Cylindrical Shrink Label Solvent Welding Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for separating cylindrical shrink labels from containers are either cumbersome for consumers or inefficient in terms of productivity, particularly due to the use of adhesives which slow down the application process and require additional drying and aging steps.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical shrink label with heat-shrinkable material and jointed ends formed by solvent welding, where a resin layer soluble in hot alkaline solutions is applied to facilitate easy peeling by dissolving the jointed ends when immersed in a hot alkaline solution, allowing for efficient separation without compromising adhesive strength during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If adhesive is used to join the ends of the cylindrical shrink label, then the label can be easily applied to the container, but the application speed is reduced and additional drying and aging processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the joining material by using a low-viscosity solvent instead of a high-viscosity adhesive. The solvent rapidly penetrates and welds the label material, achieving strong joints without requiring drying or aging time, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while dramatically improving application speed and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of adhesives with a solvent-based welding mechanism. The solvent penetrates the label material and creates molecular-level bonding through dissolution and reformation, eliminating the need for mechanical adhesive application, drying, and aging processes, thereby increasing production efficiency
2Reliability
If adhesive is used to join the ends of the cylindrical shrink label, then the label can be securely attached, but extra processes such as adhesive drying process and aging processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of the joining process by using a solvent that acts immediately upon contact with the label material. The solvent rapidly dissolves and rewelds the material, creating strong joints in seconds without the time-consuming drying and aging phases required by adhesives, thus maintaining reliability while eliminating time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the intermediate drying and aging stages that are necessary when using adhesives. The solvent welding process jumps directly from application to final bond formation, rushing through the joining process in a single rapid step that achieves the same or better joint strength without the time-consuming intermediate phases
3Ease of operation
If a tearing aid line is formed in the label, then the label can be easily torn apart, but the label cannot be completely separated from the container for proper disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the soluble component from the jointed ends by immersing the labeled container in hot alkaline solution. The solvent used in the welding process remains in the jointed ends after application and is selectively dissolved by the alkaline solution, allowing the label to be completely separated from the container for proper disposal, thereby achieving both ease of operation and complete separation
4Productivity
If solvent welding is used to form jointed ends, then the label can be produced with high productivity, but the jointed ends need to be soluble for easy label removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials in the jointed ends by combining the label material with a soluble component from the welding solvent. This composite structure provides the strength needed for high-speed production while maintaining the ability to dissolve in hot alkaline solution, thereby achieving both high productivity and ease of manufacture for label removal
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 enables easy and efficient peeling of the label from the container without burdening consumers and improves productivity by using a solvent welding process that maintains adhesive strength while allowing for easy separation post-use.
Implementation Method 1
A resin layer soluble in a hot alkaline solution is formed at the jointed ends on at least one of the overlapped ends... because the resin layer formed at the jointed ends dissolves and the jointed ends are peeled away from each other by immersing the labeled container in a hot alkaline solution
Implementation Method 2
jointed ends formed by arranging the label base material in a cylindrical shape, and overlapping and solvent welding opposite ends to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A cylindrical shrink label is provided with a heat-shrinkable label base material; and a joint formed by cylindrically forming the label base material so that the edges thereof overlap, and then solvent welding the inner surface of the outside edge, which is positioned on the outside of the cylinder, and the outer surface of the inside edge, which is positioned on the inside of the cylinder. A resin layer, which is soluble in a hot alkaline aqueous solution, is formed on the abovementioned inner surface and/or the abovementioned outer surface, which form the joint.