JP5881141B2 - Linerless label - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly linerless label that does not require the mounting and / or disposal of a removable release liner.

  The use of linerless labels can cause a number of problems, including an increased tendency for adhesive to build up in the printer and the resulting printer jams, misfeeds, and / or performance degradation.

  In various embodiments, techniques for designing, manufacturing and / or using linerless labels are presented. According to certain embodiments, a linerless label medium is presented. The medium includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the media is located on the front side of the media and includes one or more thermal coatings and further includes one or more coatings of release material. The one or more thermal coatings and / or the one or more release coatings may include one or more floods and / or patterned thermal and / or release material coatings. The second portion of the media is located on the back of the media and includes one or more coatings of patterned adhesive. In some embodiments, the release material is located over the thermal coating on the first portion, so when the media is wound on a roll, the release material is near the patterned adhesive and / or a similar pattern. And / or cover it as a flood coat.

  For example, the label may optionally be cut (eg, custom cut to a custom length) from a web or roll of media by a thermal printer cutting mechanism. The adhesive pattern located on the second portion of the media may be selected, for example, to reduce contact between the cutting mechanism and the patterned adhesive adhesive material. The pattern may also be selected to increase the uniformity of contact over the entire length of the cutting mechanism (eg, knife or blade) that occurs between the cutting mechanism and the adhesive material.

  According to various embodiments, a label medium is provided, the label medium having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a first of the substrate. A thermal coating on the surface and an adhesive on the second surface of the substrate, the adhesive being variably patterned on the second surface of the substrate, between the adhesive and the cutting mechanism. A transverse cut is performed in which the location changes across the width of the substrate by changing the contact location. In some embodiments, the patterned adhesive may be configured to be coated on the second side of the substrate with a strip gravure cylinder coating device. Further, in some embodiments, the patterned adhesive may be configured to include free lanes of adhesive disposed vertically and / or horizontally therein. Further, in some embodiments, the patterned adhesive may comprise an elongate rhombus-shaped continuous pattern of adhesive that vertically traverses the second surface, for example.

  In some embodiments, the adhesive pattern of the label media may be configured to repeat on the second side at intervals that exceed the length associated with the individual labels cut therefrom. Alternatively or additionally, the repeated length of the patterned adhesive may be configured to be equal to the circumference of the gravure cylinder for applying the patterned adhesive to the second surface.

  Further, in some embodiments, the patterned adhesive of the label medium may be configured to provide information. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the patterned adhesive may include dyes, pigments, and / or inks that allow information to be read. In some embodiments, the patterned adhesive may be configured as a logo.

  In some embodiments, the patterned adhesive of the label media may be configured as custom repeating text and / or images. In some embodiments, the text and / or image may comprise a pattern that provides a mechanism for detecting forgery of the media. Similarly, in some embodiments, the patterned adhesive of the label media may include a series of repeated barcodes and / or inverted barcodes, both of which are composed of an adhesive, the barcode being represented by it. It may be possible to read the information with a machine. In some embodiments, the area surrounding the adhesive barcode may include the color of the aqueous marker that is read to distinguish the information that each barcode represents.

  Further, in some embodiments, the patterned adhesive of the label media is a series (eg, three) of repeated adhesive patches, each patch having a predefined pitch at a predefined angle. And each series of repetitive patches may include adhesive patches spaced a predefined distance along the media travel axis. In some embodiments, each patch may have a predefined minimum width and a predefined maximum width.

  In various embodiments, a label manufacturing apparatus is also provided. The apparatus may comprise a roll of media and a thermal printer, the roll of media having a front portion containing thermal ink and a rear portion having a repeated pattern of coated adhesive material, And a blade for cutting discrete labels from a roll of media. In some embodiments, the repeating pattern of adhesive material may be configured on the rear to minimize contact between the cutter blade and the adhesive material that occurs each time the cutter blade cuts a roll of media. Similarly, in some embodiments, the repeating pattern of adhesive material causes the contact between the adhesive material and the cutter blade that occurs each time the cutter blade cuts the roll of media to vary and / or disperse across the width of the cutter blade. May be configured on the rear.

