Hanger label

A label for displaying information regarding an article and suspending the article from a support includes a base label having an upper surface and a lower surface and a base adhesive disposed on the lower surface for affixing the label to the article. A hanger defining an opening has at least one end thereof connected to the base label. The hanger is foldable about the at least one end between a stored position wherein the hanger lies adjacent the upper surface of the base label and a hanging position wherein the hanger is folded away from the base label for receiving the support through the opening. A carrier portion forms a part of the hanger. A base portion underlies the carrier portion. The base portion is separable from the base label and is secured to at least a portion of the carrier portion by a carrier portion adhesive.

 

What is claimed is:

1. A label for displaying information regarding an article and suspending the article from a support, said label comprising:

a) a base label having an upper surface and a lower surface;

b) a base adhesive disposed on said lower surface for affixing said label to the article;

c) a hanger defining an opening;

d) at least one end of said hanger connected to said base label;

e) said hanger foldable about said at least one end between a stored position wherein said hanger lies adjacent said upper surface of said base label and a hanging position wherein said hanger is folded away from said base label for receiving the support through said opening;

f) a carrier portion forming a part of said hanger; and

g) a base portion underlying said carrier portion, said base portion being separable from said base label and secured to at least a portion of said carrier portion by a carrier portion adhesive.

2. The label of claim 1 including a cut line in said hanger, said cut line defining said opening and a cut out tab, wherein said cut out tab is secured to said upper surface of said base label such that, when said hanger is folded from said stored position to said hanging position, said cut out tab remains with said base label.

3. The label of claim 1 wherein said carrier portion is located between said opening and said end of said hanger.

4. The label of claim 3 including indicia disposed on said base portion.

5. The label of claim 4 wherein said indicia includes an electronically readable code.

6. The label of claim 1 wherein said base portion is substantially permanently secured to said carrier portion by said carrier portion adhesive.

7. The label of claim 6 including a base portion adhesive on a lower surface of said base portion and a release liner removably secured to said base portion by said base portion adhesive.

8. The label of claim 6 wherein a lower surface of said base portion is substantially free of exposed, tacky adhesive.

9. The label of claim 1 wherein said base portion is removably secured to said carrier portion by said carrier portion adhesive.

10. The label of claim 9 including coupon indicia on said base portion whereby said base portion serves as a removable coupon.

11. The label of claim 9 including a base portion adhesive on a lower surface of said base portion.

12. The label of claim 11 including a release liner removably secured to said base portion by said base portion adhesive.

13. The label of claim 9 wherein said carrier portion adhesive is a low tack adhesive.

14. The label of claim 13 including coupon indicia on said base portion whereby said base portion serves as a removable coupon.

15. The label of claim 9 wherein a portion of said carrier portion adhesive is deadened.

16. The label of claim 15 including coupon indicia on said base portion whereby said base portion serves as a removable coupon.

17. The label of claim 9 wherein said carrier portion adhesive is patterned such that a portion of said carrier portion is free of adhesive.

18. The label of claim 17 including coupon indicia on said base portion whereby said base portion serves as a removable coupon.

19. The label of claim 9 including a deadened hanger adhesive on a lower surface of said carrier portion, wherein said carrier portion adhesive is a low tack adhesive engaging said deadened hanger adhesive.

20. The label of claim 19 including coupon indicia on said base portion whereby said base portion serves as a removable coupon.

21. The label of claim 1 including an electronically readable tag.

22. The label of claim 21 wherein said tag is positioned between said carrier portion and said base portion.

23. The label of claim 22 wherein said tag is adhered to said carrier portion.

24. The label of claim 22 wherein said base portion includes an edge portion adhered to said carrier portion by said carrier portion adhesive, said edge portion surrounding at least a portion of said tag.

25. A label for displaying information regarding an article and suspending the article from a support, said label comprising:

a) a base label having an upper surface and a lower surface;

b) a base adhesive disposed on said lower surface for affixing said label to the article;

c) a hanger having at least one leg and defining an opening, said leg having an end;

d) at least one anchoring portion connected to said leg and secured to said upper surface of said base label by at least one adhesive patch;

e) said hanger foldable about said ends between a stored position wherein said hanger lies adjacent said upper surface of said base label and a hanging position wherein said hanger is folded away from said base label for receiving the support through said opening;

f) a carrier portion forming a part of said hanger; and

g) a base portion underlying said carrier portion, said base portion being separable from said base label and secured to at least a portion of said carrier portion by a carrier portion adhesive.

26. The label of claim 25 wherein a lower surface of said base portion is substantially free of exposed, tacky adhesive.

27. The label of claim 26 wherein a portion of said base adhesive coats a lower surface of said base portion, said label further including a layer of at least one of an adhesive deadener and a varnish coating said portion of said base adhesive on a side thereof opposite said base portion.

