WO2018146447A1 - An identifiable protective sheet - Google Patents

An identifiable protective sheet Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018146447A1
WO2018146447A1 PCT/GB2018/050143 GB2018050143W WO2018146447A1 WO 2018146447 A1 WO2018146447 A1 WO 2018146447A1 GB 2018050143 W GB2018050143 W GB 2018050143W WO 2018146447 A1 WO2018146447 A1 WO 2018146447A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sheet
protective sheet
identifiable
ground
identification device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2018/050143
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Richard Warrington George
Original Assignee
Postsaver Europe Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Postsaver Europe Ltd filed Critical Postsaver Europe Ltd
Publication of WO2018146447A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018146447A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27K—PROCESSES, APPARATUS OR SELECTION OF SUBSTANCES FOR IMPREGNATING, STAINING, DYEING, BLEACHING OF WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS, OR TREATING OF WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS WITH PERMEANT LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL TREATMENT OF CORK, CANE, REED, STRAW OR SIMILAR MATERIALS
    • B27K5/00—Treating of wood not provided for in groups B27K1/00, B27K3/00
    • B27K5/0095—Treating of wood not provided for in groups B27K1/00, B27K3/00 by employing wrappers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27K—PROCESSES, APPARATUS OR SELECTION OF SUBSTANCES FOR IMPREGNATING, STAINING, DYEING, BLEACHING OF WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS, OR TREATING OF WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS WITH PERMEANT LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL TREATMENT OF CORK, CANE, REED, STRAW OR SIMILAR MATERIALS
    • B27K3/00—Impregnating wood, e.g. impregnation pretreatment, for example puncturing; Wood impregnation aids not directly involved in the impregnation process
    • B27K3/02—Processes; Apparatus
    • B27K3/14—Bandage methods
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
    • B27K—PROCESSES, APPARATUS OR SELECTION OF SUBSTANCES FOR IMPREGNATING, STAINING, DYEING, BLEACHING OF WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS, OR TREATING OF WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIALS WITH PERMEANT LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL TREATMENT OF CORK, CANE, REED, STRAW OR SIMILAR MATERIALS
    • B27K5/00—Treating of wood not provided for in groups B27K1/00, B27K3/00
    • B27K5/001—Heating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C63/00—Lining or sheathing, i.e. applying preformed layers or sheathings of plastics; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C63/38—Lining or sheathing, i.e. applying preformed layers or sheathings of plastics; Apparatus therefor by liberation of internal stresses
    • B29C63/40—Lining or sheathing, i.e. applying preformed layers or sheathings of plastics; Apparatus therefor by liberation of internal stresses using sheet or web-like material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/06—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
    • B32B27/10—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of paper or cardboard
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
    • B32B27/304—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/32—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyolefins
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form
    • B32B3/02—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by features of form at particular places, e.g. in edge regions
    • B32B3/08—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by features of form at particular places, e.g. in edge regions characterised by added members at particular parts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/06—Interconnection of layers permitting easy separation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/12—Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09J—ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES
    • C09J7/00—Adhesives in the form of films or foils
    • C09J7/30—Adhesives in the form of films or foils characterised by the adhesive composition
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C61/00—Shaping by liberation of internal stresses; Making preforms having internal stresses; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C61/06—Making preforms having internal stresses, e.g. plastic memory
    • B29C61/0608—Making preforms having internal stresses, e.g. plastic memory characterised by the configuration or structure of the preforms
    • B29C61/0616—Making preforms having internal stresses, e.g. plastic memory characterised by the configuration or structure of the preforms layered or partially layered preforms, e.g. preforms with layers of adhesive or sealing compositions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C63/00—Lining or sheathing, i.e. applying preformed layers or sheathings of plastics; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C63/0065—Heat treatment
    • B29C63/0069—Heat treatment of tubular articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/744—Labels, badges, e.g. marker sleeves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
    • B32B2250/02—2 layers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2255/00—Coating on the layer surface
    • B32B2255/10—Coating on the layer surface on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2255/00—Coating on the layer surface
    • B32B2255/24—Organic non-macromolecular coating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/30—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular thermal properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/70—Other properties
    • B32B2307/726—Permeability to liquids, absorption
    • B32B2307/7265—Non-permeable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/70—Other properties
    • B32B2307/732—Dimensional properties
    • B32B2307/734—Dimensional stability
    • B32B2307/736—Shrinkable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/70—Other properties
    • B32B2307/748—Releasability
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2405/00—Adhesive articles, e.g. adhesive tapes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2519/00—Labels, badges
    • B32B2519/02—RFID tags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2571/00—Protective equipment
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09J—ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES
    • C09J2301/00—Additional features of adhesives in the form of films or foils
    • C09J2301/20—Additional features of adhesives in the form of films or foils characterized by the structural features of the adhesive itself
    • C09J2301/21—Additional features of adhesives in the form of films or foils characterized by the structural features of the adhesive itself the adhesive layer being formed by alternating adhesive areas of different nature
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09J—ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES
    • C09J2301/00—Additional features of adhesives in the form of films or foils
    • C09J2301/30—Additional features of adhesives in the form of films or foils characterized by the chemical, physicochemical or physical properties of the adhesive or the carrier
    • C09J2301/302—Additional features of adhesives in the form of films or foils characterized by the chemical, physicochemical or physical properties of the adhesive or the carrier the adhesive being pressure-sensitive, i.e. tacky at temperatures inferior to 30°C
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09J—ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES
    • C09J2301/00—Additional features of adhesives in the form of films or foils
    • C09J2301/30—Additional features of adhesives in the form of films or foils characterized by the chemical, physicochemical or physical properties of the adhesive or the carrier
    • C09J2301/304—Additional features of adhesives in the form of films or foils characterized by the chemical, physicochemical or physical properties of the adhesive or the carrier the adhesive being heat-activatable, i.e. not tacky at temperatures inferior to 30°C
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09J—ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES
    • C09J2400/00—Presence of inorganic and organic materials
    • C09J2400/20—Presence of organic materials
    • C09J2400/22—Presence of unspecified polymer
    • C09J2400/226—Presence of unspecified polymer in the substrate

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an identifiable sheet for protecting wooden objects, to a method of retroactively forming a tamper-resistant said sheet for such an object, to a method of verifying a correct installation of such a sheet, and/or to a method of guiding installation of said object using the sheet.
  • Ground embedded wooden objects such as posts or poles
  • the portion of the wooden object at or just below ground level is susceptible to high rates of decay due to the high levels of moisture, fungi, bacteria and insects present. Therefore, to extend the lifetime of these wooden objects, protective sheets, which are wrapped around the susceptible portions of the wooden object directly above and below the ground, are commonly used.
  • These protective sheets typically comprise an impermeable layer, to prevent access of moisture to the wooden object, and can further comprise a meltable-sealing solution on an inner surface of the protective sheet, which is heated once the protective sheet is installed in order to provide a more effective seal.
  • Serial numbers and barcodes are typically used for identification and tracking. However, these are required to be printed onto an external, accessible surface of the wrap. This positioning results in the serial numbers and barcodes being vulnerable to vandalism and fading over time due to UV exposure and weathering. The asset tracking devices can thus become unreadable and consequently unable to be used.
  • a low quality protective sheet may thus be mispresented or passed off as a high quality protective sheet by exchange or interchanging of the asset tracking device. This can result in low quality protective sheets inadvertently or unwittingly being used by installers, thereby resulting in a potential hazard.
  • an identifiable protective sheet for preserving a ground-embeddable wooden object comprising a flexible thermoplastic base sheet having a first edge, a second edge, a sealant-support area and a fastening area both on one side of the base sheet and between the first and second edges; a meltable-sealing solution directly contacting the base sheet so that the meltable sealing solution is on the sealant-support area; an adhesive directly contacting the base sheet so that the adhesive is on the fastening area for bonding the flexible thermoplastic sheet to itself when wrapped around a ground- embeddable wooden object; the adhesive being distinct to the meltable-sealing solution and being an adhesive strip which extends from or substantially from the first edge to the second edge, the adhesive strip having two opposing adhesive surfaces for retaining the identification device and engaging the base sheet when in use overlaying itself; and an identification device positioned within the fastening area partway between a centre line of
  • the identification device being positioned at the fastening area provides the advantage that in use the identification device is positioned between the base sheet and the wooden object. This therefore prevents or restricts access to the identification device without first removing the base sheet and so any opportunity to tamper with the identification device is reduced. Additionally, positioning the identification device at a fastening area, rather than a sealant-support area, reduces the likelihood that the meltable-sealing solution will contact and thus damage the identification device. Ensuring that the identification device is positioned within an upper half of the flexible thermoplastic sheet increases the likelihood that the identification device will be above ground level and therefore more easily readable.
