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(11) | EP 1 495 878 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Graphical modules on a piece of garment |
| (57) The invention relates to a system of text modules (20) for being applied onto a piece
of garment, comprising at least one text module (50), said text module comprising
a number of combinable, releasable and reusable base modules (1,...11) that can be
combined to form the text module, preferably a digit or a letter; and wherein the
base modules are formed of burr tape, eg Velcro. Hereby it is accomplished that it
is possible to form all text modules by means of a small number of base modules; and
that the text on the piece of garment can be changed continuously as needed. |
[0002] It is well known to apply text and figures onto a piece of garment, eg a blouse or a T-shirt. Often it is accomplished by the desired text being printed directly onto the piece of garment or by the text being attached, eg by stitching onto the piece of garment.
[0003] This type of display on pieces of garment is permanent. This means that the message communicated by the display cannot be changed without the piece of garment being damaged or modified.
[0004] DE-202-14-456-U1 teaches a piece of garment in the form of a T-shirt to which a strip of burr tape is adhered. On this strip it is possible to arrange smaller pieces of burr tape. Each piece is provided with a sign eg in the form of a letter. Thereby it is possible to form texts or messages on the piece of garment that can be changed by the way in which the selected letter items are combined or by use of additional letter items. The problem that vitiates this technology is that, in order to form eg a text, it is necessary to have a large collection of letter items at one's disposal, since, for instance, the many words may have several occurrences of the same letter. Moreover a text may contain a number of words, wherein a given letter may occur a number of times. This involves either very comprehensive waste of text modules or that, in connection with the formation of new texts, it is necessary to supply/manufacture precisely the number of text modules necessary for forming the specific text.
[0005] In a corresponding manner US-5-718-589-A teaches ia pieces of garment, such as bibs, T-shirts, trousers, dresses, pyjamas, that can be provided with releasable letters, numbers or other signs that are each separately formed on an individual piece.
[0006] American patent publication US 5,523,145 describes a system of numbers constructed in digit-eight modules arranged on a face and intended for being applied onto a T-shirt. The numbers are intended to show a time and are produced by base modules being removed from the digit-eight modules. The digit-eight modules are manufactured as transfer prints that are, following removal of base modules, applied onto the T-shirt by means of heat or pressure. Thereby it will not be possible to change a given text in the displayed matter once applied onto the T-shirt.
[0007] However, in some situations there is a need for changing the message communicated by the display on the piece of garment. Therefore it would be advantageous if a display was available for being applied onto a piece of garment, and wherein it was possible to modify the message to be communicated by the displayed matter. It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a system of text modules whereby it is possible to continuously modify the text on the piece of garment on which the system of text modules is arranged without use of tools.
[0008] This problem is solved by a system of text modules according to the characterising part of claim 1, wherein the text module consists of a number of releasable and reusable base modules that can be combined to form the text module, preferably a digit or a number; and in that the base modules are made of burr tape, eg Velcro. Thereby it is accomplished that a small number of base modules enable construction of all text modules; and that the text on the piece of garment can be changed continuously as needed.
[0010] The term "text module" is intended to designate a module that produces a digit, letter or a symbol, including also a sign such as eg full stop, comma, colon, semicolon and dashes, etc.
[0011] The text modules consisting of the base modules may be combined to form a coherent message in the form of a text consisting of letters, digits and/or signs and a combination thereof.
[0012] If so desired, the text or individual text modules can be modified by the position of the base modules being changed or by addition or removal of base modules.
[0013] The base modules adhere to the piece of garment, eg a T-shirt, or to an interposed piece of textile attached to the piece of garment, which interposed piece of textile can be punched-out burr tape. Alternatively, a sheet of eg woven textile or felt can be sewed onto the piece of garment or may comprise other means for being secured onto the piece of garment.
