Patent Publication Number: US-5895552-A

Title: Bonding apparatus for cutting label continuum having labels formed successively and bonding label to object

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a bonding apparatus for bonding a label to an object, and more particularly, to the bonding apparatus for cutting a separator-unprovided label continuum, i.e. the so-called non-separable type of label continuum, in which labels have been successively formed to a predetermined length and bonding each label strip thus obtained to the object. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Most of such conventional label continuum have separators. Labels having the same configuration are temporarily attached to a separation agent layer of the separator at predetermined intervals. Label-bonding apparatuses for separating each label from the separator and bonding it to the object have been developed and manufactured. 
     The conventional separator-provided label continuum comprising labels formed successively has, however, a problem that a great number of separators are wasted. In order to prevent resources from being wasted, a separator-unprovided label continuum comprising labels formed successively have been developed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly a main object of the present invention to provide an improved bonding apparatus for cutting a separator-unprovided label continuum in which labels have been continuously formed to a predetermined length and bonding each label strip thus obtained to an object. 
     A bonding apparatus for bonding a label to an object according to the present invention comprises a first feeding means for feeding a label continuum in which labels have been continuously formed at predetermined intervals; a cutting means for cutting the label continuum fed by the first feeding means to a predetermined length to form a label strip; and a second feeding means on which a label-contact surface having a configuration not easily bonded to a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of the label strip formed by the cutting operation of the cutting means is formed to feed the label strip to a bonding position at which the label strip is bonded to the object by holding the label strip on the label-contact surface. 
     In this bonding apparatus, the label continuum is fed by the first feeding means, and then, cut to a predetermined length by the cutting means to obtain a label strip. Then, the label strip thus obtained is fed to the bonding position at which the label strip is bonded to the object. Therefore, according to the present invention, the non-separable type of label continuum is cut to a predetermined length, and each label strip thus obtained is bonded to the object. 
     According to the present invention, the first feeding means may include a belt having a predetermined width, and the belt may have a label-contact surface on which separation treatment has been performed to feed the label continuum by holding the adhesive layer thereof on the label-contact surface thereof. According to the construction, the label continuum can be fed without being curled. Thus, the cutting means is capable of easily cutting the label continuum to a predetermined configuration so as to obtain a label strip. 
     According to the present invention, the first feeding means may include a belt having a predetermined width, and the belt may have a label-contact surface having a plurality of projections and recesses formed thereon to feed the label continuum by holding the adhesive layer thereof on the projections of the label-contact surface of the belt. According to the construction, the label continuum can be fed without being curled. Thus, the cutting means is capable of easily cutting the label continuum to a predetermined configuration so as to obtain a label strip. 
     According to the present invention, the second feeding means may include a belt having a predetermined width, and the belt may have a label-contact surface on which separation treatment has been performed to feed the label continuum by holding the adhesive layer of the label strip on the label-contact surface thereof. According to the construction, the label strip can be fed to the bonding position without being curled and can be bonded to the object accurately and beautifully. 
     According to the present invention, the second feeding means may include a thermal head provided at a position confronting a surface, of the label strip, positioned on a side reverse to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer thereof. Accordingly, a heat-sensitive colorable layer of the label strip formed on the side reverse to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is colored by means of the thermal head to display appropriate information. 
     The above and further objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed description with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a cutting/bonding apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, for cutting a label continuum in which a plurality of labels have been formed to predetermined lengths and continuously bonding each label strip thus obtained to an object. 
     FIG. 2 is an illustration showing the label continuum shown in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is an illustration showing main portions of a cutting/bonding apparatus according to a modification of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is an illustration showing main portions of a cutting/bonding apparatus according to another modification of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an illustration showing a cutting/bonding apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is an illustration showing a main portion of the cutting/bonding apparatus shown in FIG. 5. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a label continuum, in which a plurality of labels have been formed, to be used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a cutting/bonding apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, for cutting a label continuum in which a plurality of labels have been formed to predetermined lengths and continuously bonding each label strip thus obtained to an object. FIG. 2 is an illustration showing the label continuum shown in FIG. 1. The label continuum in which the non-separator labels have been continuously formed is hereinafter referred to as merely the label continuum. 
     A long and narrow label continuum 10 to be used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of labels 12 arranged at regular intervals. The label continuum 10 is cut at the boundary between adjacent labels 12 to form a plurality of label strips 10a. 
     The label continuum 10 comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 positioned lowermost; a base layer 14, a heat-sensitive colorable layer 22; a printed layer 20; and a separation agent layer 18 positioned uppermost. The printed layer 20 to be formed as the label 12 is at regular intervals provided on a part of the heat-sensitive colorable layer 22. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, before the label continuum 10 is cut, the base layer 14 is rolled so that the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 is temporarily attached to the separation agent layer 18. Further, a heat-sensitive colorable layer 22 is formed so as to be sandwiched between the separation agent layer 18 and the base layer 14. 
     The label continuum 10 is rolled around a rewinding roll 31 of a cutting/bonding apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 1. The label continuum 10 mounted on the rewinding roll 31 is fed to a belt 32 constituting a first feeding means while the label continuum 10 is being rewound from the rewinding roll 31. The belt 32 is endless and mounted on four rollers 34 spaced from each other at certain intervals. The belt 32 is fed in a label-feeding direction by the rotational force of a motor 33 connected with one of the rollers 34. 
     In the belt 32, silicone resin or the like is applied to form a separation layer on the upper surface of a contact surface 32a which contacts the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 of the label continuum 10. The separation layer thus formed prevents the contact surface 32a of the belt 32 from being completely bonded to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16. The width of the belt 32 is set to be greater than that of the label continuum 10 so that the label continuum 10 is not curled in its width direction and is correctly cut downstream. It is possible to provide an applying device (not shown) for applying separation agent to the contact surface 32a at a position proximate to the belt 32 so as to allow the contact surface 32a of the belt 32 to have separation property. 
     A pressing roller 35 comparatively elastic or flexible is provided in opposition to the contact surface 32a so as to bring the label continuum 10 into contact with the contact surface 32a of the belt 32 at a small force. The pressing roller 35 is pressed against the upper surface of the label continuum 10 at a small force. 
     A cutter 38 serving as a cutting means for cutting the label continuum 10 fed by the belt 32 serving as the first feeding means is provided at a position proximate to a direction-converting portion 36 of the belt 32. The label continuum 10 fed by the operation of the belt 32 and the roller 34 as the first feeding means is successively cut at the boundary between the adjacent labels 12 by the cutter 38 so as to form the label strips 10a each having a predetermined length. The cutter 38 is operated in correspondence to electric signals outputted from a sensor 39 such as a photo-switch provided in proximity to the direction-converting portion 36 of the belt 32 or to the cutter 38. 
     A belt 40 serving as a second feeding means is provided at a position proximate to the cutter 38. The belt 40 is spanned on rollers 42 and driven by a motor 41 so that the label strips 10a are fed downward from a position proximate to the cutter 38 to a bonding position, with the label strips 10a being spaced at predetermined intervals, at which the label strip 10a is bonded to an object (A). To this end, the rollers 42 are so arranged that the belt 40 is inclined downward toward the bonding position. 
     The belt 40 is spanned on rollers 42 and driven in such a manner that the belt 40 forms an acute angle in proximity to the bonding position. 
     As in the case of the first feeding means, a separation layer made of silicone resin or the like is formed on the upper surface of the contact surface 40a so as to feed the label strip 10a forward, with the contact surface 40a lightly bonded to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 of the label strip 10a. A pressing roller 43 comparatively elastic or flexible is provided in opposition to the belt 40 so that the pressing roller 43 is pressed against the upper surface of the label strip 10a at a small force. In this manner, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 of the label strip 10a is bonded lightly to the contact surface 40a of the belt 40. 
     A thermal head 44 for heating the heat-sensitive colorable layer 22 of the label strip 10a fed by the belt 40 is provided subsequently to the pressing roller 43. A platen 46 is provided in opposition to the thermal head 44 in such a manner that the belt 40 is interposed between the thermal head 44 and the platen 46. 
     Thus, in the label strip 10a fed by the belt 40, the heat-sensitive colorable layer 22 is colored by means of the thermal head 44 to form a display portion. Then, a bonding roller 134 serving as a bonding means is pressed against the label strip 10a to bond the label strip 10a to the object (A) at a predetermined timing by controlling the feeding of the belt 40 in correspondence to electric signals outputted from a sensor 45 such as a photo-switch. 
     It is unnecessary to form the separation layer on the belt 32 serving as the first feeding means if adhesive agent of delayed tack type is selected as the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 of the label continuum 10. In this case, however, it is necessary to provide an activating device for heating the adhesive agent of delayed tack type so that the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 is adhesive, while the label strip 10a is being fed by the belt 40 serving as the second feeding means. 
     The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be modified in various modes. 
     For example, the label continuum 10 may be transported by a belt 62 serving as a first feeding means, with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 of the label continuum 10 being in light contact with projections 64 of a belt 62, as shown in FIG. 3. As another example, the label continuum 10 may be fed by a plurality of belts 72, sectionally circular and made of rubber, mounted on the rollers 34, as shown in FIG. 4. In these modifications, the label continuum 10 is fed, with the belt 62 or 72 in an incomplete adherence to the label continuum 10. 
     Further, the present invention may be modified to embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     FIG. 5 is an illustration showing a cutting/bonding apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an illustration showing a main portion of the cutting/bonding apparatus shown in FIG. 5. 
     The label continuum 10 is rolled around a rewinding roll 101 of a cutting/bonding apparatus 100. The label continuum 10 is fed to a pair of rollers 102 and 104 constituting a first feeding means and spaced from each other at a certain interval, while the label continuum 10 is being rewound from the rewinding roll 101. The rollers 102 and 104 have a plurality of projections 106 to be brought into contact with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 of the label continuum 10 formed on the surface thereof. The rollers 102 and 104 are rotated in a label-feeding direction. 
     Only the projections 106 of the rollers 102 and 104 are brought into contact with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 of the label continuum 10. The projections 106 prevents the rollers 102 and 104 from being completely bonded to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 of the label continuum 10. The width of the rollers 102 and that of the roller 104 are set to be greater than that of the label continuum 10 so that the label continuum 10 is not curled in its width direction and is correctly cut downstream. 
     A pressing plate 108 comparatively elastic or flexible is provided in opposition to the rollers 102 and 104 so as to bring the label continuum 10 into contact with the projections 106 of the rollers 102 and 104 at a small force. The pressing plate 108 presses the contact surface of the label continuum 10 toward the rollers 102 and 104 at a small force. 
     A cutter 110 serving as a cutting means for cutting the label continuum 10 fed by the rollers 102 and 104 serving as the first feeding means is provided at a position proximate to the roller 104. The label continuum 10 fed by the operation of the rollers 102 and 104 is continuously cut at the boundary between the adjacent labels 12 by the cutter 110 so as to provide the label strips 10a each having a predetermined length. The cutter 110 is operated in correspondence to electric signals outputted from a sensor 112 such as a photo-switch provided in proximity to the cutter 110. 
     A belt 114 serving as a second feeding means is provided at a position proximate to the cutter 110. The belt 114 is driven by a motor (not shown) so that the label strips 10a are fed downstream from a position proximate to the cutter 110 to a bonding position, with the label strips 10a being spaced at predetermined intervals. 
     The belt 114 is spanned between rotatable rollers 116 and 117 spaced from each other at a predetermined interval and driven with the rotations of the roller 116 and/or the roller 117. 
     As in the case of the first feeding means shown in FIG. 1, a separation layer made of silicone resin or the like is formed on a contact surface 114a of the belt 114 so as to feed the label strip 10a forward, with the contact surface 114a lightly bonded to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 of the label strip 10a. A pressing roller 118 comparatively elastic or flexible is pressed against the 114a of the belt 114 at a small force. In this manner, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 of the label strip 10a is bonded lightly to the contact surface 114a of the belt 114. 
     A thermal head 120 for heating the heat-sensitive colorable layer 22 of the label strip 10a fed by the belt 114 is provided subsequently to the pressing roller 118. A platen 132 is provided in opposition to the thermal head 120 in such a manner that the belt 114 is interposed between the thermal head 120 and the platen 132. The thermal head 120 and the platen 132 perform a printing operation according to electric signals outputted from a sensor 121. 
     After the heat-sensitive colorable layer 22 of the label strip 10a is heat-sensitized, the label strip 10a is fed forward by the belt 114 serving as the second feeding means. The speed of the belt 114 is controlled according to a timing at which the heat-sensitive colorable layer 22 is heat-sensitized. A label-bonding device is provided downstream of a position proximate to the belt 114, taking into consideration of the difference of the timing between the speed of the belt 114 and the speed of feeding of the object (A). In the label-bonding device, shown in FIG. 5, according to the embodiment, a belt 126 serving as a label-bonding means provided with a speed-adjusting mechanism is spanned between a roller 128 and a roller 130. After receiving the label strip 10a from the belt 114, the belt 126 feeds the label strip 10a to the upper surface of the object (A) so that the label strip 10a is bonded to the upper surface of the object (A). 
     The printing timing of the thermal head 120 is controlled by electric signals generated upon detection of the presence of the object (A) made by a sensor 136. 
     In addition to the label-bonding roller 134 made of sponge shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a label-bonding means comprising a known robot type, air type, cylinder type or a bonding pad composed of an elastic material such as rubber may be used. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, the base layer 14 of the label continuum 10 used in this embodiment is made of transparent material. This construction allows the transparency of the sensors 112 and 121 composed of a photo-switch to be higher than that of the printed layer 20. 
     While the present invention has been particularly described and shown, it is to be understood that such description is used merely as an illustration and example rather than limitation, and the spirit and scope of the present invention are determined solely by the terms of the appended claims.