GB2524954A

GB2524954A - A peelable label

Info

Publication number: GB2524954A
Application number: GB1405481.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Emily Smart; David Ibbitson
Original assignee: Essentra Packaging and Security Ltd
Current assignee: Essentra Packaging and Security Ltd
Priority date: 2014-03-27
Filing date: 2014-03-27
Publication date: 2015-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-27
Also published as: GB2524954A8; WO2015144757A1; GB2524954B8; EP3122552A1; JP2017517037A; TWI663102B; KR20160138489A; MY182416A; GB201405481D0; TW201604084A; GB2524954B

Abstract

A peelable label 20 comprising a main panel 22 from which extends a finger lift tab 24. At least the finger lift tab is formed of a laminate of first and second films. The laminate is configured to cause the finger lift tab 24 to curl so that the finger lift tab is raised so that it may be grasped more easily. Alternatively the label includes a dead fold film extending over at least a part of the main panel 22 and the finger lift tab 24. The dead fold film has a dead fold capability, with a crease being formed in the dead fold film so as to cause the finger lift tab 24 to be deflected from the plane of the main panel 22. The upper film may be a heat shrink film which is heated to cause the finger lift tab to curl. The label is preferable a label seal for an opening of a package, e.g. a cigarette packet.

Description

A PEELABLE LABEL

The invention relates to a peelable label, and is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with a peelable label in the form of an opening label for opening packaging.

The invention is also concerned with packaging incorporating such peelable label, and with a method of manufacturing a peelable label.

It is known to provide products in hermetically sealed packages in order to preserve freshness and/or integrity. Such packages may be so-called "filmic packets" formed from a film material. The filmic packet is typically provided with an opening such that the product can be removed from the packet. In a previously considered arrangement the opening is a pre-formed cut in the filmic packet which defines an opening panel, and an opening label is adhered over the opening/opening panel. When the opening label is pulled away from the filmic packet the opening panel is detached from the filmic packet to expose the opening. In order to preserve the freshness and/or integrity of the product, the label is resealable and so can be readhered over the opening. Such an arrangement is disclosed in EP 1102712, for example.

Typically, the opening label has a finger lift tab which projects from the main panel of the label and is not adhered to the filmic packet. The user is able to grasp the tab to peel the opening label away from the filmic packet. This can be a somewhat fiddly operation; the tab may be small, and may lie in contact with the filmic packet so that the user has to use a fingernail to lift the tab before it can be grasped firmly enough to peel away the label.

According to an aspect there is provided a peelable label, comprising: a main panel from which extends a finger lift tab; wherein at least the tab comprises laminate having first and second films, wherein the laminate is configured to cause the finger lift tab to curl. The finger lift tab and main panel may meet at a join line or the like. The finger lift tab and main panel may be integrally formed. The finger lift tab may extend in a direction perpendicular to the join line. The width direction of the finger lift tab may be parallel to the join line and perpendicular to the direction of extent of the finger lift tab.

The laminate may be configured such that when the finger lift tab is flat, the second film exerts a curling force on the first layer in a direction parallel to the plane of the tab. The curling force may be exerted at least in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the finger lift tab extends. The curling force may be exerted at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the finger lift tab extends.

When the finger lift tab is flat, the second film may be tensioned with respect to the first film. The first and/or second film is resiliently deformable.

The second film may be provided only in the region of the finger lift tab. The second film may be substantially the same shape and/or size as the finger lift tab. The second film may be provided on the upper surface of the first film.

The edges or corners of the finger lift tab may be caused to curl. The entire finger lift tab may be caused to curl.

The first and/or second films may comprise a polymeric material. The first and/or second film may comprise polypropylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene, polyester, or polyethylene terephthalate.

The second film may be applied to the first film under tension. The second film may be applied to the first film under tension in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extent of the finger lift tab.

The second film may be a heat shrinkable film. The heat shrinkable film may be arranged to undergo balanced shrinkage in directions both parallel to and perpendicular to the direction of extent of the finger lift tab. The heat shrinkable film may be arranged to undergo preferential shrinkage in a direction parallel to the direction of extent of the tab.

The first film may at least partly define the main panel.

