AU2002100175A4 - An abrasive sticker - Google Patents

Description

1 AN ABRASIVE STICKER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to an abrasive sticker which has a large number of potential applications.

BACKGROUND ART Abrasive materials are well known in the marketplace. The abrasive materials usually comprise a hard grit material. Depending on the requirements, the grit material may comprise sand, metal grit, carbide grit and the like. The abrasive material is usually supported on a backing. Sandpaper is one typical example of an abrasive material supported on a backing. A nail file is another example of an abrasive material supported on a backing, the backing comprising an elongate plate like member.

Another use for abrasive material is providing anti-slip properties. For instance, it is known to have a stair tread containing a strip of an anti-slip material. The anti-slip material is supported by a rigid backing member which is screwed or otherwise fastened to an upper portion of the stair tread.

A disadvantage with these known products is that they find little use and are generally unsuitable for use with smaller articles. As one example, elderly persons often find it difficult to properly grip even simple articles like cups. It would be advantageous if there was a easy method to allow these types of articles to have improved grip characteristics. As well, another disadvantage with these known products is that they are generally unsuitable for use with articles having peculiar shapes.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an article which may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in an article of manufacture, the article comprising a base member having a lower surface and an upper surface, at least one zone of abrasive material on the upper surface of the base member, and at least one zone of adhesives material on the lower surface of the base member.

It is preferred that the base member comprises a flexible sheet to allow it to conform to irregular shaped surfaces. Suitably, the flexible sheet can be cut to shape or size.

The base member may comprise paper, cardboard, plastics material, or other type of sheet material. The base member may be flexible in one direction, or in two directions which are substantially at right angles to each other. The base member may comprise a laminated structure. If the base member is flexible, it is preferred that the degree of flexibility is such that the base member can readily be attached to curved surfaces, irregularly shaped surfaces and the like. Of course, a flexible base member can still readily attach to a flat surface.

The base member has an upper surface containing at least one zone of abrasive material. Suitably, the zone has an area which is less than the area of the upper surface such that the abrasive material does not entirely cover the upper surface of the base member. The zone may be rectangular when viewed in plan, oval when viewed in plan, circular when viewed in plan, or have other types of polygonal or irregular shapes. Typically however, the zone is rectangular, oval or circular. The upper surface may comprise more than one zone. For instance, a plurality of zones may be present on the upper surface. These zones may be separated from each other or may have edges or parts in common with each other.

The type and size and amount of abrasive material may vary depending on the ultimate use of the article. The abrasive material may comprise a hard natural or artificial product. Suitable products would include grits, sands, carbides, and the like. The abrasive material typically has a relatively small particle size.

The lower surface of the base member may be provided with at least one zone of adhesive material. Suitably, this zone has an area which is about the same as the area of the lower surface such that the adhesive material does cover the lower surface of the base member. The zone may be rectangular when viewed in plan, oval when viewed in plan, circular when viewed in plan, or have other types of polygonal or irregular shapes. Typically however, the zone is rectangular, oval or circular. The lower surface may comprise more than one zone. For instance, a plurality of zones may be present on the lower surface. These zones may be separated from each other or may have edges or parts in common with each other. The adhesive may comprise a tack adhesive, a press stick adhesive. Typically, the lower surface is protected by a peel off layer which, when peeled away, exposes the at least one adhesive zone.

The article can be stuck to a number of different types of other articles to provide grip enhancing characteristics, anti slip characteristics, and the like to the other article. Of course, the abrasive material can also find other uses such as a nail file and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of an article according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the article of Figure 1.

Figures 3-6 illustrate various uses of the article.

BEST MODE Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated an article 10. In the embodiment, article 10 has a flexible base member 11 which is circular in shape. It should however be appreciated that the shape of the base member may vary. In the embodiment, the circular base member has a diameter of approximately 35mm, but this again can vary to suit. The base member is formed of a laminated paper and has a degree of flexibility. Base member 11 has an upper surface 12 and a lower surface 13. Attached to upper surface 12 is a substantially rectangular zone of abrasive material 14 the abrasive material may be formed separately and attached to the upper surface 12 of the base member 11. The abrasive material 14 comprises fine black sand. The zone of abrasive material 14 does not entirely cover upper surface 12. Lower surface 13 is formed with a layer or zone of adhesive which extends substantially over the entire lower surface 13. To protect adhesive 15, a peel off backing paper 16 is provided. The backing paper 16 can be peeled off to expose adhesive layer 15, which allows the article to be glued to virtually any type of substrate.

Figure 3 illustrates a practical use of the article 10. In Figure 3, there is illustrated a cup 20 having two articles 10 stuck to the outer surface of the cup. This provides the cup with superior grip enhancing properties making it suitable for the elderly, the sick, and young children.

Figure 4 illustrates another practical use. In this figure, there is illustrated a plastic strip 21 having an article 10 attached to the top of the strip.

This makes the strip suitable as a nail file, a heel file and the like.

Figure 5 illustrates another practical use of the article. In this figure, there is illustrated a stair tread 22 containing three articles 10 to provide the tread with a anti slip properties. Of course, the article 10, when used for a stair tread, may comprise an elongate rectangular member such that a single article can be used. This practical use may find particular suitability with marine vessels where steps can be slippery when wet.

Figure 6 illustrates the base 23 of a shower recess, containing two large strips of material 24, 25 glued to the shower recess and containing the abrasive material. The two large strips can provide an anti slip 14 in the shower.

The article can have an almost unlimited number of uses. The article can have translucence properties to enable the core surface to be detected under lower lighting conditions. The article has a simple design which allows for low-cost manufacture and a low per unit cost. The article may be made fluorescent or may be given fluorescent properties. The article, or a number of articles can be attached to almost any type of substrate to provide a anti slip properties or improve grip enhancing properties to the substrate. The article may even be used as a surface for ignition. The article can be purchased by a consumer and the consumer can then apply the article to any type of product requiring improved properties. The article can be easily attached by the consumer. The consumer can therefore determine which products require grip enhancing or anti slip characteristics and which products do not.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. An abrasive sticker comprising a base member having a lower surface and an upper surface, at least one zone of abrasive material on the upper surface of the base member, and at least one zone of adhesive material on the lower surface of the base member.

2. The abrasive sticker of claim 1, wherein the base member comprises a flexible sheet to allow the abrasive sticker to conform to irregular shaped surfaces.

3. The abrasive sticker of either claim 1 or 2, wherein the zone of adhesive material on the lower surface covers the entire lower surface of the base member.

4. The abrasive sticker of any of the preceding claims, wherein the zone of abrasive material on the upper surface covers the entire upper surface of the base member.

5. An abrasive sticker substantially as described with reference to the attached drawings. DATED this 7 th day of March 2002 BIIG PTY LTD (ACN 095 749 714) By their Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.