Abstract:
A coordination system and method for organizing and moving objects is disclosed, including: a first label housing, having a first opening; a first plurality of labels, disposed substantially within the first label housing, having a first visual appearance, and sized to enable one of the first plurality of labels to pass through the first opening; a second label housing, having a second opening; a second plurality of labels, disposed substantially within the second label housing, having a second visual appearance substantially different than the first visual appearance, and sized to enable one of the second plurality of labels to pass through the second opening; and an index system, coordinated to the first and second plurality of labels, respectively, configured to index the first and second visual appearances, respectively.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to methods of storing, arranging, and/or transporting objects from one location to another. Specifically, systems and methods for packing and moving using coordination of labels. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In the related art, it has long been known to use filing/labeling systems or apparatus to systematically organize, store, identify, and/or locate a plurality of items for future use or consumption. It is known that items tend to get loss or misplaced easily; especially when they are moved around frequently. To reduce such occurrences, various sorts of labels, tapes, signs and other forms of adhesive identifiers are known and used widely in a range of applications where they can be attached to bottles, books, files, storage media, computer diskettes, and a large number of other products. This allows users to quickly place, identify, and track packages or products in desired locations and relocate them in the future as needed. Such systems can be of significant value to people and businesses desire a quick and efficient method of organizing and managing numerous amounts of inventory or personal belongings. The following are examples of related art that are provided herein for their related teachings, and are herein incorporated by reference for their supportive teachings 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,895, by Alison, et al., disclose an interlocking arrangement of storage boxes in the rear section of a passenger vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle. The arrangement preferably includes at least three storage boxes. Two of the boxes are respectively secured to the side walls of the vehicle. These side boxes are spaced from each other and the third box is slidably receivable between them. In the preferred embodiment, the third box has lips on its sides that respectively interlock with lips on the two side boxes to prevent the third box from being removed by lifting it upwardly between the two side boxes. Forward stops on the side boxes prevent the third box from being moved forwardly beyond the side boxes and the vehicle&#39;s tailgate in its closed position serves to prevent the third box from being moved rearwardly out of the vehicle. In this manner and with the tailgate in its locked, closed position, the three interlocking storage boxes are securely held in place. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,564, by Doche, disclose a system for storing and distributing flat objects to different working stations is provided. The system comprises storage modules, transportation or conveying modules and distribution modules. All these modules are placed alongside one another to form a continuous chain. Each module has fixed or mobile rollers constituting two superimposed displacement tracks for operating in two opposite directions. Portable racks are also provided. Particular utility is found in storage and transportation of boxes containing silicon wafers. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,254, by Vola, disclose a box of molded plastic material for packaging or storage of various objects has a box body of polygonal cross-section which may be square, for example, and a closure lid. The different sides of the box are provided with complementary male and female guides of dovetail shape, for example. The guides of one of the two series have a stop at one end. The arrangement is such that a variable number of boxes of this type can be assembled side by side so as to constitute a single-unit assembly. The boxes can be employed for individual packaging of various objects or products such as make-up products, for example. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,222, by Posso, discloses an arrangement constituted by a stack of boxes intended to contain drawers, in particular for the storage of audio and video recording tapes. The boxes have different dimensions. The widths and heights of the boxes are dimensioned to adapt to the contents and to allow a large number of combinations. On their upper side, the boxes comprise profiled ribs on which are fitted grooves of matching profile provided on a lower side of the boxes. 
         [0009]    However, such methods fail to completely solve challenges associated with identifying, organizing, storing, large amounts of items being moved from one location to the next. Additionally, the existing methods mentioned above tend to be expensive, unsystematic, inefficient, time-consuming, difficult to use, and/or do not significantly reduce loss or misplacement of items. 
