AU649819B2 - Label securing feature for preventing label delamination during printing - Google Patents

Description

I*

P/00/011 s285191 Regulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 649819

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: 0* Invention Title: LABEL SECURING FEATURE FOR PREVENTING LABEL DELAMINATION DURING PRINTING The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us LABEL SECURING FEATURE FOR PREVENTING LABEL DELAMINATION DURING PRINTING BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The use of non-impact printers, particularly laser printers, is becoming more and more widespread. Laser printers are now desirably utilized to print all sorts of documents and business forms, including the printing of pressure sensitive labels. However problems can develop in the printing of pressure sensitive labels in view of the necessity for applying heat to the labels during .0 processing by the laser printer, for toner fusing or the like. The application of heat from the fusing system, combined with the movement of the label during processing, particularly if certain paper paths are utilized, can cause delamination of the leading edges of the labels. If the leading edge of a label delaminates during printing by the laser printer, this causes the label to catch on the inner mechanisms of the printer, jamming the system and requiring printer down time, and perhaps significant repair complications.

The delamination problem while most common in laser printers is not restricted to laser printers, but may also occur in impact printers with printer geometry such that the labels must go through sharp turns. For example, impact and laser printers with small diameter (relative to label size) platens, or tortuous roller paths, can have label delaminations during printer, causing the adhesive portion of the labels to catch on printer components.

According to the present invention, a simple yet effective mechanism is provided for preventing the delamination problem described above when printing labels with laser or impact printers.

According to the present invention, one or more paper ties are provided connecting the leading edge of the labels to another paper element, the paper ties being effective to prevent upward curling of the label leading edge as a result of delamination.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a sheet of paper labels having a :'plurality of rows and columns of labels, is provided. Each label has a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a pair of longitudinal edges.

The labels are connected by pressure sensitive adhesive over the entire area thereof to an underlying release sheet. Each label leading edge is connected by one or more paper ties to another paper element so as to prevent upward curling of the label leading edge during the feed thereof through a laser or impact printer. For a number of the plurality of labels on each sheet, the "another" paper element is the trailing edge of another label on the same sheet. The sheet may be provided in combinationwith a plurality of other like sheets, arranged in continuous format, so that the leading edge of each sheet is connected to the trailing edge of an adjacent sheet, the paper ties extending between the leading edge of one and the trailing edge of the next continuous sheet. Alternatively, the sheet may be a detached sheet, not forming part of a continuous form, and the "another" paper element may be a leading edge portion of the sheet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of producing printed labels using a laser printer is provided. The method comprises the steps of: Providing a sheet of /labels comprising a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of paper labels with pressure sensitive adhesive on the entire underside thereof, and attached to a common release sheet, each label having a leading edge and a trailing edge; (b) Providing one or more paper ties connecting the leading edges of the labels to another paper element. Feeding the label sheet, with the leading edges of the labels first, into a printer where label delamination may likely occur. And, printing the top side of the labels with the printer, the paper ties preventing upward curling of theJlabel leading edges.

•The term "laser printer" as used in the speicification and claims encompasses all types whether continuous or sheet fed of laser printers, and like non-impact printers applying heat for fusing toner, or the like. The term "printer where label delamination may likely occur" means a laser printer, or an impact printer having printer geometry a small platen) wherein label delamination is probable.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective business form, and method of printing thereof, to overcome the leading edge delamination problem in the printing of labels on printers with certain characteristics. This 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 perspective view of an exemplary sheet of paper labels according to the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a greatly enlarged view of a portion of a second embodiment of a sheet of paper labels according to the invention, showing the paper ties utilized therewith in more distinct form; and FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustrating a method of use of the label forms according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A sheet of paper labels according to the present invention is shown generally by reference numeral 10 in FIGURE 1. As illustrated, the sheet may be part of a continuous form, being connected to a like sheet 10' at one edge thereof, and another like sheet 10'' at an opposite edge thereof. The sheet 10 includes a plurality of individual labels 12 disposed in rows and columns. For the exemplary (only) embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the labels are provided in five rows and two columns.

