MXPA97004475A - Cutter for labels without recubrimie - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an uncoated label dispenser, comprising: a support for a continuous uncoated label dispenser, each label having a pressure-sensitive adhesive face and a face coated with releasable adhesive material; moving labels from the label dispenser through the dispenser, a guide structure having releasable adhesive material thereto mesh the adhesive side of the labels from the label dispenser and guiding the labels for movement in a downstream direction; on a downstream side of the structure from the label dispenser, for printing the face of labels coated with releasable material from the label dispenser, a release surface, on the downstream side of the print head of said guide structure , the release surface has releasable adhesive material in it for contacting the adhesive side of the labels, a fixed anvil sheet downstream of the release head of the print head, to engage the adhesive side of the labels from the label dispenser, and an automatic rotary cutter cooperating with the fixed anvil sheet for engaging the coated face of releasable adhesive material from the labels from the label dispenser, and cutting the labels individually to be dispensed from the dispenser continuously from uncoated labels: wherein the release surface is substantially flat and placed in an upward-facing angle of 20 to 35 degrees to the horizontal so that the labels printed by the print head move upward in an angle from the print head to the rotary cutter

Description

CUTTER FOR LABELS WITHOUT COATING BACKGROUND AND COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The use of uncoated labels will be widespread due to the relatively low cost of these labels and due to their environmental friendliness. A number of different distributors have been developed such as those shown in U.S. Patents. 5,375,752 and 5,417,783, in published European Application 0577241, and in the application of the US. Copendent Serial No. 08 / 312,068 filed on September 26, 1994 - to facilitate the distribution of said labels. Each of these distributors is particularly suitable for certain requirements in the distribution and can successfully supply uncoated labels without prohibitive difficulties. However, there are some circumstances for which such distributors are not ideally suited and therefore the uncoated label dispenser has evolved in accordance with the present invention - and its associated cutting mechanism -. The uncoated label dispenser and its associated cutting mechanism, in accordance with the present invention are ideally suited for distributing uncoated labels from a roll even when the labels are not punched in the roll. The distributor can automatically print the labels just before distribution, and distributes them in a way that substantially prevents jamming of the printer or cutting mechanism. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an uncoated label dispenser, comprising the following components: A support for the uncoated label dispenser continuously, said labels having a pressure sensitive face and a face coated with releasable adhesive material. A guide structure of releasable adhesive material engages the adhesive side of the labels from the label dispenser. A print head, on the opposite side of the guide structure of the label dispenser, prints the coated side with the releasable material of the labels from the label dispenser. A release surface, on the opposite side of the printhead of the releasable material structure, the surface releases the adhesive material. A fixed anvil sheet, on the opposite side of the release surface of the print head, which engages the adhesive side of the labels of the label dispenser. And an automatic rotary cutter that cooperates with the fixed anvil blade that meshes the coated face of the labels with releasable material from the label dispenser, and a single label cutter that is distributed from the uncoated label dispenser in a continuous manner. The support for uncoated labels in a continuous manner preferably comprises a conventional arrow supporting the core of an uncoated label roll. Uncoated labels can be either perforated, or they can have labels applied to them that indicate the approximate position in which the label string of the roll will be cut into individual labels. The guide structure of releasable adhesive material can be mounted adjacent to a plastic guide that engages the face of releasable material of the labels, and preferably the releasable adhesive material therefrom is a plasma coating such as that described in the US Pat. USA 5,375,752, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Subsequently, the guide structure of the labels typically passes under a sensor that detects either the perforations or marks indicating the division between the labels, which cooperates with a control mechanism for the printer and the subsequent rotary cutter. The print head can be of any conventional type that is capable of printing on the releasable material, preferably a non-impact printer such as an inkjet printer. When a thermosensitive coating is provided to the labels, the print head may be a thermal print head or a thermal transfer print head. Typically the print head cooperates with a printing roller that is also coated with plasma. (The printing roller in the case of inkjet or thermal ink is made from a silicone coated core available from Silícone Products &; Technology, Inc. of Lancaster, NY.). Just