Personal Identification Marking Label Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel identification label that can be customized. The labels are designed to be either integrated or removably attached on exterior surface of consumer product containers allowing users to avoid potential confusion with respect to ownership, use or control of their containers. The label has an opaque scratch-off blank surface that can be removed to create a personalized identification mark. The label may have an UV-ink coating or can have a label layer for creating identification mark when the scratch-off blank surface is scratched. The labels are designed to be affixed on any personal item to prevent items from accidentally being misidentified.

Claims

1. A customizable label comprising: a substrate having a front surface and a rear surface; a removable coating positioned over at least a portion of the front surface, wherein the removable coating is removable from the substrate by scratching or abrading to create the customized label; and an adhesive positioned over at least a portion of the rear surface, wherein the adhesive is one of a removable adhesive, a repositionable adhesive, a permanent adhesive or a combination thereof.

2. The customizable label as recited in claim 1, wherein the removable coating is applied by one of a flood coating, a pattern coating, a spot coating or a combination thereof.

3. The customizable label as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first portion containing a removable coating and a second portion containing an instructional or advertising information.

4. The customizable label as recited in claim 1 further comprising a reflective material or a fluorescent material.

5. The customizable label as recited in claim 1 further comprising a scannable code or a readable tag.

6. The customizable label as recited in claim 5, wherein the readable tag is a RFID tag.

7. The customizable label as recited in claim 6, wherein the RFID tag is one of a HF tag or a UHF tag.

8. The customizable label as recited in claim 5, wherein the readable tag is readable or scannable by a smartphone.

9. The customizable label as recited in claim 1, wherein the removable coating is an opaque, UV ink material.

10. The customizable label as recited in claim 9, wherein the substrate is a lighter color than the opaque UV ink material.

11. The customizable label as recited in claim 1, wherein the scratching or abrading is performed by a tool.

12. A consumer product and label combination comprising: a consumer product container having an exterior surface; a label applied to the exterior surface via an adhesive, wherein the label comprises a substrate having a front surface and a rear surface; and a removable coating applied over at least a portion of the front surface.

13. The consumer product and label combination as recited in claim 12, wherein the removable coating is applied by one of a flood coating, a pattern coating, a spot coating or a combination thereof.

14. The consumer product and label combination as recited in claim 12, wherein the adhesive is applied on the rear surface of the label, opposite the removable coating.

15. The consumer product and label combination as recited in claim 14, wherein the adhesive is one of a removable adhesive, a permanent adhesive, a repositionable adhesive or a combination thereof.

16. The consumer product and label combination as recited in claim 12, wherein the front surface of the label has a first portion coated with the removable coating and a second portion having an instructional information or an advertising information.

17. The consumer product and label combination as recited in claim 16, wherein the second portion is provided with one of a reflective material or a fluorescent material.

18. The consumer product and label combination as recited in claim 17, wherein the reflective material is one of a prismatic material or a beaded reflective material.

19. The consumer product and label combination as recited in claim 12, wherein the removable coating is removed by one of a scratching or an abrading.

20. A personalized label for use with a consumer product, the personalized label comprising: a label comprised of a substrate having a lighter color and a removable coating applied over the substrate having a darker color; and an adhesive layer securing the label to the consumer product, wherein the adhesive is one of a removable adhesive, a repositionable adhesive or a permanent adhesive, and further wherein the removable coating is removed by one of scratching or abrading to create a personalized mark or reveal a pre-printed image.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0027] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the personal identification marking device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0028] FIG. 1B illustrates a further perspective view of a potential embodiment of the present invention showing a pattern coating of scratch off material in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of another potential embodiment of the personal identification label of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0030] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view showing an exemplary beverage container having an integrated label device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0031] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view showing another exemplary beverage container having a removably attached label device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing a user making a customized personal marking on the label of the present invention for identification of container of FIG. 3a in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the user making a customized personal marking on the label device of the present invention for identification of a container of FIG. 3B in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view showing a customized personal marking on the label of the present invention for identification of a smartphone cover in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0035] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0036] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a beverage container identification system that can easily eliminate misidentification of drinks at a party or other social event. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a personal identification device that uniquely identifies virtually any type of item such as, but not limited to water bottles, beverage bottles, cans and cups, single serve consumer product containers and other consumable products. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an identification label that can be used by a consumer as per their preference. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a personalized marking device that is cost-effective and easy to use, implement and install. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an identification system that eliminates accidental interchange of drinks and food products between people. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for an identification system that reduces the risk of cross-contamination due to accidental interchange of beverages or food products. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an identification device that can be used by both manufactures of beverages, food products and consumers for marking and identifying virtually any type of item.

