Abstract:
A resealable multi-ply label has a base ply having an under side and an upper side and an amount of an adhesive on the under side to attach the label to an object of interest to be labeled, an upper ply having an under side and an upper side wherein the upper side of the base ply and the under side of the upper ply are joined together along a hinge strip by an amount of a permanent adhesive material thereby forming a permanent hinge. The upper side of the base ply and the under side of the upper ply are releasably, resealably joined along at least a second edge spaced from the hinge strip using a release-reseal system including layers of a release coating and a pressure sensitive adhesive such that the plies can be separated and resealed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    I. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of labeling and, in particular, the present invention provides a multi-ply resealable label construction that does not require a pressure sensitive adhesive hinge.  
           [0003]    II. Related Art  
           [0004]    Multi-ply labels, variously referred to as “multi-layered” “extended text,” or “expanded content” or “booklet” labels, are useful for consumer products, particularly those sold in bottles, cans and cartons, where it is desirable to present additional information to the consumer which cannot conveniently be contained on a single printed label surface. Particularly in view of the increasing amount of governmental regulation and labeling requirements, many consumer products contained in such packaging must carry additional information including detailed instructions for use, detailed listings of the contents, a variety of consumer product warnings, and provisions for multi-lingual information. This has led to the provision of multi-ply labels carrying text on a plurality of surfaces. Such labels normally contain two or more layers or plies of label material hinged together using a pressure sensitive adhesive along one margin and utilizing a pressure sensitive reseal system along the opposite margin. For example, Hill et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,587 and Coward et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,973 show label constructions of this type.  
           [0005]    These labels normally are constructed utilizing a pair of label layers or plies with pressure sensitive adhesive therebetween to provide a hinge along one edge. The pressure sensitive adhesive, however, remains tacky and subject to being pulled apart by users of the label. Furthermore, pressure sensitive adhesive hinges are often compromised by environmental conditions (e.g., mechanical forces, humidity, temperature fluctuations, and age). This is particularly true if the hinge is a narrow strip. This has led to the use of rather wide hinge strips between label layers which reduces the available text area on inner surfaces.  
           [0006]    Thus, it would present a distinct advantage if the pressure sensitive adhesive hinge could be replaced by a hinge in which the plies were joined at one margin in a manner which was permanent, less likely to be pulled apart, and not dependent upon the hinge width for its security. Of course, a smaller (narrower) hinge also restores available copy area to the label plies.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a resealable multi-ply label that includes a first or base ply having an under side and an upper side and an amount of a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) material (defined below) on the under side to attach the label to an object of interest to be labeled. A second or upper ply is provided having an upper side and an under side and the upper side of the base ply and the under side of the upper ply are joined together permanently along a first or hinge edge or other hinge strip by an amount of a permanent adhesive (PA) material (defined below) which is not pressure sensitive and which thereby forms a permanent hinge. Additional plies may be attached beneath the upper ply using a portion of the hinge strip or consecutive stacked hinges in a “sandwich” style construction.  
           [0008]    The upper side of the base ply and the under side of the upper ply are also releasably, resealably, joined along an opposite or second edge or along an outer release-reseal margin opposite the hinge or at one or more release-reseal strips spaced from a central hinge strip (depending on the label configuration). A dual layer release-reseal system is used which includes a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive material and an abutting layer (top/bottom) of a release coating such that the plies can be separated and resealed at a juncture therebetween.  
           [0009]    One skilled in the art will recognize from the foregoing, and it is an important aspect of the present invention, that two distinct types of adhesive materials are employed in the labels, namely, “permanent” adhesive materials and “pressure-sensitive” adhesive materials. It is to be particularly appreciated that, as used herein, a “permanent” adhesive is one that is tack-free in the cured or final adhesive state, in bonding plies together.  
           [0010]    The class known as “permanent” adhesives (PA), as used herein, may be further defined to include any glues, non-pressure sensitive adhesive materials including but not limited to heat seal adhesives, and multiple part epoxies, chemical welding or bonding, and mechanical fastening means, that all achieve a desired result of securely bonding two plies together. As a further clarification to this definition, a universally accepted reference text,  The Concise Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering  (New York, 1990.), states, at page 35, with respect to permanent adhesives that “Eventually, the adhesive must undergo a phase change, i.e., by cooling, solvent evaporation or reaction, to a solid in order for the joint to acquire the necessary strength to resist shearing forces.” 
           [0011]    Permanent adhesive materials used in the label hinge, for example, are preferably selected from adhesives including hot melt adhesives, solvent-based adhesives, water-based adhesives, and UV-(ultraviolet) and EB-(electron beam) curable adhesives. Examples of preferred permanent adhesive materials include UV-curable adhesives such as those available from RAD-CURE Corporation of Fairfield, N.J., including RAD-CURE 10PSLVA,B.  
