PERSONALIZABLE AND ENTERTAINING LABEL FOR BOTTLES
20260087946 ยท 2026-03-26
Inventors
- Samir Abi-Atme (Princeton, NJ, US)
- Marina Abi-Atme (Princeton, NJ, US)
- Sophia Abi-Atme (Princeton, NJ, US)
- Beatrice Abi-Atme (Princeton, NJ, US)
- Athena Abi-Atme (Princeton, NJ, US)
Cpc classification
B65D23/085
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
G09F3/00
PHYSICS
B65D23/08
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A reversible label for use with a bottle is disclosed. The label includes a strip of flexible material having a personalized side and a commercial side. The personalized side may include an identifier portion, message portion, QR portion, or game portion. The commercial side may include commercial indicia, such as a logo, producer information, or contents information. A bottle-side strip of attachable material is provided at a second end of the strip for securing the label to the bottle. An opposed first end of the strip includes releasable strips of material on both the personalized side and the commercial side, enabling the strip to be reversibly wrapped around the bottle to selectively display either the personalized side or the commercial side.
Claims
1. A reversible label for a bottle, comprising: a strip of flexible material having a personalized side and a commercial side; a first end of the strip having a releasable attachment mechanism; a second end of the strip having an attachable material for fixed connection to the bottle; the strip being configured to reversibly wrap around an outer surface of the bottle to alternately expose one of the personalized side and the commercial side; and wherein at least one of the personalized side and the commercial side is configured as a blank writable surface or a surface bearing indicia.
2. The reversible label of claim 1, wherein the personalized side comprises an identifier portion configured to receive at least one of a user's name, address, phone number, or email address.
3. The reversible label of claim 1, wherein the personalized side comprises a message portion configured to record at least one of a number, phrase, poem, prayer, or other message.
4. The reversible label of claim 1, wherein the personalized side comprises a QR portion including a QR code.
5. The reversible label of claim 1, wherein the personalized side comprises a game portion including a pre-printed game.
6. The reversible label of claim 5, wherein the game portion comprises a tic-tac-toe board.
7. The reversible label of claim 5, wherein the game portion comprises a connect four game.
8. The reversible label of claim 1, wherein the flexible strip comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride, paper, and other polymers or plastics.
9. The reversible label of claim 1, wherein the releasable attachment mechanism comprises at least one of a weak adhesive and a hook-and-loop fastener material.
10. The reversible label of claim 1, wherein the bottle-side attachable material comprises at least one of a strong adhesive and a glue.
11. The reversible label of claim 1, wherein at least one side comprises indicia imparted by at least one of ink printing, laser printing, and embossing.
12. A method of using a reversible label attached to a bottle, the method comprising: releasing a first end of a flexible strip of the label from the bottle; reattaching the first end to secure the strip around the bottle.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein extending the strip exposes a QR code on the personalized side.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein extending the strip exposes a tic-tac-toe board on the personalized side.
15. A personalizable bottle system, comprising: a bottle having an outer surface; a strip of flexible material having a personalized side and a commercial side; a first end of the strip having a releasable attachment mechanism; a second end of the strip having an attachable material fixedly attached to the outer surface; and wherein the strip is configured to reversibly wrap around the outer surface to alternately expose one of the personalized side and the commercial side and the bottle together with the reversible label forms a personalizable water bottle.
16. The personalizable bottle system of claim 15, wherein the commercial side displays commercial indicia including a company logo.
17. The personalizable bottle system of claim 15, wherein the commercial side displays contents information including at least one of ingredients and calorie content.
18. The personalizable bottle system of claim 15, wherein the commercial side displays producer information including at least one of a physical address, an email address, and a phone number.
19. The personalizable bottle system of claim 15, wherein the personalized side includes a message portion with a pre-printed box and horizontal lines.
20. The personalizable bottle system of claim 19, wherein the personalized side includes a lucky number image located above the pre-printed box.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:
[0053]
[0054]
[0055]
[0056]
[0057]
[0058] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0059] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
[0060] Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a personalizable and entertaining, reversible label which can be attached to a bottle to aid a user in distinguishing the user's bottle from other user's bottles as well as providing a source of entertainment and a social aspect. In certain embodiments, the reversible label (100) may also present a blank, writable surface free of pre-printed designs to enable direct, user-supplied customization. In other embodiments, the label (100) may provide only commercial indicia, only personal indicia, or any combination thereof, thereby enabling a wide spectrum of uses ranging from brand marketing to individualized bottle ownership. In addition to personalization and entertainment, the reversible label (100) may further function as an information carrier, permitting medical, safety, or emergency contact information to be displayed. The reversible nature of the label (100) allows it to alternately serve as a commercial branding tool, a personal identifier, or a clean slate surface, depending on user or manufacturer preference.
