Patent Publication Number: US-2005121146-A1

Title: Label printer that dispenses labels in non-peel or automatic peel modes

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) on U.S. Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 60/516,097 filed Oct. 31, 2003. This application also relates to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/210,224 filed Jul. 27, 2004. Both of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to printers and, more particularly, to printers for use with a roll of labels.  
      Label printers are desirable for a number of applications. For example, label printers are often used in printing bar-code labels for items to be scanned and/or tracked. The label printers typically employ thermal printing devices and techniques. Examples of conventional label printers are available from Esselte Corporation under the Dymo® brand as LabelWriter printers, from Seiko Instruments USA Inc. as Smart Label Printers, and from Zebra Technologies Corporation as label and bar code printers.  
      During a printing operation, some conventional printers dispense a label that is removed from the printer by a user. The user then removes the label from the backing sheet or liner to apply the label to an article. When printing a large number of labels, the added step of peeling the label off of the liner repeated many times can increase the time needed for a user to complete a particular job.  
      Accordingly, there is a need for label printer that enables a user to select dispensing modes, either a non-peel mode in which the labels remain on the liner or a peel mode in which the labels are automatically peeled off of the liner. The present invention satisfies these needs.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to printers and, more particularly, to printers for use with a roll of labels.  
      According to one embodiment of the invention and by way of example only, a printer for use with a label assembly having a liner and a plurality of labels may include a peeling edge, a drive subassembly, and a manually actuatable peel-selector subassembly. The drive subassembly may be configured to move the label assembly through the printer and over the peeling edge. The peel-selector subassembly may be configured to enable a user to manually select between a non-peel mode and a peel mode. In a non-peel mode, the label assembly is moved over the peeling edge with the labels attached to the liner; that is, labels are not removed from the liner while being dispensed from the printer. In a peel mode, the label assembly is moved over the peeling edge so that the labels are separated or peeled away from the liner.  
      One of the advantages of the printer is that a user may utilize the printer for continuous printing of labels or for batch printing a single label or labels. For example, if continuous printing of a plurality of labels is desired, the printer may be placed in the non-peel mode so that the label assembly is dispensed from the printer continuously with the labels remaining in place on liner. And if batch printing is desired, the printer may remain in the non-peel mode with the label assembly being dispensed a single label length out of the printer; or, alternatively, the printer may be placed in the peel mode so that the label that is printed upon is automatically peeled away from the liner while being dispensed for easy removable and subsequent application by a user.  
      According to another embodiment, a printer may include a label-assembly holder for rotatably holding the roll of labels and a drive subassembly moving the label assembly through the printer between an input and an output. A peel selector subassembly may be manually actuated between a non-peel mode and a peel mode. In the non-peel mode, the labels remain attached to the liner when the label assembly is dispensed out of the output. In the peel mode, the labels are separated from the liner when the label assembly is dispensed out of the output.  
      According to still another embodiment, a printer may include a label-assembly holder for rotatably holding the roll of labels, an input for receiving the label assembly from the label holder, and a housing including a transversely disposed output slot with a peeling edge and a groove disposed at or near the output slot. The groove may have an upper extent located above the output slot and a lower extent located below the output slot. The printer may also include a drive subassembly and a peel selector subassembly. The drive subassembly receives the label assembly from input and moves the label assembly through the printer and out of the output slot. The peel selector subassembly may include a selector roller and a manual actuator. The selector roller is operably disposed in the groove to move between the upper extent and the lower extent, and the manual actuator is operably connected to the selector roller and projects beyond the housing for manual manipulation by a user to select between a non-peel mode and a peel mode. In the non-peel mode, the selector roller is positioned at the upper extent of the groove such that the label remains attached to the liner when the label assembly is dispensed out of the output slot. In the peel mode, the selector roller is positioned at the lower extent of the groove such that the label assembly contacts the peeling edge to cause the label to peel away from the liner when the label assembly is dispensed out of the output slot.  
      Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views of an embodiment of a printer operating in a non-peel mode and a peel mode, respectively;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a printer with a cover pivoted open;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a roll of labels;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  schematically illustrate an embodiment of a printer operating in a non-peel mode and a peel mode, respectively;  
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views illustrating an embodiment of a printer operating in a non-peel mode and a peel mode, respectively;  
       FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a label assembly passing through an output of a printer in a non-peel mode;  
      FIGS.  7 B 1  and  7 B 2  are cross-sectional views illustrating a label assembly passing over a peeling edge of an output of a printer in a peel mode;  
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an electrical system of a printer;  
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  schematically and respectively illustrate a print head engaged with and disengaged from a drive roller of a printer;  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an input of a printer, particularly illustrating a label assembly being positioned at the input;  
       FIG. 11  schematically illustrates a peel selector subassembly of a printer;  
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram of a printer connected to a computer;  
       FIGS. 13 and 14  are fragmentary plan views of label assemblies of different sizes;  
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a roll of labels mounted in a spool; and  
       FIG. 16  illustrates a mounting of a spool with a roll of labels into a cover of a printer. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to the drawings, a printer  100  for use with a label assembly  102  is shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  according to a number of embodiments. As described in detail herein, the printer  100  may be configured to operate in two modes, namely, a non-peel mode as shown in  FIG. 1A  in which the label assembly  102  remains intact when dispensed from the printer, and a peel mode as shown in  FIG. 1B  in which labels are separated from the liner of the label assembly  102 .  
      According to a number of embodiments as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the printer  100  may include a label-assembly holder  104  for rotatably holding a roll of labels  106 , an example of which is shown in  FIG. 3 . The roll of labels  106  may include the label assembly  102  wound about a core  108 . The label assembly  102  may in turn include a liner  110  with a release coating and a plurality of labels  112  releasably attached to the liner  110 . Each of the labels  112  may include facestock  114  and a layer of adhesive  116  as shown in  FIG. 4 . For many applications, the labels  112  may be disposed on the liner  110  in a single-file manner, as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      With additional reference to  FIG. 5A , the printer  100  may include an input  118  for receiving the label assembly  102  from the label holder  104  or the roll of labels  106  and through which the label assembly  102  enters an operative portion of the printer  100 , including, for example, a print subassembly  120 , a read subassembly  122 , and a drive subassembly  124 , each of which will be described in more detail below. The printer  100  may also include an output  126  through which the label assembly  102  is dispensed from the printer  100 . The drive subassembly  124  is configured to propel, drive, or move the label assembly  102  from the input  118  to the output  126 .  
      According to a number of embodiments, the printer  100  may also include a peel selector subassembly  128  which is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . The peel selector subassembly  128  may be manually actuated or moved by a user to switch the printer  100  between the non-peel mode shown in  FIGS. 1A, 5A , and  6 A in which the labels  112  remain affixed, attached, or adhered to the liner  110  when dispensed through the output  126  and the peel mode shown in  FIGS. 1B, 5B , and  6 B in which the labels  112  are detached, separated, or peeled away from the liner  110 .  
      With continued reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the printer  100  may include a housing or bezel  130  through which the output  126  may be formed, for example, as a transversely disposed slot. In a number of embodiments such as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , a peeling edge  132  may be defined on the housing or bezel  130  at the output slot  126 , such that the label assembly  102  passes over the peeling edge  132  when dispensed out of the output slot  126 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B , and  6 A, and with additional reference to FIGS.  7 B 1  and  7 B 2 , in a number of embodiments the drive subassembly  124  may include a peel roller  134  that is configured to engage the liner  110  when the printer  100  is in the peel mode. The peel roller  134  may be positioned with respect to the peeling edge  132  so that when the printer  100  is in the peel mode, the liner  110  is bent about the peeling edge  132  at an angle that is sufficient to cause the labels  112  to peel away from the liner  110  as shown in  FIGS. 5B, 6B , and  7 B 2 .  
      For example, as shown in  FIG. 7B   2 , when the printer  100  is in the peel mode, the label  112  may be dispensed out of the output  126  along a label path indicated by arrow D, and the liner  100  may be driven along a liner path indicated by arrow P. The peel roller  134  may be positioned with respect to the peeling edge  132  so that the liner path P is divergent from the label path D at the peeling edge  132  at an angle A of at least about 45 degrees and, in many embodiments, of about 90 degrees as shown.  
      With further reference to  FIGS. 4 and 7 B 2 , the magnitude of angle A depends on the level of adhesive between the adhesive layer  116  and the release coating of the liner  110  and on the amount of stiffness of the facestock  114  of the label  112 . For example, if the facestock  114  is relatively stiff and the adhesion between the adhesive layer  116  and the liner  110  is relatively low, then the divergent angle A may relatively small (e.g., about 45 degrees). Alternatively, if the facestock  114  is relatively flimsy and the adhesion of the label  112  to the liner  110  is relatively high, then the divergent angle A may be relatively high (e.g., about 90 degrees). Accordingly, to maximize applicability to all label assemblies, in many of the embodiments the divergent angle A may be about 90 degrees.  
      Referencing  FIG. 7B   2 , in a peel-mode printing operation, the drive subassembly  124  may move the label assembly  102  out of the output  126  to a dispense point at which an adhered portion  136  of the label  112  is still attached to the liner  110  and then may maintain the label assembly  112  at that dispense point. A user may then grasp a peeled or extended portion  138  of the label  112  and remove the label  112  from the liner  110  by pulling. Depending on the stiffness of the facestock  114  and the adhesion of the adhesive layer  116  with the liner  110 , the adhered portion  136  may be less than about 50% of the total length of the label  112 , for example, less than about 10% of the of the total length of the label  112 .  
      Accordingly, the printer  100  may easily be utilized by a user for continuous printing of labels  112 , for printing a single label or labels  112 , or for batching printing a plurality of labels  112  each with the same printed information. For example, if continuous printing of a plurality of labels  112  is desired, the printer  100  may be placed in the non-peel mode so that the label assembly  102  is dispensed from the printer  102  continuously with the labels  112  remaining in place on liner  110 . If batch printing is desired, the printer  100  may remain in either the non-peel mode or the peel mode. If batch printing in the peel mode, the label assembly may be dispensed a single label length out of the printer  100 , with the user then removing the dispensed label  112  from the label assembly  102 . Alternatively, if batch printing in the peel mode, the label  112  that is printed upon is automatically peeled away from the liner  110  while being dispensed for easy removable and subsequent application by a user to a desired surface or object.  
      With reference to  FIGS. 5, 6 , and  7 B, in a number of embodiments the peel selector subassembly  128  may include a selector roller  140  and a manual actuator  141 . By moving the manual actuator  141 , the selector roller  140  is selectively movable between a non-peel position shown in  FIGS. 5A and 6A  in which the selector roller  140  is disengaged from the peel roller  134 , thereby rendering the printer  100  in the non-peel mode, and a peel position as shown in  FIGS. 5B, 6B , and  7 B in which the selector roller  140  is engaged with the peel roller  134 , thereby rendering the printer  100  in the peel mode.  
      As particularly shown in  FIG. 7B , when in the peel position, the selector roller  140  presses the liner  110  against the peel roller  134 . Accordingly, when the drive roller  134  rotates, the selector roller  140  rotates in the opposition direction as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 7B   1  with the liner  110  being propelled therebetween. By propelling the liner  110  at a divergent angle A of about 90 degrees, the rollers  134  and  140  pull the liner  110  tightly against the peeling edge  132  to enhance the peeling of the label  112  away from the liner  110 .  
      Referencing the embodiments of  FIG. 5 , in addition to the peeler roller  134 , the drive subassembly  124  may further include a drive roller  142  for moving or propelling the label assembly  102  through the printer  100  and out of the output  126 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , in some of the embodiments the drive subassembly  124  may include a motor  144  for the drive roller  142  and a motor  146  for the peel roller  134 . In other the embodiments, a single motor may drive both of the rollers  134  and  142 .  
      To enhance efficient operation during the peel mode, the drive roller  142  may drive the label assembly  102  at substantially the same speed that the peel roller  134  drives the liner  110 . Accordingly, slack in the label assembly  102  downstream of the drive roller  142  is minimized or prevented. In embodiments in which the rollers  134  and  142  have the same circumference, the rollers  134  and  142  may rotate at the same speed in the peel mode.  
      In a number of embodiments, the print subassembly  120  may be configured as a thermal printer. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the print subassembly  120  may include a thermal print head  146  that is biased or urged against the drive roller  142  so such that the labels  112  are pressed against the print head  146  when the drive roller  142  moves the label assembly  102  to the output  126 .  
      For example, as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the printer  100  may include a spring  148  that is configured to bias or urge the print head  146  against the drive roller  142 , as particularly shown in  FIG. 9A . In a number of embodiments, the printer  100  may include manually actuatable release arm  150  that is operably connected to the print head  146 . The release arm  150  enables a user to move the print head  146  away from or to disengaged the print head  146  from the drive roller  142 , thereby allowing the label assembly  102  to move freely therebetween as shown by arrows T and L in  FIG. 9B . (The use of the electrical grounding symbols in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  indicates that the referenced element at that particular point is fixed; e.g., the release arm  150  is pivotal about a fixed point, and the spring  148  is fixed at the ends thereof.)  
      With reference to  FIG. 10 , the ability to move the print head  146  enables a user to manually position a label assembly  102  at the input  118  in both the transverse direction T and longitudinal direction L. As shown, the release arm  150  may be conveniently positioned at or near the input  118 . When in a desired position, the release arm  150  may be released to engage the label assembly  102  between the drive roller  142  and the print head  146 .  
      With additional reference to  FIG. 11 , in a number of embodiments the peel selector subassembly  128  may include a pivotal harness  152  connected to the manual actuator  141 . The selector roller  140  may then be rotatably mounted in the harness  152 , for example, between a pair of arms  154 . The harness  152  may be pivotal about an axis R so that the selector roller  140  may be moved between the non-peel and peel positions.  
      To facilitate the movement of the harness  152  and the selector roller  140 , the housing or bezel  130  may include a pair of opposing grooves  156  disposed at or near the output slot  126  in which ends of the selector roller  140  are operably slidable or translatable between the non-peel position and the peel position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . For example, in some of the embodiments, the grooves  156  may have an upper extent located above the output slot  126  and a lower extent located below the output slot  126 . Accordingly, the selector roller  140  is in the non-peel position when positioned at the upper extent of the grooves  156  and in the peel position when positioned at the lower extent of the grooves  156 .  
      The bezel  130  may also include a track  158  through which the actuator  141  may connect to the harness  152  (not shown in  FIG. 6 ). In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 6A , the bezel  130  may also include a roller opening  160  through which the peeler roller  134  is engageable by the selector roller  140  when in the peel position.  
      Referencing  FIG. 8 , in a number of embodiments the printer  100  may include a processor board  162  operably connected to the print subassembly  120 , the drive subassembly  124 , and the read subassembly  122 . The processor board  162  may include a data input  164  and a power supply input  166  for connecting to a power supply. The data input  164  may include a USB port, a wireless communication module, or other data-transfer device. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the printer  100  may be connected to a data source such as a printer  168  via the data input  164 . The computer  168  may include a display  170 , a processor board  172  with memory, and a keyboard  174 . The computer  168  may include a software application that drives printing operations for the printer  100 . In other embodiments, the printer  100  may include dedicated printing applications for stand-along use.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8 , the printer  100  may include in some of the embodiments the read subassembly  122 . As mentioned above, the read subassembly  122  may be configured to read machine-readable information on the label assembly  102 . For example, with reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the label assembly  102  may include machine-readable information  176  printed on a back of the liner  110  (with the labels  112  being adhered to a front of the liner  110 ). The machine-readable information  176  may include a bar code  178 . Other manufacturer&#39;s information  180  may also be printed on the liner  110 . When read, the bar code  176  may provide information relevant to the label assembly  102 , such as a length L and a width W of the labels  112 . In addition, the read subassembly  122  may sense the bar code  176  to selectively stop the feeding of the label assembly  102  if a previously printed and peeled label has not been removed by the user.  
      In this regard, in a number of embodiments, the printer  100  may be configured to print on labels  112  of varying size. For example, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the read subassembly  122  may read the bar code  178  to indicate that the labels  112  of the roll of labels  106  loaded in the printer  100  has a length L 1  and a width W 1 . Further, if a user replaces a particular roll of labels  106  with another as shown in  FIG. 14 , the read subassembly  122  may read the bar code  178  to indicate that the labels  112  of the replacement roll of labels  106  has a length L 2  and a width W 2 , which may be different from the dimensions of the other roll. The processor board  162  of the printer  100  may then use this size information in formatting the printing parameters on a computer. In addition to recognizing a length and a width of the labels  112 , the bar code  178  may also provide the location or spacing of the leading and trailing edges of each of the labels  112 . Examples of widths and lengths of label including ½ inch by  1 {fraction ( 3 / 4 )} inches, 1 inch by 2⅝ inches, and 2⅛ inches by 3½ inches.  
      In a number of embodiments, the read subassembly  122  may include a light source (not shown) for reading the machine-readable information  176 . An example of one of the embodiments of the read subassembly  122  is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0050854, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0050497. These applications disclose methods and apparatus for reading machine-readable coded information such as bar codes printed on a liner sheet of a label assembly. The disclosures of these two applications are incorporated herein by reference.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the machine-readable information  176  may be repeated along the length of the label assembly  102 . In addition, the label assembly  102  may include weakening lines  182  such as perforations spaced between individual facestocks  114  so that when dispensed in the non-peel mode, such as shown in  FIG. 1A , individually printed labels  112  may be removed from the label assembly  102  along the weakening lines  182 .  
      Referring to the label-assembly holder  104  in more detail, reference is made to  FIGS. 2, 15  and  16 . The printer  100  may include a removable spool  184  on which a roll of labels  106  may be mounted as shown in  FIG. 15 . The printer  100  may also include a pair of opposing grooves or tracks  186  in which an axle  188  of the spool  184  are slidingly receivable. Each of the tracks  186  may include a seat  190  in which the axle  188  is rotatably received. The tracks  186  may be formed on an inside of a cover  192  that is pivotally mounted to a base  194  of the printer  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Accordingly, a user may interchange and mount a roll of labels  106  easily in the label-holder assembly  104  when the cover  194  is open, and the label assembly  102  is operably receivable at the input  118  when the cover  194  is closed. In addition, the axle  188  of the spool  184  may have a transverse width that is sufficient to accommodate labels  112  of varying width. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the bezel  130  may also be mounted to the base  194 .  
      With reference to  FIGS. 5, 6 , and  11 , in a number of embodiments the selector roller  140  may be positioned above the output  126  when in the non-peel position as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 6A , and may be positioned below the output  126  when in the peel position as shown in  FIGS. 5B and 6B . Accordingly, when switching the printer from non-peel mode to peel mode, a portion of the label assembly  102  may be extended beyond the output  126 , and the selector roller  128  may be moved downward, contacting a top surface of the label assembly  102  and drawing the label assembly  102  downward until the label assembly  102  is sandwiched between the selector roller  128  and the peeler roller  134 . When dispensed, the liner  110  contacts the peeling edge  132 , causing the labels  112  to peel away from the liner  110 .  
      In this regard, to facilitate the advancement of the label assembly  102  out of the output  126 , the drive subassembly  124  may include a label feed actuator  194  as shown in  FIG. 8  with a manual actuation button  196  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . Upon actuation of the button  196 , the feed actuator  194  may advance the label assembly  102  out of the output  126  a desired distance or length. This step may be performed prior to switching the position of the selector roller  140  from the non-peel position to the peel position. The manual advancement of the label assembly  102  may also be useful in initially advancing the label assembly  102  through the printer  100  upon mounting a new roll of labels  106  in the printer. In addition, during batch printing a plurality of labels  112  in the peel mode, after a user has removed a peel label  112  from the assembly  102 , the actuation button  196  may be pressed to cause the printer  100  to dispense the next label  112  which, in turn, may be removed, with the process repeated for the entire batch.  
      As mentioned above, the printer  100  may operate according to a software application executed by either a computer  168  or by the processor board  162  of the printer  100  itself. An example of the operation of the printer  100  and software application may be found in “Personal Label Printer: Quick Start Guide” which is available as Part No. 1271002800, available from Avery Dennison Cooperation, Office Products North America, Brea, Calif. 92821. An example of the printer  100  is marketed as Personal Label Printer, Model No. 9100, available from Avery Dennison Cooperation, Office Products North America, Brea, Calif. 92821.  
      Those skilled in the art will understand that the preceding embodiments of the present invention provide the foundation for numerous alternatives and modifications thereto. These other modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described in the present invention.