GB2425283A

GB2425283A - A scratch-off label

Info

Publication number: GB2425283A
Application number: GB0507786A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jim Anzai
Original assignee: KO PACK INTERNAT
Current assignee: KO PACK INTERNAT
Priority date: 2005-04-18
Filing date: 2005-04-18
Publication date: 2006-10-25
Also published as: WO2006111713A3; GB0507786D0; WO2006111713A2

Abstract

A method of making a product having a scratch-off function in which the user can scratch or scrape away a coating, layer, film or the like to reveal matter or information previously hidden. The method provides for the provision of a transparent or translucent film to be provided between the matter or information to be hidden and the coating or film to be scratched or scraped off. In this way the information or matter which is to be revealed is protected from possible damage by the act of removing the coating. The method provides labels for use on drink bottles.

Description

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METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR SCRATCH-OFF LABELLING AND THE LIKE

This invention relates to a method and an article for scratch-off labelling and the like. Thus the invenLiori provides, inter alia, a method applicable to the manufacture of scratch-off labels, and a product or article, for example a scratch-off label as such, incorporating one or more features the result of such method.

Scratch-off labels or related devices (which may not strictly be labels) are known in themselves, as providing the possessor with the means to entertain or divert him/herself briefly by means, for example, of a game of chance involving selection from a small number of alternative printed sites on the label or other product so as to select the one of these which carries an indication of a "win" or "correct choice" or related indicia. If the user so selects the correct site, some small prize or reward or pleasant consequence is intended to follow, or one such success may simply lead to a second stage * ** selection process of a similar or related format, so that * * * I...

an overall "win" is thereby rendered less likely.

Thus scratch-off labels or related devices need to :. incorporate at least one or a series of scratch-off sites * *** at which the user can scratch-off a readily-removed printed covering (for example by means of the user's finger nail) in order to reveal a printed or otherwise-provided indicia ** showing whether or not the correct selection has been made. S...

And it is with the provision of such sites that the technical difficulties of presently-available scratch-off labels and the like arise.

More specifically, these technical difficulties relate to aspects of the printing of the scratch-off sites. One such difficulty concerns provision of technical consistency in relation to the actual printing of the site itself.

Thus, as will be appreciated, there is a need for the user of the scratchoff facility to find that the ease of carrying-out the scratch-off step does not vary enough to make it significantly difficult, on occasion, or indeed to find that it is difficult or impossible to read the underlying printed matter (which gives the result of the scratch-off step) . Such consistency of printing can of course be provided without difficulty at a cost, but, as always, it is the question of the level of that cost which determines the acceptability of that cost, and here lies the rub. The products for which scratch-off facilities are provided are often just those for which the technical cost of highly consistent printing (to meet these needs) is not

readily acceptable.

Accordingly, as a result of the above-identified combination of conflicting technical and cost implications of the demands of printing scratch-off sites, there is a well-defined need for some corresponding technical improvement meeting the needs discussed above, and an object of the invention is to provide a method and/or a * ,* related article offering one or more improvements in ::::: relation to these matters, or generally.

One existing approach to the printing of scratch-off sites involves a series of printing steps: * *:. 25 a) These printing steps are carried out so as to produce firstly, (often on the rear side of a product, for example a label) , a series of images or other indicia relating to the required number of scratch-off sites; **** b) Then a layer of varnish or other related protective coating is applied over the printed sites; c) This is followed by printing, likewise over the previously-printed sites, and on top of the varnish or the like medium applied thereto, a corresponding series of scratch-off layers; d) These scratch-off layers comprise, firstly, a layer of a silver or gold scratch-off ink, and secondly a non-see-through printed-layer (for example of so-called mutilated texts or images, to prevent the user being able to see enough to determine which site to choose by inspection) . The above discussion of the consistency of printing in relation to scratch-off sites may be considered in relation to a printing operation generally on these lines.

We have determined that improvements in relation to the above identified problems in printing scratch-off sites can be made by means of embodiments of the present invention involving specific features from the following general approach. Firstly, the method and article or product involve the use of a transparent film laminated onto the primary product layer or body with the series of images or other indicia relating to the required number of scratch-off sites (see item a) of the last preceding paragraph) provided within the laminate on one or the other of the two surfaces to be placed face-to- face. In this way, the printed matter to be revealed in due course by the user's scratch-off : * actions is covered, not by a printed or otherwise-applied S...

varnish or other protective coating, but by a thin film of transparent laminate, which provides a very consistent thickness and quality of covering, thereby protecting the * . 25 underlying printed matter and providing a reliable and consistent base for the application of the subsequently-printed scratch-off layers which thereby become , much more consistent in themselves in terms of their ease S. S* of removal by user-scratch-action.

Of course, the images or other indicia relating to the scratch-off sites are protected from observation from the opposite side of the assembly (from the scratch-off side) by suitable means, usually by the printed matter which the label or other product carries as its primary function, and/or by forming the body of the label or other product from an opaque sheet material.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of the method described above in terms of being one existing approach to the printing of scratch-off sites; and Fig 2 shows, in a similarly-diagrammatic representation, an embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Fig 1 of the drawings, a method of making a product comprising a scratch-off function is provided, in which the product is a label 10 for application (at a later stage in the process, to be described below, such application being indicated in Figi by reference numeral 13) to another product 12 in the form of a beverage container 14, of any suitable form, commonly such being a bottle formed of one or more polymeric materials, such as one adapted for use in relation to carbonated Cola-type beverages.

Label 10 is produced so that a user can scratch or * .* scrape from a surface of the label a covering or coating or * * **I.

layer or film or the like (not shown as such in Fig 1) to reveal printed or the like graphic or textual matter (likewise not shown as such in Fig 1) below. The method of such production comprises a series of steps, now to be detailed.

It is to be understood that in Figs 1 and 2 the label (and likewise the corresponding sheet material which is S. Si laminated with the label in that embodiment) are shown merely diagrammatically, and being indicated as having a thickness much greater than such sheet materials (for example thin polymeric films) would have in practice, so as to be able clearly and simply to indicate opposite sides of the label etc, which are subjected to the various steps and stages of the process described) The series of method steps mentioned above, which are carried out in relation to label 10 in the previously-proposed method of Fig 1 include the printing of label data in a printing step indicated in Fig 1 by reference numeral 16. This printing step is carried out in a printing press, usually at the same or similar time as the printing and other stages of the making of label 10 for use in relation to bottle 12, though such contemporaneity of these processes is not, in principle, a requirement otherwise than as dictated by logistical or economic factors.

Turning now to the steps specifically relating to the provision of the scratch-off function on label 10, these comprise, of course, the provision on the relevant surface of label 10 of the printed or the like graphic or textual or other matter to be revealed as part of the scratch- off process. This matter usually relates to a competition of some kind, often involving multiple-choice answers to a question, these multiple choices corresponding to the multiple scratch-off sites. In Fig 1 this step the printing * ., of the matter to be revealed is indicated at 18, and is * I *1IS applied, of course, to the back or obverse side 20 of label (with respect to the front side 22, to which the label data is printed in step 16) . This back-side 20 of label 10 * 25 subsequently faces the outer surface 23 of bottle 12 as a result of step 13, in a generally wrap-around fashion. It will likewise be understood that the structure of label 10 is such that it enables a user of the bottle 12 (and its

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contents) easily to gain access to the back or reverse side of the label in order to pursue the scratch-off function options. The details of such access provision are not of direct relevance to the issues affecting the present invention and therefore are not described any further here.

Known systems for providing such functions are available.

After step 18, of printing the matter to be revealed in the scratch-off steps, come the steps of covering that printed or the like graphic or textual matter with opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material, so that the user who has opened the label to carry-out the scratch-off option is not able to determine the answers (or related such information) by inspection. This is done by applying the opaque or otherwise visuallyobscuring material over the printed matter (to be revealed), this opaque etc material being adapted to be scratched or scraped by a user from the relevant surface to render the underlying printed or the like graphic or textual matter visible, thereby determining the result of the user's attempt to win on the scratch-off competition.

