JPS6387275A - Label printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to label printers. In particular, the present invention
The present invention relates to a label printer for printing in real time labels containing different information for each label (i.e. for immediate use when different information is determined).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to provide labels adhered to a continuous web of release mounts. Such labels are adhered to a release backing paper in a regular pattern by an adhesive that does not harden on contact with the release backing paper and remains sticky when the label is removed from its backing. It can be glued to another object. A typical use for such labels is address labels. A web of blank labels can be printed with addresses from a mail list on a computer system's line printer, and the labels can be peeled from the release liner and adhered to envelopes.

Such labels can be preprinted with known information using common printing techniques (e.g. "FRAGILE J" or "URGENT").
GENT) J stickers), as mentioned above, different information can be printed as computer output for each label. However, none of these solutions is completely satisfactory for applications where labels have to be printed in real time. Inventory systems used by parcel carriers to form
It is often necessary to form address labels that contain both fixed information, such as carrier identification, and variable information that can only be determined at the time the label is printed. Therefore, the inventory system cannot determine shipping charges until the parcel is weighed by the system, and labels must be printed in real time.

A system for printing labels in real time was introduced in the book by Paul H. Hamisch, Jr., republished on September 29, 1981.
Label printing and pasting equipment (LabelPri
nting and Applying Appara
No. 30,749, entitled TUs) J. The patent discloses a system for forming unit price labels for use in supermarkets and the like.

Computer-driven label printers are also commercially available from Swedot of Sweden.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Although the above-described system performs real-time label printing operations and also performs the function of peeling the printed label from the release liner, it is limited in its printing capability. Therefore,
When Sweda's system is used as an inventory system, it is necessary to print fixed information on the label in advance, since Sweda's printer cannot print all the necessary information on the label.

To date, computer output line printers have not been used to print labels in real time, but they do not have the ability to peel the labels from the release liner, which is necessary for all such labels. A range of information can be printed. Without this peeling function, it would be necessary for an operator to peel off the label by hand, which would significantly reduce the productivity of the process. In the past, when labels are computer printed, it has been found effective to provide a release system to peel the labels from a release backing. Such a system is
Commercially available from Commercial Mailing Accessories, Inc., Dispensermatic Division, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Most, if not all, of these dispensermatic systems have a label stripping feature that removes the label from the release liner by pulling the web across the stripping edge at an angle to the path of the web. Peeled off. The label is relatively stiff compared to the release liner, and the angle of the web path causes the label to be peeled or separated from the release liner because the adhesive bonding the label to the release liner is not cured. . Analytically determining this required angle is complicated by the stiffness of the label, the adhesion between the label and the release liner, the radius of the separation edge and the force applied to pull the web against this separation edge. However, in practice, those familiar with the label separation industry can easily determine the appropriate angle by a simple trial and error method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for printing and dispensing shipping labels and the like in real time.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for efficiently printing postal labels and the like containing both fixed and variable information.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system for printing postal labels, etc., which achieves the above objectives at a low cost increase.

Means for Solving the Problems According to the invention, there is provided a data processing system for generating information to be printed on a label; for printing on.

The above objects are achieved and the known disadvantages are obviated by a label printing system comprising a printer and in which the labels are attached to a web of release paper. The printer described above further includes a device for separating the label from the backing paper as the web is advanced.

The information printed on the label includes fixed information and variable information that differs from label to label. (“Fixed information” as used here means whether it is constant for each label,
Alternatively, it refers to information that is determined for a particular label before the need to dispense the label arises, and that does not need to be printed on the label in real time, ie, the address. ) The data processing system of the present invention prints variable information on the label currently being processed and then advances the web to cause the printer to print fixed information on the next label after the label being processed. and thereby causing the label currently being processed to advance sufficiently to at least partially separate from the label release backing.

A printer suitable for use with the above system includes a platen roller, a bail rod assembly, and a tractor feeder that define a web path along which a web of material is printed. It is substantially similar to conventional computer output line printers of the type in which the web is moved along its path and a tractor feeder applies tension to the web to advance it along this path. The printer further includes a device attached to the printer to define a separation edge parallel to and spaced apart from the bail rod assembly. The separation edge forms an angle to the web path between the platen roller and the tractor feeder that causes the label attached to the release liner to pass through the web as it is advanced along the web path. This is sufficient for separation.