  • An identifiable protective sheet having an adhesive which is distinct from the meltable sealing solution allows for an identification device to be positioned on the protective sheet and to be covered by the adhesive strip.
  • the identification device of the protective sheet may therefore be tamper-resistant, especially when stored in a planar state, for example several layers of unfurled sheets in storage, and the meltable sealing solution not being bonded to the sheet or the wooden object. Therefore, the identification device cannot be removed without at least damaging the protective sheet which limits the ability to remove an identification device form one protective sheet and reposition it on a protective sheet of lower quality.
  • the adhesive and meltable sealing solution being distinct additionally limits the possibility that the identification device, or its associated looped antenna, will be damaged during the melting of the meltable-sealing solution.
  • the meltable-sealing solution and identification device are coplanar.
  • the identification device By positioning the identification device in the same plane as the meltable-sealing solution it is ensured that the identification device is on an inner sheet surface of the protective sheet. This has the result that the identification device cannot be removed once the protective sheet has been installed and so the identification device is afforded greater protection from tampering, vandalism and weathering.
  • Providing an adhesive strip with two adhesive surfaces provides the advantage that the same adhesive can be used to achieve both functions of retaining the identification device and engaging the base sheet, rather than two adhesives being required.
  • an in use exterior-facing adhesive surface of the adhesive strip may be covered by a release paper.
  • a release paper prevents or limits the exterior- facing adhesive surface from being inadvertently adhered prior to installation. It additionally prevents the curing of the adhesive until the release paper is removed and so allows the adhesive to have a longer life-span
  • Covering the identification device with the adhesive strip prevents the identification device from being removed from the protective sheet without first removing the adhesive strip and thereby potentially damaging the protective sheet. This prevents or limits tampering occurring to the identification device when the protective sheet is in an uninstalled state. This therefore reduces the chance that a protective sheet will be used for an unsuitable purpose.
  • the identification device may be adhered to the in use exterior-facing adhesive surface. This allows for the base-sheet facing surface of an adhesive strip to be more easily applied to the base-sheet as an identification device does not cause an obstruction. Therefore, a stronger bond can be formed between the base-sheet facing surface and the base sheet as the identification device would not disrupt the bond. It further allows for the identification device to be more easily removed from the protective sheet if necessary.
  • the identification device may be positioned at or adjacent to the first edge of the flexible thermoplastic sheet. Positioning the identification device at or adjacent to the first edge ensures that, if the protective sheet is correctly or substantially correctly installed, then the identification device will be above ground level. This allows for the identification device to be more easily read as the ground would not obstruct a signal sent either to or from the device.
  • the meltable-sealing solution may be a bituminous substance.
  • the bituminous substance may include one or more from the group comprising bitumen, tar, pitch, coal, tar, asphalt or gilsonite in straight or modified form.
  • Bituminous substances when appropriately applied, typically provide a water tight seal. The relatively low melting point of some bituminous substances ensures that they are suitable for on-site melting where high temperature heating devices and safety equipment may not be available.
  • the bituminous substance may include one or more extenders, fillers, plasticisers, elastomers, wood preservatives and/or adhesion promoters.
  • extenders and fillers allow for less bituminous substance to be used and thus reduces costs.
  • Plasticisers and elastomers can allow for the bituminous substance to more easily flow when molten and therefore more sealably bond to the wooden object.
  • Wood preservatives may be used to further prevent decay of the wooden object.
  • Adhesion promoters further encourage the bonding of the bituminous substance to the wooden object.
  • the identification device may have a plurality of antenna loops forming a coiled antenna.
  • the provision of one or more antenna loops in the identification device can allow for the identification device to be powered by a reader which results in the identification device not requiring a battery.
  • Non-reliance on a battery, which typically have relatively short lifetimes, increases the working lifetime of the identification device and additionally ensures that the identification can be of a reduced size.
  • the identification device may be at least one of a passive RFID device and a NFC device. Passive Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) and Near-Field Communication (NFC) devices are the most common and widely available forms of wireless identification devices that are able to be powered by a reader.
  • RFID Passive Radio-Frequency Identification
  • NFC Near-Field Communication
  • the thermoplastic base sheet may be heat shrinkable in only or substantially only a direction transverse to the top-to-bottom direction.
  • the thermoplastic sheet being heat shrinkable in a direction transverse to the top to bottom direction allows for the protective sheet to more sealably grip the wooden object and thereby prevent or limit moisture or other degradative components from infiltrating between the wooden object and the protective sheet. This shrinking also encourages air to be removed from the interface between the wooden object and the protective sheet which may reduce the rate of decay of the wooden object.
  • the fact that the thermoplastic sheet is heat shrinkable in this direction only prevents a reduction in the protective extent of the protective sheet.
  • the base sheet may include a printed or moulded guide element on an outer sheet surface opposing the meltable-sealing solution so that the guide element enables an optimal alignment with ground level when the protective sheet is installed on the wooden object and the wooden object is embedded into the ground.
  • a guide element on the outer sheet surface allows for the correct installation of the protective sheet on the wooden object. If the protective sheet does not extend far enough above the ground then collected rainwater or other moisture may be able to infiltrate between the wooden object and the protective sheet. Further, the identification device may not be easily readable if it is positioned below ground level. If the protective sheet does not extend far enough below ground level then the near ground extent of the wooden object, which is highly susceptible to decay, would not be protected.
  • a method of applying an identification device to a protective sheet so that it is tamper-resistant, the protective sheet being for a ground-embeddable wooden object comprising: positioning an identification device at a fastening area of a flexible thermoplastic base sheet at least in part covered by meltable-sealing solution; the identification device being positioned partway between a centre line of the base sheet and its said first edge; and covering the identification device with an adhesive which is different to the meltable-sealing solution.
  • a method of verifying a correct installation and/or veracity of an identifiable protective sheet comprising the steps of: a] applying an exterior sealant surface of the meltable sealing solution of an identifiable protective sheet according to the first aspect of the present invention to a ground-embeddable wooden object and applying heat to cause flow of the meltable-sealing solution to conform or substantially conform to a profile of the wooden object, wherein the said second edge faces a bottom end of the wooden object; b] embedding an end portion of the wooden object into the ground, so that the first edge of the identifiable protective sheet is spaced above a surface of the ground and the second edge is in the ground; and c] reading the embedded identification device to verify a correct installation and/or veracity of the identifiable protective sheet.
  • a method of guiding installation of a ground-embeddable wooden object to prevent or inhibit degradation using an identifiable protective sheet comprising the steps of: a] applying an exterior-facing surface of the meltable-sealing solution of an identifiable protective sheet according to the first aspect of the present invention to a ground- embeddable wooden object; b] applying heat to cause flow of the meltable-sealing solution to better conform and adhere to a profile of the wooden, wherein the said second edge faces a bottom end of the wooden object; c] embedding an end portion of the wooden object into the ground, so that the first edge of the identifiable protective sheet is spaced above a surface of the ground and the second edge is in the ground; and d] verifying that a suitable portion of the protective sheet is above the ground by reading the identification device.
  • the base sheet may shrink unidirectionally in a direction transverse to a top- to-bottom direction.
  • the base sheet may include a guide
  • an identifiable protective sheet for preserving a ground-embeddable wooden object comprising: a flexible thermoplastic base sheet having an in use upper edge, an in use lower edge, a sealant-support area and a fastening area both on one side of the base sheet and between the upper and lower edges; a meltable-sealing solution on the sealant-support area; an adhesive on the fastening area for bonding the flexible thermoplastic sheet to itself when wrapped around a ground-embeddable wooden object; and an identification device positioned on the thermoplastic base sheet partway between a centre line of the flexible thermoplastic sheet and its said upper edge.
  • the identification device may be incorporated within or adhered to the meltable sealing solution on the sealant support area, of the identifiable protective sheet not in accordance with the present invention.
  • an identifiable protective sheet for preserving a ground-embeddable wooden object comprising: a flexible thermoplastic base sheet having an in use upper edge, an in use lower edge, a sealant-support area and a fastening area both on one side of the base sheet and between the upper and lower edges; a meltable-sealing solution on the sealant-support area; an adhesive on the fastening area for bonding the flexible thermoplastic sheet to itself when wrapped around a ground-embeddable wooden object; and an identification device positioned within the fastening area partway between a centre line of the flexible thermoplastic base sheet and its said upper edge.
