GB1593428A

GB1593428A - Composite web of pressure sensitive labels and method of making and using same

Info

Publication number: GB1593428A
Application number: GB5305977A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Monarch Marking Systems Inc
Current assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC
Priority date: 1977-01-10
Filing date: 1977-12-20
Publication date: 1981-07-15
Also published as: MX146264A; DE2800719C2; FR2377070A1; JPS6151314B2; AU515838B2; AU3208777A; DE2800719A1; CA1117076A; JPS5389699A; FR2377070B1

Description

(54) COMPOSITE WEB OF PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABELS AND METHOD OF MAKING AND USING SAME (71) We, MONARCH MARKING SYSTEMS, INC. a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, United States of America, of P.O. Box 608, Dayton, State of Ohio 45401, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to composite webs of pressure sensitive labels, to methods of making such webs and to methods of using such webs.

The invention is particular concerned with two-part labels.

The invention in one aspect provides a composite web of pressure sensitive labels adapted to be used in a hand-held label applying apparatus, the composite web including a longitudinally extending web of supporting material having a release coating, printable label material having pressure sensitive adhesive releasably adhering the label material to the release coating on the supporting material web, longitudinally spaced laterally extending lines of severing in the label material to provide a series of labels carried on the supporting material web, a longitudinally extending line of partial severing in the label material between the side edges of the label material and providing each label with first and second label patts, only the first label parts having a coating of the adhesive with the adhesive on the first label parts being present in an amount and distribution to hold the labels securely to merchandise, and the second label parts being connected to the supporting material web only through the longitudinally extending line of partial severing, each laterally extending line of severing being substantially continuous and extending substantially completely across the entire width of the label material but defining a frangible portion connecting together the second label parts of adjacent labels for keeping the second label parts close to the supporting material web but enabling a label which is to be applied to be readily pulled apart from the next adjacent label during application of a label without knife cutting, the first and second label parts being held together relatively securely at the longitudinal line of partial severing to prevent the second label part from being accidentally detached from the related first label part until ready to be detached and removed by the user, the force required to pull apart the second label parts of adjacent labels being substantially less than the force required to pull apart the first and second parts of each label.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of making a composite web of pressure sensitive labels adapted to be used in a hand-held label applying apparatus, comprising the steps of: providing a composite web including a longitudinally extending web of supporting material having a release coating thereon and printable label material having pressure sensitive adhesive thereon, the adhesive being releasably adhered to the release coating on the supporting material web, severing the label material at longitudinally spaced laterally extending lines to provide a series of labels carried on the supporting material web, partially severing the web of label material along a longitudinally extending line between the side edges of the label material to provide each label with first and second label parts with only the first label parts having a coating of the adhesive with the adhesive on the first label parts being present in an amount and distribution to hold the label securely to merchandise and the second label parts being connected to the supporting material web only through the longitudinally extend ing line of partial severing, each line of lateral severing being substantially continuous and extending substantiallv completely across the entire width of the label material but defining a frangible portion connecting together the second label parts of adjacent labels for keeping the second label parts close to the supporting material web but enabling a label which is to be applied to be readily pulled apart from the next adjacent label during application of the label without knife cutting, the first and second label parts being held together relatively securely at the longitudinal line of partial severing to prevent the second label part from being accidentally detached from the related first label part until ready to be detached and removed by the user, the force required to pull apart the second label parts of adjacent labels being substantially less than the force required to pull apart the first and second parts of each label.

In a further aspect the invention is concerned with a method of printing and applying two-part labels from the composite label web using a hand-held label printing and applying apparatus, the apparatus having a print head. a delaminator, web advancing means, and a label applicator. the composite label web including a longitudinally extending web of supporting material having a release coating thereon and printable label material having pressure sensitive adhesive thereon, the adhesive being releasably adhered to the release coating on the supporting material web, the label material being severed at longitudinally spaced laterally extending lines to provide a series of labels carried on the supporting material web, the label material being partially severed along a longitudinally extending line between side edges of the label material to provide each label with first and second label parts with only the first label parts having a coating of the adhesive with the adhesive on the first label parts being present in an amount and distribution to hold the label securely to merchandise and the second label parts being connected to the supporting material web only through the longitudinally extending line of partial severing, wherein each line of lateral severing is substantially continuous and extends substantially completely across the entire width of the label material but defines a frangible portion connecting together the second label parts of adjacent labels for keeping the second label parts close to the supporting material web but enabling a label which is to be applied to be readily pulled apart from the next adjacent label during application of a label without knife cutting, comprising the steps of: manually grasping the label printing and applying apparatus and printing indicia on both the first and second label parts of a label and thereafter causing the web advancing means to draw the supporting material web around the delaminator until the just printed label is dispensed directly to label applying position relative to the label applicator at which the trailing marginal end portion of the label is still adhered to the supporting material web, and moving the apparatus so that the label applicator presses the dispensed label onto the merchandise and pulls the label from the supporting material web and pulls the label apart from the adjacent label to which it is connected by means of the frangible portion.