downstream of the print head is a support that supports the peel surface and the fixed anvil blade. The releasable adhesive material of the release surface preferably has a plasma coating and the release surface is positioned at an upward angle (of the print head) between about 20 and 35 ° (preferably about 27 °) with respect to the horizontal so that the labels printed by the print head move upwards at an angle from the print head to the rotary head. It has been found that the provision of said angle minimizes the clogging of the printer and the cutter. The release surface may also have a plurality of upwardly extending extensions formed in at least a portion thereof (eg, a portion between 5 and 20% of the width of an uncoated label passing over the same) to decrease the surface tension of the same. The fixed anvil sheet is preferably also coated with plasma and is immediately adjacent to the release surface. Alternatively, the stationary block can be painted with a textured paint. (The current cutting surfaces are not covered with plasma or with textured paint, only the support pieces). It has been found in accordance with the present invention that the binding of the printer and the rotary cutter is reduced to a minimum if the sheet of an anvil is spaced down from a release surface a sufficient distance to ensure that the leading edge of the label (the edge without cut) is not destroyed. It has been found that a separation of between about 0.0025-0.020 centimeters (preferably about 0.005-0.010 centimeters) is more effective. The rotary cutter may comprise an off-the-shelf support structure, except for the plasma-coated rotating blade, such as a Hitachi Model No. V15A rotating blade. Under some circumstances it is desirable to have an exit roller downstream of the rotary cutter mechanism to facilitate distribution of the cut labels, such as through an exit opening in a housing. Said exit roll, when provided, preferably also has a plasma coated surface, and that surface is preferably also scored (between about 5 and 20% of the width of an uncoated label is engaged by it) and typically cooperates with a lower retention mechanism of any conventional type. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a per se cutter mechanism for uncoated labels (each has a face of pressure sensitive adhesive and a face coated with releasable adhesive material). The cutting mechanism comprises the following elements: a release surface of releasable adhesive material for engaging the adhesive side of the uncoated labels, and making an angle with respect to the horizontal between 20 and 35 degrees. A fixed anvil blade adjacent the release surface engages the adhesive side of the uncoated labels. And a rotary cutter cooperating with the stationary blade of the anvil to engage the coated face of releasable material of the uncoated labels and of the cutter of the labels.

The rotary cutter typically includes a rotating blade and the fixed and rotating blades are preferably coated with plasma or textured paint. The orientation and sizing of the release surface and the anvil sheet are preferably as described above for the dispenser. It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an effective uncoated label dispenser and a cutting mechanism for use therewith. These and other objects of the invention will become 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 schematic side view of an illustrative uncoated label dispenser in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevational view in detail, with the portions cut away for clarity of the illustration, of the stripping surface and of the cutting mechanism of the dispenser of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partially elongated front end view of the release surface of Figures 1 and 2 showing the uncoated label, also enlarged for clarity of the illustration, in association therewith; and Figure 4 is a partial front end view of an illustrative construction of an outlet roller of the dispenser of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 schematically illustrates an illustrative dispenser that may be provided in accordance with the present invention. to distribute uncoated labels, v.gr. in a roll 10 which is a continuous uncoated label dispenser. Uncoated labels on the roll 10 may have either perforations between the labels or may be devoid of perforations. The sensor marks can be provided in such a way that they can determine when a tag begins and when it ends. The dispenser illustrated in Figure 1 may include a common housing shown merely in schematic form with dotted lines at 11 in Figure 1. The uncoated label dispenser 10 is mounted on a support. The support is illustrated only schematically at 12 in Figure 1, but may comprise any conventional arrow or assembly related to the core of a label roll 10 as shown in U.S. Patents. 