GB2394351A

GB2394351A - Marking system

Info

Publication number: GB2394351A
Application number: GB0223980A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yogananthan Karuna
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Co
Current assignee: HP Inc
Priority date: 2002-10-15
Filing date: 2002-10-15
Publication date: 2004-04-21
Also published as: GB0223980D0

Abstract

An article, such as a computer, is provided with at least one marking assembly 12 thereon. This assembly 12 includes a container with a transparent viewing panel 14 through which the interior of the container is visible. The container is filled with fluid or liquid 18 and a floating member 22 is located within the container, the floating member 22 which is designed to maintain predetermined orientation, in this case the horizontal position. The floating member 22 has a marking on it which is visible through the viewing panel 14. The marking may be a trade mark or logo or advertising relating to the article. Thus is the orientation of the article changes, the marking automatically rotates to retain its correct orientation.

Description

239435 1

MARKING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a marking system for providing markings on an article, in the preferred embodiment a trademark on a computer casing.

It is common to provide computers with cases which can be positioned in a s plurality of different orientations, typically in a tower orientation in which the case could be said to be upright and in a desktop orientation in which the casing lies flat on a horizontal surface. In some cases, it is necessary for the user to change the orientation of one or more of the components of the computer in order to ensure that they function correctly in a different orientation. For example, a CD-ROM or DVD drive may need to 10 be rotated so as to keep the disk horizontal in use. For this purpose, it is typical to provide such components in their own unit which is of dimensions suitable for being rotated; for example, the unit may be substantially square so as to fit within the same compartment in any orthogonal orientation.

5 Computer casings are also typically provided with one or more markings, such as the trademark of the computer company and other markings relating to functions of the computer or instructions for the user. Typically, these markings have a set orientation on the computer casing so can become mix-oriented if the casing is placed in an orientation different from that to which the markings have been set. For example, if the markings are 20 fitted to the casing such that they are upright when the casing is in a desk top orientation, when the casing is rotated to a tower configuration the markings will appear on their side.

Providing markings which can be rotated can cause difficulties and added cost.

One example might be to provide a marking on a separate panel which is removably 25 secured to the casing, such as by latched fingers which fit into corresponding slots in the casing. When a user wishes to change the orientation of the casing, the panel must be removed from the casing, rotated and refitted onto the casing in its new orientation.

Although this may be a plausible solution in practice, in order to be commercially viable, such panels need to be simple and cheap, which invariably results in their not being 30 particularly robust and therefore liable to break. It is also impracticable to provide all markings on such panels. Furthermore, the user needs to know that such markings can be removed and replaced in a different orientation, which is not always the case.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved marking system for providing markings on an article.

s According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article with at least one marking assembly thereon, the assembly including a fluid filled container with a viewing panel through which the interior of the container is visible; a floating member located within the container and being designed to maintain a predetermined orientation; and a marking provided on the floating member and visible through the viewing panel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a marking assembly designed to provide a marking relating to an article, which assembly includes a fluid filled container with a viewing panel through which the interior of the container is visible; a floating member located within the container and being designed to maintain a 5 predetermined orientation; and a marking provided on the floating member and visible through the viewing panel.

As the marking is provided on the floating member, the orientation of the marking is retained even on a change in orientation of the assembly or of the article to which the 20 assembly is attached. Thus, in practice the marking can always be correctly oriented for viewing. Preferably, the marking is a trademark. In other embodiments, the marking could be any marking on an article such as a component identif er or the like.

Advantageously, the assembly is substantially flat. In this embodiment, the container could be formed from two wall members joined together, at least one of Chicle walls is curved to provide an interior space in the container.

30 In a practical embodiment, the entirety of a front wall of the container is transparent or translucent to provide the viewing window.

There may be provided illumination means for illuminating the interior of the container. In one embodiment, the container is substantially entirely transparent or translucent so as to be illuminated from behind.

s Advantageously, the article is a computer.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: lo Figure I shows a view of a part of a computer in a desktop orientation and provided with an embodiment of marking assembly; Pigure 2 shows the computer of Pigure I in a tower orientation; 5 Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a front elevational view of an embodiment of marking assembly; and Pigure 4 is a cross-sectional view in side elevation of the assembly of Figure 3.

20 Referring to Figures I and 2, the computer 10 shown is of conventional type and is designed to be positioned either in a desktop orientation as shown in Pigure I or in a tower configuration as shown in Pigure 2, according to the wishes of the user. The computer 10 is provided with the usual components so these are not described in detail.

