JP7390215B2 - Label continuum and its uses - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a continuous label body in which a plurality of labels are repeatedly formed in the longitudinal direction.

Various types of labels are attached to articles, each displaying a desired design such as a product name, a picture, or an explanation. Examples of the label include a label that is attached to an article by heat shrinkage or self-expansion (hereinafter referred to as a cylindrical label), a label that is attached to an article by being wrapped around it (hereinafter referred to as a wrap label), a heat-sensitive adhesive, etc. 2. Description of the Related Art Labels that are attached to articles using adhesives (hereinafter referred to as adhesive labels) are known.
These labels are usually attached to articles using a labeler (label attaching machine). When attaching labels with a labeler, a continuous label body in which a plurality of labels are continuously connected is usually used.

The labeler cuts out one label from the label continuous body and attaches the label to the article depending on the type of label. When cutting a label from the label continuum, the labeler cuts out the label from the label continuum by reading the edge of the label design on one longitudinal side with a reading sensor (e.g., phototube sensor, camera, etc.). I try to cut out exactly one label. In particular, in order to make it easier to read the edge of the label design part with a reading sensor, a transparent part (non-design part) is usually provided between longitudinally adjacent label design parts. Since the label design part and the transparent part are provided alternately in the longitudinal direction, the reading sensor can accurately read the edge of the label design part (the boundary between the label design part and the transparent part on one side in the longitudinal direction).

The label design portion, which is a decorative portion of the label, is formed by printing colored ink on a film using various printing methods. Printing methods can be broadly divided into letterpress printing methods and intaglio printing methods.
The letterpress printing method is relatively inexpensive and has excellent printing suitability for films of various materials and thicknesses. Examples of the letterpress printing method include printing methods such as a flexo printing method and a rotary letterpress printing method. In particular, when a continuous label body is formed by a letterpress printing method, the flexo printing method is often used.

The flexographic printing method is a method of printing flexographic ink using a cylindrical plate having a cylindrical plate cylinder and a sheet-shaped printing plate wrapped around the plate cylinder. The printing plate has a letterpress. A plurality of independent small protrusions are formed on the surface of the letterpress. By rotating the cylindrical plate having the printing plate and bringing the film into contact with the surface of the relief plate, the colored ink adhering to the top surface of the small protrusions is transferred to the film to form a label design area. . In letterpress printing such as flexographic printing, ink transferred by the small protrusions adheres to the film in the form of halftone dots, and a predetermined color appears due to the aggregation of the plurality of ink halftone dots. Furthermore, many colors can be expressed by arranging and/or overlapping a plurality of ink dots of several colors and multiplying the ink dots of several colors.
In letterpress printing methods such as flexo printing, as the cylindrical plate rotates, the surface of the cylindrical plate contacts the film (the small projections of the letterpress contact the film), and the surface of the cylindrical plate contacts the film. Contact (leaving the film in recesses without relief) is repeated alternately. Regarding the relationship between the label design part and the transparent part of the film and the cylindrical version, the label design part formed by ink deposition corresponds to the letterpress version, and the transparent part without ink corresponds to the recessed part.

However, the label continuous body obtained by letterpress printing, in which the cylindrical plate is alternately brought into contact with the film and not contacted with the film as described above, is likely to cause the following problems.
In other words, as mentioned above, in letterpress printing, as the cylindrical plate rotates, contact between the small protrusions of the letterpress and non-contact with the recesses are repeated alternately. Since the small protrusions are located immediately after the recesses (immediately after non-contact), they tend to strongly contact the film. For this reason, the ink halftone dots transferred onto the film by the small protrusions located on the leading side in the rotational direction are often distorted and/or shifted from their original positions. In particular, when the letterpress containing small protrusions is made of a material that is relatively easily deformed, such as rubber, the small protrusions located at the leading edge in the rotational direction are likely to deform when they hit the film, and the ink Distortion and misalignment of halftone dots are likely to occur.

If the ink halftone dots are distorted or misaligned at the edges of the label design area, the edges may become vague in appearance, giving the viewer an overall vague impression, which may impair the appearance of the label.
Furthermore, when cutting out a single label from a label continuum, the edge of the label design part is read by a sensor and the label continuum is cut at a predetermined position, but as mentioned above, the edges are ambiguous. When a label design portion is formed, reading errors by the reading sensor are likely to occur.

An object of the present invention is to provide a label continuous body in which the edges of the label design portion are clearly expressed by letterpress printing, have a good appearance, and are less susceptible to reading errors by a reading sensor.

The label continuous body of the present invention includes a long strip-shaped film, a plurality of label design parts repeated in the longitudinal direction of the film, and a non-design extending in the transverse direction between the label design parts adjacent in the longitudinal direction. , each of the label design parts includes an ink printing part in which colored ink is letterpress printed, and the ink printing part includes a linear part to which the colored ink is adhered in a solid manner, and a linear part to which the colored ink is applied. a halftone dot section consisting of a set of a plurality of ink halftone dots attached in a halftone dot shape, and in order from the boundary section on one side of the label design section and the non-design section toward the boundary section on the other side, The linear portion and the halftone dot portion are provided.

When the colored ink, the linear part and the ink halftone dot part are referred to as the first ink, the first linear part and the first halftone dot part, in the preferred label continuous body of the present invention, each of the label design parts is The second ink printing part includes a second ink printing part that is letterpress printed with a second ink that is a colored ink different from the first ink, and the second ink printing part is a second linear part to which the second ink is adhered in a solid manner. , a second halftone dot portion consisting of a set of a plurality of second ink halftone dots to which the second ink is attached in a halftone dot shape, and from a boundary portion on one side of the label design portion and the non-design portion; The second linear portion and the second halftone dot portion are provided in order toward the boundary portion on the other side, and at least an area where the colors of the first halftone dot portion and the second halftone dot portion are combined is provided. have
In a preferred continuous label body of the present invention, the first linear portion and the second linear portion overlap.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cylindrical shrink label or a wrapped label using the label continuous body.

The label continuous body of the present invention has linear parts to which colored ink is adhered in a solid manner and halftone parts in order from the boundary part on one side to the boundary part on the other side between the label design part and the non-design part. This makes it difficult for the reading sensor to make an error when reading the position of the edge of the label design portion when cutting out the label from the label continuous body. Furthermore, the label obtained from the label continuous body of the present invention has sharp edges in the label design portion, and has a good appearance.

A plan view of the label continuum seen from the front side. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged plan view of FIG. 1; 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a further enlarged plan view of the square enclosure IV section indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2; 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4. FIG. A reference side view of a printing machine used in the label continuous body manufacturing process. (a) is a plan view of the first cylindrical version, and (b) is a perspective view thereof. An enlarged perspective view of a portion of the surface of a letterpress. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 9; FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the process of forming one row of continuous bodies from a continuous label body. A plan view of a continuum having one design row (single-row continuum) viewed from the front side. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a process of cutting out one wrapping label from a single-row continuous body in one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the process of attaching the wrapping label obtained from the single-row continuous body to an article. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a process of cutting out one wrapping label from a single-row continuous body in another embodiment. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the process of attaching the wrapping label obtained from the single-row continuous body to an article. FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a process of cutting out one wrapping label from a single-row continuous body in still another embodiment. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the process of attaching the wrapping label obtained from the single-row continuous body to an article. FIG. 7 is a reference perspective view showing a process of forming a cylindrical label from a single-row continuous body in still another embodiment. A perspective view of a cylindrical label (cylindrical shrink label).

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In this specification, the plan view shape refers to the shape when the film is viewed in the normal direction from the front side or the back side of the film. In addition, "first", "second", etc. are sometimes added to the beginning of a term, but this first, etc. is added only to distinguish the terms, and does not indicate their order or superiority. It has no special meaning. The numerical range expressed as "lower limit X to upper limit Y" means greater than or equal to the lower limit value X and less than or equal to the upper limit value Y. If a plurality of numerical ranges are listed separately, it is possible to select an arbitrary lower limit value and an arbitrary upper limit value and set "any lower limit value to an arbitrary upper limit value".
Furthermore, it should be noted that the dimensions, thickness, scale ratio, etc. of each component such as the printed section in each figure are different from the actual ones.

<Overview of label continuum>
FIG. 1 is a view of the continuous label body A seen from the front side, FIG. 2 is a plan view enlarging a portion of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view of the continuous label body A cut along the longitudinal direction. FIG.
In FIGS. 1 to 3, the label continuous body A of the present invention has a long strip shape when viewed from above.
In this specification, the long strip shape refers to a generally rectangular shape in a plan view where the length in the longitudinal direction is sufficiently longer than the width direction. The lateral direction is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal length of the long strip is, for example, 5 m or more, preferably 10 m or more.
The label continuous body A includes a long strip-shaped film 1, a plurality of label design parts 2 repeated in the longitudinal direction of the film 1, and a label design part 2 adjacent to the film 1 in the transverse direction of the film 1. It has a non-design part 3y extending to.

Each of the label design parts 2 includes an ink printing part in which a colored ink is letterpress printed, preferably a first ink printing part in which a first ink (colored ink) is letterpress printed, and a colored ink different from the first ink. It includes a second ink printing section in which second ink is letterpress printed.
The ink printing part has a linear part 4 to which colored ink is adhered in a solid manner, and a halftone part 5 consisting of a set of a plurality of ink dots to which the colored ink is adhered in a halftone dot shape.
The linear portions 4 and halftone dot portions 5 are provided in order from the border on one side of the label design portion 2 and the non-design portion 3y toward the border on the other side.
The ink printing section in this specification consists of an ink solidification section formed by letterpress printing colored ink on the film 1.
The label design section is a section that represents an image (design). The non-design portion is a portion where no image is displayed. The non-design portion is preferably transparent, more preferably colorless and transparent.

The label design portions 2 are repeatedly letterpress printed in the longitudinal direction of the film 1, and therefore, a plurality of label design portions 2 are arranged in the longitudinal direction. Two or more rows (design rows) of the plurality of label design parts 2 arranged in the longitudinal direction are arranged in the lateral direction of the film 1. Note that the lateral direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
A non-design part 3y extending in a strip shape in the transverse direction is formed between label design parts 2 adjacent in the longitudinal direction. If necessary, a non-design part 3t extending in a strip shape in the longitudinal direction may also be formed between label design parts 2 (design rows) adjacent in the transverse direction.
Hereinafter, the non-design part 3y extending in the transverse direction of the film 1 will be referred to as a "horizontal non-design part 3y", and the non-design part 3t extending in the longitudinal direction of the film 1 will be referred to as a "vertical non-design part 3t".
When a transparent film 1 is used, both the horizontal non-design portion 3y and the vertical non-design portion 3t become transparent portions.

<Film>
The film 1 is not particularly limited as long as it has flexibility and appropriate strength and rigidity. Film 1 may be transparent or opaque. Examples of the film 1 include synthetic resin films, paper, synthetic paper, foamed resin sheets, and laminates thereof.
Preferably, a transparent film is used, and more preferably a colorless and transparent film is used.
Here, "transparent" means placing arbitrary numbers (size 12 points) printed in black ink on white paper at a distance of 1 cm from the back side of the object, and placing a fluorescent light on the back side of the object. A condition in which the numbers can be identified from the surface side of the object by looking through it in a room that is illuminated. "Opaque" refers to a state in which the numbers cannot be discerned from the surface side under the same test conditions as above. As an indicator of transparency, for example, the total light transmittance is 70% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more. However, the total light transmittance is a value measured by a measurement method based on JIS K 7361 (Testing method for total light transmittance of plastic transparent materials) using a measurement target (transparent film).

