Single ply psa labels for battery applications

Abstract

There is provided a single ply label for labelling a dry cell battery having an elongate peripheral case defining an axis and opposed ends enclosing a direct current, electrical energy providing core. The label is formed of a transparent, self-supporting, substantially monoaxially oriented, heat shrinkable polymer film backing having an outer surface and an inner surface, a width sufficient for the backing to embrace the battery case and provide, at opposed ends, first and second edges which extend parallel to the axis of the battery and meet in at least abutting relationship, and a length for extending beyond the opposed ends of the battery and lap over onto the opposed third and fourth ends of the battery. An alkali-resistant, electrically non-conductive, opaque, pigmented layer is applied to the inner surface of and supported by the backing. An electrically non-conductive, pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is applied over the pigmented layer at least along the first and second edges. The pressure-sensitive adhesive has sufficient peel adhesion to prevent lifting of an applied label from the case of the battery and sufficient shear strength to prevent relative movement of adhered first edges on heat shrinkage of an adhesively applied backing about the battery case.