JP7215863B2 - Raw label fabric and tubular label continuous body - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a raw label sheet or the like in which a plurality of label substrates are continuous in the MD direction.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various labels are known to be attached to an adherend such as a container.
Labels include, for example, cylindrical labels that are attached to the adherend by heat shrinking, wrap labels that are attached to the adherend by wrapping them around the adherend, tack labels that are attached to the adherend via an adhesive, In-mold labels that are incorporated into resin molded products, POP labels that are partially protruded and attached to adherends, glue labels that are attached to adherends with a water-based adhesive, and the like are known.
These labels are formed from a label substrate in which a design print layer displaying a single cohesive design is printed on a film. For example, a tubular label is obtained by forming a label substrate into a tubular shape, and a tack label is obtained by cutting (or punching) a label substrate having an adhesive layer on the back side into a desired shape.

In the industrial production process, the label base material is manufactured and supplied in the form of a raw label sheet in which a plurality of the label base materials are connected.
Specifically, a label material is produced by forming a design printed layer in which a design repeat unit (a design represented by one label) is repeatedly printed in the MD direction of a long belt-shaped film. Generally, design printing (formation of a design-printed layer on a film) is performed by an intaglio printing method such as gravure printing or a letterpress printing method such as flexographic printing. These printing methods differ in the type of plate, intaglio and letterpress, but they all have in common that they use a roll plate, which is a plate wound around a cylindrical plate cylinder.
By rotating the roll plate and printing ink on the film, the design repeat unit is repeatedly printed in the MD direction of the long belt-like film, and a label stock is obtained. Conceptually, the original label can be said to be a continuum in which individual label substrates are connected in the MD direction.
By using this label raw fabric, it is possible to obtain a plurality of labels having the same design.
It is also possible to provide a design printed layer on the front side of the film and also provide a design printed layer on the back side of the film to produce a label stock. You will get multiple identical labels with .

As described above, with the conventional label material, although a plurality of labels with the same design can be obtained as described above, labels with different designs cannot be industrially obtained quickly and in large quantities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a raw label fabric and a tubular label continuous body, which are labels whose designs can be seen from the front and back sides, and from which a plurality of labels with different designs can be obtained.

The inventors of the present invention first studied the following means as a raw label fabric from which a plurality of labels having different designs can be obtained and the design can be seen from the front and back sides.
That is, a first design printed layer in which a design repeat unit is repeatedly printed on a single transparent film, and a second design in which a design repeat unit different in length in the MD direction from the design repeat unit is repeatedly printed on the film. forming a printing layer, and forming a concealing printing layer, such as a white printing layer, between the first design printing layer and the second design printing layer.
With such a label material, since the concealing printed layer is interposed between the first design printed layer and the second design printed layer, the two designs do not appear to overlap each other on the front side and the back side. , only the design of the first design printed layer can be visually recognized from the front side, and only the design of the second design printed layer can be visually recognized from the back side. In addition, since the MD direction length of the design repeat unit of the first design printed layer and the MD direction length of the design repeat unit of the second design printed layer are different, one label and another label adjacent in the MD direction are The design of the first design printed layer is the same, but the design of the second design printed layer is different.

However, when the first design printed layer, the concealing printed layer and the second design printed layer are formed on one sheet of transparent film as described above, many printed layers overlap, resulting in poor ink transfer. In particular, the shielding printed layer must be formed thick so that the design cannot be seen through (for example, white ink is printed over and over again), and many printed layers are formed with one film. will be Moreover, when the design printed layer is printed on the concealing printed layer, there is also a problem that the design is blurred.
As a result of such studies, the inventors of the present invention came up with the idea of using two sheets of film, thereby solving the above problem.

The label material of the present invention is a label material in which the label base material is continuously connected in the MD direction, and the design repeat unit is repeatedly printed in the MD direction of the first long strip-shaped film and the first film. and a long band-shaped second film and a second design printed layer on which design repeat units are repeatedly printed in the MD direction of the second film. wherein the first and second substrates are laminated and bonded together, and the length in the MD direction of the design repeat unit of the first design printed layer and the design repeat of the second design printed layer are provided. The length of the unit in the MD direction is different, and one label substrate and another label substrate adjacent in the MD direction have different designs represented by the second design printing layer, and the first design printing The length in the MD direction of the design repeat unit of the layer is an integral multiple of the length in the longitudinal direction of one label substrate, and the length in the MD direction of the design repeat unit of the second design printed layer is the length of the second design printed layer. It is a multiple other than an integer multiple exceeding 1 times the MD direction length of the design repeat unit of one design printed layer, the design of the first design printed layer can be visually recognized from the front side, and the second design can be seen from the back side. It has a region where the design of the printed layer can be visually recognized, and in the region, a concealing layer is interposed between the first design printed layer and the second design printed layer.

In the preferred label material of the present invention, the first film is a transparent film, the first design printed layer is provided on the back side of the first film, and the concealing layer is printed with the first design. It is provided on the back side of the layer.
In a preferable raw label fabric of the present invention, the concealing layer includes the second film, and the second design printed layer is provided on the back side of the second film.
In a preferable raw label fabric of the present invention, the second design printed layer is provided directly on the back surface of the second film.
In the preferred label stock of the present invention, the concealing layer includes a concealing printed layer, the second film is a transparent film, and the second design printed layer is provided on the back side of the concealing printed layer. ing.
In the preferred label blank of the present invention, the TD direction length of the second base material is smaller than the TD direction length of the first base material .

According to another aspect of the invention, a tubular label strip is provided.
A tubular label continuous body of the present invention is composed of a tubular body to which both side end portions of any one of the label stocks are adhered.

