Shrink sleeve for an article closure

Abstract

The present invention provides a shrink sleeve for use on a closure of an article. The present invention does so by providing a decorated closure for an article, such as a container, used to package an item or items. The decorated closure includes a shrink sleeve and a closure for an article. The closure has a top end, a bottom end, and a side surface. The closure may further include a centerpoint of the top end and a centerpoint of the bottom end with a longitudinal axis passing therethrough. The shrink sleeve is shrunk around at least the side surface of the article, and the shrink sleeve is a laminate that includes a heat-activatable expandable layer.

1 . A decorated closure for an article, the article used to package an item or items, the decorated closure comprising: 
 a shrink sleeve; and    a closure for an article, said closure having a top end, a bottom end, and a side surface;    wherein said shrink sleeve is shrunk around at least said side surface of said closure, to contact and confront said side surface, and said shrink sleeve being a laminate comprising a plurality of layers, said plurality of layers including a heat-activatable expandable layer.    
     
     
         2 . The decorated closure of  claim 1 , wherein said top end includes a top surface, and a portion of said shrink sleeve confronts said top surface of said closure.  
     
     
         3 . The decorated closure of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive applied proximal to an inner surface of said shrink sleeve.  
     
     
         4 . The decorated closure of  claim 3 , wherein said adhesive is applied in a flood pattern.  
     
     
         5 . The decorated closure of  claim 3 , wherein said adhesive is an ethylene vinyl acetate-based adhesive.  
     
     
         6 . The decorated closure of  claim 3 , wherein said adhesive activates at a temperature lower than a temperature that would cause deformation of said closure.  
     
     
         7 . The decorated closure of  claim 3 , further comprising an ink layer disposed proximal to an inner surface of said shrink sleeve.  
     
     
         8 . The decorated closure of  claim 7 , wherein said ink layer includes a background ink comprising a nitro-acrylic based resin including a pigment comprising TiO 2 , and a plasticizer having a wax additive.  
     
     
         9 . The decorated closure of  claim 8 , wherein said background white ink does not include calcium carbonate.  
     
     
         10 . The decorated closure of  claim 1 , wherein said expandable layer includes a composition comprising a binder resin and a solvent.  
     
     
         11 . The decorated closure of  claim 10 , wherein said binder resin is present in a range of about 50% (wt.) to about 80% (wt.) of said expandable layer, and said solvent is present in a range of up to about 20% (wt.) of said expandable layer.  
     
     
         12 . The decorated closure of  claim 10 , wherein said composition further comprises a colorant.  
     
     
         13 . The decorated closure of  claim 12 , wherein said colorant is present in a range of about 1% (wt.) to about 5% (wt.) of said expandable layer.  
     
     
         14 . The decorated closure of  claim 10 , wherein said composition is associated with a plurality of microspheres.  
     
     
         15 . The decorated closure of  claim 14 , wherein said microspheres are present in a range of about 10% (wt.) to about 50% (wt.) of said expandable layer.  
     
     
         16 . The decorated closure of  claim 14 , wherein said microspheres include Foamcoat A7810 AY.  
     
     
         17 . The decorated closure of  claim 14 , wherein said microspheres encapsulate a gas.  
     
     
         18 . The decorated closure of  claim 17 , wherein said gas is isobutane.  
     
     
         19 . The decorated closure of  claim 14 , wherein said composition is disposed on an outer surface of said microspheres.  
     
     
         20 . The decorated closure of  claim 14 , wherein said microspheres are heat-rupturable.  
     
     
         21 . The decorated closure of  claim 20 , wherein said microspheres are adapted to rupture at temperatures at or above 180° F.  
     
     
         22 . The decorated closure of  claim 10 , wherein said binder resin is chosen from acrylic binders, vinyl acrylic copolymer binders, vinyl acetate homopolymer binders, styrene acrylic binders, and phenoxy binders.  
     
     
         23 . The decorated closure of  claim 10 , wherein the solvent is chosen from distilled water and isopropanol.  
     
     
         24 . The decorated closure of  claim 12 , wherein the colorant is chosen from a nonionic water-based pigment dye and an anionic dye.  
     
     
         25 . The decorated closure of  claim 1 , said laminate further comprising a wax component.