Magnetic Labels With Periodic Connection Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetic labels require specialized printers and result in waste due to the need for pre-printed sheets, where not all labels are used, and precise positioning challenges arise with 'endless' strips.

Innovation Solution

Magnetic labels with periodically arranged connection areas along their longitudinal direction, allowing for a windable or foldable strip that can be used with standard printers, featuring punched or cut areas for separation and markings for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If magnetic labels are made as continuous sheets for printing, then printing capability with standard printers is improved, but the labels tend to tear uncontrollably during processing due to lack of tensile strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting capabilityVSAvoidtensile strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous magnetic label sheet is segmented into individual label areas separated by connection areas. These connection areas are designed with cut or punched patterns that create predetermined breaking points, allowing the sheet to be divided into manageable sections while maintaining overall structural integrity during printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection areas between labels are designed with non-uniform cut/punched patterns, where certain regions have reduced material continuity to create weak points for separation. This local variation in quality allows controlled breaking at specific locations while maintaining strength in other areas during handling and printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If pre-printed sheets with multiple labels are used, then printing efficiency is improved, but waste increases when not all labels on a sheet are used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidlabel waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Individual labels or groups of labels can be extracted from the continuous sheet as needed. The connection areas allow users to peel off only the required number of labels, leaving the remaining unprinted portions on the roll for future use, thereby eliminating waste of unused labels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The labels are prepared in advance as a continuous sheet with connection areas, but the actual separation into individual labels is deferred until needed. This allows the sheet to be stored and transported efficiently while enabling on-demand extraction of individual labels, combining the benefits of pre-preparation with on-demand usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If connection areas are completely cut or punched through, then label separation is improved, but the label strip tears uncontrollably during processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel separationVSAvoidprocessing stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection areas are designed with cut or punched patterns that create predetermined breaking points, cushioning against uncontrolled tearing by providing specific locations where the material is intended to break. This prevents random tearing during handling while maintaining structural integrity during printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2249329B1Magnetic labels

Publication Date: 2019.07.17 MMS MUNCHNER MAGNET SERVICE BETRIEBS

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4(a)~4(c)

AI summary

The magnetic strip material (1) has a magnetic film with a magnetic layer and a flexible cover layer. The connecting areas are arranged on the strip material at periodic intervals, which extend lateral to the longitudinal direction of the strip material so that magnetic labels (10) are formed between the connection areas adjacent to each other.