Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHODS FOR MARKING SUBSTRATES
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/924,891
filed January 8, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to labels, methods of making
labels, and methods of
applying labels to substrates. More specifically, in some embodiments, the
present invention relates to
faceless labels and method of making a faceless label and the application
methods of a faceless label to
substrates of various shapes and sizes without the use of a paper or other
material backing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Currently, labels are applied to containers or bottles to provide
information such as the
supplied or the contents of the container. Such containers and bottles are
available in a wide variety of
shapes and sizes for holding many different types of materials, including
detergents, chemicals, personal
care products, motor oils, beverages, and others.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to an aspect, the present invention is directed to a
method for applying a label to
a substrate. The method includes applying an ink layer to a transfer
mechanism; applying a binding
layer to the ink layer; and contacting the binding layer to the substrate such
that the binding layer and
the ink layer are substantially removed from the transfer mechanism.
[0005] According to another aspect, the present invention is directed to a
method for applying a
label to a substrate. The method includes applying a printable release layer
to a transfer mechanism;
applying an ink layer to the printable release layer; applying a binding layer
to the ink layer; and
contacting the binding layer to the substrate such that the binding layer and
the ink layer are
substantially removed from the transfer mechanism.
[0006] The accompanying drawing, which is incorporated in and constitute a
part of this
specification, illustrates one or more embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description,
serves to explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including
the best mode thereof
directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the
specification, which makes reference to the
appended drawing, in which:
[0008] Figure 1 is a pictorial representation of a method in accordance
with a first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0009] Figure 2 is a graphical representation of the method of Figure 1;
[0010] Figure 3 is a pictorial representation of a method in accordance
with a second embodiment
of the present invention;
[0011] Figure 4 is a graphical representation of the method of Figure 3;
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[0012] Figure 5 is a pictorial representation of a method in accordance
with a third embodiment of
the present invention;
[0013] Figure 6 is a graphical representation of the method of Figure 5;
[0014] Figure 7 is a pictorial representation of a method in accordance
with a fourth embodiment
of the present invention;
[0015] Figure 8 is a graphical representation of the method of Figure 7;
[0016] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and
drawings is intended to
represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred
embodiments of the invention,
one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Each example is provided
by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In
fact, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the
present invention without
departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated
or described as part of one
embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further
embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations
as come within the scope
of the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0018] Embodiments of the present invention include methods for the
application of labels onto
substrates of various shapes and sizes. Common to the embodiments of the
invention is the absence of
a paper or other material backing associated with the label and its
application to the substrates. In the
embodiments of the present invention, due to the absence of such non-
transferable component
normally associated with a label, there is a reduction in the amount of waste
associated with the
application processes. In addition, utilizing the methods of the present
invention, the application of
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labels to substrates of various sizes and shapes, including three-dimensional
substrates, may be
completed more effectively as the components of the present invention may
contour to the dimensions
of substrate, as more fully discussed below.
[0019] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of the present
invention, as a label may be
applied to a desired substrate without the use of a backing material. As
common with the first through
fourth embodiments described, the present invention utilizes a transfer
mechanism that the
components of the label are first applied to and then is used to transfer
those components onto the
desired substrate. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a transfer mechanism 101 is
deposited (Step 111) with
an ink layer 102 and then a binding layer 103 is deposited (Step 112) on top
of ink layer 102. Ink layer
102 and/or binding layer 103 are then dried and/or cured (Step 113) while
attached to transfer
mechanism 101, and ink layer 102 and binding layer 103 are then applied (Step
114) to a substrate 104
as the adhesive of binding layer 103 makes contact with substrate 104.
Transfer mechanism 101 is then
returned to its starting position such that the process may be repeated (Step
115).
[0020] As indicated above, transfer mechanism 101 of the present invention
is utilized to house the
components of the label (i.e., the ink layer and binding layer and possible
other components, as
discussed further below) prior to the components application to the particular
substrate.
Advantageously, the transfer mechanism may be utilized again and again thereby
reducing the amount
of waste typically associated with such methods.
