Self-adhesive label for reclosing packets

Abstract: A self-adhesive label (4) to reclose packets (1), that is usable on all types of packet (1) of the type specified with a paper surface, comprises a first layer (5), that has a permanently self-adhesive side (6) intended to be stuck to the packet (1), and a second layer (7), that has a removable self-adhesive side (8) intended to be stuck to the first layer (5).

Description: The present invention concerns a self-adhesive label, as defined in the preamble of appended claim 1, of a type used for reclosable packages, in particular bags. Self-adhesive labels of the type specified are typically used for reclosable packets of food products, for example baked products such as biscuits and the like, where the contents are not all consumed at one time. Until the contents are completely exhausted, therefore, the packet must be reclosable with the same label, protecting the food product from the air, odours etc, in order to maintain unaltered its physical and organoleptic properties. The said self-adhesive labels are not used for closing such packets before they have been opened by the consumer for the first time. This closure is achieved by a non-reusable means while the self-adhesive label is attached to the packet but has no active function. Following initial opening, the self-adhesive label can be used for releasably reclosing the packet. For the greatest convenience of the consumer, the already attached self-adhesive label of the type specified can be removably adhesively fixed to the packet in a suitable position to effect the reclosure. In this case, however, the self-adhesive releasable adhesive must be chosen carefully with respect to the type of surface of the packet, usually paper. Certain adhesives can however be too sticky with the result that when the self-adhesive label is removed from the packet, it may be torn rendering the label unusable for its purpose. EP-A-0,302,600 and DE-U- 8 713 894 disclose a label for reclosable packages having a two-layer structure according to the preamble of appended claim 1. The choice of particular self-adhesive adhesives according to the type of packet to be reclosed, makes industrial mass-production processes complex, and therefore costly. The technical problem on which the present invention is based is to devise a self-adhesive label which allows the cited problem of the prior art to be overcome. This problem is resolved by a self-adhesive label of the type specified, including the features disclosed in the characterising portion of appended claim 1. The principal advantage of the self-adhesive label according to the invention lies in the fact that the label is usable on all packets of the specified type whatever type of paper surface it has. Further characteristics and advantages of the self-adhesive label according to the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limitative example, applied to a reclosable packet in the form of a bag for baked products, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: figure 1 is a perspective view of a packet to be reclosed with a self-adhesive label according to the invention attached; figure 2 is a perspective view of the packet in figure 1 reclosed with the self-adhesive label according to the invention; figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a self-adhesive label according to the invention with the first and second layers adhering to each other; and figure 4 is a perspective view of the self-adhesive label of figure 3 with the first and second layers partially separated. In the drawings a reclosable packet in the form of a bag for baked products such as biscuits and the like, is indicated 1. This has an outer surface 2 of paper, and a border portion 3. To gain access to the product in the packet it may be necessary to cut the packet 1 with a pair of scissors close to the border portion 3 and parallel to it. On the outer surface 2, near to the border portion 3, the packet 1 has a self-adhesive label 4 according to the present invention. It comprises a first layer 5, with an edge 5', which has an entirely coated, permanently self-adhesive side 6 which, in use, is adhered to the outer surface 2 of the packet to be reclosed 1. The said first layer 5, in a preferred embodiment, is of an elongate rectangular shape and is positioned perpendicular to the border portion 3. The self-adhesive label 4 further includes a second layer 7, with an edge 7', having the same shape and dimensions as the first layer 5, and having a releasable self-adhesive side 8. The second layer 7 is adhered to the first layer 5 so as to be superimposed perfectly with the edges 5' and 7' coinciding. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the releasable self-adhesive side 8 of the second layer 7 is partially coated with adhesive so as to define a flap 9, which facilitates the gripping of the second layer 7 at that edge of the self-adhesive label 4 facing the border portion 3. Close to the other edge, however, the second layer has two incision lines 10a and 10b, which are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the label 4 and which start from respective points 13a, 13b on the long sides 7' of the second layer 7, delimiting two retaining portions, 11a and 11b respectively, of the second layer 7. In a preferred embodiment of the invention each incision line 10a, 10b, starting from the points 13a, 13b, describes a curve which is convex towards the flap 9 and has a respective apex 14a, 14b, from which the curve turns in an opposite direction to the starting direction and has a portion substantially parallel to the long side passing the respective points 13a, 13b of the edge 7' and terminating in a further portion extending towards the edge 7' and with a respective free end 12a, 12b spaced from the edge 7' of the second layer 7. The said retaining portions 11a, 11b constitute means for limiting the removable separation of the first layer 5 from the second layer 7, as will be more clearly seen from the description of the functioning of the self-adhesive label 4. Similarly, the apices 14a, 14b constitute the point of first separation between the retaining portions 11a, 11b and the second layer 7. When the packet 1 is opened for the first time and its contents are not entirely consumed, it is necessary to reclose the packet 1 to safeguard the baked products which degrade rapidly on exposure to the open. To this end it suffices to refold the border portion 3 down on itself (Figure 2), remove, the second layer 7 from the first layer 5, by gripping the flap, and place it over the border portion 3 in such a way that it remains refolded, thereby closing the packet 1. The retaining portions 11a, 11b are present to prevent the second layer 7 detaching itself completely from the first layer 5. The retaining portions 11a, 11b do not in fact participate in the removal of the second layer 7 (Figure 2 and 4) because they are delimited by the incision lines 10a, 10b which stop the force of removal as applied to the flap 9 acting on the portions 11a, 11b. These portions remain adhered to the first layer 5 while the remaining part of the second layer 7 lifts up along the incision lines 10a, 10b. The lifting is interrupted, however, by the free ends 12a, 12b because from this point on, the force of removal is opposed by a reaction due to the adherence of the portions 11a and 11b to the first layer 5. The separation of the second layer 7 during its lifting from the retaining portions 11a, 11b starts at the points of first separation 14a, 14b that are those points on the incision lines 10a, 10b closest to the flap 9 and that are spaced at a predetermined distance from the edge 7' of the second layer 7, so that this separation doesn't start from a point on the edge 7' with the risk of tearing the second layer 7 along a random line. Besides the above-mentioned advantage, the self-adhesive label 4 according to the invention is structurally simple, inexpensive and adapted to industrial mass-production. In addition, it can be adapted to be applied mechanically to packets to be reclosed. Furthermore, the label is applicable to a wide range of packets to be reclosed after opening. The presence of the points of first separation between the second layer and the retaining portions, in a position that is part of the second layer and far from its edge, ensures that the removal occurs properly and the retaining portions grip better. For the self-adhesive label to reclose packets according to the invention, an expert in the field, in order to satisfy specific, contingent requirements, can introduce numerous variations, all being within the boundaries of protection of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims: A self-adhesive label (4) for reclosable packages (1) comprising a first layer (5) having a permanently self-adhesive side (6) to be adhered to an outer surface (2) of the reclosable package (1), a second layer (7) having a removably self-adhesive side (8) adhering said second layer (7) to said first layer (5), stop means (11a, 11b), for limiting the removable separation of said second layer (7) from said first layer (5), comprising at least one retaining portion (11a), characterised in that said at least one retaining portion (11a) is delimited by a respective at least one incision line (10a) in the second layer (7), so that during said separation said at least one retaining portion (11a) remains adhered to the first layer (5) while the removable part of the second layer (7) lifts along said at least one incision line (10a). A self-adhesive label (4) according to claim 1, wherein said removably self-adhesive side (8) is partially coated with adhesive so as to define a flap (9) which facilitates the gripping of the second layer (7). A self-adhesive label (4) according to claim 2, wherein said at least one incision line (10a) has a point of first separation (14a) between the respective retaining portion (11a) and the second layer (7) during its lifting from the retaining portion (11a), said point of first separation (14a) being that point on said at least one incision line (10a) closest to the flap (9). A self-adhesive label (4) according to any one of preceeding claims, wherein said at least incision line (10a) describes a convex curve. A self-adhesive label (4) according to claims 3 and 4, wherein said at least incision line (10a) describes said convex curve towards the flap (9), said convex curve having a respective apex (14a) which is said point of first separation. A self-adhesive label (4) according to any one of preceeding claims, wherein said at least one incision line (10a) has a starting point (13a) on the edge (7') of said second layer (7). A self-adhesive label (4) according to any one of preceeding claims, comprising two incision lines (10a, 10b) symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the self adhesive label (4), both defining a respective retaining portion (11a, 11b). A self-adhesive label (4) according to any one of preceeding claims, wherein said first and second layers (5, 7) have the same shape and dimensions so as to be perfectly superimposed with their respective edges (5', 7') coinciding. A bag-shaped reclosable package (1) comprising a self-adhesive label (4) as defined in any one of preceeding claims, having an outer surface (2) and a border portion (3) to be cut to gain access to a product in the package (1), said self-adhesive label (4) being placed near the border portion (3) and said border portion (3) being intended to be refolded down on itself allowing the second layer (7) to be placed on the border portion (3).

Inventors: PEDRINI MAURIZIO, PEDRINI, MAURIZIO
Applicants: BARILLA ALIMENTARE SPA, BARILLA ALIMENTARE S.P.A.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G09F3
IPC codes: G09F3, B65D33, B65D77