GB2489775A

GB2489775A - Removable in-mould label

Info

Publication number: GB2489775A
Application number: GB1202623.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steve Michael Pickford; David Christopher Ascott; Stephen Richard Lloyd
Original assignee: SYSTEMS LABELLING Ltd
Current assignee: SYSTEMS LABELLING Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-05
Filing date: 2012-02-15
Publication date: 2012-10-10
Also published as: GB201105777D0; GB201202623D0; WO2012136974A1

Abstract

An inmould label 10 comprises a substrate, a printed layer 1 and a coating. The coating faces the plastic article 20 to which the label is attached during the moulding process and is adapted to allow removal of the in-mold label from the plastic article. The ability to remove and separate the inmold label from the plastic article facilitates recycling. The coating preferably comprises a UV cured food grade lacquer including silicone, waxes and ammonium salts. The coating may be applied continuously or discontinuously but in either case may form discontinuous bridges between the label and the plastic article during moulding, the gaps between the bridges facilitating removal of the label. The substrate is preferably a biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP) film which may be either solid or cavitated.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO INMOULD LABELS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to inmould labels and particularly, though not exclusively, to inmould labels for packaging and to articles comprising such labels as well as to the manufacture and recycling of such articles.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Inmould labels (also referred to as IML or inmold labels or as in-mould or in-mold labels) are used to decorate product packaging in many sectors including food, beverage, cosmetics, household, industrial and logistics. Articles of such packaging are produced by applying printed labels to packaging components such as containers, vessels, pots, tubs or lids during the manufacture of the packaging components using injection moulding, blow moulding or thermoforming processes. The labels are typically synthetic labels and may for example comprise a printed polypropylene film. The packaging components to which labels are applied in this way are typically but not exclusively polypropylene components.

Producing packaging articles using an inmould labelling method has benefits over other methods of decorating product packaging as the label is applied during the manufacture of the packaging component and forms an integral part of the final packaging article. This may for example make the decoration less prone to being abraded during use. However, the ability to recycle such articles of packaging after use is limited as inmould labels can not be separated from the packaging component they are decorating. The waste thus comprises a number of materials. Some of this type of waste is currently recycled by being formed into "jazz" pellets which are typically black/grey coloured and which are used to produce automotive or electronic parts or packaging. The volume of waste recycled in this manner in the UK is minimal with the majority of waste decorated product packaging going to landfill every year.

The inability to separate an inmould label from the plastics packaging component it is decorating means true "closed loop" recycling is not possible. For example, a food grade polypropylene container which bears an inmould label can not be recycled into food grade polypropylene pellets. Accordingly, the present invention aims to address at least one problem associated with the prior art whether discussed herein or otherwise.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an article comprising a moulded plastics component and an inmould label affixed to said plastics component and wherein the article is adapted such that all or part of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component post consumer use.

Suitably, there is provided an article of packaging comprising a moulded plastics packaging component and an inmould label affixed to said plastics packaging component and wherein the article is adapted such that all or part of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics packaging component post consumer use.

Suitably, the article is adapted such substantially all of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component post consumer use. The article may be adapted such that all of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component post consumer use.

Suitably, the label comprises release means adapted to assist post consumer use separation of the label from the plastics component.

Suitably, the label comprises a coating adapted to assist post consumer use separation of the label from the plastics component.

Suitably, the label has a first side which is affixed to the plastics component and a second side which forms an external surface of the article.

Suitably, the label comprises a substrate. Suitably, the substrate has a first side which faces the plastics component. Suitably, the substrate has a first side which faces the plastics component and an opposed second side which has decorative and/or informative material provided thereon.

Suitably, the article comprises a release means between the substrate and the plastics component to assist separation of the substrate and plastics component post consumer use.

Suitably, the article comprises a release means between the substrate and the plastics component to assist separation of the label and plastics component post consumer use.

Suitably, the label comprises said release means.

Suitably, the release means comprises a layer of material between a first side of the substrate and the plastics component. Said layer may be continuous. Alternatively, said layer may be discontinuous.

Suitably, the release means comprises a coating on a first side of the substrate. Suitably, the release means comprises a coating on an underside of the substrate. Suitably, the label comprises release means which comprises a coating which interposes the first side of the substrate and the plastics component. Said coating may be continuous. Alternatively, said coating may be discontinuous.

Suitably, the label and plastics component are bonded to one another. Suitably, the label is affixed to the plastics component by a chemical bond between the label and the plastics component. The label may be affixed to the plastics component by cross bonds between the label and the plastics component, suitably between the label substrate and the plastics component.

The label may be affixed to the plastics component by heating the component and label to cause molten plastics material to bond them together. Suitably, the label is affixed to the plastics component by bridges of plastics material. Suitably, the bridges bond a label substrate to the plastics component. Suitably, the bridges bond a plastics label substrate to the plastics component.

Suitably, the label has a coating on the first side which interferes with the bonding of the label to the plastics component. Suitably, the label has a coating which forms regions of coating around regions at which the substrate and plastics material are bonded. Suitably, the label has a coating which forms regions of coating around plastics bridges such that the label and plastics component are affixed at the bridges and are not affixed in regions between bridges.

Suitably, the fixation between the label and plastics material is discontinuous across the contact area of the label and the plastics component. Suitably, fixation is provided in discrete points by bridges and coating lies between the plastics component and the label substrate at non-bridged points.

Suitably, the coating is adapted such that it forms a barrier between the plastics component and the label substrate during the moulding process. Suitably, the coating is adapted such that it forms a discontinuous barrier between the plastics component and the label substrate by the end of the moulding process.

The coating may comprise a coating which is applied to the substrate as a continuous coating but which becomes discontinuous during the moulding process such that plastics bridges are formed through the coating to bond the label to the plastics component.

Suitably, the coating is selected such that it maintains a physical separation between parts of the substrate and the plastics component during moulding such that there are parts of the substrate that are not bonded to the plastics component. The substrate may thus be less strongly bonded to the plastics component than would be the case if the coating was not present.

The coating may be taiiored to provide the desired strength of bond between the substrate and plastics component. The coating may comprise a silicone compound. Alternatively, the coating may be substantially silicone free. The concentration of silicone compound in the coating may be adapted to suit the required strength of bond between the substrate and the plastics component. A higher concentration of silicone composition may result in an article in which the substrate and plastics component may be more easily separated than if the concentration were lower.

1 5 Surprisingly it has been found that a coating composition which is free or substantially free of silicone may still modify the bond between the substrate and the plastics component sufficiently to allow impact separation of the substrate and plastics component. Surprisingly it has been found that a coating composition which is free or substantially free of silicone may still modify the bond between the substrate and the plastics component sufficiently to allow separation of the substrate and plastics component using a granulation and sorting process.

Surprisingly it has been found that a coating composition which is free or substantially free of silicone may provide for easy post-use separation of the substrate and plastics component whilst also allowing the substrate and plastics component to be bonded to one another in a manner which minimises unintentional separation in use. A coating composition which has little or no silicone content may also have low migration properties making it advantageous for food packaging.

The coating may comprise a free-radical curing lacquer or varnish. Alternatively, or in addition, the coating may comprise a cationic curing lacquer or varnish. Alternatively, or in addition, the coating may comprise a solvent based lacquer or varnish. Alternatively, or in addition, the coating may comprise a water based lacquer or varnish. Alternatively, or in addition, the coating may comprise an isocyanate lacquer or varnish, for example a 2K isocyanate lacquer or varnish.

Suitably, the coating comprises a low migration coating.

The coating may be applied by a number of methods. Suitably, the coating is applied by flexo printing. Alternatively, the coating may be applied in-line with substrate production. The coating may be applied using a gravure head. The coating may be applied by Litho printing.

The coating may be applied using chambered doctor blades. The coating may be applied in line with substrate production or it may be applied in a separate process.

Suitably, the coating is applied to the substrate as a continuous layer. Suitably, the coating layer becomes discontinuous on formation of the article. Suitably, the substrate comprises a coating in an amount of from 0.5 g m2 to 1 Og m2 for example around 6-7g m2.

Suitably, the label comprises a first side surface which comprises a food grade material.

Suitably, a food grade material is carried on a first side of a substrate of the label. Suitably, the label comprises a first side surface which comprises a food grade coating. Suitably, a food grade coating is provided on a first side of a substrate of the label. Suitably, the label comprises a food grade lacquer. Suitably, the label comprises a first side surface which comprises a food grade lacquer. Suitably, a food grade lacquer is provided on a first side of a substrate of the label.

Suitably, the label comprises a coating of lacquer on a first side of the substrate. Suitably, the label comprises a coating of food grade lacquer on a first side of the substrate. Suitably, the release means comprises a coating of lacquer on a first side of the substrate. Suitably, the release means comprises a coating of food grade lacquer on a first side of the substrate.

The lacquer may comprise a silicone compound. Suitably, the food grade lacquer comprises a silicone compound. Suitably, the food grade lacquer comprises silicone. The food grade lacquer may comprise a silicone resin. The food grade lacquer may comprise one or more silicones. Suitably, the lacquer comprises an ammonium compound. Suitably, the food grade lacquer comprises an ammonium compound. Suitably, the food grade lacquer comprises one or more ammonium salts. Suitably, the food grade lacquer comprises quaternary ammonium salts. The lacquer may comprise no or substantially no silicone compound. Suitably, the food grade lacquer comprises no or substantially no silicone compound. Suitably, the food grade lacquer comprises no or substantially no silicone. The food grade lacquer may be free from silicone resin. The food grade lacquer may comprise no silicones.

Suitably, the label comprises a release coating on a first side of the substrate. Suitably, the release coating comprises a lacquer. Suitably, the release coating comprises a food grade lacquer. Suitably, the release coating consists of a lacquer. Suitably, the release coating consists of a food grade lacquer.

Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate comprises a silicone compound.

Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate comprises silicone. Suitably, the coating comprises silicone in an amount of at least 0.2% by weight of the coating. Suitably, the coating comprises silicone in an amount of at least 0.4% by weight of the coating, for example at least 0.5% by weight. The coating may for example comprise silicone in an amount of at least I % by weight, for example at least 1.5% by weight.

The coating may comprise silicone in an amount of between 0.5% and 10% by weight. The coating may comprise silicone in an amount of between 1% and 10% by weight. The coating may comprise silicone in an amount of between 1.0% and 6.0% by weight, for example between 1.0% and 3.0% by weight.

The coating on the first side of the substrate may comprise silicone. Alternatively, the coating on the first side of the substrate may be substantially silicone free. The coating may be silicone free.

Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate comprises little or no silicone compound.

1 5 Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate does not comprises silicone. Suitably, the coating comprises silicone in an amount no more than 0.2% by weight of the coating.

Suitably, the coating comprises silicone in an amount of no more than 0.4% by weight of the coating, for example no more than 0.5% by weight. The coating may for example comprise silicone in an amount of no more than 1% by weight, for example no more than 1.5% by weight.

The coating may comprise silicone in an amount of between 0% and 1% by weight. The coating may comprise silicone in an amount of between 0% and 0.1% by weight. The coating may comprise silicone in an amount of between 0% and 0.01% by weight, for example between 0% and 0.001% by weight.

Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate comprises an ammonium compound.

Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate comprises one or more ammonium salts, suitably quaternary ammonium salts. Suitably, the coating comprises one or more ammonium salts, suitably quaternary ammonium salts, in an amount of at least 0.2% by weight of the coating. Suitably, the coating comprises one or more ammonium salts, suitably quaternary ammonium salts, in an amount of at least 0.4% by weight of the coating, for example at least 0.5% by weight. Suitably, the coating comprises one or more ammonium salts, suitably quaternary ammonium salts, in an amount of at least 1.0% by weight of the coating, The coating may comprise one or more ammonium salts, suitably quaternary ammonium salts, in an amount of between 0.5% and 10% by weight, for example between 1.0% and 10.0% by weight. The coating may comprise one or more ammonium salts, suitably quaternary ammonium salts, in an amount of between I.O% and 6.0% by weight, for example between 1.0% and 3.0% by weight.

Suitably, the coating comprises silicone in an amount of at least 1% by weight together with one or more quaternary ammonium salts in an amount of at least I % by weight. The coating may comprises silicone in an amount of no more than I % by weight and may comprise one or more quaternary ammonium salts in an amount of at least 1 % by weight. The coating may comprises silicone in an amount of no more than 0.1% by weight and may comprise one or more quaternary ammonium salts in an amount of at least 1% by weight. The coating may comprises silicone in an amount of no more than 0.01% by weight and may comprise one or more quaternary ammonium salts in an amount of at least I % by weight.

Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate comprises acrylated monomers, suitably various acrylated monomers.

Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate comprises polyols, suitably various polyols.

Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate comprises one or more waxes.

Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate comprises free-radical photoinitiators.

Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate is adapted to be printed, for example, by the flexo printing process. Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate is adapted to cure under a high intensity UV light source.

Suitably, the coating on the first side of the substrate is adapted to be applied by a flood coating method.

Suitably, the label comprises a coating on the first side of the substrate and decorative and/or informative material on the second side of the substrate.

Suitably, the label comprises a coating on a first side of the substrate and printed matter on a second side of the substrate. Suitably, the label comprises release means comprising a coating on the first side of the substrate and the label further comprises printed matter on the second side of the substrate. The label may comprise a coating on a second side of the substrate.

Suitably, the label comprises ink on a second side of the substrate. Suitably, the label comprises one or more ink layers on a second side of the substrate. The ink layer or layers may be continuous. Alternatively, the ink layer or layers may be discontinuous.

Suitably, the label comprises multiple colours of ink on a second side of the substrate.

Suitably, the label comprises multiple layers of ink printed on a second side of the substrate.

Suitably, the ink comprises low migration ink. Suitably, the ink comprises a food grade ink.

Suitably, the label comprises varnish on a second side of the substrate. Suitably, the label comprises a varnish layer on a second side of the substrate. Suitably, the varnish layer is continuous. Alternatively, the varnish layer may be discontinuous.

Suitably, the label comprises ink sandwiched between varnish and the substrate on a second side of the substrate. Suitably, the label comprises a second side surface which comprises varnish.

Suitably, the substrate comprises a plastics material. The substrate may consist of a plastics material. The substrate may comprise polypropylene. The substrate may consist of polypropylene.

The label may comprise a solid film or a cavitated film. The substrate may comprise a cavitated film. The substrate may comprise a solid film. The substrate may comprise a white substrate, for example it may be a white film. The substrate may comprise a clear substrate, for example it may be a clear film.

Suitably, the substrate comprises a sheet or film of material. Suitably, the substrate consists of a sheet or film of material. Suitably, the substrate comprises a plastics sheet or film. Suitably, the substrate consists of a plastics sheet or film. Suitably, the substrate comprises a plastics film for example a polypropylene film. The substrate may consist of a polypropylene film.

The substrate may comprise a single material. Alternatively the substrate may comprise a plurality of materials. The substrate may comprise a single sheet or film. Said sheet or film may be solid or cavitated. Alternatively, the substrate may comprise two or more conjoined sheets or films. One or more of said sheets or films may be cavitated, for example two or more may be cavitated. One or more of said sheets or films may be solid, for example two or more may be solid.

The substrate may comprise a clear material. Alternatively, or in addition the substrate may comprise an opaque material. The substrate may comprise a cavitated film for example a cavitated polypropylene film. Alternatively, the substrate may comprise a solid orientated film, for example a solid orientated polypropylene film.

Suitably, the substrate has a thickness of between 20 micron and 100 micron. Suitably, the substrate has a thickness of between 30 micron and 90 micron, for example between 35 micron and 85 micron.

The label may comprise an inmould label of known construction which has been modified by applying a coating to a first side of a substrate thereof to provide the label with release means.

The label may comprise a label produced by flood coating a first side of an inmould label of known construction with a coating to provide the label with release means. The label may comprise a label produced by flood coating a first side of a substrate with a coating to provide the label with release means. The label may comprise a label produced by flood coating a first side of a substrate with a food grade lacquer having sufficient tack and release properties to withstand the supply chain and consumer use whilst allowing separation of the label and plastics component to facilitate recycling, suitably closed loop recycling.

Suitably, the plastics component comprises a polypropylene component. Suitably, the plastics component comprises an injection moulded component.

Suitably, the plastics component comprises a component which is formed by moulding at temperatures of between 210 and 260 degrees Celsius, for example between 220 and 250 degrees Celsius. The plastics component may for example comprise a component which is formed by moulding at temperatures of around 225 degrees Celsius.

Suitably, the plastics component comprises a component which is formed by moulding using a dwell time of between 2 seconds and 10 seconds, for example around 4 seconds.

Suitably, the plastics component comprises a component which is formed by moulding using a static charge of between 2 and 10, for example around 4.5.

Suitably, the article comprises a moulded plastics component which is produced by moulding the component in a mould containing an inmould label such that the label is heat sealed to the component as it is moulded.

Suitably, the label is heat sealed rather than adhered to the plastics component. Suitably, the label is substantially free of any adhesive coating or material on the first side thereof.

Suitably the label is such that it can not simply be adhered to a plastics component and may only be affixed to a plastics component as an inmould label.

Suitably, the label comprises a substrate which has been flood coated with a food grade lacquer on a first side thereof. Suitably, the label comprises a substrate which has being printed on a second side thereof.

Suitably, the article comprises a label which has been subjected to a curing step prior to being used to form the article. Suitably the curing step is performed subsequent to coating and 1 0 printing of the substrate.

Suitably, the article comprise a label which as been cut from a web.

The article may comprise a label which has been cut from a web wherein a coating was applied to the first side prior to being cut from the web. The article may comprise a label which has been cut from a web wherein the second side was printed prior to being cut from the web.

The article may comprise a label which has been cut from a web wherein a coating was applied to the second side prior to being cut from the web.

Suitably, the article comprises an inmould label heat sealed to a plastics component. Suitably, the inmould label comprises a substrate comprising the same plastics material as the plastics component and the label may be fused to the plastics component.

The first side of the label may comprise first regions of a substrate of the label which are bonded, suitably fused, to the plastics component and second regions of the substrate which are spaced from the plastics component, suitably by a coating on a first side of the substrate, such that they are not bonded to it. The inmould label may thus be less firmly affixed to the plastics component than would be the case for known inmould labels and this may facilitate post consumer use separation. The inmould label may however be sufficiently firmly affixed to the plastics component to resist, suitably prevent, separation during consumer use.

