Hygromorphic Sticker Substrate Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stickers lack dynamic and interactive designs, primarily being limited to static images, and do not incorporate hygromorphic properties that could enhance their functionality and visual appeal.

Innovation Solution

A substrate comprising an adhesive, a hygroexpansible material, and a hygroinert ink, which allows the substrate to change shape and design in response to water absorption, creating a hygromorphic actuator that can be used in stickers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a static image is used in a sticker, then the manufacturing process is simple and the design is straightforward, but the sticker lacks dynamic and interactive designs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic and interactive designsVSAvoidsticker structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sticker combines multiple materials with different hygroscopic properties: a hygroexpansible material (such as cellulose acetate or starch-based polymer) that swells upon water absorption, and a hygroinert material (such as polyethylene or polypropylene) that remains dimensionally stable. This composite structure enables dynamic shape changes while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between adding dynamic capabilities and maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The sticker transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one by incorporating materials that respond to environmental moisture. The hygroexpansible material undergoes dimensional changes when exposed to water, allowing the sticker to unfold, change shape, or reveal hidden patterns. This dynamic behavior is achieved through the inherent properties of the materials rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Shape

If a hygroexpansible material is used to create dynamic shapes, then the sticker exhibits interesting deformations, but the material may swell excessively and lose structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending curvatureVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hygroexpansible material is combined with a hygroinert material in a layered composite structure. The hygroinert material acts as a dimensional stabilizer and structural framework, preventing excessive swelling of the hygroexpansible material. This composite approach allows the sticker to exhibit controlled bending curvature while maintaining overall structural integrity and preventing deformation beyond functional limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sticker are assigned different material properties: areas requiring dynamic movement use the hygroexpansible material, while areas requiring structural stability use the hygroinert material. This local differentiation of material properties enables the sticker to achieve both shape change capability and structural integrity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If the hygroexpansible material is made highly hydrophilic to maximize water absorption, then the swelling effect is enhanced, but the material becomes too sensitive to environmental moisture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater absorption capacityVSAvoidenvironmental moisture sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The highly hydrophilic hygroexpansible material is combined with a hygroinert material that is environmentally stable and moisture-resistant. The hygroinert material serves as a buffer, moderating the overall moisture sensitivity of the sticker while allowing the hygroexpansible material to perform its swelling function. This composite structure enables enhanced water absorption capability without excessive sensitivity to ambient humidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 hygromorphic stickers can exhibit significant bending curvature and deformability, enabling dynamic designs and interactive effects, such as unfolding patterns when water is absorbed, enhancing their aesthetic and functional capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a hygroexpansible material configured to swell when water is absorbed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHygroexpansion: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a hygroinert ink configured not to swell when water is absorbed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS12324851B2Drawing substrate

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 BIC VIOLEX SINGLE MEMBER SA

AI summary

In a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a substrate 100 comprising an adhesive, a hygroexpansible material 110 and a hygroinert ink 120. In a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system comprising: a substrate 100 comprising a hygroexpansible material 110 and an adhesive. Further the system according to the second aspect comprises a writing instrument comprising an ink cartridge comprising a hygroinert ink 120.