  • Figure 1 shows a plan representation of an inner face of a first embodiment of an identifiable protective sheet, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a plan representation of an outer face of the identifiable protective sheet of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a cross-section through line AA of the identifiable protective sheet;
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the identifiable protective sheet in use and on a ground-embeddable wooden object, in this case being an electricity pole;
  • Figure 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional portion of the electricity pole and identifiable protective sheet shown in Figure 4
  • Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the portion of the electricity pole and identifiable protective sheet shown in Figure 5;
  • Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view, similar to the view across line AA in Figure 3, of a second embodiment of an identifiable protective sheet, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention and with the release paper having been removed for clarity.
  • FIG. 1 to 3 there is shown a first embodiment of an identifiable protective sheet 10 for a ground-embeddable wooden object 12.
  • the protective sheet 10 comprises a base sheet 14 having an object-facing major inner surface 16 and an exterior-facing major outer surface 18 which opposes the inner surface 16.
  • a perimeter 20 is thereby defined by the major inner and outer surfaces 16, 18, and in this case consists of an in use upper edge 22, or first edge, an in use lower edge 24, or second edge, which opposes the upper edge 22, and two opposing side edges 26, 28.
  • the upper and lower edges 22, 24 are contiguous with the side edges 26, 28 such that the perimeter 20 is uniformly continuous and, preferably, unbroken.
  • the base sheet 14 of the current embodiment is square or rectangular, but other polygonal, non-circular or even circular shapes may be considered.
  • the base sheet 14 is pliantly flexible, and in this case formed of a thermoplastic.
  • the thermoplastic may preferably be low or high density UV stabilised polyethylene, polyvinylchloride or polypropylene. These thermoplastics are suitable as they are able to be processed so that they are unidirectionally heat shrinkable. This processing typically takes the form of heating the thermoplastic and unidirectionally extending it to a desired length, before cooling whilst holding at this extended length. In use, when subsequently heated, the thermoplastic will substantially return to its original dimensions but only in the unidirectionally extended direction.
  • heat shrinkage only occurs in a circumferential direction of the object 12 being covered by the sheet 10, in other words in a side-to-side direction of the sheet 10, and not or substantially not in an axial direction of the object 12, thereby being a top-to-bottom direction of the sheet 10.
  • the reasoning for unidirectional contraction of the sheet will become apparent hereinafter.
  • thermoplastic that is able to be similarly processed may be used.
  • the major inner surface 16 of the base sheet 14 has a sealant-support area 30 and a fastening area 32.
  • the sealant-support area 30 is provided between the upper and lower edges 22, 24, and extends to or adjacent to a first said side edge 26 of the base sheet 14.
  • the sealant-support area 30 extends across a majority of the major inner surface 16, terminating so as to be preferably contiguous with the fastening area 32 and as such spaced from the second said side edge 28.
  • the fastening area 32 which also extends between the upper and lower edges 22, 24, begins at or adjacent to the second side edge 28 of the base sheet 14 and meets the sealant-support area 30, whereby the two areas thus share a common boundary 34.
  • the fastening area 32 has a strip-like form relative to the sealant-support area 30.
  • the fastening area 32 preferably has a lateral extent of less than half of the side-to-side extent of the sealant-support area 30, and more preferably between 10 % and 15 %, whilst having matching or substantially matching top-to-bottom extents.
  • the entire major inner surface 16 of the base sheet 14 is thus occupied by the sealant-support area 30 and the fastening area 32.
  • the major inner surface of the base sheet may include one or more perimeter edge portions or a border at or adjacent to the sealant-support area and/or the fastening area.
  • meltable-sealing solution 36 Covering the sealant-support area 30 is a meltable-sealing solution 36, which may be a bituminous substance.
  • the meltable-sealing solution 36 preferably has a melting-point or softening point above ambient or room temperature, for example 25 °C, but below a temperature capable of being produced by a blow torch, for example 150 °C. In this way the meltable-sealing solution 36 may be on site meltable but solid or substantially solid during service.
  • the meltable-sealing solution 36 preferably has a range of melting temperatures so that the viscosity of the meltable-sealing solution 36 can be softened and hardened.
  • the viscosity of the meltable-sealing solution 36 may be such that it is considered a semi-solid or quasi-solid.
  • the meltable-sealing solution 36 may be considered a solution, mixture or solid-state solution. This may be such that the meltable sealing solution has a plurality of constituents at least one of which may be dissolved in another.
  • the bituminous substance may include any of bitumen, tar, pitch, coal, asphalt or gilsonite in straight or modified form.
  • This covering is typically of a substantially uniform thickness of 0.1 to 0.5mm so that acceptably uniform bonding and sealing between the base sheet 14 and the wooden object 12 is able to take place. Other thicknesses are feasible, potentially based on installation criteria, such as roughness or unevenness of the object 12 being covered.
  • a thickness of the bituminous substance may be up to and including 5mm or around 5mm, and more preferably up to and including 1mm or around 1mm.
  • the meltable sealing solution 36 preferably directly contacts the sealant support area 30 of the base sheet 14, although it will be appreciated that the meltable sealing solution may be spaced apart from the base sheet, for example by a further adhesive.
  • the meltable-sealing solution 36 should also be sufficiently fluid to bond to the wooden object 12 at a temperature lower than the temperature at which the thermoplastic base sheet 14 is heat shrinkable.
  • a base- sheet-facing interior-sealant surface 38 is in contact with the base sheet 14 and an in use wooden-object-facing exterior-sealant surface 40 faces outwardly from the protective sheet 10.
  • the sealant-support area is defined as being covered by the meltable-sealing solution, there may in fact be a border surrounding the sealant-support area which may not be covered to ensure that the meltable-sealing solution is not displaced outside of or overlap the area of coverage of the protective sheet.
  • the meltable-sealing solution may in fact only cover a perimeter portion of the sealant-support area so that the amount of meltable-sealing solution is reduced but the area of the sealant-support area remains sealed from moisture.
  • the bituminous substance is a continuous or substantially continuous layer across the sealant-support area, the bituminous substance may be discontinuous.
  • An identification device 42 is positioned within the fastening area 32.
  • the identification device may be positioned within or adhered to the meltable sealing solution applied and/or positionable on or at the sealant support area.
  • the identification device is preferably electrical and/or electronic. Here the identification device is able to be electronically read or scanned by an electronic and/or electrical scanner.
  • This identification device 42 preferably may have a looped antenna which may be further looped so as to form a coil. These loops or coils may allow the identification device 42 to be powered by an electromagnetic signal outputted by an in use scanner or reader during a scanning or reading process. This may result in the identification device 42 not requiring a battery, and therefore the working lifetime of the identification device 42 may be significantly extended. As such, the identification device 42 may conveniently be a passive RFID device, NFC device, or any other device capable of being remotely read, preferably without an associated or on-board battery.
  • the identification device is described as being operable without a battery, which is the most preferably option, it is appreciated that the identification device may in fact have a battery or other associated power source at or adjacent thereto and as such may be or may be considered to be an active or semi-passive, typically RFID, device.
  • the identification device 42 is positioned in an in use upper half 44 of the fastening area 32, that is between a centre line of the fastening area 32 and the upper edge 22.
  • the identification device 42 is preferably further positioned at or adjacent to the upper edge 22. In use, once installed, this positioning allows for the identification device 42 to be above the ground and therefore is easily able to be read.
  • the identification device 42 may have an adhesive coating to enable or facilitate temporary fixation in the aforementioned position on the fastening area 32.
  • An adhesive 46 is positioned on, and typically over at least a majority of, the fastening area 32.
  • This adhesive 46 is separate from, different to and/or distinct to the meltable- sealing solution 36.
  • the adhesive 46 is insoluble in and/or immiscible with the meltable-sealing solution 36 and/or the meltable-sealing solution 36 is insoluble in the adhesive 46.
  • This insolubility and/or immiscibility is preferably up to at least 150 0 C so that the adhesive 46 and meltable-sealing solution 36 remain distinct during application of the identifiable protective sheet 10 to the wooden object 12
  • the adhesive 46 may be an adhesive strip 46 such that it matches and covers or overlies the entire or substantially entire fastening area 32.
  • the adhesive 46 of the adhesive strip 46 may be a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive, contact adhesive, drying adhesive, reactive adhesive, heat activated adhesive or any other kind of adhesive that allows a, preferably weatherproof, bond to be reliably formed between two surfaces, typically being two plastics surfaces.
  • the adhesive is preferably solid, substantially solid or at least has a solid or substantially solid substrate when the adhesive is applied to the protective sheet.
  • the adhesive strip 46 may conveniently be a double-sided adhesive tape. In this way, when both applied to the base sheet 14, the adhesive 46 preferably has a lateral extent of less than half of the side-to-side extent of the meltable sealing solution 36, and more preferably between 10 % and 15 %, whilst having matching or substantially matching top-to-bottom extents.
  • a base-sheet-facing-adhesive surface 48 of the adhesive 46 preferably bonds to and covers both the fastening area 32 and the identification device 42, such that the identification device 42 is fixed in place and is inaccessible from an exterior.
  • the adhesive 46 is here described as being bonded directly to the fastening area 32 of the sheet, although it is appreciated that it may be spaced apart from the sheet, for example by a further adhesive.
  • An exterior-facing adhesive surface 50 faces outwardly from the major inner surface 16 of the base sheet 14.
  • a release paper 52 may cover the entirety of the exterior-facing adhesive surface 50 and this release paper 52 may therefore also have a strip like form.
  • the exterior-facing major outer surface 18 of the base sheet 14 may preferably include a guide element 54 and a display area 56.
  • the guide element 54 may take the form of a printed or moulded line which extends at least part way across the major outer surface 18 in a direction from a first to a second side, substantially parallel to an in use upper and lower edge 22, 24. This guide element 54 is positioned between an upper and lower edge 22, 24 such that, when the protective sheet 10 is installed on a wooden object 12 and the wooden object 12 is embedded into the ground, the guide element 54 enables an optimal alignment with the ground level 58. A suitable portion of the protective sheet 10 can thus be positioned above and below the ground.
  • the display area 56 may be provided in order to label the function of the guide element 54, and may take the form of text labelling the guide element 54 as "GROUND LEVEL".
  • any text would preferably be upright in a direction from the lower edge 24 to the upper edge 22 such that the text can only be read right-side-up when the protective sheet 10 is orientated correctly in the ground.
  • the display area 56 acts as an orientation indicator for the protective sheet 10.
  • a further guide element 60 consisting of an arrow pointing in the direction from the lower edge 24 to the upper edge 22 may be used to further clarify the correct installation orientation.
  • a further display element 62 labelling this arrow could also be used, such labelling may read "THIS SIDE UP", "THIS EDGE UP”.
  • the wooden-object-facing exterior-sealant surface 40 is engaged with a portion of the embeddable wooden object 12 to be protected.
  • the first side edge 26 of the base sheet 14 may be aligned substantially parallel with a vertical extent of the wooden object 12 and the lower edge 24 facing a bottom end 64 of the wooden object 12.
  • the portion of the exterior-sealant surface 40 adjacent to the first side edge 26 is engaged against the wooden object 12.
  • the remainder of the exterior-sealant surface 40 may then be engaged against the wooden object 12.
  • the exterior-sealant surface 40 area is wrapped around the perimeter of the portion of the wooden object 12.
  • the length of the sealant-support area 30 parallel with an upper 22 and/or lower edge 24 is such that the boundary 34 between the sealant-support area 30 and the fastening area 32 meets, substantially meets or overlaps the first side edge 26 of base sheet 14. Therefore, preferably the entire perimeter of the portion of the wooden object 12 to be protected is engaged with the exterior-sealant surface 40.
  • the fastening area 32 along with the adhesive 46 is thus in a position to engage with the exterior-facing major outer surface 18 of the base sheet 14.
  • the release paper 52 is removed from the exterior-facing adhesive surface 50 and the exterior-facing adhesive surface 50 is engaged with the major outer surface 18.
  • Pressure is applied to the fastening area 32 to ensure that a firm bond is made between the adhesive 46 and the major outer surface 18. In this way, when the protective sheet 10 is or is substantially planar, the meltable sealing solution 36, identification device 42 and/or adhesive 46 are positioned directly on the same side of the protective sheet 10.
  • the adhesive 46 and/or the identification device 42 may be positioned so that the adhesive 46 and/or the identification device 42 are not co planar with at least part of the meltable- sealing solution 36 and are in fact spaced apart from at least part of the meltable sealing solution 36 by at least a lateral extent of the base sheet 14.
  • Heat is then applied to the protective sheet 10 which causes the meltable-sealing solution 36 to melt and flow, thereby allowing the meltable-sealing solution 36 to conform or substantially conform to a profile of the wooden object 12.
  • the heat also causes the base sheet 14 to shrink which has the effect that the base sheet 14 more sealably grips the wooden object 12 ensuring a complete bond between the protective sheet 10 and the wooden object 12. This helps to prevent or limit moisture from infiltrating to the interface between the protective sheet 10 and the wooden object 12.
  • Air at an interface between the wooden object 12 and the protective sheet 10 can also be forced out by the shrinking action which may help to reduce the rate of decay.
  • This heat may be applied via blow torch, infra-red heating, hot air jet, heat pads or any other form of heating.
  • the embeddable wooden object 12 with the protective sheet 10 attached is then embedded in the ground.
  • the wooden object 12 is inserted to a depth which the optional guide element 54 indicates is suitable.
  • the identification device 42 is consistently above ground level 58 whilst being permanently encased, interposed between the wooden object 12 and the base sheet 14 whilst also covered by the adhesive strip 46.
  • the identification device 42 may in fact be above or below ground level 58.
  • the depth to which the identification device 42 may be below ground level is dependent on the permeability of the ground to radio waves.
  • the identification device 42 may preferably be positioned below or above ground level and within 0.5 m of the ground level 58, more preferably within 0.1 m of the ground level 58 and most preferably within 0.05 m of the ground level 58.
  • the identification device 42 may be positioned at ground level 58.
  • the identification device 42 can be subsequently read or scanned by an installer or another third-party verifier to ensure that the correct protective sheet 10 has been installed on the relevant wooden object 12.
  • the ability to read or scan the identification device 42 can verify that the protective sheet 10 has been installed correctly as, if the protective sheet 10 was incorrectly installed such that the upper edge 22 was below ground, the identification device 42 would not be able to be easily read or read at all. Equally, if the sheet 10 had been tampered with to remove the identification device 42, this would become readily apparent when scanning.
  • FIG 7 there is shown a second embodiment of the identifiable protective sheet 110 where the identification device 142 is adhered to the exterior-facing adhesive surface 150 of the adhesive strip 146.
  • Other aspects of this embodiment are similar or identical to those of that described above, and therefore further detailed description has been omitted for the sake of brevity.
  • Elements which are similar or identical to those of the first embodiment are indicated by their reference numeral in Figures 1 to 6 plus one hundred for ease of reference.
  • the base-sheet facing adhesive surface 148 of the adhesive strip 146 is adhered directly to the fastening area 132 of the major inner surface 116 and the exterior-facing adhesive surface 150 is covered by a release paper.
  • the release paper is removed from the exterior-facing adhesive surface 150 of the adhesive strip 146 and the identification device 142 is adhered directly to the exterior-facing adhesive surface 150.
  • the exterior-facing adhesive surface 150 is engaged with the major outer surface 118 of the base sheet 114. Pressure is applied to the fastening area 132 to ensure that a firm bond is made between the adhesive 146 and the maj or outer surface 118.
  • an identifiable protective sheet for preserving a ground-embeddable wooden object
  • the protective sheet comprising: a flexible thermoplastic base sheet having an in use upper edge, an in use lower edge, a sealant- support area and a fastening area both on one side of the base sheet and between the upper and lower edges, a meltable-sealing solution on the sealant-support area, an adhesive on the fastening area for bonding the flexible thermoplastic sheet to itself when wrapped around a ground-embeddable wooden object, and an identification device positioned on the thermoplastic base sheet partway between a centre line of the flexible thermoplastic sheet and its said upper edge.
  • the identifiable protective sheet may also comprise or have any combination of the previously described preferable or optional features.
  • the identification device may be incorporated within or adhered to the meltable sealing solution on the sealant support area.
  • the protective sheet comprising a flexible thermoplastic base sheet having an in use upper edge, an in use lower edge, a sealant- support area and a fastening area both on one side of the base sheet and between the upper and lower edges.
  • a meltable-sealing solution is applied to the sealant-support area and an adhesive is applied to the fastening area for bonding the flexible thermoplastic sheet to itself when wrapped around a ground-embeddable wooden object.
