EAS Label Segmented Adhesive for Secure Anti-Theft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic article surveillance (EAS) labels for high-value items like cosmetics, perfumes, and wines face issues such as ease of removal by shoplifters, damage to products during application and removal, interference with electromagnetic detection, and difficulty in attaching to metal or liquid-containing products, leading to increased costs and product unsalability.
Innovation Solution
A cover label with a flexible support featuring a soft glue area for initial attachment and a strong glue area for secure wrapping, designed to prevent damage to the product label and enhance detection, using a combination of soft and strong adhesives to ensure easy application and removal without leaving residue, and incorporating a plastic spacer for metal or liquid-containing products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive tape is used to wrap around the EAS label to prevent removal, then the security effectiveness is improved, but the time and expense of the process is doubled and glue marks damage the product
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive strip is segmented into multiple zones with different adhesive characteristics: a first adhesive zone with lower adhesive strength for easy application and removal, and a second adhesive zone with higher adhesive strength for secure attachment. This segmentation allows the label to be easily applied and removed without requiring wrap-around tape, eliminating the time and damage associated with taping while maintaining security effectiveness.
2Reliability
If adhesive tape is used to wrap around the EAS label, then security effectiveness is improved, but glue marks from the tape and EAS label glue degrade the product aesthetically
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive strip is divided into zones where the first adhesive zone uses a removable adhesive that leaves no glue marks, while the second adhesive zone provides secure attachment. This eliminates the need for wrap-around tape and its associated glue marks, preventing aesthetic degradation of the product while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The first adhesive zone uses a disposable, removable adhesive that can be easily peeled off without leaving residue or damage. This temporary adhesive allows for easy application and removal of the EAS label without the need for permanent taping, thus preventing glue mark damage to the product aesthetic.
3Strength
If standard adhesive is used on the EAS label, then the label can be securely attached, but the label becomes difficult to remove by shoplifters and creates damage to the product
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive strip is segmented into a first adhesive zone with lower adhesive strength for easy removal by end users, and a second adhesive zone with higher adhesive strength for secure attachment during normal use. This differential adhesive strength allows the label to be easily removed by customers while remaining securely attached during normal handling and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the adhesive strip have different adhesive qualities: the first adhesive zone has lower strength for easy removal, while the second adhesive zone has higher strength for secure attachment. This local differentiation of adhesive properties allows the same label to provide both easy removal and secure attachment functions simultaneously.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the EAS label is made smaller to be more covert, then shoplifter recognition is reduced, but the detection efficiency at EAS gates may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent or translucent cover label is introduced as an intermediary layer between the EAS label and the external environment. This cover label can be made larger than the EAS label itself, providing a visible surface that is less recognizable to shoplifters while the smaller EAS label underneath maintains its detection efficiency. The transparent material allows electromagnetic signals to pass through while providing the protective and aesthetic functions.
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
The solution improves the removability and detection efficiency of EAS labels, reduces product damage, and prevents shoplifting by ensuring the EAS label is securely attached without damaging the product label, while maintaining product integrity and visibility.
Implementation Method 1
a bottom section (16) having a soft glue area (16A) designed to make the flexible support (12) hold in place as it is wrapped around a product and to avoid a shoplifter from pushing the flexible support (12) out of a product
Implementation Method 2
a top section (18) having a strong glue area (18A) to secure the flexible support (12) to the product
Implementation Method 3
incorporating a plastic spacer for metal or liquid-containing products
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4D
AI summary
There is disclosed an electronic article surveillance label and a cover label for an electronic article surveillance label for small high value hard goods such as, but no limited to, cosmetics, perfumes, medication, health-care items, DIY accessories and the like. The electronic article surveillance label and cover label include a flexible support having a bottom section with a soft glue area and a top section with a strong glue area.