WO1991003806A1

WO1991003806A1 - Improvements in or relating to self-adhesive tear-off labels

Info

Publication number: WO1991003806A1
Application number: PCT/AU1990/000401
Authority: WO
Inventors: Allan Donald Thomas; Thomas Speirs Wishney
Original assignee: Allan Donald Thomas; Thomas Speirs Wishney
Priority date: 1989-09-07
Filing date: 1990-09-07
Publication date: 1991-03-21

Abstract

A self-adhesive label arrangement consists of a support sheet comprised of a backing layer (1) and an adhesive detachable layer (2) overlaid thereon. The detachable layer is divided into 'stick-on' labels (5) by a grid of horizontal (3) and vertical (4) 'tear lines'. Labels of varying sizes can be removed from the backing layer by tearing along appropriate tear lines. The tear lines may consist of lines of narrow slits.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SELF-ADHESIVE TEAR-OFF LABELS TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an improved self-adhesive, "tear-off" label system and more particularly to an improved arrangement of a perforation grid especially applicable to such a label system. BACKGROUND ART

U.S. Patent No. 3,482,780 discloses a continuous paper web comprising a long succession of forms having lines of 0 dry-sealing adhesive which are laterally offset so that, on the accordion-folding of the forms, the lines of adhesive on adjacent forms will not register with each other. The specification relating to Australian Patent Application No. AU 59658/86 (586002) discloses ticket means including a plurality 5 of multiple-leaf ticket assemblies supported along a continuous backing sheet which is provided with at least one apertured marginal drive portion.

However, the prior art perforation systems are generally available either as dispensable rolls or on accordion-folded computer paper. Various sized labels are produced but, in use, they are less than ideal because, firstly, the appropriate size label must be selected before writing, typing, or printing, is commenced; and, secondly, for computer use, the machine must be programmed to print out only 5 on those labels in the correct position and not in the gaps between labels. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above and other disadvantages by the provision _Q of a self-adhesive label arrangement which comprises a support sheet including a backing layer and a detachable layer; the detachable layer being provided with a conventional adhesive upon an underside thereof, and being further divided into detachable portions by means of horizontal and vertical "tear 5 lines": characterised in that the tear lines are constituted in a manner such that so-called "stick-on" labels are able to be detached from the backing layer in a plurality of desired and/or required geometries. Preferably, the tear lines separating the stick on label portions consist of a series of narrow slits.

Ideally, the intersection of each horizontal and vertical tear line will constitute a symmetrically-cut right-angled cross to thereby ensure the angular integrity of each corner of each detachable, stick on label portion. Advantageously, each narrow slit may well be substantially 3.0 mm long and may well be separated from each adjacent slit by an uncut "bridge" substantially 1.0 mm long. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that a better understanding of the present invention may be gained, hereinafter will be described at least one preferred embodiment thereof, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 shows a self-adhesive label arrangement in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates the manner in which various sized labels are able to be peeled from the backing layer; and

Figure 3 shows, to an enlarged scale, intersecting horizontal and vertical tear lines. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a self-adhesive label arrangement comprises a support sheet which includes a backing layer 1 and a detachable layer 2 having a conventional adhesive applied to its underside. Thus, detachable layer 2 can be removed from backing layer 1 by "peeling-off", just as in the case of existing self-adhesive labels of the "peel-off" kind. However, while, in the prior art "peel-off" self-adhesive lable systems, various sized labels are generally available, appropriately sized labels must be selected before indicia is applied to them - by, say, writing, typing or printing. Moreover, for computer usage, the machine must necessarily be programmed to print out only on those labels which are in the proper position; that is to say, not in the gaps between the labels.

Now, in contrast to these prior art self-adhesive, "peel-off" labels, detachable layer 2 is divided into potentially detachable, so-called "stick-on" label portions by means of horizontal "tear lines" 3 and vertical "tear lines" 4. As will be seen from the drawings, the horizontal and vertical tear lines 3, 4 are arranged in a way such that the so-called "stick-on" label portions are able to be detached from backing layer 1 in a plurality of desired and/or required geometries. For example, a desired label may be composed of, say, ten "units" 5 as indicated at 6 in Figure 2 or, there again, of say twenty eight units 5 as indicated at 7. In this way, an inventive support sheet is able to yield a good number of label portions of various desired dimensions.

The horizontal and vertical tear lines 3, 4 which separate the stick-on label portions consist of a series of narrow slits 8 - see Figure 3 in particular - each of which may well be, say, 3.0 mm long; each slit 8 may be separated from adjacent slits by uncut "bridges" 9, each perhaps 1.0 mm in length.

In order to ensure the angular integrity of each corner of each unit 5, the intersection 10 of each horizontal and vertical tear line is made to constitute a symmetrically-cut right-angled cross configuration as will be clearly seen in Figure 3. The provision of these symmetrically-cut ^' crosses at each intersection allows the detachable label portions to be removed easily and efficiently. Typically, the side dimension of each unit 5 will be between 10 and 25 mm although other sizes may be used in some applications; as an example, Figure 1 represents an A4 size sheet having units 5 each of 12.5 mm side.

The present invention thus overcomes the disadvantages of the prior detachable stick-on labels because one support sheet is used for any size of label (within the limitations of the grid size, of course) and writing, typing or printing can occur anywhere on the sheet. Once the application of such indicia is concluded the label or labels are detached by tearing away the appropriate number of units 5, horizontally and vertically, as is best to seen in Figure 2. The area of the label removed is chosen to suit the size of the written or printed material.

In this manner, the size of each label portion is selected after writing, typing or printing rather than as with conventional label systems in which label size must be selected before the application of the indicia. To facilitate the commencement of the peeling-off process, a continuous cut line 12 through the detachable layer may be provided around the perimeter; the detachable layer, to the outside of this border, may be either left intact or else removed during the production process. Advantageously, the support sheet may consist in an accordion-folded continuous web of computer paper having the usual marginal apertured drive portions, as indicated at 11 in Figure 1. Alternatively, the inventive sheet is equally suitable for photocopier paper. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

When detachable layer 2 has had the required information written, typed or printed upon it, the appropriately-sized label can be removed from backing layer 1. There are numerous industrial applications with the most obvious being address labels on letters.

Another application relates to the use of this system to reduce the amount of information stored on files. In many situations printed information is distributed of which any one individual may only be interested in a small portion. If the information is printed on the inventive sheet the individual can select the relevant information of interest and remove it for sticking onto a card or sheet for subsequent filing.

As an example, in the medical field, the number of available pathology tests is on the increase, so much so that patients' files soon become unwieldy. The reports sent to the doctors include the pathology laboratories letterhead, the tests performed, e.g. blood count, cholesterol etc, and the normal range of values for each test as well as the test results. Only the test results are of ultimate interest to the doctor with the remainder being repeated identically on each report. Using the inventive labelling arrangement as outlined above, the doctor can, if desired, remove only the column or row of test results and stick these onto a flow sheet or card for subsequent filing. By this method patient files are able to be much reduced in volume while presenting all the relevant data on a flow-sheet format which makes for easy reading and reduces the risk of mistakes. Using the present invention the number of pages in a given file may be reduced by perhaps a factor of ten or more, reducing similarly the required filing space. The detachable layer 2, or at least some of its units 5, may be colour coded so that matching colours are useable to consistently represent the same parameters.

Si ilarily the inventive labelling sheet could be incorporated in magazines, scientific journals etc allowing an individual to remove for filing any information of particular interest.

In a quite different application, the support sheet may take the form of a business card with the desired information printed on the detachable layer. This label portion can be peeled from the backing layer and stuck into a book or "Teledex" device. The information on the label portion will usually comprise a company name, a personal name, address, telephone number and fax number. Having removed the label portion the support may still function as a normal business card. To this end, the card can have two such information panels, one of which is removable. Alternatively, the information may be printed on the backing layer itself, beneath the overlying removable label portion. In this case, removal of the label portion will expose the same information printed on the card itself, that is to say, the backing layer.

It is also envisaged that the self-adhesive label arrangement may furthermore have application in the manufacture of self-adhesive stamps such as postage stamps, duty stamps and the like.

From the abovegoing, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as set out in the following claims.

Claims

1. A self-adhesive label arrangement comprising a support sheet which includes a backing layer and a detachable layer; said detachable layer being provided with a conventinal adhesive layer upon an underside thereof, and being further divided into detachable, so-called "stick-on" label portions by means of horizontal and vertical "tear lines" (as hereinbefore defined) : characterised in that the said tear lines are constituted in a manner such that the so-called stick-on label portions are able to be detached from the said backing layer in a plurality of desired and/or required geometries.

2. The label arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said tear lines separating said stick-on label portions consist of a series of narrow slits.

3. The label arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the intersection of each horizontal and vertical tear line constitutes a symmetrically-cut right-angled cross to thereby ensure angular integrity of each corner of each said detachable, stick-on label portion.

4. The label arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the said support sheet is in the form of a business card, said backing layer and said detachable layer both having appropriate indicia printed thereon.

5. The label arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein each narrow slit is substantially 3.0 mm long and is separated from adjacent slits by uncut "bridges" each substantially 1.0 mm in length.

6. The label arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein said support sheet consists in an accordion-folded continuous web of computer paper having marginal apertured drive portions.

7. A filing system incorporating the self adhesive label arrangement as claimed in any of the preceeding claims wherein said filing system includes card or flow sheets onto which selected information is affixed.

8. A filing system as in Claim 7 in which both the self-adhesive label and the card or flow sheet are colour coded.