Pop-out Retail Shelf Flag Design for Duplex Printing Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retail shelf edge flags require duplex printing, which is labor-intensive, and often bow out when folded, lacking stiffness for installation.

Innovation Solution

A pop-out design on a digital or laser printable sheet allows for variable information printing on both sides without duplexing, with the liner remaining attached for stiffness and easy assembly into a shelf clip.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If duplex printing is used for flag production, then both sides of the flag can be printed with information, but the production process becomes labor-intensive and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflag production processVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The flag is segmented into front and back sides that are printed separately on the same side of the sheet, then assembled through folding. This eliminates the need for duplex printing while still allowing information on both sides of the finished flag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of printing on both sides of the sheet (z-dimension), the solution prints both flag sides on the same side of the sheet and uses folding (x-y plane transformation) to create the three-dimensional flag structure, thereby solving the printing complexity issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the flag is folded for insertion into the shelf clip, then the flag can be installed, but the front and back sides bow out and lack stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidflag flatness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The flag uses a folded construction with adhesive bonding that creates a self-supporting structure. The folding creates internal geometry that provides stiffness while maintaining ease of installation into the shelf clip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Adhesive acts as an intermediary that bonds the folded sides together, creating structural integrity and preventing bowing while allowing the flag to maintain its folded, installable form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If perforated designs are used for flag separation, then flags can be separated from the sheet, but labor and difficulty increase during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflag separationVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flags are pre-scored or pre-perforated on the sheet in a controlled manufacturing process, allowing for easy separation during assembly without requiring excessive labor or complexity in the final installation step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10984684B1Pop-out flag for a retail shelf edge

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 ELITE CREATIVE SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A pop-out flag for use along a retail shelf edge is printed on a sheet, with information on the front and back sides of the flag being printed without having to duplex the sheet through the printer. When the flag is removed from the sheet it folds onto itself so that an adhesive trim portion of the front and back sides of the flag come into contact with one another. The pop-out design also allows the liner to remain with the face stock to add necessary stiffness to the flag.