WO2015118214A1

WO2015118214A1 - Washable label and method for preparing thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2015118214A1
Application number: PCT/FI2014/050099
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan-Erik FORSSTRÖM; Noel Mitchell; Tom Saxberg
Original assignee: Upm Raflatac Oy
Priority date: 2014-02-10
Filing date: 2014-02-10
Publication date: 2015-08-13

Abstract

The present invention relates to a printed label comprising the following layers in the following order: a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, a first adhesive layer, a second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film which is oriented in different direction to the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, and a second adhesive layer comprising pressure sensitive adhesive. The present invention also relates to a multi-layered laminate, and to a method and an apparatus for preparing said label.

Description

Washable label and method for preparing thereof

Field of the application The present invention relates to a multi-layered laminate, a self-adhesive washable label, a method for preparing said label, and labelled items.

Background It is general practice to apply labels to the surface of containers, such as bottles made of polymer or glass, to provide decoration, identification, and/or information for example on the contents of the container. Plastic labels, in contrast to paper labels, are increasingly preferred, for example due to their more appealing appearance (for example transparency) and better mechanical properties. The containers, such as bottles in the beverage industry, are generally reused many times and thus there is a need for plastic labels which are easily and completely removed from the surface of the container during conventional washing processes such as hot dilute caustic soda. Thus, removable labels are an important topic, for example, in beverage industry.

Wash-off labels, known from prior art, have been based on paper materials, which may become easily disintegrated into the washing liquid. Another known approach, which is typically used in combination with paper labels, has been to select adhesives which are soluble into water-based washing liquid and thus lead to the removal of the labels. The use of such adhesives requires that the label material allows the washing liquid to penetrate into the adhesive layer so that rapid loosening of the label is possible. Even if these approaches may facilitate quick and effective removal of the labels in the washing process without leaving markings or residues on the container, they may suffer from the major drawback that the washing liquid quickly becomes contaminated by the label material and/or the dissolved adhesive components. Yet another approach is that the label structure comprises a heat-shrinkable plastic film layer causing the label to curl and detach the label from the surface of an item under typical washing conditions at 80-85°C in an alkaline solution. Typically these labels comprise a release liner, for example a polyester film, coated with silicone which is then further coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and dried under heat in an oven. The major deficiencies of these types of constructions are that they are rather costly and in addition, in some cases they are using environmentally questionable PVC solutions. The labels, when washed off, will curl to a very small radius "pipe". These pipes will cause problems in the washing equipment. It would be desirable to produce wash-off labels which are economical but also environmentally friendly, totally removable from a surface of an item without leaving deposits or remnants of adhesive on the surface of the item. It would be desirable if the materials could be separated and easily recovered and recycled and would not harm or block the equipment.

Summary

It is an object of the invention to provide a washable label. It is an object of the invention to provide a laminate for preparing the labels. It is another object of the invention to provide labelled items. It is another object of the invention to provide a method for preparing a said label. It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus for preparing said label.

One embodiment provides a washable face laminate having a printable surface and comprising the following layers in the following order:

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film,

-a first adhesive layer,

-a second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, which is oriented in different direction to the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, and

-a second adhesive layer comprising pressure sensitive adhesive.

One embodiment provides said printed face laminate wound into a roll.

One embodiment provides a laminate having a printable surface and comprising multiple layers in the following order:

-a second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, -a second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive,

-a release layer comprising a release agent, and

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film which is oriented in different direction to the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film.

One embodiment provides said printable laminate wound into a roll.

One embodiment provides a method for preparing a linerless printed face laminate, the method comprising providing said laminate;

printing on the printable surface;

separating from the laminate

-the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, and

-the adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive, from

-the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film;

rearranging

-the release layer comprising a release agent and

-the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film

on top of

-the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, and

-the adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive, with the release layer comprising a release agenton top of the face laminate; and laminating the first film and the second film together with a first adhesive layer, to form the linerless printed face laminate. One embodiment provides a washable face laminate obtained with said method.

One embodiment provides a labelled item having said face laminate attached to a surface.

One embodiment provides an apparatus for preparing said face laminate.

The aspects of the invention are characterized in the independent claims. Various embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims. The two shrinkable films will, when heated by the washing liquid, form a shrinking force in two main shrinking directions that are in different to each other. The films may shrink in one direction and at the same time also expand in the other direction and thus will form two curling forces in an angle, for example in 90 degree angle, to each other due to the shrink/expand effect. The shrink force, as a function of temperature, would be designed so as to give a maximum effect at the washing temperature and minimal to no shrinking at lower temperatures, for example less than 5%, less than 2%, or less than 1 % or about 0% at room temperature. With two shrinkable films, shrinking to different directions, especially to perpendicular directions, the label will not be rolled up into a pipe form but rather results in a relatively flat structure and will thus be less problematic for the washing process. In the wash the label will be finally attached to the container only from a single point rather than from a line and therefore it will be detached easily. Such removed labels which are not curled into a tight roll are substantially easier to remove from the machines.

The face laminate is shrinkable in the both different directions at least 5% at 80°C forming in an elevated temperature two curling forces to said different directions which are overall higher than the adhesive force between the face laminate and a labelled item containing the face laminate attached to it.

The preparation process of the linerless face laminate described herein produces an end product having a release agent layer on top of the face laminate, and a pressure sensitive adhesive on the other side of the face laminate. The construction of the face laminate or the label enables winding of the self-adhesive, linerless label web onto itself. The label roll is unwound in order to cut separate labels from the label web and/or to provide self- adhesive labels to an article. According to embodiments, the layer next to the adhesive layer, when the label web is wound to a roll, is a release layer. The release layer wound next to the adhesive layer enables the label web to be releasably wound on itself. The release layer on one side of the face stock is arranged to form a release layer for the self-wound linerless label according to embodiments. The release layer also facilitates the handling of the face laminate web in the process as the reduced coefficient of friction provides smoother running. An effect of the non-annealed films is that the stiffness of the film is high. Further, if one of the layers is machine direction oriented, the stiffness will further increase. During the preparation process of a linerless label a laminate is printed, opened, rearranged and relaminated, and the stiffness of one or more of the films will facilitate the processability and handling of the films in the process. Also the increased stiffness will help the processability of the linerless end product for example in the dispensing machine when the labels are separated and/or fed to the items to be labelled. Also in the washing phase the increased stiffness will facilitate the washability of the labels.

As in some embodiments the print is on a printable surface between the first film and the second film, it provides an effect of being protected against any wearing or contamination during the production, storage, transportation and use. Further, during the washing of the labels the print ink will not be washed off to contaminate the washing solution and/or the recyclable materials of the containers. Description of the drawings illustrates a cross-sectional view of the structure of a printed label wherein the first film is printed

illustrates a cross-sectional view of the structure of a printed label of Figure 1 having a releasable liner

illustrates a cross-sectional view of the structure of a printed label wherein the second film is printed

illustrates a cross-sectional view of the structure of a printed label Figure 3 having a releasable liner

illustrates a cross-sectional view of the structure of a laminate illustrates a cross-sectional view of the structure of a printed laminate wherein the first film is printed

illustrates a cross-sectional view of the structure of a printed laminate wherein the second film is printed

illustrates (a) a cross-sectional view of the structure of a printed laminate wherein the first integral unit and the second integral unit are separated and the second adhesive layer is applied onto the printed second film, and (b) wherein the first and the second integral units have been subsequently rearranged and relaminated

illustrates (a) a cross-sectional view of the structure of a printed laminate wherein the first integral unit and the second integral unit are separated and the second adhesive layer is applied onto the printed first film, and (b) wherein the first and the second integral units have been subsequently rearranged and relaminated

illustrates a flow chart of a method according to one embodiment

illustrates an apparatus for manufacturing the label Detailed description of the embodiments

Generally label is a piece of material carrying information and to be applied (affixed) onto articles of different shapes and materials. It is general practice to apply a label to a surface of an article to provide decoration and/or to display information about the product being sold, such as content of the article, a trade name or a logo. In a labelling process individual pressure sensitive adhesive labels may be separated from a liner and transferred to the article. Alternatively, inmould labelling, hangtag or linerless labels may be used.

Label webs or labels which are provided to users without release liners over an adhesive layer are referred to as linerless label webs or linerless labels. Elimination of release liners reduces the material costs of the labels but also avoids the disposal of the release liner after the application of the labels. Moreover, the exclusion of the liner decreases the thickness in a roll of labels and more labels can be provided per roll.

Labels may be used in wide variety of labelling applications and end-use areas, such as beverage labelling, food labelling, home and personal care product labelling, and labelling of industrial products. The surface of the labelled article may be for example plastic, glass, metal, or paper based. The labelled article may be for example a container, such as a bottle, jar, canister, can, tin or the like. The label may also be applied to semi-rigid or flexible packages used for e.g. sandwich packs, meat trays, salads, fish trays and the like. Examples of such articles include glass bottles, metal bottles, polyethyleneterphtalate (PET) bottles, and bottles made of polyolefin, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). The label may surround the labelled item, such as a bottle, completely or partially.

Conventionally a self-adhesive laminate comprises a facestock, such as paper based face material or filmic face material, an adhesive which is coated on the reverse side of the face material, a release coating, and a backing. The release coating, such as a silicone layer, is added to the upper side of the backing. The chemistry of the release coating defines the force required to release the adhesive (and therefore the label face) from the backing. Printable facestock is suitable for printing by any of the known printing methods, such as with gravure, flexographic process, offset, screen or letterpress.

Lamination means placing together material layers, such as separate plastic film layers, by means of a suitable surface treatment of the films, primer or lamination adhesive between the layers, to form a laminate. The laminates and the layers therein described herein may be manufactured using any suitable method for preparing laminates and/or layers for the laminates. Examples of such methods for preparing the layers include extrusion, coextrusion and coating methods. The film layers are generally plastic film layers, preferably thermoplastic film layers.

