Switch-proof label

• US 4,082,873 A
• Filed: 11/02/1976
• Issued: 04/04/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Inventors: Williams, Frederick P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cannon, J.C.
• Application Number:
  US05/737,950
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 40/2 R, 40/2.2, 283/8 R, 283/8 B, 283/9 R, 428/40, 428/202, 428/204, 428/203, 428/354, 427/207, 427/258
• US Class Current: 428/42.1
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0292 tamper indicating labels
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/10 by an adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/915 Fraud or tamper detecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/916 Fraud or tamper detecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1486 Ornamental, decorative, pattern, or indicia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2486 with outer strippable or release layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24868 Translucent outer layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24876 Intermediate layer contains particulate material [e.g., pigment, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2848 Three or more layers

Abstract

This invention relates to switch-proof labels useful for marking objects in a manner such that if one were to attempt to transfer the label to another object the label would be destroyed or defaced to such an extent that its transference would be noticeable. The label comprises laminate comprising a transparent or translucent outer sheet having an information containing pattern printed on its inner surface, said printed inner surface having a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive film coated thereon. The printed pattern has a lesser affinity for the outer sheet than the printed pattern has for the adhesive. The affinity of the adhesive for the surface to which the laminated label is adhered and to the printed pattern is greater than the affinity of the printed pattern for the outer sheet. In a preferred embodiment the free side of the adhesive film of the label is covered by a release sheet. Once applied to a substrate, if removal of the label is attempted, the label delaminates in a manner such that the outer sheet separates leaving at least a portion of the adhesive layer, having at least a portion of the printed pattern adhering thereto, adhered to the substrate.

Claims

1. A laminated label comprising:

(a) a flexible transparent or translucent plastic film,

(b) having reverse printing on one side thereof in an information containing pattern, and

(c) a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive bonded to the printed side of said plastic film, where

(d) the printed information containing pattern having a greater affinity for the pressure sensitive adhesive than the plastic film,

(e) so that when the laminated label has been mounted upon an object, attempted removal causes delamination of the plastic film and the pressure sensitive adhesive with at least a tamper indicating amount of the printed information pattern remaining adhered to at least a portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive which remains on the object.

2. A laminated label, as in claim 1, which has a release sheet covering the otherwise exposed side of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer.

3. A laminated label, as in claim 1, where the plastic film is a polyester film.

4. A laminated label, as in claim 1, wherein the affinity of the adhesive for the surface to which the laminated label is adhered and to the printed pattern is greater than the affinity of the printed pattern for the outer sheet.

5. A method of forming a laminated label which comprises:

(a) reverse printing an information containing pattern on one side of a layer of flexible transparent or translucent plastic film,

(b) applying a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive to said printed side of said plastic film, where said printed information containing pattern has a greater affinity for said pressure sensitive adhesive than for said plastic film so that when the laminated label has been mounted upon an object, attempted removal causes delamination of the plastic film and the pressure sensitive adhesive with at least a tamper indicating amount of the printed information pattern remaining adhered to at least a portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive which remains on the object.

6. A method, as in claim 5, wherein the affinity of the adhesive for the surface to which the laminated label is adhered and to the printed pattern is greater than the affinity of the printed pattern for the outer sheet.