  In some embodiments of the label production device, the roll of media may be configured to cut a custom length label therefrom, and / or the label production device may cut the custom length label from the roll of media. It may be configured. Similarly, in some embodiments, the front of the label may display information associated with a transaction, for example, as a result of ink activation by a thermal printer, and the rear may display the label via an adhesive material. It may be something that can be attached to an object.

  Further, in some embodiments of the label manufacturing apparatus, the pattern of adhesive material includes information visible through the scanning device or obtainable from the adhesive material. In certain embodiments, a selected portion of the adhesive material may include ink that visualizes that portion.

  In some embodiments of the label manufacturing apparatus, at least one of the repeating patterns of adhesive material is a predefined maximum width, a predefined minimum width, a predefined pitch, and a predefined angle, And may be configured to be spaced from another repeating pattern by a predefined distance. Similarly, in some embodiments, the distance between the repeating patterns of adhesive may be configured to be greater than the maximum length for any label produced by the label production apparatus.

  According to various other embodiments, a method is provided, the method comprising obtaining a pattern of adhesive material, determining a repeat distance for repeating the pattern, and a pattern and repeat distance for a printing press or applicator. An adhesive material in a pattern in which a printing press or coating device coats the first side of the media web with thermal ink and repeats the second side of the media web repeatedly over a distance. Coating, and at least within a portion of the repeat distance, the pattern changes and as a result of transverse cutting of the media to the web, contact of the adhesive with the cutting mechanism is such that Different at different cutting positions. In some embodiments, the pattern may be repeated at repeated distances to change contact with the adhesive by a cutting mechanism that cuts transversely to the web of media. Similarly, in some embodiments, the pattern changes, at least within a portion of the repeat distance, so that contact of the adhesive with the cutting mechanism is such as a result of transverse cutting of the media to the web. Different at each different longitudinal cutting position in the part. In some embodiments, at least the portion of the repeat distance may include all, half, or quarter of the repeat distance. Similarly, in some embodiments, the pattern and / or repeat distance may be variable and / or random.

  In some embodiments, the method includes an ink, pigment and / or dye for selectively printing a portion of the adhesive material that the printing press and / or applicator appears as a pattern on the second side of the roll. The method may further include identifying. Similarly, in some embodiments, obtaining the pattern of adhesive material comprises obtaining the pattern as a unique image and / or text message that provides visual and / or coded information. May further be included.

  According to various other embodiments, a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a thermal coating on the first surface, and a variable patterned second surface A label medium comprising a substrate with an adhesive is provided again. In some embodiments, the adhesive pattern may change the contact location between the adhesive and the cutting mechanism to perform a variable position lateral cut relative to the width of the substrate. Further, in some embodiments, the pattern may include a row of circular dots that are oriented obliquely along the travel axis of the substrate.

FIG. 6 illustrates different configurations of linerless label media according to various exemplary embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates different configurations of linerless label media according to various exemplary embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates different configurations of linerless label media according to various exemplary embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates different configurations of linerless label media according to various exemplary embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates different configurations of linerless label media according to various exemplary embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates different configurations of linerless label media according to various exemplary embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates different configurations of linerless label media according to various exemplary embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates different configurations of linerless label media according to various exemplary embodiments. 1 illustrates a linerless label media manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. FIG. 5 illustrates a method of making and using a linerless label media according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates a thermal printer for thermal printing of linerless label media according to an exemplary embodiment.

  1A-1H are diagrams illustrating different configurations of linerless label media according to various exemplary embodiments. 1A-1H are shown for illustrative purposes only. Other configurations can be achieved using the teachings presented herein.

  Each of FIGS. 1A-1H shows the back of a linerless label media. The back side includes a pattern of adhesive material coated thereon. Also, a front surface opposite to the back surface exists for each linerless label medium shown in FIGS. 1A-1H. The front surface, when activated by heat, can display one or more thermal inks, dyes and / or pigments that can display information such as information associated with a transaction (eg, about a receipt). A coating may be included. The front surface may further include one or more coatings of one or more release materials that can be provided in a flood and / or spot / patterned configuration. One or more coatings of such release material may be configured to be near and / or cover the patterned adhesive when the linerless label media is wound on a roll, and / or The medium can be easily unrolled without causing the adhesive to adhere the back surface to the front surface. When provided in a patterned configuration, the release coating replicates the adhesive pattern, thereby selectively covering the adhesive, as described above, ease of rewinding, and / or additional readability. It provides the following security benefits over (human and / or machine) and / or patterned adhesives. In one embodiment, the pattern of adhesive material on the second media surface with a patterned adhesive coverage that exceeds a predetermined amount (eg, 5%, 10%, 20%, etc.) when the media is wound on a roll. A pattern of release material overlying the first media surface is provided.

  The thermal coating on the first side of the linerless label media can be activated by passing the media (its longitudinal slit) through a thermal (eg, direct thermal) printer such as the thermal printer 400 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the thermal printer 400 may include a thermal print head 410, a platen 420, a cutting mechanism 430 such as a knife / blade and a slitter, and the like. The cutting mechanism 430 can be used to custom make a custom sized linerless label from the loaded linerless label media 100. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1H, one side (first side or front side) of the label may include a thermal coating (activated or not activated) and / or a release material, while the other side. The surface (second surface or back surface) may include a pattern of adhesive material. Further, the linerless label medium 100 may be provided in a roll.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the thermal printer 400 controls the operation of the printer 400 with a motor and / or drive assembly 450 that transports the media 100 through the printer 400 (eg, by driving rotation of the platen 420) (eg, Signaling the drive assembly 450 to transport the media 100 through the printer 400, providing a signal to the print head 410 to print specific information on the media 100, and / or the presence of adhesive in the cutter 430, Controller 460 (eg, processor, and static / permanent and / or volatile memory that signals media 100 to disconnect at a location based on signals provided by sensor 440 in detecting absence, dispersion, etc. ) And the associated host computer (not shown) And a communication module 470 that receives print information (eg, transaction data) and / or commands (eg, print and / or knife cutting commands) from and / or provides the print information and / or commands to the controller 460. But you can.

  Each label may be configured for custom cutting at a custom length from a web or roll of media by a thermal printer including a cutting mechanism. Further, the patterned adhesive may be configured to reduce and / or change the contact between the cutting mechanism and the adhesive material on the second portion of the media. In some embodiments, the patterned adhesive is the cutting mechanism and adhesive material over the length / width of the cutting mechanism during continuous cutting by the continuous use / cutting mechanism of the cutting mechanism on the second portion of the media. Any contact that occurs between and may be configured to be evenly / nearly evenly distributed. Such use includes a plurality of cuts that produce similar and / or different length labels from such media, such as across the web's web travel axis (eg, vertically) and / or travel axis. (Eg, parallel) cutting may be included. Details and patterns will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1H.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, in one embodiment, patterned adhesives can be coated onto a relatively wide web of elongated rhombus-shaped label media (eg, log rolls) that are interlocked (eg, It may repeat at pre-defined or random distances, traversing within an area defined by the maximum width of adjacent shapes without overlapping or overlapping physically anywhere. After fabrication, such a web is in the longitudinal direction of the slit (eg, along its travel axis) at its various width positions (eg, as indicated by the vertical arrows in FIG. 1A), for example, Various narrower products (eg, widths of about 44 mm, about 58 mm, about 80 mm, etc.) can be made for use by end customers in receipt / label thermal printers.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, a diamond-shaped adhesive pattern can be provided. In FIG. 1A, such a pattern may be provided on multiple portions of a wide web for subsequent slitting into the final narrower product shown in FIG. 1B, for example. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1B, the pattern may be centered in the width direction of a narrow product and may or may not extend only to a portion of the width of such a final product. Good (see, eg, FIG. 1H).

  In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, for example, no adhesive is applied to the portion of the media that becomes the edge of the narrow slit label product in FIG. 1B (eg, with the down arrow in the length direction shown in FIG. 1A). A lane without adhesive for slitting wide products in FIG. 1A can be created, thereby reducing adhesive build-up on slitting mechanisms (eg, cutters, knives, etc.). Wide and / or final slit product width, including when the adhesive pattern is offset with respect to the centerline of the final slit product and / or lanes without adhesive are provided for slitting Variations are possible, including the case where the adhesive spreads out.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 1B, for example, a narrow web of media cut from the wide web of FIG. 1A is shown. In FIG. 1B, three potential horizontal cutting locations (A, B, and C) are shown. Such a cutting location is utilized during cutting of the media web of FIG. 1B to produce a label / receipt associated with, for example, three separate transactions by a cutter or cutting mechanism associated with a thermal (eg, receipt) printer. Can and / or result from its cutting. As shown, the three cuts result in three different length / custom length linerless labels. The first linerless label is represented by the area that appears vertically above the A cut of FIG. 1B. The second linerless label is represented by the region that appears vertically above the B cut and borders the A cut of FIG. Finally, the third linerless label is represented by the area that appears vertically above the C cut and borders the B cut of FIG. 1B at the top.

