DE20004025U1 - Cover or seal label - Google Patents

Description

Schreiner Labels and Self-Adhesive Technology Munich, the

GmbH&Co. 03.03.2000

Gbm 303/203-DE

Cover or seal label

The present invention relates to a cover or sealing label having at least one base layer.
0

Cover or sealing labels have now found their way into many areas of everyday life and are used in particular when it comes to solving security-relevant and security-sensitive problems. In this context, one thinks, for example, of the area of packaging (for example

5 Example containers, cardboard boxes, ...), where it is crucial that

they remain unopened during storage and transport in order to ensure the original condition and completeness of the goods stored in the packaging. In these cases, at least one seal label is attached to the opening or openings of the packaging so that

0 accidental opening or intentional opening of the packaging insofar as

It becomes clear and evident when the seal label is removed or damaged or destroyed, and in any case is no longer in its original, intact state. Such seal labels therefore serve to indicate unintentional or intentional manipulation and are therefore also intended to

5 have a deterrent effect on persons who tamper with packaging

To intervene, for example to commit theft of goods or to tamper with goods, for example by adding a poisonous substance.

Cover or sealing labels also play a role in other areas

0 important role: For some time now, many companies have been asking themselves

of the service industry and/or the manufacturing industry, the need to provide a customer with information which is intended to be reserved exclusively for the respective customer and which is therefore

require the most secure and reliable protection possible against discovery by unauthorised third parties. Such information may, for example, be the winning number of a lottery ticket or a PIN number for a card, such as a bank card or a check card.
5

In the past, various more or less practical options have been proposed to ensure such protection against discovery by unauthorized third parties:

For example, the winning number of a lottery ticket was stored in small envelopes that the customer had to tear open. Although this provided a high level of protection against discovery by unauthorized third parties, this solution required a disproportionately high amount of material and processing effort in producing the envelopes, so that the production and processing costs

5 were unfortunately very high.

Due to the fact that the use of cards has become increasingly popular in recent years, for example in the banking and financial sector, the need to provide PINs securely and reliably to

0 to the respective customer, and only to that customer. So it is surprising

It is not surprising that a number of options have already been proposed for this problem, but none of them are entirely convincing, particularly in a security-relevant area such as the banking and financial sector. For example, the possibility of using the card and its associated

5 Secret number separated for security reasons, i.e. in two, sending processes

to the customer. This has the advantage that an unauthorized recipient of only one of the two shipments cannot do much with this shipment alone, but this possibility implies undesirably both higher personnel and higher postage costs. This procedure also requires a

0 increased frequency of errors observed.

As an alternative to these options, solutions based on a so-called "scratch-off basis" have been proposed more frequently recently:

5 The information is provided by a base layer and/or by a

Top layer covered or concealed, the latter by rubbing and/or by

It can be irreversibly removed by rubbing to make the covered or concealed information visible. However, the proposals discussed in this context so far are all material-intensive, expensive and difficult to handle; sometimes there are also significant problems with functionality, i.e. there is a risk, for example, that the relevant information will be removed when rubbed with a fingernail or a coin, which is of course extremely disadvantageous and highly unacceptable, especially in security-sensitive applications.

0 In this context, it may be concluded that the provisions of the

The cover or sealing labels disclosed in the state of the art for the aforementioned purposes are very limited in their range of applications and require costly and complicated special solutions for the respective field of application.

5 The conventional covering or

However, the main problem with sealing labels is that the effectiveness of these conventional cover or sealing labels can be essentially deactivated by the effects of warmth or heat, for example by means of a hair dryer or, under certain conditions, simply by exposure to sunlight.

0 If such a cover or seal label is applied, for example, by means of a

If the adhesive is applied to a substrate using a pressure-sensitive adhesive, the adhesive strength of the adhesive can be reduced by targeted heat or thermal effects to such an extent that the cover or seal label can be removed without this being visible from the outside; then, for example, by an unauthorised person,

5 information is obtained or an unauthorized theft or other

Manipulation can be carried out, after which the cover or seal label can be re-applied to the original location on the substrate in an undamaged state without it being apparent in any way that manipulation has taken place. It goes without saying that the possibility

0 such, partly criminal manipulations immense material and

immaterial damages may occur.

Based on the above-mentioned inadequacies and disadvantages of conventional cover or sealing labels, the present invention is based on the

5 Task to produce a cover or seal label of the type mentioned above

which can be produced using materials that are economical and cost-effective, and

can be further processed individually within the framework of an integrated concept and which also offers effective protection against deactivation due to the effects of warmth or heat.

This object is achieved by a cover or sealing label which has at least one base layer, wherein the base layer according to the teaching of the present invention is at least partially formed in the form of at least one material which irreversibly warps or contracts when the cover or sealing label is warmed or heated and which irreversibly indicates the warming or heating of the cover or sealing label.

This material is preferably in the form of at least one shrink film. Shrink films are cold-stretched, thermoplastic films that return to their original shape when subjected to heat or thermal treatment.

5 Original state before stretching. The tendency of the plastic molecules to

The ability of a material to return to its original tension-free arrangement is referred to as elastic shape memory or recall. In this context, stretching is a process for increasing the strength of filaments and films; these are stretched in the solid state or during the

0 Solidification by pulling, less often by pushing, in one direction (so-called

"monoaxial stretching" or "uniaxial stretching") or in two directions (so-called "biaxial stretching"), which results in an increase in dimensions up to a ratio of 1:10.

5 The above solution with the material which irreversibly warps or contracts when heated or when the cover or sealing label is heated implies a series of particularly surprising advantages which are cleverly combined so that the cover or sealing label according to the present invention is also competitive on international markets:
30

Due to its simplicity, the cover or seal label is material-saving and can be produced cost-effectively. As part of an integrated concept, a user or processor is able to achieve the desired security and protection effect in just one step;

5 in this context the user or the processor individual

Solutions and design options are opened up, whereby the main focus is on

effective protection against deactivation by heat or thermal effects or by steam, moisture, acid and/or environmental influences is provided:

If the cover or seal label is subjected to heat or thermal treatment, the shrink film will warp in an irreversible, non-returnable and non-changeable manner, so that any attempt at tampering is clearly visible to the outside world. As a result, not only is a repeated application of the cover or seal label reliably prevented, but a deterrent effect is also achieved in that a

The person attempting to steal or tamper with information knows that the theft or tampering will be discovered immediately.

In this context, the person skilled in the art will particularly appreciate that the

5 Base layer preferably in the form of the heat or heat-sensitive material

by stretching and/or by extending and/or by pulling. The teaching of the present invention is therefore based on a solution principle that is, on the one hand, versatile and, on the other hand, functions independently of the connection of the cover or sealing label to the substrate:
20

If the base layer of the cover or seal label is firmly attached to the substrate, the entire substrate will be deformed by the effect of heat, for example by contraction together with the cover or seal label; if, however, the base layer of the cover or seal label is only loosely attached to

5 connected to the substrate, it only shrinks when exposed to heat or

the material of the base layer, so that only the cover or sealing label, but not the substrate, is deformed by warping.

As a result, the cover or seal label can be attached, for example, to the

0 opening or attached to the openings of a packaging (container, cardboard box, ...)

It is crucial that this packaging remains unopened during storage and transport in order to ensure the original condition and completeness of the goods stored in the packaging. An accidental opening or even an intentional opening of the packaging becomes clear and obvious in that the shrink film

Base layer in case of manipulative heat or heat treatment in irreversible, non

warps or contracts into a form that can no longer be reversed and can no longer be changed, so that the cover or sealing label is no longer in its original, intact condition.

According to an advantageous development of the present invention, the base layer is transparent. The use of a transparent base layer enables a clear view of the base of the cover or sealing label, for example of the opening(s) of a package that is sealed by the cover or sealing label according to the present invention. In this way, it is clearly visible through the transparent base layer where the

Packaging must be opened properly and legitimately. Essentially the same effects can also be achieved by a preferred embodiment in which the base layer is printed or colored with at least one non-opaque color.

If the present cover or seal label is to be developed in a particularly inventive manner, it is recommended that the cover or seal label be designed to cover or conceal information. For this purpose, the cover or seal label preferably has at least one expediently covering

0 formed covering layer, which serves as at least one friction layer and/or as

at least one scratch-off layer can be formed and can therefore be irreversibly removed by rubbing and/or scratching in order to make the covered or concealed information visible. This ensures that the information is covered or concealed in a reliable manner in every case,

5 A particularly safety-relevant advantage is that due to the

Irreversibility of removing the top layer means that any manipulation by unauthorized third parties is immediately apparent.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

0 the top layer essentially covers the entire base layer. This variant

enables particularly simple, cost-effective and quick production of the cover or sealing label.

Depending on the application and field of use of the present invention,

5 However, there are also cases in which it is advantageous to have the option of

Base layer to add other things or symbols next to the top layer,

such as images, serial numbers or the like, so that the cover layer can also extend essentially exclusively over the part of the base layer in which the information is provided.

According to a particularly inventive development of the present cover or seal label, the cover layer at least partially contains at least one pressure sensitive adhesive. This opens up the possibility of attaching at least one object to the cover or seal label, whereby this object can be related to the covered or concealed information. Not only, but also in this case, it is advantageous if the pressure sensitive adhesive is removable. This

The properties of the pressure-sensitive adhesive can prevent adhesive residues from remaining on the object when the object is removed from the cover or sealing label.

Thus, according to an expedient embodiment of the present invention

5 For example, it is conceivable to place a card on the cover or seal label, such as a

"BahnCard", a bank card, a health insurance card, a credit card, a customer card, a mobile phone card, a cheque card, a "smart card" or a telephone card, which is sent to a customer on a document, such as at least one sheet of letterhead, whereby the card sent

0 belonging to the secret number as covered or concealed information under the

cover or seal label and where the customer can make the covered or concealed information irreversibly visible by removing the cover layer by rubbing or scratching.

5 The expert will also appreciate in this context that.

Rubbing or scratching off the top layer does not release the unpleasant waste that occurs with conventional scratch-off films, because binding effects occur due to the pressure-sensitive adhesive contained in the top layer.

0 According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the

Cover layer is formed at least partially by at least one opaque colored pressure sensitive adhesive, which on the one hand ensures a complete covering or concealment of the information and on the other hand, if desired, enables the problem-free removal of an object that can be attached to the cover or seal label 5. In the latter case, the pressure sensitive adhesive is in practice

be designed so that the object can be separated from the covering or

Sealing label can be removed without leaving adhesive residue on the object.

In an alternative, likewise preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover layer has at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer arranged at least partially on the base layer and at least one covering color layer arranged at least in places on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, which is preferably applied by printing and which is formed, for example, at least partially by at least one expediently dark, preferably black flexographic printing ink. 0 In this case, it is provided that the covering color layer, for example by a

fingernail or coin, in order to reveal the information underneath the cover or seal label, it being useful if the adhesive layer is transparent.

