Abstract:
A multi-layer construct is provided for simultaneously displaying old and new product information. The construct includes a liner that has removable and permanent portions. A removable adhesive is an ultraviolet-resistant adhesive that is applied to a front surface of the first portion of the liner and a permanent adhesive is applied to a front surface of the second portion of the liner. A transparent film is secured to the removable adhesive and a printable label is secured to the permanent adhesive. The first portion of the liner can be separated from remainder of the construct so that the transparent film can be applied removably over the old product information. The new product information can be printed on the printable label.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/731,919, filed Apr. 2, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 60/789,195, filed Apr. 3, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 60/878,966, filed Jan. 5, 2007. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/731,919, U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 60/789,195, and U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 60/878,966 all are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a multi-layer sheet useful for marking special sales or promotions on the edge of a shelf in a retain store. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Retail stores, such as drug stores and food markets have arrays of shelves for displaying products offered for sale. Pricing information generally is presented on the front edge of the shelf in front of the items that are being displayed for sale. 
         [0004]    Retail stores or the manufacturers of products frequently offer promotions on selected items. The promotion often is a reduction in price. However, other promotions are common, such as “Buy One Get One Free” or “Buy One Get the Second at Half Price”. The promotional offering can simply be placed over the original pricing label appearing on the shelf in the retail facility. However, the promotional offering generally exists for only a limited time. As a result, a retail store generally would not want to discard or destroy the original pricing label. In this regard, a retail store devotes considerable time and money to ensure that the shelves for all products are properly marked. A promotional program that required remarking the shelves at the end of the promotion would be time consuming and costly. 
         [0005]    Labels can be printed with a removable adhesive. A label with a removable adhesive could be imprinted with the promotional offer and could be applied over the original edge of shelf pricing label. The retail store operator then could simply remove the label with the promotional offering at the end of the promotion. The existing pricing label then would remain on the shelf to advise the consumer of the standard price for the objects on the shelf. However, a consumer might appreciate the value of the offer if the consumer knew the original price and could compare the original price to the promotional offering. The promotional offering could be placed near the original label so that the consumer could observe both the original price and the promotional offering. However, most retail stores try to keep a neat and orderly appearance for their shelves. The use of side-by-side pricing label creates a disorderly appearance. Furthermore, many products are allotted only a small area of shelf space. As a result, the side-by-side presentation of pricing information could create confusion among the purchasing public. In particular, a consumer might not fully appreciate which promotional offering corresponded to which product or which promotional price label corresponded to which original price label. 
         [0006]    Many pricing labels are prepared as multi-layer structures. The multilayer structures include a top sheet that will be imprinted with appropriate information for identifying a product and its price. This label will be releasably secured to a release liner. The top sheet and the release liner remain secured to one another during printing of the information on the top sheet and during storage after printing. The release liner is removed prior to use so that the top sheet can be secured to a substrate. Mutli-layer label structures must be of substantially uniform thickness to ensure reliable jam-free processing through a printer. Thus, each of the two opposite surfaces of a multi-layer label construction should be substantially planar across the extent of the surface. Non-planar regions or other surface discontinuities can cause a printer to jam and can cause an unintended separation of the top sheet from the release liner. 
         [0007]    Pricing labels are used in all retail store environments, from ambient to freezer temperature, and exposed to all manner of store lighting. Current pricing labels utilize adhesives that, within a few days of exposure to the store environment, undergo ultraviolet (“UV”)-based degradation, in which the adhesives&#39; unstable double and triple bonds are attacked. The UV-based degradation of an adhesive results in chain scission and a significant reduction in molecular weight. The resulting adhesive damage manifests itself in adhesive and cohesive failure, as well as requiring store personnel to invest considerable non-value-added time cleaning shelves of the degraded adhesive residue. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The invention relates to a multi-layer construct for presenting pricing or other promotional information on the edge of a shelf in a retail store. In particular, the construct is intended to present information that is likely to be relevant and accurate for only a limited promotional period. Additionally, the construct is uniquely designed to permit a continued display of original pricing information on the edge of the retail shelf and to avoid destruction of the original pricing information. 
         [0009]    The multi-layer construct of the subject invention includes a liner having opposite front and rear surfaces. The front surface of the liner includes an alternating array of permanent adhesive and removable adhesive. The removable adhesive preferably is substantially transparent, and is a UV-resistant adhesive. The removable adhesive can be a UV-resistant, rubber-based, hot melt adhesive. Areas of the front surface of the liner to which the removable adhesive will be applied may be coated initially with a thin layer of a release coating, such as silicone, to ensure that the removable adhesive is removable easily from the liner. 
