Abstract:
A packaging label is provided having a base film, an ink layer, and an adhesive layer for adhering to a container. The label includes an indication marking for providing evidence of label tampering, which is preferably visible upon removal of the packaging label from a container. The label further includes an area of weakness on the base film extending the length of the film. The packaging label is severable along the area of weakness to divide the packaging label into first and second portions so that a lid may be removed from a container body.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Packaging labels, and in particular, tamper-evident labels and containers for smokeless tobacco having the labels thereon.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Product containers, such as a typical smokeless tobacco container, are often sealed with a paper label adhered to both a lid and to a container body to seal the container while on the store shelf. The paper label secures the lid to the body, but also provides ease of lid opening after customer purchase. The paper label is easily delaminated, torn, or scored along an interface between the lid and container body to allow the container to be opened. However, current paper labels generally do not provide a sufficient indication to the purchasing customer that the label and lid may have been removed and replaced back onto the container. Therefore, even with a label affixed over the lid and body of a container, the consumer does not know if the internal contents of the container have been tampered with prior to purchase.  
         [0003]     A tamper-evident label or security tape is a commonly used label that provides an indication that the label may have been removed. In one form, the security tape is an adhesive label that can be applied to a substrate that provides visible evidence of the label&#39;s removal. For instance, upon the security tape being removed, the tape leaves behind a residue on the substrate as evidence of its removal. Often the residue forms a text message, such as VOID or OPENED, or may form a repeated pattern, such as a checkerboard pattern. Once removed, even if the security tape is re-applied to the substrate, the patterned residue or textual message makes it difficult to re-align the removed portion back on the substrate to appear as if the label was never removed. Accordingly, even if re-applied, the security tape typically provides evidence of its prior removal.  
         [0004]     Such security labels are often used to provide evidence of unwanted tampering of a container or its contents. For instance, if the tape&#39;s security features are visible, then evidence exists that, at a minimum, the label has been removed. Upon evidence that the label has been removed, then it is also possible that the internal contents of the container have been tampered with. On the other hand, an intact security label generally presents evidence of non-tampering, which may indicate that the container or internal contents are in their original condition.  
         [0005]     While the security tape does provide adequate evidence of its unwanted removal, by the very nature of the security tape itself, it is difficult for the removal of the security label from the container when desired so that the container may be opened and its contents used. Generally, once the non-tampered container has been purchased by a consumer, then the security function of the label is no longer needed as the consumer is already satisfied that the container has not been tampered with. After purchase of the non-tampered container, the consumer desires a quick, easy, and clean method for breaking the seal of the security label so that the container may be opened.  
         [0006]     Security tapes generally use polypropylene or similar plastic films with aggressive adhesives. Such tape characteristics make opening the container difficult. For example, the polymer films are difficult to cut, the aggressive adhesive may damage the container, and the security features often leave residue on the container or label. As a result, while the security tape provides assurances that the container most likely has not been tampered with, the security tape also renders opening the container difficult and often creates an unpleasing appearance on the container after being opened.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, it is desired for a security tape or label that provides evidence of its undesired removal, but also permits desired removal or breaking of at least a portion of the label for ease of opening a container onto which the label is applied.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The invention relates to a packaging label that provides evidence of label tampering. In one form, the label includes a base film, an adhesive layer on the base film for adhering to a container, and an ink layer. The label also preferably includes an indication marking or markings for providing evidence of label tampering that is visible upon removal of the label from a container or other substrate. In a preferred form, the label also has an area of weakness on the base film extending its length. The label is severable or breakable along this area of weakness to divide the label into first and second portions. In one form, the first label portion is generally adhered to a lid sidewall and a second label portion is generally adhered to a container body sidewall. In this manner, it is simple for the lid to be removed from the container body upon the label being severed along the area of weakness. The packaging label is preferably adhered to a smokeless tobacco container. However, the label may also be adhered to any container in which a purchasing consumer desires to open the container after being assured of its integrity prior to purchase.  
