A LABEL

Description

[0001] This invention relates to labels for attachment to an article such as a container, the label providing a leaflet that can be accessed by a user. WO9747465A is considered the closest prior art and discloses all the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a label having a lengthwise direction and a transverse direction, the label comprising:

a back sheet having adhesive on its rear surface;

a leaflet having a front sheet which extends from a first transverse edge to a second transverse edge spaced from said first transverse edge in said lengthwise direction, the leaflet being secured with respect to the front surface of the back sheet;

a laminate layer having an adhesive on its rear surface secured to and covering the front sheet, the laminate layer having an extended part projecting beyond the front sheet in the lengthwise direction away from said second transverse edge to a free edge, the extended part of the laminate layer having a transverse line of weakening which is adjacent but spaced from said second transverse edge and which is spaced from the free edge of the laminate layer by a lengthwise distance at least the length between the first and second transverse edges.

[0003] Preferably, the back sheet has an extension which projects a short lengthwise distance beyond the first transverse edge in a direction opposite to the second transverse edge and often a second free edge of the laminate layer opposite the free edge of the extended part of the laminate layer coincides with the edge of the back sheet extension. In many arrangements the transverse line of weakening comprises at least one line of perforations extending from one transverse edge of the extended part of the laminate layer to its opposite transverse edge and usually but not always the line of weakening is substantially straight and perpendicular to the lengthwise direction.

[0004] In preferred embodiments a widened portion of the laminate layer adjacent the laminate free edge has a transverse width greater than the transverse width of the leaflet front sheet, said widened portion extending in the lengthwise direction for a distance greater than the length of the leaflet front sheet. Often said distance is greater than the length of the leaflet front sheet and the back sheet extension. Conveniently, said widened portion of the laminate layer comprises upper and lower widened sections at opposite transverse sides, the widened sections extending transversely beyond imaginary lines aligned with respective upper and lower edges of the leaflet front sheet.

[0005] Usually the leaflet comprises a number of sheets, the second transverse edge of the front sheet extending slightly beyond the other sheets. Optionally, any or all of (i) the first transverse edge, (ii) the free edge of the extended part of the laminate layer, (iii) the second free edge of the laminate layer, and (iv) the edge of the back sheet extension are substantially straight and perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. In some arrangements the second transverse edge of the leaflet front sheet has a portion which is substantially straight and perpendicular to the lengthwise direction and has a projecting tab portion. Normally that part of the laminate layer between the second transverse edge of the leaflet front sheet and the line of weakening, in use, constitutes a peelable and re-attachable tab to enable access to the leaflet.

[0006] Sometimes the leaflet is adhesively secured to the back sheet or is foldably connected to the back sheet, preferably at a location adjacent the first transverse edge of the front sheet. Usually the label is releasably attached to a carrier strip by means of the back sheet adhesive and that part of the laminate layer adhesive not secured to the front sheet and/or back sheet and this enables a number of labels to be carried conveniently on a roll prior to subsequent use.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a labelled container comprising a container and a label as described above, the back sheet being applied to a cylindrical exterior periphery of the container and the laminate extension continuing circumferentially around the container such that it overlaps and is adhered to the laminated front sheet of the label, the free edge of the extended part of the laminate layer being disposed between the second transverse edge of the leaflet front sheet and the line of weakening in the extended part of the laminate layer.

[0008] Often a portion of the laminate layer covering the leaflet front sheet is overprinted with information prior to attachment to the container and the laminate layer extension overlies that overprinted portion after the label has been attached to the container.

[0009] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference by way of example to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a label according to the present invention,

Figure 2 is a lengthwise section through the label of figure 1 showing layers in exaggerated form,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the label of figure 1 being attached to a container,

Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to figure 3 with the label fully attached,

Figure 5a is a radial section through the figure 4 assembly,

Figure 5b is a radial section similar to figure 5A but with the label just opened,

Figure 6 is a front view of an alternative label according to the present invention,

Figures 7 and 8 are opposite side perspective views showing the label of figure 6 being attached to a container,

Figures 9 and 10 correspond to the views shown in figures 7 and 8 with the label fully attached,

Figure 11 and 12 correspond to figures 9 and 10, but show the assembly as access to the leaflet is being obtained, and

Figure 13 is a front view of a further alternative label similar to that shown in figure 6.

Figures 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention. There is provided a label 10 which, in use, is attached to an article 11 which in the illustrated embodiment is a generally cylindrical container such as a cylindrical bottle for medicines. Other articles and containers are, of course, suitable for use with such a label 10. Until the label 10 is to be applied to the article, it is preferably attached to a carrier strip 12 in such a way that it is readily removed from the carrier strip. This may be achieved, for example, by the carrier strip 12 having a suitable release coating as is well known in the art. In practise a series of labels 10 can be stored on a continuous carrier strip such that a multitude of labels 10 can be stored on a roll prior to use.

[0010] Each label 10 comprises a back sheet 15 which has an adhesive coating 16 on its rear surface. On the front surface of the back sheet 15 is provided a leaflet 17. The leaflet 17 has a front sheet 18 which has a first transverse edge 19 and a second transverse edge 20 which are spaced in a lengthwise direction of the label 10. The leaflet 17 is connected to the back sheet 15 by means of an adhesive strip 21 in this embodiment. The adhesive strip 21 is located adjacent the first transverse edge 19 of the leaflet front sheet 18. Other attachment means are possible and it is also possible that the leaflet 17 is a folded extension of the back sheet 15. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the back-sheet 15 has a short extension 22 extending in the lengthwise direction away from the leaflet front sheet 18 and terminating in a free-edge 23.

[0011] It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the term 'leaflet' used throughout can be any arrangement of folded sheets or could also be in the form of a booklet having a series of sheets folded or glued or stapled at one lengthwise end in the region of the first transverse edge 19.

[0012] The front sheet 18, and also the back sheet extension 22 are covered by a clear laminate layer 30 which has an adhesive 31 on its rear surface. In figure 2 it is shown how the laminate layer 30 overlies and is adhered to the front sheet 18 and the extension 22, one free edge 32 of the laminate layer 30 coinciding in this embodiment with the free edge 23 of the back sheet extension 22. The opposite end of the laminate layer 30 is provided with an extended part 33 which projects beyond the second transverse edge 20 of the front sheet 18 of the leaflet 17. The extended part 33 is also releasably adhered to the carrier strip 12 prior to the label 10 being applied to the article/container and is shown in truncated form for ease of illustration.

[0013] The extended part 33 of the laminate layer is provided with a transverse line of weakening 35 at a location adjacent but spaced from the second transverse edge 20 of the leaflet front sheet 18. The line of weakening 35 may comprise one of more lines of perforations through the laminate layer 30.

[0014] The length X of the extended part 33 of the laminate layer 30 beyond the line of weakening 35 to a free edge 36 of the extended part 33 in the lengthwise direction of the label is at least the same as the length Y of the combined front sheet 18/back sheet extension 22 (if provided). This is not apparent in figure 2 due to the truncated illustration of the extended part 33.

[0015] The label 10 is shown being applied to an article in the form of a container 11. Typically such a container has a cylindrical surface to which the label 10 is attached. The back sheet 15 is attached to the container 11 and the extended part of the laminate layer 30 continues around the container 11 in a circumferential direction thereby to overlap the already laminated leaflet front sheet 18 and back sheet extension 22 (if provided). The label dimensions are chosen for the particular container dimensions such that the free edge 36 of the extended part 33 of the laminate layer 30 is disposed between the line of weakening 35 and the second transverse edge 20 of the label front sheet.

[0016] Once applied to the container 11, access to the inside of the leaflet 17 is not possible, although the front sheet is visible through the laminate layer. However, severing the line weakening 35 leaves only a small part 40 of the laminate layer adjacent the front sheet 18 secured to the container 11. This small part 40 can be peeled from the container 11 to gain access to the leaflet 17. After viewing the leaflet 17 the leaflet can be re-closed by resecuring the adhesive part 40 to the container. In the illustrated embodiment the front sheet has a short tab extension 41 extending towards the line of weakening and this makes it easier to unpeel the small part 40 of laminate layer 30 from the container 11.

[0017] One particular benefit of this type of label is where additional or customised information 50 is printed on to the laminated label 10 after manufacture, but before application to the article/container. For example, in the pharmaceutical/medical industries the labels may be overprinted with information such as batch-codes, expiry dates, unique product identifiers, serial numbers. However, this overprinted information is susceptible to damage and can be in danger of being rubbed off. The present label 10, however, laminates over that overprinted area 50, thereby protecting it from damage.

[0018] Figures 6 to 12 illustrate a preferred and further advantageous embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment most features correspond to those of the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 5 and have, therefore, been given like reference numerals. Indeed the cross-sectional views 2 and 5 also relate directly to the figures 6 to 12 embodiment.

[0019] In figures 6 to 12, the extended part 33 of the laminate layer 30 has a widened portion 60. This widened portion 60 has a transverse width which is greater than the transverse width of the leaflet front sheet 18 by virtue of upper and lower widened sections 61, 62. The widened portion 60 extends in the lengthwise direction from the free edge 36 to a position adjacent the line of weakening 35.

[0020] When this label is applied to the article container in the manner described earlier, the upper and lower widened sections 61, 62 are not aligned with the upper/lower edge of the leaflet 17, but overhang the upper/lower edges of the leaflet 17. This is shown clearly in figures 8 and 9, the widened sections 61, 62 serving to fully enclose the leaflet, thereby protecting the upper and lower edges of the leaflet from damage and from any possible fluid ingress.

[0021] Whilst there are shown upper and lower widened sections 61, 62 it will be understood that only one could be provided in certain circumstances, i.e. an upper or a lower widened section. For example, the additional protection may only be required above (or below) the label. One such situation could be when the label is applied directly above (or below) an annular bead around the container/article.

[0022] Figure 13 illustrates a modified version of the figures 6 to 12 construction. In this modified version the upper and lower widened sections are defined by lengthwise extending lines of perforations 65, 66. These lines of perforations 65, 66 extend from the free edge 36 of the extended part 33 of the laminate and assist when opening the label. Preferably, and as illustrated, these perforations are aligned with the upper and lower edges of the leaflet such that, on opening the label, the upper and lower widened sections 61, 62 of the laminate remain adhered to the container after the lines of perforations 65, 66 are severed.

[0023] In the arrangements discussed above, the leaflet 17 is directly secured to the back sheet 15 by means of an adhesive strip 21 and the earlier description states that the adhesive strip may not be necessary in embodiments where the leaflet 17 and its front sheet 18 are folded extensions of the back sheet 15. In other arrangements the leaflet and its front sheet may not be physically connected to the back sheet and may be secured in position relative to the back sheet by means of the laminate layer 30 being adhered to the leaflet front sheet and to the container/and or back sheet extension 22. In other words, the adhesive strip 21 shown in figure 2 (and other views) would simply be omitted.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiments the overall label shape and the leaflet shape are generally rectangular. In such embodiments it is simplest, although not essential, for the transverse edges to be generally straight and perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the label/extended part of the laminate layer. It is also possible for the leaflet part to be non-rectangular and in such embodiments the extended part of the laminate may be suitably shaped to overlap and cover the leaflet part when secured to the article/container. However, it is also possible for the extended part to be shaped only so that it overlies the overprinted part of the already laminated part of the label. Also in the illustrated embodiments, the front sheet 18 is shown as extending beyond other pages 24 of the leaflet at the end remote from the first transverse edge of the leaflet, but this is not essential and all pages could be co-terminus in the lengthwise direction.

[0025] Additionally, the laminate layer 30 is preferably transparent, but could have different degrees of transparency and/or various colouration in predetermined areas or entirely.

Claims

1. A label (10) having a lengthwise direction and a transverse direction, the label comprising:

a back sheet (15) having adhesive (16) on its rear surface;

a leaflet (17) having a front sheet (18) which extends from a first transverse edge (19) to a second transverse edge (20) spaced from said first transverse edge in said lengthwise direction, the leaflet (17) being secured with respect to the front surface of the back sheet (15);

a laminate layer (30) having an adhesive (31) on its rear surface secured to and covering the front sheet, the laminate layer (30) having an extended part (33) projecting beyond the front sheet in the lengthwise direction away from said second transverse edge (20) to a free edge (36), characterised by that

the extended part (33) of the laminate layer having a transverse line of weakening (35) which is adjacent but spaced from said second transverse edge (20) and which is spaced from the free edge of the laminate layer by a lengthwise distance at least the length between the first and second transverse edges (19, 20).

2. A label as claimed in claim 1, wherein the back sheet (15) has an extension (22) which projects a short lengthwise distance beyond the first transverse edge (19) in a direction opposite to the second transverse edge (20).

3. A label as claimed in claim 2, wherein a second free edge (32) of the laminate layer opposite the free edge (36) of the extended part (33) of the laminate layer coincides with the edge (23) of the back sheet extension (22).

4. A label as claim in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transverse line of weakening (35) comprises at least one line of perforations extending from one lengthwise edge of the extended part (33) of the laminate layer to its opposite lengthwise edge, and preferably the line of weakening (35) is substantially straight and perpendicular to the lengthwise direction.

5. A label as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a widened portion (60) of the laminate layer (30) adjacent the laminate free edge (36) has a transverse width greater than the transverse width of the leaflet front sheet (18), said widened portion (60) extending in the lengthwise direction for a distance greater than the length of the leaflet front sheet (18).

6. A label as claimed in claim 5 in conjunction with claim 2, wherein said distance is greater than the length of the leaflet front sheet (18) and the back sheet extension (22).

7. A label as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said widened portion (60) of the laminate layer (30) comprises upper and lower widened sections (61, 62) at opposite transverse sides, the widened sections (61, 62) extending transversely beyond imaginary lines aligned with respective upper and lower edges of the leaflet front sheet (18).

8. A label as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the leaflet (17) comprises a number of sheets (24), the second transverse edge (20) of the front sheet (18) extending slightly beyond the other sheets (24).

9. A label as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein any or all of (i) the first transverse edge (19), (ii) the free edge (36) of the extended part (33) of the laminate layer, (iii) the second free edge (32) of the laminate layer, and (iv) the edge (23) of the back sheet extension (22) are substantially straight and perpendicular to the lengthwise direction.

10. A label as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second transverse edge (20) of the leaflet front sheet (18) has a portion which is substantially straight and perpendicular to the lengthwise direction and has a projecting tab portion (41).

11. A label as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein that part of the laminate layer (30) between the second transverse edge (20) of the leaflet front sheet (18) and the line of weakening (35), in use, constitutes a peelable and re-attachable tab to enable access to the leaflet.

12. A label as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the leaflet (17) is adhesively secured to the back sheet (15) or is foldably connected to the back sheet (15), preferably at a location adjacent the first transverse edge (19) of the front sheet.

13. A label as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the label (10) is releasably attached to a carrier strip by means of the back sheet adhesive (16) and that part of the laminate layer adhesive (31) not secured to the front sheet (18) and/or back sheet (15).

14. A labelled container comprising a container (11) and a label (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, the back sheet (15) being applied to a cylindrical exterior periphery of the container (11) and the laminate extension (33) continuing circumferentially around the container (11) such that it overlaps and is adhered to the laminated front sheet of the label, the free edge (36) of the extended part (33) of the laminate layer being disposed between the second transverse edge (20) of the leaflet front sheet and the line of weakening (35) in the extended part of the laminate layer.

15. A labelled container as claimed in claim 14, wherein a portion (50) of the laminate layer (30) covering the leaflet front sheet (18) is overprinted with information prior to attachment to the container (11) and the laminate layer extension (33) overlies that overprinted portion (50) after the label (10) has been attached to the container (11).

Ansprüche

1. Etikett (10) mit einer Längsrichtung und einer Querrichtung, das Folgendes umfasst:

einen hinteren Bogen (15) mit Klebstoff (16) auf seiner Rückseite;

ein Faltblatt (17) mit einem vorderen Bogen (18), der von einem ersten Querrand (19) bis zu einem zweiten Querrand (20) verläuft, welcher in der Längsrichtung von dem ersten Querrand beabstandet ist, wobei das Faltblatt (17) in Bezug auf die Vorderseite des hinteren Bogens (15) befestigt ist;

eine Laminatschicht (30) mit einem Klebstoff (31) auf ihrer Rückseite, die an dem vorderen Bogen befestigt ist und diesen bedeckt, wobei die Laminatschicht (30) einen verlängerten Teil (33) aufweist, der in der Längsrichtung von dem zweiten Querrand (20) aus über den vorderen Bogen hinweg zu einem freien Rand (36) vorsteht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

der verlängerte Teil (33) der Laminatschicht eine quer verlaufende Schwächungslinie (35) aufweist, die an den zweiten Querrand (20) angrenzt, aber davon beabstandet ist, sowie in Längsrichtung ein Stück von dem freien Rand der Laminatschicht entfernt liegt, das mindestens der Länge zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Querrand (19, 20) entspricht.

2. Etikett nach Anspruch 1, wobei der hintere Bogen (15) eine Verlängerung (22) aufweist, die in einer zum zweiten Querrand (20) entgegengesetzten Richtung in Längsrichtung ein kleines Stück über den ersten Querrand (19) hinaus vorsteht.

3. Etikett nach Anspruch 2, wobei ein zweiter freier Rand (32) der Laminatschicht, der dem freien Rand (36) des verlängerten Teils (33) der Laminatschicht gegenüberliegt, mit dem Rand (23) der Verlängerung (22) des hinteren Bogens zusammenfällt.

4. Etikett nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die quer verlaufende Schwächungslinie (35) mindestens eine Perforationslinie umfasst, die von einem Längsrand des verlängerten Teils (33) der Laminatschicht aus bis zu dem ihm gegenüberliegenden Längsrand verläuft, und die Schwächungslinie (35) vorzugsweise im Wesentlichen gerade ist und senkrecht zur Längsrichtung verläuft.

5. Etikett nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei ein breiterer Abschnitt (60) der Laminatschicht (30), der an den freien Laminatrand (36) angrenzt, in Querrichtung breiter ist als der vordere Bogen (18) des Faltblatts, wobei der breitere Abschnitt (60) in Längsrichtung ein Stück weiter verläuft als die Länge des vorderen Bogens (18) des Faltblatts.

6. Etikett nach Anspruch 5 in Verbindung mit Anspruch 2, wobei das Stück größer ist als die Länge des vorderen Bogens (18) des Faltblatts und der Verlängerung (22) des hinteren Bogens.

7. Etikett nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, wobei der breitere Abschnitt (60) der Laminatschicht (30) an gegenüberliegenden Querseiten ein oberes und ein unteres breiteres Teilstück (61, 62) umfasst, wobei die breiteren Teilstücke (61, 62) quer über gedachte Linien hinaus verlaufen, die mit dem oberen beziehungsweise dem unteren Rand des vorderen Bogens (18) des Faltblatts fluchten.

8. Etikett nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei das Faltblatt (17) eine Anzahl Bogen (24) umfasst, wobei der zweite Querrand (20) des vorderen Bogens (18) ein wenig über die anderen Bogen (24) hinaus verläuft.

9. Etikett nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei (i) der erste Querrand (19), (ii) der freie Rand (36) des verlängerten Teils (33) der Laminatschicht, (iii) der zweite freie Rand (32) der Laminatschicht oder/und (iv) der Rand (23) der Verlängerung (22) des hinteren Bogens im Wesentlichen gerade sind und senkrecht zur Längsrichtung verlaufen.

10. Etikett nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei der zweite Querrand (20) des vorderen Bogens (18) des Faltblatts einen Abschnitt aufweist, der im Wesentlichen gerade ist und senkrecht zur Längsrichtung verläuft und einen vorstehenden Laschenabschnitt (41) aufweist.

11. Etikett nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei der zwischen dem zweiten Querrand (20) des vorderen Bogens (18) des Faltblatts und der Schwächungslinie (35) liegende Teil der Laminatschicht (30) im Gebrauch eine abzieh- und wieder anbringbare Lasche bildet, die Zugriff auf das Faltblatt ermöglicht.

12. Etikett nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, wobei das Faltblatt (17) vorzugsweise an einer an den ersten Querrand (19) des vorderen Bogens angrenzenden Stelle an dem hinteren Bogen (15) festgeklebt oder faltbar mit dem hinteren Bogen (15) verbunden ist.

13. Etikett nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, wobei das Etikett (10) mithilfe des Klebstoffs (16) am hinteren Bogen und dem Teil des Klebstoffs (31) an der Laminatschicht, der nicht an dem vorderen Bogen (18) und/oder dem hinteren Bogen (15) befestigt ist, lösbar an einem Trägerstreifen angebracht ist.

14. Etikettierter Behälter, der einen Behälter (11) und ein Etikett (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12 umfasst, wobei der hintere Bogen (15) an einem zylinderförmigen Außenumfang des Behälters (11) angebracht ist und die Laminatverlängerung (33) in Umfangsrichtung so um den Behälter (11) herum verläuft, dass sie den laminierten vorderen Bogen des Etiketts überlappt und daran angeklebt ist, wobei der freie Rand (36) des verlängerten Teils (33) der Laminatschicht zwischen dem zweiten Querrand (20) des vorderen Bogens des Faltblatts und der Schwächungslinie (35) in dem verlängerten Teil der Laminatschicht angeordnet ist.

15. Etikettierter Behälter nach Anspruch 14, wobei ein Abschnitt (50) der Laminatschicht (30), der den vorderen Bogen (18) des Faltblatts bedeckt, vor dem Anbringen an dem Behälter (11) mit Informationen bedruckt wird und die Laminatschichtverlängerung (33) auf diesem bedruckten Abschnitt (50) liegt, wenn das Etikett (10) an dem Behälter (11) angebracht worden ist.

Revendications

1. Étiquette (10) présentant une direction longitudinale et une direction transversale, l'étiquette comprenant :

une feuille dorsale (15) présentant un adhésif (16) sur sa surface arrière ;

une notice (17) présentant une feuille frontale (18) s'étendant d'un premier bord transversal (19) vers un deuxième bord transversal (20) espacé dudit premier bord latéral dans la direction longitudinale, la notice (17) étant fixée par rapport à la surface avant de la feuille dorsale (15) ;

une couche stratifiée (30) présentant un adhésif (31) sur sa surface arrière, fixée à la feuille frontale et recouvrant celle-ci, la couche stratifiée (30) présentant une partie étendue (33) s'étendant au-delà de la feuille frontale dans la direction longitudinale, à distance dudit deuxième bord transversal (20) vers un bord libre (36), caractérisée en ce que

la partie étendue (33) de la couche stratifiée présente une ligne d'affaiblissement transversale (35), laquelle est adjacente audit deuxième bord transversal (20) mais espacée de celui-ci et laquelle est espacée du bord libre de la couche stratifiée selon une distance longitudinale correspondant au moins à la longueur entre les premier et deuxième bords transversaux (19, 20).

2. Étiquette selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la feuille dorsale (15) présente une extension (22) faisant saillie sur une courte distance longitudinale au-delà du premier bord transversal (19) dans une direction opposée au deuxième bord transversal (20).

3. Étiquette selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle un deuxième bord libre (32) de la couche stratifiée, opposé au bord libre (36) de la partie étendue (33) de la couche stratifiée, coïncide avec le bord (23) de l'extension de feuille dorsale (22).

4. Étiquette selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle la ligne d'affaiblissement transversale (35) comprend au moins une ligne de perforations s'étendant à partir d'un bord longitudinal de la partie étendue (33) de la couche stratifiée, vers son bord longitudinal opposé, et la ligne d'affaiblissement (35) est de préférence substantiellement rectiligne et perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale.

5. Étiquette selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans laquelle une partie élargie (60) de la couche stratifiée (30) adjacente au bord libre de stratifié (36) présente une largeur transversale supérieure à la largeur transversale de la feuille frontale de notice (18), ladite partie élargie (60) s'étendant dans la direction longitudinale sur une distance plus grande que la longueur de la feuille frontale de notice (18).

6. Étiquette selon la revendication 5, en conjonction avec la revendication 2, dans laquelle ladite distance est plus grande que la longueur de la feuille frontale de notice (18) et l'extension de feuille dorsale (22).

7. Étiquette selon la revendication 5 ou la revendication 6, dans laquelle ladite partie élargie (60) de la couche stratifiée (30) comprend des sections supérieure et inférieure (61, 62) sur des côtés transversaux opposés, les sections élargies (61, 62) s'étendant transversalement au-delà de lignes imaginaires alignées avec des bords supérieur et inférieur de la feuille frontale de notice (18).

8. Étiquette selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans laquelle la notice (17) comprend un certain nombre de feuilles (24), le deuxième bord transversal (20) de la feuille frontale (18) s'étendant légèrement au-delà des autres feuilles (24).

9. Étiquette selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans laquelle n'importe lequel ou la totalité parmi (i) le premier bord transversal (19), (ii) le bord libre (36) de la partie étendue (33) de la couche stratifiée, (iii) le deuxième bord libre (32) de la couche stratifiée, et (iv) le bord (23) de l'extension de feuille dorsale (22) est/sont substantiellement rectiligne(s) et perpendiculaire(s) à la direction longitudinale.

10. Étiquette selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans laquelle le deuxième bord transversal (20) de la feuille frontale de notice (18) présente une partie substantiellement rectiligne et perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale et présente une partie de languette saillante (41).

11. Étiquette selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, dans laquelle la partie de la couche stratifiée (30) située entre le deuxième bord transversal (20) de la feuille frontale de notice (18) et la ligne d'affaiblissement (35), pendant l'utilisation, constitue une languette apte à être décollée et refixée pour permettre l'accès à la notice.

12. Étiquette selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11, dans laquelle la notice (17) est fixée de manière adhésive à la feuille dorsale (15) ou est reliée de façon pliable à la feuille dorsale (15), de préférence à un endroit adjacent au premier bord transversal (19) de la feuille frontale.

13. Étiquette selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12, dans laquelle l'étiquette (10) est fixée de façon amovible à un ruban de support à l'aide de l'adhésif de feuille dorsale (16) et de la partie de l'adhésif de couche stratifiée (31) non fixée à la feuille frontale (18) et/ou à la feuille dorsale (15).

14. Récipient étiqueté comprenant un récipient (11) et une étiquette (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12, la feuille dorsale (15) étant appliquée sur une périphérie extérieure cylindrique du récipient (11) et l'extension de stratifié (33) continuant circonférentiellement autour du récipient (11), de manière à chevaucher la feuille frontale de stratifié de l'étiquette et à se coller à celle-ci, le bord libre (36) de la partie étendue (33) de la couche stratifiée étant disposée entre le deuxième bord transversal (20) de la feuille frontale de notice et la ligne d'affaiblissement (35) dans la partie étendue de la couche stratifiée.

15. Récipient étiqueté selon la revendication 14, dans lequel une partie (50) de la couche stratifiée (30) recouvrant la feuille frontale de notice (18) est imprimée avec des informations avant la fixation au récipient (11) et l'extension de couche stratifiée (33) recouvre la partie imprimée (50) après la fixation de l'étiquette (10) au récipient (11).

Drawing