GB2438919A

GB2438919A - Reusable banner, e.g. for attachment to window.

Info

Publication number: GB2438919A
Application number: GB0606463A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Keith Chance
Original assignee: SNAP PLC
Current assignee: SNAP PLC
Priority date: 2006-03-31
Filing date: 2006-03-31
Publication date: 2007-12-12
Also published as: GB0606463D0

Abstract

A reusable banner comprises a planar portion and means for releasably attaching the banner to a transparent substrate, preferably in the form of suction cups for mounting the banner to a window. The planar portion may be a perforated, e.g. a PVC coated polyester fabric, a non-perforated material or a fabric. The edges of the banner may be hemmed (103) and provided with eyelets (102) for receiving the attachment means. A method of manufacturing a banner (Fig. 4) comprises the steps of preparing the image, printing the image, curing the image and adding means to adhere the banner to a substrate.

Description

REUSABLE INFORMATION BANNER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to reusable information banner, particularly to a flexible banner suitable for affixing to the interior of a substantially transparent substrate such that the information printed upon at least one side of the banner can be observed from the other side of the substantially transparent substrate

Background to the Invention

Prior art means exist for displaying information to consumers and other interested individuals. For this purpose advertisements have been variously printed and displayed to allow the information contained therein to be read and understood.

An example of a prior art advertisement is a board that estate agents/realtors use to indicate to passers by that a property or house is for sale.

This type of prior art advertisement notice generally comprises a board of a rigid material which is affixed in as visible a position as possible in proximity to the property which is being sold. In general this type of prior art board is composed of a rigid material as it is configured for use outdoors. It is possible to also display such a rigid information banner in the interior of the property by propping such a banner against the inner surface of a window.

Problems with this type of prior art information banner include if the banner is used on the exterior of a property, this can adversely affect the aesthetic appearance of the property and in extreme cases may even put off a potential buyer from viewing the property. Further, if the banner is attached to an exterior surface of the property this can cause damage to this exterior surface.

Alternatively when this type of prior art information banner is displayed in the garden or on the property, this can cause damage and disruption to the garden or alternatively can become a target for vandals. Such vandals may seek to remove the sign from its location and transport it away for various purposes, or alternatively simply to make a mess in the users garden.

Alternatively, when such rigid boards are used in the interior of a property, again disadvantages exist with this type of interior use as due to the rigid nature of the board, this can make propping it so that the board can be seen against the window difficult to achieve. In addition to this the boards are also in general non transparent and so can adversely effect transmission of light through a window into the property so again adversely affecting a users living conditions so long as this rigid banner is in place.

A second type of advertising means typically configured for use with a transparent substrate such as a window, is an information banner through which light may easily be transmitted. This second type of prior art advertising banner is a substantially planar laminate structure which comprises an adhesive layer such that it can be adhered to the interior or exterior of a window. The number of perforations or stations or present in this type of prior art banner so as to allow as far as possible the transfer of light through the transparent substrate.

The advertising industry, as well as many other industries, desire the ability to display graphic images on a wide variety of surfaces. One type of service which has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years is windows or other transparent or translucent services. In application of image graphics or other pieces of information to such surfaces, it is desirable that the image be visible from one side of the window are leaving window and image substantially transparent when viewed from the other side of the window. Thus for example if the image is to be mounted on a window of a vehicle such as a bus or mini cab it is desired that passengers be able to see clearly through the window, while passengers outside of the vehicle see.

This effect is identified in the image graphics industry as one way vision through the film and films offering you directional viewing are referred to herein as one way vision films. One way vision films typically are multi layer constructions having a film adapted to receive an image on one surface and a dark (usually black) film or ink applied to the opposite surface. A laminate or pressure sensitive adhesive and removable backing or carrier material is applied to the exposed surface of either film which allows the printed graphic to be handled and applied to a window. Prior to application to a window the backing material must be removed to expose the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Transparency through the film is usually achieved by providing numerous perforations through the film. The perforations are sized and spaced such that when viewed from the image side, the viewer has a tendency to focus on the image while when viewed from the dark side the viewer has a tendency to see throughthefilm.

