Abstract:
A label having at least one resealable brochure and suitable for being attached to a mounting surface. The label includes a base planar member including oppositely disposed first and second surfaces and a first lateral edge. The first surface is suitable for coupling the base member to the mounting surface. At least one sheet forms the brochure and at least partially overlies the base member. At least one planar overlying member is coupled to the second surface of the base member and the at least one brochure sheet. A portion of the at least one brochure sheet and overlying member project beyond the first lateral edge of the base member such that when the label is attached to the mounting surface the at least one overlying member may be selectively uncoupled and recoupled to the mounting surface.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/898,871, filed Jul. 3, 2001, entitled “LABELS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/232,121, filed Jan. 15, 1999, and entitled “LABELS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME”, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/662,842, filed Jun. 12, 1996, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/489,611, filed Jun. 12, 1995. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to labels and, more particularly, to pressure sensitive labels of the kinds which may adhesively be secured to substrates, such as bottles or other containers, and which provide an integral brochure. In another of its aspects, this invention relates to a method of making such labels. In general, this invention relates to an improved label integrated with a printed brochure and a method of making such a label and an assembly of such labels carried on a flexible liner.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0003]    A label having at least one resealable brochure and suitable for being attached to a mounting surface, the label including: a base planar member including oppositely disposed first and second surfaces and a first lateral edge, the first surface being suitable for coupling the base member to the mounting surface; at least one brochure sheet at least partially overlying the base member; and, at least one planar overlying member coupled to the second surface of the base member and the at least one brochure sheet; wherein, a portion of the at least one brochure sheet and overlying member project beyond the first lateral edge of the base member such that when the label is attached to the mounting surface the at least one overlying member may be selectively uncoupled and recoupled to the mounting surface. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    There are seen in the drawings forms of the invention which are presently preferred (and which constitute the best mode contemplated for carrying the invention into effect), but it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 is a pictorial view, in perspective, of a label assembly in accordance with the invention.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 - 2  in FIG. 1.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a form of label in accordance with the invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another form of label in accordance with the invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 5 is a top plan view, in cross-section, of an exemplary label in accordance with the invention, applied to a substrate in the form of a flat-sided container with small radius corners.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 a  is a top plan view similar to FIG. 5, also in cross-section, of another exemplary label in accordance with the invention, applied to a substrate in the form of a container of round cross-section.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 is a plan view of a brochure blank for use in the invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7 is a plan view of a brochure blank for use in an alternative form of the invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 8 depicts a portion of a base label web as used in the invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 9 depicts a base label web, die cut prior to stripping waste, to provide intermediate blanks for base labels in accordance with the invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 9 a  depicts an alternative form of base label web.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a brochure blank assembly associated with a base label web in accordance with the invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, illustrating the step of die cutting to produce finished labels.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 12 is a detail view of a portion of a label in accordance with the invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of yet another form of label in accordance with the invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 14 is a pictorial view, in perspective, of another form of the label assembly in accordance with the invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  15 - 15  in FIG. 14 of a label of this invention in a closed position.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  15 - 15  in FIG. 14 of a label of this invention in an open position.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 17 is a detail view of a portion of the label of FIG. 14.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 18 is a plan view of a brochure blank for use with the label of FIG. 14.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 19 depicts a base label web, die cut prior to stripping waste, to provide intermediate blanks for base labels in accordance with the invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 20 is a plan view illustrating the brochure blank assembly associated with the base label web in accordance with the label of FIG. 14. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    The entire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/898,871, filed Jul. 3, 2001, and entitled “LABELS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME”, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/232,121, filed Jan. 15, 1999, and entitled “LABELS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME”, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/662,842, filed Jun. 12, 1996, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/489,611, filed Jun. 12, 1995, are hereby incorporated by reference as if being set forth in their respective entireties herein.  
         [0028]    Labels which incorporate brochures or booklets have heretofore been proposed. Such labels, sometimes called “brochure labels,” are useful for applications in which (1) it is expedient or necessary to provide with a packaged product detailed directions for usage; (2) regulatory requirements, as in the case of pharmaceuticals, make it necessary to provide with the product a great deal of explanatory information; and (3) it is desired to provide promotional or game materials with the product. Other applications will occur to those skilled in the art.  
         [0029]    It is particularly desirable, from both practical and aesthetic points of view, that a brochure label be made “resealable,” that is, so constructed and arranged that opening or use of the brochure associated with the label does not render impossible resealing of the brochure. A resealable brochure label may be restored to its initial appearance and condition after having been opened. It is also highly desirable that a brochure label be capable of neatly wrapping around the sharp or small radius corners of a square container. In such an application, the brochure must often be made to wrap around three or four corners, each of which provides a stress point for the brochure and an opportunity for highly undesirable local bunching or buckling. The present invention provides for a smooth and highly pleasing wrap.  
         [0030]    Another desirable attribute in a brochure label is ease of opening and reseal-ability. The present invention provides a simple and effective tab to facilitate opening, as well as capability of repeated resealing.  
         [0031]    In some applications, it is necessary or desirable that the graphics and other aesthetic aspects of the brochure be integrated with those of the products labeled, so as to provide a uniform appearance and appeal. In prior art constructions, the label design has often been different from the brochure, imparting to the entire product the appearance of an “afterthought” rather than a well-integrated whole. In accordance with the present invention, the printing of the brochure component of a brochure label can be coordinated with that of the base label, using matched or coordinated materials or printing techniques, so that the base label and brochure provide the appearance of a unitary piece.  
         [0032]    Finally, in some instances it is desirable that one or more leaves or pages of the brochure be made removable, or that provision be made for remove-ability of the entire brochure at the user&#39;s option. As is explained below, suitable structural features may be provided within the purview of the present invention to achieve these desirable ends.  
         [0033]    Labels in accordance with the present invention may be delivered to users in roll form and applied to packages in the same manner, using the same equipment, and at satisfactory production speeds (generally in excess of 200 bottles per minute) as standard pressure sensitive labels.  
         [0034]    Accordingly, and in general, the present invention provides an adhesive label assembly which includes an integral brochure. The assembly comprises a pressure sensitive base label, adhesively and releasably supported by a flexible liner. A brochure is associated with the base label and is made up of a folded sheet providing panels, or pages, of the brochure. The brochure is positioned to overlie at least a portion of the base label, and the top panel of the brochure is made to project laterally beyond a lateral edge of the base label. The projecting portion of the top panel may provide a tab to facilitate opening of the brochure. A self-adhesive transparent overlayer is provided over the upper surface of the base label and also the top panel of the brochure. The overlayer is made to extend beyond an edge of the top panel, to facilitate sealing and resealing by adhesion of the overlayer to the container or other substrate to which the base label is applied or to a remote end portion of the base label. Alternatively, sealing and resealing of the overlayer may be accomplished by adhering the extended portion of the overlayer to a portion of the base label which extends beyond a bottom panel of the brochure. Regardless of the specific embodiment of the invention, the top panel may also provide a tab, which, in association with the projecting portion of the overlayer, provides both a means for sealing the brochure and a means for easily gripping the brochure to facilitate opening.  
         [0035]    Optionally, perforations may be provided on one or more panels of the brochure, to facilitate ready removal of the page provided by that panel. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the removed page may be or include a coupon, a premium, or a pre-printed request for additional information.  
         [0036]    Optionally and alternatively, a line of perforations may be provided in the base label and overlayer, so that the consumer may remove the booklet without destroying the copy contained on the base label beneath it.  
