KR20140116414A - Label assembly and method of use - Google Patents

Abstract

A label assembly comprising an adhesive-backed label on a carrier sheet, the carrier sheet being divided into first and second carrier segments corresponding to respective labels. In use, the label first separates from the corresponding first carrier segment and then separates from the corresponding second carrier segment thereby reducing its tendency to dry.

Description

[0001] LABEL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE [0002]

The present invention relates to a label assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to the design of a label assembly that is resistant to curl.

Self-adhesive labels are widely used for various sorting and communication purposes. Generally, they have a basic configuration comprising an adhesive body on its rear surface or a facestock (sometimes referred to as a label stock) and are provided on a temporary liner or carrier sheet . The body may be single-ply or multi-ply. The front surface is typically configured to receive a legend, such as by typing, handwriting, printing by a computer printer, and the like. For example, an image receiving layer may be provided on the front surface of the body to facilitate placing the desired legend or information thereon. Illustrative examples of materials used in the label body include paper, polymeric films, fabrics, etc., where the selection is in part dependent on the required performance characteristics of the resulting label. It is known that many different adhesives are used in label construction where the choice depends in part on factors such as desired label performance, intended substrate, body properties, and the like.

Many label assemblies (sometimes referred to as "label sheets") marketed on the market today are produced by peeling individual labels from a carrier sheet or liner, or by peeling the label assembly from the carrier sheet or liner with each label adhered to its liner And a die cut label that can be removed from the label assembly by personalization with a smaller label assembly that is attached and held. These individual labels are provided on a label assembly with perforations that allow separation or are already customized.

In typical use, after the legends have been formed on one or more of the labels through, for example, printers, typewriters, handwriting, etc., the labels must be removed from the carrier sheet or liner and applied to the substrate. When the label is removed from the carrier sheet or liner, the label tends to curl. In some cases, the label may even be dried until it adheres to itself. Even the application of partially dried labels is somewhat difficult, time consuming, and can require considerable dexterity.

Despite many variations of the known label construction, there is a need for improved label construction.

The present invention provides label assemblies and methods of using such assemblies for producing labels in a quick and easy manner, with scrapped pieces being limited and of increased convenience. The configuration of the label assembly of the present invention allows for good printer feedability for various printing devices and maintains a printable margin for product information.

In a brief overview, the label assembly of the present invention comprises a carrier sheet having a major front surface and a rear major surface; And a plurality of labels that are releasably adhered onto the front major surface of the carrier sheet. Each label includes a sheet of label stock with adhesive on its back side. According to the invention:

The carrier sheet has one or more enclosed dividing lines;

The separation line defines a first carrier segment and a second carrier segment;

The second carrier segment has an area less than the area of the label;

The second segment section includes one or more tabs extending beyond the perimeter of the label;

Each label and its corresponding second segment section is adapted to be separated from the first carrier segment such that at least a portion of the second carrier segment is releasably adhered to and held on the label.

Briefly summarized, the method of the present invention comprises the steps of removing a matrix from the front major surface, separating the label and its corresponding second carrier segment from the first carrier segment by pulling up the tab, And pulling the tabs of the carrier segment and the second carrier segment away from the label.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of the present invention includes removing a strip from a front major surface, removing a label and a second carrier segment from a first carrier segment by pulling up a tab, And pulling the tabs of the two carrier segments and the second carrier segment away from the label.

Typically, the image may be printed by hand on a front surface of the label assembly of the present invention, by a printer, such as a laser printer or an inkjet printer such as is commonly used with a personal computer.

An advantage of the present invention is that the label can be removed from the label assembly without causing curling, and the label can be easily applied to the substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention can be better explained with reference to the drawings.
≪ 1 >
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of a conventional label assembly on the front (i.e., label) side.
2,
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional label assembly shown in Figure 1 taken along line 1-1 of Figure 1;
3,
3 is a plan view of the front (i.e., label) side of one embodiment of the label assembly of the present invention.
3A,
Figure 3a is a plan view of the back side of the label assembly shown in Figure 3;
<Fig. 4>
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the label assembly shown in Figure 3 taken along line 3-3 of Figure 3;
5,
5 is a plan view of the front side of an embodiment of the label assembly of the present invention.
5A)
FIG. 5A is a plan view of the rear side of the label assembly shown in FIG. 5; FIG.
6,
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the label assembly shown in FIG. 5, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 5;
7,
7 is a plan view of the front side of an embodiment of the label assembly of the present invention.
8,
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the label assembly shown in FIG. 7, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 7;
9,
9 is a plan view of the front side of an embodiment of the label assembly of the present invention.
<Fig. 10>
10 is a cross-sectional view of the label assembly shown in FIG. 9, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 9;
11)
11 is a plan view of the front side of an embodiment of the label assembly of the present invention.
12,
12 is a cross-sectional view of the label assembly shown in FIG. 11 taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 11;
13,
Figure 13 is a plan view of the front side of an embodiment of the label assembly of the present invention.
<Fig. 14>
Figure 14 is a plan view of the front side of an embodiment of the label assembly of the present invention.
The drawings illustrate the invention by way of explanation and not by way of limitation. Numerous other variations and embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the principles of the invention may be devised by those skilled in the art. The drawings are ideally drawn and are not drawn to scale, but are for illustrative purposes only.

