License plate for a vehicle, and method for producing a license plate for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a sustainable license plate for a vehicle and to an environmentally friendly method for producing a sustainable license plate for a vehicle. This is achieved by providing a license plate (10) for a vehicle with a planar license plate body (16), said license plate body (16) having at least one label field (12). A label (13) can be assigned to said label field (12). Furthermore, the license plate (10) has a reflecting film (17) that covers at least one front side (11) of the license plate body (16). According to the invention, the license plate body (16) is made of cardboard and the reflecting film (17) is bonded to the cardboard with sufficient adhesive strength.

Description

[0001] Applicant:

[0002] License plate for a vehicle and method for producing a license plate for a vehicle

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to a license plate for a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a license plate for a vehicle according to claim 16.

[0005] The license plate according to the invention is a so-called license plate that is attached to the front and rear of the body or bumper of a vehicle. As is well known, such license plates are made of sheet metal, preferably aluminum, or plastic. Both the processing of the sheet metal or aluminum and the production of the aluminum require extremely high energy consumption. Furthermore, license plates are not sustainable due to the material used. These two disadvantages, the high production costs and the lack of sustainability, must be considered particularly in light of the fact that license plates are a mass product. License plates cannot usually be reused and must therefore be disposed of. The use of temporary license plates, which are only used for a short period of time, is particularly problematic from the above-mentioned perspectives.

[0006] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of creating a sustainable license plate for a vehicle and an environmentally friendly method for producing a sustainable license plate for a vehicle.

[0007] A license plate, in particular a vehicle license plate, for solving this problem has the features of claim 1. Accordingly, it is provided that a license plate for a vehicle is equipped with a flat license plate body, wherein this license plate body has at least one inscription field. An inscription can be assigned to this inscription field. In addition, the license plate has a reflective film that covers at least one front side of the license plate body. The invention provides that the license plate body is made of cardboard and that the reflective film is bonded to the cardboard with sufficient adhesive strength. The production of the license plate body from cardboard proves to be particularly energy-saving, especially compared to a license plate body made of aluminum. In addition, cardboard is sustainable and can be recycled without great energy expenditure.By appropriately selecting the cardboard components, the claimed license plate body meets the requirements regarding mechanical stability, weather resistance, and resistance to chemical substances, just like a metal plate. The application of the reflective film and the corresponding lettering also fulfill all other standardized requirements for a license plate.

[0008] It is preferably conceivable for the cardboard to consist of a heterogeneous fiber pulp or a fiber suspension made of cellulose and / or lignin fibers or waste paper. This choice of cardboard structure makes it very difficult to separate the reflective film from the license plate body. In particular, peeling the film off the license plate body in one piece is particularly difficult due to the heterogeneity of the fibers. Instead, the film must be peeled off in several pieces due to its structure. This represents a particular advantage over the use of cardboard made up of several layers. In particular, the use of fourdrinier board proves to be particularly advantageous for the application described here. Furthermore, it is of course also conceivable for the cardboard used to have a different structure or composition.

[0009] The invention can, in particular, provide for the fiber pulp or fiber suspension to contain at least one additive that makes the cardboard weatherproof and sufficiently resistant to chemical substances. This additive makes the cardboard particularly moisture-repellent, so that any liquids cannot penetrate the fibers of the cardboard and thus damage the license plate body. Likewise, it is conceivable that this or another additive could provide the license plate body with resistance to chemical substances such as fuels, saline solutions, or the like. Through the appropriate manufacturing process and the choice of material, the license plate body also meets the standardized requirements for mechanical stress.

[0010] In particular, it is conceivable for the reflective film to be perforated and / or have predetermined tear points. It is conceivable for the reflective film on the license plate body to be perforated in such a way that the perforations extend into the cardboard, thereby further strengthening the composite consisting of film and cardboard. This interlocking of the film with the cardboard can also achieve an increased degree of security against tampering. Such security against tampering is also created by predetermined tear points, which can be arranged at various positions on the license plate or film. In order to protect such an embodiment of the license plate according to the invention from external influences, it is conceivable to additionally cover the perforated upper side of the license plate body with a protective layer. The protective layer can, for example, be self-adhesive.

[0011] A particular embodiment of the invention may provide for the cardboard and / or the reflective film to be recyclable or compostable. By selecting the appropriate materials, the license plate, or at least essential components of the license plate, can be reused or recycled, making the license plate particularly environmentally friendly. The use of cardboard, in particular, achieves a high degree of sustainability. By using a compostable reflective film, the composite consisting of the license plate body and the reflective film does not need to be separated after use, but can instead be directly composted.

