GB2158802A

GB2158802A - Label strip

Info

Publication number: GB2158802A
Application number: GB08412581A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Davis Morris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-05-17
Filing date: 1984-05-17
Publication date: 1985-11-20
Also published as: GB2158802B; GB8412581D0; AU4350485A; BR8502342A; AU4255885A; EP0190152A1; DK220785D0; WO1985005481A1; NO851969L

Abstract

A label strip (10) comprises a backing strip (15; 15') on which a plurality of labels (11a; 11b) are removably adhered, the labels (11a, 11b) being separated from one another by transverse slits (12) or lines of weakness which do not extend through the backing strip (15; 15') the backing strip only (15; 15') having a plurality of cuts (16; 20) to provide edge portions in the backing sheet (15; 15') which may engage with strip engaging means of an applicator gun.

Description

SPECIFICATION Label strip This invention relates to a label strip, that is a strip comprising a backing strip on which a plurality of labels are removably adhered, the labels being either separated by slits extending transversely of the longitudinal extent of the label strip or separated by lines of weakness such as rows of serrations, so that the labels may be removed from the backing strip individually. Such label strips are used for example, in shops for pricing goods.

Such label strips are known which have side edges of sinusoidal or castelled configuration arranged to register with locating pins or other strip engaging means of an applicator gun. This configuration is provided by cutting the labels and backing strip so that the sides of the labels and backing strip are not of plain, rectilinear configuration, but of sinusoidal or castellated configuration.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new or improved label strip.

According to the invention I provide a label strip comprising a backing strip on which a plurality of labels are removably adhered, the labels being separated from one another by transverse slits or lines of weakness which do not extend through the backing strip, the backing strip only having a plurality of cuts to provide edge portions in the backing sheet which may engage with strip engaging means of an applicator gun.

Thus the labels may have plain straight side edges if required and need not be castellated or of sinusoidal configuration like previous labels.

A label strip in accordance with the invention provides at least the following advantages over known label strips.

First, the label strip can be produced more quickly and easily as less cutting is required, and the cutting tool may be of a similar form than cutting tools for producing known label strips.

Secondly, because only the backing sheet is cut, and not the labels themselves, there is less wear on the cutting tool thereby prolonging the life of the cutting tool and reducing the need for maintenance.

Thirdly, a strip in accordance with the invention provided with planar sides can more easily be wound into a roll for use in the applicator gun than with strips with castellated or sinusoidal sides.

Fourthly, the roll is generally thicker and less likely to unwind itself than with known label strips, which is achieved by parts of the thus cut backing sheet folding back on themselves so that the adhesive on the underside of a label above the cut in the backing sheet is exposed.

In one arrangement, the cuts extend inwardly from the side edges of the strip and may comprise slits in the backing strip extending transversely of the longitudinal extent of the label strip a small distance inwardly only, for example, less than a third of the width of the label strip, but preferably less than one eighth of the width of the label strip.

Preferably, in this arrangement, the slits in the backing strip are not aligned with the slits or lines of weakness which separate the labels, and more preferably, the cuts extend from each of the side edges of the backing strip inwardly towards one another, in alignment to provide pairs of cuts along the strip.

In another arrangement, the cuts each comprise a first part which extends inwardly from the respective side edge of the label strip and a second part connected to the first part which extends longitudinally of the label strip.

Preferably the first part extends inwardly of the label strip less than a third of the width thereof and more preferably less than one eighth of the width, and the second longitudinal part of the cut extends longitudinally only a small distance, for example, less than a third of the length of each individual label.

Again, preferably a pair of aligned cuts are provided at either side of the label strip.

In the second arrangement, preferably the second longitudinally extending part of each of the cuts terminates adjacent a slit or line of weakness which separates two labels of the label strip.

The labels may be made of paper or a plastics material as required, and the backing sheet may comprise a waxed or other paper to the surface of which the adhesive of the label does not bond permanently so that the labels may easily be removed, although other materials are possible.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings in Which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a label strip in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an underside plan view of the label strip of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an underside plan view of an alternative label strip in accordance with the invention.

Referring first to Figure 1, a label strip 10 comprises a plurality of labels 11a-11h separated by slits 12 which extend transversely of the longitudinal axis A of the label strip. If desired, instead of slits, rows of serrations or other lines of weakness could separate the labels. The labels lla-llh are conveniently made of paper and are provided with adhesive on their undersides whereby the labels 11a-11h are secured to a backing strip 15 made of a shiny or waxed paper from which the labels 11a- 11h may easily be removed, the adhesive not bonding permanently to the strip 15.

