Label for fabric and method of applying label for fabric

Abstract

A label (1) for fabric comprises a base material (10) and a thermosetting adhesive layer (20) laminated on one side of the base material (10), wherein the adhesive layer (20) contains an acrylic polymer (a) with an epoxy group, and a thermosetting agent (b). A method of applying the label (1) for fabric includes: a step of bonding the label (1) for fabric to an adherend by means of pressure-sensitive adhesion using the adhesive layer (20); and a step of thermally curing the adhesive layer (20) by heating the label (1) for fabric bonded by pressure-sensitive adhesion.

Description

Fabric label and method for attaching fabric label

[0001] The present invention relates to a fabric label and a method for applying a fabric label.

[0002] Various tags are used to display information about clothing, etc. Dry cleaning shops attach cleaning tags to collected clothing, etc. for the purpose of identifying and classifying them. In addition, clothing, etc., is also attached with quality tags that contain information such as care instructions, washing symbols, sizes, handling precautions including washing or dry cleaning methods, material types, and fiber composition.

[0003] As a cleaning tag that can be attached to clothing, etc., Patent Document 1 discloses a label that consists of a substrate / hot melt adhesive layer / adhesive layer, in which the hot melt adhesive layer is present over the entire area of ​​the label, and the adhesive layer is partially present on the surface of the hot melt adhesive layer in a position other than the edge portion of the label.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a cloth-attachable tag that includes a printed layer, a thermal adhesive layer made of a hot melt adhesive provided on the back surface of the printed layer, and a temporary adhesive layer made of a detachable pressure-sensitive adhesive provided on the back surface of the thermal adhesive layer, with the temporary adhesive layer being temporarily attached to a release sheet, and the temporary adhesive layer being provided on a portion of the back surface of the thermal adhesive layer.

[0005] JP 2016-71313 A JP 2002-72892 A

[0006] The cleaning tags listed above are provided with an adhesive layer (the adhesive layer in Patent Document 1, the temporary adhesive layer in Patent Document 2) that allows the cleaning tag to be temporarily attached to an adherend such as clothing by pressure-sensitive adhesion, but this tends to interfere with the heat-sensitive adhesion provided by the adhesive layer (the hot-melt adhesive layer in Patent Document 1, the thermal adhesive layer in Patent Document 2). Therefore, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the adhesive layer is partially provided on the adhesive layer to strengthen the heat-sensitive adhesive strength and improve washing resistance. However, there is still room for improvement in improving washing resistance.

[0007] In addition, the adhesive layer of labels that do not peel off even after washing does not have initial adhesive strength at room temperature, making temporary attachment impossible. To enable temporary attachment, a separate adhesive layer may be added, but this increases the number of coating processes and reduces washing resistance.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a fabric label that has the adhesive suitability to be temporarily attached by pressure-sensitive adhesion to an adherend such as clothing, and that has excellent washability so that it is difficult to peel off even after washing.

[0009]

[0003] Conventionally, adhesive layers used to temporarily attach labels to rough surfaces such as clothing generally contain a tackifying resin to enhance adhesive strength. However, the inventors have unexpectedly found through their research that by using an acrylic adhesive that heat-cures after thermocompression bonding in the adhesive layer, the label has initial adhesive strength before thermocompression bonding, but can be firmly bonded after thermocompression bonding, thereby improving washability. This has led to the completion of the present invention. Specifically, the present invention has the following aspects.

[0010] [1] A label for fabrics comprising a substrate and a thermosetting adhesive layer laminated on one surface of the substrate, the adhesive layer containing an acrylic polymer (a) having an epoxy group and a thermosetting agent (b). [2] The label for fabrics according to [1], wherein the adhesive layer further contains an epoxy resin (d). [3] The label for fabrics according to [1] or [2], wherein the initial adhesive strength of the adhesive layer is a T-peel adhesive strength with a cotton fabric measured at a peel rate of 300 mm / min in accordance with JIS K6854-3:1999 of 0.2 to 20 N / 20 mm. [4] The label for fabrics according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the content of structural units derived from a monomer having an epoxy group in the acrylic polymer (a) is 1 to 35 mass% relative to the total amount of structural units. [5] The label for fabrics according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the content of structural units derived from 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in the acrylic polymer (a) is 30 mass% or more relative to the total amount of structural units. [6] A method for attaching a label for fabrics, comprising the steps of: pressure-sensitively adhering the label for fabrics according to any one of [1] to [5] to an adherend with the adhesive layer; and heating the pressure-sensitively adhered label for fabrics to thermally cure the adhesive layer.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fabric label that has the adhesiveness to be able to be temporarily attached by pressure-sensitive adhesion to an adherend such as clothing, and that has excellent washability so that it is difficult to peel off even after washing.

