Extended wrap label and method of making same

Abstract
A substantially unitary label suitable for being attached to an object having an outer circumference and including a removable cap for accessing an interior hollow of the object. The label includes: a first substantially planar portion suitable for being substantially permanently affixed about at least a portion of the circumference of the object; a second substantially planar portion longitudinally positioned with respect to the first portion and operable to at least partly overlie the first label portion in a peelable and resealable fashion when the first label portion is affixed about at least a part of the circumference of the object, the first and second label portions having a combined length which is greater than the circumference of the object, and the second label portion having a width less than at least a part of the first portion; and at least one tear strip being positioned so as to be suitable for evidencing removal of the cap when the first label portion is affixed about at least a part of the circumference of the object.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates in general to labels and, more particularly, to labels for products and product containers.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Labels, typically in the form of flexible sheet or web material attached to an object, have long been used to identify the object, its contents and/or display other information associated with the object. Such labels, which are normally fabricated from paper or plastic, are usually adhesively secured to the object by a contact or pressure sensitive adhesive material.




Many objects such as jars, bottles, cans and similar receptacles support “wrap” labels which cover substantially all of their circumferential side wall surfaces. With these labels, essentially the entire outer surface of the label is available as an indicia bearing surface. A label covering all or nearly all of the circumferential area of an object such as a product container is oftentimes sufficient to convey desired advertising, content information, instructions, warnings, and the like. In many circumstances, however, an object's physical dimensions detrimentally limit the available print space of the label borne thereby.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




A substantially unitary label suitable for being attached to an object having an outer circumference and including a removable cap for accessing an interior hollow of said object, said label comprising: a first substantially planar portion suitable for being substantially permanently affixed about at least a portion of said circumference of said object; a second substantially planar portion longitudinally positioned with respect to said first portion and operable to at least partly overlie said first label portion in a peelable and resealable fashion when said first label portion is affixed about at least a part of said circumference of said object, said first and second label portions having a combined length which is greater than said circumference of said object, and said second label portion having a width less than at least a part of said first portion; and at least one tear strip being positioned so as to be suitable for evidencing removal of said cap when said first label portion is affixed about at least a part of said circumference of said object.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof shown, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings wherein:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a conventional wrap-type label affixed to a product container;





FIG. 2

is a top plan view of an embodiment of a label constructed in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 3

is a top plan view of an embodiment of a label constructed in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 4

is a top plan view of an embodiment of a label constructed in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of a label constructed according to present invention with a releasable end thereof lifted from the surface of a product container to which the label is affixed;





FIG. 6

is a perspective view of the label of

FIG. 5

with a releasable end thereof attached to the surface of the product container to which the label is affixed;





FIGS. 7

,


8


and


9


are top plan views of labels according to the present invention including means for facilitating separation of a second portion of the label from a first portion thereof;





FIG. 10

is a top plan view of an embodiment of a label constructed according to the present invention having a tear strip;





FIG. 11

is a perspective view of the label of

FIG. 10

shown wrapped about the circumference of a substantially cylindrical product container;





FIG. 12

is a perspective view similar to

FIG. 11

with said tear strip removed;





FIG. 13

is a schematic depicting a method for making the labels of this invention;





FIG. 14

is a schematic depicting a further method for making the labels of this invention;





FIG. 15

is a schematic depicting yet a further method for making the labels of this invention;





FIG. 16

is a schematic depicting yet another method for making the labels of this invention;





FIG. 17

is a schematic depicting another method for making the labels of this invention;





FIG. 18

is a top plan view of a further embodiment of a label constructed in accordance with the present invention;





FIGS. 19A and 19B

are schematics depicting front- and back-plan views of a label according to an embodiment of the present invention; and,





FIGS. 20A and 2B

illustrate plan views of an embodiment of a label constructed according to an aspect of the present invention having a tear strip and removable sheet.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a unitary label suitable for attachment to an object having a circumference. The label includes a first label portion; a first adhesive means for affixing the first label portion about the circumference of the object; and a second label portion substantially contiguous with the first label portion and operable to overlie the first label portion when the label is affixed to the object, wherein the first label portion and the second label portion have a combined length which is greater than the circumference of the object.




Referring to

FIG. 1

, there is shown an object such as a product container P, e.g., a bottle, jar, or the like. Adhesively affixed about the circumferential side wall of container P is a wrap-type label


10


. Label


10


, as is conventional, may cover any fraction of the circumferential side wall of container P. As illustrated, label


10


is constructed as an elongated strip member spanning nearly the entire circumference of container P such that the ends of the label are separated by small gap G. The available printing area of such a label is limited by the area, (i.e., length and width) dimensions of the label. Additionally, printing is normally carried only by the exposed exterior surface of the label.





FIGS. 2

,


3


and


4


depict several embodiments of labels according to an aspect of the present invention. Furthermore, as will be described in greater detail in connection with

FIGS. 3 and 4

, labels constructed in accordance with an aspect of the present invention may incorporate structural features which impart additional functionality to the label.




Labels according to the present invention, respectively identified by reference numeral


110


in

FIG. 2

,


210


in

FIG. 3 and 310

in

FIG. 4

, include several common characteristic features. For instance, each may be comprised of a flexible and printable substrate such as paper or plastic sheet or web material. Although they may be made individually, such labels may be produced from rolls of substrates, such as paper or plastic sheet stock which can be continuously printed, coated with adhesive, applied with protective material, affixed to release paper, and cut to produce multiple labels as further described herein. Additionally, each label has general area dimensions L and W which represent the length and width dimensions, respectively, of the label. Length L is a predetermined distance related to the circumferential dimension of the object to be labeled and width W is that dimension extending substantially perpendicularly to length L. Width W may vary, as may be desired or necessary, along length L.




