Removable Adhesive Label Using Moisture-Induced Shrinkage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current labels for reusable and recyclable beverage bottles lack high clarity visual aesthetics, abrasion resistance, and often curl up during washing, clogging equipment, while existing thermally shrinkable polymeric labels do not meet the requirements for removability in hot washing fluids.

Innovation Solution

A label comprising a non-oriented thermoplastic polymer film with a specific glass transition temperature range and high areal shrinkage after immersion in water, combined with an adhesive layer that decreases adhesion strength at elevated temperatures, ensuring the label detaches from the container during hot washing without clogging equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If stretched thermally shrinkable polymeric labels are used, then high clarity visual aesthetics and abrasion resistance are achieved, but the labels curl up tightly into a needle shape during washing, causing equipment clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual aesthetics clarityVSAvoidequipment clogging from curled labels

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of shrinkage behavior from thermal shrinkage to moisture-induced shrinkage. The label material is formulated to shrink when exposed to moisture during washing rather than when heated, which prevents the tight curling into needle shapes that clogs equipment. The shrinkage is controlled to be gradual and uniform, maintaining label integrity while enabling removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional activation mechanism: instead of the label shrinking in response to heat (thermal shrinkage), the label shrinks in response to moisture (moisture-induced shrinkage). This inversion allows the label to remain stable during hot washing while still achieving shrinkage and removal through moisture exposure, preventing equipment clogging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If paper labels are used, then removability during washing is achieved, but high clarity visual aesthetics are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel removabilityVSAvoidvisual aesthetics clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite material construction with a polymeric film layer providing visual aesthetics and clarity, combined with a specially formulated adhesive layer that enables moisture-induced shrinkage and removal. The composite structure integrates the optical properties of plastic films with the removability characteristics needed for washing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the activation parameter for removal from heat-based dissociation to moisture-based shrinkage. The label material undergoes dimensional change when exposed to moisture, which mechanically drives label removal during washing, providing reliable removability while maintaining visual aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If thermally shrinkable polymeric labels are used, then high clarity visual aesthetics are achieved, but the labels do not meet removability requirements in hot washing fluids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual aesthetics clarityVSAvoidlabel removability in hot washing

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the activation parameter for label removal from temperature-based (thermal shrinkage) to moisture-based (moisture-induced shrinkage). The label is formulated with hydrophilic components that trigger shrinkage and adhesion failure when exposed to washing moisture, enabling reliable removal in hot washing fluids while maintaining visual aesthetics during application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 label provides high clarity visual aesthetics, abrasion resistance, and effective removability from containers during hot washing processes, preventing equipment clogging and allowing for reuse or recycling of bottles.

Implementation Method 1

the first film layer has an areal shrinkage (ASTM D1204) of at least about 5.3% after immersion in water at a temperature of about 80° C. for at least about 3 minutes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal shrinkage: Thermal Contraction

Implementation Method 2

an adhesive layer having a first surface and a second surface and comprising an adhesive where the first surface of the adhesive layer is adhesively joined to the second surface of the film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal softening: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS10902750B2Removable adhesive label containing inherently shrinkable polymeric film

Publication Date: 2021.01.26 AVERY DENNISON CORP

AI summary

An adhesive label includes a polymeric first film layer that is nonoriented and has a significant inherent shrinkage when heated above ambient temperature. The label is useful in various labeling applications and especially adhesive labeling of reusable and recyclable containers which require removal of the label during a washing process in a warm or hot washing fluid.