U.S. patent application number 09/247437 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-15 for disk labeling device.
Invention is credited to PIRES, SELWYN, TRACY, PETER H..
Application Number | 20010040013 09/247437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22934942 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010040013 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TRACY, PETER H. ; et
al. |
November 15, 2001 |
DISK LABELING DEVICE
Abstract
A device for the positioning of a label, having a central
aperture and peripheral edge, onto a surface of a disk, having a
central hole and an outer edge including three components: (1) a
support base for the label having a central aperture; (2) a
centering spindle having a first and second, reduced diameter
portions for relatively centering the label and disk, the disk
being seated on a shoulder between the first and second diameter
portions; and (3) a compressible foam pad cylindrical in shape
adapted to be adhered to the bottom of the second diameter portion
of the spindle and positioned in an aperture in the base on which
the spindle may be seated. With the disk retained on the shoulder
and centered by the second diameter portion of the spindle passing
therethrough, the disk is moved towards the label supported
adhesive side up on the base. The first diameter portion of the
spindle enters the aperture in the base, centering the label
relative to the disk and compressing the foam pad, which exerts a
counterforce, uniformly between the disk and label as the two are
adhered and united, to uniformly adhere the label to the disk
without wrinkles or air pockets. The spindle and pad can be formed
as an integral unit to reduce the components to two by the addition
of a stabilizing plate ultrasonically welded to the pad at one end,
and at its other end, the pad can be ultrasonically welded to the
spindle.
Inventors: |
TRACY, PETER H.; (GUILFORD,
CT) ; PIRES, SELWYN; (EALING, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALLEN D BRUFSKY, p.a.
10700 STRINGFELLOW ROAD
UNIT 80
BOKEELIA
FL
33922
US
|
Family ID: |
22934942 |
Appl. No.: |
09/247437 |
Filed: |
February 10, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09247437 |
Feb 10, 1999 |
|
|
|
09141848 |
Aug 27, 1998 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/582 ;
156/579 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65C 9/265 20130101;
G11B 23/40 20130101; Y10T 156/1744 20150115; Y10T 156/18
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
156/582 ;
156/579 |
International
Class: |
B32B 031/00; C09J
001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A labeler for the placement of self-adhesive labels onto a
compact disk or the like comprising: a one-piece positioning
spindle having a first and second portion, said second portion
having a cross-sectional area smaller than said first portion for
insertion in the spindle hole of a disk, a shoulder between said
first and second portions for supporting a disk, a positioning base
having a label supporting surface and a positioning hole, the first
portion of said spindle having an integral resilient, compressible
pad on the bottom thereof received within the positioning hold of
said positioning base to permit movement of said shoulder and a
disk supported thereon towards said label supporting surface on
said positioning base for adhesion to the label upon contact
therewith, and a cover plate integrally connected to the bottom of
said resilient pad to stabilize and rigidify the same during
compression.
2. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said first and second spindle
portions are cylindrical in shape.
3. The labeler of claim 2 wherein said positioning hole is circular
in shape and said pad is cylindrical in shape.
4. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad is ultrasonically welded
to the bottom of said first portion of said spindle.
5. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said positioning base is circular
in shape.
6. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad is formed from a
resilient foam.
7. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad is rubber.
8. The labeler of claim 1 wherein said pad is neoprene.
9. The labeler of claim 1 including a washer adapted to be
positioned over and around said second portion of said spindle and
on a disk seated on said shoulder to protect against contact with
the disk.
10. The labeler of claim 9 wherein said washer includes a plurality
of radial arms extending outwardly therefrom adapted for contact
with a plurality of fingers adapted to exert a force on said disk
against the compression of said pad, to adhere said disk to said
label on said positioning plate.
11. The labeler of claim 10 including plate on the bottom of said
washer adapted to raise the washer above the plane of a disk seated
on said shoulder to preclude scratching the surface thereof.
12. The labeler of claim 1 including a tube extending downwardly
from said positioning plate adjacent to said positioning hole to
guide and house said first spindle portion to preclude lateral
movement thereof.
13. The labeler of claim 12 wherein said tube is axially aligned
with said positioning hole.
14. The labeler of claim 12 wherein said tube has a pair of
diametrically opposed slots opening in the bottom edge thereof, and
said spindle includes a pair of diametrically opposed ears received
in said slots to preclude rotation of said spindle relative to said
base.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 09/141,848, filed Aug. 27, 1998 entitled "Disk Labeling
Device" and assigned to the same assignee as the present
application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of compact disk
labeling devices, and more particularly to a device for centering a
disk with respect to a self-adhesive label while maintaining them
in spaced relation and subsequently allowing them to contact,
forming a labeled disk.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The proliferation of compact disks (discs), also known as
laser disks, in the form of music as well as CD-ROM products has
become extensive. In recent years, recordable compact disks such as
those produced by SONY, 3M, and KODAK has grown in popularity.
Further, these disks are being used for archival data storage,
immediate distribution of data, and for demonstration purposes.
With this recent use has grown a need to label these disks once
they have been produced. This is because once produced, there is no
generally available visual method for determining the contents of
the disk, without reducing storage capacity below the 680 MB of
data or more, without external markings.
[0004] While manufacturers of large numbers of identical disks have
their labels or identifying information painted, silk-screened or
printed onto the disks, e.g., a layer of adherent ink or pigment is
applied to the surface of the disk, this method is generally
impractical for recordable compact disk producers. For small runs
or those requiring immediate availability of the disk, printing or
painting based methods of labeling take too much time, incur a
significant setup charge, and require special equipment. Automated
disk imprinting devices may be large and cumbersome, with bulk
pigmented ink supplies generally favoring long production runs.
[0005] Another known method of labeling a compact disk employs a
direct printing using an ink jet system onto the surface of a disk.
These systems provide a special carrier for the disk, which is
printed using a conventional ink jet printing apparatus. This
method suffers the shortcomings of ink jet technology, including
problems with the inks used, such as smudging, running, lack of
scratch resistance on the disk surface, and the like. This ink jet
printing technology is also relatively slow.
[0006] Ink markers may also be used to label disks, but this is
unattractive and can cause damage to the disk by breaking down the
coating which protects the disk. Permanent ink markers often
include solvents in the ink. As a result, manufacturers such as
Avery Dennison, Avery Division, Diamond Bar Calif., produce
self-adhesive labels shaped like, and designed for compact disks.
Improper placement of a label on a disk, especially with the advent
of high speed, e.g., ten or higher speed data transfer (with single
speed data transfer defined as the rate necessary to support CD
audio), and higher information density disk recording technologies,
such as Digital Video Disk ("DVD"), may result in read errors, or
drive motor damage due to dynamic imbalance of the disk.
[0007] Other known prior art includes: Kodaka et al, U.S. Pat. No.
5,346,654, which relates to a method for forming indicia on compact
disks. This method employs a molded impression from a "mother", and
does not apply an adhesive label. Lexel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,464,
relates to a hinged structure for pressing a marking onto a compact
disk, and also does not apply an adhesive label. Sugaya et al, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,903,255, on the other hand, relates to an adhesive label
marking system for compact disks. However, the labels are
ultimately applied manually, without any apparatus for assisting in
accurate placement on the disk. Hanna, U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,460,
relates to an optical disk or phonorecord label having a hinged
portion for individualized marking, which is apparently manually
applied. Nakamura, U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,127, relates to a labeling
system for 3.5 inch magnetic media encased in a rectangular plastic
enclosure, and thus, while placing the labels in a desired
location, do not place the label concentrically directly on the
rotating media.
[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,001, and U.S. Ser. No. 661,443, filed
Jun. 11, 1996, both assigned to the same assignee as the present
invention, a compact disk labeling device and method is disclosed
which provides various embodiments intended to assist in the
accurate placement of an adhesive label, generally bearing a
pressure sensitive adhesive, to a surface of a disk.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the label is centered with
respect to the disk by means of a tapered member, inserted through
the central aperture of the label, which gradually centers the
label until it is in defined position. The disk is centered by a
dowel inserted all the way through the spindle hole. After the
label and disk are centered, a force is applied, allowing adhesion
of the label to the disk. The force may be applied, for example, by
a base on which the label rests, adhesive surface upward. The base,
in this case, has an aperture allowing the tapered member to pass
through. The dowel extends upwardly from the tapered member, and
thus may serve as a handle. The label is placed on the surface of
the base, adhesive side upward, with the central aperture
overlapping the aperture in the base. The disk is placed on the
dowel, and rests against a shoulder at an upper portion of the
tapered member, with the side to be labeled facing downward. The
tip of the tapered member is pressed through the central aperture
of the label and the aperture of the base, with the tapered portion
exerting a lateral force to center the label with respect to the
tapered member. After the label is centered, the disk, resting on
the shoulder is further lowered, until it contacts the label. A
force is uniformly applied which permits complete and uniform
adhesion throughout the contact area between the disk and label, as
compared to the device and apparatus of Japanese patent JPA 532498,
where the adhesion force may cant the disk for an uneven
application of the label among other deficiencies, i.e., the use of
two positioning members being mandatory. The label normally has a
contact adhesive, which requires a relatively low contact force to
cause a strong adhesion, and thus a uniformly applied force will
cause complete adhesion.
[0010] The label thus generally has a central circular hole, larger
than the central aperture in the disk, so that no clearance problem
will arise. A member within this central circular hole which has a
largest dimension approximately equal to the diameter of the hole,
will locate the center of the label. This member is preferably a
tapered tip cylinder, which provides an initial taper so that the
tip may be easily guided into the central hole. Further insertion
will gently relocate the label with respect to the member, until
the label is concentric around the cylindrical portion of the
member.
[0011] The label is centered by the taper on the tapered member and
its larger diameter cylinder with respect to the disk. The larger
diameter cylinder is insertable through the label and, in the
preferred embodiment, the aperture in the surface. When the label
is in a place near the junction between the larger and small
diameter cylinders, the disk lies nearly adjacent to the label,
properly positioned. Pressure may then be applied on top of the
disk which is centered relative to the label by the dowel inserted
all the way through the spindle hole so it cannot pivot or cant
relative to the spindle axis, by any suitable means, including
manual pressure, pressure on a pressure plate, an automatic
pressure device, a spring or weight, or other known means, forcing
intimate contact between the label and the disk, thus adhering the
two.
[0012] The compact disk with the newly affixed label is then
removed from the device by lifting the cylindrical extension and
pulling the positioning cone out of the positioning hole and the
hollow core portion. Thereafter, the compact disk is lifted off
cylindrical extension. If not permanently affixed, the positioning
plate may be removed from the cylindrical base and used to further
press the label onto the compact disk. This last step is carried
out by placing the positioning plate on top of the compact disk and
manually pressing the plate against the disk while the disk is
lying on a substantially flat surface. A separate pressure plate
may also be provided, or another compact disk employed in order to
compress the label.
[0013] Preferably, the label is held and pressed flatly against the
disk to avoid wrinkles. Alternatively, after suitable alignment,
the label may be "rolled"onto the disk, i.e., applied to the disk
by applying pressure along a chord or radius of the disk extending
across the label.
[0014] Further, in order to prevent finger prints from appearing on
the data surface of the compact disk, it is preferred that the
pressure be manually applied centrally to the compact disk, inside
the data region, or that a separate device, e.g., a plate or
"dummy"compact disk be provided to apply pressure to the disk
without finger contact. Of course, a user may wear gloves to avoid
direct finger contact.
[0015] Generally, contact adhesives applied to labels have a strong
adhesion even when applied under light pressure; the reason for
care in the application of pressure is to assure that the label
does not shift or curl during application and to eliminate air
bubbles under the label.
[0016] It has also been proposed that a member for axially aligning
the disk and the member of axially aligning the label are affixed
to one another. Since the disk spindle aperture is smaller than the
label central aperture, a coaxial structure having varying
characteristic radii may be provided, having a first member for
aligning the disk and means for selectively contacting the label
and the disk after alignment. For example, the contacting means may
be a spring loaded cylinder with a central spindle mounted in a
plate, as for example shown in U.K. patent 2305907A to Grossman, so
that the label is supported by the plate and centered by the
cylinder; the disk is supported by the cylinder and centered by the
spindle, and after centering of each, the disk may be lowered to
contact the label by compressing the spring, to ostensibly apply
uniform pressure against the force of the spring.
[0017] The spring disclosed may be a helically wound resilient
element. However, this requires a two part, inner and outer
cylindrical member forming a housing for the spring and two
relatively movable parts so the spring can be compressed, which is
not only expensive, but subject to mechanical malfunction if the
spring binds or rides on one of the elements. Assembly and
maintenance of the assembly is also time consuming and the
helically wound spring may apply an uneven pressure between the
contacting surfaces of the disk and label causing air traps
therebetween resulting in a wrinkled label.
[0018] Similar spring devices are also disclosed in German Patent
196 28 678, granted Oct. 29, 1998, and WP 98/10934, published Mar.
19, 1998.
[0019] Further, the prior art devices are generally not knock-down,
except for the device previously disclosed in the assignee's prior
patent and application, U.S. Pat. No. 5543,001 and U.S. Ser. No.
661,443, but even so, cannot be conveniently packaged for shipment
as a unit with minimum space requirements.
[0020] The present invention presents a solution to all these
problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention utilizes a compressible foam element
as the counterspring force in lieu of a coiled spring between the
disk and label to assure even distribution across the contacting
surfaces. This results in simplifying the assembly of the device in
use, and reduces the cost to a minimum as only three components are
necessary informing the device: (1) a support base for the label
having a central aperture; (2) a centering spindle having a first
and second, reduced diameter portions for relatively centering the
label and disk, the disk being seated on a shoulder between the
first and second diameter portions; and (3) a compressible foam
pad, cylindrical in shape adapted to be adhered to the bottom of
the second diameter portion of the spindle and positioned in an
aperture in the base on which the spindle may be seated. With the
disk retained on the shoulder and centered by the second diameter
portion of the spindle passing therethrough, the disk is moved
towards the label supported adhesive side up on the base. The first
diameter portion of the spindle enters the aperture in the base,
centering the label relative to the disk and compressing the foam
pad, which exerts a counterforce, uniformly between the disk and
label as the two are adhered and united.
[0022] The reduced diameter portion of the spindle may then be
raised like a handle to remove the coupled disk and label from the
base and the united pair removed from the spindle. The resilient
foam pad resumes its uncompressed state, ready for reuse.
[0023] In another embodiment, the spindle and foam pad can be
formed as an integral unit, reducing the labeling device to two
main components, minimizing loss of the components and reducing
shipping space.
[0024] These and other objects of the invention will become
apparent from the following description and claims and from the
accompanying drawings herein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a compact disk
labeling device according to the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 2A and 2B are exploded views illustrating the
application of the compressible foam pad to the spindle;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled labeling
device ready for use;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the removal of a
label from its backing sheet;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled labeling
device supporting the label to be applied to a disk;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a disk positioned on the
labeling device over the label to be adhered to the disk;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of
adhering the label to the disk;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a washer positioned on the
labeling device to preclude contact with the disk being labeled by
the device;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the washer of FIG. 8;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a side view in elevation of the washer of FIG.
9;
[0035] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the assembled
components of the disk labeling device of FIGS. 1 to 10 in use
position to adhere a disk to a label;
[0036] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a second
embodiment of the invention where the basic components of the disk
labeling device minimized by forming the spindle, and sponge as one
piece;
[0037] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the united spindle and
sponge of the second embodiment of the invention; and
[0038] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the united spindle and
sponge taken substantially along the plane indicated by line 14-14
of FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0039] Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like
numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the
basic form of the labeling device of the invention is illustrated
in FIG. 1 by the numeral 10.
[0040] The labeling device 10 includes generally three basic
elements: (1) a generally cylindrical base 12 having a centrally
located cylindrical aperture 14; (2) a cylindrical, compressible
foam pad 16 having an adhesive surface 18 which may be exposed by
peeling a removable cover paper strip 20 provided with a suitable
adhesive from the surface. (See FIG. 2A). The paper strip 20 may
have an extension (not shown) for securing the foam pad to the
packaging before assembly so as not to mislocate the pad; and (3) a
centering spindle 22 having a first cylindrical portion 24
approximating the diameter of aperture 14 in base 12, and a second,
reduced diameter portion 26 joined to the first cylindrical portion
20 by a cylindrical support shoulder 28. As illustrated in FIG. 2B,
foam pad 16 has adhesive surface 18 adhered to the bottom of first
cylindrical portion 24 of spindle 22.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the labeler 10 is assembled by placing
the base 12 on a flat surface S and inserting the foam covered end
of the centering spindle 22 into the aperture 14 in the top of base
12 so that the foam pad 16 comes into contact with flat surface
S.
[0042] A preprinted label sheet SH, printed side down, is placed on
a flat surface S and a circular label L with a central hole H is
peeled away from the sheet SH. Provided with a suitable adhesive,
the label L is placed printed side down, adhesive or sticky side up
on base 12 by sliding hole H, as shown in FIG. 5, over the larger,
first diameter portion 24 of centering spindle 22, centering the
label on base 12 relative to spindle 22 and reduced diameter
portion 26.
[0043] A CD or DVD disk D can then be placed on the centering
spindle 22 until it seats flush on shoulder 28 with the reduced
diameter portion 26 projecting up through the center of disk D. The
side of Disk D to be labeled--the non-data side of the disk--must
be facing down.
[0044] Finally, the clear center part of disk D, or mandril M
mounted on the reduced diameter portion 26 of spindle 22 and seated
on shoulder 28 is pushed downwardly as shown in FIG. 7, applying
pressure at three or four different points, until the disk D comes
into contact with label L beneath it, compressing the foam pad 16
and adhering the disk and label; the reduced diameter portion 26 of
spindle 22 maintains the disk D centered with respect to label L,
and the disk D cannot cant or pivot relative to the label L because
the portion 26 passes completely therethrough. The compressed foam
pad 16 exerts a counterforce uniformly on the disk and label as the
two are adhered and united. Upon relief of finger pressure, the
resilient foam pad returns to an uncompressed state, lifting the
united label and disk from base 12 and the reduced diameter portion
26 of the spindle 22 can serve as a handle to remove the coupled
disk and label completely from the base, where they can be
separated from the spindle 22.
[0045] While a resilient foam pad 16 is disclosed as the preferred
embodiment for use with the labeler, it should be understood that a
compressible and resilient pad made from other materials could also
be used, such as rubber or a synthetic rubber neoprene pad, as long
as the material is compressible and resilient. The pad may or may
not be secured to the bottom of the spindle portion 24 or may be
adhered to both the spindle portion 24 and its supporting
surfaces.
[0046] The positioning plate 12 may also be enhanced by the placing
of a felt, non-scratching surface in seated engagement therewith to
preclude the written side of disk D from being damaged during
securement of the label. The positioning plate 12 is provided with
a cylindrical skirt 30 which may terminate in a solid plate or base
for firmer support on a planar surface. While the thickness of the
plate 12 surrounding the positioning hole 14 should be sufficient
to prevent lateral shifting of the spindle portion 24 and serve as
a housing, a tube (not shown) may extend downwardly in coaxial
alignment from positioning hole 14, approximately the diameter of
pad 16 and of spindle portion 24 to house the same and present
lateral movement. Finally, the surface of positioning plate 12,
supporting the label L, may be slightly convex from the hole 14 to
the outer circumference so that contact between the disk and label
is first made in the center of the label and adhesion progresses
therefrom along a chord or a radius of the label and disk to
prevent air bubbles or wrinkles beneath the label.
[0047] Referring specifically to FIGS. 8 to 10, a washer 32 having
a central opening 34 may be placed about spindle portion 26 and
seated on disk D prior to adhering the disk to the label L. Washer
32 may be provided with radial arms 36 for finger contact in
pressing the disk D into contact with the label L. The washer 32 is
provided to preclude contact with the disk itself during the
adhesion step and scratching or damage to the disk surface.
[0048] For a similar reason the bottom surface of washer 32
includes a thin, smaller, hollow disk 42 attached thereto, provided
with interior radial arms 42 to raise washer 32 above the surface
of the disk D to preclude damage to the surface when pressure is
applied.
[0049] A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.
12 to 14, wherein primed numerals indicate like elements to those
described in FIG. 1 to 11.
[0050] In the second embodiment, the spindle 24' and compressible
foam pad 16' are ultrasonically welded along their mating edges,
23' and 17', so that they are formed as an integral, one-piece
unit, reducing the labeling device to two main components,
minimizing loss of the components and reducing shipping costs.
[0051] The distal edge 19' of the pad 16' may also be
ultrasonically welded to a plate 50 of similar diameter along edge
19' and the edge of the plate to provide rigidity and stability to
the pad 16'. A hole 52 is formed in the center of plate 50 to
permit air in the compressible pad 16' to escape upon compression
of the pad.
[0052] In use, the integral spindle 24' is inserted into aperture
14' from beneath base 12', rather than through the top. This
enables diametrically opposed ears 54 and 56 on the lower
circumference of spindle 24' to enter mating diametrically opposed,
longitudinally extending slots 58 and 60 formed on a skirt or tube
62 extending downwardly from the circumference of aperture 14',
which precludes rotation of the spindle 24' and pad 16' during
compression, preventing torsion and wear and tear on the pad
16'.
* * * * *