GB2254839A

GB2254839A - Label dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2254839A
Application number: GB9108121A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamaguchi
Original assignee: Osaka Sealing Printing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Osaka Sealing Printing Co Ltd
Priority date: 1990-04-28
Filing date: 1991-04-16
Publication date: 1992-10-21
Also published as: LU87927A1; FR2661394A1; BE1003609A6; CA2040788A1; GB9108121D0; NL9100728A

Abstract

A label dispenser 10 is removably held on rods 34a, 34b of base 32 by dispenser projections 28, 30 so as to be easily replaced by a dispenser with different labels. Label roll 38 is rotatable on inward projections on spring-apart side plates 16a (16b). Base paper 40 carries labels 42 under roller 20, and over folding shaft 22 to release the labels, and then passes under shaft 24. The base rods may be long enough to support several dispensers 10 (Fig. 7). The base may have motorised feed rollers for the separated paper controlled by a sensor sensing label absence. The base underside may prevent slip. <IMAGE>

Description

CARTRIDGE FOR LABEL The present invention relates to a cartridge for label and more particularly, to the cartridge for use in a dispenser for releasing a label releasably adhered to the release base paper of a label-continued sheet.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional dispenser 1 used to release a label releasably adhered to the release base paper of a label-continued sheet.

The dispenser 1 includes a holding reel 2. The labelcontinued sheet 3 is held around the holding reel 2. The label-continued sheet 3 includes a- release base paper 4.

Labels 5 are releasably adhered to the release base paper 4.

When one end of the label-continued sheet 3 held by the holding reel 2 is pulled, the label-continued sheet 3 is unrolled from one end thereof and fed to a cylindrical shaft 6 of a small diameter. The label-continued sheet 3 is folded by the shaft 6 and fed to a release plate 7. The label-continued sheet 3 is folded by the release plate 7.

Consequently, the label 5 is released from the release base paper 4.

However, with the use of the conventional dispenser, it takes much time and labor to replace a label-continued sheet with a different one. That is, each time a labelcontinued sheet is replaced, it is dismounted from the release plate and the shaft and then, removed from the holding reel. Then, a different label-continued sheet is mounted on the holding reel and passed through the shaft and the release plate.

Therefore, each time different kinds of label are necessary, it takes much time and labor to replace a labelcontinued sheet with a different one.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a cartridge for label which can be easily mounted on a dispenser.

A cartridge in accordance with the present invention comprises: a pair of holding reels for holding a labelcontinued sheet including a release base paper to which a label is releasably adhered, a roller to be pressed against the label-continued sheet taken out from the holding reels, a folding shaft, provided in the vicinity of the roller, for folding the release base paper fed from the roller and releasing the label from the release base paper, a guide shaft, provided in the vicinity of the folding shaft, for guiding the release base paper, and a projection bent to be engaged on a cylindrical portion.

The label releasing operation can be carried out by the roller, the folding shaft, and the guide shaft. The cartridge can be mounted on the cylindrical portion only by engaging the projection of the cartridge on the cylindrical portion. According to the present invention, the cartridge can be mounted on the dispenser by engaging the projection of the cartridge on the cylindrical portion of the dispenser. Moreover, the label releasing operation can be started immediately after the cartridge is mounted on the dispenser.

These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiment of the present invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a cartridge for label according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the cartridge shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the cartridge shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the cartridge mounted on a dispenser.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the dispenser.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing the dispenser shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a cartridge mounted on a dispenser according to another embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a cartridge mounted on a dispenser according to still another embodiment.

Fig. 9 is an illustration showing the structure of the dispenser, shown in Fig. 8, for label releasing operation.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional dispenser.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a cartridge 10 for label according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The cartridge 10 includes side plates 12a and 12b. The side plates 12a and 12b are connected at regular intervals with connecting members (not shown) of a square pole configuration, which number is four made by two at the front end and two at the rear end.

A circular opening (not shown) is formed through each of the side plates 12a and 12b. As shown in Fig. 2, a cylindrical holding member 14a is inserted through the opening of the side plate 12a and a cylindrical holding member 14b is inserted through the opening of of the side plate 12b. The holding member 14a is supported by a supporting plate 16a. The holding member 14b is supported by a supporting plate 16b. The supporting plates 16a and 16b are made of a metal plate having a spring tension. A supporting portion 18a is formed in the lower portion of the supporting plate 16a. A supporting portion 18b is formed in the lower portion of the supporting plate 16b.

The supporting plates 16a and 16b can be opened outward. The supporting plates 16a and 16b are closed due to its spring tension except when a label-continued sheet 38 is mounted on the cartridge 10. The supporting portion 18a supports the supporting plate 16a and the supporting portion 18b supports the supporting plate 16b when the supporting plates 16a and 16b are opened outward.

moreover, a roller 20, a folding shaft 22, and a guide shaft 24 are provided between the side plates 12a and 12b such that they are in the vicinity of one end portion thereof. The roller 20, the folding shaft 22, and the guide shaft 24 are adjacent to each other. The folding shaft 22 is at a projecting position compared with the roller 20 and the guide shaft 24.

An elastic portion 26 consisting of a plate bent perpendicularly is spaced at a short distance from the roller 20, the folding shaft 22, and the guide shaft 24.

The elastic portion 26 is pressed against the roller 20.

As shown in Figs. 3, a projection 28 consisting of a plate bent perpendicularly is formed below the cartridge 10 on the side of the roller 20 and a projection 30 consisting of a plate bent perpendicularly is formed on the other side of the cartridge 10.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the cartridge 10 during use. The cartridge 10 is mounted on the upper portion of a dispenser 32.

