Method for applying labels

A facestock releasably adhered to a liner sheet is die cut to form one or two compact disc labels, and two diametrically opposed tabs on each compact disc label and located so that one edge of the tab is in contact with one of the compact disc labels and is perforated. The liner side of the tab also has a die cut patterned so that it generally follows the outline of the tab, but which forms a shape which is inside of and slightly smaller than the face cut tab pattern. After the label sheet has passed through a printer or copier and the desired indicia has been printed on the labels, at least one of the tabs is pushed through from the reverse side of the sheet, or pulled through via a sheet opening partially separating the tab from the rest of the sheet. The tab, which is mostly free of exposed adhesive in that it is still laminated to the die cut section of release liner, is then grasped from the face side, and lifted upward, pulling the compact disc label away from the label sheet. If there is a second tab on the label, this is also removed as the label is removed, and can be grasped by the user's other hand in order to control the position of the label. The user is now able to position the label either directly onto the compact disc or into an alignment apparatus, without any significant contact to an adhesive coated surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to label sheet constructions and particularly those having labels designed for application to compact discs. It more particularly relates to such labels that are cut in a facestock sheet that is releasably adhered to a liner sheet to form a label sheet. The label sheet is adapted to be fed into a printer or copier and the desired indicia printed on the labels, and the printed labels peeled off of the liner sheet to be applied to a compact disc, either directly or using an alignment apparatus. The present invention also relates to sheet constructions, systems and methods for applying labels to tabs of divider sheets, to tabs of file folders, to envelopes and the like.

Commercially successful compact disc label sheets are currently available from Avery Dennison Corporation of Pasadena, Calif., as well as other manufacturers. After the labels have been printed, they must be removed from the sheet prior to application to the compact discs or the like. Removal of the labels exposes the adhesive side of the label which must be handled in order to place the label either directly onto the compact disc or in an apparatus designed to align the labels concentrically with the compact disc. Handling of the adhesive side of the label can result in a loss of adhesive tack due to contamination in the area where it was handled, contributing to poor adhesion to the compact disc in the contaminated area. Additionally, adhesion of the label to the user's fingers can increase the level of dexterity required to accurately place the label in its desired location.

One known label application method and system is provided in the INDEX MAKER Clear Label Dividers product available from Avery Dennison Corporation of Pasadena, Calif. This product includes a sheet having columns of clear labels thereon attached with adhesive to a releasable liner sheet. The clear tab labels are formatted using preset layouts and existing word processing software. The tab titles are printed onto the clear label sheet using laser or inkjet printers. The printed tabs are then manually peeled off from the sheet and individually applied to the divider tabs. This system allows the user to individually custom design and print each of the tabs with the desired indicia. The clear labels virtually disappear on the divider tabs giving the dividers a clean, professional look. Formatting can use preset layouts and existing software programs such as MICROSOFT Word for Windows, COREL Word Perfect for Windows, COREL Word Perfect for DOS, LOTUS Word Pro, and LOTUS AMI Pro. The following U.S. Patents are related to this prior art product: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,135,261, 5,340,427 and 5,389,414. (All patents and other publications mentioned anywhere in this disclosure are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.)

Application of these labels can be time consuming, clumsy and subject to error, since they must be separated and then attached individually to the corresponding divider tabs. In the process of individually applying them, they often are not applied evenly or properly with the divider tab sheets. In other words, the above-described INDEX MAKER product has the problem that the labels are difficult and time consuming to remove from the backing sheet and to place and align on the tabs so they are straight. They are also small and cumbersome to handle.

Accordingly, a method for remedying these problems was designed and provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,525 to Pollman. The Pollman patent teaches using at least one set of precut labels removably attached to carrier strips that are removably secured to a backing sheet. The precut labels are spaced apart on the carrier strips to align substantially on the tabs on the divider sheets. The user can separate a carrier strip and precut labels affixed thereto from the packing sheet, place and align the carrier strip across the divider sheet such that the precut labels are placed on the tabs of the divider sheets. He then pulls the carrier sheet upwardly and away from the divider sheet such that the precut labels separate from the carrier strip and remain on the divider's tabs. This system, while an improvement in certain respects over the prior art, has the disadvantage that the strips are typically flimsy and difficult to properly align. Additionally, the carrier strip can be sticky and thus may stick to unwanted surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are an improved label sheet construction and a method of removing labels therefrom. The construction includes a face stock sheet releasably adhered to a liner sheet. The face stock sheet is die cut to form at least one and preferably two compact disc labels, as well as at least one and preferably two tabs for each compact disc label. Each tab is located so that one edge of the tab is in contact with one of the compact disc labels. If there are two tabs on one compact disc label, they are preferably located at diametrically opposed positions. The edges where the tabs are in contact with the compact disc labels are perforated, having a plurality of uncut segments commonly called “ties,” alternating with cut segments commonly called “cuts.” The liner side of the tab also has a die cut patterned so that it generally follows the outline of the tab, but which forms a shape that is inside of and slightly smaller than the face cut tab pattern.

