IES990655A2

IES990655A2 - A method and apparatus for producing self-adhesive labels

Info

Publication number: IES990655A2
Application number: IE19990655A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Joseph Berry
Original assignee: Bpg Healthcare Systems Ltd
Priority date: 1998-07-31
Filing date: 1999-07-30
Publication date: 2000-04-05
Also published as: GB2363109A; GB2363109B; WO2000007168A1; AU5189899A; GB0104406D0

Abstract

A method for producing a succession of self-adhesive labels (2,40,50) on an elongate release carrier sheet (1) comprising laminating a document (8) between the label (2,40,50,54) and a self-adhesive cover sheet (9), and laminating a release means (16,41,51,53,55,56)onto the cover sheet (9) for facilitating subsequent peeling of a portion (15) of the cover sheet (9) from the label (20,40,50,54) or the container for providing access to the document (8).<Figure 9>

Description

“A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING SELF-ADHESIVE LABELS” A method for producing a succession of self-adhesive labels (2,40,50) on an elongate release carrier sheet (1) comprising laminating a document (8) between the label (2,40,50,54) and a self-adhesive cover sheet (9), and laminating a release means (16,41,51,53,55,56)onto the cover sheet (9) for facilitating subsequent peeling of a portion (15) of the cover sheet (9) from the label (20,40,50,54) or the container for providing access to the document (8).. ,s - V , $ί% «*β ·*$\ί\ FltSo «sWS»»*** ys* s' % & A method and apparatus for producing self-adhesive labels This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing self-adhesive labels, and in particular, for producing a succession of self-adhesive labels on an elongate carrier sheet. The invention also relates to such a label.

Self-adhesive labels are widely used on the outer circumferential surface of bottles and other containers. Typically, such labels are produced on an elongate carrier sheet formed from a release type material. The labels having one self-adhesive surface are affixed in succession by their respective selfadhesive surfaces to the carrier sheet.

A document, for example a leaflet made up of a plurality of pages, which may be in booklet form or in concertina form may be laminated between the label and a cover sheet also provided with one self-adhesive surface. The leaflet., in general, is laminated to the self-adhesive surface of the cover sheet and the cover sheet is then laminated to the label with the selfadhesive surface of the cover sheet adhering to the label. In this way, the leaflet is laminated between laminate comprising the carrier sheet is built up with the carrier sheet at the bottom, the label laminated to the carrier sheet and the leaflet then laminated between the label and the cover sheet which lies on top of the label. Labels are subsequently removed from the carrier sheet and secured to the bottle or container to which they are to be secured, the self-adhesive surface on the label being used for adhering the label to the bottle or other container. Removal of the labels from the carrier sheet is carried out manually, or mechanically in suitable production apparatus from which the labels are fed and bonded onto respective bottles or other containers.

The leaflets employed in general carry instructions for use and other information on the contents of the bottle or container. Accordingly, it is desirable that the portion of the cover sheet which carries the leaflet should be easily separable from the label for providing quick and easy access to the leaflet.

Various attempts have been made to facilitate easy separation of the cover sheet from the label. In one known arrangement, the leaflet is arranged so that the label and cover sheet project from and are bonded together to one side of the leaflet. A portion of the label and cover sheet which extend to one side of the IE 990655 label is relatively short and acts as a release portion for facilitating peeling of this portion of the cover sheet from the label for providing access to the leaflet. The self-adhesive coating on the label is such that the label is bonded to the container with a greater bond strength than that with which the release portion of the cover sheet is bonded to the label. Accordingly, peeling of the release portion of the cover sheet from the label without any danger of the label becoming detached from the container is facilitated.

In another arrangement, the leaflet is provided with an extended portion which extends from the leaflet to one corner of the label between the label and the cover sheet. Accordingly, the self-adhesive coating on the cover sheet is prevented from bonding to the label at one corner thereof. The extended portion therefore provides a peel tab from which peeling of the cover sheet from the label can commence.

However, a number of disadvantages exist with the known labels. For example, in many instances dedicated release means are absent to minimise production costs. Alternatively, where present, the release means may not function satisfactorily and may also result in increased production costs e.g. known release means IE 990655 made up of extended or shortened label/cover portions can require an additional die-cutting step during manufacture thereby increasing capital and production costs .

An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for producing self-adhesive labels which overcome the problems of the prior art.

A further object of the invention is to provide a carrier sheet having a plurality of self-adhesive labels thereon.

A still further embodiment of the invention is to provide an improved label which overcomes the problems of the prior art.

According to the invention there is provided a method 15 for producing a succession of self-adhesive labels on an elongate release carrier sheet comprising laminating a document between the label and a self-adhesive cover sheet, and laminating a release means onto the cover sheet for facilitating subsequent peeling of a portion of the cover sheet from the label or the container for providing access to the document.

Preferably, the release means is located adjacent an IE 990655 edge of the cover sheet, which edge extends transverse to the longitudinal axis of carrier sheet.

More preferably, the release means extends from the 5 transverse edge of the cover sheet towards the document.

Suitably, the release means extends between the transverse edge and the document.

In one embodiment of the invention, the release means comprises a release tab having a first bottom nonadhesive surface for preventing adhesion of the cover sheet at the release tab for in turn facilitating peeling of a portion of the cover sheet between the said transverse edge of the label and the document.

Advantageously, an edge of the release tab is coterminus with the transverse edge of the cover sheet. Alternatively, an edge of the release tab projects beyond the transverse edge of the cover sheet.

Suitably, the release tab comprises a second top non20 adhesive surface. Advantageously, the width of the release tab in a transverse direction relative to the carrier sheet is less than the transverse width of the label. Suitably, the width of the release tab is IE 990655 considerably less than the transverse width of the label. Preferably, the release tab is centrally located relative to the central longitudinal axis of the carrier sheet.

In one embodiment of the invention, the labels are laminated to the carrier sheet with a self-adhesive surface of the labels abutting the carrier sheet, the said self-adhesive surface of the labels being securable to a container.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of placing the document and the release means on the label after the label has been attached to the carrier sheet.

In one embodiment of the invention, the release means 15 is placed on the label before the document is placed on the label.

Alternatively, the release means is placed on the label after the document has been placed on the label.

Advantageously, the release means further comprises a release label between the release tab and the cover sheet. Preferably, the release label is laminated to the portion of the cover sheet. Preferably, the release IE 990655 label comprises a lower surface self-adhesive coating for adhering to the container or the label.

Preferably, the release means is placed on the carrier sheet before the document has been placed on the label.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the release means comprises a self-adhesive strip having a first self-adhesive surface for adhering to the label or the container, and a second non-adhesive surface for adhering to the self-adhesive surface of the cover sheet.

Advantageously, the bond strength of the adhesive of the self-adhesive surface of the self-adhesive strip with the label or the container is less than the bond 15 strength of the adhesive of the self-adhesive surface of the cover sheet between the cover sheet and the self-adhesive strip, for facilitating peeling of the self-adhesive strip from the label or the container.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the label may 20 be provided with a pair of release means, one of the release means being provided by the self-adhesive strip, and the other release means being provided by a release tab whereby the release tab is adhered to the first self-adhesive surface of the self-adhesive strip, IE 990655 for facilitating peeling of the self-adhesive strip from the label or the container.

In another embodiment of the invention, the label is cut intermediate its ends transversely with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the carrier sheet for forming a receiving portion for receiving a portion for the cover sheet adjacent the edge of the cover sheet.

Preferably, an upper surface of the receiving portion comprises a release coating so that the bond strength between the receiving portion and the container is greater than the bond strength between the receiving portion and the portion of the cover sheet.

Additionally, the invention provides apparatus for producing a succession of self-adhesive labels on an elongate release carrier sheet, the apparatus comprising a means for feeding the carrier sheet with the labels laminated thereto sequentially through a series of stations, one of the stations being a document feeding station for sequentially feeding respective documents onto the respective labels, another of the stations comprising a static electricitygenerating means for holding the documents in place with static electricity, another of the stations being a release means feeding station for sequentially IE 990655 feeding respective release means onto the respective labels or the carrier sheet, and another of the stations being a cover sheet dispensing station for dispensing and laminating a cover sheet to the labels with the documents of the respective labels laminated between the labels and the cover sheet and the release means laminated to the cover sheet so that the release means provides for peeling of a portion of the cover sheet from the label or the container adjacent to the document for providing access to the document.

In one embodiment of the invention, the release means feeding station feeds the release means onto the labels or the carrier sheet before the document feeding station feeds the documents onto the labels.

Alternatively, the release means feeding station feeds the release means onto the label or the carrier sheet after the document feeding station feeds the documents onto the labels.

Preferably, the cover sheet feeding station feeds the cover sheet onto the labels and the carrier sheet after the release means and the documents have been fed onto the label.

In a further embodiment of the invention a cutting means is provided for cutting the labels to size on the IE 990655 carrier sheet without cutting the carrier sheet.

Additionally, the invention provides an elongate release carrier sheet comprising a plurality of selfadhesive labels arranged in succession thereon, respective documents being laminated to the labels between the labels and a self-adhesive cover sheet, a release means being laminated to the cover sheet and located relative to the corresponding document for facilitating peeling of a portion of the cover sheet from the label or the container for providing access to the document.

In one embodiment of the invention, the release means is located adjacent an edge of the corresponding cover sheet and extends transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the carrier sheet, and preferably, the release means extends from the transverse edge towards the document, and more preferably, extends between the transverse edge and the document.

In one embodiment of the invention each release means comprises a release tab having a first bottom nonadhesive surface for abutting the label or the container for preventing bonding of the cover sheet with the label or the container adjacent the release tab, and advantageously, the release tab comprises a IE 990655 second non-adhesive top surface.

Preferably, each release tab is of a width in a transverse direction relative to the central longitudinal axis of the carrier sheet less than the 5 transverse width of the corresponding label, and preferably, the width of each release tab is considerably less than the width of the corresponding label.

In one embodiment of the invention the release tabs are centrally located on the label relative to the central longitudinal axis of the carrier sheet.

Alternatively, each release means comprises a selfadhesive strip having a first self-adhesive surface for adhering to the label or to the container, and a second surface for adhering to the self-adhesive surface of the cover sheet, the bond strength of the adhesive of the first self-adhesive surface with the label or the container being less than the bond strength of the adhesive of the self-adhesive surface of the cover sheet with the self-adhesive strip.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the label may be provided with a pair of release means, one of the release means being provided by the self-adhesive IE 990655 strip, and the other release means being provided, by a release tab whereby the release tab is adhered to the first self-adhesive surface of the self-adhesive strip, for facilitating peeling of the self-adhesive strip from the label or the container.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the release means further comprises a release label between the release tab and the cover sheet. Preferably, the release label is laminated to the portion of the cover sheet. More preferably, the release label comprises a lower surface self-adhesive coating for adhering to the label or the container.

The invention provides a method and apparatus for producing adhesive labels in which labels comprising a document such as a booklet are easily openable to provide access to the booklet. Release means having a non-adhesive face are provided on the label which, facilitate access to the booklet without damage to the booklet or without requiring tearing of the label. In addition, the use of a release means which is laminated to a self-adhesive cover sheet on the label facilitates secure adhesion of the cover sheet to a container or a portion of the label to effectively close the booklet but at the same time relatively easy access to the booklet by preventing adhesion of a portion of the IE 990655 cover sheet in the region of the release means to allow access to the booklet.

Lamination of the release means to the cover sheet also minimises die-cutting of the cover sheet and/or booklet 5 to provide access to the booklet thereby reducing manufacturing costs. The release means of the method and apparatus of the invention can simply be fed to the label during manufacture and laminated into position.

The release means of the invention can additionally be 10 made up of a double layer formed from intermediate second label layer laminated to the cover sheet of the label at a transverse edge between the non-adhesive release means and the cover sheet. The second layer can be formed from the same material as the cover sheet or alternatively a different material. The second layer is provided with adhesive on a lower face thereof to facilitate adhesion to the container or the label.

The self-adhesive coating of the cover sheet can be the same or different to the self-adhesive coating on the under surface of the label sheet so that adhesives having differing bond strengths to the different surfaces can be employed. For example, the selfadhesive coating of the cover sheet could be selected to weakly adhere to a (container) surface while the IE 990655 self-adhesive coating on the under surface of the label sheet could be selected to strongly adhere to the same (container) surface. The double layer formed by the release label and the cover sheet also reinforces the release means to strengthen the release means and to prevent bending or warping of the label prior to use, during manufacture or in use on a container.

The method of producing the label of the invention is also efficient and optimises label throughput during manufacture.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof which are given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an underneath plan view of a selfadhesive label on a carrier sheet according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of the self-adhesive label of Fig. 1 along the line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic side elevation of apparatus according to the invention for producing a IE 990655 succession of the self-adhesive labels on the carrier sheet of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a schematic side elevation of apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention for producing a succession of the self-adhesive labels of Fig. 1 on a carrier sheet; Fig. 5 is an underneath plan view of a second embodiment of a self-adhesive label on a carrier sheet; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section along the line VI-VI of the label of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an underneath plan view of a third embodiment of a self-adhesive label on a carrier sheet; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross-section along the line VIII-VIII of the label of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of a self-adhesive label in accordance with the invention with the component layers of the 20 laminate shown in broken lines; IE 990655 Fig. 10 is a longitudinal cross-section of the self-adhesive label along the line X-X of Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 is a schematic side elevation of apparatus 5 according to the invention for producing a succession of the self-adhesive labels of Fig. 9.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a carrier sheet according to the invention illustrated in broken lines and indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for carrying a succession of labels 2 also according to the invention which are provided on the carrier sheet 1 to be subsequently sequentially removed for applying to a bottle, container or the like. Only one label 2 is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. However, the carrier sheet 1 is illustrated schematically in Fig. 3 carrying a plurality of labels 2 as it is being produced by apparatus also according to the invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, and is described below. The labels 2 are typically wrapped around the outer circumferential surface of the bottle or container. Before describing the apparatus 20 for producing the labels 2 on the carrier sheet 1, the label 2 will first be described.

IE 990655 The carrier sheet 1 is an elongate carrier sheet of suitable release material which facilitates easy removal of the labels 2 by peeling from the carrier sheet 1. Each label 2 is made up of a label sheet 3 having a self-adhesive coating 4 on an under surface 5 for bonding the label sheet 3 to the carrier sheet 1 and subsequently to the container. A document, in this embodiment of the invention, a booklet 8 is laminated between the label sheet 3 and a cover sheet 9, which is also provided with a self-adhesive coating 10 on an under surface 11 thereof. The booklet 8 is bonded to the cover sheet 9 by the self-adhesive coating 10, which also bonds the cover sheet 9 to the label sheet 3. The label sheet 3 is cut at 12 and a portion 14 of the label sheet 3 which is separated from the label sheet 3 is also laminated to the carrier sheet 1. A portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 is laminated to the portion 14 by the self-adhesive coating 10 of the cover sheet 9. A release coating (not shown) is applied to an upper surface 13 of the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 for facilitating peeling of the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 from the portion 14.

A release means for facilitating release of the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 which is bonded to the portion of the label sheet 3 in this embodiment of the invention comprises a release tab 16. The release tab IE 990655 is centrally located relative to a central longitudinal axis 18 of the carrier sheet 2 and is provided with non-adhesive surfaces. One of the nonadhesive surfaces of the release tab 16 is bonded to the cover sheet 9 by the self-adhesive coating 10. The release tab 16 therefore prevents the cover sheet 9 from bonding to the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 adjacent to the release tab 16. The release tab 16 terminates at a transverse edge 17 of the cover sheet 9 and the portion 14 of the label sheet 3, and extends inwards towards the booklet 8. Accordingly, to release the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 from the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 for providing access to the booklet 8, the edge 17 of the cover sheet 9 adjacent the release tab 16 is gripped and the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 is then pulled in the direction of the arrow A for releasing the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 from the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 so that the booklet 8 is then readily accessible.

The bond strength of the self-adhesive coating 4 on the label sheet 3 is significantly greater than the bond strength between the self-adhesive coating 10 of the cover sheet 9 and the release coating (not shown) on the upper surface 13 of the portion 14, so that when the label 2 is bonded to a container (not shown) the bond strength between the label sheet 3 and the IE 990655 container caused by the self-adhesive coating 4 is significantly greater than the bond strength between the portions 14 and 15 of the label sheet 3 and the cover sheet 9 respectively, caused by the self-adhesive coating 10. Accordingly, it is ensured that the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 can be peeled from the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 to view the booklet 8 without disturbing the seal between the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 and the container.

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of apparatus 20 according to the invention for producing the carrier sheet 1 with the succession of labels 2 . The apparatus 20 comprises a support (not shown) at its upstream end for supporting a reel 22 of the carrier sheet 1. The carrier sheet 1 is provided in a reel with the label sheets 3 bonded thereto by their respective selfadhesive coatings 4. The label sheets 3 having being affixed to the carrier sheet 1 are cut transversely to separate the respective labels 2 from each other, and also are cut at 12 for separating the portions 14 from the label sheets 3. A take-up roller (not shown) is provided at the downstream end of the apparatus 20 for taking up the carrier sheet 1 with the labels 2 affixed thereto, and for drawing the carrier sheet 1 through the apparatus 20.

IE 990655 The carrier sheet 1 with the label sheets 3 affixed thereto is drawn through a static generator 21 for statically conditioning the label sheets 3 for holding the booklet 8 and release tabs 16 in position on the label sheets 3 until the booklets 8 and release tabs 16 are laminated between the label sheets 3 and the cover sheet 9. A release tab feeding station 23 feeds the release tabs 16 onto the label sheets 3 so that the tabs 16 are placed centrally over the portions 14 of the label sheet 3. The release tabs 16 are carried on a tab carrier web 25 and are separated from the tab carrier 25 just before they are placed on the portion of the label sheet 3.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the release tabs 16 are placed on the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 before the carrier sheet 1 with the label sheets 3 affixed thereto is drawn through the static generator 21.

A booklet dispensing station 26 dispenses the booklets 8 onto the label sheets 3 so that one edge of the booklet 8 coincides with an edge of the label sheet 3 formed by the cut 12 adjacent the portion 14. The static induced in the label sheets 3 holds the release tabs 16 and the booklets 8 in position on the label sheets 3. The carrier sheet 1 with the booklets 8 and IE 990655 the release tab 16 assembled on the label sheets 3 is then fed to a cover sheet feeding station 28 which feeds the cover sheet 9 onto the assembly so that the label sheets 3, the booklets 8 and the release tabs 16 are laminated between the carrier sheet 1 and the cover sheet 9.

A cutting station 29 cuts the cover sheet 9, the release tabs 16, the booklets 8 and the label sheets 3 of each label 2 to size. The cutting station 29 is set 10 to cut downwardly through the cover sheet 9 and through the label sheets 3 without cutting the carrier sheet 1.

The carrier sheet 1 with the labels 2 separated from each other and secured by the self-adhesive coating 4 on the carrier sheet 1 is then wound onto the take-up roller (not shown) and is ready for use.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention described in Figs. 1 to 3, the portion 14 of the label 2 can be omitted i.e. the label 2 can be dimensioned to terminate at the cut 12 so that, in use, the cover sheet 9 can adhere directly to the surface of a container (not shown).

Alternatively, as shall be explained more fully below with reference to Figs. 9 to 11, the release coating on the portion 14 can be a separate component to the label IE 990655 sheet 3 and the release coating on the upper surface 13 of the portion 14 can be omitted to facilitate adhesion to the self-adhesive coating 10 of the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 so that a double layered label portion 15 results. The release tab 16 is therefore laminated to the double layer portion 15 of the cover sheet 9.

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an apparatus 30 in accordance with the invention for producing a carrier sheet 1 with a succession of self-adhesive labels 2 affixed thereto.

The apparatus 30 is substantially similar to the apparatus 20 and accordingly like numerals indicate like parts. The main difference between the apparatus 30 and the apparatus 20 is that the booklet dispensing station 26 is located upstream of the tab feeding station 23, which in this embodiment of the invention feeds the release tabs 16 directly onto the selfadhesive coating 10 of the cover sheet 9 prior to the cover sheet 9 being passed through the cover sheet feeding sheet 28. Otherwise, the apparatus 30 is similar to the apparatus 20.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of a selfadhesive label 40 on a carrier sheet 1 in accordance with the invention. The label 40 is one of a IE 990655 succession of labels 40 affixed to the carrier sheet 1 and is similar to the label 2. Accordingly, like numerals indicate like parts. In the present embodiment of the invention the release means comprises a self-adhesive strip 41 which is bonded to the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 by the self-adhesive coating 10. The self-adhesive strip 41 comprises a selfadhesive coating 43 which bonds the self-adhesive strip 41 to the portion 14 of the label sheet 3.

Additionally, the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 is shaped at 44 to provide finger access for gripping the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 for separating the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 from the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 by disengaging the self-adhesive strip 41 from the portion 14. The bond strength of the self-adhesive coating 43 is less than the bond strength of the self-adhesive coating 10 so that the selfadhesive strip 41 remains secured to the cover sheet 9 as the self-adhesive strip 41 is being detached from the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 (or from the container where the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 is omitted).

The label 40 can be produced in a similar manner to that already described with reference to the label 2 on either the apparatus 20 or the apparatus 30, with the exception that instead of the tab feeding station 23 IE 990655 feeding release tabs 16 the tab feeding station 23 would be adapted to feed the self-adhesive strips 41.

Figs. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of a carrier sheet 1 having a label 50 also according to the invention affixed thereto. The label 50 is one of a succession of labels affixed to the carrier sheet 1, and is substantially similar to the label 2, and accordingly, like numerals indicate like parts. The main difference between the label 50 and the label 2 is that the label 50 is provided with a pair of release means, and the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 is omitted. One of the release means is provided by a self-adhesive strip 51 which is similar to the selfadhesive strip 41 of the label 40, and is bonded to the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 by the adhesive 10 of the cover sheet 9. A self-adhesive coating 52 which is similar to the self-adhesive coating 43 of the selfadhesive strip 41 is provided for securing the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 directly onto the container.

While the label 50 is on the carrier sheet 1 the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 is secured to the carrier sheet by the self-adhesive coating 52 of the self-adhesive strip 51. The second release means is provided by a release tab 53 which is similar to the release tab 16 and which is secured centrally on the self-adhesive strip 51 relative to the transverse IE 990655 direction of the carrier sheet 1. The release tab 53 is secured to the self-adhesive coating 52 of the selfadhesive strip 51. Accordingly, when the label 50 is secured to a container, the release tab 53 facilitates release of the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 and subsequent peeling of the portion 15 from the container.

It will be appreciated that the release tab 16 and the release tab 53 may extend slightly beyond the transverse edge 17 of the cover sheet 9 for facilitating gripping of the release tab and the portion 15.

It will also be appreciated that the release tab 16 and the release tab 53 may be located anywhere on the portion 15 of the cover sheet, whether centrally located or otherwise. It will also be appreciated that the release tabs 16 and 53 may be cut from a continuous sheet.

Figs. 9 to 11 show a fourth embodiment of a label of the invention indicated by the reference numeral 54 together with an apparatus 59 for producing the label 54. The label 54 is one of a succession of labels 54 affixed to a carrier sheet 1 and is similar to the labels 2,40,50 hereinbefore described. Accordingly, IE 990655 like numerals indicate like parts. However, as indicated above, in the present embodiment, the portion 14 of the label sheet 3 is replaced by a separate release label 56 located adjacent to but separated from the label sheet 3 by a gap 61 similar in function to the cut 12 hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 2 and 6. The release label 56 is provided with a lower self-adhesive coating 58 on its lower surface.

The upper surface of the release label 56 is adhered to the self-adhesive coating 10 of the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 while the lower self-adhesive coating 58 adheres to a release tab 55 similar to the release tab of Fig. 1. The release tab 55 has a butterfly shape when viewed in plan from above and is centrally located along the central longitudinal axis of the carrier sheet 1. The release tab 55 is provided with nonadhesive upper and lower surfaces one of which is bonded to the lower self-adhesive coating 58 of the release label 56 and the second of which prevents adhesion of the release tab 55 to the carrier sheet 1.

The release tab 55 terminates at a transverse edge 17 of the cover sheet 9 and extends between the transverse edge 17 of the cover sheet 9 and the gap 61 towards the booklet 8. Accordingly, the release label 56 in combination with the portion 15 of the cover sheet 9 defines a double layer to provide a reinforced or stiffened release means while the release tab 55 IE 990655 facilitates release of the release label 56 from a container. Access to the booklet 8 is provided by the release tab 55 by gripping the edge 17 of the cover sheet 9 - release label 56 double-layer 55 adjacent the release tab 55 and pulling the release label 56 (and accordingly the cover sheet 9) in the direction of the arrow A so that the booklet 8 is readily accessible.

The release label 56 can be formed from a material similar to that of the cover sheet 9 e.g. a transparent material or, if desired, a material different to that of the cover sheet 9 such as an opaque paper or plastics type material.

Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of the apparatus 59 for producing a carrier sheet 1 with a succession of the labels 54 of Figs. 9 and 10. The apparatus 59 is broadly similar to the apparatus 20 and 30 of Figs. 3 and 4 respectively. Accordingly, like numerals indicate like parts. In the present embodiment, the carrier sheet 1 is provided with the label sheets 3 on a reel 22 as previously described. The carrier sheet 1 with the label sheets 3 is fed from the reel 22 to a release tab 55 and release label 56 feeding station 60. The release tab and release label feeding station 60 feeds the release tab 55 and the release label 56 adhered to the lower self-adhesive coating 58 of the IE 990655 release label 56 to the carrier sheet 1 spaced apart from the label sheet 3 by the gap 61. The carrier sheet 1 is then fed through the static generator 21 as previously described following which the booklets 8 are deposited on the carrier sheet 1. The cover sheet 9 is then placed over the carrier sheet 1 by the cover sheet feeding station 28.

The components of the label 54 prior to cutting by the cutting station 29 are shown in broken lines in Fig. 9. The cutting station 29 cuts the cover sheet 9, the release tab 55, the release label 56, the label sheet 3 and the booklet 8 to size. In the cut label 54, the outside edge of the release tab 55 is co-terminus with the edge 17 of the cover sheet 9 while the outside edge of the release label 56 is also co-terminus with the edge 17 of the cover sheet 9.

In the method and apparatus hereinbefore described for producing labels in accordance with the present invention, off-line methods and apparatus have been described whereby the labels 2,30,40,54 are preprinted. However, the present invention also envisages methods and apparatus whereby on-line methods and apparatus may be employed in which the label sheet and/or other components of the label 2,30,40,54 are printed on-line during assembly or production of the IE 990655

Claims

1. A method for producing a succession of selfadhesive labels (2,40,50) on an elongate release carrier sheet (1) comprising laminating a document (8) between the label (2,40,50,54) and a self-adhesive cover sheet (9), and laminating a release means (16,41,51,53,55,56) onto the cover sheet (9) for facilitating subsequent peeling of a portion (15) of the cover sheet (9) from the label (20,40,50,54) or the container for providing access to the document (8) .

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the release means (16,41,51,53,55,56) comprises a release tab (16,55) having a first bottom non-adhesive surface for preventing adhesion of the cover sheet (9) at the release tab (16,55) for in turn facilitating peeling of a portion (15) of the cover sheet (9) between the said transverse edge (17) of the label (2) and the document (8).

3. Apparatus (20,30,59) for producing a succession of self-adhesive labels (2,40,50,54) on an elongate release carrier sheet (1), the apparatus (20,30,59) comprising a means for feeding the carrier sheet (1) with the labels (2,40,50,54) laminated thereto sequentially through a series of stations, one of the stations being a document feeding station (26) for IE 990655 sequentially feeding respective documents (8) onto the respective labels (2,40,50,54), another of the stations comprising a static electricity generating means (21) for holding the documents (8) in place with static electricity, another of the stations being a release means feeding station (23) for sequentially feeding respective release means (16,41,51,53,55,56) onto the respective label (2,40,50,54), and another of the stations being a cover sheet dispensing station (28) for dispensing and laminating a cover sheet (9) to the labels (2,40,50,54) with the documents (8) of the respective labels (2,40,50,54) laminated between the labels (2,40,50,54) and the cover sheet (9) and the release means (16,41,51,53) laminated to the cover sheet (9) so that the release means (16,41,51,53,54) provides for peeling of a portion (15) of the cover sheet (9) from the label (2,40,50,54) or the container adjacent to the document (8) for providing access to the document (8).

4. An elongate release carrier sheet (1) comprising a plurality of self-adhesive labels (2,40,50,54) arranged in succession thereon, respective documents (8) being laminated to the labels (2,40,50) between the labels (2,40,50,54) and a self-adhesive cover sheet (9) , a release means (16,41,51,53,55,56) being laminated to the cover sheet (9) and located relative IE 990655 to the corresponding document (8) for facilitating peeling of a portion (15) of the cover sheet (9) from the label (2,40,50,54) or the container for providing access to the document (8) .

5. 5. A method for producing a succession of selfadhesion labels (2,40,50) on an elongate release carrier sheet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.