Connected Fabric Label Arrays for Correct Garment Label Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fabric labels applied to garments often get mismatched or misoriented, especially when multiple labels are used, leading to confusion regarding information such as washing instructions, warranty details, and language variations.

Innovation Solution

A fabric web with longitudinally extending lines of partial severing allows for the creation of connected label arrays that can be printed on both sides, enabling them to be folded and attached to garments while remaining connected, ensuring correct orientation and allowing for easy separation of labels as needed, facilitating the display of information in multiple languages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple separate fabric labels are used on garments, then information-carrying capacity is enhanced, but labels may be mismatched or misoriented during application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation-carrying capacityVSAvoidlabel matching and orientation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate fabric labels are merged into a single composite label structure where multiple label portions are connected by frangible lines. This ensures that all label portions remain together as one unit during application, eliminating the risk of mismatching or misorientation while maintaining enhanced information-carrying capacity through multiple language versions or detailed care instructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If labels are connected in an array, then mismatching is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel matching accuracyVSAvoidlabel array structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The composite label is segmented into multiple label portions connected by frangible lines, allowing each portion to be separated easily after attachment if needed. This segmentation provides the reliability of connected labels during application while keeping the structure simple and manageable through clear separation lines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frangible lines are pre-prepared during label manufacturing to enable easy separation after attachment. This preliminary preparation simplifies the overall structure by built-in separation mechanisms, reducing the complexity of handling multiple separate labels while maintaining connection during the critical application phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If frangible lines are added to connect labels, then separation becomes easy, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel separation easeVSAvoidweb processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frangible lines are designed to self-separate when pulled or torn, requiring no special tools or complex separation mechanisms. This self-service feature makes separation extremely easy for the end user while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple, requiring only basic web processing to create the frangible connection lines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7832133B2Labeling method, web of labels and label array

Publication Date: 2010.11.16 AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES LLC

AI summary

There are disclosed several embodiments of label sets or arrays having a substantial capacity for printed information while maintaining all the labels of the array associated and properly oriented with respect to each other, wherein all the labels of each set or array can be printed in a printer. The labels of the array are preferably printed in transverse rows across a label web to increase the number of labels that can be carried on a roll.