         [0037]    In still another of its aspects, the invention provides a method of making an adhesive label assembly of the kind having an integral brochure. The method comprises steps of: providing a pressure sensitive base label web comprising a base label sheet and a flexible liner releasably secured to the base label sheet; die cutting through the base label sheet but not the liner to form a blank for at least one and preferably two or more base labels; and stripping from the liner the material of the base label sheet other than the blank. Next, a brochure blank assembly, printed to provide multiple brochures, is mated to the base label web and so positioned that a top panel of the assembly projects laterally beyond what will be the lateral edge of the base label. Alternatively, at least a portion of the base label also extends beyond a bottom panel of the brochure. Next, there is applied over the liner, brochure blank assembly and base label an overlayer of self-adhesive material, the self-adhesive material serving to secure the brochure blank assembly to the base label blank and also adhering to the liner adjacent to the tab portion. Alternatively, where the base label extends beyond the bottom panel of the brochure, the overlayer self-adhesive material serves to secure the brochure blank assembly to the base label and also adhere to the extended portion of the base label.  
         [0038]    Optionally, brochure blank assembly may be affixed to the base label by a suitable adhesive or by other affixation means. Die cutting through the overlayer and stripping of the waste yields the desired label assembly, with the individual labels releasably secured to the flexible liner.  
         [0039]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements, there is seen in FIG. 1 a label assembly designated generally by the reference numeral  10 . The label assembly  10  includes plural individual labels  12 , disposed on a flexible liner  14 . It should be understood that the thicknesses of the liner  14  and labels  12 , as well as the various components which are laminated to make up the label  12 , are exaggerated for clarity.  
         [0040]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an individual label  12  will be described in detail. The label  12  includes a base label  16 , a brochure  18  and a transparent overlayer  20 . Seen in FIG. 2 is an adhesive layer  22  by which the overlayer  20  is secured to the base label and the brochure  18  (and which, in turn, secures the brochure  18  to the base label  16 ), and an adhesive layer  24  which releasably secures the base label  16  to the liner  14 .  
         [0041]    The brochure  18  in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a leaflet which has two leaves  26  and  28 , separated by a fold line  30 . The top leaf  26 , it will be seen, is wider than the bottom leaf  28 , and thus extends further from the fold line  30  than does the bottom leaf  28 . A portion of the top leaf  26  extends beyond the lateral edge  31  of the base label  16 . As is perhaps best seen in FIG. 1 (and also in FIG. 12), a portion of the top leaf  26  is shaped to provide a tab  32 , the purpose of which will be described shortly. As is also apparent in FIG. 1, a portion  34  of the overlayer  20  projects beyond a lateral edge  36  of the top leaf  26  in the vicinity of the tab  32 , and is thus adhesively joined directly to the liner  14 .  
         [0042]    Referring now to FIG. 5, the manner in which a label such as the label  12  may be affixed to a substrate in the form of a container  38  is seen. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the container  38  is a round cornered square container. The label  12  wraps completely around the circumference of the container  38 , without any bunching or buckling of the brochure  18  at the corners. This desirable result is achieved because, as described above, the top leaf  26  of the brochure  18  and the portion  34  of the overlayer  20  extend beyond the lateral edge  31  of the base label  16 . In such an arrangement, the top leaf  26 , with its associated overlayer  20  can be drawn tightly and smoothly during application of the label  12  to the container  38 , thus enabling the adhesive  22  of the portion  34  to self-adhere (in the illustrated example) to a terminal portion  13  of the label  12 . In other applications, such as the one shown in FIG. 5 a  (in which elements corresponding to those already described are designated by like, primed (′), reference numerals), the adhesive  22 ′ of a portion  34 ′ may adhere directly to a container  38 ′.  
         [0043]    The tab  32  facilitates opening of the brochure, because it is interposed between the adhesive  22 ,  22 ′ and, as the case may be, the terminal portion  13  of the label  12  or the container  38 ′. The tab  32  thus provides a convenient “handle” and an aid to opening of the brochure. On the other hand, the adhesive  22 ,  22 ′ on the portions  34 ,  34 ′ facilitates repeated resealing of the brochure as the contents of the containers  38 ,  38 ′ are used.  
