EP0325515B1 - Method and device for printing luggage labels, particularly for air transport, and labels obtained - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the printing of specialized labels, in particular a luggage label, in particular for air transport.

Baggage tags for air transport are known which are simple sheets of paper carrying on one of their faces information relating to the owner of the baggage marked by the label as well as information relating to the route followed by the baggage. Generally a fixing means allows the attachment of the label around the handle of the luggage if it is a suitcase. For example, the fixing means is of the keyhole type extending near one end of the label. We pass through this keyhole the other end of the label so as to obtain a loop capable of surrounding the handle of the luggage.

Such labels are not satisfactory because the information carried by said labels is sometimes hidden or illegible depending on the position of the printed face of the label.

Indeed, to facilitate the routing and control of baggage from the check-in stations to the baggage compartments and vice versa from the baggage compartments to the baggage claim stations, it is desirable that the information carried by the label be legible whatever its position on the luggage.

It is also desirable that this information be readable remotely to allow routing and automatic baggage control.

One solution is to fold the two ends of a label on themselves and stick them on their internal faces free of printed information. The label thus produced has readable information on its two external faces. However, such an assembly has the disadvantage of requiring delicate and expensive handling.

Furthermore, to facilitate the control and routing of baggage, international air transport organizations require that the tags be provided with a plurality of detachable sections along lines of weakness during successive stops in the baggage route marked by the label.

The previous solution consisting of superimposing the ends of a label poses a problem difficult to solve, namely ensuring the perfect superposition of the weakening lines of said label sections.

The invention provides a solution to these problems.

An object of the invention is to propose a method of duplex printing, of a specialized label, in particular of a luggage label, in particular for air transport as well as its implementation device.

Another object of the invention is to obtain a label comprising a plurality of detachable sections on which are printed, recto-verso, information relating to the owner of the baggage marked by the label and information relating to the route followed by said baggage, for a further partition of the sections along said path.

Another object of the invention is to provide a label intended to be attached around a handle of a piece of luggage and comprising information that can be read remotely regardless of the position of attachment of the label.

The invention relates to a method for printing a specialized label, in particular a luggage label, in particular for air transport.

• ― a) faire défiler à partir d'un magasin une bande de papier continu présentant des lignes d'affaiblissement prédéterminées, au format de découpe et de partition ultérieure de tronçons de l'étiquette de bagage,
• ― b) prendre une position de référence sur l'étiquette,
• ― c) imprimer en deux postes successifs des informations voulues, sur chaque tronçon d'étiquette, d'une manière recto-verso,
• ― d) découper l'étiquette ainsi complétée en sa ligne d'affaiblissement d'extrémité, en vue de la délivrance de cette étiquette.

According to a general definition of the invention, the method comprises the following steps:

• A) scrolling from a magazine a strip of continuous paper having predetermined weakening lines, in the format of cutting and subsequent partitioning of sections of the luggage tag,
• - b) take a reference position on the label,
• - c) print in two successive positions desired information, on each section of label, in a two-sided manner,
• - d) cut the label thus completed in its end weakening line, for the issuance of this label.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, each section comprises information of the bar code type suitable for identifying the baggage marked by the label as well as information relating to the successive stops of the route followed by the baggage, in view a subsequent partition of the sections along said route.

According to another characteristic of the method according to the invention, the strip of paper is heat-sensitive and the printing of the information is of the thermal type.

According to yet another characteristic of the process according to the invention, the label comprises a pre-cut opening in the form of a keyhole and the reference position is taken on this pre-cut opening.

The invention also relates to a label obtained by the method according to the invention.

According to a general definition of the invention, the label consists of an elongated sheet of paper, of rectangular shape, comprising a plurality of sections printed on both sides and suitable for being detached along lines of weakness for a subsequent partition. of said sections.

According to another characteristic of the label according to the invention, each section comprises, in a two-sided manner, information of the bar code type suitable for identifying the baggage marked by the label as well as information relating to the successive stops of the path followed by the baggage, with a view to a subsequent partitioning of the sections along said path.

According to one aspect of the label according to the invention, the label comprises a notch formed on each wide edge of the label substantially in the middle to subdivide it into a first zone comprising a pre-cut opening in the form of a keyhole formed near a first narrow edge of the label and in a second zone provided with a plurality of sections of detachable labels along lines of weakness, so that the passage of the second narrow edge of the label in the keyhole up to the notches forms a loop capable of surrounding a handle with luggage.

The invention also relates to a device for printing a specialized label, in particular a luggage label, in particular for air transport, implementing the method according to the invention.

