US5417783A — Linerless label dispenser

Claim 1

Independent Claim 216 words

A method for dispensing linerless labels in a continuous web, each label separated from adjacent labels in the web by a line of weakness, the web being in roll form with each label having a pressure sensitive adhesive face and a non-adhesive face, the pressure sensitive adhesive face on the inside of the roll, comprising the steps of: (a) mounting the roll for rotation about an axis of rotation; (b) periodically or intermittently positively pulling the web from the roll an amount sufficient to unwind approximately one length of label from the roll; (c) exposing a free edge of the leading label in the roll so that it may be grasped; (d) grasping and pulling on the free edge of the leading label in such a manner so as to separate the leading label from the roll by manually moving the line of weakness of the web into contact with a stationary cutting blade, positioned one label length upstream from the exposed free edge of the leading label, so as to sever the leading label from a proceeding label of the web; and (e) after the leading label is separated from the roll, automatically in response to that separation initiating steps (b) and (c) to expose the free edge of the next label in the roll.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 216 words

A method for dispensing linerless labels in a continuous web, each label separated from adjacent labels in the web by a line of weakness, the web being in roll form with each label having a pressure sensitive adhesive face and a non-adhesive face, the pressure sensitive adhesive face on the inside of the roll, comprising the steps of: (a) mounting the roll for rotation about an axis of rotation; (b) periodically or intermittently positively pulling the web from the roll an amount sufficient to unwind approximately one length of label from the roll; (c) exposing a free edge of the leading label in the roll so that it may be grasped; (d) grasping and pulling on the free edge of the leading label in such a manner so as to separate the leading label from the roll by manually moving the line of weakness of the web into contact with a stationary cutting blade, positioned one label length upstream from the exposed free edge of the leading label, so as to sever the leading label from a proceeding label of the web; and (e) after the leading label is separated from the roll, automatically in response to that separation initiating steps (b) and (c) to expose the free edge of the next label in the roll.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 48 words

A method as recited in claim 1 wherein step (b) is practiced by engaging the pressure sensitive adhesive face of the linerless label web with the circumferential periphery of a drive roller so that the web wraps around at least about 170° of the drive roller circumferential periphery.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 64 words

A method as recited in claim 2 wherein step (b) is further practiced by engaging the pressure sensitive adhesive face as and after it engages the circumferential periphery of the drive roller with a plurality of conveyor tapes spaced from each other in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the roll, and themselves engaging the circumferential periphery of the drive roller.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method as recited in claim 3 wherein step (c) is practiced by separating the leading edge of the web from the conveyor tapes after the web is past the drive roller.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method as recited in claim 4 wherein step (e) is practiced by automatically sensing when the leading label has been separated from the rest of the web.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 16 words

A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the sensing of step (e) is practiced optically.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 47 words

A method as recited in claim 6 wherein the web has a plurality of marks thereon, the marks being spaced from each other a distance equal to the length of a label, and wherein said sensing step is practiced by optically sensing the positions of the marks.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method as recited in claim 1 wherein step (e) is practiced by automatically sensing the position of the web with respect to the cutting blade.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method as recited in claim 1 comprising the further step of automatically braking the roll after step (b) is terminated.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 35 words

A method as recited in claim 1 comprising the further step, at start-up, of jogging the position of the web until the line of weakness of the leading label is aligned with the cutting blade.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 200 words

A linerless label dispenser for dispensing linerless labels in web and roll form, the labels having a pressure sensitive adhesive face and a non-adhesive face, comprising: means for mounting the roll of linerless labels so that the labels may be pulled from the roll in web form as the roll rotates about a first axis of rotation; drive means for engaging the web of linerless labels from the web from the roll, said drive means comprising a single drive roller having a circumferential periphery and rotatable about a second axis, parallel to said first axis; an exit roller, rotatable about a third axis, parallel to said second axis; a plurality of endless conveyor tapes extending over a portion of the circumferential periphery of said drive roller and engaging said exit roller, to effect transport of the label web past said drive roller and to and past said exit roller, said conveyor tapes spaced from each other in a direction parallel to said second axis; separation means for separating the linerless label web from said conveyor tapes; and manual severing means, positioned upstream of the exit roller, for severing each label from the next label of the web of linerless labels.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 200 words

A linerless label dispenser for dispensing linerless labels in web and roll form, the labels having a pressure sensitive adhesive face and a non-adhesive face, comprising: means for mounting the roll of linerless labels so that the labels may be pulled from the roll in web form as the roll rotates about a first axis of rotation; drive means for engaging the web of linerless labels from the web from the roll, said drive means comprising a single drive roller having a circumferential periphery and rotatable about a second axis, parallel to said first axis; an exit roller, rotatable about a third axis, parallel to said second axis; a plurality of endless conveyor tapes extending over a portion of the circumferential periphery of said drive roller and engaging said exit roller, to effect transport of the label web past said drive roller and to and past said exit roller, said conveyor tapes spaced from each other in a direction parallel to said second axis; separation means for separating the linerless label web from said conveyor tapes; and manual severing means, positioned upstream of the exit roller, for severing each label from the next label of the web of linerless labels.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 49 words

A dispenser as recited in claim 11 further comprising an idler roller mounted between said roll mounting means and said drive roller for engaging the non-adhesive face of the web of linerless labels between said roll mounting means and said drive roller circumferential periphery, and tensioning the web thereat.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 45 words

A dispenser as recited in claim 11 wherein said drive means further comprises a motor for rotating said drive roller; and further comprising automatic sensing means for sensing the position of the web from the roll and controlling said motor in response to said sensing.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 39 words

A dispenser as recited in claim 13 wherein said automatic sensing means comprises first and second optical sensors, said first sensor mounted adjacent said drive roller, and said second sensor mounted past said drive roller, adjacent said separation means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 74 words

A dispenser as recited in claim 11 wherein said conveyor tapes are wrapped around said exit roller to protrude a first radial distance from a circumferential portion of said exit roller; and wherein said separation means comprises a plurality of rings on said exit roller between said conveyor tapes, said rings protruding a second radial distance from said circumferential portion of said exit roller, said second radial distance greater than said first radial distance.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

A dispenser as recited in claim 11 wherein said severing means comprises a stationary knife blade mounted adjacent said drive roller.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 32 words

A dispenser as recited in claim 11 wherein said roll mounting means comprises brake means to prevent the roll from continuing to unwind when driving action by said drive means is interrupted.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 48 words

A dispenser as recited in claim 11 further comprising means for mounting said drive roller, conveyor tapes, exit roller, and roll mounting means with respect to each other so that the web from the roll engages at least about 170 degrees of circumferential periphery of said drive roller.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 46 words

A dispenser as recited in claim 11 wherein said drive means further comprises a motor for rotating said drive roller; and further comprising control means for controlling operation of said motor to turn it off, turn it on so that it operates automatically, or to jog.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 33 words

A dispenser as recited in claim 19 further comprising automatic sensing means for sensing the position of the web of linerless labels and control operation of said motor in response to said sensing.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

A dispenser as recited in claim 11 wherein said roll mounting means comprises a substantially vertical shaft.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 25 words

A dispenser as recited in claim 21 wherein said vertical shaft includes a pair of adjustable chucks mounted thereon to accommodate various widths of rolls.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 142 words

A dispenser as recited in claim 11 wherein said drive means further comprises a motor for rotating said drive roller; and an idler roller mounted between said roll mounting means and said drive roller for engaging the non-adhesive face of the web of linerless labels between said roll mounting means and said drive roller circumferential peripheral, and tensioning the web thereat; first and second optical sensors comprising means for sensing the position of the web from the roll and controlling said motor in response to said sensing; brake means to prevent the roll from continuing to unwind when driving action by said drive means is interrupted; and means for mounting said drive roller, conveyor tapes, exit roller, and roll mounting means with respect to each other so that the web from the roll engages a substantial circumferential periphery of said drive roller.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 191 words

A linerless label dispenser for dispensing linerless labels in web and roll form, the labels having a pressure sensitive adhesive face and a non-adhesive face, comprising: means for mounting the roll of linerless labels so that the labels may be pulled from the roll in web form as the roll rotates about a first generally vertical axis of rotation; drive means for engaging the web of linerless labels from the roll to pull the web from the roll, said drive means comprising a drive roller having a circumferential periphery and rotatable about a second axis, parallel to said first axis; an exit roller, rotatable about a third axis, parallel to said second axis; a plurality of endless conveyor tapes extending over a portion of the circumferential periphery of said drive roller and engaging said exit roller, to effect transport of the label web about the drive roller and to and past the exit roller; and separation means for separating the linerless label web from the conveyor tapes; and manual severing means, positioned upstream of the exit roller, for severing each label from the next label of the web of linerless labels.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 191 words

A linerless label dispenser for dispensing linerless labels in web and roll form, the labels having a pressure sensitive adhesive face and a non-adhesive face, comprising: means for mounting the roll of linerless labels so that the labels may be pulled from the roll in web form as the roll rotates about a first generally vertical axis of rotation; drive means for engaging the web of linerless labels from the roll to pull the web from the roll, said drive means comprising a drive roller having a circumferential periphery and rotatable about a second axis, parallel to said first axis; an exit roller, rotatable about a third axis, parallel to said second axis; a plurality of endless conveyor tapes extending over a portion of the circumferential periphery of said drive roller and engaging said exit roller, to effect transport of the label web about the drive roller and to and past the exit roller; and separation means for separating the linerless label web from the conveyor tapes; and manual severing means, positioned upstream of the exit roller, for severing each label from the next label of the web of linerless labels.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-05-22	1998-11-21	1999-05-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-05-22	2002-11-21	2003-05-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-05-22	2006-11-21	2007-05-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Linerless label dispenser

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