Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or... – Adhesive outermost layer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-15
2001-08-14
Hess, Bruce H. (Department: 1774)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or...
Adhesive outermost layer
C428S914000, C156S227000, C156S292000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06274236
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to labels and, more particularly, to pressure sensitive labels of the kinds which may adhesively be secured to substrates, such as bottles or other containers, and which provide an integral brochure. In another of its aspects, this invention relates to a method of making such labels. In general, this invention relates to an improved label integrated with a printed brochure and a method of making such a label and an assembly of such labels carried on a flexible liner.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Labels which incorporate brochures or booklets have heretofore been proposed. Such labels, sometimes called “brochure labels,” are useful for applications in which (1) it is expedient or necessary to provide with a packaged product detailed directions for usage; (2) regulatory requirements, as in the case of pharmaceuticals, make it necessary to provide with the product a great deal of explanatory information; and (3) it is desired to provide promotional or game materials with the product. Other applications will occur to those skilled in the art.
It is particularly desirable, from both practical and aesthetic points of view, that a brochure label be made “resealable,” that is, so constructed and arranged that opening or use of the brochure associated with the label does not render impossible resealing of the brochure. A resealable brochure label may be restored to its initial appearance and condition after having been opened. It is also highly desirable that a brochure label be capable of neatly wrapping around the sharp or small radius corners of a square container. In such an application, the brochure must often be made to wrap around three or four corners, each of which provides a stress point for the brochure and an opportunity for highly undesirable local bunching or buckling. The present invention provides for a smooth and highly pleasing wrap.
Another desirable attribute in a brochure label is ease of opening and resealability. The present invention provides a simple and effective tab to facilitate opening, as well as capability of repeated resealing.
In some applications, it is necessary or desirable that the graphics and other aesthetic aspects of the brochure be integrated with those of the products labeled, so as to provide a uniform appearance and appeal. In prior art constructions, the label design has often been different from the brochure, imparting to the entire product the appearance of an “afterthought” rather than a well-integrated whole. In accordance with the present invention, the printing of the brochure component of a brochure label can be coordinated with that of the base label, using matched or coordinated materials or printing techniques, so that the base label and brochure provide the appearance of a unitary piece.
Finally, in some instances it is desirable that one or more leaves or pages of the brochure be made removable, or that provision be made for removability of the entire brochure at the user's option. As is explained below, suitable structural features may be provided within the purview of the present invention to achieve these desirable ends.
Labels in accordance with the present invention may be delivered to users in roll form and applied to packages in the same manner, using the same equipment, and at satisfactory production speeds (generally in excess of 200 bottles per minute) as standard pressure sensitive labels.
Accordingly, and in general, the present invention provides an adhesive label assembly which includes an integral brochure. The assembly comprises a pressure sensitive base label, adhesively and releasably supported by a flexible liner. A brochure is associated with the base label and is made up of a folded sheet providing panels, or pages, of the brochure. The brochure is positioned to overlie at least a portion of the base label, and the top panel of the brochure is made to project laterally beyond a lateral edge of the base label. The projecting portion of the top panel may provide a tab to facilitate opening of the brochure. A self-adhesive transparent overlayer is provided over the upper surface of the base label and also the top panel of the brochure. The overlayer is made to extend beyond an edge of the top panel, to facilitate sealing and resealing by adhesion of the overlayer to the container or other substrate to which the base label is applied or to a remote end portion of the base label. Alternatively, sealing and resealing of the overlayer may be accomplished by adhering the extended portion of the overlayer to a portion of the base label which extends beyond a bottom panel of the brochure. Regardless of the specific embodiment of the invention, the top panel may also provide a tab, which, in association with the projecting portion of the overlayer, provides both a means for sealing the brochure and a means for easily gripping the brochure to facilitate opening.
Optionally, perforations may be provided on one or more panels of the brochure, to facilitate ready removal of the page provided by that panel. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the removed page may be or include a coupon, a premium, or a pre-printed request for additional information.
Optionally and alternatively, a line of perforations may be provided in the base label and overlayer, so that the consumer may remove the booklet without destroying the copy contained on the base label beneath it.
In still another of its aspects, the invention provides a method of making an adhesive label assembly of the kind having an integral brochure. The method comprises steps of: providing a pressure sensitive base label web comprising a base label sheet and a flexible liner releasably secured to the base label sheet; die cutting through the base label sheet but not the liner to form a blank for at least one and preferably two or more base labels; and stripping from the liner the material of the base label sheet other than the blank. Next, a brochure blank assembly, printed to provide multiple brochures, is mated to the base label web and so positioned that a top panel of the assembly projects laterally beyond what will be the lateral edge of the base label. Alternatively, at least a portion of the base label also extends beyond a bottom panel of the brochure. Next, there is applied over the liner, brochure blank assembly and base label an overlayer of self-adhesive material, the self-adhesive material serving to secure the brochure blank assembly to the base label blank and also adhering to the liner adjacent to the tab portion. Alternatively, where the base label extends beyond the bottom panel of the brochure, the overlayer self-adhesive material serves to secure the brochure blank assembly to the base label and also adhere to the extended portion of the base label.
Optionally, brochure blank assembly may be affixed to the base label by a suitable adhesive or by other affixation means. Die cutting through the overlayer and stripping of the waste yields the desired label assembly, with the individual labels releasably secured to the flexible liner.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 34366 (1993-09-01), Instance
patent: 4323608 (1982-04-01), Denny et al.
patent: 4504348 (1985-03-01), Instance
patent: 4534582 (1985-08-01), Howard
patent: 4560432 (1985-12-01), Instance
patent: 4592572 (1986-06-01), Instance
patent: 4637633 (1987-01-01), Instance
patent: 4675062 (1987-06-01), Instance
patent: 4680080 (1987-07-01), Instance
patent: 4711686 (1987-12-01), Instance
patent: 4744591 (1988-05-01), Instance
patent: 4847130 (1989-07-01), Cooper
patent: 4849043 (1989-07-01), Instance
patent: 4850613 (1989-07-01), Instance
patent: 4888078 (1989-12-01), Instance
patent: 4894106 (1990-01-01), Instance
patent: 4930812 (1990-06-01), Howard
patent: 4933043 (1990-06-01), Instance
patent: 5031938 (1991-07-01), Instance
patent: 5174605 (1992-12-01), Instance
patent: 5222766 (1993-06-01), Instance
patent: 5262214 (1993-11-01), Instance
patent: 5399403 (1995-03-01), Instance
Sellars Neil G.
Shacklett Dean R.
Hess Bruce H.
National Label Company
Reed Smith LLP
Shewareged B.
LandOfFree
Labels and method of making same does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Labels and method of making same, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Labels and method of making same will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2491655