AU2009100593A4 - A Pressure Sensitive Label With Hidden Text Or Symbols - Google Patents

Description

Australia Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT A PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABEL WITH HIDDEN TEXT OR SYMBOLS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 1 A PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABEL WITH HIDDEN TEXT OR SYMBOLS Field of the Invention The invention relates to a pressure sensitive (PS) label that is produced in such a way that text or symbol(s) are hidden from view when the label has been applied. The text or symbol(s) can be revealed when an end user peels back part of the label. Background to the Invention At present, pressure sensitive (PS) labels are used extensively for the labelling of many products, including Food and Beverage products. PS labels are a made up of a top sheet (which is the label itself), an adhesive applied to the top sheet and a backing sheet (or "release liner). Manufacturers of products apply PS labels to their product by removing the label from its backing sheet, and applying it to the product or the product's packaging. The action of applying pressure when the label is applied to the product activates the adhesive, resulting in the label sticking to the product or product packaging. The required and/or shape of the PS label is achieved by die cutting the desired shape out of the top sheet. This process results in cutting the top sheet to the required shape, whilst keeping the backing sheet intact. Many manufacturers look to increase or maximise sales in their products by offering consumers prizes. Many competitions held by manufacturers use text or symbols on the product they have purchased as a means of identifying whether a win or benefit has been obtained by a purchasing consumer. 2 Due to the nature of a PS label, it is very difficult to hide this text or symbol from the consumer, until after the consumer has purchased the product. All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert and the applicant reserves the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country. It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning, ie that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term "comprised" or "comprising" is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process. An object of the invention is to overcome the above identified problem and provide a pressure sensitive label with hidden text or symbols which at least offers a useful alternative choice. Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only. Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a pressure sensitive label including a top sheet (which is the label itself), an adhesive applied to the top sheet and a backing sheet (or "release liner), and wherein a section of the 3 backing sheet is die cut from the remainder of the backing sheet so the section remains on the top sheet when the label is applied to a product, and wherein that part of the top sheet adjacent the section of the backing sheet has perforations so that a consumer can peel back from the product part of the top sheet and the section of the backing sheet to thereby reveal text or symbols printed either on the rear of the backing sheet or on the adhesive. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a pressure sensitive label with hidden text or symbols, the label including a top sheet (which is the label itself), an adhesive applied to the top sheet and a backing sheet (or "release liner) with hidden text or symbols printed thereon, the arrangement being such that a section of the backing sheet is die cut from the remainder of the backing sheet so the section remains on the top sheet when the label is applied to a product, and wherein that part of the top sheet adjacent the section of the backing sheet has perforations so that a consumer after purchase can peel back from the product part of the top sheet and the section of the backing sheet to thereby reveal the hidden text or symbols printed thereon. In use when a PS label top sheet is removed from its backing sheet, the adhesive is revealed and will allow the PS label to stick to a product. The invention requires some of the backing sheet to be left on the top sheet when the label is applied to the product. The area that still has the backing sheet attached does not stick to the product. By placing perforated cuts on the top sheet, near the edge of the backing sheet that is left on the top sheet, the end users can easily peel back that part of the label, as that part of that label has not been stuck to the product. By printing the initially hidden text or symbols on the back of the backing sheet that was retained on the label, when it is peeled back by the consumer the text of symbols are revealed. Preferably the backing sheet that is left on the top sheet is produced by die cutting the backing sheet. In the same way that the label shape can be made to the required specification, the backing sheet can take any shape, as long as it is smaller than the total area of the top sheet. 4 The code, text or symbols are hidden until the action of peeling back the part of the label (top sheet) that has the backing sheet retained. The action of peeling back the top sheet and obtaining the text or symbol is clearly evident, and is irreversible, therefore consumers can easily see that the text or symbol has been revealed thereby creating a tamper evident feature. The piece of backing sheet that was retained on the top sheet that has the code or symbols can be easily retained (if required) by the consumer as proof of purchase. Further aspects of the invention which should be considered inmall its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example. Description of the Drawing An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which; Figures 1A shows a view of the non adhesive side of the front sheet of a label according to the invention; Figure 1B shows a view of the adhesive side of the front sheet of the label shown in Figure 1A showing the retained section of backing sheet; Figure 2 shows a section of a roll of similar labels according to the invention; and Figure 3 shows a roll of labels in which two labels have been removed and a third is in the process of removal and before it is applied to a product. Description of the Preferred Example An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing and with reference to the invention being used on a milk container to provide a consumer purchaser with a unique code for use in a competition. It is to be appreciated that the invention can be used in other similar situations 5 where a PS label can be used to provide some text or symbols to a consumer that requires them to remain hidden until after the consumer has purchased the product. The drawing shows a label 1 of a particular shape chosen for use on a plastic milk bottle. The eventual shape and size of the label depends on the product on which it is to be used. The label 1 includes a top sheet (which is the label itself), an adhesive applied to one face 2 of the top sheet and a backing sheet 3 (or "release liner). In the example the hidden text or symbols is printed on the face 4. A section 5 of the backing sheet is die cut from the remainder of the backing sheet so the section remains on the top sheet (Figure 1A) so that when the label is applied to a product the face 4 contacts the product. That part 6 of the top sheet adjacent the section 5 of the backing sheet has perforations 7 so that a consumer after purchase can peel back from the product the part 6 of the top sheet and the section 5 of the backing sheet to thereby reveal the hidden text or symbols printed thereon. In use when a PS label top sheet 1 is removed from its backing sheet 3, the adhesive on face 4 is revealed and will allow the PS label to stick to a product. The area that still has the backing sheet 5 attached does not stick to the product. By placing perforated cuts 7 on the top sheet, near an edge 8 of the backing sheet that is left on the top sheet, the end users can easily peel back that part of the label, as that part of that label has not been stuck to the product. Preferably the backing sheet that is left on the top sheet is produced by die cutting the backing sheet. In the same way that the label shape can be made to the required specification, the backing sheet can take any shape, as long as it is smaller than the total area of the top sheet. A particular example of the invention has been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope of the attached claims. 6

Claims (5)

1. A pressure sensitive label including a top sheet (which is the label itself), an adhesive applied to the top sheet and a backing sheet (or "release liner), and wherein a section of the backing sheet is die cut from the remainder of the backing sheet so the section remains on the top sheet when the label is applied to a product, and wherein that part of the top sheet adjacent the section of the backing sheet has perforations so that a consumer can peel back from the product part of the top sheet and the section of the backing sheet to thereby reveal text or symbols printed either on the rear of the backing sheet or on the adhesive.

2. A pressure sensitive label as claimed in claim 1 in which, when the top sheet is removed from the backing sheet, the adhesive is revealed to thereby allow the label to stick to a product, and wherein some of the backing sheet is left on the top sheet when the label is applied to the product, and wherein the area that still has the backing sheet attached does not stick to the product.

3. A pressure sensitive label as claimed in claim 2 wherein the perforations on the top sheet are produced by die cutting and are placed near the edge of the backing sheet that is left on the top sheet so that end users can more easily peel back that part of the label, and wherein the backing sheet that is left on the top sheet is smaller than the total area of the top sheet.

4. A pressure sensitive label as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the code, text or symbols are hidden until the action of peeling back the part of the label (top sheet) that has the backing sheet retained and the action of peeling back the top sheet to obtain the text or symbol is clearly evident, and is irreversible, and wherein the piece of backing sheet that was retained on the top sheet and which has the 1 code or symbols can be easily retained (if required) by the consumer as proof of purchase.

5. A pressure sensitive label as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing. 2