ANDERSEN, Per (Postboks 79, Møllevej 14-16, Dragør, DK-2791, DK)
Claims
1 . A method of producing labels from a strip of transparent label laminate partially covered by an adhesive, characterised by the one half (1 ) being imprinted with a field for printing or writing with one or more opaque colours of high opacity, and the other half (2) being disposed with a double adhesive release liner with a permanent adhesive layer, following which, a punching out takes place.
2. A method according to claim 1 , characterised by the two halves (1 , 2) being separated by a longitudinal perforation (3) and the release liner being placed approximately 1 mm from the longitudinal perforation.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by the laminate labels on un- derlying paper are produced in rolls, sheets or zigzag folds and placed in a printer, where the required data is printed in the field for printing or writing, the anti-adhesive paper on the double adhesive release liner is removed, and the label comprising two adjacent halves (1 , 2) is folded around the longitudinal perforation (3) to form a finished laminate label.
4. A method according to claim 3, characterised by the printer being a thermal transfer printer.
5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by the second half (2) being made larger than the first half (1 ).
6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by the double adhesive release liner comprising polyethylene/polypropylene or silicon paper.
7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by the label laminate having a partial coating constituted by an adhesive.
8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by the adhesive being a transparent acrylat-dispersion adhesive.
9. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by the first half (1 ) being provided with an anti-heft wire. |
Title: A method of producing labels
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method of producing self adhesive labels from a strip of transparent label laminate partially covered by an adhesive, and a double adhesive release liner, or an applied adhesive layer with a protective release liner.
Background
The labels are typically used within areas where it is desired to have a simple and distinct marking, safety concerning printed data as well as protection of data from physical damage and humidity.
The idea is to be able to produce neutral labels delivered in rolls, sheets or zigzag folds. Afterwards, the labels can be imprinted with different data printed on them in a transfer printer in accordance with the requirements of the individual user. Subsequently, the double adhesive release liner is removed, the other side is folded along the longitudinal perforation and is laminated with adjacent sides. The laminate label is applied to the object which is to be labelled. Typical fields of application are labelling of library materials, engine room labelling for the auto industry, labelling of inventory, or different kinds of security labelling where a high degree of security against counterfeiting is desired.
Disclosure of the Invention
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method of producing self-adhesive labels, which is significantly simpler and more cost-effective than hitherto known. This object is according to the invention obtained by printing a field for printing or writing with one or more opaque colours of high opacity on the one half of the label, and disposing a double adhesive release liner with a permanent adhesive coating on the other half of the label, following which a punching out is performed.
According to the invention, the two halves may be separated by a longitudinal perforation and the release liner be positioned approximately 1 mm from the longitudinal perforation.
By making the second half larger than the first half, it is possible to obtain a lamination which exceeds the format, thereby obtaining a reduced height along three of the sides.
According to the invention, the double adhesive release liner may comprise polyethylene/polypropylene or silicone paper. The double adhesive release liner may alterna- tively by replaced by an adhesive applied through an inking apparatus and subsequently laminated with a silicon paper release liner. This method of manufacture requires that it is possible to manually remove the silicon paper (finger lift).
In this way it is possible for the user to produce labels with individual data in a cost- effective, professional and durable quality.
Through the correct choice of ink ribbon, a high degree of light-fastness and a long durability are achieved. In addition, the user is independent of a supplier, and can use and dispose labels according to need, without having to worry about print run or fi- nances.
Furthermore, according to the invention, the printer may be a thermal transfer printer or the like.
Moreover, according to the invention, the fields for printing or writings can be made in desired formats according to need, as the production process is the same regardless of the format.
The coating material may advantageously comprise polyethylene/polypropylene or 40- 60 g silicone paper. Transparent acryl-dispersion may also be used.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which
Fig. 1 illustrates a strip of laminate label for producing labels comprising two halves separated by a longitudinal perforation,
Fig. 2 illustrates a system for producing the labels by applying an adhesive by the means of a printing unit, followed by lamination with a release liner of silicon paper, and
Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative system for producing self-adhesive labels.
Best modes for carrying out the Invention
The strip of label laminate for producing labels shown in Fig. 1 includes two halves separated by a longitudinal perforation 3 and an adhesive layer. The label material is initially transparent with partial covering by an adhesive. The desired formats are punched out from the label laminate - by 4. By making one half of the finished format larger than the other half, it is possible to obtain a lamination which exceeds the printed format and thereby provides an edge along three of the sides.
On the one half of the laminate a field for printing or writing 1 is printed with one or more colours of high opacity, preferably white. On the other half 2 a double adhesive release liner is disposed, said double adhesive release liner comprising for example polyethylene/polypropylene or silicone paper. The double adhesive release liner can optionally be replaced by an adhesive applied by means of a printing unit, and subsequently be laminated using silicone foil. The release liner is placed approximately 1 mm from the longitudinal perforation 3.
The anti-adhesive paper of the double adhesive laminate is removed upon printing of the field for printing or writing 1 and the label is folded along the longitudinal perforation 3 between the two halves 1 , 2 in such a manner that the printed data in the field for printing or writing 1 is covered and protected by the transparent half 2. Afterwards, the finished label can be applied to the desired object.
The first half 1 can optionally be provided with an anti-heft wire with the purpose of securing the labelled object against theft.
A system for making the labels is illustrated in Fig. 2. The output laminate comprising the two mentioned halves 1 , 2 on an underlying silicone paper(foil) is entered from the
left side and optionally past different inking apparatuses 5, 6 with separate drying devices 7. Thereby white dye is applied to the one half of the strip - by 8. Furthermore, a double adhesive laminate is applied to the upper side of the other half of the strip. Afterwards, a release liner (anti-adhesive paper) is applied to the double adhesive lami- nate by means of an ink roller 9. Subsequently, a punching out - by 4 - of the desired formats takes place, and the surplus material is collected on a special roll 10 (spill roll). The labels on the underlying silicone paper (foil) are transferred to a collecting reel 1 1 for delivery to the customer (the end user). The individual end user must then merely be equipped with a simple customer fitted piece of software and a transfer printer of a value of approximately DKK 5,000.