Patent Publication Number: US-2010127491-A1

Title: Laminate Labels

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/117,731, filed on Nov. 25, 2008, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to laminate labels and a method of making such labels, wherein the labels may include printable liner and a laminate for sealing around a periphery of the liner. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Labels may be used in a number of applications for identification purposes. In a number of these applications, labels may be exposed to relatively high degrees of wear, sun exposure, weather exposure, chemical exposure, exposure to gasses or fluids, and/or other types of exposure. Examples may include library environments, where labels may be exposed to scuffing; or clinical or laboratory environments, where the labels may be exposed to various chemicals or fluids. To protect the labels, laminating materials may be provided over the labels. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a label. The label may include a liner having a first surface, a second surface and at least one edge, wherein said second surface is capable of receiving an image forming substance. The label may also include a laminate, disposed on the first surface of the liner, wherein the laminate extends past the at least one edge, forming a frame portion around the liner. In addition, the label may include an adhesive, disposed on at least a portion of the frame portion of the laminate. 
     A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of forming a label. The method may include disposing an adhesive between a first surface of a liner and a laminate, wherein the liner may include the first surface and a second surface capable of receiving an image forming substance. The method may also include cutting the adhesive and the laminate with a first cutter forming a first periphery and cutting the liner with a second cutter forming a second periphery, wherein the laminate extends past at least a portion of the second periphery forming a frame portion around at least a portion of the liner. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of applying a label, wherein the method may include applying an image forming substance on a label. The label may include a liner having a first surface, a second surface and at least one edge, wherein said second surface is capable of receiving an image forming substance; a laminate, disposed on the first surface of the liner, wherein the laminate extends past the at least one edge, forming a frame portion around the liner; and an adhesive, disposed on at least a portion of the frame portion of the laminate. The method may also include adhering the frame portion of the label to a surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, may become more apparent and better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1   a  illustrates an example of a top view of a label; 
         FIG. 1   b  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the label of  FIG. 1   a;    
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of a number of layers forming a label; 
         FIG. 3   a  illustrates an example of a top view of labels on a carrier; 
         FIG. 3   b  illustrates an example of a cross-sectional view of the labels of  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of an example label including an image or graphics; 
         FIG. 5   a  illustrates a side view of a specimen slide with an example of a label; 
         FIG. 5   b  illustrates a top view of a specimen slide with an example of a label; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of an example of a label on a substrate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments herein are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
     An example of labels contemplated herein is illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , top and cross-sectional views of the label, respectively. The label  10  may include, consist essentially of, or consist of, for example, a laminate  12 , an adhesive  14  and liner  16 . The liner may include a first surface  18 , a second surface  20  and at least one edge  22 . The second surface of the liner may be configured to receive an image forming substance. That is, the image forming substance may sufficiently adhere to the second surface either by mechanical or chemical means. For example, there may be some mechanical interlocking of the image forming substance to the second surface. In another example, there may be chemical bonding (such as van der Waals bonding) or reactions between the image forming substance and the second surface. In a further embodiment, the image forming substance may be a coating on the liner that may facilitate thermal printing, changing color on exposure to heat. The illustrated label appears to take on the general configuration of a square; however, as may be appreciated, a number of configurations may be provided, including rectangular, circular, or any shape, or figure, provided that the adhesive and laminate layer form a window or frame  24  about the printable liner. 
     The liner may include a polymeric material, or other material, that may be printed or otherwise marked upon by inks, toners or other image forming substances. The liner may be a film, which may include thermoplastic materials, paper such as coated kraft paper, or fabric including thermoplastic materials and/or natural materials, etc. The liner may be supplied as a roll or in sheets, which may be continuous in a fan fold configuration or individual sheets. Thermoplastic materials may include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, vinyl, acetate, polystyrene, etc. Natural materials may include cotton, cellulose based materials, etc. 
     In one example, 0% to 99% of incident light in the visible range, i.e., in the range of 350 to 780 nm, including all values and increments therein may pass through the liner. Incident light may be understood as direct light that falls on a surface. Thus, where a relatively high degree of incident light passes though the liner, i.e., 40% or more, the liner may appear somewhat transparent. In addition, depending on the degree of diffusion of light passing through the liner, the liner may also appear relatively translucent. 
