Label Handling System

Abstract

Label and carrier tape assembly and method, especially for center fold type fabric labels, with each label having one end removably adhered to a carrier tape and the opposite free end overlapping the adhered end of the adjacent label, with advancement of the tape in a non-linear path successively label ends to protrude for removal of labels from the tape and securement.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to label handling, and more particularly to a label and carrier tape assembly and method especially useful for folded fabric labels of the type to be attached to goods such as clothing.

Labels of the fabric type for attachment to clothing and the like are commonly packed, shipped, and handled in stacks of individual labels. In the stack form, the labels, when attached to goods, are manually or automatically removed singly from the stack. As is well known in the trade, this mode of handling is tricky and frequently troublesome, especially when attempts at high speed manipulation are made. The labels tend to become disorganized, and are difficult to separate, to name just two disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel label and carrier tape assembly and method. The labels are securely retained on the tape during handling, yet readily and dependably removed as desired, either manually or automatically. Each label is presented in optimum position for removal, and moreover for instant attachment to the goods while still secured to the tape, so that it need never be in unattached condition.

Further, the method and assembly are capable of handling varied types of labels, including folded labels such as the so-called center fold type. Using this center fold type, the labels can be positioned so that the edges are automatically inserted into a fabric seam (to be stitched in place,) before removal from the carrier tape.

These and other features result from removably adhering one end of each label to the carrier tape, with opposite free end of each overlapping the adhered end of the adjacent label. Center fold labels have the folded end attached to enable insertion of the label edges into a seam or the like. The carrier tape is relatively more flexible, i.e., less stiff, than the labels so that successive removal of individual labels is achieved with advancement of the carrier tape in a non-linear path, through a sharp angle, causing the advanced end of each label to protrude for gripping and attachment and then complete removal from the tape with subsequent tape advancement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the label and carrier tape assembly;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged, side elevational view of label removal and attachment steps for the form in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a second form of assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, assembly 10 illustrates the combination of a carrier tape means 12 and plurality of labels 14 in wound form on a suitable spool 16. The spool can be rotationally mounted to enable the tape to be advanced during use of the labels.

Carrier tape means 12 includes a backing strip or tape 18 as of paper or other highly flexible equivalent material, normally having a layer 20 of adhesive on one face thereof for attachment of the individual labels L thereto. The tape can extend substantially the breadth of the labels or only a portion thereof. It can be a single strand or more than one strand as desirable. The plurality of labels L when properly arranged and attached form label grouping 14. Preferably, adhesive layer 20 is a pressure sensitive adhesive which may or may not be also thermally sensitive. The adhesive is one of the types presently widely available, and enables the labels to be removed therefrom without the labels retaining the adhesive characteristic on their surface. The adhesive surface of the labels may include a controlled amount of a release agent such as a silicone or the equivalent to effect this. The individual labels L are applied to the carrier tape in a special relationship with respect to each other. This assembly and method is particularly advantageous with respect to so-called center fold labels and therefore the method and assembly is chiefly described herein with respect thereto. It is also conceivable however that other label forms may be employed, and these are to be included within the broadest concept presented herein.

According to the special mounting relationship, one end of each label is removably adhered to the adhesive face of the carrier tape, while the opposite end overlaps the adhered end of the adjacent label. Hence, the series of labels assume like positioning with respect to the adjacent labels. The overlap of the individual labels is purposely considerable so that, even though each label has a substantial free portion not attached to the carrier tape, it is secure on the carrier tape not only because of its adhesive attachment at one end portion, but also because of the supplemental retension force provided by the adjacent overlapping labels. When the labels are applied to the carrier tape, they may suitably wound in a spool form as illustrated in FIG. 1, or in any other convenient from for handling and shipping to the ultimate user.

The user can accurately, dependably, conveniently, and rapidly remove the individual labels from the carrier tape, yet without the labels ever being in free form to become disorganized, disoriented, or the like. The labels can be gripped and attached to the ultimate goods prior to removal from the carrier tape. They can be subsequently removed from the carrier tape simply by advancement of the tape. More particularly, the labels to be attached to the goods such as clothing item 30 (illustrated in fragmentary form in FIG. 2), are individually positioned by advancing the carrier tape as with suitable powered, gripping and pulling rolls 32 and 32' or other means, to pull the carrier tape in a non-linear path, preferably one which moves around a guide member or edge 34 through a sharp angle. This guide member 34 can in its simplest form be a fixed edge of support platen 36, or alternatively may be a rotatable member such as a small roller. The non-linear movement preferably is through an angle of a substantial amount, such as the obtuse angle illustrated in FIG. 2 in a manner causing the carrier to sharply change directions. The particular angle will depend upon the nature of the label, the material from which it is made, the nature of its fold, etc. The carrier is purposely made of a more flexible material, i.e., the individual labels L are relatively stiffer, to cause proper label protrusion. The labels frequently have been previously treated with an impregnating or coating material such as a resin to cause them to maintain their neat form when the garment is washed. This reagent, added for this different purpose, helps to provide the stiffness necessary to make the label less flexible than the carrier tape on which it is mounted. Hence, by conducting the carrier tape in the non-linear path, the relatively less flexible label tends to continue in its previous generally linear advancement path across and beyond support 36. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the carrier is advanced in a direction toward the free overlapping ends of the labels, causing the free end of each label to protrude beyond guide 34 as illustrated by the foremost label L' in FIG. 2.

The carrier tape is intermittently advanced to position each successive label with its free end protruding in this fashion. Hence, by positioning suitable label attaching means such as a sewing mechanism, including support platform 50, vertically shiftable presser foot 52, and cooperative sewing needle 54, immediately adjacent guide member 34, an item of clothing 30 can be positioned to cause the label to be positioned by the tape for immediate attachment. Thus, the sewing apparatus can attach label L' to the clothing item even before the label is removed from the tape. Furthermore, the free edges of a center fold type label as shown can be directly secured in a folded seam portion 30' of clothing 30 in optimum fashion in the industry since the label has its free end projecting into the seam as illustrated.

After the label is attached to the goods, the carrier tape is again advanced one step. The gripping sewing mechanism retains the label as the carrier tape advances, to peel the label from the tape. Hence, the label is at not time in a free form but rather is first attached to the tape, subsequently attached to both the tape and the goods, and thirdly attached to the goods.

In FIG. 3 is shown an alternate arrangement wherein the labels L" attached to the carrier 18' by adhesive 20' are advanced in the direction toward the attached label end portions rather than the label free ends. The non-linear path of the carrier past the edge of platform guide 36' causes label separation.

It will be realized that, instead of the sewing mechanism illustrated, equivalent label securing means such as pressure applying means and/or heating means can be employed to activate pressure and/or thermally sensitive adhesive on the label and/or on the goods to secure the label by adhesion rather than by stitching.

It is conceivable that certain additional advantages might be obvious to those in this art upon reviewing these teachings. It is also conceivable that various additional minor changes in the assembly and/or the equipment with which it is used, in addition to those specifically noted above, may be advisable when using this concept, depending upon the type of label, the type of carrier strip employed, the type of adhesive, the type of attachment to the goods, the type of goods to which the label is attached, and so forth.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A label and carrier strip assembly comprising:

carrier strip means and a plurality of labels thereon; each label having one end portion removably adhered to said strip means, and having the opposite end portion overlapping the adhered one end portion of the adjacent label, with all of said labels being overlapped in the same uniform manner, said opposite overlapping end portions being free, as opposed to said one end portions being adhesively attached, and said labels being relatively less flexible than said carrier strip means so that the individual labels can be conveniently removed from said carrier strip means by non-linear advancement of said strip means

2. The label and carrier tape assembly in claim 1 wherein said labels are of the center fold type so that said one end has the fold and said opposite end has adjacent edges, whereby the adjacent edges can be caused to protrude.