Patent Abstract:
A conveyor belt with advertising is fabricated by coating at least one flexible belting member with a vinyl size coating. A white base coat is applied over the vinyl size coating. A variety of printing processes may be used to print registered color separation images on the belting member. These processes include silkscreen, flexographic and offset printing. The belting members may be made in lengths shorter than the entire length of the conveyor belt with removable attachment means, permitting individual advertising images to be replaced without replacing the entire conveyor belt. Methods for fabricating the belting members including ink formulations, handling and drying steps are also described.

Full Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to surface treatments for conveyor belts. More particularly, the invention relates to conveyor belts having advertisements printed on an outer surface for viewing by consumers in retail establishments and methods of fabricating such belts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various techniques have been developed for using the surface area of conveyor belts in supermarkets and other retail establishments as advertising space. Making effective use of this space has often been problematic due to the flexible nature of the conveyor belts, the continuous wear associated with objects placed on the belts and the relative complexity of systems designed to deal with these problems. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,525 issued to Vonholm et al. is directed to a method for application of removable information and advertising indicia on a conveyor belt in cashier counters in grocery stores, airports, etc. The method includes use of a heat/pressure press to press down parts of the conveyor belt to form recesses in the conveyor belt surface. Foil/sticker advertising media are inserted into the recesses. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,828 issued to Smallwood, discloses a an endless belt display device incorporating a transparent panel having all but one edge bonded to the top surface of the belt. The open edge provides a pocket in the transparent panel in which advertising media may be placed. The unbonded edge and the top edge of the transparent panel are in direct contact with one another as the belt is rotated. Means are provided for tightening and loosening the belt to allow replacement of the advertising media. Pat. No. WO 00/69759, issued to Payne is directed to a conveyor belt comprising a substrate layer with an information display formed on the uppermost surface thereof. One or more transparent or translucent coating layers of a thermosetting plastic material overlay the substrate layer such that the information is visible through the coating layers. 
     Pat. No. EP 0 478 866 A1 issued to Munkner is directed to precut posters printed with advertisement that are adhered to belt-plates forming a conveyor belt as at an airport luggage conveyor. The posters are formed of polyethylene or similar synthetics on which advertising messages are printed in indelible scratch-free inks and secured in place with pressure sensitive adhesives or similar adhesive emulsions over the belt-plates of a conveyor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,094 issued to Molinaro et al., the present inventor, reference is directed to checkout conveyor belts incorporating changeable display advertising. The changeable advertising media is printed on static cling sheets that are adhered to the conveyor belt by electrostatic attraction or low friction coating applied to the visible surface of the static cling sheets. An adhesive strip is alternatively employed to secure the leading edge of the static cling sheet to the outer surface of the belt. 
     While other variations exist, the above-described inventions for providing advertising on conveyor belts are typical of those encountered in the prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provide advertising on conveyor belts that is bright, colorful and resistant to chemical spills and abrasion. It is a further objective to provide such advertising through methods that are economical and can be easily reproduced. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide the above-described features in a conveyor belt that will resist cracking of the advertising images as the belt is flexed and as it expands and contracts due to temperature changes. While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior art conveyor belts with advertising and methods of making same and satisfies all of the objectives described above. 
     A conveyor belt with advertising providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. At least one belting member, the belting member has a first predetermined length, an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second parallel side edges and first and second ends. At least one advertising image is provided. The advertising image is printed upon the upper surface. Means are provided for removably attaching one of the first ends to one of the second ends. 
     In a variant of the invention, at least one belting member is provided. The belting member has a first predetermined length, an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second parallel side edges and first and second ends. A white base coating is provided. The white base coating is adhered to the upper surface. At least one advertising image is provided. The advertising image is printed upon the white base coating. Means are provided for removably attaching one of the first ends to one of the second ends. 
     In another variant, at least one belting member is provided. The belting member has a first predetermined length, an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second parallel side edges and first and second ends. A vinyl size coating is provided. The vinyl size coating is applied to the upper surface. A white base coating is provided. The white base coating is adhered to the upper surface over the vinyl size coating. At least one advertising image is provided. The advertising image is printed upon the white base coating. Means are provided for removably attaching one of the first ends to one of the second ends. 