A face laminate as used herein refers to a multi-layered laminate having a printable surface being able to carry information, said laminate being attachable to a surface of an item to be labelled. The face laminate may also be called a label. The face laminate may be printed or non-printed. A printed face laminate or label carries information on said printable surface, such as text and/or graphical information. A face laminate contains at least a face stock and an adhesive for attaching the face laminate onto a surface of the item to be labelled. Generally a multi-layered laminate contains at least two layers attached (laminated) to each other with an adhesive, such as a laminating adhesive. A coextruded structure is not a multi-layered laminate, but a multi-layered laminate may contain a coextruded structure as one layer.

An adhesive layer may be applied onto the laminate. An emulsion adhesive layer may be applied e.g. by using a curtain coating, reverse gravure , slot- die or roller-coating methods. A hot-melt adhesive may be applied e.g. by using slot-die or roller coaters. If emulsion adhesive is used the water may be evaporated from the adhesive dispersion by using e.g. hot air jets or infra-red heaters.

A pressure sensitive adhesive layer may be a continuous coating covering 100% of the face laminate. Alternatively, it may be applied discontinuously as spots or strips covering less than 100% of the face laminate. For example, the adhesive may cover between 10 to 90% of the total area of the face laminate.

A continuous label web may be cut during labelling in order to provide individual labels having a desired shape and size. Said label may be prepared from a printable laminate having a printable surface, which laminate may be provided as a self-wound roll.

One embodiment provides a printed face laminate having a print layer 102 on a printable surface. In one embodiment the first film 101 has a printable surface. In one embodiment the second film 104 has a printable surface.

One embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1 , provides a face laminate 100 comprising the following layers in the following order:

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 ,

-a print layer 102,

-a first adhesive layer 103,

-a second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104 which is oriented in different direction to the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 , and

-a second adhesive layer 105 comprising pressure sensitive adhesive. In this embodiment the first side of the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film has been printed. One embodiment provides a face laminate comprising the following layers in the following order:

-a print layer 102,

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 ,

-a first adhesive layer 103,

-a second adhesive layer 105 comprising pressure sensitive adhesive. One embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 3, provides a face laminate 100 comprising the following layers in the following order:

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 ,

-a first adhesive layer 103,

-a print layer 102,

-a second adhesive layer 105 comprising pressure sensitive adhesive. In this embodiment the second side of the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film has been printed.

Said face laminate may be prepared from a printable laminate having a printable surface, which laminate may be provided as a self-wound roll.

One embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 5, provides a printable laminate 1 10 comprising multiple layers in the following order:

-a second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104,

-a second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive 105, -a release layer comprising a release agent 108, and

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 which is oriented in different direction to the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104.

The orientations of first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film may differ at least by 20 degrees, for example at least by about 45 degrees, or at least by about 60 degrees. In most cases the orientations of first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film are substantially perpendicular to each other, i.e. they differ by about 90 degrees. In one embodiment the orientations of first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film are perpendicular to each other. Usually one orientation is in machine direction and the other is in cross direction (or transverse direction).

In one embodiment the first film 101 has a printable surface. In one embodiment the second film 104 has a printable surface. Said printable surface is a surface which can be printed when preparing the printed label. A printable surface refers to any suitable ink receiving surface which may be printed and wherein the print will remain. Excluded are surfaces wherein the printing ink will not be attached properly, for examples surfaces treated with release agents, adhesives or any other slippery or tacky surfaces which do not allow permanent or quality printing.

According to an embodiment a surface treatment is made to a printable surface of a face laminate or a laminate. The surface receiving a print may be treated. Surface treatment may comprise corona, flame or plasma treatment, for example. Surface treatment causes increase in a surface energy of the treated surface. Surface treatment with high voltage discharge modifies only the surface without affecting internal properties of the treated material. Surface energy has effect on how well a liquid, like ink, wets the surface. Surface energy has effect on printability of a surface. Example surface energy values for some materials are approximately less than 20 mlM/m for silicone and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), 30 mlM/m for polypropylene (PP), 32 mN/m for polyethylene (PE) or cross linked polyethylene (XLPE), 34 mlM/m for polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyurethane (PUR). Surface energy of a treated surface may be at least 38 mN/m. Example ranges for a surface energy of a printable surface for adhesion with UV ink are 44-56 mN/m for UV ink, 50-56 mN/m for water based ink, 46-52 mN/m for coatings, 48-56 mN/m for water based glue, 44-59 mN/m for UV glue. A surface treatment causes temporal changes to the treated surface. A treated surface shall interface with coating, ink, adhesive or another material after the treatment, preferably before any storage or transportation. Effect(s) of the surface treatment may decrease over time. While time passes after the surface treatment, the effects of the treatment gradually decrease till those become void. Once the treated surface has been interfaced with coating, ink, adhesive or another material, the bond becomes permanent. In some examples the printable surface is not fully printed. According to embodiments a surface may comprise print on 10-70 % of its surface area; or on 3-10 % of its surface area. Rest of the area may comprise transparent area, or for example polyester labels may comprise white area in addition to the printed area. In some examples the printable surface is fully printed or substantially fully printed, such as 70-100% printed, or 90-100% printed or 99-100% printed. For examples if the label is white, such as for use on PET containers, it may be fully printed.

According to embodiments label structure maintains its construction without layer separation in use and washing conditions. The adhesive force arranged to laminate layers of a label together withstands washing conditions. The washed label comprises label construction after the wash-off process. No residues of ink or adhesive is released to the washing liquid. The first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 of the laminate 1 10 acts as a releasably attached liner which can be removed and moved to the top of the construction. The first film 101 may also be printed on the second side which is not in contact with the release layer 108. One embodiment provides a method for preparing a printed linerless face laminate 100, the method comprising providing said laminate;

printing on the printable surface;

separating from the laminate 1 10

-the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104,

-the second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive 105, from

-the release layer comprising a release agent 108 and

-the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 ,

rearranging

-the release layer comprising a release agent 108 and

-the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 on top of

-the second sh nkable uniaxially oriented film 104, and

-the second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive 105, with the release layer comprising a release agent 108 on top of the face laminate;

laminating the first film and the second film together with a first adhesive layer 103, to form the printed face laminate 100. The first adhesive layer 103 may be applied onto the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 or onto the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104. One embodiment comprises printing on the printable surface of the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 . One embodiment comprises printing on the printable surface of the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104. The printing may be carried out before or after the separation step. A general principle of the method for preparing al label from the laminate is presented in Figure 10 as a flow chart. First a laminate web having a printable surface is provided 601 . This may include preparing the laminate using any suitable method. The laminate may be provided as wound into a roll for storage and/or transport. In one embodiment the printable surface of the laminate is next printed 602 to form a printed laminate. The printed laminate may again be wound into a roll for storage and/or transport. In a subsequent step the printed laminate is delaminated 603 to separate from each other a first integral layer unit 1 1 1 from a second integral layer unit 1 12 of the laminate. In an alternative embodiment the printing is carried out after the delamination step (not shown in Figure 10). A laminating adhesive layer 103 is applied onto the first integral unit or onto the second integral unit. The integral layer units are then rearranged and relaminated 604 into a different order so that the second integral layer unit 1 12 overlays the first integral layer unit 1 1 1 to form a printed label wherein a pressure sensitive adhesive is at the bottom and the release layer is on top of the label. This label web may be wound into a roll to form a self-wound label web 605. The laminate or the label may be further die-cut to form predefined shapes. There are several stages wherein the die-cutting of the laminate or the label web may be carried out. In one embodiment the die-cutting is carried out at stage 606 after the laminate has been provided 601 but before the printing 602. In one embodiment the die-cutting is carried out at stage 607 after the printing 602 but before the delaminating 603. In one embodiment the die-cutting is carried out at stage 608 after the rearranging 604.

Said preparation method provides a face laminate having a release layer comprising a release agent on top of the face laminate. In one embodiment the face laminate comprises the following layers in the following order:

-a release layer comprising a release agent

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film,

-a print layer,

-a first adhesive layer,

-a second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, and

-a second adhesive layer comprising pressure sensitive adhesive.

In another embodiment the face laminate comprises the following layers in the following order:

-a release layer comprising a release agent

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film,

-a first adhesive layer,

-a print layer,

-a second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, and

-a second adhesive layer comprising pressure sensitive adhesive.

In one embodiment the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is machine- direction (MD) oriented film and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is cross-direction (CD) oriented film. This is advantageous especially when a round item, such as a bottle or the like, is labelled. The label is generally fed onto the circumferential direction of the cylindrical item in the machine direction so when a cross-direction oriented layer is on the bottom attached to the surface of the item, it will lift away from the item during the washing process. However it will not curl strongly into a tight cylindrical tube which can get stuck in the washing apparatus and which is difficult to remove later.

It was found out that the behaviour of the laminate depends on which side of the laminate is first in contact with the heated medium, such as water. This side starts to shrink and curl first. In practice if a labelled bottle is washed, it is the top layer of the face laminate (the first film) which is first in contact with the hot liquid. The layer closest to the colder bottle (the second film) will react later. This has the effect that the properties of the top layer affect to the behaviour of the label in the wash. If the first film is a machine direction oriented film, the label starts first to curl in the vertical direction of the bottle being only attached to the bottle by a vertical line. Then the label starts to curl in the opposite direction and the attachment to the bottle further decreases being finally practically one point in the middle of the label. However, even if the two layers would have different order of the orientation, the curling effect would still provide an efficient detachment from the bottle.

In practice the face laminate is shrinkable (or having an areal shrinkage) in both different directions at least 5% at 80°C forming in an elevated temperature two curling forces to said different directions. In one embodiment the face laminate is shrinkable in both different directions at least 10%, or at least 20%, or at least 30%. In the tests a shrinkage of about 40% or higher was easily achieved. As a comparison to a label having only machine direction oriented film(s), such film would not shrink substantially in the vertical direction (less than 5%). As the machine direction oriented film is generally stiffer, the shrink force thereof is greater and it is less expensive to manufacture, it is advantageous to have a certain percentage of MD oriented film in the laminate, usually in the range of 20-80% (w/w). In one embodiment the first and second film together contain at least 30% (w/w) of machine direction oriented film, preferably at least 40% (w/w). In one embodiment the first and second film together contain at least 50% (w/w) of machine direction oriented film. In one embodiment the first and second film together contain at least 60% (w/w) of machine direction oriented film. The content of machine direction oriented film in the first and second film together may be in the range of 50-80%, or in the range of 60-80%.