28. The label of claim 25 wherein said at least one anchoring portion includes a plurality of spaced apart foot portions each substantially permanently secured to said upper surface of said base label by a respective adhesive patch, and wherein said at least one leg includes a plurality of legs defining said opening therebetween, each of said legs secured to a respective said foot portion.

29. The label of claim 25 including indicia disposed on an upper surface of said base portion underlying said carrier portion of said hanger.

30. The label of claim 25 including an electronically readable tag.

31. The label of claim 30 wherein said tag is positioned between said carrier portion and said base portion.

32. The label of claim 31 wherein said tag is adhered to said carrier portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to labels for identifying and displaying information regarding goods, and, more particularly, to labels of such nature which provide means for suspending the associated goods or packaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In administering certain medicines and pharmaceuticals, it is necessary to suspend a bottle or other package containing the pharmaceutical product from a hanger or like support. In particular, intravenously administered fluids are typically contained in a bottle which is suspended from an extended hanger to provide gravity induced flow of the fluid.

It is highly desirable that the container be conveniently and securely suspended. While various separate and detachable harnesses into which the container may be mounted have been used, such harnesses are relatively inconvenient as they require the step of placing the container in the harness or securing the harness about the container in addition to the step of mounting the harness on the hanger. Various other supports have been developed wherein a hanging loop is more or less permanently secured to the container with the hanging loop foldable between an extended position to receive the hanger and a closed position wherein the hanging loop is flat against the bottle. Typically, the hanging loop in the closed position lies adjacent the end of the bottle, often making the container unstable when placed on end. These designs are generally formed of shrink wrapped plastic or foil. As a result, they add considerable additional cost and weight to the overall packaging.

One alternative to the above disclosed hanging and labeling means is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,125 to Andel et al. The Andel reference discloses a label for identifying contents of intravenous feeding bottles having formed as an integral part thereof a hanging ring for suspending the bottle from an intravenous stand. The label is built up from at least one layer of film, a layer of printing ink, and a layer of adhesive. The handle is defined in the label by a pair of die cut lines that penetrate at least the one layer of film in the label. A release coating is applied between the layer of film in the bottle and a portion of the label defined by the handle to permit the handle to be peeled away from the bottle and the remaining portion of the label. The disclosed label design suffers from several drawbacks, however. Because release coating is employed, the phenomenon commonly referred to as "adhesive lock up" may be experienced. In this case, the handle portion would be difficult to pull away from the remainder of the label, and moreover, destruction to the second layer of the label or the container to which the label is affixed may be caused. Further, the manufacturing step of applying the release coating adds time, complexity, and cost to the formation of the labels. Because the handle is formed from cuts within a continuous layer of film, there may be a tendency for the cuts to run when load is placed on the handle. Because the film layer in which the handle is defined covers the entire surface of the label, it is relatively difficult to access an edge of the handle by which to peel it up. Where the handle is printed on, care must be taken to properly configure the print in the handle, disposed on the handle layer but outside of the handle, and disposed on the underlying layer, if any, to ensure that no indicia which is intended to be seen when the handle is either up or down, is obfuscated or separated.

Thus, there exists a need for a label for identifying and displaying information regarding an article which provides means for suspending the article. There exists a need for such a label which overcomes the drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art. There exists a need for such a label which may be conveniently and cost effectively manufactured. Further, there exists a need for a method and apparatus for forming such labels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a label for displaying information regarding an article and suspending the article from a support. The label includes a base label having an upper surface and a lower surface and a base adhesive disposed on the lower surface for affixing the label to the article. A hanger defining an opening has at least one end thereof connected to the base label. The hanger is foldable about the at least one end between a stored position wherein the hanger lies adjacent the upper surface of the base label and a hanging position wherein the hanger is folded away from the base label for receiving the support through the opening. A carrier portion forms a part of the hanger. A base portion underlies the carrier portion. The base portion is separable from the base label and secured to at least a portion of the carrier portion by a carrier portion adhesive. The label may be incorporated into a suspendable package assembly including the article.

The label may include a cut line in the hanger, the cut line defining the opening and a cut out tab. The cut out tab is secured to the upper surface of the base label such that, when the hanger is folded from the stored position to the hanging position, the cut out tab remains with the base label.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the carrier portion is located between the opening and the end of the hanger. Indicia may be disposed on the base portion. The indicia may include an electronically readable code.

According to another aspect of the invention, the base portion is substantially permanently secured to the carrier portion by the carrier portion adhesive. A base portion adhesive may be disposed on a lower surface of the base portion and a release liner may be removably secured to the base portion by the base portion adhesive. A lower surface of the base portion may be substantially free of exposed, tacky adhesive.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the base portion is removably secured to the carrier portion by the carrier portion adhesive. Coupon indicia may be provided on the base portion whereby the base portion serves as a removable coupon. A base portion adhesive may be disposed on a lower surface of the base portion. The carrier portion adhesive may be a low tack adhesive. A portion of the carrier portion adhesive may be deadened. The carrier portion adhesive may be patterned such that a portion of the carrier portion is free of adhesive. A deadened hanger adhesive may be disposed on a lower surface of the carrier portion, the carrier portion adhesive being a low tack adhesive engaging the deadened hanger adhesive.

