Patent ID: 12190757

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I have developed a label that is capable of performing a dual function, namely that of a printable label that can convert to form a convenient carrying handle or sling which a user can conveniently use to carry the product to which it is affixed. As such, the package to which it is affixed can have a compact shape and need not be designed to facilitate carrying or to accommodate a separately incorporated handle.

Notably, in simplified overview, the design is such that the label becomes a strap or handle as opposed to having an auxiliary portion whose sole function is to act as a handle. Rather, the design is such that the label itself converts into a strap or handle when needed. Thus, the label can readily be used with such varied containers as, for example, 250 ml (˜8 oz) or larger plastic water bottles, 2 liter soda bottles, bags of sugar or flour, 4.5 liter or larger liquid detergent bottles, 2.5 kg or larger powered detergent boxes, etc. My design is even suitable for use as a shipping label that can be affixed to a shipping box from a distribution company such as Amazon.com, Inc., or delivery entities like the United States Postal Service, United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) or FedEx Corp. Advantageously, in this manner, if the delivered box is heavy and/or of awkward size and/or shape, a label as described herein can provide a handle or strap that makes it easier for the recipient to move or maneuver the delivered box, while eliminating the need for an opening or separate handle piece.

As an initial matter, as used herein, the term “container” is intended to mean and herein means: any bottle, jug, bag, box, carton or other packaging to which a label is affixed, whether for purposes of providing information about the product contained therein, advertising, or source and/or destination information.

FIG.1illustrates, in simplified form, one example implementation of a label100in accordance with the teachings herein.

The label100(as well as the other labels described herein) is made up of a single layer, printable, polymer sheet material having a non-directional grain and, optionally, depending upon the expected weight of the container to which it will be attached, the polymer may further include fiber reinforcements therein to add strength.

The label100has a peripheral boundary102which, although shown as rectangular, can be of any shape appropriate to the container to which it will be attached.

InFIG.1, the face side104is shown and is the side which would carry whatever print is appropriate for the particular intended application. Optionally, for some implementations, the side opposite the face side can also carry printing on all or part of it, for example, if the label is to be affixed to a clear bottle.

The label100further includes a pattern106comprising one or more weakened areas,108for example, formed from perforations, slits, score marks, non-perforating etch lines, etc. which define the periphery of a continuous tortuous or serpentine strip110extending from one location112aon the label100to another location112bon the label100. The weakened areas are structured such that the application of a nominal force (e.g., in excess of 0.45Newtons (˜0.1 lbs)) to a part of the strip110will cause it to separate from the rest of the label100along the weakened areas108so as to form a handle or strap, depending upon its length.

Depending upon the particular implementation, the weakened areas described herein can be formed using a blade, laser or needle-like device to make a series of discontinuous openings through the label, they can be formed using a heated die or laser to melt or thin the label in specific areas, they can be formed by an etching-type process or any other known process that achieves a similar result, the important aspect being that the continuous tortuous or serpentine strip defined by the weakened areas remains attached to the label until at least a specified force is exerted upon it and without the need for a backing material (also sometimes referred to as a release liner) to maintain the tortuous or serpentine strip in place between the time of manufacture and application to a container. In view of the foregoing, depending upon the particular weakened areas, and how they are formed, they may only be visible on one side of the label (if they do not pass through the label) or on both sides, if they do.

Optionally, the a portion of the strip110can include a tab114which can be grabbed to facilitate separation of the strip110from the rest116of the label100. Depending upon the particular implementation, the weakened area108defining the tab114will ideally be entirely cut through so as to facilitate its lifting out of the surface of the label100with ease.

As shown inFIG.1, the weakened areas108create a tortuous or serpentine strip110that is of a spiral-like shape. However, as will be appreciated, and shown herein, other configurations of weakened areas108can be used to create any of a myriad of tortuous or serpentine strips110.

FIG.2illustrates, in simplified form, another example implementation of a label200in accordance with the teachings herein.

More particularly,FIG.2shows the face side202(i.e., printable side) of the label200. As with the label100ofFIG.1, the label200ofFIG.2includes weakened areas204, as described above, that define the periphery of an alternative tortuous or serpentine strip206.

Advantageously, the weakened areas are structured so as to minimally interfere or be apparent (if at all) with the printing that will appear on a label as described herein once printed.

FIG.3illustrates, in simplified form, one example of a configuration300for the reverse side302(flipped about the horizontal) of the label100in accordance with the teachings herein.

As shown inFIG.3., with this example configuration, the reverse side302includes an area of high tack adhesive304(denoted by diagonal hatching) which is used to attach the label to its intended container. As shown inFIG.3, the area306within which the weakened areas108reside lacks adhesive.

The high tack adhesive304is applied as a so as to leave certain specifically defined areas devoid of adhesive) on the reverse side302, ideally using a process called pattern coating or pattern printing, although any method for applying adhesive will work.

With the ideal process, adhesive can be applied using any machinery capable of applying a pattern of adhesive as described herein, however, it is believed that pattern printing of the adhesive provides advantages over other approaches in terms of, for example, cost and speed. A representative supplier who can perform pattern coating or pattern printing (interchangeably referred to herein, for simplicity, as “pattern printing”) of adhesives in the manner described herein is Rayven Inc., of 431 Griggs Street N., St. Paul, MN 55104.

Alternatively, although less desirable, the entire area of the reverse side302of the label can be coated with adhesive using any conventional approach, and then the area306within which the weakened areas108reside can be “de-tackified” in known manner.

Thus, it should be appreciated that the important aspect is merely having adhesive on the reverse side in certain areas, not the manner in which the adhesive is applied.

FIG.4illustrates, in simplified form, an alternative example of a configuration400for the reverse side302of the label100in accordance with the teachings herein.

As shown inFIG.4, the label100includes a high tack adhesive304as inFIG.3, but also includes another area402(denoted by cross hatching) containing a low tack adhesive404. In addition, an area406containing the tab114is devoid of adhesive (an may be cut through as described above) so as to facilitate lifting of the tab114.

As with the high tack adhesive304, the low tack adhesive404will ideally be pattern printed as well.

Both high tack and low tack adhesives are well known in the art and can be dependent upon the material (e.g., type of plastic, cardboard or paper and any associated coating(s)) to which a label will be attached. Accordingly, the specific selection of any particular adhesive is a matter of design choice. Likewise, techniques for de-tackifying an adhesive are also well known and can depend upon the particular adhesive selected. As such, any de-tackifying technique used will be a matter of design choice as well related to the adhesive to be de-tackified.

FIG.5illustrates, in simplified form, another example implementation of a label500in accordance with the teachings herein.

More particularly,FIG.5shows the face side502(i.e., printable side) of the label500which, as shown, is virtually identical to the label200ofFIG.2, except that this example implementation label500includes a cutout504to provide for easier access to the tab114.

FIG.6illustrates, in simplified form, an example implementation of the reverse side602(flipped about the horizontal) of the label500ofFIG.5. As shown inFIG.6, the reverse side includes a high tack adhesive304over a portion of its area and no adhesive in the area containing the defined tortuous or serpentine strip206, other than an optional small area604of high tack adhesive304near the tab to guard against accidental deployment of the tortuous or serpentine strip206.

FIG.7illustrates, in simplified form, an alternative example implementation of the reverse side602of the label500ofFIG.5which is identical to that ofFIG.6except, with this configuration, the reverse side further includes a thin area of low tack adhesive404along the edge lacking adhesive inFIG.6in order to reduce the risk of inadvertent pulling on or detachment of the defined tortuous or serpentine strip206.

FIG.8Aillustrates, in simplified form, another example implementation of a label800in accordance with the teachings herein.

More particularly,FIG.8Aillustrates, in simplified form, an example implementation of the reverse side802of an example implementation that is configured such that the tortuous or serpentine strip804defined by the weakened areas204, when deployed, will be shorter and wider than those discussed previously. In addition, the material806of this example implementation label800includes fiber reinforcements808(represented by the internal dots) to allow the tortuous or serpentine strip804to act as a handle for heavier containers.

FIG.8Billustrates, in simplified form, an example layout810for pattern printing a high tack adhesive onto the label800ofFIG.8Aif the defined tortuous or serpentine strip206is to be devoid of adhesive or optionally contain a low tack adhesive.

FIG.8Cillustrates, in simplified form, an example layout812for pattern printing a low tack adhesive onto the label800ofFIG.8Aor for de-tackifying an adhesive within the specified area.

FIG.9illustrates, in simplified form, a representative example of a prior art container900, for example, a box of powdered detergent, a sack of flour or sugar, or a package for some other type of product. As shown, the container900includes a conventional handle902that has its ends904inserted through a slot into, or affixed to the outside, of the container. This configuration takes up space and, can easily get caught on something during transport from, for example, a warehouse to a store or ultimate recipient.

FIG.10illustrates, in simplified form, a representative example of a similar container1000to which a label1002a, constructed according to the teachings herein, is affixed. As can be seen, with a label1002as described herein, there is no exposed handle that can get caught on something during transport unless/until an end recipient deploys it. Still further, and unlike the handle ofFIG.9, the label ofFIG.10can, for example, serve as the basic product label, a shipping label, or can contain other information about the contents of the container1000or its source.

As further can be seen inFIG.10, a similar label1002b(shown in ghost lines) can be applied to the opposite side and can contain different information, and the tortuous or serpentine strip804, if the tortuous or serpentine strip804is/are deployed, as handles, by pulling on the associated tab114, they provide even greater, and more balanced, carrying capacity.

