Luminous label

Abstract

A light-emitting label having a back surface for adhesion to a surface, and a front surface opposite the back surface. The tag includes a power source; the flexible circuit board is positioned on the front surface of the power supply and is overlapped with the plane area of the power supply; the flexible circuit board comprises one or more light-emitting elements; the light guide plate is located on the front side of the power source, and the light guide plate is used for distributing light from the light-emitting elements.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to labels, such as those used for bottles, and more particularly to a configuration for providing a lighted label while keeping the thickness of the label to a minimum. BACKGROUND

[0002] In entertainment venues such as bars and nightclubs, patrons often wish to purchase bottled beverages. Often, such venues can operate under low light to maintain a particular atmosphere. As a result, it can be difficult for a patron to distinguish between two different brands of the same beverage type when the bottles are displayed in this environment. Beverage manufacturers therefore wish to be able to distinguish their products from those of other manufacturers.

[0003] Some manufacturers have achieved this goal by using lighted labels. These lighted labels can be affixed to the surface of a bottle and can contain one or more lighting elements connected to a power source, such as a battery. In some cases, the power source is located at the bottom of the bottle and is connected to the label through a circuit to ensure that the label remains thin. In other cases, the battery is located within the label and is connected to side-emitting LEDs at the edge of the label through a circuit. However, placing the battery within the label can increase the thickness of the label, which is detrimental to the aesthetics of the product and to packaging and shipping. SUMMARY

[0004] According to one embodiment, there is provided a lighted label having a back surface for affixing to a surface, and a front surface opposite the back surface. The label includes a power source; a flexible circuit board located on the front surface of the power source and overlapping a footprint of the power source, wherein the flexible circuit board includes one or more light emitting elements; and a light guide located on the front side of the power source, wherein the light guide is for distributing light from the light emitting elements.

[0005] In one embodiment, the one or more light emitting elements are arranged within the footprint of the power source.

[0006] In one embodiment, the light guide includes one or more recesses, and the light emitting elements protrude from the flexible circuit board into the one or more recesses.

[0007] In one embodiment, the light emitting elements emit light laterally on the light guide.

[0008] In one embodiment, the label further includes a reflective layer between the flexible circuit board and the light guide.

[0009] In one embodiment, the reflective layer includes one or more apertures, wherein the one or more apertures are co-located with the one or more light emitting elements such that the one or more light emitting elements protrude through the one or more apertures.

[0010] In one embodiment, the power source comprises a thin film battery.

[0011] In one embodiment, the flexible circuit further comprises a switching element, wherein the switching element is configured to turn on or off the light emitting element.

[0012] In one embodiment, the light emitting element is disposed within a central portion of the profile of the label.

[0013] In one embodiment, the label further comprises a design layer on the front side of the label, the design layer comprising a design printed with UV reactive ink, wherein the light emitting element comprises a UV LED.

[0014] According to another embodiment, there is provided a light emitting label having a front side and a back side, comprising a flexible circuit board comprising one or more light emitting elements; a reflective layer in front of the flexible circuit board; and a battery behind the flexible circuit board. Wherein the battery capacity is 500 mAh or less. Wherein the one or more light emitting elements protrude from the flexible circuit board through the reflective layer.

[0015] In one embodiment, the battery capacity is less than 200 mAh. In one embodiment, the battery capacity is approximately 170 mAh. In one embodiment, the battery capacity is less than 100 mAh. In one embodiment, the battery capacity is approximately 90 mAh.

[0016] In one embodiment, the battery comprises a rechargeable battery.

[0017] In one embodiment, the label comprises a light guide plate in front of the reflective layer.

[0018] In one embodiment, the label further comprises a design layer in front of the label comprising a design printed with UV reactive ink, wherein the light emitting element comprises a UV LED.

[0019] According to another embodiment, there is provided a light emitting label, comprising one or more UV-LEDs and a front surface, wherein the front surface comprises UV reactive ink.

[0020] In one embodiment, the label further comprises one or more of a reflective layer, a light guide layer, a protective layer, and a battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 An exploded view of a light emitting label is shown according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2A A plan view of a light emitting label is shown according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2B The propagation of light in a light emitting label is shown according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 A side view of the illuminated label is shown according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 An exploded view of one possible embodiment of the illuminated label 100 is shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the label can include all of the layers shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the label can omit certain layers, or replace certain layers or combinations of layers with equivalents. It is believed that those skilled in the art will understand that such omissions or modifications can be made without departing from the inventive concept defined in the claims. Figure 1

[0026] In FIG. 1, the front-most layer of the label is shown on the left end of the figure, and the back-most layer of the label is shown on the right end of the figure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the illuminated label in FIG. 1 has a particular shape, but the present invention can be applied to labels of any shape, and thus the shape shown in FIG. 1 is not intended to limit the present invention. Figure 1 Figure 1 Figure 1

[0027] Starting from the back of the label, the label includes an adhesive layer 109. The adhesive layer 109 adheres the label 100 to the bottle to ensure that the bottle holds onto the label during use. The adhesive layer 109 can be a thin layer of double-sided tape, where the back of the tape adheres to the bottle, and the front of the tape adheres to the next layer of the label. The adhesive layer 109 can be adhered to a backing layer 109b (not shown) before being adhered to the bottle. The backing layer 109b can be configured to preserve the label 100 before it is adhered to the bottle. The backing layer 109b can be separated from the adhesive layer 109 and discarded when adhered to the bottle. Other suitable adhesives, such as water glue, can also be used in place of double-sided tape. The thickness of the adhesive layer 109 can be approximately 0.14 mm, and the layer can be composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0028] The next layer forward from the adhesive layer 109 can be a protective layer 108. The protective layer 108 can be composed of cork or foam material. The protective layer 108 isolates the internal components of the label 100 from the external environment. The protective layer 108 can generally make the interior of the label 100 waterproof. The thickness of the protective layer 108 can be approximately 0.4 mm.

[0029] ​​​​The next layer forward from the protective layer 108 can be another adhesive layer 107. The composition of the adhesive layer 107 is substantially similar to that of the adhesive layer 109. The adhesive layer 107 can comprise a double-sided tape, where the back side of the tape adheres to the protective layer 108 and the front side of the tape adheres to the next layer of the label. Again, other suitable adhesives, such as water glue, can be used instead of the double-sided tape. The thickness of the adhesive layer 107 can also be approximately 0.14 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 107 can be omitted and the protective layer 108 can comprise a double-sided adhesive, such as a double-sided foam tape.

[0030] The layers 107, 108, and 109 can have a uniform section removed from their center. The uniform section can have the same shape and substantially the same size as the power source 106. The power source 106 can be a battery. More specifically, the power source 106 can be a thin film flexible battery. In this configuration, the battery can be thin and flexible, thereby contributing to the thinness and flexibility of the label 100. The power source 106 can be retained within the uniform hole punched by the layers 107, 108, and 109, such that its perimeter is surrounded by these layers. The power source 106 can be adhered to any surrounding layer, the bottle, or the adjacent forward layer.

[0031] The power source can be loosely attached so as to detach from the label 100 after use, such that both parts can be recycled. The power source has a usage time of approximately 8 hours at a temperature of 2°C. The thickness of the power source is approximately 0.5 mm, such that its thickness is substantially equal to the thickness of the three surrounding layers. In some embodiments, the power source can form a curved shape, where the radius of the curve is substantially the same as the radius of the curve of the bottle to which the label 100 is to be applied.

[0032] The power source 106 is preceded by a flexible circuit board 105. The flexible circuit board 105 comprises one or more light emitting elements, such as LEDs. The flexible circuit board 105 provides an electrical connection between the light emitting elements and the power source 106, enabling the light emitting elements to operate. The flexible circuit board can also comprise a switching element, such as a button, for starting and stopping the operation of the light emitting elements. In this way, the LEDs are activated only when the bottle's owner intends to do so, thereby prolonging the battery life. The thickness of the flexible circuit board is approximately 0.1 mm.

