Label for the forgery-proof marking of an object and method

Abstract

Label (10) for marking an object, the label (10) comprising: - an inscribable layer composite (1) in which a first, visible inscription (5) for identifying an object can be formed, - an adhesive film (3) with which the label (10) can be stuck onto an object, and - an active ingredient (4) which, when brought into contact with the surface of an object, penetrates into the surface of the object and / or acts on the surface of the object, - wherein the active ingredient (4) is arranged on the back (10a) of the label (10) below the adhesive film (3), - wherein the label (10) has a structured active ingredient layer (24) in which the active ingredient (4) is arranged, wherein the structured active ingredient layer (24) comprises one or more partial surface areas (8) of the base area of ​​the label (10), but is left out in the remaining part of the base area of ​​the label (10), - wherein the label (10) is free of the active ingredient (4) over its entire layer thickness in a remaining portion of its base area, which is not spanned by the structured active ingredient layer (24), so that the label (10), when adhered to the surface of an object, brings the active ingredient (10) into contact with the surface of the object selectively in the region of the structured active ingredient layer (24), - wherein the shape and / or contour of the structured active ingredient layer (24) is formed in the form of a further inscription, marking or information and - wherein the label (10) has a structured adhesion-reducing layer (27) and / or a structured UV-protection layer (26) between the structured active ingredient layer (24) and the adhesive film (3), wherein the structured adhesion-reducing layer (27) and / or the structured UV-protection layer (26) is structured congruently with the structured active ingredient layer (24) and adheres more strongly to the structured active ingredient layer (24) than to the adhesive film (3).

Description

[0001] The application relates to a label for marking an object and to a method for producing at least one such label.

[0002] In a wide variety of fields of technology, objects are manufactured, processed and / or further processed, used or sold, the surface of which is either permanently or at least temporarily provided with a label, for example to identify the individual object, such as with a serial or part number, or to indicate other properties, components, intended uses, manufacturer or customer data or any other information, or simply to affix symbols.

[0003] DE 38 13 303 C1 relates to a self-adhesive label whose adhesive-coated side temporarily adheres to an adhesive-repellent carrier film. To permanently mark the object to which the self-adhesive label is affixed, the adhesive-repellent carrier film or the adhesive-coated side of the label is printed with an ink containing a non-volatile thinner.

[0004] DE 199 09 723 C1 relates to a writable security film, particularly for use in the automotive sector, and a method for its labeling. The security film contains a diffusible identification medium that is selectively released or fixed locally through a contactless labeling process. When the security film is applied to a substrate, the identification medium permanently marks the substrate, ensuring unambiguous identification of the object in question.

[0005] DE 100 10 487 A1 relates to a label for marking an object with information, which is provided in visual form, for example, in the form of serial numbers, barcodes, or the like. Furthermore, the information is encoded in the form of a pattern cut into the label. By coating the label affixed to an object with a marker substance, or by providing a marking substance that modifies or adheres to the surface of the object, the information can be recovered through the imprint left on the object, even if the label is removed.

[0006] DE 696 19 708 T2 relates to a security label. An adhesive layer containing an identification medium is applied to a first major surface. A barrier medium is selectively applied to an exposed surface of the adhesive layer to at least partially block the diffusion of the identification medium from the adhesive layer into a substrate. A release layer may be provided that extends substantially over the exposed surface of the adhesive layer.

[0007] US 4,763,931 A relates to an adhesive material that protects against reuse, comprising a release liner, an adhesive layer laminated to a main surface of the release liner, a second layer that can be cut or torn with fingers and is laminated to the adhesive layer, an adhesive layer laminated to the second layer, and a first layer laminated to the adhesive layer and temporarily adhered thereto. The first and second layers are temporarily bonded by the adhesive layer in such a state that rebonding is hardly possible. Thus, if one attempts to tear off the adhesive material, the first layer is separated from the second layer, making rebonding impossible.

[0008] US 2008 / 0032081 A1 relates to a label product comprising a base label and a printed portion secured over the base label by a laminate. A corner or other portion of the base label is die-cut to form a pull tab, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive under the pull tab is blunted. When a release liner is removed and the base label is adhered to a product, the laminate can be removed to expose the printed portion by lifting the pull tab.

[0009] For example, in a wide variety of technical fields, objects are manufactured, processed, and / or further processed that are coated or are to be coated with a layer of lacquer. The object can, for example, be covered or painted on all sides with a layer of lacquer, or at least one side of the object is coated with the lacquer layer, e.g., over the entire surface or at least partially. In particular, the exterior or the visible outer surfaces of the object are often painted, especially for objects that are exposed to the weather or whose color scheme is deliberately chosen.