In one embodiment the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is cross- direction (CD) oriented film and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is machine-direction (MD) oriented film. The orientation of the film derives from the manufacturing process thereof. Through the machine direction orientation (MDO) process, the film is uniaxially stretched in the machine direction of the film i.e. in the direction of the movement of the film. Stretching is normally done by means of a machine direction oriented via rolls by gradually increasing speed or by rapidly increasing speed. The rolls are heated sufficiently to bring the film to a suitable temperature, which is normally below the melting temperature (T_m), or around the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the polymer. Transverse direction orientation (TDO), also referred to as cross direction orientation (CDO), means the direction perpendicular to a movement of the film

Monoaxial orientation, also referred to as uniaxial orientation, refers to the stretching provided only in one direction, either in machine direction or cross (transverse) direction.

Biaxial orientation (BO) refers to a film oriented (stretched) both in machine direction and in cross direction. The biaxial orientation may be done through a tenter frame process which creates different degrees of orientation in the MD and CD directions. Biaxial films are most often first stretched in the machine direction like MDO films, and then stretched in transverse direction via a tenter frame or possibly also using a simultaneous tentering process. The films may also be oriented by using so called double bubble tubular stretching process which produces similar degrees of orientation in both the MD and TD directions.

A ratio of total film thickness before and after stretching is called a "stretch ratio" (sometimes also called a draw ratio) or "stretching ratio" (or drawing ratio, DR). In other words, stretch ratio is a ratio of non-oriented (undrawn) film thickness to the oriented (stretched) film thickness. The non-oriented film thickness is the thickness after extrusion and subsequent chilling of the film. When stretching the facestock, the thickness of the facestock may diminish in the same ratio as the facestock stretches or elongates. For example, a facestock having thickness of 100 micrometres before machine direction orientation (MDO) is stretched by a stretch ratio of 5. After the machine direction orientation the facestock has a fivefold diminished thickness of 20 micrometers.

In one embodiment the stretch ratio of a film in cross direction is in the range of 2-7. In one embodiment the stretch ratio of a film in cross direction is in the range of 3-6, for example 4-5.

The stretch ratio of a film in machine direction may be little higher. In one embodiment the stretch ratio of a film in machine direction is in the range of 2-10. In one embodiment the stretch ratio of a film in cross direction is in the range of 3-8.

The total thickness of the face laminate, for example a face laminate having at least the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, the first adhesive layer and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film together may be in the range of 20-100 μιτι. In one embodiment the total thickness of the face laminate having at least the shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, the first adhesive layer and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, is in the range of 25-80 μιτι, for example 30-50 μιτι, or even 30-60 μιτι. Thinner laminates (less than 20 μιτι) would not be stiff enough and might disintegrate in the wash, and thicker ones might have problems in the processability and in the handling of the laminates. The first film may have a thickness in the range of about 10- 50 μιτι, for example in the range of about 10-40 μιτι, or 10-30 μιτι, or even or 10-20 μιτι. Similarly the second film may have a thickness in the range of about 10-50 μιτι, for example in the range of about 10-40 μιτι, or 10-30 μιτι, or even or 10-20 μιτι. In one example a machine direction oriented film has a thickness in the range of 20-25 μιτι.

Shrinkable films may be used for example for wrap around labels. After orienting (stretching) the plastic film is not heat set, i.e. not annealed, in order to provide shrinkage for the film. After stretching at elevated temperature the oriented film is immediately cooled by passing the film through cooling rolls. Cooling temperature is preferably between 40 and 100°C, preferably between 50 and 80°C, and most preferably between 50 and 60°C. Consequently, subsequent application of heat causes the oriented film to relax and the oriented film may return substantially back to its original unstretched dimensions. Thus, machine direction oriented films primarily shrink in the machine direction. Shrink films may be applied to an article with a combination of seaming and shrink technique. Preferably a machine direction of the oriented film extends circumferentially around the item. A shrinkable film as used herein refers to a film which is arranged to shrink in response to exposure to elevated temperature.

In one embodiment the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is non- annealed or it is annealed to a very low extent. In one embodiment the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is non-annealed or it is annealed to a very low extent. This allows the films to be shrinkable. In one embodiment at least one of the films is non-annealed.

Annealing refers to a thermal treatment involving heating a material to above its critical temperature, maintaining a suitable temperature, and then cooling. This heat-setting may be used to anneal the internal stresses generated to a film during the stretching process. The annealing process decreases the modulus and stiffness of the films.

The areal shrinkage of the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film in the direction of the orientation is at least 5% at 80°C, for example at least 10%, such as in the range of 5-80% or in the range of 10-80%. In one example the areal shrinkage is in the range of 40-80%. In one example the areal shrinkage is in the range of 50-70%. The areal shrinkage may be defined for example by using standards AST D1204 or ASTM D2732, for example using liquid, such as water, as the heating medium at 80°C for at least 3 minutes, or using air as the heating medium at 80°C for at least 3 minutes. In one embodiment the tensile modulus (ASTM D882) of the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film in the direction of the orientation is 0.8-3.0 GPa after immersion in water at 80°C for at least 3 minutes.

The areal shrinkage of the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film in the direction of the orientation is at least 5% at 80°C, for example at least 10%, such as in the range of 5-80% or in the range of 10-80%. In one example the areal shrinkage is in the range of 40-80%. In one example the areal shrinkage is in the range of 50-70%. The areal shrinkage may be defined for example by using standards AST D1204 or ASTM D2732, for example using air as the heating medium at 80°C for at least 3 minutes, or using liquid, such as water, as the heating medium at 80°C for at least 3 minutes. In one embodiment the tensile modulus (ASTM D882) of the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film in the direction of the orientation is 0.8-3.0 GPa after immersion in water at 80°C for at least 3 minutes.

In one embodiment the second uniaxially oriented film is annealed. In this case it may have an areal shrinkage of less than 5%, for example less than 2% or less than 1 %.

The shrinkable uniaxially oriented film may be transparent or clear. From the optical point of view, high transparency of the labels may be preferred. Preferably the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 is transparent. Transparent (clear) labels are substantially transparent to visible light. Transparent no-label look appearance of the label is advantageous, for example, in applications where the objects beneath the label, i.e. the surface of a bottle, should be visible through the label. The haze level of a layer according to embodiments should be lower than 35%, preferably equal to or lower than 25% or lower than 10%, when tested according to the standard ASTM D1003. According to embodiments the haze of a clear upper film of a label is between 20 and 35% prior to possible printing and over-varnishing. During possible printing and/or over coating, like varnishing, the haze of the film is reduced. The haze of an over-vanished film may be lower than 10%, or lower than 8%, for example 2-6%, or 4-5%. Haze is tested according to standard ASTM D1003. Higher haze values may have positive effect on handling the film before and during printing and subsequent over-vanishing steps.

Alternatively, opaque and/or white films may be provided. In embodiment of an opaque film, the film comprises additive to provide a desired colour. An additive may comprise one or more pigments or inorganic fillers, for example titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate and/or combination of those. As an example, a black film is provided with additive carbon black. An opaque film may have an opacity of at least 70%, or at least 75%, or at least 80%. Opacity may be 70-95%, or preferably 70-80%. Alternatively, opacity may be less than 12%. In a multilayer film structure the pigment may be included in one or more of the layers.

The second adhesive layer 105 has a first side and a second side. The first side of the second adhesive layer 105 is attached to the second side of the second film 104. The second adhesive layer 105 comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), such as acrylic based adhesives or natural or synthetic rubber containing elastomers, tackifiers and/or silicone based pressure sensitive adhesives. Pressure sensitive adhesive, also known as self-stick adhesive, forms a bond when pressure is applied at room temperature. PSA labels can be adhered to most surfaces through an adhesive layer without the use of a secondary agent such as solvents or heat to strengthen the bond. Examples of pressure sensitive adhesives include emulsion and water based PSAs, solvent based PSAs and solid PSAs. In one embodiment the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises UV hot melt adhesive. In one example the second adhesive layer consist of the pressure sensitive adhesive. The second adhesive layer may have a thickness in the range of about 5-40 μιτι, for example in the range of about 8-20 μιτι. The amount of the adhesive layer may be 10-20 g/m², or preferably less than 15 g/m²; or more preferably less than 10 g/m². The second side of the second adhesive layer 105 may face a release layer 106, 108.

According to an embodiment, the adhesive force of the adhesive layer is reduced at an elevated temperature. According to at least some embodiments, the adhesive layer exhibits reduction in its adhesion force at the temperatures above 70°C, or preferably above 65°C, or more preferably above 60°C. At least in some embodiments reduction in adhesion force is such that a label attached with the adhesive layer to an article starts detaching from an article at an elevated temperature (for example in alkaline water). Peel adhesion corresponds to a force required to detach an self- adhesive label. At room temperature the peel adhesion may be up to 25 N/25 mm. At washing conditions, for example at 65 °C, 75°C or 80°C, the peel adhesion may be 2-12 or 5-10 times less, for example 1-5 cN/25 mm, or 0- 5 cN/25 mm or even less, such as 0-2.5 cN/25 mm. The peel adhesion may be expressed as a peel value at an angle of 180° (or 90°). Low speed release force is expressed as the average result for the strips tested in centiNewton per 50 mm width (FINAT Test Method 3). High speed release force is expressed as the peak or average result for the strips tested in centiNewtons (cN) per 25 mm width (FINAT Test Method 4). In some embodiment the face laminate further comprises a liner, which is releasably attached to the adhesive layer 105 comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive. The liner may be made of paper, a film or a combinations thereof. Generally such a liner is disposable. In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 2, the face laminate of Figure 1 further comprises a release layer 106 comprising a release agent attached to the adhesive layer 105 comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a liner 107. In this embodiment the liner is disposable. In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 4, the face laminate of Figure 3 further comprises a release layer 106 comprising a release agent attached to the adhesive layer 105 comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a liner

107. In this embodiment the liner is disposable. The adhesive layer 105 may be releasably attached to a release layer 106,

108. This release layer, or release coating, comprises release agent. In one example the release layer 106, 108 consist of the release agent. In one embodiment the release agent comprises silicone, such as UV-curable silicone. Silicone release coating systems may be applied and further dried and cured to achieve a cross-linked silicone release layer. For example the silicone layer may be cured by moisture-curing, heat-curing, photoinitiated curing by e.g. ultraviolet, LED, electron beam or any combination of different mechanisms. UV curable silicone may be preferred if low melting plastic film substrates are used, such as low density polyethylene or polypropylene. In one embodiment the release agent is non-silicone release agent.

