US3852139A - Method of dispensing labels - Google Patents

Abstract

There are disclosed various embodiments of a composite web of pressure sensitive labels, method and apparatus for making such embodiments of the composite web, and method and apparatus by which a composite web of labels is advanced and by which labels are successively printed and applied to merchandise.

Description

United States Patent Jenkins Dec. 3, 1974 1 1 METHOD OF DISPENSING LABELS [56] References Cited [75] Inventor: William A. Jenkins, Englewood, UNITED STATES PATENTS Ohio 2,259,358 10/1941 Templeton 282/20 R 3,265,553 8/1966 Kind et al. 156/384 [73] Asslgnee' Monarch f Systems 3,491,877 1/1970 Viker et al 161/149 3,501,365 3/1970 Marshall 156/283 22 Filed; June 4 973 3,551,262 12/1970 Kelly 156/584 3,686,055 8/1972 Hermann 156/384 [21] Appl. No.: 366,918 3,705,833 12/1972 Wada 156/384 ,Related US. Application Data P E Ch I E v H nmary xammerares an em [60] 25 P 1 1971 Assistant Examiner-F. Frisenda, Jr.

wh1ch 1s a continuanon-m-part of Ser. No. J h J G 155,740, June 23, 1971, abandoned. oseP [52] US. Cl 156/250, 156/344, 156/510, [57] ABSTRACT 156/584, 161/38, 161/112, 161/ There are disclosed various embodiments of a com- [51] Int. Cl 1332b 3/10 posite b of pressure Sensitive labels, method and [58] Field Of Search 156/344, 168, 250, 584,

156/577, 252, 247, 254, DIG. 47-DIG. 49, DIG. 33; 206/389, 390; l6l/l49, 406, 38, 39, 111, 113, 112; 282/20 R, 15 A, 226/129, 133, 156

paratus for making such embodiments of the composite web, and method and apparatus by which a composite web of labels is advanced and by which labels are successively printed and applied to merchandise.

2 Claims, 69 Drawing Figures PATENTEU E 3 i 4 SHEET 0 7 OF 13 PATENIEU 35E 3%974 SHEET USUF 13 METHOD OF DISPENSING LABELS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS pending U.S. application Ser. No. 205,854 filed Dec. 8,

1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,106, copending U.S. application Ser. No. 208,035 filed Dec. 8, 1971, now abandoned, and copending U.S. application Ser. No. 366,826, filed June 4, 1973 andwhich are assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the art of pressure sensitive labels, method and apparatus for making and using same, and label printing and applying machines.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Various U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,642,387, 2,259,358, 2,275,064, 2,502,257, 2,516,487, 2,620,205, 2,656,063, 3,051,353, 3,265,553, 3,343,485, 3,440,123, 3,501,365, 3,551,251, and. 3,611,929 and British Pat. No. 1,057,126, Feb. 1, 1967 are made of record.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains to method of dispensing labels which comprises the steps of providing a plurality of labels releasably secured by-pressure sensitive adhesive to a web of supporting material, the web having spaced apart groups of cuts disposed within the edges of the web with each group of cuts comprising at least two cuts longitudinally spaced apart by a frangible portion. In the preferred arrangement, one of the cuts of each group provides a feed edge and another cut and the frangible portion represents the preferred method of weakening the web adjacent and specifically downstream of the respective feed edge. The web is caused to undergo a sharp change in direction at a peel edge where labels are successively delaminated with respect to the web. From there, the delaminated part of the web is guided into cooperation with a toothed driver. The toothed driver severs the frangible portion by means of an advancing tooth, then the tooth pulls on the delaminated part of the web to advance the composite web to effect delamination of a label.

