Detectable signage apparatus and method of making the same

Abstract

Signage is presented comprising an in-mold plastic plate portion having a slot. The signage has a flexible tongue having a neck portion that extends outwardly from the plate portion and has a locking tip extending from the neck portion and the locking tip is formed to be received by the slot. The plastic plate portion is made of a filler material and a detectable additive such that the signage is easily detected by a metal detecting machine.

1 . Signage comprising:
 an in-mold plastic plate portion having a slot;   a flexible tongue having a neck portion that extends outwardly from the plate portion and has a locking tip extending from the neck portion; and   the locking tip formed to be received by the slot;   wherein the plastic plate portion is made of a filler material and a detectable additive.   
     
     
         2 . The signage of  claim 1  wherein the locking tip has an aperture adapted to receive a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The signage of  claim 1  wherein the slot is T-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The signage of  claim 1  wherein once the locking tip passes through the slot and is twisted the locking tip is retained by a surface of the plate portion. 
     
     
         5 . The signage of  claim 1  wherein the in-mold plastic plate portion has a graphic sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The signage of  claim 1  wherein a mixture of filler material and detectable additive is 5% to 20% detectable additive. 
     
     
         7 . The signage of  claim 1  wherein the signage is detectable by metallic detecting machines to a depth of 1 inch. 
     
     
         8 . A method of making detectable signage comprising the steps of:
 mixing a filler material with a detectable additive;   heating the mixed filler material and the detectable additive to form a homogeneous mixture;   placing a label having indicia positioned on one side into a cavity of an injection mold with the indicia facing away from the cavity; and   injecting the homogenous mixture into the cavity of the injection mold such that the homogeneous mixture bonds to the label forming detectable signage.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the detectable additive is 5% to 20% of the homogeneous mixture. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the filler material is a plastic material. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the detectable additive is in pellet form. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the filler material is in pellet form. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the homogenous mixture fuses to the label thereby providing sanitary signage. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the homogenous mixture forces out all bubbles and wrinkles. 
     
     
         15 . A method of connecting signage to an object comprising the steps of:
 providing a tag having an elongate, in-mold plastic plate portion, a slot, and a flexible tongue wherein the tongue has a neck portion that extends outwardly from the plate portion and a locking tip extending from the neck portion;   bending the tongue around an object; and   engaging the locking tip and the slot;   wherein the plastic plate portion is made of a filler material and a detectable additive.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of twisting the tongue so that the locking tip is received by and passes through the slot.