EP0637547B1 - Printing system for labels - Google Patents

Printing system for labels Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0637547B1
EP0637547B1 EP94305708A EP94305708A EP0637547B1 EP 0637547 B1 EP0637547 B1 EP 0637547B1 EP 94305708 A EP94305708 A EP 94305708A EP 94305708 A EP94305708 A EP 94305708A EP 0637547 B1 EP0637547 B1 EP 0637547B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
belt
roller
print
labels
strip
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP94305708A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0637547A1 (en
Inventor
Karl Schroeder
David P Beaty
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Premark FEG Corp
Original Assignee
Premark FEG Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Premark FEG Corp filed Critical Premark FEG Corp
Publication of EP0637547A1 publication Critical patent/EP0637547A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0637547B1 publication Critical patent/EP0637547B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
    • B41J3/4075—Tape printers; Label printers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/46—Applying date marks, code marks, or the like, to the label during labelling

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the printing of merchandising labels for wrapped packages.
  • labels are provided in the form of a narrow continuous strip of paper stock and are joined at tearable perforations so that individual labels may be printed and separated from the strip for attachment to the package.
  • Label stock of the type currently in use is supplied in roll form.
  • the labels are made from thermosensitive paper and have an adhesive backing on them so that they will adhere to the plastic wrapping of the package.
  • the labels are mounted on a continuous backing, or liner.
  • the typical liner is a paper material coated on one side with silicone. The silicone coating allows the labels to be readily separated from the liner prior to attachment to a package.
  • a disadvantage of using such conventional label stock having a liner is that the spent liner must be collected and disposed of. This typically involves providing a take-up reel for storing the used liner. The reel must be changed periodically in the operation of the labeling machine and the full reel must be discarded or replaced with an empty reel, involving down time of the label machine.
  • Label stock can be supplied in a linerless form. That is, the label material may be supplied in roll form but without a silicone-coated backing paper.
  • the labels are coated on their print side with silicone so that their adhesive side will not stick appreciably to the print side when in roll form.
  • a significant problem arises with using such linerless label stock in that the adhesive side of the labels tends to adhere to the conveying members when the label stock is transported through the printer. This is particularly a problem at the thermal print head where the label must be pressed against the print head to obtain an acceptably printed label.
  • the typical means for pressing the label against the print head is neoprene roller juxtaposed next to the print head. Without a liner, the label stock will adhere to the print roller and be incapable of being transported to the package.
  • FR-A-2414763 discloses an apparatus for printing labels which have bands of release material on one face thereof and corresponding bands of adhesive on the other face.
  • the labels are carried by an endless carrier belt, to which the adhesive face of the label sticks, past a cutter and are then printed by a marker.
  • the continued movement of the carrier belt carries the printed label to a point at which it detaches itself from the belt and the printed label is then pressed onto a package by a roller.
  • the present invention seeks to overcome the problems described above and to enable linerless label stock to be printed and employed in a commercial package labelling machine.
  • apparatus for printing linerless labels having an adhesive coating on one side thereof comprising a print head for printing indicia on the print side of the labels, a print roller disposed in close proximity to the print head and adapted to press the labels against the print head during printing, and an endless belt adapted to travel around the print roller, and a peel bar is positioned in spaced relation to the print roller and within the endless belt, wherein the labels are adhered to the belt at the print head and are conveyed to the peel bar where they are released from the belt.
  • the invention provides an apparatus for printing linerless labels having an adhesive coating on one side thereof comprising a print head for printing indicia on the print side of the labels, a print roller disposed in close proximity to the print head and adapted to press the labels against the print head during printing, and an endless belt adapted to travel around the print roller, and an idler pulley is positioned within the endless belt, wherein the labels are adhered to the belt at the print head and are released from the belt as the belt travels around the print roller.