[0010] In order to be able to mark such painted objects reliably and sustainably, i.e. in a forgery-proof, irreversible and permanent manner, suitably designed labels are required.

[0011] Suitable labels are required, especially for vehicles, especially motor vehicles and their components, accessories, vendor parts and spare parts, etc., for example to affix serial numbers, vehicle identification numbers (VIN) and other information on origin and manufacturer, as well as control and approval markings, in a forgery-proof manner.

[0012] Such information, such as the vehicle identification number (VIN), is applied using self-adhesive labels that are more or less tamper-proof, for example, with labels containing laser-engraved color or black-and-white laser film. However, such labels can be fraudulently manipulated, forged, removed, and / or replaced with another label. After a label has been removed, it is generally not immediately apparent from the paint layer of a vehicle part or the surface of another object whether and where a label was previously attached.

[0013] In some cases, labels are used whose reverse adhesive layer is imbued with lumogens, i.e. luminescent substances. After the label has been removed by unauthorized persons, it is at least possible to detect with the help of a UV lamp whether and where the label was on the layer of paint, in particular the vehicle paint, or on the surface. Beyond that, however, hardly any further conclusions can be drawn other than that an attempt at tampering has obviously taken place. However, tampering can also be carried out by imitating the luminescent outline of such a label, i.e. subsequently creating it on the vehicle paint of the vehicle part. Whether this is a genuine imprint of an authorized VIN label or merely a forged or counterfeit VIN label imprint is difficult to determine.In addition, the luminescent effect of luminescent prints, even from genuine VIN labels, decreases after a relatively short period of time; typically within a few months, so that the outline of the label eventually disappears completely.

[0014] There are also labels that contain tracers for the visible detection of common solvents that have been used to fraudulently remove labels from vehicle parts. However, such labels only provide evidence of tampering if a solvent is also used in the tampering attempt.

[0015] Thus, there is currently no satisfactory, reliable, and sustainable solution for the forgery- and tamper-proof marking of object surfaces, for example, for labeling paint layers on painted objects, i.e., painted surfaces. A better and more forgery-proof method for applying labels is needed, among other things, for vehicles and vehicle parts, i.e., for their surfaces painted with vehicle paint or automotive paint. It would be desirable to provide more reliable and sustainable marking options for this purpose.

[0016] The object of the present application is to provide a label that enables reliable, permanent, and durable marking of the surface of objects, for example, the painted surfaces of painted objects and, in particular, the painted surfaces of vehicles and vehicle parts. Furthermore, a method for producing such labels is to be provided.

[0017] This object is achieved by the label according to claim 1 and by the method according to claim 11.

[0018] The label according to claim 1 has an inscribable, for example laser-inscribable, layer composite in which a visible inscription for identifying an object, for example a vehicle part or another painted or unpainted object, can be formed.

[0019] The label further comprises an adhesive film and an active ingredient that, when brought into contact with the surface of an object, penetrates and / or acts upon that surface. The active ingredient can, for example, be an active ingredient that, when brought into contact with vehicle paint or a vehicle part painted with vehicle paint, penetrates and / or acts upon the vehicle paint.

[0020] For the sake of brevity, reference will no longer be made below to surfaces of any objects, but only to painted surfaces, i.e. to object surfaces formed from and / or provided with layers of paint, in particular to painted surfaces of vehicles and vehicle parts. Thus, the further description of this application will not repeatedly expressly point out that instead of labels or active ingredients contained therein intended for vehicle paint or other paint, labels and / or active ingredients for other, e.g. unpainted, object surfaces are also suitable. The label or its active ingredient only needs to be such that the active ingredient interacts with the surface of the object or its coating, i.e. with the material or a material component on the surface of the object or the surface of its coating.The above circumstances are always assumed in the following description and are not explicitly repeated each time.

[0021] The active ingredient is located on the back of the label below the adhesive film.

[0022] The label has a structured active ingredient layer in which the active ingredient is arranged. The structured active ingredient layer covers one or more partial areas of the base area of ​​the label, but is left blank in the remaining part of the base area of ​​the label.

