Tamper-Evident Label With Adhesive-Free Appendix For One-Handed Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-tamper labels with continuous adhesive surfaces are prone to breakage and difficult to open, especially for children, elderly, and disabled individuals, as they require grasping and pulling, which can be challenging due to the need for two-handed operation.

Innovation Solution

A label design featuring a seal with partial adhesive on the lower surface and an adhesive-free appendix, where the seal remains attached to the container while the appendix is torn off upon lifting, forming a hole for finger insertion to facilitate one-handed opening, enhancing both anti-tampering effectiveness and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lower surface of the seal is provided with a continuous layer of adhesive, then the seal maintains strong attachment to the container, but the label becomes prone to breakages with random shapes and difficult to open

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-tampering effectivenessVSAvoidease of opening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The label structure is segmented into two distinct parts: a seal portion with adhesive properties and an appendix portion without adhesive. This segmentation allows the seal to remain reliably attached to the container while the appendix can be easily removed, resolving the contradiction between strong attachment and ease of opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the label are assigned different adhesive properties: the seal portion has adhesive characteristics for reliable attachment, while the appendix portion is substantially adhesive-free for easy removal. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the opening tab is provided with a hole for finger insertion, then the opening operation becomes easier for children and elderly people, but the label structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidlabel structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The appendix portion serves multiple functions: it acts as the opening tab that can be grasped and pulled, forms the hole for finger insertion, and provides the visible indication when removed. This multi-functionality reduces overall structure complexity while maintaining ease of opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The opening tab functionality is merged with the appendix portion that extends from the seal. The appendix combines the grasping surface, the hole formation, and the tamper-evident indication into a single integrated structure, reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the incisions are connected to form a single continuous cut, then manufacturing costs and times are reduced, but the seal structure becomes less precise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing cost and timeVSAvoidseal structure precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous incision is segmented into distinct portions: one incision defines the seal perimeter while another defines the appendix. This segmentation allows precise definition of functional regions while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through continuous cutting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 label provides a more effective anti-tampering seal and easier opening mechanism, reducing manufacturing costs and improving usability for all users by ensuring the seal breaks when the package is opened, and allowing single-finger operation.

Implementation Method 1

the lower surface of the seal is provided at least partially with adhesive while the lower surface of the appendix is substantially adhesive-free

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3749587B1Label with seal for containers
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 MASTERPACK SPA
  • EP3749587B1 patent drawingFigure 1~7
  • EP3749587B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

Label (1) having an upper surface and a lower surface (3) provided at least partially with adhesive, which label (1) comprises at least one seal (5) defined by at least three incisions (tl, t2, t3) which connect the upper surface with the lower surface (3) of the label (1) and also define an appendix (6) that protrudes towards the inside of the seal (5) and is joined to a portion (la) of the label (1) external to the seal (5), wherein the lower surface of the seal (5) is provided at least partially with adhesive and the lower surface of the appendix (6) is substantially free from adhesive, so that the appendix (6) is suitable to be torn from the seal (5) when the label (1), applied to a surface (2), is lifted from this surface (2). The present description also relates to a sheet (2) and a container comprising said label (1).