Accordingly, the step of covering the printed or the like graphic or textual matter (to be revealed) with such opaque or otherwise visuallyobscuring material comprises the step 24 of applying a layer of varnish to the surface of label 10 on which the printed or the like graphic or textual matter (to be revealed) has been provided (in stepl8), and then printing in a step 26 the scratch-off ink : **u or inks in any suitable pattern or other visually-obscuring es..

means over the varnish to complete the covering procedure.

*S.. The result is that the scratch-off ink can be readily removed by the user, as required, to reveal the printed matter below, while the varnish layer protects the thus-revealed printed matter, and facilitates scratchoff.

However, as indicated above, the technique is subject to shortcomings in relation to the consistency of application of the relevant components of the label, notably the varnish layer, and these lead to corresponding functionality limitations which in some cases are not acceptable.

Turning therefore to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig 2, there is shown a method of making a product comprising a scratch-off function, in which the product is a label 100 for application (at a later stage in the process, to be described below, such application being indicated in Fig 2 by reference numeral 102) to another product 104 in the form of a beverage container 106, of any suitable form, commonly such being a bottle formed of one or more polymeric materials, such as one adapted for use in relation to carbonated Cola-type beverages.

Label 100 is produced so that a user can scratch or scrape from a surface of the label a covering or coating or layer or film or the like (not shown as such in Fig 2) to reveal printed or the like graphic or textual matter (likewise not shown as such in Fig 2) below. The method of such production comprises a series of steps, now to be detailed.

The series of method steps mentioned above, which are carried out in relation to label 100 in the embodiment of Fig 2 include the printing of label data (meaning normal information carried by a label) in a printing step indicated in Fig 2 by reference numeral 108. This printing step is carried out in a printing press, usually at the same or similar time as the printing and other stages of the making of label 100 for use in relation to bottle 106, though such contemporaneity of these processes is not, in principle, a requirement otherwise than as dictated by logistical or economic factors.

Turning now to the steps specifically relating to the provision of the scratch-off function on label 100, these comprise, of course, the provision on the relevant surface of label 100 of the printed or the like graphic or textual : ..* or other matter to be revealed as part of the scratch-off process. This matter usually relates to a competition of some kind, often involving multiple-choice answers to a question, these multiple choices corresponding to the multiple scratch-off sites. In Fig 2 the step of printing the matter to be revealed is indicated at 110, and is applied, of course, to the back or obverse side of label 100 (with respect to the front side to which the label data is printed in step 108) . This back-side of label 100 subsequently faces the outer surface of bottle 106 as a result of step 102, in a generally wrap-around fashion. It will likewise be understood that the structure of label 100 is such that it enables a user of the bottle 106 (and its contents) easily to gain access to the back or reverse side of the label in order to pursue the scratch-off function options. The details of such access provision are not of direct relevance to the issues affecting the present invention and therefore are not described any further here.

Known systems for providing such functions are available.

After step 110, of printing the matter to be revealed in the scratch-off steps, come the steps of covering that printed or the like graphic or textual matter with opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material, so that the user who has opened the label to carry-out the scratch-off option is not able to determine the answers (or related such information) by inspection. This is done by applying the opaque or otherwise visuallyobscuring material over the printed matter (to be revealed), this opaque etc material being adapted to be scratched or scraped by a user from the relevant surface to render the underlying printed or the like graphic or textual matter visible, thereby determining the result of the users attempt to win in the scratch-off competition.

