Patent Publication Number: US-10311761-B2

Title: Storage label device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/407,640 for a “Universal storage identification system for wire or other shelving and containers such as storage cubes” filed on Oct. 13, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a device for storage identification. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a label holder for mounting a label to a shelf or other storage location. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Identifying objects stored on shelves is often difficult, and it may be impossible to identify what is stored on wire shelving, other types of shelving, or in containers such as storage cubes, cubbies, or bins. Adhesive labels typically do not adhere to wire shelving and will either fall off or leave sticky residue on other types of shelving and containers such as storage cubes, cubbies, and bins. Existing labeling systems or devices are also not typically repositionable and reusable. An additional difficulty is that storage shelving products such as wire shelves may be available in varying sizes such that wires of the shelf from one manufacturer may have a spacing that is different from wire shelving from another manufacturer, thereby making it impossible to use a label holder designed for one shelf for use with a shelf from a different manufacturer. 
     What is needed, therefore, is a storage label device that mounts onto wire shelving and containers such as storage cubes, cubbies, and bins, and is repositionable and reusable with no sticky residue, thereby providing easy long-term storage identification. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above and other needs are met by a storage label device. In a first aspect, a storage label device for mounting a label on a storage device includes: a label holder body having a smooth front face and an opposing back face, the holder body extending between a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side, and a second side; a label pouch attached to the smooth front face of the label holder for receiving a label within the label pouch; and a clip portion formed along the top edge of the label holder body, extending from the back face at the top edge of the label holder and curving downward at a distal end of the clip portion to form a downward-facing hook. The label holder body is curved between the top edge and the bottom edge such that the bottom edge is aligned between the back face at the top edge and the distal end of the clip portion. 
     In one embodiment, the label holder body is resiliently flexible relative to the clip portion. In another embodiment, the storage label device further includes a lip formed in the clip portion. In yet another embodiment, the label holder body and clip portion are integrally formed as a single piece. In one embodiment, the label holder body and clip portion are molded from a resilient plastic. 
     In a second aspect, a storage label device for mounting a label on a wire shelf is provided, the wire shelf having a first horizontal wire, a second horizontal wire parallel to and below the first horizontal wire, and a plurality of longitudinal wires oriented perpendicular to the first horizontal wire and second horizontal wire. The storage label device includes: a label holder body having a smooth front face and an opposing back face, the holder body extending between a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side, and a second side; and a plurality of hooked clips formed along the upper edge of the label holder body, the plurality of clips including a pair of inner clips adjacent to one another and separated by a first distance, a pair of middle clips formed on opposing sides of the first inner pair of clips and separated from the pair of inner clips by a second distance that is greater than the first distance, and a pair of outer clips formed on opposing sides of the pair of middle clips and separated from the pair of middle clips by a third distance that is greater than the second distance. The plurality of longitudinal wires of the wire shelf are received between the pair of inner clips, the pair of middle clips, and the pair of outer clips of the storage label device, and wherein one of the first horizontal wire and second horizontal wire is received below the plurality of hooked clips formed along the upper edge of the label holder body to secure the storage label device to the wire shelf. 
     In one embodiment, the storage label device further includes a central gap formed between the pair of inner clips, a pair of middle gaps formed between the pair of inner clips and the pair of middle clips, and a pair of outer gaps formed between the pair of middle clips and the pair of outer clips. 
     In another embodiment, a width of the middle gaps is wider than a width of the center gap, and wherein a width of the outer gaps is wider than a width of the middle gaps. In yet another embodiment, a gap between the inner pair of clips has a width of from about 0.1″ to about 0.2″. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective side view of a storage label device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a wire frame shelving storage area according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of a storage label device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of a storage label device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  show side views of a storage label device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  show a storage label device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 7A-7D  show a storage label device having a plurality of clips according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  show a storage label device engaged with components of a wire shelf according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  shows a side view of a storage label device secured to a surface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  shows various existing wire shelves with which embodiments of the storage label device of the present disclosure are compatible. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various terms used herein are intended to have particular meanings. Some of these terms are defined below for the purpose of clarity. The definitions given below are meant to cover all forms of the words being defined (e.g., singular, plural, present tense, past tense). If the definition of any term below diverges from the commonly understood and/or dictionary definition of such term, the definitions below control. 
