WO1996018128A1

WO1996018128A1 - Method and apparatus for marking eyewear

Info

Publication number: WO1996018128A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/016188
Authority: WO
Inventors: David G. Leben
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-12-08
Filing date: 1995-12-08
Publication date: 1996-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 1997-06-08
Also published as: AU4738796A

Abstract

A transparent film is releasably attached to the front surface of a planar label containing identifying indicia so that the film extends beyond the perimeter of the label to form a pair of tabs. These tabs may be grasped to accurately maneuver the label to a desired position on the eyewear. The back surface of the label comprises an adhesive material so that an attaching force may be affected between the label and the eyewear that is greater than the attaching force between the label and the film. Upon engaging the adhesive surface of the label against the eyewear, the film may be detached from the label without compromising the integrity of the bond between the label and the eyewear.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING EYEWEAR

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for marking eyewear and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for labeling the eyewear with identifying indicia.

Eyewear has become increasingly popular recently, and it is not uncommon for one person to own several different types of eyewear. Although sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses have been prevalent for some time, many consumers are now purchasing more sophisticated eyeglasses with expensive enhancements and features. For example, prescription eyeglass lenses are available that are significantly lighter and thinner than conventional lenses, and these lenses may be coated to block ultraviolet rays and resist scratches. Furthermore, specialty lenses may be purchased in conjunction with fashion and designer frames. Thus, eyewear has become a significant investment for many consumers.

Despite the substantial time and expense involved in replacing lost or misplaced eyewear, there has not been a convenient means available for consumers to mark their eyewear with identifying indicia. Clearly, lost or misplaced eyewear is more likely to be promptly returned to its rightful owner if it bears the owner's name and telephone number. Perhaps marking eyewear such as sunglasses or sports glasses would also serve as a theft deterrent to some extent. Accordingly, it would be desirable to mark the temple piece of the eyewear with indicia identifying the owner so that the indicia is inconspicuous while the eyewear is being worn and conspicuous when the eyewear is being inspected.

A known method of marking eyewear is to engrave identifying indicia into the eyewear. However, engraving services are not widely available and typically require the owner to leave the eyewear with an engraver for some period of time during which the owner is without the use of the eyewear. Moreover, engraved indicia is most difficult to modify or remove if, for example, the owner's telephone number changes. It is also possible that owners of eyewear might attempt to apply their own label containing identifying indicia onto the eyewear (e.g., a return address label). However, it is most desirable to provide an inconspicuous label that is small enough to fit onto a small substrate such as the inner surface of a temple piece on a pair of eyeglasses. If the label is not properly aligned, it may be aesthetically displeasing and more likely to wear off or come loose. Further, the adhesive on the label may not be suited for permanent adhesion to metal or plastic eyeglass frames, and the printing on many labels will smear or wear off after a short time.

The present invention provides a new method and apparatus that overcome the problems and inconveniences associated with conventional methods of marking eyewear. The advantages of the present invention may be appreciated by using a transparent film to position a preprinted label in a desired location on the eyewear and by permanently adhering the label thereto. An important aspect of the present invention is the selection of an appropriate adhesive for permanently adhering the label to the eyewear and the selection of an appropriate film that is releasably attached to the label and used to position the label on the eyewear. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a method for labeling eyewear wherein the label is positioned at a desired location on the eyewear by maneuvering a transparent film attached to the label. A related object of the present invention is to provide a method for more accurately positioning the label in the desired location by viewing the eyewear through the transparent film.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus for marking eyewear, including a planar label, a transparent film and means for effecting an attaching force between the film and the label that is less than the attaching force between the label and the substrate on the eyewear. To accomplish these and other related objects of the invention, a method for labeling eyewear is provided that involves applying a transparent film over a planar label so that the film extends beyond the perimeter of the label to form a pair of tabs, attaching the film to the label, positioning the label on the eyewear by maneuvering the film with the attached label to a desired position on the eyewear by holding the tabs, attaching the label in a desired position by engaging the adhesive substance on the back of the label against the eyewear to effect an attaching force between the label and the eyewear surface which is greater than the attaching force between the film and the label and detaching the film from the label by pulling the film after the label is attached to the eyewear. In another aspect, an apparatus for marking eyewear is provided that includes a planar label, a transparent film and means for effecting an attaching force between the film and the label that is less than the attaching force effected by the adhesive material between the label and the substrate.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views: Fig. 1 is a fractional perspective view of a pair of eyeglasses that is marked in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of a label for marking eyewear in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the label taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the label including an adhesive layer and showing a partially detached carrier below the adhesive layer; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view showing the step of applying the transparent film to the front surface of the label;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the film attached to the front surface of the label wherein the label is being removed from the carrier;

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the transparent film attached to the front of the label;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the label of Fig. 7 being positioned on the temple piece of the eyewear with phantom lines showing a desired position on the eyewear;

Fig. 9 is a partial plan view of the label, film, and temple piece of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the label being secured to the temple piece while the transparent film is being detached from the label; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the label permanently attached to the temple piece in accordance with the present invention. Referring now to the drawings in greater detail and initially to Fig. 1, eyewear 10 is shown having a front frame member 12 and an elongated stem or temple piece 14 extending outwardly from the member 12. Stem 14 has an inner surface or substrate 16 onto which a planar label 18 may be affixed in accordance with the method of the present invention.

The exemplary label 18 shown in Fig. 2 presents "JOHN DOE 555-0001" as identifying indicia 20. Typically, the indicia 20 will include information sufficient to enable someone to identify and contact the individual who owns and wears the marked eyewear, such as by providing a name and a telephone number. This is particularly the case for personal eyewear such as prescription glasses, sunglasses and reading glasses. Alternatively, an entity such as a corporation or university may want to mark eyewear it provides for various activities. For example, protective eyewear provided for use in a corporation's chemical laboratory may be worn by many different individuals and might therefore be marked with indicia identifying the corporation or someone within the corporation who is responsible for the eyewear. Another application of the present invention might involve marking certain sports and recreational equipment (e.g., racquetball eyewear) . Thus, indicia 20 may include a name, address, telephone number or any other identifying information deemed appropriate for the particular type of eyewear to be marked. Figs. 3 and 4 depict an upper layer 22 of label

18 integral with a lower layer 24 of label 18 resting on carrier 26 in a storage position. Upper layer 22 has a front surface 28 on which indicia 20 is presented. Lower layer 24 comprises an adhesive and presents a back surface 30. Carrier 26 presents a slick upper surface 32 that is compatible with adhesive surface 30 so that label 18 may be stored on carrier 26 (as shown in Fig. 3) and so that carrier 26 may be conveniently removed from label 18 (as shown in Fig. 4) just prior to marking the eyewear. In Fig. 5, a transparent film 34 is applied to front surface 28 for use as a positioning tool for marking eyewear 10. Preferably, film 34 is applied evenly over front surface 28 to form a pair of tabs 36 that extend beyond the perimeter of label 18, as shown in Fig. 6. Film 34 may extend beyond label 18 around the entire perimeter of label 18 to afford optimal control in positioning label 18 on eyewear 10. However, the advantages of the present invention may still be achieved whenever film 34 extends beyond the perimeter of label 18 at two different locations to form tabs 36.

In a preferred embodiment, a material is selected for film 34 that has an inherent clinging characteristic that will cause it to cling to label 18. It has been found that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film is such a material. This unusual quality of film 34 is believed to be the result of an electrostatic attraction between film 34 and label 18. In an alternative embodiment, film 34 may comprise a transparent tape with an adhesive underside for attaching film 34 to label 18. In either embodiment, the attaching force between film 34 and label 18 should be strong enough to allow for the removal of carrier 26 from label 18, but it should be a lesser force than the attaching force between label 18 and temple piece 14. Once film 34 is attached to front surface 28, label 18 may be removed from carrier 26 by pulling at least one of the tabs 36 in the direction opposite carrier 26 (shown in Fig. 6) or by peeling carrier 26 off of label 18 (shown in Fig. 4) . Figs. 7-10 illustrate a preferred method of applying label 18 to eyewear 10. One of the advantages of the present invention may be achieved by holding film 34 with attached label 18 as shown in Fig. 7. As such, the entire label 18 may be viewed in relationship to eyewear 10 as it is moved toward a desired position 38 thereon. Position 38 merely represents a typical desired position on the eyewear since the actual desired position may be different each time. It is particularly desirable for the person positioning label 18 to be able to view temple piece 14 through film 34 just beyond the perimeter of label 18. Thus, each of the tabs 36 are preferably of sufficient length to accommodate the grasp of a thumb and forefinger (Figs. 7 and 8) and still provide a small area for visual inspection of the portion of substrate 16 immediately adjacent to desired position 38.

