LABEL PRINTING; THERMAL PRINTER AND METHOD OF USE FOR PRINTING LINERLESS LABELS

摘要

A thermal printer (10) for printing linerless labels is operated so that the pressure sensitive adhesive of the second face (14) of the labels does not stick to a drive roller (16) which advances an reverses the labels, and cooperates with the thermal print head (17) to effect printing. A cutter (18) is disposed downstream of the print head and drive roll takeoff (12). Between the cutter and the drive roller is an air knife (35) which extends closely into the space between the drive roller and the labels leaving the drive roller and directs a substantially uniform flow of gas to the peripheral surface of the drive roller to prevent the adhesive of the labels from sticking to the drive roller peripheral surface. Air flow through the air knife is at a pressure of about 20-50 psi (preferably about 30 psi) and the air flow may be provided continuously or only during initiating and continuation of printing and advancing the printer.