WO2013132226A1

WO2013132226A1 - Adhesive hanger

Info

Publication number: WO2013132226A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/050406
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oliver Taylor; Matthew Stokes
Original assignee: Ready 2 Go Limited
Priority date: 2012-03-09
Filing date: 2013-02-20
Publication date: 2013-09-12
Also published as: GB201204222D0; GB201218821D0; GB201205105D0

Abstract

A hanger has a flat body (12) having a first side (14) and a second opposite side (16). A first region (18) has an adhesive applied thereto on one side (12) thereof and a second region (20) has an adhesive applied thereto on the second side (16). Opposite to each adhesive area is a non-adhesive area for the application of pressure.

Description

ADHESIVE HANGER

The present invention is concerned with a hanger primarily for hanging decorations but also for hanging other items such as calendars and notices, photographs and posters. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a hanger which is adhered to a surface such as a wall or ceiling and simultaneously adhered to an item to be hung.

There are many known methods of attaching items such as pictures and "scene setters" to surfaces. One such method is the use of drawing pins. A downside to this method is that the drawing pin will inevitably cause damage to the surface to which it is applied.

An alternative method is to use single sided sticky tape. Advantageously, pressure can be applied on the non-adhesive side to ensure adhesion. The problem with this approach is that motion of the item (e.g., if it is blown by air movement or caught) tends to peel the sticky tape from the wall. This is undesirable. A further problem is that the item must be attached to the same side of the tape as the wall, this means that thick or bulky items are difficult to hang.

A further alternative method is to use double-sided sticky tape in which one adhesive side is applied to the wall and the opposite adhesive side is applied to the item. The problem with this type of attachment is that there is no flexibility in the attachment, meaning that it is easy to peel the item off when subject to external forces. A further disadvantage to this method of attachment is that once the double sided tape has been applied to the item, it is not always clear where it is located when applying to the wall. As such, attachment can be difficult. Further, in order to push the adhesive onto the wall after the item has been attached, force has to be transmitted through the item, which is not always easy depending on the nature of the item.

A further problem with adhesive based methods is that is that it is generally unknown how the adhesive will affect the surface being adhered to. Users express a hesitance to use even non-marking low tack adhesives without "testing" them on an unseen part of the surface first. This can be wasteful.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved hanger.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hanger comprising:

a substantially flat body having a first side and a second opposite side, the body comprising a first flat member having a first adhesive face and a second non-adhesive face, and, a second flat member having a third adhesive face and a fourth non- adhesive face;

in which the first and third faces are partially overlapped and in contact such that part of the first flat member forms a first region where the first side is adhesive and the second side is non-adhesive, and

in which part of the second flat member forms a second region where the second side is adhesive and the first side is non-adhesive.

The hanger is intended for hanging items onto walls and ceilings. It may be used to hang photographs, posters and flat decorations such as "scene-setters".

Advantageously, the first side of the first region can be attached to the item leaving the second region exposed. The second side of the second region can then be applied to the wall or ceiling. Locating different areas of adhesive in different regions of the hanger is advantageous because the opposite non-adhesive area can be used for the application of pressure by the user. Pressure can be applied from the opposite (non- adhesive) surface both when attaching the item to the hanger and when attaching the hanger to the wall. Because the item is not attached to the same side of the hanger as the wall, large and bulky decorations may be hung.

The hanger may be a decoration hanger- that is a lightweight hanger for card banners scene-setters tinsel etc. In this instance the hanger is quite lightweight. Providing an overlapped portion of the hanger is advantageous as it simplifies manufacture. This method of constructions allows the first and second members to be identical, simplifying manufacture. The application of adhesive only needs to be on one side of each member, which means that the need to apply adhesive to opposite sides of a unitary hanger is avoided.

The overlap also provides a natural hinge, which although non-adhesive is stronger than the rest of the hanger and can withstand the tension between the regions when in use.

The hinge region allows decorations in particular to move relative to the surface without putting excessive peel forces on the first region. It also allows, e.g., banners to be secured to the wall (in which the hanger is flat) or the ceiling (with the regions at 90 degrees to each other).

The hinge region is non-adhesive on the first and second sides. This provides a hinge region which can move relative to both the decoration and the wall. This facilitates relative movement. Preferably, the hinge region is formed as a neck between the first and second regions. This provides greater flexibility in the hinge, and mitigates the stiffness of the increased thickness if the hinge is formed from an overlap.

Preferably, the first and second regions are separated by the hinge region.

Preferably the second region defines two flat edges. More preferably the flat edges are 90 degrees or less to each other. Even more preferably the hanger defines a notional main axis bisecting the hanger and intersecting the first and second regions, in which the flat edges are each at 45 degrees to the notional main axis.

