Article of manufacture with in-molded erasable and markable discrete surface structure and method of manufacture

Abstract

A molded article of manufacture has an article body and a discrete surface structure in-molded in a surface of the body. The discrete surface structure has an exposed surface that is repeatedly markable and erasable such that it can be marked with information and can be erased multiple times. The discrete surface structure is placed in a mold cavity and in-molded as a part of the article body with the erasable surface exposed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A molded article of manufacture comprising: 
 an article body; and    a discrete surface structure molded in a surface of the body and having an exposed markable surface,    wherein the exposed markable surface is an erasable surface that can be marked with information and that can be erased and re-marked multiple times.    
     
     
         2 . A molded article according to  claim 1 , wherein the article body is a storage container.  
     
     
         3 . A molded article according to  claim 2 , wherein the article body has a bottom panel and a continuous upstanding sidewall, and wherein the discrete surface structure is molded into an exterior surface of a portion of the sidewall.  
     
     
         4 . A molded article according to  claim 1 , wherein the article body is formed from a material selected from a group of materials comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, and polyethylene terephthalate.  
     
     
         5 . A molded article according to  claim 1 , wherein the discrete surface structure is a label.  
     
     
         6 . A molded article according to  claim 5 , wherein the exposed markable surface is a dry erasable coating adapted for use with dry erasable inks.  
     
     
         7 . A molded article according to  claim 5 , wherein the article body is a food storage container having a base and a removable lid, and wherein the label is molded into a surface of the base.  
     
     
         8 . A molded article according to  claim 5 , wherein the molded article further includes a removable lid, and wherein the label is molded into a surface of the lid.  
     
     
         9 . A molded article according to  claim 5 , wherein the article body is a plastic storage container having a base container and a lid, and wherein the label is molded into an exterior surface of either the base container or the lid.  
     
     
         10 . A method of making a molded article with an in-molded erasable and markable discrete surface structure, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a mold with a cavity defining an article body shape;    placing a selected discrete surface structure within the cavity such that a markable surface faces and is borne against a cavity surface;    introducing a molding material into the cavity to form the molded article; and    releasing the molded article from the cavity.    
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of holding the discrete surface structure in place after the step of placing.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of holding includes applying static electricity to at least a portion of the discrete surface structure to accomplish the step of holding.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of holding includes applying a vacuum to at least a portion of the discrete surface structure to accomplish the step of holding.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of holding further comprises forming a recessed region in the cavity surface placing the selected discrete surface structure within the recessed region.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of placing further comprises manually picking and placing the selected discrete surface structure within the cavity.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of placing further comprises picking and placing the selected discrete surface structure within the cavity utilizing an automated process.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of introducing further comprises introducing a molten plastic material into the cavity to form a plastic molded article.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of placing further comprises placing a selected label having a dry erase markable surface within the mold cavity.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of placing further comprises placing a multilayered dry erase label within the mold cavity.  
     
     
         20 . A label for a molded article of manufacture, the label comprising: 
 a label base material in-molded as part of the molded article; and    an exposed label surface on the molded article, wherein the exposed label surface is a dry erasable surface that can be repeatedly marked and erased with information.