JP3887516B2

JP3887516B2 - Heat shrink label continuum

Info

Publication number: JP3887516B2
Application number: JP37394499A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 正一前波; 孝志福泉; 拓二栢; 善直阪口
Original assignee: Fuji Seal International Inc
Current assignee: Fuji Seal International Inc
Priority date: 1999-12-28
Filing date: 1999-12-28
Publication date: 2007-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 2019-12-28
Also published as: JP2001179858A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、熱収縮性フィルムの片面に印刷層が形成された熱収縮ラベルの連続体に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
熱収縮ラベルの一態様である筒状の熱収縮ラベルは、合成樹脂からなる熱収縮性フィルムの内面側に印刷層が形成された基材の両端部を接合してチューブ状に形成した後、偏平状に折り畳んだ状態でロール状に巻き取り、自動装着装置などによって順次繰り出されながら所定長さに切断され、しかる後、筒状に開口されて被装着体に外嵌装着されるものである。
【０００３】
被装着体としては、例えば、ＰＥＴボトル、ガラスビン等の飲料用の容器が挙げられる。これらの飲料用の容器は、通常、胴部から口部にかけて縮径されたテーパ部を有しており、このテーパ部から胴部、そして胴部の底端部に至るまで熱収縮ラベルを外嵌装着するものがある。
【０００４】
しかしながら、この例によると、テーパ部における熱収縮性フィルムの収縮量が大きいため、熱収縮性フィルムが加熱により収縮した結果、テーパ部における印刷層の色濃度が胴部における印刷層の色濃度よりも濃くなる傾向にある。そして、このままでは外観の見栄えの悪さから商品価値を損なうおそれがある。特に、透明な容器に透明性を有する緑色の印刷を施した熱収縮ラベルを外嵌装着して、着色した緑色容器の外観を呈する容器（緑茶用ボトル等）を得る場合等には、色の濃淡や色ムラが目立ちやすいという問題があった。
【０００５】
従って、印刷層を形成するに際しては、熱収縮性フィルムの収縮量に応じて印刷層の色濃度を変える必要、即ち、収縮量が大きい箇所ほど印刷層の色濃度を薄くする必要が生じる。この技術の従来例として、容器本体の胴部からテーパ部における熱収縮性フィルムの収縮量に応じて凹点の深さあるいは凹点の周囲土手部の長さを調整したグラビア版で印刷層をグラビア印刷する技術（特開昭６３−２７４５４３号公報所載の発明）が公知である。
【０００６】
この技術による実施例は、図９に示される。熱収縮ラベルは、図９（ロ）に示す容器本体のテーパ部の途中部（Ａ点，Ｂ点）、テーパ部と胴部との境界（Ｃ点）、胴部の途中部（Ｄ点）を経て胴部の底端部（図示せず）に至るまで外嵌装着されるが、テーパ部はゆるやかに傾斜しており、Ｃ点からＡ点に向かうほど熱収縮性フィルムの収縮量が大きくなる。そこで、図９（イ）に示す如く、グラビア版の土手長さをＣ点からＡ点にかけて次第に長くして、収縮量が大きい箇所ほど印刷層の色濃度が薄くなるようにしている。これにより、収縮後の印刷層は何れの部位にあっても濃淡が等しくなるため、外観の見栄えが良くなって、商品価値が損なわれないのである。
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、熱収縮ラベルは、上述の如く、ロール状にされた連続体を一枚ずつ切断して使用するものであるため、長尺の熱収縮性フィルムに容器一本分の印刷パターンを繰り返して印刷することで、印刷層は熱収縮性フィルムの長手方向に連続して形成されることとなる。即ち、図１０（イ）に示す如く、縦軸を印刷層の色濃度、横軸を熱収縮性フィルムの長手方向とすれば、図中の破線間が容器一本分に対応する印刷層となり、破線が切断予定線となる。
【０００８】
しかしながら、従来の印刷パターンは、一つの容器に対応する印刷層と隣の容器に対応する印刷層との境界（破線）において、印刷層の濃度が急激に立ち上がる形態であるから、切断位置が多少ずれて例えば鎖線に沿って切断した場合には、収縮後の熱収縮ラベルの上端縁における印刷層の色濃度が非常に濃くなり、外観の見栄えが非常に悪くなるという問題が生じる。そして、かかる問題は、切断装置や搬送装置の機械的精度誤差によって顕在化される。
【０００９】
また、上記問題を回避する手段として、図１０（ロ）に示す如く、熱収縮ラベルの切断予定線の両側に印刷層の無いクリア部分を設ける印刷パターンも考えられるが、かかる場合、熱収縮ラベルの上下両端縁に透明帯状部分ができて、やはり外観の見栄えが悪くなるという問題が生じる。
【００１０】
そこで、本発明は上記の如き問題点に鑑みてなされたもので、熱収縮後の印刷層に局所的な濃淡のバラツキが生じて外観の見栄えが悪くなるのを好適に防止することができる熱収縮ラベルの連続体を提供することを課題とする。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するために、本発明に係る熱収縮ラベルの連続体は、長尺の熱収縮性フィルム２に印刷層３を備え、熱収縮性フィルム２の長手方向に間隔を有して幅方向に設定された切断予定線Ｐ，…に沿って切断したものを、容器本体７の胴部８とテーパ部９とに跨って外嵌装着させるようにした熱収縮ラベルの連続体において、印刷層３を熱収縮性フィルム２の長手方向に連続させて形成することにより、各切断予定線Ｐに沿って該各切断予定線Ｐの一方側に形成される所定領域Ｌｔ及び各切断予定線Ｐに沿って該各切断予定線Ｐの他方側に形成される所定領域Ｌｂにも印刷層３ｂ，３ｃが形成されるようにし、且つ、前記一方側の所定領域Ｌｔにおける印刷層３ｂの色濃度を、容器本体７のテーパ部９の縮径率に略対応させて、各切断予定線Ｐ間における前記一方側の所定領域Ｌｔと前記他方側の所定領域Ｌｂとに挟まれる所定領域Ｌｍにおける印刷層３の色濃度よりも予め薄くしておくと共に、前記他方側の所定領域Ｌｂにおける印刷層３ｃの色濃度も、各切断予定線Ｐ間における前記一方側の所定領域Ｌｔと前記他方側の所定領域Ｌｂとに挟まれる所定領域Ｌｍにおける印刷層３の色濃度よりも予め薄くしておくことを特徴とする。