As used herein, the terms “circumferential,” “circumference,” or variants thereof shall be construed to include any distance circumscribing the perimeter of the target object to be labeled. The object may comprise a polygonal shape (e.g., square or rectangular), curvilinear shape (e.g., circular or oval) or composite polygonal and curvilinear cross-sectional configuration defining a desired perimetrical exterior wall surface to be covered by label


110


,


210


,


310


,


410


,


510


,


610


,


710


or any other label disclosed herein.




Labels


110


,


210


and


310


each include first portion


112


,


212


and


312


, respectively, having a length L. L


1


is preferably less than or equal to the circumferential dimension of the object to be labeled. In addition, labels


110


,


210


and


310


include second portions


114


,


214


and


314


, respectively, of length L


2


which are contiguous with first portions


112


,


212


and


312


. “Contiguous”, as used herein, generally refers to not only in contact with, but near to as well. Second label portions


114


,


214


and


314


provide additional length to first label portions


112


,


212


and


312


such that the total length L of the labels


110


,


210


and


310


is greater than the circumference of the object to be labeled. All or a portion of the underside of first label portions


112


,


212


and


312


may be coated with a layer of pressure sensitive, or other, adhesive having sufficient tackiness to essentially affix the label on the target object, such adhesive being respectively identified by dot-dash lines


116


,


216


and


316


.




Each of the second label portions


114


,


214


and


314


may provide additional print space to labels


110


,


210


and


310


. Indeed, both the top and bottom surfaces of the second label portions may be available as printable surfaces. Further, depending on which of certain other structural features, described below, are incorporated into the label of the present invention, second label portions


114


,


214


and


314


may function, without limitation, as resealable and/or removable flaps.




The length L


2


of second portions


114


,


214


and


314


may be dictated by, inter alia, the need for additional print space. One practical limitation of the second label portion length L


2


and, hence, the overall length L of labels


110


,


210


and


310


may be such, if length L results in multiple wraps of the second label portion


114


,


214


and


314


about the target object, the several superimposed label layers may produce a label whose bulk and thickness rivals those of presently available two-part (base label and leaflet) label constructions.




A label may include any number of wraps of the second label portion about the target object. In fact, a multiple wraps embodiment of this invention may be preferable to known leaflet labels because multiple wraps provide, in most cases, an equal or greater amount of print area than would an equivalent leaflet label while providing a substantially uniform overall diameter to container P. A leaflet label providing an equivalent amount of print area may produce a bulge on the side wall of container P at the point where the leaflet is located thereby creating a non-symmetric overall cross section to container P, for example.




Referring more specifically to

FIGS. 2

,


3


and


4


,

FIG. 2

represents a relatively simple expression of the present invention. According to this embodiment, label


110


comprises first and second portions


112


,


114


which are contiguous regions of an elongated unitary strip of material. No perforation exists between first and second label portions


112


and


114


. Physical demarcation between first label portion


112


and second label portion may be established by the rightmost edge of pressure sensitive adhesive


116


underlying first portion


112


. The boundary between the first and second label portions


112


and


114


may also be distinguished by a change in width W and/or the printed image carried on the label, for example.





FIGS. 5 and 6

are sequential views of the label


110


being applied to an object, e.g., a product container P.




Referring initially to

FIG. 5

, first label portion


112


of label


110


is shown wrapped about and adhered about a circumference of container P. Second label portion


114


is depicted in a lifted and turned-away disposition to expose the bottom surface


118


thereof. Both the top and bottom surfaces of second portion


114


are available as printable surface areas. To enhance the utility of label


110


, a comparatively narrow strip of tack adhesive material


120


may be provided along the distal edge of the bottom surface


118


of the second label portion


114


. Alternatively, tack adhesive


120


may be applied in any pattern and to any area of bottom surface


118


of second portion


114


and to as much as the entire bottom surface


118


. The tackiness of adhesive material


120


should be such that it may enable the second label portion


114


to be selectively and repeatedly adhered to the first label portion


112


substantially in the manner shown in FIG.


6


and released from the first label portion as in

FIG. 5

to expose the bottom surface


118


of second label portion


114


at the end user's discretion. Preferably, where a strip of tack adhesive


120


is employed, the label stock may be coated with adhesive to enable the strip to releasably adhere to the top surface of the first label portion.




Although second label portion


114


may be of any length, an example illustrates a degree to which a second label portion


114


of relatively moderate length increases the available print surface area of label


110


. Assuming that product container P is a generally cylindrical jar or bottle such as in

FIGS. 5 and 6

, length L of the first portion


112


of label


110


may be selected to be substantially equal to that of the circumference of container P. Recalling that both the top and bottom surface of the second label portion


114


may be printed, if length L


2


of the second portion


114


is chosen so as to extend for an additional 360° of arc about the circumference of container P, then the total available print surface area is increased by 200% as compared to the available print surface area of conventional 360° wrap labels. That is, 720° of additional printable surface area may be provided in the form of no more than two superimposed layers wrapped about container P. As a consequence, a compact, low-bulk and low thickness resultant label construction is produced which offers essentially three times the print area of a presently existing wrap label such as label


10


of FIG.


1


.