     The liner may be any color, reflecting a portion of incident light in the visible range corresponding to, for example, red, orange, green, blue, indigo, purple and/or various shades, hues, tints and combinations thereof. While, the liner herein may be white, i.e., reflecting substantially all, or at least 90% of incident light in the visible spectrum, including all values and increments in the range of 90% to 99.9%, it may be appreciated that the liner herein need not be white and in some examples are not white. Furthermore, the liner herein may be black in color, absorbing a portion of light, such as greater than 90% of incident light in the visible spectrum, including all values and increments in the range of 90% to 99.9%. In addition, the liner may be combinations of various colors, including black and/or white, and include portions through which varying degrees of light may pass. The liner may have a thickness in the range of 10 to 200 microns, including all values and increments therein. 
     A primer may be applied to the liner, which may facilitate printing on or marking the liner with various inks, waxes or toners. For example, a primer may include a varnish, such as a radiation curable, heat curable and/or evaporation curable varnish. The varnish may include a drying oil, a resin, polymer, or pre-polymers and/or a thinner or solvent. The drying oil may include for example, linseed oil, walnut oil, tung oil, safflower oil, etc. and may include a relatively high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Resin may include naturally derived substances, such as amber, dammar, copal, rosin, sandarac, balsam, etc. Polymers or pre-polymers may include alkyds, acrylics, urethanes, or epoxies. The thinner or solvent may include, for example, turpentine, mineral spirits (a mixture of saturated aliphatic and alicyclic C7 to C12 hydrocarbons with a content between 15 to 30% of C7 to C12 alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons), paint thinner such as acetone, naphtha, toluene, xylene, etc., and/or water. An example of a varnish contemplated herein, may include FILM III extender varnish, available from Environmental Inks and Coatings of Morganton, N.C. 
     The laminate may include a polymeric material, or other material, that may be printed or otherwise marked upon by inks, toners or other image forming medium. The laminate may be a film, which may include thermoplastic materials, paper, or fabric including thermoplastic materials and/or natural materials, etc. The laminate may be supplied, for example, on a roll or in sheets, including sheets having a continuous fan fold arrangement or individual sheets of a specified length and width. Thermoplastic materials may include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, vinyl, acetate, polystyrene, etc. Natural materials may include cotton, cellulose based materials, etc. 
     In one example, at least 50% of incident light in the visible range, i.e., in the range of 350 to 780 nm, including all values and increments therein may pass through the laminate. The laminate may therefore appear relatively transparent. In addition, depending on the degree of diffusion of light passing through the liner, the liner may also appear relatively translucent. 
     In another example, the laminate may be any color, reflecting a portion of incident light in the visible range corresponding to, for example, red, orange, green, blue, indigo, purple and/or various shades, hues, tints and combinations thereof. While, the laminate herein may be white, i.e., reflecting substantially all, or at least 90% of incident light in the visible spectrum, including all values and increments in the range of 90% to 99.9%, it may be appreciated that the laminate herein need not be white and in some examples are not white. Furthermore, the laminate herein may be black in color, absorbing a portion of light, such as greater than 90% of incident light in the visible spectrum, including all values and increments in the range of 90% to 99.9%. In addition, the laminate may be combinations of various colors, including black and/or white, and include portions through which varying degrees of light may pass. The laminate may have a thickness in the range of 10 to 200 microns, including all values and increments therein. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , the laminate  12  may extend past at least a portion of the liner periphery, i.e., an edge  22  or the entire periphery of the liner  16 . Thus, the laminate may form a frame  24  around the liner  16  or just a portion of the liner  16 . The frame may have a width W 1 , that is at least 5% of a given dimension of the liner, such as either the length L or width W 2  of the liner, including all values and increments in the range of 5% to 100%, such as 5% to 10%, 5% to 50%, etc. If, for example, the liner is circular in shape, the frame width may be at least 5% of the liner diameter. Thus, if the liner exhibits a length, width or diameter of 1 inch, the width of the frame may be at least 1/20 of an inch. In another example, the width of the frame may be at least 1 mm and up to 50.8 mm, including all values and increments therein. 
     The adhesive may be a chemically cured or pressure sensitive adhesive. The adhesive may also be crosslinking or non-crosslinking and may include one or more monomers or polymers or copolymers dispersed in one or more solvents. Such monomers or polymers may include natural rubber, polychloroprene, acrylic, silicone, etc., as well as copolymers thereof. Acrylics may include, for example, methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene, methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene polymer, etc. 