[0061] Referring to
[0062] The reversible label 100 is particularly suited for use with a typical bottle 500 such as, for example, a flexible plastic water bottle. The reversible label 100 is provided for use on an outer surface 510 of a body portion 512 of the bottle 500. Generally, the body portion 512 of the bottle 500 has an open top end 514 covered by a removable cap 516 and a closed bottom end 518. More particularly, the reversible label 100 is reversibly wrappable around the body portion 512 of the bottle 500 and releasably attachable to the outer surface 510 of the body portion 512 of the bottle 500 to alternately display the personalized side 110 of the reversible label 100 and the commercial side 114 of the reversible label 100 as discussed hereinbelow. In certain embodiments, the reversible label 100 may instead or additionally be employed with a wide range of containers, including rigid reusable bottles, insulated bottles, collapsible bottles, sports drink bottles, baby bottles, medical solution bottles, and food storage containers. The outer surface 510 may be cylindrical, faceted, or irregular, and the flexible strip 112 may be configured to accommodate such variations. Furthermore, either side of the reversible label 100 may be displayed as a blank writable surface to allow the user to record content directly on the bottle 500 without pre-printed indicia. The reversible label 100 may also be dimensioned or fabricated to cover only a portion of the bottle 500, or to wrap circumferentially around its entirety, depending on design or marketing preferences.
[0063] With specific reference to
[0064] The personalized side 110 of the reversible label 100 may also include other personalization indicia 120 such as, for example, a personal message portion 124, a quick response code or QR portion 126 and a game portion 128. Other types of indicial portions in the form of personalization indicia 120 may also be provided such as, for example, a portion to add contact information of related parties such as family, doctors'names and phone numbers in case of emergency and the like. In further embodiments, the indicia 120 may be configured as blank fields intentionally devoid of pre-printed matter, thereby permitting later user customization or preserving a clean, undecorated aesthetic. The message portion 124 may be implemented with different writable technologies, including erasable surfaces, scratch-off coatings, or peel-and-replace stickers. The QR portion 126 may be substituted with other machine-readable or digital codes such as barcodes, RFID tags, or near-field communication (NFC) elements to facilitate electronic identification or smartphone interaction. The game portion 128 may include pre-printed or user-defined games, puzzles, or educational content, thereby enhancing the entertainment or social functionality of the reversible label 100. Additionally, the indicia 120 may be adapted to carry health-related data, safety warnings, or event-specific information (e.g., concert entry code, sporting team schedule), thereby broadening its application beyond casual personalization.
[0065] The personal message portion 124 on the personalized side 110 of the reversible label 100 provides a place for an owner to record a favorite number or numbers such as, for example, a luck number, birth dates, anniversary dates, and the like. The personal message portion 124 may also provide space for an owner to pre-record items such as, for example, an inspirational phrase, poem, prayer and the like or may be used on the spot to record other information such as, for example, other people's names and numbers, addresses, dates and the like. The personal message portion 124 may also be used to record a message to another person, for example the bottle owner may add a message such as, for example, Enjoy your day! and hand the unopened bottle to another person. This provides a positive social aspect to the reversible label 100. In additional embodiments, the message portion 124 may be configured as a blank writable surface free of pre-printed indicia, thereby offering maximum flexibility to the user. The message portion 124 may alternatively include structured prompts such as lined boxes, bullet points, or iconography to guide user input. The writable surface may further be treated with erasable or reusable coatings (e.g., dry-erase, chalkboard, or thermochromic layers) to allow temporary notes that can be updated or erased. The message portion 124 may also incorporate digital interaction features, such as a scannable QR code linking to a personalized video message, or an NFC chip storing a prerecorded greeting, thereby expanding the social and entertainment aspects. Moreover, the message portion 124 may serve functional purposes, such as recording health reminders, allergy alerts, hydration tracking, or dosage schedules, making the label suitable for both casual and medical applications.