         [0010]    The multi-layer construct of the subject invention further includes a front layer with opposite front and rear surfaces. The rear surface of the front layer is secured to the adhesive on the front surface of the liner. Portions of the front layer that align with the removable adhesive preferably are formed from a plastic sheet material. The plastic sheet material preferably is transparent, but may be an opaque material that substantially conforms to the color of an existing pricing label (e.g., white) or to the color of an existing shelf edge. Portions of the front layer that align with the permanent adhesive on the liner may be formed from a non-transparent material that is well suited to receiving printed indicia. For example, portions of the front layer that align with the permanent adhesive on the liner may be formed from paper. The two different materials that comprise the front layer of the multi-layer construct have thicknesses to ensure a uniform thickness for the multi-layer construct and to ensure a substantially planar front surface for the multi-layer construct. As a result, the construct can be processed efficiently through a printing apparatus. Additionally, the two materials that comprise the front layer of the multi-layer construct preferably are permanently secured in edge-to-edge relationship to ensure that the two different materials that comprise the front layer are not separated from one another during printing, storage or use. 
         [0011]    In certain embodiments, a radio frequency identification device (RFID) may be secured as an inlay between portions of the front layer that are secured permanently to the liner. The RFID inlay enables additional information to be conveyed to employees or management personnel, such as inventory and pricing data. For example, the RFID inlay may signal store personnel at the end of a promotional program so that the multi-layer construct can be removed from a display in a timely manner. 
         [0012]    The liner preferably includes perforations, die cuts or the like at locations that align with the boundaries between the removable and permanent adhesive. As a result, the portion of the liner that aligns with the removable adhesive can be separated from the multi-layer construct to expose the removable adhesive. However, the portion of the liner that aligns with the permanent adhesive will remain permanently adhered to corresponding parts of the front layer. 
         [0013]    The multi-layer construct is employed by separating the portion of the liner from the removable adhesive to expose the removable adhesive. The multi-layer construct then is applied directly over the shelf edge pricing label in a retail store. The portion of the front layer registered with the removable adhesive preferably is formed from a transparent plastic material and the removable adhesive preferably is substantially transparent. Hence, the original label is visible through the transparent part of the front layer. In these embodiments, printing is not required on the transparent plastic material. In other embodiments, the plastic part of the front layer may be opaque (e.g., white) and indicia, such as the original price, may be printed on the opaque plastic. This embodiment gives the customer a very clean clear indication of the original price. The area of the multi-layer construct that is permanently secured to the liner will be suspended from the shelf directly beneath the original shelf edge pricing label. As a result, promotional information printed on the front surface of the front layer will be suspended directly beneath the original pricing label. A consumer will notice the promotional price and the original price visible through the transparent film of the multi-layer construct or printed on an opaque plastic film of the multi-layer construct. The multi-layer construct can be separated from the shelf and from the original label at the end of the promotional term. The removable adhesive will not damage the original label, and hence relabeling the original price is not necessary. 
         [0014]    The multi-layer constructs of the subject invention preferably are manufactured in strip or sheet form with a plurality of such constructs connected to one another in end-to-end and/or side-to-side relationship. Perforations or die cuts are provided entirely through adjacent multi-layer constructs so that the constructs can be separated from one another. However, a plurality of such constructs can be processed quickly through an automated printing apparatus to achieve processing efficiencies and to avoid separate printing of the promotional multi-layer constructs. The printing can be performed at a central location and the printed constructs can be distributed to the stores in a ready to use form. Alternatively, the constructs can be distributed in an unprinted form or a partly printed form to the stores. The stores then can print appropriate indicia onto portions of the front layer of the constructs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a retail store shelf with a shelf edge pricing label applied thereto. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a multi-layer label construct in accordance with the subject invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the multi-layer construct of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the multi-layer label construct of the subject invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the multi-layer label construct of the subject invention applied to the retail shelf of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is flow diagram showing a method of using the multi-layer construct. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view similar to  FIG. 2 , but showing an alternate embodiment of the multi-layer construct. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    The prior art retail shelf is identified generally by the numeral  10  in  FIG. 1 . The shelf  10  extends substantially horizontally and supports a plurality of different types of products  12  and  14 . 
         [0024]    The shelf  10  includes a front edge  16  that is configured to accommodate pricing labels  18  and  20  corresponding respectively to the products  12  and  14 . Promotions of limited time duration periodically will be offered for certain of the products  12  or  14 . The promotion typically will include a price reduction, but may include other promotional offers as well. 