The article may be produced by applying an inmould label to a plastics component using known injection moulding production technologies.

The article may be adapted such that the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component post consumer use by an industrial recycling process.

The article may be adapted such that at least 10% of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component by a granulation and sorting process. The article may be adapted such that at least 20%, for example at least: 30%; 40%; 50%; 60%; 70%; 80% or 90% of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component by a granulation and sorting process.

The article may be adapted such that at least 95% of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component by a granulation and sorting process. The article may be adapted such that at Jeast 99% of the inmouJd Jabel can be separated from the piastics component by a granulation and sorting process. The article may be adapted such that 100% of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component by a granulation and sorting process.

The article may be adapted such that substantially all of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component by an industrial recycling process. The article may be adapted such that all of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component by an industrial recycling process.

The article may be adapted such that the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component post use by a user.

The article may be adapted such that the label can be separated from the plastics component by peeling the label from the component.

The article may be adapted such that the label can be separated from the plastics component by a user peeling the label from the component by hand.

The article may be adapted such that at least 50% of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component post use by a user, for example at the article is suitably adapted such that at least: 60%; 70%; 80% or 90% of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component post use by a user.

The article may be adapted such that substantially all of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component post use by a user. The article may be adapted such that all of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component post use by a user.

The article may comprise any feature as described in relation to the second aspect.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an article comprising a moulded plastics component and an inmould label affixed to said plastics component and wherein the inmould label comprises a substrate having a coating on the side of the substrate facing the plastics component.

Suitably, there is provided an article of packaging comprising a moulded plastics packaging component and an inmould label affixed to said plastics packaging component and wherein the inmould label comprises a substrate having a coating on the side of the substrate facing the plastics packaging component.

Suitably, the substrate comprises a plastics substrate. Suitably, the substrate has a first side which is said side which faces the plastics component and which has said coating thereon and an opposed second side which has decorative and/or informative material provided thereon.

Suitably, the label comprises a substrate having a coating on the side of the substrate facing the plastics component and said coating is adapted to assist post consumer use separation of the substrate from the plastics component.

Suitably, the label comprises a substrate having a coating on the side of the substrate facing the plastics packaging component and said coating is adapted to assist post consumer use separation of the label from the plastics packaging component.

Suitably, the label comprises a coating on a first side of a substrate and a second side of the substrate is printed. Suitably, a first side of the substrate has a coating of food grade lacquer.

Suitably, as second side of the substrate is printed with ink and varnish. A second side of the substrate may have a coating of food grade lacquer.

Both sides of the substrate may have a coating of food grade lacquer. Alternatively, one or both, for example both, sides of the substrate may have a coating of non-food grade lacquer.

The label may comprise a food grade lacquer at the surface of one side thereof. The label may comprise a food grade lacquer at the surface of both sides thereof. Alternatively, one or both, for example both, sides of the label may have a coating of non-food grade lacquer.

Depending on the intended use the label may comprise a coating of food grade or non-food grade lacquer at the surface of the first side thereof. Depending on the intended use the label may comprise a coating of food grade or non-food grade lacquer at the surface of the second side thereof.

The article may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first aspect. The article may comprise an article according to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect there is provided an inmould label, wherein said label is adapted to be affixed to a moulded plastics component during moulding of a plastics component and wherein said label comprises a substrate having a coating or layer of material on the side of the substrate adapted to face a plastics component to which the label is adapted to be affixed in use.

Suitably, there is provided an inmould label for an article of packaging, wherein said label is adapted to be affixed to a moulded plastics packaging component during moulding of a plastics packaging component and wherein said label comprises a substrate having a coating on the side of the substrate adapted to face a plastics packaging component to which the label is adapted to be affixed in use.

Suitably, the substrate comprises a plastics substrate. The substrate may comprise polypropylene. Suitably, the substrate has a first side which is said side which faces the plastics component in use and which has said coating thereon and an opposed second side which has decorative and/or informative material provided thereon.

Suitably, the substrate has a first side which is said side which faces the plastics component in use and which has said coating thereon and an opposed second side which has print thereon.

Suitably, the label comprises release means adapted to assist post consumer use separation of the label from the plastics component. Suitably, the release means comprises said coating or layer of material on the side of the substrate adapted to face a plastics component to which the label is adapted to be affixed in use.

The label may comprise a continuous coating on the substrate which may be adapted to become discontinuous during the moulding process such that plastics bridges can be formed through the coating to bond the label to the plastics component in use. The label may comprise a discontinuous coating on the substrate.

The label may be cut from a reel of labels and may for example comprise a die-cut label.

Alternatively, the label may be provided on a trimmed reel of labels.

The label may be adapted such that the inmould label can be separated from a plastics component post consumer use by an industrial recycling process.

The label may be adapted such that the inmould label can be separated from a plastics component post use by a user.

Suitably, the label comprises any feature as described in relation to the first and/or second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a an inmould label, wherein the method comprises coating a first side of a web of material and printing onto a second side of a web of material.

The method may comprise coating a second side of a web of material.

The method may comprise coating the first side of the web of material using a printing process.

Suitably, the method further comprises curing the web. The method may comprise curing the coating and/or the printing on the web. The method may comprise using UV curing.

Suitably, the method further comprises cutting the web to form labels or reels of labels Suitably, the method comprises manufacturing a label comprising a substrate having a coating on a first side thereof.

Suitably, the method comprises manufacturing a label comprising a plastics substrate having a coating on a first side thereof.

Suitably, the method comprises flood coating a first side of a label. Suitably, the first side comprises an underside of the label. The method may comprise flood coating the entire first side of a label. Suitably, the method comprises coating the first side of the label with a food grade lacquer.

Suitably, the method comprises flood coating a first side of the substrate. The method may comprise flood coating the entire first side of the substrate. Suitably, the method comprises coating the first side of the substrate with a food grade lacquer.

Suitably, the method comprises coating the label with a food grade lacquer having sufficient tack and release properties to remain affixed to a plastics component through the supply chain and consumer use whilst facilitating separation of the label from a plastics component for recycling, suitably closed loop recycling.

Suitably, the method comprises coating the substrate with a food grade lacquer having sufficient tack and release properties to remain affixed to a plastics component through the supply chain and consumer use whilst facilitating separation of the label from a plastics component for recycling, suitably closed loop recycling.

