Printed Adhesive Label Composite Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for producing adhesive labels are inefficient due to high transport and storage costs associated with their multi-layer structure, which are exacerbated by the need for high-quality printing machines and the heaviness of the labels, making them costly for manufacturers requiring large quantities.

Innovation Solution

The method involves applying the first material layer to a stabilization layer before printing, allowing it to be wound up and stored separately, with the pressure-sensitive adhesive and punching processes delayed until later, enabling transportation and storage of only the thin printed layer, and using a laminating adhesive to connect the layers, which can be done cost-effectively and at different locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If adhesive labels are produced using conventional multi-layer structure with carrier material, then the labels have sufficient strength and stability, but the transport and storage costs become very high due to heavy weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of adhesive labelVSAvoidstrength and stability of label
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive label is divided into two separate components: a lightweight printed upper material layer and a carrier material. These can be produced and transported separately, with the upper material being the lightweight component that reduces transport costs, while the carrier material provides the necessary strength and stability when assembled at the destination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The printed upper material layer is extracted from the complete label assembly and transported separately from the carrier material. This extraction allows the lightweight printed layer to be transported at lower cost, while the carrier material remains at the production location to be assembled later, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If high-quality printing machines are used to meet optical requirements, then the visual appearance quality is improved, but the production cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical quality of printed labelVSAvoidcomplexity of printing equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing process is segmented and performed separately on the upper material layer before it is assembled with the carrier material. This allows the use of specialized printing equipment only for the printed layer, while the carrier material processing can use simpler equipment, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high optical quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The printing operation is performed in advance on the upper material layer before final assembly with the carrier material. This preliminary action allows the use of high-quality printing machines only when needed for the printed layer, while the subsequent assembly process can use simpler equipment, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If the complete adhesive label assembly is produced and stored, then all processing steps are completed, but the storage volume and transport mass are significantly higher

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass and volume of material to transportVSAvoidease of production process
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The label production process is segmented into separate stages: the upper material layer is printed and prepared separately, then transported to the location where the carrier material is available. The final assembly occurs at the destination, reducing the mass and volume that needs to be transported while keeping the manufacturing process manageable through modular steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper material layer is prepared and printed in advance, then stored in a compact form before final assembly with the carrier material. This preliminary preparation reduces the volume and mass of the printed material that needs to be transported, while the actual label assembly is completed later when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach significantly reduces transport and storage costs by minimizing the mass and volume of the printed material, while ensuring high-quality images and allowing for flexible printing of product information at the manufacturer's site, particularly beneficial for international manufacturers with diverse language needs.

Implementation Method 1

the first material layer (21) is connected to a second layer of material (22) to form the upper material (29) by means of a laminating adhesive (26)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

an upper material (29) and a carrier material (23), the upper material (29) being connected to the carrier material (23) by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive (28)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-sensitive adhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2821218B9Method for producing a printed adhesive label composite
Publication Date: 2016.02.10 X LABEL
  • EP2821218B9 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2821218B9 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2821218B9 patent drawingFigure 2d

AI summary

The invention relates to a self-adhesive label composite consisting of a face material and a backing material, which are detachably bonded together by means of an adhesive, and wherein the face material has at least a first and a second material layer which are bonded together. To produce a printed self-adhesive label composite, a first material layer is first printed frontally and/or reverse-side and then bonded to a second material layer by means of a laminating adhesive to form a face material, which is subsequently bonded to the backing material by means of an adhesive.