Food Package Label with Localized Adhesion and Foldable Window

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional cardboard sleeve labels for food packages obstruct visibility, are inefficient in terms of material usage, and lack security against counterfeiting, especially on irregularly shaped packages and at high labeling speeds.

Innovation Solution

A pressure-sensitive label arrangement with localized adhesion areas and foldable parts that allow for partial detachment, enabling better visibility and space for branding while ensuring secure attachment and easy removal for recycling, suitable for various package shapes and sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a cardboard sleeve label is used to encircle the package, then large area is provided for printing brand and product information, but visibility into the food package contents is significantly or completely obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting areaVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The label is divided into multiple functional segments: a transparent window portion that allows visibility into the package contents, and separate adhesive portions that secure the label to the package surface. This segmentation enables the label to simultaneously provide printing area and maintain visibility without complete obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If a cardboard sleeve label is used, then brand information can be displayed, but significant amount of raw material is used and high amount of space is required for storage and dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting areaVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The label utilizes a thin film structure with a transparent window portion and adhesive layers, replacing traditional thick cardboard sleeve labels. This thin film design significantly reduces material consumption and storage space requirements while maintaining the necessary printing area and labeling functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If a cardboard sleeve label is used, then labeling can be performed, but proper means against counterfeiting or altering product information is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabeling capabilityVSAvoidsecurity against counterfeiting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The label employs a composite structure combining transparent window portion, adhesive layers, and potentially security features within the multi-layer construction. This composite material approach provides both labeling capability and enhanced security against counterfeiting and information alteration, as the layered structure can incorporate tamper-evident elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Adaptability or versatility

If a cardboard sleeve label is used on irregularly shaped packages, then labeling can be attempted, but the sleeves are difficult to design and apply in a manner that they are reliably held onto the package

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to irregular shapesVSAvoidapplication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The label design incorporates localized adhesive portions positioned at specific areas of the transparent window portion, allowing the label to conform to irregular package shapes. The adhesive is strategically placed only where needed for reliable attachment, while the transparent window portion maintains visibility. This local quality approach enables reliable application on irregularly shaped packages without requiring the entire label to conform to complex geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 provides improved consumer experience with clear product visibility, efficient material use, and enhanced security against tampering, while allowing for easy label removal and recycling, and is adaptable to different package shapes and sizes.

Implementation Method 1

pressure sensitive adhesive arranged on the second surface of the printable face material providing adhesion for attachment of the label onto the food package

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensitive adhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11501665B2Label arrangement for a food package

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 UPM RAFLATAC OY

AI summary

This invention relates to a label arrangement for consumer destined food packages. A food package (10, 50) comprises at least an undertray (20) and a lidstock (40) arranged together defining in between a cavity for a food product (30). The label arrangement according to the invention comprises a printable face material (110) and a pressure sensitive adhesive (120) for attachment of the label (100) onto the package (10, 50). The adhesive surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive (120) layer is arranged to have one or more adhesion free (550) and printed zones and the label (100) is further arranged with one or more weakenings (700) through the label face material (110) allowing to manually fold the part of the label with adhesion free (550) and printed zone for visual inspection of said printing while the label (100) otherwise remains attached to the package (10, 50). The label (100) is arranged onto the package (10, 50) so that said manual folding of the part of the label with the adhesion free (550) and printed zone increases visual access to food product (30) in the package (10, 50).