GB2352707A

GB2352707A - Label with independently-removable parts

Info

Publication number: GB2352707A
Application number: GB9918122A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Mark Dyson; Ian Paul Dyson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-03
Filing date: 1999-08-03
Publication date: 2001-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-03
Also published as: GB2352707B; GB9918122D0

Abstract

The label 10 has a first layer 12 which has an adhesive coating on its lower surface which adheres the first layer to a second layer 14. The first layer 12 comprises two portions 16, 18 which are separated laterally by a cut. Each portion 16, 18 has a tab 20, 22 which enables the portions to be gripped in order to remove the portions from the second layer 14. Each portion is adhered to the second layer by a non-permanent adhesive which means that the portions 16, 18 can be removed from the second layer and adhered to a further surface. Information contained on the first layer may be identical to that contained on the second layer such that the label may be adhered to an article such as a medical test tube and the portions 16, 18 can be removed and adhered to a medical records book. In order to form the tabs 20,22, a strip of non-adhesive material may be applied to a web from which the first layer will be made, the strip being in the region which is to be cut to separate the portions 16,18.

Description

2352707 A LABEL

FIELD -OF THE INVENTI

The invention relates to labels and especially, but not limited to, labels having removable portions.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTI

With certain articles it is necessary or preferable to record information relating to the article. For example, the lot or batch from which the article originated or the use by date may need to be recorded or displayed. With medical apparatus it is especially important that accurate data relating to the apparatus are carefully and accurately recorded. This information may need to be recorded in more than one record. If this information is recorded manually there is a risk that the information may not be recorded accurately due to human error. In addition, if more than one label is placed on the article there is again a risk that one of the labels may not be the correct one and, therefore, the correct information will not be recorded. Furthermore, specific information which may change frequently relating to the article may need to be displayed on external standard packaging, for example the lot or batch number.

The size of certain labels may be restricted and, 30 therefore, any information placed on the labels must be in a small font size in order for the label to display all the relevant information. The small font size means that the information can be difficult to read.

2 It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.

SMOWY OF THE IMNTIO According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a label comprising at least a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer has at least two portions which can be independently removed from the label.

The first layer may have an adhesive coating on at least a part of a first surface and preferably on substantially the whole of the first surface.

The second layer may have an adhesive coating on at least a part of a first surface and preferably on substantially the whole of the first surface.

Preferably the adhesive coating is non-permanent. This non-permanent adhesive enables the first and second layers to be removed and adhered to different surfaces.

Preferably the first surface of the first layer is adhered to the second surface of the second layer. Preferably the first surface of the second layer is adhered to a backing material and preferably to a layer of glassine backing.

3 Preferably the size of the first layer is the same as the size of the second layer. Preferably the shape of the first layer is the same shape as the second layer.

Preferably at least a part of each portion is adhered to the second layer. Preferably each portion is arranged, in use, to be removed from the second layer to provide an adhesive surface which may enable each portion to be adhered to a further surface.

Preferably the first layer comprises two portions.

The size of the second portion may be greater than the size of the first portion and may be greater than twice the size of the first portion. Preferably the label comprises two layers.

The first layer may comprise three or four or more than four portions.

Preferably the portions of the first layer are adjacent. Preferably the portions are laterally adjacent.

Preferably one or each portion has a tab which is not adhered to the second layer. The or each tab may be arranged, in use, to be gripped to enable the or each portion to be easily removed or peeled from the second layer.

Preferably the or each tab comprises a section of 30 material which can be removed from the or each portion and preferably from the first surface of the first layer comprising the portions. The removal of the section of material may expose an adhesive coating. The material may 4 be a backing material and preferably is a glassine backing sheet.

Preferably the or each tab is located on the edge of the 5 or each portion and preferably on the edge of the portion spaced from the lateral edge of the label.

Preferably each portion has a tab. Preferably the tabs are adjacent to each other and preferably laterally adjacent to each other. Preferably each tab extends longitudinally for substantially the full length of the label. Preferably each tab extends longitudinally at a position spaced from the lateral edges of the label. Preferably each tab is located centrally on the label.

one or each layer may comprise a material containing no latex. One or each layer may comprise a vinyl and preferably comprise a white vinyl.

