Pressure Sensitive Shrink Label

Abstract

A label for application to a surface having at least one compound curve is provided. The label comprises a heat shrinkable film having an inner surface and outer surface and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the inner surface of the heat shrinkable film.

1 . A system for applying a label to an article, the system comprising:
 a) a heat shrinkable film having an inner surface and an outer surface; and a layer of adhesive on the inner surface of the heat shrinkable film, wherein the film can be converted into a label said film working in cooperation with an apparatus;   b) the apparatus comprising a conformable membrane that contacts a label comprising said heat shrinkable film such that the adhesive layer adheres the label to the article.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the film is further provided with a release liner adhered to the adhesive layer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heat shrinkable film comprises a film selected from polyester, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, copolymers thereof and blends thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heat shrinkable film comprises a polyolefin. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the stiffness of the film is at least 5 mN in the machine direction. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the label further comprises a print layer between the heat shrinkable film and the adhesive layer, wherein the heat shrinkable film is transparent. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the label further comprises a print layer on the outer surface of the heat shrinkable film. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the label further comprises a protective layer overlying the print layer. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive layer comprises an emulsion adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive layer comprises a hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive layer comprises a solvent based adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive layer is continuous. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive layer is patterned and the pattern substantially covers the inner surface of the film. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heat shrinkable film has a machine direction and a transverse direction, the film having an ultimate shrinkage S in at least one direction of at least 10% at 90° C., wherein the shrinkage in the other direction is S±20%. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conformable membrane comprises a bladder. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conformable membrane is heated. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the conformable membrane is part of a walking beam. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the walking beam comprises a heated cavity wherein the shape of the cavity corresponds to the shape of the article to which the label is applied. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the walking beam comprises a flexible membrane suspended between at least two frame members. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the walking beam comprises a flexible membrane mounted to a rectangular frame. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the walking beam comprises a flexible membrane mounted to a frame having a shape corresponding to the shape of the article to which the label is applied. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the walking beam comprising a flexible porous mesh suspended between at least two frame members. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the conformable membrane is a bladder. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the bladder is part of a walking beam.