[0012] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fabric label according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] <Label for Fabric> A label for fabric (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "label") of an embodiment includes a substrate and a thermosetting adhesive layer laminated on one surface of the substrate, and the adhesive layer contains an acrylic polymer (a) having an epoxy group and a thermosetting agent (b).

[0014] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a label for fabrics according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the label for fabrics 1 according to this embodiment comprises a substrate 10, an adhesive layer 20 laminated on one side of the substrate 10, and a release liner 30 laminated on the side of the adhesive layer 20 opposite the substrate 10. The release liner 30 is peeled off when the label is used, but is not an essential component of the label of the present invention.

[0015] Conventionally, when a label is to be pressure-sensitively adhered to an object with a rough surface such as clothing, a tackifying resin is generally added to the adhesive layer. However, the present inventors have discovered that by including an acrylic polymer (a) having an epoxy group and a thermosetting agent (b) in the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer has initial adhesive strength before thermocompression bonding, and the adhesive layer is thermally cured after thermocompression bonding, thereby achieving strong adhesion and improving washability.

[0016] The label of this embodiment can be attached to a washable object as an adherend. Examples of objects to which a fabric label can be attached include clothing such as shirts, skirts, pants, hats, scarves, and socks; bedding such as pillows and sheets; covers such as duvet covers and pillowcases; carpets, curtains, towels, lap blankets, shoes, bags, and work clothes. The surface to which the label is attached is preferably the fabric surface of the above-mentioned object. Fabric refers to any material woven from natural or synthetic fibers.

[0017] In this specification, "washing" refers to any washing method that uses water.

[0018] From the above viewpoints, the initial adhesive strength of the adhesive layer, as measured in accordance with JIS K6854-3:1999 at a peel rate of 300 mm / min, is preferably 0.2 to 20 N / 20 mm, more preferably 0.4 to 15 N / 20 mm, and even more preferably 0.5 to 15 N / 10 mm, as a T-peel adhesive strength with cotton fabric. The initial adhesive strength here refers to the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 30 minutes after the label is attached and before thermocompression bonding (of a label that is not thermocompression bonded). An initial adhesive strength of the adhesive layer equal to or greater than the lower limit mentioned above is suitable for temporary attachment to an adherend, and an initial adhesive strength of equal to or less than the upper limit mentioned above is preferred because it facilitates re-peelability.

[0019] <Adhesive Layer> The adhesive layer is thermosetting. Before heat curing, the adhesive layer has pressure-sensitive adhesive properties so that the label can be temporarily attached to the adherend, such as clothing, by pressure-sensitively adhering the label to the adherend via the adhesive layer. "Pressure-sensitive adhesive" refers to the property of being able to adhere to the adherend by applying pressure to the adhesive layer. Note that the terms "pressure-sensitive adhesion" and "adhesion" are used interchangeably. The pressure-sensitive adhesive properties of the adhesive layer impart suitability for temporarily adhering the label to clothing, etc. via the adhesive layer. The ability to temporarily attach the label makes it easy to accurately adhere the label to the intended position on the object to which it is to be heat-adhered.

[0020] In the embodiment of the fabric label 1, a thermosetting adhesive layer 20 is provided, so that by pressing the label against an adherend such as clothing, the adhesive layer 20 deforms to fit the adherend, and then by thermally curing the adhesive layer 20, an anchor effect is created between the adhesive layer 20 and the adherend, allowing it to adhere firmly to the adherend.

[0021] The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer may consist of one layer (single layer) or two or more layers, but from the viewpoint of simplifying the production process, it is preferably composed of one layer. When it consists of multiple layers, these multiple layers may be the same or different, and the combination of these multiple layers is not particularly limited.

[0022] The thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 1000 μm, more preferably 5 to 500 μm, even more preferably 10 to 100 μm, and particularly preferably 20 to 80 μm.

[0023] Here, the thickness of the adhesive layer means the thickness of the entire adhesive layer, and for example, the thickness of an adhesive layer consisting of multiple layers means the total thickness of all layers that make up the adhesive layer.

[0024] <Composition for forming adhesive layer> The thermosetting adhesive layer can be formed using a composition for forming an adhesive layer containing components that constitute the adhesive layer. The ratio of the contents of the components in the adhesive layer is usually the same as the ratio of the contents of the components in the composition for forming an adhesive layer, excluding the solvent.

[0025] In the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the ratio of the total content of one or more ingredients (described later) contained in the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to the total mass of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer does not exceed 100 mass%. Similarly, in the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition, the ratio of the total content of one or more ingredients (described later) contained in the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition to the total mass of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition does not exceed 100 mass%.

[0026] The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition may be applied by a known method, and examples thereof include methods using various coaters such as an air knife coater, blade coater, bar coater, gravure coater, roll coater, roll knife coater, curtain coater, die coater, knife coater, screen coater, Mayer bar coater, kiss coater, etc. The components contained in the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition will be described in detail below.

