Method and apparatus for bonding an additional layer of fabric to a label

• US 20050061428A1
• Filed: 10/04/2004
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pittsfield Weaving Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Pittsfield Weaving Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Blackmann, Frederick August
• Granted Patent: US 7,168,471 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/269
• CPC Class Codes: B31D 1/025 Applying patches, washers or reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/02 Forms or constructions layered products B32B
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0288 Labels or tickets consisting of more than one part, e.g. with address of sender or other reference on separate section to main label; Multi-copy labels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1054 and simultaneously bonding [e.g., cut-seaming]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1084 of continuous or running length bonded web
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/12 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1313 Cutting element simultaneously bonds [e.g., cut seaming]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/192 Sheets or webs coplanar

Abstract

The present invention includes a method for producing individual folded labels having an additional layer of material attached thereto. A ribbon of labels is provided along with an additional strip of material. Pieces of information, such as text or a machine readable-code are applied to the strip of material by printing the same at spaced intervals on the material. The ribbon of labels and the strip of material having the printed information thereon are joined together. The ribbon of labels with the strip of material are subdivided into individual folded labels. The invention also includes a label-making apparatus having a mechanism for advancing a ribbon of labels and a strip of material. A print head prints information, such as text or a machine readable-code, on the strip of material at spaced intervals. A mechanism joins the ribbon of labels with the strip of material. A cutting station subdivides an individual label from the ribbon of labels and strip of material. A sensor in communication with the advance mechanism controls the advance of a length of the ribbon of labels and the strip of material.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A label-making apparatus comprising:

a mechanism for linearly advancing a ribbon of labels and a strip of material;

means for applying information on the strip of material at spaced intervals;

means for joining the ribbon of labels with the strip of material;

a cutting station for subdividing an individual label from the ribbon of labels and strip of material; and

a sensor in communication with the advance mechanism for controlling the advance of a length of the ribbon of labels and the strip of material.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cutting station includes ultrasonic means for sealing and bonding the cut edges of the label.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for joining the strip of material to the ribbon of labels comprises a pair of drive rollers adjacent the cutting station.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for applying information to the strip material comprises a print head for printing information on the strip of material.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for applying information to the strip material comprises a print head for printing text sequentially at spaced intervals on the strip of material.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for applying information to the strip material comprises a print head for printing a plurality of machine readable-codes at spaced intervals on the strip of material.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensor comprises an optical eye and a light source for sensing the position of the information on the strip of material and the ribbon of labels.