Security label and security label supply sheet

A security label 1 according to the present invention can be removably applied on an image photographing device such as a mobile phone 2 incorporating therein a digital camera to cover a lens part 3 thereof. Upon removal, the security label 1 is bent and makes a trace emerge which shows that the security label 1 has been removed. By applying the security label 1 to the mobile phone 2 to cover the lens part 3 thereof, improper photography can be prevented. In a case where the security label 1 is removed to take a photograph, the trace remains on the security label 1 even if the security label 1 is applied again on the mobile phone 2 to cover the lens part 3 thereof. Thus, the fact that a photograph is improperly taken can be easily understood.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of security. More particularly, it pertains to a security label to be used for an image photographing device such as a mobile phone incorporating therein a digital camera, a digital camera, and so on. The security label makes it temporarily impossible for the image photographing device to take a photograph, so as to prevent photographing of a confidential image or a copyrighted image.

2. Background Art

Various kinds of security labels have conventionally been developed and proposed. To give a conventional example, the package of a game machine such as a pinball machine may be improperly opened to alter a control part thereof, during shipment of the machine from a factory to a shop. In order to prevent such an improper opening of the package during distribution, a countermeasure such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 192321/1997 can be taken. That is, a control circuit substrate of a game machine which is vulnerable to an improper alteration is covered with a lid, and a sealing label is applied over the lid.

In order to prevent a manipulation of contents of a container such as a package, a manipulation prevention label has been employed which can certify that the package has not been opened. In the case of one type of commonly used manipulation prevention label, when the label is removed from a surface on which the label is applied, such as a container surface, a part of a print layer and an adhesive layer remain on the surface, and traces showing that the label has been removed from the surface remain on both the label and the surface. A manipulation prevention label of another type is proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-345255. If the label of this type is removed from a surface on which the label is applied, no adhesive layer remains on the surface while the removed label has a trace showing that the label has been removed from the surface. Even if the removed label is again applied to the surface, the trace does not disappear.

Some sort of mobile phones incorporating therein a digital camera are configured to ensure that sounds such as “click!”, “cheese!”, and so on are emitted when a shutter clicks, so as to prevent a person from photographing in secret.

Recent powerful apparatuses such as mobile phones and PDAs incorporating therein a digital camera enable anyone to take photographs improperly. Namely, one can take a photograph of confidential images and documents, and send the same at once to a desired address. Such improper acts can be performed in a number of places, e.g., research facilities, government office buildings, corporations, galleries, museums, schools, examination halls, exhibition halls, theaters, sports stadiums, shops, bookshops, department stores, and so on. As described above, some mobile phones incorporating therein a digital camera are configured to emit sounds when a shutter clicks. However, such sounds are meaningless in a crowded and noisy place as well as in a deserted place where one can openly take a photograph. In addition, such electronic sounds have no use when a sound-emitting device such as a speaker is destroyed, or software is altered to mute the sounds.

Naturally, a digital camera is not configured to emit sounds in general, and thus has no measures for preventing improper photographing. Although prohibition of photography is sometimes announced in certain places, such an announcement is not necessarily observed. Temporary custody of a mobile phone and a digital camera is also conducted at some places. However, taking custody of and returning a mobile phone and a digital camera requires the issuance of a claim check and careful handling of the apparatuses. In the case where a mobile phone is under custody, there are the disadvantages that an owner cannot communicate through the phone in an emergency, and there is also the fear that personal data stored in the mobile phone are improperly accessed by another person.

The present invention is made in view of the above. An object of the present invention is to provide a security label and a security label supply sheet. Since the security label can be easily applied to and removed from an image photographing device such as a mobile phone incorporating therein a digital camera, or a digital camera, the security label can be used on the image photographing devices which are taken into places where photography is prohibited, so as to prevent improper photography.

