EP3457388A1 - Self-adhesive label roll - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-adhesive label roll (1) having an endless strip (2) from which individual self-adhesive labels (3) are separable, with a printable front strip surface (4) and a back strip surface (5) with an adhesive layer (6), the adhesive labels (3 ) on each of a non-adhesive region (8) surrounded tear-off or cutting lines (7) are separable, and wherein on the back of the position of the non-adhesive areas indicating detectable markings (9) are mounted, which allow automatic control of the separation process of the adhesive labels, characterized in that the backside comprises an optical brightener material incorporated therein or coated thereon, which reflects light incident on the back surface with increased levels in the UV region, and that the marks contain UV light absorbing, blocking or covering substances , so out In the vicinity of the markings, a UV-sensitive sensor receives an attenuated UV light signal of the light reflected from the backside. This no longer disturbs any visible black marks.

Description

The invention relates to a self-adhesive label roll in the form of a printable, endless tape without adhesive tape, from which individual self-adhesive labels are detachable, wherein the endless strip has a printable front strip surface and an opposite back strip surface with an adhesive layer, so that the endless strip can be wound into a roll, wherein the endless strip is formed so that self-adhesive labels are separable at tear or cutting lines transversely to the longitudinal direction of the endless strip, wherein the tear or cutting lines on the strip back are each surrounded by an adhesive layer-free area, and wherein on the back strip surface from outside of the endless strip detectable markings are displayed, which indicate the position of the adhesive layer-free areas and their detection of an automatic control of the separation process of the adhesive labels from the endless strip allows.

Such a self-adhesive label roll with detectable markings (so-called "black marks") is known from the US 6,585,437 B1 ,

Such self-adhesive label rolls enable, for example, the printing of different current data, in particular product data, on a multiplicity of labels by means of a printer. In this case, the respective label can be deducted from the roll and glued individually to a desired surface. This can be done in the simplest case by hand, such as in the EP 1 053 289 B2 is described. There is already assumed by a printable, linerless (in English "linerless") constructed endless strip from which individual self-adhesive labels are separable. For better manual handling of the individual Klebebons is proposed to provide adhesive-free areas in the adhesive layer on the back of the tape on which the tape can be touched without the user's fingers come into contact with the adhesive.

The EP 3 021 307 A1 suggests the provision of notches on the tape edges, each marking the beginning and end of a cut-off area between two consecutive labels on the tape.

While traditional adhesive labels consist of paper, adhesive and a liner, the more modern linerless technology dispenses with the backing material. Instead of the expansive carrier tape, the paper of the linerless labels is coated with a special surface material, for example with a silicone layer, through which the labels are rolled up in layers and can be solved again from each other. By dispensing with the carrier material, the Linerless quality offers significantly more printable area per label roll.

In the cited in the above US 6,585,437 B1 described self-adhesive label roll is also a linerless ("linerless") constructed endless strip is mounted on the back strip surface in recesses of the adhesive layer detectable markers indicating the position of the adhesive-free areas and their detection of an automatic control of the separation process of the adhesive labels from the endless strip in Adhesive layer-free area should allow. Such markers used in the US 6,585,437 B1 As already indicated above, the expert knows the term "black marks". Blackmarks are usually printed as black bars. The black spot can then be recognized from the outside by means of a suitable detector. For the type of detection are in the US 6,585,437 B1 Also indicated various other possibilities, each using visible light or infrared light. In this connection, the application of color pigments in the adhesive layer is also described.

A disadvantage of these solutions is the always necessary presence of optical and aesthetically mostly disturbing black marks in the visible spectral range.

In the prior art, black marks having a certain width are used to indicate the cut edge. The blackmarks do not disappear after cutting. That is, they are still visible on the label, especially at the edge location where They may even be particularly easy to see if the label is already glued on and you look at it from above. Since the black marks are arranged in the adhesive-free area, at this point the label can easily -appear visibly-fold over or be detached from the product, so that one sees the black mark even more clearly. This would not be the case with an "invisible" blackmark, but that is not possible with the state-of-the-art solutions.

