GB2214129A

GB2214129A - Display laminate

Info

Publication number: GB2214129A
Application number: GB8800345A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Stuart Procter
Original assignee: ALEX GUMB Ltd
Current assignee: ALEX GUMB Ltd
Priority date: 1988-01-08
Filing date: 1988-01-08
Publication date: 1989-08-31
Also published as: GB8800345D0

Abstract

A laminate for use in a display system comprises a semi-rigid core (2), e.g. UPVC or polystyrene, the core having adhesively secured to opposite faces thereof loop raised material (3) e.g. nylon. Portions of the laminate are secured to an appropriate surface by means of hook material secured to the surface, thereby enabling the laminate to be mounted on the surface without interfering with the display area formed by one surface of the laminate. <IMAGE>

Description

LAMINATE AND DISPLAY SYSTEM USING SAME This invention relates to a laminate, and to a display system in which the laminate is used.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a laminate comprising a semi-rigid core and, secured to opposite faces of the core, layers of loop raised material whereby portions of the laminate may be secured to a surface using flexible hook material cooperating with one side of the laminate, the other side the laminate then being available to support items to be displayed by securing to those items flexible hook material to cooperate with the corresponding surface of the laminate.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a display system comprises portions of laminate material according to the invention secured to a supporting surface by means of flexible hook material cooperating with one surface of the laminate, the other surface of the laminate being exposed to support items to be displayed by securing such items to the laminate using flexible hook material.

The term "semi-rigid" as used herein means that the core is sufficiently flexible to permit the laminate to be rolled up for storage and transport purposes, but sufficiently rigid to permit the laminate to perform the desired function of a display board when secured to a suitable supporting surface at spaced apart intervals.

The invention will be better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows schematically a cross-section through a portion of laminate according to the present invention; and Figure 2 illustrates schematically a process for forming the laminate of Figure 1.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown in cross-section a laminate 1 comprising a semi-rigid core 2 and, secured to each side of the core, a layer 3 of loop raised material. The core 2 and loop raised material 3 may be of any suitable material, and for example the core may be of UPVC or polystyrene, and the material 3 may be of nylon. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the core 2 is a UPVC film having a thickness of 300-400 microns.

The core 2, material 3, and any adhesive used to secure the layers of the laminate are preferably flame retardant whereby the entire laminate is flame retardant and is suitable for use in areas where flame retardant properties are required.

Referring now to Figure 2 there is illustrated a method of producing the laminate of Figure 1. UPVC film material 4 is fed from a reel 5 to an adhesive spreading station 6 in which a bank of adhesive 7 is laid on to the film and spread to a uniform thickness by means of a doctor blade 8. Loop raised nylon material 9 from a reel 10 is then laid on to the adhesive coated film and pressed against the film by means of a nip roller 11 whilst the film itself is supported on a suitable fabric support 12.

An interim laminate 13 comprising the film 4 and a single layer of loop raised material 9 is accordingly produced, and is fed on to a reel 14. When sufficient interim laminate has been produced, this interim laminate is again fed through the laminating process to secure a second layer of loop raised material to the reverse side of the interim laminate, thereby producing a reel of completed laminate material.

The completed laminate material may be cut into convenient portions by any suitable means, for example scissors or a sharp blade. Cut portions of laminate can then be secured to a suitable supporting surface by means of flexible hook material, for example that sold under the registered Trade Mark VELCRO. For example, strips of flexible hook VELCRO are available coated on the rear surface thereof with a pressure sensitive adhesive covered with a protective strip. Lengths of such material can be cut and secured to one face of a portion of laminate close to the edge of the laminate by engaging the hooks of the VELCRO with the loops of the loop raised material. The protective cover strips are then removed from the adhesive and the adhesive applied to a suitable support surface.

This will firmly secure the laminate to the support surface, but leave the entire exposed face of the laminate available for display purposes. Letters, numerals, or indeed other articles may be secured to the exposed surface of the laminate if those articles are provided on the rear surface thereof with a portion of flexible hook material.

As an alternative to the mounting methods suggested above, portions of flexible hook material can be pre-secured to a suitable support surface, and portions of the laminate pressed against the pre-secured hook material to secure the laminate in position.

Claims

1. A laminate comprising a semi-rigid core and, secured to opposite faces of the core, layers of loop raised material whereby portions of the laminate may be secured to a surface using flexible hook material cooperating with one side of the laminate, the other side the laminate then being available to support items to be displayed by securing to those items flexible hook material to cooperate with the corresponding surface of the laminate.

2. A laminate according to claim 1 wherein said loop raised material is a nylon material.

3. A laminate according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said loop raised material is adhesively secured to said core.

4. A laminate according to any preceding claim wherein the core has a thickness in the range 300-400 microns.

5. A laminate according to any preceding claim wherein the said core is of UPVC.

6. A laminate according to any preceding claim wherein the laminate is fire retardant.

7. A display system comprising portions of laminate material according to any preceding claim secured to a supporting surface by means of flexible hook material cooperating with one surface of the laminate, the other surface of the laminate being exposed to support items to be displayed by securing such items to the laminate using flexible hook material.

8. A display system according to claim 7 wherein the flexible hook material is coated on the side thereof remote from the hooks with an adhesive whereby the display system may be deployed by securing portions of flexible hook material to one surface of said laminate, and then offering said laminate and portions of hook material up to a surface to which the adhesive of the hook material may adhere.

9. A laminate, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A display system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.