Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/157,616 filed Mar. 5, 2009 entitled TAPE SYSTEMS FOR REFACING RACKS, SHELVES, LABELING SURFACES AND THE LIKE. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present application relates to a system and method of providing a clean, uniform, and reusable surface for pressure sensitive labels, and more specifically to a system and method of refacing or resurfacing rack beams, shelves, or any other such objects for subsequent labeling or relabeling of the object. 
         [0004]    Rack beams, shelves, and other such objects frequently require a labeling or marking system to identify information such as location ID, product, pricing, safety, and general operational information. This information can change over time and therefore require relabeling or remarking to represent the new information. 
         [0005]    In one conventional labeling system, a pressure sensitive label can be applied on top of an existing label. Oftentimes, bar codes are printed on the labels. However, the bar code on the bottom label will sometimes be visible through (or “bleed-through”) the top label and interfere with the proper scanning of the bar code on the top label. 
         [0006]    Another conventional labeling system typically requires the removal of existing labels or markings from the rack beam, shelf, or other object to which they are applied. For example, scrapers, heat guns, and/or special solvents may be employed to clean off the labels, markings, and other residue. However, this system can be extremely messy, labor intensive, and expensive to implement. 
         [0007]    It would therefore be desirable to have a system and method of refacing or resurfacing rack beams, shelves, and other such objects that avoid the drawbacks of the above-described conventional labeling systems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present application, a system and method of refacing or resurfacing rack beams, shelves, and other such objects is disclosed that can be used to provide a clean, uniform, and reusable surface on such objects for pressure sensitive labels. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the system includes a pressure sensitive, adhesive-backed tape having an opaque layer that serves as a masking feature, and a face with a release coating. In use, the adhesive-coated face of the tape is applied to the surface of the rack beam, shelf, or other object with the release-coated surface outermost. A printable surface layer of the tape may be colored to substantially match or contrast with the existing color of the object to which the tape is applied. The printable surface layer may also be printed to provide trademark and/or instructional information, which is visible and readable after the tape is applied to the surface. The tape can be applied by pressing the adhesive-coated surface against the face of the rack beam, shelf, or other object. This tape serves as a new face on the object to which it has been applied and provides for masking of any labels or markings underneath the tape. A label, a label holder, or other such item may then be applied to the outer face of the tape such that a pressure sensitive adhesive backing of the label is affixed to the release-coated surface of the tape, even if the label has a so-called permanent adhesive backing. When desired, the label can be easily removed and replaced with another label. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a method of refacing or resurfacing a surface of a rack beam, shelf, or other object is provided for subsequent labeling or relabeling of the object. The method includes providing a tape having a lamination layer and an opaque masking layer. The lamination layer has a release-coated surface for removably receiving one or more labels and an adhesive surface, and the opaque masking layer has a non-adhesive surface and an adhesive surface. The adhesive surface of the lamination layer is adhered to the non-adhesive surface of the opaque masking layer. The method further includes applying the tape to the surface of the object by substantially permanently adhering the adhesive surface of the opaque masking layer to the object surface, thereby refacing or resurfacing the object surface. One or more labels can then be applied to and removed from the release-coated surface of the lamination layer as the tape remains substantially permanently adhered to the object surface. 
         [0011]    According to one aspect, the object surface is a colored surface, the lamination layer is transparent, and the non-adhesive surface of the opaque masking layer is colored either substantially the same as or different from the colored object surface. The colored masking layer is visible through the transparent lamination layer of the tape. According to another aspect, the opaque masking layer is a metalized masking layer. According to still another aspect, the adhesive surface of the opaque masking layer comprises a black adhesive that serves as an additional masking feature. 
         [0012]    In still another embodiment, a method of using a tape for refacing or resurfacing a surface of a warehouse, retail, or other storage rack or shelf is provided, in which the storage rack or shelf surface has one or more of existing labels, markings, or other indicia disposed on it. The method of this alternative embodiment includes providing a tape having a lamination layer and an opaque masking layer. The lamination layer has a release-coated surface for removably receiving one or more labels and an adhesive surface, and the opaque masking layer has a non-adhesive surface and an adhesive surface. The adhesive surface of the lamination layer is adhered to the non-adhesive surface of the opaque masking layer. The tape is applied to the surface of the storage rack or shelf to substantially cover the existing labels, markings, or other indicia disposed on the storage rack or shelf surface. Specified information is then assigned to the storage rack or shelf, and at least one label having indicia corresponding to the specified information is applied to the release-coated surface of the tape. Next, different specified information is assigned to the storage rack or shelf. The label with the indicia corresponding to the prior information is then removed, and a new label having indicia corresponding to the most recent information is applied to the release-coated surface of the tape. 
