GB2294025A

GB2294025A - Identification band

Info

Publication number: GB2294025A
Application number: GB9420856A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Robert Hayes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-10-15
Filing date: 1994-10-15
Publication date: 1996-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 2014-10-15
Also published as: GB9420856D0; GB2294025B

Abstract

An identification means for a person, animal or object is used to allow or prevent access, for security or identification purposes. It comprises a strip of flexible sheet material (1), a fastening means (2) such as an adhesive pad (3) at one end of the strip to enable the strip to be formed into a band adapted to be attached to the person, animal or object, and a release means comprising a line (5) of perforations located adjacent to the fastening means. The fastening means (2) and the release means (3) are so constructed and arranged that the release means is manually operated to break the band before the fastening means can unfasten it, and the fastening means cannot be used again to reform the band, therefore fulfilling security requirements. The identification means may be coloured, or printed with any information necessary for its use. <IMAGE>

Description

IDENTIFICATION MEANS This invention relates to identification means such as an identity band for fastening round a person, animal or object.

Such identification means may be needed for people for security purposes, to prevent or allow access to a particular play, or simply for identification of animals, plants or other objects. For security purposes, it is important for the identification means to be readily attached to the person, animal or object and also to be easily removable but very difficult to re-attach. In many instances it is useful for the identification means to be waterproof so that it can be used in wet conditions or outside, without disintegrating.

According to the present invention, an identification means for a person, animal or object comprises a strip of flexible sheet material having fastening means for enabling the strip to be formed into a band adapted to be attached to the person, animal or object, and release means separate from the fastening means, the release means being manually operable to break the band, the fastening means and release means being so constructed and arranged that the release means operates to break the band before the fastening means can unfasten it, and the fastening means cannot be used again to reform the band.

Thus the identification means can be formed into a band and attached, using the fastening means, and can easily be removed manually using the release means to break the band, but cannot then be refitted using the fastening means. The band therefore fulfils security requirements.

Preferably the strip is of waterproof material, conveniently a paper-based material, to enable it to be used in wet conditions or outside.

The fastening means preferably comprises adhesive. The adhesive may be provided on a pad located at one end of the strip. The adhesive is preferably not soluble in water, and forms a relatively strong bond with the strip, so that it is difficult to release the bond by hand.

The release means preferably comprises a line of perforations which breaks the band when it is pulled.

Preferably the release means is located adjacent the fastening means so that on operation of the release means the fastening means is detached from the remainder of the strip.

The strip may be coloured, or printed with any information necessary for the identification system in which it is used.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a strip for an identification means; and Figure 2 is an end view of the strip of Figure 1 formed into a band.

The strip 1 shown in Figure 1 is for an identification means in the form of a wrist band for a person. The strip 1 can be of various sizes, and is of a paper-based waterproof material.

A fastening means 2 is provided adjacent one end of the strip 1, and comprises a double-sided adhesive pad 3. One side of the pad 3 is stuck to the strip 1, while the outer side is covered by a removable shield 4. The adhesive is not water soluble, and forms a bond with the strip 1 which is sufficiently strong not to be readily removed by hand.

A release means in the form of a line 5 of perforations is provided adjacent the pad 3. The line 5 allows the strip 1 to tear when pulled by hand.

For use, the strip 1 is formed into a minimum diameter band round the wrist of a person (just the band is shown in Figure 1). Thus, the shield 4 is removed from the pad 3, enabling the opposite end of the strip 1 to be stuck to the outer side of the pad 3.

For removal of the band, it is simply pulled by hand, so that the strip 1 tears or breaks along the line 5. This is relatively easy to do. The adhesive bond and the line 5 are arranged so that any attempt to unstick the end of the strip 1 from the pad 3 will result in the strip 1 breaking along the perforated line 5. It is virtually impossible to reform the strip 1 into a band again, since even if a part of the strip is removed from the pad 3, the pad 3 itself is detached from the remainder of the strip 1.

The strip 1 may be coloured, printed or otherwise marked with information necessary for the identification system in which it is used. It is particularly useful for security purposes for people using sports and leisure facilities or medical and research establishments. It is versatile because it is waterproof, and can therefore be used in wet conditions or outside, without disintegrating. It may also be used for animals, plants, or other objects.

In a modification (not shown) the strip 1 may be of a waterproof material other than paper, such as plastics or fibre. The fastening and release means may also be modified as appropriate. For example, the fastening means may be snap fasteners or rivets, while the release means may comprise an area of weakness made integrally with the strip.

Claims

1. An identification means for a person, animal or object comprising a strip of flexible sheet material having a fastening means for enabling the strip to be formed into a band adapted to be attached to the person, animal or object, with release means separate from the fastening means, the release means being manually operable to break the band, wherein the fastening means and the release means are so constructed and arranged that the release means operates to break the band before for fastening means can unfasten it, and the fastening means cannot be used again to reform the band.

2. An identification means according to claim 1, wherein the strip is of a waterproof material to enable it to be used in wet conditions or outside.

3. An identification means according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the strip is of paper-based material.

4. An identification means according to any preceding claim, wherein the fastening means comprises adhesive.

5. An identification means according to claim 4, wherein the adhesive is provided on a pad located at one end of the strip.

6. An identification means according to claim 4 or claim 5, in which the adhesive is not soluble in water, and forms a relatively strong bond with the strip.

7. An identification means according to any preceding claim, wherein the release means comprises a line of perforations which breaks the band when it is pulled.

8. An identification means according to any preceding claim, wherein the release means is located adjacent the fastening means so that on operation of the release means the fastening means is detached from the remainder of the strip.

9. An identification means according to any preceding claim, wherein the strip is coloured or printed with any information necessary for the identification system in which it is used.

10. An identification means substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.