  • the invention provides, in a third alternative aspect thereof, a method of printing indicia on a strip of printable material having an exposed adhesive coating on one side thereof comprising the steps of positioning a roller and a peel bar in spaced parallel relation to one another, rotating an endless belt around the roller and peel bar such that the belt makes an abrupt change of direction at the peel bar, positioning a print head in close proximity to the roller, passing the strip of material between the print head and roller with the adhesive coating facing the roller such that indicia is printed on the strip and the strip is adhered to the belt and detaching the strip from the belt as the belt passes around the peel bar.
  • the invention provides a method for printing indicia on a strip of printable material having an exposed adhesive coating on one side thereof comprising the steps of positioning a first roller and an idler second roller in spaced parallel relation one to another, rotating an endless belt around the rollers such that the belt makes an abrupt change of direction at the first roller, positioning a print head in close proximity to the first roller, passing the strip of material between the print head and the first roller with the adhesive coating facing the roller such that indicia is printed on the strip and the strip is adhered to the belt and detaching the strip from the belt as the belt passes around the first roller.
  • a prior art label printing apparatus designated generally by the reference numeral 10, includes a conventional thermal print head 12 disposed in close proximity to a print roller 14.
  • Label stock 16 is supplied from a supply reel 18.
  • the label stock 16 includes thermally sensitive paper 20 backed by a relatively non-stick liner 22.
  • the label stock 16 is fed between the print head 12 and print roller 14 whereupon appropriate indicia is printed on the label paper 20.
  • the print side of the label stock 16 is facing downwardly while the liner 22 is on the upward side of the label stock 16.
  • the label stock 16 After the label stock 16 passes between the print head 12 and roller 14 the label stock travels to a peel bar 24 where the liner 22 is stripped from the label paper 20. The used liner 22 then proceeds around the peel bar 24 to a take-up reel 26 on which it is stored for later disposal.
  • the label paper 20 continues to advance, with its adhesive side exposed, to a package labeling station (not shown).
  • the illustrated embodiment of label printing apparatus in accordance with the invention is designated by the reference numeral 30 and includes a conventional thermal print head 32 positioned adjacent a print roller 34.
  • Label stock 36 of the linerless type is provided from a supply reel 38 with its adhesive side up, as viewed in FIG. 2.
  • the label stock 36 passes between the print head 32 and print roller 34 where it is intercepted by an endless belt 40.
  • the endless belt 40 passes around a peel bar 42, the print roller 34 and an idler pulley 44.
  • the idler pulley 44 is tensioned by a suitable biasing means 46 so that the belt 40 remains taut as it is driven by the print roller 34.
  • the belt 40 is preferably formed from a fabric material coated on its outward surface with silicone.
  • a porous roller 48 filled with liquid silicone may be positioned in contact with the belt 40 to apply a continuous film of silicone to the belt surface.
  • the adhesive of the labels 36 causes the labels 36 to adhere to the belt 40 and be transported to the peel bar 42.
  • the belt 40 makes an abrupt change of direction causing the belt 40 to separate from the label strip 36, whereupon the strip of labels 36 is free to proceed substantially in a straight line from the supply reel 38 through the printer 32 and then to a label applying station (not shown).
  • the belt 40 thus serves as a temporary liner for the label stock 36 during the printing process and completely eliminates the need for linered label stock.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of our apparatus in which the belt passes around idler rollers 44 and 45 and the peel bar 42 is located outside the endless belt 40 adjacent to the print roll 34 where the peel bar functions to direct the labels 36 to the label applying station.
  • the print roll 34 has a small enough diameter that the labels separate from the belt 40 as the belt passes around the print roll 34 without positioning the peel bar 42 within the belt 40. Because the labels separate from the belt as the belt passes around the print roll and the peel bar functions merely to direct the labels to the label applying station, the peel bar could be eliminated altogether and other means can be used to direct the labels to the label applying station.

