Background

[0001] The ubiquitous adhesive label is available in a myriad of configurations for use in various applications, including specialty applications. The adhesive label includes an adhesive on its back side and is initially laminated to an underlying release liner.

[0002] Adhesive labels may be found in individual sheets, or joined together in a fan-fold stack, or in a continuous roll (web). Label rolls are typically used in commercial applications requiring high volume use of labels.

[0003] The challenge with liner-based adhesive rolls is that as the label is removed from the liner while the web is processed through an auto applicator machine and the label is affixed to a package, the underlying liner is rewound as waste in the machine and the tension in the liner grows causing the liner to break. Swapping out the feed roll and/or removing the waste-liner roll means stopping the machine and having specialized staff remove the waste-liner roll and refeed (rethread) the remaining combined liner-label roll for continued processing or swapping out the liner-label roll with a new liner-label roll. Because of this tension in the liner between the feed roll and the accumulating waste roll, the size of the waste-liner label roll is limited (meaning the total number of labels that can be applied to packaging by the machine before waste-liner roll is removed and/or a new liner-label roll is refed in the machine is limited).

[0004] Because maximizing the total number of labels that can be applied by the machine without manual media maintenance is the goal in the industry, most liner-label rolls are constructed as three-ply (three substrates) layered on top of one another. The rolls include two liners and the label (three ply or three independent substrates). This allows the feed and waste rolls to withstand a greater tension before breakage within the machine and is believed in the industry to be an optimal solution. However, 1 ) this additional substrate is costly to manufacture; 2) label capacity through conventional auto applicator machines has stagnated, and 3) the three-ply approach creates greater waste byproduct (three substrates).

Summary

[0005] In various embodiments, a liner-label, a liner-label roll, and an auto applier machine are provided.

[0006] According to an embodiment, a liner-label is provided. The liner label includes: a liner, a label, a die cut second label in the label, and a plurality of die cut tabs in the liner. A backside of the label affixed to a front side of the liner with the tabs at least partially aligned to the second label.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a liner-label, according to an example embodiment.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a liner-label roll having, according to an example embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 3A is a diagram depicting a strip of a liner-label roll from the FIG. 2, according to an example embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 3B is a diagram depicting a strip of a liner after removal of the labels as a portion of a waste-liner roll, according to an example embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 4A is a diagram depicting an isolated view of a front side of a second label independent of the composite label (shown in the FIG. 1 ) from the liner-label roll, according to an example embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 4B is a diagram depicting an isolated view of a backside of the second label independent of the composite label (shown in the FIG. 1 ) from liner-label roll, according to an example embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram an auto applicator machine for applying a label to packaging from the liner-label roll and winding the waste-liner roll within the auto applicator machine, according to an example embodiment. Detailed Description

[0014] As will be described more completely herein and below, a two-ply channel liner-label, liner-label roll, and an auto applicator are presented.

[0015] The term "channel" a die cut portion of a substrate defined by a weakened periphery that outlines the portion.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a liner-label 100, according to an example embodiment. It is noted that the dimensions of the liner 1 10 and the label 120 (and 130 a second label removable from label 120) can vary in various embodiments presented herein and below.

[0017] The liner-label 1 00 includes: a liner 1 10 with die cut channel portions 1 1 1 and 1 12, and a label 120 with a separate removable second label 130.

[0018] The liner 1 10 is part of a web or roll 200 (discussed below with reference to the FIG. 2). The liner 1 10 is a substrate coated with a release coating (water-based substantially free of silicone or silicon- based). A front side of the liner 1 10 is manufactured with a label 120 applied thereon. The backside of the label 120 includes an adhesive coating.

[0019] The label 120 includes a separate die cut second label 130.

[0020] An auto applicator machine (such as 300 discussed below with the FIG. 5) is loaded with the liner-label 100 and automatically removes the label 120 from the liner 1 10 and applies the label 120 to packaging that passes under a portion of the machine on a transport belt (conveyor belt). When the package is received, the recipient can remove the second label 130 from the label 120 that is affixed to the package. The second label 130 can then be applied to other items/objects, such as a product (the front side of the second label 130 including printed information thereon, such as a barcode or Quick Response (QR) code or other written information and/or graphics).

[0021] The front side of the label 120 and the second label 130 includes printed information, such that the front side of the label 120 (the portion that does not include the second label 130) can include addressing information for a destination of the packaging while the front side of the second label can including retailer specific information for a product enclosed in the packaging (such as a product barcode). It is noted that this particular described application for the labels 120 and 130 is but one scenario and a variety of other useful applications can be used with the novel teachings herein of the liner-label 100.

[0022] The backside of the label 120 (including the second label 130) includes an adhesive coating such that when the label 120 is removed as a unit (including the second label 130) from the liner 1 1 0, the label 120 adheres to the packaging. However, and unlike conventional approaches, when the auto applicator machine 300 removes the label 120 from the liner 1 10, the die cut tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 are removed with the label 120 creating voids or holes in the liner 1 10 and assuring that a portion defined by the accompanying die cut liner tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 do not adhere to the package because the backside of the tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 lack an adhesive coating and the backside of the tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 are pressed on the packaging as part of the backside of the label 120.

[0023] The die cut tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 create a channel on a portion of the label 120 that includes the second label 130 that is devoid of any adhesive material. The tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 cover and substantially shield the adhesive material that is on a portion of the label 120 that includes the second label 130. In fact, a substantial area of the backside of the second label 130 has its adhesive coating protected and shielded by the tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12. The tabs 1 1 1 are slightly different from the tabs 1 12. The tabs 1 12 (two of the six are rounded, which allows for a greater surface area of tab coverage on the backside of the label 120 and 130) near an edge where the second label 130 is removed from the label 120. Additionally, the edge of the second label 130 is curved inward away from the edge of the label 120. The geometric configuration provides strength to the second label 1 30 and permits easier removal from the label 120 without tearing or damage to the second label 130. Also note that an inside perimeter portion (along the bottom and side edges) of the backside of the label 120 includes the adhesive coating as does a small portion of the backside of the second label 130 (the curved in edge portion). This ensures that the label 120 adheres to the packaging, even though the area defined by the tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 that accompanies the label 120 when removed from the liner 1 10 will not adhere to the packaging because that area defined by the tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 is devoid of any adhesive material. Additionally, an area that is not covered by the tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 along the backside of the second label 130 includes a small amount of adhesive, which permits a minimal amount of adhesion between the backside of the second label 1 30 and packaging.

[0024] In an embodiment, the dimensions of the liner 1 10 is approximately 4.625 inches in length and approximately 3.125 inches in height. The label 120 is approximately between 4.375 and 4.5 inches in length and approximately 2.875 and 3 inches in height. The die cut tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 of the liner 1 10 are each approximately 1 .25 inches in length and between 0.40625 and 0.5 inches in height.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a liner-label roll 200 having, according to an example embodiment.

[0026] The liner-label roll 200 is a two-ply (two independent substrates) that includes: a first substrate 210 having die cut channels 1 1 1 , which are die cut within the first substrate 210; and a second substrate that includes a series of individual labels 120 (not shown in the FIG. 2 but shown in the FIG. 1 above, each label 120 may be preprinted or may include no printing that can subsequently be printed upon with information to define an individual label 120. Printing on a front side of each label 120 can occur through thermal printing (such as when the front side of the second substrate includes a thermally activated coating) or can occur through laser or dot matrix printing.

[0027] The second substrate also includes a die cut for each label 120 that defines the independent removable second label 130 within label 120. The backside of the second substrate is coated with an adhesive so it sufficiently adheres to the front side of the first substrate 210. [0028] The tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 are die cut from the liner 1 1 0 and are removed from the liner 1 10 when the auto applicator machine 300 removes the labels 120. This results in holes 201 (shown in the FIGS. 3A and 3B below) in the liner 1 10 within the waste-liner roll. The auto applicator machine 300 winds the liner 1 10 into a waste-liner roll, which includes the holes 201. This reduces the weight of the waste-liner roll as it is wound within the auto applicator machine 300, which reduces the tension on the liner-label roll 200 being fed through the auto applicator machine 300. The result of this is that the auto applicator machine 300 can apply a greater number of labels 120 to packaging than conventional approaches.

[0029] That is, testing has shown that conventional auto applicator machines and liner-label rolls can dispense approximately 10,000 labels before rethreading of an existing roll or a replacement roll is needed by skilled manual intervention. The novel liner-label roll 200 including the novel holes 201 in the waste-liner roll can be dispensed by an auto applicator machine for approximately 14,000 to 15,000 labels 120 (a 40- 50% improvement) before needing manual intervention. This reduces media replenishment labor and media expenses (two substrates now and conventionally three substrates were needed). Additionally, the approaches presented herein also reduce environmental waste by removing at least one wasted substrate in the novel two-ply channel liner- label 120.

[0030] FIG. 3A is a diagram depicting a strip of a liner-label roll 200 from the FIG. 2, according to an example embodiment.

[0031] The strip shown in the FIG. 3A shows a front side 210 of the liner 1 10 from a roll 200 and includes a plurality of labels 1 20 each having a second die cut label 130 along with the liner tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12. The bottom of the strip shows a removed label and the resulting liner 1 10 having the holes 201 where the tabs have been removed with the removed label 1 20. [0032] FIG. 3B is a diagram depicting a strip of a waste-liner roll after removal of the labels 120 as a portion of a waste-liner roll, according to an example embodiment.

[0033] The front side 210 illustrates the holes 201 left after an auto applicator machine 300 has removed the labels 120 (including 130) along with the tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 from the liner 1 10. This reduces the weight of the liner 1 10 in the waste-liner roll and ensures that tension between a liner-label roll 200 (being fed through the auto applicator machine 300) and the maintained waste-liner roll is more efficiently distributed from conventional three-ply approaches.

[0034] FIG. 4A is a diagram depicting an isolated view of a front side of a second label 130 independent of the composite label 120 from the liner-label roll 200, according to an example embodiment.

[0035] The second label 130 has a substantial portion of its backside covered by the tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12, which acts as a buffer between the backside of the second label 1 30 and the liner 1 10 of the roll 200. Another portion of the tabs 1 1 1 and 1 12 also cover a portion of the backside of the label 120 (not shown in the FIG. 4A but visible in the FIG. 1 )- [0036] The curved or concave shape of the rightmost end of the label 130 provides access for grabbing the label 130 and removing the label 130 from label 120 that maybe affixed to packaging.

[0037] The tabs 1 1 1—1 12 also slightly elevate the label 130 above a surface of any packaging to which the label 120 is affixed. Again, the backsides of the tabs 1 1 1— 1 12 are adhesive free (devoid of any adhesive), such that the area defined and covered by the backsides of the tabs 1 1 1— 1 12 do not adhere to the packaging.

[0038] When the label 130 is removed from the label 120 and separated from the packaging, the tabs remain affixed under the backside of the label 120 and against the surface of the packaging, such that there is no debris and such that the label 130 can be directly applied to a product (because the front side of the tabs 1 1 1— 1 12 were coated with a release coating and the backside of the label 130 included the adhesive coating).

[0039] FIG. 4B is a diagram depicting an isolated view of a backside of the second label 130 independent of the composite label 120 from the liner-label roll 200, according to an example embodiment.

[0040] The label 130 is die cut from the label 120. As such, until the label 130 is removed from the label 120 it remains part of the label 120. The entire backside of the label 120 is coated with adhesive 131 . The tabs 1 1 1— 1 12 are removed from the liner 1 10 when the label 120 is removed from the liner 1 10 and applied to packaging. The backside view of the label 130 illustrates that a small portion (portion not buffered and covered by the tabs 1 1 1— 1 12) of the backside of the label 130 includes adhesive material/coating. This allows for a small surface area of the backside of the label 130 to adhere to any packaging to which the label 120 is applied. This provides a minimal amount of adhesion to the packaging but not enough adhesion to prevent the label 130 from being easily removed from the label 1 20 and the packaging and applied to an item/object (product). Moreover, well over 60-70% of the backside of label 130 once removed from the packaging, the second label 120, and the tabs 1 1 1— 1 12 still includes active adhesive material because the tabs 1 1 1— 1 12 include a release coating where interfaced to the backside of the label 130.

[0041] Although, the adhesive material 131 is shown as a spot or patterned arrangement, this does not have to be the case as the entire backside can include an adhesive coating 131 in some embodiments.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a diagram an auto applicator machine 300 for applying a label to packaging from the liner-label roll and winding the waste-liner roll within the auto applicator machine, according to an example embodiment.

[0043] The auto applicator machine 300 presented is one type of auto applicator machine 300. That is, other types and configurations can be used with the novel liner-label rolls 200 and liner-labels 120 presented herein and above. [0044] A liner-label roll 200 is loaded into the machine 300 and the front surface 210 having the labels 1 20 with the tabs 1 1 1 are oriented properly during the load. The machine 300 removes the label 120 that includes the die cut label 130 from the liner 1 10 and automatically applies to packaging. The liner 1 10 that now includes the holes 201 for the removed tabs 1 1 1— 1 1 2 is then fed into a waste-liner roll (bottom spool in the FIG. 5).

[0045] The package can then be delivered and an operator can remove the label 130. The tabs 1 1 1— 1 12 remain under the backside of label 120 that remains adhered to the package. Over approximately 70% of the backside of the removed label 130 includes unadulterated adhesive material, such that the removed label 1 30 can be applied to a product (item or object).

[0046] One now appreciates how the novel liner-label 120 and liner-label roll 200 can improve capacity processing (per roll) in an auto applicator machine 300 by optimally maintaining tension in the liner 1 10 as the machine 300 dispenses the labels 120 onto packaging. This also provides reduced waste byproduct since two-plys (substrates) are used in the liner-label roll 200 as opposed to the conventional approach utilizing three-plys (substrates).

[0047] Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.