AU2003223255A1

AU2003223255A1 - Advertising panel and process of making same

Info

Publication number: AU2003223255A1
Application number: AU2003223255A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Geoffrey Kendall Baker
Original assignee: INTERNAT ACCESS MARKETING Pty
Current assignee: INTERNAT ACCESS MARKETING Pty
Priority date: 2002-05-08
Filing date: 2003-05-08
Publication date: 2003-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-08
Also published as: AU2003223255B2

Description

WO 03/096312 PCT/AU03/00540 1 ADVERTISING PANEL AND PROCESS OF MAKING SAME TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to an advertising panel having its information bearing substrate contained in a lamination, and a process of making same. 5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Advertising information is generally carried on a sheet-like material which may be paper or cardboard. As the sheet-like material can be easily damaged by tearing and scratching, it is, in use, fixed to a signboard that is supported on a support post or frame, or to a wall, in order to avoid contact with objects. The 10 sheet-like advertising material is therefore not suitable for use on a surface on which objects are placed, such as a conveyor surface at a supermarket checkout, or a carousel at the arrival hall of an airport, or on a floor surface of a shopping centre. Yet, the shopping centres, the supermarket conveyors and the air port carousels are the ideal targets for advertising or promotion of products and services, 15 as shoppers and passengers flying by air need to use these facilities. It is therefore desirable to have advertising materials that can be used on surfaces subject to impact of and scratching by objects. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION An objectof the invention is to substantial alleviate or to reduce to a certain 20 level one or more of the prior art disadvantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect therefore the present invention resides in an advertising panel including a lamination having a graphic substrate with a first surface carrying WO 03/096312 PCT/AU03/00540 2 advertising information and a second surface, a transparent overlay of a substantially high impact resistant material adhered to said first surface, and an underlay of a substantially high impact resistant material adhered to said second surface and/or a transparent protective film of a substantially scratch resistant 5 material fixed on the exposed surface of the overlay. It is preferred that the graphic substrate is opaque and the advertising information is transferred to the first surface thereof by a printing, photocopying or imaging process. More preferably, the advertising information is digitally printed on the first surface. 10 The overlay is preferably a polycarbonate sheet for conferring improved strength to the lamination. The underlay may also be a polycarbonate sheet. A first adhesive layer may be provided between the first surface of the graphic substrate and the overlay. The first adhesive layer is preferably a double sided adhesive film. 15 The protective film may have an adhesive coated surface for fixing to the overlay. Advantageously, the protective film is of an embossed PVC material to minimise slip. The lamination may have a second adhesive layer on the second surface of the graphic substrate for fixing to the underlay or a support member. In preference, 20 the second adhesive layer is a double sided adhesive film. The support member may have a substantially smooth surface to which the second adhesive layer or the underlay is fixed. Preferably, the underlay is fixed to the support member by means of an adhesive and/or mechanical securing means.