The method may comprise coating on the first side of the substrate by printing, for example, by using the flexo printing process.

Suitably, the method comprises printing onto a second side of a label. Suitably, the second side comprises a face of the label. Suitably, the method comprises printing multiple colours onto a second side of a label. Suitably, the method comprises printing using low migration ink and varnish systems. Suitably, the method comprises printing using food grade ink and varnish systems.

Suitably, the method comprises printing onto a second side of the substrate. Suitably, the second side comprises a face of the substrate. Suitably, the method comprises printing multiple colours onto a second side of a substrate. Suitably, the method comprises printing using low migration ink and varnish systems. Suitably, the method comprises printing using food grade ink and varnish systems.

The method may comprise drawing a web of substrate material, preferably polypropylene, from a reel and applying a flood coating of the food grade lacquer to the underside (first side) of the web. The coating is suitably applied inline. The web may then be turned before being printed.

The web may be printed to the face (second side) with low migration inks and varnish. The printing is suitably performed inline. The face and underside of the web may be cured, suitably inline, and may then be reel wound. The finished reel may be converted on separate equipment. The reel may be converted to a trimmed reel of labels. Alternatively, the reel may be die-cut to provide individual labels which may be stacked for supply.

The method may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first and/or second and/or third aspect.

Suitably, the method comprises a method of manufacturing a label according to the third aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an article comprising a moulded plastics component and an inmould label affixed to said plastics component, wherein the inmould label comprises a plastics substrate having a coating and wherein the method comprises placing the label in a moulding tool and moulding the plastics component in the mould such that the inmould label is affixed to said plastics component with said coating on the side of the substrate facing the plastics component.

Suitably, there is provided a method of manufacturing an article of packaging comprising a moulded plastics component and an inmould label affixed to said plastics component, wherein the inmould label comprises a plastics substrate having a coating and wherein the method comprises placing the label in a moulding tool and moulding the plastics component in the mould such that the inmould label is affixed to said plastics component with said coating on the side of the substrate facing the plastics component.

The method may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first and/or second and/or third aspect and/or fourth aspect.

Suitably, the method comprises a method of manufacturing an article according to the first and/or second aspect.

According to a sixth aspect there is provided a method of recycling an article comprising a moulded plastics component and an inmould label affixed to said plastics component, wherein the method comprises separating all or part of said inmould label from said plastics component.

Suitably, there is provided a method of recycling an article of packaging comprising a moulded plastics component and an inmould label affixed to said plastics component, wherein the method comprises separating all or part of said inmould label from said plastics component.

The method may comprise separating at least 10% of the inmould label from the plastics component by a granulation and sorting process. The method may comprise separating at least 20%, for example at least: 30%; 40%; 50%; 60%; 70%; 80% or 90% of the inmould label from the plastics component by a granulation and sorting process.

The method may comprise separating at least 95% of the inmould label from the plastics component by a granulation and sorting process. The method may comprise separating at least 99% of the inmould label from the plastics component by a granulation and sorting process. The method may comprise separating 100% of the inmould label from the plastics component by a granulation and sorting process.

Suitably, the method comprises separating substantially all of the inmould label from the plastics component. Suitably, the method comprises separating all of the inmould label from the plastics component.

Suitably, the method comprises processing an article comprising a moulded plastics component and an inmould label affixed to said plastics component by subjecting the article to a granulation process to form granules of inmould label and granules of plastics component and then separating said granules of inmould label from said granules of plastics component.

The method may comprise separating the label from the plastics component by peeling the label from the plastics component.

The method may comprise separating at least 50% of the inmould label from the plastics component by peeling it from the plastics component, for example at least: 60%; 70%; 80% or 90% of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component by peeling it from the component.

The method may comprise separating substantially all of the inmould label from the plastics component by peeJing it from the component. The method may comprise separating ail of the inmould label from the plastics component by peeling it from the component.

According to a seventh aspect there is provided a packaged product comprising an article according to the first and/or second aspects and a product packaged by said article.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a coating composition for applying to a substrate to produce a coated inmould label, wherein the composition comprises silicone in an amount of at least 0.5% and an ammonium compound in an amount of at least 0.2% by weight.

Suitably, the coating composition comprises a food grade lacquer.

Suitably, the coating composition is adapted to be cured by UV light.

Suitably, the coating composition comprises a silicone compound. Suitably, the coating composition comprises an ammonium compound.

Suitably, the coating composition comprises silicone. Suitably, the composition comprises silicone in an amount of at least 0.2% by weight of the composition. Suitably, the composition comprises silicone in an amount of at least 0.4% by weight of the composition, for example at least 0.5% by weight. The composition may for example comprise silicone in an amount of at least 1 % by weight, for example at least 1.5% by weight.

The composition may comprise silicone in an amount of between 0.5% and 10% by weight.

The composition may comprise silicone in an amount of between 1% and 10% by weight. The composition may comprise silicone in an amount of between 1.0% and 6.0% by weight, for example between 1.0% and 3.0% by weight.

The composition may comprise silicone in an amount of no more than 1% by weight. The composition may comprise silicone in an amount of no more than 0.6% by weight, for example no more than 0.5% by weight.

Suitably, the composition comprises one or more ammonium salts, suitably quaternary ammonium salts. Suitably, the composition comprises one or more ammonium salts, suitably quaternary ammonium salts, in an amount of at least 0.2% by weight of the composition.

Suitably, the composition comprises one or more ammonium salts, suitably quaternary ammonium salts, in an amount of at least 0.4% by weight of the composition, for example at least 0.5% by weight. Suitably, the composition comprises one or more ammonium salts, suitabJy quaternary ammonium saJts, in an amount of at Jeast 1.0% by weight of the composition, The composition may comprise one or more ammonium salts, suitably quaternary ammonium salts, in an amount of between 0.5% and 10% by weight, for example between 1.0% and 10.0% by weight. The composition may comprise one or more ammonium salts, suitably quaternary ammonium salts, in an amount of between 1.0% and 6.0% by weight, for example between 1.0% and 3.0% by weight.

Suitably, the composition comprises silicone in an amount of at least 1% by weight together with one or more quaternary ammonium salts in an amount of at least 1% by weight. The composition may comprise silicone in an amount of no more than 1% by weight together and may comprise one or more quaternary ammonium salts in an amount of at least 1 % by weight.

Suitably, the composition comprises acrylated monomers, suitably various acrylated monomers.

Suitably, the composition comprises polyols, suitably various polyols.

Suitably, the composition comprises one or more waxes.

Suitably, the composition comprises free-radical photoinitiators.

The coating composition may comprise any feature as described in relation to the first, second, third, fourth and/or fifth aspects.

Suitably, the coating composition does not comprise any adhesives.

The label may comprise a label according to the third aspect.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a coating composition for manufacturing an inmould label wherein said use comprises applying the coating composition to the side of the label which is adapted to contact a plastics component in use.

Suitably, the coating composition is adapted such that, in use, it can weaken the bond between said inmould label and a plastics component to which said inmould label is moulded.

The coating composition may comprise any feature as described in relation to any of the first to eighth aspects. The inmould label may comprise any feature as described in relation to any of the first to eighth aspects.

According to a tenth aspect there is provided a coated substrate, wherein said substrate is adapted to be affixed to a moulded plastics component during moulding of a plastics component and wherein said coated substrate comprises a coating or layer of material on the side of the substrate adapted to face a plastics component to which the label is adapted to be affixed in use.

Suitably, the substrate comprises a coating on a first side thereof and is adapted to be printed on an opposed second side thereof.

Suitably, the substrate comprises a substrate as described in relation to any of the first to eighth aspects. Suitably, the coating comprises a coating as described in relation to any of the first to ninth aspects.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an inmould label, wherein the method comprises printing onto a second side of a web of material wherein said web comprises a coating on a first side thereof.

Suitably, the web comprises a substrate as described in relation to any of the first to ninth aspects. Suitably, the coating comprises a coating as described in relation to any of the first to tenth aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a cross section of a label according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows an article according to the invention with the label being separated there from.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates a label 10 according to the invention which can be used as an inmould label. The label comprises a substrate 2 which comprises a polypropylene film. The film used was a one side matt, white pigmented, biaxially orientated polypropylene film. The film has a thickness of around 50 to 58 microns.

A first side (underside) of the substrate 2 has a coating 3 applied thereto. The coating 3 is applied by a flood coating method. The coating 3 provides release means to facilitate separation of the label from a plastics component during a recycling process. The coating 3 comprises a food grade lacquer. The lacquer comprised acrylated monomers and polyols and free-radical photoinitiators together with additives including waxes. The lacquer further comprised silicone in an amount of 2.5% by weight and quaternary ammonium salts in an amount of 2.0% by weight.

A second side (face) of the substrate 2 is printed with low migration ink and varnish systems to provide a printed layer 1. The inks and varnish used were conventional inks and varnishes used for inmould labels.

The production process took web of substrate material from a reel and applies a flood coating of the food grade lacquer to the underside of the web. The web was then turned in order to print specified designs to the face with low migration inks and varnish. The face and reverse of the web was cured inline and then reel wound. The finished reels were converted on separate equipment and cut to size as individual labels and stacked.

The inmould labels were then moulded to plastic components such as containers, vessels, pots, tubs or lids. These components comprised polypropylene and were made using traditional injection moulding equipment at a temperature ranging between 220 and 250 degrees Celsius.

Figure 2 shows the label 10 of Figure 1 applied to a plastics component (pot) 20 as an inmould label to form an article of packaging 30. Figure 2 shows the label 10 being peeled from the plastics component 20 by a consumer post use to separate the label 10 and plastics component 20 for recycling.

The article of packaging 30 can withstand the supply chain and consumer use without the label separating from the plastics component 20. However, the coating 3 provides sufficient release properties to allow the label 20 and plastics component 30 to be separated in a recycling process.

In alternative embodiments silicone free coating compositions were used and properties of moulded plastics pots incorporating labels using those coating compositions were investigated.

The results are presented in Table 1.

Two types of film were used for the label substrate in separate embodiments. These were a cavitated film and a solid film. The cavitated film was Treofan EUH70 which is a white, opaque OPP film, matte on one side, available from Treofan Germany GMbH & Co. KG., Germany.

Treofan EUH7O is designed to be used in inmould label applications with PP and PE injection moulding. The solid film was Superfilm 1612P which is a one side matt, white pigmented, biaxially orientated polypropylene film available from Super Film Europe S.A., Luxembourg.

Both films are treated both sides.

Three types of silicone free coating compositions were used.

The first composition was a development sample supplied by Zeller+Gmelin UK Ltd under the name Intercolour no silicone (l.L.T.0067). This was a modified version of the product sold as Optiflex IML Gloss Lacquer (6209632) which had been modified by removal of silicone. This was a UV lacquer.

The second composition was a development sample supplied by Zeller+Gmelin UK Ltd under the name Intercolour no silicone, low migration (l.L.T.0070). This was a modified version of the product sold as Optiflex IML Gloss Lacquer (6209632) which had been modified by removal of silicone and adapted to make it low migration. This was a UV lacquer.

The third composition comprised a silicone free low migration lacquer/varnish supplied by Siegwerk, Switzerland. This was a UV curing flexo varnish available under the name Sicura Flex UV (39-9P-0 178SF).

In all cases the compositions were applied to the substrate at a coating weight of 6 to 7 g m2.

The substrates were coated on a first side using the compositions described above and as noted in Table 1 and then the second side was printed using 4 colours and the Siegwerk low migration lacquer available under the name Sicura Flex UV (39-9P-01155F).

Articles were formed by moulding polypropylene plastics pots at 225°C on a 4 second cycle using a 4.5 static charge such that pots bearing inmould labels were produced.

