Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for the alternate manufacture of permanent adhesive or repositional linerless labels utilizing the same equipment. Indicia is applied such as by using a flexographic unit in which the print cylinders are immediately thrown-off the web when the unit is turned off. Coating stations apply a repositional adhesive and release coat in the construction of repositional adhesive labels, for example, using a flexo unit in which the print cylinder stays in contact with the web after the unit is turned off to wipe excess adhesive from the print cylinder. In the construction of permanent adhesive labels a coating station for applying a release coat and a release coat curing station, as well as a hot melt permanent adhesive application station, are also provided. The permanent adhesive is applied with a slotted die head having a heat uniformity of .+-. five degrees F across its length, and applies an even adhesive coat thickness of about 0.0005-0.001 inches to .+-. about 0.0001 inches.

Abstract: A roll of shingled, distinct linerless labels is produced by forming a plurality of the distinct labels (each having a substrate, a release coated first face, and a pressure sensitive adhesive coated second face) by transporting a web at a first speed, automatically severing distinct labels from the web, and after severing accelerating the labels to a second, faster, speed so that the labels are conveyed separated and distinct from each other in a first direction. Using a standard rewind the linerless labels are taken up on a formed roll of shingled linerless labels by rotating the roll with an initial tangential velocity component in the first direction at a third speed, slower than the first speed, so that the distinct labels overlap with the second face of each newly added label engaging the first face of at least one label already on the formed roll. The roll shaft is mounted on at least one articulating arm.

Abstract: A linerless label stacking assembly and procedure utilize a paddle wheel first conveyor having a rotatable central portion with a number of paddles extending generally radially outward from the central portion. The central portion is along a generally horizontal axis and is rotated about that axis at spaced time intervals in a first direction. Each paddle has first and second curved surfaces which engage the linerless labels for stacking. A second conveyor having a generally horizontal supporting surface is disposed at approximately the same vertical position as the first conveyor axis, and a rotary cut off device, or a similar individual label cutter, feeds linerless labels to the first conveyor one at a time. After a stack of predetermined size is formed on a paddle, a controller (which receives input from a sensor associated with the rotary cut off) controls motors to rotate the first conveyor and operate the second conveyor to advance a stack of labels away from the cut off device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for the alternate manufacture of permanent adhesive or repositional linerless labels utilizing the same equipment. Indicia is applied such as by using an intelligent imaging system by at least one print station. With repositional labels, a tie coat is applied and dried, whereas with permanent labels a barrier coating is applied. Coating stations apply a repositional adhesive and release coat in the construction of repositional adhesive labels. The coating station is followed by a dryer and chill rolls. In the construction of permanent adhesive labels a coating station for applying a release coat and a release coat curing station, as well as permanent adhesive application station, are also provided. Changeover time from the manufacture of one type of label to the other is short.

Abstract: A serrated rotary die having a minimum die cutback angle .theta., wherein ##EQU1## where CL DIST is the centerline distance between punch and die axes of rotation, ##EQU2## MD is a die internal diameter at the die teeth roots, and HT is the height of the die over midpoint.