Label book containing printed store labels for use along a retail shelf edge

Embodiments of a store label booklet include a plurality of sheets stacked one on top of the other and connected to a binding that spans an entire thickness of the booklet, each sheet including a planar array of store labels. No release coating is used. In some embodiments, the label may include a printed stock side, a liner including a removable portion, and an adhesive located between the liner and the printed stock side. In other embodiments the booklet may include a cardstock with a printed stock side and an adhesive on the side opposite the printed stock side. Each store label may differ in orientation, size, or style and may contain different product information. Location information may be located on a binding of the booklet, on the label, or on both the binding and the label. The store labels may be printed in a predetermined order.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure is in the field of printed store labels like those used along a retail shelf edge.

Prior art embodiments include store labels or shelf tags (also called talkers) that arrive at the store as a perforated sheet. The labels, which may or may not be in planogram order, must first be removed as a sheet by detaching the perimeter waste strips and then individually removed from the sheet for hanging along the retail shelf edge.

Another prior art embodiment, NEXGEN (Grandville Printing, Grandville, Mich.), arrives at a store location like a box of cards, with the store labels detached from one another, organized in a box and sorted in planogram order. Because the deck of labels has no linear tie or linkage between adjacent labels, the labels may be sorted through to select a specific label in the deck. However, the deck risks losing its predetermined order due to searching, shuffling, or accidental dropping.

One other prior art embodiment, STACZ (Vestcom, Little Rock, Ark.), arrives at a store location like a stack of POST-IT notes, with the store labels arranged in planogram order on a board. Once a (vertical) stack of labels is selected and removed from the board, the labels are removed in top-down fashion, with each label peeled off the top of the stack in order. Because the stack has a linear tie between adjacent labels, if a label other than the top label is desired the stack must be broken into two parts and joined back together once the desired label is removed. Additionally, the label requires a release coating on its face and an adhesive on its back.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of a store label book of this disclosure may include a binding connecting two or more sheets containing printed store labels, each sheet removable from the binding. The labels may be of a kind configured for use along a retail shelf edge and may differ between the sheets. Each sheet may include a single row of labels or multiple rows of labels. Each row may contain a single label or multiple labels. Adjacent labels may be connected by a perforation. The labels may be printed in a predetermined order.

In some embodiments, the sheet contains two or more booklets of labels that may be detachable from one another. At least one label of each sheet may be removable connected to a binding. The booklet may contain N sheets, with each sheet containing a row or planar array of M labels, where N>1 and M=(AR/AL AVG), where ARis the total area of the row, AL AVGis the average area of each label of the row, (AR/AL AVG) is rounded down to the nearest integer value ≥1, N and M being integer values. Because the booklet is connected to the binding, the booklet may be searched and a desired label or sheet removed without affecting any other sheet's connection to the binding.

The label may include a printed stock side, a liner including a removable portion, and an adhesive located between the liner and the printed stock side. In other embodiments, the label includes a printed stock side having no liner or adhesive. In yet other embodiments, the label includes a printed stock side and an adhesive on the side opposite the printed stock side. The printed stock side of each store label may differ in size or style and may contain different product information and each sheet of the booklet may be arranged in a same or different predetermined order. Location information may be located on the binding, on the label, or on both the binding and the label. In embodiments, there is no perimeter waste strip.

Other embodiments of a store label booklet of this disclosure may include a binding that runs the entire length of a side of the booklet. The binding may also run less than the entire length. The binding may include a location identifier. Two or more sheets are connected to the binding, each of the sheets including at least one planar array of store labels (which may be arranged in a predetermined order). At least one store label of the planar array may be removably connected along one edge to the binding and adjacent store labels of the planar array may be removably connected to one another along a shared edge. The connection may be a perforation.

Each store label of the planar array may include a printed stock side. The printed stock side of at least one store label of the planar array may contain different product information than at least one other store label of the planar array.

