WO2009106436A2

WO2009106436A2 - Multi-layered adhesive item for use as proof of initial opening

Info

Publication number: WO2009106436A2
Application number: PCT/EP2009/051711
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Tuffe; Aranzazu Escudero Vallejo; Thomas Scheubner
Original assignee: Tesa Se
Priority date: 2008-02-28
Filing date: 2009-02-13
Publication date: 2009-09-03
Also published as: WO2009106436A3; DE102008030935A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-layered adhesive item for use as proof of initial opening, comprising a support (2) with the following layers always disposed on the bottom side thereof a) a first coloring layer (3) applied to the entire surface, b) an adhesion-controlling functional layer (5) not applied to the entire surface, c) a second coloring layer (6) applied to the entire surface and d) an adhesive material layer (7). It is proposed that the adhesion-controlling functional layer (5) – characterizing layer – be disposed between the first coloring layer (4) and the second coloring layer (6).

Description

description

Multi-layered adhesive article for use as a first-hole detection

The present invention relates to a multilayer adhesive article for use as a tamper evident according to the preamble of claim 1.

The protection of goods in the logistic chain from producers to users is difficult because of the large number of links in this chain. Thus, the damage caused by theft of the goods from their shipping container during storage and transport has increased to a significant cost factor. The recipient of a shipping unit in which part of the goods were removed or exchanged through theft also has difficulty in proving that this manipulation was not carried out within his own sphere of influence. Significantly greater security against attempted theft and secure proof that a shipping unit has been opened prior to entry into the next section of the logistic chain allows for an adhesive article that indicates by an irreversible message that it has once detached from the surface of the adhesive substrate has been. Such evidence is also referred to as the "Tamper Evident Effect".

A generic multi-layered adhesive article is commonly used to indicate the initial opening of an article, such as a door or container, marked with the adhesive article. For this purpose, such adhesive articles typically have at least one optical feature that irreversibly indicates an attempt to open, such as peeling off the article provided with the adhesive article. Such adhesive articles serve as a seal for the integrity of the object before Erstöffnung. For this purpose, the adhesive article is glued onto the article in such a way that it can not be opened without detaching or cutting the adhesive article. For this purpose, the adhesive article must be so with the object connected, that a detachment and subsequent reapplication is not possible without visible impairments. This is usually achieved by a suitable adhesive bond with the article in combination with an optical feature. Such an adhesive article is usually designed as a security label with limited dimensions, such as a diecut, formed or band-shaped, for example as an adhesive tape.

In particular, a generic multi-layer adhesive article indicates a first removal thereof from the article provided with the adhesive article by detaching portions of the adhesive article from the adhesive article upon release from the adherend surface and remaining as a message on the surface, the message prior to detachment from the adhesive article Surface is not recognizable. The message remains recognizable, even if the adhesive article is put back exactly at the original bonding site after detachment.

Various multilayer adhesive articles are known from the prior art. These adhesive articles have a layer structure with different degrees adhering to each other layers. This layer structure is usually not visible to the naked eye before a first detachment attempt. In a peel-off attempt, however, the layer structure is destroyed due to locally different adhesive forces, so that a visible impairment of the security label remains, which can not be reversed by re-bonding the affected layers. The impairment may be, for example, that by the detachment of individual layers lettering is recognizable. These adhesive articles have in common that, in any case, they have, in addition to further layers, an adhesion-controlling functional layer which has not been applied over the entire surface. Depending on the embodiment, such an adhesion-controlling functional layer is a primer layer or a release layer. The adhesion-controlling functional layer serves to anchor individual regions of the multilayer adhesive article locally stronger or weaker in order to selectively create break points within the multilayer adhesive article. A primer layer serves to improve the anchoring, while a release layer should cause a weak anchorage.

