[0001] The present invention relates to a label structure for protected printing, comprising
a transparent face material being the actual label, an adhesive layer and a removable
rear protective layer.
[0002] When prior art label structures with the information text printed on the face are
used in certain applications, for example if the label is attached to a substrate
which is exposed to heavy contamination or the like, or if the label is exposed to
corrosive or otherwise aggressive substances, the information which the label serves
to supply will become obliterated after some time. It has therefore been suggested
that the information text be disposed on the back of a label consisting of a transparent
material. In this way, the information is protected by the face material when the
label is attached to a substrate.
[0003] However, such prior art label structures suffer from several drawbacks. For example,
the label structure comprises several layers, namely in addition to the actual, transparent
label, several underlying layers which serve int. al. to transfer and receive characters
in response to a pressure applied to the face of the label. On its rear, the label
structure carries a protective layer or protective paper, the so-called backing,
and furthermore adhesive layers are arranged between the different layers to hold
the structure together and, optionally, also release foils are provided between the
different layers. Therefore, the entire structure is relatively thick, and it is difficult
to conduct it through a printer or like machine in order to provide the information
text intended.
[0004] In certain applications, a label structure is desired which comprises information
common to all labels, e.g. the name and model number etc. of an article, as well as
additional information which is different for different specimens of the article,
such as colour, engine power or the like. This is something which is very difficult,
if not impossible, to realise with prior art label structures.
[0005] The object of the present invention therefore is to provide a simple label structure
which comprises only three layers to facilitate conducting the label structure through
a printer or like machine for printing the information, and which does not suffer
from the above-mentioned drawbacks. This object is achieved in that the label structure
is given the characteristic features stated in the appended claims.
[0006] The invention will now be described in greater detail in the form of a preferred
embodiment, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a label structure according to the invention,
Fig. 2 is a section along line 2 - 2 in Fig. 1, and
Fig. 3 is a corresponding section through an alternative embodiment of the invention.
[0007] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the label structure comprises a transparent face
material 1 being the actual label. The transparent face material can be chosen according
to the need for mechanical strength, chemical resistance etc. The back of the face
material is provided with preprinted mirror-inverted information text designated
6. The face material is then coated with an adhesive layer 2 and, behind this, a protective
layer 3 is provided which in the embodiment shown is a paper web having intermediate
perforations 4 for tearing off a label. The adhesive used in the layer 2 can be chosen
according to the adhesive power required. Both the adhesive layer 2 and the protective
layer 3 have common, open fields in the form of windows 5 through which additional
information, designated 7, can be printed on the back of the face material in mirror-inverted
print by means of, for example, a data printer. Both the preprinted information 6
and the information 7 printed later will thus be protected by the transparent face
material 1 when the label is attached to a substrate.
[0008] Because of its thin sandwich structure, the label web can readily be conducted through
e.g. a data printer for mirror-inverted printing satisfying high demands on readability,
such as optical reading of bar codes. The label web further is easily manufactured
in a standard label press equipped with a special laminating unit.
[0009] To make the label useful also in connection with any surface treatment that may be
desired, for example the application of a paint, after the label has been attached
to a substrate, it can be provided with a removable front protective layer 8, as
shown in Fig. 3. This front protective layer is, of course, unbroken and covers the
entire label and can be, for example, a thin film which adheres to the label. After
surface treatment, if any, the protective layer is removed. For removal, the protective
layer can be provided with a pull tab, e.g. in the form of an edge or a portion not
coated with adhesive.
[0010] The invention is, of course, not limited to the embodiment described above, but may
be modified within the scope of the appended claims.
1. A label structure for protected printing, comprising a transparent face material
(1) being the actual layer, an adhesive layer (2) and a removable rear protective
layer (3), characterised in that the back of the face material (1) is provided with preprinted, mirror-inverted
information text (6) and subsequently coated with said adhesive layer (2) and said
protective layer (3) which both have common, open fields in the form of windows (5)
through which additional information (7) is adapted to be printed in mirror-inverted
print on the back of said face material, such that both preprinted information (6)
and subsequently printed information (7) will be protected by the transparent face
material (1) when the label is attached to a substrate.
2. Label structure as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said protective layer (3) preferably is formed as a continuous web, the label
being punched to the desired shape, and said protective layer preferably having intermediate
perforations (4) for tearing off label sheets.
3. Label structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that also an unbroken removable front protective layer (8) of the same shape as
the label and in the form of, for example, a film, is adhered to the front of said
face material (1) to protect temporarily said label attached to the substrate, during
any surface treatment, or the like.
4. Label structure as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the front protective layer (8) is provided with a pull tab, e.g. in the form
of an edge or a portion without adhesive, to facilitate removal of said protective
layer from said label.
