초록 ▼

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. Coat

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of alternatively manufacturing either permanent adhesive linerless labels or repositional adhesive linerless labels utilizing common equipment, comprising the steps of automatically:(a) continuously feeding a web of label substrate material having first and secon

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of alternatively manufacturing either permanent adhesive linerless labels or repositional adhesive linerless labels utilizing common equipment, comprising the steps of automatically:(a) continuously feeding a web of label substrate material having first and second faces so that it moves in a first direction; and while practicing step (a):(b) imaging indicia on one or both of the faces of the web;alternatively practicing step (c) or step (d) as follows:(c) if repositional adhesive linerless labels are being manufactured, applying and drying a tie coat, applying a repositional adhesive to the first face of the web, applying a release coat to the second face of the web, and drying the release coat and repositional adhesive at the same time;(d) if permanent adhesive linerless labels are being manufactured, applying a barrier coat to the first face of the web, drying the barrier coat, and then applying a release coat over the barrier coat, and applying a permanent adhesive to the second face;(e) applying perfs to the web in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction to define labels in the web;(f) taking up the web after the practice of steps (b), (c) or (d), and (e);(g) occasionally changing over from step (c) to step (d) and vice versa; andwherein step (b) is practiced using a flexographic unit having at least one print cylinder, and comprising the further step of immediately detaching the at least one print cylinder from the web when the common equipment is turned off.