By studying the prevention of improper photography using a mobile phone incorporating therein a digital camera, or a digital camera, the inventors developed a security label that will have a trace showing that the label has been removed, the trace being generated by a bending of the security label upon removal thereof. By applying such a security label to a lens part of the image photographing device, improper photography can be prevented. Even if one removes the security label from the device to take a photograph, and applies the security label again to the device to cover the lens part thereof, a trace showing that the label has been removed remains on the label. Therefore, it is possible to hold the photographer accountable for his or/her behavior.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A security label removably applied to an instrument according to the present invention comprises: a label body; and an adhesive layer disposed on a rear surface of the label body; wherein the label body includes a transparent film on a front surface of the label body, a patterned release layer disposed on a rear surface of the transparent film, and a print layer disposed on a rear surface of the release layer, and when the security label is released from the instrument, the security label is bent to bring the release layer away from the transparent film so that the release layer can be visually observed from the front surface.

In the security label, when the security label is restored to its original plate-like shape, the release layer of the label body may remain away from the transparent film.

In the security label, the label body may include a cushion layer disposed on a rear surface of the print layer, and the cushion layer may have a contraction stress which shrinks under a solidified condition, so that the release layer and an area of the print layer corresponding to the release layer may be drawn into the cushion layer, when the release layer is brought away from the transparent film.

In the security label, when the release layer is brought away from the transparent film, the release layer and the area of the print layer corresponding to the release layer may be drawn into the cushion layer, so that the area of the print layer corresponding to the release layer may be separated from another area of the print layer.

In the security label, an interface of the transparent film and the release layer, and an interface of the transparent film and the print layer may be formed of irregularity surfaces.

In the security label, the instrument may be an image photographing device including a lens part, and the security label may be applied to cover the lens part to prevent photographing.

In the security label, the adhesive layer may have a non-adhesive area for covering the lens part.

In the security label, the non-adhesive area may be formed of a protective member disposed on the adhesive layer.

In the security label, when the security label is released from the instrument, the whole adhesive layer may adhere to the label body, without remaining on the instrument.

A security label supply sheet according to the present invention comprises: a release paper; and a plurality of label bodies disposed on the release paper through an adhesive layer; wherein each of the label bodies includes a transparent film on a front surface of the label body, a patterned release layer disposed on a rear surface of the transparent film, and a print layer disposed on a rear surface of the release layer, and when the label body is released from an instrument, the label body is bent to bring the release layer away from the transparent film so that the release layer can be visually observed from the front surface.

In the security label supply sheet, the release paper may have a protective member area formed by cutting at a position corresponding to substantially a center part of the label body, and when the label body is released from the release paper, the protective member area may adhere to the label body.

The security label for preventing photography according to the present invention can prevent improper photography, by applying the security label on an image photographing device such as a mobile phone incorporating therein a digital camera, or a digital camera so as to cover a lens part of the device. When the security label is removed to take a photograph, a trace showing that the label has been removed remains on the label, even if the removed label is again applied to a surface of the device. Thus, it is possible to hold the photographer accountable for his or her behavior, so that an improper act of photography can be effectively prevented.

Upon removal, the security label together with the adhesive layer is completely removed from the image photographing device. Since no adhesive remains on the image photographing device, the device can be kept clean.

In addition, since the security label has a non-adhesive area which makes contact with the lens part of the image photographing device, the lens part can be prevented from being damaged.

When removed, the label body is bent to bring the release layer away from the transparent film. Then, the area of the print layer corresponding to the release layer is separated from another area of the print layer, so that a pattern of the release layer can be visually observed. Since the trace showing that the security label has been removed unfailingly remains on the label body, the fact that the security label has been removed can be easily and clearly recognized.

Since an interface of the transparent film and the release layer, and an interface of the transparent film and the print layer are formed of irregular surfaces, a pattern of the release layer becomes more easily visible to clearly show the trace, when the release layer is brought away from the transparent film to separate the area of the print layer corresponding to the release layer from another area of the print layer.

A security label supply sheet includes a board. When the label body is removed from the board, the label body has the adhesive layer on its rear surface, with a part of the adhesive layer being adhered to a protective member area of the board. The protective member area serves as a protective member for covering a lens part of an image photographing device. In this way, a security label for preventing photography can be provided, simply by removing the label body from the board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.FIGS. 1A and 1Billustrate a use of a security label for preventing photography in an embodiment according to the present invention for an image photographing device such as a mobile phone incorporating therein a digital camera. InFIG. 1A, a security label1can be applied to a mobile phone2incorporating therein a digital camera (hereinafter referred to as an “object”) to cover a lens part3thereof. Then, the security label1can be removed from the object2. As shown inFIG. 1B, by applying the security label1on the object2to cover the lens part3thereof, photographing of an image can be prevented. As shown inFIG. 1C, when the security label1is removed from the object2, a pattern4such as characters or pictures, which shows that the security label1has been removed, appears on the security label1. Even if the security label1is applied again to the object2, the pattern4such as characters or pictures on the security label1remains to be visually observed. That is, it is possible to leave, on the security label1, a trace showing that the security label1has been removed.

