Labels, labeled items

Abstract

To reduce the possibility of an adhesive seeping out from an outer edge of a label obtained by pasting two sheets together with the adhesive.SOLUTION: A label of the present invention is a label (1) comprising a first sheet (101), an adhesive layer (13), and a second sheet (102) stacked in the described order. An outer edge portion (1a) of the label (1) includes an area (x) without the adhesive layer (13).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a label and a labeled article. [Background Art]

[0002] Composite labels obtained by laminating two or more labels are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a composite label including a first label and a second label that are peelably laminated. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-52325 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] Generally, in a composite label, in order to laminate the first label and the second label, an adhesive layer is provided on the entire surface of one of the labels.

[0005] For this reason, when peeling the composite label from a container, the user may feel stickiness on their hands due to the adhesive oozing from the adhesive layer provided extending to the label edge.

[0006] Further, when a plurality of composite labels are stacked for transportation or storage, there is a risk that the composite labels adhere to each other due to the adhesive oozing from the peripheral edge of the composite labels. Furthermore, there is a problem that dust and the like easily adhere when the composite labels are stored or displayed, due to the adhesive oozing from the peripheral edge of the composite labels.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention aims to reduce the possibility of adhesive oozing out from the outer edge of a label obtained by bonding two sheets together with an adhesive. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the label according to embodiment 1 of the present invention is a label in which a first sheet, an adhesive layer, and a second sheet are laminated in order, wherein at least two opposing outer edges of the label extending in the longitudinal direction include regions where the adhesive layer is not present. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the possibility of adhesive seeping out from the outer edge of a label formed by bonding two sheets together with adhesive can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of the label according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, as seen from the back side. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a plan view of the front side of the label. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the label. [Figure 4] This figure shows the label with the sticker removed, as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows the initial stage of wrapping the label shown in Figure 1 onto the plastic bottle. [Figure 6] This figure shows the completed state of wrapping the label shown in Figure 1 around the plastic bottle. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the manufacturing process of the first sheet that makes up the label shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the manufacturing process of the label shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] This is a plan view of the label of Modification Example 1, as seen from the reverse side. [Figure 10] This is a plan view of the label of Modification Example 2, seen from the reverse side. [Figure 11] This is a plan view of the label according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as seen from the front side. [Figure 12] This figure shows the initial stage of wrapping the label onto the plastic bottle, as shown in Figure 11. [Figure 13]It is a diagram showing the state where the wrapping of the label around a PET bottle illustrated in Fig.11 is completed. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0012] (Outline of Label) Fig.1 is a plan view of the label 1 according to the present embodiment when viewed from the back side. Fig.2 is a plan view of the front side of the label 1 illustrated in Fig.1. Fig.3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the label 1 illustrated in Fig.2. Fig.4 is a diagram showing a state where the sticker 14 is peeled off from the label 1. Here, the back surface of the label 1 refers to the surface that cannot be seen when the label 1 is attached to an article, and the front surface of the label 1 refers to the surface that can be seen when the label 1 is attached to the article.

[0013] As shown in Figs.1 and 2, the label 1 is a composite label in which a first sheet 101 and a second sheet 102 are attached to each other with an adhesive. Although a rectangular label 1 is shown in Fig.1 and the like, the shape of the label 1 is not limited to a rectangle, and may be any shape. However, since the label 1 is a label to be wrapped around an article, it has an outer edge extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0014] The first sheet 101 corresponds to the back surface of the label 1, and the second sheet 102 corresponds to the front surface of the label 1. In other words, the label 1 is attached to an article such that the first sheet 101 faces the article. Since the outer edge of the first sheet 101 is cut away to form a region X described later, the first sheet 101 is smaller than the second sheet 102. The sticker 14 is provided on the first sheet 101 so as to be peelable from the second sheet 102. When the label 1 is attached to an article, the sticker 14 is provided at a position that cannot be seen from the outside of the article. The details of the sticker 14 will be described later.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the first sheet 101 has a back surface 101a which is a surface on the side that comes into contact with an article when the label 1 is affixed to the article. In the first sheet 101, a first printed layer 12, a first film 11, and an adhesive layer 13 are laminated in this order from the back surface 101a side. The first film 11 is a base material of the first sheet 101, and is made of, for example, an aluminum-deposited PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film. The first printed layer 12 is a printed layer on which various types of information are printed on the first film 11. Here, the design and various types of information printed on the first printed layer 12 may be determined according to the design on the front side of the label 1 or the type of product to which the label 1 is affixed. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a picture of a forest and a picture of a rhinoceros beetle (corresponding to the seal 14) are printed on the first printed layer 12 as an example. For the first printed layer 12, after a desired design or information is printed on the first film 11 by digital printing, a partial hologram (corresponding to the seal 14) is printed by flexographic printing. The adhesive layer 13 is a layer containing an adhesive for affixing the first sheet 101 to the second sheet 102, for example, an adhesive utilizing hot-melt thermoplasticity. It should be noted that printing of a desired design or information on the first film 11 is not limited to digital printing, and other printing methods may be used. In addition, hologram printing is not limited to flexographic printing, and may be performed by letterpress printing, offset printing, or the like. Furthermore, the hologram may be printed on the entire surface of the first film 11 instead of only on a part of the first film 11. In addition, the seal 14 does not have to be a hologram. In other words, hologram printing on the first film 11 is not essential.

