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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pressure sensitive adhesive label for application on a surface having at least one compound curve, the label comprising:
 a heat shrinkable film having an inner surface and outer surface, and a machine direction and a trans direction, the film having an ultimate shrinkage S in at least one direction of at least 10% at 90° C. as measured by ASTM Method D1204, wherein the shrinkage in the other direction is within the range of S±20%; and   a continuous adhesive layer of pressure sensitive adhesive having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface of the adhesive layer is adhered to the inner surface of the heat shrinkable film and the exterior surface is capable of adhering to the surface having at least one compound curve.   
     
     
         2 . The label of  claim 1  wherein the label is sized such that it does not adhere to itself when placed on a surface having a compound curve. 
     
     
         3 . The label of  claim 1  wherein the heat shrinkable film comprises a film selected from polyester, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, poly lactic acid, copolymers thereof and blends thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The label of  claim 1  wherein the heat shrinkable film comprises a multilayer film having a core layer and at least one skin layer. 
     
     
         5 . The label of  claim 1  wherein the stiffness of the film is at least 5 mN in the machine direction. 
     
     
         6 . The label of  claim 1  further comprising a print layer between the heat shrinkable film and the adhesive layer, wherein the heat shrinkable film is transparent. 
     
     
         7 . The label of  claim 1  further comprising a print layer on the outer surface of the heat shrinkable film. 
     
     
         8 . The label of  claim 8  further comprising a protective layer overlying the print layer. 
     
     
         9 . The label of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive layer comprises an emulsion adhesive, hot melt adhesive or solvent based adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The label of  claim 1  wherein the heat shrinkable film comprises a multilayer coextruded film. 
     
     
         11 . The label of  claim 1  further comprising a release liner adhered to the pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The label of  claim 1  wherein the continuous pressure sensitive adhesive layer is a continuous pattern and the pattern substantially covers the inner surface of the film.