Avery Dennison Corporation

Yao-Feng Wang

Eng-Pi Chang

Ramin Heydarpour

Karl Josephy

Edward I Sun

Johannes Schut

Melvin S Freedman

Mitchell J Rackovan

Donald F Kimes

Mitchell A Winnik

Maris Ziemelis

This invention relates to a die-cuttable, biaxially stretch-oriented monolayer film comprising a polyethylene having a density of about 0.940 g/cm or less, a propylene polymer or copolymer, or mixtures thereof, wherein the tensile modulus of the film in the machine direction is greater than the tensile modulus in the cross direction, the tensile modulus of the film in the cross direction is about 150,000 psi or less, and the film is free of copolymers of ethylene with an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester. Die-cuttable, stretch-oriented multilayer films also are described comprising the above films as a base layer, and a thermoplastic polymer skin layer bonded to the upper surface of the base layer. The biaxially oriented monolayer and multilayer films are useful in particular in preparing adhesive containing labelstock for use in adhesive labels.

Conformable and die-cuttable biaxially oriented films and labelstocks

A multilayer film facestock for labels is described which comprises a base layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, and at least a first skin layer bonded to the upper surface of the base layer by a tie layer wherein the base layer comprises a propylene homopolymer or copolymer, or a blend of a propylene homopolymer and at least one propylene copolymer, and the first skin layer consists essentially of at least one polyethylene having a density of about 0.940 g/cm or less, wherein the multilayer facestock is not oriented. Adhesive containing multilayer labelstocks for use in adhesive labels also are described which comprise the multilayer film facestock described above and an adhesive layer adhesively joined to the lower surface of the base layer. Labels prepared from the facestock and the labelstock also are described.

Multilayer films and labels

A multilayer film facestock for labels is described which comprises a base layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, and at least a first skin layer bonded to the upper surface of the base layer by a tie layer wherein the base layer comprises a propylene homopolymer or copolymer, or a blend of a propylene homopolymer and at least one propylene copolymer, and the first skin layer consists essentially of at least one polyethylene having a density of about 0.940 g/cm or less. In one preferred embodiment, at least the base layer is machine direction oriented. In another embodiment, the base layer comprises a polyethylene having a density above 0.940 g/cm (high density) and the polyethylene is ultimately oriented in the machine direction. Adhesive containing multilayer labelstocks for use in adhesive labels also are described which comprise the multilayer film facestock described above and an adhesive layer adhesively joined to the lower surface of the base layer. Labels prepared from the facestock and the labelstock also are described.

This invention relates to a method for selecting a substrate intended for use in a cutting operation. The method is particularly suitable for selecting facestock materials intended for use in making pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) constructions such as PSA labels. The method includes the following steps (A)-(D). Step (A) involves cutting the substrate during a first cutting step to form at least two shapes in the substrate. The shapes are positioned in spaced relationship to each other. A matrix is formed during this cutting step. The matrix is the waste substrate material around the shapes. Step (B) involves cutting the substrate with a second cutting step to form a test sample. The test sample is comprised of part of one shape, part of the next adjacent shape, and the matrix around the shape parts. Step (C) involves separating the matrix from the shape parts while measuring the force required to separate the matrix from the shape parts and measuring the displacement of the separating force. Step (D) involves determining the friction energy required to separate the matrix from the shape parts. The selection of the substrate is dependent on the friction energy.

Method for selecting a substrate intended for use in a cutting operation

A fluorophore is added to or chemically attached to a curable release coating and the release coating is applied to a substrate. By exposing the release coating to an ultraviolet light source and measuring the intensity ratio of the dimer to monomer fluorescence, the cure of the release coating can be monitored. This method can be used as an on-line cure monitor in order to determine and control the extent of cure of coated substrates particularly silicone release liners.

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Diamond Bar, CA, United States of America

Yao-Feng Wang