Advantages of a label book of this disclosure over the prior art include but are not limited to labels that arrive at an end user ready for use; labels that may be removably connected to one another by perforations; sheets that are not limited to a single label per sheet or a single booklet per sheet; a binding that remains connected to all of the sheets and may include location identification information; an ability to sort through sheets or labels while the sheets remain connected to the binding and remove a select sheet or label without having to disassemble and reassemble the book or risk re-ordering the sheets or labels; labels that may differ in size, style, and orientation from one another; eliminating the need for card-style box or a board to hold stacks of labels; eliminating a release coating on the printed stock side; accommodating labels that have no adhesive (as well as those that include adhesive); and no perimeter waste strip.

In some embodiments of a label booklet of this disclosure, the booklet includes a tear starter slit that allows a user to tear a stack of labels from the binding or from an adjacent label. The tear starter slit may be a thru-cut, non-perforated portion between the label and the binding and between adjacent labels and located adjacent to, above or below (or both above and below), the perforated portion.

Other embodiments may include a reference identifier label where one or more of the labels of the first sheet of the booklet is replaced by identifying store information. The store information may include category and sub-category information that specifically identifies a location or sub-location within the store where the labels are to be used.

In embodiments, the book may include a plurality of label booklets and configured to transition between a first assembled state consisting of the book, a second different assembled state consisting of label booklets detached from the book, a third different assembled state consisting of a stack of labels detached from the booklet, and a fourth different assembled state consisting of the binding, all of the labels from the booklet being removed.

ELEMENTS AND NUMBERING USED IN THE DRAWINGS AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION

10Assembled label book containing one or more label booklets20Label booklet21Shared edge23Plurality of sheets25Planar array27Shelf tags, store labels, or talkers29Printed stock side31Removable portion33Liner side35Adhesive37Binding38End39Location identifier41Edge42End portion of edge43Corner44Middle or mid-portion of edge45Front side47Back side48Perforated portion of shared edge49Fixed information (common to all labels)51Variable information53Adhesive strip55Back side57Tear starter slit or cut (non-perforated portion of shared edge)59Reference identifier60Stack of labels

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring the drawing figures, embodiments of this disclosure include an assembled label book10that may contain one or more label booklets20. The label booklets20may be detachable that are detachable from one another along a shared edge21, such as but not limited to a perforated edge, or may be separated by cutting. Each label booklet20includes plurality of sheets23that each contain a planar array25of shelf tags or store labels27printed in a predetermined order and detachable from one another. The planar array25may be a row or column of a sheet23. The booklet20may contain N sheets, with each sheet containing a row or planar array of M labels, where N>1 and M=(AR/AL AVG), where ARis the total area of the row, AL AVGis the average area of each label of the row, (AR/AL AVG) is rounded down to the nearest integer value ≥1, N and M being integer values. The row may be arranged horizontally with the binding along the side of the N sheets or vertically with the binding along the top or bottom of the N sheets.

In embodiments, the printed stock side29of the labels27does not include a release coating. A removeable portion31of the liner side33exposes adhesive35for attaching the label27to a store shelf edge E. Because the label booklets20are arranged in a predetermined order in addition to providing location information and ease of detachment, significant labor savings may be realized by a user.

The booklet20includes a binding37to which the sheets23of the booklet20are removably connected. For the purposes of this disclosure, a binding is a shared connector that spans a total thickness of the booklet and allows any sheet of the booklet to be removed from the binding without breaking the binding's connection to the other sheets. Prior art embodiments like NEXGEN do not include any binding and others, like STACZ, do not make use of a binding as it is defined here.

In embodiments, the label booklet20includes a binding37that may include a location identifier39and one or more sheets23removably connected along an edge41to the binding37. A sheet23may be removed from the binding37without affecting other sheets23of the booklet, which remain connected to the binding37. The same is true when a label27is removed from the sheet23: the sheet23and its remaining labels27remain connected to the binding37. Therefore, the booklet20does not require re-assembly when sheet23N>1 is removed from the binding37, where N=1 is the topmost sheet remaining connected to the binding37or when a label27is removed from an N>1 sheet23.

The sheets23may be connected to the binding37along a top or bottom edge, or a side edge41T,41B,41S. In some embodiments, the binding37may be located at a corner43. The binding37may also be located at one or more points along an edge41. The binding37may be any binding suitable. For example, the binding37may include a paper stock or a plastic binding. In some embodiments, the binding37may include an adhesive or one or more mechanical fasteners such as but not limited to a staple or a rivet. The binding37may be a book-type (glue) binding or a notepad-type binding where labels27“peel off” from the binding37. The sheets23containing the one or more labels27are connected to a binding37.

The location identifier39may be a store identifier, a department identifier, an aisle identifier, a category identifier, a planogram identifier, a program identifier, or some combination of these identifiers or their equivalent. The location identifier39may be printed on a front45or back47side of the binding. In some embodiments, one location identifier39is printed on the front side45of the binding37and another location identifier39is printed on the back side47. The front and back side location identifiers39may include the same identifiers or different identifiers.

Each sheet23may be configured as a planar array25of store labels27arranged in a predetermined order. Adjacent store labels27of the planar array25may be removably connected to one another along a shared edge21. The assembled label book10may be delivered to an end user for disassembly by the end user into the one or more label booklets20. Alternatively, the assembled label book10may be disassembled at the printer and the one or more label booklets20delivered to the end user for immediate use. For example, the label book10may be cut to produce two or more label booklets20. Because the sheets23are connected to the binding37, perimeter waste strips are eliminated (either full perimeter or left/right or top/bottom). The only waste is the binding37when the booklet20is emptied of sheets23.

The label booklet20may include additional sheets23configured as a planar array25of store labels27removably connected to the binding37and located directly below, and identical to, the planar array25located above it. In some embodiments, an orientation of one store label27of the planar array25may be different than an orientation of at least one other store label27of the planar array25.

The store label27may include a printed stock side29on which fixed49and variable51product information may be printed; a liner33located opposite the printed stock side29that includes a removable portion31located toward an edge41of the store label27; and an adhesive35located between the liner33and the printed stock side29. The removeable portion31of the liner33may be located toward a top edge, a bottom edge, or a side edge41T,41B,41S of the store label27. The adhesive35may be of a kind well known in the art and used to adhere store labels to a retail shelf edge.

In embodiments, the sheet23may include identifying information on a back side47of the sheet23. By way of a non-limiting example, a location identifier39the same or similar to that discussed earlier may be included on the back47of each store label27. For example, in some embodiments the location identifier39may be a number, a planogram spot, or a department (or some combination thereof). This feature can be useful if a store label27is detached from the booklet20and the binding37cannot be referenced or located.

In embodiments, each label27may have variable data49. For example, in some embodiments the variable data49may include the stock keeping unit (“SKU”). Adjacent labels27may reference a different SKU. Each label27may have the same style or image or can have its own style or image independent of the label27adjacent to it. Each row or column of labels27on the sheet23can be (but does now have to be) a similar printed style to labels27adjacent to it. For example, labels27may transition from SALE, to TEMPORARY PRICE REDUCTION OR TPR, to AS ADVERTISED to NUTRITIONAL or GLUTEN FREE tag all in same row if desired. The labels27may be arranged in department sequence, planogram order, or some other order required by an end user.

A shared edge21of adjacent store labels27may include a perforated edge. The shared edge21may be a top, bottom, or side edge41. The printed stock side29of at least one store label27of the planar array25may contain the same or different product information than that of at least one other store label27of the planar array25. The orientation of each store label27may be the same or different than that of another store label27of the array25. In some embodiments, the size of the labels27may differ in the array25.

In embodiments, the booklet20may be made of any appropriate media including, but not limited to, paper-based media (e.g. cardstock or its equivalent), a laminated paper-based media, a film or thermoplastic material (e.g. polypropylene or its equivalent), or a fabric material (e.g. polyester). In some embodiments, the booklet20does not make use of a liner33including a “crack-and-peel” to expose the adhesive35. The booklet20may include the appropriate media without adhesive or a liner and may include an adhesive strip53, similar to double-sided tape strip or its equivalent, that is applied to the back side55of the media.

Embodiments of a booklet of this disclosure are not tied to a specific method of adhesive and liner. For example, embodiments are not limited to a crack-and-peel liner designed to expose the adhesive. In some embodiments the booklet may be cardstock having no adhesive. The adhesive may be an adhesive strip applied to the back with a liner to pull off (e.g., double-sided tape or its equivalent). Additionally, the store labels contained in the booklet may having printed data or information on the back side. For example, a label identifier or planogram location may be printed on the back of the label. Identifying information printed on the front of the label may be limited to that which assists store personnel should the label become detached from the binder.

Referring now toFIGS. 13-18, embodiments of a label booklet20of this disclosure may include a thru-cut or tear starter slit57located at a top41T or bottom41B of the booklet20, the slit57replacing a portion of the perforated portion48located along each side41S of the labels27. The tear starter slit57allows for easier tearing of the perforation for separation of a single label27from the booklet20or, more importantly, multiple labels27at a single time to form stack60. Tearing a stack60of perforated labels27without the slit57is difficult to do and can damage one or more of the labels27when attempting to do it. The number of labels27, that is sheets23, that can be cleanly removed is also limited without the slit57. When provided with the tear starter slit57, it allows a user a clean and easy separation and start of the perforated tear process. It also allows for a larger number of labels27, and therefore a larger stack60, to be removed from the booklet20without the needed for excessive hand or grip strength.

In some embodiments, the slit57may be in a range of about ⅛″ or ¼″ to ½″ in length. The slit57may be about 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or in a range of 10% to 25% of the total height (top-to-bottom distance) of the booklet20, there being subranges and discrete values within this broader range. The slit57allows a user to easily tear a stack60of labels27from the booklet20, the stack60spanning multiple sheets of the plurality of sheets23. In some cases, the stack60may be two or three sheets23deep. In other cases, the stack60may be a ¼, ½, ¾ of the entire depth or thickness of the booklet20. In yet other cases, the stack60may be the entire depth of the booklet20. The booklet20may be a ½″ to 1″ deep (tall), there being subranges and discrete values within this broader range.

Other embodiments may include a reference identifier label59, where one or more of the labels27of the first sheet of the plurality of sheets23of the booklet20is replaced by identifying store or location information for the entire booklet20. The identifying information may include category and sub-category information for the store that specifically identifies a location or sub-location within the store where the booklet20is to be used.

In embodiments, a plurality of label booklets20include booklets20that are configured to transition between a first assembled state, see e.g.,FIGS. 1 & 19, and a second different assembled state, see e.g.,FIGS. 2 & 20. Each label booklet20includes a plurality of N sheets23removably connected at one end38(toward binding37) of the booklet20, with each of the N sheets23consisting of a planar array25of M store labels27. Each store label27of the planar array25is removable from an adjacent store label27along a shared edge41S. A middle portion44of the shared edge41S may be perforated and an end portion42of the shared edge41S may be thru-cut, forming a tear starter slit57. Each sheet23is reduced in area as a store label27is removed from the planar array25, there being no perimeter waste remaining connected to the sheet. Each store label27of the M store labels of this embodiment includes a printed stock side29extending an entire width and length of the store label27and containing product information51different than other store labels27of the planar array25, a liner33located opposite the printed stock side29and extending the entire width and length of the store label27, and an adhesive35located between the liner33and the printed stock side29. The liner33may include a removable portion31,53located toward an edge41T or41B of the store label and a fixed portion55. The removable portion31,53may be smaller in area than the fixed portion55.

In the first assembled state adjacent label booklets20of the plurality of label booklets20are removably connected one to another along a shared side length41T or41B and removably connected along an end length38by a binding37, the binding37forming a respective one end38of each label booklet20to which the plurality of N sheets23is removably connected. The binding37spans an entire thickness of each label booklet20and an entire combined end38length of the label booklets20. Each label booklet20and its respective portion of the binding37is detachable from an adjacent label booklet20and its respective portion of the binding37. In the second assembled state each label booklet20of the plurality of label booklets are separated from one another. The booklet20also may transition between the second assembled state and a third assembled state. See e.g.FIGS. 4, 15, &21. In the third assembled state, a stack60of store labels27is separated from the booklet20and a remainder of the sheets23containing store labels27corresponding to those of the stack60remain connected to the booklet20. In a fourth assembled state only the binder37remains and may be discarded.

As previously discussed, the store labels20may be printed in a predetermined order such as, but not limited to, planogram order or aisle sequence. The sequence of data can be resorted based upon specific customer applications and the label book10, booklets20, and labels27may be printed in that sequence. For example, in a right-to left reading sequence (with left bind), the labels or tags27would be used on each sheet23starting from the right and moving to the left, the sequence moving from right to left until hitting the binding, then repeating again on the next sheet23and so on. If the binding is on the right, sequence works opposite that as to when the binding is on the left.

Where a stacking sequence may be appropriate, the data sequence may be printed through the sheets23as a tag booklet stack60from top to bottom/back. So that would mean the first stack a user pulls from the booklet20has the data going top to bottom, with the next stack being the same, as well as stacks on top of that or behind, and so on. Because the customer application involves pulling off stacks60of sheets23, a supplier of the label booklets20can determine how the labels27would stack once removed from the booklet and sequence it accordingly.

A label book and booklet of this disclosure may include one or more of the following features combined in various ways:a binding;a location identifier;a binding that includes a location identifier;a location identifier located, at least in part, on a front side of the binding.a location identifier located, at least in part, on a back side of the binding.a store label that includes a location identifier or a portion of the location identifier;N sheets or pages, with each sheet containing a row or planar array of M labels, where N>1 and 1≤M≤(AR/AL) or, where label size is not equal, ≤(AR/AL AVG);sheets containing at least one planar array of store labels arranged in a predetermined order;a sheet selected from the group consisting of a paper-based sheet, a laminated paper-based sheet, a film sheet, thermoplastic sheet, and a fabric sheet;adjacent store labels of the planar array removably connected to one another along a shared edge;at least one store label of the planar array removably connected along one edge to the binding;a store label that includes a printed stock side;a store label that does not include a liner or adhesive;a store label that includes a liner opposite the printed stock side, the liner including a removable portion located toward an edge of the store label, and an adhesive located between the liner and the printed stock side;adhesive that covers a portion of the side located toward an edge of the at least one store label;a printed stock side that does not include a release coating;a back side of the label or liner including a location identifier.a printed stock side of one store label containing different product information than at least one other store label of the planar array;another planar array of store labels located directly below, and identical to, the at least one planar array;an orientation of one store label of the planar array relative to the binding being different than an orientation of at least one other store label of the planar array;another planar array of store labels removably connected along a shared edge to the at least one planar array;product information contained on the printed stock side of at least one store label of the another planar array being identical to that contained on the printed stock side of an adjacent store label of the at least one planar array;product information contained on the printed stock side of at least one store label of the another planar array being different than that contained on the printed stock side of an adjacent store label of the at least one planar array;at least one location identifier selected from the group consisting of a store identifier, a department identifier, an aisle identifier, a category identifier, and a planogram identifier;a shared edge that is a top edge, a bottom edge, or a side edge;a shared edge that includes a perforation;a removeable portion of the liner located toward a top edge, a bottom edge, or a side edge of the store label;a binding running along at least a portion of an edge of the booklet;a binding at a corner of the booklet;a binding that includes a paper stock;a binding that includes an adhesive.a binding that includes one or more mechanical fasteners;a binding that includes a plastic binding;a binding that is not an adhesive on the face or back of a sheet;a binding that is a book-type (glue) binding;a binding that is a notepad-type (peel off of) binding;a binding that a location identifier on a front side, back side, or on both the front and back side of the binding;a binding that does not include a location identifier;a tear starter slit (thru-cut, non-perforated) portion at a top, bottom, or both the top and the bottom of each store label;the one end of each sheet of the plurality of N sheets removably connected to the edge of the binding including a tear start slit portion at a top, bottom, or both the top and the bottom of the sheet;a reference (location) identifier that replaces one or more labels on a first sheet of a label booklet;a first, second, third, and fourth assembled state as previously described.
The embodiments described in this disclosure are provided as examples of the label book and booklets. The following claims include the full range of equivalents to which each recited element is entitled.