FINGER-PROOF LABELS FOR PACKAGES
20200342788 ยท 2020-10-29
Inventors
Cpc classification
B32B2250/44
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65B61/007
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B27/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B2255/10
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B2307/756
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B27/06
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65B61/18
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B7/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B3/266
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65B61/182
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B3/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Y10T428/14
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
International classification
G09F3/00
PHYSICS
B65D75/58
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A package label is described. The package label comprises a first ply, a second ply, and a first edge. The second ply comprises a pull tab comprising a first boundary adjacent the first edge, a second boundary opposing the first boundary, and an adhesive deadener area. The second ply also comprises a frangible area adjacent the second boundary and positioned apart from the adhesive deadener area. The frangible area comprises multiple lines of weakness forming a discontinuous series of shapes. Various embodiments of the package label area also described.
Claims
1. A package label comprising a first ply, a second ply, and a first edge, wherein the second ply comprises a pull tab comprising a first boundary adjacent the first edge, a second boundary opposing the first boundary, and an adhesive deadener area, and a frangible area adjacent the second boundary and positioned apart from the adhesive deadener area, wherein the frangible area comprises multiple lines of weakness forming a discontinuous series of shapes.
2. The package label of claim 1 wherein the discontinuous series of shapes is formed in the absence of a linear first line of weakness that connects the discontinuous series of shapes from a first end of the frangible area to a second end of the frangible area.
3. The package label of claim 1 wherein the package label is adapted to prevent an object from being inserted underneath the pull tab to access contents of a package body.
4. The package label of claim 1 wherein the package label is adapted to tear at the frangible area when an object is inserted underneath the pull tab.
5. The package label of claim 1 wherein the discontinuous series of shapes comprises a series of linear shapes.
6. The package label of claim 5 wherein a first half of the linear shapes forms a 30 angle with the second boundary and a second half of the linear shapes forms a 150 angle with the second boundary.
7. The package label of claim 1 wherein the discontinuous series of shapes comprises a series of non-linear shapes.
8. The package label of claim 1 wherein each of the shapes within the discontinuous series of shapes has an open geometry shape.
9. The package label of claim 1 wherein the discontinuous series of shapes comprises a combination of linear shapes and non-linear shapes.
10. The package label of claim 1 wherein the first boundary of the pull tab is positioned at an approximate center of the first edge.
11. The package label of claim 1 wherein the first ply comprises a second line of weakness.
12. The package label of claim 1 wherein the first ply comprises a sealant layer adapted to seal the package label to a package body.
13. The package label of claim 1 wherein each of the first ply and the second ply comprises multiple layers.
14. The package label of claim 13 wherein the second ply comprises a removable adhesive layer adapted to peelably reseal the package label to a package body.
15. A package comprising the package label of claim 1 wherein the package label is sealed to a package body.
16. The package of claim 15 wherein the package body is a tray.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] An embodiment of a finger-proof package label is formed with a frangible area proximate or otherwise adjacent an unsealed pull tab. The frangible area comprises multiples lines of weakness forming a discontinuous series of shapes.
[0022] As used throughout this application, the term frangible refers to the ability to be broken into fragments, torn, or divided; the characteristic of being brittle or fragile or breakable; or the like.
[0023] As used throughout this application and as shown in the various figures, the terms proximate, adjacent, or otherwise adjacent refer to being near, close, contiguous, adjoining, or neighboring in proximity. Such terms include but are not limited to being reasonably close to or in the vicinity of as well as touching, having a common boundary, or having direct contact.
[0024] As used throughout this application, the term discontinuous refers to an element comprising separated, spaced apart, or otherwise unconnected segments. As used throughout this application, the term continuous refers to an element comprising connected segments throughout the element, with no gaps present between the segments.
[0025] In some embodiments, the frangible area with the multiple lines of weakness may be parallel to a side or boundary of the unsealed pull tab. In other embodiments, the frangible area may simply be adjacent a boundary of the unsealed pull tab. The series of shapes within the frangible area extends from a first end of the frangible area to a second end of the frangible area. In some embodiments, no separate linear line of weakness (whether continuous or discontinuous) connects the discontinuous series of shapes from the first end to the second end.
