Printed and recyclable IML label

Abstract

The invention relates to an IML label remarkable in that it is in the form of a complex comprising a polypropylene base layer, a soluble material middle layer, and a printable layer.

Description

Title of the invention: Printed and recyclable IML label Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical sector of labels for containers or packaging made of polypropylene plastic.

[0002] More particularly the invention an IML label, from the English acronym “In Mould Labelling”. Prior art

[0003] In a known manner, an IML label is integrated into a package at the time of its manufacture. The label and the package are fused together during the injection molding, thermoforming or blow molding process. The label, possibly pre-printed, is placed in the mold just before injection (or thermoforming or blow molding), which allows it to be incorporated into the packaging material.

[0004] This in-mold labeling process offers many advantages. The process is not described in detail, as it is perfectly known to a person skilled in the art. The label is generally made from a polypropylene film, and is, as indicated, embedded in the packaging by partial melting of its internal face in particular, with the aim of ensuring the decoration of all or part of the packaging.

[0005] This type of label can be integrated into a wall of a container for visual communication and marketing purposes.

[0006] After use of the container, the container becomes soiled by the contents and by the ink of the printed label.

[0007] Recycling techniques have evolved so that it is now possible to wash the container to prevent the contents from impairing recyclability, but the ink on labels molded with the container is still likely to impair recycling.

[0008] Due to the ink of the IML label, the recyclable nature of the container is reduced. Statement of the invention

[0009] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, by proposing a solution to the problems of recycling containers with printed IML labels.

[0010] For this purpose, a remarkable IML label has been developed in that it is in the form of a complex comprising a base layer of polypropylene, a central layer of soluble material, preferably water-soluble, and a printable layer, which is in particular printed to be delivered to the end user.

[0011] In this way, during the recycling process, the central layer is dissolved and allows the printed layer to be released, which is then sorted and removed. The rest of the label and container is sorted and recycled.

[0012] Thus, only the printed layer, soiled by the ink, is not recycled, and can be reused as fuel for an incinerator, particularly when the printable layer is made of polypropylene.

[0013] The IML label according to the invention has, for example, a thickness of between 50 and 250 μm, and preferably a density of less than 1 so as not to impact the recycling possibilities, with a printable layer comprising a thickness of less than 50 μm, for example 30 μm.

[0014] The central layer may be soluble in a solvent, preferably it is water-soluble and for example made from polyvinyl alcohol.

[0015] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a printable and partly recyclable IML label, remarkable in that it consists of coextruding a polypropylene base layer, a soluble, and preferably water-soluble, central layer and a printable layer, to form a complex.

[0016] The method may comprise a subsequent step of printing the printable layer. Detailed description of the invention

[0017] The invention relates to a polypropylene IML label, printed and designed to be able to be partly recycled.

[0018] The IML label is in the form of a complex comprising a base layer of polypropylene, a central layer of soluble, and preferably water-soluble, material, and a printable layer, which is preferably delivered printed.

[0019] The method of manufacturing such a label consists of coextruding, preferably by a coextrusion step, the polypropylene base layer, the central layer and the printable layer, to form a complex, then subsequently printing it.

[0020] The printable layer is made of any suitable material, for example also polypropylene, noting that during recycling, as will be described below, this printable layer is intended to be sacrificed, that is to say it is sorted and removed because it remains soiled by the ink. This printable layer can be reused in any suitable manner, and can for example be used as fuel in incinerators.

[0021] The central layer is made of any suitable material well known to those skilled in the art to be soluble in a solvent or water-soluble, in order to be able to detach the soiled printable layer from the rest of the label during recycling operations. The central layer is for example made from polyvinyl alcohol.

[0022] According to other characteristics, the IML label has a thickness of between 50 and 250 μm, with a printable layer comprising a thickness of less than 50 μm, for example 30 μm.

[0023] The invention is advantageous in that the IML label, the printable layer of which is printed, is integrated into the material of a polypropylene container at the time of its manufacture. The container is of any type, such as a pot or a tray. The label and the container are fused during the injection molding process, by thermoforming or by blow molding. The printed label is placed in the mold just before injection (or thermoforming or blow molding), which allows it to be incorporated into the packaging material. The printed layer of the label is found on the surface of the container, visible to an individual.

[0024] During recycling operations, the container is crushed, ground, washed and then sorted.

[0025] The crushing and grinding operations initiate the delamination of the printed layer of the IML label. The washing operation allows the printed layer to be completely detached from the label. The washed pieces of polypropylene from the container and the base layer, in particular still attached to each other, are sorted, for example by a gravity flow, and recycled, while the pieces of printed layer, soiled by ink, are sorted and removed for possible re-use.

[0026] The invention therefore allows the recycling of the entire container and the majority of the IML label (base layer), despite the fact that the label was initially soiled by ink.

[0027] According to other non-limiting characteristics, the printable layer of the IML label can be colored, transparent or opaque, and / or be treated to form a barrier to oxygen, UV, light, with a metallic or pearlescent effect.

[0028] It is clear from the above that the invention provides an IML label making it possible to address the problems of recycling containers with printed IML labels.

Claims

Claims

1. IML label characterized in that it is in the form of a complex comprising a base layer of polypropylene, a central layer of soluble material, and a printable layer.

2. IML label according to claim 1, characterized in that the printable layer is printed.

3. IML label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printable layer is made of polypropylene.

4. IML label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a thickness of between 50 and 250 μm, with a printable layer comprising a thickness of less than 50 μm.

5. IML label according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central layer is based on polyvinyl alcohol.

6. A method of manufacturing an IML label, characterized in that it consists of coextruding a polypropylene base layer, a soluble central layer and a printable layer, to form a complex.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a step of printing the printable layer.