Linerless Thermal Label Roll with Continuous Adhesive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art repositionable label rolls for thermal printers are limited in providing labels of varying lengths and require optical sensors for index mark detection, leading to adhesive buildup and feed jams due to continuous adhesive strips.
Innovation Solution
A repositionable label roll design featuring a web of thermal paper with a continuous adhesive strip on one side and a release coat on the other, allowing for uninterrupted adhesive application along the length of the paper, eliminating the need for index marks and reducing adhesive buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a continuous adhesive strip is provided on the reverse side of the thermal paper, then the label can be repositioned and secured to surfaces, but the adhesive accumulates on the moving parts of the printer causing feed jams
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous adhesive strip is segmented into discrete adhesive regions separated by adhesive-free zones. This segmentation allows the label to be fed through the printer without adhesive accumulating on moving parts, while still providing sufficient adhesive coverage for reliable attachment to surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the label are given different adhesive properties: adhesive regions provide strong bonding capability for surface attachment, while adhesive-free zones provide low adhesion for smooth passage through the printer mechanism. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between repositionability and adhesive buildup.
2Manufacturing precision
If index marks are uniformly spaced along the web to define label lengths, then the printer can detect label boundaries, but the label length is limited to fixed intervals and requires optical sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system is extracted and replaced by using the adhesive pattern itself as the detection mechanism. The printer can detect label boundaries through the adhesive regions without requiring separate optical sensors, simplifying the device while maintaining precise label length control.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive regions serve multiple functions: they provide bonding capability for surface attachment and simultaneously serve as detection markers for label boundaries. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate index marks and optical detection systems.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If adhesive is applied only in discrete patches between index marks, then adhesive buildup is reduced, but the label cannot be repositioned effectively and is limited to fixed lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive regions are positioned and sized to work dynamically with the label feeding mechanism. The adhesive-free zones allow the label to be fed to variable lengths while the adhesive regions ensure proper attachment, enabling both reduced buildup and flexible length adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive regions are arranged to provide continuous bonding capability along the label length where needed, while maintaining adhesive-free zones for printer compatibility. This continuous adhesive coverage in strategic locations enables effective repositioning without the buildup problems of fully continuous adhesive.
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
Enables flexible label lengths without optical sensors and prevents adhesive accumulation in thermal printers, ensuring smooth operation and improved adhesion characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
When a thermosensitive or thermoreactive recording material is passed under the print head or print bar of the printer and selected heated elements activated, the thermosensitive or thermoreactive color forming layers on the recording material are activated and a desired print or indicia is generated on the recording material
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side of the label
Data Source
AI summary
A linerless label roll of repositionable labels adapted to be printed in varying lengths comprising a web of thermally printable paper wound along a running axis and having a continuous length of adhesive on one side of the web so that when a length of the web is caused to be thermally printed it will have an adhesive on the reverse side thereof that extends in a uninterrupted manner along the entire length of the thermally printed web.