[0016] On the other hand, the second sheet 102 has a front surface 102a, which is the side opposite to the side that comes into contact with the article when the label 1 is attached to the article. In the second sheet 102, the second film 21, the second printing layer 22, and the functional layer 23 are sequentially laminated from the front surface 102a side. The second film 21 is the base material of the second sheet 102 and is made of a transparent synthetic resin film such as polyester. The second printing layer 22 is a printing layer on which various designs or information are printed on the second film 21 by digital printing. The various designs or information printed on the second printing layer 22 can be determined according to the type of product to which the label 1 is attached. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, as an example, the text "Tea" and an illustration showing "Tea Leaves" are printed on the second printing layer 22. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the second printing layer 22 is printed on the second film 21 such that the outer edge 22a of the second printing layer 22 is located inside the outer edge 21a of the second film 21. The functional layer 23 extending inward from the outer edge of the second film 21 in both longitudinal and transverse directions is a layer having a peeling function for separating the first sheet 101 from the second sheet 102, and is, for example, a silicone layer. The functional layer 23 may be formed over the entire surface of the second film 21 or on a part of the second film 21. An example of a case where the functional layer 23 is formed partially is when it is formed on the part corresponding to the seal 14 provided on the first sheet 101 when the first sheet 101 is bonded together. This makes it easier to peel off the seal 14 provided on the first sheet 101. The functional layer 23 is not limited to a silicone layer, as it is a functional layer for peeling off the seal 14, and may also be an adhesive-retaining layer capable of peeling off the adhesive of the adhesive layer 13 on the first sheet 101 side, or a fluorine coating layer or a Teflon® layer.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the first sheet 101 is formed such that when the first sheet 101 and the second sheet 102 are bonded together, the outer edge 101b of the first sheet 101 is located inside the outer edge 102b of the second sheet 102. Therefore, the outer edge 1a of label 1 includes a region where the first sheet 101 is not present, i.e., the region X between the outer edge 101b of the first sheet 101 and the outer edge 102b of the second sheet 102. Here, since the first sheet 101 contains an adhesive layer 13, it can be said that the outer edge 1a of label 1 includes a region X where the adhesive layer 13 is not present.

[0018] Thus, since the outer edge 1a of label 1 includes a region X where the adhesive layer 13 is not present, the possibility of adhesive seeping out from the adhesive layer 13 of the first sheet 101 from the outer edge 1a is reduced.

[0019] In the example shown in Figure 1, region X is formed on all four sides that make up the outer edge 1a of label 1, but region X does not necessarily have to be included around the entire circumference of the outer edge 1a. For example, region X only needs to be included in at least two opposing outer edges that extend in the longitudinal direction of label 1. That is, in the example shown in Figure 1, region X may be formed continuously from one end to the other on only one of the upper or lower sides of label 1 that extends in the left-right direction of Figure 1, or region X may be formed on almost the entire length of one of the upper or lower sides of label 1, but a portion of that side may be included where region X is not formed.

