Film which can be lettered using a laser beam

• US 6,066,437 A
• Filed: 10/08/1997
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schreiner Etiketten und Selbstiebetechnik GmbH & Company
• Original Assignee: Schreiner Etiketten und Selbstiebetechnik GmbH & Company
• Inventors: Kosslinger, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): ANGEBRANNDT, MARTIN J
• Application Number:
  US08/947,261
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 430/945, 430/270.15, 430/270.11, 430/1, 430/270.12, 430/2, 430/275.1, 430/257, 369/275.5, 283/55-87, 283/101, 359/105, 359/2
• US Class Current: 430/297
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/10 on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/205 Metallic coating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/402 Coloured
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2519/00 Labels, badges
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/304 comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/24 Ablative recording, e.g. by burning marks; Spark recording marking by high energetic means, e.g. by laser otherwise than burning or ablative removal B41M5/26; materials or methods for recording or reproduction by optical means G11B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/262 recording or marking of inorganic surfaces or materials, e.g. glass, metal, or ceramics marking of plastic artifacts with inorganic additives B41M5/267
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/34 Multicolour thermography
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/10 by an adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 430/146 Laser beam

Abstract

This invention relates to film which is lettered with a laser beam comprising at least one protective film which is transparent to the laser beam, at least one opaque layer which is ablated by the laser beam, and at least one contrast-forming layer on its bottom. The abatable layer is preferably a metallic layer and can have a color like the contrast-forming layer. The color of the metallic layer is different from the color of the contrast-forming layer. The contrast-forming layer is either applied, imprinted or varnished onto the metallic layer. The contrast-forming layer can be at least one plastic film. On a side of the contrast-forming layer facing away from the metallic layer there is an adhesive layer which is covered with a carrier material, for example, an adhesive-repellant carrier film.

Claims

1. A film to be lettered with a laser beam comprising:

at least one protective film which is transparent to said laser beam;

at least one substantially metallic opaque layer having at least one first color and being applied onto a bottom surface of said at least one protective film, said substantially metallic opaque layer being selectively ablated by said laser beam in areas where the metallic layer is irradiated by said laser beam, said at least one protective film sealing said substantially metallic opaque layer before, during, and after ablation of said substantially metallic opaque layer;

at least one contrast-forming layer applied to said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer, said contrast-forming layer having at least one color which is contrasting to said first color and being substantially resistant to said laser beam, and

an adhesive layer applied to said at least one contrast-forming layer.

2. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer contains a metal alloy.

3. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein said substantially metallic opaque layer is an aluminum layer.

4. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer has a thickness from 0.1 microns to 0.4 microns.

5. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one contrast-forming layer is imprinted to said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer.

6. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one contrast-forming layer is varnished to said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer.

7. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one substantially metallic layer is vapor-deposited onto said at least one protective layer film.

8. The film as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer is sputtered onto said at least one protective film.

9. The film as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one cover section transparent to said laser beam attached to said at least one protective film with a removable adhesive.

10. The film as claimed in claim 9, further comprising at least one imprint transparent to said laser beam positioned on said least one cover section.

11. The film as claimed in claim 9, wherein said at least one cover section includes an adhesive-free edge.

12. A film lettered with a laser beam comprising:

at least one protective film which is transparent to said laser beam;

at least one substantially metallic opaque layer having a first color and being applied onto a bottom surface of said at least one protective film, said substantially metallic opaque layer being selectively ablated by said laser beam in areas where the metallic layer is irradiated by said laser beam, said at least one protective film sealing said substantially metallic opaque layer before, during, and after ablation of said substantially metallic opaque layer;

at least one hologram contained in said substantially metallic opaque layer;

at least one contrast-forming layer applied to said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer, said contrast-forming layer having at least one color which is contrasting to said first color and being substantially resistant to said laser beam; and

an adhesive layer applied to said at least one contrast-forming layer.

13. The film as claimed in claim 12, further comprising at least one cover section transparent to said laser beam attached to said at least one protective film with a removable adhesive.

14. The film as claimed in claim 13, wherein said at least one cover section includes an adhesive-free edge.

15. A film lettered with a laser beam comprising:

at least one protective film which is transparent to said laser beam;

at least one substantially metallic opaque layer having at least one first color and being applied onto a bottom surface of said at least one protective film, said substantially metallic opaque layer being selectively ablated by said laser beam in areas where the metallic layer is irradiated by said laser beam, said at least one protective film sealing said substantially metallic opaque layer, before during and after ablation of said substantially metallic opaque layer; and

at least one contrast-forming layer applied to said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer, said contrast-forming layer having several areas of different color which are contrasting to said first color and being substantially resistant to said laser beam.

16. The film as claimed in claim 15, further comprising at least one cover section transparent to said laser beam attached to said at least one protective film with a removable adhesive.

17. The film as claimed in claim 16, wherein said at least one cover section includes an adhesive-free edge.

18. A film lettered with a laser beam comprising:

at least one protective film which is transparent to said laser beam;

at least one substantially metallic opaque layer having a first color and being applied onto a bottom surface of said at least one protective film, said substantially metallic opaque layer being selectively ablated by said laser beam in areas where the metallic layer is irradiated by said laser beam, said at least one protective film sealing said substantially metallic opaque layer before, during, and after ablation of said substantially metallic opaque layer; and

an adhesive layer applied to said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer, said adhesive layer having a second color which is contrasting to said first color and being substantially resistant to said laser beam.

19. The film as claimed in claim 18, wherein said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer contains a metal alloy.

20. The film as claimed in claim 18, wherein said substantially metallic opaque layer is an aluminum layer.

21. The film as claimed in claim 18, wherein said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer has a thickness from 0.1 microns to 0.4 microns.

22. The film as claimed in claim 18, further comprising at least one cover section transparent to said laser beam attached to said at least one protective film with a removable adhesive.

23. The film as claimed in claim 22, wherein said at least one cover section includes an adhesive-free edge.

24. A film lettered with a laser beam comprising:

at least one protective film which is transparent to said laser beam;

at least one substantially metallic opaque layer having a first color, and being applied onto a bottom surface of said at least one protective film, said substantially metallic opaque layer being selectively ablated by said laser beam in areas where the metallic layer is irradiated by said laser beam, said at least one protective film sealing said substantially metallic opaque layer before, during, and after ablation thereof, and

an adhesive layer applied to said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer, said adhesive layer having areas of different colors which are contrasting to said first color and being substantially resistant to said laser beam.

25. The film as claimed in claim 24, further comprising at least one cover section transparent to said laser beam attached to said at least one protective film with a removable adhesive.

26. The film as claimed in claim 25, wherein said at least one cover section includes an adhesive-free edge.

27. A film lettered with a laser beam comprising:

at least one protective film which is transparent to said laser beam;

at least one substantially metallic opaque layer having at least one first color, and being applied onto a bottom surface of said at least one protective film, said substantially metallic opaque layer being selectively ablated by said laser beam in areas where the metallic opaque layer is irradiated by said laser beam, said at least one protective film sealing said substantially metallic opaque layer before, during, and after ablation of said substantially metallic opaque layer;

at least one hologram contained within said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer; and

an adhesive layer applied to said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer, said adhesive layer having a second color which is contrasting to said first color and being substantially resistant to said laser beam.

28. The film as claimed in claim 27, further comprising at least one cover section transparent to said laser beam attached to said at least one protective film with a removable adhesive.

29. The film as claimed in claim 28, wherein said at least one cover section includes an adhesive-free edge.

30. A film lettered with a laser beam comprising:

a first partial film, said first partial film including at least one protective film which is transparent to said laser beam, at least one substantially metallic opaque layer applied onto a bottom surface of said at least one protective film and having a first color, said substantially metallic opaque layer being selectively ablated by said laser beam in areas where the metallic layer is irradiated by said laser beam, said at least one protective film sealing said substantially metallic opaque layer before, during, and after ablation of said substantially metallic opaque layer, and a first adhesive layer applied to said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer and being resistant to laser radiation;

a second partial film applied to said first partial film, said second partial film including at least one contrast-forming layer having at least one color which is contrasting to said first color of said substantially metallic opaque layer of said first partial film; and

a second adhesive layer applied to said at least one contrast-forming layer on a side of said at least one contrast-forming layer facing away from said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer; and

wherein said first partial film and said second partial film are joined together by means of said first adhesive layer.

31. The film as claimed in claim 30, wherein said at least one contrast-forming layer consists of plastic.

32. The film as claimed in claim 31, wherein said plastic is chosen from a group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

33. The film as claimed in claim 30, wherein said at least one contrast-forming layer is coated with ink.

34. The film as claimed in claim 30, wherein said second adhesive layer is covered with an adhesive-repellant carrier material.

35. The film as claimed in claim 30, wherein said at least one protective film consists of plastic.

36. The film as claimed in claim 35, wherein said plastic is chosen from a group consisting of polyester, acrylate, polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

37. The film as claimed in claim 30, wherein said film is punched or cut out in label form.

38. The film as claimed in claim 30, further comprising at least one cover section transparent to said laser beam attached to said at least one protective film with a removable adhesive.

39. The film as claimed in claim 38, further comprising at least one imprint transparent to said laser beam on said at least one cover section.

40. The film as claimed in claim 38, wherein said at least one cover section includes an adhesive-free edge.

41. The film as claimed in claim 30, wherein said second partial film is segmented by at least one anti-tampering punchout.

42. A film lettered with a laser beam comprising:

a first partial film, said first partial film including at least one protective film which is transparent to said laser beam;

at least one substantially metallic opaque layer having a first color and containing at least one hologram, said substantially metallic opaque layer being applied onto a bottom surface of said at least one protective film and being selectively ablated by said laser beam in areas where the metallic layer is irradiated by said laser beam, said at least one protective film sealing said substantially metallic opaque layer before, during and after ablation of said substantially metallic opaque layer; and

a first adhesive layer applied to said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer and being resistant to laser radiation;

a second partial film applied to said first partial film, said second partial film including at least one contrast-forming layer having at least one color which is contrasting to said first color of said metallic opaque layer of said first partial film; and

a second adhesive layer applied to said at least one contrast-forming layer on a side of said at least one contrast-forming layer facing away from said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer; and

wherein said first partial film and said second partial film are joined together by means of said first adhesive layer.

43. The film as claimed in claim 42, further comprising at least one cover section transparent to said laser beam attached to said at least one protective film with a removable adhesive.

44. The film as claimed in claim 43, wherein said at least one cover section includes an adhesive-free edge.

45. A film lettered with a laser beam comprising:

a first partial film, said first partial film including at least one protective film which is transparent to said laser beam;

at least one substantially metallic opaque layer having a first color applied onto a bottom surface of said at least one protective film, said substantially metallic opaque layer being selectively ablated by said laser beam in areas where the layer is irradiated by said laser beam, said at least one protective film sealing said substantially metallic opaque layer before, during, and after ablation of said substantially metallic opaque layer; and

a first adhesive layer applied to said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer and being resistant to laser radiation;

a second partial film applied to said first partial film, said second partial film including a least one contrast-forming layer having several areas of different colors which are contrasting to said first color of said metallic opaque layer of said first partial film, and a second adhesive layer applied to said at least one contrast-forming layer on a side of said at least one contrast-forming layer facing away from said at least one substantially metallic opaque layer; and

wherein said first partial film and said second partial film are joined together by means of said first adhesive layer.

46. The film as claimed in claim 45, further comprising at least one cover section transparent to said laser beam attached to said at least one protective film with a removable adhesive.

47. The film as claimed in claim 46, wherein said at least one cover section includes an adhesive-free edge.