Parcel shipping methods

• US 7,013,589 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2002
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EGGS Overnight, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kent H. Dickinson
• Inventors: Dickinson, Kent H., Henson, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): DAVIS, CASSANDRA HOPE
• Application Number:
  US10/298,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20030141976A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 403/12, 403/13, 406/30, 405/94, 156/247, 156/249, 156/226, 156/227
• US Class Current: 40/312
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/06 permitting easy separation
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/06 Arrangements on packages concerning bar-codes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00037 Bundles surrounded by carton blanks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00043 Intermediate plates or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00055 Clapping elements, also placed on the side
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00111 Arrangements of flexible binders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/004 Information or decoration elements, e.g. level indicators, detachable tabs or coupons
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/25 Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4233 Cards, coupons, labels or the like formed separately from the container or lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/0096 the dimensions of the supports corresponding to the periphery of the load, e.g. pallets
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/03 Wrappers or envelopes with shock-absorbing properties, e.g. bubble films for thermal insulating purposes B65D81/3888
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0288 Labels or tickets consisting of more than one part, e.g. with address of sender or other reference on separate section to main label; Multi-copy labels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10

Abstract

A reusable labeling construction, and container incorporating the same to permit parcel shipment comprises a removable label and a label panel. The removable label includes strip material for receiving information corresponding to an address of an intended recipient and an adhesive layer. The label panel is adapted to be supported by the container body and includes a transparent surface portion formed of a material to which the adhesive will adhere sufficiently to retain the label on the transparent surface portion during shipment, yet from which it may be removed without tearing the strip material. A methodology of shipping parcels is also provided which contemplates preparation of a shipping package having such a reusable labeling construction.

Claims

1. A method of shipping a parcel from a shipper located at a origin location to an intended recipient located at destination location, comprising:

a. at the origin location and in any order;

i. creating a shipping package by packaging the parcel to be shipped in an individual reusable container that includes;

1. a closable container body having an interior and a mouth communicating with the interior;

2. a label panel including

a. owner address indicia corresponding to an address for an owner of the container, and

b. an exposed transparent surface portion overlaying the owner address indicia so that the owner address indicia may be seen therethrough, said transparent surface portion formed of a release material;

ii. placing a removable label onto the transparent surface portion, said removable label including

1. a strip constructed of a selected strip material and having a first surface region provided with information corresponding to an address for the intended recipient of the parcel, and

2. an opposed second surface region provided with a layer of a selected adhesive so that the opposed second surface region of said label can be secured to said exposed surface portion during shipment to the intended recipient, yet removed there from at the destination location without tearing the strip of material; and

iii. delivering the shipping package to the destination location.

2. A method of shipping parcels from shippers each located at a respective origin location to intended recipients each located at a respective destination location, comprising:

a. at a respective origin location for a respective shipper and in any order;

i. creating a respective shipping package by packaging each parcel to be shipped by the respective shipper in an individual reusable container that includes;

1. a closable container body having an interior and a mouth communicating with the interior;

2. a label substrate secured to said container body, said label panel including owner address indicia corresponding to an address for an owner of the container; and

3. a transparent layer secured to said label substrate and overlaying said owner address indicia so that the owner address indicia may be seen therethrough, said transparent layer including an exposed surface portion formed of a release material;

ii. placing an associated removable label onto the transparent layer, each removable label including

1. a strip constructed of a selected strip material and having a first surface region provided with information corresponding to an address for an associated intended recipient of the parcel, and

an opposed second surface region provided with a layer of a selected adhesive so that the opposed second surface region of said label can be secured to said exposed surface portion of the transparent layer during shipment to the associated intended recipient, yet removed there from at the associated destination location without tearing the strip of material;

iii. delivering the shipping package to the destination location associated with the intended recipient; and

iv. repeating steps (a)(ii) through (a)(iii) at each respective origin location.