AU667814B2 - Improvements in or relating to a method of manufacture and apparatus for re-writable devices - Google Patents

Description

667814

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT iir rr r rr r rr r .p r i i r r i ii rr e i Applicant(s): Invention Title: GREGORY SIIANE EVANS MICHAEL PAUL RAOS IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A METHOD OF MANUFACTURE AND APPARATUS FOR RE-WRITABLE

DEVICES

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:

L~-

The present invention relates to a method of manufacture and apparatus for re-writable apparatus and in particular, though not necessarily solely, re-usable labels, memorandums, message pads and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method of manufacture of a re-writable apparatus which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

According to the invention there is provided a label comprising a sheet of material coated with a non-ink absorbent coating comprising a film of polyester on a first face which, in use can be written on using an erasable ink pen and an adhesive coating on a second opposite face such that the label may be attached to a surface.

According to the invention there is further provided a method of manufacture of a label comprising the steps of t i. pre-printing a sheet of paper or cardboard material; ii. coating of first face of said sheet of 20 material with a non-ink absorbent coating; iii. applying an adhesive coating to an opposite face of said sheet.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense 30 limiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

The invention will now be described with 35 reference to the accompanying drawings in which: M 42 staffia/eep/spec20747.92 4.1 1 a gb ~j j $a i 3 Figure 1 is a plaL view of one embodiment of a label according to the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional elevation through one embodiment of a label according to the invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of an apparatus suitable for taking messages, memorandums, notes and the like information according to one preferred form of the invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of a teaching aid according to another preferred form of the invention; 8 e 9 0* *99 9 i staffia/keep/spec/20747.92 4.1 ~-9 Figure 6 is a plan view of an apparatus for taking memorandums, messages, notes or the like information according to an alternative preferred form of the invention; Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of a shopping list; and Figure 9 is an elevational view of an embodiment suitable as a pricing sign or label.

Referring to the drawings, the invention provides a label 1 comprising a sheet of material 2 and a non-ink absorbent coating 3 applied to one face 4 of the sheet of material 2.

In the preferred form of the invention, the sheet of material 2 is made from a paper or cardboard material similar to conventional labels. Furthermore, the sheet of material 2 may be optionally pre-printed with information or markings 15 such as lines 5 in figure 1.

The coating layer 3 may comprise a plastic film such as polyester or the like material laminated onto the sheet of material 2. The coating layer 3 is not absorbent to ink from standard ink pens. However, the coating may be written on 'i using a dry erasable irnk pen such ae those known as whiteboard marker pens.

20 Once written on, the writain may be erased using a dry cloth and the label is then available for re-use.

An adhesive layer 6 may be applied to the opposite face r' the sheet material 2 from that coated by the coating layer 3. This adhesive layer allows the label to be adhered to a surface of an object.

A label in accordance with the invention may be manufactured by preprinting a suitable sheet of material 2 and then laminating the sheet of material 2 with a coating layer 3. The adhesive layer 6 may be applied to the sheet material 2 either before or after the lamination with the coating layer 3.

A 'iAJ 0< s. j The label 1 may also be adhered to a backing layer (not shown) during manufacture and/or prior to use. The backing sheet may then be peeled away from the label and the label attached to a surface of an object to be labelled.

In the embodiments of Figure 3 and Figure 4 the apparatus is in the form of a square or rectangular device (however other shapes are envisaged within the scope of the inverion) which is of a suitable size for use in an office for example.

The applicants envisage many uses for the apparatus including an apparatus for taking telephone messages, an apparatus which is headed "TO DO LIST" list and a desk jotter having a calendar for example. For each of the different applications, it is desirable to have different markings or writing printed on the apparatus.

The apparatus comprises a base 11 formed from a friction enhanced material. This is desirable as it reduces the tendency of the apparatus to slip on a desk top for example. To this end, the base 11 may be formed from foam rubber.

For example, the foam rubber could have a thickness between :A sheet of material 12 is substantially adhered to the base 11. This sheet of material 12 may for example comprise paper or cardboard. It has been found that thick card is suitable.