WO 03/096312 PCT/AU03/00540 3 The mechanical securing means can be one or more screws arranged to fix the underlay to the support member. The support member can be a conveyor belt, or a pallet or slat of a carousel type conveyor. 5 In another aspect therefore the present invention resides in a process of making an advertising panel including the steps of: (a) cutting a transparent sheet of a substantially impact resistant material into at least one shaped overlay, and where used, cutting a sheet of a substantially impact resistant material into at least one shaped underlay; 10 (b) transferring advertising information onto a first surface of a graphic substrate; (c) bonding said at least one overlay to said first surface of the graphic substrate with a first layer of adhesive; (d) forming a lamination of the at least one overlay bonded with the graphic substrate; 15 (e) adhering said at least one underlay to a second surface of the graphic substrate with a second layer of adhesive, and/or a transparent protective film of a substantially scratch resistant material on the exposed surface of the overlay in the formed lamination. It is preferred that the process includes another step of: 20 (f) forming a further lamination of the transparent protective film bonded with the previously formed lamination. The process may also have a step of: WO 03/096312 PCT/AU03/00540 4 (g) trimming excess of the graphic substrate and the protective film along profile of the at least one overlay. Said adhering step may include bonding athird adhesive layer to the second surface of the graphic substrate or the underlay. 5 It is preferred that the transferring step involves printing or photocopying or imaging. More preferably, the advertising information is digitally printed on the first surface. It is preferred that the cutting step involves cutting the at least one overlay and/or the at least one underlay into a crescent or rectangular shape that 10 substantially conform to the shape of a support member to which the panel is to be fixed. The process can also include the step of fixing said underlay to the support member by means of adhesive and/or mechanical securing means. The mechanical securing means may be one or more screws. The underlay may be so fixed to the 15 support member before being bonded to the substrate. The support member can be a pallet or a slat of a carousel type conveyor. The advertising panel made by the process may be substantially as described under said one aspect of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 20 In order that the system of the present invention can be readily understood and put in practically effect the description will now refer to the accompanying drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the present invention and wherein:- WO 03/096312 PCT/AU03/00540 5 Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a laser cutting station where a transparent sheet of a substantially impact resistant material is profile cut to form shaped overlays according to an embodiment of the process according to the present invention; 5 Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a printed graphic substrate for laminating with overlays shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the step of peeling plastic cover sheets on the overlays; Figure 4 shows the step of applying first and second adhesive layers on respective first and second sides of the graphic substrate; 10 Figure 5 shows a laminating station with a jig for aligning the overlays to the graphic substrate shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a cross section view of the laminating station shown in Figure 5; Figures 7 and 8 show the steps of fixing a protective film for lamination at 15 the laminating station; Figure 9 shows the step of trimming excesses around the overlays; Figure 10 shows one of the completed advertising panels according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 is a cross section view of the completed panel shown in Figure 10; 20 Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the application of the advertising panels made according to the embodiment of the present invention, to a carousel type conveyor with crescent shaped pallets; and WO 03/096312 PCT/AU03/00540 6 Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the application of the advertising panels made according to the embodiment of the present invention, to a carousel type conveyor with rectangular shaped slats. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 The process of making an advertising panel according this invention may have a laser cutting station where sheets of polycarbonate of a size such as 2400mm X 1200mm X 1.5mm is cut into overlays and or underlays of a predetermined shape, such as crescent shaped overlays that conform with the shape of crescent shaped pallets of a carousel conveyor generally used at the arrival hall 10 in an air portterminal. The predetermined shape is selected from digital image files stored in a recordable media such as a hard disk in a computer. The process may also have a printing station where advertising information is printed on a good quality white photographic substrate, a bonding station where a double sided adhesive film is bonded to each of the printed side and the non 15 printed side of the substrate, and a laminating station where the bonded substrate is positioned in a jig frame and the cut overlays are arranged in an array over the double sided adhesive film on the printed surface, forforming a lamination thereof. The exposed surface of the polycarbonate overlays is then applied with a non slip, embossed PVC film that is substantially scratch resistant for a further lamination 20 step. The lamination is then trimmed along the profile of the overlays to separate advertising panels that each carry a part of the advertising information.

WO 03/096312 PCT/AU03/00540 7 If an underlay is used, the underlay can be fixed to a support member such as a palletof a pallet loop conveyor by adhesive and/or screws, and the lamination is bonded to the underlay. Figure 1 schematically shows a cutting station 10 having a bed (not shown) 5 on which a polycarbonate sheet 12 is positioned. The station 10 has a laser cutting device 14 that can move transversely across and longitudinally along the sheet 12. The laser cutting device 14 is under control of a controller (not shown) which controls the device 14 to move and cut the overlays 16 and/or underlays (not shown) in accordance to a predetermined profile stored in an image file on a 10 computer. Figure 2 schematic shows a white graphic substrate 18 with advertising information 20 printed on one surface. Figure 3 shows the step of peeling the protective cover sheets 21 and 22 from a cut overlay 16. 15 Figure 4 shows the application of double sided adhesive films 24 and 26 to the printed substrate 18. As shown, the film 26 is applied to the printed side of the substrate 18. Figures 5 and 6 show a laminating station 30 having a jig frame 32 in which the overlays 16 are placed over the adhesive film 26 and aligned in a juxtaposed 20 relationship. A heated lamination roller 34 supported on the jig frame 32 is then controlled to contact and applied heat to the exposed surface of the layers in the frame 32 and move along the frame 32 to form a lamination.

