EP1418128B1 - Device and method for applying labels onto a data carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

The protective system for a compact disk (10) incorporates a circular label (16). This adheres on the surface of the disk and is centered by washers (18). The small central hole (20,26) in each washer fits over a central locating pin in a packaging case. The label may be adhered in place and may be unpeeled as required.

Description

The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1 for adhering a label to a data carrier, in particular to an optical data carrier, such as a compact disc or a DVD. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 10 for sticking a label on a disk.

It is known to stick on data carriers, such as recordable and erasable compact discs and DVDs as well as comparable data carriers, subsequently labels or labels with which the data carriers are to be customized.

Because discs such as compact discs or DVDs rotate at a comparatively high speed while being scanned or written, subsequent sticking of the label to the disc can lead to imbalances if the label is not adhered to it with sufficient accuracy with respect to the center of rotation of the disc ,

Thus, Fig. 1 shows a diagram in which the high-value axis indicates the imbalance of a compact disc in grams and the right-axis value indicates the relative rotational speed of the drive with which the compact disc is driven during scanning or writing. In this diagram, a total of eight imbalance curves are shown (see the legend in Fig. 1), with the imbalance curves with respect to a predetermined label offset, ie the offset, the label relative to the center of gravity of a compact disc after sticking, differ. In the diagram, the label offset is 0.25 mm to 3.5 mm.

As the diagram shows, as the label offset increases, the unbalance in the compact disc increases disproportionately as the drive speed increases. The resulting imbalances lead to a troubled run of the compact disc, which complicates the sampling or writing, whereby the data transmission between the sampling unit and the data carrier is slowed down, i. the data transfer is reduced.

In order to avoid such a label offset when sticking a label to a data carrier, in particular to an optical data carrier, such as a compact disc, various devices and methods are known from the prior art to subsequently adhere a label to an optical data carrier with the highest possible accuracy ,

Thus, DE 197 02 546 C2 or JP-2001010623 A is shown in each case a device for sticking a label on a compact disc, in which in the storage container of the compact disc, such as a jewel box, first a label carrier for holding a aufklebenden Labels is used by being clamped or glued to the pivotable lid of the storage container. Subsequently, the label is positioned on the label carrier, attached the compact disc to the provided in the storage container for the compact disc holding element and finally closed the lid of the storage container. This should be the label positioned on the compact disc centered and stuck.

A problem with these known devices is that the label carrier must be attached as exactly as possible to the holding element in the storage container. Even the slightest displacement of the label carrier relative to the holding element on which the compact disc is held when adhering leads to a label offset.

From DE 296 15 777 U1, DE 297 04 279 U1, DE 297 02 498 U1, DE 197 23 969 A1, DE 197 58 502 C2 or JP-11263328 A is in each case a centering aid for a subsequently to a Compact Disc adhesive label known. The centering aid is inserted into the clamping opening of the compact disc and the label to be stuck on then plugged with its centering on the centering and so centered relative to the compact disc.

A disadvantage of these known centering that the label must be plugged for sticking to the disk on the centering, the label is often glued due to its high flexibility and flexibility with slight misalignment on the disk.

DE 297 01 108 U1 discloses a relatively expensive device for applying a label on a data carrier, which is formed from a bottom part with a receiving pin for the disk and a pivotable cover part to which the label is to be attached for sticking to a second spigot. For gluing, only the lid part is closed, wherein the two spigot should take an axis-like position, while the label is pressed against the disk.

From DE 296 08 885 U1 a positioning device is known, with the help of which the label should be centered to stick on a compact disc. The positioning device consists of a disc which is inserted into the storage container of the compact disc and attached to the holding element in the storage container. This is to compensate for a difference in height between the base part of the storage container and the adhering side of the compact disc. Subsequently, the aufklebende label is plugged with its central opening on the holding element, the compact disc placed with its centering on the holding element and pressed against the label. Since the central opening on the label corresponds in size to the size of the clamping opening of the compact disc, also areas of the compact disc would be covered, which must be uncovered for a proper use of the compact disc.

