U.S. patent application number 17/480071 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-30 for removable appliques.
The applicant listed for this patent is Amscan Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephen Jacobs.
Application Number | 20220202216 17/480071 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220202216 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jacobs; Stephen |
June 30, 2022 |
REMOVABLE APPLIQUES
Abstract
In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein a sleeve
that has a peel-off applique or label that includes desired
graphics that can be combined with a drink cup or container. The
label or applique or "collectable" acts as a "mini-poster" that is
removable and repositionable. The label may have graphics of sports
starts or other things such as musical performers, super heroes,
etc. Particular embodiments include interior die cut images within
the main graphic as "collectibles within a collectible." In another
example embodiment, a container applique is applied to the
container
Inventors: |
Jacobs; Stephen;
(Youngstown, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Amscan Inc. |
Elmsford |
NY |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/480071 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16213801 |
Dec 7, 2018 |
11122919 |
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17480071 |
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14802613 |
Jul 17, 2015 |
10182673 |
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16213801 |
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62162260 |
May 15, 2015 |
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62026070 |
Jul 18, 2014 |
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International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22; B32B 7/12 20060101 B32B007/12; B32B 27/08 20060101
B32B027/08; B32B 27/10 20060101 B32B027/10; B32B 27/36 20060101
B32B027/36 |
Claims
1-20 (canceled)
21. A removable applique comprising: an applique layer having first
and second sides, the first side having printing thereon; a
breakaway layer; a repositionable adhesive applied to the second
side of the applique layer, repositionably adhering the applique
layer to the breakaway layer; a permanent adhesive applied to the
breakaway layer on an opposite side thereof from the applique
layer.
22. The removable applique of claim 21, wherein the applique layer
comprises a bi-axially oriented polypropylene face stock.
23. The removable applique of claim 21, wherein the applique layer
comprises a tab.
24. The removable applique of claim 23, wherein the tab is located
at an edge of the applique layer.
25. The removable applique of claim 21, wherein the applique layer
comprises a cutout section.
26. The removable applique of claim 21, wherein the applique layer
comprises a plurality of cutout sections.
27. The removable applique of claim 21, wherein the repositionable
adhesive is configured to remain with the applique layer after the
applique layer is removed from the breakaway layer and to permit
repositionable application of the applique layer on a self-stick
basis to another surface.
28. The removable applique of claim 21, further comprising at least
one cut in the applique layer defining an interior cutout portion
of the applique layer within an outer portion of the applique layer
such that the interior cutout portion of the applique layer is
removable from the breakaway layer separately from outer portion of
applique layer.
29. The removable applique of claim 28, wherein both the interior
cutout portion of the applique layer and the outer portion of the
applique layer are removable from the breakaway layer.
30. The removable applique of claim 28, wherein the at least one
cut includes at least a kiss cut.
31. The removable applique of claim 28, wherein the at least one
cut includes at least a knife cut.
32. The removable applique of claim 28, wherein the interior cutout
portion includes a tab that is defined by the at least one cut to
facilitate removal of the interior cutout portion of the applique
layer from the outer portion of the applique layer.
33. A removable applique comprising: an applique layer having first
and second sides, the first side having printing thereon; a
breakaway layer; a repositionable adhesive applied to the second
side of the applique layer, repositionably adhering the applique
layer to the breakaway layer; and a permanent adhesive applied to
the breakaway layer on an opposite side thereof from the applique
layer, and at least one cut in the applique layer defining a single
interior cutout portion of the appliquelayer within an outer
portion of the applique layer such that the interior cutout portion
of the applique layer is removable from the breakaway layer
separately from outer portion of appliquelayer.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/162,260
filed on May 15, 2015 and to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/026,070
filed on Jul. 18, 2014, the contents of which are herby
incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure is directed to a container or a sleeve for a
container that has a peel-off applique or label that includes
desirable graphics that can be combined with a drink cup or
container.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Drinking cups are widely used to distribute beverages at
public events, such as sporting events. The cups may have a
generally frusto-conical shape. The cups may have labels that are
shaped to match the form of the frusto-concial shape of the cup. A
pressure sensitive adhesive may be employed to bond the label to
the cup.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a container applique
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a container applique before
the container applique is formed into a cone.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a side view of a container applique applied to a
cup.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a side view of a container applique having a
cutout section.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a top view of a container applique applied to a
cup.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a methodology for
manufacturing a container applique.
[0010] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the state of the container
applique while the actions in FIG. 6 are being performed.
[0011] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the layers of a container
applique.
[0012] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a container applique with
multiple cut outs.
[0013] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a container applique.
