MXPA97003993A - Construction of label without coating, not square, methods of use and application and apartment - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for acting on a label without a non-square and individual coating, on a string of uncoated labels, with pressure-sensitive adhesive, non-square and in-line, connected together, and to a surrounding matrix, by tie-rods , using a separator having a first pair of low speed rollers, and a second pair of high speed rollers, with a stationary knife between the pairs of rollers, characterized in the method because it comprises the steps of: (a) moving the string of labels without coating, with pressure-sensitive adhesive, non-square in a first direction towards the first pair of rollers, (b) separating the front labels from the matrix, (c) continuously and automatically pulling the matrix in a second direction different from the first direction, while physically attaching the string of labels in such a way that the labels do not come off with the matrix, but rather are fed into the imer pair of low speed rollers separated from the die; (d) feed the labels, one at a time in sequence from the low speed rollers to the high speed rollers, in such a way that a tie connects two consecutive labels of the string is placed between the pairs of rollers; (e) act on a front label of the string with the high-speed rollers to cause the string to be tensioned and the strut between the pairs of rollers to engage the stationary blade and separate; and (f) unload the front label, separated from the string in step (e), of the high speed rollers.

Description

CONSTRUCTION OF LABEL WITHOUT COATING, NOT SQUARE, METHODS OF USE AND APPLICATION AND APPLIANCE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There are many circumstances where non-square labels (for example, circular, oval, triangular or polygonal) applied to surfaces are used. In recent years there has been an increased demand for uncoated labels due to environmental and other advantages associated with them. The use of non-square liner labels per se is illustrated in the pending U.S. patent application. Serial No. 08 / 173,083 filed on December 27, 1993 (the description of which is incorporated herein by reference). In accordance with the present invention a particular string of non-square unlined labels is provided, as well as a method for detaching individual labels from the string, a method for separating the string from surrounding matrix material, a method for applying burst labels directly to the surface of moving items and apparatus to practice all these methods. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating on individual non-square coated labels, on a string of unlined square-lined labels connected together by tie rods. The method is practiced using a separator having a first pair of low speed rollers, and a second pair of high speed rollers with a stationary knife between the pairs of rollers. The stripper used must be separate from conventional strippers, as illustrated in EPO 0376754 as the stripper must be able to function without components that adhere to unlined or liner labels and must withstand labels between roller sets of the stripper. detaching The method comprises the following steps: (a) moving the string of non-squarely coated labels, in a first direction to the first pair of rollers. (b) Feed the labels, one at a time in sequence from the low speed rollers to the high speed rollers, such that a strut connecting two consecutive labels of the string is placed between the pair of rollers, ( c) Acting on a front string with the high-speed rollers, to cause the string to be tensioned and the strut between the pairs of rollers to engage the stationary blade and detach, and (d) Unload the front label, from one of the string in stage (c) of the high speed rollers. The labels have a first side with adhesive release material and a second face with pressure sensitive adhesive. Step (c) is typically practiced by bringing the face without adhesive in contact with the stationary blade. Also preferably is the additional step (d), except during tensioning as described in step (c), guiding the labels of the first and second pair of rollers by putting the adhesive face in contact with a non-sticky guide surface. Normally, the label string is originally connected to a surrounding matrix by straps, in which case there is the additional step, before step (a), of (e) separating the front labels from the matrix; and (f) automatically pulling the array in a second direction, other than the first direction, while physically attaching the string of labels, so that the labels are not removed from the matrix, but instead the first rollers are fed as described in separate steps (a) and (b) of the die. Step (f) is typically practiced by physically coupling the first face of the label string with a substantially stationary, uniform surface. After the practice of step (d), there is the additional step of bringing the second face of the label without the front facing off in contact with the surface on which the adhesive adheres. This additional step can be practiced in pulling the first face in a third direction, substantially transverse to the first direction, such that the second face engages the surface, or when coupling the first face with a rotatable element and rotating the rotatable element to assist in movement of the second label face in contact with the surface, at moving substantially simultaneously the surface in engagement with the second face when using nozzles for compressed air or the like. There may also be the additional step of detecting the presence of the forward label discharged during the practice of step (d), and moving the surface towards the label in response to that detection. The label string is typically removed by the low speed roller to move in the proper position. Also, typically there is a speed differential of between 3: 