[0027] The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the composition for forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer contain an acrylic polymer (a) having an epoxy group and a heat curing agent (b), and are thermosetting. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the composition for forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer preferably contain the acrylic polymer (a), the heat curing agent (b), and the heat curing accelerator (c), and more preferably contain the acrylic polymer (a), the heat curing agent (b), the heat curing accelerator (c), and the epoxy resin (d).

[0028] <Acrylic polymer (a)> The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition contain an acrylic polymer (a) having an epoxy group. Examples of the acrylic polymer (a) include an acrylic copolymer containing a structural unit derived from a monomer having an epoxy group and a structural unit derived from a (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester.

[0029] Examples of structural units derived from a monomer having an epoxy group include (meth)acrylic acid having an epoxy group, and glycidyl (meth)acrylate is preferred.

[0030] In the acrylic polymer (a), the content of the structural units derived from monomers having an epoxy group is preferably 1 to 35 mass%, more preferably 2 to 32 mass%, and particularly preferably 3 to 30 mass%, relative to the total amount of structural units.

[0031] In this specification, the term "(meth)acrylic acid" is a concept that encompasses both "acrylic acid" and "methacrylic acid." The same applies to terms similar to (meth)acrylic acid.

[0032] Examples of the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester include those in which the alkyl group constituting the alkyl ester has 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and the alkyl group is preferably linear or branched. More specific examples of the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester include methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, n-propyl (meth)acrylate, isopropyl (meth)acrylate, n-butyl (meth)acrylate, isobutyl (meth)acrylate, sec-butyl (meth)acrylate, tert-butyl (meth)acrylate, pentyl (meth)acrylate, hexyl (meth)acrylate, heptyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, isooctyl (meth)acrylate, n-octyl (meth)acrylate, n-butyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, isooctyl (meth)acrylate, n-octyl (meth)acrylate, and n-butyl (meth)acrylate. -nonyl, isononyl (meth)acrylate, decyl (meth)acrylate, undecyl (meth)acrylate, dodecyl (meth)acrylate (lauryl (meth)acrylate), tridecyl (meth)acrylate, tetradecyl (meth)acrylate (myristyl (meth)acrylate), pentadecyl (meth)acrylate, hexadecyl (meth)acrylate (palmityl (meth)acrylate), heptadecyl (meth)acrylate, octadecyl (meth)acrylate (stearyl (meth)acrylate), nonadecyl (meth)acrylate, and eicosyl (meth)acrylate.

[0033] From the viewpoint of improving the adhesive strength of the thermosetting pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the acrylic polymer preferably has a structural unit derived from a (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester in which the alkyl group has 4 or more carbon atoms. From the viewpoint of further improving the adhesive strength of the thermosetting pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the alkyl group preferably has 4 to 12 carbon atoms, and more preferably has 4 to 8 carbon atoms. Furthermore, the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester in which the alkyl group has 4 or more carbon atoms is preferably an acrylic acid alkyl ester.

[0034] In the acrylic polymer (a), the content of structural units derived from alkyl (meth)acrylate is preferably 35 to 99 mass%, more preferably 50 to 98 mass%, and particularly preferably 65 to 95 mass%, based on the total amount of structural units.

[0035] The acrylic polymer preferably further contains, in addition to the constituent units derived from the alkyl (meth)acrylate ester, a constituent unit derived from a monomer containing a functional group other than an epoxy group.

[0036] Examples of the functional group in the functional group-containing monomer include, other than an epoxy group, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, etc. That is, examples of the functional group-containing monomer include a hydroxyl group-containing monomer and an amino group-containing monomer.

[0037] Examples of the hydroxyl group-containing monomer include hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates such as hydroxymethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, and 4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate; and non-(meth)acrylic unsaturated alcohols (unsaturated alcohols not having a (meth)acryloyl skeleton) such as vinyl alcohol and allyl alcohol.

[0038] The functional group-containing monomer constituting the acrylic polymer may be one type only or two or more types, and when two or more types are used, the combination and ratio thereof can be selected arbitrarily.

[0039] In the acrylic polymer (a), the content of structural units derived from functional group-containing monomers other than structural units derived from monomers having an epoxy group is preferably 1 to 35 mass%, more preferably 2 to 32 mass%, and particularly preferably 3 to 30 mass%, relative to the total amount of structural units.

[0040] The acrylic polymer (a) may further contain a structural unit derived from another monomer in addition to the structural unit derived from the monomer having an epoxy group, the structural unit derived from the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester, and the structural unit derived from the functional group-containing monomer. The other monomer is not particularly limited as long as it is copolymerizable with the (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester or the like. Examples of the other monomer include styrene, α-methylstyrene, vinyltoluene, vinyl formate, vinyl acetate, acrylonitrile, and acrylamide.

[0041] The other monomers constituting the acrylic polymer (a) may be one type only or two or more types, and when two or more types are used, the combination and ratio thereof can be selected arbitrarily.

[0042] The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the acrylic polymer (a) is preferably 10,000 to 2,000,000, and may be, for example, any one of 10,000 to 1,000,000, 1,000,000 to 2,000,000, and 200,000 to 1,200,000. When the weight average molecular weight of the acrylic polymer (a) is within this range, it becomes easy to adjust the adhesion suitability for temporary attachment of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer within a preferred range.

[0043] In this specification, the terms "weight average molecular weight (Mw)" and "number average molecular weight (Mn)" are polystyrene-equivalent values ​​measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) unless otherwise specified.

[0044] The acrylic polymer (a) preferably has a content of structural units derived from 2-ethylhexyl acrylate of 30% by mass or more, more preferably 30 to 70% by mass, and even more preferably 35 to 65% by mass, relative to 100% by mass of the acrylic polymer (a). Since 2-ethylhexyl acrylate has a low glass transition temperature, by setting the content of structural units derived from 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in the acrylic polymer (a) to be equal to or greater than the lower limit, the adhesiveness of the thermosetting pressure-sensitive adhesive layer can be effectively increased.

[0045] The acrylic polymer (a) may have one type of structural unit or two or more types of structural units. When two or more types of structural units are used, the combination and ratio thereof can be selected arbitrarily.

[0046] The content of the acrylic polymer (a) relative to the total mass of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer may be 40 to 99 mass%, 43 to 99 mass%, or 45 to 99 mass%. When the content of the acrylic polymer (a) is equal to or greater than the lower limit, the structure of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer becomes more stable and the above-mentioned effects are more easily achieved, and when the content of the acrylic polymer (a) is equal to or less than the upper limit, the heat-sensitive adhesive property of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer becomes good.

[0047] <Thermosetting agent (b)> The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the composition for forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer contain a thermosetting agent (b). The thermosetting agent (b) is a thermosetting agent for the acrylic polymer (a) having an epoxy group. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the composition for forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer may contain only one type of thermosetting agent (b) or two or more types of thermosetting agents (b), and when two or more types are contained, the combination and ratio thereof can be selected arbitrarily.

[0048] The thermosetting agent (b) may be, for example, a compound having two or more functional groups capable of reacting with an epoxy group in one molecule. Examples of the functional group include a phenolic hydroxyl group, an alcoholic hydroxyl group, an amino group, a carboxyl group, and an anhydride group of an acid group. A phenolic hydroxyl group, an amino group, or an anhydride group of an acid group is preferred, and a phenolic hydroxyl group or an amino group is more preferred.

[0049] Among the heat curing agents (b), examples of phenolic curing agents having a phenolic hydroxyl group include polyfunctional phenolic resins, biphenols, novolac-type phenolic resins, dicyclopentadiene-type phenolic resins, aralkyl-type phenolic resins, etc. Among the heat curing agents (b), examples of amine-type curing agents having an amino group include dicyandiamide, etc.

[0050] The thermosetting agent (b) may have an unsaturated hydrocarbon group. Examples of the thermosetting agent (b) having an unsaturated hydrocarbon group include a compound in which some of the hydroxyl groups of a phenolic resin are substituted with a group having an unsaturated hydrocarbon group, and a compound in which a group having an unsaturated hydrocarbon group is directly bonded to an aromatic ring of a phenolic resin.

[0051] Of the thermosetting agent (b), the number average molecular weight of the resin component, such as a polyfunctional phenolic resin, a novolac phenolic resin, a dicyclopentadiene phenolic resin, or an aralkyl phenolic resin, is preferably 300 to 30,000, more preferably 400 to 10,000, and particularly preferably 500 to 3,000. Of the thermosetting agent (b), the molecular weight of the non-resin component, such as biphenol or dicyandiamide, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 60 to 500. The thermosetting agent (b) is preferably represented by the following general formula (1), more specifically, an o-cresol novolac resin.

[0052]

[0053] In general formula (1), n ​​is an integer of 1 or greater, and may be, for example, 2 or greater, 4 or greater, or 6 or greater. The upper limit of n is not particularly limited as long as it does not impair the effects of the present invention. For example, an o-cresol novolak resin in which n is 10 or less is easier to produce or obtain.

[0054] In the general formula (1), an o-cresol-diyl group (-C ６ H ４ (-OH)(-CH ３ )-) and a methylene group (-CH ２ The bonding position of the o-cresol-diyl group is not particularly limited.

[0055] In the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition, the content of the thermosetting agent (b) is preferably 0.05 to 10 parts by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 5 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.5 to 4 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the content of the acrylic polymer (a). When the content of the thermosetting agent (b) is equal to or greater than the lower limit, the effect of using the thermosetting agent (b) can be more significantly obtained.

[0056] <Thermal Curing Accelerator (c)> The thermal curing accelerator (c) is a component for adjusting the curing rate during heat-sensitive adhesion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. Preferred examples of the thermal curing accelerator (c) include tertiary amines such as triethylenediamine, benzyldimethylamine, triethanolamine, dimethylaminoethanol, and tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol; imidazoles (imidazoles in which one or more hydrogen atoms are substituted with groups other than hydrogen atoms) such as 2-methylimidazole, 2-phenylimidazole, 2-phenyl-4-methylimidazole, 2-phenyl-4,5-dihydroxymethylimidazole, and 2-phenyl-4-methyl-5-hydroxymethylimidazole; organic phosphines (phosphines in which one or more hydrogen atoms are substituted with organic groups) such as tributylphosphine, diphenylphosphine, and triphenylphosphine; and tetraphenylboron salts such as tetraphenylphosphonium tetraphenylborate and triphenylphosphine tetraphenylborate.

[0057] The heat curing accelerator (c) contained in the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition may be one type or two or more types, and when there are two or more types, the combination and ratio thereof can be selected arbitrarily.

[0058] When the thermal curing accelerator (c) is used, the content of the thermal curing accelerator (c) in the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition is preferably 0.05 to 10 parts by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 5 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.5 to 4 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the acrylic polymer (a). When the content of the thermal curing accelerator (c) is equal to or greater than the lower limit, the effect of using the thermal curing accelerator (c) can be more significantly obtained.

[0059] <Epoxy Resin (d)> The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition preferably further contain an epoxy resin (d). The epoxy resin (d) does not include the acrylic polymer (a) having an epoxy group. Examples of the epoxy resin (d) include known epoxy resins, such as polyfunctional epoxy resins, biphenyl compounds, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether and its hydrogenated products, o-cresol novolac epoxy resins, dicyclopentadiene epoxy resins, biphenyl epoxy resins, bisphenol A epoxy resins, bisphenol F epoxy resins, and phenylene skeleton epoxy resins, as well as bifunctional or higher epoxy compounds. In this specification, the term "epoxy resin (d)" refers to a curable, i.e., uncured, epoxy resin.

[0060] The number average molecular weight of the epoxy resin (d) is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoints of the curability of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the strength and heat resistance of the thermoset product of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, it is preferably 300 to 30,000, more preferably 400 to 10,000, and particularly preferably 500 to 3,000.

[0061] The epoxy equivalent of the epoxy resin (d) is preferably 100 to 1000 g / eq, more preferably 150 to 800 g / eq.

[0062] The epoxy resin (d) contained in the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the composition for forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer may be one type or two or more types, and when there are two or more types, the combination and ratio thereof can be selected arbitrarily.

[0063] When the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition contain an epoxy resin (d), the content of the epoxy resin (d) is preferably 15 to 150 parts by mass, more preferably 30 to 135 parts by mass, and particularly preferably 45 to 115 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the acrylic polymer (a). The epoxy resin (d) may be an epoxy resin that is liquid at room temperature, or an epoxy resin that is solid at room temperature, but from the viewpoint of initial adhesive strength, it is preferable that the epoxy resin (d) contains an epoxy resin that is liquid at room temperature.

[0064] When the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition contain an epoxy resin that is liquid at room temperature, the content of the epoxy resin that is liquid at room temperature is preferably 2 to 40 parts by mass, more preferably 3 to 39 parts by mass, and particularly preferably 4 to 38 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the acrylic polymer (a).

[0065] <Substrate> Examples of the substrate 10 of the fabric label 1 according to the embodiment include films, cloths, nonwoven fabrics, etc. Examples of films include resin films, and synthetic resin films are preferred. Examples of resin films include polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyethylene naphthalate; polyolefin films such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyamide films such as nylon; polyurethane films; polystyrene films; polylactic acid films; and cellulose films.

[0066] The substrate may be a film having micropores. The film having micropores is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of foamed resin films, synthetic papers having micropores, and resin films having micropores. The presence of micropores makes the film white, improving the visibility of washing instructions and the like.

[0067] Examples of fabrics and nonwoven fabrics include those containing fibers such as hemp, wool, cotton, pulp, cellulose fibers such as rayon, nylon, polyester, polyurethane, and vinylon.

[0068] The type of weave of the fabric is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include satin such as polyester satin, and taffeta such as polyester taffeta and cotton taffeta.

[0069] The substrate 10 may be made up of a single layer or multiple layers, in which case the layers may be the same or different.

[0070] The thickness of the substrate 10 can be set appropriately, and is, for example, preferably 15 to 300 μm, more preferably 30 to 200 μm, and even more preferably 40 to 100 μm. When the thickness of the substrate is within the above range, good washing resistance can be achieved.

[0071] In this specification, the "thickness" is a value expressed as the average of thickness measurements at five randomly selected points, and can be obtained using a constant pressure thickness measuring instrument in accordance with JIS K7130.

[0072] Here, the thickness of the substrate means the thickness of the entire substrate, and for example, when the substrate is made up of multiple layers, the thickness means the total thickness of all layers constituting the substrate.

[0073] <Release Liner> The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 20 can be formed on a release liner. Alternatively, the label 1 for fabrics can be provided in a form in which a substrate 10, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 20, and a release liner 30 are laminated in this order, as shown in Figure 1.

[0074] The release liner is not particularly limited, and generally, a known release liner having a release treatment applied to one side of the sheet can be appropriately selected and used. Examples of liners that can be used as the release liner include paper such as glassine paper, fine paper, and kraft paper, laminated paper obtained by laminating these papers with a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyethylene naphthalate, and polyolefin films such as polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0075] Examples of release treatment agents for performing release treatment include silicone, long-chain alkyl resins, fluorine-based resins, etc. The thickness of the release liner is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 to 150 μm, and more preferably 20 to 130 μm.

[0076] <<Method for Manufacturing Fabric Label>> The method for manufacturing a fabric label according to the present invention will be described below using as an example a method for manufacturing a fabric label 1. The method for manufacturing the fabric label 1 of this embodiment includes providing an adhesive layer 20 on one surface of a substrate 10.

[0077] For example, a composition for forming an adhesive layer, which contains components that constitute the adhesive layer and, if desired, a solvent, is applied onto the release liner 30 using various coaters such as a roll coater, knife coater, roll knife coater, air knife coater, die coater, bar coater, gravure coater, curtain coater, etc., and then dried to obtain a laminate A in which the release liner 30 and the adhesive layer 20 are laminated.

[0078] The drying conditions for the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition are not particularly limited, but when the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition contains a solvent, it is preferably dried by heating. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition containing a solvent is preferably dried, for example, at 70 to 100°C for 10 seconds to 5 minutes.

[0079] Next, the exposed surface of the adhesive layer 20 of the laminate A produced above is pressed against the substrate 10, thereby producing a fabric label 1 in which the substrate 10, the adhesive layer 20, and the release liner 30 are laminated in this order.

[0080] <<Method for affixing a fabric label>> The method for affixing a fabric label according to the present invention includes a step of pressure-sensitively adhering the fabric label according to the above-described embodiment to an adherend using the adhesive layer, and a step of heating the pressure-sensitively adhered fabric label to thermally cure the adhesive layer.

[0081] In the process of pressure-sensitively adhering the label to a fabric, the adhesive layer is brought into contact with an adherend, which is an object that can be washed, and pressure-adhered.

[0082] Next, in the step of heating the pressure-sensitively bonded fabric label to thermally cure the adhesive layer, thermocompression bonding (adhesion by applying heat and pressure) using an iron, press, or the like can be employed. The temperature for thermal curing can be appropriately determined depending on the composition of the adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer can be heated at a temperature equal to or higher than the thermal curing temperature to exhibit heat-sensitive adhesiveness. The pressure applied to the label is 0.1 to 10 kgf / cm. ２ The extent can be exemplified.

[0083] The label of the embodiment may be printed on its surface. The printing may be performed on the surface of the substrate. A known printing device may be used for the printing. The printing may be performed before or after the label of the embodiment is attached to the adherend.

[0084] The following configurations can be exemplified as preferred uses of the fabric label of the embodiment.

[0085] In the embodiment, the fabric label is printed or imprinted on the substrate, and the printed or imprinted information may be one or more types of object information selected from the group consisting of owner information, washing instructions, washing symbols, size, handling precautions including washing or dry cleaning methods, material type, fiber composition, and the name of the person who displays such information, for the object that will be washed with the fabric label attached.

[0086] The label having the above-mentioned object information can be used as a quality label that is attached to an item to be washed and then washed together with the item. Also, the label having the owner information can be used as a cleaning label or a label for displaying a name, title, logo, etc.

[0087] Cleaning labels and quality labels are included in the fabric labels of the embodiments.

[0088] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0089] <Monomers> The full names of the raw material monomers used to produce the acrylic copolymer, which are abbreviated in the examples and comparative examples, are shown below: 2EHA: 2-ethylhexyl acrylate BA: n-butyl acrylate MMA: methyl methacrylate GMA: glycidyl methacrylate HEA: 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate

[0090] <Raw materials for producing the composition for forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer> In the examples and comparative examples, the raw materials used for producing the composition for forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer are shown below.

[0091] [Acrylic polymer (a)] (a)-1:2 Acrylic polymer (weight average molecular weight: 400,000, glass transition temperature: -47°C) obtained by copolymerizing EHA (40 parts by mass), BA (40 parts by mass), MMA (10 parts by mass), GMA (5 parts by mass), and HEA (5 parts by mass). (a)-2:2 Acrylic polymer (weight average molecular weight: 400,000, glass transition temperature: -46°C) obtained by copolymerizing EHA (40 parts by mass), BA (40 parts by mass), MMA (15 parts by mass), and HEA (5 parts by mass).

[0092] [Thermal Curing Agent (b)] (b)-1: o-cresol novolak resin (DIC Corporation, "Phenolite (registered trademark) KA-1160", hydroxyl group equivalent 117 g / eq, softening point 81 to 90°C)

[0093] [Heat curing accelerator (c)] (c)-1: 2-phenyl-4,5-dihydroxymethylimidazole ("Curezol (registered trademark) 2PHZ-PW" manufactured by Shikoku Chemicals Corporation, melting point 230°C)

[0094] [Epoxy resins (d)] (d)-1: dicyclopentadiene type epoxy resin ("Epicron HP-7200HH" manufactured by DIC Corporation, softening point 88 to 98°C, epoxy equivalent 274 to 286 g / eq) (d)-2: o-cresol novolac type epoxy resin ("EOCN-102S" manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., epoxy equivalent 205 to 217 g / eq, softening point 55 to 77°C) (d)-3: liquid bisphenol F type epoxy resin ("YL983U" manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, epoxy equivalent 165 to 175 g / eq)

[0095] <Preparation of Labels for Fabrics> [Example 1] 100 parts by mass of acrylic polymer (a)-1 (composition: 2EHA / BA / MMA / GMA / HEA=40 / 40 / 10 / 5 / 5), 1 part by mass of heat curing agent (b)-1 (o-cresol novolak resin, hydroxyl equivalent 117 g / eq), and 1 part by mass of heat curing accelerator (c)-1 (2-phenyl-4,5-dihydroxymethylimidazole) were mixed and diluted with toluene to obtain a composition for forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a total concentration of all the above components of 20% by mass. The obtained composition for forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer was applied to a release liner of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, one side of which had been treated with silicone for release, so that the thickness after drying would be 50 μm, and the composition was dried at 90°C for 2 minutes to form a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. A cotton cloth A (Kanakin No. 3, available from the Japanese Standards Association) was attached to the surface of the obtained adhesive layer opposite the release liner, thereby producing a label for fabrics according to Example 1.

[0096] Example 2 A label for fabrics according to Example 2 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition having a concentration of 20% by mass was used, which was obtained by mixing the acrylic polymer (a)-1 (100 parts by mass), heat curing agent (b)-1 (1 part by mass), and heat curing accelerator (c)-1 (1 part by mass) used in Example 1 with 110 parts by mass of dicyclopentadiene-type epoxy resin (d)-1 (softening point 88 to 98°C, epoxy equivalent 274 to 286 g / eq) and diluting the mixture with toluene.

[0097] Example 3 A label for fabrics according to Example 3 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition having a total concentration of all the above-mentioned components of 20 mass % was used by mixing the acrylic polymer (a)-1 (100 parts by mass), heat curing agent (b)-1 (1 part by mass), and heat curing accelerator (c)-1 (1 part by mass) used in Example 1 with 110 parts by mass of an o-cresol novolac epoxy resin (d)-2 (softening point 55 to 77°C, epoxy equivalent 205 to 217 g / eq) and diluting the mixture with toluene.

[0098] Example 4 A label for fabrics according to Example 4 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition having a total concentration of all the above components of 20% by mass was used, by mixing the acrylic polymer (a)-1 (100 parts by mass), heat curing agent (b)-1 (1 part by mass), and heat curing accelerator (c)-1 (1 part by mass) used in Example 1 with 110 parts by mass of a dicyclopentadiene-type epoxy resin (d)-1 (softening point 88 to 98°C, epoxy equivalent 274 to 286 g / eq) and 110 parts by mass of an o-cresol novolac-type epoxy resin (d)-2 (softening point 55 to 77°C, epoxy equivalent 205 to 217 g / eq) and diluting the mixture with toluene.

[0099] Example 5 A label for fabrics according to Example 5 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-forming composition having a total concentration of all the above-mentioned components of 20% by mass was used, by mixing the acrylic polymer (a)-1 (100 parts by mass), heat curing agent (b)-1 (1 part by mass), heat curing accelerator (c)-1 (1 part by mass), dicyclopentadiene-type epoxy resin (110 parts by mass), and o-cresol novolac-type epoxy resin (110 parts by mass) used in Example 4 with 37 parts by mass of liquid bisphenol F-type epoxy resin (d)-3 (epoxy equivalent: 165 to 175 g / eq) and diluting the mixture with toluene.

