DISK LABELING DEVICE

Abstract: A device for the positioning of a label, having a central aperture and peripheral edge, onto a surface of a disk, having a central hole and an outer edge including three components: (1) a support base for the label having a central aperture; (2) a centering spindle having a first and second, reduced diameter portions for relatively centering the label and disk, the disk being seated on a shoulder between the first and second diameter portions; and (3) a compressible foam pad cylindrical in shape adapted to be adhered to the bottom of the second diameter portion of the spindle and positioned in an aperture in the base on which the spindle may be seated. With the disk retained on the shoulder and centered by the second diameter portion of the spindle passing therethrough, the disk is moved towards the label supported adhesive side up on the base. The first diameter portion of the spindle enters the aperture in the base, centering the label relative to the disk and compressing the foam pad, which exerts a counterforce, uniformly between the disk and label as the two are adhered and united, to uniformly adhere the label to the disk without wrinkles or air pockets. The device can be shipped in a knock-down state by placing the components within the base, inverting the same and providing a cover plate removably connected to the base.

Description: DISK LABELING DEVICE CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS; This application is a continuation-in-part of Application Serial No. 09/141,848, filed August 27, 1998 entitled 'Oisk Labeling Device" and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. FTELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of compact disk labeling devices, and more particularly to a device for centering a disk with respect to a self-adhesive label while maintaining them in spaced relation and subsequently allowing them to contact, forming a labeled disk. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The proliferation of compact disks (discs), also known as laser disks, in the form of music as well as CD-ROM products has become extensive. In recent years, recordable compact disks such as those produced by SONY, 3M, and KODAK has grown in popularity. Further, these disks are being used for archival data storage, immediate distribution of data, and for demonstration purposes. With this recent use has grown a need to label these disks once they have been produced. This is because once produced, there is no generally available visual method for determining the contents of the disk, without reducing storage capacity below the 680 MB of data or more, without external markings. While manufacturers of large numbers of identical disks have their labels or identifying information painted, silk-screened or printed onto the disks, e.g., a layer of adherent ink or pigment is applied to the surface of the disk, this method is generally impractical for recordable compact disk producers. For small runs or those requiring immediate availability of the disk, printing or painting based methods of labeling take too much time, incur a significant setup charge, and require special equipment. Automated disk imprinting devices may be large and cumbersome, with bulk pigmented ink supplies generally favoring long production runs. Another known method of labeling a compact disk employs a direct printing using an ink jet system onto the surface of a disk. These systems provide a special carrier for the disk, which is printed using a conventional ink jet printing apparatus. This method suffers the shortcomings of ink jet technology, including problems with the inks used, such as smudging, running, lack of scratch resistance on the disk surface, and the like. This ink jet printing technology is also relatively slow. Ink markers may also be used to label disks, but this is unattractive and can cause damage to the disk by breaking down the coating which protects the disk. Permanent ink markers often include solvents in the ink. As a result, manufacturers such as Avery Dennison, Avery Division, Diamond Bar CA, produce self-adhesive labels shaped like, and designed for compact disks. Improper placement of a label on a disk, especially with the advent of high speed, e.g., ten or higher speed data transfer (with single speed data transfer defined as the rate necessary to support CD audio), and higher information density disk recording technologies, such as Digital Nideo Disk ("DVD"), may result in read errors, or drive motor damage due to dynamic imbalance of the disk. Other known prior art includes: Kodaka et al, US 5,346,654, which relates to a method for forming indicia on compact disks. This method employs a molded impression from a "mother", and does not apply an adhesive label. Lexel, US 5,316,464, relates to a hinged structure for pressing a marking onto a compact disk, and also does not apply an adhesive label. Sugaya etal, US 4,903,255, on the other hand, relates to an adhesive label marking system for compact disks. However, the labels are ultimately apphed manually, without any apparatus for assisting in accurate placement on the disk. Hanna, US 4,385,460, relates to an optical disk or phonorecord label having a hinged portion for individualized marking, which is apparently manually applied. Nakamura, US 5,084,127, relates to a labeling system for 3.5 inch magnetic media encased in a rectangular plastic enclosure, and thus, while placing the labels in a desired location, do not place the label concentrically directly on the rotating media. In US 5,543,001, and US Serial No. 661,443, filed June 11, 1996, both assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, a compact disk labeling device and method is disclosed which provides various embodiments intended to assist in the accurate placement of an adhesive label, generally bearing a pressure sensitive adhesive, to a surface of a disk. In a preferred embodiment, the label is centered with respect to the disk by means of a tapered member, inserted through the central aperture of the label, which gradually centers the label until it is in defined position. The disk is centered by a dowel inserted all the way through the spindle hole. After the label and disk are centered, a force is applied, allowing adhesion of the label to the disk. The force may be applied, for example, by a base on which the label rests, adhesive surface upward. The base, in this case, has an aperture allowing the tapered member to pass through . The dowel extends upwardly from the tapered member, and thus may serve as a handle. The label is placed on the surface of the base, adhesive side upward, with the central aperture overlapping the aperture in the base. The disk is placed on the dowel, and rests against a shoulder at an upper portion of the tapered member, with the side to be labeled facing downward. The tip of the tapered member is pressed through the central aperture of the label and the aperture of the base, with the tapered portion exerting a lateral force to center the label with respect to the tapered member. After the label is centered, the disk, resting on the shoulder is further lowered, until it contacts the label. A force is uniformly applied which permits complete and uniform adhesion throughout the contact area between the disk and label, as compared to the device and apparatus of Japanese patent JPA 532498, where the adhesion force may cant the disk for an uneven application of the label among other deficiencies, i.e., the use of two positioning members being mandatory. The label normally has a contact adhesive, which requires a relatively low contact force to cause a strong adhesion, and thus a uniformly applied force will cause complete adhesion. The label thus generally has a central circular hole, larger than the central aperture in the disk, so that no clearance problem will arise. A member within this central circular hole which has a largest dimension approximately equal to the diameter of the hole, will locate the center of the label. This member is preferably a tapered tip cylinder, which provides an initial taper so that the tip may be easily guided into the central hole. Further insertion will gently relocate the label with respect to the member, until the label is concentric around the cylindrical portion of the member. The label is centered by the taper on the tapered member and its larger diameter cylinder with respect to the disk. The larger diameter cylinder is insertable through the label and, in the preferred embodiment, the aperture in the surface. When the label is in a place near the junction between the larger and small diameter cylinders, the disk lies nearly adjacent to the label, properly positioned. Pressure may then be applied on top of the disk which is centered relative to the label by the dowel inserted all the way through the spindle hole so it cannot pivot or cant relative to the spindle axis, by any suitable means, including manual pressure, pressure on a pressure plate, an automatic pressure device, a spring or weight, or other known means, forcing intimate contact between the label and the disk, thus adhering the two. The compact disk with the newly affixed label is then removed from the device by lifting the cylindrical extension and pulling the positioning cone out of the positioning hole and the hollow core portion. Thereafter, the compact disk is lifted off cylindrical extension. If not permanently affixed, the positioning plate may be removed from the cylindrical base and used to further press the label onto the compact disk. This last step is carried out by placing the positioning plate on top of the compact disk and manually pressing the plate against the disk while the disk is lying on a substantially flat surface. A separate pressure plate may also be provided, or another compact disk employed in order to compress the label. Preferably, the label is held and pressed flatly against the disk to avoid wrinkles. Alternatively, after suitable alignment, the label may be "rolled' onto the disk, i.e., applied to the disk by applying pressure along a chord or radius of the disk extending across the label. Further, in order to prevent finger prints from appearing on the data surface of the compact disk, it is preferred that the pressure be manually apphed centrally to the compact disk, inside the data region, or that a separate device, e.g., a plate or "dummy" compact disk be provided to apply pressure to the disk without finger contact. Of course, a user may wear gloves to avoid direct finger contact. Generally, contact adhesives applied to labels have a strong adhesion even when applied under light pressure; the reason for care in the application of pressure is to assure that the label does not shift or curl during application and to eliminate air bubbles under the label. It has also been proposed that a member for axially aligning the disk and the member of axially aligning the label are affixed to one another. Since the disk spindle aperture is smaller than the label central aperture, a coaxial structure having varying characteristic radii may be provided, having a first member for aligning the disk and means for selectively contacting