Abstract:
A tape comprising a substrate layer having a first region and a second region, said first region having a side on which an image can be received; a first adhesive layer provided on a side of said second region, said side of the first region and said side of said second region being on a same side of said substrate layer, wherein said tape is configured such that said second region can overly the side of the first region on which an image can be received, with said first adhesive layer being between said first and second regions.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is the US National Phase under 35 USC §371 of PCT/EP2009/060177, filed Aug. 6, 2009, claiming priority to GB 0814429.7 filed Aug. 6, 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a tape which can be used to produce a laminated label and to a cassette housing such a tape. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Tape printing apparatus, which print on tape, are known. Known examples are described in documents such as EP-A-322918 (Brother KKK) and EP-A-267890 (Varitronic). The known tape printing apparatus comprise a cassette receiving bay for receiving a cassette or tape holding case. In EP-A-267890, the tape holding case houses an ink ribbon and a substrate tape. The substrate tape comprises an upper image receiving layer secured to a backing layer by an adhesive. In this arrangement, an image is printed on upper surface of the image receiving tape. The backing layer can be removed so that the tape, with an image printed thereon can be adhered on a surface. 
         [0006]    However, this system has the disadvantage that information which has been printed on the surface may be removed by scratching or the result of an interaction with a solvent. Further, the printed text can fade away and background of the label can discolor due to ultraviolet (UV) light and/or other environmental conditions. 
         [0007]    In EP-A-322918, the tape holding case or cassette houses an ink ribbon, a transparent image receiving tape and a double-sided adhesive tape which is secured at one of its adhesive coated sides to the image tape after printing and which has a backing layer peelable from its other adhesive coated side. The double-sided adhesive tape is applied to the image printed on the image receiving tape. The printed image is thus protected as it is printed on one side of the image receiving tape but the opposite side of the image receiving tape is the uppermost surface in the final label. With this tape printing apparatus, the ink ribbon, the adhesive tape and the image receiving tape are contained the same cassette. However, this system requires that the lamination operation be performed inside the cassette and after the image has been printed on the image receiving layer. This means that the minimum distance between the end of the tape and the start of the image, refer to as the leader or the trailer is relatively long. The leader or the trailer is a blank margin. This is because the length of the leader or trailer is defined by the distance between the printer head and the cutter. The mechanism for carrying out the laminating is provided between the printer head and the cutter, leading disadvantageously to a relatively long leader or trailer. Additionally, the configuration of the cassette and tape printer is such that it is not possible to reverse feed the tape. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,902 and US2006/0292319 in the name of Seiko Epson Corporation describe arrangements in which half the layer on which an image is printed is removed and the backing layer is folded over the printed image. The latter application also describes an arrangement where the backing layer is removed and then adhered to the layer on which the image is printed. These arrangements are disadvantageous in that when in a cassette the width of the tape is double the width on which an image can be printed. This means that the cassette is bulky. Secondly, folding the backing layer over the image receiving tape is a fiddly operation. Finally, the tape printer needs to be modified in order to ensure that the user only prints on the part of the image receiving tape which is not removed. 
         [0009]    It is an aim of some embodiments of the present disclosure to address or at least mitigate one or more of the problems described above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0010]    According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tape comprising a substrate layer having a first region and a second region, said first region having a side on which an image can be received; a first adhesive layer provided on a side of said second region, said side of the first region and said side of said second region being on a same side of said substrate layer, wherein said tape is configured such that said second region can overly the side of the first region on which an image can be received, with said first adhesive layer being between said first and second regions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0011]    For a better understanding of the present disclosure and as to how the same will may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a tape embodying the present disclosure in an unfolded stage; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows the tape of  FIG. 1 , in a folded configuration as received in a cassette; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows the tape of  FIG. 1 , with a surface adhered to an object, and the tape being in an unfolded configuration; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows the tape of  FIG. 1  as adhered to an object; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows schematically a tape printer with which embodiments of the disclosure may be used; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is diagrammatic sketch showing the control circuitry for the tape printer of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a plan view showing a cassette inserted in a one cassette system tape printer; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a similar plan view to that of  FIG. 7  showing a cassette without ink ribbon inserted in the tape printer; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  shows a two cassettes inserted in a two cassette system tape printer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Reference will be first made to  FIGS. 1 to 4  which show a tape  1  in various configurations.  FIG. 1  shows the tape  1  in an unfolded configuration and  FIG. 2  shows the tape in a folded configuration. The tape in this configuration may be housed in a cassette as described in more detail hereinafter. 
         [0022]    It should be noted that the various hatching and shading shown in the figures have no significance and is there to assist in the discernment of the different layers. Additionally, the drawings shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4  are not to scale. The thickness of the layers has been exaggerated for clarity. 
         [0023]    The tape  1  has a substrate  2 . This substrate, as described in more detail, is a single layer, one part of which provides an image receiving substrate and the other part of which provides a laminating layer. The laminating layer part of the single layer will overlies the image receiving substrate part of the single layer. In particular, the surface on which the image has been printed in the final label will be protected by the laminating layer part of the single layer. The substrate can thus be considered to have a first area  17  (the image receiving substrate) and a second area  19  (the laminating layer), which are arranged side by side across the width of the substrate  2 , in the unfolded configuration. An image can be printed on the surface  16  of the first area  17  of the substrate  2 . The tape shown in  FIG. 1  is in its unfolded configuration, with cross-section being taken across the width of the tape. The tape  1  is such that the first area of the substrate  2  has various layers adhered to one side of the substrate whilst for the second area of the substrate, the layers are adhered to the opposite side. 
         [0024]    In preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, for approximately half of the width of the substrate, the layers are adhered to one side, whilst for the other half, the layers are adhered to the opposite side. In other words the first and second areas are substantially the same size with the boundary between the two areas lying substantially in the middle of the substrate. However, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible that the proportions are different. One area may be larger than the other. It should also be appreciated that in the illustrated embodiment, the tape is such that for the entire width of the substrate, layers are adhered to one or other side of that substrate. However, in alternative embodiments, it is possible that at least part of the substrate may be such that a portion of the substrate does not have layers applied to either side thereof. In such embodiments, that area may be in a centre region, displaced to one or other side, or provided at one end region of the substrate. There may be one or more of these portions to which no layers are applied. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first area of the substrate  2  which has the surface on which the image is printed is such that the layers are applied to the opposite surface to that which receives the printed layer. Thus, the layers which are applied to the opposite surface of the substrate comprise a color layer  4 . This is an optional layer which may be provided if a label other than a clear label is to be provided. Usually, the substrate is of a clear, transparent material. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate  2  may incorporate some color. In such embodiments, the ink layer may be omitted or be additionally provided. 
         [0027]    Next, a layer of adhesive  6  is provided. The adhesive layer  6  is covered with a liner layer  8 . This liner layer  8  is such that it can be easily removed from the adhesive layer to allow the label to be adhered to a surface, as will described in more detail later. Alternatively, the liner layer  8  comprises two parts next to each other in the length direction of the tape such that the liner can be easily removed from the other layers before applying the label to an object. 
         [0028]    On the same surface  16  of the substrate which an image is printed, layers are also applied, but in the second area  19 . The two areas  17  and  19  of the substrate are defined by a cut or slit  14 . This cut  14  extends part of the way into the substrate  2  to facilitate folding as will be described in relation to  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
         [0029]    It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the cut  14  may be replaced by a fold line, a score or in some embodiments be omitted completely. Alternatively or additionally, the a cut can be provided in the surface opposite to the printed surface, A cut may be provided on both sides of the substrate leaving some connecting material in the middle of the substrate layer to connect first area  17  and second area  19 . 
         [0030]    Applied to the upper surface of the substrate  2  in the second area, is an adhesive layer  12 . Applied to the upper surface of the adhesive layer is a liner layer  10 , operating in a similar manner to the liner layer  8 . The liner layer  10  may also be a slit liner as discussed above in relation to liner layer  8 . 
         [0031]    In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate  2  may comprise an ultraviolet blocker or ultraviolet blockers. The ultraviolet blocker(s) may be part of the substrate or provided as a coating on one or both sides of the substrate. Alternatively or additionally an additional layer or film may be provided comprising the ultraviolet blocker(s). The ultraviolet blocker(s) may be provided in the first area or the second area or both of the first and second areas. 
         [0032]    In preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the tape shown in  FIG. 1  is incorporated in a cassette, such as illustrated and described hereinafter. In order to accommodate the tape shown in  FIG. 1  in a cassette, the tape is folded about a line between the first area  17  and the second are  19  to adopt the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 . Thus, the surface  16  of the substrate  2  to which an image is applied is uppermost followed by the optional ink layer  4 , the adhesive layer  6  and the liner layer  8 . Additionally, since the second area of the substrate has been folded, layer  8  is placed adjacent to the second area of the substrate  2 , with the adhesive layer  12  being next and finally the backing layer  10 . 
         [0033]    This arrangement has an advantage that the width of the cassette is less than that which would be required if the tape was not in the folded configuration. 
