EP0603015B1 - Continuous forms intended to form assemblies or envelopes which can be stuck on an object - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to continuous assemblies intended to form bundles or envelopes intended to be glued to an object such as a package.

• faire passer un ensemble continu ayant des feuilles multiples à travers une machine d'impression,
• diviser l'ensemble continu en ensembles individuels,
• séparer un jeu de feuilles supérieures de la feuille inférieure de l'ensemble individuel,
• coller la face inférieure du jeu de feuilles supérieures sur un colis ou similaire, cette face inférieure étant auto-adhésive, le jeu de feuilles supérieures constituant la liasse ou enveloppe.

Frequently, a user prepares multiple bundles by a process comprising the following steps:

• passing a continuous assembly having multiple sheets through a printing machine,
• divide the continuous set into individual sets,
• separate a set of top sheets from the bottom sheet of the individual set,
• sticking the lower face of the set of upper sheets to a package or the like, this lower face being self-adhesive, the set of upper sheets constituting the bundle or envelope.

There can be several types of continuous sets.

They all include a continuous lower strip provided with at least one drive zone provided with so-called "Caroll" perforations. This area is necessary for passage through the printing machine.

• a) une partie d'une bande continue avec des lignes de coupe calculées pour permettre une division ultérieure en liasses ou enveloppes individuelles,
• b) des feuilles distinctes mais longitudinalement adjacentes aux autres feuilles,
• c) des feuilles laissant un intervalle libre entre elles et les feuilles qui les suivent sur la longueur de la bande.

Each of the first sheets above the bottom strip can be:

• a) part of a continuous strip with cutting lines calculated to allow subsequent division into individual bundles or envelopes,
• b) separate sheets but longitudinally adjacent to the other sheets,
• c) leaves leaving a free interval between them and the leaves which follow them along the length of the strip.

• a') une partie d'une bande continue avec des lignes de coupe calculées pour permettre une division ultérieure en liasses ou enveloppes individuelles,
• b') des feuilles distinctes mais longitudinalement adjacentes aux autres feuilles,
• c') des feuilles laissant un intervalle libre entre elles et les feuilles qui les suivent sur la longueur de la bande.

Each of the most distant sheets of the lower strip can be:

• a ') part of a continuous strip with cutting lines calculated to allow subsequent division into individual bundles or envelopes,
• b ') separate sheets but longitudinally adjacent to the other sheets,
• c ') of leaves leaving a free interval between them and the leaves which follow them along the length of the strip.

The combination cc ') is not effective because it can cause incidents when the continuous assembly passes through the printing machine, in case the set of upper sheets comes off the lower strip. As the takeoff must be able to be done manually in the following, it is understood that the grip must be low, so that the risk of such an incident is not zero.

It is therefore preferable that at least one of the sheets above the continuous strip is also part of a continuous strip, that is to say that the assembly comprises a combination including a) and / or a ' ).

On the other hand, due to problems when folding the strip, it is best to have no more than three continuous strips, including the bottom strip, in a folding area.

In any case, for the method of use described above, it is necessary to provide cutting lines crossing the lower strip, to allow the continuous strip to be divided into individual assemblies.

This process requires two separate manual operations: dividing the continuous set into individual sets, and separating the set of upper sheets from the lower sheet. This takes time.

The document EP-A-0412.842, which was used for the drafting of the preamble of claim 1, describes an assembly which presents the combination aa 'as defined above, and a method in accordance with what has just been indicated. .

This document describes indeed an assembly comprising in superposition a continuous lower strip, provided on its two edges of a training zone and intended to form peelable protective sheets for printed matter, a first self-adhesive upper continuous strip without training zones, a continuous band provided with a training zone on a single side, and shorter transversely than the lower strip, and a second continuous upper strip, provided with two drive zones, all the drive zones having perforations in coincidence. For use, we cut the whole into individual prints along fold lines and we carry on each the necessary inscriptions, then a first user removes the first top sheet and the protective sheet, before sticking the rest on a suitable support.