[0014] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of die cut patterns on a
container applique.
[0015] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a container applique cut
in the shape of a frusto-conical cup.
[0016] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a container applique
applied to an exterior surface of a container.
[0017] FIG. 14 illustrates another example of a container applique
applied to an exterior surface of a container.
OVERVIEW OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The following presents a simplified overview of the example
embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some
aspects of the example embodiments. This overview is not an
extensive overview of the example embodiments. It is intended to
neither identify key or critical elements of the example
embodiments nor delineate the scope of the appended claims. Its
sole purpose is to present some concepts of the example embodiments
in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description
that is presented later.
[0019] In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein a sleeve
that has a peel-off applique or label that includes desired
graphics that can be combined with a drink cup or container. The
label or applique or "collectable" acts as a "mini-poster" that is
removable and repositionable.
[0020] In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein a
container applique that is applied to a container. A release layer
allows the applique to be removed from the cup. The applique can
then be removed from the release layer and the applique can be
applied to another surface.
Description of Example Embodiments
[0021] This description provides examples not intended to limit the
scope of the appended claims. The figures generally indicate the
features of the examples, where it is understood and appreciated
that like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements.
Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" or "an example embodiment" means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described is included in at
least one embodiment described herein and does not imply that the
feature, structure, or characteristic is present in all embodiments
described herein.
[0022] In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein a sleeve
that has a peel-off applique or label that includes desired
graphics that can be combined with a drink cup or container. The
label or applique or "collectable" acts as a "mini-poster" that is
removable and repositionable. The label may have graphics of sports
starts or other things such as musical performers, super heroes,
etc. Particular embodiments include interior die cut images within
the main graphic as "collectibles within a collectible."
[0023] The label, once removed from the sleeve, can be applied on a
self-stick basis with a repositionable adhesive or by static cling
to a wall or any other surface. In an example embodiment, the
sleeve can be made by machinery to form the sleeve as a substrate
(e.g., basically a bottomless cup). The label material is printed
and die cut. The label material is edge glued and formed around a
mandrel. The label seam is tamped closed. The sleeve is applied to
cup or container (known as post or secondary decoration) in an
automated process. In an example embodiment, the Label Materials
comprise a 2.4 mil Face Stock (such as for example, a white, top
coated BOPP (Bi-axially Oriented Polypropylene or other similar
material), a 1 mil Repositionable Adhesive or other similar
removable or permanent adhesive, and a 1.5 mil PET Silicone Coated
Release Liner or similar release film or release paper liner. Those
skilled in the art should readily appreciate that the dimensions,
shapes, and materials described herein are selected merely for ease
of illustrations and that the principles described herein can apply
to other similar sizes, shapes, and materials.
[0024] As set forth above and in FIG. 1, illustrates a
representative embodiment of a reusable container applique, or
"container applique" 10 in accordance with the present disclosure
includes an applique layer 12, which may be for example any
suitable material and preferably printable material, suitable as
face stock, an example of which is top-coated bi-axially oriented
polypropylene (BOPP), or similar material, of any suitable
thickness, such as, for example, a thickness of 2.4 mil. The
applique 12 carries printing 18 and is adhered to an applique
release layer 16, such as 1.5 mil PET silicone release liner, or
similar release film or release paper liner, by 1 mil layer of
applique adhesive 14, which may be any suitable removable or
permanent adhesive.
[0025] In an example embodiment, the release layer (or liner) 16
may also have printed matter. The printed matter may be on either
or both of sides 20 and 22. For example, coupons, game pieces,
reward, or any other desired printing may be disposed on either or
both of sides 20 and 22.
[0026] Die cut patterns of representative containers, such as cups
made of paper or other materials in sheet form or molded are
disclosed. The container applique 10 may be applied to any surface
of plastic containers or cups. Representative container sizes, with
which the container appliques 10 can be combined, include but are
not limited to 12 oz.-44 oz. size "cold cups" or "hot cups" made of
paper-containing materials or other similar materials; 130 oz. and
170 oz. popcorn buckets; and 12 oz.-64 oz. plastic cold cups and
128 oz. and 166 oz. plastic popcorn buckets.
[0027] For application to tapered style cups, the container
applique 10 is preferably crescent shaped, and dimensioned for
application to the major planar areas of the cup die cut pattern.
In a particular embodiment, the container applique 10 is generally
crescent shaped and corresponds in shape to the die cut pattern for
a sheet-formed cup or container, as shown. A tab may be provided on
one lateral edge of the container applique 10 to facilitate removal
of the applique layer 16 with the repositionable adhesive 14, or
any suitable removable or permanent adhesive, from the release
layer 16. The tab may be an extension of the applique material
layer 12, applique adhesive 14 and the applique release layer 16
beyond the lateral edge of a seam formed when the substrate 24
(FIG. 2) is formed into a sleeve (see e.g., FIG. 3).
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a substrate 24 that
illustrates container applique 10 before the container applique 10
is formed into a cone or sleeve. Kiss cuts 26 along the sides of
the substrate allow the printed material of the container applique
10 to be removed from the cone.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view of a container applique applied 10 to
a cup 30. In an example embodiment, the lip 28 of the cup 28 is
employed to hold the container applique 10 onto the cup 30. For
example, the container applique 10 may slide towards 28 and engage
lip 28 to hold the container applique 10 in place. To remove the
container applique 10 from the cup 30, the container applique 10 is
slid in a direction away from the lip 28 of the cup 30.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a side view of a container applique 10 having a
cutout section. 32. Although FIG. 4 illustrates a single cutout,
those skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the container
applique 10 may have any physically realizable number of cutouts
and the number of cutouts shown was merely selected for ease of
illustration. Knife cuts 34 may be employed to form the cutouts.
FIG. 5 is a top view of a container applique applied 10 to a cup
30.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a methodology 50 for
manufacturing a container applique. FIG. 7 illustrates an example
of the state of the container applique while the various actions in
FIG. 6 are being performed. FIG. 7 further illustrates an automatic
sleeve forming system comprises an operator-load label magazine
nest 70, a forming mandrel station 80 with actuating wings (not
shown), a vertical tamping unit 84, an automatic glue dispensing
station 78, a sleeve off-loader (not shown) with stacking magazine
(now shown), and a controller 86, such as a PLC control panel.
[0032] At 52, Die-cut and stacked label stock 74 will be loaded
into a vertical magazine nest (by an operator 76, although in other
embodiments the label stock 74 may be auto loaded). In an example
embodiment, the printed material 18 and kiss cuts 26 are included
in the Die-Cut stacked label stock 74.
[0033] At 54, Labels 24 will be extracted one at a time from the
bottom of the magazine nest 72 and pushed forward into the forming
station 80. At 56, while the label 24 is moving towards the forming
station, an adhesive is applied to the label 24 by glue station 78.
The adhesive may be glue in a flat swirl-spray pattern, double
sided tape, or any suitable adhesive. In example embodiments, the
adhesive may be applied to any edge, on either the top or bottom
side.
[0034] At 56, once a single label 24 is in position, pneumatically
actuated forming wings will accurately wrap the label around a
stationary mandrel cone. The mandrel is designed to hold the label
in position for accurate wrapping and a vacuum system 82 is used to
assist in wrapping and to confirm a "sleeve" is present.
[0035] At 60, once the label substrate 24 is wrapped around the
forming mandrel, a vertical tamping arm 84 will index down and
apply pressure onto the glued area to finalize the bond process. At
62, the completed "sleeve" (or cone) 10 will then eject into a
stacking magazine nest.
[0036] The controller 86 is a programmable controller operates the
system that controls the operation of label magazine nest 72, glue
station 78 forming mandrel station 80 (including vacuum 82). In an
example embodiment, the controller 86 comprises logic for
implementing the functionality described herein. "Logic", as used
herein, includes but is not limited to hardware, firmware, software
and/or combinations of each to perform a function(s) or an
action(s), and/or to cause a function or action from another
component. For example, based on a desired application or need,
logic may include a software controlled microprocessor, discreet
logic such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a
programmable/programmed logic device, memory device containing
instructions, or the like, or combinational logic embodied in
hardware. Logic may also be fully embodied as software that
performs the desired functionality when executed by a
processor.
[0037] In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an
Container appliquethat is configured for initial application to
containers such as food containers including cups and bottles of
various sizes and shapes. In an example embodiment, a release
substrate which carries one or more adhesively repositionable
printed film appliques is applied to a container, either directly
or combination with other layers. The reusable applique, (also
referred to herein as "label" or "labels" or "applique") is in an
example embodiment in the form of a printed film or paper-based
piece with one or more printed and die cut pieces which are
removable from an underlying release layer. The labels or appliques
can serve as miniature posters, emblems, stickers or the like. The
labels may have graphics of sports stars and other things such as
musical performers, super heroes, etc. Additional interior die cut
images may be included within the main graphic as `collectibles
within a collectible`.
[0038] The label is applied to a container such as a cup with a
permanent adhesive to secure the entire laminate label
construction. When the collectible label is removed from the cup,
two layers of film (base and mid) that are connected by a dry
bond-like component are peeled off the permanently affixed
substrate layer applied directly to the exterior surface of the
container. The container or cup or bottle with permanent adhesive
is discarded after use.
[0039] FIGS. 8-14 illustrate an example of a container applique
that is applied to a container. Referring to FIG. 8, the container
applique may suitably comprise a 2.4 mi1 Face Stock (such as for
example a white, top coated BOPP (Bi-axially Oriented Polypropylene
or other similar material), a 1 mil Repositionable Adhesive, a 1.5
mil PET Silicone Coated Release Liner or other similar release film
or release paper liner, a 1.5 mil Breakaway System and permanent
adhesive, and a 1.5 mil PET Silicone Coated Release Liner or other
similar release film or liner that protects the base adhesive and
is discarded in the label application process. Those skilled in the
art should readily appreciate that although the container applique
is described herein in terms of singles layers, the label
construction may also be multi-layered or "piggyback."
[0040] As set forth above, a representative embodiment of a
reusable container applique, or "container applique" 80 in
accordance with the present disclosure includes an applique layer
82, which may be for example any suitable material, such as, for
example, a printable material, suitable as face stock, for example
a top-coated bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), or other
similar material, of any suitable thickness, such as for example a
thickness of 2.4 mil. The applique layer 82 carries printing 84 and
is adhered to an applique release layer 86, such as 1.5 mil PET
silicone release liner, or some similar release film or release
paper liner, by a 1 mil layer of applique adhesive 88, or similar
removable or permanent adhesive. The applique 82, applique adhesive
88 and applique release layer 86 are combined with a breakaway
layer which includes a breakaway release material 90 in contact
with the applique release 86, and a breakaway permanent adhesive
92, or other suitable permanent or removable adhesive. In an
example embodiment, a breakaway release layer 94 is applied over
the breakaway adhesive 92, for packaging and handling of the
container applique prior to application to a container. As
indicated in FIG. 9, the applique layer 82 may include or be
divided by one or more cutouts 96 in any form and carrying any form
of print or other indicia, as shown for example in FIG. 10. Those
skilled in the art should readily appreciate that the dimensions
and materials here are selected merely for ease of illustrations
and that the principles described herein can apply to other similar
sizes and materials. Moreover, those skilled in the art should
readily appreciate that some embodiments may not include all of the
layers described above. For example, some example embodiments may
not include the breakaway permanent adhesive 92, the breakaway
and/or the breakaway layer.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 11, die cut patterns of representative
containers, such as cups made of paper or other materials in sheet
form or molded are combined with the container appliques 80. The
container applique may be applied to any non-critical or hot zone
structural areas of such containers or to any surface of plastic
containers or cups, such as those produced by International Paper
and similar products. Representative container sizes with which the
container appliques 80 can be combined are disclosed, including but
not limited to 12 oz.-44 oz. size "cold cups" or "hot cups" made of
paper-containing materials; 130 oz. and 170 oz. popcorn buckets;
and 12 oz.-64 oz. plastic cold cups and 128 oz. and 166 oz. plastic
popcorn buckets.
[0042] For application to tapered style cups, the container
applique 80 is preferably crescent shaped, and dimensioned for
application to the major planar areas of the cup die cut pattern 98
and without interfering with the rolled lip or bottom attachment
areas indicated at 100, or the seam as indicated at 102, as
indicated in FIG. 12. In an example embodiment, the container
applique 80 is generally crescent shaped and corresponds in shape
to the die cut pattern for a sheet-formed cup or container, as
shown. In particular embodiments, the container applique 80 covers
a substantial area of the cup material die pattern. A tab 104 may
be provided on one lateral edge of the container applique 80 to
facilitate removal of the applique 82 with the repositionable
adhesive 88 from the release layer 86. The tab 104 may be an
extension of the applique material layer 82, applique adhesive 88
and the appliquerelease layer 86 beyond the lateral edge of the
breakaway, whereby the container applique 80 can be removed
correctly from the container by separation from the breakaway
release 90, transported, and then applied by removal of the
appliquerelease 86.
[0043] As shown in representative form in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14,
container appliques 80 are applied to the exterior surface of a
container 98, such as a paper or plastic cup or bucket to
substantially encircle the container and substantially cover the
entire exterior surface. The container applique 80 can then be
easily removed from the container by gripping the tab 102 for
removal from the exterior surface of the container 98.
[0044] Described above are example embodiments. It is, of course,
not possible to describe every conceivable combination of
components or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of
the example embodiments are possible. Accordingly, this application
is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and
variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are
fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
* * * * *