Labeling of polymeric containers
Label constructions and labeled containers are described which exhibit reduced label defects. The label constructions can be applied relatively soon after manufacture of the container and thereby avoid a requirement of storing containers for pre-designated dwell times. Also described are related methods of eliminating or at least reducing the occurrence of label defects by use of the label constructions and techniques of selecting the label constructions.
1. A label assembly comprising:
at least one film layer exhibiting a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of from 0.50 to 2.00 g/(m 2 per day) and an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of from 800 to 1,700 cc/(m 2 per day); and
a layer of an adhesive disposed along the at least one film layer, the film having a MD modulus of from 50,000 to 300,000 psi.
2. The label assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one film layer exhibits a MVTR of from 0.70 to 1.79 g/(m 2 per day).
3. The label assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one film layer exhibits a OTR of from 913 to 1,520 cc/(m 2 per day).
4. The label assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one film layer includes polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and combinations thereof.
5. The label assembly of claim 1 wherein the film has a MD modulus of from 80,000 to 225,000 psi.
6. The label assembly of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is an acrylic emulsion adhesive.
7. The label assembly of claim 1 wherein the adhesive has a tan delta value of 0.3-1.9 at 170-190° C.
8. The label assembly of claim 1 wherein the adhesive has a tan delta value from 0.5-3.2 at 140-170° C.
9. The label assembly of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the at least one film layer is from 1.0 to 10 mils.
10. The label assembly of claim 9 wherein the thickness of the at least one film layer is from 1.4 to 4 mils.
11. A labeled polymeric container comprising:
a polymeric container; and
a label assembly including (i) at least one film layer exhibiting a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of from 0.50 to 2.00 g/(m 2 per day) and an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of from 800 to 1,700 cc/(m 2 per day); and (ii) a layer of an adhesive disposed between the at least one film layer and the container, the film having a MD modulus of from 50,000 to 300,000 psi.
12. The labeled polymeric container of claim 11 wherein the at least one film layer exhibits a MVTR of from 0.70 to 1.79 g/(m 2 per day).
13. The labeled polymeric container of claim 11 wherein the at least one film layer exhibits a OTR of from 913 to 1,520 cc/(m 2 per day).
14. The labeled polymeric container of claim 11 wherein the at least one film layer includes polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and combinations thereof.
15. The labeled polymeric container of claim 11 wherein the film has a MD modulus of from 80,000 to 225,000 psi.
16. The labeled polymeric container of claim 11 wherein the adhesive is an acrylic emulsion adhesive.
17. The labeled polymeric container of claim 11 wherein the container is a bottle configured for holding liquid.
18. The labeled polymeric container of claim 11 wherein the thickness of the at least one film layer is from 1.0 to 10 mils.
19. The labeled polymeric container of claim 18 wherein the thickness of the at least one film layer is from 1.4 to 4 mils.
20. The labeled polymeric container of claim 11 wherein the polymeric container includes a material selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and combinations thereof.
21. The labeled polymeric container of claim 20 wherein the polymeric container includes HDPE.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the polymeric container includes a material selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and combinations thereof.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the polymeric container includes HDPE.
24. A method of labeling polymeric containers, the method comprising:
selecting a particular label assembly that includes at least one film layer exhibiting a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of from 0.50 to 2.00 g/(m 2 per day) and an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of from 800 to 1,700 cc/(m 2 per day), and a layer of an adhesive disposed along the at least one film layer, the film having a MD modulus of from 50,000 to 300,000 psi;
applying the label assembly to the polymeric container.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the at least one film layer exhibits a MVTR of from 0.70 to 1.79 g/(m 2 per day).
26. The method of claim 24 wherein the at least one film layer exhibits a OTR of from 913 to 1,520 cc/(m 2 per day).
27. The method of claim 24 wherein the at least one film layer includes polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and combinations thereof.
28. The method of claim 24 wherein the film has a MD modulus of from 80,000 to 225,000 psi.
29. The method of claim 24 wherein the adhesive is an acrylic emulsion adhesive.
30. The method of claim 24 wherein the container is a bottle configured for holding liquid.
31. The method of claim 24 wherein the applying of the label assembly to the polymeric container is performed such that the temperature of the container is from 75 to 125° F.
32. The method of claim 24 wherein the thickness of the at least one film layer is from 1.0 to 10 mils.
33. The method of claim 32 wherein the thickness of the at least one film layer is from 1.4 to 4 mils.
34. The method of claim 24 wherein the applying of the label assembly to the polymeric container is performed within 15 minutes of molding of the container.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein the applying is performed within 10 minutes.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein the applying is performed within 5 minutes.