FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of printing, in particular, to an assembly and method for removing labels from label liners.

BACKGROUND Currently, in the course of printing content on removable labels, existing label removal mechanisms require an additional rewinder mechanism such as a roll liner, to pull a liner in a forward direction to ensure that the label can peel off and be used by the user. The additional rewinder mechanism is typically integrated with a printer to enable synchronizing of forward and reverse motion of label liners.

If the printer does not include an integrated label removal mechanism, specifically an integrated rewinder mechanism, it will be difficult for the removal of the labels to be carried out without intervention from a user. As such, it is desirable for users of printers that do not include an integrated label removal mechanism (integrated rewinder mechanism) to be able to have an option of automatic removal of labels without intervention from the user.

Furthermore, some existing printer systems require the media to be removed from print zones while idle. Such printer systems cannot have an integrated rewinder mechanism as the media is always engaged with the mechanism and hence always be in the print zone.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, there is provided an assembly for removing labels from label liners. The assembly comprising a separator block; and a movable arm located at a fixed position relative to the separator block, the movable arm being configured to move a distal end of the movable arm towards the separator block. The movable arm is moved using an actuator and the distal end includes a row of guide rollers. It is preferable that the separator block and a label guide portion forms a primary portion, the primary portion including an opening defined by the separator block and the label guide portion. The label guide portion includes a passageway for ingress of a label. An angle between contact surfaces of the separator block may be variable.

The passageway may be defined by at least one roller guide column and a structural partition of the label guide portion, the at least one roller guide column being configured to guide a label through the passageway. Alternatively, the passageway may be defined by a pair of roller guide columns, the roller guide columns being configured to guide a label through the passageway.

It is preferable that the assembly further includes at least one sensor configured to detect removal of an object from the passageway.

In a second aspect, there is provided a method for removing labels from label liners. The method comprises feeding a label liner adhered with labels into an assembly for removing labels from label liners in a first direction; bending the label liner around an intersection portion of surfaces of contact with the label liner; and reversing of a feed direction of the label liner to a second direction. It is advantageous that an edge of the label around the intersection portion is detached during reversal of the direction of movement of the label liner. Preferably, the bending of the label liner is carried out using a technique selected from, for example, actuating a movable arm, blowing a stream of air, vacuum suction and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES In order that the present invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an assembly for removing labels from label liners.

Figure 2A - 2D show sequential views during use of the assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the assembly at Figure 2B.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the assembly at Figure 2C.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the assembly at Figure 2D. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of an assembly for removing labels from label liners.

Figure 7(a) - 7(d) show sequential views during use of the assembly of Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows a side view of the assembly at Figure 7(b).

Figure 9 shows a side view of the assembly at Figure 7(c).

Figure 10 shows a side view of the assembly at Figure 7(d).

Figure 11 shows a process flow for a method carried out during use of the assembly of either Figure l or 6. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown a first embodiment of an assembly 20 for removing labels from label liners. Amongst Figures 1 to 5, some Figures denote views of certain parts better than others, and numeric notations used in Figures 1 to 5 will be consistent throughout Figures 1 to 5. It should be appreciated that the assembly 20 can be integrated with a printer or it can be retro-fitted with an existing printer at/around an output tray of the printer. During instances when the assembly 20 is retro-fitted with an existing printer, the assembly 20 is configured to communicate with the printer via a data port, such as, a GPIO port. The assembly 20 enables labels which adhere to label liners to be removed from the label liners.