FIG. 3

represents a further embodiment of the present invention. According to

FIG. 3

, label


210


is substantially similar in construction to label


110


. Hence, only those features which materially distinguish label


210


from label


110


will be described in detail.




Unlike label


110


, label


210


includes a perforation


222


which may be placed at or, as illustrated, near the boundary between the first label portion


212


and the second label portion


214


. Although not illustrated, second label portion


214


may also include a thin strip of tack adhesive on the bottom surface and at the distal end thereof similar to adhesive material


120


of label


110


(

FIG. 5

) or in any pattern or to any area of the bottom surface of the second portion. So disposed, the tack adhesive may serve to retain the second label portion


214


in contact with the first label portion


212


until deployment of the second label position is desired. In this way, some or all of the second label portion


214


may be torn from the first label portion


212


along perforation


222


to expose the surface of the first label portion previously covered by the second label portion. Additionally, the second label portion according to this embodiment may be adapted for a use, once detached from the first label portion, that is independent of the function of the first label portion. For instance, second label portion


214


may be printed with information such that it may function as a redeemable coupon for consumer merchandise.





FIG. 4

represents an embodiment of the label according to the invention. Label


310


depicted therein, like label


210


, includes a perforation


322


generally at or near the boundary between first label portion


312


and second label portion


314


. Additionally, second label portion


314


is provided with a pair of comparatively closely spaced perforations


324


and


326


disposed adjacent the end of the second label portion


314


opposite the first label portion


312


. Perforations


324


,


326


together define a removable tear strip


328


, described below, which separates the second label portion


314


into a first non-adhesive-bearing, removable segment


314




a


and a second adhesive-bearing segment


314




b


. Alternatively, a single perforation may be located in second label portion


314


in order to separate second label portion


314


from segment


314




b.






The bottom surface of the second label segment


314




b


is preferably coated with a pressure sensitive or other adhesive (not illustrated), that may be similar to adhesive


316


provided on the first label portion


312


. In this way, when label


310


is fully wrapped about an object such as product container P such as that shown in

FIGS. 1

,


5


and


6


, the first label portion


312


is essentially affixed about the circumferential wall of the container and the second segment


314




b


of the second label portion


314


is similarly affixed to the first label portion


312


. Alternatively, if L


2


is greater than the circumference of container P, second segment


314




b


of second label portion


314


may be affixed to second label portion


314


.




With respect to the embodiment shown in

FIG. 4

, in order to detach the first removable segment


314




a


, therefore, an end user may simply grasp and pull the tear strip


328


(which may have no, or substantially no adhesive on its bottom surface, although it may contain adhesive on such surface) thereby severing the tear strip from the first and second segments


314




a


,


314




b


along perforations


324


,


326


. Thereafter, the user may grasp and pull the first segment


314




a


to sever it from the first label portion


312


along perforation


322


. At this stage, the area of the first label portion


312


, as well as any area of second label portion


314


, previously covered by the first label segment


314




a


of the second label portion


314


is exposed. And, if so designed, the detached first label segment


314


may perform an additional function, e.g., as a redeemable coupon or the like. Additionally, tack adhesive


120


(not shown in

FIG. 4

) may also be added to the bottom surface of segment


314




a


in a fashion similar to that for labels


110


and


210


in order to provide a resealable means for segment


314




a


. And, if so designed, the first label segment


314


may perform an additional function, e.g. as a resealable segment.





FIGS. 7

,


8


and


9


illustrate further embodiments of a product label constructed according to the present invention, identified respectively by reference numerals


410


,


510


and


610


. It will be understood that labels


410


,


510


and


610


may be constructed substantially similarly to any of the label embodiments disclosed herein including, but not limited to, labels


110


,


210


and


310


described above or label


710


discussed below. Hence, only those structural aspects of labels


410


,


510


and


610


which materially depart from those previously addressed, or whose description may otherwise be necessary for a proper understanding of the invention, will be described in detail.




More particularly, labels


410


,


510


and


610


depict exemplary, although not limitative, means for facilitating separation of the releasable second portions of the labels from the first portions thereof when the labels are secured to objects such as products or product containers. These means may include a protrusion


430


provided substantially adjacent a distal end of the second portion


414


of label


410


, a notch


532


substantially adjacent an end of the first portion


512


of label


510


, or a combination of a notch


630


adjacent a distal end of second portion


614


and a notch


632


substantially adjacent an end of the first portion


612


of label


610


“substantially adjacent” is intened to include “functionally rear” as will be understood by those possessing an ordinary skill in the pertintent arts as used herein. Each of these means may enable easier insertion of a user's finger or fingernail beneath the releasable second portion of any of the labels herein described when such labels are affixed to a product or product container whereby the second label portion may be more easily lifted and separated from contact with the first label portion.





FIGS. 10

,


11


and


12


illustrate an embodiment of a product label


710


constructed in accordance with the present invention. Label


710


may be manufactured in a substantially similar manner to and/or incorporate any combination of the features of previously described labels


110


through


610


. Hence, only those features of label


710


not earlier mentioned will be discussed in detail.




Label


710


preferably includes means


734


for evidencing tampering of product prior to consumption thereof by an end user, such as product contained within a hollow of a container which label


710


is affixed about. According to an aspect of the present invention, tamper evident means


734


may include a fixed or disposable tear strip


736


contiguous with either the first, the first and second or, as shown, the second portion


714


of label


710


along perforation


738


. Tear strip


736


may be of any length, but may typically correspond to the length of the circumference of P shown in FIG.


12


.





