CA2338426C - Labels and promotional devices - Google Patents

Labels and promotional devices Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2338426C
CA2338426C CA002338426A CA2338426A CA2338426C CA 2338426 C CA2338426 C CA 2338426C CA 002338426 A CA002338426 A CA 002338426A CA 2338426 A CA2338426 A CA 2338426A CA 2338426 C CA2338426 C CA 2338426C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
screen
label
label according
image
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA002338426A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2338426A1 (en
Inventor
Andrew Edward Instance
Simon David Instance
David John Instance
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2338426A1 publication Critical patent/CA2338426A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2338426C publication Critical patent/CA2338426C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/02Forms or constructions
    • G09F3/0291Labels or tickets undergoing a change under particular conditions, e.g. heat, radiation, passage of time
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/02Forms or constructions
    • G09F3/0288Labels or tickets consisting of more than one part, e.g. with address of sender or other reference on separate section to main label; Multi-copy labels
    • G09F3/0289Pull- or fold-out labels
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/08Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself
    • G09F3/18Casings, frames or enclosures for labels
    • G09F3/20Casings, frames or enclosures for labels for adjustable, removable, or interchangeable labels
    • G09F3/208Electronic labels, Labels integrating electronic displays
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F9/00Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
    • G09F9/30Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements

Abstract

A label for a product, or a promotional device, including a flexible light emitting polymer screen.

Description

LABELS AND PROMOTIONAL DEVICES

The present invention relate to labels and promotional devices which include a display device and in particular to a display device for incorporation into or onto products for displaying information to a user or purchaser of the product e.g.
for promotional purposes or for conveying statutory information such as instructions for use.

There have been developments over recent years in devices for conveying information to a user or purchaser of a product and in promotional devices, for example in competitions. Leaflet labels have been known for a number of years and such leaflet labels consist of a self-adhesive label incorporating a folded booklet or leaflet for attachment to a product. The leaflet label, when unfolded, reveals a large amount of information which is printed on the leaflet or booklet, and the printed area of the leaflet label is significantly larger than the footprint area of the leaflet label which is required for labelling the product.
In this way, a large amount of information can be incorporated into a relatively small labelling area. Examples of leaflet labels, in particular overlaminated leaflet labels incorporating a self-adhesive plastics overlaminate for protecting the leaflet label, retaining the label in its closed configuration and permitting reliable repeated access to the information in the label are disclosed in my European Patent Nos. EP-A-0594560 and EP-A-0628941.

It is also known to incorporate into products electronic devices for conveying information to the user or purchaser of a product. This information may relate to the intended use of the product or safety information, or alternatively it may relate to a promotion concerning the product, for example a competition, a lottery or a money off promotion. For example, my EP-A-0233077 relates to a container for a product which incorporates a removable closure and wherein removal of the closure from the container triggers the generation of audible speech from a speech synthesiser associated with the container. Such an invention has been used commercially in promotions of products, for example in competitions wherein a small number of winning containers in a competition include the speech synthesiser in accordance with my earlier invention to indicate a winning product when the container is opened. The container may be, for example, a drinks can or a packet of dry goods, such as a breakfast cereal.
There is a generally increasing need to display information on and in relation to products. Such information relates not only to promotional purposes, but also to the provision of statutory information, such as safety information and product warnings.
There is also a need to display in relation to a product information which can be variable, and in particular can be updated readily over time.

The present invention aims to meet these needs.
Accordingly the present invention provides a label for a product, or a promotional device, including a flexible light emitting polymer screen.