As the film 1, a synthetic resin film is generally used, preferably a transparent synthetic resin film, more preferably a colorless and transparent synthetic resin film. The transparent film 1 is made by laminating a transparent layer (for example, a colorless and transparent barrier layer such as a silica vapor deposited layer, a colorless and transparent layer made of transparent varnish or transparent ink, etc.) on the synthetic resin film. It may be something that exists.
The material of the synthetic resin film is not particularly limited, and examples include polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, cyclic olefins, and copolymer polymers containing polyethylene, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid, polyamides, and polystyrenes. Can be mentioned.

Further, the film 1 may have heat-shrinkability and/or self-stretchability, or may have substantially no heat-shrinkability and self-stretchability. The heat shrinkability refers to the property of shrinking when heated to a predetermined temperature (eg, 70° C. to 100° C.). Self-stretchability refers to the property of stretching by applying a tensile force and then returning to its original state when the tensile force is released. In addition, as a film having substantially no heat shrinkability, for example, a film having a heat shrinkage rate of 5% or less in each of the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, preferably a film having a heat shrinkage rate of 3% or less in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. Can be mentioned.

When using a heat-shrinkable and/or self-stretchable film, the film may be heat-shrinkable and/or self-stretchable in the transverse direction, or heat-shrinkable and/or self-stretchable in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, it may be heat-shrinkable and/or self-expandable in the lateral and longitudinal directions.
Further, the film may be one that mainly heat-shrinks and/or self-expands in the lateral direction, or it may heat-shrink and/or self-expand in the longitudinal direction, or it may be equivalent in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction. It may also be heat-shrinkable and/or self-expanding.
In the illustrated example, a film 1 that is mainly heat-shrinkable in the longitudinal direction is used. The heat shrinkage rate of the film 1 in the main heat shrinkage direction (e.g., longitudinal direction) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20% or more, since it can be easily heat-shrinked and attached to articles having a relatively large diameter difference. , more preferably 30% or more, still more preferably 40% or more. The film 1 may be one that undergoes thermal change in a direction (for example, the transverse direction) perpendicular to the main direction of heat shrinkage, and the heat shrinkage rate in that direction is, for example, -3 to 15%, preferably 1. ~10%. A negative value in the heat shrinkage rate means heat elongation.

However, in this specification, the heat shrinkage rate is defined as the length (original length) of the film before heating (stored under standard conditions for 24 hours) and the length after being immersed in hot water at 90°C for 10 seconds and taken out. The length of the film (length after immersion) is measured under standard conditions, and calculated by substituting into the following formula. Note that the length of each film is measured under standard conditions. Standard conditions are 23° C., 1 atm, and 50% RH.
Heat shrinkage rate (%) = [{(Original length in the longitudinal direction (or transverse direction)) - (Length after immersion in the longitudinal direction (or transverse direction))}/(Longitudinal direction (or transverse direction) original length)]×100.

The thickness of the film 1 is not particularly limited. When a synthetic resin film is employed as the film 1, the thickness is, for example, 8 μm to 200 μm, preferably 10 μm to 100 μm.

<Label design department and non-design department>
The label design section 2 configures the design of one label. On the film 1, a set of arbitrary images (designs) are made into one design pattern (label design part 2), and the design pattern (label design part 2) is repeatedly printed in the longitudinal direction. If the plurality of label design sections 2 arranged in the longitudinal direction are defined as "design rows", only one design row may be provided in the transverse direction of the film 1, but usually two design rows are provided in the transverse direction. or more (multiple rows).
The design rows may be arranged in two or more rows in the transverse direction of the film 1, preferably three or more rows, more preferably four or more rows. The upper limit of the number of design columns is not particularly limited, and is determined based on the relationship between the length of the film 1 in the transverse direction and the length of the label design section 2 in the transverse direction.
In the example of FIG. 1, for convenience, a label continuum A is shown in which ten design rows are provided in the transverse direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the label design section 2 is provided on the front surface and/or the back surface of the film 1 so that the image (design) can be visually recognized from the front surface side of the film 1.
Since the film 1 is transparent, the label design section 2 is provided on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the film 1. From the viewpoint of preventing scratches, it is preferable that the label design part 2 is provided on the back surface of the film 1, as shown in FIG.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, the label design portion 2, which is visible when viewed from the front side of the transparent film 1, is represented by a solid line (the same applies to other plan views). Further, as the design of the label design section 2, abstract figures (three rectangles, the letter A, and a square) are shown for convenience.

A plurality of label design parts 2 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the film 1, and a horizontal non-design part 3y extends between adjacent label design parts 2 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the horizontal non-design portions 3y are arranged at predetermined intervals (the length of the label design portion 2 in the longitudinal direction) in the longitudinal direction in one design row when viewed from above. The horizontal non-design portions 3y adjacent in the transverse direction may be connected or may be independent. Preferably, as shown in the drawing, the lateral non-design portion 3y is in the form of a band in plan view that extends over substantially the entire length of the film 1 in the transverse direction. The horizontal non-design portion 3y can be said to be a dividing portion that optically separates the label design portions 2 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction from a mechanical point of view, or visually from a human visual point of view.
The lateral non-design portion 3y consists of a portion of the transparent film 1. That is, although the label design portion 2 is formed by printing colored ink on the transparent film 1, the portion on which the colored ink is not printed becomes the lateral non-design portion 3y.
The width of the lateral non-design portion 3y (the length of the lateral non-design portion 3y in the longitudinal direction of the film 1) is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably 4 mm to 8 mm.

A plurality of label design parts 2 (design rows) are arranged in the transverse direction of the film 1, but a vertical non-design part 3t extends between adjacent label design parts 2 (design rows) in the transverse direction. is present. Therefore, the vertical non-design portions 3t are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transverse direction (the length of the label design portion 2 in the transverse direction) in plan view. The longitudinal non-design portions 3t adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction may be connected or may be independent. Preferably, as shown in the drawing, the vertical non-design portion 3t is in the shape of a band in plan view extending over substantially the entire length of the film 1 in the longitudinal direction. The vertical non-design portion 3t can also be said to be a dividing portion that separates each label design portion 2 adjacent in the transverse direction.
The vertical non-design portion 3t consists of a portion of the transparent film 1. That is, the label design portion 2 is formed by printing colored ink on the transparent film 1, but the portion where the colored ink is not printed is the vertical non-design portion 3t.
The width of the vertical non-design portion 3t (the length of the vertical non-design portion 3t in the lateral direction of the film 1) is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 3 mm to 15 mm, preferably 5 mm to 10 mm.

