Parcel and object marking and method

Abstract
Objects, such as packages are marked for exterior labeling and to provide for easily locating such information. In a first embodiment, an information focal edge, or IFE is made by graphically “capturing” at least two corners of the object and connecting them with a marking, e.g., with ink. By “capturing” it is meant that the corner is marked on all sides forming the corner adjacent to the corner. In an alternative embodiment, two corners are captured using a structural edge or by otherwise marking an edge, thereby providing an “information focal edge,” or IFE. The IFE identifies a priority location where information should be placed so that it can be quickly found no matter how the object is viewed.
Description




BACKGROUND




The marking of a parcel for shipment or inventory in the past has traditionally involved random marking by means of single or multiple labels positioned to be visible on one or multiple sides of a box parcel having six sides. Some labels have more than one portion, or billboard, each serving a different purpose or providing different information. While some attention has been paid to develop multiple billboard designs, they are typically applied to the center of a single side and are sometimes saddled over a single edge between corners. For some time now, manufacturers and parcel shippers have allowed random placement of labels, so there is no location on a parcel where one can readily expect to find the pertinent information.




The difficulty in quickly finding desired labels on the parcel is compounded because a parcel's lifecycle presently requires dice-like repeated flipping and rotation of each parcel in the warehouse, transportation vehicle, loading dock, and parcel delivery center. As a parcel continues to move from the production facility or other point of origin down the belts to be routed onto the proper paths for delivery trucks, for what may be one of several delivery events, and then into warehouses after delivery, a parcel will continue to require the same repetitious and repeated rotational labor to find the most current or applicable label of value to meet the needs of the handler. Such a label will generally indicate the parcel's direction toward the consumer or other recipient with stops at distribution centers and stores, urgency in terms of delivery date, storage conditions, radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, location of and/or contents information otherwise coded. Each time a parcel is handled so that a label can be scanned or read for sorting, the difficulty in finding the desired label adds a significant amount of time to the processing of that parcel over its lifecycle.




Currently, time-critical information markings, such as delivery urgency, as well as markings regarding shelf life and storage conditions, are frequently positioned indiscriminately rather than purposefully, or are difficult to locate and then understand by consumers or other inexperienced persons having a need to know.




All current inventory, merchandise, or parcel labels are known to suffer from a number of disadvantages, including wasted time in finding a label on a parcel since traditional shipping labels are visible on only one side of a parcel. This is especially evident when observing checkout in a grocery store as the cashier will be seen rotating for a scan of a barcode applied in random positions about the hundreds of thousands of different parcels. Then, the purchaser will frequently be rotating to view instructions for preparing and nutritional information again applied at random.




Also, the random application of a required hazardous materials, storage condition, food dating, or “Fragile” label to a parcel's side, perhaps not adjacent to the address label on a parcel in transit, will increase likelihood of an accident and/or financial loss. For example, if a parcel label indicating hazardous contents is affixed to the top of a parcel and thereafter becomes hidden from view and due to the dice-like flipping and rotating nature of parcel handling, the label may never be seen or hidden from view when stacked. This improper labeling or a failure to see a hazardous contents label can cause dangerous storage conditions in warehouses and during one of the parcel's transportation events. This unacceptable risk may be responsible for causing personal injury, environmental pollution, warehouse storage site damage, aircraft, ship, truck, or other transportation vehicle damage, as well as toxic reactions, death, or fire.




Prior-art parcel labels featuring multiple billboard segments are designed to only expose only the address. However, persons may need to apply or locate additional information on a parcel. This additional information may be related to: directions about address on parcels, delivery urgency, contents, declared hazardous materials, bar-codes, 2D bar-codes, RFID's, instruction to the consumer, storage conditions, , model numbers, serial numbers, critical shelf life, green-directions for safe environmental disposal, or time dated for safe usage or disposal of said materials.