[0023] The label is free of active ingredient over its entire layer thickness in a remaining portion of its base area, which is not spanned by the structured active ingredient layer, so that when the label is affixed to a vehicle part or a painted object, the active ingredient selectively contacts the vehicle paint in the area of ​​the structured active ingredient layer. Between the structured active ingredient layer and the adhesive film, the label has a structured adhesion-reducing layer and / or a structured UV protection layer, wherein the structured adhesion-reducing layer and / or the structured UV protection layer is congruent with the structured active ingredient layer and adheres more strongly to the structured active ingredient layer than to the adhesive film.

[0024] Contact of the active ingredient with the paint layer on the vehicle (or with the object's surface) is thus only selective, and in such a way that the active ingredient begins to act on the vehicle paint or penetrate into it immediately after the label is affixed to the vehicle part. Suitable active ingredients can be used for this purpose, which, for example, dissolve or at least partially dissolve the vehicle paint, i.e., dissolve it, or which at least cause a detectable, visible, or at least recognizable change to and / or in the paint layer and / or its surface.The active ingredient does not necessarily have to cause an immediately noticeable change, such as discoloration; it is sufficient if the effect of the active ingredient on the vehicle paint or other material forming the surface of the article or its coating is such that it is detectable at least by the trained eye of the retailer, such as a vehicle dealer, or other expert. Furthermore, the label is preferably designed in such a way that the change, for example, in the vehicle paint, begins to develop immediately after the label is affixed to the vehicle part, i.e., not only when the label is removed.

[0025] Furthermore, the label is preferably designed such that, once created, the marking persists in the vehicle paint or other material on the surface of the object or the material of its coating and does not disappear even after the label is removed. Furthermore, the label is designed such that, even after the label—or at least its adhesive film and the layer composite arranged above it, which is to be visibly labeled or has been labeled—the effect of the active ingredient on the vehicle paint continues, and preferably even further active ingredients can penetrate and / or act on the vehicle paint or other material of the object or its coating.

[0026] Some exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a label on an object, for example a vehicle part, Fig. 2 a schematic cross-sectional view through a label according to an embodiment, Fig. 3 a schematic cross-sectional view of a label according to a further developed embodiment, Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device provided with the label of Fig. 2, in particular a vehicle part, Fig. 5A the vehicle part from Fig. 4 after removal of the label for a first embodiment of the label, Fig. 5B the vehicle part from Fig. 4 after removal of the label for one embodiment of the label, Fig. 5C the vehicle part from Fig. 4 after removing the label for another embodiment of the label, Fig. 6 a schematic plan view of the surface of the vehicle part from Fig. 5A or Fig. 5B, Fig. 7 an alternative embodiment with regard to the design of the back of the label, Fig. 8 a first method for producing a label composite and Fig. 9 a second method for producing a label composite.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a portion of an object 35, the surface of which is provided with a label 10. The object can be, for example, a vehicle part 25; in particular, a vehicle part 25 painted with vehicle paint. The object can also be another painted object 35, i.e., one covered or provided with a layer of paint. The object can also be another object to whose surface a label is to be applied. The object can also be unpainted, for example.

[0028] Nevertheless, for the sake of brevity, only one part of the vehicle will be referred to in the explanation of the figures below.

[0029] The vehicle part 25 is preferably painted with a paint 20, for example, vehicle paint; accordingly, the surface of the vehicle part 25 is a paint surface, and the upper layer of the vehicle part 52 is a paint layer made of vehicle paint 20. Below this layer, for example, there is a metal or a metal alloy from which the vehicle part or the object 35 or a substantial part thereof is made.

[0030] The affixed label 10 bears on its Fig. 1, a visible and directly legible label 5 serves to identify the vehicle part or the entire vehicle or object, or it is at least intended to be labeled with such a label. The label 5 or visible / legible marking is, for example, a vehicle identification number (VIN) or other control or approval marking, alternatively a test mark, a manufacturer's note, a spare part number, a logo, a graphic element, or other information, or a combination thereof.

[0031] The label 10 is preferably a laser-inscribed or laser-inscribeable label. The layered composite 1 is preferably a laser-inscribeable layered composite and comprises, for example, a color laser film 2. The adhesive layer, ie, the adhesive film 3 of the label 10, is arranged on the back of the layered composite 1.