  As shown in this and other embodiments, the problems associated with adhesive deposition on thermal printer cutters can be minimized by patterning the adhesive in a specific manner. For example, by changing the pattern and / or repetition of the pattern along the travel axis of the media web and / or changing the length of material required for a given use (eg, transaction / receipt details) A location where the adhesive contacts the cutter deliberately by changing the cutting location (eg, cutting locations A and C in FIG. 1B), including the result of the change in media length, or by printer control logic (eg) The adhesive can be patterned so as to be different for each cutting. In a preferred embodiment, the pattern and / or media cutting location may contact the adhesive as much as possible in the width direction of the cutter (eg, over time) to impair subsequent cutter performance and / or media feed. There must be minimal deposition in local areas (which results in media misfeeds and / or paper jams).

  For example, at position “A” in the embodiment of FIG. 1B, the cutter passes the adhesive in four discrete locations across the width of the media web. At position “C”, the cutter passes the adhesive at five discrete locations that are different from the location at position A (eg, the adhesive regions at positions A and C do not match and / or do not overlap). At position “B”, the cutter passes through the adhesive at nine discrete locations that coincide with a portion of each location A and C in the embodiment of FIG. 1B.

  Within the repeat length (if any) of the adhesive pattern as shown in FIG. 1B (eg, 202 mm), the dispersion of the adhesive across the cutter may vary between the cutting positions (eg, A , B and C) are different. Thus, the contact between the adhesive and the cutter at various cuts is distributed across the cutter, and thus no deposition is concentrated in the particular area or areas. The diffusion of the adhesive across the entire width of the cutter and the resulting deposition increases the number of cuts required to reach the amount of deposition in question and minimizes the occurrence of associated problems. In addition, cutting in areas where there is no adhesive that fluctuates at different cutting locations across the web (eg, locations A, B, and C in FIG. 1B) helps clean / remove adhesive previously deposited at that location. become.

  In addition to alleviating the problems associated with adhesive build-up on the printer cutter, the selectively patterned adhesive can be used on other parts of the printer (rollers, platens, printheads, etc.) along the media feed path. Can be minimized, and accompanying problems (medium misfeed / feed unevenness, paper jam, etc.) can be alleviated. Patterned adhesives can reduce the above problems.

  Also, the patterning of the adhesive can reduce the amount of adhesive (eg, surface area) that contacts various surfaces and / or portions of the thermal printer. This allows the use of a highly tacky adhesive without causing other printer problems (eg, paper jams and / or misfeeds).

  Furthermore, the patterned adhesive is a result of adhesive adhesion / e.g., Adhesion strengthening over time between the period of the last printing on the first day and the first printing attempt on the second day. Can also alleviate problems associated with paper jams in the print media.

  In some embodiments, it is avoided to have a repeat length of the adhesive pattern that is the same as or approximately the same as the length of a normal label / receipt, for example when the same length label / receipt is repeatedly printed / manufactured It is desirable to do. This, potentially, in some embodiments, passes the same part of the cutter through the adhesive each time it is cut, negating some of the benefits of the patterned adhesive. This problem can be avoided by extending the repeat length of the adhesive pattern and / or randomizing the adhesive pattern.

  FIG. 1C shows various variations of the repeat length of the adhesive pattern. For example, the pattern on the left in FIG. 1C shows a short repeat length. The middle pattern is modified to show an adhesive pattern with increased repeat length. Finally, the right pattern is further modified to show an adhesive pattern with increased repeat length. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the length can be repeatedly changed (including increased) without changing the overall nature (including design) of the pattern. Changing the repeat length to the expected cut length / location (eg, a long repeat length to a normal short repeat) avoids repeated cuts of the patterned adhesive at the same location, resulting in local / excess adhesive build-up. Avoided. Usually the length of the short cutting media portion (eg, label / receipt) is equal to the repeat length of the long adhesive pattern, and therefore, it is unlikely that similar portions of the pattern will be cut. Note that if possible, the length of the media portion (eg, label / receipt) of repeated cuts that is equal to and / or expected to be equal to an integer multiple of the repeat length should be avoided. Similarly, the repeat length must be chosen to be longer than the normal / expected cutting media portion (eg, label / receipt) length and not an integral multiple thereof.

