Reconfigurable Label Assembly Using Magnetic Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reconfigurable label assemblies for containers often rely on adhesives for securing and resecuring, which can lead to dirt attraction and nuisance issues, necessitating an alternative non-adhesive means for attachment and reattachment.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable label assembly using non-adhesive attachment elements such as magnetic, hook-n-loop fasteners, or mechanical interlocks between side seams to securely attach and reattach the label to a container, allowing transformation from a label to a receptacle configuration and back.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive is used to secure and resecure the label to the container, then the label can be attached and reattached, but the adhesive attracts dirt and debris and creates nuisance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical adhesive system with a magnetic attachment system. Magnets embedded in the label and container create a mechanical/physical attachment mechanism that eliminates the need for adhesive, thereby preventing dirt and debris attraction while maintaining reliable attachability and reattachability of the label.
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive is used as the primary means for securing the label, then the label can be attached, but reattachment functionality is compromised due to adhesive residue
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic attachment system replaces adhesive-based attachment, enabling easy removal and reattachment of the label without residue issues. The magnetic force allows the label to be securely attached during use and easily detached for reconfiguration or replacement, maintaining both manufacturing simplicity and operational ease.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the label is designed to be completely separable from the container, then reconfiguration to receptacle is enabled, but secure attachment during use is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic attachment system provides secure holding force during use while allowing complete separation when needed for reconfiguration. The magnetic force is sufficient to keep the label securely attached to the container during normal use, but can be easily overcome to remove the label for transformation into receptacle configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system transitions from a static adhesive bond to a dynamic magnetic attachment that can be easily activated and deactivated. This dynamic characteristic allows the label to maintain secure attachment during use and be easily separated for reconfiguration, balancing attachment security with reconfiguration flexibility.
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
Facilitates secure and reusable attachment of the label to various container types without adhesive-related issues, ensuring compatibility with different materials and easy reconfiguration between label and receptacle forms.
Implementation Method 1
A reconfigurable label assembly using non-adhesive attachment elements such as magnetic, hook-n-loop fasteners, or mechanical interlocks between side seams to securely attach and reattach the label to a container
Data Source
AI summary
An improved reconfigurable label assembly is presented. The assembly includes a container, a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel, and an optional pair of attachment elements. The bottom panel is disposed between and substantially parallel to the front and back panels in a first configuration to form a label attached to and completely separable from the container. The label is disposed along an outer surface of the container in the first configuration and is configurable to form a receptacle in a second configuration. The front and back panels are separable and the bottom panel is expandable to form the receptacle after the label is removed from the container. The receptacle is capable of holding a consumable product. The receptacle is reconfigurable to the label after use as the receptacle so that the label may be directly reattached to the container. The optional attachment elements cooperate to releasably secure the front, back, and bottom panels to the container in the first configuration.