[0021] To meet the requirements of such methods, transfer mechanism 101 may
be a diaphragm
constructed on a moving conveyer belt or in a sheet feed system to aid in the
process of the application
of the necessary label components onto the substrate and then to repeat to
process. In some
embodiments, the conveyer belt may be continuously moving or may utilize a
batch-movement process,
or a semi-batch movement process, depending on the specifications of the user.
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[0022] Transfer mechanism 101 may be constructed of any material or
materials that allow for the
various label components to be transferred on and off transfer mechanism 101
and allow for transfer
mechanism 101 to maintain its shape during the application of the label
components but further allow
flexibility to conform to the shape of the substrate. For example, if a
diaphragm is used for the
construction of transfer mechanism 101, it may include a textured or matte
surface to increase the ease
of releasibility of the label components to the substrate. In addition, in
embodiments where a
diaphragm is utilized, suitable materials for the construction of the belt
that provide enhanced release
qualities as well as the desired flexibility may include silicone, fluorinated
polymers, or low surface
energy polymers including polyamide, Teflon', polyolefin, and others. Such
materials may be utilized to
construct the entirety of the diaphragm or may serve as coatings on the
diaphragm depending on the
user's specifications. Examples of suitable silicone coated release materials
include, D2 CL PET
7300A/7350A, Grade 27320 and 2SLKN and 5.0 MT PET 4400/4400 Grade 26967 from
Loparex LLC in
Iowa City, IA. In addition, suitable polymer examples include, acrylic-based
coatings, such as R130W
from Mayzo, Inc. in Suwanee, GA and polypropylene based coatings, such as HFM
sheets from Avery
Dennison NTP in Pasadena, CA.
[0023] To ensure the proper releasablity of the label components from
transfer mechanism 101,
the surface energy of transfer mechanism 101 on the side that makes contact
with the label
components may be between about 20 mN/m and about 40 mN/m. In some
embodiments, including
those where silicone is utilized in the construction of transfer mechanism
101, additional items,
including corona treatment or flame treatment, may be added to transfer
mechanism 101 to ensure the
proper surface energy.
[0024] Ink layer 102 utilized in the methods of the present invention may
include ink or graphics,
and may be a mono-colored or multi-colored ink layer depending on the printed
message and/or the
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intended pictorial design. Such designs for use in connection with the present
methods include serial
numbers, bar codes, trademarks, etc.
[0025] The present methods may utilize a variety of commercially available
inks for use in ink layer
102 including UV-curable, latex, water-based, nonpolar, solvent-based,
pigments, dyes, solvent-based
with polar functionality, [co-solvent, hot-solvent, solventless, 100% solid
and others. Examples of these
inks include Sun Sheen (a product of Sun Chemical, Inc. of Santa Fe Springs,
CA identified as an alcohol
dilutable polyamide ink), Suntex MP (a product of Sun Chemical, Inc.
identified as a solvent-based ink
formulated for surface printing acrylic coated substrates, PVDC coated
substrates and polyolefin films),
X-Cel (a product of Water Ink Technologies, Inc. of Lincolnton, NC identified
as a water-based film ink for
printing film substrates), Uvilith AR-109 Rubine Red (a product of Daw Ink,
Inc. of Commerce, CA
identified as a UV ink) and CLA91598F (a product of Sun Chemical, Inc.
identified as a multibond black
solvent-based ink).
[0026] Ink layer 102 may range, in some embodiments, from about 0.5 to
about 10 microns. In
further embodiments, the thickness of ink layer 102 may range from about 1 to
about 5 microns, and in
other embodiments, the thickness of ink layer 102 may be about 3 microns.