SUMMARY




The above-discussed disadvantages are overcome by an improved method of marking an object, such as a parcel, for exterior labeling and then provides for easily locating such information in a manner that anyone can quickly find. In a first embodiment, an object is marked by capturing at least two corners of the parcel and connecting them by ink. In alternative an embodiment, the two corners are captured using a structural edge or by otherwise marking an edge, thereby providing an information focal edge, or IFE. Applying an IFE to a parcel identifies a location on the object where information and labels should be located so that they can be quickly found no matter how the object is viewed.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES





FIG. 1A

shows a perspective view of a vertical structural formed IFE (Information focal edge) on a substrate of a box parcel;





FIG. 1B

shows a perspective view of a structural formed IFE on a substrate of a merchandise object or envelope parcel;





FIG. 2A

shows a perspective view of an ink diagonal formed IFE on a box parcel;





FIG. 2B

shows a perspective view of an ink diagonal formed IFE on a merchandise object or envelope parcel;





FIG. 3A

shows a perspective view of a tape formed horizontal IFE on a box parcel;





FIG. 3B

shows a perspective view of a tape formed IFE on a envelope parcel;





FIG. 4A

shows a perspective view of a vertical ink formed IFE as an edge formed of parallel lines as a scalar, having magnitude, capturing two corners of a box parcel;





FIG. 4B

shows a perspective view of a vertical ink formed IFE as an edge formed of non-parallel lines as a vector, having direction as well as magnitude, providing for placement of any information at a single priority corner;





FIG. 4C

shows a perspective view of a diagonal ink formed vector IFE as formed without aligning to a structural edge to indicate a single priority corner;





FIG. 4D

shows a perspective view of an ink formed vector IFE connecting corners diagonally opposite through a box parcel with a vector having a priority corner;





FIG. 4E

shows a perspective view of a diagonal ink formed vector IFE as formed to provide priority on a single side;





FIG. 4F

shows a perspective view of an ink formed vector IFE as formed by connecting three corners having a common side;





FIG. 4G

shows a perspective view of an ink formed vector IFE formed on an edge and diagonally across a single side to a priority corner;





FIG. 4H

shows a perspective view of an ink formed tri-vector IFE connecting four corners to a central corner with their common edges;





FIG. 4I

shows a perspective view of an ink formed IFE capturing four corners and a single side for placement and location of information;





FIGS. 5A

,


5


B,


5


C,


5


D,


5


E,


5


F,


5


G,


5


H, and


5


I show exemplary applications of IFEs of

FIGS. 4A

,


4


B,


4


C,


4


D,


4


E,


4


F,


4


G,


4


H, and


4


I, respectively;





FIGS. 6A and 6B

show a perspective rear and front views, respectively, of an exemplary application of the structural IFE of

FIG. 1A

;





FIG. 6C

shows a plan view of an exemplary construction of the parcel box of

FIGS. 6A and 6B

;





FIGS. 7A and 7B

show a top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of an envelope parcel having a vertical vector IFE formed of ink;





FIGS. 7C and 7D

shows a front and bottom perspective views, respectively, of another exemplary application of vertical vector IFE of

FIG. 4B.

;





FIGS. 7E and 7F

show top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a document envelope parcel having an IFE;





FIGS. 7G and 7H

show rotated perspective views of a triangular tube parcel having a vector IFE formed of ink;





FIGS. 7I and 7J

show rotated perspective views of a tube parcel having a vector IFE formed of ink;





FIGS. 8A and 8B

show a top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of another exemplary application of the vector IFE of

FIG. 2A.

;





FIGS. 9A and 9B

show top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of another exemplary application of the vector IFE of

FIG. 4G

;





FIGS. 10A and 10B

show top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of another exemplary application of the vector IFE of

FIG. 4F

;





FIG. 11A

shows a top perspective view of a box parcel with IFE tape being applied in along horizontal edge capturing two corners;





FIG. 11B

shows the box parcel of

FIG. 11A

with the IFE tape applied and showing exemplary placement of labels adjacent to a priority corner; and





FIGS. 12

,


13


,


14


,


15


,


16


,


17


,


18


,


19


, and


20


each show a plan view of an unassembled box used to form that shown in

FIGS. 4A

,


4


B,


4


C,


4


D,


4


E,


4


F,


4


G,


4


H, and


4


I, respectively.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Parcels come in various shapes and sizes. Commonly, parcels include flat envelope parcels, six-sided box parcels, and elongated tubular parcels having various cross sections such as a triangular or circular cross section.




By providing a parcel with an Information Focal Edge (IFE), a specific region is designated to locate information as to the direction, urgency, and/or (DUC) contents. This location is referred to herein variously as a “priority location”, “priority corner”, “priority side”, or “priority region.” When DUC information is positioned at a priority location, the information may be quickly located by handling personnel. The cumulative effect will be to significantly reduce handling time thereby increasing the productivity of handling personnel.




