GB2509366A

GB2509366A - Tamperproof document holder

Info

Publication number: GB2509366A
Application number: GB201319167A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael James Prince
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: MICHAEL JAMES PRINCE
Priority date: 2012-10-30
Filing date: 2013-10-30
Publication date: 2014-07-02
Also published as: GB201219501D0; GB201319167D0

Abstract

A document holder comprising a first sheet 1 and a second sheet 2 of material secured together to at least partially encapsulate a document such as a vehicle tax disc 3. The first and second sheets of material are preferably comprised of at least 50% biodegradable material and secure a document in a way such that its removal or theft will result in at least destruction or defacement. The adhesive edge portion 6 is provided with a peel-off layer which is to be removed when securing the holder to a window. Preferably, the adhesive, ink, packaging and instructions further comprise biodegradable material as to provide a 100% biodegradable product.

Description

DOCUMENT HOLDER

This invention relates to a document holder and in particular to a document holder that may be used to contain a vehicle tax disc which may be fixed to the windscreen of a vehicle.

Vehicle tax discs are often releasably retained in a holder that is, in turn, releasably secured to the windscreen of vehicle such that the registration details and the date of the disc are visible therethrough.

A particular problem has manifested itself in recent years through the theft of tax discs from vehicles and their fraudulent use on other vehicles, for example by tampering with details on the disc face, resulting in a significant loss of revenue to the Government.

A method of overcoming this issue was the invention of tamperproof tax disc holders which are permanently affixed to a vehicle windshield with the only method of removal being the tearing of the tax disc, rendering the disc unusable. This invention lead to a deterrent to theft as the stolen tax disc could no longer perform its function.

The present invention relates to an improved document holder.

The present invention provides a tamperproof document holder, for example vehicle tax disc holder, wherein the document holder is made at least in part from a biodegradable material.

The document holder may comprise a first part and a second part secured together to at least partially, preferably fully, encapsulate a document.

The document holder may comprise a first sheet of a material. The first sheet of material may have adhesive on one face. The first sheet of material may have a main portion and an edge portion extending around at least part of the main portion. The adhesive may be present on the main portion and/or the edge portion. The adhesive may be in the form of a continuous coating over the whole of the face or may be in discrete areas, for example spots or stripes of adhesive may be present on the main and/or cdgc portions.

The document holder may comprise a second sheet of material having a transparent viewing area to allow the necessary information on the document to be viewed therethrough. The second sheet of material may havc adhesive on onc facc. The second shcct of material may havc adhesive in the form of a continuous coating over the whole of the face or in discrete areas, for example spots or stripes of adhesive may be present on the face.

The first and second sheets of material may be the same size or the first may be bigger than the second or the second maybe bigger than the first.

In one embodiment there is provided a document holder having a transparent viewing area through which information on a document can be viewed comprising a first sheet of a material having a main portion and an edge portion and having a coating of adhesive ovcr substantially thc whole of one surface of each portion, a second sheet of material having a transparent viewing area and having a coating of adhesive over substantially the whole of one surface, and whereby the document holder is capable of adhering a document within, when with the adhesive sides of the first and second sheets facing each other the sheets are secured together around the periphery of the document such that the document becomes adhesively secured to each sheet, and wherein the first sheet of material is larger than the second sheet of material and the holder is capable of being secured to a surface by means of the edge portion of the first sheet, and wherein at least part of one of the first and second sheets is made from a biodegradable material.

Preferably most, for example at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95% by weight, or all of the first sheet and/or the second sheet comprises a biodegradable materiaL Preferably most, for example at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95% by weight, or all of both the first and second sheets comprises a biodegradable material.

Preferably some, most, for example at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95% by weight, or all of the adhesive comprises a biodegradable material.

The document holder may comprise dyes or inks or the like, preferably comprising at least in part, for example at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95% by weight, or all a biodegradable material.

The first sheet of material, the second sheet of material, the adhesive or the dyes used or combinations thereof are, in one embodiment biodegradable to 5% or less, or more preferably 4% or less, or more preferably 3% or less, or more preferably 2% or lcss, or more preferably 1% or less, or more preferably less than 1% of the weight of the original material. The first sheet of material, the second sheet of material, the adhesive or the dyes used or combinations thereof are preferably fully biodegradable.

