LABEL SHEET DESIGN FOR EASY REMOVAL OF LABELS

CONCEPTION DE FEUILLE D'ETIQUETTES PERMETTANT DE RETIRER FACILEMENT DES ETIQUETTES

English Abstract

A label sheet (1) having a release liner (16) and a column of labels (12)
releasably adhered thereto is modified to allow easy removal of the labels.
The liner has a weakened separation line (30) formed by cuts and ties running
underneath a column of labels near the edge of the labels, and notches (18) at
the top and bottom of the sheet aligned with the cuts and ties. A matrix (14)
surrounding the labels, if present, also has cuts and ties, with the cuts and
ties in the matrix parallel to and slightly offset from the cuts and ties in
the liner. The separation lines are strong enough that the label sheet can be
fed through a printer, yet weak enough that a user can tear off the liner and
matrix along the separation lines, thus leaving a minor edge of a column of
labels exposed for easy removal from the label sheet.

French Abstract

La présente invention concerne une feuille d'étiquettes (1) qui présente un revêtement détachable (16) et une colonne d'étiquettes (12) collées de manière détachable. Selon cette invention, on modifie cette feuille d'étiquettes afin de pouvoir retirer facilement les étiquettes. Le revêtement présente une ligne de séparation affaiblie (30) formée de découpes et de liaisons qui s'étendent en-dessous d'une colonne d'étiquettes, à proximité du bord des étiquettes, ainsi que des encoches (18) situées au niveau de la partie supérieure et de la partie inférieure de la feuille et alignées aux découpes et liaisons. Une matrice (14) entourant les étiquettes, si présente, présente également des découpes et liaisons qui sont parallèles et légèrement décalées par rapport aux découpes et liaisons dans le revêtement. Les lignes de séparation sont assez résistantes pour que la feuille d'étiquettes passe dans une imprimante, mais assez faibles pour qu'un utilisateur puisse déchirer le revêtement et la matrice le long des lignes de séparation, exposant alors un bord mineur d'une colonne d'étiquettes, ce qui permet de les retirer facilement de la feuille d'étiquettes.

Claims

THE SUBJECT-MATTER OF THE INVENTION FOR WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED IS DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner; and
b. facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner;
c. wherein:
the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
the first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release liner,
iii. the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to
the release liner,
iv. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and are separated by a cut in the facestock material,
v. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
vi. a portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label with the
majority of both the first label's surface and the second label's
surface remaining adhered to another portion of the release liner,
vii. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface,
viii. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label and a notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release
liner, and
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ix. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
2. The label sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein:
a. the first label has an edge; and
b. the second label has an edge.
3. The label sheet assembly according to claim 2, wherein the weakened
separation line is offset from the first label's edge and the second label's
edge.
4. The label sheet assembly according to claim 2, wherein the weakened
separation line underlies the first label less than one centimeter from the
first
label's edge.
5. The label sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the weakened
separation line underlies the cut in the facestock material between the first
label and the second label.
6. The label sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the weakened
separation line is a straight line.
7. The label sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the release liner
is
configured to be separated from the part of the first label and the part of
the
second label along the weakened separation line.
8. The label sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the label sheet
assembly is configured to be torn by a user along the weakened separation
line, and in doing so, remove both a portion of the release liner and a
portion
of the facestock material, leaving a portion of the first label's surface
exposed
and a portion of the second label's surface exposed.
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9. The label sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein:
a. the release liner has an edge; and
b. the weakened separation line includes a tie at the release liner edge.
10. The label sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the facestock
material's weakened separation line is generally parallel to the release
liner's
weakened separation line.
11. The label sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the label sheet
assembly is configured to be simultaneously torn by a user along both the
release liner's weakened separation line and the facestock material's
weakened separation line.
12. The label sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the release
liner's
weakened separation line includes a plurality of cuts and a plurality of ties.
13. The label sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the weakened
separation line includes at least one tie that underlies the first label and
at
least another tie that underlies the second label.
14. The label sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the label sheet
assembly is sufficiently strong along the weakened separation line to permit
the label sheet assembly to be fed through a printer without the liner sheet
separating along the weakened separation line.
15. The label sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein:
a. the label sheet assembly further includes an edge;
b. the label sheet assembly includes facestock material between the first
label and the label sheet assembly's edge; and
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c. the facestock material between the label sheet assembly's edge and
the first label is configured to be torn by a user.
16. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner;
b. facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner; and
c. a label sheet assembly edge;
d. wherein:
the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
the facestock material has formed therein a matrix between the
first label and the label sheet assembly edge,
iii. the first label is adhered to the release liner,
iv. the second label is adhered to the release liner,
v. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and are separated by a cut in the facestock material,
vi. a portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label so that a
portion of the first label's surface and a portion of the second
label's surface is exposed while the majority of both the first
label's surface and the second label's surface remains adhered
to another portion of the release liner,
vii. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface,
viii. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label,
ix. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner, and
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x. a notch on the release liner is generally in alignment with
the
separation line of the release liner and the separation line of the
facestock.
17. The label sheet assembly according to claim 16, wherein the matrix is
configured to be torn by a user.
18. The label sheet assembly according to claim 16, wherein the matrix
overlies a
portion of the weakened separation line in the release liner.
19. The label sheet assembly according to claim 18, wherein both the matrix
and
the release liner are configured to be torn by a user when the release liner
is
torn by the user along the weakened separation line in the release liner.
20. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner; and
b. facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner;
c. wherein:
i. the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
ii. the first label has a surface that is adhered to the release liner,
iii. the second label has a surface that is adhered to the release
liner,
iv. the first label is separated from the second label only by a single
cut in the facestock material,
v. a portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label so that a
portion of the first label's surface and a portion of the second
label's surface is exposed while the majority of both the first

label's surface and the second label's surface remains adhered
to another portion of the release liner,
vi. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface,
vii. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label and two notches
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release liner
on opposite sides of one another, and
viii. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
21. The label sheet assembly according to claim 20, wherein:
a. the first label has a shape;
b. the second label has a shape; and
c. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the second
label defines at least a portion of both the first label's shape and the
second label's shape.
22. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner; and
b. facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner;
c. wherein:
i. the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
ii. the first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release liner,
iii. the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to
the release liner,
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iv. the first label and the second label abut one another and are
separated from one another only by a single cut in the facestock
material,
v. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
vi. a portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label so that a
portion of the first label's surface and a portion of the second
label's surface is exposed while the majority of both the first
label's surface and the second label's surface remains adhered
to another portion of the release liner,
vii. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface,
viii. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label and a notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release
liner, and
ix. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
23. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner that includes a weakened separation line; and
b. facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner and
includes a weakened separation line offset from the weakened
separation line in the release liner;
c. wherein:
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the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
the first label has a shape, an edge, and a surface,
iii. the first label's surface is adhered to the release liner,
iv. the second label has a shape, an edge, and a surface,
v. the second label's surface is adhered to the release liner,
vi. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and separated by a cut in the facestock material,
vii. the weakened separation line underlies the first label, the second
label, and the cut in the facestock material,
viii. the weakened separation line is offset from the first label's edge
and the second label's edge,
ix. the weakened separation line underlies the first label and the
second label less than one centimeter from the first label's edge
and the second label's edge, respectively,
x. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
xi. the release liner is configured to be torn by a user along the
weakened separation line starting at a notch generally in
alignment with the separation line of the release liner, and in
doing so, separate a portion of the release liner from a part of the
first label and a part of the second label so that a portion of the
first label's surface and a portion of the second label's surface is
exposed while the majority of both the first label's surface and
the second label's surface remains adhered to another portion of
the release liner, and
xii. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
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from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface.
24. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner that includes a weakened separation line; and
b. facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner and
includes a weakened separation line offset from the weakened
separation line in the release liner and a notch generally in alignment
with the separation line of the release liner;
c. wherein:
i. the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
ii. the first label has a shape, an edge, and a surface,
iii. the first label's surface is adhered to the release liner,
iv. the second label has a shape, an edge, and a surface,
v. the second label's surface is adhered to the release liner,
vi. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and separated by a cut in the facestock material,
vii. the release liner's weakened separation line underlies the first
label, the second label, and the cut in the facestock material,
viii. the release liner's weakened separation line is offset from the
first label's edge and the second label's edge,
ix. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
x. the facestock material's weakened separation line is generally
parallel to the release liner's weakened separation line,
xi. the label sheet assembly is configured to be torn by a user
simultaneously along both the release liner's weakened
separation line and the facestock material's weakened
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separation line so that a portion of the first label's surface and a
portion of the second label's surface is exposed while the
majority of both the first label's surface and the second label's
surface remains adhered to the release liner, and
xii. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the portion of the first label's surface is exposed
without creating an adhesive bond between the first label and the
flat surface.
25. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a facestock material having a plurality of labels; and
b. a release liner that is coupled to and underlies the plurality of
labels;
c. wherein:
i. each one of the plurality of labels has an end and a surface area,
ii. each one of the plurality of labels abuts at least another one of
the plurality of labels,
iii. a first portion of the release liner is configured to separate from
each one of the plurality of labels so that after the first portion of
the release liner is separated from each one of the plurality of
labels the end of each one of the plurality of labels no longer is
coupled to the release liner while a second portion of the release
liner continues to underlie and be coupled to a majority of the
surface area of each one of the plurality of labels,
iv. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the first portion of the release liner
from each one of the plurality of labels without creating an
adhesive bond between at least one of the plurality of labels and
the flat surface,
v. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
defines a boundary between the first and second portions of the