According to another aspect of the invention, the label includes an electronically readable tag. The tag may be positioned between the carrier portion and the base portion. The tag may be adhered to the carrier portion. The base portion may include an edge portion adhered to the carrier portion by the carrier portion adhesive, the edge portion surrounding at least a portion of the tag.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the hanger has at least one leg and at least one anchoring portion is connected to the leg and secured to the upper surface of the base label by at least one adhesive patch.

Objects of the present invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the Figures and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow, such description being merely illustrative of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the hanging label according to the present invention disposed on a release liner;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a label according to the first embodiment affixed to a container and suspended by the hanger thereof from a support;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a label according to a second embodiment disposed on a release liner;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the label according to the second embodiment affixed to a container and suspended by the hanger thereof from a support;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a label according to a third embodiment disposed on a release liner;

FIG. 6 is a schematic, top view of the label according to the third embodiment affixed to a container with the hanger thereof in an operative position;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a label according to a fourth embodiment disposed on a release liner;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a label according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention disposed on a release liner;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an apparatus for forming labels of the present invention according to a first method;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for forming labels of the present invention according to an alternative method;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for forming labels of the present invention according to a further alternative method;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for forming labels of the present invention according to a further alternative method;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a label incorporating an alternative pull tab design;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the label incorporating the alternative pull tab design;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a label according to a sixth embodiment, the label including removable, secondary labels;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, schematic diagram showing an apparatus for forming labels according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a label according to a seventh embodiment, the label including removable, secondary labels;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary, schematic diagram showing an apparatus for forming labels according to the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a label according to an eighth embodiment, the label including removable, secondary labels; and

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary, schematic diagram of an apparatus for forming labels according to the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of a label according to a further embodiment disposed on a release liner;

FIG. 22 is a center cross-sectional view of the label of FIG. 21 taken along the line 22--22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a center cross-sectional view of the label of FIG. 21 mounted on an associated article;

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of the label of FIG. 21 mounted on the associated article and suspended from a support;

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary, rear perspective view of the label of FIG. 21 suspended from the support;

FIG. 26 is a diagram of an apparatus for forming the label of FIG. 21;

FIG. 27 is a center cross-sectional view of a label according to a further embodiment disposed on a release liner;

FIG. 28 is a cente, cross-sectional view of a label according to a further embodiment disposed on a release liner;

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary, rear perspective view of the label of FIG. 28 suspended from an associated support;

FIG. 30 is a front perspective view of a base tab of the label of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a center cross-sectional view of a label according to a further embodiment disposed on a release liner;

FIG. 32 is a center cross-sectional view of a label according to a further embodiment disposed on a release liner;

FIG. 33 is a center cross-sectional view of a label according to a further embodiment disposed on a release liner;

FIG. 34 is a center cross-sectional view of a label according to a further embodiment disposed on a release liner; and

FIG. 35 is a fragmentary, center cross-sectional view of the label of FIG. 34 suspended from an associated support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a label 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown therein. As shown in FIG. 1, label 100 is releasably secured to a release liner 102 by adhesive 104. Label 100 may be removed from release liner 102 and applied to a suitable container 7 as shown in FIG. 2 by conventional means including, for example, automatic applicator equipment. Once affixed to container 7 by means of adhesive 104, label 100 will serve by means of indicia 118 to display information regarding container 7 and its contents. Further, hanger 130 forming a part of label 100 may be folded away from base 110 and container 7 whereupon it may be looped over a suitable support 5 for suspending container 7.

Turning to label 100 in greater detail, base label 110 may be formed from any suitable film or paper stock. Further, base label 110 may be formed from a self adhesive pressure sensitive web or, as an alternative, the pressure sensitive material may be applied to the undersurface of the stock or to the upper surface of the release liner, the release liner and stock thereafter being married. Suitable materials for base label 110 include product number 72828 2 mil white film face stock with S-333 emulsion adhesive with a 50 pound liner available from Fasson of Paineville, Ohio. Suitable indicia 118 such as brand names, warnings, and lot and expiration data are printed on the upper surface of base label 110. Preferably, base label 110 also has a coating of alcohol resistant varnish on the upper surface thereof to resist destruction by abrasion and chemical exposure. Tab 116 is provided extending from an edge of base label 110 and underlying pull tab 136 of hanger 130. Notably, because the hanger and foot portions do not cover the entire upper surface of the base label, users of the label may apply further indicia. For example, a product manufacturer may wish to print suitable data adjacent the "LOT:" and "EXP:" indicia. The upper surface of the base label adjacent these indicia is preferably formed from or coated with a suitable material for facilitating printing, such materials being well known in the art.