[0066] The QR portion 126 on the personalized side 110 of the reversible label 100 may include an easily scannable QR code relating to the beverage brand web page. The game portion 128 on the personalized side 110 of the reversible label 100 is included to provide the owner of the bottle 500 a distraction or means to occupy time. The game portion 128 may include as simple or as complicated a game as desired by the owner. The game portion 128 may include a game played singly or with other people. In further embodiments, the QR portion 126 may instead or additionally include other machine-readable identifiers, such as barcodes, alphanumeric codes, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, or near-field communication (NFC) chips, thereby enabling both analog and digital interactions. The QR portion 126 may be printed, embossed, laser-etched, or otherwise imparted to the label 100, or it may be left blank to preserve design simplicity until customized later. The game portion 128 may include pre-printed games such as tic-tac-toe, crossword puzzles, mazes, or connect-four, or may be configured as a blank game field on which users can create their own games. The game portion 128 may further be interactive with electronic devices, such as by scanning a QR code or NFC chip that links to an app, digital challenge, or augmented reality feature. Additionally, the game portion 128 may be tailored for educational purposes, including language learning, math puzzles, or health trivia, thereby broadening the functionality beyond entertainment alone.
[0067] As noted above, the reversible label 100 has a releasable or first end 116 and an attachable or second end 118. The releasable or first end 116 of the strip of flexible material 112 of the reversible label 100 is provided to alternately and reversibly be attached back onto the strip of flexible material 112 so as to expose either the personalized side 110 of the reversible label 100 or the commercial side 114 of the reversible label 100. The first end 116 of the flexible strip of material 112 includes a first releasable attachment mechanism or first strip of releasable material 130 on the first or personalized side 110 of the flexible strip of material 112 and a second releasable attachment mechanism or second strip of releasable material 132 (
[0068] The attachable or second end 118 of the reversible label 100 is intended to be fixedly attached to the bottle 500. Thus, the second end 118 of the reversible strip of flexible material 112 of the reversible label 100 also has a connector or bottle side strip of attachable material 134 for fixedly attaching the second end 118 of the reversible label 100 to the bottle 500. In a particular embodiment, the bottle side strip of attachable material 134 is provided on the personalized side 110 of the second end 118 of the strip of flexible material 112 of the personalized label 100. In additional embodiments, the bottle side strip of attachable material 134 may comprise pressure-sensitive adhesives, heat-activated adhesives, cold-seal adhesives, ultrasonic bonding materials, or mechanical fasteners such as snaps or rivets. The attachment may be permanent, semi-permanent, or replaceable depending on manufacturer requirements. In some cases, the second end 118 may be fused directly into the material of the bottle 500 during the manufacturing process, such as by thermal bonding, molding-in, or lamination, thereby integrating the label into the bottle structure itself. Alternatively, the second end 118 may be designed to be removably fixed, allowing the label to be transferred from one bottle to another. In still other embodiments, the strip 134 may be applied to either the personalized side 110, the commercial side 114, or both, thereby enabling flexible attachment orientations. Furthermore, either side of the reversible label 100 exposed after attachment may be configured as a blank writable surface free of indicia, ensuring compatibility with both personalized and commercial applications.
[0069] With specific reference to
[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the ID portion 122 of the reversible label 100 includes an area defined by a pre-printed first box 150 on the personalized side 110 of the reversible label 100. The first box 150 provides a defined location for recording personal identification data. It should be noted that all pre-printed elements on the personalized and commercial sides 110 and 114, respectively, can be imparted to the respective sides by ink printing, laser printing, embossing, etc. In alternative embodiments, the first box 150 may be omitted entirely, leaving a blank writable surface for unrestricted personalization. The defined area may also be shaped in different geometric configurations (e.g., circles, ovals, icons, or stylized frames) to match branding or aesthetic preferences. The first box 150 may further incorporate structured guides, such as lined fields, shaded regions, or icons, to assist users in entering identification information. The first box 150 may additionally be enhanced with special coatings, including erasable films, scratch-off layers, holographic overlays, or protective laminates, to increase durability and prevent tampering. In still other embodiments, the ID portion 122 may be digitally interactive, comprising a machine-readable code, RFID tag, or NFC element embedded within or adjacent to the first box 150, thereby linking the label to electronic identification or verification systems.
