Product container including an in-mold label

Abstract

A hollow multi-layered container comprises: an outer layer including a label and an inner layer, which is injection molded. The label has a barrier material that impedes one or more substances that emanate from a product from penetrating through the label, and the label displays information related to the product. The inner layer and the barrier material of the outer layer are substantially coextensive. For a container having a sidewall and an inclined shoulder extending inward from the sidewall, the label includes a primary segment covering the sidewall of the container and a plurality of shoulder pads covering the shoulder in at least approximately contiguous alignment with adjacent said shoulder pads. A method of inserting an in-mold label for an injection molded product into the mold, comprises the steps of: (a) inserting the label partially into a cavity bounded by a cavity mold part so that one end of the label extends from the cavity; and (b) upon closing the mold, pushing the label fully into the cavity by pushing against the label with a mold part that is moved toward the cavity when the mold is closed so that when the label is fully within the cavity, the lateral edges of the label are aligned with each other.