EP0719656A2 - Thermal seal product and process - Google Patents

Thermal seal product and process Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0719656A2
EP0719656A2 EP95307759A EP95307759A EP0719656A2 EP 0719656 A2 EP0719656 A2 EP 0719656A2 EP 95307759 A EP95307759 A EP 95307759A EP 95307759 A EP95307759 A EP 95307759A EP 0719656 A2 EP0719656 A2 EP 0719656A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sheet
adhesive
heat
mailer
along
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP95307759A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0719656A3 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html
Inventor
A. Dale Lakes
Rajendra Mehta
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Standard Register Co
Original Assignee
Standard Register Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Standard Register Co filed Critical Standard Register Co
Publication of EP0719656A2 publication Critical patent/EP0719656A2/en
Publication of EP0719656A3 publication Critical patent/EP0719656A3/xx
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D15/00—Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
    • B42D15/02—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets
    • B42D15/04—Foldable or multi-part cards or sheets
    • B42D15/08—Letter-cards or letter-sheets, i.e. cards or sheets each of which is to be folded with the message inside and to serve as its own envelope for mailing

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method and apparatus for sealing mailers or other business forms, and more particularly to a single ply product containing a pattern of a heat activatable adhesive on one or both of its surfaces. After the sheet has been printed using an impact or non-impact printer, the sheet may be folded and sealed by the application of heat and pressure to the adhesive-covered areas of the sheet.
  • Such forms are typically single-ply continuous forms having variable information printed on one surface of the form.
  • hot-melt adhesive is typically applied at selected marginal edges of the forms for later use in sealing the forms.
  • the forms are folded and then passed through a device which applies heat and pressure, activating the hot-melt adhesive and causing the folded plies to be sealed together along their common marginal edges.
  • An alternative method of sealing in the art involves the use of a water-based adhesive which is applied to selected marginal edges of a form or mailer just prior to folding.
  • Another known method includes the use of a remoistenable adhesive which is applied to a form and then moistened prior to folding and sealing. Both of these methods give inconsistencies in seal quality due to inherent variations in applying liquids to paper and drying the product uniformly.
  • Another alternative method of sealing involves the use of a self-adhesive or pressure seal adhesive made from a natural rubber latex dispersed in water. When applied to a substrate surface and dried, a film is formed which will not bond on contact with paper and other surfaces, but will bond on contact with another film of the same material when moderate pressure is applied. Such adhesives are heat resistant and, if properly formulated, their surfaces do not become tacky when heated.
  • pressure seal adhesives have not been widely used to seal mailers during in-line processing because silicone oil from the fuser rolls of non-impact printers is deposited on to the adhesive film surfaces, hindering the bond strength of one adhesive film to another. In-line processing encompasses the printing, folding, inserting of other documents and sealing of mailers in a continuous operation.
  • a thermally activatable adhesive has been used to seal mailers or forms which may be activated by heat and pressure.
  • Such an adhesive is disclosed in European Patent Nos. 291897 and 257545 to Drescher and comprises a thermoplastic adhesive and a filler.
  • the adhesive is coated onto the entire surface of the form prior to the printing process, and can be processed through laser printers without activating the adhesive.
  • the adhesive may then be activated after printing by the use of heat and pressure at selected areas, for example, at the edges of a folded mailer sheet.
  • the adhesive is fully coated over the entire surface of the sheet, when heat and pressure are applied, the sheet is sealed together wherever the adhesive is in contact with itself.
  • the present invention meets that need by providing a heat sealable mailer form and method in which a thermal activated adhesive is applied in a pattern to a surface of the form so that the form may be printed in a non-impact printer and then sealed during in-line processing.
  • the resulting adhesive bond is strong and tamper-resistant.
  • the present invention is applicable to all non-impact printing processes, including but not limited to laser, magnetographic, ion deposition printing where heat and pressure is utilized to transfer or fuse toner particles to a substrate. Of course, it may also be used in other types of printing as well such as impact.
