WO2000064764A1

WO2000064764A1 - Security label for closing and reclosing a package

Info

Publication number: WO2000064764A1
Application number: PCT/IT1999/000123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arturo Stanzione
Original assignee: Nuceria Adesivi S.R.L.
Priority date: 1999-04-27
Filing date: 1999-05-10
Publication date: 2000-11-02
Also published as: ITSA990010A1; AU3847099A

Abstract

A special rectangular label for the security and preservation of the content of a package, which, once removed from the support treated with silicone, is placed on packages, better if parallelepiped boxes; if the user wants to open the box he has only to hold the flap (10) by means of a traction towards the fracture lines (9) so as to cause the progressive pulling of the label along the cuttings until the tab (2) remains among the user's fingers; the part (8) of the label stays now stuck onto the container at a distance from the other part thus making evident that the package or box (11) had been already opened; when the user wants to close the package again he has only to remove the stripe treated with silicone (12) from the surface (5) in such a way as to uncover the tight adhesive layer which allows for the closing function. The aforesaid label is very resistant against undesired ungluing or breaking, its closing is never insufficient or absent and the removing or preservation of the goods are both very easy.

Description

SECURITY LABEL FOR CLOSING AND RECLOSING A PACKAGE

Technical field

The object of this invention is a special pressure sensitive label particularly but non exclusively designed to be placed on such wrappings as packets and/or boxes containing foodstuff, rice, pasta, sugar, or other products such as cleaning powder, cigarettes etc., which allows for the opening and closing of the wrapping itself.

Background art

The need exists to make the consumer sure that, on buying goods, for example at a supermarket, he finds the container integral, that is to say that it is equipped with means which make evident, at a first glance, the opening of the container itself and which, therefore, are also useful to discourage unauthorized openings.

Another need is that of equipping the packaging with safety devices which allow that the cover or wrapping may be closed again each time the product is used.

Nowadays many safety devices are on sale which make it evident that a container has been opened or allow for recurrent closings which make the use of the container easier.

For example the petitioner knows the invention described in the request for European Patent EP 701948 which consists in a rectangular pressure sensitive label with fracture lines running lengthways along the longer side of the same label in such a way as to create a tab, and two detachable lateral parts which adhere perfectly to the container once the box or wrapping containing the goods has been opened.

This kind of device, even if very simple, shows a serious inconvenience since it is well known that parallelepiped boxes containing solid, floury or granular goods, etc. tend to become deformed. This tendency involves an outward deformation of the walls of the packaging which causes strain which, in turn, originates cambers and, in the corners, pulling. The aforesaid effects naturally depend not only on the consistence and characteristics of the material used for the packaging but also on its dimensions and on the proportions of each side, as well as on the way in which the packaging is transported, stored or handled. The tendency to deform will be minimal on the lower side (support) while on the lateral walls and especially on the top wall, it will be notable. The invention EP701948 consists of a label which shows a particular conformation of fracture lines, which form a tear-off tab; this conformation is rather susceptible to the aforesaid strain, resulting in an untimely early breaking of the label which frustrates the aims of the invention. All the inventions, which in some way or other, show some similarities with the object of the present invention and which are already known to the petitioner, are not free from inconveniences even if they all avail themselves of the same working principle summed up in the special configuration of the tear-off lines, as well as in the type of punching used in the production of these fracture lines and/or of the constraining organs acting on the tab in order to block it in the closing position after the pulling maneuver which causes the package to open. The object and the important characteristics of the invention

An important feature of these devices is their simplicity and the reliability of their use which, in objects like these, is of great importance especially for the comfort of the user, packager or final consumer and in regard to the commercial value which justifies the unceasing research for solutions, also related to the perfecting of the technical solutions already extant.

The task of the present invention is to set up a device, essentially a specifically shaped label, which accomplishes, by using extremely simple means, such functional characteristics as to enable it to effectively answer the needs required and to offer the amplest warranties as to its reliability and security when used.

Another aim is to realise a device which may be produced at low costs by the usual equipment and plants, which provides an extremely functional solution, which is simple to be used and economical to be produced and applied, since it does not involve waste or slowdowns in the process of producing the labels or attaching them to the packages by the wrapping machines. A label that is resistant, which does not tear and has good aesthetic characteristics. In particular the main aim of this invention is to realise a mono-block device, shaped as a flat multilayer thin sheet, essentially a label obtained through lofting, tacking and punching operations, which may be placed in such a way as to be clearly seen on wraps or boxes and which allows the user to open and close a packet or box using only one hand, and which makes any unauthorised opening or handling of the package itself visible.

The aforesaid tasks and aims, as well as others which will be explained in detail in the following pages, are reached by a device to be put on containers, which is shaped as a rectangular security label, which the consumer may swiftly and simply manipulate by tearing it a first time pulling transversally a tab which makes the (unauthorised) opening of the container evident; that is to say that it makes evident that the security label has been already detached; moreover, since the label is provided with a pressure sensitive surface, the package can be safely closed many times.

Description of the drawings and mode for carrying out the invention These and other characteristics and advantages will be better explained in the description which follows and by the attached drawings, which are provided merely for an indicative and non limiting purpose: Picture 1 shows a map of the front side of the label

Picture 2 shows a schematic map of the rear of the label, according to the invention which follows. Picture 3 shows a schematic, front view of the present invention placed on a parallelepiped box.