It will of course be clear to those skilled in the art that the fixed information of the first label to be processed should be printed during initialization of the system.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the system according to the present invention effectively achieves the above objectives and that many systems that need to print labels in real time do not require a separate label printer for printing labels. and a computer-output line printer for printing reports etc.Other objects and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following: will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a printer 100 according to the present invention,
This printer includes a tractor 30, a modified cover 40,
It includes a bail rod 18, a separation rod 22, and a platen roller 16 (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a partially cut away view of printer 10 according to the present invention. A web 10 of release liner with labels 12 adhered thereto in a regular pattern is pulled in a conventional manner by a platen roller 16 through a printhead (not shown) where fixed and variable information is applied to the labels 12. printed. As the web 10 passes through the printhead, it passes under the bail rod 18 and is routed rearwardly between the separation assembly 20 and the bail rod 18 and over the separation rod 22 to a tractor feeder (not shown).
sent to.

The separation assembly 20 includes a separation rod 22 that is held in a parallel spaced relationship with the bail rod 18 by a first clamp 24 and a second clamp (not shown). Preferably, the bail rod 22 is connected to the web 10
rotates freely as it advances, reducing the frictional forces that must be overcome by the tractor feeder.

The separation operation of the present invention is clearly illustrated in FIG. As mentioned above, web 10 is pulled by platen roller 16 through printhead 32 where information is printed. If the web 10 is a typical continuous web of paper, it is fed under the bail rod 18 along a path 34 toward a tractor feeder 30 that maintains tension on the web 10 and pulls the web away from the platen roller. Pull and feed into a common exit receptacle. In this mode, the operation of the present invention is essentially similar to a typical computer output line printer.

(Note that the degree of separation between bail rod 18 and platen roller 16 is shown exaggerated in FIG. 3 for ease of explanation.) If it is a mount, the web passes under the bail rod 18 and is fed rearward between the bail rod 18 and the separation rod 22 1 and then to the tractor feeder 3O.
2, an angle α is provided between the direction of movement of the web 10 and the label 12. As mentioned above, this angle α is
Labels 12 are peeled from web 10 as web 10 is pulled by tractor 30.

It is selected for the strength of the adhesion between web 10 and label 12 and the stiffness of label 12.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art from FIGS. 1 and 2, clamp 24 (not shown) can be easily adjusted to allow rotation of separation rod 22 about bail rod 18. This rotation allows the angle α to be adjusted for effective separation under varying conditions.
The initial or nominal position of the separation rod 22 is the bail rod 1
It is directly above 8.

The bail rod 18 is preferably hinged for rotation from the platen roller 16 to facilitate insertion of the web 10 and typically extends to cover the platen roller 16 and tractor feeder 30 in printers. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that a cover may be provided, which in normal operation does not cause any problems as the web moves along the path 34.

However, when the printer is used in accordance with the present invention, tension in web 10 is transferred to bail rod 18, causing it to pivot away from platen roller 16. It is also apparent that the cover extending over the platen roller 16 and the tractor feeder 30 may interfere with an operator attempting to remove a printed and peeled label 12.

Once it is recognized that it is necessary to prevent the rotation of the bail rod,
Although a number of simple solutions are apparent, both of the above problems can be overcome according to the invention by a modified printer cover 40 as shown in FIG. 4.

The cover 40 of FIG. 4 has a short body 42 that extends to the bail rod 40, allowing the operator to attach the separated label 12, the clips 44 and notches 45 for attaching the cover 40 to the printer 100, and the bail rod 18. A structure 46 supported by the printer 100 that prevents rotation of the bail rod 18 when the cover 40 is attached to the printer 100 is accessible. Moreover, the cover 40 is
A ramp structure 48 is also provided for guiding the separated labels 12.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the printing function and peeling function of the present invention. Label 12 is adhered to a web (not shown). The labels 12 have a length L in the direction of movement and are spaced apart by a pitch P. Label 12 is field 12 where fixed information is printed.
a, and a field 12b in which variable information is printed, the field 12a comprising a zero-separation rod 22 with a length D2 in the direction of movement and a print head 32.
The distance D1 between is measured along the path of the web.

