GB2482152A - Leaflet label with opening tab formed by deadening or removing adhesive - Google Patents

Abstract

A leaflet label assembly 10 for applying to a product 200 comprises a base label 2, an additional label component, e.g. a leaflet or booklet, and an overlaminate 8. An opening tab 16 is formed on the base label by deadening, deactivating or removing the adhesive on that part of the base label so that the tab does not adhere to the product. The tab is preferably further defined by a die cut 24 or perforation through the base label. The tab is adhered to the overlaminate 8, and the overlaminate separably adheres to that part of the base label between the tab and the label component 6 to which a release varnish 26 is applied. A method for producing such a label comprises the steps of providing a base label having a tab, coating the base label with an adhesive such that the area corresponding to the tab is free from adhesive of has an adhesive deadener applied, providing a layer of release coating on a part of the upper surface of the base label, applying a label component and applying an overlaminate.

Description

LEAFLET LABEL WITH OPENING TAB AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

The present invention relates to a label with a non-adhesive tab which is grasped to provide easy access to a "leaflet" label, and a method for producing the same.

In particular, the invention relates to a self-adhesive multi-laminar label arrangement comprising a carrier substrate, generally in the form of a self-adhesive base label, for one or more additional layers. The additional layers may include leaflets or booklets including information relevant to the product to which the label is to be applied.

In the current market conditions, there is a growing requirement to provide consumers with increased product information. This need can stem from legal requirements (for example for pharmaceutical products), and for exported goods, the requirement is to provide repeats of the same information in various languages. The need for information has been addressed by providing "leaflet" labels, in which infonnation provided on a self adhesive product label is supplemented with a folded leaflet carried on the base label.

An arrangement with a self-adhesive cover, or "over laminate" layer is provided over the leaflet to both protect the leaflet, and hold the leaflet in place by adhering directly to the base label at each side of the leaflet.

One end of the base label is provided with a layer of release coating on the upper surface, in order to gain access to the information contained in the leaflet by peeling back the self adhesive over laminar material from the support label.

Known methods can provide access to the leaflet's contents by providing a non-adhesive tab to assist the user in finding the "end" of the over laminate, and open the label but these can involve specialist equipment, additional steps in the process, are costly, or not effective.

In particular a tab can be formed by extending the front page of the leaflet or booklet, which is either die-cut before folding or cut-out on a folding machine using specialist equipment. This additional operation increases the cost of the leaflet or booklet and makes feeding for subsequent operations difficult due to the uneven edge.

Another method used to provide a tab is to produce it as part of a separate label and overlabel the die-cut base material. The separate label is positioned in the label gap of the die-cut base material, before overlaminating the web overall with self adhesive material and die cutting again. This method involves the additional cost of a separate overlabel and may also be applied on an off line system.

Yet another method is to kill the adhesive on one corner of the self adhesive overlaminate material by printing a deadening varnish or ink. This is usually done by printing on an area of the silicone coated release backing material so that the ink/varnish will transfer to the adhesive of the overlaminate material, when applied. This is not as effective as printing directly onto the adhesive of the overlaminate material because of the difficulty of printing onto a silicone coating. However to print directly onto the adhesive of the overlaminate material would require a separate operation and a system to register the printed overlaminate to the base material in the correct position.

Our UK Patent Application Number: 0813311.8, published as GB 2462077A describes another method whereby an over laminate encloses a leaflet on a self adhesive base label. A tab is formed from a part the base label of an adjacent label as they are being produced in series along a web of material. The adhesive of the base label in the region of the tab is neutralised. The overlamintate extends beyond the leaflet, base label and over the tab and releasably adheres to the product with the tab allowing the overlaminate to be peeled back. While this arrangement simplifies manufacture and works well when the label is applied to a product or container made from a hard plastic material, such as HDPE, with the tab allowing the overlaminate to be peeled back, when the label is applied to a flat surface, or cardboard product, such as a carton, it works less well. This is because the adhesive on the underside of the overlaminate will release from the hard plastic of the container, but the adhesive on the underside of the overlaminate can cause fibre tear of the carton When opened.

Other examples of prior leaflet arrangements are described in EP0506202; GB2303351; EP08332951; WO 00/23970; GB2341166; WO 9748085; US5234735; U86620275; US2002/122910, ; and WO01/88886.

It is desirable to provide an improved label, and method of making such a label which addresses the above described problems and/or which more generally offers improvements or an alternative to existing arrangements.