Possibly the black mark also pushes through the label and can be seen as a shadow when looking at the label from the top. This is especially true when the label is glued to a clear plastic tray and the tray is lit from behind, if necessary. In this case, there would be scattered light below the label - from the inside of the plastic shell, and so the black markers would shimmer through to the top of the label.

The object of the invention is in contrast, to improve a self-adhesive label roll of the type defined in a straightforward manner and cost readily available with technical means to provide a reproducible manageable, reliable and versatile applicable self-adhesive roll with endless tape unattached tape, in which no the human eye visible blackmarks are present.

This object is achieved in a technically particularly simple and surprisingly effective manner by a generic self-adhesive label roll, in which the back strip surface contained in a strip material, integrated therein or on it has applied optical brightener, which reflects light incident on the back strip surface with increased levels in the UV range, and that the detectable markers contain UV light absorbing, blocking or covering substances, so that from the spatial environment of the markers for UV light sensitive sensor receives an attenuated UV light signal from the light reflected from the back strip surface.

Of course, the optical brightener is placed in the paper to reflect light on the front of the endless strip, making the paper appear brighter and "whiter". As an unwanted and hitherto neglected side effect, the optical brightener in the paper but also on the back of the endless strip reflects what the present invention takes advantage of. In particular, this effect has hitherto been ignored, since in the processed state a self-adhesive label is adhesively bonded to the back of an object, and the backside is therefore not visible. During the processing of the endless strip, however, the backside of the endless strip is directly accessible, in particular with linerless quality, and the reflection of light on the backside of the endless strip can be used for its processing. Since, however, the detectable markings are not visible even in the visible region of the spectrum, but cooperate according to the invention only in the UV range with the optical brightener, the optical-aesthetic appearance of the label is not adversely affected by the presence of these "invisible" markers.

In this way, a convenient control of the cutting process of the individual self-adhesive labels is made possible. The endless strip itself is not necessarily controlled by the markers. These can be used to control the feed, but this does not necessarily have to be the case. However, the markers are definitely used for clipping in the adhesive-free area. Feed control is more likely to be associated with the printing process and the platen.

As a rule, the strip material (paper) itself will have optical brighteners - at least in Europe and North America. The brighteners are therefore usually not extra printed, but rather the paper material "mixed in", so part of the paper and thus integrated so to speak. On the other hand, in the proposals of the prior art, the optical properties of the fluorescent brightening agents, which are regularly integrated in or applied to the paper of the endless strip, in the prior art proposals for the external detection of the markers - in a non-visible spectral range - not used at all.

The term "environment of the marking" as used above is to be understood to mean that a light signal is attenuated at the location where the marking is located, ie not just in the narrow sense directly around the marking.

The self-adhesive label roll according to the invention thus has a special type of detectable markings, which contain UV light-absorbing, blocking or covering substances, in contrast to the previously customary embodiment. These allow a sensor sensitive to UV light from the environment of the marks to have a weakened UV light signal from that of the backside Strip surface of reflected light can receive. Detection with ultraviolet light sensors operating in the UV range at about 365nm makes it possible to use the optical brighteners used in paper as standard in Europe and the USA for the purposes of control in the processing of the self-adhesive roll of labels close.

Explanations of the concept of optical brighteners

Optical brighteners are chemical substances, such as fluorescent substances, which are often used in photo papers (eg RC papers). They are integrated in the coating or in the paper base. Optical brighteners make the paper appear artificially whiter.
The human eye can only perceive a very limited part of the electromagnetic spectrum of light. This part, the visible spectrum, is between 380nm (ultraviolet limit) and 780nm (infrared limit). Optical brighteners are molecules that absorb electromagnetic radiation between 300nm and 400nm ( outside the visible spectrum) and reflect them within the visible spectrum between 400nm and 500nm (in the blue color range). This phenomenon is known to the skilled person as fluorescence.

The omnipresent natural cellulose fibers in paper manufacture tend to absorb radiation in the blue region and therefore appear yellowish. An optical brightener "compensates" for this loss in the spectrum, since the colors blue and yellow cancel each other out as complementary colors. The paper thus appears whiter and brighter thanks to the fluorescence effect.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the self-adhesive label roll according to the invention, the optical brightener material integrated in or applied to the strip material preferably has exclusively natural pigments and / or fluorescent components.

The adhesives generally used for the construction of the adhesive layer on the back of the endless strip are virtually always transparent or semi-transparent and cover the optical brighteners to the outside or not at all, so that the optical effect of the optical brightener on the Rear of the endless strip is present.

1. 1. Aufbringen im Haftschicht-freien Bereich.
2. 2. Aufbringen zwischen Klebstoff und Papier (also unter der Haftschicht) an der Stelle, an der der Klebstoff aufhört. Die Markierung befindet sich also unter dem Klebstoff und der Rand der Markierung ist bündig mit dem Rand der Haftschicht.
3. 3. Aufbringen an der gleichen Position wie bei 2., jedoch oberhalb des Klebstoffs aufgedruckt.
   Die Markierung überdeckt dann den Klebstoff, so dass der Klebstoff an dieser Stelle weniger oder nicht mehr klebt. Aufgrund der geringen Größe der Markierung, in einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform ca. 10mm x 5mm, vermindert das die Haftfähigkeit eines Etikettes kaum. Beim Aufdrucken der Markierung in der Mitte der Querseite des Endlosstreifens beeinträchtigt die Markierung auch nicht die Haftfähigkeit eines Etiketts an dessen Ecken.

In general, various possibilities have to be differentiated in order to apply a marking in the sense of the invention:

1. 1. Application in the adhesive-free area.
2. 2. Application between adhesive and paper (ie under the adhesive layer) at the point where the glue stops. The marker is thus under the adhesive and the edge of the marker is flush with the edge of the adhesive layer.
3. 3. Apply at the same position as 2., but printed above the adhesive.
   The marker then covers the adhesive so that the adhesive sticks less or no longer at that location. Due to the small size of the mark, in a preferred embodiment about 10mm x 5mm, which reduces the Adhesiveness of a label barely. When imprinting the mark in the middle of the transverse side of the endless strip, the mark also does not affect the adhesiveness of a label at its corners.

• Bei einer ersten Klasse von Ausführungsformen sind die die detektierbaren Markierungen abdeckenden beziehungsweise UV-Licht absorbierenden oder blockierenden Stoffe in Form einer weißen Farbschicht auf der rückseitigen Streifenoberfläche aufgebracht. Diese Farbschicht kann im gleichen Prozess und mit der gleichen Produktionsstraße wie die aus dem Stand der Technik bekannten schwarzen Blackmarks gedruckt werden. Es muss lediglich im Produktionsprozess die schwarze Farbe durch weiße, mit UV-Licht absorbierenden, abdeckenden oder blockierenden Stoffen ausgetauscht werden. Die Erfindung erfordert daher nur ein unkompliziertes Umrüsten der Produktionsanlage, nicht jedoch deren Erweiterung, etwa um eine weitere Druckstation.

Accordingly, several classes of embodiments of the invention are to be distinguished, which may have different advantages depending on the specific application:

• In a first class of embodiments, the fabrics which cover the detectable markers or absorb or block UV light are applied in the form of a white ink layer on the back strip surface. This color coat can be printed in the same process and production line as the black blackmarks known in the art. Only in the production process, the black color must be replaced by white, with UV light absorbing, covering or blocking substances. The invention therefore requires only an uncomplicated conversion of the production plant, but not its extension, for example to another printing station.

A second class of embodiments is characterized in that the fabrics which cover the detectable markers or absorb or block UV light in the form of color areas which act as UV absorbers, between the back strip surface and the adhesive of the adhesive layer or on the rear strip surface remote outer surface of the adhesive layer are applied. In the first case, the adhesive is not covered by the marking and also in the area of the marking the adhesive effect of the adhesive seal is retained. In the second case, the previous production line for the production of the label can be kept unchanged until the step of coating with adhesive. Until this process step, there is no need to upgrade a production line that produces state-of-the-art labels. Only the part of the production line which implements the process of applying the blackmarks must be modified so that after the application of the adhesive layer the detectable marking is printed with the UV absorbing, covering or blocking substance in the form of a white color layer.

In a third class of embodiments of the invention, the UV-absorbing or blocking substances covering the detectable markers are applied in the adhesive of the adhesive layer on the back strip surface in the form of color pigments which act as UV absorbers. In this case, the production line corresponds to a production line that does not print black marks, but can apply adhesive in certain patterns to generate the adhesive layer-free areas on the label. Instead of one of the hitherto conventional adhesives, however, an adhesive is used, in which the color or the UV absorber is mixed. Thus, no conversion of the production line is necessary, but only an exchange of the adhesive.

In particular, in advantageous developments of this class of embodiments, the self-adhesive label roll can be designed so that the color pigments inorganic materials such as titanium dioxide, indium oxide, calcium carbonate, especially in finely ground and highly white or precipitated form, or iron pigments, but preferably none organic matter. The use of a variety of organic substances is prohibited especially in the food industry due to the strict hygiene regulations that apply there.

In practice, embodiments of the invention in which the adhesive of the adhesive layer is a hot melt adhesive, which can preferably be applied at 100 ° C to 170 ° C on the back strip surface proven. The melting point of the adhesive is generally between 90 ° C and 100 ° C. The processing temperature of the adhesive usually takes place at about 140 ° C to 170 ° C.

The further processing is particularly simple in embodiments of the self-adhesive label roll according to the invention, in which the width of a single label corresponds to the width of the endless strip.

Alternative, somewhat more complex embodiments, which open up more possibilities of variation for both the manufacturer and the user, are characterized in that the width of a single label corresponds to the width of a fraction 1 / n of the endless strip, where n is an integer and n ≥ 2 , and that in addition to the detectable markings in regions transverse to the longitudinal direction of the endless strip, there are also further detectable markings in regions parallel to the longitudinal direction of the endless strip, resulting in a two-dimensional grid of detectable markings on the back strip surface.

However, this does not necessarily mean that the markings themselves form a check pattern, as with checkered paper, but they can also be applied only in sections, and thus indicate the places to cut. In most cases, the markers will be applied in sections. Due to the fact that the blackmarks are invisible according to the invention, however, consistently avoided check patterns are possible without the associated optical limitations in the prior art. The checker pattern increases the universal applicability of the self-adhesive label roll since the position of the sensor means for detecting the mark in the printer need not be matched to the label roll.

A mark should be at least 2mm x 2mm in size for safe detection, with a more realistic size for process-safe detection at 10mm x 5mm.

Thus, with narrow paper in each case a single label, such as a stamp, are separated. On the other hand, with wide paper, two or three labels can be placed next to each other, with the invisible black marks along the roll indicating the cutting position and other invisible black marks along the broad side of the roll indicating the cutting position on that side. It is then printed a grid of invisible black marks. The invisible black marks along the broad side of the roll are also suitable for checking the orientation of the roll compared to a printhead, especially if the printer does not have an exact lateral stop for the label roll and the labels do not have a predefined lateral position to the printhead and / or take to a cutting device along the longitudinal side of the label roll.

Embodiments of the self-adhesive label roll according to the invention, in which the adhesive labels are suitably designed for application to foods, but also for use as stamps or as stickers for any distinction or labeling of goods, are of particular significance for practice. Here are the advantages of the invention in each case particularly effective effect.

In particular, when the adhesive labels are designed for use as stamps or sticky labels, a combination with the features of the somewhat more complex embodiments described above proves to be beneficial, where n ≥ 2 labels and thus also n-1 detectable marks across the longitudinal direction of the endless strip are provided. In the case of shipping labels, multiple labels are often needed at the same time, for example labels with a bar code associated with the shipment, one of which is affixed to the top of the package, one to the side of the package, and one to the parcel receipt. These three labels with the same bar code can be printed and cut simultaneously with the described embodiment with n = 3 labels.

