AU2010246377A1

AU2010246377A1 - Sign apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2010246377A1
Application number: AU2010246377A
Authority: AU
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-24
Filing date: 2010-11-23
Publication date: 2010-12-16
Also published as: AU2005202790A1

Description

TITLE: SIGN APPARATUS THIS INVENTION relates to sign apparatus. This Invention has particular but not exclusive application to sign apparatus for vehicles and windows, and for illustrative purposes reference will be made 5 to such application. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications, such as reflective/transmissive signage generally. PRIOR ART Reflective signs are adapted to provide an enhanced appreciation or 10 emphasis of indicia thereon by creating an impression of internal Illumination by means of selective reflection of incident light. Examples of the principle include standard traffic signage, which is adapted for enhancement at night by selective reflection of incident light from vehicle headlights. Such signs generally comprise a particulate reflective material in a binder, 15 which may or may not be sealed under a clear finish. The present Invention represents discrete Improvements In such signs. The Improvements aim to broaden the applications to which such signs may be put. DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION This Invention, in a first aspect, resides broadly in a sign apparatus which 20 includes: a sign body having a reflective diffuser surface; and 2 an image-bearing transparency layer over said surface. As used herein, the expression "reflective diffuser surface" means a surface that comprises a reflective, particulate material in a matrix, which provides that incident light Impinging on the surface is at least partially reflected with a 5 degree of diffusion. Such surfaces may be provided by paints of the type used for line markings, and by paints and polymer film materials used for reflective signage. The reflective particulate materials are generally of glass or other inorganic amorphous or crystalline materials that are reflective by either surface reflection or at least on part by Internal reflection, but may Include 10 organic micro spheres or beads. Where the surface is provided by painting, this may be applied to a substrate such as metal, plastic CORFLUTE* or other common signage substrate material. Where the surface is provided in the form of a film or other laminating form, this may be inherently adhesive or applied by way of an 15 applied adhesive or other fixing. The surface may extend substantially over the mounting surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the surface may be formed into indicla having open spaces therebetween. The Image-bearing transparency layer may comprise Image and open fields. The image fields may substantially coincide with the 20 outlines of the indicia, or may extend beyond the indicia outlines. The open fields may expose parts of the indicia. The reflective surface may comprise a wide angle material or a narrow angle material. A wide angle material such as the material by 3M called "Diamond Grade Reflective Sheeting" may comprise the wide angle material, 25 characterised in that the apparent illumination is out to 30" from the angle of 3 incidence. Total reflectance is high resulting in a very bright illuminated field. Narrower angle materials such as NIKKALITE* White Engineering Grade reflective material may not provide the same apparent angular illumination effect, but may be more suitable to avoid over Illumination of certain 5 transparencies. Advantageously, the sign apparatus may include a combination of wide angle and narrow angle materials. The reflective layer or layers may be laid over a base layer. In order to provide a flat surface, the reflective layer or layers, and any other base indicia layer additions, may be cut into the base layer. 10 The transparency may comprise any suitable image bearing transparency material including photographic transparency materials and printed film materials. In the case of photographic transparency, this may comprise gel matrix type materials such as fixed photosensitive gels or films, or photolithographic transparencies, In the case of laser or other machine 15 printed materials, these are preferably prepared using toners or inks of enhanced dye-like properties rather than pigment-like properties to enhance saturation and transmission. Ink jet printing may also be used. The transparency material may be self-adhered over the substrate or may be affixed by clear adhesive or edge mounting. 20 The sign apparatus may further include luminescent layers. For example, certain of the transparency materials may be essentially backlit by a photo luminescent interlayer. The photo luminescent cut portions may be opaque to light thus occluding the reflective diffuser surface at that position, or may be partially transmitting, whereby both a luminescent and backlit effect through 25 the transparency is observed. In the alternative, the photo luminescent material may be laid adjacent the reflective footprint of the transparency 4 image to provide both reflective and luminescent effects, especially at the edges of the transparency indicia. The sign apparatus may be overlaid by a protective clear film, coating or similar layer to provide weather and UV protection as well as physical 5 protection for the optically active layers there beneath, This invention in a second aspect resides broadly in a sign apparatus which Includes: a reflective diffuser substrate; an image-bearing transparency layer over a first portion of said 10 substrate; and a removable image bearing transparency layer over a second portion of said substrate. The removable image bearing transparency layer may be selectively retained over the second portion by any suitable means including but not limited to 15 adhesive means, electrostatic attachment, edge supports or through fixings. As a third aspect of the present invention, there is a glazing sign apparatus or the like which includes: a transparency base layer printed with a first array of dots; 5 indicia positioned on said base layer, said indicia formed from one or more of a substantially opaque reflective diffuser material or a photo luminescent material or a combination of both; and a transparency layer bearing an image wherein said image is a printed 5 second array of dots, said second array of dots overlying said first array of dots. Preferably, said transparency layer is devoid of dots in said second array of dots in those areas of said transparency layer which overlap said Indicla on said base layer. 10 Preferably, each dot from each of said first array of dots is opaque. Preferably, said second array of dots Is concentric with said first array of dots. The shape of each dot from each of said first and second array is determined by the required viewing inclination of said glazing sign apparatus. EXAMPLES OF INVENTION 15 In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put Into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein: FIG. 1 Is a sequential view of production of laser printed apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 6 FIG. 2 is a sequential view of production of a day/night dual use apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 3 is a sequential view of production of a glazing sign apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 5 In FIG. 1 there Is provided a substrate that is shown in the panel #1 to be partially covered by a first layer (1) of 3M* 914 Diamond Grade reflective sheeting sufficient to cover the required final Image for the sign apparatus, and having a panel (2) of NIKKALITE* Class 2 Engineering Grade reflective sheeting occluding a window therein. A photo luminescent sheet and backing 10 composite (3M*) (3) Is vector cut as in panel #3 to provide luminescent indicia, and the luminescent indicia are transferred to the panel #1 as illustrated in panel #4 . A transparency (4) with a void window corresponding to the window in panel #1 is printed as a raster image as illustrated in panel #2, and overlaid on the panel #4 to produce the panel #5. The panel #5 represents 15 the fixed subject matter of the reconfigurable sign, and is weather proofed by a layer of UV resistant film (AVERY* 610-700). A second transparency (5) is prepared of electrostatic sheeting (AVERYr 1040) as per panel #6 as a base bearing a transparency image such as laser printed vector or raster graphic Images of a more transitory type (such as data 20 that is frequently changed on a sign). No overlayer is required since this is the transitory or disposable part. In use the panel #5 is displayed in the usual manner, and the panel #6 Is electrostatically adhered to the window of panel #5 to produce the sign as illustrated in panel #7. Apparatus in accordance with the foregoing provides that the transparency of 25 the fixed part of the sign is brightly backlit by the luminescent indicia and the 7 diamond grade reflective film, which also imparts a wide angle characteristic to this material. The permanence of this part of the sign is enhanced by the use of the UV resistant cover film. The renewable part of the sign is backed by the cheaper reflective film and the panel #6 (FIG. 1) is relatively 5 Inexpensive to produce. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, there is provided a day/night dual image sign where a white vinyl sheeting base (7) such as AVERY* 900 White on a suitable panel #1 is cut out in the shapes of the night viewable indicia (8a) to form panel #2. The night viewable indicia (8b) are also cut from reflective 10 sheeting such as 3M 914 Diamond Grade reflective sheeting or NIKKALITE* Class 2 Engineering Grade reflective sheeting, and inset into the cut-outs of panel #2 to form panel #4. A transparent film bearing the daylight viewable image (9) (total blank for ease of current representation) is adhered over panel #4 to form panel #5. Panel #6 is a representation of the sign as seen 15 by day, and panel #7 is a representation of the sign as seen by night. In the embodiment of FIG. 3 there is provided a sign suitable for use on a glazing surface such as a window or vehicle glass. The sign comprises a base layer (10) being printed with a regular first array of dots (panel #1). A set of indicia (11) of a luminescent and/or reflective material such as 3M* 914 20 Diamond Grade Reflective Sheeting or NIKKALITE" Class 2 Engineering Grade reflective sheeting is applied to a portion of the base layer (10). A layer as per panel #3 provides a transparency overlay, the transparency bearing an image which, in the areas which do not overlap the Indicia (11) on the base layer (10), is a printed second array of dots which are concentric with the first 25 array of dots. The base layer (10), set of indicia (11) and panel #3 when layered together form the finished panel #4 which is then applied to the required glazing surface.

