Cylindrical label, labeled container, cylindrical label continuous body, and method for manufacturing cylindrical label continuous body

Abstract

To provide a cylindrical label capable of reducing opening failure.SOLUTION: The cylindrical label is formed of a shrink label, a stretch label, or a shrink-stretch label, and includes a cylindrical film base material 21, a design print layer 22 formed of a color print layer provided on a back surface of the film base material 21, and a transparent protection layer 23 that protects the design print layer 22, the film base material 21 having a first end 21a located on one side in a cylindrical axis direction and a second end 21b located on the other side in the cylindrical axis direction. The protection layer 23 has a first region 21a provided so as to include a portion overlapping the first end R1 and a second region 21b provided so as to include a portion overlapping the second end R2, and a non-formation region R1 in which the design print layer 22 and the protection layer 23 are not formed over the circumferential direction is provided between the first region R2 and the second region R3 in the cylindrical axis direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cylindrical label, a labeled container, a continuous cylindrical label strip, and a method for manufacturing a continuous cylindrical label strip. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 3515022 (Patent Document 1) discloses a conventional cylindrical continuous label web in which a color printed layer and a white printed layer are sequentially laminated on the inner surface of a label substrate, and the white printed layer covers almost the entire surface of the color printed layer, leaving only the boundary between adjacent labels. Labels are cut out of the cylindrical continuous label web by cutting the boundary in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tube. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3515022 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the labels cut from the continuous label strip described in Patent Document 1, color printed layers are provided on both ends in the axial direction of the label. However, depending on the label design, it may be difficult to provide color printed layers on both ends of the label. In such cases, if a protective layer is not provided at the boundary between adjacent labels, the inner surface of the label base material will be exposed.

[0005] Furthermore, when forming a printing layer (protective layer) using a flexographic printing plate, the flexographic printing plate is wrapped around the outer surface of a sleeve that serves as a plate cylinder, and printing is performed. When the flexographic printing plate is wrapped around the sleeve, a seam is created between both ends of the flexographic printing plate in the circumferential direction, making it difficult to print the protective layer continuously without interruption.

[0006] It is preferable that the protective layer entirely covers the color printing layer to protect it and ensure the smoothness of the inner surface of the label, but as mentioned above, if it is difficult to provide a color printing layer at both ends of the label, the joints of the flexographic printing plate will be located at the positions corresponding to the above-mentioned borders where no color printing layer is provided. As a result, no protective layer is formed at the borders between adjacent labels, and the inner surface of the label base material will be exposed.

[0007] In this way, if the inner surface of the label substrate is exposed at the cutting point, when cutting the cylindrical label strip, the cutting blade is pressed against the outer surface of the label substrate, which can cause the inner surfaces of the label substrate to fuse together and result in poor opening.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a tubular label that can reduce opening defects, a labeled container equipped with the tubular label, a continuous tubular label, and a continuous tubular label. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The cylindrical label of the present disclosure is a cylindrical label configured as a shrink label, a stretch label, or a shrink stretch label. The cylindrical label includes a cylindrical film substrate, a design print layer provided on the back surface of the film substrate, and a transparent protective layer that protects the design print layer. The film substrate has a first end located on one side in the cylindrical axis direction and a second end located on the other side in the cylindrical axis direction. The protective layer has a first region that is provided to include a portion overlapping the first end and a second region that is provided to include a portion overlapping the second end. Between the first region and the second region in the cylindrical axis direction, a non-formation region is provided in which the design print layer and the protective layer are not formed circumferentially.

[0010] Here, "having transparency" means that the protective layer is transparent or translucent. "Transparency" refers to the property that, for example, when a cylindrical label is attached to a container, the pattern or color of the container (or the color of the contents if the container is transparent) can be clearly identified through the protective layer in the area where the design printing layer is not formed. "Semitransparency" refers to the property that, for example, when a cylindrical label is attached to a container, the pattern or color of the container can be clearly identified through the protective layer in the area where the design printing layer is not formed, but is blurred.

[0011] A labeled container based on the present disclosure comprises a container body including a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion having an outer diameter larger than the small diameter portion, and the tubular label attached to the container body, wherein the tubular label is in a contracted state and the non-formed area is located in the large diameter portion.

[0012] The continuous tubular label strip according to the present disclosure is a continuous tubular label strip consisting of a series of multiple tubular labels, each consisting of a shrink label, a stretch label, or a shrink stretch label. It comprises a long body made of a tubular film substrate extending continuously in the axial direction of the tube, and multiple printed patterns arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the tube. Each of the multiple printed patterns includes a design printed layer consisting of a color printed layer provided on the long body. The continuous tubular label strip further comprises a transparent protective layer that protects the design printed layer. The protective layer is provided so as to overlap portions of the long body that are located between each of the multiple printed patterns. Multiple non-formation areas, where the design printed layer and the protective layer are not formed circumferentially, are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the tube.

