Multi-layer loop tags

Abstract

A multi-layer loop luggage label comprises a web of a polymer material 18 e.g. polypropylene, having an underside coated with a self-adhesive layer and a top side that is bonded to a web of paper material 16. On the top of the paper web, a printable layer 14 is provided over which a release layer 12 is provided to prevent blocking from the self-adhesive layer of an overlying tag when the tags are provided in an elongate strip as a linerless roll of luggage labels. Each loop tag is perforated 22, 24, 26, through all of its layers to provide one or more removable tabs 28, 30, 32. The self-adhesive layer may extend over the entirety of the underside of the polymer layer, or it may be provided in discrete sections. The printable layer maybe a thermosensitive layer.

Description

Technical Field The present invention relates to multi-layer loop tags of the type which can be looped around items such as luggage handles, and sealed to itself by adhering a reverse surface to itself. Background Art EP 2 061 018-A1 describes a multi-layer loop tag of a type which is commonly used in the airline industry. It comprises a first web of tear-resistant material such as polypropylene laminate, coated on the underside with a cold seal adhesive, coated on the top side with a release layer. A second web of paper is applied over the top side of the first web, with the underside of the second web being coated with a self-adhesive layer that contacts the release layer on top of the first web. Peel-off tags are created by perforating through the first second web to the self-adhesive layer, allowing sections of the second web to be peeled away from the first web, facilitated by the release layer on top of the first web, to create self-adhesive tags. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-layer loop tag which has fewer production steps, and of a less expensive construction, which is more environmentally friendly offering greater sustainable and decarbonising properties and easier to use for e.g. passengers or check-in staff at an airport. Disclosure of the Invention There is provided in accordance with the invention a multi-layer loop tag comprising: a web of a polymer material having an underside and a top side; a web of paper material having an underside and a top side wherein the underside of the paper web is adhered to the top side of the polymer web; a printable layer provided on the top side of the paper web; a release layer provided on top of the printable layer; and a self-adhesive layer provided on the underside of the polymer web; wherein the loop tag is perforated through all of its layers to provide one or more pull-off tabs. The multi-layer loop tag dispenses with a release layer and peelable self-adhesive layer between the polymer and paper webs. Rather than having peel-off tabs comprising a paper layer alone, the loop tag is fully perforated through all layers to provide pull-off (or tear-off) tabs which are more robust since they comprise both webs. The result is a tag which performs the same function as the current, commercially available loop tags, but with fewer layers. This translates, for a given dimension (length and width) of loop tag, to a lower weight. For example, loop tags having the same or better strength as the current commercial leading tag, can be produced using the claimed construction, with a tag weight of 2.9 g versus the commercial tag’s weight of 3.4 g. This is a 15% weight saving. Across a fleet such as that operated by Ryanair at current traffic levels, implementing this new tagging solution would reduce fuel bum costs by $6.4 million per annum. An analysis of the industry shows that 4 billion tags are produced and used per annum. For every 200 million tags that are replaced using the claimed construction of tag, 620 tons of CO2 can be removed. The self-adhesive layer is preferable a permanent adhesive. This provides better and more reliable adhesion than the current solutions employed to selfadhere the tag surfaces. Preferably, the self-adhesive layer comprises a permanent acrylic adhesive. Preferably, the adhesive has a minimum service temperature of -20°C or less. More preferably, the service temperature range extends down to -40°C or less. Even more preferably the service temperature range extends down to -50°C or less. Preferably, the adhesive has a maximum service temperature of 40°C or more. More preferably, the service temperature range extends up to 60°C or more. Even more preferably the service temperature range extends up to 80°C or more. Preferably, the initial tack strength of the adhesive, measured by the FINAT test method FTM 9 Glass, is 7 N / 25mm or more. Preferably, the peel adhesion 90° measured by the FINAT test method FTM 2 st.st., is 5 N / 25mm or more. In certain embodiments, the self-adhesive layer is provided only on one or more discrete portions of the underside of the polymer layer not extending over the entirety of the underside. Preferably, said one or more discrete portions cover a sufficient area of the underside to enable said one or more discrete portions to be adhered to one another when the loop tag is looped through the handle of an item of luggage. In other, currently preferred embodiments, the self-adhesive layer is provided over the entirety of the underside of the polymer layer. Preferably, the release layer comprises an antiblocking agent selected from polyamides, amide waxes, montan waxes, polyolefin waxes, ester waxes, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, polyvinyl esters, polyacrylate copolymers, fatty acid esters, long chain alkyl products, polysaccharides, polysiloxanes and mixtures thereof. Preferably, wherein the printable layer is a thermosensitive recording layer. Preferably, the web of polymer material comprises a polypropylene laminate. Preferably, the web of paper material comprises a semi-gloss paper. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be further illustrated by the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic depiction of the layers of a multi-layer loop tag, shown in cross-section elevation; Fig. 2 is a schematic depiction of the layers of an alternative embodiment of multi-layer loop tag, shown in cross-section elevation; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the multi-layer loop tag of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the multi-layer loop tag of Fig. 1, shown in use with a pull-off tab removed. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments In Fig. 1 there is indicated, generally at 10, a schematic depiction of the layers of a multi-layer loop tag, shown in cross-section elevation. The tag 10 has the following layers, from the top side to the underside: a release layer 12, a printable layer 14, a web of paper material 16, a permanent adhesive layer 17, a web of a polymer material 18, and a self-adhesive layer 20. The tag 10 is provided with three perforations 22, 24, 26 which perforate through all of the layers, and which define three pull-off or tear-off tabs 28, 30, 32. It will be appreciated that the number of perforations and of pull-off tabs can be varied as required by the particular application to which the loop tag is to be put. The loop tag 10 thus has two structural webs, namely the paper web 16 and the polymer web 18, which are permanently bonded to one another by the permanent adhesive which may, for example be a permanent acrylic adhesive. The paper web is preferably a semi-gloss paper of 80-120 gsm. In the illustrated embodiment the semi-gloss paper has a weight of about 110 gsm, and a thickness of approximately 115 micron. On its top side the printable layer 14, which is preferably a thermoprinting material such as a leuco dye coating allowing details of e,g. a baggage claim to be printed thereon, is coated with a release layer. The thermoprinting material has a print speed of 200 mm / sec and a print density of about 1.25 odu. The release layer 12 is resistant to moisture, fat, oil, alcohol, etc. and can be for example an antiblocking agent selected from polyamides, amide waxes, montan waxes, polyolefin waxes, ester waxes, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, polyvinyl esters, polyacrylate copolymers, fatty acid esters, long chain alkyl products, polysaccharides, polysiloxanes and mixtures thereof. The release layer allows the tag to be manufactured in an elongated strip which is rolled onto itself, with the release layer 12 preventing the adhesive layer 20 on the underside of one tag from blocking with the release layer 12 on the top of an underlying tag in the roll. In this way, individual tags can be peeled off from the roll easily, revealing the adhesive layer 20 which self-adheres, so that two sections of the tag can adhere to one another when the tag is looped around an item such as a luggage handle, with the two sections pressed against one another. The polymer layer 18 is a 183 micron caliper polypropylene laminate web. The self-adhesive layer 20 on the underside of the polymer is preferably an acrylic permanent adhesive having a service temperature of -50 to 80°C that forms a permanent bond when adhered to itself, but which does not bond strongly to the release layer 12. It has an initial tack of 8 N / 25mm measured by the FTM 9 glass method, a peel adhesion 90° of 5.5 N / 25mm measured by the FTM 2 st.st. method, and a minimum application temperature of -15 °C. Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of tag 34 in which the construction is identical to that of Fig. 1, and the layers 12, 14, 16, 17, 18 are identical, the only difference being that instead of a continuous adhesive layer 20 coating the underside as in Fig. 1, there is an adhesive material layer 20A, 20B applied in discrete sections. These discrete sections 20A, 20B provide adhesive targets to be pressed together. Fig. 3 shows the tag of Fig. 1 in plan view when removed from the roll. It can be seen that the three pull-off tabs 28, 30, 32 are thus available at the end of the tag to be pulled away along the respective perforation lines. Fig. 4 shows the tag 10 after the endmost pull-off tab 28 is separated from the remainder of the tag 10. That tab has all of the layers of Fig. 1 and thus is a self-adhesive tab which can be separately adhered to a container, item of luggage, boarding pass, passport, etc. The skilled person will be familiar with the practice of printing duplicate baggage claim information on removable tabs which can be used by a passenger or an airline to match a missing bag. While the multi-layer loop tag of the above embodiments is described primarily as a baggage tag for use by airlines or passengers, this disclosure is not limited to such applications. The multi-layer loop tag can be provided in any scenario in which a loop tag, or indeed a self-adhesive tag to be applied directly onto a surface of another item, is needed. The pull-off tabs can be of any number, and can be separately applied to the same item as that to which the loop tag was applied, or to a separate item or document as a record of the use to which the loop tag has been put.

Claims

1. A multi-layer loop tag comprising:a web of a polymer material having an underside and a top side;a web of paper material having an underside and a top side wherein the underside of the paper web is adhered to the top side of the polymer web;a printable layer provided on the top side of the paper web;a release layer provided on top of the printable layer; anda self-adhesive layer provided on the underside of the polymer web;wherein the loop tag is perforated through all of its layers to provide one or more pull-off tabs.

2. A multi-layer loop tag according to claim 1, wherein the self-adhesive layer comprises a permanent acrylic adhesive.

3. A multi-layer loop tag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the self-adhesive layer is provided only on one or more discrete portions of the underside of the polymer layer not extending over the entirety of the underside.

4. A multi-layer loop tag according to claim 3, wherein said one or more discrete portions cover a sufficient area of the underside to enable said one or more discrete portions to be adhered to one another when the loop tag is looped through the handle of an item of luggage.

5. A multi-layer loop tag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the self-adhesive layer is provided over the entirety of the underside of the polymer layer.

6. A multi-layer loop tag according to any preceding claim, wherein the release layer comprises an antiblocking agent selected from polyamides, amide waxes, montan waxes, polyolefin waxes, ester waxes, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, polyvinyl esters, polyacrylate copolymers, fatty acid esters, long chain alkyl products, polysaccharides, polysiloxanes and mixtures thereof.

7. A multi-layer loop tag according to any preceding claim, wherein the printable layer is a thermosensitive recording layer.

8. A multi-layer loop tag according to any preceding claim, wherein the web 5 of polymer material comprises a polypropylene laminate.

9. A multi-layer loop tag according to any preceding claim, wherein the web of paper material comprises a semi-gloss paper.io

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