CA2997157A1 - Scratchable label system - Google Patents

Abstract

A scratchable container label system including a label member having a body including an outer-surface and an engaging-surface. The outer-surface comprises a scratchable coating configured to be scratched and display the identifying indicia. The engaging-surface of the label member is configured to be secured to a surface of a container or lid of a container. The identifying indicia provides a readily identifiable visual indicator such that a user is able to differentiate a user-specific-container from other the containers.

Description

SCRATCHABLE LABEL SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of labels and more specifically relates to container labels.
2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] Water bottles and other beverage containers are often freely distributed during gatherings of people. When many beverage containers are set down in a gathering of people, it is sometimes difficult to remember or identify which beverage container belongs to whom.
When there are marking pens available, individual beverage containers can be marked to identify to whom the beverage belongs. However, marking pens are not always available. A
suitable solution is desired.

[0004] U.S. Pub. No. 2014/0375046 to Yulin Wang relates to customizable print labels.
The described customizable print labels include a customizable print label used for various identification purposes and methods for making the same. In particular, the disclosed labels are printed with inks to provide specific images or markings, such as for example, letters and/or numbers, which can be removed or otherwise altered to customize the label to a user's preference.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known labels art, the present disclosure provides a novel scratchable label system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a beverage label which includes scratchable sections for providing a visual indicator to identify and label beverage containers and other items.

[0006] A scratchable container label system is disclosed herein. The scratchable container label system includes a label member having a body including an outer-surface, a plurality of identifier members, and an engaging-surface. The scratchable container label system includes the label member having the body defined by the outer-surface and the engaging-surface. The plurality of identifier members is/are disposed about the outer-surface of the body and configured to be selectively scratched and display identifying indicia. The engaging-surface of the label member is configured to be secured to a surface of a container such as a water bottle or other beverage container. The identifying indicia when exposed provides a readily identifiable visual indicator such that a user is able to differentiate a user-specific-container from other the containers. The device allows users to mark containers with initials or other identifying indicia and differentiate containers. A kit is also disclosed herein including a set of instructions and a label member.

[0007] According to another embodiment, a method of identifying containers using a scratchable container label system is also disclosed herein. The method of identifying containers using a scratchable container label system includes providing the scratchable container label system, applying a label member to a surface of a container, removing a scratchable coating to expose a plurality of identifier members, identifying a user-specific-container from other the containers, and optionally removing the label member from the surface of the container.

[0008] For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a scratchable label system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

[00010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the scratchable container label system during an 'in-use' condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[00011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scratchable container label system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the scratchable container label system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the scratchable container label system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00014] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the scratchable container label system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00015] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00016] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a labels and more particularly to a scratchable label system as used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of container labeling.

[00017]
Generally, a label or sticker is provided to attach to a label on a beverage container.
The label or sticker may be scratchable allowing a user to mark a bottle by selectively scratching sections to reveal identifying indicia. Initials or other unique identification may be used to show that a bottle or container to belongs to a certain user.

[00018] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of a scratchable container label system 100.
FIG. 1 shows a scratchable container label system 100 during an 'in-use' condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the scratchable container label system 100 may include a label member 110 having a body 120 including an outer-surface 122 and an engaging-surface 134. The outer-surface 122 of the body 120 is configured to be selectively scratched to display identifying indicia 136. The outer-surface 122 comprises a scratchable coating configured to be scratched and display the identifying indicia 136 such as a user's initials or other suitable identifying indicia 136. The label member 110 is preferably a sticker.
The engaging-surface 134 of the label member 110 comprises adhesive. The engaging-surface 134 of the label member 110 is configured to be secured to a surface of a container 5 or lid of the container 5. The label member 110 comprises a planar profile and is configured to conform to a container-body. The identifying indicia 136 when exposed provides a readily identifiable visual indicator such that a user is able to differentiate a user-specific-container 10 from other containers 5.

[00019] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the scratchable container label system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the scratchable container label system 100 may include the label member 110 having the body 120 having the outer-surface 122, the plurality of identifier members 130, and the engaging-surface 134. The scratchable container label system 100 includes the label member 110 having the body 120 defined by the outer-surface 122 and the engaging-surface 134. The plurality of identifier members 130 are disposed about the outer-surface 122 of the body 120 and configured to be selectively scratched and display identifying indicia 136. The engaging-surface 134 of the label member 110 is configured to be secured to a surface of a container 5. The identifying indicia 136 when exposed provides a readily identifiable visual indicator such that a user is able to differentiate a user-specific-container 10 from other the containers.