         [0044]    It should be understood that the embodiments seen in FIGS. 5 and 5 a  are illustrative, and that a label applied as shown in FIG. 5 may be used to advantage on a round or otherwise shaped container or substrate, such as the round container  38  shown in FIG. 5 a . Similarly, a label may be applied as shown in FIG. 5 a  to a square or rectangular container, such as the container  38  of FIG. 5.  
         [0045]    The stock from which the base labels  16  are made is commercially available and familiar to those skilled in the art. It generally comprises a layer of paper, peelably joined by pressure sensitive adhesive to a liner of flexible plastic polymeric film.  
         [0046]    The material for the overlayer  20  is also commercially available, and comprises a flexible clear plastic polymeric film, coated on one face with a clear pressure sensitive adhesive (which provides the adhesive  22 ,  22 ′). The top surface of the overlayer  20  may be treated in a known manner (as by having on it a release agent) to facilitate release and to avoid co-adhesion failure.  
         [0047]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6 through  11 , a method of making an adhesive label assembly in accordance with the invention will be described.  
         [0048]    In general, the method involves the following steps, each of which will be described in somewhat greater detail below: A brochure blank assembly  40  is created by printing, cutting and folding. The brochure blank assembly is prepared in full web width. A base label is printed, also in full web width. Next, the base label is die cut from a base label web  42  and, excess is stripped to base label blanks, each blank ultimately providing, in the presently preferred form of the method, two base labels. Next, the brochure blank assembly  40  is brought together with the die cut and stripped base label web, and a pressure sensitive overlayer  20  is applied over the exposed liner  14 , the base label and brochure blank assembly, joining in the process the base label and brochure. No glue is required to assemble the base label and brochure, although glue may optionally be used in some embodiments. Finally, the assembled base label, brochure and overlayer are die cut to the final outline of the label, and waste is stripped to yield the final label assembly.  
         [0049]    Referring now to FIG. 6, the brochure blank assembly  40  may be created as follows: The brochure is printed by any suitable process, in the presently preferred process by sheet-fed offset printing in full web width (typically about twelve inches). Each sheet may contain multiple repetitions width wise. One presently preferred form of the process prints four wide. The portions of the blank assembly  40  which, with further trimming, will ultimately form the above-mentioned tabs  32 , are preferably die cut, although other techniques may occur to those skilled in the art. The sheet is then trimmed to size and folded as desired, as at fold line  30  in FIG. 6.  
         [0050]    Referring now to FIG. 8, a base label web, designated generally by the reference numeral  42 , a portion of which is seen in the Figure, is provided. The base label web is comprised of a base label sheet  44 , of paper or other suitable material and liner  14  releasably adhered to the base label sheet  42 . The base label web  42  has respective lower  46  and upper  48  faces, and has on its lower face a continuous layer  24  of adhesive which provides the above-mentioned adhesive layer  24  in the finished product. Printed matter suitable to the intended finished product may be applied to the upper face  48  of the base label sheet  44  by any suitable printing process. Suitable eye and machine-readable positioning, “eye” and registration marks “M” may also be printed on the base label sheet  44 , to facilitate joining of the brochure blank assembly  40  with the base label web  42  (as described below) and other automated process steps. As is apparent in FIG. 8, printing of the base label sheet  44  is preferably done in full web width, providing multiple repetitions across the width of the web. The illustrated example provides four repetitions designated in the Figure as  50   a - d.    
         [0051]    [0051]FIGS. 9 and 9 a  depict alternative forms of the base label web  42  after die cutting through the base label sheet  44  (but not the liner  14 ) to form base label blanks  52 . In FIG. 9, the die cutting operation provides two base label blanks  52 , the width of each blank  52  enabling it to provide a base label  16  (FIG. 1) for two labels  12 . In the alternative arrangement shown in FIG. 9 a , a single base label blank  52 ′ is provided, of a width enabling it to provide a base label  16  for four labels  12 . Other equivalent arrangements will occur to those skilled in the art. After die cutting, waste material “W” around the base label blanks may be stripped from the base label web  42 .  