The method of dispensing labels also comprises, in another embodiment, providing a plurality of labels releasably secured by pressure sensitive adhesive to a 'web of supporting material, the web having straight is pulled by the advancing toothed driver to effect delamination of a label at the delaminating zone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF-THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing method and apparatus by which one embodiment of a composite web of labels is advanced and by which labels are successively printed and applied to merchandise;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the composite web of labels shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the labels, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, applied to merchandise;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view showing the composite web being advanced by a toothed driver with the web of supporting material;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the composite, web of labels;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of the composite web of labels;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of still another embodiment of the composite web of labels;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line l212 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view taken along line 1313, showing one side edge of the composite web;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing method and apparatus by which the composite web shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 is advanced and by which labels are successively printed and applied to merchandise;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the composite web of labels; I

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the composite web of labels taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 15, showing one side edge of the composite web;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing method and apparatus by which the composite web shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is advanced using a relatively small toothed driver and showing how labels are printed and applied to merchandise;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing method and apparatus by which labels can be printed and applied to merchandise using a composite web in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the composite web shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9 can be made;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the manner in which the cuts are formed in the label material and the supporting material by cutters shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the method by which the composite web of the embodiments of FIGS. 11 through 18 can be made;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the manner in which the cuts are made in the label material and the supporting material by the cutters shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a partly broken away .top plan view of another embodiment of the composite web of pressuresensitive labels;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a fragmentary portion of a toothed driver and supporting material of the composite web according to FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a partly broken away top plan view of another embodiment of the composite web of pressuresensitive labels; 1

FIG. 26 is a partly broken away top plan view of another embodiment of the composite web of pressuresensitive labels;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a fragmentary portion of a toothed driver and supporting material of the composite web according to FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a partly broken away top plan view of another embodiment of the composite web of pressuresensitive labels;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a fragmentary portion of a toothed driver and supporting material of the composite web according to FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a partly broken away top plan view of another embodiment of the composite web of pressuresensitive labels;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a fragmentary portion of a toothed driver and supporting material of the composite web according to FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a partly broken away top plan view of another embodiment of the composite web of pressuresensitive labels, like the embodiments of FIGS. 1

through 9, but having an additional group of cuts midway between the end edges of the labels;

FIG. 33 is a partly broken away top plan view of another embodiment of the composite web of pressuresensitive labels;

FIG. 34 is a partly broken away top plan view of another embodiment of the composite web of pressuresensitive labels in which the cuts extend only partly throughthe label material;

FIG. 35 is a sectional view taken along line 35-35 of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 35, but showing perforation cuts entirely through the label material at spaced apart locations;

FIG. 37 is 'an exploded perspective view of label printing and applying apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention;

FIG. 38 is a sectional elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 37;

. FIG. 39 is a sectional view taken generally along line 39-39 of FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a sectional view taken along line 40-40 of FIG. 38;

FIG. 41 is a sectional view taken along line 41-41 of FIG. 38;

FIG. 42 is a side elevational view of one of the subframe sections of the apparatus;

FIG. 43 is a top plan view taken along line 43-43 of FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a side elevational view of the other sub- FIG. 47 is a sectional view taken generally along line 47-47 of FIG. 38;

FIG. 48 is an exploded perspective view of the inking mechanism;

FIG. 49 is an enlarged sectional view showing a fragmentary portion of the apparatus in solid lines, and in particular showing a fragmentary portion of the print head and the inking mechanism is both solid and phantom line positions;

FIG. 50 is a sectional view taken along line 50-50 of FIG. 39;

FIG. 51 is a developed view showing the arrangement of the teeth of the detent mechanism;

FIG. 52 is a sectional view taken along line 52-52 of FIG. 50;

FIG. 53 is a sectional view taken generally along line 53-53 of FIG. 50;

FIG. 54 is a sectional view showing one of the three sets of snap-fit connections used to interconnect the frame and the sub-frame;

FIG. 55 is an enlarged view of an applicator roll shown mounted in the frame of the apparatus;

FIG. 56 is a sectional view taken along line 56-56 of FIG. 55;

FIG. 57 is a sectional view taken along line 5757 of FIG. 56, but omitting the shaft and the frictional member;

FIG. 58 is a partly sectional view of the mountin shaft which forms part of the applicator roll;

FIG. 59 is an exploded perspective view of the print head;

FIG. 60 is a sectional view of the print head taken generally along line 60-60 of FIG. 38;

FIG. 61 is a sectional view showing the selector in relationship to the associated driven wheels;

FIG. 62 is an enlarged sectional view showing the manner in which detenting of the selector is effected, but showing the driven members as being of different widths;

FIG. 63 is a view similar to a fragmentary portion of FIG. 61, but showing the manner in which detenting can be effected directly on a wheel;

