DE102011007733B4 - Laser inscribable label material and label produced therefrom - Google Patents

Abstract

Laser-inscribable label material (1), at least consisting of a carrier layer (2) and a coating (21) carried by the latter, wherein to generate an optically perceptible, desired writing and / or image representation (5) by means of the laser radiation (40) of a controllable laser inserter (4) the coating (21) can be removed in corresponding surface areas, characterized in that a layer (20) is arranged between the carrier layer (2) and the coating (21) which can be removed by laser radiation, such that the wavelength of the laser light from the laser inscription (4 ) and the reflective properties of the layer (20) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the layer (20) reflects the laser radiation (40) of the laser marker (4) preventing harmful thermal stress on the carrier layer (2), and that the layer (20) for visible light is transparent or at least translucent.

Description

The present invention relates to a laser-writable label material, at least consisting of a carrier layer and a coating carried by this, wherein the coating is removable in corresponding surface areas to produce a visually perceptible, desired font and / or image representation by means of the laser radiation of a controllable laser inscription. Moreover, the invention relates to a label made from the label material.

A label material of the type mentioned is out DE 44 05 612 A1 known. In this label material, the carrier layer is formed by a transparent plastic film and carries on its side facing away from the first, removable by laser radiation coating side, a second, optically different from the first coating coating. This ensures that the second coating of the laser radiation is not thermally affected to a detrimental extent when the first coating is removed in a laser marking process. However, it has proved to be disadvantageous in this known label material that the carrier layer itself can be damaged by the laser radiation, which impairs the quality, stability and durability of the label material and the labels produced therefrom.

From the DE 43 32 853 A1 is a multilayer film is known that allows a colored design of font and image using laser beam. Such labeled films are preferably used as labels. In the case of this multilayer film, a second layer of any desired coloring which does not absorb the laser beam used is present under a cover layer which is locally thermally degradable by means of a laser beam and consists of an aluminum substrate. In this multilayer film has been found to be problematic that when removing the cover layer, a very precise spatial adjustment of the laser beam is required because the existing of the aluminum substrate cover layer is very thin, so that in an inaccurate setting of the laser beam either the cover layer or not is not completely removed or even the second layer is partially removed by the laser beam and / or damaged in their structure.

In the DE 103 26 501 A1 Another laser-writable multi-layer label material is described. The label material here has a first layer and a second, optically different from the first layer layer, wherein the second layer is removable by laser radiation corresponding to a desired font or print image to visualize the surface of the first layer. Furthermore, an energy-absorbing intermediate layer is arranged between the layers, which allows the removal of the parts of the second layer struck by the laser beam without removing the first layer. A disadvantage of this label material is considered that the energy absorbing intermediate layer leads to a high thermal load of the first, not to be removed layer, whereby it can be undesirably partially removed and / or damaged in their structure.

The DE 10 2004 021 897 A1 describes a method of making a scratchable label with hidden information. In this case, the information is written into a film layer by means of a laser beam through an already applied scratch-off layer, preferably by means of carbonization, ie blackening, of the film material. In this case, the contrast of the information inscribed in the film can be improved by arranging a layer of highly reflective material or of a well-reflecting color, in particular white, below the film.

The EP 1 928 751 B1 shows a laminate material with a laser radiation reflecting layer. As seen in the beam direction of the laser beam, the reflective layer here is the lowermost layer of the laminate material. The writing of information takes place by means of a laser beam which, through a top layer of the laminate which is permeable to the laser beam, strikes a layer absorbing the laser radiation and heats it, but does not remove it. The heat generated in the absorbent layer passes into a thermochromic layer underlying the absorbent layer which changes its color at the heated spots.

For the present invention, therefore, the task of creating a laser-writable label material and a label of the type mentioned, which avoid the disadvantages listed and in which a relatively simple and safe, damage to the label material or the label avoiding labeling by means of laser beam is possible.

The solution of the first part of this task, regarding the label material, according to the invention succeeds with a laser-writable label material of the type mentioned, which is characterized in that between the carrier layer and the laser radiation removable coating, a layer is arranged, that the wavelength of the laser light of the laser inscription and the reflection properties of the layer are matched to one another such that the layer prevents the laser radiation of the laser marker from damaging the thermal stress on the carrier layer reflected, and that the layer of visible light is transparent or at least translucent.

In the case of the label material according to the invention, the laser radiation of the laser marker effectively ensures that the laser radiation of the laser marker can act practically only on the coating to be removed and that the carrier layer and optionally further layers of the label material lying below the laser radiation do not or at least do not be reached or influenced to a harmful extent. In particular, the laser radiation reflecting layer ensures that the carrier layer does not experience harmful thermal stress. As a result, relatively frequently occurring holes in the carrier layer and other material damage as well as consequential damage caused thereby are reliably avoided in label materials according to the prior art. That the laser radiation reflective layer is transparent or at least translucent to visible light allows a viewer to see through it an underlying layer. At the same time there is also the possibility to illuminate the label material from its back, in which case a light passage through the laser radiation reflective layer is possible therethrough.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the reflective layer contains the laser radiation of the laser scribe reflective pigments. This makes it possible in particular to influence the degree of reflectivity of the reflective layer by the nature and / or amount of the reflective pigments in the desired manner and adjust as needed.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the reflective layer is a layer which is applied to the carrier layer and then cured in a liquid or pasty state, or a metal layer applied to the carrier layer or a film layer laminated onto the carrier layer.

The carrier layer should on the one hand give the label material the necessary mechanical stability, but on the other hand should be as thin and light as possible and easy to produce. For this purpose, the carrier layer is preferably formed from a plastic film or from a plastic layer produced by printing technology, wherein the plastic is preferably a polyester or polyvinyl chloride or polyolefin.

It is also possible for the backing layer to be transparent or translucent. Hereby, the same advantages are achieved as they are already mentioned above in connection with the transparent or translucent laser radiation reflecting layer.

In order to be able to produce different embodiments of the label material with as simple as possible manufacturability, the invention further proposes that the coating which can be removed by load radiation comprises a color layer applied in a liquid or pasty state to the reflective layer and then hardened or a metal layer vapor-deposited on the reflective layer or a film layer laminated on the reflective layer. In this case, the material from which the coating which can be removed by laser radiation is of course selected so that the removal by the laser beam of the laser inscription can be carried out without problems.

For embodiments of the label material in which the carrier layer is also transparent or translucent, a further embodiment provides that the carrier layer carries on its side remote from the first coating, which can be removed by laser radiation, a second coating optically distinguishable from the first coating. Hereby, the advantageous possibility of a particularly high-contrast representation of characters, numbers or picture elements is created on the label material, since now in addition to the laser radiation removable first coating and the second coating can be adjusted in terms of their visually perceivable by a viewer appearance in the desired manner, in particular with different colors and / or with different brightnesses.

In terms of a simple and inexpensive manufacturability as possible is preferably provided for the second coating that this is applied in a liquid or pasty state on the carrier layer and then hardened paint layer or a vapor-deposited on the support layer metal layer or a laminated on the support layer film layer.

An even greater variability in the optical design of the label material results when the first and / or the second coating is multicolored, preferably in multicolor printing, is / are.

If it is to be made from the label material durchleuchtbare or backlit labels, then expediently, the second coating is made translucent.

In order to be able to produce labels from the label material according to the invention which can be attached quickly and easily to a mounting surface provided therefor, the invention proposes that the label material be provided on its side facing away from the first coating or on the side facing away from the carrier layer side of the first coating as the outermost layer carries an adhesive layer.

In order for the adhesive layer not to interfere with the optical properties of the label material and to allow fluoroscopy or backlighting, it is provided that the adhesive layer consists of a transparent or translucent adhesive.

For the purpose of simple production of the label material, the adhesive layer is preferably a transfer adhesive or an adhesive applied by printing.

Furthermore, the invention provides that the adhesive layer is covered with a peelable protective cover, such as siliconized protective paper. As a result, the adhesive layer is protected and the label material easily manageable until a label made from the label material is actually to be attached to a mounting surface.

The label material can be made sheet or arcuate, then then cut off or cut out or punch labels of the desired size.

Labeling with the laser marker can be done as needed, either before or after or even before and partly after the label material is divided into individual labels.

Finally, the invention relates to a label, which is characterized in that it consists of a label material of the type described above, d. H. according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, is produced.

In the following an embodiment of the invention will be explained with reference to a drawing. The figures of the drawing show:

1 a label material in a schematic, not to scale cross section and

2 a label made from the label material in plan view.

1 shows in a schematic, not to scale representation of a web-shaped label material 1 in a section transverse to its longitudinal direction. The label material 1 consists of several superimposed layers, which are shown exaggerated here for better visibility. In practice, the thickness of the layers is only a few to a few micrometers. Cutting or punching is the label material 1 in individual labels 10 (please refer 2 ) Dividable.

Furthermore, in 1 above the label material 1 purely schematically a laser inscription 4 indicated. With the laser inscription 4 is a laser beam 40 producible, with which the label material 1 can be labeled in a desired manner.

A load-bearing layer of label material 1 is through a carrier layer 2 formed, which consists here of a transparent plastic film.

On top of the carrier layer 2 lies a reflective layer 20 , which consists here of a paint with pigments contained therein, which laser radiation of the laser beam 40 of the laser inscription 4 reflect. At the same time here is the layer 20 transparent to visible light or at least translucent. The layer 20 is for example on the top of the carrier layer 2 printed.

Here are the wavelength of the laser light of the laser inscription 4 and the reflective properties of the layer 20 or the pigments contained therein for this laser light on the one hand and the transparency of the layer 20 For visible light coordinated so that the desired properties mentioned above are achieved. Corresponding adjustments and adjustments can be made, for example, by varying the amount and / or the type of reflective pigments in the layer 20 forming paint can be made. In practice, the pigments are present in the paint in a proportion by weight of between about 5 and 30%, preferably between about 10 and 20%.

On top of the reflective layer 20 lies a first coating 21 , which consists of a color here, by the laser beam 40 of the laser inscription 4 can be abraded, especially vaporizable, is. The coating 21 is also preferably on the layer 20 printed.

On the underside of the carrier layer 2 there is a second coating 22 that here, like the layer 20 , made of one color but with a different hue. Also the second coating 22 is on the underside of the carrier layer 2 preferably printed. Alternatively, the second coating 22 also between the reflective layer 20 and the carrier layer 2 be arranged.

Below the second coating 22 lies an adhesive layer 30 , in turn, from the underside of a protective cover 31 , for example, made of siliconized paper, is covered. The adhesive layer 30 is for example by printing or by a transfer process to the underside of the second coating 20 applied.

For labeling the label material 1 be this and the laser scribe 4 in the plane of the label material 1 moved in two coordinate directions relative to each other, wherein the laser inscribers 4 electronically stored data is switched on and off or modulated as required. This will be the first coating 21 in desired areas by means of the laser beam 40 removed, in particular evaporated, after which then in these areas the top of the reflective layer 20 is free.

The layer 20 reflects the incident laser radiation of the laser beam 40 so that neither the backing layer 2 still the second coating 22 or the adhesive layer 30 from the laser radiation of the laser beam 40 be influenced in a disturbing measure. Thus, in the labeling process ensures that the carrier layer 2 and the underlying further layers by the laser radiation of the laser beam 40 not be harmed. This preserves the stability and durability of the label material 1 and the labels produced therefrom 10 unimpaired.

Labeling the label material 1 can be done before this in individual labels 10 is divided; Alternatively, the label material 1 even before labeling first in individual labels 10 cut and then with the laser inscription 4 be labeled. It is also possible for a variety of labels 10 to attach identical parts of the label in advance and after cutting the label material 1 in individual labels 10 only make an individual part of the label.

After the labeling process is in the areas where the first coating 21 is worn away, through the reflective layer 20 and the carrier layer 2 for a viewer, the second coating 22 visible, noticeable. If the second coating 22 between the carrier layer 2 and the reflective layer 20 lies, only the reflective layer needs 20 be transparent or translucent, so that the viewer the second coating 22 able to see. The second coating 22 preferably has a distinct color contrast and / or brightness contrast to the first coating 21 on. Thus, a label on the label material 1 clearly visible to a viewer.

By means of the adhesive layer 30 can the label labeled 10 after removing the protective cover 31 be attached to a mounting surface.

If next to the layer 20 and the carrier layer 2 also the second coating 22 and the adhesive layer 30 are translucent, the label may 10 also be used as a backlit label, which is then easily recognizable and readable even in dark surroundings.

2 shows an example of a finished label in a plan view 10 made from the previously described label material 1 by cutting and labeling by means of the laser inscription 4 is made. The visible side of the label 10 gets through the first coating 21 formed, which here has a dark color, such as black. In desired areas, this is the first coating 21 with the laser beam 40 of the laser inscription 4 then, in these areas, then through the reflective layer 20 and the carrier layer 2 through the second coating 22 becomes visible.

The second coating 22 has one for the first coating 21 contrasting, here light color, as white. This results in a clearly visible and easily readable representation on the label 10 , Here are a caption 50 , an image representation 51 as well as a barcode 52 shown by way of example.

At the in 2 example shown is a bright representation on a dark background; Of course, conversely, a dark representation on a light background is possible. Instead of black and white are in practice any other colors, including metallic colors, for the first and second coating 21 . 22 possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

label material

10

label

2

backing

20

reflective layer

21

first coating

22

second coating

30

adhesive layer

31

protective cover

4

Laser Marker

40

laser beam

50

labeling

51

image

52

barcode

Claims (15)

Laser markable label material ( 1 ), at least consisting of a carrier layer ( 2 ) and a coating carried by this ( 21 ), wherein to produce a visually perceptible, desired font and / or image representation ( 5 ) by means of the laser radiation ( 40 ) of a controllable Laser marker ( 4 ) the coating ( 21 ) is removable in corresponding areas, characterized in that between the carrier layer ( 2 ) and the laser radiation removable coating ( 21 ) a layer ( 20 ) is arranged such that the wavelength of the laser light of the laser inscription ( 4 ) and the reflection properties of the layer ( 20 ) are coordinated so that the layer ( 20 ) the laser radiation ( 40 ) of the laser inscription ( 4 ) a harmful thermal load on the carrier layer ( 2 ) and that the layer ( 20 ) is transparent or at least translucent to visible light. Label material according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflective layer ( 20 ) the laser radiation ( 40 ) of the laser inscription ( 4 ) contains reflective pigments. Label material according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reflective layer ( 20 ) one in a liquid or pasty state on the carrier layer ( 2 ) and then cured or on the carrier layer ( 2 ) applied metal layer or on the carrier layer ( 2 ) is laminated film layer. Label material according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the carrier layer ( 2 ) is formed from a plastic film or from a polymer layer produced by printing, wherein the plastic is preferably a polyester or polyvinyl chloride or polyolefin. Label material according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the carrier layer ( 2 ) is translucent or translucent. Label material according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the removable by load radiation coating ( 21 ) one in a liquid or pasty state on the reflective layer ( 20 ) and then cured color layer or on the reflective layer ( 20 ) vapor deposited metal layer or on the reflective layer ( 20 ) is laminated film layer. Label material according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that the carrier layer ( 2 ) on its first coating (which can be removed by laser radiation) ( 21 ) facing away from the first coating ( 21 ) optically distinguishable second coating ( 22 ) wearing. Label material according to claim 7, characterized in that the second coating ( 22 ) one in a liquid or pasty state on the carrier layer ( 2 ) and then cured color layer or on the carrier layer ( 2 ) vapor-deposited metal layer or one on the carrier layer ( 2 ) is laminated film layer. Label material according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first and / or the second coating ( 21 . 22 ) is multicolored, preferably in multi-color printing, is / are. Label material according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the second coating ( 22 ) is translucent. Label material according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is attached to its first coating ( 21 ) or on the side facing away from the carrier layer side of the first coating ( 21 ) as the outermost layer an adhesive layer ( 30 ) wearing. Label material according to claim 11, characterized in that the adhesive layer ( 30 ) consists of a transparent or translucent adhesive. Label material according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the adhesive layer ( 30 ) is a transfer adhesive or a pressure applied adhesive. Label material according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the adhesive layer ( 30 ) with a removable protective cover ( 31 ), such as siliconized release paper. Label ( 10 ), characterized in that it consists of a label material ( 1 ) is produced according to one or more of claims 1 to 14.

Images