Patent Abstract:
There are disclosed several embodiments of label sets or arrays having a substantial capacity for printed information while maintaining all the labels of the array associated and properly oriented with respect to each other, wherein all the labels of each set or array can be printed in a printer. The labels of the array are preferably printed in transverse rows across a label web to increase the number of labels that can be carried on a roll.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/789,618, filed Apr. 25, 2007 is made of record. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The embodiments relate to labeling methods, webs of fabric labels and fabric label arrays. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     Prior art is disclosed in connection with  FIGS. 31 through 34  of the present application and in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,583,489 and 7,125,182. 
     Fabric labels applied to garments may carry printed washing and/or dry cleaning instructions, warranty information, country-of-origin, fabric content, size information and the manufacturer&#39;s and/or the merchant&#39;s logo. Generally, the label is sewn or heat sealed into or onto the garment and the outer side of the label is printed right-side-up and the underside of the label is printed right-side down. If a set of one or more separate labels is intended to be used on a particular garment, there exists the possibility that some of the labels from one set may be interchanged with those of another set and/or that the labels of one set may not be correctly oriented with respect to each other. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to the disclosed embodiments, a fabric web of labels is prepared by providing one or more longitudinally extending lines of partial severing to frangibly connect one or more longitudinally extending parallel zones or regions of the web. If desired, the web can also be weakened or partially severed transversely to provide fold lines. The web, usually in roll form, can be loaded into a printer and the desired information can be printed on the outer or upper side of the web and on the underside or lower side of the web. A set or array of connected labels can be severed from the web and can be stacked or otherwise arranged until ready to be used. The connected labels can be folded and attached, for example, sewn or heat sealed onto a garment. Because the labels remain connected even when they are being attached to the garment, there is no possibility that a label from one set can be mismatched with the label of any other set or that the labels can be mis-oriented relative to each other. This use of multiple labels in an array or set or composite on a garment is particularly useful when it is desired to provide the same garment related information on the garment in different languages. Once the label array has been attached to the garment it is a simple matter to break the frangible connection between labels manually when it is desired to read the information on the underside of the outermost label or on an underlying label. Especially the label arrays with three or four labels have substantial information-carrying capacity, and this is valuable in the event the same information is required to be printed in two or more different languages on the same label array. The printing of the same information of, for example, eight languages on eight sides of four connected labels is contemplated. 
     A specific embodiment of a labeling method comprises some or all of the steps of providing a longitudinally extending web of printable fabric label material having opposite sides or faces and bounded by at least one longitudinally extending frangible line of partial severing spaced between the side edges to provide repetitive sets of at least two labels, and printing information on one face of the web on all or most of the labels of each set and on the other face of the web on at least one of the labels of each set, the labels being capable of undergoing repeated washings and/or dry cleanings, severing the web between along transverse lines between sets to provide two or more printed labels frangibly connected at the partial severing, folding the labels relative to each other to provide a folded label array of at least two frangibly connected, printed labels, attaching the label array to a garment, and separating at least two labels of the array at the partial severing after the array has been attached to the garment. 
     A specific embodiment of a labeling method comprises some or all of the steps of providing a label array of at least three printed labels connected along at least two frangible lines, the printed labels being capable of undergoing repeated washings and/or dry cleanings, folding the labels along the frangible lines into face-to-face relationship, attaching the printed label array of frangibly connected labels to a garment, and thereafter separating at least some of the labels from each other along the frangible lines. 
     A specific embodiment of a labeling method comprises some or all of the steps of printing an array of at least two generally planar, frangibly connected, labels in a single printer, folding the labels relative to each other into a folded array, attaching the folded array to a garment and separating the labels from each other along their frangible connection. 
     In the event a manufacturer or merchant or consumer desires to selectively remove one or more labels of the array in any of the embodiments, the label or labels can be cut off from the array. For example, in the event the array contains four labels with, for example, care instructions in a different language on each side of the label, one or more labels can be cut off to remove two of the languages per label. In another example, a manufacturer may apply one logo to one label and another logo to another label of the array and selectively remove the label carrying the unwanted logo; for example, if a manufacture intends to sell the same product to two different merchants, the manufacturer could apply a different logo to different labels of the array and selectively cut off one label as needed. This will enable the manufacturer to produce or hold a single inventory for both merchants. Even if one or less than all of the labels are cut off, the remaining label or labels could carry the legally required care instructions. If desired, a cut line comprising printing, weaving or perforating to indicate where the label or labels should be cut to avoid damaging the garment can be applied directly to the label or labels adjacent the place where the array is attached to a garment. In addition, a scissor symbol can be applied adjacent the cut to further visually show where the label can be severed from the array, and in this connection reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,489. Alternatively, any one or more of the labels could carry a bar code and/or a radio frequency identification (RFID) or electronic article surveillance (EAS) transponder, which could be removed by the merchant or customer by cutting that label from the array, if desired. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMMATIC DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified side elevational view of a printer wherein the lower face of a web is being printed by a print head and the upper face of the web is being printed by another print head prior to the web being severed; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of an embodiment of a web that has been printed in the printer such as the printer depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the web shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view showing one label array of  FIGS. 2 and 3  that has been severed from the remainder of the web; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the label array of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a pictorial view showing the label array as having been folded about a line of partial severing or weakening and partially folded about another fold line of partial severing or weakening; 
         FIG. 7  is a pictorial view of the label array attached to an article such as a garment; 
         FIG. 8  is another pictorial view of the label array attached to the garment; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the attached label array shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  for example showing side  1  of the outermost label; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 9 , but showing the outermost label folded up to expose its side  2  and side  3  of the first underlying label; 
         FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , but showing the outermost label and the first underlying label folded up to expose side  4  of the first underlying label and side  5  of the second underlying label; 
         FIG. 12  is a view similar to  FIGS. 9 through 11  with the outermost label and the two underlying labels folded up to expose side  6  of the underlying labels and side  7  of the third underlying label; 
         FIG. 13  is a view similar to  FIGS. 9 through 12  with all the labels folded up to expose side  8  of the third underlying label; 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a web that has been printed in the printer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom plan view of the web shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of one label array of  FIGS. 14 and 15  that has been severed from the remainder of the web; 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom plan view of the label array of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged pictorial view of the label array shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , partially folded; 
         FIG. 19  is a view of a completely folded label array as viewed toward the right side of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a front elevational view of the label array shown in  FIGS. 16 through 19  showing side  1  of the label array; 
         FIG. 21  is a view similar to  FIG. 20 , but showing the outermost label folded up to expose its side  2  and side  3  of the underlying label; 
         FIG. 22  is a view similar to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , but showing the outermost label and the underlying label folded up to expose side  4  of the underlying label; 
         FIG. 23  is a top elevational view of yet another embodiment of a web that has been printed in a printer such as the printer depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a bottom plan view of the web shown in  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a developing view showing the manner in which the label array is folded to form face-to-face labels that are to be attached to a garment; 
         FIG. 26  is a front elevational view of the label array shown in  FIGS. 23 through 25 , showing side  1  of the label array; 
         FIG. 27  is a view similar to  FIG. 26 , but showing the outermost label folded up to expose its side  2  and side  3  of the underlying label; 
         FIG. 28  is a view similar to  FIGS. 26 and 27 , but showing the outermost and the first underlying labels as folded up to expose side  4  of the first underlying label and side  5  of the second underlying label; 
         FIG. 29  is a view similar to  FIGS. 26 through 28 , but showing the outermost label and the first and second underlying labels folded up to expose side  6  of the second-underlying label; 
         FIG. 30  is an alternative arrangement for folding a label web similar to the one shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a pictorial view of a prior art label array partially folded and showing sides  1  and  3 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a front elevational view of the prior art label array of  FIG. 31  sewn onto a garment; 
         FIG. 33  is a view similar to  FIG. 32 , but showing the outermost label folded up to expose side  2  of the outermost label and side  3  of the underlying label; and 
         FIG. 34  is a view similar to  FIGS. 32 and 33 , but showing both labels folded up to expose side  4  of the underlying label. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference initially to  FIG. 1  which applies to the embodiments of  FIGS. 2 through 30 , there is shown a thermal printer generally indicated at  50  including thermal print heads  51  and  52  cooperable at printing positions with respective platen rolls  53  and  54  to print on lower and upper side or faces L and U respectively of a web generally indicated at W. Ink ribbons  55  and  56  drawn across respective print heads  51  and  52  are used to transfer ink to the respective lower and upper faces L and U of the web W. Cooperating knives  57  and  58  are used to cut sets or arrays of labels from the web W. As shown, the web W moves in the direction of arrow  59  and the ink ribbons  55  and  56  move in the direction of arrows  60  and  61  during printing. Although a thermal printer  50  is illustrated, any other suitable printer such as an ink jet printer, a flexographic printer or an offset printer can be used instead of a thermal printer. A commercial embodiment of a printer that can be used is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,182. 
