A container with a rotatable label comprising a transparent window

Abstract

 The present invention provides a multiple-layer label (11) for a container (10) having an outer shape which is essentially cylindrical, wherein the label comprises at least an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein the outer layer comprises a transparent window (12), wherein further the layer underneath the outer layer or the container wall itself bears imprinted information, and wherein by rotating the outer layer part of the imprinted information becomes visible through the transparent window, and which is characterized in that at least the outer layer is made out of a heat-shrinkable material, so that the outer layer can be applied to the container without addition or use of an adhesive, in such way that the friction between the outer layer and the layer underneath is arranged in such way that the outer layer can be rotated by manually exerting a force directed tangentially with respect to the cylindrical container.

Description

[0001] The present invention is related to a multiple-layer label for a container according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Many consumer products which are packed in cylindrical containers carry a label on the respective container, on which a plurality of information is imprinted, such information being for example the reproduction of a trademark, lists of ingredients, instructions on how to use the respective product, information about the manufacturer, health- and security information, and so forth. The imprinted matter may consist of pictures, icons and text, all related to the aforementioned information.

[0003] In many cases, the available space on the labels turns out to be insufficient to display all the information the product manufacturer may wish to provide. In other cases, the diversity of information turns out to be confusing for a consumer who is only interested in specialized information, e.g. instruction related to a particular application of the consumer product.

[0004] In order to meet these needs, labels for cylindrical containers are described in the prior art, which provide transparent windows or cut-outs, and which are rotatable moreover, so that by rotating the label, information imprinted on a layer below the label becomes visible troght the respective windows or cut-outs.. By rotating the label, the consumer can thus select the information he is interested in. Labels of this kind are for example described in US 2,860,431 or WO 01/78977.

[0005] Usually, these rotatable labels consist of a strip of paper material having a transparent region or a cut-out, which is winded around the cylindrical container and the ends of which are attached one another by use of an adhesive. As part of the adhesive comes into contact with the layer underneath, a sealing is established between the label and said layer, which has to be broken prior use by rotating the outer label with force, thus to make it freely rotatable.

[0006] Accordingly, the labels described in the prior art require several steps in order to be applied to a cylindrical container. Methods of applying these labels are therefore time- and labour-consuming and thus expensive.

[0007] It is thus a problem of the present invention to provide a multiple-layer label for a cylindrical container, which can be applied to said container in a more efficient and less time-consuming manner.

[0008] This problem is solved by a label according to claim 1, and a method for attaching such label to a cylindrical container.

[0009] For this purpose, a multiple-layer label for a container having an outer shape which is essentially cylindrical is provided.

[0010] The label comprises at least an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer is either the container wall itself or a label already affixed to the container wall. Optionally, one or more middle layers may be provided.

[0011] Accordingly, the meaning of the term "multiple layer label" does also include labels which have only one layer. In this context, the inner layer is represented by the container wall bearing imprinted information.

[0012] The outer layer comprises a transparent window, a cut-out or a perforated area which can be removed by tearing. The layer underneath the outer layer or the container wall itself bears imprinted information.

[0013] By rotating the outer layer part of the imprinted information becomes visible through the transparent window, the cut-out, or a breach produced after the perforated area has been removed by tearing.

[0014] The label according to the invention is characterized in that at least the outer layer is made out of a heat-shrinkable material. By this means, it can be applied to the container without addition or use of an adhesive, simply by application of heat.

[0015] The label is applied to the container in such way that the friction between the outer layer and the layer underneath is arranged in such way that the outer layer can be rotated by manually exerting a force directed tangentially with respect to the cylindrical container.

[0016] The use of a heat-shrinkable material for the label according to the invention facilitates the attachment of the label to the container considerably.

[0017] The blank label may be cut off from a hose-shaped raw material already bearing the respective imprints, put over the container, and attached to the latter by application of heat. The use of an adhesive or any other steps requiring further efforts are thus obsolete.

[0018] As heat shrinkable materials for such labels, PVC, PET, Polyolefins, Poly(vinylether) and OPS may for example be used.

[0019] As can be seen from the above discussion, it is a crucial point to the present invention that the outer layer of the label does not adhere or stick to the layer underneath. Achieving such objective is difficult when a heat-shrinkable material is used, as by application of heat, the tube-shaped label does not only shrink in terms of its diameter, but part of the label material - particularly material disposed on the inner and outer surface of the label - becomes softer, as a pre-stage of heat induced melting.

[0020] Upon contact with a material having a low heat conductivity or a rough surface, the partly molten material will tightly attach to that surface and build up a sealing, in such way that the attached label will be immobilized and cannot be rotated.

[0021] This is especially the case when the heat-shrinkable label is attached directly to a cylindrical container made out of a plastic material, as the latter has a low heat conductivity, and a rough surface sometimes.

[0022] Although for many applications, a tight sealing between the label and the cylindrical container is not a disadvantage, or is even a desired feature, such sealing is disadvantageous for a label which is meant to be rotatable.

[0023] Heat shrinkable labels which are applied to cylindrical containers are well known from the prior art. They have so far not been described for rotatable labels with transparent windows for two reasons:

1. Heat shrinkable labels tend to stick to the surface of the respective container, as described above, and

2. The shrinking process has so far not been completely under control, leading to distortions and displacements of parts of the labels as well as to the generation of wrinkles.

[0024] The latter problem has so far barred the implementation of transparent windows, as these windows would become opaque during the shrinking process due to wrinkles. Moreover, the boundary between the label and the transparent would be affected by distortions and displacements during the shrinking process.

[0025] The applicant has developed the know how to completely control the shrinking process in order to avoid the above mentioned problems. For these reasons, it is his merit to provide the use of heat shrinkable material for rotatable labels having transparent windows for the first time.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the label according to the invention the inner layer located underneath the outer layer is made out of a paper material.

[0027] In contrast to plastic material, paper has a good heat conductivity, so that upon contact with the paper the partly molten material of the heat shrinkable label will immediately cool down and grow stiff again. A sealing between both materials can thus not be built up.

[0028] Moreover, a paper material can be provided with a very smooth surface, either by selecting respective ingredients and manufacturing conditions, or by applying a dedicated coating.

[0029] Accordingly, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a material underneath the outer layer (i.e. either for the container itself or for an inner layer of the label) which is characterized in that it has a good heat conductivity and/or a smooth surface.

[0030] In this respect, it is especially preferred to provide a container made from metal, e.g. aluminium or suitable alloys. These materials have a good head conductivity and a smooth surface. As information can be directly imprinted on such material, there will be no need for an additional layer underneath the outer label in these cases; however, if printing needs require a paper material, an inner paper layer may be provided.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the imprinted information comprises printed matter selected from the group consisting of pictures, icons and text.

[0032] In case the imprinted information consists of text, it may for example be provided that consumer instructions or informations are given in different languages. By rotating the label, the consumer may thus select the language he understands by rotating the label. Likewise, it can be provided that instructions for different applications of the respective product are given, so that the consumer may select the instructions for the application he is interested in by rotating the label.

[0033] In case the imprinted information consists of icons, it may for example be provided that these symbolize potential applications of the packed product. By rotating the label, the consumer can thus receive new suggestions on how to use the product in a manner easy to understand.

[0034] In case the imprinted information consists of pictures, it may for example be provided that these pictures form part of an entertaining sequence, like a comic strip or the like. By rotating the label, the consumer can thus read the comic strip, and feel entertained for example when waiting in a supermarket queue. The sequence can as well be an educating story, which is easy to understand even for children, or the like.

[0035] It will be apparent to the skilled person that the use of any other type of printed matter being either text, icons or pictures, will fall under the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment, the label according to the invention comprises more than a single transparent window, cut-out or perforated area. In such embodiment, it may be provided that the information that becomes visible in the respective windows upon a given rotation angle may be directly related to one another.

[0037] For example, a national flag may be displayed in one window, and consumer information in the respective language may be display in a second window.

[0038] As another example, security information may be displayed in one window, and a warning icon may be displayed in a second window, while, after rotating the label, information related to nutritional facts may be displayed in one window and a balance icon may be displayed in a second window, and so forth.

[0039] It is to be understood that other combinations of displayed information fall under the above definition as well.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner layer may be attached to the container by means of an adhesive.