The one way vision effect of the film is achieved by the known property of windows in which, when viewed from an area of bright ambient light into a darker area, windows appear dark or opaque, while when viewed from an area of dark ambient light to a brighter area of windows transparent. This effect, although not entirely predictable allows viewers in darker areas such as the interior of vehicles and filming to see through the unidirectional film while people in bright outdoor ambient light will see the graphic printed on the one way vision film.

When used in applications in which the window acts as a barrier between two areas, such as indoors and outdoors or between two rooms in a commercial establishment (e.g. banks where workers at desks can view from the lobby), the one way vision film can be applied to either surface of the window. The application to the same side is where the person is when viewing the image graphic is a first surface application, whereas the application to the side of the window proposing the side where the person is viewing the image graphic is a second surface application. -4..

Significant disadvantages also exist with respect to this type of prior art information banner, in particular as a information banner is adhered to the interior of a window most normally using a powerful adhesive is very difficult if not s impossible to remove this type of prior art information banner in a single piece and in general such a prior art information banner is destroyed as and when it is removed from the substrate onto which it is has been positioned.

Noting these disadvantages associated with prior art information banners and in particular leaving significant commercial and technical advantages could be gained by providing an information banner which overcomes these prior art disadvantages the inventors have arrived at the following invention.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a reusable information banner comprising a planar portion which is configurable to have information printed on at least one side thereof. The reusable information banner also comprises means configured to adhere the banner to substrate. The information banner is characterised in that the banner is detachably mounted onto the substrate.

The inventors have therefore provided a reusable information barrier which comprises a substantially planar portion which is configurable to receive a piece of information for display purposes. The reusable information banner also comprises means that are configured to adhere the banner onto a substrate.

Specifically these adhesion means are configured such that the banner is detachably mounted onto the substrate.

Therefore, unlike prior art information banners, the present invention relates to a demountable information banner, this demountable information banner differs from prior art devices in that it is detachably mounted on the substrate meaning that it may be easily removed and/or re-positioned as appropriate.

Therefore the banner according to the invention is reusable unlike previous information banners which comprised a layer of adhesive material.

Further, as the information banner may be adhered to a substrate it is also an improvement over the use of rigid boards normally displayed on the outside of a property in a window as this invention allows the information banner to be adhered to the interior of the window allowing it to be more properly displayed increasing the transmission of the message contained thereon.

Preferably the planar portion may be substantially flexible.

By providing substantially planar portion a reusable information banner may be more easily transported and fitted onto a substrate.

Preferably the planar portion may comprise a perforated material.

By taking the planar portion out of a perforated material, this increases the likely transmission properties of the information banner so allowing a user to more easily get on with their activities even whilst the information banner is positioned over a window.

Preferably the planar portion may comprise PVC coated retardant polyester based fabric.

Preferably the planar portion may comprise one of the following materials: Oce IJM 609 Mesh Banner Ml; Oce IJM 610 Flag Tex Solvent; 3P IQ-IJ 407/408 Solvent Flag.

Alternatively the information banner may comprise a non perforated material.

In particular the planar portion may comprise one of the following materials: Oce IJM 606 Scrim Banner Matt; Oce IJM 612 Double Sided Scrim Banner; Oce IJM 602 Tear Resistant paper.

Alternatively the planar portion may comprise a fabric.

Preferably the planar portion may comprise one of the following materials: 3P IG-IJ 433 Trucolor Heavy Banner; 3P TruColor Cotton; 3P Trucolor Spinnaker BI.

Preferably the printed information on the planar portion may be visible only from a first side thereof.

By printing the information onto the reusable information banner in such a way that it is visible only to one side, this allows information to be displayed outwards from a property without also being displayed inwards so further decreasing the amount of disruption associated with the users activities whilst a reusable information banners according to this invention is being used.

Preferably the planar portion may comprise at least one hemmed edge.

Preferably the planar portion may comprise at least one eyelet configured to accept the adhesion means.

Preferably the at least one eyelet may be of between 6 to 40 mm in diameter.

Preferably the adhesion means may comprise at least one suction cup.

Preferably at least one suction cup is configured to be fixable to said at least one eyelet.

Preferably the banner is configured for use as an estate agents sign.

Preferably the reusable information banner is configured for use as an advertisement.

Preferably the reusable information banner is configured for use upon the inside of a substantially transparent substrate.

Preferably the substantially transparent substrate is a window.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is also provided, a kit of parts for a reusable information barrier as claimed in any preceding claim.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a piece of information banner comprising the steps: preparation of a suitable printable image; printing of said image onto a substantially planar portion of said reusable information banner; cu ring of said printed planar portion; introduction of means to adhere said reusable information barrier to a substrate.

Preferably the planar portion may be substantially flexible.

Preferably the planar portion may comprise a perforated material.

Alternatively the planar portion may comprise a fabric.

Preferably the planar portion may comprise one of the following materials: 3P lg-IJ 433 Trucolor Heavy Banner; 3P TruColor Cotton; 3P Trucolor Spinnaker BI.

Preferably the planar portion may comprise at least one hemmed edge.

Preferably the adhesion means may comprise at least one suction cup.

Preferably the banner is configured for use as an estate agents sign.

Preferably the substantially transparent substrate is a window.

Preferably the printer uses solvent based inks.

Preferably the printing is performed using an agfa grand sherper 87 printer.

Preferably the step of introducing eyelets into said planar portion using a h901 machine.

Preferably the curing of the printed planar portion uses one of the following techniques: heat curing; UV cu ring; Steam curing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a reusable information banner according to a first aspect of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a reusable information banner according to the second specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a enlarged view of a corner of a reusable information banner according to a second specific embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the process of printing a reusable information banner according to the third specific aspect of the present invention.

Detailed Description

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to

unnecessarily obscure the description.

With reference to figure 1 herein there is shown a reusable information banner 101. This reusable information banner is substantially rectangular and is formed from a piece of a substantially two dimensional material, forming a substantially planar portion.

The reusable information banner 101 further comprises eyelets 102, according to this specific embodiment of the present invention these eyelets are disposed on opposite ends of the resuable information banner 101. These eyelets 102 allow a number of different types of fixation means to be connected to the reusable information banner 101 and via the action of these fixation means for the information banner to be adhered to a surface substrate. The eyelets 102 may be constructed from a great many materials. In particular and according to this specific embodiment of the present invention these eyelets are in the form of hollow circles formed into the material of a reusable information banner, with an eye letting machine.

This hollow circle is formed from a washer of a metal and an accepting lipped disk. In operation the washer is disposed on a lower side of the reusable information banner, and the accepting disk on an upper side thereof. The eye letting machine then brings the washer and accepting disk into conjunction and forces the washer into the accepting disk, so binding these two pieces together.

In addition the eye letting machine also removes the material of the reusable information banner from the interior of the washer/accepting disk, so forming a hole surrounded by the conjoined washer/accepting disk.

Several different types of eyeletting machines exist and these may be applicable to the fabrication of barriers depending upon the specific criteria needed by a user for a reusable information banner.

In particular the inventors consider the following eye letting machine to be particularly suitable. The H901 machine is a truly portable eyeletting machine. It is small and light enough to use anywhere it is needed even on a work site. It is simple to operate and minimum training is required for its use. The machine punches a hole and sets the eyelet and washer in one operation. It is suitable for self piercing eyelets from 6 mm to 30 mm in diameter. In addition the necessary tooling changes to change the diameter of the pierced eyelet can be achieved in a matter of seconds. A supplier of the H109 machine is DTP Supplies, of 242 Whitworth Road, Rochdale, Lancashire, United Kingdom, 0L12 USA.

According to this first specific embodiment of the present invention the reusable information banner 101 has been hemmed, this means that a piece of the material making up the planar portion has been folded over and joined to a side of the banner. This hem is continuous around the periphery of the reusable information banner 101. This hem 103 increases the likelihood of the banner fraying around its periphery. Fraying is particularly a problem if the banner comprises a fabric material that comprises a number of separate threads of in a normal knitted pattern.

In addition by hemming the periphery of the reuseable information banner 101 in this way and positioning the eyelets 102 in this hemmed portion the chances of the reusable information banner being damaged as the information banner is applied and removed from a substrate is significantly reduced due to the increased structural rigidity and strength of the banner in this hemmed region.

According to this specific embodiment of the present invention a reusable information banner 101 comprises two eyelets positioned substantially half way down the height of the information banner and as indicated previously positioned on either end of the banner across its width relative to each other. By providing the eyelet 102 on opposite sides of the reusable information banner this allows the reusable information banner to be stretched so that it is taut against a substrate allowing the information contained thereon to be displayed fully.

Additional feature according to this first specific embodiment of the present invention is that additional reinforcement means may also be provided particularly within the hem of the reusable information banner or alternatively simply adhered to one or more extremity with a portion of the reusable information banner as appropriate. These reinforcement means may be used to reinforce the planar portion of the reusable information banner such that it is more rigid and less flexible. These reinforcement means may comprise a great many materials in particular the inventors consider forms of plastic and other light composite materials to be particularly suitable for the purpose although other types of material for instance laminated cardboard, paper and metal may be suitable for the purpose depending on the particular application and purpose to which a reuseable information banner is to be put.

The planar portion of the reusable information banner may comprise a great many materials. In particular three sets of materials are considered particularly useful by inventors. The first of these materials are perforated so as to maximise as far as possible the transmission of light through the reuseable information banner when it is in position on a substantially transparent substrate, such as a window.

Examples of perforated materials considered suitable by the inventors include new products developed by Oce-Dash technologies B.V. of the Netherlands. These materials are Oce IJM 609 Mesh Banner Ml and Oce IJM 610 Flag Tex Solvent. An alternative material is 3P IQ-IJ 407/408 Solvent flag.

All of these materials are wind permeable flame retarded PVC coated polyester based materials. As well as being substantially permeable to wind and other atmospheric conditions they are also substantially permeable to light due to the many regular perforations in the material resulting from the methods involved in its manufacture.

In addition these materials are considered particularly suitable as they show the least amount of transmission of the pattern or other information printed onto the planar portion through to the other side possible.

Alternatively the reusable information banner may comprise perforated material.

examples of such material include Oce IJM 606 Scrim Banner Mall, Oce IJM 612 Double Sided Scrim Banner, Oce IJM 602 Tear Resistant paper.. Each of these materials is not perforated but does allow an amount of light to be transmitted there through so making it possible for a reuseable information banner to be positioned at or about a window that the information contained thereon can be displayed to the public or other users passing by but amount of light still passes through the information barrier into the room allowing an occupant to continue their normal tasks.

Finally certain types of fabric are also considered acceptable. These include P lg-IJ 433 Trucolor Heavy Banner,3P TruColor Cotton, 3P Trucolor Spinnaker BI.

These types of fabric material again allow a certain amount of light to be transmitted there through so allowing them to be used on or about a window whilst allowing an occupant to continue with their normal tasks.

According to this first specific embodiment, the planar portion comprises Oce IJM 606 Scrim Banner Matt With reference to figure 2 herein, there is shown a second specific embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with the second specific embodiment of the present invention there is provided a useable information banner 201. This information banner may comprise one of the materials indicated above. According to this particular embodiment the banner 201 comprises Oce IJM 609 Mesh Banner MI.

The banner 201 further comprises four eyelets 202, these eyelets 202 are located in each of the four corners of the substantially rectangular planar portion which forms a part of this reuseable information banner. These eyelets have been formed into the banner 201, much as previously described using an eye letting machine.

With reference to figure 3 herein, there is shown a close up view of a corner of this reuseable information banner 201. As shown in figure 3 is a means to adhere a reusable information banner to a substantially transparent substrate.

Referring to this specific embodiment of the present invention this means to adhere comprises a clear plastic suction cup 301. This clear plastic suction cup is 47 mm in diameter, it comprises a flexible disk of material which can be pressed against a smooth substrate causing it to become attached to the substrate due to the difference in pressure in the region between the disk and the substrate relative to the surrounding pressure.

The suction cup also comprises a further fixation means to allow it to be mounted and demounted upon the reusable information banner as circumstances demand. This fixation means comprises a tack that comprises a substantially flat portion connected to a pointed cylindrical portion/pin, which is capable of being inserted into a receiving cylindrical portion of the clear plastic suction cup. When the tack is inserted into this receiving cylinder portion, it and the suction cup form a single unit.

To attach the adhesion means to the reusable information banner, the plastic suction cup with the tack removed is first been inserted into one of the eyelets provided upon the reusable information banner. Following this insertion, the tack is then inserted into the receiving cylinder of the clear plastic suction cup. This causes the clear plastic suction cup to become fixed relative to a reusable information banner due to the interaction of the substantially flat portion of the tack with the eyelet. The substantially flat portion of the tack being of a greater diameter than the diameter of the eyelet, so being unable to pass there through.

According to this specific embodiment of the present invention the clear plastic suction cup further comprises a cylinder of material surrounding the hollow receptor. This cylinder of material is substantially identical in diameter to the diameter of the eyelet 202 made previously into the reuseable information banner 201.

According to the specific embodiment of the present invention the reusable information banner has not been hemmed in this particular embodiment. This saves production costs and other associated costs with this reuseable information banner.

With reference to figure 4 herein there is shown a schematic representation of the process involved in the manufacture of a reuseable information banner according to either the first, second or any other embodiment or possible embodiment of the invention as claimed herein.

With reference to figure 4 the following methodology is applied to the manufacture of a new reuseable information banner. In the first instance with reference to figure 4, an image which is to be printed onto the reuseable information banner is prepared 401. In general such an image will be processed is as a digital file in a package such as Corel draw, Adobe illustrator or Macromedia free hand. Alternatively non digital processing of the file is also considered

possible using prior art printing techniques.

Once this image has been prepared it is sent to a large format digital printer 402 such as an Agfa Grand Sherpa 87 or any other printer which uses solvent based inks that are UV stable and have a guarantee for whitefastness of up to 3 years. Once this image data has been sent to the printer, it is then necessary to introduce material into the printer 403 on which is to be printed the image data.

The printer then prints the image onto the material 404. In particular the inventors consider solvent based inks to be useful in this regard as they have the best UV stability properties meaning that if it is intended for the reusable information to be displayed in a window such that it can be observed externally, the use of solvent based inks means that the image printed thereon will not fade as quickly as would be the case if non solvent bastings were used for the same purpose.

Following printing of the reusable information banner, the printed banner is then cured 405. Curing by UV, steam, heat or any other suitable means ensures that the inks as printed set fast in this state and do not run or become unsuitable in some other way.

Following curing the information banner may then be processed further by hemming the reusable information banner if appropriate or trimming the reusable information banner if it comprises material in excess of that onto which a message has been printed. In addition eyelets are also be introduced into the information banner, the number of which would be dependent upon specific function and size of the banner.

Finally the adhesion means would be connected to the banner and the banner would be ready for use or transit to a user.

Claims

Claims: 1. A reusable information banner comprising: a planar portion

configurable to have information printed on at least one side thereof; means configured to adhere said banner to a transparent substrate; characterised in that said banner is detachably mounted onto said transparent substrate.

2. A reusable information barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said planar portion is substantially flexible.

3. A reusable information barrier as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein said planar portion comprises a perforated material.

4. A reusable information barrier as claimed in claim 3 wherein said planar portion comprises PVC coated polyester fabric base.

5. A reusable information banner as claimed in claim 4 wherein said planar portion comprises one of the following materials: Oce IJM 609 Mesh Banner MI; Oce IJM 610 Flag Tex Solvent; 3P IQ-IJ 407/408 Solvent Flag.

6. A reusable information banner as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said planar portion comprises a non perforated material.

7. A reusable information banner as claimed in claim 6, wherein said planar portion comprises one of the following materials: Oce IJM 606 Scrim Banner Matt; Oce IJM 612 Double Sided Scrim Banner; Oce IJM 602 Tear Resistant paper.

8. A reusable information banner as claimed in claim I or 2 wherein said planar portion comprises a fabric.

9. A reusable information banner as claimed in claim 8, wherein said planar portion comprises one of the following materials: 3P lg-IJ 433 Trucolor Heavy Banner; 3P TruColor Cotton; 3P Trucolor Spinnaker Bi.

10. A reusable information banner as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said printed information is visible only from a first side thereof.

11. A reusable information banner as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said planar portion comprises at least one hemmed edge.

12. A reusable information banner as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said planar portion comprises at least one eyelet configured to accept said adhesion means.

13. A reusable information banner as claimed in claim 12, wherein said at least one eyelet is 6 mm to 40 mm in diameter.

14. A reusable information banner as claimed in any preceding claim wherein adhesion means comprises at least one suction cup.

15. A reusable information banner as claimed in claim 14 wherein said at least one suction cup is configured to be fixable to said at least one eyelet.

16. A reusable information banner according to any preceding claim wherein said banner is configured for use as an estate agents sign.

17. A reusable information banner as claimed in any one of claims I to 16 wherein said banner is configured for use as an advertisement.

18. A reusable information banner as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said banner is configured for use upon the inside of a substantially transparent substrate.

19. A reusable information banner as claimed in claim 18 wherein said substantially transparent substrate is a window.

20. A kit of parts for a reusable information barrier as claimed in any preceding claim.

21. A method of manufacturing a piece of information banner comprising the steps: preparation of a suitable printable image; printing of said image onto a substantially planar portion of said reusable information banner; curing of said printed planar portion; introduction of means to adhere said reusable information barrier to a substrate.

22. A method of manufacturing a reusable information barrier as claimed in claim 21 wherein said planar portion is substantially flexible.

23. A method of printing a reusable information barrier as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein said planar portion comprises a perforated material.

24. A method of printing a reusable information barrier as claimed in claim 23 wherein said planar portion comprises PVC coated polyester fabric base.

25. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in claim 4 wherein said planar portion comprises one of the following materials: Oce IJM 609 Mesh Banner Ml; Oce IJM 610 Flag Tex Solvent; 3P IQ-lJ 407/408 Solvent Flag.

26. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein said planar portion comprises a non perforated material.

27. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in claim 26, wherein said planar portion comprises one of the following materials: oceijm606 scrim banner mat; oceijm6l2 double sided scrim banner; oceijm 602 tear resistant paper.

28. A method of printing the reusable information banner as claimed in claim 21 or 22 wherein said planar portion comprises a fabric.

29. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in claim 28, wherein said planar portion comprises one of the following materials: 3P lg-IJ 433 Trucolor Heavy Banner; 3P TruColor Cotton; 3P Trucolor Spinnaker Bi.

30. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein said printed information is visible only from a first side thereof.

31. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 30 wherein said planar portion comprises at least one hemmed edge.

32. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 31, wherein said planar portion comprises at least one eyelet configured to accept said adhesion means.

33. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in claim 32, wherein said at least one eyelet is 6 mm to 40 mm in diameter.

34. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 33 wherein adhesion means comprises at least one suction cup.

35. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in claim 34 wherein said at least one suction cup is configured to be fixable to said at least one eyelet.

36. A method of printing a reusable information banner according to any one of claims 21 to 35 wherein said banner is configured for use as an estate agents sign.

37. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 36 wherein said banner is configured for use as an advertisement.

38. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 37 wherein said banner is configured for use upon the inside of a substantially transparent substrate.

39. A method of printing a reusable information banner as claimed in claim 38 wherein said substantially transparent substrate is a window.

40. A method of printing a kit of parts for a reusable information barrier as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 39.

41. A method of manufacturing a reusable information banner as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 40 wherein a printer uses solvent based inks.

42. A method of printing a reusable information banner according to any one claims 20 to 41 wherein said printing is performed using an agfa grand sherper 87 printer.

43. A method of manufacturing a reusable information banner according to any one claims 20 to 42 wherein said introduction of means to adhere said ribbed or substrate comprises the step of introducing eyelets into said planar portion using a h901 eye-letting machine.

44. A method of manufacturing a reusable information banner according to any one claims 20 to 43, wherein said curing of said printed planar portion uses one of the following techniques: heat curing; UVcuring; Steam curing.