[0014] In the following, the invention will be described in further detail with reference to the figures, wherein
Figure 1 shows an example of three out of four base modules for a display according to an embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 2 shows an example of a display according to an embodiment of the invention featuring eight text modules; and
Figure 3 schematically shows how each of the ten digits can be produced separately on the basis of a text module consisting of base modules; and
Figure 4 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein further base modules are provided between adjoining base elements; and
Figures 5a, 5b, 5c schematically show how letters and signs can be formed by means of a text module.
[0015] Figure 1 shows three different base modules 2, 6, 4, 8 that can be used for forming text modules 50 in the form of signs, eg letters or figures. A fourth base module 9 as shown in Figure 2, is a laterally reversed version of the base module 2, reversed about its long edge 21.
[0016] One or more of each of the four base modules 1, 2, 3, 4 are constituents of a text module 50 for forming a sign in the form of a symbol, digit or letter. By combination of several text modules 50 it is possible to form a text or a display consisting of a number of text modules 50. An example of such system of text modules (display) 20 consisting of eight text modules 50 is shown in Figure 2 while using the text modules 50 shown in Figure 1.
[0017] The system of text modules 20 eg as shown in Figure 2 can thus form eg a phone number (eg for a mobile telephone) on a child's T-shirt in situations where the child is accompanied by another child's parents, eg at a concert or festival. The phone number can be the phone number of the child's parents or that of the other child's parents and ensures that it is possible to quickly get into contact with the parents in case the child has lost contact with the other child's parents. In other cases it is an option to form the (mobile) telephone number of a person wearing the piece of garment thereby enabling other communication between the person wearing the piece of garment and some other person who is thus able to transmit SMS messages to the person in question.
[0018] Alternatively the system of text modules can be used for (changing) advertisements on a piece of garment, such as eg a T-shirt.
[0019] Each text module 50 comprises a number of combinable, releasable and reusable base modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 that can be combined to form the text module 50, preferably a digit or a letter. The text module 50 can preferably consist of as many as seven base modules 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and in this form it forms the full digit-eight or the letter "B". A piece of garment could advantageously be supplied accompanied by a number of text modules 50 consisting of full digits of eight, ie where the digit-eight-shape 50 is completed by means of base modules 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9. Thus a text could be formed by removal of the excess base modules 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 that do not partake in the desired sign. This is illustrated in Figure 3 that shows the formation of the numbers one through nine plus zero. For instance Figure 3-1A shows the elements to be removed to form a one-digit (or an "I") shown in Figure 3-1 B.
[0020] Figure 4 shows a further preferred embodiment of a text module 50 in the shape of digit-eight, wherein, in the space between vertical base elements 3, 4, 7, 9 and horizontal base modules 2, 6, 8, further base modules 1, 10, 5, 11 are formed. The text module comprises at least seven releasable and reusable base modules 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and has a horizontal top base module 2, a horizontal bottom base module 6 and a horizontal central base module 8, wherein the horizontal base modules 2, 6, 8 are in parallel and configured at a distance from each other. Two pairs of vertical lateral base modules 3, 9; 4, 7 extend at the ends of the horizontal base modules, wherein a first pair of vertical lateral modules 3, 9 extend at the ends of the top base module 2 and the central base module 8, and wherein a further pair of lateral base modules 4, 7 extend at the ends of the central base module 8 and the bottom base module 6.
[0021] In their digit-eight-shape the base modules 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 are delimited with respect to each other by lateral edges 25, 26, 26a, 27 that correspond to corresponding lateral edges on an adjoining base module in the digit-eight module form. The further base modules 1, 10, 5, 11 are delimited towards adjoining vertical base modules 3, 4, 7, 9 and horizontal base modules 2, 6, 8 of side edges 22a that correspond to corresponding side edges 22b on said vertical and horizontal base modules 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9. The further base modules 1, 5, 10, 11 are provided in the space between vertical base modules 3, 4, 7, 9 and horizontal base modules 2, 6, 8. In the Figure, the further base modules 1, 10, 5, 11 are, at each space in the digit-eight modular shape 50, delimited in relation to each other by lateral edges 23, 24 that are situated in extension of the separation between a vertical base module 3, 4, 7, 9 and a horizontal base module 2, 8, 6. Advantageously there may also be provided other further base modules (not shown) between two adjoining vertical base modules 3, 4; 7, 9, wherein said other further base modules are delimited towards the pair of vertical base modules 3, 4; 7, 9 at their lateral edges.
[0022] In figures 5a, 5b letters A through Z are shown as well as the particular Danish letters Æ, Ø and Å, wherein they are formed from a text module 50 in an digit-eight module form, and the digit-eight module form 50 is filled with base modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Thus, a text could be formed by removal of those of the excess base modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 that are not constituents of the desired symbol. In particular cases the letters can be supplemented with further base modules (base elements) 1, 10, 5, 11 that are arranged to adjoin in connection with the text module 50 in order to thereby impart a more complete appearance to the letter.
[0023] As will appear from Figure 5b in connection with eg letters "R", "Y", "T" and "Z", these letter are provided in that some of the base elements 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11 are arranged in other positions that was the case with the original digit-eight modular form.
[0024] Figure 5c shows punctuation symbols such as ia "colon", "semicolon", "comma" and "full stop", wherein these symbols are provided by means of the further base modules 1, 5, 10, 11.
1. A system of text modules 20 for being applied onto a piece of garment, comprising
at least one text module 50, characterised in that said text module(s) comprise(s) a number of combinable, releaseable and reusable
base modules (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) that can be combined to form the
text module 50, preferably a digit or a letter; and in that the base modules (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) are made of burr tape, eg Velcro.
2. A system of text modules according to claim 1, characterised in comprising at least seven releasable and reusable base modules (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10) formed in an digit-eight modular form with a horizontal top base module (2),
a horizontal bottom base module (6) and a horizontal middle module (8), said horizontal
base modules (2, 6, 8) being in parallel with and configured at a distance from each
other; two pairs of vertical lateral base modules (3, 9; 4, 7), wherein a first pair
of lateral base modules (3, 9) extend at the ends of the top base module (2) and the
middle base module (8), and wherein a second pair of lateral base modules (4, 7) extends
at the ends of the middle base module (8) and the bottom base module (6).
3. A system of text modules according to any one of claims 1-2, characterised in comprising further base modules (1, 10, 5, 11) that are provided in the space between
vertical base modules (3, 4, 7, 9) and horizontal base modules (2, 6, 8).
4. A system of text modules according to any one of claims 1-3, characterised in comprising other further base modules (12, 13) that are configured between two adjoining
vertical base modules (3, 4; 7, 9).
5. A system of text modules according to any one of claims 1-4, characterised in that each of the base modules (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9) in the digit-eight modular form comprises
lateral edges (25, 26, 26a, 27) that correspond to corresponding lateral edges on
adjoining base modules in the digit-eight modular form.
6. A system of text modules according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the text module 50 is arranged on a length of burr tape.
7. A method of manufacturing a system of text modules (20) according to any one of claims
1-6, characterised in that the base modules (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 ) are provided by a length of
burr tape being cut in pieces.
8. A method according to claim 7, characterised in that the base modules (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) are arranged on a piece of garment
and form one or more text modules in digit-eight form.
9. A method according to any one of claims 7-8, characterised in that one or more text modules (20) is/are formed by removal of one or more base modules
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) that are not constituents of the desired symbol,
preferably a digit or a letter.
10. A method according to any one of claims 7-9, characterised in that at least one further base module (1, 5, 10, 11) is/are arranged in connection with
one or more base modules (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9) in such a manner that said at least
one further base module (1, 5, 10, 11) complement(s) base modules (2, 3, 4, 6, 7,
8, 9) in the formation of a desired symbol, preferably a digit or a letter.
11. A method according to any one of claims 6-10, characterised in that a number of text modules 50 are combined to form a text or a display and are arranged
on a piece of garment.