Method for applying a pressure sensitive shrink label to an article.
Abstract
A method of applying a label (12) to an article (10), the method comprising : - providing an article having a surface comprising at least one compound curve (16); - providing a label comprising (i) a heat shrinkable film having an inner surface and an outer surface; and (ii) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the inner surface of the heat shrinkable film, wherein the label has a first edge and a contact region,- - contacting the adhesive layer in the contact region of the label with the article; - and applying heat and pressure simultaneously to the label in a direction from the contact region to the first edge such that the first edge of the label adheres to the article and the label shrinks to conform to the compound curve of the article, wherein the heat and pressure are applied by at least one hot air knife assembly comprising a source of heated air, a flow control mechanism and one or more hot air slots.
Term
2.5 yearsleft in the term
Expires 3 April 2029.
- Priority
- Filed
- Today
- Expires
22 claims: 3 independent, 19 dependent
- 1REIVINDICACIONES 1. Un método para aplicar una etiqueta a un artículo, que comprende:5 proporcionar un artículo que tiene una superficie, que comprender por lo menos una curva compuesta;proporcionar una etiqueta que comprende (I) una película contraíble por calor que tiene una superficie interna y una superficie externa;y (ii) a la capa de adhesivo sensible a presión io en la superficie interna de la película contraíble por calor, en donde la etiqueta tiene un primer borde y una región de contacto;poner en contacto la capa adhesiva en la región de contacto de la etiqueta con el artículo;aplicar calor y presión simultáneamente a la etiqueta en una 15 dirección desde la región de contacto hasta el primer borde talque el primer borde de la etiqueta se adhiera al artículo y la etiqueta se contraiga para adaptarse a la curva compuesta del artículo, en donde el calor y presión son aplicados por al menos un montaje de cuchilla de aire caliente que comprende una fuente de aire 20 calentado, un mecanismo de control de flujo y una o más ranuras de chuchilla de aire caliente.
- 2El método de la reivindicación 1, en donde la etiqueta comprende un centro y un segundo borde opuesto al primer borde, y la región de contacto está cerca de o en el centro de la I 25 etiqueta. I
- 3El método de la reivindicación 1, en donde la etiqueta comprende un segundo borde opuesto al primer borde y la reglón de contacto está cerca del segundo borde de la etiqueta.
- 4El método de la reivindicación 2, en donde el montaje 5 de cuchilla de aire caliente comprende por lo menos dos ranuras de cuchilla de aire caliente que hacen girar exteriormente desde el centro de la etiqueta al primer y segundo bordes para adherir la etiqueta al artículo.
- 5El método de la reivindicación 2, en donde una primera ío ranura de cuchilla de aire caliente aplica calor y presión desde el centro de la etiqueta hasta el primer borde de la etiqueta, y una segunda ranura de cuchilla de aire caliente aplica calor y presión desde el centro de la etiqueta hasta el segundo borde de la etiqueta. ' 15
- 6El método de la reivindicación 5, que comprende adicionalmente girar el artículo aproximadamente 180° antes de la aplicación de calor y presión por la segunda ranura de cuchilla de aire caliente a la etiqueta.
- 7El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 20 anteriores, en donde la etiqueta se proporciona con un revestimiento desprendióle adherido a la capa adhesiva, y el método comprende adicionalmente la separación del revestimiento desprendióle de la etiqueta antes del contacto de la etiqueta con el artículo. 25
- 8El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la etiqueta se calienta a una temperatura de por lo menos 40°C.
- 9El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la película contraíble por calor comprende 5 una película seleccionada de poliéster, poliolefina, cloruro de polivinilo, pollestireno, ácido poliláctico, copolímeros de los mismos y mezclas de los mismos.
- 10El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la película contraíble por calor comprende io una poliolefina.
- 11El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la película contraíble por calor comprende una película de múltiples capas que tiene una capa base y por lo menos una capa superficial. 15
- 12El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la rigidez de la película es de por lo menos 5mN en la dirección de máquina.
- 13El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la etiqueta adicionalmente comprende una 20 capa de Impresión entre la película contraíble por calor y la capa adhesiva, en donde la película contraíble por calor es transparente.
- 14El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la etiqueta adicionalmente comprende una i 25 capa de impresión sobre la superficie externa de la película contraíble por calor.
- 15El método de la reivindicación 14, en donde la etiqueta adicionalmente comprende una capa protectora que cubre la capa de impresión.
- 16El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la capa adhesiva comprende un adhesivo de emulsión.
- 17El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la capa adhesiva comprende un adhesivo fundido por calor.
- 18El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la capa adhesiva comprende un adhesivo basado en solvente.
- 19El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la capa adhesiva sensible a presión es continua.
- 20El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1τ18, en donde la capa adhesiva sensible a presión se modela y el patrón cubre sustancialmente la superficie interna de la película. I
- 21El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, en donde la película contraíble por calor tiene una dirección de máquina y una dirección transversal, la película tiene una contracción principal S en por lo menos una dirección de por lo menos 10% a 90°C, en donde la contracción en la otra dirección es S ± 20%.
- 22El método de cualquiera de las reivindicaciones anteriores, que adicíonalmente comprende calentar la etiqueta después de la aplicación simultánea de calor y presión a la etiqueta mediante el montaje de cuchilla de aire caliente.
Independent claims22
216 paragraphs in 2 sections, as filed
(54) Title: METHOD FOR APPLYING A PRESSURE SENSITIVE CONTRACTABLE LABEL TO AN ARTICLE. (54) Title: METHOD FOR APPLYING A PRESSURE SENSITIVE SHRINK LABEL TO AN ARTICLE.
(57) Summary
A method of applying a label (12) to an article (10), the method comprises: - providing an article having a surface comprising at least one compound curve (16), - providing a label comprising (i) a heat shrinkable film having an inner surface and an outer surface, and (ii) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the inner surface of the heat shrinkable film, where the label has a first edge and a contact region, - - by contacting the adhesive layer in the contact region of the label with the article, - and simultaneously applying heat and pressure to the label in a direction of the contact zone with the first edge such that the first edge of the label adheres to the article and the label shrinks to conform to the compound curve of the article, where heat and pressure are applied by at least one hot air knife assembly comprising a source of hot air, a flow control mechanism and one or more hot air slots.
(57) Abstract
A method of applying a label (12) to an article (10), the method comprising: - providing an article having a surface comprising at least one compound curve (16); - providing a label comprising (i) a heat shrinkable film having an inner surface and an outer surface; and (ii) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the inner surface of the heat shrinkable film, where the label has a first edge and a contact region, - - contacting the adhesive layer in the contact region of the label with the article; - and applying heat and pressure simultaneously to the label in a direction from the contact region to the first edge such that the first edge of the label adheres to the article and the label shrinks to conform to the compound curve of the article, where the heat and pressure are applied by at least one hot air knife assembly comprising a source of heated air, a flow control mechanism and one or more hot air slots.
METHOD FOR APPLYING A CONTRACTABLE LABEL
PRESSURE SENSITIVE TO AN ITEM
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to shrinkable pressure sensitive labels. More specifically, the invention relates to pressure sensitive labels that have superior adaptability to packages having complex shapes, and to methods of applying such labels.
Background of the Invention
It is common practice to apply labels to containers or bottles to provide information such as the supplier of the i
container or contents of the container. Such containers and bottles are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to hold many and different types of materials such as detergents, chemicals, personal care products,
I motor, drinks, etc.
Polymeric film materials and film printing surfaces have been described for use as labels in various fields. Polymeric labels are increasingly desired for many applications, particularly transparent polymeric labels since they provide a labelless appearance to decorated glass and plastic containers. Paper labels block the visibility of the container and / or the contents of the container. Transparent polymeric labels enhance the
Visual visual aesthetics of the packaging, and therefore of the product, and its use has increased faster than paper labels in the packaging decoration market as consumer product companies continually seek to improve the appearance of their products. Polymeric film labels also have superior mechanical characteristics, such as tensile strength and abrasion resistance.
Traditional pressure sensitive adhesive labels (PSA) often have difficulty adhering easily to packages that have curved surfaces and / or complex shapes without wrinkling, folding or peeling off curved surfaces. The label size of traditional PSA labels is limited to no larger than 1/4 inch (6.35 millimeters) away from the (start) edge of the curvature of a container or item. Shrink sleeve labels have been commonly used on these types of composite packaging. Labeling operations are performed using processes and methods that require the formation of a tube or sleeve of heat shrinkable film that is placed over the container and heated to shrink the film to fit the size and shape of the container. Alternatively, the packages are fully wrapped with a shrink label using a process where the shrink film is applied to the package directly from a continuous roll of film material and then heat is applied to fit the package wrapped label. However, label defects can occur during labeling operations of simple or compound bottle shapes during application or in subsequent application processes. These misapplied labels result in large amounts of waste or additional processing steps, which can be costly.
The present invention provides a pressure sensitive adhesive label that can be applied to packages and articles on complex shapes and compound curves with less material required and less cost than for shrink wrap or shrink sleeve labels. Furthermore, the labels of the present invention allow the user to expand the advertising or graphic region of traditional pressure sensitive labels on packages and articles having complex shapes and / or compound curves.
Brief Description of the Invention
A label is provided for use on a curved or non-flat surface comprising a heat shrinkable film and a pressure sensitive adhesive. In one embodiment, a pressure sensitive adhesive label is provided for application to a surface having at least one compound curve, the label comprising: a heat shrinkable film having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a machine direction and a transverse direction, the film has a main contraction S in at least one direction of at least 10% at 90 ° C, where the contraction in the other direction is S ± 20%; and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the inner surface of the heat shrinkable film. The shrink film has moderate, balanced shrinkage in the machine direction and cross direction. In one embodiment, the film has a last S shrinkage in at least one direction of at least 10% at 90 ° C, and the shrinkage in the other direction is S ± 10%. The label may additionally include a release liner attached in a removable manner to the adhesive layer.
An article bearing a label is also provided, comprising: an article having a surface comprising at least one compound curve; and a pressure sensitive label comprising a heat shrinkable film having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the inner surface of the heat shrinkable film, wherein the label is applied to by at least a compound curve.
A method of applying a label to an article is provided where the article has a surface that has at least one compound curve. The method comprises: (a) providing an article having a surface comprising at least one compound curve; (b) providing a label comprising (i) a heat shrinkable film having an inner surface and an outer surface and (ii) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the inner surface of the heat shrinkable film, wherein the tag has a central portion and a peripheral portion; (c) contacting the adhesive layer of the central portion of the label with the article; (d) applying pressure to the label in an outward direction from the central portion to the peripheral portion, where at least a portion of the label is applied to at least one composite curve of the article; and (e) applying heat to at least a portion of the label to shrink at least the portion of the label and adhere the label to the article. After or during the application of heat, the label can be compressed or pressed to fully adhere the label to the item and remove any remaining defects on the label.
In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of applying a label to an article, the method includes the steps of: providing an article having a surface that includes at least one compound curve; providing a label including (I) a heat shrinkable film having an inner surface and an outer surface; and (ii) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the Inner surface of the heat shrinkable film, where the label has a first edge and a contact glue; contacting the adhesive layer in the region of contact with the article; and applying heat and pressure to the label in a direction from the contact region to the first edge such that the first edge of the label adheres to the article and the label simultaneously contracts to the composite curve of the article, where the heat and Pressure is applied by at least one hot air knife assembly comprising a heated air source, a flow control mechanism, and one or more hot air knife slots.
In one embodiment, the label includes a center and a second edge opposite the first edge, and the contact region is near or in the center of the label. In another embodiment, the label includes a second edge opposite the first edge, and the io contact line is near the second edge of the label.
Heat and pressure can be applied to the label by a hot air knife mount that includes at least two hot air knife slots that externally rotate from the center of the label to the first and second edges to adhere the label to the Article.
In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, a first hot air knife slot applies heat and pressure to the center of the label outside the first edge of the label, and a second hot air knife slot applies heat and pressure to the center of the label externally to the second edge of the label. The item can rotate approximately 180 ° before application using heat and pressure through the second hot air knife slot to the label.
Brief Description of Drawings
Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a container to which the label of the present invention has been applied, relative to I to prior art pressure sensitive labels.
Figures 2A to 2D illustrate the labeled container before and after the application of heat to the label.
Figures 3A to 3D illustrate the modalities of the packages having complex shapes and compound curves to which the label of the present invention is applied.
Figures 4A and 4B illustrate front views of the modalities of the packages having irregular surfaces.
Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of a portion of a labeled article having a compound curve.
Figures 6A-6D schematically illustrate the process for applying the label to an article having a compound curve.
Figures 7A and 7B schematically illustrate one embodiment of the process for applying a tag to an article where an oscillating beam is used.
Figures 8A and 8B are schematic views of an air knife assembly for simultaneously applying heat and pressure to a label.
Figures 9A-9E are schematic views of a process for applying a label to an article using the multiple air knife slots.
Detailed description of the invention
Pressure sensitive adhesive labels are provided provided that they can improve the appearance of the labeled packages and articles by adapting to the contours of the package or article and provide an enlarged label appearance. End users and product designers must currently alter their designs to accommodate the limitations of traditional product decoration technologies. The labels of this invention provide designers with more freedom in product designs to create more shelf appeal and contain more information.
Containers and articles with compound curves commonly have to be wrapped entirely with shrink film to label or embellish the article. The labels of the present invention are capable of expanding the label over complex curves without having to completely wrap the article. This partial label coverage affects the cost of the product as well as the appearance of the product. Common pressure sensitive labels cannot be applied to containers and items without undesirable folding and wrinkling of the label. "Folding" is defined as the accumulation of excess label material that is lifted off the article to which the label is applied.
The labels of the present invention provide significant processing advantages over traditional shrink labels. For example, the pressure sensitive shrink labels of the present invention allow for more traditional printing and secondary processes such as. Ί lamination and heat stamping. Where common shrink labels must be printed on the secondary surface, the labels of the present invention can be Surface Printed, which improves the color quality, sharpness, and texture of the printed image. The label film can be '
Print by water based flexographic printing, UV flexographic printing, UV letterpress, UV filter, solvent rotogravure and thermal lamination stamping.
Pressure sensitive labels comprise (a) a heat shrinkable polymeric film having an inner surface and an outer surface and a machine direction and a transverse direction; and (b) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the Inner surface of the heat shrinkable film. The shrinkage of the heat shrinkable polymeric film is balanced in the machine direction and in the transverse direction. In at least one direction, the main shrinkage (S) is at least 10% at 90 ° C and in the other direction, the shrinkage is S ± 20%. As an illustration of balanced shrinkage, if the machine direction shrinkage is 40% at 105 ° C, then the transverse direction shrinkage is 40% ± 20%, or within the
20% to 60% at 105 ° C. In one embodiment, the main shrinkage (S) is at least 10% at 90 ° C and in the other direction, the shrinkage is S ± 10%. As used herein, the
,. The term "main shrinkage" means that the maximum shrinkage of the film is capable of reaching a particular shrinkage temperature, as measured by the ASTM D method.
1204.
The labels are not provided as a shrink sleeve or tube that encapsulates the entire item or as a shrink wrap tag that wraps around the item and forms a joint where the ends of the tag meet. The present labels can be provided in a variety of ways to suit the article or package in which they are applied, giving the package designer greater latitude in package configuration and label design than traditional or pressure sensitive labels. with shrink sleeve or shrink sleeve labels. The labels can be cut to the desired shape by any known method, including, for example, puncture and laser cutting. In one embodiment, the label is punctured into a specific configuration that compensates for shrinkage of the label and the shape of the article to which it is applied.
Because the label is customizable, the label area or
The graphics of the labeled container can be further expanded on the edges of the container and on the curved composite areas of the container. The label can be 10% to 30% larger than a standard PSA label. As used herein, the term "compound curve" means a surface that has no direction in which there is no curvature. For example, the surface of a sphere or the surface of an ellipsoid has a curvature in each direction, and therefore has compound curves. A cylinder, on the other hand, has a surface in which there is at least one direction in which there is no curvature. Thus, a simple cylinder does not have compound curves.
Figure 1 illustrates the enlarged label area of the pressure sensitive shrink tag of the present invention. The ío 10 bottle has a pressure sensitive shrinkable label 12 attached to it. Dashed line 14 indicates the outer limit of standard pressure sensitive labels. A standard pressure sensitive (i.e. non-shrink) label cannot extend over the areas of the bottle that have compound curves 16 (the area between the inner dashed line and the outer solid line). When label 12 is initially applied to bottle 10, creases and wrinkles may form near the perimeter of the label in areas of the bottle that have compound curves 16.
Once the pressure sensitive label is applied to the package, heat is applied as needed to remove any defects in the label application such as creases, edge lift, and wrinkles. In one embodiment, pressure and / or compression can be used in addition to the application of heat to eliminate any defects.
Referring to Figures 2A-2D, the present label and the method of applying the label are illustrated. In Figures 2A and 2B, a label 12 including a shrink film having
I A continuous layer of pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereto is applied to a container 10 having compound curves around the circumference of the container, and then pressed.
No heat is applied to the label. Label 12 extends over compound curves 16 where folds 18 form near the perimeter of label 20. Figures 2C and 2D show the labeled package of Figures 2A-2B after heat is applied to the label. The folds 18 have been removed and the label 12 conforms to the composite curves of the package 10 near the perimeter of the label 20 without any flaws.
The article or container to which the label is applied can be provided in a variety of shapes or profiles. Non-limiting examples of convenient items include containers with and without closures, trays, lids, toys, accessories, etc. The article or container can be made of any conventional polymer, glass, or metal such as aluminum. Examples of suitable polymeric materials include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, nylon, ethylene25 fluorinated propylene, polystyrene, etc. The article or package can be made by a number of various processes known in the art, such as blow molding, injection molding, thermal forming, rotary molding, and the like.
Useful containers include, for example, a bottle that has a closure at the top of the bottle, a reverse bottle that has a closure at the bottom of the bottle, a bottle with a pump distributor or a forming distributor. foam, a tube with a closure and a squeeze bottle with a closure.
The container or article may have a transparent appearance.
