Linerless label printer
View Patent ↗Various modifications to a printer to allow the printer to print on linerless adhesive media are described. In one embodiment, a release block is attached to the printer superior to a rubber drive roller. The release block limits the linerless adhesive media from contacting and/or remaining on the rubber drive roller when the linerless adhesive media is fed past print head. The release block may be a guide label, a piece of tape, or fixture. A guide label is adhesively attached and comprises a substrate, an adhesive layer, and release layers so that the linerless adhesive media does not stick to the guide label. Tape may be adhesively attached with a release layer attached to the tape. The fixture may be mechanically attached, magnetically attached, or adhesively attached to the printer. The release block may be removed at any time to allow for standard operation of the printer.
1. A printer configured to print linerless adhesive media, the printer comprising:
a print head;
a rotating platen opposite the print head; and
a release block that limits the linerless adhesive media from remaining attached to the rotating platen when the linerless adhesive media is fed past the rotating platen and print head, the release block reversibly attached to the printer to allow for printing of standard media;
wherein the release block is a guide label adhesively attached to mounts that hold a metal shaft of a hard roller located superior to the rotating platen.
2. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the guide label comprises a substrate layer, an adhesive layer to attach the guide label to the printer, and a release layer.
3. The printer of claim 2 , wherein the substrate layer comprises plastic.
4. The printer of claim 3 , wherein the plastic is coated with PTFE.
5. The printer of claim 3 , wherein the plastic is coated with polyester.
6. The printer of claim 2 , wherein the substrate layer comprises paper.
7. The printer of claim 6 , wherein the paper is coated with PTFE.
8. The printer of claim 6 , wherein the paper is coated with polyester.
9. The printer of claim 2 , wherein the substrate layer comprises a composite material.
10. The printer of claim 9 , wherein the composite material comprises a combination of plastic and paper.
11. The printer of claim 9 , wherein the composite material comprises combinations of different plastics.
12. The printer of claim 2 , wherein the release layer comprises material that does not form strong bonds with the adhesive of the linerless adhesive media.
13. The printer of claim 2 , wherein the release layer comprises silicone.
14. The printer of claim 2 , wherein the release layer comprises flouropolymers.
15. The printer of claim 2 , wherein the release layer comprises waxes.
16. The printer of claim 2 , wherein the adhesive layer does not cover the entire back side of the guide label.
17. The printer of claim 2 , further comprising a slip layer located opposite the substrate layer where the guide label meets the rotating platen.
18. The printer of claim 1 , wherein a bottom edge of the guide label is chiseled.
19. The printer of claim 1 , wherein a bottom edge of the guide label is rounded.
20. The printer of claim 1 , wherein the release block is a fixture.
21. The printer of claim 20 , wherein the fixture is attached using adhesive.
22. The printer of claim 20 , wherein the fixture is attached to the printer via a mechanical attachment to the metal axle of the hard roller.
23. The printer of claim 20 , wherein the fixture is attached to the printer using magnets.
24. The printer of claim 20 , wherein the fixture comprises a single substrate, wherein release characteristics are intrinsic to the substrate.
25. A printer configured to print linerless adhesive media, the printer comprising:
a print head;
a rotating platen opposite the print head; and
a release block that limits the linerless adhesive media from remaining attached to the rotating platen when the linerless adhesive media is fed past the rotating platen and print head, the release block reversibly attached to the printer to allow for printing of standard media;
wherein the release block is tape.
26. The printer of claim 25 , wherein the tape is two sided tape with one side of the tape adhesively attached to the printer and the opposite side of the tape attached to a release liner.