[0001] This invention relates to tags for attachment to the handles of tote bags, duffel
bags, sports bags or the like for the purpose of identification of the owner.
[0002] Such tags not only have a utilitarian purpose of carrying a name and address label,
but it many cases are expected to be distinctive in themselves or to enable the owner
to identify as part of a group, e.g. an interest group. This is particularly true
of young people. For this purpose it is advantageous if a tag can include one of a
wide range of symbols in a clearly visible place.
[0003] In view of the wide range of symbols which may be used, it is preferable that the
symbols be rapidly changeable during a production run. However, they need to be permanently
and securely held in the tag in such a manner as to make then appear to be integral
therewith. For the first of these requirements it is preferably to use symbols printed
on inserts, e.g. of card, cut to the required shape and held behind a transparent
part of the tag. It is necessary for this permanently secured part of the tag to be
inserted in a waterproof manner, i.e. leakages around the edges must be avoided, since
discoloration of the printed symbol would not be acceptable.
[0004] For economic production, it is preferably for moulding runs to be maintained for
a long period without interuption to make changes, so that it is preferable if the
symbol be introduced at an assembly rather than a moulding stage.
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a tag adapted to be attached
to the handle of a bag or the like, the said tag including a zone for displaying and
protecting a removable identification marker and a zone displaying and protecting
a permanently incorporated decorative symbol, in which the decorative symbol is marked
on or formed by an insert located between a transparent window and a backing disc,
the backing disc and transparent window being secured together by an integral peripheral
flange of one of them being permanently and sealingly secured around the periphery
of a matching formation on the other of them so as to form a sub-assembly permanently
secured between matching housing parts having means for receiving the removable identification
marker.
[0006] The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which
Figure 1 is a sectional view of the tag in accordance with a preferred form of the
invention taken on the lines E-E of figures 2, 3 and 4, F-F of Figure 10 and H-H of
Figure 9;
Figure 2 is an elevation of a front housing part;
Figure 3 is an internal elevation of the front housing part of figure 2;
Figure 4 is an elevation of a rear housing part;
Figure 5 to 8 are sectional views of the front and rear housing parts somewhat spaced
apart and taken on the lines A-A, B-B, C-C, and D-D respectively of figures 2 and
3;
Figure 9 is an elevation of a window element;
Figure 10 is an elevation of a tray; and
Figure 11 is a section on the line G-G of Figure 10.
[0007] It will be seen from figure 1 in particular that the tag illustrated comprises five
separately injection moulded parts. These are identified in figure 1 as a front housing
part 1, a rear housing part 2 a transparent window element 3, a backing disc 4 and
a removable tray 5. In the finished tag, the housing parts 1 and 2, the window element
3 and the backing disc 4 are secured together by suitable adhesive or otherwise, and
the tray 5 is releasably and slidably received in a recess within the tag body formed
by the other components.
[0008] Figures 2 and 3 show respectively the external and internal elevations of the front
housing part 1, and it can be seen that this part has a first aperture 6 through which
a symbol may be viewed, and a second aperture 7 through which an identification cards,
carried by the tray 5, may be viewed. The tray 5 is further provided with a through
hole 8, radiused at the front end 9 to receive a chain or other flexible retaining
member by which the tag is to be attached to the handle of a bag, case or other similar
item. The element 1 is also provided with a peripheral rebate 10 (see also figures
5 to 8) to mate with a corresponding internal rebate 11 on the housing member 2. A
end rebate 12 provides location for a matching projection 13 on the tray 5, and the
housing member 1 and tray 5 are also formed with matching capillary breaks 14 and
15 to prevent seepage of rainwater along the clearance between them.
[0009] The apertures 6 and 7 by sealing and retaining flanges 6a and 7a respectively.
[0010] Turning now to figures 4, and also figures 5 to 8 as appropriate, the rear housing
portion 2 is shown as having the peripheral rebate 11 co-operating with the rebate
10 on the housing portion 1. There is further provided an end recess 21 to allow access
to the underside of the tray 5. A pair of longitudinal ribs 22 are provided to support
the window element 3, Catch members 24 are provided to co-operate with snap figures
25 (see Figure 10) on the tray 5.
[0011] The window element 3 comprises a flat window portion 26 (see also Figure 9) and a
domed window portion 27 respectively visible through the apertures 7 and 6. Around
the periphery of the underside of the domed window portion 27 there is an annular
skirt 28 which tapers somewhat in a downward direction. The lateral edges of the window
portion 26 are provided with down-turned ribs 29 which fit on the outside of the ribs
22 as indicated in figure 6.
[0012] The backing disc 4 comprises a peripheral rebate 31 which is tapered and receives
the skirt 28 as an interference fit. A motif-bearing card 32 is shown as sandwiched
between the domed window portion 27 and a flat surface 33 of the backing disc 4. The
backing disc 4 is also provided with a reinforcing rib 35 which engages on the inner
surface of the rear housing portion 2.
[0013] The tray 5 comprises a card receiving recess 41 provided with retaining lugs 42.
The tray also including a through hole 43 in continuation of the hole 8 in the housing
member 1 so that the flexible retaining member also serves to prevent inadvertent
removal of the tray without removing the tag from the bag or case. In order to enable
the tray to be firmly tugged to release the snap fingers 25 from their catch members
24, a pair of finger grips 44 are provided on the underside of the tray, and these
are accessible through the gap 21.
[0014] The edge of the gap 21 in the rear housing member 2 is provided with a rebate 45
co-operating with a matching rebate 46 on the tray.
[0015] The various mouldings 1, 2, 3,4 and 5 are separately manufactured and also the motif-bearing
cards 32 are separately prepared. Fairly short productiion runs may be required for
the motifs so that the tags may be manufactured with a desired number of tags with
any given motif, but using common parts for the mouldings.
[0016] In assembly, the motif 32 is placed on the flat surface 33 of the moulding 4 and
the domed part 27 of the window element 3 is introduced over it, in the appropriate
orientation, so that the skirt 28 engages the rebate 31, which has previously been
provided with a layer of a suitable solvent adhesive to retain the two parts together
in a sealing manner. This provision of a skirt sealingly engaged in a rebate provides
for adequate protection of the motif from seepage of water beneath the domed portion
27, as the skirt extends for the whole 360° around the motif and is sealingly received
by the rebate. The sub-assembly of window portion 3 and backing disc 4 is then located
on the rear housing portion 2. The backing ring is secured by adhesive to an upstanding
arcuate rib 47, and the ribs 29 are secured by adhesive to the ribs 22. The front
housing portion 1 is then secured to the rear housing portion 2 by means of adhesive
between the rebates 10 and 11, and further security may be provided by the provision
of solvent adhesive between the flanges 6a and 7a and the respective corresponding
portions 27 and 26 of the window element 3.
[0017] As previously stated, the tray is slidingly received and clipped in position by the
co-operating catch members 24 and snap fingers 25 and may be removed by means of the
finger grips 44. An appropriate identification label is provided within the tray area
41 beneath the lugs 42 and may be replaced readily by removal of the tray to gain
access to the tray area 41.
[0018] Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.
1. A tag adapted to be attached to the handle of a bag or the like, the said tag including
a zone for displaying and protecting a removable identification marker and a zone
displaying and protecting a permanently incorporated decorative symbol, in which the
decorative symbol is marked on or formed by an insert located between a transparent
window and a backing disc, the backing disc and transparent window being secured together
by an integral peripheral flange of one of them being permanently and sealingly secured
around the periphery of a matching formation on the other of them so as to form a
sub-assembly permanently secured between matching housing parts having means for receiving
the removable identification marker.
2. A tag as claimed in claim 1, in which the said matching formation and/or the skirt
is tapered to form an interference fit.
3. A tag as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the window is domed.
4. A tag as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the window is integrally formed with
a second window to cover the removable marker when the latter is in place.
5.' A tag as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, tray slidingly received in a recess between
the matching housing parts and adapted to be clipped in position.
6. A tag as claimed in claim 5, in which the tray has finger grips to assist in its
removal.
7. A tag as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which the tray and one of the matching housing
parts have aligned holes to receive a flexible securing member for attaching the tug
to a bag or the like and also to provide additional retention of the tray in the tag.
8. A tag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.