     In still another variant, at least one belting member is provided. The belting member has a first predetermined length, an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second parallel side edges and first and second ends. The belting member is formed of either white or light-colored material. A vinyl size coating is provided. The vinyl size coating is applied to the upper surface. At least one advertising image is provided. The advertising image is printed upon the vinyl size coating. Means are provided for removably attaching one of the first ends to one of the second ends. 
     In a further variant, the belting member is formed of materials having anti-static properties. 
     In still a further variant, the belting member is formed of polyvinyl chloride material and the upper surface has a matte smooth surface having a hardness ranging from 80 to 90 duro. 
     In yet a further variant, the predetermined length of the belting member is less than an entire length of the conveyor belt, permitting replacement of a portion of the entire length of the conveyor belt. 
     In another variant of the invention, a method for making a conveyor belt for use in a retail establishment, includes the following steps: Developing advertising images for printing onto at least one belting member. Preparing a color separation image for each color to be printed on the belting member for the advertising image. Preparing means to print each of the color separation images successively onto the belting member. The separation images are to be printed in registration with one another. Providing at least one belting member. The belting member having a first predetermined length, an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second parallel side edges and first and second ends. Cleaning the belting member to remove any contaminants. Coating the upper surface of the belting member with a vinyl size material. Applying a white base coating to the upper surface over the vinyl size material. Printing each of the color separation images successively onto the belting member in registration with one another. Curing the advertising image on the belting member. Supporting the belting member to prevent either of flexing and contact with the advertising image for a predetermined post cure period. Inspecting the belting members for printing defects. Connecting attaching means to each of the first and second ends. 
     In still another variant, a method for making a conveyor belt for use in a retail establishment, includes the following steps: Developing advertising images for printing onto at least one belting member. Preparing a color separation image for each color to be printed on the belting member for the advertising image. Preparing means to print each of the color separation images successively onto the belting member. The separation images are to be printed in registration with one another. Providing at least one belting member, the belting member having a first predetermined length, an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second parallel side edges and first and second ends. The belting member is formed of either white or light-colored material. Cleaning the belting member to remove any contaminants. Coating the upper surface of the belting member with a vinyl size material. Printing each of the color separation images successively onto the belting member in registration with one another. Curing the advertising image on the belting member. Supporting the belting member to prevent either of flexing and contact with the advertising image for a predetermined post cure period. Inspecting the belting members for printing defects. Connecting attaching means to each of the first and second ends. 
     In still a further variant of the invention, the advertising images are prepared in digital format and the color separation images are produced from the digital format. 
     In yet a further variant, the means to print each of the color separation images successively onto the belting member is a silkscreen process. 
     In another variant, the means to print each of the color separation images successively onto the belting member is an offset printing process. 
     In still another variant, the means to print each of the color separation images successively onto the belting member is a flexographic printing process. 
     In yet another variant, the belting member is formed of materials having anti-static properties. 
     In yet a further variant, the belting member is formed of polyvinyl chloride material and the upper surface has a matte smooth surface having a hardness ranging from 80 to 90 duro. 
     In still a further variant of the invention, the belting member is cleaned using a solution that includes agents chosen from the group including: methyl alcohol and toluene. 
     In another variant, the advertising image to be printed is composed of only spot colors and the inks printed on the belting member are conventional inks. 
     In yet another variant, the advertising image to be printed is a four-color process image and the inks printed on the belting member are ultraviolet ink. 
     In still another variant, the inks are cured using an ultraviolet light source, the ultraviolet light source having a power rating from 100 watts to 300 watts. 
     In a further variant of the invention, the belting member is moved under the ultraviolet light source at a speed ranging from 20 to 40 feet per minute. 
     In yet a further variant, the post cure period ranges from 48 to 72 hours. 
     In still a further variant, a method for making a conveyor belt for use in a retail establishment further includes the steps of: Preparing a silkscreen for each color separation image. Registering a first of the silk screens to the belting member. Printing a first color ink on the belting member through the first silkscreen over the white base coating. Removing the first silkscreen. Registering, printing through and removing succeeding silk screens for each additional color ink for each advertising image. 
     In yet a another variant, a method for making a conveyor belt for use in a retail establishment further includes the steps of: Preparing a silkscreen for each color separation image. Registering a first of the silk screens to the belting member. Printing a first color ink on the belting member through the first silkscreen. Removing the first silkscreen. Registering, printing through and removing succeeding silk screens for each additional color ink for each advertising image. 