FIG. 64 is an enlarged, partly sectional, elevational view showing an alternative arrangement for constructing the selector;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view showing the driving member depicted in FIG. 64;

FIG. 66 is a partly exploded perspective view of a modified print head in accordance with the invention, which is adapted to print and apply labels such as shown in FIG. 32 or 33;

FIG. 67 is an exploded perspective view of the selector in association with type wheels and mounting structure for the type wheels;

FIG. 68 is an end elevational view of the type wheels and the selector assembled in the mounting members;

- and FIG. 69 is a sectional view taken generally along line 69-69 of FIG. 68.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 8, and in particular to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, there is shown a composite web 30 of label material 31 releasably adhered to and carried by supporting or backing material 32. The label material 31 is cut transversely by transverse cuts 33 extending all the way across the web 31 of label material to the side edges 34 and 35 of the composite web 30, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The cuts 33 known as butt cuts separate the web 31 of label material into a series of end-to-end labels 36. The side edges of the label material as well as the supporting material are straight and the label material is coextensive with the supporting material.

The underside of the web 31 of label material has a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 37 which adheres strongly to the web 31 of label material. The adhesive is shown to extend across the entire underside of the label material even to the side edges 34 and 35 of the web 30. The web 32 of supporting material carries a thin film or coating (not shown) which allows the labels to be peeled from the web 32 of supporting material.

Groups 38 of cuts are provided at equally spaced apart intervals along the length of the composite web 30. Each group 38 of cuts is shown to extend through the supporting material as well as through the label material. Each group 38 of cuts is shown to be made in a generally I-shaped configuration comprised of a straight longitudinal or vertical bar cut 39S in the supporting material and an aligned straight longitudinal or vertical bar cut 39L in the label material. Spaced from the one ends of the vertical bar cuts 39S and 39L are straight transverse or horizontal bar cuts 408 in the supporting material and 40L in the label material. Spaced from the other ends of the vertical bar cuts 39S and 39L are aligned straight transverse or horizontal bar cuts 41S in the supporting material and straight transverse or horizontal bar cuts 41L in the label material. The part of the web 32 between the one end of the cut 39S and the cut 408 provides a frangible portion 43S and the part of the web 32 between the other end of the cut 398 and the cut 418 provides a frangible portion 42S. In like manner, the part of the label material between the end of the cut 39L and the cut 40L provides a frangible portion 43L and the part between the other end of the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides a frangible portion 42L. As a variation of the illustrated groups 38 of cuts, the cuts 40L and 408 can be omitted in which event the cut 39S will be extended by tearing as the tooth 48 engages the web 32 at the cut 39S; this would result in groups of cuts each having a generally T-shaped configuration as shown in FIG. 25.

With reference now to FIG. 1, the composite web 30 is shown to be in the form of a roll which can be wound on a core 44, as desired. The core 44 can receive a shaft 45 about which theroll is free to rotate in the direction of arrow 46. The roll is wound in such a manner that the label material is on the outside in overlying re-' lationship with respect to the web 32 of supporting material.

A toothed driver generally indicated at 47 is shown to be in the form of a driven sprocket having teeth 48 disposed in a plane at equally spaced apart angular positions around the circumference of the driver 47. The driver 47 is used to advance the composite web first to a printing zone at which a printer 48' and a platen 49 are disposed. A relatively sharp peel edge 50 is diagrammatically illustrated as being disposed at the terminal end of the platen. The web of supporting material 32 is drawn around the peel edge 50 by the toothed driver 47. The edge 50 causes the supporting material 32 to make an abrupt change in direction, thereby effecting delamination or peeling of the supporting material 32 from one label 36 at a time as the web of supporting material is concomitantly advanced by the toothed driver 47. An applicator 51 is positioned beyond the peel edge 50 and on the same side of the label as the printer 48'. The applicator 51 is shown to take the form of a conventional applicator roll, however, other types of applicators such as a plunger, a presser foot, or the like can be used, if desired. The composite web 30 approaches the printing and applying zones generally in the direction of an arrow 52, and after passing around the peel edge 50 the web 32 of supporting material advances generally in the direction of arrow 53 and passes partially around a guide roller or shaft 54. From the guide roller 54, the web 32 passes partially around the toothed driver 47. From there the web 32 passes partially around a guide roller or shaft 55 and from there the web 32 is guided by means of guides in the direction of the arrow 56. The toothed driver 47 is driven stepwise by a pawl and ratchet mechanism so that upon operation of this mechanism the composite web 30 is advanced through the appropriate distance so that the labels can be printed at one or more stages and so that a label is brought to the applying zone at which the applicator 51 is effective to apply the dispensed label to merchandise M. The .web 32 passes between the outer surface of the toothed driver 47 and a guide or hold down plate 57 as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 8. As the driver 47 rotates, successive teeth engage successive groups of cuts in the web 32. As a tooth engages the web 32 at a longitudinal cut 398 frangible portions 425 and 43S are severed as by tearing to provide a feed hole 58. The feed hole 58 thus formed receives the tooth 48 and deflects flaps 59 and 59'.

