Recyclable display media

Abstract

The present invention foregoes use of PVC in printable media and instead provides a lightweight recyclable display media comprised generally of a printable coated scrim. The display media includes a base layer or scrim comprised of a polymer material and formed by woven, non-woven, or knit sheet-forming techniques. A non-vinyl body coating is applied to the base layer to add stiffness, body, and printability to the media. The body layer is comprised, at least partially, of urethane, acrylic, or blended urethane/acrylic materials. These materials add body and durability to the base layer without presenting the environmental difficulties attributable to PVC. The non-vinyl body coating may further comprise ink receptive materials or fillers that enhance ink retention in the media. The display media may be printed through a variety of printing techniques known in the art.

1 . A recyclable display media for use in displaying advertising, signage and other graphical indicia and being visible to an observer, wherein the display media can be removed and recycled after its use is completed, the display media comprising: 
 a base layer for providing strength to the display media and a base upon which the graphical indicia can be applied, the base layer being formed at least partly from inter-engaged polymer fibers;    a non-vinyl body coating applied to the base layer, the non-vinyl body coating comprising a body material that accommodates display media recyclablity without requiring mechanical separation of the non-vinyl body coating from the polymer fibers of the base layer; and    at least one ink region applied to the non-vinyl body coating to form graphical indicia visible to an observer, the ink comprising an ink material that also accommodates display media recyclablity without requiring mechanical separation of the ink from the polymer fibers of the base layer such that the recyclable display media can be removed after its use is completed and recycled.    
   
   
       2 . The recyclable display media of  claim 1 , wherein the non-vinyl body coating is at least partially comprised of a latex acrylic.  
   
   
       3 . The recyclable display media of  claim 1 , wherein the non-vinyl body coating is at least partially comprised of urethane.  
   
   
       4 . The recyclable display media of  claim 1 , wherein the non-vinyl body coating is at least partially comprised of a urethane/acrylic blend.  
   
   
       5 . The recyclable display media of  claim 1 , wherein the recyclable display media defines a finished weight between 6.5 and 8.25 ounces per square yard.  
   
   
       6 . The recyclable display media of  claim 1 , wherein the recyclable display media defines a finished weight of approximately 7 ounces per square yard.  
   
   
       7 . The recyclable display media of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer comprises between 75 and 95 percent of the recyclable display media by weight.  
   
   
       8 . The recyclable display media of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer comprises between 80 and 90 percent of the recyclable display media by weight.  
   
   
       9 . The recyclable display media of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer comprises between 85 and 90 percent of the recyclable display media by weight.  
   
   
       10 . The recyclable display media of  claim 1 , wherein the non-vinyl body coating comprises between 5 and 25 percent of the recyclable display media by weight.  
   
   
       11 . The recyclable display media of  claim 1 , wherein the non-vinyl body coating comprises between 10 and 20 percent of the recyclable display media by weight.  
   
   
       12 . The recyclable display media of  claim 1 , wherein the non-vinyl body coating comprises between 10 and 15 percent of the recyclable display media by weight.  
   
   
       13 . The recyclable display media of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer is comprised of a polyester scrim.  
   
   
       14 . A method of manufacturing a recyclable display media for use in displaying advertising, signage and other graphical indicia and being visible to an observer, wherein the display media can be removed and recycled after its use is completed, the method comprising the steps of: 
 forming a base layer scrim for providing strength for the display media and a base upon which the graphical indicia can be applied, the base layer scrim being formed at least partly from inter-engaged polymer fibers;    applying a non-vinyl body coating to the base layer scrim, the non-vinyl body coating comprising a body material that accommodates display media recyclablity without requiring mechanical separation of the non-vinyl body coating from the polymer fibers of the base layer; and    printing at least one ink region to the non-vinyl body coating to form graphical indicia visible to an observer, the ink comprising an ink material that also accommodates display media recyclablity without requiring mechanical separation of the ink from the polymer fibers of the base layer such that the recyclable display media can be removed after its use is completed and recycled.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of forming the base layer scrim includes knitting polyester fibers into a scrim fabric.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of applying the non-vinyl body coating to the base layer scrim includes applying an aqueous dispersion at least partially comprised of latex acrylic.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of applying the non-vinyl body coating to the base layer scrim includes applying an aqueous dispersion at least partially comprised of urethane.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of applying the non-vinyl body coating to the base layer scrim produces recyclable display media comprising between 5 and 25 percent non-vinyl body coating by weight.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of applying the non-vinyl body coating to the base layer scrim produces recyclable display media comprising between 10 and 20 percent non-vinyl body coating by weight.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of applying the non-vinyl body coating to the base layer scrim produces recyclable display media comprising between 10 and 15 percent non-vinyl body coating by weight.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of forming the base layer scrim includes inter-engaging polymer fibers by a weft inserted warp knitting process.  
   
   
       22 . An advertising method, comprising: 
 providing a display media comprising a base layer polymer scrim and a non-vinyl body coating applied to the base layer polymer scrim, the non-vinyl body coating comprising a body material that accommodates display media recyclablity without requiring mechanical separation of the non-vinyl body coating from the base layer polymer scrim;    printing at least one ink region to the non-vinyl body coating of the display media to form graphical indicia, the ink comprising an ink material that also accommodates display media recyclablity without requiring mechanical separation of the ink from the base layer polymer scrim;    providing the display media in a display position for a predetermined period of time, wherein the display position is structured such that the graphical indicia printed to the non-vinyl body coating is visible to an observer;    removing the display media from the display position after the predetermined period of time; and    recycling the display media for subsequent use without mechanically separating the non-vinyl body coating and ink from the base layer polymer scrim.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the non-vinyl body coating is at least partially comprised of latex acrylic.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the non-vinyl body coating is at least partially comprised of urethane.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the step of providing the display media in a display position includes installing the display media onto a billboard structure.