NL2000136C2 - Label comprises upper sheet and lower sheet and extends along a width direction and a height direction running crossways to width direction - Google Patents

Abstract

The label (10) comprises an upper sheet (11) and a lower sheet (12). It extends along a width direction and a height direction running crossways to the width direction. The lower sheet (12) has a lowermost surface (15) provided with a self-adhesive layer (16) for adhesion to a base surface (13). The upper sheet has a lowermost surface (17) and an uppermost surface (18). The upper sheet is adhered to the lower sheet, with the lowermost surface of the upper sheet turned from the under sheet towards the uppermost surface. The upper sheet has a first tear line and a second tear line, which in the width direction are located at a reciprocal distance and extend over the height of the label. The part of the upper sheet between the tear lines is a removal part which by being torn loose from the label and the upper sheet can be removed.

Description

Label with tear lines

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a label according to the preamble of claim 1.

More in particular, the present invention relates to a so-called "flag label". Flag labels are used in, among other things, the pharmaceutical industry for labeling medicines. A flag label is a self-adhesive label, of which, after the label has been stuck on a product, the "flag" part can be easily removed for further use. The "flag" part is often self-adhesive, so that the "flag" part after removal can serve as a self-adhesive label elsewhere. The flag label can for instance be provided on an ampoule. When the ampoule is broken, the "flag" part can then be removed to be stuck on, for example, a syringe or a patient card. Thus the medicine used remains recognizable, easier to trace and to administer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

20

Labels according to the preamble of claim 1 are known, for example from EP-1,195,735 of applicant. This label has a bottom sheet 5 and a top sheet 3 stuck on it. The bottom sheet is provided with a self-adhesive layer with which it can be stuck on a surface, such as a holder 29. The topsheet has a tear-off strip 12 bounded by two tear lines 13, which tear-off can be torn off by means of a lip. After the tear strip has been torn off, the removal part initially remains attached to the label and thus to the holder. The removal part can be removed from (the rest of) the label by tearing it away from the top sheet along yet another tear line 7. Subsequently, the removal part of the top sheet comes loose together with a back sheet provided between the bottom sheet and top sheet. The removal part is releasably adhered to the backing sheet acting as releasing sheet by means of a self-adhesive layer to be removable therefrom and to be stickable to a further object.

2

The removal part, which forms the flag part, must be easy, quick and reliable to remove from the label. For example, when such a label is used with medication in a hospital environment, it will be clear that the doctor or nursing staff is primarily focused on the patient and wants to be distracted as little as possible by actions on a label.

The disadvantage of the known labels with removable part is in a general sense that the operation is not always flawless. A disadvantage of the label according to EP 1,195,735 is that it requires relatively many operations before the removal part is detached from (the rest of) the label.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved label with a removal part that can be easily, reliably and quickly removed from (the rest of) the label.

15

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved according to the invention by providing a label comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet; wherein the label extends along a width direction and a height direction extending transversely to the width direction; wherein the bottom sheet has a lower surface and an upper surface; wherein the lower surface of the bottom sheet is provided with a self-adhesive layer for adhesion to a substrate; wherein the topsheet has a lower surface and an upper surface; wherein the topsheet is adhered to the bottom sheet with the bottom surface of the topsheet facing the top surface of the bottom sheets; wherein the topsheet comprises a first tear line and a second tear line which are spaced apart in width direction and extend over the height of the label; wherein the portion of the topsheet located between said tear lines is a take-off part that can be torn off the topsheet by tearing off the topsheet and can be removed from the label; characterized in that on a first side extending in the width direction of the label, the removal part comprises a lip protruding in height direction of the label, which lip is provided with, in particular adjacent to, the second tear line; that the first tear line comprises a series of J-shaped perforations; and in that the second tear line comprises a series of 3 S-shaped perforations; wherein the J-shaped perforations each consist of a first straight segment extending in the tear line direction with at the end of said first straight segment facing that first side a first bend segment which bends the removal part; and wherein the S-shaped perforations each consist of a second straight segment extending in the tear line direction with: • at the end of said second straight segment facing that first side, a second bend segment that bends towards the removal part; and • at the end of said second straight segment remote from said first side, a third bend segment that bends away from the removal part.

