Liner-Free Label and Systems
AssigneeNuLabel Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMichael C. Woods, Benjamin D. Lux, Ryan Lei Han Chan, Benjamin D. Zlotoff, Owen F. Miller, Max B. Winograd, John D. Cheasty
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a liner-free label activator, adapted to be joined to another piece of equipment, such as a thermal printer. The activator has a housing including a reservoir for containing a solvent and a pump connected to the reservoir. The activator also has an applicator connected to the pump for applying solvent to a liner-free label passing thereby, an activator control system to connect to a control system of the printer, and structure for connecting the housing to the printer.
Claims53
A liner-free label activator adapted to be joined to another piece of equipment, the activator comprising:
- a housing comprising a reservoir adapted to contain a solvent;
- a pump coupled to the reservoir;
- an applicator coupled to the pump, adapted to apply solvent to a liner-free label passing thereby;
- an activator control system connectable to a control system of the other piece of equipment;
- and
- means for coupling the housing to the other piece of equipment.
A standalone liner-free label activator comprising:
- a housing comprising a reservoir adapted to contain a solvent;
- a pump coupled to the reservoir;
- an applicator coupled to the pump, adapted to apply solvent to a liner-free label passing thereby;
- an activator control system adapted to activate the applicator only when a liner-free label is present;
- and
- mechanical means for moving a liner-free label to a location for activation, wherein the mechanical means remain in contact with a liner-free label for at least a part of activation.
A method of manufacturing a liner-free label comprising the steps of:
- providing a printable layer;
- mixing a solvent-sensitive adhesive agent layer comprising:
- at least about 10% by weight of dry solids mixed into an aqueous solution, the dry solids comprising at least about 50% by weight adhesive selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polychloroprene, polyurethane, ethylene-vinyl acetate, acrylate, polyacrylate, methyl cellulose, deionized water, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, glycerin, glycols, urea, citrates, sugars, sorbitol, polyethylene oxide, polyethyloxazoline, gelatin, polyacylamide copolymers, carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl(hydroxyethyl) cellulose, pectin, casein, polyacrylic acid, alginates, agar, arabic, carrageen, ghatti, guar, karaya, locust bean, tragacanth, xanthenes, and combinations thereof;
- and
- a liquid phase solvent system comprising at least about 90% by volume of water and a balance comprising solvents selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, and combinations thereof;
- applying the solvent-sensitive adhesive agent layer to the printable layer;
- and
- drying the solvent-sensitive adhesive agent layer to a non-tacky state.
An activation fluid for activating an adhesive layer of a liner-free label, the activation fluid comprising:
- at least about 93% by weight of water;
- and
- at least one additive selected from the group consisting of chlorine, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, odium o-phenylphenate, diiodomethyl-p-tolylsulfone, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, N-propanol, and combinations thereof.
A method of retrofitting a printer with a liner-free label activator, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a printer;
- attaching a liner-free label activator to the printer along a label path of the printer.
A method of operating a liner-free label activator, the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting when a liner-free label is in a specified location;
- calculating a time delay to determine when the liner-free label reaches an activation zone;
- spraying a solvent on the liner-free label in the activation zone;
- and
- discontinuing spraying as the liner-free label leaves the activation zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.