A method of manufacturing tags

Abstract

 A sheet (11) of plastics material to pass through a computer printer so that information is applied to the sheet. The sheet (10) is provided with lines (11, 12) of weakness to divide the sheet up into sub-sheets (13), with the sub-sheets (13) being adapted to form tags. The lines of weakness (11, 12) are provided by fine perforations and the plastics material is generally rigid.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing tags.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Computer printers are increasingly using sheet-feed paper, rather than folded paper. Identification tags for industrial or retail purposes cannot be fed through printers employing a sheet-feed system.

[0003] It is also an advantage in instances to have a tag formed of a plastics material instead of paper or paperboard. Known tags of plastics construction are individually formed and therefore cannot be used in computer printers using a sheet-feed system.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0005] There is disclosed herein a sheet of plastics material to pass through a printer so that information can be printed on the sheet, said sheet being perforated so as to have at least one line of weakness so that the sheet can be divided into sub-sheets, and wherein said plastics material is generally rigid and has a high melting point and the perforations are fine perforations.

[0006] Preferably the plastics material has a thickness of 75-175 microns and is a pacified polyester. In such instances, the plastics material would have a melting point of approximately 245°C. The perforations should number more than 15 perforations per centimeter and preferably approximately 20 perforations per centimeter. It is further preferred that the perforations be elongated in the direction of the line of weakness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a sheet of plastics material to be employed in a computer printer; and

Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a plastic sheet, also to be employed in a computer for a printer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0008] In Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a sheet 10 of plastics material. The sheet 10 could be of a standard size typically used for office stationery and dimensioned to pass through a computer printer. The sheet 10 is formed of plastics material and is preferably 75-175 microns thick. The sheet 10 is also formed of a pacified polyester and accordingly is generally rigid. The melting point of this plastics material is approximately 245°C. Thus the sheet 10 is stable at high temperatures as can be experienced by sheet material in photocopiers and printers.

[0009] The sheet 10 is provided with lines of weakness 11 and 12, with the lines 11 extending transverse of the sheet 10 while the line 12 extends longitudinally of the sheet 10. The lines 11 and 12 divide the sheet 10 up into a plurality of tags or sub-sheets 13. To form individual tags, the sheet 10 is torn along the lines 11 and 12 to separate the tags 13. It has been found that by providing fine perforations and a relatively stiff sheet 10, the tags 13 maintain their dimensions while being removed from the sheet 10.

[0010] Preferably the perforations would number more than 15 per centimeter and preferably about 20 per centimeter. Preferably each perforation is elongated in the direction of extension of the line of weakness 11 or 12.

[0011] The tag 13 may be pre-punched so as to provide attachment holes 14, or the sheet 10 may be punched to have apertures 15 to provide the tags formed with a typical tag shape. If so required further apertures 16 may be formed again to give the tag a typical tag appearance.

[0012] In Fig. 2 there is schematically depicted a sheet 20 of plastics material as discussed above. In this particular embodiment the sheet 20 is punched so as to have perforations 21 forming a tag 22. The tag 22 can be removed from the sheet 20 by tearing along the perforations. The tag 22 can form a loop about an object by the leading portion 23 being inserted through an aperture 24.

Claims

1. A sheet (10) of plastics material to pass through a printer so that information can be printed on the sheet, said sheet (10) being perforated so as to have at least one line (11, 12) of weakness so that the sheet can be divided into sub-sheets (13), and wherein said plastics material is generally rigid and has a high melting point and the perforations are fine perforations.

2. The sheet (10) of claim 1, wherein said plastics material is 75 to 175 microns thick.

3. The sheet (10) of claim 2, wherein said plastics material is a pactified polyester having a melting point of approximately 245°C.

4. The sheet (10) of claim 1, wherein said perforations number more than 15 perforations per centimetre.

5. The sheet (10) of claim 4, wherein said perforations number approximately 20 perforations per centimetre.

6. The sheet (10) of claim 4 or 5, wherein said perforations are elongated in the direction of the line (11, 12) of weakness.

7. The sheet (10) of claim 1, wherein the line (11, 12) of weakness follows a path to define a tag (22) having an aperture (24) so that a portion (23) of the tag (22) to be formed from the sheet (10) can form a loop by passing back through the aperture (24).

8. A sheet of plastics material to pass through a printer, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawing