CA2512250A1

CA2512250A1 - Label sheet design for easy removal of labels

Info

Publication number: CA2512250A1
Application number: CA002512250A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Galen Wong; Steven C. Weirather; Jerry G. Hodsdon; Inge Bachner; Martin Utz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: CCL Label Inc
Priority date: 2003-02-28
Filing date: 2003-02-28
Publication date: 2004-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-28
Also published as: JP2006514335A; JP4029353B2; CN100504964C; AU2008243283B2; EP2277689B1; CN1744987A; DK1597061T3; CA2512250C; ES2489515T3; EP1597061A4; WO2004078468A1; AU2008243283A1; EP2277689A1; AU2003217779B2; MXPA05008849A; EP1597061A1; EP1597061B1; AU2003217779A1

Abstract

A label sheet (1) having a release liner (16) and a column of labels (12) releasably adhered thereto is modified to allow easy removal of the labels. The liner has a weakened separation line (30) formed by cuts and ties runnin g underneath a column of labels near the edge of the labels, and notches (18) at the top and bottom of the sheet aligned with the cuts and ties. A matrix (14 ) surrounding the labels, if present, also has cuts and ties, with the cuts an d ties in the matrix parallel to and slightly offset from the cuts and ties in the liner. The separation lines are strong enough that the label sheet can b e fed through a printer, yet weak enough that a user can tear off the liner an d matrix along the separation lines, thus leaving a minor edge of a column of labels exposed for easy removal from the label sheet.