In terms of the number of colors, the label design part 2 is formed by at least one colored ink (first ink), preferably two or more different colored inks (first ink and second ink), More preferably, it is formed using colored inks of three or more different colors (first ink to third ink). There is no particular upper limit to the number of colors of colored ink forming the label design section 2. However, considering that cylindrical plates corresponding to the number of colors must be prepared when manufacturing the label continuous body A, the number of colors is preferably 5 or less, and the number of colors is more preferably 4 or less.
In letterpress printing, macroscopic colors and patterns can be expressed by the size and density of colored ink dots (ink halftone dots) and the color of the colored ink. Regarding macroscopic colors, all colors can be expressed by using at least four colored inks of CMYK (first ink to fourth ink). The C stands for cyan, M stands for magenta, Y stands for yellow, and K stands for key plate.
In this specification, "macroscopic" refers to what is seen with the eyes of a standard adult with normal vision, and "microscopic" refers to what is seen through a magnifying glass (for example, 25 times magnification). .
The density of the halftone dots is approximately determined by the number of lines (number per inch) of the small protrusions on the relief plate of the cylindrical plate, and the size of the halftone dots is approximately determined by the size of the top surface of the small protrusions. However, during letterpress printing, when the ink on the top surface of the small protrusions of the letterpress is transferred to the film, the ink is spread out, so the shape of the ink halftone dot in plan view is larger than the top surface of the small protrusions. It often happens.

In addition, from the viewpoint of ink adhesion state, the label design section 2 has a halftone dot section 5 consisting of a set of a plurality of ink halftone dots to which colored ink is microscopically attached, and a halftone dot section 5 consisting of a set of a plurality of ink halftone dots to which colored ink is microscopically attached. It has a linear part 4 that is attached in a solid manner to. For example, when only one type of ink (first ink) is used as the colored ink, the label design portion 2 is formed from a collection of a plurality of ink halftone dots to which the first ink is microscopically attached in the form of halftone dots. It has a halftone dot portion 5 and a linear portion 4 to which the first ink is microscopically adhered in a solid manner. The linear portion 4 is provided at the boundary between the label design portion 2 and the lateral non-design portion 3y on one side of the film 1 in the longitudinal direction. The width of the linear portion 4 is not particularly limited, but if it is too large, it will be too noticeable in appearance, and if it is too small, it will be difficult to read with a reading sensor. From this point of view, the width of the linear portion 4 is preferably 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, more preferably 0.2 mm to 1 mm.
The halftone dot portion 5 is provided at least in a region adjacent to the linear portion 4 on the opposite side from the horizontal non-design portion 3y with respect to the linear portion 4 .

The ink dot area 5 refers to an ink solidification area where colored ink adheres in a dot shape and solidifies, and the linear area 4 refers to an ink solidification area where colored ink adheres in a line shape and solidified.
The halftone dot portion 5 microscopically consists of a set of a plurality of ink halftone dots, and macroscopically it is a portion where individual ink halftone dots cannot be visually recognized and the desired color appears. Microscopically, the linear portion 4 consists of an ink line in which ink is adhered in a linear shape (the linear shape can also be called a band shape), and macroscopically it is a portion that appears as a linear shape of a desired color.
Note that in the halftone dot area 5 which is made up of a set of a plurality of ink halftone dots, macroscopically and microscopically adjacent ink halftone dots are connected and the ink adheres in a solid manner due to the size and density of the ink halftone dots. In some cases, Even if the halftone dot portion 5 appears solid, it can be distinguished from the linear portion 4 in the plan view in that it is composed of individual ink halftone dots and that the thickness is not uniform.

In this embodiment, a label design part 2 formed from four colored inks (first ink to fourth ink) of CMYK will be explained as an example.
1 to 3, the design of the label design section 2 includes three rectangles (hereinafter referred to as the first to third pattern ranges a to c) and a shape shaped by the letter "A" (hereinafter referred to as the first to third pattern ranges a to c). 4 pattern range d), one square (hereinafter referred to as the 5th pattern range e), and the surroundings of these 1st to 5th pattern ranges a to e (hereinafter referred to as the background pattern range f) are represented. Let's take an example to explain the case.
In FIG. 2, in order to clearly represent the linear part 4, the halftone dot part 5, and the background pattern range f, the linear part 4 is marked with diagonal lines (diagonal line from the top left to the bottom right of the page), and the halftone part 5 is marked with a number of A small dot is added to the background pattern range f, and a thin diagonal line (a thin diagonal line from the upper right to the lower left of the page) is added to the background pattern range f.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, from the viewpoint of ink adhesion, the label design section 2 is composed of a linear section 4 and a halftone dot section 5. The linear portion 4 extends in the width direction on one side in the longitudinal direction (upper side in the drawing). The linear portion 4 constitutes an edge of the label design portion 2 on one side in the longitudinal direction. Note that, as shown in the figure, it is preferable that the linear portion 4 extends over the entire label design portion 2 (that is, the length of the linear portion 4 is equal to or smaller than the short side of the label design portion 2). (Although it is preferable that the length in the direction substantially coincides with the length in the direction), there may be a case where a small portion of the edge of the label design part 2 is not composed of the linear part 4 (that is, the linear part 4 is partially ).
The label design part 2 except for the linear part 4 is made up of halftone dot parts 5.

