WARNING TAPE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an elongate tape medium with print indicia repeated on one or both of its surfaces, said repeating print indicia being printed in multiple orientations along the longitudinal axis of the elongate tape medium so as to permit a viewer to view the repeating print indicia in a legible manner in more than one orientation of the elongate tape medium.

Tape markers are widely used in a variety of applications all over the world, whether to demarcate a boundary, indicate a route, or provide warning of a nearby hazard. A tape marker will typically include text, images or graphics (generally referred to hereinafter as "print indicia") printed on one of its surfaces. These print indicia are often displayed in a repeating pattern along the length of the marker. Such print indicia may be useful in providing a message to a viewer of the tape marker - for example, to warn a passer-by of the danger of a construction zone located nearby.

A significant disadvantage of known tape marker products is that the text and/or graphics included thereon are always printed in a single orientation, and often on only one surface of the tape marker product. The result of such unidirectional, single-surface printing of print indicia on a tape marker product is that the product must be affixed in a specific orientation for said print indicia to be displayed in the proper orientation. If the tape marker product is not properly installed, the print indicia may appear as "upside down", or may face in the wrong direction, thereby rendering the print indicia illegible to the intended viewer.

Further, known tape marker products are generally made of pliable materials, such as plastic. Such pliable tape marker products, whether properly installed or not, may easily be contorted under even the most mild conditions, such as in a light breeze. The result of such contortion of a pliable tape marker product is the same as if said product were not properly installed: any unidirectional, single-surface print indicia displayed along the twisted surface would be rendered illegible to the intended viewer and of no use.

Canadian Patent Application Number 2,404,525 (and corresponding United States Patent Application Number 2004/0048103) discloses an extruded plastic tape having a light reactive surface that may include a crenulated surface of irregular formation and which is useful as a marking means. The extruded plastic tape is claimed to be highly visible, as a result of the plastic containing rare earth phosphors. Further, the inventors allege that one embodiment of the invention, which features an irregular, crenulated surface, is advantageous, since it does not form a smooth and slippery surface when it is used on the ground.

United States Patent Application Number 2004/020694 discloses a trail marking device which includes an elongated sheet of pliable tape having at least one surface with first and second sections being formed by illuminative material and brightly-coloured material, respectively. The illuminative material and brightly coloured material of the first and second sections are formed in a pattern of diagonals on the tape which the inventors allege is readily visible during both day and night times.

United States Patent Number 4,623,282 (the "282 Patent") discloses utility line-locating tape for facilitating the location of underground utility lines and related elements. The claimed tape is readily frangible and coloured. The claimed tape product is useful in locating underground utility lines and related elements when it is placed on the line or element and then buried with same. The frangible and coloured tape is intended to alert or caution of the location of marked utility lines and related elements by its colour, which is selected to contrast the colour of the line or element to which it is attached. This patent also provides that the frangible and coloured tape comprises, inter alia, a sheet of plastic film having printing indicia in the form of a cautionary phrase on the film lower, inner face visible through the film upper, outer face, said printing indicia identifying the type of underground facility to which the tape is attached.

None of the above-referenced prior art patents addresses the need for an elongate tape medium bearing print indicia on one or both of its surfaces, and with said print indicia being displayed in their proper orientation in more than one orientation of the elongate tape medium, such as when said elongate tape medium is contorted. Further, the above-referenced prior art does not provide

for an elongate tape medium that may be affixed in more than one orientation while still displaying print indicia on one or both of its surfaces in their proper orientation, so that the print indicia are not displayed "upside down", or facing away from the viewer. The invention disclosed herein addresses each of these deficiencies in the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a device comprising an elongate tape medium with a first and second surface. At least one set of print indicia is printed on at least one of the surfaces of the elongate tape medium, said set of print indicia consisting of text, an image or a graphic, or a combination of two or more of same. The set of print indicia printed on at least one of the surfaces of the elongate tape medium is repeated along its longitudinal axis, providing for a sequence of repeating print indicia along as much as the entire length of the elongate tape medium.