The moulded articles were then subjected to performance assessment with the results as summarised in Table 1. In brief the results can be interpreted as follows: Peel pre tests -A "pass" means that the label could be peeled from the pot if intentional efforts were made to remove it; Granulate pre tests -A "pass" means that the label could be separated from the plastics pot by a granulation and separation process; 1 0 Fill with boiling water -A "pass" means the pot could be filled with boiling water without causing label separation from the pot; Soak in hot water overnight -A "pass" means the pot could be soaked in hot water overnight without causing label separation from the pot; Wet and refrigerate 5 days -A "pass" means the pot could be wetted and refrigerated for 5 days without causing label separation from the pot; Fill with cold water, microwave to boiling point and freeze for 24 hours -A "pass" means the pot could be filled with cold water, heated to boiling point in a microwave and then frozen for 24 hours without causing label separation from the pot; and Peel post tests -A "pass" means that the label could be peeled from the pot if intentional efforts were made to remove it Migration tests were also performed to determine if the label bearing plastics articles satisfied the criteria for low migration. The migration test used measures overall migration by filling into sirrulant Dl with exposure conditions being 10 days at 40°C. The overall migration simulants and conditions are as detailed in EU Regulation Bo 10/2011 and the simulant Dl is 50% v/v ethanol.

After exposure to the simulant under conditions specified, test specimens were removed from contact; the aqueous extract was transferred to a weighed container and evaporated to dryness and constant weight.

The overall migration is expressed as the amount in milligrams of material lost from one decimetre square surface (mg/dm2). As the filling method was used, results were calculated taking into account the area of only one surface of the test specimen, i.e. for a 1dm2 test specimen the surface area used for the calculation was I dm2.

To pass the migration test according to EN-1186-9 the mean result limit for sample migration into 50% v/v ethanol (simulant Dl) must be no more than 10.0 mg/dm2. On testing 3 replicates for each all of the label bearing plastics articles passed.

Table 1 which follows details the test results for combinations of substrates and coatings as described above and as identified in the key of that table.

TABLE I ________________ _________________________ ______ _________

Pot No. Description Test Result Migration

_____________ _____________________ ________________________________ ________ tests I Cavitated Ti Coating Peel pre tests Pass Pass 8 Cavitated Ti Coating Granulate pre tests Pass 3 Cavitated Ti Coating Fill with boiling water Pass 4 Cavitated Ti Coating Soak in hot water overnight Pass Cavitated Ti Coating Wet and refrigerate 5 days Pass Fill with cold water, microwave to boiling point and freeze for 24 6 Cavitated Ti Coating hours Pass 3, 4, 5, 6 Cavitated Ti Coating Peel post tests (i week) Pass ___________ 17 Cavitated S Coating Peel pre tests Pass Pass 24 Cavitated S Coating Granulate pre tests Pass i9 Cavitated S Coating Fill with boiling water Pass Cavitated S Coating Soak in hot water overnight Pass 2i Cavitated S Coating Wet and refrigerate 5 days Pass Fill with cold water, microwave to boiling point and freeze for 24 22 Cavitated S Coating hours Pass 19, 20, 2i, 22 Cavitated S Coating Peel post tests (1 week) Pass __________ Solid S Coating Peel pre tests Pass Pass 32 Solid S Coating Granulate pre tests Pass 27 Solid S Coating Fill with boiling water Pass 28 Solid S Coating Soak in hot water overnight Pass 29 Solid S Coating Wet and refrigerate 5 days Pass Fill with cold water, microwave to boiling point and freeze for 24 Solid S Coating hours Pass 27, 28, 29, 30 Solid S Coating Peel post tests (i week) Pass ___________ 41 Solid I Coating Peel pre tests Pass Pass 48 Solid I Coating Granulate pre tests Pass 43 Solid I Coating Fill with boiling water Pass 44 Solid I Coating Soak in hot water overnight Pass Solid I Coating Wet and refrigerate 5 days Pass Fill with cold water, microwave to boiling point and freeze for 24 46 Solid I Coating hours Pass 43, 44, 45, 46 Solid I Coating Peel post tests (1 week) Pass ___________ Key: cavitated = cavitated substrate; solid = solid substrate; TI coating = intercolour no silicone (l.L.T.0067) coating; I = intercolour low migration/no silicone (l.L.T.0070) coating; and S = Siegwerk low migration/no silicone (39-9P-0 178SF) coating.

The use of a silicone free coating composition resulted in the substrate being observed to be more strongly bonded to the plastics component and less likely to separate there from during use. However the substrate was still more readily separated than known inmould labels making the article more suitable for recycling post consumer use.

It will be appreciated that exemplary embodiments of the present invention may provide articles of packaging having inmould labels and which may be recycled more conveniently and efficiently than is the case for known articles of packaging having inmould labels.

It will be appreciated that exemplary embodiments of the present invention may have a number of advantages and may: (i) increase the yield of recycled polypropylene in the UK; (ii) allow reduced carbon emissions; (iii) enable the production of food grade recycled pellets; (iv) enable consumers and the recycling industry to remove inmould labels; (v) provide an environmentally smart labelling solution for high volume users of inmould labels in the UK and overseas; and (vi) contribute towards the sustainable environment objectives across the relevant industries.

It will be appreciated that exemplary embodiments of the present invention may allow the production of a printed synthetic inmould label that can be applied using existing injection moulding technologies, perform in all markets and conditions for which it would be used but with the key difference over known inmould labels that it can be removed during the industrialised and large scale plastics recycling processes. This may provide the ability to sort and recycle both "natural" or clear and coloured polypropylene packaging into food grade pellets for re-use in the food grade packaging industry.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novei one, or any noveJ combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. An inmould label, wherein said label is adapted to be affixed to a moulded plastics component during moulding of a plastics component and wherein said label comprises a substrate having a coating or layer of material on the side of the substrate adapted to face a plastics component to which the label is adapted to be affixed in use.
2. A coated substrate, wherein said substrate is adapted to be affixed to a moulded plastics component during moulding of a plastics component and wherein said coated substrate comprises a coating or layer of material on the side of the substrate adapted to face a plastics component to which the label is adapted to be affixed in use.
3. An inmould label or substrate according to any preceding claim, wherein the substrate comprises polypropylene.
4. An inmould label or substrate according to any preceding claim, wherein the substrate has a first side which is said side which faces the plastics component in use and which has said coating thereon and an opposed second side which has decorative and/or CY) informative material provided thereon. o 20

(0
5. An inmould label or substrate according to any preceding claim, wherein the substrate has a first side which is said side which faces the plastics component in use and which has said coating thereon and an opposed second side which has print thereon.
6. An inmould label or substrate according to any preceding claim, wherein a first side of the substrate has a coating of food grade lacquer.
7. An inmould label or substrate according to any preceding claim, wherein a second side of the substrate is printed with ink and varnish.
8. An inmould label or substrate according to any preceding claim, wherein a second side of the substrate has a coating of food grade lacquer.
9. An inmould label according to claim 1 or any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the label has a first side which is affixed to the plastics component and a second side which forms an external surface of the article.
10. An inmould label according to claim I or any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the label comprises release means adapted to assist post consumer use separation of the label from the plastics component.
11. An inmould label according to claim 1 or any of claims 3 to 10, wherein the label comprises a substrate having a coating on the side of the substrate facing the plastics component and said coating is adapted to assist post consumer use separation of the substrate from the plastics component.
12. An inmould label according to claim 1 or any of claims 3 to 11, wherein the label comprises a continuous coating on the substrate which is adapted to become discontinuous during the moulding process such that plastics bridges can be formed through the coating to bond the label to the plastics component in use.
13. An inmould label according to claim 1 or any of claims 3 to 12, wherein the label comprises a discontinuous coating on the substrate. c\J
14. An inmould label according to claim 1 or any of claims 3 to 13, wherein the label is y) adapted such that the inmould label can be separated from a plastics component post 0 20 consumer use by an industrial recycling process.

C\I
15. An article comprising a moulded plastics component and an inmould label affixed to said plastics component and wherein the article is adapted such that all or part of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component post consumer use.
16. An article comprising a moulded plastics component and an inmould label affixed to said plastics component and wherein the inmould label comprises a substrate having a coating on the side of the substrate facing the plastics component.
17. An article according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the label comprises a label according to claim I or any of claims 3 to 14.
18. An article according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the article is adapted such that substantially all of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component post consumer use.
19. An article according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the article comprises a release means between the substrate and the plastics component to assist separation of the substrate and plastics component post consumer use.
20. An article according to any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the label comprises release means which comprises a coating which interposes the first side of the substrate and the plastics component.
21. An article according to any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the label and plastics component are bonded to one another.
22. An article according to any of claims 15 to 21, wherein the label is affixed to the plastics component by bridges of plastics material.
23. An article according to any of claims 15 to 22, wherein the label has a coating which forms regions of coating around regions at which the substrate and plastics material are bonded.
24. An article according to any of claims 15 to 23, wherein the label has a coating which forms regions of coating around plastics bridges such that the label and plastics component are affixed at the bridges and are not affixed in regions between bridges. rcv')
25. An article according to any of claims 15 to 24, wherein the coating is selected such that 0 20 it maintains a physical separation between parts of the substrate and the plastics component during moulding such that there are parts of the substrate that are not bonded to the plastics component.
26. An article according to any of claims 15 to 25, wherein the concentration of silicone compound in the coating is adapted to suit the required strength of bond between the substrate and the plastics component.
27. An article according to any of claims 15 to 26, wherein the coating comprises a low migration coating.
28. An article according to any of claims 15 to 27, wherein the label comprises a first side surface which comprises a food grade coating.
29. An article according to any of claims 15 to 28, wherein the coating on the first side of the substrate is adapted to cure under a high intensity UV light source.
30. An article according to any of claims 15 to 29, wherein the label comprises ink on a second side of the substrate.
31. An article according to any of claims 15 to 30, wherein the label comprises varnish on a second side of the substrate.
32. An article according to any of claims 15 to 31, wherein the label comprises ink sandwiched between varnish and the substrate on a second side of the substrate.
33. An articie according to any of claims 15 to 32, wherein the substrate comprises a plastics material.
34. An article according to any of claims 15 to 33, wherein the substrate consists of polypropylene.
35. An article according to any of claims 15 to 34, wherein the substrate comprises a cavitated film.
36. An article according to any of claims 15 to 35, wherein the substrate comprises a solid film. ry)
37. An article according to any of claims 15 to 36, wherein the plastics component 0 20 comprises a polypropylene component.C\I
38. An article according to any of claims 15 to 37, wherein the plastics component comprises a component which is formed by moulding at temperatures of between 210 and 260 degrees Celsius.
39. An article according to any of claims 15 to 38, wherein the article comprises a moulded plastics component which is produced by moulding the component in a mould containing an inmould label such that the label is heat sealed to the component as it is moulded.
40. An article according to any of claims 15 of 39, wherein the label is such that it can not simply be adhered to a plastics component and may only be affixed to a plastics component as an inmould label.
41. An article according to any of claims 15 of 40, wherein the article comprises a label which has been subjected to a curing step prior to being used to form the article.
42. An article according to any of claims 15 to 41, wherein the fixation between the label and plastics material is discontinuous across the contact area of the label and the plastics component.
43. An article according to any claims 15 of 42, wherein the article is adapted such that 100% of the inmould label can be separated from the plastics component by a granulation and sorting process.
44. A method of manufacturing an inmould label, wherein the method comprises coating a first side of a web of material and printing onto a second side of a web of material.
45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the method comprises a method of manufacturing a label according to claim I or any of claims 3 to 14.
46. A method of manufacturing an article comprising a moulded plastics component and an inmould label affixed to said plastics component, wherein the inmould label comprises a plastics substrate having a coating and wherein the method comprises placing the label in a moulding tool and moulding the plastics component in the mould such that the inmould label is affixed to said plastics component with said coating on the side of the substrate facing the plastics component. c\J47. A method according to claim 46, wherein the method comprises a method of y) manufacturing an article according to any of claims 15 to 43. o 20(0 48. A method of recycling an article comprising a moulded plastics component and an C\I inmould label affixed to said plastics component, wherein the method comprises separating all or part of said inmould label from said plastics component.49. A packaged product comprising an article according to any of claims 15 to 43.50. A coating composition for applying to a substrate to produce a coated inniould label, wherein the composition comprises silicone in an amount of at least 0.5% and an ammonium compound in an amount of at least 0.2% by weight.51. The use of a coating composition for manufacturing an inmould label wherein said use comprises applying the coating composition to the side of the label which is adapted to contact a plastics component in use.52. A method of manufacturing an inmould label, wherein the method comprises printing onto a second side of a web of material wherein said web comprises a coating on a first side thereof.53. An article, inmould label, coated substrate, packaged product, use of coating composition, coating composition, method of manufacture or method of recycling substantially as herein described. c\J r C1) (0 c\J