GB2225766A

GB2225766A - Self-adhesive label strips

Info

Publication number: GB2225766A
Application number: GB8828805A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Kemp Brotherhood; Dataplus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-12-09
Filing date: 1988-12-09
Publication date: 1990-06-13
Also published as: GB8828805D0

Abstract

A strip of self-adhesive labels comprises a backing sheet 2 with tractor-feed edge perforations 3 and adhering labels L1, L2 and L3. The labels are separated by lateral lines of perforation 5 and 6 which define leading and trailing edges of immediately adjacent labels L1 and L2, and L2 and L3. The perforations leave narrow interconnecting filaments 7 between the labels. Whilst acting to prevent "pre-peel" when the label strip is in a typewriter or printer, the small filaments 7 do not impede the detachment of the individual labels as required after printing. <IMAGE>

Description

"STATIONERY" The invention relates to stationery, and in particular is concerned with self-adhesive labels produced on a backing sheet of strip or sheet form which has a siliconised or other "release" surface so that the labels are easily peeled therefrom when required. The strips or sheets of labels are commonly pre-printed, typically with addresses, in a typewriter or computer printer.

Such labels are at present produced and supplied as spaced discrete labels on the backing strip or sheet.

They are manufactured by cutting through a continuous sheet web, completely around each label down to the backing strip or sheet, thus leaving a surrounding "waste" area which is stripped off during manufacture prior to supply of the labels ready for use.

Whilst labels of this character are used in large numbers they suffer from a serious disadvantage due to the low degree of adhesion of each label to the backing sheet.

This results in a tendency for the leading and trailing edges of a label to curl up whilst passing around the platen of a typewriter or printer, particularly if left stationary on the platen for any length of time. This phenomenon is known as "pre-peel", and can result in serious damage if the label is detached from the backing sheet and becomes entangled in the feed mechanism of the typewriter or printer which may then require costly servicing as a result.

The invention has for its object to provide strips or sheets of self-adhesive labels which do not suffer from the foregoing disadvantage.

According to the invention a strip or, sheet of self-adhesive labels has immediately adjacent labels partially interconnected, on their two opposite edges, by spaced narrow filaments of the label material. Preferably the individual labels of a sheet thereof are interconnected on the leading and trailing edges of each label, when considering the feed direction through a typewriter or printer.

The filamentous interconnection of immediately adjacent labels, the essence of the invention, may be provided by rows of discontinuous lateral perforations which define the edges of the labels and leave the latter interconnected by spaced narrow filaments. The latter are such that they prevent premature detachment or the "pre-peel" phenomenon during typing or printing but, after the typing or printing, do not prevent the labels easily being stripped off the backing sheet when required.

In addition to overcoming the foregoing pre-peel disadvantage of conventionally-produced labels, the present invention has the advantage of enabling the waste associated with the present production method to be reduced. Thus, a strip of label material on a backing strip can be laterally perforated, using a cutter having gaps along its length to leave the required interconnecting filaments, to define the individual interconnected labels.

Hence there is no waste material between adjacent labels.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 illustrates production of a partly-shown strip of self-adhesive labels of conventional form; and Fig. 2 illustrates a similar portion of a strip of self-adhesive labels in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the conventional production method starts with a continuous strip 1 of self-adhesive label material on a wider strip 2 of backing material. The strip 2 has edge perforations 3 to suit use in a tractor-feed printer, these perforations serving for accurate indexing movement of the composite strip 1,2 during printing of the labels. The perforations 3 may be omitted if the strip is not intended to be sprocket fed during printing.

Cutting of the labels normally employs a cutter which provides a continuous cut completely surrounding and thus defining each of the resultant labels such as L1, L2 and L3 As the strip 1,2 is fed through the label cutting machine the surrounding waste material la is stripped off as a continuous length and disposed of, leaving a strip of spaced labels L1, L2, L3 etc adhering to backing sheet 2.

In the method of the invention such waste is reduced as there is no waste material to be removed from between immediately adjacent labels, and cutting again commences with a strip 4 of label material of appropriate width adhering to the backing sheet 2 with the edge perforations 3 (if these perforations are required). A cutter (not shown) which has gaps along its length produces lateral lines of perforation such as 5 and 6 which define leading and trailing edges of immediately adjacent labels such as L1 and L2, and L2 and L3. The perforations leave narrow interconnecting filaments such as 7 between the labels, these acting to prevent the "pre-peel" which, as has been described, is a serious disadvantage of the prior labels. Whilst acting to prevent "pre-peel" whilst the label strip is in a typewriter or printer, the small filaments 7 do not impede the detachment of the individual labels when required after printing.

The number and size of the interconnecting filaments can be varied, determined by the type of adhesive and label material used.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A strip or sheet of self-adhesive labels wherein the labels are adherent to a backing sheet and immediately adjacent labels are partially interconnected, on two opposite edges, by spaced narrow filaments of the label material.

2. A strip or sheet of self-adhesive labels according to claim 1, wherein the individual labels thereof are interconnected on the leading and trailing edges of each label, when considering the feed direction of the strip or sheet through a typewriter or printer.

3. A strip or sheet of self-adhesive labels according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the filamentous interconnection of immediately adjacent labels is provided by rows of discontinuous lateral perforations which define the interconnected edges of the labels.

4. A strip or sheet of self-adhesive labels according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the backing sheet has edge perforations for use in a tractor-feed printer.

5. A method of manufacturing a strip of self-adhesive labels according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a strip of label material on a backing sheet is laterally perforated, using a cutter having gaps along its length to leave the required interconnecting filaments, to define the individual interconnected labels.

6. A strip or sheet of self-adhesive labels, or a method of manufacturing a strip or sheet of self-adhesive labels, substantially as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.