【００１３】
従って、かかる発明によれば、熱収縮性フィルム２の両端領域のうち、一方側Ｌｔにおける印刷層３ｂの色濃度を、容器本体７のテーパ部９の縮径率に略対応させて予め薄くしておくと共に、他方側Ｌｂにおける印刷層３ｃの色濃度も、予め薄くしておくことで、切断予定線Ｐ（熱収縮ラベルの両端縁２ｂ，ｃ）の両側に色濃度の薄い印刷層３の領域が存在するため、多少の切断位置のずれによっても、熱収縮後の印刷層３に局所的な濃淡のバラツキが生じて外観の見栄えが悪くなるのを好適に防止することができる。
【００１４】
また、本発明に係る熱収縮ラベルの連続体は、請求項２記載の如く、切断予定線Ｐから他方側の所定領域Ｌｂにおける印刷層３ｃの色濃度を、容器本体７の胴部８の中ほどに形成されたくびれ部８ａ若しくは胴部８の底端部８ｂの縮径率に略対応させて、各切断予定線Ｐ間における前記一方側の所定領域Ｌｔと前記他方側の所定領域Ｌｂとに挟まれる所定領域Ｌｍにおける印刷層３の色濃度よりも予め薄くしておくものであってもよい。
かかる構成からなる熱収縮ラベルによれば、収縮後のくびれ部８ａ若しくは胴部８の底端部８ｂにおける印刷層３ｃの色濃度も均一化させることができる。
【００１５】
さらに、本発明に係る熱収縮ラベルの連続体は、請求項３記載の如く、切断予定線Ｐから他方側の所定領域Ｌｂにおける印刷層３ｃの色濃度を、容器本体７の胴部８の縮径率に関わらず、各切断予定線Ｐ間における前記一方側の所定領域Ｌｔと前記他方側の所定領域Ｌｂとに挟まれる所定領域Ｌｍにおける印刷層３の色濃度よりも予め薄くしておくものであってもよい。
かかる構成からなる熱収縮ラベルによれば、収縮後の印刷層３ｃについては、色濃度を厳密に均一化させることができないが、容器本体７の胴部８における熱収縮性フィルム２の収縮率はさほど大きくないため、大きな濃淡のバラツキは生じず、外観に対する影響は実質上無視できる。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態について図面に従って説明する。
【００１８】
＜第一実施形態＞
第一実施形態に係る熱収縮ラベル１は、図１（イ）に示す如く、熱収縮性フィルム２の片面側に印刷層３が形成されたもので、該熱収縮性フィルム２は、ポリエチレンテレフタレート等のポリエステル、ポリ塩化ビニル、ポリスチレンやポリプロピレン、ポリエチレン等製の厚さ１５〜８０μｍ程度に形成された公知のフィルムで、且つ、少なくとも一方向に所定の収縮率（例えば９０℃で３０〜９０％）で熱収縮する性質を有する。
【００１９】
また、前記熱収縮ラベル１は、印刷層３が内面側になるように両端部が溶着や接着剤等で接合されて収縮方向が周方向になるように筒状に形成され、さらに、折り目部分２ａ，２ａが両端になるように扁平状に折り畳まれている。
【００２０】
そして、前記印刷層３は、図１（ロ）に示す如く、デザインや商品名等が施された第一着色インキ層４と、該第一着色インキ層４の上から熱収縮性フィルム２の全面にわたって施され、若しくは第一着色インキ層４を除いた部分に施された第二着色インキ層５とからなり、前記第一着色インキ層４は、青や赤等の任意の色の着色インキが塗布されると共に、第二着色インキ層５は、例えば、透明な緑色等の地色用の着色インキが塗布されている。尚、これ以降、印刷層３といえば、第二着色インキ層５をいうものとする。
【００２１】
そして、前記印刷層３は、例えばグラビア印刷によって厚さ０．１〜１０μｍ（好ましくは０．５〜３μｍ）に塗布されているが、前記折り目部分２ａ，２ａ付近では、印刷層３ａの色濃度が薄くなる、即ち、印刷層３ａの厚みが薄くなるように塗布されている。しかも、この折り目部分２ａ，２ａ付近の印刷層３ａは、該折り目部分２ａ，２ａに向かって除々に薄くなるように形成されている。
【００２２】
また、前記印刷層３は、図２に示す如く、熱収縮性フィルム２の両端縁２ｂ，２ｃ（容器に外嵌装着された状態における熱収縮ラベル１の上下端縁）にまで形成されており、本実施形態に係る熱収縮ラベル１には、印刷層３の無いクリア部分は設けられていない。
【００２３】
そして、熱収縮性フィルム２の一端側の所定領域Ｌｔでは、印刷層３ｂの色濃度が薄くなるように塗布されており、同様に、熱収縮性フィルム２の他端側の所定領域Ｌｂでも、印刷層３ｃの色濃度が薄くなるように塗布されている。しかも、この領域Ｌｔ，Ｌｂにおける印刷層３ｂ，３ｃは、端縁２ｂ，２ｃに向かって除々に薄くなるように形成され、且つ、両端縁２ｂ，２ｃにおける印刷層３の色濃度が近似乃至一致するようになっている。
【００２４】
従って、縦軸を印刷層３の色濃度、横軸を熱収縮性フィルム２の長手方向として、印刷層３の色濃度分布を表すと、図３（イ）に示す如く、所定領域Ｌｔと所定領域Ｌｂとに挟まれた所定領域Ｌｍでは、印刷層３ｄの色濃度が一定（濃度勾配を持たない）であり、所定領域Ｌｔ，Ｌｂでは、印刷層３ｂ，３ｃの色濃度が所定領域Ｌｍよりも薄くなっており濃度勾配を持つ。しかも、所定領域Ｌｂは、所定領域Ｌｔに比べて長さの短い領域であるため、所定領域Ｌｂにおける印刷層３ｃの濃度勾配は、所定領域Ｌｔにおける印刷層３ｂの濃度勾配よりも急勾配となっている。
【００２５】
また、図３（ロ）に示す如く、所定領域Ｌｔは、透明なポリエチレンテレフタレート製ボトル（ＰＥＴボトル）からなる容器本体７の胴部８から断面径が急減するテーパ部９に対応しており、且つ、他方の所定領域Ｌｂは、容器本体７の胴部８の下端から内向きにＲ状に縮径する底端部８ｂに対応するようになっている。そして、所定領域Ｌｔにおける印刷層３ｂは、容器本体７のテーパ部９の縮径率に略対応した濃度勾配を持っている。
【００２６】
第一実施形態に係る熱収縮ラベルは、以上の構成からなり、次に、熱収縮ラベルを収縮させて容器に外嵌装着させた状態を図３を参酌しつつ説明する。
【００２７】
上述の如く、熱収縮性フィルム２の一端側の所定領域Ｌｔは、容器本体７のテーパ部９に密着し、一方、熱収縮性フィルム２の他端側の所定領域Ｌｂは、胴部８の底端部８ｂに密着するため、所定領域Ｌｔ，Ｌｂは、所定領域Ｌｍよりも収縮量の大きい収縮が行われ、しかも、所定領域Ｌｔは、その端縁２ｂに近い部分ほど、また、所定領域Ｌｂは、その端縁２ｃに近い部分ほど、より大きな収縮量をもって収縮させられる。
【００２８】
一方、容器本体７の胴部８は、上下方向の各部分における断面径が略一様であるから、胴部８に密着する所定領域Ｌｍは、その上下方向の何れの部分においても、略一様の収縮量をもって収縮させられる。
【００２９】
即ち、第一実施形態に係る熱収縮ラベルは、一様な収縮量をもって収縮する所定領域Ｌｍの印刷層３ｄを、略一様な色濃度に形成する一方、その両端に位置する収縮量が変化する所定領域Ｌｔ，Ｌｂの印刷層３ｂ，３ｃについては、該箇所における熱収縮性フィルム２の収縮量（容器本体７の縮径量）に応じて色濃度を変えているため、熱収縮性フィルム２の収縮後の印刷層３に濃淡のバラツキが生じることはない。
【００３０】
ところで、印刷層３の形成は、上述の如く、印刷により、代表的には、グラビア印刷により行うことができる。そして、色濃度の濃淡を変える手法としては、図４に示す如く、凹部１３の深さを次第に深く（浅く）したグラビア版１２（イに示す）、凹部１３の土手長さＬを次第に長く（短く）したグラビア版１２（ロに示す）、凹部１３の配置密度を次第に密（粗）にしたグラビア版１２（ハに示す）、凹部１３の大きさを次第に大きく（小さく）したグラビア版１２（ニに示す）、若しくはこれらを適当に組み合わせたグラビア版等を使用してグラビア印刷する方法が挙げられる。
【００３１】
以上の如く、第一実施形態に係る熱収縮ラベルによれば、熱収縮性フィルム２の両端側領域のうち、一方側Ｌｔにおける印刷層３ｂの色濃度を、容器本体７のテーパ部９の縮径率に略対応させて予め薄くしておいたため、熱収縮後の印刷層３に局所的な濃淡のバラツキが生じて外観の見栄えが悪くなるのを好適に防止することができる。また、他方側Ｌｂにおける印刷層３ｃの色濃度の変化は、容器本体７の胴部８の底端部８ｂの縮径率に完全に対応させていないが、かかる胴部８の底端部８ｂは、胴部８やテーパ部９に比べて目に付きにくい箇所であるため、外観に対する影響は実質上無視できる。
【００３２】
また、扁平状にされた筒状の熱収縮ラベルは、折り目部分２ａ，２ａがその他の箇所に比べて熱収縮量が多くなることが知られているが、第一実施形態に係る熱収縮ラベルによれば、折り目部分２ａ，２ａにおける印刷層３ａの色濃度を、その他の箇所に比べて薄くしているため、折り目部分２ａ，２ａにおける印刷層３ａとそうでない部分における印刷層３との間に、熱収縮後の色濃度の濃淡のバラツキ（色ムラ）が生じて外観の見栄えが悪くなるのを好適に防止することができるという利点も有する。
【００３３】
かかる場合、折り目部分２ａ，２ａにおける印刷層３ａについても、所定領域Ｌｔ，Ｌｂに対応する部分に色濃度の変化を付けておけば、熱収縮後の折り目部分２ａ，２ａにおける印刷層３ａの色濃度も均一化されることとなる。
【００３４】
尚、容器本体７の縮径率に対応した色濃度とは、例えばグラビア印刷による透明な緑色の場合は、収縮率５０％の部分の濃度を縮径率０％の部分の５０〜７０％程度にすることで良い。
【００３５】
＜第二実施形態＞
上述の如く、筒状の熱収縮ラベルは、熱収縮性フィルム２の内面側に印刷層３が形成された基材の両端部を接合してチューブ状に形成した後、偏平状に折り畳んだ状態でロール状に巻き取り、自動装着装置などによって順次繰り出されながら所定長さに切断され、しかる後、筒状に開口されて容器本体７に外嵌装着されるものである。
【００３６】
そこで、熱収縮ラベルは、通常、連続体として取り扱われる。かかる熱収縮ラベルの連続体は、本実施形態においては、長尺の熱収縮性フィルム２の長手方向に間隔を有して複数の切断予定線を設定し、印刷層３を熱収縮性フィルム２の長手方向に連続させて形成し、且つ、切断予定線から一方側の所定領域における印刷層３の色濃度を予め薄くしておくと共に、切断予定線から他方側の所定領域における印刷層３の色濃度も予め薄くしておくようにしている。
【００３７】
この本実施形態に係る熱収縮ラベルについて、縦軸を印刷層３の色濃度、横軸を熱収縮性フィルム２の長手方向として、印刷層３の色濃度分布を表すと、図５に表される。そして、図中、熱収縮性フィルム２を幅方向に横切る破線Ｐが熱収縮ラベルの切断予定線であり、この切断予定線Ｐに沿って切断されたものが第一実施形態における熱収縮ラベルと同じものになる。尚、切断予定線Ｐにおける印刷層３の色濃度が最も薄くなっているが、これは、印刷層３のうち、最も色濃度が濃い部分の約３０〜６０％に相当する色濃度となっている。
【００３８】
従って、切断予定線Ｐから一方側の所定領域Ｌｔにおける印刷層３ｂが容器本体７のテーパ部９に対応し、切断予定線Ｐから他方側の所定領域Ｌｂにおける印刷層３ｃが容器本体７の胴部８の底端部８ｂに対応し、所定領域Ｌｔ，Ｌｂに挟まれた領域Ｌｍにおける印刷層３ｄが容器本体７の胴部８に対応する。
【００３９】
以上、第二実施形態によれば、切断予定線Ｐを挟んで両側に色濃度の薄い領域が存在しているため、切断位置が多少ずれて、例えば一点鎖線Ｌ１や二点鎖線Ｌ２に沿って切断した場合でも、収縮後の熱収縮ラベルの上端縁における印刷層３の色濃度が非常に濃くなることはなく、外観の見栄えが悪化するという問題は生じ得ない。
【００４０】
また、印刷層３は、切断予定線Ｐを挟んで連続しており、切断予定線Ｐの両側に印刷層３の無いクリア部分が設けられていないため、さらに外観の見栄えを良くすることができる。
【００４１】
さらに、印刷層３が熱収縮性フィルム２の両端縁２ｂ，２ｃにまで形成されていることで、フィルムの内面同士が直接密着することが無いため、従来のクリア部分を設けていた熱収縮ラベルに比べて易開口性を得ることができ、高速ラベラーに対応することができる。
【００４２】
＜参考例＞
ところで、近年、ＰＥＴボトル等の合成樹脂製容器はリサイクルするものという考えが定着してきている。ところが、良質なリサイクル材料を得るためには、例えば緑色等に着色されたＰＥＴボトルは、無色透明のＰＥＴボトルから分離する必要があり、処理コストがかかるため、リサイクルがなかなか進んでいないのが実状である。
【００４３】
そこで、本実施形態では、容器本体には着色を施さず、その所望する着色を熱収縮ラベルの印刷層で代用することとした。例えば、従来は、緑茶を入れるためのＰＥＴボトルには、商品に付加価値を与える観点から、緑色の着色を施していたが、今回は、ＰＥＴボトルの容器本体自体には着色を施さず、その代わりに、上記第一実施形態における熱収縮ラベルの印刷層３に緑色の透明着色インキを採用することとした。
【００４４】
熱収縮ラベルは、テーパ部９の上端縁９ａから胴部８の底端部８ｂにかけて容器本体７の全周面に外嵌装着するものとし、印刷層３のうち、容器本体７のテーパ部９、胴部８の底端部８ｂに対応する部分には、該部分における熱収縮性フィルム２の収縮量に応じて印刷層３の色濃度を変化させるものとする。
【００４５】
この手法により、熱収縮後の印刷層３の色濃度が均一化されることとなり、外観の見栄えを損なうことなく、あたかも容器本体を着色したかのように見え、従来の容器と同等の商品価値が得られることとなる。
【００４６】
＜その他の実施形態＞
尚、本発明は、上記何れの実施形態にも限定されることはなく、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲にて種々の変更が可能である。
【００４７】
従って、容器としては、ＰＥＴボトルにのみ限定されるものではなく、ガラスビンや、その他の公知となっている合成樹脂製容器をも含む。しかも、容器は、断面が円形である必要はなく、断面が四角形であって、角部がＲがけされたもの等をも含む。
【００４８】
また、熱収縮ラベルを容器本体７の口部１０（不透明部分）を除く全周面に外嵌装着させることで、例えば第三実施形態に示す如く、容器本体７自体を着色したかの如くに見せることができるが、本発明は、これに限定されず、図６（イ）に示す如く、容器本体７のテーパ部９から胴部８の中ほどに形成されたくびれ部８ａにかけて外嵌装着されるもの、図６（ロ）に示す如く、容器本体７の口部１０の下端縁（テーパ部９の上端縁９ａ）と間隔を空けてテーパ部９の途中から胴部８の底端部８ｂにかけて外嵌装着されるもの、図６（ハ）に示す如く、テーパ部９から胴部８の途中にかけて外嵌装着されるものであってもよい。
【００４９】
図６（イ）に示す例によれば、熱収縮性フィルム２の他端側の所定領域Ｌｂがくびれ部８ａに密着することとなる。かかる場合、該所定領域Ｌｂにおける印刷層３ｃの色濃度を、くびれ部８ａにおける熱収縮性フィルム２の収縮率に略対応させて薄くするものであってもよく、あるいは所定領域Ｌｂにおける印刷層３ｃの色濃度を、くびれ部８ａにおける熱収縮性フィルム２の収縮率に関わらず薄くするものであってもよい。
【００５０】
所定領域Ｌｂにおける印刷層３ｃの色濃度と、くびれ部８ａにおける熱収縮性フィルム２の収縮率とを対応させなくともよい理由として、くびれ部８ａは、テーパ部９に比べて縮径率が十分に小さいため、収縮後の印刷層３ｃに極端な濃淡のバラツキが生じ得ないことが挙げられる。ちなみに、これは、くびれ部８ａのみならず、図６（ロ）に示す如く、胴部８の底端部８ｂにも当てはまることである。加えて、底端部８ｂの場合には、所定領域Ｌｂにおける印刷層３ｃが目立たない位置に所在することも上記の理由として挙げられる。
【００５１】
また、図６（ハ）に示す例は、熱収縮性フィルム２の他端側の所定領域Ｌｂがくびれ部８ａにも底端縁８ｂにも引っかからない場合である。かかる場合、熱収縮後の該箇所における印刷層３ｃが、胴部８に対応する他の箇所における印刷層３ｄよりも色濃度が薄くなるが、胴部８における熱収縮性フィルムの収縮量は比較的少ないため、大きな濃淡のバラツキは生じず、外観の見栄えを悪化させるには至らない。
【００５２】
また、熱収縮ラベルの連続体に設定された切断予定線Ｐ近傍における印刷層３の印刷パターンも上記実施形態（図５）に限定されるものではなく、図７（イ）に示す如く、熱収縮性フィルム２の他端側の所定領域Ｌｂが濃度勾配を持たないもの、熱収縮性フィルム２の一端側の所定領域Ｌｔおよび他端側の所定領域Ｌｂの濃度勾配が鋭角的に交わるものも考えられる。要は、切断予定線Ｐを挟んで両側に色濃度の薄い領域が設けられていれば、切断位置ずれによる不具合を解消できるので、本発明の意図するところである。
【００５３】
さらに、印刷層に用いられるインクは、透明着色インキのみに限られず、不透明な着色インキや白色インキ、その他の公知のインキが採用可能である。また、第一実施形態のような印刷層３の層構造のみには限定されない。
【００５４】
また、印刷層３は、上述の如く、熱収縮性フィルム２の全面にわたって形成されるものには限定されず、例えば、図８（ロ）に示す如く、熱収縮性フィルム２の一端側の所定領域Ｌｔ（容器本体７のテーパ部９に相当）、および他端側の所定領域Ｌｂ（容器本体７の胴部８の底端部８ｂに相当）にのみ、印刷層３を形成するものであってもよい。そして、所定領域Ｌｔと所定領域Ｌｂとに挟まれた所定領域Ｌｍ（容器本体７の胴部８に相当）には、デザインや商品名等が施された着色インキ層１５と、該着色インキ層１６の上から白色インキが塗布されて不透明な白色インキ層１６とからなる第二印刷層１４を形成している。尚、かかる場合でも、収縮後の印刷層３の濃淡のバラツキ（色ムラ）が生じないよう、図８（イ）に示す如く、印刷層３の色濃度を変えておくのが好ましい。
【００５５】
【発明の効果】
以上の如く、本発明は、熱収縮性フィルムの両端領域のうち、一方側における印刷層の色濃度を、容器本体のテーパ部の縮径率に略対応させて予め薄くしておくと共に、他方側における印刷層の色濃度も、予め薄くしておくことで、切断予定線（熱収縮ラベルの両端縁）の両側に色濃度の薄い領域が設けられているため、多少の切断位置のずれに関わらず、熱収縮後の印刷層に局所的な濃淡のバラツキが生じて外観の見栄えが悪くなるのを好適に防止することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態を示す熱収縮ラベルであって、（イ）は、横断面図、（ロ）は、要部拡大横断面図。
【図２】同実施形態の熱収縮ラベルの縦断面図。
【図３】（イ）は、印刷層の色濃度分布図、（ロ）は、（イ）に対応する容器本体の半側面図。
【図４】同実施形態のグラビア版を示し、（イ）は、凹部の深さが変わるものの側面図、（ロ）は、凹部の間隔が変わるものの平面図、（ハ）は、凹部の配置密度が変わるものの平面図、（ニ）は、凹部の形状が変わるものの平面図。
【図５】同実施形態の熱収縮ラベルの連続体における印刷層の色濃度分布図。
【図６】（イ）〜（ハ）は、他実施形態の熱収縮ラベルの外嵌装着態様を示す容器本体の側面図。
【図７】（イ）、（ロ）は、他実施形態の熱収縮ラベルの連続体における印刷層の色濃度分布図。
【図８】（イ）は、他実施形態の熱収縮ラベルの印刷層の色濃度分布図、（ロ）は、（イ）に対応する熱収縮ラベルの縦断面図。
【図９】（イ）は、グラビア版の凹部の形成態様の分布図、（ロ）は、（イ）に対応する容器本体の半側面図。
【図１０】（イ）は、従来の第一の例による熱収縮ラベルの連続体における印刷層の色濃度分布図、（ロ）は、従来の第二の例による熱収縮ラベルの連続体における印刷層の色濃度分布図。
【符号の説明】
１…熱収縮ラベル
２…熱収縮性フィルム
２ｂ，２ｃ…端縁
３…印刷層
７…容器本体
８…胴部
９…テーパ部
１２…グラビア版
１３…凹部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a continuous body of a heat shrinkable label printing layer on one surface is formed of a heat shrinkable film.
[0002]
[Prior art]
After forming the tube-shaped heat-shrink label which is one aspect of the heat-shrink label into both ends of the base material on which the printed layer is formed on the inner surface side of the heat-shrinkable film made of a synthetic resin, In a state of being folded into a flat shape, it is wound up in a roll shape, cut into a predetermined length while being sequentially fed out by an automatic mounting device or the like, and then opened into a cylindrical shape to be externally fitted to the mounted body. .
[0003]
Examples of the mounted body include containers for beverages such as PET bottles and glass bottles. These beverage containers usually have a tapered portion that is reduced in diameter from the body to the mouth, and the heat-shrink label is removed from the taper to the body and the bottom end of the body. Some are fitted.
[0004]
However, according to this example, since the amount of shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable film in the taper portion is large, as a result of the heat-shrinkable film shrinking by heating, the color density of the print layer in the taper portion is higher than the color density of the print layer in the body portion. Tend to be darker. And if it is as it is, there is a risk that the commercial value is impaired due to the poor appearance. In particular, when a transparent heat-shrink label with green printing having transparency is externally attached to a transparent container to obtain a container (such as a green tea bottle) that has the appearance of a colored green container, There was a problem that shading and color unevenness were conspicuous.
[0005]
Therefore, when forming the printing layer, it is necessary to change the color density of the printing layer in accordance with the shrinkage amount of the heat-shrinkable film, that is, it is necessary to reduce the color density of the printing layer as the shrinkage amount is larger. As a conventional example of this technology, the printing layer is formed with a gravure plate in which the depth of the concave point or the length of the peripheral bank portion of the concave point is adjusted according to the amount of shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable film from the body portion of the container body to the tapered portion. A technique for gravure printing (the invention described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-274543) is known.
[0006]
An example of this technique is shown in FIG. The heat-shrink label is shown in FIG. 9 (b), in the middle of the tapered portion (point A, point B) of the container body, the boundary between the tapered portion and the trunk (point C), and the middle of the trunk (point D). Is attached to the bottom end portion (not shown) of the body portion through the taper, but the taper portion is gently inclined, and the amount of shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable film increases from point C to point A. Become. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9A, the bank length of the gravure plate is gradually increased from the point C to the point A so that the color density of the print layer becomes lighter as the shrinkage amount increases. As a result, the printed layer after shrinkage has the same shade regardless of the location, so that the appearance is improved and the commercial value is not impaired.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, as described above, the heat-shrink label is used by cutting a roll-like continuous material one by one, and thus a printing pattern for one container is repeated on a long heat-shrinkable film. By printing, the printing layer is continuously formed in the longitudinal direction of the heat-shrinkable film. That is, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), if the vertical axis is the color density of the print layer and the horizontal axis is the longitudinal direction of the heat-shrinkable film, the area between the broken lines in the figure is a print layer corresponding to one container. The broken line becomes the planned cutting line.
[0008]
However, the conventional print pattern is a form in which the density of the print layer suddenly rises at the boundary (broken line) between the print layer corresponding to one container and the print layer corresponding to the adjacent container. For example, when cut along the chain line, the color density of the printed layer at the upper edge of the heat-shrinkable label after shrinkage becomes very dark, resulting in a problem that the appearance looks very bad. Such a problem is manifested by a mechanical accuracy error of the cutting device or the conveying device.
[0009]
As a means for avoiding the above problem, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), a print pattern in which clear portions without a print layer are provided on both sides of the planned cutting line of the heat shrink label can be considered. There is a problem that transparent strips are formed at both upper and lower edges of the film, and the appearance is deteriorated.
[0010]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and it is possible to suitably prevent the appearance of the appearance from deteriorating due to local variation in density in the printed layer after heat shrinkage. It is an object to provide a continuous body of shrinkage labels.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a continuous body of heat-shrinkable labels according to the present invention includes a print layer 3 on a long heat-shrinkable film 2 and has a width in the longitudinal direction of the heat-shrinkable film 2 with an interval. In a continuous body of heat-shrinkable labels, which are cut along the planned cutting lines P,... Set in the direction and are externally fitted across the trunk portion 8 and the taper portion 9 of the container body 7, By forming the layer 3 continuously in the longitudinal direction of the heat-shrinkable film 2, the predetermined region Lt formed on one side of each planned cutting line P along each planned cutting line P and each planned cutting line P even printing layer 3b in a predetermined region Lb formed on the other side of the respective cutting line P along, so 3c is formed, and the color density of the printed layer 3b in a predetermined region Lt of the one side , and substantially in correspondence with the radial contraction rate of the tapered portion 9 of the container body 7, each cutting With advance thinner than the color density of the printed layer 3 in a predetermined region Lm sandwiched between the predetermined region Lb of the one said the side of the predetermined region Lt other side between constant linear P, a predetermined region Lb of the other side The color density of the print layer 3c is also made thinner in advance than the color density of the print layer 3 in the predetermined area Lm sandwiched between the predetermined area Lt on the one side and the predetermined area Lb on the other side between the planned cutting lines P. It is characterized by keeping.
[0013]
Therefore, according to this invention, the color density of the printing layer 3b on one side Lt in the both end regions of the heat-shrinkable film 2 is thinned in advance so as to substantially correspond to the diameter reduction rate of the tapered portion 9 of the container body 7. In addition, the color density of the print layer 3c on the other side Lb is also reduced in advance, so that the print layer 3 having a low color density is formed on both sides of the planned cutting line P (both edges 2b, c of the heat shrink label). Since there is a region, it is possible to suitably prevent the appearance of the appearance from being deteriorated due to local variations in density in the printed layer 3 after heat shrinkage even if there is a slight shift in the cutting position.
[0014]
In addition, the continuous body of the heat shrinkable label according to the present invention has the color density of the printed layer 3c in the predetermined region Lb on the other side from the planned cutting line P in the trunk portion 8 of the container body 7 as described in claim 2. The predetermined region Lt on the one side and the predetermined region Lb on the other side between the respective planned cutting lines P in correspondence with the diameter reduction ratio of the constricted portion 8a or the bottom end portion 8b of the body portion 8 The color density of the print layer 3 in the predetermined region Lm sandwiched between the layers may be previously reduced.
According to the heat-shrink label having such a configuration, the color density of the printed layer 3c at the constricted portion 8a or the bottom end portion 8b of the body portion 8 after shrinkage can be made uniform.
[0015]
Furthermore, the continuous body of the heat-shrinkable label according to the present invention is configured so that the color density of the print layer 3c in the predetermined region Lb on the other side from the planned cutting line P is reduced as described in the third aspect. Regardless of the diameter ratio, the color density of the print layer 3 in the predetermined region Lm sandwiched between the predetermined region Lt on the one side and the predetermined region Lb on the other side between the predetermined cutting lines P is previously reduced. It may be.
According to the heat-shrinkable label having such a configuration, the color density cannot be strictly uniformed for the printed layer 3c after shrinkage, but the shrinkage rate of the heat-shrinkable film 2 in the body portion 8 of the container body 7 is as follows. Since it is not so large, there is no large shading variation, and the influence on the appearance is virtually negligible.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
<First embodiment>
The heat-shrinkable label 1 according to the first embodiment has a printing layer 3 formed on one side of a heat-shrinkable film 2 as shown in FIG. 1 (a). The heat-shrinkable film 2 is made of polyethylene terephthalate. A known film made of polyester such as polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, etc. and having a thickness of about 15 to 80 μm, and a predetermined shrinkage rate in at least one direction (for example, 30 to 90% at 90 ° C. ).
[0019]
The heat-shrink label 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the printed layer 3 is on the inner surface side and both ends are joined by welding, an adhesive, or the like, and the shrinking direction is the circumferential direction. 2a and 2a are folded in a flat shape so as to be both ends.
[0020]
The printed layer 3 includes, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), a first colored ink layer 4 having a design, a product name, and the like, and a heat-shrinkable film 2 formed on the first colored ink layer 4. The second colored ink layer 5 is applied over the entire surface or a portion other than the first colored ink layer 4, and the first colored ink layer 4 is a colored ink of any color such as blue or red. Is applied, and the second colored ink layer 5 is coated with a colored ink for ground color such as transparent green, for example. Hereinafter, the printing layer 3 refers to the second colored ink layer 5.
[0021]
The printing layer 3 is applied to a thickness of 0.1 to 10 μm (preferably 0.5 to 3 μm) by, for example, gravure printing, but the color density of the printing layer 3 a is in the vicinity of the fold portions 2 a and 2 a. Is applied, so that the thickness of the printing layer 3a is reduced. In addition, the printed layer 3a in the vicinity of the fold portions 2a and 2a is formed so as to gradually become thinner toward the fold portions 2a and 2a.
[0022]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the print layer 3 is formed up to both end edges 2b and 2c of the heat-shrinkable film 2 (upper and lower edges of the heat-shrink label 1 in a state of being externally attached to the container). The heat-shrink label 1 according to the present embodiment is not provided with a clear portion without the print layer 3.
[0023]
And in the predetermined area | region Lt of the one end side of the heat-shrinkable film 2, it is apply | coated so that the color density of the printing layer 3b may become thin, Similarly, also in the predetermined area | region Lb of the other end side of the heat-shrinkable film 2, It is applied so that the color density of the print layer 3c is reduced. In addition, the print layers 3b and 3c in the regions Lt and Lb are formed so as to gradually become thinner toward the end edges 2b and 2c, and the color density of the print layer 3 at both end edges 2b and 2c is approximately or identical. It is supposed to be.
[0024]
Accordingly, when the color density distribution of the print layer 3 is represented with the vertical axis representing the color density of the print layer 3 and the horizontal axis representing the longitudinal direction of the heat-shrinkable film 2, as shown in FIG. In the predetermined area Lm sandwiched between the areas Lb, the color density of the printing layer 3d is constant (no density gradient), and in the predetermined areas Lt and Lb, the color density of the printing layers 3b and 3c is higher than that of the predetermined area Lm. Is also thin and has a concentration gradient. Moreover, since the predetermined region Lb is a region having a shorter length than the predetermined region Lt, the density gradient of the printing layer 3c in the predetermined region Lb is steeper than the density gradient of the printing layer 3b in the predetermined region Lt. ing.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the predetermined region Lt corresponds to a taper portion 9 in which the cross-sectional diameter suddenly decreases from the body portion 8 of the container body 7 made of a transparent polyethylene terephthalate bottle (PET bottle). The other predetermined region Lb corresponds to a bottom end portion 8b that has a diameter reduced inward from the lower end of the body portion 8 of the container body 7 in an R shape. The printed layer 3 b in the predetermined region Lt has a concentration gradient that substantially corresponds to the diameter reduction rate of the tapered portion 9 of the container body 7.
[0026]
The heat-shrink label according to the first embodiment has the above-described configuration. Next, a state in which the heat-shrink label is shrunk and externally attached to the container will be described with reference to FIG.
[0027]
As described above, the predetermined region Lt on one end side of the heat-shrinkable film 2 is in close contact with the tapered portion 9 of the container body 7, while the predetermined region Lb on the other end side of the heat-shrinkable film 2 is on the trunk portion 8. In order to be in close contact with the bottom end portion 8b, the predetermined regions Lt and Lb are contracted by a contraction amount larger than that of the predetermined region Lm, and the predetermined region Lt is closer to the end edge 2b and the predetermined region. Lb is contracted with a larger contraction amount as the portion is closer to the edge 2c.
[0028]
On the other hand, the trunk portion 8 of the container body 7 has a substantially uniform cross-sectional diameter in each part in the vertical direction, and therefore the predetermined region Lm that is in close contact with the trunk portion 8 is substantially equal in any part in the vertical direction. It can be contracted with the same amount of contraction.
[0029]
That is, the heat-shrinkable label according to the first embodiment forms the printing layer 3d of the predetermined region Lm that shrinks with a uniform shrinkage amount with a substantially uniform color density, while the shrinkage amounts located at both ends thereof change. For the printing layers 3b and 3c in the predetermined areas Lt and Lb, the color density is changed in accordance with the amount of shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable film 2 at that location (the amount of diameter reduction of the container body 7). The printed layer 3 after shrinkage of 2 does not vary in density.
[0030]
By the way, the formation of the printing layer 3 can be performed by printing as described above, typically by gravure printing. As a technique for changing the color density, as shown in FIG. 4, a gravure plate 12 (shown in (a)) in which the depth of the concave portion 13 is gradually deepened (shallow), and the bank length L of the concave portion 13 is gradually increased ( A short gravure plate 12 (shown in B), a gravure plate 12 in which the arrangement density of the recesses 13 is gradually made dense (rough), and a gravure plate 12 in which the size of the recesses 13 is made larger (smaller) ( Or a gravure printing method using a gravure plate or the like appropriately combined with these.
[0031]
As described above, according to the heat-shrink label according to the first embodiment, the color density of the printing layer 3b on one side Lt in the both end regions of the heat-shrinkable film 2 is reduced. Since the thickness is preliminarily made substantially corresponding to the diameter ratio, it is possible to suitably prevent the appearance of the appearance from deteriorating due to local variation in density in the printed layer 3 after heat shrinkage. Further, the change in the color density of the printing layer 3c on the other side Lb does not completely correspond to the diameter reduction rate of the bottom end portion 8b of the body portion 8 of the container body 7, but the bottom end portion 8b of the body portion 8 is not affected. Is a portion that is less noticeable than the body portion 8 and the tapered portion 9, and therefore the influence on the appearance can be substantially ignored.
[0032]
Further, the flat heat-shrinkable label is known that the crease portions 2a and 2a have a larger amount of heat-shrinkage than other portions, but the heat-shrink label according to the first embodiment. Since the color density of the printed layer 3a in the fold portions 2a and 2a is made thinner than other portions, the space between the printed layer 3a in the fold portions 2a and 2a and the printed layer 3 in the other portions is not. In addition, there is also an advantage that it is possible to suitably prevent the appearance of the appearance from deteriorating due to variations in color density (color unevenness) after heat shrinkage.
[0033]
In such a case, the color of the print layer 3a in the crease portions 2a and 2a after the heat shrinkage can be obtained by changing the color density of the print layer 3a in the crease portions 2a and 2a as long as the color density is changed in the portions corresponding to the predetermined regions Lt and Lb. The density is also made uniform.
[0034]
Note that the color density corresponding to the diameter reduction ratio of the container body 7 is, for example, about 50 to 70% of the density of the portion having the shrinkage ratio of 0%, in the case of transparent green by gravure printing. It is good to do.
[0035]
<Second embodiment>
As described above, the cylindrical heat-shrink label is formed into a tube shape by joining both ends of the base material on which the printed layer 3 is formed on the inner surface side of the heat-shrinkable film 2, and then folded into a flat shape. Then, it is wound into a roll shape, cut into a predetermined length while being sequentially fed out by an automatic mounting device or the like, and then opened into a cylindrical shape and externally fitted to the container body 7.
[0036]
Therefore, the heat shrink label is usually handled as a continuous body. In the present embodiment, a continuous body of such heat-shrinkable labels is set with a plurality of planned cutting lines with intervals in the longitudinal direction of the long heat-shrinkable film 2, and the printed layer 3 is formed on the heat-shrinkable film 2. The color density of the print layer 3 in a predetermined region on one side from the planned cutting line is previously thinned and the print layer 3 in the predetermined region on the other side from the planned cutting line The color density is also reduced in advance.
[0037]
With respect to the heat shrinkable label according to this embodiment, the color density distribution of the print layer 3 is expressed in FIG. 5 with the vertical axis representing the color density of the print layer 3 and the horizontal axis representing the longitudinal direction of the heat shrinkable film 2. The And the broken line P which traverses the heat-shrinkable film 2 in the width direction in the figure is the planned cutting line of the heat-shrinkable label, and what is cut along this planned cutting line P is the heat-shrinkable label in the first embodiment. It will be the same. In addition, although the color density of the printing layer 3 in the planned cutting line P is the lightest, this is a color density corresponding to about 30 to 60% of the darkest color density portion of the printing layer 3. Yes.
[0038]
Accordingly, the printed layer 3b in the predetermined region Lt on one side from the planned cutting line P corresponds to the tapered portion 9 of the container body 7, and the printed layer 3c in the predetermined region Lb on the other side from the planned cutting line P corresponds to the body of the container body 7. The printed layer 3 d in the region Lm sandwiched between the predetermined regions Lt and Lb corresponds to the bottom portion 8 b of the portion 8 and corresponds to the body portion 8 of the container body 7.
[0039]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, since there are regions with low color density on both sides of the planned cutting line P, the cutting position is slightly shifted, for example, along the alternate long and short dash line L1 or the two-dot chain line L2. Even when cut, the color density of the printed layer 3 at the upper edge of the heat-shrink label after shrinkage does not become very high, and the problem that the appearance of the appearance deteriorates cannot occur.
[0040]
Moreover, since the printing layer 3 is continuous across the planned cutting line P, and no clear portions without the printing layer 3 are provided on both sides of the planned cutting line P, the appearance can be further improved. .
[0041]
Furthermore, since the printing layer 3 is formed up to both end edges 2b and 2c of the heat-shrinkable film 2, the inner surfaces of the film do not directly adhere to each other, so that the heat-shrink label provided with the conventional clear portion is provided. Compared to the above, it is possible to obtain easy opening and to cope with a high-speed labeler.
[0042]
< Reference example >
Incidentally, in recent years, the idea that synthetic resin containers such as PET bottles are to be recycled has become established. However, in order to obtain a high-quality recycled material, for example, a PET bottle colored in green or the like needs to be separated from a colorless and transparent PET bottle, and the processing cost is high. It is.
[0043]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the container main body is not colored, and the desired color is substituted with the print layer of the heat shrink label. For example, conventionally, PET bottles for putting green tea were colored green from the viewpoint of adding value to the product, but this time, the PET bottle body itself was not colored, Instead, a green transparent colored ink is employed for the print layer 3 of the heat-shrinkable label in the first embodiment.
[0044]
The heat-shrink label is externally fitted to the entire peripheral surface of the container body 7 from the upper end edge 9a of the taper part 9 to the bottom end part 8b of the body part 8, and the taper part 9 of the container body 7 is included in the printed layer 3. In the portion corresponding to the bottom end portion 8b of the body portion 8, the color density of the printing layer 3 is changed according to the shrinkage amount of the heat-shrinkable film 2 in the portion.
[0045]
By this method, the color density of the printed layer 3 after heat shrinkage is made uniform, and it looks as if the container body is colored without impairing the appearance of the appearance, and it has the same commercial value as a conventional container. Will be obtained.
[0046]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to any of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0047]
Accordingly, the containers are not limited to PET bottles, but include glass bottles and other known synthetic resin containers. In addition, the container does not need to have a circular cross section, and includes containers having a quadrangular cross section with corners having an R.
[0048]
Further, by attaching the heat shrinkable label to the entire peripheral surface except the mouth portion 10 (opaque portion) of the container body 7, for example, as shown in the third embodiment, the container body 7 itself is colored. As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 6 (a), external fitting is applied from the tapered portion 9 of the container body 7 to the constricted portion 8a formed in the middle of the trunk portion 8. As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the bottom end portion of the body portion 8 from the middle of the tapered portion 9 is spaced from the lower end edge (the upper end edge 9a of the tapered portion 9) of the mouth portion 10 of the container body 7. 8b may be externally fitted, or as shown in FIG. 6C, it may be externally fitted from the taper portion 9 to the middle of the body portion 8.
[0049]
According to the example shown in FIG. 6 (a), the predetermined region Lb on the other end side of the heat-shrinkable film 2 is in close contact with the constricted portion 8a. In such a case, the color density of the printing layer 3c in the predetermined region Lb may be thinned substantially corresponding to the shrinkage rate of the heat-shrinkable film 2 in the constricted portion 8a, or the printing layer 3c in the predetermined region Lb. The color density may be reduced regardless of the shrinkage rate of the heat-shrinkable film 2 in the constricted portion 8a.
[0050]
The reason why the color density of the printing layer 3c in the predetermined region Lb does not have to correspond to the shrinkage rate of the heat-shrinkable film 2 in the constricted portion 8a is that the constricted portion 8a has a sufficient diameter reduction ratio compared to the tapered portion 9. In other words, the printed layer 3c after shrinkage cannot be extremely uneven. Incidentally, this applies not only to the constricted portion 8a but also to the bottom end portion 8b of the body portion 8 as shown in FIG. In addition, in the case of the bottom end portion 8b, the reason why the print layer 3c in the predetermined region Lb is located inconspicuous is also mentioned as the above reason.
[0051]
In addition, the example shown in FIG. 6C is a case where the predetermined region Lb on the other end side of the heat-shrinkable film 2 is not caught by the constricted portion 8a or the bottom end edge 8b. In such a case, the print layer 3c at the location after heat shrinkage has a lighter color density than the print layer 3d at other locations corresponding to the body portion 8, but the shrinkage amount of the heat-shrinkable film at the body portion 8 is compared. Therefore, there is no large shading variation and the appearance is not deteriorated.
[0052]
Further, the printing pattern of the printing layer 3 in the vicinity of the planned cutting line P set in the continuous body of the heat-shrinkable label is not limited to the above embodiment (FIG. 5), and as shown in FIG. The predetermined region Lb on the other end side of the shrinkable film 2 has no concentration gradient, or the predetermined region Lt on one end side of the heat-shrinkable film 2 and the predetermined region Lb on the other end side intersect at an acute angle. Conceivable. In short, if a region with a low color density is provided on both sides of the planned cutting line P, the problem due to the deviation of the cutting position can be solved, which is the purpose of the present invention.
[0053]
Furthermore, the ink used for the printing layer is not limited to transparent colored ink, and opaque colored ink, white ink, and other known inks can be used. Moreover, it is not limited only to the layer structure of the printing layer 3 as in the first embodiment.
[0054]
Further, the printing layer 3 is not limited to the one formed over the entire surface of the heat-shrinkable film 2 as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. The printing layer 3 is formed only in the region Lt (corresponding to the tapered portion 9 of the container body 7) and the predetermined region Lb (corresponding to the bottom end portion 8b of the body portion 8 of the container body 7). May be. And in predetermined area | region Lm (equivalent to the trunk | drum 8 of the container main body 7) pinched | interposed into the predetermined area | region Lt and the predetermined area | region Lb, the colored ink layer 15 to which the design, the brand name, etc. were given, and this colored ink layer A second printing layer 14 composed of an opaque white ink layer 16 is formed by applying white ink from above 16. Even in such a case, it is preferable to change the color density of the printing layer 3 as shown in FIG. 8 (a) so that the printed layer 3 after shrinkage does not vary in density (color unevenness).
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention , the color density of the printed layer on one side of the both end regions of the heat-shrinkable film is thinned in advance so as to substantially correspond to the diameter reduction ratio of the tapered portion of the container body, and the other Since the color density of the printed layer on the side is also thinned in advance, areas with low color density are provided on both sides of the planned cutting line (both ends of the heat shrink label), so there is a slight shift in the cutting position. Regardless, it is possible to suitably prevent the appearance of the appearance from deteriorating due to local variations in density in the printed layer after heat shrinkage.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a heat-shrink label showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a cross-sectional view and (B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the heat-shrink label of the same embodiment.
3A is a color density distribution diagram of a printed layer, and FIG. 3B is a half side view of a container body corresponding to FIG.
4A and 4B show a gravure plate of the same embodiment, in which FIG. 4A is a side view of a concave portion having a changed depth, FIG. 4B is a plan view of a concave portion having a different interval, and FIG. The top view of what changes a density, (d) is the top view of what changes the shape of a recessed part.
FIG. 5 is a color density distribution diagram of a printing layer in the continuous body of heat-shrinkable labels according to the embodiment.
FIGS. 6A to 6C are side views of a container main body showing an external fitting mounting mode of a heat shrinkable label according to another embodiment.
7A and 7B are color density distribution diagrams of a printing layer in a continuous body of heat-shrinkable labels according to another embodiment.
8A is a color density distribution diagram of a print layer of a heat-shrinkable label according to another embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the heat-shrinkable label corresponding to FIG.
FIG. 9A is a distribution diagram of a formation mode of a concave portion of a gravure plate, and FIG. 9B is a half side view of a container body corresponding to FIG.
10A is a color density distribution diagram of a printed layer in a heat-shrink label continuum according to the first conventional example, and FIG. 10B is a heat-shrink label continuum according to the conventional second example. FIG. 6 is a color density distribution diagram of a printing layer.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Heat-shrink label 2 ... Heat-shrinkable film 2b, 2c ... Edge 3 ... Printing layer 7 ... Container body 8 ... Body part 9 ... Tapered part 12 ... Gravure plate 13 ... Concave part

Claims

A long heat-shrinkable film (2) is provided with a printing layer (3), and the heat-shrinkable film (2) has an interval in the longitudinal direction and a predetermined cutting line (P,...) Set in the width direction. In the continuous body of the heat-shrinkable label, the printed layer (3) is heated in a continuous body that is cut and fitted along the body (8) and the taper (9) of the container body (7). By forming the shrinkable film (2) continuously in the longitudinal direction, a predetermined region (Lt) formed on one side of each planned cutting line (P) along each planned cutting line (P) and each A printed layer (3b, 3c) is formed in a predetermined region (Lb) formed on the other side of each planned cutting line (P) along the planned cutting line (P), and the one side The color density of the printed layer (3b) in the predetermined region (Lt) is approximately equal to the diameter reduction ratio of the tapered portion (9) of the container body (7). Accordingly, the color density of the print layer (3) in the predetermined area (Lm) sandwiched between the predetermined area (Lt) on the one side and the predetermined area (Lb) on the other side between the respective cut lines (P). In addition, the color density of the print layer (3c) in the predetermined area (Lb) on the other side is also reduced in advance between the predetermined area (Lt) on the one side and the other side between the predetermined cutting lines (P). A continuum of heat-shrink labels, wherein the color density of the printed layer (3) in the predetermined region (Lm) sandwiched between the predetermined region (Lb) on the side is previously reduced.

Constriction portion (8a) formed in the middle of body portion (8) of container body (7) with the color density of printed layer (3c) in predetermined region (Lb) on the other side from said planned cutting line (P) Alternatively, the predetermined region (Lt) on the one side and the predetermined region (Lb) on the other side between the planned cutting lines (P), corresponding to the diameter reduction ratio of the bottom end portion (8b) of the trunk portion (8). 2. The continuous body of heat-shrinkable labels according to claim 1, which is previously made lighter than the color density of the printed layer (3) in a predetermined region (Lm) sandwiched between the two layers.

The color density of the printed layer (3c) in the predetermined region (Lb) on the other side from the planned cutting line (P) is set to each cutting planned line regardless of the diameter reduction rate of the body (8) of the container body (7). The color density of the print layer (3) in a predetermined region (Lm) sandwiched between the predetermined region (Lt) on the one side and the predetermined region (Lb) on the other side between (P) is previously reduced. Item 2. A continuous body of heat shrinkable labels according to item 1.