WO2007122456A1

WO2007122456A1 - Bottle label

Info

Publication number: WO2007122456A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/052014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ben Yaacob Lilienthal
Original assignee: Ccl Label, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-04-26
Filing date: 2006-06-21
Publication date: 2007-11-01
Also published as: US20070254126A1; EP2011104A1; AR063664A1

Abstract

A three-ply label assembly including a base ply (or underlamtnaie) (12) and a cover ply (or overlaminate) (16) encapsulating a label ply (14) . The cover ply (16) is adhered to the base ply (12) continuously about the entire perimeter of the label ply (14) to protectively encapsulate the label ply (14) . The label assembly protects printing on the label ply (14), such as metallic inks particularly susceptible to the recycling process. A method of manufacturing the label assembly also is disclosed.

Description

BOTTLE LABEL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENT ION

The present invention relates to labels, and more particularly to labels for recy clable bottles and other objects.

5 A wide variety of bottles and other objects are recycled in the sense that they are cleaned, sterilized, and refilled. The recy cling process may use caustics and other chemicals to clean and ster ilize the bottles. Unfortunately, lhese cleaning solutions degrade the appearance and'or integrity ot a label attached to a container. If the label is damaged, then the damaged label must be remov ed and a new label applied as part of the recy cling process. Removal and replacement of I O labels is unnecessarily expensive and time consuming Accordingly, artisans

v e aliempled to protect the labels from the cleaning solutions.

One attempt to protect the label includes adhering a clear film, also know n as an overlaminate, to the label during the label manufacturing process. The overlaminate is die cut w ith the label so that their edges are aligned. This approach has been partir lly successful The 15 overlaminate v ents the cleaning solutions from directly reaching the face of the label. Unfortunately , the solutions still can attack the edges of the label, entering under the overlaminate. Consequently, this label extends the life of the label for a relatively few cycles.

A second attempt to protect the label includes adhering an overlaminate to the label so that the overlaminate extends beyond the label in all directions. The margin of the overlaminate 0 adheres directly to the bottle around the label to enclose the label between the overlaminate and the bottle. Examples of such protective labels are disclosed in U.S. Patent 3. 1 : 3.858 to Jones; U.S.

Patents 2,682.^21 and 2,767,495 to Harris; and U.S. Patents 5.376.41 8 and 0,01 7.408 to Rogers

While this approach protects the label through a greater number of recyclings th an the first approach. ov er time the marginal portion of the overlaminate ultimately will provide an entry point for the 5 cleaning solutions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned problems are overcome by the present m ention in which a recyclable label includes an underlaminate secured to the overlaminate to protectively encase the label therebetween. More specifically . the label assembly includes a base ply (or underlaminate ), a label ply, and a cover ply. The underlaminate and the overlaminate both extend beyond the label in all directions foπning marginal portions Hie marginal portions of the base and cov er adhere to each other to seal and encapsulate the label. The base ply and t he cover ply, and the adhesiv e therebetween are selected to provide an increased amount of precision in the seal rind consequently an increased amount of protection to the label. The label of die present inv ention extends the number of recyclings a labeled article can sustain before the label degrades to unacceptable levels. Specifically, prii ting on the label ply. for example metallic inks particularly susceptible to the cleaning solutions, are protectively enclosed between the other two plies.

The invention further includes a method fas making the labels. The method starts w ith a web of clear base film adhered to a continuous release liner. Zones of adhesive are applied to the upper surface of the base film in shapes corresponding to the shapes of the labels to be made. Alternativ ely, the adhesive can be applied to a web of label material. The label web is brought into contact w ith the base film web so that the two webs adhere together in the zo nes of adhesiv e. The label material is die cut outside each adhesive shape, and the waste matrix is. removed to form a plurality of labels. Alternatively, the labels may be piecut and placed on the base web. A web of clear cov er film, or overlaminate is then adhered ov er the labels and the base film to protectively encapsulate each label. The overlam inale adheres at least to the base film, and preferably also to the labels. The overlaminate and underlaminate are die cut. and the waste matrix is remov ed to form a sequence of three-ply labels assemblies on the release liner. The manufacturing method enables labels of a wide v ariety of shapes and sizes to be created. Some of those shapes would be difficult, or even impossible, to manufacture using prior art techniques. These and other objects, advantages, and features, of the invention will be more fully

understood and appreciated by ieference to the description of the current embodiment and the draw ings.

BRlEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig.1 is a perspective view of the recyclable label assembly of the present invention on a bo U Ie.

Fig.2 is an exploded view of the recyclable label assembly Fig.3 is a top plan view of a recyclable label assembly

Fig.4 is a sectional view of a recyclable label assembly taken along line IV-IV in Fig, 3.

Fig.5 is a perspective view showing an intermediate stage of manufacture before the label web is die cut.