         [0013]    In yet another embodiment, the system includes a transparent, pressure sensitive, adhesive-backed tape having a release topcoat. The tape includes a transparent laminating film with an adhesive coating on one face thereof, and a silicone release topcoat on the opposite face thereof for supporting replaceable adhesive-backed pressure sensitive labels. The transparent tape can be used to reface or resurface rack beams, shelves, etc., while allowing labels, label holders, or other such items to be applied to, removed from, and/or reapplied to the release topcoat layer of the tape. 
         [0014]    Other features, functions, and aspects of the invention will be evident from the Detailed Description of the Invention that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following Detailed Description of the Invention in conjunction with the drawings of which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of an exemplary self-wound tape constructed according to the present application; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of an exemplary die cut tape constructed according to the present application; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the tapes of  FIGS. 1 and 2  as seen approximately from the planes indicated by A-A and B-B in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are first perspective views of a rack beam pre-labeled and post-labeled using the tape of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  are second perspective views of a rack beam refaced using the tape of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using the tape of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0022]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  are side elevation views of exemplary alternative embodiments of the tapes of  FIGS. 1 and 2  as seen approximately from the planes indicated by A-A and B-B in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/157,616 filed Mar. 5, 2009 entitled TAPE SYSTEMS FOR REFACING RACKS, SHELVES, LABELING SURFACES AND THE LIKE is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1 and 2  depict two illustrative embodiments of multi-layer tapes  100  and  200 , respectively, in accordance with the present application.  FIG. 3  depicts a detailed view of the multiple layers included in each of the tapes  100  and  200 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the multiple layers of each tape  100 ,  200  include an adhesive coating  312 , a masking layer or film  310  with an optional printable surface  308 , and a release topcoat  302  such as a silicone release topcoat for supporting replaceable adhesive-backed pressure sensitive labels (e.g., label  404 ; see  FIG. 4   b ). More specifically, the masking layer or film can include the base masking film  310  (typically silver), the printable surface  308  (typically white) on one face of the base masking film  310 , and the adhesive coating  312  on the opposite face of the base masking film  310 . For example, the base masking film  310  may be a silver polyester film, a metalized masking film, a metalized biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, or any other suitable opaque masking film. In one embodiment, the printable surface  308 , the base masking film  310 , and the adhesive coating  312  are implemented using a metalized BOPP film having a print-receptive topcoat and a metalized backside. The adhesive coating  312  of the tape  200  (see  FIG. 2 ) can be affixed to an optional release-coated liner  314 , which can include a silicone release layer. In one embodiment, the adhesive coating  312  comprises a black adhesive that can also serve as a masking feature. The tape  100  of  FIG. 1  is of the “self-wound” type that does not require the release-coated liner  314 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the multiple layers of the tapes  100 ,  200  can further include a transparent laminating film  304  with an adhesive coating  306  on one face thereof and the silicone release topcoat  302  on the opposite face thereof. It is noted that the printable surface  308  may be any desired color and/or printed with a trademark(s), instructions, a logo(s), or any other suitable information, which can be viewed through the transparent laminating film  304 . The adhesive face  306  of the laminating film  304  is adhered to a non-adhesive face of the printable surface  308 . The tape  100  without the release liner  314  is typically self-wound on a roll, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The tape  200  can be die cut, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , to remove marginal portions of the layers  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 , and  312 . As a result, the release liner  314  is made larger than the tape  200  to facilitate its removal. 