Description

Y.,A~EL SHEET xIES GN FOR EASY REMO'V'AL OF LA$ELS
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[000~1~ None.
Fi~E.D OF THE INVENTION
[0002 The present invention relates to label sheets. M~re particularly, the present invention relates t~ a design f~r label sheets in which the 'abets may be easily r~rx~oved.
ACKGI'tOUND 01"r THE INVENTION
[~~0~~ address labels ~n printable ~q~~ ~~ ~ ~ and ~~ sheets have beei-i its, use ~~r a number of years as a rv~eans of prinfiing wniediunt $~ large number ~f addresses or oth~r information in a relatively short period ~f fin's. After the lab~I
she~ts hav~ been printed, these labels must then be removed from the sheet and applied to an envelope ~r ~eher s~&~s~rafie. The standard m~~sh~d for removing tha IaE~els bas hand Is that the user bends I~acl~ the label si~e~t sor~e~~9here in the vicinity ~f ~ne ~f the edges ~r terriers ~f the fiirst: label t~ be rem~ved. This causes a separati~n be~een the label and the liner.
The user grasps the label in the area where the separati~n has been created, and rem~ves the label from the sheet. This ~peration is then repeated f~r each.
tabs'. This operation can be somewhat difficult anc9 time consuming, and requires a fair arrt~unt of manual dexterity. In addition, s~me cearnbinati~ns of materials such ~as a thin ~r flexible face and thick paper liner can be difficult t~ die cut without cutting into the liner. then the die cut extends into the liner, the user can accidentally tear off a section of the liner in the process of removing the label from the liner.
[0004 label strips or webs have also been invented for use with automated label removal and placement machinery. U.S. Patent N~. 5,788,284 issued to Hirst disclos~s a label strip with a cut running down the centerline of the release liner and underneath SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) the center of the individual labels. The label strip moves over a V-shaped notch in a separator plate, thereby automatically separating the labels from the release liner.
[0005] U.S. Patent No. 5,182,152 issued to Ericson discloses a Bible index label dispensing sheet having a weakened line in the backing and fold lines in the individual labels. A release strip overlies the weakened backing line on one side of each horizontal row of labels. The release strip acts as an adhesive tape to prevent premature rupture of the sheet. The user grasps and pulls away the release strip, and tears off the backing from a portion of the horizontal row of labels.
SUMMARY OF TtiE tNVBNTIoN
jO~6The present invention provides a label sheet assembly which may be fed through a printer such as a laser printer, an ink jet printer, or other printer attached to a .
personal computer, for desktop printability. Thereaf#er, a narrow strip of the release liner oan be torn ~in a single rn~ri~n. 'This e~~poses a nary~w strip of eaoh labs!
~~~ithin a~ r~~~~
~r ~iumn ~f labels, al!~~~~mg the labels ~~ be easily ram~ved and p6ad ~n sorn~ ~ther object ~r substrate one-by-one.1n a Babel sheet ~~~hich has a border ~r n~aBri surrounding the labels andlor running between the labels or portions of the labels, both the r~lease liner and the matrix have weakened separation lines therein. The separation line ~~~ fom~~d by a s~rl~~ of c~~s and ~i~ 6~-~ ~h~ r~l~as~ liner and in "~1~~ rr~~t~~~. T&~a ties ~rc~ pr~i~rably s~rQrdg~at e'i~~r ~~h~ edges ~~ thcsheep and ~~~~aC~e~' in the interior porn~~ ~# the sheet. This allows the sheet t~ resist tearing along the eveakened separation lines due t~ normal handling or printing ire the printer, but once the tearing has begun the tearing continues easily until err entire strip of the release liner has been stripped away. A notch is preferably formed in a release liner and the matrix if applicable at each end of the wealgened separati~r~ line. The notch is aligned with the weakened separation lines in both the liner and in the matrix. The notch helps to ensure that tearing will begin along the weakened separation lines. The two separation lines .
are sufficiently close together that the user can tear away the strip of release liner from the remainder of the sheet in a single motion without having to remove a separate release strip, and the tearing, once begun, will continue until the release liner is tom entirely away from the remainder of the sheet. The size of the cuts and the size of the SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) ties are chosen so that the assembly is strong enough to be fed through a printer such as a laser printer or an ink jet printer, but weak enough 5o thaf the user can tear off the release liner strip along the separation line in an easy and fluid motion without any other mechanical preparation of the label sheet between the printing and the tearing steps.
