JP2000340185A - Single-layer battery label with patterned varnish - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a label extended along the rims of a battery, with a smooth continuous surface without creases so as to provide excellent insulation and protection by providing a single thermally-shrinkable polymer layer, printed layers and a varnish layer with geometric patterns at two linearly extending end parts corresponding to both upper and lower ends of the label disposed to cover both upper and lower rims of the battery. SOLUTION: A label having a single thermally-shrinkable polymer layer 20, printed (graphic) layers 22 and a varnish layer 24 with geometric patterns on two end parts 26, 28, has a single layer film 20 shrinking at the ends around the rims of a dry battery. The film 20 is a single layer polymer film 20 formed of a polyvinyl, polyolefine or polyester with a thickness of 1/2 to 5 mil, and a polyester and a polyvinyl chloride are preferable. A polyolefin such as a polypropylene with a shrinkage of 20-60% at the temperature of 150 deg.F or higher is also desirable as the film 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a label for a dry battery. In particular, the present invention is a single layer battery label having a varnish surface with a geometric pattern along two edges to accommodate film shrinkage and to provide a substantially continuous surface of varnish protectant for the rim of the battery. About. In the present invention, the “rim” means the outer corner surfaces of the upper and lower ends of the battery.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Dry cells have first and second terminals of opposite polarity at opposite ends of the cell. Such batteries are partially covered with a non-conductive label disposed over the battery perimeter and over the rim of the battery to provide longitudinal openings for the first and second terminals. I have. Only the battery contact surface terminals are exposed for proper use of the battery. If the film of the battery label is damaged or cut, the battery may be short-circuited. The rim of the batteries and the surrounding area must be protected. The battery label insulates the battery can. Labels can also protect products and users from leakage of can components. Many batteries are both self-contained and, if not, their reliability and price are important factors in the manufacture of the battery, since the label bears proper protection and indicates the manufacturer and its trademark.

[0003] The label before application is generally longer than the length at both ends of the battery can. The label is removed from the peelable backing and wrapped around the cell with the edge containing the rim of the cell. The covered battery is passed through a heating device for heating the existing label portion over the can. The end of the heat-shrinkable label shrinks around the battery rim. The shrunk label provides a tight protective seal over the battery rim. If the label is broken or wrinkled along the rim, the resistance to external destructive forces will be reduced and the effect will be inferior and unacceptable in appearance. Multilayer battery labels continue to function properly for dry cells, but are expensive. In contrast, single-layer battery labels generally have lower manufacturing costs.

One of these labels was December 27, 1996.
It is shown in PCT US96 / 10769 published on the date of this publication. This discloses a single layer label for a dry cell made with a transparent heat shrinkable polymer film backing.
It has third and fourth ends that extend beyond the opposite end of the battery. An alkali-resistant, non-conductive, opaque pigmented layer is provided on the inner surface of the film backing. Then, a non-conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is provided on the pigment-containing layer along at least an end portion parallel to the axis of the battery. U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,566 discloses a metal layer which is moved between layers of a heat-shrinkable film between a heat-shrinkable polymer film layer and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The above-mentioned PCT application describes the problem of this aspect. That is, the adhesion of the metal to the polymer layer is weak, the metal layer is susceptible to cracking, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is broken, which tends to cause a short circuit in the battery. Next, U.S. Pat.
No. 9 discloses a UV cured varnish for the surface layer of a polymer film. This coating is limited in use because it is weakly bonded so that it has low abrasion resistance and resistance to environmental conditions.

[0005]

Accordingly, there is no metallization or the like that causes a weak bond or breakage, and no varnish overlaps when the film shrinks on the rim of the battery, causing wrinkles or visual defects. It would be advantageous to develop a single layer battery label that provides excellent insulation and protection. It is desirable that the labels along the rim of the battery have a smooth, continuous surface without wrinkles.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention represents a single heat shrinkable polymer layer, a print (graphic) layer, and upper and lower ends of a label disposed over the upper and lower rims of the battery. The present invention relates to a battery label having a varnish layer having a geometric pattern at both ends extending linearly. The varnish layer usually comprises a polymer layer cured or polymerized by UV curing, heat curing, electron beam curing or other known means. The label of the present invention has a single layer polymer film adapted to shrink around the rim of the battery. The label has a printed metallization or ink layer on the outer surface of the film. This layer is the printing layer. A varnish layer is applied on this print layer and its surface is covered with a thin film. The varnish layer is applied to a thickness necessary to protect the printing portion and / or the metal portion from external force. No transparent film laminate is required for this varnish layer.

Although the varnish does not substantially shrink, the polymer film does shrink when heat (usually 150 ° F. or higher) is applied to the edge of the label to cover the battery rim. The varnish shrinkage is 1% or less, but the polymer film shrinkage is 20-60.
%. This difference in shrinkage can cause defects such as deformation, bending or overlap of the varnish on the battery rim after the film shrinks. Bending, ridges and overlaps have unacceptable consequences. The varnish must also provide protection and reinforcement to the battery from abrasion and impact, and also protect the ink layer or stamp on the metallized layer. The label of the present invention provides a substantially continuous and smooth varnish protective outer layer for batteries.

On the label end that shrinks and breaks on the rim of the battery, the varnish has a predetermined geometric pattern to accommodate the shrinkage of the film. As the film shrinks, the pattern areas between the varnished surfaces close, resulting in a substantially continuous varnish protective layer covering the rim of the cell.
There is little distortion from shrinkage of the film with the patterned varnish.

The result is a substantially continuous varnish protection surface free of pleats, folds and overlaps. This pattern must have a varnish and the shrinkage of the film determines the areas containing the varnish. The non-varnished portions of the pattern close as the film shrinks and the varnished portions approach each other. For example, when the film shrinks about 50%, the varnish covers 20-60% of the patterned surface. There are many variations in the pattern, such as saw tooth designs, rods, crosses, and point variations. The purpose of the pattern is to create a substantially continuous smooth varnish surface on the rim of the cell after heat has been applied and contraction has occurred. An adhesive layer on the inside surface of the film attaches the label to the cell. Prior to applying the label to the battery, the label may have a release backing layer applied over its adhesive layer. This allows the storage of unused labels and the application by mass production machines in a continuous operation.

Next, a description will be given based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a label attached to a battery. FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a label and a release backing layer. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing another embodiment of the label. FIG. 4 shows an example of eight label patterns for a label end. 5 to 8 show other examples of the varnish pattern. FIG. 1 shows a dry cell 10 having rims 12 and 14.
The label given to is shown. Battery 10 is partially covered with a non-conductive label 18 encasing around rims 12 and 14 to leave openings for positive terminal 16 and negative terminal.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a label 18 having a single heat-shrinkable polymer layer 20, a print layer 22, and a varnish layer 24 having a geometric pattern at two ends 26 and 28. The label 18 has a single layer film 20 that shrinks around the rims 12 and 14 of the battery 10. Film 2
0 is a single-layer polymer film 20. Film 2
An example of 0 is half mil to 5 mil (0.0005 inch to
0.005 inches), more preferably 1-3 mils (0.001-0.003 inches) thick, such as polyvinyl, polyolefin or polyester. Polyester and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are more preferred. As the film 20, a polyolefin such as polypropylene having a shrinkage of 20 to 60% at a temperature of 150 ° F. or more is also preferable. An example of a suitable commercially available film is Kale Pe
ntaplast B. V. Some are made of Film 20 is designed to insulate and protect battery 10.

The printing layer 20 includes a printing layer 34 as shown in FIG.
May have a metallization layer 32 in combination with Further, as shown in FIG. 3, only the ink layer 30 may be used. The printing on the metallization layer or the printing on the film layer is made at discontinuous points, but is shown in the figure as a complete layer for simplicity. The edges of the ink layer 30 can be printed in a geometric pattern that matches the patterned edges 26 and 28. The varnish may be a transparent ink. 1 as ink layer 30 or on metallization layer 32
The above layer, preferably a decorative ink layer, can be provided.

The label has a single layer of polymer film 20 with ends extending beyond and around the rims 12 and 14 of the battery 10. The label may be metallized on the outer surface of the film and under the varnish layer 24 with a very thin aluminum coating in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.
This aluminum coating is 5 mils (0.0002 inches)
The following is preferable, and can be provided by aluminum evaporation. This metallized layer 32 functions as a moisture barrier and has excellent appearance.

The stamp can be printed on the metallization layer 32. Preferably, a primer (not shown) is applied over the metallized layer 32 to promote adhesion of the paint or printing ink 34. The metallization layer 32 is preferably provided between the polymer film 20 and the varnish layer 24. Placing the polymer film 20 between the metallization layer 32 and the adhesive layer 40 reduces the likelihood that the metal will break and the adhesive layer 40 will be adversely affected. A varnish layer 24 is applied over the print layer 22 to a thickness necessary to protect the ink or printed metallized surface from external forces. The varnish layer 24 eliminates the need for a transparent film laminate.

A preferred method of applying the varnish is flexographic printing. Rotary screen printing, gravure printing, letterpress printing, and other known methods can also be used. Although the varnish does not substantially shrink, the polymer film 20 does shrink when subjected to heat, typically 150 ° F. or higher, on the patterned edges 26 and 28 to cover the rims 12 and 14 of the cell. Varnish shrinkage is typically 1% or less, but films shrink 20-60%. This difference in shrinkage can cause defects such as deformation, bending or overlap of the varnish on the cell rims 12 and 14 after the film 20 shrinks.

The varnish layer 24 acts as a protective coating.
Preferably, the varnish is UV cured. The varnish layer 24 serves not only for abrasion and impact protection of the cell, but also for protection of the seal 34 on the ink 30 or metallization layer 32. The varnish is preferably of a type that provides high abrasion resistance, tear resistance, impact resistance, and cut resistance. One of the preferred varnish commercial products as a battery label is Northwest Coat
This product is 11264A manufactured by Ings. The varnish layer typically has a thickness of 0.2 to 1.0 mil. If the varnish layer 24 is too thick, it will be susceptible to cracking.

The patterned ends 26 and 2 of the varnish layer 24 shrink and fold on the rims 12 and 14 of the battery 10
On 8, the varnish has a predetermined geometric pattern to match the shrinkage of the film 20. When the portion of the film 20 that is not covered with varnish shrinks, the pattern area between the varnished surfaces closes and the rims 12 and 1 of the battery 10 are closed.
A substantially continuous varnish protective layer covering 4 is provided. The portion of the film 20 that is covered with the varnish undergoes no or little shrinkage. There is little deformation associated with shrinkage of the film 20 with the patterned varnish edges 26 and 28. Upon application of heat, the varnish provides a substantially continuous protective surface without folding or overlapping.

Each pattern 60 needs to have a varnish, and the area where the varnish should be contained is determined by the shrinkage (rate) of the film 20. For example, if the film 20 shrinks by 50%, the varnish pattern may cover about 50% of the entire surface. The pattern shape is not particularly limited, and includes, for example, a saw tooth (FIG. 2), a rod shape, a dot shape, and a cross shape (FIG. 4). The purpose of the pattern 60 is to form a continuous layer with a smooth varnish surface to protect the rims 12 and 14 of the battery after heat is applied and the label edges shrink.

In addition to the polymer film layer 20, print layer 22 and varnish layer 24, the label may have an adhesive layer 40 covered by a release backing layer 50. A pressure-sensitive adhesive and a laminating adhesive may be applied on the polymer film 20 to form the adhesive layer 40 on the case where the battery 10 is to be contacted. Preferably, a pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to the entire surface of the film 20 that is to contact the battery 10. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to the four edges of the film 20 or the two
It may be applied to only one end. Common pressure sensitive and laminating adhesives are well known to those skilled in the art. Acrylic adhesives are the preferred adhesives.

