BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an integrated label structure and to a method of manufacturing an integrated label structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

Integrated label forms are documents which integrate a form portion, typically a sheet of paper, with a self-adhesive label portion releasably attached to the form portion.

An example of such an integrated label structure is a so-called mailing/despatch document which integrates a package address label with a warehouse pick note/packing note. Typically, the form portion of such a mailing document has printed thereon details of the order being satisfied, for example, details of the goods or services purchased, and the label portion has printed thereon address details to which the order is being mailed. Details of the order and the mailing address may be printed on the integrated label form using a conventional office inkjet or laser printer, whereafter the label portion may be removed from the form portion, the label portion subsequently being applied to an exterior of the package to be mailed, and the form portion being included inside the package to be mailed.

Conventional integrated label structures of the prior art typically comprise a sheet of paper, with a window cut through the sheet of paper, and a liner having a release coating, typically a polymeric liner having a silicone based release coating applied thereon, adhered to the rear surface of the form portion so as to overlie the cut-out window with the side of the liner bearing the release coating facing forwardly through the window of the form portion. A label portion, typically comprised of paper with an adhesive composition applied to the rear surface thereof, is then releasably adhered to the silicone coating of the release liner, such that the label portion may be readily removed from the release liner portion by the user following printing of the label portion and form portion as required.

Such conventional integrated label structures however incur certain disadvantages. In a first instance, manufacturing of the integrated label structure is relatively complex, requiring removal of the cut-out window section of the paper form portion, shaping of the release liner portion, and subsequently adhering of the release liner portion to the form portion in the required arrangement. Moreover, in use, such conventional integrated label structures incur further disadvantages in as much that the release liner portion can be unsightly, and further prevents printing over the full area of the rear surface of the form portion as the rear surface of the release liner portion tends to be unsuitable for receiving print thereon. A final problem is encountered in disposing of such conventional integrated label structures, in as much that the polymeric release liner portion may not be recyclable, and in any event, will likely require separation from the paper form portion prior to entering a recycling process.

It is therefore desirable to provide an integrated label structure which substantially obviates one or more of the aforementioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an integrated label structure comprising a base sheet comprising a fibrous cellulose pulp material having a front face and a rear face; a release coating comprising a cured silicone polymer composition applied to a portion of said front face of said base sheet to define a coated area thereto; a label having a front and rear face; and an adhesive composition applied over at least a portion of said rear face of said label; in which said label is attached to said base sheet overlying said coated area and arranged such that said adhesive composition is in contact with said coated area of said base sheet.

Preferably, said label is arranged relative to said base sheet such that said adhesive composition of said label does not contact any part of said base sheet to which said release coating has not been applied.

Preferably, the front face of said base sheet defines a first portion and a second portion.

Preferably, the release coating is applied only to said first portion, said first portion thus defining said coated area.

Preferably, said first portion occupies a minor proportion of the total area of said front face of said base sheet.

Preferably, said front face of said base sheet is defined solely by said fibrous cellulose pulp material.

Preferably, said base sheet has a unitary construction.

Preferably, said base sheet has a single-ply construction.

Preferably, said base sheet comprises a major proportion of fibrous cellulose pulp material.

Preferably, said base sheet consists substantially of said fibrous cellulose pulp material and has a substantially homogenous composition.

Preferably, said release coating comprises a major proportion of cured silicon polymer composition.

Preferably, said base sheet has a substantially uniform thickness in the range of 0.05 millimetre to 5.00 millimetre.

Preferably, said base sheet comprises a sheet of paper.

Preferably, said base sheet consists of a sheet of paper.

Preferably, said base sheet is composed such that substantially the full area of said second portion of said front face is suitable for receiving print thereon.

Preferably, said release coating is substantially uniform in thickness across said coated area.

Preferably, said release coating has a uniform thickness across said coated area in the range of 0.1 millimetre to 4.0 millimetre.

Preferably, said cured silicon polymer composition comprises a photocurable silicone polymer composition. Preferably, said cured silicon polymer composition comprises an epoxy or vinyl ether functional siloxane.

Preferably, said cured silicon polymer composition comprises a polydimethyl siloxane.

Preferably, said polydimethyl siloxane comprises an epoxy-functional linear polydimethylsiloxane polymer composition.

Preferably, said cured silicon polymer composition comprises a photoinitiator.

Preferably, said photoinitiator comprises a cationic photoinitiator responsive to ultraviolet light and/or an electron beam.

Preferably, said photoinitiator comprises lodinium Borate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an integrated label structure comprising the steps of: obtaining a base sheet comprising a fibrous cellulose pulp material having a front face and a rear face; applying a release coating comprising a silicone polymer composition to a portion of said front face of said base sheet to define a coated area thereto; curing said silicon polymer composition to form a cured silicon polymer composition; obtaining a label having a front and rear face; applying an adhesive composition over at least a portion of said rear face of said label; and attaching said label to said base sheet to overlie said coated area such that said adhesive composition is in contact with said coated area of said base sheet.

Preferably, said step of applying said release coating to said front face of said base sheet comprises the steps of: depositing said release coating in an uncured state on an anilox cylinder; and transferring said release coating in said uncured state from said anilox cylinder to said front face of said base sheet.

Preferably, said anilox cylinder has a cell volume in the range of approximately 20 cm ³ /m ² to approximately 25 cm ³ /m ² .

Preferably, said anilox cylinder has a cell volume in the range of approximately 21.5 cm ³ /m ² to approximately 22.5 cm ³ /m ² .

Preferably, said anilox cylinder has a cell volume of approximately 22 cm ³ /m ² .

Preferably, said step of curing said silicon polymer composition comprises the step of exposing said composition to ultraviolet radiation.

Preferably, said step of attaching said label comprises arranging said label relative to said base sheet such that said adhesive composition of said label does not contact any part of said base sheet to which said release coating has not been applied.

Preferably, the front face of said base sheet defines a first portion and a second portion.

Preferably, said step of applying said release coating to said base portion comprises the application of said release coating only to said first portion, said first portion thus defining said coated area.

Preferably, said first portion occupies a minor proportion of the total area of said front face of said base sheet.

Preferably, said front face of said base sheet is defined solely by said fibrous cellulose pulp material.

Preferably, said base sheet has a unitary construction.

Preferably, said base sheet has a single-ply construction.

Preferably, said base sheet comprises a major proportion of fibrous cellulose pulp material.

Preferably, said base sheet consists substantially of said fibrous cellulose pulp material and has a substantially homogenous composition.

Preferably, said release coating comprises a major proportion of silicon polymer composition.

Preferably, said base sheet has a substantially uniform thickness in the range of 0.05 millimetre to 5.00 millimetre.

Preferably, said base sheet comprises a sheet of paper.

Preferably, said base sheet consists of a sheet of paper.

Preferably, said base sheet is composed such that substantially the full area of said second portion is suitable for receiving print thereon. Preferably, said release coating is substantially uniform in thickness across said coated area.

Preferably, said release coating has a uniform thickness across said coated area in the range of 0.1 millimetre to 4.0 millimetre.

Preferably, said silicon polymer composition comprises a photocurable silicone polymer composition.

Preferably, said silicon polymer composition comprises an epoxy or vinyl ether functional siloxane.

Preferably, said silicon polymer composition comprises a polydimethyl siloxane.

Preferably, said polydimethyl siloxane comprises an epoxy-functional linear polydimethylsiloxane polymer composition.

Preferably, said silicon polymer composition comprises a photoinitiator.

Preferably, said photoinitiator comprises a cationic photoinitiator responsive to ultraviolet light and/or an electron beam.

Preferably, said photoinitiator comprises lodinium Borate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are purely schematic and not to scale, of which:

Figure 1a shows an example of an integrated label structure according to an aspect of the present invention in perspective use;

Figure 1b shows schematically a method of using the integrated label structure identified in Figure 1a;

Figure 2a shows in plan view the front face of the integrated label structure with the label portion removed;

Figure 2b shows in plan view the rear face of the base sheet of the label structure with the label portion removed;

Figure 2c shows in side view the base sheet of the integrated label structure with the label portion removed;

Figure 2d shows in end view the base sheet of the integrated label structure with the label portion removed;

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d show in front perspective, rear perspective, side and end views respectively the label portion of the integrated label structure;

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show in front plan, side, and end views respectively the integrated label structure previously identified in Figures 1a and 1b with the label portion identified in Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d attached to the base sheet;

Figure 5 shows schematically an apparatus used for manufacturing the integrated label structure; and

Figures 6 depicts key steps in a method of manufacturing the integrated label structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Figures la and 1b

Figures 1a and 1 b show an example of an integrated label structure embodying one aspect of the present invention. The integrated label structure is shown in a perspective view in Figure 1a, and is shown in further perspective views in use in the drawings included as Figure 1 b.

In the specific embodiment said integrated label structure takes the form of a mailing sheet (often referred to alternatively as a despatch document), comprising generally of a form portion and a label portion. Such a mailing sheet finds particular utility in preparation and mailing of a package containing goods ordered by a customer. As is conventional, the form portion will typically have printed thereon details of the order, for example, details serving the purpose of a tax invoice or packing note, and the label portion will typically have address details printed thereon of the customer to which the package is to be sent. As will be familiar to the skilled person, the label portion is typically self-adhesive and releasably attached to the form portion, and the label portion typically comprises on a rear surface a pressure sensitive adhesive composition, such that the label may be detached from the form portion, and adhered to the exterior of a package to be mailed.

Referring to the Figures then, and in particular to Figure 1a, in the specific embodiment said integrated label structure 101 comprises a base sheet 102 in the form of a sheet of paper formed of a fibrous cellulose pulp material as is conventional. In the particular embodiment the base sheet 102 is of the international standard size A4 (210mm x 297mm) and has a thickness of approximately 0.05 millimetre. Base sheet 102 thus defines a 'form' part of the mailing sheet, having a front face 103 and a rear face 104, each said front and rear face suitable for receiving print thereon by a conventional office laser or inkjet printer. In the embodiment, base sheet 102 has a unitary construction, consisting of a single-ply sheet of paper having a substantially homogenous composition of cellulose fibrous pulp material.

As illustrated, said integrated label structure 101 further comprises a label portion 105, the label portion comprising a section of a cellulose fibrous pulp material substantially like that of the base sheet 102, the label portion 105 similarly defining a front face 106 and a rear face 107.

As will be described in further detail with reference to later Figures, a release coating, formed of a cured silicone polymer composition is applied to a first portion of the front face 103 of the base sheet 102 to define a coated area 108 thereto. As will be described, said coated area 108 has a relatively lower surface energy than the remainder of the front face 103 of the base sheet 102. Moreover, an adhesive composition is applied over a major portion of the rear face 107 of the label 105.

As illustrated in particular in Figure 1b, the label 105 is attached to the base sheet 102 overlying said coated area 108, such that said label portion 105 contacts only said coated area 108, in order that the adhesive composition applied to the rear face 107 of the label portion 105 is in contact with and adhered to the coated area 108 applied to the front face of the base sheet 102. In this way, as will be appreciated, the label 105 is releasably attached to the base sheet 102.

Referring in particular now to Figure 1 b, the front face 103 of said base sheet 102, and the front face 106 of said label 105, have been printed as shown with details of an order to be satisfied. As an example, the front face 103 of said base sheet 102 may be printed with tax invoice details relating to the order, and the front face 106 of said label 105 may be printed with postal address details of the party placing. The label portion 105 may then be readily detached from said base sheet 102, and applied to the exterior of a package 109 to be mailed, by placing the rear face 107 of the label 105 in contact with the exterior of the package 109, and subsequently applying pressure to the label such that the adhesive applied to the rear surface 107 of the label 105 adheres to the exterior of package 109 in a conventional manner.

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d show the base sheet 102 of said mailing sheet

101 absent the label 105 in front plan, rear plan, side and end elevation views respectively.

Referring firstly to Figure 2a, the base sheet 102 of said integrated label structure 101 is shown in a front plan view in which the label 105 is not attached to the base sheet. Thus, referring to the Figure, in the embodiment, said base sheet

102 defines generally a first portion 201 and a second portion 202. As illustrated, in the embodiment said first portion 201 occupies only a minor proportion of the total area of the front face 103 of the base sheet 102, the remainder of the area of the front face 103 defining the second portion. In the particular embodiment, the first portion 201 occupies only around one eighth of the total area of the front face 103 of the base sheet 102, the remainder of the area of the front face 103 defining the second portion 202. The release coating silicone polymer composition is applied only to said first portion 201 of said front face 103 to define said coated area 108. Said second portion 202 of said front face 103 has no release coating applied thereto. The front face 103 defined by said second portion 202 is not contaminated with any such coating, rather the fibrous cellulose pulp paper is exposed, thus presenting a surface suitable for receiving print thereon, for example, printed ink. Referring secondly to Figure 2b, in the embodiment the rear face 104 of said base sheet 102 is substantially free of any said release coating, such that substantially the full area of said rear face 104 of said base sheet 102 is suitable for receiving print, for example ink, thereon.

The base sheet 102 having the release coating defining coated area 108 is shown in side elevation and end elevation views respectively in Figures 2c and 2d. it should be noted that in Figures 2c and 2d the absolute and relative dimensions of said base sheet 102 and said release coating 108 are not necessarily representative of the preferred dimensions, rather are exaggerated to aid in distinguishing therebetween for the purposes of this description. In this respect, it might be noted that, in the Figures, the silicone polymer release coating is depicted as having a thickness greater than the thickness of said base sheet 102, although (as will be described) this is not necessarily true of preferred embodiments of the invention.

Thus, in an embodiment, said base sheet 102 comprises a unitary sheet of paper material, having front and rear faces 103, 104 suitable for printing thereon, and having said silicone polymer release coating applied to a minor portion of said front face 103 to define a coated are 108. In the embodiment, said integrated label structure is configured as a mailing sheet as previously described, and thus said base sheet 102 is substantially similar in composition and construction to a sheet of conventional office printer paper, having a thickness of approximately 0.05 millimetres. It will of course be appreciated that the thickness of said base sheet may be varied depending on the intended use of the mailing sheet. As an example, in alternative embodiments the base sheet 102 may be formed of a sheet of card having a thickness of approximately 0.06 - 5.00 millimetres, or even greater. As a further alternative, the base sheet 102 may be formed of a sheet of thin tissue paper type material, having a thickness of only around 0.01 - 0.04 millimetre, or even thinner.

Said silicone polymer release coating is applied to the fist portion 201 of the front surface 103 of the base sheet 102 substantially evenly, such that the thickness of said release coating is substantially uniform across the entirety of said coated area 108. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of said release coating across said coated area 108 is in the range of 0.01 millimetres to 4.00 millimetres, more preferably in the range of 0.02 millimetres to 1.50 millimetres, and more preferably approximately 0.04 millimetres.

In preferred embodiments, said release coating applied to said coated area 108 comprises a photo curable silicone polymer composition. More preferably, the silicone polymer composition comprises an epoxy or vinyl ether functional siloxane, including monomers, oligomers, and/or polymers, preferably an epoxy-functional linear polydimethyl, siloxane polymer composition. Preferably, said photo-curable silicone polymer composition further comprises a cationic photo initiator responsive to ultraviolet (UV) light and/or an electron beam (EB). In a particular embodiment, said photo initiator comprises iodinium borate. As the skilled person will be aware, cationic photo initiators generate strong acids on exposure to UV light or an electron beam. The acids initiate a chain reaction or polymerisation of epoxy, oxetane or vinyl ether functional groups. A number of commercially available epoxy-functional linear polydimethyl siloxane polymers developed for photo curable release coating applications are available. In the specific embodiment a coating marketed under the trade mark "Silcolease UV poly 205", available from Blue Star Silicones (trade mark) of New Jersey, United States is used. Thus, in the specific embodiment, said silicone polymer composition forming said coated area 108 comprises an epoxy- functional linear polydimethylsiloxane polymer comprising a cationic photo-initiator responsive to ultraviolet light, where the photo-initiator preferably comprises iodinium borate. Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d

The label 105 of said integrated label structure 101 is shown in isolation in Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d in front perspective, rear prospective, side and end elevation views respectively.

Referring to the Figures, and as previously described, in the embodiment said label 105 comprises of a section of paper sheet formed of cellulose pulp fibrous material substantially like to that of base sheet 102. The front face 106 of said label 105 is configured to be suitable for receiving print thereon, for example, by printing using a conventional laser or inkjet printer. An adhesive composition is applied over substantially the full area of the rear face 107 of the label 105 to define an adhesive area.

In the specific embodiment, said adhesive composition is substantially like in composition to adhesive compositions applied to label portions of integrated label structures of the prior art, and more generally to 'self-adhesive' labels of the prior art. Thus, in the example embodiment described herein, a pressure sensitive adhesive composition is used. As will be appreciated, the term 'pressure sensitive' as used herein is intended to denote an adhesive that forms a bond with the adherent, in this case package 109, by the application of light pressure to marry the adhesive to the adherent, without need of solvent, water, or heat to activate the adhesive. In a particular embodiment, the pressure sensitive adhesive composition used may be described as 'medium-high tack', inasmuch that the adhesive is preferably selected so as to form a temporary bond with said release coating 108 applied to said base sheet 102, such that said adhesive composition may be readily separated from said release coating without leaving any residue, whilst the adhesive composition should be sufficiently tacky as to have a high ultimate adhesion and form a generally permanent bond with a surface to which the label is to be finally applied, in this case, said package 109 constructed of corrugated cardboard formed of a cellulose fibre paper pulp material. Such an adhesive might be referred to as a 'permanent' pressure sensitive adhesive.

It will of course be appreciated however that the choice of adhesive composition applied to said label 105 will depend on the intended purpose of the label. In the example illustrated in Figure 1b, the label is intended for application to the exterior of a package, and is intended to be affixed securely to the package on a generally permanent basis, and thus a 'permanent' type pressure sensitive adhesive is preferred. In alternative embodiments however the label 105 might be intended, following detachment from said release coating 108 of said base sheet 102, to be affixed to a surface on a temporary basis, and it may be desirable for the label to be repositionable, in which case a low adhesion temporary pressure sensitive adhesive composition might be used, often referred to as a 'peelable' or 'removable' adhesive. As a further alternative, a non-pressure sensitive adhesive, such as a solvent-based drying adhesive or polymer dispersion adhesive might be used. As further alternatives, a contact adhesive, or a hot-melt adhesive might be used.

Preferred pressure sensitive adhesive compositions for application to the rear face 107 of label thus include acrylic-rubber based adhesives, or adhesives based on silicon resins, ethyl vinyl acetate, copolymers, polyurethanes, polychloroprenes, polybutadienes, butadiene acrylonitrile rubbers, natural rubbers, acrylics, polyisobutylenes, polyacrylate esters and acrylonitrile polymers. In preferred embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive selected is one of a hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive, solvent based silicon resin pressure sensitive adhesive, or a water-borne pressure sensitive adhesive. In the specific embodiment, the pressure sensitive adhesive is an acrylic rubber based adhesive.

Thus, as will be appreciated, said adhesive composition comprises an adhesive composition that may be readily adhered to and separated from the coated area 108, and which may subsequently be adhered to a second surface, for example, the exterior of package 109 by the application of pressure thereto, optionally to form a generally permanent bond therewith.

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c

The integrated label structure 101 previously identified in Figures 1a and 1 b is shown again in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c in front plan, side elevation and end elevation views respectively with the label 105 attached to the base sheet 102.

As illustrated in the Figures, said label 105 is attached to said base sheet 102 by adhering of said pressure sensitive adhesive defining said adhesive area 301 to said cured silicone polymer composition defining said coated area 108.

Referring to the Figures, said label 105 is attached to said base sheet 102 to overlie said coated area 108, and arranged relative to said base sheet 102 such that the adhesive area 301 on the rear face 107 of the label 105 contacts only said coated area 108, and does not contact any part of said base sheet 102 to which said release coating is not been applied, that is to say, does not contact said second portion 202. Such an arrangement ensures that said label 105 may be readily detached from base sheet 102 without impairing the effectiveness of the adhesive composition applied to the rear face 107 of the label 105.

Figure 5

Apparatus suitable for manufacturing said integrated label structure 501 is shown schematically in Figure 5.

Referring to the Figure, in the specific embodiment said apparatus 501 comprises principally of a release coating applicator assembly 502, a release coating curing assembly 503, a label attaching assembly 504, and a base sheet cutting assembly 505. As illustrated, in the embodiment said apparatus 501 is configured for manufacturing of the mailing sheet 101 in a continuous operation, and receives said paper base sheet 102 as a continuous sheet of material.

Referring firstly to said release coating applicator assembly 502, in the embodiment said assembly 502 comprises principally of a coating container 506, a pick-up roller 507, an anilox roller (often referred to as an anilox cylinder) 509, a transfer roller 511 , and an impression roller 512.

Said coating container 506 is suitable for containing a reservoir of said silicone polymer composition in an uncured state. The coating container 506 is equipped with a pick-up roller 507 rotatable about a shaft 508. As illustrated, pick-up roller 507 is arranged so as to be semi-immersed in the reservoir of uncured silicon polymer composition contained in the coating container, such that rotation of said roller 507 about the shaft 508 causes the uncured silicon polymer composition to adhere to the exterior surface of the roller 508 and be lifted from the reservoir. Said applicator assembly 502 further comprises an anilox cylinder 509 rotatable about shaft 510 arranged relative to said pick-up roller 507 such that said pickup roller may deposit uncured silicone-polymer composition lifted from container 506 on the exterior surface of the anilox cylinder in the conventional way, and further comprises a transfer roller 511 suitable for transferring the uncured silicone polymer composition from the anilox cylinder 509 to the front face 103 of the base sheet 102.