Each label has a leading edge 13, and a trailing edge 14, and a pair of longitudinal edges The labels 12 as is characteristic of labels have pressure sensitive adhesive 17 usually disposed over the entire under surface thereof. The pressure sensitive adhesive 17 releasably connects the labels 12 to a release sheet 18 holding all of the labels together.

What has heretofore been described is entirely conventional. According to the present invention, the labels 12 are connected so that the leading edges 13 thereof will not delaminate when subjected to heat during printing utilizing a laser printer.

This is effected according to the present invention by providing one or more paper ties 20 connecting each label 12 leading edge 13 to another paper element. The adhesive 17 preferably cover the entire under surface of each label 12, but is at least disposed adjacent the ties The "another" paper element to which the ties 20 are connected may comprise the trailing edge 14 S" of another label 12 on the same sheet 10, or the trailing edge of a label on a preceding sheet if the label sheets 10 are in continuous format (as in FIGURE 1).

FIGURE 2 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, in which the ties are shown exaggerated in size for clarity of illustration. The major difference between the label sheet 25 in FIGURE 2 from sheet 10 in FIGURE 1 is that the sheet 25 is completely detached, not being in continuous format. The leading edge 26 of each label 27 on the sheet 25, overlying the release sheet 28, is connected by one or more ties 29 to another paper element, in this case a leading edge portion 30 of the sheet 25. The labels 27 have pressure sensitive adhesive on the underside thereof at least adjacent the ties 29. The leading edge portion 30 may be an otherwise functional component (such as an envelope, document, or the like), but preferably is merely a short edge portion of the same material as the paper of the label 27, also connected by adhesive to the release sheet 28. The edge portion 30 is continuous acrossithe width of the sheet 25, not having intermediate longitudinal edges 32 like the labels 27.

As s; en in FIGURE 2, the one or more paper ties 29 preferably comprises a pair of paper ties alt1,ough einy number can be used), spaced from each other alon' the leading edge 26, and in fact adjacent the longitudinal edges 32 of the label 27.

The ties 29 are preferably formed during normal die cutting of the labels by providing apertures in the die cutting blade a discontinuous blade), so •that the ties 29 remain, whereas the longitudinal edges 32 are cut with conventional die cut blades so that they are free of ties or like connecting elements. The ties 29 have a smaller length than conventional perforation line solid parts, the ties 29 each have a length of about 0.01-0.062 inches.

Utilizing a sheet 10 or 25 according to the present invention, it is fed into a printer where label delamination may likely occur, with the leading edges 13, 26 of the labels 12, 27 fed in first. During printing with the printer 35, if a laser printer, the labels are subjected to heat, typically during toner fusing, but because of the paper ties 20, 29 the tendency for the labels 12, 27 to delaminate from the underlying release sheets 18, 28 is resisted, and upward curling of the leading edges 13, 26 does not occur. Similarly, during printing with a printer 35 which is an impact .printer with a small diameter platen (or other geometric construction where label delamination is probable), the ties 20, 29 similarly prevent delamination.

The printed labels 36 produced in the printer are used in any conventional manner, typically removed from the release sheets 18, 28 and the "i pressure sensitive adhesive 17) thereof applied to a document or other surface.

While the invention has been herein shown and described in what is presently conceived to be the -ost practical and preferred embodiment thereof it willI e apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications may be made thereof within the scope of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and methods.

Claims (21)

1. A sheet of paper labels having a plurality of rows and columns of labels, each label having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a pair of longitudinal edges; and the labels connected by %see:! pressure sensitive adhesive over the entire under surface area thereof to an underlying release sheet: each label leading edge connected by one or'more paper ties to another paper element so as to prevent upward curling of the label leading edge during feed thereof through a printer where label delamination may likely occur.

2. A sheet as recited in claim 1 in combination with a plurality of other like sheets, arranged in continuous format, so that the leading edge of each sheet is connected to the trailing edge of an :s adjacent sheet, the paper ties extending between the leading edge of one and the trailing edge of the next adjacent continuous sheet.

3. A sheet as recited in claim 2 wherein for a number of said plurality of labels on each said sheet, said another paper element is the trailing edge of another label on the same sheet.