  • a heat sealable mailer form adapted to be printed on a non-impact printer comprising a sheet having first and second major surfaces. At least one of the major surfaces of the sheet has applied thereto a pattern of an adhesive which is applied over less than the entire surface of the sheet.
  • the adhesive is not activated by the heat and pressure rolls of a non-impact printer, but is activated, after printing at least one of the surfaces of the form, by the application of additional heat and pressure which seals the adhesive-covered areas of the sheet to itself.
  • the adhesive preferably comprises a thermoplastic adhesive selected from the group consisting of homopolymers or copolymers of vinyl acetate, copolymers of vinyl acetate-maleic acid-di-n-butyl ester, copolymers of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate, copolymers of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrile, and terpolymers of acrylonitrile, n-butyl acrylate and styrene.
  • the adhesive also includes a filler selected from the group consisting of inorganic pigments, waxes, and starches. The filler functions to absorb silicone oil from the fuser rolls of a non-impact printer such as a laser printer so that the oil will not interfere with the bonding of the adhesive.
  • the adhesive as applied to the substrate comprises from about 30 to 40% by weight water, 5 to 15% talc, 10 to 20% by weight calcium carbonate, from 35 to 45% by weight of a terpolymer of acrylonitrile, n-butyl acrylate and styrene, and from 0.1 to 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose.
  • the pattern of adhesive is applied along the peripheral edges of the sheet. The sheet may then be folded and sealed along its peripheral edges by the application of heat and pressure.
  • the sheet may optionally include printed indicia on at least one of its major surfaces.
  • the sheet may also include a cut out window with or without a transparent patch so that when it is folded and sealed, a portion of the printed indicia, such as address information, is visible through the cut out window.
  • the sheet comprises first, second and third sections which are separated by fold lines so that the sheet may be folded in thirds and sealed.
  • the pattern of adhesive is applied along at least one peripheral edge of the first and second sections of the sheet, and along at least one peripheral edge of the third section of the sheet such that the sheet may be folded along the fold lines and heat sealed at the peripheral edges of the sheet.
  • the third section of the sheet may be removed from the form by tearing along a perforated fold line.
  • a method of making a sealed mailer product is also provided which generally comprises the steps of providing a sheet having first and second major surfaces, and applying to at least one of the major surfaces a pattern of an adhesive which is not activated by the heat and pressure rolls of a non-impact printer but which is activated after printing at least one of the surfaces by the application of additional heat and pressure to seal the sheet to itself.
  • the adhesive After the adhesive has dried, at least one major surface of the sheet may be printed using a non-impact printer with fusible toner which is then fused to the sheet.
  • the sheet is then folded and sealed by applying heat and pressure to the adhesive covered areas of the sheet.
  • the resulting adhesive bond provides a strong, tamper-proof seal which prevents the mailer from being resealed once it has been opened.
  • the preferred heat sealable mailer form of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 1A and comprises a sheet 10.
  • the sheet has first and second major surfaces 12 and 14 which are illustrated respectively by Figs. 1 and 1A.
  • At least one of the major surfaces of the sheet has applied thereto a pattern of an adhesive 16. As shown, that pattern may comprise lines of adhesive located along peripheral edges of the sheet.
  • the adhesive comprises a thermoplastic adhesive which may include homopolymers or copolymers of vinyl acetate, copolymers of vinyl acetate-maleic acid-di-n-butyl ester, copolymers of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate, copolymers of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrile, and terpolymers of acrylonitrile, n-butyl acrylate and styrene.
  • the adhesive also includes a filler selected from the group consisting of inorganic pigments, waxes, and starches. The filler functions to absorb silicone oil from the fuser rolls of a non-impact printer such as a laser printer so that the adhesive seals immediately upon the application of heat and pressure.
  • Suitable fillers include calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, barium sulphate, magnesium carbonate, aluminum oxide, talc, clay, calcium silicates, cellulose powder, carboxyl methyl cellulose, starch, polyethylene waxes, polyolefin waxes, and ester waxes.