The ratio of cut length to overall separation line length is greater than 959~o to ensure ease of separation. Preferably, the separation line lies approximately 0.6 centimeters (approximately °/ inch) from the edge of a column or column of labels.
In this way there is sufficient overhang of the exposed portion of the labels that a user can easily grasp the labels, but a sheet of labels which has had one column or column of labels partially exposed will not have so much exposed adhesive area that the label sheet will readily stick to a desk or other surface on which the label sheet is placed.
[000'T~ In one aspect therefore the invention is of a Iabe1 sheet assembly mod~ed for easy rem~val of labels by hand~ oor~aprusing a release liner and a sheet ~f ffacest~cl~
n~aterlal releasably adhered t~ the release lir~ere the fas~~ocl~ material including at least a ~t lu~~~ ~f labels f~ru~oed ti~erein and a n~atri~ at least pa~tiaily bordering the I~h~lso ~~~herein a i rrst ~~eal~r~ned s eparation line is f~rmed i~'~ the ~~leas~ liner bel~w tt ~e coiumn of labels and offset from a center of the column of labels toward an edge of the labels, and a second wakened separation line is f~rs~e~ in the matrix running generally p~r~lt~l ~s~ t°°I'~a ~~~rst ~~~9eaE~en~d ~~par~~l~n line. The relea~~ lir~r~r i~~~ a no~cf~ aligned ~n~"rl-~
the ~,~~~o ~~,~eairen~d separa$ion lines, arid preferrably a n~~~ch at e~har er~d ~f tte separati~n lines. The weaken~d separation lines are ~ffset from each other by a shorE
di nce s~ that a user can tear off' a strip ~f the litter and a strip of the matrix in a single motion leaving each label within the cofurrtr~ of labels with a portion of its liner rergroved, thereby allowing easy removal of th~ labels fr~rr~ the label sheet assembly aft~r the tearing operation without the need f~r the user to perform any other physical preparati~n of the label sheet between the printing and tearing operations. The weakened separation lines are preferably formed by cuts and ties in the liners and cuts and ties in the matrix when present, with the strongest of the ties being positioned next to the edges of the assembly or the notch when present. Far Iabe1 sheets having multiple SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) columns of labels, the sheet has a weakened separation line in the liner and in the matrix when present below each column of labels.
(0008] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be further described below with reference to the drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts.
BRIEF DESCRlPTtON Ol' THE DRAWINGS
j0009] F1G.1 is a plan view of the label sheet according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0010' FIG. 2 is a close up of the lower right hand corner of the label sheet of FIG.1.
j0011 j FIG~ 9 shows the back side of the portion of fibs label sheet shown in FtG. .
j0012] FIG. a shows a first method of using the label sheet of FtG.1.
j0013] FIG. 5 shows the label sheet of FIG. 4 after strip ~8 has been completely ~'en~~v~d.
j~01~] FtG~ ~ sho~~~s a sec~nd sr~eth~d ~f using the label sheet ~f FOG~ ~.
j~~~~ F~~. ~ shoes a label sheet acce~rding t~ a send e~~tbodiment of the present invention.
~~~~u ~~ ~'Q~o ~' iBlu~r~ra~e~ ~ rdhird erral2~dirr~en~ ~i she i~~~~n~iora ~,~,~i"~h~noechu~s at the edges ~f the assembly.
~~'AI~EI~ ~ES~I~'t"!~N O~ ~E~I.Ai~'EI~~~lIEN~S
[~I~1'~~ FtG.1 sho~ss label sheet assembly 10 in which the labels can be easily peeled acc~arding to a first ernbodinlent of the present invention. The label assembly 10 is .preferably ~f an overall standard size such as 8-1/~ inches by 11 inches, or (approximately 21 om X9.7 cm), or 4 inches by 6 inches, or other sire compatible with standard printers used with personal computers. Assembly 10 includes a release liner sheet or simply release liner 16 with a sheet of facestock material releasably adhered thereto via a pressure sensitive adhesive. The release liner 16~is coated with a thin layer of release material such as silicone, or is otherwise constructed or treated such .
that the labels can be easily removed therefrom. The sheet of facestock material SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) comprises a generally rectangular sheet of paper or film facestoek with a plurality of labels 12 formed therein such as by die cutting. The section of the facestock sheet not used for labels constitutes the border or matrix 14, In the figure the facestock sheet is shown smaller than the release liner 16, although it is not necessary that the facestock sheet be smaller than the release liner. Additionally, although the assembly 10 is shown with a matrix, it is not necessary for the invention that the label assembly 10 includes a matrix 14 surrounding and/or between labels 1~.
