Shrink sleeve for an article closure

Abstract

The present invention provides a shrink sleeve for use on a closure of an article. The present invention does so by providing a decorated closure for an article, such as a container, used to package an item or items. The decorated closure includes a shrink sleeve and a closure for an article. The closure has a top end, a bottom end, and a side surface. The closure may further include a centerpoint of the top end and a centerpoint of the bottom end with a longitudinal axis passing therethrough. The shrink sleeve is shrunk around at least the side surface of the article, and the shrink sleeve is a laminate that includes a heat-activatable expandable layer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 253,044, entitled “Shrink Sleeve for an Article Closure,” filed Oct. 18, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to shrink films for various articles, and in particular, to shrink sleeves for containers having closures. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Shrink films, such as shrink sleeves and shrink wraps, are used in labeling, often as an alternative to pressure-sensitive labels, heat-transfer labels, in-mold labels, and other labels. Shrink labeling involves sizing a shrink film, which may be a tubular shrink sleeve, to a particular article. Then one shrinks the film to snugly wrap the article within the shrink sleeve. The shrinking process is generally accomplished by the application of heat or steam to the shrink sleeve. Further processing may includ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a decorated closure for an article, such as a container, with a shrink sleeve that has a heat-activatable expandable layer and an adhesive for binding the shrink sleeve to the closure. The heat-activated expandable layer can provide a thermal barrier and a comfortable grip to the user. The invention also provides an ink composition that does not absorb the adhesive, and an adhesive layer that can smoothly adhere to the ink layer and promote adhesion to the closure. The method of applying the shrink sleeve over the closure involves positioning the shrink sleeve over the closure and orienting the closure in a way that the label is surrounded by the shrink sleeve. The invention provides a more efficient and effective method for applying a label to an article.

Problems solved by technology

However, while adhesives may be applied to the portion of the shrink sleeve that contacts the body portion of the article, they are not applied to the portion of the shrink sleeve that contacts the closure of the article (i.e., the tamper-evident portion of the shrink sleeve “above” any perforation).

Further, large closures, such as those found on containers of laundry detergent, often include ridges and grooves, which make it difficult for a label to adhere to the side surface of the closure.

And, if any shrink sleeve were shrunk against such a closure, the shrink film would conform to the multiple ridges and grooves, thereby disrupting the appearance of any decoration thereon.

However, labels, such as the decorated pressure-sensitive labels, have not been applied to the sides of closures for various reasons.

One reason is that the side surfaces of closures often include features like ridges or flanges that disrupt the ability of the label to adhere to, or otherwise associate with, the side of the closure, and also may interfere with the presentation of any decoration.

Thus, any label information is lost.

Further, the appearance of an article having a label or other decoration removed due to these torsional forces may be unaesthetic.

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