Method and apparatus for carton label identification

Abstract

An open-top carton configured for stacking in a nested configuration with similar cartons includes at least one external surface on which an identifying label or indicia is provided. Marking indicia disposed on a surface of the carton facilitates rapid visual identification of the orientation of the label surface when the carton is standing alone and viewed from any angle, or when partially disposed within another carton in the stacked or nested configuration, obscuring direct visual inspection of the label.

1 . An improved carton having an open top and at least one external side surface on which a label is disposed, the improvement comprising: 
 marking indicia disposed at least adjacent an upper edge of the external side surface on which the label is disposed.    
   
   
       2 . The improved carton of  claim 1  wherein said marking indicia is further disposed on an upper edge of the external side surface on which the label is disposed.  
   
   
       3 . The improved carton of  claim 1  wherein said marking indicia is further disposed adjacent an upper edge of an internal side surface associated with the external side surface on which the label is disposed.  
   
   
       4 . The improved carton of  claim 3  wherein said marking indicia is continuous over an upper edge, from said external side surface to said internal side surface.  
   
   
       5 . The improved carton of  claim 1  wherein said marking indicia is further disposed partially along, and adjacent to, an upper edge associated with each external side surface adjacent the external side surface on which the label is disposed.  
   
   
       6 . The improved carton of  claim 5  wherein said marking indicia is disposed no more than halfway along, and adjacent to, said upper edge associated with each external side surface adjacent the external side surface on which the label is disposed.  
   
   
       7 . The improved carton of  claim 5  wherein said marking indicia is further disposed on a portion of said upper edge associated with each external side surface adjacent the external side surface on which the label is disposed.  
   
   
       8 . The improved carton of  claim 5  wherein said marking indicia is further disposed partially along, and adjacent to, an upper edge associated with each internal side surface adjacent the external side surface on which the label is disposed.  
   
   
       9 . The improved carton of  claim 1  wherein said marking indicia includes at least one contrasting mark.  
   
   
       10 . The improved carton of  claim 9  wherein said marking indicia includes a contrasting pattern of markings.  
   
   
       11 . The improved carton of  claim 1  wherein said marking indicia is selected from a set of visually distinct markings, said set including solid markings, contrasting pattern markings, and color markings.  
   
   
       12 . The improved carton of  claim 1  wherein said carton is configured for stacking partially within a second carton of similar configuration; and 
 wherein said marking indicia is externally visible on an exposed portion of the carton when in said stacked configuration.    
   
   
       13 . The improved carton of  claim 1  wherein said marking indicia is further disposed on said upper edge of the external side surface on which the label is disposed.  
   
   
       14 . An improved carton having an open top and at least one external side surface on which a label is disposed, the improvement comprising: 
 marking indicia disposed on at least a plurality of external side surfaces of the carton, said marking indicia configured to provide visual indication of the external side surface on which the label is disposed.    
   
   
       15 . The improved carton of  claim 14  wherein said marking indicia is further disposed on at least a plurality of internal side surfaces of the carton, said internal side surfaces associated with said plurality of external side surfaces on which said marking indicia is disposed.  
   
   
       16 . The improved carton of  claim 14  wherein said marking indicia is selected from a set of visually distinct markings, said set including solid markings, contrasting pattern markings, and color markings.  
   
   
       17 . The improved carton of  claim 14  wherein said marking indicia is configured to provide said visual indication of the external side surface on which the label is disposed from any observed orientation of the carton.