Linerless label printer applicator

A method of applying linerless labels to moving elements, the labels comprising a substrate having a release coated face and an opposite pressure sensitive adhesive coated face, comprising the steps of:

• (a) feeding tape comprising a substrate with a release coated face and an opposite pressure sensitive adhesive coated face in a first direction;
• (b) cutting the tape into individual labels at a cutting position while the tape is being fed in the first direction;
• (c) continuously transporting the labels away from the cutting position in a second direction;
• (d) continuously printing on the release coated face while it is being transported in the second direction;
• and
• (e) continuously applying the printed labels to moving elements.

Apparatus for handling linerless labels comprising:

• means for mounting a supply of linerless label tape having a release coated face and an adhesive face;
• cutting means for cutting the tape into individual linerless labels;
• means for substantially continuously feeding the tape from said supply to said cutting means, said feeding means comprising a feed roll with a non-stick circumferential surface preventing the build up of adhesive on said feed roll, but not being so slippery as to prevent positive feeding of the tape by said feed roll, and means for directing the tape into contact with said feed roll so that the adhesive face of the tape engages the non-stick circumferential surface of said feed roll said feed roll being the only mechanical element engaging said tape at the portion of said tape engaged thereby;
• and
• means for transporting the individual linerless labels away from said cutting means.

Apparatus for handling linerless labels comprising:

• means for mounting a supply of linerless label tape having a release coated face and adhesive face;
• cutting means for cutting the tape into individual linerless labels;
• means for substantially continuously feeding the tape from said supply to said cutting means;
• and
• means for transporting the individual linerless labels away from said cutting means, in a transport direction, said transporting means comprising a plurality of conveyor tapes spaced from each other in a direction substantially transverse to said transport direction, the individual labels being delivered to the conveyor tapes with their adhesive faces contacting the conveyor tapes, said conveyor tapes being substantially circular in cross section so as to provide minimal areas of contact with the labels.

Apparatus for conveying, and then discharging from the conveyor, elements having a sticky face, comprising:

• a plurality of conveyor tapes spaced from each other in a first direction;
• means powering said power conveyor tapes so that they transport sticky faced elements thereon in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to said first direction, including a shaft, said conveyor tapes passing over said shaft;
• and
• means for effecting separation of the sticky faced elements being conveyed by said conveyor tapes, said separation effecting means comprising a plurality of stripper rings mounted on said shaft between said conveyor tapes and having non-stick surfaces thereof gradually extending above said conveyor tapes to deflect the sticky faced elements away from said conveyor tapes.

A method of applying linerless labels to moving elements, the labels comprising a substrate having a release coated face and an opposite pressure sensitive adhesive coated face, comprising the steps of:

• (a) feeding tape comprising a substrate with a release coated face and an opposite pressure sensitive adhesive coated face in a first direction by moving the adhesive coated face to contact with a non-stick circumferential rotating surface of a feed roll the feed roll being the only mechanical element engaging the tape at the portion of the tape engaged thereby;
• (b) cutting the tape into individual labels at a cutting position while the tape is being fed in the first direction;
• (c) continuously transporting the labels away from the cutting position in a second direction;
• and
• (d) continuously applying the labels to moving elements.

A method of applying linerless labels to moving elements, the labels comprising a substrate having a release coated face and an opposite pressure sensitive adhesive coated face, comprising the steps of:

• (a) feeding tape comprising a substrate with a release coated face and an opposite pressure sensitive adhesive coated face in a first direction;
• (b) cutting the tape into individual labels at a cutting position while the tape is being fed in the first direction;
• (c) continuously transporting the labels away from the cutting position in a second direction, by disposing the labels on conveyor tapes, with the adhesive coated face contacting the conveyor tapes;
• and
• (d) continuously separating the labels from the conveyor tapes while simultaneously applying the separated labels to moving elements.

Apparatus for handling linerless labels, comprising:

• means for mounting a supply of linerless label tape having a release coated face and an adhesive face;
• an anvil vacuum cylinder;
• a rotatable cutting cylinder with radially extending knife blade;
• means for substantially continuously feeding the tape from said supply to said anvil vacuum cylinder so that the release coated face is in contact with said anvil vacuum cylinder, comprising a feed roll with a non-stick surface, adjacent to, and rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of, said anvil vacuum cylinder, so that the adhesive face of the tape comes in contact with the non-stick surface of said feed roll, said non-stick surface preventing the buildup of adhesive on said feed roller, but not being so slippery as to prevent positive feeding of the tape by said feed roll, said feed roll being the only mechanical element engaging said tape at the portion of said tape engaged thereby;
• means for mounting said cutting cylinder next to, and for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of, said anvil cylinder so that said knife cuts the tape into individual linerless labels, severing a portion of the tape forming an individual label from the rest of the tape in a dimension transverse to the direction of feed of the tape at said anvil vacuum cylinder;
• means for transporting the individual linerless labels away from said anvil vacuum cylinder;
• and
• a wiper roll, and means for mounting said wiper roll next to, and for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of, said cutting cylinder so that said knife comes into contact with said wiper roll after said knife cuts the tape.

Apparatus for conveying, and then discharging from the conveyor, elements having a sticky face, comprising:

• a plurality of conveyor tapes spaced from each other in a first direction;
• means powering said power conveyor tapes so that they transport sticky faced elements thereon in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to said first direction;
• means for effecting separation of the sticky faced elements being conveyed by said conveyor tapes, said separation effecting means comprising a plurality of stripper elements mounted between said conveyor tapes and having non-stick surfaces thereof gradually extending above said conveyor tapes to deflect the sticky faced elements away from said conveyor tapes;
• and
• a peeler roll mounted above said conveyor tapes adjacent where said stripper elements extend above said conveyor tapes, and adjacent the sticky faced elements being transported by said conveyor tape so as to cause, in conjunction with said stripper elements, the sticky faced elements to travel away from said conveyor tapes.

Apparatus for handling linerless labels comprising:

• means for mounting a supply of linerless label tape having a release coated face and adhesive face;
• cutting means for cutting the tape into individual linerless labels;
• means for substantially continuously feeding the tape from said supply to said cutting means;
• means for transporting the individual linerless labels away from said cutting means, in a transport direction, said transporting means comprising a plurality of conveyor tapes spaced from each other in a direction substantially transverse to said transport direction, the individual labels being delivered to the conveyor tapes with their adhesive faces contacting the conveyor tapes;
• and
• a plurality of stripper elements mounted between said conveyor tapes and having non-stick surfaces thereof gradually extending above said conveyor tapes to deflect the labels away from said conveyor tapes to facilitate application of the labels onto a receiving element.