[0020] Thus, since region X is included in at least two opposing outer edges of label 1 that extend in the longitudinal direction, the possibility of adhesive seeping from the adhesive layer 13 of the first sheet 101 is reduced from at least two opposing outer edges (referred to as the upper edge and lower edge) of label 1 that extend in the longitudinal direction. As a result, when peeling label 1 from an item, the possibility of the user feeling stickiness on their hand is reduced if they grasp the upper or lower edge of label 1.

[0021] However, to further reduce the possibility of adhesive seeping out from the outer edge 1a of label 1, it is preferable that region X is included around the entire perimeter of the outer edge 1a of label 1, as shown in Figure 1. That is, region X may be included not only in the two opposing outer edges in the longitudinal direction of label 1, but also in the two opposing outer edges extending in the short direction of label 1.

[0022] (Clear area of ​​label 1) Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the second sheet 102 is printed on the second film 21 such that the outer edge 22a of the second printing layer 22 is inside the outer edge 21a of the second film 21. The second printing layer 22 is formed to be approximately the same size as the first sheet 101, or larger than the first sheet 101, in a plan view. This allows the second printing layer 22 to cover the first sheet 101 from the second sheet 102 side when the first sheet 101 and the second sheet 102 are bonded together. In this way, by covering the first sheet 101 from the second sheet 102 side with the second printing layer 22, when the label 1 is attached to an item, if the first sheet 101 is facing the item, the first sheet 101 will be hidden and not visible from the second sheet 102 side.

[0023] Furthermore, regions X are formed on the functional layer 23 of the second sheet 102 on the four sides that form the outer edge 1a of label 1. Moreover, as shown in Figure 3, since the second printing layer 22 is not formed on the region X of the functional layer 23 of the second sheet 102, the region Y between the outer edge 21a of the second film 21 and the outer edge 22a of the second printing layer 22 is transparent. Hereafter, region Y will be described as the clear region Y. Also, in this embodiment, since the functional layer 23 is formed on the entire surface of the second film 21, the functional layer 23 (silicone layer) is also formed on region X at the outer edge 102b. As a result, when a user grasps region X of the second sheet 102, they will not feel any stickiness, but rather feel a smoothness.

[0024] Since the clear area Y is located on the outer edge 1a of label 1, it can also function as a marker (photocell mark) when cutting label 1 from the base paper. Specifically, in a machine that cuts label 1 from base paper, the machine detects the photocell mark on the base paper and simultaneously cuts the base paper at the detected photocell mark as the cutting position. Here, if the length of the portion of the clear area Y that extends perpendicularly from the outer edge 22a of the second printing layer 22 toward the outer edge 21a of the second film 21 (hereinafter referred to as the width of the clear area Y) is, for example, 2 mm, then the 4 mm wide area, which is the sum of the 2 mm widths of the clear areas Y of adjacent labels 1, becomes the photoelectric mark, i.e., the cutting position.

[0025] Thus, if the clear area Y of label 1 can function as a photocell mark, there is no need to specifically include a photocell mark. Moreover, since the clear area Y is outside the printable area of ​​label 1, the design freedom for the printable area of ​​label 1 is increased.

[0026] (Regarding Seal 14) The seal 14 is provided so as to be removable from the first sheet 101. In other words, as shown in Figure 1, the seal 14 is provided on the first sheet 101, and as shown in Figure 4, it can be peeled off from the first sheet 101.

[0027] The first sheet 101 has a cut line 15 formed to separate the area where the seal 14 is formed (first area) from the area outside the area where the seal 14 is formed (second area). This cut line 15 separates the seal 14 from the other areas of the first sheet 101, making it possible to peel off only the seal 14 from the first sheet 101. In practice, the seal 14 is separated by the cut line 15 and peeled off from the second sheet 102. The seal 14 is provided on the functional layer 23 of the second sheet 102. As described above, this functional layer 23 is a silicone layer, making the seal 14 easy to peel off. In other words, the label 1 is located between the seal 14 and the second film 21 of the second sheet 102 and includes a functional layer 23 that enables the seal 14 to be peeled off from the second sheet 102.

[0028] The cut line 15 surrounds the seal 14 and, as shown in Figure 3, is formed to penetrate from the first printed layer 12 of the first sheet 101 through the adhesive layer 13 to just before the functional layer 23 of the second sheet 102. The area enclosed by this cut line 15, i.e., the adhesive layer 13 of the seal 14, is easily peeled off by the functional layer 23 of the second sheet 102.

[0029] The perforations 15 only need to be formed in such a way that a user who wants to remove the label 1 from an item can peel the seal 14 off the label 1. For example, the perforations 15 may penetrate all around the seal 14 up to the functional layer 23 of the second sheet 102. Alternatively, the perforations may penetrate intermittently around the seal 14, i.e., like perforations, up to the functional layer 23 of the second sheet 102. Furthermore, the seal 14 may not be completely separated by the perforations 15, but at least a portion may remain connected to the first sheet 101, and may not penetrate all the way to the functional layer 23 of the second sheet 102. In this way, by keeping the seal 14 connected to the first sheet 101 without being separated by the perforations 15, it is possible to prevent the seal 14 on the inner first sheet 101 from peeling off (lifting) when the label 1 is applied along a cylindrical container or when the label 1 is bent at the corner of a rectangular container. For example, it is preferable that at least a portion of the seal 14 that overlaps with a curved portion of the container or a corner portion of the container remains connected to the first sheet 101. Also, when attaching the label 1 to the container, if the first sheet 101 is positioned facing the container, the seal 14 provided on the first sheet 101 will be pressed against the container by the label 1 and will not peel off. In this way, if the seal 14 is pressed against the container by the label 1, it will not peel off even if the proportion of the seal 14 to the first sheet 101 is large. For example, when wrapping the label 1 around a cylindrical container, the seal 14 will not peel off even if the proportion of the seal 14 to the first sheet 101 exceeds 1 / 4, and the seal 14 will not peel off even if the label 1 is large enough to span both sides of a corner of a rectangular container. Therefore, label 1 is suitable because it does not peel off even when the proportion of the seal 14 to the first sheet 101 is small, but it is even more suitable when the proportion of the seal 14 to the first sheet 101 is large. In other words, it becomes possible to provide the user with a larger seal 14 as an extra feature of label 1.

[0030] (Attaching Label 1 to the item) Here, we will use a PET bottle 30 as an example of the item to which label 1 is attached. Figure 5 shows the starting stage of wrapping label 1 around the PET bottle 30. Figure 6 shows the state after label 1 has been wrapped around the PET bottle 30.

[0031] First, as shown in Figure 5, one end of the first sheet 101 of label 1 is attached to the label application area 30a of the PET bottle 30. At this time, label 1 is attached with the first sheet 101 side facing outwards, so that the various designs or information printed on the front surface 102a are visible. Then, the other end of label 1, that is, the end not attached to the PET bottle 30, is wrapped around the label application area 30a, resulting in a labeled PET bottle 30 with label 1 attached, as shown in Figure 6.

[0032] Label 1 can be affixed not only to cylindrical items such as PET bottles 30, but also to items with corners, such as rectangular prisms and cubes. In either case, Label 1 is affixed with the first sheet 101 facing the sticker application surface on the item.

[0033] (effect) After attaching the label 1 with the above configuration to the PET bottle 30, if the user grasps the clear area Y at the upper or lower edge of the label 1 when peeling it off the PET bottle 30, the possibility of the user feeling stickiness on their hand is reduced.

[0034] Furthermore, even when multiple labels 1 are stacked, the possibility of adhesive seeping out from the edges of label 1 (top edge or bottom edge, left edge or right edge) is reduced. Therefore, even when transporting or storing multiple labels 1 stacked together, the possibility of labels 1 sticking to each other due to adhesive seeping out from the edges of label 1 is reduced. In addition, dust and other debris are less likely to adhere to label 1 when it is stored or displayed. Moreover, because the back side of label 1, i.e., the first sheet 101, is positioned, the risk of the seals 14 with the perforations 15 rubbing against each other and coming off during transport of label 1 is reduced.

[0035] (Manufacture of Label 1) As described above, Label 1 is a composite label made by laminating the first sheet 101 and the second sheet 102. Here, we will explain how to obtain Label 1 by laminating the base paper of the first sheet 101 and the base paper of the second sheet 102, which were manufactured separately, and then cutting the top, bottom, left, and right edges at predetermined intervals. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of Label 1. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the cut-out portion of Label 1.

[0036] The peeling process separates the label base paper 110, shown as reference numeral 1071 in Figure 7, into a cut-out sheet 110a, shown as reference numeral 1072 in Figure 7, and a label group sheet 110b, shown as reference numeral 1073 in Figure 7.

