Printable Cover Systems for Articles

Abstract

A printable label assembly includes a printable label having an adhesive coating applied to a first surface thereof to facilitate attachment of the label to an article. The label is configured to receive a printed image on a second surface thereof. A removable backing is releasably attached to the adhesive coating and has at least three sections: a removable primary section releasably attached to a central portion of the adhesive coating of the label and being configured to be removed from the central portion to expose the central portion for attachment to the article; and a pair of removable handle sections releasably attached to outward portions of the adhesive coating of the label, the handle sections being configured to remain on the adhesive coating of the label after removal of the primary section to provide at least two handling points for manipulation by a user to assist the user in applying the label to the article.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A printable label assembly, comprising: 
 a printable label having an adhesive coating applied to a first surface thereof to allow attachment of the label to an article, the label being configured to received a printed image on a second surface thereof, the label being sized to extend across a top of the article and at least partially around sides of the article and to attach to a portion of a bottom surface of the article, the label having a pair of side edges, one of the side edges having a notched opening defined therein, the opening being configured to allow the one of the side edges of the label to be attached to the bottom of the article while leaving a portion of the bottom of the article exposed by the opening; and    a removable backing releasably attached to the adhesive coating and being configured to be removed from the coating to allow the label to be attached to the article.    
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the removable backing comprises at least three sections, including: 
 a removable primary section releasably attached to a central portion of the adhesive coating and being configured to be removed from the central portion of the adhesive coating to expose the central portion for attachment to the article; and    a pair of removable handle sections releasably attached to outward portions of the adhesive coating, the handle sections being configured to remain attached to the adhesive coating after removal of the primary section to provide at least two handling points for manipulation by a user to assist the user in applying the label to the article.    
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the primary section comprises a strip extending from a front of the removable backing to a rear of the removable backing and wherein the handle sections are disposed on opposing sides of the primary section.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of a PDA, a hand-held musical player, and a cell phone.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the article comprises the hand-held musical player and wherein the label is sized to extend across a top of the player and around at least a portion of a side and a bottom of the player.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one void formed in a central portion of the label, the void being configured to expose operable features of the article through the label.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein adhesive of the adhesive coating comprises a removable adhesive configured to removably attach the label to the article.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the printed image is applied with an ink-jet printer.  
   
   
       18 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A method for covering an article, comprising steps of: 
 applying a printed image to a second surface of a printable label having an adhesive coating applied to a first surface thereof;    removing at least a section of a backing releasably attached to a portion of the adhesive coating to expose the portion for attachment to the article;    attaching the portion of the adhesive coating to at least a portion of a top of the article;    wrapping a side edge of the label around a side of the article, the side edge having a notched opening defined therein; and    attaching the side edge of the label to a bottom of the article while leaving a portion of the bottom of the article exposed through the notched opening.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the removable backing comprises at least three sections, including: 
 a removable primary section releasably attached to a central portion of the adhesive coating and being configured to be removed from the central portion of the adhesive coating to expose the central portion for attachment to the article; and    a pair of removable handle sections releasably attached to outward portions of the adhesive coating, the handle sections being configured to remain on the adhesive coating after removal of the primary section to provide at least two handling points for manipulation by a user to assist the user in applying the label to the article.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the primary section comprises a strip extending from a front of the removable backing to a rear of the removable backing and wherein the handle sections are disposed on opposing sides of the primary section.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of a PDA, a hand-held musical player, and a cell phone.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the article comprises a hand-held musical player and the wherein the label is sized to extend across a top of the player and around at least a portion of a side and a bottom of the player.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the portion of the bottom of the article has information printed thereon, the information being selected from the group consisting of branding information and regulatory information.