Wash-Off Packaging Label With Spacing Agent Adhesive Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing labels on reusable packaging are difficult to remove completely during washing, often leaving residual adhesive, complicating recycling and reuse processes.

Innovation Solution

A washable label design featuring an adhesive layer shielded by a spacing agent with a thickness of 0.5 to 200 microns, creating air pockets that facilitate the label's detachment upon contact with water, allowing efficient removal without leaving residues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a label is fixed on packaging with adhesives to ensure proper attachment and brand representation, then the label adheres strongly to the packaging, but the label becomes difficult to remove completely during washing, leaving residual adhesive on the packaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive strengthVSAvoidlabel removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer is segmented into multiple sub-layers with different functions: a first adhesive sub-layer provides strong initial bonding to the packaging, while a second adhesive sub-layer with lower adhesion strength facilitates label removal during washing. This segmentation allows the label to both adhere strongly during use and detach easily during cleaning, resolving the contradiction between strong attachment and easy removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If the adhesive layer is applied to the full surface of the label to ensure complete coverage, then the label adheres uniformly to the packaging, but complete removal of the label and glue becomes unattainable, leaving residues bound to the reusable packaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive coverage areaVSAvoidadhesive residue
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the adhesive layer are given different properties: the first adhesive sub-layer has high adhesion strength for strong bonding, while the second adhesive sub-layer has lower adhesion strength to enable complete removal. This local differentiation of adhesive properties allows full surface coverage for uniform attachment while preventing residue formation during removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If wet-glue adhesive is applied to the full surface or in strips immediately before labeling to ensure proper adhesion, then the label attaches well to the packaging, but the handling of these labels becomes difficult and complete removal during washing is often unattainable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabel adhesionVSAvoidlabel handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer is pre-applied to the label in a controlled manufacturing environment, allowing for precise application patterns and proper drying before the label is applied to the packaging. This preliminary action eliminates the need for workers to handle wet adhesive during labeling operations, reducing handling complexity while maintaining strong adhesion through the multi-sublayer design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 label effectively separates from the packaging during washing, ensuring no adhesive residue remains, enhancing recycling and reuse efficiency by simplifying the cleaning process.

Implementation Method 1

creating air pockets that facilitate the label's detachment upon contact with water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir pockets:

Data Source

PatentEP4544535B1Label for packaging
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 DRUKKERIJ VOET BVBA
  • EP4544535B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The current invention relates to a label comprising a front (4) and a rear side (6) wherein said front side (4) is provided with information and a rear side is provided with an adhesive layer (3) for bonding said label on an article (1), such as packaging, and wherein a spacing agent (2) is arranged above said adhesive layer, such that a discontinuous pattern is formed over said adhesive layer, thereby shielding portions of said adhesive layer by said spacing agents, whereas other portions are not shielded, characterized in that, said spacing agent has a thickness of between 0.5 and 200 microns.