[0033] In some embodiments, the light emitting elements can be configured to produce an animation. More specifically, the light emitting elements can be configured to change intensity according to a predetermined pattern. Different light emitting elements can be configured to operate at different intensities at the same time. The animation of the light emitting elements is controlled by an integrated circuit on the flexible circuit board.

[0034] The light emitting elements are arranged on the flexible circuit board, which can be stacked in a direction towards the power source 106 at the front end of the label, adjacent to or on top of the power source. In the present embodiment, the light emitting elements are arranged so as to be within the perimeter of the power source. This will be further explained in relation to Figure 2.

[0035] The next layer forward of the flexible circuit board 105 is the reflective layer 104. The reflective layer 104 is substantially or completely opaque and has a plurality of holes therethrough. The holes are co-located with the light emitting elements of the flexible circuit board 105 so that when the label is assembled, the light emitting elements protrude through the reflective layer 104 from the circuit board 105. When the label is assembled, the reflective layer and the flexible circuit form a continuous opaque surface to prevent any light from being transmitted to the lower layers of the label. The reflective layer 104 is approximately 0.5mm thick and can be composed of PET.

[0036] By placing the flexible circuit board behind the reflective layer but allowing the light emitting elements to protrude through the reflective layer, it is ensured that no light is blocked from being emitted from the front surface of the label 100. In this way, the reflective layer 104 allows the maximum amount of light to be emitted forwardly from the label. This increase in lighting efficiency allows the power source 106 to be operated at a lower power consumption whilst outputting an acceptable brightness, thereby allowing a thinner battery to be used in the label.

[0037] The next layer forward of the reflector is the light guide layer 103. The light guide layer 103 comprises a substantially translucent plane having a plurality of light guide elements arranged therein. The light guide layer 103 can be approximately 0.175mm thick and can be substantially composed of polycarbonate. The plurality of light guide elements can comprise a dot matrix pattern implemented in the light guide layer. The dot matrix pattern can be implemented in the light guide layer by a hot rolling process. The light guide layer 103 can also comprise a plurality of recesses or holes in the surface, wherein the recesses are co-located with the light emitting elements of the flexible circuit board so that the light emitting elements are seated in the recesses when the label 100 is assembled.

[0038] The light emitting elements emit light into the light guide layer 103. The light is transmitted laterally through the light guide layer 103, reflected by the dot matrix pattern to the reflective layer 104, which reflects the light to the front end of the label 100. It will be appreciated that by providing an appropriate dot matrix pattern, local variations in the lighting of the label can be produced. The specified pattern can be a pattern to complement the pattern or design shown on the front face of the label 101. Alternatively, the specified pattern can allow the light to be distributed evenly throughout the light guide layer. Light emitted towards the back of the light guide layer will be transmitted into the reflective layer 104 and hence reflected to the front face of the label 100.

[0039] It is well known in the art to distribute multiple light emitting elements around the perimeter of a light emitting label and to emit light laterally into a central light guide layer. This is done to place the power source and light emitting elements in the same layer of the label, thereby minimizing the thickness of the label. However, the peripheral distribution of light emitting elements results in an uneven and inconsistent light pattern and requires the light emitting elements to consume more power to transmit light throughout the light guide. In contrast, arranging the light emitting elements on the planar area of the power source, and thereby within the light guide, can improve the light distribution throughout the label and reduce the power required.