According to the present invention there is therefore provided a label assembly as described in the accompanying claims. There is also provided a method of making a label assembly as further described in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of a first aspect of the invention there is provided a label assembly for applying to a product. The label assembly comprises a base label, a label component (for example leaflet or booklet), and an overlaminate. At least a portion of the base label extends beyond an edge of the label component. The overlaminate overlies the label component and a portion of the base label extending beyond an edge of the label component. The label further comprises a tab comprising a separable part of the portion of the base label extending beyond an edge of the label component. The tab is adhered to the overlaminate, but does not substantially adhere to the product, and the overlaminate separably adheres to a remainder of the portion of the base label extending beyond an edge of the label component.

Preferably at least part of an underside of the base label which is coated in adhesive. There is preferably substantially no adhesive on the underside of the tab of the base label, and/or the adhesive on the underside of the tab of the base label is substantially deactivated.

The tab is preferably cut or perforated from base label. Preferably the tab comprises a corner portion of base label.

At least part of an underside of the overlaminate is coated in adhesive.

Preferably a release varnish is applied to at least a remainder of the portion of the base label extending beyond an edge of the base label to which the overlaminate separably adheres.

The label component preferably overlies base label. A portion of the base label preferably also extends beyond an opposite edge of the label component. The overlaminate preferably extends beyond and opposite edge of label component and adheres to the portion of the base label extending beyond opposite edge of the label component.

In an embodiment of a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for producing a label assembly comprising the steps of: providing a base label having a tab comprising a separable part of the portion of the base label; coating at least part of an underside of the base label with an adhesive, wherein there is substantially no adhesive on the underside of the tab of the base label and/or the S adhesive on the underside of the tab of the base label is substantially deactivated; providing a layer of release coating on a part of an upper surface of the base label except in the region of the tab; applying a label component to the base label such that at least a portion of the base label and tab extends beyond an edge of the label component; applying an overlaminate having an adhesive over the label component and the portion of the base label extending beyond an edge of the label component and tab; and adhering the overlaminate to the tab and to a part of the part of the upper surface of the base label provided with release coating to thereby separably adhere the overlaminate to the base label, the layer of release coating being provided on part of an upper surface of the base label extending beyond the edge of the label component.

Preferably the underside of the base label is coated with adhesive, and a deadening varnish or ink is applied onto the adhesive to neutralise the adhesive in the area corresponding to the tab.

The base label may comprise a self adhesive base label carried on a release backing, and the method ftu'ther comprises delaminating the base label from the release backiiig; applying a deadening varnish or ink onto the adhesive to neutralise the adhesive in the area corresponding to the tab, and relaminating the face material and release backing together again.

The method preferably further comprises cutting or perforating the tab from the base label, Preferably the method comprises cutting a plurality of label assemblies from a web of the base label material forming the base labels, and a web of overlaminate applied on top of the base material web and a plurality of label components applied thereon.

According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention a base label on a part of which is placed a booklet element is then secured to the base label by an overlaminate extending over the top of the booklet and beyond a spine edge of the booklet to a portion of the base label thereby attaching the booklet at least at the spine edge at the base iabel. The base label also extends towards the open end of the leaflet / booklet with this portion of the base label being coated with a release varnish such that the overlaminate extending over this extended portion of the base label, and beyond the open end of the booklet, attaches to this portion of the extended base label to keep the booklet closed. In addition a corner portion (although it could be any portion) of the extended base label beyond the open end of the booklet is cut such that it can be separated from the remainder of the base label. This corner portion has adhesive kill / no adhesive on its reverse side such that it does not attach to the product to which the label is applied. This corner portion is therefore liftable from the product and the base label about the cuts to assist peeling back the overlaminate from the extended portion of the base to then open the leaflet / booklet.

The corner portion does not include release varnish on its face and is therefore securely attachel to the overlaying overlaminate.