In this manner, by applying the security label1on the object2to cover the lens part3thereof, improper photography can be prevented. When the security label1has thereon a trace showing that the security label1has been removed, an appropriate act can be taken to the suspicious photography. On the other hand, the security label1having no such a trace can show that no photograph has been taken.

Not limited to a mobile phone incorporating therein a digital camera, the security label1may be used for other image photographing devices such as a digital camera or another kind of camera. A form and dimensions of the security label1may be modified to fit an intended use thereof. For example, the security label1may be formed to be strip-shaped, rectangular, circular, and so on. A structure and a material of the security label1will be described below in detail.

FIG. 2Ais a schematic view of a front surface of the security label1,FIG. 2Bis a schematic cross-sectional view of the security label1, andFIG. 2Cis a schematic view of a rear surface of the security label1. The security label1includes a label body5whose form and dimensions fit an object to which the security label1is applied, an adhesive layer6disposed on a whole area of a rear surface of the label body5, and a protective member7attached to substantially a center part of the adhesive layer6to form a non-adhesive area. The protective member7provides a non-adhesive surface which covers to protect the lens part3(see,FIG. 1), and is positioned such that, when the security label1is applied to an object, the protective member7covers the lens part3of the object.

The security label1is attached to a board formed of a released paper or a mold releasing film. In use, the security label1is removed from the board, and is applied to an object. Preferably, the protective member7is formed by a part of the board, which will be described hereinafter.

FIG. 4is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the label body5and the adhesive layer6of the security label1. InFIGS. 2B and 4, the label body5has a transparent film10, a patterned release layer11having a releasability which is disposed on a rear surface of the transparent film10, and a print layer12which is formed to cover the rear surface of the transparent film10and the release layer11, and a cushion layer13having cushion and film properties which is formed to cover the print layer12. The adhesive layer6is formed on a rear surface of the cushion layer13. A surface of the transparent film10may be subjected to a special mat process.

The transparent film10may be formed of a transparent polymer film such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), or polycarbonate (PC). In this embodiment, the transparent film10is a both-side inline formed film subjected to an easy adhesive coating. An original print may be imparted to a surface of the transparent film10.

The release layer11has a releasability from the transparent film10. That is, when the label body5is removed from the object2, the label body5is bent to bring the release layer11away from the transparent film10. Specifically, the release layer11is preferably formed of UV (ultraviolet cure) silicon resin. However, not limited thereto, a material of the release layer11may be silicon type, fluoroplastic type, mat particle type, fat type represented by acrylic ester of higher alcohol such as stearyl acrylate, cellulose ester represented by cellulose nitrate, or ether type. A pattern imparted to the release layer11may be characters such as “VOID” or “OPENED”. Alternatively, the pattern may be a suitable picture or a tint block. Such a pattern may be formed by relief printing, flexographic printing, or screen printing. By this printing, the pattern such as characters or a picture emerges when the label body5is removed.

The print layer12has a print which emerges when the security label1attached on the object2is removed therefrom. The print layer12displays the pattern of the release layer11which is brought away from the transparent film10, when the security label1is removed from the object2.

The cushion layer13has a contraction stress and has an irreversible elastically-deformable property. Thus, when the release layer11is brought away from the transparent film10to release a part of a surface of the cushion layer13attached to the transparent film10through the print layer12, the part of the cushion layer13shrinks. The cushion layer13may be formed by coating or laminating a coating layer on the print layer12. The coating layer can be formed by coating or laminating which is incorporated in the same line as the processing for the above layers, by using a UV resin, or by means of a hot melt or dry laminate. To be specific, the cushion layer13is formed of a material of urethane acrylate type, polyester acrylate type, or acryl monomer meltage of polymer. After being coated, these materials of urethane acrylate type, polyester acrylate type, and acryl monomer meltage of polymer can cure, with maintaining a contraction stress. Thus, these materials satisfy features required for the cushion layer13.

