Dissolvable Thermal Direct Adhesive Label and Methods of Assembly and Use of the Same

Abstract

A label assembly including one or more dissolvable thermal direct adhesive labels and methods of assembly and use. According to one embodiment, each label includes a base layer, a thermal direct layer, an adhesive layer, and a barrier layer. The base layer, which has an upper surface and a lower surface, is water-dissolvable and may be made of a water-dissolvable paper. The thermal direct layer is positioned directly over the upper surface of the base layer and functions in the conventional manner to produce markings therein in response to heat. The adhesive layer is water-dissolvable and is positioned below the lower surface of the base layer. The barrier layer, which is positioned directly below the lower surface of the base layer and directly over the adhesive layer, serves to prevent migration of the adhesive layer through the base layer and into contact with the thermal direct layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label comprising:
 providing a continuous laminate comprising:   a base layer having a lower surface;   a thermal direct layer on the base layer, wherein the thermal direct layer comprises a sensitizer;   a water-dissolvable adhesive layer;   a release liner on the water-dissolvable adhesive layer on a side opposite to the thermal direct layer;   a protective overcoat on the thermal direct layer; and   a barrier layer on the lower surface of the base layer and in direct contact with the water-dissolvable adhesive layer; and   converting the laminate to produce a plurality of discrete labels on the release liner.   
     
     
         2 . The method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , wherein all of the discrete labels have a substantially identical footprint. 
     
     
         3 . The method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , wherein the converting step comprises die cutting. 
     
     
         4 . The method for an assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , wherein the release liner comprises a support and a release, the release being positioned over the support and wherein each of the dissolvable thermal direct adhesive labels is positioned over the release. 
     
     
         5 . The method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer of each of the dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label(s) is in direct contact with the release liner. 
     
     
         6 . The method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , wherein the water-dissolvable adhesive layer has an upper surface and a lower surface. 
     
     
         7 . The method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , wherein the water-dissolvable adhesive layer is a monolayer of a water-dissolvable material. 
     
     
         8 . The method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , wherein the water-dissolvable adhesive layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . The method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal direct layer comprises a chromogenic material and an acidic color developer material. 
     
     
         10 . The method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , wherein the coat weight of the thermal direct layer is 3 lbs per ream. 
     
     
         11 . The method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , wherein components of the thermal direct layer are homogeneously distributed throughout. 
     
     
         12 . The method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , wherein the water-dissolvable adhesive layer is an acrylic emulsion based adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . The method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , further comprising cutting the release liner into a plurality of pieces. 
     
     
         14 . The method for the assembly of a dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label of  claim 1 , further comprising feeding the dissolvable thermal direct adhesive label into a thermal direct printer and peeling the label away from the release liner. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the label is adhered to an object such that when removal of the label from the object is desired, the label is contacted with water, causing the label to dissolve, disperse, disintegrate, or a combination thereof.