In terms of the type of colored ink and its adhesion, the label design section 2 has a first ink printing section that prints a first ink of one color (for example, cyan) by letterpress, and a first ink printing section that prints a first ink of one color (for example, cyan) and a first ink of a different color from the first ink (for example, magenta). a second ink printing section that is letterpress printed with a second ink of the same color, a third ink printing section that is letterpress printed with a third ink of a different color (for example, yellow) from the first ink and the second ink, and and a fourth ink printing section in which a fourth ink of a different color (for example, a key plate) from the third ink is letterpress printed.

The first ink printing portion includes a linear portion to which the first ink is adhered in a solid manner (hereinafter referred to as the first linear portion), and a first ink halftone dot to which the first ink is adhered in the form of a plurality of dots. (hereinafter referred to as the first halftone dot part) consisting of a set of halftone dot parts, and the first linear part and the first halftone dot part form the border on one side of the label design part 2 and the non-design part 3y. They are provided in order from one side toward the other side boundary. The first linear portion is provided at the boundary between the label design portion 2 and the horizontal non-design portion 3y on one side in the longitudinal direction. The first halftone dot portion is provided at least in a region adjacent to the first linear portion.
The second ink printing part includes a linear part (hereinafter referred to as a second linear part) to which the second ink is adhered in a solid manner, and a second ink halftone dot to which the second ink is adhered in the form of a plurality of dots. (hereinafter referred to as the second halftone dot part) consisting of a set of They are provided in order from one side toward the other side boundary. The second linear portion is provided at the boundary between the label design portion 2 and the horizontal non-design portion 3y on one side in the longitudinal direction. The second halftone dot portion is provided at least in a region adjacent to the second linear portion.
The third ink printing part includes a linear part to which the third ink is adhered in a solid manner (hereinafter referred to as the third linear part), and a third ink halftone dot to which the third ink is adhered in the form of a plurality of dots. (hereinafter referred to as the third halftone dot part), and the third linear part and the third halftone dot part form the border on one side of the label design part 2 and the non-design part 3y. They are provided in order from one side toward the other side boundary. The third linear portion is provided at the boundary between the label design portion 2 and the horizontal non-design portion 3y on one side in the longitudinal direction. The third halftone dot portion is provided at least in a region adjacent to the third linear portion.
The fourth ink printing section has a halftone dot section (hereinafter referred to as "fourth halftone dot section") consisting of a set of fourth ink halftone dots to which the fourth ink is adhered in the form of a plurality of halftone dots.
The label design section 2 has an area in which at least the colors of the first halftone dot section 51 and the second halftone dot section 52 are multiplied.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the rectangular box IV section indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. be. FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the linear portion 4 cut along the width direction, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the linear portion 4 and the background pattern range f. In FIG. 4, the middle part of the background pattern range f is omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the first to third linear portions 41 to 43 extend in the width direction. The first linear section 41 is provided directly on the film 1, the second linear section 42 is provided overlapping the first linear section 41, and the third linear section 43 is provided directly on the film 1. 42. 4 and 6, the second linear part 42 and the third linear part 43 overlap without protruding from the first linear part 41, but in reality, they overlap slightly in the longitudinal direction of the film 1. Please note that there may be misalignment and overlap.
The first halftone dot section 51, the second halftone dot section 52, and the third halftone dot section 53 are provided in the background pattern range f. In other words, the background pattern range f is composed of the first halftone dot section 51, the second halftone dot section 52, and the third halftone dot section 53, and has a desired color (the color obtained by multiplying the first to third inks). It is expressed. The background pattern range f is an area in which the colors of the first halftone dot section 51, the second halftone dot section 52, and the third halftone dot section 53 are multiplied.

In FIG. 4, the first halftone dot 61 is represented by a dotted line, the second halftone dot 62 is represented by a dashed line, and the third halftone dot 63 is represented by a solid line. In the illustrated example, the plurality of third halftone dots 63 in the background pattern range f have a large planar shape and are provided at high density, and the third halftone dot portion 53 consisting of a set of third halftone dots 63 is formed on the film 1. extends in the plane direction. The first halftone dots 61 and the second halftone dots 62 have a relatively small shape in plan view and are provided at low density. The plurality of first halftone dots 61 and second halftone dots 62 are each independently scattered at intervals in the surface direction of the film 1 . In this case, macroscopically, the background pattern range f appears to be a color in which the colors of the first ink and the second ink are multiplied, with the color of the third ink appearing strongly.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first pattern range a is, for example, composed of a first halftone dot portion 51 made up of a plurality of first halftone dots 61, and is expressed in a desired color (the color of the first ink). .

Although detailed diagrams such as those shown in FIG. 4 are omitted, the second pattern range b is composed of, for example, the second halftone dot portion 52 and is expressed in a desired color (the color of the second ink), and the third pattern range c is, for example, composed of the third halftone dot part 53 and expressed in a desired color (the color of the third ink), and the fourth pattern range d and the fifth pattern range e are composed of, for example, the fourth halftone dot part. and is expressed in the desired color (the color of the fourth ink).

The halftone dot portion 5 (background pattern range f) consisting of the first to third halftone dot portions 51 to 53 is adjacent to the linear portion 4 formed by overlapping the first to third linear portions 41 to 43. There is. The ink halftone dot does not exist in the horizontal non-design part 3y beyond one side edge of the linear part 4. Therefore, macroscopically, the one side edge of the linear part 4 is approximately a straight line. It is shaped and looks sharp.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, in the halftone dot area 5 (for example, the background pattern range f), a plurality of ink halftone dots 61 to 63 are connected in the surface direction of the film 1, and the ink is adhered in a solid manner. However, the solid shape of the halftone dot portion 5 made of a set of ink halftone dots is different from the solid shape of the linear portion 4 made of ink lines. Normally, the ink halftone dots 61 to 63 are thick at the center of the halftone dot and thin at the periphery of the halftone dot, as shown in FIG. Even if the ink is solid in the halftone dot portion 5 made up of such a collection of ink halftone dots, the thickness is uneven when viewed in a cross section taken in any direction through the halftone dot portion 5. . On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the linear portion 4 has a substantially uniform thickness when cut along the width direction. Even if the ink is adhered in a solid manner, the linear portions 4 and the halftone dot portions 5 are structurally different in this respect.

In the above, the linear part 4 is provided at the boundary between the label design part 2 and the horizontal non-design part 3y on one side in the longitudinal direction, but if necessary, the linear part 4 is provided in the boundary part between the label design part 2 and the horizontal non-design part 3y on one side in the longitudinal direction. A similar linear portion may be provided at the boundary between the horizontal non-design portion 2 and the horizontal non-design portion 3y. In this case, each edge of the label design part 2 on both sides in the longitudinal direction is constituted by a linear part 4.

Further, in the above, the first to third linear parts 41 to 43 are provided to overlap, but for example, the first linear part 41 and the second linear part 42 are arranged in the label design part 2 and the horizontal non-design part. They may be provided adjacently (in parallel) at the boundary of the portion 3y. Similarly, the first linear part 41 and the third linear part 43 may be provided adjacent to each other (in parallel) at the boundary between the label design part 2 and the horizontal non-design part 3y, and the second linear part 42 and the third linear portion 43 may be provided adjacently (in parallel) at the boundary between the label design portion 2 and the horizontal non-design portion 3y. Furthermore, the first to third linear parts 41 to 43 may be provided adjacent to each other (in parallel) at the boundary between the label design part 2 and the horizontal non-design part 3y.
Even when a plurality of linear parts are provided adjacent to each other, each linear part itself is clear, so the edges of the label design part 2 appear sharp. However, since the linear portions are provided overlapping each other as described above, the width of the linear portion 4 becomes smaller, so it looks sharper, and the reading accuracy of the reading sensor also improves. preferable.

<Method for manufacturing label continuum>
The label continuum A can be obtained, for example, by the following method. However, the label continuous body A of the present invention is not limited to that obtained by the following manufacturing method.
The label continuous body A is obtained by a process of conveying a long strip-shaped film 1 in the longitudinal direction, and a process of printing at least one ink (first ink) on the film 1 being conveyed to form a label design part 2. It will be done.
The printing method used to form the label design portion 2 is a letterpress printing method using a cylindrical plate in which a sheet-like printing plate is wound around a plate cylinder, and preferably a flexo printing method using the cylindrical plate. It is.

FIG. 7 shows the printing press 7. The white arrows in FIG. 7 indicate the transport direction of the film 1, and the thin arrows indicate the rotation direction of the cylindrical plate.
A printing machine 7 is arranged in the middle of feeding the film 1 in the longitudinal direction. The printing machine 7 has, for example, a cylindrical plate using a flexo printing method. As described above, when the label design section 2 consists of the first to fourth ink printing sections, four cylindrical plates (first cylindrical plate, second cylindrical plate, third cylindrical plate, and fourth cylindrical plate) are used. A cylindrical version) is provided.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the printing press 7 includes a center drum 71 that conveys the film 1, and a plurality of cylindrical plates (for example, a first to fourth cylindrical plates 81 to 84).
For example, the first cylindrical version 81, the second cylindrical version 82, the third cylindrical version 83, and the fourth cylindrical version 84 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the film 1. There is. Note that the arrangement of the first to fourth cylindrical plates 81 to 84 is not limited to this order and can be changed as appropriate.

The first to fourth cylindrical plates 81 to 84 are each provided with an anilox roll 72 and a doctor chamber 73. Ink adheres to the anilox roll 72 from the doctor chamber 73, the ink is transferred from the anilox roll 72 to the small protrusions of the letterpress of the cylindrical plate, and the ink is transferred to the film 1 from the small protrusions of the letterpress.
The cylindrical plates (first to fourth cylindrical plates 81 to 84) include a cylindrical plate cylinder, a sheet-shaped printing plate (first to fourth printing plates) wrapped around the plate cylinder, has. A sheet-like printing plate is, for example, a relief plate formed on a flexible sheet such as elastomer or rubber. The printing machine 7 including the plate cylinder, the sheet-like printing plate, the anilox roll 72 and the doctor chamber 73 may be those used in conventionally known flexo printing methods.

FIG. 8 shows a first cylindrical plate 81 for letterpress printing the first ink printing section of the label design section 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the small protrusions 812, 813, 814 formed on the surface of the relief plate 811 of the first cylindrical plate 81, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the relief plate 811 taken along the longitudinal direction (corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the film 1).
The first cylindrical plate 81 includes a cylindrical plate cylinder 816 having a support shaft 815, a sheet-shaped first printing plate 817 wrapped around the plate cylinder 816, and a joint between both ends of the first printing plate 817. and a joint adhesive 818 that fills the area.
The first printing plate 817 has a relief plate formed on its surface for printing the first ink printing portion.

The letterpress plates 811 of the first printing plate 817 wound around the plate cylinder are arranged in plurality (in the illustrated example, 10 rows) at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the plate cylinder 816 and at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the plate cylinder 816. ) is provided. The length in the circumferential direction and the length in the axial direction of the relief plate 811 of the first printing plate 817 are equal to the length in the longitudinal direction and the length in the lateral direction of the first ink printing part.
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, on the surface of the letterpress 811, there are elongated small protrusions 812 forming the first linear portions 41, dotted small protrusions 813, 814 forming the first ink halftone dots, is installed protrudingly. The elongated small protrusion 812 is a long and narrow strip-shaped protrusion extending in the axial direction of the first cylindrical version 81 (this direction corresponds to the transverse direction of the film 1). The long small protrusion 812 is arranged on the leading side of one letterpress 811 in the rotational direction. A plurality of dot-shaped small protrusions 813 and 814 are arranged inside the elongated small protrusion 812 . The number of lines (density) and the size of the top surface of the small protrusions are appropriately set in consideration of the design, color combination, etc. In the illustrated example, small dot-like protrusions 813 that print the first halftone dots 61 in the background pattern range f and small dot-like protrusions 814 that print the first halftone dots 61 in the first pattern range a are shown. The number of lines of the dot-like small protrusions 813 that print the first halftone dots 61 in the background pattern range f is smaller than the line number of the dot-like small protrusions 814 that print the first halftone dots 61 in the first pattern range a. The size of the top surface of the small projection 813 is smaller than the size of the top surface of the small projection 814.

