BACKGROUND

[0001] Labels are commonly used to secure printed indicia to packages to indicate shipping or other information. In the instance of a shipping use, a separate packing list may be enclosed within a package shipped to the customer containing a purchased item.

[0002] There is significant demand for labels and labeling methods that allow printing and application of a shipping label to a surface prior to insertion of a packing list under the shipping label. For example, the addressee of a carton may be known, but the exact contents of the carton may not yet be finalized. Thus, it is desired to print and apply a shipping label to the surface of a carton prior to final determination of the contents of the carton. Existing labels and labeling methods do not allow insertion of a packing list under a previously applied shipping label Because the carton is labeled prior to packing list generation.

[0003] For the foregoing reasons, it is desired to provide labels and labeling methods that allows printing and application of a shipping label to a surface prior to insertion of a packing list under the shipping label.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure includes disclosure of at least one system of labels for application to a surface. In at least one embodiment, a label system according to the present disclosure comprises a liner sheet, the liner sheet comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the liner sheet comprising a liner sheet line of weakness defining a first segment and a second segment in the liner sheet, the first segment being separable from the second segment along the liner sheet line of weakness; a label sheet, the label sheet comprising a top surface adapted for printing indicia thereon and an undersurface opposite the top surface, the label sheet comprising at least one label sheet line of weakness defining an outer portion and an inner portion in the label sheet, the inner portion being at least partially separable from the outer portion along the label sheet line of weakness; and a first adhesive between the liner sheet and the label sheet, the first adhesive covering at least a portion of the undersurface of the outer portion of the label sheet and removably adhering the undersurface of the outer portion of the label sheet to the first surface of the liner sheet; wherein when the label sheet is separated from the liner sheet, the first segment of the liner sheet disconnects from the second segment of the liner sheet at the liner sheet line of weakness with the first segment of the liner sheet remaining adhered to the undersurface of the outer portion of the label sheet, and the first adhesive on the undersurface of the outer portion is exposed except where covered by the first segment of the liner sheet. In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the liner sheet comprises an edge, and the at least one liner sheet line of weakness originates at the edge of the liner sheet and terminate at the same edge of the liner sheet. In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the liner sheet comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, and the at least one liner sheet line of weakness originates at the leading edge of the liner sheet and terminates at the trailing edge of the liner sheet. In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first segment of the liner sheet is removed from the undersurface of the outer portion of the label sheet, all of the first adhesive on the undersurface of the outer portion is exposed.

[0005] In at least one embodiment, a label system according to the present disclosure comprises a liner sheet, the liner sheet comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the liner sheet comprising a liner sheet line of weakness defining a first segment and a second segment in the liner sheet, the first segment being separable from the second segment along the liner sheet line of weakness; a label sheet, the label sheet comprising a top surface and an opposing undersurface, the top surface and the undersurface having a leading margin and a trailing margin and first and second side margins, the leading margin, the trailing margin, the first side margin, and the second side margin defining a label sheet perimeter, the undersurface comprising a central region that is free of adhesive and an adhesive region along at least a portion of the label sheet perimeter and extending toward the central region, the adhesive region comprising an adhesive thereon, the adhesive removably adhering the label sheet to the liner sheet; wherein when the label sheet is separated from the liner sheet, the first segment of the liner sheet disconnects from the second segment of the liner sheet at the liner sheet line of weakness with the first segment of the liner sheet remaining adhered to the undersurface of the label sheet and covering less than all of the adhesive region, with the adhesive on the undersurface being exposed except where covered by the first segment of the liner sheet. In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the liner sheet comprises an edge, and the at least one liner sheet line of weakness originates at the edge of the liner sheet and terminates at the same edge of the liner sheet. In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the liner sheet comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, and the at least one liner sheet line of weakness originates at the leading edge of the liner sheet and terminates at the trailing edge of the liner sheet In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first segment of the liner sheet is removed from the undersurface the label sheet, all of the adhesive region is exposed.

