Labels and label separation methods

Abstract

To provide a label and a method for separating the label capable of efficiently separating an article and the label in a labeled article.SOLUTION: A shrink label (1) is a label to be mounted on a container (100), and includes a second film (3) having solubility in a treatment solvent. In a state where the shrink label (1) is mounted in a cylindrical shape around the container (100), the second film (3) is extended in a band shape from a first edge (1a) to a second edge part (1b) in an axial direction (D2) of the cylindrical shrink label (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a label and a method for separating the label. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, wrap labels or shrink labels have been known as labels that are attached to the periphery of articles (particularly containers) such as PET bottles, as shown in Patent Document 1. When disposing of an article with a label of this type attached, it is preferable to separate the article and the label from the perspective of recycling, etc.

[0003] For example, in the case of a wrap label, the label can be separated from the product by peeling off the edge of the adhered label, and in the case of a shrink label, the label can be separated from the product by cutting the label along a perforation or the like formed in the label. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-3724 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with conventional labels such as those described above, users must peel the label off the item. Therefore, when separating a wrap-around label from an item, depending on the design, it can be difficult to find the edge of the wrap-around label, causing significant stress for users. Therefore, there has been a demand for a technology that allows for efficient separation of the label from the item.

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a label and a label separation method that can efficiently separate an article to which a label is attached from the article. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a label according to one aspect of the present invention is a label to be attached to an article, and includes a soluble portion that is soluble in a treatment solvent, and the soluble portion extends from a first edge portion, which is one edge portion of the cylindrical label in the axial direction, to the other edge portion when the cylindrical label is attached to the article in a cylindrical shape. The It extends in a strip to two edges.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the soluble portion having solubility in the treatment solvent is from the first edge portion, which is one edge portion in the axial direction of the label, to the other edge portion. The The label stretches in a strip shape to the two edges. Therefore, even when the label is attached to an article, by bringing the article into contact with a treatment solvent, the soluble portion dissolves in the treatment solvent, and the label can be separated in the axial direction at the soluble portion. This unwinds the tubular state of the label, allowing the label to be separated from the article. As a result, the label can be efficiently separated from the article to which the label is attached.

[0009] In the label, the soluble portion may be made of polylactic acid. According to this configuration, the soluble portion can be suitably formed.

[0010] The label may have a heat-shrinkable label body, and the fusible portion may be a seal portion that connects the label body into a cylindrical shape. According to the above configuration, a label having a fusible portion can be manufactured using an existing manufacturing process.

[0011] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention provides a separation method for separating a label attached to an item from the item, the separation method including a step of contacting the item to which the label is attached with a treatment solvent and dissolving at least a portion of the label, thereby separating the label from the item.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the label can be separated from the labeled article by bringing the labeled article into contact with the treatment solvent, thereby dissolving the label in part or in whole. As a result, the labeled article can be efficiently separated from the label. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a label and a label separation method that can efficiently separate an article and a label. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shrink label according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views illustrating variations in the method of joining the first film and the second film of the shrink label. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a process for manufacturing the shrink label. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a wrap-around label according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a method for separating a label from a container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0016] (Shrink label composition) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shrink label 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, a container 100 is shown by a two-dot chain line for ease of understanding. The shrink label 1 is a label that is attached in a cylindrical shape around a container 100 (article). For example, the container 100 is inserted into a cylindrical, unheat-shrunk shrink label 1, and then heat-treated. This causes the shrink label 1 to heat shrink and conform to the shape of the container 100, so that it is attached around the container 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the shrink label 1 comprises a first film 2 (label body) and a second film 3 (fusible portion / seal portion).

[0017] (Film 1) The first film 2 covers the periphery of the container 100. The first film 2 is heat-shrinkable at least in the circumferential direction (first direction D1) when the shrink label 1 is formed into a tubular shape. The first film 2 is joined to the second film 3 at a first side end 2a and a second side end 2b, which are both ends of the first film 2 in the first direction D1. This will be described in more detail below.

