GB2209148A

GB2209148A - Self-adhesive label

Info

Publication number: GB2209148A
Application number: GB8818813A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Archibald Macfarlane
Original assignee: Avery International Corp
Current assignee: Avery Dennison Corp
Priority date: 1987-08-29
Filing date: 1988-08-08
Publication date: 1989-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2008-08-08
Also published as: GB2209148B; GB8720488D0; GB8818813D0

Abstract

A self-adhesive label (10) has a part (15) that is to be removed and torn off and kept for records or returned as a voucher for sales promotion or the like. The label (10) is obtained by providing a two-layer label (10) having a self adhesive base (12) to provide a non-adherent area (16) from which a portion (15) of a top label can be removed, that is, a peelable area (16). A multi-part top self-adhesive label having a fixed portion (14) and the removable portion (15) is then disposed over the base (12). After being disposed the top label is die cut so that the removable portion (15) is coterminous with the non-adherent area (16). The peelable portion (15) can then be torn off and removed from the non-adherent area (16) of the base material (12). The base material may be transparent. <IMAGE>

Description

SELF-ADHESIVE LABEL The present invention relates to self-adhesive labels and in particular to labels with a part that is to be removed and kept for records or returned as a voucher for a sales promotion or the like.

It is often required for parts of such labels to be removed to keep a record of medicine, for example where a pharmacist keeps a portion of the label for record purposes, and also, where a sales promotion is being carried out on a product, part of the label may be removed by the consumer for use as a voucher, or for discount purposes in purchasing subsequent products, or for any other purposes.

For all such labels it is important that when a part is removed the remainder of the label on the product is aesthetic in appearance. It is also important that the part be readily removed so that the complete portion is removed and is not damaged.

Existing multi-part labels are generally based on what is known as the "piggy-back" structure in which one self-adhesive label is disposed on part of another self-adhesive label. This piggy-back" arrangement does not provide a label in which a part of the label can be removed with the remainder fixed and consequently it has limited application in certain areas.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved self-adhesive label which obviates or mitigates the aforesaid disadvantages.

This is achieved by providing a two-layer label having a self-adhesive base and treating part of an upper surface of the base to provide a non-adherent area from which a portion of a top label can be removed, that is, a peelable area. A multi-part top self-adhesive label having a fixed portion and a removable portion is then disposed over the base. After being disposed the top label is die cut so that the removable portion is coterminous with the non-adherent area. When the peelable portion is torn off or removed from the non-adherent area on the base material, and when the base material is transparent, viewing of the surface on which the label is mounted is permitted providing an aesthetic finish.

In a preferred arrangement the base is a self-adhesive coated polypropylene film and an area on the top of the film is printed with a pattern, UV cured release panel which is generally based on a silicone material. This release panel provides a non-adherent bond to receive the portion of the top label to be subsequently removed. The non-adherent portion is still transparent. The upper label is then die cut. The removable part of the upper label has a self-adhesive backing which does not stick to the cured release panel in contrast to the other permanent or fixed part of the label bonded to the top part of the film. Any attempt to remove this latter part results in delamination of the label.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a self-adhesive label comprising, a self-adhesive base substrate providing a non-adherent portion, a generally self-adhesive base substrate cover disposed on said upper portion of said substrate to create with the substrate a fixed label portion and a removable label portion, said substrate cover having weakened portions around the periphery of said removable label portion, the arrangement being such that when the label is disposed on a surface, said weakened portions permit said removable label portion to be peeled off said non-adherent portion.

Preferably said self-adhesive base substrate is a transparent polypropylene film. Alternatively said base substrate is a transparent or an opaque material such as a plastic, paper or metal foil Conveniently said non-adherent portion is a printed silicone-based release panel which is cured by irradiation under ultra-violet (UV) light. Preferably said substrate cover is self-adhesive on its bottom surface and printed with information on the other side. Conveniently, the cover is paper. Alternatively the cover is a plastic or metal foil. The cover is transparent or opaque.

Preferably also, said-adhesive label is a two-part label and the removable part contains the information for record purposes.

Alternatively said self-adhesive label is a multiple part label with various portions adapted to be removed and retained. If paper is used as the base substrate then it will be primed with a primary agent prior to being printed with the release panel to prevent the silicone being absorbed by the paper. Also the substrate beneath the removable portion can be printed with information and can be made the same colour as the surface on which the label is mounted for aesthetic purposes.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a self-adhesive label comprising the steps of: providing a self-adhesive base substrate for attachment to a surface, said base substrate being self-adhesive on the surface contact side, treating a top portion of said base substrate with a release coating to provide a non-adherent area, disposing a substrate cover on said base substrate and creating a fixed label portion coterminous with an adherent portion, and a removable label portion which is coterminous with the non-adherent area, providing weaker portions in the substrate cover such that the removable label portion can be peeled off said non-adherent area whereas said fixed portion remains secured to said adherent area.

Preferably said non-adherent area is provided by permitting said top surface of the base substract with a silicone-based material to provide said release panel of a predetermined shape, and curing said silicone-based panel by irradation with ultra-violet light.

Preferably also said substrate cover is die cut such that the portion over the silicone panel is removable.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taking the combination of the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of self-adhesive label in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1 taken in the direction of the arrow 2, and Figs. 3A and 3B depict a surface on which a self-adhesive label is disposed with a part removed to depict the viewing of the surface underneath through the transparent non-adhesive portion.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1 of the drawings which depicts a two part self-adhesive label generally indicated by reference numeral 10 . The label 10 consists of a self-adhesive transparent polypropylene film base 12 which is adhesive on its bottom surface. On the upper surface of the film is a permanent or fixed paper label portion 14 which carries information about the product. A removable paper portion 15 is shown partially peeled off to reveal a transparent non-adherent portion 16 through which the surface of the product can be viewed.

The label, as best seen in Fig. 2, shows the base portion 12, the top surface 18 of which is bonded to adhesive bottom surface 20 of fixed label portion 14. In contrast, non-adherent panel 16 is created by a release agent silicone printed onto an area of surface 18 and then cured under ultra-violet light to render it non-adherent.

This means that when the removable portion 15 has its lower adhesive surface 22 disposed thereon, it can readily be peeled off to expose the transparent non-adherent portion 16 through which the surface of the product may be viewed as best seen in Figs. 3A and 3B.

The label as shown is generally rectangular. The composite label is made by printing a silicone panel of a predetermined shape, in this case, rectangular on the top surface of the self-adhesive transparent polyproplylene film, which is generally about 15 microns thick. The silicone panel is then irradiated with UV light to cure the silicone to provide the transparent non-adherent surface 16. The top cover 14,15 is then disposed over the film and in registry with the side edges of the polypropylene film such that self-adhesive portion bonds to the film and removable portion 15 sticks to the non-adherent portion 16. When the film and paper are joined together the composite label is then die cut such that a thorough cut 24 is provided in the face paper only, leaving the film 12 intact such that the portion 15 can readily be peeled off the non-adherent portion of label.

Reference is now made to Figs. 3A and 3B of the drawings. Fig. 3A depicts a complete label shown disposed on a product and Fig. 3B the same label when portion 15 is being removed or peeled off along cut 24 the surface of the product (ie. word SYSTEMS) remains visible through the transparent non-adhesive portion 16. This provides an aesthetic result and the removable portion 15 having adhesive bottom surface 22 can readily be attached to a record sheet or the like to facilitate storage thereof.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the base substrate may be of a suitable self-adhesive material other than polypropylene film, for example, paper or metal foil. Also the non-adherent portion may be provided by a material or substance other than silicone for example, PTFE (polytetrafluorethylene). The substrate or film cover could be a plastic film, metal foil as well as paper, or a composite thereof. The top and bottom parts of the label can be opaque or transparent depending on the application. The labels may be transparent where the colour of the product is to be seen, for example, liquid products such as nail varnish. The bottom may be opaque and colour matched to the surface on which it is mounted for aestetic reasons.The label may be of any suitable shape as can the non-adherent portion and peel-off part to be removed. Multiple non-adherent portions and peel-off part to be removed.

Multiple non-adherent portions can be provided with multiple peel-off parts to provide labels of interesting shape and appearance if more than one part requires to be removed for record purposed. The invention has application to any label which requires to have a permanent portion and a removable portion. For example, an oil can may have a removable part to be removed and stuck on the car engine after filling the engine with oil to identify that this has been done. In this regard a label could be used for an air freshener having a peel-off cover to expose apertures in a barrier between the deoderant and the exterior. The film barrier could be printed with a release agent to be non-adherent, apart from the aperture regions, so that the top cover may be readily peeled off and again secured as required.

Advantages of the invention are that a multi-part label is provided with a removable portion and a fixed portion to provide means for storing information about a product with the remaining part of the label staying aestetic. Also the label can be manufacturd in a variety of shapes and sizes. The removable portions can, of course, be used to carry record information or for vouchers, sales promotion and the like and the invention has application in other areas where self-adhesive labels with removable parts are required.

Claims

1. A self adhesive label comprising a self-adhesive base substrate providing a non-adherent portion, a generally self-adhesive base substrate cover disposed on said upper portion of said substrate to create with the substrate a fixed label portion and a removable label portion, said substrate cover having weakened portions around the periphery of said removable label portion, the arrangement being such that when the label is disposed on a surface, said weakened portions permit said removable label portion to be peeled off said non-adherent portion.

2. A self adhesive label as claimed in claim 1 wherein said self-adhesive base substrate is a transparent polypropylene film.

3. A self adhesive label is claimed in claim 1 wherein said base substrate is a transparent or an opaque material

4. A self-adhesive label as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said non-adherent portion is a printed silicone-based release panel which is cured by irradiation under ultra-voilet (UV) light.

5. A self-adhesive label as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said substrate cover is self-adhesive on its bottom surface and printed with information on the other side.

6. A self-adhesive label as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cover is paper.

7. A self-adhesive label as claimed in claims 1 to 5 wherein the cover is a plastic or metal foil.

8.- A self-adhesive label is claimed in any preceding claim wherein said-adhesive label is a two-part label and the removable part contains the information for record purposes.

9. A self-adesive label as claimed in claims 1 to 7 wherin said self-adhesive label is a multiple part label with various portions adapted to be removed and retained.

10. A method of manufacturing a self adhesive label comprising the steps of providing a self-adhesive base substrate for attachment to a surface, said base substrate being self-adhesive on the surface contact side, treating a top portion of said base substrate with a release coating to provide a non-adherent area, disposing a substrate cover on said base substrate and creating a fixed label portion coterminous with an adherent portion, and a removable label portion which is coterminous with the non-adherent area, and providing weaker portions in the substrate cover such that the removable label portion can be peeled off said non-adherent area whereas said fixed protion remains secured to said adherent areall.

11. A method of manufacturing a self adhesive label as claimed in claim 10 wherein said non-adherent area is provided by permitting said top surface of the base substract with a silicone-based material to provide said release panel of a predetermined shape, and curing said silicone-based panel by irradation with ultra-violet light.

12 A method of manufacturing a self adhesive label as claimed in claims 9 or 10 said substrate cover is die cut such that the portion over the silicone panel is removable.