Label and method of manufacture

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a label with a hanging handle, comprising the steps of: i) providing a first laminate comprising a backing layer and a first front layer; ii) coating the front surface of the first front layer with a peeling promoter, leaving free regions of the layer lacking the peeling promoter; iv) providing a second laminate comprising a second front face layer and an adhesive layer; v) joining the first laminate and the second laminate such that the adhesive layer of the second laminate adheres to at least the free region of the first laminate; vii) cutting the handle in the handle region of the second laminate and only within the thickness of the second laminate, leaving the first front layer undamaged; cutting the secondary label in the secondary label region and only within the thickness of the second laminate; a label profile is formed in the first front layer, avoiding cutting the handle and removing a portion of the first front layer to form a cavity, thereby providing the formed label with a handle portion of the handle, the handle portion overhanging beyond the label profile.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the parent application is 202080042183.7 (international application number is PCT / IB2020 / 054192), the application date is May 4, 2020, and the name of the invention is “Label and Manufacturing Method”. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a method for producing a label with a handle for hanging bottles in an inverted position, and to a label with a handle, for example, which can be obtained by this method. Background Art

[0003] Prior art document EP 0 356 574 A2 describes a label with a handle for a bottle, wherein such a handle protrudes freely from the upper edge of the label when not in use.

[0004] The main disadvantage of such solutions is that the technology is complex and the cost is high. Other solutions of this type are known, for example, from US2006 / 057313A1, US5878901A, US5135125A, CN201685500U.

[0005] A similar solution is disclosed in US2006057313. Figure 2 b shows that a layer cut through the entire thickness is arranged on a silicone-coated backing layer, which document is indicated by reference numeral 10, in order to obtain a handle that rests entirely on the silicone-coated backing layer.

[0006] Document WO2018220660 shows a label consisting of a single layer (in the document Figure 5 A support handle is cut into this single layer and rests completely on this silicone-coated backing layer.

[0007] Alternatively, a label with a handle is known from the previous document EP 2 246 266 A1 from the same owner, which is produced by joining two separate adhesive films.

[0008] As shown in such documents, the lower film includes text required to identify the infusion container, while the transparent upper film is adhesively joined to the lower film and inverted with a handle for turning the container over when administering its contents to a patient.

[0009] A disadvantage associated with this prior art is that when the label is applied to the bottle, any printed characters placed on the surface tend to be damaged due to the mechanical stresses to which the bottle and label are subjected at the labelling machine.

[0010] Another drawback associated with this prior art relates to the limited extension of the handle relative to the width or height of the adhesive label, which limitation, in the case of small bottles, makes the handle unusable or difficult to use for hanging the bottle to which it is applied.

[0011] Furthermore, there is a strongly felt need to have a handle label with detachable secondary labels to also identify the product contained in the bottle in a separate document, to detach at least one of these secondary labels, e.g. from pre-printed product instructions, and to apply it to a separate document, e.g. a medical record. Summary of the invention

[0012] In this context, the present invention proposes to provide a method and a self-adhesive label which are able to overcome the disadvantages described with reference to the prior art.

[0013] In particular, the method and label proposed herein have been designed to make the handle simple to manufacture and easy to use, even if the container to which it is applied is small. In addition, the method and label proposed herein have been designed to make the secondary label printed characters resistant to abrasive forces. Furthermore, according to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the secondary label is designed to be writable on the surface using a common writing instrument.

[0014] Such objects are achieved by the method according to the invention and by the label according to the invention.The invention relates to advantageous or preferred embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The object of the present invention will now be described in detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] - Figure 1 Diagrammatically shows the manufacturing method according to a possible embodiment, which is the object of the present invention;

[0017] - Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Fig.11 , Fig.14 , Fig.16 The directions of the arrows are shown respectively. Figure 1 Views of the multilayer material at positions marked by numbers II, V, VII, XI, XIV, XVI;

[0018] - Figure 3 , Figure 4 They are shown along Figure 2 The plane III-III and along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along the plane IV-IV shown;

[0019] - Figure 6 Shown along Figure 5 a cross-sectional view taken along the indicated plane VI-VI;

[0020] - Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig.10 They are shown along Figure 7 Sections taken by planes VIII-VIII, IX-IX, and XX;

[0021] - Fig. 12A , Fig. 12B , Fig. 12C , Fig.13A and Fig. 13B They are shown along Fig.11 Sections taken in planes XII-XII, XIII-XIII in which arrows diagrammatically show the depth of separation, cutting or die cutting through the illustrated material, and in which the views show sections before and after removal of die cut waste;

[0022] - Fig.15 Shown along Fig.14 a cross-sectional view taken along the indicated plane XV-XV;

[0023] - Fig.16 and Fig.17 Diagrammatically shown are a front view and an axonometric view of a label according to the invention, in which the gripping portion of the handle and a portion of the secondary label are partially raised, according to a possible variant. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] According to a general embodiment, the above object is achieved by a method for manufacturing a label 1 with a hanging handle 2, the method comprising the following steps:

