CA2351678A1

CA2351678A1 - Color code label for identifying cable, wire, pipe or similar objects

Info

Publication number: CA2351678A1
Application number: CA 2351678
Authority: CA
Inventors: Brian D. Waker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-27
Filing date: 2001-06-27
Publication date: 2002-12-27

Abstract

The color code label consists of an alignment band and a series of color bands, with or without patterns, printed on suitable flat adhesive material, tubular plastic, metal or heat-shrink material. Each said label is separable into two equal sized parts that are affixed to each end of the object to be identified. Each said label is unique in its color pattern thus each said item so labeled is readily visually identifiable as a unique entity.

Description

DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to c<>lor-coded label is used to mark each end of object such as wire, cable and pipe so that it can be readily visually identified.
INFORMATION DISCLOSURE S'TA'CEMENT
In numerous applications it is essential to identify individual cables, wires and/or pipes.
Often such objects are left unlabeled amd one must visually or manually trace from one end to the other to see where it goes. A prime ea;ample would be computer network patch panels where tens, hundreds or even thousands of identical looking cables connect to the network equipment. One must physically feel along each cable from the patch panel to see where it connects into the network equipment.
In the past, if the cables were labeled at all, adhesive numbers were usually applied. While this is much better than no label at a.11, one still must read each number off the cable. Where hundreds of cables are involved, this in itself can be a time-consuming task and frequently, because of distance or position of the cable, the number can be difficult to read.
Another example would be in the manufacture of industrial control systems where numerous similarly colored wires may exist. It c:an be a difficult task to trace a wire from one point to another or know for certain which wire goes where.
The color coded label alleviates these problems by, applying an easy-to-see preprinted color bar label to each end of the object. Since the color bars go completely around the object, they are visible from any direction and from a considerable distance and since each label is unique, the object being labeled is clearly identifiable.
The labels are manufactured with color bars in a range of colors and patterns so millions of unique labels can be produced and distributed without concern of duplication.
The label can be produced on flat adhesive backed material applied to the object in situ or during the manufacture of the object, or on tubular material such as metal or plastic that could be crimped on, or heat shrink material that could be heat shrunk on, during manufacture of the object. After application the tubular and flat labels perform exactly the same function in identifying the object and are very similar in appearance.

There are occasions where a label has to relate to back to an engineering drawing or the like.
For those situations, the label may also bear a numeric code that could relate to the item in the drawing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIC)N
The present invention is a aolo~r label system that allows easy visual identification of objects such as wire, cable and pipe.
BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure la top view of a color label printed on flat material.
Figure 1b edge view of a color label !being peeled from the no-stick backing material from the cut line.
Figure 2a view of a flat label being applied to a cable.
Figure 2b view of the cable with the llabel applied.
Figure 3a view of a printed tubular label showing the cut between the two parts.
Figure 3b view of a printed tubular label being applied to a cable.
Figure 4 view of a flat label with numeric code In all figures:
1 = the alignment bar 2 = the color bars, with and without patterns 3 = the cut or score line separating the two parts of a flat label 4 = the no stick backing maternal = the adhesive back of the label 6 = the cut in a tubular cable 7 = a cable to which the labels are applied 8 = numeric code

Claims

1. A label consisting of a plurality of colored bands with or without patterns and an alignment band, printed on flat adhesive backed material such as paper, vinyl or plastic with or without a non-stick backing material, or on tubular plastic, metal or heat shrink material, said label being divisible into two identical parts along a perforation or cut line, one of each said part being subsequently applied to each end of an object such as cable, wire or pipe for the purpose of identifying the said object as a unique entity.

2. Each label set forth in claim 1 is printed with a different combination of color bands with or without patterns, thus each label is unique in its color pattern.

3. The label set forth in claim 1 may or may not carry a unique numeric code in addition to the unique color bar pattern.

4. The label set forth in claim 1 may be produced in any size appropriate for the object to be labeled.

5. The color code set forth in claim 1 is printed with inks suitable for the base material.