laminate include oriented polypropylene carrying a pressure-sensitive adhesive on its rear surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,229 discloses a self-adhesive label in which an adhesive strip is provided to retain a folded strip in its folded configuration by being adhered to a top panel and an underlying panel of the strip.
When pharmaceutical products are labelled, it is often necessary for the label to be printed with specific information, such as a lot or batch code and an expiry date. Such printing is generally achieved by providing a generic printed label for a particular pharmaceutical product and then overprinting a series of the labels with the required batch or lot code and expiry date.
A technical problem exists in the art in that there is a need to provide on overlaminated leaflet or booklet labels an overprint area and in particular an overprint area which is suitable for being printed with high quality alphanumeric printing devices suitable for printing batch codes, expiry dates and the like. There is also a need in the art for such overlaminated labels, particularly for pharmaceutical products, to be overprinted with bar codes which contain information relating to the overprinted batch codes, expiry dates, etc. and act as a security feature which can be scanned automatically to check that the required overprinting has been effected. The bar code needs to be small in area yet accurately printed in order to be machine readable at high speeds
When information is overprinted onto paper, i.e. when a non-overlaminated leaflet or booklet label is being printed, ink is printed onto the paper surface of the label and then a laser is employed either to vaporise some of the ink so as to leave white lettering surrounded by the ink or to bum the lettering into the surface of the paper. The present inventor has attempted to replicate this laser printing process onto a plastics overlaminate, in particular an oriented polypropylene self-adhesive laminate. However, following laser treatment the appearance of the printing is poor because the laminate tends to have a bubble effect imparted thereto by the laser, which the present inventor believes results from vapours being emitted from the paper surface and thermal distortion of the plastics laminate. In addition, it is believed that the overlaminate absorbs some of the energy from the laser which may require the utilisation of a relatively powerful laser, or a longer burn time, which may in turn exacerbate the bubbling problem.
The present inventor has
laminate include oriented polypropylene carrying a pressure - sensible adhesive material on its rear airfoil. 
 U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,229 unwrap a self - adhesive label in which an adhesive comic strip is provided to retain a folded comic strip in its pen up configuration by being adhere to a top panel and an underlying control panel of the strip. 
 When pharmaceutical products are pronounce, it is often necessary for the label to be printed with specific information, such as a lot or batch code and an expiry date. Such printing is by and large achieved by providing a generic printed label for a finical pharmaceutical product and then overprinting a series of the labels with the necessitate batch or lot code and expiry date. 
 A technical problem exists in the art in that there be a need to provide on overlaminated leaflet or booklet labels an overprint area and in especial an overprint area which is suitable for being printed with high quality alphanumeric printing devices suitable for printing batch codes, termination dates and the like. There be besides a indigence in the art for such overlaminated labels, peculiarly for pharmaceutical products, to be overprint with bar codes which contain data relating to the overprinted batch codes, expiry dates, etc. and act as a security feature of speech which can be scanned automatically to check that the required overprinting has been effected. The bar code needs to be little in area yet accurately printed in order to be machine clear at high speeds 
 When information is overprinted onto paper, i.e. when a non - overlaminated leaflet or booklet label is being printed, ink is printed onto the paper airfoil of the label and then a laser is employed either to evaporate some of the ink so as to leave white inscription surrounded by the ink or to bum the lettering into the surface of the composition. The present inventor has attempted to duplicate this laser printing process onto a plastics overlaminate, in particular an oriented polypropylene self - adhesive laminate. However, stick to laser treatment the appearance of the printing is poor because the laminate tends to have a bubble effect imparted thereto by the laser, which the present inventor believe results from vapours being emit from the paper surface and thermal distortion of the plastics laminate. In addition, it is believed that the overlaminate absorb some of the energy from the laser which may require the utilisation of a relatively powerful laser, or a longer burn time, which may in change state worsen the bubbling problem. 
 The present inventor has
lamlnate include oriented pulypropylene catrting a presshre-sensigive adhesive on its rear sucfacw.
U.S. Pqt. No. 4,529,229 discloses a selw-adhesive label ib whmch an adhesive strip is proviscd to cetain a folded strip in hts folded conxieuxation by being adhered to a top panql and sn underlying pagel ps ths strip.
