| 摘要 |
A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING DISCRETE ELEMENTS, THE DISCRETE ELEMENTS AND A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING THE DISCRETE ELEMENTS The invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing discrete elements, and a method and apparatus for applying the discrete elements. In one embodiment the discrete elements, such as labels, are borne by a carrier sheet. The method of this embodiment includes passing an element sheet from which said elements are to be formed along a first path of travel; passing a carrier sheet along a second path of travel spaced from the first path of travel in a first course and retained in substantial facing engagement with the element sheet in a second course: applying adhesive to one of the sheets prior to the second course in discrete zones individually having positions corresponding to the positions of the planar elements to be formed; and cutting the element sheet in the second course outwardly of the discrete zones of adhesive to form discrete elements adhesively borne by the carrier sheet. The apparatus of one embodiment has a frame mounting assemblies for transporting the element and carrier sheets along their respective first and second paths of travel; an adhesive assembly mounted on the frame for applying adhesive to one of the sheets in zones prior to the second course; and a die cutting assembly borne by the frame adjacent to the second course and operable to die cut the element sheet in the second course to form the discrete elements borne by the carrier sheet. The discrete element has a panel with a first surface, an opposite second surface and a predetermined periphery; and at least one zone of adhesive borne by the second surface of the panel and recessed from the periphery of the panel. Another embodiment of the method includes passing a sheet from which the discrete elements are to be manufactured along a predetermined path of travel; applying adhesive on the sheet in substantially discrete zones individual to areas corresponding to the discrete elements to be manufactured from the sheet; and gathering the sheet without severing the discrete elements from the sheet. The invention also includes a method and apparatus for applying discrete elements to target areas including placing a sheet incorporating a multiplicity of discrete elements, each having a surface bearing a zone of adhesive, in a position such that one of the discrete elements is disposed in juxtaposition and with the zone of adhesive thereof facing one of the target areas: die cutting the discrete element from the sheet outwardly of the zone of adhesive; and driving the discrete element from the sheet and into adhesive engagement with the target area subsequent to the die cutting. |