  The allowable repeat length is limited by the equipment that produces the label media that includes the application of the adhesive pattern to the substrate / web. For example, in the case of a rotary printing machine, the maximum repeat length is limited to the circumference of the cylinder that applies the adhesive to the web.

  In some embodiments, the gravure applicator can be modified to apply a patterned coating (eg, an adhesive). A “standard” gravure cylinder may be replaced with a strip gravure cylinder. The strip-shaped gravure cylinder has a strip of gravure cells including a region not engraved between the strips. Without a gravure cell, the area is not coated. Similarly, a pattern can be produced by placing a gravure cell in a mirror image of a desired pattern. In short, the patterned gravure cylinder transforms the gravure applicator into a simple single station gravure printer.

  The functionality of the adhesive pattern can be further expanded by placing human or machine readable information within the pattern or otherwise encoding it. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 1D and 1E. FIG. 1D shows the adhesive pattern as a series of company logos. In FIG. 1D, the shape of the adhesive includes a logo (other shapes and sizes, and / or information content is possible), while the pattern is the length of the pattern repeated by contact of the cutter with the adhesive. The adhesive is set to be distributed with respect to the cutter so that it is different at all potential cutting positions within the range of. This configuration is brand-recognized because it is more difficult to print adhesive than ink, and therefore counterfeiting is costly / difficult, in addition to printer jams and deposition / contamination problems on the cutter. And / or a method for document security. For example, it is extremely difficult to forge the pattern of FIG. 1D with a personal computer / printer.

  Furthermore, the addition of adhesive coloration (eg, dyes and / or pigments) can enhance / increase image visibility, improve machine readability, and / or enhance security. For example, printed text and / or graphic images (eg, the NCR of FIG. 1D) can be provided using a green adhesive so that it can be read / viewed directly and / or a suitable (eg, green) spectrum reader. Can be used. Similarly, security dyes and / or pigments (eg, ultraviolet (UV) and / or fluorescent colors) can further enhance the security aspects of adhesive images, including machine readability. Note that in another embodiment, the shape of the adhesive may be any human and / or machine readable text and / or graphic. Similarly, depending on its shape / feature, various information can be encoded and / or represented / provided within the adhesive and / or its pattern.

  FIG. 1E shows another embodiment as a result of the shape of the adhesive with an adhesive pattern that includes information therein and / or includes a (eg, machine-readable) barcode. In the example of FIG. 1E, the adhesive image is a 1D (one-dimensional) barcode followed by a reverse image of the same barcode. Such alternating patterns can disperse the adhesive on the web in a desired (eg, unequal) form. As described above, in some embodiments, the adhesive is one or more colorants (eg, dyes and / or pigments) and / or security markers (eg, dyes) that enhance its human and / or machine visibility / readability. Fluorescent dyes and / or pigments). Additionally or alternatively, the substrate surrounding the adhesive pattern is colored to make the barcode (or other image / pattern) human and / or machine readable and / or enhance its human and / or machine readable properties. can do. Such coloring can be performed, for example, by applying an aqueous coating that is preferentially absorbed by the substrate surrounding the patterned adhesive, as opposed to the adhesive itself. Such ambient coloring, for example with visible and / or security dyes and / or pigments, makes the barcode visible to humans and / or machines (eg, scanners). As described above, this method can be used to provide additional security characteristics to linerless labels / receipts. Note that although a one-dimensional barcode was used in this example, this concept can be easily extended to two-dimensional barcodes and / or other shapes and / or patterns.