         [0009]     In other aspects, the area of weakness includes a row of perforations. The label, as a result, is easily divided into the first and second portions by severing or breaking the perforations. In one embodiment, the area of weakness may also include a plurality of substantially parallel rows of perforations. The parallel rows of perforations aid in aligning the area of weakness along an interface between the lid and container. Alternatively, the area of weakness may also include a partial score, slit, or cut into the thickness of the film instead of the perforations. Similarly, the label may include a plurality of substantially parallel partial score lines.  
         [0010]     In another embodiment, the packaging label may also include a tab portion extending outwardly from an edge thereof and a notch in an opposing label edge. The notch is preferably substantially aligned with the tab portion. In this embodiment, the label also includes a strip portion that extends between the tab portion and the notch. In such form, the tab is peelable away from the label along the strip to sever the label into the first and second portions.  
         [0011]     The base film may also be formed from an oriented plastic. With such material, the label may also include a second area of weakness that also extends the length of the label. The two areas of weaknesses may define the strip portion therebetween. While not wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that the areas of weakness can be formed from the oriented condition or characteristics of the plastic.  
         [0012]     The invention also relates to a container that provides evidence of its undesired opening or tampering. In this form, the container includes a container body having a side wall and a container lid that forms an interface between a portion of the container lid and a portion of the container side wall. The container also includes a label similar to that described above, which is adhered to both the container side wall and the lid. It is preferred that the first label portion is generally adhered to the container body side wall and the second label portion is generally adhered to the lid so that upon lid removal each label portion remains adhered to such container section.  
         [0013]     In another embodiment, the label has a release area on the base film and an ink layer on both the base film and on the release area. In general, the release area corresponds to the indication marking. In this aspect, the release area has a Surface Energy about 2 to about 3 Dyne/cm greater than a Surface Tension of the ink layer. In this manner, the ink layer may be coated or otherwise applied over the release area, but still be removable therefrom upon the removal of the label from the container. In another aspect, the base film has a Surface Energy at least about 10 Dyne/cm greater than a Surface Tension of the ink layer. In this manner, the ink layer adheres to the base film upon removal of the label from the container.  
         [0014]     The indication marking may also include a residual indicator on the container and a revealed indicator on the base film. The residual indicator may include a portion of the adhesive layer and a portion of the ink layer each corresponding to the release area. The revealed indicator comprises a portion of the base film corresponding to the release area. The release area, the residual indicator, and the revealed indicator may each form a textual message.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary container having a security label thereon that embodies features of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the container and security label of  FIG. 1  illustrating the security label partially removed;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the container and security label of  FIG. 1A  illustrating details of the label;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2A  is a partial, plan view of the container and label of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  illustrating an alternative, exemplary security label thereon embodying features of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 3  illustrating a lid removed from a container body with the security label partially removed;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  illustrating an alternative, exemplary security label thereon embodying features of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the container and security label of  FIG. 4  illustrating a portion of the security label being removed from the container;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 4  illustrating an alternative, exemplary security label thereon embodying features of the present invention; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the container and security label of  FIG. 4  illustrating a lid removed from a container body with the security label partially removed.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary container  10  having a label  12  thereon is illustrated that embodies features of the present invention. In one form, the container  10  may be a typical smokeless tobacco container having a container body  14  and a lid  16 ; however, the container  10  may be any container in which a purchasing consumer desires to open the container after being assured of its integrity prior to purchase. Formed on the container  10 , when the lid  16  is received on, over, or in the container body  14 , is an interface  15  between an edge  17  or other portion of the lid  16  and a portion of the container body  14 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the label  12  is preferably applied to both the container body  14  and the lid  16  over a portion of the interface  15 . In this manner, the label  12 , while providing information to the purchasing consumer, also seals or secures the lid  16  to the container body  14 . In other words, as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the label  12  is preferably applied to a side wall  18  of the container body  14  and to a side wall  20  of the container lid  16  over a portion of the interface  15 . As shown, the label  12  encircles the entire container  10  on the side walls  18  and  20 ; however, the label  12  may also extend only partially around the container. Alternatively, the label  12  may be applied to the container  10  transversely around a top and bottom rather than circumferentially around the sides.  
         [0026]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the label  12  is shown as a tamper-evident label or a security tape that provides evidence  22  of its unwanted or undesired removal. For example, the evidence  22  of the unwanted removal may be a residual indicator  22   a  on the container  10  and/or a revealed indicator  22   b  on the label  12 . While the residual indicator  22   a  and the revealed indicator  22   b  are illustrated as a textual “VOID” message, such tamper evidence  22  may be other text messages, patterns, images, or the like on the label  12  and/or the container  10 . Accordingly, the container  10  having the security label  12  thereon provides evidence whether or not the container has been tampered with. If the evidence  22  is visible, then the consumer is alerted to a possible tampering of the container  10 . Conversely, if the evidence  22  is not visible, then the consumer is notified that the container most likely has not been tampered with. In that regard, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 1 A, if the label remains applied to the container  10 , then the evidence  22  is not visible ( FIG. 1 ). On the other hand, as will be further discussed below, if the label is removed or partially removed, then the evidence  22  becomes visible ( FIG. 1A ).  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 2 A, the label  12  is preferably formed from a multi-layer construction. In the illustrated embodiment, the label  12  includes a base film  24  having an ink layer  26  and an adhesive layer  28  thereon. That is, the ink layer  26  is preferably on the film  24  and the adhesive layer  28  is on the ink layer  26 . The film  24  may be clear or colored transparent plastic films, such as polyester, polypropylene, polycarbonate, or similar plastic films. It is preferred that the films have a thickness of about 0.5 to 5 mils thick. The ink layer  26  may include colored inks, UV-cured inks, solvent-based inks, or water-based inks. The inks may be applied to the label  12  through flood coating, gravure coating, Meyer rod coating, flexographic processes, lithographic coating methods, or other suitable coating methods. The adhesive layer may include pressure sensitive adhesives, UV-cured adhesives, solvent-based adhesives, or water-based adhesives. The adhesive may also be applied through gravure coating, Meyer rod coating, flexographic, lithographic coating methods, or other suitable coating methods.  
         [0028]     More specifically, the ink layer  26  is applied onto an inner surface  30  of the film  24  and the adhesive layer  28  is then applied onto the ink layer  26 . In other words, the ink layer  26  is preferably between the film  24  and the adhesive layer  28 . In addition, spaced throughout the label  12  are at least one, and preferably a plurality, of low adhesion or release areas  32  between the film surface  30  and the ink layer  26 . In one form, the areas  32  are recesses in the ink layer  26  so that a space is formed between the ink layer  26  and the film surface  30 . In other forms, the areas  32  may be a release agent or other coating applied to the film  24 .  
         [0029]     Preferably, the release areas  32  are a clear release coating that is initially applied as a particular pattern (i.e. “VOID” text, etc.) to the surface  30  of the film  24  prior to the ink layer  26 . The clear coating of the area  32 , when dried, has a Surface Energy high enough to be wet and coated by the ink layer  26 , but also low enough to provide a weak adhesion between the ink layer  26  and film  24 . As discussed below, the adhesion in the areas  32  between the ink layer  26  and film  24  is less than the adhesion between the adhesive layer  28  and the container  10 .  
         [0030]     The label  12  is applied to the container  10  by pressing the adhesive layer  28  to the container  10  by a predetermined amount of force so that the adhesive layer  28  adheres to both the container lid  16  and the container body  14  as previously described. If the label  12  is then removed, such as by the undesired peeling back of the label  12  from the container  10 , the label  12  will partially or completely destroy itself. That is, the label  12  will separate or delaminate into a plurality of layers, some of which remain on the container  10  and others which remain with the peeled back label  12 . For example, upon undesired label removal, the label  12  will separate portions of the ink layer  26  and portions of the adhesive layer  28  from the film  24  that correspond to the areas  32  to provide the evidence  22  of its unwanted removal. Preferably, such separation forms the residual indicator  22   a  on the container  10  and the revealed indicator  22   b  on the label  12 . The areas  32  between the ink layer  26  and the film  24  allow the separation or delamination therebetween so that the residual indicator  22   a  remains on the container  10  and the revealed indicator  22   b  remains on the label  12  for any portion of the label  12  that corresponds to the areas  32 .  