4. A sheet as recited in claim 3 wherein two paper ties are provided connecting each leading edge to another paper element, each paper tie being close to a longitudinal edge of the label with which it is associated.

A sheet as recited in claim 4 wherein the longitudinal edges of the labels are die cut, being devoid of ties.

6. A sheet as recited in claim I wherein for a number of said plurality of labels on each said sheet, said another paper element is the trailing edge of another label on tle same sheet.

7. A sheet as recited in claim 1 wherein two paper ties are provided connecting each leading edge to another paper element, each paper tie being close to a longitudinal edge of the label with which it is associated.

8. A sheet as recited in claim 7 wherein the longitudinal edges of the labels are die cut, being devoid of ties.

9. A sheet as recited in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal edges of the labels are die cut, being devoid of ties.

A sheet as recited in claim 1 wherein said sheet is a detached sheet, not forming part of a continuous form, and wherein said another paper element is a leading edge portion of said sheet.

11. A sheet as recited in claim 10 wherein said leading edge portion is continuous across the leading edges of all label rows.

12. A sheet as recited in claim 1 wherein said one or more paper ties each have a length of about 0.01-0.062 inches.

13. A method of producing printing labels using a printer where label delamination may likely occur, comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of labels comprising a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of paper labels with pressure sensitive adhesive on the underside thereof, and attached to a common release sheet, each label having a leading edge and a trailing edge; providing one or more paper ties connecting o* the leading edges of the labels to another paper element with the adhesive at least adjacent the paper ties; feeding the label sheet, with the leading edges of the labels first, into a printer where label delamination may likely occur; and printing the top side of the labels with the printer, the paper ties preventing upward curling of the label leading edges.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein step is practiced by providing the trailing edge of other labels, on the same or a connected sheet, as the another paper elemeht 4tor the labels.

A method as recited in claim 13 wherein step is practiced by providing two paper ties for each label, spaced from each other a significant distance along the leading edge cf the label. 11 I

16. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein step is practiced by providing paper ties having a length of between about 0.01-0.062 inches by die cutting with a discontinuous blade.

17. A method as recited in claim 16 wherein step is practiced by die cutting the longitudinal edges of the labels so that they are devoid of ties S:.i or other connecting elements.

18. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein steps and are practiced by feeding the sheet into a laser printer. i S.

19. A sheet of paper labels having a plurality of rows and columns of labels, each label having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a pair of ooo* longitudinal edges; and the labels connected by pressure sensitive adhesive on the under surface thereof to an underlying release .heet: each label leading edge connected by one or more paper ties, each having a length of about 0.01-0.062 inches, to another paper element so as to prevent upward curling of the label leading edge during feed thereof through a printer where label delamination may likely occur, adhesive on the label under surface being present at least adjacent said ties.

A sheet as recited in claim 19 wherein the longitudinal edges of the labels are die cut, being devoid of ties. 12

21. A sheet as recited in claim 19 wherein two paper ties are provided connecting each leading edge to another paper e lement, each paper tie being close to a longitudinal edge of the label with which it is associated. DATED this 13th day of May 1992. MOORE BUSINESS FORMS, INC. S. S S 0@SSS* 0 S. *0 U S WATERMARK PATENT TI "THE ATRIUM" 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN. VIC. 3122. RADEM"ARK A TORNEYS 06 C, S. a aS *ebb I 13 ABSTRACT Paper labels may be printed on laser printers, or other printers having a printer geometry such that label delamination is likely to occur, without the leading edges of the labels curling upwardly due to delamination resulting from the heat of toner fusing, small diameter printer platen, or related printer geometric feature. The leading edge of each 1-bel is connected by one or more paper ties each with a length of about 0.01-0.62 inches) to another paper element, the paper ties providing enough resistance to delamination of the leading edge so that it does not curl upwardly. Two paper ties for each label, adjacent the longitudinal edges of the labels, are preferably provided. The another paper element may be the trailing edge of another label on the same, or a connected, continuous sheet, or a leading edge portion extending across the width of the sheet.