Label and method of manufacturing the same

0001The invention relates to a multilayer label comprising a top layer with at least one externally visible information field and at least one further lower layer with additional information fields, and a method for its Production.

0002Labels are widely available and are used to identify products of daily life, as well as goods intended for commercial use. such a Label contains a variety of information, including the product name, the Manufacturers and sales price, moreover, are required by law in many cases provide prescribed ingredients and safety. Where a manufacturer wants to offer its products in several countries, as they provide insight into the need Buyers in different countries to be readable. Some safety instructions or Quality standards can be regarded generally comprehensible symbols represent, others have to be translated into the appropriate languages. For an in the European Union; product had previously been in addition to the German text information identical information for about 10 countries necessary. The planned enlargement of the European Union doubled the number of translatable instructions. When can sufficiently large products , this easily accomplished by increasing the label. In other Products is determined by the Abpackungsgröße the label size. This is especially true in loose goods in at predetermined package sizes Trade offered, for example, liquids in bottles or chemical Products, paints and varnishes in cans. In these products, the size of are not changed for the label space available. In these Cases need different labels printed for different countries will. This means an additional burden on the manufacturer.

0003The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved label available, the same size contains more information.

0004This object is achieved with a label having the features of claim 1. The label according to the invention consists of several layers. The topsheet corresponds the known label, which has at least an information field, preferably a plurality of information fields, namely for a promotional designed area with the product name, the brand name and the logo and, for a wider range of technical information, such as ingredients Safety, for example, in 10 languages. Furthermore it has the label a further layer, which is located below the upper layer and with this is connected, for example via an adhesive connection. This bottom layer is in Normally covered by the upper layer, but can in case of need, in particular Be made available by opening provided means. The now visible Information fields of the lower layer, and possibly on the back of the top layer preferably have further technical notes on other languages. at particularly small labels can also be more than one bottom layer are provided, ie it can be arranged, for example, two layers below the top layer. Moreover, it is also possible, particularly at doses banderoles, several provide adjacent lower layers, preferably between these layers a gap is arranged. This gap prevents the voltages at the in can the can build affixed label, leading to detachment of the label could.

0005In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower layers have the same Size. This simplifies the manufacturing process. In the case where not all of the Size of the lower layer of information fields is needed, even a limited area of ​​the lower layer will be made available. This is accomplished by Arranging the connecting points between the layers realized. In the simplest case the layers are joined by gluing. These bonds are in areas outside the information fields of the lower layer. It can for be provided a permanent adhesive bonds, for example, in Edge area of ​​both plies, at least at one side edge. Furthermore, a Connection of the layers possible by releasable adhesive bonds. Are exclusively releasable adhesive bonds provided, the upper layer of the total lower layer are lifted and, if necessary, return to the lower layer get connected. Permanent adhesive compounds have the advantage that both Layers during folding of the upper layer of the lower layer interconnected stay. In this case, for example, the back side of the topsheet with Information fields to be provided.

0006One embodiment has a permanent adhesive bonds to two opposite side edges of the label, and adjacent to the opening location also releasable adhesive bonds in the form of spots of glue. These glue spots are preferably provided on the underside of the upper layer. In this case remains in the upper layer connected to the lower folding position. she can However, at the opening point using opening means lower extent of the Location be lifted, that the information fields of the lower layer visible will. After studying the information the lower layer can again through the top Able to be covered. Such an embodiment has the advantage that the lower layer can be made of an inexpensive material and only the upper layer is provided with a protective layer. By the Reconnecting the upper layer to the lower layer remain the Safety instructions and information on the information fields of the lower layer protected during handling of the product.

0007A further particularly advantageous embodiment, two adjacent arranged lower layers, each at its left edge a permanent possess adhesive joint with the top layer, optionally also adjacent to the aperture stop is, when the corresponding lower layer information fields owns. Between the opening point and the information fields can be equally Manner as described above, a releasable adhesive bonds in the form of Glue spots are provided. On a permanent adhesive connection on the right Side edge of the label can be dispensed with if a recess at this is margin provided. In this way, when attaching of the label, For example, a band cans on the can, by gluing the back of the Label a connection between this rear side and the can and at the same time a connection between the overlapping side edges, that is, the Surface of the left side edge of the top sheet with the back sides of the right Side edges of both the lower and the upper layer, is achieved.

