Varnish-Coated Release Liner Prevents Ink Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing release liners often suffer from ink transfer issues when re-applied to adhesive surfaces, which can degrade the adhesive properties and lead to unwanted ink transfer to other surfaces, especially when users change their mind about applying the adhesive or when the liner is reused.

Innovation Solution

A release liner with a varnish coating on both sides, including ink-printed features, that prevents transfer of ink to the adhesive surface, allowing for reversible application without compromising adhesive properties, and optionally features a visual or textural pattern and a release agent on one side for easy attachment and detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a release liner with ink-printed features is reused by reapplying it to the adhesive surface, then the release liner can be removed and reapplied multiple times, but ink transfers to the adhesive surface which degrades adhesive properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereusability of release linerVSAvoidadhesive properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A varnish coating is applied as an intermediary layer between the ink-printed features and the adhesive surface. This varnish layer acts as a barrier that prevents direct contact and ink transfer while allowing the release liner to be reapplied multiple times without degrading adhesive properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The release liner is constructed as a composite structure with multiple layers including the substrate, ink-printed features, and varnish coating. This composite structure combines the functionality of ink printing for identification with the protective function of varnish to prevent ink transfer, enabling both reusability and adhesive integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If the release liner is made transparent or translucent to allow visibility of the adhesive surface, then the user can see through the liner, but ink printed on the liner may transfer to the adhesive surface more easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility through release linerVSAvoidink transfer to adhesive surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The varnish coating serves as a protective intermediary layer that blocks ink transfer while maintaining the transparency or translucency of the substrate, allowing both visibility and ink protection to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The combination of transparent/translucent substrate with varnish coating creates a composite material that simultaneously provides optical transparency for visibility and a barrier function to prevent ink transfer to the adhesive surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of information

If the release liner includes ink-printed features for identification and branding, then the liner provides useful information and branding, but the ink may transfer to the adhesive surface when the liner is reapplied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation retention on release linerVSAvoidink transfer to adhesive surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The varnish coating acts as a protective barrier between the ink-printed features and the adhesive surface, preventing ink transfer while allowing the ink information to remain visible and intact on the release liner for repeated use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure of substrate plus varnish coating protects the ink-printed features from transferring to the adhesive surface while maintaining the informational and branding functions of the ink on the release liner itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 varnish coating effectively prevents ink transfer, enabling the release liner to be reused without degrading the adhesive surface, maintaining its integrity and preventing unwanted ink transfer to other surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

The varnish coating is configured to prevent transfer of the one or more ink-printed features to the adhesive surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBarrier effect:

Implementation Method 2

a release agent on the first side of the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRelease agent mechanism:

Data Source

PatentUS11679579B2Varnish-coated release liner

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 MASIMO CORP

AI summary

A release liner for removably covering an adhesive surface is disclosed. The release liner includes a substrate configured in size and shape to cover an adhesive surface of an item. The substrate includes a first side configured to releasably attach to the adhesive surface and a second side opposite the first side. The release liner also includes one or more ink-printed features on the second side of the substrate and a varnish coating on the second side of the substrate. The varnish coating covers at least the one or more ink-printed features on the second side of the substrate.