According to a second aspect there is provided a peelable label, comprising: a main panel from which extends a finger lift tab; wherein the label includes a dead fold film extending over at least a part of the main panel and the finger lift tab, the dead fold film having a dead fold capability, a crease being formed in the dead fold film so as to cause at least part of the finger lift tab to be deflected from the plane of the main panel.

The finger lift tab and main panel may meet at a join line or the like. The finger lift tab and main panel may be integrally formed. The finger lift tab may extend in a direction perpendicular to the join line. The width direction of the finger lift tab may be parallel to the join line and perpendicular to the direction of extent of the finger lift tab.

The crease may be situated at the junction between the main panel and the finger lift tab. The dead fold film may comprise a cellulosic film. The dead fold film may comprise a cellulose acetate film.

The lower surface of the label may be provided with an adhesive. The adhesive may be provided on the lower surface of the main panel only. The lower surface of the finger lift tab may be adhesive free or is provided with an adhesive deadening layer.

The width of the finger lift tab may be less than the width of the main panel.

The label may be an opening label for opening packaging.

The invention also relates to a wound reel of peelable labels comprising a wound backing sheet with a plurality of peelable labels, each in accordance with any statement herein, releasably adhered to the backing sheet.

According to another aspect there is provided packaging for at least one article or substance, comprising: a main packaging portion having a packaging opening; and a peelable label in accordance with any statement herein, the peelable label being adhered to the main packaging portion with the main panel covering the packaging opening and at least part of the finger lift tab being curled or deflected away from the main packaging portion; wherein, in use, pulling the main panel away from the main packaging portion by means of the finger lift tab causes the packaging opening to be exposed.

The invention also relates to tobacco product comprising packaging in accordance with

any statement herein.

According to a further aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a peelable label in accordance with the first aspect, the method comprising: forming a first film having a main panel region and a finger lift tab region; bonding a second film to the finger lift tab region; causing the second film layer to exert a curling force on the first layer so as to cause the finger lift tab of the peelable label to curl.

The first film may be in the form of a first film substrate supported on backing layer.

The second film may be in the form of a second film substrate bonded to the first film substrate to form a label stock substrate.

The method may further comprise cutting at least one peelable label from the label stock substrate.

The label stock substrate may be in the form of a web. The second film substrate may be applied to the first film substrate in the web direction. The second film substrate may be applied to the first film substrate under tension in the web direction. The method may further comprise cutting a plurality of peelable labels from the label stock substrate to form a plurality of peelable labels arranged side-by-side in the web direction. The or each peelable label may be die cut from the label stock substrate.

The finger lift tabs of the plurality of peelable labels may be transversely aligned with respect to the web direction. The width direction of each finger lift tab of the plurality of peelable labels may be parallel to the web direction.

The second film may be a heat shrinkable film. The method may further comprise applying heat to the second film after boding to the first film. The heat may be applied during or after the cutting process.

According to yet another aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a peelable label in accordance with the second aspect, the method comprising: forming a label film having a main panel region and a finger lift tab region, the label film comprising a dead fold film having a dead fold capability and which extends over at least a part of the main panel and the finger lift tab; forming a crease in the dead fold film so as to cause at least part of the finger lift tab to be deflected from the plane of the main panel.

The label film may be in the form of a label film substrate supported on backing layer to form a label stock substrate. The method may further comprise cutting at least one peelable label from the label stock substrate. The label stock substrate may be in the form of a web. The method may further comprise cutting a plurality of peelable labels from the label stock substrate to form a plurality of peelable labels arranged side-by-side in the web direction. The or each peelable label may be die cut from the label stock substrate. The crease may be formed during or after the cutting process.

Any of the films described may be single ply or multi-ply (i.e. laminates).

