Linerless Duplex Label With Selective Adhesive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adhesive duplex shipping labels generate significant liner waste and are inefficient in application, with complex constructions that can cause printing complications and equipment failures during automated label printing and application.
Innovation Solution
A linerless duplex label system featuring an unfolded single label ply with a selectively activatable adhesive layer, allowing for flat adhesion to packages without a liner, enabling removable contact between labels and efficient activation for adhesion, reducing waste and improving printing and application processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional adhesive duplex shipping labels are used, then shipping information can be provided on both sides of the label, but significant liner waste is generated and the application process becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the liner component entirely from the label structure, extracting only the essential elements (label ply and adhesive layer) needed for functionality. This eliminates liner waste while maintaining the ability to provide shipping information on both sides of the label through duplex printing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
By eliminating the liner completely, the patent prevents the discarding of this component altogether. The label ply itself serves as the final product without requiring a sacrificial liner that would be discarded after adhesive application.
2Ease of operation
If conventional adhesive duplex shipping labels with liner are used, then the label can be stored and handled, but the application process becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the liner component from the label construction, simplifying the overall structure to just the label ply and adhesive layer. This reduction in components directly simplifies the application process while maintaining ease of operation through the self-adhesive nature of the label.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer is applied selectively only to specific portions of the label ply (intermittent adhesive patterns rather than complete coverage), which simplifies the construction by reducing adhesive material and application complexity while maintaining adequate bonding for the application process.
3Loss of information
If conventional adhesive duplex labels are used, then the label can be printed on both sides, but printing complications arise due to the complex construction
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the liner and reducing the label to a simpler construction of label ply with adhesive layer, the patent eliminates the printing complications that arise from multi-layer constructions. The simplified structure allows for cleaner duplex printing without the interference of liner material or complex adhesive patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermittent adhesive application (rather than complete coverage) creates distinct printable zones on the label surface, allowing both sides to be printed without adhesive interference. This local quality approach to adhesive placement facilitates easier manufacturing and printing processes.
4Loss of substance
If linerless duplex label is used, then waste is minimized and application is simplified, but the adhesive layer must be selectively activatable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs heat-activatable or pressure-activatable adhesive that changes from a non-sticky state during printing and handling to an activated sticky state during application. This parameter change (temperature or pressure) allows the adhesive to remain inactive during manufacturing and printing, then activate only when needed for label application, eliminating waste while requiring a simple activation mechanism.
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 linerless duplex label system minimizes waste, simplifies the label application process, and prevents printing complications, ensuring efficient and secure adhesion to packages while maintaining confidentiality of contents information.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive layer is unactivated and selectively activatable, allowing the label to be handled and printed without premature adhesion, then activated for secure attachment to the package
Data Source
AI summary
A linerless duplex label system is operable to print and apply a linerless duplex label to a substrate. A plurality of linerless duplex labels are provided and each label includes a single-ply stock with top and bottom faces. The label also includes an endless adhesive border applied to the bottom face. The adhesive border is an unactivated, selectively activatable adhesive, such labels are overlaid on one another without any substantial adhesion therebetween. Each label may essentially be freely removed from the others, and the adhesive may thereafter be activated so that the label can be adhesively applied to the substrate.