10

According to the invention, the lip is thus provided on the removal part, instead of, as is known from EP 1,195,735, on the tear strip to be separately removed first. By pulling on the lip, the removal part can now be torn off at once, that is to say in a tearing operation (instead of in two tearing operations) of the rest of the label. The lip is grasped and pulled to tear off the removal part along the first and second tear line. The applicant has found, however, that this measure - in the case of randomly performed tear lines - makes an operation superfluous (namely that of the special removal of the tear-off strip), but that a detachable part 20 thus to be torn off easily tears if the tearing-off is not carried out carefully and quietly. . By now designing the first tear line as a series of J-shaped perforations and the second tear line as a series of S-shaped perforations and providing the lip with, in particular adjacent to, the second tear line, tearing of the tear appears prevent part. With the label according to the invention thus obtained, the removal part can be removed from (the rest of) the label easily, reliably and quickly.

According to an advantageous further embodiment of the invention, the third bend segments, viewed in the width direction of the label, in each case at least partially overlap with second bend segments of S-shaped perforations adjacent in the series of S-shaped perforations. As a result of this overlap, the chance of the tear-off part tearing in at the location of the non-perforated bridge between two perforations is reduced to a minimum. Insofar as such a tearing is already initiated 4 at the location of such a bridge, it will start from the third bend segment and stop at the overlapping, lower bend direction, second bend segment.

It is furthermore advantageous according to the invention if the length of the first straight segment of the first J-shaped perforation, viewed in the tearing direction, is shorter than the length of the first straight segment of the second J-shaped, viewed in the tearing direction, of perforation; and / or the length of the second straight segment of the first S-shaped perforation, viewed in the tearing direction, is shorter than the length of the second straight segment of the second S-shaped perforation, considered in the tearing direction.

The advantage of both measures is that the start of the tearing is thus facilitated. These two measures are preferably applied simultaneously.

In order to prevent initiation of tearing at the bend segments, it is advantageous according to the invention if the instantaneous tangent line at the free end of the first, and / or second and / or third bend segment extends at a tear line angle relative to the respective tear line. , which tear line angle is in the range of 35 ° to 55 °, preferably in the range of 40 ° to 50 °. According to the present invention, this tear line angle is preferably about 45 °.

For a part that looks neat and easily handled, it is furthermore advantageous according to the invention if the first tear line and second tear line run parallel to each other.

25

In order that the removed part, when torn off from the label, is easy to handle, it is advantageous according to the invention if, viewed in the width direction of the label, the distance between the first tear line and second tear line is at least 10 mm. A removed part with such a width can easily be manipulated with two fingers. In view of a sufficiently available space for information to be placed on the removed part as well as in view of easier manipulation, this distance between the tear lines is at least 15 mm and more preferably at least 20 mm.

5

In order that an easy and reliable detachability of the removal part remains ensured, it is of further advantage according to the invention if, viewed in the width direction of the label, the distance between the first tear line and second tear line is at most 30 mm, preferably at most 25 mm mm.

In order to be able to attach the detachment part easily to something else after the label has been torn off, it is a further advantage according to the invention if there is a release layer between the detachment part and the bottom sheet to which the detachment part can be released. : releasably) is adhered by a self-adhesive layer provided on the bottom face of the take-off part. The tear-off part is then available for further use as a self-adhesive label after tearing.

In this case, according to the invention, it is of additional advantage if the release layer is permanently attached to the bottom sheet. The removal part can thus be stuck on another object immediately after tearing off from the topsheet, without first having to remove a release layer. This is after all left on the bottom sheet.

20

According to the invention, it is furthermore advantageous here if the release layer is a coating applied to the bottom sheet. Such a coating is significantly thinner than a release sheet and results in a label whose top sheet is completely flat. This makes automatic processing of the label, for example the automated labeling of products, easier.

In connection with the release properties, it is advantageous here if the coating comprises a silicone-like material, in particular a silicone material.