In a first embodiment of the invention, an IFE is formed by “capturing” at least two corners of the parcel and connecting them by ink markings. By “capturing” it is meant that all sides forming the corner are marked adjacent to the corner. In alternative embodiments, the two corners are captured using a structural edge or by otherwise marking an edge, thereby providing an IFE. In the case of a structural edge, there is no ink marking, the corners instead being identified by a unique structure of the parcel.




Embodiment 1





FIG. 1A

shows a perspective view of a box parcel


26


having a lateral structural expansion of the vertical edge to form a seventh side that is referred to as an Information Focal Edge (IFE)


27


. The Seven sided box parcel while shown generically as a box with a dash-dot-dot-dash line formation is suggestive of any size or shape of a box or object where a priority area


43


is available as a central location for placement of any information. For example, DUC information may be provided on or adjacent to priority area


43


either with direct imprint or as an applied label.




When viewing box parcel


26


having structural IFE


27


any bias view having three sides this embodiment provides for a clue as to the location of information.

FIGS. 6A and 6B

show an exemplary box parcel having a structural IFE


27


with exemplary labelings and markings. Specifically,

FIG. 6A

shows a rear bias view (top and two sides, right and left) of this parcel where an exemplary traditional label


21


is applied over an edge of structural IFE


27


.

FIG. 6B

shows a front bias view of parcel of


6


A rotated to view traditional label


21


folded over an edge of structural IFE


27


to now form by its presence at what will be recognized as a top giving priority corner


39


for a placement of additional information such as exemplary barcode label


41


. Also shown by way of example is Department of Defense (DoD) markings


40


according to DoD regulations and placed adjacent structural IFE


27


.




A top plan view of a box parcel prior to assembly having a structural IFE is shown in FIG.


6


C. Ink labeling printed may directly printed on the substrate as information is pre-positioned to align itself in an adjacent but connected manner to structural IFE


27


as a priority corner of the parcel when formed to fill and transfer. Such markings are shown in

FIG. 6C

as exemplary DoD markings


40


similar to that shown in assembled box parcel of FIG.


6


B.





FIG. 1B

shows a substantially flat object


25


with IFE


27


having a priority corner


39


for placing labels and imprinting information determined by the needs of the users. When viewing this object in all possible rotations on each side, the location of information placed on a structural marked corner is immediately determinable. A good example of use for this object would be for a substantially flat merchandise parcel with a bubble pack of merchandise is attached to a card. This would allow a maker to locate a barcode for scanning and instructions aligned to this as a priority corner. Additionally it provides for persons who are visually-challenged to react with a structurally marked object for placement and scanning at checkout to locate a barcode.




Embodiment 2




In a second embodiment of the invention, an IFE is formed of ink on a parcel or object. So that the priority location can be readily determined, a parcel or object is marked from a first corner of the parcel to a second corner of the parcel. The marking captures both corners, and may be scalar, i.e., not indicating a direction, or it may a vector, so that the marking effectively points to a priority location at one of the captured corners. The IFE should not have more than one priority location per parcel or its purpose is defeated for having a central location where all information may be placed for easy viewing.




For example,

FIG. 2A

shows a parcel box


26


or object where ink has been applied to form diagonal vector IFE


28


formed of ink capturing two corners across a top face of parcel box


26


. It should be recognized that, while IFE


28


is formed across the top face of parcel box


26


, it may be formed across any face of parcel box


26


. Diagonal vector IFE


28


points to priority corner


39


where any information may be first placed and then easily located by others during the parcel's lifecycle.

FIG. 4C

shows another example of a parcel box


26


having a diagonal vector IFE


32


formed of ink in with a different orientation of the than diagonal IFE


28


of FIG.


2


A. In each case, the diagonal vector IFEs capture two corners across a side face of a parcel, and effectively point to a priority corner by indicating direction.




In the examples shown herein, the direction is indicated by showing the IFE having outer boundaries that are non-parallel. The priority area is the pointed to by following the IFE in the direction in increasing width of the IFE. Other means of indicating direction are contemplated. For example, the IFE may be formed by a chevron pattern or other direction-indicating pattern. Alternatively, the color of the IFE may vary from one captured corner to the priority corner. For example, using half-tone techniques or otherwise, the saturation color may be increased in the direction of the priority location.





FIGS. 5C

, shows diagonal IFE


32


with exemplary traditional label


21


which is applied to the top side adjacent to diagonal IFE


32


having a priority corner


39


as shown.




This example can be applied to a flat parcel or object such as an envelope as shown in FIG.


2


B. Here, an envelope parcel


24


has ink printed on it to form a diagonal IFE


28


forming a priority corner


39


where any information may be first placed and then easily located by others during the parcel lifecycle.





FIGS. 8A and 8B

show another exemplary application of a diagonal IFE


32


. Here, a traditional address label


21


and a corner label


23


are applied to priority corner


39


identified by diagonal IFE


32


. A plan view of an example of an unassembled box parcel


26


having diagonal vector IFE


32


imprinted thereon is shown in FIG.


14


. Diagonal vector IFE


32


remains unchanged regardless as to how the flaps are folded during the parcel lifecycle. Diagonal IFE


32


remains unchanged regardless as to how the flaps are folded during the parcel lifecycle.





FIGS. 3A and 3B

show examples of scalar IFE


43


formed along one edge of a parcel or object. The term “scalar” is used to indicate that the IFE is non-directional, i.e., it merely indicates an edge but does not point to a particular corner as being the priority location as does the vector IFEs described above. An advantage of the scalar IFE is that it can be formed of tape and applied to the parcel rather than printed thereon. Alternately, a priority corner may be formed by use of graphical indications such as chevrons or a change in color on the tape substrate.





FIG. 3A

shows a parcel box


26


where a scalar IFE


29


formed by a secondary substrate such as adhesive tape designates priority area


43


where any information may be applied and later quickly found.




It is also within the scope of this embodiment that the scalar IFE may be formed of ink and along a vertical edge of parcel box


26


as shown in FIG.


4


A. Here, parcel box


26


has a scalar vertical IFE


30


formed of ink capturing two corners along a structural edge of said parcel with scalar IFE formed of parallel boundaries.

FIG. 5A

shows parcel box


26


of

FIG. 4A

with an exemplary corner label


23


folded around a corner making it a priority corner


39


by capturing one of the two corners of scalar vertical IFE


30


.




Vertical scalar IFE


30


may be formed by printing ink directly on the substrate of parcel box


26


prior to assembly as shown in

FIG. 12

, which shows a plan view suggesting a layout for a box parcel


26


and vertical scalar IFE


30


formed of ink providing priority area


43


.




A scalar IFE


29


formed of tape can also be applied to a flat object or parcel such as an envelope as shown in FIG.


3


B. Scalar IFE


29


designates priority area


43


which is adjacent to or on top of the scalar IFE


29


.




Adhesive tape may also be used to create a vector IFE as shown in

FIGS. 11A and 11B

.

FIG. 11A

shows box parcel


26


during an application of a vector IFE tape


29


. Vector IFE tape


29


includes a graphical device, in this case a chevron design, marking of ink applied thereto providing direction along a horizontal edge captured by the tape.

FIG. 11B

shows the same view of a box parcel


26


as described in FIG.


11


A. For purposes of illustration only,

FIG. 11B

shows traditional address label


21


applied to a side of box parcel


26


along with postal stamps


21


.




The remaining examples of the second embodiment will now be briefly described as they do not significantly depart from the description above except as clearly shown in the drawings.




A vertical vector IFE


31


is shown in

FIGS. 4B

,


5


B,


7


C,


7


D, and


13


.

FIG. 4B

shows a parcel box


26


having a vertical vector IFE


31


formed of ink capturing two corners along a vertical structural edge of parcel box


26


. Parcel box


26


is shown in

FIG. 5B

with saddle like label


22


applied over an edge. Also for purposes of illustration only, indicia are shown here for simulation of a DoD marking in the upper left corner of a long side which may be applied during the manufacturing of parcel box


26


.





FIG. 7C and 7D

show another exemplary application of box parcel


26


having a vertical vector IFE


31


. Here, multiple labels are shown applied in an adjacent manner to priority corner


39


. The various label types are shown to include: a traditional label with address information


21


, a service provider label


44


with delivery service information for an imaginary company, several duplicate barcode labels


41


on a top and end of carton to be viewable when stacked, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) label


42


that is positioned adjacent to the priority end of vertical vector IFE


31


for easy location to scan and easy retrieval for reuse. A plan view of an example of an unassembled box parcel


26


having a vertical vector IFE


31


imprinted thereon is shown in FIG.


