Label continuum, labels, and labeled articles

Abstract

To provide a label continuous body that allows design to be visually recognized in a three-dimensional manner and have a complex contour and can prevent bending, a label, and an article with a label.SOLUTION: A label continuous body 2 comprises: a lower base material sheet 10 that has a shape extending in one direction and has optical transparency; an adhesive layer 50 that is provided on the back of the lower base material sheet and has optical transparency; and a plurality of upper base materials 32a, 32b that are provided on a surface of the lower base material sheet and form part of a label of a plurality of labels. The upper base materials 32a, 32b each have a contour smaller than the contour of the lower base material sheet and have optical transparency lower than the optical transparency of the lower base material sheet and the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer 50 has an adhesive area and a non-adhesive area. The adhesive area is formed in an area overlapping only one ends of the upper base materials 32a, 32b. The non-adhesive area is formed in an area overlapping portions of the upper base materials 32a, 32b other than one ends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a label strip, a label, and a labeled article. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, labeled articles having a POP protruding upward from the top surface of the article have been known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-182777 discloses a labeled article including a container having a top surface and a side surface, and a POP label attached to the side surface of the container. The POP label is attached to the upper end of the side surface of the article with its upper portion protruding upward from the top surface of the article. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-182777 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] POP labels such as those described in JP 2015-182777 A are difficult to attach to items with complex shapes. Meanwhile, there is a need to give the POP design a three-dimensional feel. There is also a need to prevent the POP label from bending when attached to an item.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a label strip, a label, and a labeled article that can have a design that is three-dimensionally visible and has a complex outer shape, and that can suppress bending. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A continuous label strip according to one aspect of the present invention is a continuous label strip including a plurality of labels arranged in one direction, the continuous label strip comprising: a lower base sheet having a shape extending in one direction and having optical transparency; an adhesive layer having optical transparency and provided on the back surface of the lower base sheet; and a plurality of upper base materials provided on the front surface of the lower base sheet, each of which constitutes a part of a label in the plurality of labels, wherein each upper base material in the plurality of upper base materials has an outer shape smaller than that of the lower base sheet and has optical transparency lower than that of the lower base sheet and the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer has an adhesive region having adhesive strength and a non-adhesive region having adhesive strength lower than that of the adhesive region, the adhesive region being formed in an area that overlaps with only one end of each upper base material in the thickness direction of each upper base material, and the non-adhesive region being formed in an area that overlaps with a portion of each upper base material other than the one end in the thickness direction.

[0007] Furthermore, 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 provided on the surface of the lower substrate, having an outer shape smaller than that of the lower substrate and having optical transparency lower than that of the lower substrate and the adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer has an adhesive region having adhesive strength and a non-adhesive region having adhesive strength weaker than that of the adhesive region, the adhesive region being formed in an area that overlaps with only one end of the upper substrate in the thickness direction of the upper substrate, and the non-adhesive region being formed in an area that overlaps with a portion of the upper substrate other than the one end in the thickness direction.

[0008] a label-attached article according to one aspect of the present invention, comprising an article and a label attached to the article, wherein the label 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 provided on the surface of the lower substrate, the adhesive layer having an outer shape smaller than that of the lower substrate and having optical transparency lower than that of the lower substrate and the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer having an adhesive region having adhesive strength and a non-adhesive region having adhesive strength weaker than that of the adhesive region, the adhesive region being formed in an area that overlaps with only one end of the upper substrate in the thickness direction of the upper substrate and being adhered to the article, and the non-adhesive region being formed in an area that overlaps with a portion of the upper substrate other than the one end in the thickness direction and protruding upward from the article; [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a label strip, a label, and a labeled article that can provide a design that is three-dimensionally visible and has a complex outer shape, and that can suppress bending. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [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. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a test method for a special ball tack test. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram 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. 7. [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. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the adhesive layer. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a mask is applied to the adhesive layer. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the bonding layer forming step. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the cutting step. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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, and an adhesive layer 50.

[0015] 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 10%, and more preferably less than 7%. The thickness of the lower substrate 12 is approximately 9 μm to 50 μm.

[0016] 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 lower optical transparency than that of the lower substrate 12, or may have an optical transparency similar to 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 30 μm to 100 μm.

