Identification Medium With Differential Adhesive Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing opening labels lack an effective reuse prevention function and authenticity confirmation in their unopened state, with previous techniques failing to clearly show signs of being opened or identifying authenticity visually.
Innovation Solution
An identification medium with a cholesteric liquid crystal layer or multiple film layer, a separation layer, a printed layer, and a colored adhesive layer, where the adhesive strengths between these layers are specifically set to ensure that when torn off, the printed layer and adhesive layer are removed from the adherend, leaving visible signs of separation, preventing reuse and allowing authenticity confirmation through color shift and hologram observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional opening labels are used, then they can be applied to items, but they fail to clearly show signs of being opened and lack effective reuse prevention function
Solution Approach 1:
The label is divided into multiple layers with different adhesive strengths: a first adhesive layer with strength Xa, a second adhesive layer with strength Xb where Xb > Xa, and a release layer with strength Xc where Xc < Xa. This segmentation ensures that when the label is peeled off, it separates at the weakest point (release layer) leaving visible traces on the item, preventing reuse while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the label have different adhesive properties - the first adhesive layer provides moderate adhesion for initial bonding, while the second adhesive layer provides stronger adhesion to ensure the label sticks firmly during normal use. This local variation in adhesive quality enables both secure attachment and controlled removal with visible traces
2Reliability
If conventional opening labels are used, then they can be applied to items, but they lack authenticity confirmation function in unopened state
Solution Approach 1:
The label incorporates a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that exhibits color change properties - it displays different colors when viewed from different angles or under different lighting conditions. This optical effect provides visual authenticity confirmation in the unopened state without adding complex structural elements, as the color-shifting property itself serves as the security feature
Solution Approach 2:
The label combines multiple materials with distinct properties: cholesteric liquid crystal for optical authentication, different adhesive compositions for controlled peeling behavior, and a release layer for trace deposition. This composite structure integrates authenticity confirmation and reuse prevention functions within a single label system
3Reliability
If the adhesive strength between all layers is made uniform, then the label structure is simple, but the label cannot show clear signs of being opened when torn off
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive strength parameter is varied across different layers and regions of the label. The release layer has the lowest adhesive strength (Xc < Xa), creating a predetermined weak point that will fail first during peeling. This parameter variation ensures that the label separates in a controlled manner, leaving visible traces on the item while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
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 identification medium effectively shows signs of being opened and provides a superior authenticity confirmation function, preventing unauthorized reuse by ensuring visible signs of separation and allowing easy identification of authenticity through color shift and hologram observation.
Implementation Method 1
a cholesteric liquid crystal layer which reflects a specific color
Implementation Method 2
when an adhesive strength between the colored adhesive layer and an adherend is set to be Xa, an adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and the printed layer is set to be Xb, and an adhesive strength at the portion in which the separation layer is laminated
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
An identification medium can be used in an opening label, can clearly show signs of it having been opened, and can also have a superior authenticity-confirming function. The identification medium has a structure including, in the following order as seen from the side of observation: an optical function layer that generates a color shift, a separation layer that is partially formed, a printed layer, and an adhesive layer, in which when an adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and an adherend is set to be Xa, an adhesive strength between the adhesive layer and the printed layer is set to be Xb, and an adhesive strength at a portion in which the separation layer is laminated between the optical function layer and the printed layer is set to be Xc, the adhesive strength of each part is set to satisfy Xa > Xb > Xc or Xb > Xa > Xc.