Moisture control label

Abstract

Self-adhesive moisture control label for product packaging including a water absorbent layer capable of absorbing water and an adhesive layer provided such that the label can be adhered to the packaging. The moisture control label is capable of controlling the humidity of the atmosphere within the packaging.

1 . A self-adhesive moisture control label for product packaging, comprising:
 a water absorbent layer capable of absorbing water; and   an adhesive layer provided such that the label can be adhered to the packaging;   wherein the moisture control label is capable of controlling the humidity of the atmosphere within the packaging;   wherein in use, a graphical indicium disposed below the water absorbent layer becomes less visible as the water absorbent layer becomes drier, and becomes more visible as the water absorbent layer becomes wetter.   
     
     
         2 . A label according to  claim 1 , wherein water absorbed by the water absorbent layer can evaporate from the water absorbent layer so as to control the humidity of the atmosphere within the packaging. 
     
     
         3 . A label according to  claim 1 , wherein the water absorbent layer comprises a fibrous pad. 
     
     
         4 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A label according to  claim 1 , wherein the water absorbent layer comprises a sponge material. 
     
     
         8 . A label according to  claim 1 , further comprising a base layer to which the water absorbent layer is adhered to on a front side, wherein the adhesive layer is provided on the rear side of the base layer. 
     
     
         9 . A label according to  claim 8 , wherein the base layer is larger than the water absorbent layer such that a display region extends beyond the periphery of the water absorbent layer. 
     
     
         10 . A label according to  claim 9 , wherein use instructions and/or commercial graphics are provided on the display region of the base layer. 
     
     
         11 . A label according to  claim 8 , wherein the water absorbent layer is located centrally with respect to the base layer. 
     
     
         12 . A label according to  claim 8 , wherein the base layer comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A label according to  claim 8 , wherein the water absorbent layer is adhered to the base layer with a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . A label according to  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . A label according to  claim 1 , wherein the opacity of the water absorbent layer varies as a function of the amount of water retained by the water absorbent layer. 
     
     
         17 . A label according to  claim 1 , wherein in a dry state the water absorbent layer has a first opacity and wherein in a saturated state the water absorbent layer has a second opacity which is lower than the first opacity. 
     
     
         18 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A plurality of labels, each in accordance with  claim 1 , releasably adhered to a backing sheet. 
     
     
         30 . A wound reel of labels comprising a wound backing sheet with a plurality of labels, each in accordance with  claim 1 , releasably adhered to the backing sheet. 
     
     
         31 . Product packaging defining a volume for containing a product, wherein a self-adhesive moisture control label in accordance with  claim 1  is adhered to the packaging such that the label is disposed within the volume so that it can control the humidity of the volume. 
     
     
         32 . Product packaging according to  claim 31 , wherein the product packaging is packaging for a tobacco product. 
     
     
         33 . A method of manufacturing a wound reel of self-adhesive moisture control labels for product packaging, comprising:
 applying an adhesive to the rear side of a continuous web of water absorbent material;   releasably adhering the web of water absorbent material to a backing sheet;   cutting a series of discrete water absorbent layers from the web of water absorbent material;   removing the skeleton of the water absorbent material; and   winding a backing sheet into a reel.   
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 33 , further comprising:
 applying an adhesive to the rear side of a continuous web of base material;   releasably adhering the web of base material to a backing sheet;   cutting a series of discrete base layers from the web of base material;   removing the skeleton of the base material; and   repeatedly removing a discrete water absorbent layer from its backing sheet and adhering to a discrete base layer to form a series of laminate self-adhesive moisture control labels.