Referring to Figure 2, the backing strip 15 is provided with a plurality of cuts 16 each of which comprise a first part 17 which extends transversely inwardly of the plain side edges 13 and 14 of the label strip 10 a small distance, and a second part 18 which extends longitudnally of the axis A of the label strip, again only for a short distance.

The cuts 16 may be longer than shown, although preferably the part 17 does not extend inwardly of the edge 13 or 14 for more than a third of the total width W of the label strip (and more preferably for not more than an eighth of the width W) and the part 18 does not extend longitudinally of the strip 10 for more than a third of the length 1 of each individual strip.

As shown, each of the labels lla-11h of the strip 10 are of the same size, although of course labels of varying size may be provided on the same strip.

A cut 16 is provided at each side edge 13 and 14 of the strip 10, the cuts being aligned, and the second longitudinally extending part 18 of each cut 16 thereof terminating adjacent a slit 12 separating the labels 11a-11h.

In use, the label strip 10 is coiled and inserted to an applicator gun. Due to this coiling, it will be appreciated that these cuts 16 will cause a tang provided by cut parts 17, 18, and the uncut part 19 to extend from the plane of the label strip, which tang may provide edge portions to engage with locating pins of other strip engaging means in the applicator gun to provide for positive registration of the label strip as it passes from the gun.

As the cuts 16 do not extend through the labels 11a-11h, the labels may have plain straight sides such as shown at 13 and 14 without any sinusoidal of castellated configuration as is required in known label strips, although if desired may have such side configurations.

Referring now to Figure 3, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown, generally similar to the label strip 10 of Figures 1 and 2, although the cuts in the backing strip 15' which are indicated at 20 comprise simple straight cuts which extend from each longitudinally extending side edge 13', 14' inwardly towards axis A' of the label strip a short distance, preferably less than a third of the width W' of the label strip.

In use, in an applicator gun, due to the presence of cuts 20, as strip 10' passes through the applicator gun, adjacent parts such as shown at 21 and 22 of the backing strip tend to separate to provide edge portions 21, 22, with which locating pins or other strip engaging means of the applicator gun can register.

Of course many modifications are possible provided that the cuts in the backing paper do not extend through the labels. For example, the labels produced need not have planar side edges 13 and 14 as shown, and the cuts 16 need not extend inwardly from the side edges of the strip but would be provided intermediate the edges.

Claims

1. A label strip comprising a backing strip on which a plurality of labels are removably adhered, the labels being separated from one another by transverse slits or lines of weakness which do not extend through the backing strip, the backing strip only, having a plurality of cuts to provide edge portions in the backing sheet which may engage with strip engaging means of an applicator gun.

2. A label strip according to claim 1 wherein the labels have plain straight side edges.

3. A label strip according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein parts of the cut backing sheet are folded back on themselves so that the adhesive on the underside of a label above the cut in the backing sheet is exposed.

4. A label strip according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cuts extend inwardly from the side edges of the strip.

5. A label strip according to claim 4 wherein the cuts comprise slits in the backing strip extending transversely of the longitudinal extent of the label strip a small distance inwardly only.

6. A label strip according to claim 5 wherein the cuts extend inwardly from the side edges of the label strip for less than a third of the width of the label strip.

7. A label strip according to claim 6 wherein the cuts extend inwardly from the side edges of the label strip for less than one eighth of the width of the label strip.

8. A label strip according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the slits in the backing strip are not aligned with the slits or lines of weakness which separate the labels.

9. A label strip according to any one of claims 4 to 8 where apparent to claim 4 wherein the cuts extend from each of the side edges of the backing strip inwardly towards one another, in alignment to provide pairs of cuts along the strip.

10. A label strip according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the cuts each comprise a first part which extends inwardly from the respective side edges of the label strip and a second part connected to the first part which extends longitudinally of the label strip.

11. A label strip according to claim 10 wherein the first part extends inwardly of the label strip less than a third of the width thereof.

12. A label strip according to claim 11 wherein the first part extends inwardly of the respective edge of the label strip less than one eighth of the width thereof.

13. A label strip according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein part of the cut extends longitudinally only a small distance.

14. A label strip according to claim 13 wherein the second part of the cut extends longitudinally for less than a third of the length of each individual label.

15. A label strip according to any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein a pair of aligned cuts are provided at either side of the label strip.

16. A label strip according or any one of claims 10 to 15 wherein the second longitudinally extending part of each of the cuts terminates adjacent a slit of line of weakness which separates two individual labels of the label strip.

17. A label strip according to any of the preceding claims wherein the labels are made of paper or a plastics material, and the backing sheet comprises a paper to the surface of which the adhesive of the label does not bond permanently so that the labels may easily be removed.

18. A label strip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, or Figure 1 and Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

19. Any novel feature of novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.