EP0630324B1 - Wiping-proof labelling device - Google Patents

Abstract

A wiping-proof labelling device (1) for objects of all kinds has one or more material layer(s) (2, 3, 4, 6, 7) on which information (5) can be inscribed by means of pressure. The information (5) is made recognisable, for example, by the interaction of two material layers (2, 3).

Description

The present invention relates to a smudge-proof marking device for objects of all kinds with a plurality of layers of material (6, 7) which can be provided with information (5) by means of pressure, one of the layers of material (6) being an incisable film into which the information (5) can be introduced and a further layer of material (7) being provided , which is softer and thicker than the insertable material layer (6).

Such a generic, smudge-proof marking device is known from US Pat. No. 4,276,334.

Smudge-proof marking devices are required in many areas of daily life as well as in science and technology. In the household, jars, freezer bags or party glasses should be provided with markings that are smudge-proof and washable. In the laboratory area, samples, flasks, test tubes and similar objects must be labeled with permanently smudge-proof and waterproof markings. In dentistry, it is necessary to provide plastered jaw models with a label that is still clearly recognizable even after ten or more years.

Particularly in the field of science, the durability of the smudge-proof markings has to meet the highest demands. Confusion caused by blurred labels can cause serious problems and sometimes falsify extensive research work and render it unusable.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a smudge-proof marking device for objects of all kinds, which can be handled easily and without problems even without specially provided tools and which is not illegible due to external influences.

This goal is achieved in a generic marking device in that the incisable film surrounds the other material layer all around.

The further layer of material is thus protected from moisture and durable

The marking device according to the invention is thus characterized in that information or lettering can be fixed in at least one material layer simply by printing even without color. Here, layers of material are meant from such materials, into which information can be "pressed" or "stamped" simply by using a commercially available pen, even without using a special tool - for example a dome or a pressing tool. Materials can be used that cannot be written on by a pen - for example, smooth plastics. It is essential to use materials that are designed so that a track can be fixed in them with the pen by applying pressure. This can be a trace in the sense of a depression, but it can also be a trace that arises from the fact that the pin triggers a chemical-physical reaction in the material when pressure is exerted on the material. Since no engraving tools are necessary, the marking device is easy to handle and can be labeled.

The smudge-proof marking device according to the invention is therefore particularly easy to label because light pressure is sufficient to transfer the color layer of the first layer of material to the second layer of material. The film can be labeled with either a ballpoint pen or a colored pencil. If no pen is at hand, you can simply use a fingernail or a pointed pen to provide information - for example in the form of name initials - be carved into the marking device. In addition, visually interesting stickers etc. can be placed on the plastic film. be stuck on.

The marking device according to the invention particularly advantageously has a fastening means, particularly advantageously an adhesive layer arranged on its underside in the manner of a sticker. This will make the smudge-proof Labeling device expanded to a particularly versatile adhesive label.

In another embodiment of the marking device according to the invention, a Velcro layer is advantageously provided. The marking device is therefore suitable for textiles, for example for towels, fabrics and the like. In hospitals, all kinds of laundry items can easily be provided with the initials of a patient. Instead of a Velcro fastener, another uncomplicated fastener can also be attached to the marking device, for example a push button.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one retention is advantageously present. The retention in the manner of a wire fastened in the edge region of the marking device - in particular surrounded by a plastic strip - can, for. B. in wet plaster. Two retentions are preferably provided. After the plaster has hardened, the marking device is securely attached to the plaster model. This embodiment considerably simplifies the labeling of jaw models. It is also ensured that the marking device is not removed from the jaw model again.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using several exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Kennzeichnungs-Vorrichtung in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf das Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Kennzeichnungs-Vorrichtung in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf das Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

ein mit Retentionen versehenes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Kennzeichnungs-Vorrichtung;

Fig. 6

ein mit einer Klebeschicht versehenes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Kennzeichnungs-Vorrichtung;

Fig. 7

ein mit einer Klettschicht versehenes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Kennzeichnungs-Vorrichtung;

Fig. 8

eine erfindungsgemäße Kennzeichnungs-Vorrichtung, ausgestaltet nach Art eines Identifikations-Systemes für bargeldlose Zahlungsmittel;

Fig. 9A-D

verschiedene Ausgestaltungen erfindungsgemäßer Kennzeichnungs-Vorrichtungen.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of a labeling device according to the invention in side view;

Fig. 2

a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

Fig. 3

a further embodiment of a marking device according to the invention in side view;

Fig. 4

a plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

an embodiment of a marking device according to the invention provided with retentions;

Fig. 6

an embodiment of an identification device according to the invention provided with an adhesive layer;

Fig. 7

an embodiment of a marking device according to the invention provided with a Velcro layer;

Fig. 8

a marking device according to the invention, designed in the manner of an identification system for cashless means of payment;

9A-D

Different configurations of marking devices according to the invention.

First, the first embodiment of FIG. 1 will be described.

1, a marking device 1 according to the invention consists of a first material layer 2 and a second material layer 3 resting thereon. A plastic film 4 surrounding the two material layers 2 and 3 is provided as the third material layer. The plastic material layer 4 encloses the material layers 2 and 3 completely watertight all around.

For example, a wax paper coated or soaked with a dye or a wax film is used as the first material layer 2. The second material layer 3 consists of a paper which is thin in comparison to the first material layer 2. The paper is not too tight on the first layer of material 2, so that the color layer of the first Material layer 2 shines only slightly through the second material layer 3.

The third material layer 4 made of plastic is so thin that information can easily be pushed through the enclosed material layers 2 and 3 by means of a pen. The plastic layer 4 is also transparent. It is easy to manufacture a stable, yet sufficiently thin plastic layer. The thickness of the entire marking device 1 is advantageously in the range of one to two millimeters.

To fix information, pressure is applied to the marking device 1 by means of a normal ballpoint pen or a similar pen or pen-like tool. Wherever the ballpoint pen is pressed firmly enough, the information is visible through an interaction between the two layers of material 2 and 3. The first material layer 2 is coated with a dye or soaked with a dye that when the thin material layer 3 is pressed (in particular from very thin, crepe-like paper) onto the first material layer 2, dye is transferred to the second material layer 3. Since the second layer of material 3 is not clear, but is so thin that a layer of color applied to it shines through it, as can be seen in FIG. 2, a label 5 is visible.

In the top view of FIG. 2 it can be seen that the name "Julie" was written or "pressed in" or "carved" by means of a pen. The marking device 1 labeled in this way is absolutely smudge-proof and also completely harmless to health. No dyes or solvents can penetrate through the plastic layer 4 to the outside. The marking device is therefore also suitable for the food sector or for marking glasses and dinnerware. It is it is even conceivable to produce whole glasses or plates from such a material, which can then be painted by children with pens without any health risks. For the first layer of material, basically all materials are conceivable that change their brightness and / or their color when pressure is applied.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of a marking device according to the invention, which is also based on the idea of "labeling" or marking only by exerting pressure.

The marking device shown in FIG. 3 consists of a material layer in the form of an aluminum foil 6, which encloses a thicker and softer material layer 7 all around. The material of the layer 7 can, for. B. be rubber-like elastic or consist of a plastically deformable plastic.

As can be seen in the top view of Fig. 4, labels can be easily realized in this way, in which the information 5 - e.g. Inscriptions - can be scratched. The information incised in this way is permanently smudge-proof and does not become illegible even after many years.

The typeface can be varied (width of the embossing, depth of the embossing) by a suitable choice of the inner layer - or simply by means of a layer glued to the back of the aluminum foil. With a suitable aluminum foil, it is also possible to replace the additional layer with a suitable writing pad. However, it is more advantageous to integrate the writing pad as a material layer into the marking device as described above. In this way, whole sheets with pre-cut aluminum labels can be produced analogously to sheets with paper labels that are commercially available.

FIG. 4 shows the marking device from FIG. 3 in a top view, the inscription 5 in the form of an incised track bears the information “XY-21.6.91”. In an analogous manner, a dentist can write the initials or the name of a patient on the marking device.

While the dentist always had to write down the names and dates of the patients on notes that could easily be exchanged or lost until the jaw models made of gypsum hardened, he can now put the aluminum marking device into the spoon before pouring the shaped spoon with gypsum and then pour out the mold with plaster. After the plaster has hardened and the jaw model has been removed, the aluminum marking is firmly attached to the plaster. This prevents the label from being mixed up or lost.

In FIG. 5, the marking device of FIGS. 3 and 4 is supplemented by lateral retentions 8 in the form of two wires or wires welded into plastic sheets. The retentions 8 can be inserted into the still moist plaster of the jaw model. Since the dentist has to keep jaw models for up to ten years, waterproof, permanent marking is particularly important. After the plaster has hardened, the retentions 8 and thus the entire marking device 1 adhere firmly and permanently in the jaw model. The retentions 8 can be integrated analogously into the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1.

6, an adhesive film 9 is provided instead of the soft layer 7. The adhesive film 9 supplements all embodiments of the invention to practical adhesive labels. Such adhesive labels can then be attached particularly easily to glasses and similar objects of all kinds.

Adhesive labels of this type are particularly advantageous in the household. For example, toothbrushes can be provided in a new way with the marking devices according to the invention. In this way, children can easily identify and easily recognize "their" toothbrush, but also "their" drinking glass and similar things (e.g. all kinds of pens and crayons). Glasses, plates, etc. are at parties. Can be individually and visually identifiable in a new way. For the marking of drinking glasses, it is also possible to use marking devices in which a hole has advantageously been left out. The marking device designed in this way can be pulled over a straw and thus enables glasses, cardboard cups, etc. to be marked in a particularly simple manner.

Although the design is technically uncomplicated, there are astonishingly many new areas of application for the marking device according to the invention in which the marking was previously very tedious or not possible at all. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment which, in addition to an aluminum foil 6, has a Velcro layer 10. The Velcro layer 10 can also be glued or sewn onto all embodiments of the marking device according to the invention. The marking device equipped with the Velcro strip 10 can then be used, for example, to mark towels - here the smudge resistance and the removable Velcro fastener 10 are advantageous. However, other textiles can also be equipped with the marking devices designed in this way. For this purpose, a safety pin is advantageously integrated into the marking device, for example laterally. The marking device can then be attached to textiles of all kinds with the safety pin. The marking device provided with the safety pin is also an easy-to-write, smudge-proof name tag for attaching to clothing usable. For this purpose, the safety pin is attached to the back of the marking device.

A particularly preferred area of application is for the smudge-proof marking devices in the area of "identification systems of cashless means of payment". Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 8.

A marking device according to the invention is designed here in the manner of an identification system 11 for cashless means of payment. Identification systems for cashless means of payment allow an easy overview of withdrawals from ATMs, payments, invoices. The identification system 11 shown in FIG. 8 has bar sections 12 which are provided with monthly digits 13. The identification system 11 is further constructed from several layers: Under an upper thin paper layer, which is printed with the day numbers 13 (from 1 to 31) and for example the name of a bank (in FIG. 8: "ABC bank") a thicker layer of paper that gives the system stability. In this further paper layer 12 cutouts are provided in the area of the bars. In the area of these recesses there is a wax therapy film, which is otherwise located underneath the further paper layer, and is located directly under the thinner first layer of paper. The wax film can also be limited to the area of these cutouts. The inner layers are surrounded by an outer plastic weld in analogy to FIG. 1.

If the external dimensions are adapted to a credit card format, the identification system 11 can be kept next to the credit card. The function is explained as in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1: a withdrawal day can be marked quickly and easily with a pen or a ballpoint pen (see the markings 5 in FIG. 8).

Such an identification system can be used particularly advantageously, for example, for payments and withdrawals with an automated check card. Each of the bar-like sections 12 is printed with the day digits 13. The bookings for one month can be noted in a bar 12. It is also possible to additionally provide the individual bars 12 (in particular six or twelve bars) with month names and / or day names. This creates a kind of "identification calendar" on which all debit data for a half year can be noted.

It is also conceivable for an identification system to be “double-sided”. The individual bar sections are advantageously offset from one another such that markings do not shine through on both sides. The material layers are on top of each other as follows:

Despite the relatively large number of layers of material, the thickness of the identification system need not exceed one or two millimeters.

The principle of the invention can also be implemented by means of materials which are initially plastic, but which deform when pressure is exerted with the aid of a writing instrument or an embossing stamp, and which only permanently store information when exposed to external influences. Possible embodiments result from light-curing plastic or from materials that harden when exposed to heat.

Labels that are particularly attractive in terms of fashion can be realized if the marking device 1 is supplemented by a graphically designed section. FIGS. 9A-D show various graphic configurations of marking devices according to the invention 1. The actual marking device - in the manner of FIG. 1 - is followed by a sticker 14, which makes the marking devices visually more interesting ("cancer" , "Dolphin" etc.). There are practically no limits to the design options, as a wide variety of colors and shapes can be realized.

For example, the marking device according to the invention can also be designed as a pocket or small calendar, e.g. can be used as an advertising medium. The layer of wax paper is surrounded on both sides by thin paper that is printed with calendar day digits. The two paper layers and the wax paper layer are welded all around by transparent plastic. As described above, the user can easily mark dates such as birthdays etc. individually.

Claims (5)

1. Wipe-resistant labelling device for objects of all kinds with several layers of material (6, 7) which can be provided with an item of information (5) by means of pressure, one of the layers of material (6, 7) being a scratchable film to which the item of information (5) can be applied, and a further layer of material (7) which is softer and thicker than the scratchable layer of material (6) is provided, characterised in that the scratchable film (6) encloses the further layer of material (7) all round.
2. Wipe-resistant labelling device according to claim 1, characterised by a fastening means on the underside of the labelling device.
3. Wipe-resistant labelling device according to claim 2, characterised in that the fastening means is an adhesive layer (9) after the fashion of a sticker.
4. Wipe-resistant labelling device according to claim 2, characterised in that the fastening means is a hook layer (10) of a hook and pile fastener.
5. Wipe-resistant labelling device according to claim 2, characterised in that the fastening means is a retaining device (8).

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