2s At the front of tile computer 10 there is a marking assembly 12 which provides, in this example, the trade mark of tile computer manufacturer. An embodiment of such assembly 12 is shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Refening to Figures 3 and 4, in the embodiment shown, the assembly 12 provides a 30 container fowled by two walls 14, 16, the front wall 14 being slightly curved to fonm an interior space 18 within the assembly 12. The space] 8 is at least partially filled with a fluid 20 such as water, although a variety of fluids are suitable.

Within the interior space 18, floating in the fluid 20, there is a member 22 fonned from a panel of buoyant material, such as a plastics material. In the member 22 there is provided a marking M, for example a trade mark.

s The wall 14 of this embodiment is intended to the fi ont wall of the assembly 12, while the wall 16 is intended to be the r ear wall. In this example, the rear wall 16 is attached to the cashing of the computer 10, for example by a double-sided adhesive tape or by an adhesive layer. In an alternative embodiment, the case of the computer 10 could be 10 provided with an attachment device, such as a flange, which would surround the outer perimeter of the assembly] 2 to hold it in place. Any suitable method could be used.

In this embodiment, the entirety of the front wall 14 of the assembly 12 is made from transparent or translucent material so that its interior space 18 is visible from the 5 fi ont, and thereby the member 22 and more particularly the mark M is visible.

An alternative is to make only a portion of the front wall 14 translucent or transparent, for example by the provision of a specific window fitted within the wall 14.

20 Convcnicntly, the front wall may be made from a soft material, which could in practice protect it from accidental breakage and can also allow it to deform to the shape shown when filled with liquid 18. Similarly, both walls 14, 16 could be made from the same material.

25 The member 22 is designed so as to retain its orientation irrespective of the orientation of the container formed by the walls 14, 16. In one embodiment, this can be achieved by making its lower portion 24 less buoyant or heavier so that it "sinks" in the fluid. For example, the lower portion 24 could be provided with some form of weight. In another embodiment, the member 22 is wider than it is tall.

In use, when the assembly is fitted to a computer as shown in Figures I and 2, as the computer 10 is rotated from a desktop to a tower configuration or vice versa, the

s member 22 will naturally rotate as to retain its orientation and in practice will keep the mark M upright. In the case of a trade mark, this will thus always be viewed in its intended orientation.

s The assembly 12 can be used for markings other than trade marks. For example, it cold be used to provide markings such as port designations comnnonly found on computers, instructions for the user and so on.

In an embodiment, the rear wall 16 is also transparent or translucent, allowing for lo the assembly to be illuminated from behind, for example by lamps, light emitting diodes and the like.

It is not necessary to fill the device with fluid 18, indeed in the embodiment shown it is only partially filled. Moreover, the liquid could be transparent or coloured, as desired.

In an alternative embodiment, the assembly is partially filled with a resin which allows the member 22 to rotate by the force of gravity or buoyancy.

Claims

1. An article with at least one marking assembly thereon, the assembly including a container with a viewing panel through which the interior of the container is s visible; fluid within the container; a floating member located within the container and being designed to maintain a predetermined orientation; and a marking provided on the floating member and visible through the viewing panel.

2. An article according to claim 1, wherein the assembly is substantially flat.

3. An article according to claim 2, wherein the container is formed from two wall members joined together, at least one of which walls is curved to provide an interior space in the container.

IS

4. An article according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein substantially the entirety of a front wall of the container is transparent or translucent to provide the viewing window.

5. An article according to any preceding claim, including illumination means for illuminating the interior of the container.

6. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein at least a part of a rear wall of the container is transparent or translucent.

7. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the marking is a trade 25 mark.

8. A marking assembly designed to provide a marking relating to an article, which assembly includes a container with a viewing panel through which the interior of the container is visible; fluid within the container; a floating member located within the 30 container and being designed to maintain a predetermined orientation; and a marking provided on the floabng member and visible through the viewing panel.

9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein the assembly is substantially flat.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the container is formed from s two wall members joined together, at least one of which walls is curved to provide an interior space in the container.

11. An assembly according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein substantially the entirety of a front wall of the container is transparent or translucent to provide the viewing lo window.

12. An assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 11, including illumination I means for illuminating the interior of the container.

13. An assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein at least a part of a rear wall of the container is transparent or translucent.

14. An assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the marking is a trade mark.

15. A computer being the article according to any one of claims I to 7, or provided with a marking assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

16. An article with at least one marking assembly thereon substantially as 25 hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

17. A marking assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.