GB2464218A

GB2464218A - Shaped label peel and present mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2464218A
Application number: GB0917883A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Andrew Beadman; Kevin Andrew Auton; Jeremy Peter Clements
Original assignee: Cambridge Design Partnership LLP
Current assignee: Cambridge Design Partnership LLP
Priority date: 2009-10-13
Filing date: 2009-10-13
Publication date: 2010-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-13
Also published as: GB0917883D0; GB2464218B

Abstract

A peel and present or beak mechanism has a shaped label stock support channel, and a shaped peeling edge, particularly when provided as a V-shaped dip towards the centre of the channel. In this manner a shaped rigidity may be furnished to labels passing over the peeling edge, as they separate from a backing liner upon which they are carried. For very thin labels, this may stop the label from curling during dispensing, long enough to be applied to an item, such a small container with curved walls. A compensatory shaping, such as a V shape which this time rises towards the centre of the separation edge, may be provided, on the path over which the used backing sheet passes after dispensing, to balance variances in tension across the width of the peeling edge, due to shaping.

Description

I

Apparatus for Labelling

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a peelandpresent mechanism for use in apparatus for labelling such as a label stock cartridge or cassette, or a label printer; and to corresponding methods.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Traditional label peel and present mechanisms use a number of methods to separate the label from its liner these include: Using the stiffness of the label to overcome the strength of the adhesive to the liner material when the liner is peeled over a straight edge Using a scraper to lift the label from the liner * Using excessive tension on the liner material to pull the liner around a sharp angle When the labels are very thin, floppy or precurled' the low stiffness of the label can result in reliability issues when a label is pulled around th leading edge without peeling away from the liner or excessive tension leading to tears and breaks in the liner.

There is a particular problem in labelling tubes of very small diameter, for example of the type employed for clinical samples such as blood samples. This is because the labels need to be very thin to wrap well around a curved surface of small radius of curvature, and to stay wrapped at sample storage temperatures which may, for example, be around 80°C. Moreover such labels may be "precurled", for example by means of layers with different inbuilt stress, in order that the labels naturally curl around the sample tube on removeable from their backing tape (liner'); an example of such label stock is the B490 Freezer Bondz (TM) label stock from Brady Corporation, UK.

Background prior art can be found in the following documents: US 4,626,313; US PrrrH: orkinn fh irvnfrr hv rrwinised that a label. in particular a thin label, backing liner travelling away from the label detachment edge after a label has been peeled off).

The label stock carrying face may be provided on what may be termed a beak of the peel and present mechanism. In some embodiments the peel and present mechanism may be generally triangular or wedge-shaped with one face defining the label stock carrying face; in this way the peel and present mechanism may be integrally formed from a single piece of material such as a metal or polymer. Alternatively the beak of the peel and present mechanism may be fabricated as a suitably shaped plate, for example a metal plate, attached to a mount within the apparatus for labelling. Thus the beak of the peel and present mechanism may comprise a projecting metal surface or plate, shaped as described above.

The peel and present mechanism may be built into a label stock cartridge or cassette, in particular so that the beak comprises part of the label outlet of the device.

Alternatively the mechanism may be built into a label printer. In either case, in some preferred embodiments the label stock is preferably held in tension over the label detachment edge, for example by a take-up spool or by a pair of rollers following the peel and present mechanism (in a direction of travel of the label stock/backing liner).

In a related aspect the invention provides a method of peeling labels from label stock and presenting the peeled labels along a defined projected path, the method comprising: stiffening said label stock by curving or folding said label stock in a longitudinal direction; and transporting said label stock in tension along said longitudinal direction and around a label detachment edge such that said labels detach from a backing liner of said labelling stock and continue in said longitudinal direction, said longitudinal direction defining said projected path, whilst said backing liner travels on away from said projected path.

Preferred embodiments of the method further comprise substantially equalising a tension across a width of the labelling stock by shaping the label detachment edge to match a scaled version of the curving or folding of the labelling stock.

Thus in a further related aspect the invention provides a method of peeling labels from label stock and presenting the peeled labels along a defined projected path, the method comprising: stiffening said label stock by curving or folding said label stock in a longitudinal direction; and transporting said label stock in tension along said longitudinal direction and around a label detachment edge such that said labels detach from a backing liner of said labelling stock and continue in said longitudinal direction, said longitudinal direction defining said projected path, whilst said backing liner travels on away from said projected path; and further comprising substantially equalising tension across a width of said labelling stock by shaping said label detachment edge to compensate for said curving or folding of said labelling stock.

In another related aspect the invention provides apparatus for peeling labels from label stock and presenting the peeled labels along a defined projected path, the apparatus comprising: means for stiffening said label stock by curving or folding said label stock in a longitudinal direction; and means for transporting said label stock in tension along said longitudinal direction and around a label detachment edge such that said labels detach from a backing liner of said labelling stock and continue in said longitudinal direction, said longitudinal direction defining said projected path, whilst said backing liner travels on away from said projected path.

Preferably the detachment edge is shaped to compensate for a curve or fold in said labelling stock defined by said stiffening means to thereby equalise tension across a width of said labelling stock.

Thus in a further related aspect the invention provides apparatus for peeling labels from label stock and presenting the peeled labels along a defined projected path, the apparatus comprising: means for stiffening said label stock by curving or folding said label stock in a longitudinal direction; means for transporting said label stock in tension along said longitudinal direction and around a label detachment edge such that said labels detach from a backing liner of said labelling stock and continue in said longitudinal direction, said longitudinal direction defining said projected path, whilst said backing liner travels on away from said projected path; and wherein said detachment edge is shaped to compensate for a curve or fold in said labelling stock defined by said stiffening means to thereby equalise tension across a width of said labelling stock.

Preferred embodiments of the above described methods and apparatus are particularly useful for labelling a curved surface having a radius of curvature of less than 15mm, 10mm or 7mm. Similarly embodiments of the above described methods and apparatus are particularly useful for peeling very thin labels, for example having a thickness of less than 150pm, 100pm, 8Opm or 6Opm, in particular plastic labels (such as polyester labels) and/or "precurled" labels. Such techniques are particularly useful for labelling clinical/biological sample tubes, especially labelling for storage at less than 0°C, 200C, 40°C, 60°C or 80°C and/or that are suitable for exposure to liquid nitrogen temperatures (1 96°C).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a profiled edge peel and present device according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows an end view showing a profiled peeling' edge; Figure 3 shows an isometric view highlighting equal path lengths of label across the liner; Figure 4 shows an isometric view showing a male convex clamp for additional forming of the labels and liner; Figure 5 shows a top view of the peel and present mechanism showing straight projection of the label; Figure 6 shows an outline view of a label printer incorporating the mechanism; Figure 7 shows a close up view of the labeller mechanism; Figure 8 shows a label stock path through the printer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Broadly speaking, we will describe a peel and present system for a label printer or other labelling system for separating labels from backing liner and presenting the labels to a user or secondary mechanism. The apparatus passes the label and liner between profiling faces or edges to enhance the shape of the label and liner prior to peeling.

The backing strip is then peeled around a specially profiled edge and collected on a spool. The label continues in a controlled straight trajectory from the profiled edge without flopping.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 a preferred embodiment of the invention works by introducing a profile into the label and liner material to change the shape of the label, temporarily increasing the stiffness of the label enabling it to separate from the liner material. The change of shape is enabled by a special profile on the leading edge of the peel mechanism to enable equal path lengths along the length of the liner minimising stress and preventing jamming and tearing.

In this design the label and liner are formed past a profiled face (curved or angled) increasing the second moment of area of the label and liner and therefore the stiffness.

This increase in stiffness enables the peeling and presenting of very thin, floppy or "pre curled" labels to be promoted away from the backing strip or liner and projected in a straight line.

The liner is folded backwards over a specifically profiled leading edge which maintains the path length of the backing strip at all points across the liner material. If the liner is peeled back along a simple plane then due to the interaction between a non flat surface and an angled plane the formed edge could create excessive tension parts of the liner leading to jamming and tearing. To overcome this problem the leading edge of the peeling mechanism is profiled to minimise the stress in the liner and therefore reducing the risk of jams and tearing. An additional aid to promote the forming of the label and liner without unnecessary tension is the use of an additional convex or male profile to maintain the stiffer shape of the liner and label.