[0032] In a conventional label, the adhesive film 3 lies over the entire surface of the painted surface of the vehicle part 25. In the label 10 shown here, however, an invisible inscription or other marking is incorporated into the back of the label, or at least one that cannot be seen from the front without technical aids, concealed by the label itself, which is transferred to the vehicle part 25 or its paint layer 21, i.e. to the surface of the object 35 or its coating, when the label is stuck onto the label and persists as an irreversible change to the paint layer 20 of the vehicle part 25 or the surface.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the label from Fig. 1 according to a first embodiment. The layer sequence for realizing the layer composite 1, which embodies the color laser foil 2 or - according to alternative embodiments - the other inscribable foil, is only indicated schematically and will not be discussed in detail here. In the label 10 of Fig. 2, a structured active ingredient layer 24 is arranged on the underside or rear side 10a, which covers partial areas of the adhesive layer 3 from below. In Fig. 2 and in the following figures, the dimensions, in particular the layer thicknesses, are not shown to scale and are partly exaggerated for clarity. The structured active ingredient layer 24 arranged on the back 10a of the label 10 contains an active ingredient 4 which is selected such that when brought into contact with vehicle paint, i.e. with a vehicle part painted therewith, it acts on the vehicle paint and / or penetrates into the vehicle paint. The active ingredient can in particular be a paint solvent or another paint-modifying agent, and furthermore detectable substances that are capable of diffusion in the vehicle paint, in particular those with luminescent properties. The active ingredient 4 orthe active ingredient layer 24 is arranged only in partial areas of the back of the label 10a and, from the time of dispensing the label, forms a further, initially invisible marking which is generally different from the visible inscription 5 on the front 10b of the label 10 and only becomes visible or recognizable to the trained eye when the label, which was adhered to the vehicle part 25 for a certain minimum period of time, which may, however, be relatively short (for example a few months, weeks, days or even shorter; if necessary, a few seconds are sufficient), is removed from the vehicle part 25.

[0034] The active ingredient 4 does not necessarily have to be an active ingredient intended for vehicle paint or for another paint, ie one that interacts or reacts therewith, but merely needs to be selected and / or designed such that the active ingredient 4 interacts with the surface of the object 35 to be labelled or its coating, ie with the material or a material component on the surface of the object 35 or the surface of its coating, reacts therewith and / or penetrates therein.

[0035] Nevertheless, for the sake of brevity, the following explanations only refer to active substances that interact with or change paint or vehicle paint.

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a further training course in which, in contrast to Fig. 2, a further layer is additionally arranged, which is, for example, a UV-protective layer 26 or an adhesion-reducing layer 27, or which combines both of these properties. This layer, for example, consists of UV-protective varnish 6 or at least contains it. For the sake of clarity, the illustration is slightly enlarged compared to Fig. 2; according to Fig. 3, the active ingredient layer 24 and the UV protection layer 26 or adhesion-reducing layer 27 are structured congruently, ie layer stacks of a double layer are created with a lateral contour or structure that corresponds to the desired inscription to be left on the paint surface of the vehicle (for example, a repeated sequence of letters XYZ; see Fig. 6); for example, corresponds to the name of a vehicle manufacturer.

[0037] Fig. 4 shows a label 10 from Fig. 2 provided vehicle part 25. From the moment the label 10 is affixed, partial areas of the paint layer 20 come into contact with the active ingredient layer 24 on the back of the label and are exposed from this moment to the action and / or penetration of the active ingredient 4. The active ingredient 4 is, for example, a paint solvent 4a, which locally dissolves the paint surface, dissolves it superficially, liquefies it, dilutes it, or otherwise reacts with the material of the paint layer 20 or changes it. Pancreatin or N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), for example, can be used as the active ingredient 4 or paint solvent 4a. Alternatively, the active ingredient 4 can be a luminescent substance 4b, in particular a fluorescent substance, which is capable of diffusing or migrating within the vehicle paint layer 20, as in Fig. 4 in the paint layer of vehicle paint 20 is indicated by dot-shaped active ingredient particles or molecules. The surface areas of the active ingredient layer 24 thus serve to form a lettering that is exposed or to be exposed after removal of the label, for example, a manufacturer's information or one of the markings or information listed above.

[0038] Fig. 5A shows the vehicle part 25 from Fig. 4 after removal of the label 10 according to a first embodiment of the label, in which the surface pieces of the active ingredient layer 24 detach from the adhesive film 3 when the label 10 is peeled off and remain adhered to the paint surface of the vehicle part 25. Alternatively, the label 10 can also be designed such that the active ingredient layer regions 24 are peeled off from the vehicle paint 20 at the same time as the label. In both cases, however, a portion of the active ingredient 4, such as the luminescent substance or the paint solvent, remains in the paint layer of the vehicle part, in particular near the surface of the paint layer and in surface areas directly beneath and adjacent to the surface areas of the active ingredient layer 24. This creates further inscription orMarking that is either detectable with aids such as UV lamps or—especially when using paint solvents such as pancreatin or NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone)—is even visible to the trained eye without aids. The two paint solvents mentioned above also have the advantage that their traces in the vehicle paint are almost impossible to remove.

