EP1634816B1 - Label with transparent and opaque areas - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container having a label with a transparent and opaque label area.

Such labels are u.a. used when the filling condition of a labeled transparent container is to be grasped from different angles at a glance, or when otherwise under or behind the label objects, such as ads, should be visible through the label.

Opaque and transparent areas in a label are usually realized by providing a transparent label sheet with a mostly white, opaque background print, leaving only the area of the window blank, thus remaining transparent. Such a realization of transparent and opaque label areas is, for example, in EP 1 276 089 A2 described. The almost full-surface printing has the disadvantage that it is relatively expensive not only because of the high consumption of ink, but the most required multiple screen printing processes make the manufacturing process very expensive. Leaving the label film as a whole transparent is usually not an alternative, because then a text imprint would be difficult or - especially for self-overlapping labels with imprinting in the overlapping and overlapping area - practically unreadable.

Especially when intended to be in the glued state even overlapping container labels transparent areas are usually indispensable to control the container level. The dimensions of such labels in the dispensing direction can range from anything over the simple to the multiple of the Container circumference amount. Such labels are often referred to as "Überrundum" labels.

Oversized labels are mainly used for labeling of pharmaceutical containers, for example infusion bottles, syringe ampoules, tablet boxes, pharmaceutical vials, etc., since here often a small container size faces a large amount of information which is to be attached to the container. Thus, almost the entire container surface is often needed for common indications such as drug designation and dosage, container size, instructions for use, lot number and expiration date, sometimes in more than one language. If required, the surface area of a container can be used in several ways by using overlapping labels. For this purpose, precautions are taken as a rule, which allow the at least partially unwinding of the label from the container or simplify, so that the information which is printed on the covered by the overlap label areas, are accessible. Particularly noteworthy here are gripping tabs on the edge of the label (trailing during dispensing) which have no pressure-sensitive adhesive coating on their underside or only one with reduced adhesive force, and adhesion-reducing coatings, such as, for example, siliconization.

Like other labels in the medical pharmaceutical field of application, overlay labels are often designed so that portions of the label can be separated from the remainder of the label by, for example, perforation lines or release liners. The separated areas, often referred to as slip sections, can be archived separately, for example pasted into patient records or lab books, to record the administration of a particular dose of a particular drug. In most cases, the document sections are areas of the overlapping part of the label. Correspondingly executed Überrundum labels are among others EP 0 463 193 A1 known.

In the meantime, round-top labels with hanging straps for over-the-top infusion bottles have also appeared on the market. The bow-shaped hangers, which can be pulled out of the film plane of the remaining, glued to the container label, are intended on the hook of a Infusionsgalgens or the like suspended. For labels with hangers the Überrundum arrangement offers the advantage that the adhesive bond between hanging container and label only shear loads, but is not exposed to peel stress, since the label is adhered to itself due to the self-overlapping arrangement. This advantage is particularly useful if the container to be hung is a glass container, since the adhesive connection "plastic on plastic" between the overlapping label areas is more stable than an adhesive bond "plastic on glass". This applies to a greater extent when there are light contaminants on the container surface, and when the labeled container is tempered in a water bath. Typical contaminants are oil residues, water droplets, hand sweat or grease, detergents and other chemicals. By a water bath treatment, the adhesive force of an adhesive compound deteriorates on glass, since hydrogen bonds break between the silicates of the glass and the carbonyl groups of the pressure-sensitive adhesive. The temperature control in a water bath is common in medical applications, which is why labels with suspension tabs according to DIN 58 376 must pass a water bath test in order to ensure the functional safety in the application.

The over-round labels with suspension tabs on the market are opaque and therefore have the disadvantage of hardly observing the level. For this reason, a large part of conventional labels with suspension tabs are not self-overlapping and are equipped with particularly sturdy but also expensive adhesives. However, the high failure safety of Überrundum labels is usually not fully achieved. Basically, labels with suspension tabs, for example, from the publications DE 39 07 862 A1 . DE 91 01 464 U1 . EP 0 356 574 A2 and EP 0 632 422 A1 known.

In view of the problem explained, the present invention has the object, over-round labeled containers with visibility option to make inexpensive executable, in particular safely suspended overhead container.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a container with self-overlapping glued label according to claim 1.

A complex opaque surface pressure as previously customary can be omitted. The solution according to the invention is particularly advantageous if the label also previously had to be made two or more layers for stability or functional reasons. In this case can be According to the invention realize a transparent label window with little effort by merely an additional punching step, a slit or the like.

