(19)
(11) EP 1 224 882 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
28.12.2005 Bulletin 2005/52

(21) Application number: 99949013.9

(22) Date of filing: 01.10.1999
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A44B 11/25, B60R 22/00, A62B 35/00
(86) International application number:
PCT/ES1999/000314
(87) International publication number:
WO 2001/024653 (12.04.2001 Gazette 2001/15)

(54)

SYSTEM FOR VISUAL IDENTIFICATION AND MARKING OF PRODUCTS

SYSTEM ZUR VISUELLEN IDENTIFIZIERUNG UND MARKIERUNG VON PRODUKTEN

SYST ME D'IDENTIFICATION VISUELLE ET DE MARQUAGE DE PRODUITS


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(43) Date of publication of application:
24.07.2002 Bulletin 2002/30

(73) Proprietor: I.T.W. Espana, S.A.
08520 Barcelona (ES)

(72) Inventor:
  • Badrenas Buscart, Jordi
    E-08520 Les Franqueses del Valles (ES)

(74) Representative: Carpintero Lopez, Francisco et al
HERRERO & ASOCIADOS, S.L. Alcalá, 35
28014 Madrid
28014 Madrid (ES)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A- 0 607 664
US-A- 3 768 862
ES-U- 209 579
US-A- 5 697 329
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    OBJECT OF THE INVENTION



    [0001] The present invention relates to a system for visual identification and marking of products particularly designed for elements comprising two components which couple to each other, and more specifically for safety buckles.

    [0002] The object of the invention is to provide not only a simple visual identification by means of clear colour contrasts, but in addition that these identification means remain unchanged for practically indefinite periods of time.

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION



    [0003] In the particular preferred field of application of the invention, which is that of safety buckles, such as those used in backpacks, handbags, etc. as disclosed in EP 060 7664 A where two parts couple to each other by insertion of one inside the other, current visual identification and marking systems are based on a suitable serigraphy of the external part with the chosen marking, so that with a normal use of the buckle after a relatively short period of time this mark has disappeared partially or in full.

    [0004] Another known solution consists of embossments obtained by suitably conforming the injection mould of the part. Initially this provides a more striking contrast for the marking, as a three-dimensional marking is achieved which in addition may bear colour contrasts, but these are also superficial and thus the aforementioned problems are not solved at all, as the protrusions defined by the shape of the marking facilitate wear of the serigraphy or printing on it, after which or if there were no print, the marking would be difficult to spot on the base part as it is made of the same material and in the same colour.

    DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION



    [0005] The system taught in the invention solves the above described problems in a fully satisfactory manner, ensuring a marking of optimum characteristics which in addition remains unaltered over time, as mentioned before.

    [0006] For this purpose and more specifically, said system employs the fact that the two parts which form the product have different colours, so that they contrast with each other suitably, with the colours preferably obtained in mass, that is, integrally affecting each part, and not superficially, so that the colours will not disappear during normal use of the product.

    [0007] Additionally and in order to obtain the marking itself, the outer or enveloping part is provided with slits or any other type of perforations which represent the mark, logo or message to be shown, so that through these slits or orifices of one part can be seen the other part beneath when correctly coupled to each other. Thus, due to the colour contrast described before the message to be conveyed is also contrasted, in a manner which remains unaltered over time due to the characteristics of the elements which form it.

    DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0008] The characteristics of the invention will be made clearer in view of the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment, which form an integral part of its description and where for purposes of illustrations only the following is shown:

    Figure 1, shows an exploded front elevation view of a safety buckle with the system for marking and visual identification of products of the present invention.

    Figure 2, also shows a front elevation view of the assembly of the previous figure, duly coupled, in which can be seen the highlighted marking obtained by said coupling.


    PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION



    [0009] In view of the figures it can be seen that the system for marking and visual identification of products disclosed in the invention is particularly conceived for products comprising two parts (1) and (2), specifically a female part (1) inside which is to be housed a male part (2), such as the elements which form a safety buckle as those used in handbags, backpacks, child seats, etc. with the basic property that parts (1) and (2) must be clearly contrasting in colour, for example with part (1) having a light colour and part (2) a dark one, such as part (1) being white and part (2) being black.

    [0010] With this colour contrast between the component parts of the product and according to the system of the invention, said product is marked with slits or orifices (3) in the female or enveloping part (1) designed in accordance with the message to be conveyed, so that when male part (2) is inserted in the female part (1) said male part (2) closes from behind the slits or orifices (3), and by its contrasting colour with the enveloping part (1) defines a mark (4) which is highly contrasted, as shown in figure 2, which is completely protected from scrapes or external agents and which will remain practically unchanged for an indefinite period of time.


    Claims

    1. System for visual identification and marking of products, comprising two parts in which one inserts in the other, such as buckles for handbags, backpacks, child seats, etc., characterised in that the external or enveloping part (1) incorporates a number of slits or orifices which together represent a brand name, logotype or the like, with slits or orifices (3) having their base closed from beneath by interior part (2) when the two parts are coupled to each other, so that the parts (1) and (2) have mutually contrasting colours, thereby highlighting said brand name or logotype (4) in a clear and conspicuous manner.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. System zur visuellen Identifizierung und Markierung von Produkten, das zwei Teile aufweist, von denen sich eines in das andere einsetzt, wie beispielsweise Schnallen für Handtaschen, Rucksäcke, Kindersitze, usw., dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das äußere oder umhüllende Teil (1) eine Anzahl von Schlitzen oder Öffnungen einsetzt, die zusammen einen Markennamen, einen Firmenschriftzug, oder dergleichen, darstellen, wobei die Schlitze oder Öffnungen (3) ihre Basis von unterhalb des Innenteils (2) geschlossen haben, wenn die zwei Teile miteinander verbunden sind, so dass die Teile (1) und (2) sich voneinander abhebende Farben haben, um dadurch den Markennamen oder den Firmenschriftzug (4) in einer deutlichen und auffälligen Art und Weise hervorzuheben.
     


    Revendications

    1. Système pour le marquage et l'identification visuelle de produits comprenant deux parties dont l'une s'insère dans l'autre, telle que des boucles pour sacs à main, sacs à dos, sièges d'enfants, etc, caractérisé en ce que la partie externe ou enveloppante (1) incorpore une pluralité de fentes ou orifices qui représente ensemble un nom de marque, logo ou de même, avec les fentes ou orifices (3) ayant leur base fermée du dessous par la partie intérieure (2) quand les deux parties sont couplées l'une à l'autre, de manière telle que les parties (1) et (2) ont des couleurs à contrastes mutuels, soulignant ainsi ledit nom de marque ou logo (4) d'une manière claire et visible.
     




    Drawing