Patent Description:
Adhesive labels may be found in individual sheets, or joined together in a fan-fold stack, or in a continuous roll (web). Label rolls are typically used in commercial applications requiring high volume use of labels.

The challenge with liner-based adhesive rolls is that as the label is removed from the liner while the web is processed through an auto applicator machine and the label is affixed to a package, the underlying liner is rewound as waste in the machine and the tension in the liner grows causing the liner to break. Swapping out the feed roll and/or removing the waste-liner roll means stopping the machine and having specialized staff remove the waste-liner roll and refeed (rethread) the remaining combined liner-label roll for continued processing or swapping out the liner-label roll with a new liner-label roll. Because of this tension in the liner between the feed roll and the accumulating waste roll, the size of the waste-liner label roll is limited (meaning the total number of labels that can be applied to packaging by the machine before waste-liner roll is removed and/or a new liner-label roll is refed in the machine is limited).

In some industry applications it is desirable to apply a label to a package initially and at a later point in processing the package be able to remove a portion of that label to retain some of the printed information. This is commonly accomplished by constructing the label with two liners, such that the first liner (or bottom liner) is used as a carrier during the auto application process, and the second liner provides a way to remove a portion of the label after the label has been affixed to a package. However, <NUM>) this additional substrate is costly to manufacture; <NUM>) label capacity through conventional auto applicator machines has stagnated, and <NUM>) the three-ply approach creates greater waste byproduct (three substrates).

<CIT> describes a label with a strip-shaped backing liner, the label having a label main body with a separable embedded region for re-application. The label main body and the region for re-application have corresponding back surfaces to which an adhesive is applied. A plurality of label main bodies are arranged and temporarily attached at intervals along the strip-shaped backing liner. The strip-shaped backing liner includes a plurality of re-separation backing partial regions at intervals across a width direction perpendicular to the direction in which the label main bodies are arranged so as to correspond to the region for re-application defined in each label main body. Each re-separation backing partial region of the liner being provided over a range wider than the region for re-application in a direction of the arrangement of the label main bodies. A region between the adjacent re-separation backing regions in the width direction and not temporarily attached in the back surface of the region for re-application is processed as a non-adhesive region.

The invention is a liner-label as defined in the appended claims.

According to an embodiment, a liner-label is provided. The liner-label includes: a liner substrate, a label substrate, and a partially perforated inner label within the label substrate. Furthermore, a first portion of a backside area of the label substrate representing the partially perforated inner label includes an adhesive deadener applied over an adhesive coated on a backside of the label substrate while a second portion of the backside area retains the adhesive.

As will be described more completely herein and below, a single-ply liner-label combination, a liner-label combination roll, and an auto applicator are presented.

The term "perforated" is a weakened structure defined within a substrate through tiny holes manufactured in the substrate.

<FIG> is a diagram of a liner-label combination <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. It is noted that the dimensions of the liner <NUM> and the combination label <NUM> (<NUM> is a second label removable from label <NUM>) can vary in various embodiments presented herein and below. An example combination label <NUM> along with dimensions is presented in the <FIG>.

The liner-label combination <NUM> includes: a liner <NUM> and a label combination <NUM>. The label combination <NUM> includes a second embedded perforated label <NUM>.

The liner <NUM> is part of a web or roll <NUM> (discussed below with reference to the <FIG>). The liner <NUM> is a substrate coated with a release coating (water-based substantially free of silicone or silicon-based).

In an embodiment, the liner <NUM> is a film. The film is a plastic-based substrate.

In an embodiment, the liner <NUM> is a paper-material substrate.

The liner <NUM> representing a first substrate to which the backside of the label combination <NUM> (representing a second substrate) is applied. The backside of the label combination <NUM> includes an adhesive except for select portions of backside where the second perforated label <NUM> is defined where an adhesive deadener <NUM> is applied (the details of which will be discussed more completely below).

The label combination <NUM> includes a perforated second embedded label <NUM>. The perforated second label <NUM> is situated near a bottom of the label combination <NUM> and runs horizontally for substantially the width of the label combination <NUM>. A small offset <NUM> provides a space between a first end of the perforated second label <NUM> and an edge of the label combination <NUM>. The opposite end <NUM> of the perforated second label <NUM> is rounded (half circle, convex shape) such that there are small gaps between the outer edge of the perforated second label <NUM> and a corresponding edge of label combination <NUM>. The farthest edge the end <NUM> is substantially inline and serves as an edge section of label combination <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the ends of the perforated second label <NUM> are not perforated within <NUM> (<NUM> and the corresponding opposite end adjacent to <NUM>). Rather, just the pair of edges running for the width of <NUM> and parallel to the bottom edge and top edge of <NUM> are perforated.

