Thermally Activated Adhesive Label for Resin-Free Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing label technologies face challenges such as complex production processes, environmental hazards, limited design flexibility, and disposal issues, particularly with self-adhesive labels and shrink-sleeves, which restrict material choice, texture, and the ability to achieve a 'No-label' look.

Innovation Solution

A label with an adhesive layer that is initially non-tacky but becomes tacky upon activation by external energy, such as heat, forming a strong and heat-resistant bond, eliminating the need for a release liner and allowing for temporary tackiness during application, followed by a non-tacky state for easy removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If self-adhesive labels with pressure-sensitive tacky adhesive are used, then labels can be applied easily to items, but the adhesive remains tacky for unlimited time causing the label to stay permanently attached and creating disposal issues with release liners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of label applicationVSAvoiddisposal complexity and waste generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive's tackiness is made dynamic rather than static. It transitions from tacky (when activated by heat) to non-tacky (after cooling), enabling the label to be applied easily and then removed without residue, solving both application ease and disposal issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive's physical state is changed by temperature parameters. Heating activates tackiness for application, then cooling deactivates it for easy removal, eliminating the need for release liners and simplifying disposal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If wet-glue labels are used, then labels can be applied to substrates, but the process is messy requiring large amounts of time for clean-up and set-up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel application capabilityVSAvoidclean-up and set-up time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The messy wet-glue mechanical application process is replaced with a thermal activation system. The adhesive is activated by heat without requiring water-based glue, eliminating clean-up time and simplifying the application process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Area of stationary object

If shrink-sleeves are used to cover the whole surface of objects, then complete coverage is achieved, but 180° decoration or partial surface labeling is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface coverage areaVSAvoidlabel placement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The labeling solution is segmented to allow partial surface coverage. Labels can be applied to specific areas rather than requiring complete surface coverage, enabling 180° decoration and flexible placement on containers of various shapes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Shape

If clear film labels are used with wet-glue, then transparency is achieved, but water cannot evaporate resulting in unattractive bubbles in the label

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel transparencyVSAvoidlabel appearance quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water-based wet-glue system is replaced with a thermal activation system. Since no water is involved, evaporation issues and bubble formation are eliminated while maintaining clear film transparency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution simplifies labeling processes, reduces waste, enables labeling of sensitive materials, and provides better bond strength, water-resistance, and heat-resistance compared to traditional adhesives, while allowing for complex designs and a 'No-label' appearance.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive layer arranged on the rear side of the substrate, the adhesive layer being non-tacky but activatable to become tacky

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

forming a strong and heat-resistant bond

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS8673442B2Label, a method in labelling and use of an adhesive

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 UPM RAFLATAC OY

AI summary

A label including a substrate having a face side and a rear side, and an adhesive layer arranged on the rear side of the substrate. The adhesive layer is non-tacky but activatable to become tacky. The adhesive layer includes a deactivating agent that is activatable by external energy so that the agent, when activated, begins to transform the adhesive layer to become non-tacky. A method for attaching a label to an item. The use of an adhesive in labelling.