Description

  • The present invention relates to the printing of merchandising labels for wrapped packages.
  • In product merchandising, such as in the supermarket business for example, products are wrapped typically in stretch or shrink film, then conveyed to a labeler which automatically prints and attaches a label to the product package giving price. or other information about the product. The labels are provided in the form of a narrow continuous strip of paper stock and are joined at tearable perforations so that individual labels may be printed and separated from the strip for attachment to the package.
  • Label stock of the type currently in use is supplied in roll form. The labels are made from thermosensitive paper and have an adhesive backing on them so that they will adhere to the plastic wrapping of the package. In order to keep the labels from sticking to themselves while in roll form or during handling, the labels are mounted on a continuous backing, or liner. The typical liner is a paper material coated on one side with silicone. The silicone coating allows the labels to be readily separated from the liner prior to attachment to a package.
  • A disadvantage of using such conventional label stock having a liner is that the spent liner must be collected and disposed of. This typically involves providing a take-up reel for storing the used liner. The reel must be changed periodically in the operation of the labeling machine and the full reel must be discarded or replaced with an empty reel, involving down time of the label machine.
  • Label stock can be supplied in a linerless form. That is, the label material may be supplied in roll form but without a silicone-coated backing paper. The labels are coated on their print side with silicone so that their adhesive side will not stick appreciably to the print side when in roll form. A significant problem arises with using such linerless label stock in that the adhesive side of the labels tends to adhere to the conveying members when the label stock is transported through the printer. This is particularly a problem at the thermal print head where the label must be pressed against the print head to obtain an acceptably printed label. The typical means for pressing the label against the print head is neoprene roller juxtaposed next to the print head. Without a liner, the label stock will adhere to the print roller and be incapable of being transported to the package.
  • FR-A-2414763 discloses an apparatus for printing labels which have bands of release material on one face thereof and corresponding bands of adhesive on the other face. The labels are carried by an endless carrier belt, to which the adhesive face of the label sticks, past a cutter and are then printed by a marker. The continued movement of the carrier belt carries the printed label to a point at which it detaches itself from the belt and the printed label is then pressed onto a package by a roller.
  • The present invention seeks to overcome the problems described above and to enable linerless label stock to be printed and employed in a commercial package labelling machine.
  • In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for printing linerless labels having an adhesive coating on one side thereof, comprising a print head for printing indicia on the print side of the labels, a print roller disposed in close proximity to the print head and adapted to press the labels against the print head during printing, and an endless belt adapted to travel around the print roller, and a peel bar is positioned in spaced relation to the print roller and within the endless belt, wherein the labels are adhered to the belt at the print head and are conveyed to the peel bar where they are released from the belt.
  • In a second and alternative aspect thereof, the invention provides an apparatus for printing linerless labels having an adhesive coating on one side thereof comprising a print head for printing indicia on the print side of the labels, a print roller disposed in close proximity to the print head and adapted to press the labels against the print head during printing, and an endless belt adapted to travel around the print roller, and an idler pulley is positioned within the endless belt, wherein the labels are adhered to the belt at the print head and are released from the belt as the belt travels around the print roller.
  • The invention provides, in a third alternative aspect thereof, a method of printing indicia on a strip of printable material having an exposed adhesive coating on one side thereof comprising the steps of positioning a roller and a peel bar in spaced parallel relation to one another, rotating an endless belt around the roller and peel bar such that the belt makes an abrupt change of direction at the peel bar, positioning a print head in close proximity to the roller, passing the strip of material between the print head and roller with the adhesive coating facing the roller such that indicia is printed on the strip and the strip is adhered to the belt and detaching the strip from the belt as the belt passes around the peel bar.