[0027] The application of ink layer 102 to transfer mechanism 101 may be
accomplished by various
methods known in the art, including inkjet printing, screen printing, or
coating. In one embodiment of
the invention, the ink layer may be deposited through raster graphics or
bitmap imaging, which is
sometimes referred to in the printing and prepress industries as contone or
contone printing. In some
embodiments where inkjet printing is used, a thermal inkjet printer or piezo
inkjet printer may be
utilized to apply ink layer 102 to transfer mechanism 101. In such
embodiments, the ink of ink layer 102
utilized in the method should be of a suitable viscosity when passing through
the printhead of such
printers to ensure an accurate and durable image. For example, in such
embodiments, thermal inks may
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include a viscosity of between about 3 and about 5 mPa/s at 25 C, while piezo
ink jet fluids may include
a viscosity in the range of about 1 to about 30 mPa/s at 25 C.
[0028] Binding layer 103 may be constructed of inkjettable adhesives to
meet the demands of the
method utilized. For example, binding layer 103 may be constructed of
monomers, including those of
acrylic, epoxy, silicone, vinyl, and olefinic based chemistries. In some
embodiments, oligomers or short
chain polymers may be utilized in connection with binding layer 103. Short
chain polymers that may be
beneficial in connection with binding layer 103 refers to polymers where
number average molecular
weight (Mn) is less than the entanglement molecular weight (Me) for the
respective monomeric
systems. In addition, to allow such materials to consistently jet through an
inkjet nozzle, the materials
utilized as binding layer 103 may include a viscosity range between about 5 to
about 50 cps..
[0029] In embodiments of the invention where inkjettable adhesives are
utilized in connection with
binding layer 103, such adhesives may be prepared using any known methods in
the art including,
emulsion, solvent or solvent-less polymerization techniques, where such
inkjettable adhesives may be
processed using a solvent, water or a heated nozzle. The user's specifications
may dictate the necessary
methods utilized for such preparation and processing.
[0030] In some embodiments, the inkjettable adhesives utilized in
connection with binding layer
103 may be based on a two-component adhesive system where a first component is
jetted through a
first nozzle and a crosslinking or curing agent (second component) is jetted
through a second nozzle
onto the first component. In such embodiments, the viscosity of both
components may be maintained
at a level to ensure adequate room temperature mixing through diffusion.
Suitable first and second
component pairs include epoxy oligomers & resins and amine oligomers; epoxy
oligomers & resins and
acid catalysts; epoxy oligomers and basic catalysts; and oligomers with
isocyante functional groups and
alchohols, catalysts, or moisture.
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[0031] In additional embodiments of the present invention utilizing the two
component adhesive,
one component of the two components may be coated/printed/fabricated onto the
desired
surface/media using additional non-jettable technique, including gravure
printing, screen printing,
casting, spin coating, die-coating etc. In further embodiments of the
invention that utilize the two
component adhesive, one of the two components may be situated in ink layer 102
to provide the same
effect.
[0032] In addition to those adhesives mentioned above, pressure sensitive
adhesives (PSA) may be
utilized in connection with binding layer 103. PSAs are a class of adhesives
characterized by low Tg and
may be applied to a given surface at room temperature with the application of
a small amount of
pressure. Pressure sensitive adhesives are tacky at room temperature and are
known to adhere to a
wide variety of high and low energy surfaces.
[0033] Suitable PSAs that may be used in connection with binding layer 103
include monomers, for
example, 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate, Butyl acrylate that are copolymerized with
certain polar monomers
including acrylic acid, N-vinyl pyrrolidone or 2- Hydroxy ethyl acrylate. The
polymer may then be further
crosslinked using known crosslinkers and an energy source to yield a desired
balance of tack and shear
properties.
[0034] In some embodiments, the molecular weight of the polymer utilized
may be in excess of ten
times the entanglement molecular weight to allow sufficient chain interactions
that allow for proper
viscoelastic properties of such polymers. In some embodiments, oligomers or
short chain polymers that
may be used in connection with a PSA of the present invention may be assembled
into a polymer of
sufficiently high molecular weight using a self assembly process. Such process
may be completed by
attaching hydrogen bonding moieties to the oligomeric chains. Suitable
hydrogen bonding moieties
include vinyl pyrrolidone and acrylic acid, amine functionalized chains and
acrylic acid, and other
hydrogen bond donors and hydrogen bond acceptors. In further embodiments,
hydrogen bonding
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solvents such as methanol, ethanol or tetrahydrofuran may be utilized. In
addition, the combination
when processed at a temperature above 75 C, such hydrogen bonds will cease to
exist leading to a
lower viscosity and once jetted, the chains will assemble into a higher
molecular weight polymer,
suitable for use in the present invention, due to the aid of hydrogen bonding.
[0035] As described in prior embodiments a desired two or more component
adhesive could also
be realized by incorporating one of the components onto the surface or media
to be printed (jetted) on.
As an example, an acid activated system can be achieved either by
incorporating the acid sensitive
polymer in the media and catalyst in the jettable pack or vice-a-versa to have
the same end-effect.
Examples of media and surfaces may include glass, paper, PET, PE, Aluminum
etc. Additionally, one
component of the two component system may be coated/printed/fabricated onto
the desired
surface/media using additional non-jettable technique. Examples of such
techniques would include
gravure printing, screen printing, casting, spin coating, die-coating etc.
[0036] In some embodiments, the adhesives utilized in binding layer 103 may
include additives to
provide enhanced properties. For example, in some embodiments, additives
comprising wetting agents,
surfactants, inorganic fillers, colorants, viscosity modifiers, optical
brighteners and/or others may be
added. The user's specifications will dictate the necessary components
utilized.
[0037] As discussed above, the present method may further utilize a drying
and/or curing step for
any or all of the label component layers. Any such methods known in the art
may be utilized to
complete the drying and/or curing step depending on the particular materials
utilized for ink layer 102
and binding layer 103. For example, if the ink utilized for ink layer 102 is
UV-curable, then a UV curing
process would be utilized in the curing step. In some embodiments, if both
drying and curing is utilized,
drying through heating may be completed first and then curing may be completed
through any known
curing process, including heating or radiation (IR/UV), where such radiation
curing may involve using a
free radical photoinitiator, photo-acid based photcatalytic or a combination
curing pack.
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[0038]
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention, where
a printable
release layer is utilized. The printable release layer, depending on the
embodiment, may act as a release
or a protective layer as more fully explained below. In the second embodiment
of the present invention,
transfer mechanism 501 is deposited (Step 511) with a printable release layer
502, which acts to aid in
the release of the other label components from transfer mechanism 501.
Following the addition of
printable release layer 502, an ink layer 503 is deposited (Step 512) onto
printable release layer 502. A
binding layer 504 is then applied (Step 513) to ink layer 503. The layers 502,
503, and 504 may then be
dried and/or cured (Step 514) as necessary. Following curing, ink layer 503
and binding layer 504 are
then transferred (Step 515) to substrate 505, while printable release layer
502 remains on transfer
mechanism 501 as it provides qualities to release layers 503 and 504. In such
embodiments, prior to the
repeat of the process, transfer mechanism 501 may be cleaned (Step 516) with a
suitable material as
discussed below. Following the cleaning of transfer mechanism 501, the process
may be repeated (Step
517). In such embodiments of the present invention, depending on the
particular item utilized as
printable release layer 502, an initial deposit of printable release layer 502
may only be necessary at the
outset, whereas in other embodiments, printable release layer 502 may be
applied each time.
[0039]
Transfer mechanism 501, ink layer 503, and binding layer 504, of the second
embodiment
may be the same as those described above with respect to the first embodiment.
[0040]
As indicated above, printable release layer 502 of the second embodiment acts
as a release
material to aid in the transfer of ink layer 503 and binding layer 504 from
transfer mechanism 501 to
substrate 505. Accordingly, printable release layer 502 may be constructed of
materials that provide
such releasability, similar to those described with respect to transfer
mechanism 101 in the first
embodiment.
[0041]
When a printable release layer is present, it may have a single layer or a
multilayered
structure. The thickness of the printable release layer may be in the range of
about 12.5 to about 125
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microns, and in one embodiment from about 25 to about 75 microns. Examples of
printable release
layers that may be used in connection with the present invention are described
in U.S. Pat. No.
6,106,982, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.
[0042] Printable release layer 502 may comprise polyolefins, thermoplastic
polymers of ethylene
and propylene, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyacryls, polymethacryls, epoxy,
vinyl acetate
homopolymers, co- or terpolymers, ionomers, antioxidants, inorganic colloidal
silica or alumina binder,
and mixtures thereof. To ensure the proper releasablity of ink layer 503 and
binding layer 504 from
printable release layer 502, the surface energy of printable release layer
that makes contact with ink
layer 503 may be between about 20 mN/m and about 35 mN/m. In some embodiments,
including those
where silicone is utilized in the construction of printable release layer 502,
additional items, including
corona treatment or flame treatment, may be added to printable release layer
502 to ensure the proper
surface energy.
[0043] As indicated above, following the transfer of ink layer 503 and
binding layer 504 onto
substrate 505, transfer mechanism 501 is cleaned. Such cleaning process may
remove excess ink and/or
adhesive that remains on transfer mechanism 501 following the transfer to the
substrate. The cleaning
process may be necessary to ensure that a new print layer that is deposited
during the present method
is not affected by components that may still be on transfer mechanism 501,
thereby altering the
aesthetic or functional qualities of ink layer 503. Any known method for
cleaning transfer mechanism
501 may be utilized, for example, an adhesive plate may be used to make
contact with transfer
mechanism 501 and remove any undesired remaining components.
[0044] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a third embodiment of the present
invention. In the third
embodiment, printable release layer 702 may be released from transfer
mechanism 701 and onto the
desired substrate 705 to provide a protective barrier to the ink and adhesive.
During the application
process, transfer mechanism is deposited (Step 711) with printable release
layer 702. Following the
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application of printable release layer 702, ink layer 703 is deposited (Step
712) onto printable release
layer 702. Then, binding layer 704 is deposited (Step 713) onto ink layer 703,
where the layers 702, 703,
and 704 may be dried and/or cured (Step 714) depending on the particular items
utilized. After curing,
layers 702, 703, and 704 may be applied (Step 715) to the substrate 705, and
then the process may be
repeated (Step 716). The third embodiment allows for the cleaning step of the
above-described
embodiment to be omitted. Such reduction in method steps likely reduces the
costs of production of
labels for application to substrates.
[0045] As indicated above, printable release layer 702 may provide
desirable properties to the
other label components before and after the label components are affixed to a
substrate. The presence
of a transparent printable release layer over the ink layer 703 may, in some
embodiments provide
additional properties such as antistatic properties stiffness and/or
weatherability, and printable release
layer 702 may protect ink layer 703 from, e.g., weather, sun, abrasion,
moisture, water, etc. Printable
release layer 702 may enhance the properties of the underlying ink layer 703
to provide a glossier and
richer image. Printable release layer 702 may also be designed to be abrasion
resistant, radiation
resistant (e.g, UV), chemically resistant and/or thermally resistant thereby
protecting the label
components and, particularly ink layer 703 from degradation from such causes.
Printable release layer
702 may also contain antistatic agents, or anti-block agents to provide for
easier handling when the
labels are being applied to containers at high speeds.
[0046] Printable release layer 702 may further contain UV light absorbers
and/or other light
stabilizers. Among the UV light absorbers that may be useful are the hindered
amine absorbers
available from Ciba Specialty Chemical Co. of Basel, Switzerland under the
trade designations Tinuvin
111, Tinuvin 123, (bis-(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethy1-4-piperidinyl)
sebacate; Tinuvin 622, (a dimethyl
succinate polymer with 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethy1-1-piperidniethanol);
Tinuvin 770 (bis-(2,2,6,6-
tetramethy1-4-piperidiny1)-sebacate); and Tinuvin 783. Additional light
stabilizers include the hindered
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amine light stabilizers available from Ciba Specialty Chemical Co. under the
trade designation
"Chemassorb", especially Chemassorb 119 and Chemassorb 944. The concentration
of the UV light
absorber and/or light stabilizer is in the range of up to about 2.5% by
weight, and in one embodiment
about 0.05% to about 1% by weight.
[0047] In some embodiments, printable release layer 702 may also contain an
antioxidant. Any
antioxidant useful in making thermoplastic films may be used. These include
the hindered phenols and
the organo phosphites. Examples include those available from Ciba Specialty
Chemical Co. under the
trade designations Irganox 1010, Irganox 1076 or Irgafos 168. The
concentration of the antioxidant in
the thermoplastic film composition may be in the range of up to about 2.5% by
weight, and in one
embodiment about 0.05% to about 1% by weight.
[0048] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the invention
utilizes a flood technique
that allows for the addition of an excess of a printable release layer 902
onto a transfer mechanism 901.
In the embodiment, transfer mechanism 901 is deposited (Step 911) with a
printable release layer 902.
As indicated above, printable release layer 902 provides an amount of
printable release layer material to
sufficiently cover transfer mechanism. Following the addition of printable
release layer 902, ink layer
903 is deposited (Step 912) onto printable release layer 902. In addition,
binding layer 904 is deposited
(Step 913) onto ink layer 903. In some embodiments, an ink layer and a binding
layer may not
completely cover a printable release layer. As indicated above, this may be
done to ensure that an ink
layer and a binding layer are sufficiently covered when the label is
transferred to a substrate. In
instances when a printable release layer is only applied to a portion of
transfer mechanism, it may not
sufficiently transfer to a substrate, thereby leaving the label with less than
ideal protective qualities as
desired.
[0049] Following the addition of layers 902, 903, and 904, the layers may
be dried and/or cured
(Step 914) as necessary. The layers 902, 903, and 904 may then be transferred
(Step 915) to substrate
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905. In addition, due to the remaining printable release layer following Step
915, transfer mechanism
901 may be cleaned (Step 916) prior to the repeat of the process (Step 917).
[0050]
By way of further example, unlike the earlier described embodiments, a fifth
embodiment
may utilize a transfer sheet that may be dissolved by water or a solvent.
For each transfer, a transfer
sheet, which may be picked up from a stack of such sheets, ink layer and
binding layer may be deposited
onto the surface of the transfer sheet, ink layer and binding layer may be
optionally cured, and ink layer
and binding layer may be transferred to the substrates. In one embodiment of
the invention, the
transfer sheet may be made of water soluble or solvent soluble materials. Upon
finishing of the transfer
process, the transfer sheet may be washed away by the dissolving solvent or
water. The transfer sheet
may be transferred with the ink layer and binding layer onto the substrate
before being washed away,
or the transfer sheet may stay behind on a transport mechanism, such as a belt
or diaphragm. Water
soluble materials suitable for use as the transfer sheet include rice paper,
polyvinyl alcohol (PVAc),
ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), starch and its derivatives, cellulose and its
derivatives such as cellulose
ethers, ethylcellulose polymers and other soluble materials.
[0051]
In this exemplary fifth embodiment, a transfer sheet may be transferred to
meet with a
substrate on a moving belt. Due to the washing process, the moving belt may be
constructed of a
diaphragm with a plurality of orifices where heat may exit to aid in the
washing process. In other
embodiments, the moving belt may be constructed of a diaphragm without
orifices, but that can be
heated and wetted by known methods to also aid in the washing process.
[0052]
In some embodiments, the ink layer and the binding layer may be formulated
into one single
layer. This formulation may contain colorants and also adhesive components.
The ink and binding layer
may be first deposited onto the transfer mechanism, optionally dried and or
cured, and then applied to
a substrate to be labeled.
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[0053] In some embodiments of the invention, the components of the various
ink layers, binding
layers and printable release layers described above may be combined into a
single layer. In such
embodiments, the combination of all materials together may limit the amount of
stages necessary for
the creation of the labels.
[0054] These and other modifications and variations to the present
invention may be practiced by
those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention,
which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it
should be understood that
aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part.
Furthermore, those of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by
way of example only, and is
not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended
claims. Therefore, the spirit
and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of
the versions contained
therein.
