WO2000015426A1

WO2000015426A1 - Adhesive labels with a grid pattern

Info

Publication number: WO2000015426A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/021032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher V. Conley; Maureen A. O'connor; Denise Steiner; Ana Schedler; Meeyoung Melamed; Fred Edward Cecala
Original assignee: Acco Brands, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-09-14
Filing date: 1999-09-14
Publication date: 2000-03-23
Also published as: AU5922099A

Abstract

A label assembly (1) is provided that includes a plurality of labels (2) made from a sheet (3) of material and having a first (5) and second surfaces. An adhesive is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface (5). A grid pattern is disposed on either the first surface (5) or the second surface and includes indicia arranged along at least a first and a second axis for aligning text on the first surface (5) therewith. The adhesive includes a releasable adhesive. The label assembly can be disposed on a backing. The first surface (5) may also include a graphic (16) indicating that the label is releasable.

Description

ADHESIVE LABELS WITH A GRID PATTERN

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Labels for attaching to objects are disposed on sheets that can accommodate copiers and printers. These labels employ adhesives for attachment to the objects to be labeled. These adhesives may be either moistened or dry pressure sensitive adhesives. Dry adhesives require the application of moisture before use, i.e. postage stamps. Labels having moistened adhesives are ready to use without the application of moisture and are typically disposed on a backing. The backing is coated or constituted so that when the label is removed from the backing substantially no adhesive is retained on the backing. The label can have preprinted information, can be arranged to fit a printer or copier, or can be used for handwritten labels.

Labels are arranged in sheets of various sizes and materials depending upon the desired application of the labels. For example, United States Patent No. 5,389,414 discloses die-cut labels having a pressure sensitive adhesive. The labels are mounted on a backing layer that includes a release coating, and the entire assembly is sized to accommodate a copy machine or a printer such as a laser- type computer printer. A similar label assembly utilizing transparent labels is disclosed in United States Patent No. 5,407,718. Additional variations to the layout of the labels are shown in United States Design Patents Nos . Des . 306,314 and Des . 378,220.

A need exists guidelines across the surface of the label to align the writing. These guidelines should be able to align the writing in at least two distinct directions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A label assembly is provided with a plurality of labels die-cut from a sheet of material having a label surface and an adhesive surface. The label assembly can be sized to accommodate a copier machine or a computer printer. The adhesive surface includes a releasable adhesive, and the entire assembly is attached to a backing. The backing is formulated and configured to release individuals labels from the assembly without retaining any of the adhesive.

Each label is configured and sized to accommodate the object to be labeled. The label includes a grid pattern on the label surface . The grid pattern provides guidelines for handwriting applied to the label in at least two separate directions or along at least two axes. Therefore, the label can be applied to an object in more than one orientation, still providing alignment for the text in each orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the label assembly constructed according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial cutaway view thereof; and,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a first surface of a first embodiment of a single label;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a first surface of a second embodiment of a single label;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a first surface of a third embodiment of a single label;.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a first surface of a fourth embodiment of a single label;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a first surface of a fifth embodiment of a single label; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a first surface of a sixth embodiment of a single label .

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in Fig. 1, the label assembly 1 of the present invention includes a plurality of labels 2 arranged on a sheet material 3. The sheet material 3 is sized for feeding into copiers and printers, and accepting writing from instruments such as pens and pencils. The sheet material 3 may be opaque, translucent, or transparent. The size of the sheet material 3 can be a standard sized paper (i.e., 8.5 x 11 inches, 8.5 x 14 inches, or A4) or a custom sized paper. The use of a standard sized paper sheet material 3 facilitates the use of the label assembly in copiers and printers; however, the label assembly 1 is not limited to copier and printer applications and is in fact arranged to be especially suitable for handwritten labels.

The number of labels 2 and their arrangement on the sheet material 3 is governed by the size of the label and the selected size of the sheet material 3. Therefore, the label assembly 1 can include as few as one label 2 and as many labels 2 as is possible to make given the limitations of the manufacturing process.

As is best shown in Fig. 2, the individual labels 2 are die-cut from the sheet material 3 in the desired arrangement. The labels 2 may also be defined by perforations or printed lines. Once die-cut, the sheet material 3 is divided into regions of labels 2 and excess sheet material 4. In certain label assemblies 1, the labels 2 constitute the entire sheet material 3, and there is no excess sheet material 4.

Each label includes a first label surface 5 and a second adhesive surface 6. The adhesive surface 6 includes a releasable pressure sensitive adhesive. Although a releasable pressure sensitive adhesive is preferred, any type of adhesive can be used including pre-moistened and dry adhesives. In order to protect the adhesive, the label assembly 1 is mounted on a backing 7 with the adhesive surface 6 of the labels 2 facing the backing 7. The backing 7 may not be required for dry adhesives. The backing 7 is made from a material such as plastic or a coated paper which will allow the labels 2 to be released from backing 7 without retaining any adhesive thereon. As successive labels 2 are removed from the label assembly 1, the excess label material 4 remains attached to the backing 7.

