EP1107915A1 - Disk labeling device - Google Patents
Disk labeling deviceInfo
- Publication number
- EP1107915A1 EP1107915A1 EP98952660A EP98952660A EP1107915A1 EP 1107915 A1 EP1107915 A1 EP 1107915A1 EP 98952660 A EP98952660 A EP 98952660A EP 98952660 A EP98952660 A EP 98952660A EP 1107915 A1 EP1107915 A1 EP 1107915A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- disk
- labeler
- label
- spindle
- pad
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- B65C9/26—Devices for applying labels
- B65C9/262—Devices for applying labels manually operable
- B65C9/265—Devices for applying labels manually operable specially adapted for compact discs
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of compact disk labeling devices, and more particularly to a device for centering a disk with respect to a self-adhesive label while maintaining them in spaced relation and subsequently allowing them to contact, forming a labeled disk.
- compact disks also known as laser disks
- CD-ROM products have become extensive.
- recordable compact disks such as those produced by SONY, 3M, and KODAK has grown in popularity. Further, these disks are being used for archival data storage, immediate distribution of data, and for demonstration purposes. With this recent use has grown a need to label these disks once they have been produced. This is because once produced, there is no generally available visual method for determining the contents of a disk, without reducing storage capacity below the 680- MB of data or more, without external markings.
- Ink markers may also be used to label disks, but this is unattractive and can cause damage to the disk by breaking down the coating which protects the disk. Permanent ink markers often include solvents in the ink. As a result, manufacturers such as Avery Dennison, Avery Division, Diamond Bar CA, produce self-adhesive labels shaped like, and designed for compact disks. Improper placement of a label on a disk, especially with the advent of high speed, e.g., ten or higher speed data transfer (with single speed data transfer defined as the rate necessary to support CD audio), and higher information density disk recording technologies, such as Digital Video Disk (“DVD”), may result in read errors, or drive motor damage due to dynamic imbalance of the disk.
- high speed e.g., ten or higher speed data transfer (with single speed data transfer defined as the rate necessary to support CD audio)
- DVD Digital Video Disk
- Hanna US 4,385,460 relates to an optical disk or phonorecord label having a hinged portion for individualized marking, which is apparently manually applied.
- Nakamura, US 5,084, 127 relates to a labeling system for 3.5 inch magnetic media encased in a rectangular plastic enclosure, and thus, while placing the labels in a desired location, do not place the label concentrically directly on the rotating media.
- the label is centered with respect to the disk by means of a tapered member, inserted through the central aperture of the label, which gradually centers the label until it is in defined position.
- the disk is centered by a dowel inserted all the way through the spindle hole.
- a force is applied, allowing adhesion of the label to the disk.
- the force may be applied, for example, by a base on which the label rests, adhesive surface upward.
- the base in this case, has an aperture allowing the tapered member to pass through.
- the dowel extends upwardly from the tapered member, and thus may serve as a handle.
- the label is placed on the surface of the base, adhesive side upward, with the central aperture overlapping the aperture in the base.
- the disk is placed on the dowel, and rests against a shoulder at an upper portion of the tapered member, with the side to be labeled facing downward.
- the tip of the tapered member is pressed through the central aperture of the label and the aperture of the base, with the tapered portion exerting a lateral force to center the label with respect to the tapered member.
- the disk, resting on the shoulder is further lowered, until it contacts the label.
- a force is uniformly applied which permits complete and uniform adhesion throughout the contact area between the disk and label, as compared to the device and apparatus of Japanese patent JP 532498, where the adhesion force may cant the disk for an uneven application of the label among other deficiencies, i.e., the use of two positioning members being mandatory.
- the label normally has a contact adhesive, which requires a relatively low contact force to cause a strong adhesion, and thus a uniformly applied force will cause complete adhesion.
- the label thus generally has a central circular hole, larger than the central aperture in the disk, so that no clearance problem will arise.
- a member within this central circular hole which has a largest dimension approximately equal to the diameter of the hole, will locate the center of the label.
- This member is preferably a tapered tip cylinder, which provides an initial taper so that the tip may be easily guided into the central hole. Further insertion will gently relocate the label with respect to the member, until the label is concentric around the cylindrical portion of the member.
- the label is centered by the taper on the tapered member and its larger diameter cylinder with respect to the disk.
- the larger diameter cylinder is insertable through the label and, in the preferred embodiment, the aperture in the surface.
- the disk lies nearly adjacent to the label, properly positioned.
- Pressure may then applied on top of the disk which is centered relative to the label by the dowel inserted all the way through the spindle hole so it cannot pivot or cant relative to the spindle axis, by any suitable means, including manual pressure, pressure on a pressure plate, an automatic pressure device, a spring or weight, or other known means, forcing intimate contact between the label and the disk, thus adhering the two.
- the compact disk with the newly affixed label is then removed from the device by lifting the cylindrical extension and pulling the positioning cone out of the positioning hole and the hollow core portion. Thereafter, the compact disk is lifted off cylindrical extension.
- the positioning plate may be removed from the cylindrical base and used to further press the label onto the compact disk. This last step is carried out by placing the positioning plate on top of the compact disk and manually pressing the plate against the disk while the disk is lying on a substantially flat surface.
- a separate pressure plate may also be provided, or another compact disk employed in order to compress the label.
- the label is held and pressed flatly against the disk, to avoid wrinkles.
- the label may be "rolled" onto the disk, i.e., applied to the disk by applying pressure along a chord or radius of the disk extending across the label.
- the pressure be manually applied centrally to the compact disk, inside the data region, or that a separate device, e.g., a plate or "dummy" compact disk be provided to apply pressure to the disk without finger contact.
- a separate device e.g., a plate or "dummy" compact disk be provided to apply pressure to the disk without finger contact.
- a user may wear gloves to avoid direct finger contact.
- contact adhesives applied to labels have a strong adhesion even when applied under light pressure; the reason for care in the application of pressure is to assure that the label does not shift or curl during application and to eliminate air bubbles under the label.
- a member for axially aligning the disk and the member of the axially aligning the label are affixed to one another. Since the disk spindle aperture is smaller than the label central aperture, a coaxial structure having varying characteristic radii may be provided, having a first member for aligning the disk, and means for selectively contacting the label and the disk after alignment.
- the contacting means may be a spring loaded cylinder with a central spindle mounted in a plate, as for example shown in U.K.
- the spring disclosed may be a helically wound resilient element.
- this requires a two part, inner and outer cylindrical member forming a housing for the spring and two relatively movable parts so the spring can be compressed, is not only expensive, but subject to mechanical malfunction if the spring binds or rides on one of the elements. Assembly and maintenance of the assembly is also time consuming and the helically wound spring may apply an uneven pressure between the contacting surfaces of the disk and label causing air traps therebetween resulting in a wrinkled label.
- the present invention utilizes a compressible foam element as the counterspring force in lieu of a coiled spring between the disk and label to assure even distribution across the contacting surfaces.
- This also simplifies the assembly of the device in use, and reduces the cost to a minimum as only three components are necessary in forming the device: (1) a support base for the label having a central aperture; (2) a centering spindle having a first and second, reduced diameter portions for relatively centering the label and disk, the disk being seated on a shoulder between the first and second diameter portions; and (3) a compressible foam pad, cylindrical in shape adapted to be adhered to the bottom of the second diameter portion of the spindle and positioned in an aperture in the base on which the spindle may be seated.
- the disk With the disk retained on the shoulder and centered by the second diameter portion of the spindle passing therethrough, the disk is moved towards the label supported adhesive side up on the base.
- the first diameter portion of the spindle enters the aperture in the base, centering the label relative to the disk and compressing the foam pad, which exerts a counterforce, uniformly between the disk and label as the two are adhered and united.
- the reduced diameter portion of the spindle may then be raised like a handle to remove the coupled disk and label from the base and the united pair removed from the spindle.
- the resilient foam pad resumes its uncompressed state, ready for reuse.
- Fig. I is an exploded perspective view of a compact disk labeling device according to the present invention.
