Abstract:
A pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed sign which is removable and repositionable is provided. The flexible sign includes a carrier with a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to one side for adhesion to a substrate and indicia provided on the other side. A cover material can alternatively be applied to the other side providing the indicia. The sign can be easily removed from the substrate and repositioned without deforming the sign.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    Vehicles often have signs applied to the surface to identify a company or product. Typical signs include vinyl film signs and magnetic signs decorated with vinyl, printed, or reflective material.  
           [0002]    The application of signs is generally accomplished with ease. However, it is often the case that the sign must be removed. The user may wish to remove the sign completely, apply it to a different substrate, or, as is often the case, reposition the sign shortly after the initial application. Magnetic signs are easy to remove but do not adhere well enough for many applications. Once a typical sign is applied to a surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive, it is difficult to remove without damaging the substrate or destroying the sign itself. Removal of a sign often requires a razor blade, knife, heat gun or scraper, which can damage the substrate. Much of the adhesive from the sign is often left on the substrate, which also requires removal and, consequently, more damage.  
           [0003]    Particularly with vinyl signs, removal of the sign destroys the sign. As the sign is pulled away from the substrate, it deforms or rips apart.  
           [0004]    Therefore, there is a need for a sign that is easily removable and repositionable without damaging the substrate or the sign itself. Further, there is a need for a method for producing a removable and repositionable sign.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention comprises a flexible sign that can be applied, removed, and repositioned on a substrate, such as a vehicle. The sign includes a carrier with indicia provided on one side and a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the other side. The carrier is flexible, but strong enough to remain intact as it is removed from a substrate. The carrier is, for example, a polyester, a polycarbonate, or a thick vinyl material, and is clear or colored. The carrier may be a flexible magnet. The indicia is printed on the carrier, or the carrier can be cut by for example a water jet or knife to form the shape of the indicia. Further, a cover material can be bonded to the carrier. The cover material is, for example, a reflective film, a polyvinyl film, or other thermoplastic material. Indicia may be printed onto the cover material.  
           [0006]    When the sign is initially applied to a substrate, it can be easily removed and repositioned by peeling it off the substrate and then reapplying it to the same or a different substrate. The sign will remain firmly adhered to the substrate over a wide variety of temperature ranges and conditions typically encountered by vehicles. The sign of the present invention is not subject to peeling or cracking. If the sign is removed after it has been adhered to a substrate for an extended period of time, only a minimal amount, if any, of the adhesive will remain on the substrate. This can be easily removed with a surface cleaner. Because of the strength of the carrier, the sign of the present invention will not deform when it is peeled off. Further, in many applications the sign can be re-used.  
           [0007]    The objects and advantages of the invention will be further appreciated in light of the following detailed description and drawings in which: 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken at line  5 - 5  of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]    The present invention is a flexible sign  11  which can be applied, removed, and repositioned on a substrate. The present invention is particularly useful for vehicle surfaces because it withstands severe weather conditions. It is particularly described with respect to a vehicle. However, it can be used for a wide variety of substrates, such as substrates with a metal or plastic surface. Further, the shape of the sign  11  shown in FIG. 1 is exemplary. The size and shape of the sign  11  varies, depending on preference and the vehicle to which it is attached.  
         [0014]    As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible sign  11  of the present invention includes a carrier  13  with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive  14  which develops a 180° peel strength of at least about 3 lb./in. applied on one side. The carrier  13  is substantially inelastic, having a yield strength sufficient to prevent stretching or ripping of the carrier  13  as the sign  11  is pulled from the substrate. However, the carrier  13  is also a flexible material.  
         [0015]    The strength of the sign  11  is determined by measuring the yield load per unit width. The sign  11  should have a yield load per unit width of at least 25 lb./in. The preferred embodiment is also stiffer than typical vinyl signs and 2 mil polyethylene signs. The stiffness of a sign  11  is equivalent to plastic modulus times the thickness cubed. A sign  11  of the present invention should have an elastic modulus times thickness cubed value of at least about 0.02 lb-in 2 , but not more than 50.0 lb-in 2  generally 0.02 to 2.0 lb-in 2 .  
