GB2303612A - Adhesive label assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A label assembly 2 for adhesion to the surface of an article such as a dry cell battery includes an imprint layer 10 located between a carrier layer 4 and an adhesive layer 12. In this way, the carrier layer 4 provides not only a base for printing the required information, but also serves as a protective layer, obviating the need for a lacquer or over laminating layer. The carrier layer 4 comprises of a transparent film of a plastic or PVC material. The label assembly 2 is carried on a backing layer 14 coated with a release agent 18. During the manufacture of the label an adhesive coating 12 is applied to the backing layer 14 coated with a release agent 18. The backing layer 14 is then brought together with a web of printed carrier film 2, thereby transferring the adhesive coating 12 from the backing layer 14 to the print layer 10.

Description

LABEL ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a label assembly, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a label assembly for use on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical body, such as a dry cell battery. Other applications of the invention include use in the cosmetics or agri-chemical industries. The invention may have uses in other fields.

Known labels of this type comprise a carrier label provided with an adhesive on one side, and printed matter, or imprint, on its other surface. At least one further layer comprising a lacquer or laminated film is provided on top of the imprint, to protect this layer from the mechanical damage. Additional layers may be provided so that the final label assembly has a metallised finish.

It has been found that a lacquer layer, such as that described above, is not always sufficient to protect the imprint located beneath it. Furthermore, when an adhesive label is applied to the surface of a battery, an area of overlap is formed which runs along the length of the battery. It has been found that after some time, the area of the label lying closest to the outside edge tends to peel or lift off. This tendency is found to increase with increasing thickness and rigidity of the label applied, and is also more pronounced as the diameter of the battery decreases.

Furthermore, in some prior art assemblies, in the region of the overlap, the label adhesive is affixed to the protective lacquer applied to the outside surface of the assembly. This results in a low adhesive strength between the two overlapping layers, which also leads to the undesirable peel-off effect.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a label assembly of the aforedescribed type which provides protection for the imprint layer and/or which has a reduced tendency to lift or peel off in the region of label overlap; and/or to provide improvements generally.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a label assembly for adhesion to the surface of an article comprising : a carrier layer having a first surface and a second surface; an imprint layer on one surface of the carrier layer; and an adhesive layer; characterised in that said imprint layer is located between said carrier layer and said adhesive layer.

The article may be a dry cell battery.

By providing the imprint layer between the carrier layer and the adhesive layer, the carrier layer provides not only a base for printing the required information, but also serves as a protective layer, such that the label assembly is resistant to surface scratching and mechanical damage without the requirement of a lacquer or over laminating layer.

This involves the technique of under surface printing, where a mirror image of the required final image is printed, in one or more colours, on the surface of a clear unsupported film, such that the imprint may be viewed correctly through the film from the other side.

An adhesive coating is applied on its underside.

The dual function of the carrier layer reduces the number of layers forming the label assembly which has the advantage of reducing the manufacturing cost of each assembly. Furthermore by minimising the number of layers, the tendency for the label to peel or lift off, once applied to a battery, is found to be reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrier label comprises a substantially transparent or translucent film of a plastics material, such as a PVC film. The imprint layer is provided on the under surface of the film, and the print applied to this surface is a mirror image of the required final image, such that the imprint may be viewed correctly through the film from the other side, when in use.

It has been found that by gluing a plastics material to another plastics material, as opposed to attempting to glue a plastics material to a lacquer-coated, imprinted or metallised surface, maximum adhesive strength or power is achieved. This further reduces the likelihood of the label peeling, in the region of label overlap.

In addition, the use of a single layer, or mono film, ensures that maximum flexibility of the label assembly is achieved, which has advantages particularly when the label is to be applied around a battery having a relatively small diameter.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided an adhesive label assembly for adhesion to the surface of an article, such as a dry cell battery, comprising a carrier layer for an outwardly visible print; an adhesive layer for attachment to said battery; and a substantially transparent/translucent protective layer covering said print; characterised in that said protective layer is provided by said carrier layer.

According to the present invention there is also provided a method of manufacturing a label assembly comprising the steps of providing a web of material to form a carrier layer, having a first surface and a second surface; printing on one of said surfaces of said carrier layer; applying a layer of adhesive onto said printed surface; and applying a backing layer.

In an embodiment, the method includes the step of providing a carrier layer of substantially translucent or transparent plastics materials such as PVC, and the printing step includes printing a mirror image of the required final print on the under surface of the carrier layer.

In a preferred embodiment, an adhesive coating is applied to the backing layer coated with a release agent such as silicone, and the method includes the step of bringing together a web of adhesive coated release layer with a web of printed carrier film by passing the two webs through a nip or rollers, thereby transferring the adhesive coating from the backing layer to the print layer on the carrier film.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following illustrative drawings in which : Fig 1 shows a diagrammatic section view of a prior art label assembly; Fig 2 shows a diagrammatic section view of label assemblies according to the present invention; and Fig 3 illustrates the stages of a method of manufacture of the label assemblies of Fig 2.

Fig 1 depicts a prior art label assembly 100 comprising a paper carrier layer 102 which is provided on its underside with a contact adhesive 104. An imprint layer 106 is applied to the top surface of the carrier layer, and is protected by a protective layer 108 comprising a film of plastics material. The film 108 is provided on its underside with an adhesive layer 110.

The label assembly 100 is carried on a backing sheet 112 comprising a backing layer 114 coated with a release agent 116, such as silicone.

In contrast, a label assembly according to the present invention, as seen in Fig 2, comprises a monoaxially orientated clear gloss PVC shrink film 4 having a top surface 6 and an under surface 8.

A print layer 10 comprising one or more colour inks is applied to the under surface 8 of the film 4.

Special formulation inks may be used to give the imprint a metallic finish. An adhesive layer 12 is provided on the print layer 10.

The label assembly 2 is placed on a backing layer 14 comprising a backing web 16 provided with a release coating 18 of silicone. The label assembly 2 is detached from the backing layer 14 before being applied to a dry cell battery. The label assembly 2 is applied in such a way that the carrier layer 4 lies on the outside and the adhesive layer 12 is glued to the body of the dry cell battery.

The dimensions of the label assembly 2 are chosen to generally conform to the axial dimensions of the body of the battery. However the length of the label is somewhat larger than the circumference of the battery to which it is to be attached, and the width is such that an overlap is formed adjacent each of the battery end faces. When the label assembly is adhered to the battery, it is subjected to heating, which results in shrinkage of the plastics film, and thus the label is attached firmly to the battery. The overlap at either ends ensures that the label is firmly attached to the periphery of the end faces of the battery.

As can be seen in Fig 3 an unsupported single ply film is converted into the finished product in a single in-line operation.

A web 20 of unsupported single ply clear PVC shrink film is cleaned and undergoes an anti-static treatment at stage 22. The web 20 then undergoes corona treatment, in the conventional way, to improve ink key, at stage 24.

At stage 26, one or more colours of inks are used to print onto the clear unsupported film, using the under surface printing technique. This involves printing a mirror image of the final image required on the under surface of the clear film, which may be viewed correctly through the film from the other side.

Special formulation inks may be used to give the imprint a metallic finish.

The ink is then cured, at stage 28, and, because the film 20 is temperature sensitive, and shrinkage takes place when heat is applied, control of the web temperature is critical. Therefore, a heat reduction system 30 is used to remove the heat produced from the U/V used to cure the inks. A heat reduction system is also required to remove the heat produced during adhesive coating.

At stage 32, a web of silicone coated release line 34 is transfer coated with a high tack hot melt adhesive. The web 34 is then combined with the printed side of the film 20 by passing both through nip rollers 34.

The composite web 36 is then turned over, for accurate die cutting of the required label shape 40 and the waste matrix removal 42. To fully utilise the available width of web 20, 34, the label assemblies are produced in multiples across the width of the webs 20, 34. The composite web 36 is then slit, at stage 44 longitudinally along the length of the web into individual rows before rewinding onto reels for automatic label dispensing on conventional labelling apparatus. Finished reels are taken from the turret rewind, and packed for despatch.

It has been found that by providing a carrier layer comprising a clear filmic or like material, the carrier may assume the function of a protective layer by using an undersurface printing technique.

The label assembly and described method of manufacture has the following additional advantages : a) the mono film used is more flexible around a small diameter battery, than other multi layer laminates; b) there is no risk of battery discharge, which is possible with a metallised film; c) there is no edge lift at the label overlap because the adhesive is not adhering on to varnish or lacquer but rather a film to film bond is provided; d) the printing process used avoids the high cost of Gravure printing; e) hot melt coating of adhesive, and lamination of the backing web in line reduces the cost of buying pre-coated pressure sensitive reel stock; f) by using single ply webs, a standard reel can accommodate a greater length web, because of its reduced thickness, when compared with products manufactured from multi-ply webs. Less reel changes are required, resulting in a reduced amount of "down time" when the apparatus is out of action.

Claims (12)

1 A label assembly for adhesion to the surface of an article comprising : a carrier layer having a first surface and a second surface; an imprint layer on one surface of the carrier layer; and an adhesive layer; characterised in that said imprint layer is located between said carrier layer and said adhesive layer.

2 A label according to claim 1 wherein the article is a dry cell battery.

3 A label according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, the carrier layer comprises a substantially transparent or translucent film of a plastics material.

4 A label according to claim 3 wherein the carrier layer comprises a PVC film.

5 A label according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the imprint layer is provided on the under surface of the carrier layer, and the print applied to this surface is a mirror image of the required final image.

6 An adhesive label assembly for adhesion to the surface of an article, such as a dry cell battery, comprising : a carrier layer for an outwardly visible print; an adhesive layer for attachment to said battery; and a substantially transparent/translucent protective layer covering said print; characterised in that said protective layer is provided by said carrier layer.

7 A method of manufacturing a label assembly comprising the steps of providing a web of material to form a carrier layer, having a first surface and a second surface; printing on one of said surfaces of said carrier layer; applying a layer of adhesive onto said printed surface; and applying a backing layer.

8 The method of claim 7 including the step of providing a carrier layer of substantially translucent or transparent plastics materials, such as PVC.

9 The method of claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the printing step includes printing a mirror image of the required final print on the under surface of the carrier layer.

10 The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein an adhesive coating is applied to the backing layer coated with a release agent, such as silicone, and the method includes the step of bringing together a web of adhesive coated release layer with a web of printed carrier film by passing the two webs through a nip or rollers, thereby transferring the adhesive coating from the backing layer to the print layer on the carrier film.

11 A label assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12 A method of manufacturing a label assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.