Wet-Surface Adhesive Label With Discontinuous Coating

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pressure sensitive adhesive labels fail to adhere effectively to wet and irregularly shaped fruit and vegetable surfaces, as they require drying and are prone to creasing or folding on non-planar surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A self-adhesive label with a water absorbent backing layer and a rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesive applied discontinuously, allowing for moisture absorption and flexibility to conform to irregular surfaces, while maintaining adhesion even in wet conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional labels are applied to wet fruit and vegetable surfaces, then adhesion failure occurs, but drying the surfaces beforehand eliminates the problem

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion reliabilityVSAvoidapplication convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive composition is modified by incorporating hydrophobic polymers and silane-modified polymers that change their adhesive properties in response to moisture, enabling them to maintain strong adhesion on wet surfaces where conventional adhesives would fail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The label uses a composite structure combining a porous substrate layer with a specially formulated adhesive layer containing hydrophobic and silane-modified polymers, creating a material that can absorb excess moisture while maintaining bonding strength on wet surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Shape

If conventional planar labels are applied to irregular surfaces, then they become creased and folded, but making the label flexible may compromise adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface conformityVSAvoidadhesion strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The label employs a flexible porous substrate and thin adhesive layer formulation that allows the label to conform to irregular surfaces without creasing, while the hydrophobic polymer components ensure adhesion strength is maintained even when the label bends and flexes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive is applied in a discontinuous pattern rather than as a continuous layer, creating segments that allow the label to flex and conform to surface irregularities while maintaining bonding at multiple discrete points across the label area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If adhesive is applied continuously to maximize coverage, then moisture entrapment occurs causing adhesion failure, but discontinuous application reduces coverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion in wet conditionsVSAvoidadhesive coverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is applied in a discontinuous pattern with specific gap distances between adhesive regions, segmenting the adhesive layer to allow moisture escape paths while maintaining sufficient bonding coverage through strategically placed adhesive segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the label have different adhesive properties, with the discontinuous adhesive pattern creating areas of high adhesive concentration separated by areas that allow moisture management, optimizing both adhesion and moisture performance in different local regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 adheres to both wet and irregularly shaped surfaces, providing strong adhesion and flexibility, as demonstrated by its ability to conform to cantaloupe surfaces and absorb moisture without creasing or peeling off.

Implementation Method 1

The self-adhesive label is made of a water absorbent backing layer... It is believed that the areas of uncoated backing layer provide a means for moisture to be absorbed by the backing layer rendering the label flexible and pliable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesive applied on one side of the backing layer... the passage of water away from the adhesive improves adhesion between label and the target surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS8840984B1Pressure sensitive adhesive label for wet irregular surfaces

Publication Date: 2014.09.23 MORGAN ADHESIVES COMPANY

AI summary

The present invention relates to improved self-adhesive labels which are suitable far use in adhering to wet surfaces or wet irregularly shaped surfaces such as that found on fruits and vegetables. The self-adhesive label is made of a water absorbent backing layer having opposing sides and a rubber-based pressure sensitive adhesive applied on one side of the backing layer. The adhesive is discontinuously coated as a pattern onto the backing layer to provide areas of the adhesive interspersed with areas which are free of adhesive.