Abstract:
A labeling system for applying an adhesive backed name tape to a name badge. The system includes a base member or fixture having a seat for receiving the name badge and a pair of spacedly disposed bridge members supported by the base member adjacent respective ends of the seat. The adhesive backed name tape is positioned over the name badge, extending between the pair of bridge members and spaced from the name badge. The bridge members preferably have a ribbed upper contact surface. A roller is used for contacting a top surface of the adhesive backed name tape so as to apply the adhesive backed name tape to the name badge.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to a labeling system and pertains, more particularly, to an improved labeling system for name badges. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The usual technique for applying an adhesive-backed name tape to the front surface of a name badge is to visually align the tape over the badge and then press the tape manually against the badge surface. In this regard, reference is made to the prior art view of  FIG. 1  which illustrates the user grasping the adhesive backed name tape  12  for positioning over the name badge  10 . The problem with this technique is that there is difficulty in obtaining a proper alignment between the tape and the badge surface. With this known technique, it is difficult to provide a proper alignment and a smooth adherence between the tape and the badge. Thus, many times in making this application, air bubbles become trapped between the tape and the badge surface. There is either additional labor involved in eliminating the trapped air bubbles or the name badge has to be redone or discarded. The hand application illustrated in  FIG. 1  is both time consuming and tedious. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved name badge labeling system that is simpler and quicker in operation. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved name badge labeling system that overcomes the problems mentioned above, in particular the formation of air bubbles and misalignment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To accomplish the foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention there is provided a labeling system for applying an adhesive backed name tape to a name badge. The labeling system comprises a base member having a seat for receiving the name badge and positioning the name badge at a fixed location on a top surface of the base member, and a pair of spacedly disposed bridge members supported by said base member adjacent respective ends of the seat. The pair of bridge members each have an upper surface that extends above the top surface of the base member, and the adhesive backed name tape is positionable over the name badge, extending supported between the pair of bridge members and spaced from the name badge. A roller is provided for contacting a top surface of the adhesive backed name tape so as to apply the adhesive backed name tape to the name badge. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the present invention the seat may be formed by an indentation in a top layer of the base member; the seat is preferably of the same size as the name badge; the base member may have legs for the support thereof; each bridge member preferably has a rectangular cross-section with a length that extends substantially orthogonal to the length of the seat; and each bridge member preferably has a top surface formed with a plurality of spaced ribs wherein the ribs each provide a contact line with the adhesive backed name tape and extend substantially orthogonal to the length of the seat. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a labeling system for applying an adhesive backed name tape to a name badge. The labeling system comprises a base member having a seat for receiving the name badge and positioning the name badge at a fixed location on a top surface of the base member and means defining a pair of spacedly disposed bridge members fixedly supported by the base member adjacent, but spaced from respective ends of the seat. The pair of bridge members each have an upper surface that extends above the top surface of the base member and the adhesive backed name tape is positionable over the name badge, extending supported between the pair of bridge members and spaced from the name badge. Means are provided for contacting a top surface of the adhesive backed name tape so as to apply the adhesive backed name tape to the name badge. 
     In accordance with this last embodiment of the present invention the seat may be formed by an indentation in a top layer of the base member; the seat is preferably of the same size as the name badge; the base member may have legs for the support thereof; each bridge member preferably has a rectangular cross-section with a length that extends substantially orthogonal to the length of the seat; and each bridge member preferably has a top surface formed with a plurality of spaced ribs wherein the ribs each provide a contact line with the adhesive backed name tape and extend substantially orthogonal to the length of the seat. 
     In accordance with the present invention there is also provided method of applying an adhesive backed name tape to a name badge. This method comprises the steps of providing a base that has an indentation in a top surface thereof that forms a seat for receiving and fixedly positioning a name badge therein; locating a bridge member fixedly adjacent each end of the seat with each bridge member extending above the top surface of the base so that any adhesive backed name tape, when placed between the bridge members, is spaced over the name badge; placing the adhesive backed name tape between the bridge members with the adhesive backed name tape in alignment with the name badge; and contacting the adhesive backed name tape on a non-adhesive side thereof with a rolling action to adhere the adhesive backed name tape to the name badge. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the method of the present invention the seat may be formed by an indentation in a top layer of the base member; including providing legs on the base; including forming ribs on the bridge member that each define a contact line with the adhesive backed name tape; wherein the ribs are disposed spaced from each other and in parallel and wherein the rolling action is performed by a hand roller applied by a user over the top of the adhesive backed name tape. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a prior art illustration of a technique for applying a name tape to a badge; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the labeling device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the device of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the labeling device of the present invention also illustrating the name badge and name tape; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the label; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the label of  FIG. 7  also illustrating the adhesive backing; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the labeling system with the tape being applied; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view with the tape positioned over the device; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the device showing the placement of the label; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional view of the cross-section of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing the use of the roller as applying the label; and 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing the finished name badge removed from the device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The labeling system of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings. This system provides an effective and simple means for a name label to be attached to the front face of a name badge. The application device of the present invention provides a superior and rapid system for applying individual name labels to a name badge surface. The label may include black or colored lettering on a clear labeler tape. The device of the present invention enables a more rapid operation of the application of the label to the name badge. Moreover, the system and associated method that is used aids in a perfect alignment between the label and the name badge and eliminates trapped air bubbles between the badge surface and the name tape. This reduces labeling costs caused by having to redo a label or discard a name badge. This eliminates an operator from struggling with the tedious tasks associated with the usual hand application. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  which is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device used with the system of the present invention. This includes a base member or fixture  20  that is generally of planar construction and may be formed of a number of different types of material including metal and plastic materials. In one embodiment the fixture is made of clear plastic. The base member  20  has an indentation that forms a seat  22  that is substantially rectangular in shape. The seat  22  is for accommodating the name badge  30  as shown in the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 6 . The base member  20  may also be provided with a through passage  24 . The through passage  24  is used to provide a space for receiving a fastener, or the like that is usually attached to the rear surface of the name badge. Many times pins are used but they are not illustrated in the drawings. As also illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the base member  20  is provided with four legs  26 . The seat  22  may be formed by milling out the rectangular section in the base member. Alternatively, and as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 5 , the seat  22  may be formed by the application of an additional layer  25  that has a rectangular opening that forms the seat  22 . In either case, the seat  22  is dimensioned so as to snugly receive the name badge  30 . In this regard refer also to  FIG. 6  which illustrates by arrows  31  the placement of the name badge toward the seat  22 .  FIGS. 9-14  illustrate the name badge  30  in place within the seat  22 .  FIGS. 12-14  also illustrate in separate cross-sectional views, the placement of the base member  20  on a rest surface  29 . These cross-sectional views illustrate the legs  26  placed on the rest surface  29 . One of the advantages of forming the seat by an additional layer  25 , is that on this layer, such as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , at area  27  there may be provided a set of instructions for the use of the labeling system. 
     Extending upwardly from the base member  20  is a pair of spacedly disposed bridge members  40 . As illustrated in the cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 12-14 , these bridge members are integral with the base member  20 . Alternatively, the bridge members may be separate members that are secured to the base member. Each of the bridge members  40  has an upper surface that is disposed above the top surface of the layer  25 . This is also illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 . This is so that the label  50  when placed between the bridge members  40 , provides a gap or space so that initially contact is not made from the tape to the name badge. This space is indicated in  FIG. 12 , for example, at  52 . 
     Each of the bridge members  40  may be considered as a substantially rectangular construction having an elongated axis that is substantially orthogonal to the elongated axis of the seat  22 . The upper surface of each of the bridge members is provided with a series of spacedly disposed ribs  43 . The ribs  43  extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of each bridge member. In an alternate embodiment, the ribs may extend longitudinally of each bridge member in which case there would be fewer ribs than those illustrated in, for example,  FIG. 2 . These raised ribs assist in obtaining a proper alignment between the tape and the badge surface while at the same time minimizing adherence between the tape and the ribbed surface. It is essentially only the peaks of the ribs  43  that the tape contacts as illustrated clearly in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 14 . This raised rib arrangement will minimize the adherence between the tape and the bridge member so that when a roller is used as described hereinafter, the tape is more easily forced against the badge surface. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 7 and 8  for an illustration of the tape that may be used. This tape is adhesive backed and may be considered as of conventional design. The tape  50  thus includes a tape base  52  and an adhesive layer  54 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a peel-off strip  56  that may be used and removed from the name tape prior to its being applied over the device fixture. 
     The sequence of operation of the system includes first placing a clean, dust free name badge blank into the holding seat  22 .  FIG. 9  illustrates the name badge  30  in position in the seat  22 .  FIGS. 11 and 12  also illustrate the name badge  30  in place in the seat. 
     The next step is to hold the printed tape  50  in the position illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The tape  50  is held taut between the thumb and index finger in the left and right hand so that the tape is bridged between the bridge members  40 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the tape  50  in position over the name badge and extending between the bridge members  40 . As clearly illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the user of the system can readily align the tape  50  directly over the name badge  30 . Also, as indicated previously, the tape adheres only at the peaks of the ribs as referenced before in connection with the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 14 . The cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 12 and 13  also illustrate the tape  50  with its adhesive side down and bridging between the members  40  with a gap  52  provided between the tape and name badge. 
     The next step in the method is to use a soft rubber roller illustrated at  60  in  FIG. 15 . The roller  60  is moved back and forth over the tape and forces the tape onto the surface of the name badge as shown in  FIG. 15 . It is preferred to begin at the center and roll out firmly and fully from end to end. It is preferred that this sequence be carried out a number of times. A last step may be to scissor trim the tape ends.  FIG. 16  illustrates a removal of the name badge with the tape applied thereto as indicated by the arrows  95 . 
     Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.