The upper surface of base label 110 is divided into adhesive zone 112 and non-adhesive zone 114 by imaginary line A. Interior area 117 of the upper surface of base label 110 is defined between legs 132A and 132B and above line A. A further varnish layer 120 is disposed on the upper surface of base label 110 throughout adhesive zone 112 except in the areas underlying foot portions 140A, 140B. To the extent that there is misregistry between the locations of varnish coating 120, the border between adhesive zone 112 and non-adhesive zone 114, and foot portions 140A, 140B, varnish coating 120 preferably overlaps into those other areas. Varnish 120 is a release varnish which allows adhesive to be removed from the upper surface of base label 110. Suitable varnishes include Paragon L075 varnish, available from Paragon Ink of Connecticut. The significance of zones 112 and 114 and varnish 120 will be discussed hereinafter. Varnish 120 may also be present underneath the portions of foot portions 140A, 140B extending between the bottoms of cutouts 144 and line A. If so, it may be desirable to apply adhesive deadener to the adhesive at these portions so that the adhesive will not interfere with handling when the hanger is in the hanging position, thus exposing the adhesive.

Hanger 130 and foot portions 140A, 140B are preferably formed from polyester face stock or polypropylene film. More particularly, 4 or 5 mil polyester film, or 6 mil Valeron film available from Van Leer Films of Houston, may be used. Hanger 130 includes legs 132A and 132B which terminate in ends 134A and 134B, respectively. Ends 134A and 134B are integral with, and preferably unitarily formed with, foot portions 140A and 140B, respectively. Foot portions 140A and 140B are substantially permanently adhered to the upper surface of base label 110 by adhesive patches 142A and 142B. Adhesive patches 142A and 142B extend up to border line A. Varnish coating 120 is present in the gap 115 between foot portions 140A and 140B. Notably, gap 115 lies adjacent interior area 117. Stress relief cutouts 144 are formed in each of foot portions 140A and 140B. Film material may be provided within cutouts 144 as well, in which case the stress relief curves will be formed by cut lines in the foot portions. Pull tab 136 extends upwardly from hanger 130 and is integrally formed with, and preferably unitarily formed with, hanger 130.

Hanger 130 is transitioned from the stored position of FIG. 1 to the hanging position of FIG. 2 by grabbing pull tab 136 and lifting hanger 130 up and away from base label 110. Legs 132A and 132B fold about ends 134A and 134B, respectively. The distance between the ends of the legs is preferably chosen such that the ends will be disposed diametrically opposite one another when the label is affixed to a container of a prescribed circumference. Stress relief cutouts 144 serve to prevent the material of foot portions 140A, 140B from tearing.

With reference to FIG. 3, a label 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown therein. Label 200, disposed on release liner 202, is substantially the same as label 100 of the first embodiment except in two respects. First, there is no varnish corresponding to varnish 120. Second, hanger 230 of label 200 is of a three-legged design. More particularly, hanger 230 includes legs 232A, 232B, and 232C having ends 234A, 234B, and 234C, respectively. Ends 234A, 234B, and 234C terminate in foot portions 240A, 240B, and 240C, respectively. Foot portions 240A, 240B, and 240C are substantially permanently adhered to the upper surface of base label 210 by adhesive patches (not shown). Preferably, the adhesive patches terminate proximate the dotted lines indicated as B. Preferably, the distance between end 230A and end 230B (denoted as dimension X) and the distance between end 234B and end 234C (denoted as dimension Y) are the same. Further, the sum of dimensions X and Y is preferably equal to 2/3 of the circumference of the container 7 to which the label 200 is to be applied.

Turning to FIG. 4, it will be seen that hanger 230 is transitioned from the stored position to the hanging position in the same manner as hanger 130 of the first embodiment. It will be appreciated that the three-legged design is more easily balanced on support 5. Further, because the weight of container 7 is distributed over three legs rather than two, a greater load may be supported by label 200. Also, if support 5 is disposed between legs 232A and 232B and either leg 232B or leg 232C breaks, or if support 5 is disposed between legs 232B and 232C and either leg 232A or leg 232B breaks, the container will not fall, but rather will be supported by the remaining two legs.

With reference to FIG. 5, a label 250 according to a third embodiment is shown therein disposed on release liner 252. Label 250 is substantially similar to label 200 of the second embodiment except in three respects. First, foot portions 270A, 270B, and 270C extend to the lower and side edges of base label 280. Second, hanger 260 includes connecting portions 268 and 269 defining an opening therebetween for receiving the support. Thirdly, each of legs 262A, 262B, and 262C include a portion defined by cut lines formed in foot portions 270A, 270B, and 270C, respectively. More particularly, cut lines 266A, 266B, and 266C form a lower portion of legs 262A, 262B, and 262C. Legs 262A, 262B, and 262C terminate at ends 264A, 264B, and 264C. Preferably, adhesive (not shown) underlies substantially all of foot portions 270A, 270B, and 270C except for the portions defined within the aforementioned cut lines above lines indicated by dotted lines D.