The invention may comprise any combination of the features and/or limitations referred to herein, except combinations of such features as are mutually exclusive.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically shows a hard pack of cigarettes; Figure 2 schematically shows the pack of Figure 1 with the hinged-lid opened; Figure 3 schematically shows the pack of Figure 2 with the inner filmic packet opened; Figure 4 schematically shows a perspedve view and an end view of a peelable opening label; Figure 5 schematically shows the cross-section A-A of Figure 4; Figure 6 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the label of Figure 4 applied to a filmic packet; Figure 7 schematically shows a plan view of the label of Figure 4 applied to a filmic packet; Figure 8 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the label of Figure 4 partly peeled away from the filmic packet; Figure 9 schematically shows a plan view of the label of Figure 4 partly peeled away from the filmic packet; Figure 10 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the label of Figure 4 completely peeled away from the filmic packet; Figure 11 schematically shows a plan view of the label of Figure 4 completely peeled away from the filmic packet; Figure 12 schematically shows a manufacturing process for manufacturing the label of Figure 4; Figure 13 schematically shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a label; Figure 14 schematically shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a label; and Figure 15 schematically shows the cross-section B-B of Figure 14.

Figure 1 shows packaging 1, in the form of a pack of cigarettes, comprising a main box portion 10 and a hinged lid 12. As shown in Figure 2, the hinged lid 12 can be opened to expose a hermetically sealed filmic packet 14 containing the cigarettes. A peelable label in the form of an opening label 20 is adhered to the filmic packet 14 over an opening (not visible). In order to open the filmic packet 14, the opening label 20 is pulled away from the filmic packet 14 which exposes the opening 16 (Figure 3), thereby allowing cigarettes 18 to be removed from the packet 14. When a cigarefte 16 has been removed, the hinged lid 12 can be closed again over the filmic packet 14.

As shown in Figure 4, the opening label 20 is generally square and comprises a main panel portion 22 and a finger lift portion or tab 24. The main panel portion 22 and the finger lift tab 24 are contiguous with one another and meet at an imaginary join line.

The finger lift tab 24 extends from the main panel 22 in a direction perpendicular to the joinline and has a width that is less than that of the main panel 22. The width direction of the tab 24 is parallel to the join line. As will be described in detail below, at least part of the finger lift tab 24, in this case the corner edges 24a, 24b, are curled out of the plane of the main panel 22 and provide a raised finger lift tab 24. This improves the ease of use of the label 20. The label 20 in this embodiment is approximately 45mm x 45mm, however, other suitable dimensions and shapes such as rectangles, ovals, and squares could be used.

Referring now to Figure 5, the label 20 comprises a base (first) film 28 of a laminate structure comprising a lower film 30 and an upper film 32. The laminate base film 28 defines both the main panel portion 22 and the finger lift tab 24. The lower film 30 is overprinted and the upper film 32 is transparent, thereby providing a protective layer.

In this embodiment, the lower film 30 is a layer of white polypropylene having a thickness of approximately 6Opm and the upper film 32 is a layer of clear polypropylene having a thickness of approximately 2Opm. It should be appreciated that other materials or thicknesses could be used. It should be noted that in other embodiments the base film 28 may be a single layer of film. The lower film 30 is directly printed onto with any suitable colours, graphics, designs or text. In this embodiment the lower film is printed with a solid colour which extends over the entire surface of the lower film and branding information.

As shown in Figure 5, an additional tensioned (second) film 34, in the form of a strip of film, is adhered to the upper surface of the base film 28, in particular the upper surface of the upper film 32, where it extends over only the finger lift tab 24. The tensioned film 34 is therefore of the same shape and size as the finger lift tab 24. The tensioned film 34 in this embodiment is a single clear layer of bi axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) having a thickness of approximately 2Opm. In other embodiments, the tensioned film 34 could be of a laminate structure and could be of any suitable material or thickness. When the finger lift tab 24 is flat (i.e. in the plane of the main panel 22) the tensioned film 34 is tensioned with respect to the base film 28 in a direction within a plane parallel to the plane of the tab 24. Therefore when the finger lift tab 24 is flat, the tensioned film 34 applies a force to the base film 28, causing the finger lift tab 24 to curl, thereby providing a raised finger lift tab 24. In this embodiment, the tensioned film 34 applies a force in a plane parallel to the plane of the tab 24 and in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extent of the tab 24 from the main panel 22 (i.e. in the width direction of the finger lift tab 24). This causes the corner edges 24a, 24b to curl up out of the main plane of the label 20. It should be appreciated that the film 34 could apply a force to the base film 28 in any other suitable direction. For example, it could be tensioned in a direction parallel to the direction of extent of the tab 24 (i.e. perpendicular to the width direction), or it could apply a force to the base film 28 (when flat) in multiple directions or in all directions.

The lower surface of the base film 28, in particular the lower surface of the lower film in the region of the main panel 22, is provided with an adhesive coating 36. The lower surface of the lower film 30 in the region of the finger lift tab 24 is adhesive free.

As will be explained below, the adhesive coating 36 allows the opening label 10 to be adhered to product packaging over a packaging opening. The adhesive coating 36 may be a continuous or discontinuous layer. The adhesive coating 36 is a pressure sensitive adhesive and may be a rubber or acrylic based adhesive, a hot melt, emulsion, solvent based or UV hot melt adhesive. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, other suitable adhesives may be used. Further, different adhesives may be used to adhere the various layers together.

As best shown in Figures 6 and 7, in use, the opening label 20 is adhered to a packaging substrate, in this case the filmic substrate 42 of the filmic packet 14, over the packaging opening 16. The main panel 22 covers the packaging opening 16 and is therefore larger than the opening 16, and the corner edges 24a, 24b are curled, or deflected, away from the filmic packet 14. In this embodiment the opening label 20 seals the opening 16 so that the filmic packet is sealed. In some embodiments the label 20 may hermetically seal the opening 16. The packaging opening 16 is defined by a partial cut 38 in the filmic substrate that defines an opening panel 40 that is disposed in the opening 16. Before opening the packaging, the opening panel 40 is integrally connected to the main filmic substrate 42 by a series of narrow tie-points.

The partial cut 38 extends through the entire thickness of the filmic substrate 42 but does not extend around the entire periphery of the opening panel 40, hence forming the tie-points that hold the opening panel 40 in place. The partial cut 38 may be formed by die-cutting or by any other suitable technique. In one embodiment the partial cut 38 is formed in the filmic substrate, the opening label 20 is adhered to the substrate, and the substrate is then wrapped around a bundle of cigarettes to form the filmic packet 14.

The opening label 20 is adhered to the filmic substrate such that the lower surface of the centre of the main panel 22 is permanently adhered to the upper surface of the opening panel 40 of the filmic substrate by the adhesive coating 36. The lower surface of the periphery of the main panel 22 is releasably adhered to the main filmic substrate 42 by the adhesive coating 36. The lower surface of the finger lift tab 24 is adhesive-free, or is provided with an adhesive deadening layer, and is therefore not adhered to the filmic substrate. The action of the tensioned additional film layer 34 causes the finger lift tab 24 to "stand up".

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, in order to open the filmic packet 14, a user grasps the adhesive-free finger lift tab 24 and pulls the peelable label 20 away from the filmic packet 14. Since the coiner edges of the finger lift tab 24 are curled away from the filmic packet 14 out of the main plane of the label 20, it is particularly easy for the user to grasp the tab 24. As the label 20 is pulled away from the filmic packet 14, the opening panel 40, which is permanently adhered to the centre of the main panel 22, is pulled away from the main packaging portion 42 and the tie-points are broken to expose the opening 16. The opening panel 40 remains with the main panel 22 of the label 20 as it is permanently adhered thereto. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the label 20 is pulled away from the filmic packet 14 until it has been completely detached from the filmic packet 14. This results in the packaging opening 16 being completely exposed, thereby permitting access to the cigarettes within the filmic packet 14 (Figure 3).

A method of manufacturing the above described label 20 will now be explained.

Referring to Figure 12, a web of base (first) film substrate 50 is provided on a backing layer or release film. The base film substrate 50 has the same structure as the base film 28 of the label 20 to be manufactured and therefore comprises a lower film and an upper film. The web of base film substrate 50 is provided on a reel and during the manufacture of the labels, the web is unwound and drawn through a manufacturing machine in the web direction W. As the web of base film substrate 50 is drawn through the manufacturing machine, a continuous tensioned strip 52 of an additional (second) film is adhered, or bonded, to the upper surface of the base film substrate 50. The tensioned strip 50 is of the same structure as the additional tensioned film 34 of the label 20 to be manufactured. The strip 50 is resiliently stretchable and is applied to the base film substrate 50 under tension in the web direction Wand therefore has a tendency to contract in the web direction W. This means that strip 52 exerts a force on the base film substrate 50 in the web direction W. The strip 52 is applied to the base film substrate 50 only over the finger lift tab regions 24' (i.e. in alignment with the eventual positions of the finger lift tabs 24). The tensioned strip 52 is not applied over the main panel regions 22', and therefore the edge of the tensioned strip 52 is aligned with the edge of the main panel regions 22'.

The application of the strip 52 to the base film substrate 50 forms a label stock substrate from which individual labels 20 can be die cut. Individual labels 20 are die cut from the label stock by die cutting through the base film substrate 50 and the strip 52, but not through the backing layer. The die cutting forms the labels having a main panel 22 formed by only the base film 28, and a finger lift tab 24 formed by the base film 28 and an additional tensioned film 34 formed by the tensioned strip. Following the die cutting operation the skeleton (i.e. the part of the label stock not forming the labels 20) is peeled away from the backing layer. The backing layer having a plurality of discrete labels 20 adhered thereto side-by-side (in the web direction) is then wound into a reel.

As shown in Figure 7, when an individual label 20 is peeled away from the backing layer and applied to a substrate such as filmic product packaging, the tensioned film 34, formed by the tensioned strip, which is tensioned with respect to the base film 28 in the width direction of the finger lift tab 24, causes the corner edges 24a. 24b of the tab 24 to curl up out of the main plane of the label 20.

Figure 13 shows a second embodiment of a peelable label 20 that is similar to the first.

However, in this embodiment the tensioned film 34 is a single layer of a heat shrink film such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film having a thickness of 2Opm. As will be explained below, in this embodiment the tensioned film 34 causes the entire finger lift tab 24 including the edge 24c to be curled with respect to the main panel 22.

The label 20 is manufactured using a similar method to that described above for the first embodiment with reference to Figure 12. However, as opposed to applying a tensioned strip 52 to the base layer substrate 50, a heat shrinkable strip 52 is applied to the base layer substrate 50. In this embodiment the heat shrinkable strip 52 is not applied under tension, but in other embodiments it may be. After die cutting the individual labels 20 from the label stock, heat is applied to the label 20 in a controlled manner in the region of the heat shrinkable film. The heat could be applied immediately after die cutting, or it could be applied at a separate stage. The application of heat causes the film to preferentially shrink in a direction parallel to the direction of extent of the finger lift tab 24 (i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the tab 24), resulting in the entire finger lift tab 24 being curled out of the main plane of the label 20. This is because the shrinkage causes the film 34 to shorten with respect to the base film 28 to which it is bonded, which causes the finger lift tab 24 to curl. When the finger lift tab 24 is flat, the film 34 becomes tensioned with respect to the base film 28 as it is stretched. As opposed to preferentially shrinking in a direction parallel to the direction of extent of the finger lift tab 24, the film could be chosen or applied such that it shrinks under the action of heat in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extent of the finger lift tab 24, or it could undergo balanced shrinkage in all directions. This could cause the corner edges of the finger lift tab 24 to curl instead or in addition to the rest of the finger lift tab 24.

Figures 14 and 15 show a third embodiment of a label 20 that is somewhat similar to the labels of the first and second embodiments. However, there is no tensioned film 34 causing the finger lift tab 24 to curl. Instead, the lower film 30 forming part of the base film 28 is a material having dead fold properties. The dead fold film extends over the main panel 22 and finger lift tab 24. In this embodiment, the dead fold lower film 30 is a cellulosic material, such as cellulose acetate. However, other films or layers having dead fold properties could be used. During the manufacturing process the finger lift tab 24 is folded up such that it is deflected from the main panel 22, thereby forming a crease 25. The crease 25 is along the interface or film line between the finger lift tab 24 and the main panel 22. The dead fold characteristics of the dead fold lower film 30 ensures that the label 20 retains this crease and the finger lift tab 24 "stands up" from the main panel 22. Dead fold is generally understood to mean the ability of a material to retain a fold and therefore not unfold spontaneously. The dead fold film 30 may therefore be any suitable film that can retain a fold or crease 25 to at least some degree. The effect of the dead fold film 30 and the crease formed therein is that in use, the finger lift tab 24 is raised from the packaging to which it is applied, and therefore it is easy for a user to grasp the finger lift tab 24 to peel the label away from the packaging.

In the embodiment described above, the label 20 is of a laminate structure comprising a lower dead fold film 30 and an upper film 32. However, in other embodiments the label 20 may be made from a single layer of film having dead fold properties. For example, the label 20 could be a single layer of a cellulose acetate film. In other embodiments, the label 20 could be a laminate structure comprising an upper layer and a lower layer with one layer (i.e. the upper or lower layer) having dead fold properties, or with both layers having dead fold properties. In a further embodiment the label may comprise an additional dead fold film that at least overlies a portion of the interface between the main panel and the finger lift tab (i.e. where the two meet). The additional film may therefore be smaller than the label (when viewed in plan). In all embodiments the finger lift tab is, or is arranged to be, folded up and therefore in use is raised from the packaging or substrate to which it is applied. The raised finger lift tab is formed by folding the finger lift tab so as to form a permanent crease in the dead fold film. The dead fold film retains the permanent crease and fold and therefore the finger lift tab maintains a raised configuration.

Although it has been described that the peelable label is for opening a filmic packet containing cigarettes, it should be appreciated that the label could be used to open other types of packaging. For example, the label could be used to open baby wipes, make-up wipes, or any other type of product packaging where it is necessaiy to create an opening. Further, it is not necessary that the opening label is used to open filmic packaging, it could be used to expose a packaging opening provided in a cardboard box or the like. Further, the peelable label may not be used to open packaging. The peelable label could be a reseal or reclose label having a raised fingerlift, or a label which can be peeled away to expose information or the like. Essentially, the raised fingerlift could be applied to any peelable label (i.e. a label that can be peeled away from a substrate).

