AU2010100694A4 - Sign and Method of Forming Same - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: Saunders Signs Proprietary Limited Actual Inventors: Ted Butler Gregory Boon Sean DeFreitas Scott Saunders Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, I Nicholson, Melbourne, Victoria 3000. Invention Title: "Sign and Method of Forming Same" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: C \NRPonbl\DCC\IL\3038206_ 1.DOC - 30/6/10 C:\NRPmorbl\DCCIJL\3037843 L.DOC-306/2010 Sign and Method of Forming Same The present invention relates to signs for windows and other barrier/panel structures which can be seen through, and has particular application to "one-way vision" signs. 5 Signs of the type stuck to windows, so as to be visible from a side of the window (generally the outside) whilst allowing the window still to be seen through, at least to some extent, from the opposite side, which are commonly referred to as "one-way vision signs" have become popular in recent years. A conventional method for forming such a sign 10 involves the provision of a vinyl sheet which is formed with a large number of uniformly distributed apertures therethrough, so as to be of mesh-like form, and which is white on one side. The opposite side, which is preferably black, is provided with adhesive which secures the vinyl sheet against release sheeting. An image, which may comprise, for example, a graphic and/or text, is printed, generally via an electronic printer, onto the 15 white side of the sheet and parts of the removable backing exposed through the apertures on that side. The sign thus created is then peeled off the release sheeting and its adhesive side then carefully pressed against the window to attach the sign to the window. Assuming, as would usually be the case, that the image is intended to be seen from outside 20 the window, it is necessary to attach the sign to the outer surface of the window, where it is exposed to the elements and vulnerable to damage, particularly by vandals or graffiti artists. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming 25 a sign which is attachable to a window or other structure that can be seen through, the method comprising providing a sheet of film which can be seen through and applying to it material which can be seen through when so applied, thereby providing an image which is carried by the film, and a backing comprising substantially opaque material configured with an array of regions which can be seen through, in such a manner that the backing is 30 behind the image in the formed sign and the sign can be seen through from behind the backing.

C:\NRPorbl\DCCL\337843.1.DOC-3tv621O0 -2 In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the sign is a one-way vision sign. Preferably, the film comprises optically clear film. 5 Preferably, the image is applied in the form of coating. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the image is applied by printing. Preferably, the image is applied by means of a solvent ink roll printer. Preferably, the image is printed onto a surface of the film. Alternatively, the image may be applied by attachment of at least one piece of material 10 which can be seen through, the piece(s) forming or carrying the image. Preferably, the image and backing are applied on the same side the film. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sign is formed with an adhesive on one 15 side thereof for attaching the sign to the window or structure, the adhesive being of a type which can be seen through. Preferably, the adhesive is applied on a side of the sign opposite to that on which the backing is applied. The adhesive may be applied either before or after application of the image and/or backing. 20 In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the sign may be formed so as to adhere to the window via electrostatic forces. In one embodiment of the invention, the film is provided on release sheeting which may be peeled therefrom to expose a side of the film which is adherable to the window/structure to 25 attach the sign to the window/structure. Preferably the release sheeting is held to the film by said adhesive. In one embodiment of the invention, the film comprises vinyl film. In another embodiment of the invention, the film comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, such as 30 EG Clear Gloss clear PET roll film which is supplied by McSign Coating Technology Inc. in Taiwan. The film is preferably digital print-receptive.

