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

[0011] The heat-activatable expandable layer may include a plurality of microcapsules containing the thermally expandable composition. This thermally expandable composition may include a “foaming” agent having an easily volatilizable hydrocarbon, and a binder resin. When subjected to high temperatures during the process of applying a label, the microcapsules rupture, and the thermally expandable composition “foams,” and can intercalate into the grooves defined by the ridges on a closure, such that the label can withstand even greater torsional forces applied to the closure.

[0012] Additionally, the expandable composition can provide a texture to the label, and can raise or surround the graphics (i.e., an ink layer) of the label. Alternatively, the thermally expandable composition can be patterned in such manner that, when activated, the resulting raised texture can itself appear in a pattern or a design, thereby further adding to the aesthetics of the label. The textured label can offer aesthetic benefits by matching the nonglossy texture of container materials along with imparting its own design, and can create a friendly-to-the-touch type of label. Thus, the textured surface of the laminate, due to the thermally expandable layer, provides a more comfortable and enhanced grip to the user.

[0013] Further, the thermally expandable composition can impart a thermal barrier property to the label. Thus, the raised textured surface creates increased resistance to heat loss, providing a thermal barrier should any heated materials be placed within the container, or should any materials within the container be subsequently heated.

[0015] The present invention further provides an adhesive for application proximal to an inner surface of a shrink sleeve. In particular, this adhesive may be applied to the inner surface of the shrink sleeve and may be adapted to contact a surface of the closure. The adhesive binds the shrink sleeve to the closure such that it can withstand the torsional forces generally applied during removal of the closure. The adhesive also allows the shrink sleeve to withstand any linear forces, which may otherwise cause the shrink sleeve to be “lifted” off the closure. Further, when bound, the shrink sleeve can withstand the torsional forces generated during a filling and capping process (such as when closures are predecorated—prior to filling of the article—and then attached to the article following filling).

[0017] Thus, using the shrink sleeve film, adhesive, and inks described above, the present invention also provides a laminate including a film for a shrink sleeve, an ink layer disposed on an inner surface of the shrink sleeve, and an adhesive layer disposed on the ink layer. The ink layer, as described above, includes a plasticized nitro-acrylic based resin including a pigment load (such as TiO2), and a wax additive. The wax additive promotes the adhesive layer to lay out smoothly on the surface of the ink layer, rather than seeping into the ink layer. This, in turn, promotes adhesion of the laminate to an article to which it is applied. Further, the ink layer, in certain embodiments, does not include calcium carbonate. In an alternate embodiment, the laminate includes a film for a shrink sleeve, an ink layer disposed on or proximal to an inner surface of the shrink film, a heat-activatable expandable layer, and an adhesive layer.

[0019] As a result of the present invention, brand recognition can be developed by including a shrink sleeve with decoration (such as a brand label) on a closure because the consumer's eye is drawn to the closure. Further, the present invention allows maximum use of the “real estate” on a container, since closures were not previously a surface used in labeling. And further still, the use of the shrink sleeve on the closure reduces costs for a customer company by removing the need for a colorant for the closure.

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.

Images