Abstract:
The method of simultaneously banding and tagging merchandise involves forming a plurality of stretchable merchandise marking articles, each being formed to have an endless stretchable elastomeric band and a non-elastomeric flexible water-resistant plastic sheet material combined in a manner such that the sheet material encircles the band and presents an outwardly extending tag having an optically scannable code. The encircling of the sheet material about the band forms a channel within which the band is lodged but freely stretchable. A plurality of such marking articles are placed in condition for ready access for banding and tagging merchandise and an individual marking article of the plurality is removed by gripping the non-elastomeric tag of it. The elastomeric band is stretched and applied about an article, and the relationship of the channel length to the width of the information tag on the merchandise is such that bending forces exerted on the channel do not interfere with optical scanning of the information tag.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application, Ser. No. 08/672,958 filed Jul. 1, 1996, now Pat. No. 5,778,583. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to simultaneous banding and tagging of merchandise by using marking articles that are stretchable and carry a non-stretchable tag. 
     Elastomeric bands, commonly called rubber bands, are easily stretched about the mouth of a bag or about multiple boxes, or about merchandise itself, such as about a grouping of agricultural produce or about a single item of merchandise (e.g., a rolled or folded newspaper). 
     Elastomeric bands are, however, not suitable for direct printing of a Universal Produce Code (UPC bar code) thereon because stretching of the elastomeric band about merchandise stretches a bar code printed thereon and distorts the width of the bars and the spacing therebetween. Such distortion can make the bar code unreadable or produce a false scanner reading. 
     Nevertheless, in modern mass merchandising outlets such as superstores or supermarkets, there has been an almost complete movement toward labeling products (or the packaging thereof) with an identification code, such as a UPC bar code readable by an optical scanner. 
     In the particular case of agricultural produce, additional printed markings beyond a bar code are generally desired. Such additional markings include a “Product Look Up” (PLU) number identification code, a trademark of the producer, possibly a collective or certification mark, storage directions, serving suggestions, recipes for preparing the particular produce, a table of “Nutritional Facts,” and an indication of the place of origin (e.g., country or state). 
     One of the most efficient environments for performing the tasks of banding and tagging agricultural produce with appropriate printed marking information is in the agricultural field as the produce is harvested (or soon thereafter or at least prior to any significant processing of the produce). For example, a field worker, with a supply of elastomeric bands in a looped condition about his or her forearm, grasps a clump of produce with the hand of the band-carrying forearm, and with the other hand moves a band from the band-carrying forearm over the wrist and hand of that arm and then about the clump of produce. The band is then released and the band contracts about the produce. What remains to be done is the step of fixing a tag on the produce. 
     It would be desirable to fix the elastomeric band and tag on the produce in a single step, but there are problems in doing so. The problem is dramatically illustrated by the different characteristics required for the band as compared to the marking tag. The elastomeric band has to be stretchable, whereas the tag for carrying reliable markings for scanning has to be non-stretchable or non-elastomeric. It is difficult to form a secure and reliable bond between the two diverse components. 
     One solution to the problem has been that of punching a hole in a plastic tag and tediously inserting a loop of an elastomeric band through the hole and threading the rest of the band through the inserted loop. The approach gives operable results but is labor-intensive and not easily automated. 
     Nevertheless, a secure attachment between an elastomeric band and a plastic sheet material tag is critical to withstand the processing operations to which banded and tagged agricultural produce is subjected after being harvested and banded and tagged in the field. Produce banded and tagged in the field is subjected to washing operations such as high-velocity water blasts, chilling operations including that of dumping ice on the tagged produce, and even submersion of the produce in chilling water and thrashing it about by conveyors. Such processing operations can easily destroy weak attachments or connections between elastomeric bands and plastic tags containing critical marking material. 
     This invention solves the problem by providing a sturdy, reliable attachment between an elastomeric band and a non-elastomeric tag in a manner adaptable to automated production and gives a new product that can withstand the severe processing treatment expected for freshly harvested agricultural produce that has been elastomerically banded and non-elastomerically tagged. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a stretchable merchandise marking article carrying a non-stretchable optically scannable code. The article consists essentially of an endless elastomeric band and a non-elastomeric tag. An inherent characteristic of the elastomeric band is that it has a circumferential longitudinal direction for stretching about merchandise to band the merchandise. The non-elastomeric tag component consists of a single continuous panel of flexible, water-resistant plastic sheet material discrete from the elastomeric band. The tag has an information portion carrying printed matter and an attachment portion for bonding to the information portion. The attachment portion is folded over an elongate section of the circumferential longitudinal dimension of the elastomeric band and bonded to the information portion at a location spaced from the fold so that the plastic sheet material encircles the elongate section of the band and forms a channel within which the encircled elongate section of the band is movably lodged. A significant key requirement of the invention is that the information portion of the sheet material has an area size greater than the area size of the attachment portion so that at least a part of both opposing surfaces of the information portion can be viewed for any printed matter thereon, including the printed matter of an optically scannable code. Another critical feature of the invention is that the information portion has a width adjacent the channel for the band greater than the length of that channel. Thus, the information portion extends outward beyond the length of the channel for the band. Still further, the channel for the band has a length no greater than half the circumferential longitudinal dimension of the elastomeric band and not greater than about 2.5 centimeters or 1 inch. This maximum length is required to prevent bending forces exerted on the channel during stretching and flexing of the section of the elastomeric band within the channel in use applications from being significantly transmitted to the information portion. In other words, the channel length has to be minimal so as to permit only minimal transmission to the information portion of bending forces during stretching and flexure of the elastomeric band in use applications. The minimal bending of the information portion is insufficient to cause interference with optical scanning of the optically scannable code on the information portion. 
     The invention also provides, as a new article of manufacture, an assembly of a plurality of the stretchable merchandise banding and tagging articles carrying a non-stretchable optically scannable code. In this assembly, the tag component of each article is in alignment for easy gripping and removal of one discrete banding and tagging article at a time from the assembly. 
     Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will be evident as this description proceeds. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the new stretchable merchandise marking article with the elastomeric band thereof in a banded condition about a clump of vegetables, namely asparagus, and shows illustrative marking information on the front of the information portion of the tag; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken on line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1, with parts broken away, and particularly illustrates the relationship between the information portion of the tag and the portion of the tag folded and forming a channel about the elastomeric band; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the new article showing the attachment portion and the relationship of the elastomeric band to the entire tag portion; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the new article (with a portion of the information portion of the tag broken away) taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG.  3  and particularly illustrates the attachment relationship of the tag to the elastomeric band; and 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a new article of manufacture having a plurality of the new stretchable merchandise marking articles oriented with the information portion of the tags in aligned relationship for easy hand removal of individual articles from the alignment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawing, the new stretchable marking article  10  of the invention is illustrated on a clump of asparagus  8 . The new article consists of two components, namely an endless elastomeric band  12  and a non-elastomeric tag  20  consisting of a single continuous panel of flexible, water-resistant plastic material having an information portion  22  and an attachment portion  34 . The two components are held together by a bond between parts of the tag  20 , namely a bond  50  (see FIG. 4) between the attachment portion  34  and information portion  22  of the tag component. The sheet material of the tag  20  effectively is folded at a line or edge  46  so as to encircle an elongated segment or section of the elastomeric band  12  and is bonded to itself to form a channel  48  (see FIG. 4) within which the segment is movable for performance of its elasticity. Nevertheless, the channel prevents the removal of the elastomeric band from its attachment to the sheet material of the tag. 
     The endless nature of the elastomeric band  12  is such that it extends in a continuous ring or loop defining a circumferential longitudinal dimension, and this dimension is capable of stretching or elongation to increase the observable size of the circumference of the band. Useful elastomeric bands for the invention may be made out of natural or synthetic rubber or equivalent material. A key feature of elastomeric or rubber bands is that they can be significantly stretched and nevertheless quickly return to their original condition after stretching forces are removed. Useful sizes for elastomeric bands of the invention range between a diameter of about ¾ inch (about 2 cm) up to a diameter of about 6 inches (about 15 cm) in the unstretched or unextended condition. Thus, the range for the circumferential longitudinal dimension may vary from approximately 2.5 inches (approximately 6.5 cm) to approximately 19 inches (approximately 48 cm). Rubber bands or elastomeric bands outside the range of diameter or circumferential longitudinal dimension just specified are impractical for use in practicing the invention. Indeed, bands widely used have an upper limit of diameter not over about 4 inches (about 10 cm). Bands of 4-inch diameter have a circumferential longitudinal dimension or loop length of about 12.5 inches (about 32 cm). 