The invention further provides in yet another aspect a method of applying labels of a composite web including a longitudinally extending web of supporting material having a release coating thereon and printable label material having pressure sensitive adhesive thereon, the adhesive being releasably adhered to the release coating on the supporting material web, the label material being severed at longitudinally spaced laterally extending lines to provide a series of labels carried on the supporting material web, the label material being partially severed along a longitudinally extending line between side edges of the label material to provide each label with first and second label parts with only the first label parts having a coating of the adhesive with the adhesive on the first label parts being present in an amount and distribution to hold the label securely to merchandise and the second label parts being connected to the supporting material web only through the longitudinally extending line of partial severing. wherein each line of lateral severing is substantially continuous and extends substantially completely across the entire width of the label material but defines a frangible portion connecting together the second label parts of adjacent labels for keeping the second label parts close to the supporting material web but enabling a label which is to be applied to be readily pulled apart from the next adjacent label during application of a label without knife cutting, comprising the steps of: drawing the supporting material web around a relatively sharp bend until a label is advanced to a position at which only its trailing marginal end portion is adhered to the supporting material web and the label is in label applying relationship with respect to a label applicator, and applying the label using the label applicator while pulling the trailing marginal end portion of the label away from the supporting material web and simultaneously pulling and thereby tearing the frangible portion which connects the label which is being applied to the next adjacent label.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which a preferred embodiment is illustrated.

Figure 1 is a perspective diagrammatic view showing the manner in which a composite web of pressure sensitive labels is shown in relationship to a print head, a delaminator, an applicator and a toothed feed wheel; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a composite web of labels according to the invention in use in a hand-held label printing and applying apparatus; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the composite web with some of the label material removed to show the supporting material web; Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the label material; Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a label according to the invention applied to merchandise; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the label is disposed relative to the applicator and to the delaminator at the beginning of the label applica tion; Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the leading label as having been pulled from the supporting material web and as having been torn from the next successive label; Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing lamination of a wide web of supporting material to a wide web of pattern gum label material; and Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view showing how composite webs in accordance with the invention are made.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3 initially, there is shown a composite web generally indicated at 10 which includes a web of supporting material generally indicated at 11 and label material generally indicated at 12. The supporting material has a release coating 13 indicated by light stippling in the drawings. The label material 12 is shown to have a stripe or zone of adhesive 14 indicated by heavy stippling. The adhesive 14 releasably adheres the label material 12 to the release coating 13 on the web 11. The label material is severed laterally as indicated at 15 except for lands or frangible portions 16. The severing 15 divides the label material 12 into a series of labels 17 which are detachably connected by the frangible portions 16. The labels 17 are divided into label parts 18 and 19 by a line of partial severing 20. Each frangible portion 16 is shown to include only one interruption in the severing 15 as is preferred but it can include more than one interruption. The frangible portion 16 is preferably made by failing to cut the label material 12, but it can be made by scoring or creasing the label material 12. It is preferred that the frangible portions 16 be made only at the label parts 19 as shown. The adhesive 14 is only at the underside of the label part 18 so that the label part 19 is free of adhesive. The partial severing 20 is preferably made by perforation cuts which extend entirely through the label material 12 but leave intervening lands or frangible portions as shown in the drawings, however, the expression partial severing, as used herein, includes scoring and/or creasing. The frangible portions 16 prevent the label parts 19 from moving away from the supporting material web 11, as by pivoting about partial severing 20 or as by curling, so long as the respective label parts 18 are adhered to the supporting material web by means of the adhesive 14. The frangible portions 16 are, however, sufficiently weak to enable a label 17 which is being applied (Figures 1, 6 and 7) to be readily pulled apart from the next adjacent label. The partial severing 20 holds the label parts 18 and 19 to each other relatively securely to prevent the label part 19 from being accidentally detached from the related label part 18 until ready to be detached and removed by the user. The partial severing 20 leaves the label parts 18 and 19 attached more securely than the frangible portions 16 attach adjacent labels, thus the force required to pull adjacent labels 17 apart from each other is less and most preferably substantially less than the force required to pull apart label parts 18 and 19.