The adhesive layer6has a function of removably adhering the label body5to the object2. It is preferable that, when the label body5is removed from the object2, the adhesive layer6along with the label body5can be completely removed from the object2, without remaining thereon. Specifically, the adhesive layer6is formed by coating an adhesive having a rubber elasticity on a surface of the cushion layer13. Kinds or adhesive properties of the adhesive layer6may be suitably selected in accordance with surface properties of the object2.

As shown inFIG. 3, when used, the security label1is applied to a case of the object2such that the protective member7covers the lens part3of the object2. By covering the lens part3of the object2with the protective member7, it is prevented to take a photograph. Since the protective member7is correspondingly positioned on the lens part3to protect the same, the adhesive of the adhesive layer6does not stick on the lens part3so that the lens part3is protected from dusts and damages.

As shown inFIG. 5, when the security label1applied on the object2is removed therefrom, the security label1is bent to bring the release layer11away from the transparent film10, because the release layer11cannot follow the bent transparent film10. Then, the contraction stress of the cushion layer13draws therein the release layer11and an area12aof the print layer12corresponding to the release layer11. Then, the area12aof the print layer12is separated from an area12bof the print layer12which is formed on a rear surface of the transparent film10. The release layer11away from the transparent film10and the separated area12aof the print layer12are held to be drawn in the cushion layer13because of its irreversible elastically-deformable property. Maintaining this state, the security label1is removed from the object2.

As shown inFIG. 6, even when the removed security label1is restored to its original plate-like shape, the release layer11and the area12aof the print layer12remain away from the transparent film10to be drawn in the cushion layer13, because of its irreversible elastically-deformable property. A gap S is generated between the transparent film10and the release layer11, and the area12aof the print layer12and the area12bthereof are remained to be staggered from each other with respect to the transparent film10. Since the gap S partially transmits a light, a color of the area12aof the print layer12seems to be changed. On the other hand, since the area12bof the print layer12on which no release layer11is disposed remains tightly in contact with the transparent film10, an original color of the print area12bis maintained.

Therefore, the pattern such as “VOID” formed by the release layer11emerges as a trace showing that the security label1has been removed from the object2. The emerged pattern such as “VOID” formed by the release layer11will not disappear, even when the removed security label1is applied again to the object2. Thus, when the security label1is again applied on the object2, it can be easily understood, only at a glance of the surface of the security label1, whether the security label1has been removed from the object2or not.

As described above, by applying the security label1on the object2such as a mobile phone incorporating therein a digital camera, improper photography can be prevented. This is because it can be easily understood whether the security label1has been removed from the object2to take a photograph or not. After use, the security label1is removed from the object2and discarded. The security label1together with the adhesive layer6and the protective member7is completely removed from the object2. Thus, none of the adhesive layer6, the print layer12, and the release layer11remains on the object2, i.e., no residual remains on the lens part3and the case of the object2. Since an appearance of the object2can be held clean, the security label1will not make a user of the object2feel uncomfortable.

In the above embodiment, an interface of the transparent film10and the release layer11, and an interface of the transparent film10and the print layer12are formed of smooth surfaces. However, the interface of the transparent film10and the release layer11, and the interface of the transparent film10and the print layer12may be formed of irregular surfaces such as satin finished surfaces, in place of the smooth surfaces.

As shown inFIG. 6, in the case where the interfaces are formed of irregular surfaces, when the gap S is generated between the transparent film10and the release layer11, the irregular surfaces can further lower a transparency in the area12aof the print layer12on which the release layer11is disposed, while the color of the area12bof the print layer12on which no release layer11is disposed remains unchanged. Accordingly, the pattern such as “VOID” formed by the release layer11can be more clearly seen, which is advantageous.

