DE29610644U1 - Label for the identification of rotating data carriers - Google Patents

Description

Description

Label for identifying rotating data storage media .

Technical area

The invention relates to the labeling of rotating data carriers, in particular compact discs (CDs), recordable compact discs (CDRs), photo CDs or video discs and relates specifically to the labeling by means of a printable label.

Background of the technology

To date, rotating data storage media, especially compact discs (CDs), have been labeled using the screen printing process. In this process, a screen is produced for each color. In the screen, or rather, net, the meshes that are to receive a color application are not closed so that the color can pass through. The main disadvantage of this process is the low resolution of the print due to the coarse mesh of the net (screen). The effort required to label individual data storage media (20) is extremely high with this process.

The utility model with the roll number 295 01 513.6 discloses a special label for CDs, which is, however, applied to the inner area (21) of the data carrier (20) and not in the intended labeling area (23). This label is specifically used to secure ownership claims on the data carrier and thus fulfills a completely different task than the label presented here (11). In addition, the requirements and the implementation of the label presented here (11) differ fundamentally from this special label.

For floppy disks, removable disks and other encapsulated

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Adhesive labels have been used on data storage media for some time. The use of adhesive labels on these data storage media is simple and obvious due to their rectangular shape. The label can be positioned very easily on the label. On round data storage media (20), the label must sometimes be circular. On an encapsulated data storage media where the encapsulation itself is not set in rotation, the weight distribution of the labels on the encapsulation is not important. Non-encapsulated rotating data storage media (2 0) require an even distribution of weight so that no imbalance is created.

problem

In general, in the past, when labeling data storage media, there was never a requirement to label small quantities in high quality. Either individual labels were labeled in low quality or large quantities in relatively good quality.

The appearance of recordable CDs (CDRs) has given rise to a desire, particularly among software manufacturers, for ways to label these data storage devices (20). So far, the only options available for this purpose are the ones mentioned above (screen printing) or a felt-tip pen.

When labeling non-encapsulated rotating data carriers (20), various requirements must be met in order to 0 not impair functionality. It must be ensured that

- that no imbalance occurs due to the marking of the data carrier (20),

- parts of the label (11) do not protrude beyond the edge of the data carrier (20) and

- the adhesive used does not cause any damage to the data carrier (20).

A normal label, such as that used for encapsulated data carriers, inevitably leads to the data carrier (20) not working. Some manufacturers of compact discs therefore specifically point out that the data carriers (20) cannot

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may be provided with a label.

Additional requirements include the special use of the label {11).

- The label (11) is intended to enable inexpensive, individual, but nevertheless attractive labeling of the data carrier (20).

- Especially for large quantities of data storage media (20), a new sales-promoting appearance should be achieved.

Solution

These problems were solved by a new type of label that is stuck on the labeling area (23) of the data carrier (20). The label (11) is on a rectangular sheet (10) for printing and can then be stuck on the data carrier (20). To ensure that the label (11) does not create an imbalance, the label is designed so that the center of gravity of the label is in the center of rotation of the data carrier. To achieve a new, appealing visual impression with the label, special plastic film can be used for the label. The label can also be printed in high quality.

Benefits achieved

The advantages achieved with the invention are that the labels enable individual, inexpensive and at the same time attractive labeling of the data storage media (20). The label can be printed on any commercially available computer printer. In this way, home users can also attractively label their data storage media, for example photo CDs, audio CDRs, computer CDRs.

In addition, the labels offer the possibility of achieving a new, attractive and therefore sales-promoting appearance, especially for larger quantities. For example, music CDs cannot be labelled with the new label.

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not only attract attention, but can also represent a collector's value for the buyer.

A label can be applied in addition to conventional labeling for special effects.

execution

The label (11) is described in more detail below. 10

The attached drawings show

Fig. 1 a sheet (10) with a single label {11),

how it can be used for printing, Fig. 2 a data carrier (here a compact disc) without writing or labels, Fig. 3 a special form of label (11) without the

supporting sheet (10) which is necessary for printing.

Fig. 4 a sheet {40) with several labels {11) which can be used for printing.

Explanation of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a sheet (10) with a single label (11). This sheet shows the simplest form of the label (11). The label (11) is printed in the ring-shaped area (15) and can then be removed from the sheet (10). The inner circumference of the label (13) has at least the circumference of the inner ring area (21) of the data carrier (20).

Fig.2 shows a flat and non-encapsulated data carrier (20) that is set in rotation for data access. Such a data carrier (20) is, for example, a compact disc (CD), a recordable compact disc (CDR) or an image disc. The axis of rotation (24) passes through the center of gravity (24) of the data carrier (20). The axis of rotation (24) is shown here looking in the axial direction and therefore coincides with the center of gravity (24) of the data carrier (20) in this representation. The data carrier (20) is held in the center centering hole (22) for data access and

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then set in rotation. The labeling of the data carrier can be done in the area provided for this purpose {23). The area is outside the inner ring area (21) and within the outer boundary of the data carrier (20).

Fig. 3 shows a special form of the label (11). The inner area (13) of the label is not circular here; however, the label still meets the requirements.

To produce the label (11), a material is used in a structure that is typical for self-adhesive labels. The film that later forms the label (11) has an adhesive substance on one side. This side with the adhesive is on a carrier material that is usually simply made of waxed paper. Alternatively, paper can be used to produce the label (11) instead of film. The adhesive is chosen so that it cannot cause any chemical damage to the data carrier. A solvent-free adhesive is therefore used.

The individual labels (11) have a ring-shaped form. The ring does not have to be closed and does not have to have a circular contour. The inner contour (13) of the label (11) must not extend into the inner circumference of the data carrier (11). The outer contour of the label (11) must not extend beyond the outer circumference (21) of the data carrier (20). In order to make it easier to stick the label (11) on later, some leeway is left here. So that the functionality of the data carrier (20) is not impaired, the center of gravity of the label (11) must lie on the axis of rotation (24) of the data carrier (20). How the center of gravity of a surface is determined is known and will therefore not be explained in more detail here.

In order for the free form of the label (11) to be printed at all, a border must be provided around the label (11) so that the label (11) is placed on a rectangular sheet (10). The labels (11) must adhere to this sheet (10). On a sheet (10)

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Multiple labels (11) can also be placed.

With the help of a cutting plotter, the contour of the individual labels (11) on a sheet (10) can be traced with a knife under computer control. The knife does not dip into the carrier film or only slightly. Alternatively, for large quantities, the shapes of the labels (11) can be punched out with a punching tool without cutting through the carrier film. In this way, any shape of label (11) can be produced without affecting the printability.

The resulting sheet (10) with the labels (11) is shaped into a rectangular form to enable further processing with a printer or printing machine. This process can be carried out either before or after cutting the contour.

In order for the label (11) to be printed with a conventional printer, the sheet (10) with the labels (11) must have a margin (12) of a few millimeters to the labels (11).

In order for a sheet (10) to be packaged together with blank data carriers (20), a compromise must be made regarding the edge thickness (12) on one side of the sheet, which will not be a problem in most applications.

For special effects, for example, special colored, fluorescent or glittery foil can be used. For printing, especially for large quantities, effect colors can be used in addition to normal colors.

It is also possible to stick an unprinted transparent label over a conventional label to achieve an interesting effect.

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Claims (12)

Protection claims 1. Label (11) for identifying a rotating data carrier (20), characterized in that the label is applied in the outer region (23) of the data carrier (20) and the center of gravity of the label (11) lies on the axis of rotation (24) of the data carrier (20). 2. Label (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-rectangular label (11) is applied to a rectangular carrier material (10). 3. Label (11) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the label (11) can be printed (for example by offset printing or thermal transfer printing). 4. Label (11) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the label (11) can be printed with a normal computer printer (e.g. inkjet printer, matrix printer or laser printer). 5. Label (11) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that one or more labels (11) are placed on a sheet (40). 6. Label (11) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the label (11) is made of paper, plastic or metal foil. 7. Label (11) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the contour of the label (11) is cut or punched before it is printed. VHF Computer GmbH 1 * 8. Label (11) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the adhesive does not cause any chemical damage to the data carrier (20). 9. Label (11) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that colored, colorful, fluorescent, transparent, reflective or glittering film is used for the label (11). 10. Label (11) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the label (11) can be removed from the data carrier (20) without damaging it or leaving residues. ii, label (11) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the label (11) does not cover the entire labeling area (23) of the data carrier (20). 12. Label (11) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the label (11) is glued over a conventional label. VHF Computer GmbH