Figure 6 shows the peel and present mechanism in one possible application for labelling tubes. As the labels are presented by the novel mechanism presented above they are fed into the further mechanism holding and rotating a tube or vial. As the tube rotates the leading edge of the label is pinched onto the surface of the tube and as the tube rotates the label is applied around the circumference of the tube. Figure 7 shows a close up of this particular mechanism and Figure 8 shows the vertical view of the label path. The operation can be described in the following order. The label and backing liner are pulled by a pinch roller towards a print head where the label is printed.

The same pinch roller then feeds the label stock towards the peel and present beak.

The geometry of the beak shapes the label into the stiffer form and the backing label is peeled back over the novel edge profile described in this patent. The backing liner is pulled away by a second pinch roller and stored on a spool. The label itself with its new shape and increased stiffness is projected forwards in the original trajectory that it took into the beak. The increased stiffness allows a significant projection of the label (about 15mm) into the tube rolling mechanism where it meets the tube. In this case the tube has been hand inserted into a system of three rollers to define a fixed position for the tube to rotate. Different tube diameters are accommodated by one movable clamping roller. The tube is driven to rotate by one drive roller and the label is projected between the tube and another pinch roller. The pinch grips the tube and then the adhesive side of the label will stick to the tube. The rotation of the tube pulls the label through the mechanism smoothing and applying the label to the tube. Once the label is applied, the clamping roller retracts and the tube can be removed from the mechanism. An additional component in this mechanism is a barcode reader underneath the tube which can read a barcode present on the tube. This barcode information can then be linked in a database to the information printed on the label.

No doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A peel and present mechanism for use with apparatus for labelling, said peel and present mechanism being configured to peel labels from label stock having a backing liner, said peel and present mechanism comprising a first, label stock carrying face bounded by a label-detachment edge wherein, in use, said label stock passes in a longitudinal direction over said label stock carrying face and around said label-detachment edge to peel and present labels, and wherein said label stock carrying face has a bent transverse surface profile in a transverse direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction such that, in use, said label stock is bent in said transverse direction whereby, as said label stock passes over said-label detachment edge, said longitudinal direction of said label stock defines a projected path for a label peeled from said label stock by said label-detachment edge.
2. A peel and present mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bent transverse surface profile rises towards longitudinal edges of said label stock carrying face.
3. A peel and present mechanism as claimed in claim I or 2 wherein said bent transverse surface profile has a bowed or V-shaped profile.
4. A peel and present mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said bowed or \J shaped profile defines an indentation in said label stock carrying face.
5. A peel and present mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said label-detachment edge is bent when viewed along a third axis perpendicular both to said longitudinal direction and to said transverse direction.
6. A peel and present mechanism as claimed in claim 5 wherein said label detachment edge is bent, when viewed along said third axis, such that a path length along label stock carrying face and over said label-detachment edge is substantially constant over at least a portion of a width of said label stock carrying face in said transverse direction.
7. A peel and present mechanism as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein said label detachment edge is bent, such that when viewed along said third axis a profile of said label detachment edge substantially matches a scaled version said bent transverse surface profile of said label stock carrying face.
8. A peel and present mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a label stock guide positioned over said label stock carrying face and having a complementary bent transverse surface profile to said label stock carrying face to define a slot therebetween for guiding said label stock.
9. Apparatus for labelling comprising the peel and present mechanism of any preceding claim.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 including at least one roller following said peel and present mechanism in a direction of travel of said backing liner for tensioning said label stock over said label-detachment edge.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said apparatus is a label cartridge or cassette.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said apparatus is a label printer.
13. A peel and present mechanism as claimed in any one of claims Ito 8 or apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 in combination with said label stock.
14. A method of peeling labels from label stock and presenting the peeled labels along a defined projected path, the method comprising: stiffening said label stock by curving or folding said label stock in a longitudinal direction; and transporting said label stock in tension along said longitudinal direction and around a label detachment edge such that said labels detach from a backing liner of said labelling stock and continue in said longitudinal direction, said longitudinal direction defining said projected path, whilst said backing liner travels on away from said projected path; and further comprising substantially equalising tension across a width of said labelling stock by shaping said label detachment edge to compensate for said curving or folding of said labelling stock.
15. A method of labelling a curved surface having a radius of curvature of less than 15mm, the method comprising peeling labels from labelling stock as claimed in claim 14, capturing a said peeled label in pinch rollers, and applying said label to said curved surface.
16. Apparatus for peeling labels from label stock and presenting the peeled labels along a defined projected path, the apparatus comprising: means for stiffening said label stock by curving or folding said label stock in a longitudinal direction; means for transporting said label stock in tension along said longitudinal direction and around a label detachment edge such that said labels detach from a backing liner of said labelling stock and continue in said longitudinal direction, said longitudinal direction defining said projected path, whilst said backing liner travels on away from said projected path; and wherein said detachment edge is shaped to compensate for a curve or fold in said labelling stock defined by said stiffening means to thereby equalise tension across width of said labelling stock.
17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said detachment edge is shaped to match a scaled version of a curve or fold in said labelling stock defined by said stiffening means to thereby equalise tension allows a width of said labelling stock.
18. Apparatus as claimed in claims 16 or 17 wherein said apparatus is a label stock cartridge or cassette or a label printer.
19. Apparatus for labelling a curved surface having a radius of curvature of less than 15mm, the apparatus comprising apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or 17, means for capturing a said peeled label in pinch rollers, and means for applying said label to said curved surface.
20. A peel and present mechanism or apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to one or more of the accompanying Figures.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: 1. A method of labelling a curved surface having a radius of curvature of less than 15mm, the method comprising peeling labels from labelling stock and presenting the peeled labels along a defined projected path by: stiffening said label stock by curving or folding said label stock in a longitudinal direction, transporting said label stock in tension along said longitudinal direction and around a label detachment edge such that said labels detach from a backing liner of said labelling stock and continue in said longitudinal direction, said longitudinal direction defining said projected path, whilst said backing liner travels on away from said projected path, wherein said label detachment edge is a sharp edge with a V-shaped transverse profile; further comprising substantially equalising tension across a width of said labelling stock by shaping said label detachment edge to compensate for said curving of folding of said labelling stock; and applying said label to said curved surface. e.***. 20 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising capturing a said peeled label *:: between said curved surface and a pinch roller; wherein said curved surface is the surface ofa tube, and wherein said pinch roller grips the tube and an adhesive side of * the label sticks to the tube and rotation of the tube pulls the label and applies the label S. * to the tube.3. A method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising holding said tube in place *5.* using a moveable clamping roller.4. Apparatus for labelling a curved surface having a radius of curvature of less than 15mm, the apparatus comprising apparatus for peeling labels from label stock and presenting the peeled labels along a defined projected path, comprising: means for stiffening said label stock by curving or folding said label stock in a longitudinal direction, and means for transporting said label stock in tension along said longitudinal direction and around a label detachment edge such that said labels detach from a backing liner of said labelling stock and continue in said longitudinal direction, said longitudinal direction defining said projected path, whilst said backing liner travels on away from said projected path, wherein said detachment edge is shaped to compensate for a curve or fold in said labelling stock defined by said stiffening means to thereby equalise tension across width of said labelling stock, and wherein said label detachment edge is a sharp edge with a V-shaped transverse profile; and means for applying said label to said curved surface.5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 further comprising means for capturing a said peeled label between said curved surface and a pinch roller; and wherein said detachment edge is shaped to match a scaled version of a curve or fold in said labelling stock defined by said stiffening means to thereby equalise tension allows a width of said labelling stock.6. Apparatus as claimed in claims 4 or 5wherein said apparatus is a label stock cartridge or cassette or a label printer.7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein said curved surface is the surface of a tube, and wherein said pinch roller grips the tube and an adhesive side of the label sticks to the tube such that rotation of the tube pulls the label back and applies the label to the tube. S* **8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a moveable clamping roller * for holding said tube in place. * 259. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein said label detachment *S.edge has a V-shaped surface profile in a transverse direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9 including at least one roller following said label detachment edge in a direction of travel of said backing liner for tensioning said label stock over said label detachment edge.11. A peel and present mechanism or apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to one or more of the accompanying Figures.