Abstract: A flexible package has a dispensing opening with a closure label overlying the opening that is permanently attached to the package by heat sealing along an edge portion adjacent the dispensing opening. The label has a releasable adhesive on the underside of the remaining portion for selectively opening and resealing the dispensing opening. The package is formed from a film that is partially die cut to form the dispensing opening. The label with the releasable adhesive is then applied to the package over the dispensing opening and heat sealed along an edge portion of the film. The film and attached label are later folded to form an envelope, filled with dispensable product, and heat sealed to encapsulate the product. The label can be selectively opened and resealed to enable access to the product through the dispensing opening. Complete removal of the label is prevented by the heat-sealed edge portion.

Abstract: A method of making the label assembly comprises providing a label stock material having a printed upper surface and a lower surface adhesively secured to a backing web having a release coating; laminating a web of static cling material is to the upper surface of the label stock material, printing on the upper surface of the static cling web material; and die cutting the label stock/static cling web material into discrete label assemblies. A method for servicing an automobile with a label assembly that has a pressure sensitive product label with printed product or service indicia and a static cling layer with data entry indicia mounted on the product label includes the steps of applying the label assembly to a service portion of the vehicle, applying oil change data to the static cling layer and applying the static cling layer to the windshield of the automobile.

Abstract: A label printer/applicator with improved label cutting, control and application has a control valve for alternately fluidly interconnecting an applicator head with a supply of pressurized air, a suction source and a neutral position. An atomizer nozzle is positioned beneath an applicator head for activating moisture-activated adhesives often provided on labels. An air jet nozzle beneath the applicator head prevents cantilever bending of a label exiting a printer and travelling toward the applicator head.

Abstract: A label assembly comprising a paper stock or similar label material having an upper surface containing printed indicia and having a varnish coating, the varnish coating being a raw polymer varnish without any slip agent or anti-blocking agent, and a static cling label containing complementary printed indicia mounted to the varnished upper surface of the label material. The label material has a pressure-sensitive adhesive on a lower surface for releasable mounting and initial assembly to a backing web having a release coating, typically provided in roll form. The label assembly can be peeled from the backing layer and applied to a support surface, then the static cling label can be peeled from the varnished surface of the label and applied to another surface such as the inside surface of a windshield.

Abstract: An improved a label application apparatus comprises a main housing having a print roller mounted thereto for rotation about a print roller axis. A supply reel is mounted to the main housing and has an indefinite length web with label material thereon. A printer including a printer housing and a print head is positioned in abutting relationship to the print roller, the printer housing being mounted to the main housing for pivotal movement about a printer axis. A spring is preferably mounted between the printer and the main housing and biasing the print head against the print roller. An improvement thereto that facilitates more reliable contact between the print head and the print roller comprises a pivot mounting between the print head and the printer housing for mounting the print head for pivotal movement with respect to the printer housing about a print head axis, the print head axis being generally transverse to the printer axis.

Abstract: A label application apparatus comprising a main housing and a printer and an applicator mounted to the main housing for applying a label to an object. A supply reel is rotatably mounted to the main housing and has a continuous web of label material thereon. A feed mechanism is also provided for feeding the continuous web of label material from the supply reel to the printer and applicator. A cutting mechanism is associated with the applicator to cut labels from the continuous web of label material between the printer and the applicator whereby the applicator then places the severed label onto the object.

Abstract: A label cutting and applying apparatus is arranged to produce printed labels from a continuing strip of label material. By operation of a standard roller, the apparatus advances a strip of the material along a path from a roll of the material over a print head where a portion of the strip is printed. The printed portion is advanced past a cutting blade which is integrally formed with a vertically movable label applicator and is severed from the remainder of the strip by operation of the blade as the applicator moves downwardly. The label applicator can include a vacuum head which then blows the severed label onto a package to apply the label thereto.

Abstract: A label printer apparatus is arranged to produce printed labels from a continuing strip of adhesive-backed, linerless label material. By operation of a standard printer roller, the apparatus advances a strip of linerless material along a path from a roll of the material over a print head where a portion of the strip is printed. The printed portion is advanced past a cutting blade onto a label applicator and is severed from the remainder of the strip by operation of a cutting blade. A guide comprising a lower wall and a pair of opposing side walls is disposed along the path and serves as a guide for the adhesive back material from the roll to the printer. The printer roller is controlled by a control unit responsive to operator input instructions and the condition of a photosensor to position and reposition the leading edge of the strip relative to the print head, before and after printing operation.

Abstract: A label separator separates labels from a backing. An infeed mechanism moves the labels in a downstream direction through a label path toward a breaker bar. A push member is moveable from a first position to a second position through a path which intersects the label path whereby the push member intersects the leading end of the backing in the label path and directs the backing out of the label path, around the breaker bar and to one side of the push member while the label continues along the label path on another side of the push member.

Abstract: A machine for applying labels to products of various sizes employs a movable printer/applicator head. Control circuitry responsive to sensors located along a conveyor by which the products are moved toward the machine generates output signals to an electrical motor which drives the printer/applicator head at a speed defined by the processor output signals. Labels to be printed are supplied to the head from a label supply strip wound on a label supply reel mounted on the stationary part of the machine. The portion of the strip extending between the reel and the head is provided with a loop to assure sufficient length of the strip for free movement by the head. The strip is lengthened by an amount less than the length of a label each time a label is removed and is lengthened by an additional amount each time a short-loop condition is detected.

Abstract: Label assemblies for redeemable coupons, pressure-sensitive labels, lottery tickets and the like. A strip of redeemable coupons comprises an indefinite length web coated with a release coating, at least one coupon on the web comprising a sheet of stock material, a first dry coating layer covering the surface of the stock material, a second dry coating covering the first dry coating and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer over the second dry coating and adhesively securing the coupons to the web. The first and second dry coating layers are substantially incompatible so that they separate from one another when the coupon, applied to an uncoated surface, is pulled therefrom.

Abstract: Label assemblies for redeemable coupons, pressure- sensitive labels, lottery tickets and the like. A strip of redeemable coupons comprises an indefinite length web coated with a release coating, at least one coupon on the web comprising a sheet of stock material, a first dry coating layer covering the surface of the stock material, a second dry coating covering the first dry coating and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer over the second dry coating and adhesively securing the coupons to the web. The first and second dry coating layers are substantially incompatible so that they separate from one another when the coupon, applied to an uncoated surface, is pulled therefrom.

Abstract: A labeling mechanism (10) for sequentially dispensing labels (49) from a backing strip (51) onto articles includes a pair of pinch bars (74) each having a knife edge (76) which bears against the rear edges of the labels (49) and downwardly against the backing strip (51) to move the labels along a pressure plate (66). The pinch bars (74) move in a linear reciprocating manner so as to push the labels (49) and backing strip (51) toward a labeling head (104) which also moves in a reciprocating manner and transfers the labels (49) from the backing strip (51) by means of air suction as the labels are stripped from the backing strip (51) by a knife edge (70). When the articles to be labeled are sensed as being in proper position, a positive air stream is pneumatically directed through the labeling head (104), thereby blowing the labels (49) onto the articles.