EP3280583A1 - Method for combined in-mould labelling and embossing of a packaging product and system for combined in-mould labelling and embossing of a packaging product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for in-mould labelling and embossing of a packaging product, and to a system for combined in-mould labelling and embossing of a packaging product. Thermoforming is a technique for producing plastic packaging. The method is based on heating a thermoplastic film or plate, which then takes on the spatial shape of a tool form. Thermoform in-mould labelling produces decoration of the product during thermoforming by means of an in-mould labelling tag. The invention proposes that, in a method for in-mould labelling and embossing of a packaging product in a combined tool for a thermoplastic film, a label is used, and in the region of the label an embossing is produced which has a mechanical edge.

Description

 PROCESS FOR COMBINED IN-MOLD LABELS AND EMBOSSED ONE

 PACKAGING PRODUCTS AND PLANT TO COMBINED IN-MOLD LABELS AND

 EMBOSSING A PACKAGING PRODUCT

This invention relates to a method of combined in-mold labeling (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "IML" for short) and embossing of a packaging product as well as a facility for combined in-mold labeling and embossing of a packaging product.

Thermoforming is a technique for producing plastic packaging. The process is based on the heating of a thermoplastic film or sheet (hereinafter collectively referred to as "film" for simplicity), which then takes the spatial shape of a tool mold (namely, the cavity, referred to in the English as "mold" for short). When the plastic cools, it hardens in the shape of the mold. Thermoform IML means that the decoration of the product takes place during thermoforming. The IML label is bonded to the heated film while the finished packaging part is molded. The end result is a packaging part decorated in a single operation. On de.wikipedia.org there is an explanation for in-mold-labeling ("IML"):

The in-mold process (or in-mold process) is used primarily in injection molding but also in thermoforming as in-mold labeling.

In this case, inserted into the thermoforming or injection molding substrates such as fabric, paper, wood veneer or any printed or structured films are back-injected. This succeeds relatively reliably. In this way, sophisticated surfaces are created in one work step. The in-mold process is used in the construction of sports helmets (especially bicycle, ski and snowboard helmets). In this process, the shell and the rigid foam are welded together. The result is a complete connection and a very stable helmet structure - the safety under mechanical impact (eg when falling on a pointed object) is significantly higher than with helmets that are only glued (usually pointwise). InMold helmets are also much lighter and more durable.

In packaging production, the process is often also called in-mold labeling (EVTL), as it is here for attaching labeling labels

(English, labels) serves. There is also a so-called in-mold decoration process, in which case the film is not inserted into the tool, but rolls as a film strip with the help of a motor vertically through the mold. Sensors position the individual images. This method has a much better quality than the in-mold labeling method. Therefore, this method is particularly for high-precision moldings, z. B. mobile phones used.

The invention has for its object to provide the prior art an improvement or an alternative. This object is achieved by a method for in-mold labeling and embossing of a packaging product in a combined EVIL embossing tool for a thermoplastic film, wherein a label is used and wherein in the region of the label an embossment is produced, which has a mechanical edge.

Conceptually, the following is explained in this regard: The "embossing" is the introduction of a local survey or depression from the otherwise continuous surface of the processed film. It is expressly not necessary to use a conventional "embossing" tool, rather "embossing" can also be done as a molding of the "embossment" into the film as a result of thermoforming, in practice the Applicant currently assumes that the most cost-effective and fastest in production production will be embossing molding.

The combined tool will usually be a negative tool. In negative molding, ie thermoforming into a negative tool, the outside is the more precise side to be produced. Exactly the outside, however, is the decisive factor in the production of a thermoforming packaging, which is relevant here, because the customer of the goods first encounters the outside of the packaging.

If a local depression is introduced into the shell, for example a lettering in the form of an inscription, then during the thermoforming process the film also forms into this local depression. In the formed surface of the film, the local increase then stands out as a precise relief.

If, however, a local elevation is appropriate in the shell, for example a lettering in the form of a relief, the foil then forms over this local elevation during the thermoforming process. In the formed surface of the film, the local increase is then a precise inscription. In the context of the present patent application, the word "embossing" is thus used as a collective term for conventional embossing with an embossing stamp and for molding in the manner described above Both conventional embossing and embossing as described above are to be understood as expressly disclosed subset "In the area" of the label is an embossing if it is located at least partly within the outer contours of the label, preferably completely located in the area of the label. A "mechanical edge" is the transition between the embossed protrusion / depression and the thermoformed area of the film processed for packaging therearound.

Advantageously, through the superimposition of EVIL and embossing, targeted stresses can be achieved on the packaging produced by thermoforming, which can lead to comfort or safety advantages, for example.

Preferably, a label is used with a color edge, and the color edge is brought into contour coincidence with the mechanical edge.

A "color edge" may be either the area between a colored area of the label, such as a logo, an image, a lettering, a graphic, or the like, opposite the background of the label, which may also have a color, but in a preferred embodiment the background does not have its own color, but is colorless.

The edge can be emphasized by the at least partially running-together of the two edges. For example, safety-relevant markings, seals, straw puncture marks, snap closures or the like can be highlighted in color by means of embossing and edge contour matching. The refraction of the light also changes abruptly at the edge of the embossing - depending on the design of the negative tool, in particular on the edge sharpness there

With regard to the procedure, it is conceivable that the label is embossed together with the film.

In such an embodiment, the label is introduced in a conventional manner in the EVIL tool, especially inserted, then connected in a thermoforming process with the film stabilizing, and on the composite of film and label affects the embossing tool, especially for example an embossing die, the time after the connection can be pressed by label and foil in the film. Or the embossing is done by negative or positive molding. On the other hand, it is conceivable that the label is embossed separately from the film.

This can be done, for example, as a preliminary embossing, so that first the label is embossed, then can be introduced into the 1ML tool already in pre-stamped or actually pronounced shape.

Alternatively, it is conceivable that the label is first embossed or completely embossed in the EVIL tool, and only then is the thermoforming compound made with the film.

An embodiment of the invention provides that an intelligent component is attached to the label.

As an "intelligent component" is in particular passive electrical circuits to understand, for example, RFID tags, active circuits, ie circuits with their own power supply, bar codes or other machine-readable information carrier.

The embossing may have a dot pattern.

In particular, a braille script can be realized with a dot pattern, that is to say a standardized script for perception by the blind. Even in the case of Braille writing, an at least partially matching contour profile of a color edge can be advantageous, for example because a sighted person making a purchase for a blind person can better see that and where the Braille font is arranged on the packaging.

Alternatively or additionally, the label may have a hologram. As an alternative or further supplement, the label may have a haptic surface, that is to say a surface which differs in feel from the surface of the thermoformed film when perceived by a human finger.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the stated object solves a system for combined in-mold labeling and embossing of a packaging product, wherein the system is adapted to use a label, which has a color edge, and wherein the system is set up , an "embossing" - according to the application defined in the context of the present patent application - to produce with a mechanical edge, the system is preferably additionally arranged to bring the color edge with the mechanical edge in contour match, especially so the mechanical edge Using a die, a local depression or a local elevation in the negative tool to produce contour matching with the color edge on the label.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the drawing. There, the single figure shows, in a spatial view, a flat area of a packaging with a thermoformed shape from a film plane

Edge, wherein on the area of area embossing in the form of a word sequence is attached.

The container shown in the cutout is manufactured in the thermoforming process. On a side surface embossing is applied, either with an embossing stamp from the inside or from the outside of the packaging container, be it by means of a local depression in the tool, ie a negative inscription in the negative tool.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the edges of the lettering, which is spatially highlighted by the embossing, is in agreement with a colored edge. The colored edge can either be just about the length of the edge of the Embossing extend, or it may run over, for example, when the colored edge on the side surface of the packaging container runs, then merges into the embossing edge and then continues, for example.

Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the embossing is highlighted in color. Here, for example, a printing or stamping with a color can take place, preferably on the contour protruding from the embossing with respect to the surrounding surface of the film, in this case the sequence of letters.

Claims

claims: A method for in-mold labeling and embossing of a packaging product in a combined IML embossing tool for a thermoplastic film, wherein a label is used and wherein in the region of the label an embossment is produced which has a mechanical edge. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a label is used with a color edge and the color edge is brought into coincidence with the mechanical edge. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the label is embossed together with the film. 4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the label is embossed separately from the film. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that with the label an intelligent component is attached. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the embossing has a dot pattern. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the label has a hologram. 8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the label has a haptic surface. 9. system for combined in-mold labeling and embossing of a packaging product, the device being adapted to use a label that has a Color edge, and wherein the system is adapted to produce an embossment with a mechanical edge within a range of the label. Plant according to claim 9, characterized in that the system is adapted to bring the color edge with the mechanical edge in contour match.