[0041] In another preferred embodiment, at least one of the transparent windows in the outer layer comprises optical magnifying means.

[0042] This may for example be an optical lens having a convex and a concave side, the latter being attached to the label and having a flection with a greater radius than the convex side.

[0043] By providing magnifying means, information displayed on the layer underneath is more easy to be read, for example by people having an impaired vision, or by elderly people.

[0044] This feature allows moreover the use of smaller font sizes or smaller icons or pictures for the information imprinted on the layer underneath. This means that even more information may be imprinted on said layer.

[0045] According to another aspect of the invention, a container having an outer shape which is essentially cylindrical is provided, bearing a multiple-layer label according to the above definition. The container is characterized in that it comprises limiting means which prevent the outer label from being removed from the container by upward or downward shifting.

[0046] Such container will thus allow the label to be rotated around a vertical axis, whereas upward or downward shifting of the label, which would lead to a removal of the label from the container, is not possible.

[0047] In preferred embodiments, said limiting means are selected from the group consisting of a tapered edge arranged at the top and/or bottom end of the cylindrical container over which at least the outer layer extends in a form-locking manner, a rim being arranged at the top and/or bottom end of the cylindrical container, and extending over the perimeter of the cylindrical container, a circular bulging being arranged at the top and/or the bottom end of the cylindrical container, or a convex bulging of the cylinder wall, giving the container a barrel-like shape.

[0048] In order to more fully understand the features and advantages related to any of these embodiments, reference is drawn to the respective figures.

[0049] In yet another preferred embodiment of the container according to the invention, said container is essentially made out of a plastic material.

[0050] Containers made of plastic material have many advantages. The raw material is cheap and the container can be produced at low costs. It is non-corrosive, food safe, unbreakable, lightweight, and can be produced in all colors.

[0051] As plastic material has a low heat conductivity and often a rough surface, it may occur that the heat-shrinkable label may stick to the container. For this reason, an inner layer made out of a paper material may be provided in a preferred embodiment, which is attached to the container wall before the outer label is put over the container.

[0052] As paper has a better heat conductivity than plastic material, the partly molten material of the heat shrinkable label will immediately cool down upon contact with the paper layer and grow stiff again. A sealing between both materials can thus not be built up. Moreover, a paper material can be provided with a very smooth surface, either by selecting respective ingredients and manufacturing conditions, or by applying a dedicated coating.

[0053] In this respect, any other material having similar properties may be used, e.g. a plastic material having a smooth surface, and the like.

[0054] In another preferred embodiment, the container can also be made out of a metal alloy, or aluminium. Advantages of such embodiment have already been mentioned above.

[0055] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method for attaching a label with the above mentioned features to a cylindrical container with the above mentioned features is provided. The method is characterized in that a tube-shaped blank label having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical container, or greater than the outer diameter of the limiting means, is put over the container, and - if applicable - over labels which are already attached to the container.

[0056] Thereupon, heat is applied to the label so that the diameter of the tube-shaped label shrinks, and the label becomes tangent to the layer underneath in such way that after completion of the shrinking step the friction between the outer layer and the layer underneath (e.g. an inner paper label or the container wall, respectively) is arranged in such way that the outer layer can still be rotated by manually exerting a force directed tangentially with respect to the cylindrical container.

[0057] In order to achieve such goal - i.e. to keep the friction between the outer layer and the layer underneath within certain limits - a variety of additional steps and/or precautions is provided.

[0058] It is for example provided that heat for shrinking the label is applied by application of hot-air blowing means. These means may for example be provided in a heat-tunnel device which is known per se.

[0059] Another type of heating medium which can accurately be controlled is steam. Accordingly, steam generators, which are sometimes provided in a steam-tunnel device can also be used.

[0060] By help of these means, the temperature which is applied to the label can be controlled with high accuracy. For this reason, the shrinking process, which is directly dependent on the applied temperature, is under immediate control.

[0061] In another preferred embodiment, an anti-adhesive agent is applied to the container before the label is attached to the container by shrinking, in order to prevent the outer label from sticking to the layer underneath. Examples for such anti-adhesive agent are silicon beads, talcum powder, and the like.

[0062] In another preferred embodiment useful to keep the friction between the outer label and the layer underneath within certain limits is to select the inner diameter of the tube-shaped blank label accordingly. Due to the fact that the shrinking ratio can accurately be controlled by controlling the applied heat and selecting a material with well defined shrinking properties, selecting the inner diameter of the blank label properly will - under constant shrinking conditions and properties of the raw material - lead to a reproducible shrinking result, in which the friction between the label and the layer underneath is solely dependent of the inner diameter of the label selected in advance.

[0063] In another preferred embodiment, it may be provided that other conditions applied during the shrinking step are selected in such way that after completion of the shrinking step the friction between the label and the layer underneath is within certain limits, i.e. that the outer layer can still be rotated by manually exerting a force directed tangentially with respect to the cylindrical container.

[0064] Other conditions according to the above definition may for example be the humidity in the atmosphere of the manufacturing facility, or the duration of the application of heat, and the like. A person skilled in the art will without being inventive recognize from his knowledge which other conditions may be controlled or altered in order to achieve the above outlined goal.

[0065] The invention is further illustrated in more detail by means of the following figures, which are however not to be construed as to limit the scope of protection set forth in the attached claims. Additional features, advantages and details will be apparent from the figures and the respective description.

[0066] Figure 1 shows a container 10 according to the invention having an outer label 11, which is rotatably attached to the container. The label has a transparent window 12 through which information imprinted on a layer underneath becomes visible. The label can be rotated, so that the information made visible through the window 12 may be changed. The rotatable label has been attached to the container by putting a tube-shaped blank label having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical container over the container, and shrinking the label by application of heat, in such way that the diameter of the label shrinks and the label becomes tangent to the layer underneath or to the container. The container provides limiting means 13a, 13b, in the form of a rim being arranged at the top and the bottom end of the container, which extends over the perimeter of the cylindrical container, in such way that the outer label 11 cannot be removed from the container by upward or downward shifting.

[0067] Figure 2 shows another container 20 according to the invention with a rotatable label 21 and two transparent windows 22, 23. The container further comprises limiting means 24a, 24b in the form of tapered edges arranged at the top and the bottom end of the container over which the outer labels extends in a form-locking manner, in such way that the outer label cannot be removed from the container by upward or downward shifting. Again, the outer label has been attached to the container by putting a blank label over the container and shrinking the label by application of heat.

[0068] In the shown embodiment, the container provides two transparent windows 22, 23, wherein through window 22 information in the form of text imprinted on the layer underneath becomes visible, wherein through window 23 information in the form of an icon imprinted on the layer underneath becomes visible. By rotating the label 21, different types of information in the form text become visible through label window 22, whereas through label 23 information in form of icons related to the respective text shown in window 22 become visible. This means for example that in the present embodiment, a warning icon is shown in window 23 when safety instructions are shown in window 22, whereas for example an icon showing a balance may be shown in window 23 when nutritional information are shown in window 22, or a fork and a knife icon may be shown in window 23 when recipes are shown in window 22, and so forth.

[0069] Figure 3 shows a container 30 according to the invention with a label 31, and two transparent windows 32 and 33. Through window 32, information in the form of text imprinted on the layer underneath becomes visible, whereas through window 33, information in the form of a flag icon imprinted on the layer underneath becomes visible.

[0070] In this embodiment, by rotating the label 31, information in different languages can be presented through window 32. At the same time, through window 33 a flag icon is shown which symbolises the language of the information shown in window 32. Such embodiment is especially useful for countries or economical regions with different languages, for example the internal market of the European Union. A potential customer can thus simply use the language in which he desires to read the information by selecting the respective national flag.

[0071] Figure 4 shows another embodiment according to the invention, namely a cylindrical container 40 having a rotatable label 41 and a transparent window 42. The transparent window 42 is further equipped with a magnifying means 43, presently in the form of an optical lens having a convex and a concave side. The concave side is attached to the label, whereas the convex side is directed to the periphery. Such embodiment may help to facilitate reading of the information imprinted on the layer underneath, for example for people having an impaired vision, or for elderly people. Moreover, such feature allows the use of smaller font sizes or smaller icons or pictures for the information imprinted on the layer underneath. This means that more information may be imprinted on said layer.

