GB2276367A - Packaging tube for labels - Google Patents

Abstract

At least part of the outer surface of a packaging tube 1 includes an adhesive strip 2. The strip 2 in one example is a double-sided self-adhesive strip applied to the tube with permanent adhesive on the inner side, and a peelable adhesive with a removable cover strip 3 on the outer side. The adhesive strip may be used to secure the end of a strip 6 of label stock in the process of printing and packaging pre-printed labels 5. <IMAGE>

Description

PACKAGING TUBE The present invention relates to a tube suitable for use in packaging products such as, for example, rolls of pre-printed labels.

According to the present invention, there is provided a packaging tube in which at least part of the outer surface of the tube includes an adhesive strip.

The present inventors have found that the ease of use of a packaging tube can be considerably increased by providing across part of the surface of the tube a selfadhesive strip. This may be used, for example, to secure the end of a roll of labels to the tube so as to facilitate the take-up of the roll onto the tube.

The adhesive may be a permanent adhesive, but more preferably is a permanent/peelable adhesive. Then, for example, after a roll of labels has been unwound the end of the roll may be detached from the tube.

The strip may run across the tube in the axial direction, or alternatively may wrap around the tube. In this case preferably the strip follows a helical path.

Preferably the self-adhesive strip is provided with a cover layer which is peeled off to expose the strip before use.

Preferably the adhesive strip comprises a double-sided self-adhesive strip having a permanent adhesive on the side of the strip applied to the tube.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of preparing and packaging adhesive labels comprises attaching one end of a strip of label stock material to a tube in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, and subsequently printing on labels mounted on the backing and rotating the tube to take up a roll of printed labels.

Examples of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a packaging tube; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second example; and Figure 3 is a diagram showing schematically a label printing process.

A packaging tube comprises a hollow cylindrical cardboard core 1 which, in the present example, has a diameter of 50 mm. The core 1 is produced by a series of layers of paper board spirally wound around a fine steel mandrel. The number of layers determines the core thickness and the mandrel determines the inner diameter.

The tube is finished with an outside ply of brown kraft.

A strip 2 of a self-adhesive material with silicon on one side is applied across a region of the outside ply. A suitable permanent or peelable adhesive is used. In the present example the adhesive is a modified acrylic differential release adhesive on a 12 micron polyester carrier. The liner, i.e. the siliconised carrier for the adhesive, is 65 microns thick. The adhesive has a coat weight of 25g on the 'permanent' side applied to the tube and 15g on the other side which in use adheres to, e.g., the label stock. A cover strip 3 is then placed on the exposed side of the adhesive strip 2. In use the strip 3 is peeled off to expose the self-adhesive strip 2.

The tube may be formed with different dimensions and with different layouts for the adhesive strip. Figure 2 shows a second example in which the strip is laid down in a helical path around the tube.

The tube of the present invention may be used in the process of printing and packaging self-adhesive labels. At a printing station for such labels, a tube 1 of the type described above is located on a take-up spool 4. A roll of labels 5 on a backing strip 6 is fed from a feed spool 7 through a printing head 8 and onto the tube 1 which then takes up the roll of labels. In use, the operator peels off the protective strip to expose the adhesive strip 2 on the tube and then uses that adhesive strip to attach the end of the roll of labels. The differential release qualities of the adhesive ensure a good bond with the core in this printing/packaging process while still giving easy release to the end user. This process saves downtime on the printing press and reduces the overall packaging costs.

Claims (11)

1. A packaging tube in which at least part of the outer surface of the tube includes an adhesive strip.

2. A packaging tube according to claim 1, in which the adhesive strip comprises a double-sided self-adhesive strip applied to the tube.

3. A packaging tube according to claim 1 or 2, in which the adhesive strip is provided with a cover layer which is peeled off to expose the strip for use.

4. A packaging tube according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the outer surface of the adhesive strip comprises a peelable adhesive.

5. A packaging tube according to claim 4 when dependent upon claim 3, in which the other side of the adhesive strip comprises a permanent adhesive.

6. A packaging tube according to any of the preceding claims, in which the adhesive strip extends across the tube parallel to the axial direction.

7. A packaging tube according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the adhesive strip extends around the tube in a helical path.

8. A method of preparing and packaging adhesive labels comprising attaching one end of a strip of label stock material to a tube in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, and subsequently printing on labels mounted on the stock and rotating the tube to take up the roll of printed labels.

9. A roll of labels packaged on a packaging tube according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A packaging tube substantially as described with respect to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of preparing and packaging adhesive labels as described with respect to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.