  In various embodiments, the machine readability of the patterned adhesive can be used to trigger media cutting to minimize adhesive contact and / or deposition to enhance the use of physical properties of the pattern. Good. For example, in various embodiments, the characteristics of an adhesive pattern (eg, the presence of an adhesive, the absence of an adhesive, the dispersion of an adhesive, the repeat length including the relative location inside) can be detected (eg, thermal Sensor 440, such as the optical sensor of printer 400), to select a cutting location, for example, to maximize the change in cutting location with respect to repeat length, thereby minimizing deposition and consequent degradation effects. it can. Further, depending on the pattern, a “gap” in the cutting direction in the pattern can be detected (for example, between adjacent barcodes in FIG. 1E), and the inside is cut. Similarly, for example, a non-adhesive coated media portion that has been cut, cleaned recently, and / or previously cleaned to wipe the area in contact with the adhesive to clean the cut surface of the previous deposit Periodic “cleaning” of the printing surface (e.g., cutter) can be performed by variously and / or alternately selecting cut portions having an integrated mirror image adhesive pattern. In addition, a portion of the adhesive pattern that is cut periodically and / or systematically (eg, when cutting near such areas is required) and / or minimizes new deposits and / or minimizes new deposits. Regardless of what a particular print job (e.g., transaction receipt) requires for the purpose of maximizing variability in Other desired areas can be cut.

  FIG. 1F shows another embodiment of a patterned adhesive. Here, a pre-defined shape of the adhesive (shown as a shape having two parallel surfaces and two protruding surfaces in FIG. 1F, but other shapes / sizes are possible) Organized into sets (eg, consisting of three) having defined dimensions and positioned at a predefined angle and pitch within a media roll or web. Furthermore, the predefined pairs are spaced apart from each other by a predefined distance along the roll / web travel axis. For the embodiment / dimension shown in FIG. 1F, there is a 3% probability of no adhesive contact with the cutter, a maximum adhesive contact probability of 14%, and importantly, maximum and minimum (eg, random ) The probability of achievement during contact is 97%.

  1G and IH show another embodiment of a patterned adhesive for use with, for example, a linerless label. FIG. 1G shows various adhesive shapes (eg, circles and triangles) on the second side of the narrow media product and their size / dispersion. Further, in all configurations of FIG. 1G, the patterned adhesive spreads over substantially the entire width of each illustrated media product. However, variations are possible where such a pattern does not spread across the width and / or is offset and / or confined to a particular centerline / running axis.

  FIG. 1H shows a broad web of patterned adhesive media having a plurality of different adhesive patterns thereon. Such a wide web can be produced by, for example, the above gravure coating device / printing machine. In addition, individual (eg, six in the illustrated embodiment) narrow web products (eg, ultimately used in a thermal printer) may be cut from a wide web or used in a fabricated form. Good. In one embodiment, six narrow web products can be cut from a wide web along the top arrow of FIG. 1H along it.

  As shown in FIG. 1H, various adhesive patterns can be fabricated utilizing having similar or different overall element shapes. For example, the four patterns on the left side all include rhombus-shaped adhesive variations. Similarly, the two patterns on the right side both include a circular adhesive variant. In the four configurations on the left, the range of the adhesive pattern varies between the uncoated media portion within the adhesive-coated media area (within the full width of the adhesive strip) and the area itself (e.g., It can be changed by changing the size of the web / the width of the adhesive relative to the width of the strip. The two configurations on the right show the change in coverage with the width of the adhesive strip compared to the width of the web / media. In either case, the illustrated strip of adhesive is centered or approximately centered on the narrow media product width when the wide web is cut as indicated. However, the illustrated strip of adhesive includes the case where the strip is narrowed to one side of the narrow web portion to be cut (including the case where the strip is located near the edge of the narrow web portion to be cut), Variations such as being biased with respect to the center of the portion are also possible.

  As described with respect to the configuration of FIG. 1H, the total width of the adhesive strip is relative to the width of the media web, whether taken out as a wide web or as one or more narrow webs cut from it. May be changed. For example, in various embodiments, the width of the adhesive strip may extend over a portion of the width of the media web, which is about 20%, 25%, 50%, 66% of such width, Or an amount of spread equal to 80%. In one embodiment, the width of the adhesive strip is set not to exceed 50% of the width of the media web (wide or narrow). In another embodiment, the width of the adhesive strip is set not to exceed about 80% of the width of the media web. Variations are possible.

