Transfer label having ink containment layers, container comprising a transfer layer and method of washing such a container
AssigneeHeineken Technical Services B.V.
InventorsThomas Lynn Brandt, Neal Donald Turner, Erwin Anton Rosens, Patrick Johannes Blom
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Abstract
The invention relates to a transfer label including a backing layer and a transfer layer which is releasably attached to the backing layer. The transfer layer includes an ink layer and on each side of the ink layer a top and bottom containment layer. The top and bottom containment layer contact one another outside the perimeter of the ink layer to form a closed envelop around the ink layer. The transfer label according to the present invention can be applied to a container such as a crate and can be easily removed therefrom in a washing process without the ink dissolving in the wash liquid.
Claims35
Transfer label for application to a container, said transfer label comprising a backing layer and a transfer layer which is releasably attached to the backing layer, the transfer layer comprising an ink layer, wherein the transfer layer comprises on each side of the ink layer a top and a bottom containment layer respectively, the top and the bottom containment layers contacting one another outside a perimeter of the ink layer to form a closed envelope around the ink layer.
Container comprising a transfer layer which has been applied using a transfer label, said transfer label comprising a backing layer and the transfer layer which is releasably attached to the backing layer, the transfer layer comprising an ink layer and top and bottom containment layers respectively on each side of the ink layer, the top and the bottom containment layers contacting one another outside a perimeter of the ink layer to form a closed envelope around the ink layer.
Method of washing a container, said container comprising a transfer layer which has been applied using a transfer label, said transfer label comprising a backing layer and the transfer layer which is releasably attached to the backing layer, the transfer layer comprising an ink layer, wherein the transfer layer comprises on each side of the ink layer a top and a bottom containment layer respectively, the top and the bottom containment layers contacting one another outside a perimeter of the ink layer to form a closed envelope around the ink layer;
- said method comprising the steps of:
- a. placing the container in an aqueous soaking solution under turbulent conditions for a soaking time not longer than 20 minutes, said soaking solution having a temperature below 100° C., said label breaking up in at least 4 pieces, each piece not smaller than 5 micrometers and being detached from the container, whereby the majority of the ink remains contained inside the envelopes;
- b. pumping the soaking solution through a sieve and collecting the pieces of the label on the sieve;
- and
- c. periodically cleaning the sieve by collection and removal of the label pieces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.