[0012] It is also preferably conceivable for the lettering and / or a border in the license plate body to be embossed with the reflective film. By using cardboard as the material for the license plate body, relatively little energy is required to emboss the license plate. For example, the border of the license plate as well as the lettering is embossed. It is therefore common for the license plate to be uniquely identified by letters and numbers. These embossings, which usually have a height of 1 mm to 2 mm, are inked after the embossing process so that they visually contrast with the reflective, non-embossed areas. The lettering on the license plate can be done using known methods, for example by means of a thermal transfer process.

[0013] Another possible embodiment of the invention can provide for at least the front and / or a back and / or side edges of the license plate body to be coated. The coating can also be a retroreflective material or an additional protective layer that provides increased weather resistance to moisture and water and increased resistance to chemical substances, such as gasoline or salt water. It is particularly advantageous for the side edges to also provide increased protection against external influences. This coating can be either a film or a substance that is sprayed onto the surface of the license plate body.

[0014] Finally, the invention also provides that the dimensions and properties of the license plate comply with ISO 7591 and / or DIN 74069. Thus, the claimed license plate meets all legal requirements for use in road traffic. By meeting the aforementioned standards, the license plate exhibits the necessary adhesion of the composite consisting of the cardboard and the film, sufficient stability against mechanical stress, adequate reflective behavior, and sufficient resistance to external influences such as temperature, liquids, or chemical substances. Furthermore, the claimed license plate is dimensioned such that it is compatible with any license plate holder.

[0015] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention can provide for the license plate body to be a printed individual cardboard blank which, at least on the front side, has a film blank, in particular a reflective film, at least in some areas, preferably over the entire surface. It is conceivable for this reflective film blank to be laminated to the cardboard blank as a label. Using the blank and the film makes it particularly easy to produce a weather-resistant license plate. Furthermore, it is conceivable for a circumferential, preferably black, border to be printed on the individual cardboard blank and for the film blank to be smaller than or equal to the area enclosed by the border. If an border is then embossed into the cardboard blank in a later production step, the previously inserted film blank is located within the embossed border.This means that the foil cut itself does not need to be embossed.

[0016] According to the invention, it is preferably provided that the license plate body is composed of two components, namely a first component and a second component, the first component being a frame, which preferably consists of plastic and natural fibers, and the second component being an inner part made of cardboard that can be placed into the frame and fastened. The frame or the edge geometry can be produced, for example, using an injection molding process. The two components can be connected, for example, by gluing. The lettering and the reflective film can be applied to the inner part in advance. This combination of the cardboard part with a frame can significantly increase the stability of the license plate.

[0017] To make the license plate, and in particular the license plate body, particularly resistant to external influences, it may be provided with a protective film covering the entire front and / or back and / or side edges. This protective film can be, for example, a foil or a varnish. This protective film is particularly resistant to moisture and other chemical influences such as gasoline, road salt, or the like. Furthermore, this protective layer is bonded to the license plate body in such a way that any tampering is immediately apparent. A further film can be applied to this protective layer.

[0018] In particular, a further embodiment provides for the license plate body to be formed from multiple layers, at least in some regions. It is conceivable, for example, that edge regions are folded over and thus formed into a double layer. This can stabilize, in particular, the edge region and thus the entire license plate. It is also conceivable for the license plate to be glued together from several blanks. A special embodiment may provide for a transponder, in particular an RFID chip, to be positioned between these layers. This would make the transponder invisible from the outside and secure against tampering, as well as protecting it from environmental influences such as moisture or chemical substances.

[0019] A method for achieving the stated object comprises the measures of claim 16. Accordingly, it is provided that a license plate for a vehicle according to claim 1, having a flat license plate body and a reflective foil that is applied to at least one front side of the license plate body, is produced from cardboard. The cardboard is pulled off a roll as continuous material or is in the form of a paper strip from which the license plate body is punched out in the correct size or formed from a cardboard blank. The use of cardboard as the base material for the license plate or for the license plate body is particularly advantageous for many reasons. Firstly, cardboard is a very cost-effective and recyclable basic material, and secondly, cardboard can be processed particularly easily and with very little energy consumption.By using an appropriate material composition and appropriate processing, a cardboard label is particularly suitable for meeting the standardized requirements while being both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Another advantageous method may provide for a printed individual cardboard blank to be used as the cardboard blank, and for a foil blank, in particular a reflective foil, to be applied at least partially, preferably over the entire front surface.

[0020] Furthermore, it is conceivable according to the invention for the reflective film to be applied over the entire front surface of the license plate body and / or overlapped over two short and / or two long side edges of the license plate body and applied with the overlapping part on the back. In particular, the lateral overlap of the reflective film, which encloses the side edges, can achieve increased resistance of the license plate to external influences, such as liquids or chemical substances. It is conceivable for the applied reflective film to be pre-cut in such a way that the four corner areas of the license plate body are also sufficiently covered, so that no substances of any kind can penetrate there either.It is conceivable that the reflective film is self-adhesive and adhered to the sides of the license plate body, or that the license plate body is coated with a suitable adhesive to ensure a sufficiently strong bond with the reflective film. Both alternative process steps can be performed manually, semi-automatically, partially automatically, or fully automatically.

