GB2365844A

GB2365844A - Adhesive label for hinged containers

Info

Publication number: GB2365844A
Application number: GB0119950A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tony Michael Pickering
Original assignee: B S LABELS Ltd
Current assignee: B S LABELS Ltd
Priority date: 2000-08-15
Filing date: 2001-08-15
Publication date: 2002-02-27
Also published as: GB0119950D0; GB0020107D0

Abstract

An adhesive label 30, a hinged container 32 comprising a label 30 and a method of manufacturing an adhesive label 30 are provided. The label 30 comprises a non adhesive portion 56 provided between respective adhesive portions 52, 54, the non-adhesive portion 56 of the label 30 overlies the hinge 40, 42 of the container 32, in use, wherein the non-adhesive portion 56 is coated with adhesive which has been treated so as to eliminate its adhesive properties. The adhesive properties may be eliminated with chemical means, an adhesive deadener, by a varnish layer, the non-adhesive portion 56 may be defined by a patch of non-adhesive material such as a polyester film. The non-adhesive portion 56 may extend fully across the label 30 between the opposing edges thereof, and the adhesive may be an acrylic based adhesive. The label 30 maybe manufactured from paper, cardboard, or plastics material such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and the material of the label may have a weight of between 75 gsm to 150 gsm. The label 30 may also have a removable backing sheet to protect the adhesive and non-adhesive portions of the label prior to use. The hinged container may be provided with an integral living hinge and have a book-like appearance such as cases for DVD's, CD-ROM's etc.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Adhesive Label The present invention relates to adhesive labels and particularly, though not exclusively, to adhesive labels adapted for use with packaging for optical discs such as, for example, compact discs, CD-ROM's and Digital Versatile Discs (DVD). it is customary for a DVD to be sold in a protective case or box. Typically the case is formed in a single piece by an injection moulding operation and is configured so as to resemble a book having a spine and front and rear covers connected thereto by living, hinges. An example of such a case is shown in figure I and generally designated 10. The exterior of the case 10 is provided with a close fitting transparent plastic film 12 which is fixed along respective edges 14, 16 of the covers 18, 20 by, for example, a welding operation. The provision of the film 12 defines an open ended pocket around the case 10 into which a printed paper sheet 22 carrying information relating to the DVD can be placed and retained. In this manner a generic case 10 can be used for a variety of different DVDs as only the sheet 22 need be changed to reflect the particular contents of the DVD contained within the case 10. The above described arrangement is however less than satisfactory. Firstly the attachment of the film 12 to the case is time consuming as it requires a two stage manufacturing procedure: injection moulding of the case 10 followed by welding of the transparent film 12 thereto. The welding operation can also lead to excessive wastage of the transparent film 12. If the welding temperature is too low then the film 22 may not bond to the case. Conversely, if the welding temperature is too high then the film 22 adjacent the welding site may bum through. Even if the film 22 is adequately bonded to the case 10, it is not uncommon for it to tear along the edge of the weld and ultimately detach itself. Typically the surface of the film is textured on at least one side. The texturing is provided so as to give the film an increased resistance to scuffing and scratching. The texturing however diffracts light passing across the film and hence reduces the viewing quality of text and images carried on the information sheet. Finally, it will be appreciated that the information sheet 22 is removable from the pocket and as such can readily be copied for use with cases containing counterfeit or forged DVI)s

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an adhesive label adapted to fit to a hinged container, the label having a non-adhesive portion provided between adhesive portions, the non-adhesive portion of the label being adapted to overlie a hinge of the container, in use, wherein the non-adhesive portion is coated with adhesive which has been treated so as to eliminate its adhesive properties.

