Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Layer or component removable to expose adhesive
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-22
2001-09-25
Ahmad, Nasser (Department: 1772)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Layer or component removable to expose adhesive
C206S459100, C206S497000, C206S807000, C283S081000, C283S101000, C428S041500, C428S041600, C428S041700, C428S041900, C428S042100, C428S500000, C428S515000, C428S520000, C428S915000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06294236
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to multilayer labels and more specifically to tamper evident multilayer labels, articles using the labels, methods of preparing the labels and methods of packaging articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tamper evident labels are used to indicate when a label or a package containing the label has been altered. A problem for retailers and consumers is tampering with packaging of an article. Often the packaged materials are altered and repackaged. This is especially a problem in the area of packaging consumer products, such as compact disks and computer software, and pharmaceuticals. It is desirable to have a label which would show that the product within the packaging had not been opened and altered.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,638, issued to Matsuguchi et al, relates to materials that prevent resticking. The materials have an adhesive layer, a second layer, a peeling agent layer laminated on the second layer and a first layer laminated on the peeling agent layer. The second and first layers are adhered via the peeling agent layer. Once the first layer and the second layer are separated they cannot be restuck together. These materials have uses as labels, such as price tags.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,556, issued to Matsuguchi et al, relates to easily breakable sticking material. The material has a surface layer, an easily breakable layer laminated to the surface layer, a first peel-off layer formed on the surface of the easily breakable layer, a second peel-off layer formed on a part of the main surface of the easily breakable layer, a covering layer and an adhesive layer. The surface layer is peeled off of the easily breakable layer and cannot be re-adhered again. These materials have use in labels, such as price tags.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,842, issued to Green et al, relates to labels, such as those used for preventing or detecting tampering and counterfeiting. The label is a multilayer security label which has a base layer with a permanent adhesive coated on a lower surface. Indicia or markings are applied to the bottom surface of the top layer and the top layer is laminated to the upper surface of the base layer. The top layer is laminated to the upper surface of the base layer by permanent patterned adhesive. A portion of each of the upper surface of the base layer and the bottom surface of the top layer are free of adhesive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a multilayer tamper-evident label comprising: (A) a first and second layer of polymeric film, wherein each layer has an upper and lower surface and the lower surface of the first layer contacts the upper surface of the second layer at a separation interface, (B) a heat-sealable layer, having an upper and lower surface, wherein the lower surface of the heat-sealable layer is bonded to the upper surface of the first layer, and (C) an adhesive layer, having an upper and lower surface, wherein the upper surface of the adhesive layer is bonded to lower surface of the second layer.
In another aspect the invention relates to an article overwrapped in a packaging wrap material and having a tamper evident label inside the packaging wrap, wherein the tamper evident label comprises: (a) a first and second layer of polymeric film, wherein each layer has an upper and lower surface and the lower surface of the first layer contacts the upper surface of the second layer at a separation interface, (b) a heat-sealable layer, having an upper and lower surface, wherein the lower surface of the heat sealable layer is bonded to the upper surface of the first layer, and (c) an adhesive layer, having an upper and lower surface, wherein the upper surface of the adhesive layer is bonded to lower surface of the second layer and the lower surface of the adhesive layer of the label is bonded to the article and upper surface of the heat sealable layer of the label is bonded to the packaging wrap material.
In another embodiment, the invention relates a method of preparing a multilayer tamper evident label comprising the steps of (A) coextruding a film having a heat sealable layer, a first layer and a second layer each having an upper and lower surface, wherein the lower surface of the first layer contacts the upper surface of the second layer at a separation interface and the upper surface of the first layer is bonded to the lower surface of the heat sealable layer, and (B) forming an adhesive layer with an upper and lower surface, where upper surface of the adhesive layer is bonded to the lower surface of the second layer.
The multilayer tamper evident label provides information about the integrity of the packaging. The label and method afford evidence of tampering and/or repackaging of an article. The multilayer tamper evident layer reveals tampering by delaminating at the first and second layer upon application of an external force. The first layer remains adhered to the packaging through the heat sealable layer. The second layer remains bonded to the article through the adhesive layer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4721638 (1988-01-01), Matsuguchi et al.
patent: 4746556 (1988-05-01), Matsuguchi et al.
patent: 4837088 (1989-06-01), Freedman
patent: 4925714 (1990-05-01), Freedman
patent: 5042842 (1991-08-01), Green et al.
patent: 5876816 (1999-03-01), Freedman
Ahmad Nasser
Avery Dennison Corporation
Renner Otto Boisselle & Sklar
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