After the label sheet has passed through a printer or copier and the desired indicia has been printed on the labels, at least one of the tabs is pushed through from the reverse side of the sheet, partially separating the tab from the rest of the sheet. For some label constructions, if there is a second tab, it is preferably pushed through from the reverse side as well. The distance between the tab face cut and the parallel liner cut can be varied in the design to improve functionality, preferably being narrower at the outer extremity, so that the outer edge separates from the rest of the sheet more easily, improving the probability that the perforated edge adjacent to the compact disc label will remain intact. There may or may not be one or more ties in the liner cut near the outer extremity in order to maintain the integrity of the sheet during the manufacturing and printing processes. The tab, which is mostly free of exposed adhesive in that it is still laminated to the die cut section of release liner, is then grasped from the face side, and lifted upward, pulling the compact disc label away from the label sheet. If there is a second tab on the label, this is also removed as the label is removed, and can be grasped by the user's other hand in order to control the position of the label. The user is now able to position the label either directly onto the compact disc or into an alignment apparatus, without any significant contact to an adhesive coated surface. Once the label has been applied to the compact disc, the tabs may be removed by pulling them away from the compact disc, causing the perforation between the tab(s) and the compact disc label to separate.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for removing and positioning compact disc labels without touching any adhesive-coated surface. The apparatus includes one or two tabs attached to the compact disc label. Another aspect of this disclosure is a novel method of removing compact disc labels without touching an adhesive surface by pushing the tab from behind or pulling the tab from the front and lifting the label.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention includes one or more tab handles in combination with the jewel case alignment tab as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,934. This provides a method of positioning the label in the jewel case so that it is properly aligned with and compact disc without handling the adhesive coated surface.

Various other label applicator constructions are disclosed herein. Each includes facestock adhered with releasable adhesive to a liner sheet. Die cut lines are made through the facestock but not through the liner sheet; and die cut lines are made through the liner sheet but not the facestock. Portions of the label sheet are then stripped away. Using different patterns of the die cut lines or other weakened separation lines and stripped away portions, the different label applicator constructions are formed. Each is a sheet construction with a plurality of small elongate labels formed from the liner sheet and releasably held to the facestock. The sheet construction is passed through a printer and the desired indicia printed on the labels. The printed labels are then ready for easy controlled removal and application by the user to tabs of index dividers, file folders or the like.

According to one definition of the invention, the label sheet is die cut on both the face and liner to facilitate the application of labels onto the dividers and file folders. The label sheet has die cuts that are oriented thereon to allow them to be aligned with either one or more sets of dividers or sets of file folders. The liner is die cut so that a strip can be removed directly from behind the labels, exposing the adhesive side of the labels. The labels are also temporarily held onto the remainder of the sheet by small ties. Removal of the liner from the label sheet allows the user to align the tabs over the substrate using the rest of the label sheet as a carrier. The application of the labels is followed by removal of the label sheet that breaks the ties, leaving just the labels on the substrate. The label applicator construction includes a pressure sensitive laminate material die cut on both the face and liner and sheeted to a standard-size sheet. The facestock of the pressure sensitive laminate material can be either paper or coated film that is toner or ink receptive. The adhesive can be permanent or removable, depending on the level of adhesion needed for the end user.

A first construction/method of the invention is for applying multiple labels on tab dividers/file folders. The label sheet includes die cuts that are oriented on the sheet in a way that allows them to be aligned with the set of tabs if a set of dividers were stacked on top of each other. The liner is die cut so that a strip, positioned directly behind the labels, can be removed, exposing the adhesive side of the labels. The labels are also temporarily held on the label sheet by small ties. The removal of the liner from the label sheet allows the user to align the tabs over the divider set using the label sheet as a carrier. Once the labels are affixed to the tabs, the user pulls away the label sheet to break the ties, leaving only the labels affixed to the tabs.

An alternate method for placing multiple label on tab dividers/file folders uses a label sheet which includes labels arranged in a way similar to the first method. In this method, the liner is die cut in the shape of the row of labels. The labels are exposed by removing the strip of liner directly behind the labels. Next, a set of dividers is placed on the exposed adhesive using the outline of the removed liner as a guide. After the labels have been pressure applied to the tabs, the label sheet is pulled away, leaving the labels affixed to the tabs.

A second construction/method is for applying single labels onto substrate. In this method, individual labels are placed on the substrate one label at a time. On both short sides of the label, there are “handles” that are held onto the label by small ties. These handles are used to hold the labels over the desired position and used to align the labels. After placing the labels on the desired location, the handles are removed by pulling laterally away from the label.

An alternate construction/method uses a single “handle” on the label. In this method, individual labels are placed on the substrate by using a single handle as an alignment tool. The handles are once again held onto the labels by small ties that are designed to be broken after the label has been placed in its desired location.