13


. Vertical vector IFE


31


remains unchanged no matter how the flaps are folded during the parcel lifecycle.




Vertical vector IFE


31


is also appropriate in flat objects or parcels, such as envelopes shown in

FIGS. 7A

,


7


B,


7


E, and


7


F.

FIGS. 7A and 7B

show a first exemplary application of a vertical vector IFE


31


applied to an envelope parcel


24


. Here, a stamp


23


and traditional address label


21


are applied to priority corner


39


identified by vertical vector IFE


31


.

FIG. 7B

shows a rear rotated view of the same parcel envelope


24


shown in FIG.


7


A. Both sides are in agreement to provide for the same clue and solutions as to the location of placing and viewing information.





FIGS. 7E and 7F

show a second example of an application of vertical vector IFE to parcel envelope


24


. Here, a carrier service label


44


, traditional address label


21


, and a barcode label


41


for scanning to track and bill for the service event.

FIG. 7F

shows a bottom perspective view of the document parcel envelope


24


shown in FIG.


7


E. Prior to any information being located on parcel envelope


24


, either side may be designated the priority side. The person applying information therefore determines the priority location on a single side, thus enabling others to easily locate all information applied to parcel envelope


24


.





FIGS. 4D

,


5


D, and


15


show a parcel box


26


having a vector IFE


33


formed of ink capturing two corners across two faces and at one edge, where the corners are diagonally opposite each other through the parcel.

FIG. 5D

presents an exemplary application using traditional address label


21


at a priority corner on the top side of vector IFE


33


. A plan view of an example of an unassembled boxes parcel


26


having a vector IFE


33


imprinted thereon is shown in FIG.


15


. Vector IFE


33


appears the same regardless as to how the flaps are folded during the parcel lifecycle.





FIGS. 4E

,


5


E and


16


show a parcel box


26


having a diagonal vector IFE


34


formed of ink capturing two corners across a single side face of a parcel box


26


.

FIG. 5E

presents an exemplary application using traditional address label


21


applied to the top of diagonal vector IFE


34


at priority area


43


formed thereby at the top center. A plan view of an example of an unassembled box parcel


26


having a diagonal vector IFE


34


imprinted thereon is shown in FIG.


16


. Diagonal vector IFE


34


remains unchanged regardless as to how the flaps are folded during the parcel's lifecycle.





FIGS. 4F

,


5


F,


10


A,


10


B, and


17


show a parcel box


26


having vector IFE


35


formed of ink capturing three corners along two edges of on face of parcel box


26


. A first exemplary application of a box parcel


26


having a vector IFE


35


is shown in FIG.


5


F. Here, a traditional address label


21


is applied to the top of vector IFE


35


adjacent to priority corner


39


.

FIGS. 10A and 10B

show another exemplary application of a box parcel


26


having a vector IFE


35


formed thereon.

FIG. 10A

shows a first view wherein traditional address label


21


and a handling instruction label


45


for storage requirements are applied.

FIG. 10B

shows a rotated perspective bottom view of the same parcel as shown in FIG.


10


A. Here, exemplary ink marking


40


representing required DoD formatted information as required by contract marking regulations in the Mil. Spec 129 military guide for parcel marking in the upper left corner of the long side where in this case the layout has purposefully been constructed so that all information may be located in the priority corner


39


for easy location. A plan view of an example of an unassembled box parcel


26


having a diagonal vector IFE


34


imprinted thereon is shown in FIG.


17


. Vector IFE


35


remains unchanged regardless as to how flaps are folded during the parcel lifecycle.





FIGS. 4G

,


5


G,


9


A,


9


B, and


18


show a parcel box


26


having a vector IFE


36


formed of ink capturing three corners by first extending along an edge and then across a side face of parcel box


26


. A first exemplary application of a box parcel


26


having a vector IFE


36


is shown in FIG.


5


G. Here, a traditional label


21


is applied to the top of vector IFE)


36


adjacent to priority corner


39


.

FIGS. 9A and 9B

show another exemplary application of a box parcel


26


having a vector IFE


36


formed thereon.

FIG. 9A

shows a first view wherein a saddle label


22


applied over a single edge for increased visibility at priority corner


39


.

FIG. 9B

shows a rotated perspective view of the parcel box


26


of FIG.


