AU2009101233A4 - Methods of marking length - Google Patents

Description

1 METHODS OF MARKING LENGTH FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to the marking of length indicators on materials which are drawn from rolls so that required lengths can be cut off without the need for a separate measuring device to measure the length. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 Materials such as plastic sheet, woven fabrics and knitted fabrics are usually sold in retail outlets by drawing the material off a roll, measuring the required length with a measuring tape or wheel and cutting the length from the role. However this measuring operation is time consuming and often not too accurate. 15 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of marking linear materials with length measurements to facilitate the dispensing of required 20 lengths. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention a method of marking length intervals on a 25 linear material comprises incorporating a regular series of marks on at least one edge of the material. Preferably a second series of marks corresponding to the first series is incorporated on the other edge of the material. 30 Preferably the marks are printed on the material.

2 Alternatively the marks consist of one or more lateral stitches in a linear edge thread. Preferably the marks are at intervals of one metre. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 10 Fig 1 shows a roll of material mounted on a dispenser Fig 2 shows a section of material with edge markings Fig 3 shows a roll of material with length markings at one metre intervals and Fig 4 shows a truncated roll of material with length markings at ten centimetre 15 intervals DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In Fig 1 a length 1 of material is shown drawn from a roll being cut along a line 20 the ends of which are marked by edge markings 2. Edge markings 2 are placed at one metre intervals. In the case of plastic sheet material the markings are printed on the edge of the sheet with a contrasting colored ink. With woven and printed materials ink printing is not suitable as the ink can be 25 absorbed by the material or the marking can be easily rubbed off. However these materials usually incorporate a contrasting thread at both edges of the material. Accordingly the marking is created by introducing a lateral irregularity in the contrasting linear edge thread. 30 In the case of a knitted material such as shade cloth, a series of lateral stitches 3 is introduced in the edge thread as shown in Fig 2. Fig 3 shows a series of lateral stitches 3 at corresponding one metre intervals at both edges of length 1 of the 3 knitted material. In Fig 4 a secondary series of fewer lateral stitches 4 is also incorporated in the edge strips between stitches 3 to mark 10 centimetre intervals. 5 ADVANTAGES It will be obvious that the insertion of length markings on materials which are dispensed in a linear manner facilitates cutting off the required length. The markings are placed at convenient intervals such as one metre and there can 10 also be sub intervals such as ten centimeter. VARIATIONS It will be realized that the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example 15 only and that all other modifications and variations as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art including mechanical equivalents are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the words "comprise" 20 and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising" are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. 25 30

Claims (5)

1. A method of marking length intervals on a linear material comprising incorporating a regular series of marks on at least one edge of the material. 5

2. The method of claim 1 in which a second series of marks corresponding to the first series is incorporated on the other edge of the material.

3. The method of claims 1 and 2 in which the marks are printed on the material. 10

4. The method of claims 1 and 2 in which the marks consist of one or more lateral stitches in a linear edge thread.

5. The method of claims 1 and 2 in which the marks are at intervals of one metre. 15 20 25 30