         [0016]    The carrier  13  is preferably a polyester such as a polyethylene terephthalate, or a Mylar® brand material, a polycarbonate such as a Lexan® brand material, or a thick vinyl or plastic material, particularly a flexible magnetic material. Flexible magnets are a combination of ferrite powder combined with binder materials, such as rubber, PVC, etc.  
         [0017]    Preferably, a polycarbonate or Mylar carrier is about 5 mil thick. Vinyl magnetic carrier material should have a thickness of at least about 10 mil. Other materials can be used and include:  
                                                   Material   Thickness                           EPDM   Greater than 10 mil           High density polyethylene   Greater than 10 mil           Polyurethane   Greater than 10 mil           Low density polyethylene   Greater than 10 mil                      
 
         [0018]    The pressure-sensitive adhesive  14  is preferably an acrylic adhesive which is non-water-soluble and preferentially adheres to the carrier  13  relative to the substrate. The pressure-sensitive adhesive  14  should have sufficient aggressiveness such that the sign  11  will remain adhered to the vehicle without falling off during normal use. The properties involved during removal of a sign are tack and peel. A preferred pressure-sensitive adhesive  14  will hold a sign  11  of the present invention at 3 lb./in. to 9 lb./in., preferably 7 lb./in.  
         [0019]    As shown, indicia  12  is an ornamental decorative in the form of a letter, although virtually any shape indicia  12  can be formed using the present invention, including a design or logo. Further, the indicia  12  could serve a more utilitarian purpose, such as providing a reflective surface.  
         [0020]    The carrier  13  provides the indicia  12  by either cutting the carrier  13  into the shape of the indicia  12 , as shown in FIG. 2, or by printing the indicia  12   a  on the carrier  13  with a permanent ink, as shown in FIG. 1. The indicia  12   a  is printed using block, screen, lithography offset, or other similar type of printing, and is one color or multi-colored.  
         [0021]    As shown in FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the present invention further includes a cover material  15  attached to the carrier surface, opposite the pressure-sensitive adhesive  14 . Usually, the cover layer  15  is coated onto the carrier  13 , but any suitable method of adhering or coating is contemplated. The cover material  15  provides the indicia  12   b  by cutting the cover material  15  into the shape of the indicia  12   b . The cover material  15  may be a reflective film, a polyvinyl film, a thermoplastic, or any other type of material which is printable and/or can be cut with a water-jet, automatic knife or laser cutter. Alternately, the cover material can be a continuous layer with indicia printed onto the cover layer similar to FIG. 1.  
         [0022]    One advantage of the sign of the present invention is that it can be applied to the surface of a vehicle with relative ease. If the sign is misaligned, it can be easily removed and repositioned, if necessary. Because the carrier is strong and substantially inelastic, the sign is not damaged when it is removed from the vehicle. Additionally, the substrate itself is not damaged. Another advantage is that, upon removal, the pressure-sensitive adhesive preferentially adheres to the carrier and not the substrate. If any adhesive does remain on the substrate, it is easily removed with a surface cleaner. Finally, the sign is durable in that it will accept the outdoor elements for up to six years, including car washes.  
         [0023]    The present invention enables one to decorate a vehicle with a sign. It can be produced economically, minimizing cost. It can also be applied to, and removed from, a vehicle surface without marring the sign or the vehicle. Further, the sign remains adhered to the vehicle without cracking, peeling, or dislodging, even when subjected to, for example, the road conditions encountered by vehicles. Thus, the present invention provides a reliable, economical sign for the surface of a vehicle.  
         [0024]    This has been a description of the present invention, along with the preferred method of practicing the invention currently known to the inventor. However, the invention itself should be defined only by the appended claims wherein we claim: