Integral label handle

Abstract

This invention relates to an integrated label and handle and method of application whereby an elastic sleeve is applied around a sidewall of a container, such as a large PET bottle, resulting in an integrated label and handle extending therefrom.

1 . A sleeve for a container, the sleeve comprising:
 an elastic material printed with a label;   at least one seal aligned along one edge of the elastic material, the at least one seal forming the elastic material into the sleeve sized to stretch around the container; and   a handle aperture formed in the elastic material between the pair of seals.   
   
   
       2 . The sleeve of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an additional seal generally aligned with the at least one seal.   
   
   
       3 . The sleeve of  claim 1  wherein at least one seal comprises a weld positioned between two layers of the elastic material. 
   
   
       4 . The sleeve of  claim 2  wherein the elastic material includes a fold to form two layers of elastic material and the seals are positioned along the one edge opposite the fold. 
   
   
       5 . The sleeve of  claim 2  wherein the handle aperture is formed through two or more layers of the elastic material joined by the seals. 
   
   
       6 . A bottle comprising:
 a sleeve stretched around the bottle, the sleeve printed with informational material regarding the bottle;   a first weld extending across a length of the sleeve and positioned along a sidewall of the bottle;   a handle extending from the first weld;   a second weld extending across an end of the handle; and   a handle aperture extending through the handle and positioned within the handle between the first weld and the second weld.   
   
   
       7 . The bottle of  claim 6  wherein the handle extends outwardly from the bottle. 
   
   
       8 . The bottle of  claim 6  wherein the sleeve comprises low density polyethylene. 
   
   
       9 . The bottle of  claim 6  wherein the handle comprises at least two layers of sleeve material. 
   
   
       10 . A method of manufacturing a label for a container comprising the steps of:
 providing a length of elastic material;   printing the elastic material with product information;   folding the elastic material along a fold line;   sealing two layers of the elastic material opposite the fold line along two generally linear lines of attachment, one of the two generally linear lines of attachment positioned to define a sleeve sized to stretch around the container; and   forming a handle aperture in the elastic material between the two generally linear lines of attachment.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of:
 separating the elastic material between each handle aperture to form individual labels.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step of:
 stretching each individual label around a respective container.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of:
 extruding the length of elastic material.