[0017] The upper substrate 32 has a first upper substrate portion 32a and a second upper substrate portion 32b. The second upper substrate portion 32b is provided at a position spaced apart from the first upper substrate portion 32a in the one direction. The outer shape of the second upper substrate portion 32b may be larger than the outer shape of the first upper substrate portion 32a. When the article B is a container, for example, the first upper substrate portion 32a can be used as a design portion of a pop, and the second upper substrate portion 32b can be used as a design portion of the body of the article B.

[0018] The lower substrate 12 includes a first lower substrate portion 12a supporting the first upper substrate portion 32a, a second lower substrate portion 12b supporting the second upper substrate portion 32b, and a connecting lower substrate portion 12c connecting the first lower substrate portion 12a and the second lower substrate portion 12b. The first lower substrate portion 12a refers to a portion of the lower substrate 12 overlapping with the first upper substrate portion 32a in the stacking direction, and the second lower substrate portion 12b refers to a portion of the lower substrate 12 overlapping with the second upper substrate portion 32b in the stacking direction. The stacking direction refers to the direction in which the upper substrate 32 is stacked on the lower substrate 12 (the left-right direction in FIG. 3). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a cutting guide portion CL such as a perforation may be provided in the portion of the label 3 between the first upper substrate portion 32a and the second upper substrate portion 32b (the portion including the connecting lower substrate portion 12c).

[0019] 3, a recess 12d is formed on the surface of the lower substrate 12, the recess 12d conforming to the outer shapes of the first upper substrate portion 32a and the second upper substrate portion 32b. The recess 12d has a shape that is recessed from the surface of the lower substrate 12 toward the back surface. The recess 12d is formed at a position that coincides with the outer edge of the first upper substrate portion 32a and a position that coincides with the outer edge of the second upper substrate portion 32b in a plan view of the label 3.

[0020] The printing layer 35 is provided on the surface of the upper substrate 32. In this embodiment, the printing layer 35 is provided on the surface of the first upper substrate portion 32a and the surface of the second upper substrate portion 32b. The printing layer 35 is a layer that displays a design or the like. The printing layer 35 may be omitted.

[0021] 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.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the overcoat layer 40 has a lower substrate covering portion 42, an upper substrate covering portion 44, and a side surface covering portion 46.

[0023] The lower substrate covering portion 42 covers the surface of the area surrounding the first upper substrate portion 32a and the surface of the area surrounding the second upper substrate portion 32b of the connecting lower substrate portion 12c of the lower substrate 12. Gaps are formed between the lower substrate covering portion 42 and the first upper substrate portion 32a, and between the lower substrate covering portion 42 and the second upper substrate portion 32b.

[0024] The upper substrate covering portion 44 covers the surface of the first upper substrate portion 32a and the surface of the second upper substrate portion 32b. Here, "the surface of the first upper substrate portion 32a" refers to the surface of the printed layer 35 if the printed layer 35 is provided on the surface of the first upper substrate portion 32a, and refers to the surface of the first upper substrate portion 32a if the printed layer 35 is omitted. The same applies to "the surface of the second upper substrate portion 32b."

[0025] The side surface covering portion 46 covers the side surface of the first upper substrate portion 32a and the side surface of the second upper substrate portion 32b. The side surface covering portion 46 is connected to the upper substrate covering portion 44. The lower end portion of the side surface covering portion 46 may be in contact with the surface of the lower substrate 12 or may be spaced apart from the surface of the lower substrate 12. A gap is formed between the side surface covering portion 46 and the lower substrate covering portion 42. However, as long as the gap is formed between the first upper substrate portion 32a and the lower substrate covering portion 42 and the gap is formed between the second upper substrate portion 32b and the lower substrate covering portion 42, the lower end portion of the side surface covering portion 46 may be connected to the lower substrate covering portion 42.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The adhesive layer 50 has a shape that extends in the one direction from an end portion on the side where the second upper substrate portion 32b is located (lower side in FIG. 3) toward a side where the first upper substrate portion 32a is located (upper side in FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 3, the adhesive layer 50 has a supporting adhesive portion 52. The supporting adhesive portion 52 is configured at an end portion of the adhesive layer 50 on the side closer to the first upper substrate portion 32a in the one direction (upper side in FIG. 3). The supporting adhesive portion 52 is formed in a region that overlaps in the stacking direction only with an end portion of the first upper substrate portion 32a on the side facing the second upper substrate portion 32b (lower side in FIG. 3).

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, label 3 has an overlapping area A10 and a non-overlapping area A20.

[0032] The overlapping region A10 is a region that overlaps with the first upper substrate portion 32a or the second upper substrate portion 32b in the stacking direction (left-right 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 first upper substrate portion 32a or the second upper substrate portion 32b in the stacking direction. In other words, the non-overlapping region A20 is a region surrounding the first upper substrate portion 32a and the second upper substrate portion 32b in a plan view of the label 3.

[0033] 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 15.0, and more preferably less than 10.0.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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 (first upper substrate portion 32a and second upper substrate portion 32b). 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Next, a method for manufacturing the label material 1 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 14. The method for manufacturing the label material 1 includes a laminating step, a printing step, a cutting step, a removing step, a coating step, and an adhesive layer forming step.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 7 to 9, the lamination process includes a bonding layer forming process in which a bonding material supplying 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 an upper base sheet 30 is placed on the bonding layer 20. The bonding material supplying unit 20A forms the bonding layer 20 by, for example, printing. Examples of printing methods that can be used with the bonding material supplying unit 20A include letterpress printing, flexography, and gravure printing.

[0046] 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 10, 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.

[0047] The cutting process is a process of cutting the upper base 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 (first upper base material portions 32a and second upper base material portions 32b) arranged at intervals in one direction. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 , in the cutting process, the upper base material sheet 30 is cut by a cutting unit 210 along the outer shapes of each of the first upper base material portions 32a and second upper base material portions 32b. The cutting unit 210 may have a blade shape that follows the outer shapes of the first upper base material portion 32a and second upper base material portion 32b. 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 so as to form recesses 12d (see FIG. 12 ) on the surface of the lower base material sheet 10 that follow the outer shapes of each of the first upper base material portions 32a and second upper base material portions 32b.

[0048] 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 Figs. 7 and 12, 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. After this step, as shown in Fig. 12, recesses 12d are formed on the surface of the lower base sheet 10 in areas surrounding each of the first upper base material portions 32a and each of the second upper base material portions 32b.

[0049] The coating process is a process of forming an overcoat layer 40 on the surface of the lower substrate sheet 10 and the surfaces of the multiple upper substrates 32 by supplying a coating material to the surface of the lower substrate sheet 10 and the surfaces of the multiple upper substrates 32. As shown in FIG. 7 , in the coating process, a coating material is supplied to the surface of the lower substrate sheet 10 and the surfaces of the multiple upper substrates 32 by a coating material supply unit 40A. As shown in FIG. 13 , in this coating process, a lower substrate covering portion 42 and an upper substrate covering portion 44 are formed, and the coating material is supplied to the surface of the lower substrate sheet 10 and the surfaces of the multiple upper substrates 32 so as to form gaps between the lower substrate covering portion 42 and each upper substrate 32. In this embodiment, in the coating process, in addition to the lower substrate covering portion 42 and the upper substrate covering portion 44, a side covering portion 46 is also formed, and the coating material is supplied so as to form the gap between the lower substrate covering portion 42 and the side covering portion 46. Note that the gap refers to the space on the surface of the lower substrate sheet 10 between the end of the lower substrate covering portion 42 and the edge of the upper substrate 32. Therefore, as long as the gap is formed, the lower end of the side covering portion 46 may be connected to the end of the lower substrate covering portion 42. The coating material supply unit 40A forms the overcoat layer 40 by, for example, printing. In particular, with a printing method using a roll plate, the gap can be easily formed by utilizing the thickness of the upper substrate 32.

[0050] 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 supply unit 50A. The adhesive supply unit 50A forms the adhesive layer 50 by, for example, printing. As shown in FIG. 14, the adhesive layer 50 extends from a portion outside a portion overlapping in the stacking direction (thickness direction of the upper base 32) with the outer end (lower end in FIG. 14) of the second upper base member 32b in the direction connecting the first upper base member 32a and the second upper base member 32b (the one direction), to a portion overlapping in the stacking direction with the end of the first upper base member 32a facing the second upper base member 32b. The portion of the adhesive layer 50 overlapping in the stacking direction with the first upper base member 32a constitutes a support adhesive portion 52.

[0051] As explained above, in the manufacturing method of the label web 1 of this embodiment, in the removing step, the portions of the upper base material sheet 30 other than the plurality of upper base materials 32 are removed from the lower base material sheet 10, and then in the coating step, a coating material is supplied, thereby forming gaps between the lower base material covering portion 42 of the overcoat layer 40 and each of the first upper base material portions 32a and each of the second upper base material portions 32b. Therefore, the outlines of each of the first upper base material portions 32a and each of the second upper base material portions 32b become clear, and the designs of each of the first upper base material portions 32a and each of the second upper base material portions 32b can be visually recognized three-dimensionally and prominently.

[0052] Furthermore, 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.

[0053] Furthermore, in the label 3 of the above embodiment, the lower substrate 12 and adhesive layer 50 are optically transparent and the haze value of the non-overlapping region A20 is less than 10.0, so when the label 3 is attached to the article B, in a plan view of the label 3, the region of the lower substrate 12 and the adhesive layer 50 surrounding the upper substrate 32 essentially blends in with the article B, thereby making the outline of the upper substrate 32 clear. Furthermore, because the upper substrate 32 is provided on the surface of the lower substrate 12, in a plan view of the label 3, the region of the label 3 that overlaps with the upper substrate 32 is clearly visible in a three-dimensional and distinctive manner as the main design part.

[0054] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the adhesive layer 50 may have an adhesive region 50a and a non-adhesive region 50b. The adhesive region 50a has adhesive strength to the article B. The non-adhesive region 50b has adhesive strength weaker than that of the adhesive region 50a. The adhesive region 50a is formed in a region that overlaps only one end of the upper substrate 32 in the thickness direction (the stacking direction) of the upper substrate 32. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the adhesive region 50a is formed in a region from the lower end of the lower substrate 12 to the lower end of the first upper substrate portion 32a, i.e., in a region that overlaps the entire second upper substrate portion 32b and the lower end of the first upper substrate portion 32a in the thickness direction. The non-adhesive region 50b is formed in a region that overlaps a portion of the upper substrate 32 other than the one end in the thickness direction, i.e., in a portion of the back surface of the lower substrate 12 other than the adhesive region 50a. The non-adhesive region 50b is formed by applying a masking 55 to the adhesive layer 50, which reduces the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 50. In the above embodiment, the region where the adhesive layer 50 is formed (the region attached to the article B) corresponds to the adhesive region 50a, and the region where the adhesive layer 50 is not formed (the region separated from the article B) corresponds to the non-adhesive region 50b. As shown in FIG. 16, the non-adhesive region 50b is formed by applying a masking 55 to the back surface of the adhesive layer 50 after the adhesive layer forming step.

[0055] 17, the bonding material supply unit 20A may form a bonding layer 20 on the lower base sheet 10, the bonding layer 20 having a central bonding portion 21 having an outer shape corresponding to the outer shape of the first upper base material portion 32a or the second upper base material portion 32b, and a peripheral bonding portion 22 formed around the central bonding portion 21. The peripheral bonding portion 22 has an outer shape larger than the outer shape of the first upper base material portion 32a or the second upper base material portion 32b, and has a weaker adhesive strength than the central bonding portion 21. The peripheral bonding portion 22 is formed by, for example, gradation printing.

[0056] In this way, as shown in Fig. 18, even if the printing layer 35 and the first upper substrate part 32a are cut at a position slightly shifted from the normal cutting position of the first upper substrate part 32a during the cutting process, peeling of the edge of the first upper substrate part 32a from the lower substrate 12 is suppressed. The same applies to the second upper substrate part 32b. In Fig. 18, the normal cutting position is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0057] Furthermore, the second upper base material portion 32b may be omitted, and the upper base material 32 may be configured with only the first upper base material portion 32a that functions as the design portion of the pop.

[0058] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0059] The continuous label strip in the above embodiment is a continuous label strip including a plurality of labels arranged in one direction, and comprises a lower base material sheet having a shape extending in one direction and having optical transparency, a light-transmitting 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, each of which constitutes a part of a label in the plurality of labels, wherein each upper base material in the plurality of upper base materials has an outer shape smaller than that of the lower base material sheet and has optical transparency lower than that of the lower base material sheet and the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer has an adhesive region having adhesive strength and a non-adhesive region having adhesive strength lower than that of the adhesive region, the adhesive region is formed in an area that overlaps with only one end of each upper base material in the thickness direction of each upper base material, and the non-adhesive region is formed in an area that overlaps with a portion of each upper base material other than the one end in the thickness direction.

[0060] In this label continuum, labels are formed by cutting between adjacent upper substrates. The label has a lower substrate with an outer shape larger than that of the upper substrate and an adhesive layer provided on its backside. This allows the label to be attached to an article such as a container regardless of the outer shape of the upper substrate. Furthermore, in this label, the lower substrate and adhesive layer are optically transparent, and the optical transparency of the upper substrate is lower than that of the lower substrate and adhesive layer. Therefore, when the label is attached to an article, in a planar view of the label, the areas of the lower substrate and adhesive layer surrounding the upper substrate essentially blend in with the article, and the area of ​​the label that overlaps with the upper substrate in a planar view of the label is visually recognized three-dimensionally as the main design part. This allows the design to have a complex outer shape that is visually recognized three-dimensionally. Furthermore, when the article is a container, the adhesive area of ​​the adhesive layer is attached to the article, and the label is attached to the article so that the non-adhesive area protrudes upward from the article. This supports the label, preventing the label from bending and allowing the label to be used as a pop.

[0061] In addition, the label in the above embodiment comprises a lower substrate that is light-transmitting, an adhesive layer that is light-transmitting and provided on the back surface of the lower substrate, and an upper substrate that is provided on the surface of the lower substrate, has an outer shape that is smaller than the outer shape of the lower substrate, and has light transmittance that is lower than the light transmittance of the lower substrate and the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer having an adhesive region that has adhesive strength and a non-adhesive region that has adhesive strength that is weaker than the adhesive strength of the adhesive region, the adhesive region being formed in an area that overlaps with only one end of the upper substrate in the thickness direction of the upper substrate, and the non-adhesive region being formed in an area that overlaps with a portion of the upper substrate other than the one end in the thickness direction.

[0062] In this label, because the lower substrate and adhesive layer are optically transparent, when the label is attached to an article, the regions of the lower substrate and adhesive layer surrounding the upper substrate substantially blend in with the article in a planar view of the label, making the outline of the upper substrate clear. Furthermore, because the upper substrate is provided on the surface of the lower substrate, the region of the label that overlaps with the upper substrate in a planar view of the label is clearly visible in three dimensions as the main design part. In addition, when the article is a container, the adhesive region of the adhesive layer is attached to the article, and the label is attached to the article so that the non-adhesive region protrudes upward from the article, so that the label is supported by the article, making it possible to use the label as a pop while suppressing bending of the label.

[0063] The upper substrate may have a first upper substrate portion and a second upper substrate portion provided at a position spaced apart from the first upper substrate portion, and the lower substrate may have a first lower substrate portion supporting the first upper substrate portion, a second lower substrate portion supporting the second upper substrate portion, and a connecting lower substrate portion connecting the first lower substrate portion and the second lower substrate portion. In this case, it is preferable that the region overlapping only the one end portion of the upper substrate extends from a portion overlapping in the thickness direction with an outer end portion of the second upper substrate portion in a direction connecting the first upper substrate portion and the second upper substrate portion, to a portion overlapping in the thickness direction with an end portion of the first upper substrate portion facing the second upper substrate portion.

[0064] In this embodiment, for example, a label including the first upper substrate portion and the second upper substrate portion can be attached to an article in one step. Furthermore, when the article is a container, the label can be attached to the article so that the second upper substrate portion functions as a design for the body of the article and the first upper substrate portion functions as a pop. In this case, the pop is less likely to peel off from the article than when the pop and the label attached to the body are separate entities.

[0065] Furthermore, the labeled article in the above embodiment comprises an article and a label attached to the article, wherein the label 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 provided on the surface of the lower substrate, having an outer shape smaller than that of the lower substrate and having optical transparency lower than that of the lower substrate and the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer having an adhesive region having adhesive strength and a non-adhesive region having adhesive strength weaker than that of the adhesive region, the adhesive region being formed in an area that overlaps with only one end of the upper substrate in the thickness direction of the upper substrate and being adhered to the article, and the non-adhesive region being formed in an area that overlaps with a portion of the upper substrate other than the one end in the thickness direction and protruding upward from the article.

[0066] This labeled article allows the design to be visually recognized three-dimensionally and to have a complex outer shape, while also preventing the label from bending.

[0067] 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]

[0068] 1 Label raw sheet, 2 Label continuous strip, 3 Label, 5 Labeled article, 10 Lower substrate sheet, 12 Lower substrate, 12a First lower substrate portion, 12b Second lower substrate portion, 12c Connecting lower substrate portion, 12d Recess, 20 Bonding layer, 20A Bonding material supply unit, 21 Central bonding portion, 22 Peripheral bonding portion, 30 Upper substrate sheet, 32 Upper substrate, 32a First upper substrate portion, 32b Second upper substrate portion, 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 Side covering portion, 50 Adhesive layer, 50a Adhesive region, 50A Adhesive material supply unit, 50b Non-adhesive region, 52 Support adhesive portion, 110 Cutting unit, 120 Energy irradiation unit, 130 Conveying unit, 210 Cutting unit, 300 rolling device, 310 inclined surface, 320 specimen, 330 ball, A10 overlapping area, A20 non-overlapping area, A21 outer area, A22 inner area, B article.

Claims

1. A label continuum including a plurality of labels arranged in a line along one direction, a lower base sheet having a shape extending in one direction and having optical transparency; an adhesive layer provided on the back surface of the lower base sheet and having optical transparency; 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; Each upper base material among the plurality of upper base materials has an outer shape smaller than an outer shape of the lower base material sheet and has a light transmittance lower than the light transmittance of the lower base material sheet and the adhesive layer, The adhesive layer is an adhesive region having adhesive force; a non-adhesive region having an adhesive strength smaller than that of the adhesive region, The adhesive region is formed in a region overlapping only one end of each of the upper base materials in a thickness direction of the upper base materials, The non-adhesive region is formed in a region of each of the upper substrates that overlaps with a portion other than the one end portion in the thickness direction.

2. 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 the surface of the lower substrate, having an outer shape smaller than that of the lower substrate and having a light transmittance lower than that of the lower substrate and the adhesive layer; The adhesive layer is an adhesive region having adhesive force; a non-adhesive region having an adhesive strength smaller than that of the adhesive region, the adhesive region is formed in a region that overlaps only one end of the upper base material in a thickness direction of the upper base material, The non-adhesive region is formed in a region of the upper substrate that overlaps with a portion of the upper substrate other than the one end portion in the thickness direction.

3. The upper substrate is a first upper substrate portion; a second upper substrate portion provided at a position spaced apart from the first upper substrate portion, The lower substrate is a first lower substrate portion supporting the first upper substrate portion; a second lower substrate portion supporting the second upper substrate portion; a connecting lower substrate portion that connects the first lower substrate portion and the second lower substrate portion, The label described in claim 2, wherein the region overlapping only one end of the upper substrate extends from a portion overlapping in the thickness direction with the outer end of the second upper substrate portion in the direction connecting the first upper substrate portion and the second upper substrate portion to a portion overlapping in the thickness direction with the end of the first upper substrate portion facing the second upper substrate portion.

4. Items and a label attached to the article; The label comprises: 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 the surface of the lower substrate, having an outer shape smaller than that of the lower substrate and having a light transmittance lower than that of the lower substrate and the adhesive layer; The adhesive layer is an adhesive region having adhesive force; a non-adhesive region having an adhesive strength smaller than that of the adhesive region, the adhesive region is formed in a region that overlaps only one end of the upper base material in the thickness direction of the upper base material, and is adhered to the article; A labeled article, wherein the non-adhesive area is formed in an area of ​​the upper base material that overlaps with a portion other than the one end portion in the thickness direction and protrudes upward from the article.

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