As best seen in FIG. 7, the guide 57 has a concave section 60 with a groove 61 in the same plane as the teeth 48. The transversely extending flaps 59 and 59' are shown to enter the groove 61 when the tooth 48 is in the feed hole 58. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each tooth 48 terminates at a sharp pointed end 62 which serves to facilitate severing of the frangible portions 42S and 438. The guide 57 has flanges 63 and 64 which are in guiding engagement with edges 65 and 66 of the web 32.

The spacing of the teeth 48 around the periphery of the driver 47 is the same as the spacing of the groups 38 of cuts lengthwise of the composite web 30. The teeth 48 are identical and only one is shown in detail in side elevation in FIG. '8. In FIG. 8, the tooth 48 is shown to have involute contoured faces 67 and 68 which enable it to readily make a feed hole 58 in the web 32 which has passed partially around guide rollers 54 and to move out of the feed hole easily just before the web 32 passes partially around the roller 55. As shown in FIG. 8 the face 67 of the tooth 48 is shown to be in driving engagement with the leading edge 69 of the feed hole 58. The face 68 of the tooth 48 is shown to be slightly spaced from trailing edge 70 of the feed hole.

The groups of cuts 38 do not substantially affect the integrity of the web 32 until feed holes are made by the teeth of the driver, 47 or the like. There are no flaps or lids as in the prior art which 'result in weakening of the web 32 at the delaminating zone where the strength of the web is particularly important. Also there are no flaps to result in possible interference with the feeding of the web. In addition, the types of cuts forming the group 38 make it feasible for the composite web 30 to be fed in either direction with equal efficacy. With the prior art US. Pat. No. 3,501,365 to E. C. Marshall the composite web can be fed in only one direction using the cut edge. The invention is not limited to providing a group 38 of cuts across the marginal ends of each label; while this is the preferred arrangement, the group 38 of cuts can extend across the marginal end of every other label, or the groups 38 of cuts can be disposed within the periphery of each label or of every other label, if desired.

The embodiment of the composite web 30A shown in FIG. 9 is identical to the embodiment of the composite web 30 and is used in the same manner, except the composite web 30A has at least one short straight transverse cut 80 in each marginal edge of each label 36a. There are, however, no cuts in the marginal edge of web 320 of supporting material. The cuts 80 serve further to prevent switching of the labels 36a once they have been applied to merchandise.

