Linerless Mailing and Return Label Structure for Clean Peeling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combined mailing and return labels require a release liner, making them expensive and complex to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A combined mailing and return label design using two pieces of thermal paper joined by a single adhesive layer, with one piece having a perforation and the other a die cut, allowing easy separation and application without a release liner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a release liner is used in combined mailing and return labels, then the labels can be cleanly peeled away, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclean peelingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the release liner component entirely from the label structure. Instead of using a release liner that requires peeling, the invention uses a self-adhesive thermal paper label where the adhesive is directly applied to the paper surface. This extraction of the release liner eliminates the complex multi-layer structure while maintaining the label's functionality through direct adhesive application and controlled tearing at perforation lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the mailing label and return label into a single integrated structure without requiring separate release liners for each. The self-adhesive thermal paper allows both labels to be applied directly to their respective surfaces. The perforation line enables clean separation of the two labels after application, merging the functionality of what previously required separate components and release liners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a release liner is used in combined mailing and return labels, then the labels can be cleanly peeled away, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclean peelingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the release liner component entirely from the label structure. Instead of using a release liner that requires peeling, the invention uses a self-adhesive thermal paper label where the adhesive is directly applied to the paper surface. This extraction of the release liner eliminates the complex multi-layer structure while maintaining the label's functionality through direct adhesive application and controlled tearing at perforation lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable self-adhesive thermal paper label that eliminates the need for expensive release liners. The label is designed for single-use application where the entire label or portions of it are torn off at perforation lines after use. This approach replaces costly reusable release liners with inexpensive single-use labels, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If a single adhesive layer is used between two pieces of paper, then manufacturing is simplified, but separation and application difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidseparation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the label into multiple segments separated by perforation lines. The self-adhesive thermal paper is cut with perforation lines that allow easy tearing at specific points. This segmentation enables the label to be separated into distinct portions (mailing label and return label) after application, or before application if needed. The perforation lines provide controlled weak points that facilitate easy separation without requiring complex multi-layer adhesive structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the label. The adhesive layer has varying characteristics in different regions, and the perforation lines create local weak points for easy tearing. The thermal paper portions have different adhesive applications and tear resistance properties. This local differentiation allows the single adhesive layer structure to achieve both easy manufacturing and easy separation/application operations by optimizing specific regions for specific functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies the process by eliminating the need for a release liner, while ensuring easy peeling and application of both labels.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive layer disposed between the first and second pieces of paper such that (i) a primary label can be peeled away with at least some adhesive of the adhesive layer from the second release coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS12512019B2Linerless combined mailing label and return label and method of manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2025.12.30 ICONEX LLC
  • US12512019B2 patent drawing
  • US12512019B2 patent drawing
  • US12512019B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A combined primary label and secondary label comprises a first piece of paper, a first release coating disposed on a portion of the first piece of paper, a second piece of paper, a second release coating different from the first release coating and disposed on a portion of the second piece of paper. The combined primary and secondary label further comprises an adhesive layer disposed between the first and second pieces of paper such that (i) a primary label can be peeled away with at least some adhesive of the adhesive layer from the second release coating disposed on the portion of the second piece of paper, and (ii) a secondary label can be peeled away with at least some adhesive of the same adhesive layer from the first release coating disposed on the portion of the first piece of paper.