     In still another variant of the invention, a method for making a conveyor belt for use in a retail establishment wherein the preparation of a silkscreen for each color separation image further includes the steps of: Preparing a film negative for each color separation image. Preparing a frame for each silkscreen. Tensioning and securing each silkscreen to one of the frames. Registering the film negative on the silkscreen. Exposing the silkscreen to a metal halide light source for a period of time ranging from four to seven minutes. Removing the film negative from the silkscreen. 
     In a further variant, the film negative is capable of yielding an image having a resolution of at least 84 lines per screen and 600 dots per inch. 
     In still a further variant, the silk screens are tensioned on the frames with a force 14-25 newtons. 
     In yet a further variant, the silkscreen has a mesh count ranging between 230 and 420 cells per square inch. 
     In another variant, the ink is comprised of an adhesion component and a colored ink component. 
     In still another variant, the adhesion component is comprised of an adhesion promoter and a mixing clear agent, the adhesion promoter is 0.05% to 20% of the adhesion component by weight with the mixing clear agent is the corresponding percentage of the adhesion component by weight. 
     In yet another variant, the ink is comprised of 0.05% to 20% adhesion component by weight with the colored ink component is the corresponding percentage of the ink by weight. 
     In a further variant, the colored ink component is comprised of: acrylated oligomers 20-55% by weight, n-vinyl-2 pyrrolidone 12-25% by weight, and acrylated monomers 8-20% by weight. 
     In still a further variant, the adhesion promoter is comprised of: urethane 10-20% by weight, xylen 20-25% by weight and n-vinyl pyrrolidone 10-20% by weight. 
     In yet a further variant, the mixing clear agent is comprised of: acrylated monomers 20-60% by weight, furanone 5-10% by weight and cyclohexanome 10-20% by weight. 
     In a final variant of the invention, the vinyl size material is comprised of: methyl isobutyl ketone 10-20% by weight, 1,3,6-trimethylbenzene 5-10% by weight, xylene 1-5% by weight, vinyl resin 6-10% by weight, light aromatic solvent naptha 20-30% by weight, isophorone 5-10% by weight, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic acid terpolyme 1-5% by weight, pseudocumene 20-30% by weight, and cumene 1-5% by weight. 
    
    
     An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention including multiple advertising images printed on a belting member; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of a belting member with printed advertising thereon; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a belting member curved for joining as a conveyor belt; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of a series of belting members with printed advertising that may be joined to form a conveyor belt; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of a means for joining belting member ends together along the line  5 — 5 ; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of a means for joining belting member ends together along the line  6 — 6 ; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of the invention including advertising images printed on a belting member having a black colored upper surface, illustrating the vinyl sizing, white base coating and ink layers of coating applied; 
     FIG. 7A is a plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of the invention including advertising images printed on a belting member illustrating the ink layer of coating applied; 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of the invention including advertising images printed on a belting member having a white or light colored upper surface, illustrating the vinyl sizing and ink layers of coating applied; 
     FIG. 8A is a plan view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of the invention including advertising images printed on a belting member illustrating the white base coating and ink layers applied; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a color separation image being used to prepare a silkscreen for making the FIG. 1 embodiment; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a silkscreen process for making the FIG. 1 embodiment; and 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the belting member after the silkscreen process has been used for making the FIG. 1 embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a conveyor belt with advertising  10  providing the desired features that may be constructed from the following components. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, at least one belting member  16  is provided. The belting member  16  has a first predetermined length (not shown), an upper surface  24 , a lower surface  28 , first  32  and second  36  parallel side edges and first  40  and second (not shown) ends. At least one advertising image  54  is provided. The advertising image  54  is printed upon the upper surface  24 . Means  58  are provided for removably attaching one of the first ends  40  to one of the second ends. 
     In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, at least one belting member  64  is provided. The belting member  64  has a first predetermined length (not shown), an upper surface  72 , a lower surface  76 , first  80  and second  84  parallel side edges and first  88  and second (not shown) ends. A white base coating  50  is provided. The white base coating  50  is adhered to the upper surface  76 . At least one advertising image  54  is provided. The advertising image  54  is printed upon the white base coating  50 . Means  58  are provided for removably attaching one of the first ends  88  to one of the second ends. 