[0037] The label base paper 110 is made by laminating a first base paper 111, which will be the base paper for the first sheet 101, and a second base paper 112, which will be the base paper for the second sheet 102. Reference numeral 1071 in Figure 7 is a plan view of the label base paper 110 as seen from the first base paper 111 side. The first base paper 111 has the same laminated structure as the first sheet 101, with a first printing layer 12, a first film 11, and an adhesive layer 13 laminated in that order. On the other hand, the second base paper 112 has the same laminated structure as the second sheet 102, with a second film 21, a second printing layer 22, and a functional layer 23 laminated in that order. The first base paper 111 and the second base paper 112 are laminated so that the adhesive layer 13 of the first base paper 111 and the functional layer 23 of the second base paper 112 face each other. In this way, the label base paper 110 is manufactured.

[0038] The label base paper 110 has a cutout frame 16 formed along the outer edge of the first sheet 101. For the sake of explanation, it is assumed that eight labels 1 arranged in 4 rows x 2 columns are to be removed from one label base paper 110, so eight cutout frames 16 are formed. The cutout frame 16 penetrates from the surface of the first base paper 111 to the functional layer 23 of the second base paper 112. Therefore, by cutting along the cutout frame 16 of the label base paper 110, it can be separated into a cutout sheet 110a shown by reference numeral 1072 in Figure 7 and a label group sheet 110b shown by reference numeral 1073 in Figure 7. This label group sheet 110b contains multiple first sheets 101 with their outer edges trimmed.

[0039] Here, the functional layer 23 of the second sheet 102 may be formed over the entire surface of the second film 21, or it may be formed only partially. When the functional layer 23 is formed partially, for example, the functional layer 23 is formed on the part corresponding to the seal 14 of the first sheet 101 and on the part corresponding to the outside of the cutout frame 16 of the first base paper 111. This makes it easier to separate the cut-out sheet 110a from the label base paper 110. In other words, the functional layer 23 makes it possible to separate the cut-out sheet 110a from the label base paper 110 at high speed.

[0040] The cut-out sheet 110a is the remaining portion of the sheet (the frame portion of the first sheet 101) after the first sheet 101 has been cut out from the first base paper 111 by the cutting frame 16. On the other hand, the label group sheet 110b is the sheet from which the cut-out sheet 110a has been removed from the first base paper 111. In the label group sheet 110b, the remaining first sheet 101 is arranged at predetermined intervals. Therefore, in the label group sheet 110b, the area around the first sheet 101 becomes a transparent region where the second printing layer 22 of the second base paper 112 is not formed. The transparent region corresponds to the second film 21 of the second base paper 112, which includes the functional layer 23. Label 1 can be obtained by cutting the transparent region around the first sheet 101. For example, to obtain label 1, as shown in Figure 8, the label group sheet 110b is cut at the center position of the interval D between adjacent second printing layers 22 of the second base paper 112. Since the second film 21 exists between adjacent second printing layers 22 of the second base paper 112, the area around the second printing layers 22 becomes a clear region Y. Here, the area around the second printing layer 22 of the second sheet 102 in label 1 is a clear region Y, and if the width of the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the clear region Y is, for example, 2 mm each, then the spacing D of the second printing layers 22 should be 4 mm. As described above, this clear region Y functions as a photocell mark for detection by the photocell, and the cutting of the label group sheet 110b is performed at the center of the clear region with a spacing D = 4 mm. Note that the width of the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the clear region Y is not limited to 2 mm.

[0041] In this embodiment, an example was described in which eight labels 1 are manufactured from a single sheet of label base paper 110. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the label base paper 110 may be a sheet wound into a roll.

[0042] (effect) By cutting out the cutout sheet 110a shown in reference numeral 1072 in Figure 7 from the label base paper 110 shown in reference numeral 1071 in Figure 7, a region X is included around the first sheet 101 where the adhesive layer 13 of the first sheet 101 is not formed, as shown in reference numeral 1073 in Figure 7.

[0043] As a result, when cutting out label 1 from label group sheet 110b, there is no adhesive from the adhesive layer 13 of the first sheet 101 on the cut surface of label group sheet 110b, thus preventing various problems caused by adhesive adhering to the cut surface. In particular, when the label group sheet 110b is provided in roll form, the first sheet 101 is not formed to the end face of label group sheet 110b, so the adhesive from the adhesive layer 13 of the first sheet 101 does not seep out from the roll end face.

[0044] Furthermore, if the clear area Y of label 1 is made into one layer of the second sheet 102, the thickness of the cut surface becomes thinner when cutting label 1 from the label group sheet 110b, making it easier to cut. This improves the manufacturing suitability of label 1.

[0045] In this embodiment, an example was described in which, in the label base paper 110, an adhesive layer 13 (hot melt) is formed on the first base paper 111 side which will be the base paper for the first sheet 101, and a functional layer 23 (silicone layer) is formed on the second base paper 112 side which will be the base paper for the second sheet 102. However, the embodiment is not limited to the above example, and a functional layer 23 may be provided on the first base paper 111 side instead of the adhesive layer 13, and an adhesive layer 13 may be provided on the second base paper 112 side instead of the functional layer 23.

[0046] 〔summary〕 A label according to embodiment 1 of the present invention is a label in which a first sheet, an adhesive layer, and a second sheet are laminated in order, wherein at least two opposing outer edges of the label extending in the longitudinal direction include regions where the adhesive layer is not present.

[0047] According to the above configuration, at least two opposing outer edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the label include areas where the adhesive layer does not exist. Therefore, the possibility of adhesive seeping from the adhesive layer is reduced, at least from the two opposing outer edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the label (hereinafter referred to as the upper edge and lower edge). As a result, when peeling the label off an item, the possibility of the user feeling stickiness on their hand is reduced if they grasp the upper or lower edge of the label. Furthermore, when an item with a label attached is sold as a product in a vending machine, if there is adhesive around the label, there is a risk that the product may get stuck in the vending machine or the label may peel off. However, with an item with a label attached using the above configuration, there is no adhesive around the label, so the risk of the product getting stuck in the vending machine or the label peeling off is also reduced.

[0048] Furthermore, even when multiple labels are stacked, the likelihood of adhesive seeping from the top or bottom edge is reduced. Therefore, even when transporting or storing multiple labels stacked together, the possibility of labels sticking together due to adhesive seeping from the edges is reduced. Additionally, dust and other particles are less likely to adhere to the labels during storage and display.

[0049] In the label according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, in embodiment 1, the two opposing outer edges of the label extending in the short direction include regions where the adhesive layer is not present.

[0050] According to the above configuration, in addition to the upper and lower edges of the label, there are also areas where the adhesive layer does not exist on the two opposing outer edges extending in the shorter direction of the label (hereinafter referred to as the left edge and the right edge). As a result, the adhesive layer is less likely to seep out from the outer edges in the longitudinal and short directions of the label. This reduces the possibility that the user will feel stickiness on their hand when peeling the label from an item, regardless of whether the user grasps the label in the longitudinal or short direction.

[0051] Furthermore, even when multiple labels are stacked, the adhesive layer is absent not only from the top and bottom edges, but also from the left and right edges. This reduces the possibility of adhesive seeping out from the outer edges of the label in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Additionally, dust and other particles are less likely to adhere to the labels during storage and display.

[0052] A label according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, in embodiment 1 or 2, further includes a functional layer located between the first region and the second sheet, which allows the first region to be peeled from the second sheet, with the first sheet having notches formed in part through the first sheet in order to separate the first sheet into at least two regions, a first and a second region.

[0053] According to the above configuration, when the first sheet is peeled away from the second sheet, the first sheet can be peeled off along with the first region.

[0054] A labeled article according to aspect 4 of the present invention is a labeled article in which a label is affixed to an article, wherein the label is laminated in order from the side to be affixed to the article, a first sheet, an adhesive layer, and a second sheet, the adhesive layer is not provided on the outer edge of the label, and the first sheet has a cut line formed in which at least a portion of the first sheet penetrates the first sheet in order to separate the first sheet into at least two regions, a first and a second region, and the first region is peelable from the second sheet.

[0055] According to the above configuration, even if the user grasps the outer edge of the label when peeling it off an item, the possibility of the user feeling stickiness on their hand can be reduced. Since the first area (seal 14) faces the item and the label is attached to the item, the first area will not peel off unless the label is peeled off the item. Therefore, even if the first area occupies a large proportion of the first sheet (i.e., the first area is large), the first area will not peel off unless the label is peeled off the item.