Preferably the first layer and/or the second layer have information printed thereon. The information may be printed thereon using a hot foil printing method. The information on the first layer may be identical to the information on the second layer.

The label may display information for maintaining medical records. The label may display information relating to instructions, for example cooking instructions. The portions may comprise tokens or 3 0 vouchers.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly comprising a plurality of labels adhered to a surface wherein the labels are in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

The surface may be a non adhesive material. The surface may comprise a backing material and preferably comp3ises a strip of backing material. The backing material may be a glassine backing sheet.

According to a third aspect of the present invention lo there is provided a method of producing a label comprising adhering at least a f irst layer to a second layer and providing at least two portions on the first layer which can be independently removed from the label.

Preferably the method comprises locating a tab on each portion of the first layer. The tabs result in the portions being easy to remove from the second layer.

The method may comprise providing two portions on the f irst layer. The method may comprise adhering a f irst layer to a second layer. The method may comprise cutting the f irst layer and the second layer to the same size and preferably to the same shape.

The method may comprise providing a first surface on the first layer with an adhesive coating for at least a part of the surface and preferably for substantially the whole of the surface.

The method may comprise providing a first surface of the second layer with an adhesive coating for at least a part of the surface and preferably for substantially the whole of the surface.

6 The method may comprise adhering the first surf ace of the first layer to the second surface of the second layer. Preferably the first surface of the first layer has a piece of non adhesive material located thereon and preferably a strip of non adhesive material located thereon.

Preferably the method comprises locating the non adhesive material at a central position on the first surface of the first layer. Preferably the method comprises locating the piece or strip of non adhesive material at a location spaced from the lateral edges of the label.

Preferably the method comprises locating a layer of non adhesive material on the first surface of the first layer. Preferably the method comprises removing at least a part and preferably two parts of the layer of the non adhesive material such that a piece and preferably a strip of the non adhesive material remains.

Preferably the method comprises removing two lateral strips of the layer of non adhesive material such that a strip of non adhesive material remains at a location spaced from the lateral edges of the first layer. The method may comprise removing all of the layer of the non adhesive material and adhering a further strip of non adhesive material at a location space from the lateral edges of the f irst layer. The non adhesive layer may be a backing material and preferably is glassine backing.

Preferably the method comprises cutting through the first layer and the non adhesive material and preferably 7 along the longitudinal length of the f irst layer and the non adhesive material and preferably centrally along the longitudinal length of the non adhesive material.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus which is arranged, in use, to produce labels, the labels being in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

Preferably the apparatus comprises a member for pressing the first and second layer together.

Preferably the apparatus comprises means for supporting a strip of the first layer and preferably a roll of the strip of the f irst layer. Pref erably the apparatus comprises means f or supporting a strip of the second layer and preferably a roll of the strip of the second layer.

Preferably the first layer has a layer of a non adhesive material on one surface. Preferably the second layer has a layer of a non adhesive material on one surface. Preferably the non adhesive material is a backing material and may be glassine backing.

Preferably the apparatus comprises means f or removing at least a part and preferably two parts of the layer of the non adhesive material from the first layer. The apparatus may comprise means for removing two lateral sections of the non adhesive layer from the first layer such that a longitudinal section of the non adhesive material remains at a location spaced from the lateral edges of the first layer.

8 The apparatus may comprise means for cutting through the layer of non adhesive material. The apparatus may comprise a blade and preferably two blades to cut through the non adhesive layer of the first layer. The apparatus may comprise parallel knife blades for cutting through the non adhesive layer of the first layer.

The apparatus may comprise means for removing all of the non adhesive layer from the first layer. The apparatus may comprise means for supporting a strip of non adhesive material. The apparatus may comprise means for securing the strip of non adhesive material to the adhesive coating on the first surface of the first layer and preferably at a location spaced from the lateral edges of the first layer.

The apparatus may comprise cutting means for cutting through the first layer and the non adhesive material and preferably along the longitudinal length of the first layer and the non adhesive material and preferably centrally along the longitudinal length of the non adhesive material.