[0021] It is preferably conceivable for the reflective film to be designed as a tube into which a cardboard blank or the license plate body is pushed and the tube contracts when heated and adapts to the shape of the license plate body. In this exemplary embodiment, it is provided that, for example, the cardboard blanks and the reflective film shaped as a tube are moved towards one another and the reflective film is thus pushed over the cardboard blank. It is conceivable that the license plates are either produced in sections, i.e. the tube sections are cut to size and heated, or that a longer tube section is first guided over a longer web of cardboard strip and then a plurality of license plates with a covering of reflective film are cut from the longer web. The cutting of the tubes and the cutting of the cardboard are also fully automated.In a subsequent chamber, the reflective film is heated to the appropriate temperature to ensure a precise fit around the license plate blank. By enclosing the license plate body with the tube, the license plate is completely enclosed by the reflective film, thus achieving a high degree of resistance to any type of substance.

[0022] It is preferably provided that the license plate body is provided with a protective film, preferably a foil or a varnish, over its entire surface on the front and / or the back and / or the side edges.

[0023] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the reflective film is designed as a tube into which a cardboard blank or the license plate body is pushed and the tube contracts when heated and adapts to the shape of the license plate body.

[0024] In particular, the invention provides for the cardboard strip to be designed as an envelope that is folded and glued to form the license plate body. In this embodiment, the license plate blank is designed as a type of flat cardboard box and is sealed at the ends to form a sufficiently stable license plate body.

[0025] Finally, the invention provides for the license plate body to be embossed after the application of the reflective foil, and for the license plate body to be inked after embossing. The embossing and inking of the blank are carried out in the same way as for known sheet metal license plates. For this purpose, the cardboard blank, which is already at least partially coated with the reflective foil, is passed through a corresponding embossing press, and the embossed numbers and letters are then inked in the known manner.

[0026] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which:

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a representation of a license plate for a vehicle,

[0028] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a side view of the license plate, and

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a view of the back of the license plate.

[0030] The figures show a highly simplified representation of a possible exemplary embodiment of a license plate 10 according to the claimed invention. Fig. 1 shows a front side 11 of the license plate 10 with the inscription field 12. The inscription field 12 comprises an inscription 13, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as letters and numbers. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment of the license plate 10 shown in Fig. 1 has a further marking 14 on the left-hand side. This marking 14 can, for example, be a country code or another marking. In the illustrated embodiment, the license plate 10 is surrounded by an embossed edge 15. It should be noted, however, that exemplary embodiments without such an edge 15 are also conceivable.

[0031] The license plate 10 essentially consists of a license plate body 16 and a reflective film 17. One side 18 of the license plate 10 is shown in a highly schematic manner in Fig. 2. This Fig. 2 shows that the reflective film 17 is applied directly to the license plate body 16. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the reflective film 17 is folded around the side 18 or around the four sides 18 of the license plate body 16 and extends to the rear side 19. Such an embodiment is shown schematically in Fig. 3.

[0032] An essential feature of the invention is that the license plate body 16 is made of cardboard. This makes the entire manufacturing process and the handling of the license plate 10 particularly simple and cost-effective. Furthermore, a high degree of environmental compatibility and sustainability can be achieved with this license plate 10 made of cardboard. By selecting the appropriate method of manufacturing the cardboard, the reflective film 17 can be applied to the license plate body 16 with sufficient strength. In particular, a heterogeneous structure of the cardboard can increase the adhesive force of the, in particular, self-adhesive reflective film 17 on the license plate body 16. In addition, it is conceivable for the reflective film 17 to have a perforation (not shown) that projects into the license plate body 16 made of cardboard.

[0033] Embodiments are conceivable in which the lettering 13 and / or the edge 15 are embossed into the license plate body 16 and the reflective foil 17. This embossing, not shown in the figures, is particularly simple for a license plate body 16 made of cardboard. Embossing the edge 15 further increases the mechanical stability of the license plate body 16.

[0034] To ensure sufficient resistance to a wide range of weather influences and chemical substances, it is conceivable for the reflective film 17 to be wrapped at least partially around the entire license plate body 16. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the reflective film 17 is wrapped around the sides 18 and glued to the back 19 of the license plate body 16. This protects both the front 11 of the license plate 10 and the sides 18 from the aforementioned influences. Furthermore, embodiments are also conceivable in which the entire license plate body 16 is guided into a tube of reflective film 17, and the open ends of this tube are closed, in particular welded.A further alternative embodiment may provide that the license plate body 16, before the reflective film 17 is applied, is covered with a coating by which the license plate body 16 is given special weather resistance and resistance to chemical substances.

