Stretchable Sleeve With Weakness Line for Easy Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stretchable plastic labeling sleeves are difficult to remove from articles without tools due to their elasticity and mechanical strength, which is necessary for secure fitting, making separation challenging for recycling or recovery purposes.
Innovation Solution
A stretchable plastic labeling sleeve with a line of weakness extending from the end edge to the engagement edge, providing variable resistance to allow easy manual opening and removal without tools, while maintaining sufficient strength for sleeving around the article.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the sleeve is made with high mechanical strength and elasticity to fit securely around the article, then the sleeving operation can be performed without risk of tearing, but the sleeve becomes difficult to remove from the article without tools
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is segmented into two distinct zones with different mechanical properties: a gripping edge zone with high mechanical strength for secure fitting during sleeving, and a separation zone with reduced strength (line of weakness) for easy removal. This segmentation allows the sleeve to simultaneously achieve secure attachment during installation and easy detachment during removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sleeve are given different local qualities: the gripping edge is designed with high elasticity and mechanical strength to resist tearing during sleeving, while the separation zone incorporates a line of weakness with reduced mechanical properties. This local differentiation enables the sleeve to perform both functions - secure fitting and easy removal - in different locations.
2Shape
If the sleeve perimeter is made slightly less than the article perimeter to enable elastic fitting, then the sleeve can be stretched and secured around the article, but the sleeve creates strong pressing force that makes separation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve structure is segmented into a gripping edge portion that provides elastic fitting through stretching, and a separate separation zone with a line of weakness that allows easy detachment. The segmentation enables the elastic fitting function to be decoupled from the removal function, so the pressing force from elastic fitting does not prevent easy separation at the weakness line.
3Strength
If no line of weakness is provided in the gripping edge, then the sleeve maintains uniform strength for secure fitting, but the sleeve cannot be easily opened by manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is divided into a gripping edge zone without line of weakness (maintaining uniform strength for secure fitting) and a separation zone with a line of weakness (enabling easy manual opening). This segmentation allows the gripping edge to maintain its integrity and strength while providing a dedicated zone for easy manual separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The line of weakness is extracted from the gripping edge and placed in a separate separation zone. This extraction allows the gripping edge to maintain its full strength and uniformity for secure fitting, while the separated weakness line provides the easy opening capability in a different location.
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
Enables easy and secure fitting of the sleeve around the article without risk of tearing during installation and allows for effortless removal by manual effort, addressing the challenge of separation for recycling or recovery.
Implementation Method 1
a stretchable plastic labeling sleeve capable of being easily sleeved on an article without risk of tearing
Implementation Method 2
The line of weakness comprises a variable resistance so that, on the one hand, the gripping edge has a resistance suitable for resisting the stretching force during the operation of threading the sleeve around the article, and on the other hand, the sleeve has, from the end edge, a lower resistance than the resistance of the gripping edge to allow easy opening of the sleeve by manual effort
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The sleeve (1) has a tubular shape defined by an end edge (1-1) and an engagement edge (1-2), and a weakening line (10) placed from the end edge, where the sleeve is slipped on an article (2) using a gripping system (4) acting on a gripping border (5) defined from the end edge. The line has a variable resistance such that a gripping border (5) has a resistance to resist stretching during slipping of the sleeve around the article. The variable resistance is provided such that the sleeve has a resistance less than the resistance of the border from the end edge to easily open the sleeve. The sleeve is formed from a stretchable plastic film or sheath.