5 If this is a variant of the cover or seal label in accordance with the

If the present invention is used, in which the covering color layer takes up a smaller area than the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, which can mean that the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is exposed in places, then this design variant is predestined for an application of the cover or seal label in which the cover

0 or seal label a card, such as a "BahnCard", a bank card, a

health insurance card, a credit card, a customer card, a mobile phone card, a cheque card, a "smart card" or a telephone card, which is transmitted to the customer on a document, such as at least one sheet of letterhead, whereby the data relating to the transmitted card

5 Secret number as covered or concealed information under the cover or

Seal label and where the customer can make the covered or concealed information irreversibly visible by removing the cover layer by rubbing or scratching.

0 In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the

Cover layer at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer arranged at least partially on the base layer and at least one opaque colored pressure-sensitive adhesive layer arranged at least in places on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. In this case too, it is provided that the opaque colored pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is rubbed off, for example with a fingernail or a coin, in order to remove the

to make the information contained on the cover or seal label visible, whereby

.« ♦**♦

it proves useful if the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer arranged at least partially on the base layer is transparent.

This embodiment is also predestined for an application of the cover or seal label in which a card, such as a "BahnCard", a bank card, a health insurance card, a credit card, a customer card, a mobile phone card, a check card, a "smart card" or a telephone card, is attached to the cover or seal label and is sent to the customer on a document, such as on at least one sheet of letterhead, with the secret number belonging to the sent card 0 being hidden as covered or concealed information under the

cover or seal label and where the customer can make the covered or concealed information irreversibly visible by removing the cover layer by rubbing or scratching.

5 Regarding the cover or sealing label according to the present invention,

in particularly security-sensitive applications, the - at least theoretical - possibility that an unauthorised person could remove the top layer by rubbing or scratching, read the information underneath and then re-apply this information by applying a new top layer

0 covers or conceals. An existing covering layer is therefore not necessarily

a guarantee for the original condition of the cover layer. Accordingly, according to a particularly inventive development of the present cover or seal label, at least one authenticity feature is provided on the cover layer, whereby the authenticity or the original condition of the irreversibly damaged by rubbing or rubbing

5 removable top layer can be seen by simply looking at it, because

If the top layer is removed, this authenticity feature is damaged or destroyed, so that it is immediately and directly visible whether the top layer has previously been tampered with without permission.

0 To prevent even the most clever manipulations, the

The authenticity feature on the top layer can be continued on the underlying base layer. The part of the authenticity feature on the base layer cannot be removed by rubbing or scrubbing. Even if the top layer is reapplied after removal, the fragment of the authenticity feature remaining on the base layer clearly shows that

it is not the original top layer, because a faithful reproduction

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Restoring the removed part of the authenticity feature is practically impossible. According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the authenticity feature therefore extends over at least part of the base layer and over at least part of the cover layer.
5

Depending on the specific design of the authenticity feature, it is particularly advantageous to print or stick the authenticity feature on or to emboss it with at least one hot stamping foil (this hot stamping foil can, for example, have a hologram as an authenticity feature) or to emboss it into the cover layer, preferably in relief. According to other alternative or complementary

In advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the authenticity feature is therefore printed or glued on or embossed with at least one hot stamping foil or embossed into the cover layer.

5 When designing the authenticity feature, for example, image elements

and/or holograms and/or patterns and/or lettering can be used. It is often also advantageous to provide the authenticity features in one color (such as red, black, white, ...) or in multiple colors, especially when particular importance is attached to aesthetics. According to further advantageous embodiments of the present invention

0, the authenticity feature therefore has at least one image element and/or at least

a hologram and/or at least one pattern and/or at least one lettering. Independently of this or in connection with this, the authenticity feature can be single-coloured or multi-coloured.

5 If the cover or sealing label according to the present invention is formed in

particularly advantageously, the cover or sealing label has at least partially at least one layer of adhesive, wherein the adhesive is expediently provided on the side of the base layer facing away from the cover layer. This adhesive layer serves to facilitate attachment of the cover or

0 Seal labels, for example, on a designated base, such as a

Document, for example in the form of at least one sheet of paper. According to a further alternative or additional advantageous variant, the adhesive is arranged at several locations where the information does not overlap.

5 If the information to be concealed by the cover or seal label is

the cover or seal label, it will be advisable to

The adhesive should not be opaque, but rather simply colored or, even better, even transparent. According to this practical embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive is therefore transparent, which makes the information underneath visible, especially in the case where the adhesive is arranged flat on the preferably transparent base layer. For this reason, according to a further advantageous development, the adhesive is arranged flat on the base layer and the information is covered by the adhesive.

If one compares the adhesive strength of the adhesive with the adhesive strength of the pressure sensitive adhesive, then 0 the adhesive strength of the adhesive is advantageously greater than the adhesive strength of the

Pressure-sensitive adhesive to ensure stable and reliable attachment of the cover or seal label to the substrate. In this context, the adhesive can be, for example, a water-activated adhesive or a (permanent) pressure-sensitive adhesive, whereby when using a (permanent) pressure-sensitive adhesive

5 as an adhesive ensures that manipulative removal attempts fail and lead to

lead to immediately visible damage or even destruction of the cover or seal label and/or the substrate bearing the cover or seal label.

0 If a particularly safe and reliable covering or concealment of the

Information should be ensured in such a way that a one-time visualization of the information leads to an easily recognizable irreversible change, this can be achieved according to a particularly inventive development of the present cover or seal label by

5 Base layer

at least a first region in which the base layer is at least partially coated with the adhesive on its underside, and
at least a second area in which the base layer is non-adhesive,
and that the second region is separable from the first region in order to

0 to make hidden or concealed information visible. In this way,

a covering or concealment of the information is guaranteed in a safe and reliable manner in every case, whereby a particularly security-relevant advantage is that due to the irreversibility of the removal of the second area of the base layer, manipulation by unauthorised third parties is immediately identified; as a result, only an authorised person,

For example, a customer can make the covered or concealed information irreversibly visible by removing the second area of the base layer.

It has proven advantageous if the second area is surrounded by the first area on at least two sides or - even more advantageously - on three sides.

As a result, the first, i.e. non-adhesive area, which directly covers the information, is sealed all around by the second adhesive area, so that it is impossible to gain unnoticed and unauthorized access to the covered or concealed information.
0

Only at one point should the second area not be enclosed by the first area, so that the first area can be grabbed and torn off at this point. However, this point should be as narrow as possible to prevent manipulative access to the information. Preferably

5 thus the second area at this point as at least one grip tab

which extends beyond the edge line of the first area.

From a manufacturing point of view, an embodiment has proven to be advantageous in which the coating with adhesive is in the second

0 area or where the coating with adhesive even

is applied continuously to the entire underside of the base layer, but the adhesive strength of the adhesive coating in the second area is cancelled out by covering it with a non-adhesive layer. The often technically complex partial adhesive application can be

5 can be avoided. The layer that cancels the adhesive force can be

at least one cover film, at least one preferably opaque printing ink or at least one varnish are used.

However, it is also possible to apply adhesive only in the first layer by applying it partially.

0 area of the base layer the second area of the base layer on the underside of the

To keep cover or sealing labels (almost) completely free of adhesive, which leads to a saving in material compared to the previously described design variant.

The first region of the base layer is, according to an advantageous embodiment,

5 by at least one perforation punching from the second area of the base layer

Thus, the non-adhesive second area of the base layer can be

The perforation line can be easily separated; however, the cover or sealing label according to the present invention can no longer be returned to its original state after this.

According to a particularly inventive development, the base layer is transparent and, at least in the second area, is printed with an opaque printing ink on the top or bottom of the base layer. However, it is also possible to use opaque material when producing the base layer.

0 According to a particularly advantageous development of the present invention,

the base layer expediently has in its first region at least one perforation and/or at least one embossing and/or at least one punching, which are in the form of at least one security perforation and/or in the form of at least one security embossing and/or in the form of at least one

5 security punching can be formed and which preferably essentially

Such perforation and/or embossing and/or punching can prevent an unauthorised third party from removing the cover or seal label from the substrate and then re-applying it to the substrate in order to tamper with the packaging,

0 to commit a theft, to conceal a "breaking of the seal" or to act without knowing

If the unauthorised third party makes such an attempt, this attempt will inevitably be made irreversibly evident by the fact that the base layer is divided into several separate layers by perforation and/or embossing and/or punching.

5 segments, which after removal of the cover or seal label

can no longer be reapplied to the substrate in an appropriate manner.

To place an object, such as a card, on the cover or seal label

0, according to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that

the top side of the base layer at least partially has at least one further, for example transparent, adhesive layer. In this context, it is advantageous if the further adhesive layer has at least one removable pressure-sensitive adhesive or if the further adhesive layer is at least one 5 removable pressure-sensitive adhesive, so that the object can be removed without increased

effort is possible. The removable adhesive is advantageously so

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chosen so that when the object is removed from the cover or sealing label, no adhesive residue remains on the object.

If one compares the adhesive effect of the additional adhesive layer with the adhesive effect of the adhesive, the adhesive force of the additional adhesive layer is expediently smaller than the adhesive force of the adhesive, so that a stable and reliable attachment of the cover or seal label to the substrate is ensured even if the object is detached from the cover or seal label.

0 In general, the design of the top layer and the choice of material for the

Cover layer according to the desired purpose of the cover or sealing label according to the present invention. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, the cover layer is formed by at least one color layer applied to the base layer; independently of this or in connection with this, the

5 top layer can be printed on the base layer. Alternatively, the

The covering layer can also be formed by at least one brittle material layer or by at least one hot stamping foil.

According to a particularly inventive development of the present covering or

0 sealing labels, the base layer on the side facing away from the cover layer

at least one sealing area containing a coating that irreversibly indicates a separation of the base layer from the object after the cover or sealing label has been attached to an object. This provides increased security against targeted manipulation and

5 others a "breakage of the seal" is inevitably obvious. This optional technical

This measure ensures that the information to be concealed can only be accessed by breaking the seal, which cannot be reversed or covered up with normal effort. In this context, a particularly high level of functionality can be achieved if the coating on the

0 Base layer in a thickness substantially corresponding to the sealing area

form is arranged.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement of the adhesive arranged on the side of the base layer facing away from the cover layer essentially corresponds to the shape of the sealing area. Before using the cover or sealing label

this layer of adhesive can be protected with at least one adhesive-repellent protective film. According to an alternative embodiment, this layer of adhesive can also be arranged on the object to which the cover or sealing label is to be attached.
5

All types of (permanent) pressure-sensitive adhesives are particularly suitable as adhesives, as these do not require any additional activation, apart from the fact that at least one protective paper must be removed. However, the use of an adhesive that can be activated with water is also advantageous.
0

According to a particularly inventive embodiment, the coating for indicating a first opening of the cover or seal label has at least one color layer, preferably applied by printing, which has a first adhesive force on the object and a second adhesive force on

5 of the base layer when the cover or seal label on the article

Furthermore, adhesion force adjustment means are provided which adjust the ratio between the first adhesion force and the second adhesion force locally differently.

0 If the base layer is separated from the object, the paint layer remains partially

: the base layer and partially adhere to the object. This creates an irreversible optical change in the cover or seal label. Even if the base layer is removed and then glued back onto the object, the color layer has different reflective properties because there is a gap between the

5 Paint layer and the object or between the paint layer and the base layer

Air has entered, which irreversibly and clearly changes the optical impression of the paint layer.