     The adhesive may be provided in a solvent carrier and applied to either the liner or laminate. Solvent carriers may include, for example, various organic solvents such as relatively short chain hydrocarbons, having between 3 to 20 carbons, including hexane, toluene, ethyl acetate, benzene, N,N-dimethylaniline, etc., as well as monomers, such as acrylic monomer, etc. The adhesive may include in the range of 30 to 60% solids, including all values and increments therein, such as 40 to 50% solids, and/or exhibit a density of 6.0 to 9.0 lb/gallon at 25° C., including all values and increments therein, such as 7.0, 7.3, 7.8, 8.0, 8.2, etc. In addition, the solvents may be present in the adhesive in a range of 20 to 80% by weight of the adhesive, including all values and increments therein, such as 40 to 60% by weight of the adhesive. The adhesive may exhibit a viscosity in the range of 100 cPs to 2×10 6  cPs at 25° C., including all values and increments therein when applied, such as in the range of 5,000 to 20,000 cPs, or 10,000 to 15,000 cPs. As may be appreciated, the viscosity may increase upon exposure to air and/or heat, allowing any solvents or carriers to evaporate or upon curing or cross-linking of the adhesive. After drying, curing or cross-linking, the viscosity may be in the range of 1×10 3  cPs at 25° C. to 1×10 20  cPs to a solid at 25° C., where the viscosity may be understood to approach infinity, including all values and increments therein. 
     The adhesive may also include modifiers, such as tackifiers, viscosity modifiers, curatives, etc. For example, components such as methacrylic acid or acrylic acid may be included in the adhesive. Furthermore, curatives may include amine curatives. The adhesive may have a thickness in the range of 10 to 150 microns, including all values and increments therein. In addition, the adhesive may also exhibit a service range, i.e., a temperature range wherein the adhesive properties may be maintained, of −250° C. to 200° C., including all values and increments therein. The adhesive may also exhibit 180° peel strength, as measure by PSTC-101 (including 1 mil adhesive on 1 mil polyester, bonded to a stainless steel panel), of 1.0 to 4.0 lb per inch, including all values and increments therein, such as 2.5, 2.8, 3.2, etc after a 20 minute bond and 180° peel strength of 2.0 to 5.0 lb per inch, including all values and increments therein, such as 3.0, 3.4, 4.0, 4.4, etc after 24 hours. Furthermore, the adhesive may exhibit a shear resistance as measured by PSTC-107 of 1 to 4 hours, including all increments therein, such as 2 hours under a 1 lb per 0.25 square inch load and a loop tack of 0.7 to 2.0 lb per inch, including all values and increments therein, such as 1.0 lb per inch, 1.1. lb per inch, 1.5 lb per inch, etc. The adhesive may include an acrylic adhesive available from FLEXCON under the product label A-108. 
     In addition, while the adhesive is illustrated as being disposed continuously between said liner and said laminate, extending past the edges of the liner, the adhesive may be disposed on a portion of the laminate. For example, the adhesive may be disposed around a portion of or around the entire frame portion of the laminate. It may be appreciated that, in one example, the adhesive may be disposed around the periphery of the liner, around the frame portion of the laminate but short of the laminate edge, such that the laminate may extend past the adhesive. In another example, the adhesive may be disposed, not only on the frame portion of the laminate, but also between at least a portion of or all of the laminate and liner. It may be appreciated that the adhesive may also be disposed in various patterns or in random configurations. The adhesive may be applied via a number of coating techniques, including spray coating, dip coating, gravure coating, flexographic printing, offset printing, etc. In another example, the adhesive may be formulated as a film. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2  the labels may be prepared on a carrier  30 . The carrier  30  may form the label liners and may be constructed from the liner material. In one example, the adhesive  14  may be applied on the carrier  30  and the laminate  12  may be applied on the adhesive. In another example, the adhesive  14  may be applied on the laminate  12  and the carrier  30  may be applied on the adhesive. It may be appreciated that reference to applied on, may be understood as either direct on or indirect application of the carrier, adhesive or laminate and that interceding layers maybe present. 
     Once the layers forming the labels have been assembled, the individual labels may be cut. Various cutting methods may be used. For example, the labels may be die cut, laser cut, knife cut, etc. Where the labels may be die cut, the dies may be provided on a rotary cylinder or calender roll. In one example, illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , the labels may be cut by more than one die, where a first die may cut the laminate  12 , adhesive  14  and optionally, the carrier  30 , and the second die may cut the carrier forming the liner  16 . The cuts  29  (illustrated in broken lines in  FIGS. 3   a ) and  31  forming or defining the label and boundaries of the liner may include straight cuts (i.e., non perforated cuts), perforated cuts including one or more perforations, and/or tabs, and combinations thereof. The labels may have a thickness in the range of 30 to 400 microns, including all values and increments therein. 
     In addition, registration marks may be provided. Such registration marks may include openings  32  defined in the carrier  30  and optionally, defined in the adhesive and/or laminate as well. The openings  32  may include a number of shapes, such as the oval or rounded rectangular shapes illustrated in  FIG. 3   b . Other shapes may be contemplated as well, such as circles, squares, rectangles, etc. Furthermore, in another example, registration marks may be printed on either the liner or the laminate. During printing, the printer may include a sensor, which may detect the registration marks and align the labels in the printer utilizing the marks. For example, the sensor may include an emitter and a detector, when a change in reflectivity is detected by the detector, the printer may recognize that a give portion of the label may be aligned with a given portion of the printing device, such as a print head. In another example, where the registration marks pass through all the label layers, a registration key or protrusion in the printer may be inserted into the registration mark and used to advance the label. 
     It may be appreciated that the labels may be provided individually or as a group of more than one label on a carrier. The prepared labels may be fed into a printing or image forming device, such as a printer, and patient identification information, barcode identifiers or other graphics (including text or images) may be printed on the liner. In addition, the liner may be written upon using a writing instrument such as a pen, marker, crayon, etc.  FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a label  10  having an image forming substance  40  thereon defining various graphics. The label may then be applied to a number of objects. 
     The labels may withstand exposure to various environments, including exposure to water and/or various chemicals, including xylene, alcohol, hematoxylin, bluing and/or oesin. In addition, the labels may withstand exposure to heat, such as temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 100° C., including all values and increments therein, such as 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., for a given time, such as in the range of a few minutes to a few hours, such as in the range of 2 minutes to 2 hours, including all values and increments therein. Furthermore, the image forming substance, including toner, wax, ink, etc., may also be chosen to withstand presented heat. That is, the image forming substance may include a resin that may begin to exhibit a relatively substantial decrease in viscosity, i.e., a decrease in the range of 100 cPs or more, upon exposure to such elevated temperatures. 
     In one example, illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , the label may be placed on the bottom surface (or top surface) of a specimen slide  50 . The specimen slide may include, for example, a biological sample  52  mounted thereon. The image forming substance  40  defining graphics may be visible through the specimen slide and the liner material may be sealed between the laminate and the specimen slide, protecting the image forming substance from chemicals or solvents (including water) that may adversely affect the image forming substance. 
     Accordingly, it may be appreciated that in an another example, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the labels  10  may include or consist of a liner  16  including a surface upon which the liner  16  may be printed  20 . In addition, a layer of adhesive  14  may be supplied to affix the label  10  to a surface  54  of a substrate  60 . The adhesive may also serve to affix the liner  16  to the laminate  12 . It may be appreciated that in some examples, a single layer of adhesive may be used to both adhere the label to a surface and to affix the liner to the laminate. The printed surface of the liner  20  may directly or indirectly contact the substrate surface  54  and in an example of a system embodied herein, at least a portion of the printed surface or a portion of incident light reflected by the printed surface or light emitted by the printed surface may be visible through the substrate  60 . For example, in one embodiment 10% or more of light reflected or emitted by the label may be visible through the substrate  60 . In addition, portions of the adhesive  14  may contact the laminate  12 , the liner  16  and the substrate surface  54 . 
     Furthermore, referring back to  FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 3   b , the labels  10  may be included on a sheet or roll, such that the carrier  30  and liner  16  portion of the carrier form a printable surface. The labels  10  including the liner  16  may be removed from the carrier  30  once the printing process has been completed. In addition, excess laminate and/or adhesive material surrounding the labels  10  may be removed prior to or after printing. 
     It may be appreciated that the above may provide a design that may be viewed through clear materials such as glass or plastic. In addition, printing on the liner and including a laminate of dimensions relatively larger than the liner keeps the information printed on the liner protected from the surrounding environment. This may especially be the case with the selection of adhesives and laminate materials based on the end applications. Furthermore, while there may be other ways of creating such “window stickers,” the concept of printing on the liner itself allows for the use of a single material for providing the “printable region” and the liner rather than two materials providing a printable region and the liner. As may be appreciated, other “window stickers” may include an opaque printable material as well as a laminate as well as a liner. Combining the printable material and the liner into a single liner including a printable surface reduces manufacturing costs as well as material costs. 
     The foregoing description of several methods and embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claims to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.