         [0010]    What is needed is a system and/or method that solves one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or more problems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with this specification. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available moving systems. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a coordination system for organizing and moving objects using labels. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, there may be a coordination system for organizing and/or moving objects, including: a first label housing, including a first opening; a first plurality of labels, disposed substantially within the first label housing, including a first visual appearance, and/or sized so that a cross-sectional profile of one of the first plurality of labels may be smaller than the first opening, enabling one of the first plurality of labels to pass through the first opening; a second label housing, including a second opening; a second plurality of labels, disposed substantially within the second label housing, including a second visual appearance substantially different than the first visual appearance, and/or sized so that a cross-sectional profile of one of the second plurality of labels may be smaller than the second opening, enabling one of the second plurality of labels to pass through the second opening; and/or an index system, coordinated to the first and/or second plurality of labels, respectively, configured to index the first and/or second visual appearances, respectively. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the index system may include a direction of travel coordinated to each of the first and/or second visual appearances, respectively. 
         [0014]    In still another embodiment, the first visual appearance may include a first color; and/or the second visual appearance may include a second color substantially different than the first color. 
         [0015]    In yet another embodiment, the rear side of the first and/or second plurality of labels may include a layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, disposed over between about 70%-95% of the rear sides, respectively. 
         [0016]    In still yet another embodiment, the first and/or second label housings may include a coupling member near a surface of the first and/or second label housings, respectively, configured to couple the first and/or second label housings to an object. 
         [0017]    In even another embodiment, the coupling member may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
         [0018]    In even still another embodiment, the method for using a coordination system to organize and move objects, may include the following steps: coupling a label housing, containing a plurality of labels, and/or including an opening sized greater than the cross-sectional profile of one of the plurality of labels, to a surface; removing a label from the label housing by grasping the label, and/or pulling the label through the opening of the label housing; attaching the label to an object to designate the location of the object; indexing the label in a system index to coordinate the designated location of the object to the label; and/or moving the object from one location to another as designated by the label. 
         [0019]    In even yet another embodiment, the plurality of labels may include a visual appearance. 
         [0020]    In a further embodiment, the visual appearance may be a color. 
         [0021]    In still a further embodiment, the label housing may be coupled to a surface by an adhesive. 
         [0022]    In yet a further embodiment, the rear side of the plurality of labels may include a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed over between about 70%-95% of the rear side. 
         [0023]    In still yet a further embodiment, the method for using a coordination system may include the step of packing the object. 
         [0024]    In even a further embodiment, the coordination system for organizing an moving objects, may include: a label housing, including an opening; and/or a plurality of labels, disposed substantially within the label housing, including a visual appearance, wherein the plurality of labels may be sized so that a cross-sectional profile of one of the plurality of labels may be smaller than the opening, enabling one of the plurality of labels to pass through the opening, and/or wherein a rear side of the plurality of labels includes a layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, disposed over about 70%-95% of the rear side. 
         [0025]    In even still a further embodiment, the coordination system includes an index system, coordinated to the plurality of labels, configured to index the visual appearances. 
         [0026]    In even yet a further embodiment, the index system may include a direction of travel coordinated to the visual appearance. 
         [0027]    In an additional embodiment, the visual appearance may include a color. 
         [0028]    In still an additional embodiment, the label housing may include a coupling member, near a surface of the label housing, configured to couple the label housing to an object. 
         [0029]    In yet an additional embodiment, the coupling member may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
         [0030]    Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0031]    Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. 
         [0032]    These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective sectional side view of a coordination system according to on embodiment of the invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective rear view of a label according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front planar view of a label according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart describing a method of using a coordination system to remove packed boxes from storage locations according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart describing a method of using a coordination system to deliver packed boxes to storage locations according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  illustrates a coordination system index according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention. 
         [0041]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, different embodiments, or component parts of the same or different illustrated invention. Additionally, reference to the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are related, dissimilar, the same, etc. The use of the term “an embodiment,” or similar wording, is merely a convenient phrase to indicate optional features, which may or may not be part of the invention as claimed. 
         [0042]    Each statement of an embodiment is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The independent embodiments are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly. 
         [0043]    Finally, the fact that the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, does not appear at the beginning of every sentence in the specification, such as is the practice of some practitioners, is merely a convenience for the reader&#39;s clarity. However, it is the intention of this application to incorporate by reference the phrasing “an embodiment,” and the like, at the beginning of every sentence herein where logically possible and appropriate. 
         [0044]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective sectional side view of a coordination system  10  having a color-coded label housing device  18  according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, the device may be designed to house a plurality of color-coded labels  12  therein, where the rear of such may be removably mounted on hardened surfaces such as walls, doors, tables, etc. by the use of pressure-sensitive adhesive material  14  in the form of glue, tape, etc. A user may retrieve a color-coded label  12  by pulling a non-sticky surface or tab  16  outward through the opening  15  of the housing device  18  or detaching such from any other surface. 
         [0045]    Mounting the housing device  18  on a room door or adjacent wall leading into a room would preclude a user from inadvertently forgetting to properly mark boxes or storage apparatus. Thus, the user can systematically locate, move, and organize boxes or storage apparatus quickly prior to transport and/or upon delivery to a desired location. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective rear view of a color-coded tab  12  according to one embodiment of the invention. The exaggerated illustration of the label  12  includes an upper non-sticky surface or tab  16  on its upper surface and a sticky surface or layer  22  on its lower surface. The adhesive layer  22  spanning the lower surface of the label  12  has properties which allow a user to removably attach such to movable objects and/or storage apparatus (not shown) such as boxes, containers, etc. 
         [0047]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2  according to another embodiment of the invention, the unsticky surface or tab  16  may cover from 5% or to/or from 10% or to/or from 15% or to/or from 20% or to/or from 25% to 30% of the rear label  12 . This enables a user to quickly pull the tab  16  out of the housing device  18  as described in  FIG. 1 . In addition, the sticky surface or layer  22  may cover from 70% or to/or from 75% or to/or from 80% or to/or from 85% or to/or from 90% to 95% of the rear label  12  enabling the label to be securely attachable to objects and/or storage apparatus. This is the case whether or not storage apparatus is stationary and/or being transported from one place to another. Thus, this relatively large percentage of coverage reduces the probability of the label  12  falling off storage apparatuses or boxes, especially dusty ones, being transported from and to various locations. 
         [0048]    One advantage of having the unsticky surface or tab  16  spanning the top portion of the label  12  is that is allows a user to comfortably pull the labels  12  off of boxes placed in the desired rooms versus having the tab  16  area on the bottom of the label, requiring the user to twist his or her hands in an uncomfortable position in order to take the labels  12  off. Additionally, unlike regular stickies, the labels  12  stick to various surfaces better because a larger portion of the label has a sticky surface or layer  22  thereon. 
         [0049]    It is also noted that sticky surface or layer  22  portion of the label  12  shown in  FIG. 2  may be constructed of coated paper integrated with adhesive-making and silicone rubber, film-spray, plastic and silicone coating, film pressing, coating and laminating, etc. 
         [0050]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front planar view of a label  12  according to one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, a user may mark the label  12  with designator words  24 , numerals  26 , and/or pictures or graphics  28  and attach such to a plurality of objects or storage apparatus (not shown) that are positioned in designated locations within the confines of real property or buildings such as bedrooms, bathrooms, storage rooms, family rooms, etc. for example. This would make it easy for the user to quickly identify and move objects and/or storage apparatus from one place to another without misplacing them. 
         [0051]    In another embodiment of the invention as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a display surface  17  may be color-coded to correspond with a class or group of objects and/or storage apparatus positioned in any given room. For example, blue tabs  12  attached to storage apparatus may indicate bedroom items, red tabs  12  may be attached to storage apparatus containing family room items, etc. 
         [0052]    Additionally, in yet another embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 3 , a user may mark the tabs  12  with various words  24 . For example, the word  24  “Bedroom” clearly identifies items in the bedroom. Likewise, the word  24  “Kitchen” indicates objects in the kitchen, etc. Further, a user may mark the tabs  12  with numerals  26 . For example, a tab  12  with a numeral  26  “1” marked on it as shown in  FIG. 3  indicates that only one box in a given room has bedroom items in it. In another example, a tab  12  with numeral  26  “8” marked on it corresponds to 8 boxes with bedroom objects being in a desired room. Finally, a user may mark the tabs  12  with various graphics  28 . For example, a graphic  28  of a bed marked on the tab  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , clearly indicate bedroom items. A graphic  28  of an oven may indicate kitchen items. 
         [0053]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart outlining a method of using a coordination system  10  to remove packed boxes from storage locations (not shown) according to one embodiment of the invention. A storage location may be designated real property, buildings, etc. In operation, a user may systematically pack and move objects and/or storage apparatus from the store location to another. A user may start the process beginning in step  32  by mounting the color coordination system housing device  18  to doors or adjacent walls/panels within the confines of real property or buildings. This facilitates quick identification and retrieval of color-coded labels  12  prior to attaching such to storage apparatus or objects in a room. 
         [0054]    After packing storage apparatus or containers with objects positioned in a given room, the user may implement step  34  by pulling a non-sticky surface or tab  16  extending outward from the opening  15  of the housing device  18  and attach the sticky surface or layer  22  of the label  12  to packed storage apparatus as he or she leaves a given room inside of a storage location. If the user isn&#39;t finished working in a given room per step  36 , he or she can repeat step  34 . 
         [0055]    If the user is done with a particular room according to step  36 , the user may proceed to mount another color-coded label housing device  18  following the same procedure described in step  32 . Afterwards, a user must determine if there are any more jobs pending according to step  40 . If there are more jobs to complete, the user can repeat the method  30  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . If there are no pending jobs, the user can end the process. 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart describing a method of using a coordination system  10  to deliver packed storage apparatus (not shown) to storage locations according to one embodiment of the invention. In operation, upon arrival to a given location, a user can attach label housing devices  18  to desired rooms per step  40 . 
         [0057]    Additionally, users may proceed to step  42  and grab a box or storage apparatus with color-coded labels  12  attached thereto. 
         [0058]    Further, users may take the box or storage apparatus to another room according to step  44  and compare the colored label  12  on box or storage apparatus to the color of the tab  16  extending outward from opening  15  of the housing devices  18  attached to door or adjacent area leading into a room per step  46 . Based on the comparison, if the colors of the labels  12  correspond with each other, place the box or storage apparatus into the room according to step  48 . However, if the colors don&#39;t match then take box to another room that has a matching label  12  color inside of the housing device  18 . 
         [0059]    Finally, the user then may proceed to step  52  and determine if there are anymore boxes to deliver to the storage location (not shown). If there are more packed boxes or storage apparatus available, the user can repeat method  30  described in  FIG. 4  starting with step  42 . If are no more boxes left, the user can end the process. 
         [0060]      FIG. 6  illustrates a coordination system index  54  according to one embodiment of the invention. In operation, a user may mount this index  54  having colored portions with words or designators such as arrows giving him or her directions to the desired rooms. The user may place such on a wall near the main threshold to a hallway or stairway leading to rooms prior to distributing boxes or storage apparatus into the desired rooms. 
         [0061]    A user reading the illustrated index  54  for example may quickly determine that he or she needs to turn left  64  through the hallway to place boxes with blue  56  and red or pink  58  labels  12  attached thereon into rooms with corresponding color schemes. In addition, the user may turn right  66  to place boxes with brown  60  labels  12  attached thereon into the desired room with matching labels  12  attached. Further, a user may walk upstairs  68  to place yellow or gold  62  labeled boxes into a room with matching colors. Using an embodiment of this index  54  would facilitate quick placement of color-coordinated boxes or storage apparatus into appropriate rooms and make for an effective and efficient distribution of packed boxes into the house or building. 
         [0062]    It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claim rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 
         [0063]    For example, although the coordination system  10  and method  30  are designed to help users move objects and/or storage apparatus from one residential location to another in a systematic manner, one skilled in the art would know that the method  30  can be used to move objects in the commercial sector. For example, retailers, manufacturing warehouses, etc. 
         [0064]    Further, the labels  12  may be removably attached to objects and/or storage apparatus that are made of plastic, wood, metal, cardboard, Styrofoam, etc. 
         [0065]    It is also expected that there could be numerous ways to attach the housing device  18  to doors and/or other locations. For example, a user may use glue, thumb tacks, tape, etc. 
         [0066]    Finally, it is envisioned that the label housing device  18  may be constructed of a variety of materials such as plastic, metal, cardboard, etc. 
         [0067]    Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.