LABELS AND PROMOTIONAL DEVICES

Abstract: A label for a product, or a promotional device, including a flexible light emitting polymer screen.

Description: LABELS AND PROMOTIONAL DEVICES The present invention relate to labels and promotional devices which include a display device and in particular to a display device for incorporation into or onto products for displaying information to a user or purchaser of the product e . g. for promotional purposes or for conveying statutory information such as instructions for use. There have been developments over recent years in devices for conveying information to a user or purchaser of a product and in promotional devices, for example in competitions. Leaflet labels have been known for a number of years and such leaflet labels consist of a self-adhesive label incorporating a folded booklet or leaflet for attachment to a product. The leaflet label, when unfolded, reveals a large amount of information which is printed on the leaflet or booklet, and the printed area of the leaflet label is significantly larger than the footprint area of the leaflet label which is required for labelling the product. In this way, a large amount of information can be incorporated into a relatively small labelling area. Examples of leaflet labels, in particular overlaminated leaflet labels incorporating a self-adhesive plastics overlaminate for protecting the leaflet label, retaining the label in its closed configuration and permitting reliable repeated access to the information in the label are disclosed in my European Patent Nos . EP-A-0594560 and EP-A-0628941. It is also known to incorporate into products electronic devices for conveying information to the user or purchaser of a product. This information may relate to the intended use of the product or safety information, or alternatively it may relate to a promotion concerning the product, for example a competition, a lottery or a money off promotion. For example, my EP-A- 0233077 relates to a container for a product which incorporates a removable closure and wherein removal of the closure from the container triggers the generation of audible speech from a speech synthesiser associated with the container. Such an invention has been used commercially in promotions of products, for example in competitions wherein a small number of winning containers in a competition include the speech synthesiser in accordance with my earlier invention to indicate a winning product when the container is opened. The container may be, for example, a drinks can or a packet of dry goods, such as a breakfast cereal. There is a generally increasing need to display information on and in relation to products. Such information relates not only to promotional purposes, but also to the provision of statutory information, such as safety information and product warnings. There is also a need to display in relation to a product information which can be variable, and in particular can be updated readily over time. The present invention aims to meet these needs . Accordingly the present invention provides a label for a product, or a promotional device, including a flexible light emitting polymer screen. The label may incorporate, or be interconnected with, an audible generator for emitting sound through the screen or a speaker, in conjunction with an image displayed by the screen. The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container labelled with a label in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a box for a compact disc which is labelled with a label in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a leaflet label incorporating a flexible light imaging polymer screen in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a label comprising a cover for a printed publication in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a promotional device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a container labelled with a label in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a container 2 in the form of a bottle which is labelled with a tubular sleeve-type label 4 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The label 4 comprises a flexible light emitting polymer screen 6 which is carried on an underlying substrate 8, for example a plastics layer covered on its rear face which a pressure-sensitive adhesive so that the substrate is self- adhesive. The flexible light emitting polymer screen 6 is connected to a power and control device, indicated generally at 10, for providing the screen with electrical power in a controlled way to ensure that the correct image is displayed by the light emitting polymer screen 6. The power and control device 10 includes a source of electrical power, for example a battery or a solar cell. The power and control device 10 may include a switching mechanism for switching on and off the light emitting polymer screen 6. For example, the switching device may be operated by detecting light, sound, temperature, humidity or water or other climatic factors or by touch thereby to switch on the screen to display a desired image. The desired image may be preformed in the screen. Alternatively, the image may be a variable image, with a display being pre-programmed into a microprocessor of the power and control device 10. The displayed image may comprise text and/or pictures which may be static or moving, i.e. a video image. The image may be coloured or in black and white. The screen could incorporate a hologram. The screen could be divided into a plurality of areas so that multiple images can be displayed. Flexible light emitting polymer screens are known in the art. Such screens consist of a transparent substrate on which has been deposited, in turn, an electrode layer, two light emitting polymer layers, and a grid of electrodes. When a forward voltage is applied across the two light emitting polymer layers, the light emitting polymer layers are illuminated and the grid of electrodes is patterned so as define grid cells which can make up an image. When only a single image is to be displayed by the light emitted polymer screen, the patterned grid of electrodes is defined and connected to the power and driving control device 10 whereby only selected grid cells are illuminated when the light emitting polymer screen 6 is switched on. In this way, the selective image may be displayed. When the screen 6 is intended to display an active changing image, then each grid cell which is defined by a respective part of the grid of electrodes requires a self-contained transistor associated therewith which can be controlled to switch on or off the respective grid cell on receiving a signal from the power and control device 10, which typically then includes a microprocessor . The screen may be adapted to be a touch screen or audibly sensitive, for example being voice activated. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the container is also provided with a closure 12 incorporating a speech synthesis device 14 as disclosed in my EP-A-0233077. Alternatively, any other audible generator could be employed. For example, the audible generator may include a speaker and/or may be integrated into or behind the screen 6. In accordance with the invention disclosed and claimed in EP-A-0233077, the closure of the container, is provided therein or in association therewith with a speech processor which is triggered to generate synthesised speech when the closure 12 is removed from the container 2. The speech synthesiser may be driven by a common power source with that of the light emitting polymer screen 6. The disclosures of EP-A-0233077 are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Referring to Figure 2, a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a light emitting polymer screen 16 in the form of a self-adhesive label which is adhered to a product 18, such as, in the illustrated embodiment, a plastics box for a compact disc. Alternatively, the product 18 may comprise a cigarette carton, or a case for packing a number of products. As for the embodiment of Figure 1, the label is self-adhesive, with the adhesive being permanent or removable. The package of Figure 2 may additionally be provided with a speech synthesis generator, similar to that described hereinabove with reference to Figure 1, for generating synthesized speech when, for example the box is opened. A power and control device 20 for the screen 16 may be disposed within the box 18. A third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 3. In this embodiment, a light emitting polymer screen 22 is integrated into a leaflet label 24. The leaflet label 24 comprises a rearmost self-adhesive support piece 26 comprising paper which is coated on its rearmost surface with a pressure- sensitive adhesive. The support piece 26 is releasably carried on a backing 28 of release material, for example silicone-coated paper. A folded leaflet or booklet 30 is disposed on the support piece 26 and has a front sheet 31 which is covered by the light emitting polymer screen 22 which is adhered by an adhesive strip 32 to the spine 34 of the leaflet or booklet 30 and by an adhesive strip 36 to an edge 38 of the support piece 26. A layer of self-adhesive transparent plastics overlaminate 42 is adhered over the light emitting polymer screen 22 and is adhered to one edge 40 of the screen 22 above the edge 38 of the support piece 26 on one side 44 of the label 24 and to the backing 28 of release material on the other side 46 of the label 24. The overlaminate 42 incorporates or covers the light emitting polymer screen 22. The light emitting polymer screen 22 may be powered by a solar cell integrated into the leaflet label 24 or alternatively the light emitting polymer screen 22 may, in use, be electrically connected to a remote source of electrical power. The light emitting polymer screen 22 may be arranged to provide variable information, or updated information on a periodic basis for subsequent issues of the leaflet label 24. In an alternative arrangement, multiple screen layers are provided, and one or more of such layers may be removable. A fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 4. In this embodiment, a light emitting polymer screen 48 comprises, or is incorporated into, a cover 50 for a printed publication 52, such as a book or a magazine. A fifth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 5. In this embodiment, a flexible light emitting polymer screen 54 is formed as a game piece 56 for promotional purposes, for example in lottery competitions, money off promotions and other competitions for promotional purposes. The game piece 56 incorporates an integral power source and control device 58 for the game piece 56. When the game piece is associated with a label for a container, the power source and/or control device may be provided in or on the label and/or the container. A sixth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 6. In this embodiment, a leaflet label 60 comprises a self-adhesive support piece 62 which is adhered to a product in the form of a container 64. The leaflet label 60 also includes a folded leaflet 66 which is adhered to the support piece 62. The label 60 also incorporates a flexible light emitting polymer screen 68 which is adhered to the support piece 62 adjacent the folded leaflet 66. The flexible light emitting polymer screen 68 is arranged to display information, such as variable information i.e. batch number and expiry date of a pharmaceutical product to be contained within the container 64, the information being indicated by reference numeral 70 in Figure 6. The flexible light emitting polymer screen 68 may be powered by a combined power source and control device which may be provided on the support piece 62 as provided by reference numeral 72 or alternatively, the power and control device may be incorporated within the container 64.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A label for a product, the label including a flexible light emitting polymer screen. 2. A label according to claim 1 wherein the label further includes a self-adhesive rear substrate on which the screen is carried. 3. A label according to claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising a power and control device for displaying an image on the screen, the power and control device including a switching mechanism which is operated by touch or by detecting at least one of light, sound, temperature, humidity or water. 4. A label according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the screen is adapted to display a preformed image. 5. A label according to claim 3 wherein the screen is adapted to display a variable image which is pre-programmed into the power and control device . 6. A label according to claim 5 wherein the image comprises at least one of text and pictures which are static or moving. 7. A label according to any foregoing claim wherein the screen incorporates a hologram. 8. A label according to any foregoing claim wherein the screen is divided into a plurality of areas for displaying multiple images . 9. A label according to any foregoing claim wherein the screen is touch or audibly sensitive. 10. A label according to any foregoing claim further comprising a folded portion to which the screen is adhered. 11. A label according to claim 10 wherein the folded portion is disposed on a self-adhesive support piece releasably carried on a backing of release material and has a front sheet which is covered by the screen. 12. A label according to claim 11 further comprising a self- adhesive plastics overlaminate which is adhered over the screen and to the support piece . 13. A label according to claim 12 wherein the overlaminate is also adhered to the backing of release material. 14. A label according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the folded portion is selected from a folded leaflet and a booklet. 15. A container labelled with the label of any foregoing claim, the label being adhered to the container. 16. A container according to claim 15 including an audible generator for emitting sound in conjunction with an image displayed by the screen. 17. A promotional device including a flexible light emitting polymer screen. 18. A promotional device according to claim 17 comprising a game piece, the game piece further including a power source and a control device for the screen. 19. A promotional device according to claim 17 which comprises or is incorporated into a cover for a printed publication.

Inventors: INSTANCE ANDREW EDWARD, INSTANCE DAVID JOHN, INSTANCE SIMON DAVID, INSTANCE, ANDREW, EDWARD, INSTANCE, DAVID, JOHN, INSTANCE, SIMON, DAVID
Applicants: INSTANCE ANDREW EDWARD, INSTANCE DAVID JOHN, INSTANCE SIMON DAVID, INSTANCE, ANDREW, EDWARD, INSTANCE, DAVID, JOHN, INSTANCE, SIMON, DAVID
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G09F3
IPC codes: B42D3, B42D15, B65D25, G09F3, G09F9, G09F19, H01L27