[0026] The frangible area comprises multiple lines of weakness. Such lines of weakness may extend partially or completely through the entire thickness of the package label. As known to a person of ordinary skill in the packaging or label arts, in the various embodiments, the multiple lines of weakness may comprise a continuous or discontinuous series of scores, holes, vents, slits, slots, perforations, notches, punctures, orifices, openings, inlets, channels, etc., in the surface of or through a layer or layers or the package label or may comprise a zone of an easy-tear material, such as an easy-tear sealant film. Lines of weakness may be formed by die-cut, laser, or other means known to a person of ordinary skill in the packaging or label arts.
[0027] The multiple lines of weakness form a discontinuous series of various shapes. Non-limiting examples of such shapes include linear shapes (i.e., line segments), non-linear shapes, or combinations of such. As used throughout this application, the term linear refers to a shape or geometry that is, of, relating to, denoting, or involving a straight line substantially throughout, traced by a point traversing in a constant direction and having an equation that may be written in slope-intercept form y=mx+b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. The term non-linear is in contrast to the terms linear. As used throughout this application, the term non-linear refers to a shape or geometry that is not a straight line substantially throughout, such that it has at least two dimensions and is traced by a point traversing in at least two directions. Non-limiting examples of non-linear shape include curved, curvilinear, arcuate, square, circle, v-shaped, inverted v-shaped, s-shaped, z-shaped, w-shaped, inverted w-shaped, m-shaped, c-shaped, reverse c-shaped, u-shaped, n-shaped, or bean-shaped.
[0028] The frangible area prevents a person from placing a finger or other object underneath the pull tab and accessing or tampering with the package contents. If someone attempts to introduce a finger or another object underneath the pull tab, the tab will be forced upward and the frangible area will tear, causing the finger or other object to slide over the exterior (i.e., the outermost surface) of the package label instead of into the package. As such, in various embodiments, the package label is adapted to prevent an object from being inserted underneath the pull tab to access contents of a package body. In various embodiments, the package label is adapted to tear at the frangible area when an object is inserted underneath the pull tab.
[0029] Referring to the drawings, with some but not all embodiments depicted, with elements depicted as illustrative and not necessarily to scale, and with the same (or similar) reference numbers denoting the same (or similar) features throughout the drawings,
[0030] Second ply 22 comprises pull tab 24. Pull tab 24 comprises first boundary 26, second boundary 28 opposing first boundary 26, and, as pull tab 24 is unsealed (completely or partially), adhesive deadener area 25 facilitating grasping of pull tab 24. Adhesive deadener area 25 may be positioned at any location on or throughout the interior surface (i.e., the innermost surface) of pull tab 24. In the embodiment of
[0031] First boundary 26 of pull tab 24 is adjacent first edge 12. In some embodiments, such as that depicted in
[0032] In some embodiments, such as that depicted in
[0033] Second ply 22 also comprises frangible area 30. In some embodiments, such as that depicted in
[0034] Frangible area 30 comprises first end 30a, second end 30b opposing first end 30a, first side 30c substantially perpendicular to first end 30a and second end 30b, and second side 30d opposing first side 30c. Frangible area 30 also comprises multiple lines of weakness forming discontinuous series of shapes 32. In the embodiment depicted in
[0035] As described above, the discontinuous series of various shapes may include linear shapes (i.e., fine segments), non-linear shapes, or combinations of such.
[0036] Other non-limiting example embodiments of the discontinuous series of shapes depicted in
[0037] These examples, as well as the line segments of discontinuous series of shapes 132a, represent shapes having an open geometry shape. Examples of shapes having a closed geometry shape include but are not limited to square (discontinuous series of shapes 132j) and circle (discontinuous series of shapes 132k). In various embodiments, each of the shapes within the discontinuous series of shapes has an open geometry shape. This may reduce the risk of contamination from chads. With a closed geometry shape, chads may form when the package label is peeled from a package body or when the frangible area is tom.
[0038] In various embodiments, the discontinuous series of shapes formed by the multiple lines of weakness within the frangible area may include any different number, size, orientation, etc. of shapes. The shapes within frangible area may be the same or different, may be repeating or non-repeating, may be linear shape, non-linear shape or both, etc. For example, as depicted in
[0039] As described above, the finger-proof label may be a monolayer label or a multilayer label.
[0040] First layer 50 of second ply 22 may be an overlaminate layer or film or an abuse layer or film that withstands contact from other items or protects other layers of the label. In some embodiments, first layer 50 may comprise oriented polypropylene (OPP). In other embodiments, first layer 50 may comprise a multilayer film comprising OPP with a polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC) coating adjacent second layer 52.
[0041] Second layer 52 of second ply 22 may be an adhesive layer or tie layer securing first layer 50 to third layer 54 or fourth layer 56 or other layers of the label. In some embodiments, second layer 52 may comprise a UV adhesive.
[0042] Third layer 54 of second ply 22 may be an indicia layer and may comprise printing inks.
[0043] Fourth layer 56 of second ply 22 may be a label stock layer. The label stock layer may also be known as a carrier layer. In various embodiments, fourth layer 56 may comprise paper, nonwoven or woven material, latex material, plastic or thermoplastic material, foil, or other material as known to a person of ordinary skill in the packaging or label arts.
[0044] Fifth layer 58 of second ply 22 may be a removable adhesive layer. Removable adhesives are designed to form temporary bonds and can be removed after hours, days, months, or years. Some removable adhesives are designed to repeatedly separate and reattach. In this embodiment, the removable adhesive layer (i.e., fifth layer 58) of second ply 22 may be adapted to peelably reseal package label 10 to a package body (as further described below). A non-limiting example of a removable adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive, as described above. Non-limiting examples of pressure sensitive adhesives include but are not limited to those compositions that comprise a base elastomeric resin and a tackifier to enhance the ability of the adhesive to instantly bond and to enhance the bond strength. Examples of elastomers used as the base resin in tackified multicomponent pressure sensitive adhesives include but are not limited to natural rubber; polybutadiene; polyorganosiloxanes; styrene-butadiene rubber; carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber, polyisobutylene; butyl rubber; halogenated butyl rubber; block polymers based on styrene with isoprene, butadiene, ethylene-propylene, or ethylene-butylene; or combinations of such elastomers. (See Yorkgitis, Adhesive Compounds, Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, Third Edition, 2003, Volume 1, pp. 256-290 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, N.J.).)
[0045] In embodiments prior to application of the label to a package, film, or otherwise, sixth layer 60 (i.e., a layer of first ply 20) may be a release liner. In these embodiments, the release liner may be a paper, plastic, or thermoplastic carrier web material, any of which is coated on one or two sides with a release agent providing a release effect against the removable adhesive of fifth layer 58. The release agent may be solvent-based or water based and may be silicone, release varnish, release lacquer, or any other release agent.
[0046] In other embodiments, sixth layer 60 (i.e., a layer of first ply 20) may be a film layer. In these embodiments, the film layer may be thermoplastic and may be a monolayer film or a multilayer film. A non-limiting example of sixth layer 60 as a multilayer film is shown in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Layer Composition Layer 1 oriented polyethylene terephthalate (OPET) Layer 2 adhesive Layer 3 blend of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) Layer 4 anhydride-modified linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) Layer 5 ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) (e.g., with 38 mol % ethylene) Layer 6 anhydride-modified linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) Layer 7 blend of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)
[0047] As known to a person of ordinary skill in the packaging or label arts, the blend of LDPE and LLDPE in Layer 7 of this non-limiting example of sixth layer 60 may be considered a sealant layer. A sealant layer may be considered to be a layer of film involved in the sealing of the film to itself or to another layer of the same or another film, sheet, etc. As further described below, in some embodiments, the sealant layer of sixth layer 60 may seal package label 10 to a package body, such as, as a non-limiting example, a tray.
[0048] As depicted in
[0049] As described above, package label 10 may be placed on or sealed to a package to facilitate access to contents of a package. To permit access, sixth layer 60, as an interior layer (i.e., a layer comprising the innermost surface of package label 10) adjacent the package, may include a second line of weakness (such as, second line of weakness 272 depicted in
[0050] As depicted in
[0051]
[0052] In the embodiment of
[0053] Package label 210 comprises first edge 212, second edge 214 opposing first edge 212, third edge 216 substantially perpendicular to first edge 212 and second edge 214, and fourth edge 218 opposing third edge 216. Package label 210 further comprises first ply 220 and second ply 222. Each of first ply 220 and second ply 222 may comprise a monolayer film or a multilayer film.
[0054] Second ply 222 comprises pull tab 224. Pull tab 224 comprises first boundary 226, second boundary 228 opposing first boundary 226, and, as pull tab 224 is unsealed (completely or partially), adhesive deadener area 225 facilitating grasping of pull tab 224. Adhesive deadener area 225 may be positioned at any location on or throughout the interior surface (i.e., the innermost surface) of pull tab 224. In the embodiment of
[0055] First boundary 226 of pull tab 224 is adjacent first edge 212. In some embodiments, such as that depicted in
[0056] In some embodiments, such as that depicted in
[0057] Second ply 222 also comprises frangible area 230. In some embodiments, such as that depicted in
[0058] Frangible area 230 comprises first end 230a, second end 230b opposing first end 230a, first side 230c substantially perpendicular to first end 230a and second end 230b, and second side 230d opposing first side 230c. Frangible area 230 also comprises multiple lines of weakness forming discontinuous series of shapes 232. In the embodiment depicted in
[0059] In some embodiments, as in the embodiment depicted in
[0060] As depicted in the embodiment of
[0061] First ply 220 also includes second line of weakness 272. As described above, second line of weakness 272 facilitates access to contents of package 200 when package label 210 is peeled from package body 205. When package label 210 is peeled (but not necessarily fully removed) from package body 205, layers of package label 210 separate at second line of weakness 272 to provide an opening to access contents of package 200. If second ply 222 of package label 210 comprises a removable adhesive layer, package label 210 may be peelably resealed to package body 205 once an end-user removes the desired contents from package 200.
[0062] Each and every document cited in this present application, including any cross-referenced or related patent or application, is incorporated in this present application in its entirety by this reference, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any embodiment disclosed or claimed in this present application or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests, or discloses any such embodiment. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this present application conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this present application (including the appended claims) governs.
[0063] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing sizes, amounts, ranges, limits, and physical and other properties used in the present application (including the appended claims) are to be understood as being preceded in all instances by the term about. Accordingly, unless expressly indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the present application (including the appended claims) are approximations that can vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the packaging or label arts without undue experimentation using the teachings disclosed in the present application.
[0064] As used in the present application (including the appended claims), the singular forms a, an, and the encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used in the present application (including the appended claims), the term or is generally employed in its sense including and/or, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0065] Spatially related terms, including but not limited to, lower, upper, beneath, below, above, bottom, andop, if used in the present application (including the appending claims), are used for ease of description to describe spatial relationships of element(s) to another. Such spatially related terms encompass different orientations of the package in use or operation, in addition to the particular orientations depicted in the drawings and described in the present application (including the appended claims). For example, if an object depicted in the drawings is turned over or flipped over or inverted, elements previously described as below or beneath other elements would then be above those other elements.
[0066] The description, examples, embodiments, and drawings disclosed are illustrative only and should not be interpreted as limiting. The present invention includes the description, examples, embodiments, and drawings disclosed; but it is not limited to such description, examples, embodiments, or drawings. The reader should assume that features of one disclosed embodiment may also be applied to all other disclosed embodiments, unless expressly indicated to the contrary. Modifications and other embodiments will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the packaging or label arts, and all such modifications and other embodiments are intended and deemed to be within the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. What is claimed is as follows: