GB2524542B

GB2524542B - Tamper evident vehicle registration plate

Info

Publication number: GB2524542B
Application number: GB1405404.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Richardson Andrew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-03-26
Filing date: 2014-03-26
Publication date: 2019-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-26
Also published as: GB2524542A; GB201405404D0

Description

Tamper evident vehicle registration plate

This invention relates to registration plates suitable for use on vehicles, specifically registration plates adapted to show evidence of tampering.

At present it is a known problem to the motor industry that registration plates may be stolen by thieves and re-used almost immediately for criminal activity. The 'identity theft' of the registration plates of a vehicle causes the owner of the vehicle considerable anxiety and inconvenience.

The cost of petrol and other economic factors have caused a general upward trend in the theft of number plates. By way of example stolen number plates may be temporarily affixed to a vehicle owned by a thief before entering a petrol station. The thief having filled the vehicle with petrol then leaves without making payment.

Stolen number plates are also affixed to vehicles to avoid payment of road tolls or congestion charges. Further, such stolen number plates may be used by organised criminal networks to 'clone' stolen vehicles with legally registered vehicles.

It is an advantage of the present invention that it seeks to address these problems. In particular, the invention seeks to improve the security of front and rear registration plates provided on a vehicle. A further advantage is that the invention provides for the potential identification of a number plate thief.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a vehicle number plate assembly comprises a first layer comprising a first portion coloured with a first colour and a second portion comprising indicia coloured with a second colour, the indicia providing a vehicle identification number; a second intermediate layer, adhering with a first strength to the first layer; and a third layer through which the first and second layers are visible, wherein an adhesive layer of a second strength between the second layer and the third layer, the second strength being greater than the first strength such that removal of the third layer causes removal of the second layer from the first layer.

This has as an advantage that the exposed adhesive will record forensic evidence such as for example fingerprints, fibres and DNA. It will be understood that the other surfaces of the third layer may also retain fingerprints.

Preferably, a first adhesive layer of a first strength is provided between the first layer and the second layer.

Preferably removal of the third layer will also cause removal of some of the first adhesive from the first layer.

Preferably the second intermediate layer is provided in a region of the indicia. Alternatively the second intermediate layer is omitted in a region of the indicia.

This has as an advantage that when the third layer is removed with the second intermediate layer, an image of the indicia is retained on the third layer.

Preferably the first adhesive layer between the first layer and the second layer is provided as an adhesive backing to the second layer.

Preferably the adhesive layer between the second and third layers is provided as an adhesive backing to the third layer.

Preferably the number plate assembly further comprises a backing plate to which the first layer is attached. More preferably the first layer is provided with a further adhesive layer to attach the first layer to the backing plate. Still more preferably, the further adhesive layer is of a strength greater than the strength of each of the first strength and the second strength.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of manufacture of a number plate assembly comprises the steps of providing a first layer comprising a first portion coloured with a first colour and a second portion comprising indicia coloured with a second colour, the indicia providing the a vehicle identification number; providing a second intermediate layer adhering with a first strength to the first layer; providing a third layer through which the first and second layers are visible, providing an adhesive layer of a second strength between the second layer and the third layer, the second strength being greater than the first strength such that removal of the third layer causes removal of the second layer from the first layer.

Preferably the step of the second intermediate layer adhering to the first layer is performed by providing a first adhesive layer of a first strength between the first layer and the second layer, lower than the strength of the adhesive layer between the second layer and the third layer.

Preferably the first adhesive layer is provided as an adhesive backing to the second layer.

More preferably the first layer is provided with a further adhesive layer to attach the first layer to the backing plate.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, in relation to the attached Figures, in which

Figure 1 shows a front view of a backing plate surround for use with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a front view of a reflective laminate for use in the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a front view of an acrylic foam tape for use in the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a front view of a laminating film for use in the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a side exploded diagrammatic view of the components used to assemble a number plate assembly in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 6 shows a front view of clear acrylic sheet for use in the present invention.

Reference to the front or rear of the assembly should be construed with the assembly in place on a vehicle with the vehicle facing side understood as being at the back or rear of the assembly.

Reference to the strength of an adhesive joint should be understood as reference to the tensile strength of the adhesive joint unless the context provides for an additional understanding.

Referring the Figures, there can be seen a vehicle registration plate and its component parts. A first layer 2 is provided comprising a first portion 4 coloured with a first colour and a second portion comprising indicia 6 coloured with a second colour, the indicia, for example a combinations of letters and/or numbers, providing a vehicle identification number. Conveniently, this will be understood to comprise a printed reflective (Figure 2), such as a vinyl reflective surface in accordance with BS AU 145 D. A second layer 12 comprising a clear layer is provided. Any suitable material may be used, for example a clear laminate. The second layer 12 overlies the first layer 2. In a preferred embodiment the second layer 12 is provided as a kiss cut laminate such that that a portion of the laminate not corresponding to the indicia may easily be removed. Alternatively only that part of the laminate corresponding to the indicia may be removed. Conveniently the laminate 16 is provided with a first layer of adhesive 14 between the laminate 16 and a backing (not shown). The backing is removed and the laminate 16 located in position over the first layer 2, namely the printed reflective. When that portion of the laminate to be removed has been removed the first layer of adhesive 14 is exposed around and/or between the retained laminate 16. A third layer 22 comprising a clear panel is provided. When the third layer 22 is in position the first and second layers 2, 12 are visible through the third layer 22. The third layer 22 is conveniently impact and ultra violet light resistant, for example an acrylic material. A second layer of adhesive 24 is provided on the rear of the third layer 22.

The second layer of adhesive 24 is of greater strength than the first layer of adhesive 14. Conveniently the second layer of adhesive 24 is provided with a release sheet (not shown) that is removed prior to positioning of the third layer 22.

Referring to Figures 2 and 5, the printed reflective 2 is manufactured having indicia 6 on a second surface 10. A double sided acrylic foam tape 32 with high tack and peel adhesion pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive for low energy substrates is aligned with the printed reflective 2 and an exposed side of the foam tape is secured to a first surface 8 of the printed reflective. Each of the sides of the adhesive tape 32 is of equal strength. Thus while there are two physical layers of adhesive, for the purposes of this embodiment they may be treated a single layer of adhesive having equal strength to each side.

The backing of the laminate film 12 is removed and the laminate 12 applied to the second surface 10 of the printed reflective 2 to secure the laminate 12 in position. In a preferred embodiment the laminate is 35 microns in thickness. The desired areas of the front facing portion of the laminate 12 are then removed to expose the first layer of adhesive 14. In this first embodiment the laminate 12 is of smaller cross-sectional area than the printed laminate and does not cover all of the second surface of the printed laminate.

The release sheet on the rear of the acrylic layer 22 is then removed exposing the second layer of adhesive 24 and the acrylic layer 22 overlaid into position over the first and second layers 2,12. A release sheet on the other side of the double sided acrylic foam tape 32 is removed to enable the number plate assembly to be adhered to a security backing plate 40. The security backing plate 40 may be located or secured to a vehicle by any suitable means, including by way of example fasteners.

Alternatively the acrylic foam tape may be used to secure the number plate assembly directly to the vehicle.

Each of the sides of the adhesive tape is of equal strength. Each side is stronger than the first or second layers of adhesive to ensure the first sheet is retained on or against the vehicle.

Once in position removal of the acrylic third layer 22 from the assembly will cause the acrylic third layer 22 to take the second laminate layer 12 with it since the laminate layer 12 is joined more strongly to the acrylic plate 22 than to the printed reflective 2.

In practice, removal of the third layer 22 will also tend to remove all or most of the first layer of adhesive on the printed reflective 2.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the laminate 12 and second adhesive 14 may be replaced by a layer of printing ink overlying the indicia on the printed reflective, the printing ink forming the second layer.

The second layer will adhere to the indicia with a first strength. The second layer of printed ink may be provided on the printed reflective when manufacturing the printed reflective.

As the second adhesive is stronger than the adhesion between the first and second layers of ink, the second layer of ink will come away with the acrylic sheet when the third layer is removed from the first layer.

In a further embodiment, the second layer comprises alternative barrier means having a low adhesion to the printed reflective.

In a yet further embodiment, the second layer may be formed as a clear laminate of the same dimensions as the first and second layers (and the first adhesive layer). The second layer is adhesive backed with a release liner as in the first embodiment. An outline of the indicia provided on the printed reflective is provided on a corresponding portion of the laminate.

The outline comprises a continuous line of ink, preferably black ink to correspond to the colour of the indicia on the printed reflective, or a series of ink dots or a series of perforations. This has the advantage that the adhesion between the first layer of the printed reflective and second layer of the laminate is increased as compared to the first embodiment, but is still less than the adhesion between the third acrylic layer and the second layer of the laminate.

The indicia have only their outline printed so that the clear front protective surface (third acrylic layer) not only cannot be reused once removed from the vehicle but also the indicia image retained on the third layer remains legible, traceable and of forensic value if required.

It will be understood that the first layer or printed reflective may be secured to the vehicle or backing plate by means other than the double sided acrylic foam tape 32, but that however the first layer or printed reflective is secured it is secured more securely than the third layer or acrylic sheet is secured to the first layer or printed reflective such that the first layer or printed reflective remains attached to the vehicle or backing plate when the third layer or acrylic sheet is separated from the first layer or printed reflective.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A vehicle number plate assembly comprising a first layer comprising a first portion coloured with a first colour and a second portion comprising indicia coloured with a second colour, the indicia providing a vehicle identification number; a second intermediate layer, adhering with a first strength to the first layer; and a third layer through which the first and second layers are visible, wherein an adhesive layer of a second strength between the second layer and the third layer, the second strength being greater than the first strength such that removal of the third layer causes removal of the second layer from the first layer. 2 A number plate assembly according to claim 1, in which a first adhesive layer of a first strength is provided between the first layer and the second layer. 3 A number plate assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which removal of the third layer will also cause removal of some of the first adhesive from the first layer. 4 A number plate assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the second intermediate layer is provided in a region of the indicia. 5 A number plate assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the second intermediate layer is omitted in a region of the indicia. 6 A number plate assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the first adhesive layer between the first layer and the second layer is provided as an adhesive backing to the second layer. 7 A number plate assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the adhesive layer between the second and third layers is provided as an adhesive backing to the third layer. 8 A number plate assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, in which the number plate assembly further comprises a backing plate to which the first layer is attached. 9 A number plate assembly according to claim 8, in which the first layer is provided with a further adhesive layer to attach the first layer to the backing plate. 10 A number plate assembly according to claim 9, in which the further adhesive layer is of a strength greater than the strength of each of the first strength and the second strength. 11 According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of manufacture of a number plate assembly comprises the steps of providing a first layer comprising a first portion coloured with a first colour and a second portion comprising indicia coloured with a second colour, the indicia providing the a vehicle identification number; providing a second intermediate layer adhering with a first strength to the first layer; providing a third layer through which the first and second layers are visible, providing an adhesive layer of a second strength between the second layer and the third layer, the second strength being greater than the first strength such that removal of the third layer causes removal of the second layer from the first layer. 12 A method according to claim 11, in which the step of the second intermediate layer adhering to the first layer is performed by providing a first adhesive layer of a first strength between the first layer and the second layer, lower than the strength of the adhesive layer between the second layer and the third layer. 13 A method according to either claim 11 or claim 12, in which the first adhesive layer is provided as an adhesive backing to the second layer. 14 A method according to any of claims 11 to 13, in which the adhesive layer between the second and third layers is provided as an adhesive backing to the third layer. 15 A method according to any of claims 11 to 14, in which the first layer is provided with a further adhesive layer to attach the first layer to the backing plate.