CA2080458A1 - Laser printer for continuous-web supported labels - Google Patents
Laser printer for continuous-web supported labelsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2080458A1 CA2080458A1 CA002080458A CA2080458A CA2080458A1 CA 2080458 A1 CA2080458 A1 CA 2080458A1 CA 002080458 A CA002080458 A CA 002080458A CA 2080458 A CA2080458 A CA 2080458A CA 2080458 A1 CA2080458 A1 CA 2080458A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- web
- continuous
- label
- laser printer
- cording
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011111 cardboard Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 claims 4
- 239000004904 UV filter Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 abstract description 14
- 239000012790 adhesive layer Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 7
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000000306 component Substances 0.000 description 6
- CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ozone Chemical compound [O-][O+]=O CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 101100511857 Rattus norvegicus Lsamp gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003738 black carbon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002844 continuous effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- XGFJCRNRWOXGQM-UHFFFAOYSA-N hot-2 Chemical compound CCSC1=CC(OC)=C(CCNO)C=C1OC XGFJCRNRWOXGQM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- YDTFRJLNMPSCFM-YDALLXLXSA-M levothyroxine sodium anhydrous Chemical compound [Na+].IC1=CC(C[C@H](N)C([O-])=O)=CC(I)=C1OC1=CC(I)=C(O)C(I)=C1 YDTFRJLNMPSCFM-YDALLXLXSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
- G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
- G06K15/12—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers by photographic printing, e.g. by laser printers
- G06K15/1295—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers by photographic printing, e.g. by laser printers using a particular photoreceptive medium
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/20—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
- G03G15/2003—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat
- G03G15/2007—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using radiant heat, e.g. infrared lamps, microwave heaters
- G03G15/201—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat using heat using radiant heat, e.g. infrared lamps, microwave heaters of high intensity and short duration, i.e. flash fusing
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Labeling Devices (AREA)
- Fixing For Electrophotography (AREA)
- Thermal Transfer Or Thermal Recording In General (AREA)
- Electronic Switches (AREA)
- Dot-Matrix Printers And Others (AREA)
Abstract
14 Case T87 LASER PRINTER FOR CONTINUOUS-WEB
SUPPORTED LABELS
A B S T R A C T
Conventional laser printers for continuous webs/labels have either gentle fixation, are relatively expensive, bulky and difficult to operate and service or are small, compact and robust but damage the printed material by heat and pressure. The profitability of a few larger versions is increased by making repeated use of the strips to be labelled. However, a separating device must be used afterward. The invention indicates a laser printer for continuous webs/labels which is inex-pensive, economical to use, does not damage the adhesive layer or printed material and is easy to operate and ser-vice. The laser printer has a separating device in the same housing and is extremely compact.
Figure 1
SUPPORTED LABELS
A B S T R A C T
Conventional laser printers for continuous webs/labels have either gentle fixation, are relatively expensive, bulky and difficult to operate and service or are small, compact and robust but damage the printed material by heat and pressure. The profitability of a few larger versions is increased by making repeated use of the strips to be labelled. However, a separating device must be used afterward. The invention indicates a laser printer for continuous webs/labels which is inex-pensive, economical to use, does not damage the adhesive layer or printed material and is easy to operate and ser-vice. The laser printer has a separating device in the same housing and is extremely compact.
Figure 1
Description
2~0.~58 1 Case T87 LASER PRINTER FOR CONTINUOUS-WEB
SUPPORTED LABELS
The invention relates to a laser printer for labels supported on a continuous web for imprinting con-tinuous webs and labels disposed on a label web wherein the label web consists of a supPort web wound into a roll with the labels consisting of paper, cardboard, metal foils or Plastic being coated with an adhesive and remov-abl~ adhering to the support tape and wherein the rol1 of unimprinted label web is disposed at one end of a housing receiving the whole arrangement and, after being im-printed, is taken up again at the opposite end, the laserprinter including a fixing station which fixes the toner transformed onto the labels from an image transmission drum. The webs so generated, that is, the web rolls with the imprinted labels carried thereon, are then supplied to additional apparatus or equipment wherein the labels are attached to the products to be labeled.
In connection with such web~label printers, various printing equipment is used. Particularly if very accurate images or very clear graphic representations are required, laser printers are preferably utilized, that is, printing equipment wherein an electronicallY con-trolled laser beam produces an imprint on an image trans-fer drum which then transfers the toner adhering thereon onto a print surface where it is subsequently fixed in a fixing station by the application of heat. Such laser 2 ~ 8 ~ 4 r~ ~3 printers generate not only very attractive letters or pictures showing clearly even smallest details but they can also be programmed in a simple manner via electronic control devices. Continuous-web~label laser printers are therefore utilized with increasing frequency in spite of their relatively high prices. Difficulties in connection with such laser printers are however encountered since all components of such printers must be very precise and the web to be imprinted must be precisely guided and fur-ther the selection and location of the fixing station isquite important. As a result such printers are rela-tively heavy, large and not easy to service. It is therefore a first object of the present invention to pro-vide a printer which with regard to its volume is small, compact, lightweight and especially easy to work with and to service.