[0006] In at least one embodiment, a label system according to the present disclosure comprises a liner sheet, the liner sheet comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a first liner sheet edge and a second liner sheet edge, each defining a boundary of the liner sheet; a plurality of labels removably adhered to the first surface of the liner sheet in a non- overlapping arrangement, each the label comprising a top surface adapted for printing indicia thereon and an undersurface opposite the top surface, each the label comprising at least one label line of weakness defining an outer portion and an inner portion in the label, the inner portion being at least partially separable from the outer portion along the label line of weakness; the liner sheet comprising a liner sheet line of weakness defining a first segment and a second segment in the liner sheet, the first segment being separable from the second segment along the liner sheet line of weakness; wherein when a label of the plurality of labels is separated from the liner sheet, the first segment of the liner sheet disconnects from the rest of the liner sheet at the liner sheet line of weakness with the first segment of the liner sheet remaining adhered to the undersurface of the outer portion of the label, and the adhesive on the undersurface of the label is exposed except where covered by the first segment of the liner sheet. In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one liner sheet line of weakness originates at the first edge of the liner sheet and terminates at the first edge of the liner sheet. In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the liner sheet further comprises a first transverse discontinuity and a second transverse discontinuity corresponding to each the label, and the liner sheet line of weakness extends between the first transverse discontinuity and the second transverse discontinuity, with the liner sheet line of weakness, the first transverse discontinuity, the second transverse discontinuity, and the first liner sheet edge defining the first segment of the liner sheet. In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a label comprises a leading margin and a trailing margin, and at least one second transverse discontinuity underlies the tailing margin of the label. In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first segment of the liner sheet is removed from the undersurface of the outer portion of the label sheet, all of the first adhesive on the undersurface of the outer portion is exposed. In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a liner sheet line of weakness extends through a length of the liner sheet under at least two or more labels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will be more apparent mid better understood by reference to the following descriptions of the disclosed methods and systems, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 shows a top view of a label and a liner according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 2 shows a bottom view of a label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 3 shows a bottom view of a liner according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 4 shows a top view of a plurality of label and a liner according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 5 shows a bottom view of a liner according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 6 shows a top view of a label with a retained liner segment according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 7 shows a bottom view of a label with a retained liner segment according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a label with a retained liner segment according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a label with a retained liner segment according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 11 shows a top view of a label and a liner according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 12 shows a bottom view of a label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; [0020] Figure 13 shows a bottom view of a liner according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 14 shows a bottom view of a label with a retained liner segment according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a label with a retained liner segment according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a label with a retained liner segment according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 17 shows a perspective view of a label with a retained liner segment according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 18 shows a perspective view of a label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0026] Figure 19 shows a perspective view of a label according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

[0027] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

[0028] Figure 1 shows label 16 on liner 12, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, label 16 comprises a sheet material having a top surface 18 and an opposing undersurface 20 (not shown in Figure 1). According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, label 16 is bounded by leading margin 26, trailing margin 30, and side margins 28 and 32. Label 16 comprises tear strip 39 framed by parallel lines of weakness 43, 47. Lines of weakness 36, 37, 38 define a boundary of displaceable portion 46 in label 16. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, label 16 comprises a shipping label. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, label 16 comprises a material such as paper that is receptive to indicia printed thereon.

[0029] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, label 16 is removably adhered to liner 12, thereby enabling label 16 to be dispensed from liner 12 as discussed herein. Liner 12 comprises, in at least one embodiment, release coating 15 on upper surface 48 of liner 12, which feces undersurface 20 of label 16 (not shown in Figure 1). In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, release coating 15 is a silicone release coating. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive 13 is interposed between release coat 15 and the undersurface 20 of label 16, as discussed hereinafter. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive 13 is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0030] Figure 2 shows undersurface 20 of label 16 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, with liner 12 not visible for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 2 is undersurface 20 of label 16, which is bounded by leading margin 26, trailing margin 30, and side margins 28 and 32. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, undersurface 20 of label 16 comprises a first portion 64 and a second portion 66. In at least one embodiment, first portion 64 comprises adhesive 13 on all of, or substantially all of, or at least a majority of, its surface area. In at least one embodiment, second portion 66 is free of or substantially free of adhesive, as is the undersurface of tear strip 39. In at least one embodiment, second portion 66 comprises the undersurface of displaceable portion 46.