         [0052]    Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the step of joining the brochure blank assembly  40  with the base label web  42  is illustrated. As is best seen in FIG. 10, the brochure blank assembly  40  is brought into juxtaposition with the base label web  42  in such a way that the fold  30  extends transversely with respect to the base label sheet  44 . It will be recognized that this operation may be automated in ways familiar to those skilled in the art, drawing brochure blank assemblies  40 , for example, from a hopper (not seen) and synchronizing the application of brochure blank assemblies  40  to a moving base label web  42 . Folding of the brochure blank  40  is done in such a way as to provide an assembly having a top panel  54 , which ultimately forms the above-mentioned top leaves  26  of the brochures  18 , and a bottom panel  56 , which ultimately forms the bottom leaves  28  of the brochure  18 . Associated with the top panel  54  are projections  58  which, after further cutting described below, form the tabs  32  associated with the top leaves  26 . The top panel  54 , it should be understood, extends from the fold line  30  a distance greater than the width of the bottom panel  56 , so that when the brochure blank assembly  40  is positioned with respect to the base label web  42 , the panel  54  projects beyond a lateral edge  60  of what will become the base label  16 .  
         [0053]    A continuous transparent overlayer  20  is next applied, by conventional laminating techniques, over the joined brochure blank assembly  40  and base label web  42 , covering and adhering to the portions of the base label blanks  52  not covered by the brochure blank assembly  40 , to the top panel  54  of the brochure blank  40 , and to the remainder of the base label web  42 .  
         [0054]    Referring now to FIG. 11, the final die cutting step will now be described. In this step, the individual labels  12  are cut to their final external dimensions by cutting through the overlayer  20 , the brochure blank assembly  40  and the base label blanks  52 , but not the liner  14 . This die cutting step establishes the final outline of the tabs  32  as well. Stripping from the liner  14  of the excess material (i.e., material outside the outline of the label as defined by the die) yields the label assembly  10  depicted in FIG. 1.  
         [0055]    The overlayer  20  may also be perforated, as at  62  in FIG. 11, adjacent to the fold line  30  of the brochure blank assembly  40 . Such a perforation facilitates selective ready removal of the entire brochure  18  from a label  12 , by grasping of the brochure and tearing of the overlayer  20  along the perforation  62 . The perforation  62  may be made as part of the final die cutting step described above, by die cutting through the overlayer  20 .  
         [0056]    [0056]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate particular features of various forms of labels in accordance with the invention. In FIG. 3, there is shown in dotted line the manner in which one of the leaves of the brochure may be removed, for use as a return coupon or a source of information. For this purpose, a line of perforations  63  may be provided across the leaf  28  in a direction transverse to the leaf, to facilitate removal of the leaf. The perforation  63  may be made during printing or die cutting of the brochure blank assembly from which the brochure  18  is made.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIGS. 4 and 7 illustrate aspects of an alternative form of the invention, which provides a potential for eight pages of text within a brochure made up of four leaves. In this embodiment a brochure blank  64 , as seen in FIG. 7, is so folded as to provide respective panels  66 ,  68 ,  70  and  72 . The panels  70  and  72 , it will be understood, may be folded behind the panels  66  and  68 , and the thus-folded blank  64  thereafter used in the manner described above in connection with the brochure blank assembly  40 . Final die cutting in the manner described above yields from the panels  66 - 72  a total of 4 leaves.  
         [0058]    It will be appreciated that in folding the brochure blank  64 , a line of glue  74  may be applied to the blank  64 , as illustrated in FIG. 7, to maintain the leaves provided by the panels  70  and  72  in position relative to the other panels after the final die cutting step. The glue  74  may be applied in a conventional manner before the folding step. As is apparent from FIG. 4, with this embodiment, one pair of leaves may, if desired, be extracted from the brochure as a return coupon or informational piece.  
         [0059]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the above-described embodiments of the brochure are “book-like” in the sense that they have leaves joined at a spine (defined by a fold line), it is within the purview of the invention to provide a brochure whose panels are joined by spaced parallel fold lines. Such an embodiment of the invention is seen in FIG. 13 and designated generally by reference numeral  76 .  
         [0060]    [0060]FIGS. 14 through 20 depict yet another embodiment of this invention. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, label  12  comprises base label  16 , brochure  18  and overlayer  20 . Brochure  18  may comprise any number of panels as exemplified by the seven panel construction depicted in FIGS. 14, 15,  16  and  17 . Seen in FIG. 15 is adhesive layer  22  by which overlayer  20  is secured to top leaf  26  of brochure  18  and base label  16 , an adhesive layer  80  which secures bottom leaf  28  of brochure  18  to base label  16 , and adhesive layer  24  which releasably secures base label  16  to liner  14 .  
         [0061]    Although brochure  18  in FIGS. 14, 15,  16 , and  17  is a leaflet which is formed or folded to provide seven printed surfaces or “panels,” it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that label  12  may accommodate numerous configurations of brochure  18 . In the embodiment of FIGS. 14, 15,  16  and  17 , fold line  30  separates leaves  26  and  28 . Fold line  30  also forms an area in which the additional panels of brochure  18  may be folded (for example along fold lines  30 ′ and  30 ″ as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16) and inserted between leaves  26  and  28  when label  12  is in the closed position.  
         [0062]    Top leaf  26  is wider than bottom leaf  28 , and thus extends further from fold line  30  than does bottom leaf  28 . Additionally, a portion of top leaf  26  designated as area  32  in FIGS. 14, 15 and  17  extend beyond lateral edge  31  of base label  16  shown in FIG. 14.  
         [0063]    As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, label  12  as depicted in FIGS. 14, 15,  16  and  17  may be affixed to containers with various cross-sections including, but not limited to, containers  38  shown in FIGS. 5 and 5 a . Generally, label  12  may take numerous shapes and may be adhered to the entire surface area of container  38 , such as container  38  shown in FIG. 5 a . For example, label  12  of FIG. 14 could be adhered to any one of the four sides of container  38  shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, label  12  could be adhered to any two sides and any corner of container  38 .  
         [0064]    Tab  32  of label  12  depicted in FIGS. 14, 15, and  17  (shown with a corner turned upward in order to demonstrate the flexibility of tab  32 ) facilitates the opening of the brochure because it is interposed between leaf  26  of brochure  18  and container  38 , and further, because of notched opening  82  in base label  16 . When applied to container  38 , relief notch  82  creates a space between leaf  26  and the substrate (such as container  38 ) to which label  12  is affixed. Tab  32  thus provides a convenient “handle” and an aid to gaining access to brochure  18 . On the other hand, as best shown in FIG. 17, adhesive  22  present on portion  34  of overlayer  20  facilitates repeated unsealing and resealing of brochure  18  as container  38  is used.  
         [0065]    The materials used in the construction of this embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 14, 15,  16  and  17  may be the same as used in the construction of other embodiments of this invention. In addition, adhesive  80  may be any material suitable for adhering brochure  18  to base label  16  and preferably is a cold glue.  
         [0066]    Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 18 through  20 , a method of making an adhesive label assembly in accordance with the instant embodiment of label  12  will be described.  
         [0067]    In general, the method involves the following steps, each of which will be described in greater detail below: brochure blank assembly  40  is created by printing, cutting and folding. Brochure blank assembly  40  is prepared in full web width. Base label  16  is printed, also in full web width. Next, base label  16  is die cut from base label web  42  (which, in part, forms relief notch  82 ) and excess waste (depicted in the accompanying figures as “W”) is stripped from base label blanks  52 , each blank ultimately providing, in the presently preferred form of the method, three base labels  16 . Next, brochure blank assembly  40  is affixed to base label blank  52  by applying adhesive  80  to base label blank  52  and joining brochure blank assembly  40  to adhesive  80 . Although in this embodiment adhesive  80  is generally necessary if brochure  18  is to remain affixed to base label  16 , it is not necessary to use adhesive  80  if brochure  18  is to be completely removed from label  12 . Overlayer  20  is then applied over exposed liner  14 , base label blank  52 , and brochure blank assembly  40 . Finally, base label blank  52 , brochure assembly  40  and overlayer  20  are die cut to final outline  86  of label  12 , and waste “W” is stripped to yield the final label assembly.  
         [0068]    Referring now to FIG. 18, brochure blank assembly  40  may be created as follows: brochure blanks are printed by any suitable process. In the presently preferred process, brochure blank  40  is printed by sheet-fed offset printing in full sheets (typically about twenty-four inches wide) and which are cut in half to form a full web width (typically about approximately twelve inches). Each full web width may contain multiple repetitions of printed matter. One presently preferred form of the process prints on each full web width three brochures  18 . Optionally, brochures may be printed on one or both sides of brochure blank assembly  40 . The portions of brochure blank assembly  40  which, with further trimming, will ultimately form tabs  32  of the embodiment of FIGS. 14, 15,  16  and  17 , are preferably die cut, although other techniques may occur to those skilled in the art. The full web width is then trimmed to size and folded as desired, such as at fold lines  30 ,  30 ′ and  30 ″ depicted in FIG. 18.  
         [0069]    Turning now to FIG. 19, base label web  42  of this embodiment is preferably printed as disclosed above except that three rather than four repetitions are preferably printed across base label web  24 , although other repetitions are possible.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 19 depicts a form of base label web  42  after die cutting through base label sheet  44  (but not liner  14 ) to form three attached base label blanks  52 . The die cutting operation of FIG. 19 provides three attached base label blanks  52 , which blanks  52  are to be separated in a later step in the process. The width of each blank  52  enables it to provide a base label  16  for three labels  12 . Other equivalent arrangements will occur in those skilled in the art. After die cutting, the waste material “W” around base label blanks  52  may be stripped from base label web  42 .  
         [0071]    Referring now to FIG. 20, the step of joining the brochure blank assembly  40  with base label web  42  is illustrated. First, adhesive  80  is applied to a section of each label blank  52  at which section brochure blank assembly  40  will be applied to label blank  52 . Adhesive  80  may be applied by any means shown in the art but preferably adhesive  80  will be applied to base label blanks  52  in a continuous area approximately the size and shape of brochure blank assembly  40 . Alternatively, adhesive  80  may be applied to the underside of brochure leaf  28 .  
         [0072]    After application of adhesive  80 , brochure blank assembly  40  is brought into juxtaposition with base label web  42  in such a way that fold  30  extends transversely with respect to base label sheet  44 . It will be recognized that this operation may be automated in ways described above with respect to the embodiment of the invention described herein. Folding of brochure label  40  is done in such a way as to provide an assembly having a top panel  54 , which ultimately forms the above-mentioned top leaves  26  of brochures  18 , and bottom panels  56  (not shown in FIG. 20), which ultimately forms bottom leaves  28  of brochure  18 . Associated with top panel  54  are projections  58  which, after further cutting described below, form tabs  32  associated with top leaves  26 . Top panel  54 , it should be understood, extends from fold line  30  a distance greater than the width of bottom panel  56 , so that when brochure blank assembly  40  is positioned with respect to base label web  42 , panel  54  projects beyond lateral edge  60  of what is fold  30 ′ such that top panel  54  may contact at least a portion of label blank  52 .  
         [0073]    A continuous transparent overlayer  20  is next applied, by conventional laminating techniques, over joined brochure blank assembly  40  and base label web  42 , covering and adhering to the portions of base label blanks  52  not covered by brochure blank assembly  40 , to top panel  54  of brochure blank  40 , and the remainder of the base label web  42 .  
         [0074]    The final die cutting step is substantially as described with respect to other embodiments of this invention. In this step, individual labels  12  are cut to the final external dimensions. This die cutting step establishes a final label outline  86  of label  12  (including tab  32 ) as depicted in FIG. 20. Stripping from liner  14  of excess material (i.e., material outside final label outline  86 ) yields label assembly  10  depicted in FIG. 14.  
         [0075]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential attributes. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.