         [0034]    As will be described in more detail hereinafter, an image is printed on the surface  16 , whilst the tape is in a tape printing apparatus. The tape is then cut and removed from the tape printing apparatus. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show how the tape is then applied to an object, after an image has been printed on the surface  16  and the portion on which the image has been printed has been cut off. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the liner layer  8  of the first area is removed so that the adhesive layer  6  is exposed and can be adhered to an object  18 . 
         [0036]    The liner layer  10  of the second area is also removed. The tape is then moved again into a folded configuration as shown by the arrow  29 . In other words, the adhesive layer  12  of the second area is brought into contact with the surface  16  of the substrate to which an image has been applied. This makes the second area of the substrate  2  uppermost. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  illustrates the label as applied to an object. Thus, there is an adhesive layer  6  applied to the object  18 . On top of that adhesive layer is the optional ink layer  4 , backing onto the first area of the substrate  2 . It is on the upper surface of this area of the substrate that the image is printed. That upper surface is then covered by the adhesive layer  12  and finally, the second area of the substrate  2  covers the adhesive layer. 
         [0038]    In this way, an image can be printed on a substrate and is then protected by a substrate after printing so that the durability of the label is improved. 
         [0039]    In preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the entire substrate is transparent so that the second area of the substrate can provide a clear window on top of the printed image. However, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate may be transparent but colored. In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, one area of the substrate may be transparent and/or clear, without any color whilst the second area of the substrate is opaque or colored. It is this area of the substrate which the image will be applied. 
         [0040]    In preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the adhesive  12  is selected such that it is also clear at the thicknesses used in embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0041]    In preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in the context of a continuous tape which is cut to a desired length using a cutter. However, in alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, discrete die cut layers may be provided on a continuous backing layer. For example, layer  10  may be continuous whilst at least the substrate  2  may be of a predefined length. In this way, the need for a cutter can be avoided. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagram of a tape printing apparatus  228  with which tape embodying the present disclosure can be used. The tape printing apparatus comprises a keyboard  230  and a cassette receiving bay  232 . The keyboard has a plurality of data entry keys  234  such as numbered, lettered and punctuation keys for inputting data to be printed on the label and function keys for editing the input data. The keyboard may also have a print key  236  which is operated when it is desired that a label be printed. Additionally an on/off key  238  is also provided for switching the tape printing apparatus on and off. 
         [0043]    The tape printing apparatus has a liquid crystal display (LCD)  210  which displays the data as it is entered. The display allows the user to view all or part of the label to be printed which facilitates the editing of the label prior to its printing. Additionally, the display is driven by a display driver (not shown). 
         [0044]    Basic circuitry for controlling the tape printing device  228  is shown in  FIG. 6 . There is a microprocessor chip  200  having a read only memory (ROM)  202 , a microprocessor  201  and random access memory capacity indicated diagrammatically by RAM  204 . The microprocessor chip  200  is connected to receive label data input to it from a data input device such as a keyboard  230 . The microprocessor chip  200  outputs data to drive a display  210  via a display driver chip  209  to display a label to be printed (or a part thereof) and/or a message for the user. The display driver alternatively may form part of the microprocessor chip. Additionally, the microprocessor chip  200  also outputs data to drive the print head  260  so that the label data is printed onto the image receiving tape to form a label. The microprocessor chip  200  also controls a motor  207  for driving the tape. The manner in which the tape may be driven will be discussed hereinafter. Finally the microprocessor chip  200  also controls the cutting mechanism  258  to allow a length of tape to be cut off. 
         [0045]    The motor  207  may be a stepper motor or a DC motor controlled by an encoder arrangement or the like. 
         [0046]    It should be appreciated that in some embodiments of the present disclosure, a manual cutter mechanism may be alternatively provided. 
         [0047]    The operation of the label printer will now be described. Data to be printed is input into the label printing device using the data input device, for example using keys on the keyboard  230 . As the data is entered via the keyboard  230  it is supplied to the microprocessor which causes the display  210  to display the data as it is entered. To do this, for each character which is entered, the microprocessor calls up a stored version of the character from the ROM  202 . As the character is stored in compressed form, this font data is stored temporarily in the RAM  204  and is manipulated by the microprocessor  200  to generate pixel data to form the character. This pixel data is transmitted in one form to the display  210  and in another form to the print head for printing. Character data is not passed to the print head for printing until the print operation is executed. 
         [0048]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 7  which illustrates in plan view a cassette bay of the label printer. The cassette bay is shown by the dotted line  302 . The cassette receiving bay includes a thermal print head  304  and a platen  306  which co-operate to define a print location P in a manner which is known in the art. The print head  304  is pivotable about a pivot point  308  so that it can be brought into contact with a platen  306  for printing and moved away from the platen to enable a cassette to be removed and replaced. 
         [0049]    The cassette inserted into the cassette bay is denoted generally by the reference number  310 . The cassette holds a supply spool  312  of image receiving medium  314 . The image receiving medium  314  is guided by a guide mechanism through the cassette, out of the cassette through an outlet  0 , passed the print location P to a cutting location C. The image receiving medium  314  is the tape, in the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 . The cassette also has an ink ribbon supply spool  319  and an ink ribbon take up spool  318 . The ink ribbon  320  is guided from the ink ribbon supply spool  319  through the print location P and is taken up on the ink ribbon take up spool  318 . The image receiving medium passes in overlap with the ink ribbon through the print location with the image receiving medium in contact with the ink ribbon. 
         [0050]    The platen  306  is driven so that it rotates to drive the image receiving medium  314  past the print location for printing. In this way, image receiving medium is printed and fed out from the print location P to the cutting location C. The cutting location C may be provided at any suitable location, for example downstream of the cassette. However, in preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the cutting location may be provided at a location on a portion of the wall of cassette  310  which is close to the print location P. As the image receiving medium is fed out of the cassette by driving the platen, there is no need for a further feed mechanism for the image receiving medium and this enables the cutting location C to be closer to the print location P. 
         [0051]    The portion of the wall of the cassette where the cutting location C is defined is denoted by reference numeral  322 . A slot  324  is defined in the wall portion and the image receiving medium  314  is feed past the print location P to the cutting location C where it is supported by facing wall portion on either side of the slot. The label printer includes a cutting mechanism generally denoted by reference numeral  326 . This cutting mechanism includes a cutter support member  328  which carries a blade  330 . The blade  330  cuts the image receiving medium and then enters the slot  324  with the leading part of its edge first, rather than bearing against an anvil. 
         [0052]    The cassette shown in  FIG. 7  can be modified so as to only include the image receiving medium. The modified cassette is shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a horizontal section through a cassette receiving member of a printing device. The cassette receiving member is shown by the dotted line  302 . The cassette receiving member  302  includes a thermal print head  304  and a platen  306  which cooperate to define a print location P in the same way as described in  FIG. 7 . The thermal print head is in this embodiment in contact with the image receiving medium. The image receiving medium has at least one thermally sensitive layer so that an image is formed in the image receiving medium when the print head is heated. In this embodiment, the substrate of the image receiving tape of  FIGS. 1 to 4  is thermally sensitive so that an image is printed without the need with for an ink. The laminating layer provides extra stability to the thermally generated image. 
         [0053]    Reference will now be made to  FIG. 9  which shows in plan view two cassettes arranged in a label printer. The upper cassette  402  is located in the first cassette receiving portion  426  and contains a supply of image receiving medium  404  which passes through a print zone  403  in the label printer to an outlet  405  for the printer. This is the image receiving tape is as shown in  FIG. 2 , in the configuration shown in that Figure. 
         [0054]    The cassette  402  has a recess  406  for accommodating a platen  408  of the printer and guide portions  422 ,  424  for guiding the image receiving medium  404  through the print zone. The platen  408  is mounted for rotation within a cage moulding  410 . As an alternative, the platen  408  could be mounted for rotation on a pin. The lower cassette  444  is located in the second cassette receiving portion  428  and contains a thermal transfer ribbon which extends from a supply spool  430  to a take up spool  432  within the cassette  444 . The thermal transfer ribbon  412  extends to the print zone  403  in overlap with the image receiving medium  404 . The cassette  444  has a recess  414  for receiving a print head  416  of the printer and guide portions  434 ,  436  for guiding the ink ribbon  412  through the print zone  403 . 
         [0055]    The print head  416  is moveable between an operative position, shown in  FIG. 9 , in which it is in contact with the platen and holds the thermal transfer ribbon  412  and the image receiving medium  404  in overlap between the print head and the platen and an inoperative position in which it is moved away from the platen to release the thermal transfer ribbon and image receiving medium. In the operative position, the platen is rotated to cause the image receiving medium to be driven past the print head and the print head is controlled to print an image on to the image receiving medium by thermal transfer of ink from the ribbon  412 . 
         [0056]    The print head is a conventional thermal print head having an array of pixels each of which can be thermally activated in accordance with the desired image to be printed. 
         [0057]    It should be appreciated that since lamination only occurs once the tape has been removed from the tape printer, the tape can be reversed back in the tape printer without problems. 
         [0058]    The embodiments shown have been stand alone printers. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with used with tape printers which can be connected to a personal computer (PC). Such tape printers may not have a keyboard or display, instead of which those of the PC are used.