A third construction/method uses multiple sets of tab dividers placed in a device that uses pouches that are tiered. A set of dividers is placed in each of the pouches. The dividers are positioned such that when a label sheet, such as the one described in the first method, is aligned with the top row of tabs, all others will also be aligned. This allows the user to label multiple sets of dividers in a single operation.

Thus according to one of the present inventions, disclosed herein is a facestock which is adhered with adhesive to a liner sheet. Weakened separation lines in the facestock define lines of facestock labels. And weakened separation lines in the liner sheet define liner sheet strips separable from the body of the liner sheet to expose backsides of respective lines of labels. The rest of the liner sheet can then be manipulated to position the line of labels on staggered tabs, the labels pressed into position and separated from the rest of the facestock. Another embodiment includes facestock sheet separation lines defining the perimeters of facestock labels with at least one facestock handle attached thereto. The liner sheet includes a portion attached to the handle whereby the handle, the label and the portion are removable as a unit from the liner sheet and the facestock, the handle manipulated to position the label so that its adhesive backside is positioned and applied at the desired surface location, and the handle and portion then separated from the label.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

A number of different label applicator constructions of the present invention are disclosed herein and will now be described. Generally speaking, each is formed as a sheet construction having a liner sheet with a facestock attached to the back side thereof. One embodiment is to form the sheet construction as a laminate having an ink and/or laser receptive top coat facestock laminated with pressure sensitive adhesive to a release-coated paper liner. The facestock has weakened separation lines formed therein to define a plurality of facestock labels. And weakened separation lines in the liner sheet form the liner sheet so it can be separated into portions to assist in the proper placement of the facestock labels on the tabs of the index dividers, file folders or the like. More particularly, the weakened separation lines of the liner sheet allow the liner sheet to be separated such that one or more portions of the liner sheet can be manually handled by the user in the placement of the facestock labels so that he need not touch the labels. Additionally, the liner sheet portions thereby defined help the user properly position the facestock label(s) on the tab(s). As will become apparent from the following detailed descriptions, some of the embodiments herein allow the user to individually remove and manipulate labels and others allow for an entire line or row of labels to be essentially simultaneously applied to a line of stacked, staggered tabs in a manner that is an improvement over the problems experienced with the Pollman method.

The weakened separation lines can be formed by generally any known method. A preferred method for many of the lines is to die cut them. Each of the die cut lines typically will penetrate only one of the liner sheet or the facestock sheet. And the die cut portions of the liner sheet or facestock sheet are maintained on the label applicator sheet construction by the adhesive so that they will not separate from the sheet while the sheet is being passed through a printer or copier. Instead of die cutting, the weakened separation lines can be formed by perforated lines or other means as would be apparent to those skilled in the art.

A first label applicator construction of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 1 through 6, generally at100. It can be understood fromFIG. 3that the facestock sheet104is attached with adhesive108to the liner sheet112. Both the liner sheet112and the facestock104have die cut lines. The pattern for the die cut lines116of the liner sheet112is best shown inFIG. 2, which is the rear view of the sheet.FIG. 1then shows the pattern of the die cut lines120in the facestock104; and as can be understood therein and also fromFIG. 3, portions of the facestock have been stripped away to form the edge margins124of the construction. These margins are provided to reduce the curl on the label sheets. Additionally, a gutter strip128has been removed from the center and a perforation line132formed down the center of the liner sheet112. This allows the construction100to be divided into two parts by the user. Two smaller label applicator construction sheets are thereby formed for passing through the printer or as may be desired by the user.

Referring toFIG. 1, the facestock sheet is cut by the die cut lines120into four columns of ten rows of labels. Of course, different numbers of columns and rows or different patterns (non-matrix) of the labels can be used as needed. Each of the facestock labels has a two part construction, each having a large rounded corner rectangle140attached with a perforated line or ties144to a smaller rounded corner rectangle148. And the liner sheet is then cut to define a similar number of columns and rows of small rounded corner rectangles160, each positioned on the back of the respective rounded corner rectangles144of the label and adhered thereto by the adhesive108. The smaller facestock label rectangle148defines a handle portion of the label unit150, and the larger rectangle140defines the actual facestock label of the unit150on which indicia164is printed. A respective liner sheet160rectangle is adhered to this handle portion148of the unit150.

The sheet construction100is passed through a printer or a copier, such as shown inFIG. 26at170. And the desired indicia164are printed on the facestock label portion140of the unit150. It is anticipated that all of the facestock labels140will be printed in a single pass through the printer170. However, it is within the scope of the invention to print less than all of them and then pass the sheet through a second, third, or more times to print on the remaining labels. Alternatively, the user can hand write on some or all of the labels140.

