Display card for numerical information

Abstract: Display card for numerical information with at least a base surface of background colour and at the front thereof, in mirror image, one or more numerical markings consisting of seven segments of another colour, which markings each essentially have the form of an eight. A layer of clear transparent material, which can be written on, extends at the front on top of the numerical markings and the base surface so that any desired number can be displayed by covering particular segments of the numerical markings by means of ink of the background colour. The ink is of a composition which is removable so that any numerical display can be altered. Alongside the base surface with numerical markings, other surfaces with text and/or symbols may be vided between the back surface and the layer which can be written on.

Description: The invention relates to a display card for numerical information with at least a base surface of background colour and at the front thereof, in mirror image, one or more numerical markings consisting of seven segments of another colour which markings each essentially have the form of an eight. Such a display card is known from the US Patent 4,539,768. These known cards or boards are provided with covering elements which can be swivelled or folded aside for each of the said segments of the numerical markings. Each number from 0 to 9 can be derived from each of these numbers in the form of an eight. In accordance with the numerical information, which the user of said display cards or boards wishes to display at the time, he will fold in or insert manually particular covering elements in each case and as a result display the required numbers. To change the numerical information, he will again fold aside the first mentioned covering elements and fold in others. This is a relatively cumbersome and time-consuming process in which the pivotable covering elements are subjected to wear and the service life of the entire structure is limited as a result. Usually locking elements are also necessary in this case in order to lock the covering elements in a position once it has been taken up. The object of the invention is to eliminate the abovementioned problems and to provide a display card for numerical information which is extremely practical and durable and with which the numerical information can be indicated and altered very rapidly by a particularly simple operation. According to the invention, this is achieved in a display card of the type mentioned in the introduction in that a layer of clear transparent material, which can be written on, is situated at the front on top of the numerical markings and the base surface so that any desired number can be displayed by covering particular segments by means of ink of the background colour, the ink being of a composition which is readily removable so that any numerical display can be altered. In this embodiment, a back surface of yet another colour may be provided at the back over the base surface and, if necessary, projecting therefrom. In a further embodiment, alongside the base surface with numerical markings, other surfaces with text and/or symbols are provided between the back surface and the layer which can be written on. The invention will be explained in more detail. Reference is made to the drawings in which Figure 1a, b and Figure 2a, b, c give front views of a display card or display board such as a currency, interest and price indicator. For the layer of clear transparent material at the front which can be written on use can advantageously be made of PVC which has high chemical resistance and is readily printed on and mechanically machined. Any other clear and transparent plastic may also be used. The base surface of background colour and the numerical markings of an other colour are usually provided by means of screen printing. In this case, the numerical markings in the other colour are provided at the back of the PVC layer by means of special screen printing ink. Said numerical markings which consist of seven segments and which each form the figure 8 are provided in mirror image on the PVC layer as a diapositive. The number of figures, the size and the colour is unlimited. Usually said figures are white and the base surface, which forms the background of said figures, is black. After the numerical markings have been provided, the base surface with the background colour are provided in a single printing operation. If necessary, in addition to the base surface, still more texts and/or symbols are then provided in a subsequent printing operation on the PVC layer. Thus, other information may also be displayed on such a display card such as texts, currencies, product descriptions etc., etc. The number of colours is unlimited and it is possible to change over from simple line/tint surfaces to four-colour lithos. After all the colours have been printed, a fixing ink, the colour of which is usually white, is printed as the back surface in a final printing operation. Other colours are, however, also possible. In some cases it is possible to fix the printing inks with a self-adhesive plastic film. Although the colour of this is also usually white, other colours are possible. If desired, a magnetic film can be provided by means of a glue layer. As a result said display card can be bonded to, or hung onto, a magnetic board. The embodiment can also be such that the base surface or the numerical image carrier is provided by offset printing on paper, front and back being sealed by enclosure in a layer of clear material such as PVC. As a result of this a laminated display card which is constructed as a single entity and is resistant to moisture and dirt is produced. Because the PVC layer at the front can satisfactorily be written on and erased, particular segments can be covered with a felt pen permanently attached or with a so-called board marker with the ink emerging therefrom which has the same colour as the background colour of the base surface so that any desired numerical combination can be displayed. In the case of the felt pen, the ink can be removed with a cloth or wad of cotton wool and a solvent/remover. The composition of said solvent/remover is such that all the residues of the felt pen ink are removed. The PVC layer and the final fixing layer are not sensitive to it. In the case of the board marker, the pen ink can be removed with a small cloth. For the uniformity of display it is of importance that, after segments have been covered, the optical result is uniform regardless of the person who has carried out the particular covering operation with felt pen or board marker. This applies obviously both to vertically situated numbers and obliquely situated numbers. Optional lines or squares in the back surface may be helpful in writing in a straight manner and rhythmically on said display card. Said display card can be used with extraordinary advantage in retail and wholesale trade for the pricing or offering of articles for which the numerical information has to be altered regularly. As a result of this it is not necessary to produce always a new card. Furthermore, said display card or board can be used as a currency or interest indicator in banks and border exchange bureaus in which the currency indications have to be modified regularly. Said display card can also be used for lists of food and drinks, and prices in restaurants, hotels, conference centres, theatres and the like. Said display card can also be used as an indicator or as a publication board, inter alia, for time indication.

Claims: Display card for numerical information with at least a base surface of background colour and at the front thereof, in mirror image, one or more numerical markings consisting of seven segments of another colour which markings each essentially have the form of an eight, characterized in that a layer of clear transparent material, which can be written on, extends at the front on top of the numerical markings and the base surface so that any desired number can be displayed by covering particular segments of the numerical markings by means of ink of the background colour, the ink being of a composition which is removable so that any numerical display can be altered. Display card according to claim 1, characterized in that a back surface of yet another colour is provided at the back over the base surface and, if necessary, projecting therefrom. Display card according to claim 2, characterized in that, alongside the base surface with numerical markings, other surfaces with text and/or symbols are provided between the back surface and the layer which can be written on. Display card according to claim 3, characterized in that the base surface, the numerical markings, the back surface, the other surfaces with text and/or symbols consist of screen printing inks which are provided in different printing operations. Display card according to claim 4, characterized in that the back surface is a fixing ink. Display card according to claim 4, characterized in that the back surface is a self-adhesive plastic film. Display card according to one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that a magnetic film is provided at the back over the back surface. Display card according to claim 2, characterized in that the layer of transparent material which can be written on is of PVC. Display card according to claim 1, characterized in that the background colour of the base surface is black and that the other colour of the numerical markings is white. Display card according to claim 1, characterized in that the numerical markings are upright. Display card according to claim 1, characterized in that the numerical markings are oblique. Display card according to claim 1, characterized in that the ink can be applied with a felt pen. Display card according to claim 1, characterized in that the ink can be applied with a board marker.

Inventors: PEETERS WILHELMUS ANTONIUS MAR, PEETERS, WILHELMUS ANTONIUS MARIA
Applicants: HENDRIKS M P E M, HENDRIKS, M.P.E.M.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: G09F9
IPC codes: B42D15, G09F1