The release layer comprises a release value which is expressed as a release force as centiNewtons (cN) per mm width measured at the standard test conditions of 23°C ± 2°C and 50% RH ± 5% RH. Methods for determining the release force are disclosed for example in FINAT Test Methods 3 and 4 (FINAT Technical Handbook 8th edition, 2009). According to an embodiment the release layer comprises low release silicon, or silicon of a low release value. Low release or low release value corresponds to low force required to detach the release layer from the layer next to it. In other words relatively low force is required to detach the release layer from the layer next to it. According to another embodiments the release layer comprises high release silicon, or silicon of a high release value. High release or high release value corresponds to a high force required to detach the release layer form the layer next to it. In other words relatively high force is required to detach the release layer from the adhesive layer. The release force may be dependent on many factors, for example neighbouring surfaces or materials, humidity, temperature and alike. Release level is measured, for example, at 2 inches (51 mm) width, 300 inches (762 mm) per minute at 180 degree peel. The release level may be for example in the range of 4-15 g/50 mm for low- speed release product, or in the range of 10-30 g/ mm for high-speed release product.

Conventional silicone release coating systems consists of a reactive silicone compound, a cross-linker, a catalyst, and optionally an inhibitor. The silicone coating compositions may be solvent-based, emulsion-based or solventless (100% solid composition). Silicone content may be less than 2 g/m², less than 1 .5 g/m² or less than 1 g/m² (dry grammage). The amount of silicone may be at least 0.01 , 0.02 or 0.1 g/m². The amount of silicone may be between 0.4 and 1 .5 g/m² or between 0.6 and 1 g/m^2, for example 1 g/m². The facestock, facestock layer(s) i.e. adhesive and/or print receiving layer(s) may be surface treated by known methods in the art, such as flame treatment, corona treatment, plasma treatment, in order to enhance for example adhesion of the adhesive and/or printing inks. The shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises at least one oriented thermoplastic polymer, such as polymers selected from polyolefins, polyesters, cyclic olefin polymers or copolymers or the like. The shrinkable uniaxially oriented film may also comprise or further comprise at least one polymer based on or derived from an oriented thermoplastic polymer. The content of said thermoplastic polymer or the polymer derived from said thermoplastic polymer in the film may be for example in the range of about 10-100% (w/w). If the film consists of said polymer or substantially consists of said polymer, the content of the polymer in the film may be in the range of about 95-100% (w/w), more particularly about 98-100% (w/w), or even about 99-100% (w/w). If the film contains several polymers, the content of a single type of polymer in the film may be in the range of about 20-80% (w/w), or about 30-70% (w/w), or about 40-60% (w/w) or about 50% (w/w).

In one embodiment the first film comprises polyester, for example at least 80% of polyester, or at least 90% of polyester. In many cases the PET films contain 100% of PET. In one embodiment the second layer comprises polyolefin, for example at least 70% of polyolefin, or at least 80% of polyolefin. In a case of polyolefin/polystyrene coextrusion the content of polyolefin may be in the range of 40-70%. In one embodiment the second film comprises polyester, for example at least 80% of polyester, or at least 90% of polyester. In many cases the PET films contain 100% of PET. In one embodiment the second layer comprises polyolefin, for example at least 70% of polyolefin, or at least 80% of polyolefin. In a case of polyolefin/polystyrene coextrusion the content of polyolefin may be in the range of 40-70%.

In one embodiment said shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises thermoplastic polyolefin, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from thermoplastic polyolefin. Examples of thermoplastic polyolefins include polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylpentene, polybutene-1 .

In one embodiment said shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polyethylene. In one embodiment the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 comprises polyethylene, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polyethylene. In one embodiment the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104 comprises polyethylene, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polyethylene. Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer which may be classified into several different categories based on density and branching. Examples of such categories include ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), ultra-low-molecular-weight polyethylene (ULMWPE or PE-WAX), high-molecular-weight polyethylene (HMWPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), high-density cross-linked polyethylene (HDXLPE), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX or XLPE), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), very-low-density polyethylene (VLDPE) and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE). The melting point and glass transition temperature may vary depending on the type of polyethylene. For medium- and high-density polyethylene the melting point is typically in the range of 120-180°C, and for average low-density polyethylene in the range of 105-1 15°C. The glass transition temperature of LDPE is about -125°C.

In one embodiment said shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene mixed with one or more polypropylene. In one embodiment said shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene mixed with one or more cyclic olefin (co)polymer. In one embodiment said shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises two or more types of polyethylene.

In one embodiment said shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polypropylene. In one embodiment the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 comprises polypropylene, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polypropylene. In one embodiment the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104 comprises polypropylene, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polypropylene. Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature of about -20°C (atactic polypropylene) or about 0°C (isotactic polypropylene).

Examples of suitable polypropylenes or polymers derived from polypropylene include PP-homopolymers, random PP copolymers , PP block copolymers, PP terpolymers, PP elastomers and PP plastomers. In one embodiment said shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises two or more types of polypropylene.

In one embodiment said shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polyester. In one embodiment the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 comprises polyester, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polyester. In one embodiment the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104 comprises polyester or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polyester. Polyesters are polymers which contain an ester functional group in their main chain. Examples of polyesters include for example homopolymers, such as polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB); aliphatic copolymers, such as polyethylene adipate (PEA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS); semi-aromatic copolymers, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene terephthalate glycol modified (PETG), polybutylene terephthalate and polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT); or aromatic copolymers such as Vectran. In one embodiment said monoaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polyethylene terephthalate. Polyethylene terephthalate tends to shrink at washing temperature. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic polymer resin, which can be used in container for beverage, food and other liquids as a recyclable material. Polyethylene terephthalate glycol modified (PETG) refers to PET wherein cyclohexane dimethanol has been added to the polymer backbone in place of ethylene glycol. PETG is clear amorphous thermoplastic which can be used in several molding applications. PET has a glass transition temperature of about 70°C.

In one embodiment the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polyethylene terephthalate. In one embodiment the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104 comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polyethylene terephthalate. In one embodiment said polyethylene terephthalate is polyethylene terephthalate glycol modified (PETG), which can be injection molded or sheet extruded. PET can also be modified with isophthalic acid which replaces some of the 1 ,4-(para)-linked terephthalate units. This creates an angle in the PET chain, interfering with crystallization and lowering the polymer's melting point.

In one embodiment said shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyvinyl chloride, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polyvinyl chloride. In one embodiment the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 comprises polyvinyl chloride, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polyvinyl chloride. In one embodiment the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104 comprises polyvinyl chloride, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polyvinyl chloride.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a polymer produced by polymerization of the monomer vinyl chloride. The product of the polymerization process is unmodified PVC. Before PVC can be made into finished products, it always requires conversion into a compound by the incorporation of additives such as heat stabilizers, UV stabilizers, lubricants, plasticizers, processing aids, impact modifiers, thermal modifiers, fillers, flame retardants, biocides, blowing agents and smoke suppressors, and, optionally pigments (Wikipedia). PVC has a glass transition temperature of about 80°C.

In one embodiment said monoaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polylactic acid. Polylactic acid may also be called polylactide. In one embodiment the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 comprises polylactic acid, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polylactic acid. In one embodiment the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104 comprises polylactic acid, or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polylactic acid.

Polylactide (PLA) has benefits due to its eco-friendly nature like development from renewable materials and biodegradability. Polylactide is a biodegradable, thermoplastic, aliphatic polyester derived from lactic acid obtained from renewable or non-renewable resources, e.g. corn-starch based lactic acid. Polylactide has initially partially crystalline structure containing both crystalline and amorphous regions. Polylactide may also be totally amorphous. It can be processed in similar manner than many thermoplastics into fibres, films or other products manufactured by conventional melt processing techniques. Due to the chiral nature of lactic acid and different cyclic diesters, lactide stereoisomers, several distinct forms of polylactide exists such as homopolymer of L- lactide PLLA and stereocopolymers of L- lactide and D-lactide P(L/D)LA or L-lactide and DL-lactide P(L/DL)LA. Polylactide has a glass transition temperature of about 60-65°C.

In one embodiment the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polycaprolactone (PCL), or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polycaprolactone. In one embodiment the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polycaprolactone (PCL), or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polycaprolactone.

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polyester with a melting point of about 60°C and a glass transition temperature of about -60°C. Polycaprolactone is prepared by ring opening polymerization of ε- caprolactone using a catalyst such as stannous octoate.

In one embodiment said shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene (PS), or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polystyrene. In one embodiment the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene (PS), or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polystyrene. In one embodiment the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene (PS), or it comprises at least one polymer derived from polystyrene.

Polystyrene (PS) is a synthetic aromatic polymer made from the monomer styrene. Polystyrene is a thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature of about 100°C. It is in a solid state at room temperature but flows if heated above the glass transition temperature. It becomes rigid again when cooled. This temperature behavior is exploited for extrusion, and also for molding and vacuum forming, since it can be cast into molds with fine detail. Oriented polystyrene (OPS) is produced by stretching extruded PS film, improving visibility through the material by reducing haziness and increasing stiffness Suitable examples of polymer derived from polystyrene include styrene block-copolymers, such as SBS, SIS, SEBS, SEPS, SIBS, SEP, SEEPS and the like. One example discloses a coextrusion of GPPS/SBC copolymer layers with olefin elastomers or plastomers. The resultant film will have a density less than 1 .0 g/cm³.

