Labels and label stock

Abstract

To provide a label and a label sheet roll that allow design to be visually recognized in a three-dimensional manner.SOLUTION: A label 3 comprises: a lower base material 12 that has optical transparency; an adhesive layer 50 that is provided on the back of the lower base material and has optical transparency; and an upper base material 32 that is provided on a surface of the lower base material and has a contour smaller than the contour of the lower base material. The label 3 has an overlapping area A10 overlapping the upper base material 32 in a lamination direction, and a non-overlapping area A20 not overlapping the upper base material in the lamination direction. The haze value of the overlapping area A10 is larger than the haze value of the non-overlapping area A20. The haze value of the non-overlapping area A20 is less than 10.0.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a label and a label stock. [Background technology]

[0002] So-called linerless labels, which do not have a release paper, have been known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-258755 discloses a label continuum comprising a label substrate, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on the back surface of the label substrate, a thermosensitive coloring layer provided on the surface of the label substrate, a printing layer provided on the surface of the thermosensitive coloring layer, and release agent layers provided on the surfaces of the thermosensitive coloring layer and the printing layer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-258755 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a continuous label strip such as that described in JP-A-2002-258755, there are cases where a design that makes the display portion of each label stand out is required.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a label and a label stock having a distinctive design in the display area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A label according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a lower substrate having optical transparency, an adhesive layer having optical transparency and provided on the back surface of the lower substrate, and an upper substrate having an outer shape smaller than that of the lower substrate and provided on the surface of the lower substrate, wherein the label has an overlapping region that overlaps with the upper substrate in the stacking direction of the lower substrate and the upper substrate, and a non-overlapping region that does not overlap with the upper substrate in the stacking direction, and the haze value of the overlapping region is greater than the haze value of the non-overlapping region, and the haze value of the non-overlapping region is less than 10.0.

[0007] In addition, a label stock according to one aspect of the present invention is a label stock formed by winding and stacking a continuous label sheet containing a plurality of labels arranged in one direction into a roll, the continuous label sheet comprising a lower base material sheet having a shape extending in the one direction, an adhesive layer provided on the back surface of the lower base material sheet, and a plurality of upper base materials provided on the front surface of the lower base material sheet, each of which constitutes a part of one label in the plurality of labels, the continuous label sheet having an overlapping region that overlaps with the upper base material in the stacking direction of the lower base material sheet and the upper base material, and a non-overlapping region that does not overlap with the upper base material in the stacking direction, the haze value of the overlapping region being greater than the haze value of the non-overlapping region, and the haze value of the non-overlapping region being less than 10.0. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a label and a label stock having a distinctive design in the display portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view schematically showing a labeled article according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a label web and a continuous label web. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a test method for a special ball tack test. [Figure 5] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing a schematic diagram of a manufacturing process for a labeled article. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the solid line VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of a label sheet. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the solid line VIII in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the solid line IX in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the solid line X in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the solid line XI in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the solid line XII in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the solid line XIII in FIG. 7. [Figure 14] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the solid line XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the solid line XV in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the overcoat layer. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the pretreatment step. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the bonding layer forming step. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a placing step. [Figure 20] 1A to 1C are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a printing process. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the cutting step. [Figure 22] 10A to 10C are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a removal step. [Figure 23] 1A to 1C are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a coating process. [Figure 24]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an adhesive layer forming step. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a labeled article according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the labeled article 5 includes an article B and a label 3. Fig. 1 illustrates an example of an article B that is a container capable of containing a liquid or the like. However, the article B is not limited to a container. The article B may be optically transparent.

[0012] A label 3 is attached to the surface of an item B. Figure 2 shows a continuous label strip 2 containing a plurality of labels 3. The continuous label strip 2 has a plurality of labels 3 arranged in one direction. The continuous label strip 2 is a so-called linerless label that does not have a release paper (liner). A label roll 1 is formed by winding and stacking the continuous label strip 2 into a roll. Linerless labels are environmentally friendly labels that are suitable for achieving the SDGs because no release paper is generated as waste when they are attached to item B.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the label 3 includes a lower substrate 12, a bonding layer 20, an upper substrate 32, a printing layer 35, an overcoat layer 40, an adhesive layer 50, and an anchor coat layer 60.

[0014] The lower substrate 12 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene. The lower substrate 12 is made of a material having optical transparency. In this specification, "having optical transparency" means that the haze value is less than 20%. The haze value of the lower substrate 12 is preferably less than 10%, and more preferably less than 7%. The thickness of the lower substrate 12 is approximately 9 μm to 50 μm.

[0015] The upper substrate 32 is provided on the surface of the lower substrate 12 via a bonding layer 20. The adhesive strength of the bonding layer 20 is preferably 3 N / 25 mm or more, and more preferably 5 N / 25 mm or more. The upper substrate 32 has an outer shape smaller than that of the lower substrate 12. The upper substrate 32 may have a light transmittance lower than that of the lower substrate 12, or may have a light transmittance approximately the same as that of the lower substrate 12. The upper substrate 32 is made of synthetic resin, paper, or the like. The thickness of the upper substrate 32 is preferably about 20 μm to 100 μm.

[0016] The printed layer 35 is provided on the surface of the upper substrate 32. The printed layer 35 is a layer that displays a design or the like. The printed layer 35 may be omitted.

[0017] The anchor coat layer 60 is provided on the surface of the lower substrate 12 in a region surrounding the upper substrate 32. The anchor coat layer 60 is provided to enhance the adhesion of the overcoat layer 40 to the lower substrate 12. The anchor coat layer 60 is made of, for example, varnish. The anchor coat layer 60 may be omitted. The anchor coat layer 60 has an outer anchor portion 62 and an inner anchor portion 64.

[0018] The outer anchor portion 62 covers the area of ​​the surface of the lower substrate 12 surrounding the bonding layer 20 and the upper substrate 32. A gap is formed between the outer anchor portion 62 and the bonding layer 20.

[0019] The inner anchor portion 64 covers the surface of the lower substrate 12 between the bonding layer 20 and the outer anchor portion 62. The inner anchor portion 64 has a smaller adhesive strength than the adhesive strength of the outer anchor portion 62. The inner anchor portion 64 is formed by, for example, gradation printing.

[0020] The overcoat layer 40 is provided on the surface of the lower substrate 12 and the surface of the upper substrate 32. The overcoat layer 40 protects the surface of the lower substrate 12 and the surface of the upper substrate 32. The overcoat layer 40 contains a material that has peelability. For example, the overcoat layer 40 is made of a material in which a silicone resin or a fluorine resin is added to an acrylic ester resin. The overcoat layer 40 is light-transmitting.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the overcoat layer 40 has a lower substrate covering portion 42, an upper substrate covering portion 44, and an intervening portion 46.

[0022] The lower substrate covering portion 42 covers the surface of the portion of the lower substrate 12 surrounding the upper substrate 32. Here, "the surface of the lower substrate 12" means the surface of the anchor coat layer 60 when the anchor coat layer 60 is provided on the surface of the lower substrate 12, and means the surface of the lower substrate 12 when the anchor coat layer 60 is omitted. In this embodiment, the lower substrate covering portion 42 covers the surface of the outer anchor portion 62 of the anchor coat layer 60.

[0023] The upper substrate covering portion 44 covers the surface of the upper substrate 32. Here, "the surface of the upper substrate 32" means the surface of the printed layer 35 when the printed layer 35 is provided on the surface of the upper substrate 32, and means the surface of the upper substrate 32 when the printed layer 35 is omitted.

[0024] The intervening portion 46 is interposed between the lower substrate covering portion 42 and the upper substrate covering portion 44. The upper end of the intervening portion 46 is connected to the upper substrate covering portion 44, and the lower end of the intervening portion 46 is connected to the lower substrate covering portion 42.

[0025] The adhesive layer 50 is provided on the back surface of the lower substrate 12. The adhesive layer 50 is a layer that comes into contact with the surface of the article B. The adhesive layer 50 is made of a light-transmitting material. The adhesive layer 50 may also be made of a sticky material. The thickness of the adhesive layer 50 is about 20 μm.

