Apparatus and method for handling linerless label tape

• US 20050186009A1
• Filed: 04/25/2005
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Vasilakes, Lloyd S., Baker, Daniel D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,220,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/619
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/02 Rollers roller platens B41J11/04
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 15/165 for tensioning continuous copy material by use of redirecting rollers or redirecting nonrevolving guides
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/4075 Tape printers; Label printers
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 51/067 to the closure flaps of boxes

Abstract

An apparatus for printing on a continuous web of linerless tape defined by a print side for subsequent application to an article. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support for a continuous web of linerless tape; an undriven platen roller located downstream of the support; a print head associated with the undriven platen roller, wherein the undriven platen roller directs the continuous web of linerless tape past the print head for printing on the print side thereof; and a driven roller positioned adjacent the platen roller and downstream of the print head for pulling the web of linerless tape from the platen roller. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a support for a continuous web of linerless tape; a driven platen roller located downstream of the support; a print head associated with the platen roller, wherein the platen roller directs the continuous web of linerless tape past the print head for printing on the print side thereof; and a driven roller positioned adjacent the platen roller and downstream of the print head for pulling the web of linerless tape from the platen roller. Methods of printing indicia on a continuous web of linerless tape are also included.

Claims

1. An apparatus for printing on a continuous web of linerless tape for subsequent application to an article, the continuous web of linerless tape defined by a print side and an adhesive side, the apparatus comprising:

a support for a continuous web of linerless tape;

an undriven platen roller located downstream of the support;

a print head associated with the undriven platen roller, wherein the undriven platen roller directs the continuous web of linerless tape past the print head for printing on the print side thereof; and

a driven roller positioned adjacent the platen roller and downstream of the print head for pulling the web of linerless tape from the platen roller.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adhesive side carries an adhesive, wherein the driven roller includes a contact surface for engaging the linerless tape, and wherein the contact surface is configured to minimize adhesion with the adhesive side.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the contact surface includes a knurled surface for minimizing a surface area of the contact surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to process linerless tape having a thickness less than 90 microns.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the driven roller is positioned relative to the platen roller to define a wrap angle of the web of linerless tape around the driven roller of between 10°

-180°

.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the print head is a thermal transfer print head and the apparatus further comprises a ribbon, passed between the print head and the web of linerless tape for printing on the print side thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platen roller is beneath opposite the print head for supporting the linerless tape during a printing operation.

8. A method of printing indicia on a continuous web of linerless tape for subsequent application to an article, the web of linerless tape defined by a print side and an adhesive side, the method comprising:

providing a print head associated with an undriven platen roller;

providing a driven roller, positioned adjacent the platen roller downstream of the print head;

providing a continuous web of linerless tape;

extending the web of linerless tape along a tape path from the undriven platen roller to the driven roller such that the undriven platen roller contacts the adhesive side and the driven roller contacts the adhesive side;

driving the web of linerless tape past the print head;

rotating the driven roller to drive the web of linerless tape past the print head and to pull a portion of the web of linerless tape from the platen roller; and

printing indicia on the print side with the print head.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein providing a continuous web of linerless tape includes providing a web of linerless tape having a thickness of less than about 90 microns.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein providing a web of linerless tape includes providing a web of linerless tape carrying an adhesive on the adhesive side.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein extending the web of linerless tape along a tape path includes establishing a wrap angle of linerless tape around the driven roller between 10°

-180°

.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the printing device is a thermal transfer printer and further includes a continuous ribbon disposed between the print head and the print side of the web of linerless tape.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the adhesive side carries an adhesive, and wherein the driven roller includes a contact surface for engaging the linerless tape, the contact surface being configured to minimize adhesion with the adhesive side.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the contact surface includes a knurled surface for minimizing the surface area of the contact surface.