EP0637547B1 - Système d'impression d'étiquettes - Google Patents

Système d'impression d'étiquettes Download PDF

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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)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0637547A1 (fr
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/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0637547B1 publication Critical patent/EP0637547B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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.

Claims (7)

  1. Appareil d'impression pour étiquettes sans ruban support, dont une face est enduite d'une couche adhésive, comprenant une tête d'impression (32) destinée à imprimer des marques sur la face à imprimer des étiquettes (36), un élément d'impression (34) disposé à proximité étroite de la tête d'impression (32) et conçu pour serrer les étiquettes contre la tête d'impression (32) pendant l'impression, et une courroie sans fin (40) conçue pour être mise en mouvement autour de l'élément d'impression (34), et dans lequel les étiquettes sont acheminées par cette dernière et collées sur la courroie au niveau de la tête d'impression, caractérisé en ce que l'élément d'impression se présente sous la forme d'un rouleau d'impression, et en ce qu'une barre de décollement (42) est positionnée en relation d'espacement par rapport au rouleau d'impression (34) et à l'intérieur de la courroie sans fin (40), et où les étiquettes (36) sont acheminées vers la barre de décollement (42), où elles sont détachées de la courroie (40).
  2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, comprenant une poulie folle (44), la courroie (40) évoluant autour du rouleau d'impression (34), de la barre de décollement (42) et de la poulie folle (44).
  3. Appareil selon les revendications 1 ou 2, comprenant des moyens (48) pour appliquer un revêtement anti-adhésif sur la courroie (40) lorsque celle-ci évolue autour du rouleau d'impression (34) et de la barre de décollement (42).
  4. Appareil d'impression pour étiquettes sans ruban support, dont une face est enduite d'une couche adhésive, comprenant une tête d'impression (32) destinée à imprimer des marques sur la face à imprimer des étiquettes (36), un élément d'impression (34) disposé à proximité étroite de la tête d'impression (32) et conçu pour serrer les étiquettes contre la tête d'impression (32) pendant l'impression, et une courroie sans fin (40) conçue pour être mise en mouvement autour de l'élément d'impression (34), et dans lequel les étiquettes (36) se collent sur la courroie (40) au niveau de la tête d'impression (32) et se détachent de la courroie (40) lorsque celle-ci évolue autour de l'élément d'impression (34),
    caractérisé en ce que l'élément d'impression se présente sous forme d'un rouleau d'impression, et en ce qu'une poulie folle (44, 45) est positionnée à l'intérieur de la courroie sans fin (40).
  5. Appareil selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que la barre de décollement (42) est positionnée à l'extérieur de la courroie (40), de façon adjacente au rouleau d'impression (34), de manière telle que la barre de décollement (42) dirige les étiquettes (36) en les éloignant de la courroie (40).
  6. Procédé d'impression de marques sur une bande de matière à imprimer dont une face est enduite d'une couche adhésive exposée, comprenant les étapes consistant à positionner un rouleau (34) et une barre de décollement (42) en relation d'espacement et parallèlement l'un par rapport à l'autre, à mettre en rotation une courroie sans fin (40) autour du rouleau (34) et de la barre de décollement (42), de manière telle que la courroie (40) subisse un changement de direction abrupt au niveau de la barre de décollement (42), à positionner une tête d'impression (32) à proximité étroite du rouleau (34), à faire passer la bande de matière (36) entre la tête d'impression (32) et le rouleau (34), la couche adhésive étant tournée face au rouleau (34), de manière que des marques soient imprimées sur la bande (36) et que la bande (36) se colle sur la courroie (40), et à détacher la bande (36) de la courroie (40) lorsque cette dernière passe autour de la barre de décollement (42).
  7. Procédé d'impression de marques sur une bande de matière à imprimer dont une face est enduite d'une couche adhésive exposée, comprenant les étapes consistant à positionner un premier rouleau (34) et un deuxième rouleau ou rouleau fou (44) en relation d'espacement et parallèlement l'un par rapport à l'autre, à mettre en rotation une courroie sans fin (40) autour des premier et deuxième rouleaux (34, 44), de manière telle que la courroie (40) subisse un changement de direction abrupt au niveau du premier rouleau (34), à positionner une tête d'impression (36) à proximité étroite du premier rouleau (34), à faire passer la bande de matière (36) entre la tête d'impression (32) et le premier rouleau (34), la couche adhésive étant tournée face au rouleau (34), de manière que des marques soient imprimées sur la bande (36) et que cette dernière se colle sur la courroie (40), et à détacher la bande (36) de la courroie (40) lorsque celle-ci passe autour du premier rouleau (34).
EP94305708A 1993-08-02 1994-08-01 Système d'impression d'étiquettes Expired - Lifetime EP0637547B1 (fr)

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 (fr) 1995-02-08
EP0637547B1 true EP0637547B1 (fr) 1996-10-16

Family

ID=26798336

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94305708A Expired - Lifetime EP0637547B1 (fr) 1993-08-02 1994-08-01 Système d'impression d'étiquettes

Country Status (6)

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

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 (ja) 1996-01-30 1998-06-02 Ricoh Co Ltd 感熱性粘着ラベルの熱活性化方法及びその装置
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 (ja) * 2004-03-23 2005-10-06 Canon Inc プリンタ装置
JP2006159742A (ja) * 2004-12-09 2006-06-22 Seiko Instruments Inc 熱活性装置および、これを備えたプリンタ
JP5290809B2 (ja) * 2009-02-27 2013-09-18 サトーホールディングス株式会社 台紙なしラベルの移送装置および印字装置
MX2011009657A (es) * 2009-03-19 2011-09-28 Graphic Packaging Int Inc Metodo y aparato para aplicar etiquetas a un envase que gira sobre una torreta giratoria.
JP5074555B2 (ja) * 2010-06-02 2012-11-14 東芝テック株式会社 プリンタ
JP5877694B2 (ja) * 2011-11-18 2016-03-08 サトーホールディングス株式会社 ラベル剥離機構
KR101494954B1 (ko) * 2012-01-06 2015-02-23 가부시끼 가이샤 나노템 필름 박리 장치
JP6186906B2 (ja) 2012-09-18 2017-08-30 株式会社リコー 画像形成装置
JP6171610B2 (ja) 2012-10-06 2017-08-02 株式会社リコー 画像形成装置

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 (nl) * 1978-01-16 1979-07-18 Cosco Ind Etiket.
US4468274A (en) * 1981-07-31 1984-08-28 E.D.M. Corporation Method and apparatus for bonding thermosensitive adhesive label
DE3609789A1 (de) * 1986-03-22 1987-10-01 Espera Werke Gmbh Thermodrucker fuer auf einen traegerstreifen abloesbar angebrachte etiketten und fuer streifenmaterial
JPH0395068A (ja) * 1989-09-04 1991-04-19 Tokyo Electric Co Ltd ラベルプリンタ
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
EP0637547A1 (fr) 1995-02-08
JPH07172006A (ja) 1995-07-11
DE69400739T2 (de) 1997-05-15
KR950005566A (ko) 1995-03-20
DE69400739D1 (de) 1996-11-21
AU6887194A (en) 1995-02-09
CA2129068A1 (fr) 1995-02-03
AU676336B2 (en) 1997-03-06

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