1 to 2: 1 between the high speed and low speed rollers. A primary objective of the present invention is to provide effective and simple detachment of non-squarely coated labels from a string, and the application of the detached labels to a moving surface, in an automatic manner. These and other objects of the invention will be clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the invention and from the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a side view of a label string assembly according to the present invention that moves from a roll to a linear form; FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the string of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of a string like that of FIGURE 2 before detachment of the surrounding matrix material; FIGURE 4 is a schematic side view of the apparatus for separating the label string of FIGURE 3 from the matrix material of FIGURE 3; FIGURE 5 is a schematic top perspective view of the apparatus of FIGURE 4; FIGURE 6 is a side schematic view of an exemplary separating apparatus for separating the label string from FIGURE 2 according to the present invention; FIGURES 7 and 8 are side schematic views showing the high speed rollers of the separator of FIGURE 6 in conjunction with a reciprocating piston for applying a detached label to a moving surface; FIGURES 9 and 10 are views along with those of FIGURES 7 and 8, which only show a belt conveyor system, downstream of the high speed roller for applying the label to a bottle and the like; FIGURES 11 and 12 are views like those of FIGURES 7 and 8, which only show a vacuum cylinder and conveyor arranged differently, downstream of the high speed roller; and FIGURE 13 is a view like that of FIGURE 12 that only shows the compressed gas nozzles for operatively coupling a detached label and moving it in contact with a surface being transported. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A label assembly according to the present invention is generally illustrated by the reference number 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. It consists of a string of a plurality of uncoated, non-square labels, 11, arranged in line at least with a strap of approximately .046 to .076 cm (.018 to .030") connecting consecutive labels and the string as a whole.Each label 11 has a first face 13, with adhesive release material, for example silicone and a second face 14 (see FIGURE 1) with pressure sensitive adhesive (which can be repositionable), removable or permanent.) Assembly 10 may be in the form of a roller, 0 roll, as illustrated by the roll 15 in FIGURE 1, and removed from the roll immediately in a continuous or in a group (such as the group illustrated in FIGURE 2). The non-square configuration of the labels 11 can be of a wide variety of different types. For example, labels 11 may be circular as in the FIGURES 1 and 2, or triangular or otherwise non-square polygonal vouchers. When circular labels 11 are used, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, typically a single tie 12 is provided between adjacent labels. When labels have other shapes, more than one tie rod may be provided, but tie rods typically will always have a width of between .046 to .076 cm (.018 to .030") .Typically as described in the co-pending application of the US Serial No. 08 / 173,083 - the string of labels is initially within a matrix 17 - as seen in FIGURE 3. The matrix is also connected by straps such as the straps 18, which also preferably have an approximate width from .046 to .076 cm (.018 to .030"). The label string 10 is separated from the matrix material 17 automatically, preferably using the apparatus as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The apparatus of FIGS. 4 and 5 includes a transport mechanism, for transporting the label string. in a first direction 18 (see FIGURE 4), the conveyor mechanism typically comprises the low speed rollers 19, 20 of a stripper (as illustrated in FIGURE 6). A conveyor belt, bottom conveyor conveyors, transport plates, conveyor chains, sprockets or a wide variety of other mechanisms can also be provided as the transport means for moving the label string in the direction 18.

The label string / matrix stripping mechanism, also preferably comprises a stationary label downward holding mechanism 21, which can - as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 - are in the form of an arm having a portion of angled body 22 mounted stationary with a stationary support 23 at a first end, a bottom portion 24 that is substantially parallel to the direction 18, and an end portion bent upwardly of the element 24. The arm 21 is preferably One piece shape of Lexan or plastic, and it is relatively stiff, although it has some flexibility. Typically it is light in weight and preferably has at least the portion that engages the adhesive release faces 13 or the label string 10 is uniform so that it does not mark, tear or otherwise adversely affect the labels 11. The mechanism The label / matrix detachment also includes a die collector generally shown by reference numeral 26, and preferably includes a pickup roller 27 displaced by a motor 28 or the like and with respect to which the matrix material 17 is initially wrapped. The axis of rotation of the roller 27 with respect to which it is moved by the motor 28 is in a second dimension 29 which is preferably perpendicular to the first direction 18. The pick-up roller 27 moves the die in a second direction 30, which is distinct and intersects the first direction 18. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, the second direction 30 is perpendicular to the first direction 18. Finally, the label / matrix string separation mechanism comprises a confinement, preferably an energized or secondary roller 31 that couples the matrix 18 and the label string 10, wherein the first and second directions 18/30 intersect . The roller 31 is rotatable with respect to an axis parallel to the axis 29. When the roller 31 is energized, it may comprise or may comprise part of the conveyor mechanism for removing the labels in the direction 18. An exemplary separator according to the present invention it is generally illustrated by the reference number 33. In addition to the low speed rollers 19, 20 the spacer 31 includes a pair of high speed rollers 34, 35, each of the set of rollers 19, 20, 34 and 35 have a point of attachment between them. The rollers 19, 20, and 34, 35 are mounted in such a way that the fastening points are in an imaginary straight line with respect to each other (preferably in the same horizontal or vertical position) and all the rollers 19, 20, 34 and 35 are rotatable with respect to substantially parallel rotation axes. The separator 33 also includes a separating blade 36 disposed between the rollers on one side of the imaginary straight line between the roller holding points and adapted to engage on the release material surface 13 of the front label 11 on a string 10 in the tie 12, so as to carry out the separation on the tie 12. The stationary separating blade 36 is also on non-adherent guide surfaces 20 and 37 which is also mounted between the rolls 19, 20 and 34, 35 and it extends substantially on the imaginary straight line between the attachment points. The nonadherent surface 37 engages the face of pressure sensitive adhesive 14 of the label string 10. It is preferred that the non-adherent characteristics of the surface 37 be obtained by plasma coating. The lower low speed roller 19 and the lower high speed roller 34 which couple the adhesive surface 14 to both preferably are coated without adhesion, so that they do not adhere to the adhesive 14. Also, the distance between the pairs of rolls 19, 20 and 34, 35 are attached to a section of the label 11, with the tie 11 (or a series of tie rods) aligned with the separating blade) 36. Conventional separators (which are similar to the separator 33 only do not use the surface not adhesive 37 and the corresponding non-adherent surfaces on the rollers 19, 34) typically operate at a differential speed ratio of 2: 1 between the low speed high speed rollers. The speed ratio according to the present invention is preferably between 3: 1 and 2: 1 including all intermediate proportions. Also, a detector 38 (of any convenient conventional type, for example optical) is preferably provided downstream of the high speed rolls 34, 35 in the direction 18 to detect a front label 11, after it has been detached from its once moving a surface in contact with the label and / or operating another label coupling element to engage the label and move it in contact with the surface. A second detector (generally shown at 39 in FIGURE 9) can also be provided to detect a moving surface to which the detached label 11 is to be applied. The detectors 38, 39 can also control the displacement of the high speed rollers. , 34, 35 to stop the displacement such that the front label is essentially parked until it is actuated by the label coupling element or a movement surface to which the label is applied. A wide variety of label coupling means may be provided downstream of the high speed rollers, 34, 35 in the first direction 18 to engage a label 11 as it moves through the attachment point of the high speed rollers 34, 35. Four different of these label coupling means are illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 13. All of them can be integrated with the operation of the rollers 34, 35 by the detector 38 and / or the detector 39. In the embodiment of the FIGURES 7 and 8, the label coupling means comprise a horizontally movable piston 42, mounted for movement by a rod 43 in a direction 44 perpendicular to the direction 18. The piston 42 engages the face of release material 13 of the label 11 and moves the adhesive face 14 in contact with a surface 45 to which the labels can be applied. In FIGURE 8, the surface 45 is illustrated as one of the sides or top of a carton 66, which is mounted on a conveyor means 47 for movement in the direction 48. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, address 48 is parallel to address 18 but this is not necessary. The transport means 47 can be any conventional conveyor such as a conveyor belt, conveyor rollers, conveyor chains, transport platforms, etc. In the embodiment of FIGURES 9 and 10, the tag coupling means comprises a conveyor belt 50 mounted just downstream of the fastening point of the rolls 34, 35 in the direction 18 in a position to cooperate with a bottle, can or element. similar 51 having a surface to which the label 11 is applied. The bottle 51 is moved by the conveyor 47 in the direction 52, the direction 52 in this case is perpendicular to the direction 18. A second conveyor belt assembly 53 is placed on the opposite side of the conveyor 47 from the conveyor belt assembly 50 to rotate the bottle 51 as it moves in the direction 52 and as the label 11 is applied, as illustrated in FIGURE 10. The conveyor belt assemblies 50, 53 can be displaced or not displaced, although it is preferred that the assembly 53 is at least displaced. FIGURE 11 illustrates yet another form of label engaging means in this case in the form of a vacuum cylinder 55 that is mounted just downstream of the fastening point between the roller 34, and is rotatable with respect to an axis parallel to the axes of the rollers 35, 34, the vacuum cylinder 55 engages the non-adhesive face 13 of the label 11 and moves the adhesive face 14 in contact with a surface 45 of a box 46 or similar object that is transported by the conveyor 47 in the direction 52 as seen in FIGURE 12. FIGURE 3 illustrates another embodiment of the tag engaging means where just downstream of the clamping point between the rollers 34, One or more air / gas burst nozzles 56, 57 are located. The nozzles, 56, 57 are connected to a source of compressed gas (e.g., air, nitrogen, etc.) 