The apparatus may comprise cutting means for cutting the first layer and the second layer to the same size and preferably to the same shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow, in which:

9 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a label; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of an article having a label attached thereto; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a label during formation; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a surface having a plurality of labels adhered thereto; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device for producing labels; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a device for producing labels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in Figure 1, the label has first layer 12 and a second layer 14. The f irst layer 12 has an adhesive coating on its lower or first surface which, thereby, adheres the f irst layer 12 to the upper or second surface of the second layer 14. The adhesive coating is non- permanent and enables the first layer to be removed and adhered to further surfaces. The first layer 12 comprises two portions 16, 18. The two portions 16, 18 are separated laterally by a cut. Each portion 16, 18 has a tab 20, 22 located adjacent to the cut. The lower side of each tab 20, 22 comprises a material which is adhered to the adhesive coating on the lower side of the first layer. The material does not have an adhesive coating and, therefore, the tabs, 20, 22 on the portions 16, 18 do not adhere to the second layer. This enables the tabs to be easily gripped by the f ingers and to allow the two portions 16, 18 to be peeled from the second layer 14.

The coating on the underside of the tabs is preferably a section of backing material which can be peeled away so that the total area of the underside of each portion is adhesive. The backing material may be glassine backing material. In use, the tab 22 is gripped in order for the first portion 18 to be removed from the second layer 14. The non adhesive backing material on the tab is removed and the first portion 18 is adhered to an article or in a records book. The tab 20 is then gripped and the second portion 16 is removed from the second layer 14 and may is also be adhered to a further article or records book. In addition, the second layer 14 has a non-permanent adhesive coating on its first surface. Therefore, the second layer 14 may be removed from the article and adhered to a further article or in a records book.

Each portion 16, 18 and the second layer 14 have relevant information printed thereon. Therefore, all the information is contained in a single label. The user can rely more on the accuracy of the information rather than if several labels had been attached to the article since there is less opportunity for affixing a wrong label.

As shown in Figure 2, the label 10 may be attached to a test tube having a medical aural grommet located therein. The label is made of a vinyl containing no latex and can, therefore, be in a medical theatre and be sterilised. The first portion 18 displays the lot or batch number. The test tube is packaged within a cardboard 11 container and the f irst portion 18 can be detached from the tube and secured to the outer surf ace of the packaging to be visible. This, therefore, enables the lot or batch number to be visible. Standard information relating to the design of the grommet does not change and is already on the packaging. When the grommet is used the second portion 16 is removed from the label and secured in the patients, notes. The second layer 14 also displays information on the design of grommet and lot number. This can be removed from the test tube and secured in a second hospital administration book.

Each layer is a vinyl with the information being displayed being printed thereon using a hot foil printing technique.

As shown in Figure 3, the label 10 is formed by having a first layer with a backing material located thereon and second layer with a backing material thereon. The backing material from the first layer is cut and peeled away to leave a central longitudinal strip 26 located on the underside of the first layer. The first layer is secured to the second layer and forms a blister where the central strip 26 is located. A cut is then made down the centre of the blister and, thereby, creates two portions each having a tab section having backing material thereon. The periphery of the label may also be cut so that the f irst layer and the second layer may be the same size and shape. The backing material of the second layer is not cut and, therefore, a plurality of labels may be provided on a strip of the backing material. The method may be continuous and the strip having the labels located thereon may be easily packaged, distributed and stored.

12 The label may have more than two portions wherein each portion has a tab section for ease of removal.

The label may be used to display information in a large font in a restricted space. For example, if the size of the label is limited then with a standard single layer label all the information would need to be displayed in a small font in order for all the information to be displayed. However, with the present invention the information could be displayed in a larger font or different layers. For example, different cooking instructions could be displayed on different portions or layers with the microwave instruction on one layer and the conventional oven instruction on a different layer. The larger font size means that the instructions are easier to read.

Alternatively, the removable portions may be tokens or vouchers for use in promotional or marketing techniques.

