METHOD FOR PRODUCING A LABEL AND CORRESPONDING LABEL

Abstract

A method for producing a label for affixing in a vehicle. The method includes printing of a substrate layer to yield a basic label form; production of an adhesive film with a first adhesive layer; and sticking the adhesive film to the basic label form using a second adhesive layer to produce the label. Also described is a label kit including a basic label form with a printed substrate layer and an adhesive film, wherein the adhesive film is configured to be stuck to a printed side of the substrate layer of the basic label form.

Claims

1. A method for producing a label for affixing in or to a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: printing a substrate layer to yield a basic label form; producing an adhesive film with a first adhesive layer; and sticking the adhesive film to the basic label form using a second adhesive layer to produce the label.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of: storing the basic label form.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the storing step occurs prior to production of the adhesive film

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of: sticking the label to the vehicle or to an element of the vehicle, using the first adhesive layer of the adhesive film

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein production of the adhesive film includes applying the first adhesive layer to the substrate layer, or wherein the production of the adhesive film includes production of a two-sided adhesive film with the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer on the substrate layer.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the substrate layer of the adhesive film is opaque.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the substrate layer of the adhesive film is white and non-transparent.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the substrate layer of the adhesive film is at least partially colored or at least partially printed.

9. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of the first adhesive layer or the second adhesive layer of the adhesive film is transparent.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate layer of the basic label form is transparent.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printing includes an inkjet printing process.

12. A label kit, comprising: a basic label form which comprises a printed substrate layer; and an adhesive film which comprises a substrate layer and a first adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive film is configured to be stuck to a printed side of the substrate layer of the basic label form.

13. The label kit as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of the first adhesive layer or a second adhesive layer for sticking the adhesive film onto the basic label form is transparent.

14. The label kit as claimed in claim 12, wherein the substrate layer of the adhesive film is white and non-transparent.

15. The label kit as claimed in claim 12, wherein the substrate layer of the adhesive film is at least partially colored or at least partially printed.

16. The label kit as claimed in claim 12, wherein the substrate layer of the basic label form is transparent.

17. The label kit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the adhesive film comprises a removable protective film on at least one of the first adhesive layer or on the second adhesive layer.

18. A method for sticking a label to a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: printing onto an adhesive layer to yield a label; and sticking the printed adhesive layer to the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail below on the basis of the drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a construction of a conventional label,

[0039] FIG. 2 shows, schematically, a first exemplary construction of a label kit and label according to the present disclosure,

[0040] FIG. 3 shows, schematically, a second exemplary construction of a label kit and label according to the present disclosure,

[0041] FIG. 4 shows, schematically, a further exemplary construction of a label according to the present disclosure,

[0042] FIG. 5 shows, schematically, an exemplary block diagram of a method for producing a label, and

[0043] FIG. 6 shows, schematically, a vehicle with applied labels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] The present invention describes a method for producing a label, a label kit and a method for applying a sticker to a vehicle.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a construction of a conventional label 10.

[0046] The conventional label 10 comprises, in most cases, a transparent substrate 11, onto which the corresponding pattern and/or text 12 is printed. Subsequently, the background 13 of the label is printed so that the pattern and/or text 12 with the corresponding background 13 are visible from the side of the substrate 11. An adhesive layer 4 is applied to the rear side (that side of the printed background 13 facing away from the substrate 11). This adhesive layer 4 serves for sticking the label to any surface. The printing of the pattern and/or text 12, and the printing of the background 13, are generally done using various printing processes, or require a given drying time after the printing of the pattern and/or text 12.

[0047] By contrast, FIG. 2 shows, schematically, a construction of a label kit 105, and a resulting label 100 according to the present disclosure. The layer thicknesses depicted in the figures are not to scale, but are merely diagrammatic. In order to be able to distinguish between the individual layers, most layers have been depicted with the same thickness, even though each layer can have a given thickness, which can be equal to or different from the thickness of any other layer.

[0048] On one hand, the label kit 105 has a basic label form 101 which comprises a printed substrate layer 130. A pattern and/or text 150 can be applied to the substrate layer 130, for example by means of inkjet printing (or indeed any other printing variant, such as screen printing, thermal printing and the like). The pattern and/or text 150 will subsequently be the visible portion of the label, to which a person's attention is to be drawn. For example, this may be lettering on a vehicle or equally a pictogram, text, a picture, a warning, information or the like which is to be visibly displayed in a vehicle. Thus, for example in the case of an aircraft 1 (FIG. 6), this might be indications for an exit, the path to and exit, the identification of a storage point for certain items of equipment, the identification of a lavatory, and other identifications.

[0049] The label kit 105 further comprises an adhesive film 102 which comprises a substrate layer 120. The substrate layer 120 is provided on one side with a first adhesive layer 110. The adhesive film 102 is designed to be applied to a printed side of the substrate layer 130 of the basic label form 101. This may, in particular, take place at a different time from the printing of the substrate layer 130 of the basic label form 101, for example shortly prior to actually sticking the label 100 in or on the vehicle 1.

[0050] The adhesive film 102 can be equipped with a protective film 115 which is applied to the first adhesive layer 110 in order to protect the latter. The protective film 115 is removed only when the adhesive film 102 is used, that is to say is stuck in or on the vehicle 1.

[0051] The basic label form 101 and the adhesive film 102 are brought together, for example using a second adhesive layer 111. This second adhesive layer 111 can be applied to the printed basic label form 101 and/or the adhesive film 102, when the label 100 is to be completed. This can take place either shortly after the production of the basic label form 101 and the adhesive film 102, or shortly prior to application of the label 100 in or on the vehicle 1.

[0052] Purely by way of example, the second adhesive layer 111 can be sprayed onto the basic label form 101, and then the adhesive film 102 applied. In this context, the basic label form 101 and the adhesive film 102 can be pressed together in order to produce a coherent connection, as depicted in the finished label 100 in FIG. 2.

[0053] This variant of the label kit 105 permits temporal and spatial separation of the production of the basic label form 101 and of the adhesive film 102. This also makes it possible for the basic label form 101 and the adhesive film 102 to be stored at different locations and at/for different times.

[0054] As can be seen from the label 100 in FIG. 2, the substrate layer 120 of the adhesive film 102, together with the pattern and/or text 150 of the basic label form 101, forms the overall pattern of the label 100. For example, in the case of a non-transparent substrate layer 120 of the adhesive film 102, the printing 150 of the basic label form 101 can complement the color of the substrate layer 120. For example, the substrate layer 120 of the adhesive film 102 can have a color that increases the contrast of the pattern and/or the text 150.

[0055] Alternatively or in addition, the substrate layer 120 of the adhesive film 102 may also be fluorescent. This makes it possible for the pattern and/or text 150 of the label 100 to be recognizable, even in the absence of lighting. Also alternatively or additionally, the substrate layer 120 of the adhesive film 102 can also be designed in such a way that it complements the printed pattern and/or text 150 of the basic label form 101. This also makes it possible to put in place safety features of the label 100.

[0056] Preferably, in order to design the label 100 such that only the printed pattern and/or text 150, together with the substrate layer 120 of the adhesive film 102, are visible, the substrate layer 130 of the basic label form 101 and the second adhesive layer 111 are transparent. Moreover, the substrate layer 120 of the adhesive film 102 can also be transparent in order to make the printed pattern and/or text 150 visible. In this case, the substrate layer 120 of the adhesive film 102 does not serve as a background, but rather the background is the surface to which the label 100 with the first adhesive layer 110 is stuck. To that end, the first adhesive layer 110 should also be transparent.

[0057] The label 100 can furthermore have the protective film 115 on the first adhesive layer 110. Once this is removed, the label 100 can be stuck to any surface.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows, schematically, a second exemplary construction of a label kit 105 and label 100 according to the present disclosure. The construction of FIG. 3 is very similar to FIG. 2, and for that reason identical components—and their functions—will not be described anew. These identical components are provided with identical reference signs.

[0059] In the case of the label 100 of FIG. 3, the label kit 105 comprises a two-sided adhesive film 102 which also comprises a substrate layer 120. Here, the substrate layer 120 is provided—on its two opposite sides—with a first adhesive layer 110 and a second adhesive layer 111. The two-sided adhesive film 102 is designed to be applied, with the second adhesive layer 111, to a printed side of the substrate layer 130 of the basic label form 101. This may in particular take place at a different time from the printing of the substrate layer 130 of the basic label form 101, for example shortly prior to actually sticking the label 100 in or on the vehicle 1.

[0060] The adhesive film 102 can be equipped with two protective films 115 which are applied to the first adhesive layer 110 and the second adhesive layer 111 in order to protect the respective adhesive layer. The protective film 115 of the first adhesive layer 110 is removed only when the adhesive film 102 is used, that is to say, is stuck in or on the vehicle 1. Moreover, the protective film 115 on the second adhesive layer 111 can be removed when the adhesive film 102 is applied to the basic label form 101.

[0061] FIG. 4 shows, schematically, a further exemplary construction of a label 100 according to the present disclosure. This construction is greatly simplified, and therefore permits rapid production of a label 100. In particular, the label 100 has only a first adhesive layer 110 which is printed with the pattern and/or text 150. This configuration dispenses with any and all substrate layers, and—in comparison with conventional labels—also dispenses with a screen-printing process. Thus, this label 100 can also be printed shortly prior to application in or on the vehicle 1.

[0062] A protective film 115 can be applied in order to protect the adhesive layer 110.

[0063] In one alternative configuration, which is not depicted separately here, it is also possible for a substrate layer 120 to be provided between the adhesive layer 110 and the pattern and/or text 150. The substrate layer 120 can, for example, then be required if the printing color or ink of the pattern and/or text 150 needs to be chemically separated from the adhesive of the adhesive layer 110.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows, schematically, an exemplary block diagram of a method for producing a label 100. In that context, the method can begin in step 200 with printing of a substrate layer 130 to yield a basic label form 101. For example, ink forming a pattern and/or text 150 is printed onto the substrate layer 130 of the basic label form 101.

[0065] Subsequently, the basic label form 101 can be stored in step 205, should this be necessary.

[0066] Temporally (and also spatially, if necessary) independently of steps 200 and 205, a (two-sided) adhesive film 102 can be produced in step 210 of the method. This comprises, in particular, the application of at least a first adhesive layer 110 to a first side of a substrate layer 120 of the adhesive film 102, and optionally the application of a second adhesive layer 111 to a second side of the substrate layer 120 of the adhesive film 102. The first and second sides of the substrate layer 120 of the adhesive film 102 are on opposite sides of the substrate layer 120. In addition, one or more protective films 115 can be applied to the respective adhesive layer 110, 111, in order to protect these adhesive layers.

[0067] As another option, the (two-sided) adhesive film 102 can be stored in step 215. Alternatively or in addition, the adhesive film 102 may also be delivered to the location where the label 100 is to be applied.

[0068] When the label 100 is to be applied in or on the vehicle 1, or shortly prior to that (a few days or weeks prior, but in any case considerably before the end of the shelf life of the adhesive film 102), the (two-sided) adhesive film 102 is stuck to the basic label form 101 in step 220. In that context, for example, an adhesive layer 111 is applied to the basic label form 101 and/or the adhesive film 102, and the two elements 101, 102 are stuck together. In the case of a two-sided adhesive film 102, the second adhesive layer 111 of the two-sided adhesive film 102 is stuck to the basic label form 101. For example, the second adhesive layer 111 of the two-sided adhesive film 102 is applied and stuck to the printed side of the substrate layer 130 of the basic label form 101. To that end, the optional protective film 115 can be removed from the second adhesive layer 111 of the two-sided adhesive film 102.

[0069] Then, in step 230, the label 100 is affixed in or on the vehicle 1. This is done by means of the first adhesive layer 110. For example, the optional protective layer 115 can be removed from the first adhesive layer 110 of the adhesive film 102, and the first adhesive layer 110 can be stuck to the surface of the vehicle 1 or to the surface of a vehicle element 5 (FIG. 6). This also takes place considerably before the end of the shelf life of the adhesive film 102.

[0070] FIG. 6 shows, schematically, a vehicle 1, here in the shape of an aircraft. A label 100 can, for example, be stuck to an outer skin of the aircraft 1. In that context, the first adhesive layer 110 of the (two-sided) adhesive film 102 can be manufactured with a special adhesive that is able to withstand the conditions on the outer skin of the aircraft 1. Moreover, the adhesive layers 110, 111, and at least one of the substrate layers 120, 130 of the adhesive film 102 or of the basic label form 101, may be transparent. Thus, the script on the outside of the aircraft 1 will consist solely of the pattern and/or text 150 of the printed basic label form 101.

[0071] As a purely exemplary option for affixing a label inside the vehicle 1, in FIG. 6 a part of the outer skin of the aircraft 1 is shown in cutaway, so that vehicle elements 5 (in this case, for example, overhead luggage comparments 5) are visible. At least one label 100 can, for example, be affixed to an overhead luggage compaitment 5. In this context, the first adhesive layer 110 of the adhesive film 102 is optimized for the surface of the overhead luggage compartment 5.

[0072] Of course, the vehicle element 5 may equally be another object such as a partition, a passenger seat, a door, internal trim, a control panel, a handrail, a step, etc.

[0073] Finally, it is noted, in particular, that the variants, refinements and exemplary embodiments discussed above serve merely for describing the claimed teaching, but do not restrict this to these variants, refinements and exemplary embodiments.

[0074] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.