The configuration of each of the second and third cylindrical plates 82 and 83 is approximately the same as that of the first cylindrical plate 81, except that the number of lines, size, and arrangement of the small dotted projections 813 and 814 are different. The same is true. The configuration of the fourth cylindrical version 84 is different from that of the first cylindrical version described above, except that the number of lines, size and arrangement of the dotted small protrusions 813 and 814 are different, and the elongated small protrusion 812 is not provided. The configuration is substantially the same as that of 81.

<<Transportation process>>
As shown in FIG. 7, a long strip-shaped film 1 is conveyed in the longitudinal direction.
When the film 1 is fed along the periphery of the center drum 71, letterpress printing is sequentially applied to the film 1 in a printing process to be described later.

<<Printing process>>
In the printing process, at least one ink (first ink) is printed on the film 1 to form the label design portion 2 .
For example, when forming the label design section 2 consisting of the first to fourth ink printing sections, referring to FIG. Through 84, the first to fourth ink printing parts are letterpress printed. The elongated small protrusions 812 print the linear portion 4, and the dotted small protrusions 813 print ink dots.
Generally, in letterpress printing, among the small protrusions of the letterpress, the small protrusions located on the leading side in the rotational direction come into strong contact with the film and tend to be easily deformed. In this respect, the cylindrical plate of the present invention is provided with a long small protrusion 812 on the leading side in the rotational direction, and the long small protrusion 812 is less deformable than the dot-like small protrusion 813, so the elongated small protrusion 812 The small protrusions 812 can form a clean linear portion 4 with less distortion.

Depending on the type of colored ink, each ink is cured by drying the ink or by irradiating it with ionizing radiation such as ultraviolet rays.
In this way, a label continuum A as shown in FIG. 1 is obtained. The obtained continuous label body A is usually wound up on a winding section having a core material 75.

<Use of label continuum>
The label continuum A of the present invention is used by removing individual labels from it.
Labels taken out from label continuum A are attached to articles, but if label continuum A has multiple design rows as described above, it is usually divided into continuums each having one design row. . Hereinafter, a continuum having one design row will be referred to as a "single row continuum."

Specifically, the continuous label body A wound into a roll is loaded into a cutting machine, and the continuous label body A is pulled out in the longitudinal direction to perform a so-called slitting process.
The slitting process is a process of cutting the label continuous body A along the longitudinal direction and dividing each design row adjacent to each other in the transverse direction.
As shown in FIG. 11, a cutting machine 76 for slitting the continuous label body A is disposed while the continuous label body A is being conveyed in the longitudinal direction. Examples of the cutting machine 76 include a slitter 76 having a flange-shaped blade 77 as shown in the figure, a cutter, a laser cutting machine, and the like.
The label continuous body A is cut along the longitudinal direction between design rows adjacent in the transverse direction so as to divide the label continuous body A into each row. In a continuous label body A provided with a vertical non-design portion 3t, the continuous label body A is usually cut along the longitudinal direction at the vertical non-design portion 3t. For example, from the label series A having 10 design rows, 10 single-row series B are obtained. Both sides A1, A2 (so-called ears) of the label continuous body A produced by the slitting process are discarded.
Note that the slitting process may be performed on the production line for the label continuous body A described above. In other words, even if the label design part 2 is printed on the printing machine 7 to produce the label continuous body A, and then the single-row continuous body B is produced by performing slitting (without winding it up into a roll). good.
In this way, a single-row continuous body B as shown in FIG. 12 is obtained. This single-row continuous body B also has label design portions 2 and horizontal non-design portions 3y arranged alternately and repeatedly in the longitudinal direction of a long strip-shaped transparent film 1.
The single-row continuous body B is also usually stored and transported in a rolled state.

One label is cut out from this single-row continuous body B and attached to an article.
The process of taking out a label from the single-row continuous body B (the process of manufacturing a label from the label continuous body) and the process of attaching the label to an article (label attachment process) are generally performed using a labeler.
Specifically, the single-row continuous body B wound into a roll is loaded into a labeler, pulled out in the longitudinal direction, and cut into each label design part 2.
As shown in FIG. 13, a reading sensor 78 is arranged while the single-row continuous body B is being conveyed in the longitudinal direction, and the reading sensor 78 is located at the edge of the label design section 2 (the label design section 2 and the horizontal non-design section 3y). The linear portion 4) extending to the boundary of the image is read. Examples of the reading sensor 78 include a phototube sensor, a camera, and the like.

In order to take out one label from the single-row continuous body B, the single-row continuous body B is cut along the width direction between the label design parts 2 adjacent in the longitudinal direction. Usually, the single-row continuous body B is moved along the width direction at any position in the horizontal non-design part 3y (near the edge of the label design part 2, near the center of the horizontal non-design part 3y, etc.). disconnect.
In FIG. 13, the cutting locations are indicated by thick arrows, and the cutting lines are indicated by broken lines. In this way, one label C is obtained.
Since the label continuous body A of the present invention is provided with the linear part 4 at the boundary between the label design part 2 and the horizontal non-design part 3y on one side in the longitudinal direction, when cutting the single row continuous body B, , the reading sensor 78 can accurately read the position of the edge (linear part 4) of the label design part 2. Therefore, by cutting the single-row continuous body B at a predetermined position, a designed label C can be obtained.

A labeled article is obtained by attaching the obtained label C to an article using a labeler.
For example, when the label C taken out from the single-row continuous body B is a wrapped label, as shown in FIG. After wrapping it around the article 9, as shown in FIG. By pasting), a labeled article D is obtained.
Since the label C obtained from the label continuous body A of the present invention is provided with the linear portion 4, the edges of the label design portion 2 appear sharp and have a good appearance.

Furthermore, when cutting out a label from the single-row continuous body B (label continuous body), the cutting is not limited to the case where the label is cut at any position within the horizontal non-design portion 3y, for example, within the plane of the label design portion 2. However, the label design portion 2 may be cut near the edge. FIG. 15 illustrates a case where cutting is performed within the plane of the label design part 2 and near the edge of the label design part 2. In FIG. 15, the cutting locations are indicated by thick arrows, and the cutting lines are indicated by broken lines. The obtained label C includes a linear part 4 and a lateral non-design part 3y, and includes a part 2a near the edge of the label design part 2 facing the linear part 4 with the lateral non-design part 3y in between. . In FIG. 15, the edge vicinity portion 2a is shaded. As shown in FIG. 16(a), one end C1 of this label C is pasted on an article 9 such as a container, and after wrapping the label around the article 9, as shown in FIG. 16(b). Then, attach the back side of the other end C2 to the front surface of one end C1. At this time, the label C may be attached so that the other end C2 covers the linear part 4 (as well as the edge vicinity part 2a and the lateral non-design part 3y) on the one end C1 side. In the thus obtained labeled article D, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the linear portion 4, which is a sharp design edge, is hidden. Therefore, it is possible to configure another labeled article D that gives a different impression from the labeled article D shown in FIG. 14(b).

Further, as described above, the linear part 4 is provided at the boundary between the label design part 2 and the horizontal non-design part 3y on one side in the longitudinal direction, and furthermore, the linear part 4 is provided at the boundary on the other side in the longitudinal direction. 4' may be provided.
FIG. 17 shows a single-row continuous body B obtained by slitting a continuous label body in which linear portions 4, 4' are provided at the boundary portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction. One label C can also be obtained from this single-row continuous body B by cutting it at any position in the horizontal non-design portion 3y or near the edge of the label design portion 2, as described above.
For example, as shown in FIG. 17, when a single-row continuous body B (label continuous body) in which linear portions 4, 4' are provided at the boundaries on both sides in the longitudinal direction is cut near the edge of the label design part 2. (The cut points are indicated by thick arrows and the cutting lines are indicated by broken lines). The obtained label C includes two linear parts 4, 4' and a horizontal non-design part 3y, and the two linear parts 4, 4' face each other with the horizontal non-design part 3y in between. As shown in FIG. 18(a), one end C1 of this label C is pasted on an article 9 such as a container, and after wrapping the label around the article 9, as shown in FIG. 18(b). Then, attach the back side of the other end C2 to the front surface of one end C1. At this time, the label C may be attached so that the other end C2 covers the linear parts 4, 4' (and the horizontal non-designed part 3y) on the one end C1 side. In the thus obtained labeled article D, the linear parts 4 and 4', which are the sharp design edges, are hidden, as shown in FIG. 2(b).

Note that when the label taken out from the single-row continuous body B is a stick-on label, although not particularly shown, the heat-sensitive adhesive is heated to develop adhesive properties and then stuck to the article.
Further, in the case of a cylindrical label, as shown in FIG. 19, the single-row continuous body B is formed into a cylindrical shape with its short side being the circumferential direction and its back surface being inward. Thereafter, by cutting the single-row continuous body B formed into a cylindrical shape into parts for each design, a heat-shrinkable or self-stretchable cylindrical label E as shown in FIG. 20 is obtained. For example, when a heat-shrinkable film 1 is used, a cylindrical shrink label E is obtained from the single-row continuous body B. In addition, in the above embodiment, the film 1 that mainly heat-shrinks in the longitudinal direction or the film 1 that mainly self-expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction is exemplified, but in the case of a cylindrical label, the film 1 mainly heat-shrinks in the transverse direction. The film 1 or the film 1 that mainly self-stretches and contracts in the transverse direction is used.
The obtained cylindrical label E (for example, a cylindrical shrink label) is used by attaching it to any suitable container. Since the cylindrical label E is provided with the linear part 4, the edges of the label design part 2 look sharp even after being attached to the container, and the appearance is good.
Furthermore, by attaching the cylindrical label E to the article so that the portion corresponding to the linear portion 4 is located on the rib or bottom of the container, the linear portion 4 can be made less noticeable in terms of appearance. can.

A Label continuous body B Single row continuous body C Label 1 Film 2 Label design part 3y Non-design part 4 Linear part 41 First linear part 42 Second linear part 5 Halftone dot part 51 First halftone dot part 52 Second halftone area

Claims (5)

A long strip-shaped film,
a plurality of label design parts repeated in the longitudinal direction of the film;
a non-design part extending in the transverse direction between the label design parts adjacent in the longitudinal direction;
Each of the label design parts includes an ink printing part that performs letterpress printing of colored ink,
The ink printing part has a linear part to which the colored ink is adhered in a solid manner, and a halftone part consisting of a set of a plurality of ink halftone dots to which the colored ink is adhered in a halftone dot shape,
A continuous label body, wherein the linear part and the halftone dot part are provided in order from a boundary part on one side of the label design part and the non-design part toward a boundary part on the other side. When the colored ink, the linear part and the ink halftone dot part according to claim 1 are referred to as the first ink, the first linear part and the first halftone dot part,
Each of the label design parts includes a second ink printing part in which a second ink, which is a colored ink different from the first ink, is letterpress printed;
The second ink printing portion includes a second linear portion to which the second ink is adhered in a solid manner, and a second mesh consisting of a set of a plurality of second ink halftone dots to which the second ink is adhered in a halftone dot shape. a dot portion, and the second linear portion and the second halftone dot portion are provided in order from a boundary portion on one side of the label design portion and the non-design portion toward a boundary portion on the other side. and
The label continuum according to claim 1, having at least an area in which the colors of the first halftone dot part and the second halftone dot part are multiplied. The continuous label body according to claim 2, wherein the first linear portion and the second linear portion overlap. A cylindrical shrink label using the label continuous body according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A wrap-around label using the label continuous body according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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