It is known, from FR-A-2,369,101, to form sets of superimposed continuous bands having lines of transverse perforations, which on certain bands are superimposed on wider slots, so that the breaking strength of these bands is reduced.

The object of the invention is to provide a continuous strip which saves time for the user.

• une bande inférieure continue pourvue, sur au moins un de ses bords, d'une zone d'entraînement,
• au moins une bande continue supérieure présentant des lignes de coupe transversales pour la diviser en tronçons ayant la longueur des liasses ou enveloppes futures,
• au moins une feuille supplémentaire, placée entre lesdites lignes de coupe transversales de la bande supérieure continue,
• un ou plusieurs tronçons de bande supérieure, et une ou plusieurs feuilles supplémentaires, ces tronçons et feuilles supplémentaires étant en relation de superposition et constituant un "jeu" dont la face inférieure est auto-adhésive et adhére de façon temporaire à la face supérieure de la bande inférieure,
• les lignes de coupe transversales de la bande supérieure ayant une résistance assez faible pour se rompre sous l'effet des efforts nécessaires pour décoller ledit jeu de la bande inférieure,
     cet ensemble ayant pour particularité que la bande inférieure est dépourvue de lignes d'affaiblissement ayant une résistance assez faible pour se rompre sous l'effet des efforts nécessaires pour décoller ledit jeu de ladite bande inférieure.

To obtain this result, the invention provides a continuous assembly for forming multiple individual bundles or envelopes, comprising:

• a continuous lower strip provided, on at least one of its edges, with a drive zone,
• at least one upper continuous strip having transverse cutting lines to divide it into sections having the length of future bundles or envelopes,
• at least one additional sheet, placed between said transverse cutting lines of the continuous upper strip,
• one or more sections of upper strip, and one or more additional sheets, these sections and additional sheets being in superposition relationship and constituting a "set" the lower face of which is self-adhesive and temporarily adheres to the upper face of the lower strip,
• the transverse cutting lines of the upper strip having a strength low enough to break under the effect of the forces necessary to detach said clearance from the lower strip,
  this assembly having the particularity that the lower strip is devoid of weakening lines having a resistance low enough to break under the effect of the forces necessary to detach said clearance from said lower strip.

Thus, during the takeoff of the game, the desired bundle or envelope is separated, but the lower strip is left intact, which can then be folded, rolled, or cut into pieces of the desired length.

An additional sheet may be part of a strip similar to the upper continuous strip which has just been mentioned, which corresponds to the combination aa ') mentioned above. It can be placed between the upper and lower bands, which corresponds to the combinations ba ') and ca'). It can also be placed on the upper strip, which corresponds to the combinations ab ') and ac'). The number and the position of the additional sheets are not limited, in particular in the case of a bundle or envelope comprising inserts.

The lower band can be completely devoid of weakening lines. It is however preferable that it has transverse lines of weakness separated by intervals each corresponding to a bundle or future envelope, or to an integer of these bundles or envelopes. These lines of weakness will serve to facilitate the folding of the assembly. They can consist of a series of incisions separated by bridges, the ratio of the lengths of the incisions and widths of the bridges being chosen accordingly. Other lines of weakness can separate the training zone from the rest of the strip, while respecting the condition stated above.

The upper continuous strip may have transverse cutting lines which are superimposed on the weakening lines of the lower strip which we have just mentioned. These cutting lines may have been completely cut in advance when the bundle or envelope is peeled off, so that at this time they have zero resistance to the forces associated with peeling.

This solution is not preferred, for the reason indicated above, namely the risk of incidents when passing through a printing machine, unless the complete cut is made after this passage.

The cutting lines of the upper strip may also consist of incisions separated by bridges, and be superimposed on the weakening lines of the lower strip.

According to an advantageous modality, the incisions and the bridges of the upper band coincide, in this case, with those of the lower band, but, in the training zone, which is not reached by the upper band, the ratio of the length of the incisions at the width of the bridges is much shorter than in the common part, which results in the desired resistance difference.

The advantage of this modality is that all the incisions can be made in the same operation on both the upper band and the lower band.