- Figs. 2 A and 2B are exploded views illustrating the application of the compressible foam pad to the spindle;
- Fig 3 is a perspective view of the assembled labeling device ready for use
- Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the removal of a label from its backing sheet
- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled labeling device supporting the label to be applied to a disk
- Fig.6 is a perspective view of a disk positioned on the labeling device over the label to be adhered to the disk;
- Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of adhering the label to the disk
- Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a washer positioned on the labeling device to preclude contact with the disk being labeled by the device;
- Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the washer of Fig. 8.
- Fig. 10 is a side view in elevation of the washer of Fig. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
- the labeling device 10 includes generally three basic elements: (1) a generally cylindrical base 12 having a centrally located cylindrical aperture 14; (2) a cylindrical, compressible foam pad 16 having an adhesive surface 18 which may be exposed by peeling a removable cover paper strip 20 provided with a suitable abhesive from the surface. (See Fig.2A).
- the paper strip 20 may have an extension (not shown) for securing the foam pad to the packaging before assembly so as not to mislocate the pad; and (3) a centering spindle 22 having a first cylindrical portion 24 approximating the diameter of aperture 14 in base 12, and a second, reduced diameter portion 26 joined to the first cylindrical portion 20 by a cylindrical support shoulder 28.
- foam pad 16 has adhesive surface 18 adhered to the bottom of first cylindrical portion 24 of spindle 22.
- the labeler 10 is assembled by placing the base 12 on a flat surface S and inserting the foam covered end of the centering spindle 22 into the aperture 14 in the top of base 12 so that the foam pad 16 comes into contact with flat surface S.
- a preprinted label sheet SH, printed side down, is placed on a flat surface S and a circular label L with a central hole H is peeled away from the sheet SH.
- the label L is placed printed side down, adhesive or sticky side up on base 12 by sliding hole H, as shown in Fig. 5, over the larger, first diameter portion 24 of centering spindle 22, centering the label on base 12 relative to spindle 22 and reduced diameter portion 26.
- a CD or DVD disk D can then be placed on the centering spindle 22 until it seats flush on shoulder 28 with the reduced diameter portion 26 projecting up through the center of disk D.
- the side of disk D to be labeled - the non-data side of the disk - must be facing down.
- the resilient foam pad Upon relief of finger pressure, the resilient foam pad returns to an uncompressed state, lifting the united label and disk from base 12 and the reduced diameter portion 26 of the spindle 22 can serve as a handle to remove the coupled disk and label completely from the base, where they can be separated from the spindle 22.
- a resilient foam pad 16 is disclosed as the preferred embodiment for use with the labeler, it should be understood that a compressible and resilient pad made from other materials could also be used, such as rubber or a synthetic rubber neoprene pad, as long as the material is compressible and resilient.
- the pad may or may not be secured to the bottom of the spindle portion 24 or may be adhered to both the spindle portion 24 and its supporting surfaces.
- the positioning plate 12 may also be enhanced by the placing of a felt, non-scratching surface in seated engagement therewith to preclude the written side of disk D from being damaged during securement of the label.
- the positioning plate 12 is provided with a cylindrical skirt 30 which may terminate in a solid plate or base for firmer support on a planar surface. While the thickness of the plate 12 surrounding the positioning hole 14 should be sufficient to prevent lateral shifting of the spindle portion 24 and serve as a housing, a tube (not shown) may extend downwardly in coaxial alignment from positioning hole 14, approximately the diameter of pad 16 and spindle portion 24 to house the same and present lateral movement.
- positioning plate 12, supporting label L may be slightly convex from the hole 14 to the outer circumference so that contact between the disk and label is first made in the center of the label and adhesion progresses therefrom along a chord or a radius of the label and disk to prevent air bubbles or wrinkles beneath the label.
- a washer 32 having a central opening 34 may be placed about spindle portion 26 and seated on disk D prior to adhering the disk to the label L.
- Washer 32 may be provided with radial arms 36 for finger contact in pressing the disk D into contact with the label L.
- the washer 32 is provided to preclude contact with the disk itself during the adhesion step and scratching or damage to the disk surface.
- the bottom surface 400 of washer 32 includes a thin, smaller hollow disk 42 attached thereto, provided with interior radial arms 42 to raise washer 32 above the surface of the disk D to preclude damage to the surface when pressure is applied.
Landscapes
- Labeling Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A device for the positioning of a label, having a central aperture and peripheral edge, onto a surface of a disk, having a central hole and an outer edge including three components: (1) a support base for the label having a central aperture; (2) a centering spindle having a first and second, reduced diameter portions for relatively centering the label and disk, the disk being seated on a shoulder between the first and second diameter portions; and (3) a compressible foam pad cylindrical in shape adapted to be adhered to the bottom of the second diameter portion of the spindle and positioned in an aperture in the base on which the spindle may be seated. With the disk retained on the shoulder and centered by the second diameter portion of the spindle passing therethrough, the disk is moved towards the label supported adhesive side up on the base. The first diameter portion of the spindle enters the aperture in the base, centering the label relative to the disk and compressing the foam pad, which exerts a counterforce, uniformly between the disk and label as the two are adhered and united, to uniformly adhere the label to the disk without wrinkles or air pockets.
Description
DISK LABELING DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of compact disk labeling devices, and more particularly to a device for centering a disk with respect to a self-adhesive label while maintaining them in spaced relation and subsequently allowing them to contact, forming a labeled disk. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The proliferation of compact disks (discs), also known as laser disks, in the form of music as well as CD-ROM products has become extensive. In recent years, recordable compact disks such as those produced by SONY, 3M, and KODAK has grown in popularity. Further, these disks are being used for archival data storage, immediate distribution of data, and for demonstration purposes. With this recent use has grown a need to label these disks once they have been produced. This is because once produced, there is no generally available visual method for determining the contents of a disk, without reducing storage capacity below the 680- MB of data or more, without external markings.
While manufacturers of large numbers of identical disks have their labels or identifying information painted, silk-screened or printed onto the disks, e.g., a layer of adherent ink or pigment is applied to the surface of the disk, this method is generally impractical for recordable compact disk producers. For small runs or those requiring immediate availability of the disk, printing or painting based methods of labeling take too much time, incur a significant setup charge, and require special equipment. Automated disk imprinting devices may be large and cumbersome, with bulk pigmented ink supplies generally favoring long production runs.
Another known method of labeling a compact disk employs a direct printing using an ink jet system onto the surface of a disk. These systems provide a special carrier for the disk, which is printed using a conventional ink jet printing apparatus. This method suffers the shortcomings of ink jet technology, including problems with the inks used, such as smudging, running, lack of scratch resistance on the disk surface, and the like. This ink jet printing technology is also relatively slow.
Ink markers may also be used to label disks, but this is unattractive and can cause damage to the disk by breaking down the coating which protects the disk. Permanent ink markers often include solvents in the ink. As a result, manufacturers such as Avery Dennison, Avery Division, Diamond Bar CA, produce self-adhesive labels shaped like, and designed for compact disks. Improper placement of a label on a disk, especially with the advent of high speed, e.g., ten or higher speed data transfer (with single speed data transfer defined as the rate necessary to support CD audio), and higher information density disk recording technologies, such as Digital Video Disk ("DVD"), may result in read errors, or drive motor damage due to dynamic imbalance of the disk.
Other known prior art includes: Kodaka et al., US 5,346,654 which relates to a method for forming indicia on compact disks. This method employs a molded impression from a "mother", and does not apply an adhesive label. Lexel, US 5,316,464 relates to a hinged structure for pressing a marking onto a compact disk, and also does not apply an adhesive label. Sugaya et al, US 4,903,255, on the other hand, relates to an adhesive label marking system for compact disks. However, the labels are ultimately applied manually, without any apparatus for assisting in accurate placement on the disk. Hanna, US 4,385,460 relates to an optical disk or phonorecord label having a hinged portion for individualized marking, which is apparently
manually applied. Nakamura, US 5,084, 127 relates to a labeling system for 3.5 inch magnetic media encased in a rectangular plastic enclosure, and thus, while placing the labels in a desired location, do not place the label concentrically directly on the rotating media.
In US 5,543,001, and US Serial No. 661,443, filed June 11, 1996, both assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, a compact disk labeling device and method is disclosed with provides various embodiments intended to assist in the.accurate placement of an adhesive label, generally bearing a pressure sensitive adhesive, to a surface of a disk.
