Method of manufacturing a display panel, said display panel being operable to enable content to be displayed on a step of an escalator

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a display panel which is operable to enable content to be displayed on a step of an escalator, the method comprising the steps (102) of printing desired advertising content on a surface of a generally rigid plastic sheet; manufacturing (104) a vacuum formed sheet by vacuum forming the printed plastic sheet to fit a desired part of an escalator step profile; trimming (106) the vacuum formed sheet on all four sides; and applying (110) an adhesive substance to an operatively back surface of the vacuum formed sheet.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a display panel operable to enable content to be displayed on a step of an escalator, the method comprising: printing desired advertising content on a surface of a rigid plastic sheet having a thickness of approximately 500 microns; manufacturing a vacuum formed sheet by vacuum forming the plastic sheet to fit a desired part of an escalator step profile, the plastic sheet comprising a front surface and a back surface, the front surface and the back surface both comprising a plurality of cleats, each cleat having an elevation and a groove, the cleats conforming to escalator cleats on the escalator step profile; trimming the vacuum formed sheet on all four sides; and applying an adhesive substance to the back surface of the vacuum formed sheet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plastic sheet is manufactured from a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), styrene or other rigid plastic material.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plastic sheet is less than 400 microns in thickness.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the display panel is affixed to one or more steps of the escalator, the affixing comprising: identifying one or more steps on the escalator for placing the rigid plastic sheet; switching off the escalator; cleaning an vertically displaced side of the one or more steps with a degreasing agent; exposing an adhesive substance on the plastic sheet by removal of a release paper from the back surface of the plastic sheet; and positioning the plastic sheet over the vertically displaced side of the step and applying pressure by means of one or more rollers so as to ensure it is affixed thereto.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features of this invention will become apparent from the following description of one example described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a method of manufacturing a display panel, said display panel being operable to enable content to be displayed on a step of an escalator, in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

(3) FIG. 2 shows a system including a display panel for the display of content on a step of an escalator, in accordance with embodiments of the implementation of the invention; and

(4) FIG. 3 shows the system of FIG. 2, in use on an escalator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) With reference to FIG. 1, a method for enabling content to be displayed on a step of an escalator is generally indicated by reference numeral 100.

(6) In accordance with the method 100, at block 102, the desired advertising content is printed onto a generally rigid plastic sheet. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the plastic sheet may be provided in the form of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), styrene or another similar, rigid plastic material.

(7) At block 104, the plastic sheet is vacuum formed to fit the surface profile of at least one side of a step of the escalator. More particularly, the cleats (i.e. the ribbed appearance) of each of the steps, is emulated on the plastic sheet. It is to be appreciated that this enables the plastic board to take the shape of the cleats of an escalator step provided by a specific manufacturer.

(8) At block 106, the sides of the plastic sheet are trimmed so as to ensure that the plastic sheet does not protrude beyond the operatively outer edges of the escalator step.

(9) At block 108, an adhesive substance is applied to the operatively back surface of the plastic sheet so as to enable the plastic sheet to be adhered to the step.

(10) At block 110, the plastic sheet is affixed to the escalator step. More particularly, the requisite steps are identified on the escalator on which the plastic sheet is to be placed, the escalator is switched off, the operatively vertically displaced side profile of the steps are cleaned with a degreasing agent, a release paper is removed from the back surface of the plastic sheet and the sheet is positioned over the cleaned area of the step.

(11) Pressure is applied by means of one or more rollers so as to ensure that the sheet is affixed to the step.

(12) With reference to FIG. 2, a method which provides for the display of content on a step of an escalator is generally indicated by reference numeral 200.

(13) A front profile of the plastic sheet is exemplified by reference numeral 202. The cleats 206 in the plastic sheet are clearly visible in the front profile view.

(14) The side profile of the plastic sheet is exemplified by reference numeral 204. Similarly the elevations 208 and grooves 210 which form these cleats 206 are clearly visible with the side profile view.

(15) With reference to FIG. 3, the method of FIG. 2, in use on an escalator, is generally indicated by reference numeral 300.

(16) The escalator 300 comprises a rigid vacuum formed plastic sheet 302 affixed to the operatively front profile of an escalator step 306. In this regard, it is to be appreciated that not all of the steps 304 need be included.

(17) It will be understood that various embodiments of the method of the invention are possible without departing from the scope hereof.