[0040] To compensate for the increased thickness due to the superimposition of the power source 106 and light emitting elements, the components of the label 100 can be selected to ensure that the thickness of the label is minimized. The materials used for the adhesive layers 107 and 109 and the protective layer 108 can be selected to ensure that the thickness of the label does not exceed approximately 1.2 mm. In this way, the distribution of light can be improved without sacrificing the thickness of the label. It will be appreciated that the use of thin layers, including very thin batteries, in the embodiment allows the label designer to select the position of the LEDs based on the lighting needs of the area of the label that needs to be illuminated. This can mean that the LEDs are positioned above or beside the footprint of the battery. By selecting Figure 1 The layer structure shown allows the designer of a new label shape and appearance to select the position of the LEDs that is most suitable for the new label design with complete freedom.

[0041] The next layer forward from the light guide can be a light barrier 102. The light barrier 102 can be a band of the same shape as the label, substantially surrounding the perimeter of the previously described layers, and can be completely opaque. The light barrier 102 can prevent light from leaking out of the sides of the label 100, thereby improving the appearance of the label. The thickness of the light barrier 102 can be approximately the same as the thickness of the previously described layers, thereby enabling it to completely surround the perimeter of the layers. In another embodiment, the light barrier 102 is omitted from the label to create a halo effect around the label. The light barrier can comprise VHB tape.

[0042] The forwardmost layer of the label 100 can be a design layer 101. The design layer 101 comprises a printed image, design or logo. The design layer 101 can be completely transparent, or partially opaque, partially transparent as desired by the design. The design layer 101 can be translucent to best complement the light distribution in the light guide layer. That is, the light distribution in the light guide layer and the design on the design layer can be harmoniously designed to provide the most aesthetically pleasing result. The thickness of the design layer can be approximately 0.125 mm and can be primarily composed of polycarbonate.

[0043] Figure 2AA front view of the label 100 is shown. When the label 100 is viewed from the front, only the design layer 101 is visible to the naked eye. Since the remaining layers are approximately the same shape and size (except for the flexible circuit 105 and the power source 106), the remaining layers can all be behind the design layer, but not visible.

[0044] Figure 2A The locations of some components of the label 100 that are not visible from the front are also shown in dashed lines. The locations of the power source 106 and the one or more light emitting elements 110 can be shown in dashed lines. As can be seen, the one or more light emitting elements 110 can be arranged within the label such that they are contained within the perimeter of the battery 106. As noted above, it is known in the art to place light emitting elements 110 outside the perimeter of the battery and in the same depth layer as the battery, thereby not increasing the thickness of the label. However, as shown in the embodiments herein, the light emitting elements can instead be placed within the perimeter of the battery to improve light distribution while maintaining the thinness of the label 100. By careful selection of the remaining components of the label 100, the thinness of the label 100 can be maintained.

[0045] Figure 2B Light propagation from the light emitting elements to the entire label is shown, from the same perspective as Figure 2A As can be seen, by placing the light emitting elements on the planar area of the power source, light distribution throughout the light guide layer can be improved. Figure 2B The light emitting elements in Figure 2B are shown in pairs, but in some embodiments the light emitting elements can be distributed individually, or in groups of three or more at each location.

[0046] Figure 3 An example configuration of the layers of the label 100 according to an embodiment is shown. The layer thicknesses are not drawn to scale - the layers are shown as having uniform thickness for ease of illustration. As can be seen, the power source 106 is retained within the uniform holes of the layers 109, 108, and 107. The flexible circuit board 105 is stacked above the battery, with the light emitting elements 110 directly above the battery, through the reflective layer 104 into the light guide layer 103. The light barrier 102 is approximately the same thickness as the first six layers, surrounding their perimeter.

[0047] By placing the flexible circuit board 105 behind the reflector 104, but allowing the light emitting elements to pass through the reflector and into the light guide layer, the amount of light emitted from the front of the light guide layer at a particular power rating can be maximized. This reduces the battery capacity required to illuminate the label for a particular period of time, allowing for the use of a thinner battery. For example, with the use of the reflector 104, a battery with a capacity between 20 mAh and 500 mAh can be used. In certain embodiments, the battery capacity can be less than 200 mAh, such as 170 mAh. In certain embodiments, the battery capacity can be less than 100 mAh, such as 90 mAh. At a temperature of 2°C, the battery can have a capacity that allows it to operate for up to about 6-8 hours. In certain embodiments, the battery can be rechargeable.

[0048] In addition, separately from or in conjunction with the above-described embodiments, the design layer 101 can include a printed design, where the design is printed using UV reactive ink. For example, the design can be printed using photochromic ink. The light emitting element 110 can include a UV-LED. In certain embodiments, the light emitting element 101 can include only a UV-LED, while in other embodiments, the light emitting element can include both a UV-LED and a regular LED. During operation, the emitted ultraviolet light can shine on the printed pattern. Due to the reactivity of the printed pattern to ultraviolet light, the printed pattern can fluoresce as a result of the ultraviolet light. This fluorescence can be in addition to or in place of the visible light that the light emitting element normally emits.

[0049] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel devices and methods described herein can be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the devices, methods and products described herein can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A light-emitting label having a back surface for adhering to a surface, and a front surface opposite the back surface, the light-emitting label comprising: a power source; a flexible circuit board located on the front surface of the power source and overlapping a planar area of the power source, wherein the flexible circuit board comprises one or more light-emitting elements; a light guide located on the front surface of the power source, wherein the light guide is configured to distribute light from the light-emitting elements.

2. The light-emitting label of claim 1, wherein the one or more light-emitting elements are arranged within the planar area of the power source.

3. The light-emitting label of claim 1 or 2, wherein the light guide comprises one or more recesses, and the light-emitting elements protrude from the flexible circuit board into the one or more recesses.

4. The light-emitting label of claim 1 or 2, wherein the light-emitting elements emit light laterally over the light guide.

5. The light-emitting label of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a reflective layer between the flexible circuit board and the light guide.

6. The light-emitting label of claim 5, wherein the reflective layer comprises one or more apertures, wherein, the one or more apertures are co-located with the one or more light-emitting elements such that the one or more light-emitting elements protrude through the one or more apertures.

7. The light-emitting label of claim 1 or 2, wherein the power source comprises a thin film battery.

8. The light-emitting label of claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible circuit further comprises a switch element, and the switch element is configured to turn the light-emitting elements on or off.

9. The light-emitting label of claim 1 or 2, wherein the light-emitting elements are arranged within a central portion of a profile of the light-emitting label.

10. The light-emitting label of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a design layer on the front surface of the light-emitting label, the design layer comprising a design printed with UV reactive ink, wherein the light-emitting elements comprise UV LEDs.

11. A light-emitting label having a front surface and a back surface, comprising: a flexible circuit board comprising one or more light-emitting elements; a reflective layer located in front of the flexible circuit board; and a battery located behind the flexible circuit board, the battery having a battery capacity, wherein the battery capacity is 500 mAh or less; wherein the one or more light-emitting elements protrude from the flexible circuit board through the reflective layer.

12. The light-emitting label of claim 11, wherein the battery capacity is less than 200 mAh.

13. The light-emitting label of claim 12, wherein the battery capacity is 170 mAh.

14. The light-emitting label of claim 11, wherein the battery capacity is less than 100 mAh.

15. The light-emitting label of claim 14, wherein the battery capacity is 90 mAh.

16. The light-emitting label of any one of claims 11-15, wherein the battery comprises a rechargeable battery.

17. The light-emitting label of any one of claims 11-15, further comprising a light guide located in front of the reflective layer. ​ 18. The luminescent label according to any one of claims 11-15, further comprising a design layer located in front of the luminescent label, the design layer comprising a design printed with UV reactive ink, wherein the luminescent element comprises a UV LED.

19. A luminescent label, comprising: one or more UV-LEDs; a front surface, wherein the front surface comprises UV reactive ink.

20. The luminescent label according to claim 19, further comprising one or more of: a reflective layer; a light guide layer a protective layer; and a battery.

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