         [0025]    A multi-layer label construct to present the promotional pricing information is identified generally by the numeral  22  in  FIGS. 2-6 . A plurality of such multi-layer constructs  22  typically will be secured in end-to-end and side-to-side relationship with one another to define a strip-shaped or sheet-shaped array  24  that can be processed through an automated printing apparatus. However, the multi-layer constructs  22  can be separated from one another for use on the prior art shelf  10 , as described herein. 
         [0026]    As shown most clearly in  FIG. 3 , the array  24  of multi-layer constructs  22  includes a liner  26  with opposite back and front faces  28  and  30 . The liner  26  may be formed from paper or a synthetic sheet material, but should be a high performance lay-flat liner specifically engineered for both high speed and low speed printers. Additionally, the liner  26  should have no more than ⅛ inch curl through the entire process to ensure performance at both the print shop and at the store. One preferred liner  26  is a 70# basis paper with good holdout properties conducive to silicone coating. 
         [0027]    A thin release coating of silicone  31  is applied directly to a selected area on the front face  30 . A removable adhesive  32  is applied over the silicone  31  and a permanent adhesive  34  is applied to parts of the front face  30  of the liner  26  that have no silicone  31 . The silicone  31  facilitates separation of the liner  26  from the removable adhesive  32 , as explained further herein. In this regard, the release force to separate the liner  36  and silicone  31  from the removable adhesive  32  preferably is about 5-10 gms (grams per meter squared). The removable adhesive  32  is selected to achieve short term removablility, excellent die-cutting characteristics and excellent stripping characteristics. More particularly, the peel force of the removable adhesive  32  should be sufficient to hold the multi-layer construct  22  on the existing pricing label  18 ,  20  without removing the existing pricing label  18 ,  20  from the front edge  16  of the shelf  10  and without removing the toner on the existing pricing label  18 ,  20 . Additionally, the removable adhesive  32  preferably is transparent. The removable adhesive  32  preferably is an ultraviolet-resistant (“UV-resistant”) adhesive, for example, a UV-resistant, rubber-based, hot melt adhesive. Advantageously, the UV-resistant removable adhesive  32  allows for the pricing label  18 , 20  to be removed from the front edge  16  of the shelf  10  without leaving UV-degraded adhesive residue on the shelf  10 . 
         [0028]    The permanent adhesive  34  is a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive designed to perform in industrial-like applications without compromising digital imaging processing. Additionally, the permanent adhesive  34  should have excellent “quick stick” and permanence to practically all commonly labeled surfaces, such as, most papers, metals, painted surfaces, polyolefins, hard plastics and uncoated cardboard. 
         [0029]    Both the removable adhesive  32  and the permanent adhesive  34  preferably are applied to provide a narrow boundary (e.g. 1/16 inch) around the periphery of the liner  26  to assure contamination free processing in high and low volume digital imaging applications. A process for applying adhesive in this manner is marketed by Avery Dennison under the trademark Xonad. 
         [0030]    Die cuts or perforation arrays preferably are formed through the liner  26  at locations that register with the demarcations between the areas of removable adhesive  32  and the areas of permanent adhesive  34 . 
         [0031]    Each multi-layer construct  22  further includes a front layer  40  applied over the adhesive  32 ,  34  on the front surface of the liner  26 . Portions of the front layer  40  that align with the removable adhesive  32  are formed from a plastic film  42 , such as films designed for desktop and low speed printers. The film  42  preferably is transparent. More particularly, the film  42  and the removable adhesive  32  should be sufficiently clear to ensure that the existing pricing label  18 ,  20  is human readable and barcode scannable. A preferred transparent film  42  is a clear polyester with a thickness of about 2.0-3.0 mils. However, other clear or white filmic materials can be used. The transparent film  42 , the removable adhesive  32 , the silicone  31  and the liner  26  are selected and processed to permit the film  42  and the removable adhesive  32  to be separated from the silicone  31  with a release force of 5-10 gms (grams per meter squared). However, an opaque film can be employed in a situation where the film  42  remains with the shelf  16  upon completion of the sale period. Die cuts or perforations located at or near sections  44  and  42  would facilitate separation of the film  42  from the remainder of the construct  22 . 
         [0032]    Portions of the front layer  40  that align with the permanent adhesive  34  are formed from printable labeling material  44  with a thickness approximately the same as the transparent film  42  to ensure efficient processing by the printer. The printable labeling material  44  preferably is a machine grade coated base paper, and for simplicity will be referred to herein as paper  44 . However, it should be understood that printable labeling materials other than paper can be employed in some situations. Areas of the paper  44  that are to be printed may be coated with an aqueous styrene acrylic base toner enhancement treatment, such as the treatment available from Water Ink Technology. 
