Tamper evident label for items

A liner-label combination is provided for a tamper evident label. The combination includes a label substrate and a liner substrate. The label substrate includes label substrate die cuts that define a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion for the label. The liner substrate includes liner substrate die cuts that correspond to the middle portion of the label. The top portion, middle portion, and bottom portion adapted to be separated from the liner substrate as a single label with a backside of the middle portion including the corresponding liner substrate defined by the liner substrate die cuts. The middle portion of the label adapted to cover an opening of an item and when removed from the opening, the middle portion separates from the top portion and the bottom portion along the label substrate die cuts providing evidence that the opening to the item was exposed.

BACKGROUND

Labels are used for a variety of functions. Primarily consumers recognize that labels are useful for packages, such as pre-printed address labels and return labels. Labels are also used in restaurants to properly identify an order by placing a printed label on the food packaging so that staff can confirm the order and properly deliver the order to a customer.

Labels can also be used as security and health safety mechanisms to provide evidence that prepared food was not tampered with between the time it was packaged and delivered to the consumer. For the most part, these type of labels are placed over bag or container openings such that in order to open the bag or container the label is broken. Most of these techniques are often unsuccessful because the labels can be carefully removed, the bag opened, and the labels resealed over the openings of the bags. Thus, consumers have little comfort in such labels and realize that their food may still have been tampered with.

Some containers have seals placed under a cap such that when a cap is removed and the seal is not present, the consumer knows that the contents should not be used as they may have been tampered with. This type of label/seal is frequently used on over-the-counter pharmaceutical products such as acetaminophen, juice, milk, etc. Another approach with some bottled beverages is to integrate a tamper-evident mechanism into the bottle cap itself. For example, a tab is pulled off the cap to open the beverage and a portion of the prefabricated cap is disposed of, and a smaller portion of the cap remains so the consumer can reseal the beverage for storage. Sometimes the throw-away portion remains as a separate component on the neck of the bottle, which is the case for bottled water, sodas, etc. A consumer can visibly discern whether the bottle was opened or not when the separate component is no longer fully integrated into the replaceable cap.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, tamper evident labels and a method for manufacturing tamper evident labels are provided. Specifically, and in an embodiment, a liner-label combination is provided for a tamper evident label. The combination includes a liner substrate and a label substrate. The label substrate includes first die cuts to define a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion in the label. The liner substrate includes second die cuts corresponding to the middle portion. The label is adapted to be removed from the liner substrate as a single unit with the first die cuts remaining in the label substrate and the second die cuts in the liner substrate separated with the corresponding portion of the liner substrate remaining affixed to a backside of the middle portion. The label includes adhesive on backsides of the top and bottom portions when separated from the liner substrate. The middle portion adapted to be placed over an opening for an item with the top and bottom portions adhered to sides of the item. The first die cuts adapted to tear and separate the middle portion from the top and bottom portions when the middle portion is removed from the opening of the item providing evidence that the opening to the item was exposed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As stated above, labels are used for a variety of purposes. Yet, there appears to be very few label solutions for beverage cups or containers that do not come with premanufactured caps or lids. These type of beverages are typically served for immediate consumption by consumers at fast food restaurants, regular sit-down restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc. These types of beverages are susceptible to contamination, since from the time they are poured until the time they are delivered to the consumer, the liquid in the cup is exposed through the opening. This is particularly a problem in bars because of the trend where nefarious individuals have been known to slip drugs into drinks of customers.

Moreover, after COVID19 consumers are more health conscious about how their food is prepared and delivered. Consumers want assurances and piece of mind that prepackaged and delivered food and drink are free of contamination and safe for their consumption.

These issues are solved with the tamper evident label provided herein and below. A liner-label combination is provided when the tamper evident label is peeled away from the liner for application a portion of the liner remains adhered to a removable portion of the tamper evident label. The removed tamper evident label includes three portions that separate from the liner as a single unit. A top and bottom portion of the tamper evident label include no liner material and have adhesive retained on their backsides; a middle portion includes the portion of the liner material that remains attached to the tamper evident label. The tamper evident label is sized such that the middle portion is sufficiently wide enough to fit over a variety of beverage openings for typical beverage cups, bar glasses, and/or drinking glasses. The adhesive on the backsides of the top and bottom portions allows the tamper evident label to be placed over the opening of the beverage with the liner portion and non-adhesive backside of the middle portion covering the opening and the top and bottom portions pulled down and adhered to two sides of the beverage cup or container.

The middle portion also includes a tab that is flared up such that a consumer can grasps the tab and pull the middle portion off the beverage opening. Two weakened perforations that taper from the tab to the edges of the tamper evident label are broken when the tab is pulled up by the consumer, which provides visible evidence that the middle portion was removed from the beverage opening. The is no adhesive material on the backside of the middle portion, since the middle portion's backside includes the attached liner, and the backside of the liner is adhesive free. Moreover, the middle portion tears away from the top and bottom portions preventing it from being reassembled and reattached and thereby providing tamper evident evidence that the opening to an item was tampered with once the middle portion is removed from the opening. The consumer knows whether the beverage was tampered with if the middle portion is removed or if any attempt to reseal the middle portion took place based on the tears that separated along the weakened perforations.

In an embodiment, a bottom corner of the bottom portion of the tamper evident label also includes a tab that is die cut both through the label substrate and the liner substrate. This provides an adhesive-free tab with liner attached to separate the tamper evident label from the liner.

In an embodiment, a front side surface of the label substrate can include a print or image coating, such as a thermal coating or a coating that permits dot matrix printing or label printing. The liner-label combination is processed through a terminal printer, dot matrix printer, and/or laser printer for purposes of providing custom indicia on a front side of the tamper evident label. The custom indicia label is separated from the liner via the bottom portion tab and the middle portion centered over a beverage opening where the adhesive on the backside of the bottom and top portions are pulled down and adhered to sides of the beverage.

In an embodiment, the tamper evident label is also useful for sealing other items beyond just beverage openings, such as food bowls or other prepared food items. In an embodiment, the tamper evident label seals to sides of a confidential folder together such that the only manner in which the two sides can be separated and opened is by removing the middle portion via its tab as was discussed above.

The above-discussed embodiments are now discussed with reference to theFIGS.1-8.FIG.1is a diagram of a front side of a liner-label combination100for a tamper evident label120and130, according to an example embodiment. The liner-label combination100includes a liner or liner substrate110and a removable tamper evident label120and130or label substrate.

The tamper evident label120and130includes three components all of which are separated together as a single tamper evident label120and130when peeled away from the liner110. The three components or portions of the tamper evident label120and130include a top portion121A-1defined by edges121A,122,123, and124. The middle portion132A-1is defined by edges131and132A and the bottom portion121B-1is defined by edges121B and125. The bottom portion121B-1also includes tab133.

The top portion121A-1, middle portion132A-1, and bottom portion121B-1with tab133are peeled away from liner110by grasping tab133and pulling a backside of the tamper evident label120and130off a front side of liner110.

In an embodiment, the top portion121A-1includes a thermal sensitive image/print coating or layer121C deposited on a front side of the top portion121A-1. In an embodiment, the middle portion132A-1includes a thermal sensitive image/print coating or layer132B deposited on a front side of the middle portion132A-1. In an embodiment, the bottom portion121B-1includes a thermal sensitive image/print coating or layer121D deposited on a front side of the bottom portion121B-1. In an embodiment, the image/print coating or layer121C,132B, and121D is a dot matrix or laser print coating. In an embodiment, the image/print coating or layer121C,132B, and121D can be deposited on just one of, all of, or any combination of the top portion121A-1, the middle portion132A-1, and the bottom portion121B-1.

Tab133is die cut through both the label substrate and the liner substrate. Tab133can flare upward or be pushed to flare upward where a user can grasp tab with a thumb and finger and separate the tamper evident label120and130from liner110. The tab component133is handled without any adhesive as an operator's digit grasps the front side of the label substrate and another one of the operator's digit grasps the backside of the liner substrate, which is free of any adhesive coating.

FIG.2Ais a diagram of a liner110after a tamper evident label120and130has been removed from the liner-label combination100, according to an example embodiment. Two holes112and113remain in the liner substrate that corresponds to the middle portion132A-1and tab133, respectively.

The middle portion132A-1includes both its corresponding label substrate and liner substrate (e.g., the portion of the liner substrate that left hole112when the tamper evident label120and130was separated from liner110). The backside of the liner110that corresponds to the middle portion132A-1is adhesive free such that it can be placed over an opening of a beverage cup, glass, container and removed by a consumer without leaving any adhesive residue around the edges or the opening.

FIG.2Bis another diagram of a front side of a liner-label combination100for a tamper evident label120and130, according to an example embodiment.FIG.2Billustrates the dotted lines that define the middle portion132A-1as die cuts made in the label substrate whereas the solid lines of the top tab131and the bottom tab133illustrate die cuts made in both the label substrate and the liner substrate. Underneath the dotted lines are die cuts132A (not visible inFIG.2B) that are made through the liner substrate, as illustrated inFIG.1.

FIG.3is a diagram of a tamper evident label120and130sealed over an opening of a beverage cup200, according to an example embodiment. Once tamper evident label120and130is removed from the liner110it is placed over an opening of a beverage cup200. The beverage cup200can include a lid210. The opening of the lid210is completely covered by the middle portion132A-1of the tamper evident label120and130. The backside of the middle portion132A-1includes the corresponding portion of the liner110that corresponds to hole112inFIG.2A.

Tab131is flared up or slightly raised such that it can be grasped by a consumer and peeled off the opening along die cuts122,123, and132A. Tab131flares up because it is die cut through both the label and line substrate such that when top portion121A-1and bottom portion121B-1are pulled down with middle portion132A-1over the opening of cup200, tab131lifts up and separates from both the liner substrate and the label substrate.

FIG.4is a diagram of the tamper evident label120and130being peeled away from an opening220of the beverage cup200, according to an example embodiment. The backside of liner110is visible as tab131is lifted and the middle portion132A-1is separated from the tamper evident label120and130. This is the backside of liner110and is adhesive free as is the same for the entire backside of the middle portion132A-1. Thus, no adhesive residue remains on the rim of lid210when the consumer drinks the beverage from the opening220.

FIG.5is a diagram of an exposed and label-free opening220of the beverage container210after a middle portion132A-1of the tamper evident label120and130is peeled off and remaining portions121A-1and121B-1of the tamper evident label120and130remains adhered to sides of the beverage cup200, according to an example embodiment. A backside120-1of the bottom portion121B-1is visible, the backsides of both the bottom portion121B-1and top portion121A-1include adhesive ensuring that the tamper evident label120and130seals the opening of the cup210as shown inFIG.3until the middle portion132A-1is removed as shown inFIG.5.

Because die cuts122and123extend to the sides121A and121B in the label substrate, the middle portion132A-1tears and separates from top portion121A-1and bottom portion121B-1. Moreover, since there is no adhesive on the backside of middle portion132A-1because of the accompanying liner110with a separated middle portion132A-1, the middle portion132A-1is not capable of resealing the opening220. Die cut125in the label substrate also ensures that the middle portion132A-1completely separates from both the top portion121A-1and the bottom portion121B-1with both the top portion121A-1and the bottom portion121B-1remaining adhered to the cup200. Thus, once middle portion132A-1is removed and the opening220exposed for cup200it cannot be replaced, and the consumer has evidence that their beverage was potentially exposed after it was initially poured into cup200and sealed with the tamper evident label120and130. Accordingly, die cuts122,123, and125provide tamper evident features for label120and130.

FIG.6is a diagram of a backside of a label substrate for a tamper evident label120and130, according to an example embodiment. Adhesive120-2can be applied uniformly or in patches in areas of the top portion121A-1, the bottom portion121B-1, the middle portion132A-1, and bottom tab portion133. The adhesive120-2ensures that the backside120-1adheres to a front side of the liner110.

FIG.7is a diagram of a front side110-1of a liner120in the liner-label combination100according to an example embodiment. A release coating110-2is applied to the front side110-1that corresponds to the top portion121A-1and the bottom portion121B-1of the backside120-1of the tamper evident label120and130. The front side110-1that corresponds to the middle portion132A-1and the bottom tab133is devoid of any release coating. This ensures that there is structural strength from the adhesive120-2on the backside120-1of the middle portion132A-1to the front side of liner110-1such that the liner substrate die cuts110-3separates the middle portion132A-1with the corresponding liner portion still attached to a backside120-1of the middle portion132A-1. Similarly, die cuts110-4in the liner substrate is devoid of any release coating allowing the front side110-1corresponding to tab133to remain attached via adhesive120-2to the backside120-1of tamper evident label120and130and allowing tab133to be used to peel backside120-1of tamper evident label120and130off of the front side110-1of the liner with holes112(for the middle portion132A-1) and113(for tab133) remaining in liner110.

It is to be noted that although a disposable cup200was illustrated inFIGS.3-5, the embodiments of the tamper evident label120and130can include other types of cups, glasses, and bowls that include an opening from which a beverage or food is accessible to a consumer. Additionally, tamper evident label120can be used with non-food items such as file folders or packages. The tamper evident label120can include customized sizes and dimensions to accommodate different sized openings in beverage or bowl containers.

In an embodiment, a roll of liner-label combinations110is provided in a web or roll with a plurality of individual tamper evident labels120and130. The roll is fed to a printer for thermal imaging or printing of customized indicia for each individual tamper evident label120and130.

In an embodiment, the tamper evident labels120and130are applied to bar drinks at a bar by a bartender after a drink is prepared for a patron. This ensures the patron that no one was able to drop anything nefarious into the drink before the drink reaches the patron for consumption.

In an embodiment, the tamper evident labels120and130are applied to fast food, restaurant, and coffee shop beverages. The front side of the labels120and130can be imaged or printed with custom indicia indicating the order number of the customer and the type of drink. Additionally, the middle portion132A-1can be imaged or printed with custom indicia for promotional offers. The consumer removes the middle portion132A-1to drink the beverage and can retain the promotional offer for subsequent use. The middle portion132A-1, the top portion121A-1, and/or the bottom portion121B-1can be thermal imaged or printed with custom indicia for advertisements of retailers and viewing by the consumer.

In an embodiment, any advertisements or promotional offers can be pre-printed or pre-imaged on the tamper evident label120and130with another portion custom thermal imaged or printed with custom indicia by a printer using one or more thermal, dot matrix, or laser coatings121A,132B, and/or121D.

FIG.8is a diagram of a method of manufacturing the liner-label combination100for a tamper evident label120and130, according to an example embodiment. The method is implemented on a press through firmware that controls electro-mechanical components of the press to manufacture a label-liner combination110with a tamper evident label120and130as described herein and above. A processor associated with the firmware executes the firmware to perform the method and to control the electromechanical components of the press.

At810, the press applies a release coating110-2to a front side of a liner substrate110-1in areas defined by a top portion121A-1and a bottom portion121B-1but not in other areas that correspond to a middle portion132A-1. This allows the middle portion132A-1to remain adhered to the corresponding portion of the liner substrate110while the top portion121A-1and bottom portion121B-1separate from the liner substrate110when the label substrate120is peeled off the liner substrate110creating a hole112in the liner substrate110in an area that corresponds to the middle portion132A-1

At820, the press applies adhesive120-2to a backside120-1of a label substrate120. The adhesive120-2can be applied uniformly to the backside120-1or applied in patterns and/or patches. In an embodiment, the adhesive120-2is a microsphere adhesive that is adapted to adhere to wet surfaces.

At830, the press joins the label substrate120to the liner substrate110. This creates a liner-label combination100for a tamper evident label120.

At840, the press makes first die cuts122,123,124, and125in the label substrate120to define the top portion121A-1in the label substrate120and the bottom portion121B-1in the label substrate120. The top portion121A-1in the label substrate120and the bottom portion121B-1in the label substrate120separated by the middle portion132A-1of the label substrate120.

At850, the press makes second die cuts131and132A in the liner substrate110corresponding to the middle portion132A-1of the label substrate120. The second die cuts131and132A outline the middle portion132A-1in the label substrate120under the top portion121A-1of the label substrate120and above the bottom portion121B-1of the label substrate120.

In an embodiment, at850, the press makes third die cuts in the label substrate to define a first tab131for the middle portion132A-1and a second tab133for the bottom portion121B-1. The press further makes fourth die cuts in the liner substrate corresponding to the third die cuts124for the first tab131and the second tab133.

In an embodiment, a front side of the label substrate120is precoated with a thermal activated image or print coating121C,132B, and/or121D. In an embodiment, the thermal activated image or print coating121C,132B, and/or121D is applied or deposited on the front side of the label substrate120by the press. The coating121C,132B, and/or121D can be applied to just one of, all of, or some combination of the first portion121A-1, the middle portion132A-1, and/or the bottom portion121B-1.

Although the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications of the present invention can be affected within the spirit and scope of the following claims.