     Most rubber or elastomeric bands of sufficient strength for clumping produce have cross sections of at least {fraction (1/32)} inch (0.08 cm) in each perpendicular direction, and generally at least about {fraction (1/16)} inch (about 0.16 cm) in each perpendicular direction. They may have an even greater dimension in one or both perpendicular directions. However, bands of cross-sectional dimension greater than about ⅛ inch (above 0.32 cm) in both perpendicular directions are, for the most part, unnecessarily strong and therefore needlessly expensive. Elastomeric bands having cross sections of about {fraction (1/16)} inch in one direction and ⅛ inch in the perpendicular direction are especially useful. Indeed, bands having a size of about ⅛ inch in one direction and up to about ¼ inch (about 0.64 cm) in a perpendicular direction are quite satisfactory for practicing the invention. While typically the rubber bands for practicing the invention will be square or rectangular in cross section, it is conceivable that oval or circular cross-sectional elastomeric bands of equivalent cross-sectional size may be employed if desired. Bands of uniform cross section throughout their circumferential longitudinal dimension are preferred for the invention. 
     Bands of larger cross section such as those having a cross-sectional dimension of ½ inch or more in one direction are not only unnecessarily expensive, but are generally unsatisfactory because of their extreme width and the problem that extreme width creates in use applications and in attaching a tag of sheet material to the band in accordance with the invention. 
     The tag  20  for the invention is formed from a continuous panel of plastic (i.e., organic synthetic) sheet material. Suitable sheet material is relatively thin (e.g., generally not over about 15 thousands of an inch or mils in thickness) and is flexible and pliable but is non-elastomeric. It cannot easily be stretched to any significant extent to disrupt bar codes by a simple hand-applied force. Thus, the sheet material has the dimensional stability to carry a reliable (i.e., non-distorted) print of a scannable UPC code as well as other markings. 
     The sheet material for the tag also has to be water resistant in that it does not disintegrate and does not significantly pucker or wrinkle or otherwise disfigure or deform when placed in water. In fact, not only the sheet material but also the printing on it, and especially any scannable product identification matter on it, should be sufficiently water resistant to avoid disintegration or destruction when repeatedly subjected to water and washing operations. 
     The sheet material for the tag also has to be tough in the sense of being tear resistant. It has to withstand the tension of an elastomeric band pulling and rubbing against it (e.g., against the fold  46  of the attachment portion). 
     Useful materials for forming the plastic sheet material of the tag include polyolefinic thermoplastics, polyesters, and others that exhibit the critical properties discussed. Polymers of ethylene, propylene, styrene, as well as a variety of other monomers and mixtures of monomers (e.g., to make co-polymers and ter-polymers, etc.) can be used. Sheet thickness for polyester plastics can be quite thin, even down to the 3 or 4 mil range, and still exhibit the toughness and the non-elastomeric character required. The polymers may be formulated so that printing is readily accepted on the surface of the sheet material or treated with special surface treatments to effect acceptance of printing. The exact structure and composition of suitable plastic sheet material for practicing the invention may vary. One preferred sheet material for the tag is commercially available under the trademark “Teslin” from PPG Industries of Pittsburgh, Pa. It is a polyolefin thermoplastic printable much the same as paper. Any of a variety of commercially available water-insoluble inks compatible or accepted on a plastic sheet and retained thereon, and in any desired color, may be used to print the markings and details on the information portion of the tag. This technology is readily understood in the art. (If it should be desired to use water-soluble ink markings, a thin film of water-insoluble plastic may be applied over them to create the needed water resistance.) 
     The attachment structure of the invention gives a secure and reliable connection despite the significant difference in the material of the band and tag components. The attachment structure permits the band to be freely stretched without restriction by the sheet material of the tag (or by any bond between parts of the tag). Further, the independent formation and manufacture of the band and tag components prior to attachment together permits the particular physical dimensions of the tag and the band to be easily changed and, as a result, easily mixed and matched into many different combinations of band and tag sizes. 
     In forming the stretchable marking article of the invention, the sheet material of the tag is folded or turned over upon itself along a fold  46  as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The fold  46  can be looked upon as a line or boundary between the information  22  or banner portion of the tag and the attachment or tab portion  34  of the tag. The information portion and attachment portion extend in substantially the same direction from the fold and are in substantially parallel orientation. The sheet material forming the information portion has opposing front  24  and rear  26  surfaces and the sheet material of the attachment portion  34  also has opposing front  36  and rear  38  surfaces. The rear surfaces  26 ,  38  are bonded together to form a channel  48  (see FIG. 4) for a section or segment of the circumferential longitudinal dimension of the elastomeric band. (The section of the band within the channel is hidden by the attachment portion  34  in FIG.  3  and other figures.) The attachment portion  34  is folded over an elongate section of the elastomeric band and then bonded to the information portion at a location  50  spaced from the fold  46 . This then causes the sheet material to completely encircle an elongate section or segment of the band and form a channel  48  for the encircled section. But the encircled section of the band  12  is movable in the channel (e.g., for stretching) even though it is lodged in the channel. The connection firmly holds the band and tag together but permits relative movement between the two components. 
     The bond  50  of the inner or rear surface  38  of the attachment tab to the rear surface  26  of the information banner lies along a strip area near the transverse free outer edge  50  of the attachment tab most remote from the fold  46 . The bond  50  extends in a direction substantially parallel to the fold  46  but spaced from it. Preferably the bond extends from one side edge  52  of the attachment tab  34  to the other side edge  54  (see FIG.  3 ). The width of the strip area occupied by the bond  50  (measured perpendicular to the direction of the fold  46 ) is at least as great as about half the greatest transverse direction (i.e., greatest width) of the elastomeric band  12  and minimally is at least {fraction (1/32)} inch (at least 0.08 cm). The width need not and should not exceed about three times the greatest transverse dimension of the elastomeric band. Excessively wide strips of bond detract from the display area of the information portion. Preferably the width of the bond  50  does not exceed about twice the greatest transverse direction of the band  12 . 
     The bond  50  is critically formed directly between the rear surface  26  of the information portion and the rear or inner surface  38  of the attachment portion. No elastomeric band material is interposed between the bonded surfaces to interfere with a strong bond. In other words, no elastomeric band structure interrupts the continuousness of the bond  50  between the information banner and the attachment tab. 
     The bond  50  is suitably formed by adhesively securing the parts together, although fusion without the addition of adhesive may be employed where the tag material is susceptible for fusion (as by heat). A variety of known bonding adhesives and known surface treatments to enhance adhesion may be used. A useful approach is to employ adhesive formulations that can be cured (e.g, cross-linked or polymerized) in situ by using ultraviolet light. The benefit of such an approach is that it can save one from removing volatile solvents from an adhesive coating, but solvent-based adhesives may be employed, if desired. Aggressively tacky pressure-sensitive adhesives of the type employed for bonding automobile license tags to license plates may be used. Hot melt adhesives present another approach that avoids the need for solvent removal, and polyurethane hot melt adhesives, especially those that are moisture curable, are illustrative of those useful for uniting polyester films. Ethylene vinyl acetate adhesives can also be useful for bonding. Water-borne curable adhesives present another possible approach. Any of a variety of other strong adhesives known to adhesive technicians may be used. 
     The length of the attachment tab from the fold  46  to its outer free edge  42  (i.e., measured perpendicularly from the fold) should not be greater than about four or five times the greatest transverse or cross-sectional width of the band, and generally will not exceed about three times the greatest width of the encircled section of the band. The minimum length of the attachment tab is at least about twice the greatest transverse (cross-sectional) width of the band. The relatively short length for the attachment tab contributes to maximum display area for printed matter on both sides of the information portion  22 . 
     A critical feature is the limited width of the attachment tab from one side  52  to the other  54  (i.e., measured in a direction parallel to the fold). This width normally will be uniform throughout the length of the tab and will determine the length of the channel  48  for the encircled elongated section of the circumferential longitudinal dimension of the band. Both are not greater than about half the circumferential longitudinal dimension of the band and both are never greater than about 2.5 cm or 1 inch. This maximum dimension of 2.5 cm for the width of the attachment tab  34  as well as for the length of the channel  48  prevents the bending forces exerted on the channel, by stretching and flexing of the section of the band within the channel during use applications, from causing a sufficient bending of the information portion  22  to interfere with optical scanning of the UPC code on the information portion. The minimal length of the channel, and minimal width for the attachment tab, is 1 cm (about ⅖ inch), although 1.5 cm (generally about ½ inch) is more preferred from a strength standpoint as a minimum. Relatively narrow tabs have the advantage (as compared to wider tabs) of having decreased frictional resistance to stretching of the band, in part because the longitudinal extent of the band section encircled by the sleeve or channel is reduced. Further, the narrower tab width permits the band to bend away from the tab so that the curve of the band circumscribing more rounded merchandise (e.g., small clumps) is not imposed on most of the information portion, and is only imposed on a relatively narrow width of the information portion, which makes information on the surfaces of the information banner easier to read and scan. Plastic tag material is important to provide the tear resistance needed. Plastic also contributes to a relatively neat appearance in the supermarket display case after having been exposed to vigorous produce processing operations. 
     The width of the information portion or banner from one side edge  30  to the other  32  (i.e., measured perpendicular to the fold  46 ) may vary at different distances from the fold, but is most preferably uniform throughout the length of the banner from the fold  46 . The width of the banner in portions proximate to or adjacent to the channel is at least greater than the length of the channel, and may be several times the length of the channel. Tags of the greatest practical utility generally will not have information banners greater in width than about 1 inch (about 2.5 cm), and usually greater in width than about 2 inches (about 5 cm) up to about 4 inches (about 10 cm). 
     The furthest extent or length of the information banner from the fold  46  to its free outer edge  28  must be at least equal to and preferably is significantly greater than the furthest extent or length of the attachment tab away from the fold. Usually, the length dimension of the information part (e.g., the distance between the fold  46  and the free edge  28 ) will be at least about 150% or 200% greater than the length dimension of the attachment tab. This relationship between the lengths of the information and attachment tab portions permits at least a part of both the front and the rear surfaces of the information portion to bear printed matter that is viewable and not obstructed by the tab. Most preferably, the length of the information banner is at least about two times greater than the length of the attachment tab, and may be even greater. Information portion or banner lengths from about 1 inch (2.5 cm) up to about 6 inches (15 cm) are the most useful. 
     The front and rear surfaces of the information banner  20  can have a multitude of informational markings on them. For agricultural produce, these markings should include a scannable product code or identification. UPC bar codes are the most popular and are fully effective to provide scannable product identification matter. Other information markings are Product look-up (PLU) numbers, a trademark identification, serving suggestions, storage suggestions, nutrition facts, country of origin, etc. If desired, the outer surface of the attachment tab may have graphics printed thereon. 
     An illustrative article of the invention can have an elastomeric band that measures about 12 cm (about 5 inches) in circumferential longitudinal dimension and about 0.15 cm by 0.30 cm (about {fraction (1/16)} inch by about ⅛ inch) in cross section. The tag component can have an information portion about 6.5 cm (approximately 2.5 inches) in both width and length. Its attachment tab can have a length of about 1.3 cm (approximately 0.5 inch) and a width of also about 2.5 cm. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 5, the invention includes an assembly of the new stretchable marking articles  10  in a composite article of manufacture for dispensing individual articles from the assembly. The assembly suitably comprises an elongated carrier  56 , which may take the form of a tube or sleeve but also may take the form of a sheet member that is curved into a U-shape. The elastomeric band  12  of each article is looped to extend about the elongated carrier, and all tag components  20  of the stretchable marking articles in the assembly are in an alignment and each extends outwardly at the same (or substantially the same) uniform angle from the elongated carrier. The angle may vary depending on the relationship between the circumferential length of the band and the cross-sectional size of the outer surface of the carrier. Thus, each tag of each of the stretchable marking articles is uniformly lapped with others in the alignment and yet is readily available for quick gripping by a field worker and pulling to separate the gripped article from all other articles in the alignment. The worker may place a carrier (in the form of a sleeve or U-shape) upon his or her forearm and use it as a holder or dispenser from which the worker may remove individual stretchable marking articles from the alignment and fix them on clumps of produce. But the worker also may, if desired, place all of the stretchable marking articles on his/her forearm by simply transferring them from the elongated carrier to his/her forearm while maintaining the alignment of the non-elastomeric tags of the composite assembly. In either event, a single stretchable marking article in the alignment is easily gripped at its non-elastomeric tag by a worker for removal of a discrete marking article from the alignment by the worker&#39;s free hand. Simultaneously, the elastomeric band of the removed marking article is fixed about a clump of produce in the same manner that the worker has employed an elastomeric band for clumping merchandise in the past. FIG. 5 additionally can serve as an illustration of a technique for holding an elastomeric band  12  in position while the attachment tab portion  34  of a tag  20  is folded over a section of the band and then sealed to the information portion  22  of the tag. 
     Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that this invention may be embodied in still other specific forms than illustrated without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of it. Therefore, the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all variations that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced thereby.