The label may incorporate, or be interconnected with, an audible generator for emitting sound through the screen or a speaker, in conjunction with an image displayed by the screen.
The invention in one broad aspect provides a label for a product, the label including a flexible light emitting polymer screen and a power and control device for displaying an image on the screen, the power and control device including a switching mechanism which is operated by touch or by detecting at least one of light, sound, temperature, humidity or water.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container labelled with a label in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a box for a compact disc which is labelled with a label in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a leaflet label incorporating a flexible light imaging polymer screen in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a label comprising a cover for a printed publication in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a promotional device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a container labelled with a label in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a container 2 in the form of a bottle which is labelled with a tubular sleeve-type label 4 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The label 4 comprises a flexible light emitting polymer screen 6 which is carried on an underlying substrate 8, for example a plastics layer covered on its rear face which a pressure-sensitive adhesive so that the substrate is self-adhesive. The flexible light emitting polymer screen 6 is connected to a power and control device, indicated generally at 10, for providing the screen with electrical power in a controlled way to ensure that the correct image is displayed by the light emitting polymer screen 6. The power and control device 10 includes a source of electrical power, for example a battery or a solar cell. The power and control device 10 may include a switching mechanism for switching on and off the light emitting polymer screen 6. For example, the switching device may be operated by detecting light, sound, temperature, humidity or water or other climatic factors or by touch thereby to switch on the screen to display a desired image. The desired image may be preformed in the screen. Alternatively, the image may be a variable image, with a display being pre-programmed into a microprocessor of the power and control device 10. The displayed image may comprise text and/or pictures which may be static or moving, i.e. a video image. The image may be coloured or in black and white. The screen could incorporate a hologram. The screen could be divided into a plurality of areas so that multiple images can be displayed.
Flexible light emitting polymer screens.are known in the art. Such screens consist of a transparent substrate on which has been deposited, in turn, an electrode layer, two light emitting polymer layers, and a grid of electrodes. When a forward voltage is applied across the two light emitting polymer layers, the light emitting polymer layers are illuminated and the grid of electrodes is patterned so as define grid cells which can make up an image. When only a single image is to be displayed by the light emitted polymer screen, the patterned grid of electrodes is defined and connected to the power and driving control device 10 whereby only selected grid cells are illuminated when the light emitting polymer screen 6 is switched on. In this way, the selective image may be displayed. When the screen 6 is intended to display an active changing image, then each grid cell which is defined by a respective part of the grid of electrodes requires a self-contained transistor associated therewith which can be controlled to switch on or off the respective grid cell on receiving a signal from the power and control device 10, which typically then includes a microprocessor.

The screen may be adapted to be a touch screen or audibly sensitive, for example being voice activated.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the container is also provided with a closure 12 incorporating a speech synthesis device 14 as disclosed in my EP-A-0233077. Alternatively, any other audible generator could be employed. For example, the audible generator may include a speaker and/or may be integrated into or behind the screen 6.

In accordance with the invention disclosed and claimed in EP-A-0233077, the closure of the container, is provided therein or in association therewith with a speech processor which is triggered to generate synthesised speech when the closure 12 is removed from the container 2. The speech synthesiser may be driven by a common power source with that of the light emitting - S -polymer screen 6. The disclosures of EP-A-0233077 may be referred to for further details.

Referring to Figure 2, a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a light emitting polymer screen 16 in the form of a self-adhesive label which is adhered to a product 18, such as, in the illustrated embodiment, a plastics box for a compact disc. Alternatively, the product 18 may comprise a cigarette carton, or a case for packing a number of products.
As for the embodiment of Figure 1, the label is self-adhesive, with the adhesive being permanent or removable. The package of Figure 2 may additionally be provided with a speech synthesis generator, similar to that described hereinabove with reference to Figure 1, for generating synthesized speech when, for example the box is opened. A power and control device 20 for the screen 16 may be disposed within the box 18.

A third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 3.

In this embodiment, a light emitting polymer screen 22 is integrated into a leaflet label 24. The leaflet., label 24 comprises a rearmost self-adhesive support piece 26 comprising paper which is coated on its rearmost surface with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The support piece 26 is releasably carried on a backing 28 of release material, for example silicone-coated paper. A folded leaflet or booklet 30 is disposed on the support piece 26 and has a front sheet 31 which is covered by the light emitting polymer screen 22 which is adhered by an adhesive strip 32 to the spine 34 of the leaflet or booklet 30 and by an adhesive strip 36 to an edge 38 of the support piece 26. A layer of self-adhesive transparent plastics overlaminate 42 is adhered over the light emitting polymer screen 22 and is adhered to one edge 40 of the screen 22 above the edge 38 of the support piece 26 on one side 44 of the label 24 and to the backing 28 of release material on the other side 46 of the label 24. The overlaminate 42 incorporates or covers the light emitting polymer screen 22. The light emitting polymer screen 22 may be powered by a solar cell integrated into the leaflet label 24 or alternatively the light emitting polymer screen 22 may, in use, be electrically connected to a remote source of electrical power.
The light emitting polymer screen 22 may be arranged to provide variable information, or updated information on a periodic basis for subsequent issues of the leaflet label 24.

In an alternative arrangement, multiple screen layers are provided, and one or more of such layers may be removable.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 4. In this embodiment, a light emitting polymer screen 48 comprises, or is incorporated into, a cover 50 for a printed publication 52, such as a book or a magazine.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 5. In this embodiment, a flexible light emitting polymer screen 54 is formed as a game piece 56 for promotional purposes, for example in lottery competitions, money off promotions and other competitions for promotional purposes. The game piece 56 incorporates an integral power source and control device 58 for the game piece 56. When the game piece is associated with a label for a container, the power source and/or control device may be provided in or on the label and/or the container.

A sixth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 6. In this embodiment, a leaflet label 60 comprises a self-adhesive support piece 62 which is adhered to a product in the form of a container 64. The leaflet label 60 also includes a folded leaflet 66 which is adhered to the support piece 62. The label 60 also incorporates a flexible light emitting polymer screen 68 which is adhered to the support piece 62 adjacent the folded leaflet 66. The flexible light emitting polymer screen 68 is arranged to display information, such as variable information i.e. batch number and expiry date of a pharmaceutical product to be contained within the container 64, the information being indicated by reference numeral 70 in Figure 6. The flexible light emitting polymer screen 68 may be powered by a combined power source and control device which may be provided on the support piece 62 as provided by reference numeral 72 or alternatively, the power and control device may be incorporated within the container 64.

Claims (15)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A label for a product, the label including a flexible light emitting polymer screen and a power and control device for displaying an image on the screen, the power and control device including a switching mechanism which is operated by touch or by detecting at least one of light, sound, temperature, humidity or water.
2. The label according to claim 1 wherein the label further includes a self-adhesive rear substrate on which the screen is carried.
3. The label according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the screen is adapted to display a preformed image.
4. The label according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the screen is adapted to display a variable image which is pre-programmed into the power and control device.
5. The label according to claim 4 wherein the image comprises at least one of text and pictures which are static or moving.
6. The label according to any one of claims 1-5 wherein the screen incorporates a hologram.
7. The label according to any one of claims 1-6 wherein the screen is divided into a plurality of areas for displaying multiple images.
8. The label according to any one of claims 1-7 wherein the screen is touch or audibly sensitive.
9. The label according to any one of claims 1-8 further comprising a folded portion to which the screen is adhered.
10. The label according to claim 9 wherein the folded portion is disposed on a self-adhesive support piece releasably carried on a backing of release material and has a front sheet which is covered by the screen.
11. The label according to claim 10 further comprising a self-adhesive plastics overlaminate which is adhered over the screen and to the support piece.
12. The label according to claim 11 wherein the overlaminate is also adhered to the backing of release material.
13. The label according to any one of claims 9-12 wherein the folded portion is selected from a folded leaflet and a booklet.
14. A container labelled with the label of any one of the claims 1-13, the label being adhered to the container.
15. The container according to claim 14 including an audible generator for emitting sound in conjunction with an image displayed by the screen.
CA002338426A 1998-07-23 1999-07-16 Labels and promotional devices Expired - Fee Related CA2338426C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9816130.0 1998-07-23
GBGB9816130.0A GB9816130D0 (en) 1998-07-23 1998-07-23 Display device
PCT/GB1999/002298 WO2000005701A1 (en) 1998-07-23 1999-07-16 Labels and promotional devices

