JP2012208283A - Label for laser printing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a label for laser printing that can protect printed information for a long term.SOLUTION: A label for laser printing includes sequentially laminated following layers: a base material film made of transparent resin; an aluminum layer arranged on one side of the base material film and removed at a part irradiated with the laser having passed through the base material film; an opacity ink layer which comes to appear through the transparent resin at a removed part of the aluminum layer by the irradiation of the laser; a laser reflective layer; an adhesive layer; and a peeling sheet which can be peeled off.

Description

  The present invention relates to a laser printing label that can be printed by a laser.

  For example, in the electrical product, individual product information is given to identify and manage each product. In order to give this product information to the product itself, a method of printing a product number, a lot number or the like on an adhesive label and sticking it to a part of the product is employed.

  However, for small electrical appliances that are carried and used by users, such as cameras and mobile phones, the label rubs against other objects in the bag, and the printing ink touches cosmetics, alcohol, etc. Due to reasons such as melting, individual information cannot be identified. Moreover, when pasting on products used outdoors, such as a solar power generation panel, since it is influenced by ultraviolet rays and wind and rain, it is required to have excellent light resistance and weather resistance.

  On the other hand, this type of label printing requires printing information corresponding to each individual product, and is not a normal printing method suitable for mass-produced printed materials such as lithographic printing, but differs for each label. A printing method capable of printing information is required, and a method of printing information necessary for each sheet by directly irradiating a laser with a label has been studied.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, characters are printed by laminating two synthetic resin layers having different heat melting points and irradiating a laser beam from the side of the synthetic resin layer having a low heat melting temperature to melt the irradiated portion. A method is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 2587500

  However, when printing is performed by such a method, unevenness is generated on the surface of the label and the appearance is not good, and information may not be read due to surface wear.

  In order to solve such problems, it is conceivable to cover the surface of the label with a protective sheet. However, since the protective sheet can only be applied after printing individual information, each sheet is printed after printing the label. The protective sheet had to be affixed to the protective sheet, and the alignment work of the protective sheet was time consuming, resulting in a problem in productivity.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a laser printing label that can be printed by a laser and can protect printed information for a long period of time. And

  The label for laser printing of the present invention includes a base film made of a transparent resin, a metal layer that is located on one side of the base film, and whose irradiated portion is removed by a laser transmitted through the base film, An opaque ink layer that is located on the opposite side of the metal film from the base film and is visible through the transparent resin at the portion where the metal layer is removed by laser irradiation, and the opaque ink layer is opposite to the base film A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer located on the side, and a peelable release sheet provided on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer are provided.

  According to this configuration, even when observed from the transparent base film side of the printing label before the laser irradiation, the opaque ink layer is covered with the metal layer so that the opaque ink layer is hidden by the metal layer. The metal color of the metal layer is only observed on the entire surface. Here, when a laser is irradiated from the base film side, the laser passes through the base film and reaches the metal layer, and this is instantaneously heated to a high temperature. For this reason, only the portion of the metal layer that has been irradiated with the laser is removed by melting or evaporating to open a hole, so that the opaque ink layer can be seen from the base film side. Therefore, if you irradiate the necessary part with a laser to draw a dot or line, the opaque ink layer will appear to float on the metallic background accordingly, so you can draw the desired character or figure it can.

  The metal layer and opaque ink layer for expressing characters and figures are in the lower layer of the base film, and the label surface is covered with the base film made of transparent resin. Even if rubbed, it does not affect the printing state and is excellent in wear resistance and chemical resistance. Also, even if the label is used outdoors or where it is exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet rays, the metal layer is superior to ordinary organic inks in terms of light resistance and ultraviolet resistance. Excellent.