         [0031]     The residual indicator  22   a  preferably includes a residual ink layer  26   a  and a residual adhesive layer  28   a  that remain adhered to the container  10 . In one form, the residual indicator  22   a  is a strip of the residual ink layer  26   a  and the residual adhesive layer  28   a  having a textual message or pattern thereon, such as “VOID” or “OPENED”. In such form, the strip generally has a predetermined length and width corresponding to the area  32 . In other forms, the residual indicator  22   a  forms the textual message itself rather than being a strip having the message thereon. In such alternative form, the residual indicator  22   a  includes the residual ink layer  26   a  and the residual adhesive layer  28   a  in the shape of the letters or patterns making up the textual message or pattern. That is, the area  32  is in the shape of the desired evidence  22 . If the label has a plurality of areas  32 , then upon unwanted removal of the label  12 , a plurality of residual indicators  22   a  will be on the container  10  corresponding to the areas  32 .  
         [0032]     The revealed indicator  22   b , on the other hand, includes a portion  24   a  of the base film  24  that also corresponds to the area  32 . That is, the revealed indicator  22   b  is the portion of the label  12  that remains after the residual ink layer  26   a  and the residual adhesive layer  28   a  have been removed therefrom upon the unwanted peeling of the label  12 . Within the portion  24   a  may be a printed, translucent, or transparent textual message that corresponds to the textual message in the residual indicator  22   a . Alternatively, the revealed indicator  22   b  may be a void space in the ink and adhesive layers remaining on the label  12  that corresponding to the area  32 . That is, as described above, the area  32  may form the textual message or other pattern itself by the application of the clear release layer in the shape of the textual message on the film surface  30 . As a result, upon unwanted peeling of the label  12 , the area  32  form the revealed indicator  22   b  from the base film  24  and defined by or surrounded by the ink layer  26  and adhesive layer  28  still remaining on the film  24 . In other words, the revealed indicator  22   b  is a clear, translucent, or transparent indication or message through the label  12  that corresponds to the area  32  in the shape of the desired evidence  22 .  
         [0033]     To form such security tape  12 , the levels of adhesion between the film  24 , the ink layer  26 , and the adhesive layer  28  may vary compared to the level of adhesion between the adhesive layer  28  and the container  10 . The differential adhesions between the various layers may be selected such that, upon unwanted removal of the label  12  as previously described, the residual adhesive layer  28   a  remains on the container  10  and a second portion  28   b  of the adhesive layer  28  remains on the removed label  12 . Therefore, in such areas where the adhesive layer  28   b  is removed from the container  10 , the level of adhesion between the ink layer  26 , the adhesive layer  28   b , and the film  24  must be greater than the level of adhesion between the adhesive layer  28   b  and the container  10 . Similarly, in the residual indicator  22   a , the level of adhesion between the residual ink layer  26   a  and the area  32  (i.e. “VOID”) must be less than the level of adhesion between the residual adhesive layer  28   a , the ink layer  26 , and the container  10 . As discussed above, the lower level of adhesion between the residual ink layer  26   a  and the film  24  may be from the area  32  having a release coating, a release agent, a void space, or the like therein.  
         [0034]     In one embodiment, it has been discovered that a Surface Energy of the film surface  30  should be at least 10 Dyne per centimeter greater than a Surface Tension of the liquid ink or ink layer  26 . Such difference provides good adhesion of the dry ink layer  26  to the film  24 . On the other hand, a Surface Energy of the area  32  (i.e., “VOID”) should be only 2-3 Dyne per centimeter greater than the Surface Tension of the liquid ink or ink layer  26 . This lower difference is generally sufficient to provide a positive wetting of the area  32  by the ink, but also provides release of the ink layer  26  from the base film  24  corresponding to the area  32  upon removal of the label  12 . Therefore, upon label  12  removal, the ink layer  26  and adhesive layer  28  that corresponds to the area  32  delaminate from the film  24  and remain on the container  10  as the residual ink layer  26   a  and the residual adhesive layer  28   a . The void left by the removed ink layer and removed adhesive layer form the revealed indicator on the film  24  as described above.  
         [0035]     The container  10  having the label  12  thereon can be opened in several ways. For example, the lid  16  can be twisted relative to the container body  14  (or vise versa) in order to break the label  12  circumferentially along the container interface  15 . Alternatively, a thin object, such as a utensil, key, knife, fingernail, or the like can score or sever the label  12  approximate the interface  15  and cut the label  12  around the container  10 . In addition, the label  12  may still be peeled or removed from the container  10 .  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 3 A, an alternative label  112  embodying features of the invention is also illustrated on the container  10 . The label  112  is also a tamper-evident label or security tape similar to label  12 , but further includes an area of weakness  113  to provide desired opening of the container  10 . As shown, the label  112  generally includes a pair of tamper-evident portions  112   a  with the area of weakness  113  therebetween. In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3 A, one of the tamper-evident portions  112   a  is generally adhered to the container sidewall  18  and the other tamper-evident portion  112   a  is generally adhered to the lid side wall  20 . In that regard, the tamper-evident portion  112   a  adhered to the lid sidewall  20  is generally narrower than the tamper-evident portion  112   a  adhered to the container sidewall  18 . Preferably, the areas of weakness  113  is aligned with the container interface  15  so that when the area of weakness  113  is deformed or broken, as described below, the lid  16  and container body  14  are separated.  
         [0037]     More specifically, the tamper-evident portions  112   a  of the label  112  are similar to the previously described label  12  and, as illustrated in  FIG. 3A , form the residual indicator  22   a  and the revealed indicator  22   b  upon the unwanted removal of the entire label  112  or upon the unwanted removal of either section  112   a  by itself. As will be further described below, the label  112  is deformable, such as being breakable, along the area of weakness  113  so that the tamper-evident portions  112   a  can be separated to form distinct labels. Preferably, upon such deformation of the label  112  along the area of weakness  113 , one tamper evident portion  112   a  is generally adhered to the lid side wall  20  and the other tamper-evident portion  112   a  is generally adhered to the container body side wall  18  so that the lid  16  may be removed from the container body  14 .  
         [0038]     The area of weakness  113  facilitates the desired opening of the container  10  by allowing the label  112  to be more easily deformed (i.e., broken) than the label  12 . In one embodiment, the area of weakness  113  includes perforations  150  along the length of the label  112 . The perforations  150  are a plurality of small slits having portions of the label  112  therebetween that extend the length of the label  112  in at least one row, and preferably, a plurality of parallel rows that are aligned with the container interface  15 . In a preferred embodiment, the area of weakness  113  includes at least three parallel rows of perforations  150  so that it is easier to align or register the areas of weakness  113  along the container interface  15 . The perforations  150  may include slits or other small openings that extend through the adhesive layer  28 , the ink layer  26 , and the film  24 . The perforations  150  preferably include alternating slits and the portion of the label  112  therebetween.  
         [0039]     When the label  112  is applied to the container  10 , the perforations  150  are preferably aligned or superimposed with the interface  15  between the container lid  16  and the container body side wall  18  to facilitate ease of lid removal. For example, with the perforations  150  in such orientation, the purchasing consumer may twist the lid  16  relative to the container body  18  to break the perforations  150  in order to open the container  10 . Alternatively, the purchasing consumer may break the perforations  150  using a tool, such as knife, key, utensil, fingernail, or other thin object. Once the area of weakness  113  of the label  112  is deformed along the perforations  150 , the tamper-evident portions  112   a  become the separate labels on the lid  16  and container body  18  as described above and shown in  FIG. 3A .  
         [0040]     Alternatively, the area of weakness  113  may be a laser-slit or laser-scored recess in the label  112 . For example, the laser-slit recess may be a cut or score that extends about half the thickness of the film  24  so that when the consumer twists the lid  16  relative to the container body  14 , the thinner film material corresponding to the recess easily breaks. As with the perforations  150 , the area of weakness  113  may also be a plurality of parallel laser-slit recesses that extend the length of the label  112 . Alternatively, the thinner laser-cut recesses also allow the tool described above to easily cut or pierce the label  112 . As with the perforation  150 , the laser-slit recess are preferably aligned or superimposed with the interface  15  when the label  112  is applied to the container  10  to facilitate ease of container  10  opening.  
         [0041]     Optionally, the area of weakness  113  of the label  112  may also correspond to a non-tamper evident portion  112   b . The non-tamper evident portion  112   b  does not form the residual indicator  22   a  or the revealed indicator  22   b  upon its removal, cutting, tearing, breaking, or other deformation. For example, the non-tamper-evident portion  112   b  does not include any areas  32  between the ink layer  26  and film  24 . As a result, upon the deformation of portion  112   b  along the area of weakness  113 , the evidence  22  is not formed and the label  12  may be separated into two distinct security portions  112   a  as previously described. In this manner, the tamper evidence  22  is only revealed upon undesired removal of the label  112  or label portions  112   a  and not through the desired deformation of the area of weakness  113 .  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 4 A- 4 C, another alternative label  212  embodying features of the invention is also illustrated on the container  10 . Similar to the labels  12  and  112 , the label  212  is also a tamper-evident label or security tape. As shown, the label  212  is formed form an oriented film so that the label  212  may be easily separated into multiple portions. For instance, upon desired deformation, the label  212  separates into a pair of peripheral tamper-evident portions  212   a  and a central tamper-evident portion  212   b  therebetween that is generally aligned with container interface  15 .  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 4C , the label  212  also forms the residual indicator  22   a  and revealed indicator  22   b  upon the entire label  212  being removed from the container  10  or upon the tamper-evident portions  212   a  or  212   b  being removed from the container  10 . The label  212  also preferably includes at least two areas of weakness  213  that are generally aligned with or preferably define lengthwise the tamper-evident portion  212   b . Similar to the label  112 , the areas of weakness  213  facilitate the desired opening of the container  10 . As will be described in more detail below, the areas of weakness  113  are generally the result of the label  212  being formed from an oriented film that facilitates the tearing in the longitudinal direction.  
         [0044]     In this embodiment, the label  212  also includes a tab  270  on one edge thereof, such as edge  211 , and a corresponding notch  272  on an opposing edge thereof, such as opposing edge  213 . It is preferred that the labels are formed from a strip of the oriented film so that the notch  272  corresponds to a tab  270  on an adjacent label  212  on the strip. In this regard, there is no wasted film during manufacture of the labels. As best illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the tab  270  and notch  272  are also generally aligned with the tamper-evident portion  212   b  as well as the container interface  15  when the label  212  is applied to the container  10 . While the tab  270  is illustrated as a semi-circular extension from the label side  211 , the tab  270  may be any appropriate extension or protrusion of the label  212  at an end thereof. Likewise, the notch is illustrated as a semi-circular recess in the opposite side of the label; however, the notch  272  may also be any recess, indentation, or other groove in the opposing edge  213  that is substantially the same width as the notch  270 .  