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2338426A1 CA2338426A1 (en) 2000-02-03
CA2338426C true CA2338426C (en) 2008-10-21

Family

ID=10836087

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002338426A Expired - Fee Related CA2338426C (en) 1998-07-23 1999-07-16 Labels and promotional devices

Country Status (11)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1099206B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2002521721A (en)
KR (1) KR100694213B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE236443T1 (en)
AU (1) AU771893B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2338426C (en)
DE (1) DE69906536T2 (en)
DK (1) DK1099206T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2196836T3 (en)
GB (1) GB9816130D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2000005701A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10140991C2 (en) * 2001-08-21 2003-08-21 Osram Opto Semiconductors Gmbh Organic light-emitting diode with energy supply, manufacturing process therefor and applications
JP2005066766A (en) * 2003-08-25 2005-03-17 Saichiro Yamashita Robot with whole surface monitor
WO2008069744A1 (en) * 2006-12-04 2008-06-12 Ritzen Adam Voice label
JP4847368B2 (en) * 2007-03-05 2011-12-28 株式会社フジシールインターナショナル Storage label
DE102007043407A1 (en) * 2007-09-12 2009-03-19 Polyic Gmbh & Co. Kg Multilayer flexible film body
DE102008026216B4 (en) 2008-05-30 2010-07-29 Polyic Gmbh & Co. Kg Electronic switch
DE102008050432A1 (en) 2008-10-08 2010-05-06 Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa Display means for packaging
US20110140844A1 (en) * 2009-12-15 2011-06-16 Mcguire Kenneth Stephen Packaged product having a reactive label and a method of its use

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3586084D1 (en) * 1984-10-29 1992-06-25 David John Instance LABELS AND THEIR PRODUCTION.
GB2171386B (en) * 1985-02-18 1988-06-02 Instance Ltd David J Labels and manufacture thereof
JPS6435836U (en) * 1987-08-27 1989-03-03
GB2247662B (en) * 1990-08-31 1994-11-02 Instance Ltd David J Labels and manufacture thereof
DE69231312T3 (en) * 1991-06-12 2003-12-11 Dupont Displays Inc APPLICABLE FORMS OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE POLYANILINES AND CONDUCTIVE PRODUCTS PRODUCED THEREOF
JPH0720693U (en) * 1992-07-20 1995-04-11 李 嘉旭 Deadline warning device
US5339548A (en) * 1992-08-26 1994-08-23 Russell James M Receptacle display activated after the sensing of the condition of the liquid
GB9310951D0 (en) * 1993-05-27 1993-07-14 Instance Ltd David J Labels and manufacture thereof
ATE183436T1 (en) * 1994-05-27 1999-09-15 David John Instance LABELS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THEM
JPH0899384A (en) * 1994-09-30 1996-04-16 Ykk Kk Luminous material
FI962692A (en) * 1996-06-28 1997-12-29 Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd Touch screen and terminal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1099206A1 (en) 2001-05-16
EP1099206B1 (en) 2003-04-02
CA2338426A1 (en) 2000-02-03
AU5050099A (en) 2000-02-14
KR20010079556A (en) 2001-08-22
DE69906536D1 (en) 2003-05-08
GB9816130D0 (en) 1998-09-23
WO2000005701A1 (en) 2000-02-03
DE69906536T2 (en) 2004-01-08
ES2196836T3 (en) 2003-12-16
JP2002521721A (en) 2002-07-16
KR100694213B1 (en) 2007-03-14
ATE236443T1 (en) 2003-04-15
DK1099206T3 (en) 2003-07-28
AU771893B2 (en) 2004-04-08

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