Reactive labels and methods of making and using the same

• US 20070148393A1
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lux Global Label Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Lux Global Label Company, LLC
• Inventors: Sellars, Neil
• Application Number:
  US11/455,926
• Publication Number:
  US 20070148393A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/40.100
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/412 Transparent
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/75 Printability
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2519/00 Labels, badges
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 33/00 Layered products characterised by particular properties or particular surface features, e.g. particular surface coatings; Layered products designed for particular purposes not covered by another single class
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/145 Printing
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0288 Labels or tickets consisting of more than one part, e.g. with address of sender or other reference on separate section to main label; Multi-copy labels
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0289 Pull- or fold-out labels
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/10 by an adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/14 Layer or component removable to expose adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/15 Sheet, web, or layer weakened to permit separation through thickness
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]

Abstract

The label, system, and method include a first label portion having a pre-print, a first adhesive means for affixing the first label portion substantially about the circumference of the object, and a composition coating at least one of a portion of the first label and a portion of the second label portion, wherein the composition is reactive to activation by targeted laser light, and wherein activation of the composition provides a secondary printing in addition to at least one of the pre-print and the second pre-print.

Claims

1. A unitary label suitable for attachment to an object having a circumference, said label comprising:

a first label portion having a pre-print;

a first adhesive means for affixing said first label portion substantially about said circumference of said object;

wherein said first label portion and a second label portion having a second pre-print have a combined length which is at least approximately equal to said circumference of said object; and

a composition coating at least one of a portion of said first label and a portion of said second label portion, wherein said composition is reactive to activation by targeted laser light, and wherein activation of said composition provides a secondary printing in addition to at least one of the pre-print and the second pre-print.

2. The label of claim 1, wherein said laser light activates printing of indicia within said composition.

3. The label of claim 2, wherein said printed indicia in said composition is a bar code.

4. The label of claim 2, wherein said printed indicia in said composition is an expiration date.

5. The label of claim 2, wherein said printed indicia in said composition is a tracking number.

6. The label of claim 2, wherein said printed indicia in said composition is a graphic.

7. The label of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises a varnish.

8. The label of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises a laser-reactive protective coating.

9. The label of claim 8, wherein said laser reactive protective coating comprises at least a solvent, a binder and an oxyanion of a multivalent metal.

10. The label of claim 9, wherein said laser light comprises a CO2 laser operating at a wavelength of approximately 10,600 nm.

11. The label of claim 9, wherein said oxyanion comprises one of a molybdat, tungstate and an analogous transition metal compound.

12. The label of claim 9, wherein said solvent comprises one of water, ethanol, ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, and hydrocarbons.

13. The label of claim 9, wherein said binder comprises one of an acrylic, cellulose and a polyester.