Rotatable Self-Laminating Marker With Adhesive-Free Zone

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional self-laminating markers are not versatile enough for rotation around elongate objects and can be difficult to reposition axially after application, often experiencing compression or friction that hinders the separation of the breakaway section from the rotatable portion.

Innovation Solution

The method involves folding the head end of the marker onto itself to create an adhesive-free surface for application, using visual indicia or perforations to guide the fold, and employing a bifurcated release liner to expose adhesive only where necessary, allowing for rotation and repositioning without adhesive interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the marker is directly affixed to the object with adhesive covering the entire surface, then the marker is securely attached to the object, but the marker cannot be rotated or repositioned after application

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRotatability and repositionability of markerVSAvoidSecure attachment of marker to object
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The marker substrate is divided into two distinct regions: an adhesive region for secure attachment to the object and an adhesive-free region for rotation and repositioning. This segmentation allows the marker to be firmly attached while still enabling movement by sliding the adhesive-free portion along the object surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive is extracted from only a portion of the marker substrate, specifically creating an adhesive-free region. This removal of adhesive from part of the surface enables the marker to be rotated and repositioned without the constraint of full-surface adhesion, while the remaining adhesive region maintains secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a breakaway adhesive-containing section is used to enable rotation, then the marker can be rotated by separating the breakaway section, but compression or friction makes rotating difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of rotationVSAvoidFriction and compression resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Adhesive is completely removed from a specific region of the marker substrate to create an adhesive-free zone. This extraction eliminates the friction and compression forces that would otherwise resist rotation, allowing the marker to rotate smoothly by sliding this adhesive-free portion along the object surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the entire substrate surface has adhesive for secure attachment, then the marker is firmly fixed to the object, but the print may be damaged or obscured during attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFirm fixation of markerVSAvoidDamage or obscuration of print during attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The marker substrate is designed with non-uniform adhesive distribution: the adhesive region provides secure attachment while the adhesive-free region, positioned to cover the print area, prevents the print from being damaged or obscured during the attachment process. This local differentiation of adhesive presence solves both the fixation and print protection requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3579216B1Rotatable self-laminating markers
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 BRADY WORLDWIDE INC
  • EP3579216B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(C)
  • EP3579216B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(E)
  • EP3579216B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~4(C)

AI summary

A rotatable self-lam for attachment to an elongate object can be made by variations to conventional self-lams. In some forms, the rotatable self-lam can be made by folding a portion of the head end of the self-lam onto itself to provide an adhesive-free length which is first wrapped around the elongate object during marker application. In other forms, a bifurcated release liner can have a portion proximate the head end of the marker which can be removed to help template or accommodate the fold to create the adhesive-free length or can have a portion proximate the head end which is retained when the portion proximate the tail end is removed such that the retained portion of the release liner provides an adhesive-free surface during application.