At the beginning of each cycle, printhead 32 is positioned on top of field 12b of the label currently being processed. The data processing means (not shown) first print variable information in field 12b of the one label 12 currently being processed, proceed to the next label 12, and print fixed information in field 12a of the next label 12. Control the print head 32 to print.

Therefore, it will be readily apparent that the separation distance S is expressed by the following equation.

S=P+D2-Di In the preferred embodiment, the difference L-8 is chosen to be equal to 71716 inches. In this configuration, the printed label 12 remains attached to the web (not shown) with a short edge, allowing the operator to easily locate and peel the label.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art from FIG. Since it is substantially constrained by the geometry, a given separation ratio IsS can only be obtained by increasing the pitch P, resulting in wasted material and increased cycle time.

FIG. 6 shows an actual cataloging system according to the invention. A printer 100 having the label printing and separation functions described above is connected to and responsive to a data processing system 110 to print shipping labels for parcels. The system 110 receives weight information from a scale platform 114 that determines the weight of the parcel 112 and also receives weight information from an input device 111.
8 receives other information regarding the parcel 112.

(Note that the input device 118 is a conventional keyboard or word reader for entering other information, such as the type of transaction related to the freight for the parcel 112.) After receiving the weight information and other information. , data processing system 110 calculates shipping charges and other variable information, such as the invoice number of package 112, and determines the variable information to be printed on label 12 from a predetermined rate list and other information stored in system 100. , print such variable information, and select the next label 12 to be processed.
Print predetermined fixed information. The operator then easily peels off the label 12, which is adhered to the backing paper 10 by only a thin edge, and attaches it to the package 11.
2. Easy to paste and process the next package.

- After all packages in a group to be transported together have been processed, the printer 100 can be used as a general computer output line printer to form an inventory of the entire group, or such an inventory can also be formed simultaneously with a second printer (not shown).

The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention; other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description and the accompanying drawings; therefore, the invention is limited only by the scope of the claims. shall be carried out.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a printer according to the present invention.
1 is a cutaway exploded view of a portion of a printer according to the invention; FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the web path through a printer according to the invention; FIG. 4 shows a printer cover according to the invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the label separation process and the printing process in the system of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cover. 10... Web of release mount 12... Label 12a
, 12b---Field 16...Platen roller 18...Bail rod 20...Separation assembly 22...Separation rod 24.
... Clamp 30 ... Tractor feeder 32 ... Print head 34 ... Path 40 ...
・Deformation cover 44... Clip 45... Notch 46... Anti-rotation structure 100... Printer drawing (no change in content) FIG, 5 Low Φ Low procedure correction writing method) % formula % 2 , Title of the invention: Label printing system 3, Relationship with the person making the amendment: Applicant name: Bitney Bowes, Inc. 4, Agent

Claims (15)