[0031] Referring back to Figure 1, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, liner 12 comprises a first edge 58 and a second edge 60. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, liner 12 further comprises a discontinuity 50, such as, for example, a die cut or series or perforations, which is inboard of and substantially parallel to, first edge 58. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, when label 16 is removably adhered to liner 12, discontinuity 50 is located inward of line of line of weakness 37 such that discontinuity 50 is beneath second portion 66 of undersurface 20 of label 16. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, liner 12 further comprises one or more discontinuities 54, which extend between discontinuity 50 and first edge 58. Each discontinuity 54 may comprise, for example, a die cut or series perforations. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a discontinuity 54 is located before and after each label 16. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a discontinuity 54 is located under the trailing margin of each label 16. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, discontinuity 50, first edge 58, and leading and trailing discontinuities 54 define liner segment 52. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one discontinuity 54 is a transverse discontinuity extending across line 12 from first edge 58 to second edge 60. [0032] Figure 3 shows lower surface 56 of liner 12, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, liner segment 52 is defined by discontinuity 50, first edge 58, and leading and trailing discontinuities 54.

[0033] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of labels 16 may deployed adjacent to each other on a roll or web of liner 12, as shown in Figure 4. Such a deployment may facilitate dispensing of labels 16 from liner 12, as discussed hereinafter. As shown in Figure 4, discontinuity 50 may be a continuous discontinuity that extends the entire length of liner 12, or extends a majority of the entire length of liner 12, or extends the length of two or more labels 16 on liner 12. Figure 5 shows lower surface 56 of liner 12, further illustrating discontinuity 50 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of labels 16 may deployed adjacent to each other on a roll or web of liner 12, as shown in Figure 4. Such a deployment may facilitate sequential dispensing of labels 16 ftom liner 12, as discussed hereinafter. As shown in Figure 4, discontinuity 50 may be a continuous discontinuity that extends the entire length of liner 12, or extends a majority of the entire length of liner 12, or extends the length of two or more labels 16 on liner 12. Figure 5 shows lower surface 56 of liner 12, further illustrating discontinuity 50 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, when label 16 is removed ftom liner 12, liner segment 52 separates from liner 12 at discontinuity 50 and discontinuities 54, and remains adhered to undersurface 20 of label 16. Figure 6 and Figure 7 show a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of label 16 after dispensing from liner 12, with liner segment 52 adhered to undersurface 20 of label 16.

[0036] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, after label 16 is removed from liner 12, and with liner segment 52 adhered to undersurface 20 of label 16, label 16 may be applied to exterior 81 of container 80, as shown in Figures 8-10. Undersurface 20 of label 16 is applied to exterior 81 of container 80, either mechanically (such as, for example, by a label applicator apparatus) or by hand, whereby adhesive 13 on undersurface 20 of label 16 adheres label 16 to exterior 81 of container 80. However, because liner segment 52 remains adhered to undersurface 20 of label 16, the portion of adhesive 13 on undersurface 20 of label 16 that is covered by liner segment 52 does not adhere to exterior 81 of container 80, as shown in Figure 8. This non-adhered portion of label 16 enables insertion of one or more items 90 under label 16 after it has been adhered to exterior 81 of container 80, as shown in Figure 9. After one or more items 90 have been inserted under label 16, liner segment 52 may be removed from undersurface 20 of label 16, revealing the previously concealed adhesive 13. Label 16 may then be frilly adhered to exterior 81 of container 80, as shown in Figure 10, with one or more items 90 thereby secured under label 16. If it is later desired to retrieve the one or more items 90 from under label 16, tear strip 39 may be separated at lines of weakness 43, 47. Displaceable portion 46 then may be displaced or fully removed at lines of weakness 36, 37, 38, exposing the one or more items 90.

[0037] Figure 11 shows label 116 on liner 112, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, label 116 comprises a sheet material having a top surface 118 and an opposing undersurface 120 (not shown in Figure 11). According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, label 116 is bounded by leading margin 126, trailing margin 130, and side margins 128 and 132. Label 116 comprises tear strip 139 framed by parallel lines of weakness 143, 147. Lines of weakness 136, 137, 138 define a boundary of displaceable portion 146 in label 116. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, label 116 comprises a shipping label. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, label 116 comprises a material such as paper that is receptive to indicia printed thereon.

[0038] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, label 116 is removably adhered to liner 112, thereby enabling label 116 to be dispensed from liner 112 as discussed herein. Liner 112 comprises, in at least one embodiment, release coating 115 on upper surface 148 of liner 112, which faces undersurface 120 of label 116 (not shown in Figure 11). In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, release coating 115 is a silicone release coating. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive 113 is interposed between release coat 115 and the undersurface 120 of label 116, as discussed hereinafter. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, adhesive 113 is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0039] Figure 12 shows undersurface 120 of label 116 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, with liner 112 not visible for purposes of clarity. Shown in Figure 12 is undersurface 120 of label 116, which is bounded by leading margin 126, trailing margin 130, and side margins 128 and 132. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, undersurface 120 of label 116 coirprises a first portion 164 and a second portion 166. In at least one embodiment, first portion 164 comprises adhesive 113 on all of, or substantially all of, or at least a majority of, its surface area. In at least one embodiment, second portion 166 is free of or substantially free of adhesive, as is the undersurface of tear strip 139. In at least one embodiment, second portion 166 comprises the undersurface of displaceable portion 146.

[0040] Referring back to Figure 11, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, liner 112 comprises a first edge 158 and a parallel second edge 160. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, liner 112 further comprises a discontinuity 150, such as, for example, a die cut or series or perforations. Discontinuity 150 comprises endpoints 1501 and 1502, each of which intersects with first edge 158. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, when label 116 is removably adhered to liner 112, at least a portion of discontinuity 150 is located inward of line of line of weakness 137 such that at least a portion of discontinuity 150 is beneath second portion 166 of undersurface 120 of label 116. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, discontinuity 150 and first edge 158 define liner segment 152.

[0041] Figure 13 shows lower surface 156 of liner 112, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 13, discontinuity 150 comprises endpoints 1501 and 1502, each of which intersects with first edge 158. As shown in Figure 13, liner segment 152 is defined by discontinuity 150 and first edge 158.

[0042] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, when label 116 is removed from liner 112, liner segment 152 separates from liner 112 at discontinuity 150, and remains adhered to undersurface 120 of label 116. Figure 14 shows a bottom view of label 116 after dispensing from liner 112, with liner segment 152 adhered to undersurface 120 of label 116.

[0043] Figure 15 shows the dispensing of a label 116 from label printer 100 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Label printer 100 may comprise an inkjet printer, a laser printer, a thermal transfer printer, a direct thermal printer, or another type of printing device capable of applying indicia to label 116. As shown in Figure 15, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of labels 116 are provided to label printer 100 on a liner 112. For example, a plurality of labels 116 are removably adhered to liner 112 in a rolled configuration or in a fan-folded configuration, and are supplied to label printer 100 in a manner anticipating printing by and dispensing from label printer 100. As shown in Figure 6, as label 116 is dispensed from label printer 100, the majority of liner 112 is separated from label 116. However, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, liner segment 152 separates from liner 112 at discontinuity 150, and remains adhered to undersurface 120 of label 116. [0044] In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, after label 116 is removed from liner 112, and with liner segment 152 adhered to undersurface 120 of label 116, label 116 may be applied to exterior 181 of container 180, as shown in Figures 16-19. Undersurface 120 of label 116 is applied to exterior 181 of container 180, either mechanically (such as, for example, by a label applicator apparatus) or by hand, whereby adhesive 113 on undersurface 120 of label 116 adheres label 116 to exterior 181 of container 180. However, because liner segment 152 remains adhered to undersurface 120 of label 116, the portion of adhesive 113 on undersurface 120 of label 116 that is covered by liner segment 152 does not adhere to exterior 181 of container 180, as shown in Figure 16. This non-adhered portion of label 116 enables insertion of one or more items 190 under label 116 after it has been adhered to exterior 181 of container 180, as shown in Figure 17. After one or more items 190 have been inserted under label 116, liner segment 152 may be removed from undersurface 120 of label 116, revealing the previously concealed adhesive 113, as shown in Figure 18. Label 116 may then be fully adhered to exterior 181 of container 180, as shown in Figure 20, with one or more items 190 thereby secured under label 116. If it is later desired to retrieve the one or more items 190 from under label 116, tear strip 139 may be separated at lines of weakness 143, 147. Displaceable portion 146 then may be displaced or fully removed at lines of weakness 136, 137, 138, exposing the one or more items 190.

[0045] While this disclosure has been described as having preferred designs, the apparatus and methods according to the present disclosure can be further modified within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. For example, any method disclosed herein and in the appended claims represent one possible sequence of performing the steps thereof. A practitioner may determine in a particular implementation that a plurality of steps of one or more of the disclosed methods may be combinable, or that a different sequence of steps may be employed to accomplish the same results. Each such implementation fells within the scope of the present disclosure as disclosed herein and in the appended claims. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.