         [0026]    An illustrative method of using the presently disclosed tape for refacing or resurfacing rack beams, shelves, or any other suitable object or article is described below with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4   a ,  4   b , and  6 . When using the die-cut tape  200  (see  FIG. 2 ), the first step is to remove the disposable release-coated liner  314  (see  FIG. 3 ) from the tape  200 , as depicted in step  602  (see  FIG. 6 ). It is noted that step  602  is not required when using the self-wound tape  100  (see  FIG. 1 ). The tape  100  (or  200 ) can then be applied to a rack beam  402  (see  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b ) such that the adhesive  312  secures the tape  100  (or  200 ) firmly along the length of the beam surface (see  FIG. 4   b ) with the release topcoat  302  outermost and any printing on the printable surface  308  clearly visible, as depicted in step  604 . Then, a label  404  (see  FIG. 4   b ), a label holder, or any other suitable item having an exposed adhesive layer is affixed to the tape  100  (or  200 ) such that the label&#39;s adhesive makes contact with the release topcoat  302 , as depicted in step  606 . For example, the label  404  may carry printed indicia related to the rack location ID, products stored, pricing, safety, or any other suitable information. When desired, such as when changing location specifications, the label  404  can be removed from the release topcoat  302  and a new label can be affixed to the tape  100  (or  200 ) on the rack beam  402 , as depicted in step  608 . It is further noted that when the tape  100  (or  200 ) is applied to the rack beam  402 , any pits or pockmarks on the beam are securely covered and hidden by the tape, thereby providing a clean, smooth surface upon which any suitable label(s) may be affixed. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5   a  depicts a rack beam  502  that has a number of existing bar code labels  504  and other labeling  506  affixed thereto. After the tape  100  (or  200 ) is applied to the surface of the rack beam  502 , a clean, smooth labeling surface is provided that completely hides the labels  504 ,  506  originally affixed to the beam (see  FIG. 5   b ), thereby obviating the need to remove the labels  504 ,  506  from the beam. 
         [0028]    The presently disclosed tape systems  100 ,  200  allow pressure sensitive labels to be easily removed and replaced on rack beams, shelves, or any other suitable object, as many times as necessary. Such labels can be removed without ripping or tearing. Further, new labels can be applied without fear of previous labels or markings affecting the scan of a bar code. This allows rack beams and shelves to remain clean and uniform and contain only labels with the most current required data. As a result, any confusion from numerous labels with conflicting information on the rack beams or shelves is minimized. Moreover, the release topcoat  302  of the tapes  100 ,  200  allows any commercially available label to be used, including those with inexpensive permanent pressure sensitive adhesive coatings rather than more expensive removable coatings. 
         [0029]    Having described the above illustrative embodiments of the presently disclosed system and method of refacing or resurfacing rack beams, shelves, and other such objects, other alternative embodiments or variations may be made. For example,  FIG. 7   a  depicts a detailed view of multiple layers included in a first alternative embodiment  700 , which is a transparent version of the tapes  100  and  200 . As shown in  FIG. 7   a , the multiple layers of the tape  700  include a transparent laminating film  704  with an adhesive coating  706  on one face thereof, and a silicone release topcoat  702  on the opposite face thereof for supporting replaceable adhesive-backed pressure sensitive labels. The transparent tape  700  can be used to reface or resurface rack beams, shelves, or any other suitable object or article, while allowing labels, label holders, or other such items to be applied to and removed from the release topcoat layer  702  of the tape  700 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 7   b  depicts a detailed view of multiple layers included in a second alternative embodiment  701 , which is a colored version of the tapes  100  and  200 . As shown in  FIG. 7   b , the multiple layers of the tape  701  include a transparent lamination layer  707  and a colored layer  713 . The lamination layer  707  includes a transparent laminating film  710  with an adhesive coating  712  on one face thereof, and a silicone release topcoat  708  on the opposite face thereof for supporting replaceable adhesive-backed pressure sensitive labels. The colored layer  713  includes a base colored film layer  714  with an adhesive coating  716  on one face thereof. The face of the base colored film layer  714  opposite the adhesive coating  716  is a non-adhesive face, and the adhesive layer  712  of the lamination layer  707  is applied to the non-adhesive face of the base colored film layer  714 . Like the transparent tape  700 , the colored tape  701  can be used to reface or resurface rack beams, shelves, or any other suitable object or article, while allowing labels, label holders, or other such items to be applied to and removed from the release topcoat layer  708  of the tape  701 . Moreover, the base colored film layer  714  may be colored to substantially match or contrast with the existing color of the object to which the tape  701  is applied. For example, the base colored film layer  714  can be made using a colored base material, ink covering the base material, thermal-melted ribbon covering the base material, adhesive-backed vinyl covering the base material, a silk screen technique, an ink jet/toner technique, or any other suitable covering, coating, coloring, or printing technique, resulting in a color on the base film layer  714  that can be seen through the transparent lamination layer  707 . 
         [0031]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that further modifications to and variations of the above-described tape systems for refacing racks, shelves, labeling surfaces and the like may be made without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Accordingly, the invention should not be viewed as limited except as by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 7