Validation sticker mounting system and components for use therein

• US 5,634,670 A
• Filed: 12/12/1994
• Issued: 06/03/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Meyer, David L., Orensteen, Bruce D., Zwack, Joseph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, FRANCES CHIN
• Application Number:
  US08/354,278
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 283/81, 283/101, 283/108, 40/661, 40/910, 40/200, 40/206, 40/209, 40/625, 40/626, 40/630, 428/40.1
• US Class Current: 283/81
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/20 for adjustable, removable, or interchangeable labels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 40/91 Automobile license identification
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/14 Layer or component removable to expose adhesive

Abstract

Validation sticker mounting system and components for such a system. The components include stickers and substrates adapted in a coordinated manner. The substrates have a surface portion having a recessed segment into which the sticker is to be applied. The stickers, which are adapted for presentation of readable information and bonding to the substrate, have one or more security openings through which a post on the surface of the substrate extends.

Claims

1. A license plate validation sticker mounting system for inhibiting the removal of validation stickers from license plates, comprising:

a license plate having a substantially planar surface portion, one segment of the surface portion being recessed for receiving a validation sticker, the segment having a post; and

a validation sticker comprising a sheet having first and second major surfaces, said first major surface adapted for presentation of readable information, said second major surface adapted for bonding said sticker to said substrate, said sheet having an interior security opening;

said validation sticker being bonded to said license plate such that said security opening is disposed adjacent portions of said post.

2. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1, wherein:

said security opening comprises an island; and

said island is affixed to portions of the post.

3. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1, wherein:

one of said security openings has an inwardly protruding border.

4. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 3 wherein:

the border of at least one of said security openings is intersected by at least one slits.

5. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1 wherein:

said sheet has at least one slit that does not intersect said security opening.

6. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1 wherein:

said sheet has at least one slit that does not intersect an exterior edge of said sheet.

7. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said security openings has a broadest dimension of at least 0.25 inch.

8. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said security openings has a broadest dimension of at least 0.12 inch.

9. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1 wherein:

said sticker is generally round in shape.

10. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1 wherein:

said sticker is generally rectangular in shape.

11. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1 wherein:

said second major surface of said sheet is coated with adhesive.

12. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1 wherein:

readable information is displayed on said first major surface of said sheet.

13. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1 wherein:

at least a portion of said first major surface of said sticker is retroreflective.

14. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1 wherein:

said post is slightly larger than the corresponding security opening of said sticker.

15. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1 wherein:

said recessed segment is a rectangle between about 2 and 3 centimeters wide, between about 2 and about 3 centimeters long, and recessed to a depth of between about 2 and 3 millimeters.

16. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of said security openings contains an island.

17. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 16 wherein:

said island is attached to the remainder of said sticker with at least one bridge.

18. The license plate validation sticker mounting system of claim 16 wherein:

said island has at least one slit.