Abstract:
A method and kit are provided for labeling an object having a generally rounded outer surface, such as a cowboy lariat. The kit includes a label, substantially transparent heat-shrinkable tubing, and packaging suitable for storing, displaying, and distribution. Use of the invention is quick and efficient, providing a durable and easily recognizable label for imprinting an identifying mark thereon.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a system and method for labeling objects with shrink wrap. More specifically, the present invention comprises, inter alia, a novel retail kit including heat-shrinkable tubing, as well as method of labeling generally rounded objects such as rope, cord, tubes or shafts. 
         [0003]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0004]    A cowboy&#39;s rope, also called a lariat, is an important tool used in professional rodeo competitions as well as ranches. The rope is usually light and strong with a smooth, hard finish, and made from fine quality hemp or nylon. In professional competition, the rope is used for roping calves and steers, but on a working ranch it may be used primarily for catching large animals such as cattle and horses. 
         [0005]    The rope varies in length from thirty five to fifty feet, and its desirable characteristics include durability and consistency. At one end of the rope is a running knot or a metal ring by means of which a loop or noose is made. The roper throws the loop from as far away as thirty feet, targeting the horns or the feet of an animal, then draws the rope taught. 
         [0006]    At professional rodeos, a cowboy&#39;s rope tends to wander away. Not surprisingly, in the fast-paced, hectic world of competition, the lariat might get misplaced, lost, or even pilfered amidst the excitement and chaos of competition. These ropes are not cheap, either; a quality rope can cost fifty dollars, so frequently replacing ropes can quickly add up. 
         [0007]    There is a need for a quickly deployable labeling system and method for identifying ropes or lariats in addition to other generally rounded objects. The present invention addresses this need by providing an inexpensive labeling system and method for marking a cowboy&#39;s rope or other object with an identifying label. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a novel system and method for, inter alia, labeling generally rounded objects such as ropes (e.g., lariats), cord, tubes, shafts, string, handles, cable, and other similarly-shaped objects. The invention includes a method for labeling these objects comprising sliding heat-shrinkable tubing about the outer surface of an object, positioning a label on that outer surface, and heating the tubing at least until the tubing shrinks and holds the label stationary relative to that object&#39;s between the inner surface of the tubing and the surface of the object. 
         [0009]    Although heat shrinkable tubing was designed for insulating and securing contact between wires in the electrical arts, the present invention is aimed at the use of heat-shrinkable tubing in non-electrical arts rather than with regard to conductors. Thus, the object to be labeled need only be of a generally rounded shape such that the heat shrinkable tubing may be fitted about the object and later shrunk such that the tubing will conform to the shape of the object. 
         [0010]    According to one feature of the invention, the label may be held stationary against the object by inserting the label into holding slits in the tubing. Alternatively, on in conjunction therewith, an adhesive may coat the back of the label to facilitate positioning of the label on the object&#39;s surface. 
         [0011]    According to yet another feature of the invention, a labeling template may be downloaded from the Internet to simplify and assist with imprinting the label with an identifying mark. Such a template both predefined parameters (such as margin widths or label sizes) as well as user-configurable parameters such as font style, size and color. 
         [0012]    Moreover, the invention discloses a kit of components for labeling objects that includes a label, heat-shrinkable and substantially transparent tubing, and packaging suitable for storing, displaying, and distribution. One feature of the invention further comprises adhesive that coats at least a portion of the label to facilitate the placement of the label on the object to be labeled. According to another feature of the invention, the heat-shrinkable tubing further comprises a plurality of holding slits that are positioned in the tubing into which the identifying label may be secured. 