     With reference to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 through 13 , and initially to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is shown a web W of printable fabric which have been printed with information I. Throughout, information that is printed right-side-up is indicated with an up arrow or an inverted “V” and information which is printed right-side-down is indicated with a down arrow or a “V”. Information I which is printed right-side-up can be read in the usual way from top to bottom, and information I which is printed right-side-down can best be read from top-to-bottom when it is turned upside down. 
     The longitudinally extending web W is shown to have spaced, preferably parallel, longitudinally extending side edges  62  and  63 . Longitudinally spaced transverse lines of weakening or partial severing generally indicated at  64  are preferably made at equally spaced apart intervals and preferably midway between adjacent lines indicated at  65  where severing can occur, although as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  there is no severing of the web W along those lines. However, the lines  65  are nevertheless referred to herein as lines of severing. Partial severing or weakening  64  can be made by perforation cuts as shown, or by scoring, embossing, crushing or any other upsetting of the fabric which can make it easier to fold the fabric. The lines  65  show where the web W can be cut by knives  57  and  58  for example. There could be registration elements along the cut lines, but in the present embodiment it is preferred to have printed registration elements  66  at the lines of weakening  64 . The registration elements  66  can be cutouts or holes as shown or they can be printed marks or notches, for example. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  each show two complete sets or arrays generally indicated at  76 .  FIG. 2  shows the upper side or face U and  FIG. 3  shows the lower side or under face L of the web W. The areas between adjacent lines of severing  65  indicate one label set or array  67 . A longitudinally line of partial severing or weakening  68  is shown midway between side edges  62  and  63 , as is preferred. The line of weakening  68  may be comprised of uncut or frangible or severably portions  68   a  and completely cut portions  68   b  and  68   c  between two side-by-side pairs of labels of the array  67 . In that the lines of weakening  64  are shown midway between cut lines  65 , as is preferred, each label set or array has four equal size labels  69 ,  70 ,  71  and  72 . However, the lines of weakening  64  can be at other than midway between adjacent cut lines  65 , if desired. Accordingly, the labels of the array would be of different sizes. With reference to  FIG. 2 , labels  67  through  72  on the upper face U are shown to have sides:  1 ,  4 , inverted  5  and inverted  8 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , the labels  69  through  72  on the lower face L are shown to have sides: inverted  2 , inverted  3 ,  6  and  7 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show one label set or array  67  as having been cut from the web W. The cut ends of an array are indicated at  73  and  74 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the label array  67  partial folded. The array  67  is first folded about line of weakening  64  and thereafter about line of weakening  68 . The fully folded array  67  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  attached to an article such as a fabric garment G.  FIG. 7  is viewed generally from the left side of  FIG. 6 , while  FIG. 8  is viewed from the right side of  FIG. 6 . The label array  67  can be attached by sewing or stitching through the array  67  and the garment G as indicated at  75  or adhesively. 
       FIGS. 9 through 13  show the manner or organization of the printing on the upper and lower faces or sides U and L respectively of the folded array  67 , so that when the array  67  is folded all sides  1  through  8  are readable from top-to-bottom. In  FIG. 9 , side  1  of the outermost label  69  is readable from top-to-bottom. In  FIG. 10 , once frangible or severable portions  68   a  between the labels  69  and  72  have been fractured or broken, as by using a finger inserted between adjacent labels  69  and  70 , the label  69  can be folded up to the position shown so that both the information on side  2  of label  69  and side  3  of label  70  can be read from top-to-bottom. In  FIG. 11 , once the frangible portions  68   a  between side edges of the labels  70  and  71  has been broken, the label  71  can be folded up as shown and both the information on side  4  of the label  70  and the information on side  5  of the label  71  can be read from top-to-bottom. In  FIG. 12 , the label  71  can be folded up and the side  6  of the label  71  and the side  7  of the label  72  can be read from top-to-bottom. In  FIG. 13 , once the label  72  has been folded up, the side  8  of the label  72  can be read from top-to-bottom. It can be seen that the label array  67  can be cut from the web W and folded to make four labels  69  through  72  with eight sides  1  through  8 , and yet all the labels are readable from top-to-bottom. In order to achieve all the benefits of this arrangement some of the printing of information I along the web W must extend in one direction and other of the information must extend in the opposite direction on both faces U and L. Thus, when the array  67  is attached to an article such as a garment G, all the information I can be read from top-to-bottom. In that all the labels  69  through  72  of the array  67  preferably remain connected at least until the array  67  is ready to be attached to the garment G, there cannot be a mixup or interchange of the labels  69  through  72  that belong to one set or array  67  with those labels that belong to another set, nor can there be a mixup as to the correct orientation of the various labels  69  through  72  with respect to each other. The label web of each of the embodiments disclosed herein is preferably comprised of a coated, woven or non-woven, polyester or acetate or other synthetic material that can be readily broken or cut manually at the frangible portions  68   a  for example. Thus, it is a simple matter to tear the labels  69  through  72  for example, apart should it be desired to read information on the underside of the outermost label  69  or any of the first, second and third underlying labels. It should be noted that each label preferably has at least one frangible portion connecting it to an adjacent label transverse thereto, but more than two frangible portions per label can be used. Also, it is not necessary that all the labels in any disclosed array, such as the array  67 , need be printed on both sides. 
       FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  6  show indicia preferably printed on the array  67  in the form of an “A” and a “B” with respective arrows. The letters “A” and “B” are a guide, reference or aid to the person who folds the array  67  to firstly fold the array  67  about line of weakening  64  and to secondly fold the array  67  about the line of weakening or fold line  68 . These indicia are meaningful to the person who folds the array  67  to show the sequence in which the array is to be folded but are irrelevant to the user of the garment. Other indicia such as a “1” and a “2” could be used instead of “A” and “B” or the indicia would be in other languages. The indicia are omitted from small figures, namely,  FIGS. 9 through 13  for clarity. Such indicia can also be used in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 23 through 29 , and in the embodiment of  FIG. 30  for the same purpose, if desired. 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 14 through 22  comprises a web generally indicated at Wa that can be cut into label arrays along cut lines  65   a . The cut lines  65   a  are shown to pass through registration elements  66   a  which can be holes like the registration elements  66 . The web Wa has side edges  62   a  and  63   a . A longitudinally extending frangible line of partial severing or weakening generally indicated at  68 ′ is shown to be comprised of cut lines  68   b ′ and  68   c ′ spaced by uncut frangible or severably portions or lands  68   a ″. Upper face U of each label array  67   a  has sides  1  and  4  of labels  76  and  77  and lower face L of each label array  67   a  has sides  2  and  3  of labels  76  and  77 . As is preferred, the frangible line of weakening  68 ′ is midway between side edges  62   a  and  63   a  so that labels  76  and  77  are of equal size. 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  show the label array  67   a  as having been severed from the web Wa. The cuts at the cut lines  65   a  form ends  78  and  79 .  FIG. 18  shows the label array or composite label  67   a  as partially folded about frangible line of weakening  68 ′ to partially expose side  3  of label  77 .  FIG. 19  shows the label array attached to the garment G, as by stitching  75 ′ along line  75 ″. 
       FIGS. 20 through 22  show that the disclosed arrangement results in all of the sides  1  through  4  of the label array  67   a  being readable from top-to-bottom once the labels  76  and  77  are separated along line  68 ′. In  FIG. 20 , the information I on side  1  of the outer label  76  is readable from top-to-bottom. In  FIG. 21 , the outer label  76  has been folded up to expose printed information I on side  2  and printed information I on side  3  of the label  77 . In  FIG. 22 , both labels  76  and  77  have been folded up to expose information I on side  4  of the label  77 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 23 through 29 , there is disclosed a web Wb having spaced apart parallel side edges  80  and  81  extending in the longitudinal direction. The web Wb can have registration elements  82  at longitudinally spaced locations. The registration elements  82  are shown to lie along the lines  83  at which complete severing can occur. There are two longitudinally extending frangible, parallel lines of partial severing generally indicated at  84  and  85  spaced between the side edges  80  and  81 . The line  84  and the side edge  80 , the lines  84  and  85 , and the line  85  and the side edge  81  are preferably equally spaced and parallel so that the labels  89 ,  90  and  91  have the same width and size. The lines  84  and  85  have respective completely severed portions  84   b  and  84   c  and  85   b  and  85   c . When the web Wb is cut or severed along lines  83 , the cut makes the ends  86  and  87  of the label array  88  as shown in  FIG. 26  for example. Each label array  88  is comprised of connected labels  89 ,  90  and  91 . When a label array or set  88  has been cut from the web Wb, the label  90  is folded about line  84  relative to the label  89  in the direction of arrow  92  until the labels  89  and  90  are face-to-face. Thereafter, the label  91  is folded about line  85  relative to the label  89  in the direction of arrow  93  until the label  91  is face-to-face with the label  90 . In this folded condition, the label array  88  can be attached to an article such as a garment G as shown in  FIG. 26 , for example, as for example by sewing  94 . When the frangible or severable portions or lands  84   a  and  85   a  are torn or cut, then the label  89  can be folded up to expose side  2  of the label  89  and side  3  of the label  90  as shown in  FIG. 27 . When the label  90  is also folded up as shown in  FIG. 28 , the side  4  of the label  90  and the side  5  of the label  91  are exposed. When also the label  91  is folded up as shown in  FIG. 29 , the side  6  of the label  29  is exposed. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 30  is the same as the embodiment of  FIGS. 23 through 29 , except that the label array  97  is folded according to an inverted “Z” pattern as shown in  FIG. 30  and also the arrangement of the printing on labels  94 ,  95  and  96  of the label array  97  needs to be different than in the embodiment of  FIGS. 23 through 29  so that all of the information I is readable from top-to-bottom. In folding the label array  97 , the label  95  can first be folded about line of weakening  84  relative to the label  94  until the label  95  is face-to-face and parallel to the label  94 . Second, the label  96  can be folded about line of weakening  85  until the label  96  is face-to-face and parallel to the label  95 . When thus folded, the label array  97  can be attached to the garment G. 
     With reference to the prior art of  FIGS. 31 through 34 , a long label array  100  is folded about a fold line  101  to provide labels  102  and  103 . Alternatively, the labels  101  and  103  can be separate but nevertheless sewn to the garment G as indicated at  104 . Alternatively, more than two folded labels  102  and  103  or more than two separate labels can be sewn together onto the garment, but there is no way to assure that separate labels are correctly associated or oriented. 
       FIG. 33  shows side  2  of label  102  and side  3  of label  103  exposed by folding the label  102  up.  FIG. 34  shows both labels  102  and  103  folded up to expose side  4  of the label  103 . 
     In the various embodiments, the frangible lines  68 ,  68   a ′  68 ′,  84  and  85  are preferably perpendicular to respective lines  65 ,  65   a , and  83 . All the frangible lines  68 ,  68   a ′  68 ′,  84  and  85  are preferably parallel to respective side edges  62 ,  63 ,  62   a ,  63   a ,  80  and  81 . The lines  65 ,  65   a  and  83  of each web are preferably parallel to each other. 
     In all the disclosed embodiments, the labels are capable of undergoing repeated washings and/or dry cleanings. 
     Side edges of the webs W, Wa and Wb are preferably straight. The labels of each set or array are preferably rectangular and preferably the same size, and preferably longer in the direction away from the place the label array is attached, however, the labels can be of different sizes. 
     While the frangible or severable portions of the various disclosed embodiments are severable by hand, alternatively a knife blade could be used, if desired. 
     Other embodiments and modifications of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and all such of these as come within the spirit of this invention are included within its scope as best defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3