30

According to the invention, it is furthermore advantageous if the coating is applied with a printing technique in the manner of an ink layer. Such printing techniques are already available in the manufacture of labels and lend themselves very well to the application of a coating with release properties.

To further prevent tearing of the removal part, it is further advantageous according to the invention if the topsheet is made of a plastic.

According to the invention, it is furthermore advantageous if the plastic is a polypropylene or a polyester. These plastics, of which polypropylene in particular is preferred, are easily tearable and are highly tear-resistant with J-shaped and S-shaped perforations.

In view of an easy tearing-off of the removal part, it is advantageous according to the invention if the topsheet is at most 75 μτη thick, such as at most 50 μτη.

In order to be able to keep the label according to the invention in stock, it is advantageous if the label further comprises a backing sheet of release material on which the bottom surface of the bottom sheet is releasably adhered.

According to a further aspect the present invention relates to an assembly comprising a label according to the invention and a holder, such as an ampoule, with a diameter smaller than 25 mm, such as smaller than 15 mm. The ampoule in particular contains a pharmaceutical composition, such as a medicine.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples shown very diagrammatically in the drawing. Herein shows: 25

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of a label according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a top view of the label according to Figure 1 according to arrow II; 30

Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of a label according to the invention; 7

Figure 4 is a top view according to arrow IV of the label from Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a label according to the invention, applied to a cylindrical object, with the removal part removed and shown separately.

Referring to Figures 1-4, some preliminary remarks:

In Figures 3 and 4, the same reference numbers are used for corresponding parts as in Figures 1 and 2, but increased by 30. The reference numeral 41 in Figs. 3 and 4 thus essentially denotes the same part as the reference numeral 11 in Figs. 1 and 2, etc; With the oblique hatching, each time a self-adhesive layer is shown, with which the upper part of a sheet is glued to the underlying (part of a) sheet in such a way that the upper (part of that) sheet of the lower ( part of that) sheet can be removed to subsequently adhere that upper (part of that) sheet to another object by means of that self-adhesive layer.

In figure 1 the label as a whole is indicated by 10. This label comprises an upper sheet 11 and a lower sheet 12 located beneath it. Below the lower sheet 12, a carrier web 13, also called a back sheet 13, then extends. In practice, such a carrier web 13 is a long strip on which several labels 10 are provided. The lower surface 15 of the bottom sheet 12 is attached to the back sheet / carrier web 13 by means of a self-adhesive layer 16. The label 10, which is therefore a self-adhesive label, can be removed from the backing sheet / carrier web 13 with the self-adhesive layer 16 and all to be stuck on an object. As such, this is essentially no different from a regular label or sticker.

The topsheet 11 has a lower surface 17 and an upper surface 18. The upper surface 18 here is the viewing surface and can be provided with a print. The lower surface 17 of the upper sheet 11 faces the upper surface 14 of the lower sheet 12. The upper sheet 11 is hereby fixed to the lower sheet 12, in particular by sticking in the edge zones 35 marked by braces.

8

Between the edge zones 35 there is a central zone 36, also marked with braces. In the central zone 36 there is a release layer 32 between the topsheet 11 and the topsheet 12. In the central zone 36, the topsheet 11 is connected with the bottom surface via a self-adhesive layer 33 adhered to the release layer 32. This release layer 32 can in turn lie with its underside loosely on the upper surface 14 of the bottom sheet 12 without being attached thereto by, for example, an adhesive layer. However, the release layer 32 is preferably permanently attached to the bottom sheet 12, for example by an adhesive layer or otherwise.

10

As such, the same or a similar adhesive can be used for the self-adhesive layer 16 and the self-adhesive layer 33. For the connection of the top sheet 11 with the bottom sheet 12 in the edge zones 35 as well as in the central zone 36 for the connection between the release layer 32 and the bottom sheet 12, the same adhesive can also be used as the adhesive layer used in the adhesive layers 33 and 16. However, because in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 (as well as in Figure 3) the construction is not such that, on the one hand, in the edge zones 35, the adhesive connection between the topsheet 11 and the bottom sheets 12 and, on the other hand, in the central zone 36 , the adhesive bond between the release layer 32 and the bottom sheet 12, is designed such that this adhesive bond can be broken and then adhered to the other part by means of the adhesive layer, such as this with adhesive bonds via the releasable, self-adhesive layers 33 and 16 is intended, this adhesive layer is not indicated separately by hatching.

As indicated in Figure 2, the label 10 has an extension in a width direction indicated by double arrow W and in height direction indicated by double arrow H.

As is further visible in Figure 2, two tear lines 19 and 30 are provided in the topsheet 11. These tear lines extend over the entire height direction H. These tear lines 19 and 20 are constructed from perforations which extend through the topsheet 11 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of figure 2. The topsheet is furthermore of a lip 23 provided. By means of this lip the portion 21 of the topsheet located between the 9 tear lines 19 and 20 can be removed. This part 21 is indicated by the term "removal part 21".

Because the removal part 21 is attached to a release layer 32 with a self-adhesive layer 33 and this release layer 32 is fixedly connected to the underlying sheet 12, the removal part 21 can thus stick to another object after tearing off along the tear lines 19 and 20. This is schematically indicated in Figure 5. Figure 5 shows a label 10 or 40 (the distinction is not visible in Figure 5). The label 10.40 is stuck on a cylindrical object 70 with a diameter D of preferably 10 at most 25 mm, such as at most 15 mm. The removal part 21 or 51 is shown here in a condition detached from the rest of the label, separately next to the cylindrical holder 70. Because the release layer 32 with the rest of the label has remained on the holder 70, this removal part 21 is directly - without first have to remove a release layer - stick to another object, such as a patient card or syringe.

According to the invention, the first and second tear line here are designed as tear lines with in the case of the first tear line 20 a series of J-shaped perforations 24 and in the case of the second tear line 19 a series of S-shaped perforations 25.

In the first tear-off line 20, each J-shaped perforation consists of a first right-hand segment 26 extending in the tear-off direction with a first bend segment 27 at one end thereof. This first bend segment 27 is curved and bends the removal part 21. This first bend segment is provided at the end of the straight segment 26 facing the side 22 of the label 10. This side 22 is also the side from which the lip 23 protrudes. In other words, the bend segment 27 is provided at that end of the straight segment 26 that is closest to the lip 23.

The second tear line 19 is composed of a series of S-shaped perforations 25. Each S-shaped perforation consists of a second straight segment 28 with at the end of said straight segment 28 facing the lip 23 a second bend segment 29 which faces the removal part bends (or, in other words, the removal part 21 bends). At the end remote from the lip 23, the second straight segment has a third bend segment that bends away from the removal part 21.

As can be seen in figure 2, the lip 23 with one side connects exactly to the second tear line 19. In the case of figure 2, this side of the lip 23 is straight, but this would also, just like the other side, be an oblique gradient or possibly even a curved gradient.

It is further noted that in the second tear line 19, the perforation 37 connecting to the lip 23 is a J-shaped perforation with a straight segment that connects at the upper end to the lip 23 and at the lower end one of the removal part 21, bending curve segment 38. It is further noted that the first tear line 20 has a straight perforation 39 as the upper perforation.

When now the lip 23 is pulled, the upper part 21 will begin to tear loose along the first J-shaped perforation 37 of the second tear line 19. To prevent tearing, the connection of this perforation 37 to the lip 23 is important . Because the lip 23 is on the side of the removal part 21, a force will be exerted on the tear lines during the tearing-off, which does not run exactly in the tear-line direction but obliquely with respect thereto. As a result, the perforations at the transitions between the perforations tend to crack. Because now the bend segment 38 bending away from the removal part 21 at the bottom of the first perforation 37, viewed in the width direction W, overlaps with the upper inward bending bend segment 29 of the next S-shaped perforation 25, it is achieved that at the lower end of the tearing initiated by the perforation 37 is immediately stopped upon reaching the upper bend segment 29 of the subsequent S-shaped perforation 25. This is then repeated each time at each oval walk to the next S-shaped perforation 25.

On the other hand, with the first tear line 20, a similar, but slightly different phenomenon occurs. There, too, there is always a tendency to tear at a transition from one perforation to the other. This tearing is precisely prevented here by consciously initiating that tearing at the upper bend segment 27 of each subsequent perforation bent inwardly 11. Because the upper bend segment 27 bends into the straight segment 26 of the associated perforation, the tear, which will initially be oblique, is bent by the perforation itself along the desired straight tear line.

5

It is noted that in the first tear line 20, the upper perforation 39 can also be designed as a J-shaped perforation in accordance with the perforation 24. It is further noted that the upper perforation 37 of the second tear line 19 can also be designed in accordance with the perforation 25 as an S-shaped perforation.

10

By making the bend segments 27, 29, 30 and 38 along a continuously curved line, angular transitions - which could be an initiator of cracking - are avoided. It is furthermore preferred if the directional efficiency of the bend segments at the free end thereof extends at a tear line angle α with respect to the respective tear line, which is in the range of 35 to 55 °, preferably in the range of 40 to 50 °. In the example shown in Figure 2, the angle α is 45 °.

Furthermore, it can be seen in Figure 2 that the lengths of the perforations 24 and 25 increase as the distance between those perforations and the sides 22 of the removal part 21 on which the lip 23 is provided increases. This facilitates the start of the tearing. This difference in length also applies in particular - viewed along the tear line in the tear direction S - for the second and third perforation.

Figures 3 and 4 show a further preferred embodiment of the label according to the invention. The difference between Figures 1 and 3 is essentially in the so-called release layer 32 (Figures 1 and 2) and 52 (Figures 3 and 4). In the embodiment according to figures 1 and 2, the release layer 32 is a separate sheet that is located between the topsheet 11 and the bottom sheets 12. Consequently, the label 30 is noticeably thicker in the central zone 36. This perceptible thicker is illustrated in Figure 1. In the embodiment according to figures 3 and 4, the release layer 52 is not a sheet but a coating provided on the bottom sheet 42 of a suitable release material. Such a coating is much thinner and will hardly, or hardly, result in a thickness difference at the location of the central zone 66. In Figure 3, this is illustrated by depicting the topsheet 41 as a straight line. It will be clear that the adhesive layers shown in Figures 1 and 3 are shown in excessively thick thickness. It is furthermore the case that in figure 3 the topsheet 41 will be glued in the edge zones 65 on the bottom sheets 42, preferably by means of the same adhesive layer 63 as used in the central zone 66. However, in the edge zones no release material is provided on the bottom sheets 42 so that the topsheet 41 here will remain stuck to the bottomsheet 42 permanently.

The release layer 52 in the form of a coating can simply be realized by applying it by means of a printing technique in the manner of an ink layer and then using as ink an silicone-like or silicone-containing material.

15 20

Claims (5)