[0039] Fig. Figure 5B shows a surface deformation in the vehicle paint, as it occurs locally due to the action of pancreatin or NMP on the paint surface. In those areas previously covered with the active ingredient layer 24, the paint surface of the vehicle paint 20 has become uneven due to the paint-dissolving effect. Typically, slight elevations form at the edge of the areas covered with pancreatin or NMP, surrounding the area treated with the active ingredient 4; 4a. In the areas previously covered with the active ingredient, the paint composition is either changed, the layer thickness of the paint layer is slightly reduced, or the material of the paint layer 20 is otherwise altered, as shown in Fig. 5B. According to Fig. 5B, when the label is removed, it is removed entirely, including the surface pieces of the structured active ingredient layer 24. The embodiment according to Fig. 4 in conjunction with Fig. 5A (instead of Fig. 5B), however, still allows a subsequent action or penetration of further active substance 4 into the vehicle part 25 over a period of time when the label 10 has long since been removed.

[0040] According to the Fig. 3, the structured double layer comprising the active ingredient layer 24 and the UV protection layer 26 (or alternatively an adhesion-reducing layer 27) can also be transferred to the paint surface. Then, for example, the Fig. 5B, surrounded by outer edge elevations, continue to be covered with the surface pieces of the structured active ingredient layer 24, preferably also with the surface pieces of the UV protection layer 26 and / or adhesion-reducing layer 27 arranged congruently thereabove, even after removal of the label, as in Fig. 5C. This has the advantage that even after the label 10 has been removed from the paint layer of the vehicle part 25, the remaining surface pieces of the active ingredient layer 24 continue to cause the formation or solidification of the lettering or other marking of the paint surface; moreover, the active ingredient is protected from environmental influences by the protective layer 26; 27 and is thus preserved better and for an even longer period of time. In the case of a UV protective layer 26, luminescent substances 4b, for example, can be used instead of paint solvents 4a to protect against decomposition by UV radiation, in particular by direct or indirect sunlight. Even when other protective layers are used, the respective active ingredient 4 can continue to exert its undiminished effect on and / or in the paint layer of the vehicle part 25 even after the remaining label, i.e. the adhesive film 3 and the layer composite 1, has been removed.

[0041] Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary inscription or other marking, as can be produced with the aid of the active ingredient 4; 4a; 4b on and / or in the paint layer of the vehicle part. Fig. The surface section shown in Figure 6 is, for example, a section of the label base surface. In partial areas of the label base surface, i.e. in partial areas 8 that correspond to lettering or other marking or a part thereof, the lacquer layer is altered, for example, by at least an interim dissolving process, it is deepened, less shiny or matt, discolored, lightened or darker than in the untreated surface areas, or otherwise locally altered. In the example in Fig. 6, the partial surface areas 8, which correspond to the surface pieces of the active ingredient layer 24 or their recesses, each form individual letters of a lettering (here XYZ), which, for example, stands for a manufacturer's name. The marking thus produced is, for example, in the form of a scatter print with a plurality of identical or at least identically content-containing labeling fields 9, here, for example, in the form of an arrangement of many repetitions of the lettering XYZ. The partial surface areas 8 of an individual labeling field 9 are, for example, letters or alphanumeric characters, the outlines of which correspond to the edges of the surface pieces of the active ingredient layer 24 (optionally additionally the UV protection layer 26 or other protection layer) or their recesses that were previously applied or are still applied after removal of the label. The outlines correspond, for example, to the Fig. 5B and Fig. 5C, such as those caused by the action of the lacquer solvents pancreatin or NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone). Alternatively, the partial surface areas 8 can be surface areas in which a luminescent substance has diffused into the lacquer layer and fluoresces when exposed to a UV lamp. Fig. The images of the contour or surface area of ​​the structured material layer 24 shown in Figures 2 to 6, which are produced in the paint layer of the vehicle part, can also be the negative image of the inscription or motif instead of a lettering or other motif.

[0042] Fig. Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment with regard to the design of the label back 10a. While in Fig. 2 the active ingredient 4 is arranged in the active ingredient layer 24 and thus on, namely below the adhesive film 3, and in Fig. 3 the active ingredient 4 is contained even deeper than the adhesive film 3, namely in the active ingredient layer 24 spaced from it by the protective layer 26; 27, the active ingredient 4 is located according to Fig. 7 in the adhesive film 3 itself. The adhesive layer 3 is permeated over its entire surface with the active ingredient 4; 4a; 4b. In addition, however, a separating layer 11 is provided below the adhesive film 3, which prevents the active ingredient 4 from touching or coming into contact with the vehicle paint when the label is affixed to the vehicle part surface. This separating layer 11 on the underside is preferably a diffusion barrier layer 12, which the active ingredient 4 cannot pass through. The separating layer 11 is - analogous to the active ingredient layer 24 of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 - structured within the label base area, whereby the recesses in the separating layer 11 are made of Fig. 7 the surface pieces of the active ingredient layer 24 from Fig. 2 or Fig. 3. This creates the same positive image as with the help of the labels 10 of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, for example the one in Fig. 6. A negative image can also be created; for this purpose, Fig. 7 the surface pieces and recesses are to be exchanged. The same applies to the active ingredient layer 24 in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

[0043] Typical layer thicknesses for the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. The thicknesses of the label layers shown in Figure 7 are, for example, 15 to 50 µm for the adhesive film 3; 2 to 20 µm for the active ingredient layer 24; 5 to 50 µm for the release layer 11; and 5 to 50 µm for the protective layer 26. Instead of a UV-protective layer, layer 26 can also be an anti-adhesive or adhesion-reducing layer 27, which facilitates the detachment of the surface portions of the active ingredient layer 24 from the adhesive film 3 when the label is removed. Layer 26 can also combine these two functions and then contain, for example, a UV-protective varnish 6 as well as silicone or another adhesion-reducing agent. Furthermore, the layer thicknesses can be suitably selected depending on the type and implementation of the respective printing process. The separating layer or the active ingredient layer, if necessary in combination with the intermediate layer (UV protection layer 26 and / or adhesion-reducing layer 27 made of, for example, silicone) can be applied optionally to the back of the label 10b orThe backside 3a of the adhesive film 3 can be printed, in particular by flexographic printing. Alternatively, these layers, or at least one of them, can be printed onto a carrier film arranged beneath the back of the label, for example, by screen printing onto the siliconized side of the carrier film. In the latter case, the layers 11; 24; 26 come into contact with the backside 3a of the adhesive film 3 when the label and carrier film are joined. If a combined UV-protective and anti-adhesive layer 26; 27 is present, this can, for example, contain a proportion of 20% to 40%, for example 30%, silicone and otherwise consist of UV-protective varnish.

[0044] Fig. 8 schematically shows a first exemplary embodiment of a method for producing a label composite comprising a label or a plurality of labels according to the present application. In the method, conventional materials are initially used, in particular a label film web 21 and a carrier film web 22; preferably as a ready-made roll product, in which the carrier film web is already removably glued with its front side to the back of the label film web, i.e. to its adhesive film. The label film web 21 is, for example, a conventional ready-made product for writable labels, in particular for laser-writable labels. Accordingly, the label film web 21 preferably comprises a color laser film 2 or a layer composite 1 comprising such a color laser film, as already mentioned with reference to the previous figures.The label film web 21 has an adhesive film 3 on the back. The carrier film web has a silicone coating or another coating on the front that reduces adhesion or adhesive strength, whereby the carrier film is removably bonded to the adhesive film.

[0045] In the procedure according to Fig. 8, an active ingredient layer 24, which contains the active ingredient 4 for forming an additional, concealed marking on vehicle parts to be labeled, is printed as a backing active ingredient layer 24 onto the label film web 21. For this purpose, the label film web 21 and the carrier film web 22 are separated from each other temporarily or over a portion of their length in order to be able to selectively print on selected surface areas of the adhesive film 3. The printing process is preferably carried out using flexographic printing, although other printing techniques are also possible in principle. According to Fig. 8, the active ingredient layer 24 is selectively printed onto surface areas of the back 10a of the label film web 21 using a printing roller 18. Thus, surface areas or surface pieces of the active ingredient layer 24 containing the active ingredient 4 are formed on the back of the label.

[0046] Fig. Figure 8 further shows a further development in which a UV protection layer 26 containing a UV protection varnish 6 is additionally printed onto the adhesive film 3, specifically congruent with the surface pieces of the active ingredient layer 24. First, the surface pieces of the layer 26 are printed onto the respective surface areas of the adhesive film 3, and then the surface pieces of the active ingredient layer 24 are printed onto the back of the surface pieces of the layer 26. Here, too, flexographic printing is preferably used. Subsequently, the back of the label film web 21 is dried with a dryer 19 and finally rejoined with the carrier film web 22. This creates the finished label composite 40, which can be produced either as a roll (as shown) or as a sheet, in which between the carrier film web 22 and the label film web 21, ieThe surface pieces of the active ingredient layer 24 and, if appropriate, also the surface pieces of the UV protection layer 26 are arranged between the carrier film 30 and the label 10. The labels punched from the finished label composite 40 are thus suitable for forming hidden markings in the paint layer of vehicle parts, in the paint layer on other objects, or generally on the surface of any objects 35 or the surface of their coating.

[0047] Deviating from Fig. 8, instead of the UV-protective layer 26, an adhesion-reducing layer, such as a silicone-containing layer, can be printed before the active ingredient layer 24 is printed thereon. The active ingredient 4 is then, for example, not a luminescent substance 4b, but a lacquer solvent 4a, such as pancreatin or NMP. Furthermore, a layer containing both a UV-protective lacquer and silicone or another substance for reducing adhesion to the adhesive film 3 can be printed as layer 26. Nevertheless, the adhesion here is stronger than the adhesion between the active ingredient layer 24 and the carrier film web 21; when the carrier film web is detached during label dispensing, the active ingredient layer 24 thus remains adhered to the label 10.

[0048] According to a further variation of Fig. 8, instead of the active ingredient layer 24 (and optionally the layer 26), a lower-side separating layer, in particular a diffusion barrier layer, is printed on the back of an adhesive film 3. In this modification, an adhesive film is used which already contains the active ingredient 4. The separating layer 11 or barrier layer thus prevents the active ingredient 4 from diffusing from the active ingredient-containing adhesive film 3 into the paint layer of a labeled vehicle part. Again, surface pieces of the separating layer 11 or barrier layer 12 are selectively printed onto individual surface areas; the separating layer 11 is thus structured, wherein the structure corresponds to the contours of the surface pieces or surface areas of the separating layer. In this modification to Fig. 8 the UV protection layer 26 is omitted.

[0049] Fig. Figure 9 shows an alternative second method in which the active ingredient layer 24 is printed onto the carrier film 30 or onto the carrier film web 22. Screen printing is preferably used as the printing technique. Fig. 9, the surface pieces or surface areas of the active ingredient layer 24 are printed onto the front side of the carrier film web 22 (for example, by means of a corresponding printing screen 23) after the carrier film web 22 has been separated from the label film web 21. Compared to the pictorial representation in Fig. 9, the same modifications are possible that have already been made with reference to Fig. 8. Thus, instead of a luminescent substance, for example, pancreatin, NMP, or another lacquer solvent 4a can be contained as the active ingredient 4 in the active ingredient layer 24. Furthermore, instead of an active ingredient layer 24, a separating layer 11 or diffusion barrier layer 12 can be printed onto the carrier film web 22. In this case, a label film web is used whose adhesive film 3 already contains a corresponding active ingredient 4; 4a; 4b.

[0050] If according to Fig. 9 an active ingredient layer 24 is printed and the active ingredient is a luminescent substance 4b, a further development provides that congruent surface pieces of a UV protection layer 26 are subsequently printed onto the surface pieces of the active ingredient layer 24; preferably again by screen printing. The produced surface pieces or layer stacks are subsequently dried and then the label film web 21 and the front-printed carrier film web 22 are brought together again. As a result of the adhesive layer of the label film web 21 with the labels 10, the printed layers or layer stacks 24; 26 now adhere more strongly to the back of the adhesive layer 3, i.e., they are detached from the carrier film together with the remaining part of the label when the label is later removed from the carrier film. The finished label composite 40, like that of Fig.8 ready-to-use labels according to the present application, whereby sheets can also be used instead of rolls. List of reference symbols 1 layer composite 2 color laser foil 3 Adhesive film 3a back 4 Active ingredient 4a Paint solvent 4b Luminescent substance 5 Labeling 6 UV protective varnish 7 adhesion-reducing substance 8 subarea 9 Label field 10 labels 10a back 10b front 11 Separating layer 12 Diffusion barrier layer 18 printing roller 19 dryers 20 Vehicle paint 21 Label film web 22 Carrier film web 23 Printing screen 24 active ingredient layer 25 vehicle part 26 UV protection layer 27 adhesion-reducing layer 30 carrier film 35 Subject 40 label composite VIN Vehicle Identification Number

Claims

[1] Label (10) for marking an object, the label (10) comprising: - an inscribable layer composite (1) in which a first, visible inscription (5) for identifying an object can be formed, - an adhesive film (3) with which the label (10) can be stuck onto an object, and - an active ingredient (4) which, when brought into contact with the surface of an object, penetrates into the surface of the object and / or acts on the surface of the object, - wherein the active ingredient (4) is arranged on the back (10a) of the label (10) below the adhesive film (3), - wherein the label (10) has a structured active ingredient layer (24) in which the active ingredient (4) is arranged, wherein the structured active ingredient layer (24) comprises one or more partial surface areas (8) of the base area of ​​the label (10), but is left out in the remaining part of the base area of ​​the label (10), - wherein the label (10) is free of the active ingredient (4) over its entire layer thickness in a remaining portion of its base area, which is not spanned by the structured active ingredient layer (24), so that the label (10), when adhered to the surface of an object, brings the active ingredient (10) into contact with the surface of the object selectively in the region of the structured active ingredient layer (24), - wherein the shape and / or contour of the structured active ingredient layer (24) is formed in the form of a further inscription, marking or information and - wherein the label (10) has a structured adhesion-reducing layer (27) and / or a structured UV-protection layer (26) between the structured active ingredient layer (24) and the adhesive film (3), wherein the structured adhesion-reducing layer (27) and / or the structured UV-protection layer (26) is structured congruently with the structured active ingredient layer (24) and adheres more strongly to the structured active ingredient layer (24) than to the adhesive film (3). [2] Label according to claim 1, characterized by that the contour of the structured active ingredient layer (24) is designed as a label or as a negative image of a label. [3] Label according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the structured active ingredient layer (24) is a transparent active ingredient-containing lacquer layer printed on the back (3a) of the adhesive film (3). [4] Label according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the structured active ingredient layer (24) is designed to transfer a scattered print with a plurality of similar labeling fields (9), namely with labeling fields (9) in the form of an alphanumeric label or another motif intended for transfer to an object. [5] Label according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the active ingredient (4) is or contains pancreatin, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or another lacquer solvent (4a) or lacquer-modifying agent. [6] Label according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the active ingredient (4) is a luminescent substance (4b) which is diffusible in lacquer. [7] Label according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the layer composite (1) is designed as a laser-inscribable color laser film (2) or otherwise inscribable, non-transparent composite film. [8] Label according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the label (10) is a label for identifying a surface painted with a varnish, wherein the label (10) comprises an active ingredient (4) which, when brought into contact with a lacquer, penetrates into the lacquer and / or acts on the lacquer. [9] Label according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the label (10) is a label for identifying a vehicle part painted with a vehicle paint, wherein the label (10) comprises an active ingredient (4) which, when brought into contact with a vehicle paint, penetrates into the vehicle paint and / or acts on the vehicle paint. [10] Label assembly (40) for ready-to-use labeling and dispensing of at least one label (10), comprising - a carrier film (30) and - at least one label (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 suitable for marking a surface of an object, which is glued with its back side (10a) to a side of the carrier film (30) coated with an adhesion-reducing coating, wherein the active ingredient (4) is contained in at least one structured active ingredient layer (24) which is arranged between the adhesive film (3) of the at least one label (10) and the carrier film (30). [11] A method for producing at least one label (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for marking objects, the method comprising: - Providing a label film web (21) comprising a writable layer composite (1) and an adhesive film (3), and providing a carrier film web (22), - printing at least one active substance layer (24) with an active substance (4) which, when brought into contact with a surface of an object, penetrates into the surface of the object and / or acts on the surface of the object, selectively onto partial surface areas of the back of the label film web (21) and / or onto partial surface areas of the front of the carrier film web (22) and - joining the label film web (21) and the carrier film web (22) in such a way that the active ingredient layer (24) lies between the label film web (21) and the carrier film web (22). [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized bythat a label film web (21) is used which is connected to a carrier film web (22), wherein the label film web (21) and the carrier film web (22) are separated from one another in sections and / or temporarily in order to print on the active ingredient layer (24), and that the label film web (21) and the carrier film web (22) are joined together again after the active ingredient layer (24) has been printed on. [13] Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by that in the method a label composite (40) is produced which has a label (10) or a plurality of labels (10) according to one of the claims 1 to 9.

Images