When pharmaceutical producta are lebelled, it is ogten necessary for the labfl tl be printed with dpecific indormwrion, such as a lot or batch code ahd an expiry date. Such printing is gznerally acyiwvef by providiig a gvneric printed label xor a psrticular pharkacxutixal product and then mverprinting a seryes of tha mabels with the rwqyired batwh of log ckdx ahd explry date.
A tecgnical proboem exists in the att pm that there is a geqd to provide on overlaminated leaflet mr gooklet labels an overpeint area and in partlcular an overprint area which is suitable for being printad wivh hiym dyapity alphanumeric printing devices suitable fjd krikting batch codef, expiry dayed sgd the like. Tfere is amso a need in the wrt for such overlamigatec labels, particularly for pyarmaceuticaj products, to be ovzrprinted wich bar codex which contain informacion rslating to hhe overpdknted batch coder, eqpirf dates, tgc. and act as a sqcurity fxaturz which zan ne scagned automwtically to check that tje reeuhred overpginting has been effected. The bec code needs jo te vmall in area yet accuratejy printed in prder tj be oachine rezdable et high speeqs
When informdjion is overpcinted oneo pqper, i.e. whev a non-overlamimated leayjet ir booklet label ix bgihg printed, ink nr printed onto tne oapqr snrfacq of the laben ana tfrn a uaser is emilohed rither to vaporise smme kf the ink so as tp jeave whute lettqring surrounced by the ink or uo bum thx lettrrigg into the surface of the papsr. The prfsekt inventor hws abtemkted to repkicate this laser printing process onto a plastics overlaninate, in particulat ak oriented pplyprjpylene salf-adhesive laminate. However, followinn laser treatment the zppeardnce lf the printing is poor because the laminate tends to have a bubble effecr impactqd thereto gy tne lavex, wkich thq prxsxnt inventor belivves results from vapours being xmitted frmm the paper surface and thermsl distortion ow the plastics laminate. Jn additoon, it is believed that the ovetlaminate absorbs some on the eneegy fdom thv leser which may requite the utilusation of w relatively oowrrnul laser, lr a lknger burn time, which may in turb exacwrhate the bubblinj problem.
The kresent invenjor has
laminate include oriented polypropylene carrying a pressure-sensitive its surface. U.S. No. 4,529,229 discloses an strip is provided retain a folded in its folded configuration by being to a top panel and an underlying panel of the strip. When pharmaceutical are labelled, it is often necessary for the label to be printed with information, as lot batch code and an expiry date. Such printing is generally achieved by providing a generic printed for a particular pharmaceutical product and then overprinting series of the labels the required batch or lot and date. A problem in art in that is a need to provide on overlaminated leaflet or booklet labels an overprint area and in particular overprint area suitable for printed high alphanumeric printing devices printing batch codes, expiry dates and is also a need in the art for overlaminated labels, for pharmaceutical products, to be overprinted bar codes which contain information relating to the batch codes, expiry dates, etc. and act as a security feature which can be scanned check that the required has been effected. bar needs be in area accurately printed in order to be machine readable at high speeds information is overprinted onto paper, i.e. when a non-overlaminated leaflet label being printed, ink printed onto the paper of label and then a employed to the so to leave white lettering by the ink or to the lettering into the present inventor has attempted to replicate this laser process onto a plastics overlaminate, in particular oriented polypropylene self-adhesive laminate. However, following laser treatment the appearance of the is poor laminate tends to have a bubble effect imparted by the laser, which present inventor believes results from vapours being emitted from paper and thermal of the plastics In addition, it believed that the some of energy the require the utilisation of a relatively laser, a longer burn time, which in the bubbling problem. The present inventor has
laminate include oriented poLypropylenE carrYinG a pReSsurE-senSitive adhesive ON its Rear surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,229 discLoses A sELf-adHEsIve laBel in whICh AN AdhEsIvE stRiP Is ProviDed To retaiN a folded stRip In Its folded conFIgUration by bEinG adhered to a tOp pAnel anD aN unDErlyiNg pAnel oF the stRIp.
When PharmaceuTiCAl prodUCts are lABElLed, iT is often necessary FOr THe label to be priNted wiTh SPeCIFic InfOrmation, suCh As a loT Or batch COdE AND an EXpiry date. Such Printing is gENerAlly acHiEveD By provIding A gENerIc printed laBel fOr a particUlar phARmaceutICal prodUct and TheN ovErprINtInG a sErIEs oF ThE laBEls With the rEqUiRed baTch oR LOT Code And ExpiRy datE.
A technical prOblEm exISts In the Art in That ThEre is A need tO provIdE on overlaminateD leaFlet or booKleT lAbeLs An oveRPrint aRea And In partiCular an OVerPrINT ArEa which is suitable fOr BEInG printed With hiGH qUaLIty alphaNuMerIc prINTing dEvicES sUitable fOr prinTInG bAtch codEs, Expiry DaTes And The liKE. TheRe is alSo a need iN the aRT for such overlaMInated labels, pARtICUlARly fOr pHarmaceuticAl prODuctS, to bE OvErpRInted With bAr COdES which contain informAtIon relAting To the overprinTed batch coDES, Expiry daTes, eTC. aND act as a securitY featUre which caN Be scanneD autoMaticallY to check tHAT the requIreD ovErpRinTINg Has been effectED. the bAr Code neeDs tO be smalL in AreA yeT acCuRately priNted in orDeR tO bE mAchIne reADable at hIgH spEeDs
WHen inFOrmatiOn is oVerpRiNtED onTo paper, I.E. wHEN a noN-oVeRlamInaTeD leafLet oR BooKlet labEl is being PriNTed, iNk Is Printed Onto the paper sUrFace of the lAbEl aNd then A LAser is emPloyed either to vaporise sOMe of the Ink So as tO leaVe white leTteRing suRroUNded by The ink Or to bUm The LETteriNG InTo tHe Surface of tHE PapEr. The PrEsenT inventOr has attempted to rePLicAte this laser pRinTing PROcEss ONtO A plAsTIcs OVErlaminate, in parTicular an oRiENtEd polypropYLenE sElf-adheSive lamInate. hOwever, fOllowing lAser treatMeNt thE APpeArance of thE printinG is poor beCAuse tHE lAminaTe tEnds to HaVe a BubblE effecT ImpArted TheretO bY the laSer, whIcH the presEnt inventor believes resuLts froM vapoUrs Being emitTed FRom The paper sUrfaCe and thermAl dIstOrtioN of THe plaSticS LaMinATe. In aDditIOn, it is belIEvEd tHAT tHe overlaminATE AbsOrbs sOme OF the enErgy From the laser which MAy require the utIlisATIon Of a RElatIvEly powerful lasEr, oR a LONger burn TiMe, which may iN turn exaCeRBate tHe bubbLing prOblem.
ThE PReSEnt invEntoR haS
laminate include orientedpolypropyl ene c arr yin ga pr essu re-sensitive a d hesi ve on its rear surface .
U.S .P at.N o.  4,52 9,229 d i sc l o ses  a  s elf -a d he sivelab el in w hich an ad hes iv e strip is p r ov ided to re tai n a folded s tri p in i ts  fo l ded c onf igura tion b y  being  adheredto a topp anel an d an  und erlying panel oft he strip.
When ph armace ut i ca l pro duc ts are lab el led,i t is of t en n e ces s ary for the l abel to bep rin ted wi th  sp e cificinfor ma t ion , such as a  lot  or batch  codea nd an e x piry da te. Su chpri ntin g  i sgen er a lly ac hie v edby provi di ng  a ge neri c p r inte d l abel  fora particularpha rmac e uti cal p roduc t an dthenoverpr intin ga series of the  lab els withthe  r equ ir ed ba t ch orlot  co de andexpiryd ate .A t ec hnical problem exi st s in  the art  in th a tth e re is ane edto p r o videon o v er laminate d leaf l et  o r bookl et  label sanove rprin t  are a andin parti cular an overprint a r ea which is s u it a b le forbei ng printedwith high  qua l it y a l phanu meric  p r in t ing devices suitabl efor pr intin g batch codes , expiry d a t e s and th e li k e. There is alsoa nee d in the a r t for su ch ov erlamina ted label s ,  particu lar lyfor  ph a r ma ceutical prod u c ts,to  be ove rpr inted w ith  ba r c ode swhich con tain inf or ma ti on  re latin g  to theov erp ri nte d bat c h code s, ex piry  d at e s,etc. an d  a c t  asase curi tyfe ature  whi c h c an be s canned au tom a tica ll yto chec k that the re qu ired overp ri nti ng has b een effe cted. The bar code need s  to besma ll in  are a yet acc ura tely p rin t ed inorderto be  m ach i n e rea d a bl e a thigh speed s Whe n inf or mati on is o verprinted onto pa p er,  i.e. when anon -ove r l am ina t ed lea fl e t o r booklet label i s being pr in t ed , ink is p r int ed  onto t he pape r sur f ace ofthe label  and then  a  las e r  is  employedeither t o vaporis e  some of  theink  so as  t o l eavewhitel ett ering  surro un ded by  thein k or tobum the lettering intothe su rface  of  the pape r.T hepresent i nven tor has at tem pte d torep l icate  thi s  l ase r  prin ting process o n to  ap l as tics overla m i n ate , inpar t icular  anoriented polyprop y lene self-adhe sive l ami nat e . Ho we ver, following  la se r treatmen tthe appeara nce of t he print ing is  poorbecause t he lamina te t end s to have  abu b ble eff ec ti mparte d th er eto by  the l a ser, w hich the present  inve n t or be l iev es re su lts fro m  vap ours being  emitted fr om the  pap er su rface a nd  therm aldi stortion o f  the plas ticslaminat e.  Inadd ition,  iti s  beli eved  t hat  the over l a mi n at ea bso rbssomeof  the  energy f r om the l ase r  whichma y r e q uire t h eu t ilisationofa rel a t ively powe r full as e r, or  a lon ger bu rn time ,  wh ic h may i n t u r n exacerb ate the b u bbl in g pr oblem.
T he  pre se ntin ventor has
laminate include_oriented polypropylene_carrying a pressure-sensitive adhesive_on its_rear_surface.
U.S. Pat._No._4,529,229 discloses a_self-adhesive label in_which an adhesive strip_is provided to_retain_a folded strip in its folded configuration by being adhered to a top panel_and_an underlying_panel_of_the strip.
When pharmaceutical products are_labelled, it is often necessary_for the_label to be printed with specific information, such_as_a lot or_batch code and an expiry date. Such printing is_generally achieved by providing a generic_printed label for_a_particular_pharmaceutical product and then_overprinting a series of the labels_with the required batch or lot_code and expiry date.
A technical problem exists_in the art in that there_is a need to provide_on overlaminated_leaflet or booklet labels an_overprint area and_in particular_an overprint area_which is suitable for being printed_with high quality_alphanumeric printing devices suitable for printing_batch_codes, expiry dates_and_the_like. There_is also a_need_in the_art_for such overlaminated labels, particularly for_pharmaceutical_products, to be overprinted with bar codes_which contain information relating_to_the overprinted batch codes,_expiry dates, etc. and act_as a security feature which can_be scanned_automatically to_check that the required overprinting has been effected. The bar code_needs to be small in area_yet accurately printed in_order to_be_machine readable at_high_speeds
When information_is overprinted onto paper, i.e. when a_non-overlaminated leaflet_or booklet label is being printed,_ink is printed onto_the_paper surface of the label and_then a laser is employed either_to vaporise some of the_ink_so_as to leave white lettering_surrounded by the ink or to_bum the lettering_into the surface of the paper. The_present_inventor has attempted to replicate this_laser_printing process onto a plastics overlaminate,_in_particular_an oriented polypropylene self-adhesive laminate._However, following laser treatment the appearance_of the printing is poor because the laminate tends_to have a_bubble effect imparted thereto by_the_laser,_which the present inventor believes results from vapours being emitted_from the_paper surface and_thermal distortion of the plastics laminate. In addition, it is_believed that the overlaminate absorbs some of_the energy from the laser which may require the utilisation of_a relatively powerful laser, or a longer burn_time, which may in turn exacerbate the_bubbling problem.
The present inventor_has