Figure 1 shows diagrammatically the manner in which the composite web 10 is used.

The composite web 10 is advanced to a platen 21 with which a print head 22 shown diagrammatically by phantom lines in Figure 1 is cooperable. A delaminator 23 is disposed adjacent or at the terminal end of the platen 21, and an applicator 24 shown to be in the form of a roll is shown in label applying relationship with respect to the leading label 17. The composite web has groups of cuts 25 shown to be arranged in two colums. The cuts 25 as shown to be in both the label material 12 and the supporting material web 11. The cuts in the label material 12 are indicated at 25L and the cuts in the supporting material are indicated at 25S. A toothed driver 26 is specifically shown to be a feed wheel with teeth 27. The teeth 27 break through the supporting material web 12 at cuts 25S and when the driver 26 is rotated clockwise (Figures 1 and 2) the composite web is advanced, thereby drawing the web 11 about the delaminator 23 and advancing the labels 17. The composite web 10 can be used in commercially available hand-held label printing and applying apparatus sold by Monarch Marking Systems, Inc., Dayton, Ohio U.S.A. as illustrated in their U.S. patent No. 3,957,562 granted on May 18, 1976 to Paul H.

Hamisch, Jr. Figure 2 of the drawings of the present application shows the composite web in a labeler 28, the precise construction of which is better illustrated in their U.S.

patent No. 3,948,172 granted on April 6, 1976 to Paul H. Hamisch, Jr. The composite web 10 is shown to comprise a roll R from which the free end portion is paid out. The composite web 10 is guided to the platen 21 and from there the web 11 passes to the toothed driver 26. The label 17 is first printed by the print head 22 and thereafter advanced by the toothed driver 26. As shown in Figure 2 and as better shown in Figure 6 when the composite web 10 is fully advanced following printing, the leading label 17 is at a position at which its trailing marginal end portion 17t is still adhered to the supporting material web 11. The apparatus 28 has a handle 29 at which an actuator 30 is disposed. The user grasps the handle 29 and the actuator 30 in one hand and upon squeezing the actuator 30 the print head 22 moves into cooperation with the platen 21 and when the user releases the actuator 30 return spring means (not shown) effects movement of the print head 22 away from the platen 21 and effccts clockwise rotation of the toothed driver 26. The user applies the label 17, which has been dispensed into label applying position with respect to applicator 24, by causing the label to be prcssed by means of the applicator 24 against the surface of the merchandise M. The user moves the apparatus 28 so that the applicator 24 pulls the trailing marginal end portion 17t of the label 17 away from the supporting material web 11 and pulls the label 17 apart from the adjacent label 17 to which it is connected by means of the frangible portion 16, thereby scparating the leading label 17 from the supporting material web 11 and from the next adjacent label 17 as shown in Figure 7. Figure 5 shows the label 17 applied to merchandise M by means of the adhesive 14. The rupturcs 16' at the frangible portions 16 are indicated in Figure 5, for example. The user can tear the label part 19 from the label part 18 at line 20 of partial severing.

The label 17 is preferably printed with indicia 18' for example "Reg. Price" on label part 18 and indicia 19' for example "Sale Price" on label part 19. The indicia 18' and 19' have been omitted from Figures 1, 3 and 9 for clarity but each label part 18 and 19 would be printed with these respective indicia. The user sets the print head 22 to print both the regular price and the sale price, and it is apparent that the regular price is higher than the sale price. When the sale is over, the clerk simply tears off the label part (or sale label part) 19 and the label part (or regular price label part) 18 remains securely adhered to the merchandise by the adhesive 14. It is apparent that only the label part 18 of each label has a coating of the adhesive 14 in an amount and distribution to hold the label 17 securely to the merchandise M. The label part 19 is free of adhesive.

With reference to Figure 8. a wide composite web 10W is made by laminating a wide web of supporting material 11W to a wide web of label material 12W. The web 11W has a release coating 13 and the web 12W has laterally spaced zones of the adhesive 14. The zones Z are spaced apart by intervening zones which are free of adhesive as shown. The wide composite web 10W can be processed into the composite webs 10 in high speed rotary presses. Figure 9 is a greatly simplified diagrammatic representation of such a press. In such presses the web moves at high speed along both straight and curvilinear lines and without the frangible portions 16 the label parts 19 would fold outwardly once the web 10W is slit by knives 31 into relatively narrow composite webs 10.

As shown the web 10W is provided with cuts 25 by cooperating rolls 32 and 33. The roll 33 is provided with knives 34. The web 10W passes between cooperating rolls 35 and 36.

The roll 35 has laterally spaced perforating knives 37 which make the lines of partial severing 20. The knives 37 preferably do not make perforation cuts into or through the supporting material web 1tW. The web 10W also passes between rolls 38 and 39.

The roll 38 has knives 40 which make the lateral lines of severing 15. The knives 40 preferably do not make any cut into or through the supporting material web 11W.

The knives 40 have notches 41 which form the lands or frangible portions 16. Following slitting of the web 10W, that is, both the label material web 12W and the supporting material web 11W by knives 31 along lines of severing 42, the composite webs 10 can be wound into rolls R which can be used in the apparatus 28.

Adjacent labels 17 can be separated from each other more easily than related label parts 18 and 19 can be separated from each other. More specifically the force required to pull apart labels 17 should be large enough to prevent the loose flap problem but small enough to enable the leading label 17 to be pulled apart from the adjacent label 17 during application of the leading label 17 to the merchandise M and the force required to pull apart label parts 18 and 19 should be large enough to prevent accidental tearing along the line of partial severing 20 when the label 17 is applied to merchandise M but small enough to enable the label parts 19 to be torn from the respective label parts 18 by the user while being applied using a label printing and applying machine.

More preferably the force required to pull apart the labels 17 should be substantially less than the force required to pull apart label parts 18 and 19.

By way of example, not limitation, using label material which weighs 45 pounds per ream (a ream equals 475,000 square inches), a frangible portion 16 was about 0.028 inch long. A test of the force required to pull apart adjacent labels 17 by pulling at 1800, that is, in opposite directions averaged about 60 grams. Using partial severing 20 made by a cutter having 13 teeth per inch with each intervening land being 1/64th inch in length, the label length measured lengthwise of the partial severing 20 was 0.733 inch, the force required to pull apart label parts 18 and 19 by pulling at 1800, that is, in opposite directions, averaged about 1340 grams. In another example, when using a frangible portion 16 which was 0.041 inch in length, the force required to pull apart adjacent labels averaged about 415 grams. It is apparent that because of the nature of paper which comprises the label material 12, increasing the length of the land or frangible portion 16 greatly increases the force required to separate the labels 17. Bv way of example, not limitation, it is preferred when using label material of the 45 pounds per ream weight to have the length of the frangible portion be between about 0.020 inch and about 0.041 inch in length, it is preferred that the average pulling force required to separate labels 17 from each other be held below about 415 grams and most preferably in the range of about 50 grams to 200 grams, and it is preferred that the average force required to pull apart label parts 18 and 19 be held below about 2500 grams and more preferably to be held to between about 1100 and 1800 grams.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A composite web of pressure sensitive labels adapted to be used in a hand-held label applying apparatus, the composite web including a longitudinally extending web of supporting material having a release coating, printable label material having pressure sensitive adhesive releasably adhering the label material to the release coating on the supporting material web, longitudinally spaced laterally extending lines of severing in the label material to provide a series of labels carried on the supporting material web, a longitudinally extending line of partial severing in the label material between the side edges of the label material and providing each label with first and second label parts, only the first label parts having a coating of the adhesive with the adhesive on the first label parts being present in an amount and distribution to hold the labels securely to merchandise, and the second label parts being connected to the supporting material web only through the longitudinally extending line of partial severing, each laterally extending line of severing being substantially continuous and extending substantially completely across the entire width of the label material but defining a frangible portion connecting together the second label parts of adjacent labels for keeping the second label parts close to the supporting material web but enabling a label which is to be applied to be readily pulled apart from the next adjacent label during application of a label without knife cutting, the first and second label parts being held together relatively securely at the longitudinal line of partial severing to prevent the second label part from being accidentally detached from the related first label part until ready to be detached and removed by the user, the force required to pull apart the second label parts of adjacent labels being substantially less than the force required to pull apart the first and second parts of each label.

2. A composite web as defined in claim 1, wherein each second label part has an outer edge opposite the longitudinally extending line of partial severing, the frangible portions being closer to the outer edges of the second label parts than to the longitudinally extending line of partial severing.