  It is more preferable that the above-described opaque ink layer is provided with a laser reflecting layer that is positioned between the adhesive layer and reflects the laser that has passed through the metal layer. In this case, even if the output of the laser is excessively large, and as a result, the laser penetrates the metal layer and reaches the opaque ink layer, and further penetrates there, the laser reflection layer causes the laser to Since it is reflected, it can be prevented that the adhesive layer and the entire label are penetrated. Even if the laser penetrates the opaque ink layer and reaches the laser reflection layer in this way, the opaque ink layer is not completely removed by laser irradiation, and some residue remains in the label. The opaque ink layer residue can be seen through the perforated metal layer, and the character / graphic display function is not lost at all.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which forms a printing layer in the surface on the opposite side to a metal layer among base films by another printing method, and provides a protective layer so that the printing layer may be covered. With such a configuration, since information that can be collectively printed is printed on the base sheet and the printed layer is protected by the protective layer, only individual information can be printed by the laser. Printing is possible and printing efficiency is increased.

  When a release layer with a predetermined pattern is formed on the base film with a peelable ink, and the adhesive layer has a local decrease in adhesion to the base film at the release layer forming part, the unopened confirmation by the label Can be performed.

  As described above, according to the laser printing label of the present invention, it is possible to print with a laser and to protect the printed information for a long period of time.

Sectional drawing of the label for laser printing of Embodiment 1 of this invention Cross-sectional view showing a state where printing is also performed by a laser Plan view of the same label for laser printing The plan view after printing Sectional drawing of the label for laser printing of Embodiment 2 of this invention Cross-sectional view showing a state where printing is also performed by a laser Similarly, a sectional view showing a state where the laser is melting the opaque ink layer Similarly, a sectional view showing a state where the laser reaches the laser reflecting layer Sectional drawing of the label for laser printing of Embodiment 3 of this invention Cross-sectional view showing a state where printing is also performed by a laser Plan view of the same label for laser printing The plan view after printing Sectional drawing of the label for laser printing of Embodiment 4 of this invention Cross-sectional view showing a state where printing is also performed by a laser Sectional drawing which shows the state which similarly peeled off the base material sheet Plan view of the same label for laser printing The plan view after printing Sectional drawing of the label for laser printing of Embodiment 5 of this invention Cross-sectional view showing a state where printing is also performed by a laser

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view of a laser printing sheet 10 constituting the laser printing label 19 of the present embodiment. The laser printing sheet 10 includes a base film 11 made of a transparent resin having an aluminum layer 12 (corresponding to the metal layer of the present invention) laminated on one surface. The base film 11 is made of, for example, a PET resin having a thickness of 35 μm, and the aluminum layer 12 is formed with a thickness of, for example, about 2 μm by a vapor deposition method. On the surface of the aluminum layer 12 opposite to the substrate film 11, black ink is printed on the entire surface with a thickness of, for example, 10 μm to form an opaque ink layer 13. The adhesive layer 14 is printed on the entire surface. A peelable release sheet 15 is attached to the adhesive layer 14.

  As shown in the plan view of FIG. 3, the laser printing sheet 10 is formed with a large number of loop-shaped cuts 18 arranged inside, and the inside of the cuts 18 is used as a laser printing label 19. ing. These cuts 18 are cut from the base film 10 to the adhesive layer 14.

  In the laser printing sheet 10 of this embodiment, the opaque ink layer 13 is covered with the aluminum layer 12 even when observed from the transparent substrate film 11 side of the printing label 19 in the state before laser printing. Therefore, the black opaque ink layer 13 is hidden by the aluminum layer 12 and cannot be seen, and the silver white color of aluminum is only observed on one side.

  When laser printing is performed on the label 19 for printing, the laser L is irradiated from a surface on the base film 11 side (upper surface side in FIG. 1) by a laser label printer (not shown). As the laser, for example, a laser having a wavelength oscillated by a YAG laser or the like is preferable, and its intensity may be set to such an extent that it can be removed according to the thickness of the aluminum layer 12, and is used, for example, in a general-purpose laser marker. General strength is sufficient.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the laser L irradiated to the laser printing label 19 passes through the transparent base film 11 and reaches the aluminum layer 12, and the laser irradiated portion of the aluminum layer 12 is locally heated. Heat. Therefore, the thin aluminum layer 12 is removed so as to evaporate, and the opaque ink layer 13 is exposed from the portion (hole H) from which the aluminum layer 12 has been removed. Since the opaque ink layer 13 is made of black ink and has a color sufficiently different from that of the surrounding aluminum layer 12, the laser irradiation portion can be visually recognized as a point through the base film 11. For this reason, if the laser is scanned to draw the necessary characters / graphics, the scanned trajectory can be viewed as a set of black dots, so draw the desired characters / graphics (barcode, etc.) (See FIG. 4).

  After the information is printed by the laser L, the label 19 is peeled off from the release sheet 15 along the cut line 18 and attached to a desired position by the adhesive layer 14 exposed on the back surface of the label 19.

  According to the laser printing sheet 10 of this embodiment, the information printed on the label 19 is in a state in which the surface is covered and protected by the base film 10 made of a transparent resin. It will not be unreadable due to deterioration caused by chemicals, chemicals, or ultraviolet rays. Also, since the black opaque ink layer 13 that is sufficiently dark with respect to the color of the aluminum layer 12 is provided on the lower surface of the aluminum layer 12, the printed information can be read clearly.

<Embodiment 2>
The laser printing sheet 20 constituting the laser printing label 29 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The laser printing sheet 20 is the same as the first embodiment in that it includes a colorless and transparent base film 21, an aluminum layer 22, an opaque ink layer 23, an adhesive layer 24, and a release sheet 25. The difference is that a laser reflection layer 26 is newly provided between the opaque ink layer 23 and the adhesive layer 24.

  The laser reflection layer 26 is formed by printing a material that easily reflects a laser, such as white ink, on the entire lower surface of the opaque ink layer 23 in FIG. ).

  When laser printing is performed on the laser printing sheet 20, the opaque ink penetrates the aluminum layer 22 due to, for example, the intensity of the laser L to be irradiated is too strong or the thickness of the base film 21 or the aluminum layer 22 varies. The laser L may reach the layer 23 and a part of the opaque ink layer 23 may be removed by high temperature (see FIG. 7). In some cases, the laser L may also penetrate the opaque ink layer 23. However, even in such a case, according to the laser printing sheet 20 of the present embodiment, the laser L penetrating the opaque ink layer 23 is reflected by the laser reflecting layer 26 as shown in FIG. It is possible to reliably prevent the removed portion from penetrating through the adhesive layer 24 and thus the entire label. Even when the laser L reaches the laser reflection layer 26 as described above, the opaque ink layer 23 is not completely removed, and a part of the black ink residue is removed (the exposure of the laser reflection layer 26). Therefore, the black ink residue (printed information) can be clearly read through the base film and the aluminum layer 22 with the holes H formed therein.

<Embodiment 3>
A laser printing sheet 30 constituting the laser printing label 39 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The laser printing sheet 30 collectively prints common information on the surface on the base film side of the laser printing sheet shown in the second embodiment by a general printing method, and then the printed printing layer is printed. For example, a protective layer 37 made of a colorless and transparent PVC resin or the like is laminated on the surface of P. Since other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In the laser printing sheet 30 of the present embodiment, first, for example, information common to each label such as a product name, a company name, and a specification of a product to which a label is to be attached is a base film 31 before the protective layer 37 is laminated. For example, the labels are collectively printed on each surface by a general mass production type printing method such as lithographic printing. Thereafter, the protective layer 37 is laminated on the entire sheet by a laminating method using an adhesive (not shown). Then, a loop-shaped cut 38 extending from the protective layer 37 to the adhesive layer 34 is made to form a plurality of laser printing labels 39 (see FIG. 11). In this embodiment, the thickness of the transparent layer from the base film 31 to the protective layer 37 is about 75 μm.

  Next, individual information peculiar to each product (label) such as a lot number is printed on each label 39. That is, the laser L is irradiated from the surface on the protective layer 37 side (upper surface side in FIG. 9) of the laser printing sheet 39 to the region where individual information is to be written, and scanning is performed in a predetermined pattern. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the laser L passes through the protective layer 37 and the base film 31 and removes a part of the aluminum layer 32 laminated on the lower surface of the base film 31 so as to melt and evaporate. Then, the opaque ink layer 33 is exposed from the hole H (see FIG. 12).

  According to the laser printing sheet 30 of this embodiment, a plurality of labels 39 are formed on a single sheet, and common information is collectively printed by a conventional printing method suitable for mass-produced printed matter. However, since individual information that is different from each other can be printed by a laser, the printing efficiency is excellent. In addition, since both the common information printed on the base film 31 (print layer P) and the individual information printed by the laser (hole H) are in a state in which the surface thereof is protected, it is caused by wear or chemicals. It will not be unreadable.

<Embodiment 4>
The laser printing sheet 40 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The laser printing sheet 40 has a configuration in which a release layer 48 is partially provided between the base film 41 and the aluminum layer 42 in the laser printing sheet of the third embodiment. Since other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The release layer 48 is formed by printing a release ink containing silicon resin on a predetermined pattern on one surface side (the lower surface side in FIG. 13) of the base film 41, and after the release ink is printed, An aluminum layer 42 is laminated on one surface side (the lower surface side in FIG. 13) including the release layer 48 by a vapor deposition method. As shown in FIG. 13, the release layer 48 is covered with the aluminum layer 42. Due to the release layer 48, the adhesiveness of the aluminum layer 42 to the base film 41 is locally reduced at the portion where the release layer 48 is formed. In the present embodiment, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 16, a release layer 48 is formed in the character portion of VOID.

  If necessary, the laser printing sheet 40 having the above-described configuration can print the common information on the surface of the base film 41 before the protective layer 47 is laminated, if necessary, as in the third embodiment. After that, a protective layer 47 is laminated on the entire sheet by a laminating method. Then, a loop-like cut 49 extending from the protective layer 47 to the adhesive layer 44 is made to form a plurality of labels (see FIG. 16).

  Next, individual information is printed on each label. That is, a predetermined laser L is irradiated from the protective layer 47 side (upper surface side in FIG. 14) to a position where individual information is to be printed, and the protective layer 47 and the base film 41 are transmitted to melt a part of the aluminum layer 42. Evaporate and remove to expose opaque ink layer 43 (see FIG. 17).

  In this state, the surface of the common information (printing layer P) is protected by the protective layer 47, and the surface of the individual information (hole portion H) is protected by the protective layer 47 and the base film 41. Therefore, the information is not unreadable due to wear or chemicals. Further, since the black opaque ink layer 42 is exposed from the hole H, the written information can be read clearly.

  After printing the common information and the individual information, the label is peeled off from the release sheet 45 to expose the adhesive layer 44. For example, an adherend such as a package or lid of a product that requires confirmation of unopened medicine, food, etc. Paste to W. At this time, the peelability of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 44 with respect to the release sheet 45 is set in advance so as to be greater than the peelability of the release layer 48 with respect to the base sheet 41, so that peeling occurs in the release layer 48 portion. Absent.

  When the product is opened, that is, when the attached label is peeled off, as shown in FIG. 15, the portion of the aluminum layer 42 where the release layer 48 is formed that has locally reduced the adhesion to the base film 41. The portion peeled from the base film 41 and not having the release layer 48 remains on the base film 41 side. Therefore, once the label is peeled off from the adherend W, the peeled trace remains with certainty. By checking the state of the label, it can be confirmed whether or not the product is unopened.

  Thus, it is also possible to apply the laser printing sheet of the present invention to a conventionally used unopened confirmation label.

<Embodiment 5>
Next, Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The laser printing sheet 50 of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the second embodiment, and is different in that common information is printed between the base film 51 and the aluminum layer 52. Since other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the laser printing sheet 50 of the present embodiment first prints common information collectively on one surface side (the lower surface side in FIG. 18) of a base film 51 by a general conventional printer in advance. After forming the printing layer P, the aluminum layer 52 is laminated by vapor deposition so as to cover the printing layer P. As a result, the print layer P is embedded in the aluminum layer 52. Thereafter, the opaque ink layer 53, the laser reflecting layer 56, the adhesive layer 54, and the release sheet 55 are laminated on the aluminum layer 52 in this order.

  When printing individual information on such a laser printing sheet 50, as shown in FIG. 19, a predetermined laser L is irradiated from the base film 51 side, and the aluminum layer 52 is partially removed. To print.

  According to the laser printing sheet 50 of this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the above embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a protective layer as shown in the above embodiments 3 to 5, and is essentially necessary. There exists an effect that the common information (printing layer P) printed using the base film 51 can be protected.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  (1) In any of the above-described embodiments, the label is formed by forming a loop-like cut in a part of the sheet. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, it may be in the form of pieces one by one.

  (2) In Embodiments 2 to 5, the laser reflection layer is provided. However, the laser reflection layer is not always necessary, and the formation thickness of the metal layer and the opaque ink layer or the laser output is appropriately adjusted. Thus, it is possible to prevent the laser from penetrating the opaque ink layer, and in that case, the laser reflecting layer may not be provided.

  (3) In the said embodiment, although the aluminum layer was used as a metal layer, another metal can also be used. Further, the thickness of the metal layer may be a thickness that can be easily melted and evaporated by heating with a laser, and is not necessarily limited to the thickness dimension shown in the present embodiment. . Furthermore, the method for forming the metal layer is not limited to the vapor deposition method, and thin films may be stacked or formed by other methods.

  (4) The printing of the common information can be performed by various methods such as using an ink jet printer, screen printing, a roll coater method, and the like.

  (5) The release layer can also be formed by any method.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the protective layer is laminated by the laminating method, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  (7) In the said embodiment, although the form which uses PET resin as transparent resin which comprises a base film was shown, other resin can also be used. Further, the thickness of the base film is not limited to the above embodiment.

  (8) In addition, the black ink used for the opaque ink layer, the white ink used for the laser reflection layer, the adhesive layer, the release sheet, and the like are not limited to the above embodiments in terms of material, thickness, color, and the like. .

10, 20, 30, 40, 50 ... laser printing sheets 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 ... base film 12, 22, 32, 42, 52 ... aluminum layer (metal layer)
13, 23, 33, 43, 53 ... opaque ink layers 14, 24, 34, 44, 54 ... adhesive layers 15, 25, 35, 45, 55 ... release sheets 26, 36, 46, 56 ... laser reflecting layers 37, 47 ... Protective layer 18, 28, 38, 49 ... Cut 19, 29, 39 ... Label (label for laser printing)
48 ... peeling layer L ... laser H ... hole P ... printing layer W ... adherend

Claims (5)

A base film made of a transparent resin, a metal layer that is located on one side of the base film and whose irradiated portion is removed by a laser transmitted through the base film, and the base film of the metal layer An opaque ink layer located on the opposite side and visible through the transparent resin in the removed portion of the metal layer by laser irradiation; an adhesive layer located on the opposite side of the opaque ink layer from the substrate film; and A label for laser printing comprising: a peelable release sheet provided on an adhesive layer. 2. The laser reflecting layer according to claim 1, wherein a laser reflecting layer is disposed between the opaque ink layer and the adhesive layer so as to reflect a laser that is transmitted after the metal layer is removed. Laser printing label. The other surface side opposite to the metal layer of the base film is provided with a printed layer on which ink is superimposed, and a protective layer made of a transparent resin is provided to cover the printed layer. The laser printing label according to claim 1 or 2. A release layer having a predetermined pattern is formed on the base film using a peelable ink, the metal layer is laminated on the base film including the release layer, and the metal layer is formed on the base film. The laser printing label according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the adhesiveness is set so as to be locally reduced in the peeling layer portion. 5. The laser printing according to claim 1, wherein the metal constituting the metal layer is aluminum and is formed on the base film by a vapor deposition method. 6. label.

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