Re-seal Label With Perforated Connecting Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging solutions for consumer goods, such as cigarette packs, lack a reliable mechanism for re-sealing the access opening after use, leading to issues with product freshness and security.
Innovation Solution
A re-sealable label made of polymer material with a combination of re-sealable and permanent adhesives, featuring a line of perforations with both rectilinear and non-rectilinear portions, which forms a connecting tab to securely attach to the inner and outer boxes, ensuring the access opening is covered when closed and uncovered when opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional packaging solution with a hinged lid is used, then access to the inner container is provided, but the access opening cannot be re-sealed after opening
Solution Approach 1:
The label is divided into multiple functional zones: a first zone with permanent adhesive for attaching to the back wall, a second zone with permanent adhesive on the connecting tab for attaching to the hinged lid, and a third zone with re-sealable adhesive for covering the access opening. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function while collectively providing re-sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The label is pre-configured with different adhesive zones during manufacturing, with permanent adhesives already positioned to attach to the back wall and hinged lid, and re-sealable adhesive positioned to cover the access opening. This preliminary configuration enables the re-sealing function to work automatically when the packaging is opened and closed, without requiring additional user action to apply adhesives.
2Reliability
If a re-sealable label with multiple adhesive zones is implemented, then re-sealing capability is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The label manufacturing process is segmented into applying different adhesive types to specific zones: permanent adhesive to the first zone and connecting tab, and re-sealable adhesive to the third zone. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing procedures for each adhesive type, making the overall process manageable despite the complexity of using multiple adhesives.
Solution Approach 2:
Different adhesive properties are applied to different locations on the label according to their functional requirements. The permanent adhesive is applied where strong, irreversible attachment is needed (back wall and hinged lid), while the re-sealable adhesive is applied where temporary, reversible attachment is needed (access opening). This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both performance and manufacturability.
3Reliability
If the liner is made to cover the access opening completely, then product freshness and security are maintained, but access difficulty increases when opening
Solution Approach 1:
The label is designed to dynamically change its state between covering and uncovering the access opening. When the hinged lid is closed, the label is attached to both the back wall and the lid, keeping the access opening covered. When the lid is opened, the label detaches from the lid and can be peeled back, uncovering the access opening. This dynamic behavior provides both security when closed and easy access when opened.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting tab with permanent adhesive is designed to be discarded (detached from the hinged lid) when the packaging is opened for the first time, allowing access to the inner container. The re-sealable adhesive zone can then be used to recover the sealing function by attaching the label back to the inner box, covering the access opening again to maintain product freshness for subsequent openings.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example embodiment, a re-sealable label for covering an opening of a box includes a sheet of polymer material that includes a re-sealable adhesive on an underside thereof. A liner is adhered to the underside of the sheet of polymer material. The liner is configured to cover the opening and includes a foil layer and a paper layer. The sheet of polymer material includes a line of perforations wherein one or more of the perforations of the line of perforations include a rectilinear portion and a non-rectilinear portion.