• Bereitstellen eines Papiers mit optischem Aufheller und einer thermoreaktiven Schicht auf einer Vorderseite als Endlosstreifen für eine Selbstklebeetikettenrolle;
• optionales Aufdrucken einer Farbschicht über der thermoreaktiven Schicht auf der Vorderseite;
• optionales Silikonisieren der Vorderseite des Endlosstreifens;
• Aufdrucken von detektierbaren Markierungen, die UV-Licht absorbierende, blockierende beziehungsweise abdeckende Stoffe enthalten, auf der der Vorderseite gegenüberliegenden Rückseite des Endlosstreifens in Bereichen quer zu dessen Längsrichtung;
• Aufbringen einer Haftschicht auf die rückseitige Streifenoberfläche des Endlosstreifens derart, dass die Bereiche quer zur Längsrichtung des Endlosstreifens, in denen die detektierbaren Markierungen angebracht sind, frei von Klebstoff bleiben;
• Zuschneiden des Endlosstreifens in Längsrichtung auf seine gewünschte Breite;
• Aufrollen des Endlosstreifens zu einer Endlos-Selbstklebeetikettenrolle.

The scope of the present invention also includes a process for producing a self-adhesive label roll according to the invention of the type described above, comprising the following steps:

• Providing a paper having an optical brightener and a thermo-reactive layer on a front side as an endless strip for a self-adhesive label roll;
• optionally printing a color coat over the thermoreactive layer on the front side;
• optional siliconizing the front of the endless strip;
• Printing detectable markings containing UV light absorbing, blocking or covering substances on the reverse side of the endless strip, opposite the front side, in regions transverse to its longitudinal direction;
• Applying an adhesive layer to the back strip surface of the endless strip such that the areas transverse to the longitudinal direction of the endless strip in which the detectable markings are applied remain free of adhesive;
• Cutting the endless strip longitudinally to its desired width;
• Rolling up the endless strip into an endless self-adhesive label roll.

In the practical application of the invention, this process variant is likely to be the most common and useful method. It should, however, be expressly understood that in addition also other, partly alternative possibilities with regard to the places are conceivable where the markings according to the invention can be printed.

A significant advantage is that the optical brightener - at least in European and North American space - is already in the paper anyway and is now made available in a simple manner for detecting the position of the labels. In addition, no optically disturbing blackmarks are seen in the application of the present invention.
The method described above can advantageously be further developed in that the adhesive layer is applied by means of a printing process to the back strip surface of endless strip, preferably with a slot nozzle, a roller bar nozzle and / or in one in a pattern coating process, so that a glue application with glue-free interruptions is created, in order later to cut off the labels in this area.

Finally, the scope of the present invention also includes a method for processing a self-adhesive label roll according to the invention of the type described above, which is characterized in that the distance between two adjacent detectable markings in the longitudinal direction of the endless strip is in each case a length X, and that the length of the of the self-adhesive label roll currently being cut is selected as a size N x X, where N is a natural number ≥ 1. The individual length N × X of the labels initially remains open and, as required, can also be set as an integer multiple of the distance X of the markings, so that when a label is cut off, a region without an adhesive layer is always hit by the knife. Namely, if the labels are cut in the adhesive-free area, then the knife wears much less and needs to be replaced or cleaned in much longer maintenance intervals.

A particularly preferred variant of the processing method according to the invention is characterized in that the individual adhesive labels are printed by means of a printer on the front strip surface of the endless strip, in particular by direct thermal printing method, and also cut off by an integrated or connected to the printer cutting device, and precisely in the adhesive layer-free areas.

In particular, the cutting device may also comprise a rectangular cutter which is transverse and longitudinal to the direction of the endless strip at the same time cuts and thereby very quickly and effectively punch out labels from the roll.

This method variant can be further refined by the printer having a sensor which is sensitive to UV light and receives a light signal of the light reflected from the rear strip surface of the endless strip, that the sensor transmits its received UV light signals to a control unit, and the controller, when receiving an attenuated UV signal due to the current passing of a detectable mark, drives the printer and the cutter to print an adhesive label and cut it in an adhesive-free area, preferably along tear or cut lines.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures of the drawing, which show details essential to the invention, and from the claims. The individual features may be implemented individually for themselves or for a plurality of combinations in variants of the invention.

