SK14252001A3 - Closure for container - Google Patents

Abstract

The closure has a closure section that has a surface (1) with an image provided by an ink label. The image consists of adhesive layers (30,40) and an image layer (20).

Description

Container closure

Technical field

The invention relates to closures for cartridges, said closures having an image located on one of their surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known, closures for cartridges such as crown corks, screw caps and twist caps are often provided with some kind of printing. For example, crown corks tend to have a suppressed distinctive trademark of the manufacturer, or some distinctive imprint. The metal closures are normally also provided with some representation, for example, instructions for opening or identifying the contents of the container. Due to the nature of the fabric, plastic closures are rarely made with high quality printed features, since it is quite costly to perform high quality imaging on the plastic surface.

Ensuring the representation on metal caps is generally done as an offset lacquered image on the surface of the metal sheet from which the caps are then prepared, usually by cutting and punching. For technical reasons, it is customary to produce a large number of closures having the same printed feature. Changing the display is quite laborious and time consuming, as the printing plate must be cleaned for each color. In addition, for multi-color applications (more than two colors), a second production series is required, as a maximum of two printing plates are normally used in a single series.

As a result, it is customary to produce a large number of metal caps having the same image, at the same time, with a limited number of colors.

Images on plastic closures are commonly applied by some form of network printing. Network printing is a laborious technique, slow and expensive, and is therefore often not used in multi-color applications (more than two colors). Typically, even at the highest quality, screen printing produces only the most acceptable image quality on the plastic surface of the cap.

With metal closures, a further problem is that in the manufacturing process by cutting, rolling and / or embossing, machining may be possible during machining. · Damage to the display or part of the display. This problem has been overcome by the use of high quality lacquer, but this adds to the product at cost. It could be a great advantage if the image were applied to the final closure instead of being made to the starting material.

It would be desirable if closures could be made with different images, at relatively low cost, using small batches, i. change view frequently. This would allow for closures with images not only identifying content, possibly also containing short-term promotional labels.

Furthermore, it would be highly desirable if high quality, durable imaging on the closure could be performed, at relatively low cost, using simple techniques.

This is also necessary, as mentioned above, in a method of applying a high quality image to a plastic closure, since hitherto the only possible embodiment of a low quality image at a relatively high cost on a plastic closure is the only one possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a solution to the aforementioned requirements, the solution of which is based on the use of image transfer techniques to said caps.

Accordingly, the invention is directed to closures for cartridges comprising a closure member having at least one coating, on said surface an image provided by an ink marking only is provided, said image comprising at least an adhesive layer and an image layer. Optionally, a protective layer is provided on top of said image layer. The image may be applied to one surface or two surfaces of the closure.

In the context of the present invention, the concept of image transmission is used in one embodiment as a marking system, wherein the removable backing layer is marginally printed with a suitable color and subsequently extruded by the adhesive. Important in the image transfer technique is the absence of a transparent or opaque image carrier film that has previously been transferred to the surface. At this stage, the display (label) contains only the adhesive, the ink materials, or the translucent protective coating. The general description of the technique is · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · For example, described in WO-A 9005088 and WO-A 9005353. Other embodiments of the image transmission system are described in WO-A 9734810. WO-A 0735292, WO-A 9735291 and WO-A 9735290, the contents of all six applications being incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with the present invention, images may be transferred to closures at a suitable stage in the manufacture of closures. It is generally preferred, in the case of metal closures, to apply images to an optionally pre-coated metal sheet before being cut and stamped on the closures. It has been found that by properly selecting the adhesive and the imaging material, it is possible to cut and punch sheet metal closures without damaging the imaging materials. In general, the resistance of imaging materials, printing ink and adhesive, optionally combined with a protective layer, is such. that the image can also be applied to the crown cork border or to the edges of the covers without damaging their quality. In the case of plastic closures, the most appropriate moment of application of the image to the closure depends on the nature of the closure manufacturing process. In the case of deformation of the closure, for example, for a closure for bread-wrapping containers by pulling out the plastic film, an image may be applied to the plastic film before manufacture. In other situations, the display will generally be applied to the final product.

As mentioned above, the process of transmitting an image as such is known from various publications. However, it has not been described for use in relation to closures for cartridges with the advantages discussed herein.

In general, all closures for cartridges on which image transmission can be applied as defined herein will be contemplated within the scope of the invention. Examples are crown corks separated by drilling, metal or plastic screw caps, metal or plastic screw caps, metal or plastic caps Separated by cutting, corks, metal or plastic closures separated by twisting, metal or plastic foil or coating closures and ceramic or plastic cap closures. The closure material can be freely selected, but metal or plastic closures are preferred, but also ceramic, glass, wood, cork and rubber closures can be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows the closure member and the marking placed on the application.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the marking and application of the present invention will be described first with reference to the figure showing the closure member (1) and the marking placed on the application. The marking is printed on the coating substrate (10), which may be any thin film, preferably oriented polypropylene or polyester. The protective coating (14) may or may not be used depending on the type and source of film availability. The release material (12) is for coating the film. It may be a silicone which is generally applied after the film has been produced. (20) represents all printing ink that may be permanent or removable. Depending on the marking graphics and the opacity requirements, the ink materials may have up to five different colors in one or more layers, some of which may overlap another color. (30) and (40) represent two layers of adhesive, depending on the uniformity and strength of the labeled surface of the closure to be labeled. It is also possible to use only one adhesive layer.

After application, all of the printed material is transferred from the released coated film backing. Printing materials may be based on vinyl, acrylic or urethane resin colored with pigments. The printed adhesive may be a urethane-modified acrylic, heat-activatable adhesive. In the case of a thermally activatable adhesive, it may be necessary to heat the closure prior to contact with the closure label to achieve and maintain a rapid attachment. It is also possible to use a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Many options are acceptable for heating. Hot air, other flame heaters, infrared panels for gas burning and electric ceramic panels can be used.

The method of applying the label, whereby the ink-printing materials are transferred from the film substrate to the surface of the closure, utilizes the contact characteristics of the adhesive to control the binding of the ink layer (14) to the coating (12).

Many silicone coated polymer films can be used on a printed substrate.

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Conventional nip rollers and stepper motors are used to advance the film to the following marking and precisely into the correct position, using a printed character to trigger the optical scanning device.

Protection of the ink against scratching during normal handling as well as ensuring its weather resistance when exposed to external storage can be achieved by the application of a coating such as an aqueous emulsion of an acrylic-based wax. This is applied by a roller applicator through which a controlled amount of coating is fed from the wet applicator. The coating extends easily around the edges of the pattern and seals the edges from the disturbing moisture. It is also possible that the protective coating is already present on the transfer of the marking.

Claims (5)

PATENT CLAIMS A container closure comprising a closure member having at least one surface, on said surface a picture provided by a printing ink only is provided, said picture comprising at least an adhesive layer and a picture layer. The closure of claim 1, wherein said marking is further provided with a protective layer on top of said image layer. A closure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said adhesive is selected from the group of pressure-sensitive adhesives and heat-activatable adhesives. The closure according to claims 1 to 3, said closure being selected from the group of metal closures, plastic and ceramic closures. The closure of claim 4, said closure being selected from the group of crown corks, metal or plastic screw caps. metal or plastic screw caps, cut-off closures, corks, twist-off closures and ceramic flaps.