The assembly 20 includes a primary portion 22. The primary portion 22 includes an opening 24 defined by a separator block 26 and a label guide portion 28. The opening 24 should be large enough to allow ingress of a label liner 18 with adhered labels 16. The label guide portion 28 includes a roller guide column 30 configured to guide the label through a passageway 32 in the label guide portion 28. Figures 1 to 5 show two in-line rows of roller guides in the roller guide column 30. It should be appreciated that rollers on the roller guide rows are made from a material which does not stick to adhesives used on the labels 16 such as, for example, polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon and other self-lubricating plastics. The rollers on the roller guide rows are sized to minimise the contact surface area with the label to prevent the adhering of the label to the rollers. The passageway 32 is defined by the roller guide column 30 and a structural partition 34 of the label guide portion 28. The passageway 32 allows ingress of the label 16. The roller guide column 30 is configured to guide the label 16 through the passageway 32 until egress of the label 16 from the passageway 32. The label guide portion 28 can also include at least one sensor configured to detect removal of the label 16 from the passageway 32. The at least one sensor can be located at the structural partition 34 or any part of the label guide portion 28. The at least one sensor can be either mechanical (eg. a mechanical switch) or optical (eg. a light sensitive sensor) in nature. The assembly 20 also includes a controller (not shown) to control all operations of the assembly 20 and to communicate with the printer. It is also possible that the label guide portion 28 is omitted from the assembly 20, although this is not shown in the Figures. Omission of the label guide portion 28 leads to a lower cost for the assembly 20.

The assembly 20 also includes a movable arm 36 including a distal end 38. The movable arm 36 is positioned at a fixed position relative to the separator block 26. The movable arm 36 is configured to move in a manner whereby the distal end 38 moves towards the separator block 26. The distal end 38 may contact the separator block 26. The movable arm 36 is shown to be hinged at a first end 41, such that the movable arm 36 is configured to rotate about the first end 41. It is not necessary for the movable arm 36 to be hinged at the first end 41, and it can be hinged at other parts of the movable arm 36, for example, at a central portion of the movable arm 36. The assembly 20 is shown with a motor 40 configured to actuate the movable arm 36. The motor 40 is controlled by the controller. The distal end 38 includes a row of guide rollers 42 which contact with adhered labels 16 of a label liner 18 to press against the label liner 18 to ensure that the label liner 18 undergoes bending by a pre-defined angle which is dependent on a shape of the separator block 26. Figures 2 to 5 show various stages and views of the assembly 20 during operation. It should be appreciated that Figures 2A to 2D are in sequence with each other.

Figure 2A shows the assembly 20 just before the label liner 18 with adhered labels 16 enters the opening 24 of the primary portion 22. The assembly 20 is part of a printer (which is not shown) which can be integrated with the printer or retro-fitted with the printer.

Figures 2B and 3 show different views of the same situation. The Figures show the label liner 18 with adhered labels 16 passing into the opening 24 as the label liner 18 is fed by the printer. Figures 2C and 4 show different views of the same situation. The Figures show the movable arm 36 moving towards the separator block 26 such that the at least one guide roller 42 contacts with adhered labels 16 of the label liner 18 to bend the label liner 18 by a pre-determined angle. The movable arm 36 is configured to move when the printer instructs the controller in the assembly 20 to do so, as the printer is able to ascertain a distance moved by the label liner 18 (for example, movement of the label liner 18 over a length of the label 16). In this situation, the label iiner 18 undergoes bending of about 90° relative to an original path of the label Iiner 18 as the separator block 26 includes perpendicular contact surfaces 27, 29. The bending occurs around an intersection portion of the contact surfaces 27, 29. The range of angles which the label liner 18 is bent by can range from 0° to 90°, which is dependent on a physical shape of the separator block 26, particular an angle defined by the contact surfaces 27, 29. In the instance when the angle is 0°, the contact surfaces 27, 29 overlap each other. It should be appreciated that the separator block 26 can be constructed in a manner which allows the angle between the contact surfaces 27, 29 to be varied to allow for adhered labels 16 of varying thickness and adhesion strength to be detached from the label Iiner 18. The smaller the angle between the contact surfaces 27, 29, the easier it is for the label 16 to be separated from the label Iiner 18. However, the smaller the angle between the contact surfaces 27, 29, the greater the force exerted by the printer to retract the label Iiner 18. While the label Iiner 18 is constrained by the movable arm 36, movement of the label 16 along the intersection portion of contact surfaces 27, 29, causes an edge of the label 16 around the intersection portion to be detached from the label Iiner 18.