[0025] i) providing a first laminate material 4 comprising a backing layer 6 and a first front layer 8 bonded in a releasable manner, wherein the first front layer 8 comprises a front surface 10;

[0026] ii) coating said front surface 10 of the first front layer 8 with at least one layer of release promoter 12, 18, leaving free areas 14 lacking said layer of release promoter 12, 18;

[0027] iv) providing a second laminate material 20 comprising a second front layer 28 and an adhesive layer 26', wherein the second front layer 28 has a predetermined thickness S1;

[0028] v) joining the first laminate material 4 of step (ii) and the second laminate material 20 of step (iv) into an assembly or joining material 40 such that the adhesive layer 26' of the second laminate material 20 adheres at least to the free area 14 of the first laminate material 4;

[0029] vii) cutting the handle 2 in the handle area 16 of the second laminate 20 and only within the thickness S1 of the second laminate 20, leaving the first front layer 8 intact; cutting at least one secondary label 34 in a secondary label area 36 different from the handle area 16 and only within the thickness S1 of the second laminate 20; forming a label contour 38 in the first front layer 8, avoiding cutting the handle 2 and removing a portion of the first front layer 8 to form a cavity 95, thereby arranging a handle portion 96 of the handle 2 for the formed label, and the handle portion protrudes beyond the label contour 38.

[0030] According to a general embodiment, the above object is achieved by a method for manufacturing a label 1 with a hanging handle 2, the method comprising the following steps:

[0031] i) providing a first laminate 4 comprising a backing layer 6 and a first front layer 8 which are releasably bonded;

[0032] ii) coating the front surface 10 of the first front layer 8 with at least one layer of release promoter 12, 18, leaving free areas 14 lacking the layer of said promoter 12, 18;

[0033] iv) providing a second laminate 20 comprising a second front layer 28 and an adhesive layer 26';

[0034] v) joining the products of steps (ii) and (iv) in a coupling material 40 such that the adhesive layer 26' adheres to at least the free area 14 of the first laminate 4;

[0035] vii) at least in the thickness S1 of the second front layer 28, the hanging handle 2 is separated from the handle area 16, and at least the secondary label 34 is separated from the label 1 in a different area 36, ​​and a label contour 38 is formed in the first front layer 8, so that the hanging handle 2 and the formed label at least partially protrude beyond the label contour 38.

[0036] According to a general embodiment, a tag 1 with a hanging handle 2 can be obtained by, for example, the method of the aforementioned embodiment, including:

[0037] a first laminate material 4 comprising a backing layer 6 and a first front layer 8 bonded in a releasable manner, wherein the first front layer 8 comprises a front surface 10;

[0038] at least one layer of release promoter 12, 18 which coats the front surface 10 of the first front layer 8, leaving free areas 14 in which this layer of release promoter 12, 18 is absent;

[0039] a second laminate material 20 comprising a second frontal layer 28 and an adhesive layer 26', said second laminate material 20 being joined to the first laminate material 4 such that the adhesive layer 26' adheres at least to the free zone 14, wherein the second frontal layer 28 has a predetermined thickness S1;

[0040] The second front layer 28 defines a hanging handle 2 and a secondary label 34 in different areas 36 of the second front layer 28, and the first front layer 8 forms a label outline 38, leaving a handle portion 96 for the hanging handle 2, which protrudes and at least partially overhangs beyond the label outline 38 outside the first front layer 8 and directly faces the backing layer 6, thereby forming a cavity 95 in which a portion of the first front layer 8 has been removed.

[0041] According to a general embodiment, a tag 1 with a hanging handle 2 can be obtained by, for example, the method of the aforementioned embodiment, including:

[0042] - a first laminate material 4 comprising a backing layer 6 and a first front layer 8 joined in a releasably manner;

[0043] at least one layer of release promoter 12, 18 which coats the front surface 10 of the first front layer 8, leaving free areas 14 in which this layer of release promoter 12, 18 is absent;

[0044] a second laminate material 20 comprising a second frontal layer 28 and an adhesive layer 26 ′, said second laminate material 20 being joined to the first laminate material 4 such that the adhesive layer 26 ′ adheres at least to the free zone 14 ;

[0045] - and wherein the second front layer 28 defines a handle 2 and a secondary label 34 in different zones 36 of the second front layer 28, and wherein the first front layer 8 forms a label outline 38, leaving the handle 2 protruding, at least partially overhanging, beyond the label outline 38 outside the first front layer 8.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the method, the above object is achieved by a method for manufacturing a label 1 with a hanging handle 2, the method comprising the following steps:

[0047] i) providing a first laminate 4 comprising a backing layer 6 and a first front layer 8 which are releasably bonded;

[0048] ii) coating the front surface 10 of the first front layer 8 with at least one layer of a release promoter 12, 18, such as a silicone coating, leaving free areas 14 lacking such a layer of promoter 12, 18;

[0049] iii) optionally coating the handle region 16 of the first layer of release promoter 12 with a second layer of release promoter 18 in liquid or semi-liquid form in registration;

[0050] iv) providing a second laminate 20 comprising a light transmissive second front layer 28 and an adhesive layer 26';