3. A composite web as defined in either of claims 1 and 2, wherein the longitudinally extending line of partial severing in the label material is generally midway between the side edges of the label material.

4. A cdmposite web as defined in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first and second label parts are substantially the same size and shape.

5. A composite web as defined in any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein each label has only first and second label parts.

6. A composite web as defined in any one of claims 1 through 5, wherein each frangible portion connects only the second label parts of adjacent labels and the first label parts of adjacent labels are completely severed.

7. A composite web as defined in Claim 2 or in any one of Claims 3 to 6 as dependent on Claim 2, there being only one frangible portion connecting adjacent labels.

8. Method of making a composite web of pressure sensitive labels adapted to be used in a hand-held label applying apparatus, comprising the steps of: providing a composite web including a longitudinally extending web of supporting material having a release coating thereon and printable label material having pressure sensitive adhesive thereon, the adhesive being releasably adhered to the release coating on the supporting material web, severing the label material at longitudinally spaced laterally

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. More preferably the force required to pull apart the labels 17 should be substantially less than the force required to pull apart label parts 18 and 19. By way of example, not limitation, using label material which weighs 45 pounds per ream (a ream equals 475,000 square inches), a frangible portion 16 was about 0.028 inch long. A test of the force required to pull apart adjacent labels 17 by pulling at 1800, that is, in opposite directions averaged about 60 grams. Using partial severing 20 made by a cutter having 13 teeth per inch with each intervening land being 1/64th inch in length, the label length measured lengthwise of the partial severing 20 was 0.733 inch, the force required to pull apart label parts 18 and 19 by pulling at 1800, that is, in opposite directions, averaged about 1340 grams. In another example, when using a frangible portion 16 which was 0.041 inch in length, the force required to pull apart adjacent labels averaged about 415 grams. It is apparent that because of the nature of paper which comprises the label material 12, increasing the length of the land or frangible portion 16 greatly increases the force required to separate the labels 17. Bv way of example, not limitation, it is preferred when using label material of the 45 pounds per ream weight to have the length of the frangible portion be between about 0.020 inch and about 0.041 inch in length, it is preferred that the average pulling force required to separate labels 17 from each other be held below about 415 grams and most preferably in the range of about 50 grams to 200 grams, and it is preferred that the average force required to pull apart label parts 18 and 19 be held below about 2500 grams and more preferably to be held to between about 1100 and 1800 grams. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A composite web of pressure sensitive labels adapted to be used in a hand-held label applying apparatus, the composite web including a longitudinally extending web of supporting material having a release coating, printable label material having pressure sensitive adhesive releasably adhering the label material to the release coating on the supporting material web, longitudinally spaced laterally extending lines of severing in the label material to provide a series of labels carried on the supporting material web, a longitudinally extending line of partial severing in the label material between the side edges of the label material and providing each label with first and second label parts, only the first label parts having a coating of the adhesive with the adhesive on the first label parts being present in an amount and distribution to hold the labels securely to merchandise, and the second label parts being connected to the supporting material web only through the longitudinally extending line of partial severing, each laterally extending line of severing being substantially continuous and extending substantially completely across the entire width of the label material but defining a frangible portion connecting together the second label parts of adjacent labels for keeping the second label parts close to the supporting material web but enabling a label which is to be applied to be readily pulled apart from the next adjacent label during application of a label without knife cutting, the first and second label parts being held together relatively securely at the longitudinal line of partial severing to prevent the second label part from being accidentally detached from the related first label part until ready to be detached and removed by the user, the force required to pull apart the second label parts of adjacent labels being substantially less than the force required to pull apart the first and second parts of each label.

extending lines to provide a series of labels carried on the supporting material web, partially severing the web of label material along a longitudinally extending line between the side edges of the label material to provide each label with first and second label parts with only the first label parts having a coating of the adhesive with the adhesive on the first label parts being present in an amount and distribution to hold the label securely to merchandise and the second label parts being connected to the supporting material web only through the longitudinally extending line of partial severing, each line of lateral severing being substantially continuous and extending substantially completely across the entire width of the label material but defining a frangible portion connecting together the second label parts of adjacent labels for keeping the second label parts close to the supporting material web but enabling a label which is to be applied to be readily pulled apart from the next adjacent label during application of the label without knife cutting, the first and second label parts being held together relatively securely at the longitudinal line of partial severing to prevent the second label part from being accidentally detached from the related first label part until ready to be detached and removed by the user, the force required to pull apart the second label parts of adjacent labels being substantially less than the force required to pull apart the first and second parts of each label.