release liner and a notch generally in alignment with the
separation line of the release liner, and
vi. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
26. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner; and
b. a facestock material having a plurality of labels that is coupled to the
release liner;
c. wherein:
each one of the plurality of labels has an end and a surface,
each one of the plurality of labels abuts another one of the
plurality of labels,
iii. a first portion of the release liner is configured to separate from
each one of the plurality of labels so that after the first portion of
the release liner is separated from each one of the plurality of
labels the end of each one of the plurality of labels no longer is
coupled to the release liner and a second portion of the release
liner continues to be coupled to a majority of the surface of each
one of the plurality of labels,
iv. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the first portion of the release liner
from each one of the plurality of labels without creating an
adhesive bond between at least one of the plurality of labels and
the flat surface,
v. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
defines a boundary between the first and second portions of the
release liner and two notches generally in alignment with the
separation line of the release liner and opposite one another,
and
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vi. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
27. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner having a weakened separation line; and
b. a facestock material having a plurality of labels that is coupled to the
release liner and overlies at least a portion of the weakened separation
line;
c. wherein:
i. each of the plurality of labels has a surface,
ii. at least one of the plurality of labels abuts another one of the
plurality of labels,
iii. the release liner is configured to be torn along the weakened
separation line and two notches generally in alignment with the
separation line of the release liner so that a portion of the release
liner is decoupled from the surface of each of the plurality of
labels while another portion of the release liner continues to be
coupled to a majority of the surface of each of the plurality of
labels,
iv. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the portion of the release liner is decoupled from
the surface of each of the plurality of labels without creating an
adhesive bond between at least one of the plurality of labels and
the flat surface, and
v. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
28. The label sheet assembly according to claim 27, wherein:
a. the plurality of labels includes a first label and a second label;
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b. the label sheet assembly further includes a cut between the first label
and the second label;
c. the cut has a width; and
d. the first label is separated from the second label by only the width of
the
cut.
29. A label sheet comprising:
a. a release liner; and
b. a sheet of facestock material that is releasably coupled to the release
liner;
c. wherein:
the sheet of facestock material includes a first label and a
second label that is adjacent to the first label,
the first label has a shape,
iii. the second label has a shape,
iv. the sheet of facestock material includes a cut that defines at
least a portion of the first label's shape and a portion of the
second label's shape,
v. the cut has a width,
vi. the first label is separated from the second label by only the
width of the cut,
vii. a first portion of the release liner that underlies at least a part of
the first label and a part of the second label is configured to be
decoupled from the first label and the second label while a
second portion of the release liner is configured to remain
releasably coupled to the first label and the second label,
viii. the release liner includes a weakened separation line and a
notch generally in alignment with the separation line of the
release liner, and
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ix. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
30. The label sheet according to claim 29, wherein the weakened separation
line
in the release liner underlies the first label.
31. The label sheet according to claim 30, wherein the weakened separation
line
includes at least one portion that is linear.
32. The label sheet according to claim 30, wherein the weakened separation
line
defines a boundary between the first portion of the release liner and the
second portion of the release liner.
33. The label sheet according to claim 30, wherein:
a. the first label has an edge; and
b. the weakened separation line in the release liner is offset from the
first
label's edge.
34. The label sheet according to claim 33, wherein the first label's edge
is
configured to extend beyond the second portion of the release liner after the
first portion of the release liner is decoupled from the first label.
35. The label sheet according to claim 29, wherein:
a. the first label has a surface; and
b. a majority of the first label's surface is configured to be releasably
coupled to the second portion of the release liner after the first portion
of the release liner is decoupled from the first label.
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36. A label sheet comprising:
a. a release liner;
b. a first label that is releasably coupled to the release liner; and
c. a second label that is releasably coupled to the release liner;
d. wherein:
the first label has a part that includes an edge,
the first label's edge is separated from the second label by a first
distance,
iii. the label sheet is configured to be manipulated to do the
following:
A. to decouple the part of the first label that includes the first
label's edge from the release liner, and
B. to increase the first distance of separation between the
first label's edge and the second label as the part of the
first label is decoupled from the release liner;
iv. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and two notches generally in alignment
with the separation line of the release liner;
v. the release liner is configured to be torn along the weakened
separation line in the release liner;
vi. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner; and
vii. the facestock material is configured to be torn along the
weakened separation line in the facestock material.
37. The
label sheet according to claim 36, wherein the weakened separation line
in the release liner includes at least one portion that is linear.

38. The label sheet according to claim 36, wherein the weakened separation
line
in the release liner is selected from the group consisting of a cut and a
combination of cuts and ties.
39. The label sheet according to claim 36, further comprising:
a. a third label that is releasably coupled to the release liner;
b. wherein:
i. the first label has a shape,
ii. the third label has a shape and is adjacent to the first label,
iii. a first cut separates the first label from the third label, and
iv. the first cut defines at least a portion of the first label's shape and
at least a portion of the third label's shape.
40. The label sheet according to claim 39, further comprising:
a. a fourth label that is releasably coupled to the release liner;
b. wherein:
i. the second label has a shape,
ii. the fourth label has a shape and is adjacent to the second label,
iii. a second cut separates the second label from the fourth label,
iv. the second cut defines at least a portion of the second label's
shape and at least a portion of the fourth label's shape.
41. The label sheet according to claim 40, wherein:
a. the third label has a part that includes an edge;
b. the third label's edge is separated from the fourth label by a second
distance; and
c. the label sheet is configured to be manipulated to do the following:
i. to decouple the part of the third label that includes the
third
label's edge from the release liner, and
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to increase the second distance of separation between the third
label's edge and the fourth label as part of the third label is
decoupled from the release liner.
42. The label sheet according to claim 41, wherein the first label's edge
and the
third label's edge are configured to extend beyond the release liner after the
release liner is decoupled from the part of the first label and the part of
the
third label.
43. The label sheet according to claim 39, wherein the weakened separation
line
in the release liner underlies the first label and the third label.
44. The label sheet according to claim 36, further comprising:
a. an adhesive coupled between the first label and the release liner;
wherein a portion of the adhesive is decoupled from the release liner
and exposed when the part of the first label is decoupled from the
release liner.
45. A label sheet comprising:
a. a release liner;
b. a first label that is releasably coupled to the release liner, the first
label
has a shape and a part that includes an edge;
c. a second label that is releasably coupled to the release liner, the
second label has a shape;
d. a third label that is releasably coupled to the release liner, the third
label
is adjacent to the first label, the third label has a shape and a part that
includes an edge; and
e. a fourth label that is releasably coupled to the release liner that is
adjacent to the second label, the fourth label has a shape;
f. wherein:
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i. the first label's edge is separated from the second label by
a first
distance,
the third label's edge is separated from the fourth label by a
second distance,
iii. a first cut separates the first label from the third label
and defines
at least a portion of the first label's shape and at least a portion
of the third label's shape,
iv. a second cut separates the second label from the fourth
label
and defines at least a portion of the second label's shape and at
least a portion of the fourth label's shape,
v. the label sheet is configured to be manipulated to do the
following:
A. to decouple both the part of the first label that includes the
first label's edge and the part of the third label that
includes the third label's edge from the release liner, and
B. to increase both the first distance of separation between
the first label's edge and the second label and the second
distance of separation between the third label's edge and
the fourth label as the part of the first label and the part of
the third label are decoupled from the release liner,
vi. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the third label and a notch generally
in alignment with the separation line of the release liner; and
vii. the release liner is configured to be torn along the
weakened
separation line.
46. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed through a
desktop
printer; and
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b. facestock material having a printable surface, a back surface, and a
pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface, wherein the
facestock material is releasably adhered to the release liner;
c. wherein:
the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
the first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release liner,
iii. the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to
the release liner,
iv. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and are separated by a cut in the facestock material,
v. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
vi. a portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label with the
majority of both the first label's surface and the second label's
surface remaining adhered to another portion of the release liner,
vii. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface,
viii. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label and a notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release
liner, and
ix. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
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47. The label sheet assembly according to claim 46, wherein:
a. the first label has an edge; and
b. the second label has an edge.
48. The label sheet assembly according to claim 47, wherein the weakened
separation line in the release liner is offset from the first label's edge and
the
second label's edge.
49. The label sheet assembly according to claim 47, wherein the weakened
separation line in the release liner underlies the first label less than one
centimeter from the first label's edge.
50. The label sheet assembly according to claim 46, wherein the weakened
separation line in the release liner underlies the cut in the facestock
material
between the first label and the second label.
51. The label sheet assembly according to claim 46, wherein the weakened
separation line in the release liner is a straight line.
52. The label sheet assembly according to claim 46, wherein the release
liner is
configured to be separated from the part of the first label and the part of
the
second label along the weakened separation line in the release liner.
53. The label sheet assembly according to claim 46, wherein the label sheet
assembly is configured to be torn by a user along the weakened separation
lines in the release liner and the facestock material, and in doing so, remove
both a portion of the release liner and a portion of the facestock material,
leaving a portion of the first label's surface exposed and a portion of the
second label's surface exposed.