Finally, Figures 2D and 5 show different views of the same situation. The Figures show reversal of the label Iiner 18 feed direction carried out by the printer which causes the adhered label 16 to peel off from the label Iiner 18. The at least one roller guide 30 guides the label 16 through the passageway 32 until egress of the label 16 from the passageway 32. The label 16 can be dispensed to an output tray (not shown). The at least one sensor of the label guide portion 28 can be configured to detect removal of the label 16 from the passageway 32, and this can trigger the movable arm 36 to move back to its position as per Figure 2A, such that the assembly 20 is again ready to undergo the steps denoted in Figures 2A to 2D.

Referring to Figures 6 to 10, there is shown a second embodiment of an assembly 60 for removing labels from label liners. Amongst Figures 6 to 10, some Figures denote views of certain parts better than others, and numeric notations used in Figures 6 to 10 will be consistent throughout Figures 6 to 10. It should be appreciated that the assembly 60 can be integrated with a printer or it can be retro- fitted with an existing printer at/around an output tray of the printer. During instances when the assembly 60 is retro-fitted with an existing printer, the assembly 60 is configured to communicate with the printer via a data port, such as, a GPIO port. The assembly 60 enables labels which adhere to label liners to be removed from the label liners. Differences between the first and second embodiments will be evident from the subsequent paragraphs. The assembly 60 includes a primary portion 62. The primary portion 62 includes an opening 64 defined by a separator block 66 and a label guide portion 68. The opening 64 should be large enough to allow ingress of a label liner 18 with adhered labels 16. The label guide portion 68 includes two , roller guide columns 70, 71 configured to guide the label 16 through a passageway 72 in the label guide portion 68. In the second embodiment, Figures 6 to 10 show two in-line rows of roller guides in each roller guide column 70, 71. It should be appreciated that the rollers on roller guide rows are made from a material which does not stick to adhesives used on the labels 16 such as, for example, polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon and other self-lubricating plastics. The rollers on the roller guide rows are sized to minimise the contact surface area with the label to prevent the adhering of the label to the rollers. The passageway 72 is defined by the two roller guide columns 70, 71. The passageway 72 allows ingress of the label 16. The two roller guide columns 70, 71 are configured to guide the label 16 through the passageway 72 until egress of the label 16 from the passageway 72. The label guide portion 68 can also include at least one sensor 79 configured to detect removal of the label 16 from the passageway 72. The at least one sensor 79 can be located at any part of the label guide portion 68. The at least one sensor 79 can be either mechanical (eg. a mechanical switch) or optical (eg. a light sensitive sensor) in nature. The assembly 60 also includes a controller (not shown) to control all operations of the assembly 60 and to communicate with the printer. It is also possible that the label guide portion 68 is omitted from the assembly 60, although this is not shown in the Figures. Omission of the label guide portion 68 leads to a lower cost for the assembly 60.

The assembly 60 also includes a movable arm 76 including a distal end 78. The movable arm 76 is positioned at a fixed position relative to the separator block 66. The movable arm 76 is configured to move in a manner whereby the distal end 78 moves towards the separator block 66. The distal end 78 may contact the separator block 66. The movable arm 76 is shown to be hinged at a first end 81, such that the movable arm 76 is configured to rotate about the first end 81. It is not necessary for the movable arm 76 to be hinged at the first end 81, and it can be hinged at other parts of the movable arm 76, for example, at a central portion of the movable arm 76. The assembly 60 is shown with a motor 80 configured to actuate the movable arm 76. The motor 80 is positioned in a standing arrangement, but the motor 80 can also be positioned in other arrangements which depends on an external appearance of the assembly 60. The motor 80 is controlled by the controller. The distal end 78 includes a row of guide rollers 82 which contact with adhered labels 16 of a label liner 18 to press against the sheet of media 18 to ensure that the label liner 18 undergoes bending by a pre-defined angle which is dependent on a shape of the separator block 66. Figures 7 to 10 show various stages and views of the assembly 60 during operation. It should be appreciated that Figures 7(a) to 7(d) are in sequence with each other. Figure 7(a) shows the assembly 60 just before the label liner 18 with adhered labels 16 enters the opening 64 of the primary portion 62. The assembly 60 is part of a printer (which is not shown) which can be integrated with the printer or retro-fitted with the printer.

Figures 7(b) and 8 show different views of the same situation. The Figures show the label liner 18 with adhered labels 16 passing into the opening 64 as the label liner 18 is fed by the printer.

Figures 7(c) and 9 show different views of the same situation. The Figures show the movable arm 76 moving towards the separator block 66 such that the at least one guide roller 82 contacts with adhered labels 16 of the label liner 18 to bend the label liner 18 by a pre-determined angle. The movable arm 76 is configured to move when the printer instructs the controller in the assembly 60 to do so, as the printer is able to ascertain a distance moved by the label liner 18 (for example, movement of the label liner 18 over a length of the label 16). In this situation, the label liner 18 undergoes bending of about 75° relative to an original path of the label liner 18 as the separator block 66 includes angled contact surfaces 67, 69. The bending occurs around an intersection portion of the contact surfaces 67, 69. The range of angles which the label liner 18 is bent by can range from 0° to 90°, which is dependent on a physical shape of the separator block 66, particular an angle defined by the contact surfaces 67, 69. In the instance when the angle is 0°, the contact surfaces 67, 69 overlap each other. It should be appreciated that the separator block 66 can be constructed in a manner which allows the angle between the contact surfaces 67, 69 to be varied to allow for adhered labels 16 of varying thickness to be detached from the label liner 18. The smaller the angle between the contact surfaces 67, 69, the easier it is for the label 16 to be separated from the label liner 18. However, the smaller the angle between the contact surfaces 67, 69, the greater the force exerted by the printer to retract the label liner 18. While the label liner 18 is constrained by the movable arm 76, movement of the label 16 along the intersection portion of contact surfaces 67, 69, causes an edge of the label 16 around the intersection portion to be detached from the label liner 18.

Finally, Figures 7(d) and 10 show different views of the same situation. The Figures show reversal of the media feed direction carried out by the printer which causes the adhered label 16 to peel off from the label liner 18. The two roller guide columns 70, 71 guide the label 16 through the passageway 72 until egress of the label 16 from the passageway 72. The label 16 can be dispensed to an output tray (not shown). The at least one sensor 79 of the label guide portion 68 can be configured to detect removal of the label 16 from the passageway 72, and this can trigger the movable arm 76 to move back to its position as per Figure 7A, such that the assembly 20 is again ready to undergo the steps denoted in Figures 7A to 7D.

Other than the two embodiments of the assembly 20/60 which were described in the preceding paragraphs, it possible for other ways (other than by using a movable arm) to be employed to bend the label liner 18 around an intersection portion of the contact surfaces of the separator block 26/66 using, for example, a source of moving air for blowing air streams, a vacuum source within the separator block for providing a suction force, and so forth.

The assembly 20/60 ensures that a liner rewinder is no longer necessary for removal of labels from a label liner. The assembly 20/60 also allows the movable arm 26/76 to be left idle (non-interference with the media path) during printing operations which do not require removal of labels from label sheets. Thus, the assembly 20/60 does not restrict the function of the printer. Finally, the assembly 20/60 provides a low cost label peeling mechanism with a simple construction of few components of low cost. Referring to Figure 11, there is provided a method 100 for removing labels from label liners. The method 100 will be described using the second embodiment of the assembly 60 for illustrative non- limiting purposes. Firstly, the method 100 includes feeding the label liner 18 adhered with labels 16 into the assembly 60 in a first direction (102). The label liner 18 then undergoes bending around an intersection portion of contact surfaces 67, 69 (104) using, for example, a movable arm, blowing air streams, suction streams, and so forth. Finally, the method 100 includes reversing of a feed direction of the label liner 18 to a second direction (108) to cause an edge of the label 16 around the intersection portion of contact surfaces 67, 69 to be detached from the label liner 18, thus facilitating the removal of the label 16. The bending of the label liner 18 is carried out using a technique such as, for example, actuating a movable arm, blowing a stream of air, vacuum suction and the like.

It should be appreciated that the advantages of the assembly 20/60 are also shared with the method 100, which basically recites the operation of the assembly 20/60. Whilst there have been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.