In the embodiment, the step of covering the printed or the like graphic or textual matter (to be revealed) with such opaque or otherwise visuallyobscuring material adopts the reverse approach of utilising a printing press assembly :. function to deal with the consistency shortcomings of the prior art. That is to say, in the embodiment, advantage is S's taken of the fact that in a printing press or like production facility for labels and related products, there exists the function of assembly facilities capable of enabling the assembly of sheet material components of labels and the like, in a simple and expeditious manner, and (other factors being favourable) likewise economically. Thus, in the printing and label assembly press in which label 100 is assembled and printed, (typically, for example, a label press from The Present Applicants) there are available facilities for modifying the structure of the label, and in accordance with the invention such can be used to deal with the consistency problems which can arise in relation to the provision of the varnish layer resulting from step 24 in the method of Fig 1. Thus, in the embodiment of Fig 2, instead of using a varnish application step 24, the embodiment takes the opposite approach of modifying the label structure by employing a lamination step 112, in which the main body 114 (which, typically, comprises white opaque polymeric film) of label 100 has laminated thereto a transparent or translucent film 116, after the printing of the matter to be revealed in step 110. It will be understood from Fig 2 that the printed matter to be revealed (by the scratch-off process) can in principle by printed either, as indicated at 118 on the main body 114 of the label, or, as indicated at 120, on the corresponding adjacent face of film 116.

Usually the former will be adopted.

Thus, in this embodiment, it will be understood (for purposes of definition) that, the step of covering the ::: printed or the like graphic or textual matter (to be IS** revealed in the scratch-off step) with opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material comprises applying the transparent or translucent film or sheet material 116 to the surface of label 100 on or adjacent which the printed or the :. like graphic or textual matter (to be revealed in the scratch-off step) is provided, with said printed or the like graphic or textual matter (applied in step 118) located between the two surfaces 122, 124 of the main body 114 of the label, and of the transparent or translucent film or sheet material 116, respectively, which are thus arranged in mutually facing relationship.

The result of the above-described lamination and pre-printing (of matter to be revealed) steps is that main body 114 of label 100 has a consistent and under-printed transparent film 116 at its inner side face, and thus the final step of printing, in a step 126, the scratch-off ink in any suitable pattern or other visually-obscuring manner over the transparent film completes the covering procedure.

The result is that the scratch-off ink can be readily removed by the user, as required, to reveal the printed matter below/inside it, while the transparent film protects the thus-revealed printed matter. The label is now complete and ready for use, and is applied to bottle 106 in step 102. 5* * S S... illS ii..

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Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method of making a product comprising a scratch-off function,

in which a user can scratch or scrape from a surface of the product a covering or coating or layer or film or the like to reveal printed or the like graphic or textual matter below, the method comprising: a) providing on or adjacent a surface of said product, said printed or the like graphic or textual matter, to be revealed; and b) covering said printed or the like graphic or textual matter with opaque or otherwise visuallyobscuring material; and c) said opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material being adapted to be scratched or scraped by a user from said surface to render said printed or the like graphic or textual matter visible; characterized by d) said step of covering said printed or the like graphic or textual matter with opaque or otherwise visuallyobscuring material comprising applying a transparent or translucent film or sheet material to the surface of said product on or adjacent which said printed or the like graphic or textual matter is provided, with said printed or the like graphic or textual matter located ::: between the two surfaces of said product and of said *SS* transparent or translucent film or sheet material which are thus arranged in mutually facing relationship; and e) said step of covering said printed or the like graphic or textual matter with opaque or otherwise visually- obscuring material further comprising causing said opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material to be positioned on said transparent or translucent film or sheet material, in covering relationship to said printed or the like graphic or textual matter.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized by said step of covering said printed or the like graphic or textual matter with opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material comprising applying said opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material to said transparent or translucent film or sheet material after application of same to said surface of said product.
3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by applying said printed or the like graphic or textual matter which is revealed by said scratching or scraping, to said surface of said product which is arranged in mutually facing relationship with said transparent or translucent film or sheet material.
4. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by applying said printed or the like graphic or textual matter which is revealed by said scratching or scraping, to said surface of said transparent or translucent film or sheet material which is arranged in mutually facing relationship with said product.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims characterized by said step of applying a transparent or translucent film or sheet material to the surface of said product on or adjacent which said printed or the like s..

graphic or textual matter is provided comprises laminating said transparent or translucent film or sheet material to said surface of said product.

