Linerless label identification

Abstract

Labels are provided with sequential numbers which are important in a number of different applications including whether or not there are enough labels left on a roll to perform various operations on the roll. Linerless labels in a spiral roll include an innermost label and an outermost label. Each label includes a substrate with an inner face primarily coated with pressure sensitive adhesive and an outer face coated with release material. The sequential numbers are typically unobtrusive, and are applied to one or both of the inner and outer faces, preferably on the substrate before the coatings are applied. Desirably the innermost label contains the lowest number (typically zero or one) and the outermost the highest. Various pattern coatings can be applied to the substrate, particularly for the adhesive, depending upon the particular application, including at the interface between labels to make them easier to cut at the interface without the blade sticking to adhesive. The sequential numbers may be provided at the non-adhesive interface, or on non-adhesive portions of separable side strips along the labels. A roll of conventional lined labels may be unwound, sequential numbers applied to the adhesive side, and wound up in a roll again. In the printing of labels to be used on pharmaceuticals, thermally sensitive labels may be used and a scanner under computer control used to verify the correctness of the numbers and other pharmaceutical indicia printed.