WO2017154002A1

WO2017154002A1 - Three- dimensional label

Info

Publication number: WO2017154002A1
Application number: PCT/IL2017/050302
Authority: WO
Inventors: Naftali Lieber; Zeev BLAJWAJ
Original assignee: Pitkit Printing Enterprises Ltd.
Priority date: 2016-03-10
Filing date: 2017-03-09
Publication date: 2017-09-14
Also published as: IL244539A0

Abstract

This disclosure concerns an identification label with three-dimensional ("3D") identification features. The label of this disclosure may be affixed to the product or configured therefor.

Description

Three- Dimension a! Label

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

BACKGROUND ART

References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:

- WO 2008/009569

- WO 2013/042087

- US 2014/0224879

- US 2008/0160226

- EP 0657297

- US 7,808,605

Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

BACKGROUND

Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes or other types of codes (such as strip-type codes, QR codes, Aztec codes, data matrices, etc.) have become widespread for identifying products. 2D codes, that may contain variable data related to individual items, which may include serial and batch numbers, place and date of production, expiration date and other information, have nonetheless a limited level of sophistication and, thus, have limited value in authentication, particularly of high value and premium products.

One of the ways to increase the complexity of authenticating elements is the addition of data in a third spatial dimension. Labels that are essentially 2D but have a virtual 3D feature, such as holograms and lenticular labels, have been used for marking and identifying various products. Real 3D labels have also been proposed; these may be produced by using common 3D-printing techniques, in which polymeric material is printed layer-by-layer to eventually form a 3D textured surface. Such labels are relatively complex to produce and hence costly.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

3D labels provide an additional level of sophistication over 2D labels and, thus, an additional measure of authentication with increased reliability. However, as noted above, while the production of a 3D label in manners hitherto proposed is relatively complex and costly, the present disclosure provides labels with 3D identification features which are simpler and cheaper to manufacture. Also, while the known 3D labels are intended primarily for the labeling of premium products, those of this disclosure, while also suitable for labeling of premium products, may be more widely used even in mass consumer products.

The 3D label of this disclosure is a generally planar label but with a depth dimension and has, thus, identifiable features that vary both in the X-Y plane defined by the label and along the Z-axis that is normal thereto.

The 3D label of this disclosure comprises two or more planar printed patterns printed at different levels of a film transparent to visible light and separated from one another along an axis normal to the plane defined by the label. According to one embodiment, each 3D label of this disclosure has a unique 3D pattern (namely not repeated on any other label). Typically, at least one (usually both) of the planar printed patterns in the label of this disclosure is printed by digital printing.

For example, the 3D label of tins disclosure may comprise one printed pattern of the label's external, top face, and another at a lower level, the two planar printed patterns being separated by at least a portion of the film's thickness. The other printed pattern may, for example, be printed on a bottom face of the film or on the top face of another film layer attached to the bottom of an upper layer. The 3D label of tins disclosure is, thus, a generally planar label that comprises a transparent film with a top face and two or more discrete 2D printed patterns printed in different (parallel) planes of a transparent film, the planes being separated from one another along an axis normal to the plane defined by the label, such that the printed patterns define together a 3D pattern . Namely, a first of said two or more patterns may be printed at a first level of the transparent film, while one or more second patterns may be printed at a second, deeper level of the transparent film, the patterns configured for forming together a 3D pattern.

The film from which the label is prepared is transparent, namely transmitting at least 80% of visible light, at times transmitting 85%, 90% or even more than 95% of visible light. By its transparency, the pattern printed at a deeper layer of the label may be visible to the naked eye of a viewer when viewing the label from a top face thereof.

The top pattern, by some embodiments, is printed on the label's top face. By another embodiment the top pattern may be constituted by a printed pattern at a deeper layer of the label without any printed pattern above it.

The 3D identification features in a label of this disclosure are achieved by printing one pattern at one level and another pattern, which may or may not partially overlap the first one, at a different level, along said Z-axis. Namely, the label comprises at least two 2D patterns that are printed on discrete parallel planes along an axis defined by the film's thickness. For example, one two-dimensional (2D) identification pattern may be printed on one face of a section of a transparent film: and another 2D pattern may be printed on the opposite face of said section. Thus, according to this example, a 3D label with two 2D patterns, distanced from one another along the Z-axis by the film's thickness, is thus formed.

By an embodiment, the printed patterns do not overlap one another in the X-Y plane of the label. The patterns may form a continuous 3D pattern when viewed through the top face of the label.

By another embodiment, the patents may complement one another, thus forming one or more 3D patterns when viewed through the top face of the label.

In the context of the present disclosure , the term "top face" means to denote the face of the label facing a viewer and the "bottom face" being the opposite one. For ease of description, where a label is laminate of two or more films defining layers of the label, these will be referred to from top to bottom, as top layer, first bottom layer, second bottom layer, etc. By way of example, a label that is a two-layer laminate has the top face of the bottom layer adhered to the bottom face of the top layer. The top face of top layer may be printed with one, top pattern, and the top face of the bottom layer with another, inner pattern. By another example, another pattern may be printed on the bottom face of either or both of the top layer and bottom layer. In the description herein, the term "top pattern" is used to denote the uppermost printed pattern in the 3D label of this disclosure; and the term "inner pattern" is used to denote a printed pattern formed at a deeper level below that of the top pattern. A label of this disclosure may contain one or more inner patterns. The term "auxiliary pattern" is used to denote a pattern formed on a surface of a product, a product packaging, etc., that is configured for defining a 3D identification pattern with the label's printed pattem(s). A label of this disclosure configured for forming a 3D identification patterns with an auxiliary pattern may, at times, comprise only a top pattern, only an inner pattern, or both a top pattern and one or more inner patterns.

By a first aspect, this disclosure provides a product label useful for product identification and authentication. Such a product label comprises a transparent film having a bottom attachment face for attaching the label to the product or its packaging; and a top face facing the viewer (also referred to as viewing face). The label comprises a top printed pattern and configured for forming a 3D pattern with one or more inner printed patterns foimed at one or more deeper layers of the label; or with an auxiliary- printed pattern printed on the face of the product, at the portion thereof onto which the label is affixed.

By one embodiment, the label comprises an inner pattern which is printed on the label's bottom face or, where the label is a laminate, on a top (and/or bottom) face of a consecutive film layer.

The label, as noted above, comprises one top pattern, which is the label's printed pattern most proximal to the top face, which may be printed on the top face itself, and may also comprise one or more inner patterns printed on the bottom face of the label or on a face between two consecutive laye s thereof. In addition, and as noted above, the 3D pattern may also be defined together with an auxiliary pattern printed on an external face of the product or on its packaging. The latter embodiment would typically require accurate affixing of the label onto the product's external face or the product's packaging (as the case may be).

The label may, at times, be formed with a number of inner patterns at different levels; for example one on the top face of inner layer of the label and a second one printed at the bottom of the label.

While in some embodiments, the different patterns may overlap with one another, they typically only partially overlap or do not overlap at all. For example, the top layer may have a printed pattern with lines of a certain width and the inner patterns may be with lines that trace the general contours of the top pattern but of different width. Tn addition, there may be interplay between different colors or shades at different levels of the label, etc. These examples, of course, are meant to illustrate but are not intended to limit the label of this disclosure in any way.

Typically, labels of this disclosure can each have a unique identifiable 3D pattern, identifying a specific individual product and not only a batch of products. Namely, the 3D patterns may differ one from the other by at least one of the planar, 2D patterns, at times by all of the 2D patterns. By such changes, a unique, distinct 3D pattern is obtained for each label printed in a series of labels. To afford such data variability, the patterns of the labels may be printed by digital printing which permits such unique label patterning with high accuracy.

Where a label consists of a laminate with each layer bearing a printed pattern, each layer is produced from a separate film which may be a priori printed with a printed pattern; the layers are then attached to one another, e.g. by gluing, heat welding, etc. to produce a laminate, as known per se.

This disclosure also provides, by another of its aspects, a film comprising a plurality of proto-labels for forming labels of this disclosure. The labels can then be cut out from the film, as known per se.

Labels for affixing to products may be placed on a carrier suitable for processing in labeling apparatus. Such a carrier is also an aspect of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1A shows a label, in accordance with one embodiment of this disclosure, consisting of a transparent film section with a printed pattern on the top and bottom faces thereof.

Fig. IB shows a side view of a label, in accordance with one embodiment of this disclosure, consisting of a transparent film section with a printed pattern on the top and bottom faces thereof. Fig. 2A is an exploded view of a label, according to another embodiment of this disclosure, which is a laminate of two film sections, each printed on its top face and attached to one another to form the label.

Fig. 2B is a side view of a label, according to another embodiment of this disclosure, winch is a laminate of two film sections, one being printed on its top face and the other being printed on its bottom face.

Fig. 3 shows a label, in accordance with another embodiment of this disclosure, being a laminate of three films, printed with identification patterns on the top face of each layer.

Figs. 4A and 4B show a label, in accordance with another embodiment of this disclosure, having 2D patterns configured for forming a 3D authentication pattern with an auxiliary pattern printed pattern on the product's outer face.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Specific embodiments of this disclosure will now be described, these embodiments being depicted in the Figures in the annexed drawings.

Fig. 1A is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of this disclosure, showing a label 100 consisting of transparent film section 102 having a top face 104 and a bottom face 106, printed with respective top and inner printed patterns 108, 110. Patterns 108 and 110 are distanced from one another along an axis normal to the label's plane and thus define together a 3D pattern. The bottom face 106 is typically coated with an adhesive for affixing the label 100 to a product. By some embodiments, such affixing may also be achieved by welding or other techniques not using adhesives.

Fig. IB is a side view of a label according to another embodiment of this disclosure, showing a label consisting of transparent film section 120 having a top face and a bottom face, printed with top printed patterns 122, 124 and inner printed patterns 126, 128. The printed patterns do not overlap one another. As the patterns 122, 124 and 126, 128 are distanced from one another by the thickness of the transparent film, they define together a 3D pattern.

Another embodiment of this disclosure is illustrated in Fig. 2A. The label 200 of this disclosure is in fact a laminate consisting of two transparent film sections 202, 204, each one bearing a printed pattern on its top face, constituting respective top and inner patterns 206 and 208. With the two transparent film sections being attached to one another to form the laminate, a 3D pattern is thereby formed with the thickness of transparent film section 202 defining the vertical distance between the two. The label can be affixed to a product in a similar manner as described in connection with the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2B illustrates another embodiment of a label according to this disclosure. Similar to Fig. 2A, the label is a laminate consisting of two transparent film sections 222, 224. In this embodiment, transparent film 222 is printed on its top face with patterns 226, while transparent film 224 is printed on its top face with patterns 228. Once the two film sections are attached to one another to form the laminate, a 3D pattern is formed with the thickness of the two transparent films defining the vertical distance between patterns 226 and 228 (patterns 226 being the top patterns and patterns 228 becoming the inner patterns).

Another embodiment of this disclosure is described in Fig. 3. In this case, label 300 is a laminate of three transparent film sections consisting of a top transparent film section 302, intermediate transparent film section 304, and a bottom transparent film section 306. A top pattern 308 is printed on the top face of film 302, a first, inner pattern 310 is printed on the top face of film 304 and a second inner pattern is printed on the top face of film 306. At times an additional inner pattern may be printed on the bottom face of the label. As an alternative, inner patterns may be printed on the bottom face of one or more of the layers.

Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate another embodiment of this disclosure in which a 3D pattern is defined jointly with an auxiliary pattern printed on the face of a product. A label 400 having a top pattern 402 printed on its top face 404 is affixed onto section 410 of the outer face of product 412 (e.g. which may be packaging or a container), which bears an auxiliary printed pattern 414, Once label 400 is affixed onto section 410, a 3D pattern, consisting of the top printed pattern on the label and the auxiliary printed pattern on the product, is thus formed.

It is of note that in each of the exemplified labels, the 3D pattern is unique. Namely, 3D patterns printed in a series of labels differ one from the other by at least one of the planar, 2D patterns. In some cases, all of the 2D patterns forming a 3D pattern are different from one 3D label to another in a printing series. As already noted above, such differentiation is typically obtained by digitally printing the 2D patterns.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A product label comprising two or more planar printed patterns, pnnted at different levels of a transparent film, the patterns being separated from one another along an axis normal to a plane defined by the label, a first of said two or more patterns printed at a first level of the transparent film configured for forming a 3D pattern with one or more second patterns of said printed patterns printed at a second, deeper level of the transparent film.

2. The product label of claim 1, wherein one of the patterns in printed on the label's top face.

3. The product of claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the patterns is printed on the labels bottom face.

4. A product label comprising a transparent film with a bottom, attachment face for attaching the label to the product and a top, viewing face; and comprising

a top printed pattern that is printed on the viewing face and configured for forming a three-dimensional pattern with one or more inner pattern formed at deeper layers of the label or with an auxiliary printed pattern printed on the product's face at portion thereof on which the label is fitted.

5. The label of claim 4, comprising an inner printed pattern printed at the label's bottom face or on a face between two consecutive film layers.

6. The label of claim 5, wherein the inner printed pattern is at the bottom face of the label.

7. The label of claim 6, wherein the inner printed pattern is printed on the bottom face of the label.

8. The label of any one of the preceding claims, comprising two or more inner printed patterns.

9. The label of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transparent film comprises two or more layers and comprises at least one inner printed pattern that is printed on a face defined between two consecutive layers.

10. The label of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top pattern does not overlap or only partially overlaps the inner patterns.

11. The label of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each label has a unique identifiable 3D pattern.

12. The label of claim 11, wherein the patterns are printed by digital printing.

13. A film comprising a plurality of proto-labels for forming labels of any one of the preceding claims,

14. A carrier carrying a plurality of labels of any one of claims 1 -12.