9


A. Here, RFID


42


is adjacent to priority corner


39


. A plan view of an example of an unassembled parcel box


26


having a vector IFE


36


imprinted thereon is shown in

FIG. 18

where the vector remains unchanged regardless as to how flaps are folded during the parcel lifecycle.





FIGS. 4H

,


5


H, and


19


show a parcel box


26


having a tri-vector IFE


37


formed of ink capturing four corners. It is noteworthy to point out that while this view shows a connection to corners along three edges, it is also easily accomplished by marking across the three side faces in a diagonal manner to grab the three visible and unmarked corners as an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 5H

shows an exemplary application of a box parcel


26


having a tri-vector IFE


37


. Here, traditional label


21


is applied adjacent priority corner


39


identified by tri-vector IFE


37


. A plan view of an example of an unassembled box parcel


26


having a tri-vector IFE


36


imprinted thereon is shown in FIG.


19


. The tri-vector IFE remains unchanged regardless as to how the flaps are folded during the parcel lifecycle.





FIGS. 4I

,


5


I, and


20


show a parcel box


26


having an IFE


38


formed of ink capturing four corners with parallel lines and the common side and its four edges as priority area


43


for placing information. In an exemplary application,

FIG. 5I

shows traditional address label


21


applied to the side of IFE


38


. A plan view of an example of an unassembled box parcel


26


having IFE


38


imprinted thereon is shown in FIG.


20


. IFE


38


remains unchanged regardless as to how the flaps are folded during the parcel lifecycle.




The vector IFE concept can also be applied to elongated parcels such as tubes of varying cross-section.

FIGS. 7G and 7I

show a first view of elongated parcels having triangular and circular cross-sections, respectively. On each, an IFE


31


vector formed of ink is imprinted on the substrate. For purposes of illustration, exemplary carrier service labels


44


and a traditional address label


21


are applied to priority area


43


on elongated parcels


26


.

FIGS. 7H and 7J

show respectively a rotated perspective parcels


26


of

FIGS. 7G and 7I

.




All possible embodiments or materials according to the invention are not shown in this teaching. However, various features from different embodiments may be mixed and matched, representing the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.



Claims
  • 1. The parcel having a marking thereon for improving handling and processing of said shipping parcel, said marking connecting a first corner of said shipping parcel with a any second corner, said marking capturing said first corner and said second corner so that said marking is visible on each side of said parcel forming said first and second corners and,said marking acting to visually indicate a single priority location on said parcel.
  • 2. The parcel of claim 1, said marking being formed by directly imprinting a substrate of said parcel.
  • 3. The parcel of claim 1 wherein said first and second corners have a common edge, said marking further connecting said second corner to a third corner by extending said marking diagonally across a face of said parcel, said priority location being located.
  • 4. The parcel of claim 1 wherein said marking extends diagonally across a side face of said parcel to connect said first corner and said second corner.
  • 5. The parcel of claim 1 wherein said marking visually indicates said priority location by pointing to said priority location using a graphical pattern.
  • 6. The parcel of claim 1, said marking visually indicates said priority location by pointing to said priority location using a varying color in a direction of the priority location.
  • 7. The parcel of claim 1, said marking visually indicating said priority location by pointing to said priority location by having an increasing width in a direction of the priority location.
  • 8. The parcel of claim 1, wherein said parcel is one of a box and envelope.
  • 9. The parcel of claim 1, wherein said marking extends from said priority location to at least one additional corner of said parcel.
  • 10. The parcel of claim 1, wherein said marking includes indicia.
  • 11. The parcel of claim 1, wherein said marking includes instructional text to aid in comprehension of said parcel.
  • 12. The parcel of claim 1, wherein said marking includes source identification materials of a manufacturer or shipper.
  • 13. The parcel of claim 1, wherein said marking includes marked areas for application of labels that contain information to expedite handling, processing, and safe storage.
  • 14. The parcel of claim 1, wherein said marking includes marked areas for application of devices that contain information to expedite handling, processing, and safe storage.
  • 15. The parcel of claim 1, wherein said marking includes placing a label on an edge as a priority location formed by connecting corners one and corner two.
Parent Case Info

This application is a continuation in part of application 08/957,238 filed Oct. 24, 1997 now abandoned. This application is based upon, and claims the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/181,250 filed on Feb. 9, 2000, which is herein incorporated by reference.

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Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/181250 Feb 2000 US
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 08/957238 Oct 1997 US
Child 09/780832 US