[00020] Referring now to FIG. 3 showing a perspective view of the scratchable container label system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the scratchable container label system 100 may include the label member 110 having the body 120 having the outer-surface 122, the plurality of identifier members 130, and the engaging-surface 134. The label member 110 may be applied to a container 5. The container 5 is preferably a beverage container such as a water bottle. The label member 110 is flexible and non-removeable. In certain embodiments the label member 110 is a sticker with a removeable panel to expose adhesive. The engaging-surface 134 of the label member 110 comprises adhesive and may be adhered to a container 5 on top of an existing label. The label member 110 comprises a planar profile and is configured to conform to a container-body.

[00021] The identifying indicia 136 are arranged adjacent to one another. The identifying indicia 136 is alphanumeric (and/or may include other symbols/logos or the like). The identifying indicia 136 may include a plurality of characters and a plurality of alphanumeric-characters comprising letters and numbers for use. The identifying indicia 136 may also include a date-indicator. The plurality of identifier members 136 comprise a scratchable coating which when removed exposes the plurality of identifier members 130.

[00022] According to one embodiment, the scratchable container label system 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the scratchable container label system 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the scratchable container label system 100 such that the scratchable container label system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

[00023] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for method of identifying containers 500 using a scratchable container label system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for method of identifying containers 500 may include one or more components or features of the scratchable container label system 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for method of identifying containers 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing the scratchable container label system 100;
step two 502, applying a label member 110 to a surface of a container 5; step three 503, removing a scratchable coating to expose a plurality of identifier members 130; step four 504, identifying a user-specific-container 10 from other the containers; step five 505, removing the label member 110 from the surface of the container 5.

[00024] It should be noted that step five 505 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of "step of" should not be interpreted as "step for", in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for identifying containers using a scratchable container label system, are taught herein.

[00025] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims (20)

-8-What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. A scratchable container label system comprising:
a label member having;
a body including;
an outer-surface;
a plurality of identifier members; and an engaging-surface;
wherein said scratchable container label system includes said label member having said body defined by said outer-surface and said engaging-surface;
wherein said plurality of identifier members are disposed about said outer-surface of said body and configured to be selectively scratched and display identifying indicia;
wherein said engaging-surface of said label member is configured to be secured to a surface of a container; and wherein said identifying indicia when exposed provides a readily identifiable visual indicator such that a user is able to differentiate a user-specific-container from other said containers.

2. The scratchable container label system of claim 1, wherein said container is a beverage container.

3. The scratchable container label system of claim 1, wherein said beverage container is a water bottle.

4. The scratchable container label system of claim 1, wherein said identifying indicia are arranged adjacent to one another.

5. The scratchable container label system of claim 1, wherein said identifying indicia is alphanumeric.

6. The scratchable container label system of claim 1, wherein said label member is non-removeable.

7. The scratchable container label system of claim 1, wherein said label member is flexible.

8. The scratchable container label system of claim 7, wherein said engaging-surface of said label member comprises adhesive.

9. The scratchable container label system of claim 1, wherein said label member is a label.

10. The scratchable container label system of claim 9, wherein said label member is a sticker to attach to said label.

11. The scratchable container label system of claim 1, wherein said label member comprises a planar profile and is configured to conform to a container-body.

12. The scratchable container label system of claim 1, wherein said identifying indicia comprises a plurality of characters.

13. The scratchable container label system of claim 1, wherein said identifying indicia comprises a plurality of alphanumeric-characters comprising letters and numbers for use.

14. The scratchable container label system of claim 1, wherein said identifying indicia comprises a date-indicator.

15. The scratchable container label system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of identifier members comprise a scratchable coating which when removed exposes said plurality of identifier members.

16. The scratchable container label system of claim 10, wherein said sticker comprises a removeable panel.

17. A scratchable container label system, the scratchable container label system comprising:
a label member having;
a body including;
an outer-surface;
an engaging-surface;
wherein said scratchable container label system includes said label member having said body defined by said outer-surface and said engaging-surface;
wherein said outer-surface of said body is configured to be selectively scratched and display identifying indicia;
wherein said outer-surface comprises a scratchable coating configured to be scratched and display said identifying indicia;
wherein said engaging-surface of said label member is configured to be secured to a surface of a container;

wherein said container is a beverage container;
wherein said identifying indicia when exposed provides a readily identifiable visual indicator such that a user is able to differentiate a user-specific-container from other said containers;
wherein said label member is a sticker;
wherein said label member is flexible;
wherein said engaging-surface of said label member comprises adhesive; and wherein said label member comprises a planar profile and is configured to conform to a container-body.

18. The scratchable container label system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the scratchable container label system is arranged as a kit.

19. A method of identifying containers using a scratchable container label system, the method comprising the steps of:
providing said scratchable container label system;
applying a label member to a surface of a container;
removing a scratchable coating to expose a plurality of identifier members;
and identifying a user-specific-container from other said containers.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:
removing said label member from said surface of said container.