Apparatus for separating label assembly

Abstract

A label assembly including a face sheet, a back sheet, and a layer of an adhesive positioned between the face sheet and the back sheet. A separation line divides the label assembly into at least two portions. The separation line is formed by a first tearable line of separation extending across the back sheet and a second tearable line of separation extending across the face sheet. The first tearable line of separation is offset with respect to the second tearable line of separation, and at least one of the first and second tearable lines of separation includes a non-linear portion directed toward and/or an angled portion extending at an angle to an other of the at least one of the first and second tearable lines of separation.

1 . In a label assembly having a face sheet, a back sheet, an adhesive positioned between at least a portion of a coextensive area of said face sheet and said back sheet, at least one separation line dividing the label assembly into at least two portions, each said separation line at least partially formed by a first tearable line of separation extending across said back sheet and a second tearable line of separation extending across said face sheet, and each said first tearable line of separation offset with respect to said second tearable line of separation, the label assembly comprising:
 a first end portion of the first tearable line of separation having a first non-linear section positioned near a first edge of the label assembly, and a second end portion of the second tearable line of separation having a second non-linear section positioned near a second edge of the label assembly which is at a distance from the first edge.   
   
   
       2 . In the label assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first non-linear section and/or the second non-linear section has an arcuate shape. 
   
   
       3 . In the label assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the arcuate shape has a radius of curvature in a range from about 0.01 feet to about 5.0 feet. 
   
   
       4 . In the label assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the first non-linear section arcs in a first direction toward the first edge, the second non-linear section arcs in a second direction toward the second edge, and the first direction is generally opposite the second direction. 
   
   
       5 . In the label assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first non-linear section has a shape similar to the second non-linear section. 
   
   
       6 . In the label assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first edge is at a top of the label assembly and the second edge is at a bottom of the label assembly. 
   
   
       7 . In the label assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tearable line of separation and the second tearable line of separation avoid intersection with each other. 
   
   
       8 . In the label assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tearable line of separation intersects the first edge at a distance from an intersection of the second tearable line of separation and the first edge. 
   
   
       9 . In the label assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second tearable line of separation intersects the second edge at a distance from an intersection of the first tearable line of separation and the second edge. 
   
   
       10 . In the label assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tearable line of separation and/or the second tearable line of separation comprises a die cut line, a laser die cut line, a score cut line, a kiss cut line, a perforation line, a microperforation line, a chemically etched line, a liquid etched line, or a gas etched line. 
   
   
       11 . In the label assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tearable line of separation comprises a plurality of cuts and ties and the second tearable line of separation comprises a die cut or a kiss cut. 
   
   
       12 . In the label assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a label column of a plurality of labels positioned within the face sheet, wherein the separation line is adjacent the label column. 
   
   
       13 . In the label assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive forms a layer surrounding a first area between the face sheet and the back sheet, and the at least one first tearable line of separation intersects the first area. 
   
   
       14 . The label assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two portions are separable from each other. 
   
   
       15 . A label assembly comprising:
 a face sheet, a back sheet, a layer of an adhesive positioned between said face sheet and said back sheet, said adhesive adhering to said face sheet more than to said back sheet; and   a separation line dividing the label assembly into at least two portions, the separation line formed by at least one first tearable line of separation extending across said back sheet and a second tearable line of separation extending across said face sheet, and each said first tearable line of separation being offset with respect to said second tearable line of separation, and a non-linear end portion of the first tearable line of separation extending to an edge of the label assembly.   
   
   
       16 . The label assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the non-linear end portion has an arcuate shape. 
   
   
       17 . The label assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the arcuate shape has a radius of curvature in a range from about 0.01 feet to about 5.0 feet. 
   
   
       18 . The label assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein in a direction toward an edge of the label assembly, the non-linear end portion arcs toward the second tearable line of separation. 
   
   
       19 . A label assembly comprising:
 a face sheet, a back sheet, an adhesive between said face sheet and said back sheet, said adhesive adhering to said face sheet more than to said back sheet, a first tearable line of separation extending across said back sheet and a second tearable line of separation extending across said face sheet, said first tearable line of separation spaced apart from said second tearable line of separation, a first arcuate end portion of the first tearable line of separation extending to a first edge of the label assembly, and a second arcuate end portion of the second tearable line extending to a second edge which is different from said first edge of the label assembly.   
   
   
       20 . In the label assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the first tearable line of separation intersects the first edge at a distance from an intersection of the second tearable line of separation and the first edge.