Patent Application
20060228508
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a label assembly including at least one label having at least one printable surface. The label is mountable with respect to an object. More particularly, this invention is directed to a label that is mountable about a neck portion of a bottle to provide information related to the contents of the bottle upon which the label is mounted.
2. Description of Related Art
Wines are typically bottled and each bottle stored in a compartment within a wine rack. Wine racks preferably maintain each bottle in a generally horizontal or laid-flat position within the individual compartment in an organized configuration. With each bottle positioned within a compartment of the wine rack, the label on the bottle cannot be read without removing the bottle from within the wine rack compartment.
Accordingly, a need exists for a tag or label that can be mounted or position on or adhered to a bottle to indicate information related or relevant to the contents of the bottle that is visible without removing the bottle from the wine rack. A need also exists for a tag or label that can be easily identified and/or organized. A further need exists for a tag or label assembly that can be easily manufactured and assembled to form a tag or label having a printable surface on which the related or relevant information can be printed.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a label that can be mounted or positioned about an object, such as a label forming a void for mounting the label on a neck portion of a bottle.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a label having at least one printable surface that contains information to identify and/or indicate relevant information related to the object to which the label is associated.
The above and other objects of this invention can be attained with a label assembly including a back sheet and a face sheet removably adhered to the back sheet. The face sheet has a carrier portion and at least one label. Preferably, the label assembly includes a plurality of labels removably adhered, attached or connected to the back sheet. At least one line of separation is formed between each label and the carrier portion to define an outer periphery of the label. Each label can be peeled or removed from the back sheet and separated or removed with respect to the carrier portion.
Each label preferably includes a first side portion having a first outer periphery at least partially defining a first shape. A first void or opening is formed within the first outer periphery. The first side portion includes at least one printable surface on which information can be printed, including, but not limited to, pictures, images, drawings, letters, numbers, words and/or symbols.
Each label also includes a second side portion having a second outer periphery at least partially defining a second shape. Preferably, but not necessarily, the second shape is the same or similar to the first shape. A second void or opening is formed within the second outer periphery. The second side portion includes at least one printable surface on which information can be printed.
A fold line is positioned between and connects or forms a boundary between the first side portion and the second side portion. The first side portion and the second side portions are foldable along the fold line with respect to each other to form the label. With the label in the folded position, the first void formed in the first side portion is preferably generally aligned with the second void formed in the second side portion. With the first void and the second void aligned, the label can be positioned or mounted on or about an object, such as a neck portion of a bottle.
With the label in the folded position, a back surface of the first side portion is adhesively bonded or adhered to a back surface of the second side portion. Further, the outer periphery of the first side portion is preferably but not necessarily coextensive with the outer periphery of the second side portion and the first printable surface is opposite the second printable surface.
The first side portion includes or forms a first removable panel cut within the first shape at least partially defined by the first side portion on the face sheet. The first removable panel can have any suitable shape including, but not limited to, a circular shape, an elliptical shape and a polygonal shape. The first removable panel can be removed with respect to the first side portion to form a first void within the first side portion. Similarly, the second side portion includes or forms a second removable panel cut within the second shape at least partially defined by the second side portion on the face sheet. The second removable panel can be removed with respect to the second side portion to form a second void within the second side portion. The second removable panel can have any suitable shape including, but not limited to, a circular shape, an elliptical shape and a polygonal shape. Preferably, but not necessarily, the shape of the first removable panel is similar to or the same as the shape of the second removable panel. The first removable panel and/or the second removable panel can be removed before, after or as the label is separated from the back sheet.
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, a first removable section extends between the first outer periphery and a perimeter of the first void. Similarly, a second removable section extends between the second outer periphery and a perimeter of the second void, so that with the label in the folded position the first removable section is preferably generally aligned with the second removable section. Preferably, two tearable lines of separation each extends between the first outer periphery and a perimeter of the first void and define the first removable section. Similarly, two tearable lines of separation each extends between the second outer periphery and a perimeter of the second void and define the second removable section.
Alternatively, each label can include a first opening formed between the first outer periphery and a perimeter of the first void. The first opening communicates with the first void. A second opening is formed between the second outer periphery and a perimeter of the second void and communicates with the second void. With the label in the folded position, the first opening is generally aligned with the second opening.
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the label includes a plurality of slits. Each slit extends radially outwardly from at least one of a perimeter of the first void and a perimeter of the second void. Preferably, a plurality of slits are formed in the first side portion. Each slit extends radially outwardly from the perimeter of the first void. Similarly, a plurality of slits are formed in the second side portion and each slit extends radially outwardly from the perimeter of the second void. With the label in the folded position, each slit formed in the first side portion preferably, but not necessarily, corresponds with or is aligned with a slit formed in the second side portion. The slits allow the label to be securely positioned about a neck portion of a bottle.
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the face sheet includes a second label removable with respect to the carrier portion. The second label is removable from the back sheet and can be adhesively attached to a surface of an object, such as a surface of a bottle on which the first label is positioned. Preferably, the second label includes a printable surface having or containing information that corresponds or relates to the information printed on the first side portion and/or the second side portion of the first label.
Other objects and advantages of this invention are apparent to those skilled in the art, in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended claims and drawings.
The present invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating principles of the present invention.
The present invention is directed to a label assembly having a back sheet and a face sheet removably adhered to the back sheet. The face sheet includes a carrier portion and at least one label that is removable from the back sheet and separable from the carrier portion. The label includes connected side portions that can be folded with respect to one another and adhesively bonded together to form a label to align voids formed in each side portion. The label also includes at least one printable surface upon which information can be printed to identify an object on which the label is mounted or positioned.
The labels made according to the present invention can be positioned about a neck portion of a bottle, such as a wine bottle 99, or other suitable container and may contain any suitable or relevant information. Such information may include an image, print, picture, drawing, letter, number, word and/or symbol, for example, to identify the contents of the bottle and provide related or relevant information. The label can be positioned about a stem of a wine glass or other glass or cup to identify the person to whom the glass belongs or the label can be hung on a closet hanger or hook to identify relevant information regarding the garment or article corresponding to the label. Although the following description of this invention generally refers to a label that can be positioned about a neck portion of a wine bottle to identify relevant information pertaining to such facts as the maker of the wine, the year in which the wine was produced, the purchase price, an inventory number and/or a year the bottle was acquired, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the labels made according to the present invention can be used for any suitable or desired purpose.
Back sheet 18 of label assembly 10 preferably includes one side having a treated surface to facilitate removal of face sheet 20 relative to back sheet 18. More specifically, the removal of a label 30 from back sheet 18 is facilitated by the treated surface. Preferably, a substantial portion of the adhesive layer remains with label 30 as it is removed from back sheet 18. As shown in
Face sheet 20 is preferably, but not necessarily, constructed of any suitable paper, paper composite, non-metal, metal material and/or any other suitable material that can be used as a label. Other suitable materials for constructing face sheet 20 include fabric, plastic, and metal foils. An adhesive coating is applied, in any suitable manner known to those skilled in the art, to one side of face sheet 20. Face sheet 20 preferably has at least one printable surface on a side opposite the adhesive side. The printable surface on face sheet 20 can be any of a variety of face materials used to make pressure sensitive, or self-adhesive labels. Such face materials may include, but are not limited to smudgeproof stock, litho stock, cast coated stock, tag stock, fluorescent stock, foils, computer printable polyester, vinyl, satin cloth, Tyvek™ material, flexible plastic, book papers, photo quality papers and/or photo quality film.
As used throughout this specification and in the claims, the term printable surface relates to a surface of any type of matter upon which a person or machine can draw, print, color, paint, photocopy, write, emboss or make any other type of mark or graphic. Laser printers, ink jet printers, impact printers, thermal transfer printers, direct thermal printers, typewriters or any other suitable graphic printing devices are preferred, but not necessary, for use with printable surfaces according to this invention.
As briefly described above, a layer of an adhesive is preferably positioned between back sheet 18 and face sheet 20 so that the adhesive adheres to face sheet 20 exclusively or at least adheres to face sheet 20 more than to back sheet 18 when face sheet 20 is removed from back sheet 18. As a result of this configuration, label assembly 10 includes face sheet 20 having a printable side and an opposite, adhesive side and back sheet 18 including a separable side and an opposite side.
Face sheet 20 includes a carrier portion 25 and at least one label 30. Label 30 is preferably pre-cut or shaped into a desired form for application in a desired manner, such as a bottle neck label. At least one line of separation 26 is formed between each label 30 and carrier portion 25 to define an outer periphery 32 of each label 30. Preferably, line of separation 26 is die-cut along at least a portion of a periphery of a first side portion 40 of label 30 and at least a portion of a periphery of second side portion 60 of label 30. Label 30 is removable from back sheet 18 and removable with respect to carrier portion 25 along line of separation 26.
Referring further to
Label 30 includes a second side portion 60 having a second outer periphery 62 at least partially defining a second shape. A second removable panel 64 is formed or cut within the second shape of second side portion 60 on face sheet 20. Second removable panel 64 is removable with respect second side portion 60 to form a second void 66, as shown in
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, first removable panel 44 has one of a circular shape, an elliptical shape and a polygonal shape and second removable panel 64 has a shape corresponding to the shape of first removable panel 44 such that an outer periphery of first removable panel 44 corresponds to an outer periphery of second removable panel 64. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that each removable panel can have any suitable shape that results in the formation of a void having a suitable size and/or dimensions when the removable panel is removed from the respective side portion.
As shown in
Preferably, but not necessarily, with label 30 in a folded position, second outer periphery 62 is generally coextensive with first outer periphery 42. Further, with label 30 in the folded position, first void 46 is generally aligned with second void 66. With first void 46 aligned with second void 66, label 30 is positionable about a neck portion of a wine bottle. As discussed above, label 30 made according to the present invention can be positioned about a neck portion of the wine bottle to identify the contents of the bottle and any desired information regarding the purchase of the bottle and/or relevant information pertaining to such facts as the maker of the wine, the year in which the wine was produced, the purchase price, an inventory number and/or a year the bottle was acquired.
As shown in
Similarly, second side portion 60 preferably includes at least one second printable surface 68 on which any desired information can be printed. As shown in
Label 30 can include a removable section or a removed section positioned about the void formed in label 30, to slidably position label 30 about an object. For example, label 30 including a removable section or a removed section can be slidably positioned about a stem of a wine glass at a party and include a name and/or photograph indicating or identifying the person using the glass. As shown in
As used throughout this specification and in the claims, the term tearable lines of separation relates to separation lines that can be torn to separate the removable sections 80, 90 from label 30 after label 30 has been removed from back sheet 18, if desired. Tearable lines of separation can be formed of a die cut line, a laser die cut line, a score cut line, a perforation line, a microperforation line, a chemically etched line, a liquid etched line, a gas etched line and combinations thereof or any other suitable separation line.
In another preferred embodiment of this invention, label 30 includes an opening formed in label 30 about a perimeter of the label void. The opening is preferably formed by a first opening 85 formed in first side portion 40 and a second opening 95 formed in second side portion 60. The opening can be positioned at any suitable position about the void formed in label 30. For example, the opening can be positioned near fold line 70 or at an opposite side of label 30 with respect to fold line 70. First opening 85 is formed between first outer periphery 42 and a perimeter of first removable panel 44 corresponding to first void 46, as shown in
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, label 30 includes a plurality of slits each extending radially outwardly from the void formed in label 30. Preferably, the slits extend radially outwardly from at least one of the perimeter of first void 46 and the perimeter of second void 66. As shown in
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, label assembly 10 includes at least one second label 130. Preferably, label assembly 10 includes a plurality of second labels 130, as shown in
In making label 30 according to one preferred embodiment of this invention, label assembly 10 is routed through a suitable printer. Information downloaded from an internet website or saved on a computer database for example, is printed on at least one printable surface 48 of the first side portion 40 and/or on at least one printable surface 68 of second side portion 60 of label 30. For example, in one preferred embodiment of this invention, a first set of information, such as including an image, is printed on first printable surface 48 of first side portion 40. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, a database containing or having a plurality of downloadable images is accessible from a personal computer or work station. At least one of the downloadable images can be selected to download. After the image is downloaded, the image is printed on first side portion 40 and/or second side portion 60.