54. The label sheet assembly according to claim 46, wherein:
a. the release liner has an edge; and
b. the weakened separation line in the release liner includes a tie at the
release liner edge.
55. The label sheet assembly according to claim 46, wherein the facestock
material's weakened separation line is generally parallel to the release
liner's
weakened separation line.
56. The label sheet assembly according to claim 46, wherein the label sheet
assembly is configured to be simultaneously torn by a user along both the
release liner's weakened separation line and the facestock material's
weakened separation line.
57. The label sheet assembly according to claim 46, wherein the release
liner's
weakened separation line includes a plurality of cuts and a plurality of ties.
58. The label sheet assembly according to claim 46, wherein the weakened
separation line includes at least one tie that underlies the first label and
at
least another tie that underlies the second label.
59. The label sheet assembly according to claim 46, wherein the label sheet
assembly is sufficiently strong along the release liner's weakened separation
line so that the label sheet assembly can be fed through a printer without the
liner sheet separating along the release liner's weakened separation line.
60. The label sheet assembly according to claim 46, wherein:
a. the label sheet assembly further includes an edge;
b. the label sheet assembly includes facestock material between the first
label and the label sheet assembly's edge; and
31

c. the facestock material between the label sheet assembly's edge and
the first label is configured to be torn by a user.
61. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed through a desktop
printer;
b. facestock material having a printable surface, a back surface, and a
pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface, wherein the
facestock material is releasably adhered to the release liner; and
c. a label sheet assembly edge;
d. wherein:
i. the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
ii. the facestock material has formed therein a matrix between the
first label and the label sheet assembly edge,
iii. the first label is adhered to the release liner,
iv. the second label is adhered to the release liner,
v. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and are separated by a cut in the facestock material,
vi. a portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label so that a
portion of the first label's surface and a portion of the second
label's surface is exposed while the majority of both the first
label's surface and the second label's surface remains adhered
to another portion of the release liner,
vii. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface,
32

viii. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label and a notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release
liner, and
ix. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
62. The label sheet assembly according to claim 61, wherein the matrix is
configured to be torn by a user.
63. The label sheet assembly according to claim 61, wherein the matrix
overlies a
portion of the release liner's weakened separation line.
64. The label sheet assembly according to claim 63, wherein both the matrix
and
the release liner are configured to be torn by a user when the label sheet is
torn by the user along the weakened separation lines in the release liner and
the facestock material.
65. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed through a desktop
printer; and
b. facestock material having a printable surface, a back surface, and a
pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface, wherein the
facestock material is releasably adhered to the release liner;
c. wherein:
i. the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
ii. the first label has a surface that is adhered to the release liner,
iii. the second label has a surface that is adhered to the release
liner,
33

iv. the first label is separated from the second label only by a single
cut in the facestock material,
v. a portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label so that a
portion of the first label's surface and a portion of the second
label's surface is exposed while the majority of both the first
label's surface and the second label's surface remains adhered
to another portion of the release liner,
vi. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface,
vii. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label,
viii. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner, and
ix. a notch on the release liner is generally in alignment with the
separation line of the release liner and the separation line of the
facestock.
66. The label sheet assembly according to claim 65, wherein:
a. the first label has a shape;
b. the second label has a shape; and
c. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the second
label defines at least a portion of both the first label's shape and the
second label's shape.
67. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed through a
desktop
printer; and
34

b. facestock material having a printable surface, a back surface, and a
pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface, wherein the
facestock material is releasably adhered to the release liner;
c. wherein:
the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
the first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release liner,
iii. the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to
the release liner,
iv. the first label and the second label abut one another and are
separated from one another only by a single cut in the facestock
material,
v. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
vi. a portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label so that a
portion of the first label's surface and a portion of the second
label's surface is exposed while the majority of both the first
label's surface and the second label's surface remains adhered
to another portion of the release liner,
vii. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface,
viii. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label and a notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release
liner, and

ix. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
68. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed through a desktop
printer and that includes a weakened separation line and a notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release liner; and
b. facestock material having a printable surface, a back surface, and a
pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface, wherein the
facestock material is releasably adhered to the release liner and
includes a weakened separation line offset from the weakened
separation line in the release liner;
c. wherein:
the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
the first label has a shape, an edge, and a surface,
iii. the first label's surface is adhered to the release liner,
iv. the second label has a shape, an edge, and a surface,
v. the second label's surface is adhered to the release liner,
vi. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and separated by a cut in the facestock material,
vii. the weakened separation line in the release liner underlies the
first label, the second label, and the cut in the facestock
material,
viii. the weakened separation line in the release liner is offset from
the first label's edge and the second label's edge,
ix. the weakened separation line in the release liner underlies the
first label and the second label less than one centimeter from the
first label's edge and the second label's edge, respectively,
36

x. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
xi. the label sheet assembly is configured to be torn by a user along
the weakened separation lines in the release liner and the
facestock material, and in doing so, separate a portion of the
release liner from a part of the first label and a part of the second
label so that a portion of the first label's surface and a portion of
the second label's surface is exposed while the majority of both
the first label's surface and the second label's surface remains
adhered to another portion of the release liner, and
xii. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface.
69. A label sheet assembly comprising;
a. a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed through a desktop
printer and that includes a weakened separation line and a notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release liner; and
b. facestock material having a printable surface, a back surface, and a
pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface, wherein the
facestock material is releasably adhered to the release liner, wherein
the facestock material includes a weakened separation line offset from
the weakened separation line in the release liner;
c. wherein:
i. the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
ii. the first label has a shape, an edge, and a surface,
iii. the first label's surface is adhered to the release liner,
37

iv. the second label has a shape, an edge, and a surface,
v. the second label's surface is adhered to the release liner,
vi. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and separated by a cut in the facestock material,
vii. the release liner's weakened separation line underlies the
first
label, the second label, and the cut in the facestock material,
viii. the release liner's weakened separation line is offset from the
first label's edge and the second label's edge,
ix. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
x. the facestock material's weakened separation line is generally
parallel to the release liner's weakened separation line,
xi. the label sheet assembly is configured to be torn by a user
simultaneously along both the release liner's weakened
separation line and the facestock material's weakened
separation line so that a portion of the first label's surface and a
portion of the second label's surface is exposed while the
majority of both the first label's surface and the second label's
surface remains adhered to the release liner, and
xii. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the portion of the first label's surface is exposed
without creating an adhesive bond between the first label and the
flat surface.
70. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a facestock material including a plurality of labels having a printable
surface and an adhesive back surface; and
b. a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed through a desktop
printer, coupled to and underlying the plurality of labels;
38

c. wherein:
each one of the plurality of labels has an end and a surface area,
each one of the plurality of labels abuts at least another one of
the plurality of labels,
iii. a first portion of the release liner is configured to separate from
each one of the plurality of labels so that after the first portion of
the release liner is separated from each one of the plurality of
labels the end of each one of the plurality of labels no longer is
coupled to the release liner while a second portion of the release
liner continues to underlie and be coupled to a majority of the
surface area of each one of the plurality of labels,
iv. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the first portion of the release liner
from each one of the plurality of labels without creating an
adhesive bond between at least one of the plurality of labels and
the flat surface,
v. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
defines a boundary between the first and second portions of the
release liner and a notch generally in alignment with the
separation line of the release liner, and
vi. the facestock material includes .a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
71. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed through a desktop
printer; and
b. a facestock material including a plurality of labels having a printable
surface and an adhesive back surface that is coupled to the release
liner;
c. wherein:
39

i. each one of the plurality of labels has an end and a surface,
ii. each one of the plurality of labels abuts another one of the
plurality of labels,
iii. a first portion of the release liner is configured to separate from
each one of the plurality of labels so that after the first portion of
the release liner is separated from each one of the plurality of
labels the end of each one of the plurality of labels no longer is
coupled to the release liner and a second portion of the release
liner continues to be coupled to a majority of the surface of each
one of the plurality of labels,
iv. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the first portion of the release liner
from each one of the plurality of labels without creating an
adhesive bond between at least one of the plurality of labels and
the flat surface,
v. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
defines a boundary between the first and second portions of the
release liner and a notch generally in alignment with the
separation line of the release liner, and
vi. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
72. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed through a desktop
printer and having a weakened separation line and a notch generally in
alignment with the separation line of the release liner; and
b. a facestock material including a plurality of labels having a printable
surface and an adhesive back surface that is coupled to the release
liner and overlies at least a portion of the weakened separation line in
the release liner;

c. wherein:
each of the plurality of labels has a surface,
at least one of the plurality of labels abuts another one of the
plurality of labels,
iii. the release liner is configured to be torn along the weakened
separation line in the release liner so that a portion of the release
liner is decoupled from the surface of each of the plurality of
labels while another portion of the release liner continues to be
coupled to a majority of the surface of each of the plurality of
labels,
iv. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the portion of the release liner is decoupled from
the surface of each of the plurality of labels without creating an
adhesive bond between at least one of the plurality of labels and
the flat surface, and
v. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
73. The label sheet assembly according to claim 72, wherein:
a. the plurality of labels includes a first label and a second label;
b. the label sheet assembly further includes a cut between the first label
and the second label;
c. the cut has a width; and
d. the first label is separated from the second label by only the width of
the
cut.
74. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner; and
b. facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner;
c. wherein:
41

i. the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
ii. the first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release liner,
iii. the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to
the release liner,
iv. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and are separated by a cut in the facestock material,
v. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
vi. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label and a notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release
liner,
vii. the label sheet assembly is configured to be torn by a user along
the weakened separation line in the release liner, and in doing
so, remove both a portion of the release liner and a portion of the
facestock material, leaving a portion of the first label's surface
exposed and a portion of the second label's surface exposed,
with the majority of both the first label's surface and the second
label's surface remaining adhered to another portion of the
release liner,
viii. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface, and
ix. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
42

75. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner; and
b. facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner;
c. wherein:
i. the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
ii. the first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release liner,
iii. the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to
the release liner,
iv. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and are separated by a cut in the facestock material,
v. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
vi. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label and a notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release
liner,
vii. the release liner has an edge, and the weakened separation line
includes a tie at the release liner edge,
.
viii. a portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label, with the
majority of both the first label's surface and the second label's
surface remaining adhered to another portion of the release liner,
ix. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface, and
x. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
43

offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
76. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner; and
b. facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner;
c. wherein:
i. the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
11. the first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to
the
release liner,
iii. the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to
the release liner,
iv. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and are separated by a cut in the facestock material,
v. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
vi. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line,
vii. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label and a notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release liner
and is offset from the weakened separation line in the facestock
material,
viii. a portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label, with the
majority of both the first label's surface and the second label's
surface remaining adhered to another portion of the release liner,
and
ix. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
44

from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface.
77. The label sheet assembly according to claim 76, wherein the facestock
material's weakened separation line is generally parallel to the release
liner's
weakened separation line.
78. The label sheet assembly according to claim 76, wherein the label sheet
assembly is configured to be simultaneously torn by a user along both the
release liner's weakened separation line and the facestock material's
weakened separation line.
79. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner; and
b. facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner;
c. wherein:
i. the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
the first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release liner,
iii. the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to
the release liner,
iv. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and are separated by a cut in the facestock material,
v. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
vi. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label and a notch

generally in alignment with the separation line of the release
liner,
vii. the weakened separation line includes at least one tie that
underlies the first label and at least another tie that underlies the
second label,
viii. a portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label, with the
majority of both the first label's surface and the second label's
surface remaining adhered to another portion of the release liner,
ix. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface, and
x. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
80. A label sheet assembly comprising:
a. a release liner; and
b. facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner;
c. wherein:
i. the facestock material has formed therein a first label and a
second label,
ii. the first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release liner,
iii. the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to
the release liner,
iv. the first label and the second label are adjacent to one another
and are separated by a cut in the facestock material,
46

v. the cut in the facestock material between the first label and the
second label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape,
vi. the release liner includes a weakened separation line that
underlies the first label and the second label and a notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release
liner,
vii. the release liner further includes a notch adjacent to and aligned
with the weakened separation line,
viii. the notch is configured to facilitate tearing by a user of the liner
sheet along the weakened separation line,
ix. a portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label, with the
majority of both the first label's surface and the second label's
surface remaining adhered to another portion of the release liner,
x. the label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner
from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond
between the first label and the flat surface, and
xi. the facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
47

Description

CA 02512250 2005-06-30
WO 2004/078468 PCT/US2003/005996
LABEL SHEET DESIGN FOR EASY REMOVAL OF LABELS
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
100021 The present invention relates to label sheets. More particularly, the
present
invention relates to a design for label sheets in which the labels may be
easily removed.
BACKGROUND OF THE 1NVENTiON
pom Address labels on printable 8% x 11 and M sheets have been in, use fir
a
number of years as a means of printing amedium to large number of addresses =
r
other information in a relatively short period of time. After the label sheets
have been
printed, these labels must then be removed from the sheet and applied to an
envelope
or other substrate. The standard method for removing the labels by hand is
that the user
bends back the label sheet somewhere in the vicinity if one of the edges or
corners if
the firei: label is be removed. This causes a separation b-en the label and
the liner.
. The user grasps the label in the area where the separation has been created,
and
removes the label from the sheet. This operation is then repeated for each,
label. This
operation can be somewhat difficult and time consuming, and requires a fair
amount of
manual dexterity. In addition, some combinations of materials such es a thin
or flexible
face and thick paper liner can be difficult to die cut without cutting into
the liner. When
the die cut extends into the liner, the user can accidentally tear off a
section of the liner
in the process of removing the label from the liner.
[0004] Label strips or webs have also been invented for use with automated
label
removal and placement machinery. U.S. Patent No. 5,788,284 issued to Hirst
discloses
a label strip with a cut running down the centerline of the release liner and
underneath
1
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

CA 02512250 2010-04-01
the center of the individual labels. The label strip moves over a V-shaped
notch in a
separator plate, thereby automatically separating the labels from the release
liner.
[0005] U.S. Patent No. 5,182,152 issued to Ericson discloses a Bible index
label
dispensing sheet having a weakened line in the backing and fold lines in the
individual labels. A release strip overlies the weakened backing line on one
side of
each horizontal row of labels. The release strip acts as an adhesive tape to
prevent
premature rupture of the sheet. The user grasps and pulls away the release
strip,
and tears off the backing from a portion of the horizontal row of labels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Illustrative embodiments of the invention may provide a label sheet
assembly which may be fed through a printer such as a laser printer, an ink
jet
printer, or other printer attached to a personal computer, for desktop
printability.
Thereafter, a narrow strip of the release liner can be torn off in a single
motion. This
exposes a narrow strip of each label within a row or column of labels,
allowing the
labels to be easily removed and placed on some other object or substrate one-
by-
one. In a label sheet which has a border or matrix surrounding the labels
and/or
running between the labels or portions of the labels, both the release liner
and the
matrix have weakened separation lines therein. The separation lines are formed
by a
series of cuts and ties in the release liner and in the matrix. The ties are
preferably
strongest near the edges of the sheet and weaker in the interior portion of
the sheet.
This allows the sheet to resist tearing along the weakened separation lines
due to
normal handling or printing in the printer, but once the tearing has begun the
tearing
continues easily until an entire strip of the release liner has been stripped
away. A
notch is preferably formed in a release liner and the matrix if applicable at
each end
of the weakened separation line. The notch is aligned with the weakened
separation
lines in both the liner and in the matrix. The notch helps to ensure that
tearing will
begin along the weakened separation lines. The two separation lines are
sufficiently
close together that the user can tear away the strip of release liner from the
remainder of the sheet in a single motion without having to remove a separate
release strip, and the tearing, once begun, will continue until the release
liner is torn
entirely away from the remainder of the sheet. The size of the cuts and the
size of
the
2

CA 02512250 2005-06-30
WO 2004/078468 PCT/US2003/005996
ties are chosen so that the assembly is strong enough to be fed through a
printer such
as a laser printer or an ink jet printer, but weak enough so that the user can
tear off the
release liner strip along the separation line in an easy and fluid motion
without any other
mechanical preparation of the label sheet between the printing and the tearing
steps.
The ratio of out length to overall separation line length is greater than 95%
to ensure
ease of separation. Preferably, the separation line lies approximately 0.6
centimeters
(approximately IA inch) from the edge of a column or column of labels. In this
way there
is sufficient overhang of the exposed portion of the labels that a user can
easily grasp
the labels, but a sheet of labels which has had one column or column of labels
partially
exposed will not have so much exposed adhesive area that the label sheet will
readily
stick to a desk or other surface on which the label sheet is placed.
[0007) In one aspect therefore the invention is of a label sheet assembly
modified for
easy removal of labels by hand, comprising a release liner and a sheet of
facestock
material releasably adhered to the release liner, the facestock material
including at least
a first colu 'n of labels formed therein and a matrix at least partially
bordering the
labels, wherein a first maenad separation line is formed hi the release liner
bel =w the
column of labels and offset from a center of the column of labels toward an
edge of the
labels, and a second weakened separation line is formed in the matrix running
generally
parallel to the first wearenod separation line. The releace linw has a notch
aligned with
the two weakened separation lines, and preferably a natch at either end of the
separation lines. The weakened separation lines are offset from each other by
a short
distance so th -t a user can tear off - strip of the liner and a strip of the
matrix in a single
motion leaving each label within the column of labels with a portion of its
liner removed,
thereby allowing easy removal of the labels from the label sheet assembly
after the
tearing operation without the need for the user to perform any other physical
preparation
of the label sheet between the printing and tearing operations. The weakened
separation lines are preferably formed by cuts and ties in the liners and cuts
and ties in
the matrix when present, with the strongest of the ties being positioned next
to the
edges of the assembly or the notch when present. For label sheets having
multiple
3
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

CA 02512250 2013-09-20
columns of labels, the sheet has a weakened separation line in the liner and
in the
matrix when present below each column of labels.
[0007a] In accordance with another aspect or illustrative embodiment,
a label
sheet assembly includes a release liner and facestock material that is
releasably
adhered to the release liner. The facestock material has formed therein a
first label
and a second label. The first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered
to the
release liner and the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered
to the
release liner. The first label and the second label are adjacent to one
another and
are separated by a cut in the facestock material. The cut in the facestock
material
between the first label and the second label defines at least a portion of the
first
label's shape and a portion of the second label's shape. A portion of the
release liner
is configured to be separated from a part of the first label and a part of the
second
label with the majority of both the first label's surface and the second
label's surface
remaining adhered to another portion of the release liner. The label sheet
assembly
is configured to be placed on a flat surface after the separation of the
portion of the
release liner from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive
bond
between the first label and the flat surface. The release liner includes a
weakened
separation line that underlies the first label and the second label and a
notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release liner. The
facestock
material includes a weakened separation line offset from the weakened
separation
line in the release liner.
[0007b] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a release liner and facestock material that is releasably
adhered
to the release liner, and a label sheet assembly edge. The facestock material
has
formed therein a first label and a second label and the facestock material has
formed
therein a matrix between the first label and the label sheet assembly edge.
The first
label is adhered to the release liner, and the second label is adhered to the
release
liner. The first label and the second label are adjacent to one another and
are
separated by a cut in the facestock material. A portion of the release liner
is
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configured to be separated from a part of the first label and a part of the
second label
so that a portion of the first label's surface and a portion of the second
label's surface
is exposed while the majority of both the first label's surface and the second
label's
surface remains adhered to another portion of the release liner. The label
sheet
assembly is configured to be placed on a flat surface after the separation of
the
portion of the release liner from the part of the first label without creating
an adhesive
bond between the first label and the flat surface. The release liner includes
a
weakened separation line that underlies the first label and the second label.
The
facestock material includes a weakened separation line offset from the
weakened
separation line in the release liner. A notch on the release liner is
generally in
alignment with the separation line of the release liner and the separation
line of the
facestock.
[0007c] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a release liner, and facestock material that is releasably
adhered
to the release liner. The facestock material has formed therein a first label
and a
second label. The first label has a surface that is adhered to the release
liner, and
the second label has a surface that is adhered to the release liner. The first
label is
separated from the second label only by a single cut in the facestock
material. A
portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a part of the
first label
and a part of the second label so that a portion of the first label's surface
and a
portion of the second label's surface is exposed while the majority of both
the first
label's surface and the second label's surface remains adhered to another
portion of
the release liner. The label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a
flat
surface after the separation of the portion of the release liner from the part
of the first
label without creating an adhesive bond between the first label and the flat
surface.
The release liner includes a weakened separation line that underlies the first
label
and the second label and two notches generally in alignment with the
separation line
of the release liner on opposite sides of one another. The facestock material
includes a weakened separation line offset from the weakened separation line
in the
release liner.
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[0007d] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a release liner, and facestock material that is releasably
adhered
to the release liner. The facestock material has formed therein a first label
and a
second label. The first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release
liner, and the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release
liner. The first label and the second label abut one another and are separated
from
one another only by a single cut in the facestockmaterial. The cut in the
facestock
material between the first label and the second label defines at least a
portion of the
first label's shape and a portion of the second label's shape. A portion of
the release
liner is configured to be separated from a part of the first label and a part
of the
second label so that a portion of the first label's surface and a portion of
the second
label's surface is exposed while the majority of both the first label's
surface and the
second label's surface remains adhered to another portion of the release
liner. The
label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat surface after the
separation
of the portion of the release liner from the part of the first label without
creating an
adhesive bond between the first label and the flat surface. The release liner
includes
a weakened separation line that underlies the first label and the second label
and a
notch generally in alignment with the separation line of the release liner.
The
facestock material includes a weakened separation line offset from the
weakened
separation line in the release liner.
[0007e] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a release liner that includes a weakened separation line,
and
facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner and
includes a
weakened separate line offset from the weakened separation line in the release
liner.
The facestock material has formed therein a first label and a second label.
The first
label has a shape, an edge, and a surface and the first label's surface is
adhered to
the release liner. The second label has a shape, an edge, and a surface, and
the
second label's surface is adhered to the release liner. The first label and
the second
label are adjacent to one another and separated by a cut in the facestock
material.
The weakened separation line underlies the first label, the second label, and
the cut
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in the facestock material, and the weakened separation line is offset from the
first
label's edge and the second label's edge. The weakened separation line
underlies
the first label and the second label less than one centimeter from the first
label's edge
and the second label's edge, respectively. The cut in the facestock material
between
the first label and the second label defines at least a portion of the first
label's shape
and a portion of the second label's shape. The release liner is configured to
be torn
by a user along the weakened separation line starting at a notch generally in
alignment with the separation line of the release liner, and in doing so,
separate a
portion of the release liner from a part of the first label and a part of the
second label
so that a portion of the first label's surface and a portion of the second
label's surface
is exposed while the majority of both the first label's surface and the second
label's
surface remains adhered to another portion of the release liner. The label
sheet
assembly is configured to be placed on a flat surface after the separation of
the
portion of the release liner from the part of the first label without creating
an adhesive
bond between the first label and the flat surface.
[0007f] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment a label
sheet
assembly includes a release liner that includes a weakened separation line,
and
facestock material that is releasably adhered to the release liner and
includes a
weakened separation line offset from the weakened separation line in the
release
liner and a notch generally in alignment with the separation line of the
release liner.
The facestock material has formed therein a first label and a second label.
The first
label has a shape, an edge, and a surface, and the first label's surface is
adhered to
the release liner. The second label has a shape, an edge, and a surface, and
the
second label's surface is adhered to the release liner. The first label and
the second
label are adjacent to one another and separated by a cut in the facestock
material.
The release liner's weakened separation line underlies the first label, the
second
label, and the cut in the facestockmaterial, and the release liner's weakened
separation line is offset from the first label's edge and the second label's
edge. The
cut in the facestock material between the first label and the second label
defines at
least a portion of the first label's shape and a portion of the second label's
shape.
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The facestock material's weakened separation line is generally parallel to the
release
liner's weakened separation line. The label sheet assembly is configured to be
torn
by a user simultaneously along both the release liner's weakened separation
line and
the facestock material's weakened separation line so that a portion of the
first label's
surface and a portion of the second label's surface is exposed while the
majority of
both the first label's surface and the second label's surface remains adhered
to the
release liner. The label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface
after the portion of the first label's surface is exposed without creating an
adhesive
bond between the first label and the flat surface.
[0007g] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label sheet
assembly includes a facestock material having a plurality of labels, and a
release
liner that is coupled to and underlies the plurality of labels. Each one of
the plurality
of labels has an end and a surface area, and each one of the plurality of
labels abuts
at least another one of the plurality of labels. A first portion of the
release liner is
configured to separate from each one of the plurality of labels so that after
the first
portion of the release liner is separated from each one of the plurality of
labels the
end of each one of the plurality of labels no longer is coupled to the release
liner
while a second portion of the release liner continues to underlie and be
coupled to a
majority of the surface area of each one of the plurality of labels. The label
sheet
assembly is configured to be placed on a flat surface after the separation of
the first
portion of the release liner from each one of the plurality of labels without
creating an
adhesive bond between at least one of the plurality of labels and the flat
surface.
The release liner includes a weakened separation line that defines a boundary
between the first and second portions of the release liner and a notch
generally in
alignment with the separation line of the release liner. The facestock
material
incudes a weakened separation line offset from the weakened separation line in
the
release liner.
[0007h] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a release liner, and a facestock material having a plurality
of
labels that is coupled to the release liner. Each one of the plurality of
labels has an
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end and a surface, and each one of the plurality of labels abuts another one
of the
plurality of labels. A first portion of the release liner is configured to
separate from
each one of the plurality of labels so that after the first portion of the
release liner is
separated from each one of the plurality of labels the end of each one of the
plurality
of labels no longer is coupled to the release liner and a second portion of
the release
liner continues to be coupled to a majority of the surface of each one of the
plurality
of labels. The label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface after
the separation of the first portion of the release liner from each one of the
plurality of
labels without creating an adhesive bond between at least one of the plurality
of
labels and the flat surface. The release liner includes a weakened separation
line
that defines a boundary between the first and second portions of the release
liner
and two notches generally in alignment with the separation line of the release
liner
and opposite one another. The facestock material includes a weakened
separation
line offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
[0007i] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label sheet
assembly includes a release liner having a weakened separation line, and a
facestock material having a plurality of labels that is coupled to the release
liner and
overlies at least a portion of the weakened separation line. Each of the
plurality of
labels has a surface, and at least one of the plurality of labels abuts
another one of
the plurality of labels. The release liner is configured to be torn along the
weakened
separation line and two notches generally in alignment with the separation
line of the
release liner so that a portion of the release liner is decoupled from the
surface of
each of the plurality of labels while another portion of the release liner
continues to
be coupled to a majority of the surface of each of the plurality of labels.
The label
sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat surface after the portion
of the
release liner is decoupled from the surface of each of the plurality of labels
without
creating an adhesive bond between at least one of the plurality of labels and
the flat
surface. The facestock material includes a weakened separation line offset
from the
weakened separation line in the release liner.
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[0007j] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
includes a release liner, and a sheet of facestock material that is releasably
coupled
to the release liner. The sheet of facestock material includes a first label
and a
second label that is adjacent to the first label. The first label has a shape
and the
second label has a shape. The sheet of facestock material includes a cut that
defines at least a portion of the first label's shape and a portion of the
second label's
shape and the cut has a width. The first label is separated from the second
label by
only the width of the cut, and a first portion of the release liner that
underlies at least
a part of the first label and a part of the second label is configured to be
decoupled
from the first label and the second label while a second portion of the
release liner is
configured to remain releasably coupled to the first label and the second
label.The
release liner includes a weakened separation line and a notch generally in
alignment
with the separation line of the release liner, and the facestock material
includes a
weakened separation line offset from the weakened separation line in the
release
liner.
[0007k] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
includes a release liner, a first label that is releasably coupled to the
release liner,
and a second label that is releasably coupled to the release liner. The first
label has
a part that includes an edge and its edge is separated from the second label
by a first
distance. The label sheet is configured to be manipulated to decouple the part
of the
first label that includes the first label's edge from the release liner, and
to increase the
first distance of separation between the first label's edge and the second
label as the
part of the first is decoupled from the release liner. The release liner
includes a
weakened separation line that underlies the first label and two notches
generally in
alignment with the separation line of the release liner. The release liner is
configured
to be torn along the weakened separation line in the release liner. The
facestock
material includes a weakened separation line offset from the weakened
separation
line in the release liner. The facestock material is configured to be torn
along the
weakened separation line in the facestock material.
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[00071] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
includes a release liner and a first label that is releasably coupled to the
release liner.
The first label has a shape and a part that includes an edge. The label sheet
further
includes a second label that is releasably coupled to the release liner, and
the
second label has a shape. The label sheet further includes a third label that
is
releasably coupled to the release liner. The third label is adjacent to the
first label
and has a shape and a part that includes an edge. The label sheet further
includes a
fourth label that is releasably coupled to the release liner that is adjacent
to the
second label, and the fourth label has a shape. The first label's edge is
separated
from the second label by a first distance, and the third label's edge is
separated from
the fourth label by a second distance. A first cut separates the first label
from the
third label and defines at least a portion of the first label's shape and at
least a
portion of the third label's shape. A second cut separates the second label
from the
fourth label and defines at least a portion of the second label's shape and at
least a
portion of the fourth label's shape. The label sheet is configured to be
manipulated to
decouple both the part of the first label that includes the first label's edge
and the part
of the third label that includes the third label's edge from the release
liner, and to
increase both the first distance of separation between the first label's edge
and the
second label and the second distance of separation between the third label's
edge
and the fourth label as the part of the first label and the part of the third
label are
decoupled from the release liner. The release liner includes a weakened
separation
line that underlies the first label and the third label and a notch generally
in alignment
with the separation line of the release liner. The release liner is configured
to be torn
along the weakened separation line.
[0007m] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label sheet
assembly includes a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed
through a
desktop printer, and facestock material having a printable surface, a back
surface,
and a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface. The facestock
material is releasably adhered to the release liner. The facestock material
has
formed therein a first label and a second label. The first label has a shape
and a
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surface that is adhered to the release liner, and the second label has a shape
and a
surface that is adhered to the release liner. The first label and the second
label are
adjacent to one another and are separated by a cut in the facestock material,
and the
cut in the facestock material between the first label and the second label
defines at
least a portion of the first label's shape and a portion of the second label's
shape. A
portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from a part of the
first label
and a part of the second label with the majority of both the first label's
surface and
the second label's surface remaining adhered to another portion of the release
liner.
The label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat surface after
the
separation of the portion of the release liner from the part of the first
label without
creating an adhesive bond between the first label and the flat surface. The
release
liner includes a weakened separation line that underlies the first label and
the second
label and a notch generally in alignment with the separation line of the
release liner.
The facestock material includes a weakened separation line offset from the
weakened separation line in the release liner.
[0007n] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed
through a
desktop printer and facestock material having a printable surface, a back
surface,
and a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface. The facestock
material is releasably adhered to the release liner. The label sheet assembly
further
includes a label sheet assembly edge. The facestock material has formed
therein a
first label and a second label, and has further formed therein a matrix
between the
first label and the label sheet assembly edge. The first label is adhered to
the
release liner, and the second label is adhered to the release liner. The first
label and
the second label are adjacent to one another and are separated by a cut in the
facestock material. A portion of the release liner is configured to be
separated from a
part of the first label and a part of the second label so that a portion of
the first label's
surface and a portion of the second label's surface is exposed while the
majority of
both the first label's surface and the second label's surface remains adhered
to
another portion of the release liner. The label sheet assembly is configured
to be
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placed on a flat surface after the separation of the portion of the release
liner from
the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond between the
first label
and the flat surface. The release liner includes a weakened separation line
that
underlies the first label and the second label and a notch generally in
alignment with
the separation line of the release liner. The facestock material includes a
weakened
separation line offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
[0007o] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed
through a
desktop printer, and facestock material having a printable surface, a back
surface,
and a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface. The facestock
material is releasably adhered to the release liner. The facestock material
has
formed therein a first label and a second label. The first label has a surface
that is
adhered to the release liner, and the second label has a surface that is
adhered to
the release liner. The first label is separated from the second label only by
a single
cut in the facestock material. A portion of the release liner is configured to
be
separated from a part of the first label and a part of the second label so
that a portion
of the first label's surface and a portion of the second label's surface is
exposed while
the majority of both the first label's surface and the second label's surface
remains
adhered to another portion of the release liner. The label sheet assembly is
configured to be placed on a flat surface after the separation of the portion
of the
release liner from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive
bond
between the first label and the flat surface. The release liner includes a
weakened
separation line that underlies the first label and the second label. The
facestock
material includes a weakened separation line offset from the weakened
separation
line in the release liner. A notch on the release liner is generally in
alignment with the
separation line of the release liner and the separation line of the facestock.
[0007p] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed
through a
desktop printer, and facestock material having a printable surface, a back
surface,
and a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface. The facestock
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material is releasably adhered to the release liner. The facestock material
has
formed therein a first label and a second label. The first label has a shape
and a
surface that is adhered to the release liner, and the second label has a shape
and a
surface that is adhered to the release liner. The first label and the second
label abut
one another and are separated from one another only by a single cut in the
facestock
material, and the cut in the facestock material between the first label and
the second
label defines at least a portion of the first label's shape and a portion of
the second
label's shape. A portion of the release liner is configured to be separated
from a part
of the first label and a part of the second label so that a portion of the
first label's
surface and a portion of the second label's surface is exposed while the
majority of
both the first label's surface and the second label's surface remains adhered
to
another portion of the release liner. The label sheet assembly is configured
to be
placed on a flat surface after the separation of the portion of the release
liner from
the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond between the
first label
and the flat surface. The release liner includes a weakened separation line
that
underlies the first label and the second label and a notch generally in
alignment with
the separation line of the release liner. The facestock material includes a
weakened
separation line offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
[0007q] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a flexible release liner which is configured to be fed
through a
desktop printer and which includes a weakened separation line and a notch
generally
in alignment with the separation line of the release liner. The assembly
further
includes facestock material having a printable surface, a back surface, and a
pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface. The facestock
material is
releasably adhered to the release liner and includes a weakened separation
line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner. The facestock
material
has formed therein a first label and a second label. The first label has a
shape, an
edge, and a surface, and the first label's surface is adhered to the release
liner. The
second label has a shape, an edge, and a surface, and the second label's
surface is
adhered to the release liner. The first label and the second label are
adjacent to one
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another and separated by a cut in the facestock material. The weakened
separation
line in the release liner underlies the first label, the second label, and the
cut in the
facestock material, and the weakened separation line in the release liner is
offset
from the first label's edge and the second label's edge. The weakened
separation
line in the release liner underlies the first label and the second label less
than one
centimeter from the first label's edge and the second label's edge,
respectively. The
cut in the facestock material between the first label and the second label
defines at
least a portion of the first label's shape and a portion of the second label's
shape.
The label sheet assembly is configured to be torn by a user along the weakened
separation lines in the release liner and the facestock material, and in doing
so,
separate a portion of the release liner from a part of the first label and a
part of the
second label so that a portion of the first label's surface and a portion of
the second
label's surface is exposed while the majority of both the first label's
surface and the
second label's surface remains adhered to another portion of the release
liner. The
label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat surface after the
separation
of the portion of the release liner from the part of the first label without
creating an
adhesive bond between the first label and the flat surface.
[0007r] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a flexible release liner which is configured to be fed
through a
desktop printer and which includes a weakened separation line and a notch
generally
in alignment with the separation line of the release liner. The assembly
further
includes facestock material having a printable surface, a back surface, and a
pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the back surface. The facestock
material is
releasably adhered to the release liner, and includes a weakened separation
line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner. The facestock
material
has formed therein a first label and a second label. The first label has a
shape, an
edge, and a surface, and the first label's surface is adhered to the release
liner. The
second label has a shape, an edge, and a surface, and the second label's
surface is
adhered to the release liner. The first label and the second label are
adjacent to one
another and separated by a cut in the facestock material. The release liner's
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weakened separation line underlies the first label, the second label, and the
cut in the
facestock material, and the release liner's weakened separation line is offset
from the
first label's edge and the second label's edge. The cut in the facestock
material
between the first label and the second label defines at least a portion of the
first
label's shape and a portion of the second label's shape. The facestock
material's
weakened separation line is generally parallel to the release liner's weakened
separation line. The label sheet assembly is configured to be torn by a user
simultaneously along both the release liner's weakened separation line and the
facestock material's weakened separation line so that a portion of the first
label's
surface and a portion of the second label's surface is exposed while the
majority of
both the first label's surface and the second label's surface remains adhered
to the
release liner. The label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface
after the portion of the first label's surface is exposed without creating an
adhesive
bond between the first label and the flat surface.
[0007s] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label sheet
assembly includes a facestock material including a plurality of labels having
a
printable surface and an adhesive back surface, and a flexible release liner
that is
configured to be fed through a desktop printer, coupled to and underlying the
plurality
of labels. Each one of the plurality of labels has an end and a surface area,
and
each one of the plurality of labels abuts at least another one of the
plurality of labels.
A first portion of the release liner is configured to separate from each one
of the
plurality of labels so that after the first portion of the release liner is
separated from
each one of the plurality of labels the end of each one of the plurality of
labels no
longer is coupled to the release liner while a second portion of the release
liner
continues to underlie and be coupled to a majority of the surface area of each
one of
the plurality of labels. The label sheet assembly is configured to be placed
on a flat
surface after the separation of the first portion of the release liner from
each one of
the plurality of labels without creating an adhesive bond between at least one
of the
plurality of labels and the flat surface. The release liner includes a
weakened
separation line that defines a boundary between the first and second portions
of the
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release liner and a notch generally in alignment with the separation line of
the
release liner. The facestock material includes a weakened separation line
offset from
the weakened separation line in the release liner.
[0007t] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a flexible release liner that is configured to be fed
through a
desktop printer, and a facestock material including a plurality of labels
having a
printable surface and an adhesive back surface that is coupled to the release
liner.
Each one of the plurality of labels has an end and a surface, and each one of
the
plurality of labels abuts another one of the plurality of labels. A first
portion of the
release liner is configured to separate from each one of the plurality of
labels so that
after the first portion of the release liner is separated from each one of the
plurality of
labels the end of each one of the plurality of labels no longer is coupled to
the
release liner and a second portion of the release liner continues to be
coupled to a
majority of the surface of each one of the plurality of labels. The label
sheet
assembly is configured to be placed on a flat surface after the separation of
the first
portion of the release liner from each one of the plurality of labels without
creating an
adhesive bond between at least one of the plurality of labels and the flat
surface.
The release liner includes a weakened separation line that defines a boundary
between the first and second portions of the release liner and a notch
generally in
alignment with the separation line of the release liner. The facestock
material
includes a weakened separation line offset from the weakened separation line
in the
release liner.
[0007u] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a flexible release liner which is configured to be fed
through a
desktop printer and which has a weakened separation line and a notch generally
in
alignment with the separation line of the release liner. The assembly further
includes
a facestock material including a plurality of labels having a printable
surface and an
adhesive back surface that is coupled to the release liner and overlies at
least a
portion of the weakened separation line in the release liner. Each of the
plurality of
labels has a surface, and at least one of the plurality of labels abuts
another one of
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the plurality of labels. The release liner is configured to be torn along the
weakened
separation line in the release liner so that a portion of the release liner is
decoupled
from the surface of each of the plurality of labels while another portion of
the release
liner continues to be coupled to a majority of the surface of each of the
plurality of
labels. The label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat surface
after the
portion of the release liner is decoupled from the surface of each of the
plurality of
labels without creating an adhesive bond between at least one of the plurality
of
labels and the flat surface. The facestock material includes a weakened
separation
line offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
[0007v] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label sheet
assembly includes a release liner, and facestock material that is releasably
adhered
to the release liner. The facestock material has formed therein a first label
and a
second label. The first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release
liner, and the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release
liner. The first label and the second label are adjacent to one another and
are
separated by a cut in the facestock material, and the cut in the facestock
material
between the first label and the second label defines at least a portion of the
first
label's shape and a portion of the second label's shape. The release liner
includes a
weakened separation line that underlies the first label and the second label
and a
notch generally in alignment with the separation line of the release liner.
The label
sheet assembly is configured to be torn by a user along the weakened
separation
line in the release liner, and in doing so, remove both a portion of the
release liner
and a portion of the facestock material, leaving a portion of the first
label's surface
exposed and a portion of the second label's surface exposed, with the majority
of
both the first label's surface and the second label's surface remaining
adhered to
another portion of the release liner. The label sheet assembly is configured
to be
placed on a flat surface after the separation of the portion of the release
liner from
the part of the first label without creating an adhesive bond between the
first label
and the flat surface. The facestock material includes a weakened separation
line
offset from the weakened separation line in the release liner.
4N

