Label continuum and producing method thereof

This invention relates to a label continuum comprising a long label substrate, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed by transferring to the back of the label substrate and a release layer formed on the surface of the label substrate, and in the invention the label substrate is rolled up such that the release layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer are false-stuck to each other. The invention also relates to a producing method for the label continuum which comprises a step 1 of preparing a process sheet having a release layer at least on either surface and forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on the release surface of the process sheet, a step 2 of preparing a long label substrate with the back the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is transferred and stuck to and of mating together the back of the label substrate and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of the process sheet, a step 3 of forming a release layer on the surface of the label substrate, a step 3 of forming a release layer on the surface of the label substrate, a step 4 of releasing only the process sheet from the surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer transferred to the back of the label substrate, and a step 5 of rolling up the label substrate so that the release layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer are false-stuck to each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a label continuum formed of a plurality of 
continued labels and a producing method thereof and, in particular, the 
so-called non-separable type of label continuum with no release paper 
which is particularly suitable for e.g. price tag or bar-code labels and a 
producing method thereof. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
As a so-called non-separable label with no release paper there has hitherto 
been a label with a delayed tack type of heat-active pressure-sensitive 
adhesive layer formed on the back of a heat-resistant polyethylene. 
Such continuum of labels with a hot-melt type of pressure sensitive 
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed on one side thereof can be used 
in a rolled form without any release paper on the back side thereof. This 
is because such a label has no adhesiveness before pressure sensitivity is 
imparted by melting the sensitive layer. However, such prior art 
non-separable type label requires a large-scale producing device, which is 
inevitably expensive, and as the label's substrate is required to be 
heat-resistant such as polyester since it has to activate the adhesive 
agent and what is low in heat-resistance such as extremely thin tape-like 
label continuum can not be usable. 
Further, the substrate is required to be safe against any of the components 
of the adhesive forming the adhesive layer, the width of selection being 
quite limited. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to widen the range of 
selection for the label substrate and the pressure-sensitive adhesive 
layer and to provide a label continuum which can be produced in a 
variegated small lot fashion and a method of production thereof. 
A first aspect of the present invention relates to a label continuum 
comprising a long label substrate, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 
transferred to the back of the label substrate and a release layer formed 
on the surface of the label substrate, and a label substrate is rolled up 
such that the release layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer are 
temporarily stuck to each other. In the first aspect of the invention, 
since the label substrate is rolled up so that the release layer formed on 
the surface of the label substrate and the pressure-sensitive adhesive 
layer formed on the back thereof is temporarily stuck to each other, it 
can be unrolled with ease. According to the first aspect of the invention, 
the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is formed by transferring onto the 
back of the label substrate, hence the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 
can be formed on the surface of the label substrate at room temperature. 
Therefore, when a label substrate is selected, it is all right even if it 
is an extremely thin tape relatively low in heat resistance and since the 
solvent or the like contained in the pressure-sensitive adhesive in 
emulsion form can be removed prior to transfer of the solvent etc. and the 
width of selection of the pressure-sensitive adhesive for formation of 
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer can be increased regardless of the 
properties of the label substrate. Further, as the label substrate may be 
selected a thermal paper or the like made to develop on heating, while as 
printer may be used any kind thereof by the use of a transfer foil which 
requires rather intensive heating. 
In the first aspect of the invention, the heat-sensitive developing layer 
may be formed on the side opposite to the pressure-sensitive adhesive 
layer. In this invention, since the label substrate is formed on the side 
opposite to the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, developing takes place 
on heating. According to this invention, the heat-sensitive developing 
layer is formed on the side opposite to the pressure-sensitive adhesive 
layer, hence printing can be done with relative ease by the use of thermal 
printer or the like. 
In the first aspect of the invention, the release layer may as well be 
formed by printing or coating a release agent and/or printing ink. In this 
invention, since on the surface of the label substrate is formed a 
printing layer and on the surface of the printed layer is formed an 
adhesive layer, the rolled up label continuum is caused to unroll. 