FIG. 11

shows label


710


as it may appear when affixed about the circumferential side wall of a substantially cylindrical product container P. To assure its attachment to the product container prior to removal, all or a portion of the tear strip


736


may be provided with a pressure sensitive or other suitable adhesive. When it is desired to access the contents of container P, the end user may simply lift a distal end flap


740


of the tear strip


736


and pull the strip away from the remainder of the label


710


such that the strip detaches from the label along perforation


738


. Upon removal, the tear strip may then be discarded.




Once tear strip


736


is removed, the product container cap or lid C may be at least partially exposed thereby enabling the user to remove the cap and access the contents of the product container P. Should the end user discover however that, prior to purchase or use, that tear strip


736


is missing or damaged, tamper evident means


734


alerts the user that consumption of the contents of product container P should possibly be avoided.




Alternatively, distal end flap


740


may be omitted from tear strip


736


. Tear strip


736


may be temporarily or permanently affixed to cap C and, instead of the end user tearing away tear strip


736


, the end user may remove cap C by twisting or pulling thereby breaking perforation


738


and alerting a subsequent user that the container had been previously opened. In this embodiment, tear strip


736


may either be removed from or remain attached to cap C.




Referring now to

FIG. 18

, there is an embodiment of a product label


1800


constructed in accordance with the present invention. The label


1800


is essentially identical to the label shown in

FIG. 10

, except that the label


1800


is adapted to be applied to irregularly shaped objects, particularly tapered objects. Label


1800


has a first portion


1812


with a top edge


1814


and a bottom edge


1816


. Label


1800


also includes a second portion


1817


with a top edge


1818


and a bottom edge


1820


. To accommodate application to a tapered object having a top with a larger circumference than the bottom, the top edges


1814


and


1820


are longer than the corresponding bottom edges


1816


and


1818


. In addition, the first portion


1812


may be oriented at an oblique angle relative to the second portion


1817


. The relative length of the top and bottom edges and the angle between the first and second portions depend upon the shape and size of the article to which the label is to be applied, for example. Generally, the greater the taper of the article, the greater the angle and the greater the difference between the length of the top and bottom edges, and vice versa. The specific lengths and angle may be selected so that the second portion


1817


substantially precisely overlaps the first portion


1812


when the label


1800


is wrapped more than 360° around an article. Alternatively, the specific lengths and angle may be selected so that the second portion


1817


only partially overlaps the first portion


1812


and partially contacts the container when the label


1800


is wrapped more than


3600


around an article. Some or all of the edges may be curved to accommodate the difference in length between the top edges and the bottom edges. In

FIG. 18

, the top edge


1820


of the second portion


1817


is curved. According to an aspect of the invention, the second portion may include one or more sub-sections, wherein each sub-section is at an angle relative to the adjacent preceding sub-section and said angle is selected to fit the geometry of the object to which the label is to be applied.




As mentioned above, the label of this invention may be comprised of a flexible and printable substrate such as paper or plastic (such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene or polypropylene) sheet or web material. Although each label may be made individually, labels may be produced from rolls of such substrate such as sheet stock which can be continuously printed, coated with adhesive, affixed to release paper, and cut to produce multiple labels. One or more areas or surfaces of the label may also be coated with a lacquer or varnish in order to protect the label and/or printed inks from wear or other degradation. In view of, or in addition to, the protective lacquer or varnish, an additional layer of protective material (e.g. a substantial transparent layer of plastic such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene or polypropylene) may be applied to select surfaces or areas of the label. The means by which the labels will be made may depend, in part, upon the features which are to be incorporated into such labels.




Referring to

FIG. 13

, there is shown a schematic depicting a method for making labels according to an aspect s of the present of this invention. It should be noted at the outset that the order in which the steps of the methods herein disclosed are carried out is not necessarily critical to successfully making such labels. As mentioned above, such labels may be made from a flexible and printable substrate


800


. Graphic or other inks


810


are printed by printing step


820


(e.g. by flexographic, rotogravure, silk screening or other printing methods) at predetermined locations on the top and/or bottom surfaces of substrate


800


. For example, depending on the desired or necessary label configuration, inks


810


may be applied to: the top surface of first label portion


112


,


212


,


312


,


412


,


512


,


612


, or


712


; the top surface of second label portion


114


,


214


,


314




a


,


414


,


514


,


614


, or


714


; and/or the bottom surface of second label portion


114


,


214


,


314


,


414


,


514


,


614


, or


714


. Pressure sensitive adhesive


830


may be applied


840


(e.g. hot melt or other adhesive means) to predetermined locations on the bottom surface of substrate


800


so as to provide a means by which the label may be affixed to the desired object. For example, depending on the desired or necessary label configuration, pressure sensitive adhesive


830


may be applied to the bottom surface of the first label portion


112


,


212


,


312


,


412


,


512


,


612


, or


712


.





FIG. 14

depicts a method for making the labels according to aspects of the present invention which adds to the steps shown in

FIG. 13

, optional step


860


for applying tack or releasable adhesive


850


to select locations on substrate


800


such that the second label portion may be selectively and repeatedly adhered to the first label portion. For example, depending on the desired or necessary label configuration, tack or releasable adhesive


850


maybe applied to the distal edge of the bottom surface of first label portion


112


(i.e.


118


),


212


,


312


,


412


,


512


,


612


, or


712


.





FIG. 15

depicts a method for making labels which adds to the steps shown in

FIG. 14

, optional step


880


for applying a protective material


870


to select locations over substrate


800


and/or inks


810


in order to protect substrate


800


and/or inks


810


from wear or other degradation. For example, depending on the desired or necessary label configuration, protective material


870


(e.g. lacquer, varnish, PVC, or other substantially transparent protective material) may be applied to any suitable surface. In addition, it should be noted that either adhesive


830


or


850


may be applied over protective material


870


, provided that such application does not cause an adverse chemical reaction.





FIG. 16

depicts a method for making labels which adds additional optional steps to the steps shown in FIG.


15


. In this embodiment, substrate


800


is in the form of a web in order to facilitate the production of larger quantities of labels. Specifically, in step


900


substrate web


800


is fed through a series of process steps. Each such step is represented schematically by a box in FIG.


16


.




As indicated above, the order in which the steps are carried out is not necessarily critical to the successful manufacture of the labels of this invention. With this in mind, inks


810


may be printed on one or both sides of web


800


in printing step


820


. Pressure sensitive adhesive


830


is applied to select areas of web


800


in application step


840


. Releasable adhesive


850


is applied to select areas of web


800


in application step


860


. A surface of web


800


bearing pressure sensitive adhesive


830


is applied to release paper


910


in application step


920


such that the resulting labels produced from this process may later be removed for application to container P. In application step


880


, protective material


870


(e.g. lacquer, varnish (such as ultra violet varnish), PVC, or other substantially transparent protective material) is applied to select surfaces of web


800


which surfaces generally do not contain pressure sensitive adhesive


830


. In die cutting step


940


, substrate web


800


(along with any protective material


870


) is die cut to form label blanks, perforations, and/or other openings (if any) in web


800


. In stripping step


960


, substrate waste


950


is removed from release paper


910


after die cutting step


940


thereby leaving finished label blanks releasably adhered to release paper


910


for later application to container P. Finally, in optional rewinding step


980


, release paper


910


bearing die cut label blanks may be wound into rolls or other convenient form for later application of the resulting labels to container P or other objects by manual or automated means.





FIG. 17

depicts another method for making labels according to aspects of the present invention, which method is similar to the method set forth in

FIG. 16

, except that substrate web


800


is replaced with a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) material


805


. PSA material


805


may include substrate web


800


releasably adhered to release paper


910


by pressure sensitive adhesive


830


, which adhesive


830


is typically coated on one side of web


800


. In step


900


, PSA material


805


is fed through a series of process steps. Each such step is represented schematically by a box in FIG.


17


. Again, the order in which the steps of this method are carried out is not necessarily critical to the successful manufacture of the labels of this invention. With this in mind, in step


990


release paper


910


is removed from PSA material


805


to expose pressure sensitive adhesive


830


.




As discussed above, in certain embodiments of the labels according to aspects of the present invention, it may be desirable to have certain portions of the label which are coated with pressure sensitive adhesive


830


(see e.g. portions


116


,


216


and


316


of

FIGS. 2 through 4

respectively and portions


416


,


516


,


616


and


716


of

FIGS. 7 through 10

respectively) in certain areas which are intended to be indicia or ink bearing surfaces (see e.g. second portions


114


,


214


and


314


of

FIGS. 2 through 4

respectively and


414


,


514


,


614


and


714


of

FIGS. 7 through 10

respectively). When PSA material


805


is provided with pressure sensitive adhesive


830


in areas where it is necessary or desirable to print indicia or inks


810


, such areas may be “deadened” by either removing pressure sensitive adhesive


830


from web


800


or by applying a detackifying material such as a varnish, laminate or other material capable of providing, a suitable surface for the printing of indicia or inks


810


. This deadening process is particularly useful when it is necessary or desirable to print on the surface of web


800


which surface also bears pressure sensitive adhesive


830


(see e.g. surface


118


of FIG.


5


).




The deadening process (if any is required) may be carried out in step


1000


. With PSA material


805


prepared, web


800


may be printed with inks


810


on any surface of the label which is suitable for accepting inks


810


. Such printed surfaces may include both top and bottom surfaces of the label being produced, any surface not bearing pressure sensitive adhesive


830


, or any surface which has been deadened in step


1000


, for example. Printing step


810


may include one or more steps wherein the top and bottom surfaces of the label are printed either simultaneously or in separate steps. In one embodiment of the invention, inks


810


are printed on the top surface of the PSA material


805


, PSA material


805


is turned over, and inks


810


are printed on the bottom surface of PSA material


805


.




In step


920


, release paper


910


is reapplied to web


800


with pressure sensitive adhesive


830


. Reapplication step


920


may occur at any time after printing step


810


is completed with respect to the surface of the label which also bears pressure sensitive adhesive


830


.




As in the method depicted in

FIG. 16

, application of protective material


870


may take place in step


880


, die cutting of individual labels takes place in step


940


, substrate waste


950


is stripped away in step


960


, and the resulting web which bears the finished die cut label blanks is rewound in step


980


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 19A and 19B

, there is illustrated an embodiment of a label which may effectively alleviate the problem of limited print space associated with conventional wrap labels such as label


10


of FIG.


1


.




A label according to this embodiment of the present invention is identified by reference numeral


1100


in

FIGS. 19A and 19B

. Label


1100


may be comprised of a flexible and printable substrate such as paper or plastic sheet or web material. The plastic substrate may be shrinkable. Although it may be made individually, the label may be produced from rolls of such substrates, such as paper or plastic sheet stock which can be continuously printed, coated with adhesive, applied with protective material, affixed to release paper, and cut to produce multiple labels as further described herein.




Each label


1100


has general dimensions L and W which represent length and width dimensions, respectively, of the label


1100


. Length L is a predetermined distance related to the circumferential dimension of the object to be labeled and width W is that dimension extending substantially perpendicularly to length L. Width W may vary, as may be desired or necessary, along length L.




Label


1100


includes a first portion


1140


having a length L


1


. L


1


may be less than or equal to the circumferential dimension of the object to be labeled. In addition, label


1100


includes a second portion


1120


of length L


2


substantially contiguous with first portion


1140


. Second label portion


1120


may provide additional length to first label portions


1140


such that the total length L of label


1100


is greater than the circumference of the object to be labeled. All or a portion of the underside of first label portions


1140


may be coated with a layer of pressure sensitive or other adhesive


1145


having sufficient tackiness to essentially affix the label about a target object, such adhesive being shown in FIG.


19


B.




The second label portion


1120


provides additional print space to label


1100


. Indeed, both the top and bottom surfaces of the second label portions may be available as printable surfaces depending upon design criteria. Further, depending on which of certain other structural features, described below, are incorporated into a label of the present invention, second label portion


1120


may function, without limitation, as a resealable and/or removable flap.




The length L


2


of second portion


1120


may be dictated by, inter alia, a need for additional print space. A primary practical limitation on the second label portion length L


2


and, hence, the overall length L of label


1100


may be that, if L results in multiple wraps of the second label portion


1120


about the target object, the several superimposed label layers may produce a label whose bulk and thickness rivals those of two-part (e.g., base label and leaflet) label constructions, however, the label of this invention may include any number of wraps of the second label portion about the target object. In fact, the multiple wraps embodiment of this invention may be preferable to known leaflet labels because multiple wraps provide, in most cases, an equal or greater amount of print area than would an equivalent leaflet label while providing a substantially uniform overall diameter to container P. A leaflet label providing an equivalent amount of print area may produce a bulge on the side wall of container P at the point where the leaflet is located thereby creating a non-symmetric overall cross section to container P.




Referring still to

FIGS. 19A and 19B

, according to an aspect of the present invention, label


1100


includes first and second portions


1140


,


1120


which are substantially contiguous regions of an elongated unitary strip of material. No perforation may exist between first and second label portions


1140


and


1120


, although one may be included. Physical demarcation between first label portion


1140


and second label portion


1120


may be established by the rightmost edge of a partial deadening


1125


of pressure sensitive adhesive underlying second portion


1120


. The boundary between the first and second label portions


1140


and


1120


may also be distinguished by a change in width W and/or a printed image carried on the label.




Referring still to

FIGS. 19A and 19B

, the illustrated embodiment of the label


1100


further includes a non-deadened portion


1128


on the underside of portion


1120


. The illustrated embodiment of the label


1100


further includes an extending peel-tab


1130


to assist a user with detaching and re-adhering the portion


1120


of the label


1100


about an object.




Referring still to

FIGS. 19A and 19B

, the illustrated embodiment of the label


1100


further includes a feature, device or means


1140


for evidencing tampering of product prior to consumption thereof by an end user. According to a construction, tamper evident feature, device or means


1140


may include a fixed or disposable tear strip


1150


substantially contiguous with either the second


1120


, the first and second


1120


, or as shown, the first portion


1140


of label


1100


along perforation


1160


. Tear strip


1150


may be of any length, but may substantially correspond to the length L


1


. The tear strip


1150


may be configured such that when torn, it removes substantially all of the means


1140


, or such that only a portion of the means


1140


is removed leaving behind a portion thereof, as a cap labeling for the container for example, thereby further increasing available billboard, as is well understood in the pertinent arts.




The illustrated embodiment of the label


1100


further includes a partially deadened portion


1158


on the underside of tear strip


1150


. This is optional, and need not be included however. The partially or fitting deadened portion


1158


may be used by a user to assist with partially detaching or removing the tamper evident tear strip


1150


.




A label according to an aspect of the present invention is identified by reference numeral


2000


in

FIGS. 20A and 20B

.

FIG. 20A

illustrates a first surface


2005


of label


2000


, while

FIG. 20B

illustrates a second surface


2010


of label


2000


, being oppositely disposed from surface


2005


. Again, label


2000


may be comprised of a flexible and printable substrate such as paper or plastic sheet or web material which substrate may also be shrinkable. Although it may be made individually, the label may be produced from rolls of such substrates, such as paper or plastic sheet stock which can be continuously printed, coated with adhesive, applied with protective material, affixed to release paper, and cut to produce multiple labels as further described herein.




Each label


2000


has general dimensions L and W which represent general length and width dimensions, respectively. Length L may be a predetermined distance related to the circumferential dimension of object to be labeled and width W is that dimension extending substantially perpendicularly to length L. Width W may vary, as may be desired or necessary, along length L.




Label


2000


includes a first portion


2020


having a length L


1


. L


1


may be less than or equal to the circumferential dimension of the object to be labeled. In addition, label


2000


includes a second portion


2040


of length L


2


substantially contiguous with first portion


2020


. Second label portion


2040


may provide additional length to first label portions


2020


such that the total length L of label


2000


is greater than the circumference of the object to be labeled. The widths of portions


2020


,


2040


may be consistent, or the width of one portion may be greater than that of the other. In the illustrated and non-limiting case of

FIGS. 20A

,


20


B portion


2020


may be seen to be wider than portion


2040


. However, portion


2040


could be wider than portion


2020


, or portions


2020


,


2040


could have a substantially similar width.




Second label portion


2040


provides additional print space to label


2000


. Indeed, both the top and bottom surfaces of the second label portion


2040


may be available as printable surfaces depending upon design criteria. Further, second label portion


2040


may function, without limitation, as a resealable and/or removable flap. Label


2000


may incorporate any and/or all of the features discussed with regard to the labels depicted in the previous figures.




The length L


2


of second portion


2040


may be dictated by, inter alia, a need for additional print space. A primary practical limitation of the second label portion length L


2


and, hence, the overall length L of label


2000


, may be that if L results in multiple wraps of the second label portion


2040


about a target object, the several superimposed label layers may produce a label whose bulk and thickness rivals those of two-part (e.g., base label and leaflet) label constructions, however, a label according to the present invention may include any number of wraps of the second label portion about the target object. In fact, a multiple wrap embodiment of this invention may be preferable to known leaflet labels because multiple wraps provide, in most cases, an equal or greater amount of print area than would an equivalent leaflet label while providing a substantially uniform overall diameter to container P.




Referring still to

FIGS. 20A and 20B

, all, or a portion, of the underside of first label portions


2020


, e.g. surface


2010


, may be coated with a layer of pressure sensitive (PSA) or other adhesive having sufficient tackiness to essentially affix label


2000


about a target object. A PSA, or other suitable adhesive, may be provided on the surface


2010


corresponding to portion


2040


. Physical demarcation between first label portion


2020


and second label portion


2040


may be established by a leftmost edge of a partial deadening of pressure sensitive adhesive on portion


2040


. The boundary between the first and second label portions


2020


and


2040


may also be distinguished by a change in width W and/or a printed image carried on the label, although such is not necessary.




Referring still to

FIGS. 20A and 20B

, label


2000


may further include peel-tab


2030


to assist a user with detaching and re-adhering portion


2040


of label


2000


to an object. Deadener on underside


2010


of peel tab


2030


may deaden adhesive, if applied thereto, either partially or completely, for example.




Referring still to

FIGS. 20A and 20B

, the illustrated embodiment of the label


2000


further includes means for evidencing tampering of product prior to consumption thereof by an end user. According to a construction, tamper evident means may include a fixed or disposable tear strip


2050


substantially contiguous with either the second portion


2040


, the first portion


2020


and second portion


2040


, or as shown, the first portion


2020


of label


2000


along perforation


2060


. Tear strip


2050


may be of any length, but may substantially correspond to the length L


1


. Tear strip


2050


may be configured such that when torn, it removes substantially all of the tamper evidence means, or such that only a portion of the tamper evidence means is removed leaving behind a portion thereof, as a cap labeling for the container for example, thereby further increasing available billboard, as such term is well understood in the pertinent arts.




Tear strip


2050


may incorporate any and/or all, and operate substantially analogously to, the tear strips of the previously described embodiments.




For example, tear strip


2050


may, or may not, include a partially deadened area on surface


2010


that may be used by a user to assist with partially detaching or removing it, analogously to area


1158


of

FIG. 19B

, for example.




According to an aspect of the present invention, label


2000


may include a removable, and optionally re-adherable planar member, or sheet,


2070


. Sheet


2070


may include indicia on one or more surfaces. For example, sheet


2070


may be provided for use by a party downstream in the distribution of product to which label


2000


has been affixed. By way of non-limiting example, sheet


2070


may take the form of a coupon that may be removed during, or after, a purchase of an object to which label


2000


is affixed to, for example. Sheet


2070


may take the form of a product registration form, for example.




According to an aspect of the present invention, sheet


2070


may take the form of a portion of release liner secured to label


2000


in a conventional manner. Of course, release liners are conventionally provided as mechanical support for labels, however the release liner does not conventionally form part of the label itself. However, by using a portion of the release liner supporting label


2000


as part of label


2000


itself, sheet


2070


may be advantageously provided at no further materials cost. Where sheet


2070


takes the form of a portion of a release liner to which label


2000


is secured, the release liner may be die cut from a side opposite from label


2000


to provide sheet


2070


. When the remainder of the release liner is detached from label


2000


during application of label


2000


to a product, sheet


2070


may thus remain releasably attached to surface


2010


via the PSA material of surface


2010


, for example.




First label portion


2020


of label


2000


may be wrapped about and adhered about a circumference of container P such that surface


2005


is facing outwardly. Second label portion


2040


may be releasably adhered to surface


2005


of portion


2020


(which may be accomplished by partially deadening PSA on surface


2010


corresponding thereto), so as to enable lifting and turning-away, thereof to expose the bottom surface


2010


thereof. Both the top and bottom surfaces of second portion


2040


may be available as printable surface areas. As previously discussed, a tackiness of surface


2010


of portion


2040


may be such that it may enable the second label portion


2040


to be releasably adhered, (e.g., selectively and repeatedly adhered), to the first label portion


2020


.




Sheet


2070


may be sandwichedly coupled between the first and second label portions


2020


and


2040


once label


2000


is affixed about an object. By first peeling portion


2040


from portion


2020


, sheet


2070


may be accessed. Sheet


2070


may then be viewed, removed and/or reattached for example, prior to readhering portion


2040


to portion


2020


. Of course, portion


2040


may be re-secured to portion


2020


without reintroducing sheet


2070


therebetween.




The backside of that portion of the release liner corresponding to sheet


2070


may be provided in any corresponding manner.




If printing on the side of sheet


2070


adhesively coupled to surface


2010


of label


2000


is desired, label


2000


may be temporarily detached from the liner prior to die cutting, printing on that surface, and then reattached thereto to facilitate die cutting of sheet


2070


from the remainder of the liner and delivery of labels


2000


with liner.




More particularly, and as discussed with regard to

FIG. 17

for example, PSA material on surface


2010


may be releasably adhered to release paper, which adhesive is typically coated on one side of a web of label material. The PSA material may be fed through a series of process steps. The release paper may be removed from the PSA material to expose the pressure sensitive adhesive. A deadening process (if any is required) may be carried out. With PSA material exposed, the web may be printed with inks on any surface of the label


2000


which is suitable for accepting inks. Printing may include one or more steps wherein the top and bottom surfaces of the label are printed either simultaneously or in separate steps. For example, inks may be printed on the top surface of the PSA material, the PSA material turned over, and inks printed on the bottom surface of the PSA material. Portions of the PSA may be deadened. The release paper, or release liner, may then be reapplied to the web with the pressure sensitive adhesive.




As in the method depicted in

FIG. 16

, application of protective material, die cutting of individual labels and sheets


2070


, substrate waste being stripped away, and the resulting web which bears the finished die cut label blanks being rewound may all be accomplished:




Although the present invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.



Claims
  • 1. A substantially unitary label suitable for being attached to an object having an outer circumference and including a removable cap for accessing an interior hollow of said object, said label comprising:a first substantially planar portion suitable for being substantially permanently affixed about at least a portion of said circumference of said object; a second substantially planar portion longitudinally positioned with respect to said first portion and operable to at least partly overlie said first label portion in a peelable and resealable fashion when said first label portion is affixed about at least a part of said circumference of said object, said first and second label portions having a combined length which is greater than said circumference of said object, and said second label portion having a width less than at least a part of said first portion; and at least one tear strip being positioned so as to be suitable for evidencing removal of said cap when said first label portion is affixed about at least a part of said circumference of said object.
  • 2. The label of claim 1, wherein said first portion includes first and second oppositely disposed faces, and further comprising at least one adhesive disposed on said second face and being suitable for substantially permanently securing said label about said at least portion of said circumference.
  • 3. The label of claim 2, further comprising indicia on said first face of said first portion, said indicia being associated with said object.
  • 4. The label of claim 3, wherein said second portion at least partly obscures said indicia when at least partly overlying said first portion.
  • 5. The label of claim 4, wherein said second portion includes first and second oppositely disposed faces, and further comprising indicia associated with said object on said first and second faces of said second portion.
  • 6. The label of claim 5, wherein said first face of said first and second portions are substantially contiguous.
  • 7. The label of claim 6, wherein said second faces of said first and second portions are substantially contiguous.
  • 8. The label of claim 7, wherein at least one of said first face of said first portion and second face of said second portion include means for releasably adhering at least a portion of said second face of said second portion to said first face of said first portion.
  • 9. The label of claim 7, wherein said second face of said second portion includes at least one adhesive being suitable for releasably adhering at least a portion of said second face of said second portion to said first face of said first portion.
  • 10. The label of claim 1, wherein said first and second portions comprise at least a flexible and printable substrate.
  • 11. The label of claim 10, wherein said substrate comprises at least one of a paper and plastic sheet.
  • 12. The label of claim 11, wherein said substrate is substantially shrinkable.
  • 13. The label of claim 1, wherein said first label portion has a length less than or equal to said circumference.
  • 14. The label of claim 13, wherein a combined length of said first and second portions is greater than said circumference.
  • 15. The label of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive and having sufficient tackiness to essentially affix the label about an object an underside of at least said first portion.
  • 16. The label of claim 1, further comprising at least one perforation between said first and second label portions.
  • 17. The label of claim 1, wherein a width of said second portion is less than a width of said first label portion.
  • 18. The label of claim 1, further comprising at least one partially deadened adhesive region on an underside of said second label portion.
  • 19. The label of claim 18, further comprising at least one substantially non-deadened adhesive portion on said underside of said second portion.
  • 20. The label of claim 1, further comprising at least one protrusion extending from said second portion.
  • 21. The label of claim 1, wherein a portion of said tear strip is adapted to be removed when said cap is opened.
  • 22. The label of claim 1, wherein a portion of said tear strip is adapted to attach to said cap.
  • 23. The label of claim 1, wherein said tear strip is disposable.
  • 24. The label of claim 1, wherein said tear strip is fixed to said cup.
  • 25. The label of claim 1, wherein said tear strip has a length corresponding to a length of said second portion.
  • 26. The label of claim 1, wherein said tear strip includes an adhesive on at least a portion of an underside thereof.
  • 27. The label of claim 26, wherein said adhesive is partially deadened in at least one area.
  • 28. The label of claim 27, wherein said area is positioned at a substantially distal end of said tear strip.
  • 29. The label of claim 27, wherein said area is positioned so as to facilitate removal of said tear strip when said label is affixed about said circumference.
  • 30. The label of claim 1, wherein said tear strip includes indicia associated with said object.
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/334,738, entitled EXTENDED WRAP LABEL, and filed Oct. 31, 2001, and is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent Ser. No. 09/404,429, entitled EXTENDED WRAP LABEL, filed Sep. 23, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,410 the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if being set forth in the respective entireties herein.

US Referenced Citations (3)
Number Name Date Kind
4727667 Ingle Mar 1988 A
4758456 Muscala Jul 1988 A
5342093 Weernink Aug 1994 A
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/334738 Oct 2001 US
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/404429 Sep 1999 US
Child 10/284713 US