AU740838B2

AU740838B2 - Backing sheets

Info

Publication number: AU740838B2
Application number: AU16652/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Veli Fikret
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-04-01
Filing date: 1997-04-01
Publication date: 2001-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2017-04-01
Also published as: AU1665297A

Description

P/00/01i1 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Backing sheets The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: a NHPMELCD\970,W]O4 D%03849337v4 d.

2 Backing Sheets Field of the invention This invention relates to backing sheets for labels and particularly, though not exclusively, to self-adhesive backing sheets for labels attached to the insides of windows of motor vehicles.

Background of the invention Labels, particularly registration labels, are normally attached to the inside of the windscreen or a side window of a motor vehicles. The labels are normally affixed by the owner or user of the vehicle and in fitting the registration label quite often be to air is trapped between the surface of the label and the window. Over time the air, due to gravitational forces and thermal factors, becomes mobile and this causes the registration label to peel, warp, crack or split. This is not prevented due to the nature of the registration label due to its inability to flex or move with the air. With eeeee the air temperature being quite high when exposed to the sun for extended periods in summer, and quite low in the depths of winter, the problems of thermal expansion and contraction of the air make the problem on-going and perpetual.

Independent research has indicated that 67.3% of registration labels on motor vehicles are faulty. With these faults, registration labels can become very difficult to read and this can cause on-going problems in the event of breaches of S: 20 regulations such as parking regulations, and so forth. Also, by law registration labels must be clear and visible at all times. As a label peels, warps, cracks or splits, the label may not comply with the relevant regulations.

Also, such labels are quite often damaged when the window is cleaned.

It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide a backing sheet for labels, particularly registration labels for motor vehicles, which will, at least in part, assist in the supporting of the label against peeling, warping, splitting, cracking and other damage. It is further desirable to provide a backing sheet which is easily applied.

Brief description of the invention With the above and other objects in mind, the present invention provides a R registration label backing sheet for reinforcing attachment of a vehicle registration DOO38493376 Lk 3 label to a vehicle window, wherein the backing sheet is self-adhesive, made of a polyester film, substantially transparent and dimensioned to extend marginally beyond the perimeter of the registration label for securement to the window about the label when placed over the label to thereby reinforce the label, said sheet further having a plurality of holes therethrough to release heat expanded air from between the label and sheet.

A further aspect of the invention provides a backing sheet when used in combination with a vehicle window mounted registration label, the backing sheet overlying the label, wherein the backing sheet is self-adhesive, substantially io transparent and dimensioned to extend beyond the perimeter of the registration label for securement to the window about the label to thereby reinforce attachment of the label to the vehicle window, said sheet further having a plurality of holes therethrough to release heat-expanded air from between the label and sheet.

It is preferred that the self-adhesive character is achieved by use of an acrylicbased pressure-sensitive adhesive. It is further preferred that the backing sheet is releasably attached to a laminated polyester coated release liner.

Description of the drawings The invention will now be described by way of non-limitative example only with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: 20 Figure 1 is a view of the backing sheet of the present invention; Figure 2 is a view of the backing sheet of Figure 1 as applied to a release liner; and Figure 3 is a view, responding to that of Figure 2, of a second embodiment of the present invention.

Description of preferred embodiments To firstly refer to Figure 1, there is shown a backing sheet generally designated as and which is intended to be applied to the rear of a label, such as a registration label applied to a motor vehicle, so as to provide support and reinforcement to that registration label.

The backing sheet 10 is generally of rectangular configuration and is normally of greater length than its height.

D\003849337v6 do 3A The backing sheet 10 has dimensions greater than that of the label to which it is to be attached. The label is shown in relief and is designated 12. As can be seen, e e D 3849337v4 hd 4 this provides an extended region 14 where the backing sheet 10 can be adhered to the window, windscreen or the like.

It is further preferred that there be a plurality of holes or openings 16 in the backing sheet 10 so that any air trapped between the backing sheet 10 and the label 12 can migrate and escape through the openings 16.

The backing sheet 10 comprises a polyester film, but may equally be made of a clear, biaxially-oriented polypropylene. By being clear, the information on the rear of the label (that visible from the interior of the vehicle) can still be seen and read.

By being polypropylene, it will inherently adhere to the windscreen or other window 0 due to the portion 14, but will be able to be removed whether it is necessary to remove the label 12 upon payment of the appropriate registration fee each year.

If desired, the holes 16 may be made larger and less in number, as is shown in Figure 2. In Figure 3, they are shown as two rectangles which will achieve the same result and allow information on the label to be still visible through the holes 16, even if the backing sheet 10 were not clear or transparent.

"There may also be printed on the surface 18 of the backing sheet 10 a rectangular outline 20 (see Figures 2 and 3) which would be the approximate location of the 0.0registration label 12.

The backing sheet 10 is preferably quite thin, approximately the thickness of a 20 film. It is also preferably applied to a release liner 22 which may be a kraft release liner of approximately 89 microns. The release line 22 may be polyester coated so that the backing sheet 10 can be easily removed therefrom for use.

If desired, the surface 18 may have printed thereon suitable materials such as, for example, advertising material, the name of an organisation, (be it a commercial organisation or a road safety organisation), road safety messages, or other suitable material. This may be done in heavy print, light print or shadow.

Claims

1. A registration label backing sheet for reinforcing attachment of a vehicle registration label to a vehicle window, wherein the backing sheet is self- adhesive, made of a polyester film, substantially transparent and dimensioned to extend marginally beyond the perimeter of the registration label for securement to the window about the label when placed over the label to thereby reinforce the label, said sheet further having a plurality of holes therethrough to release heat-expanded air from between the label and sheet. 10

2. A registration label backing sheet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the self- •oo ~adhesive character is achieved by use of an acrylic-based pressure- sensitive adhesive.

3. A registration label backing sheet as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the backing sheet is releasably attached to a laminated polyester coated release liner.

4. A registration label backing sheet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the openings are round.

A registration label backing sheet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the openings are rectangular. 20

6. A registration label backing sheet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of the backing sheet extending marginally beyond the perimeter of the registration label is of constant width.

7. A registration label backing sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the backing sheet is substantially transparent.

8. A backing sheet when used in combination with a vehicle window-mounted registration label, the backing sheet overlying the label, wherein the backing sheet is self-adhesive, substantially transparent and dimensioned to extend beyond the perimeter of the registration label for securement to the window about the label to thereby reinforce attachment of the label to the vehicle window, said sheet further having a plurality of holes therethrough to -ZT RArelease heat-expanded air from between the label and sheet. DV34933v7.dn 6

9. A backing sheet according to claim 8, wherein the self-adhesive character is achieved by use of an acrylic-based pressure sensitive adhesive.

A backing sheet according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the holes are round.

11. A backing sheet according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the holes are rectangular.

12. A backing sheet according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein a portion of the backing sheet extends beyond the perimeter of the registration label and is of constant width.

13. A backing sheet according to claim 12, wherein the portion extends 10 marginally beyond the perimeter of the registration label.

14. A backing sheet according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the backing sheet is made of a polyester film.

15. A registration label backing sheet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. "i 15

16. A backing sheet when used in combination with a vehicle window-mounted registration label substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Veli Fikret By his Registered Patent Attorneys: 25 September 2001 Freehills Carter Smith Beadle