BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a conventional expanded content label of a particular construction being affixed to a container in a process that is moving in a compatible direction.
FIG. 1
a is an illustration of the conventional expanded content label of FIG. 1, after having been affixed to the container by the process of FIG. 1.
FIG. 1
b is a schematic illustration of the conventional expanded content label of FIG. 1, being affixed to a container in a process that is moving in an un-compatible direction.
FIG. 1
c is an illustration of the conventional expanded content label of FIG. 1, after having been affixed to the container by the process of FIG. 1b.
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an expanded content label for bi-directional application of the present invention, being affixed to a container in a process that is moving in a selected direction.
FIG. 2
a is an illustration of the expanded content label for bi-directional application of FIG. 2, after having been affixed to the container by the process of FIG. 2 in the D direction.
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the label of the present invention, being affixed to a container in a process that is moving in a selected direction.
FIG. 3
a is an illustration of the label of FIG. 3, after having been affixed to the container by the process of FIG. 3 in the D direction.
FIG. 3
b is an illustration of the label of FIG. 3, after having been affixed to the container by the process of FIG. 3 in the D′ direction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, there shown is a conventional prior art expanded content label 10 of a particular construction, being affixed to a container C in a process that is moving in a compatible direction as will be further described. Label 10, as is well known, is constructed from a top ply of material and a bottom ply of material (which may be identical materials). The plies together define a hinge 12 at leading edge 14, and a release-reseal system 16 at an opposite trailing edge 18. Label 10 may, of course, have any desired graphics G on any surfaces of the top and bottom plies. It is to be understood that as used herein throughout, and in the drawings, the term “graphics” includes, but is not limited to: various printing media; adhesives; hot melts; varnishes; inks; release coatings; hot and cold foil stampings; and any suitable additions to, or deletions from, a label ply.
In FIG. 1a, conventional ECL 10 is shown has having been fully affixed to container C by the process of FIG. 1, moving in compatible direction D. In this typical prior art example, it is to be noted that label dimensions have been chosen such that label 10 may be wrapped around container C slightly in excess of, circumferentially, 360 degrees. Thus, in this prior art example, trailing edge 18 overlaps leading edge 14, with hinge 12 being consequently covered over by that portion of label 10 adjacent to release-reseal system 16 and trailing edge 18. It will be appreciated that this prior art ECL, having been affixed to container C in a process that was moving in compatible direction D, may be opened and closed in booklet fashion, since release-reseal system 16 is unobstructed and regardless of whether hinge 12 is covered over as aforedescribed.
In FIG. 1b, the exemplary prior art ECL of FIG. 1 is shown as being affixed to container C in a process that is moving in an un-compatible direction D′. It will be recognized that in direction D′, trailing edge 18 must first be affixed to container C, rather than leading edge 14 first under the successful, compatible process of FIGS. 1-1a. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 1c, the requirement of FIG. 1b that trailing edge 18 be affixed first to container C results in an inoperative booklet feature. With particular reference to FIG. 1c, it is apparent that a process utilizing un-compatible direction D′ results in trailing edge 18 of ECL 10 being covered over by a portion of the label adjacent to leading edge 14 and hinge 12, thereby rendering release-reseal system 16 inoperative and not visible to a consumer. Consequently, the consumer would not even recognize that labeling on container C includes additional information or graphics through the booklet feature of ECL 10; thus important information regarding, for example, governmental warnings, instructions for use and safety, and potentially allergic ingredients, could go dangerously unnoticed.
Turning, now, to FIG. 2, there shown is a schematic illustration of an expanded content label for bi-directional application 20 of the present invention which overcomes the myriad aforementioned difficulties. In particular, expanded content label for bi-directional application 20 of the present invention is shown as being capable of being successfully affixed to and operative with a container in a process that is moving in either direction D or D′. Label 20, like prior art label 10, includes top and bottom material plies, and may include additional interior plies. Like label 10, novel label 20 may have any desired graphics G on any surfaces of the plies. Also like label 10, label 20 if desired may be carried on a silicone liner in web fashion, wherein a pressure-sensitive adhesive is provided on the back side of the bottom ply, with the bottom ply being, in turn, in contact with and carried upon the underlying silicone liner (not illustrated) as is well known. However, unlike label 10, label 20 incorporates two opposing leading edges 14 and 14′, each having, respectively, release-reseal systems 16 and 16′ therein in a novel and heretofore unknown construction which overcomes the aforedescribed problems associated with un-compatible application process directions. Thus, it will be observed that a conventional hinge (e.g., hinge 12 of prior art label 10 in FIGS. 1-1c) is intentionally not a part of the construction of novel label 20. Even though label 20 does not include a “built-in” hinge, it still functions in booklet fashion as will be described with reference now to FIG. 2a. In that illustration, label 20 has been affixed to container C in a process direction D from FIG. 2. In direction D, leading edge 14′ including release-reseal system 16′ is first affixed to container C. It will therefore be appreciated upon examination of the drawing that opposing leading edge 14 of label 20, in turn affixed to container C, covers edge 14′. Thereby, a hinge is effectively created as is evident when label 20 is (i) opened at release-reseal system 16 and (ii) the top ply is unwrapped by a user in direction D about container C to a vicinity where initial leading edge 14′ had first been affixed. It will be appreciated that, although not illustrated, an application of novel label 20 in process direction D′ would have a similar result, with edge 14 and release-reseal system 16 being covered and release-reseal system 16′ being manipulable by the user when the label is opened in direction D′.
In FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the expanded content label for bi-directional application of the present invention 30 is illustrated as being affixed to a container in a process that is moving in a selected direction D or D′. In this alternative, exemplary embodiment, label 30 includes top and bottom material plies (and may include additional interior plies) along with any desired graphics G. Like exemplary label 20, label 30 includes opposite leading edges 14 and 14′. Label 30 however, unlike label 20, makes use of a hinge 12 at edge 14 along with, at opposite edge 14′, a (i) set-back portion 32 with adjacent release-reseal system 16 and (ii) cut 34 (through the top ply, whether completely or partially; but intentionally excluding cutting the bottom ply), in a heretofore unknown construction. Set-back portion 32 is, preferably, simply a portion of the top and bottom plies, and cut 34 enables the top ply to be separated from the bottom ply by a user as will be described. Those of ordinary skill in the label arts will, however, recognize that set-back portion 32 could comprise any number of plies as may be desired in a particular construction in accordance with the present invention, irrespective of the actual number of plies in the particular label. It will be seen that this novel configuration of label 30 also overcomes, like label 20, the aforedescribed problems associated with un-compatible application process directions. With reference to FIG. 3a, label 30 has been affixed to container C in a process direction D from FIG. 3. In direction D, leading edge 14′, including set-back portion 32, cut 34, and release-reseal system 16, is initially affixed to container C by any suitable means as aforementioned relative to label 20, with label 30 thereupon being wrapped circumferentially around container C. By way of chosen adhesive, opposing leading edge 14 including hinge 12 is then affixed to container C by covering set-back portion 32 to a point that is, preferably, immediately adjacent to, but not covering, cut 34. The only requirement in this regard is that edge 14 does not cover cut 34. It will therefore be appreciated, upon examination of FIG. 3a, that when label 30 is opened at release-reseal system 16, the top ply may then be unwrapped by a user in direction D′ about container C to a point where hinge 12 is affixed to container C. It will be appreciated that, with reference to FIG. 3b, an application of alternative label 30 in process direction D′ would have a similar result, with edge 14 and hinge 12 being first affixed to container C and then covered over by set-back portion 32 and release-reseal system 16 at edge 14′. Release-reseal system 16 would then be manipulable by the user, and the top ply of label 30 could be opened at cut 34 in direction D′ (with set-back portion 32 remaining fixed) to a point where hinge 12 (not visible in the drawing) is affixed to container C (approximately co-located on container C with fixed set-back portion 32).
It is also to be understood, in a desired construction of label 30, that set-back portion 32 could advantageously serve as a removable element. Such a removable element could serve as, for example, a coupon, a game piece, a premium, a proof-of-purchase device, or any other “value-added” item. The removable element, in other words, could consist of a portion of the top ply which defines set-back portion 32 (as may be discerned from FIGS. 3 and 3b) and could carry any desired graphics to identify it as such (e.g., “remove me”).
It is to be particularly appreciated and emphasized that exemplary labels 20 and 30 of the present invention could be, as desired, affixed to containers in either direction D or D′ and in any suitable application method or environment such as in, for example, the aforementioned roll fed, pressure-sensitive, cut and stack, hot melt, and glue-applied techniques.
Also, regardless of a given embodiment of labels 20 and 30 discussed above, it is to be particularly appreciated that selected adhesives provided in any construction would preferably be set back to some degree from edges of the label plies, to inhibit any occurrence of “adhesive ooze” that may be experienced when the adhesives are tacky, pressure-sensitive, viscous liquid adhesives. In this regard also, it is to be appreciated that if a pressure-sensitive adhesive is utilized in a given construction of label 20 or 30, rather than a so-called “dry-curing” adhesive, then there will be a higher likelihood of the occurrence of “adhesive ooze” and many problems attendant therewith. For example, in a cut-and-stack operation, adhesive ooze can turn an entire stack of labels into an inoperative, congealed mass. This is known in the art as “blocking” in dispensing, application, and use of such labels.
Also, although described in terms of a cut and stack ECL, features of the expanded content label for bi-directional application of the present invention as alternatively exemplified in FIGS. 2 and 3 could, of course, be utilized with virtually any wrap-around booklet-type label.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the accompanying figures, it will be understood, however, that other modifications thereto are of course possible, all of which are intended to be within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. It should be appreciated that components of the invention aforedescribed may be substituted for other suitable components for achieving desired similar results, or that various accessories may be added thereto. It is to be appreciated that any of the components of exemplary labels 20 and 30 may be selectively provided in any suitable combination, for a particular desired use thereof. It is also to be understood in general that any suitable alternatives may be employed to provide the expanded content label for bi-directional application of the present invention. Lastly, the choice, of course, of compositions, sizes, and strengths of various aforementioned components of labels 20 and 30 are all a matter of design choice depending upon intended uses of the present invention.
Accordingly, these and other various changes or modifications in form and detail of the present invention may also be made therein, again without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080003391