[0071] The message portion 124 on the personalized side 110 of the reversible label 100 may include a pre-printed second box 152 having a lucky number or lucky # image 154 located above the second box 152 and pre-printed horizontal lines 156 located within the second box 152. As noted above, the message portion 124 gives the bottle owner a place to record non-identifying subject matter. In certain embodiments, the second box 152 and associated graphics may be omitted, thereby leaving a blank writable surface to maximize user flexibility. Alternatively, the message portion 124 may include different types of prompts or symbolic cues, such as inspirational icons, affirmations, or customizable stickers. The pre-printed horizontal lines 156 may be replaced with dotted lines, grids, or shaded areas to accommodate handwriting, sketches, or drawings. The message portion 124 may also be configured with erasable or reusable coatings, allowing messages to be removed and rewritten repeatedly. In further embodiments, the lucky number image 154 may be replaced or supplemented by other personalization symbols, such as astrological signs, motivational quotes, or cultural icons, depending on market preferences. Moreover, the message portion 124 may incorporate digital enhancements, such as scannable codes or NFC elements linking to a user's digital note, playlist, or motivational message.
[0072] The QR portion on the personalized side 110 of the reversible label 100 may include a pre-printed QR code 160. The QR code 160 may relate to the characteristics of the bottle 500 or may be chosen to direct the user to other matters as described hereinabove. Alternatively, the pre-printed QR code 160 can relate to a game or prize associated with the bottle 500. In certain embodiments, the QR portion may instead be provided as a blank writable surface until a code is later applied by the user or manufacturer. The QR code 160 may also be dynamic, comprising variable or erasable printing technologies (e.g., thermochromic, photochromic, or e-ink) that allow the displayed code to change over time. In addition to QR codes, the portion may accommodate other machine-readable technologies, including barcodes, matrix codes, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, or near-field communication (NFC) elements. The QR portion may further serve commercial and functional purposes, such as linking to product authentication sites, nutritional or safety databases, promotional offers, or refill/recycling instructions. In further embodiments, the QR code 160 or equivalent identifier may be customized per user, linking to personal webpages, social media accounts, or cloud-based storage, thereby expanding its social and entertainment value.
[0073] The game portion 128 on the personalized side 110 of the reversible label 100 may include a pre-printed game such as, for example a pre-printed tic-tac-toe board 170. The owner of the bottle 500 may use the tic-tac-toe board 170 to while away the time with another person. While not specifically shown, other games such as, for example, connect four and the like may also be pre-printed in the game portion 128 of the reversible label 100. In alternative embodiments, the game portion 128 may instead be provided as a blank writable field to allow the user to create custom games or activities, thereby increasing reusability and personalization. The game portion 128 may also comprise educational content such as arithmetic problems, vocabulary puzzles, or science trivia, broadening functionality beyond entertainment. In further embodiments, the game portion 128 may incorporate interactive digital elements such as QR codes, NFC tags, or augmented reality markers that link to mobile or web-based games. Still other embodiments may include erasable or reusable surfaces (e.g., dry-erase, chalkboard, or scratch-off coatings), thereby permitting multiple rounds of play without replacement. Additionally, the game portion 128 may be tailored to social interaction or health promotion, such as hydration challenges, team-building prompts, or collaborative puzzles, thereby positioning the reversible label 100 for both recreational and functional uses.
[0074] The strip of flexible material 112 comprising the reversible label 100 may be formed from a variety of flexible materials such as, for example, polymers, like polyvinylchloride, paper, other polymers or plastics, etc. The material chosen for manufacturing the reversible label 100 should be such that it readily accepts marking from a variety of sources such as, for example, ink, gel or grease pens, pencils, crayons, or even scratch off, etc. Also, the material could be made in such a manner that the actual water or beverage contained in the bottle could be used as a marking source. The strip of flexible material 112 may also be formed from a single or a variety of colors, images, patterns, etc. In alternative embodiments, the flexible material 112 may include biodegradable or compostable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) or starch-based films, thereby enhancing environmental sustainability. The material may also be formed from recyclable composites or laminated fabrics for durability in reusable bottles. In still further embodiments, the strip 112 may incorporate erasable or rewritable coatings such as dry-erase laminates, thermochromic films, or chalkboard-type finishes, enabling repeated customization. The flexible material 112 may also be embedded with digital functionality such as conductive inks, RFID threads, or near-field communication (NFC) circuits, thereby allowing the label to interact electronically with external devices. Additionally, the strip may be textured or embossed to provide tactile features for visually impaired users, further broadening the inclusivity of the reversible label 100. Moreover, the color and patterning of the material may be user-modifiable, such as through peel-and-stick overlays, scratch-off layers, or erasable dyes.
[0075] The first and second releasable strips of material 130 and 132 on the personalized and commercial sides 110 and 114, respectively, at the first end 116 of the strip of flexible material 112 of the reversible label 100 may be formed from a variety of easily releasable materials. Such materials may include weak adhesives, hook and loop fastener material and the like. The bottle side strip of attachable material 124 at the second end 118 of the strip of flexible material 112 is formed from a more permanent and stronger holding material such as, for example, strong adhesives, glues, etc. The bottle side strip of attachable material 124 may be formed from the types of adhesives commonly used by manufactures in attaching labels to bottles. Alternatively, the bottle side strip of attachable material 124 may be fused or otherwise permanently affixed to the outer surface 510 of the bottle 500. In further embodiments, the releasable strips 130, 132 may be configured using magnetic fasteners, reusable pressure-sensitive adhesives, or micro-suction films to allow repeated opening and closing cycles without degradation. The releasable connection may also incorporate mechanical interlocks such as snaps, clips, or sliding tracks for improved durability in rugged environments. The bottle side strip of attachable material 124 may additionally include heat-activated adhesives, ultrasonic welding films, cold-seal adhesives, or molded-in fasteners to integrate the label into the bottle during manufacture. In still other embodiments, the releasable strips 130, 132 and the bottle-side strip 124 may be made from biodegradable or recyclable adhesive systems to promote environmental sustainability. Furthermore, either the releasable strips or the bottle-side strip 124 may be provided in a configuration that leaves portions of sides 110, 114 as blank writable surfaces, ensuring that attachment functionality does not limit user personalization or commercial display options.
[0076] Turning now to
[0077] To reverse the reversible label 100 on the bottle 500 and expose the personalized side 110 of the reversible label 100 for viewing identification information, marking, playing games and the like, the first end 116 of the strip of flexible material 112 is grasped by the owner and the first end 116 pulled away from the outer surface 510 of the bottle 500 to release the first releasable strip of material 130 from the strip of flexible material 112. The first end 116 is pulled in the direction of arrow A. In certain embodiments, the release of strip 130 may be facilitated by ergonomic design features such as textured grips, pull tabs, or extended flanges that simplify user handling. The detachment process may also be assisted by magnetic or micro-suction systems, which allow repeated reversals without adhesive degradation. In further embodiments, the personalized side 110 revealed upon reversal may be configured as a blank writable surface, ensuring adaptability for users who prefer undecorated labels. Alternatively, the exposed side may present educational, medical, or safety indicia such as dosage reminders, allergy alerts, or hydration tracking fields. The reversal action itself may further serve as an interactive feature, for example, revealing a hidden message, code, or image when the label is flipped, thereby increasing both entertainment and functional value.
[0078] As best shown in
[0079] In order to fully reverse the reversible label 100 and expose the personalized side 110 of the reversible label 100, the reversible label 100 is pulled in the direction of arrows C (
[0080] As shown in
[0081] While not specifically shown, it should be noted that the procedure may be reversed again pulling the first end 116 of the strip of flexible material 112 such that the second releasable strip of material 132 is pulled free of the strip of flexible material 112. The reversible label 110 can then be wrapped in reverse around the bottle 500 to again expose the commercial side 114 and thus the logo 142 (
[0082] Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. It should further be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are not mutually exclusive and may be combined as a whole or in part to achieve additional variations of the reversible label 100. Unless otherwise expressly stated, features described in connection with one embodiment may be applied equally to other embodiments. The invention expressly encompasses blank, undecorated, or unmarked label surfaces as well as surfaces bearing indicia, commercial content, or personalization. The invention also expressly covers future-developed attachment technologies, digital identification systems, or material compositions that provide equivalent functionality. Furthermore, references to particular materials, attachment methods, indicia types, or digital systems should not be construed as limiting, as the invention is intended to encompass all functional equivalents, foreseeable substitutions, and legally permissible extensions thereof.