Referring to assembly 501 , it has been found that the absolute thickness and uniformity of thickness of said release coating 108 on said base sheet 102 is critical in ensuring that said label 105 may be readily attached to and detached from said base sheet 102. It has been found that a coating of silicone polymer composition that is too thin results in excessive adherence of the label 105 to the coated area 108, whilst if the coating of silicone polymer composition forming said coated area is too thick, adherence of the label 105 to the coated area 108 is insufficient. Moreover, if the thickness of the silicone polymer composition across the coated area 108 is not sufficiently uniform, the label 105 becomes prone to tearing when detached from the base sheet 102 due to variation in its adherence to the base sheet.

It has been found that the preferred silicone polymer composition may be applied to said base sheet 102 in a sufficiently thin and uniform layer by use of said anilox cylinder 509 which meters the uncured silicon polymer composition supplied to the printing plate. In preferred embodiments, to achieve the required coating thickness and thickness uniformity, an anilox cylinder having a cell volume in the range of approximately 20 cm ³ /m ² to approximately 25 cm ³ /m ² is used. More preferably, the cell volume of the anilox cylinder should be in the range of 21.5 cm ³ /m ² to 22.5 cm ³ /m ² , and more preferably 21.8 cm ³ /m ² to 22.2 cm ³ /m ² . Most preferably, to optimise the thickness and uniformity of the uncured silicone polymer composition applied to the base sheet 102, an anilox cylinder having a cell volume of approximately or exactly 22 cm ³ /m ² is used, preferably having a cell volume of 22 cm ³ /m ² .

Referring to said release coating curing assembly 503, in the preferred embodiment of the invention said silicone polymer composition comprises a photo- initiator responsive to ultraviolet light, and thus said curing assembly 503 comprises a source of ultraviolet radiation in the form of UV lamp 513 arranged such that its emitted light is incident on the silicon polymer composition following its application to the base sheet 102.

Referring next to said label attaching assembly 504, in the embodiment said assembly comprises principally of a motor powered piston operable to place a single label 105 onto the base sheet 102 to overlie the coated area 108 following its curing.

Referring finally to said base sheeting cutting assembly 505, as previously described, in an embodiment said apparatus 501 receives the base sheet 102 as a continuous sheet of material unwound from a roll, and thus said cutting assembly 505 comprises a motor powered knife member 515 operable to cut the base sheet into the required lengths (in the embodiment described herein lengths of approximately 297 millimetres).

Referring to Figure 5 generally, it will again be noted that the relative dimensions of the base sheet 102 and the label 105 are not necessarily accurate, and in particular, the relative and absolute thicknesses of the base sheet 102 and the label 105 are exaggerated to aid clarity of the drawings.

Figure 6

Key steps in a manufacturing process using apparatus 501 to manufacture an integrated label structure according to embodiments of the present invention are depicted in Figure 6.

At step 601 the base sheet 102 consisting of a paper sheet comprising fibrous cellulose pulp material having a front face and a rear face is obtained and fed to the apparatus 501.

At step 602 a release coating of silicone polymer composition in an uncured condition is applied to a portion of the front face of the base sheet to define a coated area thereto.

At step 603 the uncured silicone polymer composition applied to the front face of the base sheet is exposed to a source of UV radiation to thereby cure the silicon polymer composition.

At step 604 a paper label defining a front face and a rear face is obtained.

At step 605 an adhesive composition is applied across substantially the full area of the rear face of the paper label. The process for applying the adhesive composition to the rear face of the label will depend on the particular adhesive used. As an example, in the case of a hot-melt or solvent type adhesive, the adhesive may be applied in a single stage and allowed to cure. As an alternative, a curable adhesive, such as a UV cross-linkable acrylic adhesive may require a separate curing step, for example, by exposure to a source of UV light.

At step 606 the paper label is attached to the base sheet to overlie the coated area of the base sheet such that the adhesive composition of the base sheet is in contact with the coated area of the base sheet.