[0026] The adhesive layer 50 is made of a material that is activated by light energy such as ultraviolet or infrared light, or a material that is activated by thermal energy such as hot air. In this embodiment, the adhesive layer 50 is made of a material that includes an ultraviolet-curable resin, i.e., a material that is activated by light energy. The main components of the material that constitutes the adhesive layer 50 include, but are not limited to, olefin rubber, styrene-based resin, tackifier, etc. Additives such as plasticizer, olefin wax, amide-based resin, and cellulose-based resin may be added to these main components.

[0027] The adhesive strength of adhesive layer 50 is ball No. 4 or less in the special ball tack test before activation of adhesive layer 50, ball No. 8 or more in the special ball tack test immediately after activation of adhesive layer 50, and ball No. 6 or more in the special ball tack test 5 seconds after activation of adhesive layer 50. Preferably, the adhesive strength of adhesive layer 50 is ball No. 5 or more in the special ball tack test 15 seconds after activation of adhesive layer 50.

[0028] The special ball tack test is similar to the standard tilted ball tack test. The special ball tack test omits the approach section of the tilted ball tack test. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , the special ball tack test uses a rolling ball apparatus 300 similar to that used in the tilted ball tack test. The rolling ball apparatus 300 has an inclined surface 310 with an inclination angle of 30°. A sample 320 having a width of 10 mm and a length of 70 mm or more is placed on the inclined surface 310. Specifically, the surface of the sample 320 is formed by an adhesive layer 50, and the sample 320 is placed on the inclined surface 310 with the adhesive layer 50 facing upward. Unlike the standard tilted ball tack test, the special ball tack test places a ball 330 on the top end of the sample 320 so as not to apply pressure to the adhesive layer 50. The ball 330 rolls under its own weight and stops on the adhesive layer 50, and the highest ball number is taken as the measurement value.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, label 3 has an overlapping area A10 and a non-overlapping area A20.

[0030] The overlapping region A10 is a region that overlaps with the upper substrate 32 in the stacking direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 3) of the lower substrate 12 and the upper substrate 32. The non-overlapping region A20 is a region that does not overlap with the upper substrate 32 in the stacking direction. In other words, the non-overlapping region A20 is a region surrounding the upper substrate 32 in a plan view of the label 3.

[0031] The haze value of the overlapping region A10 is greater than the haze value of the non-overlapping region A20. The haze value of the non-overlapping region A20 is preferably less than 10.0, and more preferably less than 7.0. When the label 3 is attached to the article B, the non-overlapping region A20 substantially blends in with the article B, and the upper substrate 32 is clearly recognized as the display portion of the label 3.

[0032] Next, a method for manufacturing the labeled article 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The method for manufacturing the labeled article 5 includes a preparation step, a feeding step, a cutting step, an activation step, a transporting step, and an attachment step.

[0033] The preparation step is a step of preparing a label web 1 in which the continuous label web 2 is wound up into a roll.

[0034] The unwinding step is a step of unwinding the continuous label web 2 from the label web 1. The blocking value when unwinding the continuous label web 2 from the label web 1 is preferably 1.0 N / 15 mm or less, and more preferably 0.7 N / 15 mm or less.

[0035] The blocking value is measured as follows. First, a second test piece is placed on top of a first test piece (15 mm wide) of label 3 so that the adhesive layer 50 of the second test piece (15 mm wide) of label 3 is in contact with the surface of the overcoat layer 40 of the first test piece (15 mm wide). Then, in a heat seal tester, the first and second test pieces are pressed together at 80°C and 0.5 MPa for 10 seconds, and the T-peel strength of the first and second test pieces is measured. The tensile strength (adhesive strength) at this time corresponds to the blocking value.

[0036] The cutting process is a process of cutting the unwound continuous label web 2 into individual labels 3 each having a single upper substrate 32. As shown in Fig. 5, in this process, the continuous label web 2 is cut by the cutting unit 110. As shown in Fig. 6, the cutting unit 110 cuts the continuous label web 2 along the line to cut L1 located on the lower substrate covering portion 42 provided between a pair of adjacent upper substrates 32. Note that the continuous label web 2 may or may not be provided with a marking or the like indicating the line to cut L1.

