WO1995022919A2

WO1995022919A2 - Badge

Info

Publication number: WO1995022919A2
Application number: PCT/GB1995/000393
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason Simpson Ganner; Steven Long
Original assignee: Flair Signs Limited
Priority date: 1994-02-24
Filing date: 1995-02-24
Publication date: 1995-08-31
Also published as: GB9403571D0; WO1995022919A3

Abstract

A badge has a backing (1) of PVC sheet loaded on its front surface with microbeads (2) to render it reflective. A front sheet (3) of transparent, flexible PVC sheet is welded to the backing around their periphery (4) and at lines (5) extending in from the periphery. Further lines of connection between the front and backing sheets are provided. The space encapsulated between the backing and the front sheet contains: air (15), colourless liquid (16) and dyed liquid (17). These three fluids take up random shapes, which can be changed by pressure on the areas presently containing the various fluids.

Description

BADGE

The present invention relates to a badge.

Conventionally badges are fixed displays of some sign, be it graphic or alphanumeric or a combination. Badges may be of rigid material, such as enamelled metal, or of flexible material, such as sheet plastics material. Such a flexible badge may be of or incorporate a fluorescent and/or reflective material.

The badge of the invention is an improvement on the latter type of badge, although it can be envisaged that neither fluorescent nor reflective material might be incorporated.

The term "badge" is used in this specification, including its claims, in a broad sense, to include not only devices adapted for or including means for connection to other articles, for instance clothing, but also sign or display devices which are able to be displayed on clothing or the like in pockets with transparent windows. Further, it is anticipated that as promotional material the badges may find uses independent of other articles such as the clothing just mentioned.

According to the invention, a badge comprises an envelope having a backing and a translucent or transparent front sheet and encapsulating at least one fluid adapted to cause the appearance of the badge to change.

Preferably, the front sheet at least is of flexible material, whereby pressure can be applied to it to cause the fluid to displace and change the appearance of the badge. The fluid may be a single liquid, possibly in combination with encapsulated gas. The change of appearance in this case being caused by movement of the fluid to obscure and reveal different parts of backing.

Alternatively, as is preferred, the fluid comprises two immiscible liquids, possibly also with encapsulated gas. It is envisaged that the liquids may be naturally of different colours. However, one or both of the liquids will normally contain a dye which is insoluble in the other liquid. Preferably, the liquids are water and an oil, with a vegetable dye dissolved in the oil.

Where the backing incorporates reflective or fluorescent material, the contrast between the area(s) of the badge presently covered by the dyed liquid and the area(s) covered by the other liquid, which will normally be colourless, is the more marked.

The front sheet and the backing may be connected merely around the periphery of the badge. However more interesting designs can be achieved if they are connected at lines internal to the periphery. Particularly interesting designs can be achieved if the connection lines define a narrow opening through which the liquid(s) can be forced. For instance, the lines may define the shape of a bottle and a receptacle, with a narrow opening being at the mouth of the bottle. In another embodiment, the lines may be arranged to define a maze-like design. The lines of connection of the front sheet and the backing may be emphasised by local printing on either.

Other elements may be included in the badge, such as glitter particles and/or letters or symbols floating - buoyantly or otherwise - in the liquid(s). To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example an with refererce to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a badge of the invention and

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the badge on the line II-II in Figure 1.

The badge shown in the drawings has a backing 1 of PVC sheet loaded on its front surface with microbeads 2 to render it reflective. A front sheet 3 of transparent, flexible PVC sheet is welded to the backing around their periphery 4 and at lines 5 extending in from the periphery.

In the design shown in Figure 1, two pairs of internal lines of connection extend in from the periphery, each pair defining a right angle corner 6. The corners are arranged to be adjacent. The result is two liquid containing areas 7 interconnected by a narrow opening 8. These liquid containing areas occupy opposite quarters 9,10 of the badge. One 11 of the other quarters is plain, except for having a mark 12 embossed in it in the form of a welding of the front sheet to the backing. In the other quarter 13, a similar mark 14 is arranged.

The space encapsulated between the backing and the front sheet in the two quarters 9,10 contains:

air 15; colourless liquid 16; and dyed liquid 17.

It will be seen that these three fluids take up random shapes, which can be changed by pressure on the areas presently containing the various fluids. The quarter 13 contains the same fluids, whereas the quarter 12 contains no fluid.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment. In particular, the actual designs employed in the badge and its shape can be altered as desired. Further, whilst the above described badge does include a graphic device - the marks 12,14 - a badge of the invention may not do so. Also constructional details can be changed. For instance an additional sheet of PVC material may over lay the backing sheet to protect its microbeads from being wetted by either the colourless liquid or the dyed liquid. The additional sheet is shown by chain dotted line 21 in Figure 2. Further, both liquids may contain dye to render them differently coloured. It can be envisaged that more than two liquids might be encapsulated in the badge.

The badge may be attached in use to other articles, such as clothing by a variety of means. For instance, it may be stitched or heat welded via the peripheral welds 4 to clothing or the like. Alternatively, the backing may have self-adhesive material applied to it for attachment of the badge. Further, the badge may simply be inserted in a display pocket having a transparent window. Uses as promotional or "novelty" items can be envisaged where the badge is independent of any other articles.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A badge comprising an envelope having a backing and a translucent or transparent front sheet and encapsulating at least ϋΛC! fluid adapted to cause the appearance of the badge to change.

2. A badge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front sheet at least is of flexible material, whereby pressure can be applied to it to cause the fluid to displace and change the appearance of the badge.

3. A badge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fluid comprises a single liquid.

4. A badge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fluid comprises two immiscible liquids.

5. A badge as claimed in claim 4, wherein the liquids are of naturally different colours.

6. A badge as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein one or both of the liquids contains a dye which is insoluble in the other liquid.

7. A badge as claimed in claim 6, wherein the liquids are water and an oil, with a vegetable dye dissolved in the oil.

8. A badge as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the fluid includes a gas encapsulated with the liquid(s).

9. A badge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the backing incorporates reflective or fluorescent material.

10. A badge as claimed in claim 9, wherein the backing is of plastics material sheet loaded on its front face with microbeads, preferably with a transparent protective sheet over-lying the microbeads, and the front sheet is of transparent plastics material, the backing and the front sheet being connectible by welding.

11. A badge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the front sheet and the backing are connected only around the periphery of the badge.

12. A badge as claimed in claim 11, wherein the front sheet and the backing are connected at lines internal to the periphery.

13. A badge as claimed in claim 12, wherein the connection lines define a narrow opening through which the liquid(s) can be forced. . -.— ■ .-

14. A badge as claimed in claim 13, wherein the connection lines define two liquid containing areas interconnected by a narrow opening. i

15. A badge as claimed in claim 13, wherein the connection lines represent a maze. .' 16. A badge as claimed in any one of cla.ims 12 to 15, ' wherein the connection lines are emphasised _vby local ,, printing on either or both of the front sheet "and the backing.