AU7732098A - Method and device for displaying indicia - Google Patents

Description

0 Form No.

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application No.: Application Date: 0 Priority Date: 14 July 1998 (New Zealand Patent Application No. 330984) 0 ooo Applicant: Decad Limited 4a Malfroy Lane Raumati Beach Wellington NEW ZEALAND Address for Service: Ernst Robert SCHUCH Patent Attorney *i Suite 904 9 th Floor Hunter Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING INDICIA The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING INDICIA TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a method and device for displaying indicia on conveyor belts.

More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to advertising visual information on a sheet that is removably adherable to a conveyor belt.

BACKGROUND ART The marketing concept of placing advertising information on conveyor belts of retail businesses such as supermarket checkout counters, and on airport baggage conveyor belts, is known. One reason for the success of this advertising medium is that it is universally accepted that moving advertisements attract attention.

A number of methods and devices for advertising on conveyor belts have been used with varying degrees of success. As most conveyor belts used on checkout counters in supermarkets and the like are continuous webs tensioned and driven about rotating spindles, simply adhering a rigidly constructed sheet or panel with advertising indicia printed thereupon can result in the panel tunnelling and being torn as it is stretched 9999 about the spindles and/or the edges of the sheet can lift. Further, in the case of panels i: being in use on food carrying conveyor belts, advertising indicia being printed on the sheets can be quickly obscured and removed due to rubbing or scraping by consumer articles and the conveyor belt mechanism itself.

In another known method advertising indicia is printed directly on the outer surface of the conveyor belt. A disadvantage with this method is that when the useful life of the advertising indicia has finished, removal of the indicia is generally not possible and the entire belt must be replaced.

A further disadvantage with known methods of advertising on conveyors is that the advertising sheets are permanently adhered to the belts. After the useful period of advertising is over, removing the sheet can result in abrasions and adhesive residue on the surface of the conveyor belt that can cause cleaning and mechanical problems.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of displaying visual information on conveyors which overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems, or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for displaying visual information on conveyors which overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems, or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 1: 5 In a first broad aspect of the invention there is provided a device for removable attachment to a conveyor belt, the device comprising a flexible sheet having a predetermined area, the sheet having a top display surface with visual information imprinted thereupon and a bottom surface substantially covered with an adhesive 0 substance, the device being removably attachable to a said conveyor belt without forming a permanent bond thereto.

*r Preferably the adhesive substance is a suitable chemical formulation that is activatable by plasticiser migration to form a non permanent adhesive bond when the bottom surface of the sheet is in contact with the said conveyor belt.

Desirably the sheet is composed substantially of polyvinyl chloride or vinyl.

Advantageously the sheet has a thickness of between 50 and 100 microns. Preferably the thickness of the sheet is substantially 80 microns.

Preferably the device further comprises a protective layer is provided on the top surface of the sheet to reduce friction. Preferably the protective layer is a transparent film or over gloss sprayed or applied onto the top surface of the sheet.

Additionally the device further comprises a conveyor belt having an outer surface made of a suitable thermoplastics material. Preferably the conveyor belt has a polyethylene, vinyl or polyvinyl chloride outer surface.

According to a second broad aspect of the invention there is provided a method of securing a flexible sheet to a conveyor belt to form a non permanent adhesive bond comprising the steps of: a. preparing an area on the top surface of a conveyor belt to which the sheet will be adhered by using any suitable cleaning fluid; b. placing the device according to any one of the preceding claims athereupon the area prepared in step and 15 c. applying heat evenly over the sheet to accelerate the adhesion process to form an adhesion bond.

Preferably the method further comprises in step b. the removal of any air bubbles trapped under the sheet or creases in the sheet by the application of direct pressure over the surface of the sheet.

Desirably the method comprises a preliminary step of spraying an over gloss or plastic film over the top surface of the sheet to reduce friction and provide a protective layer.

According to a third broad aspect of the invention there is provided a method of removing a flexible sheet secured to a conveyor belt by the second broad method comprising the steps of: a. applying heat evenly over the sheet until an edge of the sheet lifts; and b. pulling the edge lifted in step a. back over itself and peeling the sheet from the top surface of the conveyor belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: illustrates a cross section of a device of the invention adhered to a conveyor belt according to an aspect of the invention; Figure 2: illustrates a perspective view of a conveyor belt with a plurality of advertising devices adhered thereupon; and Figure 3: illustrates a perspective view of a checkout counter being associated with the conveyor belt of figure 2.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS a Referring to figure 1, a cross section of an advertising device, generally referred to as 1, adhered to a conveyor belt according to a first aspect of the invention, is illustrated.

A device, broadly referred to as 1, comprises a flexible sheet 2, which can also be referred as a panel, film, marking film or decal. The sheet 2 is desirably made of a suitable durable and resilient material such as, for example, vinyl or polyvinyl chloride or other thermoplastic polymer. The sheet 2 is flexible to allow for stretching in use.

The sheet 2 has a top display surface 3 to which visual information 4 such as indicia, patterns, designs, colours, textures and any other suitable material that can be applied to the sheet 2 for advertising and communication purposes and the like. The application of visual information 4 is desirably by screen printing, digital electrostatic transfer, or other such similar techniques.

The sheet 2 has a bottom surface 5 to which a suitable adhesive 6 is applied to substantially the whole area. The degree of coverage is over an area sufficient to ensure the sheet 2 is secured to the outer surface 8 of a conveyor belt 7 without peeling or lifting and which does form a permanent adhesive bond requiring an excessive force to remove the device 1 after use without damaging the belt outer surface 7 or leaving unwanted or unnecessary residue thereupon.

The sheet 2 is desirably made of a thin, stretchable, self-adhesive polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material that advantageously will adhere to the belt 7 during the operative life of the sheet 2, and then be removed easily and cleanly without leaving adhesive residue.

The thickness of the sheet is generally between about 50 to 100 microns, and is desirably about 80 microns.

0. Conveyor belts of general use in New Zealand include a carcass having a multiply spun 15 polyester fabric with static conductive threads woven into the fabric. The base or bottom surface is generally left bare for a low coefficient of friction. The top surface 8 of the belt 7 may desirably have a PVC coating to offer a desirably smooth nonporous surface.

A number of adhesives would be suitable to provide a sufficient degree of attachment where edge lift and deforming of the sheet 2 do not occur. Various self-adhesive PVC films adhere sufficiently, but are not preferred for this application.

Self-adhesive PVC films developed for application to flexible PVC substrates such as banners and awnings, have been found to work with varying degrees of success. These materials rely on very high-tack, pressure sensitive acrylic or rubber adhesives that are solvent or emulsion based. When removed after a period of time, these materials generally leave adhesive residue that is difficult and time consuming to clean from the substrate.

As mentioned, generally the conveyor belts in New Zealand have a plasticised PVC topcoat. It has been found that pressure sensitive adhesives lack a high level of durability when used to adhere decals or the sheet 2 to the plasticised PVC top surface 8 of a conveyor belt 7. Plasticisers function to give the conveyor belt 7 its flexibility.

When a pressure sensitive adhesive is used to bond the sheet to a PVC top surface 8 of a conveyor belt 7, over time the plasticisers migrate from the web into the sheet 2.

This results in the adhesive bond weakening, thus promoting edge lift with the sheet.

Further, the plasticisers can eventually cause the sheet 2 to deform and wrinkle.

The use of a self-adhesive film is normally designed for permanent bonding applications. It is chemically formulated to utilise the plasticisers as the adhesive activators to make a permanent adhesive bond. This desirable self-adhesive film was found to counter the plasticiser problem associated with pressure sensitive adhesives.

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It is seen that the density of plasticisers present in the PVC top surface 8 of the belt 7 that is of a sufficient level to form an adhesive bond between the sheet 2 and the top surface 8 such that edge lift is minimised and the adhesive bond is sufficient throughout the service life of a sheet 2. Further, the sufficient level of plasticisers also allow for a non permanent adhesive bond to result. This means that the sheet 2, after a useful i '."service life has expired, can be removed easily and cleanly by applying a heat gun or hot air dryer across the sheet 2. This will allow the sheet 2 to be peeled off without leaving unwanted adhesive residue on the top surface 8 of the belt 7 or damaging the belt 7 itself.

Advantageously a clear or transparent film 9 can be sprayed or applied over the sheet 2 and indicia 4. This film 9 reduces friction on the device 1 allowing items, in use, to more easily brush over the device 1. The film 9 also offers the advantage of additional protection for indicia applied to the sheet 2 in that items conveyed on the belt 6 and dropped or swiped over the device 1 do not cause unwanted wear and tear to the device 1 before its useful service life has expired. Further, the reduced level of friction from the operation of the belt 6 can extend the service life of the device 1.

I I M The film 9 encapsulates the printed indicia beneath an approved, hard wearing, flexible organic topcoat. The low friction film 9 complies with New Zealand health standards for direct food contact.

Referring now also to figures 2 and 3, perspective views of a conveyor belt 7 with a plurality of advertising devices 1 thereupon, and a checkout counter, are illustrated.

A plurality of devices 1 are seen to be cropped and arranged on a belt 7 such that, when the belt is moving, the devices 1 display a variety of visual information to a viewer. As movement is known to catch the attention of a person, moving advertisements on a conveyor belt are an effective way of targeting people buying products at a checkout counter or collecting luggage at an airport or at a place where people congregate to place and/or collect items being placed on a conveyor system.

15 The belt 7 is typically endless and is configured and tensioned about spindles 11. The spindles 11 are desirably motor driven to rotate the endless belt 7 as required. The arrangement in figure 3 shows an embodiment with the belt 7 set in a standard check out counter top 12.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of applying a sheet 2 to the conveyor belt 7. The preliminary step of cleaning the top surface 8 of the belt 7 is done to remove any grease or dirt. Then a protective backing sheet is removed from the bottom surface 5 of the sheet 2 and the bottom surface 5 is placed in contact with the top surface 8 of the belt 7. An advantage with the use of the preferred adhesive with the preferred embodiment is that there is minimal tack, which allows for easier application of the sheet 2 to the belt's top surface 8. A squeezee or other such tool may be used to smooth out any creases or air bubbles.

To accelerate the operation of the adhesive 6 to form a bond, heat may be applied directly by use of a heat gun or hot air dryer over the surface of the sheet 2.

After the useful service life of the sheet 2, it may be easily removed from the belt's top surface 8 by applying heat thereto until an edge of the sheet 2 can be lifted away from the belt's top surface. Then the edge is pulled back over itself until the sheet 2 is completely lifted off. By using this method it is seen that no adhesive residue remains as the sheet 2 can be lifted off clean, and the belt's top surface 8 is not damaged by having a portion of the PVC topcoat removed.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the principles taught herein.

It will be appreciated that the panels can be die cut to any shape. Desirably the sheet 2 •is cut to be rounded at the corners. Alternatively, the sheet can be cut to a shape representing, for example, a vehicle shape for advertisements relating to vehicles or a rugby ball shape relating to sports information.

Further, an advertising sign can comprise a plurality of predetermined shapes to form a larger sign on the conveyor belt. Such shapes can be, for example, parts of an animal

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or a marketable article onto which the device 1 has visual information applied on the top surface. The devices 1 can be configured and arranged such that advertising 20 messages are divided between adjoining devices 1 to form a number of interrelated

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messages or one continuous message about the outer surface of the conveyor belt in an 0: advertising mosaic.

The application of aspects of the invention can be on conveyor belts used for the transportation of products and items. However, it will be appreciated that as advertising material is known to be successful as a movable billboard, a vertically disposed endless belt that continuously, albeit slowly, rotates to display advertising information on sheets attached thereupon is considered within the scope of this invention.

It will be further appreciated that the useful service life of advertising indicia depends on a number of factors. However, for general purposes it is considered to be generally between about one to four months.

Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent for those skilled in the art after considering the principles in particular form as discussed and illustrated.

Thus, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described or illustrated, but is intended to cover all alterations or modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims.

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Claims (14)

1. A device for removable attachment to a conveyor belt, the device comprising a flexible sheet having a predetermined area, the sheet having a top display surface with visual information imprinted thereupon and a bottom surface substantially covered with an adhesive substance, the device being removably attachable to a said conveyor belt without forming a permanent bond thereto.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive substance is a suitable chemical formulation that is activatable by plasticiser migration to form a non permanent adhesive bond when the bottom surface of the sheet is in contact with the said conveyor belt.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the sheet is composed substantially of polyvinyl chloride or vinyl. S:

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the sheet has a thickness of between and 100 microns. B B..

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the thickness of the sheet is substantially microns. B.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein a protective layer is provided on the top surface of the sheet to reduce friction.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the protective layer is a transparent film or over gloss sprayed or applied onto the top surface of the sheet.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising the conveyor belt having an outer surface made of a suitable thermoplastics material. 0 1 I I

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the conveyor belt has a polyethylene, vinyl or polyvinyl chloride outer surface.

10. A method of securing a flexible sheet to a conveyor belt to form a non permanent adhesive bond comprising the steps of: a. preparing an area on the top surface of a conveyor belt to which the sheet will be adhered by using any suitable cleaning fluid; d. placing the device according to any one of the preceding claims S thereupon the area prepared in step and e. applying heat evenly over the sheet to accelerate the adhesion process to form an adhesion bond. 15

11. A method according to claim 9 further comprising in step b. the removal of any air bubbles trapped under the sheet or creases in the sheet by the application of direct pressure over the surface of the sheet.

S12. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11 comprising a preliminary step of spraying an over gloss or plastic film over the top surface of the sheet to reduce friction and provide a protective layer. o•

13. A method of removing a flexible sheet secured to a conveyor belt by the method of any one of claims 9 to 11 comprising the steps of: a. applying heat evenly over the sheet until an edge of the sheet lifts; and b. pulling the edge lifted in step a. back over itself and peeling the sheet from the top surface of the conveyor belt.

14. A method of claim 10 or claim 13 substantially as herein described. A device substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. Dated this 16't day of July 1998 DECAD LIMITED By its attorney Ernst Robert SCHUCH