The set of repeating print indicia printed on one or both of the first and second surfaces of the elongate tape medium is printed in at least two different orientations, for example, where the set is alternately rotated 180 degrees along the longitudinal axis. The result of this alternating orientation of the set of repeating print indicia is that a viewer may view the set in an upright manner in more than one orientation of the elongate tape medium. Contrary to the tape products which are disclosed in the prior art and which display printed matter, the set of print indicia on the elongate tape medium is equally legible to a viewer when said elongate tape medium is affixed in two different orientations. In effect, the elongate tape medium of the present invention does not have an "up" or "down" side, and hence may not be affixed in an "upside down" manner.

The device claimed herein will generally be used by procuring a length of the elongate tape medium and affixing each end of said length to a separate stable surface, for example, by affixing each end to a separate lamp post. The elongate tape medium should be affixed so that it is extended along its longitudinal and vertical axes, by which its surfaces, and particularly any

surface on which is printed a set of repeating print indicia, are substantially flat and on display. The set of repeating print indicia may then transmit specific information to any viewer who sees the affixed elongate tape medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described by way of illustration, without limitation thereto other than as set forth in the accompanying claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a first preferred embodiment of the device, comprising a length of the elongate tape medium which includes a set of repeating print indicia printed on its first and second surfaces in two distinct orientations, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a second preferred embodiment of the device, comprising a length of the elongate tape medium which includes a set of repeating print indicia printed on its first and second surfaces in four distinct orientations, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 1 , the device comprises a length of the elongate tape medium 1 with an identical set of print indicia printed in a regular, repeating pattern on its first surface 3 and on its second surface 4, said repeating print indicia printed on the entire length of the elongate tape medium 1 along its longitudinal axis. On the first surface 3, the set of repeating print indicia is alternately printed, beginning at the proximal end 5 and ending at the distal end 6, in an upright orientation 2a, and in a downward orientation 2b where the upright set of repeating print indicia 2a is rotated 180 degrees. On the second surface 4, the set of repeating print indicia is alternately printed, beginning at the distal end 6 and ending at the proximal end 5, in an upright rotation 2c, and in a downward orientation 2d where

the upright set of repeating print indicia 2c is rotated 180 degrees. The length of elongate tape medium 1 has a first edge 10 and a second edge 11.

In one orientation of the first preferred embodiment of the claimed device, the proximal end 5 of the length of elongate tape medium 1 is affixed to the proximal stable surface 7, while the distal end 6 is affixed to the distal stable surface 8. The first edge 10 of the length of elongate tape medium 1 is directed upward, while the second edge 11 is directed downward. In this orientation, the viewer 9, when facing the first surface 3, may view the set of repeating print indicia 2a in a legible manner. Alternatively, when facing the second surface 4, the viewer 9 may view the set of repeating print indicia 2c in a legible manner. In the event that the length of elongate tape medium 1 , in this first orientation, is contorted, the viewer 9, when facing the first surface 3, will be able to view one of the set of repeating print indicia 2a or 2d in a legible manner, depending on the contortion state of the length of elongate tape medium 1 and on which of the first surface 3 and second surface 4 is facing the viewer. Similarly, when facing the second surface 4, the viewer 9 will be able to view one of the set of repeating print indicia 2b or 2c in a legible manner, depending on how the length of elongate tape medium 1 is contorted and on which of the first surface 3 and second surface 4 is directed toward the viewer 9.

In a second orientation of the first preferred embodiment of the claimed device, the proximal end 5 of the length of elongate tape medium 1 is affixed to the proximal stable surface 7, while the distal end 6 is affixed to the distal stable surface 8. The first edge 10 of the length of elongate tape medium 1 is directed downward, while the second edge 11 is directed upward. In this orientation, the viewer 9, when facing the first surface 3, may view the set of repeating print indicia 2b in a legible manner. Alternatively, when facing the second surface 4, the viewer 9 may view the set of repeating print indicia 2d in a legible manner. In the event that the length of elongate tape medium 1, in this second orientation, is contorted, the viewer 9, when facing the first surface 3, will be able to view one of the set of repeating print indicia 2b or 2c in a legible manner, depending on the contortion state of the length of elongate tape medium 1 and on which of the first surface 3 and second surface 4 is facing the viewer. Similarly, when facing the second surface 4, the viewer 9 will be able to view one of the set of repeating print indicia 2a or

2d in a legible manner, depending on how the length of elongate tape medium 1 is contorted and on which of the first surface 3 and second surface 4 is directed toward the viewer 9.

