Index Label Assembly With Registration Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printable index labels often result in off-centered adhesion when applied to pages or folders due to lack of effective alignment mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A printable sheet of removable index labels incorporating a registration structure, such as raisable tabs or foldable portions, to assist in aligning the object with the label, ensuring proper placement and reducing crooked applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If printable index labels are applied without registration structures, then the labeling process is simple and quick, but the labels become misaligned and off-centered on the object being labeled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel alignment precisionVSAvoidlabel structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates registration structures (such as raised edges, tabs, or fold lines) directly into the label design before application. These pre-integrated features guide the user to align the label correctly with the object being labeled, ensuring precise placement without requiring separate alignment tools or complex external fixtures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The registration structures act as intermediary elements between the label and the object being labeled. Features like raised edges or alignment tabs provide physical reference points that mediate the alignment process, allowing the user to easily position the label correctly by matching these intermediate features with corresponding edges or surfaces of the object.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If registration structures are added to the label sheet, then label alignment precision improves, but the label design and production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidlabel production ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The label sheet is divided into multiple individual label units, each with its own integrated registration structures. This segmentation allows each label to be independently aligned and applied with precise positioning, while the modular nature of the design enables straightforward manufacturing through standard die-cutting and folding processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs various physical parameters and states in the registration structures, such as raised edges (changing surface topology), fold lines (changing structural configuration), or perforated lines (changing material continuity). These parameter changes provide tactile and visual alignment cues without requiring complex manufacturing processes, maintaining ease of production while improving alignment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9539847B2Index label assembly

Publication Date: 2017.01.10 FLYNN TIMOTHY J

AI summary

An index label and a method for applying an index label to a sheet or folder. A label assembly includes labels in a column, and each of the labels includes a fold line. A registration structure is adjacent the label column. Each label can be partially folded into a raised position, and the item to be label placed adjacent the raided portions, such as using the registration structure to align the item. The raised portion is lowered and adhered to the item. The remainder of the label is then removed from the label assembly and folded to adhere to itself and/or the item to form an index label on the item.