According to yet another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for producing labels comprising the steps of: providing an elongate support web on a release backing web; delaminate the face material with adhesive on reverse side from the release backing; print a deadening varnish or ink onto the adhesive to neutralise the adhesive in the area required; relaminate the face material and release backing together again; turn the web over to print onto the face material and provide a layer of release coating on the upper surfac die cutting the surface of the support web to provide a succession of cuts along the length of the web in register with the adhesive kill areas on the reverse; disposing a succession of discrete label components in registration with a respective base portion; covering the support web with a web of a self-adhesive laminar material which is adhered by its self-adhesive surface over the label components and base portion; cutting through the self-adhesive laminar material, and the support web so as to form a succession of labels each one of which has a label component adhered to the base portion by the laminar material at each side, and having the base label adhered to the release backing web, except in the region of the adhesive kill used to create the opening tab.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following Figures in which: Figure 1 is an exploded schematic cross sectional illustration on section X-X of the label shown in Figure 7; Figure 2 is a schematic cross sectional illustration on sections X-X of the label shown in Figure 7; Figures 3 to 7 are schematic illustrations of various steps in producing a label according to an embodiment of the invention, with the finished label shown in Figure 7; and Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a production line system for producing labels in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the Figures a label assembly 10 for applying to a product 200 comprises a base label 2 upon which is located an additional label component 6, for example a multi-laminar folded leaflet or booklet or other component, a tab portion 12 formed from a portion of the base label 2, and an adhesive overlaminate layer 8. The label assembly 10 is carried on a release backing 1 prior to being applied to the product 200.

The base label 2 is preferably formed from a self-adhesive laminar base label stock having adhesive 4 on one side and which is carried on a web of release backing I. The adhesive adheres the base label 2 to the release backing 1, and to the product 200 when the label 10 is in use applied. The facing side of the base label may optionally be printed with information or other details (not shown). In particular the tab 12 portion of the base label may be printed with opening instructions or an opening symbol, to allow a user to identify the tab 12. A portion of the adhesive layer 4 underside of the base label corresponding to the tab portion 12, is printed with adhesive kill comprising deadening varnish or ink 14 to neutralise or at least substantially reduce the effectiveness of the adhesive in this area 16 corresponding to the tab portion 12. Alternatively the adhesive 4 in this area may be removed 16 by other means. In other embodiments rather than using a self adhesive label stock, adhesive 4 may be applied to the base label 2 in a separate operation, and omitted from this area 16 however this is likely to be more complex.

The label component 6 is preferably a printed multi laminar leaflet in either a booklet or folded format, and provides additional area upon which printed information can be provided. The label component has an open edge 9 from which the booklet or leaflet is open Ip access the inside sheets, and an opposite spine or folded edge 7. In other embodiments the label component 6 may comprise other elements to be applied and secured to the label assembly 10, and product 200. The label component 6 is preferably located on and carried by the base label 2, with an open edge portion 18 of the base label 2 extending beyond the open edge 9 of the label component 6, and preferably a further spine portion 20 of the base label 2 extending beyond the spine edge 9 of the label component 6.

As shown the label component 6 is generally centrally mounted across the lateral width of the base label 2.

The overlaminate layer 8 typically comprises a clear film, but may be opaque, of plastic, but may be formed from paper with an adhesive coating 22 on the underside. The adhesive coating 22 can be a peelable adhesive, but is preferably a permanent adhesive that when it attaches to the release varnish as discussed below can re-adhere when peeled back.

The upper facing side of the overlaminate may also be printed. Such adhesives 22, and overlaminate materials are well known to those skilled in the art. The overlaminate 8 is applied on top of the label component and base label 2, and extends over the open edge portion 18 of the base label and preferably also over the spine edge portion 20 of the base label 2 to thereby cover the label component 6. The adhesive 22 adheres the overlaminate to the spine edge and open edge portions 18,20 of the base label to thereby secure the label component 6 to the base label 2 and keep the label component 6 closed. In other embodiments the label component 6 may itself be directly adhered to the base label 2, and in such cases the base label, and/or overlaminate does not need to extend beyond the spine edge 6 and the spine edge portion may be omitted, with the overlaminate 8 and base label 2 simply extending beyond the open edge 9 of the label component 6 and over the open edge portion 18.

The tab 12 comprises part of the open edge portion 18 of the base label 2 corresponding to the are 16 wherein the adhesive 4 of the base label has been deactivated.

In the preferred embodiment the tab 12 is defined by a die cut 24 (Figure 5) from the remainder of the open edge portion 18 of the base label prior to applying the overlaminate 8 and also preferably prior to mounting the label component 6. The die cut 24 is preferably aligned with the deactivated area 16 of the base label 2. The die cut 24 may be a substantially continuous cut substantially all around the tab 12 substantially separating the tab 12 form the remainder of the edge portion of the base label 2. A small connection between the tab 12 and the remainder of the base label 2 may however be left to at least temporarily locate the label with the remainder of the base label 2. The tab 12 may also or instead extend slightly beyond the area of deactivated adhesive 16, and/or the deactivated adhesive may not ftilly deactivate the adhesive 4 so that the tab 12 is retained by the adhesive on the release backing 1 at least until the overlaminate 8 is applied. Alternatively the die cut 24 may be a perforated cut allowing tab 12 to detach in use form the remainder of the edge portion 18. Alternatively, but less preferably, no die cut 24 may be provided and the tab 12 portion, in use is then simply torn form the remainder for the edge portion, in use.

The tab 12 is preferably located in the corner of the base label and open edge portion 18 and comprise only a small part of the edge portion. The tab 12 may however be located elsewhere along the open edge portion 18, although preferably at an edge so that it can be accessed, and may be of any size and shape. Prior to applying the overlarninate 8 the face of the edge portion 18 of the base label is printed with a release varnish 26. The release varnish 26 is printed preferably over the entire, or at least the substantial portion, of the edge portion 18 for the base label 2, except in the area corresponding to the tab 12, as shown in Figure 4, Release varnish 26 is not applied to the spine edge portion 20 of the base label 2. Accordingly when the overlaminate 8 is applied the overlaminate 8 securely, and preferably permanently adheres to the spine edge region 20 of the base label 2 and tab 12 of the opened edge portion 18 of the base label 2 where there is no release varnish 26.

In the remainder areas of the open edge portion 18 of the base label 2 with the release varnish 26 the overlaminate adhesive 22 only particularly and separably adheres, to secure the label component 6 closed but and can be released an peeled away and back from the reminder of the edge portion 18 to access and open the label component 6. The tab 12 is thereby permanently secured and attached to the overlaminate 8, while the overlaminate 8 separably adheres to the remainder of the open edge portion 18 of the base label 2.

When the label assembly 10 is applied to a product 200 the adhesive 4 on the base label 2 adheres the label 10 to the product 200 except in the areas 16 where the adhesive 2 has been deactivated 16 and tab 12 area. The tab 12 therefore does not substantially adhere to the product 200 and can be easily lifted from the product 200 lifting the overlaminate 8 attached thereto. As the tab 12 is lifted from the product 200 the tab 2 separates preferably along the die cut lines 24 or is torn away from the remainder for the edge portion 18 of the base label 2. The overlaminate 8 extending over the remainder of the edge portion 18 of the base label 2 also readily peels away and separates from the release varnish 26 covering the edge portion 18, thereby releasing the open edge of the label component 6 and allowing the label component 6 to be opened and accessed. The label 10 can then be closed and resealed by folding back the overlaminate 8 over the edge portion 18 for the base label 2 with the adhesive 22 then resealing and re-adhering to the release varnish 26 on the remainder of the edge portion 18 and the tab 12 being located back in place. The tab 12 thereby provides access to assist a user in opening the label 10 and accessing the label component 6. In addition since the portion of the overlaminate 8 which is peeled back adheres to the open edge portion 18 of the base label 2, which is coated with release varnish 26, rather than to the product 200 there is no risk of tearing or damaging the product as the overlaminate adhesive 22 pulls away. This edge portion 18 of the base label 2 thereby protects the product 200 from the overlaminate adhesive 22.

The label assembly 10 is preferably produced on an inline production line system, but could be fabricated off line' in separate stages/operations. Figure 8 shows an embodiment of a production line system 100 for producing the label assemblies 10, and Figures 3 to 7 show various stages in the production of the label assemblies 10. Tn figures 3 to 5 the outline 30 of the base label 2 is shown in phantom to simply assist in understanding the location of the elements.

In the method and production line 100, a succession of label assemblies 10, and base labels 2 are produced and cut from an elongate web of self-adhesive laminar base label material stock 102, comprising a laminar sheet of base label material 103 with an adhesive coating 4 on its underside which is adhered to and carried on the backing release material 1, for example silicone coated release material. The base label material 103 is may be already printed with the base label 2 detail, although in other embodiments it is preferably unprinted, and is then printed with the base label detail consecutively with the printing of the release varnish as discussed below. A reel 104 of the elongate web of self-adhesive laminar base label material 102 is unwound with the release backing material 1 uppermost.

The self-adhesive laminar base label material 103 is separated (delaminated) from the release backing material I in a delaminating station 106. Tn a printing station 108 the deadening varnish or ink is then printed onto the adhesive coating on the underside of the base label material 103 to neutralize (kill) the adhesive in specific areas 16 as shown in Figure 3. These areas 16 correspond to, but as shown may extend beyond the areas that will from the tabs 12. It will of course be appreciated that these areas and bands may be of any required shape and size according to the particular label design and requirements, and in particular in order to make printing and the manufacturing steps as easy and simple as possible. It will also be appreciated that in other embodiments the laminar sheet of base label material 103 and release backing I could be supplied from separate rolls and the adhesive 4 then only applied to the required regions, omitting applying adhesive 4 in areas corresponding to the neutralized areas 16. This would omit the requirement to delaminate the self-adhesive laminar base label material and stock 102. However such stock is readily available and separately applying the adhesive and providing separate rolls of material with selective application of adhesive 4 is less preferred.

The base label material 103 with an adhesive coating 4 and neutralized adhesive areas 16 is then joined back together (relaminated) with the release backing I in a relamihating station 11 0, reforming (or in the alternate embodiment forming) the elongate web of self-adhesive laminar base label material 102 before being turned over through a web turner 112 so that an upper surface of the web and base label material 103 can be printed on it's upper facing side with regions release varnish 26, as shown in figure 4, in a printing station 114. The release varnish 24 is similarly applied in registration with the area that will form the base label 30 and more specificity in registration with the area that will form the tab 12 and neutralised area 16 on the underside of the base label material 103. In addition preferably the base label details are printed on the facing surface, and any details for the tab 12, consecutively in printing station 114.

The web 102 is then passed through a first roller die cutting station 116, where the die cUe24 defining the tab 12 is cut through to the release backing material I as shown in Figure 4.

Label components 6, typically in the form of folded booklets or multi-laminar sheets, are loaded into a hopper feed unit 126 which applies the sets of label components 6 in registration with the location of the base labels 2 as shown in Figure 5. The label components 6 may extend beyond the area that will form the actual base label 2, but are located at the correct spacing and in registration with the die cut 24 defining the location of the tab 12.

The elongate web then passes to an overlaminate application station 128 at which the layer of self-adhesive, preferably clear, overlaminate 8 from a supply roll 132 and having adhesive 22 on an underside surface is applied on top of and pressed by application rollers 134 onto the top of the label components 6, and base label material 103. The self-adhesive overlaminate 8 adheres to the label components 6, and base label material 103 and permanently attaches in the regions where no release varnish 26 have been applied (for example the spine edge 20, and tab 12), and selectively peelably adheres in the regions covered with the release varnish 26 (remainder of open edge portion 18).

The composite combined web 102, label components 6 and overlaminate 8 is then fed to a second cutting station 136, comprising a second rotary die-cutter 138. The die-cutter 138 is adapted to cut the labels 10 as shown by line 32 through the overlaminate, H label component 6 and base label 2 layers up to the release sheet web 1, so as to form a succession of completed labels 10, each of which includes a label component 6 which is adhered to the base label 2 by the overlaminate 14.

After the second die cut 32 and cutting station 136, the waste material 142 surrounding each label 10 is removed with the waste overlaminate surrounding each label onto a take-up roll 144. The finished label assemblies 10 on the web of release sheet 1, are shown in Figure 7. The finished label assemblies 10 are then wound onto a supply roll 146 for subsequent use and application to a product 200.

Subsequently the labels 10 on the supply roll 146 are removed from the backing material 1 as the supply reel 146 is unwound and are then applied to products 200 using conventional labelling machinery, with the base label 2 adhering to the outer surface of the product 200.

While in this embodiment the apparatus and method comprises an in4ine' production line arrangement, and this is the preferred arrangement, it will be appreciated that the various steps could be carried out separately in separate discrete operations and steps. There are also a number of other detailed modifications that could be made to the method and apparatus, in particular for example the number of labels produced across the web 102 could be varied, the application and neutralizationlremoval of the adhesive could be varied, and different specific materials could be used, amongst other variations. The self adhesive overlaminate could for example also be replaced by applying a non-adhesive overlaminate sheet of film with an adhesive then applied in a separate operation either to the underside of the overlaminate or to the upper surface of the composite combined web 102, and label components 6 to thereby attach the overlaminate sheet thereto.

The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.