GB2278804A

GB2278804A - Device for reinforcing the surround of an aperture in sheet material

Info

Publication number: GB2278804A
Application number: GB9311772A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Arthur Phillips
Original assignee: KLEENKUT INVESTMENTS Ltd
Current assignee: KLEENKUT INVESTMENTS Ltd
Priority date: 1993-06-08
Filing date: 1993-06-08
Publication date: 1994-12-14
Also published as: GB9311772D0

Abstract

A device for reinforcing the surround of an aperture in sheet material 3 is a plastics reinforcing strip 1 having adhesive on one side of it, a hinge line 4 and an aperture location 5 on either side of the hinge line. The device is folded about its hinge line over the edge of the sheet 3 so that the strip is adhered to either side of the sheet with the aperture locations 5 aligned. A cord 6 can be looped through the aligned apertures or a line (7, Figure 4) can be entrapped adjacent the hinge line 4 to suspend or otherwise support the sheet 3. A peel-off protective layer is provided over the adhesive surface to facilitate storage and transportation of the device prior to use. The aperture locations may be pre-pierced or unpunched prior to use. <IMAGE>

Description

DEVICE FOR REINFORCING THE SURROUND OF AN APERTURE IN SHEET NATERIAL This invention relates to a device for reinforcing the surround of an aperture in sheet material.

With sheet material of the type such as is used to form banners, kites, etc., apertures in the sheet material through which cords are passed for supporting and suspending purposes, etc., are normally reinforced by means of metal eyelets to prevent the cords tearing through the sheet material. To apply these eyelets requires a tool and therefore it is usual for the banners to be made up at the factory rather than on site.

However, particularly in the case of banners, especially where there may be repetitive printing thereon, it would be useful to supply the banner as a long roll of sheet material, which can be cut on site to suit the location and purpose and then be strung up, for example by means of cords, with reinforced apertures located as desired in the banner material.

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for reinforcing the surround of an aperture in sheet material, the device comprising a reinforcing strip having adhesive on one side of it, a hinge line to facilitate folding of the strip on itself with the adhesive facing itself, and an aperture location on either side of said hinge line, the arrangement being such that, in use, the device is folded about its hinge line over an edge of a piece of sheet material with the aperture locations aligned on opposite sides of the sheet material and the device adhered to the sheet material.

The device may be provided with a peel-off protective layer of material over the adhesive surface to facilitate storage and transportation of such devices prior to use.

As will be appreciated from the above definition, the aperture locations in the device are positioned equidistant from the hinge line.

If the aperture has not already been made in the sheet material, then, once the device has been folded over and attached to the sheet material, an aperture can be pierced through the aperture locations and the sheet material, the result being that the surround of the aperture in the sheet material is reinforced by the device.

A cord can then be passed through the aperture so made, to suspend or otherwise support the sheet material. In this case, the device is folded over so that the hinge line lies along the edge of the sheet material.

Another possibility is for the device to be folded over with the hinge line spaced from the edge of the sheet material, so that a cord or the like can be trapped between the two folded parts of the device, the hinge line and the edge of the sheet material.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which:- Figure 1 is an enlarged edge view of a device for reinforcing the surround of the aperture in sheet material, the device being shown in its pre-use condition, Figure 2 is a plan view of the device shown in the condition illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a view of the device illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 shown in its in use condition fitted about an aperture in sheet material, and Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing another possibility of use of the device.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the device comprises a flat reinforcing strip 1 in the form of a self-adhesive hinged eyelet. The material of the strip can be polypropylene.

In the form illustrated, the reinforcing strip 1 is symmetrical and is provided with a layer of adhesive 2 on one face thereof, the adhesive being strong enough to form a firm bond to a substrate such as a sheet 3 of flexible material which can be, for example, of PVC or polythene.

A hinge line 4, produced by a perforated crease for example, is provided across the strip midway between its two ends. The central portion of the strip 1 has substantially parallel sides, which are flared out into part-circular forms around each end.

Each end of the reinforcing strip contains a centrally-located aperture location to form an aperture 5, the two apertures 5 being aligned with one another once the strip has been folded about its hinge line 4. It will be appreciated that the aperture locations can remain in un-punched out form prior to use or the apertures 5 can be provided in the product prior to supply.

Figure 3 shows the reinforcing strip 1 after removal of the protective layer 2 folded upon itself with the adhesive facing itself with the interposition of the piece of flexible sheet material 3, to which the reinforcing strip 1 has adhered. The apertures 5 have been formed, as well as an aperture through the sheet material itself in the same location to allow the threading of a supporting cord 6 through what has become a hinged, strengthening eyelet.

The hinge line 4 lies against the edge of the sheet material 3.

With the hinged eyelet located as illustrated in Figure 4, the hinge line 4 is spaced from the edge of the sheet material and it will be seen that the strip has been folded about a monofilament 7 which is trapped between the two adhesive faces of the folded strip, the hinge line 4 and the edge of the sheet material 3. In this case, it is not necessary to form or pierce the aperture locations 5. Of course, the cord 6 could be used instead of the monofilament 7 in the situation illustrated in Figure 4.

The device can be used with any desired sheet material, whether of plastics, card or other material.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for reinforcing the surround of an aperture in sheet material, the device comprising a reinforcing strip having adhesive on one side of it, a hinge line to facilitate folding of the strip on itself with the adhesive facing itself, and an aperture location on either side of said hinge line, the arrangement being such that, in use, the device is folded about its hinge line over an edge of a piece of sheet material with the aperture locations aligned on opposite sides of the sheet material and the device adhered to the sheet material.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein it is provided with a peel-off protective layer of material over the adhesive surface to facilitate storage and transportation prior to use.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said aperture locations are positioned equidistant from said hinge line.

4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said aperture locations comprise apertures, through which, in use, a cord is passed to suspend or otherwise support the sheet material.

5. A device for reinforcing the surround of an aperture in sheet material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.