The sheet 12 is coated with a non-ink absorbent coating 13 so as to form a 20 coated face. Accordingly, in use the coated face may be written on using a dry erasable ink pen. Then, the writing may be erased using a dry cloth so that the apparatus is then available for re-use.

The coating layer 13 may comprise a plastic film such as polyester or the like material laminated onto the sheet of material 12. The coating layer 13 is not absorbent to ink from standard ink pens.

i An apparatus in accordance with the invention may be manufactured by pre- RI printing a suitable sheet of material. For example, a heading 14 can be printed on the sheet 12 and a border can also be printed. Other markings for each different -0 application of the invention are clearly contemplated. The sheet of material 12 is then laminated with the coating layer 13.

At that s^ the base 11 can be adhered to the sheet 12 using adhesives known to the art. Alternatively, the base 11 can be attached to the sheet 12 before it is laminated.

A large sheet of individual "TELEMEMO'S" or jotter pads may thus be produced. These can then be die cut to a suitable size.

In another alternative, these products such as the TELEMEMO and the like may be constructed from a plastics film such as polyester reverse printed on one face with the necessary pre-printed information and then adhered to a base 11 directly with no intermediate paper or card to carry the printing. In the preferred form, the polyester film is 0.007mm or 700 micron grade and glued to, in the case of the TELEMEMO, non-stick foam rubber of 1mm to 2mm thickness.

Desirably, the apparatus is provided with a dry erasable ink pen suitable for use therewith. For example, a whiteboard marker pen may be provided. The apparatus and pen may be packaged together.

Figure 5 shows an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention. This is in the form of a teaching aid to assist in remedial writing for example. The apparatus comprises at least one sheet 18 of cardboard or paper material coated :i 20 with a non-ink absorbent coating. Writing 16, numerals 17 or other inscriptions are printed on the sheet 18 before it is coated with the non-ink absorbent coating.

S* a ~Desirably the apparatus is in the form of a book.

Alternatively, the apparatus is in the form of an Exercise Card.

In order to manufacture the apparatus in Fig 5, the sheets 18 are printed with suitable writing or the like then laminated with a layer of non-ink absorbent i \materi!l s, ch as plastic film. Desirably, polyester is laminated onto the sheet 18.

The sheets 18 are then formed into a book.

I I t Alternatively, the teaching aid in Figure 5 may be manufactured by reverse printing polyester in the same manner as suggested for the TELEMEMO and this reverse printed polyester may then be adhered directly to a suitable backing sheet.

The person using the teaching aid is able to write over the letters 6 or numerals 5 or other inscriptions using a dry erasable ink pen thus substantially reproducing them on the coated layer. The reproduced writing may then be erased using a dry cloth so that the teaching aid is available for re-use.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 6 and 7. These Figs show an apparatus suitable for taking memorandums, messages, notes and the like information which has a base 19 to which a sheet of material 20 is substantially adhered. A non-ink absorbent coating 21 is provided on the sheet The base 19 is desirably comprises a substantially solid planar member such as board. The non-ink absorbent layer 21 can be laminated onto a cardboard or S paper sheet 20. For example, a 200 micron thick layer of polyester may be laminated onto paper which can then be adhered, using a suitable adhesive, to t 3mm thick board.

ft :i The apparatus of Figures 6 and 7 has mounting means so that it can be permanently mounted on a vertical surface such as a wall. Accordingly, apertures 22 may be provided in the apparatus through which screws or nails can be driven in use so as to hold the apparatus in place. Alternatively, areas of adhesive may be provided on the rear of the base 19 having a backing sheet thereover which can be peeled away in use so that the apparatus can be attached to the inside of a pantry for example.

