Abstract:
A bottle label means having a hole on one side and an ID means on the other is optionally dispensed from a roll or stack by inserting the neck of the bottle into the hole whereby the removal provide another label that is ready for removal by a second bottle. Preferably, the labels are not identical so that each bottle has a unique identification on it without the need to write on the label.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to the U.S. Provisional patent application of the same title filed on Jul. 9, 2008, having application Ser. No. 61/079,427, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]    The present invention relates to labels for personally marking beverage and similarly shaped bottles and a method for dispensing and applying such labels. 
         [0003]    Prior methods of marking beverage bottles most similar to the present invention are disclosed in the following US patents and applications, which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 1,350,890 (Tanzey, Aug. 24, 1920); U.S. Pat. No. 1,971,528 (Klebanow, Aug. 28, 1934); U.S. Pat. No. D370,386 (Pallesen, Jun. 4, 1996); U.S. Pat. No. D412,938 (Kesselring et al., Aug. 17, 1999); and 2005/0138854 A1 (Simmons, Jun. 30, 2005). 
         [0004]    However, this prior art fails to teach a means to rapidly supply such labels at the time the bottled beverages are removed from a refrigerator or other storage means and distributed to individuals. 
         [0005]    Further, the prior art methods do not provide a convenient means for personalization. Thus, at parties and other social gatherings it is easy for unlabeled beverages to be mixed up leading to the non-hygienic sharing of the beverage containers, or the wasteful disposal of containers that are only partially consumed. 
         [0006]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to avoid the waste of bottle and contents that occurs when the bottles are not personally identified. 
         [0007]    It is also another object of the invention to provide an aid to hygiene via a means to rapidly add personal labels to beverage bottles and thus avoid consumption by any other than the intended recipient not associated with the label. 
         [0008]    It is also a further object of the invention to provide labels constructions and format compatible with such a convenient and rapid dispensing and personalization means. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0009]    In the present invention, the first object is achieved by providing a method for custom labeling beverage and similarly shaped bottles at the time of consumption, the method comprising the steps of providing a sequential plurality of labels in a dispending apparatus, each label in said plurality having the same exterior shape of the other of the labels and a different external appearance than the immediately adjacent labels, wherein all but the terminal label in the sequential plurality is a substantially planar and rectangular sheet that comprises; a first perforated end in contact with the preceding label, a substantially circular portion adjacent the first perforated end, and a second perforated end in contact with the following label. The next step in the process being the user grasping the first label to expose the substantially circular portion thereof distal from the other labels, followed by grasping a bottle, and then inserting the neck of the bottle through the substantially circular portion of the first label, and then thereafter detaching the first label from the subsequent label by tearing the perforated end in common there between, whereby the first label is affixed to the bottle. 
         [0010]    In a second aspect of the invention, the perforated end of the labels is first torn and the circular portion of the now free label is inserted over the neck of the bottle. 
         [0011]    A second aspect of the invention is characterized in that in the above method each label further comprises a partially surrounding perforation separating the substantially circular portion from a narrow peripheral portion wherein at least one of said step of inserting the neck of the bottle through the substantially circular portion of the first label and grasping the first label to expose the substantially circular portion thereof distal from the other labels tear the partially surrounding perforation whereby the narrow peripheral portion forms a ring around the neck of the bottle and the bottle and the interior thereof form a label face attached to the ring. 
         [0012]    The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a front elevation of a first embodiment of the dispenser with a label partially removed there from.  FIG. 1B  is a plan view thereof whereas  FIG. 1C  is a side elevation of the dispenser.  FIG. 1D  is a side elevation and partial cut-away view of the other side of the dispenser showing the internal positions of a stack of labels therein. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a plan view of an embodiment of the label in  FIG. 1A-D .  FIG. 2B  is a side elevation thereof and  FIG. 2C  is a front elevation thereof.  FIG. 2D  is a plan view of the reverse side of an alternative embodiment of the label in  FIGS. 1 and 2A , in which  FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional elevation of a modification thereof. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a plan view of another embodiment of the label.  FIG. 3B  is a side elevation of the label of  FIG. 3A  in a partially opened state for the attachment to a bottle as shown in the side elevation in  FIG. 3C .  FIG. 3D  is a side elevation of a plurality of the labels of  FIG. 3A  arranged in a continuous roll.  FIG. 3E  is a plan view of a portion of the roll in  FIG. 3D  that is partially extended. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the label of  FIG. 3  attached to a bottle. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A-D  illustrate another embodiment of the label dispenser for use with the continuous roll shown in  FIG. 3D .  FIG. 5A  is a front elevation of the labels in a portion of this embodiment of the dispenser.  FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional elevation, orthogonal to  FIG. 5A , taken at reference line B-B in  FIG. 5A .  FIG. 5C  is the orthogonal section corresponding to reference line C-C in  FIG. 5B .  FIG. 5D  is a cross-sectional elevation taken at reference line D-D in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the dispenser in  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved beverage label system and dispenser, generally denominated  100  herein. 
         [0020]    In accordance with the present invention  FIG. 1A-C  illustrate a first embodiment in which dispenser  100  contains a plurality of labels  10 , preferably arranged in a stack  90 . Dispenser  100  is generally in the shape of box having six sides and a slit opening  110  at the bottom edge  100   b.    
         [0021]    A stack  90  of substantially planar labels  10  is disposed in the box shaped dispenser  100 , each label  10  having an opening on side  10   a  and a label portion  10   b  on the other. The labels  10  are arranged in stack  90  with each open side  10   a  facing the slit  110 . It should be noted that each label  10  is thinner than height of the slit  110 . The open side  10   a  is intended to be inserted around the neck of a bottle to be personally labeled whereas the opposite side  10   b  is intended to bear personalizing indicia. Preferably, each label  10  in stack  90  has a different appearance than the other labels in the stack  90 . This different appearance can take be in the form of one or more number(s), letter, word, color, pattern, symbols and the like. Alternatively, the user could write their name or other distinguishing characteristic on the label face  10   b.    
         [0022]    Removing a label  10  that is at the bottom of the stack  90  dispenses another label into position for removal. Optionally, dispenser  100  also includes an adhesive patch or magnet  145  on the side for attachment to a counter, refrigerator and the like. 
         [0023]    Further details of a preferred embodiment of the label  10  for use with dispenser  100  is shown in  FIG. 2A-C . Preferably labels  10  have a feathered portion surrounding each opening  10   c,  the featured portion comprising a plurality of slits  13  that extend outward from the perimeter of the hole  10   c.  Each label  10  having at least one of an opening  10   c  and a partially circular perforation  15 . The labels  10  are optionally relatively thin so as to be light and flexible, and may be constructed from paper, cardboard, or relatively tear resistant, non-woven fabric, such as “TYVEK®”, as well as any recyclable materials, and are more preferably themselves recyclable. 
         [0024]    Other preferred embodiment of the label  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 2D and 2E , include providing a least a relatively rigid portion  201  to aid in sliding through the slit  110  in the dispenser  100  by a bottle neck or other means. More preferably the label  10  also has a relatively flexible portion  202 , and in particular there is pressure sensitive adhesive  203  on the downward face of the label opposite the rigid portion for folding this flexible portion for attachment to the bottle. the flexible portion can be a thin groove  204  traversing the label and separating the more rigid regions, as for example in a “living hinge” where the same material is deployed over the entire label, but the grooved portion being thinner is more flexible and bends to allow the label to fold like a hinge. 
         [0025]    The relatively rigid portion can extend to the walls of the container, to aid the sliding outward there from, having a low coefficient of friction with respect to the adjacent contacting container wall and bottom. Alternatively the relatively rigid region can be a reinforcing ring around the hole  205 , or just around a portion of the edge  206 . The relatively rigid portion can differ from those on the other labels in the stack, say for example by color, pattern, texture and the like. 
         [0026]    Preferably there is at least a partial opening  112  at the bottom  100   c  of box  100 . Preferably a spring  130  provides a means for dispensing the next label where the open side protrudes from the slit, as it asserts a force on stack  90  so that the bottom label  10 ′, is firmly urged against the interior of side  10   c.  Thus, removal of label  10 ′, presents the next label  10 ″ in position for dispensing. In one mode of use, dispensing is accomplished by inserting the neck of a bottle into the opening  10   c  of label  10  and so that drawing the bottle in the direction of arrow  1  will drag label  10 ′ through slit  110 . Alternatively, one or more labels can be dispensed by hand with the opening  10   c  then inserted around the neck of the bottle. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3A-E  illustrates another embodiment of the label  10 , with a means for dispensing this label  10  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0028]    In  FIGS. 3E and 3D , a continuous ribbon or tape  300  is formed by attaching a plurality of labels  10  separated by a partially perforated border  15 . Each label  10  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) has a central tab portion  310  formed by a slit or at least partial perforations  315  in a U-shape that extends around 3 of the 4 sides that define the perimeter of label  10 . Preferably the side not encompassed by slit or perforation  315  is that adjacent partially perforated border  15 . When the central label portion or tab  310  is pushed away from the surrounding perimeter  320 , when the tab  310  is urged in the direction of arrow  2  in  FIG. 3B , the perimeter  320  then forms an open ring that can be inserted over the neck of the bottle  30  as shown in  FIGS. 3C and 4 . 
         [0029]    Preferably, each label  10  in ribbon  300  has a different appearance than at least the immediately adjacent label, but more preferably every label  10  in ribbon  300 . This different appearance can take be in the form of one or more number(s), letter, word, color, pattern, symbols and the like. Alternatively, the user could write their name or other distinguishing characteristic on the label face  310 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective illustration of label portion  310  fully folded backward so that loop  320  surrounds the neck of bottle  30 . Optionally, the ribbon or tape  300 , shown in  FIG. 3D  in elevation, has a pressure sensitive adhesive  203  on at least a portion such as  310  or  320  thereof to cause it to stick to bottle  30 . Thus, either a release backing is also included in this spool on the side opposite the adhesive or the ribbon  300  has front surface that will not stick to the pressure sensitive adhesive  203  deployed on the back surface. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of dispenser  100  which has a spindle  502  for holding ribbon  300  when rolled onto a spool in rotary engagement for label by label dispensing that provides for the tearing of perforations  15  and the punching out label region  310  to expose ring  320 . Preferably, the ribbon or roll  300  is unwound over dispensing area or plate  500  so that perforation  15  are exposed to a cutting edge  520  for tearing off each labels  10  from ribbon  300 . Thus, the spindle  520  for supporting the ribbon or tape  300  as a roll on circular core extends orthogonally from a mounting plate  501 , shown in  FIG. 6 . The dispensing area or plate  500  is also orthogonal to mounting plate  501 , which includes a nose  510  for punching out label region  310 , below which is mounted the cutting edge  520 , which is shown in the preferred embodiment in which it is serrated, between a pair of guides  530 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , guides  530  extend beyond rounded triangular notch region  19  at opposite the perforation lines  15  to align perforation line  15  against cutting edge  520 . 
         [0032]    In using dispenser  100  in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  a user first grabs hold of the protruding label  10  with the thumb and index finger, with the user pulling it towards themselves until the narrowed tear-off line  15  can fit within the opening of the serrated “cutter” blade  520 . Next the user places their middle finger between label face  310  and the surrounding loop of  320 . Thus, by pulling label  10  down to cut and separate the lower label from the upper label along the perforated line  15  also forces the nose  510  to push out the label region  320 , before tearing perforations at line  15 . 
         [0033]    A user of reasonable dexterity can then flip and hold the label face  310  forward such that the loop  320  is open receive the neck of the bottle  30 . Thus, it should be appreciated, that as in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the process of removing a first label exposes the ring or circular hole portion of the next label to be dispensed. Optionally, the bottle neck can be inserted into the now open loop or ring  320  and used to aid in pulling this label down to tear it at the upper connecting perforation  15  on blade  520 . 
         [0034]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,034, issued to Svensson on Mar. 15, 1994, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses another a ticket dispenser believed to be generally compatible with dispensing the labels  10  in the form of a rolled tape or ribbon  300  in the preferred manner for attaching to bottles. 
         [0035]    it should be appreciated that features, aspects and variations of the different embodiments may also be combined with those of other embodiments. As for example, the label  10  used with the dispenser  100  as shown in  FIG. 2A-E , may be provided on the labels  10  shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , in tape or ribbon  300  for use with the dispenser  500  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0036]    While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.