Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LINERLESS MULTI-PART LABEL SYSTEMS
BACKGROUND
[0001] Labels are commonly used to secure printed indicia to packages to
indicate
shipping or other information. In the instance of a shipping use, a separate
packing list may be
enclosed within a package shipped to the customer containing a purchased item.
[0002] There is significant demand for a labeling method that allows automatic
printing
and application of a lower label and an upper label to a surface. For example,
there is significant
demand for a labeling method that allows automatic printing and application of
a packing list and
shipping label to the surface of a sealed carton. Because the carton is sealed
prior to packing list
generation, it is not efficient to open it to insert a packing list. High
volume shipping of such
packages requires rapid attachment of a packing list and a shipping label to
the package. It is
preferred to conceal the information of the packing list until the final
recipient receives the
shipped package.
[0003] Complicated methods have been implemented for application of a lower
label
and an upper label to a surface, For example, where a packing list and
shipping label are to be
applied to the surface of a sealed carton, complicated methods have been
implemented in which
a packing list is applied and adhered as a pattern adhesive label atop a
carton, using a first roll of
labels (packing list labels) and a first label applicator. After the packing
list label is applied, an
address label is applied and adhered atop the packing list label, to conceal
the packing list
information, using a second roll of labels (address labels) and a second label
applicator. Such
methods have many shortcomings. For example, precise timing between the
packing list
application and the shipping label application is required to properly align
the two labels, and to
avoid mismatches between the packing list and the shipping label (e.g., where
the packing list
contains information about goods to be shipped to a first customer and the
shipping label
contains the address of a different customer. In addition, because two
printers and two label
applicators, along with related hardware and software, are required to apply a
packing list and
shipping label in sequence, such methods require significant floor space and
investment.
[0004] For the foregoing reasons, it is desired to provide labeling methods
that allows
automatic printing and application of a lower label and an upper label to a
surface while avoiding
the many shortcomings of existing labeling methods. For the foregoing reasons,
it is desired to
provide labeling methods that allows automatic printing and application of a
packing list label
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and shipping label to the surface of a sealed carton while avoiding the many
shortcomings of
existing labeling methods.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present disclosure includes disclosure of at least one system of
labels for
automatic application to a surface. In at least one embodiment, a label system
according to the
present disclosure comprises a carrier material, an upper label, and a lower
label. An upper label
of at least one such embodiment comprises a top surface and an opposing
undersurface, the top
surface and the undersurface having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and
the undersurface in
contact with the carrier material. A lower label of at least one such
embodiment comprises a top
side and an opposing underside, the top side and the underside having a
leading margin and a
trailing margin, and the underside being in contact with the carrier material.
According to at
least one such embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper label and the
lower label are in
contact with the carrier material in adjacent positions with the trailing edge
adjacent to the
leading margin, and the upper label and the lower label are configured for
dispensing
sequentially from the carrier material onto a label applicator apparatus such
that when the upper
label and the lower label are dispensed onto the label applicator apparatus
the lower label is
positioned against the undersurface of the upper label prior to attachment of
the upper label and
the lower label to an article.
[0006] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an
upper label
comprises a removable segment and a lower label comprises a removable region,
and when the
upper label and the lower label are dispensed onto a label applicator
apparatus, the removable
segment and the removable region are in registration.
[0007] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an
undersurface comprises a zone with reduced adhesive properties and an
underside comprises an
area with reduced adhesive properties, and when an upper label and a lower
label are dispensed
onto a label applicator apparatus the zone with reduced adhesive properties
and the area with
reduced adhesive properties are in registration.
[0008] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
zone with
reduced adhesive properties comprises an adhesive layer covered with an
adhesive deadening
agent.
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[0009] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
area with
reduced adhesive properties comprises an adhesive layer covered with an
adhesive deadening
agent.
[0010] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an
upper label
comprises one or more holes therethrough, and when the upper label and a lower
label are
dispensed onto a label applicator apparatus, the lower label is held in
position against the
undersurface of the upper label by a vacuum force generated by the label
applicator apparatus,
the vacuum force acting through the one or more holes.
[0011] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, all
of the
underside comprises reduced adhesive properties.
[0012] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, all
of the
underside comprises an adhesive layer covered with an adhesive deadening
agent.
[0013] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
undersurface comprises pressure sensitive adhesive that removably adheres the
undersurface to
the carrier material.
[0014] In at least one embodiment, a label system according to the present
disclosure
comprises a carrier material, an upper label, and a lower label. An upper
label of at least one
such embodiment is removably adhered to the carrier material, and comprises a
top surface, an
undersurface, and a removable segment. An upper label of at least one such
embodiment is
bounded by a leading edge, a trailing edge, and first and second side edges.
The undersurface of
an upper label of at least one such embodiment comprises adhesive on at least
a portion thereof
and such an upper label is removably adhered to the carrier material by the
adhesive. A lower
label of at least one such embodiment is removably adhered to the carrier
material in a position
on the carrier material adjacent to the upper label and comprises a top side
and an opposing
underside. A lower label of at least one such embodiment is bounded by a
leading margin, a
trailing margin, and a first and second side margins. According to at least
one such embodiment
of the present disclosure, the upper label and the lower label are configured
for dispensing
sequentially from the carrier material onto a label applicator apparatus, such
that when the upper
label and the lower label are dispensed onto the label applicator apparatus
the top surface is
positioned against the label applicator apparatus, the top side of lower label
is positioned against
the undersurface of the upper label, and the underside is exposed.
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[0015] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
top side of
an upper label comprises a first surface area circumscribed by the leading
margin, the trailing
margin, and the first and second side margins, and the top surface of a lower
label comprises a
second surface area circumscribed by the leading edge, the trailing edge, and
the first and second
side edges, and the second surface area is not larger than the first surface
area.
[0016] In at least one embodiment, a label system according to the present
disclosure
comprises a carrier material, a removable upper label on the carrier material,
and a removable
lower sheet on the carrier material in a position on the carrier material
adjacent to the upper
label. An upper label of at least one such embodiment comprises a top surface
and an opposing
undersurface, the undersurface facing the carrier material. A lower sheet of
at least one such
embodiment comprises a top side and an opposing underside, the underside
facing the carrier
material. According to at least one such embodiment of the present disclosure,
wherein the
upper label and the lower sheet are configured for dispensing sequentially
from the carrier
material onto a label applicator apparatus such that the top side of the lower
sheet is positioned
against the undersurface when the upper label and the lower sheet are
dispensed onto the label
applicator apparatus.
[0017] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an
upper label
comprises a removable segment, and a lower sheet comprises a removable region,
and when the
lower sheet is dispensed onto the label applicator apparatus, the removable
segment and the
removable region are in registration.
[0018] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
undersurface of an upper label comprises a zone with reduced adhesive
properties, and the
underside of a lower sheet comprises an area with reduced adhesive properties,
and when the
lower sheet is dispensed onto the label applicator apparatus, the zone with
reduced adhesive
properties and the area with reduced adhesive properties are in registration.
[0019] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
zone with
reduced adhesive properties comprises an adhesive layer covered with an
adhesive deadening
agent.
[0020] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
area with
reduced adhesive properties comprises an adhesive layer covered with an
adhesive deadening
agent.
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[0021] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an
upper label
comprises one or more holes therethrough, and a lower sheet is held in
position against the
undersurface of the upper label by the vacuum force generated by a label
applicator apparatus,
the vacuum force acting through the one or more holes.
[0022] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a
lower sheet
is held in position against the undersurface of the upper label by a vacuum
force generated by a
label applicator apparatus.
[0023] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, all
of the
underside of a lower sheet comprises reduced adhesive properties.
[0024] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, all
of the
underside of a lower sheet comprises an adhesive layer covered with an
adhesive deadening
agent.
[0025] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
undersurface of an upper label comprises adhesive, and when a lower sheet is
dispensed onto the
label applicator apparatus the adhesive on the undersurface adhesively
interacts with the top side
of the lower sheet.
[0026] In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure includes disclosure
of a
method of assembling a multi-layer label comprising the steps of providing a
label dispensing
apparatus, the label dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing mechanism
and a receptacle;
providing a carrier material to the label dispensing apparatus, the carrier
material comprising a
first label thereon and a second label thereon in a position on the carrier
material adjacent to the
first label, wherein the first label and the second label are removably
adhered to the carrier
material in a non-overlapping arrangement, the first label comprising a top
side and an opposing
underside, the underside facing the carrier material, the second label
comprising a top surface
and an opposing undersurface, the undersurface facing the carrier material;
with the label
dispensing apparatus, dispensing the first label from the carrier material
onto the receptacle,
whereby the underside of the first label is against the receptacle and the top
side of the first label
is exposed; while the first label is on the receptacle, with the label
dispensing apparatus,
dispensing the second label from the carrier material, wherein the second
label alights on the first
label such that the second label is layered over and aligned with the first
label with the
undersurface of the second label in contact with the top side of the first
label.
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[0027] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
second
label comprises a displaceable segment, and the first label comprises a
removable region, and
after the second label is dispensed onto the receptacle, the displaceable
segment and the
removable region are in registration.
[0028] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
undersurface comprises a zone with reduced adhesive properties, and the
underside comprises an
area with reduced adhesive properties, and after the second label is dispensed
onto the receptacle,
the zone with reduced adhesive properties and the area with reduced adhesive
properties are in
registration.
[0029] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
undersurface comprises exposed adhesive.
[0030] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
second
label comprises a removable segment.
[0031] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
second
label comprises one or more holes therethrough.
[0032] In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure includes disclosure
of a
method of applying a first label and a second label to a surface, the method
comprising the steps
of providing a label dispensing apparatus, the label dispensing apparatus
comprising a dispensing
mechanism and a receptacle; providing a carrier material to the label
dispensing apparatus, the
carrier material comprising a first label removably adhered thereto and a
second label removably
adhered thereto in a position on the carrier material adjacent to the first
label, the first label
comprising a top side, and an underside, the first label being bounded by a
leading edge, a
trailing edge, and first and second side edges, the underside comprising
adhesive on at least a
portion thereof, the underside removably adhered to the carrier material by
the adhesive, the
second label comprising a top side and an opposing undersurface, the second
label being
bounded by a leading margin, a trailing margin, and first and second side
margins; dispensing the
first label onto a receptacle, whereby the underside of the first label is
adjacent to the receptacle
and the top side is exposed; advancing the second label with label dispensing
apparatus; while
the first label is on the receptacle, dispensing the second label onto the
receptacle, wherein the
second label alights on the first label such that the second label is layered
over and aligned with
the first label with the undersurface of the second label in contact with the
top side of the first
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label; and applying the second label and the first label to a surface
simultaneously, whereby after
application the underside of the first label is in contact with the surface
and the undersurface of
the second label is in contact with the top side of the first label and
adhered to the surface.
[0033] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
second
label comprises a displaceable segment, and wherein the first label comprises
a removable
region, and wherein after the second label is dispensed onto the receptacle,
the displaceable
segment and the removable region are in registration.
[0034] In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure includes disclosure
of a
method of applying a first label and a second label to a container, the method
comprising the
steps of providing a carrier material, the carrier material comprising a first
label removably
adhered thereto and a second label removably adhered thereto in a position on
the carrier
adjacent to the first label, the carrier material comprising a release coating
on a surface thereof,
the first label comprising a top side and an opposing underside, the top side
and the underside
being bounded by a leading margin, a trailing margin, and first and second
side margins, the top
side comprising a first surface area, the underside comprising adhesive on at
least a portion
thereof, the underside removably adhered to the release coating by the
adhesive, the second label
comprising a top surface, and an undersurface, the top surface and the
undersurface being
bounded by a leading edge, a trailing edge, and first and second side edges,
the top surface
comprising a second surface area, the second surface area being at least as
large as the first
surface area, the undersurface comprising adhesive on at least a portion
thereof, the undersurface
removably adhered to the release coating by the adhesive; dispensing the
second label onto a
receptacle, whereby the undersurface of the first label is against the
receptacle and the top
surface is exposed; advancing the second label toward the receptacle; while
the first label is
against the receptacle, dispensing the second label onto the receptacle,
wherein the second label
alights on the first label such that the second label is layered over and
aligned with the first label
with the undersurface of the second label in contact with the top side of the
first label; and
applying the second label and the first label to a surface simultaneously,
whereby after
application the underside of the first label is adhered to the surface and the
undersurface of the
second label is adhered to the surface.
[0035] In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure includes disclosure
of a
method of assembling a multi-layer label, the method comprising the steps of
providing a label
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dispensing apparatus, the label dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing
mechanism and a
receptacle; providing a roll of linerless labels to the label dispensing
apparatus, the roll of
linerless labels being separable into at least a first label and a second
label, the first label
comprising a top side and an opposing underside, the second label comprising a
top surface and
an opposing undersurface; with the label dispensing apparatus, dispensing the
first label from the
roll of linerless labels onto the receptacle, whereby the underside of the
first label is against the
receptacle and the top side of the first label is exposed; while the first
label is on the receptacle,
with the label dispensing apparatus, dispensing the second label from the roll
of linerless labels,
wherein the second label alights on the first label such that the second label
is layered over and
aligned with the first label with the undersurface of the second label in
contact with the top side
of the first label.
[0036] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
first label
comprises a first label removable region and the second label comprises a
second label
removable region, and wherein after the second label is dispensed onto the
receptacle, the second
label removable region and the first label removable region are in
registration.
[0037] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
undersurface of the second label comprises an adhesive-free zone, and wherein
the underside of
the first label comprises an adhesive-free area, and wherein after the second
label is dispensed
onto the receptacle, the adhesive-free zone and the adhesive-free area are in
registration.
[0038] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
first label
comprises a first label removable region that includes the adhesive-free area
and the second label
comprises a second label removable region that includes the adhesive-free
zone, and wherein
after the second label is dispensed onto the receptacle, the second label
removable region and the
first label removable region are in registration.
[0039] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, at
least a
portion of the underside for the first label comprises adhesive. In an aspect
of at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the undersurface
of the second label
comprises adhesive.
[0040] In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
first label
comprises a first label leading edge and the second label comprises a second
label leading edge,
and wherein after the second label is dispensed onto the receptacle, the first
label leading edge
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and the second label leading edge are in alignment. In an aspect of at least
one embodiment of
the present disclosure, the first label comprises a first label trailing edge
and the second label
comprises a second label trailing edge, and wherein after the second label is
dispensed onto the
receptacle, the first label trailing edge and the second label trailing edge
are in alignment. In an
aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first label
comprises opposing
first label side edges and the second label comprises opposing second label
side edges, and
wherein after the second label is dispensed onto the receptacle, the first
label side edges and the
second side edges are in alignment.
[0041] In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure includes disclosure
of a
method of assembling a multi-layer label, the method comprising the steps of
providing a roll of
linerless labels, the roll of linerless labels being separable into at least a
first label and a second
label, the first label comprising a top side and an opposing adhesive-bearing
underside, the
second label comprising a top surface and an opposing adhesive-bearing
undersurface;
dispensing the second label onto a label applicator apparatus, whereby the top
surface of the
second label is held in position against the label applicator apparatus and
the undersurface is
exposed; while the second label is held in position against the label
applicator apparatus,
dispensing the first label onto the label applicator apparatus, whereby the
top side of the first
label is held in position against the undersurface of the second label. In an
aspect of at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further comprises the step of
applying the
second label and the first label to a surface simultaneously using the label
applicator apparatus,
whereby after application the underside of the first label is in contact with
the surface and the
undersurface of the second label is in contact with the top side of the first
label.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] The features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of
attaining
them, will be more apparent and better understood by reference to the
following descriptions of
the disclosed methods and systems, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings,
wherein:
[0043] Figure 1 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
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[0044] Figure 2 shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an upper
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0045] Figure 3A shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0046] Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0047] Figures 4A-B show side views of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0048] Figure 5 shows the underside of a label applicator after an upper label
and a
lower label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure
have been dispensed
thereon.
[0049] Figure 6 shows a side view of the application of an upper label and a
lower label
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure to a surface of
a container.
[0050] Figure 7 shows an upper label and a lower label according to at least
one
embodiment of the present disclosure adhered to a surface of a container.
[0051] Figures 8A-B show an embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0052] Figure 9A shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0053] Figure 9B shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0054] Figure 10A shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an
upper label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0055] Figure 10B shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an
upper label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0056] Figure 1 1A shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and
lower label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0057] Figure 11B shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0058] Figures 12A-B show side views of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
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[0059] Figure 13 shows the underside of a label applicator after an upper
label and a
lower label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure
have been dispensed
thereon.
[0060] Figure 14 shows a side view of the application of an upper label and a
lower
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure to a
surface of a container.
[0061] Figure 15 shows an upper label and a lower label according to at least
one
embodiment of the present disclosure adhered to a surface of a container.
[0062] Figures 16A-B show a multi-part upper and lower label system according
to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0063] Figure 17 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0064] Figure 18 shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an upper
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0065] Figure 19A shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0066] Figure 19B shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0067] Figure 20 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0068] Figure 21 shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an upper
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0069] Figure 22A shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0070] Figure 22B shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0071] Figure 23 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0072] Figure 24 shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an upper
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0073] Figure 25A shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
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[0074] Figure 25B shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0075] Figure 26 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0076] Figure 27 shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an upper
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0077] Figure 28 shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0078] Figure 29 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0079] Figure 30 shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an upper
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0080] Figure 31 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0081] Figure 32 shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an upper
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0082] Figure 33 shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0083] Figure 34 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0084] Figure 35 shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an upper
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0085] Figure 36 shows two labels dispensed from a label printer onto a tray
for future
application to a surface, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0086] Figure 37 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0087] Figure 38 shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an upper
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0088] Figure 39 shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
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[0089] Figure 40 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0090] Figure 41 shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an upper
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0091] Figure 42 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0092] Figure 43 shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an upper
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0093] Figure 44 shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0094] Figure 45 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0095] Figure 46 shows the underside of a lower label and the undersurface of
an upper
label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0096] Figure 47 shows two labels dispensed from a label printer onto a tray
for future
application to a surface, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0097] Figure 48 shows a side view ,of a linerless label roll according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0098] Figure 49 shows a top view of a linerless label roll according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0099] Figure 50 shows a bottom view of a linerless label roll according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00100] Figure 51 shows two labels dispensed from a label printer onto a tray
for future
application to a surface, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[00101] Figure 52 shows two labels dispensed from a label printer onto a label
applicator for future application to a surface, according to at least one
embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[00102] Figure 53 shows a side view of a linerless label roll according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00103] Figure 54 shows a top view of a linerless label roll according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
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[00104] Figure 55 shows a bottom view of a linerless label roll according to
at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00105] Figure 56 shows two labels dispensed from a label printer onto a tray
for future
application to a surface, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[00106] Figure 57 shows two labels dispensed from a label printer onto a label
applicator for future application to a surface, according to at least one
embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DESCRIPTION
[00107] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of
the present
disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the
drawings, and
specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be
understood that no
limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.
[00108] Figure 1 shows a multi-part upper and lower label system 10 according
to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in Figure 1 are lower
label 14 and upper
label 16. In at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system according to
the present disclosure, a plurality of lower labels 14 and upper labels 16
reside alternately on
carrier 12. In at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system 10 according
to the present disclosure, each lower label 14 comprises a packing list label,
and each upper label
16 comprises a shipping label.
[00109] According to at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to the present disclosure, lower label 14 is bounded by
leading edge 18, trailing
edge 22, and side edges 20 and 24. One or more lines of weakness 36 define a
boundary of
removable region 44. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure
where lower label 14
comprises a packing list label, removable region 44 comprises a removable
packing list. Frame
40 exists between a line of weakness 36 and leading edge 18, trailing edge 22,
and side edges 20
and 24.
[00110] According to at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to the present disclosure, upper label 16 is bounded by
leading edge 26, trailing
edge 30, and side edges 28 and 32. One or more lines of weakness 38 define a
boundary of
14
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removable segment 46. Frame 42 lies between line of weakness 38 and leading
edge 26, trailing
edge 30, and side edges 28 and 32.
[00111] According to at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to the present disclosure, the area of lower label 14 bounded
by leading edge
18, trailing edge 22, and side edges 20 and 24 is greater than the area of
upper label 16 bounded
by leading edge 26, trailing edge 30, and side edges 28 and 32. According to
at least one
embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label system according to the
present disclosure, the
area of removable region 44 is no larger than the area of removable segment
46.
[00112] According to at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to the present disclosure, upper label 16 and lower label 14
are deployed
adjacent to each other on carrier 12 and removably adhered to carrier 12,
thereby enabling upper
label 16 and lower label 14 to be dispensed from carrier 12 in sequence as
discussed herein.
Carrier 12 comprises, in at least one embodiment, release coating 15 on the
surface of carrier 12
facing the undersides of lower label 14 and upper label 16. In at least one
embodiment of the
present disclosure, release coating 15 is a silicone release coating.
According to at least one
embodiment of label system 10 according to the present disclosure, adhesive 13
is interposed
between release coat 15 and the undersides of lower label 14 and upper label
16, as discussed
hereinafter. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive 13
is a pressure
sensitive adhesive.
[00113] In at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to the present disclosure, carrier 12 comprises transverse stripe
34. Transverse stripe
34 comprises a color or shading of a region of carrier 12 that is different
from the color of the
remainder of carrier 12. In at least one embodiment, a transverse stripe 34 is
located after each
upper label 16 and before the adjacent lower label 14. In at least one
embodiment, a transverse
stripe 34 overlaps the trailing edge 30 of each upper label 16 and the leading
edge 18 of each
lower label 14.
[00114] In at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to the present disclosure, one or more transverse stripes 34 are
used in conjunction
with a detection apparatus for purposes of synchronizing the dispensing of the
upper label 16 and
the adjacent lower label 14.
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[00115] Figure 2 shows the underside of lower label 14 and the undersurface of
upper
label 16 according to at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower
label system
according to the present disclosure, with carrier 12 not visible for purposes
of clarity. Shown in
Figure 2 is underside 1014 of lower label 14, which is bounded by leading edge
18, trailing edge
22, and side edges 20 and 24. Also shown in Figure 2 is undersurface 1016 of
upper label 16,
which is bounded by leading edge 26, trailing edge 30, and side edges 28 and
32.
[00116] In at least one embodiment, underside 1014 of lower label 14 comprises
a first
portion 1040 and a second portion 1044, separated by a line of weakness 36.
First portion 1040
comprise the underside of frame 40. Second portion 1044 comprises the
underside of removable
region 44. In at least one embodiment, first portion 1040 comprises adhesive
13 on all of or
substantially all of or a majority of its surface area. In at least one
embodiment, second portion
1044 is free of or substantially free of adhesive. In at least one embodiment,
second portion
1044 comprises adhesive 13 on all of or substantially all of or a majority of
its surface area, but
an adhesive deadening agent 17 such as, for example, a non-adhesive varnish,
covers adhesive
13 in those areas thereby rendering adhesive 13 ineffective in those areas. In
at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive deadening agent 17 is selected
so as to not render
adhesive 13 completely ineffective in those areas treated by adhesive
deadening agent 17. In
such an embodiment, after treatment of adhesive 13 with adhesive deadening
agent 17, the
treated areas retain a slight tackiness.
[00117] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, undersurface
1016 of
upper label 16 comprises a first portion 1042 and a second portion 1046,
separated by a line of
weakness 38. First portion 1042 comprises the undersurface of frame 42. Second
portion 1046
comprises the undersurface of removable segment 46. In at least one
embodiment, first portion
1042 comprises adhesive 13 on all of or substantially all of or a majority of
its surface area. In at
least one embodiment, second portion 1046 is free of or substantially free of
adhesive. In at least
one embodiment, second portion 1046 comprises adhesive 13 on all of or
substantially all of or a
majority of its surface area, but an adhesive deadening agent 17 thereby such
as, for example, a
non-adhesive varnish, covers adhesive 13 in those areas rendering adhesive 13
ineffective in
those areas. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive
deadening agent 17 is
selected so as to not render adhesive 13 completely ineffective in those areas
treated by adhesive
16
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deadening agent 17. In such an embodiment, after treatment of adhesive 13 with
adhesive
deadening agent 17, the treated areas retain a slight tackiness.
[00118] Figure 3A shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on
line of
Figure 1. The multi-part upper and lower label system is shown in Figure 3A in
a semi-exploded
state for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 3A are carrier 12, adhesive 13,
lower label 14
comprising leading edge 18 and trailing edge 22, release coating 15, and upper
label 16
comprising leading edge 26 and trailing edge 30. As shown in this embodiment
of a multi-part
upper and lower label system according to the present disclosure, second
portion 1044 and
second portion 1046 are free of adhesive 13.
[00119] Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and lower
label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on
line of
Figure 1. The multi-part upper and lower label system is shown in Figure 3B in
a semi-exploded
state for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 3B are carrier 12, adhesive 13,
lower label 14
comprising leading edge 18 and trailing edge 22, release coating 15, upper
label 16 comprising
leading edge 26 and trailing edge 30, and adhesive deadening agent 17. As
shown in this
embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label system according to the
present disclosure,
second portion 1044 comprises adhesive 13 on all of or substantially all of or
a majority of its
surface area, but adhesive deadening agent 17 such as, for example, a non-
adhesive varnish,
covers adhesive 13 in those areas. Second portion 1046 also comprises adhesive
13 on all of or
substantially all of or a majority of its surface area, but adhesive deadening
agent 17 such as, for
example, a non-adhesive varnish, covers adhesive 13 in those areas.
[00120] Figures 4A-B show side views of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure while in use.
As shown in Figure
4A, carrier 12 with upper label 16 and lower label 14 thereon is advanced in
direction 508.
Carrier 12 is routed around member 502, causing upper label 16 to be dispensed
from carrier 12
beginning with leading edge 26. At least a portion of undersurface 1016 of
upper label 16
comprises adhesive 13 after it is dispensed from carrier 12. As upper label 16
is dispensed from
carrier 12, upper label 16 passes under label applicator 500. Force 504
generated by label
applicator 500 causes upper label 16 to be lifted and held against screen 506.
Screen 506 forms a
lower surface of label applicator 500. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure, force
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504 is a vacuum force. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,
force 504 is an
electrostatic force.
[00121] Turning now to Figure 4B, after upper label 16 is dispensed from
carrier 12,
carrier 12 with lower label 14 thereon is advanced in direction 508. Carrier
12 is routed around
member 502, causing lower label 14 to be dispensed from carrier 12 beginning
with leading edge
18. At least a portion of underside 1014 of lower label 14 comprises adhesive
13 after it is
dispensed from carrier 12. As lower label 14 is dispensed from carrier 12,
lower label 14 passes
under label applicator 500. Force 504 generated by label applicator 500 causes
lower label 14 to
be lifted and held against, and in registration with, upper label 16. Because
in such an
embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label system according to the
present disclosure the
area of lower label 14 is greater than the area of upper label 16, force 504
acts on the edges of
lower label 14 to hold lower label 14 against screen 506. Undersurface 1016
begins to be
adhered to lower label 14 by adhesive 13.
[00122] In at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to the present disclosure, prior to the time upper label 16 is
dispensed from carrier 12,
indicia is printed on or applied to upper label 16. In an embodiment of
applied upper and lower
label system according to the present disclosure where upper label 16 is a
shipping label, indicia,
such as, for example, destination address and/or other relevant shipping
indicia, may be printed
on or applied to upper label 16.
[00123] In at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to the present disclosure, prior to the time lower label 14 is
dispensed from carrier 12,
indicia is printed on or applied to lower label 14. In an embodiment of
applied upper and lower
label system according to the present disclosure where lower label 14 is a
packing list label,
indicia, such as, for example, container contents and/or other packing list
indicia, may be printed
on or applied to lower label 14.
[00124] In at least one embodiment, label applicator 500 comprises a printing
capability such as, for example, a thermal transfer printer or a direct
thermal printer. In such an
embodiment, indicia may be applied to upper label 16 and/or lower label 14 by
label applicator
500.
[00125] Figure 5 shows the underside of label applicator 500 after upper label
16 and
lower label 14 have been dispensed thereon, according to at least one
embodiment of a multi-part
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upper and lower label system according to the present disclosure. Visible in
Figure 5 is screen
506. As shown in Figure 5, underside 1014 of lower label 14 is visible. From
the point of view
shown in Figure 5, lower label 14 frilly obscures upper label 16, although
upper label 16 is in
registration with lower label 14, between lower label 14 and screen 506.
Adhesive 13 is present
in an effective amount in first portion 1040. Second portion 1044 comprises no
more than very
limited adhesive properties.
[00126] Figure 6 shows a side view of the application of upper label 16 and
lower label
14 to surface 601 of container 600, according to at least one embodiment of
the present
disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, label applicator 500 moves in direction 602,
thereby moving
upper label 16 and lower label 14 in direction 604 until the underside 1014 of
lower label 14 is in
contact with surface 601 of container 600. The pressure of label applicator
500 against surface
601 of container 600 causes adhesive 13 to adhere the underside 1014 of lower
label 14 to
surface 601 of container 600, and completes the adhesion of undersurface 1016
to lower label 14.
[00127] Figure 7 shows lower label 14 and upper label 16 adhered to surface
601 of
container 600, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in
Figure 7, lower label 14 and upper label 16 are in registration. A line of
weakness 38 is visible
on upper label 16.
[00128] Figures 8A-B show an embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system according to the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8A, removable
segment 46 of
upper label 16 is partially removed from upper label 16 along a line of
weakness 38. Removing
segment 46 in this fashion reveals removable region 44 of lower label 14. In
an embodiment of
applied upper and lower label system according to the present disclosure where
lower label 14 is
a packing list label, removable region 44 may comprise a removable packing
list. Because in
such an embodiment of the present disclosure underside 1046 has no more than
very limited
adhesive properties, removable region 44 is not damaged or defaced by removing
segment 46.
As segment 46 is removed, frame 42 of upper label 16 remains adhered to lower
label 14.
[00129] As shown in Figure 8B, removable segment 46 of upper label 16 is fully
removed from upper label 16 along a line of weakness 38. Removable region 44
may be
removed from lower label 14 along a line of weakness 36. In an embodiment of
applied upper
and lower label system according to the present disclosure where lower label
14 is a packing list
label, removable region 44 may comprise a removable packing list. Because in
such an
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embodiment of the present disclosure underside 1044 has no more than very
limited adhesive
properties, removable region 44 is readily removable from surface 601 of
container 600. After
removable region 44 is removed, frame 42 of upper label 16 remains adhered to
frame 40 of
lower label 14, and frame 40 of lower label 14 remains adhered to surface 601
of container 600.
[00130] Figures 9A-B shows multi-part upper and lower label system 100
according to
at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in Figures 9A-B are
lower label 114
and upper label 116. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,
lower label 114 and
upper label 116 reside adjacent to each other on carrier 112. In at least one
embodiment of a
multi-part upper and lower label system according to the present disclosure, a
plurality of lower
labels 114 and upper labels 116 reside alternately on carrier 112. In at least
one embodiment of a
multi-part upper and lower label system 100 according to the present
disclosure, each lower label
114 comprises a packing list label, and each upper label 116 comprises a
shipping label.
[00131] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, lower
label
114 comprises leading edge 118, trailing edge 122, side edges 120 and 124,
side tabs 131 and
133, trailing tab 135, and removable region 144. In an embodiment of multi-
part upper and
lower label system 100 according to the present disclosure such as is shown in
Figure 9A, a
trailing edge of side tabs 131 and 133 is substantially even with trailing
edge 122. In an
embodiment of multi-part upper and lower label system 100 according to the
present disclosure
such as is shown in Figure 9B, a trailing edge of side tabs 131 and 133 is not
even with trailing
edge 122. One or more lines of weakness 136 and 137 define a boundary between
removable
region 144 and side tabs 131 and 133, respectively. One or more lines of line
of weakness 139
define a boundary between removable region 144 and trailing tab 135. In at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, removable region 144 comprises a
removable packing list.
[00132] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, upper
label
116 is bounded by leading edge 126, trailing edge 130, and side edges 128 and
132. One or
more lines of weakness 138 define a boundary of removable segment 146. Frame
142 lies
between a line of weakness 138 and leading edge 126, trailing edge 130, and
side edges 128 and
132. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, upper
label 116 comprises
one or more holes 147. Holes 147a, 147b, 147c, 147d, 147e, 147f, 147g, and
147h are shown in
the embodiment of label system 100 of Figures 9A-B. Other embodiments of label
system 100
may have a greater number or lesser number of holes. According to at least one
embodiment of
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the present disclosure, holes 147 extend through segment 146 and carrier 112.
In at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, holes 147 extend only through segment
146.
[00133] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, prior
to use
upper label 116 and lower label 114 are deployed adjacent to each other on
carrier 112, thereby
enabling upper label 116 and lower label 114 to be dispensed from carrier 112
in sequence as
discussed herein. Carrier 112 comprises, in at least one embodiment, release
coating 115 on the
surface of carrier 112 facing the undersides of lower label 114 and upper
label 116. In at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure, release coating 115 is a silicone
release coating.
According to at least one embodiment of label system 100 according to the
present disclosure,
adhesive 113 is interposed between release coat 115 and the undersides of
lower label 114 and
upper label 116, as discussed hereinafter. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure,
adhesive 113 is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
[00134] In at least one embodiment, carrier 112 comprises transverse stripe
134.
Transverse stripe 134 comprises a color or shading of a region of carrier 112
that is in contrast
with the color of the remainder of carrier 112. In at least one embodiment, a
transverse stripe
134 is located after each upper label 116 and before the adjacent lower label
114. In at least one
embodiment, a transverse stripe 134 is located after each lower label 114 and
before the adjacent
upper label 116. In at least one embodiment, a transverse stripe 134 overlaps
the trailing edge
130 of each upper label 116 and the leading edge 118 of each lower label 114.
[00135] In at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to the present disclosure, one or more transverse stripes 134 are
used in conjunction
with a detection apparatus for purposes of synchronizing the dispensing of the
upper label 116
and the adjacent lower label 114.
[00136] Figures 10A-B shows the underside of lower label 114 and the
undersurface of
upper label 116 according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure, with carrier 112
not visible for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figures 10A-B is underside 1114
of lower label
114, comprising leading edge 118, trailing edge 122, side edges 120 and 124,
side tabs 131 and
133, trailing tab 135, and removable region underside 1144. In an embodiment
of multi-part
upper and lower label system 100 according to the present disclosure such as
is shown in Figure
10A, a trailing edge of side tabs 131 and 133 is substantially even with
trailing edge 122. In an
embodiment of multi-part upper and lower label system 100 according to the
present disclosure
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such as is shown in Figure 10B, a trailing edge of side tabs 131 and 133 is
not even with trailing
edge 122. Also shown in Figures 10A-B is undersurface 1116 of upper label 116,
which is
bounded by leading edge 126, trailing edge 130, and side edges 128 and 132.
[00137] In at least one embodiment, underside 1114 of lower label 114 is
substantially
free of adhesive. In at least one embodiment, underside 1114 of lower label
114 comprises
adhesive 113 on all of or substantially all of or a majority of its surface
area, but underside 1114
comprises an adhesive deadening agent 117 such as, for example, a non-adhesive
varnish, covers
adhesive 113 in those areas thereby rendering adhesive 113 ineffective in
those areas. In at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive deadening agent 117 is
selected so as to not
render adhesive 113 completely ineffective in those areas treated by adhesive
deadening agent
117. In such an embodiment, after treatment of adhesive 113 with adhesive
deadening agent
117, the treated areas retain a slight tackiness. In at least one embodiment,
all of underside 1114
is free of or substantially free of adhesive properties, although in such an
embodiment underside
1114 may retain a slight tackiness. In at least one alternate embodiment, at
least a portion of the
underside of trailing tab 135 may comprise adhesive 113 on all of or
substantially all of or a
majority of its surface area. In such an embodiment, adhesive 113 serves to
removably adhere
lower label 114 to carrier 112 until lower label 114 is dispensed.
[00138] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, undersurface
1116 of
upper label 116 comprises a first portion 1142 and a second portion 1146,
separated by a line of
weakness 138. First portion 1142 comprises the undersurface of frame 142.
Second portion
1146 comprises the undersurface of removable segment 146. In at least one
embodiment, first
portion 1142 comprises adhesive 113 on all of or substantially all of or a
majority of its surface
area. In at least one embodiment, second portion 1146 is free of or
substantially free of adhesive.
In at least one embodiment, second portion 1146 comprises adhesive 113 on all
of or
substantially all of or a majority of its surface area, but an adhesive
deadening agent 117 such as,
for example, a non-adhesive varnish, covers adhesive 113 in those areas
thereby rendering
adhesive 113 ineffective in those areas. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure,
adhesive deadening agent 117 is selected so as to not render adhesive 113
completely ineffective
in those areas treated by adhesive deadening agent 117. In such an embodiment,
after treatment
of adhesive 113 with adhesive deadening agent 117, the treated areas retain a
slight tackiness.
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[00139] Figure 11A shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and
lower label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on
line XI-XI of
Figure 9A or Figure 9B. The multi-part upper and lower label system is shown
in Figure 11A in
a semi-exploded state for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 11A are carrier
112, adhesive
113, lower label 114 including leading edge 118 and trailing tab 135, release
coating 115, upper
label 116 including leading edge 126 and trailing edge 130, hole 147a, and
hole 147h. As shown
in this embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label system according to
the present
disclosure, underside 1144 and second portion 1146 are free of adhesive 113.
[00140] Figure 11B shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and
lower label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on
line XI-XI of
Figure 9A or Figure 9B. The multi-part upper and lower label system is shown
in Figure 11B in
a semi-exploded state for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 11B are carrier
112, adhesive
113, lower label 114 including leading edge 118 and trailing tab 135, release
coating 115, upper
label 116 including leading edge 126 and trailing edge 130, adhesive deadening
agent 117, hole
147a, and hole 147h. In at least one other embodiment of the present
disclosure, underside 1144
comprises adhesive 113 on all of or substantially all of or a majority of its
surface area, but
adhesive deadening agent 117 such as, for example, a non-adhesive varnish,
covers adhesive 113
in those areas. Second portion 1146 also comprises adhesive 113 on all of or
substantially all of
or a majority of its surface area, but adhesive deadening agent 117 such as,
for example, a non-
adhesive varnish, covers adhesive 113 in those areas.
[00141] Figures 12A-B show a side view of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure while in use.
As shown in Figure
12A, carrier 112 with upper label 116 and lower label 114 thereon is advanced
in direction 508.
Carrier 112 is routed around member 502, causing upper label 116 to be
dispensed from carrier
112 beginning with leading edge 126. At least a portion of undersurface 1116
of upper label 116
comprises adhesive 113 after it is dispensed from carrier 112. As upper label
116 is dispensed
from carrier 112, upper label 116 passes under label applicator 500. Force 504
generated by
label applicator 500 causes upper label 116 to be lifted and held against
screen 506. Screen 506
forms a lower surface of label applicator 500.
[00142] Turning now to Figure 12B, after upper label 116 is dispensed from
carrier
112, carrier 112 with lower label 114 thereon is advanced in direction 508.
Carrier 112 is routed
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around member 502, causing lower label 114 to be dispensed from carrier 112
beginning with
leading edge 118. As lower label 114 is dispensed from carrier 112, lower
label 114 passes
under label applicator 500. Force 504 generated by label applicator 500 causes
lower label 114
to be lifted and held against, and in registration with, upper label 116. In
such an embodiment,
lower label 114 is not in contact with screen 506. Because in at least one
such embodiment of a
multi-part upper and lower label system according to the present disclosure
upper label 116
comprises one or more holes 147, even though the area of lower label 114 is
less than the area of
upper label 116, if force 504 is a vacuum force, force 504 acts through holes
147 in upper label
116 to hold lower label 114 against, and in registration with, upper label
116. Undersurface
1116 begins to be adhered to lower label 114 by adhesive 113.
[00143] In at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to the present disclosure, prior to the time upper label 116 is
dispensed from carrier
112, indicia is printed on or applied to upper label 116. In an embodiment of
applied upper and
lower label system according to the present disclosure where upper label 116
is a shipping label,
indicia, such as, for example, destination address and/or other relevant
shipping indicia, may be
printed on or applied to upper label 116.
[00144] In at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to the present disclosure, prior to the time lower label 114 is
dispensed from carrier
112, indicia is printed on or applied to lower label 114. In an embodiment of
applied upper and
lower label system according to the present disclosure where lower label 114
is a packing list
label, indicia, such as, for example, container contents and/or other packing
list indicia, may be
printed on or applied to lower label 114.
[00145] In at least one embodiment, label applicator 500 comprises a printing
capability such as, for example, a thermal transfer printer or a direct
thermal printer. In such an
embodiment, indicia may be applied to upper label 116 and/or lower label 114
by label
applicator 500.
[00146] Figure 13 shows the underside of label applicator 500 after upper
label 116 and
lower label 114 have been dispensed thereon, according to at least one
embodiment of a multi-
part upper and lower label system according to the present disclosure. Visible
in Figure 13 is
screen 506. Shown in Figure 13 are undersurface 1116 comprising first portion
1142 and second
portion 1146 separated by a line of weakness 138. First portion 1142 comprises
effective
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amount of adhesive 113 on its surface area. Also shown in Figure 13 is
underside 1114 of lower
label 114, comprising side tabs 131 and 133, trailing tab 135, lines of
weakness 136, 137, and
139, and removable region underside 1144. As shown in Figure 13, in at least
one embodiment
of a multi-part upper and lower label system according to the present
disclosure only tabs 131,
133, and 135 come into contact with adhesive 113 on first portion 1142.
Accordingly, in such an
embodiment lower label 114 is adhered to undersurface 1116 only at tabs 131,
133, and 135.
[00147] Figure 14 shows a side view of the application of upper label 116 and
lower
label 114 to a surface 601 of container 600, according to at least one
embodiment of the present
disclosure. As shown in Figure 14, label applicator 500 moves in direction
602, thereby moving
upper label 116 and lower label 114 in direction 604 until the underside of
lower label 114 is in
contact with surface 601 of container 600. The pressure of label applicator
500 against surface
601 of container 600 causes adhesive 113 to adhere the undersurface 1116 of
upper label 116 to
surface 601 of container 600, and completes the adhesion of undersurface 1116
to lower label
114.
[00148] Figure 15 shows lower label 114 and upper label 116 adhered to a
surface of
container 600. Shown in Figure 15 is upper label 116 comprising a line of
weakness 138 and
removable segment 146. Lower label 114 comprising removable region 144 is
concealed under
upper label 116, with removable region 144 in registration with removable
segment 146.
[00149] Figures 16A-B show an embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system according to the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 16A, removable
segment 146 of
upper label 116 is partially removed from upper label 116 along a line of
weakness 138.
Removing segment 146 in this fashion reveals removable region 144. In an
embodiment of
applied upper and lower label system according to the present disclosure where
lower label 114
is a packing list label, removable region 144 may comprise a removable packing
list. Because in
such an embodiment of the present disclosure underside 1146 has no more than
very limited
adhesive properties, removable region 144 is not damaged or defaced by
removing segment 146.
As segment 146 is removed, frame 142 of upper label 116 remains adhered to
lower label 114 at
tabs 131, 133, and 135 and also to surface 601.
[00150] As shown in Figure 16B, removable region 144 may be removed from lower
label 114 along lines of weakness 136, 137, and 139. In an embodiment of
applied upper and
lower label system according to the present disclosure where lower label 114
is a packing list
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label, removable region 144 may comprise a removable packing list. Because in
such an
embodiment of the present disclosure underside 1144 has no more than very
limited adhesive
properties, removable region 144 is readily removable from surface 601 of
container 600. After
removable region 144 is removed, frame 142 of upper label 116 remains adhered
to surface 601
of container 600, and tabs 131, 133, and 135 are retained under frame 142.
[00151] Figure 17 shows multi-part upper and lower label system 101 according
to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in Figure 17 are lower
label 114 and
upper label 116. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, lower
label 114 and upper
label 116 reside adjacent to each other on carrier 112. In at least one
embodiment of a multi-part
upper and lower label system according to the present disclosure, a plurality
of lower labels 114
and upper labels 116 reside alternately on carrier 112. In at least one
embodiment of a multi-part
upper and lower label system 101 according to the present disclosure, each
upper label 116
comprises a shipping label, and each lower label 114 comprises a return label.
