# US 2014/0190613 A1 · Moulded article and label therefor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190613 A1 - Document ID: US20140190613A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/178,001 - Filed: 2014-02-11 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-26 - Assignees: Encore Holdings Limited - Inventors: Alfred CHOI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190613A1 ## CPC - B29C 37/0025: {Applying surface layers, e.g. coatings, decorative layers, printed layers, to articles during shaping, e.g. in-mould printing (moulding on preformed layers as inserts B29C70/68; applying fluent material to surfaces in general B05)} - B29C 45/14811: {Multilayered articles (B29C45/14827 takes precedence)} - B32B 1/08: Tubular products - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - B32B 27/08: of synthetic resin - B32B 27/32: comprising polyolefins {(comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30)} - B32B 38/0008: {Electrical discharge treatment, e.g. corona, plasma treatment; wave energy or particle radiation (heat treatment B32B38/0036)} - B32B 38/0012: {Mechanical treatment, e.g. roughening, deforming, stretching} - B29C 45/261: {having tubular mould cavities} - B29C 2045/14918: {in-mould-labelling} - B29K 2995/0067: non-permeable - B32B 37/12: characterised by using adhesives - B32B 38/145: {Printing} - B32B 2037/246: {Vapour deposition} - B32B 2038/0076: {Curing, vulcanising, cross-linking} - B32B 2038/0092: {Metallizing} - B32B 2255/10: on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer - B32B 2255/205: Metallic coating - B32B 2255/28: Multiple coating on one surface - B32B 2307/518: bi-axially - B32B 2519/00: Labels, badges - Y10T 428/1359: Three or more layers [continuous layer] - Y10T 428/24917: including metal layer - Y10T 428/31678: Of metal - Y10T 428/31681: Next to polyester, polyamide or polyimide [e.g., alkyd, glue, or nylon, etc.] - Y10T 428/31692: Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The invention provides an in mould label for injection moulding that comprises a vacuum metallised layer of metal for creating a barrier to oxygen ingress. The invention further provides a moulded article including such an in-mould label, as well as a method of manufacture of such an article. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of producing a moulded article, said method comprising the steps of a. providing a label, said label comprising i. at least a polymeric base layer, and ii. a layer of metal that has been deposited on the polymer base layer by vacuum metallising; b. inserting the label into a mould cavity in a mould; and c. moulding a moulded body with the label. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1; wherein the mould is an injection moulding mould, and the step of moulding comprises the step of injecting molten thermoplastic into the mould cavity to mould the moulded body with the label. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1; wherein the step of providing a label comprises the step of providing a polymer sheet presenting at least one major surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method as claimed in claim 3; wherein the method includes the step of depositing vaporised metal as a layer of metal on at least one major surface of the polymer sheet. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method as claimed in claim 4; wherein the step of depositing vaporised metal on at least one major surface of the polymer sheet comprises the step of inserting the polymer sheet into a vacuum chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method as claimed in claim 5; wherein the step of depositing vaporised metal on at least one major surface of the polymer sheet comprises the step of subjecting the polymer sheet to a reduced-pressure environment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method as claimed in claim 4; wherein the step of depositing vaporised metal on at least one major surface of the polymer sheet comprises the step of vaporising metal for deposition on the polymer sheet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The method as claimed in claim 4; wherein the step of depositing vaporised metal on at least one major surface of the polymer sheet comprises the step of subjecting the polymer sheet to the vaporised metal for the vaporised metal to condense on and attach to the polymer sheet, to form a metallised sheet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1; wherein the step of providing a label comprises the step of depositing a layer of ink on the layer of metal printing on the layer of metal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method as claimed in claim 9; wherein the step of providing a label comprises the step of depositing a layer of ink on the layer of metal by printing on the layer of metal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method as claimed in claim 10; wherein the step of providing a label comprises the step of depositing a fastening layer on the layer of ink to fasten the layer of ink to the layer of metal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11; wherein the fastening layer is a layer of varnish. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1; wherein the step of providing a label comprises the step of laminating at least the metallised sheet with one or more plastic layers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13; wherein the step of laminating the metallised sheet with one or more plastic layers comprises the step of treating at least part of the surface of one or more selected from the plastic layers and the polymer sheet by means of a Corona surface treatment. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13; wherein the step of laminating the metallised sheet with at least one or more plastic layers comprises the steps of a. providing a plastic laminate layer to either or both sides of one or more selected from the metallised sheet, layer of ink, and layer of varnish; and b. laminating the layers so provided together. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13; wherein the step of laminating the metallised sheet with one or more plastic layers comprises the step of applying an adhesive for adhering at least one plastic laminate layer with one or more selected from another plastic laminate layer and the polymer sheet to form a laminated label. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as claimed in claim 16; wherein the adhesive is polyurethane. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13; wherein the step of laminating the metallised sheet with one or more plastic layers comprises the step of adhering at least one of the plastic laminate layers with the metallised sheet to form a laminated label. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13; wherein the method comprises the step of curing the laminated label. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method as claimed in claim 19; wherein the step of curing the laminated labels comprises the step of subjecting the adhered label to one or more selected from: a. an increased temperature; b. a drying effect; c. convection d. radiation; e. or any other suitable curing effect. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method as claimed in claim 19; wherein the step of curing the adhered labels comprising curing the label for a period of between 1 and 10 days. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method as claimed in claim 19; wherein the step of curing the adhered labels comprising curing the label for a period of between 2 and 5 days. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15; wherein at least one or more selected from the plastic layers, and the polymeric base layer, have a variation in thickness of less than 3%. ### Claim 24 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15; wherein at least one or more selected from the plastic layers and the polymeric base layer, have their internal stresses manipulated during at least part of the method. ### Claim 25 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15; wherein at least one or more selected from the plastic layers and the polymeric base layer, have their internal stresses manipulated during at least part of the method by means of a pulling device. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method as claimed in claim 25; wherein the pulling device is controlled by a control system in response to tensions detected in a by a tension sensor. ### Claim 27 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15; wherein at least one or more selected from the plastic layers and the polymeric base layer, have their tension controlled throughout at least part of the method. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method as claimed in claim 27; wherein the tension is controlled by a tension taper control system, in response to detected tensions in the said at least one or more selected from the plastic layers, and the polymeric base layer. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method as claimed in claim 28; wherein the detected tensions are received from a tension sensor and controlled by a control system. ### Claim 30 (depends on 15) The method as claimed in claim 15; wherein at least one or more of the plastic laminate layers are composed of polypropylene ### Claim 31 (depends on 23) The method as claimed in claim 23; wherein the at least one or more of the plastic laminate layers are composed of one or more selected from: a. casted polypropylene (CPP) b. polyethylene terephthalate (PET) c. biaxially oriented Polypropylene (BOPP). ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1; wherein the polymeric base layer is one or more selected from a. polyethylene terephthalate (PET); b. polypropylene (PP) c. nylon; d. polyethylene (PE); and e. any other suitable material. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1; wherein the layer of metal is composed of one or more selected from a. aluminium; b. copper; c. platinum; d. titanium; e. chromium; f. titanium; g. gold; h. lead; i. nickel; j. silver; k. tin; and 1. tantalum.