Partial Adhesive Labeling for Recyclable Plastic Containers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adhesive labels on plastic containers are difficult to remove in washing solutions, leading to inefficiencies in recycling and increased CO2 emissions due to complex material sourcing and transport, and they often require multiple layers and solvents that complicate the recycling process.
Innovation Solution
A partial water-based or UV hotmelt adhesive is applied between the label and the container in a controlled pattern, allowing the washing liquid to penetrate and dissolve the adhesive, facilitating label removal and reducing material usage and recycling costs, using a single-layer monomaterial label made of film or paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional adhesive labels are applied to plastic containers, then the label adheres well to the container, but the label becomes difficult to remove in washing solutions, complicating recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first adhesive layer providing strong bond to the container, and a second adhesive layer that is less soluble but still removable. This segmentation allows different regions of the adhesive to serve different functions - strong attachment versus easy removal - resolving the contradiction between bond strength and removal ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the solubility parameter of the adhesive layers by using different adhesive materials with different solubility characteristics. The first adhesive layer uses a more soluble adhesive for easy removal, while the second adhesive layer uses a less soluble adhesive for maintaining bond strength. This parameter change allows the adhesive to exhibit both strong bonding and easy removal properties simultaneously.
2Reliability
If multi-layer adhesive labels with silicone carrier materials are used, then the label adheres reliably, but the complex material structure increases CO2 emissions from transport and manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the silicone carrier material layer from the adhesive label structure. By removing this unnecessary intermediate layer, the design achieves reliable adhesion through the adhesive layers alone, while significantly reducing the number of materials that require transport and processing, thereby lowering CO2 emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the adhesive layers directly onto the container surface without the intermediate silicone carrier material. This merging of the adhesive function with the container surface eliminates the need for separate carrier material handling, transport, and processing, reducing overall energy consumption and CO2 emissions while maintaining bond reliability.
3Reliability
If conventional multi-layer adhesive labels are used, then the label provides good adhesion, but the need for separate supplier products increases device complexity and recycling difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the silicone carrier material from the adhesive label structure, simplifying the material composition to essentially only the adhesive layers and the container. This extraction reduces device complexity by eliminating the need to manage multiple separate supplier products (carrier material, adhesive, outer material) and simplifies the recycling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different adhesive layers with different properties to different locations or functions within the label structure. The first adhesive layer provides strong bond to the container, while the second adhesive layer provides controlled removal characteristics. This local differentiation of adhesive properties achieves reliable adhesion without requiring complex multi-layer structures from multiple suppliers.
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 solution enables easier label removal in alkaline washing solutions, reduces adhesive usage, minimizes CO2 emissions, and allows for 100% recycling of materials by eliminating the need for separate supplier products and embossing foils, thereby accelerating the recycling process and saving costs.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive is not arranged over the entire surface, but only partially between the label and the glass or plastic container... allowing the washing liquid to penetrate and dissolve the adhesive
Implementation Method 2
A partial water-based or UV hotmelt adhesive is applied between the label and the container
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a glass or plastic container with an affixed label consisting of a printed, non-embossed film or printed paper. The invention further relates to a method for producing recyclable packaging consisting of a plastic container provided with a label. According to the invention, a water-based adhesive is applied only after printing; this adhesive is not applied across the entire surface, but only partially between the label and the glass or plastic container.