Abstract: A wax printing process, apparatus, formulation, and label. The process includes contacting a wax formulation with a surface having at least one etched region thereon, and confronting a carrier with the surface such that at least a portion of the wax transfers from the etched surface to the carrier. The apparatus includes a tray and a manifold positioned in the tray. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a gravure sleeve and a heatable mandrel disposed inside the gravure sleeve. The wax formulation includes a paraffin wax, an ester wax, a hydrocarbon resin, a microcrystalline wax, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin. The label includes a carrier and a wax release layer confronting a surface of the carrier. The wax release layer confronts less that the entire surface of the carrier.

Abstract: A heat-transfer label assembly and method of using the same. In one embodiment, the assembly is particularly well-suited for decorating flexible plastic articles and comprises a paper substrate overcoated with a layer of polyethylene, a skim coat of wax overcoated onto the polyethylene layer, and one or more spaced apart, heat-transfer labels printed onto the skim coat. Each label is bondable to the article when activated by heat and consists of one or more ink design layers, each ink design layer comprising a mixture of polyester resins, a pigment, a cross-linking resin and a catalyst. When initiated by label transfer, the catalyst causes the cross-linking resin to partially cross-link the polyester resin to an extent that the label is endowed with protective properties while still retaining sufficient flexibility to avoid cracking when the article is flexed.

Abstract: A heat transfer label comprising a support portion and a transfer portion for transfer of the transfer portion from the support portion to an article. The article may be untreated polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, or acrylonitrile. Heat is applied to the support portion while the transfer portion is placed into contact with the untreated polyethylene, polypropylene, or acrylonitrile article. The transfer portion comprises an adhesive layer comprising a vinyl acetate resin, a tackifying petroleum hydrocarbon resin, and a microcrystalline wax.

Abstract: Disclosed is a film, and process for making the same, that can be used as a label and which provides an etched appearance by the application of the combination of at least two layers of coarse-grained inks. A more specific form of the invention is to prepare a heat-shrink over-wrap film label as disclosed and then apply it to a regular glass bottle so as to create the appearance of an all-over etched treatment or a look of etched treatment to specific areas only. According to another more specific version of the invention, a heat-shrinkable overwrap sleeve may be printed as described above with a portion of the finish gradated from a full strength coating on the main body section of the container to a lesser degree in a continuous gradation over to a narrower neck part of the bottle to be covered.

Abstract: Labels having a permanent section and at least one removable coupon section are made from polymeric sheets or rolls suitable for printing and forming, at high rates of production, blown or injection in-mold labeled plastic containers are based on a polymeric white opaque, transparent, translucent or contact clear substrate monoaxially oriented and having a thickness in the range of 0.002 to 0.008 inches. The polymer film is reverse pattern-printed with an abhesive coextensive with the detachable portion then overcoated on the container-facing side with a continuous coating of heat activatable adhesive. Such sheet or roll can be printed and then cut into individual labels for affixing to the container as part of a in-molding process. Recyclable containers are provided at high speed without missing labels or doubled labels due to feeding problems.

Abstract: A film, and process for making the same, that can be used as a label and which provides an etched appearance by the application of the combination of at least two layers of coarse-grained inks. A more specific form of the invention is to prepare a heat-shrink over-wrap film label as disclosed and then apply it to a regular glass bottle so as to create the appearance of an all-over etched treatment or a look of etched treatment to specific areas only. According to another more specific version of the invention, a heat-shrinkable overwrap sleeve may be printed as described above with a portion of the finish gradated from a full strength coating on the main body section of the container to a lesser degree in a continuous gradation over to a narrower neck part of the bottle to be covered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-mold label having a roughened inside surface to engage an article being molded in the mold. This roughened inside surface reduces air-entrapped blistering formed during molding, the air-entrapped blisters being between the label and the molded article. Preferably the label includes a plurality of perforations therein. To create the roughened inside surface at the time of perforating the label, the perforations are made by needles passing from the outside or exterior surface of the label through the inside surface thereby creating burrs on the inside surface; the inside surface being the surface which will engage the article to be molded. The label also preferably, in addition to the plurality of perforations and roughened inside surface, includes adhesive in a pattern on the inside surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a label, particularly for in-mold application, and containers and articles having such a label.The label of the present invention is one designed for attaching to a surface and is adapted to allow removal of at least one portion of the label from the surface. The label has at least one permanent portion and at least one removable portion, with the permanent portion(s) having a sufficient amount of adhesive to provide permanent adhesion to the surface while the removable portion(s) is provided with an amount of adhesive to provide relatively less adhesion so as to allow the removable portion to be removed from the surface. Preferably, such lesser amount of adhesive provides a degree of adhesion less than both the tear modulus and the proportional limit of the removable portion(s).