In one embodiment, the container or article has a translucent appearance. The translucent appearance can be achieved by, for example, treatments on the container or transparent article, addition of ingredients such as dyes and pearlescent agents based on polymers, the use of polypropylene and / or polyethylene that are mixed with the clarifying agents. Treatments include, for example, spray coating, sandblasting, and mold surface treatment.
The packaging or article may include aesthetic characteristics, including, for example, textures, reliefs, optical images, opaque or matte color, holograms, etc. The surface of the container or article can be treated before the application of the label. For example, the surface of the container or article can be flame treated or a base coat can be applied.
Figures 3A, 3B and 3C each illustrate a package having a complex shape and compound curves. Fig. 3A is a front view of a container 30a having a symmetrical spherical shape where the container has a sharp concave area 32 on the lid and a wider convex area 33 towards the bottom. Commonly, a shrink sleeve would be used to provide a functional label for this container. With the present invention, a pressure sensitive shrinkable label 31 can be applied smoothly to the container 30a without the appearance of label defects. FIG. 3B is a front view of a container 30b having an asymmetric shape where one side of the container has a concave area 34 and a convex area 35 and opposite side curves in a substantially similar manner along the length of the container. The conventional method of labeling container 30b would be to apply a shrink sleeve label that conforms to the complex shape of the container. A shrinkable pressure sensitive label 31 can be applied to container 30b to provide a sufficient label area with much less label material. Figure 3C is a front view of a container 30c which is a reverse bottle having a closure 36 at the bottom and label 31 applied to the front surface. Figure 3D is a side view of the container
30c. Areas 37 within dashed lines Indicate the outer limits of standard pressure sensitive labels that can be applied to the container. The complex shape of this package requires two separate standard pressure sensitive labels to decorate the package, since application of a continuous standard pressure sensitive label would result in the formation of fold and fold defects. The pressure sensitive shrink tag 31 can cover a much larger area, providing more design options for the product designer.
Figures 4A and 4B each illustrate a container having an uneven surface. FIG. 4A is a front view of a container 40a having raised ridges 42 along one or both sides of the container. The opposite side of the container has a smooth surface. FIG. 4B is a front view of a container 40b having circumferentially hollow rings 43 along the length of the container. It should be noted that cylindrical shaped articles having compound curve areas such as packages 40a and 40b are not excluded from the articles claimed herein.
Figure 5 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a portion of a container to which the label has been applied. Container 50 has a surface comprising a compound curve. Label 52 is applied to the container and covers a portion of the curved composite area. Line 54 indicates the outer limit at which common pressure sensitive labels can be applied without the formation of label defects. Area 56 indicates the enlarged label area that can be obtained with the present labels without the formation of defects such as wrinkles, edge elevation or folds.
Shrink film
The polymeric films useful in the label constructions of the present invention possess balanced shrink characteristics. Balanced shrinkage characteristics allow the film to tighten the creases and wrinkles initially formed on the label when the label is applied to curved surfaces, and allows the creases and wrinkles to compress with minimal distortion of the label graphics. Films that have unbalanced shrinkage, i.e. films that have a high level of shrinkage in one direction and a low to moderate level of shrinkage in the other direction are not particularly useful because while the creases can be removed in one direction, in the other direction the formation of folds is aggravated. Useful films with balanced traction allow a wider variety of label shapes to be applied to a wider variety of packaging shapes.
In one embodiment, the polymeric film has a major shrinkage (S) that is measured by the ASTM D1204 procedure in at least one direction of at least 10% at 90 ° C and in the other direction, the shrinkage is S ± 20 %. In another embodiment, the film has a major shrinkage (S) in at least one direction of about 10% to about 50% at 70 ° C and in the other direction, the shrinkage is S ± 20%. In one embodiment, the main shrinkage (S) is at least 10% at 90 ° C and in the other direction, the shrinkage is S ± 10%. The shrinkage onset temperature of the film, in one embodiment, is from about 60 ° C to about 80 ° C.
The shrinkable film must be thermally shrinkable and still have sufficient stiffness to distribute using conventional labeling equipment and processes, which include label printing, punching, and transfer. The stiffness of the required film depends on the size of the label, speed of application and labeling equipment that is used. In one embodiment, the shrink film has a machine direction stiffness of at least 5mN, as measured by the L&W flexural strength test. In one embodiment, the shrink film has a stiffness of at least 10mN, or at least 20mN. The stiffness of the shrink film is important for the proper distribution of the labels on a peel plate at higher linear speeds.
In one embodiment, punched labels are applied to the item or container in an automated labeling line process at a linear rate of at least 100 units per minute, or at least 250 units per minute, or at least 500 units per minute. .
In one embodiment, the shrink film has a drying modulus of 2% as measured by ASTM D882 in the direction
Machine I from about 20,000 to about 1
400,000 psi, and in the cross (or cross) direction (TD) from about 20,000 to about 400,000 psi. In another embodiment, the drying modulus of 2% of the film is from about 30,000 to about 300,000 in the machine direction and from about 30,000 to about 300,000 in the cross direction. The film may have a lower modulus in the cross direction than in the machine direction (MD) to easily distribute the label while keeping the modulus low enough at
TD for adaptability and / or compression.
The polymeric film can be made by conventional processes. For example, the film may be produced using a double bubble process, tensioning process, or may comprise a blown film.
The useful shrink film on the label can be a single-layer construction or a multi-layer construction. The layer or layers of the shrinkable film can be formed from a polymer chosen from polyester, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, copolymers, and mixtures thereof.
Polyolefins comprise olefin homopolymers or copolymers that are aliphatic hydrocarbons that have one or more carbon-carbon double bonds. The IF
Olefins include alkenes comprising 1-alkenes, also known as alphaolefins, such as 1-butene, and internal alkenes that have the carbon-carbon double bond at non-terminal carbon chain carbon atoms, such as 2-butene, cyclic olefins having one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, such as cyclohexene and norborne-Canadian, and cyclic pollenes that are non-cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons having two or more carbon-carbon double bonds, such as 1,4-butalened and isoprene. The polyolefins comprise alkene homopolymers of a single alkene monomer, such as a polypropylene homopolymer, alkene copolymers of at least one
I alkene monomer and one or more additional olefin monomers where the first alkene mentioned is the main component of the copolymer, such as a propylene-ethylene copolymer and a propylene-ethylene-butadiene copolymer, cyclic olefin homopolymers of a single monomer olefin
Cyclic I, and cyclic olefin copolymers of at least one cyclic olefin monomer and one or more additional olefin monomers wherein the first mentioned cyclic olefin is the major component of the copolymer, and mixtures of any of the foregoing olefin polymers.
In one embodiment, the shrink film is a multilayer film that comprises a base layer and at least one surface layer. The surface layer may be a printable surface layer. In one embodiment, the multi-layer roll film comprises one base and two surface layers, wherein at least one surface layer is printable. The multi-layer shrink film can be a co-extruded film.
The film can range in thickness from 0.5-20 (0.01270.508), or 0.5-12 (0.0127-0.3048), or 0.5-8 (0.0127-0.2032), or 1-3 (0.0254-0.0762) mil (mm). The difference in film layers can include a difference in thermoplastic polymer components, additive components, orientation, thickness, or combination thereof. The thickness of the base coat can be 50-95%, or 60-95% or 70-90% of the film thickness. The thickness of a surface layer or a combination of two surface layers can be 5-50%, or 5-40% or 10-30% of the film thickness.
The film can be further treated on a top and bottom surface or surfaces to improve performance in terms of printability or adhesion to an adhesive. The treatment may comprise applying a surface layer such as, for example, a lacquer, applying a high energy discharge to include a corona discharge to a surface, applying a flame treatment to a surface, or a combination of any of previous treatments. In one embodiment of the invention, the film is treated on both surfaces, and in another embodiment the film is treated on one surface with a corona discharge and blown on the other surface.
If desired, the layers of the shrink film may contain pigments, fillers, stabilizers, light shielding agents, or other convenient modifying agents. The film may also contain anti-blocking, slip and unsightly additives. Useful anti-blocking agents include inorganic particles, such as clays, talc, calcium carbonate, and glass. Glide additives useful in the present invention include polysiloxanes, waxes, fatty amides, fatty acids, metal soaps and macroparticles such as silica, synthetic amorphous silica, and polytetrafluoroethylene powder. The unsightly agents useful in the present invention include the alkali metal sulfonates, polyether modified polydiorganosiloxanes, po I ia Iq ui Ife ni I s ii oxa n os and tertiary amines.
In one embodiment, the shrink film is microperforated to allow entrapped air to be released from the interface between the tag and the article to which it is attached. In another embodiment, the shrinkable film is permeable to allow liquid to escape from the adhesive or surface of the article. In one embodiment, the vents or slits are provided in the shrink film.
Adhesives
A description of useful pressure sensitive adhesives can be found in Encyclopedia of PolymerScience and
Engineering, Vol. 13, Wiley-Interscience Publishers (New York, 1988) .A further description of useful PSAs can be found in Polymer Science and Technology, Vol. 1, Interscience Publishers (New York, 1964). Conventional PSAs, including acrylic-based PSAs, rubber-based PSAs, and Silicon-based PSAs. PSA can be a solvent or water based adhesive. Heat melt adhesives can also be used. In one embodiment, the PSA comprises an acrylic emulsion adhesive.
io The adhesive and the side of the film to which the adhesive is applied have sufficient compatibility to allow a good adhesive fixation. In one embodiment, the adhesive is chosen so that the labels come off cleanly from the PET containers up to 24 hours after application. The adhesive is also chosen so that the adhesive components do not transfer to the film.
In one embodiment, the adhesive can be formed from an acrylic-based polymer. It is contemplated that any acrylic based polymer capable of forming an adhesive layer with sufficient adhesion to adhere to a substrate can function in the present invention. In certain embodiments, acrylic polymers for pressure sensitive adhesive layers include those formed from the polymerization of at least one alkyl acrylate monomer containing from about 4 to about 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, and they are present in an amount of about 35-95% by weight of polymer or copolymer, as described in US Patent No. 5,264,532. Optionally, the acrylic based pressure sensitive adhesive can be formed from a single polymeric species.
The glass transition temperature of a PSA layer comprising the acrylic polymers can be varied by adjusting the amount of polar, or "hard", monomers in the copolymer, as taught by US Patent No. 5,264,532, incorporated herein. by reference. The higher the weight percentage of the hard monomers in an acrylic copolymer, the higher the glass transition temperature. Contemplated hard monomers useful for the present invention include vinyl esters, carboxylic acids, and methacrylates, at weight concentrations ranging from about zero to about thirty five percent by weight of the polymer.
PSA can be acrylic-based for example such as those taught in US Patent No. 5,164,444 (acrylic emulsion), US Patent No. 5,623.01 1 (adhesive acrylic emulsion), and US Patent No. 6,306,982. The adhesive can also be rubber based such as those taught in US Patent No. 5,705,551 (rubber hot melt). It can also be a radiation curable mixture of monomers with initiators and other ingredients such as those taught in US Patent No.
5,232,958 (UV cured acrylic) and US Patent No. 5,232,958 (EB cured). The descriptions of these patents that relate to acrylic adhesives are incorporated herein by reference.
Commercially available PSAs are useful in the invention. Examples of these adhesives include heat melt PSAs available from HB Fuller Company, St. Paul, Minn, such as HM-1597, HL-2207-X, HL-21 15-X, HL-2193-X. Other useful commercially available PSAs include those available from Century Adhesives Corporation, Columbus, Ohio. Another useful acrylic PSA comprises a mixture of emulsion polymer particles with dispersion adhesive particles as generally described in Example 2 of the US Patent.
No. 6,306,982. The polymer is made by polymerizing the emulsion of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, dioctyl maleate, and acrylic and methacrylic comonomers as described in US Patent No. 5,164,444,1, which results in the particle size of latex approximately
0.2 micron diameter by weight average and a gel content of approximately 60%.
A commercial example of a hot melt adhesive is H2187-01, sold by Ato Findley, Inc., of Wauwatusa, Wisconsin. Furthermore, the rubber based block copolymer PSAs described in US Patent No. 3,239,478
Ί can also be used in the adhesive constructions of the present invention, and this patent is incorporated herein by reference to its description of such heat-melt adhesives which are described in detail below.
In another embodiment, the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises the rubber based elastomer materials that contain the useful rubber based elastomer materials including the linear, branched, grafted, or radial block copolymers represented by the double io block A structure. --B, triple block A - B - A, radial or coupled structures (A - B)<sub>m</sub>, and their combinations where A represents a hard thermoplastic phase or block that is not elastic or glossy or crystalline at room temperature but fluid at higher temperatures, and B represents a soft block that is elastic or is elastomeric in use or at room temperature. These thermoplastic elastomers can comprise from about 75% to about 95% by weight of elastic segments and from about 5% to about 25% by weight of non-elastic segments.
The non-elastic segments or hard blocks comprise polymers of mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and more particularly vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbons which may be monocyclic or bicyclic in nature. Elastic materials such as polysoprene, polybutadiene, and styrene-butadiene rubbers can be used to form the elastic block or segment. Particularly useful elastic segments include polyflenes and saturated oiefin rubbers of the ethylene / butylene or ethylene / propylene copolymers. The main rubbers can be obtained from the corresponding unsaturated chicklullene portions such as polybutadiene and polysoprene by hydrogenating them.
The block copolymers of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons and conjugated dlenes that can be used include or any of those that exhibit elastomeric characteristics. Block copolymers can be double block, triple block, multiple block, star block, polyblock, or grafted block copolymers. Throughout this specification, the terms double block, triple block, multiple block, polyblock, and graft or grafted blocks with respect to the structural characteristics of block copolymers that will give their normal meaning as defined in the literature such as in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Vol. 2, (1985) John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, pp. 325-326, and by JE
McGrath in Block Copoiymers, Science Technology, Dale J. Meler, Ed., Harwood Academic Publishers, 1979, on pages
1-5.
Such block copolymers can contain various ratios of conjugated dienes to vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons including those containing up to about 40% 77 by weight of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon. Accordingly, multi-block copolymers can be used, which are linear or radial symmetric or asymmetric and which have structures represented by the formulas, A - B - A, A - B-5 A - B, B --A - B, (AB)<sub>0</sub>j 2. BA, etc., where A is a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon polymer block or a conjugated diene vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon sharp copolymer block, and B is a conjugated diene elastic polymer block.
io Block copolymers can be prepared by any of the polymerization or block copolymerization procedures that include sequential monomer addition, incremental monomer addition, or coupling techniques as illustrated in, for example, the Patents
Americans Nos. 3,251,905; 3,390,207; 3,598,887; and
4,219,627. As well-known sharp copolymer blocks, it can be incorporated into multi-block copolymers by copolymerizing a mixture of conjugated diene and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomers using the difference in their copolymerization reactivity indices. Various patents describe the preparation of the multi-block copolymers containing sharp copolymer blocks including US Patent No. 3,251,905; 3,639,521; and 4,208,356, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The conjugated dienes that can be used to prepare the polymers and copolymers are those containing from 4 to about 10 carbon atoms and more generally from 4 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples include 1,3-butadiene,
2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (isoprene), 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, chloroprene, 1,3-pentadiene, 1,3-hexadiene, etc. Mixtures of these conjugated dienes can also be used.
Examples of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons that can be used to prepare the copolymers include styrene and io various substituted styrenes such as o-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-tert-butylstyrene, 1,3-dimethylstyrene, alphamethylstyrene, beta- methylstyrene, p-isopropylstyrene, 2,3-dimethylstyrene, o-chlorostyrene, p-chlorostyrene, o-bromostyrene,
2-chloro-4-methylstyrene, etc.
Many of the above described copolymers of conjugated dienes and vinyl aromatics are commercially available. The number average molecular weight of the block copolymers, prior to hydrogenation, is from about 20,000 to about 500,000, or about 40,000 to about 300,000.
The average molecular weights of the individual blocks within the copolymers can vary within certain limits.
In most cases, the vinyl aromatic block will have a number average molecular weight on the order of from about 2000 to about 125,000, or between about 4,000 and 60,000. The conjugated diene blocks before or after the hydrogenation will have number average molecular weights in the order of from about 10,000 to about 450,000, or about 35,000 to 150,000.
Also, prior to hydrogenation, the vinyl content of the conjugated diene moiety is generally from about 10% to about 80%, or about 25% to about 65%, particularly 35% to 55% when the copolymer is desired to block
The modified io exhibits rubber elasticity. The vinyl content of the block copolymer can be measured by means of nuclear magnetic resonance.
Specific examples of double block copolymers include styrene-butadiene (SB), styrene15 isoprene (SI), and the hydrogenated derivatives thereof. Examples of triple block polymers include styrene-butadlene-styrene (SBS), styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), alpha-methylstyrene-butadiene-alphamethylstyrene, and methylstyrene-isoprene-alpha-methylstyrene. Examples of commercially available block copolymers useful as adhesives in the present invention include those available from Kraton Polymers LLC under the KRATON trademark.
During the hydrogenation of SBS copolymers comprising an elastic segment of a mixture of the isomers
1.4 and 1.2, a styrene-ethylenebutylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) is obtained. Generally speaking, the hydrogenation of a SIS polymer produces a styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS).
Selective hydrogenation of block copolymers can be accomplished by a variety of well-known processes including hydrogenation in the presence of such catalysts as Raney nickel, noble metals such as platinum, palladium, etc., and soluble transition metal catalysts . The convenient hydrogenation processes that can be used are those where the dlene-containing polymer or copolymer dissolves in an inert hydrocarbon diluent such as cyclohexane and is hydrogenated by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a soluble hydrogenclone catalyst. Such procedures are described in US Patent Nos. 3,1 13,986 and 4,226,952, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Such hydrogenation of the block copolymers is performed in one way and to the extent to produce selectively hydrogenated copolymers having a residual unsaturation content in the polydlene block of from about 0.5% to about 20% of their original unsaturation content. before hydrogenation.
In one embodiment, the conjugated dlene portion of the block copolymer is at least 90% saturated and more frequently at least 95% saturated while the vinyl aromatic portion is not significantly hydrogenated. Particularly useful hydrogenated block copolymers are hydrogenated products of the styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers such as a styrene- (ethylene / propylene) -styrene block polymer. When a polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene block copolymer is hydrogenated, it is desirable that the ratio of 1,2-polybutadiene to 1,4-polybutadiene in the polymer be from about 30:70 to about 70:30. When such a block copolymer is hydrogenated, the resulting product resembles a regular ethylene-1-butene (EB) copolymer block. As noted above, when the conjugated diene is used as isoprene, the resulting hydrogenated product resembles a regular copolymer block of ethylene and propylene (EP).
A number of selectively hydrogenated block copolymers are commercially available from Kraton Polymers under the general trade designation "Kraton G." An example is Kraton G1652 which is a hydrogenated SBS triple block comprising approximately 30% by weight of styrene end blocks and a mid block which is a copolymer of ethylene and 1-butene (EB). A lower molecular weight version of G1652 is available under the designation Kraton G1650. Kraton G1651 is another SEBS block copolymer containing approximately 33% by weight styrene.
Kraton G1657 is a SEBS double block copolymer containing approximately 13% by weight styrene. This styrene content is lower than the styrene content in Kraton G1650 and Kraton G1652.
In another embodiment, the selectively hydrogenated block copolymer is of the formula:
B<sub>n</sub>(AB)<sub>0</sub>Ap where n = 0 or 1; o is 1 to 100; p is 0 or 1; each B before hydrogenation is predominantly a polymerized conjugated diene hydrocarbon block having a number average molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 450,000; each A is predominantly a polymerized vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon block having a number average molecular weight of from about 2000 to about 115,000; the blocks of A make up from about 5% to about 95% by weight of the copolymer; and the block B unsaturation is less than about 10% of the original unsaturation. In other embodiments, the unsaturation of the B block is reduced during hydrogenation to less than 5% of its original value, and the average unsaturation of the hydrogenated block copolymer is reduced to less than 20% of its original value.
Block copolymers can also include functionalized polymers such as can be obtained by reacting a monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acid reagent.
II unsaturated with alpha- or beta-olefins in selectively hydrogenated block copolymers of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons and conjugated dienes as described above. The reaction of the carboxylic acid reagent in the graft block copolymer can be carried out in solutions or by a fusion process in the presence of a free radical initiator.
The preparation of various selectively hydrogenated block copolymers of the conjugated dienes and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons that have been grafted with a carboxylic acid reagent, is described in a number of patents including US Patent Nos. 4,578,429; 4,657,970; and 4,795,782, and the descriptions of these patents regarding selectively grafted hydrogenated block copolymers of conjugated dienes and vinyl aromatics, and the preparation of such compounds are incorporated into this medium by reference. US Patent No. 4,795,782 describes and provides examples of the preparation of grafted block copolymers by the solution and fusion process. US Patent No. 4,578,429 contains an example of grafting Kraton G1652 (SEBS) polymer with maleic anhydride with 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di (t-butylperoxyhexane) by a fusion reaction in a twin screw extruder.
Examples of the commercially available styrene maleate and butadiene treated selectively hydrogenated copolymers include Kraton FG1901X, FGÍ921X, and FG1924X, frequently referred to as selectively hydrogenated SEBS copolymers treated with maleate. FG1901X contains approximately 1.7% by weight of binding functionality as succinic anhydride and approximately 28% by weight of styrene. FG1921X contains approximately 1% by weight of binding functionality as succinic anhydride and 29% by weight of styrene. FG1924X contains approximately 13% styrene and approximately 1% binding functionality as succinic anhydride.
Useful block copolymers are also available from Nippon Zeon Co., 2-1, Marunochi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan. For example, Quintac 3530 is available from Nippon Zeon and is believed to be a styrene-isoprenestyrene linear block copolymer.
Unsaturated elastomeric polymers and other polymers and copolymers that are not intrinsically adhesive can be made adhesive when compounded with an external tackifier. Adhesive agents are generally hydrocarbon resins, wood resins, resins, resin derivatives, and the like, which when present at concentrations ranging from about 40% to about 90% by weight of the total adhesive composition, or about 45% to about 85% by weight, impart pressure sensitive adhesive characteristics to the formulation of the elastomeric polymer adhesive. Compositions containing less than about 40% by weight of the tackifier additive generally do not exhibit sufficient "fast tack," or initial tack, to function as a pressure sensitive adhesive, and therefore are not inherently tacky. Compositions with too high an additive concentration of the tackifier, on the other hand, generally show too low a cohesive strength to work properly in most intended use applications of constructions made in accordance with the present invention.
It is contemplated that any tackifier known to those of skill in the art that will be compatible with elastomeric polymer compositions can be used with the present embodiment of the invention. Such a tackifier found useful is Wingtak 10, a synthetic polyterpene resin that is liquid at room temperature, and is sold by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio. Wingtak 95 is a synthetic tackifying resin also available from Goodyear predominantly comprising a polymer derived from piperylene and isoprene. Other convenient tackiness additives may include Escorez 1310, an aliphatic hydrocarbon resin, and Escorez 2596, a 5 to 9 carbon atom (aliphatic modified aliphatic) resin, both manufactured by Exxon of Irving, Texas. Of course, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a variety of different tackiness additives can be used to practice the present invention.
In addition to tackifiers, other additives can be included in PSAs to impart the desired characteristics. For example, plasticizers can be included, and are known to decrease the glass transition temperature of an adhesive composition containing elastomeric polymers.
An example of a useful plasticizer is Shellflex 371, a naphthenic processing oil available from Shell Lubricants of Texas. Antioxidants can also be included in the compositions.
II adhesive. Convenient antioxidants include Irgafos 168 and Irganox 565 available from Ciba-Geigy, Hawthorne, NY. Cutting agents such as waxes and surfactants can also be included in adhesives.
The pressure sensitive adhesive can be applied from a solvent, emulsion or suspension, or as a hot melt. The adhesive can be applied to the inner surface of the shrink film by any known method. For example, the adhesive can be applied by molding coating, curtain coating, spray, dipping, lamination, rotogravure, or flexographic techniques. The adhesive can be applied to the shrink film in a continuous layer, discontinuous layer, or in a pattern. The pattern coated adhesive layer covers substantially the entire inner surface of the film. As used herein, the term "substantially covers" is intended to understand the continuous pattern on the film surface, and is not intended to include adhesive applied only to a strip along the leading or trailing edges of the film. the movie or as a "dotted joint" in the movie.
In one embodiment, an adhesive buffer is applied to portions of the adhesive layer to allow the label to adhere to articles with complex shapes. In one embodiment, the non-adhesive material such as ink dots or microgranules is applied to at least a portion of the adhesive surface to allow the adhesive layer to slide on the surface of the article while the label is being applied, and / or to allow air trapped at the interface between the tag and the item to escape.
A single adhesive layer or multiple adhesive layers can be used. Depending on the shrink film used and the article or container to which the label will be applied, it may be desirable to use a first adhesive layer adjacent to the shrink film and a second adhesive layer having a different composition on the surface to be applied to the article or packaging to obtain sufficient adhesiveness, resistance to detachment and cutting force.
In one embodiment, the pressure sensitive adhesive has sufficient shear or cohesive strength to prevent excessive subsequent shrinkage of the label where it adheres to the article during the action of heat after the label is placed on the article, Sufficient peel strength to prevent the label film from separating from the article and sufficient adhesion or hold to allow proper bonding of the label to the article during the labeling operation. In one embodiment, the adhesive is moved with the label while the shrink film shrinks during the application of heat. In another embodiment, the adhesive holds the label in position so that while the shrink film shrinks, the label does not move.
The heat shrinkable film may include other layers in addition to the single or multi-layer heat shrinkable polymeric film. In one embodiment, a metallized coating of a thin metal film is deposited on the surface of the polymeric film. The heat shrinkable film may also include a Print layer on the polymer film. The print layer can be placed between the heat shrinkable layer and the adhesive layer, or the print layer can be on the outer surface of the shrink layer. In one embodiment, the film is reverse printed with a design, image, or text so that the Print side of the surface is in direct contact with the container to which the film is applied. In this mode, the film is transparent. ¡
The labels of the present invention may also contain a layer of an ink-receiving composition that improves the printability of the polymeric shrink layer or metal layer, if present, and the quality of the print layer thus obtained. A variety of such compositions are known in the art, and these compositions generally include a binder and a pigment, such as silica or talc, dispersed in the binder. The presence of the pigment reduces the drying time of some inks. Such ink-receiving compositions are described in US Patent No. 6,153,288 (Shih et al.) And the disclosure of this patent is incorporated herein by reference.
The print layer can be an ink or graphics layer, and the print layer can be a single color or multiple color print layer depending on the printed message and / or intended glossy design. These include variable printed data such as serial numbers, barcodes, trademarks, etc. The thickness of the printing layer is commonly in the range of from about 0.5 to about 10 microns, and in one embodiment from about 1 to about 5 microns, and in another embodiment about 3 microns. The inks used in the print layer include commercially available solvent or water based inks and radiation curable inks. Examples of these inks include Sun Sheen (a Sun Chemical product identified as polyamide ink that can be diluted in alcohol), SuntexMP (a produ Sun Chemical product identified as solvent-based ink formulated for surface-coated acrylic coated substrates , PVDC-coated substrates and polyolefin films), X-Cel (a product of Waterlnk Technologies identified as water-based film ink for printing film substrates), Uvilith AR-109 Rubine Red (a product from Dawlnk identified as a UV ink) and CLA91598F (a product from Sun Chemical identified as a multi-bond black solvent based ink).
In one embodiment, the print layer comprises a polyester / wine ink, a polyamide ink, an acrylic ink, and / or a polyester ink. The printing layer can be formed in a conventional manner by, for example, rotogravure, flexographic or UV flexographic printing or the like, an ink composition comprising a resin of the type described above, a suitable pigment or dye and one or more volatile solvents suitable over one or more desired areas of the film. After application of the ink composition, the volatile solvent components of the ink composition evaporate, leaving only the non-volatile ink components to form the print layer.
The adhesion of the ink to the surface of the polymeric layer of the polymeric or metal shrink film, if present, can be improved if necessary by techniques well known to those skilled in the art. For example, as mentioned above, an ink base or other ink adhesion promoter can be applied to the metal layer or polymer film layer prior to application of the ink. Alternatively, the surface of the polymeric film can be corona or flame treated to improve adhesion of the ink to the polymeric layer of the film.
Useful ink bases can be transparent or opaque and the bases can be solvent or water based. In one embodiment, the bases are radiation curable (eg, is UV). The ink base may comprise a lacquer and a thinner. The lacquer may comprise one or more chickenlefins, pollamides, polyesters, polyester copolymers, polyurethanes, pollsulfones, po I ivi η ί 11 di η chloride, or styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, ionomers based on sodium or zinc salts or ethylene methacrylic acid, polymethyl methacrylates, acrylic polymers and copolymers, polycarbonates, polyacrylonitriles, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, and mixtures of two or more of the same. Examples of diluents that can be used include alcohols such as ethanol, isopropanol, and butanol; esters such as ethyl acetate, propyl acetate and butyl acetate; aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xleno; ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; aliphatic hydrocarbons such as heptane; and mixtures thereof. The ratio of lacquer to diluent is dependent on the viscosity required for the application of the ink base, the selection of such a viscosity that is within the skill of the skilled artisan. The ink base layer can have a thickness of from about 1 to about 4 microns or from about 1.5 to about 3 microns.
io A transparent polymer protective top or surface layer may be present on the labels of the invention. The protective top or surface layer provides the desirable characteristics to the label before and after the label is attached to a substrate such as a container. The presence of a transparent top layer on the print layer can, in some embodiments, provide additional characteristics such as unsightly properties, stiffness and weather resistance, and the surface layer can protect the print layer from, for example, weather, sun , abrasion, humidity, water, etc. The transparent top coat can enhance the characteristics of the underlying print layer to provide a brighter, richer image. The transparent protective layer can also be designed to be abrasion resistant, radiation resistant (eg UV), chemically resistant,
I thermally resistant to thereby protect the label and particularly the print layer against degradation from such causes. The protective surface layer may also contain unsightly agents, or anti-blocking agents to provide easier handling when labels are being applied to containers at high speeds. The protective layer can be applied to the print layer by techniques known to those skilled in the art. The polymer film can be deposited from a solution, applied as a preformed film (laminated to the printing layer), etc.
When a transparent top or surface layer is present, it can have a single or multi-layer structure. The thickness of the protective layer is generally from about 12.5 to about 125 microns, and in an embodiment from about 25 to about 75 microns. Examples of the top layers are described in US Patent No. 6,106,982 which is incorporated herein by reference.
The protective layer may comprise polyolefins, thermoplastic polymers of ethylene and propylene, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyacryls, polymethacryls, epoxide, vinyl acetate homopolymers, co- or terpolymers, ionomers, and mixtures thereof.
The transparent protective layer can contain UV light absorbers and / or other light stabilizers. Among the UV light absorbers that are useful are the hindered amine absorbers available from Ciba Specialty Chemical under the trade names "Tinuvin".
Light stabilizers that can be used include the hindered amine light stabilizers available from Ciba Specialty Chemical under the trade names Tinuvin 111, Tinuvin 123, (bi s- (1 -oct i I ox¡-2,2,6, 6-te tra méti I-4piperidiniljsebacato; Tinuvin 622, (a polymer of I-dimethyl succinate with 4-hydr oxy-2,2,6,6-tet ra m et i l-1-pi pe rid in eta η or I);
Ί
Tinuvin 770 (bis- (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) -sebacate); and Tinuvin 783. Additional light stabilizers include the hindered amine light stabilizers available from Ciba Specialty Chemical under the trade designation "Chemassorb", especially Chemassorb 119 and Chemassorb 944. The concentration of the UV light absorber and / or light stabilizer is in the range of up to about 2.5% by weight, and in an embodiment of about 0.05% to about 1% by weight.
The transparent protective layer may contain an antioxidant. Any antioxidant useful in the manufacture of thermoplastic films can be used. These include hindered phenols and organ phosphites. Examples include those available from Ciba Specialty Chemical under the trade names Irganox 1010, Irganox1076 or Irgafos.
168. The concentration of the antioxidant in the thermoplastic film composition can be in the range of up to about 2.5% by weight, and in an embodiment from about 0.05% to about 1% by weight.
A release liner can be adhered to the adhesive layer to protect the adhesive layer during transportation, storage, and handling prior to applying the label to a substrate. The coating allows efficient handling of a series of individual labels after the labels are punctured and the matrix is peeled from the layer of material on the printing surface and to the point where the individual labels are distributed in sequence on one line labeling. The peeled coating may have an embossed surface and / or has a non-adhesive material, such as microgranule printed ink dots, applied to the surface of the coating.
Process
The process of applying the labels to the items or packaging involves non-traditional operations and equipment. The process begins with traditional distribution equipment that separates the label from the release liner via a release plate or tip that presents the label with the adhesive exposed to the container or item to be decorated. With reference to Figures 6A to 6D, the label 62, having a central portion 61 and a peripheral portion 63 surrounding the central portion and having an outer boundary defined by the label edges, is contacted with the container 60 initially applying pressure to the label in the central portion. It has 64 start adhesion points located on a more central label of the label rather than on the leading edge or peripheral portion of the label, to facilitate a more even distribution of any creases or wrinkles formed between the leading and trailing edges of the label applied. This in turn facilitates the elimination of folds or wrinkles with the application of heat.
For those items that have compound curves and relatively flat regions, the label may initially contact the container not on a composite curve, but closer to or within a relatively flat area of the container surface.
In one embodiment, the label is preheated to soften the shrink film and / or activate the adhesive layer.
Pressure is applied to the transferred label with a series of brushes, rollers, brushes, straighteners, pneumatic rollers, or an oscillating beam in a central outer direction, as indicated by arrows 65, to obtain intimate contact between the label and the container or item. This process is referred to herein as "rubbing. Rubbing motion from center to edge forces any air trapped under the label to the outer edges, as indicated by the arrows
66, and creates smaller, more evenly distributed folds at the edges of the label. Although the label covers the complex curves of the article, excess label material accumulates in the form of folds, pleats, channels, bubbles, and other application defects generally at the peripheral portion of the label. Heat is applied to at least a portion of the label to completely and smoothly adhere the label to the container as shown in Figure 6D.
In one embodiment, pressure is applied to the tag using an oscillating beam system equipped with a foam roller or a foam coated beam. The foam roller or beam applies downward pressure in the longitudinal direction to the center region of the label, and then proceeds to the outer edges of the label, directing any air trapped under the label and creases, wrinkles, and / or other defects to the edges of the label. This embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 7, where the container 70 having the label 71 applied thereto is placed in a lower foam block 72a of an oscillating beam. The upper foam block 72b applies downward pressure on the label 71 in the container 70 to push air below the central portion of the label to the periphery of the label while the label and the container are compressed between the foam blocks of the oscillating beam.
Once the label is applied and initial rubbing is complete, excessive label folds and material defects are removed by heating at least a portion of the label to contract the folds and / or wrinkles. The label can be heated via a pass through a heat tunnel, pressurized air, steam tunnel, bearings or stray forms of direct contact. In one embodiment, the label is heated to a temperature of at least 40 ° C. In one embodiment, the label is set to at least 60 ° C, or at least 70 ° C, or at least 80 ° C.
Subsequent rubbing of the label can be performed to remove any remaining creases or wrinkles on the label. The pressure is again applied to the label in a direction centrally external to the label. The second rubbing can be done by a series of rollers, cleaners, straighteners, brushes, pneumatic rollers or an oscillating beam. Subsequent rubbing can be performed simultaneously with the application of heat to the label, or after the application of heat.
By applying the label to an item or container, the label can be initially attached to the item by applying pressure to a contact rim of the label, and then applying pressure through the label in one direction until it reaches a first edge of the label . The contact ruler may be in the center of the label or it may be near a second edge of the label opposite the first edge. For example, initial contact can be made in the center of the label, and then pressure is applied in an external direction to the edges or periphery of the label. Alternatively, initial contact can be made near one edge of the label, and then pressure is applied through the label to the opposite edge of the label. When applying the label to the item or package, it is desirable to move excess label material, ie, creases or wrinkles, to at least one edge of the label. The
Excessive material commonly moves in the direction of compound curves, where heat applied to the label will contract the label and allow it to conform to the composite curve and remove any creases or wrinkles formed. Heat and pressure can be applied to the label simultaneously.
In one embodiment of the invention, the method of applying a label to an article includes the steps of: providing an article having a surface that includes at least one composite curved is; providing a label that includes (i) a heat-contracted film having an inner surface and an outer surface; and (ii) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the inner surface of the heat shrinkable film, where the label has a first edge and a contact region; contacting the adhesive layer in the region of contact with the article; and simultaneously applying heat and pressure to the label in a direction from the contact region to the first edge such that the first edge of the label adheres to the article and the label contracts to conform to the composite curve of the article, where the Heat and pressure are applied by a heated adaptive membrane. The: .i contact region can be located at or near the center of the label. Alternatively, the contact region may be near a second edge of the label opposite the first edge.
Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where a hot air knife assembly is used to apply the label to the item or container. A label can be applied to one or both sides of the container. For simplicity of illustration, an io label is applied only to one surface of the container of Figure 8. The hot air knife assembly includes a hot air source, a flow control mechanism, and one or more air knife slots. hot. As shown in Figure 8A, two hot air knife slots 84a, 84b direct the hot air at a high speed to the central region 83c of the label 82. The label 82 is first applied to the central region 83c of the container 81 with a peel tip distribution process (not shown) with the leading edge (first edge 83a) and the trailing edge (second edge 83b) not adhering.
The container with the label attached to it is transported to the air knife assembly via a conveyor. Depending on the size and configuration of the container, the hot air knife slots and / or additional hot air mounts can be used to apply heat and pressure to the label. As shown in Figure 8B, the air knives 84a, 84b are rotated outwardly to direct the hot air from the central region of the tag 83c to the first edge 83a and second edge 83b of the tag 82. While the hot air is forced against the label 82, the air between the label and the container 81 is pushed towards the edges 83a, 83b of the label to smooth the label and remove or reduce air bubbles under the label. The hot air directed to the tag 82 softens the tag and shrinks the tag. The simultaneous application of heat and pressure from the air knife slot 84a, 84b to the label io forces the label 82 to conform to the surface of the container 81, including the composite curves of the container. An optional subsequent heating step can be used to further shrink the label. An advantage of this method is that there is no direct contact with the label so that surface imperfections most likely are not imparted to the label. An advantage is the ability to obtain high speed processing due to the excellent heat transfer to the label and the continuous heat recovery of the air knife assembly. This method can be used to apply the labels to a variety of packaging and article forms without the need for re-equipment.
Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment where multiple air knife slots and / or air knife mounts are used to apply a label to a container or item in sequence
2? of stages. A label can be applied to one or both sides of the container. For simplicity of illustration, a label is applied only to one surface of the container of Figure 9. The hot air knife assembly Includes a hot air source, a flow control mechanism, and one or more hot air knife slots. . In an Initial stage shown in FIG. 9A, a hot air knife slot 94 directs the hot air at a high speed into the central region 93c of the label 92. The label 92 is first applied to the central screed 93c of the container 91 with a standard io peel tip dispensing process (not shown) with the leading edge (first edge 93a) and trailing edge (second edge 93b) not adhered. The container with the label attached to it is transported to the air knife assembly via a conveyor. As shown in FIG. 9B, as the container 91 is carried by the conveyor past the air knife slot 94, the hot air is forced against the label 92 at the first edge 93a of the label, heating the label and making it adapt to the surface of the container 91, while the second edge 93b is not adapted and / or adhered. The container will then be rotated approximately
one 80 ° as shown in Figure 9C. As shown in Figure 9D, container 91 with label 92 attached thereto is then conveyed to a second hot air slot 95 which forces hot air against label 92 from center 93c to second edge 93b of label , heating the label and making it conform to the surface of the container 91 as shown in Figure 9E. Depending on the size and configuration of the container, the hot air knife slots and / or additional hot air mounts can be used to apply heat and pressure to the label. An optional subsequent heating step can be used to further shrink the label.
The labeled article of the present invention can be used in a variety of applications, including, but not limited to personal care products, household or chemical products, food and beverages, toys, electronic devices, pharmaceuticals, health care products, products industrial and accessories.
Examples
The following examples are intended to illustrate only the methods and modalities according to the invention, and as such should not be construed as limitations imposed on the claims.
Example 1
A pressure sensitive shrink tag is constructed from a 3 mil (0.0762 mm) thick low density polyethylene multi-layer shrink film designated as CorrTuff by Sealed Air. The film is coated with Avery Dennison S692N acrylic emulsion adhesive. The adhesive is placed on a removable paper liner coated with Silicon GlassineBG-40. The label is oversized with dimensions of approximately 5 x 3.5 inches (1.27 mm x 88.9 mm), which is 20% larger than the industry standard recommended label size for the bottle to which the label is applied.
A 15-ounce (443.6 mi) bottle of Johnson & Johnson
Baby Lotion that has compound curves is filled with water, capped, and processed through a 9000 Label-Aire series labeler at 100 bottles per minute (BPM). The labeler has dual feed screws with top and bottom speed io belts matched with Label-Aaire 2115-CD labeler heads with high torque step motorized drive. The labels are compressed with an apparatus oscillating beam type rubbing apparatus that provides direct central outward forces to direct trapped air below the label and the resulting crease / pleat defects to the edge of the label. The oversized label relative to the bottle initially results in small unacceptable pleat and pleat defects around the perimeter of the label. The labeled bottle is then processed through a Leister hot pressurized air conveyor rubbing system at 100 bpm. High speed hot air at 260 ° C heats the bottle and label to 50 ° C, shrinking and taking the creases and pleats of excessive label material under the label to the surface of the bottle. The tag is pressed with an oscillating beam for good tag contact. The pleats contract and flatten easily after applying heat.
The finished labeled bottle with a larger label area and larger graphics content rubs smoothly without any creases, pleats, ridges or wrinkles present in large common pressure sensitive labels. The folds reoccur after the time has elapsed. Table 1 below shows the characteristics of the label components.
Example 2
In accordance with the process described in Example 1, a pressure sensitive shrink label constructed of a 2 mil (0.0508 mm) thick multi-layer polypropylene shrink film designated Innovia CZPA 200 is applied to the bottle that has compound curves. After the initial rubbing, medium-sized folds are formed. High-speed hot air heats the bottle and label to 100 ° C. The pleats contract and flatten easily by rubbing after applying heat. The folds reoccur after the course of time.
Example 3
In accordance with the process described in Example 1, a pressure sensitive shrink label constructed from a 2 mil (0.0508 mm) thick single layer polylactic acid shrink film designated as
EARTHFIRST PLA by Plástic Suppliers is applied to the bottle that has compound curves. After the initial rubbing, medium-sized folds are formed. High-speed hot air heats the bottle and label to 70 ° C. The pleats contract and flatten easily after applying heat. The folds do not regenerate after the course of time.
Comparative Example 4
In accordance with the process described in Example 1, an io pressure-sensitive shrink label constructed from a 2-mil machine-oriented, machine-oriented polypropylene shrink-wrap film of Avery Dennison thickness it is applied to the bottle that has compound curves. High-speed hot air heats the bottle and label to 70 ° C. The pleats formed on the lid and on the bottom of the label shrink during the application of heat and flatten easily, while the pleats formed on the front and rear edges remain. The removed folds do not regenerate over time.
Comparative Example 5
In accordance with the process described in Example 1, a pressure sensitive shrink tag constructed from a
I Cross-Direction Polyvinyl Chloride Single Layer Film 1.9 mil (0.04826 mm) thick designated as Penta Label by Kloeckner, is applied to the bottle having compound curves. High speed hot air heats the bottle and label to 60 ° C. The pleats formed at the front and back edges of the label shrink during the application of heat and flatten easily, while the pleats formed at the top and bottom of the label remain. The folds removed are not
I spawn over time.
Comparative Example 6 io In accordance with the process described in Example 1, a pressure-sensitive shrink label constructed from a 2-mil transverse-directional glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate film of 2 mil (0.0508 mm) Thickness designated as Fusion1775E by i5 Mitsubishi is applied to the bottle which has compound curves. High-speed hot air heats the bottle and label to 50 ° C. The pleats formed at the front and back edges of the label shrink during the application of heat and flatten easily, while the pleats formed at the top and bottom of the label remain. Deleted folds do not regenerate over time.
Comparative Example 7
In accordance with the process described in Example 1, a pressure sensitive shrinkable label constructed from a one-sided film
I single layer of machine-oriented polyvinyl chloride
1.4 mil (0.03556 mm) thick, designated Kloechner's MF-L243 / 01, is applied to the bottle that has compound curves. High-speed hot air heats the bottle and the label to 60 ° C. The film does not fit the packaging. Initial rubbing is insufficient with many folds formed in all directions. The folds and ridges remain after the application of heat and a second rubbing. The film exhibits excessive backward shrinkage. Comparative Example 8 io In accordance with the process described in Example 1, a pressure sensitive shrink label constructed from a 2.0 mil (0.0508 mm) thick multi-layer polypropylene film designated Vifan BTNY is applied to the bottle that has compound curves. High-speed hot air heats the bottle and label to 100 ° C. The folds formed do not fully contract at high temperature and do not fully flatten. The folds are re-generated over time.
Comparative Example 9
In accordance with the process described in Example 1, a pressure sensitive shrink label constructed from a medium density polyethylene (MDPE) multilayer film of
3.4 mil (0.08636 mm) thick designated as Charter Films PE 85, applied to the bottle that has compound curves. High-speed hot air heats the bottle and label to 100 ° C.
The folds formed do not fully contract at high temperature and do not fully flatten. The folds are re-generated over time.
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Table 1
<td>Ex.</td><td>Grade</td><td>Polymer</td><td>Construction of movie</td><td>Process</td><td>Providers</td><td>Caliber</td><td>Tension principal (Psi)</td><td>Module (PSI)</td><td>Stiffness L&W (mN)</td><td>Contraction: MD</td><td>Contraction: TD</td><td>Adhesive</td><td>Revesti- I lie</td>
<td> 1</td><td>ConTuff</td><td>LDPE</td><td>single layer</td><td>Double buibuja,</td><td>Sealed Air</td><td> 3.0</td><td>10,000 MD 20,000 CD</td><td>30,000 MD 30,000 CD</td><td>26 MD 24 CD</td><td>40% (106C) 70% (120C)</td><td>49% (106C) 69% (120C)</td><td>S692N</td><td>BG40 glassine</td>
<td> 2</td><td>CZPA200</td><td>PP</td><td>multiple layers</td><td>Double bubble</td><td>Innovia</td><td> 2.0</td><td>20,000 MD 22,000 CD</td><td>100,000 MD 130,000 CD</td><td>24 MD 18 CD</td><td>10% (106C) 14% (120C)</td><td>0% (106C) 10% (120C)</td><td>S692N</td><td>PET of 0.03048 mm</td>
<td> 3</td><td>EARTHFIRST PLA</td><td>Polylactic acid</td><td>single layer</td><td>Blown</td><td>PlasticSuppliers</td><td> 2.0</td><td>8,000 MD 8,000 CD</td><td>300,000 MD 300,000 CD</td><td>44 MD 60 CD</td><td>7% (106C) 8% (120C)</td><td>12% (106C) 14% (120C)</td><td>S692N</td><td>PET of 0.03048 mm</td>
<td>Comp. 4</td><td>Movie collapsible measured by ROSO</td><td>PP</td><td>single layer</td><td>MDO</td><td>Avery PPD</td><td> 2.0</td><td> -</td><td>200,000 MD 123,000 CD</td><td>30 MD 26 CD</td><td>14% (106C) 23% (120C)</td><td>0% (106C) 0% (120C)</td><td>S692N</td><td>PET of 0.03048 mm</td>
<td>Comp. 5</td><td>PentaLabei 0.0508 mm 0T- M276 / 41, 71/9400, GLGL</td><td>PVC</td><td>single layer</td><td>TDO</td><td>KJoeckner</td><td> 1.9</td><td>7,200 MD 16,900 CD</td><td> -</td><td>52 MD 36 CD</td><td>4% {106C)</td><td>56% (106C)</td><td>S692N</td><td>BG40 glassine</td>
fvJ κ> -
O> <-Λ
LZl
<td>Eg</td><td>Grade</td><td>Polymer</td><td>Construction of movie</td><td>Process</td><td>Providers</td><td>Caliber</td><td>Tension principal (PSI)</td><td>Module (PSI,</td><td>Stiffness L&W (mN)</td><td>Contraction: MD</td><td>Contraction: TD</td><td>Adhesive</td><td>Revesti- I lie</td>
<td>Comp. 6</td><td>Merger 0.0508 mm 1775E</td><td>PETG</td><td>single layer</td><td>TDO</td><td>Mitsubishi</td><td> 20</td><td>7,250 MD 29,000 CD</td><td> -</td><td>70 MD 30 CD</td><td>6% (106C)</td><td>66% (106C)</td><td>S692N</td><td>BG40 glassine</td>
<td>Comp. 7</td><td>MF-L243 / 01 WHT 03/402-B</td><td>PVC</td><td>single layer</td><td>MDO</td><td>Kloechner</td><td> 1.4</td><td></td><td>220,000 MD 150,000 CD</td><td> -</td><td>41% (106C) 45% (120C)</td><td>0% (106C) + 3% (120C)</td><td>S3506</td><td>PETde 0.03048 mm</td>
<td>Comp. 8</td><td>BTNY</td><td>PP</td><td>multiple layers</td><td>Tension</td><td>Via</td><td> 20</td><td>40,000 MD 20,000 CD</td><td> -</td><td>35 MD 65 CD</td><td>2% (106C) 2% (120C)</td><td>0% (106C) 2% (120C)</td><td>S692N</td><td>BG40 glassine</td>
<td>Comp. 9</td><td>PE 85</td><td>MDPE</td><td>multiple layers</td><td>Blown</td><td>Charter</td><td> 3.4</td><td>3,000 MD 3,500 CD</td><td>75,000 MD 60,000 CD</td><td>40 MD 50 CD</td><td>0% (106C) 4% (120C)</td><td>0% (106C) 0% (120C)</td><td>S6S2N</td><td>BG40 glassine</td>
Although the invention has been explained with reference to its preferred embodiments, it should be understood that several
I modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification.
Therefore, it should be understood that the invention described herein is intended to cover modifications such as those found within the scope of the appended claims.
Contents2
195 members in 17 offices
Priority claims3
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008059397 | United States of America | W | |
| 23776108 | United States of America | A | |
| 2009039398 | United States of America | W |
Members195
| Document | Office | Kind | |
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| AU2008237210A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| CA2683427A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO2008124581A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| WO2008124581B1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | B1 | |
| US2009038736A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US2009038737A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| AU2009231681A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| AU2009231682A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| CA2720568A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| CA2720590A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO2009124228A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| WO2009124229A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| MX2009010792A | Mexico | A | |
| EP2132273A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| KR20100009565A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| CO6141473A2 | Colombia | A2 | |
| CN101679818A | China | A | |
| US2010112263A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP2010524035A | Japan | A | |
| MX2010010941AThis record | Mexico | A | |
| MX2010010942A | Mexico | A | |
| KR20100128350A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| US2010307692A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| KR20100133465A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| ZA200906744B | South Africa | B | |
| EP2271555A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EP2271556A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| CA2768698A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| CA2940187A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| CA2940359A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO2011017083A2 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A2 | |
| WO2011017083A3 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A3 | |
| CN102056808A | China | A | |
| CN102056809A | China | A | |
| RU2009140660A | Russian Federation | A | |
| JP2011516354A | Japan | A | |
| CO6290732A2 | Colombia | A2 | |
| JP2011518079A | Japan | A | |
| EP2338798A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| CA2750143A1 | Canada | A1 | |
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| WO2011093958A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| WO2011094117A2 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A2 | |
| AU2010291892A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| US2011198024A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CO6310981A2 | Colombia | A2 | |
| WO2011094117A3 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A3 | |
| AU2010281481A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| MX2012001165A | Mexico | A | |
| CO6382147A2 | Colombia | A2 | |
| US2012040154A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| WO2012021661A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| WO2011093958A8 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A8 | |
| MX2011003271A | Mexico | A | |
| TW201218139A | Taiwan Province of China | A | |
| KR20120048661A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| US2012118503A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| RU2010145232A | Russian Federation | A | |
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| AU2012202782A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| EP2459451A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| EP2271556B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| CN102574596A | China | A | |
| ZA201007209B | South Africa | B | |
| CO6491091A2 | Colombia | A2 | |
| AU2008237210B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| AU2011209848A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| EP2338798B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| MX2012008762A | Mexico | A | |
| AU2012202782B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| US8282754B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| KR20120116008A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| KR20120116847A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| PL2271556T3 | Poland | T3 | |
| ZA201007208B | South Africa | B | |
| CN102781784A | China | A | |
| CL2012002102A1 | Chile | A1 | |
| CO6571911A2 | Colombia | A2 | |
| EP2528829A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EP2528830A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| CN102822060A | China | A | |
| US2012318430A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| PL2338798T3 | Poland | T3 | |
| JP2013500217A | Japan | A | |
| US2013022797A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| ZA201102241B | South Africa | B | |
| KR101232572B1 | Republic of Korea | B1 | |
| JP2013518003A | Japan | A | |
| JP2013518006A | Japan | A | |
| ZA201200544B | South Africa | B | |
| CN103140624A | China | A | |
| EP2271555B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| EP2603634A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EP2607249A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EP2607250A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| RU2012106814A | Russian Federation | A | |
| US8535464B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| ZA201205613B | South Africa | B | |
| US8551270B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| PL2271555T3 | Poland | T3 |
1 legal event, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Events
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or registrationFG | FG |
Numbers
- Application
- 2010010941
Titles2
- English
- METHOD FOR APPLYING A PRESSURE SENSITIVE SHRINK LABEL TO AN ARTICLE.
- Spanish
- METODO PARA APLICAR UNA ETIQUETA CONTRAIBLE SENSIBLE A PRESION A UN ARTICULO.
Classification
- CPC, 4
- B65C3/08
- B65C9/1865
- B65C9/24
- B65C9/28
- IPC, 4
- B65C3 08
- B65C9 18
- B65C9 24
- B65C9 28