According to this invention, the release layer is formed on the surface of 
the label substrate, unrolling is possible if the pressure-sensitive 
adhesive layer is formed on the back of the label substrate and the label 
substrate is rolled up with the adhesive layer formed on the surface 
thereof, these layers being temporarily stuck to each other and the labels 
can be cut piecewise for use. 
In the first aspect of the invention, the release layer on the surface of 
the label substrate is formed of film or sheet excelled in releasability. 
In this invention, since the release layer is formed on the label 
substrate, it can be unrolled with ease. According to this invention, 
unrolling is possible if the label substrate is rolled up with the release 
layer on the surface of the label substrate and the pressure-sensitive 
adhesive layer on the back thereof temporarily stuck to each other, and 
individual labels may be cut piecewise for use. 
A second aspect of the invention relates to a producing method of label 
continuum comprising a step 1 of preparing a process sheet having a 
releasable surface and forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on the 
process sheet's releasable surface, a step 2 of preparing a long label 
substrate and of applying the process sheet's pressure-sensitive adhesive 
layer to the back of the label substrate, a step 3 of forming a release 
layer on the surface of the label substrate, a step 4 of releasing only 
the process sheet from the surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 
layer transferred to the back of the label substrate and a step 5 of 
rolling up the label substrate so that the release layer and the 
pressure-sensitive layer are temporarily stuck to each other. In the 
second aspect of the invention, the label substrate is rolled up with its 
release layer side and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer side are 
temporarily stuck to each other, hence the rolled up label continuum is 
unrolled with ease. According to the second aspect of the invention, the 
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed on the surface of the process 
sheet having releasability and the surface of the long label substrate to 
which the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is transferred and stuck are 
pressed together and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is transferred 
from the process sheet's surface to the back of the long label substrate 
at room temperature, hence even if the label substrate is relatively low 
in heat resistance and extremely thin, an adhesive layer can be formed. 
Also, since the solvent contained in the pressure-sensitive agent for 
formation of a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is removed when the 
pressure-sensitive adhesive agent is in emulsion form, there is no risk of 
solvent or the like affecting the label substrate. Therefore, the width of 
selection for the label substrates and pressure-sensitive adhesive agents 
for formation of the adhesive layers is by far greater and this is suited 
for variegated small lot production. The process sheet can be reused many 
times over, this being advantageous for reuse of resources as well as for 
dust saving. 
In the second aspect of the invention, the step 4 may include a step of 
slitting in a desired width the label substrate, process sheet laminated 
in the steps 1-3 with the other layers formed. In this invention the 
process sheet and the long label substrate are slit together with the 
other layers formed. According to this invention, a wide and long label 
substrate and a process sheet are prepared, these are laid one upon the 
other by means of pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the label 
substrates are slitted in a desired width. In this way, the 
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed on the surface of the process 
sheet having releasability with minor waste parts along both sides of the 
process sheet and increased formation of label substrate of the desired 
width, this being very useful. 
In the second aspect of the invention, the step 4 may possibly include the 
step of die-cutting the label substrate laminated in the steps 1-3 
together with other layers in the desired width. In this invention, the 
process sheet is not cut and the label substrate is cut with other layers. 
According to this invention, the wide and long label substrate and the 
process sheet are prepared, these are rolled up using pressure-sensitive 
adhesive layer and by die-cutting the label substrate in a desired width 
for formation of a desired label width, the desired labels can be formed, 
this being very useful. 
In the second aspect of the invention, the step 3 may include a step of 
printing or coating a printing ink excelled in releasability on the 
surface of the label substrate to thus form a release layer. In this 
invention, since the label substrate is rolled up for its release layer 
side and pressure-sensitive adhesive layer side to be temporarily stuck to 
each other, the rolled up label continuum is caused to unroll. According 
to this invention, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is formed on the 
release surface of the process sheet, and when it is mated with the back 
of the long label substrate bonded through transfer of the 
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, it is possible to transfer the 
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer from the process sheet to the back of 
the long label substrate through the action of the release agent and/or 
the printing ink excelled in releasability. 
In the second aspect of the invention, the step 3 may include a step of 
laminating film or sheet for formation of release layer excelled in 
releasability on the surface of the label substrate. In this invention, 
since the label substrate is rolled up so that the release layer side the 
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer side of the label substrate are 
temporarily stuck to each other, the rolled up label continuum is caused 
to unroll. According to this invention, the pressure-sensitive adhesive 
layer is formed on the release surface of the process sheet and when it is 
mated with the back of the long label substrate to which the 
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is transferred and stuck, it is possible 
to have the heat-sensitive adhesive layer from the process sheet to the 
long label substrate by the action of the film or sheet excelled in 
releasability. 
The aforementioned objects, other objects, features, phases and advantages 
will become further apparent from reading the detailed description of the 
embodiments with reference to the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG, 1 is a illustratory view showing an embodiment of the present 
invention relating to a label continuum, of which (A) is a perspective 
view and (B) is a sectional view. 
FIG. 2A to 2G are illustratory views showing an example of producing method 
of what is shown in FIG. 1. 
A label continuum 10 is an embodiment of the invention, forming as a 
belt-like repetition of a plurality of labels 12, each label 12 is 
separated by cutting along the border line therebetween. 
There is formed on the back of a long label substrate 14 a 
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 transferred thereto, a release layer 
18 is formed on the surface of the label substrate 14 and a printed layer 
20 is formed in a part of the surface of the label substrate 14. 
The printed layer 20 is formed intermittently, i.e. with the predetermined 
spaces between the expressions of adjacent labels 12 having border line 
therebetween. 
As shown in FIG. 1 (A), the label substrate 14 of the label continuum 10 is 
rolled up such that the release layer 18 and the pressure-sensitive 
adhesive layer 16 are temporarily stuck to each other prior to use as 
labels. 
In this embodiment, a heat-sensitive developing layer 22 is formed on the 
release layer 18 side's surface of the label substrate 14. 
The long label substrate 14 in this embodiment is made of, for example, 
paper, synthetic paper, plastic film or sheet such as cellophane, 
polystyrene and polyester or aluminum foil. In order to cut the long belt 
type of label continuum without seams between the individual labels 12, 
however, such material is required to be cut by hand or proper machine 
such as a cutter. It is also possible to provide seams at the 
predetermined intervals (not shown) for cutting off each label 12. 
The pressure-sensitive 16 formed by application of a pressure-sensitive 
adhesive agent to the back of the label substrate 14 is for imparting 
adhesive force to each label 12 and for this purpose known 
pressure-sensitive adhesive agents such as of acrylic copolymer or 
rubber-type adhesive agent are used. 
The heat-sensitive developing layer 22 is formed on the surface of the 
label substrate 14 by coating and drying a heat-sensitive developing 
agents including a mixture of e.g. transparent or single-color leuco dyes, 
acid substances and binders. As leuco dyes may be cited, among others, 
crystal violet lactone, 
3-indolino-3-P-dimethylaminophenyl-6-dimethylaminophthalid, 
3-diethylamino-7-chlorofluoran, 2-diethylamino-7-cyclohexylaminofluoran, 
3-diethylamino-5-methyl-7-t-buthylfluoran, 
3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, and 
3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-P-butylanilinofluoran. 
As acid substances may be cited, among others, 2,2-bis (4'-oxyphenyl) 
propane, 4-phenylphenol, 4-hydroxyacetophenone, 2,2'-dihydroxydiphenyl, 
2,2'-methylene bis (4-methyl-6-t-buthylphenol), 
4,4'-isopropylidene-diphenol, 4,4'-isopropyridene bis (2-chlorphenol), 
4,4'-isopylidene bis (2-methylphenol), 4,4'-ethylene bis (2-methylphenol) 
and 4,4'-thiobis (6-t-buthyl-3-methylphenol). 
As binders may be cited, for example, aqueous solution or emulsion of 
polyvinyl alcohol, methoxy cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, 
carboxymethyl cellulose, polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, starch, 
gelatin, polystyrene, vinyl acetate copolymer. 
The heat-sensitive developing layer 22 is developed when heated by the 
thermal head of a printer and the like. 
On the surface of the heat-sensitive developing layer 22 side of the label 
substrate 14, the printed layer 20 is formed for expression of the 
individual labels 12 at the predetermined intervals with the border lines 
therebetween. This printed layer 20 is formed using a general printing ink 
by a known printing method such as planographic printing, relief printing 
or offset printing. 
The release layer 18 on the surface of the label substrate 14 over the 
heat-sensitive developing layer 22 and the printed layer 20 is formed by 
printing or coating silicone resin which, for instance, can be cured 
without affecting the heat-sensitive developing layer 22. 
In this embodiment, may preferably be selected as the release agent 
constituting the release layer 18 UV silicone (the so-called silicone of 
the UV-curing type) and EB silicone (the so-called silicone of the 
electronic ray curing type) being cured by UV or electronic ray without 
affecting the heat-sensitive developing layer 22. 
Then, an example of the producing method shown in FIG. 1 will be described 
with reference mainly to FIG. 2. 
First, a rolled up long belt-like process sheet 24 made of rolled paper, 
plastic film or sheet is provided. This process sheet 24 is used only in 
the production process and is no longer included in the finished label 
continuum 10. On the surface of the process sheet 24 is formed a release 
layer 24a made by printing or coating a release agent such as silicone 
resin or fluorine resin. 
Then, a pressure-sensitive adhesive agent 26 for formation of the 
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 is printed or coated on the surface 
of the release layer 24a of the process sheet 24. An adhesive agent 
coating device 100 includes a plurality of rollers 102a and 102b. The 
roller 102a has its lower part dipped in the pressure-sensitive adhesive 
agent 26 in a pan 104. 
Hence, by rotating the roller 102a and 102b, the pressure-sensitive 
adhesive agent 26 is printed or coated on the surface of the release layer 
24a of the process sheet 24 led to the position. 
As adhesive agent coating device may as well be used a gravure roll coater, 
reverse roll coater or air knife coater and a known printing machine such 
as a screen printing machine may also be used. 
The process sheet 24 printed or coated with the pressure-sensitive adhesive 
layer 26 may be led to a dryer 106 including, for instance, a heater. In 
the dryer 106, the pressure-sensitive adhesive agent 26 printed or coated 
on the process sheet 24 is dried for formation of a pressure-sensitive 
adhesive layer 16. When as pressure-sensitive adhesive agents 26 those 
containing water soluble resins such as of EVA type, vinyl acetate type or 
acryl type or those of solvent type comprising polyvinyl chloride, 
urethane and acryl, a dryer is used for enhancing evaporation of water or 
solvent, while a cooler is to be used when the adhesive agent used is of 
the hot melt type such as of rubber type or EVA type. 
On the release layer 24a of the process sheet 24 printed or coated with a 
pressure-sensitive adhesive agent 26, the paper 14a is laminated to form 
label substrate 14. 
The paper 14a of the label substrate 14, too, is formed in the same width 
as that of the process sheet 24 and on the surface of the paper 14a as the 
label substrate 14 the heat-sensitive developing layer 22 is already 
formed. 
The heat-sensitive developing layer 22 is formed on the side opposite to 
the aforementioned adhesive layer 26. 
The continuums of the process sheet 24 and the label substrate 14 are 
laminated and temporarily stuck to each other with a layer of a 
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 26, and the resulting laminate 30 is led 
to the next step of printing and release agent coating device shown in 
FIG. 2. 
Then, the laminate 30 is led to the printing device 110 for formation of 
the printed layer 20 shown for example, in FIGS. 2D, 2E and 2F. This 
printing device 110 is for printing the expression constituting each label 
12, for instance, letters such as trade name, proper patterns etc. by a 
known printing device for planographic printing, relief printing or offset 
printing. 
The laminate 30 with the printed layer 20 thereon is then led to a release 
coating device 120 for formation of the coating agent 18 on the surface of 
the release layer 20 on the label substrate 14. This release agent coating 
device 120 is made up of a main roller 122a and a roller 122b opposite 
thereto. The main roller 122a has its lower part dipped in a dissolved 
release agent 32 in a pan and the release agent 32 is coated by the main 
roller 122a on the surface of the label substrate 14 of the laminate 30 
passing through between the main roller 122a and the roller 122b. 
The laminate 30 printed or coated with the release agent 32 is moved to the 
dryer 126 including e.g. a heater. In the dryer 126, the release agent 32 
printed or coated on the laminate 30 is dried and the release layer 18 is 
formed. The label continuum 10 made up of the release layer 18 and the 
laminate 30 is then led to a process sheet removing device 130. This 
process sheet removing device 130 includes a roller 132 and peel the 
process sheet 24 off from the surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 
layer 16 of the laminate 30 and the peeled process sheet 24 is rolled up 
for reuse. 
Meanwhile, the laminate 30 constituting the label continuum 10 is rolled up 
with its both sides or either side being die-cut by a die-cutter 140 
together with other printed layer 20, heat-sensitive developing layer 22, 
release layer 18 and pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 to make the 
width of the label continuum 10 optimum. 
The die-cutting performance of the die-cutter 140 is so adjusted that the 
process sheet 24 is not cut or intact with its width unaltered and the 
pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 16 being transferred to the label 
substrate 14, hence it is reusable as the process sheet 24. 
Now, another embodiment of the invention relating to the label continuum 
shown in FIG. 3 instead of FIG. 1 will be will be explained. FIG. 3 is a 
sectional view of the label continuum in another embodiment and FIG. 4 is 
an illustratory view showing an example of the producing method of the 
embodiment shown in FIG. 3. 
This label continuum 50 has formed a printed layer 58 on the surface of the 
label substrate 54, being thus different from that shown in FIG. 1. 
Further, a release layer 60 of transparent film or sheet excelled in 
releasability is formed on the surface of the printed layer 58. It is same 
as what is shown in FIG. 1 that a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 56 is 
formed on the back of the label substrate 54 and that a heat-sensitive 
developing layer 62 is formed on the surface of the label substrate 54. 
As to the label continuum 50 shown in FIG. 3, a laminate 70 of the label 
substitute 54 and a process sheet 64 for the first half of the production 
process is produced by the same device as shown in FIG. 3. The production 
system for the second half of the production process as shown in FIG. 4 is 
constituted to form the printed layer 58 on the surface of the 
heat-sensitive developing layer 62 by a printing device 210 but instead of 
forming a release layer by printing or coating the release agent to the 
surface of the label substrate of laminates by means of a release agent 
coater rolling a transparent or translucent film 60a forming the release 
layer 60, it is so arranged that forming an adhesive layer 60b on the back 
of the film 60a and having the film 60a stuck to the surface of the 
printed layer 60 by the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 60b. 
In the example shown in FIGS. 4A to 4F different from that shown in FIGS. 
2A to 2G the slitter 240 for adjusting the width of the label 54 to the 
optimum width of the label continuum 50 is located further downstream than 
immediately before rolling up so that the process sheet 64 is peeled off 
from the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 56 by the process sheet 
removing device 230. 
By the way, this invention is by no means limited by the given embodiments 
and various modifications are possible. For example, in the embodiment 
shown in FIG. 1, the printed layer also acting as release layer may be 
formed on the surface of the release layer good only for the purpose. In 
that case, however, it is necessary to select a printing ink having itself 
release effect. 
Having described our invention as elated to the embodiment shown in the 
accompanying drawing, it is our intention that the invention be not 
limited by any of the details of description, unless otherwise specified, 
but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as set out in 
the accompanying claims.