[0035] The license plate 10, shown here in a highly schematic form, can be manufactured from sheet metal on conventional production lines for license plates 10. The license plate body 16 is formed, for example, from a continuous web of cardboard from a roll or from individual strips. The reflective foil 17 is then glued to this continuous strip. The license plate body 16 can then be punched with the embossing, if necessary. Finally, the lettering 13 is applied. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the license plates 10 described here to be manufactured manually from individual components, with the embossing and lettering being performed on-site at a registration office.

[0036] List of reference symbols

[0037] 10 license plates

[0038] 11 Front

[0039] 12 Label field

[0040] 13 Labeling

[0041] 14 Labeling

[0042] 15 Rand

[0043] 16 license plate bodies

[0044] 17 reflective foil

[0045] 18 page

[0046] 19 Back

Claims

Patent claims 1. License plate (10) for a vehicle with a flat license plate body (16) which has at least one inscription field (12), and with at least one inscription (13) which is assigned to the inscription field (12) of the license plate body (16) and a reflective film (17) which covers at least one front side (11) of the license plate body (16), characterized in that the license plate body (16) consists of cardboard and the reflective film (17) is connected to the cardboard with sufficient adhesive strength.

2. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the cardboard, in particular fourdrinier cardboard, consists of a heterogeneous fiber pulp or a fiber suspension of cellulose and / or lignin fibers or waste paper.

3. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the fiber pulp or the fiber suspension contains at least one additive by means of which the cardboard is weather-resistant and has sufficient resistance to chemical substances.

4. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reflective film (17) is perforated and / or has predetermined tear points and / or tear points.

5. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the perforation extends into the license plate body (16) made of cardboard.

6. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cardboard and / or the reflective film (17) are recyclable or compostable.

7. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lettering (13) and / or a border (15) can be embossed into the license plate body (16) with the reflective film (17).

8. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a front side (11) and / or a rear side (19) and / or side edges (18) of the license plate body (16) are coated.

9. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dimensions and properties of the license plate (10) correspond to ISO 7591 and / or DIN 74069.

10. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the license plate body (16) is a printed individual blank made of cardboard, which has at least on the front side (11) at least in some areas, preferably over the entire surface, a film blank, in particular a reflective film (17).

11. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that a circumferential, preferably black, edge is printed on the individual cardboard blank and the film blank is smaller than or equal to the area enclosed by the edge.

12. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the license plate body (16) is composed of two components, namely a first component and a second component, the first component being a frame, which is preferably made of plastic and natural fibers, and the second component being an inner part made of cardboard, which can be placed in the frame and fastened.

13. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the license plate body (16) is provided with a protective film, preferably a foil or a varnish, over its entire surface on the front and / or the back and / or the side edges.

14. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the license plate body (16) is formed at least partially in multiple layers, in particular by folding or gluing.

15. License plate (10) for a vehicle according to claim 14, characterized in that a transponder, in particular an RFID, is inserted between individual layers of the license plate body (16).

16. A method for producing a license plate (10) for a vehicle according to claim 1 with a flat license plate body (16) and with a reflective film (17) which is applied at least to a front side (11) of the license plate body (16), characterized in that a license plate body (16) made of cardboard is punched out of a continuous material from a roll or a cardboard strip or is formed from a cardboard blank.

17. A method for producing a license plate (10) according to claim 16, characterized in that a printed individual blank made of cardboard is used as the cardboard blank and a film blank, in particular a reflective film (17), is applied at least to the front side (11) at least in some areas, preferably over the entire surface.

18. A method for producing a license plate (10) according to claim 16, characterized in that the reflective film (17) is applied over the entire surface to the front side of the license plate body (16) and is overlapped over two short and / or two long side edges (18) of the license plate body (16) and is applied with the overlapping parts on the back side (19).

19. A method for producing a license plate (10) according to claim 16 or 18, characterized in that the reflective film (17) is designed as a tube into which a cardboard blank or the license plate body (16) is pushed and the tube contracts due to heating and adapts to the shape of the license plate body (16).

20. A method for producing a license plate (10) according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the license plate body (16) is provided with a protective film, preferably a foil or a lacquer, over its entire surface on the front side and / or the back side and / or the side edges.

21. A method for producing a license plate (10) according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the reflective film (17) is designed as a tube into which a cardboard blank or the license plate body (16) is pushed and the tube contracts due to heating and adapts to the shape of the license plate body (16).

22. A method for producing a license plate (10) according to one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the cardboard strip is designed as an envelope which is folded and glued to form the license plate body (16).

23. A method for producing a license plate (10) according to one of claims 16 to 22, characterized in that the license plate body (16) is embossed after the application of the reflective film (17).

24. A method for producing a license plate (10) according to one of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that the license plate body (16) is inscribed after the application of the reflective film (17). *****

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