     In another variant of the invention, at least one belting member  14  is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the belting member  14  has a first predetermined length  18 , an upper surface  22 , a lower surface  26 , first  30  and second  34  parallel side edges and first  38  and second  42  ends. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a vinyl size coating  46  is provided. The vinyl size coating  46  is applied to the upper surface  22 . A white base coating  50  is provided. The white base coating  50  is adhered to the upper surface  22  over the vinyl size coating  46 . At least one advertising image  54  is provided. The advertising image  54  is printed upon the white base coating  50 . Means  58  are provided for removably attaching one of the first ends  38  to one of the second ends  42 . 
     In still another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 8, at least one belting member  62  is provided. The belting member  62  has a first predetermined length (not shown), an upper surface  70 , a lower surface  74 , first  78  and second  82  parallel side edges and first  86  and second (not shown) ends. The belting member  62  is formed of either white or light-colored material  94 . A vinyl size coating  46  is provided. The vinyl size coating  46  is applied to the upper surface  70 . At least one advertising image  54  is provided. The advertising image  54  is printed upon the vinyl size coating  46 . Means  58  are provided for removably attaching one of the first ends  86  to one of the second ends. 
     In a further variant, the belting member  14 ,  62  is formed of materials having anti-static properties. 
     In still a further variant, the belting member  14 ,  62  is formed of polyvinyl chloride material and the upper surface  22 ,  70  has a matte smooth surface having a hardness ranging from 80 to 90 duro. 
     In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the predetermined length  18 ,  66  of the belting member  14 ,  62  is less than an entire length  98  of the conveyor belt  10 , permitting replacement of a portion  102  of the entire length  98  of the conveyor belt  10 . 
     In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS.  7  and  9 - 11 , a method for making a conveyor belt  10  for use in a retail establishment, includes the following steps: Developing advertising images  54  for printing onto at least one belting member  14 . Preparing a color separation image  106  for each color to be printed on the belting member  14  for the advertising image  54 . Preparing means  114  to print each of the color separation images  106  successively onto the belting member  14 . The separation images  106  are to be printed in registration with one another. Providing at least one belting member  14 . The belting member  14  has a first predetermined length  18 , an upper surface  22 , a lower surface  26 , first  30  and second  34  parallel side edges and first  38  and second  42  ends. Cleaning the belting member  14  to remove any contaminants. Coating the upper surface  22  of the belting member  14  with a vinyl size material  46 . Applying a white base coating  50  to the upper surface  22  over the vinyl size material  46 . Printing each of the color separation images  106  successively onto the belting member  14  in registration with one another. Curing the advertising image  54  on the belting member  14 . Supporting the belting member  14  to prevent either flexing or contact with the advertising image  54  for a predetermined post cure period. Inspecting the belting member  14  for printing defects. Connecting attaching means  58  to each of the first  38  and second  42  ends. 
     In still another variant, as illustrated in FIGS.  8  and  9 - 11 , a method for making a conveyor belt  10  for use in a retail establishment, includes the following steps: Developing advertising images  54  for printing onto at least one belting member  62 . Preparing a color separation image  106  for each color to be printed on the belting member  62  for the advertising image  54 . Preparing means  114  to print each of the color separation images  106  successively onto the belting member  62 . The separation images  106  are to be printed in registration with one another. Providing at least one belting member  62 . The belting member  62  having a first predetermined length, an upper surface  70 , a lower surface  74 , first  78  and second  82  parallel side edges and first  86  and second  90  ends. The belting member  62  is formed of either white or light-colored material  94 . Cleaning the belting member  62  to remove any contaminants. Coating the upper surface  70  of the belting member  62  with a vinyl size material  46 . Printing each of the color separation images  106  successively onto the belting member  62  in registration with one another. Curing the advertising image  54  on the belting member  62 . Supporting the belting member  62  to prevent either of flexing and contact with the advertising image  54  for a predetermined post cure period. Inspecting the belting members  54  for printing defects. Connecting attaching means  58  to each of the first  86  and second  90  ends. 
     In still a further variant of the invention, the advertising images  54  are prepared in digital format and the color separation images  106  are produced from the digital format. 
     In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, the means  114  to print each of the color separation images  106  successively onto the belting member  14 ,  62  is a silkscreen process  118 . 
     In another variant, the means  114  to print each of the color separation images  106  successively onto the belting member  14 ,  62  is an offset printing process (not shown). 
     In still another variant, the means  114  to print each of the color separation images  106  successively onto the belting member  14 ,  62  is a flexographic printing process (not shown). 
     In yet another variant, the belting member  14 ,  62  is formed of materials having antistatic properties. 
     In yet a further variant, the belting member  14 ,  62  is formed of polyvinyl chloride material and the upper surface  22 ,  70  has a matte smooth surface having a hardness ranging from 80 to 90 duro. 
     In still a further variant of the invention, the belting member  14 ,  62  is cleaned using a solution that includes agents chosen from the group including: methyl alcohol and toluene. 
     In another variant, the advertising image  54  to be printed is composed of only spot colors and the inks  126  printed on the belting member  14 ,  62  are conventional inks. 
     In yet another variant, the advertising image  54  to be printed is a four-color process image and the inks printed on the belting member are ultraviolet ink. 
     In still another variant, the inks  126  are cured using an ultraviolet light source (not shown), the ultraviolet light source having a power rating from 100 watts to 300 watts. 
     In a further variant of the invention, the belting member  14 ,  62  is moved under the ultraviolet light source at a speed ranging from 20 to 40 feet per minute. 
     In yet a further variant, the post cure period ranges from 48 to 72 hours. 
     In still a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS.  7  and  9 - 11 , a method for making a conveyor belt  10  for use in a retail establishment further includes the steps of: Preparing a silkscreen  134  for each color separation image  106 . Registering a first of the silk screens  134  to the belting member  14 . Printing a first color ink  126  on the belting member  14  through the first silkscreen  134  over the white base coating  50 . Removing the first silkscreen  134 . Registering, printing through and removing succeeding silk screens  134  for each additional color ink  126  for each advertising image  54 . 
     In yet a another variant, as illustrated in FIGS.  8  and  9 - 11 , a method for making a conveyor belt  10  for use in a retail establishment further includes the steps of: Preparing a silkscreen  134  for each color separation image  106 . Registering a first of the silk screens  134  to the belting member  62 . Printing a first color ink  126  on the belting member  62  through the first silkscreen  134 . Removing the first silkscreen  134 . Registering, printing through and removing succeeding silk screens  134  for each additional color ink  126  for each advertising image  54 . 
     In still another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, a method for making a conveyor belt  10  for use in a retail establishment wherein the preparation of a silkscreen  134  for each color separation image  106  further includes the steps of: Preparing a film negative  138  for each color separation image  106 . Preparing a frame  142  for each silkscreen  134 . Tensioning and securing each silkscreen  134  to one of the frames  142 . Registering the film negative  138  on the silkscreen  134 . Exposing the silkscreen  134  to a metal halide light source  146  for a period of time ranging from four to seven minutes. Removing the film negative  138  from the silkscreen  134 . 
     In a further variant, the film negative  138  is capable of yielding an image having a resolution of at least 84 lines per screen and 600 dots per inch. 
     In still a further variant, the silk screens  134  are tensioned on the frames  142  with a force 14-25 newtons. 
     In yet a further variant, the silkscreen  134  has a mesh count ranging between 230 and 420 cells per square inch. 
     In another variant, the ink  126  is comprised of an adhesion component and a colored ink component. 
     In still another variant, the adhesion component is comprised of an adhesion promoter and a mixing clear agent, the adhesion promoter is 0.05% to 20% of the adhesion component by weight with the mixing clear agent is the corresponding percentage of the adhesion component by weight. 
     In yet another variant, the ink is comprised of 0.05% to 20% adhesion component by weight with the colored ink component is the corresponding percentage of the ink by weight. 
     In a further variant, the colored ink component is comprised of: acrylated oligomers 20-55% by weight, n-vinyl-2 pyrrolidone 12-25% by weight, and acrylated monomers 8-20% by weight. 
     In still a further variant, the adhesion promoter is comprised of: urethane 10-20% by weight, xylen 20-25% by weight and n-vinyl pyrrolidone 10-20% by weight. 
     In yet a further variant, the mixing clear agent is comprised of acrylated monomers 20-60% by weight, furanone 5-10% by weight and cyclohexanome 10-20% by weight. 
     In a final variant of the invention, the vinyl size material is comprised of: methyl isobutyl ketone 10-20% by weight, 1,3,6-trimethylbenzene 5-10% by weight, xylene 1-5% by weight, vinyl resin 6-10% by weight, light aromatic solvent naptha 20-30% by weight, isophorone 5-10% by weight, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic acid terpolyme 1-5% by weight, pseudocumene 20-30% by weight, and cumene 1-5% by weight. 
     The conveyor belts with advertising and method of making same  10  have been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow. cumene 1-5% by weight.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8