The end <NUM> provides a tab mechanism for separating the perforated second label <NUM> from the label combination <NUM> to utilize the perforated second label <NUM> as an independent label <NUM> from a remaining portion of the label combination <NUM>. That is, the label combination <NUM> when imaged provides imaged information on the portion of the label combination <NUM> that remains when the perforated second label <NUM> is removed and other imaged information on the perforated second label <NUM>. In this way, the label combination <NUM> provides two independent labels (the remaining portion of <NUM> when <NUM> is separated therefrom and the perforated second label <NUM>).

The structure and shape of the end <NUM> provides an easy mechanism for separating <NUM> from <NUM> (along with the combination of adhesive deadener <NUM> discussed below).

The backside of <NUM> (label combination) is coated with adhesive. This backside of <NUM> includes a backside of <NUM> (since <NUM> and <NUM> are manufactured from the same substrate). The area that represents the backside of <NUM> is illustrated in the <FIG> to show that a substantial portion that area for <NUM> is coated with an adhesive deadener <NUM>.

The deadener <NUM> prevents a substantial portion of the backside of the perforated second label <NUM> from completely adhering to packaging when the backside of <NUM> is affixed or applied to packaging (once <NUM> is separated from the liner <NUM>).

However, not all of the area representing the backside of <NUM> includes the adhesive deadener <NUM>; rather, small patches of adhesive <NUM> are manufactured to remain. (Eight of these patches <NUM> are illustrated in the <FIG> although only four were labeled for ease of illustration.

The patches <NUM> are evenly spaced along a periphery of the backside of <NUM>. This arrangement provides sufficient adhesive strength for <NUM> to adhere to the packaging to which <NUM> is adhered while at the same time not too much adhesive strength such that <NUM> can be removed from the packaging and separated (intact and undamaged) from both <NUM> and the packaging to which <NUM> is adhered. Again, <NUM> is separated from both the packaging and <NUM> by grasping end <NUM> and lifting up while pulling towards the opposite edge of <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the patches <NUM> represent a pattern that is maintained on the backside of <NUM> by printing or applying the adhesive deadener <NUM> over the adhesive coated on the backside of <NUM> such that the pattern of remaining adhesive <NUM> remains on the backside of <NUM>. The location of the pattern is maintained along the edges (periphery) of the backside of <NUM>.

This pattern of remaining adhesive patches <NUM> allows the inner perforated second label <NUM> to release for corrugated boxes and other package materials while still adhering well to bond paper (when subsequently reapplied to the bond paper or other different packaging material.

It is noted that the carrier layer does not require any die cuts such that the original web strength (when the combination label <NUM> is part of a web of combination labels) is retained eliminated risk of breaking the web.

This liner label combination <NUM> significantly reduces the overall cost of the label combination <NUM>, improves the converting process, and greatly reduces tooling wear.

In an embodiment, the label combination <NUM> includes more than one (a plurality of two or more) perforated second labels <NUM> manufactured in the same manner with the adhesive deadener <NUM> the remaining adhesive patches <NUM>, and the release end <NUM> for releasing from <NUM> as two or more separate and independent labels <NUM>.

The label combination <NUM> can be included in a roll (web) having a plurality of label combinations <NUM>. An auto applicator machine (such as <NUM> discussed below with the <FIG>) is loaded with the liner-label combination <NUM> and automatically removes the label <NUM> from the liner <NUM> and applies the label <NUM> to packaging that passes under a portion of the machine on a transport belt (conveyor belt). When the package is received, the recipient can remove the second label <NUM> from the label <NUM> that is affixed to the package (in the manner discussed above). The second label <NUM> can then be applied to other items/objects, such as a product (the front side of the second label <NUM> including printed information thereon, such as a barcode or Quick Response (QR) code or other written information and/or graphics).

The front side of the label <NUM> and the second label <NUM> includes printed information when custom printed or imaged during application within a printer.

<FIG> is a diagram of an example liner-label combination <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. The <FIG> provides dimensions for an example liner-label combination <NUM>.

The height of the label combination <NUM> is approximately <NUM> inches (<NUM>) and the width approximately <NUM> inches (<NUM>). The inner perforated second label <NUM> is defined within the label combination <NUM> through <NUM> cpi <NUM> inch (<NUM>) tie perforations on top and bottom while the ends remain full cut and not perforated (ends <NUM> and the corresponding opposite end of <NUM>). Adhesive deadener <NUM> is applied over the adhesive on the backside of <NUM> leaving small patches of adhesive on the backside of <NUM> that retain the original adhesive in a pattern around the perimeter of <NUM>.

Again, the backside of the label <NUM> (including just the adhesive patches <NUM> of the inner perforated label <NUM>) includes an adhesive coating such that when the label <NUM> is removed as a unit (including the second label <NUM>) from the liner <NUM>, the label <NUM> and <NUM> adheres to the packaging. The label <NUM> is removed through edge <NUM> from such packaging and released by the perforations and adhesive deadener <NUM>. The label <NUM> can then be reapplied to the same or different packaging materials utilizing the remaining adhesive patches <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram of a backside of a perforated label <NUM> included in a label combination, according to an example embodiment.

Edges <NUM> and <NUM> are perforated within the substrate that comprises the label combination <NUM>. Edges <NUM> and <NUM> are intact and not perforated. Adhesive deadener <NUM> is printed or applied over original adhesive that is coated on the backside of <NUM> except not in areas where the original adhesive is allowed to remain in a discontinuous set of adhesive patches <NUM>, discontinuous because between each patch <NUM> there is adhesive deadener <NUM>.

Edge <NUM> provides a tab for lifting and separating <NUM> from <NUM> and the packaging materials to which <NUM> is adhered to through the original adhesive coated on the backside of <NUM>. The deadener <NUM> and the perforated edges <NUM> and <NUM> substantially reduce the adhesion of the backside of <NUM> to the packaging materials allowing reduced force to separate <NUM> from the packaging materials while keeping the structure integrity of a remaining portion of <NUM> that remains on the packaging materials intact.

<FIG> is a diagram of a liner-label roll <NUM>.

The liner-label roll <NUM> that includes two substrates one for the liner <NUM> and one for the label combination <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> in the <FIG> represents the substrate for the label combination <NUM>. Each individually defined label combination <NUM> of the roll (web) <NUM> includes at least one embedded inner perforated label <NUM>. Each label <NUM> may include preprinted information thereon or may include no printing that can subsequently be printed upon with information to define an individual label <NUM> and the embedded perforated label(s) <NUM>. Printing on a front side of each label <NUM> and <NUM> can occur through thermal printing (such as when the front side of the second substrate includes a thermally activated coating) or can occur through laser or dot matrix printing.

Again, each label <NUM> that defines at least one independent removable second label <NUM> within label <NUM>. The backside of the second substrate <NUM> is coated with an adhesive so it sufficiently adheres to the front side of the first substrate <NUM>; however, as shown in the <FIG> a portion of the backside of the second substrate that represents the backside of one of the second labels <NUM> includes adhesive deadener <NUM> coated over the adhesive leaving a pattern of adhesive patches <NUM> remaining on the backside of the second labels.

The tabs <NUM> are offset slightly and include a portion that represent an edge of <NUM>. The tabs <NUM> along with the adhesive deadener <NUM> allow easy gripping and separation of the labels <NUM> from <NUM> and any subsequent packaging materials to which <NUM> is affixed (as discussed above).

<FIG> is a diagram an auto applicator machine <NUM> for applying a label to packaging from the liner-label roll and winding the waste-liner roll within the auto applicator machine.

The auto applicator machine <NUM> presented is one type of auto applicator machine <NUM>. That is, other types and configurations can be used with the novel liner-label rolls <NUM> and liner-labels <NUM> presented herein and above.

A liner-label roll <NUM> is loaded into the machine <NUM> and the front surface <NUM> having the labels <NUM> with the inner labels <NUM> are oriented properly during the load. The machine <NUM> removes the label <NUM> that includes the perforated label <NUM> from the liner <NUM> and automatically applies to packaging. The liner <NUM> is then fed into a waste-liner roll (bottom spool in the FIG.

The package can then be delivered and an operator can remove the label <NUM> from the package using tab <NUM>. The removed label <NUM> includes the remaining adhesive patches <NUM> on its backside, such that the removed label <NUM> can be applied to a product (item or object) or the same (same as <NUM>) or other packaging material.

One now appreciates how the novel label combination <NUM> and liner-label roll <NUM> can improve cost of manufacture for labels, improves the converting process, and greatly reduces tooling wear.

Claim 1:
A liner-label (<NUM>), comprising:
a liner substrate (<NUM>);
a label substrate (<NUM>);
a partially perforated inner label (<NUM>) within the label substrate (<NUM>); and
wherein a backside of the partially perforated inner label (<NUM>) is coated with an adhesive,
wherein a first portion of the backside area of the partially perforated inner label (<NUM>) includes adhesive deadener (<NUM>) applied over the adhesive, and
wherein a second portion (<NUM>) of the backside area of the partially perforated inner label (<NUM>) includes no adhesive deadener (<NUM>), thereby retaining the adhesive, and
characterized in that the second portion (<NUM>) represents a pattern of discontinuous adhesive patches (<NUM>) along a periphery of the backside of the partially perforated inner label (<NUM>) where the backside area remains uncoated by the adhesive deadener (<NUM>), and
in that the partially perforated inner label (<NUM>) includes two parallel perforated edges (<NUM>, <NUM>) and two opposite edges (<NUM>, <NUM>) that are not perforated, the opposite edges (<NUM>, <NUM>) being offset from the adhesive patches (<NUM>).