[0018] 2, the first film 2 is formed by laminating a first film substrate 21 and an ink layer 22. In this embodiment, when the shrink label 1 is formed into a cylindrical shape, the first film substrate 21 is located outside the ink layer 22. Note that the ink layers 22 may be laminated on both sides of the first film substrate 21, or the first film 2 may be formed only by the first film substrate 21.

[0019] The first film substrate 21 is an alkali-insoluble film (a material with excellent resistance to processing solvents) that is heat-shrinkable in the first direction D1. The first film substrate 21 may be made of any known material that is conventionally used for shrink labels, as long as it is heat-shrinkable at least in the first direction D1.

[0020] The ink layer 22 is a layer laminated on the first film substrate 21 and contains ink. The ink layer 22 represents, for example, any design such as letters, symbols, or pictures on the shrink label 1. The ink layer 22 is configured so as not to inhibit the thermal shrinkage of the first film substrate 21. As shown in FIG. 2 , the ink layer 22 is not laminated on the first film substrate 21 at the first side edge 2a and the second side edge 2b of the first film 2, and the first side edge 2a and the second side edge 2b are joined by the second film 3.

[0021] (2nd film) The second film 3 preferably has heat shrinkability in the first direction D1. Because the first film 2 and second film 3 that make up the shrink label 1 are both heat shrinkable in the first direction D1, the shrink label 1 heat shrinks when heated to a predetermined temperature and adheres tightly to the container 100. This allows the shrink label 1 to be attached to the container 100 without the need for adhesion between the container 100 and the shrink label 1. Furthermore, because the first film 2, which makes up the majority of the shrink label 1, is heat shrinkable in the first direction D1, the shrink label 1 can be attached to the container 100 by heating it to a predetermined temperature, even if the second film 3 is not heat shrinkable.

[0022] The second film 3 is alkali-soluble (soluble in a treatment solvent). More preferably, the second film 3 is hot alkali-soluble. Specifically, the second film 3 is preferably made of approximately 80% alkali-soluble resin. This allows the second film 3 to dissolve in an alkaline solution (treatment solvent) when brought into contact with the alkaline solution. The second film 3 is preferably made of PLA (polylactic acid). Examples of materials that can be used for the second film 3 include PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), EVOH (ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer), cellophane, PHBH (poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate), Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer (registered trademark)), PBAT (polybutylene adipate terephthalate), and PBS (polybutylene succinate).

[0023] 1 and 2, the second film 3 is provided on the back side (toward the container 100) of both side ends (first side end 2a and second side end 2b) of the first film 2 rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape, and is a sealing portion that connects the first film 2 into a cylindrical shape. As a result, a window portion 4 is formed by the second film 3 between both side ends of the first film 2. Specifically, the surface of the first side end 3a in the first direction D1 of the second film 3 (the side opposite to the container 100) is joined to and overlaps the back side of the first side end 2a of the first film 2, and the surface of the second side end 3b in the first direction D1 of the second film 3 is joined to and overlaps the back side of the second side end 2b of the first film 2.

[0024] As described above, the ink layer 22 is not laminated on the first film substrate 21 at the first side edge 2a and the second side edge 2b of the first film 2. This allows the first film substrate 21 and the second film 3 to be bonded together while avoiding the ink layer 22, which makes bonding to the second film 3 difficult.

[0025] The method for joining the first film substrate 21 and the second film 3 is not particularly limited, and for example, they may be bonded using a solvent. In this case, as shown in Fig. 2, the first film substrate 21 of the first film 2 is directly joined to the second film 3. By joining the first side edge 2a and the second side edge 2b of the first film 2 to the second film 3, the shrink label 1 becomes tubular.

[0026] When the first film 2 and the second film 3 are joined together, a portion of the first side edge 3a and the second side edge 3b in the first direction D1 of the second film 3 may cover the side edges in the first direction D1 of the ink layer 22 laminated on the first film substrate 21. This facilitates alignment when joining the first film 2 and the second film 3, improving work efficiency.

[0027] The center of the second film 3 in the first direction D1 does not overlap with the first film 2, and forms a window 4 composed only of the second film 3. The second film 3 connects the ends of the first film 2 in the first direction D1. When the shrink label 1 is attached in a cylindrical shape around the container 100, the second film 3 extends from one edge 1a, which is one edge, in the axial direction D2 (vertical direction) of the cylindrical shrink label 1, to the other edge The 2 and extends in a strip shape up to the edge 1b.

[0028] Because the second film 3 is alkali-soluble, when it comes into contact with an alkaline solution, the entire second film 3 dissolves. As a result, the first side edge 2a and the second side edge 2b of the first film 2 separate, the shrink label 1 loses its tubular shape, and the shrink label 1 is separated from the container 100.

[0029] The width of the second film 3 in the first direction D1 is not particularly limited. The width of the second film 3 is sufficient as long as it is at least wide enough to connect the ends of the first film 2 in the first direction D1. Furthermore, by making the second film 3 transparent, for example, the contents of the container 100 can be seen through the window 4 when the shrink label 1 is attached. Here, "transparent" refers to a state in which the volume of the contents of the container 100 can be seen through the shrink label 1 when the shrink label 1 is attached to the container 100. "Transparent" may mean either colorless transparent or colored transparent. Furthermore, a scale may be printed on the window 4.

[0030] The shrink label 1 is not limited to the above, and may not have the second film 3. For example, when the first film 2 is tubular, a portion of the first film substrate 21 may be alkali-soluble. Here, the portion of the first film substrate 21 refers to, for example, the portion from the first edge 1a, which is one edge in the axial direction D2 (longitudinal direction) of the tubular shrink label 1, to the other edge. The 2 is a portion formed so as to extend in a strip shape up to the edge portion 1b.

[0031] In this case, when the first film substrate 21 comes into contact with the alkaline solution, a part of the first film substrate 21 dissolves and is broken. Furthermore, since the ink layer 22 is more fragile than the second film 3, as the first film substrate 21 is broken, the ink layer 22 is also broken at a location corresponding to the part of the first film substrate 21 that has dissolved.

[0032] The shrink label 1 is not limited to the above, and the first film 2 may be made of a material with excellent organic solvent resistance, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and the second film 3 may be made of a material with low organic solvent resistance, such as PS (polystyrene). Examples of organic solvents include ester-based solvents such as ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, and butyl acetate, aromatic solvents such as toluene, and ketone-based solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone. In this case, the container 100 and the shrink label 1 can be separated by contacting the second film 3 with the organic solvent. In other words, the shrink label 1 may have a first film 2 made of a material with excellent resistance to the treatment solvent, and a second film 3 made of a material with low resistance to the treatment solvent. This allows the container 100 and the shrink label 1 to be separated by contacting the shrink label 1 with the treatment solvent.

[0033] (Variation) A modified example of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a variation of the method for joining the first film 2 and the second film 3 of the shrink label 1, and is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 1. For ease of explanation, components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0034] The method of joining the first film 2 and the second film 3 is not limited to the example shown in the above embodiment. For example, as shown in example 1000 in FIG. 3 , the shrink label 1 may further include an ink layer 22 laminated on the back surface of the second film 3. If the ink layer 22 is not laminated on the second film 3, the design will not be displayed in the area of ​​the shrink label 1 corresponding to the second film 3, and the design cannot be applied to the entire shrink label 1. In contrast, as shown in example 1000 in FIG. 3 , by laminating the ink layer 22 on the inside of the second film 3, the design can be applied to the entire shrink label 1 without interruption in the area corresponding to the second film 3. This can improve the aesthetic appeal of the appearance of the shrink label 1.

[0035] 3, the ink layer 22 may be laminated on the outside, rather than the inside, of the first film 2 of the shrink label 1 shown in Fig. 2. In this case, the ink layer 22 may also be laminated on the back or front of the second film 3, between both side edges of the first film 2 in the first direction D1.

[0036] 3, the back surface of the first side end 3a of the second film 3 may be joined to and overlapped with the front surface of the first side end 2a of the first film 2, and the back surface of the second side end 3b of the second film 3 may be joined to and overlapped with the front surface of the second side end 2b of the first film 2. That is, in example 1002 of FIG. 3, the second film 3 is joined to the outside of the first film 2. In this case, as shown in example 1003 of FIG. 3, an ink layer 22 may be laminated on the back surface of the second film 3 between both side ends of the first film 2 in the first direction D1, or the ink layer 22 may be laminated on the outside rather than the inside of the first film substrate 21.

[0037] Furthermore, although not shown, the configuration of FIG. 2 may have a structure in which the window 4 is not formed in the shrink label 1, and one end 2c and the other end 2d (see FIG. 1) of the first film 2 in the first direction D1 abut each other. In this case, the second film 3 is not exposed on the surface of the tubular shrink label 1, and the second film 3 cannot be visually confirmed from the surface side of the shrink label 1. This makes it difficult for the second film 3 to come into contact with the alkaline solution, and there is a concern that the dissolution rate of the second film 3 may be slower than when the second film 3 is exposed on the surface. However, because the window 4 is not formed, there are fewer interruptions in the design on the shrink label 1, and the aesthetic appeal of the shrink label 1 is improved.

[0038] In terms of solubility, it is desirable for the shrink label 1 to have a window 4. In terms of aesthetics, it is desirable for the ink layer 22 to be laminated on the second film 3, and it is more desirable for the second film 3 to be bonded to the inside of the first film 2 than to the outside of the first film 2. In terms of ease of manufacture, it is desirable for the shrink label 1 to have the configuration shown in Figure 2, example 1000 in Figure 3, or example 1001 in Figure 3.

[0039] Based on the above, when the above properties are comprehensively evaluated as the configuration of the shrink label 1, it is preferable to adopt the configuration of Figure 2 or the configuration of example 1000 of Figure 3 as the shrink label 1, and it is even more preferable to adopt the configuration of example 1000 of Figure 3.

[0040] (Shrink label manufacturing) FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the process for manufacturing a shrink label 1. An example of a method for manufacturing a shrink label 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. 4 . The first film web 41 is a raw web of a long, strip-shaped first film 2 that is heat-shrinkable in the short direction. The second film web 42 is a raw web of a long, strip-shaped second film 3 that is heat-shrinkable in the short direction. The first side edge 42a of the second film web 42 is joined to the first side edge 41a of the first film web 41 to form a long film 43. The long film 43 is rolled with the short direction of the long film 43 serving as the circumferential direction, and the second side edge 41b of the first film web 41 is joined to the second side edge 42b of the second film web 42, thereby obtaining a long shrink label continuous web 44. The shrink label 1 is obtained by cutting this shrink label continuous web 44 to a predetermined length.

[0041] This type of process of forming a long shrink label by bonding one long strip of film to another has been used for a long time. By adopting this shrink label manufacturing method for producing shrink label 1, it becomes possible to manufacture shrink label 1 using existing manufacturing processes.

[0042] (Method of separating shrink label from container) The shrink label 1, which is attached in a cylindrical shape around the container 100, can be separated from the container 100 as follows. That is, the container 100 to which the shrink label 1 is attached is brought into contact with an alkaline solution, which dissolves a portion of the shrink label 1, thereby separating the shrink label 1 from the container 100. Specifically, by bringing the container 100 to which the shrink label 1 is attached into contact with the alkaline solution, the second film 3 of the shrink label 1 is dissolved. As the second film 3 dissolves, the first side edge 2a and the second side edge 2b of the first film 2 separate, and the shrink label 1 is separated from the container 100. This allows the container 100 to be efficiently separated from the shrink label 1 in the container 100 to which the shrink label 1 is attached.

[0043] The treatment of contacting the shrink label 1 with the alkaline solution can be carried out, for example, by immersing the container 100 to which the shrink label 1 is attached in the alkaline solution for approximately 1 to 20 minutes. The preferred temperature of the alkaline solution is 50 to 95°C. The type of alkaline solution is not particularly limited as long as it allows the shrink label 1 to be separated from the container 100 to which it is attached, and any alkaline aqueous solution containing an alkaline substance can be used. Examples of alkaline solutions that can be used include aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions and aqueous potassium hydroxide solutions. The concentration of the alkaline substance in the alkaline solution can be selected as appropriate within a range that does not impair operability or workability, and is preferably, for example, approximately 0.5 to 6% by weight.

[0044] Furthermore, if the ink in the ink layer 22 of the shrink label 1 is alkali-soluble, the ink can be removed from the shrink label 1 when the container 100 and the shrink label 1 are separated.

[0045] The shrink label 1 may also have perforations for tearing, in which case the shrink label 1 can be separated from the container 100 at home by peeling the shrink label 1 along the perforations.

[0046] [Embodiment 2] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 5 and 6. For ease of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0047] (Wrap-around label configuration) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a wrap-around label 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the container 100 is shown by a two-dot chain line for ease of understanding. As shown in FIG. 5, the wrap-around label 10 is a label that is attached to the container 100 by being wrapped around the container 100 in a cylindrical shape. The wrap-around label 10 is attached to the container 100, for example, by wrapping a substantially rectangular sheet-like wrap-around label 10 around the container 100. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the wrap-around label 10 includes a third film 11, a fourth film 14 (fusible portion), and adhesive layers 15 and 16.

[0048] (3rd film) As shown in Fig. 6, the third film 11 is configured by laminating a third film substrate 12 and an ink layer 13. The third film substrate 12 is located outside the ink layer 13 when the wrap-around label 10 is wrapped around the container 100. The ink layer 13 has a configuration similar to the ink layer 22 in embodiment 1. The ink layers 13 may be laminated on both sides of the third film substrate 12, or the third film substrate 12 may be located inside the ink layer 13 when the wrap-around label 10 is formed into a cylindrical shape. The third film 11 may be configured only by the third film substrate 12.

[0049] The third film 11 is divided into a first member 11_1 and a second member 11_2 in the first direction D1, and the first member 11_1 and the second member 11_2 are connected by an adhesive layer 16 and a fourth film 14, thereby forming the wrap-around label 10 into a cylindrical shape.

[0050] The material of the third film substrate 12 is alkali-insoluble, and any known material that has been used for conventional wrap-around labels can be used.

[0051] (4th film) The fourth film 14 is alkali-soluble. More preferably, the fourth film 14 is hot alkali-soluble. Specifically, it is preferable that about 80% of the fourth film 14 is made of an alkali-soluble resin. This allows the fourth film 14 to dissolve in an alkaline solution when brought into contact with the alkaline solution. It is preferable that the fourth film 14 is made of PLA. Furthermore, for example, PVA, EVOH, cellophane, PHBH, PBAT, or PBS can be used as the fourth film 14.

[0052] 5 and 6, the fourth film 14 is provided between the first member 11_1 and the second member 11_2 of the third film 11 rolled into a substantially cylindrical shape, and is a sealing portion that connects the third film 11 into a sheet-like shape. As a result, a window portion 17 is formed by the fourth film 14 between the first member 11_1 and the second member 11_2. Specifically, the surface of the first side end portion 14a in the first direction D1 of the fourth film 14 is superimposed on and joined to the back surface of the first side end portion 11_1a of the first member 11_1, and the surface of the second side end portion 14b in the first direction D1 of the fourth film 14 is superimposed on and joined to the back surface of the first side end portion 11_2a of the second member 11_2.

[0053] Here, the ink layer 13 is not laminated on the third film substrate 12 at the first side end 11_1a of the first member 11_1 and the first side end 11_2a of the second member 11_2. This allows the fourth film 14 and the third film substrate 12 to be bonded together while avoiding the ink layer 13, which would make bonding to the fourth film 14 difficult. The method for bonding the third film 11 and the fourth film 14 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, adhesion using a solvent. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the third film substrate 12 of the third film 11 and the fourth film 14 are directly bonded together.

[0054] The center of the fourth film 14 in the first direction D1 does not overlap with the third film 11, and forms a window portion 17 formed only by the fourth film 14. The fourth film 14 connects a first side end portion 11_1a of the first member 11_1 and a first side end portion 11_2a of the second member 11_2. When the wrap-around label 10 is attached in a cylindrical shape around the container 100, the fourth film 14 extends from a first edge portion 11a, which is one edge portion in the axial direction D2 of the cylindrical wrap-around label 10, to the other edge portion The It extends in a strip shape up to the second edge 11b.

[0055] Since the fourth film 14 is alkali-soluble, when it comes into contact with an alkaline solution, the entire fourth film 14 dissolves, causing the first side end portion 11_1a of the first member 11_1 and the first side end portion 11_2a of the second member 11_2 in the third film 11 to separate from each other.

[0056] The width of the fourth film 14 in the first direction D1 is not particularly limited. The width of the fourth film 14 only needs to be wide enough to connect the first member 11_1 and the second member 11_2. Furthermore, by making the fourth film 14 transparent, for example, the contents of the container 100 can be seen through the window portion 17 with the wrap-around label 10 attached.

[0057] The wrap-around label 10 is not limited to the above, and may not have the fourth film 14. For example, when the third film 11 is formed into a cylindrical shape, a portion of the third film substrate 12 may be alkali-soluble. Here, the portion of the third film substrate 12 is, for example, from a first edge 11a, which is one edge in the axial direction D2 of the cylindrical wrap-around label 10, to the other edge. The This is a portion formed so as to extend in a strip shape up to the second edge portion 11b.

[0058] (Adhesive layer) The adhesive layer 15 is disposed on the back surface of the second side end portion 11_2b of the second member 11_2 of the third film 11 (the inner side when the wrap-around label 10 is formed into a cylindrical shape). The adhesive layer 16 is disposed on the back surface of the second side end portion 11_1b of the first member 11_1 of the third film 11.

[0059] The third film 11 is attached to the container 100 by the adhesive layer 15 on the back surface of the second side end portion 11_2b of the second member 11_2. Furthermore, starting from this point, the third film 11 is wrapped around the container 100, and the adhesive layer 16 on the back surface of the second side end portion 11_1b of the first member 11_1 is superimposed on and adhered to the surface of the second side end portion 11_2b of the second member 11_2. In this way, the third film 11 is wrapped around and attached to the container 100.

[0060] For example, a heat-sensitive adhesive that does not exhibit adhesiveness at room temperature but exhibits adhesiveness when heated can be used for the adhesive layers 15 and 16. Examples of such heat-sensitive adhesives that can be used include hot-melt adhesives, part-coat heat-sensitive adhesives, and delayed-tack heat-sensitive adhesives. Note that, in addition to heat-sensitive adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives and the like can also be used as the adhesives used for the adhesive layers 15 and 16.

[0061] Of the adhesive layers 15 and 16, at least the adhesive layer 15 is formed of an alkali-soluble resin. Examples of adhesive layers 15 and 16 include an adhesive containing a fatty acid, such as "TLH2951WO" manufactured by Bostik. This allows the third film 11 and the container 100 to be separated by contacting the adhesive layer 15 with an alkaline solution.

[0062] Furthermore, the wrap-around label 10 may have a third film 11 made of a material with excellent resistance to organic solvents, such as PET, and a fourth film 14 made of a material with low resistance to organic solvents, such as OPS. In this case, the container 100 and the wrap-around label 10 can be separated by bringing the fourth film 14 into contact with an organic solvent. In other words, the wrap-around label 10 may have a third film 11 made of a material with excellent resistance to the treatment solvent, and a fourth film 14 made of a material with low resistance to the treatment solvent. This allows the container 100 and the wrap-around label 10 to be separated by bringing the treatment solvent into contact with the wrap-around label 10.

[0063] (Method of separating the wrap-around label from the container) The wrap-around label 10, which is attached in a cylindrical shape around the container 100, can be separated from the container 100 as follows. That is, the container 100 with the wrap-around label 10 attached thereto is brought into contact with an alkaline solution to dissolve a portion of the wrap-around label 10, thereby separating the wrap-around label 10 from the container 100. Specifically, the fourth film 14 and the adhesive layer 15 are dissolved by bringing the container 100 with the wrap-around label 10 attached thereto into contact with the alkaline solution. As the fourth film 14 and the adhesive layer 15 dissolve, the first side end portion 11_1a of the first member 11_1 and the first side end portion 11_2a of the second member 11_2 are separated, and further, the third film 11 and the container 100 are separated, thereby separating the wrap-around label 10 from the container 100. This allows the container 100 and the wrap-around label 10 to be efficiently separated from each other in the container 100 with the wrap-around label 10 attached thereto.

[0064] If the ink on the wrap-around label 10 is alkali-soluble, the ink can be removed from the wrap-around label 10 when the container 100 and the wrap-around label 10 are separated.

[0065] [Embodiment 3] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. For ease of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0066] (Method of separating the label from the container) 7 is a diagram showing an example of a method for separating the label 110 from the container 100. The label 110 includes the above-described shrink label 1 and wrap-around label 10. An example of a method for separating the label 110 from the container 100 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0067] The method for separating the shrink label 1 from the container 100 described in embodiment 1 and the method for separating the wrap-around label 10 from the container 100 described in embodiment 2 can be adopted as the method for separating the label 110 from the container 100 shown in Figure 7.

[0068] 7, the separation method according to this embodiment includes a step of contacting a container 100 with a label 110 attached thereto with an alkaline solution 120 (treatment solvent) to dissolve at least a portion of the label 110, thereby separating the label 110 from the container 100. In this step, the container 100 with the label 110 attached thereto is brought into contact with the alkaline solution 120, for example, by immersing the container 100 with the label 110 attached thereto in the alkaline solution 120 in an alkaline bath 122. This dissolves at least a portion of the label 110, thereby separating the label 110 from the container 100.

[0069] The separation method according to this embodiment can be applied not only to shrink labels 1 and wrap-around labels 110 each having a portion that is alkali-soluble, but also to shrink labels and wrap-around labels each having an entire label that is alkali-soluble. In other words, this separation method involves contacting a container 100 with a label 110 attached with an alkaline solution to dissolve at least a portion of the label 110, thereby separating the label 110 from the container 100.

[0070] However, because alkali-soluble resins tend to be relatively expensive, it is preferable to use an alkali-soluble material to form only a portion of the label 110, rather than to form the entire label 110 from an alkali-soluble material. Reducing the amount of alkali-soluble material used in the label 110 can reduce the production costs of the label 110. Furthermore, if the entire label 110 dissolves, the label 110 can be easily separated from the container 100, but the label 110 cannot be recovered, making it difficult to recycle the label 110.

[0071] As described above, in the separation method according to the present embodiment, the container 100 to which the label 110 is attached is brought into contact with an alkaline solution to dissolve part or all of the label 110, thereby separating the label 110 from the container 100. As a result, the container 100 and the label 110 can be efficiently separated from each other in the container 100 to which the label 110 is attached.

[0072] The container 100 from which the label 110 has been separated can be reused, for example, in existing recycling processes.

[0073] With this configuration, the label 110 can be efficiently separated from the container 100, which can improve the efficiency of label recycling, for example. This can contribute to achieving Goal 12 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Responsible Consumption and Production."

[0074] Furthermore, the treatment solvent is not limited to an alkaline solution. For example, if the label 110 has at least a portion made of a material that has low resistance to organic solvents, the treatment solvent may be an organic solvent.

[0075] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1. Shrink label (label) 1a First edge of shrink label 1b Second edge of shrink label 2. First film (label body) 3 Second film (fusible part / sealing part) 10 Wrap-around labels (labels) 11a First edge of wrap-around label 11b Second edge of wrap-around label 14 Fourth film (soluble part) 100 Containers (articles) 110 Label 120 Alkaline solution (treatment solvent) D2 Axial direction

Claims

1. A label to be attached to an article, Partially contains a soluble portion that is soluble in a processing solvent, When the label is attached in a cylindrical shape around the article, the soluble portion extends in a band shape from a first edge portion, which is one edge portion of the cylindrical label in the axial direction, to a second edge portion, which is the other edge portion, the fusible portion is a sealing portion that connects the label body portion of the label into a cylindrical shape, A label in which a window portion is formed by the fusible portion between both circumferential end portions of the label main body portion, and an ink layer is laminated on the surface of the fusible portion facing the article.

2. The label according to claim 1 , wherein the soluble portion is made of polylactic acid.

3. A label as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the label main body is heat-shrinkable.

4. A method for separating a label according to any one of claims 1 to 3 from an article, comprising: The method includes the step of contacting the article to which the label is attached with a treatment solvent to separate the label from the article, thereby dissolving at least a portion of the label.

Images