In this context, it is advantageous to use at least one transparent

0 Shrink film as a base layer, preferably with a non-opaque light

colour is printed or dyed. In such a case, a particularly clear contrast is created between the different areas of the colour layer when the two parts are glued back together after being separated for the first time.

5 A particularly noticeable contrast effect is also achieved when the

Color layer an opaque and/or a dark, preferably black color

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A preferred embodiment in which the colour of the colour layer contrasts with the colour of the base layer also serves the same purposes.

The identification of the opening of the cover or seal label that has taken place is particularly clear if, according to another particularly advantageous embodiment, a shrink film that can be deformed by stretching is used as the base layer: In order to separate the base layer from the object, a force must necessarily be exerted on the base layer; the base layer is thereby permanently deformed, so that when the base layer is stuck back on, the 0 separated parts of the color layer no longer fit together geometrically exactly,

whereby the opening is indicated in a particularly conspicuous manner. As a result, the cover or sealing label according to the teaching of the present invention also fulfils its protective function independently of any intentional or tampering with heating or warming.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the cover or sealing label according to the invention is when the means for adjusting the adhesion force comprise a treatment of the object and/or the base layer, which is carried out at least in places. The base layer can thus be subjected to a pre-printing treatment before printing

0 to ensure that the printing ink is intensively mixed with the

base layer and thus a durable print image is created. If certain areas of the base layer of the cover or seal label are left out of the pre-printing process, for example by covering them, the ink layer applied there will adhere poorly and if the object and

5 base layer, the paint layer will adhere to the one of the two parts that

which has undergone pre-printing treatment. In this way, the desired color layer separation effect can be achieved with the simplest of means when removing the base layer.

0 Alternatively or in addition, the adhesion force adjusting means may contain at least

an adhesion promoter (= so-called "primer") applied at least in places. Such an adhesion promoter, which creates a particularly close bond between the printing ink and the substrate, can be applied in a simple manner by printing.
35

Again alternatively or in addition to this, the use of at least one non-stick coating applied at least in places as an adhesion force adjusting agent can be advantageous. In particular, the non-stick coating can be printed in the form of at least one pattern or in the form of at least one lettering, so that a special image, such as the word "OPEN", becomes visible when the object and the base layer are separated."

The decisive factor for all types of adhesion force adjusters is that they influence the ratio of the respective forces with which the paint layer adheres to the base layer 0 on the one hand and to the top layer on the other hand in such a way that

that at least in places the adhesive force is greater on one of the two parts than on the other of the two parts. As a result, when the two parts are separated, the paint layer is divided according to a certain pattern, i.e. one part of the paint layer remains on the base layer and the other part of the paint layer

5 remains on the top layer. The adhesive coating ensures in this

This ensures that the paint layer adheres to the adhesive-coated area with a precisely adjustable force.

The coating described can be applied either to the object or to the

0 base layer should be provided.

If the adhesion force adjusting means are provided at least in places in the form of at least one preferably fine pattern of lines, dots or the like, even with a very small geometric positional deviation between the

5 both parts after re-gluing the base layer a structural and/or

Color change clearly visible.

Advantageously, the cover or seal label is provided on at least one side with at least one print which is at least partially printed on the

0 base layer can be arranged and which, for example, contains instructions for use

However, the print may also contain complicated geometric figures or coats of arms, which are not easily imitable and thus guarantee originality. In any case, it is advantageous if the print is protected or sealed with at least one layer of laminate; alternatively or in addition to this, the print may be covered with at least one contrasting layer.

be.

As already mentioned, an embodiment in which the base layer is a material that irreversibly warps or contracts when heated or when the cover or sealing label is heated has proven to be advantageous during production and further processing of the cover or sealing label. With regard to the choice of material for the base layer, plastic, and in particular cold-stretched plastic film, is recommended, whereby the plastic can preferably be a thermoplastic, for example polyamide (PA) ₁ , polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PETP), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and/or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

As already mentioned above, the cover or seal label plays a crucial role in

5 present invention is an important feature, especially in safety-sensitive applications.

Role. It can be extremely useful if the base layer is formed by at least one security material with low tear resistance, because this prevents an unauthorised person from removing the cover or seal label without authorisation, for example in order to tamper with a package, to

O To commit theft in order to conceal a "breaking of the seal" or to

If the unauthorised person has nevertheless attempted to remove the cover or seal label without authorisation, this attempt will be prevented in any case if a security material with low tear resistance is used for the base layer.

5 Case identified by irreversibly tearing the base layer

In practice, such a security material is designed, for example, as at least one cast film.

In connection with questions of material selection for existing covering or

O Sealing label the pressure sensitive adhesive can be formed by at least one acrylate adhesive.

In addition to the provision of the shrink film as a base layer, the cover or sealing label according to a particularly advantageous development of the present invention has at least one further temperature indicator at least in some areas

5, which causes heating or heating of the cover or sealing label to be irreversible

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by reacting irreversibly to heating or to heating of the cover or sealing label.

It is of increased importance that the additional temperature indicator safely and reliably indicates an attempt at interference or manipulation, for example in the case that the effect of the additional pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, with which the base layer is at least partially coated on the side facing away from the cover layer, is deactivated by warming or heating the cover or sealing label. Thus, the - first - manipulation of the cover or

0 seal labels immediately and without further ado also by the discoloration of the further

Temperature indicator with which at least one side of the cover or sealing label is provided, at least in parts.

In addition to the obligatory shrinkage effect of the base layer,

5 Interventions and manipulations in the form of heating or in the form of heating the

When the cover or seal label is removed or opened, the other temperature indicator will discolour, which is irreversible, i.e. cannot be reversed, and which is clearly and unambiguously visible even after the cover or seal label has been re-applied or re-sealed.

0 indicates that the cover or seal label has already been used at least once

was treated manipulatively.

According to a practical development of the cover or seal label, the additional temperature indicator is in the form of at least one strip on the cover

5 or seal label. This also allows interventions and manipulations in

The contamination can be safely and reliably detected by heating or by heating only parts of the cover or seal label.

The use of an additional transparent temperature indicator is, for example,

0 is of decisive advantage if the provision of further

temperature indicator should not be visible to the naked eye, that is, if the person who wants to manipulate the cover or seal label in an undesirable way by heating or by heating it should not or should not know that a further temperature indicator is arranged on the cover or seal label 5. In this case, the person who manipulates the label will be

, _ra re ·» ·· &bgr;"

or heat exposure will certainly come as a surprise.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the further temperature indicator is formed by thermo-reactive or thermo-sensitive paper which, when warmed or when the cover or sealing label is heated, for example, shows a blackening which occurs at least in places and which is expediently irreversible.

0 The cover or sealing label according to the present invention may comprise at least

contain a luminescent substance. This is advantageous, for example, when, within the framework of an optical control system for a dispensing device for cover or seal labels according to the present invention, the presence or absence of a cover or seal label is detected, for example by means of a camera

5 is to be determined.

In order to enable practical and easy-to-use further processing and use of the cover or seal label, the cover or seal label can be arranged on at least one carrier film, which is expediently applied to at least

0 the side facing the cover or seal label at least one

adhesive-repellent smooth layer, for example at least one silicone layer.

As already indicated above, the information on a document can

5, which can be formed, for example, by at least one sheet of letterhead, on

which, for example, at least one barcode, at least one code word, at least one secret number, at least one customer number, at least one personal identification number (PIN = Personal Identification Number) and/or at least one bar code as indicated by the cover or seal label

0 information to be hidden is applied.

According to a particularly inventive development, the cover or seal label can be connected to at least one sheet- or card-shaped object. As already indicated, alternatively or in addition to this, at least one object can be attached in a detachable manner by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive, whereby the

Adhesive is advantageously adapted to the object so that the

· ä S»

Adhesive can be removed from the object without leaving any residue. This object can be at least one card, for example a "BahnCard", a bank card, a health insurance card, a credit card, a customer card, a mobile phone card, a check card, a "smart card" or a telephone card.
5

Further embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to Figures 1 to 18, which illustrate, in exemplary form, seventeen schematically represented embodiments of the cover or sealing label according to the present invention.

0 Illustrations are not to scale, in particular the thicknesses of the individual

Layers are drawn greatly enlarged compared to the other dimensions of the cover or seal label for clear representation.

It shows:
15

Figure 1: a first embodiment of a packaging

applied cover or seal labels in accordance with the present

Invention, in side view;

0 Figure 2: a second embodiment of a cover or sealing label

according to the present invention, in sectional view;

Figure 3A: a third embodiment of a cover or sealing label according to the present invention, in sectional view;

Figure 3B: the cover or sealing label from Figure 3A, in plan view;

Figure 3C: the cover or seal label from Figure 3B after a

Scratch treatment, under supervision;
30

Figure 4A: a fourth embodiment of a cover or sealing label

according to the present invention, in sectional view;

Figure 4B: the cover or sealing label from Figure 4A, glued to a

5 document and provided with a cheque card attached, in

sectional view;

Figure 4C: the constellation from Figure 4B, top view;

Figure 4D: the constellation from Figure 4C after removing the glued-on check card, top view;

Figure 4E: the constellation from Figure 4D after a scratch treatment, top view;

0 Figure 5A: a fifth embodiment of a cover or sealing label

according to the present invention, in sectional view;

Figure 5B: the cover or sealing label from Figure 5A, in plan view;

5 Figure 5C: the cover or sealing label from Figure 5B after exposing the

hidden information, side view;

Figure 6A: a sixth embodiment of a cover or sealing label

according to the present invention, in sectional view; 20

Figure 6B: the constellation from Figure 6A, top view;

Figure 7: a seventh embodiment of a cover or sealing label

according to the present invention, in sectional view;

Figure 8: an eighth embodiment of a cover or sealing label according to

of the present invention, in plan view;

Figure 9: a ninth embodiment of a cover or sealing label

0 according to the present invention, in sectional view;

Figure 10: a tenth embodiment of a cover or sealing label according to the present invention, in sectional view;

5 Figure 11A: an eleventh embodiment of a cover or sealing label according to

of the present invention, in sectional view;

&ogr;♦ · ·· » SJtI'

23

Figure 11B: the constellation from Figure 11A, top view;

Figure 11C: the constellation from Figure 11B after removing a glued-on check card, top view;

Figure 11D: the constellation from Figure 11C after a scratch treatment, top view;

0 Figure 11E: the constellation from Figure 11C with partially removed base layer,

under supervision;

Figure 12: a twelfth embodiment of a cover or sealing label according to the present invention, in sectional view;

Figure 13: a thirteenth embodiment of a cover or sealing label according to the present invention, in sectional view;

Figure 14: a fourteenth embodiment of a cover or sealing label

0 according to the present invention, in sectional view;

Figure 15A: a fifteenth embodiment of a cover or sealing label according to the present invention, in sectional view;

5 Figure 15B: the cover or seal label from Figure 15A with undamaged

Authenticity feature before partial detachment of the top layer, in side view;

Figure 15C: the cover or seal label from Figure 15B with damaged

0 Authenticity mark after partial removal of the top layer, in

side view;

Figure 16: a sixteenth embodiment of a cover or sealing label

according to the present invention, in sectional view;
35

Figure 17: a seventeenth embodiment of a cover or sealing label according to the present invention, in sectional view; and

Figure 18: the cover or sealing label from Figures 16 or 17 with the base layer partially removed, in top view.

Identical or similar components or features of the present invention are provided with identical reference numerals in Figures 1 to 18.

0 Figure 1 shows a cover or sealing label applied to a package in

shown from the side. The cover or sealing label is attached to the slot-shaped opening of the roughly cuboid-shaped cardboard packaging shown in Figure 1 above. It is crucial that this packaging remains unopened during storage and transport in order to

5 The original condition and completeness of the goods stored in the packaging

guarantee.

A tampering opening of the packaging is now clear and evident as the base layer 1 of the cover or sealing label is a shrink film

0 (thermoplastic film) and this shrink film can be

Heat or thermal treatment causes the product to contract in an irreversible, non-reversible and non-changeable manner, so that the cover or seal label shown in Figure 1 is no longer in its original, intact state; the attempted manipulation is then clearly visible to the outside.

As a result, not only can a repeated application of the cover or seal label from Figure 1 be reliably prevented, but a deterrent effect can also be achieved in that a person attempting to steal or tamper with the product knows that the theft or tampering

0 Manipulation due to the shrunken state of the warped cover or

The base layer 1 of the cover or seal label, which is designed as a shrink film, is firmly connected to the substrate, i.e. to the top of the packaging, so that when exposed to warmth or heat, the area of the slot-shaped opening on the top of the packaging is also deformed by contracting with the cover or seal label and

is irreversibly affected.

Another embodiment of a cover or seal label, shown in sectional view in Figure 2, has a base layer 1 consisting of a transparent shrink film. A cover layer 2 is arranged on the top of the base layer 1, which essentially consists of a pressure-sensitive adhesive colored with an opaque color. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive with a relatively low adhesive force, which is usually referred to as a "removable pressure-sensitive adhesive." A further transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 6 is provided on the underside of the base layer 1, with which the cover or seal label can be attached to an object or a document if desired. Attachment with other

It is also possible to use other means, such as glue, sealing wax or stapling.

The cover or sealing label according to Figure 2 is ideally suited to certain

5 places that contain, for example, secret key figures in a document

Since the opaque colored adhesive is a removable adhesive, it can easily be rubbed off with a hard object, such as a coin, to reveal the view. It has been shown that rubbing off the opaque colored adhesive layer does not remove the

0 unpleasant color waste that occurs with known scratch-off films is released,

because the color is bound to a certain extent by the removable adhesive. The cover or seal label is also suitable, thanks to its adhesive cover layer 2, for use as a fastening device for a small object, such as a coin or a bank card. The cover or seal label can thus

5 convenient when sending check cards and simultaneously communicating

a secret number, which will be explained in more detail below using a modified example.

According to another, to be explained in more detail with regard to Figure 9,

0 embodiment, the cover or seal label according to the present

According to the invention, prints 10a, 10b can also be applied to the base layer 1, which is designed as a shrink film, which are made visible by rubbing or rubbing. Both sides of the base layer 1 can be used to apply such prints 10a, 10b, whereby in the case in which the prints 10a, 10b are at least partially on the underside, that is to say on the side separated from the cover layer 2

• ··· Si···

opposite side of the base layer 1, the use of a transparent base layer 1 is recommended.

Figure 3A shows a variant of the cover or seal label, which differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 2 in that the cover layer 2 is made up of two layers, namely a transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4 and a covering color layer 3 applied to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4. Flexographic printing inks are particularly suitable as color materials for the color layer 3, the color layer 3 in Figure 3A being applied by printing. The 0 ' pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4, which is arranged on the base layer 1 in the form of a shrink film, in turn consists of a removable pressure-sensitive adhesive.

The covering layer of paint 3 can be removed by rubbing or scrubbing, so that the view through the cover or seal label is revealed. Here, too, no annoying waste is generated, because the layer of paint 3 is bound by the adhesive layer 4.

5 remains and is, in a sense, only pushed aside.

Otherwise, the structure of the variant from Figure 3A corresponds to the cover or seal label from Figure 2. In particular, it is also possible with the cover or seal label shown in Figure 3A to use both sides of the base layer 1 as a carrier for

0 imprints 10a, 10b (see Figure 9). The cover or

Seal label has the advantage that it has no exposed adhesive surfaces. It is therefore not suitable for attaching a check card or the like. However, a seal imprint (not shown) or the like can be arranged on the color layer 3, which provides an additional guarantee for the originality of the color layer 3.

5 delivers.

Figure 3B shows the cover or seal label from Figure 3A, which is glued onto a document 20, in plan view. As can be seen from Figure 3B, the base layer 1 of the cover or seal label, which is designed as a shrink film, is covered by a

0 wave-shaped security punching 17 divided into individual segments 18. The

The cover or seal label serves to cover and seal information 5 printed on the document 20. The information 5 hidden by the cover or seal label is illustrated in Figure 3B by dashed numbers "1234567890".
35

27 -

As illustrated by Figure 3C, by rubbing off the covering color layer 3 arranged on the base layer 1, which cannot be seen in Figure 3C, the document 20 and thus the information 5 can be seen. In the embodiment shown, the color layer 3 has already been removed in an area 19, so that in this area 19 some digits "34567" of the information 5 are already partially recognizable. However, by "rubbing off" the color layer 3, it also becomes clear in an irreversible manner that an authorized or unauthorized person has gained knowledge of the information 5. In other words, the integrity of the cover layer 3 (see Figures 3A and 3B) provides the authorized person with the guarantee that the information covered by the cover or seal label has not been

Information 5 has not been disclosed to any unauthorized persons before him.

The punching 17 prevents anyone from removing the cover or sealing label from its base 20 and then sticking it back

5 unnoticed knowledge of the information 5. In such a case

If the base layer 1, which is designed in the form of a shrink film, were to be attempted to be removed, it would break into many individual segments 18, which after removal could no longer be glued back onto the document 20 in the exact same arrangement as before; this would make the "seal break" recognizable. By using a material

0 low tear resistance for the base layer 1 designed as a shrink film can

a similar safety function as achieved by punching 17.

A variant with a punching pattern 17, which particularly promotes tearing from the edge, is shown in Figure 3D. As in Figure 3D

5, the punching pattern consists of punching lines that extend from the edge of the base foil 1

and are terminated by a transverse line, so that the overall result is a T-shape.

Figure 4A shows another embodiment of the cover or sealing label, which

0 is particularly suitable for attaching credit cards or similar identification cards

which are used together with a secret identification number. The cover or sealing label shown in sectional view in Figure 4A has a base layer 1 which consists of a transparent shrink film, i.e. a transparent thermoplastic and cold-stretched plastic film. On top of the base layer 1 there is a cover layer 2 which is made up of two layers

namely a transparent adhesive layer 4 and a

s i.VJ LV: &EEgr;,.&iacgr;
.. .·* *♦ ·* ·· *·

Opaque color layer 3 applied to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4. Flexographic printing inks are particularly suitable as color materials for the color layer 3, the color layer 3 in Figure 4A being applied by printing.

The color layer 3 does not extend over the entire surface of the adhesive layer 4, but leaves an edge strip free. The adhesive layer 4, which is arranged on the base layer 1 designed as a shrink film, consists of a removable adhesive. On the underside of the base layer 1, a further transparent adhesive layer 6 is provided, with which the masking layer can be attached if desired.

0 or seal label can be attached to an object or document.

This additional adhesive layer 6 is a permanent adhesive which has a greater adhesive force than the removable adhesive 4. The use of other means instead of the additional adhesive layer 6, such as glue, sealing wax or tacking agents, is also possible.

With the cover or seal label shown in Figure 4A, it is also possible to use both sides of the base layer 1 as a carrier for imprints 10a, 10b (see Figure 9). A seal imprint (not shown) or the like can be arranged on the color layer 3, which provides an additional guarantee for the originality of the color layer 3.

Figure 4B shows how the cover or seal label is used to transmit a check card 13 and an associated PIN number 5. The cover or seal label is glued to a letterhead 20 with its additional adhesive layer 6. The peripheral edge strip of the adhesive 4, which is not covered by the color layer

5 3 is used to attach the check card 13.

As can be seen from the top view in Figure 4C, the cover or seal label is stuck onto the letterhead 20 in such a way that the ink layer 3 is above the PIN number 5 printed on the letterhead 20. However, the check card 13 is larger than the

0 cover or seal label and can therefore be removed from its free, cover or

The edge area protruding from the sealing label can be grasped and detached from the cover or sealing label. Since the adhesive layer 4 is made of a removable adhesive, the check card 13 can be removed without adhesive residue and without great effort.
35

Figure 4D shows the configuration after the check card 13 has been removed. Figure 4D also shows the free area of the adhesive layer 4 which is not covered by the color layer 3 and which was used to attach the check card 13. The PIN 5 is not visible at this stage. Its position is only indicated by dashed lines for illustrative purposes.

As illustrated by Figure 4E, by rubbing off the color layer 3 arranged on the adhesive layer 4, the view of the letterhead 20 and thus of the secret number 5 can be obtained. Here, too, no annoying waste is generated, 0 because the color layer 3 remains bound by the adhesive layer 4 and

is only pushed aside, so to speak. In the illustrated embodiment, the color layer 3 has already been removed in an area 19, so that in this area some digits "34567" of the secret number 5 are already partially recognizable. By "rubbing off" the color layer 3, however, it also becomes clear in an irreversible way that

5 an authorized or unauthorized person has gained knowledge of the PIN 5. Otherwise

In other words, the integrity of the colour layer 3 provides the authorised user with the guarantee that no unauthorised persons have gained knowledge of the secret number 5 concealed by the cover or seal label.

0 Another embodiment of a cover or sealing label according to the

The present invention is shown in Figure 5A in a sectional view along the section line Va - Va provided in Figure 5B. In Figure 5A, a base layer 1 in the form of a shrink film can be seen, which is divided by a perforation 22 into a first edge region 1a and into a central second region 1b

5. The base layer 1 is on its lower side in Figure 5A, which is

Use of the cover or seal label faces the information 5 to be covered, for example the information 5 on a letterhead 20, and which is referred to below for the sake of simplicity as the "bottom side", coated with adhesive 6. The adhesive coating 6 is continuous, which under

0 manufacturing technology has the advantage that a prefabricated, with

Adhesive 6 coated film can be used to produce the cover or seal label. In the central second area 1b, the adhesive layer 6 is printed with a lacquer layer 14, so that the adhesive effect is eliminated there and the base layer 1 in this second area 1b is non-adhesive as a result. The 5 lacquer layer 14 extends slightly over the perforation 22, that is, over the

beyond the limits of the second area 1b, which will be explained below

•&ugr; «OS«

Instead of printing the second area 1b with a lacquer layer that cancels the adhesive effect, it is also possible to ensure that the second area 1b remains completely free of adhesive by selectively applying the adhesive. This leads to better transparency in this area. In addition or as an alternative to this, non-adhesive islands can be provided in the edge area (not shown). Heating then leads to the base layer only curving in the non-adhesive islands (proof of tampering), while the label in its entirety remains on the object or paper.

In Figure 5A, a part of a letterhead 20 can also be seen on which certain information 5, such as a bank account number and a bank PIN, is printed. The base layer 1 of the cover or seal label, which is designed as a shrink film, is glued to the letterhead 20 in such a way that the information 5 is covered by the second, i.e. non-adhesive, area 1b of the base layer 1.

5 The first marginal area 1a adheres firmly to the letterhead 20, in particular

when a permanent adhesive is used as adhesive 6.

Figure 5B shows the cover or seal label in plan view. The illustration in Figure 5B again shows part of a letterhead 20 on which information 5,

0 here according to the example the numbers "1234567890" are printed.

The information 5 is hidden by the base layer 1 of the cover or seal label, which is why it is shown hatched in Figure 5B.

In Figure 5B, the first area 1a can be seen, which separates the second area 1b of the

5 Base layer 1. Base layer 1 is printed on letterhead .20 so

glued on so that the information 5 is covered by the second area 1b, i.e. by the non-adhesive central area. As can be seen in Figure 5B, the central area 1b is completely enclosed on three sides by the first area 1a located on the edge. Only on the side shown on the left in Figure 5B does the

0 the central second area 1b to the outer edge of the first area 1a. The

The second region 1b has a bottleneck-like taper there. The second region 1b extends at this point beyond the edge of the first region 1a and forms a gripping tab 23 there.

5 Figure 5B further shows that the second region 1b is separated from the first region

1a is separated by a perforation 22. Furthermore, the first area 1a

•&agr; «OS* »· ■ · * * · ·

provided with a wave-shaped punching 17, by which the base layer 1 is divided into individual segments 18.

The information 5 is thus sealed all around by the first area 1a. If an unauthorized person wants to gain secret access to the information 5 in an unauthorized manner and tries to lift the first area 1a of the base layer 1 from the letterhead 20, this would lead to a noticeable destruction of the base layer 1, which cannot be reversed. Access to the information 5 is also not possible via the side shown on the left 0 in Figure 5B, where the second area 1b extends to the borders of the

first area 1a. There, as already mentioned, the area 1b is tapered down to a narrow bridge, so that with conventional means no knowledge of the content of the information 5 can be obtained, at least not via this left side in Figure 5B.

In order to gain authorized access to the information 5, the authorized user will grasp the tab 23, which is non-adhesive just like the second area 1b, and tear out the area 1b along the perforation 22 by pulling.
20

The latter configuration is shown in Figure 5C. Since, as mentioned above, the lacquer layer 14 (see Figure 5A) extends slightly beyond the perforation line 22 into the first region 1a, it is ensured that the entire lower surface of the second region 1b separated in Figure 5C is non-adhesive and thus easily

5 can be removed without damaging the surface of the letterhead 20. After

However, after "opening" the cover or seal label, i.e. after the second area 1b has been separated, the connection between the first area 1a and the second area 1b is irreversibly destroyed, so that it is evident that someone has gained knowledge of the information 5. This means, in other words,

0 words that, as long as the perforation line 22 is intact, the recipient of the

letterhead 20 can be sure that no one before him has gained unauthorized knowledge of the content of the information 5.

The embodiment shown in Figures 5A to 5C includes the following,

5 variants not shown are possible: The base layer 1 can be transparent, must

in this case, however, in the second area 1b with an opaque printing ink

printed to ensure that the information 5 is reliably concealed. Operating instructions can be printed on the second area 1b over the opaque printing ink. Of course, the entire base layer 1 can also be made of opaque material.
5

In order to effectively counteract attempts to remove the base layer 1 by applying warmth or heat, a temperature indicator such as thermal paints can be applied to the base layer 1 or to parts thereof, which irreversibly indicates heating of the base layer 1. Alternatively or additionally, a paint that reacts to solvents or cleaning agents by changing or bleeding

A temperature indicator is an additional security feature in that it mainly provides effective protection against deactivation of the cover or seal label not only by the effects of warmth or heat, but also by steam, moisture, acid,

5 cleaning agents and/or environmental influences. In addition, the

Base layer 1 is in the form of a shrink film which irreversibly warps or contracts when heated or when the cover or sealing label is heated and which irreversibly indicates the heating or heating of the cover or sealing label.
20

If the cover or sealing label according to Figures 5A to 5C is subjected to a heat or thermal treatment, the shrink film distorts in an irreversible, non-returnable and non-changeable manner, so that any attempt at manipulation is clearly visible to the outside.

5 Consequently, not only is a repeated application of the cover or seal label

according to Figures 5A to 5C, but also has a deterrent effect in that a person attempting to manipulate the device knows that the manipulation will be discovered immediately.

0 Figure 6A shows another embodiment of the cover or sealing label. The

The cover or sealing label shown in Figure 6A again has a base layer 1 in the form of a shrink film with a first area 1a and a second area 1b, which are separated from each other by a perforation 22. The underside of the base layer 1 is again coated with adhesive 6, the adhesive effect of which is enhanced by a lacquer layer 14 at least in the second area 1b.

The base layer 1 is again suspended by the effect of the adhesive 6.

attached to a letterhead 20 which bears information 5. In this respect, there is agreement with the embodiment from Figures 5A to 5C.

However, in contrast to the embodiment shown in Figures 5A to 5C, the base layer 1, which is designed as a shrink film, has a further adhesive layer 19 on the side opposite the adhesive layer 6, which is referred to below as the "top side" for the sake of simplicity. The further adhesive layer 19 consists of a removable adhesive and serves to attach an object 13, such as a check card, to the base layer 1. The adhesive strength of the further adhesive layer 19 is significantly lower than the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 6.

so that when the object 13 is detached from the cover or seal label, there is no danger that the cover or seal label will partially or completely detach from the letterhead 20. Proper functioning of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B is therefore ensured.

The object 13 is slightly larger than the outline of the base layer 1, so that the object 13 protrudes slightly over the base layer 1. Figure 6B shows this constellation in plan view. The object 13 can be grasped and removed by the edges protruding over the base layer 1. Since the additional adhesive layer

0 19 consists of a removable adhesive, the separation takes place without much

effort, so that the connection between the base layer 1 and the letterhead 20 is not impaired by this detachment process. After detaching the object 13, a constellation arises as already described above with reference to Figures 5B and 5C. A further description can be dispensed with in this respect.

5 should be disregarded.

Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the present invention in sectional view. The embodiment shown in Figure 7 differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 5A in that the adhesive 6 is applied to the

0 Bottom side of the base layer 1 partially, i.e. only in the first area 1a

is applied, whereas the second area 1b is kept completely free of adhesive 6. The application of a lacquer layer 14 which cancels the adhesive force is therefore unnecessary.

5 In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the top of the

Base layer 1 with a removable adhesive for attaching an object 13,

such as a check card, as has already been explained above with reference to the embodiment according to Figures 6A and 6B.

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment in plan view. In Figure 8, the second cross-hatched area 1b has the shape of a substantially rectangular strip that runs through the entire cover or seal label. The strip is extended on one side (in the embodiment on the left side of Figure 8) beyond the peripheral edge of the first area 1a in order to form the grip tab 23. The first area 1a and the second area 1b are separated from one another by a perforation 22, as in the embodiments of Figures 5A to 5C, Figures 6A and 6B and Figure 7.

The cover or seal label is attached with adhesive 6 on a letterhead 20

5. For this purpose, the entire base layer 1 is glued to the letterhead 20

facing side, i.e. on the underside, with adhesive 6. In order to cancel the adhesive effect in the second area 1b, the base layer 1 is printed with an opaque printing ink from the underside. This not only cancels the adhesive effect of the pressure sensitive adhesive 6, but also the base layer 1 in the

0 second area 1b is made opaque so that the area under the second area

1b of the base layer 1. To make the information 5 visible, the grip tab 23 is grasped and the second area 1b is torn out along the perforation 22.

5 The manufacture of the cover or sealing label according to Figure 8 is particularly

cost-effective because the removal of the adhesive force and the printing of area 1b can be done in a single step.

The further embodiment of a cover shown in sectional view in Figure 9

0 or seal label has a base layer 1 consisting of a transparent

thermoplastic shrink film. On the upper side of the base layer 1 in Figure 9, a cover layer 2 is arranged, which essentially consists of a wax-containing color. Alternatively, it is also possible to use a brittle, opaque colored material layer as the cover layer 2. The color of the cover layer 2 is adapted to the color of the information 5 to be covered. On the

On the upper side of the base layer 1 there is also a print, which is symbolized by black bars 10a and 10b.

On the other side of the base layer 1, which is the lower side in Figure 9, it is printed in places with a non-stick varnish 9. The non-stick varnish 9 can have the form of a lettering, such as "VOID" or "OPEN". A layer of an adhesion promoter 8 (= so-called "primer") is printed over the non-stick varnish 9. The adhesion promoter layer 8 causes a printed color layer 7 to adhere firmly to the base layer 1, at least in the places where the base layer 0 1 is not printed with non-stick varnish 9. The color layer 7 is finally coated with a

layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive 6. The non-stick coating 9, the adhesion promoter 8, the color layer 7 and the adhesive layer 6 are arranged all around the edge of the base layer 1 and form there - as will be explained in more detail below - a sealing area which largely or completely covers the central area.

5 encloses.

In the central area of the base layer 1, it is provided with a temperature indicator 21, i.e. with a chemical substance which, when heated or heated, irreversibly loses its transparency and/or

0 color change. This is the temperature indicator 21 insofar

an additional security feature, as in the main an effective protection against deactivation of the cover or sealing label according to Figure 9 not only by the effect of warmth or heat, but also by steam, moisture, acid and/or environmental influences is provided by the fact that the

5 Base layer 1 is designed in the form of shrink film, which when heated

or which irreversibly warps or contracts when the cover or seal label is heated according to Figure 9 and which irreversibly indicates the heating or heating of the cover or seal label according to Figure 9.

0 The cover or seal label illustrated in Figure 9 is usually

on a siliconized carrier film (not shown). Before use, the cover or sealing label is separated manually or mechanically from the siliconized carrier film and is then glued to an object 20 using the adhesive layer 6 which is then exposed. This object can be, for example, a sheet of paper.

· · I

The cover or seal label according to Figure 9 is ideally suited to covering certain places in a document 20 which contain, for example, secret identification numbers 5. The waxy color of the cover layer 2, which is adapted to the color of the information 5 to be covered, can easily be rubbed off or rubbed off with a hard object, such as a coin, to thereby reveal the information 5. According to another embodiment not shown graphically, the cover or seal label according to the present invention can also have prints on the base layer 1 which can be made visible by rubbing or scratching.
0

After the covering or sealing label has been stuck onto the object 20, the colour layer 7 adheres to the object 20 via the adhesive layer 6 with a first adhesion force; the side of the colour layer 7 facing the base layer 1 adheres to the base layer 1 with a second adhesion force. The ratio of the first

5 Adhesion force to the second adhesion force is locally determined by the

Adhesion promoter 8 and the "adhesion force adjusting agent" consisting of the non-stick coating 9 are varied so that in the areas with non-stick coating 9 the first adhesion force is greater than the second adhesion force and in the areas without non-stick coating 9 the first adhesion force is smaller than the second adhesion force.

0 Consequently, the paint layer 7 is firmly adhered to the

If the base layer 1 adheres - with the exception of those areas where the base layer 1 has been prepared with non-stick varnish 9 before application of the adhesion promoter 8 -, an attempt to remove the base layer 1 will separate the paint layer 7 into two parts.

If the base layer 1 is then glued back onto the object 20, the part of the colour layer 7 remaining on the base layer 1 could be inserted into the gaps in the colour layer 7. However, since there is a gap between the colour layer 7 and the base layer 1 due to the tearing out of parts of the

0 Paint layer 7 Air has penetrated, these parts show a changed

light reflection behavior compared to the parts of the color layer 7 that remained on the base layer 1. This can be observed through the transparent base layer 1, so that the opening process is clearly visible. In this way, it becomes apparent that an unauthorized person has attempted to gain knowledge of the information 5 in an unfair manner. If it

For example, if the information 5 is a PIN, it must

PIN and the bank card associated with this PIN must be blocked immediately to prevent further misuse and material damage.

The further embodiment of a cover or seal label shown in sectional view in Figure 10 has a base layer 1 which consists of a transparent thermoplastic shrink film. On the upper side of the base layer 1 in Figure 10 there is a cover layer 2 which essentially consists of a pressure sensitive adhesive colored with an opaque color. The pressure sensitive adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive with a relatively low adhesive strength which is usually used as

0 is called "removable adhesive". The colour of the top layer 2 is to be matched to the colour

of the information 5 to be concealed. A check card 13 is arranged above the cover layer 2 and is held securely by the adhesive effect of the cover layer 2.

In the central area of the base layer 1, this is provided with a temperature indicator 21, i.e. with a chemical substance that loses its transparency and/or changes color irreversibly when heated or when heated. The temperature indicator 21 is an additional safety feature in that it mainly provides effective protection

0 against deactivation of the cover or seal label according to Figure 10 not only

by the effects of warmth or heat, but also by steam, moisture, acid and/or environmental influences is required by the fact that the base layer 1 is designed in the form of the shrink film, which shrinks irreversibly when heated or when the cover or sealing label is heated according to Figure 10.

5 and which irreversibly indicates the heating or heating of the cover or sealing label according to Figure 10.

An object 20, for example a letterhead, is partially printed with a non-stick coating 9. The non-stick coating 9 can have the shape of a lettering, such as

0, for example "VOID" or "OPEN". The non-stick coating 9 is a

Layer of an adhesion promoter 8 (= so-called "primer") is printed. The adhesion promoter layer 8 causes a printed color layer 7 to adhere firmly to the object 20, at least in those places where the object 20 is not printed with non-stick varnish 9. The color layer 7 is finally covered with a layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive 6. The non-stick varnish 9, the adhesion promoter 8, the

Color layer 7 and adhesive layer 6 are arranged around an area where

in which the information 5 to be concealed is located on the object 20, and form in this area - as will be explained in more detail below - a sealing area which largely or completely encloses the information 5.
5

The base layer 1 with the cover layer 2 and the check card 13 arranged thereon is glued to the adhesive points created by the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 6, thereby creating the structure shown in Figure 10.

0 The cover or sealing label according to Figure 10 is ideally suited to certain

Places that contain, for example, secret identification numbers 5 in a document 20. Since the opaque colored adhesive is a removable adhesive, it can easily be rubbed off with a hard object, such as a coin, after removing the check card 13, in order to thereby remove the

5 View of the information 5. In this context, it has been

It has been shown that when the opaque colored adhesive layer is rubbed off, the unpleasant color waste that occurs with known scratch-off films is not released because the color is bound to a certain extent by the removable adhesive. The cover or sealing label according to Figure 10 is also, thanks to its adhesive

0 Cover layer 2 suitable as a fastening means for a small object 13, such as

for example for a coin or for a check card. The cover or seal label according to Figure 10 can thus be used advantageously when sending check cards 13 while simultaneously communicating a PIN number.

5 The color layer 7 adheres via the adhesive layer 6 with a first adhesion force

to the base layer 1; the side of the colour layer 7 facing away from the base layer 1 adheres to the object 20 with a second adhesive force. The ratio of the first adhesive force to the second adhesive force is determined locally by the adhesion promoter 8 and the non-stick coating 9.

0 "Adhesion force adjusting agent" is varied so that in the areas with non-stick coating 9 the

first adhesion force is greater than the second adhesion force and in the areas without non-stick varnish 9 the first adhesion force is smaller than the second adhesion force. Since the color layer 7 adheres firmly to the object 20 due to the effect of the adhesion promoter 8 - with the exception of those places where the object 20 5 has been prepared with non-stick varnish 9 before the adhesion promoter 8 was applied -

In an attempt to remove the base layer 1, the color layer 7 separated into two parts.

If the base layer 1 is then glued back onto the object 20, the part of the color layer 7 remaining on the base layer 1 could be inserted into the gaps in the color layer 7. However, since air has penetrated between the color layer 7 and the object 20 due to parts of the color layer 7 being torn out, these parts have a different light reflection behavior compared to the parts of the color layer 7 that remained on the object 20. This can be achieved by the transparent base layer 1

so that the process of opening the cover or seal label is clearly visible as shown in Figure 10. In this way, it becomes apparent that an unauthorized person has attempted to obtain information 5 by dishonest means. If the information 5

5 For example, if it is a PIN, this PIN and the

The bank card associated with this PIN must be blocked immediately to prevent further misuse and material damage.

Figure 11A shows a variant of the cover or sealing label, which

0 differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 9 in that the

Cover layer 2 is made up of two layers, namely a transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4 and a covering color layer 3 applied to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4. Flexographic printing inks are particularly suitable as color materials for the color layer 3, the color layer 3 in Figure 11A being applied by printing.

5. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4, which is formed on the shrink film

The base layer 1 is arranged on top of the adhesive layer 4 and consists of a removable pressure-sensitive adhesive. The covering layer of colour 3 can be removed by rubbing or scrubbing, so that the view through the cover or sealing label is clear. Here too, no annoying waste is generated, because the layer of colour 3 is covered by the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4.

0 remains bound and is, in a sense, only pushed aside. Otherwise

the structure of the cover or seal label according to Figure 11A corresponds to the structure of the cover or seal label according to Figure 9; in particular, it is also possible with the cover or seal label shown in Figure 11A to use both sides of the base layer 1 as a carrier for prints 10a, 10b (cf. Figure 9).
35

In Figure 11A, the color layer 3 does not extend over the entire surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4, but leaves an edge strip free. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4, which is arranged on the base layer 1, consists of a removable pressure-sensitive adhesive. The adhesive effect of the edge area not covered by the color layer 3 serves to attach the check card 13.

With reference to Figures 11B to 11E, the use of the cover or sealing label according to the present invention is explained below by way of example for the embodiment shown in sectional view in Figure 11A:
0

As is clear from the top view of Figure 11B, the cover or seal label is stuck onto the letterhead 20 in such a way that the ink layer 3 is above the PIN number 5 printed on the letterhead 20. The cover or seal label and the PIN number 5 are not visible at this stage; their position is only for

5 Illustration indicated by dashed lines. The check card 13 is larger than the

cover or seal label and can therefore be grasped at the free edge area that protrudes over the cover or seal label and separated from the cover or seal label. Since the adhesive layer 4 is made of a removable adhesive, the check card 13 can be removed without leaving any adhesive residue and without great effort.

0 can be taken.

Figure 11C shows the configuration after the check card 13 has been removed. Figure 11C also shows in particular the free area of the adhesive layer 4 which is not covered by the color layer 3 and which was used to attach the check card 13.

5 The secret number 5 is not visible at this stage; its location is only

Illustration indicated by dashed lines.

As illustrated in Figure 11D, by rubbing or scratching off the color layer 3 arranged on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 4, the view of the letterhead

0 20 and thus the secret number 5. Here too, there are no annoying

Waste is generated because the color layer 3 remains bound by the adhesive layer 4 and is only pushed aside. In the example shown, the color layer 3 has already been removed in a partial area, so that in this partial area some digits "234567" of the secret number 5 are already partially recognizable. However, by "rubbing off" the color layer 3, irreversible

Clearly that an authorized or unauthorized person can access the information 5

In other words, the integrity of the ink layer 3 provides the authorized user with the guarantee that no unauthorized person has gained knowledge of the PIN 5 hidden by the cover or seal label.
5

Figure 11E shows the situation after someone has tried to get the secret number 5 by removing the base layer 1. Since the color layer 7 adheres to the base layer 1 and the object 20 with locally different adhesion forces due to the adhesion force adjusting means 8, 9, the color layer 7 is separated into two parts 7a and 7b when the base layer 1 is removed, of which the first part 7a is on

the object 20 and the second part 7b remains on the base layer 1. In the embodiment of Figure 11E, the second part 7b has the shape of the lettering "VOID", whereas the first part 7a has the complementary shape. Even after the base layer 1 has been glued back, the lettering "VOID" remains due to the

5 changed light reflection properties of the color layer 7 by the transparent

Base layer 1 and visible through the transparent adhesive layer 4.

Figure 12 shows a further embodiment of a cover or seal label in sectional view, wherein the information 5 to be covered is shown on a

0 Base 20 on which the cover or seal label with a

transparent adhesive layer 6. The base 20 can be paper, cardboard or another base. Above the adhesive layer 6 there is a transparent base layer 1 in the form of a thermoplastic shrink film, on which a cover layer 2 is attached. In this cover layer 2

5 is an opaque layer of flexographic ink or a

different color.

As can be seen from the illustration in Figure 12, an authenticity feature 16 is applied to the cover layer 2. The application can be carried out in different ways depending on the

0 Application, type and desired size of the authenticity feature 16

for example by printing. It is also possible to emboss the authenticity feature 16 in relief into the cover layer 2. Furthermore, the authenticity feature 16 can be glued on or embossed with a hot-melt adhesive film. An authenticity feature 16 created in this way is extremely difficult to restore after the cover layer 2 has been damaged once by a third party.

5.. &ugr;&ugr;

Figure 13 shows a further embodiment of the cover or seal label. In this embodiment, the adhesive layer 6 is not provided over the entire surface of the base layer 1, which is designed as a shrink film, but is only applied in places and does not cover the information 5. The adhesive layer 6 therefore does not have to be transparent in order to make the information 5 visible through the transparent base layer 1 after the cover layer 2 has been removed. The cover layer 2 extends only over the part of the base layer 1 that is necessary to cover the information 5. On the one hand, this allows the authenticity feature 16 to be continued on the base layer 1; on the other hand, Figure 14 shows that on the part not covered by the cover layer 2, the information in the form of

a shrink film formed base layer 1 so that space is created for the application of patterns, embossing, lettering, serial numbers, punchings (none of which are shown here) or adhesive 19 for fastening objects 13. Such a cover or sealing label is particularly useful in connection with

5 with the sending of credit or debit cards 13 in combination with the

associated PIN numbers 5 because the sender also has the option of attaching the associated card 13 to the cover or seal label covering the PIN number 5.

0 Figure 15A shows another embodiment of the cover or sealing label,

whereby the concealment of the information 5 is not achieved by sticking the cover or sealing label over it, but rather the information 5 is part of the cover or sealing label and is located between the cover layer 2 and the base layer 1. This variant has the advantage that the base layer 1 and

5 the adhesive layer 6 does not necessarily have to be transparent.

Figure 15B illustrates, in a side view, the original state of a cover or seal label that adheres to a base 20. The cover layer 2 is still intact. An authenticity feature 16 is shown here in the form of lettering

0 and extends over a part of the shrink film-formed

Base layer 1 and over part of the cover layer 2; this ensures that the authenticity feature 16 fulfils its purpose, i.e. is at least partially damaged if an authorised or unauthorised person tries to access the information 5 concealed by the cover layer 2, whereby the authenticity feature 16 should be attached in such a way that it extends at least partially directly over the protected

Information 5 is located.

Figure 15C shows the same cover or seal label after partial damage to the cover layer 2. At the same time as the cover layer 2, the authenticity feature 16 is destroyed at the point where the cover layer 2 was removed by rubbing or scrubbing, and subsequent restoration is only possible with very high expenditure, if at all, so that it is guaranteed that by introducing the authenticity feature 16 it is immediately apparent whether the cover layer 2 has been tampered with or not.

0 The further embodiment of a cover or seal label with an authenticity feature 16 and with a cover layer 2 shown in sectional view in Figure 16 has a base layer 1 which consists of a transparent thermoplastic shrink film. An object 20, for example a letterhead, is printed in places with a non-stick varnish 9. The non-stick varnish 9 can have the shape of a lettering, such as

5, for example "VOID" or "OPEN". The non-stick coating 9 is a

Layer of an adhesion promoter 8 (= so-called "primer") is printed. The adhesion promoter layer 8 causes a printed color layer 7 to adhere firmly to the object 20, at least in those places where the object 20 is not printed with anti-stick varnish 9. The color layer 7 is covered with a layer of a

0 pressure sensitive adhesive 6. The non-stick coating 9, the adhesion promoter 8, the paint layer 7

and the adhesive layer 6 are arranged around an area where information 5 to be concealed is located on the object 20, and there - as will be explained in more detail below - form a sealing area which largely or completely encloses the information 5.

The base layer 1, which is designed in the form of a shrink film, can be glued, for example, with the cover layer 2 and with a check card 13 arranged thereon to the adhesive points created by the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 6 (see Figure 14).

The color layer 7 adheres to the base layer 1 via the adhesive layer 6 with a first adhesive force; the side of the color layer 7 facing away from the base layer 1 adheres to the object 20 with a second adhesive force. The ratio of the first adhesive force to the second adhesive force is varied locally by the "adhesion force adjusting means" consisting of the adhesion promoter 8 and the non-stick coating 9, so that in the areas with non-stick coating 9 the

first adhesion force is greater than the second adhesion force and in the areas without non-stick varnish 9 the first adhesion force is smaller than the second adhesion force. Since the color layer 7 thus adheres firmly to the object 20 due to the effect of the adhesion promoter 8 - with the exception of those places where the object 20 was prepared with non-stick varnish 9 before the adhesion promoter 8 was applied - the color layer 7 is separated into two parts when an attempt is made to remove the base layer 1.

If the base layer 1 is then glued back onto the object 20, the part of the colour layer 7 remaining on the base layer 1 could be glued back into the

However, since air has penetrated between the color layer 7 and the object 20 by tearing out parts of the color layer 7, these parts have a different light reflection behavior compared to the parts of the color layer 7 that are on the

5 Object 20 remained. This can be seen through the transparent base layer 1

so that the opening process is clearly visible. In this way it becomes apparent that an unauthorized person has attempted to obtain information 5 by dishonest means. If the information 5 is, for example, a PIN number,

0, this PIN and the bank card associated with this PIN must

be blocked immediately to prevent further misuse and material damage.

The further embodiment of a cover shown in sectional view in Figure 17

5 or seal label with authenticity feature 16 also has under the cover layer 2

a base layer 1, which consists of a transparent thermoplastic shrink film. On the lower side of the base layer 1 in Figure 17, this is printed in places with a non-stick coating 9. The non-stick coating 9 can have the form of a lettering, such as "VOID" or "OPEN". About the

0 Non-stick coating 9 is a layer of an adhesion promoter 8 (= so-called "primer")

printed. The adhesion promoter layer 8 causes a printed color layer 7 to adhere firmly to the base layer 1, at least in the places where the base layer 1 is not printed with non-stick varnish 9. The color layer 7 is covered with a layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive 6. The non-stick varnish 9, the adhesion promoter 8, the color layer 7 and the adhesive layer 6 are circumferentially on the edge of the base layer 1

and form - as will be explained in more detail below - a

Sealing area that largely or completely encloses the central area.

The embodiment of a cover or seal label illustrated in Figure 17 is usually kept ready on a siliconized carrier film not shown in Figure 17. Before use, the cover or seal label is separated manually or mechanically from the siliconized carrier film and glued to an object 20 using the then exposed adhesive layer 6, which can be a letterhead, for example.
0

After the covering or sealing label has been stuck onto the object 20, the colour layer 7 adheres to the object 20 via the adhesive layer 6 with a first adhesion force; the side of the colour layer 7 facing the base layer 1 adheres to the base layer 1 with a second adhesion force. The ratio of the first

5 Adhesion force to the second adhesion force is locally determined by the

Adhesion promoter 8 and the "adhesion force adjusting agent" consisting of the non-stick coating 9 are varied so that in the areas with non-stick coating 9 the first adhesion force is greater than the second adhesion force and in the areas without non-stick coating 9 the first adhesion force is smaller than the second adhesion force.

0 Consequently, the paint layer 7 is firmly adhered to the

Base layer 1 adheres - with the exception of those places where the base layer 1 has been prepared with non-stick varnish 9 before application of the adhesion promoter 8, an attempt to remove the base layer 1 will separate the paint layer 7 into two parts.

If the base layer 1 is then glued back onto the object 20, the part of the colour layer 7 remaining on the base layer 1 could be inserted into the gaps in the colour layer 7. However, since there is a gap between the colour layer 7 and the base layer 1 due to the tearing out of parts of the

0 Paint layer 7 Air has penetrated, these parts show a changed

Light reflection behavior compared to the parts of the color layer 7 that remained on the base layer 1. This can be observed through the transparent base layer 1, so that the opening process is clearly visible. In this way, it becomes apparent that an unauthorized person has attempted to obtain information 5 in an unfair manner.

For example, if information 5 is a PIN,

&igr; *

This PIN and the bank card associated with this PIN must be blocked immediately to prevent further misuse and material damage.

Figure 18 shows the situation after an authorized or unauthorized person has attempted to access the PIN number 5 by removing the base layer 1, which is designed as a shrink film, in order to simultaneously avoid damaging the authenticity feature 16:

Since the color layer 7 adheres to the base layer 1 and the object 20 with locally different adhesion forces due to the use of the adhesion force adjusting means 8, 9, the color layer 7 is separated into two parts 7a and 7b when the base layer 1 is removed, of which the first part 7a remains on the object 20 and the second part 7b remains on the base layer 1. In the embodiment according to Figure 18

5, the second part 7b has the shape of the lettering "VOID", whereas the first part 7a

which has a complementary shape. Even after the base layer 1 has been glued back, the lettering "VOID" remains visible through the transparent base layer 1 due to the changed light reflection properties of the color layer 7.

0 In all the embodiments shown, it is advantageous if a

A disturbance pattern, scatter pattern or random pattern is provided, which is arranged in the area of the writing to be covered. The scatter pattern prevents, for example, a PIN number from being read through the various layers when the label is illuminated with an intense light source. The 5 scatter pattern can be printed on the carrier to which the label is attached

or it may be within the scratch layer.

Claims (97)

