NZ330769A - Metal label with embossed printed indicia and apertured eyelet; method of securing such a label to tree via looped wire - Google Patents

Abstract

The claimed metal label 1 is embossed with printing and has an eyelet secured in an aperture. Label 1 is typically attached to a tree by drilling holes 23 and bending wire 21 into a U shape, and inserting into the holes. Alternatively (not shown) wire is threaded through the label and looped around and secured to a tree branch.

Description

330769 Under the provisions of Regulation 23 (1 ] the Specification naa Jseen ante-dated ~ to —\ llf 19 jjb C7T7 Initials INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N2. 23 JUN 1338 RECEIVED Patents Form No. 5 Our Ref: JT210451 This is a divisional cut of application number 299575 dated 14 October 1997.

NEW ZEALAND .V JATENTS ACT 1953 iSS COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LABELLING METHOD AND COMPONENTS THEREFOR I, RODNEY EDWARD WILSON, a New Zealand citizen of Rangiwahia F.oad, R D 54, Kimboiton, New Zealand hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: PT0578522 55 0/5 LABELLING METHOD AND COMPONENTS THEREFOR This invention relates to labelling systems and components therefor. In particular garden labelling, and more particularly to labels which are attached to trees.

Labels are commonly used in gardens, parks, nurseries and such like for displaying and storing information relating to the various plants contained therein. There is a need for a labelling system that is permanent, easy to locate in foliage, and easy to set up and read.

It is an object of the invention to provide a label secured to a face of an object in the yarden, in particular to the trunk of a tree, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

It is an object of another aspect of this invention to provide a label secured around an object, in particular a tree branch, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

According to one aspect there is provided an elongate planar metal label having embossed indicia printed tht aon and provided with an aperture at one end having an eyelet secured therein.

Preferably the label is formed from material which is about 0.9mm thick. Preferably the label is formed from aluminium sheet. Preferably the label is formed from anodised aluminium. Preferably the label includes an eyelet in ^perture.

Another aspect of the invention consists in a method comprising the steps of: providing a label having an aperture in one end; providing a section of flexible wire; bending the ends of the wire towards each other; threading the wire through the hole in the label; providing two bores in the trunk of a tree; and inserting each end of the wire into each respective bore. 3 0 AUG 1999 I — ftECFiyp Q I Preferably the wire is provided with a plastic coating. Preferably the plastic coating is ultraviolet resistant. Preferably the wire has a central copper conductor. Preferably the wire is not resilient.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a method comprising the steps of: providing a label as hereinbefore described; providing a flexible piece of wire; threading the wire through the hole in the label; forming the wire into a loop around a branch of a tree; and manipulating at least one of the ends of the wire so that it engages a part of the wire to form a secure loop.

Preferably the method includes the step of providing lettering on the label. Preferably the lettering is embossed on the label. Preferably the label includes an eyelet inserted in the hole in the label. Preferably the wire is provided with a plastic coating. Preferably the plastic coating is resistant to ultraviolet radiation.

Embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example only with reference to the drawing in which: Figure 1: shows a front view of an upper portion of a stake having a label engaged therewith and having a helix in an extended position to allow a label to be threaded onto it.

Figure 2: shows a front view of the stake shown in Figure 1 with the helix in a compressed state to retain the label.

Figure 3: shows the lower portion of the stake shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4: shows a side view of a stake according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5: shows a cutaway view of a staple securing label to the trunk of a tree.

Figure 6: shows a wire loop securing a label to a branch.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a stake 2 formed from a piece of wire. A helix 3 is formed at one end of the wire. The axis of this helix extends transversely to main shaft 4 of the stake. The other end of the wire is bent upwards to provide an upturned portion 5 to retain a member 6 on the shaft 4 of the stake.

The member 6 is preferably formed from a piece of high tensile galvanised iron, although another material may be substituted. The high tensile galvanised iron is formed into a V-shape with an aperture 6a in the bottom of the V, about halfway along the member.

The purpose of the V-shaped member 6 is illustrated by the description of the use of the stake given below.

The label 1 having embossed lettering 1c is hung from the helix 3. The label 1 preferably includes an eyelet 1 a defining an aperture 1 b.

In use, label 1 is threaded onto the helix 3 when the helix is in an extended state as shown in Figure 1. The label 1 may be retained on the helix 3 by compressing the helix to the state shown in Figure 2.

To secure the stake in the ground, a garden implement such as a spade is placed in engagement with the V-shape member 6 and used to force it and the lower portion of the stake 5 into the ground. Next the shaft is pulled upwards so that the V-shape member 6 engages the dirt in which it is embedded. By this action the stake is firmly secured into the ground, providing a reasonably permanent stake on which to attach the label 1. Next the label may be threaded onto the helical portion 3. The helical portion is then compressed with set of pliers or similar tool to the compressed state shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of the stake wherein the lower portion of the shaft simply terminates to provide an essentially straight end.

Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention which consists in a method by which a label 1 is attached to a trunk of a tree. To carry out this embodiment two bores 23 are drilled in the trunk of a tree. The diameter, spacing and depth of these holes are chosen to suit the length of the wire 21 to be used and the size of the tree. Typically the length of wire is of the order of 30cm long, although a large range of lengths may be used. The wire is bent into a U-shaped and threaded through a hole in a label 1. Next the U-shape wire staple 21 is inserted into the two holes 23. If the diameter of the holes is correctly chosen the staple will fit securely into the holes and provide a permanent attachment of the label 1 to the tree trunk 22. As the staple 21 extends away from the tree trunk, it allows for a substantial amount of growth of the tree trunk before replacement of the wire is necessary.

Typically the wire consists of copper wire with a UV resistant plastic coating.

These materials cause minimal harm to the tree trunk in terms of either growth or ur,9 as timber.

Anothe embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 6 and consists in a method for attaching a label 1 to a branch 32 of a tree. A piece of the flexible wire 31 is threaded through the hole in the label 1 and then formed in a loop around H branch 32. The ends of the wire 31 are twisted around each other so V thit tha loop and label 1 are secured around the branch 32. Any length of wire may be chosen to suit whatever diameter of a branch is to be labelled.

Typically the diameter of the wire loop 31 is arranged to be larger than the diameter of the branch 32 to allow for a substantial amount of growth of that branch. Therefore, a relatively permanent labelling of the tree is provided.

A preferred type of wire is copper wire provided with an ultraviolet resistant plastic coating. Typically the wire has a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 2.., although any thickness of wire may be used.

The label 1 which is included in the above embodiments of the invention is typically made of anodised aluminium. A suitable thickness of aluminium has been found to be 0.9mm, although a wide range of thicknesses may suitably be used. An eyelet 1 a is fitted in the aperture 1 b to reduce wear on the wire, and to a lesser extent the stake, to which the label is attached. Information is displayed on the label by way of embossed lettering which is permanent and easy to read.

One advantage of the first embodiment of the invention, being a method of attaching a label to a trunk of a tree, is that it provides a relatively permanent means of attachment of the label to the tree. It also has an advantage that it causes minimal damage to the tree. Another advantage is that the same wire may be used for a great length of time without the tree growing over the label. This is facilitated by the fact that t\r ^ staple is arranged to extend away from the trunk of the tree and the label is free to slide along the staple so that only when the tree has grown out to the end of the staple does the staple need to be replaced.

One advantage of the second preferred embodiment, being the flexible wire loop around a branch of a tree with a label attached, is that a relatively permanent attachment for the label to the branch is provided. A great deal of growth of the branch is allowed before the wire loop needs to be replaced, or repositioned. Also the arrangement is very simple and convenient to set up, requiring no tools.

An advantage of the preferred embodiments is provided by the nature of the label that is used. As the label is constructed of anodised aluminium, it does not corrode. Also the embossed lettering does not fade significantly. These features provide the label with substantial longevity. Another advantage is that the colour and reflective qualities of the aluminium and themselves to finding the label easily, even in relatively dense foliage. This is a useful feature as there may be substantial intervals between the label being set up and then read, or consecutive readings of the label.

This invention may also be said to consist in parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or correlatively, and in any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalence in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalence are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS:- m sr ^ j n j *

1. An elongate planar metal label having embossed indicia printed thereon and provided with an aperture at one end having an eyelet secured therein.

2. A label as claimed in claim 1 formed of anodized aluminium.

3. A label as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the label is formed of metal sheet which is about. 9mm thick.

4. A method of securing a label to a tree comprising the steps of: providing a label having an aperture in one end thereof; providing a section of flexible wire; bending the ends of the wire towards each other; threading the wire through the aperture in the label; drilling two bores in the trunk of a tree; and inserting each end of the wire into each respective bore.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the wire is plastic coated.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the plastic coating is UV resistant.

7. A method of labelling a plant comprising the steps of: providing a label according to any one of claims 1 to 3; providing a flexible piece of wire; threading the wire through the aperture in the label; forming the wire into a loop around a branch of tree; and manipulating at least one of the ends of the wire so that it engages part of the wire to form a secure loop.

8. A label substantially as hereinbefore described uyi*ll.rQ*faJ'ftnf:ft figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 3 0 AUG 1999 RECEIVED - 8 -

9. A method as claimed in claim 4 substantially as herein described.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7 substantially as herein described. RODNEY EDWARD WILSON By hi 5 Attorn BALE'WIN. SO & CAREY '330769 "intellectual mjHthl. Ulliul Of N2- 23 JUN 19s8 RF-CEIVED