Biodegradation is taken to mean material, such as a plastic material, that achieves at least 75%, more preferably at least 85% or even more preferably at least 90% degradation, preferably its constituent materials, via any method over a period of less than 2 years, for example less than 18 months, less than one year and ideally less 6 months. This degradation is taken to mean material which degrades in the timeframe above via methods such as microbial metabolism degradation, enzymatic degradation, photodegradation, degradation induced by water or moisture, wind abrasion degradation, thermal degradation or catalytic degradation.

While tamperproof tax disc holders are beneficial insofar as they deter theft, they also have a noticeable shortcoming over standard non-tamperproof tax discs holders namely that they must be replaced every year in order to replace the tax disc on display.

In recent years there has been increasing global awareness of the scale of waste associated with the use of plastics as well as the impact that this has on the environment. As the number of taxed vehicles on UK roads is reported to be 34.6 million this is a significant amount of waste when tax disc holders are discarded at the end of each year.

The present invention therefore advantageously provides a tamperproof tax disc holder which has been designed to overcome the environmental impact of past inventions.

The biodegradable materials used in the document holder of the present invention can be made of, but are not limited to, any of the following materials, or combinations thereof (a) Aliphatic polyesters; (b) Naturally Produced: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA5) like the poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PRY) and polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH); (e) Renewable Resource: Polylactic acid (PLA); (d) Synthetic: Polybutylene suecinate (PBS), polycaprolaetone (PC L); (e) Polyanhydrides; (I) Polyvinyl alcohol; (g) Most of the starch derivatives; (h) Celluloseesters like celluloseacetate and nitrocellulose and their derivatives (celluloid); (i) Enhanced biodegradable plastic with additives to enhance hydrophilicity of the product, such as oxo-bio degradable additives; (j) Polyethylene films (such as Avery® Greenlinc or similar materials); (k) Polypropylene films such as Avery® Greenline or similar materials); (m) Avery® Greenline GP 3400 Series; (ii) Polyglass 60154; (o) Polybright 62154; (p) Supalux; (q) SF-100-103-S Ultra Clear; (r) SE-100-840-S Brushed Chrome; (s) Supalux 7001; (0 Cellulose acetate polymer film; (u) Acetate Film; (v) Polyester; (w) Green FilmFM by Maverick Enterprises; (x) UVI Polyethylene or Polypropylene Film; (y) EVA Polyethylene or Polypropylene Film; (z) Biodegradable materials derived from potato, corn or alternative

vegetable resin.

Further the biodegradable material may be combinations of the above, or may be as coextruded films.

The first backing material, the second material, adhesives and dyes are preferably required to be of a material that is substantially unaffected by light during the lifetime of the product. The material must, after that time however, then biodegrade. The lifetime of the product is considered to be the lifetime when actually in use. It is then expected that, when removed, at least 75%, for example at least 85% or at least 90% of product will degrade in 24 months or less, more preferably 18 months or less, more preferably 12 months or less, more preferably 9 months or less, more preferably 6 months or less, more preferably 3 months or less.

Preferably the adhesive comprises a biodegradable material. The adhesive may be an acrylic adhesive or more preferably a biodegradable acrylic emulsion adhesive. The biodegradable adhesive may be an adhesive from the Sustainable Adhesive Products range. In another embodiment the biodegradable adhesive may be a water-based adhesive such as those produced by BASE.

Example materials that may be suitable for the first and second sheets include polyethylene film (e.g Matt White synthesised by Avery® Greenline), preferably 90 micron or polypropylene film (e.g Gloss White, Matt White or Gloss Transparent by Avery® Greenline), preferably 60 microns. Both sheets may be of the same material.

The document holder preferably does not include any undesirable elements, for example heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. In a preferred embodiment there is a zero to trace levels of lead and cadmium. These metals are often used in dyes, inks and plastics and are harmful to the environment, humans and animals.

In one embodiment the second face of the first sheet of material is free of adhesive. In one embodiment the second face of the second sheet may be free of adhesive. This means that the document can be cut out or otherwise detached from the rest of the holder for storage without it adhering to other surfaces which may otherwise have made storage inconvenient. In the case of vehicle tax discs, for example, they are often returned to the issuer to obtain a refund.

The adhesive applied to the first sheet of material and/or the adhesive applied to the second sheet of material may be permanent adhesives. By the expression permanent adhesive there is meant an adhesive intended permanently to secure the sheet to another substrate surface as opposed to an adhesive that would allow the sheet to be released from the other surface.