The adhesive layer 40 prevents the label from sticking to the battery and peeling off during transport and handling. The adhesive layer 40 is provided on the inner surface of the polymer film 20. Prior to applying the label 18 to the battery 10, a releasable backing layer 50 is applied to the adhesive layer 40 of the label. Preferred peelable backing layer 5
0 is a silicone-coated paper or film showing excellent release properties. The releasable backing layer allows the storage of unused labels and the application of labels by continuous operation on mass production machines.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described using a saw-tooth pattern as an example, any suitable geometric pattern that can be adapted to form a substantially continuous surface utilizing different shrinkage ratios. Patterns can be used. FIG. 4 shows various variations of the embodiment of the pattern 60 used on the patterned edges 26 and 28. The embodiments described above and shown in the drawings relate to typical examples of the present invention, and those having the same inventive concept are included in the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a label attached to a battery.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a label and a release backing layer.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing another embodiment of the label.

FIG. 4 shows an example of eight label patterns for a label end.

FIG. 5 shows another example of a varnish pattern.

FIG. 6 shows another example of a varnish pattern.

FIG. 7 shows another example of a varnish pattern.

FIG. 8 shows another example of a varnish pattern.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Dry battery 12, 14 Rim 18 Label 20 Heat-shrinkable polymer film 22 Printing layer 24 Varnish layer 26, 28 Patterned edge 30 Ink layer 32 Metallization layer 34 Printing layer

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor David G. Daily 55077 Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, United States 3203 Babcock Trail 5445 (72) Inventor John G. Lambane, Minnesota, United States 55305 Minne Tonka Orchard Road 12717 (72) Inventor Jeffrey Lee Anderson 55305 Minnetonton, Minnesota United States Oakview Circle 5827 F-term (reference) 5H011 AA09 AA13 AA14 CC02 CC06 DD18 DD23 KK01 5H024 AA03 AA14 BB01 BB11 CC02 CC19 DD01 EE01 EE09 HH13 HH15

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A first linear end and a second linear end having an inner surface and an outer surface adapted to be adhered to a dry cell and adapted to be disposed over both rims of the dry cell. A shrinkable film having edges, a stamp applied to the outer surface of the film, a varnish layer applied to the stamp and having patterned edges, wherein the patterned edges are linear. A single layer adapted to shrink around the rim of a dry cell, characterized in that it defines an area where the end varnish is coated and an area where the straight end varnish is uncoated. label. 2. The label of claim 1 having a metallized layer deposited on the surface of said film. 3. The label of claim 2 wherein said metallized layer is a vapor deposited aluminum layer. 4. The label of claim 2, wherein said film is a polyvinyl chloride film. 5. The label according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive layer is provided on an inner surface of the film. 6. The label of claim 1 wherein said varnish layer has a thickness of 0.1 to 0.2 mil. 7. The label of claim 1, wherein said stamp comprises ink applied discontinuously on the outer surface of said film. 8. The label of claim 7, wherein the edges of the ink have a geometric pattern that complements the patterned edges of the varnish disposed on the rim of a dry cell. 9. The label of claim 7, having an adhesive layer applied to a portion of the inner surface of said film. 10. The label of claim 1, wherein said patterned ends form a sawtooth pattern. 11. The label of claim 1, wherein said patterned end is formed by a plurality of dots. 12. The label of claim 1, wherein said patterned end is formed by a plurality of lines. 13. The label of claim 1, wherein said patterned end is formed by a plurality of cloths. 14. A shrinkable polymer film having an inner surface and an outer surface, a metallized layer adhered to the outer surface of the film, a print layer provided on the metallized layer, and provided on the print layer. A varnish layer defining a patterned edge disposed on the rim of the dry battery, and an adhesive layer applied to the inner surface of the film, wherein the shrink around the rim of the dry battery. Is a single layer label. 15. A film having a polymer film having an inner surface and an outer surface in contact with a dry battery, a seal applied to the outer surface of the film, and a varnish layer applied to the seal. Are shrunk at the rim of the battery and when the polymer film shrinks around the rim of the battery, the gap between the patterns of the varnish layer is closed and the varnish layer forms a substantially continuous surface. A dry battery having a label. 16. The film has a first linear end and a second linear end beyond the rim of the battery, and the varnish pattern is the first and second ends of the film. 2
16. The dry cell of claim 15, wherein the varnish pattern defines regions of the linear ends that are covered with the varnish.