Shrink Sleeve for Pump Dispenser with Tear Strip
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional labeling technologies for dispensers do not allow for full surface decoration, leading to cluttered visual experiences and the risk of premature dispenser activation when consumers pick up the product on a shelf.
Innovation Solution
A shrink sleeve design for vertical pump-up dispensers that is opaque in the middle section and transparent in the upper and lower regions, covering the actuator and container base, with a frangible tear strip for easy removal, providing uncluttered aesthetics and preventing accidental activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional labeling technologies (wet glue labels, self-adhesive labels, in mold labels) are used, then the labeling process is simple, but the decoration coverage is limited and cannot cover the full bottle surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a shrink sleeve made of flexible thermoplastic material that can be shrunk all around the beverage bottle using heat shrinkage. This flexible film approach allows complete surface coverage including areas around the cap and base, overcoming the area limitations of conventional rigid or adhesive-based labeling methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The shrink sleeve extends the labeling area into three dimensions by wrapping around the entire bottle circumference and vertically covering from near the cap to near the base. This dimensional approach allows decoration to cover the full surface area rather than being restricted to flat label areas.
2Strength
If a box or shroud is used to protect the dispenser, then protection is provided, but the consumer cannot see the actuator top and its relationship to the fluid container base
Solution Approach 1:
The shrink sleeve uses different transparency properties in different regions: it is transparent in the upper and lower regions to allow visibility of the actuator top and container base, while being opaque in the middle section to provide protection and display information. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between protection and visibility.
3Loss of information
If the shrink sleeve is opaque in the middle section, then product information can be displayed, but the consumer cannot see the product color below the label information
Solution Approach 1:
The shrink sleeve is designed with spatially varying transparency: opaque in the middle section for information display, and transparent in the lower region to allow consumers to see the product color through the sleeve, thus resolving the contradiction between information privacy and product visibility.
4Loss of information
If the shrink sleeve is transparent in the upper region, then the actuator profile is visible, but the dispenser may be inadvertently activated when picked up on the shelf
Solution Approach 1:
The shrink sleeve uses transparent material in the upper region to display the actuator profile and relationship to the container, while the overall sleeve design provides a barrier that prevents inadvertent pump activation during handling, thus resolving the contradiction between information visibility and operational reliability.
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 shrink sleeve allows consumers to easily identify the actuator and container while preventing accidental dispenser activation, offering a cost-effective solution for displaying product information without clutter, enhancing both shelf appeal and home aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a shrink sleeve, which has been shrunk around the dispenser
Data Source
AI summary
A shrink sleeve on a vertical pump-up dispenser covers a portion of the actuator, the container and the gap between the actuator and the container. The shrink sleeve may have upper and lower transparent portions to display properties of the dispenser and a middle portion to display product use information. The shrink sleeve may be removable via a tear strip so that the dispenser has an uncluttered appearance when used by the consumer.