It will be appreciated that, when hanger 260 is lifted away from base label 280, the portions of the legs defined by the cut lines in the foot portions will separate from the base label as well. Again, stress relief curves 272 serve to prevent tearing of the foot portions. Schematic FIG. 6 shows the preferred locations of legs 262A, 262B, and 262C when mounted on a container 5 of a prescribed circumference.

FIG. 7 shows a label 290 according to a fourth embodiment disposed on release liner 292, label 290 being a variation of label 250. Label 290 includes hanger 294 having legs 294A, 294B, 294C formed substantially as in the first and second embodiments and configured as in the third embodiment. Foot portions 296A, 296B, 296C are formed substantially as in the first and second embodiments except that foot portion 296B is reduced in size as compared with the other foot portions.

Turning to FIG. 8, a label 300 according to a fifth embodiment is shown therein disposed on release liner 302. Label 300 is substantially similar to label 200 of the second embodiment except in three respects. First, foot portions 340A and 340B extend to the lower and side edges of base label 310. Second, hanger 330 includes four legs 332A, 332B, 332C, and 332D as well as a central connecting portion 336. Thirdly, two legs terminate into each of foot portions 340A and 340B. The adhesive patches (not shown) underlying each of foot portions 340A and 340B preferably have upper edges in the vicinity of ends 334A, 334B, 334C, and 334D located as indicated by dotted lines C.

It will be appreciated that hanger 330 may be transitioned from the stored position as shown in FIG. 8 to a hanging position in the same manner as hanger flaps 130 and 230. Hanger flap 330 would then be looped over support 5 such that it is disposed between legs 332B and 332C. Again, this design provides greater load resistance and security than a two-legged hanger.

With reference to FIG. 9, an apparatus for forming labels 100 according to the first embodiment is shown schematically therein. Apparatus 400 may include, for example, a Mark Andy 2200 Flexopress available from Mark Andy, Inc. of Chesterfield, Mo. Alternatively, rotary letter press, lithographic printing, silk screen, or gravure may be used.

First, a web of pressure sensitive film or paper 404 is unwound from unwind station 402. Preferably, web 404 includes a release liner and a stock web adhered thereto by a pressure sensitive adhesive. Alternatively, base web 404 may be formed by applying adhesive to the underside of a stock web on line prior to marrying the stock web to the release liner. The stock material and pressure sensitive adhesive correspond to base label 110 and adhesive 104 of the finished labels 100. Web 404 is passed through one or more print stations at which indicia 118 is applied to the upper surface of the web. Alcohol resistant varnish is applied at varnish station 412 and cured at curing station 414. Release varnish 120 is applied at varnish station 416 and cured at curing station 418. More particularly, varnish applying station 416 applies varnish in the areas of base web 404 corresponding to non-adhesive zone 112 in a pattern excluding the portions corresponding to feet 140A and 140B.

A web of non-pressure sensitive face stock 422 is unwound from unwind station 420. Web 422 corresponds to hanger 130 and foot portions 140A, 140B of label 100. As discussed above, web 422 is preferably formed from a polyester or polypropylene film. Adhesive applicator 424 applies adhesive to the underside of web 422. Adhesive applicator 424 is preferably a slot coater as available from Nordson Corporation of Atlanta. Adhesive applicator 424 forms a continuous, longitudinal band on the underside of web 422 corresponding to adhesive zone 112 of label 100. That is, adhesive applicator 424 forms a band of adhesive along one side edge of the web 422 while leaving a non-adhesive band adjacent the other side of the web. Webs 422 and 404 are married at nip rollers 426. The adhesive applied by adhesive applicator 424 serves to adhere the lower portion of web 422 to the upper surface of web 404. More particularly, the portions of web 422 corresponding to foot portions 140A and 140B are permanently secured to the non-release varnish coated portions of base web 404. The remainder of the adhesive on the underside of web 422 is releasably secured to the release varnish coated portions of base web 404.

Thereafter, die cutter 430 forms cut lines in web 422 down to base web 404 defining hanger 130 and foot portions 140A, 140B. Upper waste matrix 432 consisting of the portions of web 422 and the adhesive thereon not lying within hanger 130 and foot portions 140A, 140B is pulled away by winding station 434. Release varnish 120 allows the adhesive on the undersurface of web 422 to be released from base web 404 and removed with the waste matrix. Notably, release varnish coated gap 115 connects the continuous portion of the waste matrix below the foot portions to the portion of the waste matrix defined between legs 140A and 140B (i.e., overlying interior area 117). In this way, the entire waste matrix of web 422 outside of hanger 130 and foot portions 140A, 140B may be removed as a continuous piece, thereby allowing continuous removal.

Thereafter, base labels 110 are formed by die cutter 440 which forms die cuts through base web 404 down to release liner 102. The waste matrix 442 of base web 404 is removed by winding station 444. The resulting labels 100 disposed on release liner 102 may thereafter be wound onto winding station 446 or sheeted and stacked.

It will be appreciated that the method and apparatus as discussed with regard to FIG. 9 may be used to form labels having two, three, four, or more legs. Thus, the hanger and foot portion configurations of label 200 according to the second embodiment, label 250 according to the third embodiment, label 290 according to the fourth embodiment, and label 300 according to the fifth embodiment may be incorporated into labels otherwise as described with regard to label 100 of the first embodiment.

In some cases, it may be feasible to dispense with the use of the release varnish. This may be possible in cases where the adhesive is not allowed sufficient time to set, and can therefore be stripped away before it becomes permanently adhered to the base web.

Turning to FIG. 10, an apparatus 500 for forming labels according to a second method of the present invention is shown therein. Each of labels 200, 250, 290, and 300 may be formed according to the second method, and moreover, labels having a hanger and foot portion configuration as in label 100 of the first embodiment may be formed using the second method as well. First, a base web 504 corresponding to base web 404 is unwound from unwinding station 502. Suitable indicia is printed on the upper surface of base web 504 by one or more printing stations 510. Thereafter, protective varnish is applied at varnish applying station 512 and cured at curing station 514.

In the second method, the slot coater of apparatus 400 of the first method is replaced with an adhesive screen printer 524. The screen printer is capable of laying down a defined pattern of adhesive in a desired shape and size. Suitable screen printers are available from Nordson Corporation. Screen printer 524 as shown in FIG. 10 applies a pattern of adhesive on the upper surface of base web 504 in a configuration and locations corresponding to the adhesive patches under foot portions 240A, 240B, and 240C. Alternatively, an adhesive screen printer could be used to apply the same pattern of adhesive to the underside of web 522 in the same relative locations. In either case, web 522 corresponding to web 422 is unwound from unwind station 520 and married with base web 504 by nip rollers 526. As in the first method, die cutter 530 forms die cuts defining hanger 230 and foot portions 240A, 240B, and 240C. The waste matrix 532 of web 522 is removed by winding station 534. Notably, as there is no adhesive except underlying foot portions 240A, 240B, 240C, waste matrix 532 comes up easily. Again, because of the provision of gaps between the respective foot portions connecting the regions of the top web defined within the hangers, waste matrix 532 will come up as a continuous web. After hangers 230 and the foot portions are formed as discussed above, die cutter 540 forms cut lines in base web 504 down to release liner 202 to define base labels 210. The waste matrix of base web 504 is taken up by winding station 544 and the resulting labels may be wound onto a roll by winding station 546 or sheeted and stacked.

With reference to FIG. 11, an apparatus 600 is shown for forming labels 200 according to the second embodiment, labels 250 according to the third embodiment, labels 290 according to the fourth embodiment, or labels 300 according to the fifth embodiment, the configuration of the hangers and foot portions again being as described for either of the first, second, third, or fourth embodiments. Elements 602, 604, 610, 612, 614, and 624 correspond to elements 502, 504, 510, 512, 514, and 524 of apparatus 500, respectively, and perform the same functions. However, whereas the second method required the marrying of two webs, in the third method the hangers and foot portions are preformed and individually applied to the upper surface of base web 604. More particularly, the hangers and foot portions are applied so that the foot portions engage the adhesive patches laid by adhesive screen printer 624 and are permanently adhered to base web 604 thereby. Thereafter, elements 640, 642, 644, and 646 which correspond to elements 540, 542, 544, and 546, respectively, execute the same operations as described with respect to the second method.

Turning to the application of the hangers and foot portions in more detail, hanger/foot portion applicator 630 may be any suitable apparatus or mechanism. Suitable machines are available from MGS Machine of Minneapolis. Alternatively, the individual hangers/foot portions may be applied by hand.

As an alternative to the method just described, the adhesive may be applied to the underside of the foot portions of the preformed hanger/foot portions prior to application to the upper surface of the base web. In this case, adhesive screen printer 624 is not needed.

With reference to FIG. 12, an apparatus 700 for forming labels 800 according to a fourth method is shown therein. Labels 800 differ from any of labels 100, 200, 250, 290, and 300 only in that the undersurfaces of the hangers are coated with deadened adhesive. Elements 702, 704, 710, 712, 714, 716, and 718 of apparatus 700 correspond to elements 402, 404, 410, 412, 414, 416, and 418 of apparatus 400, respectively, and perform the same functions in the same manner. Web 722 differs from web 422 in that it is coated entirely on its under surface with pressure sensitive adhesive. If the self adhesive web 722 is first disposed on a release liner, the release liner is removed. Web 722 is unwound from unwinding station 720. Adhesive deadener applicator 724 applies adhesive deadener to the web in a band corresponding to the non-adhesive zone 114 of label 100. Deadening agents suitable for this purpose include product number FM1512 from K & W Printing, Inc. of Franklin Park, Ill. Thereafter, elements 730, 732, 734, 740, 742, 744, and 746, corresponding to elements 430, 432, 434, 440, 442, 444, and 446 of apparatus 400, respectively, perform the same functions and in the same manner as discussed with regard to FIG. 8 and the first method.

It will be appreciated that labels incorporating any of the above described hanger and foot portion configurations may be formed using any of the above noted methods. Moreover, more than two legs may be secured to a single foot portion as shown with regard to label 300. For example, all of the legs of a given label according to the present invention may be secured to a single continuous strip extending along the lower longitudinal edge of the label. In this case, the gaps between the foot portions would be eliminated. However, if the gaps are eliminated, other provision must be made for removing the portions of the upper web defined within the hangers or otherwise this portion will remain with the finished label.

Each of the labels as described above may be produced "multiple up" on a web. That is, a plurality of labels may be formed across a relatively wide web which may thereafter be slit into individual webs.

Either the upper surfaces or the lower surfaces of the hangers may be printed on. Preferably, the hanger material is clear. In this way, if the hanger is not printed, the base label may be printed without regard for the placement of the hanger in either of the stored or operative positions.

It will be appreciated that the designs of each of the above described labels facilitate the grasping of the hangers by end users to lift the hangers up into the hanging position. Because hangers have predefined peripheries, not surrounded by or formed in a larger piece of film, the user may access the undersides of the hangers by simply sliding a fingernail along the upper surface of the respective base label until the fingernail is wedged beneath an edge of the hanger. In particular, the pull tabs are configured to allow this method of opening, the tab of the base label having a margin extending beyond and about the edge of the pull tab of the hanger.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, an alternative pull tab configuration is shown therein which likewise provides for lifting. This pull tab design may be used in place of any of the pull tabs discussed above, with appropriate modifications to the manufacturing process as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the description which follows.

A label 1000 disposed on release liner 1002 has a hanger 1030 with a pull tab 1036 corresponding to pull tab 136 of the first embodiment. As best seen in FIG. 14, rather than there being a base tab underlying tab 1036 which has a margin extending beyond tab 1036, base tab 1016 is coextensive with the portion of pull tab 1036 extending beyond the upper edge 1017 of base label 1010. Base tab 1016 is separated from the remainder of base label 1010 by cut line 1010A and is adhered to the underside of pull tab 1036 by pressure sensitive adhesive 1014. The underside of base tab 1016 is coated with pressure sensitive adhesive 1004A which has been deadened by an adhesive deadener or varnish 1012. Suitable adhesive deadeners and varnishes include Radcure M800 available from Radcure Corporation of Livingston, N.J. Preferably, suitable indicia such as "LIFT" is printed on the upper surface of base tab 1016 and is visible through pull tab 1036.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that label 1000 is removable from the release liner in the same manner as described with regard to the other embodiments and the deadened adhesive 1004A will readily separate from the liner. Once the label is affixed to a desired container by means of adhesive 1004, tab 1036 may be lifted away to employ hanger 1030, the deadened adhesive 1004A not forming a bond with the container. It will be appreciated that, because the periphery of pull tab 1036 is free and not surrounded by a layer of film or the like, that pull tab 1036 is easily accessible for lifting by the user. In particular, base tab 1016 secured to pull tab 1036, and otherwise free of the label and the container, spaces pull tab 1036 somewhat from the surface of the container so that it is even more easily accessible.

Any of the aforedescribed labels may be formed having a pull tab structure as described immediately above. The methods and apparatus would be modified in the following manner. Prior to applying the top web or preformed hanger/foot portions to the base web, the face stock of the base web is delaminated from the release liner 1002 and adhesive deadener 1012 is applied to the adhesive on the underside of the face stock at locations corresponding to pull tabs 1036. The adhesive deadener may be applied as a continuous, longitudinal strip the lower edge of which corresponds to the upper edge 1017 of the labels ultimately formed. The face stock is then relaminated to the release liner. Adhesive 1014 is provided by applying, or providing a top web having, pressure sensitive adhesive at locations corresponding to pull tab 1036. The adhesive may be applied as a continuous, longitudinal strip the lower edge of which is disposed at or above the upper edge 1017 of the labels ultimately formed. Alternatively, the adhesive may be selectively applied. As a further alternative, the web may be pre-coated with adhesive, and adhesive deadener applied to the web below a line corresponding to edge 1017. As yet another alternative, adhesive may be applied as a strip or selectively onto the surface of the base web at locations corresponding to pull tabs 1036. After the adhesive is applied, the top web is married with the bottom web or the preformed hanger/foot portions are applied to the bottom web as described above. In addition to the previously described die cutting operations, a bottom die cutter is used to form at least cut line 1010A, and preferably to define the periphery of adhesive 1014, base tab 1016, adhesive 1004A, and deadener 1012. In doing so, the bottom die cutter will also form cut lines 1002A in the release liner. The bottom die cutter may also cut upwardly through a portion of the top web or preformed hanger/foot portion (though not at the area overlying cut line 1010A) to define the periphery of pull tab 1036. Suitable bottom die cutters are well known in the art and are available from Rotometric of Eureka, Mo. The remainder of the formation process is as discussed with regard to the other embodiments of the invention.

With reference to FIG. 15, a label 900 according to a sixth embodiment is shown therein having secondary removable labels 950. It will be appreciated from the following that any of the above described label designs may be modified to include this feature.

Label 900 is releasably secured to release liner 902 by pressure sensitive adhesive 904. Intermediate face stock layer 906 is coated on its lower surface with adhesive 904 and on its upper surface with pressure sensitive adhesive 908. Base face stock layer 910 is adhered to the upper surface of intermediate layer 906 by adhesive 908. Layers 904, 906, 908, and 910 together form base label 911. Hanger 930 is attached to the upper surface of base layer 910. Secondary labels 950 are defined by cut lines 958 formed in base layer 910 and down to the upper surface of intermediate layer 906. The upper surface of intermediate layer 906 underlying labels 950 is coated with varnish 952. Suitable varnishes include Product No. L075 available from Paragon Inc., Ltd. of Boxburn, Scotland. Substantially the remainder of the upper surface of intermediate layer 906 is not covered with varnish so that the overlying portions of base layer 910 are permanently secured thereto by adhesive 908.

Each of the secondary labels 950 includes a face stock layer 956 (i.e., the portion of base label 910 defined within cut lines 958) and a layer of pressure sensitive 954 (i.e., the portion of adhesive layer 908 underlying face stock layers 956). In use, label 900 may first be affixed to a desired container by means of adhesive 904. Thereafter, the user may remove one or more of secondary labels 950 and reattach them to another object, such as a patient history chart, by means of adhesive 954. Secondary labels 950 are provided with indicia 953 representing information regarding the product in the container. In this way, the use and characteristics of the product packaged in the container may be conveniently and accurately tracked.

With reference to FIG. 16, labels 900 may be formed according to any of the methods as described above with the following additional steps using apparatus 970. A first pressure sensitive web 974 is unwound from unwind station 972. First web 974 includes release liner 902. Varnish corresponding to varnish 952 is applied by varnish application station 976 to the upper surface of first web 974 and may thereafter be cured if needed. Thereafter, second web 980 corresponding to base layer 910 and adhesive 908 is unwound from unwind station 978 and married to first web 974 (including release liner 902) by nip rollers 982, thereby forming composite web 986. Indicia 953 is printed on the upper surface of web 986 by print station 984. Print station 984 may be the same print station as used to print other indicia on the upper surface of base label 910. Die cut station 988 forms cut lines 958 down through top web 980 down to the upper surface of bottom web 974. Die cut station 988 may be combined with the die cutter used (if any) to form hanger 930 and the foot portions, or, alternatively, the die cutter used to form the base label 911. Alternatively, die cut station 988 may be a separate die cutter.

With reference to FIG. 17, a label 1100 according to a seventh embodiment is shown therein disposed on a release liner 1102. Label 1100 is similar to label 900 according to the sixth embodiment in that label 1100 includes removable secondary labels 1150. However, the configuration of the secondary labels 1150 is different, and further, base label 1111 of label 1100 is "single ply" as will be appreciated from the following description.

Turning to the construction of label 1100 in greater detail, label 1100 includes base label 1111 having hanger 1130 secured to the upper surface thereof by foot portions. The hanger and foot portions may be configured and secured to the base label as discussed for any of the foregoing embodiments. Base label 1111 includes base face stock layer 1110 coated on its rear surface with pressure sensitive adhesive 1104. Perforation lines 1158 are formed through base layer 1110 and adhesive layer 1104 down to release liner 1102. Perforation lines 1158 define secondary labels 1150 therebetween and marginal portion 1110A adjacent the end edge of the base label. Notably, perforations 1158 include ties or bridges 1158A. Preferably, the cuts of perforations 1158 are on the order of a quarter inch in length with the ties 1158A each being about 1/32 of an inch in length. Each secondary label 1150 includes a face stock layer 1156 forming a part of base layer 1110 and is coated on its under surface with a portion of adhesive 1104 denoted 1154. Secondary labels 1150 have indicia 1153 printed thereon.

The lower surface of adhesive 1154 is pattern coated with adhesive deadener 1152. Suitable adhesive deadeners include Radcure 800 as discussed above. Adhesive 1154 is pattern coated with the adhesive deadener such that a reduced portion of activated or tacky adhesive is exposed. The pattern of adhesive