[0051] v) joining the product of steps ii) and iv) or steps iii) and iv) in a coupling material 40 such that the adhesive layer 26' adheres at least to the free areas 14 of the first laminate 4 (in particular, to form anchoring feet 46);

[0052] vi) optionally curing or cross-linking the second layer of release promoter 18 in contact with the adhesive layer 26' of the second laminate 20 to bond these layers 18, 26';

[0053] vii) separating (according to one variant, “cutting away”) the hanging handle 2 from the handle area 16 in at least the thickness S1 of the second front layer 28, separating at least one secondary label 34 of such a label 1 in a different area 36 (differently positioned relative to the operating handle 2), and forming a label contour 38 in the first front layer 8, so that the hanging handle 2 and the formed label at least partially protrude beyond the label contour 38.

[0054] According to an alternative embodiment of the method, in step vii), the separation of the handle 2 and at least one secondary label 34 in different zones 36 occurs in a direction opposite to the formation of the label outline 38 in the first front layer 8, so that the handle 2 is placed to partially overhang the formed label 1 beyond the label outline 38.

[0055] According to another embodiment, in step (vii), said separating and forming is a die-cutting step.

[0056] For example, the secondary tag 34 may be a plurality of secondary tags 34 .

[0057] According to one embodiment, the distinct zones 36 may be superimposed only on the first layer 12 of release promoter (when two layers of promoter are provided).

[0058] According to a variant, the handle 2 partially overhangs and extends beyond the label width 100. In other words, such a handle protrudes beyond the first front layer 8.

[0059] In one embodiment, the first laminate material 4 and / or the second laminate material 20 are initially in the form of strips extending along a main development direction X, X'.

[0060] According to another embodiment, the first front side layer 8 and / or the second front side layer 28 may include or consist of a plastic film.

[0061] According to yet another embodiment, the average density of such first front layer 8 and / or second front layer 28 may be about 50-500 g / m2 , optionally 70-300g / m 2 , for example about 150g / m 2 .

[0062] In a variant, the front surface 10 of the first front layer 8 and / or the front surface 94 of the second front layer 28 are substantially planar and optionally printable. Specifically, one or both of these surfaces are configured such that the graphic layers 56, 58 can be distributed thereon and adhered to them.

[0063] Thus, when the label 1 is applied to a bottle, at least a portion of the front surface 10 of the first front layer 8 will remain visible on the bottle, in particular due to the transparency of the second front layer 28 .

[0064] According to one embodiment, the backing layer 6 serves as a peelable support for the complete label 1 and not just the first front layer 8 .

[0065] According to one embodiment, the second front layer 28 is only partially opaque at the handle 2 to reveal its presence, and according to one embodiment, does not hide the first graphic layer 56 superimposed on the first front layer 8.

[0066] In other words, the partial opacification of the second front layer 28 allows, on the one hand, the visualization of the first graphic layer 56 (due to the partial transparency of this layer 28), and on the other hand, allows the identification of a hanging handle partially superimposed on such first graphic layer 56 (due to the opaque parts of this layer 28, which are partially opaque).

[0067] According to one embodiment, at the secondary label 34, the label 1 comprises: an opaque contrast layer 104 (see, for example, Fig.13A or Fig.15 ), at least one second graphic layer 58 superimposed on the contrast layer 104, and at least one protective layer 106 of the second graphic layer 58 that is at least partially light-transmissive.

[0068] As a result, the contrast layer 104 is a layer configured to render the transparency of the second front layer 28 opaque and further serve as a background and contrast with the second graphic layer 58 .

[0069] The protective layer 106 is superimposed on the graphic layer 58 (and preferably also on the contrast layer 104) so ​​that abrasion phenomena occurring when the label is applied to the bottle do not remove or smudge the graphic layer 58, or the contrast layer 104 and the graphic layer 58 (depending on the variant).

[0070] For example, for a dark or black graphic layer 58, the contrasting layer 104 may be a muted and / or neutral color, such as white.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the protective layer 106 is applied at least over the second graphic layer 58 using a flexographic printing process.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the protective layer 106 is applied at least over the second graphic layer 58 by a method other than flexographic printing.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the protective layer 106 is applied with a thickness of at least 1 μ to 500 Å or more.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the protective layer 106 defines a writable surface 108 (notepad) by an ink writing instrument, such as a ballpoint pen, or by marking in lines, such as heat transfer.

[0075] In other words, such layer 106 performs the dual functions of protection (as discussed above) and as a writable substrate for annotating customized information on the secondary label 34.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the second facing layer 28 is rendered opaque by a pigment or color that is mixed with the release promoter substance of the release promoter layers 12 , 18 .

[0077] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first laminate material 4 and the precursor 22 of the second laminate material 20 comprise corresponding or substantially identical layers. In the following description a definition is given for the term "identical".

[0078] In one embodiment, such layers include, superimposed on one another, a backing layer 6, a debonding layer 24 (e.g. based on silicone), adhesive layers 26, 26' and a first front layer 8 / a second front layer 28. According to this variant, step iv) includes a step of separating and optionally discarding the backing layer and the debonding layer of the precursor 22 upstream of step v).