In a preferred embodiment, the label is centered with respect to the disk by means of a tapered member, inserted through the central aperture of the label, which gradually centers the label until it is in defined position. The disk is centered by a dowel inserted all the way through the spindle hole. After the label and disk are centered, a force is applied, allowing adhesion of the label to the disk. The force may be applied, for example, by a base on which the label rests, adhesive surface upward. The base, in this case, has an aperture allowing the tapered member to pass through. The dowel extends upwardly from the tapered member, and thus may serve as a handle. The label is placed on the surface of the base, adhesive side upward, with the central aperture overlapping the aperture in the base. The disk is placed on the dowel, and rests against a shoulder at an upper portion of the tapered member, with the side to be labeled facing downward. The tip of the tapered member is pressed through the central aperture of the label and the aperture of the base, with the tapered portion exerting a lateral force to center the label with respect to the tapered member. After the label is centered, the disk, resting on the shoulder is further lowered, until it contacts the label. A force is uniformly applied which permits complete and uniform adhesion throughout the contact area between the disk and label, as compared to the device and apparatus of Japanese patent JP 532498, where the adhesion force
may cant the disk for an uneven application of the label among other deficiencies, i.e., the use of two positioning members being mandatory. The label normally has a contact adhesive, which requires a relatively low contact force to cause a strong adhesion, and thus a uniformly applied force will cause complete adhesion.
The label thus generally has a central circular hole, larger than the central aperture in the disk, so that no clearance problem will arise. A member within this central circular hole which has a largest dimension approximately equal to the diameter of the hole, will locate the center of the label. This member is preferably a tapered tip cylinder, which provides an initial taper so that the tip may be easily guided into the central hole. Further insertion will gently relocate the label with respect to the member, until the label is concentric around the cylindrical portion of the member.
The label is centered by the taper on the tapered member and its larger diameter cylinder with respect to the disk. The larger diameter cylinder is insertable through the label and, in the preferred embodiment, the aperture in the surface. When the label is in a place near the junction between the larger and smaller diameter cylinders, the disk lies nearly adjacent to the label, properly positioned. Pressure may then applied on top of the disk which is centered relative to the label by the dowel inserted all the way through the spindle hole so it cannot pivot or cant relative to the spindle axis, by any suitable means, including manual pressure, pressure on a pressure plate, an automatic pressure device, a spring or weight, or other known means, forcing intimate contact between the label and the disk, thus adhering the two.
The compact disk with the newly affixed label is then removed from the device by lifting the cylindrical extension and pulling the positioning cone out of the positioning hole and the hollow core portion. Thereafter, the compact disk is lifted off cylindrical extension. If not
permanently affixed, the positioning plate may be removed from the cylindrical base and used to further press the label onto the compact disk. This last step is carried out by placing the positioning plate on top of the compact disk and manually pressing the plate against the disk while the disk is lying on a substantially flat surface. A separate pressure plate may also be provided, or another compact disk employed in order to compress the label.
Preferably, the label is held and pressed flatly against the disk, to avoid wrinkles. Alternatively, after suitable alignment, the label may be "rolled" onto the disk, i.e., applied to the disk by applying pressure along a chord or radius of the disk extending across the label.
Further, in order to prevent finger prints from appearing on the data surface of the compact disk, it is preferred that the pressure be manually applied centrally to the compact disk, inside the data region, or that a separate device, e.g., a plate or "dummy" compact disk be provided to apply pressure to the disk without finger contact. Of course, a user may wear gloves to avoid direct finger contact.
Generally, contact adhesives applied to labels have a strong adhesion even when applied under light pressure; the reason for care in the application of pressure is to assure that the label does not shift or curl during application and to eliminate air bubbles under the label.
It has also been proposed that a member for axially aligning the disk and the member of the axially aligning the label are affixed to one another. Since the disk spindle aperture is smaller than the label central aperture, a coaxial structure having varying characteristic radii may be provided, having a first member for aligning the disk, and means for selectively contacting the label and the disk after alignment. For example, the contacting means may be a spring loaded cylinder with a central spindle mounted in a plate, as for example shown in U.K. patent 2305907A to Grossman, so that the label is supported by the plate and centered by the cylinder,
the disk is supported by the cylinder and centered by the spindle, and after centering of each, the disk may be lowered to contact the label by compressing the spring, to ostensibly apply uniform pressure against the force of the spring.
The spring disclosed may be a helically wound resilient element. However, this requires a two part, inner and outer cylindrical member forming a housing for the spring and two relatively movable parts so the spring can be compressed,
is not only expensive, but subject to mechanical malfunction if the spring binds or rides on one of the elements. Assembly and maintenance of the assembly is also time consuming and the helically wound spring may apply an uneven pressure between the contacting surfaces of the disk and label causing air traps therebetween resulting in a wrinkled label. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention utilizes a compressible foam element as the counterspring force in lieu of a coiled spring between the disk and label to assure even distribution across the contacting surfaces. This also simplifies the assembly of the device in use, and reduces the cost to a minimum as only three components are necessary in forming the device: (1) a support base for the label having a central aperture; (2) a centering spindle having a first and second, reduced diameter portions for relatively centering the label and disk, the disk being seated on a shoulder between the first and second diameter portions; and (3) a compressible foam pad, cylindrical in shape adapted to be adhered to the bottom of the second diameter portion of the spindle and positioned in an aperture in the base on which the spindle may be seated. With the disk retained on the shoulder and centered by the second diameter portion of the spindle passing therethrough, the disk is moved towards the label supported adhesive side up on the base. The first diameter portion of the spindle enters the aperture in the
base, centering the label relative to the disk and compressing the foam pad, which exerts a counterforce, uniformly between the disk and label as the two are adhered and united.
The reduced diameter portion of the spindle may then be raised like a handle to remove the coupled disk and label from the base and the united pair removed from the spindle. The resilient foam pad resumes its uncompressed state, ready for reuse.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims and from the accompanying drawings wherein: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. I is an exploded perspective view of a compact disk labeling device according to the present invention;
Figs. 2 A and 2B are exploded views illustrating the application of the compressible foam pad to the spindle;
Fig 3 is a perspective view of the assembled labeling device ready for use;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the removal of a label from its backing sheet;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled labeling device supporting the label to be applied to a disk;
Fig.6 is a perspective view of a disk positioned on the labeling device over the label to be adhered to the disk;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of adhering the label to the disk;
Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a washer positioned on the labeling device to preclude contact with the disk being labeled by the device;
Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the washer of Fig. 8; and
Fig. 10 is a side view in elevation of the washer of Fig. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the labeling device is illustrated in Fig. I by the numeral 10.
The labeling device 10 includes generally three basic elements: (1) a generally cylindrical base 12 having a centrally located cylindrical aperture 14; (2) a cylindrical, compressible foam pad 16 having an adhesive surface 18 which may be exposed by peeling a removable cover paper strip 20 provided with a suitable abhesive from the surface. (See Fig.2A). The paper strip 20 may have an extension (not shown) for securing the foam pad to the packaging before assembly so as not to mislocate the pad; and (3) a centering spindle 22 having a first cylindrical portion 24 approximating the diameter of aperture 14 in base 12, and a second, reduced diameter portion 26 joined to the first cylindrical portion 20 by a cylindrical support shoulder 28. As illustrated in Fig. 2B, foam pad 16 has adhesive surface 18 adhered to the bottom of first cylindrical portion 24 of spindle 22.
As shown in Fig. 3, the labeler 10 is assembled by placing the base 12 on a flat surface S and inserting the foam covered end of the centering spindle 22 into the aperture 14 in the top of base 12 so that the foam pad 16 comes into contact with flat surface S.
A preprinted label sheet SH, printed side down, is placed on a flat surface S and a circular label L with a central hole H is peeled away from the sheet SH. Provided with a suitable adhesive, the label L is placed printed side down, adhesive or sticky side up on base 12 by sliding hole H, as shown in Fig. 5, over the larger, first diameter portion 24 of centering spindle 22, centering the label on base 12 relative to spindle 22 and reduced diameter portion 26.
