EP1686555A1 - Foil element and method of producing same - Google Patents

Abstract

A foil element comprises that a separating line (SL) (3) is partly bridged with a bridging layer (BL) (6) that consists of a substance applied in a free-flowing condition and subsequently strengthened, after hardening, the substance forms the BL through a drying, cross-linking physical/chemical process, and the BL limits movability of adjacent parts on the SL in relation to each other. An independent claim is also included for a method for producing a foil element.

Description

The present invention relates to a film element, in particular a separating element having a film element, and a method for its preparation.

Punched, slotted or otherwise produced parting lines are usually used to divide a film element into two or more functional areas.

Frequently described in the prior art so-called ironing labels, which serve, in particular in the field of medicine, but also in the field of drugstore, hang containers and usually at the same time to identify their contents. These are designed as self-adhesive labels foil elements which have a bow-shaped, separated from the rest of the label on a dividing line hanger. The suspension tab can be pulled out of the film plane of the remaining, on the container, such as an infusion bottle, glued label and continue to pull over the container bottom. The container is hung overhead on the suspension lug.

Such ironing labels are u.a. from the publications DE 39 07 862 A1, DE 91 01 464 U1, EP 0 356 574 A2 and EP 0 632 422 A1.

The upright suspension of containers by means of suitable film elements is known, for example, from the utility model DE 92 02 956 U1.

Sometimes dividing lines are provided for other reasons. DE 103 07 250 A1 describes a film element which has a parting line in order to decouple regions of the film element under tensile load, and thereby to reduce the risk of tearing of the loaded film element. A dividing line terminates in the event of cracking across the extension of the dividing line further crack propagation. For example, a dividing line which reduces the risk of cracking can also be provided in the suspension loop of a strap label described above.

However, parting lines can also lead to problems, especially when dispensing labels. Since different draw ratios prevail in the label parts decoupled along the dividing line, undesired displacements or folds in the suspension tab and / or the remaining label can arise. This can cause difficulties in automatic packaging or in the application. Furthermore, wrinkling can cause the impression of inferior quality in the end user, so that accordingly faulty labeling is usually regarded as committee production.

In the case of safety dividing lines (to avoid cracking), attempts are made to counter this problem by means of a further film layer covering the dividing line. However, this increases the material and production costs considerably and thus inevitably increases the price of the final product.

In the case of iron-on labels, there is also the possibility of dividing the dividing line by small contact points, i. unpunched or unslit portions, which limit the mobility of the hanger tab relative to the remainder of the label and thus reduce the risk of distortion. When pulling out the suspension tab, however, so small injuries to the edge, which can be starting points of cracking and thus greatly reduce the tensile strength of the suspension tab.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a film element with a dividing line, in which the risk of the formation of distortions due to different loads on both sides of the dividing line is reduced, but at the same time to avoid the disadvantages of conventional countermeasures listed above in detail ,

According to one aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a film element according to claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the film element according to the invention may be designed according to one of claims 2-19.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a method for producing a film element according to claim 20.

Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention may be designed according to one of claims 21-25.

According to the invention, a dividing line is bridged by means of a printed, sprayed, infused or otherwise applied in a flowable state mass, which after solidification by a drying and / or crosslinking and / or other physical and / or chemical process, the mobility of the adjacent parts of the dividing line Restricts relative to each other. Also, only a film layer having foil elements can be so easily and inexpensively modified, which makes them much easier to donate, especially on automatic or semi-automatic dispensing machines. The bridging can advantageously be done on the top side, but also a bottom or otherwise applied bridging is possible. For example, in the case of a self-adhesive embodiment, the bridging layer can also be provided between a film layer and the underside adhesive coating.

In addition to bridging the parting line, the bridging layer can combine other functions, for example increasing the stability and / or improving the haptic properties of a part of the film element. Thus, flat overprinted suspension tabs according to the invention can be better handled by ironing labels due to the stiffening effect of overprinting.

The inventive method can be used in particular for the production similar to the prior art designed ironing labels. While the properties of the finished product according to the invention are significantly improved, For example, it is also possible to use, inter alia, conventional films or film composites in customary thickness ranges of 23-165 μm, preferably 86-165 μm, of PE, PP, PBT or PET as starting materials.

Often, the method according to the invention can be implemented on conventional production lines, possibly with minor modifications, with little or no additional cost.