[0079] During optional step vi), the second layer of release promoter 18 is then cured (e.g. hardened) in contact with the adhesive layer 26' so as to bond the layers and optionally render the adhesive layer unable to perform its bonding function since it is at least partially covered by the second layer of solid release promoter 18 (and thus rendered inert).

[0080] In other words, according to such a variant, the second layer of release promoter 18 acts by “transfer”, since, although it covers the first layer of release promoter 12 , such second layer 18 is transferred to the adhesive layer 26 ′ so as to render it inert in step vi).

[0081] In another embodiment, the curing step comprises a step of curing or cross-linking by electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation or thermal radiation.

[0082] For example, step (vi) may occur upstream of step vii).

[0083] According to a variant, the handle 2 comprises at least one gripping portion 30 , wherein—in step (iii)—the grip zone 16 also extends at such portion 30 .

[0084] In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 2 (if present) and the gripping portion 30 include portions protruding from the optionally curved outer edge 32 of the aforementioned handle 2. Such protruding portions are not in adhesive contact with the first front layer 8, for example, due to the dual-layer peel promoter or because of their overhanging position relative to the first front layer.

[0085] According to another variant, step vii) comprises at least one sub-step of forming at least one fold line 42, 44 on the second front layer 28 so as to deform such second layer 28 and facilitate lifting of a portion, such as the peripheral portion, of the secondary label 34 and / or of the handle 2. According to one embodiment, the fold line 44 is formed at the gripping portion 30 to lift the peripheral portion.

[0086] In one variation, step (vii) includes at least a first step of die cutting-creasing 82, and optionally a second step of die cutting 84, discussed below.

[0087] According to one embodiment, step (vii) is performed outside the free zones 14 so that in such zones 14 the second front layer 28 forms a single anchoring foot 46 of the handle 2 from which extends a pair of arms 48 , 48 ′ connected to one another in a loop.

[0088] According to another embodiment, during step ii) and / or step iii), the first surface layer 8 and / or the first (or only) layer of peeling promoter 12 are partially covered with one or more protective masks (not shown), which prevent the first layer of peeling promoter 12 and / or the second layer of peeling promoter 18 from coating some areas 52, 50 to adjust the separation force of the edge 32 (e.g., the outer edge) of the hanging handle 2 and / or the lifting portion 54 of the secondary label 34.

[0089] For example, at least one protective mask may include approximately dot-shaped protective elements that are spaced apart along the extension of the edge 32 and / or the raised portion 54 at a predetermined density.

[0090] For such a density, it will be commensurate with the size of the handle 2 and label 34 and the nature of the adhesive layer 26'.

[0091] As discussed above, according to a variant, the second front layer 28 is at least partially light-transmissive to reveal the optional first graphic layer 56 distributed on the first front layer 8 (particularly upstream of step ii), for example Figure 1In another variation, a layer of release promoter (eg, second promoter layer 18) includes at least one pigment or color to make at least a portion of the handle 2 visible (ie, to reveal its presence).

[0092] Specifically, a pigment or color may be mixed with the release promoting substance of the promoter layer 18 (eg, the second layer).

[0093] According to one embodiment, step vii) is followed by at least one step of waste removal 60, wherein, outside the handle 2 and / or the secondary label 34, the second front layer 28 and the first front layer 8, in their only portion that is die-cut and placed below the portion of the handle 2 that is to be overhanging, are considered as continuous waste 62 to form a lifting step 64 around such handle 2 and / or secondary label 34 and to produce a portion of the overhanging handle 2.

[0094] The above object is also achieved by a tag 1 with a hanging handle 2 as described below.

[0095] Since variations of such tags provide for manufacture by the preceding method, such tags may include any features that can be inferred from the above description from a process point of view, even if not explicitly stated.

[0096] According to one embodiment, such a tag 1 comprises:

[0097] - a first laminate material 4 comprising a backing layer 6 and a first front layer 8 joined in a releasably manner;

[0098] at least one layer of release promoter 12, 18 coating the front surface 10 of the first front layer 8, leaving free areas 14 lacking such a layer of release promoter 12, 18;

[0099] - an optional second layer of release promoter 18 which covers the handle region 16 of the first layer of release promoter 12 in registration;

[0100] a second laminate material 20 comprising a second, optionally light-transmissive front layer 28 and an adhesive layer 26 ′, the second laminate material 20 being joined to the first laminate material 4 such that the adhesive layer 26 ′ adheres at least to the free zones 14 ;

[0101] Wherein at least the thickness S1 of the second front layer 28 defines the hanging handle 2 in the handle area 16, defines the secondary label 34 in the different area 36, ​​and wherein the first front layer 8 forms the label outline 38.

[0102] Optionally, a second layer of release promoter 18 is cured in contact with the adhesive layer 26' to bond these layers 18, 26'.

[0103] According to a variant, the handle 2 comprises at least one gripping portion 30 , wherein the grip zone 16 also extends at this portion 30 .

