MULTI-PORTION LABEL AND LABELLING SYSTEM

Abstract: A multi-portion label including: a first portion (11) adapted to be fixed to a substrate (50); and a second portion (12) separable from the first portion by frangible means; wherein, in use, the second portion is at least partially disposed directly intermediate the first portion and the substrate, and wherein, in use, the second portion is separable from the first portion without damage to the first portion.

Description: "MUT-TI-PORTION LABEL AND LABELLING SYSTEM" TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a multi-portion label and to a labelling system. This invention has particular but not exclusive application to the transfer of goods, documents or other articles via delivery services. Labels presently used by such delivery services are known as consignment notes. BACKGROUND ART Consignment notes which are presently in use consist of a plurality of leaves (portions) which are detachable from a common spine. These consignment notes are specifically designed for use with an impact printer, or may be hand written, and are useful where a receipt is required by, for example, the delivery company and the sender. In use, the uppermost leaf (portion) is printed by hand or with an impact printer and the underlying leaves (portions) receive a carbon imprint. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION This invention in one aspect resides broadly in a multi-portion label including:- a first portion adapted to be fixed to a substrate; and a second portion seperable from the first portion by frangible means; wherein, in use, the second portion is at least partially disposed directly intermediate the first portion and the substrate, and wherein, in use, the second portion is seperable from the first portion without damage to the first portion. Preferably, the second portion is adapted to be folded about a fold line such that it is at least partially disposed intermediate the first portion and the substrate in use, and wherein a portion of the second portion between the frangible means and the fold line is adapted to be manually grasped to facilitate separation of the second portion from the first portion. Preferably, the first portion is generally rectangular and, in use, is fixed to the substrate along three sides thereof and the second portion protrudes from beneath the fourth side. Preferably, in use, the first and second portions mutually overlap. In this embodiment the overlapping portion of the first portion includes fixing means for fixing the first portion to the substrate, and the overlapping portion of the second portion constitutes a tab to facilitate seperation of the second portion from the first portion. Preferably, the fixing means is transfer adhesive. In one embodiment the second portion includes a plurality of seperable sub-portions. In a preferred embodiment the label includes a third portion seperable from the first portion by frangible means. Preferably, the portions are constituted by a single sheet of printable material. Preferably, the frangible means is a line of perforations. In another aspect the invention resides in a method of manufacturing a multi-portion label including the following steps in any order:- (A) providing frangible means intermediate a first portion and second portion of a sheet of printable material such that in use the second portion can be seperated from the first portion without damage to the first portion; (B) placing adhesive on a selected area of the first portion whereby the first portion can be adhered to a substrate; (C) providing a fold line such that in use the second portion can be at least partially disposed directly intermediate the first portion and substrate; and (D) printing generic information on the first and second portions. Preferably, the fold line is provided in the second portion such that a portion of the second portion between the frangible means and the fold line is adapted to be manually grasped to facilitate separation of the second portion from the first portion. In another aspect the invention resides in a method of using a multi-portion label manufactured in accordance with the method of manufacturing a multi-portion label above, the method of using a multi-portion label including:- (1) printing custom information on the first and second portions of the multi-portion label; (2) folding the multi-portion label such that the second portion is at least partially disposed under the first portion; and (3) adhering the first portion to a substrate. Preferably, the method further includes manually grasping the second portion, seperating the second portion from the first portion, and withdrawing the second portion from between the first portion and substrate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:- FIG 1 is a rear view of a multi-portion label according to the invention. FIG 2 illustrates a front view of a multi-portion label of FIG 1 adhered to a substrate. FIG 3 illustrates a rear view of an alternative embodiment of the multi-portion label according to the invention. FIG 4 illustrates a rear view of an alternative embodiment of the multi-portion label according to the invention. FIG 5 illustrates a front view of an alternative embodiment of the multi-portion label according to the invention. FIG 6 illustrates a front view of an alternative embodiment of the multi-portion label according to the invention. BEST MODE Referring to FIGS 1 and 2, multi-portion label 10 includes first portion 11 and second portion 12. First portion 11 and second portion 12 are defined by a line of perforations 14 which render second portion 12 separable from first portion 11 without damage to first portion 11. Second portion 12 includes fold line 15. First portion 11 includes transfer adhesive 13 on three edges thereof. Transfer adhesive 13 is located and second portion 12 is of a size such that when second portion 12 is folded under first portion 11 about fold line 15 (as seen in FIG 2), second portion 12 does not contact adhesive 13 but is substantially disposed directly intermediate first portion 11 and substrate 50. Furthermore, when folded, second portion 12 protrudes from beneath first portion 11 to facilitate manual removal of second portion 12. The embodiment as illustrated in FIGS 1 and 2 therefore provides a multi-portion label which may be separated into two copies. Both copies (portions) of the label may be printed by a single pass of the label through a conventional printer without requiring carbon. If a third (or more) copy is required, second portion 12 may be folded upon itself thereby forming sub- portions 31 and 32 (see FIG 3) which are separable from each other. In another embodiment, first portion 11 may be separably connected to third portion 41 by perforations 42 (as seen in FIG 4). In use, third portion 41 is located adjacent first portion 11 and may be seperated upon collection and retained by the sender. As illustrated in FIG 5, third portion 41 may also include removable self-adhesive coded tabs 51. These tabs can be used where multiple articles are sent under a single consignment note. Each article in the consignment receives a coded tab. A plurality of coded tabs 61 may also be attached to second portion 12 as seen in FIG 6 and used where multiple articles are sent under a single consignment note. In use, a multi-portion label according to FIGS 1 and 2 and having generic information thereon is passed through a printer, which may be an impact or non-impact printer, and custom information (eg sender and addressee details) is printed. After printing is completed, the second portion, and any sub-portions thereof (eg FIG 3), is folded under the first portion as shown in FIG 2. Transfer adhesive which is located on the underside of the first portion is then exposed and the multi-portion label is adhered to the relevant article or substrate. It will be understood that the multi-portion label is protected from damage during handling due to its low profile against the substrate. Upon delivery to the addressee, second portion 12 is manually grasped and separated from first portion 11 which remains undamaged and fixed to the article. Second portion 12, and any sub-portions thereof, is signed and dated by the addressee and is retained by the delivery company to confirm delivery. Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS 4 and 5, as described above, custom information (sender and addressee details) is printed on all three portions during a single pass through an impact or non-impact printer. The second portion is then folded under the first portion and the first portion is adhered to the article with the second portion disposed directly intermediate the first portion and the article. The article is now ready for collection by the delivery driver. If multiple articles are involved in the consignment then coded tabs (FIG 5) are adhered to the other articles. When collecting the article(s) , the delivery driver signs and indicates the time and date on the third portion which is detached from the first portion and retained by the sender as proof of collection. Upon delivery, the second portion is detached from the first portion, signed and dated by the addressee and retained by the delivery driver as proof of delivery. The first portion remains adhered to the article. The multi-portion label according to the invention provides many advantages. As mentioned above, it may be printed on an impact or non-impact printer without any requirements for carbon paper or the like. As the multi-portion labels can be printed using a non-impact printer, such as a laser printer, superior legibility and font quality is achieved and machine readable codes such as bar codes can be printed by the customer rather than by the delivery company. Multi-portion labels without bar codes can be provided by the delivery company at zero or minimal cost. As required, a bar code is then down-loaded to the client via a modem line and the customer is charged for the bar code. The client can then print the multi-portion label, including the down-loaded bar code and attach it to the consignment ready for collection by the delivery company. The invention provides a system wherein account and record keeping are substantially enhanced and wherein bar codes are issued in order of chronological use. It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modification and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A multi-portion label including:- a first portion adapted to be fixed to a substrate; and a second portion seperable from the first portion by frangible means; wherein, in use, the second portion is at least partially disposed directly intermediate the first portion and the substrate, and wherein, in use, the second portion is seperable from the first portion without damage to the first portion. 2. A multi-portion label as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second portion is adapted to be folded about a fold line such that it is at least partially disposed intermediate the first portion and the substrate in use, and wherein a portion of the second portion between the frangible means and the fold line is adapted to be manually grasped to facilitate separation of the second portion from the first portion. 3. A multi-portion label as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion is generally rectangular and, in use, is fixed to the substrate along three sides thereof and the second portion protrudes from beneath the fourth side. 4. A multi-portion label as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, in use, the first and second portions mutually overlap. 5. A multi-portion label as claimed in claim 4, wherein the overlapping portion of the first portion includes fixing means for fixing the first portion to the substrate, and the overlapping portion of the second portion constitutes a tab to facilitate seperation of the second portion from the first portion. 6. A multi-portion label as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the second portion includes a plurality of seperable sub-portions. 7. A multi-portion label as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the multi-portion label further includes a third portion seperable from the first portion by frangible means. 8. A multi-portion label as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second portions are constituted by a single sheet of printable material. 9. A multi-portion label as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first, second and third portions are constituted by a single sheet of printable material. 10. A method of manufacturing a multi-portion label including the following steps in any order:- (A) providing frangible means intermediate a first portion and second portion of a sheet of printable material such that in use the second portion can be seperated from the first portion without damage to the first portion; (B) placing adhesive on a selected area of the first portion whereby the first portion can be adhered to a substrate; (C) providing a fold line such that in use the second portion can be at least partially disposed directly intermediate the first portion and substrate; and (D) printing generic information on the first and second portions. 11. A method of manufacturing a multi-portion label as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fold line is provided in the second portion such that a portion of the second portion between the frangible means and the fold line is adapted to be manually grasped to facilitate separation of the second portion from the first portion. 12. A method of using a multi-portion label manufactured in accordance with the method of manufacturing a multi- portion label of claim 10 or 11, the method of using a multi-portion label including:- (1) printing custom information on the first and second portions of the multi-portion label; (2) folding the multi-portion label such that the second portion is at least partially disposed under the first portion; and (3) adhering the first portion to a substrate. 13. A method of using a multi-portion label as claimed in claim 12, wherein the method further includes manually grasping the second portion, seperating the second portion from the first portion, and withdrawing the second portion from between the first portion and substrate.

Inventors: SCHEGGETMAN WIM, SCHEGGETMAN, WIM
Applicants: DISKDEED PRINTING TECH PTY LTD, SCHEGGETMAN WIM, DISKDEED PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES PTY. LTD., SCHEGGETMAN, WIM
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G09F3
IPC codes: G09F3