Identifier tag assembly having peripheral frame

Abstract

This application relates to identifier tag assembly including a holder having a peripheral frame, a backer sheet and indicia visible through the holder when the backer sheet and holder are coupled together. The frame is preferably transparent or semi-transparent so that at least part of the indicia is visible through the frame. In one embodiment indicia may be printed on the frame itself. Indicia may alternatively or additionally be visible through an inner portion of the holder, such as a central opening surrounded by the frame. The indicia may comprise decorative designs, patterns, colorations and/or text. The indicia may be carried on the backer sheet or on one or more inserts positionable between the holder and the backer sheet. In one embodiment an insert may have approximately the same size and shape as the frame and may be aligned with the frame when the identifier tag is assembled. In another embodiment the insert may have approximately the same size and shape as the backer sheet. Multiple inserts having the same or different sizes and shapes may be superimposed on one another and/or the backer sheet to create a composite visual effect. The frame may be shaped to create a desired visual effect, such as a lens for magnifying underlying indicia.

1 . An identifier tag assembly comprising: 
 (a) a holder having a peripheral frame surrounding an inner portion;    (b) a backer sheet releasably securable to said holder; and    (c) indicia visible through said holder when said holder and said backer sheet are coupled together.    
   
   
       2 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said backer sheet bears at least part of said indicia.  
   
   
       3 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising an insert positionable between said holder and frame, wherein said insert bears at least part of said indicia.  
   
   
       4 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said frame is transparent or semi-transparent and wherein at least part of said indicia is visible through said frame.  
   
   
       5 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said at least part of said indicia is decorative.  
   
   
       6 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said at least part of said indicia is colored.  
   
   
       7 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said at least part of said indicia is printed text.  
   
   
       8 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said at least part of said indicia is applied to a peripheral portion of said backer sheet.  
   
   
       9 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least part of said printed indicia is visible through said inner portion.  
   
   
       10 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a first part of said indicia is visible through said frame and a second part of said indicia is visible through said inner portion.  
   
   
       11 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said first part of said indicia is decorative and said second part of said indica comprises printed text.  
   
   
       12 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising an insert positionable said holder and said backer sheet, wherein said insert bears at least part of said indicia.  
   
   
       13 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said at least part of said indicia is visible through said frame.  
   
   
       14 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said at least part of said indicia is visible through said inner portion.  
   
   
       15 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said insert is at least partly transparent or semi-transparent such that at least part of said backer sheet is visible through said insert.  
   
   
       16 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  12 , wherein said insert is approximately the same size and shape as said frame and is aligned with said frame when said holder, insert and backer sheet are assembled together.  
   
   
       17 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said insert is approximately the same size and shape as said backer sheet.  
   
   
       18 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a first insert having approximately the same size and shape as said frame and a second insert having approximately the same size and shape as said backer sheet, wherein said first and second inserts are positionable between said holder and said backer sheet.  
   
   
       19 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 18 , wherein at least one of said first and second inserts bear at least part of said indicia.  
   
   
       20 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said insert comprises a decorative pattern.  
   
   
       21 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said insert is colored.  
   
   
       22 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 18 , wherein at least part of said indicia comprises a composite of indicia superimposed on said first and second inserts.  
   
   
       23 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said frame is in the shape of lens, wherein said indicia visible through said frame is magnified in size.  
   
   
       24 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of said frame is arcuately curved.  
   
   
       25 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said frame is rectangular.  
   
   
       26 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said first insert is disposed between said holder and said second insert.  
   
   
       27 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said second insert is disposed between said holder and said first insert.  
   
   
       28 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said insert comprises a first portion of said indicia visible through said frame and a second portion of said indicia visible through said inner portion.  
   
   
       29 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said backer sheet comprise a first portion of said indicia visible through said frame and a second portion of said indicia visible through said inner portion.  
   
   
       30 . The identifier tag as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said insert has approximately the same size and shape as said frame and wherein said holder comprises a channel formed on the undersurface of said frame for receiving said insert.  
   
   
       31 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said inner portion is an opening defined by said frame.  
   
   
       32 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 31 , wherein said opening is covered with a transparent or semi-transparent covering such that at least part of said indicia is visible through said inner portion.  
   
   
       33 . The identifier tag assembly as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said at least part of said indicia is printed on a surface of said insert disposed facing said backer sheet when said identifier tag assembly is assembled, said indicia being visible through said insert.  
   
   
       34 . An identifier tag assembly comprising: 
 (a) a holder having a peripheral frame surrounding an inner portion;    (b) a backer sheet releasably securable to said holder; and    (c) indicia printed on said holder or visible through said holder when said holder and said backer sheet are coupled together.