Additionally, or alternatively, a second set of information is printed on second printable surface 68 of second side portion 60. The first set of information may be the same or similar to the second set of information, or may contain different information. Additionally, or alternatively, a third set of information can be printed on printable surface 132 of second label 130. The third set of information can be the same or related to the first set of information and/or the second set of information, or can contain different information. As used in the specification and in the claims, the term information refers to any suitable or desirable electronic image, such as a digital photograph, picture, drawing, text and/or symbol.
After label assembly 10 is routed through the printer to print on label 30 the desired or selected information, label 30 is separated from carrier portion 25 along line of separation 26 formed between label 30 and carrier portion 25. Label 30 is removed from back sheet 18 with the adhesive layer initially positioned between back sheet 18 and face sheet 20 adhering substantially to a back surface of label 30. Thus, the adhesive coating at least partially covers the back surface of label 30. Preferably, as label 30 is removed from back sheet 18, first removable panel 44 is removed from first side portion 40 to form first void 46 and second removable panel 64 is removed from second side portion 60 to form second void 66. First removable panel 44 is preferably cut within a perimeter of first side portion 40 on face sheet 20, and second removable panel 64 is preferably cut within a perimeter of second side portion 60 on face sheet 20. In certain embodiments of this invention, first removable panel 44 and/or second removable panel 64 can be removed from label 30 before or after label 30 is removed from back sheet 18.
Second label 130 can also be removed from label assembly 10. Second label 130 can be separated from carrier portion 25 and removed from back sheet 18 and with respect to carrier portion 25 along line of separation 136. Second label 130 is removed from back sheet 18 with the adhesive layer initially positioned between back sheet 18 and face sheet 20 adhering substantially to a back surface of second label 130. Thus, the adhesive coating at least partially covers the back surface of second label 130. Second label 130 can then be adhered to a surface, such as a bottom surface of a wine bottle.
Label 30 is folded along fold line 70 positioned between first side portion 30 and second side portion 40 with first void 46 formed in first side portion 40 generally aligned with second void 66 formed in second side portion 60. With label 30 in the folded position, the back surface of first side portion 40 can be adhesively bonded or adhered to the back surface of second side portion 60 by applying a suitable pressure to label 30. With label 30 folded along fold line 70, first outer periphery 42 of first side portion 40 is preferably coextensive with second outer periphery 62 of second side portion 60.
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, first removable section 80 is aligned with second removable section 90 as the first void is aligned with the second void. First removable section 80 is defined between two tearable lines of separation 82 each extending between first outer periphery 42 and the perimeter of first void 46. Second removable section 90 is defined between two tearable lines of separation 92 each extending between second outer periphery 62 and the perimeter of second void 66. First removable section 80 is removed from first side portion 40. Second removable section 90 is removed from second side portion 60. First removable section 80 and/or second removable section 90 can be removed before or after second side portion 60 is folded with respect to first side portion 40 to form label 30. In certain embodiments of this invention, each slit 97 formed in first side portion 40 is aligned with a corresponding slit 98 formed in second side portion 60. For example, first side portion 40 preferably, but not necessarily, includes a plurality of slits 97 extending radially outwardly from the perimeter of first void 46. Similarly, second side portion 60 includes a plurality of slits 98 extending radially outwardly from the perimeter of second void 66 and corresponding generally to slits 97.
In another preferred embodiment of this invention, first opening 85 is formed between first outer periphery 42 of first side portion 40 and the perimeter of first void 46. Preferably, first opening 85 is formed as label 30 is removed from back sheet 18. With label 30 removed from back sheet 18 and separated from carrier portion 25, first opening 85 communicates with first void 46. Preferably, second opening 95 is formed between second outer periphery 62 and the perimeter of second void 66. A position of second opening 95 with respect to the perimeter of second void 66 preferably corresponds to a position of first opening 85 with respect to the perimeter of first void 46. With label 30 removed from back sheet 18 and separated from carrier portion 25, second opening 95 communicates with second void 66. With label 30 in the folded position, first opening 85 is generally aligned with second opening 95.
While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention. Therefore, to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention, the following claims conclude the specification.