5,375,752 and 5,417,783 or in Patent Application EPO 0577241. The roll 10 rotates in a direction indicated by the arrow 13 as the labels are detached from the roll 10, decreasing in size. The uncoated labels that form the roll 10 - as is common for all uncoated labels - are formed from a substrate 14 (see the schematic illustration of Figure 3), usually paper, with a pressure sensitive adhesive coating 15. on one side thereof and a coating of releasable adhesive material 16 (eg silicone) on the other side thereof. From the roll * 10 the uncoated labels preferably pass below a plastic guide 18 which engages the coated face 16 with releasable material therefrom, and then to a guide structure 19 of unsealable adhesive material which engages the adhesive face 15. Preferably the structure 19 comprises a ramp coated with plasma, for example arranged at an angle Jß with respect to the horizontal (indicated at 20 in Figure 1). The angle β is typically between about 20 and 35 ° (e.g., about 27 °). The ramp 19 preferably includes an arched inlet portion 21. The uncoated labels continuously, illustrated schematically at 22 in the drawings, typically pass below the sensor 24, such as a conventional optical sensor. The sensor 24 senses any line of perforation between the individual labels of the string 22, or the marks applied for that purpose that indicate the demarcation between the labels. The sensor 24 can cooperate with a computer control 25 or the like, the computer control 25 also typically controls a print head illustrated schematically at 26 in Figure 1, and a rotary cutter, illustrated schematically at 27 in Figure 1 and with more detail in Figure 2. After the receipt input of the sensor 24 the control 25 suitably controls the printer head 26 and the cutter 27. The printer head 26 cooperates with the face 16 of the releasable material of the string 22 to print the indicia on the same, typically the variable clues under the control of the computer control. The printer 26 can be of any suitable type that can print on the face 26 of releasable material, such as a non-impact printer similar to an ink jet printer. Where the string 22 comprises uncoated labels with a thermosensitive coating cover of a releasable coating 16, or surrounded by it (as is conventional in the art), the print head 26 may be a thermal or thermal transfer print head. Normally, the print head 26 cooperates with the printing roller 28, the roller 28 preferably being an arrow coated with a silica in order to have releasable adhesive properties. Downstream in the direction of movement of the label 22, whose direction is illustrated by the arrow 29 in Figures 1 and 2, there is a support 30. The support 30 preferably supports a detachment surface 31, as seen in the Figures 1 to 3, and an anvil fixed blade 32. The detachment surface 31 is preferably a generally planar surface of a block or other metal shape 33, the surface 31 is coated with plasma so that it will not stick to the adhesive 15 to which it engages. The detachment surface 31 is positioned at the angle a (see Figure 2) with respect to the horizontal 20, the angle a is usually approximately the same as the angle ß, that is between approximately 20 and 35 °, preferably approximately 27 °. As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the surface 31 is directed upwardly of the printer head 26 towards the mechanism 27 of the rotary cutter, which has been found to minimize clogging. As illustrated schematically in Figure 3, the surface 31 may include a plurality of upwardly extending extensions 34 formed in at least a portion thereof. For example, twenty of said extensions 34 may be formed on the surface ^ |, the total extent of the extensions 34 being between about 5 and 20% of the width of the unshrouded label 22 passing over them. The purpose of the extensions 34 (which are also coated with plasma) is to decrease the surface tension of the peel surface 31 and thereby minimize the possibility of adhesion of the adhesive thereto. Although the extensions 34 are illustrated as corrugations in Figure 3, they may have any desired operable configuration and relative dimensions. Immediately downstream of the release surface 31 is the anvil blade 32. The anvil blade 32 is made of hardened steel or the like and preferably also has a painted texture [since practical technology does not currently exist for hardened steel coated with plasma], at least portions thereof are similar to come into contact with the adhesive 15 of the labels that are going to be cut. The appropriate textured paint is available in Decora Mfg. Inc. of Fort Edward, NY or Sagimore Industrial of Amesbury, MA. The hardened sheet 32 has a portion 36 thereof which is separated downwardly from the release surface 31 and upwardly of the support 30. The amount of separation is preferably between about 0.0025 and 0.020 centimeters., more preferable entrp approximately 0.005 and 0.010 centimeters. It has been found to be small, but important, the downstream separation of the descending separation of the portion 36 of the sheet 32 also minimizes the clogging of the entire distributor, particularly of the printer head 26 and the rotary cutter 27. If the anvil blade 32 was on the peel surface 31, the leading edge of the label could catch on the blade 32. The blade 32 nevertheless extends upwardly of the holder 30. The distance from which the blade is below the surface of detachment and on the support is approximately the same, from 0.0025 to 0.020 centimeters on a scale of 0.005-0.010 centimeters. However, by raising the support lightly (however below the release surface) the leading edge of the label is not shattered in the depression. The rotary cutter 27 typically includes a rotating blade 38 mounted on an arrow, rotated, (eg, normally driven by an electric motor under the control of the computer control 25). The blade 38 swivels but initially engages only the face 16 of the releasable material of string 22 - preferably it is also coated with plasma or textured paint. The sheet 38 cooperates with the portion 36 of the sheet 32 to cut the string 22 from uncoated labels on individual labels, such as the individual label 41 schematically illustrated in Figure 1 downstream of the mechanism 17 of the rotary cutter in the direction 29. The mechanism 27 of the rotary cutter may be outside the support of the rotary cutter (except for plasma coatings), such as the Hitachi Rotary Cutter Model # V15A, or Hengstler Series 0 685.4. The leaves of the Hitachi cutter are made in two pieces, a steel support and a hardened insert. The insert is not coated. In order to prevent further adhesion of the adhesive 15 of the string 22 to the anvil blade 32, after a cut was made to the string 22 it can be slightly retracted (moved in a direction opposite to the direction 29), in the order of approximately 0.20 to 2.54 centimeters. This could be achieved by controlling the computer 25 by reversing the direction of the print roll 28, or reversing the direction of another conveyor mechanism (such as rolls, strings, or the like) that may be associated with the dispenser of Figure 1, but which are not illustrated in Figure 1. Downstream of the cutter 27 an exit roll 43 can be provided. Although the output roller 43 is not essential, it helps to distribute the cut labels 41 through an outlet opening 44 in the housing 11. The output roller 43 is also preferably coated with plasma, and since it is very important that the labels do not adhere to it (since it could prevent distribution thereof through the opening 44), the plasma-coated surface of the roller 43 may be grooved to reduce the overall surface tension of the roller 43. A configuration of the grooving as illustrated schematically in Figure 4 wherein the annular depressions 45 are provided between the annular flanges 46. The grooving of the roller 43 need not be over the entire width thereof, but - as with the extensions 44 of the surface 31 - it may be provided on a portion equal to about 5-20% of a width of an uncoated label that happens on it. The output roller 43 can cooperate with a conventional retention mechanism, illustrated only schematically at 48 in Figure 1. The retention mechanism can be of any conventional type, which meshes the face 16 coated with releasable material of the label 41. example, it can be another roller either pressed by gravity or by spring in place, or a lower friction material that slides either pressed by gravity or by spring in place, or spring fingers that exert slight downward pressure or another conventional mechanism. With respect to all the surfaces with releasable adhesive described above, it is preferred that they be coated with plasma. However, under some circumstances they may comprise other releasable materials such as silicon coatings or textured paint.

It will therefore be seen that according to the present invention there has been provided an uncoated label dispenser and a cutting mechanism for uncoated labels, however simple they are effective and yet versatile. Although the invention has been shown and described herein so that it is currently conceived to make the most practical and preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereto can be made within the scope of the invention, that the scope will be in accordance with the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and devices.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. An uncoated label dispenser, comprising: a support for an uncoated label dispenser continuously, each label having a pressure sensitive adhesive face and a face coated with a frangible adhesive material; a guide structure of releasable adhesive material for engaging the adhesive side of the labels of said label dispenser; a printhead, on the opposite side of said guide structure of said label dispenser, for printing the face of the labels coated with releasable material from said label dispenser; a release surface, on the opposite side of said printing head of said structure of releasable material, said surface releases the releasable adhesive material; a fixed anvil sheet, on the opposite side of said release surface of said print head, for engaging the adhesive side of the labels from said label dispenser; and an automatic rotary blade cooperating with said fixed anvil sheet to engage the coated face of releasable material of the labels from said label dispenser, and cut the labels individually to be dispensed from said dispenser of continuously uncoated labels. .
2. 2. A dispenser as recited in claim 1, wherein said release surface is positioned at an upwardly directed angle of between about 20 and 35 degrees from the horizontal so that the labels printed by said print head are they move upwards at an angle from said printing head to said rotating cutter.
3. 3. A dispenser as recited in claim 2, wherein said release surface has a plurality of upwardly extending extensions formed in at least a portion thereof to decrease the surface tension of said release surface.
4. A dispenser as recited in claim 3, wherein extensions of the release surface are provided on a portion of said release surface of between 5 and 20% of the width of the uncoated label passing over it .
5. A dispenser as recited in claim 2, wherein said fixed anvil sheet separates downward from said peel surface at a distance of about 0.0025 and 0.010 centimeters, and is immediately adjacent to said peel surface.
6. A dispenser as recited in claim 5, wherein said release surface is positioned at an angle of approximately 27 degrees to the horizontal and said fixed anvil sheet is spaced from said release surface between approximately 0.005 and 0.010 cm.
7. A dispenser as recited in claim 5, further comprising an exit roller positioned on the opposite side of said rotary cutter of said printhead, said exit roller having a surface of releasable adhesive material engaging the face adhesive of a cut label, to transport and distribute the cut label.
8. A dispenser as recited in claim 7, further comprising a retaining structure cooperating with said exit roller and engaging the face of frangible material of a cut label that is distributed by said exit roller.
9. A dispenser as recited in claim 8, wherein said exit roller has a grooved surface engaging the adhesive face of a cut label, to reduce the overall surface tension of said rodilo.
10. 10. A dispenser as recited in claim 9, wherein the grooves of said grooved surfaces cover a portion of said surface of between about 5 and 20% of the width of an uncoated label engaged by said exit roller.
11. 11. A distributor as mentioned in claim 1, which further comprises a printing roller having a surface of releasable adhesive material cooperating with said print head.
12. 12. A dispenser as recited in claim 11, further comprising a plastic guide between said label dispenser holder and said guide structure, the uncoated labels of said dispenser passing between said guide and said structure. plastic guide.
13. A dispenser as recited in claim 11, wherein said guide structure has a substantially planar surface having an upwardly directed angle of between 20 and 35 degrees with respect to the horizontal.
14. A dispenser as recited in claim 1, wherein said fixed anvil sheet is spaced down from said release surface a distance of about 0.0025-0.020 centimeters, and is immediately adjacent to said release surface.; and wherein said anvil sheet is coated with plasma or textured paint.
15. 15. A dispenser as recited in claim 1, further comprising an exit roller positioned at the opposite end of said rotating cutter of said print head, said exit roller having a surface of releasable adhesive material engaging the face adhesive of a cut label, to transport and distribute the cut label.
16. 16. A cutting mechanism for uncoated labels each having a pressure-sensitive adhesive face and a face coated with a frangible adhesive material, said mechanism comprising: a release surface of releasable adhesive material for engaging the adhesive side of the labels. labels without coating, and form an angle with respect to the horizontal between 20 and 35 degrees; a fixed sheet of anvil adjacent to said release surface for engaging the adhesive side of the uncoated labels; and a rotary cutter cooperating with said fixed anvil sheet to engage the coated face with release material from the uncoated labels and cut the labels.
17. 17. A mechanism as mentioned in claim 16, wherein said rotary cutter includes a rotary blade; and wherein said fixed sheet and said rotating sheet are coated with plasma or textured with paint.
18. 18. A mechanism as recited in claim 16, wherein said fixed anvil sheet is positioned downwardly of said release surface at a distance of about 0.0025-0.020 centimeters, and is immediately adjacent said release surface.
19. 19. A mechanism as recited in claim 18, wherein said peel surface is positioned at an angle of approximately 27 ° to the horizontal and said fixed anvil sheet is spaced down from said peel surface between approximately 0.05. and 0.010 centimeters.
20. 20. A mechanism as recited in claim 16, wherein said release surface has a plurality of upwardly extending extensions formed on a portion thereof and are between approximately 5 and 20% of the width of a label without coating that passes over it. SUMMARY The uncoated label dispenser and its associated cutting mechanism, in accordance with the present invention are ideally suited for distributing uncoated labels from a roll even when the labels are not punched in the roll. The distributor can automatically print the labels just before distribution, and distributes them in a way that substantially prevents jamming of the printer or cutting mechanism. In accordance with the present invention there is provided an uncoated label dispenser, comprising the following components: A support for the uncoated label dispenser continuously, said labels have a pressure sensitive adhesive face and a face coated with material releasable adhesive. A guide structure of releasable adhesive material engages the adhesive side of the labels from the label dispenser. A print head, on the opposite side of the guide structure of the label dispenser, prints the coated side with the releasable material of the labels from the label dispenser. A release surface, on the opposite side of the print head of the releasable material structure, the surface releases the adhesive material. A fixed anvil sheet, on the opposite side of the release surface of the print head, which engages the adhesive side of the labels of the label dispenser. And an automatic rotary cutter that cooperates with the fixed anvil blade that meshes the coated face of the labels with releasable material from the label dispenser, and a single label cutter that is distributed from the uncoated label dispenser in a continuous manner.