Abstract:
A labeling system includes a label sheet with a liner and a face sheet secured thereto by a pressure-sensitive, fugitive adhesive. The face sheet is die-cut into a plurality of individual, preprinted labels. A method of manufacturing the label sheet includes the steps of pressure.mounting a face sheet on a liner with a pressure-sensitive, fugitive adhesive. A method of labeling merchandise displayed on shelves at a point-of-sale display includes the steps of mounting a label display strip on the shelf edge, preprinting information on the label sheets, separating the labels from the label sheets and inserting same in the label display strip.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to labeling, and in particular to retail shelf labeling with printed labels releasably secured to liners with fugitive adhesive, a method of labeling point-of-sale displays and a method of making same. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Labels are commonly used for conveying information in a wide range of applications. Printed labels comprise an important form of communication. Common applications for labels include the identification of various objects, and commercial applications wherein labels communicate information to customers. For example, in retail establishments various types of labels are extensively used for communicating product information such as pricing, product identification, etc. Labels are commonly applied to both the products themselves and to product displays, i.e. “point-of-sale” displays. 
     In retail commercial environments, product information tends to be dynamic. Product offerings and pricing undergo frequent changes. Merchants often vary their merchandise and change prices in response to market conditions in order to maximize sales. Point-of-sale product labeling is often changed by applying new labels to shelves on which the products are displayed. Such shelflabeling is a significant part of the labeling activity in retail commercial establishments. 
     The frequent relabeling activities which occur in many such establishments consume significant labor resources. For example, shelf edge labels are commonly used for identifying products and prices at retail point-of-sale shelving displays. Previous systems include adhesive labels which adhesively attach to the shelf edges in proximity to the products associated therewith. However, a disadvantage of such systems relates to the labor required to remove outdated labels for updating with replacements. 
     Another previous system uses shelf edge label strips for receiving preprinted labels with price and product information. For example, such shelf edge labeling systems are available from Trion Industries, Inc. of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The shelf edge label strips can receive individual printed labels torn from card stock sheets. Card stock label sheets are manufactured with perforated tear lines separating the individual labels (FIG.  1 ). However, separating the preprinted, perforated label sheets into individual labels tends to be relatively time-consuming and adds considerably to the expense of relabeling point-of-sale shelf displays in response to changing prices and other market conditions. 
     Such shelf edge label-receiving strips have an advantage over prior art adhesive labels since the individual labels can easily be inserted in such strips, and further have the advantage of avoiding the necessity of removing labels adhesively applied to the shelf edges. Mounting adhesive labels on shelf edges tends to create additional time-consuming expense and burden when the shelf edges need to be cleaned of adhesive residue. Moreover, adhesive labels can deteriorate, and because they are normally unprotected, they tend to be susceptible to wear, discoloration and damage. 
     The present invention addresses the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the practice of the present invention, a reconfigurable labeling system is provided which includes a label strip co-extruded with an opaque base strip and a transparent cover strip. The strips are joined together along their lower edges and are separable along their upper edges whereby a pocket between strips can be opened. Opening the pocket permits individual labels to be placed therein and removed therefrom. Label sheets are provided for custom printing with point-of-sale merchandise information. The label sheets include face sheets which are die-cut to separate individual labels in a grid pattern. The face sheets are secured to liners with fugitive adhesive. The fugitive adhesive deactivates upon separation of the labels from the liner, whereby insertion in and removal from the label strips are facilitated. A labeling method involves mounting label strips on point-of-sale shelf edges, removing individual labels from printed label sheets, inserting same in the label strips and removing same for relabeling. A manufacturing method includes the steps of mounting the individual labels on liners with fugitive adhesive and separating same with die cuts. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
     The principal objects and advantages of the present invention include: providing a labeling system; providing such a system which utilizes preprinted label sheets; providing such a label sheet which is adapted for preprinting with multiple, individual labels; providing such a label sheet which utilizes fugitive adhesive for securing the labels in-place; providing such a label sheet which provides individual labels for use with label-receiving strips mounted on shelf edges; providing such a label sheet which reduces labor associated with shelf-edge labeling tasks; providing such a label sheet which is cost effective; providing such a label sheet which requires minimal training and supervision in use; providing such a label sheet which can be produced with existing equipment and materials; providing a shelf-edge labeling method which provides an aesthetically-pleasing, finished appearance; providing such a labeling method which is cost effective; providing such a labeling method which is adaptable to a wide variety of retail institutions; providing a labeling manufacturing method; providing such a method which utilizes label sheets with face sheets mounted on liners with fugitive adhesive; providing such a method which involves die-cutting the face sheet for separating individual labels thereon; and providing such a method which is efficient operation and particularly well adapted for the proposed uses thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a prior art card stock label sheet with individual labels separated by perforated tear lines. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of a label sheet with individual labels secured to a liner with fugitive adhesive. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the label sheet, showing secured and partly removed labels. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a system for manufacturing label sheets. 
     FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a labeling method embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is an upper, front perspective view of a point-of-sale shelf with a label display strip displaying labels embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is an upper, front perspective view of a modified label display strip mounted on a wire shelf. 
     FIG. 8 is an upper, front perspective view of another modified label display strip for mounting on the edge of a glass shelf. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral  2  generally designates a label sheet embodying the present invention (FIGS.  2  and  3 ). The label sheet  2  generally comprises a liner  4  and a face sheet  6 . 
     II. Liner  4   
     The liner or backing  4  comprises a suitable liner stock material with a smooth, slick front surface  8  and a back surface  10 . The liner stock can comprise any suitable material, for example, a  41 # (pound) white label backing material available from Nicolet, 88 West Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, Ill. 60005. The liner  4  includes top, bottom and opposite side edges  12  a, b, c, d collectively forming a liner perimeter  14 . 
     III. Face Sheet  6   
     The face sheet  6  includes front and back surfaces  16 ,  18  and top, bottom and opposite side edges  20   a, b, c, d  respectively forming a face sheet perimeter  20 . The face sheet  6  includes a plurality of individual labels  22  formed in multiple rows  24  and columns  26  separated by respective horizontal and vertical segments  28 ,  30  of a grid  32 . The grid  32  is formed by cut lines  34  extending through the face sheet  6  and separating the individual labels  22 . As shown in FIG. 2, double cut lines  34  with rounded intersecting corners  36  can be provided whereby the labels  22  have resulting rounded corners  38  for ease of removal from the liner  4  and ease of insertion into a shelf label display strip  102  (FIG.  6 ),  202  (FIG. 7) or  302  (FIG.  8 ). The double cut lines  34  and a face sheet margin  42  collectively form grid-shaped selvage  44 . The selvage  44  can be removed in its entirety by pealing it away from the liner  4  whereby only the labels  22  remain (FIG.  3 ). The face sheet material can comprise any suitable material, such as a suitable 50# (pound) face material stock available from Nationwide Papers, 1445 Saline, North Kansas City, Mo. 64116. 
     IV. Manufacturing Method 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the label sheet  2  can be produced by providing a source of face paper  60  and a source of liner paper  62 , both of which are commonly supplied in rolls. The face paper  60  goes through an offset printing step at  64  and the liner paper goes through a release coating step at  68  and a fugitive adhesive application at  68 . At  70  the face paper  60  is laminated to the liner paper by a “wet trap” adhesive process whereby the face sheet  6  is applied under pressure to the liner  4  before the adhesive  46  dries. The face sheet  6  is adhered to the liner  4  under pressure using, for example, conventional press equipment. 
     Each face sheet  6  is die cut at  72  to form the cut lines  34  for separating the individual labels  22 . Extra face sheet material is stripped (also at  72 ) around the face sheet perimeter  20 , which is spaced slightly inwardly from the liner perimeter  14  whereby a liner margin  48  is defined around the face sheet perimeter  20 . Label sheets  2  are complete at  74 . The face sheet front surface  16  is printed with suitable printing  50 . 
     V. Point-of-Sale Shelf Edge Labeling Method 
     In the practice of the shelf labeling method of the present invention (FIG.  5 ), a shelf edge label display strip  102  (FIG.  6 ),  202  (FIG. 7) or  302  (FIG. 8) is mounted on the edge of a shelf in proximity to merchandise being offered for sale. The label sheets  2  are printed with suitable printing  50 , such as pricing, product identification, sale information, discounts, etc. Such printing can be done off-site on a job or service bureau basis, or can be done by the merchant on-site. 
     The selvage  44  is removed from the liner  4 , whereby only the individual labels  22  remain on the liner  4 . The label rounded comers  38  facilitate their removal by peeling off from the liner  4 . It will be appreciated that by removing the selvage  44  in one motion as a unit then peeling off the individual labels  22  can be accomplished very quickly. The fugitive adhesive  46  facilitates inserting the labels  22  in the label display strip  102 ,  202  or  302 . The fugitive nature of the adhesive  46  is such that, after the labels  22  are removed from the liner  4 , the adhesive  46  is no longer effective and thus does not adhere within the label display strip  102 ,  202  or  302 . The labels  22  are thus retained within the label display strip substantially entirely by its clamping action and by gravity, since the labels  22  are dropped in from above the label display strip  102 . 
     Removal of the labels  22  is facilitated since they do not adhere to the display strip  52 . Thus, changing prices and other pertinent merchandising information can be quickly and easily accomplished with new label sheets  2 . The outdated labels  22  are discarded and replaced. 
     VI. Label Display System  100   
     A label display system  100  is shown in FIG.  6  and includes a label display strip  102  mounted on the edge of a shelf  6 . The shelf  106  can be constructed of sheet metal and is a type commonly used in retail point-of-sale merchandise displays. The strip  102  is preferably co-extruded from a suitable plastic material, such as polycarbonate. It includes an opaque base strip  112  with upper and lower edges  112   a ,  112   b  and a transparent cover strip  104  with upper and lower edges  114   a ,  114   b . The strips  112 ,  114  are connected together along their lower edges  112   b ,  114   b  by any suitable means, such as sonic welding, whereby a seam  116  is formed. 
     An attachment  118  projects rearwardly from the base strip  112  and can assume various configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the attachment  118  comprises a strip of two-sided tape  128  with a removable liner  130 . An upper flange  120  projects forwardly from the base strip upper edge  112   a  and a lower flange  121  projects rearwardly from the base strip lower edge  112   b . A pocket  126  is formed between the base and cover strips  112 ,  114  and is accessible by flexing the cover strip  112  forwardly whereby the cover strip upper edge  114   a  is spaced from the base strip  112  to provide access to the pocket  126  for inserting and removing individual labels  22 . The strip  102  preferably comprises a memory-type plastic whereby the cover strip  114  returns to its normal, closed position in proximity to the base strip  112 . 
     VII. Shelf Labeling System  200   
     A labeling system  200  is shown in FIG.  7  and includes a modified attachment  204  for mounting on a wire section  214  of a wire shelf  216 . The attachment  204  forms a hook  206  adapted for snapping on the wire section  214  whereby the the label strip  202  is removably mounted on the wire shelf  216 . 
     VIII. Shelf Labeling System  300   
     A labeling system  300  is shown in FIG.  8  and includes a modified label display strip  302  with an attachment  304  extending rearwardly therefrom and adapted for mounting the label display strip  302  on an edge  320  of a glass shelf  322 . The attachment  304  includes upper and lower legs  306 ,  308  forming a clip  310  defining a rearwardly-open receiver  312  adapted for removably receiving the glass shelfedge  320 . The attachment  304  preferably comprises a resilient material with memory, such as a flexible plastic, whereby the shelf edge  320  is clamped within the receiver  312  by the spring action of the clip  310 . 
     It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated in described herein, it is not be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of components and/or steps described and shown.