Labeling assembly

Abstract

A labeling assembly and method of using same for releasably supporting a label and identifying a feature of an object upon which the labeling assembly is adapted for installation. The labeling assembly includes a protective layer having a release surface for releasably supporting the label and an information storage device located adjacent to a contacting surface of the protective layer such that the information storage device is disposed between the protective layer and the object when the labeling assembly is installed on the object. The information storage device is adapted for transmitting a signal comprising information. The method of the present invention includes using the labeling assembly for releasably supporting a label and identifying a feature of an object upon which the labeling assembly is adapted for installation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A labeling assembly for releasably supporting a label and identifying a feature of an object upon which the labeling assembly is adapted for installation, the labeling assembly comprising: 
 a protective layer having a release surface for releasably supporting the label; and    an information storage device located adjacent to a contacting surface of the protective layer such that the information storage device is disposed between the protective layer and the object when the labeling assembly is installed on the object,    wherein the information storage device is adapted for transmitting a signal comprising information related to the feature of the object.    
     
     
         2 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 1  further comprising visual indicia that is viewable through the release surface of the protective layer.  
     
     
         3 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 1  further comprising an insulator secured to the protective layer by an adhesive, wherein the information storage device is disposed between the protective layer and the insulator.  
     
     
         4 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 3  further comprising an adhesive layer disposed on a surface of the insulator to install the labeling assembly on the object, wherein the adhesive layer is protected by a liner that is removed prior to installation of the labeling assembly.  
     
     
         5 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective layer is formed from a polyester material.  
     
     
         6 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the information storage device is a radio frequency identification tag that communicates with a radio frequency transceiver via a radio frequency electromagnetic signal.  
     
     
         7 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective layer comprises an adhesive disposed on the contacting surface to install the labeling assembly on the object about the information storage device.  
     
     
         8 . A labeling assembly for releasably supporting a label and identifying a feature of an object upon which the labeling assembly is adapted for installation, the labeling assembly comprising: 
 an insulator to be placed adjacent to a surface of the object when the labeling assembly is installed on the object;    a protective layer having a release surface for releasably supporting the label;    an information storage device disposed between the insulator and the protective layer,    wherein the information storage device is adapted for transmitting information via an electromagnetic signal.    
     
     
         9 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 8  further comprising visual indicia viewable through the protective layer providing information pertaining to the information storage device.  
     
     
         10 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 8  further comprising visual indicia viewable through the protective layer providing instructional information for the application of the label.  
     
     
         11 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the visual indicia is printed on a surface of the insulator and is viewable through a transparent portion of the protective layer.  
     
     
         12 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the visual indicia is printed on a surface of the protective layer.  
     
     
         13 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the visual indicia is printed on a surface of the identifying structure and is viewable through a transparent portion of the protective layer.  
     
     
         14 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the insulator is formed from a dielectric material to electrically insulate the identifying structure from the object.  
     
     
         15 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 8  further comprising an adhesive coupling the protective layer to the insulator.  
     
     
         16 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 8  further comprising a fastener comprising one or both of an aperture and an adhesive.  
     
     
         17 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the identifying structure is a radio frequency identification tag for storing feature information transmitted to it by a radio frequency signal transmitting device, the feature information being readable by a radio frequency signal receiving device.  
     
     
         18 . The labeling assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the identifying structure is programmable with each use of the labeling assembly.  
     
     
         19 . A method for providing visible identifying information and other information as to a feature of an object on the object, the method comprising: 
 substantially permanently affixing a labeling assembly to the object with a release surface of the assembly oriented outwardly and an information storing structure disposed between the release surface and the object;    providing information pertaining to the feature on a label;    applying the label to the assembly by securing a pressure sensitive adhesive coating of the label to the release surface of the assembly; and    transmitting the other information to the information storing structure via a signal transmitted from an information transmitting device, the other information being accessible with an information receiving device when identification of the other information is desired.    
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the labeling assembly includes visual indicia viewable through the release surface of the labeling assembly.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the information storing structure is a radio frequency identification tag that is programmable with information pertaining to a feature for each successive use of the object.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the visible identifying information and the other information pertain to articles disposed within the object, the object forming a container.  
     
     
         23 . A method for providing visible identifying information and other information as to a feature of a reusable object on the reusable object, the method comprising: 
 substantially permanently affixing a labeling assembly to the reusable object with a release surface of the labeling assembly oriented outwardly;    providing visible identifying information pertaining to the feature on a first label;    applying the first label to the assembly by securing a pressure sensitive adhesive coating of the first label to the release surface of the assembly;    transmitting the other information to the information storing structure via a signal transmitted from an information transmitting device, the other information being accessible with an information receiving device when retrieval of the other information is desired;    at a time when a change of the feature of the reusable object is desired, removing the first label from the assembly while leaving the assembly affixed to the object, and applying to the assembly release surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive coating of a second label bearing information reflecting the change of the feature of the reusable object.    
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23  further comprising the step of transmitting other information reflecting the change of the feature to the information storing structure via a second signal transmitted from the information transmitting device, the other information being accessible by the information receiving device when retrieval of the other information is desired.