As outlined in the examples above, the first preferred embodiment of the device claimed herein may be affixed in more than one orientation without affecting the legibility of at least one orientation of the set of repeating print indicia printed on the first and second surfaces of the elongate tape medium. In other words, the device of the first preferred embodiment may be affixed in two distinct orientations and viewed from two distinct angles with at least one orientation of the set of repeating print indicia appearing as right-side up and legible. Further, the device may be contorted while still displaying at least one orientation of the set of repeating print indicia in a legible manner.

In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 2, the device comprises a length of the elongate tape medium 12 with an identical set of print indicia printed in a regular, repeating pattern on its first surface 14 and on its second surface 15, said repeating print indicia printed on the entire length of the elongate tape medium along its longitudinal axis. On the first surface 14, the set of repeating print indicia is alternately printed, beginning at the proximal end 16 and ending at the distal end 17, in four distinct orientations: an upright orientation 13a; a side orientation 13b where the upright set of repeating print indicia 13a is rotated 90 degrees; a downward orientation 13c where the upright set of repeating print indicia 13a is rotated 180 degrees; and a reverse side orientation 13d where the upright set of repeating print indicia 13a is rotated 270 degrees. On the second surface 15, the set of repeating print indicia is alternately printed, beginning at the distal end 17 and ending at the proximal end 16, in four distinct orientations: an upright orientation 13e; a side orientation 13f where the upright set of repeating print indicia 13e is rotated 90 degrees; a downward orientation 13g where the upright set of repeating print indicia 13e is rotated 180 degrees; and a reverse side orientation 13h where the upright set of repeating print indicia 13e is rotated 270 degrees. The length of elongate tape medium 12 has a first edge 21 and a second edge 22.

In one orientation of the second preferred embodiment of the claimed device, the proximal end

distal end 17 is affixed to the distal stable surface 19. The first edge 21 of the length of elongate tape medium 12 is directed upward, while the second edge 22 is directed downward. In this orientation, the viewer 20, when facing the first surface 14, may view the set of repeating print indicia 13a in a legible manner. Alternatively, when facing the second surface 15, the viewer 20 may view the set of repeating print indicia 13e in a legible manner. In the event that the length of elongate tape medium 12, in this first orientation, is contorted, the viewer 20, when facing the first surface 14, will be able to view one of the set of repeating print indicia 13a or 13g in a legible manner, depending on the contortion state of the length of elongate tape medium 12 and on which of the first surface 14 and second surface 15 is facing the viewer. Similarly, when facing the second surface 15, the viewer 20 will be able to view one of the set of repeating print indicia 13e or 13c in a legible manner, depending on how the length of elongate tape medium 12 is contorted and on which of the first surface 14 and second surface 15 is directed toward the viewer 20.

In a second orientation of the second preferred embodiment of the claimed device, the proximal end 16 of the length of elongate tape medium 12 is affixed to the proximal stable surface 18, while the distal end 17 is affixed to the distal stable surface 19. The first edge 21 of the length of elongate tape medium 12 is directed downward, while the second edge 22 is directed upward. In this orientation, the viewer 20, when facing the first surface 14, may view the set of repeating print indicia 13c in a legible manner. Alternatively, when facing the second surface 15, the viewer 20 may view the set of repeating print indicia 13g in a legible manner. In the event that the length of elongate tape medium 12, in this second orientation, is contorted, the viewer 20, when facing the first surface 14, will be able to view one of the set of repeating print indicia 13c or 13e in a legible manner, depending on the contortion state of the length of elongate tape medium 1 and on which of the first surface 14 and second surface 15 is facing the viewer. Similarly, when facing the second surface 15, the viewer 20 will be able to view one of the set of repeating print indicia 13g or 13a in a legible manner, depending on how the length of elongate tape medium 12 is contorted and on which of the first surface 14 and second surface 15 is directed toward the viewer 20.