The first and second sheets of material should both be larger than the document to be affixed therebetween.

The two sheets may comprise separate portions of a single, larger sheet.

For example, they may comprise a pair of wings of a folded sheet.

Alternatively they may be separate sheets at least until they are adhered upon assembly of the holder.

The holder may comprise a holder for a vehicle road tax disc. In this case, the viewing region of the first sheet may be circular and otherwise the same size and shape of a disc.

The second sheet may be circular but larger than the disc. It may have adhesive over the whole of its first face for adhering to the disc and/or the first face of the first sheet when assembled to form the holder. In this way the document will be completely encapsulated.

The first sheet may be transparent in a document viewing region, i.e. a centre portion, and opaque elsewhere, i.e. its edge portion. For example, it may carry a warning notice or instructions for use in the areas not defining the viewing region. These could be printed onto the front or back faces of an otherwise transparent sheet. Preferably most, for example at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95% by weight, or all of the dyes or inks used comprise biodegradable materials.

The first and/or the second sheets may be of a flexible material to make the sheets themselves flexible so that they can be conformed to a non-flat window. The material may be suitable for cutting using regular scissors or a household knife without the need to apply excessive force. It may include perforations, for example, to make it easier to cut the viewing region and perhaps a part of its pcriphery, from the rest of the holder. This, as stated before, provides a significant advantage when it is required to store a document adhered to the holder.

The holder may be supplied to users in a "kit" form comprising the first sheet of material having the adhesive side covered by a "peel-off' layer of material. The second sheet of material may also have the adhesive side covered by a "peel-off' layer of material. Preferably most, for example at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95% by weight, or all of the peel off layer material comprises a biodegradable material.

In a preferred embodiment the first and second sheet materials to form a holder may be supplied to users in a "kit" form. The kit may further comprise packaging made at least in part from a biodegradable material, for example biodegradable paper or plastic. In one embodiment the packaging comprises a sheet of biodegradable paper which is folded such that itforms an envelope to hold the first and second sheets of the document holder in a secure manner.

Preferably the kit may include instructions for the assembly of the holder.

The instructions may be printed on the first or second sheets, the peel off layer for the first or second sheets or the packaging for the first and second sheets. More preferably the instructions will be printed on the material which forms the packaging though optionally these instructions may be supplied separately. Again preferably most, for example at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 95% by weight, or all of the inks and dyes used to print the instructions comprise a biodegradable material.

The first and/or second sheets may include weakenings, such as lines or groupings of small perforations, or pcrhaps continuous or discontinuous portions of reduced thickness, around a periphery of the viewing region to ease cutting or tearing apart of the holder. There may also or alternatively bc markings indicating wherc to cut thc holder. The weakcnings or markings may lie separate the part of the front face of the first sheet which carry adhesive from the viewing region which does not.

In a preferred embodiment the sheets of the document holder are provided in a ready to use form, therefore ready cut to the appropriate size and shape.

According to a second aspect the invention therefore comprises a kit of parts as described herein for assembly into a holder in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Example 1:

Analysis was carried out in the University of Birmingham on four similar competitor products as well as sample based on a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The product names and place of purchase are detailed below: Sample Product Store A ESPOSTI (PRODUCT NUM CTDH) Red in Post Office, Four Oaks colour B ESPOSTI (PRODUCT NUM CTDH) Pink in Post Office, Haleowen colour Select & Save, C Select & save (Car Care Product) Harborne D Own Brand (Item Code: 382986) Halfords, Perry Barr Present Invention Polypropylene film Avery Greenline The products will hereafter be referred to by the Sample letter provided The samples were analysed using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer to elucidate the levels of heavy metals within the sold products, specifically lead and cadmium. The results showed that samp'es A, B, C, and 13 contained measureable levels of lead while samples A and D further contained cadmium. The analysis found that the product of present invention as made from polypropy'ene fflm did not contain measurable levels of either heavy metal. These results are significant as heavy metals are known to be highly toxic.

Table I displays the X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer results in relation to lead.

Table 2 displays the X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer results in relation to Cadmium.

TaMe 1.

Lead Weight % Statistical Error Lower Limit Detection Sample A 0.08% 3.11% 58.6 PPM Sample B 0.12% 2.30% 59.5 PPM Sample C 0.23% 1.47% 61.4 PPM SampleD 0.13% 2.26% 62.8 PPM Present Invention ---

Table 2.

