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.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/GB2013/053015, filed Nov. 15, 2013, which claims the priority of Great Britain Application No. 1300225.8, filed Jan. 7, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/727,482, filed Nov. 16, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a self-adhesive moisture control label for product packaging which is capable of controlling the humidity of the atmosphere within the packaging. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a self-adhesive moisture control label which can be used to humidify the atmosphere within product packaging, such as tobacco packaging, so as to prevent the product, such as tobacco, from drying out.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It may be desirable to control the moisture content (or humidity) of the atmosphere in which perishable products are stored in order to prevent them from deteriorating. Perishable products, such as tobacco and food, are often stored in a sealed container in an attempt to keep them fresh. However, the seal on such containers is never perfect, particularly if the containers are disposable. Therefore, over time, the perishable product may either dry out, or absorb water and become damp.

[0004] For example, in order to prevent tobacco from drying out it is desirable to store it in an atmosphere that is not too dry. In another example, in order to prevent biscuits from going stale, it is necessary to store them in an atmosphere that is not too moist.

[0005] It is known to place a wet sponge in a cigar case in order to prevent the cigars from drying out. However, this is not appropriate for most other forms of tobacco, such as loose tobacco, as if the wet sponge comes into contact with the tobacco it may rot the tobacco. It is also known to use sachets of a desiccant material in product packaging in order to maintain dryness. However, the contents of such sachets can be poisonous if ingested and therefore may not be suitable for food products or the like.

[0006] It is therefore desirable to provide a means for controlling the moisture content of the atmosphere within product packaging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to an aspect of the invention there is provided 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. The water absorbent layer may be wetted by a user such that in use water evaporates from the surface so as to provide moisture (i.e. humidify) the atmosphere within the packaging. The label may therefore be used to prevent a product from drying out. In another arrangement, the water absorbent layer may absorb water from the atmosphere to dry (i.e. dehumidify) the atmosphere within the packaging. The label may therefore be used to prevent a product from absorbing water.

[0008] The water absorbed by the water absorbent layer may be able to evaporate from the water absorbent layer so as to control the humidity of the atmosphere within the packaging.

[0009] The water absorbent layer may comprise a fibrous pad or layer. The fibrous pad or layer may be woven or non-woven (such as a mat). The fibrous pad may comprise polymer fibres. The fibrous pad may comprise polyolefin fibres and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibres and/or polyethylene (PE) fibres and/or nylon fibres and/or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fibres and/or polylactic acid (PLA) fibres. In other embodiments the water absorbent layer may comprise cellulose and/or paper and/or cotton. The water absorbent layer may be porous. The water absorbent layer may comprise a hydrophilic material. The hydrophilic material may comprise a hydrogel. The water absorbent layer may comprise a sponge material. The water absorbent layer may be continuous.

[0010] The water absorbent layer may only be capable of absorbing less than 10 ml, less than 8 ml, less than 6 ml, less than 4 ml, less than 3 ml, less than 2 ml or less than 1 ml of water. Further, the water absorbent layer may be capable of absorbing greater than 0 ml, greater than 0.1 ml, greater than 0.2 ml, greater than 0.3 ml, greater than 0.4 ml, or greater than 0.5 ml of water. The water absorbent layer may be capable of absorbing at least 0.6 ml of water. The water absorbent layer may be capable of absorbing between 0.2-2 ml, 0.3-1.5 ml, 0.4-1 ml or 0.5-0.8 ml of water.

[0011] The water absorbent layer may have a thickness of less than 5 mm, less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm or less than 2 mm. The water absorbent layer may have a thickness of at least 0.1 mm, at least 0.2 mm, at least 0.4 mm, at least 0.6 mm, at least 0.8 mm or at least 1 mm. The water absorbent layer may have a thickness of between 0.1 mm-5 mm, 0.2 mm-4 mm, 0.3 mm-3 mm, 0.5 mm-2 mm, or 0.7 mm-1.8 mm.

[0012] The water absorbent layer may have an area (in plan view) of less than 100 cm.sup.2, less than 80 cm.sup.2, less than 60 cm.sup.2, less than 40 cm.sup.2, less than 20 cm.sup.2, less than 10 cm.sup.2, or less than 8 cm.sup.2. The water absorbent layer may have an area (in plan view) of greater than 0.1 cm.sup.2, greater than 0.2 cm.sup.2, greater than 0.5 cm.sup.2, greater than 1 cm.sup.2, greater than 1.5 cm.sup.2, greater than 2 cm.sup.2, greater than 3 cm.sup.2, greater than 4 cm.sup.2, greater than 5 cm.sup.2, greater than 6 cm.sup.2, or greater than 7 cm.sup.2. The water absorbent layer may have an area (in plan view) of between 0.2-20 cm.sup.2, 0.5-15 cm.sup.2, 1.5-10 cm.sup.2, or 3-8 cm.sup.2.