  It will be appreciated that the linerless label can be constructed with a patterned adhesive to mitigate the deleterious effects of the adhesive contacting various parts of the printer including the cutter, among others. Similarly, the cutting can be performed without a sense mark and / or can be performed using a patterned adhesive as the sense mark, extending the beneficial effects. In addition, as described above, a web of adhesive media patterned using a gravure applicator / printer can be created.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a linerless label material 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. In the following, the linerless label material 200 is described in connection with the patterned adhesive of FIG. 1F, but the linerless label material 200 may be the patterned adhesive of FIGS. 1A-1E and / or 1G-1H. An arbitrary configuration indicated by the agent medium may be included.

  The linerless label material 200 includes a roll or web 201 of media that includes a patterned adhesive medium in roll form and is thereby laminated to itself. Linerless label material 200 can be used to provide a series of individual linerless labels 202 (eg, identified as regions of unrolled media marked “A” and “B” in FIG. 2). . These components and their interrelationship are described in detail below with reference to FIG.

  In various embodiments, the media roll 201 includes a front surface or a portion having one or more thermal coatings (not shown) and a back surface (shown in FIG. 2) having a repeating pattern of adhesive material 203. The label 202 (eg, shown as A and B in FIG. 2) can be custom cut from the media roll 201 by a custom length, eg, with a thermal printer cutter. The front side of label 202 (not shown in FIG. 2) may further display information (eg, of a transaction) when the thermal coating is activated by the thermal print head of the thermal printer.

  Once printed / cut, the back side of the label 202 may allow the label 202 to be applied to another surface (eg, carton, container, surface, or substrate) with an adhesive material. In addition, the repeating pattern 203 of adhesive material is configured or arranged on the back of the media roll 201 so that each time the thermal printer custom cuts a particular label (A or B) from the media roll 201, a cutter blade, etc. The contact between the various surfaces of the thermal printer and the adhesive material is minimized.

  According to some embodiments, the repeating pattern 203 is repeated by a scanning device (eg, as described above with respect to FIG. 1C) from visually conveyable information (eg, by a particular pattern, graphic, text, etc.) or adhesive material. It may include information that can be acquired (by a barcode scanner when the pattern 203 is a barcode).

  Further, in various embodiments, some or all of the adhesive material provides a colorant that makes a portion of the adhesive material visible to the naked eye or visible when exposed to UV light or another predetermined frequency of light. May be included.

  In the specific example as described above in connection with FIG. 1, at least one of the patterns has a predefined maximum width, a predefined minimum width, a predefined pitch, a predefined angle. Also, each repeating pattern may be spaced a predetermined distance on the roll of media 201. This statistically improves that the cutting mechanism in the thermal printer is exposed to the adhesive material at various locations each time it is cut onto the roll of media 201 to produce the linerless label 202.

  In yet another situation, the distance between the repeating patterns is configured to be large enough to exceed the maximum length for any custom linerless label 202 made from the linerless label material 200.

  FIG. 3 is an illustration of a method 300 for making and using a linerless label (such as the linerless label 2020 of FIG. 2) according to an exemplary embodiment. The method 300 (hereinafter “labeling process”) is performed on one or more machines configured to process print media. The labeling process produces and uses the linerless label described in connection with FIGS. 1A-1G and FIG.

  At 310, the labeling process obtains a pattern of adhesive material. This may be pre-configured in the machine that performs the labeling process (eg by strip gravure cylinder) or customer identification, media roll or web type, end use (including printer design / type) Can be obtained from the database based on

  In one example, at 311, the labeling process obtains the pattern as a characteristic image or text message, which provides security to each label that is subsequently cut from a roll of media by a thermal printer slitter or cutter.

  At 320, the labeling process determines the pattern repeat distance. Here, the repeat distance may be a machine configuration parameter, a customer profile based on the maximum known size of the receipt on the cut label, a parameter based on end use (including printer) requirements, and the like.

  At 330, the labeling adhesion process provides a pattern and repeat distance to an adhesive applicator device (eg, a printing press or applicator). The printing machine or applicator can then apply a thermal coating to the first side of the media and / or (afterwards) coat the second side of the media with the acquired pattern of adhesive material. The printer or applicator repeats the adhesive pattern on the second side of the roll of media using the repeat distance.

  A repeating pattern spaced apart on the second side of the media is a slitter or cutter (or other) associated with a printer (eg, a thermal printer) that subsequently prints the roll onto a linerless label and / or custom cuts. Reducing the deposition of adhesive material on the surface and / or helping to distribute the deposition evenly.