[0037] The activation step is a step of activating the adhesive layer 50 of the label 3. As shown in FIG. 5 , in this step, the energy irradiation unit 120 irradiates the adhesive layer 50 with light energy (such as ultraviolet light) that activates the adhesive layer 50. This activates the adhesive layer 50 of the label 3. The label 3 may contain an energy absorbing material that absorbs light energy. The energy absorbing material is preferably added to the adhesive layer 50 or the overcoat layer 40. In this embodiment, an ultraviolet absorbing material is added as an energy absorbing material to at least one of the adhesive layer 50 and the overcoat layer 40, and the energy irradiation unit 120 irradiates ultraviolet light. Note that if the adhesive layer 50 is made of a material that is activated by thermal energy, the energy irradiation unit 120 applies thermal energy, such as hot air, to the adhesive layer 50.

[0038] The conveying process is a process of conveying activated labels 3A, which are labels 3 having an activated adhesive layer 50. As shown in FIG. 5, in this process, a conveyor 130 conveys the activated labels 3A. The conveying speed of the conveyor 130 can be adjusted to any speed between a relatively low first speed, which is used during startup, and a relatively high second speed, which is used during mass production. Light energy is not irradiated in the area of ​​the conveyor 130 downstream of the energy irradiation unit 120. That is, in the conveying process, the activated labels 3A are conveyed with their adhesive layer 50 in an unactivated state from an activated position (a position irradiated with light energy by the energy irradiation unit 120) where the adhesive layer 50 is activated to a separated position spaced from the activated position. In other words, in the conveying process, the activated labels 3A are conveyed from the activated position to the separated position while the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 50 is reduced.

[0039] The attaching step is a step of attaching the activation label 3A to the article B at a position spaced from the energy irradiation unit 120. The article B is transported by a conveyor or the like. When the transport speed of the conveyor 130 is the first speed, the attaching step may be performed, for example, within 15 seconds after the activation step, i.e., when the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 50 is ball No. 5 or greater in a special ball tack test. When the transport speed of the conveyor 130 is the second speed, the attaching step may be performed, for example, within 5 seconds after the activation step, i.e., when the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 50 is ball No. 6 or greater in a special ball tack test.

[0040] Next, a method for manufacturing the label material 1 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 15. The method for manufacturing the label material 1 includes a pretreatment step, a lamination step, a printing step, a cutting step, a removal step, a coating step, and an adhesive layer formation step.

[0041] 7 and 8, the pretreatment step is a step in which a varnish supply unit 60A supplies varnish to the surface of the lower base sheet 10, thereby forming an anchor coat layer 60 on the lower base sheet 10. In this step, an outer anchor portion 62 and an inner anchor portion 64 are simultaneously formed by printing.

[0042] The lamination process is a process of laminating an upper base material sheet 30 on the surface of a lower base material sheet 10 via a bonding layer 20. The lower base material sheet 10 is a sheet including a plurality of lower base materials 12, and has a shape extending in one direction. The portion of the lower base material sheet 10 between a pair of planned cutting lines L1 constitutes the lower base material 12. The upper base material sheet 30 is a sheet including a plurality of upper base materials 32 arranged so as to be spaced apart in one direction, and has a shape extending in one direction.

[0043] 7, 9, and 10, the lamination process includes a bonding layer forming process in which a bonding material supply unit 20A supplies a bonding material to the surface of the lower base sheet 10 to form a bonding layer 20 on the lower base sheet 10, and a placing process in which the upper base sheet 30 is placed on the bonding layer 20. The bonding material supply unit 20A forms the bonding layer 20 by printing, for example. Examples of printing methods using the bonding material supply unit 20A include letterpress printing, flexography, and gravure printing. In the bonding layer forming process, bonding material is supplied to the inside of the inner anchor portion 64 so as to overlap the inner edge of the inner anchor portion 64.

[0044] The printing process is a process of forming a printing layer 35 on the surface of the upper base sheet 30. The printing layer 35 includes display of characters, graphics, etc. As shown in Figures 7 and 11, in the printing process, the printing layer 35 is formed on the surface of the upper base sheet 30 by a printing unit 35A. Examples of printing methods used by the printing unit 35A include a letterpress method, a flexography method, and a gravure method. Note that if an upper base sheet 30 is used in which printing has been performed on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the upper base sheet 30 in a separate process, the printing process may be omitted.

[0045] The cutting process is a process of cutting the upper base material sheet 30 along the outer shapes of the plurality of upper base materials 32 so as to form a plurality of upper base materials 32 arranged at intervals in one direction. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 12 , in the cutting process, the upper base material sheet 30 is cut by a cutting unit 210 along the outer shapes of each upper base material 32. The cutting unit 210 may have a blade shape that follows the outer shapes of the upper base material 32. In the cutting process in this embodiment, the upper base material sheet 30 is cut from the surface of the upper base material sheet 30 toward the lower base material sheet 10 at a position where the bonding layer 20 overlaps the inner anchor portion 64.

[0046] The removing step is a step of removing portions of the upper base sheet 30 other than the plurality of upper base materials 32 from the lower base sheet 10. In the removing step of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 13, portions of the upper base sheet 30 and the printing layer 35 other than those overlapping with the upper base materials 32 in the stacking direction are peeled off. The peeled portions are taken up by a roller.

[0047] The coating process is a process of forming an overcoat layer 40 on the surface of the lower base sheet 10 and the surfaces of the multiple upper base materials 32 by supplying a coating material to the surface of the lower base sheet 10 and the surfaces of the multiple upper base materials 32. As shown in FIG. 7, in the coating process, a coating material supply unit 40A supplies the coating material to the surface of the lower base sheet 10 and the surfaces of the multiple upper base materials 32. As shown in FIG. 14, in this coating process, the coating material is supplied to the surface of the lower base sheet 10 and the surfaces of the multiple upper base materials 32 so that the lower end of the intervening portion 46 is positioned on the inner anchor portion 64. The coating material supply unit 40A forms the overcoat layer 40 by, for example, printing.

[0048] The adhesive layer forming step is a step of forming an adhesive layer 50 on the rear surface of the lower base sheet 10 by supplying an adhesive material to the rear surface of the lower base sheet 10. As shown in Fig. 7, in the adhesive layer forming step, an adhesive material is supplied to the rear surface of the lower base sheet 10 by an adhesive material supply unit 50A. The adhesive material supply unit 50A forms the adhesive layer 50 by, for example, printing.

[0049] As described above, in the manufacturing method of the labeled article 5 in the above embodiment, the activated label 3A is transported from the activation position to a separated position, where the attachment step is performed, and therefore versatility can be enhanced by separating the device that activates the adhesive layer 50 (energy irradiation unit 120) from the device that attaches the activated label 3A to the article. In other words, because the adhesive layer 50 of the label 3 has a relatively long open time after activation, in the attachment step of this manufacturing method of the labeled article 5, it is possible to attach the activated label 3A to the article B using a simple device such as a conventional tack labeler.

[0050] Furthermore, in the label 3 of the above embodiment, the lower substrate 12 and adhesive layer 50 are light-transmitting, and the haze value of the non-overlapping region A20 is less than 10.0. Therefore, when the label 3 is attached to an item B that is light-transmitting, the non-overlapping region A20 essentially blends in with the item B, and the overlapping region A10 including the upper substrate 32 is prominently visible as the main design part.

[0051] Furthermore, in the label web 1 formed by winding the linerless continuous label strip 2 into a roll, the adhesive layer 50 overlaps the overcoat layer 40, and therefore the adhesive layer 50 is affected by unevenness caused by the presence or absence of the upper substrate 32. This poses a problem in that the haze value in the non-overlapping region A20 tends to be large. In contrast, in the label web 1 of this embodiment, the haze value of the non-overlapping region A20 is less than 10.0, and therefore the overlapping region A10 including the upper substrate 32 is prominently visible as the main design portion.

[0052] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16 , a gap may be formed between the lower substrate covering portion 42 and the intervening portion 46. In this case, the intervening portion 46 covers the side surface of the upper substrate 32. In this embodiment, the non-overlapping region A20 has an outer region A21 and an inner region A22. The outer region A21 is a region that overlaps with the lower substrate covering portion 42 in the stacking direction. The inner region A22 is a region that does not overlap with the lower substrate covering portion 42 in the stacking direction. The inner region A22 is formed inside the outer region A21 and around the overlapping region A10 in a plan view of the label 3. The haze value of the inner region A22 is smaller than the haze value of the outer region A21. In this embodiment, the contours of each upper substrate 32 are more clearly defined, and therefore each upper substrate 32 is clearly visible as an indicator. Furthermore, by forming a gap between the lower substrate covering portion 42 and each upper substrate 32, the outline of each upper substrate 32 becomes clear, and therefore each upper substrate 32 can be seen more prominently.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the overcoat layer 40 and the anchor coat layer 60 may be omitted. In this case, the non-overlapping region A20 is composed of the lower substrate 12 and the adhesive layer 50, and the haze value thereof is less than 7.0.

[0054] Next, a modified example of the method for manufacturing the label web 1 will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 24. Note that in this modified example, only the parts that are different from the above embodiment will be described, and the same structure, action, and effect as the above embodiment will not be described repeatedly.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 17, in the pretreatment step, the varnish supply unit 60A forms an anchor coat layer 60 consisting of only outer anchor portions 62 on the surface of the lower base sheet 10 without forming inner anchor portions 64.

[0056] 18, in the bonding layer forming step, the bonding material supply unit 20A forms the bonding layer 20 on the lower base material sheet 10. The bonding layer 20 has a central bonding portion 21 having an outer shape that corresponds to or is slightly smaller than the outer shape of the upper base material 32, and a peripheral bonding portion 22 formed around the central bonding portion 21. The peripheral bonding portion 22 has an outer shape that is larger than the outer shape of the upper base material 32 and has an adhesive strength that is weaker than that of the central bonding portion 21. The peripheral bonding portion 22 is formed by, for example, gradation printing.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the placing step and the printing step are the same as those in the above embodiment.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 21, in the cutting step, the cutting unit 210 cuts at a position that passes through the peripheral joint 22.

[0059] The subsequent removing step, coating step, and adhesive layer forming step are the same as those in the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 22 to 24. In the coating step, the coating material is supplied to the surface of the lower base material sheet 10 and the surfaces of the plurality of upper base materials 32 so that the lower end of the interposed portion 46 is positioned on the peripheral bonded portion 22.

[0060] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0061] The label in the above embodiment is a label comprising a lower substrate having optical transparency, an adhesive layer having optical transparency and provided on the back surface of the lower substrate, and an upper substrate having an outer shape smaller than that of the lower substrate and provided on the surface of the lower substrate, wherein the label has an overlapping region that overlaps with the upper substrate in the stacking direction of the lower substrate and the upper substrate, and a non-overlapping region that does not overlap with the upper substrate in the stacking direction, and the haze value of the overlapping region is greater than the haze value of the non-overlapping region, and the haze value of the non-overlapping region is less than 10.0.

[0062] In this label, the lower substrate and adhesive layer are optically transparent, and the haze value of the non-overlapping area is less than 7. Therefore, when the label is attached to an item (container, etc.), the non-overlapping area essentially blends in with the item, and the overlapping area, including the upper substrate, is visible in three dimensions as the main design element.

[0063] Furthermore, it is preferable that the label further comprises an overcoat layer having optical transparency and provided on the surface of the lower substrate and the surface of the upper substrate, and that the haze value of the non-overlapping region is less than 10.0.

[0064] In this embodiment, the upper substrate is effectively protected.

[0065] Furthermore, it is preferable that the label further comprises an anchor coat layer provided on the surface of the lower substrate in a region surrounding the upper substrate, which enhances the adhesion of the overcoat layer to the lower substrate, and the haze value of the non-overlapping region is less than 10.0.

[0066] This prevents the overcoat layer from peeling off from the underlying substrate.

[0067] In addition, the label stock in the above embodiment is a label stock formed by winding and stacking a continuous label sheet containing a plurality of labels arranged in one direction into a roll, and the continuous label sheet comprises a lower base material sheet having a shape extending in the one direction, an adhesive layer provided on the back surface of the lower base material sheet, and a plurality of upper base materials provided on the surface of the lower base material sheet and each constituting a part of one label in the plurality of labels, and the continuous label sheet has an overlapping region that overlaps with the upper base material in the stacking direction of the lower base material sheet and the upper base material, and a non-overlapping region that does not overlap with the upper base material in the stacking direction, and the haze value of the overlapping region is greater than the haze value of the non-overlapping region, and the haze value of the non-overlapping region is less than 10.0.

[0068] Furthermore, it is preferable that the label sheet further comprises an overcoat layer provided on the surface of the lower substrate sheet and on the surface of each upper substrate of the plurality of upper substrates, and that the haze value of the non-overlapping area is less than 10.0.

[0069] Furthermore, it is preferable that the label sheet further comprises an anchor coat layer provided on the surface of the lower base sheet in a region surrounding each of the upper base materials, which enhances the adhesion of the overcoat layer to the lower base sheet, and the haze value of the non-overlapping region is less than 10.0.

[0070] It should be noted that the embodiments and examples disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments and examples, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 label roll, 2 label continuum, 3 label, 5 labeled article, 10 lower substrate sheet, 12 lower substrate, 12a recess, 20 bonding layer, 20A bonding material supply unit, 21 central bonding portion, 22 peripheral bonding portion, 30 upper substrate sheet, 32 upper substrate, 35 printing layer, 35A printing unit, 40 overcoat layer, 40A coating material supply unit, 42 lower substrate covering portion, 44 upper substrate covering portion, 46 interposition portion, 50 adhesive layer, 50A adhesive material supply unit, 60 anchor coat layer, 62 outer anchor portion, 64 inner anchor portion, 110 cutting unit, 120 energy irradiation portion, 130 conveying portion, 210 cutting unit, 300 rolling device, 310 inclined surface, 320 sample, 330 ball, A10 overlapping region, A20 Non-overlapping area, A21 outer area, A22 inner area, B article.

Claims

1. a light-transmitting lower substrate; an adhesive layer provided on the rear surface of the lower substrate and having optical transparency; an upper substrate provided on a surface of the lower substrate and having an outer shape smaller than an outer shape of the lower substrate; a light-transmitting overcoat layer provided on a surface of the lower substrate and a surface of the upper substrate, The label comprises: an overlapping region that overlaps with the upper base material in a stacking direction of the lower base material and the upper base material; a non-overlapping region that does not overlap with the upper base material in the stacking direction, a haze value of the overlapping region is greater than a haze value of the non-overlapping region; A label, wherein the haze value of the non-overlapping region is less than 10.

0.

2. an anchor coat layer provided on the surface of the lower substrate in a region surrounding the upper substrate, the anchor coat layer enhancing adhesion of the overcoat layer to the lower substrate; The label of claim 1 , wherein the non-overlapping region has a haze value of less than 10.

0.

3. A label web formed by winding a continuous label sheet including a plurality of labels arranged in one direction into a roll, The label continuum is a lower base sheet having a shape extending in one direction; an adhesive layer provided on the back surface of the lower base sheet; a plurality of upper substrates provided on the surface of the lower substrate sheet, each of which constitutes a part of each of the plurality of labels; The label continuum is an overlapping region that overlaps with the upper base material in a stacking direction of the lower base material sheet and the upper base material; a non-overlapping region that does not overlap with the upper base material in the stacking direction, a haze value of the overlapping region is greater than a haze value of the non-overlapping region; The label material, wherein the haze value of the non-overlapping region is less than 10.

0.

4. The sheet further includes an overcoat layer provided on a surface of the lower substrate sheet and on a surface of each upper substrate of the plurality of upper substrates, The label material according to claim 3 , wherein the haze value of the non-overlapping region is less than 10.

0.

5. The lower substrate sheet further includes an anchor coat layer provided on a surface of the lower substrate sheet in a region surrounding each of the upper substrates, the anchor coat layer enhancing adhesion of the overcoat layer to the lower substrate sheet, The label material according to claim 4 , wherein the haze value of the non-overlapping region is less than 10.0.

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