Packaging workers need efficient solutions for parcels of all sizes. Current methods lack sufficient adhesive strength and eco-friendliness, with hot melt adhesives posing a recyclability challenge. ICO focuses on lightweight, cordless designs powered by batteries and eco-friendly seaweed-based adhesives. This promotes sustainability and enhances recyclability when combined with pulp materials. The gear-driven system enables effortless extrusion of hot melt adhesive for bonding large packages by rolling. ICO improves the efficiency of packaging large parcels for workers and facilitates the recycling process for packaging materials.

Design Brief:

Hot melt adhesive packaging holds a USD 8.05 billion market value, being a prominent packaging form. Various adhesion methods in packaging recycling lack environmental friendliness, posing a significant environmental burden.

Pain Points:

Existing hot glue guns are too heavy for frequent use or require wired connections, making it inconvenient for workers to move. Also, workers will face hand cramps when they use the glue gun.

Environment Problems:

In the 2021 research conducted by the American Forest & Paper Association on the topic of 'design guidance for recyclability; it was mentioned that 33% or more of respondents rated hot melt adhesives as a challenge in mills. However, being a challenge does not necessarily render something non-recyclable. Hot melt adhesive cannot biodegrade with paper packaging. In the recycling process, hot melt adhesive cannot bond with pulp and some improperly used hot melt adhesives cannot be filtered.

Biodegradable Materials:

Beardowadams provides Vegan hot-melt-grade glue. Bio-base hot-melt adhesives can enhance recycling efficiency by bonding with pulp during the recycling process. Also, it can reduce waste accumulation and minimize carbon emissions during production. It utilizes lower-temperature melting technology, reducing energy consumption.

CMF:

ICO utilizes recycled plastic for the casing, recycled cork for the handle, and bio-based glue.

User Experience:

The glue gun features a gear-driven system inside, where activating the lower gear drives the gear assembly to extrude the hot melt adhesive. When bonding large packages, workers can place the glue gun roller on the packaging and drag it to quickly and evenly apply hot melt adhesive over a large area. When bonding small packages, simply pressing the button on the glue gun gently will extrude the hot melt adhesive. After dispensing hot melt adhesive, workers can place the glue gun into its holster for heating, eliminating the need to lift and set down the heavy glue gun as before, thus freeing up their hands. It can reduce the risk of getting hand cramps.