SEALING FILM

Abstract

A sealing film, comprising a carrier film and a plurality of functional layers comprising at least two color display layers and at least two adhesion-controlling layers, the sealing film having an adhesive layer for fastening to a base surface, the carrier film being at least partially detachable from the functional layers in order to bring the sealing film from a first state into a second state, at least one symbol arrangement being optically visible at least in a remainder in the second state, which at least one symbol arrangement is arranged in a first subregion and a second subregion. According to the invention, the functional layers and the adhesive layer are at least partially translucent and the functional layers comprise at least one additional color display layer and at least one additional adhesion-controlling layer, the functional layers being designed in such a way that the at least one symbol arrangement is optically better visible in the first subregion than in the second subregion on a light background and that the at least one symbol arrangement is optically better visible in the second subregion than in the first subregion on a dark background.

Claims

1. A sealing film (1) for application to a base surface (2), comprising a carrier film (3) and multiple functional layers (4), wherein the functional layers (4) comprise at least two color display layers (5, 6) and at least two adhesion-controlling layers (8, 9), wherein the sealing film (1) has an adhesive layer (11) for attachment to the base surface (2), wherein the functional layers (4) are arranged between the carrier film (3) and the adhesive layer (11), wherein the carrier film (3) can be at least partially detached from the functional layers (4), in particular from the at least two color display layers (5, 6), so as to bring the sealing film (1) from a first state (13) into a second state (14), wherein in the second state (14), the sealing film (1) comprises a pulled-off layer (18) and a remnant (19), wherein in the second state (14), at least one symbol arrangement (12) is optically visible, at least in the remnant (19), which at least one symbol arrangement (12) is arranged in a first sub-region (15) and a second sub-region (20), wherein the at least two adhesion-controlling layers (8, 9) are provided so as to remove regions defined during detachment of the carrier film (3) from the at least two color display layers (5, 6), and to make the at least one symbol arrangement (12) optically visible, wherein the functional layers (4) and the adhesive layer (11) are at least partially translucent and that the functional layers (4) comprise at least one further color display layer (7) and at least one further adhesion-controlling layer (10), wherein by means of the at least partially translucent configuration of the functional layers (4), the at least one symbol arrangement (12) in the first sub-region (15) is better optically visible on a light base surface (17) than in the second sub-region (20), and the at least one symbol arrangement (12) in the second sub-region (20) is better optically visible on a dark base surface (24) than in the first sub-region (15), wherein the light base surface (17) is optically lighter than the dark base surface (24).

2. The sealing film (1) according to claim 1, wherein a first color display layer (5), a second color display layer (6), and the further color display layer (7) are structured in at least two different colors.

3. The sealing film (1) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one symbol arrangement (12) is optically visible in at least one of the at least two different colors of the at least two color display layers (5, 6) and the further color display layer (7) in the second state (14).

4. The sealing film (1) according to claim 1, wherein a first region (21) that surrounds the at least one symbol arrangement (12) in the first sub-region (15), at least in certain sections, is optically visible in a different color in the second state (14) than the at least one symbol arrangement (12) in the first sub-region (15), and that a second region (23), which surrounds the at least one symbol arrangement (12) in the second sub-region (20), at least in certain sections, is optically visible in a different color than the at least one symbol arrangement (12) in the second sub-region (20) and in a different color than the first region (21).

5. The sealing film (1) according to claim 1, wherein in the second state (14) at least two symbol arrangements (12) are optically visible at least in part, which symbol arrangements (12) are arranged in a first sub-region (15) and in a second sub-region (20), in each instance.

6. The sealing film (1) according to claim 1, wherein the following functional layers (4) are applied, one behind the other, on the carrier film (3), seen in the direction of the adhesive layer (11): a first adhesion-controlling layer (8), a first color display layer (5), a second adhesion-controlling layer (9), a second color display layer (6), the further adhesion-controlling layer (10), the further color display layer (7).

7. The sealing film (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adhesion-controlling layers (8, 9, 10) are release varnish layers (8, 9, 10) that reduce the adhesion capacity of the color display layers (5, 6, 7) as compared with adjacent layers of the sealing film (1).

8. The sealing film (1) according to claim 7, wherein the release varnish layers (8, 9, 10) comprise at least one silicone and/or at least one wax.

9. The sealing film (1) according to claim 1, wherein the carrier film (3) consists of transparent plastic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0067] The invention will now be explained in greater detail using an exemplary embodiment. The drawings are examples and are intended to show the idea of the invention but by no means to restrict it or to reproduce it in conclusive manner.

[0068] In this regard, the figures show:

[0069] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of the structural structure of a sealing film according to the invention,

[0070] FIG. 2a) a schematic representation of the sealing film according to the invention in a first state,

[0071] FIG. 2b) a schematic representation of a layer of the sealing film according to the invention that has been pulled off, in a second state, after legitimate opening,

[0072] FIG. 2 c) a schematic representation of a remnant of the sealing film according to the invention in the second state on a base surface after legitimate opening, and

[0073] FIG. 2d) a schematic representation of a re-application of the layer pulled off after legitimate opening, glued back onto the remnant, in the second state.

WAYS TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a structural structure of a sealing film 1 according to the invention. It should be mentioned that within the scope of this invention, black, white, and colorless or transparent are viewed as being colors.

[0075] In the exemplary embodiment shown, a first layer of the sealing film 1 according to the invention, seen in a first direction 16, is a carrier film 3 that consists of a transparent plastic film, preferably of polypropylene or polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate. The plastic film can be matte or glossy. Furthermore, it would be conceivable that the plastic film is tinted but not opaque.

[0076] A rearmost layer of the sealing film 1 according to the invention, seen in the first direction 16, is an adhesive layer 11 that can adhere to a base surface 2, wherein the base surface 2 is a sheet of paper, an imprinted cardboard or a plastic surface, for example. In other words, the sealing film 1 according to the invention, applied to the base surface 2 by means of the adhesive layer 11, can be released from the base surface 2 only by application of force. The self-adhesive function of the adhesive layer 11 can be protected by means of a film, for example, which is pulled off before application of or applying or affixing the sealing film 1 to the base surface 2. In order to guarantee such a solid connection with the surface of a base surface 2, a corresponding adhesive, for example a pressure-sensitive adhesive, must be used. The pressure-sensitive adhesive can be acrylic-based or natural-rubber-based, and it can be dispersed in water, dissolved in solvent or applied as a hot-melt glue, for example. Alternatively, a heat-sealing adhesive could also be used for the production of a solid connection between the sealing film 1 and the surface of the base surface 2.

[0077] In this exemplary embodiment, the adhesive layer 11 is configured to be transparent over its full area.

[0078] The following functional layers 4 are arranged between the carrier film 3 and the adhesive layer 11.

[0079] A first color display layer 5 lies behind the carrier film 3, viewed in a first direction 16, and in this exemplary embodiment is kept in a translucent color tone, namely translucent light-blue F8, over its full area. Fundamentally, however, the translucent color tone can be selected to be any color.

[0080] A first adhesion-controlling layer 8, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is a first release varnish layer 8, which comprises at least one silicone and/or at least one wax, is arranged between the carrier film 3 and the first color display layer 5.

[0081] It should be noted that alternative substance mixtures can also be used as release varnish layers 8, 9, 10.

[0082] However, it is essential, in this regard, that the release varnish layers 8, 9, 10 in the exemplary embodiment shown has suitable adhesion-reducing properties, so as to reduces an adhesion capacity of the layers (a functional layer 4) to which the corresponding release varnish layer 8, 9, 10 is applied to a precisely dimensioned degree, so that adjacent layers adhere or are adhesive to a lesser degree.

[0083] A second color display layer 6 is arranged behind the first color display layer 5, viewed in the first direction 16, which layer is translucent white F2 over its full area in this exemplary embodiment. The translucent color tone of the second color display layer 6 can, however, be chosen as desired. Preferably, the first color display layer 5 and the second color display layer 6 consist of contrasting translucent colors, and thereby at least one symbol arrangement 12 is formed during the course of the detachment process, in the case of a corresponding arrangement of the functional layers 4.

[0084] A second adhesion-controlling layer 9, which is a second release varnish layer 9 that comprises at least one silicone and/or at least one wax in the exemplary embodiment shown, is arranged between the first color display layer 5 and the second color display layer 6.

[0085] A further adhesion-controlling 10, which is a further release varnish layer 10 that comprises at least one silicone and/or at least one wax in the exemplary embodiment shown, is arranged behind the second color display layer 6, viewed in the first direction 16, as is a further color display layer 7 that lies behind the further adhesion-controlling layer 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the further color display layer 7 is translucent colorless F3. However, the translucent color tone of the further color display layer 7 can fundamentally be selected as desired.

[0086] In this exemplary embodiment, the functional layers 4 thereby comprise, viewed in the first direction 16, the first release varnish layer 8, the first color display layer 5, the second release varnish layer 9, the second color display layer 6, the further release varnish layer 10, and the further color display layer 7.

[0087] Before being glued onto the base surface 2, the sealing film 1 appears to be translucent blue F1. The translucent blue F1 color tone results from intimate contact of the functional layers 4 along with the carrier film 3 and adhesive layer 11. In particular, the translucent light-blue F8 color tone of the first color display layer 5 and the translucent white F2 color tone of the second color display layer 6 contribute to this. FIG. 2a) to d) show the sealing film according to the invention in a first state 13 (FIG. 2a)) and in a second state 14 after having been opened (FIG. 2b) to FIG. 2d)).

[0088] FIG. 2a) shows a schematic representation of the sealing film 1 according to the invention in a first state 13, which film is glued onto a two-color base surface 2. One region of the base surface 2 is white F5, while another region of the base surface 2 is black F4. The white F5 region of the base surface 2 forms a light base surface 17, and the black F4 region of the base surface 2 forms a dark base surface 24. In this regard, the light base surface 17 is optically lighter than the dark base surface 24. In this regard, the sealing film 1 according to the invention is glued onto the base surface 2 in such a manner that half of the sealing film 1 according to the invention is arranged on the white F5 region of the base surface 2, and the other half of the sealing film 1 according to the invention is arranged on the black F4 region of the base surface 2.

[0089] The sealing film 1 according to the invention is arranged on the base surface 2 using the adhesive layer 11, and is closed, i.e. it was not previously manipulated. By means of the translucent functional layers 4 of the sealing film 1 according to the invention, the film appears in a blue-black F6 color tone, which is composed of the black F4 color tone of the base surface 2 and the translucent blue F1 color tone of the sealing film 1, on the black F4 region of the base surface 2. In contrast to this, the sealing film 1 according to the invention appears in a blue F7 color tone, which is composed of the white color tone F5 of the base surface 2 and the translucent blue color tone F1 of the sealing film 1, on the white color tone F5 region of the base surface 2.

[0090] Of course, it would be conceivable that the sealing film 1 according to the invention has different translucent color tones and/or color combinations in the first state 13 as well as also in the second state 14.

[0091] During the detachment process—in other words at the transition from the first state 13 to the second state 14—the carrier film 3 is partially separated from the functional layers 4. In the second state 14, the sealing film 1 according to the invention is accordingly composed of two parts, namely of a pulled-off layer 18 and of a remnant 19, which remains on the base surface 2. Both in the pulled-off layer 18 and in the remnant 19, two symmetrically arranged symbol arrangements 12 can be seen in the exemplary embodiment shown, in the second state 14, which are arranged in a first sub-region 15 and in a second sub-region 20, in each instance. Within the two first sub-regions 15, in the second state 14, in each instance, a symbol 25 is optically visible, which is surrounded by a first region 21. Within the two second sub-regions 20, in the second state 14, in each instance, a symbol 25 is optically visible, which is surrounded by a second region 23. Thereby four symbols 25, in each instance, are optically visible in the pulled-off layer 18 and in the remnant 19, in the second state 14, wherein each is structured in the shape of an “X.” Of course, however, it would be possible that the symbols 25 have any desired shape.

[0092] FIG. 2b) shows a schematic representation of the pulled-off layer 18 of the sealing film 1 according to the invention in the second state 14, after legitimate opening. The pulled-off layer 18 is the carrier film 3 including the color display layers 5, 6 adhering to the carrier layer 3, in the second state 14.

[0093] FIG. 2c) shows a schematic representation of the remnant 19 of the sealing film 1 according to the invention in the second state 14, on the base surface 2, after legitimate opening. The remnant 19 is the parts of the functional layers 4 that remain on the base surface 2 plus the adhesive layer 11, in the second state 14.

[0094] In the second state 14, two symbol arrangements 12, which are formed during detachment of the carrier film 3 and comprise four symbols 25, are now optically visible, both in the pulled-off layer 18 and in the remnant 19.

[0095] In the remnant 19 (see FIG. 2c)), one of the two symbol arrangements 12 is situated on the white F5 region of the base surface 2 (in other words on the light base surface 17), and the other of the two symbol arrangements 12 is situated on the black F2 region of the base surface 2 (in other words on the dark base surface 20).

[0096] It should be particularly emphasized that the colors that are optically visible in the second state 14, on the remnant 19 that adheres to the base surface 2, are composed of the color tones of the parts of the translucent functional layers 4 that remain on the base surface 2, and of the color tone of the base surface 2.

[0097] The first release varnish layer 8 ensures the color formation of the four symbols 25. All four symbols are optically visible in a translucent colorless F3 color tone on the pulled-off layer 18. On the other hand, on the remnant 19, the color tone of the symbols 25 is dependent on the color tone of the base surface 2. Those two symbols 25 that are situated on the black F4 base surface 2 are optically visible on the remnant 19 in a blue-black F6 color tone (composed of the translucent blue F1 total color tone of the color display layers 5, 6, 7 as well as of the black F4 color tone of the base surface 2). The two symbols 25 that are situated on the white F5 base surface 2 are optically visible on the remnant 19 in a blue F7 color tone (composed of the translucent blue F1 total color tone of the color display layers 5, 6, 7 as well as of the white F5 color tone of the base surface 2).

[0098] The second release varnish layer 9 ensures that the first regions 21 of the second color display layer 6 and of the further color display layer 7, which first regions 21 surround the two symbols 25 in the first sub-regions 15, remain on the remnant 19. Accordingly, on the pulled-off layer 18, the first regions 21 are optically visible in a translucent light-blue F8 color tone. On the other hand, on the remnant 19 the color tone of the first regions 21 is dependent on the color tone of the base surface 2. The first region 21 that is situated on the black F4 base surface 2 is optically visible on the remnant 19 in a gray F9 color tone (composed of the translucent white F2 and translucent colorless F3 color tone of the color display layers 6, 7 as well as of the black F4 color tone of the base surface 2). The first region 21 that is situated on the white F5 base surface 2 is optically visible on the remnant 19 in a white F5 color tone (composed of the translucent white F2 and translucent colorless F3 color tone of the color display layers 6, 7 as well as the white F5 color tone of the base surface 2).

[0099] The further release varnish layer 10 is responsible for the fact that the second regions 23 of the color display layer 7, which second regions 23 surround the two symbols 25 in the second sub-regions 20, remain on the remnant 19. Accordingly, the second regions 23 are optically visible in a translucent blue F1 color tone on the pulled-off layer 18. On the other hand, on the remnant 19 the color tone of the second regions 23 is dependent on the color tone of the base surface 2. The second region 23 that is situated on the black F4 base surface 2 is optically visible on the remnant 19 in a black F4 color tone (composed of the translucent colorless F3 color tone of the color display layer 7 and of the black F4 color tone of the base surface 2). the second region 23 that is situated on the white F5 base surface 2 is optically visible on the remnant 19 in a white F5 color tone (composed of the translucent colorless F3 color tone of the color display layer 7 and the white F5 color tone of the base surface 2).

[0100] FIG. 2d) shows a schematic representation of a re-application 22 of the pulled-off layer 18, which has been glued back onto the remnant 19 in the second state 14 after detachment. It is evident that the symbol arrangements 12 are visible on the remnant 19 even after the re-application 22 of the pulled-off layer 18 to the remnant 19. In other words, manipulation of the sealing film 1 according to the invention that took place before the re-application 22 is indicated by a clear indication of the second state 14, in that the symbol arrangements 12 are visible even after the re-application 22.

[0101] The regions that are situated one on top of the other after the re-application 22 do not result in any “strong” mixed colors, because no intimate contact between the functional layers 4 occurs during the re-application 22. Rough surfaces occur between the pulled-off layer 18 and the remnant 19 due to the detachment of the carrier film 3 including the color display layers 5, 6 that adhere to the carrier film 3. As a result, as described above, no intimate contact can be produced between the pulled-off layer 18 and the remnant 19 during the re-application 22. In addition, during the course of the re-application 22, air collects between the pulled-off layer 18 and the remnant 19; this air can no longer escape completely after the re-application 22, and this also contributes to the fact that the color tones are visible in optically changed manner.

[0102] On the re-application 22, the two symbols 25 that are situated on the black F4 base surface 2 are optically visible in a blue-black F6 color tone (composed of the translucent colorless F3 color tone of the symbols 25 on the pulled-off layer 18 as well as of the blue-black F6 color tone of the symbols 25 on the remnant 19). The two symbols 25 that are situated on the white F5 base surface 2 are optically visible in a blue F7 color tone (composed of the translucent colorless F3 color tone of the symbols 25 on the pulled-off layer 18 as well as of the blue F7 color tone of the symbols 25 on the remnant 19).

[0103] The first region 21 that is situated on the black F4 base surface is optically visible in a light-blue-gray F10 color tone (composed of the translucent light-blue F8 color tone of the first region 21 on the pulled-off layer 18 as well as of the gray F9 color tone of the first region 21 on the remnant 19) on the re-application 22. The first region 21 that is situated on the white F5 base surface 2 is optically visible in a light-blue F11 color tone (composed of the translucent light-blue F8 color tone of the first region 21 on the pulled-off layer 18 as well as of the white F5 color tone of the first region 21 on the residue) on the re-application 22.

[0104] The second region 23 that is situated on the black F4 base surface 2 is optically visible in a blue-black F6′ color tone (composed of the translucent blue F1 color tone of the second region 23 on the pulled-off layer 18 as well as of the black F4 color tone of the second region 23 on the remnant 19) on the re-application 22. The blue-black F6′ color tone of the second region 23 differs slightly from the blue-black F6 color tone of the symbols 25 that are situated on the black F4 base surface 2. This is true, among other things, because during the re-application 22—as described above—no strong mixed colors occur, since no intimate contact takes place between the functional layers 4.

[0105] The second region 23 that is situated on the white F5 base surface is optically visible in a blue F7′ color tone (composed of the translucent blue F1 color tone of the second region 23 on the pulled-off layer 18 as well as of the white F5 color tone of the second region 23 on the remnant 19) on the re-application 22. Here, too the blue F7′ color tone of the second region 23 differs slightly from the blue F7 color tone of the symbols 25 that are situated on the white F5 base surface, for the reasons stated above.

[0106] Therefore—independent of whether the sealing film 1 according to the invention has been glued onto a dark or light base surface 2—in the second state 14 one sub-region 15, 20 is better visible both on the remnant 19 and after the re-application 22 than the other sub-region 20, 15. As a result, a user can immediately recognize whether the sealing film 1 according to the invention is in the first state 13 or in the second state 14.

[0107] Furthermore, a user—independent of whether the sealing film 1 according to the invention is in the first state 13 or in the second state 14—can fundamentally read a text arranged on the base surface, above which text the sealing film according to the invention is arranged, as long as the contrast between the color of the base surface 2 and the color of the text is strong enough. The same holds true, of course, also for a logo and/or an image.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

[0108] 1 sealing film [0109] 2 base surface [0110] 3 carrier film [0111] 4 functional layers [0112] 5 first color display layer [0113] 6 second color display layer [0114] 7 further color display layer [0115] 8 first adhesion-controlling layer or first release varnish layer [0116] 9 second adhesion-controlling layer or second release varnish layer [0117] 10 further adhesion-controlling layer or further release varnish layer [0118] 11 adhesive layer [0119] 12 symbol arrangement [0120] 13 first state [0121] 14 second state [0122] 15 first sub-region [0123] 16 first direction [0124] 17 light base surface [0125] 18 pulled-off layer [0126] 19 remnant [0127] 20 second sub-region [0128] 21 first region [0129] 22 re-application [0130] 23 second region [0131] 24 dark base surface [0132] 25 symbol [0133] F1 translucent blue [0134] F2 translucent white [0135] F3 transparent [0136] F4 black [0137] F5 white [0138] F6, F6′ blue-black [0139] F7, F7′ blue [0140] F8 translucent light-blue [0141] F9 gray [0142] F10 light-blue-gray [0143] F11 light blue