CA 02512250 2013-09-20
[0007w] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a release liner, and facestock material that is releasably
adhered
to the release liner. The facestock material has formed therein a first label
and a
second label. The first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release
liner, and the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release
liner. The first label and the second label are adjacent to one another and
are
separated by a cut in the facestock material, and the cut in the facestock
material
between the first label and the second label defines at least a portion of the
first
label's shape and a portion of the second label's shape. The release liner
includes a
weakened separation line that underlies the first label and the second label
and a
notch generally in alignment with the separation line of the release liner.
The release
liner has an edge, and the weakened separation line includes a tie at the
release
liner edge. A portion of the release liner is configured to be separated from
a part of
the first label and a part of the second label, with the majority of both the
first label's
surface and the second label's surface remaining adhered to another portion of
the
release liner. The label sheet assembly is configured to be placed on a flat
surface
after the separation of the portion of the release liner from the part of the
first label
without creating an adhesive bond between the first label and the flat
surface. The
facestock material includes a weakened separation line offset from the
weakened
separation line in the release liner.
[0007x] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a release liner, and facestock material that is releasably
adhered
to the release liner. The facestock material has formed therein a first label
and a
second label. The first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release
liner, and the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release
liner. The first label and the second label are adjacent to one another and
are
separated by a cut in the facestock material, and the cut in the facestock
material
between the first label and the second label defines at least a portion of the
first
label's shape and a portion of the second label's shape. The facestock
material
includes a weakened separation line, and the release liner includes a weakened

CA 02512250 2013-09-20
separation line that underlies the first label and the second label and a
notch
generally in alignment with the separation line of the release liner and is
offset from
the weakened separation line in the facestock material. A portion of the
release liner
is configured to be separated from a part of the first label and a part of the
second
label, with the majority of both the first label's surface and the second
label's surface
remaining adhered to another portion of the release liner. The label sheet
assembly
is configured to be placed on a flat surface after the separation of the
portion of the
release liner from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive
bond
between the first label and the flat surface.
[0007y] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label sheet
assembly includes a release liner, and facestock material that is releasably
adhered
to the release liner. The facestock material has formed therein a first label
and a
second label. The first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release
liner, and the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release
liner. The first label and the second label are adjacent to one another and
are
separated by a cut in the facestock material, and the cut in the facestock
material
between the first label and the second label defines at least a portion of the
first
label's shape and a portion of the second label's shape. The release liner
includes a
weakened separation line that underlies the first label and the second label
and a
notch generally in alignment with the separation line of the release liner,
and the
weakened separation line includes at least one tie that underlies the first
label and at
least another tie that underlies the second label. A portion of the release
liner is
configured to be separated from a part of the first label and a part of the
second
label, with the majority of both the first label's surface and the second
label's surface
remaining adhered to another portion of the release liner. The label sheet
assembly
is configured to be placed on a flat surface after the separation of the
portion of the
release liner from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive
bond
between the first label and the flat surface. The facestock material includes
a
weakened separation line offset from the weakened separation line in the
release
liner.
4P

CA 02512250 2013-09-20
[0007z] In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a label
sheet
assembly includes a release liner, and facestock material that is releasably
adhered
to the release liner. The facestock material has formed therein a first label
and a
second label. The first label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release
liner, and the second label has a shape and a surface that is adhered to the
release
liner. The first label and the second label are adjacent to one another and
are
separated by a cut in the facestock material, and the cut in the facestock
material
between the first label and the second label defines at least a portion of the
first
label's shape and a portion of the second label's shape. The release liner
includes a
weakened separation line that underlies the first label and the second label
and a
notch generally in alignment with the separation line of the release liner.
The release
liner further includes a notch adjacent to and aligned with the weakened
separation
line. The notch is configured to facilitate tearing by a user of the liner
sheet along the
weakened separation line. A portion of the release liner is configured to be
separated from a part of the first label and a part of the second label, with
the
majority of both the first label's surface and the second label's surface
remaining
adhered to another portion of the release liner. The label sheet assembly is
configured to be placed on a flat surface after the separation of the portion
of the
release liner from the part of the first label without creating an adhesive
bond
between the first label and the flat surface. The facestock material includes
a
weakened separation line offset from the weakened separation line in the
release
liner.
[0008] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be further described below
with
reference to the drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the label sheet according to a first
embodiment of the
present invention.
4Q

CA 02512250 2013-09-20
[0010] FIG. 2 is a close up of the lower right hand corner of the label sheet
of FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows the back side of the portion of the label sheet shown in
FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a first method of using the label sheet of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows the label sheet of FIG. 4 after strip 26 has been
completely
removed.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows a second method of using the label sheet of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 7 shows a label sheet according to a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention without notches
at the
edges of the assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows label sheet assembly 10 in which the labels can be easily
peeled according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The label
assembly
10 is preferably of an overall standard size such as 8-1/2 inches by 11
inches, or A4
(approximately 21 cm x 29.7 cm), or 4 inches by 6 inches, or other size
compatible
with standard printers used with personal computers. Assembly 10 includes a
release liner sheet or simply release liner 16 with a sheet of facestock
material
releasably adhered thereto via a pressure sensitive adhesive. The release
liner 16 is
coated with a thin layer of release material such as silicone, or is otherwise
constructed or treated such that the labels can be easily removed therefrom.
The
sheet of facestock material
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WO 2004/078468 PCT/US2003/005996
comprises a generally rectangular sheet of paper or film facestock with a
plurality of
labels 12 formed therein such as by die cutting. The section of the facestock
sheet not
used for labels constitutes the border or matrix 14. In the figure the
facestock sheet is
shown smaller than the release liner 16, although it is not necessary that the
facestock
sheet be smaller than the release liner. Additionally, although the assembly
10 is
shown with a matrix, it is not necessary for the invention that the label
assembly 10
includes a matrix 14 surrounding and/or between labels 12.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a close up of the lower right hand corner of the label
assembly 10
of FIG. 1. The matrix 14 has a weakened separation line 20 formed therein near
one
edge of the column of labels, Matrix separation line 20 includes a plurality
of cuts 22
and a plurality of small ties 24. The liner includes a weakened -separation
line 30 which
is shown in phantom in FIG. 2. This weakened separation line or liner
separation line
30 runs generally from on edge of the assembly 10 to an . pposite edge of the
assembly 10 and runs preferably linearly beneath labels 12 along a column of
la. -Is,
= near an edge of th labels. Preferably liner separafi= n line 30 runs less
than = n-
centimeter from the sdgr of the labels, and nwe preferably approximately 0.6
centimeters (approximately % inch) from the edge of the labels. Liner
separation line 30
is shown running vertically underneath a column of labels; h 'waver, the
assembly can
alternatively be constructed such that the esperaon lhrie run horizontally
beneath a
w of labels. Liner 16 els.. = pti= nay includes a notch 16' generally in
alignment with
the liner separation lin= 30 and the cuts arid ties 22/24 in matrix 14. As
shown in FIG.
1, a similar structure of weakened separation lines and notches is created at
the top
right hand corner of the assembly. Additionally, assembly 10 includes two
other sets of
weakened separation lines and notches, one set for each column of labels with
the
weakened separation lines running underneath the column of labels at
approximately
0.6 centimeters from one edge thereof. If the assembly 10 had been laid out to
include
a different number of columns of labels, e.g. two columns, four columns, five
columns,
etc., the assembly would include a corresponding number of sets of separation
lines
and notches. Arrows printed on the facestock material instruct or encourage
the user to
begin tearing the assembly at notches 18. Alternatively, other instructional
indicia or
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written instructions, such as the words "Tear Here" or the like, could be
printed on the
assembly.
10019] The distance between liner separation line 30 and the cuts and ties
22/24 in the
matrix which form matrix separation line 20 is exaggerated in the figures for
illustration;
purposes. The separation lines in the liner and in the matrix are preferably
placed close
enough together such that, after assembly 10 has been printed on by a printer,
a user
can tear off the strip 26 of liner and matrix as illustrated in FIG. 4 in a
single fluid motion
without any further physical preparation of assembly 10 being required between
the
printing and the tearing steps. At the same time, the separation lines are
slightly
separated so that the portion of the matrix overlying liner separation line 30
helps to
keep liner 16 from prematurely tearing, and the portion of the liner
underneath matrix
separation line 20 helps to keep the matrix from prematurely tearing. Another
reason
for offsetting the two separation lines has to do with the manufacturing
process. If the,
separation line in the facesto& were to b- die cut directly .ver the
separation line in the
liner, the die pressing into the tocestack would have a tendency to.def rm the
facestock
material rather than cut cleanly into it because there v,f.uld be insufficient
liner strength
to support the dies cutting into the facestock. Therefore, the two separation
lines are
preferably offset by enough distance such that normal manufacturing tolerances
are
unlifely to produce a cut-an-cut situation. Preferably, mairin separation line
20 is offset
the liner separation line 30 by less than 5 mm; more preferably, the two are
separated
by less than 2 mm; more preferably still, the two are separated by less than 9
mm. It
has been found that an offset distance of approxim -tely 0.5 mm produces good
results
for typical sheets of paper labels. However, the exact separation distance is
not critical.
Furthermore, the preferred separation distance can vary depending upon the
thickness
and strength of the liner and matrix, the strength of the pressure sensitive
adhesive and
the effectiveness of the release liner, the overall size of the assembly, and
other factors.
100201 FIG. 3 shows the back side of the lower right hand corner of the label
assembly
illustrated in FIG. 2. Liner separation line 30 is illustrated in greater
detail. It
includes a plurality of cuts 32, and plurality of ties 36 and 38. In the
embodiment shown
two small ties 36 lie underneath the matrix, and one small tie 38 lies,
underneath each
6
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label 12. The particular locations of the ties are not critical. Additionally,
release liner
16 includes a large tie 31 near notch 18 or, if no notch is present, near the
edge of
release liner 16.
(0021] Both the matrix separation line 20 and the liner separation line 30 run
parallel to
the edge of a column of labels and disposed about 0.6 centimeters from the
edge of the
column. The exact distance is not critical. Preferably, however, the
separation lines are
offset from the edge of the column of labels far enough so that when strip 26
is removed
labels 12 can be easily grasped and removed by the user. At the same time, the
separation lines are close enough to the edge of the labels such that when
strip 26 is
removed a narrow enough edge of the labels is exposed so that when the label
sheet is
placed onto a table or similar surface, the exposed edge of the unremoved
labels 12 do
not easily and inadvertently stick to the table.
/00221 The purpose of these structures will now be described with reference to
KG&
3, 4 and Z. Fie. 4 shows .ne method sf using the label sheet assembly of RIG.
1. For
purposes of this discussion, It will be assumed that the upper right had
corner 4 label
assembly 10 has a structure that is the mirror image of the structure shown in
FIG. 2,
with corresponding parts having the same reference designators. The user
grasps one
corner of label assembly 10 at appronimately position 27 with one thumb and
forefinger,
and with the other thumb and f refinger grasps the narrow strip 23 o' release
liner and
matriK so as to focus the shear f=rces at notch 16 and large tie 31, end
begins tearing
strip 26 away from the rest of the sheet. After large tie 31 is broken, the
tearing away of
matrix liner strip 26 progresses relatively easily through small ties 36 and
38 within
release liner 16, and through small ties 24 within matrix 14, until strip 26
is completely
torn off. This leaves the label assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 5, i.e., with one
column of
labels 12 mostly attached to the release liner 16 but having a relatively
narrow strip of
the labels with the underlying liner portion removed. The user can then easily
peel off
the individual labels 12 by hand one-by-one as desired without having to bend
and
.
manipulate the assembly 10 each time the user wishes to remove the next label.
10023] FIG. 6 shows a second method of using label sheet assembly 10 of FIG.
1.
The assembly includes three sets of vertical separation lines, one set of
separation lines
7
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