• ― un magasin pour loger une bande de papier continu présentant des lignes d'affaiblissement prédéterminées au format de découpe et de partition ultérieure de tronçons de l'étiquette,
• ― deux postes successifs d'impression pour imprimer des informations voulues sur chaque tronçon de l'étiquette d'une manière recto-verso,
• ― des premiers moyens d'entraînement pour faire défiler à partir du magasin la bande de papier continu devant les postes d'impression;
• ― des moyens de détection pour prendre une position de référence sur l'étiquette;
• ― des moyens de commande propres à mettre en marche les deux postes d'impression en réponse à la détection de la position de référence;
• ― des moyens de découpe pour découper l'étiquette en sa ligne d'affaiblissement d'extrémité; et
• ― des seconds moyens d'entraînement pour conduire à partir des deux postes successifs d'impression la bande de papier ainsi complétée devant les moyens de découpe en vue de la délivrance de cette étiquette.

According to a general definition of the device according to the invention, the device comprises:

• A magazine for accommodating a strip of continuous paper having predetermined weakening lines in the format of cutting and subsequent partitioning of sections of the label,
• Two successive printing stations for printing desired information on each section of the label in a two-sided manner,
• - first drive means for scrolling from the magazine the continuous paper strip in front of the printing stations;
• - detection means for taking a reference position on the label;
• - control means suitable for switching on the two printing stations in response to the detection of the reference position;
• - cutting means for cutting the label into its end weakening line; and
• - second drive means for driving from the two successive printing stations the paper strip thus completed in front of the cutting means for the issuance of this label.

According to another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the paper strip is of the heat-sensitive type and the two successive printing stations comprise thermal printing heads each cooperating with an anvil roller suitable for driving the label concerned.

According to another aspect of the device according to the invention, each section of label comprises information of the bar code type printed in a double-sided manner, suitable for identifying the baggage marked by the label as well as information relating to the successive stops of the path followed by the baggage, with a view to a subsequent partitioning of the sections along said path.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the label comprises a notch formed on each wide edge of the label, substantially in the middle to subdivide it into a first zone comprising a pre-cut opening in the form of a hole of a lock formed near a first narrow edge of the label and in a second zone provided with a plurality of sections of labels which can be cut along lines of weakness, so that the passage of the second narrow edge of the label The label in the keyhole up to the notches forms a loop capable of surrounding a handle with luggage.

• ― la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un mode de réalisation préféré du dispositif selon l'invention; et
• ― la figure 2 représente un exemple d'une étiquette obtenue par ledit dispositif selon l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings in which:

• - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention; and
• - Figure 2 shows an example of a label obtained by said device according to the invention.

The accompanying drawings contain elements of a certain character in many respects. They can therefore not only serve to clarify the description below, but also contribute to the definition of the invention, if necessary.

As shown in Figure 1, the present invention makes use of a spool 2 of a strip of continuous paper 4 (hereinafter called ribbon).

The continuous paper strip can also be conditioned as a screen.

The coil 2 supplies an inlet deflector 6. In the example illustrated, the coil is located above the deflector. It will however be observed that the supply by a reel makes it possible to place the paper magazine in any position with respect to the rest of the device.

The introduction of the ribbon 4 is carried out by a guide channel here consisting of idle rollers G1 and G2. The roller G1 cooperates by friction with the roller G2. The lower part of the channel is defined by the straight extension 8 of the deflector 6. The extension 8 ends in a lip 10 which will cooperate with the printing means which will be described in more detail below.

• ― une impression amont pouvant être recto et
• ― une impression aval pouvant être verso.

The ribbon is then led to two successive printing stations IT1 and IT2 mounted one behind the other on each side of the ribbon to carry out a double printing; to know:

• - an upstream print which can be front and
• - a downstream impression which can be back.

The printing stations IT1, respectively IT2 consist of a body C1, respectively C2, extended by a printing head T1, respectively T2. A recess between the head and the body of each printing station inclines the traget of the ribbon.

At the exit of the lip 10, the ribbon is driven by a roller G3 mounted opposite the print head T1 to drive the ribbon as well as to play the role of anvil for the T1 print head.

Similarly, at the exit from the first printing station IT1, the ribbon is supported by a roller G4 mounted opposite the printing head T2 to drive the ribbon as well as to play the role of anvil for the T2 print head.

A drive motor M, shown in dashed lines, drives the rollers G3 and G4 to run the ribbon past the print heads T1 and T2. The pressure exerted by the motor rollers G3 and G4 on the print heads T1 and T2 allows the ribbon to pass in front of said print heads. This pressure has a maximum value when the strip is perpendicular to the normal A1 defined by the head T1-roller pair G3 and to the normal A2 defined by the head T2-roller pair G4.

