Labeling media and method of making

Details Labeling media and method of making Labeling media and method of making

1999-09-24

2001-08-21

Colilla, Daniel J. (Department: 2854)

Stock material or miscellaneous articles

Layer or component removable to expose adhesive

C428S043000, C156S270000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06277456

ABSTRACT:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
(Not Applicable)
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
(Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to labeling media, and more particularly to labeling media for use in electronic printing devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are a number of industrial applications requiring identifying markers for tagging components in complicated assemblies or wiring configurations, such as in aircraft electronics and manufacturing control systems. Wires may be marked very simply by writing an identifiable legend on a tape flag affixed to the wire. An alternate method includes marking the wires with a metal or plastic marker sleeve crimped or otherwise attached to the wire. An electronic printer may be used to provide clearly recognizable alphanumeric labeling. The marker sleeves may be printed on directly, or a label may be printed and inserted in or adhered to the marker sleeve.
Whether it is a label or a sleeve that is printed, the labeling media typically comprises a series of printable portions that are attached to a carrier transport web, also known as a carrier strip. A transport web is generally a thin, flexible supporting member with evenly spaced apertures throughout its length that engage with a drive sprocket or are detected by a photoelectric sensing device for advancing the transport web incrementally past the print head. The transport web is fed through the printer and one or more labels are marked. The labels/sleeves are then removed from the carrier and attached to objects, such as wires, needing identification. As there are many types of label applications, there are many combinations of labels and transport webs that provide labels of varying sizes, colors and formats.
There are a number of U.S. patents that disclose labeling media for use in electronic printing devices in which either a marker sleeve or label is printed on and used for wire identification. These patents generally fall into one of three groups, namely: (1) label markers supported by and adhered to a separate transport web, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,882; (2) label marker sleeves fastened to a separate transport web with a tab-slot or other mechanical fastening arrangement, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,010; and (3) label marker sleeves made of multiple webs, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,939.
The first two groups include separate labels or sleeves which receive the ink marking and a transport web supporting the labels/sleeves. In both cases, the labels/sleeves are removably fixed to the transport web. The difference between the groups principally resides in the way in which the labels/sleeves are joined to the transport web. Labels may be adhered either to a surface of the web or adhered to an adhesive layer backing of the web with the labels disposed in openings in the web. Sleeves, such as the tubular sleeves of the '010 patent, may be joined to the transport web at tab projections sized to fit within the ends of the tubular sleeves. The third group of patents stated above has an assembly of two separate transport webs sealed together along longitudinal and transverse seams. The material is weakened at these seams so that marker sleeves can be broken away from the carrier web.
The above labeling media are assemblies of labels physically connected to a separate transport web in some way. The union of the labels to the web or the use of multiple webs adds to the complexity of producing the labeling media. Furthermore, the multiple components and assembly represent a large percentage of the production cost of the labeling media. Accordingly, a need exists in the art for an economical labeling media for use with a printer such that assembly is simplified or not required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a one-piece labeling media having labels integral with a carrier strip, which may be fed through a printer and broken free for use. The labeling media can be economically formed from a single piece of material in a single operation, thus accomplishing the general objective of providing an economical labeling media.
Specifically, the present invention is a labeling media for use in a printer. The labeling media includes a carrier strip for transporting the label through a printer; a label formed in the carrier strip, and having a perimeter defined by cuts through the carrier strip; and a tack point which connects the label to the carrier strip.
The present invention can provide labels of a variety of rectilinear or non-rectilinear configurations, such as rectangular, square, oval or circular for use in desktop printers or portable, hand-held label printers. Additionally, the labeling media can be used with a number of printer formats, including thermal transfer printers, laser printers, ink jet printers, and dot matrix printers. For use with these and other printers, the labels can have at least one surface with an ink receptor coating, thus accomplishing another objective of providing a versatile labeling media.
The labels remain connected to the carrier strip by any number of discrete tack points, at any location, which can be broken free from the carrier strip by any suitable means, such as by hand, to completely separate the label from the carrier strip, thus accomplishing another objective of the present invention of providing a labeling media which is easy to use.
Thus, the present invention provides the object and advantage of a one-piece wire labeling media for use in a printer that has labels integral to the carrier strip so that no assembly is required. Moreover, because the labels can be formed from a die cutting process, their size and shape may be varied easily. Additionally, the labeling media can be used with many standard commercial and consumer printer formats.
These and other objects, advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention and reference is made therefore, to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3889845 (1975-06-01), Haitmanek
patent: 3921516 (1975-11-01), Toft et al.
patent: 4032010 (1977-06-01), Evans
patent: 4234090 (1980-11-01), Barbieri et al.
patent: 4361230 (1982-11-01), Downing et al.
patent: 4363401 (1982-12-01), Savagian
patent: 4415006 (1983-11-01), Barbieri
patent: 4442939 (1984-04-01), Downing
patent: 4461793 (1984-07-01), Blok et al.
patent: 4586610 (1986-05-01), Gandolfo
patent: 4603924 (1986-08-01), Piana et al.
patent: 4761086 (1988-08-01), Peterpaul
patent: 4844629 (1989-07-01), Hoyt
patent: 4865895 (1989-09-01), Vlamings et al.
patent: 4920882 (1990-05-01), Hoyt
patent: 5486063 (1996-01-01), Fox et al.
patent: 5509694 (1996-04-01), Laurash et al.
patent: 5536546 (1996-07-01), Nash
patent: 5702789 (1997-12-01), Fernandez-Kirchberger et al.
patent: 5862751 (1999-01-01), Triantopoulos et al.
patent: 5997680 (1999-12-01), Patent
patent: 6001209 (1999-12-01), Popat et al.
patent: 6186554 (2001-02-01), Raming

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Labeling media and method of making does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Labeling media and method of making, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Labeling media and method of making will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2516393