  • An identification device positioned within the fastening area partway between a centre line of the flexible thermoplastic sheet and its said upper edge.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
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Abstract

An identifiable protective sheet (10) for preserving a ground-embeddable wooden object (12). The protective sheet (10) comprising a flexible thermoplastic base sheet (14) having an in use upper edge (22), an in use lower edge (24), a sealant-support area (30) and a fastening area (32) both on one side of the base sheet (14) and between the upper and lower edges (22), (24). A meltable-sealing solution (36) is applied to the sealant-support area (30) and an adhesive (46) is applied to the fastening area (32) for bonding the flexible thermoplastic sheet (14) to itself when wrapped around a ground-embeddable wooden object (12). An identification device (42) positioned within the fastening area (32) partway between a centre line of the flexible thermoplastic sheet (14) and its said upper edge (22) or within or adhered to the meltable sealing solution (36) applied to the sealant support area (30). A method of retroactively forming a tamper-resistant said sheet (10) for such an object (12). A method of verifying a correct installation of such a sheet (10), and/or to a method of guiding installation of said object (12) using the sheet (10).

Description

An Identifiable Protective Sheet
The present invention relates to an identifiable sheet for protecting wooden objects, to a method of retroactively forming a tamper-resistant said sheet for such an object, to a method of verifying a correct installation of such a sheet, and/or to a method of guiding installation of said object using the sheet.
Ground embedded wooden objects, such as posts or poles, are widely used, for example, to support electricity or telephone wires. The portion of the wooden object at or just below ground level is susceptible to high rates of decay due to the high levels of moisture, fungi, bacteria and insects present. Therefore, to extend the lifetime of these wooden objects, protective sheets, which are wrapped around the susceptible portions of the wooden object directly above and below the ground, are commonly used. These protective sheets typically comprise an impermeable layer, to prevent access of moisture to the wooden object, and can further comprise a meltable-sealing solution on an inner surface of the protective sheet, which is heated once the protective sheet is installed in order to provide a more effective seal.
It is desirable to be able to accurately verify the identity of protective sheets before and after installation on a wooden object. This identification ensures that protective sheets that meet a desired quality and specification have been installed on a given wooden object. It further allows an owner of multiple protective sheet products to track their stock to determine whether products have been lost or stolen.
Serial numbers and barcodes are typically used for identification and tracking. However, these are required to be printed onto an external, accessible surface of the wrap. This positioning results in the serial numbers and barcodes being vulnerable to vandalism and fading over time due to UV exposure and weathering. The asset tracking devices can thus become unreadable and consequently unable to be used.
Furthermore, providing asset tracking devices which are at an external surface of a protective sheet allows for tampering of the tracking device before installation of the protective sheet has taken place. A low quality protective sheet may thus be mispresented or passed off as a high quality protective sheet by exchange or interchanging of the asset tracking device. This can result in low quality protective sheets inadvertently or unwittingly being used by installers, thereby resulting in a potential hazard.
The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an identifiable protective sheet for preserving a ground-embeddable wooden object, the protective sheet comprising a flexible thermoplastic base sheet having a first edge, a second edge, a sealant-support area and a fastening area both on one side of the base sheet and between the first and second edges; a meltable-sealing solution directly contacting the base sheet so that the meltable sealing solution is on the sealant-support area; an adhesive directly contacting the base sheet so that the adhesive is on the fastening area for bonding the flexible thermoplastic sheet to itself when wrapped around a ground- embeddable wooden object; the adhesive being distinct to the meltable-sealing solution and being an adhesive strip which extends from or substantially from the first edge to the second edge, the adhesive strip having two opposing adhesive surfaces for retaining the identification device and engaging the base sheet when in use overlaying itself; and an identification device positioned within the fastening area partway between a centre line of the flexible thermoplastic sheet and its said first edge, wherein the identification device has at least one antenna loop forming a looped antenna and is covered by a base- sheet facing surface of the adhesive strip.
The identification device being positioned at the fastening area provides the advantage that in use the identification device is positioned between the base sheet and the wooden object. This therefore prevents or restricts access to the identification device without first removing the base sheet and so any opportunity to tamper with the identification device is reduced. Additionally, positioning the identification device at a fastening area, rather than a sealant-support area, reduces the likelihood that the meltable-sealing solution will contact and thus damage the identification device. Ensuring that the identification device is positioned within an upper half of the flexible thermoplastic sheet increases the likelihood that the identification device will be above ground level and therefore more easily readable. An identifiable protective sheet having an adhesive which is distinct from the meltable sealing solution allows for an identification device to be positioned on the protective sheet and to be covered by the adhesive strip. This prevents or limits removal of the identification device without being covered by the meltable sealing solution. The identification device of the protective sheet may therefore be tamper-resistant, especially when stored in a planar state, for example several layers of unfurled sheets in storage, and the meltable sealing solution not being bonded to the sheet or the wooden object. Therefore, the identification device cannot be removed without at least damaging the protective sheet which limits the ability to remove an identification device form one protective sheet and reposition it on a protective sheet of lower quality. The adhesive and meltable sealing solution being distinct additionally limits the possibility that the identification device, or its associated looped antenna, will be damaged during the melting of the meltable-sealing solution.
Preferably, the meltable-sealing solution and identification device are coplanar. By positioning the identification device in the same plane as the meltable-sealing solution it is ensured that the identification device is on an inner sheet surface of the protective sheet. This has the result that the identification device cannot be removed once the protective sheet has been installed and so the identification device is afforded greater protection from tampering, vandalism and weathering. Providing an adhesive strip with two adhesive surfaces provides the advantage that the same adhesive can be used to achieve both functions of retaining the identification device and engaging the base sheet, rather than two adhesives being required.
Additionally, an in use exterior-facing adhesive surface of the adhesive strip may be covered by a release paper. The use of a release paper prevents or limits the exterior- facing adhesive surface from being inadvertently adhered prior to installation. It additionally prevents the curing of the adhesive until the release paper is removed and so allows the adhesive to have a longer life-span
Covering the identification device with the adhesive strip prevents the identification device from being removed from the protective sheet without first removing the adhesive strip and thereby potentially damaging the protective sheet. This prevents or limits tampering occurring to the identification device when the protective sheet is in an uninstalled state. This therefore reduces the chance that a protective sheet will be used for an unsuitable purpose.
Alternatively, the identification device may be adhered to the in use exterior-facing adhesive surface. This allows for the base-sheet facing surface of an adhesive strip to be more easily applied to the base-sheet as an identification device does not cause an obstruction. Therefore, a stronger bond can be formed between the base-sheet facing surface and the base sheet as the identification device would not disrupt the bond. It further allows for the identification device to be more easily removed from the protective sheet if necessary. Preferably, the identification device may be positioned at or adjacent to the first edge of the flexible thermoplastic sheet. Positioning the identification device at or adjacent to the first edge ensures that, if the protective sheet is correctly or substantially correctly installed, then the identification device will be above ground level. This allows for the identification device to be more easily read as the ground would not obstruct a signal sent either to or from the device.
Advantageously, the meltable-sealing solution may be a bituminous substance. Not in accordance with the present invention, the bituminous substance may include one or more from the group comprising bitumen, tar, pitch, coal, tar, asphalt or gilsonite in straight or modified form. Bituminous substances, when appropriately applied, typically provide a water tight seal. The relatively low melting point of some bituminous substances ensures that they are suitable for on-site melting where high temperature heating devices and safety equipment may not be available.
Additionally, the bituminous substance may include one or more extenders, fillers, plasticisers, elastomers, wood preservatives and/or adhesion promoters. The provision of extenders and fillers allows for less bituminous substance to be used and thus reduces costs. Plasticisers and elastomers can allow for the bituminous substance to more easily flow when molten and therefore more sealably bond to the wooden object. Wood preservatives may be used to further prevent decay of the wooden object. Adhesion promoters further encourage the bonding of the bituminous substance to the wooden object.
Beneficially, the identification device may have a plurality of antenna loops forming a coiled antenna. The provision of one or more antenna loops in the identification device can allow for the identification device to be powered by a reader which results in the identification device not requiring a battery. Non-reliance on a battery, which typically have relatively short lifetimes, increases the working lifetime of the identification device and additionally ensures that the identification can be of a reduced size. Advantageously, the identification device may be at least one of a passive RFID device and a NFC device. Passive Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) and Near-Field Communication (NFC) devices are the most common and widely available forms of wireless identification devices that are able to be powered by a reader.
Preferably, the thermoplastic base sheet may be heat shrinkable in only or substantially only a direction transverse to the top-to-bottom direction. The thermoplastic sheet being heat shrinkable in a direction transverse to the top to bottom direction allows for the protective sheet to more sealably grip the wooden object and thereby prevent or limit moisture or other degradative components from infiltrating between the wooden object and the protective sheet. This shrinking also encourages air to be removed from the interface between the wooden object and the protective sheet which may reduce the rate of decay of the wooden object. The fact that the thermoplastic sheet is heat shrinkable in this direction only prevents a reduction in the protective extent of the protective sheet.
Optionally, the base sheet may include a printed or moulded guide element on an outer sheet surface opposing the meltable-sealing solution so that the guide element enables an optimal alignment with ground level when the protective sheet is installed on the wooden object and the wooden object is embedded into the ground.
A guide element on the outer sheet surface, such as an indicator as to desired position of the installed protective sheet in relation to the ground, allows for the correct installation of the protective sheet on the wooden object. If the protective sheet does not extend far enough above the ground then collected rainwater or other moisture may be able to infiltrate between the wooden object and the protective sheet. Further, the identification device may not be easily readable if it is positioned below ground level. If the protective sheet does not extend far enough below ground level then the near ground extent of the wooden object, which is highly susceptible to decay, would not be protected. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of applying an identification device to a protective sheet so that it is tamper-resistant, the protective sheet being for a ground-embeddable wooden object, the method comprising: positioning an identification device at a fastening area of a flexible thermoplastic base sheet at least in part covered by meltable-sealing solution; the identification device being positioned partway between a centre line of the base sheet and its said first edge; and covering the identification device with an adhesive which is different to the meltable-sealing solution.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of verifying a correct installation and/or veracity of an identifiable protective sheet, the method comprising the steps of: a] applying an exterior sealant surface of the meltable sealing solution of an identifiable protective sheet according to the first aspect of the present invention to a ground-embeddable wooden object and applying heat to cause flow of the meltable-sealing solution to conform or substantially conform to a profile of the wooden object, wherein the said second edge faces a bottom end of the wooden object; b] embedding an end portion of the wooden object into the ground, so that the first edge of the identifiable protective sheet is spaced above a surface of the ground and the second edge is in the ground; and c] reading the embedded identification device to verify a correct installation and/or veracity of the identifiable protective sheet.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of guiding installation of a ground-embeddable wooden object to prevent or inhibit degradation using an identifiable protective sheet the method comprising the steps of: a] applying an exterior-facing surface of the meltable-sealing solution of an identifiable protective sheet according to the first aspect of the present invention to a ground- embeddable wooden object; b] applying heat to cause flow of the meltable-sealing solution to better conform and adhere to a profile of the wooden, wherein the said second edge faces a bottom end of the wooden object; c] embedding an end portion of the wooden object into the ground, so that the first edge of the identifiable protective sheet is spaced above a surface of the ground and the second edge is in the ground; and d] verifying that a suitable portion of the protective sheet is above the ground by reading the identification device. Preferably, the base sheet may shrink unidirectionally in a direction transverse to a top- to-bottom direction. Additionally or alternatively, the base sheet may include a guide element on an outer sheet surface opposing the meltable-sealing solution.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an identifiable protective sheet for preserving a ground-embeddable wooden object, the protective sheet comprising: a flexible thermoplastic base sheet having an in use upper edge, an in use lower edge, a sealant-support area and a fastening area both on one side of the base sheet and between the upper and lower edges; a meltable-sealing solution on the sealant-support area; an adhesive on the fastening area for bonding the flexible thermoplastic sheet to itself when wrapped around a ground-embeddable wooden object; and an identification device positioned on the thermoplastic base sheet partway between a centre line of the flexible thermoplastic sheet and its said upper edge.
Preferably, the identification device may be incorporated within or adhered to the meltable sealing solution on the sealant support area, of the identifiable protective sheet not in accordance with the present invention. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided an identifiable protective sheet for preserving a ground-embeddable wooden object, the protective sheet comprising: a flexible thermoplastic base sheet having an in use upper edge, an in use lower edge, a sealant-support area and a fastening area both on one side of the base sheet and between the upper and lower edges; a meltable-sealing solution on the sealant-support area; an adhesive on the fastening area for bonding the flexible thermoplastic sheet to itself when wrapped around a ground-embeddable wooden object; and an identification device positioned within the fastening area partway between a centre line of the flexible thermoplastic base sheet and its said upper edge.
The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan representation of an inner face of a first embodiment of an identifiable protective sheet, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a plan representation of an outer face of the identifiable protective sheet of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a cross-section through line AA of the identifiable protective sheet;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the identifiable protective sheet in use and on a ground-embeddable wooden object, in this case being an electricity pole;
Figure 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional portion of the electricity pole and identifiable protective sheet shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the portion of the electricity pole and identifiable protective sheet shown in Figure 5; and
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view, similar to the view across line AA in Figure 3, of a second embodiment of an identifiable protective sheet, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention and with the release paper having been removed for clarity.
Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a first embodiment of an identifiable protective sheet 10 for a ground-embeddable wooden object 12. The protective sheet 10 comprises a base sheet 14 having an object-facing major inner surface 16 and an exterior-facing major outer surface 18 which opposes the inner surface 16. A perimeter 20 is thereby defined by the major inner and outer surfaces 16, 18, and in this case consists of an in use upper edge 22, or first edge, an in use lower edge 24, or second edge, which opposes the upper edge 22, and two opposing side edges 26, 28. The upper and lower edges 22, 24 are contiguous with the side edges 26, 28 such that the perimeter 20 is uniformly continuous and, preferably, unbroken. As such, the base sheet 14 of the current embodiment is square or rectangular, but other polygonal, non-circular or even circular shapes may be considered. The base sheet 14 is pliantly flexible, and in this case formed of a thermoplastic. The thermoplastic may preferably be low or high density UV stabilised polyethylene, polyvinylchloride or polypropylene. These thermoplastics are suitable as they are able to be processed so that they are unidirectionally heat shrinkable. This processing typically takes the form of heating the thermoplastic and unidirectionally extending it to a desired length, before cooling whilst holding at this extended length. In use, when subsequently heated, the thermoplastic will substantially return to its original dimensions but only in the unidirectionally extended direction. As such, heat shrinkage only occurs in a circumferential direction of the object 12 being covered by the sheet 10, in other words in a side-to-side direction of the sheet 10, and not or substantially not in an axial direction of the object 12, thereby being a top-to-bottom direction of the sheet 10. The reasoning for unidirectional contraction of the sheet will become apparent hereinafter.
Although the use of polyethylene, polyvinylchloride or polypropylene are preferable, any other thermoplastic that is able to be similarly processed may be used.
The major inner surface 16 of the base sheet 14 has a sealant-support area 30 and a fastening area 32. The sealant-support area 30 is provided between the upper and lower edges 22, 24, and extends to or adjacent to a first said side edge 26 of the base sheet 14. The sealant-support area 30 extends across a majority of the major inner surface 16, terminating so as to be preferably contiguous with the fastening area 32 and as such spaced from the second said side edge 28.
The fastening area 32, which also extends between the upper and lower edges 22, 24, begins at or adjacent to the second side edge 28 of the base sheet 14 and meets the sealant-support area 30, whereby the two areas thus share a common boundary 34. As a result, the fastening area 32 has a strip-like form relative to the sealant-support area 30. In this way the fastening area 32 preferably has a lateral extent of less than half of the side-to-side extent of the sealant-support area 30, and more preferably between 10 % and 15 %, whilst having matching or substantially matching top-to-bottom extents.
In this embodiment, the entire major inner surface 16 of the base sheet 14 is thus occupied by the sealant-support area 30 and the fastening area 32. However, it is feasible that the major inner surface of the base sheet may include one or more perimeter edge portions or a border at or adjacent to the sealant-support area and/or the fastening area.
Covering the sealant-support area 30 is a meltable-sealing solution 36, which may be a bituminous substance. The meltable-sealing solution 36 preferably has a melting-point or softening point above ambient or room temperature, for example 25 °C, but below a temperature capable of being produced by a blow torch, for example 150 °C. In this way the meltable-sealing solution 36 may be on site meltable but solid or substantially solid during service. The meltable-sealing solution 36 preferably has a range of melting temperatures so that the viscosity of the meltable-sealing solution 36 can be softened and hardened. The viscosity of the meltable-sealing solution 36 may be such that it is considered a semi-solid or quasi-solid. The meltable-sealing solution 36 may be considered a solution, mixture or solid-state solution. This may be such that the meltable sealing solution has a plurality of constituents at least one of which may be dissolved in another. The bituminous substance may include any of bitumen, tar, pitch, coal, asphalt or gilsonite in straight or modified form. This covering is typically of a substantially uniform thickness of 0.1 to 0.5mm so that acceptably uniform bonding and sealing between the base sheet 14 and the wooden object 12 is able to take place. Other thicknesses are feasible, potentially based on installation criteria, such as roughness or unevenness of the object 12 being covered. As such, a thickness of the bituminous substance may be up to and including 5mm or around 5mm, and more preferably up to and including 1mm or around 1mm. The meltable sealing solution 36 preferably directly contacts the sealant support area 30 of the base sheet 14, although it will be appreciated that the meltable sealing solution may be spaced apart from the base sheet, for example by a further adhesive.