At the outlet of the second printing station IT2, the ribbon is led along a rectilinear guide channel 12. A detection barrier consisting of two detectors D1 and D2 arranged on either side of the guide channel 12 detects a position of reference defined on the ribbon.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ribbon has predetermined weakening lines in the format of cutting and subsequent partitioning of sections of the label. A pre-cut opening in the shape of a keyhole called by a person skilled in the art KEY HOLE is formed between each end weakening line to allow the fixing of the label around a handle of a piece of luggage. . Advantageously, the reference position is identified by the detection barrier on this pre-cut opening.

A control unit (not shown) processes the signal representative of this reference position delivered by the detection and control barrier in response to this signal, the printing of information on the tape, in a two-sided manner. In other words, in response to the reference position detected by the detection barrier D1, D2, the control unit issues a print order to the two printing stations which are now correctly placed according to the reference position . The correct placement of the print heads T1 and T2 is carried out under the orders of the control unit which controls the movement of the motor rollers G3 and G4 actuated by the motor M.

Thus, printing in a two-sided manner on the ribbon, is effected by means of the displacement of the ribbon in front of the printheads T1 and T2 which work in a synchronized and parallel manner. Since they are not placed in the same place but one behind the other, the printheads print different information.

The print heads T1, T2 are pivotally mounted to allow on the one hand in the high position the scrolling of the ribbon in front of said heads and on the other hand in the low position to allow in cooperation with the anvil rollers (G3, G4) printing of desired information on the relevant label.

For example, the printing stations IT1 and IT2 are thermal printers sold by the company MITSUBISHI (Japan) under the reference N56-8E-S

The printing stations IT1 and IT2 can be thermal transfer printers. In this case, despite the pressure exerted by the rollers G3 and G4, an ink ribbon can be placed between the print heads T1 and T2 and the strip of paper running past said print heads T1 and T2.

The pressure exerted by each couple (G3-T1 and G4-T2) is large enough to avoid any slippage between the theoretical position of the ribbon which is determined by the reference position identified by the detection barrier D1, D2 and the actual position of the ribbon in front of the print heads.

Once the printing of the information has been completed on the concerned faces of the ribbon, the latter is led along a guide channel 12 to a cutting station 14 and a new label can be introduced in front of the two printing stations IT1 , IT2. The guide channel 12 cooperates in its first outlet lip 15 with the cutting station 14.

The cutting station 14 is an electromagnetic cutter comprising an electromagnet EM1 having a plunger EM2 provided with an elastic return EM3 which supports the cutting piece EM4 of the cutter in cooperation with a block EM5. The EM5 chopping block has a central slot EM6 in which the cutting piece EM4 is supported. The elastic return EM3 allows the cutting part EM4 to return to a normal raised position (in FIG. 1, the part EM4 is illustrated in the cutting position).

The rectilinear guide channel 12 is extended after the cutting station 14 to its second outlet lip 16 which cooperates with two guide rollers G5 and G6, mounted idly. The roller G5 cooperates by friction with the roller G6.

The ribbon is kept stretched on one side between these two rollers G5 and G6 and on the other side between the roller G3 and the head T2 of the downstream printing station IT2 to allow separation under the control of the control unit. of the label opposite the ribbon. This separation takes place along the weakening lines at the end of the label by the descent of the cutting piece EM4 having a blunt edge on the ribbon kept taut.

Immediately behind the pair of rollers G5 and G6, there is provided a device for outputting labels thus cut, defined by two parts 20 and 22 whose thinned ends facing each other define the output slot 18.

Once the cutting has been completed on the label concerned, the latter is delivered at the outlet through the slot 18, and a new label can be introduced in front of the cutting station.

According to a variant of the invention, the use of the cutting station 14 is eliminated. Thus the label is directed into its outlet slot 18 without being separated from the continuous paper strip 4.

The label is delivered by pulling on its free end and tearing it from the strip of continuous paper along its end weakening line.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a label obtained by the present invention.

The label 25 is of elongated rectangular shape. It is made from a sheet of heat-sensitive paper. There is shown in part A of Figure 2 the back side of the label 25 and in part B of Figure 2, the front side. The label 25 comprises notches 27 formed on each wide edge 29 of the label 25 substantially in the middle. These notches 27 subdivide the label 25 into a first zone 31 and into a second zone 33.

The first zone 31 comprises a pre-cut opening 35 in the form of a keyhole formed near a narrow edge 37 of the label.

The second zone 33 is provided with a plurality of label sections individualized in FIG. 2A in 39-AV to 39-DV and in FIG. 2B in 39-AR to 39-DR. These label sections are detachable along lines of weakness 41 for a subsequent partition defined according to the path of the luggage marked by the label.

Advantageously, the section 39-DV is intended to serve as a control coupon. It includes for example information relating to the receipt of baggage marked by the label.