9. Method as defined in claim 8, wherein the frangible portion connects only the second label parts of adjacent labels and the first label parts are completely separated from each other.

10. Method as defined in either claim 8 or claim 9, wherein each second label part has an outer edge opposite the longitudinally extending line of partial severing, the frangible portions being made closer to the outer edges of the second label parts than to the longitudinal line of partial severing.

11. Method of printing and applying two-part labels from the composite label web using a hand-held label printing and applying apparatus, the apparatus having a print head, a delaminator, web advancing means, and a label applicator, the composite label web including a longitudinally extending web of supporting material having a release coating thereon and printable label material having pressure sensitive adhesive thereon, the adhesive being relcas- ably adhered to the release coating on the supporting material web. the label material being severed at longitudinally spaced laterally extending lines to provide a series of labels carried on the supporting material web, the label material being partially severed along a longitudinally extending line between side edges of the label material to provide each label with first and second label parts with only the first label parts having a coating of the adhesive with the adhesive on the first label parts being present in an amount and distribution to hold the label securely to merchandise and the second label parts being connected to the supporting material web only through the longitudinally extending line of partial severing, wherein each line of lateral severing is substantially continuous and extends substantially completely across the entire width of the label material but defines a frangible portion connecting together the second label parts of adjacent labels for keeping the second label parts close to the supporting material web but enabling a label which is to be applied to be readily pulled apart from the next adjacent label during application of a label without knife cutting, comprising the steps of: manually grasping the label printing and applying apparatus and printing indicia on both the first and second label parts of a label and thereafter causing the web advancing means to draw the supporting material web around the delaminator until the just printed label is dispensed directly to label applying position relative to the label applicator at which the trailing marginal end portion of the label is still adhered to the supporting material web, and moving the apparatus so that the label applicator presses the dispensed label onto the merchandise and pulls the label from the supporting material web and pulls the label apart from the adjacent label to which it is connected by means of the frangible portion.

12. Method as defined in claim 11, including the step of tearing off and removing the second label part from the respective first label part after the label has been applied to merchandise.

13. Method as defined in either claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the printing step includes printing indicia according to one price on the first label part of a label and according to a lower price on the respective second label part.

14. Method as defined in any one of claims 11, 12 or 13, wherein the frangible portions connect only the second label parts of adjacent labels and the first label parts are completely separated from each other.

15. Method of applying labels of a composite web including a longitudinally extending web of supporting material having a release coating thereon and printable label material having pressure sensitive adhesive thereon, the adhesive being releasably adhered to the release coating on the supporting material web, the label material being severed at longitudinally spaced laterally extending lines to provide a series of labels carried on the supporting material web, the label material being partially severed along a longitudinally extending line between side edges of the label material to provide each label with first and second label parts with only the first label parts having a coating of the adhesive with the adhesive on the first label parts being present in an amount and distribution to hold the label securely to merchandise and the second label parts being connected to the supporting material web only through the longitudinally extending line of partial severing, wherein each line of lateral severing is substantially continuous and extends substantially completely across the entire width of the label material but defines a frangible portion connecting together the second label parts of adjacent labels for keeping the second label parts close to the supporting material web but enabling a label which is to be applied to be readily pulled apart from the next adjacent label during application of a label without knife cutting, comprising the steps of: drawing the supporting material web around a relatively sharp bend until a label is advanced to a position at which only its trailing marginal end portion is adhered to the supporting material web and the label is in label applying relationship with respect to a label applicator, and applying the label using the label applicator while pulling the trailing marginal end portion of the label away from the supporting material web and simultaneously pulling and thereby tearing the frangible portion which connects the label which is being applied to the next adjacent label.

16. Method as defined in claim 15, further comprising the step of printing indicia on both the first and second label parts.

17. Method as defined in claim 15, wherein the printing step includes printing a first price on the first label part and a second and lower price on the second label part.

18. Method as defined in either claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the printing step precedes the drawing step.

19. Method as defined in any one of claims 15 through 18, wherein the frangible portion connects only the second label parts of adjacent labels and the first label parts are completely severed from each other.

20. A composite web of pressure sensitive labels substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying draw ings.

21. A method of making a composite web of pressure sensitive labels substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A method of printing and applying pressure sensitive labels substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.