58. Valves to automatically control the passage of compressed gas from the source 58 to the nozzles 56, 57 can be controlled by a detector such as the detector 38 in FIGURE 6 (e.g., an optical detector). Gas bursts from the nozzles 56, 57 convey the label 11 to the surface 45 of a box 45 or similar device moving in the direction 59 by the conveyor 47 (in this case the conveyor 47 is schematically illustrated as energized rolls with clamping surfaces). In this case, the direction 59 can make an approximate angle of 30 to 60 ° with respect to the direction 18. The embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 13 illustrate various mechanisms for catching, blowing or winding a label detached by the stripper 33 on a surface on which the label is to be applied. However, other types of mechanisms can also be used to perform the same basic function. In this way it will be seen that according to the present invention, an advantageous label assembly consisting of a string of a plurality of uncoated, non-square labels, with tiers therebetween, a method of acting on individual non-square coated labels to separate them from the string and apply them to product surfaces, and a variety of different apparatuses can be employed which are highly advantageous.

While the invention has been described and illustrated herein in what is currently conceived as the most practical and preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art that many modifications may be practiced thereto within the scope of the invention, this The wider scope of the claims should be granted to cover all equivalent methods, products and devices.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS 1.- Method to act on a label without coating, not square, individual, in a string of uncoated labels, with pressure sensitive adhesive, not square in line, connected together by straps that use a separator that has a first pair of low speed rollers, and a second pair of high speed rollers, with a stationary blade or blade between the pairs of rollers, characterized in the method because it comprises the steps of: (a) moving the label string without coating, Pressure sensitive nadhesive, not square in a first direction to the first pair of rollers; (b) feeding the labels, one at a time in sequence from the low speed rollers to the high speed rollers, such that a strut connecting two consecutive labels of the string is placed between the pair of rollers; (c) acting on a front string with the high speed rollers to cause the string to be tensioned and the tie between the pairs of rollers to engage the stationary and separating blade; and (d) unloading the front label, string separator in step (c) of the high speed rollers.
2. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the labels have a first side with an adhesive release material and a second face with pressure sensitive adhesive; and wherein step (c) is practiced by bringing the first face into contact with the stationary blade.
3. 3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises the additional step (d), except during tensioning as described in step (c), guiding the labels of the first to the second pair of rollers, when carrying the adhesive face in contact with a non-sticky guide surface.
4. 4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the label string is connected to a surrounding matrix by braces and comprises the additional steps, before step (a), of (e) separating the front labels of the matrix; and (f) automatically continuously pulling the die in a second direction, other than the first direction, while physically attaching the tag string in such a way that the tags do not detach with the die, but feed the first ones. rolls as described in separate steps (a) and (b) of the die.
5. 5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the labels have a first side with an adhesive release material and a second face with pressure sensitive adhesive; and wherein step (f) is practiced by physically coupling the first face of the label string with a uniform, substantially stationary surface.
6. 6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the additional step (e) substantially immediately after the step (d) of carrying the second face of labels without front coating, detached in contact with a surface a which adheres the adhesive.
7. 7. - A method according to claim 6, characterized in that step (e) is performed by pushing the first face in a third direction, substantially transverse to the first direction, until the second face engages the surface.
8. 8. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that step (e) is practiced by coupling the first face with a rotatable element and rotating the rotatable element to assist in moving the second label face in contact with the surface.
9. 9. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that step (e) is further practiced by substantially simultaneously moving the surface in engagement with the second face.
10. 10. A method according to the claim 6, characterized in that it comprises the additional step (f) of detecting the presence of the front label that is discharged during the practice of step (d) and moving the surface toward the label in response to step (f).
11. 11. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that steps (a) and (f) are practiced essentially uniquely by pulling the label string with the low speed rollers.
12. 12. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the labels are substantially circular and the front label is connected to the following label by a single tie that has an approximate width of .046 to .076 cm (.018) a .030") and wherein step (c) is practiced by moving the single strut in contact with the stationary blade
13. 13. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steps (a) - (c) are practiced by providing a speed differential of between 3: 1 to 2: 1 between the high speed and low speed rollers.