  According to an embodiment, at 340, the labeling process 300 identifies colorants (e.g., inks, pigments, and / or dyes) for the printing press and / or coating device on the second side of the roll. The portion of the adhesive material that appears as the pattern may be selectively colored. This process can then be used to reduce counterfeiting, improve linerless label security, and further improve human and / or machine readability.

  The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will occur to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Accordingly, the scope of each embodiment should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which they are entitled.

  An abstract is provided that complies with Section 1.72 (b) of the US Patent Law Enforcement Regulations, enabling the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims.

  In the above description of the embodiments, the disclosure has been streamlined by combining various features into one embodiment. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting that the claimed embodiments of the invention have more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the appended claims indicate, subject matter of the invention resides in less than all the features of one disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the description of the embodiments herein, with each claim standing on its own as a separate exemplary embodiment.

Claims (12)

A base material having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface;
A thermal coating on the first surface of the substrate;
An adhesive on the second surface of the substrate;
The pressure-sensitive adhesive is patterned into a pattern including a region with the pressure-sensitive adhesive and a region without the pressure-sensitive adhesive on the second surface of the base material,
The pressure-sensitive adhesive pattern is configured to change a contact location between the pressure-sensitive adhesive and a cutting mechanism for cutting the base material in a width direction at various cutting positions in the longitudinal direction of the base material, and information A label medium configured to include a pattern that provides a pattern.   The label medium according to claim 1, wherein the pattern providing information includes information readable by a human or a machine.   The label medium according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adhesive pattern comprises a series of repeated barcodes and / or barcode inversions, both of which are composed of the adhesive, and the information it represents can be read by a machine. .   The label medium according to claim 3, wherein an area surrounding the barcode includes a color to be read in order to distinguish information represented by the barcode.   The label medium according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive pattern includes a lane having no pressure-sensitive adhesive in a longitudinal direction and / or a width direction of the medium.   The label medium according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive pattern is random.   The adhesive pattern includes a series of three repeating adhesive patches, each patch having a predefined angle and a predefined pitch, and each repeating series of patches along the media travel axis. The label medium of claim 1, wherein the labels are spaced apart by a predefined distance, each patch having a predefined minimum width and a predefined maximum width. A roll of media having a front portion comprising thermal ink and a back portion having a repeating pattern of adhesive material coated thereon;
A thermal printer having a cutter blade for cutting discrete labels from the roll of media,
The repeating pattern of the adhesive material on the back portion of the roll of media includes a region with the adhesive material and a region without the adhesive material, and the cutter blade moves the media roll along its travel axis. Each time it is cut in the width direction at a custom length position, it is configured to minimize contact between the cutter blade and the adhesive material, and the repeating pattern of the adhesive material provides a pattern providing information Label manufacturing equipment configured to include. A roll of media having a front portion comprising thermal ink and a back portion having a repeating pattern of adhesive material coated thereon;
A thermal printer having a cutter blade for cutting discrete labels from the roll of media,
The repeating pattern of the adhesive material on the back portion of the roll of media includes a region with the adhesive material and a region without the adhesive material, and the cutter blade moves the media roll along its travel axis. It is configured to disperse the contact between the adhesive material and the cutter blade over the width of the cutter blade every time it is cut in the width direction at a custom length position, and the repeating pattern of the adhesive material A label manufacturing apparatus configured to include a pattern to be provided. Obtaining a pattern of adhesive material;
Determining a repeat distance for repeating the pattern;
Providing the printing machine or applicator with the pattern and the repeat distance, and coating the first side of the media web with thermal ink by the printer or the applicator; and the second side of the media web. Coating the adhesive material repeatedly at the repeating distance with the pattern, the method comprising:
The pattern includes a region with the adhesive material and a region without the adhesive material, and a cutting mechanism that cuts the adhesive material and the web of the medium in the width direction at least within a part of the repetition distance. A method for producing a label medium, characterized in that the contact location between is configured to be different at various cutting positions along the travel axis of the web of the medium and includes a pattern providing information. The label medium manufacturing method according to claim 10 , wherein the pattern and / or the repetition distance is random. The label medium manufacturing method according to claim 10 , further comprising the step of identifying ink, pigment and / or dye and selectively coloring a part of the adhesive material by the printing machine and / or coating device.

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