[0013] The water absorbent layer may have a density of less than 1 g/cm.sup.3, less than 0.9 g/cm.sup.3, less than 0.8 g/cm.sup.3, less than 0.7 g/cm.sup.3, less than 0.6 g/cm.sup.3, less than 0.5 g/cm.sup.3, less than 0.4 g/cm.sup.3, less than 0.3 g/cm.sup.3, or less than 0.2 g/cm.sup.3. The water absorbent layer may have a density of greater than 0.01 g/cm.sup.3, greater than 0.02 g/cm.sup.3, greater than 0.03 g/cm.sup.3, greater than 0.04 g/cm.sup.3, greater than 0.05 g/cm.sup.3, greater than 0.06 g/cm.sup.3, greater than 0.07 g/cm.sup.3, greater than 0.08 g/cm.sup.3, greater than 0.09 g/cm.sup.3, or greater than 0.1 g/cm.sup.3. The water absorbent layer may have a density of between 0.01-1 g/cm.sup.3, 0.02-0.9 g/cm.sup.3, 0.03-0.8 g/cm.sup.3, 0.05-0.7 g/cm.sup.3, 0.08-0.5 g/cm.sup.3, 0.09-0.3 g/cm.sup.3, or 0.1-0.2 g/cm.sup.3.

[0014] The label may further comprise a base layer to which the water absorbent layer is adhered to (either directly or indirectly) on a front side. The base layer may be a uniform layer of material or may be a laminate structure. The adhesive layer, which may be continuous or discontinuous, may be provided on the rear side of the base layer. The base layer may be larger than the water absorbent layer such that a display region extends beyond the periphery of the water absorbent layer. Use instructions and/or commercial graphics may be provided on the display region of the base layer. The water absorbent layer may be located centrally with respect to the base layer. The base layer and/or the water absorbent layer may be circular, square, triangular or any suitable shape. If circular, the base layer and water absorbent layer may be concentric with one another.

[0015] The base layer may have a thickness of at least 10 .mu.m, at least 25 .mu.m, at least 50 .mu.m, at least 75 .mu.m or at least 100 .mu.m. The base layer may have a thickness of less than 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, less than 0.25 mm, or less than 0.15 mm. The base layer may have a thickness of between 10 .mu.m-1000 .mu.m, 20 .mu.m-700 .mu.m, 50 .mu.m-500 .mu.m, 60-250 .mu.m, or 80 .mu.m-150 .mu.m.

[0016] The base layer may comprise polypropylene. The base layer may comprise mono-oriented polypropylene. The base layer may comprise polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0017] The water absorbent layer may be adhered to the base layer with a pressure sensitive adhesive, for example. The adhesive layer may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0018] The opacity of the water absorbent layer may vary as a function of the amount of water retained by the water absorbent layer. In a dry state the water absorbent layer may have a first (high) opacity and in a saturated state the water absorbent layer may have a second (low) opacity which is lower than the first opacity. In use, a graphical indicium disposed below the water absorbent layer may become less visible as the water absorbent layer becomes drier, and may become more visible as the water absorbent layer becomes wetter. This may provide a useful indication to the user as to the moisture content of the water absorbent layer. A graphical indicium may be provided below the water absorbent layer. The graphical indicium may be provided on the base layer. Alternatively, the graphical indicium may be provided on the product packaging or on a separate component. The graphical indicium may be any suitable graphic such as a logo, text, colour, marking, promotional information, symbol, or sign.

[0019] The invention also relates to a plurality of labels, each in accordance with any statement herein, releasably adhered to a backing sheet.

[0020] According to another aspect there is provided a wound reel of labels comprising a wound backing sheet with a plurality of labels, each in accordance with any statement herein, releasably adhered to the backing sheet.

[0021] According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided product packaging defining a volume for containing a product, wherein a self-adhesive moisture control label in accordance with any statement herein is adhered to the packaging such that the label is disposed within the volume so that it can control the humidity of the volume.

[0022] The product packaging may be packaging for a tobacco product. The tobacco product may be loose tobacco or cigars or cigarettes or snuff or snus. The product packaging may comprise a tub having a container base defining a volume and a detachably attachable lid, wherein the label is adhered to the inside of the lid.