In one embodiment the shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene in admixture with a general purpose polystyrene (GPPS). In one embodiment the shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene in admixture with a styrene block-copolymer.

In one embodiment said shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin polymer (COP) or cyclic olefin copolymer (COC). In one embodiment the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer. In one embodiment the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104 comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer. (Co)polymer refers to polymers based on one type of monomers and to polymers based on more than one type of monomer. Cyclic olefin copolymers are amorphous polymers based on different types of cyclic monomers. Cyclic olefin polymers and copolymers are produced by chain (co)polymerization of cyclic monomers. Such polymeric materials using a single type of monomer are named cyclic olefin polymers (COP). Cyclic olefin polymers may be extruded with cast or blown film equipment. Cyclic olefin polymers may also be used as modifiers in monolayer or multilayer films to provide properties not delivered by base resins, such as polyethylene. Examples of advantageous COC properties include thermoformability, shrink, deadfold, easy tear, enhanced stiffness, heat resistance and higher moisture barrier. The optical properties, such as transparency, low birefringence, high Abbe number and high heat resistance, of cyclic olefin polymers are advantageous and in many ways similar to glass. Cyclic olefin polymers in general have a wide range of glass transition temperatures in a range of about 80-180°C Examples of cyclic olefins include cyclobutenes, cyclopentenes, norbornenes, vinylcyclohexane and dicyclopentadiene.

Face laminates with different densities may be used for different purposes. If the shrinkable uniaxially oriented films comprise polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate glycol modified, polylactic acid or polystyrene, the density of the final face laminate construction is generally greater than 1 .0 g/cm³, for example in the range of 1 .05-1 .5 g/cm³. Polystyrene has a density of about 1 .05 g/cm³, polylactic acid has a density of about 1 .25 g/cm³, and PVC has a density in the range of about 1 .30-1 .40 g/cm³. This is close to the density of generally used PET container so such film should preferably not be used as a washable label for PET containers because it cannot be easily separated from the polyester of the bottles during the washing process. In one embodiment the printed face laminate has a total average density of less than 1 .0 g/cm³. In one embodiment the printed face laminate has a total average density in the range 0.5-0.99 g/cm³. In one embodiment relating especially to clear films the printed face laminate has a total average density in the range 0.9-0.98 g/cm³. Such face laminates are suitable for example for labelling recyclable polyester items, such as PET containers.

In one embodiment the printed face laminate has a total average density of at least 1 .0 g/cm³. In one embodiment the printed face laminate has a total average density in the range 1 .05-1 .5 g/cm³. Such face laminates are suitable for example for labelling glass bottles.

In one embodiment, for PET containers preferably a shrinkable polyolefin film is used as said first and the second film. In this case the face laminate construction should have density less than 1 .0 g/cm³. This will cause the label to float in the washing process and the PET of the bottle to sink, thus allowing for efficient recovery and recycling of the PET flakes.

Certain films, such as ones based on PVC, PLA, PET or PETG may be used on glass containers, such as bottles, where the label is designed to sink. Alternatively one layer may be as above and another layer may be a mixture of polyolefins, COC, or a layer of PS and styrene-block copolymers . If the labels are designed to float the layers may contain polyolefin, a mixture of polystyrene and SBC, or possibly even voided-PET films or these coextruded to PS layers. Such floating labels may be used for example for labelling PET bottles, but they may also be used for labelling glass bottles.

In one example at least one of label layers, or one of multilayer structure layers, may further comprise minor components, such as inorganic fillers, pigments, other organic or inorganic additives in order to provide desired properties, such as appearance (opaque or coloured films), durability and processing characteristics. Examples of useful minor components include calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, antioxidant compounds, optical brighteners, antistatic aids and processing aids. In one embodiment the first adhesive layer 103 comprises laminating adhesive, such as adhesive selected from UV curable adhesive and polyurethane adhesive, such as PUR adhesive, solvent-based polyurethane, solventless polyurethane or moisture-curing polyurethane. The first adhesive layer 103 may have a thickness in the range of about 5-40 μιτι, for example in the range of about 8-20 μιτι.

One embodiment provides a labelled item having said face laminate attached to a surface of said item. The second side of the pressure sensitive adhesive is adhesively joined to the outer surface of the item. The face laminate is removable from the item in a washing conditions.

The item may be any suitable container, such as a bottle or the like. Examples of such bottles and containers include beverage bottles, bottles containing hygienic or cosmetic products, bottles containing chemicals and the like. The material of the container may be marked as recyclable. In one example the bottle is a recyclable bottle. In one embodiment the container is made of glass. In one embodiment the container is made of plastics.

It may be advantageous that the label is stiff. For example, the first and/or the second films of a label comprise stiff material. Stiff or substantially stiff material refers to stiffness of material, or a rigid material, enabling manufacturing and processing of the label at certain speed with the required exactness. Especially printing is enabled. In order to sustain handling, transportation and labelling, a label or at least some of its layers are desired to have certain stiffness in the machine direction (MD) and in the cross direction (CD). Since the label changes its shape during wash off, stiffness is required for both first and the second films according to embodiments. The label advantageously has stiff construction and high modulus. The laminating adhesive layer 105 between the laminate label layers may provide stiffness to the construction. The laminating adhesive 105 may be rigid and hard. While providing rigidity to the structure, the laminating adhesive 105 flexibly passes tension forces induced at the wash conditions from a label layer to another.

Tensile modulus may be used to describe the stiffness of the material. It may be defined according to the standard ASTM D882. In polymers and products comprising polymers, such as label laminates or layers of such, the tensile modulus may be directional, where the tensile modulus in a first direction may differ from the tensile modulus in a second direction. The tensile modulus may be referred to as the ratio of stress to elastic strain in tension. A high tensile modulus corresponds with rigid material. In other words more stress is required to produce a given amount of strain. In one embodiment the tensile modulus is measured in cross direction. In one embodiment the tensile modulus is measured in machine direction. For example, the MD or CD tensile modulus may be in the range of 0.8-8.0 GPa, depending on the material . For example for PET the tensile modulus may be in the range of 7.0-8.0 GPa. The tensile modulus may differ according to orientation ratio in machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD). This depends also on the materials used. If both films contain the same material, the tensile modulus in MD is usually greater than in CD.

In one embodiment the face laminate has a stiffness of at least 1 mlM/m (measured using Lorentzen & Wettre (L&W) method), preferably at least 3 mlM/m. The surface suitable for printing should have a sufficiently high surface tension. A low surface tension may lead to poor retaining capability of printing ink applied to the surface. For example, the plastic film may have a surface tension at least 36 dynes/cm, preferably at least 38 dynes/cm or at least 44 dynes/cm measured according to the standard ASTM D-2578. The surface tension may be between 36 and 60 dynes/cm, preferably between 38 and 56 dynes/cm or between 44 and 50 dynes/cm. The surface tension level may also be maintained higher than or equal to 38 dynes/cm after 50 or 120 days.

The graphical patterns may be manufactured by conventional printing methods, such as gravure, flexographic letterpress, off-set, screen, electrophotography, digital, thermal transfer, or ink jet printing processes. In order to provide high printing speeds, thin and controllable ink thickness or good colour coverage, flexographic printing is preferred. It is typical for wash- off beverage labels, in particular for beer bottles, to also use gravure inks. Flexographic inks may be solvent-based, water-based, or radiation curable. For example, UV curable inks may be used for flexographic printing as well as in ink-jet printers. The flexographic printing may be used in the packaging industry for the printing of flexible packages, such as plastic wrappings, corrugated board as well as adhesive label laminates. Optionally, other inks may be used, for example inks suitable for gravure, offset, electrophotography, digital, letterpress printing, screen printing, thermal transfer printing, or ink jet printing. Dynamic viscosity of inks for gravure printing may be, for example, 0.05 to 0.2 Pascal seconds and 0.05 to 0.5 Pascal seconds for flexographic printing inks. Flexographic printing is a mechanical letterpress method which is characterized by a soft and flexible printing plate. At the printing stage, the material to be printed is conveyed between the flexible printing plate and a hard backing roll, wherein printing ink is transferred by pressing to a desired location in the material to be printed. In multicolour printing, the ink layer needs to be dried (cured) after every printing unit. For example, UV curable inks may be used. UV curable printing inks are printing inks whose curing is not based on the evaporation of a solvent substance as in conventional printing inks but on a polymerization reaction by means of UV radiation and oxygen. According to their name, UV printing inks are cured by ultraviolet radiation whose wavelength is typically 180 to 380 nm. Advantages of using UV curable printing inks include the lack of a solvent, which makes it possible to reduce effluents compared with solvent-based printing inks. Also, the curing rate, formability, good resistance to chemicals and scratching, and colour saturation are examples of the advantages of the ink. With UV printing inks, the thickness of the printing ink layer is typically 0.8 to 2.5 μιτι, while it is about 0.8 to 1 μιτι for solvent-based inks. Because no mass is evaporated from UV inks after printing, it is easier to adjust the layer thickness. Because no evaporation takes place, the inks are not spread, wherein the print quality is better. Compared with conventional printing inks, radiation curable printing inks also have the advantage of a very high curing rate. The printing surfaces of UV inks are strong and glossy, which makes them a very good alternative for the printing of products susceptible to wear, such as labels.

The main components of the printing inks in mechanical printing are pigment, binder and solvent. In UV printing inks, the binder used consists of oligomers, which are often epoxy, polyester, urethane or acrylate based. Even if there are no actual solvents, functional monomers can be regarded as such in UV printing inks. The most important additive is the photoinitiator which enables the polymerization reaction. UV ink may comprise, for example, between 50 and 70% of a binder, between 10 and 30% of functional monomers, between 20 and 25% of pigment, and between 5 and 10% of additives, such as photoinitiators. Photoinitiators are compounds which contain reactive groups and react to high-energy radiation by starting the polymerization reaction. The energy of UV radiation as such is not sufficient for starting the polymerization reaction, so that the photoinitiators are a very important component in UV printing inks. The most typical photoinitiators which form free radicals contain benzophenols, acetophenols, tertiary or acrylic amines, or their derivatives. For example, 2-isopropylthioxanthone (ITX) may be used as a photoinitiator. By the energy of UV radiation, the photoinitiators of the printing ink react by producing free radicals. As a result of the reaction, the monomers and oligomers in the printing ink are combined and cross-linked to each other, forming polymer chains and simultaneously curing the printing ink to a solid film. This reaction is very fast, because it takes no longer than a few seconds, normally in some hundredth parts of seconds. The photoinitiator may start the curing reaction either by breaking into free radicals, or ions. Solvent based inks may comprise, for example, toluene, alcohols, ketones, esters or glycols as a solvent. Water based inks may comprise water and alkali, alcohols and glycols as a solvent. The content of solvent may be e.g. 40 to 70%. In addition, said inks may comprise 10 to 30% of a binder, for example hydrocarbon resins and derivatives, polyamide, nitrocellulose, acrylic or styrene based polymers. The content of organic or inorganic pigments may be 5 to 40%. Further, a minor content of additives and/or may be included. In one embodiment of preparing the face laminate the laminate is delaminated, rearranged and relaminated to form the face laminate. An laminating adhesive is applied to the construct as a first adhesive layer 103 during the process before relaminating. The laminating adhesive may be applied using any suitable method, such as a curtain coating or a reverse gravure method or any other roller-coating method. If the laminating adhesive is applied onto a printable surface, the surface must be already printed before applying the laminating adhesive. In one embodiment the first adhesive layer is applied before delaminating or separating the laminate. In one embodiment the first adhesive layer is applied after delaminating or separating the laminate. The first adhesive layer 103 may comprise for example UV curable adhesive, such as UV-curable acrylic adhesive, laminating adhesive, polyurethane adhesive, such as solvent-based polyurethane, solventless polyurethane or moisture-curing polyurethane. In one embodiment the first adhesive layer 103 contains no activatable adhesive, such as heat-activated adhesive. However, the adhesive may be cured by heat or radiation. The first adhesive layer 103 may have a thickness in the range of about 1-20 μιτι, for example in the range of about 2-10 μιτι, such as 2-5 μιτι. The first adhesive layer should tolerate the washing conditions to avoid contaminating or disrupting the washing process.

In one embodiment a first adhesive layer 103 is applied onto the second film 104. In that case the second side of the second film 104 faces the second adhesive layer 105. In one embodiment the second film is printed before applying the adhesive. In that case the print layer 102 on the second side of the second film 104 faces the second adhesive layer 105. In one embodiment a first adhesive layer 103 is applied onto the first film 101 . In that case the first side of the first film 101 faces the first adhesive layer 103. In one embodiment the first film 101 is printed before applying the adhesive. In that case the print layer 102 on the first side of the first film 101 faces the first adhesive layer 103.

In one specific embodiment the first adhesive layer 103 is applied onto the second film 104 before delaminating or separating the laminate. In one specific embodiment the first adhesive layer 103 is applied onto the first film 101 before delaminating or separating the laminate.

Next the method for preparing the face laminate comprises separating the first film 101 , and the second adhesive layer 105 comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive, from the release layer and the second film 104 comprising. The first film 101 and the second adhesive layer 102 comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive form a first integral unit 1 1 1 . The release layer 108 and the second film 104 form a second integral unit 1 12. These integral units are transferable and detachable from each other. Said integral units may also be called integral layer units.

In one specific embodiment the first adhesive layer 103 is applied onto the second film 104 after delaminating or separating the laminate. In one specific embodiment the first adhesive layer 103 is applied onto the first film 101 after delaminating or separating the laminate.

The first integral unit 1 1 1 overlies the second integral unit 1 12 in the laminate structure 1 10. The release layer 108 enables the smooth separation of the first integral unit 1 1 1 and the second integral unit 1 12 from each other. Said separating may also be called delaminating. Figure 8a illustrates a cross- sectional view the structure of a printed laminate wherein the first integral unit 1 1 1 and the second integral unit 1 12 are separated and wherein a first adhesive layer 103 has been applied onto the printed second side of the first film 101 having a print layer 102. Figure 9a illustrates a cross-sectional view the structure of a printed laminate wherein the first integral unit 1 1 1 and the second integral unit 1 12 are separated and wherein a first adhesive layer 103 has been applied onto the printed first side of the second film layer 104 having a print layer 102.

Next the layers are rearranged by applying the release layer 108 and the first film 101 on top of the second film 104, and the second adhesive layer 105 comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive, to form the printed face laminate. This step may also be called laminating. The first adhesive layer 103 applied previously will adhere the layers together i.e. the integral units are adhesively joined usually by applying pressure, for example by using rolls. The face laminate obtained will have a different order of the original layers from the laminate, but the same direction of the layers, i.e. neither of the integral units are turned upside down.

In an embodiment this separation and rearrangement (delamination and lamination) is carried out with an apparatus for preparing a face laminate, said apparatus comprising means, such as a roll, arranged to unwind the wound laminate web comprising the multi-layered laminate as described herein; delaminating or separating means or unit arranged to delaminate the first integral unit 1 1 1 from the second integral unit 1 12; laminating means comprising means for applying a first adhesive 103 to laminate the first integral unit 1 1 1 and the second integral unit 1 12 together and means or unit for rearranging the second integral unit 1 12 on top of the first integral unit 1 1 1 , with the release layer comprising a release agent 108 on top of the face laminate, to prepare the face laminate 100. The apparatus may be arranged to carry out any of the methods described herein. The laminating means generally contain the means for applying the first adhesive layer and means for rearranging the layers. The laminating means herein may also be called relaminating means. In one embodiment the means for applying the first adhesive layer 103 are arranged to apply the first adhesive layer 103 onto the second film 104 before the means for rearranging. In one embodiment the means for applying the first adhesive layer 103 are arranged to apply the first adhesive layer 103 onto the first film 101 before the means for rearranging. The apparatus may contain die-cutting means to cut predefined shapes for the laminate or the face laminate. In one embodiment the method for preparing the face laminate comprises die-cutting the laminate or face laminate construction through all the layers to form a predefined shape for the laminate or the face laminate. In one embodiment the method for preparing the face laminate comprises defining an uncut bridge between individual shapes to form a laminate or face laminate web having plurality of individual shapes attached to each other. The die-cutting generally refers to a method of using a die to shear the web of the laminate, i.e. mechanical or contacting die-cutting. In one example a dinking die is used in a dinking process. It is also possible to cut through only a one or more layers of a laminate in a process called kiss cutting. However, in the present embodiments the cutting is generally done through all the layers. Die cutting may be done for example as flatbed or rotary die cutting. The rotary die cutting is faster and may be preferred when making labels. In one specific embodiment the die-cutting is carried out by laser die-cutting method using a laser die-cutting device, which is a contactless die-cutting method.

In one embodiment the separating, rearranging and laminating (delamination and lamination) are carried out before the die-cutting. In such case it is the printed face laminate web which is die-cut to provide pre-cut printed face laminate web.

In one embodiment the separating, rearranging and laminating (delamination and lamination) are carried out after the die-cutting. In such case it is the laminate web which is die-cut to provide pre-cut laminate web. Said laminate may be printed or unprinted. This embodiment is especially useful when the laminate web contains only one line of predefined label shapes. The predefined shape refers to a general shape of the label to be produced. The shape may be round or angular or having both angular and arched shapes, such as a round, elliptical, square, tetrahedron or the like. Examples of such shapes include labels for bottles and cans. A laminate or face laminate web may to contain one or more than one parallel lines of said predefined shapes, such as two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten or more lines. In many cases the uncut bridge is cut as a straight line. In one example the uncut bridge is cut as a curved line which produces shapes having inwards curved part on one side and a matching outwards curved part on the other side of the final label. Instead of a simple curved line the cut line may also be more complex having more than one cutting line, such as more than one curved lines, more than one straight lines, or a combination of one or more curved lines and one or more straight lines. Also these types of cutting produce matching cutting lines on the opposite sides of the final label.

In an embodiment the apparatus comprises a printer unit or means for printing arranged to print on the first film of the first integral unit 1 1 1 before any die-cutting means, to form a printed face laminate 100. In an embodiment the apparatus comprises a printer unit or means for printing arranged to print on the first film of the first integral unit 1 1 1 after any die- cutting means, to form a printed face laminate 100. In an embodiment the apparatus comprises a printer unit or means for printing arranged to print on the second film of the second integral unit 1 12 before any die-cutting means, to form a printed face laminate 100. In an embodiment the apparatus comprises a printer unit or means for printing arranged to print on the second film of the second integral unit 1 12 after any die-cutting means, to form a printed face laminate 100.

Figure 1 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for preparing the face laminate. In one embodiment the face laminate is a linerless face laminate. As illustrated in Figure 8b in one embodiment the face laminate 100 comprises the following layers in the following order: a release layer 108 comprising a release agent, a first film 101 , a print layer 102, a first adhesive layer 103, a second film 104, and a second adhesive layer 105 comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive. In one embodiment the face laminate consists of said layers.

As illustrated in Figure 9b in one embodiment the face laminate 100 comprises the following layers in the following order: a release layer 108 comprising a release agent, a first film 101 , a first adhesive layer 103, a print layer 102, a second film 104, and a second adhesive layer 105 comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive. In one embodiment the label consists of said layers.

The printed surface is now protected by the first film 101 , which generally is transparent to allow the visibility of the print layer 102. On top of the first film there may also be a protecting release coating layer 108, which may be for example silicone layer. This glide layer may also help the handling of the label in the equipment. The topmost layer(s) of the label may protect the print and/or has effect on appearance of the label and/or has effect on label's durability on external influences, such as wear, humidity, sunlight, UV- radiation, cold or the like.

The pressure sensitive adhesive is now at the bottom of the label. The release layer wound next to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer in a roll enables the label web to be releasably wound on itself. The second side of the pressure sensitive adhesive will be adhesively joined to the outer surface of the item, which may be any suitable container, such as a bottle or the like. Examples of such bottles and containers include beverage bottles, bottles containing hygienic or cosmetic products, bottles containing chemicals and the like. The material of the container may be marked as recyclable. In one example the bottle is a recyclable bottle. In one embodiment the container is made of glass. In one embodiment the container is made of plastics.

Conventionally, an additional layer may be provided on top of the printing layer 102 of the laminate. The additional layer is typically a transparent protective layer, such as a lacquer or a laminated film layer. Also other kind of layers are suitable and may be used alternatively or additionally. The topmost layer of the label may protect the print 102 and/or has effect on appearance of the laminate and/or has effect on laminate's durability on external influences, like wear, humidity, sunlight, UV-radiation, cold and so on. Attaching an additional layer on top of a printed surface of a laminate web requires an extra coating or laminating step after printing. It is typical that a labelstock provider or manufacturer transmits a laminate or label web to a printing press of a printer or converter, where printing is applied on a surface of the web. The printed laminate or label web is then wound into a roll for transferring. The roll of printed web is transmitted to a printer, where an additional layer is laminated on top of the printed layer. In addition to the extra process step of over-coating, the laminate or label stock is transferred back and forth, wound (or rolled) for transferring, and handled and/or treated in separate locations by different providers. Additional layer is needed, as well as an equipment for laminating or attaching it. This is time consuming and induces costs.

At least some/all embodiments of the present invention have effect of avoiding need of a separate step of providing a layer on top of a print layer. According to embodiments any extra over-coating at separate premises is not required. The multi-layered laminate already contains the second film layer, which acts both as the liner and as the over-coating layer.

In an example the delaminated second integral unit may be transferred through series of rollers and guided so that it is attachable onto the print layer 102, or on the printed surface 102 of the first film layer 101 , or the face stock. The integral units are not turned but only the order of the first and the second integral unit is switched. The face laminate 100 as illustrated in Figure 8b or 9b may be self-wound to a roll. A face laminate web is wound (rolled) in order to be storable and/or transferrable. The linerless printed face laminate web may be transferred to a site, where the face laminate web is stored and/or separate face laminates are formed and/or face laminates are attached on articles. When wound to a roll, the release layer 108 is arranged to act as a release layer for the adhesive layer 105. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 105 and the release layer 103 are next to each other, when the linerless face laminate web according to Figure 8b or 9b is wound on itself. Embodiments have effect of providing a linerless, self-adhesive face laminate web, which is woundable onto itself.

PVC, PLA, PET or PETG may be used on glass bottles where the label is designed to sink. Alternatively one layer may be as above and another layer may be a mixtures of polyolefins and COC, or a layer of PS and styrene- block copolymers. If the labels is designed to float the layers would need polyolefin, polystyrene/SBC mixtures or voided-PET films or these coextruded to polystyrene layers. Such floating labels could be used for example for labelling PET bottles, but they could also be used for labelling glass bottles.

One example of the labelled item is a labelled PET item comprising a printed face laminate 100 attached to a surface of the item, the face laminate comprising the following layers in the following order:

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 ,

-a print layer 102

-a first adhesive layer 103,

-a second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104 which is oriented in perpendicular direction to the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 , and -a second adhesive layer 105 comprising pressure sensitive adhesive.

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 ,

-a first adhesive layer 103,

-a print layer 102

One example of the labelled item is a labelled glass item comprising a printed face laminate 100 attached to a surface of the item, the face laminate comprising the following layers in the following order:

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 ,

-a print layer 102

-a first adhesive layer 103,

-a second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 104 which is oriented in perpendicular direction to the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 , and

-a second adhesive layer 105 comprising pressure sensitive adhesive.

One example of the labelled item is a labelled glass item comprising a printed face laminate 100 attached to a surface of the item, the face laminate comprising the following layers in the following order: -a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 ,

-a first adhesive layer 103,

-a print layer 102

One example of the labelled item is a labelled polyolefin item comprising a printed face laminate 100 attached to a surface of the item, the face laminate comprising the following layers in the following order:

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 ,

-a print layer 102

-a first adhesive layer 103,

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film 101 ,

-a first adhesive layer 103,

-a print layer 102

Different combinations of polymers or derivatives thereof disclosed herein may be applied to the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film and to the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film. The following examples include the polymers as such and the derivatives thereof. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer.

In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer.

In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer.

In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer.

In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer.

In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid. In one example the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer. Table 1 shows examples of suitable polymers that can be used in the face laminates. The stretch ratios may be applied in both MD or CD directions. The maximum shrinkages were measured at 80°C.

Table 1.

The thicknesses may be 10-90 μιτι total thickness, more likely 20-60 μιτι. The thickness of the individual layers, that does not have to be identical in thickness, may be in the range of 10-30 μιτι.

Polymers which were found preferable to be used in the face laminates include PETG, oriented polystyrene, polystyrene/polyolefin blend, polyolefin containing COC, and polypropylene. The maximum shrinkages were found to be even 80% and generally being in the range of 50-80%.

In one embodiment the printed face laminate comprises multiple layers in the following order:

-a release layer comprising a release agent,

-a film layer comprising a polyolefin film,

-a first adhesive layer,

-a film layer comprising a polyolefin film, and -a second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive. Such a face laminate is suitable for example for PET bottles, especially if the total average density of the face laminate is less than 1 .0 g/cm³ In one embodiment the printed face laminate comprises multiple layers in the following order:

-a release layer comprising a release agent,

-a film layer comprising a polyolefin film,

-a first adhesive layer,

-a film layer comprising a polyester film, and

-a second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive.

-a release layer comprising a release agent,

-a film layer comprising a polyester film,

-a first adhesive layer,

-a film layer comprising a polyester film, and

-a second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive. Such a face laminate is suitable for example for glass bottles, especially if the total average density of the face laminate is at least 1 .0 g/cm³.

In these embodiments the first film layer may comprise non-annealed film, the second film layer may comprise non-annealed film or both the first and the second film layers comprise non-annealed films. Said non-annealed films may be shrinkable. The orientation may be any combination described herein, for example wherein the first film layer comprises a non-annealed cross direction oriented film and the second film layer comprises a non- annealed machine direction oriented film, or wherein the first film layer comprises a non-annealed machine direction oriented film and the second film layer comprises a non-annealed cross direction oriented film.

The first film may have a thickness in the range of about 10-60 μιτι, for example in the range of about 10-40 μιτι, or 10-30 μιτι. The second film may have a thickness in the range of about 10-60 μιτι, for example in the range of about 10-40 μιτι, or 10-30 μιτι. The thickness of the face laminate having the first film, the first adhesive layer and the second film together may be in the range of 20-100 μιτι, for example in the range of 25-80 μιτι, for example 30- 50 μιτι, or even 30-60 μιτι. The haze of the face laminate may be less than 10%, preferably less than 5% with clear or transparent adhesives. Preferably the polyester is PET or PETG. Preferably the polyolefin is polyethylene or polypropylene, or a mixture thereof or another polyolefin.

Labels of the embodiments are suitable to be washed off in the standard washing conditions of recyclable containers, such as glass containers, at temperatures in the range of 60-90°C, or 65-85°C, or preferably at temperatures above 77°C in aqueous solution. For polyester or plastic containers the washing temperature may be 65-75°C, or even higher such as about 80°C. Washing liquid usually comprises caustic soda, for example sodium hydroxide. The washing liquid may be 2-4%, preferably 2% alkaline water. The wash-off is accomplished in few minutes, such as 1-3 minutes, or less than 3 minutes, or preferably less than 2 minutes. At a washing conditions a label is exposed to a washing liquid of certain temperature. In one example the labelled bottles go into a pre-wash chamber at 50°C for about one minute before they go into the washing chamber at 80°C.

Plastic containers are washed at lower temperatures compared to glass containers, for example. Wash temperature of plastic bottles is 65-75°C. A plastic container typically exhibits heat shrinkage during wash. Plastic containers are usually crushed during the wash. The plastic container and the label on it may be crushed into small pieces, for example in the order of 1 x1 cm. In this case a label may be removed from some of the pieces of the container with aid of reduced adhesive force and shrinkage of the container due to washing conditions. Expansion of a label layer next to the container may enhance this removal. Pieces of labels are attached to some pieces of containers. Smaller area of attachment between article and label may require less time and/or smaller force in order to be detached from a piece of article. Securing maintaining ink and adhesive between label layers is important factor in this application. Even if label gets broke during the wash, the washing liquid shall not be contaminated. Labels or parts of labels are not dissolved in water. A label remains its laminated construction even when split in pieces. The washed plastic parts of the container are recycled, and shall not contain residues.

Next some embodiments will be explained with reference to an exemplary process and the machinery useful therein.

Figure 1 1 illustrates a device arrangement comprising devices needed to carry out the methods of some embodiments. An apparatus for carrying out the invention may contain one or more of the devices or means. A roll 801 of laminate (stock), for example according to the Figure 5, is provided. The laminate may be already die-cut (not shown in Figure 1 1 ) or it may be die-cut after printing to form predefined shapes for the labels. Web of laminate 802 is unwound form the roll 801 and proceeded to a printer unit 803. Herein the topmost layer of the laminate web is a printable layer. Before printing, the print layer may be surface treated. For example the print layer may be corona treated before actual printing. Corona treatment equipment, or other suitable surface treatment equipment may be situated before the printer unit 803. The printer unit 803 may be for example a matrix, laser or thermal transfer printing unit. Printing methods may comprise flexographic, gravure, screen printing, offset, letterpress, or any other suitable printing methods compatible with the currently used laminate 802. Print is applied on the printable surface of a laminate web 802 at the printer unit 803. Printing is accomplished using a printer unit 803, such as a printing press. After the laminate web has been printed, the second integral unit including the second adhesive layer 805 is delaminated from the first integral unit including a face stock 806. The first integral unit including the face stock runs along the original machine direction as a separate integral unit. The delaminating may be carried out in a delaminating unit.

The delaminated second integral unit 805 is guided away from the face stock web 806, for example upwards or downwards from the face stock web 806. In one embodiment the second integral unit 805 is arranged, for example by using suitable side rolls, to be guided to the other side of the first integral unit including a face stock 806 and laminated in such way that a face laminate structure 100 as shown in Figure 8b or 9b is obtained. The laminating may be carried out by using laminating means or unit, wherein pressure may be applied to attach the two integral units together. The means for applying the pressure may comprise for example rollers or the like. If the printed laminate web was already die-cut, the individual shapes of the first and the second integral units are arranged to match accurately (not shown in Figure 1 1 ). In this embodiment none of the integral units are inversed, i.e. turned around. This stage may be carried out in a laminating unit.

In one embodiment the relaminated label laminate is then die-cut to obtain plurality of predefined shapes by using the means for die-cutting 813 located after the relaminating means and before any further contactless cutting means. The predefined shapes are arranged to be cut in such way that the print matches the shape of the final label i.e. the print is usually in the middle of the label. In one embodiment a continuous printed linerless face laminate web is obtained having individual shapes attached to each other via an uncut bridge. The cut waste material is removed (not shown in Figure 1 1 ). The face laminate web may be wound into a roll for storage and/or transport and provided to a dispensing unit, which may be in another location, for labelling items. In the Figure 12 the dispensing unit 812 is shown as a device integrated to the whole device arrangement to clarify the process.

The obtained printed face laminate web 808 is guided to a dispensing and/or labelling unit 812 which in one embodiment also comprises means for carrying out contactless cutting 809. Said means for carrying out the contactless cutting 809 may comprise for example a laser device for laser cutting, water inkjet device for water cutting or a laser microjet cutter device. The means for carrying out contactless cutting 809 may be connected to a control unit, sensors and other devices required to recognize the predetermined cutting site from the face laminate web, to control and move the cutting device, such as a laser, to cut accurately at the desired cutting site, which is the uncut bridge between the individual shapes.

In this embodiment an individual face laminate is cut apart from the face laminate web and applied onto a surface of an item to be labelled 810. After said item 810 has been labelled, the item 810 is guided and moved away from the labelling unit and a new unlabelled item is provided to be labelled. The labelling unit may comprise means for applying pressure to the face laminate against the item to activate the pressure sensitive adhesive 105 and to adhere the face laminate 100 to the item, for example to a bottle. Said means for applying pressure may comprise for example one or more rollers 81 1 which may also be arranged to turn the item during the labelling and move the item forward in the labelling line.

The apparatus described above with reference to Figure 1 1 may be a dispensing machine, or part of a dispensing machine, or a dispensing machine may be a part of said apparatus. A dispensing machine generally refers to an automatic label dispensing machine or label applicator which is arranged to advance a label or laminate stock until a portion of the label is extended into the path of the oncoming item. The speed of the label web is arranged to match the speed of the items. When the label is applied, it may be tamped or wiped to assure adhesion to the item. Proper alignment of the label on the item depends on sensors that sense the location/orientation of the item and label sensors that detect the location of the label edge. Package sensors can be a variety of position sensors, optical sensors or ultrasonic sensors. Label sensors are usually inexpensive photoelectric sensors. Because clear labels cannot be detected by photoelectric sensors, generally capacitive and ultrasonic technologies are used for clear label detection

Claims

1 . A washable face laminate having a printable surface and comprising the following layers in the following order:

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film,

-a first adhesive layer,

-a second adhesive layer comprising pressure sensitive adhesive.

2. The face laminate of claim 1 , wherein the face laminate is shrinkable in both different directions at least 5% at 80°C forming in an elevated temperature two curling forces to said different directions.

3. The face laminate of claim 1 or 2, wherein the orientations of the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film differ at least by 20 degrees, preferably at least by 45 degrees.

4. The face laminate of claim 1 or 2, wherein the orientations of the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film are perpendicular to each other.

5. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-5 comprising the following layers in the following order:

-a print layer,

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film,

-a first adhesive layer,

-a second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, and

-a second adhesive layer comprising pressure sensitive adhesive.

6. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-5 comprising the following layers in the following order:

-a release layer comprising a release agent

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film,

-a print layer,

-a first adhesive layer, -a second shnnkable uniaxially oriented film, and

-a second adhesive layer comprising pressure sensitive adhesive.

7. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-5 comprising the following layers in the following order:

-a release layer comprising a release agent

-a first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film,

-a first adhesive layer,

-a print layer,

-a second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, and

-a second adhesive layer comprising pressure sensitive adhesive.

8. A laminate having a printable surface and comprising multiple layers in the following order:

-a second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film,

-a second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive,

-a release layer comprising a release agent, and

9. The laminate of claim 8, wherein the orientations of the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film differ at least by 20 degrees, preferably at least by 45 degrees.

10. The laminate of claim 8, wherein the orientations of the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film are perpendicular to each other.

1 1 . The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7, wherein the total thickness of the face laminate is in the range of 20-100 μιτι.

12. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10, wherein the first and the second film together contain at least 30% (w/w) of machine direction oriented film, preferably at least 40% (w/w).

13. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 having a stiffness of at least 1 mlM/m, preferably at least 3 mlM/m.

14. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-13 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12, wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film has a printable surface.

15. The face laminate of any of the claims 1 -7 or 1 1 -13 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12, wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film has a printable surface.

16. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-15 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-15, wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is a MD-oriented film and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is a CD-oriented film.

17. The face laminate of any of the claims 1 -7 or 1 1 -15 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-15, wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is a CD-oriented film and the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is a MD-oriented film.

18. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-17 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-17, wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is non-annealed.

19. The face laminate of any of the claims 1 -7 or 1 1 -18 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-18, wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is non-annealed.

20. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-18 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-18, wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film is annealed.

21 . The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-20 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-20, wherein at least one of the films is non- annealed.

22. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-21 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-21 , wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film has an areal shrinkage in the direction of the orientation of at least 5% at 80°C

23. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-21 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-21 , wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film has an areal shrinkage in the direction of the orientation in the range of 10-80% at 80°C.

24. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7, 1 1-19 or 21-23 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10, 12-19 or 21-23, wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film has an areal shrinkage in the direction of the orientation of at least 5% at 80°C.

25. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7,1 1-19 or 21-23 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10, 12-19 or 21-23, wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film has an areal shrinkage in the direction of the orientation in the range of 10-80% at 80°C.

26. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-25 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-25, wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene.

27. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-25 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-25, wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene.

28. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-25 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-25, wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

29. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-25 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-25, wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC.

30. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-25 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-25, wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester.

31 . The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-25 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-25, wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene.

32. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-25 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-25, wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid.

33. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-25 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-25, wherein the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer.

34. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-33 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-33, wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene.

35. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-33 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-33, wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polypropylene.

36. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-33 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-3 wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

37. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-33 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-33, wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises PVC.

38. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-33 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-33, wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polyester.

39. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-33 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-33, wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polystyrene.

40. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-33 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-33, wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises polylactic acid.

41 . The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-33 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-33, wherein the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film comprises cyclic olefin (co)polymer.

42. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-41 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-41 , wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises UV hot melt adhesive.

43. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-42 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-42, wherein the releasing agent comprises silicone, preferably UV curable silicone.

44. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-43 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-43, wherein the first adhesive layer comprises adhesive selected from UV curable adhesive and polyurethane adhesive.

45. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-44 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-44, having a total average density of less than 1 .0 g/cm³.

46. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-44 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-44, having a total average density of at least 1 .0 g/cm³.

47. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-4, 6-7, 1 1-27, 34-35, or 45- 46 comprising multiple layers in the following order:

-a release layer comprising a release agent, -a film layer comprising a polyolefin film,

-a first adhesive layer,

-a film layer comprising a polyolefin film, and

-a second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive.

48. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-4, 6-7, 1 1-27, 36, or 45-46 comprising multiple layers in the following order:

-a release layer comprising a release agent,

-a film layer comprising a polyolefin film,

-a first adhesive layer,

-a film layer comprising a polyester film, and

-a second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive.

49. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-4, 6-7, 1 1-26, 28, 36, or 45- 46 comprising multiple layers in the following order:

-a release layer comprising a release agent,

-a film layer comprising a polyester film,

-a first adhesive layer,

-a film layer comprising a polyester film, and

-a second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive.

50. The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-46 or the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-46, further comprising

-a release layer comprising a release agent attached to the adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive, and

-a liner.

51 . The face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-49, wherein the face laminate is a linerless face laminate.

52. A labelled item having the washable face laminate of any of the claims 1-7 or 1 1-51 attached to a surface.

53. A labelled PET item having the washable face laminate of claim 47 attached to a surface.

54. A labelled glass item having the washable face laminate of claim 49 attached to a surface.

55. A method for preparing a washable printed linerless face laminate, the method comprising providing the laminate of any of the claims 8-10 or 12-

46,

printing on the printable surface;

separating from the laminate

-the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film,

-the second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive, from -the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film;

rearranging

-the release layer comprising a release agent and

-the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film

on top of

-the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film, and

-the second adhesive layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive, with the release layer on top of the face laminate; and

laminating the first film and the second film together with a first adhesive layer, to form the printed face laminate.

56. The method of claim 55, comprising applying the first adhesive layer on the second film before separating.

57. The method of claim 55, comprising applying the first adhesive layer on the first film before separating.

58. The method of claim 55, comprising applying the first adhesive layer on the second film after separating.

59. The method of claim 55, comprising applying the first adhesive layer on the first film after separating.

60. The method of claim 55, comprising printing on the printable surface of the first shrinkable uniaxially oriented film.

61 . The method of claim 55, comprising printing on the printable surface of the second shrinkable uniaxially oriented film.