In yet a further embodiment as shown in Figure 8, a shopping list or the like may be constructed in the form of a foldable wallet type outer cover 26 made from PVC or the like with a re-writable surface 27 made in the same manner as I the re-writable surfaces for the other embodiments such as the labels or previous I 1- shopping list. A magnetic board insert 29 may also be included within the PVC Jr rL cover so that the item may be magnetically adhered to a fridge door, etc. This form of apparatus can then be used as a shopping list connected to the fridge door and, when required for shopping, the shopping 1i,t can be removed from the fridge door and folded about central point 30 into a wallet sized article for ease of carrying.

In yet a further embodiment, the invention may be used for pricing apparatus such as signs for the windows of motor vehicles on a car sales yard or other pricing tickets and/or labels. In such embodiments, a broad card or label or the like may be printed with a, preferably black, background colour and a differently coloured, preferably white or yellow, Figure 8 construction 32. One or more of these Figure 8 constructions may appear along the backing card. This card may then be coated with a coating or plastics film such as polyester to provide a re-writable surface on that base of the card.

To use such a pricing label or sign, a user uses a dry erasable ink pen to colour out segments of the Figure 8 32 so that this Figure resembles the number they wish to display.

Obviously, signs or labels made in this manner may also be manufactured by reverse printing a polyester film and adhering this to a backing sheet in the same manner as the alternative method of manufacture for the labels and other 20 embodiments.

Thus it can be seen, the invention provides many advantages over previously known apparatus through the provision of a re-writable surface. In particular, it provides apparatus which may be written on with a suitable dry erasable ink pen such that the writing may be erased using a dry cloth and the apparatus re-used.

This is seen to be of particular importance for labels for video tapes, computer diskette;, labels for files and other similar articles.

R Conventional labels on video tapes and computer diskettes are manufactured from a paper like material that absorb ink. Once written upon, the ink writing ii 13L ~LIP ~I~ cannot be removed from the label and, therefore, it is necessary to apply a further label over the top or cross the information off the old label if it is desired to change the label on the video tape or computer diskette, etc. It is seen as a failing of the prior art for video tape labels that they are not readily re-used should a user change the information held on the video tape.

A label made in accordance with this invention goes some way towards solving this problem.

The invention also provides re-writable apparatus in a number of different forms fc' different uses, all embodiments using the same re-writable surface.

0a 9* e* 01 0*9* cc o cc o 90 9 19 Jj

Claims (10)

1. A label comprising a sheet of material coated with non-ink absorbent coating comprising a film of polyester on a first face which, in use can be written on using an erasable ink pen and an adhesive coating on a second opposite face such that the label may be attached to a surface.

2. A label as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sheet material comprises a paper cardboard material.

3. A label as claimed in either one or claims 1 or 2 wherein said plastic film is laminated to said sheet o, material.

4. A label as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said adhesive coating is an adhesive such that, in use, said label may adhere to a surface of an Sobject. ai5. A label as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said sheet of material is pre-printed on said coated face prior to the application of said non-ink absorbent coating.

6. A method of manufacture of a label compris±ng the steps of: t. i. pre-printing a sheet of paper or cardboard material; ii. coating of first face of said sheet of s material with a non-iik absorbent coating; iii. applying an adhesive coating to an opposite face of said sheet.

7. A method of manufacture of a label as claimed in claim 6 wherein said coating of a first face of said sheet j R l/ slaff/alkeep/specV20747.92 4.1 d on oenair ot the Applicant 11 of material comprises laminating said sheet of material with a layer of plastic film.

8. A method of manufacture of label as claimed in claim 7 wharein said plastic film comprises polyester.

9. A label as claimed in any of the claims 1 to wherein said adhesive coating is covered by a strip-off sheet such that, in use said strip-off sheet does not allow said label to adhere until the strip-off sheet is removed. A label is claimed in claim 9 wherein said strip- off sheet comprises a paper material.

11. A re-writable apparatus as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 5 or claims 9 to 10 wherein said sheet of material includes magnets. xt t t S12. A label substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of manufacture of a label substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 4th DAY OF JANUARY 1996 GREGORY SHANE EVANS and MICHAEL PAUL RAOS By Its Patent Attorneys: GRIFFITH HACK CO., Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia i4- i: staffAaAkeep/specl20747.92 4.1