To solve this problem was in DE 297 00 500 U1, which is based on DE 296 08 885 U1, additionally proposed to provide the label concentric to the central opening a circumferential perforation, removed by the adhesive after the label, an annular portion of the label shall be. However, this additional perforation on the label is on the one hand consuming to manufacture. On the other hand, solving this Annular section after sticking the label on the compact disc for the user relatively difficult, since the label also adheres firmly in this area.

DE 297 21 676 U1 discloses a device for adhering a label to a data carrier, in which a label carrier for defined holding the label in the storage container of the data carrier can be attached. The label carrier is inserted for this purpose as an insert in a standardized CD cassette. Furthermore, a further retaining element is provided on the label carrier, on which the data carrier is placed for adhering the label.

From DE 100 00 980 C1, a storage container for a compact disc is known in which a projection is provided on the holding element for the compact disc, with which a aufklebendes on the compact disc label can be kept in the storage container in a defined position. To stick the label is placed with its adhesive side up in the storage container. Subsequently, the compact disc is facing the label facing the label used in the storage container in a conventional manner and pressed at its edge regions against the label. After the label partially adheres, the compact disc is removed from the storage box and completely glued to the compact disc.

DE 199 17 454 A1 discloses a labeling device with a base plate on which a centering element is formed with an outer diameter in the size of the hole diameter of a label, wherein the centering fasteners are provided with which the label is to be secured to the centering. Concentric with the centering element is mounted on this a mandrel on which a pasted to be compact disc is to be attached. This known labeling device may optionally be integrated in the storage container of the compact disc, wherein the mandrel then serves as a holding element for the compact disc.

DE 298 18 227 U1 discloses a centering aid that can be inserted into the lid of a commercially available CD case. On a rectangular special cardboard, which corresponds to the standard cover dimensions for CD cases, a base ring is firmly mounted on which various slip-on rings can be inserted. On this combination can now be put on a label label. If the CD case is closed with a CD attached to it, the label is glued to the CD. However, since the covers of conventional CD cases are not all absolutely identical, the standard cover dimensions and thus the special cardboard must have a certain tolerance. However, this can lead to inaccurate positioning of the label.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device or a method for adhering a label to a data carrier, by their use or with the comparatively low effort in a simple way a very accurate alignment of the label relative to the disk when sticking is possible.

The invention solves this problem by a device having the features of claim 1. Further, the invention solves this object by a method having the features of claim 10.

An essential idea of the invention is based on using the storage container for the data carrier as a functional element for the device or the method according to the invention for adhering the label to the data carrier, for example a compact disc or a DVD. Thus, according to the invention provided in the storage container of the data carrier holding element to which the data carrier is usually held in the stored state in the storage container, used to align the disk when glued relative to the label. For this purpose, the use of a relatively simply designed device is proposed according to the invention, which has a label carrier with a centering element provided thereon. The label carrier has a holding opening with which the label carrier is to be fastened to the holding element in the storage container. The centering element is provided concentrically with this holding opening on the label carrier and serves to center the label relative to the holding opening. As soon as the device according to the invention is inserted into the storage container and fastened with the label carrier on the holding element, the holding element protrudes so far through the centering element that the data carrier can at least still be aligned on the holding element, if appropriate also attached in the usual way.

If now a label is to be adhered to the data carrier, the device according to the invention is first inserted into the storage container of the data carrier in the manner described above. Subsequently, the label to be adhered is placed with its non-adhesive side on the label carrier, wherein the centering element aligns the label relative to the holding opening and thus relative to the holding element. After placement of the label carrier with the label, the data carrier with its side to be adhered to the label is placed on the holding element of the storage container and pressed against the label. Since the label by the action of the centering relatively Aligned to the holding element, the disk is in turn aligned by the holding element relative to the centering and thus relative to the label, so that the label is adhered to this relatively simple manner with very high precision on the disk, so that in particular also with reference to above Fig. 1 described slowing down the data transfer is avoided.

By the device according to the invention, the different materials are brought together concentrically and mechanically centered, being prevented by the holding and immobilizing the label on the label carrier rolling up of the label when sticking. The inventive device is characterized due to the relatively small thickness required of the label carrier further by an extremely low material requirements, has a low volume, is very safe and easy to use and can be stored in conventional storage containers, optionally together with the disk.

Further advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the following description, the drawings and the dependent claims.

Thus, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is proposed to detachably fasten the centering element to the label carrier and to provide at least one further centering element which differs in its external dimensions from the external dimensions of the first centering element. Also this further centering can be releasably attached to the label carrier. In this way it is possible to interchange the two centering elements against each other, so that the device according to the invention can be used for different labels which differ from each other in the dimensions of their centering openings. Depending on the label to be adhered, the respectively suitable centering element can then be fastened to the label carrier.

For releasably securing the centering is proposed to provide the label carrier concentrically around the holding opening an adhesive surface with which each selected centering on the label carrier can be releasably secured in a simple and secure manner. The adhesive surface is designed so that a frequent release and attaching the centering element is possible without the adhesion of the adhesive surface decreases.

The centering element preferably has a material thickness which is slightly larger than the thickness of the label to be stuck. The material thickness of the centering element should on the one hand be dimensioned such that the data carrier, which is supported on the holding element with its concentric surrounding the holding opening, not to sticking area on the flat side of the centering, not yet with the label carrier positioned on the label in Touch comes. On the other hand, the material thickness should be so low that by lightly pressing the data carrier against the label and the associated bending of the data carrier, the label adhered to the disk at least in sections.

The centering element has in a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention a ring shape with a round inner opening, wherein the outer contour of the annular centering element may also be designed circular, but also another, preferably symmetrical to the inner opening shape, such as a star shape, may possess the contour of the centering of the label is adapted. The inner diameter of the annular centering element in this embodiment corresponds at least approximately to the inner diameter of the round holding opening on the label carrier, wherein the annular centering element is aligned with its inner opening concentric with the holding opening of the label carrier. In this way, it is ensured that the label carrier with its holding opening and the centering element can be plugged with its inner opening on the holding element in the storage container properly.

So that the label does not slip on the data carrier during the gluing on, it is also advantageous if the label carrier is provided on its support surface for the label with an adhesive surface for short-term holding of the label.

The label carrier is preferably formed as a circular disc whose outer diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the label to be stuck. This ensures that the label is uniform over its entire dimension supported by the label carrier. The round holding opening is formed concentrically in the disc in this disk carrier as a label carrier.

If the holding element in the storage container of a plurality of arranged around a common axis, extending in the direction of the axis, resilient clamping elements formed integrally with the storage container, which protrude from this in the same direction, the holding opening in the label carrier and optionally formed in the centering inner opening is designed in that the label carrier is held securely together with the centering element by the clamping elements.

The storage container for the data carrier, in which the device according to the invention for sticking the label is to be used, is preferably a so-called Jewel box, on whose clamping mandrel formed as a holding element device according to the invention can be easily attached and released again.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method having the features according to claim 10 for adhering a label to a data carrier. In this method according to the invention, a device according to the invention formed from a label carrier with a centering element, as described above, is first inserted into the empty receptacle for the data carrier and fastened to the holding element in the storage container. The centering element can be attached to the label carrier before insertion of the label carrier in the storage container or optionally also be fixed only after insertion of the label carrier in the storage container on the label carrier. Subsequently, the label is placed with its non-adhesive side on the label carrier and aligned with its centering on the centering until the label is centered positioned to the holding member on the label carrier. Thereafter, the disk with its side facing the label is placed on the protruding through the label carrier and the centering holding element and aligned in this way relative to the label carrier and thus relative to the label. Finally, the disk is pressed against the label and thereby at least partially glued to the label.

In a particularly preferred variant of the method according to the invention, it is proposed to hold the data carrier when placing it on the holding element only at the side edges and to press the data carrier for gluing the label carrier positioned on the label in the center against the label carrier. In this way, it is achieved that the label initially adheres to the data carrier only in an annular section around the non-sticking area of the data carrier. Subsequently, the data carrier with the partially adhered label can be removed from the receptacle and the label can be glued by smoothing with the data carrier.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the disk removed after sticking the label from the storage container and placed on a flat surface with its sticky side up and the label is then pressed evenly from the inside out.

Fig. 1

ein Diagramm, bei dem die Hochwertachse die Unwucht einer Compact Disc in Gramm und die Rechtswertachse die Geschwindigkeit, mit der die Compact Disc beim Abtasten bzw. Beschreiben vom Laufwerk angetrieben wird, angibt, in dem Unwuchtverläufe mit unterschiedlichem Labelversatz in Millimetern dargestellt sind,

Fig. 2

eine aus einem Labelträger und einem Zentrierelement gebildete erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Aufkleben eines Labels auf einen Datenträger in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 3

die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung nach Fig. 2 in perspektivischer Darstellung beim Vertauschen des am Labelträger vorgesehenen Zentrierelementes gegen ein Zentrierelement mit anderem Außendurchmesser, und

Fig. 4a bis 4f

die einzelnen Schritte beim Aufkleben eines Labels auf eine Compact Disc unter Verwendung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

The invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1

a diagram in which the high-value axis indicates the imbalance of a compact disc in grams and the right-axis axis the speed with which the compact disc is driven during scanning by the drive, in which imbalance courses with different label offset are shown in millimeters,

Fig. 2

a device according to the invention formed from a label carrier and a centering element for sticking a label onto a data carrier in a perspective view,

Fig. 3

2 shows a perspective illustration of the device according to the invention for interchanging the centering element provided on the label carrier with a centering element with a different outer diameter, and FIG

Fig. 4a to 4f

the individual steps in sticking a label on a compact disc using the device according to the invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a perspective view of an apparatus 10 according to the invention for adhering a label 12 (see FIG. 4c) to an optical data carrier in the form of a compact disc 14 (see FIG. 4e).

The device 10 has a label carrier 16 with a centering element 18 detachably fastened thereto. The label carrier 16 is formed as a circular disc and has a holding opening 20 in its center.

As FIG. 3 shows, in which the centering element 18 is removed from the label carrier 16, the label carrier 16 has an annular first adhesive surface 22 which concentrically surrounds the holding opening 20. The first adhesive surface 22 has an adhesion capability which on the one hand ensures a secure holding of the centering element 18 on the label carrier 16, while on the other hand enables a relatively simple release and repeated, secure adhesion of the centering element 18 on the label carrier 16.

The annular first adhesive surface 22 is in turn enclosed by an annular second adhesive surface 24, which is also applied concentrically to the holding opening 20, but has a lower adhesion capacity compared to the adhesion of the first adhesive surface 22. This second adhesive surface 24 is used for releasably holding the label 12 to be stuck, as will be explained in detail later.

As FIG. 2 further shows, the centering element 18 is held detachably concentrically with the holding opening 20 on the label carrier 16 by the first adhesive surface 22. The centering element 18 is annular and has an inner opening 26 whose diameter corresponds to the diameter of the holding opening 20 of the label carrier 16. Due to the concentric arrangement of the centering element 18 on the label carrier 16, the inner opening 26 is aligned with the holding opening 20. The outer diameter of the centering element 18 is adapted to the diameter of a centering hole 50 of the label 12 (see Fig. 4c), so that the label 12 with its centering 50 can be aligned on the centering element 18, as will be explained later.

Since the diameters of the centering openings 50 of different labels 12 can differ from each other, the device 10 is equipped with a further centering element 28 which can alternatively also be fastened detachably to the first adhesive surface 22 on the label carrier 16, as FIG. 3 shows. So if a label 12 are glued, whose centering opening 50 has an inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the centering element 18, the centering element 18 can be solved by the label carrier 16 in a simple manner by peeling, as indicated by the left arrow in Fig. 3 is. Subsequently, the centering element 18 is replaced by the further centering element 28 whose outer diameter corresponds at least approximately to the diameter of the centering hole 50 of the new label 12 by the further centering element 28 concentric with the holding opening 20 placed on the first adhesive surface 22 on the label carrier 16 and pressed for releasable fastening is as indicated by the right arrow in Fig. 3.

FIGS. 4a to 4f illustrate the use of the device 10 according to the invention in successive steps, wherein the compact disc 14 (see FIG. 4e) is to be provided with the label 12 (see FIG. 4c) as an optical data carrier.

For this purpose, the compact disc 14 is first removed from its receptacle, a so-called Jewel box 30, as will be described below with reference to Fig. 4a. The jewel box 30 has a base part 32 into which an insert, a so-called tray 34, is releasably secured by latching lugs (not shown). From the center of the tray 34 is upwards a clamping mandrel 36 as a holding element for the compact disc 14, which is formed of a plurality of about a common axis, resiliently projecting from the tray 34 clamping elements 38 is formed. Concentric around the symmetrical clamping mandrel 36 is a circular-shaped receptacle 40 is formed in the tray 34, which is dimensioned slightly larger in diameter than the compact disc 14. For storage in the jewel box 30, the compact disc 14 is inserted into the receptacle 40 and with a in its center formed clamping opening 42 (see Fig. 4e) attached to the clamping mandrel 36, wherein the compact disc 14 is held by the bias of the clamping elements 38 in the jewel box 30. With the help of a pivotally mounted on the base member 32 cover 44, the jewel box 30 can be closed.

As shown in Fig. 4a, after the removal of the compact disc 14 from the jewel box 30 of the label carrier 16 is inserted into the jewel box 30 and clamped with its retaining opening 20 on the clamping mandrel 36. Subsequently, the centering element 18 is fitted onto this and pressed against the first adhesive surface 22 of the label carrier 16. After inserting the centering element 18 in the jewel box 30, a reusable protective film 46 adhering to the second adhesive surface 24 is peeled off. The device 10 is now ready to receive the label 12 to be stuck on.

As shown in FIGS. 4c and 4d, the label 12 is now placed with its non-adhesive, labeled or to be described page on the label carrier 16 and then shifted by means of a pin 48 so that the label 12 aligned with its centering opening 50 on the centering element 18 while concentric with the clamping mandrel 36 is arranged.

In Fig. 4e is shown how after positioning of the label 12 in the device 10, the compact disc 14 is inserted into the device 10 for adhering the label 12. For this purpose, the compact disc 14 is grasped at the edges, with its label side facing the label 12 inserted into the jewel box 30, being aligned with its clamping opening 50 on the clamping mandrel 36. Subsequently, the compact disc 14 is pressed in its center down against the label 12, so that the label 12 at least partially adheres to the compact disc 14.

The thickness of the centering element 18 is slightly larger than the thickness of the label 12 to be stuck and thereby dimensioned so that the compact disc 14 is supported on the one hand with its annular portion around the clamping opening 42 on the flat side of the centering element 18, which should not be pasted without that the compact disc 14 comes into contact with the adhesive layer of the label 12. On the other hand, the thickness of the centering element 18 is so small that by lightly pressing the compact disc 14 against the label 12 and the associated bending of the compact disc 14, the label 12 adheres to the compact disc 14 at least partially.

According to FIG. 4f, the compact disc 14 with the attached label 12 is then removed from the device 10 and with the side pasted with the label 12 upwards a flat surface 52 laid. Subsequently, the label 12 is pressed with a paper 54, a soft cloth or only by hand from the inside to the outside on the compact disc 14 to finally bond the label 12 with the flat side of the compact disc 14.

Once the compact disc 14 has been removed from the device 10, the protective film 46 is placed back on the label carrier 16 to protect the second adhesive surface 24 from contamination.

The device 10 described above allows in a simple manner using the storage container of the data carrier, namely the jewel box 30, a very precise sticking a label 12 to a disk such as a compact disc 14 or a DVD.

As a result, an offset application of the label and associated functional disadvantages of the data carrier, as explained with reference to FIG. 1, effectively prevented. With a corresponding diameter of the label carrier 16, the device 10 can be used in the same way for DVDs and similar media.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

contraption

12

label

14

compact disc

16

label carrier

18

centering

20

holding opening

22

first adhesive surface

24

second adhesive surface

26

inner opening

28

centering

30

Jewel Box

32

base

34

tray

36

terminal spike

38

clamping elements

40

admission

42

terminal opening

44

cover

46

protector

48

pen

50

centering

Claims (12)

1. A device for sticking a label on to a data carrier, especially an optical data carrier, such as a compact disk or a DVD,
   comprising a label holder (16) for defined holding of the label (12) for sticking and insertable into a storage container (30) for the data carrier (14) in order to stick the label (12),
   characterised in that
   the label holder (16) has a retaining opening (20) by means of which the label holder (16) can be fastened to an retaining element (36), normally used for holding the data carrier (14), in the storage container (30) for sticking the label, and
   a centring element (18, 28) concentric with the retaining opening (20) is provided on the label holder (16), the label (12) when placed on the label holder (16) is adapted to be centred relative to the retaining opening (20) on the centring element, and the retaining element (36) of the storage container (30), when the label holder (16) is fastened thereto, projects through the centring element so that the data carrier (14) can be centred on the retaining element (36) relative to the retaining opening (20) in the label holder (16).
2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the centring element (18) is releasably fastened to the label holder (16) and is interchangeable with at least one additional centring element (28) having different outer dimensions from the first centring element (18) but likewise releasably fastenable to the label holder (16).
3. A device according to claim 2, characterised in that a first adhesive surface (22) is provided for releasably fastening the centring element (18, 28) concentrically round the retaining opening (20) on the label holder (16).
4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the centring element (18, 28) has a thickness slightly greater than the thickness of the label (12) for sticking.
5. A device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the inner diameter of the round inner opening (26) in the annular centring element (18, 28) is at least approximately equal to the inner diameter of the round retaining opening (20) in the label holder (16) and the annular centring element (18) is aligned with its inner opening (26) concentric with the retaining opening (20) in the label holder (16).
6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the label holder (16), on its surface for supporting the label (12), is provided with an adhesive surface (24) for briefly holding the label (12).
7. A device according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the label holder (16) is a disk having an outer diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the label (12) for sticking, wherein the round retaining opening (20) is formed concentrically in the circular label holder (16).
8. A device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the retaining element (36) in the storage container (30) is made up of a number of resilient clamping elements (38) integral with the storage container (30) and disposed around a common axis and extending in the direction of the axis, the clamping elements projecting from the storage container (30) in the same direction, and the label holder (16) together with the centring element (18, 28) is for clamping to the clamping element (38) for retaining them in the storage container (30).
9. A device according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the storage container for the data carrier (14) is a jewel box (30).
10. A method of sticking a label on to a data carrier, especially an optical data carrier such as a compact disk or a DVD, wherein

    - a label holder (16) is used for temporarily holding the label (12) for sticking in a storage container (30) for the data carrier (14),

    - the label (12) for sticking is positioned centrally on the label holder (16) and

    - the data carrier (14) is placed on the label holder (16) with its sticky side facing the label (12),

    characterised in that

    - the label holder (16) has a retaining opening (20) whereby the label holder (16) is aligned with a retaining element (36) provided in the storage container (30) for the data holder (14) and fastened to the retaining element (36),

    - a centring element (18, 20) is provided on the label holder (16) concentrically with the retaining opening (20), the retaining element (36) projects through the centring element after fastening the label holder (16), and the label is aligned relative to the retaining opening (20) on the centring element when placed on the label holder (16), and

    - the data carrier (14) is placed on the retaining element (36) projecting through the label holder (16) and the centring element (18) and aligned on the retaining element (36) relative to the retaining opening (20), after which the label (12) is stuck at at least some places to the blank side of the data carrier (14).
11. A device according to claim 10, characterised in that the data carrier (14), when placed on the retaining element (36), is held at the side edges and pressed against the label holder (16) in order to stick the label (12), positioned on the label holder (16), in the centre.
12. A method according to claim 10 or claim 11, characterised in that after the label (12) has been stuck, the data carrier (14) is taken out of the storage container (30) and laid on a flat surface (52) with its sticky side upwards, after which the label (12) is uniformly pressed from the inside outwards.

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