0008To gain access to the information fields of the lower layer and / or the to obtain information fields on the back of the upper layer, either the upper layer as a whole is lifted or in the upper layer be provided opening location to a part of the upper layer of the lower layer deducted. If you want to remove the entire top layer, as a tool, a the backsheet superior flap be provided on the upper layer. In that case, that only a portion of the topsheet is lifted, are in the top layer Perforations provided either single or more preferably to form a Pull-tab in two rows.

0009The object of the invention is described based on the drawings illustrated embodiments explained in more detail. It shows:<dl tsize="6"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a plan view of a label according to the invention,</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a side view of the label according to the invention Fig. 1</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a plan view of the open label according to FIG. 1,</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a rear view of a label of the invention, </dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>a side view of the label according to the invention FIG. 4</dd><dt>Fig. 6</dt><dd>a plan view of a further inventive Label.</dd></dl>

0010A first embodiment of the multi-layer label according to the invention 10 is in Figs. 1 to 3 shown. In FIG. 1 can be seen, the upper layer 20 of the label 10 can use the information fields 21, 22, 23. This information fields 21, 22, 23 used for different information and instructions. If, as in this embodiment, a band cans, it is preferably a large field 21 designed as a sales promotion eyecatcher, preferably containing the name of the product and the manufacturer's name and the batch quantity. at a well-known brand product is further a range of Information field 21 used for the brand name or logo 27th This Part of the label 10 is at the front socket, which fall within a Shelf to the attract customers. In general, this area of ​​the label particularly complex designed by a pleasing appearance and may by using different colors and finishes. The right side the label 10 forms the rear side of a can and is in this example into two Information fields 22 and 23 divided for particular technical information. The information field 22, for example, various standardized symbols included that provide clues, how to deal with the contents of the can. Furthermore, the information field 22 forms space for a bar code. In a further information field 23 can appropriate use Information for safe his handling of the users listed and / or the composition of the Tin filled liquid, pasty or powdery product to be indicated. Since those safety for each user must be comprehensible, listed these notes in the information field 23 in different languages, this is by the symbols D for German, F for French, NL for Dutch, DK for Danish, I for Italian, UK English, E for Spanish and SE for Swedish in of FIG. 1 are indicated. Of course, the above information be arranged as desired on the visible side of the upper layer 20 of the label, depending on Request of the manufacturer. This upper layer 20 of the label is preferably made of a high-quality material, such as a special paper coated with a Protective coating is provided or from a high-quality film. At this Protective layer can be a lacquer layer which ensures that the by a printing process applied label the label even when get exposure to moisture or chemical substances as long as possible remains.

0011Of Fig. 2 it can be seen that the label 10 consists of two layers, the topsheet 20 and a lower layer 30. Both layers 20, 30 adhere to each other, make sure adhesive connections 25, 26. The adhesive connections 25 is preferably permanent adhesive bonds that only by destroying the Network can be solved. These adhesive bonds 25 are in the edge region of the Label 10 provided indicated in Fig. 1 by the dashed lines, next to the glued joints 25 at the edges to the side edge 28 and 29 of Label 10 is another adhesive connection 25 adjacent to a tear open flap 40 arranged.

0012This tear tab 40 is formed by two parallel over the entire width of the label 10 extending perforation lines 24 formed only in the upper layer 20 are provided. By separating out the pull tab 40 in the arrow direction, ie either from top to bottom or from bottom to top, to get access to the information fields 31, 32 of the bottom layer 30. In this example, no Information fields provided on the back of the top layer, which at larger Amount of information would be possible.

0013This information fields 31, 32, the information of the information fields 22 23 included, but in another language and / or. In the information field 32 of the Fig. 3, this is the mark CZ for Czech, GR for Greek, H for Hungarian, RO for Romanian and P indicated for Portuguese. to at closed label to know immediately that additional information on the backsheet 30 can be found in a desired language, it may Language codes are additionally marked on the tear-off tab. Then, for each user obvious that additional information on the Information fields 31, 32 of the bottom layer 30 can be expected.

0014In the example of FIG. 3 is only one half of the upper layer 20 by the Tear-off strip of the lower layer 30 is lifted. It is not completely removed, since on the side edge 29 of the permanent adhesive connection 25 is arranged. On This way the information is going to the upper layer 20 of the label 10 when Open the label is not lost. The lower layer 30 may be made of an inexpensive Material are produced, for example an appropriate paper or cheap film. This lower layer 30 is not provided with a protective layer to need, the topsheet 20 may be equipped so that they of the covering lower layer 30 again with these combines, for example, via a releasable Adhesive connection 26, here in FIG. 3, indicated by spots of glue. these can either on the underside of the topsheet 20 or the backsheet 30, preferably be provided outside the information fields 31, 32nd

0015Figures 4 and 5 show a further embodiment of the invention Label 10 '. The topsheet 20 has been compared with the above example, shown in Figs. 1 to 3, is not changed. However, none is the topsheet 20 equal bottom layer 30, but two adjacently arranged bottom layers 30 ' and 30 "provided that do not cover the entire back of the topsheet 20th Between the two lower layers 30 'and 30 ", a gap 33 is provided and at the the right margin of the lower layer 30 'has a recess 34. This gap 33 is particularly in labels 10 ', the non-planar surfaces on a commodity be applied, the structure of tension required to peel the label 10 ' can prevent lead. If a label 10 with an upper layer 20 and a lower layer 30 of the same size and with permanent adhesive bonds 25 in the Edge regions, shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, for example as cans banderole used, they are located by attaching the label 10 to the can the Side edges of the upper layer 30 overlap and this top layer is laid on the bear box. The lower layer 30 would in such a compound which overlapping side edges, from the flat label 10 a barrel forms, in the areas where it is not connected with the upper layer 20 in the Inner cylinder space dodge as committed to the bottom, now inner layer lesser extent than for the upper, outer layer results. This alternative is not present in the compound of the label 10 with the box, this leads to Stress buildup. In the presence of a gap 33 has the lower layer 30 'an applied as cans band label 10' the possibility towards the gap dodge 33, ie, the gap 33 decreases when moving the Label 10 'to the can.

0016Such a gap 33 is preferably arranged in several adjacent bottom layers 30 ', 30 "in each case between these, eg the right of each Side edge of a bottom layer 30 ', 30' and then at the outer right edge arranged. In the example of FIG. 4 and 5 is on the outer right margin, the the right margin of the lower layer 30 ', a recess provided 34th through this recess is a part of the back of the upper layer 20 visible. These Recess 34 is provided in particular in the central region of the side edge and preferably has a width corresponding to a possible overlap of the Margins in use as cans band corresponds. In the upper and lower Range is a gap smaller than the width between the Boundary edges 35 of the bottom layer 30 'and the right edge of the label 10', formed by the topsheet 20th This gap has the same function as the gap 33. The recess 34 serves that between an adhesive compound be dispensed with the lower layer 30 "and the top sheet 20 at the right edge can. When gluing the back of the label 10 'is both the back of the bottom layers 30 ', 30 "and the rear side of the upper layer 20 in the region of the Gap 33 and the right side edge moistened. When attaching the label 10 'on the tin can on the one hand, the right edge of the lower layers 30', 30 "in move towards gap 33, recess 34 and on the other hand is a Connection between the back of the label 10 'and the can and at the same time a connection between the overlapping side edges, that is, the surface of the left side edge of the topsheet 20 with the backs of the right-hand side edges both the bottom 30 '' and the upper layer 20, is achieved.

0017In FIG. 4 is shown that it is intended that only a portion of the topsheet 20 of the lower layer 30 "lift. The bottom layer 30 'in this example has No information fields. To withdraw half of the topsheet 20, is by means the pull tab 40 to introduce an opening in the upper layer 20th The lifted Half of the upper layer 20 is then not completely removed when the label 10 ' is attached via the above-described sizing of the box, since the area of ​​the Recess 34 covers a connection to the box or to the opposite manufactures margin. In this way the information is going on the topsheet 20 the label 10 during opening of the label 10 'is not lost. The bottom layer 30 "is equipped so that they are due to a releasable adhesive connection 26 'at Cover again with the upper layer 20 connects. This adhesive bond 26 ' the right of the pull-tab 40 and the left, which is outside, the information fields of lower layer 30 "arranged. To the right of the pull tab 40 is a permanent find adhesive bond 25 'after removal of pull-tab 40 left Margin of not the right lower position 30 'to the right side edge lifted left half of the upper layer 20 connects.

