Abstract:
An elastic article forming a stretchable closed loop with at least a portion used as or attached to a label, such as a writing surface that is receptive to written text. The label portion may be personalized and used to identify items being held together, such as rolled prints, bulk-foods, items in inventory, mail, pre-packaged goods, etc.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application No. 60/542,134, filed Feb. 5, 2004, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to labeling apparatuses having an elastomer at least partially forming a loop and a label affixed to the elastomer.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Prior art labels are often affixed to items using adhesive bonding. For example, many prior art labels have an adhesive coating on one side for affixing the label to an object. Many prior art labels include a strong adhesive that prevents removal of the label from an item without significant effort, and may damage the surface of the item or leave a residue on the item after removal of the label. Other prior art labels have a weak adhesive that enables the label to be easily removed from an item; however, weak adhesives may result in accidental or unintentional removal of the label from an item. Further, prior art labels cannot bind or fasten a plurality of items together.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     A labeling apparatus is provided. The labeling apparatus includes an elastomer that at least partially defines a loop. The elastomer is characterized by a first modulus of elasticity. The labeling apparatus further includes a label that is operatively connected to the loop, and that is formed of a material having a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first modulus of elasticity.  
         [0005]     The loop enables the label to be removably affixed to one or more items, and the elastomer allows the size of the loop to be selectively variable, so that the label may be affixed to items of various sizes and shapes. When the elastomer is stretched so that the loop surrounds a portion of an object, the loop exerts a compressive force on the object to aid in the retention of the label to the object. Further, when the loop surrounds a plurality of objects, the compressive force acts to releasably fasten the objects together.  
         [0006]     A user may write information on the label, such as the identification, the owner, the purpose, the disposition, the destination, etc., of the object or objects to which the label and elastic loop are attached. In an exemplary embodiment, the label is affixed to a segment of the elastomer or forms a portion of the loop. The higher elastic modulus of the label minimizes deformation of the label and any writing contained thereon when the elastomer is stretched, thereby retaining legibility of the writing.  
         [0007]     Industries that may take advantage of the labeling apparatus provided include office supply companies, manufacturing facilities, inventory and logistic companies, and home and office environments. Functional uses include inter office mail, blueprints, posters, seasonal merchandise, wine storage, bank statements, utility bills, taxes, receipts, advertising, sales, barcodes, book marks, balloons, medicine bottles, water bottles, holiday gifts, inventory identifiers, manufacturing batching, etc.  
         [0008]     The above objects, features and advantages, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of an elastomer forming a loop, and a label forming a loop through which the elastomer extends;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of an elastomer forming a loop, and a label affixed to a member forming a loop through which the elastomer extends;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of an elastomer partially defining a loop, and a label affixed to a member that further defines the loop; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of an elatomer forming a loop and a label affixed to a segment of the elastomer.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a labeling apparatus  8  includes an elastomer material  10  in the form of a band defining a loop  12 . It should be noted that, in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the elastomer material  10  forms a continuous, unbroken loop. The elastomer material  10  is characterized by a first modulus of elasticity. The elastomer material  10  is preferably rubber or synthetic rubber, but may be any elastomer within the scope of the claimed invention. A label  14  is made of flexible, pliable material receptive to written text and characterized by a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first modulus of elasticity.  
         [0014]     The label  14  includes a first portion  16  and a second portion  18 . An adhesive  20  affixes the first portion  16  to the second portion  18  such that the label  14  defines a loop  22 . A portion of the loop  12  formed by the elastomer material  10  extends through the loop  22  formed by the label  14 .  
         [0015]     That is, the label  14  is looped around the band so that the first portion  16  is juxtaposed with the second portion  18 . Adhesive  20  affixes portions  16  and  18  to each other. Adhesive is not applied between the label  14  and the loop  12  so that the elatomer  10  is freely movable through loop  22  and so that the elongation of the band  12  is not significantly affected by the label  14 .  
         [0016]     The label  14  may have design details  24  in the form of a trimmed pattern. The pattern  24  in the embodiment depicted is cut with a cutting tool with contoured teeth. Other variations of patterns can be executed in a similar matter. Further, the label  14  may include pre-printed text or graphics. The label  14  is receptive to a writing tool such as a pen, pencil, marker, etc., so that a user may add written text  26  to the label  14 .  
         [0017]     Those skilled in the art will recognize a variety of fastening techniques for connecting the first portion  16  and the second portion  18  of the label to form loop  22 . For example, the first portion  16  and the second portion may be clamped, riveted, clasped, stamped, stapled, etc.  
         [0018]     Those skilled in the art will recognize flexible materials that may be used to fabricate the label  14 , such as nylon, fiber-based materials (fabrics, cloth, etc.), etc. To provide the label  14  with tear-resistance, the label  14  is preferably formed from a polymeric material instead of paper, though paper may be used within the scope of the claimed invention. Nylon is rip and tear resistant and can easily fold over upon itself with deformation or alteration. If nylon is used, it may be coated to be more receptive to written text. An exemplary material for label  14  is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,114,023, issued Sep. 5, 2000 to Schwarz et al, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The &#39;023 patent describes a printable microporous material having a matrix of substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic organic polymer, e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and substantially water-insoluble particulate filler such as precipitated silica. The material is characterized by a network of interconnecting pores communicating substantially throughout the material. Another exemplary material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,899, issued Feb. 16, 1965 to Steuber, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The &#39;899 patent describes a material sold under the trademark “TYVEK.” 
         [0019]     The label  14  may also comprise photochromic, thermochromic, electrochromic material, or other material that changes appearance or color in response to the application of energy or other external stimulus. The labels may also be treated with a phosphor such as zinc sulfide or strontium aluminate to provide the label with photoluminescence.  
         [0020]     The label may be pre-coated with an adhesive that reacts to heat in a heat stamping process, thereby binding the label portions  16 ,  18  together and not to the loop  12 .  
         [0021]     The label is preferably waterproof and resistant to water. Some paper products exist that can absorb pencil lead without having water affect the paper or cause smudging of the lead. Notebooks of this paper can be seen in use by architects and in the boating industry and are readily available.  
         [0022]     Within the scope of the claimed invention, pre-printed text and or graphics may be applied in a descriptive nature to assist in the use and identification of the labeling apparatus  8  and its immediate use. Example text may include words or phrases such as “Property of,” “Return to,” “Mail Code,” “Name,” “Deliver to,” “Lot #,” “Discount,” “Clearance,” “Sale,” “Sold to,” etc. Graphics may also be used as a means of identification and/or branding and include a bar code, expiration date, destination, and company logo.  
         [0023]     In the context of the present invention, a “label” may also be a device  27  that actively or passively conveys or transmits information. For example, label  27  affixed to the elastomer material  10  may be a radio frequency identification (RFID) device  27 . Exemplary RFID devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,804, issued Aug. 8, 2000 to Brady, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,696,879, issued Feb. 24, 2004 to O&#39;Toole, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,661,335, issued Dec. 9, 2003 to Seal; each of the aforereferenced patents being hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Similarly, label  27  may be a sensor to monitor and indicate a physical characteristic such as temperature, or label  27  may be a digital timer so that elapsed time may be measured and displayed. Label  27  may be used with or without label  14 , and may also be attached to label  14 .  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , wherein like reference numbers refer to like components from  FIG. 1 , an alternative labeling apparatus  8 ′ is schematically depicted. The labeling apparatus  8 ′ includes an elastomer material  10  in the form of a band that defines loop  12 . A plastic member  25  includes an integral locking ladder tie  26 . The ladder tie  26  is flexible and is bendable to form a loop through which a portion of the elastomer  10  extends. The ladder tie  26  extends through a hole  28  in the plastic member  25 . Each ring on the ladder tie  26  can be pulled through the hole  28 , locking the ladder tie with respect to the hole. A benefit of using a ladder tie is that it is designed to tighten and not loosen.  
         [0025]     In the embodiment depicted, a label  14 ′ is connected to the plastic member  25 . A transparent covering  30  covers label  14 ′. In an exemplary embodiment, covering  30  includes a pre-applied adhesive on one side that is protected by a backing material (not shown). After a user adds writing  26  to the label  14 ′, the user may remove the backing from the covering  30  and then apply the covering to the label  14 ′ and member  25  to provide a protective barrier. Alternatively, and within the scope of the claimed invention, the plastic member  25  forms a slot  32  through which the label  14 ′ may be inserted between the plastic member  25  and the cover  30 .  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , wherein like reference numbers refer to like components from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , another alternative labeling apparatus  8 ″ is schematically depicted. The labeling apparatus  8 ″ includes an elastomer material  10 ′ having a first end  36  and a second end  40 . The first end  36  and the second end  40  are affixed to a substantially rigid member  25 ′. The member  25 ′ and the elastomer material  10 ′ cooperate to form a loop  12 ′. Label  14 ″ is affixed to the substantially rigid member  25 ′, such as by adhesive bonding. Alternatively, and within the scope of the claimed invention, member  25 ′ may function as a label.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , wherein like reference numbers refer to like components from  FIGS. 1-3 , yet another alternative labeling apparatus  8 ′″ is schematically depicted. An elastomer material  10 ″ in the form of a band defines a loop  12 ″. The elastomer material  10 ″ defines a first segment  46  having a first width, and a second segment  42  having a second width less than the first width. A label  14 ″ is affixed to the elastomer material  10 ″ along the first segment. In the embodiment depicted, the label  14 ″ is affixed to the elastomer material  10 ″ by adhesive bonding; however, those skilled in the art will recognize other techniques for affixing label  14 ″ to the elastomer material  10 ″ such as sewing, mechanical fasteners, etc. Thus, when the elastomer material is stretched, the label restricts deformation of the first segment  46 , minimizing or eliminating distortion of writing  26  on the label  14 ″.  
         [0028]     While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.