Shrink Label with Multilayer Cyclic Polymer Film
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shrink label technologies face challenges in providing a label that can effectively shrink and fit tightly around items while maintaining decorative and informational purposes, especially with varying surface shapes and materials.
Innovation Solution
A shrink label comprising an uniaxially oriented multilayer face film with specific polyethylene and cyclic polymer compositions, where the skin layers have different glass transition temperatures, allowing for controlled shrinkage and adhesion, is developed. The method involves stretching, cooling, and solvent bonding of the film to create a seam, enabling it to shrink and fit securely around items when heated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional shrink label materials are used, then the label can be applied to items, but the label cannot provide a tight, secure fit around items with varying surface shapes and materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multilayer composite film structure comprising polyethylene layers and cyclic polymer layers with different glass transition temperatures. This composite structure enables the label to achieve both tight fitting precision and adaptability to varying surface shapes, as each layer contributes different thermal and mechanical properties that work synergistically during the shrinking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes different glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the cyclic polymer layers (30-100°C) as a key parameter to control shrinkage behavior. By selecting specific Tg ranges, the label can be designed to shrink at controlled temperatures to fit various item shapes while maintaining structural integrity, thus achieving both precision fit and shape adaptability.
2Reliability
If the label is made to shrink tightly around items, then the fit is secure, but the label may compromise decorative and informational purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the label into multiple functional layers: a face layer for decorative and informational purposes, and a multilayer shrinkable layer for secure fitting. This segmentation allows each layer to fulfill its specific function independently - the face layer maintains its surface integrity for aesthetics while the shrinkable layers provide the secure fit through controlled shrinking.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure separates the decorative face layer from the functional shrinkable layers. The face layer can be designed with high surface quality for decoration and information, while the cyclic polymer layers below provide the shrinking mechanism. This composite approach ensures that secure fitting does not compromise the label's decorative and informational qualities.
3Ease of manufacture
If the label uses simple single-layer structure, then the manufacturing is easier, but the label cannot provide controlled shrinkage properties for different item shapes
Solution Approach 1:
While the patent uses a multilayer composite structure that requires more complex manufacturing than single-layer labels, the extrusion process used to create the labeled article is a standard industrial technique. The composite structure enables precise control over shrinkage properties through the selection of specific polymer combinations and their respective glass transition temperatures, achieving manufacturing precision that justifies the additional manufacturing complexity.
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 allows for a tight, secure fit of the label around items, providing both decorative and informational purposes while ensuring structural support and tactile feel, with controlled shrinkage properties that adapt to different item shapes and materials.
Implementation Method 1
heating the shrink label at temperature between 65 and 140° C. so as to form a tight fitting label around the item
Implementation Method 2
bonding the area wherein the first skin layer and the second skin layer are adjacent to each other together with the solvent so as to form a seam
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a shrink label. According to an embodiment the shrink label comprises an uniaxially oriented multilayer face film comprising skin layers including polyethylene polymer(s) and at least two cyclic polymers comprising different glass transition temperatures between 30 and 100° C. and the difference between the glass transition temperatures being between 5 and 60° C., and wherein the multilayer face film is seamed by a solvent. The invention further relates to a method for providing a shrink label, use of the shrink label, method for providing a shrink label and method for labelling.