As shown in Fig. 5, cylindrical engaging portions 34a and 34b of a small diameter are formed on the upper portion of the dispenser 32. As shown in Fig. 6, a slip preventing portion 36 consisting of synthetic rubber is formed on the back surface of the dispenser 32.

As shown in Fig. 1, the rolled label-continued sheet 38 is held by the holding members 14a and 14b. The labelcontinued sheet 38 includes a release base paper 40. Labels 42 are releasably adhered to the release base paper 40.

When one end of the label-continued sheet 38 held by the holding members 14a and 14b is pulled, the labelcontinued sheet 38 is unrolled from one end thereof and fed from the roller 20 to the folding shaft 22. The label continued sheet 38 is folded by the folding shaft 22 and as a result, the label 42 is released from the release base paper 40. The release base paper 40 is then fed to the guide shaft 24. The release base paper 40 is held by the guide shaft 24.

The cartridge 10 can be mounted on the dispenser 32 very easily by engaging the projection 28 of the cartridge 10 on the engaging portion 34a of the dispenser 32 and the projection 30 of the former on the engaging portion 34b of the latter.

When one end of the label-continued sheet 38 is pulled, the dispenser 32 does not move because the slip preventing portion 36 prevents the dispenser 32 from moving.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the cartridge 10 mounted on the dispenser 32 in accordance with another embodiment.

The dispenser 32 includes two engaging portions 34c and 34d for fixing the cartridge 10 thereto and a supporting base 44. The supporting base 44 includes a rectangular frame-shaped base 46. Supporting bars 48a and 48b are formed upward on the base 46. A connecting bar 50 is formed so that the connecting bar connects the supporting bars 48a and 48b with each other. The end portions of each long cylindrical engaging portion 34c and 34d are supported by the supporting bars 48a and 48b.

Two cartridges 10 are mounted on the dispenser 32 as shown in Fig. 7. One or more than two cartridges 10 may be mounted on the dispenser 32. Many cartridges 10 may be mounted on the dispenser 32 by using the long engaging portions 34c and 34d.

Moreover, the dispenser 32 may be used as a means for reserving a plurality of cartridges 10 so that they may be used on a different dispenser.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the cartridge 10 mounted on still another embodiment of the dispenser 32.

Cylindrical engaging portions 34e and 34f of a small diameter are formed on an upper portion of the dispenser 32.

A light reflecting type sensor 52 is provided in the vicinity of the folding shaft 22 of the cartridge 10.

Feeding rollers 54a and 54b are provided below the guide shaft 24 of the cartridge 10. A control circuit 56 and a motor 58 are formed inside the dispenser 32. The motor 58 drives the feeding roller 54a. Thus, the release base paper 40 which sandwiched by the feeding rollers 54a and 54b is fed with the rotation of the feeding rollers 54a and 54b.

The sensor 52 detects whether or not the label 42 is positioned above the sensor 52. That is, the sensor 52 detects whether or not the dispenser 32 can be used. When the sensor 52 detects that the label 42 is not positioned above it, the sensor 52 outputs a signal indicating the non-presence of the label 42 to the control circuit 56.

Then, the motor 58 is driven according to the instruction of the control circuit 56. Upon actuation of the motor 58, the feeding rollers 54a and 54b rotate in the direction in which the release base paper 40 is pulled downward.

When the label 42 is positioned above the sensor 52 and can be rsed, the sensor 52 outputs a signal indicating the presence of the dispenser 32 to the control circuit 56.

Upon receipt of the signal, the control circuit 56 issues an instruction for stopping the motor 58. As a result, the feeding rollers 54a and 54b stop rotation.

As described previously, the supporting plates 16a and 16b for supporting the holding members 14a and 14b can be opened outward. The label-continued sheet 38 can be inserted into the cartridge 10 or taken out therefrom by opening the supporting plates 16a and 16b outward. When the supporting plates 16a and 16b are closed by its spring tension, the label-continued sheet 38 can be held by the holding members 14a and 14b. Thus, the label-continued sheet 38 can be easily mounted on the cartridge 10 and taken out therefrom.

As described above, even when different kinds of the label 42 are used, only mounting of the cartridge 10 on the dispenser 32 or dismounting therefrom is required.

Therefore, the label releasing operation can be efficiently carried out.

Although the present invention has been fully described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A cartridge for label comprising: a pair of holding reels for holding a label-continued sheet including a release base paper to which a label is releasably adhered; a roller to be pressed against said label-continued sheet taken out from said holding reels; a folding shaft, provided in the vicinity of said roller, for folding said release base paper fed from said roller and releasing said label from said release base paper; a guide shaft, provided in the vicinity of said folding shaft, for holding said release base paper; and a projection bent to be engaged on a cylindrical portion.
2. A cartridge for label in accordance with claim 1, wherein said projection is engaged by cylindrical engaging portion of dispenser.
3. A cartridge for label in accordance with claim 2, wherein said dispenser includes a mounting base which includes said cylindrical engaging portion for engaging said projection.
4. A cartridge for label in accordance with claim 2, wherein said dispenser includes said mounting base which includes the pair of said cylindrical engaging portions, parallel with each other, for engaging said projection; and a supporting base for supporting both ends of each of said engaging portions.
5. A cartridge for label in accordance with claim 2, wherein said dispenser includes said mounting base which includes said cylindrical engaging portions for engaging said projections of said cartridge for label; a sensor for detecting said label released from said release base paper; a motor which is driven based on information outputted from said sensor; and a pair of feeding rollers for pulling one end of said release base paper in association with the operation of said motor.
6. A label cartridge substantially as described herein by reference to any one of Figures 1 to 9.