[0013] The method for manufacturing a continuous tubular label strip according to the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a continuous tubular label strip including a series of tubular labels, each consisting of a shrink label, a stretch label, or a shrink stretch label. The method includes a step of transferring a transparent protective layer, using a flexographic printing plate wrapped around a sleeve, to a film substrate having a plurality of printing patterns, including a design printing layer made of a color printing layer, extending in the longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, to protect the design printing layer. When the flexographic printing plate is wrapped around the sleeve, a plurality of non-transferable regions, in which the protective layer is not transferred to the film substrate, are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. The plurality of non-transferable regions include gaps located between one end and the other end of the flexographic printing plate in the circumferential direction of the sleeve. In the transferring step, the protective layer is arranged so as to overlap portions of the film substrate located between the plurality of printing patterns, and a plurality of non-formation regions, in which the design printing layer and the protective layer are not formed, are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction across the short side, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a cylindrical label that can reduce opening defects, a labeled container that includes the cylindrical label, a continuous cylindrical label strip, and a continuous cylindrical label strip. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a labeled container to which a cylindrical label according to a first embodiment is attached. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state before the cylindrical label according to the first embodiment is attached. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view showing a continuous cylindrical label body according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a flow diagram showing a manufacturing process for a continuous cylindrical label web according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the flexographic printing plate in a state where it is wrapped around a sleeve in the step of transferring the protective layer shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating a process of transferring the protective layer shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical label according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a continuous cylindrical label body according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0017] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a labeled container to which a cylindrical label according to embodiment 1 is attached. With reference to Fig. 1, the labeled container to which the cylindrical label according to embodiment 1 is attached will be described.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the labeled container 1 comprises a container body 10 and a cylindrical label 20. The container body 10 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens upward. The top opening of the container body 10 is closed by a lid (not shown). The container body 10 may be a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle, a bottle made of a synthetic resin such as a polyethylene or polystyrene bottle, or a glass container. The container body 10 may also be a container used in applications where the contents are expelled by pressing the container body 10, such as a soft blown container or a tube container.

[0019] The container body 10 contains a liquid such as a beverage, a seasoning, or a medicinal liquid. The contents contained in the container body 10 are not limited to these, and gels, granules, or other suitable contents may be used. The container body 10 has a small diameter portion 25 and a large diameter portion 26 having a larger outer diameter than the small diameter portion 25. The small diameter portion 25 is located at the tip end of the container body 10. The small diameter portion 25 is configured such that its outer diameter decreases toward the tip end (upward). The large diameter portion 26 is located between the small diameter portion 25 and the bottom of the container body 10. The large diameter portion 26 has a shape that maintains a constant outer diameter along the height direction (axial direction) of the container body 10. The small diameter portion 25 and the large diameter portion 26 are not limited to the above shapes, and may constitute a portion of the container body 10 in the height direction.

[0020] The tubular label 20 is provided in a tubular shape. The tubular label 20 circumferentially covers the peripheral surface of the container body 10. Specifically, the tubular label 20 circumferentially covers a portion of the axial direction of the container body 10. As will be described later, a non-forming region R3 (see FIG. 2) of the tubular label 20 is arranged in the large diameter portion 26.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a state before attachment of the cylindrical label according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shown in Fig. 2. Details of the cylindrical label 20 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.

[0022] The cylindrical label 20 includes a cylindrical film substrate 21, a design print layer 22, and a protective layer 23.

[0023] The film substrate 21 has a first end 21a located on one side in the axial direction of the cylinder and a second end 21b located on the other side in the axial direction of the cylinder. The film substrate 21 also has an outer surface 21c and an inner surface 21d. The outer surface 21c of the film substrate 21 forms the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical label 20. The inner surface 21d of the film substrate 21 faces the container body 10 when the cylindrical label 20 is attached to the container body 10.

[0024] The cylindrical label 20 is constructed as a shrink label (heat-shrinkable label), a stretch label (self-stretching label), or a shrink stretch label. Shrink labels use a transparent or translucent film that is heat-shrinkable in the width direction as the film substrate 21. Examples of heat-shrinkable films include single- or multi-layered films made of polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and modified resins thereof, styrene resins such as styrene-butadiene copolymers, polypropylene resins such as propylene-ethylene copolymers, and cyclic olefin resins, each with a thickness of 15 to 80 μm and a heat shrinkage rate of 20 to 80% in the width direction (circumferential direction when shaped into a tube) at 80°C to 120°C. Stretch labels use a transparent or translucent film made of a single- or multi-layered film substrate 21 made of low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ionomer, soft polyvinyl chloride, or the like, with a thickness of approximately 30 to 100 μm, which stretches when an expansion force is applied and returns to its original state when the expansion force is released. In particular, a shrink label that is attached along the surface of the container from the large diameter portion 26 to the small diameter portion 25 is suitable as the cylindrical label 20.

[0025] The design printing layer 22 is provided on the inner surface (rear surface) 21d of the film substrate 21. The design printing layer 22 is a single-layer or multi-layer color printing layer that expresses a design. The design may be monochromatic or multicolored. The design printing layer 22 may show monochromatic letters and / or patterns, or may show letters and / or patterns in multiple colors. The design printing layer 22 is formed with color inks using a printing method such as flexographic printing. The design printing layer 22 has a thickness of, for example, approximately 0.3 μm to 10 μm, depending on the number of colors to be layered. The color ink used for printing may be water-based ink. In addition, a white printing layer may be provided over part or almost the entire design printing layer 22 as a background for the letters, patterns, etc. of the design printing layer 22 (color printing layer). The white printing layer may be a solid print of white ink or a print of a white pattern.

[0026] As the water-based ink, for example, a water-based ink containing an aqueous solvent such as water or an alcoholic aqueous solution, a resin, an additive, a pigment, and the like can be used.

[0027] The resin contained in the water-based ink may be, for example, one or more of acrylic resins, urethane resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, cellulose resins, vinyl chloride resins, vinyl acetate resins, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene resins, polybutadiene resins, isocyanate resins, rosin resins, polyvinyl alcohol resins, or imine resins.

[0028] Additives contained in the water-based ink may include, for example, plasticizers, anti-settling agents, dispersants, stabilizers, anti-foaming agents, fillers, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, antistatic agents, color separation inhibitors, and lubricants.

[0029] Examples of pigments that can be used in the aqueous ink that forms the color printing layer include black pigments such as carbon black, and color pigments of various colors such as red, blue, and yellow, as well as silver pigments using aluminum pigments, etc. The water-based ink for forming the white printed layer may contain an inorganic white pigment such as titanium oxide.

[0030] For example, the aqueous ink may contain 30% or more by weight of the aqueous solvent, and 70% or less by weight of resins, additives, color pigments, and other components other than the aqueous solvent. The aqueous solvent may be 100% water, or it may be an aqueous solution containing alcohol, such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. If alcohol is included, the alcohol concentration should be less than 5%.

[0031] The curing agent contained in the water-based ink can be a curing agent that corresponds to the resin contained in the water-based ink. For example, if the resin contained in the water-based ink has a hydroxyl group or an amino group, an isocyanate-based curing agent can be used as the curing agent. Furthermore, if the resin contained in the water-based ink has an amino group or a carbonyl group, an epoxy-based curing agent can be used as the curing agent. Furthermore, if the resin contained in the water-based ink has a carbonyl group, a carbodiimide-based curing agent, an aziridine-based curing agent, or a hydrazide-based curing agent can be used as the curing agent.

[0032] Efficiency can be improved by not adding a hardener to color inks (colored inks such as black, blue, red, and yellow used for letters and designs), but adding a hardener to the white ink used in the white printing layer and protective layer mentioned above. In the case of design printing (printing small designs or letters only), the ink in the ink pad is not used up much, so if a hardener is added to the color ink, the hardener will gradually increase the viscosity, making it difficult for the ink to transfer to the film, and also making it impossible to reuse any remaining ink in the ink pad.

[0033] The design print layer 22 is formed in a predetermined area. The predetermined area may include a portion where the design print layer 22 is not formed.

[0034] The specified area is the entire area of ​​the film substrate 21 in the axial direction, excluding the area from the first end 21a and the second end 21b to a specified distance inward in the axial direction, as well as the non-forming area R3 described later.

[0035] The design printed layer 22 is provided so as not to overlap the first end portion 21a, the second end portion 21b, and the non-forming region R3.

[0036] The design printing layer 22 has, for example, a first portion 221 and a second portion 222. The first portion 221 and the second portion 222 are arranged to be spaced apart in the axial direction of the cylinder. A non-forming region R3, which will be described later, is provided between the first portion 221 and the second portion 222. The first portion 221 and the second portion 222 may represent a design individually, or may represent a design as a whole. The design printing layer 22 may have only the first portion 221, or may have only the second portion 222.

[0037] In addition, although the example shown here is one in which the first portion 221 and the second portion 222 constituting the design printing layer 22 are formed in a rectangular shape, the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, when the design printing layer 22 shows letters or a pattern, the first portion 221 and the second portion 222 have shapes corresponding to the letters or the pattern.

[0038] The end of the first portion 221 located on one side in the cylindrical axis direction is located away from the first end 21a in the cylindrical axis direction. While the end of the first portion 221 located on the other side in the cylindrical axis direction is adjacent to the non-forming region R3 in this example, the present invention is not limited to this and may be located away from the non-forming region R3 on one side in the cylindrical axis direction. The ends of the first portion 221 located on one and the other sides in the cylindrical axis direction represent one end and the other end of the letters or patterns of the design printing layer 22, and are not limited to being continuous along the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 2.

[0039] Although the embodiment in which the end of the second portion 222 located on one side in the axial direction is adjacent to the non-forming region R3 is illustrated, this is not limited thereto, and the end of the second portion 222 located on the other side in the axial direction may be located away from the non-forming region R3 on the other side in the axial direction. The end of the second portion 222 located on one side and the other side in the axial direction is located away from the second end 21b in the axial direction. As described above, the ends of the second portion 222 located on one side and the other side in the axial direction represent one end and the other end of the letters or patterns of the design printing layer 22, and are not limited to being continuous along the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 2.

[0040] The protective layer 23 protects the design printing layer 22. The protective layer 23 covers the entire design printing layer 22. The protective layer 23 is formed on the inner surface (rear surface) 21d of the film substrate 21 in the portion of the above-mentioned predetermined region where the design printing layer 22 is not formed. However, if there is a portion of the above-mentioned predetermined region where a white printing layer is formed, the protective layer 23 may be formed on top of the white printing layer. The protective layer 23 also ensures the slipperiness of the inner surface of the cylindrical label 20. The protective layer 23 includes a first region R1 (first portion) and a second region R2 (second portion).

[0041] The first region R1 of the protective layer 23 is provided so as to include a portion overlapping the first end 21a. The first region R1 of the protective layer 23 is located on one side in the cylindrical axis direction. The first region R1 of the protective layer 23 entirely covers the first portion 221 of the design printed layer 22. The first region R1 of the protective layer 23 also covers a portion of the inner surface 21d of the film substrate that is located between the first end 21a and the end of the first portion 221 located on one side in the cylindrical axis direction. Furthermore, the first region R1 of the protective layer 23 is provided on the inner surface (rear surface) 21d of the film substrate 21 in a portion where the design printed layer 22 is not formed.

[0042] The second region R2 of the protective layer 23 is provided to include a portion overlapping the second end 21b. The second region R2 of the protective layer 23 is located on the other side in the cylindrical axis direction. The second region R2 of the protective layer 23 also covers a portion of the inner surface 21d of the film substrate 21 that is located between the second end 21b and the end of the second portion 222 located on the other side in the cylindrical axis direction. Furthermore, the second region R2 of the protective layer 23 is provided on the inner surface (rear surface) 21d of the film substrate 21 in a portion where the design printed layer 22 is not formed.

[0043] The protective layer 23 and the design print layer 22 are not provided in the joining regions where the ends of the film substrate 21 are joined together on both circumferential end sides.

[0044] The protective layer 23 is formed using a flexographic printing plate. The ink used for printing may be a water-based ink. The protective layer 23 is formed, for example, to be colorless and transparent. The protective layer 23 contains, for example, a resin such as an acrylic resin or a urethane resin, and contains a curing agent to enhance the protective effect. If it is desired to give the protective layer 23 a predetermined color, a pigment, an additive, or the like may be added. The thickness of the protective layer 23 is, for example, preferably about 0.3 μm to 10 μm, and more preferably about 0.5 μm to 5 μm.

[0045] The haze value of the portion of the tubular label 20 where the design print layer 22 is not formed on the inner surface 21d of the film substrate 21 and where the protective layer 23 is directly formed is preferably 0 to 30 or less, and more preferably 0 to 10 or less. This increases the transparency of that portion, and prevents the design of the tubular label 20 from being impaired.

[0046] In the axial direction of the cylindrical label 20, a non-forming region R3 in which the protective layer 23 is not formed in the circumferential direction is provided between the first region R1 and the second region R2. In the non-forming region R3, the design print layer 22 is also not formed. In the non-forming region R3, the inner surface 21d of the film substrate 21 is exposed.

[0047] The length of the non-forming region R3 along the axial direction of the tube is preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and more preferably 3 mm or more and 5 mm or less. By setting the length in this manner, it is possible to prevent the design of the cylindrical label 20 from being impaired. The non-forming region R3 may be an unprinted portion where the design printing layer 22 made of a color printing layer is not formed, but a pattern or the like made of white ink (white printing layer) containing the above-mentioned hardener may be provided in part of the non-forming region R3. Because this white printing layer contains a hardener and is resistant, it may be exposed and not covered by the protective layer 23.

[0048] The above-mentioned cylindrical label 20 is manufactured by cutting a cylindrical label web 30 (see FIG. 4) described below along cutting lines CL1 (see FIG. 4).

[0049] 4 is a plan view showing a continuous tubular label body according to embodiment 1. With reference to FIG. 4, the continuous tubular label body 30 according to embodiment 1 will be described.

[0050] The continuous tubular label strip 30 includes a plurality of tubular labels 20, which are connected together. As shown in Fig. 4, the continuous tubular label strip 30 includes a long body 31, a plurality of printed patterns 32, and a protective layer 23. The long body 31 is composed of a tubular film substrate 21 that extends continuously in the axial direction of the cylinder. The long body 31 has a one-side end portion 31a located on one side in the axial direction of the cylinder and a other-side end portion 31b located on the other side in the axial direction of the cylinder.

[0051] The multiple printed patterns 32 are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the tube. Each printed pattern 32 is provided corresponding to the above-mentioned design printed layer 22. Each printed pattern 32 includes the design printed layer 22.

[0052] The protective layer 23 is provided so as to overlap portions of the elongated body 31 that are located between the plurality of printed patterns 32. Specifically, the protective layer 23 is provided so as to cover the plurality of printed patterns 32 and the portions that are located between adjacent printed patterns 32. The protective layer 23 may cover the surface of the continuous cylindrical label web 30 in the portions where the design printed layer 22 is not provided, excluding the non-forming region R3. As will be described later, the protective layer 23 and the printed pattern 32 may not be provided in the joining region that will be joined by an adhesive or the like at one end in the short direction in the band-like state before being joined into a ring (tube).

[0053] Between each pair of adjacent printed patterns 32, there is a portion that will become a cutting line CL1, and since the portion between each pair of adjacent printed patterns 32 is covered with the protective layer 23, the cutting line CL1 is also covered with the protective layer 23.

[0054] The continuous cylindrical label web 30 has a plurality of non-formation regions R3 where the design print layer 22 and the protective layer 23 are not formed in the circumferential direction. The plurality of non-formation regions R3 are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the tube. In this embodiment, the plurality of non-formation regions R3 are arranged at equal intervals. In addition, in this embodiment, the length from any given cutting line CL1 to the next cutting line CL1 along the longitudinal direction (the length of one cylindrical label, i.e., the label pitch) is constant. In such a case, when a flexographic printing plate 71 (see FIG. 6) is wound around a sleeve 70 (see FIG. 6) described below, the length of the flexographic printing plate 71 along the circumferential direction is an integer multiple (e.g., approximately 3 to 10 times) of the label pitch.

[0055] The intervals between adjacent non-forming regions R3 may be different from each other, and the lengths of the labels along the longitudinal direction may be different from each other.

[0056] The non-forming regions R3 are not provided with the design printing layer 22 or the protective layer 23. The non-forming regions R3 are located between the first portion 221 and the second portion 222 included in the design printing layer 22 of each print pattern 32. The non-forming regions R3 are also located between the above-mentioned first region R1 and second region R2 that are formed in the cut-out tubular label 20 when the continuous tubular label strip 30 is cut along the cutting line CL1.

[0057] 5 is a flow diagram showing the manufacturing process of the continuous tubular label strip according to embodiment 1. The manufacturing method of the continuous tubular label strip 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, the method for manufacturing the continuous tubular label strip 30 includes a step (S30) of transferring a protective layer, a step (S31) of cutting the film substrate, and a step (S32) of joining the film substrate into a tubular shape.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, when manufacturing a continuous cylindrical label web 30, first, in step (S30), a protective layer 23 is transferred to a film substrate 310 (see FIG. 7) using a flexographic printing plate 71 wrapped around a sleeve 70 (see FIG. 6). The substrate 310 extends in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of printing patterns 32, including a design printing layer 22, are provided on the substrate 310 at intervals in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is parallel to the transport direction of the film substrate 310, and is the direction in which the plurality of printing patterns 32 are arranged. Note that the step (S30) of transferring the protective layer 23 is performed consecutively after the formation of the plurality of printing patterns 32. Specifically, a multi-color flexographic printing machine is used to feed the long strip-shaped film substrate, and water-based inks of each color (e.g., black, blue, red, and yellow) are printed in succession using flexographic printing plates of each color that form the design printing layer, and then water-based inks that form the protective layer are printed consecutively on the flexographic printing plates. In step (S30), film substrate 310 is not formed in a cylindrical shape, but extends in a strip shape.

[0060] Figure 6 is a diagram showing a flexographic printing plate wound around a sleeve in the process of transferring the protective layer shown in Figure 5. The flexographic printing plate is a flat, resin-made relief plate that is wound around and fixed to the sleeve that serves as the printing cylinder, with the ink-receiving surface (relief plate) facing outwards. The sleeve used has a circumference that matches the length of the printing plate that is created according to the label pitch.

[0061] The flexographic printing plate 71 is a printing plate for transferring a protective layer 23 to the film substrate 310. The flexographic printing plate 71 has multiple non-transferable regions R4. The multiple non-transferable regions R4 are arranged in a line in the circumferential direction when the flexographic printing plate 71 is wound around the sleeve 70. The multiple non-transferable regions R4 include those formed by seams of the flexographic printing plate 71. That is, one of the multiple non-transferable regions R4 is formed by a gap located between one end 71a and the other end 71b of the flexographic printing plate in the circumferential direction of the sleeve 70, and the other non-transferable regions R4 are formed as non-printable regions R5 so that the protective layer 23 is not transferred to the film substrate 310. The multiple non-transferable regions R4 are provided corresponding to the multiple non-forming regions R3 described above. Furthermore, the flexographic printing plate 71 is provided so that the protective layer 23 is not transferred to a joining region for joining the flexographic printing plate 71 into a cylindrical shape, as described below.

[0062] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the step of transferring the protective layer shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, in step (S30), a protective layer 23 for protecting the design printing layer 22 is attached to a flexographic printing plate 71 wound around a sleeve 70, and the protective layer 23 attached to the flexographic printing plate 71 is transferred to a film substrate 310. As described above, a transparent ink is used for the protective layer 23. Specifically, a transparent water-based ink that will become the protective layer 23 is transferred from an anilox roll (not shown) to the flexographic printing plate, and the water-based ink attached to the flexographic printing plate 71 is transferred to the film substrate 310 by printing and drying.

[0063] As described above, the film substrate 310 extends in a strip shape and is transported in the direction of the arrow AR2.

[0064] The protective layer 23 is transferred onto the film substrate 310 by conveying the film substrate 310 in the direction of arrow AR2 and passing it through a printing position sandwiched between a flexographic printing plate 71, which rotates in the direction of arrow AR1 as the sleeve 70 rotates, and an impression cylinder (not shown). As described above, the transfer of the protective layer 23 is performed continuously with the formation of the multiple printing patterns 32. Note that, like the protective layer, the design printing layers 22 of the multiple printing patterns 32 are also transferred by flexographic printing plates, each color of which is wrapped around and fixed to a sleeve.

[0065] In step (S30), protective layer 23 is provided so as to overlap portions of film substrate 310 that are located between each of the plurality of printed patterns 32. In this case, protective layer 23 is preferably provided so as to entirely cover the plurality of printed patterns 32. Note that when a white printed layer (such as solid white printing) (not shown) is provided, for example, partially overlapping the plurality of printed patterns 32, the white printed layer portion is protected by the white printed layer containing a curing agent, and therefore protective layer 23 may be provided in an area excluding the white printed layer portion.

[0066] Additionally, in step (S30), a plurality of non-formation regions R3 in which the design printing layer 22 and the protective layer 23 are not formed are arranged in the longitudinal direction along the short side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Specifically, a plurality of non-transferable regions R4 prevent the protective layer 22 from being transferred to a plurality of regions in which the design printing layer 22 is not formed in advance corresponding to the non-formation regions R3, thereby forming a plurality of non-formation regions R3.

[0067] In addition, the protective layer 23 and the printing pattern 32 are not provided in the joining area (the so-called envelope glue margin) at one end in the short direction when the sheet is in a strip-like state before being joined into a ring (cylindrical shape) and is to be joined (so-called center seal) with an adhesive or the like to form a cylindrical shape.

[0068] Subsequently, in step (S31), the film substrate 310 onto which the protective layer 23 has been transferred is cut. For example, in the case of wide-width printing, in which the above-described multiple print patterns are printed in multiple rows in the width direction, which is the short side direction, the film substrate 310 is cut (slit) so that each row is cut out.

[0069] Next, in step (S32), the cut (slit) film substrate 310 is joined into a cylindrical shape with the protective layer 23 facing inward. Specifically, an adhesive or the like is applied to one end side in the short side direction, and both ends in the short side direction are overlapped and joined so that the film substrate 310 has a cylindrical shape. After joining, the film substrate 310 is folded flat and wound up into a roll. In this way, a cylindrical elongated body 31 is formed from the film substrate 310. The length of the cylindrical elongated body 31 may be, for example, several tens of meters to 10,000 meters.

[0070] Through the above steps, it is possible to manufacture the continuous tubular label strip 30. As described above, the continuous tubular label strip 30 is cut along the cutting lines CL1 to manufacture the tubular labels 20.

[0071] As described above, in the continuous tubular label strip 30 of this embodiment, the non-transferable region R4 formed between the ends of the flexographic printing plates 71 ensures that the non-transferable region R3 formed on the tubular label strip 20 does not overlap the cutting line CL1, and the portion of the inner surface of the film substrate 310 where the cutting line CL1 is located is covered with the protective layer 23. The protective layer 23 contains a hardening agent, making it resistant and increasing the rigidity of the portion where the cutting line CL1 is located. This prevents the inner surface of the film substrate 310 from being exposed at the cutting line CL1, and prevents the inner surfaces of the labels from fusing together at the cut portion even when a cutting blade is pressed against the flattened continuous tubular label strip to cut it. As a result, poor opening of the cut tubular label strip 20 can be prevented. Furthermore, when the cut-out tubular label 20 is fitted into the container body 10 or fitted into a mandrel of a label fitting device (a fitting jig that spreads the tubular label from the inside), the rigidity of the periphery of the cut edges (the first end 21a and second end 21b described above) of the tubular label 20 is increased by the protective layer 23, thereby preventing improper fitting due to bending or folding of the tubular label 20. In particular, when a thin heat-shrinkable film having a thickness of 15 μm to 30 μm is used as the film substrate 21 of the tubular label 20 (for example, 25 μm or less for a polyester resin film such as polyethylene terephthalate, 30 μm or less for a polystyrene resin film or a multilayer film thereof such as a styrene-butadiene copolymer, or 30 μm or less for a polypropylene resin or a multilayer film of a cyclic olefin and a polypropylene resin), this is preferable because it can improve rigidity.

[0072] When attaching the tubular label 20 to the container body 10, it is preferable that the non-forming region R3 is located in a position (particularly the above-mentioned large diameter portion 26) where the shrinkage rate of the tubular label 20 is 20% or less. This makes it possible to prevent the non-forming region R3 from being noticeable when the tubular label 20 is attached to the container body 10. This is because in the portion of the tubular label 20 where the shrinkage rate (the amount of shrinkage when attached) is large (the small diameter portion 25 where the diameter of the container is small), the protective layer 23 also becomes thicker as it shrinks, causing a visual increase in density and making it more likely for uneven shrinkage to occur, making the boundary with the non-forming region R3 more noticeable.

[0073] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical label according to embodiment 2. Fig. 8 corresponds to Fig. 3 in embodiment 1. A cylindrical label 20A according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 8.

[0074] 8, the cylindrical label 20A according to the second embodiment differs from the cylindrical label 20 according to the first embodiment mainly in the shape of the end of the protective layer 23 located on the non-forming region R3 side in the cylindrical axis direction. The other configurations are substantially the same.

[0075] The end of the protective layer 23 located on the non-forming region R3 side in the axial direction of the cylinder is made thinner toward the non-forming region R3. Such a change in thickness can be achieved by providing a gradation in the region of the flexographic printing plate corresponding to the end, thereby reducing the amount of ink transferred from the anilox roll to that region of the plate (amount of ink per unit area) and adjusting the amount of protective layer 23 applied.

[0076] Even when configured in this manner, the cylindrical label 20A according to embodiment 2 achieves substantially the same effects as embodiment 1. In addition, the end of the protective layer 23 located on the non-forming region R3 side in the axial direction of the cylinder is configured to become thinner toward the non-forming region R3 due to the gradation described above, thereby making the boundary with the non-forming region R3 less noticeable. Even when the non-forming region R3 is located in the small diameter portion 25 as described above, it is possible to suppress changes in the thickness of the protective layer 23 due to shrinkage, effectively making the boundary less noticeable.

[0077] The tubular label 20A according to the second embodiment can be manufactured by cutting a continuous tubular label strip in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The continuous tubular label strip according to the second embodiment can be manufactured in accordance with the manufacturing method according to the first embodiment.

[0078] In the second embodiment, in the step (S30) of transferring the protective layer, as described above, the amount of protective layer 23 applied to the area of ​​the flexographic printing plate 71 corresponding to the end of the protective layer 23 located on the non-forming region R3 side in the axial direction of the cylinder is adjusted to gradually decrease toward the tip, and the protective layer 23 is transferred from the flexographic printing plate 71 to the film substrate 310. In other steps, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed.

[0079] (Embodiment 3) 9 is a plan view showing a continuous tubular label body according to embodiment 3. With reference to FIG. 9, a continuous tubular label body 30B according to embodiment 3 will be described.

[0080] 9, the continuous tubular label strip 30B according to embodiment 3 has a different spacing between adjacent non-forming regions R3 in the longitudinal direction compared to the continuous tubular label strip 30 according to embodiment 1. Also, the printed patterns 32A to 32D are different in the regions that will be cut out along the cutting lines CL1 to become labels.

[0081] In the portion corresponding to the label on which each printed pattern 32A to 32D is provided, each printed pattern 32 is positioned between a cutting line CL1 located on one side of the longitudinal direction and a non-forming region R3, and the first region R1 of the protective layer 23 covers the printed pattern 32A and also covers the portion exposed from the printed pattern 32A between the cutting line CL1 and the non-forming region R3, which becomes the inner surface of the label.

[0082] Furthermore, in the portion corresponding to the label on which each printing pattern 32A to 32D is provided, the design printing layer 22 is not formed in the range where the second region R2 of the protective layer 23 is provided, and the second region R2 covers the portion that becomes the inner surface of the label between the cutting line CL1 located on the other side of the longitudinal direction and the non-forming region R3.

[0083] In this embodiment, an example is given of a case where the design layer 22 is not formed in the area where the second region R2 is provided, but the design layer 22 may also be formed in the area where the second region R2 is provided.

[0084] Even when configured in this manner, the continuous cylindrical label strip 30B according to the third embodiment can achieve substantially the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0085] The continuous cylindrical label web 30B according to the third embodiment can be manufactured in accordance with the manufacturing method according to the first embodiment.

[0086] In the third embodiment, in the step (S30) of transferring the protective layer, as described above, the protective layer 23 is transferred to the film substrate 310 using a flexographic printing plate 71 provided with a plurality of non-transferable regions R4 corresponding to the intervals between adjacent non-forming regions R3. In other steps, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are carried out.

[0087] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 Labeled container, 10 Container body, 20, 20A Cylindrical label, 21 Film substrate, 21a First end, 21b Second end, 21c Outer surface, 21d Inner surface, 22 Design printing layer, 23 Protective layer, 25 Small diameter portion, 26 Large diameter portion, 30, 30B Cylindrical label continuous body, 31 Long body, 31a One side end, 31b Other side end, 32, 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D Printing pattern, 70 Sleeve, 71 Flexographic printing plate, 71a One end, 71b Other end, 221 First part, 222 Second part, 310 Film substrate, 310a One side end, CL1 Cutting line, R1 First region, R2 Second region, R3 Non-forming region, R4 Transfer non-available region, R5 Non-printing region R5.

Claims

1. A cylindrical label made of a shrink label, a stretch label, or a shrink-stretch label, A cylindrical film substrate; a design print layer consisting of a color print layer provided on the back surface of the film substrate; a transparent protective layer that protects the design print layer, the film substrate has a first end portion located on one side in the cylindrical axis direction and a second end portion located on the other side in the cylindrical axis direction, the protective layer has a first region provided to include a portion overlapping the first end portion and a second region provided to include a portion overlapping the second end portion; A cylindrical label in which, in the axial direction of the tube, a non-formed area is provided between the first area and the second area, in which the design printing layer and the protective layer are not formed circumferentially.

2. a container body including a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion having an outer diameter larger than that of the small diameter portion; and the cylindrical label according to claim 1 attached to the container body, the cylindrical label is in a shrunk state; A labeled container, wherein the non-forming region is located in the large diameter portion.

3. A continuous cylindrical label strip consisting of a plurality of cylindrical labels, each of which is a shrink label, a stretch label, or a shrink-stretch label, a long body formed of a cylindrical film substrate that extends continuously in a cylindrical axis direction; a plurality of printed patterns arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the cylinder; Each of the plurality of printing patterns includes a design printing layer made of a color printing layer provided on the long body, and further includes a transparent protective layer that protects the design printing layer, the protective layer is provided to overlap portions of the elongated body that are located between the plurality of printed patterns, A continuous cylindrical label sheet having a plurality of non-formed areas in which the design printing layer and the protective layer are not formed circumferentially, arranged side by side in the cylindrical axis direction.

4. A method for manufacturing a continuous tubular label strip in which a plurality of tubular labels each consisting of a shrink label, a stretch label, or a shrink-stretch label are connected together, comprising: The method comprises a step of transferring a transparent protective layer that protects the design printing layer to a film substrate on which a plurality of printing patterns, including a design printing layer extending in a longitudinal direction and consisting of a color printing layer, are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction, using a flexographic printing plate wrapped around a sleeve; a plurality of non-transferable regions in which the protective layer is not transferred to the film substrate when the flexographic printing plate is wound around the sleeve are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction; the plurality of non-transferable regions include gaps located between one end and the other end of the flexographic printing plate in the circumferential direction of the sleeve; A method for manufacturing a continuous cylindrical label strip, wherein in the process of transferring the protective layer, the protective layer is arranged so as to overlap portions of the film substrate that are located between each of the multiple printing patterns, and multiple non-forming areas in which the design printing layer and the protective layer are not formed are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction across the short side direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

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