[0056] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, an example has been described in which the entire perimeter of the seal 14 is surrounded by the first sheet 101. However, the seal 14 may be surrounded only by the first sheet 101, not the entire perimeter. For example, as shown in Modification 1, label 1A in Figure 9, one side of the seal 14 may overlap with the outer edge 101b of the first sheet 101, and the remaining side may be surrounded by the first sheet 101. Alternatively, as shown in Modification 2, label 1B in Figure 10, three sides of the seal 14 may overlap with the outer edge 101b of the first sheet 101, and the remaining side may be in contact with the first sheet 101.

[0057] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0058] Figure 11 is a plan view of the label 2 according to this embodiment, as seen from the front side. Label 2 differs from label 1 of embodiment 1 in that a two-dimensional barcode 24 is printed on the second sheet 102 as an information code that can be read by a camera, while the other configurations are the same as label 1. As the two-dimensional barcode 24, a QR code (registered trademark) or a variable QR code (registered trademark) can be used. The user reads the two-dimensional barcode 24 with a smartphone or the like to obtain the necessary information. Note that the information code provided on label 2 is not limited to a two-dimensional barcode 24; any code that can read the necessary information may be used, such as a one-dimensional barcode or random number printing.

[0059] As shown in Figure 11, the two-dimensional barcode 24 is printed on the second printing layer 22 so as to be located below the left edge of the front surface 102a of the second sheet 102 of the label 2. Specifically, as shown in Figure 12, the two-dimensional barcode 24 is printed on the second printing layer 22 so as to be located below the left edge that is first attached to the PET bottle 30 when the label 2 is wrapped around and attached to the PET bottle 30.

[0060] Once the label 2 is wrapped around the PET bottle 30, as shown in Figure 13, a portion of the two-dimensional barcode 24 will be covered by the other end of the label 2 (the end on which the two-dimensional barcode 24 is not printed).

[0061] The two-dimensional barcode 24 may be partially or completely covered by the other end of the label 2 when the label 2 is attached to the PET bottle 30, as described above. In short, the two-dimensional barcode 24 should be placed in a position on the label 2 where the complete information cannot be read when the label 2 is attached to the PET bottle 30, and the two-dimensional barcode 24 should be readable when the label 2 is peeled off the PET bottle 30. Therefore, the two-dimensional barcode 24 may be placed anywhere on the label 2 as long as it is in a position where the two-dimensional barcode 24 cannot be read when the label 2 is attached to the PET bottle 30. For example, the two-dimensional barcode 24 may be placed on the side of the first sheet 101.

[0062] (effect) According to the label 2 configured as described above, the information desired by the user is included in the two-dimensional barcode 24, and the two-dimensional barcode 24 is not fully visible when the label 2 is attached to the PET bottle 30. Therefore, the two-dimensional barcode 24 cannot be seen unless the label 2 is peeled off the PET bottle 30. Furthermore, since a sticker 14 is provided on the back of the label 2, i.e., on the first sheet 101, the sticker 14 cannot be peeled off the label 2 unless the label 2 is peeled off the PET bottle 30. Thus, the label 2 has the effect of encouraging the user to peel it off the PET bottle 30, that is, to raise awareness about recycling. Such effects contribute to achieving, for example, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 12, "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns (natural materials, recycling, waste management, etc.)", and Goal 14, "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (de-plasticization, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries)".