In the schematic drawing embodiments of the invention are shown, which are explained in more detail in the following description.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Selbstklebeetikettenrolle mit lediglich einem Klebeetikett pro Längenabschnitt des Endlosstreifens und mit jeweils in einem Haftschicht-freien Bereich angeordneten detektierbaren Markierungen;

Fig. 2A

eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Abschnitt des Endlosstreifens in der Ausführungsform von Fig. 1;

Fig. 2B

eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Abschnitt des Endlosstreifens in einer Ausführungsform ähnlich wie in Fig. 2A, jedoch mit Markierungen, die innerhalb des Bereichs der Haftschicht -darüber oder daruntersowie nicht an einem Rand, sondern in der Mitte des Endlosstreifens angeordnet sind;

Fig. 2C

eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Abschnitt des Endlosstreifens in einer weiteren Ausführungsform mit mehreren nebeneinander angeordneten Klebeetiketten pro Längenabschnitt des Endlosstreifens und rasterartig verteilten Markierungen;

Fig. 3A

eine schematische Querschnittsansicht durch einen Abschnitt des Endlosstreifens in der Ausführungsform der Figuren 1 und 2A;

Fig. 3B

eine schematische Querschnittsansicht durch einen Abschnitt des Endlosstreifens in einer Ausführungsform mit den Markierungen am Rande der Haftschicht, aber im Haftschicht-freien Bereich;

Fig. 3C

eine schematische Querschnittsansicht durch einen Abschnitt des Endlosstreifens in einer Ausführungsform mit den Markierungen unterhalb der Haftschicht zwischen Papier und Haftschicht; und

Fig. 3D

eine schematische Querschnittsansicht durch einen Abschnitt des Endlosstreifens in einer Ausführungsform mit den Markierungen oberhalb der Haftschicht auf der Außenseite der rückseitigen Streifenoberfläche.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment of the self-adhesive label roll according to the invention with only one Adhesive label per length of the endless strip and each with detectable markings arranged in an adhesive-free area;

Fig. 2A

a schematic plan view of a portion of the endless strip in the embodiment of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 2B

a schematic plan view of a portion of the endless strip in an embodiment similar to in Fig. 2A but with markings located within the region of the adhesive layer above or above and not at an edge but in the middle of the endless strip;

Fig. 2C

a schematic plan view of a portion of the endless strip in another embodiment with a plurality of juxtaposed adhesive labels per length of the endless strip and grid-like distributed markers;

Fig. 3A

a schematic cross-sectional view through a portion of the endless strip in the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 and 2A ;

Fig. 3B

a schematic cross-sectional view through a portion of the endless strip in one embodiment with the marks on the edge of the adhesive layer, but in the adhesive-free area;

Fig. 3C

a schematic cross-sectional view through a portion of the endless strip in one embodiment with the marks below the adhesive layer between paper and adhesive layer; and

Fig. 3D

a schematic cross-sectional view through a portion of the endless strip in one embodiment with the markings above the adhesive layer on the outside of the back strip surface.

For ease of understanding of the invention, the same reference numerals are used below, as far as possible, for corresponding elements, wherein elements of alternative embodiments are marked with an apostrophe.

The invention is based on a self-adhesive label roll 1 in the form of a printable endless tape 2 constructed without carrier tape; 2 ', from which individual self- adhesive stickers 3 are separable, wherein the endless strip 2; 2 'has a printable front side stripe surface 4 and an opposite back stripe surface 5 with an adhesive layer 6 such that the endless strip 2; 2 'can be wound into a roll 1, wherein the endless strip 2; 2 'is formed so that self-adhesive stickers 3 at tear or cutting lines 7 transversely to the longitudinal direction of the endless strip 2; 2 'are separable, wherein the tear or cutting lines 7; 7 ' on the back side of each of an adhesive layer-free area 8; 8 'are surrounded, and wherein on the back strip surface 5 from outside the endless strip 2; 2 ' detectable marks 9; 9 ' , which indicate the position of the adhesive layer-free regions 8; 8 'show and their Detection allows automatic control of the separation process.

The self-adhesive label roll 1 according to the invention is distinguished from the prior art in that the back strip surface 5 has an optical brightener incorporated therein or applied thereto, which reflects light incident on the back strip surface 5 with increased proportions in the UV range, and that the detectable marks 9; 9 'contain UV-absorbing, blocking or covering substances, so that from the surroundings of the markings 9; 9 'a sensor sensitive to UV light receives an attenuated UV light signal of the light reflected from the rear strip surface 5.

The Fig. 1 shows a schematic, three-dimensional view of a first, relatively simple embodiment of a self-adhesive label roll 1 according to the invention, in which the width of a single label corresponds to the width of the endless strip 2.

This embodiment is also in the schematic plan view of Fig. 2A as well as in the sectional view of Fig. 3A shown.

In the in the FIGS. 1 . 2A , and 3A In each case, a positioning directly adjacent to a tear-off or cutting line 7 was selected. However, this positioning can also be chosen differently in other embodiments of the invention: Thus, a marking 9; 9 'also symmetrically on a tear or cutting line 7; 7 'or the adhesive layer-free Area 8; 8 'completely fill or extend over the entire width of the label 3.

So shows Fig. 2B an embodiment in which the markers 9 are not adjacent to the tear or cutting lines 7, but are arranged in the region of the adhesive layer 6 at its edge to the adhesive-free area 8, between the paper surface and the - usually transparent - adhesive layer 6 or on the outer surface.

Fig. 2C Here, the width of a single label corresponds to the width of a fraction 1 / n of the endless strip 2 ', where n is an integer and n≥2, in the specific embodiment shown n = 3. In addition to the detectable markings 9 in adhesive-free regions 8 transverse to the longitudinal direction of the endless strip 2 ', there are also further detectable markings 9' in likewise adhesive-free regions 8 'parallel to the longitudinal direction of the endless strip 2', so that a planar grid of detectable markings 9; 9 'on the back strip surface 5 results.

The FIGS. 3A to 3D schematically show the respective cross section of the endless strip 2 in a selection of various possible embodiments. All of these embodiments share the structural basic structure of the endless strip 2, which has a thermoreactive layer 10 on top of the printable front strip surface 4 and a cover layer 11 (usually a silicone layer) which replaces the formerly common liner.

As mentioned above, shows Fig. 3A the embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 and 2A ,

Fig. 3B shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a portion of the endless strip 2 in one embodiment with at the edge of the adhesive layer 6, but in the adhesive-free area 8 positioned marks 9th

Fig. 3C illustrates an embodiment with the markers 9 below the transparent adhesive layer 6 between paper and adhesive layer 6.

Fig. 3D Finally, an embodiment with the markings 9 above the adhesive layer 6 on the outside of the back strip surface fifth

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Self-adhesive label roll

2, 2 '

continuous strips

3

adhesive label

4

printable front strip surface

5

opposite back strip surface

6

adhesive layer

7, 7 '

Tear-off or cutting lines

8, 8 '

Adhesive layer-free areas

9, 9 '

detectable markers

10

thermoreactive layer

11

covering

Claims (15)

Self-adhesive label roll (1) in the form of a printable, endless tape (2, 2 '), from which individual self-adhesive stickers (3) can be separated, wherein the endless strip (2, 2') has a printable front strip surface (4) and one opposite back strip surface (5) with an adhesive layer (6), so that the endless strip (2, 2 ') to a roll (1) is wound up, wherein the endless strip (2, 2') is formed so that self-adhesive stickers (3 ) can be separated at tear-off or cutting lines (7) transversely to the longitudinal direction of the endless strip (2, 2 '), wherein the tear-off or cutting lines (7, 7') on the strip rear side in each case by an adhesive layer-free area (8; 8 ' and detectable marks (9; 9 ') are provided on the back strip surface (5) from outside the endless strip (2; 2') indicating the position of the adhesion layer free areas (8; 8 ') n and their detection an automatic control of the separation process of the adhesive labels (3) from the endless strip (2; 2 '),
characterized,
in that the back strip surface (5) has an optical brightener incorporated therein or applied thereto, which reflects light incident on the back strip surface (5) with increased levels in the UV region,
and that the detectable markings (9; 9 ') contain UV-absorbing, blocking or covering substances, so that from the surroundings of the markings (9; 9') a UV-sensitive sensor a weakened UV light signal of the back strip surface (5) of reflected light. Self-adhesive label roll according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated or applied in the strip material optical brightener, preferably exclusively, natural pigments and / or fluorescent moieties. Self-adhesive label roll according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the detectable markers (9, 9 ') covering or UV-absorbing or blocking substances are applied in the form of a white ink layer on the back strip surface (5). Self-adhesive label roll according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the blocking substances which cover the detectable markings (9, 9 ') or absorb UV light, in the form of color areas which act as UV absorbers, are arranged between the rear strip surface (5). and the adhesive of the adhesive layer (6) or on the back strip surface (5) facing away from the outer surface of the adhesive layer (6) are applied. Self-adhesive label roll according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the blocking substances covering the detectable markings (9, 9 ') or absorbing UV light in the form of color pigments which are in the form of UV Absorber act in the adhesive of the adhesive layer (6) on the back strip surface (5) are applied. Self-adhesive label roll according to claim 5, characterized in that the color pigments include inorganic substances such as titanium dioxide, indium oxide, calcium carbonate, in particular in finely ground and highly white or precipitated form, or iron pigments, but preferably no organic substances. Self-adhesive label roll according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive of the adhesive layer (6) is a hot melt adhesive, which can preferably be applied at 100 ° C to 170 ° C on the back strip surface (5). Self-adhesive label roll according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the width of a single label (3) corresponds to the width of the endless strip (2). Self-adhesive label roll according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the width of a single label corresponds to the width of a fraction 1 / n of the endless strip (2 '), where n is integer and n ≥ 2, and that in addition to the detectable markings (9) in regions (8) transverse to the longitudinal direction of the endless strip (2 '), there are also further detectable markings (9') in regions (8 ') parallel to the longitudinal direction of the endless strip (2'), so that a planar grid of detectable markings (9; 9 ') on the rear side Strip surface (5) results. Self-adhesive label roll according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive labels (3) the self-adhesive label roll are designed to be applied to food or for use as stamps or stickers. Process for producing a self-adhesive label roll according to one of Claims 1 to 10, comprising the following steps: - Providing a paper with optical brightener and a thermally reactive layer (10) on a front side (4) as an endless strip (2) for a self-adhesive label roll; - optional printing of a color layer over the thermoreactive layer (10) on the front side (4); - optional siliconizing the front of the endless strip (2); - printing detectable markings (9) containing UV light absorbing, blocking or covering substances, on the front side (4) opposite back (5) of the endless strip (2) in areas (8) transversely to its longitudinal direction; - Applying an adhesive layer (6) on the back strip surface (5) of the endless strip (2) such that the regions (8) transversely to the longitudinal direction of the endless strip (2), in which the detectable markings (9) are mounted, free of adhesive stay; - Cutting the endless strip (2) in the longitudinal direction to its desired width; - rolling up the endless strip (2) into an "endless" self-adhesive label roll. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the adhesive layer (6) is applied by means of a printing process on the back strip surface (5) of the endless strip (2), preferably with a slot nozzle, a roller bar nozzle and / or in a pattern coating method. A process for processing a self-adhesive label roll according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the distance between two adjacent detectable markings (9) in the longitudinal direction of the endless strip (2; 2 ') is in each case a length X, and that the length of the Self-adhesive label roll currently being cut off labels is selected as a size N · X, where N is a natural number ≥ 1. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the individual adhesive labels (3) by means of a printer on the front side strip surface (6) of the endless strip (2, 2 ') are printed, in particular by direct thermal printing method, and by means of an integrated or connected to the printer Cutting device can also be cut off. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the printer has a UV light, in particular in the UV-sensitive sensor, which receives a light signal from the back strip surface (5) of the endless strip (2, 2 ') reflected light that the Sensor sends its received UV light signals to a control unit, and that the control unit, when it receives a weakened UV signal due to the current passing of a detectable mark, controls the printer and the cutting device to print an adhesive label (3) and in a Adhesive layer-free region (8; 8 '), preferably along tear or cutting lines (7; 7'), cut off.

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