         [0033]    The film  42  and the paper  44  of each multi-layer construct  22  are permanently secured in edge-to-edge relationship at an abutting edge region  46 . As a result, the film  42  and the paper  44  of each multi-layer construct  22  will remain attached to one another during printing and during use. However, the film  42  and paper  44  of one multi-layer construct  22  are not secured permanently in edge-to-edge relationship to the film  42  and/or the paper  44  of the adjacent multi-layer construct layer  22 . Rather, arrays  41   a ,  41   b  of spaced-apart die cuts or perforations extend through the liner  26  and the front layer  40  between multi-layer constructs  22 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The spacing between the die cuts and the length of the die cuts enable an array  24  of multi-layer constructs  22  to be processed through a printing apparatus. However, adjacent multi-layer constructs  22  of the array  24  can be separated from one another cleanly along the die cut or perforation arrays  41   a ,  41   b  through the liner  26  and the front layer  40 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , all of the illustrated films  42  initially are unitary, but are made cleanly severable by the die cuts  41   a ,  41   b . The printable paper labels  44  on the right side of  FIG. 2  initially are a unitary strip and the printable paper labels  44  on the left side of  FIG. 2  also initially are unitary. However, the printable paper labels  44  of adjacent multilayer constructs  22  can be separated along the die cut arrays  41   b.    
         [0034]    The array  24  of constructs  22  can be processed through an automated printing apparatus, as shown in  FIG. 7 , so that promotional pricing information and other promotional data may be printed on the front face  48  of the paper  44  of each multi-layer construct  22 . The printing on the front face  48  of the paper  44  can be carried out at a central location for a chain of retail stores, and the printed arrays  24  of constructs  22  can then be shipped to individual stores. Alternatively, all or part of the printing may be carried out at the individual stores. These, two optional processes are shown in the flow diagram of  FIG. 7 . The preprinting that may be applied at a central location for a chain of retail stores is shown, for example by the imprinted indicia reading “AS ADVERTISED” in  FIG. 2  and the printed indicia reading “NOW ONLY” in  FIG. 5 . The printing carried out at the local retail facility may be the specific price, such as the “$2.29” shown in  FIG. 5 . After printing, the multi-layer constructs  22  of the array  24  can be separated from one another. The portion of the liner  26  that aligns with the removable adhesive  32  and the film  42  can be separated from the portion of the liner  26  that aligns with the permanent adhesive  34  and the paper  44 . The removable adhesive  32  remains attached to the rear face of the film  42  partly due to the application of silicone  31  locally to the front surface  30  of the liner  26 . The removable adhesive  32  then is applied over the label  18 ,  20  on the front edge  16  of the shelf  10 . The original price presented on the label  18 ,  20  remains visible through the transparent film  42  and the transparent removable adhesive  32 . As a result, a consumer can readily observe the original purchase price. However, the indicia imprinted on the front face  48  of the paper  44  presents the promotional price and perhaps other promotional information to draw the attention of the consumer. As a result, the consumer can readily compare the original price on the permanent label  18 ,  20  to the promotional price on the paper  44  of the multi-layer construct  22 . At the end of the promotional term, the retail store operator simply can separate the construct  32  from the permanent label  18 ,  20  by applying a pulling force on the paper  44  and the liner  34 . The removable adhesive  32  will readily separate from permanent label  18 ,  20 , and no relabeling is required. More particularly, the peel force of the removable adhesive  32  should be sufficient to hold the multi-layer construct  22  on the existing pricing label  18 ,  20  without removing the existing pricing label  18 ,  20  from the front edge  16  of the shelf  10  and without removing the toner on the existing pricing label  18 ,  20 . 
         [0035]    An alternate construct is illustrated in  FIG. 8  and is identified generally by the numeral  22 A. The construct  22 A is substantially the same as the construct  20  described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 . However, a radio frequency identification device (RFID)  50  is laminated permanently as an inlay between the liner  26  and the paper  44 . The RFID inlay  50  is selected to permit processing of the construct  22 A through a digital imaging apparatus. The construct  22 A is made and used like the construct  22 . However, the construct  22 A has the additional advantage of being able to transmit data to store personnel relating to the product inventory covered by a special offer or to terms of a special offer. The RFID inlay  50  can perform any of the functions of a label bar code as well as many additional functions. 
         [0036]    While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it is apparent that various changes can be made without departing from the invention defined by the appended claims. For example, the film  42  may be formed from a substantially opaque material (e.g., white plastic) that preferably corresponds to the color of the existing label  18  or  20  or the color of the shelf  16 . The existing price then may be printed on the opaque film  42  to ensure that all pricing information presented to the consumer during the promotional period is clear and clean.