the label and the disk after alignment. For example, the contacting means may be a spring loaded cylinder with a central spindle mounted in a plate, as for example shown in U.K. patent 2305907A to Grossman, so that the label is supported by the plate and centered by the cylinder; the disk is supported by the cylinder and centered by the spindle, and after centering of each, the disk may be lowered to contact the label by compressing the spring, to ostensibly apply uniform pressure against the force of the spring. The spring disclosed may be a helically wound resilient element. However, this requires a two part, inner and outer cylindrical member forming a housing for the spring and two relatively movable parts so the spring can be compressed, which is not only expensive, but subject to mechanical malfunction if the spring binds or rides on one of the elements. Assembly and maintenance of the assembly is also time consuming and the helically wound spring may apply an uneven pressure between the contacting surfaces of the disk and label causing air traps therebetween resulting in a wrinkled label. Similar spring devices are also disclosed in German Patent 196 28 678, granted October 29, 1998, and WP 98/10934, published March 19, 1998. Further, the prior art devices are generally not knock-down, except for the device previously disclosed in the assignee's prior patent and application, US 5543,001 and US Serial No. 661,443, respectively, but even so, cannot be conveniently packaged for shipment as a unit where space requirements are at a premium. The present invention presents a solution to all these problems. SUMMARY QF THE INVENTION The present invention utilizes a compressible foam element as the counterspring force in lieu of a coiled spring between the disk and label to assure even distribution across the contacting surfaces. This results in simplifying the assembly of the device in use, and reduces the cost to a minimum as only three components are necessary informing the device: (1) a support base for the label having a central aperture; (2) a centering spindle having a first and second, reduced diameter portions for relatively centering the label and disk, the disk being seated on a shoulder between the first and second diameter portions; and (3) a compressible foam pad, cylindrical in shape adapted to be adhered to the bottom of the second diameter portion of the spindle and positioned in an aperture in the base on which the spindle may be seated. With the disk retained on the shoulder and centered by the second diameter portion of the spindle passing therethrough, the disk is moved towards the label supported adhesive side up on the base. The first diameter portion of the spindle enters the aperture in the base, centering the label relative to the disk and compressing the foam pad, which exerts a counterforce, uniformly between the disk and label as the two are adhered and united. The reduced diameter portion of the spindle may then be raised like a handle to remove the coupled disk and label from the base and the united pair removed from the spindle. The resilient foam pad resumes its uncompressed state, ready for reuse. A cover plate can also be provided which is attachable to the base to serve as a cover of a container formed by the support base to house the spindle, foam pad and any other accessories used with the device. This enables the unit to be shipped in a knock-down state where space is at a premium. These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims and from the accompanying drawings herein BRTF.F DESCRIPTION OF THF. DRAWINGS Fig 1 is an exploded perspective view of a compact disk labeling device according to the present invention; Fig. 2A and 2B are exploded views illustrating the application of the compressible foam pad to the spindle, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled labeling device ready for use; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the removal of a label from its backing sheet; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled labeling device supporting the label to be applied to a disk; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a disk positioned on the labeling device over the label to be adhered to the disk; Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of adhering the label to the disk, Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a washer positioned on the labeling device to preclude contact with the disk being labeled by the device; Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the washer of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a side view in elevation of the washer of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the assembled components of the disk labeling device of Figs. 1 to 10 in use position to adhere a disk to a label; Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention where components of the disk labeling device are housed in the base which is provided in their knock-down state for shipping with a cover plate, Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the disk labeling device of Fig. 12 showing their packaging for shipment. Fig 14 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the disk labeling device of Fig. 12 in their pre-assembled use state. Fig. 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembled components of the device of Fig. 14 in its noncompressed condition prior to applying a label to a disk; Fig. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the assembled components similar to Fig. 14 in the compressed condition of the components showing contact between the label and the disk; Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the disk labeling device of Fig. 15; Fig. 18 is a bottom plan view of the cover plate of the second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the cover plate of Fig. 18 taken substantially along the plane indicated by line 19-19 of Fig. 18; Fig. 20 is an enlarged detailed view of an edge portion of the cover plate of Fig. 19; Fig. 21 is a bottom plan view of the base of the second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the base of Fig. 21 taken substantially along the plane indicated by line 22-22 of Fig. 21; Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the base of Fig. 21 taken substantially along the plane indicated by line 23-23 of Fig. 21; Fig. 24 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the base of Fig. 23; Fig. 25 is a bottom plan view of the spindle of the second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the spindle of Fig. 25 taken substantially along the plane indicated by line 26-26 of Fig. 25; Fig. 27 is a top plan view of the washer of the second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by line 28-28 of Fig. 27; Fig. 29 is a top plan view of pads used with the cover of the second embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the pads taken substantially along the plane indicated by line 30-30 of Fig. 29. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the basic form of the labeling device of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 by the numeral 10. The labeling device 10 includes generally three basic elements: (1) a generally cylindrical base 12 having a centrally located cylindrical aperture 14; (2) a cylindrical, compressible foam pad 16 having an adhesive surface 18 which may be exposed by peeling a removable cover paper strip 20 provided with a suitable adhesive from the surface. (See Fig. 2A). The paper strip 20 may have an extension (not shown) for securing the foam pad to the packaging before assembly so as not to mislocate the pad; and (3) a centering spindle 22 having a first cylindrical portion 24 approximating the diameter of aperture 14 in base 12, and a second, reduced diameter portion 26 joined to the first cylindrical portion 20 by a cylindrical support shoulder 28. As illustrated in Fig. 2B, foam pad 16 has adhesive surface 18 adhered to the bottom of first cylindrical portion 24 of spindle 22. As shown in Fig. 3, the labeler 10 is assembled by placing the base 12 on a flat surface S and inserting the foam covered end of the centering spindle 22 into the aperture 14 in the top of base 12 so that the foam pad 16 comes into contact with flat surface S. A preprinted label sheet SH, printed side down, is placed on a flat surface S and a circular label L with a central hole H is peeled away from the sheet SH. Provided with a suitable adhesive, the label L is placed printed side down, adhesive or sticky side up on base 12 by sliding hole H, as shown in Fig. 5, over the larger, first diameter portion 24 of centering spindle 22, centering the label on base 12 relative to spindle 22 and reduced diameter portion 26. A CD or DVD disk D can then be placed on the centering spindle 22 until it seats flush on shoulder 28 with the reduced diameter portion 26 projecting up through the center of disk D. The side of Disk D to be labeled - the non-data side of the disk - must be facing down. Finally, the clear center part of disk D, or mandril M mounted on the reduced diameter portion 26 of spindle 22 and seated on shoulder 28 is pushed downwardly as shown in Fig. 7, applying pressure at three or four different points, until the disk D comes into contact with label L beneath it, compressing the foam pad 16 and adhering the disk and label; the reduced diameter portion 26 of spindle 22 maintains the disk D centered with respect to label L, and the disk D cannot cant or pivot relative to the label L because the portion 26 passes completely therethrough. The compressed foam pad 16 exerts a counterforce uniformly on the disk and label as the two are adhered and united. Upon relief of finger pressure, the resilient foam pad returns to an uncompressed state, lifting the united label and disk from base 12 and the reduced diameter portion 26 of the spindle 22 can serve as a handle to remove the coupled disk and label completely from the base, where they can be separated from the spindle 22. While a resilient foam pad 16 is disclosed as the preferred embodiment for use with the labeler, it should be understood that a compressible and resilient pad made from other materials could also be used, such as rubber or a synthetic rubber neoprene pad, as long as the material is compressible and resilient. The pad may or may not be secured to the bottom of the spindle portion 24 or may be adhered to both the spindle portion 24 and its supporting surfaces. The positioning plate 12 may also be enhanced by the placing of a felt, non-scratching surface in seated engagement therewith to preclude the written side of disk D from being damaged during securement of the label. The positioning plate 12 is provided with a cylindrical skirt 30 which may terminate in a solid plate or base for firmer support on a planar surface. While the thickness of the plate 12 surrounding the positioning hole 14 should be sufficient to prevent lateral shifting of the spindle portion 24 and serve as a housing, a tube (not shown) may extend downwardly in coaxial alignment from positioning hole 14, approximately the diameter of pad 16 and of spindle portion 24 to house the same and present lateral movement. Finally, the surface of positioning plate 12, supporting the label L, may be slightly convex from the hole 14 to the outer circumference so that contact between the disk and label is first made in the center of the label and adhesion progresses therefrom along a chord or a radius of the label and disk to prevent air bubbles or wrinkles beneath the label. Referring specifically to Figures 8 to 10, a washer 32 having a central opening 34 may be placed about spindle portion 26 and seated on disk D prior to adhering the disk to the label L. Washer 32 may be provided with radial arms 36 for finger contact in pressing the disk D into contact with the label L. The washer 32 is provided to preclude contact with the disk itself during the adhesion step and scratching or damage to the disk surface. For a similar reason the bottom surface of washer 32 includes a thin, smaller, hollow disk 42 attached thereto, provided with interior radial arms 42 to raise washer 32 above the surface of the disk D to preclude damage to the surface when pressure is applied. A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 12 to 30, wherein primed numerals indicate like elements to those described in Fig. 1 to 1 1. In the second embodiment, the spindle 24', washer 32', compressible pad 16', base 12' and any other accessories such as neoprene foot pads 60 may be compactly shipped as a unit in a knock-down condition where space is at a premium. An additional rotatable cover plate 62 is provided which has a depending circular lip 64 disposed slightly inwardly from the outer circumference 66, which has the same dimension and approximately the outer circumference of skirt 30 of base 12. The lip 64 includes three ears 68 extending radially outwardly from lip 64 at three locations spaced 120 degrees about the circumference of the lip. The cover plate 62 also includes three finger openings 70 formed therein at radial locations spaced 120 degrees about the interior of cover plate 64 and an air escape aperture 72 for the purpose to be described hereinafter. The interior bottom, circumferential edge of skirt 30' of base 12' includes L-shaped slots 74 (see Fig. 23) opening in the edge for receiving one of ears 68, which upon rotation of the cover plate 62 relative to the base 12' enter the undercut portion 76 of slot 74 to lock the cover plate 62 to base 12'. The base 12' also includes an interior skirt or tube 78 extending downwardly from the circumference of aperture 14', which precludes rotation of spindle 24' by receiving diametrically opposed ears 80, 82 on the lower circumference 28' of spindle 24' in mating diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending slots 84 and 86 formed in skirt or tube 78. (See Fig. 15 and 16.) As shown in Fig. 12 and 13, when labeling device 10' is shipped, base 12' is positioned upside down to form a container. Spindle 24' is disposed in its upright position in skirt or tube 78 with ears 80 and 82 in diametrically opposed slots 84 and 86. The ears about the top (inverted bottom) of base 12', limit movement of the spindle 24' in tube 78. The compressible pad 15' is then disposed between the tube 78 and interior arcuate wall of the skirt 30' of base 12'. Three neoprene pads 60 are mounted on a self-adhesive tape 90, and disposed within the container (inverted base) 12'. Finally, washer 32' is inverted (see Fig. 12 and 13) and its central aperture 34' disposed over spindle portion 26'. The cover plate 62 is then positioned with aperture 72 over spindle portion 26, pressed down with ears 68 positioned over the opening to L-shaped slots 74. The cover plate is then rotated and ears 68 enter beneath slot portion 76 to lock the components in the base 12'. The resultant package consists of all the components, i.e., pad 16', washer 32', pads 60, and spindle 24' being housed and held within a cylindrical case consisting of the base 12' and cover plate 62. To use the labeling device 10' the components are unpacked by inserting the fingers in holes 70 and rotating the cover plate to unlock it from slots 74, removing the individually packed components and assembling them in the order indicated in Fig. 14. The cover plate 12 becomes a stabilizing support to clamp the compressible pad in place against the bottom of spindle 24' to prevent its rotation and twisting or torsion on the pad during use. Upon compression of pad 16', air can be expelled through hole 72. The spindle 24' is then received in tube 78 with ears 80 and 82 inserted in diametrically opposed slots 84 and 86 in tube 78, with spindle 24' extending through aperture 14' as shown in Fig. 15. The spindle 24' cannot rotate and the pad 16' is clamped between the spindle and cover plate and likewise cannot rotate. The cover plate 62 is then locked to the skirt 30' of base 12' by having ears 68 enter slots 74 and rotating the cover plate 62 relative to the base 12' so that ears 68 enter slot portion 76 Neoprene pads 60, removed from tape 90, can be located on the bottom surface of cover plate 62 to retain the device stationary. With the components in the position shown in Fig. 15, the label L can be positioned on base 12' and disk D on spindle shoulder 28'. Washer 32' is then inverted, placed over smaller spindle portion 26' and force applied to compress pad 16', as shown in Fig. 16 expelling air through hole 72 and adhering the label L and disk D. The spindle pressure is then relieved, the washer 32' removed, and the label and disk removed. The radial arm 36' of the washer 32' may be curved upwardly as shown in Fig. 25 to 27 so that the fingers are kept away from the surface of the disk D.