The embodiment of the composite web 308 shown in FIG. 10 is identical to the embodiment of the composite web A, except that the individual cuts of each group of longitudinally spaced apart groups 38b of cuts intersect. Specifically, the composite web 303 has a web 3112 of label material and a web 32b of supporting material. The web 32b of supporting material has longitudinal or vertical bar cuts 908 which extend to transverse or horizontal bar cuts 918 and 928. The cuts 905, 918 and 92S define transversely extending flaps or lids 93 and 94. The composite web 308 can be delaminated Cuts 91L and 92L are made in the label material simul- I taneously with the making of the cuts 918 and 92S, and therefore the cuts 91L and 92L are in alignment with respective cuts 918 and 928. The cuts 90L, 91L and 92L in the label material provide a generally T-shaped cut in each marginal end of each label 36B and hence tend to prevent switching of the labels once they have been applied to merchandise.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 11 through 14, there is shown a composite web 30C comprised of a web of label material 31c. Transverse equally spaced apart cuts extend entirely across the web 31c of label material at equally spaced intervals to provide labels 36c. Spaced apart short transverse cuts 1008 are formed in both marginal side edges of the web 32c. Short straight transverse cuts 100L are disposed in each marginal side edge of the label material 310 in alignment with respective cuts 1008 in the web 320 of supporting material. Each out 1008 in the supporting material and the associated cut 100L in the label material are preferably made simultaneously with the same cutting blade. With reference to FIG. 14 a tootheddriver 470 is shown to be rotating and in driving engagement with the web 320 of supporting material to effect advance of the composite web 30C. As teeth 48c engage the web 320 they effect deflection of flaps 101 facilitated by a pair of adjacent cuts 1005, one cut 1008 of each pair of cuts provides a drive face 102 at the place where the leading edge of the respective tooth 48c engages it.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 15, 16 and 17, composite web 30D is identical to the composite web 30C in the embodiment of FIGS. 11 through 14 except that both the label material 31d and the web 32d of supporting material are provided with a group of at least three spaced apart cuts rather than a pair of spaced apart cuts. Specifically, transverse equally spaced apart groups of cuts 1108 are made in the web 32d of supporting material. Short transverse cuts 110L are disposed in each marginal side edge of the web 31d of label material in alignment with respective cuts 1108 in the supporting material. Each cut 1108 in the supporting material and the associated cut llOL in the label material are preferably made simultaneously with the same cutting blade. With referensce to FIG. 17 a toothed driver 47d is shown to have a substantially smaller diameter than the toothed driver 470 (FIG. 14). The composite web 30D is preferably made with at least three cuts in that the toothed driver 47d has a small diameter and in that it is easier for the flaps 111 formed by the cuts 1108 to be deflected as the web 32d passes around the toothed driver 47d. Adjacent flaps 111 of a group of flaps extend outwardly and make an acute angle with respect to each other. The labels are indicated at 36d.

Referring now to FIG. 18, there is shown a composite web 3013' having a web of label material 31e and a web 32e' of supporting material. The web 32c is engaged by a toothed driver 47e having triangularly shaped teeth 48e. Transverse equally spaced apart cuts 33e' extend entirely across the web 31c of label material at equally spaced apart intervals to provide labels 362. Spaced apart short transverse cuts 1208 are formed in both marginal side edges of the web 32e'. Short transverse cuts 1201.. are formed in each marginal side edge of the label material 312' in alignment with respective v cuts 1208 in the web 32c. Each cut 1208 in the supporting material and the associated cut L in the label material is preferably made simultaneously with the same cutting blade. The toothed driver 472' is shown to be rotating in driving engagement with the web 32e' of supporting material to effect advance of the composite web 30E. The teeth 48e' effect deflection of flaps 112 and engage drive faces 113 at one side of each cut 1208.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20 there is shown a wide composite web 30AW, for example, for making the composite web 30A. The web 30AW is shown being advanced in the direction of arrow A. The composite web 30AW is comprised of the label material 31a adhesively secured to a web 32a of supporting material passing between cutter roll having a plurality of knives 131 and a cooperating backup roll 132. The knives 131 travel at the same linear speed as the speed of the web 30AW and serve to cut through the web 31a of label material across its entire width of make the cuts 33. A cutter roll 133 and abackup roll 134 are disposed beyond the cutter roll 130 and the backup roll 132. As the composite web 30AW passes between the cutter roll 133 and the backup roll 134, knife blades or knives 135, 136 and 137 make transverse cuts 80 in only the web 31a of label material. Thereafter two lines of printing P are printed on the web 31a by print drum 138 and a cooperating platen roll 139. From there the composite web 30AW passes between a cutter roll 140 and a cooperating platen roll 141. The cutter roll 140 has spaced apart groups 38K of cutter blades or knives.

Each group 38K of cutter knives comprises a longitudinal or vertical bar cut knife 39K, transverse or horizontal bar cut knife 40K and transverse or horizontal bar cut knife 41K. Each group 38K of knives makes one group of cuts 38a in the composite web A. As best shown in FIG. 20, the knives 39K, K and 41K cooperate with the platen roll 141 with zero clearance. Accordingly, each of the knives 39K, 40K and 41K cut entirely through the web 31a and the web 32a, whereas knives 131 and 135, 136 and 137 of the respective cutter rolls and 133 cut entirely through the label material 310 but not into the web 32a.

After passing between the cutter roll140 and the platen 141 the composite web 30AW is slit into a plurality of composite webs 30A by cooperating slitter elements 142 and 143. Each composite web 30A can now be formed into rolls.

Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, there is shown a composite web 30DW traveling in the direction of arrow A1. The web 30DW passes between cutter roll and platen roll 151. The cutter roll has spaced apart cutter blades or knives 152 for making cuts 33d at equally spaced apart intervals along the length of the web 30DW. Spaced beyond the cutter roll 150 and the platen 151 are cutter rolls 153 and a cooperating platen roll 154. The cutter roll 153 has groups of knives 110K for making cuts 110L in the label material and for simultaneously making cuts 1108 in the supporting material. Spaced beyond the cutter roll 153 and the platen 'roll 154 are cooperating slitter elements. 155 and 156 which slit the web 30DW into a plurality of composite webs 30D, and these composite webs 30D can be formed into rolls. As esvident from FIG. 22, a cutter blade 152 cuts only through the label material 31d and not into the web 32d of supporting material. However, the cutter blades or knives 110K are set to zero clearance with respect to the platen roll 154 so that each cut 1108 and its associated cut 110L are made simultaneously by the respective knife 110K.

Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, there is shown a composite web 30E which is identical to the composite web 30A (FIG. 9), except that the composite web 30E has a group 38e of cuts illustrated as being arranged in a generally T-shaped configuration. The group 38e of cuts is shown to be comprised of a straight longitudinal or vertical bar cut 1608 in FIG. 24 shows a fragmentary portion of a toothed driver 47s having a tooth 166 of a generally triangular shape but having a drive face 167 curvedlike the drive face 67 of of driver 47. As a tooth 166 initially engages the supporting material 161, it will cause rupture of the frangible portion 1648 and the tooth 166 will cause triangular-shaped flaps 1685 to be formed as best shown in FIG. 24. One tooth 166 is shown to be in driving engagement with the web of supporting material 161 and the other tooth 166 is shown to be out of engagement with the supporting material 161.

The embodiment of FIG. 25 is like the'embodiment of FIG. 23 in providing generally T-shaped groups 38f of cuts, except that with the composite web 30F, longitudinal or vertical bar cuts 1698 in supporting material 170 meet transverse or horizontal bar cuts 1718. There are aligned longitudinal or vertical bar cuts 169 L and transverse or horizontal bar cuts 1711. in the label material 173. Transverse cuts 33f separate the label material 173 into labels 36f. Composite web 30F has short straight transverse cuts 174' in each marginal side edge of the labels 36f. There -are, however, no cuts in the marginal side edges of the supportingmaterial 170. The composite web 30F can be fed by the toothed driver 47e shown in FIG. 24.

Although the arrangement of cuts disclosed in FIGS. 10 and 25 diminishes the integrity of the web of supporting material, this construction is substantially entirely free of the deficiency of folding a flap or chad out of the plane of' the web during. delamination as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,501,365. Such folding. out of a flap causes some adhesive, or gum as it is known in the art, adhering to the edges of the flap or chad to be pulled away from the label material during delamination. In addition, such a folded out flap or chad will transfer the adhesive to guiding and feeding: surfaces of the apparatus and flap can cause interference to feeding when pulling on the web of supporting materialbymeans of a toothed driver.

Referring. to the embodiment of FIG. 26, there is shown a composite web 30G. Each group 38g of cuts, is shown in a U-shaped arrangement, and is comprised of transversely spaced apart longitudinal cuts 1758 and a transverse cut 1768 in the web of supporting material 177. The cuts 1755 are spaced from and in alignment with the ends of the cut 1768. The part of the supportsupporting material 161 and an aligned straight longitudinal or vertical bar cut 160L in-label material 162. Spaced from the one ends of the longitudinal cuts 160S and 160L are horizontal or transverse bar cuts 1638 in supporting material 161 and 163L in label material 162. The part of the supporting material 161 between the one end of the cut 1608 and the cut 1638 provides a frangible portion 1648 and the part of the label material 162 between one end of the cut 160L and the cut 163L provides a frangible portion 164L. The label material 162 is provided with transverse cuts 33e extending material 177 between the ends of the cuts 1758 and the cut 1768 provide frangible portions 1788'. Label material 179 has transversely spaced apart cuts 175L and a transverse cut 176L. The horizontal cuts 175L are spaced from the ends of the transverse cut 176L to provide frangible portions 1781.. The label material 179 is provided with transverse cuts 33g to provide the labels 36g. The composite'web 30G has short, straight transverse cuts 180' in each marginal side edge of the labels 363. There are, however, no cuts in the marginal side edges of the supporting material 177. It is preferred to use the composite'web'30G with the driver 47 with its teeth48which are shaped in the manner best shown in FIGS. 7 and. 8 rather than teeth 166 of a triangular shape as shown in FIG. 24.

In the embodiment of FIG. 28, there is shown a composite web 301-1 having groups 38h of cuts regularly spaced apart intervals. Each group 38h of cuts has a short transverse out 1818 and apair of converging cuts 1828 in the web ofsupporting material 183. The leading ends of the cuts 1828, are in transverse alignment with the transverse cut 181$. The one cut 182$ is spaced from the one end of the out 1818 to provide a fold line 1835. The other out 182$ is spaced apart from the other end of the transverse cut 181$ to provide a fold line 1848. The other ends of the cuts 182$ are spaced apart to provide a frangible portion 185$. Cuts 1811. and 182L are provided in web of label material 186 in alignment with respective cuts 181$ and 182$ in the supporting material 183. The cuts 1811., 182L, and short straight transverse cuts 187 serve to prevent switching of the labels when applied to merchandise. In the embodiment of FIG. 28 it is preferred that each group 38h of cuts be disposed between the end edges of labels 36h defined by transverse cuts 33h. As shown in FIG. 29, toothed driver 47e shows a tooth 166, which has ruptured the frangibleportion 185$ in supporting material 183, in driving engagement with the supporting material 183. It is evident that flap 188$ folds along each cuts 1818 and the respective fold lines 1835 and 184$. To insure rupturing of the frangible portion 185$, the length of the frangible portion 185$ is about one-half as long as the fold line 1838 and one-half as long as the fold line 184$. The lengths of the fold lines 1838 and 1848 and the cut 1818 are equal.

Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 30, there is pro vided a composite web 30K having groups 38k of cuts. Each group 38k of cuts includes curvilinear cuts 1978 in a web of supporting material 198. The one ends of the cuts 1975 are spaced apart by a relatively substantial distance transversely of the composite web 30K. The other ends of the cuts 1978 are spaced apart only a relatively small distance by a frangible portion 1985. The group 38kof cuts also includes curvilinear cuts 197L in web of label material 199. The cuts 197L are,

in alignment with the cuts 1978 in the supporting material 198. Transverse cuts 33k in the label material 199 define the ends of the labels 36k. The cuts 1971. and cuts 200 in the label material 199 serve to prevent switching of the labels once they have been applied to merchandise.

With reference to FIG. 31, the toothed driver 472 is shown to be in driving engagement with the web of supporting material 198. One of the teeth 166 is shown to have ruptured the frangible portion 198$ and to be in driving engagement with the supporting material 198.

FIG. 32 shows an embodiment of a composite web 30L which is identical to the embodiment of FIG. 9, except that acomposite web 301. is shown to have an additional group 381 of cuts between the marginal end edges of labels 361 formed by transverse cuts 331. In addition, each label 361 is shown to have two short transverse cuts 201 at each marginal side edge.

FIG. 33 shows a composite web 30M of labels which is identical to the composite web shown in FIG. 23, ex-

more difficult to switch once they have been applied to merchandise, they are less effective in this connection than would be the case as in the embodimentof FIG. 9, for example. FIG. 36 is a view similar to FIG. 35 showing where the longitudinal cut is made partially through the label material 204 by perforating instead of completely cutting through the label material as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 9 or as opposed to the partial cutting through the label material 202 as disclosed in FIGS. 34 and 35. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 36, composite web 30? has the group 38 p of cuts entirely through supporting material 205 and through the label material 204 at spaced apart locations leaving tangs or lands 206 or the like between through-cuts 207.

It is within the scope of the invention to make the cuts 33, 39L, 39S, 40L, 41L, 41S, L, 90S, 911., 918, 92L, 92S, 330, L, 1008, L, 1108, 33e', L, 1208, 33c, L, 160$, 163L, 1638, 33f, 169L, 169$, 171L, 1718, 33g, 175L, 175$, 176L, 176$, 33h, 181L, 1818, 1821a, 1828, 33k, 197L, 1975, and 331, by means of scoring, perforating or the like instead of by completely cutting through the respective label or supporting material. It is, however, preferred to make each of those cuts which is to define a feed edge a through out rather than a score or perforation cut.

Referring now to a label printing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 210 in the embodiment of FIGS. 37 through 62, and initially to FIG. 37, there is shown to be a housing or main frame generally indicated at 211. The housing or frame 211 is specifically shown to include a pair of frame sections 212 and 213. Disposed within the housing 211 is a subframe generally indicated at 214 which comprises a pair of subframe sections 215 and 216. The frame sections 212 and 213 mount a platen 217 which includes a peel edge 218. A print head generally indicated at 219 is mounted by the subframe 214. More specifically, the print head 219 includes a plurality of selectable settable printing members 220 in the form of endless printing bands mounted by a print head frame 221. Extendcept that an additional group 38m of cuts is provided 202 as best shown in FIG. 35. It is also apparent from FIG. 35 that the group 38n of cuts extend entirely through the supporting material 203. While the construction shown in FIGS. 34 and 35 does substantially weaken the label material so as to render the labels 36n ing from the frame 221 are a pair of flanges 222 and 223. Gear sections or specifically racks 224 and 225 are provided at the ends of the respective flanges 222 and 223. Opposed tracks 226 and 227 are formed on the respective flanges 222 and 223 to receive straight ball bearings 228 and 229. The subframe sections 215 and 216 have respective tracks 230 and 231. The ball bearing 228 is received in the track 226 of the flange 222 and in the track 230, and the ball bearing 229is received in the track 227 in the flange 223 and in the track 231. The ball bearings 228 and 229 have respective balls 228' and 229 rotatably held by respective tangs or holders 228" and 229". In this manner, the print head 219 is mounted for movement, particularly reciprocating movement, toward and away from the platen 217.

The housing 211 has a handle generally indicated at 232 and particularly each housing or frame section 212 and 213 has a respective handle portion 233 and 234. An operator generally indicated at 235 is shown to comprise a pivotally operated lever 236 pivotally mounted by a post 237 at the lower end of the handle 232. The lever 236 is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 37) by a torsion spring 238 re- .ceived about the post 237. The pivotal movement of the lever 236 is limited by an adjustable stop block 239

Claims (2)

1. Method of dispensing labels, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of labels releasably secured by pressure sensitive adhesive to a web of supporting material, the web having spaced apart groups of cuts disposed within the edges of the web, each group of cuts comprising at least two cuts spaced apart by a frangible portion, one of the cuts of each group providing a feed edge, causing the web to undergo a sharp change in direction at a delaminating zone where the labels are successively delaminated from the web, guiding the delaminated part of the web into cooperation with a toothed driver, severing the frangible portion by advancing a tooth of the toothed driver into engagement with the feed edge, and pulling on the delaminated part of the web by continuing the advance of the toothed driver to effect delamination of a label at the delaminating zone.

2. Method of dispensing labels, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of labels releasably secured by pressure sensitive adhesive to a web of supporting material, the web having spaced apart groups of cuts disposed within the edges of the web, each group of cuts comprising a transverse cut providing a feed edge and a longitudinal cut spaced apart by a frangible portion, causing the web to undergo a sharp change in direction at a delaminating zone where the labels are successively delaminated from the web, guiding the delaminated part of the web into cooperation with a toothed driver, severing the frangible portion by advancing a tooth of the toothed driver into engagement with the feed edge, and pulling on the delaminated part of the web by continuing the advance of the toothed driver to effect delamination of a label at the delaminating zone.

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