Picture 4 shows a schematic front view of the present invention placed on a parallelepiped box, at the moment when it is broken to be opened and eventually closed again, once the protection has been removed. The invention shown in the drawings consists of a multilayer rectangular label (1) formed by transparent 12 micron propylene film, overlapping a thin sheet of paper whose (front) surface can be overprinted with such information as price, weight, deadline and other messages; the other surface (r), in its turn, is, first of all, evenly and totally covered with a very strong adhesive layer; this last is subsequently divided into parts and treated, if necessary, with a substance capable of inhibiting the underlying adhesive layer, or which is simply overprinted with an inhibitor. In fact, as picture 2 shows, the label has alternate adhesive and non adhesive parts which are specific to the present invention; in particular, beginning at one end of the label, there is a first superficial part (3) which is not inhibited, a second, larger part (4), where the adhesive is inhibited by overprinting, a further adhesive part (5), a subsequent non adhesive part (6) inside which there is an adhesive superficial rectangular part (7) and a final superficial adhesive part (8). The label has a support or liner which is treated with silicone and which is partially punched in such a way that when the label (1) is removed from it for the usage of the product, two of its rectangular stripes detach themselves and cover the adhesive surfaces (5) and (7). It is worthy of notice that the stripe treated with silicone on the surface (7), makes the tear-off tab (2) more rigid, while the stripe treated with silicone (12) which adheres to the surface (5) permits, once it is removed, the open/close function. The label (1) is transversally provided with two parallel fracture lines (9) ending, at both sides, in a flap which can be held (10) and which forms a security tab (2) which the user can grasp with his fingers. The functioning of the label which is the object of the present invention is very simple, easy and rapid; for example if one wishes to apply it to a parallelepiped (11) container, the label, after it has been removed from the silicone-treated support, is joined to the adhesive surfaces (3) and (8) which are respectively placed on the upper surface (cover) and on one of the lateral surfaces of the box as is clearly shown in picture 3. If the user wishes to open the box, he has only to hold the flap (10), pulling it towards the fracture lines (9) in such a way as to cause the progressive detachment of the label along the fracture lines until the tab (2) is completely detached. Part (8) of the label remains attached to the container at a distance from the other part thus making it evident that the package or box (11) has already been opened. When the user wishes to re-close the package, he must only remove the silicone-treated strip (12) positioned on the surface (5), thus uncovering the adhesive layer which permits the closing function. This particular characteristic allows the container to be closed again, in a fast and safe way. Also, the upper part of the container can be opened or, in the case of wrappers, they can be re-folded, thus assuring the retention and hygienic conservation of their contents. A security label constructed in such a way is very satisfactory since it evidences the fact that the container has been arbitrarily handled and also avoids the risk of undesired detachment; at the same time it allows the container to be repeatedly and easily opened and closed after the user has opened it for the first time; it also allows printed messages and pictures to be imprinted on it, in conformity with the purchasing and consumer habits of the general public.

This device, according to the present invention, appears to have the necessary characteristics of resistance to strain that the elements are to bear during their normal usage and may therefore offer the most ample guarantees of reliability and safety; the label can be produced by using elements and materials which are easy to find on sale and is therefore competitive from an economical point of view. From what is previously described and illustrated it can be seen that the invention fulfills the aims it was designed for.

Claims

1)A rectangular multilayer label formed by a transparent polymeric film overlapping a thin paper sheet and placed on a support treated with silicone, which has a (front) surface capable of receiving an overprint and/or information contents, while the other (back) surface is evenly and totally covered with a very strong adhesive layer; the label is characterized by the fact that it is transversally provided with two parallel fracture lines (9) which, at both sides, end in a flap which can be held (10) forming a security tab (2) which the user can grasp with his hands, and by the fact that on its back it is provided with superficial parts which are alternatively adhesive or not adhesive that is to say treated or overprinted with an inhibitor while the support or liner, treated with silicone, is partially punched.

2) A rectangular label as in claim 1) in which the alternate adhesive and not adhesive parts are shaped in such a way that, starting from one end of the label, we meet a first superficial part (3) where the adhesive is not inhibited, a successive larger part (4) where the adhesive is inhibited, a further adhesive part (5) and another not adhesive part (6) inside which there is a superficial rectangular adhesive part (7) and a final superficial adhesive part (8).

3) A rectangular label as in claim 1) in which the support or liner treated with silicone is partially punched in such a way that when the label (1) is detached from it to be used, two rectangular stripes treated with silicone detach; the former covers the adhesive surface (7) making the tab which can be pulled (2) more rigid, the latter (12) covers the surface (5) and allows, once removed, for the open/close function. 4) A rectangular label as in the previous claims characterized by the fact that its setting up and functioning may be summed up in the following operations: once removed from the support treated with silicone, the label is placed on parallelepiped wrappings joining the adhesive surfaces (3) and (8) respectively located on the upper surface (cover) and on one of the side surfaces of the box; if the user wants to open the box he has only to hold the flap (10) and, to pull it towards the fracture lines (9) in such a way as to cause the progressive pulling of the label along the cuttings until the tab (2) remains among the user's fingers; the part (8) of the label stays now stuck onto the container at a distance from the other part thus making evident that the package or box (11) had been already opened; when the user wants to close the package again he has only to remove the stripe treated with silicone (12) placed on the surface (5) in such a way as to uncover the tight adhesive part which allows for the closing function.