After the label140has been printed, or handwritten thereon, with the desired indicia164, the label unit150is pulled off the rest of the sheet, as shown inFIG. 4, by the user grasping the liner sheet portion160and the handle portion148and removing them along their die cut lines from the surrounding liner sheet and facestock sheet and pulling the label portion140off of the underlying liner sheet with adhesive108remaining on the bottom portion of the label. The user then manipulates the label portion140into a desired position on the tab174by holding and manipulating the facestock handle portion and the attached liner sheet portion, as shown inFIG. 5, between his thumb178and forefinger182. The label140is then pressed down by the user and adhered with the adhesive108in the desired position on the tab174. The handle portion with liner sheet portion attached thereto are separated from the printed adhered label by tearing along the perforation line or ties144as shown inFIG. 6. Thereby the printed label140is accurately positioned by the user and without the user touching the label portion and thereby dirtying it or smudging it with body oils from the user's fingers or the user's fingers adhering to the adhesive.

FIGS. 7 through 12illustrate a second label applicator construction of the present invention generally at200. It is seen therein that it is conceptually similar to the construction100in that removable label units202are defined by die cut lines204,206in the facestock208and in the liner sheet212, and adhesive214is provided between the sheets. However, instead of the facestock portion being formed by a large elongate rectangle defining the label with a smaller elongate rectangle parallel thereto along a side edge defining the handle portion, a different configuration is shown in constructionFIG. 7. Although the unit202ofFIG. 7includes a similar elongate rectangular facestock label216, facestock handle portions220,224are formed at each end thereof and with perforation lines or ties228,232between the ends of the facestock label and both of the handle portions. Similarly, liner sheet portions236,240are die cut on the backs of each of the facestock handle portions220,224, respectively. The liner sheet portions236,240have slightly smaller dimensions than the respective handle portions220,224, defining a thin facestock margin about the perimeter of the liner sheet portions.

After the sheet200has been passed through a printer or a copier and the desired indicia250printed on the labels216, as shown inFIG. 10, the two end handle portions220,224and liner sheet portions236,240are grasped and pulled away from the sheet and the facestock label216peeled off from the liner sheet212with a layer of adhesive on the back of the label. With the two handle portions grasped by the user, the label unit204is positioned such that the label216is in the desired position on the tab254as shown inFIG. 11, and the label216is then pressed into position. The two handle portions220,224are then pulled away along the perforation lines228,232from the ends of the adhered label, as depicted inFIG. 12. Thereby, similar to the sheet100, the facestock label216itself is never touched by the user.

Referring toFIGS. 13 through 19, a third label applicator construction sheet of the present invention is shown generally at300. It is seen also to comprise a liner sheet304and a facestock308attached with adhesive312to the face of the liner sheet. Similar to the other constructions disclosed herein, margin edges316of the facestock have been cut and removed as well as a center gutter portion320and a perforation line324through the liner sheet and down the middle of the liner sheet as formed. The facestock has been die cut to form lines3-28of spaced rounded corner rectangular labels332, each connected to adjacent labels with thin strips336and with the die cut line extending from the end labels to the edge of the facestock. The liner sheet304is die cut340with end lines extending all the way to but spaced a small distance to form a small break-away tie at the edge of the sheet. The die cut lines extend in a distance and then extend down, across and up, parallel to the outer shape of the adjacent label but spaced outwardly a slight distance therefrom and extending out to form a small plateau350between adjacent labels similar to the spacing on the facestock sheet between the adjacent labels. The label liner sheet portions354are adhered to respective ones of the facestock labels332while the sheet is intact and passed through the printer or copier.

After passing therethrough and with desired indicia360printed on the labels332, the liner strip364at the top of the sheet is pulled away and separated from the remainder portion370of the sheet. The liner sheet portions mentioned above are removed with the liner sheet strip together with a liner sheet bar at the top374. This step is shown inFIG. 16. The adhesive connection between the facestock and the liner sheet and the small ties at the end of the liner sheet cut lines, hold the sheet intact and prevent the liner strip364from separating before it is manually pulled away by the user after the printing. When it has been pulled away, the liner sheet portions354on the backs of the respective facestock labels332are removed thereby exposing the adhesive back sides of the line of labels332at the top of the remaining sheet portion370. The top row of exposed labels332extends a slight distance out from the top edge of the sheet. The large remaining sheet portion370can then be manipulated by the user into the desired position aligned with the set of tab dividers374or file folders with their staggered tab378. The body portion370provides a strong, not flexible or flimsy, handle for manipulating and accurately positioning the top row of exposed labels onto the desired positions on the staggered tabs as shown inFIG. 17.

Each of the properly positioned labels332is then pressed flat down to form a strong adhesive bond onto the respective tabs378as depicted inFIG. 18. The body handle portion370of the sheet is then pulled away from the adhered labels332, breaking the thin facestock ties between the adjacent labels and leaving the labels in position. Referring back toFIG. 15, the next top liner strip is removed to expose the backsides of the second line of printed labels. The second line of printed labels are then manipulated into position on a second set of staggered dividers, the labels pressed into position and the remaining smaller body portion removed. This can be understood by again viewingFIGS. 17 through 19.

The fourth embodiment ofFIG. 20, shown generally at400, is an improvement over the embodiment ofFIG. 13, and a number of small differences are apparent. It similarly includes facestock404, liner sheet408, adhesive, and cut lines to form labels416, strips, etc. One of the differences is that there is an increased offset between the face and liner cuts. Also, there are more rounded corners, additional ties are provided on the faces, additional ties are provided on the liners and additional rows of labels are provided. The face cuts are provided to relax the post-laser curl in laser printers.

It can be seen that ten cavities are provided across by five around at 1.656 inches by 0.438 inch. Five ties per cavity as are provided on one-half of the sheet, and four ties per cavity on the other half of the sheet. The two surrounding cavities are 10.875 inches by 4.025 inches. The 1.5 mil polyester face is cut through to the 3.0 mil paper liner.

Referring toFIGS. 23 through 30, a fifth label applicator construction of the present invention is shown generally at500. It similarly includes the back liner sheet504and the facestock508adhered to a front surface thereof with adhesive512, as shown inFIG. 25. Similarly, margin516and the center gutter portion520of the facestock have been cut and removed. Die cut lines524,528are formed in both the liner sheet to but not through the facestock and through the facestock to but not through the liner sheet. The die cut lines524through the facestock form parallel rows of spaced rounded rectangular labels534. For example, as shown inFIG. 23, eight rows of five labels are formed. Thin breakable facestock necks separate adjacent labels in each row.

The die cut lines528in the liner sheet504form a plurality of liner strips550, each of the strips is comprised of a series of rectangular liner sheet portions554connected at the center ends to the adjacent liner sheet portions with necks558. Each of the liner sheet portions554has the same shape but with slightly larger dimensions than the underlying and attached facestock label534. The liner sheet necks558provide sturdy connections between the liner sheet portions554such that the entire strip550can be removed without the liner sheet portions554separating. It is removed after the sheet has been passed through a printer170and the indicia560printed on the top surfaces of the facestock labels as depicted inFIG. 26.

In other words, the liner sheet strip550is peeled off or removed from the sheet, leaving the exposed backsides of the respective adhesive labels534. The sheet can then be manipulated such that the exposed backsides of the labels534are positioned on the respective stacked and staggered tabs570of the dividers or file folders574as shown inFIG. 28. The labels534are pressed down into position to provide a firm, straight adhesion of the labels to the tabs570, as depicted inFIG. 29. The remainder of the sheet578is then pulled off of the labels534as shown inFIG. 30, leaving them properly applied on the tabs.

An advantage of construction of500is that more than one row of labels can be applied at the same time by removing more than one of the liner strips534. A system for doing this is shown inFIG. 31, where, for example, four rows of printed labels can be applied at the same time to four sets of dividers586. If the dividers586are offset or stacked in a stepped fashion relative to one another, a method for doing this consistently and accurately and holding the sets in this offset position is shown by the pouch600ofFIG. 31. The pouch600has a series of staggered pockets604, each for holding a respective set of dividers586.

In other words,FIG. 31shows a system of placing four rows of labels on tab dividers in a single step. The label sheet construction can be the sheet500, for example, or constructions as illustrated herein as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. The tab dividers586are placed in the unique pouch600of the present invention, which positions them in a staggered layout. The pouch600can be made from a sheet of paper with several pockets604of the same material, glued on the body of the pouch by adhesive. The paper will preferably be ninety pound index or higher basis weight material that can be durable as sensitive dividers are placed in and out of the pouches. This pouch600speeds the label application process where numbers of different sets of dividers must be labeled as part of a single operation. This speeds the labeling operation and helps ensure accurate alignment and placement of the labels with minimal user handling.

Examples of materials usable for the label applicator constructions disclosed herein are for the clear film label for laser printers: the facestock can be 1.5 mil polyester with laser topcoating, the adhesive can be permanent acrylic adhesive, and the liner can be 3.4 mil paper release liner. For the clear film label for inkjet printers, the facestock can be 1.5 mil polyester with inkjet top coating, the adhesive can be permanent acrylic adhesive, and the liner can be 3.4 mil paper release liner. Alternatives range from using ink and toner receptive facestock material to using both permanent and removable adhesives. As an example for paper labels, the facestock can be 4.0 mil paper facestock, the adhesive can be acrylic emulsion and the liner can be 2.8 mil paper liner.

A manufacturing process of the present invention as shown schematically inFIG. 32at700. Referring thereto, the material is a laminate consisting of an ink and/or laser receptive top coated facestock laminated via pressure sensitive adhesive to a release coated paper liner. The facestock can be ink or toner receptive paper or film. The adhesive can be any acrylic emulsion, solvent or hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive that is permanent or removable. And the release liner is a release coated liner. It is supplied in roll form704for converting into label sheets. The converting operation may or may not include printing, which generally speaking is not critical to the function or application of the label product.