It has been described that the tensioned film is either applied to a base substrate under tension, or is tensioned by heating after application. However, it should be appreciated that any suitable method could be used to provide a laminate structure in which, when flat, one of the films or layers is tensioned with respect to another layer, thereby causing the laminate to curl. For example, as opposed to heating a film to cause it to shrink (thereby putting it under tension) it could be treated by another means, such as by UV curing or by a chemical process.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A peelable label, comprising: a main panel from which extends a finger lift tab; wherein at least the finger lift tab comprises laminate having first and second films, wherein the laminate is configured to cause the finger lift tab to curl.
2. A peelable label according to claim 1, wherein the laminate is configured such that when the finger lift tab is flat, the second film exerts a curling force on the first layer in a direction parallel to the plane of the tab.
3. A peelable label according to claim 2, wherein the curling force is exerted at least in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the finger lift tab extends.
4. A peelable label according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the curling force is exerted at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the finger lift tab extends.
5. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein when the finger lift tab is flat, the second film is tensioned with respect to the first film.
6. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and/or second film is resiliently deformable.
7. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the second film is provided only in the region of the finger lift tab.
8. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the second film is substantially the same shape and/or size as the finger lift tab.
9. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the second film is provided on the upper surface of the first film.
10. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the edges or corners of the finger lift tab are caused to curl.
11. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the entire finger lift tab is caused to curl.
12. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and/or second films comprise a polymeric material.
13. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and/or second film comprises polypropylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene, polyester, or polyethylene terephthalate.
14. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the second film is applied to the first film under tension.
15. A peelable label according to claim 14, wherein the second film is applied to the first film under tension in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extent of the finger lift tab.
16. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the second film is a heat shrinkable film.
17. A peelable label according to claim 16, wherein the heat shrinkable film is arranged to undergo balanced shrinkage in directions both parallel to and perpendicular to the direction of extent of the finger lift tab.
18. A peelable label according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the heat shrinkable film is arranged to undergo preferential shrinkage in a direction parallel to the direction of extent of the tab.
19. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the first film at least partly defines the main panel.
20. A peelable label, comprising: a main panel from which extends a finger lift tab; wherein the label includes a dead fold film extending over at least a part of the main panel and the finger lift tab, the dead fold film having a dead fold capability, a crease being formed in the dead fold film so as to cause at least pad of the finger lift tab to be deflected from the plane of the main panel.
21. A peelable label according to claim 20, wherein the crease is situated at the junction between the main panel and the finger lift tab.
22. A peelable label according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the dead fold film comprises a cellulosic film.
23. A peelable label according to any of claims 20-22, wherein the dead fold film comprises a cellulose acetate film.
24. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower surface of the label is provided with an adhesive.
25. A peelable label according to claim 24, wherein the adhesive is provided on the lower surface of the main panel only.
26. A peelable label according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the lower surface of the finger lift tab is adhesive free or is provided with an adhesive deadening layer.
27. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the finger lift tab is less than the width of the main panel.
28. A peelable label according to any preceding claim, wherein the label is an opening label for opening packaging.
29. A wound reel of peelable labels comprising a wound backing sheet with a plurality of peelable labels, each in accordance with any one of claims 1-28, releasably adhered to the backing sheet.
30. Packaging for at least one article or substance, comprising: a main packaging portion having a packaging opening; and a peelable label in accordance with any preceding claim, the peelable label being adhered to the main packaging portion with the main panel covering the packaging opening and at least pail of the finger lift tab being curled or deflected away from the main packaging portion; wherein, in use, pulling the main panel away from the main packaging portion by means of the finger lift tab causes the packaging opening to be exposed.
31. A tobacco product comprising packaging as claimed in claim 30.
32. A method of manufacturing a peelable label in accordance with any of claims 1- 19 or any of claims 24-28 when appended to any of claims 1-19, the method comprising: forming a first film having a main panel region and a finger lift tab region; bonding a second film to the finger lift tab region; causing the second film layer to exert a curling force on the first layer so as to cause the finger lift tab of the peelable label to curl.
33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the first film is in the form of a first film substrate supported on backing layer and wherein the second film is in the form of a second film substrate bonded to the first film substrate to form a label stock substrate.
34. A method according to claim 33, further comprising cutting at least one peelable label from the label stock substrate.
35. A method according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the label stock substrate is in the form of a web.
36. A method according to any of claims 33-35, wherein the second film substrate is applied to the first film substrate in the web direction.
37. A method according to any of claims 33-36, wherein the second film substrate is applied to the first film substrate under tension in the web direction.
38. A method according to any of claims 33-37, further comprising cutting a plurality of peelable labels from the label stock substrate to form a plurality of peelable labels arranged side-by-side in the web direction.
39. A method according to claim 38, wherein the or each peelable label is die cut from the label stock substrate.
40. A method according to any of claims 33-39, wherein the finger lift tabs of the plurality of peelable labels are transversely aligned with respect to the web direction.
41. A method according to any of claims 33-40, wherein the width direction of each finger lift tab of the plurality of peelable labels is parallel to the web direction.
42. A method according to any of claims 32-41, wherein the second film is a heat shrinkable film, the method further comprising applying heat to the second film after boding to the first film.
43. A method according to claim 42 when appended to claim 34 or 39, wherein the heat is applied during or after the cutting process.
44. A method of manufacturing a peelable label in accordance with any of claims 20- 23 or any of claims 24-28 when appended to any of claims 20-23, the method comprising: forming a label film having a main panel region and a finger lift tab region, the label film comprising a dead fold film having a dead fold capability and which extends over at least a part of the main panel and the finger lift tab; forming a crease in the dead fold film so as to cause at least part of the finger lift tab to be deflected from the plane of the main panel.
45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the label film is in the form of a label film substrate supported on backing layer to form a label stock substrate.
46. A method according to claim 45, further comprising cutting at least one peelable label from the label stock substrate.
47. A method according to claim 45 or 46, wherein the label stock substrate is in the form of a web.
48. A method according to claim 47, further comprising cutting a plurality of peelable labels from the label stock substrate to form a plurality of peelable labels arranged side-by-side in the web direction.
49. A method according to claim 48, wherein the or each peelable label is die cut from the label stock substrate.
50. A method according to claim 46 or 48, wherein the crease is formed during or after the cutting process.
51. A method as claimed in claim 32 0144 and substantially as described herein.
52. A peelable label, packaging or a wound reel of peelable labels substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.