Patent ID: 12217631

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example implementations are now described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to the various elements and structures. Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the disclosed technology. Accordingly, the following implementations are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed subject matter.

The examples discussed herein are examples only and are provided to assist in the explanation of the apparatuses, devices, systems, and methods described herein. None of the features or components shown in the drawings or discussed below should be taken as required for any specific implementation of any of these the apparatuses, devices, systems or methods unless specifically designated as such. For ease of reading and clarity, certain components, modules, or methods may be described solely in connection with a specific Figure. Any failure to specifically describe a combination or sub-combination of components should not be understood as an indication that any combination or sub-combination is not possible. Also, for any methods described, regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flow diagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those steps must be performed in the order presented but instead may be performed in a different order or in parallel.

Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for making printed labels or printed receipts on paper that includes score lines or “lines of weakness” that are die cut into the paper at predetermined locations, to predetermined depths, and in predetermined patterns. In some implementations, the labels are rolled linerless labels. The lines of weakness serve several purposes, including facilitating straight folding of the label or receipt for application to a bag or sack; and facilitating straight folding of the label or receipt when it is folded in half and applied to itself. When the score lines are cut into the paper prior to the application of primer and adhesive, the score lines permit the primer and adhesive to enter the body of the paper, thereby enhancing adhesion of the adhesive to fibers of the paper. As a result, after the label or receipt has been applied to a package or has been adhered to itself, any attempt to remove the label or separate it from itself will result in destruction of the label. Destruction of the label in this manner provides clear visual evidence of tampering with the label and/or the package to which it has been attached or has been used to seal. Using adhesive labels to seal sacks or bags by running (i.e., looping) the label through handles formed on or in such sacks or bags is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/495,918, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Enhanced adhesion also prevents the adhesive from transferring during process of printing on the label.

The score lines or lines of weakness may be cut into a roll of paper using processes such as, for example, perforation, die cutting, and laser cutting. The score lines may be cut into the base paper of the label to a depth in the range of 10% to 100%, with depths of 50% to 70% being preferred for most applications. In some implementations, the depth of the score lines varies on the same form, e.g., 20% in some areas and 70% in other areas. This type of configuration can be used to control the peel rate of a wound roll of paper. The score lines may be cut into the side of the paper that receives printing or may be cut into the side of the paper that includes the adhesive rather than the side of the paper that receives printing. The score lines may be created in single or multiple straight lines running with the direction of the paper web (lengthwise) or across the paper web (widthwise). Cutting two parallel rows of patterned lines running lengthwise along the ribbon of paper prevents a printer from jamming as it leaves the outside and middle of the paper web at 100% strength. Acceptable patterns permit the paper to tear at any angle, for example, peeling straight or from the edges of the paper. The score lines may be formed prior to printing on the label or after printing on the label. The score lines may also be formed in the label in the rerolling process using custom machinery as existing rewinders do not include die stations.

With regard to label construction, it is a common industrial practice to deposit a release coating on an upper surface to which a thermal coating, inkjet receptive coating, or other coating receptive to printing, has already been applied. The release coating facilitates unwinding of a label roll within a printer because a repositionable adhesive deposited on the lower surface of the label encounters the release coating on the upper surface of the label such the roll does not bind together (e.g., stick to itself). The release coating also stops the repositionable adhesive from removing the thermal coating or inkjet receptive coating. If the thermal coating or inkjet receptive coating is inadvertently removed, the label will not print properly.

FIG.1depicts an example implementation of a receipt or label1000having a construction that includes release coating layer1002, which may be solvent, water or ultraviolet (UV) based; thermal coating layer1004; paper layer1006; primer layer1008(e.g., HB Fuller part number 3991 PMR with 10% water based flexo ink added for color); and an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer includes remoistenable adhesive strip1012having a predetermined thickness deposited between first and second repositionable adhesive strips (1010and1014, respectively), each having a predetermined thickness, wherein the thickness of remoistenable adhesive strip1012is greater than the thickness of first and second repositionable adhesive strips1010and1014. Score lines or lines of weakness have been cut into receipt or label1000to a depth of 70% of the paper layer1006at1050. Other types of adhesives compatible with the disclosed labels include cohesive, acrylic, hot melt, and ultraviolet (UV) type adhesives.

Repositionable strips1010and1014hold the receipt1000in place while the remoistenable adhesive1012dries and creates a permanent bond with the substrate. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, a repositionable adhesive allows a label to be repositioned without damage to either the label or the substrate. Many applications require that the adhesive hold the label firmly in place while not leaving residue behind when the label is removed. Repositionable adhesives are available from many commercial sources and may include a wide variety of ingredients. Repositionable adhesives used on labels are usually made with microsphere adhesives (particularly acrylic-based microsphere adhesives) that have relatively low initial tack and low ultimate adhesion meaning that a label can be removed without damaging the label or the substrate and has enough tack to be reapplied successfully. An example repositionable adhesive is 3991B1 (H.B. Fuller; Simpsonville, SC), which includes acrylic microspheres. An example remoistenable adhesive is A1 BOND 15-755 (A1 Chemical; Claymont, DE), which includes polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH).

