Baggage Tag Liner Removal via Segmented Weakness Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Baggage identification tags often get damaged when passengers or ticketing agents hastily remove the liner, exposing too much adhesive and causing the tag to tear or obscure barcodes, leading to readability issues and the need for reprints.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a substrate with multiple portions separated by lines of weakness, allowing for controlled removal of the liner without damaging the tag, and redundant machine-readable labels to ensure proper identification during handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the liner is quickly removed from the substrate, then the processing speed is improved, but the tag may tear or expose too much adhesive causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidtag integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is divided into multiple portions (first substrate portion, second substrate portion, third substrate portion, fourth substrate portion) separated by lines of weakness. The liner is similarly segmented into first, second, and third liner portions. This segmentation allows controlled removal of the liner from specific portions while preserving the integrity of the tag structure, enabling fast processing without damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Lines of weakness are pre-formed in the substrate and liner during manufacturing. These predetermined weak points guide the removal process, allowing the liner to be quickly detached from the substrate without causing unintended tears or damage to the tag structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If too much adhesive is exposed during liner removal, then the liner separation is improved, but the tag may inadvertently become adhered to surfaces or fold over obscuring bar codes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliner separationVSAvoidbarcode readability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is segmented to correspond with the substrate portions, and the liner portions are positioned to expose adhesive only from the second substrate portion. This controlled exposure prevents the tag from adhering to surfaces or folding over, while still allowing easy liner removal. The segmented design ensures barcode areas remain protected and readable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the tag is torn or damaged during removal, then the liner separation is improved, but the tag may no longer be machine- or human-readable and may require reattachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliner removalVSAvoidtag readability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is segmented into multiple portions with lines of weakness that allow controlled liner removal without compromising the overall tag structure. The segmentation ensures that even when the liner is removed, the tag portions remain intact and readable, eliminating the need for reattachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Lines of weakness are pre-formed in the substrate and liner during manufacturing to guide the removal process. These predetermined separation paths allow the liner to be removed cleanly without causing tears or damage to the tag, preserving both machine and human readability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of repair

If attempts are made to reattach or fix the tag after damage, then the tag usability is improved, but the tag is often ruined entirely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetag fixationVSAvoidtag integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tag is designed with segmented substrate portions and corresponding liner portions that can be removed without damaging the overall structure. This segmentation eliminates the need for reattachment attempts, as the tag maintains its integrity throughout the removal process, preventing ruin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10475357B2Baggage identification tags and methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 R R DONNELLEY & SONS CO

AI summary

Baggage identification tags and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. An example method includes providing first and second lines of weakness extending only through the liner. A first portion of the liner between the first line of weakness and the first end forms a first liner backing of a claim check, a second portion of the liner is formed between the first line of weakness and the second line of weakness, a third portion of the liner between the second line of weakness and the second end forms a second liner backing of a baggage identification tag. The method includes providing instructions to remove the first portion of the liner by peeling the first portion of the liner from the first line of weakness in a first direction toward the first end and enabling the second portion of the liner to separate from the liner.