[0063] In the embodiments 1 and 2 described above, an example was given in which the labels 1 and 2 are attached to the PET bottle 30 with the first sheet 101 on which the seal 14 is attached facing inward (facing the article). This is because the seal 14 is an added bonus, and the labels 1 and 2 cannot be removed from the PET bottle 30 without peeling them off first. Furthermore, if the first sheet 101 on which the seal 14 is attached faces inward, when the labels 1 and 2 are wrapped around the PET bottle 30, the seal 14 will be on the side facing the PET bottle 30. Therefore, the seal 14 cannot be peeled off unless the labels 1 and 2 are peeled off from the PET bottle 30. For example, even if the article to which the labels 1 and 2 are attached is not cylindrical but has corners, such as a rectangular parallelepiped, if the first sheet 101 on which the seal 14 is attached faces inward, the seal 14 will not easily peel off even if it hits a corner. Thus, if the first sheet 101 on which the seal 14 is attached faces inward, the seal 14 will not easily peel off regardless of its shape or size. For example, when wrapping labels 1 and 2 around a cylindrical container, if the seal 14 occupies more than 1 / 4 of the size of the first sheet 101, the seal 14 will not peel off if it is positioned on the inside (towards the PET bottle 30). Also, as shown in Figure 10, if the seal 14 is formed to be located on the edge side of the first sheet 101, the seal 14 will peel off easily if label 1B is attached to the PET bottle 30 with the seal 14 on the outside, but the seal 14 will not peel off easily if label 1B is attached to the PET bottle 30 with the seal 14 on the inside. Furthermore, if the seal 14 does not come into contact with the corners of the item, and the seal 14 is sufficiently small, labels 1 and 2 may be attached to the item with the first sheet 101 on which the seal 14 is attached facing outwards (opposite the side facing the item), regardless of the position of the seal 14.

[0064] Furthermore, if the proportion of the sticker 14 to the first sheet 101 is sufficiently large, it becomes possible to broaden the range of applications for the sticker 14. For example, if the container to which labels 1 and 2 are attached is not a beverage container but a container for cooking seasonings, and the sticker 14 contains a recipe for a dish using the seasonings contained in the container, then from the standpoint of readability, it is preferable for the sticker 14 to occupy a sufficiently large proportion of the first sheet 101. Also, if the proportion of the sticker 14 to the first sheet 101 is sufficiently large, unlike small stickers used to collect points for sweepstakes, the sticker 14 can be attached to a wall or other surface, allowing the design and information contained in the sticker 14 to have a significant impact.

[0065] Furthermore, the formation position of the seal 14 on the first sheet 101 is preferably near the center of the first sheet 101, as shown in Figure 1, where the seal 14 is surrounded by the first sheet 101. This is because if the formation position of the seal 14 is on the longitudinal end side of the first sheet 101, resistance stress will be applied when peeling labels 1 and 2 from the container, making it easier for the seal 14 to peel off the first sheet 101.

[0066] Furthermore, if the container to which labels 1 and 2 are attached is a square bottle, and the seal 14 is positioned to overlap the corners, a crease will form in the seal 14, making it easier for the folded portion of the seal 14 to lift away from the first sheet 101 when labels 1 and 2 are peeled off the container. For this reason, when the container to which labels 1 and 2 are attached is a square bottle, it is preferable to form the seal 14 on the first sheet 101 so that it does not overlap the corners of the container, but only the surface.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, 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]

[0068] Labels 1, 1A, 1B, 2 1a, 21a, 22a, 101b, 102b Outer edge 11 Film 1 12 1st printing layer 13 Adhesive layer 14 stickers 21 Film No. 2 22 2nd printing layer 23 Functional Layers 24 Two-dimensional barcodes 30 PET bottles (items) 30a Label application area 101 Sheet 1 101a Reverse side 102a Front side 102 Seat 2 110 Label base paper 110a Cutout Sheet 110b Label Sheet 111 First original paper 112 Second original paper X area Y Clear Area

Claims

1. A label comprising a first sheet, an adhesive layer, and a second sheet, laminated in order from the side to be attached to an article, At least two opposing outer edges of the label, extending in the longitudinal direction, include regions where the adhesive layer is not present. The first sheet has cut lines formed in it, at least a portion of which penetrate the first sheet, in order to separate the first sheet into at least two regions, the first and the second region. The aforementioned cut line surrounds the periphery of the first region, A label further comprising a functional layer located between the first region and the second sheet, which allows the first region to be peeled away from the second sheet.

2. A labeled article, in which a label is affixed to the article, The aforementioned label is, The first sheet, the adhesive layer, and the second sheet are laminated in order from the side to be attached to the article, and the adhesive layer is not provided on the outer edge of the label. The first sheet has cut lines formed in it, at least a portion of which penetrate the first sheet, in order to separate the first sheet into at least two regions, the first and the second region. The aforementioned cut line surrounds the periphery of the first region, A labeled article in which the first region can be peeled off from the second sheet.

Images