FIG.2provides a cross-sectional depiction of another example implementation of a label2000having a construction that includes release coating layer2002, which may be solvent, water or ultraviolet (UV) based; thermal coating layer2004; paper layer2006; primer layer2008(e.g., HB Fuller part number 3991 PMR with 10% water based flexo ink added for color); and an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer includes a strip of repositionable adhesive or pressure sensitive adhesive2012having a predetermined thickness deposited between first and second strips of remoistenable adhesive (2010and2014, respectively), each having a predetermined thickness, wherein the thicknesses of the first and second strips of remoistenable adhesive (2010,2014) are greater than the thickness of the strip of repositionable adhesive or pressure sensitive adhesive2012. Score lines or lines of weakness have been cut into receipt or label2000, to a depth of 70% of the paper layer2006at2050. Other types of adhesives compatible with the disclosed labels include cohesive, acrylic, hot melt, and ultraviolet (UV) type adhesives.

FIG.3Adepicts a first example pattern of multiple score lines or multiple lines of weakness cut lengthwise into a roll of paper, wherein the paper is shown in an unwound configuration. InFIG.3A, paper ribbon3000includes substrate3002into which score lines3004and3006have been die cut lengthwise in a predetermined pattern.FIG.3Bdepicts a second example pattern of multiple score lines or multiple lines of weakness cut lengthwise into a roll of paper, wherein the paper is shown in an unwound configuration. InFIG.3B, paper ribbon3010includes substrate3012into which score lines3014and3016have been die cut lengthwise in a predetermined pattern.FIG.3Cdepicts a third example pattern of multiple score lines or multiple lines of weakness cut lengthwise into a roll of paper, wherein the paper is shown in an unwound configuration. InFIG.3C, paper ribbon3020includes substrate3022into which score lines3024and3026have been die cut lengthwise in a predetermined pattern. Numerous other patterns are possible with regard to the die cut score lines, and the score lines may be cut into the paper at any point in the manufacturing process. As previously stated, for some applications is it advantageous to cut or otherwise form the score lines in the paper on the side of the label or receipt that receives printing. For other applications, it is advantageous to cut or otherwise form the score lines in the paper on the side of the paper that bears the adhesive to avoid interfering with printing on the other side of the paper.

FIG.4depicts unwound paper4000, wherein strips of tinted primer4004and4008have been deposited lengthwise on one side (4002) of the paper4000and score line or line of weakness4006has been cut into the paper4000between the strips of tinted primer4004and4008.FIG.5depicts unwound paper5000, wherein strips of tinted primer5004,5008,5012, and5016have been deposited widthwise on one side of the paper (5002) and score lines or lines of weakness5006,5010, and5014, have been cut into the paper5000between the strips of tinted primer5004,5008,5012, and5016. The strips of primer5004,5008,5012, and5016may serve as guides for proper placement of the adhesive or adhesives on the label.

FIG.6depicts a first example system6000for creating the disclosed scored labels, wherein system6000includes a specific press process and a specific rewinding process. Press process6010includes placing a roll of linerless paper on a roll stand at6012; depositing a release layer at6014; turning the paper over at6016; depositing a primer layer at6018; depositing an adhesive layer at6020; and rewinding the paper at6022. Rewinding process6030includes placing the roll of paper on a roll stand at6032; die cutting the paper as described above at6034; and rewinding the paper at6036.

FIG.7depicts a second example system7000for creating the disclosed scored labels, wherein system7000includes a specific press process and a specific rewinding process. Press process7010includes placing a roll of linerless paper on a roll stand at7012; depositing a release layer at7014; turning the paper over at7016; die cutting the paper as described above at a first location at7018; depositing a primer layer at7020; depositing an adhesive layer at7022; die cutting the paper as described above at a second location at7024; and rewinding the paper at7026. Rewinding process7030includes placing the roll of paper on a roll stand at7032; and rewinding the paper at7034.

All literature and similar material cited in this application, including, but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, books, treatises, and web pages, regardless of the format of such literature and similar materials, are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. Should one or more of the incorporated references and similar materials differs from or contradicts this application, including but not limited to defined terms, term usage, described techniques, or the like, this application controls.

As previously stated and as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” refer to both the singular as well as plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. Although many methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used, particular suitable methods and materials are described herein. Unless context indicates otherwise, the recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range. Furthermore, references to “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, implementations “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional elements whether or not they have that property.

The terms “substantially” and “about”, if or when used throughout this specification describe and account for small fluctuations, such as due to variations in processing. For example, these terms can refer to less than or equal to ±5%, such as less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to ±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to ±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.05%, and/or 0%.

Underlined and/or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the disclosed subject matter, and are not referred to in connection with the interpretation of the description of the disclosed subject matter. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various implementations described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the disclosed subject matter. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description.

There may be many alternate ways to implement the disclosed technology. Various functions and elements described herein may be partitioned differently from those shown without departing from the scope of the disclosed technology. Generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations. Different numbers of a given module or unit may be employed, a different type or types of a given module or unit may be employed, a given module or unit may be added, or a given module or unit may be omitted.

Regarding this disclosure, the term “a plurality of” refers to two or more than two. Unless otherwise clearly defined, orientation or positional relations indicated by terms such as “upper” and “lower” are based on the orientation or positional relations as shown in the Figures, only for facilitating description of the disclosed technology and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the referred devices or elements must be in a particular orientation or constructed or operated in the particular orientation, and therefore they should not be construed as limiting the disclosed technology. The terms “connected”, “mounted”, “fixed”, etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, “connected” may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection, a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For an ordinary skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the disclosed technology may be understood according to specific circumstances.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail herein (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the disclosed technology. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the technology disclosed herein. While the disclosed technology has been illustrated by the description of example implementations, and while the example implementations have been described in certain detail, there is no intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the disclosed technology in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details, representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.