the distances B(i) and B(ii) indicating the spacings of the cuts 12 over the extreme possible range.

If it is desired to vary the index location, a cut 13 can be made at a distance y from the nearest castellation edge 14, as shown in Figure la, and this must not exceed three-quarters of the length dimension of the tab defined by the castellation if damage is to be avoided. Thus, the drive can be varied between the spacings A(i) and A(ii) as indicated, the difference being equal to y.

Although not preferred in relation to the modified printer and applicator illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, it is possible to drive or index the label web on the narrower width provided by the cuts at the troughs of the castellations and to register for printing purposes on the castellations or on a cut in the tab or crest portion of the castellations.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure lb, the registration cuts 12 are provided at the label division line and the drive takes place on the castellation indicated at 14. The print position can be varied over the distance indicated by x depending upon the adjustment of the mechanism of the printer and applicator.

Turning now to Figures 2 and 3, parts of a label applicator and label web are illustrated and these will be given the same reference numerals as in Figure 28a to Figure 44 of GB-A-1 408 755 since the applicator is substantially of the same detailed construction. The label printer and applicator disclosed in relation to these Figures makes use of castellated labels in such a way that the transverse edges of the castellations provide for drive both to bring a label to a printing station and also to dispense a printed label in the same operational cycle onto an article to be labelled. Furthermore, the applicator involves essentially rotary printing thus overcoming any problem of variable print quality which can arise with a stamp impression printing as a result of variable operating forces applied to the mechanism.

The assembly of the printer and applicator of GB-A-1 408 755 (the same reference numerals will be used) includes a printing platen 807 and closely associated therewith are teeth 786 provided on a platen carrier (not shown in Figures 2 and 3) which serve to drive the label web over the teeth 790 which are fixed relative to the applicator casing. Dispensing motion of a printed label results from forward motion of the printing platen 807 and its carrier when the castellations of the label are engaged by the fixed teeth 790 of a part 604' of the printer and applicator, the web being drawn over a pin 356' in order to peel a printed label from the backing strip.

In contrast to the construction of Figures 28a to 44 of GB-A-1 408 755 the location of each label on the printing platen 807 is dictated in accordance with the present invention by the location of the cuts 12 in the label web and by a barbed member 1100 (only two barbs illustrated but more barbs can be provided if desired). The barbs of the member 1100 engage in pairs of the cuts 12, the material defining the cuts being slightly displaced by the engagement with these barbs. The series of barbs 1100 can be adjusted linearly by a rack arrangement 1102 or any other suitable location adjustment means. The barbed member 1100 is mounted in the part 604' which also has the integrated teeth 790 in the unmodified applicator. The teeth 790 can be removed in an existing applicator or omitted in a specifically manufactured applicator.

It will be apparent from Figure 2 and Figure 2a that the barbs 1100 are so adjusted that the print impression is provided centrally of the individual labels whereas in Figures 3 and 3a a print impression is applied to a rearward part of each label, considered in the direction of dispense motion.

Figure 4 illustrates the sets of teeth 786 and barbs 1100 with relative positions and maximum adjustment shown in broken lines.

It will be apparent from Figure 4 that the teeth 786 can move over a distance Z, the web feed, this distance including an overfeed distance Z1 as in the unmodified applicator. This overfeed ensures that the barbs 1100 will properly displace the material defining the cuts 12 and engage on the edges thus formed. Variations in the location of the printed characters on the label are provided by moving the barbs over a distance Z2 by means of the rack arrangement 1102, Z2 being less than Zl Larger variations in the location of the printed characters on the label are effected by using a different location for the cuts 12 and/or by adjustment of the drive teeth, making it possible to adjust the position of the printed characters over the whole of the label.

Figure 5 illustrates the specific form of the barbs 1100.

It will be apparent that the barbs are each substantially under cut so that the material of the backing strip is tightly engaged in an undercut 1104. In this Figure the barbs are shown as part of an arcuate assembly conforming to the shape of the member 604'. The barbed member is located, in an existing applicator by removing an appropriate number of fixed teeth 706'.

Claims

1. A label web comprising a series of labels mounted upon a backing strip of a laminar material from which the labels can readily be peeled, at least the backing strip having successive means along at least one edge for indexing the web through a label printer and applicator, and at least the backing strip having distinct successive means along at least one edge for providing registration of said labels at the printing station of the printer and applicator.

2. A label web comprising a series of labels coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive and mounted upon a backing of laminar material from which the labels can be readily peeled, the label web having regularly spaced castellations along each longitudinal edge by which the web can be indexed through a label printer and applicator, and a succession of regularly spaced transverse cuts through the material of the labels and of the backing strip by which individual labels can be accurately registered at the printing station of the printer and applicator in dependence upon the required location of the printed indicia on that label.

3. A label web according to claim 2, in which the registration cuts are located in the portions of the longitudinal edges of the web between the castellations.

4. A label web comprising a succession of labels each coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive by which the labels are detachably adhered to a backing strip of a material having release properties relative to the selected adhesive, the label web considered as a whole having regularly spaced castellations along each edge serving when installed in a label printer and applicator to index or drive the label web through the applicator and printer and the label web having regularly spaced cuts in each edge at right angles to the length direction of the web, and laterally inwardly of the castellations, the cuts extending transversely into the width of the web by an amount sufficient to enable the cuts to co-operate with the mechanism of the label printer and applicator to ensure registration of successive labels at a printing station of the printer whereby printed indicia can be accurately applied at a predetermined area of that label.

5. A label web according to claim 1, substantially as described with reference to Figure la or Figure lb of the accompanying drawings.

6. A label applicator for printing and dispensing labels from a label web according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising printing means for printing successive labels of the web, a dispensing edge member arranged to cause successive printed labels to detach from the backing strip as the latter is moved over the dispensing edge, and a feed mechanism for driving the web so as to bring a label to a position for printing by the printing means and also to dispense a printed label onto an article to be labelled, the feed mechanism including a first member having teeth arranged to cooperate with the indexing means along the edge of the web to drive the web, and a second member having barbs arranged to cooperate with the registration means disposed independently of the indexing means along the edge of the web when the web is moved in order to effect the desired positioning of the label to be printed, the second member being adjustable in position in the direction of web movement in order to effect changes in the printing position of the label.

7. A label applicator according to claim 6, in which the second member is laterally displaced with respect to the longitudinal plane containing the first member.

8. A label applicator according to claim 5, substantially as described with reference to Figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.