[0037] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel identification label. The identification label is used to make personalized markings or to reveal an underlying message to identify personal items to avoid potential confusion with respect to ownership, use or control of the item. The label is removably attached to an exterior surface of an item for identifying the item having the identification label disposed thereon. The identification label further has a first side and a second side, with first side having a scratch-off blank surface, and the second side having an adhesive coating. A silver coated layer is disposed between the first side and the second side, and the scratch-off blank surface is configured to be scratched using a hard surface or an edge surface such as a fingernail, coin, key, or other desired item for placing a personalized marking or revealing a pre-printed image to identify an item on which the identification label is disposed and the scratch-off blank surface reveals the silver coated layer on being scratched.

[0038] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the personal identification mark device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed specification. The personal identification mark device 100 is designed as a device that can be removably attached by a user or permanently integrated onto the outer surface of a utensil, cup, tumbler, single service container and or any item by a manufacturer. More specifically, the device 100 is a small and portable scratch-off surface that can be scratched using a hard surface having an edge such as a fingernail, coin, keys, or other desired item for making a customized identifying mark or revealing a pre-printed image for identifying the item on which the device 100 is disposed.

[0039] The device 100 of the present embodiment has a substrate 101 with a front surface/side 102 and a rear surface/side 104 with an adhesive layer 207. The front side 102 is visually exposed to users and has an opaque scratch-off blank surface 106. The scratch-off blank surface 106 is configured to be easily scratched by a hard surface having an edge such as a fingernail, coin, key, or other desired item for making a personalized marking by a user or revealing pre-printed image or images, 111, 113, 115 and 117. Different pre-printed images can be provided such that if someone else at the social event has selected the same image, the user may remove another image creating a different indicator than the previous person. In addition, indica can be provided that resembles the mood of the individual or their like or dislike of the item they are consuming.

[0040] The rear surface 104 is adhered to an item on which the device 100 is disposed. The label device 100 can be adhered on an item during manufacturing of the item. The scratch-off blank surface 106 has UV-ink coating allowing a user to scratch the surface 106 for making a personalized marking. The UV coating may be applied by one of a flood coating, pattern coating, spot coating or combinations thereof. The UV-ink coating is selectively removed from the scratch-off blank surface 106 along the positions where the surface 106 is scratched by a user for creating a personalized identification marking or revealing a pre-printed image that can be used as an identification mark for the item. In addition, the coating can be applied only in pre-determined areas allows the remainder of the label to be used for instructional or advertising purposes as seen in FIG. 1B in which section 150 is coated with the scratch off material and section 155 is uncoated and portion 157 is provided with indicia or other information. The label may also be provided with a reflective material or fluorescent material 159 to draw the attention of others to the label to make them aware of the personalization or customization. The reflective material may be one of a prismatic or beaded film material.

[0041] The scratch-off blank surface 106 is configured to be scratched using a hard edge surface such as a fingernail, coin, key, or other desired item for selectively removing UV-ink coating and creating the personalized identification marking. The label 100 may also have one of a scannable or readable tag 119 which can be scanned or read by a smartphone 121 to enable a user to record the date and time of the consumption of the beverage or food product. The readable tag may be a RFID tag, which may be a UHF or HF readable tag.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of another potential embodiment of the personal identification label of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed specification. In the present embodiment, the label 200 has a multi-layer construction and an opaque scratch-off layer 202. The scratch-off layer 202 is removable to reveal an attached label layer 204. The label layer 204 becomes selectively visually exposed on scratching the layer 202, thus, providing a personalized marking on a container, package, pouch or the like on which the label device 200 is disposed. A third layer 206 is attached to the exterior surface of a container or any other item and can be integrated or removably attached to the exterior surface, such as through a permanent, removable or repositionable adhesive.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the scratch-off layer 202 is designed to be easily scratched or removed to reveal the label layer 204. Further, the scratch-off layer 202 has a dark color, preferably black and the label layer 204 has a lighter underlying tone, preferably a pastel color such as green, orange, cream, beige or others, thereby providing a contrast on the revealed label layer portion upon scratching the scratch-off layer 202. Preferably, the label layer 204 is a silver coated layer for providing smudge and smear resistant personal marking. Additionally, the label layer 204 may have phosphorescence properties allowing a user to easily identify the item even in low light or dark areas.