[0023] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided 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 (or mask) of the water absorbent material; and winding the backing sheet into a reel.

[0024] The method may further comprise: 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.

[0025] It should be appreciated that the method steps may be performed in any suitable order and are not limited to the order presented herein.

[0026] The invention may comprise any combination of the features and/or limitations referred to herein, except combinations of such features as are mutually exclusive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 schematically shows a plan view of a self-adhesive moisture control label;

[0029] FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional view through a self-adhesive moisture control label;

[0030] FIG. 3 schematically shows product packaging having a moisture control label adhered thereto;

[0031] FIG. 4 schematically shows a moisture control label in a wet state; and

[0032] FIG. 5 schematically shows a moisture control label in a dry state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a self-adhesive moisture control label 10 for product packaging. In this particular embodiment the label 10 is intended to be adhered to product packaging so as to provide moisture to the atmosphere within the packaging. As will be described in detail below, the label 10 comprises a base layer 12 and a water absorbent layer 14 which is adhered to the upper side of the base layer 12. The lower side of the base layer 12 is provided with an adhesive layer 30 such that the label 10 can be adhered to product packaging. In use, a small amount of water is provided to the water absorbent layer 14 which is absorbed and retained by the water absorbent layer 14. The water retained by the water absorbent layer 14 is then able to evaporate from the water absorbent layer 14 so as to provide moisture to the atmosphere within the product packaging. The label 10 therefore acts to humidify the surrounding atmosphere.

[0034] The label 10 is substantially circular and comprises a circular base layer 12 of a first diameter, and a circular water absorbent layer 14 of a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. In this embodiment the diameter of the base layer 12 (and therefore the overall label 10) is approximately 50mm and the diameter of the water absorbent layer 14 is approximately 25 mm. The base layer 12 and water absorbent layer 14 are concentric with one another and the base layer 12 extends beyond the periphery of the water absorbent layer 14 to form a display region 15. It should be appreciated that other shapes and dimensions could be used, and the base layer 12 and water absorbent layer 14 could be positioned differently with respect to one another. Although it has been described that the base layer 12 is larger than the water absorbent layer 14, in other embodiments the layers could be identically sized, or the base layer 12 could be smaller than the water absorbent layer 14.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the base layer 12 is a laminate structure comprising a lower film 16, a print layer 18 and an upper film 20. The print layer 18 is therefore sandwiched between the lower film 16 and the upper film 20 which acts as a protective layer. In this embodiment, the lower film 16 is a layer of white polypropylene having a thickness of approximately 60 .mu.m and the upper film 20 is a layer of clear polypropylene having a thickness of approximately 20 .mu.m. It should be appreciated that other materials or thicknesses could be used. It should be noted that in other embodiments the base layer 12 could be a single uniform layer of film. The print layer 18 is directly printed onto the lower film 16 and may comprise any suitable colours, graphics, designs or text. In this embodiment the print layer comprises a solid colour which extends over the entire surface of the lower film 16, branding information 22, instructions for use 24 and a graphical indicium 26. The branding information 22 and the use instructions 24 are printed in the display region 15 beyond the water absorbent layer 14, whilst the graphical indicium 26 is printed in a region underneath the water absorbent layer 14. The function of the graphical indicium 26 will be described in detail below. The lower surface of the lower film 16 (and hence the lower surface of the base layer 12) is provided with a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive 30. The adhesive layer 30 may either be a continuous or a discontinuous coating. The adhesive layer 30 allows the label 10 to be adhered to product packaging. In other embodiments the print layer 18 may be separate from the base layer 12.

[0036] The water absorbent layer is in the form of a fibrous pad 14 which can absorb and retain water, and from which water can evaporate. In this embodiment the fibrous pad 14 is non-woven and is made from matted polyolefin fibres. The diameter, thickness and density of the fibrous pad 14 may be chosen such that the fibrous pad can absorb a required volume of water. For example, a polyolefin fibrous pad 14 having a 25 mm diameter, a thickness of 1.5 mm and a density of between 0.1-0.2 g/cm.sup.3 may absorb approximately 0.6 ml of water. In another example, a polyolefin fibrous pad 14 having a 31 mm diameter, a thickness of 1 mm and a density of between 0.1-0.2 g/cm.sup.3 may absorb approximately 0.6 ml of water. The lower surface of the fibrous pad 14 is provided with a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive 32 which adheres the fibrous pad 14 to the upper surface of the upper film 20 of the base layer 12.

[0037] The polyolefin fibrous pad 14 permits visible light to pass through it. However, the opacity of the fibrous pad 14 is the function of the amount of water retained by it. In particular, when the fibrous pad 14 is completely dry it has a higher opacity, and when it is completely saturated with water it has a lower opacity. The Applicant believes that this phenomena is due to the fibres reflecting light when dry, but allowing light to pass through them when wet. As will be described in detail below, this means that in use, the graphical indicium 26 printed on the base layer 12 becomes less visible as the fibrous pad 14 dries out. This may provide a useful indicator to the use that the fibrous pad 14 needs to be wetted.

[0038] A particular benefit of the fibrous pad 14 is that it maintains its integrity and tends not to fragment. This may be particularly important as it may be important to prevent fragments of the fibrous pad 14 being mixed with the product which is contained within the product packaging.

[0039] Although it has been described that the water absorbent layer 14 is a polyolefin fibrous pad 14, it should be appreciated that other materials could be used. The water absorbent layer 14 could be any woven or non-woven fibrous material and could be made from materials other than polyolefin fibres such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibres, polyethylene (PE) fibres, nylon fibres, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fibres, or polylactic acid (PLA) fibres, for example. In some embodiment the water absorbent layer may comprise a mixture of polymer fibres, such as any combination of the polymer fibres listed above. Further, the water absorbent layer 14 could be a sponge-like porous material capable of absorbing water, or could be a hydrophilic material such as a layer of a hydrophilic gel. Essentially, the water absorbent layer 14 could be made from any suitable material that is capable of absorbing and retaining water, and which allows water to subsequently evaporate from it.

[0040] Self-adhesive moisture control labels 10 may be provided on a wound backing sheet as a reel of labels. The labels 10 may then be applied either manually, or automatically, or by a combination of the two to product packaging.

[0041] A reel of moisture control labels 10 may be manufactured by the following method:

[0042] A web of lower film material 16 is printed with the desired print layer 18 which continually repeats. A web of upper film material 20 is then applied over the print layer 18 to provide a protective barrier. A pressure sensitive adhesive layer 30 is then applied to the underside of the lower film material 16 and the laminate structure is releasably adhered to a web of backing material. The individual base layers 12 are then die cut from the laminate and the skeleton (or mask) is removed.

[0043] A web of water absorbent material 14, such as a web of polyolefin fibrous material, is coated on its lower surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer 32. This is web is then releasably adhered to a web of backing material. The individual water absorbent layers 14 (or fibrous pads) are then die cut from the web and the skeleton (or mask) is removed.

[0044] The individual base layers 12 and water absorbent layers 14 are then assembled together to form a moisture control label 10. Specifically, by machine, the individual water absorbent layers 14 are peeled from the backing sheet and applied to the upper surface of individual base layers 12 which remain on the backing sheet. The backing sheet, having the assembled base layers 12 and water absorbent layers 14, is then wound-up to provide a reel of self-adhesive moisture control labels.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows product packaging in the form of a tub 100 for containing loose (or rolling) tobacco. The tub 100 is generally cylindrical and comprises a container base 102 having a cylindrical wall and a circular base, and a circular lid 104 which can be removably attached to the container base 102. The loose tobacco is stored within the container base 102 and the lid 104 is attached to the container base 102 in order to close the tub 100. Before the tub 100 has been opened for the first time a foil seal (not shown) hermetically seals the container base 102 and maintains the freshness of the tobacco. However, once this has been removed to obtain access to the tobacco for the first time, the lid 104 does not seal the container base 102 to the same extent.

[0046] It is desirable to prevent the tobacco from drying out as this can adversely affect its quality. Therefore, a self-adhesive moisture control label 10 is applied to the underside of the lid 104 so that it is disposed within the tub 100 when the lid 104 is attached to the container base 102. The label 10 may be adhered to the lid from a reel of labels 10 during manufacture of the packaging and may be applied either by hand, or by machine, or by a combination of the two. In another arrangement the label 10 may be disposed within the tub 100 with the tobacco and the consumer may have to adhere the label 10 to the inside of the lid.

[0047] Once tub 100 has been opened by removing the lid 104 and the foil seal (not shown), the consumer must wet the fibrous pad 14 of the label 10. The instructions for use of the label 10, together with branding information, is provided on the display region 15 of the base layer 12 which means that it is not necessary to provide any additional inserts or instructions for use. The use instructions 24 may direct the consumer to add a certain amount of water to the fibrous pad 14. In this embodiment, the consumer is directed to add 6 drops of water to the fibrous pad 14. The lid 104 is then attached to the container base 102 with the label 10 disposed within the tub 100. Over time, water evaporates from the fibrous pad 14 which acts to provide moisture to the atmosphere within the tub 100, humidifying the atmosphere, and preventing the tobacco from drying out. The label 10 therefore acts to maintain the quality of the tobacco.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, as described above, the opacity of the water absorbent layer 14 (fibrous pad) changes as the volume of water retained by the fibrous pad 14 changes. In particular, the opacity of the fibrous pad 14 increases as the volume of water retained reduces. Therefore, when the fibrous pad 14 is saturated with water (i.e. when the consumer has added the prescribed number of drops of water), the opacity of the fibrous pad 14 is relatively low and therefore the graphical indicium 26 printed on the base layer 12 below the fibrous pad 14 is visible through the fibrous pad 14 (FIG. 4). However, as the water evaporates from the fibrous pad 14 and the fibrous pad 14 becomes drier, the opacity of the fibrous pad increases. Therefore, as the fibrous pad 14 becomes drier the graphical indicium 26 becomes less visible, until the fibrous pad 14 completely dries out and the graphical indicium 26 becomes its least visible (FIG. 5). It should be appreciated that even when dry, the graphical indicium 26 may be partly visible, if feint.

[0049] The change in opacity of the fibrous pad 14 in conjunction with the graphical indicium 26 disposed below it provides a useful indication to the consumer as to when it is necessary to add more water to the fibrous pad 14 in order to ensure that the atmosphere within the packaging is kept moist. The graphical indicium 26 may be any graphic and may include branding relating to the product. Although the change in opacity of the water absorbent layer 14 in conjunction with the graphical indicium 26 located below it provides a useful indicator, this is not essential to the invention. In other embodiments there may be no graphical indicium, and/or the water absorbent layer 14 may not change in opacity as a function of the water absorbed/retained by it.

[0050] In the above embodiment it has been described that the label 10 is applied to a tub 100 for loose tobacco. However, it should be appreciated that the label 10 could be used with other types of packaging for loose tobacco such as pouches. Further, the label 10 may be used with packaging for other tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, snuff or snus. As opposed to being applied to packaging during manufacture, the labels 10 may be sold separately to the end-user who may apply them to various types of packaging or container as appropriate. For example, a label 10 could be applied by an end-user to a tin within which is stored loose tobacco, or a case for storing cigars or cigarettes.

[0051] It has been described that the label 10 is used to prevent tobacco from drying out. However, it could be used to prevent other products such as perishable goods, processed foods, fresh foods, plants/flowers, agricultural compounds, seeds, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, domestic or household chemicals, industrial chemicals, electronic components, instrumentation and devices, clothing or garments, footwear, luggage or bags, stationary or documentation, artwork or photography, jewellery, or musical instruments from drying out, or becoming too wet (as described below), and spoiling.

[0052] Although it has been described that the moisture control label 10 is for providing moisture to an atmosphere in order to prevent a product, such as tobacco, from drying out, the label 10 could work in the opposite manner. For example, the label 10 could be applied to packaging, such as a tin or tub, for biscuits and the water absorbent layer 14 could absorb moisture from the atmosphere to prevent the biscuits from absorbing water and becoming soft or stale. In another embodiment the label 10 could be adhered to salad packaging, such as a filmic bag, and in use could absorb water from the salad to prevent it from becoming overly wet.

[0053] In another embodiment, the label may simply comprise a self-adhesive water absorbent layer 14, such as a fibrous pad, which can be adhered to product packaging. In such an embodiment the label would comprise the water absorbent layer 14 and the adhesive 32. The label could be applied to product packaging over a graphical indicium printed or otherwise provided on the packaging itself. As for the first embodiment, the water absorbent layer 14 would change in opacity as a function of the water retained by it and therefore the graphical indicium on the packaging would become more visible as the label gets wetter, and less visible as the label gets drier.

[0054] Due to the material properties of the fibrous pad, in particular the density and substantially uniform structure, the fibrous pad can be saturated with a specific known and reproducible volume of water. This allows a fibrous pad to be designed so as to hold a desired volume of water which is appropriate to the particular application. This ensures that the fibrous pad cannot be overfilled which helps to reduce the risk of damaging the product with which it is to be used.

[0055] In some embodiments, the material properties allow a relatively large fibrous pad to be manufactured, which holds a relatively small volume of water.

[0056] Where the term "layer" has been used in the foregoing specification, this should be understood as encompassing either a continuous or discontinuous layer (such as a grid or a series of discrete spots). For example, the adhesive layer 30 may be a continuous film of adhesive, or could be a series of stripes, or a grid, or spots.

Claims

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.