WO 03/096312 PCT/AU03/00540 8 A scratch resistant, non slip, embossed PVC over laminatingfilm 36 with its protective cover 38 peeled off to reveal its adhesive surface as shown in Figures 7 and 8 is then applied to the exposed surface of the layer of polycarbonate overlays 16 for lamination therewith. 5 Individual advertising panels 40 that each carry a part of the advertising information is then separated by cutting along the profile outline of the overlays 16 as shown in Figures 9 and 10. Figure 11 shows a cross section of the layers in the panel 40. Figure 12 shows the process of fixing the panels 40 to pallets 42 of a 10 carousel conveyor 50. The double sided adhesive film 24 of each panel 40 has a paper backing which must be peeled off to expose the expose its pressure sensitive adhesive surface. Before applying the panels 40, the top surface of each of the pallets 42 is rendered substantially smooth so thatthe exposed surface of the double sided adhesive film 24 of each of the panels 40 has a large contact surface for 15 bonding and can therefore bond more effectively to the pallets 42. Each panel 40 is placed on and aligned with a pallet42 before applying pressure thereto for fixing to the pallet40. Alternatively, the underlays is fixed to the top surface of the pallets 42 by means of an adhesive and screws (not shown), and the panels 40 are adhered to the underlays. 20 As seen in Figure 12, the panels 40 are placed sequentially in an array of the pallets 42 so thatthe parts of the advertising information 20 carried thereon appear to be unbroken when the array of pallets 42 are in a straight section. In a curved WO 03/096312 PCT/AU03/00540 9 section the parts of the information 20 are still recognisable as they are only slightly out of alignment. Figure 13 shows a carousel conveyor 60 with overlapping slats 62. The panels 40 for the slats 40 are dimensioned to extend partially into the overlapping 5 region as shown. The polycarbonate overlays 16 and the underlays when used in the panels 40 are relatively high strength and can withstand normal impact force caused by luggage items placed on them. The protective PVC film 36 is substantially scratch resistant and has a non slip quality. Accordingly, the advertising information 20 10 carried on the substrate 18 would not be damaged by the luggage items and would remain clearly visible through the layers of materials above it. When fixed to the pallets 42 by screws, the underlays are fixed in position whereby preventing misalignment of the panels 42 due to movement of the pallets 42 or slats 62, and substantially minimise damage to the graphic substrates 18. 15 Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An advertising panel including a lamination having a graphic substrate with a first surface carrying advertising information and a second surface, a transparent overlay of a substantially high impact resistant material adhered to said first surface, 5 and ether an underlay of a substantially high impact resistant material adhered to said second surface, and/or a transparent protective film of a substantially scratch resistant material fixed on the exposed surface of the overlay.

2. The panel according to claim wherein the graphic substrate is opaque and the advertising information is transferred to the first surface thereof by a printing, 10 photocopying or imaging process.

3. The panel according to claim 2 wherein the advertising information is digitally printed on the first surface.

4. The panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the overlay is a polycarbonate sheet. 15

5. The panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the underlay is a polycarbonate sheet.

6. The panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first adhesive layer is provided between the first surface of the graphic substrate and the overlay.

7. The panel according to claim 6 wherein the first adhesive layer is a double 20 sided adhesive film.

8. The panel according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the protective film having an adhesive coated surface for fixing to the overlay. WO 03/096312 PCT/AU03/00540 11

9. The panel according to anyone of claims 1 to 8 wherein the protective film is of an embossed PVC material.

10. The panel according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the lamination having a second adhesive layer on the second surface of the graphic substrate for 5 fixing to the underlay or a support member.

11. The panel according to claim 10 wherein the second adhesive layer is a double sided adhesive film.

12. The panel according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the support member having a substantially smooth surface to which the second adhesive layer or the underlay 10 is fixed.

13. The panel according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the underlay is fixed to the support member by means of an adhesive and/or mechanical securing means.

14. The panel according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the support 15 member is a conveyor belt, or a pallet or slat of a carousel type conveyor.

15. A process of making an advertising panel including the steps of: (a) cutting a transparent sheet of a substantially impact resistant material into at least one shaped overlay, and where used, cutting a sheet of a substantially impact resistant material into at least one shaped underlay; 20 (b) transferring advertising information onto a first surface of a graphic substrate; (c) bonding said at least one overlay to said first surface of the graphic substrate with a first layer of adhesive, (d) forming a lamination of the at least one overlay with the graphic substrate; WO 03/096312 PCT/AU03/00540 12 (e) adhering either a transparent protective film of a substantially scratch resistant material to the formed lamination adjacent to exposed surface of the overlay, and/or adhering said at least one underlay to the formed lamination adjacent to a second surface of the graphic substrate. 5

16. The process according to claim 15 further includes the step of: (f) forming a further lamination of the transparent protective film bonded with the previously formed lamination.

17. The process according to claim 15 or 16 having the further step of: (g) trimming excess of the graphic substrate and where used, the protective film 10 and/or the at least one underlay along profile of the at least one overlay.

18. The process according to any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the transferring step involves printing or photocopying or imaging said advertising information on said first surface.

19. The process according to claim 18 wherein the advertising information is 15 digitally printed on the first surface.

20. The process according to any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein the cutting step involves cutting the at least one overlay and/or the at least one underlay into a crescent or rectangular shape that substantially conform to the shape of a support member to which the panel is to be fixed. 20

21. The process according to claim 19 or 20 wherein the support member is a pallet or a slat of a carousel type conveyor WO 03/096312 PCT/AU03/00540 13

22. The process according to any one of claims 15 to 22 wherein said adhering step includes bonding a third adhesive layer to the second surface of the graphic substrate.

23. The process according to any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein said at least 5 one underlay is fixed to the support member by means of adhesive and/or mechanical securing means. 23. The process according to claim 22 wherein the underlay is fixed to the support member before being bonded to the graphic substrate.

24. An advertising panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference 10 to the drawings.

25. A process of making an advertising panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.