U.S. patent application number 10/300625 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-17 for label and method of applying a self-adhesive label on a disk-shaped object.
This patent application is currently assigned to DYNOSYS AG. Invention is credited to Schwaller, Andre, Schwaller, Edwin.
Application Number | 20030070764 10/300625 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4250946 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030070764 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schwaller, Edwin ; et
al. |
April 17, 2003 |
Label and method of applying a self-adhesive label on a disk-shaped
object
Abstract
An apparatus (1) for the accurate centrical placement of a
self-adhesive label (12e) onto a disk-shaped object (11),
particularly a compact disk (11a), comprising a first housing part
(2) provided with a locating device (4) for the label (12e), as
well as a second housing part (3) provided with a locating device
(3b) for the disk-shaped object (11), whereby the housing parts (2,
3) are connected with each other to swivel about a common swivel
axis (C) and are conveyable from an open position into a closed
position such that, in this closed position, the locating devices
(3b, 4) are placed in a position arranged to face one another and
that, in this closed position, at least one of the two locating
devices (3b, 4) is movably arranged in the respective housing part
to move in the direction toward the opposite locating device, in
order to bring the disk-shaped object (11) into contact with the
label (12e). The labels (12e) are adaptedly structured according to
the apparatus (1).
Inventors: |
Schwaller, Edwin; (Kuttigen,
CH) ; Schwaller, Andre; (Schonenwerd, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
DYNOSYS AG
Staad
CH
|
Family ID: |
4250946 |
Appl. No.: |
10/300625 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10300625 |
Nov 21, 2002 |
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09331454 |
Aug 12, 1999 |
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6508914 |
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09331454 |
Aug 12, 1999 |
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PCT/CH97/00485 |
Dec 30, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
156/391 ;
G9B/23.093 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65C 9/265 20130101;
Y10T 156/1744 20150115; G11B 23/40 20130101; Y10T 156/17
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
156/391 |
International
Class: |
B32B 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 31, 1996 |
CH |
1996 3205/96 |
Claims
1. An apparatus (1) for the placement of a self-adhesive label
(12e) onto a disk-shaped object (11), especially a compact disk
(11a), characterized by a first housing part (2) provided with a
locating device (4) for the label (12e) as well as a second housing
part (3) comprising a locating device (3b) for the disk-shaped
object (11), whereby the housing parts (2, 3) are movably connected
with each other, particularly for swivelling or translational
motion, and conveyable from an open position into a closed position
such that, in said closed position, the locating devices (3b, 4)
are placed in a position arranged to face one another, and that in
said closed position at least one of the two locating devices (3b,
4) is movably arranged in the respective housing part (2, 3) to
travel in the direction toward the opposite locating device (3b,
4), in order to bring the disk-shaped object (11) into contact with
the adhesive label (12e).
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the
two housing parts (2, 3) are mounted to swivel about a common
swivel axis (C).
3. The apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that
the locating device (4) for the label (12e) comprises a
cylinder-shaped spigot (4f), in order to hold the label (12e) in a
concentrical position relative to a first axis (A), and that the
locating device (3b) for the disk-shaped object (11) comprises a
snap-on retainer, in order to hold particularly the compact disk
(11a) in a concentrical and perpendicular position relative to a
second axis (B).
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the
cylinder-shaped spigot (4f) is movably mounted to move in the
linear direction of the first axis (A) as well as in a direction
perpendicular to said first axis (A), and that the cylinder-shaped
spigot (4f) is mounted prestressed in the direction of the second
housing part (3).
5. The apparatus according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that
the spigot (4f) comprises a centering recess (4g) extending
concentrically to the first axis (A), that the second housing part
(3) includes an actuating device (5) with a cylinder-shaped
centering plug (5c) extending concentrically to the second axis
(B), and that said centering plug (5c) and said centering recess
(4g) are structured mutually adapted and intermeshing in such a
manner that the first axis (A) and the second axis (B) congruently
extend in said closed position.
6. The apparatus according to one of the claims 2 to 5,
characterized in that the spigot (4f) comprises at least two spring
elements (4a) distributedly arranged at the circumference thereof,
such spring elements (4a) serving to retain the label (12e) as well
as to pick up dimensional tolerances.
7. The apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that the first housing part (2) comprises a
supporting surface (2b) for the label (12e).
8. The apparatus according to one of the claims 2 to 7,
characterized in that the actuating device 5 of the second housing
part (3) comprises said locating device (3b) to detain the
disk-shaped object.
9. The apparatus according to one of the claims 2 to 8,
characterized in that the housing parts (2, 3) comprise a locking
device (7) with locking parts (7a, 7b) at the oppositely situated
side of the common swivel axis (C), whereby one locking part (7a,
7b) particularly includes a lever (7c).
10. A compound label (12) for the identification of a compact disk
(11a), particularly for an apparatus according to one of the
previous claims, comprising a planiform flexible carrier material
(12a, 12d) as well as at least one label (12e) for a compact disk,
said label (12e) being detachably adhering to the carrier material
(12a, 12d) and comprising a particularly circular recess (12k),
whereby the carrier material (12a, 12d) comprises cuts or rated
break lines (12m), characterized in that said cuts or rated break
lines (12m), in radially opposite positions relative to the label
(12e), protrudingly extend in circumferential direction at least
section-wise beyond a peripheral border (12o) of the label
(12e).
11. The compound label (12) according to claim 10, characterized in
that the label (12e) comprises a circular peripheral border (12o)
as well as a circular recess (12k) concentric thereto.
12. The compound label (12) according to claim 10 or 11,
characterized in that it is structured as a rectangular
single-sheet or as an endless roll, and that at least the carrier
material (12a, 12d), preferably also the material (12i) comprising
the label (12e), is structured allover.
13. The compound label (12) according to one of the claims 10 to
12, characterized in that the carrier material (12a, 12d) comprises
especially a circular cut (12m) extending completely around and
protruding beyond the peripheral border (120) of the label (12e), a
second cut or rated break line (12m) comprising relative to the
circular recess (12k) a congruent or a slightly larger diameter, as
well as--between these two cuts or rated break lines--at least one
especially radially extending cut or rated break line (12m).
14. The compound label according to one of the claims 10 to 13,
characterized in that a grip tab (12h) consisting of label material
(12i) is arranged beyond and adjacent to the peripheral border
(120) of the label (12e), and that the carrier material (12a, 12d)
comprises a carrier tab (12b) circumferentially limited by a cut or
break line (12m), which carrier tab is arranged lying partially on
the grip tab (12h) and partially on the label (12e).
15. The compound label according to claim 14, characterized in that
the carrier tab (12b) comprises a connection to the carrier
material (12a, 12d) my means of at least one bridge (12c).
16. The compound label according to claim 14 or 15, characterized
in that two grip tabs (12h) and carrier tabs (12b) associated
thereto are arranged radially opposite one another with respect to
the label (12e).
17. The compound label according to one of the claims 10 to 16,
characterized in that the label (12e) consists of a transparent
foil and/or of an inscribable material, particularly of paper.
18. A method of operating an apparatus according to one of the
claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a label (12e) is inserted into
a first housing part (2) and a disk-shaped object (11),
particularly a compact disk (11a), is inserted into a second
housing part (3), that the disk-shaped object (11) and the label
(12e) are brought by an actuation of the housing parts (2, 3) into
a superimposed, mutually concentrical position and that,
thereafter, the disk-shaped object (11) and the label (12e) are
brought into mutual contact, in order to affix the label (12e).
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/331,454, filed Aug. 12, 1999, which is a
National Stage Application of International Application No.
PCT/CH97/00485, filed Dec. 30, 1997, the disclosures of which are
expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties. Further,
the present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
of Swiss Patent Application No. 3205/96 filed on Dec. 31, 1996.
[0002] The invention relates to an apparatus for the application or
placement of a selfadhesive label onto a disk-shaped object,
particularly a compact disk, in accordance with the introductory
clause of claim 1. The invention further relates to a label
adaptedly structured commensurate with the apparatus, in accordance
with the introductory clause of claim 10. Furthermore, the
invention relates to a method of operating the apparatus according
to the invention.
[0003] From the published PCT-International Application No. WO
96/05057 there is known an apparatus for best possible centric
placement of a self-adhesive label onto a compact disk. A centered
adhesive application of a label upon a compact disk, also known as
a CD, is extremely important for technical reasons. A CD rotates
during the reading process at a very high reading rate. If the CD
is unbalanced, the thereby caused eccentrically acting forces are
imparted to the reading device, particularly to the mechanical
parts and the reading head, which results in premature wear or even
damage or breakage of the reader. Therefore, the adhesive label
must be applied or affixed onto the compact disk in an exact as
ever possible centric position. The known apparatus of the
aforementioned prior art has the disadvantage in that it consists
of several single components which have to be manually assembled
and guided in a determinate consecutive sequence. On the one hand,
this renders difficult an exact centering of the label with respect
to the CD and, on the other hand, this reveals problems while
holding the individual components, because the sticky surface of
the positioned adhesive label renders practically impossible the
detachment of fingers without shifting the label off-center. A
further disadvantage is seen in the fact that, subsequent to
detaching the carrier foil and during the placement on the device,
the label arches, bends up in dead center and is thus not arranged
to be layed totally flat. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the
manually guided CD is placed in a position slightly canted relative
to the label, so that, for instance, air bubbles locked between the
CD and the label can build up, or the label is affixed
eccentrically relative to the CD. Furthermore, there is a clearance
or play:
[0004] between the positioning hole and the inner circle of the
adhesive label;
[0005] between the positioning hole and the cylindric guide;
and
[0006] between the inner circle of the compact disk and the
diameter of the cylindrical extension.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved apparatus for applying a self-adhesive label onto a
disk-shaped object, particularly a compact disk, which apparatus
renders possible a simple, centered and reliably reproducible
placement of the adhesive label.
[0008] This object of the invention is implemented by means of an
apparatus characterized by the features according to claim 1. The
sub-claims 2 to 9 refer to further advantageous embodiments of the
apparatus according to the invention.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved adhesive label for a compact disk, which label is
adapted to the apparatus according to the invention and renders
possible a simple and dependable application thereof onto the
compact disk.
[0010] This object is implemented by means of an inscribable or
printable compound label comprising the
[0011] This further object of the invention is implemented by means
of an inscribable or printable compound label comprising the
characteristics defined in claim 10. The sub-claims 11 through 17
refer to further advantageous embodiments of the inscribable
compound label, which are particularly structured as a sheet
containing self-adhesive labels. Furthermore, the object of the
invention is solved by a method of applying self-adhesive labels,
said method having the characteristics defined in claim 18.
[0012] The apparatus according to the invention for especially
centric placement of a self-adhesive label onto a disk-shaped
object, particularly a compact disk, comprises a first housing part
with a locating device for the adhesive label as well as a second
housing part with a locating device for the disk-shaped object,
whereby the housing parts are movably connected with each other,
particularly in swivelling or translational manner, and conveyable
from an open position into a closed position in such a manner that,
in the closed position, the locating devices are placed in a
position arranged to face one another, and that in said closed
position at least one of the locating devices is movably arranged
in the respective housing part to travel in the direction toward
the respective opposite locating device, in order to bring the
disk-shaped object into contact with the adhesive label.
[0013] An advantage of the apparatus according to the invention is
seen in that, in the open position, the compact disk is readily and
conveniently insertable in a position determined by the second
housing part, and in that the self-adhesive label together with the
carrier foil and/or grip tabs thereof is readily and conveniently
insertable and positionable in a position determined by the first
housing part. Subsequent to the insertion into the first housing
part, the carrier foil of the adhesive label is detached or peeled
off, whereby the label is securely located by said first housing
part, so that there is hardly any hazard or risk that the fingers
of the operator can come into contact with the bare sticky surface
of the adhesive label. By way of example, the two housing parts are
connected with each other to swivel about a common swivel axis, so
that in a simple manner the housing parts can be foldingly brought
into a closed position, after which the compact disk and the
adhesive label are arranged and aligned opposite one another. In
this position there is exerted, particularly upon the center of the
second housing part or rather upon a control button arranged
thereat, a light force directed toward the first housing part, so
that the two housing parts or rather the two locating devices draw
closer to one another and the compact disk thereby comes to lie on
the adhesive label, the latter thus being affixed.
[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus
according to the invention, the adhesive label and the compact disk
in the closed position are arranged to be accurately mutually
centered. During the closing travel into the closed position, the
mutual centering takes place automatically, so that the adhesive
label and the compact disk in their closed position are arranged to
be superimposedly centered and now only have to be moved for mutual
contact by means of a slight pressing movement. Self-adhesive
labels can be thus exactly centrically affixed to compact disks or
other disk-shaped objects.
[0015] The mutual or interdependent centering of the two housing
parts or rather of the two locating devices has the further
advantage in that the apparatus according to the invention renders
possible exact centering of the adhesive label relative to the
compact disk even then, when the component parts, for instance, on
the basis of process or work tolerances, are shaped slightly
differently. Mutual centering thus also exercises a
tolerance-compensation function. An advantage is obvious in that
the component parts with low tolerance requirements can be
cost-effectively fabricated. By virtue of the relatively low
tolerance requirements, the apparatus according to the invention
consisting of several component parts is also relatively simple and
economical to assemble.
[0016] The two housing parts can be brought by means of
translational motion and/or rotatory motion into a position for
mutually centering the label and the disk-shaped object. In a
preferred exemplary embodiment the two housing parts are mounted to
be set in motion about a common swivel axis.
[0017] In an advantageous embodiment the first housing part
comprises a flat supporting surface for a label or rather for a
compound label, so that the latter in a first step is layed upon
the flat supporting surface and thereafter the carrier foil and/or
the grip tabs are peeled off, so that the self-adhesive surface of
the label comes to lie on top without causing, during the peel-off
of the carrier foil and/or of the grip tabs, finger marks and the
like on the self-adhesive surface. Since the fingers of the
operator do not become sticky, there is ensured that, upon removal
of the CD from the second housing part, no sticky finger prints
will be transferred onto the CD-surface readable by the laser.
Later on such finger prints would impair reliable reading of the
stored data or information. In a further advantageous embodiment
the first housing part comprises a spigot with spring elements
allotedly arranged at the circumference, which elements retain the
label along the inner circle, such that an arching of the label is
precluded and, moreover, dimensional tolerances of the inner circle
of the labels or of the spigot are correctively compensated. In yet
a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus, the spigot is
floatingly retained or mounted in the first housing part and is
centered during the folding of the two housing parts by a guiding
element arranged at the second housing part, so that the label is
accurately centered and arranged opposite the compact disk
irrespective of possible differing dimensional tolerances of the
two housing parts as well as of the spigot.
[0018] The inventive adhesive label for the identification of a
compact disk is structured as a compound label having a planiform
flexible carrier material as well as at least one detachable
CD-label adhesively affixed thereat and comprising a particularly
circular recess, whereby the carrier material comprises rated cuts
or predetermined break lines which, in the circumferential
direction of the label, protuberantly extend at least sectionally
beyond a peripheral border or edge of the adhesive label.
[0019] The adhesive label can be structured to be inscribable and,
for example, can consist of paper. The label is printable or rather
inscribable particularly by means of an ink-jet printer or by means
of a laser printer. The surface of a compact disk can be also
directly printed, for example, by means of an ink-jet printer,
whereby the used color is normally water-soluble. Under the term
`label` of the compound label of the present invention, there is
also to be understood a transparent lamination sheet for covering
the compact-disk surface, whereby this transparent lamination
particularly serves the purpose of protecting the water-soluble
color deposited on the compact disk. Such a transparent-lamination
label can be designed to be very thin or to have a high finish or
gloss. Particularly for such a label it is of paramount importance
that, in the course of placing the adhesive label onto the compact
disk, no contact with fingers of the operator takes place. By
virtue of the construction of the inventive compound label, such
contact with the fingers of the operator is quite impossible.
[0020] An advantage of the compound label in accordance with the
invention is seen in that the carrier material protruding partially
beyond the peripheral edge or border of the label renders possible
a simple insertion of the compound label into the apparatus
according to the invention, and in that subsequent to insertion the
carrier material can be simply grasped and peeled off from the
label, so that the label is held by the apparatus according to the
invention in a defined position and that during peel-off no contact
between the sticky surface of the label and the operator's fingers
takes place.
[0021] The invention will be better understood when consideration
is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an apparatus for the
placement of a self-adhesive label on a CD;
[0023] FIG. 2a shows a bottom perspective semi-plan view of the
apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 2b shows a top perspective semi-plan view of the
apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the apparatus
depicted in the closed position or rather in the locked position
thereof;
[0026] FIG. 4a shows a perspective view of the apparatus in the
closed position;
[0027] FIG. 4b shows a perspective view of the apparatus in a
half-open position;
[0028] FIG. 4c shows a perspective view of the apparatus in the
open position;
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a lateral exploded view of the apparatus in the
half-open position;
[0030] FIGS. 6a, 6b show perspective views of a locating device
structured as a spigot;
[0031] FIGS. 7a, 7b show perspective views of a further embodiment
of an actuating device;
[0032] FIG. 8a shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of
a second housing part;
[0033] FIG. 8b shows a longitudinal section through yet a further
embodiment of the second housing part;
[0034] FIGS. 9a, 9b, 9c show perspective and plan views of a
compound label structured as an inscribable sheet;
[0035] FIGS. 9d, 9e show a plan view of the two sides of an
extracted adhesive label;
[0036] FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c show perspective and plan views of a
further embodiment of a compound label structured as an inscribable
sheet; and
[0037] FIGS. 11a, 11b show a further embodiment of a compound
label.
[0038] FIG. 1 shows in an exploded view individual component parts
of an apparatus 1 for the accurate centric placement or application
of a self-adhesive label 12e onto a disk-shaped object 11
structured as a compact disk 11a. A first housing part 2 is
structured as a housing bottom and comprises a flat circular
supporting surface 2b for the self-adhesive label 12e as depicted
in FIG. 2b. In the center of this supporting surface 2b there is
provided a recess 2d for receiving a locating device 4. The first
housing part 2 comprises two oppositely arranged recesses 2c which,
on the one hand, serve as holders for the fingers of an operator in
order to conveniently manipulate the apparatus 1 and, on the other
hand, to make the adhesive label 12e readily accessible. The
locating device 4 for the label 12e is structured in the depicted
embodiment as a spigot 4f which, at the circumference thereof,
comprises at least two, preferably three or even more, spring
elements 4a which, as shown in FIG. 2b, are in interaction with the
inside or inner circle of the self-adhesive label 12e or rather of
the compound label 12.
[0039] The spigot 4f is by virtue of detent noses 4c retained to be
vertically slidable in guide apertures 4e of the first housing part
2, whereby the spigot 4f is detained upwardly prestressed by means
of a spiral spring 4b, which is held centered relative to the
recess 2d by means of a nose 2a (FIG. 3). The diameter of such
recess 2d is structured slightly larger than the outer diameter of
the spigot 4f, so that the latter is floatingly located in the
recess 2d of the first housing part 2, such float mounting being
relative to the direction extending axially with respect to the
spigot 4f as well as relative to a direction extending radially
with respect to the spigot 4f. The spring elements 4a are
close-lying at the wall of the recess 2d. When the label 12e is
placed and thereby slips over the spring elements 4a, the latter
are slightly stressed to the inside by the inner circle 12k of the
label 12e.
[0040] A second housing part 3 is firmly connected to the first
housing part 2 by means of hinges 10 forming a common swivel axis
C. This second housing part 3 comprises a locating device 3b for
the purpose of keeping the compact disk 11a in a position or place
which extends concentrically and perpendicularly to a first axis A
which is the axis of of the first housing part 2. The locating
device 3b is structured as a snap-connection device consisting of
eight individual spring legs or struts and generally known in the
art for compact disks. Moreover, this locating device 3b is
connected with the other or remaining part of the second housing
part or cover 3 by means of a resilient membrane arrangement 3a.
Furthermore, there is illustrated an actuating device 5 including
spring flexible tongues 5a, hold-down noses 5b and a
cylinder-shaped centering plug 5c. Both housing parts 2 and 3 have
interlocking parts 7a and 7b provided on the side remote from the
swivel axis C. Part 7b is a locking nose into which the recess 7a
engages in the locked position of the apparatus. Such locked
position is effected in that, when both housing parts 2 and 3 are
superposedly arranged in the closed position, a locking component
7d is manually lightly pressed toward the bottom of the first
housing part 2, thereby locking said locking nose 7b with the
recess 7a. A further recess 7c is provided in the first housing
part 2, so that the locking component 7d can be pulled to the
outside by using a finger, thereby unlatching the locked
position.
[0041] In the perspective bottom semi-plan view of FIG. 2a, there
is shown the engagement of one of the detent noses 4c into the
guide aperture 2e of the recess 2d, whereby such guide aperture 2e
tolerates a limited movement of the locating device 4 in the
extensional direction of the guide aperture 2e. The actuating
device 5 is structured as a push-button which is shaped and
arranged to extend along the contour of the second housing part
3.
[0042] FIG. 2b shows a perspective top semi-plan view of the
apparatus 1 according to the invention. The label 12e is placed,
glued side up, upon the supporting surface 2b of the first housing
part 2. The locating device 4 structured as the spigot 4f tenters
the inner or inside circle of the adhesive label 12e by means of
the spring elements 4a and thereby picks up the dimensional
tolerances of the inner or inside circle. Such label 12e is held by
the spigot 4f to extend concentrically and perpendicularly with
respect to the axis A of the first housing part 2. Such spigot 4f
is positioned to be slightly movable in the radial direction
relative to the axis A. In the second housing part 3, the compact
disk 11a is held by the locating device 3b in a position extending
concentrically and perpendicularly relative to a second axis B
which is the axis of the second housing part 3. During sluing
travel of the second housing part 3, actually the housing cover,
about the swivel axis C, the two locating devices 3b and 4 are
brought nearer and nearer together, such that these locating
devices 3b and 4 are arranged--with said housing cover closed--in a
position facing one another. This position can be also designated
as the closed position. When the second housing part 3 is almost
closed, the cylinder-shaped centering plug 5c moves into engagement
with a centering recess 4g of the spigot 4f (FIG. 6b), whereby the
latter if need be is slightly displaced radially with respect to
the first axis A, so that the first axis A and the second axis B
extend congruently, such that the compact disk 11a and the adhesive
label 12e extend exactly concentrically and superimposedly
aligned.
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates an axial section of the apparatus 1 in
the locked position thereof. Locking means 7 are closed in this
position. However, the closed position of the apparatus 1 will be
also discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3. Such closed position
differs from the locked position in that the locking means 7 are
open. These locking means 7 are structured such that, in the case
of the normal closed position, the locking means do not
automatically lock. On the contrary, they remain open such
that--subsequent to reaching the closed position without actuation
of the locking means--the apparatus 1 can be brought back to the
open position. However, the apparatus 1 transferred to the closed
position can be brought into the locked position by manually
actuating the locking means 7 in such a manner, that these locking
means lock the apparatus 1 as depicted in FIG. 3. To simplify the
showing of the latter, the compact disk 11a as well as the label
12e are not included in the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3. The
locating device 4 structured as the spigot 4f has a determinate
maximum stroke s which is determined by the guide aperture 2e. The
resilient membrane arrangement 3a in the mid-portion of the second
housing part or cover 3 is connected in the inner area to the
locating device 3b and in the outer area to the cover of the arched
second housing part 3. The actuating device 5 structured as a
press-button is movable within the second housing part 3 in the
direction of the second axis B. Shortly before the second housing
part 3 is completely closed or rather in the closed position, the
cylinder-shaped centering plug 5c moves into engagement with the
centering recess 4g of the spigot 4f, so that the radial position
of the latter is, if need be, corrected such that the first axis A
and the second axis B assume a congruent course. The radial
position of the label 12e held by the locating device 4 is thereby
accordingly altered. The section of the cylinder-shaped centering
plug 5c penetrating the spigot 4f can be structured to be partially
cone-shaped. After the second housing part 3 is brought into the
closed position, the compact disk 11a and the adhesive label 12e
are still interspaced in the direction of the axes A and B. By
lightly pressing the second housing part 3 in said direction, the
latter glides in said direction to the first housing part 2,
whereby a spring tension builds up. With the press-button 5
released, such spring tension allows the latter to glide back to
the initial or home position. As a result of the displacement of
the actuating device 5 in the direction of the first housing part
2, the cylinder-shaped centering plug 5c penetrates further into
the spigot 4f, whereby the inner edge of the compact disk 11a comes
to rest upon the spigot 4f and, during further lowering of the
press-button 5, presses down the spigot 4f until the CD lies planar
upon the adhesive label 12e resting on the supporting surface 2b,
so that the adhesive label 12e is affixed to the CD in a concentric
position relative to the latter. During this process, the two
spring elements 4a close-lying against the inner circle of the
adhesive label 12e likewise glide downwardly, so that the adhesive
label 12e lies planar, also in the area of the inner circle, upon
the supporting surface 2b, thereby ensuring that the label 12e
during the contact stage lies absolutely flat with respect to the
CD. The compact disk 11a extending concentrically relative to the
adhesive label 12e as well as parallel to the adhesive label 12e is
thus placed upon the latter, so that the adhesive label 12e is
affixed in the desired, precisely defined and recursively
reproduceable position. Subsequent to the glueing process, the
press-button 5 is released, whereupon the latter retracts to the
initial position by virtue of the aforesaid spring tension. After
that, the second housing part 3 is swivelled back to the open
position, so that the compact disk 11a retained in the locating
device 3b can be taken out.
[0044] The FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate different positions of
the two housing parts 2 and 3. FIG. 4a shows the apparatus 1 in the
closed position, FIG. 4b shows the half-open apparatus 1 and FIG.
4c shows the apparatus 1 in the fully open position. In this
position, the compact disk 11a is expediently removed, the new
compact disk 11a inserted in the second housing part 3, and the new
label 12e placed in the first housing part 2. The closed position
shown in FIG. 4a can be conveyed into the locked position in that
the locking means 7 are actuated such that, as shown in FIG. 3, the
locking Component 7d moves into engagement with the locking nose
7b. Subsequent to ending labeling work, the apparatus 1 is locked
in such a manner that the apparatus can be compactly stored and the
interior space is kept dustfree. In order to store or stack the
apparatus, the first housing part 2 should be firmly locked with
the second housing part 3. Without interlocking, the
cylinder-shaped centering plug 5c would permanently press the
second housing part 3 upwards because of the tension force of the
spiral spring 4b and thereby keep the second housing part 3 in a
slightly open position, such that the apparatus 1 would not be
compactly storeable and the interior space thereof will not remain
dustfree. To unlock the apparatus 1, the locking means 7 must be
again released. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, such
disengagement is effected by pulling out the locking component 7d
by means of a finger or finger-nail, thereby releasing the
connection to the locking nose 7b.
[0045] In FIG. 5 there is shown a lateral exploded view of the
apparatus 1, whereby the locating device 4 and the spiral spring 4b
are arranged in the direction of the first axis A. The first
housing part 2 and the second housing part 3 are swivelled about
the common swivel axis C, the swivel angle .alpha. in this case
being 90.degree..
[0046] The FIGS. 6a and 6b each show a perspective view of the
locating device 4 structured as the spigot 4f. On the bottom side
of the locating device 4 according to FIG. 6a there is provided a
centering component 4d including four spring-tension ribs 4h which
extend in the axial direction of the first axis A, such ribs 4h
being provided for the spiral spring 4b. Furthermore, in the center
of the spigot 4f there is provided the centering recess 4g
including four guide elements 4e extending in the axial direction
of the first axis A and uniformly distributed across the recess
circumference, these guide elements 4e being provided to interact
with the cylinder-shaped centering plug 5c.
[0047] FIG. 8a shows a perspective vie, of a further embodiment of
the second housing part 3 including the hinges 10 and the locking
means 7. This second housing part 3 is rigidly structured and has
in the center a circular recess 3c with four flange segments 3d
which extend in the circumferential direction and which are tapered
toward the respective free ends thereof. According to the showing
of FIG. 8a, the second housing part 3 comprises an adaptedly
structured actuating press-button 5 shown in detail in the FIGS. 7a
and 7b. This press-button 5 comprises a plurality of spring legs or
struts 5d evenly or uniformly distributed in the circumferential
direction, which spring legs or struts 5d are close-lying at the
flange segments 3d when the press-button 5 is inserted in the
second housing part or cover 3. When the press-button 5 is pressed
in in the axial direction of the second axis B, the resiliently
structured spring legs or struts 5d deform under strain along the
rigidly structured flange segments 3d, this producing a force
acting in the opposite direction relative to the actuating
direction. Subsequent to releasing the push-button 5, the spring
legs or struts 5d are relieved and the push-button returns to the
initial position thereof. The push-button 5 is connected with the
second housing part 3 by means of four holder elements 5e which
comprise respective retainer noses 5h evenly distributed at the
circumference, whereby these holder elements 5e are arranged in the
spacings of the flange segments 3d. The push-button 5 comprises a
locating device for the compact disk 11a, in which six spring
flexible tongues 5g including respective retainer noses 5h are
provided, whereby the push-button 5 comprises in addition a
supporting element 5f which, on the one hand, serves to brace the
push-button 5 and, on the other hand, forms a supporting surface
for the compact disk 11a, so that the CD in connection with the
retainer noses 5h is reliably and removably retained. Furthermore,
this push-button 5 is provided with the cylinder-shaped centering
plug 5c which, as hereinbefore described, serves to mutually center
the adhesive label 12e with the compact disk 11a. As an alternative
to the spring legs or struts 5d, there can be also provided a
spiral spring located in the push-button 5 and cooperating with the
second housing part 3, in order to produce the restoring force. The
housing parts 2 and 3 as well as the push-button 5 are preferably
made of a plastics material, for instance, a thermoplast.
[0048] FIG. 8b shows a longitudinal section through a second
housing part 3 which, with the exception of the locking means 7, is
identical with the second housing part 3 depicted in FIG. 8a. The
locking means 7 depicted in FIG. 8b comprise the locking nose 7b
which can engage with an opening located in the first housing part
2 when the housing part 3 is to be locked with the housing part 2.
The locking means 7 comprise an operating lever 7c in order to
engage the locking nose 7b with the not particularly illustrated
recess and thereby to lock the second housing part 3 with the first
housing 2 or to unlock the second housing part 3 from the first
housing part 2.
[0049] In the first housing part 2 or in the second housing part 3
there can be arranged a counting device, preferably without a
battery, and which is operated with a solar cell or by
piezoelectronic means, generates an impulse upon closing the
housing parts 2 and 3, adds such impulse and visually indicates the
latter in a display, for instance, in a numeric representation, so
that at any time a reading can be taken to determine how many
compact disks have been provided with a label. This electronic
device comprises an on-off switch as well as a reset key.
Furthermore, there could be provided a limit allowance as well a
signal transmitter triggering a visual or audible signal when such
limit is reached, thereby indicating that the limited number of
compact disks have been each provided with a label.
[0050] The apparatus 1 according to the invention to place a
self-adhesive label 12e requires an adaptedly structured compound
label 12 which, on the one hand, is readily inscribable or rather
printable either manually or with commercially available printer
means such as a laser printer or an ink-jet printer and which, on
the other hand, can be readily placed or inserted in the apparatus
1 according to the invention and, in particular, excludes any
contact of the sticky surface of the adhesive label with the
fingers of the operator.
[0051] FIG. 9c shows a plan view of a compound label 12 adapted to
the apparatus 1 according to the invention and structured as an
inscribable sheet 12n. A label 12e for a compact disk is punched
into the compound label 12. Such compound label 12 comprises a
carrier material 12a (FIG. 9a) structured as a carrier foil, an
inscribable label material 12i shown in FIG. 9b and a not
particularly illustrated adhesive which is uniformly,
two-dimensionally distributed between the carrier foil 12a and the
label material 12i. This label material 12i comprises a
free-punched label 12e, a free-punched inner surface 12g with inner
circle 12k, as well as two oppositely arranged free-punched grip
tabs 12h which are adjacent relative to the label 12e and jutting
out in radial direction. At least the surface 12f of the label 12e
is inscribable with printing means, whereby the label material 12i
as well as the carrier material 12a are structured planiform and
flexible, so that the surface beyond an outer circle 120 of the
label 12e is inscribable, in order to make sure that the entire
surface 12f of the label 12e is inscribable and does not have any
uninscribable margins. The flexible structure renders possible a
deflection of the compound label 12, as is required, for instance,
in a laser printer. The carrier foil 12a is structured commensurate
with the label material 12i and comprises two punched carrier-foil
parts 12b, which are free-punched with the exception of two holding
bridges in each case. These cuts 12 m, not totally free-punched,
could be also structured as predetermined or rated break lines 12m
in that such break lines comprise a perforation. The cut 12m or
rather the rated break line 12m thereby extends section-wise in the
circumferential direction of the label 12e and jutting out beyond
the peripheral edge 120. From the plan view of the compound label
12 in FIG. 9c there can be seen the mutual arrangement of the label
material 12i relative to the carrier foil 12a arranged therebelow.
The cuts or rather the rated break lines 12m depicted by broken or
dotted lines form a roundabout delimitation of the carrier tabs
12b, whereby the grip tabs 12h consisting of label material 12i and
the carrier tabs 12b are mutually arranged such that the carrier
tab 12b lies partially on the grip tab 12h and partially on the
label 12e. The carrier-foil part 12b shown by a broken line
connects the label 12e with the grip tab 12h, whereby the contour
of the portion of the carrier-foil part 12b beneath the grip tab
12h is slightly smaller than the contour of the latter, so that the
outer edge or border of the grip tab 12h sticks to the surrounding
carrier foil 12a. By virtue of this structure there is ensured
that, when printing the label 12e, particularly when the sheet 12n
is guided about a deflection pulley in a printer, the grip tabs 12h
do not work loose and stand up. An inscribed or printed label 12e
is easily detached from the sheet 12n in that the grip tabs 12h are
pressed upwards from below relative to the showing in FIG. 9c,
whereupon the holding bridges 12c break, and the label 12e can be
detached from the sheet 12n. The self-adhesive surface of the label
12e thus lies, with the exception of the carrier foil parts 12b,
free and separated from the carrier foil 12a. The adhesive label
12e, held face-and-back at the two grip tabs 12h and with the
sticky side up, is passed over the spigot 4f of the first housing
part 2 of the apparatus 1 and placed flat upon the supporting
surface 2b. The label 12e is located such that the grip tabs 12h
protrude in the area of the respective recesses 2c and are readily
accessible. The grip tabs 12h together with the remaining
carrier-foil part 12b are thereafter detached from the label 12e by
a cant-off movement and then easily peeled off, so that the label
12e, as shown in FIG. 2b, lies in the apparatus 1 with the
inscribed surface 12f down and the sticky side up. The operator's
fingers thus have no contact whatsoever with the sticky or adhesive
side of the label 12e. Each such label 12e is thus clean and can be
affixed without traces of finger marks. Furthermore, there are no
more or less sticky fingers that could soil the inscribed compact
disk when the latter is taken out, whereby, in particular, the
laser-readable CD-side is very sensitive with respect to such
soiling. The apparatus 1 according to the invention in combination
with the adaptedly structured sheet 12n with the compound labels 12
make it possible to inscribe a multitude of compact disks with
accurately centered and clean labels 12e.
[0052] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the compound
label 12 illustrated in FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c has no holding bridges
12c and thus, relative to the carrier foil 12a, a totally
free-punched carrier-foil part 12b. Such carrier-foil part thus
comprises a continuous or traversing cut 12m. Therefore, the label
12e can be very easily detached from the carrier material 12a, in
that one of the two grip tabs 12h is gripped and pulled up. The
carrier-foil part 12b adhering to the grip tab 12h follows this
draw-up movement and yanks off the label 12e in the course of the
succeeding movement, whereby towards the end of the peel-off
process the opposite carrier-foil part 12b is detached and, after
that, the grip tabs 12h sticking thereon are drawn off, so that the
label 12e detached from the carrier foil 12a--similar as shown in
FIGS. 9d and 9e--is available to be placed in the apparatus 1
according to the invention.
[0053] The FIG. 9e shows a further embodiment of a label 12e
separated from the sheet 12n or rather from the compound label 12,
with a top view upon the adhesive side 12l and the two carrier-foil
parts 12b, which retain the grip tabs 12h. The FIG. 9d shows a plan
view of the label 12e of the compound label 12 shown in FIG. 9e and
having an inscribable surface 12f and grip tabs 12h. The adhesive
label 12e can be fabricated from a multitude of inscribable
materials, particularly paper or foil-like plastics, for example, a
transparent foil or a laminated metal foil. On the label 12e, there
can be applied a safety or redundant code, for example, with
inscription means that become visible solely with infrared light.
This allows, for example, the identification of the label 12e with
a grade or quality mark of the manufacturer or renders possible a
proof of originality for special users. Safety codes can be
provided in different, already known manner. The label 12e is
inscribable with signs. However, it can be also printed with an
illustration or with graphics, or provided with a machine-readable
identification such as, for example, a bar code.
[0054] The apparatus 1 according to the invention allows
furthermore the arrangement of other objects between the label 12e
and the disk-shaped object 11, particularly the compact disk 11a.
After placing the adhesive label 12e upon the supporting surface
2b, a further object, for instance a magnetic stripe, could be
placed on the adhesive side 12l and thereafter the compact disk 11a
can be glued together with the label 12e, so that the magnetic
stripe is firmly glued between the label and the CD. This magnetic
stripe is preferably circular and likewise centrically arranged
with respect to the rotational axis of the compact disk. On such a
magnetic stripe, there can be stored further accessory or
additional information or then, for example, a safety code.
[0055] The FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c depict a further embodiment of a
compound label 12 structured as an inscribable sheet 12n. FIG. 10a
shows the carrier material 12a structured as a carrier foil, such
carrier material comprising a punching realized as a cut 12m or a
rated break line 12m, so that two carrier-foil parts 12d with
respective protruding grip tabs 12b are punched out. FIG. 10b shows
the label material 12i from which a label 12e is punched out. FIG.
10c shows a plan view of the compound label 12 structured as the
sheet 12n and as provided for printing. The cuts 12m or rather the
rated break lines 12m of the carrier foil 12d, 12a, such cuts or
break lines being underneath and represented mainly by circular
broken lines, comprise a slightly larger radius protruding beyond
the peripheral edge of the label 12e, so that the sheet 12n is held
together with the label 12e, the carrier foil 12a as well as the
carrier-foil parts 12d. Subsequent to the printing of the label
12e, the inner surface 12g is pressed out, whereby the inner circle
of the carrier-foil parts 12d as well as the inner circle 12k of
the label 12e comprise, for better detaching, a cut 12m or rather a
predetermined break line 12m structured as a microperforation. The
inner circle of the carrier-foil parts 12d as well as the inner
circle 12k of the label 12e can be arranged and structured to be
congruent or, as shown in FIG. 10c, can have different radii. The
label 12e can be detached from the sheet 12n together with the
carrier-foil parts 12d and then drawn over the locating device 4 of
the apparatus 1 and placed--extending flat--upon the supporting
surface 2b. Thereafter, the protruding carrier-foil part 12b of one
of the carrier-foil parts 12d is seized and drawn off and,
thereafter, the protruding carrier-foil part 12b of the other
carrier-foil part 12d is seized and drawn off, so that the sticky
side is bare and the two housing parts 2 and 3 can be brought into
the closed position thereof. The sheet 12n can be provided in a
standard size, for example, in format A4 or A5.
[0056] FIG. 11a shows a plan view of the adhesive label 12e of a
further embodiment of a compound label 12. The carrier material
structured as the carrier-foil part 12d has a slightly larger
radius than the label 12e and therefore protrudes in the radial
direction relative to the label 12e. The respective cut or trim
line 12m extends concentrically relative to the label 12e. The
carrier-foil 12d comprises a cut 12m or rather a rated break line
12m extending in the radial direction. In FIG. 11a, this cut or
break line is underneath the label and accordingly depicted by a
broken line.
[0057] FIG. 11b shows a plan view of the carrier foil 12d of the
adhesive label 12e depicted in FIG. 11a. This compound label 12 in
the position depicted in FIG. 11b is drawn over the locating device
4 of the apparatus 1 and placed upon the supporting surface 2b.
After that, the carrier-foil part 12d protruding in the radial
direction is lifted in the area of the radially extending cut or
break line 12m, and then totally detached from the label 12e by
means of a circular wave of the hand, so that the sticky or
adhesive side is now bare. In a preferred embodiment, the depicted
compound label 12 has no longer an inner surface 12g, because this
center portion is already entirely punched out in the course of
fabrication. The compound label 12 according to FIGS. 11a and 11b
is particularly suitable to be manually inscribed, in order to
provide in simple manner an inscription for a compact disk, for
instance, comparable to a label for a computer diskette. The
compound label 12 shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b could also have an
inner surface 12g which, for example, is connected by a perforation
with the carrier foil part 12d or is held at the latter by means of
a part of the label 12e.
[0058] In a further embodiment, the compound label 12 (FIGS. 9a, 9b
and 9c) could be structured with carrier material 12a without cuts
12m or rated break lines 12m. The grip tabs 12h of the label
material 12i are connected with the label 12e by means of a
particularly perforated break line. For the placement of the label
12e into the apparatus 1, the label with the grip tabs 12h mounted
thereat is detached from the carrier material 12a and placed in the
apparatus 1, the grip tabs 12h thereafter being separated or
detached along the respective perforated rated break lines 12m.
[0059] The embodiments of compound labels 12 shown in FIGS. 9 and
10 comprise at least one grip tab, but preferably two grip tabs
12b, 12h, which are arranged in a position radially opposite one
another relative to the adhesive label 12e. The embodiment
according to FIGS. 11a and 11b could likewise comprise at least one
grip tab 12h firmly connected with the carrier material 12d and
protruding in the radial direction.
* * * * *