| Printable cover systems for articles -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Printable cover systems for articlesRelated Patent Categories: Stock Material Or Miscellaneous Articles, Layer Or Component Removable To Expose AdhesivePrintable cover systems for articles description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070082162, Printable cover systems for articles. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to printable covers and cover systems for articles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Many consumers desire to apply labels or covers to articles in order to display information relating to the article or to provide an enhanced, decorative appearance to the article. For example, with the advent of writable optical disks, such as CD- and DVO-type optical disks, many consumers wish to apply information to a once-blank optical disk that lists or describes the files subsequently written to the optical disk. While it is generally possible to simply mark directly on the optical disk with a pen or other marking tool, many consumers would rather apply information to the optical disk in a more "finished" or professional manner. In addition, many consumers wish to add decorative features when applying information to an optical disk, such as artwork, photos, colorful highlights, etc. [0003] Printable labels have been developed that allow consumers to print images to a label, for example with an ink-jet printer, and attach or adhere the printed label to an optical disk. Such labels are generally provided with a removable backing that covers and protects 3n adhesive coating applied to a back of the label to enable the label to be fed through a printer and receive a printed image. After printing the label, a consumer generally removes the backing to expose the adhesive and then attaches the adhesive, and thus the label, to the optical disk. [0004] While relatively simple to use, such labels have proved disadvantageous in that once the backing is removed from the label, the entire adhesive coating is exposed and a consumer must attempt to properly align the label on the optical disk while the consumer's fingers are in contact with the adhesive coating. Contact between the consumer's fingers and the adhesive can compromise the integrity of the adhesive and can also make properly aligning the label relative to the optical disk difficult. [0005] In addition to applying information or decoration to optical disks, many consumers also wish to customize and protect other articles, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, musical players such as MP3 players, etc. Covers have been developed for this purpose that allow a consumer to apply an overlay to the article in question to both protect the article and to add decorative and informational features to the article. [0006] While such overlays have met with some commercial success, they have suffered from many of the problems inherent in printable optical disk covers. For example, once the adhesive on the article overlay is exposed, a user's fingers often contact the adhesive when attempting to align the overly with the article. Contact with the adhesive not only results in difficulty aligning the overly on the article, but the integrity of the adhesive can be compromised by dirt or oil on the user's fingers. In addition, such covers have not been known that wrap around the article from a front side to a back side, thereby improving adherence, while at the same time retaining visibility of branding information that may be present on the sides and/or back of the article. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a cover system that allows a consumer to attach a label to an article while avoiding contact with adhesive between the label and the article. In addition, it has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a cover system for articles that allows consumers to cover the article with a printable label without obscuring important information displayed on surfaces of the article, including the back surface of the article where serial numbers, model numbers, and other important branding information is typically present. [0008] The present invention provides a printable label assembly including a printable label having an adhesive coating applied to a first surface thereof to facilitate attachment of the label to an article. The label can be configured to receive a printed image on a second surface thereof. A removable backing can be releasably attached to the adhesive coating of the label and can have at least three sections: a removable primary section releasably attached to a central portion of the adhesive coating of the label and being configured to be removed from the central portion to expose the central portion for attachment to the article; and a pair of removable handle sections releasably attached to outward portions of the adhesive coating of the label, the handle sections being configured to remain on the adhesive coating after removal of the primary section to provide at least two handling points for manipulation by a user to assist the user in applying the label to the article. [0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a printable label assembly is provided, including a printable label having an adhesive coating applied to a first surface thereof to allow attachment of the label to an article. The label can be configured to receive a printed image on a second surface thereof and can be sized to extend across a top of the article and at least partially around sides of the article and to attach to a portion of a bottom surface of the article. The label can have a pair of side edges, at least one of the side edges having a notched opening defined therein. The opening can be configured to allow the at least one of the side edges of the label to be attached to the bottom of the article such that the notched opening is present on the bottom of the article, said notched opening leaving a portion of the bottom of the article exposed through the notched opening. A removable backing can be releasably attached to the adhesive coating of the label and can be configured to be removed from the coating to allow the label to be attached to the article. [0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for covering an article is provided, including the steps of: applying a printed image to a second surface of a printable label having an adhesive coating applied to a first surface thereof; removing a removable primary section of a backing releasably attached to a central portion of the adhesive coating to expose the central portion for attachment to the article; grasping each of a pair of handle sections of the backing releasably attached to outward portions of the adhesive coating; and attaching the primary portion of the adhesive coating to at least a portion of a top of the article. [0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for covering an article is provided, including the steps of: applying a printed image to a second surface of a printable label having an adhesive coating applied to a first surface thereof; removing at least a section of a backing releasably attached to a portion of the adhesive coating to expose the portion for attachment to the article; attaching the portion of the adhesive coating to at least a portion of a top of the article; wrapping a side edge of the label around a side of the article, the side edge having a notched opening defined therein; and attaching the side edge of the label to a bottom of the article while leaving a portion of the bottom of the article exposed through the notched opening. [0012] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printable label assembly and an article in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic front, partial edge view of the printable label assembly of FIG. 1, with a primary portion of a removable backing attached thereto; [0015] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the label assembly of FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another printable label assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and [0017] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the printable label assembly of FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) [0018] Before particular embodiments of the present invention are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular process and materials disclosed herein as such may vary to some degree. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting, as the scope of the present invention will be defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. [0019] In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used: Continue reading about Printable cover systems for articles... Full patent description for Printable cover systems for articles Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Printable cover systems for articles patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Printable cover systems for articles or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Easy-open reclosable films having an interior frangible interface and articles made therefrom Next Patent Application: Label form for use in drug testing Industry Class: Stock material or miscellaneous articles ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Printable cover systems for articles patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.12392 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
