Liner-Less Label Pre-Feed With Silicone Idler for Jam Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing label printers require the removal of release paper or liners, leading to waste and increased disposal costs, and guide rollers cause adhesive accumulation and printer complexity.
Innovation Solution
A liner-less label printer system with a pre-feed mechanism using a rubber drive roller and silicone idler roller, along with a non-contact reflective object sensor, to manage label stock without adhesive adherence, ensuring consistent feeding and reduced paper jams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If release paper or liner is used to cover adhesive on labels, then the adhesive is protected during storage and handling, but waste is generated that must be disposed of
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the release paper component from the label system entirely. By using liner-less labels where the adhesive is exposed but protected by the label material itself or a removable carrier that is not discarded, the system eliminates the need for separate release paper while maintaining adhesive protection during storage and handling.
2Ease of operation
If guide rollers are used to feed label stock through the printer, then the labels are guided through the printing path, but adhesive accumulates on the rollers increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical guide roller system with a non-contact guidance mechanism using airflow. A fan or blower directs a stream of air to guide the label stock through the printing path without physical contact, eliminating adhesive accumulation on rollers while maintaining precise label positioning and feed control.
3Productivity
If a pre-feed mechanism with contact rollers is used to manage label stock, then consistent feeding is achieved, but adhesive adherence causes misfeeds and paper jams
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces contact-based pre-feed rollers with a non-contact airflow system. A fan or blower creates a controlled air stream that guides and feeds the label stock through the printer consistently without physical contact, preventing adhesive adherence while maintaining feeding reliability and reducing misfeeds and paper jams.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Eliminates waste by using liner-less labels, reduces misfeeds and paper jams, and lowers operational costs by maintaining consistent label feeding and improving printing quality.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact reflective object sensor to manage label stock
Implementation Method 2
A pre-feed mechanism is provided comprising a rubber, powered drive roller, a silicone rubber idler roller
Data Source
AI summary
A pre-feed system and method for a liner-less label printer includes a drive roller that is configured to peel liner-less labels from a reel and pass print stock comprising the labels to an in-line label printer at a consistent rate. An idler roller disposed in proximity to the drive roller creates a nip for pulling labels from the reel. Label stock is fed to one or more print heads while supported by a support plate comprising projections extending from a planar surface, contacting an adhesive side of the labels. The projections are aligned in rows substantially perpendicular to a travel direction of the moving print stock and in a plurality of columns substantially parallel to the travel direction of the moving print stock, with projections on alternate rows offset from projections on adjacent rows and projections on alternate columns offset from projections on adjacent columns.