Advantageously, this allows the hanger to be positioned in a corner of a poster or scene setter. This means that the corner of the poster will remain in place without peeling away from the wall. Preferably, the hanger comprises a removable release liner on the adhesive parts of the first and / or second sides. Preferably, the body is flexible. More preferably, it is constructed from a plastics material which may be transparent. This acts to conceal the hanger.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacture of a hanger comprising the steps of providing a first flat member having a first adhesive face and a second non-adhesive face, providing a second flat member having a third adhesive face and a fourth non-adhesive face, forming a hanger by partially overlapping the first and third faces of the first and second flat members respectively to form an attachment region leaving part of the first face exposed on a first side of the hanger, and part of the second face exposed on a second, opposite side of the hanger. As mentioned, this method of construction allows the first and second members to be identical, simplifying manufacture. The application of adhesive only needs to be on one side of each member, which means that the need to apply adhesive to opposite sides of a unitary hanger is avoided. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a hanger assembly comprising:

a release liner sheet;

a plurality of adhesive hangers attached to the sheet,

a test strip attached to the sheet, the test strip comprising the same adhesive as the plurality of hangers.

Preferably the test strip is smaller in surface area than each of the hangers, preferably it is simpler than the hanger, and less expensive to manufacture. For example the hangers may be hangers according to the first aspect, and the test strip a section of material with adhesive only on a single side.

An example decoration hanger will now be described in accordance with the present invention and with reference to the figures in which:- FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a first hanger in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is an exposed section view through line II-II in Figure 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the hanger of Figure 1 prior to assembly;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the hanger of Figure 1 in use; FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a plurality of hangers per Figure 1 attached to a peelable backing sheet;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of a second hanger in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a third hanger in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a fourth hanger in accordance with the present invention; and, FIGURES 9a to 9c are plan views of a fifth hanger in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a hanger 10 comprises a substantially flat, flexible body 12. The body 12 is constructed from a flexible plastic sheet material which is transparent, such that the hanger is not visible in use.

The body 12 comprises a first side 14 and an opposite second side 16. The first side 14 is visible in Figure 1. The body 12 defines a first discrete region 18 and a second discrete region 20. The first region 18 is generally elliptical in shape and comprises an adhesive coating 22 on the first side 14 thereof. The second region 20 is also elliptical in shape, substantially mirrors the first region 18 and has an adhesive coating 24 on the second side 16 thereof.

The regions 18, 20 are distinct and separated by a double thickness hinge region 30 which is non-adhesive on both first and second sides 14, 16. The regions 18, 20 are joined by the hinge region 30 along part of their longer sides. This is beneficial for reducing peel in use, because the "peel line" (i.e. the line separating the adhered area and the area peeled from the surface) is made as large as possible. The body 12 comprises a first member 26 and a second member 28 as shown in Figure 3. The first member 26 has the adhesive coating 22 applied to its first side 14, and the second member 28 has the adhesive coating 24 applied to its second side 16. During manufacture, the two members 26, 28 are overlapped by a distance D, as shown in Figure 1, such that the adhesive layers 22, 24 attach to each other leaving a substantial portion of both members uncovered. These uncovered regions of the members 26, 28 form the first and second regions 18, 20 with the hinge region 30 defined by the overlap between the first and second members 26, 28.

Referring to Figure 4, the hanger 10 is shown in use as a decoration hanger. As can be seen, the first region 18 is attached to a wall 2 and the second region 20 to a decoration 4. When attached to both the wall and the decoration, pressure can be applied with, e.g., a thumb, to the respective non-adhesive side. This ensures a secure attachment to both surfaces. As can also be seen from Figure 4 that the decoration hanger can flex about the hinge region 30, allowing movement of the decoration 4 relative to the wall 2. This prevents any premature peeling or detachment of the decoration as may occur with double- sided sticky tape. It also allows the hanger to be attached to a ceiling where the two regions are oriented at 90 degrees about the hinge region 30.

Turning to Figure 5, an assembly of a plurality of hangers 10 for storage and sale is shown. A peelable backing sheet 6 is provided to which three hangers 10 are attached. In each case the second region 20 is adhered to the backing sheet 6. As such, the adhesive layer of the first region 18 faces away from the sheet 6. The second region 20 is covered with a peelable backing sheet 8 which is provided for each individual hanger 10. In use, the hanger 10 is removed from the backing sheet 6 with the individual backing sheet 8 attached. It is then attached to the decoration as shown in Figure 4 by applying pressure to the non-adhesive side of the second region 20. Once attached, the user can remove the peelable backing layer 8 and press on the opposite side of the first region 18 in order to secure the decoration 4 and decoration hanger 10 to the wall 2.

Variations of the above embodiment fall within the scope of the present invention. For example the hanger may not have elliptical portions. Whilst the wall-side portion may be elliptical, the other side may be adapted to suit a particular item.

For example, with reference to Figure 6, a hanger 110 may have a first region 118 for attachment to a wall having an elliptical shape per the hanger 10. A second region 120 is in the shape of an elongate rectangle attached at one of its shorter sides. The second region can be wrapped around an object to provide better adhesion- for example a cylindrical pole.

In Figure 7, a hanger 210 has a first region 218 for attachment to a wall having an elliptical shape per the hanger 10. A second region 220 is in the shape of an elongate rectangle attached at one of its longer sides.

In Figure 8, a hanger 310 may have a first region 318 for attachment to a wall having an elliptical shape per the hanger 10. A second region 320 is in the shape of a circle. The larger area of the circle is useful for hanging larger items such as posters.

In Figure 9a, a hanger 410 may have a first region 418 for attachment to a wall having an elliptical shape per the hanger 10. The hanger has a notional main axis X-X wich bisects the hanger 410. There is a hinge region 430. A second region 420 has two flat edges 422, 424 extending from the hinge region 430. The edges are at 90 degrees to each other as shown in Figure 9b. The hinges are also at 45 degrees to the axis X such that the hanger is positioned at 45 degrees to the horizontal in use (per Figure 9b) when hanging an item 4. It will be noted that the edges 422, 424 could be at an angle less than 90 degrees, although 90 degrees is preferable to maximise adhesion.

Turning to Figure 9c, a plurality of hangers 410 is provided on a backing sheet 426. A test strip 428 is provided. The test strip 428 is a piece of material with an adhesive on a single side. It is used for testing the adhesive on an unseen part of the surface to which the hangers 410 will be applied. It is simpler and cheaper to make than the hangers 410 and thus avoids wasting a hanger when testing the adhesive.

It will be noted that the test strip 428 can be used with any of the aforementioned hangers.

Claims

1. A hanger compri sing :

2. A hanger according to claim 1 in which the first and second regions are connected by a hinge region.

3. A hanger according to claim 2 in which the hinge region is non-adhesive on the first and second sides.

4. A hanger according to claim 2 or 3 in which the hinge region is formed as a neck between the first and second regions.

5. A hanger according to claim 4 in which the first and second regions are separated by the hinge region.

6. A hanger according to any preceding claim in which the second region defines two flat edges.

7. A hanger according to claim 6 in which the flat edges are 90 degrees or less to each other.

8. A hanger according to claim 7 defining a notional main axis bisecting the hanger and intersecting the first and second regions, in which the flat edges are each at 45 degrees to the notional main axis.

9. A hanger according to any of claims 2 to 5 in which the first region has an aspect ratio greater than 1, and the hinge region is connected to the first region on at least part of a longer side of the first region.

10. A hanger according to claim 9 in which the first region is elliptical.

11. A hanger according to claim 10 in which the first and second regions are elliptical and attached to the hinge region on part of their longer sides.

12. A hanger according to any preceding claim comprising a removable release liner on the adhesive parts of the first and / or second sides.

13. A hanger according to any preceding claim in which the body is flexible.

14. A hanger according to any preceding claim in which the body and adhesive are transparent.

15. A hanger assembly comprising:

a release liner sheet;

a plurality of hangers according to any of claims 1 to 14 attached to the sheet via the first side of the first region,

a plurality of individual release liners attached to the second side of each second region.

16. A method of manufacture of a hanger comprising the steps of:

providing a first flat member having a first adhesive face and a second non- adhesive face;

providing a second flat member having a third adhesive face and a fourth non- adhesive face; forming a hanger by partially overlapping the first and third faces of the first and second flat members respectively to form a hinge region leaving part of the first face exposed on a first side of the hanger, and part of the second face exposed on a second, opposite side of the hanger.

17. A hanger assembly comprising:

a release liner sheet;

a plurality of adhesive hangers attached to the sheet,

18. A hanger assembly according to claim 17 in which the test strip is smaller in surface area than each of the hangers.

19. A hanger assembly according to claim 18 in which the hangers are hangers according to any of claims 1 to 14, and the test strip is a section of material with adhesive only on a single side.

20. A hanger substantially as described herein with reference to, or in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

21. A method of manufacture of a hanger substantially as described herein with reference to, or in accordance with the accompanying drawings.