A method of manufacturing the security label1as constituted above will be described below. As shown inFIG. 7A, a film (e.g., a mat processed film)10A of a larger area for forming the transparent film10is prepared. The film10A is, for example, a continuous strip of film or a cut sheet. The release layer11formed of a component having a releasability is printed on a rear surface of the film10A. Then, a printing process (print layer12) with the desired number of colors is carried out to cover the release layer11. Thereafter, a coating layer (cushion layer13) is coated or laminated to cover the print layer12. The coating layer can be formed, in the same line as the processing for the above layers, by using a UV resin, or by means of a hot melt or dry laminate. Then an adhesive (adhesive layer6) is applied to cover the cushion layer13.

After a released paper15or a mold releasing film is laminated on the adhesive layer6, a plurality of scores16are formed on a front surface of the film10A, as shown inFIG. 8A, by cutting the film10A from the front surface thereof, with the use of a cutting edge such that the cutting edge reaches the adhesive layer6. The cutting edge is of a shape corresponding to the security label1to be manufactured (seeFIG. 2A). As shown inFIG. 8B, a plurality of scores17are formed on a rear surface of the released paper15by cutting the released paper15from the rear surface thereof (from the released paper15), with the use of a cutting edge such that the cutting edge reaches the adhesive layer6. The cutting edge is of a shape corresponding to the protective member7(seeFIG. 2C). Each of the scores17is formed to be positioned at substantially a center part of an area surrounded by each of the scores16formed on an upper surface. That is, the score17is formed so that the protective member7is attached on the rear surface of the security label1, which is shown inFIGS. 2B and 2C.

Thereafter, unnecessary parts of the film10A on the front surface, and unnecessary parts of the layers attaching to the film10A such as the print layer12, the cushion layer13, and the adhesive layer6are eliminated from the released paper15. As shown inFIG. 7B, a plurality of insular label bodies5are attached on the released paper15through the adhesive layers6, each label body5having the transparent film10, the release layer11, the print layer12, and the cushion layer13, which are laminated thereon. Subsequently, the released paper15is cut into a desired delivery state, so that a security label supply sheet20shown inFIGS. 9A and 9Bcan be manufactured.

The security label supply sheet20manufactured as above includes a plurality of insular label bodies5removably attached on a board formed of the released paper15through the adhesive layers6. Each of the label bodies5is of a size capable of being applied to the object2to cover the lens part3thereof. The label body5is constituted such that a trace which can be visually observed from the front surface emerges, when the label body5is bent upon removal thereof from the object2.

As shown inFIGS. 9B and 10A, the board (released paper)15has the scores17formed thereon, each surrounding an area which covers the lens part3when the label body5is applied to the object2. Thus, when the label body5is removed from the board15, the area (protective member area)7surrounded by each of the scores17formed on the board15adheres to the label body5.

In use, by removing one of the label bodies5from the security label supply sheet20, as shown inFIG. 10B, the security label1is formed, which has the adhesive layer6on the rear surface of the label body5, with a part of the board15adhering to the adhesive layer6at substantially a center part thereof to serve as the protective member7. Then, the security label1is applied to the object2such as a mobile phone incorporating therein a digital camera.

There is a possibility that the label body5may be bent when the label body5is removed from the board15. However, since the board15is formed of a released paper or a mold releasing film, an adhesive force thereof relative to the label body5is relatively weak. Therefore, it is unlikely that a trace emerges when the label body5is removed from the board15. Namely, no problem is posed in practical use of the label body5after removing the label body5from the board15.

In the above embodiment, the lens part3is protected from dusts and damages, by attaching a part of the board15as the protective member7to a position opposite to the lens part3of the security label1. Alternatively, a label serving as the protective member7formed of paper, film, or nonwoven may be attached to the adhesive layer6for protecting a lens part. Thereafter, a released paper or a mold releasing film may be attached to the adhesive layer6.

In place of the protective member7, the lens part3can be protected by forming a part of the adhesive layer6to be a non-adhesive surface which corresponds to a part of the label body5to be in contact with the lens part3.

In the above embodiment, the label body5having the constitution shown inFIGS. 4 to 6is used for emerging a trace showing that the label body5has been removed. However, not limited to this constitution, other constitutions can be suitably used which can, when a label body is bent upon removal thereof, make hidden characters or patterns emerge, or make characters or patterns drop, so as to leave a trace showing that the label body has been removed.