OPAQUE PAPER WITHSTANDING IMMERSION

Abstract

An opaque paper which can withstand immersion for producing a label which is intended mainly for bottles of wines or spirits, and which is remarkable in that it is constituted by a basic paper substrate which is constituted by fibres and opacifying mineral fillers, the basic paper substrate being subjected on the front and rear faces to a surface treatment which is constituted by mineral pigments or other pigments which are associated with hydrosoluble and synthetic binders. The disclosure also relates to a label and the method for producing it from the paper.

Claims

1-7. (canceled)

8. An uncoated opaque paper which can withstand immersion for the production of a label which is intended mainly for bottles of wines or spirits, wherein it is constituted by a basic paper substrate which is constituted by about 80% cellulose fibres and opacifying mineral fillers, chosen from the group comprising titanium dioxide, kaolin, talc, carbonate or titanium substituents, said basic paper substrate being subjected on the front and rear faces to a single surface treatment which is constituted by mineral pigments or other pigments, chosen from the group comprising titanium dioxide, kaolin, talc, ATH, carbonate or titanium substituents, which are associated with hydrosoluble and synthetic binders, chosen from the group comprising native and chemically modified starches, PVAs, latexes or biolatexes.

9. A paper according to claim 8, wherein the surface treatment includes a deposit of mineral pigments or other pigments which are associated with hydrosoluble and synthetic binders.

10. A method for producing a label from opaque paper for labels according to claim 8, further comprising it includes at least the following steps: a/production of a sheet of basic paper substrate from fibres and opacifying mineral fillers, according in particular to the grammage, opacity and tint desired, b/surface treatment on the front and rear faces of the basic paper substrate by depositing of mineral pigments or other pigments which are associated with hydrosoluble and synthetic binders, c/printing on the rear face or on the front and rear faces of the opaque paper for labels of desired information, d/application of a gluing layer on one of the faces of the opaque paper for labels, e/cutting of the sheet of printed paper to the dimensions of the label to be produced.

11. A label wherein it is obtained from the method for producing according to claim 10.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] Other advantages and characteristics shall appear better in following description, of a particular embodiment, provided for the purposes of non-limited illustration, of an opaque paper for the production of labels in accordance with the invention, in reference to the sole FIG. 1 which diagrammatically shows, as a cross-section and on an enlarged scale, a label according to the invention, affixed on a bottle.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE TECHNICAL INVENTION

[0031] In reference to FIG. 1 and in accordance with the invention, a label 1 is shown obtained from an opaque paper which can withstand immersion and intended to receive information at least on its rear face, to then be affixed on any substrate whatsoever, in particular a bottle 6 conventionally made of glass.

[0032] According to the invention, said opaque paper 2 for labels which can withstand immersion is formed from a basic paper substrate 3 comprised of cellulose fibres and/or of synthetic fibres, and of opacifying mineral fillers, said basic paper substrate 3 being subjected on the front and rear faces to a single surface treatment 4 which is constituted by mineral pigments or other pigments, which are associated with hydrosoluble and synthetic binders.

[0033] It is well understood that the fact that said basic paper substrate 3 receives only a single surface treatment 4 on its front and rear faces allows for a reduction in the cost of production thanks to the simplicity of the production line used to produce said paper 2 in accordance with the invention. Indeed, this paper 2 requires only one production line devoid of specific coating equipment and/or that has only one device for applying surface treatments.

[0034] The opaque paper 2 for labels is uncoated, i.e. it has not received any surface layer that tends to modify its aspect, and in particular to render its faces less rough.

[0035] Conversely, a coated paper according to the NFQ 26-001 standard is a paper of grammage greater than 72 g/m.sup.2 of which the mass of the layer per face is greater than 10 g/m.sup.2, with this coated paper then having smoother matt or glossy faces and which absorb less printing ink, which has the consequence of having in particular more vibrant colours.

[0036] The proportion of fibres in the basic paper substrate 3 is conventionally about 80%.

[0037] The opacifying mineral fillers intended to provide said basic paper substrate 3 with a dry and humid opacity are such as, for example, titanium dioxide, kaolin, talc, carbonate or titanium substituents.

[0038] However, advantageously, the use of titanium oxide will be avoided because, although it makes it possible to provide said paper for labels with a whiteness and an opacity that are particularly intense, it is expensive and can have risks.

[0039] In accordance with the invention, the basic paper substrate 3 is subjected on its front and rear faces to a surface treatment 4. The latter consists conventionally of a depositing, via any known technique, of mineral pigments or other pigments, which are associated with hydrosoluble and synthetic binders.

[0040] The mineral pigments or other pigments are advantageously chosen from the group comprising titanium dioxide, kaolin, talc, ATH (Aluminium Trihydrate), carbonate or titanium substituents. Likewise, the hydrosoluble and synthetic binders are chosen from the group comprising native and chemically modified starches, PVAs (polyvinyl alcohol), latexes or biolatexes.

[0041] The surface treatment 4 of each one of the front and rear faces of the basic paper substrate 3 improves the resistance characteristics in a humid environment by protecting the fibres of said basic paper substrate 3 from water.

[0042] Advantageously, it has been observed that the opaque paper 2 has a Cobb test value greater than or equal to 12, which renders it printable while still retaining its qualities of withstanding immersion.

[0043] After its surface treatment 4, in order to obtain a label 1 in accordance with the invention, the opaque paper 2 for labels is then printed on its rear face or on its front and rear faces by any known technique.

[0044] Finally, the opaque paper 2 for labels later receives a gluing layer 5 deposited by any means on its face intended to be put into contact with the bottle 6. This gluing layer 5 is indifferently obtained by a conventional cold gluing layer or by an adhesive in such a way as to obtain a self-adhesive label, said gluing layer 5 able to be implemented after the surface treatment 4.

[0045] The production of a label 1 from an opaque paper which can withstand immersion such as has just been described then includes at least the following steps:

[0046] a/production of a sheet of basic paper substrate 3 from fibres and opacifying mineral fillers, according in particular to the grammage, opacity and tint desired,

[0047] b/surface treatment 4 on the front and rear faces of the basic paper substrate 3 by depositing of mineral pigments or other pigments which are associated with hydrosoluble and synthetic binders,

[0048] c/printing on the rear face or on the front and rear faces of the opaque paper 2 for labels of desired information,

[0049] d/application of a gluing layer 5 on one of the faces of the opaque paper 2 for labels,

[0050] e/cutting of the sheet of printed paper to the dimensions of the label 1 to be produced.

[0051] Steps a and b are carried out in this order, while steps c, d and e can be carried out in a different order.

[0052] Thus, the gluing layer 5 can in certain cases be carried out before printing, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0053] Producing the opaque paper 2 which can withstand immersion in accordance with the invention thus makes it possible to produce a label 1 that satisfactorily remains resistant and opaque when it is placed in a humid environment for 24 h and even 48 hours.

[0054] Said opaque paper 2 makes it possible to have a gluing or a cold gluing indifferently on one or the other of its front and/or rear faces, that remain printable with inks and via conventional processes such as, for example, those that are used for uncoated paper.

[0055] Finally, the label 1 thus obtained has on its front and rear faces an uncoated paper finish that is aesthetically pleasing, both visually and to the touch.

[0056] The production line is simplified, which allows a substantial amount of time to be saved in the production of the label 1.

[0057] In addition, this method of production in a single production line makes it possible to limit the quantity of scrap, avoid transport and subcontracting costs, and to reduce production time.

[0058] Finally, it is well understood that using a basic paper which is constituted by fibres and opacifying mineral fillers and being subjected on the front and rear faces to only one surface treatment which is constituted by mineral pigments or other pigments, which are associated with hydrosoluble and synthetic binders, makes it possible to obtain an opaque paper that can withstand immersion and to produce said paper in a single pass on a single production line in order to limit the quantity of scrap, avoid the transport and subcontracting costs, and reduce production time.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0059] It is understood that the label 1 which can withstand immersion in accordance with the invention is particularly intended for an application on bottles of wines or spirits. However, it is obvious that this label 1 can be adapted and used on other types of containers.

[0060] Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of paper and of label 1 in accordance with the invention which have just been described are only particular illustrations, and in no case limit the invention.