  • the preferred adhesives for use in the present invention are taught in European Patent No. 257545 to Drescher, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the preferred adhesive composition comprises from about 30 to 40% by weight water, 5 to 15% talc, 10 to 20% by weight calcium carbonate, from 35 to 45% by weight of a terpolymer of acrylonitrile, n-butyl acrylate and styrene, and from 0.1 to 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose.
  • Such self-adhesives are resistant to sticking to printer contact surfaces when exposed to temperatures used for fusing toner particles in a non-impact printing device, but may thereafter be heat activated by the applications of additional heat and pressure in a sealing apparatus in order to be self adhering.
  • the adhesive 16 is preferably applied to the peripheral edges of the sheet in a pattern such that less than 5% of the paper surface is covered with the adhesive.
  • a preferred method of applying the adhesive is through the use of a flexographic applicator (i.e., a flexographic print station) followed by an in-line dryer to evaporate moisture from the adhesive.
  • a flexographic applicator i.e., a flexographic print station
  • an in-line dryer to evaporate moisture from the adhesive.
  • FIGs. 1 and 1A show the adhesive at the peripheral edges of a "Z" fold mailer, it should be appreciated that the adhesive may be applied in a number of different patterns on any convenient areas of the sheet consistent with the design and use of the forms or mailers.
  • the sheet preferably includes perforations 18 located inside at least one of the peripheral edges of the sheet so that the sealed edges may be removed for opening of the mailer.
  • the sheet may also include printed indicia 20 on at least one of its major surfaces.
  • the sheet may include a cut out window 30 (see Fig. 2) so that when it is folded and sealed, a portion of the printed indicia, such as address information, is visible through the cut out window.
  • the sheet comprises first, second and third sections 22, 24 and 26 which are separated by fold lines 28 so that the sheet may be folded in thirds and sealed.
  • the adhesive 16 is preferably applied along both peripheral edges of the first and second sections 22, 24 of the sheet as well as one end of the sheet.
  • the adhesive 16 is also applied along both peripheral edges of the third section 26 on the second surface 14 of the sheet.
  • the third section 24 of the sheet 10 may be removed from the form by tearing along the perforated fold line.
  • the third section may contain printed information which is to be retained by the originator of the form. The remaining portion of the sheet may then be folded in half along fold line 28 and sealed.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the folded and sealed mailer product of the present invention.
  • the mailer includes an optional cut out window 30 through which printed indicia 20 containing address information is visible.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a method of making one embodiment of the sealed mailer product of the present invention which comprises the steps of providing a sheet 10 having first and second major surfaces, and applying to at least one of the major surfaces a pattern of adhesive 16.
  • the adhesive is preferably applied by a flexographic applicator at a coating weight of about 8 g/m 2 .
  • the adhesive may then be dried in-line by a number of conventional methods including radio frequency, hot roll, infrared, or forced hot air.
  • At least one major surface of the sheet is then printed with indicia 20 using most commonly a non-impact printer 34 having fusible toner.
  • the sheet may be passed through the printer a second time to print additional indicia such as address information on the second surface of the sheet.
  • the toner is then fused to the sheet.
  • the sheet is then passed through a folding apparatus 36 which folds the sheet along the folding lines 28.
  • a sealing apparatus 38 applies heat and pressure to the adhesive covered peripheral edges of the sheet to activate the adhesive and
  • Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a typical folding and sealing apparatus which may be used for the sheet product of the present invention.
  • the sheet 10 having indicia (not shown) already printed thereon is advanced through a folding station 40, and is then advanced between Teflon® covered shoes 42 which are heated to a temperature of about 120°C to activate and soften the adhesive.
  • the sheet is then sealed by advancing the sheet through feed rollers 44 and 46, which apply a pressure of about 200 Newtons for about 1 second to seal the folded sheet.
  • the folded sheet is then rotated and passed through a second set of shoes 42 and feed rollers 48 to seal the remaining peripheral edges of the mailer.
  • the sheet product of the present invention may have a variety of potentially useful applications.
  • the present invention may be used to seal mailers or business forms printed with a laser or other non-impact printer without the need for conventional hot melt adhesives or pressure seal adhesives.
  • the adhesive forms a strong bond which can only be broken through fiber tearing of the paper.

Landscapes

  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Adhesive Tapes (AREA)
  • Adhesives Or Adhesive Processes (AREA)
  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
EP95307759A 1994-11-23 1995-10-31 Thermal seal product and process Ceased EP0719656A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US34455694A 1994-11-23 1994-11-23
US344556 1994-11-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0719656A2 true EP0719656A2 (en) 1996-07-03
EP0719656A3 EP0719656A3 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1996-07-24

Family

ID=23351022

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95307759A Ceased EP0719656A2 (en) 1994-11-23 1995-10-31 Thermal seal product and process

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0719656A2 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
JP (1) JPH08230360A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
AU (1) AU675903B2 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
CA (1) CA2159540C (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
IL (1) IL115684A0 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
NO (1) NO954026L (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
NZ (1) NZ280116A (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)
ZA (1) ZA958141B (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE20003416U1 (de) * 2000-02-25 2001-02-22 Gomoluch, Jan, 88299 Leutkirch Kuvertloser Brief
EP1584487A3 (en) * 2004-02-24 2006-09-27 Mastermailer Stationery Limited Stationery form

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ATE408523T1 (de) * 2000-08-07 2008-10-15 Mastermailer Stationery Ltd Papiersatz
JP2002337486A (ja) * 2001-05-15 2002-11-27 Gulliver:Kk 折り畳み封書およびその製造方法
JP4915789B2 (ja) * 2006-11-30 2012-04-11 共同印刷株式会社 封緘シート
JP5731210B2 (ja) * 2011-01-26 2015-06-10 理想科学工業株式会社 封書封緘装置

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0257545A2 (de) 1986-08-22 1988-03-02 Drescher Geschäftsdrucke Gmbh Verfahren zum Verkleben von zu bedruckenden und/oder zu beschriftenden Papierblättern oder dgl. und Papiererzeugnis, insbesondere Einblattbrief, Formularsatz oder dgl.
EP0291897A2 (de) 1987-05-19 1988-11-23 Drescher Geschäftsdrucke Gmbh Zwei- oder mehrlagiges Papiererzeugnis
US4918128A (en) 1987-12-25 1990-04-17 Toppan Moore Co., Ltd. Pressure-sensitive adhesive
US5314944A (en) 1992-10-01 1994-05-24 Moore Business Forms Pressure sensitive adhesive

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0236475B2 (ja) * 1986-10-23 1990-08-17 Nippon Gurei Kk Konendozairyoatsusohonpusochinokairyo
US4948028A (en) * 1989-02-03 1990-08-14 Avery International Corporation Variable size envelope with single closure flap
US5648143A (en) * 1991-10-28 1997-07-15 The Standard Register Company Heat resistant adhesives for adhering mailer windows

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0257545A2 (de) 1986-08-22 1988-03-02 Drescher Geschäftsdrucke Gmbh Verfahren zum Verkleben von zu bedruckenden und/oder zu beschriftenden Papierblättern oder dgl. und Papiererzeugnis, insbesondere Einblattbrief, Formularsatz oder dgl.
EP0291897A2 (de) 1987-05-19 1988-11-23 Drescher Geschäftsdrucke Gmbh Zwei- oder mehrlagiges Papiererzeugnis
US4918128A (en) 1987-12-25 1990-04-17 Toppan Moore Co., Ltd. Pressure-sensitive adhesive
US5314944A (en) 1992-10-01 1994-05-24 Moore Business Forms Pressure sensitive adhesive

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE20003416U1 (de) * 2000-02-25 2001-02-22 Gomoluch, Jan, 88299 Leutkirch Kuvertloser Brief
EP1584487A3 (en) * 2004-02-24 2006-09-27 Mastermailer Stationery Limited Stationery form
GB2436210A (en) * 2004-02-24 2007-09-19 Mastermailer Stationery Ltd Securing a folded stationery form using heat activated adhesive
GB2436210B (en) * 2004-02-24 2008-01-23 Mastermailer Stationery Ltd Stationery

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3316195A (en) 1996-06-06
CA2159540C (en) 2002-08-20
NO954026L (no) 1996-05-24
EP0719656A3 (GUID-C5D7CC26-194C-43D0-91A1-9AE8C70A9BFF.html) 1996-07-24
NO954026D0 (no) 1995-10-10
AU675903B2 (en) 1997-02-20
IL115684A0 (en) 1996-01-19
ZA958141B (en) 1996-04-25
NZ280116A (en) 1997-04-24
JPH08230360A (ja) 1996-09-10
CA2159540A1 (en) 1996-05-24

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