Even if tabs 36 do not allow for visual inspection of temple piece 14 , Fig. 9 demonstrates a further advantage of the present invention which facilitates uniform application of back surface 30 to temple piece 14 by guiding film 34 toward the desired position 38 and manipulating tabs 36 as necessary for successful placement of label 18 onto eyewear 10. In other words, the present invention further ensures the integrity of the bond between label 18 and eyewear 10 by utilizing film 34 to maintain label 18 in an extended state as it is applied to eyewear 10 to maximize the initial surface contact between adhesive surface 30 and substrate 16. Without tabs 36, it would be much more difficult to apply label 18 to a substrate uniformly, so the label 18 would likely be creased or uneven.

After label 18 is properly positioned, it is attached in desired position 38 by engaging adhesive surface 30 against substrate 16 to effect an attaching force between label 18 and temple piece 14 which is greater than the attaching force between film 34 and label 18. Surface 30 may be indirectly engaged against the eyewear by applying finger pressure to film 34. Additionally, direct pressure may be applied to label 18 against temple piece 14 upon removing film 34 from front surface 28. Fig. 10 illustrates the preferred step of applying pressure along the planar label 18 after removing film 34 to maximize the bond between label 18 and temple piece 14. Fig. 11 depicts label 18 after it is attached to temple piece 14 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It can be seen that indicia 20 would be both legible and conspicuous to anyone inspecting temple piece 14, but indicia 20 would be inconspicuous while eyewear 10 is being worn.

From a commercial standpoint, it is important to provide consumers with a means to practice the present invention that is more convenient than leaving their eyewear with an engraver for an extended period of time. To this end, a service may be provided to consumers that includes distributing order forms, receiving orders through the mail or over the telephone, processing orders and shipping each processed order through the mail to the appropriate customer. Preferably, order forms will be distributed through the mail and will also be available wherever consumers might purchase or service eyewear. The order form may contain a chart or template that aids the customer in determining the appropriate label size by comparing the relevant portion of the frame to the template. Also, the customer should specify the particular identifying indicia that will appear on the label. Then, the customer may place the order with the service provider using the telephone number or address on the order form.

The service provider will be responsible for obtaining the appropriate materials for label 18. Upper layer 22 of label 18 may be any suitable material, such as paper or vinyl, that is capable of retaining indicia thereon and that may be attached to film 34 in a preselected manner (e.g., by static electricity or adhesion) . Vinyl is presently the preferred material for upper layer 22 because of its durability and the desirable manner in which it forms to eyewear 10. Lower layer 24 is an adhesive material that should be capable of permanently adhering to various eyewear surfaces, primarily plastic and metal temple pieces 14. In the context of lower layer 24, "permanently" adhering label 18 to eyewear 10 refers to a bond that should remain in place indefinitely if exposed to normal wear and tear. However, this "permanent" bond may be compromised without damaging the eyewear such as by grinding the label from the eyewear. Additionally, it is desirable to select an adhesive that may be conveniently removed from a carrier strip 26 having a non-adhesive upper surface 32 such as a teflon material. There are a number of available adhesives known to those skilled in the art which would satisfy these requirements for lower layer 2 . However, one particular adhesive, "467MP", which is commercially available from the Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company (3M) of St. Paul, Minnesota, is the presently preferred material for lower layer 24 because it has been found to exhibit adhesion characteristics that exceed the minimum requirements set forth above. The 467MP product is a member of 3M's "A-30" Acrylic Adhesive Family.

Likewise, the service provider will obtain a suitable material for film 34. This material should be easy to grasp along its perimeter and capable of being releasably attached to front surface 28 in a predetermined manner. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined manner of attaching film 34 to label 18 is to take advantage of the intrinsic property of certain materials to cling (e.g. , by static electricity) to a number of other materials. Accordingly, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film is presently the preferred material for film 34 because of its tendency to cling to materials such as paper and vinyl. Other materials having a strong tendency to cling, such as polyvinylidene chloride (or saran) , are known to those skilled in the art. It has been found that the use of a PVC film 34 having a thickness of two mils obtains optimal results when applied to a vinyl label 18. This preferred combination of materials permits film 34 to carry label 18 while remaining easily removable therefrom, and thereafter film 34 is preferably reusable.

The service provider may also prepare each order for shipping. This may include printing the indicia on a vinyl sheet, sandwiching an adhesive sheet between the vinyl sheet and a carrier sheet and individually cutting a label coupled with a carrier from the sheets so as to resemble the label and carrier shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Alternatively, a plurality of labels may be provided on a single carrier sheet. At least one transparent film that will extend beyond the perimeter of each label is provided to the customer for positioning the label(s) on the eyewear. It is important to attach the label to a clean surface on the eyewear, so an alcohol cleaning pad and simple directions may also be provided with the order for the customer's convenience.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the term "labels" as used herein refers to labels, stickers, decals and other similar items. The term "transparent" is used to describe a film that permits a person to view the eyewear somewhat clearly therethrough, so a translucent or partially transparent film is encompassed by the term "transparent" as used herein.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advan¬ tages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

Having thus described the invention, I claim: 1. A method for labeling eyewear, said method comprising: providing a generally planar label defined by a perimeter and having front and back surfaces, the back surface presenting an adhesive substance and the front surface having identifying indicia displayed thereon; applying a transparent film over the label front surface so that the film extends beyond the perimeter of the label to form a pair of tabs extending outwardly from said perimeter; attaching the film to the label; positioning the label on the eyewear by maneuvering the film with the attached label to a desired position on the eyewear by holding the tabs; attaching the label in said desired position by engaging the adhesive substance against the eyewear to effect an attaching force between the label and the eyewear which is greater than the attaching force between the film and the label; and detaching the film from the label by pulling the film after the label is attached to the eyewear.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the film is attached to the label by an electrostatic force.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the film is a polyvinyl chloride material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the film is attached to the label by adhesion.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the film is a tape having an adhesive underside.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired position on the eyewear is an inner surface of a temple piece.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising cleaning the desired position on the eyewear prior to said positioning step.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said positioning step further includes viewing the eyewear through the transparent film.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive substance presented by the back surface of the label is 467MP.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the label by indicating the label size and specifying the identifying indicia for that label prior to said providing step.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said selecting step further comprises determining the label size by comparing the desired position on the eyewear to a reference template prior to said providing step.

12. An apparatus for marking eyewear wherein the eyewear has at least one substrate, said apparatus comprising: a generally planar label defined by a perimeter and having front and back surfaces, the front surface displaying identifying indicia and the back surface presenting an adhesive material adapted to effect an attaching force between the label and a substrate; a transparent film disposed on the label front surface so that the film extends beyond the perimeter of the label to form a pair of tabs extending outwardly from said perimeter; and means for effecting an attaching force between the film and the label that is less than the attaching force effected by the adhesive material between the label and the substrate.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the front surface of said label is vinyl.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the adhesive material presented by the back surface of said label is 467MP.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said effecting means includes the use of a polyvinyl chloride material for said film, whereby the attaching force between said film and said label is effected without using an adhesive material.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said film has an adhesive underside.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said effecting means includes the adhesive underside of said film.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a carrier having a non-adhesive upper surface coupled to the back surface of said label, said carrier being adapted to be separated from said label prior to attaching said label to the substrate.