EP0629990A1 - Adhesive label and method of manufacture thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an adhesive label as well as to its method of manufacture. The adhesive label (1) consists of a frontal (2) adhesive (3) material and of an anti-adhesion protector (4). Moreover, it includes at least one peel-off or tear-off element (5) arranged between the frontal material (2) and the anti-adhesion protector (4), at least partially secured to the frontal material (2). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to an adhesive label as well as to a process for manufacturing such labels.

It will in particular find its application for the closing of object or of case of which two parts assembled are maintained before use which one then separates.

In the field of packaging, it is common to use cases or boxes, formed overall of a cover and a main receptacle. After having introduced the product to be packed into the case or the box, the receptacle cover is made integral by placing one or more labels straddling the two parts.

The packaged product is thus stored or handled in this state, and at the time of its use, it is necessary to remove or tear the label to separate the cover from the receptacle and access the interior.

This operation is more or less difficult depending on the quality of the label and / or the adhesive used. In addition, in certain cases, it is not desirable to leave a trace of the label or the adhesive on the box for the sake of aesthetics.

In other fields, this technique of closing a box or case is used to control its inviolability. In this case, highly adhesive tear-off labels are used to leave visible traces when the box or case has been opened unexpectedly and attempted to close by hiding this first operation.

However, in certain cases, it has proved necessary to nevertheless authorize one or more openings by an authorized operator before the final use of the product, this for control purposes for example.

In other cases, such cases or packaging allow the packaging of a product which is treated successively by several people, it is then necessary to be able to close each time the box or the case, which hitherto requires use a new label each time.

The object of the present invention is to provide an adhesive label which makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of known labels, either by facilitating its removal, or by facilitating its tearing, or by allowing multiple use.

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide an adhesive label which, after a first removal operation, can be reused to close the object or the case a second time. More generally, in one embodiment, the adhesive label of the present invention will allow a multi-opening-opening of the object or of the case subject to said label.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for the manufacture of adhesive labels, in particular from a basic complex common in the field of the manufacture of labels.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing such labels on traditional machines currently used for the production of labels.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows which is however given only for information and which is not intended to limit it.

According to the invention, the adhesive label consists of an adhesive front material and a non-stick protector, and comprises at least one removal or tearing element disposed between the front material and the non-stick protector , secured at least partially to the front material.

In one embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that the said tear-off element is bordered, on at least one of its lateral edges, by an intermediate protective element, in order to be able to re-stick the protected part at least after a first peeling of the label.

According to the method of the invention, to manufacture the labels, one starts from a continuous strip of adhesive frontal material deposited on a non-stick protector, and a tear-off or strip removal, the width of which is less than that of the frontal material.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description accompanied by the accompanying drawings which form an integral part thereof.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the adhesive label of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the back of the label shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view along axis III-III of the label of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the label according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a view of the rear face of the label illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the label according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 schematically shows an installation making it possible to implement the method of manufacturing labels according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows another variant of the label of the present invention authorizing tearing off and then re-bonding.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the label illustrated in FIG. 8.

Figure 10 shows another embodiment allowing two tears and two re-gluing.

Figure 11 shows a variant of the label illustrated in Figure 10.

Figure 12 shows an exploded side view of the label illustrated in Figure 8.

FIG. 13 shows an exploded side view of the label illustrated in FIG. 9.

Figures 14a to 14c show the use of the label illustrated in Figure 8 for closing a case.

Figures 15a to 15c show the rear views of the label respectively illustrated in Figures 14a to 14c.

The present invention relates to an adhesive label and its manufacturing process.

Figures 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of an adhesive label 1 according to the present invention.

It is traditionally made of a front material 2, coated on its rear face with a layer of adhesive 3 and a non-stick protector 4. The adhesive front 2, 3 is then placed, until it is used, on the non-stick protector 4, which can be in a strip to constitute in this case a roll of labels.

However, it is entirely conceivable to produce unit labels and, in this case, the non-stick protector is provided as a unit and slightly protrudes from the label to facilitate its gripping.

According to a characteristic of the present invention, the label 1 comprises at least one element 5 for removal or tearing, disposed between the front material 2 and the non-stick protector 4, and secured at least partially to the front material 2 .

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, said element 5 for removal or tearing is in the form of a strip, secured to the front material 2 in particular by means of the adhesive layer 3 provided on the back of the frontal.

In this case, the tape is automatically glued to the adhesive front material 2, 3 by its insertion between the latter and the non-stick protector.

As regards the quality of the materials used, the front material may be chosen, depending on the case, from paper, plastic or synthetic materials, fabric, or nonwoven, or even metal.

As regards the non-stick protector, for example a silicone paper will be used.

Finally, with regard to the tear-off or removal element 5, it will be chosen, depending on the front material, and depending on whether it is capable of tearing it or not, among paper, plastic or synthetic materials , woven or nonwoven. By way of example, good results have been obtained using a polypropylene or "cellophane" tape (registered trademark).

Furthermore, the tear-off or removal element 5 can be in the form of a band called "narrow" with respect to the width of the label. However, this is entirely relative, the main thing being to have on either side of the element 5 an adhesive surface sufficient for the use that one wishes to make of the label.

It should be noted that a thread of synthetic or natural material could also be used to replace the said strip.

That said, to facilitate on the one hand the removal of the label 1 from its non-stick protector 4, and on the other hand the removal or tearing of the label when it is affixed to the object , the case or other, for which it is intended, the label may include a tab 6 provided at least at one end of the element 5 for removal or tearing.

The shape of the tab is adapted to the situations, and its end may have a width corresponding substantially to the width of the strip 5 as particularly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In addition, to facilitate the removal or tearing of the label, the face of said element 5, placed opposite the non-stick protector 4, is not adhesive or is provided less adhesive than the front material 2, 3. Under these conditions, the tab will be easier to separate from the product and will constitute a grip tab for the user.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the label shown in FIG. 1 in which the transverse cuts 7 to separate the different labels 8 are provided to generate the least possible material fall.

In FIG. 6, the front material is found at 9, 10 the non-stick protector and 11 the removal or tearing element.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment more specifically provided with a tear-off element 12.

As in the previous case, the labels 13 consist of an adhesive front material 13 deposited on a non-stick protector 14.

Although the front material 13 can be chosen from tearable materials, it will be possible, to facilitate tearing, to provide dotted lines 15, 16 at the start of rupture, at least partially on either side of said tearing element 12.

To manufacture the labels according to the present invention, and as schematically shown in FIG. 7, one starts from a continuous strip 17 of adhesive front material 18 deposited on a non-stick protector 19, and the sandwich is continuously sandwiched strip or tear-off element 20, the width of which is less than that of the front material.

More specifically, there is a first continuous strip 17 which is unrolled, this strip being formed by a strip 18 of adhesive frontal material deposited on a strip 19 of non-stick protector. This is a traditional complex used in the field of label manufacturing.

There is then at least a second continuous strip 20, which is for example in the form of a narrow strip, which will constitute the said tearing or removal element.

However, the strip 18 of front material and the strip 19 of protector are temporarily separated, in particular by deflection using rollers, cylinders or the like, in order to be able to separate the two materials sufficiently to introduce the tearing element or of abduction.

Thus, it is possible to continuously insert between said strip of front material 18 and the strip of non-stick protector 19 said strip 20 of tearing or removal element.

Then, the strip 18 of front material and the strip 19 of protector are resolidated with the strip of tearing or removal element sandwiched as shown in FIG. 7.

It should be noted that in order to avoid excessive tensions in the band 18 or the band 19 when they are separated, certain deflecting rollers will be mounted in articulation as for example shown in FIG. 7 at 21 and 22.

Finally, the strip 23 thus formed continues on its way for the traditional subsequent treatments, and in particular towards a work station 24 at which the strip of front material 18 and of tearing or removal element 20 is cut to define the say labels 1, 8, 13 as shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 6.

Furthermore, other treatments can be imagined such as printing or more generally any decoration. On leaving the machine, the strip 25 will either be rewound or sold in unit labels.

However, Figures 8 to 13 show other embodiments of labels according to the present invention allowing at least a first opening and then a reclosure. This principle of opening and closing is illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.

As mentioned above, labels are sometimes used to close, for example, packaging cases containing products to which it is necessary to access them before using them. In addition, it is sometimes necessary to view an anterior opening of the case.

For this, the label 26 has a structure as described above, that is to say that it comprises a front material 27, coated on its back with a layer of adhesive 28, deposited on a protective adherent 29, as particularly shown in FIGS. 8 and 12.

At least one tear-off element 30 is also provided between the front material 27 and the non-stick protector 29.

Although the front material can be chosen from tearable materials, it will be possible, to facilitate tearing, to provide dotted lines for breaking, at least partially on either side of said tearing element as described above.

However, this tearing element 30 is bordered, on at least one of its lateral edges 31, by a protective element 32 intermediate.

Thus, when the label is affixed to the case, for example, this intermediate protective element will prevent the adhesive 28 from sticking to the case at this level, this is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 14a shows the label 26 affixed to a case 33, taken by way of example, consisting of a cover 34 and a receptacle 35; the closing line of the case is simulated by the dashed line 36. The upper part of the label 26 is decorated with a large A and the lower part decorated with a large B to facilitate understanding.

FIG. 14a illustrates the first step in which the label 26 removed from its protector 29 is stuck on the case 33-35. This label is positioned such that the axis 36 for closing the case substantially coincides with the lateral edge 37 of the intermediate protective element 32, opposite the tearing element 30.

Figure 15a shows a bottom view of the label only shown in Figure 14a in which we see the two adhesive areas 28 at the lower B and upper parts A separated by the intermediate protective element 32 contiguous to the tear-off element 30.

FIG. 14b shows the step of separating the cover 34 and the receptacle 35 from the case, after having removed the tear strip 30. In fact, the operator grasps the strip 30, in particular by means of the tab 38, and tears the front material 27 transversely to separate the label 26 into two upper parts A and lower B .

The presence of the intermediate protective element 32 means that the upper part A no longer sticks to the receptacle 35 and it is therefore possible to separate the cover from the latter.

When the control or other operation is completed, the cover 34 and the receptacle 35 can be brought together again to close the case. In this case, the intermediate protective element 32 is removed in order to uncover the layer of adhesive 28 previously protected from the part A of the label, this part then being able to stick to the receptacle 35 as shown in FIG. 14c.

To facilitate the removal of the intermediate protective element 32, it is advantageous to overlap the tearing element 30 and the said intermediate protective element 32, as particularly shown in FIGS. 14a, 15a and 12, so that the latter either protruding from the front material 27 when the tearing element 30 is removed, as shown in particular in FIGS. 14b and 15b.

However, FIGS. 9 to 11 show other alternative embodiments of the label, the principles of which have been illustrated in FIG. 8.

In particular, FIG. 9 shows a label 39, equipped with a first tear strip 40 and with an intermediate protective element 41 authorizing takeoff and re-bonding as just described, and equipped with a second tear strip 42 adjacent to said intermediate protective element 41, facilitating the final opening of the case.

The adhesive space of the front material between the two tearing elements 40-42 is protected by the intermediate protective element 41 contiguous to the two tearing elements.

Figure 13 particularly shows a view exploded label 39 and specifies the relative positioning of the different elements 40, 41, 42.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a label 43, equipped with two tearing elements 44, 45 and two intermediate protective elements 46, 47 allowing a double opening-reclosing.

In this case, the first intermediate protective element 46 is bordered on either side by the first tearing element 44 and the second tearing element 45, the protective element 46 covering the adhesive space of the front material between the two lifting elements 44-45.

The last tear-off element 45 is bordered on either side by an intermediate protective element 46-47 which allows a double reclosing.

Finally, FIG. 11 shows another additional variant in which the label 48 has three tearing elements 49, 50, 51 and in which the adhesive spaces of the front material included between the three said tearing elements are each covered by a intermediate adhesive protective element 52, 53.

At the level of the manufacture of these labels, the method described above may be applied, and after having temporarily separated the strip of front material and the protective strip, the various strips constituting the tearing element or elements are successively interposed and / or the intermediate protective element (s).

Naturally, other implementations of the present invention, within the reach of those skilled in the art, could have been envisaged, without going beyond the scope of the present application.

It should for example be noted that the label of the present invention can be produced, not starting from a complex strip 17 as described above and shown in FIG. 7, but also from three separate unitary coils, the first constituting the strip of frontal material, the second constituting the strip of non-stick protector and the third constituting the strip of tearing or removal element, these three strips then being brought together according to the same principle.

Claims (8)

Adhesive label (1; 8; 13; 26; 39; 43; 48) made of a front material (2; 9; 13; 27) adhesive (3; 28) and a non-stick protector (4; 10 ; 14; 29), comprising at least one removal or tearing element (5; 11, 12; 30; 40, 42; 44, 45; 49, 50, 51) disposed between the front material (2; 9 ; 13; 27) and the non-stick protector (4; 10; 14; 29), secured at least partially to the front material, characterized in that the tear-off element (30; 40; 44, 45; 49, 50) is bordered on at least one of its side edges (31) by an intermediate protective element (32; 41; 46, 47; 52, 53). Label according to claim 1, characterized in that the front material (13) has dotted lines (15, 16) at the start of rupture provided at least partially on either side of said tear-off element (12). Label according to claim 1, characterized in that the tear-off element (30; 40; 44, 45; 49, 50) overlaps said intermediate protective element (32; 41; 46, 47; 52, 53) so that it protrudes from the front material when the tear-off element has been removed. Label according to claim 1, characterized in that it has two tearing elements (40, 42; 44, 45; 49, 50) bordered by at least one intermediate protective element (41; 46; 52) covering the adhesive space of the front material between the two tear-off elements. Label according to claim 4, characterized in that one of the two tearing elements (45; 50) is bordered on either side by an intermediate protective element (46, 47; 52, 53). Label according to claim 1, characterized in that it has three peel-off elements (49, 50, 51), the adhesive spaces of the front material between these three peel-off elements being covered by a non-stick protective element intermediate (52, 53). Method of manufacturing labels according to claim 1, characterized in that one starts from a continuous strip (17) of adhesive front material (18) deposited on a non-stick protector (19), and one continuously sandwiches a tear-off or strip-removing element (20), the width of which is less than that of the front material. Method for manufacturing labels according to claim 7, characterized in that: a first strip (17) is placed continuously, in the form of a strip (18) of adhesive frontal material deposited on a strip (19) of non-stick protector, - there is at least a second strip (20), continuously, of a so-called tearing or removal element, - the strip (18) of front material and the strip (19) of non-stick protector are temporarily separated, - there is continuously inserted between the strip (18) of front material and the strip (19) of non-stick protective material, said strip (20) of tearing or removal element, - said band (18) of frontal material and the band (19) of non-stick protection are resolidated with the band (20) of the sandwiched element, - The strip of front material (18) and the strip of tearing or removal element (20) are cut to define said labels (1; 8; 13; 26; 39; 43; 48).

Images