       FIG. 1  shows a basic embodiment of a storage label device  10  for mounting a label to a storage area, such as a wire shelf, container, or other storage mechanism. The storage label device  10  advantageously mounts to various storage areas to allow a user to label the storage areas according to items placed in or on the storage areas. The storage label device  10  is mountable on various storage areas having differing dimensions and configurations without requiring a user to purchase separate storage label devices. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the storage label device  10  is preferably configured to attach to an existing storage area, such as a wire shelf  12 . The wire shelf  12  typically includes a first horizontal wire  14 , a second horizontal wire  16  parallel to and below the first horizontal wire  14 , and a plurality of longitudinal wires  18  oriented perpendicular to the first horizontal wire  12  and second horizontal wire  14 . The plurality of longitudinal wires  18  preferably extend from a rear edge  20  of the wire shelf  12  to a front edge  22  and wrap over the first horizontal wire  14  before terminating at the second horizontal wire  16 . Existing wire shelving products are available from various third parties, such as Closetmaid® and The Container Store®. While  FIG. 2  illustrates one type of commonly available wire shelving, various other types of wire shelving are available, and the storage label device  10  of the present disclosure may be compatible with those wire shelving products. Further, while the storage area is described in one embodiment as a wire shelf  12 , embodiments of the device of the present disclosure may also be mountable on other types of storage products such as on a cut-out for a handle for a storage bin or other similar product. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the storage label device  10  includes a label holder body  24  defined between a top edge  26 , a bottom edge  28 , a first side  30  and a second side  32  ( FIG. 3 ). Referring to  FIG. 4 , the label holder body  24  includes a front surface  34  and an opposing rear surface  36 . The front surface forms a substantially smooth surface area onto which a label pouch or other labeling device may be adhered or secured, as discussed in greater detail below. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the label holder body  24  is preferably curved between the top edge  26  and bottom edge  28  of the holder body  24 . The label holder body  24  is curved such that the rear surface  36  of the label holder body  24  is concave and the front surface  34  is convex. The label holder body  24  may have varying dimensions such that labels or other visual indicia may be displayed on the front surface  34  of the label holder body. 
     A clip portion  38  is formed along the top edge  26  of the label holder body  24  and extends from the rear surface  36  of the label holder body  24 . The clip portion  38  is shaped to conform around a portion of the storage area. For example, when the storage area comprises wire shelving as described above, the clip portion  38  is shaped to fit over one of the wires of the wire shelving storage area. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the clip portion  38  extends continuously along a length of the top edge  26  of the label holder body  24 . The clip portion  38  curls downward along the rear surface  36  of the label holder body  24  and terminates at an end  40 . The end  40  is curled towards the rear surface  36  of the label holder body  24  such that the clip portion  38  is shaped to receive and substantially entrap a cylindrical body within the clip portion  38 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5B and 6A , in one embodiment the clip portion  38  features a lip  42  formed adjacent the end  40  of the clip portion  38 . The end  40  of the clip portion  38  projects outwardly away from the rear surface  36  of the label holder body  24  after the lip  42 . The lip  42  forms an inwardly projecting portion  44  that is shaped to contact a surface of a storage area, such as a surface of a container adjacent to a handle area or other surface of the storage area when the storage label device  10  is secured to the storage area. 
     In yet another embodiment, the clip portion  38  may be formed into a plurality of spaced apart clips  46  formed along the top edge  26  of the label holder body  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 7A-7D . Each of the plurality of spaced apart clips  46  includes a downward-facing hook  48  formed on the plurality of clips  46 . The clips  46  are formed into a plurality of pairs that are spaced apart such that the storage label device  10  is capable of being mounted on wire shelving having various dimensions, such as varying spacing of longitudinal wires of the shelf. A pair of inner clips  50 A and  50 B are formed adjacent a central axis A of the with a center gap  51  defined between the pair of inner clips  50 A and  50 B. A pair of middle clips  52 A and  52 B are located on opposing sides of the pair of inner clips  50 A and  50 B and are separated from the inner clips  50 A and  50 B by middle gaps  53 A and  53 B. A width of the middle gaps  53 A and  53 B is preferably greater than a width of the center gap  51 . Further, a width of the middle clips  52 A and  52 B is preferably narrower than a width of the pair of inner clips  50 A and  50 B. A pair of outer clips  54 A and  54 B are located on opposing sides of the pair of middle clips  52 A and  52 B and are separated from the middle clips  52 A and  52 B by outer gaps  55 A and  55 B. A width of the outer clips  54 A and  54 B is preferably narrower than a width of the middle clips  52 A and  52 B. 
     In one embodiment, a width of the center gap  51  is from about 0.1″ to about 0.2″, and preferably has a width of approximately 0.11″ (2.9 mm). A width of the middle gaps  53 A and  53 B is preferably from about 0.2″ to about 0.3″, and preferably has a width of approximately 0.21″ (5.3 mm). A width of the outer gaps  55 A and  55 B is preferably from about 0.3″ to about 0.4″, and preferably has a width of approximately 0.35″ (8.9 mm). The pair of inner clips  50 A and  50 B preferably have a width of from about 0.3 to about 0.4″, and preferably have a width of approximately 0.39″ (9.8 mm). The pair of middle clips  52 A and  52 B preferably have a width of from about 0.2″ to about 0.3″, and preferably have a width of approximately 0.29″ (7.4 mm). The pair of outer clips  54 A and  54 B preferably have a width of from about 0.2″ to about 0.25″, and preferably have a width of approximately 0.21″ (5.3 mm). 
     Widths and spacing between the inner clips  50 A and  50 B, middle clips  52 A and  52 B, and outer clips  54 A and  54 B allow the plurality of clips  46  to adapt to wire shelving having variable spacing and diameters, such as the shelves shown in  FIG. 10 . The storage label device  10  of the present disclosure has been found to be compatible with various wire shelves including those illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The clips  46  may be attached to longitudinal wires of wire shelving having a first spacing, and may also accommodate wire shelving having a second spacing between longitudinal wires. Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , one of the plurality of longitudinal wires  18  is first aligned with the center gap  51  of the storage label device  10 . Depending on a spacing of the longitudinal wires  18  of the wire shelving, additional longitudinal wires  18  are located between the clips  46 .  FIG. 8A  illustrates an exemplary wire shelf having longitudinal wires  18  with a narrower spacing, while  FIG. 8B  illustrates an exemplary wire shelf having longitudinal wires  18  with a wider spacing. The plurality of clips  46  secure the storage label device  10  to the wire shelving by securing longitudinal wires  18  within the gaps between the clips  46  and also by securing one of the horizontal wires within the hook-shaped clip portion  38 . 
     The label holder body  24  and clip portion  38  are preferably formed of a resiliently flexible material, such as a resilient plastic or polymer. The label storage device  10  may be formed of various other suitable materials, such as wood, metal, and various suitable composite materials. The label holder body  24  and clip portion  38  may be integrally formed as a single piece. 
     The clip portion  38  is preferably resiliently flexible such that the clip portion  38  may flex in relation to the label holder body  24  for attaching the storage label device  10  to a storage area. For example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , when the storage label device  10  of  FIGS. 5 and 6  is attached to a surface  56 , such as an outer surface of a fabric storage box, the label storage device  10  is maintained against the surface  56  at the clip portion  38  and towards the bottom edge  28  of the label holder body  24 . In one embodiment, such as the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the label holder body  24  may curve such that the bottom edge  28  extends beyond a distal point of the clip portion  38 . When the storage label device  10  is attached to a surface, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the label holder body  24  and clip portion  38  may be flexed such that when the storage label device  10  is secured to the surface the storage label device  10  is in tension to prevent the storage label device  10  from inadvertently detaching from the surface. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a label pouch  58  is preferably adhered or otherwise attached to the label holder body  24 , such as on the front surface  34  of the label holder body  24 . The label pouch  58  is shaped to receive a label or other visual device within the label pouch  58  such that when the storage label device  10  is attached to a storage area, the label or other visual device is visible through the label pouch  58  towards a user attempting to locate items at the storage area. 
     The storage label device  10  of the present disclosure advantageously allows a user to place a label or other visual device onto a storage area and securely maintains the label to the storage area while allowing the user to move the label as desired. The storage label device  10  is readily attached to various storage areas. In one preferable embodiment, the storage label device  10  is attached to a wire shelf to allow a user to mark a location of items stored on the wire shelf. In other embodiments describe herein, the storage label device  10  is readily attached to other storage areas to allow a user to label items placed within those storage areas while also allowing the user to change labels or relocate the storage label device  10 . 
     The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The described preferred embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure to the precise form(s) disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the concepts revealed in the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.