1. Cover or sealing label which has at least one base layer ( 1 ), characterized in that the base layer ( 1 ) is at least partially designed in the form of at least one material which irreversibly warps or contracts when the cover or sealing label is warmed or heated and which irreversibly indicates the warming or heating of the cover or sealing label. 2. Covering or sealing label according to claim 1, characterized in that the base layer ( 1 ) is at least partially designed in the form of at least one shrink film. 3. Covering or sealing label according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base layer ( 1 ) is transparent. 4. Covering or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the base layer ( 1 ) is printed or colored with at least one non-opaque color. 5. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover or seal label is designed to cover or conceal information ( 5 ). 6. Cover or seal label according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover or seal label has at least one cover layer ( 2 ) which can be irreversibly removed by rubbing and/or scrubbing in order to make the covered or concealed information ( 5 ) visible. 7. Covering or sealing label according to claim 6, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) extends substantially over the entire base layer ( 1 ). 8. Cover or seal label according to claim 6, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) extends essentially exclusively over the part of the base layer ( 1 ) in which the information ( 5 ) is provided. 9. Covering or sealing label according to at least one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) is designed to be opaque. 10. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) is designed as at least one or more scratch-off layers which are single-colored or multi-colored. 11. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) at least partially contains at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive ( 4 ). 12. Cover or sealing label according to claim 11, characterized in that the pressure-sensitive adhesive ( 4 ) is removable. 13. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) is at least partially formed by at least one opaque colored pressure-sensitive adhesive. 14. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) has at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer ( 4 ) arranged at least partially on the base layer ( 1 ) and at least one covering color layer ( 3 ) arranged at least in places on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer ( 4 ). 15. Covering or sealing label according to claim 14, characterized in that the covering color layer ( 3 ) is applied by printing. 16. Covering or sealing label according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the covering color layer ( 3 ) is at least partially formed by at least one flexographic printing ink. 17. Covering or sealing label according to claim 16, characterized in that the covering color layer ( 3 ) is black and/or silver. 18. Covering or sealing label according to at least one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the covering color layer ( 3 ) occupies a smaller area than the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer ( 4 ) and that the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer ( 4 ) is partially exposed. 19. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) has at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer ( 4 ) arranged at least partially on the base layer ( 1 ) and at least one opaquely colored pressure-sensitive adhesive layer ( 3 ) arranged at least in places on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer ( 4 ). 20. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer ( 4 ) is transparent. 21. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 6 to 20, characterized in that at least one authenticity feature ( 16 ) is provided on the cover layer ( 2 ). 22. Cover or seal label according to claim 21, characterized in that the authenticity feature ( 16 ) extends over at least part of the base layer ( 1 ) and over at least part of the cover layer ( 2 ). 23. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 21 or 22, characterized in that the authenticity feature ( 16 ) is printed or glued on or embossed with at least one hot stamping foil or embossed into the cover layer ( 2 ), preferably in relief. 24. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the authenticity feature ( 16 ) has at least one image element and/or at least one hologram and/or at least one pattern and/or at least one lettering. 25. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that the authenticity feature ( 16 ) is single-colored or multi-colored. 26. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the cover or sealing label at least partially has at least one layer of adhesive ( 6 ). 27. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 6 to 25 and according to claim 26, characterized in that the adhesive ( 6 ) is provided on the side of the base layer ( 1 ) facing away from the cover layer ( 2 ). 28. Cover or sealing label according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the adhesive ( 6 ) is arranged at several locations which do not overlap the information ( 5 ). 29. Covering or sealing label according to at least one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that the adhesive ( 6 ) is transparent. 30. Cover or seal label according to claim 29, characterized in that the adhesive ( 6 ) is arranged flat on the base layer ( 1 ) and that the information ( 5 ) is covered by the adhesive ( 6 ). 31. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 26 to 30, characterized in that the adhesive ( 6 ) is a water-activatable adhesive. 32. Covering or sealing label according to at least one of claims 26 to 31, characterized in that the adhesive ( 6 ) is a (permanent) pressure-sensitive adhesive. 33. Covering or sealing label according to at least one of claims 26 to 32, characterized in that the adhesive ( 6 ) is colored. 34. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 11 to 20 and according to at least one of claims 26 to 33, characterized in that the adhesive force of the adhesive ( 6 ) is greater than the adhesive force of the pressure-sensitive adhesive ( 4 ). 35. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 26 to 34, characterized in that the base layer ( 1 ) 1. at least one first region ( 1 a) in which the base layer ( 1 ) is at least partially coated on its underside with the adhesive ( 6 ), and 2. at least one second region ( 1 b) in which the base layer ( 1 ) is non-adhesive, and that the second region ( 1 b) is separable from the first region ( 1 a) in order to make covered or concealed information ( 5 ) visible. 36. Cover or sealing label according to claim 35, characterized in that the second region ( 1b ) is surrounded by the first region ( 1a ) on at least two sides. 37. Cover or sealing label according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that the second region ( 1b ) is surrounded by the first region ( 1a ) on three sides. 38. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 35 to 37, characterized in that at least one grip tab ( 23 ) is formed in the second region ( 1b ) and that the grip tab ( 23 ) extends beyond the edge line of the first region ( 1a ). 39. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 35 to 38, characterized in that the coating with adhesive ( 6 ) extends into the second region ( 1b ) and that the coating with adhesive ( 6 ) in the second region is covered with a layer ( 14 ) which cancels the adhesive effect of the adhesive ( 6 ). 40. Covering or sealing label according to claim 39, characterized in that the layer ( 14 ) canceling the adhesive effect of the adhesive ( 6 ) has at least one cover film and/or at least one preferably opaque printing ink and/or at least one varnish and/or that the base layer ( 1 ) is transparent. 41. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 35 to 38, characterized in that the underside of the cover or sealing label in the second region ( 1b ) is free of adhesive. 42. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 35 to 41, characterized in that the first region ( 1 a) is separated from the second region ( 1 b) by at least one perforation ( 22 ). 43. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 42, characterized in that the base layer ( 1 ) has at least one perforation and/or at least one embossing and/or at least one punching ( 17 ). 44. Cover or sealing label according to claim 43, characterized in that the perforation and/or embossing and/or punching ( 17 ) is designed as a security perforation and/or security embossing and/or security punching. 45. Cover or sealing label according to claim 43 or 44, characterized in that the perforation and/or embossing and/or punching ( 17 ) is substantially wave-shaped. 46. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 43 to 45, characterized in that the base layer ( 1 ) is divided into several separate segments ( 18 ) by the perforation and/or embossing and/or punching ( 17 ). 47. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 35 to 42 and according to at least one of claims 43 to 46, characterized in that the perforation and/or embossing and/or punching ( 17 ) is provided in the first region ( 1a ) of the base layer ( 1 ). 48. Covering or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 47, characterized in that the base layer ( 1 ) is opaque. 49. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 48, characterized in that the upper side of the base layer ( 1 ) at least partially has at least one further adhesive layer ( 19 ). 50. Covering or sealing label according to claim 49, characterized in that the further adhesive layer ( 19 ) is transparent. 51. Cover or sealing label according to claim 49 or 50, characterized in that the further adhesive layer ( 19 ) has at least one removable pressure-sensitive adhesive. 52. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 26 to 42 and according to at least one of claims 49 to 51, characterized in that the adhesive force of the further adhesive layer ( 19 ) is smaller than the adhesive force of the adhesive ( 6 ). 53. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 1 to 52, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) is formed by at least one color layer applied to the base layer ( 1 ). 54. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 1 to 53, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) is printed on the base layer ( 1 ). 55. Covering or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 54, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) is formed by at least one brittle material layer. 56. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 55, characterized in that the cover layer ( 2 ) is formed by at least one hot stamping foil. 57. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 1 to 56, characterized in that the base layer ( 1 ) has at least one sealing region on the side facing away from the cover layer ( 2 ), that the sealing region contains a coating and that the coating irreversibly indicates a separation of the base layer ( 1 ) from the object ( 20 ) after the cover or seal label has been applied to an object ( 20 ). 58. Cover or sealing label according to claim 57, characterized in that the coating is arranged on the base layer ( 1 ) in a shape substantially corresponding to the sealing area. 59. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 26 to 42 and according to claim 57 or 58, characterized in that the arrangement of the adhesive ( 6 ) arranged on the side of the base layer ( 1 ) facing away from the cover layer ( 2 ) essentially corresponds to the shape of the sealing area. 60. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 57 to 59, characterized in that the coating 1. at least one colour layer ( 7 ) which adheres to the object ( 20 ) with a first adhesive force and to the base layer ( 1 ) with a second adhesive force when the cover or sealing label is applied to the object ( 20 ), and 2. Adhesion force adjustment means ( 8 , 9 ) which locally adjust the ratio between the first adhesion force and the second adhesion force differently. 61. Covering or sealing label according to claim 60, characterized in that the color layer ( 7 ) has an opaque color and/or a dark, preferably black color. 62. Cover or sealing label according to claim 60 or 61, characterized in that the color of the color layer ( 7 ) contrasts with the color of the base layer ( 1 ). 63. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 60 to 62, characterized in that the color layer ( 7 ) is applied by printing. 64. Covering or sealing label according to at least one of claims 60 to 63, characterized in that the adhesion force adjusting means ( 8 , 9 ) comprise a pressure pretreatment of the base layer ( 1 ) carried out at least in places. 65. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 60 to 64, characterized in that the adhesion force adjusting means ( 8 , 9 ) comprise at least one adhesion promoter ( 8 ) applied at least in places. 66. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 60 to 65, characterized in that the adhesion force adjusting means ( 8 , 9 ) have at least one non-stick varnish ( 9 ) applied at least in places. 67. Covering or sealing label according to at least one of claims 60 to 66, characterized in that the adhesion force adjusting means ( 8 , 9 ) are applied by printing. 68. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 60 to 67, characterized in that the adhesion force adjusting means ( 8 , 9 ) have the form of at least one lettering. 69. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 60 to 68, characterized in that the adhesion force adjusting means ( 8 , 9 ) are provided at least in places in the form of at least one preferably fine pattern of lines, dots or the like. 70. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 69, characterized in that the cover or sealing label is provided on at least one side with at least one print ( 10 a, 10 b). 71. Cover or sealing label according to claim 70, characterized in that at least part of the print is arranged on the base layer ( 1 ). 72. Cover or seal label according to claim 70 or 71, characterized in that the print ( 10a , 10b ) is protected or sealed with at least one laminate layer. 73. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 70 to 72, characterized in that the print ( 10 a, 10 b) is covered with at least one contrast layer. 74. Covering or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 73, characterized in that the base layer ( 1 ) consists of at least one preferably cold-stretched plastic. 75. Covering or sealing label according to claim 74, characterized in that the plastic is thermoplastic, transparent paper or acetate. 76. Cover or sealing label according to claim 74 or 75, characterized in that the thermoplastic material is polyamide (PA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PETP), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and/or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 77. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 1 to 76, characterized in that the base layer ( 1 ) is formed by at least one security material with low tear resistance. 78. Cover or sealing label according to claim 77, characterized in that the security material is designed as at least one cast film. 79. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 1 to 78, characterized in that the pressure-sensitive adhesive ( 3 ; 4 ; 19 ) is formed by at least one acrylate adhesive. 80. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 79, characterized in that the cover or sealing label has at least one further temperature indicator ( 21 ) at least in partial areas and that the further temperature indicator ( 21 ) responds to heating or to heating of the cover or sealing label irreversibly. 81. Cover or sealing label according to claim 80, characterized in that the further temperature indicator ( 21 ) is arranged in the form of at least one strip on the cover or sealing label. 82. Cover or sealing label according to claim 80 or 81, characterized in that the further temperature indicator ( 21 ) is transparent. 83. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 80 to 82, characterized in that the further temperature indicator ( 21 ) is formed by thermo-reactive or thermo-sensitive paper. 84. Cover or sealing label according to claim 83, characterized in that the thermoreactive or thermosensitive paper shows a blackening which occurs at least in places when warmed or when the cover or sealing label is heated. 85. Cover or sealing label according to claim 84, characterized in that the blackening of the thermoreactive or thermosensitive paper which occurs at least in places during warming or during heating of the cover or sealing label is irreversible. 86. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 85, characterized in that the cover or sealing label contains at least one luminescent substance. 87. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 86, characterized in that the cover or sealing label is arranged on at least one carrier film. 88. Cover or seal label according to claim 87, characterized in that the carrier film has at least one adhesive-repellent smooth layer at least on the side facing the cover or seal label. 89. Cover or sealing label according to claim 88, characterized in that the adhesive-repellent smooth layer is designed as at least one silicone layer. 90. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 1 to 89, characterized in that the information ( 5 ) is located on a document ( 20 ). 91. Cover or sealing label according to claim 90, characterized in that the document ( 20 ) is formed by at least one sheet of paper. 92. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 1 to 81, characterized in that the information ( 5 ) is formed by at least one barcode, by at least one code word, by at least one secret number, by at least one secret number, by at least one customer number, by at least one personal identification number (PIN = Personal Identification Number) and/or by at least one bar code. 93. Cover or sealing label according to at least one of claims 1 to 92, characterized in that the cover or sealing label is connected to at least one sheet- or card-shaped object ( 20 ). 94. Cover or seal label according to at least one of claims 1 to 93, characterized in that at least one object ( 13 ) is removably attached by the pressure-sensitive adhesive ( 3 ; 4 ; 19 ). 95. Cover or seal label according to claim 94, characterized in that the pressure-sensitive adhesive ( 3 ; 4 ; 19 ) is adapted to the object ( 13 ) in such a way that the pressure-sensitive adhesive ( 3 ; 4 ; 19 ) can be removed from the object ( 13 ) without leaving residue. 96. Cover or sealing label according to claim 94 or 95, characterized in that the object ( 13 ) is at least one card. 97. Cover or seal label according to claim 96, characterized in that the card is a "BahnCard", a bank card, a health insurance card, a credit card, a customer card, a mobile phone card, a check card, a "smart card" or a telephone card.