Bonding label
11702268 · 2023-07-18
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
B65D77/062
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D77/24
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D2313/10
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D5/603
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
C09J2301/124
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C09J7/403
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
International classification
B65D77/24
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D77/06
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A web of labels includes a face stock and a release liner. A top side adhesive layer extends on a top surface of the face stock and a top side release liner extends over the top side adhesive layer. The top side release liner includes at least one aperture exposing a corresponding portion of the top side adhesive layer. The face stock has a second adhesive layer on a bottom surface of the face stock. The release liner has a second release layer on a top surface thereof to protect the second adhesive layer, and a third release layer on a bottom surface of the release liner. The face stock is separated into a succession of labels carried on the release liner such that each label includes a portion of the top side release liner having at least one aperture.
Claims
1. An outer package arranged for securing an inner package comprising: a packaging material having at least one object fold line; a bonding label including a face stock having a top surface and a bottom surface with a top side adhesive layer on the top surface and a top side release liner on the top side adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock, wherein the top side release liner includes at least one aperture exposing a portion of the top side adhesive layer; the second adhesive layer affixing the bonding label to the packaging material in a location straddling an object fold line of the packaging material; and the packaging material being folded together about the object fold line such that a portion of the top side release liner covers the exposed portion of the top side adhesive layer.
2. The outer package of claim 1, wherein the packaging material is arranged to be at least partly unfolded and reshaped as an outer package within which the top side adhesive layer is exposed for securing an inner package within the outer package.
3. The outer package of claim 1, wherein the top side adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer are composed of different adhesives for adhering to different packaging materials.
4. The outer package of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of apertures in the top side release liner.
5. The outer package of claim 1, wherein the bonding label is arranged to be folded about a designated fold line, wherein the apertures in the top side release liner are covered by remaining portions of the top side release liner upon being folded about the designated fold line.
6. The outer package of claim 1, wherein the bonding label is arranged to be folded about a designated fold line, and the apertures in the top side release liner are disposed about opposing sides of the designated fold line such that the top side adhesive layer is precluded from contacted another portion of the top side adhesive layer through the apertures.
7. A packaging system comprising: an outer package having an interior surface with an object fold line; an inner package within the outer package; a bonding label including a face stock having a top surface and a bottom surface with a top side adhesive layer and a top side release liner on the top side adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the face stock, wherein the top side release liner includes at least one aperture exposing the top side adhesive; the second adhesive layer affixing the bonding label to the interior surface of the outer package in a location straddling the object fold line; and the top side adhesive layer exposed through the at least one aperture in the top side release liner and affixing the bonding label to the inner package so that the inner package is attached to the outer package via the bonding label.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
(17)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(18) A bonding label 10 as depicted in
(19) A top surface 18 of the face stock 20 supports a first adhesive layer 12 as a top-side adhesive and a first release layer 14 as a top-side release on opposite sides of a designated fold line 16 that bisects the bonding label 10. A bottom surface 22 of the face stock 20 supports a second adhesive layer 24 as a backing adhesive. While for many applications, the top-side and backing adhesives are expected to be chosen as pressure-sensitive adhesives, the top-side and backing adhesives can take other forms such as heat seal, co-adhesive, and UV activated adhesives and can differ from one another to provide desired characteristics of a permanent, removable, repositionable or any other adhesive technology that fits the end use requirements. The release is typically a cross linkable silicone but can take other forms such as other coatings or materials having low surface energy or otherwise matched to the adhesive it is intended to protect. For example, the top-side release of the first release layer 14 is matched to the top-side adhesive of the first adhesive layer to temporarily cover and protect the top-side adhesive while the bonding label 10 is folded together about the designated fold line 16 so that the top-side adhesive can be later separated from the top-side release without damaging its intended adhesive properties.
(20) A top surface 28 of the release liner 30 supports a second release layer 26 as an intermediate release in contact with the second adhesive layer 24. A bottom surface 32 of the release liner 30 supports a third release layer 34 as a bottom-side release. While the intermediate release of the second release layer 26 is matched to the backing adhesive of the second adhesive layer 24, the bottom-side release of the third release layer 34, like the top-side release of the first layer 14, is matched to the top-side adhesive of the first adhesive layer 12. The bottom-side release of the third release layer 34 covers and protects the top-side adhesive of the first adhesive layer 12 while the bonding label 10 as a succession of bonding labels along a web is wound into a roll for transport of storage.
(21) The top-side adhesive of the first adhesive layer 12 occupies an undivided but limited complementary area 36 defined on the top surface 18 of the face stock 20. The top-side release of the first release layer 14 occupies an undivided but larger complementary area 36 defined on the top surface 18 of the face stock 20. The complementary area 38 occupied by the top-side release is positioned so that the complementary area 36 occupied by the top-side adhesive is completely covered by the top-side release when the bonding label 10 or at least the face stock 20 and its supported layers are folded together about the designated fold line 16. In other words, the complementary area 38 of the top-side release encompasses the mirror projection of the complementary area 36 of the top-side adhesive across the designated fold line 16 as well as any additional remaining area to increase a tolerance for overlap or other purposes. While encompassing the mirror projection of the complementary area 36, the complementary area 38 of the top-side release can be larger than or even a different shape from the mirror projection of the complementary area 36 of the top-side adhesive. Both the complementary area 36 of the top-side adhesive and the complementary area 38 of the top-side release can be pattern printed on the top surface 18 of the face stock 20. The printing can be performed by a variety of processes including flexographic, screen, gravure, and digital printing techniques, as well as hybrid arrangements of known printing processes. The other layers 24, 26, and 32 of release and adhesive can be more economically flood coated over their respective supporting surfaces 22, 28, and 32, but other printing techniques can be used as well. Exposed areas as well as areas underlying the top-side adhesive and the top-side release on the top surface 18 of the face stock 20 can also be printed with conventional ink for such purposes as providing instructions, labeling information, or fiducial markers for positioning the bonding label 10 during use. For example, a marking designating the designated fold line 16 can be printed on the top surface 18 of the face stock 20. Alternatively, such a marking can be formed by creases or scores in the face stock 20, particularly for face stocks that might otherwise resist folding, or the designated fold line 16 can be made apparent from the patterns of the top-side adhesive and release or from other features of the bonding label 10.
(22) Bonding label 40 depicted in
(23) Although the subareas 42a through 42f of the top-side adhesive are shown in the form of stripes, the top-side adhesive of the first adhesive layer 42 can be printed in any desired pattern such that the subareas of the top-side adhesive can be varied in size, shape, number, and position as desired for a given application. For example, the subareas can be fashioned as dots, outlines, polygons, swirls, or any freeform shape or combinations thereof and arranged in evenly distributed, progressively varying, or irregular patterns to suit the desired application. The complementary area 48 of the top-side release can be sized and shaped in either a divided or undivided format so that when folded about the designated fold line 16, the complementary area 48 of the top-side release covers the complementary area 46 of the top-side adhesive. Alternatively, separate deadening and release layers could be pattern printed to provide the desired complementary areas 46 and 48 for the functions of adhesion and release. Like the first adhesive layer 42, portions of the first release layer 44 that are not needed to protect the complementary area 46 of the top-side adhesive can be overprinted for one or more purposes and thereby excluded from the complementary area 48 of the top-side release.
(24) Bonding label 50 depicted in
(25) Bonding label 60 depicted in
(26) As with any of the envisioned bonding labels, the top-side adhesive of the first adhesive layer 62 can be printed in any desired pattern such that the subareas of the top-side adhesive can be varied in size, shape, number, and position as desired for a given application. The top-side release of the first release layer 64 can also take a variety of divided or undivided forms encompassing mirror projections of the complementary areas of the top-side adhesive on opposite sides of the designated fold line 16. Similarly, the shape and size of the bonding label 60 as well as any of the other bonding labels 10, 40, or 50 as described herein can vary to fit its intended application. However, for purposes of protecting the bonding labels in a folded condition, the shape of the bonding labels is arranged to support a complementary area of release that encompasses a mirror projection of a complementary area of adhesive across a designated fold line. In addition, although the bonding labels 10, 40, 50, and 60 are depicted as individual bonding labels in isolation, the various bonding labels are preferably formed as a succession of bonding labels along a web in which the release liner 30 extends in an uninterrupted form along the length of the web.
(27) For example,
(28) The web 70 can be made on a single press or on multiple presses in a succession of stages. For example, separate rolls of the face stock 20 and the release liner 30 can be fed into a press along which the various layers 12, and 24 of adhesive and the various layers 14, 26, and 34 of release can be applied to the face stock 20 and the release liner 30 in a series of coating or printing operations while also laminating the coated face stock to the coated release liner before winding the web into a roll. Alternatively, a web of conventional label stock comprising the face stock 20 with an adhesive backing layer 24 laminated to the release liner 30 via the intermediate release layer 26 can be fed into a press for applying the adhesive and release layers 12 and 14 to the top surface 18 of the face stock 20 and applying the release layer 34 to the bottom surface 32 of the release liner 30 before rewinding the web into a roll for transport or storage. The first adhesive layers 12, 52, and 62 of the bonding labels 10, 50, and 60 are preferably pattern printed while the first adhesive layer 42 of the bonding label 40 is preferably flood coated. Pattern printing is also preferably used for applying the first release layers 14, 44, 54, and 64.
(29)
(30) The face stock portion of the bonding labels 10, which are separated from one another by the die cuts 74, can be stripped from the web 70 by separating the second adhesive layer 24 carried on the back surface 22 of the face stock from the second release layer 26 carried on the release liner 30. The second adhesive layer 24 affixes the bonding label 10 (devoid of its release liner) to the internal surface 84 of the outer package. The backing adhesive of the second adhesive layer 24 can be matched to the surface and material characteristics of the packaging material to which it is intended to be affixed. Since, the second adhesive layer spans both sides of the designated fold line 16, the face stock portion of the bonding label 10 is adhered to the interior surface 84 of the outer package on both sides of the object fold line 82a. The remaining release liner 30 can be rerolled for recycling.
(31) In the view of
(32)
(33) In
(34) The inner and outer packages that can be bound together by the envisioned bonding labels can take a variety of forms and can be made from a variety of materials. For example, either one of the outer or inner packages can have a fixed or more amorphous shape. For example, the outer package can take the form of a box, carton, tray, or tube and the inner package can take the form of a bag, bottle, packet, canister, tube, or other container for holding dry or wet materials or can comprise a product itself. The bonding labels can be used to secure the inner packages within outer packages and to limit at least some relative motion that might otherwise damage the inner packages or their contents. The bonding labels can also be used to provide tamper evidence or otherwise discourage the removal of a product from its outer packaging.
(35) A fifth example of the bonding label is shown in
(36) In this example, the top side adhesive layer 110 can be printed (or coated, such as flood coated) over the entire top surface of the face stock 20. The top side adhesive layer 110 can be directly bonded to the face stock 20 or can be separated by an intermediate layer (not shown). Thus, the top side adhesive layer 110 being on or bonded to the top surface 18 of the face stock 20 encompasses direct bonding as well as indirect bonding.
(37) The top side release liner 130 is then disposed over the top side adhesive layer 110. The top side release liner 130 includes a plurality of apertures, windows or recesses which can extend from at least one lateral edge of the top side release liner 130 that expose the underlying top side adhesive layer 110, collectively referred to apertures 133.
(38) As seen in
(39) As seen in
(40) Referring to
(41) The top side release liner 130 has a bottom surface 132 that bonds to the top side adhesive layer 110 to preclude unintended separation. A top surface 134 of the top side release liner 130 is, or is coated with, a release agent, such as silicone release, that does not materially bond to the top side adhesive layer 110. Thus, when the bonding label 100 is bonded to the outer package 80 and folded with the outer package along the common fold line 16, the top surface 134 of the top side release liner 130 contacts the exposed portions of the top side adhesive layer 110 through the apertures 133 to protect the exposed adhesive, but does not bond to the top side adhesive layer. Thus, the outer package 80 and bonded bonding label 100 can be shipped in an assembled but flattened configuration. Then upon erecting the outer package 80, the top surface 134 of the top side release liner 130 separates from the top side adhesive layer 110 and the portions of the top side adhesive layer exposed through the apertures 133 in the top side release liner are exposed for bonding to the inner package 90.
(42) The top side release liner 130 can be a PET release liner, having a silicone or silicone treated top surface 134 that does not materially bond to the top side adhesive layer 110 and a raw or treated bottom surface 132 that bonds to the top side adhesive layer. It is understood the top side release liner 130 can include PET or polyester, film or even coated paper based liners. The top side release liner 130 thus includes a bonding surface 136 for bonding to the top side adhesive layer 110 and a release surface 138 for releasing from the top side adhesive layer.
(43) While the apertures 133 are shown on a common side of the fold line 16, it is understood there can be apertures in the top side release liner 130 on both sides of the fold line so long as the mirror portion of the top side release liner is not apertured (thereby precluding areas of the top side adhesive layer 110 from contacting upon folding about the fold line 16.) Thus, the pattern of apertures 133 in the top side release liner 130 is limited only by precluding the apertures on opposing sides of the fold line 16 from aligning upon the bonding label 100 being folded about the fold line 16.
(44) The apertures 133 in the top side release liner 130 can be at least partly dictated by the intended material of the inner package 90 and the anticipated insertion parameters of the inner package relative to the outer package 80.
(45) The top side release liner 130 can be on the order of 1 mil thick, so the underlying exposed portion of the top side adhesive layer 110 is in contact with the inner package 90 even though the adhesive is slightly recessed (by the approximately 1 mil thickness of the top side release liner) from the surface of the top side release liner. In those instances where the inner bag 90 is full and is forced into the assembled outer package 80 (carton or container), the very tight fit of the bag can generate a jamming of the process. The apertured top side release liner 130 overlying the top side adhesive layer 110 reduces the drag on the inner bag when the inner bag is loaded.
(46) Thus, the top side release liner 130 configuration can be used in providing the bonding label 100 for operably retaining a bag in box construction, wherein the bonding label includes the top side release liner 130, such as a thin PET, over the top of the top side adhesive layer 110, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, and the apertures 133, such as die cut holes, in the top side release liner expose portions of the underlying top side adhesive layer in the specific spots needed for proper adherence to the inner retained flexible bag. It is understood the respective adhesives can be selected to preclude unintended separation or even preclude non-destructive separation, wherein the strength of the respective adhesive is at least partly based on the intended operating environment.
(47)
(48) This construction assists in an automatic loading of a full inner bag 90 into an erected outer box 80 as the resistance that the bonding label 100 exerts on the inner bag is controlled by covering the entire surface of the top side adhesive layer 110 with the apertured top side release liner 130, such as a 1 mil PET release liner (other thin release liners would also work) with the release surface up (exposed to the inner bag).
(49) Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the bonding labels described herein, particularly such bonding labels having top-side adhesive is protected by different layers of release in different states of use, can be used in various ways for bonding one object surface to another. Although described with respect to a limited number of examples, additional changes, modifications, and uses will be apparent within the overall teaching as understood by those of skill in the art.