The release agent composition of the invention contains a rubber elastomer (A) and an acrylic polymer (B) containing a structural unit derived from a long-chain alkyl (meth)acrylate (b1) represented by the following formula (1):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R.sup.2 represents a branched alkyl group having 10 to 30 carbon atoms.

A label manufacturing method including: applying an adhesive to a base sheet to form an adhesive layer; applying an acrylate-based bonding adhesive to part of the adhesive layer to cure the adhesive layer so as to form a cured portion; and cutting the cured portion to define labels. A label having an adhesive layer 12 laminated on a base sheet 13. A part of the adhesive layer 12 is cured to form a cured portion 14, wherein the cured portion 14 is cured by an acrylate-based bonding adhesive for enabling cutting labels off the laminated base sheet.

A pressure-sensitive adhesive transfer tape that may have on one surface of a release substrate made of paper or a plastic film, a pressure-sensitive transfer layer having an adhesion inhibiting layer and an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesion inhibiting layer and the adhesive layer are successively stacked on one another. The adhesion inhibiting layer may prevent the adhesive layer formed on one adherend from being in contact with another adherend to weaken the adhesion between the one and another adherends, enabling the one and another adherends to be easily separated from each other. With the passage of time after being put on one another, the adhesion inhibiting layer may migrate to another adherend, so that the adherend is in contact with the adhesive layer, exhibiting strong adhesion properties between the adherends.

A processing tape may include a base layer, an adhesive layer disposed on the base layer, a protection release film on the adhesive layer, and a first release layer interposed between the adhesive layer and the protection release film. The first release layer may include a silicone-based material and may be non-photo-curable.

The invention relates to an adhesive composition, labels and label laminates containing the adhesive composition, wherein the adhesive composition comprises at least the following components: polymer(s) based on alkyl acrylic ester(s) and pressure polymerized vinyl acetate ethylene copolymer(s) comprising ethylene content between 5 and 40%. Further the invention relates to use of an adhesive composition for label laminates and labels, to use of a label for labelling of an item and to a labelled item.

A recyclable web of media for batch printing labels includes a recyclable label media which includes a substrate to accept printing on a first side of the substrate. An adhesive or pattern of adhesive is deposited on a second surface of the substrate opposite the first side of the substrate. A recyclable backing structure includes a print label backer material. A recyclable release layer coats one surface of the print label backer material. The recyclable backing structure is non-permanently and removably affixed to a surface of the adhesive or pattern of adhesive.

A release agent composition may include a polyester resin (A) and an acrylic polymer (B) in which the acrylic polymer (B) may include a structural unit represented by any structural formula disclosed herein, and a ratio of a blending amount of the polyester resin (A) to a blending amount of the acrylic polymer (B) may be in the range of (A):(B)=50:50 to 95:5 in a mass ratio. The release agent composition may be used to form a release sheet for a single-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet or release sheets for a double-sided (faced) pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet. Further, when the release sheet is wound up in a rolled form, it is possible to suppress the release agent composition from transferring to a surface of the base material of the release sheet and to impart an easy peeling property to the release sheet.

A release agent composition may include a polyester resin (A) and an acrylic polymer (B) in which the acrylic polymer (B) may include a structural unit represented by any structural formula disclosed herein, and a ratio of a blending amount of the polyester resin (A) to a blending amount of the acrylic polymer (B) may be in the range of (A):(B)=50:50 to 95:5 in a mass ratio. The release agent composition may be used to form a release sheet for a single-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet or release sheets for a double-sided (faced) pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet. Further, when the release sheet is wound up in a rolled form, it is possible to suppress the release agent composition from transferring to a surface of the base material of the release sheet and to impart an easy peeling property to the release sheet.

A hand-tearable masking tape, comprising a plastic backing with a low adhesion backsize on the first major side of the backing and a pressure-sensitive adhesive on the second major side of the backing; wherein the second major side of the backing comprises a microstructured hand-tear pattern and wherein the low adhesion backsize comprises the reaction product of a mercapto-functional silicone macromer.

A hand-tearable masking tape, comprising a plastic backing with a low adhesion backsize on the first major side of the backing and a pressure-sensitive adhesive on the second major side of the backing; wherein the second major side of the backing comprises a microstructured hand-tear pattern and wherein the low adhesion backsize comprises the reaction product of a mercapto-functional silicone macromer.