[0044] In cases where the label 200 is designed as an aftermarket product or as an accessory, then, the third layer 206 can be an adhesive layer for adhering the label device 200 on the exterior surface of a container or any other item. The adhesive may be selected from a permanent, removable, repositionable or combinations thereof.

[0045] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view showing an exemplary beverage container having an integrated label of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed specification. The container 300, here embodied as a water bottle, has an exterior surface 302 having the label 100 (or 200) affixed at a suitable position depending on the design of the container 300 and preference of manufacturer of the container 300. The scratch-off layer 106 of the label device 100 is accessible to a user and can be scratched or abraded to selectively create a personal marking which may include selectively revealing one or more pre-printed images for identification of the beverage container 300.

[0046] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view showing another exemplary beverage container having a removably attached label of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed specification. The container 304 here embodied as a juice pack, has an exterior surface 306 having the label 200 (or 100) affixed at a suitable position depending on design of the container 304 and preference of manufacturer of the container 304. In the present embodiment, a consumer affixes the label 200 on the exterior surface 306 of the container 304 using the adhesive layer of the label device. The scratch-off layer 202 of the label device 200 is accessible to a user and can be scratched or abraded to selectively create a personal marking for identification of the beverage container 304.

[0047] It should be appreciated that although the beverage containers are shown as a plastic water bottle and a juice can, any known beverage or food container, glass, jar, carton made from glass, wood, metal, plastic or any other material known to be used for making beverage or food containers can be used with the label devices of various embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing a user making a customized personal marking on the label of the present invention for identification of container FIG. 3a in accordance with the disclosed specification. As shown, the label device 100 (or 200) is affixed to the exterior surface 302 of the container 300. A user 400 selectively removes portions of the removable opaque scratch-off layer 106 to form a user-created personalized marking 402 or to reveal an underlying pre-printed image 111, 113, 115 and 117 in FIG. 1A. The scratch-off layer 106 can be removed by the user 400 with a hard edge such as a fingernail, a coin, keys, or other desired item. Further, as illustrated, the user 400 has customized the container 300 by scratching initials of the name, “CD.”

[0049] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the user making a customized personal marking on the label of the present invention for identification of container of FIG. 3B in accordance with the disclosed specification. As shown, the label 200 is affixed to the exterior surface 306 of the container 304. The user 400 selectively removes portions of the removable opaque scratch-off layer 202 selectively revealing a label layer to form a user-created personalized marking 502. The scratch-off layer 202 can be removed by the user 400 with a hard edge or other corner surface such as fingernail, a coin, key, or other desired item. Further, as illustrated, the user 400 has customized the container 304 by forming a smiley indicium.

[0050] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view showing a customized personal marking on the label of the present invention for identification of a smartphone cover in accordance with the disclosed specification. As shown, the label 200 is affixed to the rear surface 602 of the smartphone cover 600. Portions of the removable opaque scratch-off layer 202 are scratched to selectively reveal the label layer to form a user-created personalized marking 604. Further, as illustrated, the smartphone cover 602 is customized or personalized by forming a cross sign indicium. The device 100, 200 is also appropriate for, but not limited to, food storage bags and food take-out containers, and is both eco-friendly & environmentally friendly.

[0051] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “label device”, “identification label device”, “identification device”, “device”, and “personal identification marking device” are interchangeable and refer to the personal identification label device 100, 200 of the present invention.

[0052] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the personal identification label device 100,200 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the personal identification label device 100, 200 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the personal identification label device 100, 200 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the personal identification label device 100, 200 are important design parameters for user convenience, the personal identification label device 100, 200 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0053] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0054] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.