US Pat. No. 5,633,058 discloses a multilayer adhesive article with a backing, onto which a release layer which has not been applied over the whole area is used as adhesion-controlling Function layer is applied, a full surface over the applied release layer and the carrier applied ink layer and a full surface applied to the ink layer adhesive layer. In places where release is present, the paint layer separates from the carrier during a detachment process. In places where no release is provided, the color remains anchored to the support. Thus, during the detachment process, a partial color transfer occurs which serves as an optical effect for indicating the first opening.

DE 199 63 709 A1 shows a multilayer adhesive article with a carrier, to which a primer layer not applied over the entire surface is applied as adhesion-controlling functional layer, a first release layer applied over the entire area of the applied primer layer and the support, a second release layer applied over its entire area, and a full area the second release layer applied PSA. The primer layer is designed so that it anchors very well on the support. The overlying first release layer in turn anchored better on the primer layer than on the carrier as well as on the second release layer. The two separating layers also differ in their color. When removing this adhesive article from a bonding substrate, for example the surface of a package, it leaves an identifier on the package by the first separation layer separates from the carrier, while the areas that are well anchored on the carrier by means of primer, with the carrier of be removed from the surface of the package. The area of the first separating layer, which has been strongly anchored against the carrier with the primer layer, however, remains on the carrier surface. Due to the different colors, the identifier is clear. The identifier on the packaging thus corresponds to an inversion of the non-full-surface primer layer.

The generic multilayer adhesive articles known from the prior art generally indicate a first opening satisfactorily. Nevertheless, there is further potential to further optimize these adhesive items in terms of costs and triggering the Erstöffnungsnachweises.

The present invention is based on the problem to provide a multilayer adhesive article that is both easy to manufacture and optimized in terms of Erstöffnungsnachweises. The present invention solves the above-described problem in a multilayer adhesive article having the features of the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. Preferred embodiments and further developments are subject-matter of the subclaims.

Of importance for the present invention is first that a product structure is selected, which provides two color layers. The two color layers allow a recognizable Erstöffnungsnachweis regardless of the bonding substrate, since they provide each other a necessary for easy recognition contrast. In any case, a carrier, an adhesive layer for anchoring the adhesive article on the object to be secured and an adhesion-controlling functional layer are provided in addition to the color layers. In addition, if desired, further layers such as e.g. Separating material, additional adhesion-controlling functional layers, etc. may be provided.

In the present invention, it has been recognized that the tamper evident effect is achieved more easily and completely when the separation or anchoring of the two color layers is initiated directly between the color layers themselves. For this purpose, it is provided that the adhesion-controlling functional layer is applied directly between the two color layers and the two color layers are thus no longer in direct contact with one another in the region of the adhesion-controlling functional layer. The adhesion-controlling functional layer is not applied over the entire area, but rather partially, so as to achieve a partially different anchoring of the two color layers to each other. The partial application of the adhesion-controlling functional layer thus defines the identifier that is visible after the initial opening. In the following, this adhesion-controlling functional layer is therefore also referred to as identification layer. The partial order will be regularly formed as a pattern, for example in the form of a logo, a lettering, a sequence of numbers or a combination of the like.

The marking layer may on the one hand be a separating layer (also referred to as a release layer), which causes only a slight local anchoring of the two color layers to one another. The two color layers are in this case selected so that they anchor better in direct contact with each other. Alternatively, the identification layer can also be formed as a primer layer, which is the two Color coats locally strongly anchored to each other. The anchoring of the two color layers directly to one another is weaker in this case without such a primer layer. In addition, it can also be provided that the marking layer is formed in some areas as a primer layer and in other areas as a release layer. In any case, however, as is generally known from the prior art, the anchoring to the further layers, in particular to the support and the adhesive layer, is adjusted such that, when the adhesive article is removed, the two color layers in the region of the marking layer are split or split remain anchored to each other and remain anchored to each other in the area without marking layer or split to each other, so that thereby the Erstöffnung is recognizable. Which materials are particularly suitable for forming an adhesion-controlling functional layer are known to the person skilled in the art from the prior art.

In a preferred embodiment, the marking layer between the two color layers is formed as a release layer. The two color layers anchor themselves, in the areas in which they are applied directly to one another, relatively strongly together, whereas the anchoring in the areas with the separating layer is significantly reduced. A good anchoring of the first color layer with the carrier and the second color layer with the adhesive layer is relatively easy to adjust, so that the identification layer forms the predetermined breaking point between the two color layers in this case.

In a further preferred embodiment, an additional partial functional layer, in particular between the carrier and the first color layer, is provided. Alternatively, such an additional functional layer is currently not provided, whereby the product structure remains as simple as possible. If an additional partial functional layer is provided, this may be adhesion-controlling

Function layer in turn be formed as a primer layer or as a release layer. Furthermore, this adhesion-controlling functional layer can be applied over the whole area or only partially. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this additional adhesion-controlling functional layer is applied over the entire surface due to the simpler production, even if this possibly increases the requirements with regard to the coordination of the individual anchoring forces between the respective layers. In a partial order of the additional functional layer, this is, depending on the Execution of the identification layer on the one hand (primer layer or release layer) and the execution of the additional functional layer on the other hand (primer layer or release layer), arranged substantially only above or below the identification layer or exactly opposite just not arranged above or below the identification layer, so a coating pattern as a positive and the second as a negative. The terms "above" and "below" refer to the position of the respective layer in plan view of the adhesive article.

If the multilayer adhesive article has a plurality of adhesion-controlling functional layers, they are formed differently in a preferred embodiment, i. one of the functional layers is formed as a separating layer and the other as a primer layer. Alternatively, the two functional layers can also be designed identically. In this case, however, they differ in terms of their composition in a preferred embodiment, ie they have different constituents and / or formulations. In particular, because of their different composition, the functional layers also cause different degrees of anchoring.

For gluing the adhesive article on an object to be secured, the adhesive article has an adhesive layer on its underside. This is preferably a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, as is well known. The

Adhesive layer is preferably covered with a release material in order to avoid a prior undesirable sticking of the adhesive article. This is especially useful when adhesive articles according to the invention are designed as labels. Adhesive articles in the form of adhesive tapes are preferably wound into rolls. The unwinding of the roll is then typically ensured by a release liner located on the backing.

It can further be provided that the adhesive article has a graphic designation, for example in the form of a print. For such a marking is particularly suitable the top or bottom of the adhesive article, very preferably the carrier top. Such printing can be used to equip the adhesive article with graphic elements, lettering, numbers, as well as for customization in coded or uncoded form, or a combination of these features. Further details, features and objectives of the present invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. In the drawing shows

1 shows a multilayer adhesive article of the invention in a schematic representation before Erstöffnung,

2 shows the adhesive article from FIG. 1 with after first opening,

3 shows a multilayer adhesive article with an alternative breaking characteristic after initial opening.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an adhesive article 1 before Erstöffnung. Such an adhesive article 1 is usually used for securing an object, such as a closure or a carton. The adhesive article 1 has a carrier 2, which in the present case is designed as a thermoplastic film, in particular based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Presence is on the support 2 over the entire surface an adhesion-controlling functional layer 3 is arranged. This functional layer 3 is in turn covered over the entire area with a first color layer 4. The first color layer 4 is partially covered, in particular in the form of an identifier such as a logo or an alphanumeric combination, with an adhesion-controlling functional layer 5, the identification layer. The marking layer 5 and the areas of the first color layer 4 that are not covered by the marking layer 5 are covered over the entire area with a second color layer 6. The two color layers 4, 6 are formed in different colors. Below the second color layer 6, an adhesive layer 7 is arranged, by means of which the adhesive article 1 can be fixed on the object to be secured.

The support 2 may be physically pretreated according to the prior art for optimum anchoring of the first color layer, if desired. In particular, it offers a corona, plasma or flame pretreatment.

In the embodiment of the adhesive article 1 shown in Fig. 1, 2 are both the

Identification layer 5 and the additional adhesion-controlling functional layer

3 formed as separating layers, ie they cause a relatively low anchoring of the respective layers together. Here are the additional adhesion-controlling Functional layer 3 and the identification layer 5 so matched to one another that the anchoring between the adhesion-controlling functional layer 3 and the first color layer 4 is still stronger than the anchoring between the first color layer 4 and the identification layer 5. The anchoring of the two color layers 4, 6 to each other is relatively strong as well as the anchoring of the second color layer 6 with the adhesive layer 7. The marking layer 5 thus forms a predetermined breaking point within the first color layer 4.

Fig. 2 shows, without wishing to be limited to this fracture mechanism, the previously described adhesive article 1 in a schematic representation with its

Breakdown characteristic. It can be seen from this illustration that a separation takes place within the first color layer 4. The areas of the first color layer 4, which are anchored directly to the second color layer 6, are due to the lower

Anchoring to the adhesion-controlling functional layer 3 detached from this. In the regions of the first color layer 4, however, which are anchored to the identification layer 5, this compound forms the weak point, so that locally there takes place a solution of the identification layer 5. The separation is thus due to the different adhesion forces of the respective layers with each other.

Alternatively, a break between the marking layer 5 and the second color layer 6 is conceivable, as well as mixed fractures in the region of the marking layer 5.

Depending on the design of the anchoring strength between the carrier 2 and the first color layer 4, a break is also conceivable, as it is sketched as a further example in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a multilayer adhesive article 1 which, in addition to the marking layer 5, has no further adhesion-controlling functional layer. The

Identification layer 5 is again partially provided between the first color layer 4 and the second color layer 6. In this example, the identification layer 5 is also provided with a separating character. The break occurs here in those

Areas in which no separating characteristic layer 5 is provided, between the carrier 2 and the first color layer 4. In the areas where the

Labeling layer 5 is provided, the separation between the first takes place

Color layer 4 and the marking layer 5. It can thus be seen that the concept according to the invention of introducing a marking layer with adhesion-controlling properties between two color layers leads in a simple manner to various types over which the adhesive article according to the invention can indicate a first opening.

Claims

claims

1 . Multilayer adhesive articles for use as a first opening detection with a carrier (2) on the underside at least the following layers are arranged a) a fully applied first color layer (4), b) a not fully applied adhesion controlling functional layer (5), c) a full-surface applied second color layer (6) and d) an adhesive layer (7), characterized in that the adhesion-controlling functional layer (5) - marking layer - between the first ink layer (4) and the second ink layer (6) is arranged.

2. Multilayer adhesive article according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification layer (5) is designed as a release layer.

3. Multi-layer adhesive article according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification layer (5) is formed as a primer layer.

4. Multilayer adhesive article according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the identification layer (5) is provided as a single adhesion-controlling functional layer.

5. Multi-layer adhesive article according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an additional adhesion-controlling functional layer (3) is provided, preferably between the carrier (2) and the first ink layer (4).

6. Multi-layer adhesive article according to claim 5, characterized in that the additional adhesion-controlling functional layer (3) is arranged over the entire surface.

7. Multilayer adhesive article according to claim 5 or 6, characterized the additional adhesion-controlling functional layer (3) is designed as a separating layer,

8. Multilayer adhesive article according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the additional adhesion-controlling functional layer (3) is designed as a primer layer.

9. Multilayer adhesive article according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the identification layer (5) and the additional adhesion-controlling functional layer (3) are of similar but different composition or different.

10. Multilayer adhesive article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification layer (5) is formed as a pattern.

1 1. Multilayer adhesive article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (2) has on its upper side a release layer and / or an imprint, wherein, preferably, the imprint is a graphic element, a lettering, a number or a combination thereof

12. Multilayer adhesive article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive layer (7) is designed as a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

13. Multilayer adhesive article according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive layer (7) is covered with a release material.