8 It will of course be realised that while the above has been given by way of Illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as defined 5 In the following claims.

Claims

1. A sign apparatus which includes: a sign body having a reflective diffuser surface; and an image-bearing transparency layer over said surface. 5

2. An apparatus as defined in Claim I wherein said surface extends substantially over all said body.

3. An apparatus as defined in Claim I wherein said surface is formed into indicia having open spaces therebetween.

4. An apparatus as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said 10 Image-bearing transparency layer includes on or more open fields.

5. An apparatus as defined in Claim 4 when appended to Claim 3 wherein said open fields substantially coincide with the outlines of said indicia.

6. An apparatus as defined in Claim 4 when appended to Claim 3 wherein said open fields extend beyond the outlines of said Indicia. 15

7. An apparatus as defined in Claim 4 wherein said open fields expose parts of said indicia.

8. An apparatus as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein said reflective surface comprises a wide angle material. to

9. An apparatus as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein said reflective surface comprises a narrow angle material.

10. An apparatus as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein said reflective surface comprises a combination of wide angle and narrow 5 angle materials.

11. An apparatus as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 10 wherein said reflective surface is laid over a base layer.

12, An apparatus as defined In Claim 11 wherein said reflective surface is cut into said base layer. 10

13. An apparatus as defined in any one of Claims I to 12 which Includes at least one luminescent layer.

14. An apparatus as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 13 wherein said apparatus is overlaid by a protective clear film, coating or similar layer.

15 15. A sign apparatus which includes: a reflective diffuser substrate; an image-bearing transparency layer over a first portion of said substrate; and a removable image bearing transparency layer over a second 20 portion of said substrate. 11

16. A glazing sign apparatus or the like which includes: a transparency base layer printed with a first array of dots; indicia positioned on said base layer, said indicia formed of one or more of a substantially opaque reflective diffuser material or 5 a photo luminescent material or a combination of both; and a transparency layer bearing an image wherein said image is a printed second array of dots overlying said first array of dots.

17. An apparatus as defined in Claim 16 wherein said transparency layer is devoid of dots In said second array of dots in those areas of said 10 transparency layer which overlap said indicia on said base layer.

18. An apparatus as defined in Claim 16 or Claim 17 wherein each dot from said first array of dots Is opaque,

19. An apparatus as defined in any one of Claims 16 to 18 wherein said second array of dots is concentric with said first array of dots. 15

20. An apparatus as defined in Claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. An apparatus as defined in Claim 15 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. An apparatus as defined in Claim 16 substantially as herein described 20 with reference to the accompanying drawings,