Multi-layered seal label with proof of opening and a method for its manufacture

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a multi-layer sealing label according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for producing a multi-layer sealing label according to the preamble of claim 14.

[0002] Multi-layer sealing labels are of course known in the state of the art.

[0003] Typical layer structures generally consist of a void-structured carrier with two contrasting color layers, one or more adhesion-controlling functional layers, and an adhesive layer. The adhesion-controlling layers are only partially applied and enable controlled, locally differentiated anchoring of the two color layers used for initial opening detection.

[0004] EP 2717243 B1 discloses a sealing label comprising a carrier layer, two adhesion-controlling layers printed in register with each other, as well as a first and a second ink layer and an adhesive layer, with which the entire sealing label can be applied to a surface of a product.

[0005] DE 102016216878 A1 discloses a security label comprising a carrier film, a first and a second ink layer, and two adhesion-controlling layers, which are also printed in precise register with each other. A non-transparent metal layer is printed on the outside of the carrier layer, preferably in precise register with one of the adhesion-controlling layers, which gives the sealing label a higher-quality appearance. A disadvantage of the first-mentioned sealing label is that the closed sealing label sometimes appears visually unattractive, while optical refinements according to the second-mentioned disclosure have the disadvantage that the printed metal layers conceal the proof of initial opening.

[0006] AT 509 904 A2 discloses the introductory part of claim 1.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention, in a first aspect, to provide a multi-layer sealing label as mentioned above which at least reduces the disadvantages mentioned above.

[0008] In a second aspect, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing the multi-layer sealing label mentioned at the outset.

[0009] The object is achieved in its first aspect by a multi-layer sealing label with a first-opening proof as mentioned at the outset, wherein the first-opening proof is provided with a first adhesion-controlling layer applied along a carrier layer and with a first ink layer applied along the first adhesion-controlling layer and a second adhesion-controlling layer applied along the first ink layer, which is at least partially in register with the first adhesion-controlling layer, and a second ink layer applied along the second adhesion-controlling layer.The two ink layers as well as the two adhesion-controlling layers function to provide proof of first opening by pulling on or peeling off the carrier layer, breaking the multi-layer seal label into a peeled-off tab and a layer remaining on the product, with the dividing line between the tab and the layer running through the first ink layer, which preferably has vertical break lines and thus remains partly on the layer and partly on the tab.

[0010] The carrier layer is preferably a BOPP film (biaxially oriented polypropylene film). This film is stretched in two directions, preferably in both plane directions, and is particularly tear-resistant in both directions.

[0011] According to the invention, a pigment-containing, transparent on-top layer is applied along the outside of the carrier layer. This pigment-containing, transparent on-top layer gives the seal label a high-quality external appearance and appearance, and advantageously does not conceal the tamper evidence.

[0012] "Outside" means away from the surface of the product and "inside" means towards the surface of the product.

[0013] The multi-layer seal label preferably has an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is preferably arranged along the second ink layer, particularly preferably directly on the second ink layer. The adhesive layer advantageously allows the seal label to be adhered to a product surface.

[0014] The first adhesion-controlling layer and the second adhesion-controlling layer are applied in precise register with each other, at least in some areas. This means that, in a top view of the multilayer seal label, the entire layer is covered by the first adhesion-controlling layer or the second adhesion-controlling layer, but the first and second adhesion-controlling layers do not overlap. Both layers form an alternating pattern, and together they cover the entire layer.

[0015] The pattern may contain the form of ornaments, graphics or lettering.

[0016] In contrast, the first color layer is preferably formed over the entire surface, in particular over the area of ​​the first opening proof, and the second color layer is preferably also formed over the entire surface, at least over the area of ​​the first opening proof.

[0017] The first and second color layers are preferably chosen to contrast strongly with one another. White is particularly suitable as the second color layer and black as the first color layer. Other color choices are of course also conceivable, although with each other color choice the contrast between the color layers is somewhat reduced. Advantageously, the carrier film is transparent. Transparent here is understood to mean the range of light visible to the human eye. The pigment-containing on-top layer is also transparent. This does not mean, however, that the on-top layer is completely transparent, i.e. almost 100 percent transparent, but rather that it allows a view through the layer over its entire extent, even though the individual pigments contained in the on-top layer may obscure the view. Nevertheless, the entire surface of the proof of initial opening is not covered.

[0018] The pigments preferably contain metallic pigments. The metallic pigments can have sizes between 5 µm and 200 µm, preferably an average size of 5 µm to 60 µm. Metallic pigments are particularly preferably present in a weight fraction of 10 wt% to 30 wt% (wt% = weight percent) of the total mass of the on-top layer.

[0019] Generally, a transparent lacquer is selected to produce the on-top layer, into which metallic pigments of the above-mentioned average size are stirred at a weight fraction of 10% to 30%. The result is the on-top layer according to the invention, which can be printed onto the sealing label. The on-top layer can be printed over the entire surface or at least over the entire outside surface of the carrier layer, preferably directly onto the carrier layer.

[0020] In preferred embodiments of the sealing label according to the invention, it is also conceivable that, in at least some areas, the on-top layer is applied in precise register with the first-opening detection layer. The on-top layer is applied, preferably printed, to the outside of the carrier layer in precise register with the first adhesion-controlling layer and / or the second adhesion-controlling layer.

[0021] Ideally, the pigments are colored and formed in a different color than the first and second color layers. This makes it possible for the seal label to appear externally not in the color of the first and / or second color layers, but in a high-quality color that is also created by the metallic pigments of the on-top layer.

[0022] The problem is solved in its second aspect by a method having the features of claim 14.

[0023] The method for producing a multi-layer sealing label is suitable for producing any of the above-mentioned multi-layer sealing labels; conversely, any of the above-mentioned sealing labels can be produced by any of the following methods.

[0024] According to the invention, a first adhesion-controlling layer is applied along a carrier layer, and a first ink layer is applied along the first adhesion-controlling layer. A second adhesion-controlling layer, which is formed at least partially in register with the first adhesion-controlling layer, is applied along the first ink layer, and a second ink layer is applied along the second adhesion-controlling layer. The application takes place using conventional printing processes.

[0025] The adhesion-controlling layers are usually dispersion-based varnishes, while the first and second ink layers are preferably UV ink layers, i.e. ink layers that cure after printing by exposure to UV light.

[0026] According to the invention, a pigment-containing transparent on-top layer is applied externally along the carrier film. With regard to the individual layers, what has been said about the sealing label applies mutatis mutandis and is also disclosed for the method. The pigments are preferably incorporated into a transparent lacquer, which is then applied to the carrier film as an on-top layer. With regard to the pigments, metal-containing pigments with a size between 5 µm and 200 µm, preferably an average size of 5 µm to 60 µm, are preferably selected. The lacquer is advantageously completely transparent, while stirring the pigments into the transparent lacquer forms an on-top layer that can still be described as transparent, although it is not 100% transparent like the transparent lacquer. Metal pigments are preferably selected in an amount that makes up approximately 10% to 30% by weight of the weight of the pigment-containing on-top layer.

[0027] The invention is described using some embodiments in thirteen figures, in which: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a schematic structure of a closed sealing label according to the invention, Fig. 2 a sectional view of the opened sealing label in Fig. 1 , Fig. 3a closed seal label in a conventional cold foil finishing, Fig. 3b removed flap in Fig. 3a Fig. 3cLayer of the label remaining on the product in Fig. 3a , Fig. 3d a sealing label according to the invention, Fig. 3e a peeled-off tab of the sealing label in Fig. 3d , Fig. 3fine layer of the seal label remaining on the product in Fig. 3d , Fig. 4a conventional cold foil finishing in partial register-accurate application on a sealing label, Fig. 4b peeled-off tab of the sealing label in Fig. 4a , Fig. 4c seal label according to the invention with partially register-accurate on-top finishing, Fig. 4d peeled-off tab of the seal label in Fig. 4c , Fig. 5 four images: closed seal label, peeled off puddle, layer remaining on the product and resealed seal label with colored on-top layer.

[0028] Fig. 1 represents an area of ​​the seal label 1 in which a first-opening proof is accommodated. The first-opening proof is also referred to as a void effect. The seal label 1 has a seven-layer structure in this embodiment of the invention. The seal label 1 does not have to be constructed according to the above structure over its entire surface area. Some areas of the seal label 1 can also have a fewer-layered or even higher-layered structure, and in some areas no first-opening proof needs to be present at all. In the following, the term seal label 1 is used when the Fig. 1 shown structure is meant, even if it is only present in some areas.

[0029] The sealing label 1 has a carrier layer 2, which here is designed as a BOPP film (biaxially oriented polypropylene film). The BOPP film is a film stretched in two directions, preferably in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the sealing label 1. The stretching of a film results in increased tear resistance, particularly in both stretching directions. This ensures secure opening of the sealing label 1 according to Fig. 2 enabled. Fig. 2 shows the seal label of the Fig. 1 in an open state. In principle, the entire seal label 1 in the closed state is Fig. 1 glued to a surface (not shown) by means of an adhesive layer 3, which is designed here as a PSA adhesive layer. By pulling and tearing off the tab 4 having the carrier layer 2 in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction according to Fig. 2 the upper flap 4 is removed from the sealing label 1, and the Fig. 2 residue shown below, also referred to here as remaining layer 6, on the surface of the product.

[0030] The carrier layer 2 is transparent to visible light. A first adhesion-controlling layer, which is designed here as a first release lacquer layer 7, is also transparent. A first color layer 8 is preferably black. A second adhesion-controlling layer, which is designed here as a second release lacquer layer 9, is also transparent. A second color layer 11 is Fig. 1 white trained.

[0031] The adhesion-controlling layers 7, 8 are designed in such a way that when the tab 4 is removed from the layer 6 of the sealing label, a break line according to Fig. 2 is caused, ie the black layer, i.e. the first layer of color, is torn open.

[0032] The first release lacquer layer 7 is formed such that a release force between the carrier layer 2 and the first release lacquer layer 7 is greater than a release force between the first release lacquer layer 7 and the first color layer 8.

[0033] The second release lacquer layer 9 is designed such that a release force between the first color layer 7 and the second release lacquer layer 9 is lower than a release force between the second release lacquer layer 9 and the second color layer 11.

[0034] According to the invention, the inventive on-top layer 12 with pigments is applied to the outside of the carrier layer 2, preferably over the entire surface or at least in certain regions. The on-top layer 12 is transparent when viewed through, and in a top view with a black background through the first color layer 9, the pigments of the on-top layer 12 create their effect and make the security label 1 shimmer in the pigment color, for example, blue. The viewer looks into Fig. 1 onto the closed seal label 1 and thereby on the one hand onto the on-top layer 12 and on the other hand through the transparent carrier layer 2 and the transparent first release layer 7 onto the black first color layer 8 and overall the viewer sees a full-surface seal label 1 shimmering in the pigment colors.

[0035] After removing the tab 4, the viewer looks directly from above onto the second release layer 9 and the first color layer 11 of the layer 6 according to Fig. 2 . Since the second release lacquer layer 9 is also transparent, the observer looks through it to the second color layer 11 and sees an overall high-contrast pattern that is formed by the contrast between the first and the second color layer 8, 11.

[0036] When looking at the closed seal label 1, the viewer sees a shimmering blue pigment, for example. However, after removing the tab 4, layer 6 appears to the viewer to be a high-contrast black and white.

[0037] When the seal label 1 is resealed, air pockets inevitably form between the flap 4 and the layer 6, making it impossible to create a visual state after resealing that corresponds to the closed seal label 1. The view of the closed and the resealed seal label 1 is shown in the Fig. 5 The left illustration shows the closed seal label 1 and the fourth illustration shows the resealed seal label 1. Clear differences can be seen.

[0038] Advantageously, the first release lacquer layer 7 is a water-soluble emulsion printing ink. The second release lacquer layer 9 is preferably also a water-soluble emulsion printing ink. Advantageously, the first release lacquer layer 7 and the second release lacquer layer 9 are complementary to each other. In this context, we also speak of a register-accurate application. Register-accurate means that in a top view of the seal label in Fig. 1 in a view from above, the two release varnish layers 7, 9 cover the entire plane in the area of ​​the first opening proof of the seal label and the release varnish layers 7, 9 do not overlap.

[0039] The first ink layer 8 and the second ink layer 11 are preferably UV ink layers. In this context, a UV ink layer is understood to mean an ink layer that cures under the influence of UV light after application or printing and bonds with the surrounding layers.

[0040] After printing, they are cured with UV light and thus in the in the security label in Fig. 1 to the final state.

[0041] In the exemplary embodiment, the first release lacquer layer 7 is applied directly to the carrier layer 2 on the product side. The product side is also referred to here as the inside, and the product side as the outside. The first ink layer 8 is applied directly to the first release lacquer layer 7 on the inside over the entire surface over the area of ​​the first opening detection. The second release lacquer layer 9 is applied directly to the first ink layer 8 on the inside in precise register with the first release lacquer layer 7. The second ink layer 11 is applied directly to the second release lacquer layer 9 and the first ink layer 8 on the inside over the entire surface in the area of ​​the first opening detection.

[0042] Fig. 1 shows only the schematic structure of the sealing label 1 in longitudinal section; there are no air pockets between the individual layers. The individual layers are applied to the carrier film 2 one after the other, preferably in individual printing steps using a printing process. The on-top layer 12 is applied flatly to the outside of the carrier layer 2.

[0043] The on-top layer 12 is a varnish that is printed externally onto the carrier layer 2 in a further printing step. The varnish has a transparent base substance, and pigments, preferably metallic pigments, which can have a color, preferably blue or green, but can also have any other color, are mixed into the base substance. It has been found that particularly favorable optical effects can be achieved if the weight of the on-top layer 12 is determined by 10% to 30% by weight of metallic pigments. The metallic pigments advantageously have an average size of 5 µm to 60 µm.

[0044] The on-top layer 12 is also transparent. This represents an optical advantage over a possible cold foil finishing of the sealing label 1. With cold foil finishing of the sealing label 1, a non-transparent foil with a visually appealing effect, for example, by incorporating metallic pigments, is applied to the outside of the carrier layer 2.

[0045] In the Figuren 3a, 3b, 3c The cold foil finishing of the victory label 1 is shown and in the adjacent Fig. 3d, 3e, 3f the inventive on-top layer 12 finishing.

[0046] The cold foil is non-transparent and not fully formed, so that according to Fig. 3a in the area of ​​the applied cold foil, non-transparent, gold-colored areas can be seen, while in areas not covered by the cold foil, the black first color layer 8 can be seen through the sealing label 1.

[0047] Fig. 3b shows the removed flap 4 in the conventional cold foil finishing and in Fig. 3c the layer 6 remaining on the surface. Layer 6 conventionally has a maximum contrast between the first and second color layers 8, 11, as shown in Fig. 2 when looking at layer 6, while Fig. 3b shows the top view of the removed tab 4, whereby it turns out to be disadvantageous that the cold foil also covers the proof of first opening, which is particularly noticeable in the area of ​​the rosette of the "Quality Seal".

[0048] According to the invention, instead of the cold foil, an on-top lacquer 12 according to Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 outside on the carrier film 2 in the Fig. 3d - 3f applied. The external appearance of the closed seal label 1 Fig. 3d essentially corresponds to that of cold foil finishing in Fig. 3a . In Fig. 3d The on-top layer 12 is, of course, not applied over the entire surface of the seal label 1, but only in the areas that also appear gold-colored here. The other areas are left out.

[0049] Fig. 3e shows the removed flap 4. Since the pigment-containing on-top layer 12 is colored but still transparent, the areas of the flap provided with the first-opening proof are not completely covered, but the first-opening proof remains visually preserved in the flap 4. The view of layer 6 in Fig. 3f , which remains on the product, corresponds to that of the conventional cold foil finishing according to Fig. 3f .

[0050] The four figures according to Fig. 4 The circled area shows the possibility of applying the cold foil to the proof of tampering in register with conventional cold foil finishing. In this case, an opaque area of ​​the cold foil—here the golden dot marked with the circle—is positioned precisely so that this area is printed on the removed flap 4 in register with the first and second release lacquer layers 7, 9, i.e., the golden dot is positioned in register over an area provided with the first release lacquer layer 7.

[0051] The accurate registration application is of course also possible with the coating according to the invention with an on-top layer 12 in a printing process according to the Fig. 4c und 4d possible. Here, too, the proof of initial opening remains valid even more so in the case of a register-accurate order.

[0052] An example of an on-top layer 12 is a commercially available Iriodin® coating. However, any other possible coatings that can be easily manufactured according to the composition described above are also conceivable.

[0053] In the Fig. 5 2 shows a further effect of the on-top layer 12 according to the invention. The maximum and thus best-recognizable contrast of the proof of first opening is achieved when black is selected as the first color and white as the second color. Of course, other color combinations with high contrast are also conceivable. The on-top layer 12 significantly changes the overall impression of the closed seal label 1 according to the first illustration, as the entire seal label 1 appears blue. Some areas have been deliberately removed from the full-surface blue application. They are completely transparent and therefore still appear black, as they allow a transparent view of the first color layer 8. The blue effect is created because the pigments mixed into the on-top layer 12 are blue metallic pigments, which create the blue appearance.After removing tab 4, the tab appears in a combination of blue, white, and black, as shown in the second image. Layer 6, which remains on the product, still appears in the maximum contrast of black and white and is therefore particularly easy to recognize.

[0054] This is a significant advantage over, for example, pigments incorporated into the layer structure itself. Pigment-containing color layers could be used as the first color layer 8 or the second color layer 11. This would also initially create a high-quality external impression. However, this would automatically reduce the maximum possible contrast between the first and second color layers 8, 11 during the initial opening detection, and the initial opening detection would no longer be quite as clearly recognizable.

[0055] After resealing the seal label, the effect mentioned above occurs as shown in the fourth illustration of the Fig. 5 The air pockets, which remain even when the removed tab is pressed firmly, ensure that the initial opening is always recognizable. Bezugszeichenliste

[0056] 1Seal label 2Carrier layer 3Adhesive layer 4Tab 6Layer 7first release coat 8first color coat 9second release coat 11Second layer of paint 12On-top layer

Claims

1. Multilayer sealing label with initial opening detection with a first adhesion-controlling layer (7) applied along a carrier layer (2), a first coloured layer (8) applied along the first adhesion-controlling layer (7), a second adhesion-controlling layer (9) applied along the first coloured layer (8), said second adhesion-controlling layer being formed at least regionally register-accurately in relation to the first adhesion-controlling layer (7), a second coloured layer (11) applied along the second adhesion-controlling layer (9), characterised in that a pigment-containing transparent on-top layer (12) is applied on the outside along the carrier layer (2), wherein the on-top layer in its entire extent allows a view through the layer.

2. Multilayer sealing label according to claim 1, characterised in that an adhesive layer (3) is applied over the entire surface along the second coloured layer (11).

3. Multilayer sealing label according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first coloured layer (8) is applied over the entire surface on the first adhesion-controlling layer (7).

4. Multilayer sealing label according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the second coloured layer (11) is applied over the entire surface on the second adhesion-controlling layer (9).

5. Multilayer sealing label according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier layer (2) is formed transparently.

6. Multilayer sealing label according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and second adhesion-controlling layer (7, 9) are formed transparently.

7. Multilayer sealing label according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier layer (3) is a BOPP film.

8. Multilayer sealing label according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pigments contain metal pigments.

9. Multilayer sealing label according to claim 8, characterised in that the metal pigments constitute a proportion by weight of 10 wt% to 30 wt% of the entire mass of the on-top layer (12).

10. Multilayer sealing label according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a carrier mass of the on-top layer (12) is a transparent lacquer.

11. Multilayer sealing label according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the pigments have an average size of from 5 µm to 200 µm, preferably from 5 µm to 60 µm.

12. Multilayer sealing label according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the on-top layer (12) is applied register-accurately in relation to the initial opening detection.

13. Multilayer sealing label according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the pigments are chosen to be coloured and have a different colour to the first and the second coloured layer (8, 11).

14. Method for manufacturing a multilayer sealing label (1) according to claim 1, by a first adhesion-controlling layer (7) being applied along the carrier layer (2), the first coloured layer (8) being applied along the first adhesion-controlling layer (7), the second adhesion-controlling layer (9), which is formed at least regionally register-accurately in relation to the first adhesion-controlling layer (7), being applied along the first coloured layer (8), the second coloured layer (11) being applied along the second adhesion-controlling layer (9), characterised in that the pigment-containing transparent on-top layer (12) is applied on the outside along the carrier layer (3).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterised in that pigments are introduced into a transparent lacquer which is applied to the carrier layer (2) as an on-top layer (12).

16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterised in that metal pigments are chosen in an amount which constitutes 10 wt% to 30 wt% of the pigment-containing on-top layer (12).

17. Method according to claim 14, 15 or 16, characterised in that the on-top layer (12) is applied register-accurately in relation to the initial opening detection.