GB2090809A - Plastics labels - Google Patents

Abstract

A label primarily for identification, for a bottle or like container, consists of an annulus of flat, flexible plastics material 1 with a sector cut out and the free ends 2, 4 secured together in overlapping relation to form a collar of frusto- conical shape trapped upon the neck of a container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Formation of plastics articles This invention relates to articles, such as labels, made primarily of plastics material for identification purposes. The invention relates also to a method of attaching such a label to an article which has an appropriate neck, that is, a section of reduced section between larger sections.

The invention comprises a labeFfor a bottle or like container consisting of an annulus of flat, flexible plastics material with a sector cut out, whereby with the free ends secured together in'overlapping relation to form a collar of frusto-conical shape around the neck of an article.

The invention further comprises a method of attaching a label comprising forming an annulus of flat, flexible plastics material with a sector cut out and securing the ends of the partial annulus together in overlapping relation around the neck of an article to form a frusto-conical collar with its smaller end trapped on the article.

The preferred label according to the invention has an overlap end portion coated with contact adhesive, and in the preferred method of securing the label, its ends are adhesively secured around the article and also secured mechanically for additional security.

It is to be appreciated that the label can be secured advantageously to any article which has an appropriate neck, that is to say, a portion of reduced section between larger portions. A bottle can provide such a neck; commonly a lip on the bottle or its closure can provide an abrupt shoulder to retain the smaller end of the frusto-cone.

It is also to be appreciated that labels as described can be attached also to oxygen, CO2 and other gas cylinders having appropriate neck portions, or to the outlets of aluminium beer containers. These are only some examples of suitable articles. It is not necessary that the articles constitute containers. It is necessary, however, that the label be trapped on the article by reason of the neck.

The invention contemplates securing the label around the neck with the aid of one or more eyelets or rivets, preferably of a noncorrosive nature. By way of example, plastic or plastic-coated eyelets can be used, or stainless steel rivets. The label can then be used in a corrosive atmosphere without danger of rust-marking as could occur with the common type of staple. Staples can, however, be used where desired, for example where the article is used in a dry atmosphere.

While it is preferred to have an adhesive connection between the overlapping ends of the collar this is not absolutely necessary.

They could be heat sealed. The ends could simply be held together and stapled, riveted or eyeleted, preferably in a manner to prevent any rotational movement. Contact adhesive on at least one end of the collar is convenient because it enables the collar to be assembled manually or otherwise around the neck, the ends being fixed together on contact. This facilitates the mechanical connection.

The annulus may be circular, i.e. defined by two concentric circles, or it may deviate from the circle, e.g. by being to some extent elliptical, or by having excrescences of various kinds. The collar will not be mathematically frusto-conical except in ideal circumstances starting from a circular annulus. The deviation from frusto-conical shape may be considerable. Two conditions, however, must be fulfilled: the label must not be flat but generlly convergent towards its upper end, and this upper end must be trapped on the neck of the article. The label will be thus secured on the article. It is not contemplatd that it will be secured thereto in any other way. The label of the invention can be removed from the article cleanly and easily by cutting with a sharp edge.

The plastics material may be p.v.c., polyester, polycarbonate, thin acrylic or styrene. Any identification, trade mark, advertising or other marking may be printed on the plastics material, preferably in inks resistant to whatever treatment the label will have to undergo.

Printing could be protected by laminates if desired.

The labels have a particular advantage with re-usable bottles, for example soda water syphons. Present practice is to use paper labels which are adhesively secured to the bottle.

Such labels are easily torn and damaged in handling, yet do not come away clearly and easily. Removing an old label and the old adhesive requires surprising effort. The label of the invention can readily be removed and replaced, but it will often be possible also to re-use the bottle without applying a new label, since the label will normally stand up to handling and washing without damage.

One example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan of a piece of label material; Figure 2 is an elevation of the label positioned on the neck of a bottle; Figure 3 is a plan of the label of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, flexible, plastics material in sheet form is cut to the shape of an annulus 1 with a sector of 83 removed.

One end 2 of the annulus carries a strip 3 of adhesive. The other end 4 is bare.

The label is attached to a bottle by securing its ends 2, 4 together around a bottle neck N, to form a frusto-conical collar, designated 5.

The smaller end. 6 of the collar 5 is trapped under the rim R on the bottle neck N. The collar 5 rests on the shoulder S of the bottle.

The ends 2, 4 of the label can be stapled if desired, though preferably they are secured by an eyelet or rivet.

Claims (12)

1. A label for a bottle or like container consisting of an annulus of flat, flexible plastics material with a sector cut out, whereby with the free ends secured together in overlapping relation to form a collar of frustoconical shape around the neck of the container.

2. A label as claimed in Claim 1 wherein an overlap end portion is coated with contact adhesive.

3. The combination of an article having a neck (as defined) and a label around the neck, the label consisting of an annulus of flat flexible material with a sector cut out and the free ends secured together in overlapping relation to form a frusto-conical collar with its smaller end trapped on the neck.

4. The combination of Claim 3, wherein the overlap end portions of the label are adhesively secured.

5. The combination of Claim 3, wherein the overlap end portions are heat-sealed together.

6. The combination of any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the overlap end portions of the label are mechanically secured as by stapling or eyelets.

7. The combination of Claim 3 wherein the overlap end portions of the label are secured by contact adhesive and also by one or more eyelets of noncorrosive material.

8. A method of attaching a label to an article having a neck (as defined) comprising forming an annulus of flat, flexible plastics material with a sector cut out and securing the ends of the partial annulus together in overlapping relation around the neck of an article to form a frusto-conical collar with its smaller end trapped on the article.

9. A method as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the overlap end portions of the label are secured together by contact adhesive and then by one or more eyelets of noncorrosive material.

10. A label as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A combination of article and label as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of attaching a label as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.