1] Label (10; 40) comprising an topsheet (11; 41) and a bottom sheet (12; 42), the label extending along a width direction (W) and a height direction extending transversely to the width direction (W) H); wherein the bottom sheet (12; 42) has a lower surface (15; 45) and an upper surface (14; 44); wherein the lower surface (15; 45) of the bottom sheet (12; 42) is provided with a self-adhesive layer (16; 46) for adhesion to a substrate (13; 43; 70); 10 wherein the topsheet (11; 41) has a lower face (17; 47) and an upper face (18; 48); the topsheet (11; 41) being adhered to the bottomsheet (12; 42) with the bottom face (17; 47) of the topsheet (11; 41) to the top face (14; 44) of the bottomsheet (12) turned; Wherein the topsheet (11; 41) comprises a first tear line (20; 50) and a second tear line (19; 49) which are spaced apart in width direction (W) and extend over the height (H) of the label; wherein the portion of the topsheet (11; 41) located between said tear lines (19, 20; 49, 50) is a take-off part (21; 51) which is detached by tearing along the tear lines (19, 20, 20, 49, 50) tearing the topsheet (11; 41) and releasable from the label (10, 40); characterized in that the removal part (21; 51) on a first side (22; 52) extending in the width direction (W) of the label, a lip (23 extending in height direction (H) of the label 25) 53), which is provided with, in particular adjacent to, the second tear line (19, 49); that the first tear line (20; 50) comprises a series of J-shaped perforations (24; 54) and that the second tear line (19; 49) comprises a series of S-shaped perforations (25; 55), the J-shaped perforations (24; 54) in each case consist of a first straight segment (26; 56) extending in the tear line direction with an end of said first straight segment (26; 56) at the end of said first straight segment (26; 56) having a first bend segment (27; 57) that the take-off member (21; 51) bends in; wherein the S-shaped perforations (25; 55) each consist of a second straight segment (28; 58) extending in the tear line direction with: • at the end of said second straight segment facing said first side (22; 52) ( 28; 58) a second bend segment (29; 59) that bends toward the take-off part 5 (21; 51); and • at the end of said second straight segment (28; 58) remote from said first side (22; 52) a third bend segment (30; 60) that bends away from the removal part (21; 51). 10 Label (10; 40) according to claim 1, wherein, viewed in width direction (W), the third bend segments (30; 60) in each case at least partially overlap with second bend segments (29; 59) of perforations in the series of S-shaped perforations (25; 55) adjacent S-shaped perforations (25; 55). 15 Label (10; 40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the first straight segment (26; 56) of the first J-shaped perforation, viewed in the tearing direction (S), is shorter than the length (L) of the first straight segment (26; 56) of the, viewed in tear direction, second J-shaped perforation (24; 54). 20 Label (10; 40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the second straight segment (28; 58) of the first S-shaped perforation, viewed in the tearing direction (S), is shorter than the length (L) of the second straight segment (28; 58) of the, viewed in the tearing direction, second S-shaped perforation (25; 55). 5. Label (10; 40) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the current tangent line (31; 61) at the free end of the first (27; 57), and / or second (29; 59) and / or third (30; 60) bend segment each time runs at a tear line angle (a) with respect to the respective tear line (19, 20; 49.50), which tear line angle (a) is in the range of 35 ° to 55 °, preferably in the range from 40 ° to 50 °. The label (10.40) of claim 5, wherein the tear line angle (a) is about 45 °. 7. Label (10, 40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first tear line (20; 50) and second tear line (19; 49) run parallel to each other. Label (10; 40) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein, viewed in the width direction of the label, the distance between the first tear line (20; 50) and second tear line (19; 49) is at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm. Label (10; 40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, viewed in the width direction (W) of the label, the distance between the first tear line (20; 50) and second tear line (19; 49) is at most 30 mm, preferably at most 25 mm. Label (10; 40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein there is a release layer (32; 52) between the removal part (21; 51) and the bottom sheet (12; 42) to which the removal part (21; 51) can be released. is adhered by a self-adhesive layer (33, 53) provided on the lower surface (34; 54) of the removal part (21; 51). 11. Label (10; 40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the release layer (32; 52) is permanently attached to the bottom sheet (12; 42). The label (40) of claim 11, wherein the release layer is a coating (52) applied to the bottom sheet (42). 13. Label (40) according to claim 12, wherein the coating (52) comprises a silicone-like material, in particular a silicone material. 14. Label (40) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the coating (52) is applied with a printing technique in the manner of an ink layer. Label (10; 40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the topsheet (11; 41) is made of a plastic. Label (10; 40) according to claim 15, wherein the plastic is a polypropylene or a polyester. 17] Label (10; 40) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the topsheet (11; 41.) is at most 75 µm thick, such as at most 50 µm. 18] Label (10.40) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the label further comprises a backing sheet (13; 43) of release material to which the bottom surface (15; 45) of the bottom sheet (12; 42) is glued free to adhesive. 19] Assembly comprising a label (10,40) according to any one of claims 1-17 and an ampoule (70) with a diameter (D) of less than 25 mm, such as less than 15 mm, wherein the label is stuck to the ampoule Assembly according to claim 19, wherein the ampoule (70) contains a pharmaceutical composition.