[0018 FIG. ~ shows a close up of the lower right hand corner of the label assembly 1 (1 of FIG.1. The matrix 14 has a weakened separation line ~0 form~d therein near one edge of the column of labels. Matriac separation fine 20 includes a plurality of exits ~2 and a plurality of small ties 24, The liner includes a weakened~separatlon line 30 which is shorn in phantom in FIG. 2. This weakened separation line or liner separation line 3~ runs generally from on~ edge ~f the asserrnbly 1 ~ t~ an opposit~ edge of the assembly 't~ and runs preferably linearly beneath labels 1~ al~ng a hamn ~f labels, near an edge ~f the labels. t~referably liner separa~n lirqe ~~ runs less than one centi~teter from the edge of the labels~ and n~~ro p~'ef'e~bly appr~~~in~ately ~.~
centimeters (approximately'~°. Inch) from the edge of the labels. Liner separation line 30 is shown running vertically underneath a column of labels h~~~ever0 th~
assembly can alternatively bo ~n~fr~a~~~ ~~a~G~ ~"~i~a~ th~ separa~~lon Iin~Q run r~~ri~.oneall~ E~er~~a~h a roc~,~ ~~ labels. Lin~r 1 ~ also ~p~~nally includes a poach ~ ~ generally ire alige~me~>t '~~,~ith the lines s~par~tion line 30 and the cuts and ties 22I~~ in matrix 14. As sh~wn in FtG.
1 ~ a similar structure of weakened separation lines and notches is created at the top right hand corner of the assembly. Additi~nally, assembly 1~ includes fwo ~ther sets of weakened separation lines and notches, one set for each colurrm of labels with the weakened separation lines running underneath the column of labels at approximately ~.8 centimeters from one edge thereof. If the assembly 1 D had laeen laid out to include a different number of columns of labels, e.g. two columns, four columns, five columns, etc., the assernbiy would include a corresponding number of sets of separation lines and notches. Arrows printed on the facestock material instruct or encourage the user to begin tearing the assembly at notches 18. Alternatively, other instructional indicia or SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) written instructions, such as the words °Tear Hare" or the like, could be printed on tha assembly.
[00191 The distance between liner separation line 30 and the cuts and ties 22124 in the matrix which form matrix separation line 20 is exaggerated in the figures for illustration;
purposes. The separation lines in the liner and in the matrix are preferably placed close enough together such that, after assembly 10 has been printed on by a printer, a user can tear off the strip 26 of liner and matrix as illustrated in FIC. 4 in a single quid motion without any further physical preparation of assembly 10 being required between the printing and the tearing steps. At the same time, the separation lines are slightly separated so that the portion of the matrix overlying liner separation line 30 helps to keep liner 16 from prematurely tearing, and the portion of the liner underneath matrix separation line 20 helps to keep the matri'c from prematurely tearing. Another reason for offsetting the two separati~n lines has t~ do with the manufacturing process. If th~, separation liras in the fastocl~ ~~~ere to be die cut dire~l~~ over the separation line in i:~ m liner, the die pressing into the fastocl~ ~,~~~~ald hare a tendency to dof~~
the facestocl~
material rath~r than cc~t cleanly into it bemuse there ~s~~~~~cld ~bc~
ir~su~cient liner strength to support the dies cutting into the facestock. Therefore, the two separation lines are preferably offset by enough distance such that normal manufacturing tolerrans are ~nlil~~l~q t~ prod~~ a c~~~~r~-pat sid~~tiobd. Frc~~u~~rabl~. rna~de sepa~ti~n line ~0 is o~se~~
the liner ~eparaii~r~ line 3~ by Oess f~han 3 n~rn; more prefebly, thQ ~~~~
are separated by less than 2 mrn; more preferably still, the two are separate by less than 9 mm. It has been found that an ~ftsef distance of appro~irnately ~.~ mm produces good results for ical sheets of paper labels. kiowever, the exact separation distance is not critical.
Furthermore, the preferred separation distance can vary depending upon the thickness and strength of the liner and matrix, the strength of the pressure sensitive adhesive and the effectiveness of the release liner, the overall size of the assembly, and other factors.
[0020] FI6. 3 shows the back side of the lower right hand corner of the label assembly illustrated in FIG. 2. Liner separation line 30 is illustrated in greater detail. It includes a plurality of cuts 32, and plurality of ties 36 and 38. In the embodiment shown two small ties 36 lie underneath the matrix, and one small tie 38 lies, underneath each SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) label 12. The particular locations of the ties are not critical. Additionally, release Liner 16 includes a IargE tie 39 near notch 18 or, if no notch is present, near the edge of release liner 16.
[0021] soth the matrix separation line 20 and the liner separation line 30 run parallel to the edge of a column of labels and disposed about 0.6 centimeters from the edge of the column. The exact distance is not critical. Preferably, however, the separation lines are offset from the edge of the column of labels far enough so that when strip 2fi is removed labels 12 can be easily grasped and removed by the user. At the same time, the separation lines are close enough to the edge of th~ labels such that when strip 26 is removed a narrow enough edge of the labels is exposed so that when the label she~t is placed onto a table or similar surFace, the exposed edge of the unr~moved labels 12 d~
not easily and inadvertently stick to the table.
~002~~ The paarpose of these str~sctures ~~~III r~~~~ he described with referenoo to ~D~
and ~ ~i~ ~ sho~~~s ~r~e method of using the label sheet assembly ~f ~~~o ~.
For p~arp~ses of this discs~ssior~, it v~il1 be assumed that th~ upper right hand corner ~f label asserrrbly 't~ has a stru~'~ur~ ~ehat, Is tl~e mirror image of th~ structure shown in ~1~~ 2, with corresponding parts having the same reference designators. The user grasps one cs~rr~er ~ I~bel assembly 1~ at appro~.~i~aatel~ position 2'~ ~,~~i~h one th~rnb and f~r~fbn~~rr arid ~,~~ith r~C~~o~~i~er ~dhumb and ~~a~~d~r~g~r g~°a~p~ r~i~e r~~rro~,~~ ~~rip 2~ of r~laaso liner arid rnatr~~~ ~~ as to focus the shear forces at n~~ch ~ ~ arod large tie ~~ r and begor~s tearing strip 26 away from the rest of the sheet. After large tie ~1 Is brohenr the teaatng away of matrix liner strip 26 progresses relatively easily through small ties 36 and ~6 within release liner 16, and through srn all ties 24 within r~natrix 14, until strip 26 is completely t~rn ~~. This leaves the label assembly 10 as shown in ~f . , i.e., with one colurrtn of labels 12 mostly attached to the release liner 16 but haying a relatively narrow strip of the labels with the underlying liner portion removed. The user can then easily peel off the individual labels 12 by hand one~by-one as desired without having to bend and manipulate the assembly 10 each time the user wishes to remove the next label.
[0023] F1G. 6 5haws a second method of using label sheet assembly 10 of PIG.1.
The assembly includes three sets of vertical separation lines, one set of separation lines SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) associated with each column of labels. The separation lines divide the assembly into three individual portions 40, 50 and 60 which may be individually separated from each other. In FIC. 8, the left hand portion 40 has been separated from the center portion 50 and right hand portion 60. The labels within left hand portion 40 are now ready to be easily peeled one by one from the liner and applied to envelopes or other substrate.
Sections 50 and GO do not have any portions of the labels with their adhesive sides exposed. Thus, portions 50 and 60 can be handled andlor stored for later use without any degradation of the adhesive on the backs of those labels, Remaining portion 50/60 could even be fed through a printer for later printing. For example, if only ten or fewer labels needed to be printed and used, the user could run assembly 10 through the printer and print only on labels within the column of labels in section 40.
The user would then separate section 40 and use the labels within that section. Remaining sections 50160 would be stored for later use. When additional labels are ready to be putted, th~
l2~bel assembly c~uld be fed thr~ugh the p~-i~l$er beginning ~,~~ith the righ~~ hand ~dga ~f s~ction 0~. Iternati~ely~ the s~~~~are could b instructed t~ shift the printing ~f labels over $~ the right slightly ur~m the normal p~siti~n, such.that sect~n 5~/60 ~uld be fief through the printer beginning with the left hand side of section 50. The software.could be c~mrr~anded to make such an adjustment by a selectable so ~ re switch or option.
~sir~g ~l~is IaP~'~;e~ r~o~thc~a ~ fire; ~t~m~~ of labels a.0 old f~~
prir~~~~'a torn ~~ and s~~~~d~
at a later tune a se~rod ~lumn of labels ~~ c~uld b~ pdnt~d, torn ~~, arid used and at a later time still a third column of labels 60 could be printed and used.
[0025] The size of the cuts and the size of the ties are chosen so that the assembly is strong enough to be fed through a printer such as a laser printer or an ink jet printer, but weak enough so that the user can tear off the release liner strip along the separation line in an easy and fluid motion without any other mechanical preparation of the label s SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) sheet between the printing and the tearing steps. The ratio of cut length to overall separation line length is greater than 95% to ensure ease of separation. It has been found that an average tensile strength of the facestock and liner along the separation lines of 5 gm/cm produces good results, and it is expected that values of about 4 gmlcm to 10 gm/cm would also produce good results, and that value of about 2 gmlcm to 15 gm/cm would also be acceptable.
[D02s~ FI~. 8 shows a third embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in Ft~.1, except that the label assembly doss not include notches.
[~~~TI As shown in FiGS.1 and 2, the facest~ck material is slightly smaller than the liner 18 such that matrix 14 does not extend t~ the edge of the label assembly. If the facestock were to extend fio the edge of the label sheet, it would be desirable to form notch 18 in both matrix 14 and liner 16.
[DQfl~ In yet another possifcle en~bodirnent, the label asserr~bl~~ o~old n~t ev~n inclc~d~
a rrta6d~~ bora~errng the labels. i~ FOo ~, f~r e~r~~ple, matri~~ 1uio~ bo entire9y stripped from the label sheet bef~re the product os sold. ~It~rnatively9 the entire shee$ ~f facestock n~ater'tal could be die cut such that the entirety of the facestock material formed labels. The facestock material could either take up the sarrre amount of .
facasyl, area sh~~,~~n in ~~r~ 01, er ~ si~e~l~c~rar~h~ s~'~aller ~~e~.
I~ea~'dle~s of hog,~,~ ~hv f~~~~cC~ rnzrial ~~~ere c~str~~~edo ~G~aped~ end ce~tn a label sS~e~t ~,~~itS~os~~ a matri~~
~uld s~;ill empl~~ the present irwenti~n s~ that a narrra~~~ strip ~f liner r~nateriai ~uld be easily ramov in a fluid motion from a number of labels at a single time, thus e~~pcasing a ruinor p~rtior~ of those labels so that they c~uld thereafter be easily removed from the remaining portion of the liner.
~D02] In a still further embodiment, the label sheet could be symmetrical. For example, a label sheet could include two colur~nns of labels. For the right hand column of labels, separation lines would be offset slightly from the right hand edge of that right hand column of labels, and far the left hand column of labels, separation lines would be offset slightly from that left hand edge of the left hand column of labels.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0030 Additionally, 'tt will be understood that the present invention can be used with various types and media of labels such as metallic foil, clear plastic, MYLAR~, and other well known materials. The labels could be colored or clear, and could contain pre.
printed indicia such as text, two dimensional graphic or photographic images, or holographic images. The invention could be used with a variety of printing devices including but not limited to printers for use with a personal computer.
f003')j The present invention is well suited for applications in which the labels will be individually removed by hand. (iowever, the invention is not limited to hand use. The invention could be used with automated cttachinery for tearing strip 2fi away and thereafter placing labels 12 on a substrate. The inventson could also be used in applications in which a plurality of labels are to be positioned over one or more substrate objects and applied thereto as a group in the same relative positions on which th~se Labels are f~und on label assembly 1~.
It ~~~ti be apprecf~ed that the teem "present inventl~r ap as used herein should not b~ constnaed to mean that only a single iriventlon having a single esse~otial element ~r gr~up ~f elen~eni;~ i~ pr~send. Altt°~~ugh the prese~~t invention has thus b~en described in detail with regard to the preferred embodiments and drawings that~of, it should be apparent B~ those spilled in the ale that various adaptations and naodl~~c~E6on~
~~ ~W~e pre~en~ in~en~ion mad i~~ ac~~rnpbi~Gied ~~~i~~6~c,u~~~ depa~i~'~g tr~~ t~t~ spirit and the scope ~f the invonti~n. for a~~ae~pl~, different si~e~ o~ label assemblies cs~uld be used, either with or without matrices. The labels could be of vac'sous she and sues, and need not all be of the same shape or sire. The pressure sensitive adhesive could be weak or str~ng. The term standard si~e~~ will be understo~d to mean approximately standard sip~, and ~~-1i~ in. ~ 11 in.~' and t9A-~" and the like will be understood to m~an appr~imately~those sizes. The weakened separation lines could be formed by vats~us known methods. The weakened separation lines are generally linear and parallel, but need not be strictly linear or strictly parallel. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the detailed description and the accompanying drawings as set forth hereinabove are not intended to limit the breadth of the present invention, which should be inferred only from the following claims and their appropriately construed legal equivalents.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