The adhesive may be treated with chemical means, such as being treated with an adhesive deadener. A layer of varnish may overlie the adhesive deadener. Alternatively a patch of non adhesive material may be fitted to the label, the patch being sized and shaped so as to correspond to the desired non-adhesive- portion. The adhesive may be an acrylic based permanent adhesive having a minimum application temperature on dry surfaces of -10 'C, a minimum service temperature of -20 'C and a maximum service temperature of 60 OC. In a preferred embodiment the non-adhesive portion extends fully across the label between opposing edges thereof. The label may be manufactured from any suitable material, for example paper, card or cardboard. In one embodiment the paper may be Cast Gloss having a weight of 100 grams per square metre (gsm) Alternatively the Z:# label may be manufactured from a film of plastics material, for example polyethylene or polypropylene. The material of the label may have a weight of between 75 gsm to 150 gsm. The label may be provided with a backing sheet adapted to protect the adhesive and non adhesive portions of the label prior to use. The backing sheet is releasably secured to the adhesive of the label and in one embodiment comprises Honey Glassine having a weight of 65 gsm. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a hinged container having an adhesive label the label having a non-adhesive portion provided between adhesive portions, the non-adhesive portion of the label being adapted to overlie a hinge of the container, in use, wherein the non-adhesive portion is coated with adhesive which has been treated so as to eliminate its adhesive properties. The container may be formed in single piece from a plastics material, for example polypropylene. In such an embodiment the container may be provided with an integral living hinge.

In a preferred embodiment the container has a book-like appearance, and includes a spine having ftont and rear covers connected there to by living hinges. In such an Z:# embodiment the non-adhesive portion of the label overlies the spine and living hinges. Preferably the non-adhesive portion also overlies portions of the front and rear covers adjacent the living hinges.

I According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an adhesive label, the method comprising the steps of- providing a substrate; applying adhesive to the substrate; and treating a portion of the adhesive so as to eliminate its adhesive properties and thereby define a non-adhesive portion of the substrate, the non adhesive portion being provided between respective adhesive portions of the substrate. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a prior art case; Figure 2 shows a plan view of a label according to a first embodiment the present invention; Figure 3 shows an end elevational view of the label of figure 2 fitted to a case; Figure 4 shows a plan view of a label according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 shows an end elevational view of the label of figure 4 fitted to a case. Referring to figures 2 and 3 there is shown a label, generally designated 30, adapted for use with a DVD case 32. The case 32 is injection moulded from a resilient plastics material, for example polypropylene, and comprises a spine 34, and symmetrical front and rear covers 36, 38 connected to the spine 34 by living hinges 40, 42. The covers 36, 38 each have a peripheral lip 44, 46 and are arranged such that when the case 30 is closed, it defines a cavity having a depth roughly equivalent to twice the height of each individual lip 44, 46. The label 30 is formed from a sheet of material and has a rear face 48 for fitting to a case 32 and a front face 50 upon which may be presented text and/or images relating to the content of a DVD contained within the case 32. Figure 2 shows the rear face 48 of the label 30. The shaded areas 52, 54 denote adhesive coated portions of the rear face 48 which are adapted to adhere respectively to the front and rear covers 36, 38 of the case 32. The adhesive may be of any suitable type taking into consideration the material of the label 30 and the material to which it is

to be adhered. Typically for use in adhering a label to DVD case and acrylic based permanent adhesive is used. One such acrylic adhesive is known under the designation AP 50. Alternatively a hi-tack rubber based adhesive may be used.

The adhesive coated portions 52, 54 are separated by a non-adhesive portion 56 of the rear face 48, The non-adhesive portion 56 is initially coated with adhesive which is subsequently neutralised by chemical means. Broken lines 57 indicate the approximate position of the spine 34 relative to the label 30, in use. The adhesive is coated with what is known in the art as an adhesive deadener which, as its name suggests, eliminates the adhesive properties of the adhesive. One such deadener is known under the designation UVCI 169 UV Letterpress Adhesive Deadener and is available from Kingfisher Inks Ltd. Additionally the non-adhesive portion 56 may have a varnish applied over adhesive deadener. The varnish serves to eliminate any residual tackiness of the adhesive deadener. One such varnish is known under the designation ULUI 10 UL Letterpress High Viscosity Varnish and is available from Kingfisher Inks Ltd. Alternatively, the non-adhesive portion 56 may be uncoated with adhesive. The adhesive and non-adhesive portions 52, 54, 56 of the label 30 are arranged such that, in use, the non-adhesive portion 56 overlies the spine 34, living hinges 40, 42 adjacent portions 58, 60 of the covers 36, 38. As can be seen in figure 3, when the case 30 is fully opened the non-adhesive portion 56 of the label 30 is biased away from spine 34 and living hinges 40,42. When the case 30 is closed however, the non-adhesive portion 56 rests against the case 30. The movement of the non-adhesive portion 56 of the label 30 away from the spine 34 prevents it being creased or caught by the hinges 40, 42. This maintains the appearance of the label and aids its longevity. A typical DVD case is provided with covers having dimensions of approximately 135 mm by 191 mm, and a spine of approximately 13 min by 191 mm. Such a case would typically require a label having dimensions of 278 mrn by 183 mm. In such an embodiment the non-adhesive portion of the label is typically 66 mrn by 183 mm. The material of the label may be Cast Gloss paper having a weight of 100 gsm. More specifically, the label may comprise wood-ftee cast coated cardboard having a weight of 100 gsm and a thickness of around 122 microns.. Such a material presents a gloss surface which assures high quality printing thereto. The material is printable with most if not all standard printing systems including silk screen, flexo, letterpress and offset. Alternatively the label may be manufactured from a plastics material, for example polyethylene or polypropylene.

Typically the label is manufactured separately to the case and the adhesive of the label is covered with a backing paper, for example Honey Glassine having a weight of around 65 gsm and a thickness of around 55 microns. This material is a supercalandered glassine paper which exhibits excellent mechanical resistance and smoothness, and is generally used as a siliconed liner in combination with face materials in paper or film.

Referring now to figures 4 and 5 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Features common to the aforementioned embodiment are identified with like reference numerals. Figure 4 shows the rear face 48 of a label 30. As before the shaded areas 52, 54 denote adhesive coated portions of the rear face 48 which are adapted to adhere respectively to front and rear covers 36, 38 of a case 32. The adhesive coated portions 52, 54 are separated by a non-adhesive portion 56. In this embodiment the non-adhesive portion 56 is defined by a patch 62. The patch 62 comprises a material which adheres to the underlying adhesive but which is non-porous with respect to said adhesive. Any suitable material may be utilised for the patch 62 and an example of a suitable material is a polyester film. One such a film is known under the designation PET BK 36, which corresponds to a transparent polyester film having a grammage of 51 grams per square metre and a thickness of 36 microns. a scan be seen from figure 4 the patch 62 covers a greater area than the adhesive deadened portion of the label 30 shown in the previous embodiment.

In use the patch serves to strengthen and support the portion of the label attached thereto and hence increases its resistance to creasing and tearing due to repeated opening and closing of the case.

Labels according to the present invention may be manufactured in any number of known ways. The adhesive may be applied to the substrate forming the label during the manufacturing process or, alternatively, a substrate having a pre-applied adhesive may be utilised.

The present invention provides a label for a case which does not suffer from the degradation in viewing quality associated with prior art type labels retained behind a clear plastic film. The use of a permanent adhesive greatly reduces the possibility that the label may be removed, for example by persons intent upon making high quality copies for counterfeiting or forgery purposes. Also it will be appreciated that the additional cost and potential wastage of raw material associated with attaching a transparent film to a case is eliminated.

While the invention has been described above in connection with Digital Versatile Discs it will be understood that it is equally suitable for use with cases adapted to store other recording media for example Compact Discs, CD-ROMs, Mini-Discs, Digital Compact Cassettes, Laser Discs, Compact Cassettes and VCR tapes to name but a few. Labels according to the present invention may also be useable with any appropriately configured container, for example the containers utilised to store pnints made from 35 mm APS films. The size and shape of the labels, together with the size and position of the non-adhesive portion thereof, will be dependent upon such factors as the dimensions and configuration of the container to which the label is intended to be fitted.

Claims

Claims I An adhesive label adapted to fit to a hinged container, the label having a non-adhesive portion provided between respective adhesive portions, the non-adhesive portion of the label being adapted to overlie a hinge of the container, in use, wherein the non-adhesive portion is coated with adhesive which has been treated so as to eliminate its adhesive properties.
2. A label as claimed in claim I wherein the adhesive is treated with chemical means.
3. A label as claimed in claim 2 wherein the adhesive is treated with an adhesive deadener.
4. A label as claimed in claim 3 wherein a layer of varnish overlies the adhesive deadener
5. A label as claimed in claim I wherein the non-adhesive portion of the label is defined by a patch of non adhesive material fitted to the label, the patch being sized and shaped so as to correspond to the desired non-adhesive portion.
6. A label as claimed in claim 5 wherein the patch comprises a polyester film.
7. A label as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the non-adhesive portion extends fully across the label between opposing edges thereof
8. A label as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the adhesive is an acrylic based adhesive.
9. A label as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the label is manufactured from paper.
10. A label as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the label is manufactured from cardboard.
11. A label as claimed in any of claims I to 8 wherein the label is manufactured from a plastics material.

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12. A label as claimed in claim I I wherein the plastics material is polyethylene.
13. A label as claimed in claim I I wherein the plastics material is polypropylene.
14. A label as -claimed in any preceding claim wherein the material of the label has a weight of between 75 -sm to 150 gsm.
15. A label as claimed in any preceding claim the label including a removable backing sheet adapted to protect the adhesive and non adhesive portions of the label prior to use.
16. A hinged container having an adhesive label, the label having a non-adhesive portion provided between respective adhesive portions, the non-adhesive portion of the label being adapted to overlie a hinge of the container, in use, wherein the non-adhesive portion is coated with adhesive which has been treated so as to eliminate its adhesive properties.
17. A hinged container as claimed in claim 16 wherein the adhesive is treated with chemical means.
18. A hinged container as claimed in claim 17 wherein the adhesive is treated with an adhesive deadener.
19. A hinged container as claimed in claim 18 wherein a layer of varnish overlies the adhesive deadener
20 A hinged container as claimed in claim 16 wherein the non-adhesive portion of the label is defined by a patch of non adhesive material fitted to the label, the patch being sized and shaped so as to correspond to the desired non-adhesive portion.
21. A hinged container as claimed in claim 20 wherein the patch comprises a polyester film.
22. A hinged container as claimed in any of claims 16 to 21 wherein the non-adhesive portion extends fully across the label between opposing edges thereof
23. A hinged container as claimed in any of claims 16 to 22 wherein the adhesive is an acrylic based adhesive.

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24. A hinged container as claimed in any of claims 16 to 23 wherein the label is manufactured from paper.
25. A hinged container as claimed in any of claims 16 to 23 wherein the label is manufactured from cardboard.
26. A hinged container as claimed in any of claims 16 to 23 wherein the label is manufactured from a plastics material.
27. A hinged container as claimed in claim 26 wherein the plastics material is 1. polyethylene.
28. A hinged container as claimed in claim 26 wherein the plastics material is polypropylene.
29. A hinged container as claimed in any of claims 16 to 28 wherein the material of the label has a weight of between 75 gsm to 150 gsm.
30. A hinged container as claimed in any of claims 16 to 29 the label including a removable backing sheet adapted to protect the adhesive and non adhesive portions of the label prior to use.
3 1. A hinged container as claimed in any of claims 16 to 30 wherein the container is formed in single piece from a plastics material
32. A hinged container as claimed in claim 31 wherein the container is provided with an integral living hinge.
33. A hinged container as claimed in any of claims 16 to 32, wherein the container has a book-like appearance, and includes a spine having front and rear covers connected there to by living hinges.
34. A hinged container as claimed in claim 33, wherein the non-adhesive portion of the label overlies the spine and living hinges.
35. A hinged container as claimed in claim 34, wherein the non-adhesive portion overlies portions of the front and rear covers adjacent the living hinges.

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36. A method of manufacturing an adhesive label, the method comprising the steps of- providing a substrate; applying adhesive to the substrate; and treating a portion of the adhe,live so as to eliminate its adhesive properties and thereby define-a non-adhesive portion of the substrate, the non adhesive portion being provided between respective adhesive portions of the substrate.
37. A method as claimed in claim 36 wherein the step of treating a portion of the adhesive comprises treating said portion with chemical means.
38. A method as claimed in claim 37 wherein the adhesive is treated with an adhesive deadener.
39. A method as claimed in claim 38 and including the further step of applying a layer of varnish over the adhesive deadener
40. A method as claimed in claim 36 wherein the step of treating a portion of the adhesive comprises applying a patch of non adhesive material to the adhesive.
41. An adhesive label substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
42. A hinged container having an adhesive label substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in figure 3 or figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
43. A method of manufacturing an adhesive label substantially as hereiribefore described with reference to or as shown in figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.