         [0013]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the packaging further includes a placard to which the tubing is affixed for use, storage, display, or distribution. The placard may provide support for the tubing as the kit moves through a printing apparatus to be imprinted with an identifying mark. In this manner, the identifying mark may be printed directly on the heat-shrinkable tubing before the tubing is slid over the object&#39;s surface, thus removing the need to position a label. The tubing may further include adhesive that coats the inner surface of the tubing to assist in affixing the tubing to the object. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The present invention, as well as further objects and features thereof, are more clearly and fully set forth in the following description of the preferred embodiment, which should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts a generally rounded object, a cowboy lariat, to which the method of the present invention has been applied; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows the method of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention, which comprises holding slits oriented to receive and secure at least a portion of the label; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  depicts yet another embodiment of the present invention comprising a placard having a flap positioned through the tubing to hold the tubing substantially stationary; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows positioning of the tubing onto the placard prior to storage, display, and retail distribution of the kit; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a kit of components comprising a plurality of detachable placards. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    The present invention includes, inter alia, a system and method for labeling non-electrical objects having a generally rounded outer surface, such as ropes (e.g., lariats), cord, tubes, pipes, shafts, string, pencils and pens, or rods. As shown by  FIG. 1 , a label  10  is secured to the outer surface  12  of a generally rounded object, a cowboy lariat  14 , by heat shrinkable tubing  16 . By applying heat to the tubing  16 , the tubing  16  has constricted around the lariat  14  and conformed to the shape of the outer surface  12  thereof, holding the label  10  stationary relative the outer surface  12 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows the method of the present invention being applied to a cowboy lariat  14  prior to application of heat to the tubing  16 . A heat-shrinkable tubing  16  having an inner surface  18  is slid about the outer surface  12  of the lariat  14 . A label  10  comprising an identifying mark  20 , a front  22 , and a back  24  is positioned on the outer surface  12  of the lariat  14 . The sliding of the tubing  16  and the positioning of the label  10  on the outer surface  12  may occur in either order. Moreover, the label  10  may include an adhesive coating (not shown) on the back  24  of the label  10  to aid in positioning thereof during the labeling process. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which holding slits  26  are positioned in the tubing  16  and oriented to receive and secure at least a portion of the label  10  between the outer surface  12  of the lariat  14  and the inner surface  18  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the tubing  16 . Moreover, an adhesive coating (not shown) may be applied to the label  10  to aid in positioning thereof during the labeling process. 
         [0024]    As shown by  FIG. 4 , the present invention further discloses a kit  30  of components including heat-shrinkable tubing  32  having an inner surface  34  for contacting an object and further comprising packaging suitable for storage, display, and retail distribution of the kit  30 . One or more hanger apertures  36  are disposed in a placard  38  for hanging the placard  38  in a retail display. A moveable flap  40  shaped from the placard  38  holds the tubing  32  substantially stationary relative to the placard  38  during display. Moreover, the kit  30  may be run through a typical or customized printer, such as a home-office laser or ink jet printer, for imprinting an identifying mark (not shown) directly on the tubing  32 . The placard  38  is between three and nine inches wide by five and eleven inches long. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  more clearly shows positioning of the tubing  32  on the flap  40  of the placard  38  for storage, display, retail distribution, and use. According to this embodiment, the flap  40  is situated at a slightly upward (or downward) angle relative to the placard  38  to receive the tubing  32 . The width W of the flap  40  is pre-determined based on the inner diameter ID of the tubing  32  so that the tubing  32  will be held taught across the flap  40  when positioned thereover. After placement of the tubing  32  around the flap  40 , the flap  40  may be folded down in generally coplanar orientation with the placard  38  for storage, display, retail distribution, or use (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), thereby holding the tubing  32  stationary between the flap  40  and the placard  38 . The spacing between the flap  40  and the placard  38  is sufficient to prevent movement of the tubing  32  without indenting or otherwise distressing the tubing  32 . Moreover, the flap  40  may be then secured to the placard  38  to prevent subsequent inadvertent upward (or downward) movement of the flap  40  and tubing  32 . An instruction label  46  affixed to the placard  38  includes instructions for downloading a printing template from the Internet, which template is of a predefined size. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a kit  30  of components comprising a plurality of detachable placards  38  separable along perforated edges  42 . Each of the heat-shrinkable tubings  32  are secured to the placards  38  by a flap  40  as described above. One or more hanger apertures  36  are disposed in a hanger  44  for displaying the kit  30 . In this manner, each of the placards  38  and tubings  32  secured thereto may be removed as needed and imprinted by a printing apparatus or otherwise used, while the remaining placards  38  and tubings  32  may be stored for later use. The placard size is preferably the same as a standard printing size, such as 8.5″ by 11″ letter paper, 3″ by 5″ index cards, 4″ by 6″ index cards, or No. 10-sized envelopes. Because a feature of the present invention includes a placard preferably selectable from a group of predefined sizes typically used in the home or office setting, the placard may be easily used with existing printing hardware and software. An plurality of instruction labels  46  affixed to the separable placard  38  includes instructions for downloading a printing template from the Internet, which printing template is of a predefined size. 
         [0027]    The present invention is described above in terms of preferred illustrative embodiments in which specific kits and methods are described. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative constructions can be used in carrying out the present invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings, along with the appended claims.