Label system for reusable containers and the like

Abstract

A method of labeling reusable containers is disclosed. A placard having a release coating on one side is adhesively secured to the container. The placard is transparent with instructional printing applied to one surface. Pressure-sensitive labels are placed on the exposed surface of the placard. The labels contain indicia relating to the status of the container. When the status of the container changes, the label is removed and a new label is substituted on the placard.

I claim:  
     
       1. A process for providing identifying information as to the contents of an object on such an object, the process comprising: 
       a) substantially permanently affixing a placard to one such object with a release coated surface of the placard oriented outwardly;  
       b) providing a first label bearing information related to a first set of object contents;  
       c) applying the first label to the placard by securing a pressure sensitive adhesive coating of the first label to the placard release coating;  
       d) at a selected one of a time prior to and a time subsequent to the first label applying step positioning a first contents set in the object;  
       e) removing the first contents set from the object and replacing it with a second contents set; and,  
       f) at a selected one of a time prior to and subsequent to the first set removal step removing the first label from the placard while leaving the placard affixed to the object and applying to the release coated surface of the placard a pressure sensitive surface of a second label bearing information related to contents of the second set.  
     
     
       2. The process of claim  1  wherein the step of removing the first label includes removing the pressure sensitive adhesive of the first label from the release coating. 
     
     
       3. The method according to claim  1 , wherein said placard is provided with a disposable liner having a release coating for covering the adhesive coated surface of said placard prior to attachment of said placard to the object. 
     
     
       4. A method of labeling and relabeling an object with replaceable pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed labels comprising: 
       a) providing a plurality of pressure sensitive adhesive coated labels having indicia printed thereon;  
       b) providing a placard having an adhesive coated surface and a release coated surface;  
       c) substantially permanently affixing the placard to the object by applying the adhesive coated surface of said placard to a surface of the object with the release coated surface oriented outward;  
       d) applying a first label to the placard by securing the pressure sensitive adhesive coating of the first label to the placard release coated surface;  
       e) at a selected one of a time prior to and subsequent to the first label applying step, positioning a first contents set in the object;  
       f) removing the first contents set from the object and replacing it with a second contents set; and  
       g) at a selected one of a time prior to and subsequent to the first set removal step, removing the first label by separating the pressure sensitive adhesive coating of the first label from the release coated surface of the placard while leaving the placard fully attached to the object and applying to the release coated surface of the placard a pressure sensitive adhesive coating of a second label having indicia related to the contents of the second set.  
     
     
       5. The method according to claim  4 , wherein said placard is provided with a disposable liner having a release coating for covering the adhesive coated surface of said placard prior to attachment of said placard to the object. 
     
     
       6. A process for providing identifying information as to the contents of a reusable object on such an object, the process comprising: 
         a )  providing an object having a placard substantially permanently affixed to said object with a release coated surface of the placard oriented outwardly of said object;    
         b )  providing a first label bearing information related to a first set of object contents;    
         c )  applying the first label to the placard by securing a pressure sensitive adhesive coating of the first label to the placard release coated surface;    
         d )  at a selected one of a time prior to and a time subsequent to applying the first label, placing a first contents set in the object;    
         e )  removing the first contents set from the object and replacing it with a second contents set; and,    
         f )  at a selected one of a time prior to and subsequent to removing the first set, removing the first label from the placard while leaving the placard affixed to the object, and applying to the placard release coated surface, a pressure sensitive surface of a second label bearing information related to the second contents set.   
     
     
       7. The process of claim  6  wherein the step of removing the first label includes removing the pressure sensitive adhesive of the first label from the placard release coating. 
     
     
       8. The method according to claim  6  including providing said object having said placard substantially affixed by providing said placard having a disposable liner with a release coating for covering a placard adhesive coated surface, and removing said disposable liner prior to affixing said placard to the object by means of said placard adhesive coated surface. 
     
     
       9. A method of using a reusable container for products by labeling and relabeling the container comprising: 
         a )  providing said reusable container having a placard substantially permanently affixed to said container by means of a placard adhesive coated surface of said placard pressure against the container, and with a placard release coating of said placard oriented outwardly of said container;    
         b )  inserting a first product into the container;    
         c )  at a selected one of a time prior to and a time subsequently to inserting said first product into said container, adhering a pressure sensitive adhesive coating of a first label bearing information about said first product to said placard release coating;    
         d )  removing the first product from the container;    
         e )  inserting another product into the container; and    
         f )  at a selected one of a time prior to or subsequent to inserting said another product into said container, removing the first label while leaving the placard affixed to the container, and thereafter adhering a pressure sensitive adhesive coating of a second label bearing second product information to the placard release coating.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim  9  including exposing the placard adhesive coated surface by removing a disposable backing liner having a release layer adhered to the placard adhesive coated surface prior to affixing said placard to said container.