Label Holder With Projections For Adhesive-Free Container Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of adhesive materials for attaching electronic product labels to product containers is costly and can damage the containers, as the adhesive is designed for single use and may rip off the outer layer of cardboard-based containers when removed.
Innovation Solution
A label holder system that includes a channel to retain electronic product labels and a container-gripping panel with projections to securely attach to the container without adhesives, allowing for easy detachment and reattachment without damaging the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive material is used to attach electronic labels to product containers, then the electronic labels can be securely attached, but the adhesive material is costly and must be replaced each time the label is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into two separate components: a reusable label holder that attaches to the container, and an electronic label that attaches to the holder. This segmentation allows the label holder to be reused multiple times without adhesive replacement, while the label can be independently changed. The holder includes a channel that physically retains the label through friction and geometric constraints rather than adhesive.
Solution Approach 2:
The label holder acts as an intermediary component between the container and the electronic label. It provides a reusable attachment interface to the container while offering a separate, non-adhesive retention mechanism for the label. This mediator eliminates the need for adhesive on both the container and label surfaces.
2Reliability
If adhesive material is used to attach electronic labels to product containers, then the labels can be securely attached, but the adhesive may damage the container by ripping off the outer layer when removed
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive material is completely extracted from the attachment system. Instead of using adhesive to bond the label to the container, the invention uses a mechanical retention system where the label holder's channel physically holds the label through friction and geometric constraints. This eliminates the harmful extraction force that adhesive removal exerts on the container surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of adhesive removal into a benefit by using friction-based retention. The friction between the label and channel walls, and between the holder and container surface, provides secure attachment without the damaging removal forces associated with adhesive bonding.
3Reliability
If adhesive material is used for each labeling operation, then the labels can be attached securely, but the process becomes costly and inefficient for large volume stocking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The label holder is designed to be recovered and reused across multiple labeling operations. After the electronic label is removed from the holder, the holder remains intact and can be immediately reused with a different label. This recovery and reuse process eliminates the need to apply new adhesive for each operation, significantly improving productivity in high-volume environments.
4Loss of substance
If a reusable attachment method is used instead of adhesive, then costs and damage are reduced, but the attachment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The label holder channel is designed with flexible walls that can elastically deform to accommodate the insertion of the electronic label and then return to their original shape to provide friction-based retention. This flexibility provides secure attachment without requiring complex mechanical fasteners, clips, or locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel cross-section is designed with curved surfaces that match the geometry of the electronic label. This curved geometry creates optimal friction contact area and allows the label to be easily inserted and removed while maintaining secure retention during use.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a label holder for retaining an electronic product label and detachably coupling to a product container includes rear panel, a top panel and a bottom panel each movably attached to the rear panel and extending in a forward direction relative to the rear panel, and at least one container-gripping panel attached to the rear panel and extending from the rear panel. The rear panel, the top panel, and the bottom panel together define a channel therebetween configured to slidably receive and retain an electronic product label. The container-gripping panel includes a plurality of projections extending therefrom and configured to grip at least one wall of the product container to detachably couple the label holder to the product container. Methods of detachably attaching the label holder to the product container and methods of uncoupling the label holder from the product container are also described.