[0104] According to another variant, the second front layer 28 defines at least one fold line 42 , 44 to facilitate lifting of the secondary label 34 and / or a portion of the handle 2 , for example a peripheral portion.

[0105] According to yet another variant, in the free zone 14 , the second front layer 28 comprises a single anchoring foot 46 of the handle 2 , from which extends a pair of arms 48 , 48 ′ connected to one another to form a loop.

[0106] Optionally, the pair of arms 48, 48' may be rotated relative to the anchoring foot 46 (according to one embodiment, about a rotation axis R common to both arms) to allow the handle to be carried folded off the label and act as a suspension element for a bottle associated therewith in an inverted position.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the second front layer 28 is at least partially light-transmissive to reveal the optional first graphic layer 56 distributed on the first front layer 8 .

[0108] According to one embodiment, the second front layer 28 is only partially opaque at the handle 2 to reveal its presence without hiding the first graphic layer 56 superimposed on the first front layer 8 .

[0109] According to one embodiment, at the secondary label 34, such label 1 includes an opaque contrast layer 104 superimposed on the second front layer 28 to substantially eliminate its transparency, at least one second graphic layer 58 superimposed on the contrast layer 104, and at least one protective layer 106 of the second graphic layer 58 that is at least partially light-transmissive.

[0110] Optionally, according to a variation of not hiding the first graphic layer 56 described above, the peeling promoter layer (eg, the second layer 18) may include at least one pigment or color to make at least a portion of the handle 2 visible.

[0111] According to one embodiment, outside the hanging handle 2 and / or the secondary label 34 , the second front layer 28 is missing to form a lifting step 64 around such handle and / or such secondary label 34 .

[0112] According to one embodiment, the protective layer 106 is applied at least over the second graphic layer 58 using a flexographic printing process.

[0113] According to one embodiment, the protective layer 106 is applied with a thickness of at least 1 μ to 500 Å or more.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the front surface 10 of the first front layer 8 is coated outside the secondary label 34 with a first layer 12 and a second layer 18 of a peeling promoter superimposed on each other.

[0115] We will now just illustrate with examples Figure 1 , wherein the production directions F1 , F2 extend from left to right according to the orientation of the arrows.

[0116] Firstly, the precursor 22 of the first laminate material 4 and the second laminate material 20 are fed from two separate feed reels, indicated by reference numerals 66 , 68 .

[0117] According to one embodiment, the first laminate material 4 and the precursor 22 are the same material or corresponding materials, fed from two different reels 66 , 68 .

[0118] In this specification the term "same" means a material having the same stack as described, but in principle the different layers are chemically different between the first stack material and the precursor (and therefore also between the first and second laminate materials).

[0119] Such a "common" laminate is optionally formed by the following layers, superimposed from bottom to top in the order specified below: backing layer 6, adhesive release layer 24 (e.g. silicone), adhesive layers 26, 26' and first front layer 8 / second front layer 28 (e.g. printable).

[0120] The above-mentioned layers completely overlap one another, either substantially over the entire surface or in a general manner.

[0121] From the precursor 22 coming from the reel 68 , the backing layer 6 and the adhesive removal layer 24 are immediately removed, separated and wound back onto the waste reel 70 , while the adhesive layer 26 ′ and the second front layer 28 form the second laminate 20 which will continue in the direction F1 towards the joining point 72 .

[0122] According to one embodiment, at arrow 102 (i.e., after the above-mentioned separation), a secondary label 34, a contrast layer 104 superimposed on the second front layer 28, a second graphic layer 58 superimposed on the contrast layer 104, and a protective layer 106 of the second graphic layer 58 are distributed / printed on the second laminate material 20 - in this area a secondary label 34 will be formed.

[0123] According to one variant, a first graphic layer 56 (e.g. containing product information) is distributed / printed on the first laminate material 4 coming from the reel 66 and a single layer of release promoter, or a first layer 12 and a second layer 18 of release promoter, such as silicone coating, are superimposed on the first graphic layer 56 to obtain a subsequent intermediate material 74.

[0124] The first or single layer of release promoter 12 in contact with the graphic layer 56 occupies a smaller surface area than the front surface 10 of the first front layer 8. More precisely, such layer 12 is applied so as to leave free areas 14 where such promoter layer 12 is absent.

[0125] For example, the peel promoter layer 12 can be applied in a retracted position relative to the first longitudinal edge 76 of the first laminate material 4 so as to provide a free surface for the second laminate material 20 - which will be superimposed on the intermediate material 74 at the joint 72 - to which the anchoring foot 46 of the handle 2 made of such second laminate material 20 can be securely adhered.

[0126] Instead, an optional second layer of release promoter 18 overlying and optionally contacting the first layer of release promoter 12 will be applied in liquid or semi-liquid form in registration with the predetermined location of the handle.

[0127] In this specification, the term "in registration" means application on a layer having a specific shape, in this case substantially corresponding to the surface of the handle.

[0128] A mask of suitable shape can be used for this purpose, covering the lower layer 12 to prevent the second layer of release promoter 18 from being deposited outside the contours of the handle 2 .