[0072] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of a container 50 according to the invention. The container has a rotatable label 51, a transparent window 52 and two limiting means 53a, 53b in the form of a circular bulging being arranged at the top and the bottom end of the container. The limiting means prevent the outer label from being removed from the container by upward or downward shifting.

[0073] Figure 6 shows another container 60 according to the invention, having a rotatable label 61, a transparent window 62 and two limiting means 63a, 63b in the form of two rims being arranged at the top and the bottom end of the cylindrical container.

[0074] Figure 7 shows another container 70 according to the invention. The container has a rotatable label 71 and a transparent window 72. In this embodiment, the limiting means consist of a convex bulging 73 of the complete cylinder wall. This bulging gives the container a barrel-like shape, by which the outer rotatable label is affixed to the container in such way that it cannot be shifted upwards or downwards.

Claims

1. A multiple-layer label for a container having an outer shape which is essentially cylindrical

a) wherein the label comprises at least an outer layer and an inner layer, and optionally one or more middle layers,

b) wherein the outer layer comprises a transparent window, a cut-out or a perforated area which can be removed by tearing,

c) wherein further the layer underneath the outer layer or the container wall itself bears imprinted information,

d) and wherein by rotating the outer layer part of the imprinted information becomes visible through the transparent window, the cut-out, or a breach produced after the perforated area has been removed by tearing,
characterized in that

e) at least the outer layer is made out of a heat-shrinkable material, so that

f) the outer layer can be applied to the container without addition or use of an adhesive,

g) in such way that the friction between the outer layer and the layer underneath is arranged in such way that the outer layer can be rotated by manually exerting a force directed tangentially with respect to the cylindrical container.

2. The multiple-layer label according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner layer is made out of a paper material.

3. The multiple-layer label according to any of the aforementioned claims, wherein said information comprises printed matter selected from the group consisting of pictures, icons and text.

4. The multiple-layer label according to any of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the inner layer is attached to the container by means of an adhesive.

5. The multiple-layer label according to any of the aforementioned claims, characterized in that the transparent window in the outer layer comprises optical magnifying means.

6. A container having an outer shape which is essentially cylindrical, and bearing a multiple-layer label according to any of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the cylindrical container comprises limiting means which prevent the outer label from being removed from the container by upward or downward shifting.

7. The cylindrical container according to claim 6, wherein said limiting means are selected from the group consisting of:

a) a tapered edge arranged at the top and/or bottom end of the cylindrical container over which at least the outer layer extends in a form-locking manner,

b) a rim being arranged at the top and/or bottom end of the cylindrical container, and extending over the perimeter of the cylindrical container,

c) a circular bulging being arranged at the top and/or the bottom end of the cylindrical container

d) a convex bulging of the cylinder wall, giving the container a barrel-like shape.

8. The cylindrical container according to claim 6 or 7, the container being essentially made out of a plastic material.

9. The cylindrical container according to any of claims 6 - 8, characterized in that an inner layer made out of a paper material is attached to the container wall.

10. A method for attaching a label according to any of claims 1 - 5 to a cylindrical container according to any of claims 6 - 9, characterized in that

a) a tube-shaped blank label having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the cylindrical container, or greater than the outer diameter of the limiting means, is put over the container, and - if applicable - over labels which are already attached to the container,

b) heat is applied thereafter to the label so that the diameter of the tube-shaped label shrinks and the label becomes tangent to the layer underneath in such way that

c) after completion of the shrinking step the friction between the outer layer and the layer underneath, or the container wall, respectively, is arranged in such way that the outer layer can still be rotated by manually exerting a force directed tangentially with respect to the cylindrical container.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that heat for shrinking the label is applied by application of hot-air blowing means.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that anti-adhesive agent is applied to the container before the outer label is attached to the container by shrinking.

13. The method according to any of claims 10 - 12, characterized in that the inner diameter of the tube-shaped blank label is selected in such way that after completion of the shrinking step the outer layer can still be rotated by manually exerting a force directed tangentially with respect to the cylindrical container.

14. The method according to any of claims 10 - 13, characterized in that the other conditions applied during the shrinking step selected in such way that after completion of the shrinking step the outer layer can still be rotated by manually exerting a force directed tangentially with respect to the cylindrical container.

Drawing