[0100] Comparative Example 1 A label for fabrics according to Comparative Example 1 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 100 parts by mass of acrylic polymer (a)-2 (composition: 2EHA / BA / MMA / HEA=40 / 40 / 15 / 5) was used instead of 100 parts by mass of acrylic polymer (a)-1 used in Example 1.

[0101] The compositions for forming labels and adhesive layers of the above Examples and Comparative Examples are shown in Table 1. In the table, "-" indicates that the corresponding component is not contained.

[0102]

[0103] [Evaluation of Physical Properties] The labels produced in the above Examples and Comparative Examples were evaluated for the following physical properties.

[0104] (Measurement of Initial Adhesion Strength of Adhesive Layer of Label Before Heat-Sensitive Adhesion) Each fabric label obtained in the above Examples and Comparative Examples was cut into a 20 mm x 40 mm piece at 23°C and 50% RH, and the release liner was peeled off. Another cotton fabric B (JIS L 0803-compliant, Kanakin No. 3, Japan Standards Association, designation number 3-1) was placed on the exposed adhesive layer and rolled back and forth with a 2 kg rubber roller. The resulting piece was then left to stand for 30 minutes under the same conditions to obtain a test piece for measuring initial adhesion strength, consisting of cotton fabric A, the adhesive layer, and cotton fabric B laminated in this order. The resulting test piece was measured at 23°C and 50% RH at a peel speed of 300 mm / min in accordance with JIS K 6854-3:1999 to measure the T-peel adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and cotton fabric B. The measurement results are shown in Table 1.

[0105] (Evaluation of Washing Resistance of Labels After Heat-Sensitive Adhesion) Each of the fabric labels obtained in the above Examples and Comparative Examples was cut into a 20 mm x 40 mm piece under conditions of 23°C and 50% RH, and the release liner was peeled off. Another cotton cloth B (Kanakin No. 3, obtained from the Japanese Standards Association) was placed on top of the exposed adhesive layer, and the pieces were laminated by rolling a 2 kg rubber roller back and forth once. The pieces were then pressed together using a heat-sealing machine (Heat Seal Tester TP-701, manufactured by Tester Sangyo Co., Ltd.) under a load of 220 gf / cm. ２ The test pieces were heated at 150°C for 30 seconds to obtain test pieces for measuring washing resistance. A 40°C aqueous solution of oxygen-based bleach (0.1 mL of oxygen-based bleach (Wide Haiter EX Power, manufactured by Kao Corporation) mixed with 1 L of water) was prepared as the washing liquid for the test. The obtained test pieces were placed in a 1 L beaker containing 800 mL of washing liquid, and a washing test was repeatedly performed in which the test pieces were stirred at 300 rpm for 60 minutes using a stirrer (manufactured by Iwaki Corporation, model SSR-112N, three-propeller stirring blade, blade diameter 40 mm), and the number of times until the fabric label peeled off was confirmed. If no peeling occurred after 50 tests, the result was recorded as "no peeling." The measurement results are shown in Table 1.

[0106] The label of Comparative Example 1 had initial adhesive strength before heat-sensitive bonding, but the adhesive strength after heat-sensitive bonding was insufficient and peeled off after five washes. The labels of Examples 1 to 5 had initial adhesive strength before heat-sensitive bonding and also had excellent washing resistance after heat-sensitive bonding.

[0107] The configurations and combinations thereof in each embodiment are merely examples, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of the configurations are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to each embodiment, but is limited only by the scope of the claims.

[0108] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...fabric label, 10...substrate, 20...adhesive layer, 30...release liner

Claims

1. A label for fabrics comprising a substrate and a thermosetting adhesive layer laminated on one side of the substrate, the adhesive layer containing an acrylic polymer (a) having an epoxy group and a thermosetting agent (b).

2. The label for fabrics according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer further contains an epoxy resin (d).

3. The fabric label according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the initial adhesive strength of the adhesive layer is a T-type peel adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and cotton fabric, measured at a peel speed of 300 mm / min in accordance with JIS K6854-3:1999, of 0.2 to 20 N / 20 mm.

4. The label for fabrics according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content of structural units derived from monomers having an epoxy group in the acrylic polymer (a) is 1 to 35 mass % based on the total amount of structural units.

5. The label for fabrics according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the content of structural units derived from 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in the acrylic polymer (a) is 30 mass% or more based on the total amount of structural units.

6. A method for attaching a fabric label, comprising the steps of: pressure-sensitively adhering the fabric label according to claim 1 or 2 to an adherend using the adhesive layer; and heating the pressure-sensitively adhered fabric label to thermally cure the adhesive layer.

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