Section 39 D-R, i.e. the reverse side of section 39 DV is free of information. It is for example coated with glue in order to position it on a document given to the passenger (plane ticket, ...)

The printing stations IT1 and IT2 described above print information 43 of barcode type making it possible to identify the baggage marked by the label as well as information relating to the successive stops of the route followed by the baggage. This information 43 is capable of being read remotely by scanners in order to facilitate the routing as well as the control of baggage.

The fixing of such a label 25 around a handle of a piece of luggage is carried out by passing to the notches 27 the second narrow edge 45 of the label in the keyhole 35 to form a loop surrounding a handle of the luggage. The first zone 31 of the label thus serves as a loop to surround the handle of the luggage. The second zone 33 is used to personalize the label as well as for a subsequent partitioning of the label sections according to the path followed by the luggage.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described, but on the contrary extends to any variant included within the scope of the claims below.

Claims (12)

1. Method of printing a specialized label, particularly a luggage label, notably for air transport, characterized by the following steps:

― a) causing a continuous paper band (4) to pass out from a magazine (2), the band having predetermined lines of weakness (41) at the format for later cutting and dividing into pieces (39) of the luggage label,

― b) taking a reference position (35) on the label,

― c) printing, at two successive stations (IT1, IT2), desired information (43) on each label piece (39) in recto-and-verso printing, and

― d) cutting the label thus completed, along its end line of weakness, for the purpose of delivering this label.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the information batches (43) printed on each label piece (39) comprise bar codes adapted for identifying the luggage marked by the label and also information batches relating to the successive intermediate stops along the journey followed by the luggage, for the purpose of later division of the pieces along said journey.

3. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the paper is heat-sensitive and that the imprint of the information on each piece (39) of the label is of the thermal type.

4. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the label (25) comprises a precut opening (35) of keyhole shape for its attachment around a handle of the luggage, and in that the reference position is taken on this precut opening (25).

5. Label capable of being produced by the method according to Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the label is composed of a paper sheet comprising a plurality of pieces (39), printed recto-and-verso, and capable of being detached along lines of weakness (41) for a later separation of said pieces.

6. Label according to Claim 5, characterized in that each piece (39) comprises, on recto-and-verso, information printed in the form of bar codes adapted for identifying the luggage marked by the label, and also information relating to the successive intermediate stops along the journey followed by the luggage, for the purpose of later division along said journey.

7. Label according to Claim 4, characterized in that it is composed of a sheet of paper heat-sensitive on both recto-and-verso.

8. Label according to Claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a notch (27) formed on each long edge (29) of the label, substantially at its centre, for subdividing it into a first zone (31) comprising a precut opening (35) of keyhole shape formed near one short edge (37) of the label and a second zone (33), provided with a plurality of label pieces (39) capable of being cut off along lines of weakness (41), in such a manner that passing of the second, short edge (45) through the keyhole-shaped opening (35) as far as the notches (27) forms a loop capable of surrounding a handle of a luggage item.

9. Printing device for a specialized label, especially a luggage label, notably for air transport, for carrying out the method according to Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises in combination:

― a magazine (2) for housing a continuous paper band (4) having predetermined lines of weakness (41) in the format for later cutting off and dividing into pieces (39) of the label;

― two successive printing stations (IT1, IT2) for printing desired information batches (43) on each piece (39) of the label in recto-and-verso printing;

― first drive means (G1, G2) for causing the continuous paper band to travel from the magazine past the printing stations (IT1, IT2);

― detection means (D1, D2) for taking a reference position on the label;

― control means adapted for starting up the two printing stations (IT1, IT2) in response to the detection of the reference position;

― cutting means (14) for cutting the label along its end line of weakness; and

― second drive means (G5, G6) for conducting the thus completed paper band from the two successive printing stations (IT1, IT2) past the cutting means (14) for the purpose of delivering this label.

10. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the two printing stations (IT1, IT2) each comprise a thermal printing head (T1, T2), each cooperating with an anvril roller (G3, G4) adapted for driving the label concerned.

11. Device according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that each label piece comprises information batches of the bar code type printed in recto-and-verso manner, adapted for identifying the luggage marked with the label, and also information relating to the successive intermediate stops along the journey followed by the luggage, for the purpose of a later separation of the pieces along this journey.

12. Device according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the label (25) comprises a notch (27) formed in each long edge (29) of the label, substantially at its middle for subdividing it into a first zone (31) comprising a precut opening (35) of keyhole shape formed near one narrow end (37) of the label, and into a second zone (33) provided with a plurality of label pieces (39) capable of being cut along limes of weakness (41), in such a manner that the passing of the second, short edge of the label (45) through the keyhole (35) as far as the notches (27) forms a loop capable of surrounding a handle of an item of luggage.

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