         [0045]     More specifically, the tab  270  is preferably a semi-dcircular projection that forms a predetermined angle with the edge  211  at an intersection  271   a  and  271   b  between opposing edges of the tab  270  and the label edge  211 . Preferably, the predetermined angle is about 90° or less. As will be further described below, the predetermined angle helps the tab  270  facilitate the deformation or removal of the tamper-evident portion  212   b  along the areas of weakness  213 . Removal of the tamper-evident portion  212   b  also generally forms a strip  274  between the areas of weaknesses  213  that extends between the tab  270  and notch  272 . In that regard, each of the intersections  271   a  and  271   b  are substantially aligned with one of the areas of weakness  213 .  
         [0046]     In this embodiment, the label  212  is preferably formed from an oriented film  24 . That is, film  24  is a polymer film that is oriented in only one direction, such as an oriented polypropylene. In such form, as shown in  FIG. 4A , the oriented polymer film allows the intersections  271   a  and  271   b  to cut or slice the film  24  lengthwise generally along each of the areas of weakness  213  when the notch  270  is peeled outwardly and away from the container  10 . In that regard, as the notch  270  is peeled away from the container  10 , the oriented film  24  allows the strip  274  to be cut and removed from the label  212  lengthwise to expose the container interface  15 . While not wishing to be limited by theory, the orientation of the film  24  in a single direction facilitates the tearing of the film along the areas of weakness  113  because of the fibers of the film are oriented only in a single direction, which is generally lengthwise down the label  212 . That is, the areas of weakness  213  may not be specific weaknesses or areas in the film  24 , but generally result from the oriented nature or characteristic of the film and the intersections  217   a  and  271   b  of the notch  270 .  
         [0047]     The removal of the strip  274  also generally divides the label  212  into two separate portions, which generally correspond to the two tamper-evident portions  212   a . For example, after removal of the strip  274 , one of the tamper-evident portions  212   a  is generally adhered to the container body  18  and the other tamper-evident portion  212   a  is generally adhered to the container lid  14 .  
         [0048]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the label  212  may also include an optional tear string  280  embedded within the label  212  or captured between the label  212  and the container  10  surface upon which the label is applied. Preferably, the tear string  280  is aligned with the tamper-evident portion  212   b  and spaced between the two areas of weakness  213  along the container interface  15 . As a result, the string  280  helps deform or tear the tamper-evident portion  212   b  from the label  212  and form the strip  274  as previously described.  
         [0049]     After the strip  274  has been removed from the label  212 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4C , the label  212  is divided into two separate label portions, which generally correspond with the tamper-evident portions  212   a . As previously described, one of the tamper-evident portions  212   a  remains on the container lid  16  and the other tamper-evident portion  212   a  remains on the container body  14 . With the interface  15  being exposed, the lid  16  is easily removed from the body  14  to open the container. On the other hand, even when closed, the now divided label  212  still presents a pleasing appearance to the consumer rather than a destroyed or torn label showing the evidence  22 . However, if either of the tamper-evident portions  212   a  are further removed, they will also provide the visible evidence  22  of removal as shown in  FIG. 4C  and as previously described. As a result, the label  112  also provides assurances to a purchasing consumer of the container&#39;s integrity prior to purchase, but provides for ease of opening after purchase when such integrity assurances are generally no longer needed.  
         [0050]     In an alternative embodiment, the tamper-evident portion  212   b  may be modified so that it does not form the evidence  22  upon being deformed or removed from the container. That is, the modified-tamper-evident portion  212   b  would not form the residual indicator  22   a  or the revealed indicator  22   b  upon its removal from the container  10  as describe above. Moreover, the deformation of the modified-tamper-evident portion  212   b  would also not cause either of the tamper-evident portions  212   a  to show the evidence  22 . For example, the modified-tamper-evident portion  212   b  would not include the areas  32  between the ink layer  26  and film  24 . In such configuration, therefore, the entire modified-tamper-evident portion  212   b  would have a level of adhesion between the ink layer  26  and the film  24  preferably greater than the level of adhesion between the adhesive layer  28  and the container  10 . Therefore, upon removal of the strip  274 , the modified-tamper-evident portion  212   b  would not leave the evidence  22  of it removal.  
         [0051]     It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of parts, components, and method steps which have been herein described and claimed in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.