Shipping Label with Edge Adhesive Strips Reducing Liner Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shipping labels generate significant waste due to the large size of their liners, which are typically used once and discarded, contributing to environmental concerns without affecting the label's functionality or ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A single-ply shipping label design with adhesive strips along the top and bottom edges and a central printable area, where the liner only covers the adhesive strips, allowing for printing on the label while secured to the liner, thereby reducing waste by up to 40% compared to traditional labels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional shipping label uses a large liner covering the entire back face, then the label provides sufficient adhesive coverage and reliable attachment, but it generates significant waste and increases environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The back face of the label is segmented into distinct adhesive regions (top strip, bottom strip, and side strips) separated by non-adhesive gaps. This segmentation allows the liner to be reduced in size while still providing adequate adhesive coverage through the distributed adhesive strips, thereby reducing liner waste while maintaining reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the label back face are assigned different functions: adhesive strips for attachment, non-adhesive gaps for liner reduction and printing access, and printable areas for information display. This local differentiation optimizes each region's contribution to the overall function while minimizing waste.
2Loss of substance
If the liner covers only the adhesive strips with a central void, then waste is reduced by up to 40%, but the label structure becomes more complex requiring precise positioning of adhesive strips
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive border is segmented into multiple discrete strips positioned at the edges of the label, with non-adhesive gaps between them. This segmentation simplifies the overall adhesive application while enabling the reduced liner design with central void, as the strips are positioned at extreme edges where they provide maximum attachment with minimum material.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-adhesive gaps between adhesive strips serve as intermediaries that allow the liner to be reduced in size while still maintaining functional integrity. These gaps provide space for the printed information to be accessed and for the liner to be positioned precisely without requiring full coverage.
3Ease of operation
If adhesive strips are positioned at the edges with non-adhesive gaps between them, then the printable area can be accessed through the liner, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The label structure assigns specific local qualities to different regions: adhesive strips at edges for attachment, non-adhesive gaps for printing access, and printable areas for information. This local differentiation enables the printable area to be accessed through the liner via the non-adhesive gaps while maintaining functional integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive strips and non-adhesive gaps are pre-configured in the label structure before printing. This preliminary arrangement of adhesive regions and gaps ensures that when the liner is applied, the printable areas are automatically positioned accessible through the gaps, reducing the need for post-assembly adjustments.
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 solution reduces waste associated with shipping label liners while maintaining the functionality and ease of use, offering an environmentally friendlier option without increasing costs or compromising the label's quality.
Implementation Method 1
The label has a back face having a first strip of adhesive, a second strip of adhesive, and a printable area. The first and second adhesive strips respectively extend along a top edge and a bottom edge of the shipping label.
Data Source
AI summary
A shipping label is formed of a single ply and is configured to be removably adhered to a liner. The shipping label has a front face configured for the printing of indicia. The label has a back face having a first strip of adhesive, a second strip of adhesive, and a printable area. The first and second adhesive strips respectively extend along a top edge and a bottom edge of the shipping label. The printable area is between the first and second adhesive strips. The liner associated with the shipping label is configured to be removably secured to the first and second adhesive strips. The printable area is adapted to be printed while the liner is removably secured to the first and second adhesive strips.