The raw label fabric of the present invention has a region where the design of the first design printed layer can be visually recognized from the front side and the design of the second design printed layer can be visually recognized from the back side, and these designs can be printed neatly.
By using the raw label fabric of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a plurality of labels having different designs of the second design printed layer.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a single-row label material viewed from the back side, which is the label material according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part III of FIG. 2 ; FIG. 2 is a plan view of a double-row label blank according to the first embodiment, viewed from the back side. FIG. 2 is a plan view of two label substrates arranged in the MD direction obtained by cutting the original label fabric, viewed from the back side. FIG. 4 is a reference plan view showing a process of forming a label blank into a cylindrical shape; FIG. 2 is a reference top view of a cylindrical body formed by forming a label stock into a cylindrical shape, viewed from above. The perspective view of a cylindrical label. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the process of attaching the wrap-around label to the adherend; FIG. 10 is a plan view of a single-row label material viewed from the back side, which is the label material according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 10; FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part XII of FIG. 11; FIG. 11 is a plan view of a double-row label blank according to the second embodiment, viewed from the back side. FIG. 11 is a reference top view of a tubular body formed by forming a label blank of the second embodiment into a tubular shape, viewed from above. The perspective view of the cylindrical label of 2nd Embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In this specification, the "MD direction" refers to the direction of flow of the film during production of the original label fabric, and the "TD direction" is the direction perpendicular to the MD direction. The MD direction after manufacturing is the longitudinal direction of the original label. The “front surface” refers to the surface opposite to the adherend when the label is attached to the adherend, and the “back surface” refers to the opposite surface (the surface to which the label is attached when attached to the adherend). side facing the body). In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" may be added at the beginning of terms, but this "first" is added only for the purpose of distinguishing terms, and the order, superiority, etc. has no special meaning. A numerical range represented by "-" means a numerical range including numerical values before and after "-" as a lower limit and an upper limit. When multiple lower limits and multiple upper limits are listed separately, any lower limit and any upper limit can be selected to form a range connected by "-".
Also, it should be noted that the dimensions, thicknesses, scale ratios, etc. of layers and portions in each drawing (especially cross-sectional views) are different from the actual ones.

The label material of the present invention comprises a first substrate having a long strip-shaped first film and a first design printed layer in which design repeat units are repeatedly printed in the MD direction of the first film, and a long strip-shaped a second substrate having a second film and a second design printed layer in which design repeat units are repeatedly printed in the MD direction of the second film, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are The design repeat units of the first design printed layer are laminated and bonded together, and the length of the design repeat units of the second design printed layer in the MD direction is different from the length of the design repeat units of the second design printed layer.
The label material of the present invention has a region where the design of the first design printed layer can be visually recognized from the front side and the design of the second design printed layer can be visually recognized from the back side, and the first design printed layer in the region. A masking layer is interposed between the design printed layer and the second design printed layer.

[First embodiment]
The first embodiment relates to a label material using a milky white film as the second film.
FIG. 1 is a view of the label raw fabric of this embodiment viewed from the back side. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the raw label fabric of FIG. 1 cut along the TD direction, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view enlarging a part of FIG.
FIG. 2 shows the first base material and the second base material as one layer, and FIG. 3 shows a specific layer structure of the first base material and the second base material.

<Overview of label stock>
The label material A has a long strip shape in a plan view. In the present specification, a long belt shape refers to a substantially rectangular shape in plan view whose length in the MD direction is sufficiently greater than the length in the TD direction. The length in the MD direction is, for example, 5 m or more, preferably 10 m or more.
Conceptually, the label material A is a label substrate (label) continuously connected in the MD direction. Assuming that the TD direction is a "column" and the MD direction is a "row", the original label A is made up of label substrates (labels) connected in one or more columns and multiple rows. The label material A is usually a label substrate (label) connected in two or more columns and multiple rows. The number of rows is not particularly limited, and the minimum value is 1 row as described above, but usually, the initially produced label material has 2 or more rows, preferably 3 to 20 rows. The number of lines depends on the length in the MD direction, and the number of lines increases as the length in the MD direction increases, and there is no particular limitation.
FIG. 4 shows a label blank A of 3 columns×multiple rows as an example of the label blank A of double columns and double rows. In an industrial manufacturing process, double-row and double-row label blanks A are often manufactured. By cutting the double-row, double-row label material A along the MD direction at the positions indicated by the white arrows in FIG. Anti-A is obtained.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the original label fabric A consists of a first substrate 1 on which one design repeat unit 5 is repeatedly printed in the MD direction, and one design repeat unit 6 in the MD direction. and an adhesive layer 3 for bonding the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2 together.
The first substrate 1 has a long belt-shaped first film 11 as a base, and a first design printed layer 12 in which design repeat units 5 are repeatedly printed in the MD direction of the first film 11 . 1 and 4, the dashed-dotted line represents the design repeat unit 5 of the first design printed layer 12. In FIG. Also in other drawings, the dashed-dotted line indicates the design repeat unit of the first design printed layer 12 .
The second base material 2 has a long belt-shaped second film 21 as a base, and a second design printed layer 22 in which one design repeat unit 6 is repeatedly printed in the MD direction of the second film 21. have. In FIGS. 1 and 4 , the range with three patterns for convenience represents the design repeat unit 6 of the second design printed layer 22 .

The design represented by the first design printed layer 12 can be seen from the front side of the label material A, and the design represented by the second design printed layer 22 can be seen from the back side of the label material A.
Hereinafter, the design repeat unit 5 of the first design printed layer 12 will be referred to as the "first repeat unit 5", the design expressed in the first design printed layer 12 as the "first design", and the design repeat unit of the second design printed layer 22. 6 may be referred to as a "second repeat unit 6", and the design represented on the second design printed layer 22 may be referred to as a "second design".

The first repeat unit 5 corresponds to one label substrate (label) or corresponds to N label substrates (labels). The N is an integer of 2 or more, preferably an integer of 2-8.
For example, the length in the MD direction of the first design repeat unit corresponding to one label substrate (label) is approximately the same as the length in the longitudinal direction of one label substrate. The length in the MD direction of the first design repeat unit corresponding to N label substrates (labels) is N times the longitudinal length of one label substrate.
As illustrated, the first repeat unit 5 preferably corresponds to one label substrate (label). In this case, the plurality of label substrates (labels) obtained by cutting the label stock A always include the design (first design) of the first repeat unit 5, and all of these label substrates The first design of (label) is the same.
The first design printed layer 12 having such first repeat units 5 can generally be formed by an intaglio printing method or a letterpress printing method.
The display represented by the first design printed layer 12 is not particularly limited, and includes characters, trademarks, patterns, instructions, and the like. Such representations can be represented by single-color printing or multi-color printing with color inks. The display represented by the design print layer can be said to be visually perceivable information, hereinafter referred to as visual information.
For example, on the first design printed layer 12, visual information such as trademarks, graphics, ingredient indications, and product descriptions are displayed in a desired arrangement. The first repeat unit 5 is one pattern of the collective design constituted by this visual information and its arrangement. 1 and 4, the first repeat units 5 adjacent in the MD direction (and TD direction) are repeated at regular intervals, but the boundaries of the first repeat units 5 are connected and repeated. may

The MD direction length of the second repeat unit 6 is different from the MD direction length of the first repeat unit 5. Preferably, the MD direction length L6 of the second repeat unit 6 is the MD direction length of the first repeat unit 5. Larger than L5 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, the second repeat unit 6 does not correspond to one label substrate.