FIG.11illustrates, in simplified form, the container1000ofFIG.10after the tab114has been pulled to deploy the tortuous or serpentine strip804as a handle.

FIG.12illustrates, in simplified form, a representative example of a bottle1200for a liquid containing a label1202constructed in accordance with the teachings herein. As shown inFIG.12, the bottle1200is a drink bottle for water, juice, soda, iced tea or other beverage and the tortuous or serpentine strip1204in this configuration is constructed such that, when deployed, the tortuous or serpentine strip1204will create a long strap. Notably, with this configuration, the material for this the label1202is such that it is sturdy enough to support the weight of the bottle1200and its contents, but a pulling force applied to the tortuous or serpentine strip1204in excess of a selected force will cause the tortuous or serpentine strip1204to rupture.

FIG.13illustrates, in simplified form, the bottle1200as the tortuous or serpentine strip1204of the label1202is beginning to be deployed by pulling on a tab114which causes rupture along the weakened areas204.

FIG.14illustrates, in simplified form, the bottle1200as more of the tortuous or serpentine strip1204of the label1202has been deployed.

FIG.15illustrates, in simplified form, the bottle1200once the tortuous or serpentine strip1204of the label1202(only a portion of which is shown) has been fully deployed to create a long strap.

FIG.16illustrates, in simplified form, the bottle1200with the tortuous or serpentine strip1204of the label1202serving as a strap across the torso1602of a person1600so that they can “hands free” carry the bottle1200.

FIG.17illustrates, in simplified form, another application for a label constructed according to the teachings herein. As shown inFIG.17, the label1700is a shipping label affixed to an elongate container1702, which can be awkward to carry. The use of the label1700allows for a handle to be placed in a more convenient location on the container1702for deployment and use by the recipient in lieu of, or as an adjunct to, for example, a conventional cutout1704(often used on corrugated cardboard containers) which can be placed in an unhelpful position or, in some cases, can provide an avenue for foreign material to enter the container1702and damage the contents.

FIG.18illustrates, in simplified form, still another application for a label constructed according to the teachings herein. As shown inFIG.18, the label1800is on a large container1802of a type that may be found in a big box store (e.g., Costco®, Sam's Club®, BJ's® Wholesale Club) and contains printed matter relating to the contents of the container, for example, ingredients, a company logo, the name of the product or other information.

FIG.19illustrates, in simplified form, yet another application for a label constructed according to the teachings herein. As shown inFIG.19, a large box1900includes at least a pair of labels1902a,1902bthereon containing common general signage, for example, as shown, “This Side Up” and “Fragile Do Not Drop” that can be affixed to a container and, when their tortuous or serpentine strips are deployed, can serve as handles.

Thus, the versatility and advantages provided by labels constructed according to the teachings herein should be apparent, among them being, for example, the ability to define tortuous or serpentine strips of varying peripheral shapes, lengths and/or widths such that, when they are deployed, they become short handles or long straps, facilitating, for example, easier carrying or hands free carrying of a container.

In this regard,FIGS.20A-20Fillustrate, in simplified form, some alternative examples of the myriad of tortuous or serpentine strip configurations that can be created on labels constructed according to the teachings herein

As shown in each ofFIGS.20A-20F, different weakened areas2002a-2002fare used to create different shaped tortuous or serpentine strips2004a-2004f.

Still further, such labels can eliminate the need for molding or otherwise affixing of handles that project outward from their container and thereby require more material and take up more space.

As a general matter, for ease of understanding, the adhesives are shown in the above as covering the entirety of their respective areas. However, it is to be understood and appreciated that this is not a requirement and, depending upon the particular implementation, the adhesives can be placed on smaller areas provided, for example, coverage of the high tack adhesive, is sufficient to reliably adhere the label to its intended container and support more than the expected weight when the tortuous or serpentine strip is deployed as a handle.

The foregoing outlines, generally, the features and technical advantages of one or more implementations that can be constructed based upon the teachings in this disclosure in order that the following detailed description may be better understood. However, the advantages and features described herein are only a few of the many advantages and features available from representative examples of possible variant implementations and are presented only to assist in understanding. It should be understood that they are not to be considered limitations on the invention as defined by the appended claims, or limitations on equivalents to the claims. For instance, some of the advantages or aspects of different variants are mutually contradictory, in that they cannot be simultaneously present in a single embodiment. Similarly, some features or advantages may be applicable to one aspect and inapplicable to others. Thus, the foregoing features and advantages should not be considered dispositive in determining equivalence. Additional features and advantages, although not detailed herein, will be apparent from the teachings of the description, drawings, and claims.