1. A label sheet assembly modified for easy removal of labels by hand, comprising:
a release liner; and a sheet of facestock material releasably adhered to the release liner, the facestock material including labels, said labels including at least a first label column, the facestock material further including a matrix bordering said labels on at least two sides of said labels, each label abutting at least a portion of the matrix and separated therefrom by die cuts;
wherein:
a first weakened separation line is formed in the release liner, the first weakened separation line running below the labels within the label column and offset from a center of the label column toward are edge thereof;

a distance front said first weakened separation line and said edge of said label column is less than 1cm such that a partially used latest sheet assembly may be placed on a flat working surface such as a table without creating a significant adhesive bond between said labels and said flat surface;

a second weakened separation line is formed in the matrix, the second weakened separation line running generally parallel to the first weakened separation line;

the release liner has a notch therein, the notch being aligned with the first and second weakened separation lines;

the first and second weakened separation lines are offset from each other by an offset distance, said offset distance being less than 2 mn, so that a user can tear off a strip of the liner and a strip of the matrix in a single motion leaving each label within said column of labels with a first portion of its underlying liner removed and a second portion of its underlying liner remaining, thereby allowing easy removal of said labels from said label sheet assembly after said tearing operation without the need for the user to first perform any other physical preparation of the label sheet prior to said tearing operation.

2. The label sheet assembly of claim 1 wherein:
the second weakened separation line is defined by a plurality of cuts and ties in the liner;
a strongest one of said ties is positioned next to said notch: and a plurality of weaker ties are positioned along said weakened separation line underneath the label column.

3. The label sheet assembly of claim 1 wherein:
said facestock further includes at least a second label column, each label column having associated therewith respectively a weakened separation line in the release liner, a weakened separation line in the matrix, and a notch in the liner at each end of the weakened separation line in the liner.

4. The label sheet assembly of claim 1 wherein said assembly is of a size suitable for printing on a printer attached to a personal computer, and wherein said assembly is strong enough to be fed through and printed upon by said printer.

5. The label sheet assembly of claim 4 wherein said assembly is approximately 8-1/2 inches × inches.

6. The label sheet assembly of claim 4 wherein said assembly is approximately A4 sized.

7. The label sheet assembly of claim 4 wherein said assembly has a plurality of label columns arranged lengthwise on said assembly.

8. A label sheet assembly modified for easy removal of labels by hand, comprising:
a release liner: and a sheet of facestock material releasably adhered to the release liner, the facestock material including at least one column of labels formed therein;
wherein:
a first weakened separation line is formed in the release liner, the first weakened separation tine running below the column of labels and offset from a center of the column of labels toward an edge thereof; and the assembly is sufficiently strong along said first weakened separation line such that the assembly can be fed through a printer in communication with a personal computer, yet is sufficiently weak such that a user can tear off a strip of the liner in a single motion leaving each label within said column of labels with a minor portion of its liner removed, thereby allowing easy removal of said labels from said label sheet assembly after said tearing operation without the need for the user to first perform any other physical preparation of the label sheet prior to said tearing operation.

9. The label sheet assembly of claim 8 wherein:
the facestock material further includes a matrix on at least two opposing sides of said assembly and positioned over said weakened separation line;
a second weakened separation line is formed in the matrix, the second weakened separation line running generally parallel to the first weakened separation line; and said first and second weakened separation lines are close enough together that a user can tear off a strip of the liner and a strip of the matrix in a single motion leaving each label within said column of labels with a minor portion of its liner removed.

10. The label sheet assembly of claim 8 wherein said first weakened separation line is defined by a plurality of cuts and ties formed in the release liner.