A CD or DVD disk D can then be placed on the centering spindle 22 until it seats flush on shoulder 28 with the reduced diameter portion 26 projecting up through the center of disk D. The side of disk D to be labeled - the non-data side of the disk - must be facing down. Finally, the clear center part of disk D, or mandril M mounted on the reduced diameter portion 26 of spindle 22 and seated on shoulder 28 is pushed downwardly as shown in Fig. 7, applying pressure at three or four different points, until the disk D comes into contact with label L beneath it compressing foam pad 16 and adhering the disk and label, the reduced diameter portion 26 of spindle 22 maintains the disk D centered with respect to label L and the disk D cannot cant or pivot relative to the label L because the portion 26 passes completely therethrough. The compressed foam pad 16 exerts a counterforce uniformly on the disk and label as the two are adhered and united. Upon relief of finger pressure, the resilient foam pad returns to an uncompressed state, lifting the united label and disk from base 12 and the reduced diameter portion 26 of the spindle 22 can serve as a handle to remove the coupled disk and label completely from the base, where they can be separated from the spindle 22.
While a resilient foam pad 16 is disclosed as the preferred embodiment for use with the labeler, it should be understood that a compressible and resilient pad made from other materials could also be used, such as rubber or a synthetic rubber neoprene pad, as long as the material is compressible and resilient. The pad, may or may not be secured to the bottom of the spindle portion 24 or may be adhered to both the spindle portion 24 and its supporting surfaces.
The positioning plate 12 may also be enhanced by the placing of a felt, non-scratching surface in seated engagement therewith to preclude the written side of disk D from being damaged during securement of the label. The positioning plate 12 is provided with a cylindrical skirt 30 which may terminate in a solid plate or base for firmer support on a planar surface.
While the thickness of the plate 12 surrounding the positioning hole 14 should be sufficient to prevent lateral shifting of the spindle portion 24 and serve as a housing, a tube (not shown) may extend downwardly in coaxial alignment from positioning hole 14, approximately the diameter of pad 16 and spindle portion 24 to house the same and present lateral movement. Finally, the surface of positioning plate 12, supporting label L may be slightly convex from the hole 14 to the outer circumference so that contact between the disk and label is first made in the center of the label and adhesion progresses therefrom along a chord or a radius of the label and disk to prevent air bubbles or wrinkles beneath the label.
Referring specifically to Figures 8 to 10, a washer 32 having a central opening 34 may be placed about spindle portion 26 and seated on disk D prior to adhering the disk to the label L. Washer 32 may be provided with radial arms 36 for finger contact in pressing the disk D into contact with the label L. The washer 32 is provided to preclude contact with the disk itself during the adhesion step and scratching or damage to the disk surface.
For a similar reason the bottom surface 400 of washer 32 includes a thin, smaller hollow disk 42 attached thereto, provided with interior radial arms 42 to raise washer 32 above the surface of the disk D to preclude damage to the surface when pressure is applied.
Claims
1. A labeler for the placement of self-adhesive labels onto a compact disk or the like comprising: a positioning spindle having a first and second portion, said second portion having a cross sectional area smaller than said first portion for insertion in the spindle hole of a disk, a shoulder between said first and second portions for supporting a disk, a positioning plate having a label supporting surface and a positioning hole, the first portion of said spindle having a resilient, compressible pad on the bottom thereof received within the positioning hole of said positioning plate to permit movement of said shoulder and a disk supported thereon towards said label supporting surface on said positioning plate for adhesion to the label upon contact therewith.
2. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said first and second spindle portions are cylindrical in shape.
3. The labeler of claim 2 wherein said positioning hole is circular in shape and said pad is cylindrical in shape.
4. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad includes an adhesive surface for securing the pad to the bottom of said first portion of said spindle.
5. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said positioning plate is circular in shape.
6. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad is formed from a resilient foam.
7. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad is rubber.
8. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad is neoprene.
9. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad is secured to the bottom of said spindle.
10. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad has an adhesive on opposite surfaces thereof.
11. The labeler of claim 1 including a scratch resistant covering on said positioning plate.
12. The labeler of claim 1 1 wherein said scratch resistant covering has a felt surface.
13. The labeler of claim 1 including a washer adapted to be positioned over and around said second portion of said spindle and on a disk seated on said shoulder to protect against contact with the disk.
14. The labeler of claim 13 wherein said washer includes a plurality of radial arms extending outwardly therefrom adapted for contact with a plurality of fingers adapted to exert a force on said disk against the compression of said pad, to adhere said disk to said label on said positioning plate.
15. The labeler of claim 14 including a plate on the bottom of said washer adapted to raise the washer above the plane of a disk seated on said shoulder to preclude scratching the surface thereof.
16. The labeler of claim 15 wherein said plate has a plurality of radial support arms on the bottom surface thereof adapted to contact a disk to raise said plate above the surface of the disk.
17. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said positioning plate has a thickness adjacent said positioning hole sufficient to house said first spindle portion to guide said portion and preclude lateral movement thereof.
18. The labeler of claim 17 including a tube extending downwardly from said positioning plate adjacent said positioning hole to guide and house said first spindle portion to preclude lateral movement thereof.
19. The labeler of claim 1 including a base connected to said positioning plate.
20. The labeler of claim 18 wherein said tube is axially aligned with said positioning hole.
21. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said positioning plate has a slightly convex surface for adhering the label to a disk incrementally in a radial direction from said positioning hole to preclude the formation of air bubbles beneath a label adhered to a disk.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US141848 | 1988-01-11 | ||
US14184898A | 1998-08-27 | 1998-08-27 | |
PCT/EP1998/006169 WO2000012390A1 (en) | 1998-08-26 | 1998-09-29 | Disk labeling device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1107915A1 true EP1107915A1 (en) | 2001-06-20 |
Family
ID=22497539
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP98952660A Withdrawn EP1107915A1 (en) | 1998-08-26 | 1998-09-29 | Disk labeling device |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1107915A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU1027599A (en) |
DE (1) | DE29819707U1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000012390A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6431237B2 (en) * | 1996-07-24 | 2002-08-13 | Fellowes, Inc. | Disk labeling device |
US6196290B1 (en) * | 1998-08-27 | 2001-03-06 | Neato, Llc | Disk labeling device |
WO2001017860A1 (en) | 1999-09-06 | 2001-03-15 | Phonosound Musikproduktions Gmbh | Device and method for sticking a label to a compact disk (cd) |
DE19960801A1 (en) * | 1999-12-16 | 2001-06-28 | Laserware Gmbh | Adhesive label applicator and centering device e.g. for disc-shaped data carriers such as CDs, has outer surface of resetting element made greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the guide part |
CA2443878A1 (en) * | 2001-04-11 | 2002-10-24 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Label applicator, method and label therefor |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4385460A (en) | 1981-02-20 | 1983-05-31 | Hanna Richard D | Phonorecord label |
JPH0650876Y2 (en) | 1987-03-31 | 1994-12-21 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Optical audio disc |
JPH046032A (en) | 1990-04-13 | 1992-01-10 | Gurafuiko:Kk | Automatic label pasting device for magnetic disc |
JPH0532498A (en) | 1991-07-30 | 1993-02-09 | Unitika Ltd | Organic whisker |
US5346654A (en) | 1992-07-31 | 1994-09-13 | Sanyo Laser Products, Inc. | Mehod of forming indicia on compact disks and indicia-bearing compact disks |
US5316464A (en) | 1992-12-16 | 1994-05-31 | Lexell Jason R | Compact disc labeling system |
US5543001A (en) | 1994-08-08 | 1996-08-06 | Micropatent | Method for the placement of self-adhesive labels on compact disks |
DE29617424U1 (en) * | 1996-06-05 | 1996-12-05 | Claußnitzer, Werner, 42329 Wuppertal | Device for applying a label to a compact disc or the like. |
DE29721676U1 (en) * | 1997-11-26 | 1998-02-12 | Franzius, Kristian, 32427 Minden | Device for applying stickers to storage disks, such as CDs or CD-ROMs |
-
1998
- 1998-09-29 EP EP98952660A patent/EP1107915A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1998-09-29 AU AU10275/99A patent/AU1027599A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-09-29 WO PCT/EP1998/006169 patent/WO2000012390A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-11-04 DE DE29819707U patent/DE29819707U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO0012390A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE29819707U1 (en) | 1999-04-29 |
AU1027599A (en) | 2000-03-21 |
WO2000012390A1 (en) | 2000-03-09 |
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