  • According to a fourth alternative aspect thereof, the invention provides a method for printing indicia on a strip of printable material having an exposed adhesive coating on one side thereof comprising the steps of positioning a first roller and an idler second roller in spaced parallel relation one to another, rotating an endless belt around the rollers such that the belt makes an abrupt change of direction at the first roller, positioning a print head in close proximity to the first roller, passing the strip of material between the print head and the first roller with the adhesive coating facing the roller such that indicia is printed on the strip and the strip is adhered to the belt and detaching the strip from the belt as the belt passes around the first roller.
  • The invention is hereinafter more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
    • Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a prior art label printing apparatus for use with conventional label stock having a liner;
    • Fig. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of label printing apparatus in accordance with the invention for use with linerless label stock; and
    • Fig. 3 is a schematic view of an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Referring initially to Fig. 1, a prior art label printing apparatus, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, includes a conventional thermal print head 12 disposed in close proximity to a print roller 14. Label stock 16 is supplied from a supply reel 18. The label stock 16 includes thermally sensitive paper 20 backed by a relatively non-stick liner 22. When the printing apparatus 10 is in operation, the label stock 16 is fed between the print head 12 and print roller 14 whereupon appropriate indicia is printed on the label paper 20. In the configuration illustrated, the print side of the label stock 16 is facing downwardly while the liner 22 is on the upward side of the label stock 16.
  • After the label stock 16 passes between the print head 12 and roller 14 the label stock travels to a peel bar 24 where the liner 22 is stripped from the label paper 20. The used liner 22 then proceeds around the peel bar 24 to a take-up reel 26 on which it is stored for later disposal. The label paper 20 continues to advance, with its adhesive side exposed, to a package labeling station (not shown).
  • Turning now to Fig. 2, the illustrated embodiment of label printing apparatus in accordance with the invention is designated by the reference numeral 30 and includes a conventional thermal print head 32 positioned adjacent a print roller 34. Label stock 36 of the linerless type is provided from a supply reel 38 with its adhesive side up, as viewed in FIG. 2. The label stock 36 passes between the print head 32 and print roller 34 where it is intercepted by an endless belt 40. The endless belt 40 passes around a peel bar 42, the print roller 34 and an idler pulley 44. The idler pulley 44 is tensioned by a suitable biasing means 46 so that the belt 40 remains taut as it is driven by the print roller 34.
  • The belt 40 is preferably formed from a fabric material coated on its outward surface with silicone. A porous roller 48 filled with liquid silicone may be positioned in contact with the belt 40 to apply a continuous film of silicone to the belt surface.
  • In operation of the apparatus 30 it can be appreciated that as the strip of linerless label stock 36 passes between the print head 32 and roller 34, where it is intercepted by the endless belt 40, the adhesive of the labels 36, which is facing upwardly as viewed in FIG. 2, causes the labels 36 to adhere to the belt 40 and be transported to the peel bar 42. At the peel bar 42 the belt 40 makes an abrupt change of direction causing the belt 40 to separate from the label strip 36, whereupon the strip of labels 36 is free to proceed substantially in a straight line from the supply reel 38 through the printer 32 and then to a label applying station (not shown). The belt 40 thus serves as a temporary liner for the label stock 36 during the printing process and completely eliminates the need for linered label stock.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of our apparatus in which the belt passes around idler rollers 44 and 45 and the peel bar 42 is located outside the endless belt 40 adjacent to the print roll 34 where the peel bar functions to direct the labels 36 to the label applying station. In this embodiment, the print roll 34 has a small enough diameter that the labels separate from the belt 40 as the belt passes around the print roll 34 without positioning the peel bar 42 within the belt 40. Because the labels separate from the belt as the belt passes around the print roll and the peel bar functions merely to direct the labels to the label applying station, the peel bar could be eliminated altogether and other means can be used to direct the labels to the label applying station.

Claims (7)

  1. Apparatus for printing linerless labels having an adhesive coating on one side thereof, comprising a print head (32) for printing indicia on the print side of the labels (36), a print element (34) disposed in close proximity to the print head (32) and adapted to press the labels (36) against the print head (32) during printing, and an endless belt (40) adapted to travel around the print element (34), wherein the labels are conveyed by the belt and adhered to the belt at the printing head, characterised in that the print element is in the form of a print roller, and in that a peel bar (42) is positioned in spaced relation to the print roller (34) and within the endless belt (40), wherein the labels (36) are conveyed to the peel bar (42) where they are released from the belt (40).
  2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 comprising an idler pulley (44) with the belt (40) travelling around the print roller (34), peel bar (42) and idler pulley (44).
  3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 comprising means (48) for applying a non-stick coating to the belt (40) as the belt (40) is travelling around the print roller (34) and peel bar (42).
  4. Apparatus for printing linerless labels having an adhesive coating on one side thereof, comprising a print head (32) for printing indicia on the print side of the labels (36), a print element (34) disposed in close proximity to the print head (32) and adapted to press the labels (36) against the print head (32) during printing; and an belt (40) adapted to travel around the print element (34) wherein the labels (36) are adhered to the belt (40) at the print head (32) and are released from the belt (40) as the belt (40) travels around the print element (34), characterised in that the print element is in the form of a print roller, and in that an idler pulley (44,45) is positioned within the endless belt (40).
  5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 characterised in that a peel bar (42) is positioned outside of the belt (40) adjacent the print roller (34) such that the peel bar (42) directs the labels (36) away from the belt (40).
  6. A method of printing indicia on a strip of printable material having an exposed adhesive coating on one side thereof comprising the steps of positioning a roller (34) and a peel bar (42) in spaced parallel relation to one another, rotating an endless belt (40) around the roller (34) and peel bar (42) such that the belt (40) makes an abrupt change of direction at the peel bar (42), positioning a print head (32) in close proximity to the roller (34), passing the strip of material (36) between the print head (32) and roller (34) with the adhesive coating facing the roller (34) such that indicia is printed on the strip (36) and the strip (36) is adhered to the belt (40) and detaching the strip (36) from the belt (40) as the belt (40) passes around the peel bar (42).
  7. A method of printing indicia on a strip of printable material having an exposed adhesive coating on one side thereof comprising the steps of positioning a first roller (34) and a second, idler roller (44) in spaced parallel relation one to another, rotating an endless belt (40) around the rollers (74,44) such that the belt (40) makes an abrupt change of direction at the first roller (34), positioning a print head (36) in close proximity to the first roller (34), passing the strip of material (36) between the print head (32) and the first roller (34) with the adhesive coating facing the roller (34) such that indicia is printed on the strip (36) and the strip (36) is adhered to the belt (40) and detaching the strip (36) from the belt (40) as the belt (40) passes around the first roller (34).
EP94305708A 1993-08-02 1994-08-01 Printing system for labels Expired - Lifetime EP0637547B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10151293A 1993-08-02 1993-08-02
US101512 1993-08-02
US16271093A 1993-12-06 1993-12-06
US162710 1993-12-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0637547A1 EP0637547A1 (en) 1995-02-08
EP0637547B1 true EP0637547B1 (en) 1996-10-16

Family

ID=26798336

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94305708A Expired - Lifetime EP0637547B1 (en) 1993-08-02 1994-08-01 Printing system for labels

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0637547B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH07172006A (en)
KR (1) KR950005566A (en)
AU (1) AU676336B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2129068A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69400739T2 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6537406B1 (en) 2000-04-03 2003-03-25 3M Innovative Properties Company Vacuum-assisted tape applicator
US6668892B2 (en) 1999-06-11 2003-12-30 3M Innovative Properties Company System for printing and applying tape onto surfaces

Families Citing this family (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5587214A (en) * 1994-05-13 1996-12-24 Media Solutions, Inc. Laminated thermal transfer printable labels
US5487337A (en) * 1994-05-16 1996-01-30 Datasouth Computer Corporation Method and apparatus for printing linerless media having an adhesive backing
US5895552A (en) * 1994-09-14 1999-04-20 Osaka Sealing Printing Co., Ltd. Bonding apparatus for cutting label continuum having labels formed successively and bonding label to object
US6210515B1 (en) * 1995-02-27 2001-04-03 Moore Business Forms, Inc. Linerless label printer control
US6129810A (en) * 1995-10-17 2000-10-10 Moore Business Forms, Inc. Linerless label dispenser
JPH10147753A (en) * 1996-01-30 1998-06-02 Ricoh Co Ltd Method and apparatus for thermally activating heat-sensitive tacky adhesive label
US5779370A (en) * 1996-02-20 1998-07-14 Premark Feg L.L.C. Apparatus for printing labels and a self-releasing print roller therefor
US6652172B2 (en) 2001-01-05 2003-11-25 3M Innovative Properties Company Method and apparatus for handling linerless label tape within a printing device
US6884312B2 (en) 2002-04-12 2005-04-26 3M Innovative Properties Company Apparatus for printing and applying tape and methods of printing and applying tape
JP2005271286A (en) * 2004-03-23 2005-10-06 Canon Inc Printer
JP2006159742A (en) * 2004-12-09 2006-06-22 Seiko Instruments Inc Heat activating device and printer having the same
JP5290809B2 (en) * 2009-02-27 2013-09-18 サトーホールディングス株式会社 Mountless label transfer device and printing device
WO2010108078A2 (en) * 2009-03-19 2010-09-23 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Method and apparatus for applying labels to a rotating container on a rotating turret
JP5074555B2 (en) * 2010-06-02 2012-11-14 東芝テック株式会社 Printer
JP5877694B2 (en) * 2011-11-18 2016-03-08 サトーホールディングス株式会社 Label peeling mechanism
KR101494954B1 (en) * 2012-01-06 2015-02-23 가부시끼 가이샤 나노템 Film peeling apparatus
JP6186906B2 (en) 2012-09-18 2017-08-30 株式会社リコー Image forming apparatus
JP6171610B2 (en) 2012-10-06 2017-08-02 株式会社リコー Image forming apparatus