The greatest difficulties reside in a suitable arrangement of the fixing station. The fixing station in which the dry powdered toner is melted on by application of heat generally includes a drum which is heated to about 200C and which is pressed onto the imprinted paper. Under the pressure of the fixing drum, fine let-ter or graphic outlines are widened such that they lose their brilliance and, if these letters are very small, become difficult to read. The particular disadvantage of such fixing drums in connection with continuous-web/label printers however resides in the fact that the adhesive material and the printing material are strained, that is, that adhesion of the labels to the products to be la-belled becomes insufficient. Also, adhesive may be re-leased at the edges of the labels and soil the hot fixing drums and guide rollers to an unacceptable degree. It is therefore a further obiect to provide a fixing station for such a continuous-web~label laser printer which does not have these disadvantages, that is, which does not cause deterioration of the line sharpness on the labels 2 0 ~ 8 3 Ca 5 e T87 and, particularly, which does not strain the adhesive and the printing material.
The advantage of the warm fixing drums in the known laser printers is that the fixing drum which, for the usual materials is heated to about 200C, provides for fast melting of the toner and its fixing on the sub-strate. An equally fast handling is not possible with other fixing methods, for example, by means of a flash lamp as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No.
10 3,871,761, since either the charging device cannot supply the energy sufficiently fast or because the flash lamp becomes overheated. Energizing a flash lamp with a rela-tively high voltage of about 10,000V could be taken into consideration, but the flash lamp would then emit a rela-tively large amount of Uv light whereby toxic ozone would be generated.
As pointed out, the label web to be imprinted is usually present in the form of a roll. Such a wide label web is usually provided with several label imprints arranged side-by-side (utilization) while being fed through the continuous-web~label laser printer.
This requires that the imPrinted label web sub-sequently has to be fed to a cutting station which cuts the wide label web into strips corresponding in width to the width of the printed rows. lt is, of course, also possible to utilize only narrow label webs which carry only a single row of labels which would eliminate the need for a cutting station required for multiPle row ap-plications. However with such an arrangement, the rela-tively exPensive continuous-web~label laser Printer would be insufficientlY utilized and the label printing Process would require a relatively large amount of time. It is accordinglY a further object of the invention to intensively utilize the continuous-web/label laser printer by parallel label printing without however re-quiring the use of a separate cutting unit.
The obiectives presented, that is:
SUPPORTED LABELS
The invention relates to a laser printer for labels supported on a continuous web for imprinting con-tinuous webs and labels disposed on a label web wherein the label web consists of a supPort web wound into a roll with the labels consisting of paper, cardboard, metal foils or Plastic being coated with an adhesive and remov-abl~ adhering to the support tape and wherein the rol1 of unimprinted label web is disposed at one end of a housing receiving the whole arrangement and, after being im-printed, is taken up again at the opposite end, the laserprinter including a fixing station which fixes the toner transformed onto the labels from an image transmission drum. The webs so generated, that is, the web rolls with the imprinted labels carried thereon, are then supplied to additional apparatus or equipment wherein the labels are attached to the products to be labeled.
In connection with such web~label printers, various printing equipment is used. Particularly if very accurate images or very clear graphic representations are required, laser printers are preferably utilized, that is, printing equipment wherein an electronicallY con-trolled laser beam produces an imprint on an image trans-fer drum which then transfers the toner adhering thereon onto a print surface where it is subsequently fixed in a fixing station by the application of heat. Such laser 2 ~ 8 ~ 4 r~ ~3 printers generate not only very attractive letters or pictures showing clearly even smallest details but they can also be programmed in a simple manner via electronic control devices. Continuous-web~label laser printers are therefore utilized with increasing frequency in spite of their relatively high prices. Difficulties in connection with such laser printers are however encountered since all components of such printers must be very precise and the web to be imprinted must be precisely guided and fur-ther the selection and location of the fixing station isquite important. As a result such printers are rela-tively heavy, large and not easy to service. It is therefore a first object of the present invention to pro-vide a printer which with regard to its volume is small, compact, lightweight and especially easy to work with and to service.
The greatest difficulties reside in a suitable arrangement of the fixing station. The fixing station in which the dry powdered toner is melted on by application of heat generally includes a drum which is heated to about 200C and which is pressed onto the imprinted paper. Under the pressure of the fixing drum, fine let-ter or graphic outlines are widened such that they lose their brilliance and, if these letters are very small, become difficult to read. The particular disadvantage of such fixing drums in connection with continuous-web/label printers however resides in the fact that the adhesive material and the printing material are strained, that is, that adhesion of the labels to the products to be la-belled becomes insufficient. Also, adhesive may be re-leased at the edges of the labels and soil the hot fixing drums and guide rollers to an unacceptable degree. It is therefore a further obiect to provide a fixing station for such a continuous-web~label laser printer which does not have these disadvantages, that is, which does not cause deterioration of the line sharpness on the labels 2 0 ~ 8 3 Ca 5 e T87 and, particularly, which does not strain the adhesive and the printing material.
The advantage of the warm fixing drums in the known laser printers is that the fixing drum which, for the usual materials is heated to about 200C, provides for fast melting of the toner and its fixing on the sub-strate. An equally fast handling is not possible with other fixing methods, for example, by means of a flash lamp as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No.
10 3,871,761, since either the charging device cannot supply the energy sufficiently fast or because the flash lamp becomes overheated. Energizing a flash lamp with a rela-tively high voltage of about 10,000V could be taken into consideration, but the flash lamp would then emit a rela-tively large amount of Uv light whereby toxic ozone would be generated.
As pointed out, the label web to be imprinted is usually present in the form of a roll. Such a wide label web is usually provided with several label imprints arranged side-by-side (utilization) while being fed through the continuous-web~label laser printer.
This requires that the imPrinted label web sub-sequently has to be fed to a cutting station which cuts the wide label web into strips corresponding in width to the width of the printed rows. lt is, of course, also possible to utilize only narrow label webs which carry only a single row of labels which would eliminate the need for a cutting station required for multiPle row ap-plications. However with such an arrangement, the rela-tively exPensive continuous-web~label laser Printer would be insufficientlY utilized and the label printing Process would require a relatively large amount of time. It is accordinglY a further object of the invention to intensively utilize the continuous-web/label laser printer by parallel label printing without however re-quiring the use of a separate cutting unit.
The obiectives presented, that is:
4 Case T87 1. easY transport, easy use and easy servicing of the continuous-web~label laser printer, 2. suitable arrangement for the fix-ing station so as to facilitate rapid and effi-cient printing of a wide variety of materials from very thin Paper to heat sensitive, scratch-alkaline-acid-UV-light resistant Plas-tic and metal foils, 3. multiple utilization of a wide label web without the requirement for cutting in an additional operational step, 4. provide a compact transportable continuous-web~label laser printer which, if necessary, maY be used as a desk unit, are solved in accordance with the invention by providing a toner-fixing station with a flash lamp emitting im-pulses having an imPulse frequency of 1-5 Hz in the in-frared light range with an electric energy of about 1500 Ws/impulse corresponding to an adjustable energy densitY
of up to 20 Ws~cm2 which is not in contact with the label web and to which power is supPlied by a high frequencY
charging unit whose flash condenser achieves a flash voltage of about 650V, wherein an essentially paraboli-cally shaped reflector with a radiation opening of about 30 mm as measured in the direction, in which the web ex-tends is arranged above the flash lamp, wherein cooling equipment is Provided capable of cooling the flashlight with about 20 l~s of cooling air and also suction equiP-ment for drawing off the toner vapors and discharging thevapors through filterst wherein between the fixing sta-tion (flash lamp) and the winding structure a longitudi-nal cutting arrangement is provided and wherein the wind-ing structure consists of a pluralitY of rollers sepa-rated by discs but oPerated by a common drive.
Consequently, in contrast to the knowncontinuous-web~label laser printers which utilize a hot 2~8~:) 8 Case T87 fixing drum for heating the toner on the material to be imprinted and pressing it onto the material to be im-printed, a flash lamp i5 utilized which operates in the range between light and infrared, that is, between '00 nm and 1100 nm and which consequently melts and fixes the toner on the material to be imPrinted. The succession of pulses is so selected that the areas irradiated by the flash lamp overlap so that all of the material to be im-Printed, that is, all the toner on any of the labels dis-posed anywhere on the label support web, is safely fixed.Of course, a plurality of flash lamps may be used if the radiation energy of a single such flash lamp or its geo-metric dimensions are not adequate for the particular material to be imprinted. The use of such flash lamps for the fixing of the toner is basicallY known but it has not been practiced because problems regarding volume and practical accommodation of the complete fixing station with air filter made the construction of a comPact appa-ratus impossible. Since however, as in the present case, that is, in connection with the imprinting of adhesive-coated labels, the advantages of such a flash lamp, which also has a long life, are evident the present invention provides for a way to effectively use a flash lamp with all its advantages--ParticularlY no touching of the let-tering material and minimal thermal exposure of the mate-rial to be imprinted and of the adhesive layer--without encountering its disadvantages. It is pointed out that the presently known fixing stations of such laser printers oPerating with flash lamps such as shown, for 30 example, in DE-A-2638658 are oPerating at such a low energy level that the label taPe has to move only very slowly in order to insure Proper melting and fixing of the toner so that the apparatus will not operate effi-ciently. The energy densitY utilized so far in connec-tion with such flash lamPs is between 0.8 to maximally 3 Ws~cm2, which, in addition, requires the use of a special, expensive toner. It is also noted that with ~8~
6 Case T87 such a low energy density--depending on the support web material--the web is not sufficientlY heated so that, with these known apparatus, a molten toner crust is formed on the cold surface of the support web which is easily removable. However, particularly for labels, permanent fixing of the images applied thereto is of course important. On the other hand these small, compact apparatus should be operable from a normal office elec-tric power outlet. The Power removable from such an electric power outlet is accordingly limited such that the high energy consumption of a flash, if taken directly from an outlet, would lead to the blowing of the particu-lar circuit fuse. This Problem is solved in accordance with the invention by providing, as indicated, a high frequency power supply apparatus which withdraws from the power suPply net a constant amount of energy over time, that is, which avoids the undesirable supply power peaks that lead to the blowing of the fuse. It is further noted that, with a flash lamP operating voltage of about 650V, hardly any UV radiation and consequentlY hardly any objectionable ozone is generated. The heat generated with the high energy density of uP to 20 Ws~cm2 is removed with the high suction power of about 20 l~s together with the toner vapors and eventually the ozone generated in the vicinity of the flash lamP. In addition to the protection of the flash lamp from contamination by toner vapor deposits, this has the advantage that the va-pors are retained in the filters so that the operating personnel suffer no exposure. Suitably, the filter structure includes a dust filter as a preliminary filter with a subsequent black carbon filter. The formation of ozone may also be reduced or eliminated if, in accordance with the invention, the glass of the flash lamP is, at the same time, a UV light filter.
With such a high flash lamP outPUt, the con-denser associated with the flash lamp is also heated to a high degree. In accordance with the invention overheat-~08~
7 Case T87 ing is avoided bY dividing the flash condenser into a pluralitY of single condensers arranged in Parallel which of course are better able to transfer heat to the envi-ronment, that is, the cooling air.
The use--in accordance with the invention--of a flash lamp in combination with the cooling and air re-moval according to the invention additionallY has the ad-vantage that all the laser printer components can be ar-ranged in the upper part of a housing together with the flash lamp whereas the label web is supported in the base Port of this housing. For inserting the label web into the continuous-web~label laser printer according to the invention it is therefore onlY necessary to PiVot the uP-per part of the housing to the back, to insert the label web and then to pivot the upper housing part back onto the housing base and lock it. The housing base further receives the remainder of the electronic/electrical equipment as well as the suction equipment with filter and carries, on opposite sides, the roller guides for the label web. If, in accordance with a further feature of the invention, the upper housing part is pivotally mounted on the housing base by pivot hinges having an axis extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the label web, not only insertion of the label web is much facilitated as mentioned earlier, but all the comPO-nents are easily accessible for operation and servicing without obstructions by any equipment parts. Particu-larly, no hot fixing drain is in the waY during insertion of the label web. Generally, the various components of the apparatus should be disposed in the upper housing part or in the housing base wherein the upper housing part is pivotally mounted on the housing base by PiVot hinges having an axis parallel or normal to the longitu-dinal direction, and arranged in the guide plane, of the label web.
Concerning the multiple advantages to be achieved bY the continuous-web~label laser printer ac-2 ~ 3 ~ 8 8 Case T87 cording to the invention, a lnngitudinal cutting apPara-tus is arranged ahead of the take-up reel station. The longitudinal cutting apparatus preferably includes disc cutters which are disposed on a drive shaft so as to be movable and lockable thereon, the drive shaft being con-nected to a drive motor via a magnetic clutch. Such lon-gitudinal cutting apparatus are known in principle, but it has not been possible so far to combine both appara-tus--continuous-web/label laser printer and cutting aPPa-ratus--together in a single apparatus in such a manner that the requirement for a comPact, easily operable and serviceable apparatus was fulfilled. As a result of the arrangement of the various comPonents of the continuous-web~label laser printer in accordance with the invention it has become possible to dispose the cutting apparatus between the fixing station and the take-up reel such that, all together, a very comPact, Yet easily service-able aPParatus is provided.
The drawings schematically show an embodiment of the invention, that is:
Fig. 1 shows in a front view and Fig. 2 in a top view the arrangement of the various components;
Fig. 3 is a side view of the continuous-web~label laser Printer housing: and Fig. 4 shows a control arrangement.
From a roll ~1) a wide label support web (2) ispulled out in the direction of the arrow (3) and, at the oPPOsite end, is again taken up by a take-uP reel struc-ture (4). An electronic laser control (5) and a flashlamp (6) are disposed above the label web (2). Both com-ponents--electronic laser control with associated print transfer drum and the flash lamp--are disposed in an up-per housing part (7) which maY be pivoted onto a housing base (9) about an axis (8) (shown in Fig. 1 as dash-dotted line) which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the label web (2). Between the flash lamp 2~3~ 8 9 Case T87 (6) and the take-up reel structure (4) several disc cutters (10) are arranged which cut the wide label web into narrow strips (2a, 2b, 2c) of a desired width, whereupon these strips are taken uP bY aPProPriately sized reels.
Similar to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 shows some more de-tails of the apparatus. Shown is the label web (2) which is pulled through the apparatus by means of a friction drive (11) via a drive motor with impulse generator (12).
Arranged above the label tape (2) is an image transmis-sion drum (13) which has its upper surface exposed to a laser beam and which transmits the laser generated image from its lower side to the label web (2). The length D
on the circumference of the image transmission drum (13) from the exPOsure to the laser beam to the point of image transmission onto the label web corresponds to the dis-tance D in front of the image transmission drum (13) where a light barrier (14) consisting of an emitter (15) and a receiver (16) is arranged. Emitter ~15) and re-ceiver (16) of this light barrier are mounted on pivotarms such that the emitter (15) may be pivoted upwardly for insertion of the label web (2) and then again re-turned to its oPerating position. The flash lamP (6) with reflector ~17) is also arranged above the label web ~2). The image transmission drum (13) as well as the flash lamp (6) with its reflector are arranged in the up-per housing part (7). The drive motor (12) as well as additional electronic and electric devices, that is, the charging unit L and the control device ST, are received in the housing base (9).
This, all together provides for a comPact unit which can be fed on one side with a wide label web for multiple utilization and from which, at the other side, rolls of desired width can be taken out which paper rolls are provided with very accurately represented freely se-lectable inscriptions while the possibility of Pivoting 2 0 8 ~ 8 Case T87 the upper housing part open facilitates operation and servicing.
of up to 20 Ws~cm2 which is not in contact with the label web and to which power is supPlied by a high frequencY
charging unit whose flash condenser achieves a flash voltage of about 650V, wherein an essentially paraboli-cally shaped reflector with a radiation opening of about 30 mm as measured in the direction, in which the web ex-tends is arranged above the flash lamp, wherein cooling equipment is Provided capable of cooling the flashlight with about 20 l~s of cooling air and also suction equiP-ment for drawing off the toner vapors and discharging thevapors through filterst wherein between the fixing sta-tion (flash lamp) and the winding structure a longitudi-nal cutting arrangement is provided and wherein the wind-ing structure consists of a pluralitY of rollers sepa-rated by discs but oPerated by a common drive.
Consequently, in contrast to the knowncontinuous-web~label laser printers which utilize a hot 2~8~:) 8 Case T87 fixing drum for heating the toner on the material to be imprinted and pressing it onto the material to be im-printed, a flash lamp i5 utilized which operates in the range between light and infrared, that is, between '00 nm and 1100 nm and which consequently melts and fixes the toner on the material to be imPrinted. The succession of pulses is so selected that the areas irradiated by the flash lamp overlap so that all of the material to be im-Printed, that is, all the toner on any of the labels dis-posed anywhere on the label support web, is safely fixed.Of course, a plurality of flash lamps may be used if the radiation energy of a single such flash lamp or its geo-metric dimensions are not adequate for the particular material to be imprinted. The use of such flash lamps for the fixing of the toner is basicallY known but it has not been practiced because problems regarding volume and practical accommodation of the complete fixing station with air filter made the construction of a comPact appa-ratus impossible. Since however, as in the present case, that is, in connection with the imprinting of adhesive-coated labels, the advantages of such a flash lamp, which also has a long life, are evident the present invention provides for a way to effectively use a flash lamp with all its advantages--ParticularlY no touching of the let-tering material and minimal thermal exposure of the mate-rial to be imprinted and of the adhesive layer--without encountering its disadvantages. It is pointed out that the presently known fixing stations of such laser printers oPerating with flash lamps such as shown, for 30 example, in DE-A-2638658 are oPerating at such a low energy level that the label taPe has to move only very slowly in order to insure Proper melting and fixing of the toner so that the apparatus will not operate effi-ciently. The energy densitY utilized so far in connec-tion with such flash lamPs is between 0.8 to maximally 3 Ws~cm2, which, in addition, requires the use of a special, expensive toner. It is also noted that with ~8~
6 Case T87 such a low energy density--depending on the support web material--the web is not sufficientlY heated so that, with these known apparatus, a molten toner crust is formed on the cold surface of the support web which is easily removable. However, particularly for labels, permanent fixing of the images applied thereto is of course important. On the other hand these small, compact apparatus should be operable from a normal office elec-tric power outlet. The Power removable from such an electric power outlet is accordingly limited such that the high energy consumption of a flash, if taken directly from an outlet, would lead to the blowing of the particu-lar circuit fuse. This Problem is solved in accordance with the invention by providing, as indicated, a high frequency power supply apparatus which withdraws from the power suPply net a constant amount of energy over time, that is, which avoids the undesirable supply power peaks that lead to the blowing of the fuse. It is further noted that, with a flash lamP operating voltage of about 650V, hardly any UV radiation and consequentlY hardly any objectionable ozone is generated. The heat generated with the high energy density of uP to 20 Ws~cm2 is removed with the high suction power of about 20 l~s together with the toner vapors and eventually the ozone generated in the vicinity of the flash lamP. In addition to the protection of the flash lamp from contamination by toner vapor deposits, this has the advantage that the va-pors are retained in the filters so that the operating personnel suffer no exposure. Suitably, the filter structure includes a dust filter as a preliminary filter with a subsequent black carbon filter. The formation of ozone may also be reduced or eliminated if, in accordance with the invention, the glass of the flash lamP is, at the same time, a UV light filter.
With such a high flash lamP outPUt, the con-denser associated with the flash lamp is also heated to a high degree. In accordance with the invention overheat-~08~
7 Case T87 ing is avoided bY dividing the flash condenser into a pluralitY of single condensers arranged in Parallel which of course are better able to transfer heat to the envi-ronment, that is, the cooling air.
The use--in accordance with the invention--of a flash lamp in combination with the cooling and air re-moval according to the invention additionallY has the ad-vantage that all the laser printer components can be ar-ranged in the upper part of a housing together with the flash lamp whereas the label web is supported in the base Port of this housing. For inserting the label web into the continuous-web~label laser printer according to the invention it is therefore onlY necessary to PiVot the uP-per part of the housing to the back, to insert the label web and then to pivot the upper housing part back onto the housing base and lock it. The housing base further receives the remainder of the electronic/electrical equipment as well as the suction equipment with filter and carries, on opposite sides, the roller guides for the label web. If, in accordance with a further feature of the invention, the upper housing part is pivotally mounted on the housing base by pivot hinges having an axis extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the label web, not only insertion of the label web is much facilitated as mentioned earlier, but all the comPO-nents are easily accessible for operation and servicing without obstructions by any equipment parts. Particu-larly, no hot fixing drain is in the waY during insertion of the label web. Generally, the various components of the apparatus should be disposed in the upper housing part or in the housing base wherein the upper housing part is pivotally mounted on the housing base by PiVot hinges having an axis parallel or normal to the longitu-dinal direction, and arranged in the guide plane, of the label web.
Concerning the multiple advantages to be achieved bY the continuous-web~label laser printer ac-2 ~ 3 ~ 8 8 Case T87 cording to the invention, a lnngitudinal cutting apPara-tus is arranged ahead of the take-up reel station. The longitudinal cutting apparatus preferably includes disc cutters which are disposed on a drive shaft so as to be movable and lockable thereon, the drive shaft being con-nected to a drive motor via a magnetic clutch. Such lon-gitudinal cutting apparatus are known in principle, but it has not been possible so far to combine both appara-tus--continuous-web/label laser printer and cutting aPPa-ratus--together in a single apparatus in such a manner that the requirement for a comPact, easily operable and serviceable apparatus was fulfilled. As a result of the arrangement of the various comPonents of the continuous-web~label laser printer in accordance with the invention it has become possible to dispose the cutting apparatus between the fixing station and the take-up reel such that, all together, a very comPact, Yet easily service-able aPParatus is provided.
The drawings schematically show an embodiment of the invention, that is:
Fig. 1 shows in a front view and Fig. 2 in a top view the arrangement of the various components;
Fig. 3 is a side view of the continuous-web~label laser Printer housing: and Fig. 4 shows a control arrangement.
From a roll ~1) a wide label support web (2) ispulled out in the direction of the arrow (3) and, at the oPPOsite end, is again taken up by a take-uP reel struc-ture (4). An electronic laser control (5) and a flashlamp (6) are disposed above the label web (2). Both com-ponents--electronic laser control with associated print transfer drum and the flash lamp--are disposed in an up-per housing part (7) which maY be pivoted onto a housing base (9) about an axis (8) (shown in Fig. 1 as dash-dotted line) which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the label web (2). Between the flash lamp 2~3~ 8 9 Case T87 (6) and the take-up reel structure (4) several disc cutters (10) are arranged which cut the wide label web into narrow strips (2a, 2b, 2c) of a desired width, whereupon these strips are taken uP bY aPProPriately sized reels.
Similar to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 shows some more de-tails of the apparatus. Shown is the label web (2) which is pulled through the apparatus by means of a friction drive (11) via a drive motor with impulse generator (12).
Arranged above the label tape (2) is an image transmis-sion drum (13) which has its upper surface exposed to a laser beam and which transmits the laser generated image from its lower side to the label web (2). The length D
on the circumference of the image transmission drum (13) from the exPOsure to the laser beam to the point of image transmission onto the label web corresponds to the dis-tance D in front of the image transmission drum (13) where a light barrier (14) consisting of an emitter (15) and a receiver (16) is arranged. Emitter ~15) and re-ceiver (16) of this light barrier are mounted on pivotarms such that the emitter (15) may be pivoted upwardly for insertion of the label web (2) and then again re-turned to its oPerating position. The flash lamP (6) with reflector ~17) is also arranged above the label web ~2). The image transmission drum (13) as well as the flash lamp (6) with its reflector are arranged in the up-per housing part (7). The drive motor (12) as well as additional electronic and electric devices, that is, the charging unit L and the control device ST, are received in the housing base (9).
This, all together provides for a comPact unit which can be fed on one side with a wide label web for multiple utilization and from which, at the other side, rolls of desired width can be taken out which paper rolls are provided with very accurately represented freely se-lectable inscriptions while the possibility of Pivoting 2 0 8 ~ 8 Case T87 the upper housing part open facilitates operation and servicing.
Claims (12)
SUPPORTED LABELS
PATENT CLAIMS:
1. Continuous-web/label laser printer for the imprinting of continuous webs and of continuous-web supported labels wherein the label web comprises a carrier web spooled into a roll and which carries removably disposed thereon normal to the longitudinal direction of the web adhesive-coated labels of paper, cardboard, metal foil or plastic, and the unimprinted label web roll is disposed at the front end of a housing receiving all the equipment and, after imprinting, is rewound at the other housing end, and wherein the laser printer includes a fixing station which fixes the toner transferred onto the labels via the imaging drum, characterized in that the toner-fixing station comprises a flash lamp (10) which is not in contact with the label web (2) and adapted to emit impulses with an impulse frequency between 1-5 Hz in the light/infrared range with an electric energy to about 1500 Ws/impulse, corresponding to an adjustable energy density of up to 20 Ws/cm2, and which is energized via a high frequency power supply whose flash condenser achieves a flash voltage of about 650V, that an about parabolically shaped reflector with a radiation opening of about 30 mm when measured in the longitudinal direction of the web is disposed above the flash lamp (10), that a cooling apparatus (11) is provided which cools the flash lamp (10) with about 20 l/s cooling air and further suction equipment for drawing 12 Case T87 away the toner vapors is provided which suction equipment discharges via filter (12), that between the fixing station (flash lamp 10) and the rewinding structure (4) a longitudinal cutting arrangement (10) is arranged, and that the rewinding structure (4) comprises a plurality of reels separated by discs but with a common drive.
2. A continuous-web/label laser printer ac-cording to claim 1, characterized in that the flash lamp emits in the range of 700 nm to 1100 nm.
3. A continuous-web/label laser printer ac-cording to claim 2, characterized in that the glass of the flash lamp is such that it acts as a UV filter.
4. A continuous-web/label laser printer ac-cording to claim 1, characterized in that the flash con-denser comprises a plurality of individual condensers ar-ranged in a parallel circuit.
5. A continuous-web/label laser printer ac-cording to claim 1, characterized in that a light barrier is provided for sensing the--in moving direction--front edge of the labels or of the hole edges if the carrier webs have side holes.
6. A continuous-web/label laser printer ac-cording to claim 5, characterized in that the light bar-rier is a fork-type barrier including a sender and a re-ceiver, each part being arranged on the arms of a flap with the label web being received therebetween.
7. A continuous-web/label laser printer ac-cording to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the dis-tance of the light barrier from the line of contact of the imaging drum with the label web is equal the circum-ferential distance of the image drum between this line of contact and the laser beam admission location on the imaging drum.
8. A continuous-web/label laser printer ac-cording to claim 1, characterized in that a common drive motor is provided for the imaging drum and the developer unit of the laser exposure unit and also for the drive 13 Case T87 drum with pressure drum combined in a transport module and the longitudinal cutting equipment.
9. A continuous-web/label laser printer ac-cording to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that the longi-tudinal cutting arrangement (19) includes disc cutters which are mounted on a common drive shaft so as to be ax-ially movable and lockable.
10. A continuous-web/label laser printer ac-cording to claim 1, characterized in that the various components of the apparatus are disposed in the upper part or respectively in the base (7) of a housing wherein the upper part is pivotally supported on pivot hinges (8) having an axis disposed parallel or normal to the longi-tudinal direction and in the plane of the label web.
11. A continuous-web/label laser printer ac-cording to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft of the rewinding structure is connected to the drive motor via a magnetic clutch providing for a constant limited pulling force.
12. A continuous-web/label laser printer ac-cording to claim 1, characterized in that the high frequency power supply has a power consumption which is constant depending on its respective setting.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP4018025.5 | 1990-06-05 | ||
| DE4018025A DE4018025A1 (en) | 1990-06-05 | 1990-06-05 | ENDLESS LASER LABEL PRINTER |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2080458A1 true CA2080458A1 (en) | 1991-12-06 |
Family
ID=6407832
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002080458A Abandoned CA2080458A1 (en) | 1990-06-05 | 1991-06-04 | Laser printer for continuous-web supported labels |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0532645B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH05509174A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE113397T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2080458A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE4018025A1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2062800T3 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1991019231A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4223408C2 (en) * | 1992-07-16 | 1995-11-23 | Metronic Geraetebau | Laser beam printing device |
| CA2100424A1 (en) * | 1992-08-10 | 1994-02-11 | Jacob W. Ruppenthal | Continuous web laser printing system |
| DE19548470C2 (en) * | 1995-12-22 | 1997-10-09 | Baasel Rabe Lasertechnik Gmbh | Device for the feed control of unassembled endless writing paths in a laser marking system for labels |
| DE19726236C2 (en) * | 1997-06-20 | 2002-11-07 | Weidmueller Interface | laser |
| DE19758483C2 (en) * | 1997-06-20 | 2001-03-29 | Weidmueller Interface | Laser printer |
| EP1299242B1 (en) | 2000-07-11 | 2011-10-12 | Textilma Ag | Installation for continuously producing an imprinted textile strip, especially a label strip |
| US7029111B2 (en) * | 2000-08-31 | 2006-04-18 | Textilma Ag | Unit for the continuous production of printed textile strips, in particular printed label strips |
| AU2001285640A1 (en) | 2000-11-15 | 2002-05-27 | Textilma Ag | Installation for producing a printed textile strip, especially a label strip |
| GB2414214B (en) * | 2004-05-19 | 2008-01-09 | Intense Photonics Ltd | Printing with laser activation |
| JP6288492B2 (en) * | 2013-09-30 | 2018-03-07 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Tape printer and printed tape roll |
| US11158213B2 (en) | 2018-10-19 | 2021-10-26 | Iconex Llc | Tamper-evident label |
| WO2022031799A1 (en) * | 2020-08-07 | 2022-02-10 | Iconex Llc | Tamper-evident media |
| US11881125B2 (en) | 2021-01-29 | 2024-01-23 | Iconex Llc | Labels with liner separation feature |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2033109A5 (en) * | 1969-02-27 | 1970-11-27 | Int Nickel Ltd | Thermoplastic powder deposition in electro - static copying |
| US4137340A (en) * | 1975-09-16 | 1979-01-30 | Agfa-Gevaert N.V. | Method for fixing electrophoretically formed toner images |
| DE2750485C2 (en) * | 1977-11-11 | 1982-06-24 | Agfa-Gevaert Ag, 5090 Leverkusen | Electrostatic copier |
| JPS5536836A (en) * | 1978-09-08 | 1980-03-14 | Ushio Inc | Toner fixing method |
| US4347525A (en) * | 1979-10-22 | 1982-08-31 | Markem Corporation | Electrostatic label printing system |
-
1990
- 1990-06-05 DE DE4018025A patent/DE4018025A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1991
- 1991-06-04 WO PCT/EP1991/001027 patent/WO1991019231A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1991-06-04 DE DE59103370T patent/DE59103370D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-06-04 CA CA002080458A patent/CA2080458A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-06-04 AT AT91911447T patent/ATE113397T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1991-06-04 JP JP3510029A patent/JPH05509174A/en active Pending
- 1991-06-04 EP EP91911447A patent/EP0532645B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-06-04 ES ES91911447T patent/ES2062800T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE59103370D1 (en) | 1994-12-01 |
| JPH05509174A (en) | 1993-12-16 |
| ES2062800T3 (en) | 1994-12-16 |
| EP0532645B1 (en) | 1994-10-26 |
| WO1991019231A1 (en) | 1991-12-12 |
| EP0532645A1 (en) | 1993-03-24 |
| DE4018025A1 (en) | 1991-12-12 |
| ATE113397T1 (en) | 1994-11-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |