Liner-free label and systems

摘要

The invention relates to a liner-free label activator, adapted to be joined to another piece of equipment, such as a thermal printer. The activator has a housing including a reservoir for containing a solvent and a pump connected to the reservoir. The activator also has an applicator connected to the pump for applying solvent to a liner-free label passing thereby, an activator control system to connect to a control system of the printer, and structure for connecting the housing to the printer.

主权项

1. A label printing and activation system, said system comprising:
a label printer selected from the group consisting of a thermal printer, an ink jet printer, and a laser printer; one or more sensors for detecting a liner-free label; and a control system configured to control a cutter and a label activator in response to receiving signals from the one or more sensors, wherein:
the cutter is positioned subsequent to the label printer in a path that the liner-free label travels through the label printing and activation system, the cutter being configured to sever the liner-free label from a label material; andthe label activator is positioned subsequent to the cutter in the path that the liner-free label travels through the label printing and activation system, the label activator comprising:
a fluid containing device;a fluid reservoir that receives a fluid supplied from the fluid-containing device;an activating element that excites the fluid in the fluid reservoir;a conduit in which the excited fluid is suspended, the conduit including a distribution door; anda fan that conveys the excited fluid in the conduit through the distribution door; wherein in response to receiving signals from the one or more sensors, said control system controls the cutter, the fan, and the activating element to: cause the activating element to excite the fluid in the fluid reservoir; after exciting the fluid in the fluid reservoir, cause the fan to apply the excited fluid to a first portion of a surface of the liner-free label prior to the liner-free label being severed from the label material by the cutter; after applying the excited fluid to the first portion of the surface of the liner-free label, cause the cutter to sever the liner-free label from the label material; and after severing the liner-free label from the label material, cause the fan to apply the excited fluid to a second, trailing edge portion of the surface of the liner-free label.