In a third orientation of the second preferred embodiment of the claimed device, the proximal end 16 of the length of elongate tape medium 12 is affixed to the upper stable surface 23, while the distal end 17 is affixed to the lower stable surface 24. In this orientation, the viewer 20, when facing the first surface 14, may view the set of repeating print indicia 13d in a legible manner. Alternatively, when facing the second surface 15, the viewer 20 may view the set of repeating print indicia 13f in a legible manner. In the event that the length of elongate tape medium 12, in this second orientation, is contorted, the viewer 20, when facing the first surface 14, will be able to view one of the set of repeating print indicia 13d or 13f in a legible manner, depending on the contortion state of the length of elongate tape medium 12 and on which of the first surface 14 and second surface 15 is facing the viewer. Similarly, when facing the second surface 15, the viewer 20 will be able to view one of the set of repeating print indicia 13f or 13d in a legible manner, depending on how the length of elongate tape medium 12 is contorted and on which of the first surface 14 and second surface 15 is directed toward the viewer 20.

In a fourth orientation of the second preferred embodiment of the claimed device, the proximal end 16 of the length of elongate tape medium 12 is affixed to the lower stable surface 23, while the distal end 17 is affixed to the upper stable surface 24. In this orientation, the viewer 20, when facing the first surface 14, may view the set of repeating print indicia 13b in a legible manner. Alternatively, when facing the second surface 15, the viewer 20 may view the set of repeating print indicia 13h in a legible manner. In the event that the length of elongate tape medium 12, in this second orientation, is contorted, the viewer 20, when facing the first surface 14, will be able to view one of the set of repeating print indicia 13b or 13h in a legible manner, depending on the contortion state of the length of elongate tape medium 12 and on which of the first surface 14 and second surface 15 is facing the viewer. Similarly, when facing the second surface 15, the viewer 20 will be able to view one of the set of repeating print indicia 13h or 13b in a legible manner, depending on how the length of elongate tape medium 12 is contorted and on which of the first surface 14 and second surface 15 is directed toward the viewer 20.

As outlined in the examples above, the second preferred embodiment of the invention claimed herein may be affixed in more than one orientation while still displaying at least one orientation of the set of repeating print indicia in a legible manner to a viewer facing one of the first surface

or second surface of the elongate tape medium. In fact, the second preferred embodiment of the device may be affixed in four distinct orientations, each viewable from two distinct angles, without affecting the legibility of the set of repeating print indicia. Further, the second preferred embodiment may be contorted while still displaying at least one orientation of the set of repeating print indicia in a legible manner.

The elongate tape medium of the present invention may be made of a number of different materials. In one embodiment of the invention, the elongate tape medium is made of a pliable material that is readily foldable. Use of a pliable material for the elongate tape medium permits that it may be rolled for compact storage. Further, use of a pliable material contributes to the resiliency of the elongate tape medium, particularly when said elongate tape medium is affixed in an environment where it may be contorted, such as in adverse weather conditions. Moreover, use of a pliable material facilitates the affixation of the claimed device, as said device may be affixed by tying or knotting each end of the elongate tape medium to a separate stable surface, such as a lamp post. The pliable material used for making the elongate tape medium may be selected from rubber, plastics or fabrics. The use of certain plastics or rubber for making the elongate tape medium has an added advantage, in that it provides the device with a measure of elasticity, so the elongate tape medium may be stretched to a degree, such as for affixing the elongate tape medium to two separate stable surfaces that are further apart than the elongate tape medium is long.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the elongate tape material is comprised of a reflective material to enhance its visibility when said elongate tape medium is not readily seen by a viewer, such as in conditions of darkness. Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides that the elongate tape medium is comprised of a brightly-coloured material, again to enhance visibility.

The print indicia of the present invention may comprise text, images, graphics singly, or any combination of two or more of same. A set of repeating print indicia may provide a warning to passers-by in the form of a cautionary phrase, such as "WARNING: DANGER AHEAD", or in the form of an image or graphic, such as an image of explosives. The print indicia may be

printed in reflective or brightly-coloured inks, to enhance their visibility in low-light conditions, such as in the dark.

The device of the present invention may be used in a number of applications, such as, but not limited to:

1. a warning marker for a crime scene, construction site, or accident scene;

2. a flag for an object of interest, such as oversized or overweight luggage at an airport check-in; and

3. a vertical sign to denote a cooler door at a supermarket.

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