Water-Soluble Adhesive Label With Intermediate Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adhesive labels, particularly in the food sector, face challenges in achieving good adhesive properties while ensuring residue-free removal and reusability of containers, as current solutions either leave residues or require destructive removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A three-layer adhesive label structure is introduced, comprising a non-pressure-sensitive middle layer between the visible material and adhesive layer to prevent migration and adjust water sensitivity, and a pressure-sensitive middle layer to enhance initial and final adhesion, allowing for easy removal without residue, using a water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesive that loses adhesion at elevated temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is used to enable easy removal, then residue-free release is improved, but adhesive strength and reliability during application deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive label is divided into multiple functional layers: a visible material layer, a first middle layer (non-pressure-sensitive), a second middle layer (pressure-sensitive), and a water-soluble adhesive layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the second middle layer provides initial adhesion strength while the water-soluble layer enables easy removal, resolving the contradiction between adhesive strength and removal ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The label uses a composite multi-layer structure combining different material properties: the visible material (paper or film), the non-pressure-sensitive middle layer (providing stability), the pressure-sensitive middle layer (providing initial adhesion), and the water-soluble adhesive layer (enabling removal). This composite structure integrates both strong adhesion and easy removal capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If the adhesive layer is made water-soluble for easy removal, then release properties are improved, but adhesive stability during normal use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The first middle layer acts as an intermediary between the visible material and the adhesive layers. It is not water-soluble or swellable, providing a stable barrier that prevents water from penetrating to the adhesive layers during normal use, thus maintaining adhesive stability while allowing easy removal when water is applied intentionally for detachment.
3Reliability
If middle layers are added to improve adhesion and removal properties, then adhesive performance is improved, but label structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The label structure is segmented into four distinct functional layers, each with a specific purpose: visible material, first middle layer (stability), second middle layer (adhesion), and water-soluble adhesive layer (removal). This segmentation allows for optimized performance of each function while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured efficiently.
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 solution enables effective adhesion and easy residue-free removal of labels, reducing the risk of separation and minimizing adhesive transfer during washing, facilitating the reuse of containers by ensuring the labels are tack-free after detachment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one adhesive layer made of a water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesive
Implementation Method 2
a second middle layer which is designed to be pressure-sensitive and is provided between the visible material and the first middle layer. This is preferably adhesive at room temperature.
Implementation Method 3
the final adhesion is also improved by a dissipative component
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an adhesive label comprising a flexible web-shaped reflective material, wherein at least one adhesive layer of a water-soluble adhesive is applied to one side of the flexible reflective material, wherein at least one first intermediate layer is provided which is not adhesive and is not water-soluble or water-swellable, which is arranged between the reflective material and the water-soluble adhesive layer, and a second intermediate layer which is provided between the first intermediate layer and the reflective material, which is adhesive.