It is also possible to provide that the cutting lines of the upper strip are offset longitudinally with respect to the weakening lines of the lower strip, by being placed on either side of each of these. This solution is not always preferred, because it multiplies the number of incision lines. To allow folding, it is often necessary to provide, in addition, on the upper strip, a line of weakness coinciding with that of the lower strip. The area between the two adjacent cutting lines of the upper strip can be torn off separately, which is an additional operation, or remain adherent to the lower strip, which complicates the subsequent storage thereof. However, the processing and removal of bundles can be facilitated.

The user can take off the bundles or envelopes right out of the printing machine. The strip can also be stored in the rolled state or cut into lengths each of which carries three or four bundles or envelopes.

• Figure 1 est une vue en plan d'une partie d'un ensemble continu conforme à l'invention,
• Figure 2 est une vue fortement agrandie de la région A de la figure 1, et
• Figure 3 une vue analogue à la figure 2, mais avec les feuilles supérieures enlevées.
• Figure 4 est une vue, analogue à celle de la figure 1, d'une autre réalisation conforme à l'invention.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with the aid of practical examples, illustrated with the aid of the drawings, among which:

• FIG. 1 is a plan view of part of a continuous assembly according to the invention,
• Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged view of region A of Figure 1, and
• Figure 3 a view similar to Figure 2, but with the upper leaves removed.
• Figure 4 is a view, similar to that of Figure 1, of another embodiment according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows part of a continuous assembly intended to constitute bundles, that is to say envelopes open on one side, and containing intermediate sheets or inserts. The part of the assembly which is shown in FIG. 1 comprises two bundles, shown only in part, and their connecting zones.

The assembly includes a continuous lower strip 1, of which only the marginal parts 2, 3 are seen, which constitute drive zones having perforations 4 of the "Caroll" type.

On the lower strip 1 is fixed, provisionally, a base strip 5, a small part of which is visible, on the right in the figure, and whose lower face, not visible, is self-adhesive, its adhesive being calculated for allow easy takeoff of the lower strip 1, and stronger adhesion to a package or the like. The base band 5 covers the lower band 1 with the exception of the drive zones 2 and 3. On the base band 5 are fixed insert sheets 6, 7, which do not constitute a continuous band, but are separated by suitable intervals, and a covering strip 8, which covers the insert sheets 6, 7 and is glued, on either side longitudinally of each insert sheet 6, 7, on the base strip 5 The cover strip 8 is continuous: on the left side of the figure, it extends in the direction of the drive zone of the lower strip, and stops at the same distance therefrom as the strip of based. On the right side of the figure, on the contrary, it extends less far towards the drive zone 3 of the lower strip than the base strip 5, and leaves the ends of the insert sheets 6 and 7 free The upper face of the covering strip has a certain number of locations such as 9, 10, intended to receive information concerning, for example, the sender, the recipient, the weight and the dimensions of a package, and ...

On the left edge of the figure, it will be observed that the cover strip and the base strip carry tabs 11 which protrude from the drive zone 2 of the lower strip, and serve to facilitate separation by take-off of the bundle and the bottom band. These tabs are optional.

At intervals corresponding to the size of a bundle, the continuous assembly has lines of weakness and cutout 12, which divide the strips 5 and 8, into sections.

In the summary of the invention set out above, a distinction has been made, in addition to the lower continuous strip, at least one upper continuous strip and at least one additional sheet. In the case of the example described here, it can be considered at will that the base strip 5 constitutes an upper continuous strip, and that the insert sheets 6, 7 and the sections of the covering strip 8 which are separated by the weakening and cutting lines 12 are additional sheets in the sense indicated above. It could also be considered that the covering strip 8 constitutes an upper continuous strip and that the sections of the base strip which are separated by the weakening and cutting lines 12 are additional sheets.

In both cases, it can be seen that there is a "set" of sheets and sections, the underside of this set being self-adhesive.

We will now examine in more detail the weakening and cutting lines 12, with the help of Figures 2 and 3.

Each weakening and cutting line 12 is formed of a number of transversely directed incisions 13, and aligned with each other. These incisions 13 are separated by bridges 14, where the continuity of the material is ensured on both sides of the line 12. If we consider the interior part of the continuous assembly, that is to say the part which is limited by the left edge (in the figures) 15 of the covering strip 8 and the base strip 5, and the right edge (in FIG. 1) 16, of the base strip 5, in this area, the incisions 13 all have the same length, and the bridges 14 which separate them have the same width. In practice, the ratio of the length of an incision to the width of a bridge is about 5.5 / 1.

On the contrary, in the marginal part of the lower strip 1, that is to say in the drive zones 2 and 3, the length of the incisions is much smaller, while the width of the bridges is not modified. When one arrives at the left edge 17 and at the right edge 18 of the lower strip, the ratio of the length of the incisions to the width of the bridges is only about 3/1. In addition, the weakening line 12 ends with a fairly wide bridge 19 at the point where it meets the edge 17 or 18 of the lower strip 1. This bridge 19 is wider than the others. bridges. As a result, there is no initiation of rupture of the lower strip at this location.

It will be understood that, if a pull is exerted on the edge of the bundle formed by the continuous strips 5 and 8, with the intermediate sheets 6 and 7, for example by exerting a pull on the tongue 11, or on the edge of the continuous strips 5 and 8 in case they are devoid of tabs, these strips will tear along the incision line 12, but that the lower strip 1, which is more robust in its marginal parts will not tear and will remain intact.

However, if the continuous assembly is folded in a zigzag, the fact that the line 12 extends through the continuous lower strip 1 will allow easy and uneven folding.

The reference 20, in Figures 1 and 2, designates a longitudinal section line which is used for the manipulation of the inserts, and which is outside the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows that the lower strip 1 has no other weakening lines than the transverse line 12. It would however be possible, if desired, to provide a longitudinal cutting line along the drive zones, provided that this cutting line is strong enough not to tear during the separation of the bundle and the lower strip.

Of course, variations are possible. For example, the line 12 can be a simple weakening line intended to facilitate folding. A different line of incisions, not affecting the lower band 1, but only the base and covering bands 5 and 8, could be provided a short distance on either side of the line 12, in order to delimit the bundle that needs to be peeled off.

In the example described, the cut and weakening line 12 passes between two Caroll drive perforations 4. There is nothing to prevent line 12 passing through one of these perforations, which will then fulfill the function of a incision 13.

Figure 4 shows part of another continuous assembly according to the invention and intended to constitute bundles.

The assembly includes a continuous lower strip 21, visible only on the upper right edge of the figure and the marginal parts 22, 23 of which constitute the drive zones having perforations 24 of the "Caroll" type.

On the lower strip 21 is fixed, provisionally, a base strip 25, which, unlike that of FIG. 1, normally covers the entire lower strip, including the marginal parts. The base strip is self-adhesive on its lower face, its adhesive being calculated to allow easy peeling of the lower strip 21 and re-sticking on another surface. In the upper right corner of the figure, a part of the base strip is detached from the lower strip.

Transverse lines of weakness 26, which will be discussed later, divide the bands 21 and 25 into segments each corresponding to a bundle.

In each segment corresponding to a bundle, the lower band is continuous, but the base band has an incision line 27 with closed outline, of generally rectangular shape with rounded corners, the transverse sides 28 of which are at a short distance from one line of weakness, and the longitudinal sides 29, 30 are outside the drive zones.

The transverse sides 28 of the incision line 27 constitute the cutting lines defining the longitudinal dimension of the bundle, just as the longitudinal sides 29, 30 define its transverse dimension.

A cover sheet 31 is glued to the part 32 of the base strip which is surrounded by the incision line 27. Its transverse edges and one of its longitudinal edges are exactly superimposed on the incision line 27, and the another of its longitudinal edges 33 (on the right in the figure) is further from the edge of the strip than the corresponding longitudinal side 30 of the base strip. The cover sheet 31 is glued directly to the base strip along its transverse edges.

Interleaf sheets 34, 35 are placed between the base strip and the cover sheet. They extend less close to the weakening lines 26 than the cover sheet, and are not caught in the transverse bonding lines connecting the cover sheet to the base strip, but, on the side opposite to the longitudinal edge 33, the insert sheets and the cover sheet are superimposed and glued together to the base strip. Overlapping lines of weakness 36 make it possible to separate the cover sheet and the intermediate sheets from the heel formed by the joint bonding area individually or together. Towards the opposite side, that is to say towards the longitudinal side 30 of the cut, the intermediate sheets advance a little beyond the edge 33 of the cover sheet.

The lines of weakness 26 are analogous to the lines of weakness 12 in Figures 1 to 3, so there is no need to describe them in more detail.

To separate a bundle from the assembly, it suffices to bend the latter in the vicinity of an angle of the incision line with closed contour 27, so as to initiate takeoff from this angle, then to exert traction on this one.

The main difference between the assembly of FIG. 1 and that of FIG. 4 resides in the fact that, in the case of FIG. 1, it can be considered that the additional sheets include the sections of the base strip 5 and the inserts 6, 7, and are placed under the upper continuous strip formed by the continuous covering strip 8, whereas, in the case of FIG. 4, the upper continuous strip is necessarily constituted by the base strip 25, the inserts placed on it, as well as the cover sheets, constituting the additional sheets.

Claims (9)

1. Continuous unit for forming multiple individual multipart forms or envelopes, comprising:

   - a lower continuous strip (1 ; 21) provided, on at least one of its edges, with a feed zone (2, 3 ; 22, 23),

   - at least one upper continuous strip (5 or 8 ; 25) having transverse cutting lines (12, 28) for dividing it into sections having the length of the future multipart forms or envelopes,

   - at least one additional sheet (5 or 8, 6, 7 ; 31, 34, 35), placed between said transverse cutting lines of the continuous upper sheet (5 or 8; 25),

   - one or several sections of upper strip (5 or 8 ; 25) and one or several additional sheets (6, 7, 8 or 5 ; 31, 34, 35), these sections and additional sheets having a superimposed relation, forming a set the lower face of which is self-adhesive and adheres in a temporary manner to the upper face of the lower strip (1 ; 21),
   characterised in that the lower strip (1 ; 21) is without weakening lines (12 ; 26) having a sufficiently low strength in order to break under the effect of the forces required to unstick the said set from the said lower strip (1 ; 21), with the result that it is possible to separate said set from the lower strip (1 ; 21) without cutting this lower strip.
2. Continuous unit according to Claim 1, in which the lower strip has a weakening line (12) which is similar to the cutting line (12) of the upper strip and is superimposed on the latter, except in the feed zone (2, 3) and is less weakened than the cutting line in the said feed zone.
3. Unit according to Claim 2, characterised in that the weakening line and the cutting line (12) are formed of transverse cuts (13) separated by bridges (14), and the ratio of the length of the cuts to the width of the bridges is greater in the part common to the lower and upper strips than in the part which extends into the feed zone.
4. Unit according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the weakening line (12) does not comprise any cuts (13) at the place where it meets the edge (17, 18) of the lower strip (1).
5. Unit according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the upper strip (5 or 8) and the supplementary sheet or sheets (6, 7, 8 or 5) do not extend into the feed zones (2, 3).
6. Unit according to Claim 5, characterised in that tabs (11) are provided at least on the upper strip in order to facilitate the unsticking of the multipart form or envelope.
7. Unit according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a supplementary sheet is constituted from a continuous strip (8 or 5) having transverse cutting lines (12) superimposed on those of the upper strip (5 or 8).
8. Unit according to Claim 1, in which the upper continuous strip (25) has said auto-adhesive face, characterised in that there is provided, in the upper continuous strip (25), cuts with a closed contour (27) for facilitating unsticking of the multipart forms or envelopes each constituted by a part of the upper strip and one or more supplementary sheets situated inside the closed contour.
9. Unit according to Claim 8, characterised in that it comprises several supplementary sheets, at least one of which (34, 35) constitutes an insert, said insert being formed into a bundle between a section of the upper strip (25) and another supplementary sheet, and has a longitudinal dimension smaller than that of this section and this other supplementary sheet (31).

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