Fig, 6 is a perspective view showing an intermediate stage of manufacture after the label web is die cut, Fig 7 is a perspective view of the completed recyclable labol assemblies on the

release liner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT F introduction

The current embodiment of the recyclable label assembly of the present invention is

illustrated in Figs 1-4. and geneially designated 10. Fhe label assembi) 10 may be applied to an article 5, such as a bottle, and includes a bottom or base ply 12, a middle or labe! ply 14, and a top or cover ply 16 intersecured by

ve.s 32.34. The top and bottom plies 12, 16 extend b

eyond the label ply 14 in all directions and adhere to one another to encapsulate and protect the middle ρly 14.

The current embodiment of the method of manufacturing the recyclable label assemblies 10 is illustrated in Figs.5-7. The recyclable label assemblies 10 are constructed using a release liner 40. a base web 22. a label web 24, and a cover web 26, The bast web 22 includes the base ph 12 and the adhesive 30; the label web includes the label ph 14 and tin adhesive 32 , and the cover web includes the cover ply 16 and the adhesive 34,

In the current embodiment, the release liner 40, lhe base web 22 and label w eb 24 are arranged during the manufacturing process to overlay one another. A fter the label web 24 is applied

5 to the base web 22, the label web is die cut outside each adhesive shape 32 to form a plurality of labels 1 4, The cover web or overlain inale 26 is adhered over the labels 1 4 an d the base w eb 22 lo pr otectively encapsulate each label 14 between the base web and the overlaminate. The base web 22 and the overlain inale 26 are then die cut to form ind ividual label assemblies on he release liner.

11. Label .Assembly I O The current embodiment is a three- ply recyclable label assemby . Howev er, the recyclable label assembly may contain additional plies. A. Label PIy

T he label ply or layer 1 4 includes an upper surface and a low er surface and has a shape defined by a perimeter, perhaps as best shown in Fig, 2. The illustrate d shape is simply an 1 5 exemplary shape, and v irtually any shape may be selected in view a part icular application or requirement The label pl> 14 may be constructed of any suitable material known to those skilled in the art. The current label ply 14 is a metalized plastic film in a generally hourgla ss shape.

Either or both surfaces of the label ph 14 may be printed, In lhe current embodiment, an in k la\ er 1 7 is a pplied to the upper surface of the label ply 1 4. The ink layer 1 7 may inc lude 0 graphics and/or text. For example, lhe ink layer 17 may include the product name, descr iption, and/or an i ngredient list of the labeled article 5. The ink layer 1 7 may be co nstructed and applied using any suitable technique know n to those ski lled in the art The ink layer 1 7 may include one or more metal lic inks which are part icularly susceptible to the caustic solutions used during the recy cling process. 5 A zone 32 of adhesive is located between the label ply 14 lower surface and the base ply 12 upper surface The adhesive zone covers all or a portion of the label ply 14 lower surface. In the current embodiment, an adhesive-free margin 33 extends entirely about the perimeter of the label ply The adhesiv e may be any suitable adhesive applied in any suitable manner as w ill be recognized by those skilled in the art. The adhesive zone 32 may cover the entire lower surface of the label ply 14 so that there is no adhesive-free margin. The adhesive 32 intersecures the label ply 1 4 and the base ply 1 2. B. Base PIv or Undcrlaminatc

The base ply or lay er 12, sometimes referred to as an underlaminate, extends beyond the label ply 14 in all directions. The base ply 12 may be constructed of film or other suitable materia! known to those skilled in the art. fhe current base ply 12 is clear plastic film. The lower surface of the base ply 1 2 includes pressure sensitive adhesive for temporarily adhering the base ply to a release linei 40. and for ultimately permanently adhering the label assembly to an article 5. C. Cover PIy or Overlamϊnate

^'T he coves ply or layer 16. sometimes referred to as an overlaminate. extends beyond the label ply 14 perimeter in all directions. The cov er ply 16 may be constucted of any suitable material known Io those skilled in the art. The current cover ply 16 is clear plastic film, identical in shape and size to the base ply 12 because the two plies are cut in a single die cut operation. The undersurface of the underlaminate 16 includes an adhesive 34. Accordingly, the overlaminate. 16 adheres Io the label ply 14: and the υverlaminate adheres to the base ply 12 ou tside of the label ply 14. 111. Manufacture and Use ^'T he recyclable label assemblies 10 currently are fabricated on a continuous web of release liner. A lternatively , the assemblies 10 can be fabricated in sheet form. Initially , the web sandwich includes a base layer web 22 adhered to a release liner web 40 with a pressure sensit iv e adhesive 30. This initial web can be a purchased component, oi it can be created in an initial step of manufacture. A plurality of adhesive shapes 32 or patterns each defining a pe. imcter arc printed ot otherwise applied on the upper Miiface of the base layer 22 at regulas ly spaced intervals. Alternatively, the adhesive shapes 32 may be applied to the bottom of the label lay er 24 instead of to the upper surface of the base layer 22. A label web 24 is then brought into contact with ihe base y er 22 and the adhesive zones 32 carried thereon resulting in the intermediate form shown in Fig, 5.

The label ply is then die cut outside the perimeter of each adhesive zone 32 to form a plurality of labels 14, leaving a an adhesive-free margin 33 v oid of adhesive around the perimeter of each label 1 4. Alternativ ely, Ihe die cut is made through the label layer along the perimeter of each adhesiv e shape 32 leaving no such margin. The waste matrix of label material (not show n) is removed after the die cut leaving a plurality of labels 14 disposed on the base layer 22, resulting in the intermediate form shown in Fig. 6. The adhesive-free margin 33 is preferred because the margin

33 ieduces the likelihood of tearing or otherw ise damaging the label 14 or the v asie matrix when the waste matrix is removed, especially from irregularis shaped labels. Alternativ ely, the labels 14 can be formed sepaiaiely from the base web 22 and placed individually on the base web

Λn ov erlaminate web 26 is then applied over the base layer 22 and labels 14. The overlaminate adheres to each label 14. And the adhesiv e 34 permanently adheres a portion of the cover layer 26 to the base layer 22 encapsulating each label 14 therebetween. The overlaminate 26 and the base layer 22 are then die cut around and outside of the labels 14. to produce a plusalilv of recyclable label assemblies. The jecyclabie label assemblies 10 may be prov ided in roll or other suitable form as known in the an. The recy clable label assemblies 10 may be transferred to ihe exterior of an article 5 using techniques and apparatuses known in the art. Once transferred, know n cleaning techniques may be applied to the article 5 w ithout substantially degr iding the integrity of Ihe label.

The above description is that of the current embodiment of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made w ithout departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the inv ention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted m accordance w ith the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equiv alents. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a," "an." "the" or "said," is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

Claims

CLAIMSThe embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or priv ilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1 . A label comprising:

a label ply having a shape defining perimeter:

a base ply having a margin extending bey ond said label ply perimeter in all directions:

a cover ply having a margin extending beyond said label ply in all directions, said cover

ply and said base ply sandw iching said label ply therebelween: a first adhesive intersecuring said base ply and said label ply;

a second adhesive inlersecυring said base ply marginal portion and said top ply marginal

portion continuously about the entire perimeter of said label ply, wherebv said label ply is

protectively encapsulated between said base ply and said top ply; and a third adhesive on at least one of said base ply and said lop ply for adhering the label

assembly to an article.

2. The label of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive free zone between said base ply and

said label ply, baid adhesive fiee zone forming a margin about said perimeter.

3. The label of claim 1 wherein said fust adhesive permanently ϊπtereornects said base ply

and said label ply.

4. The label of claim 1 wherein said second adhesiv e further intersecures said cover ply and said label ply.

5. T he label of claim 1 further comprising a release liner adhered to said base ply by said

third adhesive.

6 The label of claim I where said base ply, said cover ply. and said first, second, and third adhesives are substantially transparent,

7. The label of claim I where said label ply includes printing,

8. A, label assembly comprising: a label layer including a perimeter:

an undcrlaminate extending bey ond said label layer perimeter;

an overlaminate extending beyond said label layer perimeter, said overlaminate and said underlaminate sandw iching said label layer therebetween; a first adhesive intersecuring said overlaminate to said underlaminate entirely around said perimeter of said label layer ; and

a second adhesive on said underlaminate adapted to adhere said label assembly to an object.

9. The label assembly of claim 8 further comprising a third adhesive intersecuring said label

laver and said underlaminate

10. T he label assembly of claim 8 further comprising a release liner releasably adhered to

said label layer .

1 1 . The label assembly of claim 8 wherein said underlaminate and sai d overlaminate are substantially transparent

12. The label assembly of claim 8 wherein said label layer includes priming,

13. A method of manufacturing a plurality of label assemblies comprising the steps of

adhering a base fi lm web to a release liner; applying intermittent zones of adhesive to at least one of the base fil m web and a label web; applying the label web to the base film web;

cutting through the label web in an area corresponding to each adhesive zone to form a plurality of labels on the base film web;

adhering an overlaminate to the base film web and over the labels, whereby the base film

web and the overlaminatc protective!y encapsulate each label: and

cutting through said base film and said cover iilm around and outside of each label to produce a plurality of label assemblies along the length of the release liner.

14. The method of manufacturing a plurality of label assemblies of claim 13 wherein the

adhesive zones are applied to the base film web.

15. The method of manufacturing a plurality of label assemblies of claim 13 w herein the adhesive zones are applied to the label web.

16. The method of manufacturing a plurality of label assemblies of claim 13 wherein the labels include printing.

i 7. The method of manufacturing a plural ity of label assemblies of claim 3 wherein the base film web and the overlaminate are substantially transparent.

18. T he method of manufacturing a plurality of label assemblies of claim 13 further comprising remov ing the waste matrices after each cutting step.

I 9 . The method of manufacturing a plurality of label assemblies of claim ! 3 wherein said

adheres to eacli of the labels.