WO2002067226A2 - Tag for fixing on a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tag (1) that is fixed on a container. Said tag has at least one text field (2) and a flap (3) that is disposed outside the text field and has at least one opening (4). The text field (2) adjoins the flap (3) in its longitudinal extension. The text field (2) forms a large area (5), which extends on one side crosswise in relation to the longitudinal extension of the flap (3) several times the width thereof. The flap (3) is configured with an opening (4) to be fixed on part of a container, preferably a cylindrical part. Once the flap (3) has been fixed on the container, it surrounds the preferably cylindrical part at least partly. Large amounts of information can be subsequently included in the text field (2) of the tag (1) even over an extended period.

Description

 Label for attaching to a container

description

The invention relates to a label for attachment to a container, with at least one text field and at least one flap, which is arranged outside the text field and has at least one opening, the text field adjoining the flap in its longitudinal extension.

Labels for attaching to containers of the most varied types are known and are available in a variety of forms on the market. In their simplest form, such labels consist of paper or a thin plastic film, the labels simply being stuck onto the respective container. The labels can be permanently attached to the container from the start or can be provided as self-adhesive labels for subsequent application. As a rule, such labels are difficult or impossible to remove from the containers without damage. Permanently attached labels are often pre-printed with information that contains information on various properties or special features of the contents of the container. Self-adhesive labels are often pre-printed, but are usually also provided for subsequent labeling. The inscription is applied at least before attachment to the container, since depending on the shape of the container, in particular in the case of containers with a curved surface, it is rather difficult and uncomfortable after attachment to the container. After sticking on the container, the self-adhesive labels are mostly difficult to remove without damaging the label. Self-adhesive labels with low adhesive power also have the disadvantage that the adhesive power decreases when used repeatedly and the label can therefore no longer be attached to the container after some time. A major disadvantage of the aforementioned labels is that they are attached directly to the container and are therefore limited in size because they have to be adapted to the dimensions of the container. This is particularly disadvantageous if information has to be applied to the label subsequently and in particular continuously.

From DE 36 31 021 A1, for example, a self-adhesive label of the generic type is known, which can be stuck with its writing field onto, in particular, infusion or transfusion bottles. The label also has a tab outside the writing field, which in turn has an opening in the form of an elongated hole, which is used to hang up the bottle. The use of the label is related to size and Weight of the container depends on the type of adhesive and the available adhesive surface, since the label with its adhesive surface on the back of the writing field must bear the entire weight of the bottle. The front side of the glued-on surface serves as a text field and thus for information. This can be pre-printed or subsequently applied information. When used on infusion or transfusion bottles, for example, certain pharmaceutical additives, dosages or flow rates can subsequently be noted on the text field. However, this solution also has the disadvantage that writing on the curved surface of a bottle is quite cumbersome and is therefore not suitable for applying large amounts of information. In addition, the area of the title block is limited by the size of the bottle, so that it is not possible to add information over a longer period of time.

Especially in the area of storage containers in the chemical and pharmaceutical field, however, it is often necessary, for example, to document the removal and consumption of the substances or chemicals contained in the containers over a longer period of time. Even with certain substances, it is necessary to document the consumption of these substances in order to comply with DIN regulations (DIN EN ISO 14001). Documentation is particularly difficult when different people take smaller amounts over a longer period of time. For this purpose, pre-printed tables or special booklets are often used, which are placed near the container. In the case of a large number of containers, however, it can in turn be difficult to assign the individual records to a specific container.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a label for attachment to a container, which can be detachably attached to this container, which enables subsequent application of information to a greater extent and, moreover, can be produced easily and inexpensively.

According to the invention the object is achieved in that the writing field forms a large area which extends on one side transversely to the longitudinal extent of the flap and over a multiple of its width, and that the flap by means of the opening for attachment to a preferably cylindrical part of a container is formed and at least partially encloses this when attached.

While in the case of the label according to the invention the tab arranged outside the writing field is used exclusively for attachment to the container, the writing field forms a large area which is practically molded onto the tab in the form of a flag. Since this- This area extends over a multiple of the width of the tab, it can practically have any surface adapted to the respective requirements. This advantageous solution makes it possible to subsequently apply larger amounts of information, even over a longer period, to the writing field. The tab is used to attach or hang the label on a part of a container, at least partially enclosing this part in the attached state. With the help of the opening within the flap, a variety of fastening options are opened up, and adaptation to different dimensions of the container is also possible. By enclosing part of the container by the tab, gluing to the container is unnecessary, so that a flexible and detachable attachment can be made. It can be attached to a preferably cylindrical part of the container, which can be, for example, the neck of a bottle, a handle or the like. In any case, an easily accessible part of the container should be selected for attaching the label. Because the writing field is arranged on one side transversely to the longitudinal extension of the flap, the text field projects practically like a flag from the flap and is therefore easily accessible and readable. The label according to the invention is preferably formed in one piece and is therefore easy and inexpensive to produce. In addition, handling by the user is very convenient since he can simply attach the label to the container and remove it again. Due to the special arrangement of the title block, labeling can usually also take place if the label is not detached from the container. In this way, damage to the label in particular by placing it on soiled surfaces and confusing the containers can be avoided. Labeling is easily possible regardless of the shape of the container, since the writing field is not glued to the container, but is freely accessible.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention form the subject of the subclaims.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the writing field can either consist of a material that can be written on or can be provided with a material that can be written on. If the writing field itself can be labeled, it should consist of a firmer material, such as cardboard or plastic, so that labeling is possible even if the label is not detached from the container. If, in an alternative embodiment, the writing field is provided with a material that can be written on, this material can be paper, for example, whereas the writing field consists of a firmer material, for example cardboard or plastic. In this alternative, the inscribable material can be fixedly or releasably attached to the writing field. For example, it would be possible to apply several layers of paper, for example, to the writing field in order to be able to enter even larger amounts of information. In the latter case, the label could be in the range of Writing field be designed like a copybook or pad, the individual pages of which could also be designed to be detachable. In any case, the writing field is preferably intended and particularly suitable for the subsequent application of information.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the title block can be at least partially pre-printed. For example, the label can already be provided with substance-specific information and / or a grid or other division, which make it easier to enter the required information. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, however, the writing field can also have a partial area which can be separated, for example by a perforation or the like. This separable area can contain, for example, order information such as order numbers or product-specific information. If the user recognizes that the substance in the container is running low, he can simply cut off the section provided for this purpose and arrange for the substance to be reordered. If, for example, the same quantities of the substance are always removed from the container, the perforation can already be provided at a specific point on the label depending on the total quantity of the substance, so that a timely reordering can be ensured.

If in a further embodiment of the invention the opening is round and / or has dimensions adapted to the shape of the part of the container, problem-free attachment to the container is possible. For example, when attaching the label to a bottle neck, the use of a circular opening within the flap is advantageous, so that the label can be easily attached to the bottle neck with its opening. In order to ensure an even more flexible use of the label, several openings with different diameters can also be provided. Instead of a round opening, openings can also be provided, the dimensions of which are adapted to the shape of the respective part of the container. The label according to the invention can thus be easily adapted to different applications. In an alternative embodiment for using a plurality of circular openings, the opening can also be formed by a plurality of round, intersecting openings of different diameters. In this way, the variability of the label with respect to the dimensions of the container, in particular the diameter of bottle necks, can be adapted, with this solution the entire opening taking up less space than a plurality of spaced openings. As a result, the length of the tab can be reduced in an advantageous manner.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tab of the label can also have a section which is tapered, preferably by two recesses, sen width is at least not significantly larger than the diameter of the opening. The opening is arranged between the section and the integrally formed writing field. In this embodiment, a loop can be formed from the flap, which encloses the part of the container for fastening the label. For this purpose, the free end of the tab with its tapered section is pushed into the opening, which requires a certain flexibility of the material. With the help of such a loop, it is possible to attach the label to parts of the container that do not have a free end or whose free end has an excessively large diameter, due to which it is no longer possible to attach them by means of a circular opening. The embodiment is therefore particularly suitable for bottles whose bottle neck widens in the direction of the opening, or for containers which have a handle without free ends.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the label according to the invention can consist of plastic, paper and / or cardboard. The label can consist of the same material. However, it is also possible to use different materials, i.e. For example, to produce the label from plastic and to provide the writing field with paper or a film that can be written on. In this respect, the label can also be adapted to the respective needs and requirements.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

It shows:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an inventive label with a circular opening.

2 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the label according to the invention,

Fig. 3 in plan view a further alternative embodiment of the label according to the invention and

4 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the label according to the invention, which is designed like a small copybook in the area of the writing field.

1 shows a top view of a label 1 according to the invention, which consists of a writing field 2 and a tab 3 formed thereon. The tab 3 is elongated and has a circular opening 4, by means of which the label 1 can be attached to a container. In the embodiment shown here, the attachment to the container, for example a bottle or the like, is carried out by attaching the tab 3 on part of the container, for example a bottle neck. The label 1 is attached to the part of the container by means of the opening 4, so that the tab 3 partially surrounds this part of the container. The writing field 2 has a large area 5, which increases on one side transversely to the longitudinal extension of the tab 3 to a multiple of its width. As a result, the text field 2 appears practically in a flag shape opposite the tab 3, so that the area 5 stands out from the tab 3 in an advantageous manner. If the label 1 is fastened to the container by means of the tab 3 and the opening 4, the title block 2 is therefore clearly visible and easily accessible for every user. Subsequent labeling of the large area 5 is therefore easily possible even when fastened. Due to the releasable attachment to the container, the label 1 can also be detached from the container in a simple manner, so that the label 1 can also be labeled at another location. The dimensions of the large area 5 of the label 1 according to the invention can be adapted practically as desired to the respective requirements. The area of the writing field 2 is therefore practically independent of the size of the container, so that subsequent application of larger amounts of information is possible without problems. The title block 2 can either consist of a material that can be written on or can be provided with such a material. For attachment, the opening 4 can also be adapted to the respective dimensions of the container, in particular in terms of shape and diameter. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a plurality of openings can also be provided.

2 shows a top view of a label 6 according to the invention, which likewise consists of a text field 7 and a flap 8. In this embodiment, too, the writing field 7 is integrally formed on the tab 8 in the form of a flag. Here, however, the tab 8 has an opening 9 which is formed from three round, cut openings 10, 11, 12. These openings 10, 11, 12 have different diameters, the diameters increasing in the direction of the writing field. By means of the tab 8 designed in this way, the label 6 can be attached, for example, to bottle necks with different diameters, with the use of the respective opening 10, 11 or 12 ensuring stable attachment. This embodiment has the advantage over an arrangement of several separate openings of different diameters that here the openings 10, 11, 12 extend over a shorter length, so that the length of the tab 8 can be kept small.

3 shows a top view of another label 13 according to the invention, which has alternative configurations of the invention. The writing field 14 here additionally has a partial area 15 which is designed to be separable. A perforation or material weakening can be provided, for example, to facilitate the separation of the partial region 15 be what is indicated here by the dashed line 16. The partial area 15 can, for example, be pre-printed with information which enables the substance in the container to be reordered. If the user detects that the substance is running low, he can simply initiate the reordering simply by separating the partial area 15, which means an additional simplification of the work. In this embodiment as well, the writing field 14 is arranged in a flag-like manner, transversely to the longitudinal extent of the tab 17. The tab 17 has a circular opening 18, which is required for attaching the label 13 to the container. In the vicinity of its free end 19, the tab 17 also has two oppositely arranged recesses 20, 21, so that a tapered section 22 is formed. For attachment to the container, the free end 19 can now be inserted into the opening 18 so that the tapered section 22 practically engages in the opening 18. As a result, the tab 17 forms a loop with which it partially surrounds a part of the container, for example a handle which has no free end. Since the writing field 14 in the label 13 according to the invention has a significantly larger area than the flap 17, the opening 18 must be arranged between the tapered section 22 and the writing field 14. Only in this arrangement of the opening 18 does the tab 17 have a free end 19 so that it can be used for fixing in the opening 18. The insertion of the free end 19 into the opening 18 requires a certain flexibility of the material. Otherwise, the width of the tapered section 22 should be smaller or at least not significantly larger than the diameter of the opening 18, since otherwise it would not be possible to form a loop in this way.

All of the labels according to the invention shown in the figures can be provided with a perforation regardless of their fastening possibility, which is why a corresponding line 16 and a section 15 that can be separated along the same are not only shown in FIG. 3 but also in FIGS. 1 and 2 ,

The embodiments shown here illustrate the flexibility of the label according to the invention, which due to its special design can be adapted to the needs and different areas of application in a simple and inexpensive manner. Different configurations of the flap and the title block are possible, which go beyond the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and any combinations thereof.

4 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the label 33 according to the invention, which is designed like a small copybook 30 in the area of its title block 7. The individual pages 32 of the exercise book 30 can be removable or detachable, which is indicated by a perforation 34. The copybook 30 could also extend up to that extend the upper edge of the tab 8. In addition, the entire label could be constructed in multiple layers like a copybook or block, in which case each individual sheet 32 of such a copybook or block would be formed as a whole as a label which could be separated from the other labels (pages of the copybook or block) ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

label

Title Block

flap

opening

Area

label

Title Block

flap

opening

opening

opening

opening

label

Title Block

subregion

line

flap

opening

The End

recess

recess

section

copybook

Number page

label

perforation

Claims

claims 1. Label (1, 6, 13, 33) for attachment to a container, with at least one text field and at least one tab, which is arranged outside the text field and has at least one opening, the text field adjoining the tab in its longitudinal extent , characterized in that the writing field (2, 7, 14) forms a large area (5) which extends on one side transversely to the longitudinal extent of the flap (3, 8, 17) and over a multiple of its width, and that the tab (3, -8, 17) is designed for attachment to a preferably cylindrical part of a container by means of the opening (4, 9, 18) and at least partially surrounds it when attached. 2. Label according to claim 1, characterized in that the text field (2, 7, 14) consists of a material that can be written on or is provided with a material that can be written on, and that the text field (2, 7, 14) is provided for preferably subsequently applying information is. 3. Label according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the title block (2, 7, 14) is at least partially pre-printed. 4. Label according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the writing field (2, 7, 14) has a partial area (15) which, particularly by means of a perforation, is separable. 5. Label according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the opening (4, 9, 18) is round and / or has a dimensioning adapted to the shape of the part of the container. 6. Label according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the opening (9) is formed by a plurality of round, intersecting openings (10, 11, 12) of different diameters. 7. Label according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tab (16) has a, preferably through two recesses (20, 21), tapered section (22), the width of the tapered section (22) at least not much larger than the diameter of the opening (18) and the opening (18) between the section (22) and the integrally formed writing field (14) is arranged. 8. Label according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it consists at least partially of plastic, paper and / or cardboard. 9. Label according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that this (32) at least in the area of its writing field (7) is designed like a copybook (30) or writing pad, the pages (32) of which are preferably separable.