When the MD direction length of the first repeat unit 5 is 1, the MD direction length of the second repeat unit 6 is, for example, 0.8 times or more (excluding 1 time), preferably 1 time. more preferably 1.5 to 30 times, more preferably 2 to 20 times. When the MD direction length of the first repeat unit 5 is 1, the MD direction length of the second repeat unit 6 is preferably a multiple other than an integer multiple, and is other than an integer multiple and a multiple of the first decimal place. A multiple is preferred. The integer multiple means double, triple, or the like. The multiple of the first decimal place means 1.2 times, 2.5 times, or the like. The multiples other than the integer multiples and the multiples of the first decimal place refer to multiples including the second decimal place, such as 2.13 times, 3.12 times, and 4.457 times. Preferably, the multiple other than the integer multiple and the multiple with the first decimal place is a multiple with three decimal places, more preferably a multiple with four decimal places. When the length of the second repeat unit 6 in the MD direction is a multiple of the first repeat unit 5 with a large number of decimal places, many label substrates (labels) with different second designs can be formed in many cases.
The second design printed layer 22 having such second repeat units 6 can generally be formed by an intaglio printing method or a letterpress printing method. In this case, the maximum length of the second repeat unit 6 in the MD direction is approximately equal to the circumference of the roll plate used in the printing method. Of course, the second design printing layer 22 may be formed by engraving several second repeat units 6 in the circumferential direction of the roll plate.

The display represented by the second design printed layer 22 is not particularly limited, and includes visual information such as characters and patterns. Such representations can be represented by single-color printing or multi-color printing with color inks.
For example, on the second design printed layer 22, visual information such as trademarks, patterns, ingredient indications, and product descriptions are displayed in a desired arrangement. The second repeat unit 6 is one pattern of the collective design formed by this visual information and its arrangement. When the second repeat unit consisting of such a regular design is repeated in the MD direction, only one design is repeated in the MD direction, and the second design is produced from one label stock. This is because a plurality of different label substrates (labels) cannot be obtained. Therefore, the second repeat unit 6 does not have a regular design over its entirety, but has a design in which at least one of the visual information and its arrangement is irregular in the MD direction. 1 and 4 schematically show the second repeat unit 6. FIG. In this case, three patterns are represented, and the regions represented by the three patterns have the same pattern and are spaced at regular intervals. different.
In FIGS. 1 and 4, the second repeat units 6 adjacent in the MD direction are repeated at regular intervals, but the boundaries of the second repeat units 6 may be connected and repeated.

The length in the TD direction of the second base material 2 including the second design printed layer 22 is the same as the TD direction length of the first base material 1 including the first design printed layer 12 based on one row of the label material A. can be the same.
In this embodiment using a milky white film as the second film 21, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the TD direction length M2 of the second base material 2 It is preferably smaller than M1. When the second base material 2 has a small TD length, the length in the TD direction of the second base material 2 is not particularly limited. In order to prevent creases from forming in the laminated region, the TD direction length of the second base material 2 is preferably less than 1/2 times the TD direction length of the first base material 1, and furthermore, 1 /10 times to 2/5 times is more preferable. The length in the TD direction of the first base material 1 based on one row of label material A is substantially equal to the circumference of the tubular label.
Further, when the second base material 2 has a small TD length, the second base material 2 may be laminated in the middle part of the first base material 1 in the TD direction. The second base material 2 is laminated so that one side edge of the base material 2 and one side edge of the first base material 1 are aligned.

<Layer structure of the first base material>
Referring to FIG. 3, the first base material 1 has a first film 11 and a first design printed layer 12, and if necessary, further has various printed layers.
The first film 11 is not particularly limited as long as it has flexibility and appropriate strength and rigidity. Laminated films in which two or more layers are laminated, and the like. The term film also includes what is generally called a sheet. Preferably, as the first film 11, a synthetic resin film or a laminated film containing the same is used.
Materials such as synthetic resin films are not particularly limited. mentioned.

Moreover, the first film 11 may have heat-shrinkability and/or self-stretchability, or may have substantially no heat-shrinkability and self-stretchability. The heat shrinkability refers to the property of shrinking when heated to a predetermined temperature (eg, 70° C. to 100° C.). Self-elasticity refers to the property of extending by applying a tensile force and then restoring to substantially the original state by releasing the tensile force. As the heat-shrinkable first film 11, for example, a film having a heat shrinkage rate of 20% or more in the TD direction, preferably a film having a heat shrinkage rate of 30% or more can be used. A film whose main heat shrink direction is the TD direction may have heat shrinkability in the MD direction, in which case the heat shrinkage rate in the MD direction is, for example, 10% or less. The first film 11 that does not substantially have heat shrinkability is, for example, a film having a heat shrinkage rate of 5% or less in each of the TD direction and the MD direction, preferably a film having a heat shrinkage rate of 3% or less. film.
In this specification, the thermal shrinkage rate is the length (original length) of the film before heating (stored for 24 hours under standard conditions (23 ° C., 1 atm, 50% RH) atmosphere) and 90 ° C. in warm water. The length of the film after being immersed in water for 10 seconds and taken out (length after immersion) is measured under standard conditions, and is obtained by substituting into the following formula. The length of each film is measured under standard conditions.
Thermal shrinkage rate (%) = [{(original length in TD direction (or MD direction)) - (length after immersion in TD direction (or MD direction))}/(TD direction (or MD direction) original length)]×100.

The thickness of the first film 11 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 8 μm to 200 μm, preferably 10 μm to 120 μm.
Also, the first film 11 may be either transparent or opaque. As used herein, transparent means colored transparent or colorless transparent. Preferably, the first film 11 is a transparent film, more preferably a colorless and transparent film.
Among the above examples, the transparent film includes a synthetic resin film, a laminated film of a synthetic resin film and another transparent film, and the like.
In the illustrated example, the first film 11 is made of a transparent film.

Here, transparent (colored transparent or colorless transparent) is printed with arbitrary numbers (size: 12 points) on white paper with black ink on the back side of the object at a distance of 1 cm from the back side. It means a state in which the number can be identified from the surface side by placing it in the room through the object. Opaque means a state in which the numbers arranged on the back side cannot be visually recognized from the front side of the object (state in which the numbers cannot be recognized) under the same conditions as above. As an index of transparency (colorless transparency or colored transparency), for example, total light transmittance can be used. An index for colored and transparent is, for example, a total light transmittance of 70% or more, and an index for colorless and transparent is, for example, a total light transmittance of 80% or more, preferably 90% or more. However, the total light transmittance is measured by a transparent film (in the case of a transparent film, the film is the measurement object, and in the case of a transparent printed layer, a transparent film with a total light transmission rate of 90% or more). JIS K 7361 (Plastics - Test method for total light transmittance of transparent materials).

The first design printed layer 12 is formed so that the first design can be visually recognized from the surface side.
The first design printed layer 12 is formed on the front surface and/or the back surface of the first film 11 . When the first film 11 is opaque, the first design printed layer 12 is formed on the surface of the first film 11. When the first film 11 is transparent, the first design printed layer 12 is formed on the front and back surfaces of the first film 11. formed on at least one of From the viewpoint of scratch prevention, the first design printed layer 12 is preferably formed on the back surface of the first film 11 as shown in the figure. More preferably.

As used herein, the term "printed layer" refers to a layer composed of solidified ink formed by a conventionally known printing method (gravure printing, flexographic printing, etc.). In the present specification, the printed layer is formed by solidified ink forming a solid layer, or solidified ink forms a sea-island structure in a plan view. A solid printed layer means that the solidified ink material extends continuously in the surface direction to form one layer.

The first design printed layer 12 may be provided solidly on substantially the entirety or a part of the first film 11, or may be scattered in some areas. Usually, the printed display is expressed by the difference in appearance between the solidified ink and the part without the solidified ink. It is formed in a sea-island shape in plan view. 1 and 4 means that the first design printed layer 12 is formed within the range of the dashed line shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, and the first design printed layer 12 is provided over the entire range. Alternatively, the first design printed layer 12 may be provided in a part of the range.
The thickness of the first design printed layer 12 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 0.5 μm to 5 μm.

Further, a concealing print layer 13 may be provided on the back surface of the first design print layer 12 as necessary. The concealing print layer 13 of the first base material 1 is referred to as "first concealing print layer 13".
The first cover-up printed layer 13 is a non-patterned and colored printed layer. Examples of the first cover-up printed layer 13 include a white printed layer, a silver printed layer, a gray printed layer, and the like.
The first concealing print layer 13 is provided in a solid manner on the back side of the first film 11 . The first cover-up printing layer 13 may be provided in a solid manner on substantially the entire rear surface side of the first film 11, or may be provided in a solid manner on a part of the area. In the illustrated example, the first cover-up printed layer 13 is provided in a solid manner on substantially the entire back side of the first film 11 .
In addition, in the case where the first concealing printed layer 13 is provided in a solid state on a part of the first film 11, the second base material 2 described later is not laminated on part or all of the area. When the first concealing print layer 13 is not provided, the area where the first concealing print layer 13 does not exist constitutes the transparent area.
By forming the first concealing printed layer 13 on the back surface of the first design printed layer 12, the color of the first concealed printed layer 13 becomes the background color of the first design.
The first concealing print layer 13 is formed by solid printing with conventionally known white ink, silver ink, gray ink, or the like by a conventionally known printing method. The first concealing print layer 13 may be formed by printing the ink once (printing once), or may be formed by printing twice or more.
The thickness of the first concealing print layer 13 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 1 μm to 5 μm.

Furthermore, a colorless and transparent surface protection printed layer (not shown) may be formed on the surface side of the first film 11 as necessary. Such a surface protection printed layer constitutes the outermost surface of the first substrate 1 . Such a surface protection printed layer can be formed by solidly printing an ink containing substantially no colorant (so-called medium ink). The surface protection printed layer may be formed by printing the ink once (printing once), or may be formed by printing twice or more.
Moreover, you may form a colorless and transparent back surface protection printing layer (not shown) on the back surface side of the 1st film 11 as needed. Such a back surface protective printed layer constitutes the backmost surface of the first substrate 1 . Such a back surface protective printed layer can be formed by solid printing with an ink that does not substantially contain a coloring agent (so-called medium ink), preferably with a medium ink containing a slipping component. A medium ink containing a slip component will be described later.

<Layer structure of the second base material>
The second base material 2 has a second film 21 and a second design printed layer 22, and if necessary, further has various printed layers.
The second film 21 is not particularly limited as long as it has flexibility and suitable strength and rigidity. In this embodiment, other films may be laminated on the condition that the second film 21 includes a milky white film. For example, a laminated film of an opaque white film and another colorless transparent film, a laminated film of an opaque white film and another colored transparent film, and the like may be used.
A milky white film is a film that exhibits a white color. Opaque white films include, for example, films made of resin materials containing white pigments such as titanium dioxide, and resin films in which numerous air bubbles such as voids are formed. Materials for the resin forming the opaque white film include those exemplified for the first film 11 above.

The opaque film may be heat-shrinkable and/or self-stretchable, or substantially non-heat-shrinkable and self-stretchable.
When the first film 11 having heat shrinkability and/or self-stretchability is used, the second film 21 preferably also has heat-shrinkability and/or self-stretchability. An elastic opaque film is used. The heat shrinkability and/or self-stretchability of the milky white film having heat-shrinkability and/or self-stretchability may be the same as or slightly lower or higher than that of the first film 11 .
The thickness of the second film 21 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 8 μm to 100 μm, preferably 10 μm to 80 μm.
A second film 21 having an opaque film constitutes the concealing layer of the present invention.

A concealing print layer 23 may be provided on the surface of the second film 21 as necessary. The concealing print layer 23 of the second base material 2 is referred to as "second concealing print layer 23".
The second cover-up printed layer 23 is a non-patterned colored printed layer. Examples of the second cover-up printed layer 23 include a white printed layer, a silver printed layer, a gray printed layer, and the like.
The second cover-up printing layer 23 is provided solidly on the surface side of the second film 21 . The second cover-up printed layer 23 may be provided in a solid manner on substantially the entire front surface side of the second film 21, or may be provided in a solid manner on a partial area. In the illustrated example, the second cover-up printed layer 23 is provided in a solid manner on substantially the entire surface side of the second film 21 .
The second cover-up printing layer 23 is formed by solid printing with conventionally known white ink, silver ink, gray ink, or the like by a conventionally known printing method.
The thickness of the second concealing print layer 23 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 1 μm to 5 μm.

The second design printed layer 22 is provided on the back side of the second film 21 . The second concealing printed layer 23 may be provided on the back surface of the second film 21, and the second design printed layer 22 may be provided on the back surface. It is preferable that the second design printed layer 22 is directly provided on the back surface of the second film 21 as shown in the figure, because the second design printed layer 22 can be printed cleanly with good ink transfer.
In addition, the second design printed layer 22 may be provided solidly on substantially the entire or a partial area of the second film 21, or may be scattered in several areas. Usually, a printed display is expressed by the difference in appearance between the solidified ink and the area without the solidified ink. Therefore, the second design printed layer 22 has the second film 21 as the sea and the solidified ink as the islands. It is formed in a sea-island shape in plan view. Taking the three patterns shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 as an example, solidified ink exists in the patterned portions, and the white color of the second film 21 is visible in other portions.
The thickness of the second design printed layer 22 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 0.5 μm to 5 μm.

If necessary, a colorless and transparent back surface protective printed layer 24 may be provided on the back surface of the second design printed layer 22 . The back surface protection printed layer 24 constitutes the backmost surface of the second base material 2 . Such a back surface protective printing layer 24 can be formed by solidly printing ink containing substantially no colorant (so-called medium ink), preferably using medium ink containing a slip component. Examples of medium inks containing slipping components include water-based inks such as emulsions in which acrylic resins, acrylic copolymers, polyester-based resins, urethane resins, aqueous polyamide resins, etc. are dispersed in water or water and alcohol; toluene; Rosin, ketone resin, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, acrylic resin, urethane resin, acrylic-urethane copolymer, polyester resin, etc. are dissolved in solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, and isopropyl alcohol. Solvent type and the like are included. Examples of the slipping component include lubricants such as waxes, inorganic fine particles such as silicone and silica, and organic fine particles. The back surface protection printed layer 24 may be formed by printing the ink once (printing once), or may be formed by printing twice or more.
The thickness of the back surface protective printing layer 24 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 0.5 μm to 5 μm.

<Adhesive layer>
The first base material 1 and the second base material 2 are laminated and adhered via the adhesive layer 3 .
The adhesive layer 3 is interposed between the back surface of the first base material 1 and the front surface of the second base material 2 to firmly bond them.
The adhesive layer 3 is preferably transparent, more preferably colorless and transparent.
The adhesive layer 3 is usually formed with an adhesive for laminating films. The adhesive for the adhesive layer 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can bond the first base material 1 and the second base material 2 together. For example, when the adhesive is a dry laminate type, solvent-based adhesives such as vinyl resins, acrylic resins, amide resins, ester resins, urethane resins, epoxy resins, and rubbers can be used. For example, when the adhesive is a wet lamination type, emulsion adhesives such as vinyl acetate resin, acrylic acid ester resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer, ionomer resin, natural rubber, Examples include latex adhesives such as styrene-butadiene copolymers and acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers.
The thickness of the adhesive layer 3 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 5 μm to 30 μm.

In addition, although not shown, any transparent resin layer, transparent barrier layer, or the like may be laminated on the first base material 1 and/or the second base material 2 .

As described above, the second film 21 made of opaque film constitutes the concealing layer.
In addition, when a concealing printed layer (first concealing printed layer 13 and/or second concealing printed layer 23) is provided between the first design printed layer 12 and the second design printed layer 22, they are also constitute the concealing layer;
In the area where the concealing layer is provided, in the area where the first design printed layer 12 is provided on the surface side of the concealing layer and the second design printed layer 22 is provided on the back side of the concealing layer, the label original The first design can be seen from the front side opposite to A, and the second design can be seen from the back side. If the concealing layer has a high concealing property, only the first design can be seen from the front side of the label raw fabric A, and only the second design can be seen from the back side in the region.
The concealing layer enables substantially only the first design to be visually recognized from the front side and substantially only the second design to be visually recognized from the back side, thereby preventing both designs from being seen together. You can call it a layer.
The hiding power of the hiding layer increases as the thickness of the opaque film increases. When the thickness of the opaque film is relatively small, the opaque printed layer (the first opaque printed layer 13 and/or the second opaque printed layer 23) is provided to form a opaque layer composed of the opaque film and the opaque printed layer. The shielding property of the It should be noted that the concealing print layer is not meant to be provided when the thickness of the opaque film is relatively small.

The raw label fabric A of the present invention has a region where substantially only the first design can be visually recognized from the front side and substantially only the second design can be visually recognized from the back side.
In addition, since the length in the MD direction of the second repeat unit 6 is different from the length in the MD direction of the first repeat unit 5, one label substrate (label) and another label substrate adjacent in the MD direction of the label stock A The material (label) has a different second design.
Specifically, individual label substrates are obtained by cutting along the TD direction at the positions indicated by the thick arrows in FIG. FIG. 5 shows two label substrates B1 and B2 obtained, for example, by cutting in the TD direction along the thick arrows F1, F2 and F3 in FIG.
As is clear from FIG. 5, the two label substrates B1 and B2 have the same first design of the first repeat unit 5, but differ in the second design of the second repeat unit 6. FIG.
In the label stock A of the present invention, the first design printed layer 12 is printed on the first film 11 and the second design printed layer 22 is printed on the second film 21, so the number of printed layers per film is is relatively low. Therefore, it is possible to prevent manufacturing defects such as blocking, solvent shrinkage of the film, and film breakage due to deterioration of the solvent, which are caused by an increase in the number of printed layers in printing using a solvent-containing ink. In addition, if the ink of the design printed layer is directly printed on the concealing printing layer, there is a possibility that the design omission (ink omission) due to the surface unevenness of the concealing printing layer may occur. By directly printing the design printed layer 12 and directly printing the second design printed layer 22 on the second film 21, blurring of the first design and the second design can be prevented.

<Manufacturing method of label stock>
For example, the label material A can be obtained by the following method.
Here, a method for producing a label blank A in which the length in the TD direction of the second base material 2 is smaller than that in the TD direction of the first base material 1 is illustrated.
The first repeat unit 5 is printed on the first film 11 (forming the first design printed layer 12 on the first film 11) using color inks by a conventionally known printing method, and further, if necessary, the first concealment. A long strip-shaped first base material 1 is prepared by forming a printed layer 13 and the like.
On the other hand, the second repeat unit 6 is printed on the second film 21 (forming the second design printed layer 22 on the second film 21) using color inks by a conventionally known printing method, and further, if necessary, A long band-shaped second base material 2 is prepared by forming a second cover-up printing layer 23 and the like.
Using an adhesive for lamination, the second base material 2 is adhered to the back surface of the first base material 1 so as to correspond to each column. Anti-A is obtained. By cutting this label stock A in the MD direction at the boundaries (white arrows) of each row, one row of the label stock A as shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

<Example of using label stock>
The raw label fabric A of the present invention is used after being processed into a label.
Labels include, for example, cylindrical labels that are attached to the adherend by heat shrinking, wrap labels that are attached to the adherend by wrapping them around the adherend, tack labels that are attached to the adherend via an adhesive, Examples include an in-mold label that is incorporated into a resin molded product, a POP label that is attached to an adherend with a part protruding therefrom, and a glue label that is attached to the adherend with a water-based adhesive or the like.

For example, a case where the original label fabric A of the present invention is used for a tubular label will be briefly described.
As shown in FIG. 6, a single row of label material A as shown in FIG. Glue together with solvent or adhesive. Note that one side end portion 71 and the other side end portion 72 are side end portions facing each other in the TD direction, and both side end portions 71 and 72 are conceptually band-shaped portions extending in the MD direction. Conceptually, the long cylindrical body 7 thus obtained is a continuous cylindrical label body in which cylindrical labels are continuously connected in the MD direction.
As shown in FIG. 7, such a long cylindrical body 7 (cylindrical label continuous body) is flattened at two creases 73, 73, wound up on a roll, and stored and transported. be. In addition, in FIG. 7, the first base material 1 and the second base material 2 are indicated by thick solid lines. As described above, by setting the TD direction length of the second base material 2 to be less than half the TD direction length of the first base material 1, the second base material 2 is laminated as shown in FIG. Two creases 73, 73 can be formed in the unfolded areas. The area where the second base material 2 is laminated is thicker than the area where it is not laminated, and it is difficult to fold in this area, but the thickness is less than 1/2 times the TD direction of the first base material 1. By laminating the second base material 2, the creases 73, 73 can be formed in the region of the first base material 1 only.
By cutting the flattened cylindrical body 7 (cylindrical label continuous body) along the TD direction (the cutting position corresponds to the position of the thick arrow on the label stock A shown in FIG. 1), One cylindrical label C1 as shown in FIG. 8 is obtained. In addition, in FIG. 8, the tubular label C1 is shown in a cylindrically opened state.

A tubular label is used by attaching it to an adherend such as a container.
The adherend is not particularly limited.
The cylindrical label (label) of the present invention is preferably attached to a transparent adherend because the first design can be seen from the front side and the second design can be seen from the back side.
For example, a tubular label is attached to a transparent container containing transparent contents. In such a labeled container, the first design can be seen from the front side, and the second design on the back side can be seen through the transparent container.
In particular, as described above, when the first concealing print layer 13 is provided in a solid manner on a partial area of the first base material 1, the first concealing print layer 13 does not exist in the first base material 1. Since the area constitutes a transparent area, when viewed from the outside of this transparent area, the second design on the back side can be seen through the transparent container from the transparent area.

Next, the case of using the original label fabric A of the present invention for a wrap-around label will be briefly described.
A single row of label material A as shown in FIG. 1 is cut in the TD direction along the thick arrow to obtain one sheet of label substrate (see FIG. 5 for the label substrate).
This label substrate can be used as a wrap-around label as it is. For example, the back surface of the wrap-around label C2 faces the container D (adherend) side, the adhesive is applied to at least the back surfaces of both side end portions 75 and 76, and as shown in FIG. After attaching the side end portion 75 to the container D and winding the winding label C2 around the container D, as shown in FIG. to obtain a labeled container.
Also, although not shown, the back surface of one side end portion 75 of the winding label C2 is attached to an adherend such as a container, and after the winding label C2 is wound around the adherend, the other side is attached. The back surface of the end portion 76 may be attached to the adherend.
Also in this case, it is preferable to attach the wrap-around label to the transparent adherend.

In addition, a tack label, an in-mold label, a POP label, a glue label, or the like can be produced from the label stock A by punching or cutting the label stock A of the present invention into a desired shape.
By using the raw label fabric A of the present invention, a large number of labels with different second designs can be obtained.

[Second embodiment]
The second embodiment relates to a label blank using a transparent film as the second film.
Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described, but mainly the configuration different from the first embodiment shown above will be described, and the description of the same configuration etc. will be omitted and the terms and symbols will be used. There is

<Overview of label stock>
FIG. 10 is a view of the original label fabric of this embodiment viewed from the back side. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the raw label fabric of FIG. 10 cut along the TD direction, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view enlarging a part of FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram of a 3-column×multi-row label material seen from the back side as an example of the double-column, double-row label material according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11 and 13, the original label fabric A of the present embodiment also includes a first substrate 1 on which one design repeat unit 5 is repeatedly printed in the MD direction, and one design repeat unit 5 in the MD direction. It has a second substrate 2 on which design repeat units 6 are repeatedly printed, and an adhesive layer 3 for bonding the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2 together.
As in the first embodiment, the MD-direction length of the second repeat unit 6 is different from the MD-direction length of the first repeat unit 5. Preferably, the MD-direction length L6 of the second repeat unit 6 is It is larger than the MD direction length L5 of one repeat unit 5 (see FIG. 10).
The design (first design) represented by the first design printed layer 12 can be seen from the surface side of the label material A, and the design (second design) represented by the second design printed layer 22 can be seen from the label material A. seen from the back side of the

In this embodiment using a transparent film as the second film 21, as shown in FIGS. is preferably

<Layer structure of the first base material>
Referring to FIG. 12, the first base material 1 has a first film 11 and a first design printed layer 12, and if necessary, further has various printed layers.
The first film 11 and the first design printed layer 12 are the same as in the first embodiment.

In addition, the first cover-up printed layer 13, which is provided on the back surface of the first design printed layer 12 as necessary, may be provided solidly on substantially the entire back surface side of the first film 11, but in the present embodiment. Then, it is preferable to provide it partially. A region where the first concealing print layer 13 is not provided constitutes a see-through region, which will be described later.
It is preferable that the first cover-up printed layer 13 is provided in a range that overlaps at least the second design printed layer 22 . The first concealing printed layer 13 provided in a range overlapping with the second design printed layer 22 constitutes the concealing layer of the present invention.
The partially provided first concealing print layer 13 is formed so that the first concealing printing layer 13 is not creased in the region where the first concealing printing layer 13 is laminated when the tubular label is formed. The length in the TD direction is preferably less than 1/2 times the length in the TD direction of the first substrate 1 (substantially equal to the circumference of the cylindrical label), more preferably 1/10 to 2/5 times. .

A colorless and transparent surface protection printed layer (not shown) may be provided on the surface side of the first film 11 as necessary. Moreover, a colorless and transparent back surface protective printed layer (not shown) may be provided on the back surface side of the first film 11 as necessary.

<Layer structure of the second base material>
The second base material 2 has a second film 21 and a second design printed layer 22, and if necessary, further has various printed layers.
A transparent film is used for the second film 21 of the present embodiment, and more preferably a colorless and transparent film is used.
The transparent second film 21 is not particularly limited as long as it has flexibility and appropriate strength and rigidity. 1 film 11 can be used.
The second film 21 may be the same as the first film 11 in at least one item selected from the material, shrinkage properties such as heat shrinkability and self-stretchability, transparency, and thickness. All items may be different from the first film 11 .

A second cover-up printed layer 23 may be provided on the surface of the second film 21 as necessary. The second cover-up printing layer 23 may be provided solidly over substantially the entire surface side of the second film 21, but is preferably provided partially in this embodiment. A region where the second concealing print layer 23 is not provided constitutes a see-through region, which will be described later.
It is preferable that the second cover-up printed layer 23 is provided in a range that overlaps at least the second design printed layer 22 . Moreover, when the first concealment print layer 13 is provided, the second concealment print layer 23 is preferably provided in a range overlapping the first concealment print layer 13 . The second concealing printed layer 23 provided in a range overlapping with the second design printed layer 22 constitutes the concealing layer of the present invention.
As described above, since both the first concealment printed layer 13 and the second concealment printed layer 23 constitute the concealment layer, at least one of the concealment printed layers may be provided.
For example, when the first concealing printed layer 13 is not provided, the second concealing printed layer 23 is provided on the second film 21, and when the first concealing printed layer 13 is provided, the second film 21 may not be provided with the second concealing print layer 23 . Of course, the first concealing printed layer 13 and the second concealing printed layer 23 may be provided on the first film 11 and the second film 21 .

The partially provided second concealing print layer 23 is formed so that the second concealing printing layer 23 is not creased in the region where the second concealing printing layer 23 is laminated when the tubular label is formed. The length in the TD direction is preferably less than 1/2 times the length in the TD direction of the first substrate 1 (substantially equal to the circumference of the cylindrical label), more preferably 1/10 to 2/5 times. .

The second design printed layer 22 is provided on the back side of the second film 21 . A masking printed layer may be provided on the back surface of the second film 21, and the second design printed layer 22 may be provided on the back surface. It is preferable that the second design printed layer 22 is directly provided on the back surface of the second film 21 as shown in the figure, because the second design printed layer 22 can be printed cleanly with good ink transfer.
In addition, the second design printed layer 22 may be provided solidly on substantially the entire or a partial area of the second film 21, or may be scattered in several areas. In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the second design printed layer 22 is provided solidly or scattered in a partial area of the second film 21 . A region where the second design printed layer 22 is not provided constitutes a see-through region, which will be described later.
The partially provided second design printed layer 22 is provided in a range that overlaps at least the first concealed printed layer 13 and/or the second concealed printed layer 23 that constitute the concealing layer. In FIG. 12, the second design printed layer 22 is provided in a range that coincides with the first concealment printed layer 13 and the second concealment printed layer 23, but may be provided in a larger or smaller range. may

A colorless and transparent back surface protection printed layer 24 may be provided on the back surface side of the second film 21 as necessary. The back surface protective printing layer 24 can be formed by solidly printing an ink that does not substantially contain a colorant (so-called medium ink), and preferably can be formed using a medium ink containing a slipping component.
The back surface protection printed layer 24 may be provided across the back surface of the second film 21 and the back surface of the second design printed layer 22, and is provided on the back surface of the second film 21 as shown in the illustrated example. may be In the illustrated example, the back surface protection printed layer 24 and the second design printed layer 22 form the outermost surface of the second base material 2 .

<Adhesive layer>
The first base material 1 and the second base material 2 are laminated and adhered via the adhesive layer 3 .
The adhesive layer 3 is preferably transparent, more preferably colorless and transparent.
The adhesive layer 3 is the same as in the first embodiment.
In addition, although not shown, any transparent resin layer, transparent barrier layer, or the like may be laminated on the first base material 1 and/or the second base material 2 .

As described above, the first concealing printed layer 13 and/or the second concealing printed layer 23 constitute the concealing layer.
In the area where the concealing layer is provided, in the area where the first design printed layer 12 is provided on the surface side of the concealing layer and the second design printed layer 22 is provided on the back side of the concealing layer, the label original The first design can be seen from the front side opposite to A, and the second design can be seen from the back side. If the concealing layer has a high concealing property, only the first design can be seen from the front side of the label raw fabric A, and only the second design can be seen from the back side in the region.
The concealability of the concealing layer increases as the thickness of the concealing print layer increases.
Also, the region without the masking layer becomes a see-through region where the inside and outside can be seen through.

In the label material A of the present embodiment, the MD direction length of the second repeat unit 6 is also different from the MD direction length of the first repeat unit 5, so that one label substrate ( label) and another label substrate (label) differ in at least a second design.
Individual label substrates are obtained by cutting along the TD direction at the positions indicated by the thick arrows in FIG. In the illustrated example, the resulting label substrate has the same first design of the first repeat unit 5 but a different second design of the second repeat unit 6 .
The label material A of the present embodiment can also prevent manufacturing defects, and can prevent blurring of the first design and the second design.

<Manufacturing method of label stock>
For example, the label material A can be obtained by the following method. The first repeat unit 5 is printed on the first film 11 using color ink by a conventionally known printing method, and furthermore, by forming the first concealing printed layer 13 and the like as necessary, a long belt-like first film is formed. 1 A substrate 1 is prepared. On the other hand, the second repeat unit 6 is printed on the second film 21 at predetermined positions using color inks by a conventionally known printing method, and further, if necessary, the second concealing print layer 23 and the like are formed at predetermined positions. By doing so, the long strip-shaped second base material 2 is prepared.
By adhering the second base material 2 to the back surface of the first base material 1 using an adhesive for lamination, a double-row, double-row label blank A as shown in FIG. 13 is obtained. By cutting this label stock A in the MD direction at the boundaries (white arrows) of each row, one row of the label stock A as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained.

<Example of using label stock>
The label material A of the present embodiment is also used after being processed into a label.
The procedure for producing a cylindrical label (cylindrical label continuous body) using the label material A of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 14 shows a cylindrical body 7 (cylindrical label continuous body) formed by forming the label material A of the second embodiment into a cylindrical shape and folding it into a flat shape. In addition, in FIG. 14, the first base material 1 and the second base material 2 are indicated by thick solid lines. Also, the range indicated by X in FIG. 14 is the range where the first concealing print layer 13 and/or the second concealing print layer 23 are provided.
As described above, by setting the length in the TD direction of the first concealing print layer 13 and the second concealing print layer 23 to be less than half the length in the TD direction of the first substrate 1, as shown in FIG. Two creases 73, 73 can be formed in areas where the concealing printed layer is not laminated. When the concealing printed layer such as the white printed layer is folded at the crease, there is a risk that a slight streaky line (ink crack) may occur. By making it less than 1/2 times the TD direction of the first base material 1, two creases can be formed avoiding the in-plane of the concealing print layer.

FIG. 15 shows a tubular label C1 obtained by cutting this tubular label continuous body.
In the tubular label C1 of this embodiment, the area where the first concealing print layer 13 and the second concealing print layer 23 are not provided is a see-through area where the inside can be seen through from the outside. In FIG. 15, the see-through region is shaded for convenience.
When such a tubular label C1 is attached to a transparent adherend, the first design can be seen from the surface side. When viewed from the outside of the transparent area as indicated by the arrow, the design of the second design printed layer 22 on the back side (inner side) can be seen through the transparent area and the transparent adherend.

The raw label A of the present embodiment can be used not only for cylindrical labels, but also for other labels such as tack labels, in-mold labels, POP labels, and glue labels.

A Label raw material 1 First base material 11 First film 12 First design printed layer 13 Concealment printed layer of first base material 2 Second base material 21 Second film 22 Second design printed layer 23 Concealment of second base material printing layer

Claims (7)

A label material in which the label base material is continuously connected in the MD direction,
a first base material having a long belt-like first film and a first design printed layer in which design repeat units are repeatedly printed in the MD direction of the first film;
a second substrate having a long band-shaped second film and a second design printed layer in which design repeat units are repeatedly printed in the MD direction of the second film; 2 substrates are laminated and bonded,
The length of the design repeat unit in the first design printing layer in the MD direction is different from the length in the MD direction of the design repeat unit in the second design printing layer, and one label substrate and another label are adjacent in the MD direction. The substrates differ from each other in the design represented by the second design printed layer,
The length in the MD direction of the design repeat unit of the first design printing layer is an integer multiple of the length in the longitudinal direction of one label substrate, and the length of the design repeat unit in the MD direction of the second design printing layer. is a multiple other than an integer multiple exceeding 1 times the MD direction length of the design repeat unit of the first design printed layer,
Having a region where the design of the first design printed layer can be visually recognized from the front side and the design of the second design printed layer can be visually recognized from the back side,
A blank label sheet, wherein a masking layer is interposed between the first design printed layer and the second design printed layer in the region. The first film is a transparent film,
2. The blank label fabric according to claim 1, wherein the first design printed layer is provided on the back side of the first film, and the concealing layer is provided on the back side of the first design printed layer. the concealing layer comprises the second film,
The label blank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second design printed layer is provided on the back side of the second film. 4. The raw label fabric according to claim 3, wherein said second design printed layer is provided directly on the back surface of said second film. the concealing layer comprises a concealing print layer, the second film is a transparent film,
3. The blank label fabric according to claim 1, wherein the second design printed layer is provided on the back side of the concealing printed layer. The blank label fabric according to claim 5 , wherein the TD direction length of the second base material is smaller than the TD direction length of the first base material . 7. A tubular label continuous body comprising a tubular body to which both side end portions of the label stock according to any one of claims 1 to 6 are adhered.

Images