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6. A method according to claim 2 or to any one of claims 3 to 5 when dependent on claim 2, characterized by said step of covering said printed or the like graphic or textual matter with opaque or otherwise visuallyobscuring material comprising applying said opaque or otherwise visuallyobscuring material to said transparent or translucent film or sheet material after application of same to said surface of said product, comprising printing said opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material on said transparent or translucent film or sheet material.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims characterized by said product comprising a label for a consumer disposable product such as a beverage container, and said method comprising providing said label adapted to be mounted in surrounding relationship to said product with said printed or the like graphic or textual matter to be revealed, positioned, in use, at the inside surface of said label with respect to said product, and said method further comprising providing said label comprising an opaque film or sheet material which prevents said printed or the like graphic or textual matter to be revealed from being scrutinjsed from the front side of the label.
8. A product or article having a scratch-off function, said scratch-off function comprising: a) a covering or coating or layer or film or the like of opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material applied to a surface of the product; b) said covering or coating, or layer or film or the like being applied to a surface of the product and ssa permitting a user to scratch or scrape said covering or coating, or layer or film or the like from said surface of the product or article; and c) a printed or the like graphic or textual matter :. provided in relation to said surface of said article such that said scratching or scraping serves to reveal same under S.' said opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material of said covering or coating, or layer or film or the like, characterized by d) a transparent or translucent film or sheet material applied to the surface of said product on or adjacent which said printed or the like graphic or textual matter is provided, with said printed or the like graphic or textual matter located between the two surfaces of said product and of said transparent or translucent film or sheet material which are thus arranged in mutually facing relationship; and e) said opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material being positioned on said transparent or translucent film or sheet material, in covering relationship to said printed or the like graphic or textual matter.
9. A product or article according to claim 8, characterized by said opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material having been applied to said transparent or translucent film or sheet material after application of said film or sheet material to said surface of said product.
10. A product or article according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized by said printed or the like graphic or textual matter which is revealed by said scratching or scraping, being carried by said surface of said product which is arranged in mutually facing relationship with said transparent or translucent film or sheet material. S.
11. A product or article according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized by said printed or the like graphic or textual matter which is revealed by said scratching or scraping, being carried by said surface of said transparent or translucent film or sheet material which is arranged in mutually facing relationship with said product. * S
12. A product or article according to any one of claims 8 to 11 characterized by said transparent or translucent film or sheet material being laminated to said surface of said product.
13. A product or article according to claim 9 or to any one of claims 10 to 12 when dependent on claim 9, characterized by said printed or the like graphic or textual matter being covered with said opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring material which has been printed on said transparent or translucent film or sheet material after application of same to said surface of said product..
14. A product or article according to any one of claims 8 to 13 characterized by said product comprising a label for a consumer disposable product such as a beverage container, and said product or article comprising said label adapted to be mounted in surrounding relationship to said product with said printed or the like graphic or textual matter revealed, positioned, in use, at the inside surface of said label with respect to said product, and said label comprising an opaque film or sheet material which prevents said printed or the like graphic or textual matter to be revealed from being scrutinised from the front side of the label.
15. A method of making a product comprising a scratch-off function, in which a user can scratch or scrape from a surface of the product a covering or coating or layer S. or film or the like to reveal printed or the like graphic or textual matter below, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. S..

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16. A product or article comprising a scratch-off function, in which a user can scratch or scrape from a

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surface of the product a covering or coating or layer or film or the like to reveal printed or the like graphic or textual matter below, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
17. A method of making a product comprising a scratch-off function, characterized by the step of covering printed or the like graphic or textual matter to be revealed with opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring scratch-off material comprising causing said opaque or otherwise visuallyobscuring material to be positioned on a transparent or translucent film or sheet material, in covering relationship to said printed or the like graphic or textual matter to be revealed.

A product or article having a scratch-off function, characterized by an opaque or otherwise visually-obscuring scratch-off material being positioned on a transparent or translucent film or sheet material, in covering relationship to printed or the like graphic or textual matter to be revealed by said scratch-off function. S. * * S... sS I...

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