Exemplary conventional label assemblies are shown in Figures 1 and 2. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in other figures. Like reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to like elements and features.

The label assembly 10 includes a plurality of labels 20, a carrier sheet 30 and an adhesive 24 between the label 20 and the carrier sheet 30. Each of the plurality of labels 20 is separated from the adjacent label and surrounding matrix by a label separation line 28. Adhesive 24 and separation line 28 allow the user to remove label 20 from carrier sheet 30.

Exemplary label assemblies of the present invention are shown in Figures 3, 3a, 4, 5, 5a, and 6, wherein the label assembly 10 is shown from the front side, . The label assembly 10 includes a plurality of labels 20, a carrier sheet 30 and an adhesive 24 on the back side of the label stock between the plurality of labels 20 and the carrier sheet 30.

The carrier sheet 30 has a front main surface 30a and a rear main surface 30b.

Each of the labels 20 is defined by a label separation line 28 and separated from other components of the label assembly (i.e., adjacent labels, surrounding matrix, etc.). Although the label assembly 10 is shown without a matrix between the individual labels 20, the label assembly 10 may include a matrix between neighboring labels. Additionally, although each label assembly 10 is shown with the matrix 26 completely enclosing the plurality of labels 20, the label assembly 10 may include a matrix 26 that completely surrounds the labels 20 ) Is not necessary for the present invention. The carrier sheet 30 includes a carrier sheet separation line 38 defining a first carrier segment 32 and a second carrier segment 34. The separation line 38 also defines a tab 36 of the second carrier segment 34 that extends beyond the label 20. Adhesive 24, separation line 28 and separation line 38 allow the user to remove label 20 and second carrier segment 34 from first carrier segment 32. The second carrier segment 34 is now easily peeled off from the label and ready to be applied to the substrate.

Figures 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 are front views. In the figures, the carrier separation line 38 is shown as a dotted line to show its relationship with the label 20, but the carrier separation line does not extend through the label, as shown in the respective cross-sectional views. Similarly, FIGS. 3A and 5A are rear views, and the label separation line 28 is shown in dotted form to indicate its relationship with the second carrier segment 34. FIG.

In some alternative embodiments, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 and 9 and 10, respectively, the label assembly 10 is releasably adhered to the front major surface 30a of the carrier sheet 30 And a strip (42) positioned between the matrix (26) and the label (20).

Each label assembly may typically include a plurality of labels. For example, as shown in Figures 3, 5, 7, and 9, each label assembly includes eleven labels arranged in a predetermined configuration in one column.

In another exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, the label assembly includes ten labels arranged in a predetermined configuration of two rows of five rows.

Figure 11 illustrates a label assembly 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The label assembly 10 includes a first row of a plurality of labels 20 and a second row of a plurality of labels 20. Each of the first and second label rows is longitudinally stacked or laminated on the label assembly 10. Each label 20 includes a second carrier segment 34 surrounded by a separation line 38 substantially below the label. The separation line 38 also defines a tab 36 of the second carrier segment 34 that extends beyond the label 20.

In use, the label assembly of the present invention is used as follows.

First, the legends can be selectively formed on one or more labels, for example by passing the assembly through a computer printer, by hand, or by adhering decals.

Next, the matrix 26 is removed from the front main surface 30a along the dividing line 28. Then, The tab 36 of the second carrier segment 34 is exposed. The label 20 and the second carrier segment 34 are easily removed from the first carrier segment 32 by pulling the tab 36 up. The second carrier segment 34 is removed from the label 20 by pulling the tab 36 away from the label 20. The label 20 is now ready to be readily applied to the substrate.

Alternatively, the strip 42 is removed from the front major surface 30a along the dividing line 28. As shown in FIG. The tab 36 of the second carrier segment 34 of the first label 20 is exposed. The first label 20 and the second carrier segment 34 are easily removed from the first carrier segment 32 by pulling the tab 36 up. The tab 36 of the second carrier segment 34 of the second label 20 is exposed. The second carrier segment 34 is removed from the first label 20 by pulling the tab 36 away from the label 20. The label 20 is now ready to be readily applied to the substrate.

Other label sizes, and label layouts are available and are easily adapted for use in accordance with the present invention. Labels may have various shapes and sizes, and not all need to have the same shape or size. Figures 13 and 14 illustrate such a possibility that the label is circular. The labels can be completely separated from each other by a matrix therebetween or by a bare liner.

The label has a printable surface. The phrase "printable surface" refers to any surface or surface of the surface of the surface of which a person or machine may draw, print, paint, paint, photocopy, write, emboss, or create any other type of mark or graphic Quot; surface &quot; of &lt; / RTI &gt; A laser printer, an inkjet printer, an impact printer, a thermal transfer printer, a direct thermal printer, a typewriter, a copier, or any other suitable graphic printing device is preferred, It need not be used with a printable surface according to the invention.

The label stock preferably consists of, but is not necessarily, any suitable paper, paper composite, film, plastic, cloth, non-metal, and / or metal sheet material that can be used as a label. Selection of a suitable material will depend in part on the desired application, including factors such as desired color, moisture stability, flexibility, elongation, elasticity, water solubility for imaging materials, and the like.

Those skilled in the art will readily be able to select an appropriate label stock material for the desired application.

Commonly known configurations include: 216 × 140 mm (8.5 × 5.5 inches), US standard letter size (ie, 216 × 279 mm or 8½ × 11 inch dimensions), legal size (260 × 356 mm ), A4 (i.e., 210 x 297 mm dimensions), and postcard size (i.e., 100 x 148.5 mm or 4 x 6 inch dimensions). The label assembly generally has any suitable size and any suitable shape that can be received and supplied through a printer, such as a laser printer or an inkjet printer.

The adhesive allows the label to stick. In many embodiments, the adhesive will be pressure sensitive. Depending on the labeling performance required, an adhesive which is activated, if desired, for example by thermal or initiator reaction, can be used. Re-attachable, removable, and permanently bonded adhesives may also be used as desired. When a light-permeable adhesive is used, the color (s) of the substrate to which the label is applied will provide a special effect through the label, for example, if the label is used as a name tag, then on a person wearing various colors of clothing, . If desired, one or more colorants such as pigments and dyes may be included in the adhesive layer to impart the desired appearance to the resulting label.

Adhesives suitable for the selected labeling application can be readily selected by those skilled in the art.

Suitable release liners can also be readily selected by those skilled in the art. The choice will depend in part on factors such as the nature of the adhesive, the label being retained, the use, and the conditions to be applied.

Each of the dividing lines according to the present invention may be, for example, a die cut line, a kiss cut line (a die cut line that does not extend completely through the layer or sheet), a laser die cut line, a score cut line, Lines, micro-perforated lines, chemically etched lines, liquid etched lines and / or gas etched lines.

Typically, the carrier sheet is rectangular in shape, but carrier sheets having other configurations may be used in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention is well suited for applications where the labels are to be individually removed by hand. However, the present invention is not limited to hand use. The present invention provides a method of removing a plurality of labels 20 and a second carrier segment 34 from a first carrier segment 32 and then removing a second carrier segment 34 from a plurality of labels 20, And can be used in conjunction with an automated machine for placing a plurality of labels 20 on a substrate. The present invention may also be used in applications where a plurality of labels are located on one or more substrate objects and these labels are applied to the substrate object as a group at the same relative positions found on the label assembly 10. [

It should be understood that the details of the above-described embodiments presented for the purpose of illustration are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. While only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention, Will readily be understood. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. It will also be appreciated that many embodiments that do not achieve all of the advantages of some embodiments, particularly preferred embodiments, may be envisaged, but the absence of certain advantages should not be construed as necessarily to the contrary in the scope of the present invention do.

Claims (13)

As a label assembly,
A carrier sheet having a front major surface and a rear major surface; And
A plurality of labels releasably adhered on said front major surface of said carrier sheet,
The carrier sheet having at least one enclosed separation line,
The separation line defines a first carrier segment and a second carrier segment,
The second carrier segment having an area smaller than the area of the label,
Wherein the second segment section includes at least one tab extending beyond a perimeter of the label,
Wherein the label and the second segment section are adapted to separate from the first carrier segment such that at least a portion of the second carrier segment is removably adhered to and held on the label. 2. The label assembly of claim 1, wherein the separation line is substantially below the label. 3. The label assembly of claim 2, wherein the label is substantially rectangular in shape. 3. The label assembly of claim 2, wherein the label is substantially circular in shape. 2. The label assembly of claim 1, further comprising a matrix releasably adhered on the front major surface of the carrier sheet and surrounding a plurality of labels. 2. The label assembly of claim 1, further comprising a strip releasably adhered on the front major surface of the carrier sheet and positioned next to the label. 6. The label assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one tab is below the matrix. 6. The label assembly of claim 5, further comprising a strip releasably adhered onto the front major surface of the carrier sheet and positioned between the matrix and the label. 7. The label assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one tab is under the strip. 2. The label assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly has a configuration selected from the group consisting of a standard letter format and an A4 format. 2. The label assembly of claim 1, wherein the separation line comprises a plurality of cuts and ties. A method for using the label assembly of claim 4,
Removing the matrix from the front major surface;
Removing the label and the second carrier segment from the first carrier segment by pulling up the tab; And
And pulling the tab of the second carrier segment and the second carrier segment away from the label. A method for using the label assembly of claim 5,
Removing the strip from the front major surface;
Removing the label and the second carrier segment from the first carrier segment by pulling up the tab; And
And pulling the tab of the second carrier segment and the second carrier segment away from the label.

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