[00152] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, lower
label
114 comprises leading edge 118, trailing edge 122, side edges 120 and 124,
side tabs 131 and
133, and trailing tab 135. In an embodiment of multi-part upper and lower
label system 101
according to the present disclosure, a trailing edge of side tabs 131 and 133
may be substantially
even with trailing edge 122.
[00153] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, upper
label
116 is bounded by leading edge 126, trailing edge 130, and side edges 128 and
132. One or
more lines of weakness 138 define a boundary of removable segment 146. Frame
142 lies
between a line of weakness 138 and leading edge 126, trailing edge 130, and
side edges 128 and
132. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, upper
label 116 comprises
one or more holes 147. Holes 147a-147h are shown in the embodiment of label
system 101 of
Figure 17. Other embodiments of label system 101 may have a greater number or
lesser number
of holes. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,
holes 147 extend
through segment 146 and carrier 112. In at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure, holes
147 extend only through segment 146.
[00154] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, prior
to use
upper label 116 and lower label 114 are deployed adjacent to each other on
carrier 112, thereby
enabling upper label 116 and lower label 114 to be dispensed from carrier 112
in sequence as
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discussed herein. Carrier 112 comprises, in at least one embodiment, release
coating 115 on the
surface of carrier 112 facing the underside of lower label 114 and
undersurface of upper label
116. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, release coating 115
is a silicone
release coating. According to at least one embodiment of label system 101
according to the
present disclosure, adhesive 113 is interposed between release coat 115 and
the underside of
lower label 114 and undersurface of upper label 116, as discussed hereinafter.
In at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive 113 is a pressure sensitive
adhesive.
[00155] In at least one embodiment, carrier 112 comprises transverse stripe
134.
Transverse stripe 134 comprises a color or shading of a region of carrier 112
that is in contrast
with the color of the remainder of carrier 112. In at least one embodiment, a
transverse stripe
134 is located after each upper label 116 and before the adjacent lower label
114. In at least one
embodiment, a transverse stripe 134 is located after each lower label 114 and
before the adjacent
upper label 116. In at least one embodiment, a transverse stripe 134 overlaps
the trailing edge
130 of each upper label 116 and the leading edge 118 of each lower label 114.
[00156] In at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to the present disclosure, one or more transverse stripes 134 are
used in conjunction
with a detection apparatus for purposes of synchronizing the dispensing of the
upper label 116
and the adjacent lower label 114.
[00157] Figure 18 shows the underside of lower label 114 and the undersurface
of
upper label 116 according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure, with carrier 112
not visible for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 18 is underside 1114 of
lower label 114,
comprising leading edge 118, trailing edge 122, side edges 120 and 124, side
tabs 131 and 133,
and trailing tab 135. In an embodiment of multi-part upper and lower label
system 101
according to the present disclosure, a trailing edge of side tabs 131 and 133
may be substantially
even with trailing edge 122. Also shown in Figure 18 is undersurface 1116 of
upper label 116,
which is bounded by leading edge 126, trailing edge 130, and side edges 128
and 132.
[00158] In at least one embodiment, underside 1114 of lower label 114
comprises
adhesive 113 on at least a portion of its surface area. In at least one
embodiment, underside 1114
of lower label 114 comprises adhesive 113 on all of or substantially all of or
a majority of its
surface area. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,
undersurface 1116 of upper
label 116 comprises a first portion 1142 and a second portion 1146, separated
by a line of
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weakness 138. First portion 1142 comprises the undersurface of frame 142.
Second portion
1146 comprises the undersurface of removable segment 146. In at least one
embodiment, first
portion 1142 comprises adhesive 113 on all of or substantially all of or a
majority of its surface
area. In at least one embodiment, second portion 1146 is free of or
substantially free of adhesive.
In at least one embodiment, second portion 1146 comprises adhesive 113 on all
of or
substantially all of or a majority of its surface area, but an adhesive
deadening agent 117 such as,
for example, a non-adhesive varnish, covers adhesive 113 in those areas
thereby rendering
adhesive 113 ineffective in those areas. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure,
adhesive deadening agent 117 is selected so as to not render adhesive 113
completely ineffective
in those areas treated by adhesive deadening agent 117. In such an embodiment,
after treatment
of adhesive 113 with adhesive deadening agent 117, the treated areas retain a
slight tackiness.
[00159] Figure 19A shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and
lower label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on
line XIX-XIX of
Figure 17. The multi-part upper and lower label system is shown in Figure 19A
in a semi-
exploded state for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 19A are carrier 112,
adhesive 113, lower
label 114 including leading edge 118 and trailing tab 135, release coating
115, upper label 116
including leading edge 126 and trailing edge 130, hole 147a, and hole 147h. As
shown in this
embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label system according to the
present disclosure,
second portion 1146 is free of adhesive 113 and underside 1144 comprises
adhesive 113 on all of
or substantially all of or a majority of its surface area.
[00160] Figure 19B shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and
lower label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on
line XIX-XIX of
Figure 17. The multi-part upper and lower label system is shown in Figure 19B
in a semi-
exploded state for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 19B are carrier 112,
adhesive 113, lower
label 114 including leading edge 118 and trailing tab 135, release coating
115, upper label 116
including leading edge 126 and trailing edge 130, adhesive deadening agent
117, hole 147a, and
hole 147h. In at least one other embodiment of the present disclosure,
underside 1144 comprises
adhesive 113 on all of or substantially all of or a majority of its surface
area. Second portion
1146 also comprises adhesive 113 on all of or substantially all of or a
majority of its surface area,
but adhesive deadening agent 117 such as, for example, a non-adhesive varnish,
covers adhesive
113 in that area.
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[00161] Multi-part upper and lower label system 101 according to at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure may be automatically applied to a surface
through the use
of apparatuses and processes substantially similar to the apparatuses and
processes shown and
described in Figures 12A-15 and this written description. Multi-part upper and
lower label
system 101 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure may
be used in a
manner substantially similar to manner shown and described in Figures 16A-16B
and this written
description, provided that because underside 1114 of lower label 114 of multi-
part upper and
lower label system 101 according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure comprises
adhesive 113 on all of or substantially all of or a majority of its surface
area, lower label 114 of
multi-part upper and lower label system 101 is not readily removable from the
surface to which it
is applied. According to at least one embodiment of multi-part upper and lower
label system 101
according to the present disclosure, upper label 116 comprises shipping
address indicia and
lower label 114 comprises return shipping address indicia. According to such
an embodiment, if
a container comprising upper label 116 and lower label 114 is to be returned
to its source, upon
receipt the recipient may remove upper label 116 to reveal return shipping
address indicia on
lower label 114. The container then may be shipped back to its source.
[00162] Figure 20 shows multi-part upper and lower label system 102 according
to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in Figure 20 are lower
label 114 and
upper label 116. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, lower
label 114 and upper
label 116 reside adjacent to each other on carrier 112. In at least one
embodiment of a multi-part
upper and lower label system according to the present disclosure, a plurality
of lower labels 114
and upper labels 116 reside alternately on carrier 112. In at least one
embodiment of a multi-part
upper and lower label system 102 according to the present disclosure, each
lower label 114
comprises a packing list label, and each upper label 116 comprises a shipping
label.
[00163] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, lower
label
114 comprises leading edge 118, trailing edge 122, side edges 120 and 124, and
trailing tab 135.
According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, upper label
116 is bounded by
leading edge 126, trailing edge 130, and side edges 128 and 132. One or more
lines of weakness
138 define a boundary of removable segment 146. Frame 142 lies between a line
of weakness
138 and leading edge 126, trailing edge 130, and side edges 128 and 132.
According to at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure, upper label 116 comprises one or
more holes 147.
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Holes 147a-147i are shown in the embodiment of label system 102 of Figure 20.
Other
embodiments of label system 102 may have a greater number or lesser number of
holes.
According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, holes 147
extend through
segment 146 and carrier 112.. In at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure, holes 147
extend only through segment 146.
[00164] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, prior
to use
upper label 116 and lower label 114 are deployed adjacent to each other on
carrier 112, thereby
enabling upper label 116 and lower label 114 to be dispensed from carrier 112
in sequence as
discussed herein. Carrier 112 comprises, in at least one embodiment, release
coating 115 on the
surface of carrier 112 facing the underside of lower label 114 and
undersurface of upper label
116. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, release coating 115
is a silicone
release coating. According to at least one embodiment of label system 102
according to the
present disclosure, adhesive 113 is interposed between release coat 115 and
the underside of
lower label 114 and undersurface of upper label 116, as discussed hereinafter.
In at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive 113 is a pressure sensitive
adhesive.
[00165] In at least one embodiment, carrier 112 comprises transverse stripe
134.
Transverse stripe 134 comprises a color or shading of a region of carrier 112
that is in contrast
with the color of the remainder of carrier 112. In at least one embodiment, a
transverse stripe
134 is located after each upper label 116 and before the adjacent lower label
114. In at least one
embodiment, a transverse stripe 134 is located after each lower label 114 and
before the adjacent
upper label 116. In at least one embodiment, a transverse stripe 134 overlaps
the trailing edge
130 of each upper label 116 and the leading edge 118 of each lower label 114.
[00166] In at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to the present disclosure, one or more transverse stripes 134 are
used in conjunction
with a detection apparatus for purposes of synchronizing the dispensing of the
upper label 116
and the adjacent lower label 114.
[00167] Figure 21 shows the underside of lower label 114 and the undersurface
of
upper label 116 according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure, with carrier 112
not visible for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 21 is underside 1114 of
lower label 114,
comprising leading edge 118, trailing edge 122, side edges 120 and 124, and
trailing tab 135.
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Also shown in Figure 21 is undersurface 1116 of upper label 116, which is
bounded by leading
edge 126, trailing edge 130, and side edges 128 and 132.
[00168] In at least one embodiment, underside 1114 of lower label 114 is free
of or
substantially free of adhesive. In at least one embodiment, underside 1114
comprises adhesive
113 on all of or substantially all of or a majority of its surface area, but
an adhesive deadening
agent 117 such as, for example, a non-adhesive varnish, covers adhesive 113 in
those areas
thereby rendering adhesive 113 ineffective in those areas. In at least one
embodiment of the
present disclosure, adhesive deadening agent 117 is selected so as to not
render adhesive 113
completely ineffective in those areas treated by adhesive deadening agent 117.
In such an
embodiment, after treatment of adhesive 113 with adhesive deadening agent 117,
the treated
areas retain a slight tackiness.
[00169] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, undersurface
1116 of
upper label 116 comprises a first portion 1142, a second portion 1146, and a
third portion 1147.
First portion 1142 and third portion 1147 comprise the undersurface of frame
142. Second
portion 1146 comprises the undersurface of removable segment 146. In at least
one embodiment
of the present disclosure, first portion 1142 and second portion 1146 are
separated by a line of
weakness 138.
[00170] In at least one embodiment, first portion 1142 comprises adhesive 113
on all of
or substantially all of or a majority of its surface area. In at least one
embodiment, second
portion 1146 and third portion 1147 are free of or substantially free of
adhesive. In at least one
embodiment, second portion 1146 and third portion 1147 comprise adhesive 113
on all of or
substantially all of or a majority of their surface area, but an adhesive
deadening agent 117 such
as, for example, a non-adhesive varnish, covers adhesive 113 in those areas
thereby rendering
adhesive 113 ineffective in those areas. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure,
adhesive deadening agent 117 is selected so as to not render adhesive 113
completely ineffective
in those areas treated by adhesive deadening agent 117. In such an embodiment,
after treatment
of adhesive 113 with adhesive deadening agent 117, the treated areas retain a
slight tackiness.
[00171] Figure 22A shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and
lower label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on
line XXII- XXII
of Figure 20. The multi-part upper and lower label system is shown in Figure
22A in a semi-
exploded state for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 22A are carrier 112,
adhesive 113, lower
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label 114 including leading edge 118 and trailing tab 135, release coating
115, upper label 116
including leading edge 126 and trailing edge 130, hole 147a, hole 147h, hole
147i, and hole 147j.
As shown in this embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label system
according to the
present disclosure, second portion 1146 is free of adhesive 113 and underside
1144 is free of
adhesive 113.
[00172] Figure 22B shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and
lower label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on
line XXII- XXII
of Figure 20. The multi-part upper and lower label system is shown in Figure
22B in a semi-
exploded state for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 22B are carrier 112,
adhesive 113, lower
label 114 including leading edge 118 and trailing tab 135, release coating
115, upper label 116
including leading edge 126 and trailing edge 130, adhesive deadening agent
117, hole 147a, hole
147h, hole 147i, and hole 147j. In at least one other embodiment of the
present disclosure,
underside 1144 comprises adhesive 113 on all of or substantially all of or a
majority of its
surface area, but adhesive deadening agent 117 such as, for example, a non-
adhesive varnish,
covers adhesive 113 in that area. Second portion 1146 also comprises adhesive
113 on all of or
substantially all of or a majority of its surface area, but adhesive deadening
agent 117 such as,
for example, a non-adhesive varnish, covers adhesive 113 in that area.
[00173] Multi-part upper and lower label system 102 according to at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure may be automatically applied to a surface
through the use
of apparatuses and processes substantially similar to the apparatuses and
processes shown and
described in Figures 12A-15 and this written description. Multi-part upper and
lower label
system 102 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure may
be used in a
manner substantially similar to manner shown and described in Figures 16A-16B
and this written
description, provided that because third portion 1147 is either free of
adhesive 113 or covered
with an adhesive deadening agent 117, when lower label 114 is removed from the
surface to
which upper and lower label system 102 has been applied, all of lower label
114 including
trailing tab 135 is removed from such surface.
[00174] Figure 23 shows multi-part upper and lower label system 103 according
to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in Figure 23 are lower
label 114 and
upper label 116. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, lower
label 114 and upper
label 116 reside adjacent to each other on carrier 112. In at least one
embodiment of a multi-part
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upper and lower label system according to the present disclosure, a plurality
of lower labels 114
and upper labels 116 reside alternately on carrier 112. In at least one
embodiment of a multi-part
upper and lower label system 103 according to the present disclosure, each
upper label 116
comprises a shipping label, and each lower label 114 comprises a packing list
label.
[00175] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, lower
label
114 comprises leading edge 118, trailing edge 122, side edges 120 and 124,
side tabs 131 and
133, trailing tab 135, and removable region 144. One or more lines of weakness
136 and 137
define a boundary between removable region 144 and side tabs 131 and 133,
respectively. In at
least one such embodiment, trailing edge 122 comprises a plurality of trailing
tabs 141. In at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure, removable region 144 comprises
a removable
packing list.
[00176] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, upper
label
116 is bounded by leading edge 126, trailing edge 130, and side edges 128 and
132. One or
more lines of weakness 138 define a boundary of removable segment 146. Frame
142 lies
between a line of weakness 138 and leading edge 126, trailing edge 130, and
side edges 128 and
132. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, upper
label 116 comprises
one or more holes 147. Holes 147a-147h are shown in the embodiment of label
system 103 of
Figure 23. Other embodiments of label system 103 may have a greater number or
lesser number
of holes. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,
holes 147 extend
through segment 146 and carrier 112. In at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure, holes
147 extend only through segment 146.