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2574674A (en) * 1946-01-12 1951-11-13 Louis D Walker Apparatus for dispensing and inscribing tape
US3777962A (en) * 1972-04-07 1973-12-11 F Tange Apparatus drawing-out for winding tape
NL7900190A (en) * 1978-01-16 1979-07-18 Cosco Ind LABEL.
US4468274A (en) * 1981-07-31 1984-08-28 E.D.M. Corporation Method and apparatus for bonding thermosensitive adhesive label
DE3609789A1 (en) * 1986-03-22 1987-10-01 Espera Werke Gmbh Thermal printer for labels mounted detachably on a backing strip, and for strip material
JPH0395068A (en) * 1989-09-04 1991-04-19 Tokyo Electric Co Ltd Lavel printer
US5674345A (en) * 1992-07-01 1997-10-07 Moore Business Forms, Inc. Linerless label printer applicator

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6668892B2 (en) 1999-06-11 2003-12-30 3M Innovative Properties Company System for printing and applying tape onto surfaces
US6537406B1 (en) 2000-04-03 2003-03-25 3M Innovative Properties Company Vacuum-assisted tape applicator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU676336B2 (en) 1997-03-06
KR950005566A (en) 1995-03-20
AU6887194A (en) 1995-02-09
CA2129068A1 (en) 1995-02-03
DE69400739D1 (en) 1996-11-21
DE69400739T2 (en) 1997-05-15
JPH07172006A (en) 1995-07-11
EP0637547A1 (en) 1995-02-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0637547B1 (en) Printing system for labels
US6187128B1 (en) Apparatus and method for converting and applying labels
US4707211A (en) Linerless thermal label printer and applicator
US4784714A (en) Linerless thermal label printer and applicator
JP5254623B2 (en) Label, sticking device thereof, and method of forming label
US4314869A (en) Wine bottle labeler
US6910820B2 (en) Apparatus and method for handling linerless label tape
US6471802B1 (en) Labeling apparatus and method
US5470418A (en) Method and apparatus for producing labels
EP0673839B1 (en) Method and apparatus for handling linerless label material
US5437228A (en) Method and apparatus for printing adhesive backed media
US4111121A (en) Multi-impression printer for pressure sensitive labels
US6739110B2 (en) Method and apparatus for product packaging
US20110030890A1 (en) Labelling machine
US6568451B1 (en) Device for labeling packages, in particular foodstuffs packages
JP3666964B2 (en) Label printing device without release sheet
GB2328427A (en) Labelling with labels cut from non-backed strip
JPH08505111A (en) Labeling method and device
KR19990077058A (en) Product labeling device and method
JPS621891B2 (en)
EP1055604A1 (en) Apparatus and method for cutting off labels from a label sheet adhering on a backing sheet and applying them
JP2961482B2 (en) Automatic labeling equipment
JP2000247320A (en) Label conveying mechanism for automatic labeling device
EP1631950B1 (en) Method of labelling vessels
MXPA99000775A (en) Apparatus and method for converting and applying labels

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19950403

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19950710

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69400739

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19961121

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20000726

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20000811

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20010719

Year of fee payment: 8

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010801

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20010801

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020430

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030301