11. The label sheet assembly of claim 9 wherein said second weakened separation line is defined by a plurality of cuts and ties formed in the matrix.

12. The label sheet assembly of claim 10 wherein said first weakened separation line includes at least one tie underneath each label within said column of labels.

13. The label sheet assembly of claim 9 wherein said release liner has a notch formed therein, the notch being aligned with both the first and second separation lines to facilitate a user tearing off the strip of liner and the stop of matrix along the first and second separation lines.

14. The label sheet assembly of claim 13 wherein said sheet of facestock material is smaller than the release liner, and the notch in the liner does not extend to the facestock.

15. The label sheet assembly of claim 8 wherein said first weakened separation line is offset from said second weakened separation line by an offset distance of less than 1.0 mm.

16. The label sheet assembly of claim 13 wherein the weakened separation line in the liner has a strongest point adjacent the notch.

17. The label sheet assembly of claim 9 wherein the weakened separation lines exhibit a combined average tensile strength within the range of about 2 gm/cm to 15 gm/cm.

18. The label sheet assembly of claim 6 wherein the assembly has a tong edge and a short edge, and said first weakened separation line runs parallel to said long edge.

19. The label sheet assembly of claim 8 wherein said first weakened separation line runs underneath labels of said first column of labels and less than 1 cm from an edge of said column of labels, such that a partially used label sheet assembly may be placed on a flat surface without creating a significant adhesive bond between said labels and said flat surface.

20. The label sheet assembly of claim 8 wherein said first weakened separation line is defined by a plurality cuts and ties in the liner, and wherein a ratio of cut length to overall separation line length is greater than 95%.

21. A label assembly suitable for use with a computer printer and having easily removed labels, comprising:
a backing sheet;
at least first and second aligned sets of labels releasably adhered to the backing sheet;
a first set of cuts and ties in the backing sheet parallel to and near an edge of said first aligned set of labels, and a second set of cuts and ties in the backing sheet parallel to and near an edge of said second aligned set of labels;
wherein:
the first and second sets of cuts and ties in the backing sheet provide a sufficient level of strength such that the assembly can be fed through and printed upon by a printer operatively connected to a personal computer; and immediately after said printing operation and without further mechanical change to the assembly:

a user can tear the assembly along said first set of cuts and ties thereby removing a portion of the backing sheet from said first aligned set of labels, to facilitate easy removal of labels within said first aligned set of labels individually from said backing sheet; and a user can tear the assembly along said second set of cuts and ties thereby separating the assembly into a first part containing the first aligned set of labels and a second part containing the second aligned set of labels.

22. The label assembly of claim 21 further comprising:
facestock material, said facestock material having cuts therein, the facestock material cuts being generally parallel to said backing sheet cuts and horizontally displaced less than 2 mm therefrom.

23. The label assembly of claim 21 wherein the ties in the backing sheet include at least first and second outer ties near edges of said backing sheet, and a plurality of inner ties disposed internal to said backing sheet relative to said first and second outer ties, said outer ties being stronger than said inner ties.

24. A desktop printable label sheet having labels which can be easily individually manually peeled far use, comprising:
a release liner haying a first linear weakened separation line therein;
a sheet of facestock material adhered to said release liner by a pressure sensitive adhesive, said facestock material including:
a plurality of labels, at least some of said labels overlying said weakened separation line; and a border surrounding said plurality of labels on at least two sides, said border having a second linear weakened separation line therein;
wherein said label sheet can be printed upon by a desktop printer, and a user can manually tear away in a single motion a narrow strip of said release liner and said border leaving at least some of said labels with a narrow strip of their respective underlying release liner portions removed such that said labels can thereafter be easily manually removed one-by-one from said label sheet.

25. The label sheet of claim 24 further including at least one notch at an edge of said release liner aligned with said first weakened separation line, such that a user can begin tearing away said narrow strip starting at said notch.

26. The label sheet of claim 24 wherein said first and second linear weakened separation lines are generally parallel and less than 2 mm apart.