As shown in Figure 4, the label 10 may be adhered to a surface 30 which adheres to the first or lower surface of the second layer. The labels 10 are formed using a continuous method which results in a plurality of labels 10 adhering to a single strip of the surface 30. This means that the strip and the labels can be rolled up and, therefore, easily packaged, distributed and stored.

The surface 30 is a strip of glassine material which enables the labels to be peeled of f and adhered to the relevant article. The surface can be manually gripped to enable sections of the surface or strip to be separated if 13 necessary. Alternatively, sections of the strip can be ripped off once the labels have been removed and there is no longer any use for the strip of glassine material.

In the production of the labels the first and second layers are initially separate and comprise elongate strips of material. Each strip comprises a layer of vinyl adhered to a layer of glassine. The strips are passed through hot foil printing machines and the relevant information is printed on to the strips. The information is printed at spaced intervals since the strip will form several labels which will be separated from each other in due course.

A first embodiment of apparatus for producing the labels is shown in Figure 5. Each layer is initially provided on a roll. The roll 32 provides a strip of the f irst layer 12. The strip of the first layer 12 is pulled from the roll and two blades 34 are arranged to cut through the backing material of the first layer 12. The two blades 34 produce longitudinal cuts on the backing material at a location spaced from the lateral edges of the f irst layer 12. The two lateral sections 36 are peeled from the first layer. This leaves a central longitudinal section 38 of the backing material which is spaced f rom the lateral edges of the f irst layer 12. This exposes two sections 40 of the adhesive coating on the first layer 12. These exposed sections are then adhered to the second surf ace of the second layer 14. The two layers pass underneath a roller 42 which, thereby, forces the two layers together and ensures that the first layer adheres to the second layer. The machine therefore produces a strip of material comprising two layers which 14 are adhered together and a central blister section 26. A cutting tool (not shown) then cuts the vinyl of the first and second layers to produce individual labels. A cutting tool also cuts through the blister 26 to provide two portions each having a tab section to enable the portions to be easily removed from the second layer.

Alternatively, the blister may be formed by adhering a strip 44 of backing material to the first surface 46 of io the f irst layer 12, as shown in Figure 6. Again, a roll of the first layer 12 provides a strip of the f irst layer and the whole of the backing material 48 is removed from the first surface of the first layer to expose the adhesive coating. A strip 44 of backing material is then adhered to the first surface of the first layer. The strip 44 adheres to the first surface of the first layer at a location spaced from the lateral edges of the first layer. The exposed adhesive coating of the first surface of the first layer is then adhered to the second surface of the second layer 14. Both layers pass underneath a roller 50 which ensures that a bond between the first and second layers is formed. The strip comprising the first layer and the second layer and having the blister section 26 at a location spaced from the lateral edges of the strip can then be formed into individual labels as previously described.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or s process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic is series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A label comprising at least a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer has at least two portions 5 which can be independently removed from the label.

2. A label according to claim 1 wherein the first layer has an adhesive coating on at least a part of a first surface.

3. A label according to claim 2 wherein the first layer has an adhesive coating on substantially the whole of the first surface.

4. A label according to any preceding claim in which the second layer has an adhesive coating on at least a part of a first surface.

5. A label according to claim 4 in which the second layer has an adhesive coating on substantially the whole of the first surface.

6. A label according to any of claims 2 to 5 in which the adhesive coating is non-permanent.

7. A label according to any preceding claim in which the first surface of the first layer is adhered to the second surface of the second layer.

8. A label according to any preceding claim in which the size of the first layer is the same as the size of the second layer.

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9. A label according to any preceding claim in which at least a part of each portion is adhered to the second layer.

10. A label according to claim 9 in which each portion is arranged, in use, to be removed from the second layer to provide an adhesive layer which enables each portion to be adhered to a further surface.

11. A label according to any preceding claim in which the first layer comprises two portions.

12. A label according to claim 11 in which the size of the second portion is greater than the portion of the first portion.

13. A label according to any preceding claim in which the first layer comprises three portions.

14. A label according to any preceding claim in which one or each portion has a tab which is not adhered to the second layer.