Referring now to Fig. 3, each label 2 is bounded by a first pair of parallel sides or edges 8 and a second pair of parallel sides or edges 9 generally forming four sides in total. The first and second pairs of parallel sides intersect at an angle of preferably more than about 20°, more preferably more than about 45°, and most preferably around 90°. Both the first and second pairs of sides are generally straight lines although the first pair of parallel sides 8 are curved and bowed outwardly. Thus, the label 2 is generally rectangular in shape. This shape is particularly well suited for labeling flat or cylindrical objects. Other shapes are possible including triangular, square, and circular. In fact, the label 2 may be shaped to conform to an irregularly shaped object or an object having compound curvature such as a sphere although the preferred label is attachable flushly on a flat surface. Further, the pairs of sides do not have to be parallel.

In order to facilitate handwritten labels, the label surface includes a grid pattern 10 including indicia for aligning text on the label surface 5. The grid pattern 10 includes at least one first line or axis 11 and a at least one second line or axis 12. Any number of first and second lines are possible depending on the size of the label 2 and the anticipated size of the writing upon the label 2. The first line 11 is parallel to the first pair of parallel sides 8, and the second line 12 is parallel to the second pair of parallel sides 9. The first and second lines intersect at an angle of preferably more than about 20°, more preferably more than about 45°, and most preferably around 90°. Therefore, The grid pattern 10 provides guidelines for writing on the label that is preferably aligned with either pair of sides of the label . Since the shape of the label itself can be varied, the first and second lines can be varied. The first and second lines can intersect at a variety of angles up to about 90°. The lines need not, and in some embodiments can not, be parallel to the sides of the label 2 not do they have to be straight lines. Overall, the first and second lines can be arranged in any way that provides guidelines on the label surface 5 of the label 2 for writing in at least two distinct directions or orientations of the label .

In order not to interfere with the writing placed on the label 2, the grid pattern is preferably created from a regularly spaced alignment marks such as a series of dots 13 preferably disposed at the intersection of the first and second lines. These dots 13 are preferably a shaded color instead of a solid color, such as a light gray color and disposed on the label surface 5. Alternatively, the dots 13 can be solid and disposed on the adhesive surface 6 so long as the grid pattern 10 is visible on the label surface 5. The use of dots 13 as opposed to solid lines for the grid pattern 10 provides the additional benefit of guidelines for writing in directions that are not parallel to either the first or second pairs of sides for instance a first alternative direction or axis 14 and a second alternative direction or axis 15.

The label surface 5 may include a graphic 16 indicting that the labels 2 are removable and reapplicable. The graphic 16 includes an arrow design which is preferably disposed on one of the axes . Other graphics are possible and may even include words or abbreviations.

One of ordinary skill in the art can envision numerous variations and modifications. All of these modifications are contemplated by the true spirit and scope of the following claims .

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A label made for attaching to an object, the label comprising:

(a) a sheet including first and second surfaces on opposite sides of the sheet;

(b) an adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the first surface; and

(c) a grid pattern disposed on one of the first or second surfaces and including indicia arranged along at least first and second axes for aligning text therewith.

2. The label according to claim 1 wherein the grid pattern comprises :

(a) a first line; and

(b) a second line configured to intersect the first line.

3. The label according to claim 2 wherein the indicia is substantially aligned along a plurality of first lines parallel to the first axes.

4. The label according to claim 3, wherein the indicia is aligned along a plurality of second lines parallel to the second axes .

5. The label according to claim 3 wherein the first and second lines intersect at an acute angle greater than about 20┬░ up to about 90┬░ .

6. The label according to claim 4 wherein the first and second lines intersect at an acute angle greater than about 45┬░ up to about 90┬░ .

7. The label according to claim 6 wherein the first and second lines intersect at an angle of around 90┬░.

8. The label according to claim 2 wherein: (a) the sheet comprises first and second edges bounding the first and second surfaces,- and

(b) the first lines are generally parallel to the first edge.

9. The label according to claim 8, wherein the second lines are generally parallel to the second edge.

10. The label according to claim 9 wherein: (a) the sheet comprises:

(i) a third edge generally parallel to the first edge ; and

(ii) a fourth edge generally parallel to the second edge.

11. The label according to claim 9 wherein the first edge is curved outwardly.

12. The label according to claim 1 wherein the indicia comprises a series of generally regularly spaced alignment marks .

13. The label according to claim 12 wherein the regularly spaced alignment marks comprise dots .

14. The label according to claim 12 wherein the dots are disposed at an intersection between the first and second axes.

15. The label according to claim 1 wherein the indicia is disposed on the second surface.

16. The label according to claim 1, wherein the indicia comprises shaded color.

17. The label according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a releasable and reattachable adhesive.

18. A label assembly comprising:

(a) a sheet of backing material; and,

(b) the label of claim 1 disposed on the backing material with the adhesive releasably attached thereto.

19. The label assembly according to claim 18 further comprising a sheet of label material, wherein the label comprises a die cut portion of the sheet of label material

20. The label assembly of claim 18 further comprising a plurality of labels according to claim 1 disposed on the backing .