Devices and methods for applying adhesive liner-less security labels to articles

Abstract

A liner-less seal application system is programmed to generate a real time seal, the serial number of which is data-matched with product label data on an approach product article. The image is printed in the required position (to suit the article being sealed), onto the adhesive surface of the seal tape. A vacuum drive belt has both low and high vacuum sections to assist in moving the sealing tape along a vacuum drive belt toward the print head. The real-time seal is printed while the belt drive indexes the tape, and the cutting action is done while the system collects data and the belt drive is stationary. There is only one stepper motor employed to drive the vacuum belt. The vacuum belt drive pulls the tape from the unwind assembly and feeds the tape through the print head and onto the vacuum drum applicator. A perforator device bursts perforation across the round element of the seal image. This is to apply a weak point on which the seal will break if tampered with.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.