[0129] Concerning the expression "semi-liquid" used above, it is worth noting that, in the present specification, the term "semi-liquid" means any liquid substance that is able to flow, even with a low fluidity, in particular at the working temperature of step (iii).

[0130] By way of non-exhaustive example, such terms may be used to refer to any viscous, gel-like and / or pasty substance.

[0131] According to a variant, the handle 2 is made visible by partial opacification / tinting / coloring of the second front layer 28 , which creates a visual or color separation from the first front layer.

[0132] Optionally, partial opacification / tinting / coloring of the second front layer 28 may be achieved by the properties of the release promoter layer 18, which may in particular comprise a pigment / color.

[0133] For example, such a pigment or color may be mixed with the release promoter of the second layer 18 , or it may be placed on the surface of the second layer of release promoter 18 that faces the second front layer 28 .

[0134] The function of the optional second layer release promoter 18 is of course to neutralize the adhesion of the adhesive layer 26' of the second layer material 20 via the transfer mechanism discussed above, or to render it almost completely inert to facilitate lifting of the handle (alone).

[0135] The intermediate material 74 and the second laminate material 20 are then joined at the joining point 72 , joined and pressed by a pair of rollers 78 , 80 , thereby forming the laminate material 40 .

[0136] After making such a laminate 40, an optional second layer of release promoter 18 is then cured in contact with the adhesive layer 26', such as by ultraviolet radiation, to bond these layers 18, 26' and to "passivate" the adhesive layer 26'.

[0137] In subsequent steps, the method continues with a first step of die cutting-creasing 82 and a second step of die cutting 84 , each followed by a step of eliminating production waste 62 , 86 .

[0138] During the first step of die cutting-crease 82, a tool may optionally be used which is configured to fold / crease at the handle 2 (specifically at its gripping portion 30 when provided) without scoring the second front layer 28 and / or the lifted portion 54 of the secondary label 34.

[0139] As far as the position of the secondary label 34 is concerned, according to one embodiment, the latter will be located only above the first layer of peel promoter 12, since the adhesive force of such a label 34 must not be eliminated at all (or rather, must not become inert), as is the case with the hanging handle.

[0140] In such a way, by transferring and curing the optional second release promoter in (semi-)liquid form, it will be possible to render the adhesive layer 26 ′ at the handle 2 inert without affecting the adhesion of the secondary label 34 .

[0141] In all other portions except the above-mentioned fold lines 42, 44, the die cut depth 82, ie the cutting depth of the laminate 40, will extend at least to the second front layer 28, and optionally the second release promoter layer 18, without scoring the layer 12 therebelow.

[0142] In this first step 82, the scratch depth of the connecting material 40 is determined by FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C , Fig.13A Indicated by arrow 90 in FIG.

[0143] The first step of die cutting-crease 82 is configured to form the shape of the handle inside and outside, and to partially cut away the second front layer 28 around the perimeter of the secondary label 34 (e.g., along a pair of optionally orthogonal side edges 97, 98; Fig.14 ).

[0144] Therefore, the portion removed as the continuous waste 62 downstream of the first step of die cutting-crease 82 is a strip having a shape similar to that of Fig.17 The lifting step 64 shown in FIG. 6 is complementary to the portion of the first front layer that is placed below the overhanging portion of the overhanging handle 2 .

[0145] During the second step of die cutting 84, a cutting tool is alternatively used that is configured to score the laminate 40 from the surface 94 of the laminate 40 at least to the first facing layer 8, and optionally to the adhesive layer 26 of the original laminate 74, such as Fig.15 This is illustrated diagrammatically by the arrow 88 schematically shown in FIG.

[0146] In any case, this second step of die cutting 84 will cut the label outline 38 around the first face layer 8 and the handle 2 in the exposed surface of the label 1 .

[0147] Fig.13A The location of the secondary label 34 relative to the first (or only) layer of peel promoter 12 is shown.

[0148] For such labels 34, the single or first layer of release promoter 12 may optionally be specifically tailored by depositing the promoter only in certain areas, thereby preventing the formation of an inert layer beneath the adhesive layer of the secondary label.

[0149] In this regard, a protective mask may be used to prevent covering of certain areas 52 ( Figure 5 ). A similar expedient may be used to prevent the second layer of release promoter 18 from covering certain areas 50 beneath the second front layer to achieve a dry and non-sticky handle.

[0150] On the contrary, FIG. 12A to FIG. 12C , the optional double layer of release promoter 12 , 18 beneath the handle 2 in the portion outside the anchoring foot 46 can be seen.

[0151] The second step of die-cutting 84 thus has the function of creating separations between adjacent labels 1 and the continuous waste 86 will be shaped into a strip in which empty seats are obtained (rectangular seats according to the shape shown) whose shape is complementary to the label contour 38 of each label, interspersed with separation spacers corresponding to the material removed to divide the labels 1.

[0152] After the second continuous waste 86 is eliminated, the label 1 has been formed and can be wound on the collection reel 92 ( Figure 1 )superior.

[0153] Innovatively, the method and the label that are the subject of the present invention allow outstandingly to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0154] More precisely, the proposed method and handle allow a handle which extends far beyond the label contour 38 to be obtained in a simple manner.

[0155] Furthermore, the proposed method and handle allow adjusting the transparency and opacity of the second front layer so as not to hide the first graphic layer, thereby showing the position of the hanging handle, to suppress the transparency of this layer to the secondary label so as to achieve contrast of the second graphic layer and protect the latter.

[0156] According to one embodiment, the proposed method and label allow obtaining a label with a handle in a simple, reliable and cost-effective manner in a single production step, without having to perform special operations (e.g. gluing the handles one by one).

[0157] According to one embodiment, the proposed method and label allow obtaining a writable secondary label, thereby allowing handwriting if desired.

[0158] According to one embodiment, the method and label that are the object of the present invention provide an innovative system of application in liquid or semi-liquid form and subsequent curing or directed cross-linking to form a passivation layer by transfer under the handle.

[0159] Furthermore, the handle is easy to hold as it is dry to the touch.

[0160] According to one embodiment, the method and label that are the object of the present invention allow for significant production economies to be achieved, not just relying on the raw materials involved in manufacturing.

[0161] According to one embodiment, the method and the label that are the object of the present invention allow obtaining an excellent grip on the handle and / or the secondary label.

[0162] According to one embodiment, the method and label that is the subject of the present invention provide a very cost-effective way to position the handle without covering the underlying graphics.

[0163] According to one embodiment, the method and the label that are the object of the present invention allow forming specific ergonomic parts to ensure easy interaction with the user.

[0164] According to one embodiment, there is virtually no risk of tearing the handle or one of its arms from the root under normal use conditions.

[0165] According to one embodiment, the method and label that are the object of the present invention provide an additional system to adjust the adhesion of the portion that can be lifted from the plane of the label.

[0166] According to one embodiment, the method and the labels that are object of the present invention make it possible to obtain labels that can be applied as a continuous strip, thus simplifying their application on the bottles in an automated process.

[0167] According to one embodiment, the method object of the present invention is cost-effective and the described labels can be produced at low cost.

[0168] To meet specific needs, those skilled in the art may modify or replace the functionally equivalent elements in the above method and label embodiments.

[0169] Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

[0170] Furthermore, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment can be implemented independently of other described variants.

[0171] Reference Numbers

[0172] 1 Tags

[0173] 2 Hanging handles

[0174] 4 Laminated materials

[0175] 6 Backing layer

[0176] 8 First front layer

[0177] 0 The front surface of the first layer

[0178] 2. First layer of release accelerator - e.g. silicone coating

[0179] 14 Area without peeling promoter layer

[0180] 16 Handle area

[0181] 18 Second layer of release accelerator - e.g. silicone coating

[0182] 20 Second laminate

[0183] 22 Precursor of second laminate

[0184] 24 Remove the adhesive layer

[0185] 26 Adhesive layer

[0186] 26' adhesive layer

[0187] 28 Translucent second front layer

[0188] 30 Handle grip

[0189] 32 Handle edge

[0190] 34 Secondary Tags

[0191] 36 Different areas of position relative to the handle

[0192] 38 Label outline

[0193] 40 Assembled parts or laminated materials

[0194] 42 Polyline

[0195] 44 Polyline

[0196] 46 Anchor Foot

[0197] 48 A pair of handle arms

[0198] 48' one pair of handle arms

[0199] 50 The area where the first and / or second layer peeling promoter is not present

[0200] 52 Area where there is no first and / or second layer peeling promoter

[0201] 54 Lifting part of the secondary label

[0202] 56 First Graphics Layer

[0203] 58 Second Graphics Layer

[0204] 60 Waste

[0205] 62 Continuous Waste

[0206] 64 Lift the stairs

[0207] 82 die cutting-crease

[0208] 84 Second die cutting step

[0209] 94 Front surface of the second front layer

[0210] 95 The cavity below a portion of the overhanging handle

[0211] 96 Overhang handle section

[0212] 100 Label Width

[0213] 104 Opaque contrast layer

[0214] 106 Protective layer of the second graphic layer

[0215] 108 a surface on which writing can be done with an ink writing implement

[0216] S1 The thickness of the second front layer

[0217] Main direction of X extension

[0218] Main directions of X' extension

[0219] RRotation axis

[0220] F1 Manufacturing Direction

[0221] F2 manufacturing direction.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a label (1) with a hanging handle (2), comprising the following steps: i) providing a first laminate (4) comprising a backing layer (6) and a first front layer (8) bonded in a releasable manner, wherein the first front layer (8) comprises a front surface (10); ii) coating said front surface (10) of said first front layer (8) with at least one layer of a release promoter (12, 18), leaving free areas (14) lacking said layer of release promoter (12, 18); iv) providing a second laminate (20), the second laminate comprising a second front layer (28) and an adhesive layer (26'), wherein the second front layer (28) has a predetermined thickness (S1); v) joining the first laminate (4) of step ii) and the second laminate (20) of step iv) to form an assembly or a connecting material (40) such that the adhesive layer (26') of the second laminate (20) adheres at least to the free area (14) of the first laminate (4); vii) cutting a handle (2) in the handle region (16) of the second laminate (20) and only within the thickness (S1) of the second laminate (20), leaving the first front layer (8) intact; cutting at least one secondary label (34) in a secondary label region (36) different from the handle region (16) and only within the thickness (S1) of the second laminate (20); forming a label contour (38) in the first front layer (8), avoiding cutting of the handle (2) and removing a portion of the first front layer (8) to form a cavity (95), thereby providing the formed label with a handle portion (96) of the handle (2), which protrudes in a cantilevered manner beyond the label contour (38) and is suspended on the cavity (95).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The second laminate material (20) comprises a light-transmissive second front layer (28); and / or where The second front layer (28) is only partially opaque at the handle (2) to show the presence of the second front layer without hiding the first graphic layer (56) superimposed on the first front layer (8), and wherein, at the secondary label (34), the label (1) includes an opaque contrast layer (104) superimposed on the second front layer (28) to substantially eliminate its transparency, at least one second graphic layer (58) superimposed on the contrast layer (104), and at least one protective layer (106) of the second graphic layer (58) that is at least partially light-transmissive; and wherein, The protective layer (106) is applied on the second graphic layer (58) by flexographic printing and has a thickness of at least 1 μm or more.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The protective layer (106) defines a writable surface (108) by an ink writing instrument, or by marking in lines.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second front layer (28) is rendered opaque by a pigment or color mixed with the release promoter substance of the release promoter layer (12, 18); and / or where In step vii), the separation of the handle (2) and at least one secondary label (34) in a different zone (36) occurs in a direction opposite to the formation of the label outline (38) in the first front layer (8), so that the handle (2) is placed partially cantilevered beyond the label outline (38) for the formed label (1); and / or where In step vii), said separating and said forming are die-cutting steps.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: - the precursor (22) of the second laminate (20) and the first laminate (4) comprise corresponding or substantially identical layers comprising a backing layer (6), a debonding layer (24), an adhesive layer (26, 26') and a first front layer (8) / a second front layer (28) superposed on each other, and wherein step iv) comprises, upstream of step v), a step of separating and optionally discarding the backing layer and the debonding layer of the precursor (22); and / or where - step vii) is carried out outside the free zone (14) so ​​that in the free zone (14) the second front layer (28) forms a single anchoring foot (46) of the handle (2) from which extends a pair of arms (48, 48') connected to each other in a loop; and / or where - Step ii) comprises the step of coating the outer side of said secondary label (34) with a first layer (12) and a second layer (18) of a peeling promoter superposed on each other.

6. A label (1) with a hanging handle (2), which can be obtained by the method according to claims 1 to 5, wherein: The tags include: - a first laminate (4) comprising a backing layer (6) and a first front layer (8) bonded in a releasable manner, wherein the first front layer (8) comprises a front surface (10); at least one layer of release promoter (12, 18) coating the front surface (10) of said first front layer (8), leaving free areas (14) lacking said layer of release promoter (12, 18); - a second laminate (20) comprising a second frontal layer (28) and an adhesive layer (26'), wherein the second laminate (20) is joined to the first laminate (4) such that the adhesive layer (26') adheres at least to the free zone (14), wherein the second frontal layer (28) has a predetermined thickness (S1); wherein the second front layer (28) defines a hanging handle (2) and a secondary label (34) in a different area (36) of the second front layer (28), and wherein the first front layer (8) forms a label outline (38) and leaves a handle portion (96) for the hanging handle (2), the handle portion protruding, at least partially overhanging beyond the label outline (38) outside the first front layer (8) and directly facing the backing layer (6), thereby forming a cavity (95), in which a part of the first front layer (8) has been removed, and the handle portion (96) is suspended on the cavity (95).

7. The label according to claim 6, wherein: The second laminate material (20) comprises a light-transmissive second front layer (28); and / or where The second front layer (28) is only partially opaque at the handle (2) to show the presence of the second front layer without hiding the first graphic layer (56) superimposed on the first front layer (8), and wherein, at the secondary label (34), the label (1) includes an opaque contrast layer (104) superimposed on the second front layer (28) to substantially eliminate its transparency, at least one second graphic layer (58) superimposed on the contrast layer (104), and at least one protective layer (106) of the second graphic layer (58) that is at least partially light-transmissive; and / or where The protective layer (106) is applied on the second graphic layer (58) by flexographic printing and has a thickness of at least 1 μm or more.

8. The label according to claim 7, wherein: The protective layer (106) defines a writable surface (108) by an ink writing instrument, or by marking in lines.

9. The label according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: The second front layer (28) is rendered opaque by a pigment or color mixed with the release promoter substance of the release promoter layer (12, 18).

10. A tag according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: - in the free zone (14), the second frontal layer (28) forms a single anchoring foot (46) of the handle (2), from which extends a pair of arms (48, 48') connected to each other in a loop; and / or The front surface (10) of the first front layer (8) is coated on the outer side of the secondary label (34) with a first layer (12) and a second layer (18) of a peeling promoter superposed on each other.

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