Cadmium Weight % Statistical Error Lower Limit Detection Sample A 0.04% 8.05% 87.2 PPM SampleB --- Sample C ---Sample D 0.03% 10.80% 92.0 PPM Present Invention ---There will now be described, by way of example only, two embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the invention, being a holder for a vehicle tax disc; Figure 2 is a cross-section taken through A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows biodcgradablc instructions and packaging for thc vchiclc tax disc holder.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a first embodiment of a tax disc holder comprises a first sheet of thin, flexible, biodegradable plastics material 1, such as polyethylene film or polypropylene film having a first face coated with a layer of adhesive material. The adhesive should be a material that is biodegradable at least in part and suitable for adhering the holder to a glass window of a vehicle by an adhesive, for example an acrylic adhesive or more preferably a biodegradable acrylic emulsions adhesive. This first sheet 1 may have a transparent area, although (not shown) the surrounding edge may be opaque. The adhesive on the first face is initially covered in a "peel-off' layer of material (not shown), which is also of a material that is at least in part biodegradable. The second face of the first sheet 1 is free from any adhesive.

A second sheet of thin, flexible, plastics material 2 which is larger than the tax disc 3 that is to bc placed in thc window but smallcr than the first sheet of material 1 is also provided. The second sheet 2 is provided with a layer of adhesive, which is also of a material that is at least in part biodegradable, across the whole of a first face. The second face is clear of adhesive. A "peel-off' sheet (not shown), which is also of a material that is at least in part biodegradable, covers the first face of the second sheet 2.

This second sheet 2 may be of a biodegradable plastic material such as polyethylene film or polypropylene film and the adhesive may be an acrylic adhesive or a preferably a biodegradable acrylic emulsion adhesive. The second sheet 2 must be transparent, at least in a viewing region to allow the information on the tax disc to be viewed through the car window.

The first and second sheets 1, 2 are initially supplied to a user with the "peel off' layers in place. Separate instructions on how to use the kit are provided on a scparatc piece of biodegradable papcr 7 or plastic used to form the packaging for the first and second sheets as shown in Figure 3.

The paper is provided with folds 8, that allow it to be folded up to form an envelope and instructions for use 9 printed on the paper using inks and dyes that are at least in part biodegradable.

In use, the "peel-off' layer is removed from the first face of the first sheet 1. A tax disc 3 is placed on the first face of the sheet I and pressed onto the adhesive with the information to be visible through the car window facing away from the first sheet.

The "peel-off' layer is then removed from the second sheet 2 and the first face of the second sheet is pressed down onto the first face of the first sheet 11 such that the disc 104 is completely encapsulated between the sheets 1, 2. Also the first 1 and second 2 sheets adhere to the disc 3 on the front and back respectively so that attempts to remove the disc 104 will deface it.

The second sheet 2 adheres to the first sheet one around the peripheral edge of the second sheet.

Once assembled, the remaining exposed area 6 of the first face of the first sheet I bearing adhesive is used to stick the holder to a window using pressure.

Many modifications to the holder are envisaged within the scope of the present invention. The size and shape of the viewing window can be changed to permit use of the holder with different documents such as parking permits. A square window could be provided for example. Also, only one of the two sheets needs to be provided with adhesive in the periphery around the viewing window to fix the two sheets together and cncapsulatc thc documcnt. AJso, thc adhcsivc necd not bc continuous across the peripheral region of one or both sheets, nor does there need to be S adhesive across the whole back face of both sheets in the region of the document to cause thc document to be sufficicnfly defaced should anyone attempt to remove the document from the holder.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tamperproof document holder, wherein the document holder is made at least in part from a biodegradable material.
2. The tamperproof document holder of claim I, wherein the holder comprises a first part and a second part secured together to at least partially encapsulate a document.
3. The tamperproof document holder of claim 2 wherein the holder comprises a first part and a second part secured togcther to frilly encapsulate a document.
4. The tamperproof document holder of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first part comprises a first sheet of a material.
5. The tamperproof document holder of claim 4, wherein the first sheet of material has adhesive on one face.
6. The tamperproof document holder of claims 4 or claim 5, wherein the first sheet of material has a main portion and an edge portion extending around at least part of the main portion.
7. The tamperproof document holder of claim 6, wherein an adhesive is present on the main portion and/or the edge portion of the first sheet of material.
8. The tamperproof document holder of any one of claims 2-7, wherein the second part comprises a second sheet of material having a transparent viewing area.
9. The tamperproof document holder of claim 8, wherein the second sheet of material has adhesive on one face.
10. The tamperproof document holder of claim 1, wherein the tamperproof document holder has a transparent viewing area through which information on a document can be viewed the holder comprising a first sheet of a material having a main portion and an edge portion and having a coating of adhesive over substantially the whole of one surface of each portion, a second sheet of material having a transparent viewing area and having a coating of adhesive over substantially the whole of one surface, and whereby the document holder is capable of adhering a document within, when with the adhesive sides of the first and second sheets facing each other the sheets are secured together around the periphery of the document such that the document becomes adhesively secured to each sheet, and wherein the first sheet of material is larger than the second sheet of material and the holder is capable of being secured to a surface by means of the edge portion of the first sheet, and wherein at least part of one of the first and second sheets is made from a biodegradable material.
11. Thc tampcrproof document holder of any of claims 4-10 wherein at least 50% of the first sheet comprises a biodegradable material.
12. The tamperproof document holder of any of claims 4-11 wherein at least 85% by weight of the first sheet a biodegradable material.
13. The tampcrproof document holder of any of claims 8-12 wherein, at least 50% of the second sheet comprises a biodegradable material.
14. The tamperproof document holder of any of claims 8-13 wherein, at least 85% by weight of the second sheet comprises a biodegradable material.
15. The tamperproof document holder of any of claims 5-14 wherein at least 50% by weight of the adhesive comprises a biodegradable material.
16. The tamperproof document holder of any preceding claim, wherein the holder comprises a dye or ink.
17. The tamperproof document holder of claim 16 wherein at least 50% of any dyes or inks comprise a biodegradable material.
18. The tamperproof document holder of any of claims 1-17 wherein the biodegradable materials used in the document holder are the following materials, or combinations thereof: (a) Aliphatic polyesters; (b) Naturally Produced: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA5) like the poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHY) and polyhydroxyhexanoate (PH H); (c) Renewable Resource: Polylactic acid (PLA); (d) Synthctic: Polybutylenc succinatc (PBS), polycaprolactonc (PCL); (e) Polyanhydrides; (f) Polyvinyl alcohol; (g) Most of the starch derivatives; (h) Celluloseesters like celluloseacetate and nitrocellulose and their derivatives (celluloid); (i) Enhanced biodegradable plastic with additives to enhance hydrophilicity of the product, such as oxo-biodegradable additives; (j) Polyethylene films (such as Avery® Greenline or similar materials); k) Polypropylene films (such as Avery® Greenline or similar materials); (m) Avery® Greenlinc GP 3400 Series; (n) Polyglass 60154; (o) Polybright 62154; (p) Supalux; (q) SF-100-103-S Ultra Clear; (r) SF-100-840-S Brushed Chrome; (s) Supalux 7001; (t) Cellulose acetate polymer film; (u) Acetate Film; (v) Polyester; (w) Green FilmFM by Maverick Enterprises; (x) UVI Polyethylene or Polypropylene Film; (y) EVA Polycthylene or Polypropylcnc Film; (z) Biodegradable materials derived from potato, corn or alternativevegetable rcsin.
19. The tamperproof document holder of any preceding claim, wherein the document holder does not include lead and cadmium.
20. The tamperproof document holder of any proceeding claim, wherein the holder is a holder for a vehicle road tax disc.
21. The tamperproof document holder of any of claims 5-20 wherein the first sheet of material has the adhesive side covered by a "peel-off' layer of material.
22. Thc tampcrproofdocumcnt holder of any of claims 8-21, wherein the sccond shcct of material has thc adhesive side covcrcd by a "peel-off' layer of material.
23. The tamperproof document holder of claim 21 or claim 22, wherein at least 50% by weight of the peel off layer of material comprises a biodegradable material.
24. The tamperproof document holder of any preceding claim, wherein there is provided packaging made at least in part from a biodegradable material.
25. The tamperproof document holder of claim 24 wherein the packaging comprises a shcct of biodegradable paper which is folded such that it forms an envelope to hold the document holder.
26. The tamperproof document holder of claim 24 or claim 25, wherein the kit includes instructions for the assembly of the holder and the instructions are printed on the material which forms the packaging.
27. A tamperproof document holder substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings.