Patent Application
20240359901
This invention relates generally to self-adhesive labels, and, more particularly, packaging and dispensing of self-adhesive labels, such as for feeding to a printer.
Continuous feed labels are used in both desktop and industrial printers. Continuous feed labels are typically embodied as stacked fanfold labels, folded on the perforations between adjacent labels, or a roll of labels, also connected at perforations to adjacent labels.
Larger print machines often have a structure to hold or secure the stack or roll of continuous feed labels. However, smaller or pocket-sized printers are being sold that do not have such integrated label storage. Typically a user removes the labels from the packaging and simply places the fanfold stack behind the printer on the desk/table surface. This has disadvantages to the mobility that such small printers are intended to provide. Thus there is a continuing need for improvements for label storage and dispensing, particularly for small and/or portable printers.
A general object of the invention is to provide an improved packaging for labels that can also be used to improve continuous feed dispensing of the labels.
The general object of the invention can be attained, at least in part, through an apparatus for holding and dispensing labels, which includes a bottom portion including a bottom panel, four bottom side walls, and an open top. The bottom panel and four bottom side walls enclose a container space configured to hold a plurality of labels, such as a stack of fanfold labels or a roll of labels. The apparatus includes a lid configured to fit over the bottom portion and cover the open top and enclose the container space. The lid includes a top panel, four lid side walls, and an open bottom configured to receive the bottom portion.
In embodiments of the invention, a first side wall of the four bottom side walls includes a detachable section configured to open a feed opening and allow a feed of the plurality of labels to a printer through the feed opening. The detachable section is desirably formed between two tearable lines of separation within or at opposing edges of the first bottom side wall. The term “tearable lines of separation,” also referred to as simply “tearable lines,” “lines of separation” or “separation lines,” relate to physical or structural lines that can be torn to separate a removable portion or section from the remaining portion or section of the corresponding structure. The tearable line(s) can be or include a full die cut through a material, a partial thickness kiss cut, and/or a perforated cut in a surface or structure. Desirably, for ease of use, each of the two tearable lines comprises a cut through the bottom portion. A breakable material bridge between each of the tearable lines and the open top can be used to keep the detachable section from opening before consumer use. The two tearable lines desirably extend from a fold line extending across the first bottom side wall toward the open top.
In additional or alternative embodiments of the invention, each of a second bottom side wall and a third bottom side wall of the four bottom side walls, such as extending perpendicular to the first bottom side wall, includes rounded cutout adapted to receive a label roll holder. The second bottom side wall is connected to the bottom panel on an opposite side of the container space from the third bottom side wall. The rounded cutout can be a semi-circle cutout extending from, within, or otherwise formed at or by a top edge of the side walls. A tubular label roll holder configured to extend through the roll of labels sets and rotates within the cutouts, with each of opposing holder ends set in one of the opposing rounded cutouts.
In embodiments, each of opposing lid side walls, extending perpendicular from the top portion, alternatively or additionally includes the rounded cutouts adapted to receive the label roll holder.
In additional or alternative embodiments of the invention, the apparatus includes a securing structure to secure the bottom portion stacked on the lid (with open bottom downward of the surface), to raise the label dispensing. In some embodiments, a raisable tab is defined within the bottom panel, and an open or openable slot cut within the top panel of the lid. The raisable tab is sized to fit within the slot to secure the bottom portion in a stacked position upon the lid. The raisable tab can be cut along a portion of the periphery, and have a fold line connecting ends of the cut, preferably at an edge intersection of the bottom panel and one of the four bottom side walls.
The invention further includes an apparatus for holding and dispensing labels, which includes a bottom portion including a bottom panel, four bottom side walls, and an open top. The bottom panel and four bottom side walls enclose a container space configured to hold a plurality of labels, such as where the plurality of labels are embodied as a stack of fanfold labels or a roll of labels. A lid is configured to fit over the bottom section and cover the open top. The lid includes a top panel, four lid side walls, and an open bottom configured to receive the bottom portion. A first side wall of the four bottom side walls includes a fold line extending parallel to the bottom panel and two cuts extending from the fold line towards the open top to form a detachable section. The detachable section is foldable about the fold line to open a feed opening in the first side wall and allow a feed of the plurality of labels to a printer through the feed opening. Each of the cuts is desirably at a corner intersection of the first bottom side wall and an adjacent bottom side wall. Again, a breakable material bridge can be used between each upper end of the cuts and the open top to keep the detachable section flap from opening before use. The apparatus can additionally include the tubular roll holder and cutouts and/or the tab(s) and slot(s) discussed above.
The invention further includes a method of using the apparatus including steps of: removing the lid from the bottom portion to expose the plurality of labels; folding the detachable section at an angle to a remaining portion of the first side wall to expose the feed opening; and feeding the labels through the feed opening to the printer. The method of some embodiments can further include steps of: placing a label roll holder through the roll of labels; setting ends of the label roll holder that extend past opposing sides of the roll of labels within the rounded cutouts of the second and third bottom side walls; and feeding the labels of the roll through the feed opening to the printer. The method of some embodiments can further include steps of: raising the raisable tabs outward from the bottom panel; placing the lid on a surface with the open bottom on the surface; aligning the raised tab with the open slot of the top panel; stacking the bottom portion on the lid with the raised tab within the open slot; and feeding the labels through the feed opening to the printer.
Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended claims and drawings.
The present invention provides an apparatus for holding and dispensing labels. The apparatus is preferably embodied as a packaging container for use in retail sales (e.g., storing, transporting, and displaying) of the labels within, however the apparatus can also be sold separately from the labels and/or further used with additional label refills. The apparatus is illustrated as a box container having solid walls, preferably made of corrugated cardboard, but can be implemented in other forms, such as a partial container (e.g., not having solid walls or having a frame structure) and/or formed of plastic.
In embodiments of this invention, one or both sections of the container includes a detachable section that promotes the continuous feed of the labels to a printer. As shown in
The detachable section 40 can be fully removeable or simply folded outward and/or downward. In the embodiment of
Various sizes, shapes, and configurations of the detachable section, tearable lines, and fold line are available, depending on need. For example, the detachable section can be fully removable, the tearable lines can be cut further in from the adjacent side walls, and/or two fold lines and multi-segment cuts can be used for a multi-stage detachable section.
The face sheet 62 is of any suitable shape, and generally any suitable size that can be accepted by and fed through a printer, such as a laser printer, a thermal printer, or an ink jet printer. Common sizes of typing paper generally fed through printers are 8.5 inches by 5.5 inches, 8.5 inches by 11 inches, 8.263 inches by 11.688 inches (A4 size), and 8.5 inches by 14 inches. Common sizes for shipping or packaging labels are generally smaller, such as 4 inches by 6 inches. The face sheet 62 is preferably, but not necessarily, constructed of any suitable paper, paper composite, non-metal and/or metal material that can be used as a label. The adhesive coating covered by the back sheet is applied to the face sheet 62 in any suitable manner known to those skilled in the art. The face sheet 62 desirably has a printable surface on a side opposite the adhesive coating. The face sheet 62 and the printable surface can be any of a variety of face materials used to make pressure sensitive, or self-adhesive labels. The phrase “printable surface” relates to a surface of any type of matter upon which a person or machine can draw, print, color, paint, photocopy, write, emboss, or make any other type of mark or graphic. Laser printers, ink jet printers, impact printers, thermal transfer printers, direct thermal printers, typewriters, or any other suitable graphic printing devices are preferred but not necessary for use with printable surfaces according to this invention. Such face materials may include, but are not limited to: smudgeproof stock, litho stock, cast coated stock, tag stock, fluorescent stock, foils, computer printable polyester, vinyl, satin cloth, Tyvek™ material, flexible plastic, book papers, photo quality papers and/or photo quality film. Furthermore, various portions of the face materials can be different colors, thereby resulting in different colored parts.
In embodiments of this invention the container is additionally or alternatively capable of dispensing a continuous label feed in the form of a roll of labels, such as a roll of 4×6 inch shipping labels.
As shown in
Various sizes, shapes, materials, and configurations are available for the roll depending on need and the intended label roll. As an example, a full circle cutout can be disposed in the opposing sidewall, and the roll slid therethrough. The roll can also include attachment structures at or for the opposing ends configured to attach the side wall upper edges.
As will be appreciated, the amount, size, shape, placement, and configuration of the tabs and corresponding slots can vary depending on need. For example, the tabs/slots can be placed further within the bottom panel, two tabs/slots can be placed on opposing sides, and/or alternatively or additionally tabs/slots be placed along the side walls 126 and/or 128.
Thus, the invention provides a container for storing and shipping labels, as well as forming an improved dispenser for those labels. The invention is useable with either fanfolded labels or rolled labels, or both. The invention further provides for raising the label supply for improved top-feed printers.
The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element, part, step, component, or ingredient which is not specifically disclosed herein.
While in the foregoing detailed description this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.