[Claims] (1) data processing means for generating information to be printed on the label, connected to said data processing means and responsive to said data processing means;
a printer for printing said information on said label, said label being attached to a web of release liner, and said printer further comprising separating means for separating said label from said release liner as said web advances. furthermore, said information comprises fixed information and variable information generated by said data processing means for each of said labels, and said data processing means is configured to determine one of said labels currently being processed. printing the variable information on one of the labels to be processed next, and then controlling the printer to advance the web to print the fixed information on one of the labels to be processed next, thereby controlling the printer to print the fixed information on one of the labels to be processed next; A label printing system according to claim 1, wherein the label being applied is advanced enough to be at least partially separated from the release liner. (2) The printer includes a platen roller, a bail rod assembly, and a tractor feeder that define a web path, and the printer further includes a web path parallel to the bail rod assembly. Separation means is also mounted on the printer to define a separation edge spaced apart from the printer, the separation edge being at an angle to the path of the web between the platen roller and the tractor feeder. 5. The label printing system of claim 1, wherein: no, the angle is sufficient to separate labels attached to the release liner as the web of liner is advanced along the web path. (3) The separating means further comprises a separating rod defining the separating edge, and the separating rod freely rotates as the web advances. system. (4) The data processing means further comprises a weighing means for measuring the weight of the parcel to be transported, and an input means for inputting additional information regarding the parcel; 2. A method according to claim 2, wherein the data processing system receives variable information such as a shipping charge for the parcel and outputs the variable information to the printer for printing on the label. Label printing system. (5) the label is attached to a web of release paper with a pitch P, the label has a length L in the direction of movement of the web, the label has an upper field for printing fixed information; a lower field for printing variable information, the length of the upper field in the direction of web travel is D2, and the distance between the print head of the printer and the separating means is D1.
and the data processing means controls the printer to: a) initiate each label printing cycle at the top of the bottom field for the currently processed label; and b) c) proceed to the next label and print fixed information in said top field, so that d) the length of separation between said currently processed label and said web is S = P + D2 - D1, and e) P, L, D1 and D2 are given by S is greater than O and L
The label printing system according to claim 2, wherein the label printing system is selected to be smaller. (6) the label is attached to a web of release paper with a pitch P, the label has a length L in the direction of movement of the web, the label has an upper field for printing fixed information; a lower field for printing variable information, the length of the upper field in the direction of web travel is D2, and the distance between the print head of the printer and the separating means is D1.
and the data processing means controls the printer to: a) initiate each label printing cycle at the top of the bottom field for the currently processed label; and b) c) proceed to the next label and print fixed information in said top field, so that d) the length of separation between said currently processed label and said web is S = P + D2 - D1, and e) P, L, D1 and D2 are given by S is greater than O and L
The label printing system according to claim 5, wherein the label printing system is selected to be smaller. 7. The label printing system of claim 2, wherein the separation edge is rotatable about the bail rod assembly to adjust the angle. (8) the bail rod assembly is hinged for rotation away from the platen roller, and further means for retaining the bail rod assembly relative to the platen roller during operation of the system; A label printing system according to claim 2, comprising: (9) The data processing means further comprises a weighing means for measuring the weight of the parcel to be transported, and an input means for inputting additional information regarding the parcel, and the data processing means is configured to input the weight information and the additional information. and determining variable information such as a shipping charge for the parcel, and wherein the data processing system outputs the variable information to the printer for printing on the label. label printing system. (10) the label is attached to a web of a release liner with a pitch P, the label has a length L in the direction of movement of the web, the label has an upper field for printing fixed information; a lower field for printing variable information, the length of the upper field in the direction of web travel is D2, and the distance between the print head of the printer and the separating means is D.
1, said data processing means controlling said printer to: a) initiate each label printing cycle at the top of said bottom field for the currently processed label; and b) said currently processed label. c) proceed to the next label and print fixed information in said top field, thereby d) determining the length of separation between said currently processed label and said web; S = P + D2 - D1, and e) P, L, D1 and D2 are given by S = P + D2 - D1, and e) P, L, D1 and D2 are
The label printing system according to claim 1, wherein the label printing system is selected to be smaller. (11) the label is attached to a web of a release liner with a pitch P, the label has a length L in the direction of movement of the web, the label has an upper field for printing fixed information; a lower field for printing variable information, the length of the upper field in the direction of web travel is D2, and the distance between the print head of the printer and the separating means is D.
1, said data processing means controlling said printer to: a) initiate each label printing cycle at the top of said bottom field for the currently processed label; and b) said currently processed label. c) proceed to the next label and print fixed information in said top field, thereby d) determining the length of separation between said currently processed label and said web; S = P + D2 - D1, and e) P, L, D1 and D2 are given by S = P + D2 - D1, and e) P, L, D1 and D2 are
10. The label printing system according to claim 9, wherein the label printing system is selected to be smaller. (12) a platen roller, a bail rod assembly, and a tractor feeder defining a web path, the tractor feeder tensioning the web of material to advance the web along the web path; a printer of the type, comprising separating means attached to said printer for defining a separating edge parallel to and spaced apart from said bail rod assembly, said separating edge being connected to said platen roller; providing an angle in the web path with the tractor feeder, the angle being sufficient to separate labels attached to the web as the web is advanced along the web path; Featured printers. (13) The separating means further comprises a separating rod for defining the separating edge, the separating rod being freely rotatable with the movement of the web.
The printer described in item 2. (14) A cover for a printer comprising a hinged bail rod assembly and a separating means for separating labels, comprising: a main body; and when the cover is attached to the printer, the main body is separated by the separating means. Attachment means for temporarily attaching the cover to the printer to maintain separated labels accessible to an operator of the printer, and preventing rotation of the bail rod assembly on the hinge of the bail rod assembly A printer cover characterized in that it is provided with a means for. (15) The printer cover according to claim 14, further comprising means for guiding the labels when separating the labels.