C:\NRPolbr\DCC\1LU037843 1.DOC-3M)6/2010 -3 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said regions comprise apertures. Preferably, the backing is applied in the form of coating. In a preferred embodiment of the 5 invention, the backing is printed. Preferably, the backing is applied by means of a UV hybrid flat bed/roll printer. Alternatively, the backing may be provided in the form of a sheet, which may be attached to the film. 10 Preferably, the backing is light in colour on the side thereof which is closer to the image in the formed sign. Preferably, the backing is substantially white on that side. Preferably, the backing is dark in colour on the side thereof which is further away from the 15 image in the formed sign. Preferably, the backing is substantially black on that side. Preferably, the backing comprises a first layer which is formed of opaque light-coloured material and a second layer which is applied so as to be behind the first layer in the formed sign and is formed of opaque dark-coloured material, both layers being configured with 20 aligned regions which can be seen through and which define said array. Preferably each layer is applied in the manner of coating. Preferably, the second layer is applied directly against the first layer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, applying the backing comprises application of 25 at least one aperture screen pattern. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sign which is attachable to a window or other structure that can be seen through, the sign comprising a 30 sheet of film which can be seen through, material applied to the sheet, the material providing an image and being able to be seen through, and a backing, behind the image, C:\NRlonbl\DCCML\3037943 I.DOC-30A6/2010 -4 comprising substantially opaque material configured with an array of regions which can be seen through, the sign being able to be seen through from behind the backing. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the sign is a one-way vision sign. 5 Preferably, the film comprises optically clear film. Preferably, the image is in the form of coating. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the image comprises a printed image. Preferably, the image is one which has 10 been applied by means of a solvent ink roll printer. Preferably, the image is on a surface of the film. Alternatively, the image be formed or carried by at least one piece of material attached to the film. 15 Preferably, the image and backing are disposed on the same side the film. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sign is formed with an adhesive on one side thereof for attaching the sign to the window or structure, the adhesive being of a type 20 which can be seen through. Preferably, the adhesive is on a side of the sign opposite to that on which the backing is applied. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the sign may be formed so as to adhere to the window via electrostatic forces. 25 In one embodiment of the invention, the film is provided on release sheeting which may be peeled therefrom to expose a side of the film which is adherable to the window/structure to attach the sign to the window/structure. Preferably the release sheeting is held to the film by said adhesive. 30 In one embodiment of the invention, the film comprises vinyl film. In another C:\NRPrtblDCC\L\3037843 _1DOC-3a06/2010 -5 embodiment of the invention, the film comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said regions comprise apertures. 5 Preferably, the backing is in the form of coating. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the backing is printed. Preferably, the backing is applied by means of a UV hybrid flat bed/roll printer. Alternatively, the backing may be provided in the form of sheeting, which may be attached 10 to the film. Preferably, the backing is light in colour on the side thereof which is closer to the image. Preferably, the backing is substantially white on that side. 15 Preferably, the backing is dark in colour on the side thereof which is further away from the image. Preferably, the backing is substantially black on that side. Preferably, the backing comprises a first layer which is formed of opaque light-coloured material and a second layer which is behind the first layer and is formed of opaque dark 20 coloured material, both layers being configured with aligned regions which can be seen through and which define said array. Preferably each layer is in the form of coating. Preferably, the second layer lies directly against the first layer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the backing comprises at least one aperture 25 screen pattern or dot-screen pattern. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sign as described above attached to a window or other structure that can be seen through. 30 The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: C:\NRPonb\DCCUL30D3743_1 DOC.3D/6/2010 -6 Figure 1 shows a laminate comprising film and a release sheet, for forming a sign in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 depicts the printing of an image onto the film of the laminate; 5 Figure 3 depicts printing of a light-coloured screen pattern over the image; Figure 4 depicts the printing of a dark-coloured screen pattern over the light coloured screen pattern; Figure 5 shows a reverse side of the thus completed sign on the release sheet; Figure 6 depicts removal of the release sheet to attach the sign to the inside surface 10 of a window; Figure 7 is a view of the sign attached to the window, from the same side of the window as that to which the sign is attached; Figure 8 is a view of the sign attached to the window, from the opposite side of the window to that on which the sign is attached; and 15 Figures 9 to 14 depict stages in the manufacture of a sign according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, in correspondence with Figures 1 to 6 respectively. Each of the preferred embodiments of the invention comprises a one-way vision sign suitable for attachment to a window, such as, for example, a shop window or a window of 20 a public transport vehicle such as a bus or tram, and a method of producing the sign. Referring to Figure 1, manufacture of a sign 100 (shown in Figures 5 to 8) in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention commences with the provision of sheeting I comprising a film of optically clear vinyl sheet 3, a release sheet 5 and optically clear 25 adhesive which attaches a side 2 of the sheet 3 to the release sheet 5. Referring to Figure 2, an image 8 is printed (in reverse) onto the film side 3 of the sheeting 1 by means of a solvent ink roll printer 30, via a computer. The image 8 may comprise a wide variety of colours, though will generally contain no white, and can be 30 seen through. The image 8, which permits the sign to be seen through, at least to some extent, may be transparent, semi-transparent or translucent. Advantageously, the solvent C :WPortbl\DCCJL\3037843_I.DOC-IA62It) -7 ink roll printer can apply the image in a form which is such that it can be satisfactorily seen through. Referring now to Figure 3, after the image 8 is printed onto the film 3, the sheeting I is 5 passed through a UV hybrid flat bedroll printer 40, which is used to print an aperture pattern or "dot-screen" pattern 10 over the image 8 on the film 3. The aperture pattern 10 is defined by a printed layer of opaque white ink having voids, in the form of apertures, therethrough. The apertures of the pattern, which form a regular array, are sized and distributed such that when the sign 100 is attached to a window, there is sufficient 10 resolution for the image 8 to be discernible, albeit in reverse, through the array of apertures, as will be described further later. Next, with reference to Figure 4, the sheeting 1 is again passed through the printer 40, which prints a second aperture pattern or dot-screen pattern 14 on the film 3, over the 15 aperture screen pattern 10, the pattern 14 being defined by a second, black, opaque print layer, through which apertures of identical size and distribution are formed. The first and second printed layers define a backing 15 configured with a regular array of apertures 12 therethrough. The flat bed UV printer can satisfactorily apply each layer of 20 the backing with the necessary opacity. Once the backing 15 is formed, manufacture of the sign 100 (see Figure 5) is complete. With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the sign 100, after being peeled from the release sheet 5 25 to expose its adhesive side 2, is attached to a window 200 by pressing of the adhesive side 2 against the interior surface of the window. The image 8 is seen, the correct way around, through the window by people outside, as shown in Figure 8. In the following description relating to a second embodiment of the invention, the same 30 reference numerals will be used to refer to corresponding features.

C:WRPofnb\DCC L\3037843.1.DOC-3M62010 -8 Referring to Figure 9, manufacture of a sign 100' (shown in Figure 14) in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention commences with the provision of sheeting ' solely comprising a film 3' of optically clear vinyl sheet. Unlike the sheeting l' in the first embodiment, the sheeting ' does not include a release sheet nor any adhesive applied to 5 either side of the film 3'. Referring to Figure 10, the image 8 is printed (in reverse) onto one side of the film 3' by means of the solvent ink roll printer 30. With reference to Figure 11, the sheeting 1' is then passed through the UV hybrid flat bedroll printer 40, which prints the first 10 aperture/dot-screen pattern 10 over the image 8 on the film 3'. Next, referring to Figure 12, the sheeting ' is again passed through the printer 40, which prints the second aperture/dot-screen pattern 14 on the film 3, over the aperture screen pattern 10, whereby formation of the backing 15 is complete. 15 Upon completion of printing of the layer 14, an optically clear sheet 16 which comprises adhesive on both sides is applied to the side of the film 3' which is opposite to that on which the image 8 is formed, whereby formation of the sign 100' is complete. The sheet 16 may be formed of the adhesive or instead be formed of optically clear film to both sides of which adhesive is applied (optically clear double-sided adhesive mounting film). 20 The sign 100' is then attached to the window, in exactly the same manner as sign 100, by pressing of its adhesive side 2 (formed by the sheet 16) against the interior surface of the window. The image 8 is seen, the correct way around, through the window by people outside, consistent with Figure 8. 25 The sign 100/100' can be seen through, at least to some extent, from the indoors side of, i.e. from behind, the image 8, whilst appearing substantially opaque, particularly during daylight hours, from the outdoors side of the window. 30 Advantageously, because the sign 100/100' is attached to the inner surface of the window 200, it is protected from damage by vandals and climatic conditions. Moreover, C:\NRfonbl\DCCVI1037843 DOC-3W06/2010 -9 because the film 3 provides a continuous surface onto which the image 8 is printed, the image in the finished sign is continuous or unbroken, and thus of a higher resolution than it would be if formed on a mesh-like screen in accordance with conventional methodology. A further advantage, which is attributable to the image being formed from ink which when 5 printed onto the film can be seen through and being on a continuous surface defined by the film, is that it is discernible, albeit in reverse, by people indoors, the discernibility of the image from indoors being enhanced by the dark colour of opaque layer 14, which provides contrast against the relatively bright light passing through the window from outside and illuminates the image 8. The ability to discern the image from both sides of the window is 10 particularly beneficial in a marketing context where the sign 100/100' is used for advertising. Light is, nevertheless, still admitted through the sign 100/100' to provide a level of natural lighting indoors, and may afford the image as seen from indoors a vibrant glow. 15 A further advantage attributable to the continuous/unbroken nature of the image 8, and thus its overlying or being superimposed over the apertures 12, is that, in conditions of low light outdoors (such as at night) and where lighting is provided indoors (particularly by room lights and the like), the image 8 is illuminated from behind (indoors), whereby the sign may serve as an illuminated billboard for people outdoors. 20 In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the image may a "stick-on" image, formed or carried by at least one piece of solid material which is similarly able to be seen through and is attached to the film. 25 Also in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the backing may be provided in the form of sheeting having an array of regions which can be seen through to define a dot-screen pattern, which is attached to the film. The regions may comprise apertures through the sheeting. 30 Also in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the sign may be formed so as to adhere to the window via electrostatic forces.

C.W4RPonbr\DCCWL3037843 I DOC-3tAD6/2010 - 10 Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. 5 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 10 The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims (5)

1. A method of forming a sign which is attachable to a window or other structure that can be seen through, the method comprising providing a sheet of film which can be seen 5 through and applying to it material which can be seen through when so applied, thereby providing an image which is carried by the film, and a backing comprising substantially opaque material configured with an array of regions which can be seen through, in such a manner that the backing is behind the image in the formed sign and the sign can be seen through from behind the backing. 10

2. A sign which is attachable to a window or other structure that can be seen through, the sign comprising a sheet of film which can be seen through, material applied to the sheet, the material providing an image and being able to be seen through, and a backing, behind the image, comprising substantially opaque material configured with an array of 15 regions which can be seen through, the sign being able to be seen through from behind the backing.

3. A method according to claim 1 or a sign according to claim 2, wherein the backing is printed. 20

4. A method according to claim 1 or 3 or a sign according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the image and backing are applied on the same side of the film.

5. A method according to claim 1, 3 or 4 or a sign according claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein 25 the backing is applied in layers, the layers comprising a first layer which is formed of opaque light-coloured material and a second layer which is applied behind the first layer and is formed of opaque dark-coloured material, both layers being configured with aligned regions which can be seen through and which define said array.