15. A label according to claim 14 in which the or each tab is arranged, in use, to be gripped to enable the or each portion to be easily removed or peeled from the second layer.

16. A label according to claim 14 or claim 15 in which the or each tab comprises a section of material which can be removed from the or each portion.

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17. A label according to claim 16 in which the removal of the section of material exposes an adhesive coating.

18. A label according to any of claims 14 to 17 in which the or each tab is located on the edge of the or each portion.

19. A label according to claim 18 in which the or each tab is located on the edge of the portion spaced from the 10 lateral edge of the label.

20. A label according to any of claims 14 to 19 in which each portion has a tab.

21. A label according to claim 20 in which the tabs are laterally adjacent to each other.

22. A label according to any of claims 14 to 21 in which each tab extends longitudinally at a position spaced from 20 the lateral edges of the label.

23. A label according to any of claims 14 to 22 in which each tab is located centrally on the label.

24. A label according to any preceding claim in which each layer comprises a material containing latex.

25. A label according to any preceding claim in which the first layer and the second layer have information printed 30 thereon.

26. A label according to claim 25 in which the information is printed thereon using a hotfoil printing method.

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27. A label according to claim 25 or claim 26 in which the information on the first layer is identical to the information on the second layer.

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

29. An assembly comprising a plurality of labels adhered to a surface wherein the labels are in accordance with any preceding claim.

30. An assembly comprising a plurality of labels adhered to a surface substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

31. A method of producing a label comprising adhering at least a f irst layer to a second layer and providing at least two portions on the first layer which can be independently removed from the label.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein the method comprises locating a tab on each portion of the first layer.

33. A method according to claim 31 or claim 32 wherein the method comprises locating a layer of non-adhesive material on the first surface of the first layer.

34. A method according to claim 33 wherein the method comprises removing two lateral strips of the layer of nonadhesive material such that a strip of non-adhesive XSo material remains at a location spaced from the lateral edges of the first layer.

35. A method according to claim 33 wherein the method comprises removing all of the layer of the non-adhesive material and adhering a further strip of non-adhesive material at a location spaced from the lateral edges of the first layer.

36. A method according to any of claims 31 to 35 wherein the method comprises cutting through the first layer and the non-adhesive material along the longitudinal length of the layer and the non-adhesive material.

37. A method of producing a label substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

38. Apparatus which is arranged, in use, to produce 20 labels, the labels being in accordance with any of claims 1 to 28.

39. Apparatus according to claim 38 in which the apparatus comprises a member for pressing the first and second layer 25 together.

40. Apparatus according to claim 39 or claim 40 in which the apparatus comprises means for supporting a strip of the first layer.

41. Apparatus according to any of claims 38 to 40 in which the apparatus comprises a means for supporting a strip of the second layer.

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42. Apparatus according to any of claims 38 to 41 in which the first layer has a layer of non-adhesive material on one surface.

43. Apparatus according to any of claims 38 to 42 in which the second layer has a layer of non-adhesive material on one surface.

44. Apparatus according to claim 42 or 43 in which the apparatus comprises means for removing at least a part of the layer of the non-adhesive material from the first layer.

45. Apparatus according to claim 44 in which the apparatus comprises means for removing two lateral sections of the non-adhesive layer from the first layer such that a longitudinal section of the non-adhesive material remains at a location spaced from the lateral edges of the first 20 layer.

46. Apparatus according to any of claims 42 to 45 in which the apparatus comprises a means of cutting through the layer of non-adhesive material.

47. Apparatus according to any of claims 42 to 46 in which the apparatus comprises a means for removing all of the non-adhesive layer from the first layer.

48. Apparatus according to any of claims 42 to 47 in which the apparatus comprises a means for securing the strip of non-adhesive material to the adhesive coating on the first 17 12- surface of the first layer at a location spaced from the lateral edges of the first layer.

49. Apparatus according to any of claims 42 to 48 in which the apparatus comprises cutting means for cutting through the first layer and the non-adhesive material centrally along the longitudinal length of the non-adhesive material.

50. Apparatus which is arranged, in use, to produce labels, substantially herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.