Dual Label Substrate with Coated Liner for Dual-Sided Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional labels with liners are limited in imaging capabilities, typically only allowing the side adhered to the liner to be imaged before affixing, and often require additional steps for separation, which can be inefficient and wasteful.
Innovation Solution
A dual label combination featuring a label substrate with three independent labels and a liner substrate, where the liner substrate is coated to enable imaging on both sides using various techniques like direct thermal, thermal transfer, inkjet, or laser printing, and includes a pull tab for easy separation without additional materials or user actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional labels with liners are used, then the label can be affixed to the liner, but only one side can be imaged before affixing and additional separation steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The label is divided into multiple independent labels on a single substrate, each with its own pull tab for independent separation. This allows selective separation of individual labels without affecting others, enabling flexible imaging and application while simplifying the overall separation process through standardized pull tabs.
Solution Approach 2:
Pull tabs are pre-formed as part of the label structure during manufacturing, allowing users to easily separate individual labels from the group without requiring additional tools or complex actions. The pull tabs are integrated into the label substrate, enabling straightforward separation before or after imaging.
2Productivity
If multiple independent labels are provided on a single substrate, then labeling efficiency is improved, but separation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The label substrate is segmented into multiple independent label areas, each capable of being separated individually through pull tabs. This segmentation enables parallel processing and labeling of multiple items simultaneously while maintaining simple separation through the pull tab mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull tabs are designed to enable users to easily separate individual labels without requiring additional tools, mechanisms, or complex actions. The separation function is built into the label structure itself, allowing users to independently separate labels through simple pulling motions on the tabs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables dual-sided imaging with reduced waste and simplified separation, allowing for efficient production and use of labels with customized indicia on both sides, enhancing printing flexibility and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
Direct thermal imaging occurs when a thermal print head of a thermal printer applies heat to the surface of the label to selectively activate thermal ink coated on the surface of the label.
Implementation Method 2
Thermal transfer imaging occurs when a thermal ribbon of a thermal printer transfers/melts ink onto the surface of the label for selectively imaging the label.
Implementation Method 3
the liner substrate includes a specialized coating applied to a back side of at least the liner label that transforms the liner substrate into a substrate that can be imaged by one or more of: inkjet printing, laser printing, direct thermal printing, and thermal transfer printing
Data Source
AI summary
A dual label combination is provided. The label combination includes a label substrate, and the label substrate is die cut with at least three separate labels. The label combination also includes a liner substrate attached to a back side of the label substrate. The label substrate including at least two die cuts with one of the die cuts defining a liner label that corresponds to one of the at least three labels of the label substrate. A back side of the liner substrate includes a coating for imaging on the liner substrate with: inkjet, laser, direct thermal, or thermal transfer printing. The liner label and the corresponding label of the label substrate separable from the label combination by a manufactured pull tab substantially centered at a bottom of the liner label of the liner substrate and the corresponding label of the label substrate.