The meltable-sealing solution 36 should also be sufficiently fluid to bond to the wooden object 12 at a temperature lower than the temperature at which the thermoplastic base sheet 14 is heat shrinkable. A base- sheet-facing interior-sealant surface 38 is in contact with the base sheet 14 and an in use wooden-object-facing exterior-sealant surface 40 faces outwardly from the protective sheet 10. Although the sealant-support area is defined as being covered by the meltable-sealing solution, there may in fact be a border surrounding the sealant-support area which may not be covered to ensure that the meltable-sealing solution is not displaced outside of or overlap the area of coverage of the protective sheet. Alternatively, the meltable-sealing solution may in fact only cover a perimeter portion of the sealant-support area so that the amount of meltable-sealing solution is reduced but the area of the sealant-support area remains sealed from moisture. In this latter case therefore, although it is preferred that the bituminous substance is a continuous or substantially continuous layer across the sealant-support area, the bituminous substance may be discontinuous. An identification device 42 is positioned within the fastening area 32. Alternatively, the identification device may be positioned within or adhered to the meltable sealing solution applied and/or positionable on or at the sealant support area. The identification device is preferably electrical and/or electronic. Here the identification device is able to be electronically read or scanned by an electronic and/or electrical scanner. This identification device 42 preferably may have a looped antenna which may be further looped so as to form a coil. These loops or coils may allow the identification device 42 to be powered by an electromagnetic signal outputted by an in use scanner or reader during a scanning or reading process. This may result in the identification device 42 not requiring a battery, and therefore the working lifetime of the identification device 42 may be significantly extended. As such, the identification device 42 may conveniently be a passive RFID device, NFC device, or any other device capable of being remotely read, preferably without an associated or on-board battery. Although the identification device is described as being operable without a battery, which is the most preferably option, it is appreciated that the identification device may in fact have a battery or other associated power source at or adjacent thereto and as such may be or may be considered to be an active or semi-passive, typically RFID, device.
The identification device 42 is positioned in an in use upper half 44 of the fastening area 32, that is between a centre line of the fastening area 32 and the upper edge 22. The identification device 42 is preferably further positioned at or adjacent to the upper edge 22. In use, once installed, this positioning allows for the identification device 42 to be above the ground and therefore is easily able to be read. The identification device 42 may have an adhesive coating to enable or facilitate temporary fixation in the aforementioned position on the fastening area 32.
An adhesive 46 is positioned on, and typically over at least a majority of, the fastening area 32. This adhesive 46 is separate from, different to and/or distinct to the meltable- sealing solution 36. Preferably the adhesive 46 is insoluble in and/or immiscible with the meltable-sealing solution 36 and/or the meltable-sealing solution 36 is insoluble in the adhesive 46. This insolubility and/or immiscibility is preferably up to at least 150 0 C so that the adhesive 46 and meltable-sealing solution 36 remain distinct during application of the identifiable protective sheet 10 to the wooden object 12 The adhesive 46 may be an adhesive strip 46 such that it matches and covers or overlies the entire or substantially entire fastening area 32. The adhesive 46 of the adhesive strip 46 may be a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive, contact adhesive, drying adhesive, reactive adhesive, heat activated adhesive or any other kind of adhesive that allows a, preferably weatherproof, bond to be reliably formed between two surfaces, typically being two plastics surfaces. The adhesive is preferably solid, substantially solid or at least has a solid or substantially solid substrate when the adhesive is applied to the protective sheet. To this end, the adhesive strip 46 may conveniently be a double-sided adhesive tape. In this way, when both applied to the base sheet 14, the adhesive 46 preferably has a lateral extent of less than half of the side-to-side extent of the meltable sealing solution 36, and more preferably between 10 % and 15 %, whilst having matching or substantially matching top-to-bottom extents.
A base-sheet-facing-adhesive surface 48 of the adhesive 46 preferably bonds to and covers both the fastening area 32 and the identification device 42, such that the identification device 42 is fixed in place and is inaccessible from an exterior. The adhesive 46 is here described as being bonded directly to the fastening area 32 of the sheet, although it is appreciated that it may be spaced apart from the sheet, for example by a further adhesive. An exterior-facing adhesive surface 50 faces outwardly from the major inner surface 16 of the base sheet 14. A release paper 52 may cover the entirety of the exterior-facing adhesive surface 50 and this release paper 52 may therefore also have a strip like form. The exterior-facing major outer surface 18 of the base sheet 14 may preferably include a guide element 54 and a display area 56. The guide element 54 may take the form of a printed or moulded line which extends at least part way across the major outer surface 18 in a direction from a first to a second side, substantially parallel to an in use upper and lower edge 22, 24. This guide element 54 is positioned between an upper and lower edge 22, 24 such that, when the protective sheet 10 is installed on a wooden object 12 and the wooden object 12 is embedded into the ground, the guide element 54 enables an optimal alignment with the ground level 58. A suitable portion of the protective sheet 10 can thus be positioned above and below the ground. The display area 56 may be provided in order to label the function of the guide element 54, and may take the form of text labelling the guide element 54 as "GROUND LEVEL". The orientation of any text would preferably be upright in a direction from the lower edge 24 to the upper edge 22 such that the text can only be read right-side-up when the protective sheet 10 is orientated correctly in the ground. In this way, the display area 56 acts as an orientation indicator for the protective sheet 10.
A further guide element 60 consisting of an arrow pointing in the direction from the lower edge 24 to the upper edge 22 may be used to further clarify the correct installation orientation. A further display element 62 labelling this arrow could also be used, such labelling may read "THIS SIDE UP", "THIS EDGE UP". In use and referring to Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings, the wooden-object-facing exterior-sealant surface 40 is engaged with a portion of the embeddable wooden object 12 to be protected. To achieve this, the first side edge 26 of the base sheet 14 may be aligned substantially parallel with a vertical extent of the wooden object 12 and the lower edge 24 facing a bottom end 64 of the wooden object 12. The portion of the exterior-sealant surface 40 adjacent to the first side edge 26 is engaged against the wooden object 12. The remainder of the exterior-sealant surface 40 may then be engaged against the wooden object 12. In the instance that the wooden object 12 is elongate and/or substantially cylindrically shaped, the exterior-sealant surface 40 area is wrapped around the perimeter of the portion of the wooden object 12. In this instance, the length of the sealant-support area 30 parallel with an upper 22 and/or lower edge 24 is such that the boundary 34 between the sealant-support area 30 and the fastening area 32 meets, substantially meets or overlaps the first side edge 26 of base sheet 14. Therefore, preferably the entire perimeter of the portion of the wooden object 12 to be protected is engaged with the exterior-sealant surface 40.
The fastening area 32 along with the adhesive 46 is thus in a position to engage with the exterior-facing major outer surface 18 of the base sheet 14. The release paper 52 is removed from the exterior-facing adhesive surface 50 and the exterior-facing adhesive surface 50 is engaged with the major outer surface 18. Pressure is applied to the fastening area 32 to ensure that a firm bond is made between the adhesive 46 and the major outer surface 18. In this way, when the protective sheet 10 is or is substantially planar, the meltable sealing solution 36, identification device 42 and/or adhesive 46 are positioned directly on the same side of the protective sheet 10. When in use the adhesive 46 and/or the identification device 42 may be positioned so that the adhesive 46 and/or the identification device 42 are not co planar with at least part of the meltable- sealing solution 36 and are in fact spaced apart from at least part of the meltable sealing solution 36 by at least a lateral extent of the base sheet 14.
Heat is then applied to the protective sheet 10 which causes the meltable-sealing solution 36 to melt and flow, thereby allowing the meltable-sealing solution 36 to conform or substantially conform to a profile of the wooden object 12. The heat also causes the base sheet 14 to shrink which has the effect that the base sheet 14 more sealably grips the wooden object 12 ensuring a complete bond between the protective sheet 10 and the wooden object 12. This helps to prevent or limit moisture from infiltrating to the interface between the protective sheet 10 and the wooden object 12. Air at an interface between the wooden object 12 and the protective sheet 10 can also be forced out by the shrinking action which may help to reduce the rate of decay. This heat may be applied via blow torch, infra-red heating, hot air jet, heat pads or any other form of heating.
The embeddable wooden object 12 with the protective sheet 10 attached is then embedded in the ground. The wooden object 12 is inserted to a depth which the optional guide element 54 indicates is suitable. In this way, the identification device 42 is consistently above ground level 58 whilst being permanently encased, interposed between the wooden object 12 and the base sheet 14 whilst also covered by the adhesive strip 46.
Whilst described and shown as being above ground level 58, it is appreciated that the identification device 42 may in fact be above or below ground level 58. The depth to which the identification device 42 may be below ground level is dependent on the permeability of the ground to radio waves. However, the identification device 42 may preferably be positioned below or above ground level and within 0.5 m of the ground level 58, more preferably within 0.1 m of the ground level 58 and most preferably within 0.05 m of the ground level 58. Alternatively, the identification device 42 may be positioned at ground level 58.
The identification device 42 can be subsequently read or scanned by an installer or another third-party verifier to ensure that the correct protective sheet 10 has been installed on the relevant wooden object 12. The ability to read or scan the identification device 42 can verify that the protective sheet 10 has been installed correctly as, if the protective sheet 10 was incorrectly installed such that the upper edge 22 was below ground, the identification device 42 would not be able to be easily read or read at all. Equally, if the sheet 10 had been tampered with to remove the identification device 42, this would become readily apparent when scanning.
Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a second embodiment of the identifiable protective sheet 110 where the identification device 142 is adhered to the exterior-facing adhesive surface 150 of the adhesive strip 146. Other aspects of this embodiment are similar or identical to those of that described above, and therefore further detailed description has been omitted for the sake of brevity. Elements which are similar or identical to those of the first embodiment are indicated by their reference numeral in Figures 1 to 6 plus one hundred for ease of reference.
The base-sheet facing adhesive surface 148 of the adhesive strip 146 is adhered directly to the fastening area 132 of the major inner surface 116 and the exterior-facing adhesive surface 150 is covered by a release paper. In use, once the exterior-sealant surface 140 of the meltable-sealing solution 136 of the protective sheet 110 has been applied to the wooden object, the release paper is removed from the exterior-facing adhesive surface 150 of the adhesive strip 146 and the identification device 142 is adhered directly to the exterior-facing adhesive surface 150. The exterior-facing adhesive surface 150 is engaged with the major outer surface 118 of the base sheet 114. Pressure is applied to the fastening area 132 to ensure that a firm bond is made between the adhesive 146 and the maj or outer surface 118.
It may therefore be possible to provide an identifiable protective sheet for preserving a ground-embeddable wooden object, the protective sheet comprising: a flexible thermoplastic base sheet having an in use upper edge, an in use lower edge, a sealant- support area and a fastening area both on one side of the base sheet and between the upper and lower edges, a meltable-sealing solution on the sealant-support area, an adhesive on the fastening area for bonding the flexible thermoplastic sheet to itself when wrapped around a ground-embeddable wooden object, and an identification device positioned on the thermoplastic base sheet partway between a centre line of the flexible thermoplastic sheet and its said upper edge. The identifiable protective sheet may also comprise or have any combination of the previously described preferable or optional features.
Furthermore, the identification device may be incorporated within or adhered to the meltable sealing solution on the sealant support area.
It is therefore possible to provide an identifiable protective sheet for preserving a ground-embeddable wooden object. The protective sheet comprising a flexible thermoplastic base sheet having an in use upper edge, an in use lower edge, a sealant- support area and a fastening area both on one side of the base sheet and between the upper and lower edges. A meltable-sealing solution is applied to the sealant-support area and an adhesive is applied to the fastening area for bonding the flexible thermoplastic sheet to itself when wrapped around a ground-embeddable wooden object. An identification device positioned within the fastening area partway between a centre line of the flexible thermoplastic sheet and its said upper edge.
The words 'comprises/comprising' and the words 'having/including' when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

An identifiable protective sheet (10) for preserving a ground-embeddable wooden object (12), the protective sheet (10) comprising:
a flexible thermoplastic base sheet (14) having a first edge (22), a second edge (24), a sealant-support area (30) and a fastening area (32) both on one side of the base sheet (14) and between the first and second edges (22), (24);
a meltable-sealing solution (36) directly contacting the base sheet (14) so that the meltable sealing solution (36) is on the sealant-support area (30);
an adhesive (46) directly contacting the base sheet (14) so that the adhesive (14) is on the fastening area (32) for bonding the flexible thermoplastic sheet (14) to itself when wrapped around a ground-embeddable wooden object
(12);
the adhesive (46) being distinct to the meltable-sealing solution (36) and being an adhesive strip which extends from or substantially from the first edge (22) to the second edge (24), the adhesive strip (46) having two opposing adhesive surfaces (48), (50) for retaining an identification device (42) and engaging the base sheet (14) when in use overlaying itself; and
the identification device (42) positioned within the fastening area (32) partway between a centre line of the flexible thermoplastic base sheet (14) and its said first edge (22), wherein the identification device (42) has at least one antenna loop forming a looped antenna and is covered by a base-sheet facing surface of the adhesive strip (46).
An identifiable protective sheet (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the meltable-sealing solution (36) and identification device (42) are coplanar.
An identifiable protective sheet (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an in use exterior-facing adhesive surface (50) of the adhesive strip (46) is covered by a release paper (52).
An identifiable protective sheet (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the identification device (42) is adhered to the in use exterior-facing adhesive surface (50).
5. An identifiable protective sheet (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification device (42) is positioned at or adjacent to the first edge (22) of the flexible thermoplastic sheet (14).
6. An identifiable protective sheet (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the meltable-sealing solution (36) is a bituminous substance.
7. An identifiable protective sheet (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bituminous substance includes one or more extenders, fillers, plasticisers, elastomers, wood preservatives and/or adhesion promoters.
8. An identifiable protective sheet (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification device (42) has a plurality of antenna loops forming a coiled antenna.
9. An identifiable protective sheet (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification device (42) is at least one of a passive RFID device and a NFC device.
10. An identifiable protective sheet (10) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base sheet (14) includes a printed or moulded guide element (54) on an outer sheet surface opposing the meltable-sealing solution (36) so that the guide element (54) enables an optimal alignment with ground level (58) when the protective sheet (10) is installed on the wooden object (12) and the wooden object (12) is embedded into the ground.
11. A method of verifying a correct installation and/or veracity of an identifiable protective sheet (10), the method comprising the steps of:
a] applying an exterior sealant surface of the meltable sealing solution (36) of an identifiable protective sheet (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 to a ground-embeddable wooden object (12) and applying heat to cause flow of the meltable-sealing solution (36) to conform or substantially conform to a profile of the wooden object (12), wherein the said second edge (24) faces a bottom end of the wooden object (12); b] embedding an end portion of the wooden object (12) into the ground, so that the first edge (22) of the identifiable protective sheet (10) is spaced above a surface of the ground and the second edge (24) is in the ground; and
c] reading the embedded identification device (42) to verify a correct installation and/or veracity of the identifiable protective sheet (10).
12. A method of guiding installation of a ground-embeddable wooden object (12) to prevent or inhibit degradation using an identifiable protective sheet (10), the method comprising the steps of:
a] applying an exterior-facing surface of the meltable-sealing solution (36) of an identifiable protective sheet (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 to a ground-embeddable wooden object (12);
b] applying heat to cause flow of the meltable-sealing solution (36) to better conform and adhere to a profile of the wooden object, wherein the said second edge (24) faces a bottom end of the wooden object (12);
c] embedding an end portion of the wooden object (12) into the ground, so that the first edge (22) of the identifiable protective sheet (10) is spaced above a surface of the ground and the second edge (24) is in the ground; and
d] verifying that a suitable portion of the protective sheet (10) is above the ground by reading the identification device (14).
13. A method as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein, whilst applying heat, the base sheet (14) shrinks unidirectionally in a direction transverse to a top-to- bottom direction.
14. A method as claimed in claim 11 to 13, wherein the base sheet (14) includes a guide element (54) on an outer sheet surface opposing the meltable-sealing solution (36).
PCT/GB2018/050143 2017-02-10 2018-01-18 An identifiable protective sheet WO2018146447A1 (en)

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