[00177] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, prior
to use
upper label 116 and lower label 114 are deployed adjacent to each other on
carrier 112, thereby
enabling upper label 116 and lower label 114 to be dispensed from carrier 112
in sequence as
discussed herein. Carrier 112 comprises, in at least one embodiment, release
coating 115 on the
surface of carrier 112 facing the underside of lower label 114 and
undersurface of upper label
116. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, release coating 115
is a silicone
release coating. According to at least one embodiment of label system 103
according to the
present disclosure, adhesive 113 is interposed between release coat 115 and
the underside of
lower label 114 and undersurface of upper label 116, as discussed hereinafter.
In at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive 113 is a pressure sensitive
adhesive.
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[00178] In at least one embodiment, carrier 112 comprises transverse stripe
134.
Transverse stripe 134 comprises a color or shading of a region of carrier 112
that is in contrast
with the color of the remainder of carrier 112. In at least one embodiment, a
transverse stripe
134 is located after each upper label 116 and before the adjacent lower label
114. In at least one
embodiment, a transverse stripe 134 is located after each lower label 114 and
before the adjacent
upper label 116. In at least one embodiment, a transverse stripe 134 overlaps
the trailing edge
130 of each upper label 116 and the leading edge 118 of each lower label 114.
[00179] In at least one embodiment of a multi-part upper and lower label
system
according to the present disclosure, one or more transverse stripes 134 are
used in conjunction
with a detection apparatus for purposes of synchronizing the dispensing of the
upper label 116
and the adjacent lower label 114,
[00180] Figure 24 shows the underside of lower label 114 and the undersurface
of
upper label 116 according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure, with carrier 112
not visible for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 24 is underside 1114 of
lower label 114,
comprising leading edge 118, trailing edge 122, side edges 120 and 124, side
tabs 131 and 133,
trailing tabs 141, and removable region underside 1144. In at least one
embodiment, the
underside of at least one of trailing tabs 141 comprises segment 1141.
According to such an
embodiment, each segment 1141 comprises adhesive 113 on all of or
substantially all of or a
majority of its surface area. In such an embodiment, each segment 1141
comprising adhesive
113 serves to removably adhere packing list label 114 to carrier 112 until
packing list label 114
is dispensed. According to such an embodiment, the rest of underside 1114 of
packing list label
114 is substantially free of adhesive. In at least one embodiment, underside
1114 of packing list
label 114 comprises adhesive 113 on all of or substantially all of or a
majority of its surface area,
but the portions of underside 1114 other than segments 1141 comprise an
adhesive deadening
agent 117 such as, for example, a non-adhesive varnish, covers adhesive 113 in
those areas
thereby rendering adhesive 113 ineffective in those areas. In at least one
embodiment of the
present disclosure, adhesive deadening agent 117 is selected so as to not
render adhesive 113
completely ineffective in those areas treated by adhesive deadening agent 117.
In such an
embodiment, after treatment of adhesive 113 with adhesive deadening agent 117,
the treated
areas retain a slight tackiness. In at least one embodiment, all of underside
1114 is free of or
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substantially free of adhesive properties, although in such an embodiment
underside 1114 may
retain a slight tackiness.
[00181] Also shown in Figure 24 is undersurface 1116 of upper label 116, which
is
bounded by leading edge 126, trailing edge 130, and side edges 128 and 132. In
at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, undersurface 1116 of upper label 116
comprises a first
portion 1142 and a second portion 1146, separated by a line of weakness 138.
First portion 1142
comprises the undersurface of frame 142. Second portion 1146 comprises the
undersurface of
removable segment 146. In at least one embodiment, first portion 1142
comprises adhesive 113
on all of or substantially all of or a majority of its surface area. In at
least one embodiment,
second portion 1146 is free of or substantially free of adhesive. In at least
one embodiment,
second portion 1146 comprises adhesive 113 on all of or substantially all of
or a majority of its
surface area, but an adhesive deadening agent 117 such as, for example, a non-
adhesive varnish,
covers adhesive 113 in those areas thereby rendering adhesive 113 ineffective
in those areas. In
at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive deadening agent
117 is selected so as
to not render adhesive 113 completely ineffective in those areas treated by
adhesive deadening
agent 117. In such an embodiment, after treatment of adhesive 113 with
adhesive deadening
agent 117, the treated areas retain a slight tackiness.
[00182] Figure 25A shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and
lower label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on
line XXV- XXV
of Figure 25. The multi-part upper and lower label system is shown in Figure
25A in a semi-
exploded state for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 25A are carrier 112,
adhesive 113, lower
label 114 including leading edge 118, a trailing tab 141 and a segment 1141,
release coating 115,
upper label 116 including leading edge 126 and trailing edge 130. As shown in
this embodiment
of a multi-part upper and lower label system according to the present
disclosure, second portion
1146 is free of adhesive 113 and underside 1144 is free of adhesive 113.
[00183] Figure 25B shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-part upper and
lower label
system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on
line XXV- XXV
of Figure 23. The multi-part upper and lower label system is shown in Figure
25B in a semi-
exploded state for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 25B are carrier 112,
adhesive 113, lower
label 114 including leading edge 118, a trailing tab 141 and a segment 1141,
release coating 115,
upper label 116 including leading edge 126 and trailing edge 130, and adhesive
deadening agent
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117. In at least one other embodiment of the present disclosure, underside
1144 comprises
adhesive 113 on all of or substantially all of or a majority of its surface
area, but adhesive
deadening agent 117 such as, for example, a non-adhesive varnish, covers
adhesive 113 in that
area.. Second portion 1146 also comprises adhesive 113 on all of or
substantially all of or a
majority of its surface area, but adhesive deadening agent 117 such as, for
example, a non-
adhesive varnish, covers adhesive 113 in that area.
[00184] Multi-part upper and lower label system 103 according to at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure may be automatically applied to a surface
through the use
of apparatuses and processes substantially similar to the apparatuses and
processes shown and
described in Figures 12A-15 and this written description. Multi-part upper and
lower label
system 102 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure may
be used in a
manner substantially similar to manner shown and described in Figures 16A-16B
and this written
description, provided that when removable region 144 is removed the surface to
which it is
applied, removable region 144 is separated from lower label 114 along lines of
weakness 136
and 137, and by tearing trailing tabs 141.
[00185] Figure 26 shows a first and second label system 200 according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in Figure 26 are first label 214
and second label
216 on carrier 212. In at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system according to
the present disclosure, a plurality of first labels 214 and second labels 216
reside alternately on
carrier 212. In at least one embodiment of a first and second label system 200
according to the
present disclosure, each first label 214 comprises a packing list label, and
each second label 216
comprises a shipping label.
[00186] According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system 200
according to the present disclosure, first label 214 is bounded by leading
edge 218, trailing edge
222, and side edges 220 and 224. According to at least one embodiment of a
first and second
label system 200 according to the present disclosure, second label 216 is
bounded by leading
edge 226, trailing edge 230, and side edges 228 and 232. One or more lines of
weakness 238
define a boundary of removable segment 246 in second label 216. Frame 242 lies
between lines
of weakness 238 and leading edge 226, trailing edge 230, and side edges 228
and 232.
[00187] According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system 200
according to the present disclosure, the area of first label 214 bounded by
leading edge 218,
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trailing edge 222, and side edges 220 and 224 is smaller than the area of
second label 216
bounded by leading edge 226, trailing edge 230, and side edges 228 and 232.
According to at
least one embodiment of a first and second label system according to the
present disclosure, the
area of first label 214 is no larger than the area of removable segment 246.
According to at least
one embodiment of a first and second label system 200 according to the present
disclosure,
second label 216 comprises a length L1 that is the closest distance between
leading edge 226 said
trailing edge 230, and first label 214 comprises a length L2 that is the
closest distance between
leading edge 218 and trailing edge 222, and L1 > L2. According to at least one
embodiment of a
first and second label system 200 according to the present disclosure, second
label 216 comprises
a width W1 that is the closest distance between first side edge 228 and second
side edge 232, and
first label 214 comprises a width W2 that is the closest distance between
first side edge 220 and
second side edge 224, and W1 > W2. According to at least one embodiment of a
first and second
label system 200 according to the present disclosure, second label 216
comprises a distance DI
that is the closest distance between parallel segments of lines of weakness
238, and DI > W2.
[00188] According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system
according to the present disclosure, second label 216 and first label 214 are
deployed adjacent to
each other on carrier 212 and removably adhered to carrier 212, thereby
enabling second label
216 and first label 214 to be dispensed from carrier 212 in sequence as
discussed herein. Carrier
212 comprises, in at least one embodiment, release coating 215 on the surface
of carrier 212
facing the undersides of first label 214 and second label 216. In at least one
embodiment of the
present disclosure, release coating 215 is a silicone release coating.
According to at least one
embodiment of label system 200 according to the present disclosure, adhesive
213 is interposed
between release coat 215 and first label 214 and second label 216, as
discussed hereinafter. In at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive 213 is a pressure
sensitive adhesive.
[00189] Figure 27 shows the underside of first label 214 and the undersurface
of second
label 216 according to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system according to
the present disclosure, with carrier 212 not visible for purposes of clarity.
Shown in Figure 27 is
underside 1214 of first label 214, which is bounded by leading edge 218,
trailing edge 222, and
side edges 220 and 224. Also shown in Figure 27 is undersurface 1216 of second
label 216,
which is bounded by leading edge 226, trailing edge 230, and side edges 228
and 232.
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[00190] In at least one embodiment, underside 1214 of first label 214
comprises
adhesive 213 on all of or substantially all of or a majority of its surface
area. In at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, undersurface 1216 of second label 216
comprises a first
portion 1242 and a second portion 1246, separated by a lines of weakness 238.
First portion
1242 comprises the undersurface of frame 242. Second portion 1246 comprises
the undersurface
of removable segment 246. In at least one embodiment, first portion 1242
comprises adhesive
213 on all of or substantially all of or a majority of its surface area. In at
least one embodiment,
second portion 1246 is free of or substantially free of adhesive. In the
embodiment of label
system 200 shown in Figure 27, second portion 1246 comprises spot 1213 of
adhesive 213 near
trailing edge 230.
[00191] Figure 28 shows a cross-sectional view of a first and second label
system
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on line
XXVIII-XXVIII of
Figure 26. The first and second label system 200 is shown in Figure 28 in a
semi-exploded state
for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 28 are carrier 212, adhesive 213,
first label 214
comprising leading edge 218 and trailing edge 222, release coating 215, and
second label 216
comprising leading edge 226 and trailing edge 230.
[00192] Figure 29 shows a first and second label system 200 according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising first label 214 and second
label 216 as
discussed hereinabove. Figure 30 shows the underside of first label 214 and
the undersurface of
second label 216, with carrier 212 not visible for purposes of clarity. In the
embodiment of first
and second label system 200 shown in Figures 29-30, second label 216 comprises
hole 239.
Other embodiments of label system 200 may have a greater number of holes.
According to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure, hole 239 extends through
removable segment
246 and carrier 212. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,
hole 239 extends only
through removable segment 246.
[00193] Figure 31 shows a first and second label system 300 according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in Figure 31 are first label 314
and second label
316 on carrier 312. In at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system according to
the present disclosure, a plurality of first labels 314 and second labels 316
reside alternately on
carrier 312. In at least one embodiment of a first and second label system 300
according to the
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present disclosure, each first label 314 comprises a packing list label, and
each second label 316
comprises a shipping label.
[00194] According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system
according to the present disclosure, first label 314 is bounded by leading
edge 318, trailing edge
322, and side edges 320 and 324. One or more lines of weakness 336 define a
boundary of
removable region 344 in first label 314. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure
where first label 314 comprises a packing list label, removable region 344
comprises a
removable packing list. Frame 340 exists between line of weakness 336, and
leading edge 318
and side edges 320 and 324. Frame 340 comprises leading frame segment 333.
[00195] According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system
according to the present disclosure, second label 316 is bounded by leading
edge 326, trailing
edge 330, and side edges 328 and 332. Second label 316 comprises tear strip
339 framed by
parallel lines of weakness 343, 347. Lines of weakness 338 define a boundary
of displaceable
segment 346. According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system according
to the present disclosure, the area of first label 314 bounded by leading edge
318, trailing edge
322, and side edges 320 and 324 is smaller than the area of second label 316
bounded by leading
edge 326, trailing edge 330, and side edges 328 and 332.
[00196] According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system 300
according to the present disclosure, first label 314 and second label 316 are
deployed adjacent to
each other on carrier 312 and removably adhered to carrier 312, thereby
enabling first label 314
and second label 316 to be dispensed from carrier 312 in sequence as discussed
herein. Carrier
312 comprises, in at least one embodiment, release coating 315 on the surface
of carrier 312
facing first label 314 and second label 316. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure,
release coating 315 is a silicone release coating. According to at least one
embodiment of label
system 300 according to the present disclosure, adhesive 313 is interposed
between release coat
315 and the undersides of first label 314 and second label 316, as discussed
hereinafter. In at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive 313 is a pressure
sensitive adhesive.
[00197] Figure 32 shows the underside of first label 314 and the undersurface
of second
label 316 according to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system according to
the present disclosure, with carrier 312 not visible for purposes of clarity.
Shown in Figure 32 is
underside 1314 of first label 314, which is bounded by leading edge 318,
trailing edge 322, and
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side edges 320 and 324. Also shown in Figure 32 is undersurface 1316 of second
label 316,
which is bounded by leading edge 326, trailing edge 330, and side edges 328
and 332.
[00198] In at least one embodiment, underside 1314 of first label 314
comprises a first
portion 1340 and a second portion 1344, separated by a line of weakness 336.
First portion 1340
comprise the underside of frame 340. Second portion 1344 comprises the
underside of
removable region 344. In at least one embodiment, first portion 1340 comprises
adhesive 313 on
all of or substantially all of or a majority of its surface area. In at least
one embodiment, second
portion 1344 is free of or substantially free of adhesive.
[00199] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, undersurface
1316 of
second label 316 comprises a first portion 1342 and a second portion 1346. In
at least one
embodiment, first portion 1342 comprises adhesive 313 on all of or
substantially all of or a
majority of its surface area. First portion 1342 comprises leading adhesive
segment 335. In at
least one embodiment, second portion 1346 is free of or substantially free of
adhesive, as is the
undersurface of tear strip 339.
[00200] Figure 33 shows a cross-sectional view of a first and second label
system
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on line
XXXIII-XXXIII of
Figure 31. The first and second label system is shown in Figure 33 in a semi-
exploded state for
purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 33 are carrier 312, adhesive 313, first
label 314 comprising
leading edge 318 and trailing edge 322, release coating 315, and second label
316 comprising
leading edge 326 and trailing edge 330.
[00201] Figure 34 shows a first and second label system 300 according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising first label 314 and second
label 316 as
discussed hereinabove. Figure 35 shows the underside of first label 314 and
the undersurface of
second label 316, with carrier 312 not visible for purposes of clarity. In the
embodiment of first
and second label system 300 shown in Figures 34-35, second label 316 comprises
hole 341.
Other embodiments of label system 300 may have a greater number of holes.
According to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure, hole 341 extends through
second label 316 and
carrier 312. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, hole 341
extends only through
second label 316.
[00202] Figure 36 shows the dispensing of first and second label system 300
from label
printer 3600 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
Shown in Figure 36
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is label printer 3600, comprising a printing mechanism (not shown), dispensing
mechanism
3601, and tray 3605. Label printer 3600 may comprise an ink jet printer, a
laser printer, a
thermal transfer printer, a direct thermal printer, or another type of
printing device capable of
applying indicia to first label 314 and second label 316. According to at
least one embodiment
of the present disclosure, tray 3605 is horizontal or substantially
horizontal. In other
embodiments tray 3605 may be oriented at an inclining or declining angle. As
shown in Figure
36, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a
plurality of first labels 314
and second labels 316 are provided to label printer 3600 in an alternating
arrangement on a
carrier 312. For example, a plurality of first labels 314 and second labels
316 are removably
adhered to carrier 312 in a rolled configuration or in a fan-folded
configuration, and are supplied
to label printer 3600 in a manner anticipating printing by and dispensing from
label printer 3600.
As shown in Figure 36, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure first label
314 and second label 316 are dispensed in sequence from label printer 3600.
First label 314 and
second label 316 are dispensed by dispensing mechanism 3601 of label printer
3600 in the
direction of arrow 3602, and then come to rest, in registration with one
another, on tray 3605 of
label printer 3600. Thereafter, the pair of first label 314 and second label
316, in registration
with one another and adhered together, can be retrieved from tray 3605, either
mechanically
(such as, for example, by a label applicator apparatus) or by hand, and
applied to a surface (such
as, for example, surface 601 of container 600), either mechanically (such as,
for example, by a
label applicator apparatus) or by hand.
[00203] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, prior to or in
conjunction
with the dispensing of first label 314 onto tray 3605 of label printer 3600,
indicia is added to
removable region 344 of first label 314 by the printing mechanism (not shown)
of label printer
3600. For example, where first label 314 is intended to serve as a packing
list, such indicia may
comprise the contents of a container to which first label 314 will be adhered,
such as container
600.
[00204] First label 314 is dispensed from label printer 3600 such that
underside 1314 of
first label 314 faces tray 3605 of label printer 3600. First label 314 moves
in the direction shown
by arrow 3603 until underside 1314 of first label 314 comes into contact with
tray 3605 of label
printer 3600. Because no pressure is exerted on first label 314, adhesive 313
on underside 1314
of first label 314 does not adhere first portion 1340 of first label 314 to
tray 3605 of label printer
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3600. In at least one embodiment, tray 3605 comprises a non-stick surface that
retards
adherence of adhesive 313 to tray 3605. Second portion 1344 of first label 314
also is adjacent
to tray 3605 of label printer 3600, but because second portion 1344 of first
label 314 is free of
adhesive, second portion 1344 of first label 314 also does not adhere to tray
3605 of label printer
3600.
[00205] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, second label 316
then is
dispensed from label printer 3600. Second label 316 comes to rest on top of,
and in registration
with, first label 314. In at least one embodiment, prior to or in conjunction
with the dispensing
of second label 316 onto tray 3605 of label printer 3600, indicia is added to
second label 316,
such as within displaceable segment 346 of second label 316, by the printer
mechanism (not
shown) of label printer 3600. For example, where second label 316 is intended
to serve as a
shipping label, such indicia may comprise the address to which a container to
which first label
314 and second label 316 will be adhered, such as container 600, is to be
shipped, a return
address, bar codes, maxicodes, identifying numbers, and the like.
[00206] Second label 316 is dispensed from label printer 3600 such that
undersurface
1316 of second label 316 faces the upper surface of first label 314. Second
label 316 moves in
the direction shown by arrow 504 until adhesive 313 on undersurface 1316 of
second label 316
comes into contact with first label 314. In at least one embodiment, adhesive
on leading
adhesive segment 335 comes into contact with leading frame segment 333 of
first label 314. In
such an embodiment, adhesive 313 on leading adhesive segment 335 of second
label 316 adheres
first portion 1342 of second label 316 to frame 340 of first label 314 to a
sufficient degree that
the pair of labels can be handled as a unit, either mechanically (such as, for
example, by a label
applicator apparatus) or by hand. Second portion 1346 of second label 316 also
is adjacent to,
and in registration with, removable region 344 of first label 314, but because
second portion
1346 of second label 316 has reduced adhesive properties and/or may be
completely free of
adhesive, second portion 1346 of second label 316 does not adhere to removable
region 344 of
first label 314. In such an embodiment, after second label 316 is adhered to
first label 314, the
adhered-together first label 314 and second label 316 then are applied
simultaneously to a
surface, such as a surface 601 of container 600, either mechanically (such as,
for example, by a
label applicator apparatus) or by hand.
42
,
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[00207] Figure 37 shows a first and second label system 400 according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in Figure 37 are first label 414
and second label
416 on carrier 412. In at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system according to
the present disclosure, a plurality of first labels 414 and second labels 416
reside alternately on
carrier 412. In at least one embodiment of a first and second label system 400
according to the
present disclosure, each first label 414 comprises a packing list label, and
each second label 416
comprises a shipping label.
[00208] According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system 400
according to the present disclosure, first label 414 is bounded by leading
edge 418, trailing edge
422, and side edges 420 and 424. According to at least one embodiment of a
first and second
label system 400 according to the present disclosure, second label 416 is
bounded by leading
edge 426, trailing edge 430, and side edges 428 and 432. One or more lines of
weakness 438
define a boundary of removable segment 446 in second label 416. Frame 442 lies
between lines
of weakness 438 and leading edge 426, trailing edge 430, and side edges 428
and 432.
[00209] According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system 400
according to the present disclosure, the area of first label 414 bounded by
leading edge 418,
trailing edge 422, and side edges 420 and 424 is smaller than the area of
second label 416
bounded by leading edge 426, trailing edge 430, and side edges 428 and 432.
According to at
least one embodiment of a first and second label system according to the
present disclosure, the
area of first label 414 is no larger than the area of removable segment 446.
According to at least
one embodiment of a first and second label system 400 according to the present
disclosure,
second label 416 comprises a length L1 that is the closest distance between
leading edge 426 said
trailing edge 430, and first label 414 comprises a length L2 that is the
closest distance between
leading edge 418 and trailing edge 422, and L1 > L2. According to at least one
embodiment of a
first and second label system 400 according to the present disclosure, second
label 416 comprises
a width W1 that is the closest distance between first side edge 428 and second
side edge 432, and
first label 414 comprises a width W2 that is the closest distance between
first side edge 420 and
second side edge 424, and W1 > W2. According to at least one embodiment of a
first and second
label system 400 according to the present disclosure, second label 416
comprises a distance D1
that is the closest distance between parallel segments of lines of weakness
438, and DI > W2.
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[00210] According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system
according to the present disclosure, second label 416 and first label 414 are
deployed adjacent to
each other on carrier 412 and removably adhered to carrier 412, thereby
enabling second label
416 and first label 414 to be dispensed from carrier 412 in sequence as
discussed herein. Carrier
412 comprises, in at least one embodiment, release coating 415 on the surface
of carrier 412
facing the undersides of first label 414 and second label 416. In at least one
embodiment of the
present disclosure, release coating 415 is a silicone release coating.
According to at least one
embodiment of label system 400 according to the present disclosure, adhesive
413 is interposed
between release coat 415 and first label 414 and second label 416, as
discussed hereinafter. In at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive 413 is a pressure
sensitive adhesive.
[00211] Figure 38 shows the underside of first label 414 and the undersurface
of second
label 416 according to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system according to
the present disclosure, with carrier 412 not visible for purposes of clarity.
Shown in Figure 38 is
underside 1414 of first label 414, which is bounded by leading edge 418,
trailing edge 422, and
side edges 420 and 424. Also shown in Figure 38 is undersurface 1416 of second
label 416,
which is bounded by leading edge 426, trailing edge 430, and side edges 428
and 432.
[00212] In at least one embodiment, underside 1414 of first label 414
comprises
adhesive 413 on all of or substantially all of or a majority of its surface
area. In at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, undersurface 1416 of second label 416
comprises a first
portion 1442 and a second portion 1446, separated by lines of weakness 438.
First portion 1442
comprises the undersurface of frame 442. Second portion 1446 comprises the
undersurface of
removable segment 446. In at least one embodiment, first portion 1442
comprises adhesive 413
on all of or substantially all of or a majority of its surface area. In at
least one embodiment,
second portion 1446 is free of or substantially free of adhesive. In the
embodiment of label
system 400 shown in Figure 38, second portion 1446 comprises spot 1413 of
adhesive 413 near
leading edge 426.
[00213] Figure 39 shows a cross-sectional view of a first and second label
system
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on line
XXXIX-XXXIX of
Figure 37. The first and second label system 400 is shown in Figure 39 in a
semi-exploded state
for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 39 are carrier 412, adhesive 413,
first label 414
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comprising leading edge 418 and trailing edge 422, release coating 415, and
second label 416
comprising leading edge 426 and trailing edge 430.
[00214] Figure 40 shows a first and second label system 400 according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising first label 414 and second
label 416 as
discussed hereinabove. Figure 41 shows the underside of first label 414 and
the undersurface of
second label 416, with carrier 412 not visible for purposes of clarity. In the
embodiment of first
and second label system 400 shown in Figures 40-41, second label 416 comprises
hole 439.
Other embodiments of label system 400 may have a greater number of holes.
According to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure, hole 439 extends through
removable segment
446 and carrier 412. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,
hole 439 extends only
through removable segment 446.
[00215] Figure 42 shows a first and second label system 500 according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in Figure 42 are first label 514
and second label
516 on carrier 512. In at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system according to
the present disclosure, a plurality of first labels 514 and second labels 516
reside alternately on
carrier 512. In at least one embodiment of a first and second label system 500
according to the
present disclosure, each first label 514 comprises a packing list label, and
each second label 516
comprises a shipping label.
[00216] According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system
according to the present disclosure, first label 514 is bounded by leading
edge 518, trailing edge
522, and side edges 520 and 524. One or more lines of weakness 536 define a
boundary of
removable region 544 in first label 514. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure
where first label 514 comprises a packing list label, removable region 544
comprises a
removable packing list. Frame 540 exists between line of weakness 536, and
leading edge 518
and side edges 520 and 524. Frame 540 comprises trailing frame segment 533 .
[00217] According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system
according to the present disclosure, second label 516 is bounded by leading
edge 526, trailing
edge 530, and side edges 528 and 532. Second label 516 comprises tear strip
539 framed by
parallel lines of weakness 543, 547. Lines of weakness 538 define a boundary
of displaceable
segment 546. According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system according
to the present disclosure, the area of first label 514 bounded by leading edge
518, trailing edge
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522, and side edges 520 and 524 is smaller than the area of second label 516
bounded by leading
edge 526, trailing edge 530, and side edges 528 and 532.
[00218] According to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system 500
according to the present disclosure, first label 514 and second label 516 are
deployed adjacent to
each other on carrier 512 and removably adhered to carrier 512, thereby
enabling first label 514
and second label 516 to be dispensed from carrier 512 in sequence as discussed
herein. Carrier
512 comprises, in at least one embodiment, release coating 515 on the surface
of carrier 512
facing first label 514 and second label 516. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure,
release coating 515 is a silicone release coating. According to at least one
embodiment of label
system 500 according to the present disclosure, adhesive 513 is interposed
between release coat
515 and the undersides of first label 514 and second label 516, as discussed
hereinafter. In at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive 513 is a pressure
sensitive adhesive.
[00219] Figure 43 shows the underside of first label 514 and the undersurface
of second
label 516 according to at least one embodiment of a first and second label
system according to
the present disclosure, with carrier 512 not visible for purposes of clarity.
Shown in Figure 43 is
underside 1514 of first label 514, which is bounded by leading edge 518,
trailing edge 522, and
side edges 520 and 524. Also shown in Figure 43 is undersurface 1516 of second
label 516,
which is bounded by leading edge 526, trailing edge 530, and side edges 528
and 532.
[00220] In at least one embodiment, underside 1514 of first label 514
comprises a first
portion 1540 and a second portion 1544, separated by a line of weakness 536.
First portion 1540
comprise the underside of frame 540. Second portion 1544 comprises the
underside of
removable region 544. In at least one embodiment, first portion 1540 comprises
adhesive 513 on
all of or substantially all of or a majority of its surface area. In at least
one embodiment, second
portion 1544 is free of or substantially free of adhesive.
[00221] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, undersurface
1516 of
second label 516 comprises a first portion 1542 and a second portion 1546. In
at least one
embodiment, first portion 1542 comprises adhesive 513 on all of or
substantially all of or a
majority of its surface area. First portion 1542 comprises trailing adhesive
segment 535. In at
least one embodiment, second portion 1546 is free of or substantially free of
adhesive, as is the
undersurface of tear strip 539.
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[00222] Figure 44 shows a cross-sectional view of a first and second label
system
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure taken on line
LXIV- LXIV of
Figure 42. The first and second label system is shown in Figure 44 in a semi-
exploded state for
purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 44 are carrier 512, adhesive 513, first
label 514 comprising
leading edge 518 and trailing edge 522, release coating 515, and second label
516 comprising
leading edge 526 and trailing edge 530.
[00223] Figure 45 shows a first and second label system 500 according to at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising first label 514 and second
label 516 as
discussed hereinabove. Figure 46 shows the underside of first label 514 and
the undersurface of
second label 516, with carrier 512 not visible for purposes of clarity. In the
embodiment of first
and second label system 500 shown in Figures 45-46, second label 516 comprises
hole 541.
Other embodiments of label system 500 may have a greater number of holes.
According to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure, hole 541 extends through
second label 516 and
carrier 512. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, hole 541
extends only through
second label 516.
[00224] Figure 47 shows the dispensing of first and second label system 500
from label
printer 4700 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
Shown in Figure 47
is label printer 4700, comprising a printing mechanism (not shown), dispensing
mechanism
4701, and tray 5605. Label printer 4700 may comprise an ink jet printer, a
laser printer, a
thermal transfer printer, a direct thermal printer, or another type of
printing device capable of
applying indicia to first label 514 and second label 516. According to at
least one embodiment
of the present disclosure, tray 5605 is horizontal or substantially
horizontal. In other
embodiments tray 5605 may be oriented at an inclining or declining angle. As
shown in Figure
47, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a
plurality of first labels 514
and second labels 516 are provided to label printer 4700 in an alternating
arrangement on a
carrier 512. For example, a plurality of first labels 514 and second labels
516 are removably
adhered to carrier 512 in a rolled configuration or in a fan-folded
configuration, and are supplied
to label printer 4700 in a manner anticipating printing by and dispensing from
label printer 4700.
As shown in Figure 47, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure first label
514 and second label 516 are dispensed in sequence from label printer 4700.
First label 514 and
second label 516 are dispensed by dispensing mechanism 4701 of label printer
4700 in the
47
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direction of arrow 4702, and then come to rest, in registration with one
another, on tray 5605 of
label printer 4700. Thereafter, the pair of first label 514 and second label
516, in registration
with one another and adhered together, can be retrieved from tray 5605, either
mechanically
(such as, for example, by a label applicator apparatus) or by hand, and
applied to a surface (such
as, for example, surface 601 of container 600), either mechanically (such as,
for example, by a
label applicator apparatus) or by hand.
[00225] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, prior to or in
conjunction
with the dispensing of first label 514 onto tray 5605 of label printer 4700,
indicia is added to
removable region 544 of first label 514 by the printing mechanism (not shown)
of label printer
4700. For example, where first label 514 is intended to serve as a packing
list, such indicia may
comprise the contents of a container to which first label 514 will be adhered,
such as container
600.
[00226] First label 514 is dispensed from label printer 4700 such that
underside 1514 of
first label 514 faces tray 5605 of label printer 4700. First label 514 moves
in the direction shown
by arrow 4703 until underside 1514 of first label 514 comes into contact with
tray 5605 of label
printer 4700. Because no pressure is exerted on first label 514, adhesive 513
on underside 1514
of first label 514 does not adhere first portion 1540 of first label 514 to
tray 5605 of label printer
4700. In at least one embodiment, tray 5605 comprises a non-stick surface that
retards
adherence of adhesive 513 to tray 5605. Second portion 1544 of first label 514
also is adjacent
to tray 5605 of label printer 4700, but because second portion 1544 of first
label 514 is free of
adhesive, second portion 1544 of first label 514 also does not adhere to tray
5605 of label printer
4700.
[00227] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, second label 516
then is
dispensed from label printer 4700. Second label 516 comes to rest on top of,
and in registration
with, first label 514. In at least one embodiment, prior to or in conjunction
with the dispensing
of second label 516 onto tray 5605 of label printer 4700, indicia is added to
second label 516,
such as within displaceable segment 546 of second label 516, by the printer
mechanism (not
shown) of label printer 4700. For example, where second label 516 is intended
to serve as a
shipping label, such indicia may comprise the address to which a container to
which first label
514 and second label 516 will be adhered, such as container 600, is to be
shipped, a return
address, bar codes, maxicodes, identifying numbers, and the like.
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[00228] Second label 516 is dispensed from label printer 4700 such that
undersurface
1516 of second label 516 faces the upper surface of first label 514. Second
label 516 moves in
the direction shown by arrow 4702 until adhesive 513 on undersurface 1516 of
second label 516
comes into contact with first label 514. In at least one embodiment, adhesive
on trailing
adhesive segment 535 comes into contact with trailing frame segment 533 of
first label 514. In
such an embodiment, adhesive 513 on trailing adhesive segment 535 of second
label 516 adheres
first portion 1542 of second label 516 to frame 540 of first label 514 to a
sufficient degree that
the pair of labels can be handled as a unit, either mechanically (such as, for
example, by a label
applicator apparatus) or by hand. Second portion 1546 of second label 516 also
is adjacent to,
and in registration with, removable region 544 of first label 514, but because
second portion
1546 of second label 516 has reduced adhesive properties and/or may be
completely free of
adhesive, second portion 1546 of second label 516 does not adhere to removable
region 544 of
first label 514. In such an embodiment, after second label 516 is adhered to
first label 514, the
adhered-together first label 514 and second label 516 then are applied
simultaneously to a
surface, such as a surface 601 of container 600, either mechanically (such as,
for example, by a
label applicator apparatus) or by hand.
[00229] Figure 48 shows a side view of linerless label roll 700 according to
at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure. In at least one embodiment, linerless
label roll 700
comprises a continuous roll of label material having upper side 700A and lower
side 700B.
Adhesive 726 at least partially covers lower side 700B. According to the
present disclosure,
linerless label roll 700 does not include any carrier material or other liner.
Upper side 700A is at
least partially coated with a release coating to prevent the permanent
adhesion of adhesive 726 to
adjacent surfaces of linerless label roll 700, thereby facilitating the
unrolling and use of linerless
label roll 700 as discussed hereinafter.
[00230] Figure 49 shows upper side 700A of linerless label roll 700 according
to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In at least one embodiment of
the present
disclosure, linerless label roll 700 comprises a label stock material such as,
for example, paper,
polyester, or another polymer material. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure,
linerless label roll 700 comprises a label stock material receptive to the
printing of indicia
thereon. For example, linerless label roll 700 may be exposed to an ink jet
printer, a laser
printer, a thermal transfer printer, a direct thermal printer, or another type
of printing device
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capable of applying indicia to linerless label roll 700. The inks, toners,
and/or other printing
materials used in the application of indicia to linerless label roll 700 are
selected to be
compatible with the printing device used to apply such indicia, the material
used for linerless
label roll 700, and the intended use of linerless label roll 700.
[00231] As shown in Figure 49, linerless label roll 700 comprises a plurality
of labels
701 in a continuous web. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,
each label 701 is
bounded by leading edge 702, trailing edge 706, and side edges 704, 708. Each
label 701 also
comprises removable region 722 and frame region 724. Removable region 722
comprises
removable region upper surface 722A, and is bounded by lines of weakness 710,
712, 714, 716,
718, 720. Frame region 724 comprises the portion of each label 701 outside of
lines of weakness
710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720, but within leading edge 702, trailing edge 706,
and side edges 704,
708. As shown in Figure 49, frame region 724 comprises frame region upper
surface 724A. In
at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, indicia is added to upper
side 700A of each
label 701. For example, indicia may be added to removable region upper surface
722A of each
label 701, or to frame region upper surface 724A of each label 701, or to both
removable region
upper surface 722A and frame region upper surface 724A of each label 701.
[00232] Lines of weakness 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720 serve to weaken the
boundary
between removable region 722 and frame region 724, facilitating the removal of
removable
region 722 from frame region 724. Lines of weakness 710, 712, 714, 716, 718,
720 may
comprise cuts or perforations that extend partially or completely through each
label 701.
[00233] In at least one embodiment, line of weakness 710 comprises a
curvilinear cut
that completely severs removable region 722 from frame region 724. In at least
one
embodiment, line of weakness 710 comprises a curvilinear cut that is the
connecting an end of
line of weakness 712 to an end of line of weakness 714.
[00234] In at least one embodiment, lines of weakness 712, 714 each comprises
a series
of angular perforations generally having a V-shape or a Y-shape. The vertex of
each angular
perforation of line of weakness 712 is oriented in the direction of line of
weakness 720, as shown
in Figure 49. The series of angular perforations comprising line of weakness
712 is arranged so
that one side of each angular perforation is substantially coincident with a
line extending
between an end of line of weakness 710 and an end of line of weakness 720, and
the other side of
each angular perforation is oriented toward removable region 722 rather than
toward frame
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region 724. The vertex of each angular perforation of line of weakness 714 is
oriented in the
direction of line of weakness 716, as shown in Figure 49. The series of
angular perforations
comprising line of weakness 714 is arranged so that one side of each angular
perforation is
substantially coincident with a line extending between an end of line of
weakness 710 and an end
of line of weakness 716, and the other side of each angular perforation is
oriented toward
removable region 722 rather than toward frame region 724.
[00235] In at least one embodiment, the angle between line of weakness 712 and
lines
of weakness 720 is greater than 90 . In at least one embodiment, the angle
between line of
weakness 714 and lines of weakness 716 is greater than 90 . In at least one
embodiment, the
angle between line of weakness 718 and line of weakness 720 is about 90 . In
at least one
embodiment, the angle between line of weakness 718 and line of weakness 716 is
about 90 .
The use of angular perforations in lines of weakness 712, 714, and the obtuse
angles between
line of weakness 712 and lines of weakness 720 and between line of weakness
714 and lines of
weakness 716, facilitates removal of removable region 722 from frame 724 in
one motion
without tearing the material of removable region 722.
[00236] Figure 50 shows lower side 700B of linerless label roll 700 according
to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in Figure 50 is the
plurality of labels
701, each bounded by leading edge 702, trailing edge 706, and side edges 704,
708. Removable
region 722 of each label 701 also is shown in Figure 50, bounded by lines of
weakness 710, 712,
714, 716, 718, 720. Frame region 724 of each label 701 also is shown in Figure
50, comprising
the area of each label 701 outside of lines of weakness 710, 712, 714, 716,
718, 720, but within
leading edge 702, trailing edge 706, and side edges 704, 708. As shown in
Figure 50, removable
region 722 comprises removable region lower surface 722B. As shown in Figure
50, frame
region 724 comprises frame region lower surface 724B. As shown in Figure 50,
frame region
lower surface 724B is at least partially covered with adhesive 726, while
removable region lower
surface 722B has reduced adhesive properties or may be completely free of
adhesive. In at least
one other embodiment of the present disclosure, removable region lower surface
722B and frame
region lower surface 724B are fully or partially covered with adhesive 726. In
at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, indicia is added to lower side 700B of
each label 701. For
example, indicia may be added to removable region lower surface 722B of each
label 701, or to
any adhesive-free area of frame region lower surface 724B of each label 701,
or to both
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removable region lower surface 722B and to any adhesive-free area of frame
region lower
surface 724B of each label 701.
[00237] In at least one embodiment of linerless label roll 700 according to
the present
disclosure, lower side 700B of linerless label roll 700 comprises a plurality
of transverse stripes
734, as shown in Figure 50. Each transverse stripe 734 comprises a color or
shading of a region
of lower side 700B of linerless label roll 700 that is different from the
color of the remainder of
lower side 700B of linerless label roll 700. In at least one embodiment of
linerless label roll 700
according to the present disclosure, transverse stripes 734 are spaced at
regular intervals on
lower side 700B of linerless label roll 700. In such an embodiment, transverse
stripes 734 are
used in conjunction with a detection apparatus for purposes of synchronizing
the dispensing of
labels 701 as discussed hereinafter.
[00238] Figure 51 shows the dispensing of labels 701 from linerless label roll
700 by
label printer 5100, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure. Shown in
Figure 51 is label printer 5100, comprising a printing mechanism (not shown),
dispensing
mechanism 5101, and tray 5105. Dispensing mechanism 5101 comprises label
cutter 5106.
Label printer 5100 may comprise an ink jet printer, a laser printer, a thermal
transfer printer, a
direct thermal printer, or another type of printing device capable of applying
indicia to labels
701. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, tray 5105
is horizontal or
substantially horizontal. In other embodiments tray 5105 may be oriented at an
inclining or
declining angle. As shown in Figure 51, according to at least one embodiment
of the present
disclosure, linerless label roll 700 is provided to label printer 5100 in a
manner anticipating
printing by and dispensing from label printer 5100. As shown in Figure 51,
according to at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure, two labels 701 (labels 701a and
701b) are dispensed
in sequence from label printer 5100. Labels 701 are dispensed by dispensing
mechanism 5101 of
label printer 5100 in the direction of arrow 5102, and then come to rest, in
registration with one
another, on tray 5105. Thereafter, the pair of labels 701, in registration
with one another and
adhered together, can be retrieved from tray 5105, either mechanically (such
as, for example, by
a label applicator apparatus) or by hand, and applied to a surface (such as,
for example, surface
601 of container 600), either mechanically (such as, for example, by a label
applicator apparatus)
or by hand.
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[00239] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, prior to or in
conjunction
with the dispensing of first label 701a onto tray 5105, indicia is added to
first label 701a by the
printing mechanism (not shown) of label printer 5100. For example, where first
label 701a is
intended to serve as a packing list, such indicia may be added to removable
region 722 of label
701, and such indicia may comprise the contents of a container to which first
label 701a will be
adhered, such as container 600.
[00240] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, first label 701a
is
separated from linerless label roll 700 by label cutter 5106, and then is
dispensed from label
printer 5100 by dispensing mechanism 5101 such that lower side 700B of first
label 701a faces
tray 5105. First label 701a moves in the direction shown by arrow 5103 until
lower side 700B of
first label 701a comes into contact with tray 5105. Because no pressure is
exerted on first label
701a, adhesive 726 on lower side 700B of first label 701a does not adhere
lower side 700B of
first label 701a to tray 5105. In at least one embodiment, tray 5105 comprises
a non-stick
surface that retards adherence of adhesive 726 to tray 5105. Removable region
lower surface
722B of first label 701a also is adjacent to tray 5105, but because removable
region lower
surface 722B of first label 701a is free of adhesive, removable region lower
surface 722B of first
label 701a also does not adhere to tray 5105.
[00241] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, linerless label
roll 700 is
advanced to present second label 701b to dispensing mechanism 5101. In at
least one
embodiment, prior to or in conjunction with the dispensing of second label
701b onto tray 5105,
indicia is added to second label 701b, such as on removable region upper
surface 722A of second
label 701b, by the printer mechanism (not shown) of label printer 5100. For
example, where
second label 701b is intended to serve as a shipping label, such indicia may
comprise the address
to which a container on which labels 701 will be adhered, such as container
600, is to be shipped,
a return address, bar codes, maxicodes, identifying numbers, and the like.
[00242] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, second label
701b is
separated from linerless label roll 700 by label cutter 5106, and then is
dispensed from label
printer 5100 by dispensing mechanism 5101 such that lower side 700B of second
label 701b
faces upper side 700A of first label 701a. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure,
dispensing mechanism 5101 is adapted with a detection apparatus (not shown).
The detection
apparatus is configured to identify a transverse stripe 734 on lower side 700B
of linerless label
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roll 700, and then to activate label cutter 5106 to separate second label 701b
from linerless label
roll 700 at or adjacent to transverse stripe 734.
[00243] Second label 701b moves in the direction shown by arrow 5104 until
adhesive
726 on lower side 700B of second label 701b comes into contact with upper side
700A of first
label 701a. In such an embodiment, adhesive 726 adheres lower side 700B of
second label 700
to upper side 700A of first label 701a to a sufficient degree that the pair of
labels can be handled
as a unit, either mechanically (such as, for example, by a label applicator
apparatus) or by hand.
Removable region 722 of second label 701b also is adjacent to, and in
registration with,
removable region 722 of first label 701a, but because removable region lower
surface 722B of
second label 70 lb has reduced adhesive properties and/or may be completely
free of adhesive,
removable region lower surface 722B of second label 701b does not adhere to
removable region
upper surface 722A of first label 701a. In such an embodiment, after second
label 701b is
adhered to first label 701a, the adhered-together labels 701 then are applied
simultaneously to a
surface, such as a surface 601 of container 600, either mechanically (such as,
for example, by a
label applicator apparatus) or by hand.
[00244] Figure 52 shows the dispensing of labels 701 from linerless label roll
700 by
label printer 5200, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure. Shown in
Figure 52 is label printer 5200, comprising a printing mechanism (not shown),
and dispensing
mechanism 5201. Dispensing mechanism 5201 comprises label cutter 5206. Label
printer 5200
may comprise an ink jet printer, a laser printer, a thermal transfer printer,
a direct thermal printer,
or another type of printing device capable of applying indicia to labels 701.
As shown in Figure
52, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, linerless
label roll 700 is
provided to label printer 5200 in a manner anticipating printing by and
dispensing from label
printer 5200. As shown in Figure 52, according to at least one embodiment of
the present
disclosure, two labels 701 (labels 701a and 701b) are dispensed in sequence
from label printer
5200.
[00245] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, first label 701a
is
separated from linerless label roll 700 by label cutter 5206, and then is
dispensed from label
printer 5200 by dispensing mechanism 5201. In at least one embodiment of the
present
disclosure, prior to or in conjunction with the dispensing of first label 701a
from label printer
5200, indicia is added to first label 701a by the printing mechanism (not
shown) of from label
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printer 5200. As first label 701a is dispensed from linerless label roll 700,
first label 701a passes
under label applicator 500. First label 701a is dispensed such that upper side
700A of first label
701a faces toward label applicator 500 and lower side 700B of first label 701a
faces away from
label applicator 500. Force 504 generated by label applicator 500 causes first
label 701a to be
lifted and held against screen 506. Screen 506 forms a lower surface of label
applicator 500. In
at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, force 504 is a vacuum
force. In at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, force 504 is an electrostatic force.
[00246] After first label 701a is dispensed from linerless label roll 700,
linerless label
roll 700 is advanced in direction 5208. Second label 701b is separated from
linerless label roll
700 by label cutter 5206, and then is dispensed from label printer 5200 by
dispensing mechanism
5201. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, dispensing
mechanism 5201 is
adapted with a detection apparatus (not shown). The detection apparatus is
configured to
identify a transverse stripe 734 on lower side 700B of linerless label roll
700, and then to activate
label cutter 5206 to separate second label 701b from linerless label roll 700
at or adjacent to
transverse stripe 734. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,
prior to or in
conjunction with the dispensing of second label 701b from label printer 5200,
indicia is added to
second label 701b by the printing mechanism (not shown) of from label printer
5200.
[00247] As second label 701b is dispensed from linerless label roll 700,
second label
701b passes under label applicator 500, against which first label 701a already
is held. Second
label 701b is dispensed such that upper side 700A of second label 701b faces
toward label
applicator 500 and lower side 700B of second label 701b faces away from label
applicator 500.
Force 504 generated by label applicator 500 causes second label 701b to be
lifted and held
against, and in registration with, first label 701a. At least a portion of
lower side 700B of first
label 701a comprises adhesive 726 after it is dispensed from linerless label
roll 700. The action
of force 504 on first label 701a and second label 701b causes adhesive 726 on
lower side 700B
of first label 701a to contact upper side 700A of second label 701b to a
sufficient extent to
adhere second label 701b to first label 701a.
[00248] The adhered-together labels 701 then are applied simultaneously to a
surface,
such as a surface 601 of container 600, by a label applicator 500. At least a
portion of lower side
700B of second label 701b comprises adhesive 726 after it is dispensed from
linerless label roll
700 and adhered to first label 701a. As shown in Figure 52, label applicator
500 moves in
CA 03113926 2021-03-23
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direction 604, thereby moving the adhered-together labels 701 in direction 604
until lower side
700B of second label 701b is in contact with surface 601 of container 600. The
pressure of label
applicator 500 against surface 601 of container 600 causes adhesive 726 to
adhere lower side
700B of second label 701b to surface 601 of container 600, and completes the
adhesion of lower
side 700B of first label 701a to upper side 700A of second label 701b.
[00249] In at least one embodiment, label applicator 500 comprises a printing
capability such as, for example, a thermal transfer printer or a direct
thermal printer. In such an
embodiment, indicia may be applied to first label 701a and/or second label
701b by label
applicator 500.
[00250] Figure 53 shows a side view of linerless label roll 800 according to
at least one
embodiment of the present disclosure. In at least one embodiment, linerless
label roll 800
comprises a continuous roll of label material having upper side 800A and lower
side 800B.
Adhesive 826 at least partially covers lower side 800B. According to the
present disclosure,
linerless label roll 800 does not include any carrier material or other liner.
Upper side 800A is at
least partially coated with a release coating to prevent the permanent
adhesion of adhesive 826 to
adjacent surfaces of linerless label roll 800, thereby facilitating the
unrolling of linerless label
roll 800 as discussed hereinafter.
[00251] Figure 54 shows upper side 800A of linerless label roll 800 according
to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure. In at least one embodiment of
the present
disclosure, linerless label roll 800 comprises a label stock material such as,
for example, paper,
polyester, or another polymer material. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure,
linerless label roll 800 comprises a label stock material receptive to the
printing of indicia
thereon. For example, linerless label roll 800 may be exposed to an ink jet
printer, a laser
printer, a thermal transfer printer, a direct thermal printer, or another type
of printing device
capable of applying indicia to linerless label roll 800. The inks, toners,
and/or other printing
materials used in the application of indicia to linerless label roll 800 are
selected to be
compatible with the printing device used to apply such indicia, the material
used for linerless
label roll 800, and the intended use of linerless label roll 800.
[00252] As shown in Figure 54, linerless label roll 800 comprises a plurality
of labels
801 in a continuous web. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,
each label 801 is
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bounded by leading edge 802, trailing edge 806, and side edges 804, 808. In at
least one
embodiment of the present disclosure, indicia is added to upper side 800A of
each label 801.
[00253] Figure 55 shows lower side 800B of linerless label roll 800 according
to at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown in Figure 55 is the
plurality of labels
801, each bounded by leading edge 802, trailing edge 806, and side edges 804,
808. As shown in
Figure 55, frame region lower side 800B is at least partially covered with
adhesive 826. In at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure, indicia is added to lower side
800B of each label
801, or in any adhesive-free area of lower side 800B.
[00254] In at least one embodiment of linerless label roll 800 according to
the present
disclosure, lower side 800B of linerless label roll 800 comprises a plurality
of transverse stripes
834, as shown in Figure 55. Each transverse stripe 834 comprises a color or
shading of a region
of lower side 800B of linerless label roll 800 that is different from the
color of the remainder of
lower side 800B of linerless label roll 800. In at least one embodiment of
linerless label roll 800
according to the present disclosure, transverse stripes 834 are spaced at
regular intervals on
lower side 800B of linerless label roll 800. In such an embodiment, transverse
stripes 834 are
used in conjunction with a detection apparatus for purposes of synchronizing
the dispensing of
labels 801 as discussed hereinafter.
[00255] Figure 56 shows the dispensing of labels 801 from linerless label roll
800 by
label printer 5600, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure. Shown in
Figure 56 is label printer 5600, comprising a printing mechanism (not shown),
dispensing
mechanism 5601, and tray 5605. Dispensing mechanism 5601 comprises label
cutter 5606.
Label printer 5600 may comprise an ink jet printer, a laser printer, a thermal
transfer printer, a
direct thermal printer, or another type of printing device capable of applying
indicia to labels
801. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, tray 5605
is horizontal or
substantially horizontal. In other embodiments tray 5605 may be oriented at an
inclining or
declining angle. As shown in Figure 56, according to at least one embodiment
of the present
disclosure, linerless label roll 800 is provided to label printer 5600 in a
manner anticipating
printing by and dispensing from label printer 5600. As shown in Figure 56,
according to at least
one embodiment of the present disclosure, two labels 801 (labels 801a and
801b) are dispensed
in sequence from label printer 5600. Labels 801 are dispensed by dispensing
mechanism 5601 of
label printer 5600 in the direction of arrow 5602, and then come to rest, in
registration with one
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another, on tray 5605. Thereafter, the pair of labels 801, in registration
with one another and
adhered together, can be retrieved from tray 5605, either mechanically (such
as, for example, by
a label applicator apparatus) or by hand, and applied to a surface (such as,
for example, surface
601 of container 600), either mechanically (such as, for example, by a label
applicator apparatus)
or by hand.
[00256] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, prior to or in
conjunction
with the dispensing of first label 801a onto tray 5605, indicia is added to
first label 801a by the
printing mechanism (not shown) of label printer 5600. For example, such
indicia may comprise
the contents of a container to which first label 801a will be adhered, such as
container 600.
[00257] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, first label 801a
is
separated from linerless label roll 800 by label cutter 5606, and then is
dispensed from label
printer 5600 by dispensing mechanism 5601 such that lower side 800B of first
label 801a faces
tray 5605. First label 801a moves in the direction shown by arrow 5603 until
lower side 800B of
first label 801a comes into contact with tray 5605. Because no pressure is
exerted on first label
801a, adhesive 826 on lower side 800B of first label 801a does not adhere
lower side 800B of
first label 801a to tray 5605. In at least one embodiment, tray 5605 comprises
a non-stick
surface that retards adherence of adhesive 826 to tray 5605.
[00258] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, linerless label
roll 800 is
advanced to present second label 801b to dispensing mechanism 5601. In at
least one
embodiment, prior to or in conjunction with the dispensing of second label 80
lb onto tray 5605,
indicia is added to second label 801b by the printer mechanism (not shown) of
label printer 5600.
For example, where second label 80 lb is intended to serve as a shipping
label, such indicia may
comprise the address to which a container on which labels 801 will be adhered,
such as container
600, is to be shipped, a return address, bar codes, maxicodes, identifying
numbers, and the like.
[00259] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, second label
801b is
separated from linerless label roll 800 by label cutter 5606, and then is
dispensed from label
printer 5600 by dispensing mechanism 5601 such that lower side 800B of second
label 801b
faces upper side 800A of first label 801a. In at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure,
dispensing mechanism 5601 is adapted with a detection apparatus (not shown).
The detection
apparatus is configured to identify a transverse stripe 834 on lower side 800B
of linerless label
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roll 800, and then to activate label cutter 5606 to separate second label 801b
from linerless label
roll 800 at or adjacent to transverse stripe 834.
[00260] Second label 801b moves in the direction shown by arrow 5604 until
adhesive
826 on lower side 800B of second label 801b comes into contact with upper side
800A of first
label 801a. In such an embodiment, adhesive 826 adheres lower side 800B of
second label 800
to upper side 800A of first label 801a to a sufficient degree that the pair of
labels can be handled
as a unit, either mechanically (such as, for example, by a label applicator
apparatus) or by hand.
In such an embodiment, after second label 801b is adhered to first label 801a,
the adhered-
together labels 801 then are applied simultaneously to a surface, such as a
surface 601 of
container 600, either mechanically (such as, for example, by a label
applicator apparatus) or by
hand.
[00261] Figure 57 shows the dispensing of labels 801 from linerless label roll
800 by
label printer 5700, according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure. Shown in
Figure 57 is label printer 5700, comprising a printing mechanism (not shown),
and dispensing
mechanism 5701. Dispensing mechanism 5701 comprises label cutter 5706. Label
printer 5700
may comprise an ink jet printer, a laser printer, a thermal transfer printer,
a direct thermal printer,
or another type of printing device capable of applying indicia to labels 801.
As shown in Figure
57, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, linerless
label roll 800 is
provided to label printer 5700 in a manner anticipating printing by and
dispensing from label
printer 5700. As shown in Figure 57, according to at least one embodiment of
the present
disclosure, two labels 801 (labels 801a and 801b) are dispensed in sequence
from label printer
5700.
[00262] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, first label 801a
is
separated from linerless label roll 800 by label cutter 5706, and then is
dispensed from label
printer 5700 by dispensing mechanism 5701. As first label 801a is dispensed
from linerless label
roll 800, first label 801a passes under label applicator 500. First label 801a
is dispensed such
that upper side 800A of first label 801a faces toward label applicator 500 and
lower side 800B of
first label 801a faces away from label applicator 500. Force 504 generated by
label applicator
500 causes first label 801a to be lifted and held against screen 506. Screen
506 forms a lower
surface of label applicator 500. In at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure, force 504 is
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a vacuum force. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, force
504 is an
electrostatic force.
[00263] After first label 801a is dispensed from linerless label roll 800,
linerless label
roll 800 is advanced in direction 5208. Second label 801b is separated from
linerless label roll
800 by label cutter 5706, and then is dispensed from label printer 5700 by
dispensing mechanism
5701. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, dispensing
mechanism 5701 is
adapted with a detection apparatus (not shown). The detection apparatus is
configured to
identify a transverse stripe 834 on lower side 800B of linerless label roll
800, and then to activate
label cutter 5706 to separate second label 801b from linerless label roll 800
at or adjacent to
transverse stripe 834. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,
prior to or in
conjunction with the dispensing of second label 801b from label printer 5700,
indicia is added to
second label 801b by the printing mechanism (not shown) of from label printer
5700.
[00264] As second label 801b is dispensed from linerless label roll 800,
second label
801b passes under label applicator 500, against which first label 801a already
is held. Second
label 801b is dispensed such that upper side 800A of second label 801b faces
toward label
applicator 500 and lower side 800B of second label 801b faces away from label
applicator 500.
Force 504 generated by label applicator 500 causes second label 801b to be
lifted and held
against, and in registration with, first label 801a. At least a portion of
lower side 800B of first
label 801a comprises adhesive 726 after it is dispensed from linerless label
roll 800. The action
of force 504 on first label 801a and second label 801b causes adhesive 726 on
lower side 800B
of first label 801a to contact upper side 800A of second label 801b to a
sufficient extent to
adhere second label 801b to first label 801a.
[00265] The adhered-together labels 801 then are applied simultaneously to a
surface,
such as a surface 601 of container 600, by a label applicator 500. At least a
portion of lower side
800B of second label 801b comprises adhesive 726 after it is dispensed from
linerless label roll
800 and adhered to first label 801a. As shown in Figure 57, label applicator
500 moves in
direction 604, thereby moving the adhered-together labels 801 in direction 604
until lower side
800B of second label 801b is in contact with surface 601 of container 600. The
pressure of label
applicator 500 against surface 601 of container 600 causes adhesive 726 to
adhere lower side
800B of second label 801b to surface 601 of container 600, and completes the
adhesion of lower
side 800B of first label 801a to upper side 800A of second label 801b.
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[00266] In at least one embodiment, label applicator 500 comprises a printing
capability such as, for example, a thermal transfer printer or a direct
thermal printer. In such an
embodiment, indicia may be applied to first label 801a and/or second label
801b by label
applicator 500.
[00267] While this disclosure has been described as having preferred designs,
the
apparatus and methods according to the present disclosure can be further
modified within the
scope and spirit of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to
cover any variations,
uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. For
example, any method
disclosed herein and in the appended claims represent one possible sequence of
performing the
steps thereof. A practitioner may determine in a particular implementation
that a plurality of
steps of one or more of the disclosed methods may be combinable, or that a
different sequence of
steps may be employed to accomplish the same results. Each such implementation
falls within
the scope of the present disclosure as disclosed herein and in the appended
claims. Furthermore,
this application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within
known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.
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