Standard equipment variants customary in the field of label technology, such as document sections, authenticity features, security stampings and the like, are also readily applicable to film elements according to the invention.

In principle, any variant of the invention described or indicated in the context of the present application may be particularly advantageous, depending on the economic and technical conditions in the individual case. Unless otherwise stated, or as far as technically feasible, individual features of the described embodiments are interchangeable or combinable.

Fig. 1 a

zeigt ein erfindungsgemäßes Folienelement in der Draufsicht, welches als selbstklebendes Bügeletikett ausgeführt ist

Fig. 1 b

zeigt eine Schnittansicht des in Figur 1a dargestellten Folienelements; die Schnittebene ist dabei in Fig. 1a als strichpunktierte Linie A-A', die Blickrichtung durch Pfeile angedeutet.

Fig. 2

zeigt eine einfachere Ausführungsform eines ebenfalls als Bügeletikett ausgeführten erfindungsgemäßen Folienelements in der Draufsicht.

Fig. 3

zeigt ein ebenfalls als Bügeletikett ausgeführtes erfindungsgemäßes Folienelement in der Draufsicht, bei welchem die Überbrückungsschicht mehrfach unterbrochen ist und so zusätzlich das Recken definierter Zonen im Bereich der Aufhängelasche ermöglicht.

Fig. 4

zeigt ein weiteres als Bügeletikett ausgeführtes erfindungsgemäßes Folienelement in der Draufsicht, bei welchem die Überbrückungsschicht bis an den Rand der Aufhängelasche heranreicht und somit ein leichteres Ergreifen der Aufhängelasche durch deren Versteifung ermöglicht.

Fig. 5

zeigt ein weiteres als Bügeletikett ausgeführtes erfindungsgemäßes Folienelement in der Draufsicht, bei welchem sich die Überbrückungsschicht über einen Großteil der Aufhängelasche erstreckt und diese hierdurch verstärkt.

Fig. 6

zeigt ein ähnlich Fig. 5 ausgeführtes erfindungsgemäßes Folienelement, bei welchem in der Aufhängelasche eine weitere Trennlinie als zusätzliche Sicherung gegen Reißen vorgesehen ist.

Fig. 7

zeigt ein ähnlich Fig. 6 ausgeführtes erfindungsgemäßes Folienelement, bei welchem die Überbrückungsschicht die in der Aufhängelasche als Sicherung gegen Reißen vorgesehene Trennlinie überbrückt, nicht jedoch die Trennlinie, durch welche die Aufhängelasche vom restlichen Etikett abgeteilt ist.

Hereinafter, examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are purely schematic and not to scale. In particular, layer thicknesses of the illustrated film elements are greatly exaggerated for reasons of clarity. Corresponding elements are provided in the individual figures, where appropriate, with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 a

shows a film element according to the invention in plan view, which is designed as a self-adhesive ironing label

Fig. 1 b

shows a sectional view of the film element shown in Figure 1a; the sectional plane is in Fig. 1a as a dotted line A-A ', the viewing direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 2

shows a simpler embodiment of a likewise designed as a strap label film element according to the invention in plan view.

Fig. 3

shows a likewise carried out as a hanger label inventive film element in plan view, in which the bridging layer is interrupted several times and thus additionally allows the stretching of defined zones in the hanging tab.

Fig. 4

shows a further designed as a hanger label according to the invention foil element in plan view, in which the bridging layer reaches up to the edge of the suspension lug and thus allows easier gripping the suspension strap by the stiffening.

Fig. 5

shows a further designed as a hanger label according to the invention foil element in plan view, in which the bridging layer extends over a majority of the suspension tab and this reinforces this.

Fig. 6

shows a similar to FIG. 5 executed according to the invention foil element, wherein in the suspension lug another dividing line is provided as an additional safeguard against tearing.

Fig. 7

shows a similar to FIG. 6 executed inventive film element, wherein the bridging layer bridged in the Aufhängelasche provided as a safeguard against tearing dividing line, but not the dividing line, by which the suspension tab is separated from the rest of the label.

The inventive illustrated in Figures 1a and 1b, designed as a hanger label film element has a base layer 1 of a plastic film, from which the suspension tab 2 is pulled out. For this purpose, the suspension tab 2 is divided by means of stamped dividing lines 3 of the remaining base layer 1, and treated the underside pressure-sensitive adhesive coating 4 in the hanger 2 with a so-called adhesive killer, so that here is a non- or low-adhesion zone 5, while the remaining base layer 1 on the pressure-sensitive adhesive coating 4 can firmly adhere to a proper container. Instead of using an adhesive killer, others can be used take known measures to make the suspension tab 2 on the underside completely or predominantly non-adhesive or low-adhesion. For example, the pressure-sensitive adhesive coating 4 can be recessed in the corresponding area, overprinted or otherwise covered.

The mobility of the suspension lug 2 is, in order to ensure better dispensability, compared to the rest of the base layer 1 by the bridging layer 6, which is printed on the base layer 1 by punching the dividing lines 3 by means of preferably double screen printing on the latter. With a thickness of 3 .mu.m to a few tens of micrometers, the suspension loop can nevertheless be pulled out of the remaining base layer 1 without any problem using tools.

In order to serve in addition to the suspension function for the identification of the contents of the container to which the film element is adhered as intended, it is provided with a text imprint 7.

Fig. 2 shows a simply designed form of a hanger label, in which also a printed bridging layer 6 bridges the dividing line 3, by which the hanger tab 2 is defined.

Fig. 3 shows a similar Fig. 2 designed strap label, however, wherein the bridging layer 6 is interrupted across the longest extension of the Aufhängelasche 2 multiple times and reaches up to the dividing line 3 opposite edge of the suspension tab 2. This configuration makes it possible to elongate the hanging tab 2 defined at the positions where the bridging layer 6 is interrupted by stretching.

The stretching can preferably take place before or during, but also after the application of the film element. The hanging tab 2 bulges out thereby and is thus better tangible. Further, the defined elongation of the hanger tab 2 allows attachment of the foil member at a greater distance from the container bottom without causing problems in pulling the hanger tab 2 over the container bottom edge. Thus, on the one hand, the requirements for the accuracy of the Positioning of the film element on the container, on the other hand can also be intentionally provided a certain distance between the container bottom and film element, which is desirable, inter alia, for aesthetic reasons. Overall, the turnability of the suspension tab 2 over the container bottom is greatly improved by the elongation.

Also in the ironing label shown in Fig. 4, the bridging layer 6 extends to the edge of the suspension tab 2 opposite the parting line 3. As a result, the suspension tab 2 is reinforced and receives on the one hand a greater tear resistance, on the other hand more pleasant haptic properties.

The film element shown in Fig. 5 is designed as a hanger label with a particularly long suspension lug 2, which has two tab-like bulges 8, through which it is easier to grip. Since the bridging layer 6, which bridges the dividing line 3, extends into the tab-like bulges 8, these are relatively stiff and therefore easy to grip. Further, the bridging layer 6 covers almost the entire hanging tab 2, thereby giving it higher stability against tearing. Due to the large length of the dividing line 3 makes their bridging compared to conventional labels of the same blank particularly positively noticeable.

Further security against tearing receives the otherwise similar to Fig. 5 trained, shown in Fig. 6 label by an additional punching or slotting 13 in the suspension lug 2. This additional parting line 13 extends approximately parallel to the parting line 3 and acts Rißfortsetzung or cracking opposite. Such additional separating lines 13 can be regarded as force distribution elements which can divert forces along the weakening into uninjured material regions or distribute them to a larger force-absorbing surface area. Thus, the locally occurring maximum load is reduced. When cracked, the crack propagates only to the additional parting line 13 along which stress spikes are broken down, thereby reducing the stress on individual material segments. As a result, the force required for crack propagation increases, and the tensile strength of the foil member in the region of the suspension tab 2 increases. Furthermore, the additional dividing line 13 acts as a clearly defined tear stop, ie, as a predetermined crack end, when a crack should begin to spread from the edge of the grip tab 2.

The film element shown in Fig. 7 is designed similarly as in Fig. 6, the bridging layer 6 bridged here but only the additional parting line 13, but not the parting line 3, which defines the suspension tab.

Even if the bridging layer 6 is only partially executed in all figures, the base layer 1 according to the invention can also be coated over its entire area with the bridging layer 6.

In principle, the bridging layer 6 may consist of a wide variety of materials, in addition to ordinary printing ink, for example, braille ink or other conventional relief paints, as well as a wide variety of previously known printable compositions. Also advantageous may be flexible, thinly applied casting resins, for example made of polyurethane, which bring about particularly high stability and particularly pleasant haptic properties. Also particularly advantageous is an embodiment of the bridging layer 6 as an extrusion coating, for example made of PE or PP.

In multilayer film structures, the bridging layer 6 can also be arranged between two film layers.

Below, by way of example, an advantageous production process is briefly described, with which film elements according to the invention can be produced industrially from sheet-like initial material.

A specific for the formation of the base layer 1 plastic film web runs in the adhesive bond with a carrier of Abziehmaterial. Depending on the intended application, the plastic film web may be transparent or opaque. The adhesive bond is delaminated, whereupon the pressure of a Klebstoffkillers for generating non-adhesive zones 5 and possibly the pressure of a tax stamp for visually supported control of the subsequent manufacturing steps can take place. Alternatively, the pressure of the tax stamp can also be done before the delamination. After renewed Lamination of the plastic film web with the carrier can be printed with bright colors. Subsequently, the dividing line 3 is punched, which is at least partially overprinted with the bridging layer 6. Thereafter, a further punching done. Thus, it is particularly appropriate to punch the outer contour of the film element after printing the bridging layer 6, if the latter is to reach to the edge of the film element, as shown in Figures 3-7. If, on the other hand, the bridging layer 6 is printed here after punching the outer contour, then the bridging layer 6 can sometimes interfere with the final lattice take-off.

Instead of a film composite, the plastic film can shrink even without a carrier and, if appropriate, provided inline with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4.

A further advantageous variant provides that the bridging layer 6 is printed together with the adhesive killer, or that the adhesive killer itself forms the bridging layer 6. That under the area of the suspension lug 2 (fully or partially) as well as slightly beyond it and thus bridging the dividing line 3, the adhesive layer is overprinted. As a result, the production, compared to a separate pressure of the bridging layer 6 can be further reduced.

Claims (25)

Foil element, comprising a parting line (3) which is bridged at least partially with at least one bridging layer (6), which consists of a mass applied in a flowable state and subsequently solidified. A film element according to claim 1, wherein the bridging layer (6) extends only over part of the surface of the film element. A film element according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the composition is printed, sprayed or poured. A film element according to claim 3, wherein the composition consists at least partially of printing ink, lacquer, extruded polymer composition or polyurethane casting. A film element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bridging layer (6) has a thickness of at least 3 microns. A film element according to claim 5, wherein the bridging layer (6) has a thickness of at least 10 microns. A film element according to claim 6, wherein the bridging layer (6) has a thickness of at least 20 microns. A film element according to claim 7, wherein the bridging layer (6) has a thickness of at least 50 microns. Film element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bridging layer (6) occupies a thickness of at most 2 millimeters. Film element according to claim 9, wherein the bridging layer (6) has a thickness of at most 100 micrometers. Film element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the parting line (3) is a punching line or slit. Film element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the film element has a suspension tab (2) which is defined by the parting line (3). A film element according to claim 12, wherein the bridging layer (6) covers at least the major part of the suspension tab (2). Film element according to one of claims 12-13, wherein the film element in the region of the suspension lug (2) has a further parting line (13) which is at least partially bridged by the bridging layer (6). Film element according to one of claims 12-14, wherein the film element in the region of the suspension lug (2) is at least partially non-adhesive or low-adhesion on the underside. Film element according to claim 15, wherein the film element in the region of the suspension tab (2) is underside at least predominantly non-adhesive or weakly adhesive. Foil element according to one of the preceding claims, which is executed on the underside at least partially self-adhesive. Film element according to one of the preceding claims, which has only one plastic film layer (1). Film element according to one of the preceding claims, which is provided with text and / or character and / or code information (7). Process for producing a film element, wherein - a film (1) or a film composite is submitted, at least one parting line (3) is introduced into the film (1) or the film composite,
and - The dividing line (3) is at least partially bridged by applying a mass in a flowable state, which solidifies after application and forms a bridging layer (6). A method according to claim 20, wherein the composition is printed, sprayed or poured. A method according to any of claims 20-21, wherein the parting line (3) is slit or punched. Method according to one of claims 20-22, wherein the film (1) or the film composite is presented in web form. A method according to claim 23, wherein after the application of the mass (6) the film element is punched out of the web so that the punching takes place through the bridging layer (6) so that the bridging layer (6) reaches to the edge of the film element. A method according to any one of claims 23-24, wherein the method is carried out continuously or quasi-continuously in at least partially automated process.

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