Particularly advantageous is the inventive design transparent and opaque label areas implement label versions with suspension tabs. The suspension tab can be formed from one or more film layers of the label. A multi-layered design provides increased protection against tearing of the suspension loop.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, one or more separable label parts or document sections may be provided. In principle, known solutions are feasible, i. E. sections which can be severed via perforations or stampings, as well as label parts fastened via adhesive bonds with reduced adhesion. According to an advantageous embodiment separable label parts or document sections are made opaque and cover when intended arrangement the transparent label area. After separation or removal of the transparent area is visible. Previously, there is a light or UV protection due to the opaque cover.

Preferably, the opaque label area is printed with text and / or image and / or code information. The transparent label area can also be advantageously printed, for example with a scale which facilitates the reading of a fill level to be monitored through the transparent area.

Depending on the application, the film layers of the labels according to the invention can generally be produced from the known film materials customary in the field of label technology, for example PET, PVC or polyolefins. In addition to plastic films and other materials can be used, the opaque film layer, for example, from paper, a so-called nonwoven or as a fabric layer can be performed. Furthermore, depending on the application, metallic layers can also be used.

Conventional adhesives can also be used for the self-adhesive coating for affixing the labels according to the invention. Basically, depending on the intended application, method of attachment and load to be expected, these can be selected from the entire spectrum of pressure-sensitive adhesives customary for labels, for example acrylates, rubber adhesives, hotmelts, post-curing adhesives and the like. The same applies to adhesives for connecting the individual label layers together. The individual labels do not have to necessarily by gluing, but may also be otherwise, for example by hot lamination or welding (laser welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.), connected to each other.

In addition to full-surface and partial adhesive coatings are possible.

If desired, the labels according to the invention can also be equipped with security features known per se for increasing the security against counterfeiting, for example holograms, luminescent color components, micro-labels and the like.

In the case of label attachments with a suspension tab, the area of the transition between the suspension tab and the container is preferably arranged below the container center of gravity, so that the container can be suspended from the suspension tab above the head.

If separable label parts or document sections are provided as described above, then they can advantageously be arranged so that the entirety of the separable label parts or document sections covers the transparent label area at least predominantly or completely.

In principle, any variant of the invention described or indicated in the context of the present application may be particularly advantageous, depending on the economic and technical conditions in the individual case. Unless otherwise stated, or as far as technically feasible, individual features of the described embodiments are interchangeable or combinable.

Fig. 1

einen Auschnitt des Etiketts eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters in perspektivischer Ansicht mit zueinender versetzten Schnitten in den Folienlagen,

Fig. 2a

ein vor Anbringung auf einen Behälter auf einem Stück Abziehmaterial angeordnetes Etikett mit Aufhängebügel und zwei Belegabschnitten in der Draufsicht,

Fig. 2b

eine Schnittansicht durch das Etikett aus Fig. 2a in der durch die strichpunktierte Linie A-A' angedeutete, senkrecht zur Zeichenebene orientierte Schnittebene,

Fig. 2c

eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters, dessen Etikett wie das Etikett aus Figuren 2a-b ausgeführt ist

Fig. 3a

eine Schnittansicht des Etiketts eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters,

Fig. 3b

eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters, dessen Etikett ausgeführt ist wie das Etikett aus Fig. 3a, wobei die Behälterwandung nur als einfacher Kreis angedeutet ist,

Fig. 4a

eine Schnittansicht des Etiketts eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters, wobei opake und transparente Lage zueinander versetzt sind,

Fig. 4b

eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters, dessen Etikett ausgeführt ist wie das Etikett aus Fig. 4a, wobei die Behälterwandung nur als einfacher Kreis angedeutet ist,

Fig. 5a

eine Schnittansicht des Etiketts eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters,

Fig. 5b

eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters, dessen Etikett ausgeführt ist wie das Etikett aus Fig. 5a, wobei die Behälterwandung nur als einfacher Kreis angedeutet ist,

Fig. 6a

eine Schnittansicht des Etiketts eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters,

Fig. 6b

eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters, dessen Etikett ausgeführt ist wie das Etikett aus Fig. 6a, wobei die Behälterwandung nur als einfacher Kreis angedeutet ist,

Fig. 7a

eine Schnittansicht des Etiketts eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters,

Fig. 7b

eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters, dessen Etikett ausgeführt ist wie das Etikett aus Fig. 7a, wobei die Behälterwandung nur als einfacher Kreis angedeutet ist,

Fig. 8a

eine Schnittansicht des Etiketts eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters,

Fig. 8b

eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters, dessen Etikett ausgeführt ist wie das Etikett aus Fig. 8a, wobei die Behälterwandung nur als einfacher Kreis angedeutet ist,

Fig. 9a

eine Schnittansicht des Etiketts eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters,

Fig. 9b

eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters, dessen Etikett ausgeführt ist wie das Etikett aus Fig. 9a, wobei die Behälterwandung nur als einfacher Kreis angedeutet ist,

Fig. 10a

eine Schnittansicht des Etiketts eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters mit ablösbarem Belegabschnitt, und

Fig. 10b

eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters, dessen Etikett ausgeführt ist wie das Etikett aus Fig. 10a, wobei die Behälterwandung nur als einfacher Kreis angedeutet ist.

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered purely schematically. The drawings are not to scale, proportions shown for reasons of clarity partially distorted. In particular, layer thicknesses of the individual label layers are greatly exaggerated in sectional views. Since the drawing figures serve to illustrate different, often mutually interchangeable or combinable individual features, they have a different degree of detailing. Corresponding features are as far as appropriate each provided with the same reference numerals. In detail shows

Fig. 1

a section of the label of a container according to the invention in a perspective view with zueinender staggered sections in the Film layers,

Fig. 2a

a label with suspension hanger and two document sections arranged in front of a container on a piece of release material before being applied to the container,

Fig. 2b

2 shows a sectional view through the label from FIG. 2a in the sectional plane indicated by the dot-dash line AA ', oriented perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, FIG.

Fig. 2c

a sectional view of a container according to the invention, the label is designed as the label of Figures 2a-b

Fig. 3a

a sectional view of the label of a container according to the invention,

Fig. 3b

a sectional view of a container according to the invention, the label is executed as the label of Fig. 3a, wherein the container wall is indicated only as a single circle,

Fig. 4a

a sectional view of the label of a container according to the invention, wherein opaque and transparent layer are offset from each other,

Fig. 4b

3 a sectional view of a container according to the invention, the label of which is designed like the label from FIG. 4 a, wherein the container wall is indicated only as a simple circle,

Fig. 5a

a sectional view of the label of a container according to the invention,

Fig. 5b

a sectional view of a container according to the invention, the label is executed as the label of Fig. 5a, wherein the container wall is indicated only as a single circle,

Fig. 6a

a sectional view of the label of a container according to the invention,

Fig. 6b

a sectional view of a container according to the invention, the label is executed as the label of Fig. 6a, wherein the container wall only as simple circle is indicated,

Fig. 7a

a sectional view of the label of a container according to the invention,

Fig. 7b

a sectional view of a container according to the invention, the label is executed as the label of Fig. 7a, wherein the container wall is indicated only as a single circle,

Fig. 8a

a sectional view of the label of a container according to the invention,

Fig. 8b

3 a sectional view of a container according to the invention, the label of which is designed like the label from FIG. 8 a, wherein the container wall is indicated only as a simple circle,

Fig. 9a

a sectional view of the label of a container according to the invention,

Fig. 9b

a sectional view of a container according to the invention, the label is executed as the label of Fig. 9a, wherein the container wall is indicated only as a simple circle,

Fig. 10a

a sectional view of the label of a container according to the invention with detachable document section, and

Fig. 10b

a sectional view of a container according to the invention, the label is executed as the label of Fig. 10a, wherein the container wall is indicated only as a simple circle.

The label shown in Figure 1 schematically represents a simple basic form of a label for a container according to the invention, which consists essentially of a transparent film layer 1 and an opaque film layer 2, the latter having a window 4 in the form of a punched-out recess. On the underside, the label is provided with a transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 3.

The strip-shaped label shown in Figures 2a and 2b and - in the glued state - Fig. 2c has a transparent plastic film layer 1, which over the However, most of their length is not completely covered by the opaque film layer 2. There remains a not covered by the opaque film layer window area 4, which extends over the entire strip width to have in the glued state regardless of the container level unobstructed view of the liquid miniscus in the container 15.

The film layers 1, 2 are connected to each other by means of an adhesive layer 14. The underside pressure-sensitive adhesive coating 3 is used for attachment to the container 15. Before attachment, the label on a support 10, for example, made of paper, with adhesive repellent surface 9, for example, silicone varnish arranged.

By punching a bow-shaped Aufhängelasche 5 is formed on the underside of the pressure-sensitive adhesive coating 3 is deactivated by means of a so-called Klebsttofkillers, so that here non-adhesive areas 13 are present, which allow easy removal of the suspension tab 5 from the label plane for suspending the container 15.

The opaque film layer 2 has a print 11.

By punching 6 2 two printed document sections 7 are formed in the opaque label film. Below the document sections 7, the transparent film layer 1 with a likewise transparent, adhesive-repellent coating 12, for example, siliconization, provided, whereby the document sections 7 are easily removable. By the adhesive coating 14, the detached voucher sections 7 can be glued again, for example on one side of a patient file. For ease of handling, each of the document sections 7 on a non-adhesive grip tab 8 on the underside.

In the affixed state, the label area in which the receipt sections 7 are arranged overlaps the transparent window area 4. After detachment of one of the receipt sections 7, the window area 4 is visible. The container contents are visible through the window area 4 and the transparent wall of the container 15.

FIGS. 3a to 10b show, as sectional representations, seven different further embodiments of the labels according to the invention, analogous to FIGS. 2b and 2c, each once and once in the glued-on state in a superround arrangement. The containers 15 are indicated only as simple circles. Although not shown, each of the illustrated variants may be designed as a hanger label with a suspension tab similar to FIGS. 2a-c. Furthermore, further features such as imprints and the like. Be provided.

All illustrated variants according to the invention have an opaque film layer 2 and a non-congruent transparent film layer 1. The film layers are connected to one another via an adhesive layer 14. A pressure-sensitive adhesive coating 3 is used for bonding to the container 15. For manufacturing reasons, some variants are provided with a partial adhesive-reducing layer 16 which serves for the matrix removal.

In Fig. 3a-b, the opaque film layer 2 is disposed over the transparent film layer 1. Due to the smaller surface area of the opaque film layer, a transparent area 4 results, of which a part remains free in the affixed state.

The arrangement in Fig. 4a-b is similar to that in Fig. 3a-b executed, but the film layers 1, 2 have approximately the same extent, but are offset from one another. When adhered, the overlap is small enough to clear a transparent area 4.

The arrangement in Fig. 5a-b is also carried out similarly as in Fig. 3a-b, but here an additional adhesion-reducing coated film portion 17 is provided in the region of the overlap, which facilitates the detachment of the label from the container 15.

In the arrangement of FIG. 6a-b, the transparent film layer 1 is arranged above the opaque film layer 2 and projects beyond the latter to one side. A printing can optionally be provided both on the transparent film layer 1 and on the opaque film layer 2. If the opaque film layer 1 printed, the imprint is protected by the transparent film layer 1 against external influences. The same applies to security features or the like arranged on the opaque film layer. The arrangement in FIGS. 7a-b is similar to that in FIGS. 6a-b, but the transparent film layer 1 projects beyond the opaque film layer to two sides.

The arrangement in FIGS. 8a-b is in turn made similar to the arrangement of FIGS. 6a-b, however, as in FIGS. 5a-5b, an adhesion-reduced coated film area 17 is provided in the region of the overlap.

9a, 9b, 10a and 10b show labels similar to Figs. 2a, 2b, 2c, but with only one document section 7. While this is in Fig. 9a-9b spaced from the edge, the document section in Fig. 10a, 10b marginal. Further, in contrast to Fig. 2a, 2b, 2c transparent film layer 1 and opaque film layer 2 initially formed congruent. A transparent region is obtained only when removing the document section 7 in that it is arranged wholly or partly outside the overlapping area.

Claims (7)

1. Container (15), around which a label comprising at least one transparent label region (4) and at least one opaque label region is adhered in a self-lapping arrangement,
   characterized in that the label comprises at least one transparent film layer (1) and at least one opaque film layer (2) that covers part of the upper and/or lower surface of the transparent film layer (1), thereby producing the at least one transparent label region (4) and the at least one opaque label region,
   and that one of the opaque film layers (2) at its, in peripheral direction, two ends is in overlap with both one of the transparent film layers (1)
   and an adhesive layer (14) that establishes the connection between said transparent film layer (1) and opaque film layer (2).
2. Container (15) according to claim 1, wherein the label has a suspension strip (5), which is formed from at least one of the film layers (1, 2).
3. Container (15) according to claim 2, wherein the suspension strip of the label is formed from one of the film layers.
4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the region of the transition between suspension strip (5) and container (15) is disposed below the container centre of gravity to allow the container (15) to be suspended upside down on the suspension strip (5).
5. Container (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one opaque film layer is of a continuously coherent design.
6. Container (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the label has at least one detachable counterfoil (7).
7. Container according to claim 6, wherein the counterfoil (7) is opaque, and the entirety of the counterfoils at least predominantly covers the transparent label region (4).

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