CA 02512250 2012-11-26
associated with each column of labels. The separation lines divide the
assembly into
three individual portions 40, 50 and 60 which may be individually separated
from each
other. As shown in FIG. 6, the upper left-hand corner of the label sheet
assembly
includes a first label and a third label below the first label on section 40,
and the upper
end of section 50 includes a second label and a fourth label below the second
label. In
FIG. 6, the left hand portion 40 has been separated from the center portion 50
and right
hand portion 60. The labels within left hand portion 40 are now ready to be
easily
peeled one by one from the liner and applied to envelopes or other substrate.
Sections
50 and 60 do not have any portions of the labels with their adhesive sides
exposed.
Thus, portions 50 and 60 can be handled and/or stored for later use without
any
degradation of the adhesive on the backs of those labels. Remaining portion
50/60
could even be fed through a printer for later printing. For example, if only
ten or fewer
labels needed to be printed and used, the user could run assembly 10 through
the
printer and print only on labels within the column of labels in section 40.
The user would
then separate section 40 and use the labels within that section. Remaining
sections
50/60 would be stored for later use. When additional labels are ready to be
printed, the
label assembly could be fed through the printer beginning with the right hand
edge of
section 60. Alternatively, the software could be instructed to shift the
printing of labels
over to the right slightly from the normal position, such, that section 50/60
could be fed
through the printer beginning with the left hand side of section 50. The
software could
be commanded to make such an adjustment by a selectable software switch or
option.
Using this latter method, a first column of labels 40 could be printed, torn
off, and used;
at a later time a second column of labels 50 could be printed, torn off, and
used; and at
a later time still a third column of labels 60 could be printed and used.
[0024] Of course, the labels on the label sheet need not be generally
rectangular
in shape and butting against each other as in the first embodiment shown in
FIG. 1. The
labels could be virtually any shape and could be completely separated from
each other
by matrix therebetween or by bare liner. FIG. 7 shows one such possibility in
which the
labels are round and slightly separated one from another.
[0025] The size of the cuts and the size of the ties are chosen so that
the
assembly is strong enough to be fed through a printer such as a laser printer
or an ink
8

CA 02512250 2012-11-26
=
=
jet printer, but weak enough so that the user can tear off the release liner
strip along the
separation line in an easy and fluid motion without any other mechanical
preparation of
the label
8A

CA 02512250 2005-06-30
WO 2004/078468 PCT/US2003/005996
sheet between the printing and the tearing steps. The ratio of cut length to
overall
separation line length is greater than 95% to ensure ease of separation. It
has been
found that an average tensile strength of the facestock and liner along the
separation
lines of 6 gm/cm produces good results, and it is expected that values of
about 4 gm/cm
to 10 gm/cm would also produce good results, and that value of about 2 gm/cm
to 16
gm/cm would also be acceptable.
10026] FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment similar to the embodiment shown in FIG.
1,
except that the label assembly does not include notches.
pm As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the facestock material is slightly smaller than
thec
liner 16 such that matrix 14 does not extend to the edge of the label
assembly. If the
facestock were to extend to the edge of the label sheet, it would be desirable
to form
notch 18 in both matrix 1.4 and liner 16.
[09251 In yet another possible embodiment, the label assembly would not even
include
a matrix bordering the labels. In FtIS. 1, for example, matrix 14 could be
entirely
stripped from the label sheet before the product is sold. Alternatively, the
=ntire sheet of
facestock material could be die cut such that the entirety of the facestock
material
formed labels. The facestock material could either take up the same amount of
facestock arse shown i a significantly smaller area. Revudissz of how
the
facestoc:z material were constructed, shaped. and cut. a label sheet without a
matrix
could still employ the present invention so that a narrow strip of liner
material could be
easily removed in a fluid motion from a number of labels at a single time,
thus exposing
a minor portion of those labels so that they could thereafter be easily
removed from the
remaining portion of the liner.
[0029] In a still further embodiment, the label sheet could be symmetrical.
For
example, a label sheet could include two columns of labels. For the right hand
column
of labels, separation lines would be offset slightly from the right hand edge
of that right
hand column of labels, and for the left hand column of labels, separation
lines would be
offset slightly from that left hand edge of the left hand column of labels.
9
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(00301 Additionally, it will be understood that the present invention can be
used with
various types and media of labels such as metallic foil, clear plastic, MAAR ,
and
other well known materials. The labels could be colored or clear, and could
contain pre-
printed indicia such as text, two dimensional graphic or photographic images,
or
holographic images. The invention could be used with a variety of printing
devices
including but not limited to printers for use With a personal computer.
100311 The present invention is well suited for applications in which the
labels will be
individually removed by hand. However, the invention is not limited to hand
use. The
invention could be used with automated machinery for tearing strip 26 away and
thereafter placing labels 12 on a substrate. The invention could also be used
in
applications in which a plurality of labels are to be positioned over one or
more
substrate objects and applied thereto as a group in the same relative
positions on which
those labels are found .n label assembly 10.
Naval It will be appreciated that the ten present invention" as used herein
shoild
not be construed to mean that inly a single inventlin having a einel=
essential element
or graup of el- mania is presented. Although the present invention has thus
been
described in detail with regard to the preferred embodiments and drawings
thereof, it
should be apparent to th tee skilled in the art that various adaptations end
modificationz
of ths present inventi 6,n may be accomplished without departing from the
spirit and the
scope of the invention. For example, different sizes of labst assemblies c.uld
be used,
either with or without matrices. The labels could be of various shapes and
sizes, and
need not all be of the same shape or size. The pressure sensitive adhesive
could be
weak or strong. The term standard size will be understood to mean
approximately
standard size, and "8-1/2 in. x 11 in." and A-4" and the like will be
understood to mean
approximately those sizes. The weakened separation lines could be formed ley
various
known methods. The weakened separation lines are generally linear and
parallel, but
need not be strictly linear or strictly parallel. Accordingly, it is to be
understood that the
detailed description and the accompanying drawings as set forth hereinabove
are not
intended to limit the breadth of the present invention, which should be
inferred only from
the following claims and their appropriately construed legal equivalents.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Representative Drawing