0018Are both lower layers 30 'and 30 "information fields provided, a further tear-open tab 40 are disposed in the upper layer twentieth

0019In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, only a portion is the topsheet 20 from the backsheet 30, 30 'is lifted. For smaller labels it may also be necessary that the entire area of ​​the lower layer for Information fields must be available. In this case, as in Example of FIG. 6, the tear-off tab 40 in the region of a side edge, which here its side edge 28, provided. By separating the pull tab 40 is of the entire region of the lower ply 30 visible and can serve as an information carrier.

0020The embodiments shown of the label 10, 10 'give the subject matter of Invention only example again. It is of course also conceivable to use other choose label shapes to arrange the pull-tab in other areas, instead of provide the pull tab only a perforation or the entire topsheet separate. The arrangement of the splices is arbitrary. Prefers are embodiments where permanent and / or removable adhesive bonds be "provided outside the information fields 31, 32 of the lower layer 30, 30 or it is a transparent adhesive for releasable glue joints used. Furthermore, it is possible, a plurality of lower layers 30 to each other to arrange below the topsheet 20th Access to the information in this individual layers is carried out either by the one-time tearing the tear tab 40 in the upper layer 20 or it is further opening of the opportunities in the topsheet 20 disposed layers provided.

0021Fabricated in this manner provides label with the same dimensions more space for Information, in particular to significantly more technical data and information be accommodated on the label, without the creative eye-catching area (Information field 21) which forms the front side at a restricted tin, must become. There is enough space for more information on the fields Rear side of the upper layer and the lower layer. The extra information is also not a much more complex and therefore more expensive label bought, since the lower layer as an additional information carrier inexpensive from a Material can be produced.

0022The preparation takes place, for example, by the fact that, as in known labels a Location special paper or film is printed by an offset method. This represents in the finished label 10, the topsheet 20. In a second process step are, if desired, perforations 24 placed in the upper layer 20 and on the underside of the upper layer 20 the appropriate splices 25, 26 provided so that in a third method step, the second layer 30 on the topsheet 20 may be secured.

0023In the offset printing method of the topsheet 20 may be a known Offline methods, namely act applying conventional oil ink, which is then subsequently covered with a UV lacquer layer for protection. Also can spot coatings for a particular design on the visible side be made.

0024Also conceivable is an inline process for printing wherein Hybrid inks for UV curing are applied to the topsheet 20th This hybrid inks cure by UV radiation, so that in a process step the print image and the protective layer are applied. No matter what Process and how elaborate the upper layer of the label is designed for multilayered label is only a small additional effort, namely, if desired, Introducing the perforation 24 and the rear sticking this topsheet 20 with a inexpensive printed bottom layer 30 perform.

0025The printing on the label sheets is not limited to offset printing process. ever according to customer demand, other known printing processes for Printing the layers of the labels are used.

0026The application of these labels is not limited. Advantageously, they can be However, used where a label only a limited space on the goods is or products available, such as, for example, standardized packaging such as cans or bottles.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

0027<dl tsize="12" compact="compact"><dt>10, 10 '</dt><dd>label</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>topsheet</dd><dt>21</dt><dd>information field</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>information field</dd><dt>23</dt><dd>information field</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>Opening means perforation</dd><dt>25, 25 '</dt><dd>Adhesive bonding, permanently</dd><dt>26, 26 '</dt><dd>Adhesive bond, releasably</dd><dt>27</dt><dd>logo</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>side edge</dd><dt>29</dt><dd>side edge</dd><dt>30, 30 ', 30 "</dt><dd>backsheet</dd><dt>31</dt><dd>information field</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>information field</dd><dt>33</dt><dd>gap</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>recess</dd><dt>35</dt><dd>boundary edge</dd><dt>40</dt><dd>pull tab</dd></dl>