METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ON-DEMAND PRINTING ON LABEL MODULES

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for effecting on-demand printing of labels. The concept "on-demand printing" refers to a label with a desired format and motif being printed by a device on demand from a user, by means of the user issuing suitable commands to the device. Since the invention utilizes label modules (11) in the form of a pre-perforated web, and the size of the selected motif (13) is adapted to the selected number of label modules, only one label type is required for most applications which implies cost reductions. The invention is characterized in that the print area (12) for the selected motif is regulated such that it is adapted to the total area of the selected number of label modules. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the label modules are provided with a liquid-soluble adhesive, which eliminates the need for special release papers or release layers and enables recycling of waste. Labels printed according to the invention are suitable, for instance, for use as address labels, labels for marking luggage, etc.

Description: TITLE: Method and device for on-demand printing on label modules. TECHNICAL FIELD: The present invention relates to a method and a device for carrying out on-demand printing of labels, whereby the print area for the selected motif is regulated so that it is adapted to the total area of a selected number of label modules provided in the form of a pre-perforated web. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND: On-demand printing of different types of labels in web form is a previously known technique which is used for a multitude of different applications in which individual labels have to be printed momentarily, for instance shop price tags, labels for marking luggage, address labels, etc. In this context, the concept "on-demand printing" refers to a label being printed with a desired format and motif by a device, by means of the user issuing suitable commands to the device. If, for some reason, a user at the same station of use and time needs several different label sizes for on-demand printing, the currently known techniques require that several different on-demand printers with different label dimensions are used. This becomes costly, complicated and requires a lot of space. Instead of having several different printers with different label dimensions, it is conceivable to change label dimension in one and the same printer. This, however, takes time and is inconvenient from an ergonomic point of view. The current systems also generate other additional costs, due to the fact that several different label dimensions must be kept in stock. The currently known methods also often generate waste when changing between different label dimensions, since a user often avoids reusing half-empty reels of label material for reasons of convenience. As a rule, the currently utilized label materials are provided with a self-adhering adhesive of a type which either requires a separate release paper or a release layer on one side of the label material in order to avoid that the different layers in a label reel stick to each other. Thereby, a large portion of the waste which arises with methods according to the present state of the art becomes non-recyclable. The reason for this is that self-adhering adhesive of a conventional type, and also the chemical compounds which are utilized in order to create a release effect, give rise to serious process and environmental problems in conventional plants for waste paper recovery. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: Thus, one object of the present invention is to provide a method in which the above-mentioned problems with a complicated, non-ergonomic, space-consuming and costly handling are reduced or eliminated. This object is achieved by means of a method according to claim 1, making it possible to utilize one single label dimension for on-demand printing, provided in the form of a pre-perforated web of individual label modules and, thanks to a modular concept, to still have flexibility when the size of the print area is concerned. A second object of the present invention is to provide a method which minimizes the amount of non-recyclable waste which arises. This second object is achieved by a method according to claim 2, by means of the method according to the invention making use of a label material with label modules which are converted into an adhesive state by a supply of liquid, which eliminates the need for special release papers or release layers and enables the waste which still arises to be recycled by means of, for instance, conventional waste paper recovery. A further, third object of the present invention is to provide a device for carrying out the invention. This third object of the present invention is achieved by means of utilizing a device for on-demand printing according to claim 4 , in which the print area is regulated in such a way that said print area is comprised within the total area of a selected number of label modules which are provided in the form of a pre-perforated web. When printing a selected print motif with a printing unit being part of the device, the selected number of label modules are printed so that the total area of these is larger than said print area, whereafter said label modules may be torn off at one or several pre-perforations. Since the device according to claim 6 is additionally provided with means for supplying a liquid to a number of said label modules, recyclable label material furnished with a liquid-soluble adhesive may be utilized. Thus, the device according to the invention makes it possible to minimize the generation of non-recyclable waste. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows principal diagrams, in the sub-drawings 1A- 1E, of some conceivable label designs printed according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a partial plan view of a label printed according to the invention, Fig. 3 is several plan views of additional labels printed according to the invention, and Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device for carrying out the present invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: With reference to Fig. 1, the method is based on a modular principle wherein the print area 12A, 12B, 12C, with the selected motif 13A, 13B, 13C for a printed label 10, may be comprised within an optional number of label modules 11. In this way, the dimensions and the legibility of text or another motif on a label may be adapted to the requirements of a certain application so that, for instance, text or a motif either may be printed on a single label module (Fig. IA, ID) of the pre-perforated web, or the same text or motif may be printed on more than one label module (Fig. IB, IC, IE) if a larger print area is desired. The printed selected motif can extend without interruption across the pre-perforations between the individual label modules. The selected motif may also be printed both across (Fig. ID) and along (Fig. IE) the direction of the pre-perforated web, indicated by the arrows a and b, something which is required in order to take maximum advantage of the total print area for different numbers of label modules. The label modules are on the back-side, i.e. the surface opposite the side which is to be printed, provided with an adhesive suitable for labels which may be of a conventional type. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the label modules are furnished with an adhesive of a liquid- soluble type, preferably a water-soluble so-called dry gum, consisting of e.g. starch, gum arabic or another suitable binder. By using an adhesive of the above-mentioned type, the advantage is attained that the amount of non-recyclable waste is minimized, since no separate release paper or release layer is required, and since the waste which nevertheless arises is well suited for recycling by means of conventional waste paper recovery. Fig. 2 shows a label which has been printed with a method according to the invention, in which a larger print area, and thereby an improved legibility, has been obtained by letting the print area extend across several label modules. Fig. 3 shows that the modular method of the present invention may also be utilized so that different parts of a motif, which is to be printed, are divided into several parts, each of which is printed on individual label modules, if this is desired. This enables, for instance, simultaneous printing and output of a text and a bar code on separate label modules which, if desired, may be separated from each other by means of the pre-perforation Fig. 4 shows a device for on-demand printing according to the present invention. The device comprises a reel holder with a label reel 40, comprising label modules in the form of a pre-perforated web 41, a printing unit 42 for printing a selected motif and an output zone 43 for printed label modules with selected motif(s) 44. The printing unit 42 may, for instance, be a laser printer or a thermal printer. It is to be noted that a thermal printer requires the use of a special so-called thermal paper for the label modules. The device according to the present invention also comprises control means 45, which may be controlled by the user, and which regulate the size of the print area so that it is comprised within the total area of a selected number of said label modules. Said control means 45 also controls the output of printed label modules with a selected motif 44 so that the selected number of label modules are fed out from the device and are brought into a position where they, by means of e.g. a sharp edge provided in said output zone 43, may be torn off at a pre-perforation of the web of label modules 41 in connection to said output zone 43. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is provided with means 46, preferably in connection to the output zone 43, for supplying a liquid to a number of said label modules. Said means 46 may be constituted of a roll, a nozzle or any other suitable state of the art device which may apply a desired amount of liquid to the label modules which are to be converted into an adhesive state. The liquid is advantageously an aqueous liquid, but may be any liquid which is able to convert the above-mentioned, water-soluble adhesive of the label modules into an adhesive state. The present invention is in no way limited to being carried out according to the above-mentioned embodiments or the attached drawings, but may be varied within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. Method for on-demand printing of a selected motif (13A, 13B, 13C) on a print area (12A, 12B, 12C) on at least one label module (11) with a defined area, said label module (11) being provided as a part of a continuous web (41) with pre-perforations (14), said web comprising a plurality of label modules (11) which on their backside are provided with a suitable adhesive, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the size of said print area (12A, 12B, 12C) is regulated so that said print area, essentially continuously and without interruption, is comprised within the total area of a selected number of said label modules (11), and that the selected number of label modules, with said selected print motif(s) (44), after printing is fed to a position at which the selected number of label modules may be torn off along one of said pre-perforations. 2. Method according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that a number of said label modules (11) is converted into an adhesive state by means of the supply of a liquid. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said liquid is an aqueous liquid. 4. Device for on-demand printing of a selected print motif (13A, 13B, 13C) on a print area (12A, 12B, 12C) on at least one label module (11), said device comprising a reel holder with a label reel (40) comprising a plurality of label modules furnished with a suitable adhesive on the backside, said label modules provided in the form of a pre- perforated web (41), a printing unit (42) for printing a selected print motif (13A, 13B, 13C) and an output zone (43) for printed label modules with selected print (44), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said device comprises control means (45) which may be influenced by the user, said control means regulating the size of said print area (12A, 12B, 12C) so that said print area, essentially continuously and without interruption, is comprised within the total area of a selected number of said label modules, and that said control means (45) controls the output of label modules (44) printed with selected motif, so that the selected number of label modules is fed out from the device into a position at which they may be torn off along one of said pre-perforations (14) in the vicinity of said output zone (43 ) . 5. Device according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said printing unit (42) is a thermal printer and that the label reel (40) comprises label modules which are manufactured from paper intended for direct thermal printing. 6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said device comprises means (46) for the supply of a liquid to a number of said label modules.

Inventors: DIJKSTRA ARJEN, DIJKSTRA, ARJEN
Applicants: DIJKSTRA ARJEN, MARKPOINT PRINTER AB, DIJKSTRA, ARJEN
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G07B1
IPC codes: B41J5, B65C9, B65C11, G07B1, G09F3