           [0012]    By definition, and as referred to herein, the class of adhesives known as “pressure-sensitive” adhesives (PSA) is contrasted as an exception to permanent adhesives in the next sentence of the above-mentioned reference publication which reads, “A notable exception is the category of pressure-sensitive adhesives, where no phase change occurs.”This also describes the term “pressure sensitive” as used herein. These materials remain tacky. Adhesion may be modified (reduced) by detackifying overlayers, or by using low-adhesion abutting surfaces, but the material does not solidify. Generally, bonds between layers made using pressure-sensitive adhesives can be pulled apart without damage to the layers whereas those made using permanent adhesives cannot. This is particularly true with respect to multi-ply paper labels.  
           [0013]    Within a class, preference of one such adhesive over another particularly will depend upon a drying or curing system of a given label manufacturing press, along with materials composition and compatibility considerations.  
           [0014]    In the dual layer reseal system, layers abutting in the assembled label may be applied to the corresponding plies in either order, either separately, one on each ply or together as a combination on one of the plies. Thus, for example, the pressure sensitive adhesive may be applied to the upper side of the base ply or to the under side of the upper ply and the release coating may be applied on the whole of the opposite facing surface exclusive of the hinge area or a lesser area down to just as much of that surface as is covered by the pressure sensitive adhesive. The pressure sensitive adhesive also may be applied in an intermittent pattern along the opposite edge and also along the remaining opposed side edges, or in any other pattern if desired.  
           [0015]    The release coating may be a varnish, lacquer, or any other coating which accomplishes the effect of a release medium and allows the pressure sensitive adhesive to adhere to a surface only lightly so that it may be peeled back and resealed. Additional label layers or plies may be added as required. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    In the drawings wherein like numerals are utilized to designate like parts throughout the same:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 a  depicts a top view of a resealable, multi-ply label in accordance with the invention with an upper ply shown partially peeled back;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 b  depicts a view similar to that of FIG. 1 a  showing a modified embodiment;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  depict cross-sectional views of alternate embodiments representative of either of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b;    
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 c  is a view of an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 2 b  with an additional middle label ply;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 d  depicts an alternative construction for the embodiment of FIG. 2 c;  and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  depict yet another embodiment of a multi-ply label in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]    The detailed description contained herein in conjunction with the drawing figures presented is intended by way of example with respect to the inventive concept and not intended to be limiting in any way. With this in mind, FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b  show top views of a resealable, multi-ply label  10  having a first or base ply  12  having an upper side  14  and an under side  16  (FIGS. 2 a - 2   c ). Label  10  includes an upper or top ply  18  having an under side  20  and an upper side  22 .  
         [0024]    The plies  12  and  18  (and  30 , as will be described) may be made of any suitable material that meets the physical and chemical compatibility requirements, along with desired aesthetic attributes and cost considerations, of a particular label. It is to be understood that where necessary, surfaces of the plies to be printed may receive one or more additional depositions of material to adjust the receptiveness to printing materials. Thus, an array of papers, plastics, and related materials may variously be employed for the plies, the surfaces of which may be adjusted as needed by those skilled in the art.  
         [0025]    As best seen in FIGS. 2 a - 2   c,  the upper or top ply  18  is joined to the first or base ply  12  along a strip that is normally a hinge margin or edge  23  using a permanent adhesive material  24  to form a binding or hinge. The adhesive material  24  is designed to cause permanent adhesions so that the upper or top ply  18  resists unintentional peeling away and removal from label  10  as is apt to occur with pressure sensitive adhesives often used in the hinged construction of such multi-ply labels even though such bonds may be referred to as “permanent”.  
         [0026]    It is particularly to be noted that a consumer may, inadvertently, attempt to peel back or open a multi-ply label at an incorrect location. The permanent adhesive hinge of the invention will prevent an inadvertent splitting of the plies at the hinge.  
         [0027]    As seen in FIGS. 1 a - b  and  2   a - d,  a portion of the upper side  14  of the first or base ply  12  is provided with a layer of release coating  26  which may cover the entire area of the upper side  14  exclusive of regions having hinge adhesive material  24  in “zone coat” fashion as shown in FIG. 2 a  or some lesser amount as shown in FIGS. 2 b - 2   d.  As used herein, “layer” is intended to include any coating applied by a suitable deposition technique. The layer of release coating  26  is typically a varnish, lacquer, ink, or other coating that inhibits permanent adhesions. That is, the release coating reduces the adhesive grip of pressure sensitive adhesives. A layer of pressure sensitive adhesive is shown at  28  in FIGS. 2 a - 2   c.  This material in conjunction with the release coating  26  enables release and resealing of the upper ply  18 , and may be characterized, in combination, as a “release-reseal system”. A pattern of the pressure sensitive adhesive material in the release-reseal system may be in the form of a continuous, or a discontinuous or intermittent pattern, it only being necessary that the pattern of the pressure sensitive adhesive be substantially aligned with the release coating the plies are sealed and that it provide sufficient tack to prevent unaided or unintentional opening of the label as may occur, for example, in a product labeling assembly line or on a retail shelf.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 c  depicts an alternate construction that adds a third or middle ply  30  between base ply  12  and upper or top ply  18 . Middle ply  30  is also permanently hinged by the hinge adhesive material  24  along one edge at  32  and has free sides and a free end  34 . End  34  terminates before reaching the pressure sensitive adhesive  28  of the release-reseal system so that it is captured within the label  10  when the top ply  18  is held closed by the release-reseal system.  
         [0029]    As can be seen in the FIGS. 2 b  and  2   c,  the release-reseal system may be preferably limited to a vicinity of a second edge as at  36  which is opposite the hinge margin or hinge edge or strip  23 . Of course, the release-reseal system requires only that the release material  26  be substantially aligned with the pressure sensitive adhesive  28  on the opposed surface of the adjacent ply.  
         [0030]    As seen in FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b,  however, the pressure sensitive adhesive may be attached to the lower or base ply in an intermittent pattern along an edge as at  40  and along the two edges of remaining sides as at  42 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  depict another embodiment which employs a center hinge of a permanent adhesive fixing, a central strip of an upper or top ply  52  to a central strip of lower or bottom ply  54  creating opposed leaves  56  and  58  which are releasably, resealably closed by systems similar to the previously described release-reseal systems. This enables, among other things, copy to be fully displayed in two languages, separate from each other.  
         [0032]    Any of the labels may be provided, if desired, with an additional layer of adhesive  29  on the under or lower side of the base ply  12 ,  54  to attach the label to an object of interest to be labeled such as, for example, a bottle of a medicinal preparation or other health or beauty aid product. The label may be conveniently stored, delivered, and dispensed from a release liner (not shown) to protect the attachment surface.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2 d  depicts an alternative embodiment of the three-ply label of FIG. 2 c.  Therein, a resealable, multiply label  10  has (i) a first or base ply  12  having an upper side  14  and an under side  16 , (ii) an upper or top ply  18  having an under side  20  and an upper side  22 , and (iii) a third middle or intermediate ply  30 .  
         [0034]    As with the embodiment of FIG. 2 c,  the plies  12 ,  18  and  30  in FIG. 2 d  may be made of any suitable material. Of course, additional plies  30  may be included in any booklet construction.  
         [0035]    In the embodiment of FIG. 2 d,  base ply  12  is joined to middle ply  30 , as is middle ply  30  to top ply  18 , along a strip that is normally a full hinge margin or edge using a permanent adhesive material  24  to form a binding or pair of full hinges at  32 .  
         [0036]    Permanent adhesive material  24  is likewise designed to create permanent hinges so that middle ply  30  resists unintentional peeling away and removal from label  10 . Top ply  18  is permanently hinged by hinge adhesive material  24  to middle ply  30 . It can be seen, therefore, that this construction comprises an overall “adhesive sandwich” of alternating plies and adhesive materials at the hinge margin or hinge edge. Of course, one or more additional middle or intermediate plies can be added as desired. It is to be particularly appreciated that such a construction, if done utilizing pressure-sensitive adhesive hinge materials, almost without exception, will result in “adhesive ooze” and many problems attendant therewith in dispensing, application, and use of label  10 .  
         [0037]    As described relative to the embodiment of FIG. 2 c,  middle ply  30  in FIG. 2 d  also has free sides and a free end  34 , which terminates short of the pressure-sensitive adhesive of the release-reseal system as was the case with the embodiment of FIG. 2 c.  The combination of a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive material  28  and a layer of release coating  26  (in any order) forms a “release-reseal system” between plies  12  and  18 . As illustrated, a portion of upper side  14  of base ply  12  is provided with a layer of release coating  26  which may cover an entire area of upper side  14 , exclusive of regions having hinge adhesive material  24  as shown in FIG. 2 a  or some lesser amount as shown in FIGS. 2 b  and  2   c.    
         [0038]    This invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by specifically different equipment and devices, and that various modifications, both as to the equipment and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.  
         [0039]    For example, it will be appreciated that any of the aforedescribed graphics, coatings, materials, and release-reseal systems may be selectively provided in any suitable combination on labels constructed according to the present invention, for a particular desired use. Thus, in FIGS. 2 c - d , the relative positions of coatings  26  and  28  could be interchanged.  
         [0040]    It is also to be understood in general that any suitable alternatives may be employed to provide the resealable multi-ply label of the present invention.  
         [0041]    Lastly, the choice, of course, of compositions, sizes, and strengths of various aforementioned components of the labels of the present invention are all a matter of design choice depending upon intended uses thereof.