GB2243140A

GB2243140A - Labels

Info

Publication number: GB2243140A
Application number: GB9108346A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Slater
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-04-19
Filing date: 1991-04-18
Publication date: 1991-10-23
Also published as: GB9008824D0; GB9108346D0

Abstract

A label or tag (10) for an item of clothing has an area (18) thereon that changes colour permanently if the item of clothing is washed above a recommended washing temperature. Then an item of clothing damaged because recommended washing instructions were ignored cannot be taken back to a retailer for replacement or refund on the ground of being faulty. Alternatively, the permanent change may be the appearance disappearance of disintegration of a marking. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Labelling DESCRIPTION This invention concerns labelling, particularly of items of clothing.

Most items of clothing contain a label bearing washing instructions so that an item of clothing can be correctly washed to avoid problems, such as shrinkage, stretching, colour fading and colour run. However, purchasers of items of clothing are often reluctant to follow correct washing procedures in order to save time by washing all clothing at the one temperature even though modern washing machines are provided with washing programs to deal with a variety of washing instructions.

The problems arising from incorrect washing often rebound on the retailer/supplier of the items of the items of clothing as purchasers return items of clothing that have suffered claiming that correct washing procedures have been used. It is, of course, impossible for the retailer to prove otherwise and so often an exchange or refund has to be made.

An object of this invention is to provide means whereby use of an incorrect washing temperature for an item of clothing can be detected.

According to this invention it is proposed that items of clothing can be provided with a label or tag having at least a region thereof that changes permanently when a washing temperature in excess of that recommended for the item of clothing is used.

The label or tag of the invention may be the conventional label or tag that normally bears washing instructions and/or details of the materials from which the item is made and/or trade marking. Alternatively a separate label or tag may be provided.

The label or tag of the invention will preferably bear a warning to the effect that washing of the item of clothing bearing the label or tag above its recommended washing temperature will cause a change indication on the label or tag.

A preferred indication is a change of colour, such as the appearance of a coloured, preferably red, shape, preferably a triangle, when a recommended washing temperature is exceeded. The area to change colour may be treated or printed with a suitable chemical substance or substances that will produce a colour change above a certain temperature. The substances may react together to cause the colour change, may change colour merely because of the temperature increase or may react with other substances present in washing powders/liquids above a certain temperature. Different substances will, of course, be required for different temperatures.

An alternative preferred indication is that a marking on the label or tag appears, disappears or disintegrates if the item of clothing bearing the label or tag is washed above a recommended temperature.

As with the colour change embodiments the area of the label or tag to change may be treated or printed with a suitable chemical substance or substances that will produce a change above a certain temperature. The substances may react together to cause the change, may change merely because of the temperature increase or may react with other substances present in washing powders/liquids above a certain temperature. Different substances will, of course, be required for different temperatures.

When an item of clothing is returned to a retailer/supplier for refund or exchange the label or tag of the invention can be inspected to see if correct washing procedures have or have not been followed. If the change has taken place, that provides proof of use of incorrect washing procedures being used.

Additionally, removal or other tampering with the label or tag may indicate use of incorrect washing procedures.

Indeed, it may be specified at purchase that no refund or exchange may be considered for an item of clothing which has had the label or tag removed or tampered with.

Beneficial effects of the proposed label or tag of the invention include that purchasers of items of clothing bearing the label or tag will be more inclined to use correct washing procedures, which should give the item of clothing a longer life and that retailers/suppliers of items of clothing will not lose as much income on exchanges or refunds so that possibly even such savings can be passed onto their customers by way of reduced prices.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a label for an item of clothing.

Referring to the accompanying drawing a label 10 sewn into an item of clothing 12 by stitching 14 at opposite edges thereof carries a warning 16 that exceeding the maximum recommended washing temperature will cause a triangular area 18 of the label to change colour say from white to red. Then use of incorrect washing procedure can be detected. Alternatively, the triangular area 18 may be treated either so a symbol appears, disappears or disintegrates above a desired washing temperature.

It may be that the invention will be found to be applicable in areas other than the clothing industry for labelling to ensure other items are not stored or treated at too high or too low temperatures for example.

Claims

1. A label or tag for an item of clothing, the label or tag having at least a region thereof that changes permanently when a washing temperature in excess of that recommended for the item of clothing is used.

2. A label or tag as claimed in claim 1, having a warning to the effect that washing of the item of clothing bearing the label or tag above its recommended washing temperature will cause a permanent change indication on or of the label or tag.

3. A label or tag as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the permanent change is a colour change.

4. A label or tag as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the permanent change is the appearance, disappearance or disintegration of a marking on the label or tag.

5. A label or tag as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the label or tag is printed or treated with one or more chemical substances that will produce said permanent change above a recommended washing temperature for an item of clothing bearing the label or tag.

6. A label or tag as claimed in claim 5, wherein the permanent change is caused by reaction together of chemical substances.

7. A label or tag as claimed in claim 5, wherein the permanent change is caused by the effect of temperature increase on the chemical substance or substances.

8. A label or tag as claimed in claim 5, wherein the permanent change is caused by reaction of the or each chemical substance with other substances present in washing powders/liquids above a certain temperature.

9. A label or tag for an item of clothing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

10. A item of clothing bearing a label or tag as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.