Linerless Wash-Off Label Adhesive for Clean Container Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing labels on returnable and reusable containers are difficult to remove completely during washing, often leaving adhesive remnants, and there is a need for labels that can indicate opening and be printed using linerless printers.
Innovation Solution
A linerless wash-off label with a paper-based face and pressure-sensitive adhesive, comprising a water-based acrylic emulsion polymer composition, which is sensitive to washing conditions, allowing easy detachment and featuring a release layer and wet strength resin for enhanced washability and printability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional adhesive labels are used on returnable containers, then the label provides identification and information, but the label is difficult to remove completely during washing and leaves adhesive remnants
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive's sensitivity to washing conditions is optimized by adjusting its chemical composition parameters. The adhesive is formulated to maintain strong bonding at application temperature but becomes sensitive to washing conditions (temperature, pH, mechanical action), enabling complete removal without remnants. This parameter optimization allows the same adhesive to provide both strong initial bonding and easy complete removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The label is designed as a disposable component that completes its function (identification and information provision) and is then completely removed during washing. The adhesive is specifically formulated to facilitate this temporary, complete attachment and removal cycle, leaving no harmful remnants on the returnable container.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the label is made easily removable during washing, then adhesive remnants are eliminated, but the label may detach too easily during application or handling
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive exhibits dynamic properties that change with environmental conditions. It provides strong bonding under application conditions (room temperature, controlled humidity) but becomes easily removable under washing conditions (higher temperature, water exposure, mechanical agitation). This dynamic behavior ensures reliable attachment during handling while enabling complete removal during washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive composition is optimized to respond to parameter changes between application and washing conditions. The chemical structure allows strong adhesion at application temperature and pH, but the bonding becomes reversible under washing conditions (temperature increase, water exposure), enabling complete removal without remnants while maintaining reliable initial attachment.
3Strength
If the label uses traditional adhesive composition, then the adhesive provides strong bonding, but the adhesive is not sensitive to washing conditions and leaves remnants
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive composition is optimized with specific chemical parameters (polymer type, plasticizer content, solvent selection) that enable strong bonding at application conditions while making the adhesive sensitive to washing conditions. The formulation allows the adhesive to maintain strength during application but become removable under washing temperature and pH conditions, eliminating remnants.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive uses a composite composition combining specific polymer resins with plasticizers and solvents in optimized ratios. This composite structure provides strong initial bonding while the plasticizer and solvent components enable the adhesive to become sensitive to washing conditions, allowing complete removal without remnants on returnable containers.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the label is designed for complete wash-off, then adhesive remnants are eliminated, but the label may not provide sufficient bonding strength during application
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive composition parameters are optimized to provide a balance between bonding strength and wash-off sensitivity. The polymer resin type, molecular weight, and plasticizer content are specifically selected to ensure sufficient bonding strength during application while maintaining sensitivity to washing conditions for complete removal without remnants.
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 effectively detaches under mild washing conditions, leaving no adhesive residue and can indicate opening, while being printable with a linerless printer, facilitating recycling and reuse.
Implementation Method 1
pressure sensitive adhesive comprises a water-based acrylic emulsion polymer composition
Implementation Method 2
base paper comprises wet strength resin and has water absorptiveness of from 10 to 30 g/m2
Data Source
AI summary
A linerless wash-off label (100) comprising a paper-based face (101, 201) and pressure sensitive adhesive (102) is provided. The paper-based face (101, 201) comprises a base paper (206) and a release layer (203), and the release layer (203) and the pressure sensitive adhesive (102) are arranged on opposite sides of the base paper (206). The pressure sensitive adhesive (102) comprises a water-based acrylic emulsion polymer composition, the pressure sensitive adhesive (102) is sensitive to washing conditions, and the base paper (206) comprises wet strength resin and has water absorptiveness of from 10 to 30 g/m2 when measured according to an ISO standard 535 (contact time 60 s). Further, a label product roll comprising the linerless wash-off labels (100) as well as a labelled item comprising an item and a linerless wash-off (100) label are provided. Still further, use of the linerless wash-off label (100) and method of manufacturing a linerless wash-off label web for providing the linerless label product roll are provided.