Claims: CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A labeler for the placement of self-adhesive labels onto a compact disk or the like comprising: a positioning spindle having a first and second portion, said second portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than said first portion for insertion in the spindle hole of a disk, a shoulder between said first and second portions for supporting a disk, a positioning base having a label supporting surface and a positioning hole, the first portion of said spindle having a resilient, compressible pad on the bottom thereof received within the positioning hole of said positioning base to permit movement of said shoulder and a disk supported thereon towards said label supporting surface on said positioning base for adhesion to the label upon contact therewith, and a cover plate removably connected to the bottom of said positioning base adapted to clamp said pad between said spindle and cover plate. 2. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said first and second spindle portions are cylindrical in shape. 3. The labeler of claim 2 wherein said positioning hole is circular in shape and said pad is cylindrical in shape. 4. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad includes an adhesive surface for securing the pad to the bottom of said first portion of said spindle. 5. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said positioning base is circular in shape. 6. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad is formed from a resilient foam. 7. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad is rubber. 8. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad is neoprene. 9. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad is secured to the bottom of said spindle. 10. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad has an adhesive on opposite surfaces thereof. 11. The labeler of claim 1 including a scratch resistant covering on said positioning base. 12. The labeler of claim 11 wherein said scratch resistant covering has a felt surface. 13. The labeler of claim 1 including a washer adapted to be positioned over and around said second portion of said spindle and on a disk seated on said shoulder to protect against contact with the disk. 14. The labeler of claim 13 wherein said washer includes a plurality of radial arms extending outwardly therefrom adapted for contact with a plurality of fingers adapted to exert a force on said disk against the compression of said pad, to adhere said disk to said label on said positioning plate. 15. The labeler of claim 14 including plate on the bottom of said washer adapted to raise the washer above the plane of a disk seated on said shoulder to preclude scratching the surface thereof. 16. The labeler of claim 15 wherein said plate has a plurality of radial support arms on the bottom surface thereof adapted to contact a disk to raise said plate above the surface of the disk. 17. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said positioning base has a thickness adjacent to said positioning hole sufficient to house said first spindle portion to guide said portion and preclude lateral movement thereof. 18. The labeler of claim 17 including a tube extending downwardly from said positioning plate adjacent to said positioning hole to guide and house said first spindle portion to preclude lateral movement thereof. 19. The labeler of claim 18 wherein said tube is axially aligned with said positioning hole. 20. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said positioning plate has a slightly convex surface for adhering the label to a disk incrementally in a radial direction from said positioning hole to preclude the formation of air bubbles beneath a label adhered to a disk. 21. The labeler of claim 18 wherein said tube has a pair of diametrically opposed slots opening in the bottom edge thereof, and said spindle includes a pair of diametrically opposed ears received in said slots to preclude rotation of said spindle relative to said base. 22. The labeler of claim 21 wherein said base includes a circular skirt and said compressible pad has a height less than or equal to the skirt of said base so that said base can serve as a container to house said spindle inserted upside down with its ears in said slots in said tube, and said pad, said cover plate when connected to said skirt on said base forming a housing for the components of said labeler. 23. The labeler of claim 22 including a washer adapted to be positioned over and around said second portion of said spindle and on a disk seated on said shoulder to protect against contact with the disk, said washer including a plurality of radial arms extending outwardly therefrom adapted for contact with a plurality of fingers adapted to exert a force on said disk against the compression of said pad, to adhere said disk to said label on said positioning plate, said radial arms being curved so as to enable said washer to seat on said spindle within said base in an inverted position, but, when in use, to space said washer finger contact points from said disk. 24. The labeler of claim 17 including pads adhered to said cover to preclude rotation of said labeler when said cover is seated on a supporting surface. 25. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said plate is removably connected to said base by ears on said plate received within L-shaped slots on the rim of said base.

Inventors: PIRES SELWYN, TRACY PETER, PIRES, SELWYN, TRACY, PETER
Applicants: NEATO UK LTD, NEATO (UK) LIMITED
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G11B23
IPC codes: G11B23