The material is web fed through the converting press, such as the Mark Andy 4120, so as to pass through an initial rotary die station712that, when and where the product requires it, cuts through the liner but not through the polyester facestock. The anvil roller716is on top and the cutting die720is below at this station, as shown in the drawing. The rotary die that is in the initial die station may or may not include a perforation blade, which makes intermittent cut through the liner along the center of the web.

The web may or may not be turned over before it is passed through a second rotary die station730that, where the product requires it, cuts through the polyester facestock but not through the liner. The web then passes through a matrix removal station740that lifts and removes a section of the face material744which typically includes, but is not limited to, the perimeter around the label sheet and may or may not include a strip removed from the center of the sheet that coincides with the perforation in the liner.

Finally, the web passes through a sheeting station750, which uses one or more cross-directional blades to cut the web into individual sheets. The sheets are fed into a packaging/collating station760, which includes a stacker, which stacks the sheets one on top of the other into predetermined count stacks. The individual stacks are either fed into a collator, or fed into a packaging area, where they are packaged in bulk for later collation with other materials.

This general concept of providing a handle or tab (or strip) attached to a label to help the user position and secure the label to the desired surface without touching an adhesive surface can be applied to various different label constructions, as will now be described. In particular, it can be applied to compact disc labels, which are circular and have a circular opening. As described herein, the circular opening can be a full-face type of (narrow) opening corresponding to the diameter of the center opening of the disc or can be a standard diameter such as 1⅝ inch. The circular label itself will have a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the compact disc and may be 4½ inches, as an example. The label assembly can have one or preferably two diametrically opposed tabs extending out from the label and attached thereto. The label assemblies are formed on a sheet having a facestock sheet releasably adhered to a liner sheet. The label assembly is formed by weakened separation lines (die-cut, perforated, scored and other) in the facestock sheet and/or the liner sheet. The various arrangements thereof will be described in detail now with reference to the accompanying drawings.

After the sheet has been passed through a printer or copier and the desired indicia printed on the label portions of the sheet, so that the desired indicia is printed on the label portions of the sheets, the tabs are then pushed or pulled up and grasped with a portion of the liner (liner patch) being adhered to the facestock portion of the tab and the label assembly then peeled off of the sheet. The user can then grasp the other opposing tab, which similarly has a liner sheet portion on its back side (alternatively, he can grasp and pull both tabs at the same time). By grasping the two tabs and the liner sheet portions thereof, the user does not contact any adhesive surface. However, he can position the label directly on the desired surface.

Alternatively, he can position the label assembly on a label applicator device. According to a preferred embodiment, the label assembly is positioned with the adhesive side of the label facing up, the tabs hooked into place, and the CD is then pressed down on a center post of the device into contact with the label for adherence thereto. The CD with the label assembly adhered thereto can be removed from the device and the tabs torn off from the label. Preferably, weakened separation lines provide the tearing lines for the tabs. These are preferably perforated lines passing through the facestock sheet.

Referring toFIG. 33, a sheet of the present invention is shown generally at800. It includes two side-by-side label assemblies804,808. The label assemblies are identical except that one is rotated one hundred and eighty degrees relative to the other one. Both include circular labels820, with the outside circumferences defined by die-cut lines824through the facestock sheet around the entire perimeter except for the two portions830,834adjacent the tabs840,844. Those arcuate lines830,834are formed by perforated lines extending through both the facestock sheet and the liner sheet. The center hole850is formed by a die-cut line, and the hole can either be a full face (small) hole or a standard larger hole. The tab portions of the label assemblies, as is shown inFIGS. 34-37, are formed by die-cut lines having ties and cuts860through the facestock sheet. All of the tabs have liner sheet patches866formed by cut and/or perforated lines870through the liner sheet on their back sides. The liner sheet patches have generally the same size and shape as the facestock portion but with slightly smaller dimensions. Each of the tabs has a pair of opposing side notches890. These notches are provided to help position and hold the labels in place in label applicator devices, as will be shown and discussed later in this disclosure. The notches can have a central tie portion.

Crescent-shaped areas900are preferably formed by die-cut lines through the liner sheet at the ends of one of the two tabs of each of the label assemblies. The label sheet has cut lines through the facestock sheet, forming a matrix910of horizontal and vertical lanes914,918outside of the label assemblies. The crescent patches are attached to this matrix. Thus, the facestock matrix can be pulled off of the sheet before the label sheet is marketed to the user. This matrix910then will pull off the crescent-shaped portions900of the liner sheet attached thereto. This leaves crescent-shaped through-holes through the label sheet (and the facestock sheet). This allows the user to insert the tip of his finger from the top of the label sheet, in through the holes to engage the distal ends of one of the tabs and to pull the tab up, grasp and pull the tab, thereby peeling the label assembly804(or808) off of the sheet800. In other words, the crescent-shaped holes allow the user to easily engage and pull up on the ends of the tabs840.

Also, die-cut into the face sheet are a plurality of elongate spine labels930. Eight are shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 33. These labels are also conveniently printed in the printer or copier with the user's custom-designed indicia. They are similarly peeled off and applied to the spines of the jewel cases or other storage boxes for the labeled CDs, by the user.

FIG. 38shows generally at950a label sheet of the invention which is a variation of the label sheet ofFIG. 33. This label sheet950is illustrated as provided to the user and after the user has passed it through a printer or copier to have desired indicia954printed thereon. It is seen for this embodiment that the crescent-shaped openings960are provided for both tabs970of each label974of each label assembly980,984. In contrast, the embodiment ofFIG. 33only provides the crescent-shaped opening for one of the tabs of each of the label assemblies. Another difference is that only four spine labels990are provided. A further difference is the configuration of the removable facestock matrix1000. As discussed above, when this matrix is removed, the crescent-shaped liner sheet portions are removed therewith to form the openings960. This is an easy way to remove the crescent-shaped sheet portions without having excess small waste pieces produced. That is, it is a much cleaner and more efficient way of removing the crescent-shaped pieces than simply punching them out.

FIG. 39shows an enlarged view of one of the tabs of the sheet ofFIG. 38. It shows the face-cut line1010only in the circumference of the label, the microperforation arcuate line1014through the facestock sheet. The liner-patch die-cut line1018is cut through the liner sheet from the liner side. The sides1022of the tabs, which are cut to form ties1026, are cut through the facestock sheet and the liner sheet from the face side. The corners1030are cut through the liner from the liner side, and the crescent-shaped hole960is cut through the liner. The side edges1040,1050of the face matrix are cut through the facestock sheet. When the face matrix is removed, the crescent-shaped portion of the cut liner, which is adhered thereto with the sheet adhesive, is pulled off and removed with the face matrix1000to form the crescent-shaped hole at the end of each of the tabs. For this embodiment, the liner sheet patch1060on the rear side of the tabs970is the same size as the facestock sheet (front) portion of the tabs.

Referring toFIG. 38, after the printing operation as shown thereon, the user inserts his finger into either one of the crescent-shaped openings960for one of the label assemblies980or984and pulls up on the label assembly, grasping the tab970from the front and back and peels the label and opposing tab off of the underlying liner sheet, and the user grasps the opposing tab on both sides thereof between the fingers of his other hand. The label assembly980is then as depicted inFIG. 40, ready for insertion on a label applicator device.

FIG. 41is a perspective view of a label applicator device shown generally at1100with a label assembly1110of the present invention in position thereon. It can be seen that the label assembly1110is fitted via its central hole onto the central post assembly1120. The label assembly is held on the soft curved support surface1130of the device, adhesive side1140up, by the positioning of the tab notches1144of the tabs1148onto the upright device pins1150. With the label assembly so positioned the CD1170is positioned on the center post1120as shown inFIG. 41aand pressed down onto the label assembly1100, effectively adhering the label to the disc. That is, the CD1170is shown inFIG. 41a in a rest position on the post assembly, ready to be manually pressed down onto the adhesive surface of the label assembly1170.

FIG. 42shows the label applicator device1100with the post assembly1120raised so that the raised pegs of posts1160define a large opening1164for a large or regular opening label assembly, as depicted. The raised center pegs1160position the center opening of the label and the tabs1148are held in place by the pins1150engaging in the side notches of the tabs.

An alternative applicator device1200where, instead of notches in the sides of the tabs, the tabs1208have center slots or holes1212is shown inFIG. 43. These slots or holes1212are then positioned on the posts1220of the applicator. While the small hole opening1230for the embodiment of the label assembly1240is shown, this arrangement can also be used for the regular size opening by raising the post assembly as depicted inFIG. 42.

The notch embodiment is preferred over the central hole embodiment (FIG. 43), which may require that the user punch or push out the center dot piece from the tab1208to form hole1212. Also, because it is easier for the user to see the side pins1150instead of a central pin1220, application of the tabs to the device is easier. The pins in either embodiment can keep the label assembly flat during application, minimizing the possibility of creating bubbles. If bubbles are created, they can be squeezed out without forming wrinkles. Additionally, the tabs can be provided with both side notches and central slots to fit on either device.

FIGS. 44 and 45show an alternative label applicator device1260which has a different shape and slightly different operation, while employing the same function as the above-described devices, in that as the CD is pressed down, the entire applicator device is compressed down against a return bias. The return bias can be provided by the engineered plastic material of the device and/or by leaf or other springs attached to the bottom surface of the device. The longitudinal curving top surface helps position the label assembly and more effectively apply the label to the CD without wrinkling or bubbles. The label assembly1270shown inFIGS. 44 and 45is a regular size opening label1280. In contrast, the label assembly ofFIGS. 46 and 46ais a small hole label1290.

FIG. 47shows an alternative label sheet1300where instead of the crescent-shaped opening, a push tab1310is formed at the end of one or both of the tabs1320of each of the label assemblies. The tab is cut through both the face and the liner around a substantial portion of the perimeter1330and the end1340of the push tab is cut with a perforated or similar line through the face and/or liner. Spine labels1350can also be provided cut into the facestock sheet. The periphery1360of the labels1370can be die-cut except at arc1374. And the liner can be cut at line1378.

FIG. 48shows an alternative sheet embodiment1400where the CD label assembly is located symmetrically on the sheet. Tabs1410on either side of the label1420are formed. The liner section1420of the tab is directly underneath the facestock portion1430of the tab so that by pushing the liner section, the facestock section partially separates from the sheet. The facestock section1430is attached to the compact disc label1420by perforations1440. Lifting the facestock portion of the tab with the attached liner section of the tab lifts the compact disc label1420from the liner sheet. The opposed tab with its liner section can be lifted prior to the removal of the compact disc label1420or it can be left in and will pull the section of the opposite tab up during removal.

Referring toFIG. 49, an alternative label sheet embodiment is shown generally at1500wherein the alignment tab1510which is a perforation cut through both the facestock and the release liner and is separated by a liner cut1520, is removed along with the (compact disc) label1524. The tab1530is attached to the compact disc label1524by a perforation line1540, and the tab liner section1544. This label assembly can be handled without contacting the adhesive-coated surface. The alignment tab1510can then be used to align the label with the compact disc using the contours of the compact disc jewel case in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,934, incorporated herein.

This concept incorporates a mirror image of the “hat” concept that is currently used for Laser, Inkjet, and Color Laser CD labels. One purpose of having the second “hat” is to allow users to punch out the “hats” from behind and remove the CD label. A portion of the label (the middle area) has exposed adhesive, while the remainder of the assembly is still in laminate form. The idea is to place this assembly upside down on a CD applicator and peel back both “hats” simultaneously, so that equal force is applied in opposite directions as the liner sections of the “hats” are removed from the CD label. This allows the CD label to be relatively undisturbed on the applicator while the liner is being removed, with the end goal of having the CD label adhesive side up, with all of the adhesive exposed, never having contacted the adhesive directly with either hand. The CD can then be placed on top of the CD label in the applicator and applied thereto.

An alternate use of this concept would be to use the jewel case as an alignment tool and utilize it as our existing CD labels are used. The first “hat” would be positioned into the appropriate corners of the jewel case, the exposed area of the label would be applied to the CD, and then the “hats” would be removed sequentially or simultaneously. Again, the user would not need to contact an adhesive coated surface during this label application process.

FIGS. 50 and 51show label assemblies used for business card CD's. The label portion1550of the label assembly1560ofFIG. 50has rounded ends while the label1570of the assembly1580ofFIG. 51has square corners1584, and both have center holes1590. These different configurations are provided to accommodate and fit on different configurations of business card CD's. It is noted that both of the label assemblies ofFIGS. 50 and 51have the no-touch tabs1600with notches1610and with the liner sheet portion or patch on the back side of the tabs so the user advantageously does not grasp an adhesive surface. These tabs have notches to fit onto centering pegs of label applicator devices, as previously described, or adapted to accommodate CD business cards. Alternatively, they can have central slots or holes. A further embodiment Would be to omit any notches or holes These labels can be shaped to match a variety of business card CD types, as would be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The label sheet1630ofFIG. 52is used to provide printed or non-printed jewel case inserts together with the CD label assemblies. The jewel case insert shown at the top of the sheet at1640is a 4.875 by 4.875 inch square. It is defined by microperforations1650through both the face sheet and the liner sheet, with 0.0625 inch offsets1660. The face and backing are both permanent laminations so that they feel like a regular card. In other words, the area1640does not have a silicone coating, while the rest of the sheet does have a silicone coating. The tabs1670of the single label assembly1680both have the cut liner portions1684secured to their rear surfaces as previously discussed so that the user does not contact adhesive surface while handling the tabs. Microperfs1688in the face sheet separate the tabs from the labels1690. The center holes1696in the labels can be either full face or regular size openings. One or more spine strips can also be provided on the sheet1630.

FIG. 54shows generally at1700an address label embodiment after removal from a label sheet. The top and side tabs1710,1714with liner sheet patches on their back sides are used to align the label1720correctly to an envelope (not shown) and then are torn off along their perforation lines1734. This leaves the adhesive printed or non-printed label correctly positioned and adhered to the envelope.

A license plate label assembly1750having a pair of no-touch tabs1760,1764extending out from the label1770is shown inFIG. 54. These tabs1760,1764are aligned to the edge of the license plate, the label1770applied and the tabs removed in a process similar to that described with respect to other embodiments herein.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art. For example, the labels, instead of being passed through a printer or copier, are written directly thereon by a pencil, pen or the like, or the labels are provided on the sheet with the indicia pre-printed. Or the labels can be unprinted color coded labels. Another alternative is for the labels when on the sheet to not have adhesive thereon but rather to be detached or removed and then attached to an adhesive surface. While one preferred embodiment uses a clear glossy polyester (or film) facestock, an adhesive layer and a paper liner, other materials can be used. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof.