EP0989935B1 - Laminated structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Laminated structure (8) in the form of a sheet, card, leaf and the like, comprising a support layer (10); an adhesive layer (12), one side of which is fixed to one side of the support layer; a covering layer (14) on the other side of the adhesive layer (12), it being possible to remove at least part of the covering layer (14) and replace it by another layer, which other layer then adheres to the adhesive layer (12), characterized in that the structure is further provided with a second adhesive layer (16), one side of which is fixed to the other side of the support layer; a second covering layer on the other side of the second adhesive layer, it being possible to remove at least part of the second covering layer and replace it by another layer, which other layer adheres to the second adhesive layer.

Description

The invention relates to a laminated structure in the form of a sheet, card, leaf and the like, comprising a support layer, carrying an adhesive layer covered by a first covering layer on its one side and a second adhesive layer covered by a second covering layer on its other side, whereby at both sides the adherence between the adhesive layer and the support layer is stronger than the adherence between the adhesive layer and the covering layer.

Such a structure is known from EP-0,118,250. This prior art structure is especially destined to be used as a double-sided adhesive sticker by means of which posters, pictures, etc. can be adhered to a wall or album. At least one edge margin region on each side of the support layer is left free of adhesive to provide a non-adhesive portion grippable between the fingers so that the covering layers can be removed whereafter the sticker is ready to be used.

The underlying invention is not related to the area of stickers but is related to a completely different area. An example of the products in the area, covered by the underlying invention is described in US Patent 4,953,780. The support layer of this known structure is made of relatively rigid material, such as conventional cardboard. One side thereof is preprinted and forms the address side of the postcard. The other side is provided with an adhesive layer which is covered with a covering layer. The covering layer and the adhesive layer are each made of such material that the covering layer can be removed from the adhesive layer without the adhesive layer being damaged in the process. In a first embodiment a part of the covering layer can be removed and replaced by a photograph or something similar which is pressed onto the exposed part of the adhesive layer and thereby glued down. In another embodiment it is possible to remove the entire covering layer and replace it by a photograph of an appropriately larger size.

A first disadvantage of this prior art structure is that the use thereof is limited to that of a postcard whereas the applicant has the object to provide a laminated structure which gives the possibility of accommodating photographs or other optical data carriers in laminated structures on both sides of a support layer. Furthermore the dimensioning of this prior art product is such that in fact only photographs of specific dimensions can be adhered to the support layer.

An aim of the invention is now to provide such a product, which can be used with photographs or similar articles of varying dimensions.

In agreement with said object the invention now provides a laminated structure as described in the first paragraph which according to the invention is characterized in that the first and/or the second covering layer is provided with a pattern of tear lines, in such a way that a part of the respective covering layer, which part is marked out by said tear lines, can be removed from the underlying adhesive layer without detaching the remaining part of the respective covering layer from said adhesive layer.

By removing a suitable part of the covering layer on the basis of the pattern, it is possible to clear exactly the right amount of space for a document or a photograph of specific dimensions to be accommodated and secured in virtually a perfect fit in the laminated structure.

In general, it is preferable for the support layer to be made of paper, cardboard or plastic, the rigidity and thickness of which largely determine the rigidity and thickness of the entire structure. The thickness and the rigidity of the support layer can be selected beforehand depending on the purpose for which the structure is to be used. For use for an upright photograph on a desk or the like, a slightly thicker support layer will preferably be selected. For use in a photograph album a slightly thinner support layer will preferably be selected, and for filing work an even thinner support layer may be preferred.

In order to limit the increase in the overall thickness in each of the applications, it is further preferable for each covering layer to be made from a relatively thin material, such as, for example, a thin plastic film or thin paper.

In order to ensure that the photograph or other document affixed in the support layer is protected on the still exposed outside, it is further preferable for the first and/or the second covering layer in turn to be covered by a protective layer, in which the side facing the covering layer concerned is provided with a glued layer.

It is possible in various ways to shut off the glued layer on the protective layer prior to the use thereof and to preserve it for its purpose. A first embodiment in this connection is characterized in that the covering layer underneath the protective layer serves to cover the glued layer, the material of the covering layer and the glued layer adhering to each other in a detachable manner.

However, it is also possible for a shut-off layer between the covering layer and the protective layer to serve to shut off the glued layer, the material of the shut-off layer and the glued layer adhering to each other in a detachable manner.

In order to facilitate affixing in a file or in an album, it is preferable for the projecting part of the adhesive layer to be provided with a perforation of standard dimensions, in such a way that the structure can be stored in a file or something of that kind.

In order if necessary to provide the user with instructions on how to use the laminated structure, it may be preferable for each covering layer to be provided with an imprint or impression at least on the removable part thereof.

The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to the appended figures.

Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of a laminated structure according to the invention.

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show applications of such a structure as a leaf in a photograph album.

Figure 3 shows a more general application of such a structure for sticking in or affixing various data carriers in a detachable manner.

Figures 4a and 4b show further developed embodiments of a structure according to the invention.

Figure 5 shows a development in which additional protective layers are used.

Figures 6a and 6b show the application of the embodiment according to Figure 5.

Figure 7 shows a variant of the embodiment of Figure 5.

Figure 1 shows diagrammatically a cross-section through a laminated structure according to the invention. The structure as a whole is indicated by 8 and consists of a central support layer 10, provided on one side with an adhesive layer 12 and on the other side with an adhesive layer 16, the adhesive layer 12 being shut off by a covering layer 14, and the adhesive layer 16 being shut off by a covering layer 18.

The support layer 10 in Figure 1 is made of paper, cardboard or plastic, the rigidity and thickness of which largely determine the rigidity and thickness of the entire structure. The glued layers or adhesive layers 12 and 16 are preferably relatively thin, and a relatively thin material is also used for the covering layers 14 and 18. Suitable types of glue for the layers 12 and 16 and suitable materials for the covering layers 14 and 18, for example thin layers of paper or plastic, are known to the person skilled in the art and require no further discussion. This means that the overall thickness of the structure 8 is substantially determined by the thickness of the support layer 10. A suitable material can be selected for this layer 10, in such a way that the structure as a whole, depending on its dimensions, has the desired strength and rigidity. For uses for upright photographs on a desk or the like, a slightly thicker support layer will preferably be selected. For use in a photograph album a slightly thinner support layer is preferable, and for filing work an even thinner support layer may be preferred.

Figures 2a and 2b show an exemplary embodiment of a laminated structure 18, which in this case can be used, for example, as a leaf in a photograph album. In Figure 2a only the top covering layer 24 is visible. By means of tear lines (lines where the covering layer 24 is weakened or even fully cut through locally) separate areas 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d are defined in this covering layer 24. The underlying part of the adhesive layer can be exposed by removing the covering layer at the position of one of these areas. The exposed part can then be used for positioning and affixing, for example, a photograph on the leaf 24.

In Figure 2b two small photographs 30 and 32 have been stuck in the manner described above on the areas 26d and 26c after the marked-out areas of the covering layer 24 were removed from there. A relatively large photograph 34 has also been stuck on the structure 18, making use of both areas 26a and 26b. In general, two of such relatively large adhesive areas are ample for fixing a large photograph properly in position in a photograph album.

It will be clear that the laminated structure according to the invention can also be used for sticking on a single photograph, leaflet or other sheet-type data carrier in the manner described in the abovementioned American Patent Application US-4953780 for a postcard. In this connection, Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the covering layer 44 is provided with only a single tear line 40. The user can choose either to remove the entire covering layer and stick on a photograph the size of the entire sheet or to remove the covering layer within the tear line 40 and stick a photograph or the like thereon.

It is pointed out again that only one side of the structure is visible in Figures 2 and 3. The other side is also provided in a similar manner with an adhesive layer and covering layer and can be used in a similar way. In this case any tear lines present may have a different pattern on the two sides.

The laminated structure according to the invention can be used for very universal purposes if it is designed as shown diagrammatically in Figures 4a and 4b. The laminated structure in Figure 4a in this case is provided with a covering layer 54 which has a pattern 52 of tear lines. This pattern 52 is formed in such a way that smaller or larger parts of the covering layer 54 can be removed, in order to expose smaller or larger parts of the underlying adhesive layer. This means that smaller or larger photographs or other data carriers, papers, cardboard elements and the like can be affixed on the support structure as desired. Here again, it is generally not necessary to provide an adhesive area the size of the object to be stuck in. In general, a smaller adhesive area will be ample for guaranteeing good adhesion.

Such an embodiment is shown in Figure 4b. Here again, the covering layer 64 is provided with a pattern 62 of tear lines, which pattern is formed in such a way that smaller or larger parts of the covering layer 64 can be removed in order to expose smaller or larger parts of the underlying adhesive layer. In this example the tear lines run up to the edge on three sides. On the fourth side the structure is provided with a number of holes 60 of standardized dimensions, by means of which the entire card-type or sheet-type structure can be stored in a standard file or the like. In this case, if desired, the adhesive layer and the covering layer may be left out along the edge where the holes 60 are situated, but this is not necessary.

Although only one side of the laminated structure is shown in Figures 4a and 4b, it is emphasized again that when this structure is turned over the same possibilities can be achieved on the other side.

A further development of the laminated structure according to the invention is shown in Figure 5. The structure as a whole is indicated by 18 and consists of a central support layer 70, provided on one side with an adhesive layer 72 and on the other side with an adhesive layer 76, the adhesive layer 72 being shut off by a covering layer 74, and the adhesive layer 76 being shut off by a covering layer 78.

A glued layer 80, covered by protective layer 82, is situated on the top covering layer 74. A glued layer 84, covered by protective layer 86, is situated on the bottom covering layer 78. The glued layers and the protective layers are made of such material that the glued layer 80, 84 adheres strongly to the protective layer 82, 86 and adheres in a detachable manner to the underlying covering layer 74, 78.

Figures 6a and 6b show an example of how such a structure can be used. First of all, the protective layer 82 with the glued layer 80 is pulled away from the underlying covering layer 74, as shown in Figure 6a. Separate areas 88a, 88b, 88c and 88d are defined in the underlying covering layer 74 by means of tear lines. The underlying parts of the adhesive layer 72 are then exposed by removing the covering layer at the position of all these areas. These exposed parts can subsequently be used for positioning and sticking down, for example, two large photographs 90 and 91. Finally, the protective layer is laid over the resulting whole and fixed by means of the glued layer 80, with the result that the photographs are protected against external influences.

In Figure 6a it is assumed that after its removal the protective layer still remains fixed at the edge of the structure. In general, this is found convenient by users, and for that reason it is given preference, but such fixing is not essential. Making the protective layer remain fixed can be achieved by fixing the edge thereof with another suitable type of glue which is not detachable. Another possibility is to make the protective layers 82 and 86 in one piece, in which case this integral layer is folded, as it were, around an edge of the structure, in particular the edge where the layer is to remain fixed.

Another further development of the laminated structure according to the invention is shown in Figure 7. This structure as a whole is indicated by 98 and consists of a central support layer 100, provided on one side with an adhesive layer 112 and on the other side with an adhesive layer 116, the adhesive layer 112 being shut off by a covering layer 114, and the adhesive layer 116 being shut off by a covering layer 118.

Over the top covering layer 114 is a protective layer 120, which is provided on the inside with a glued layer 122, which in turn is shut off by a shut-off layer 124. Under the bottom covering layer 118 is a protective layer 126, which is provided on the inside with a glued layer 128, which in turn is shut off by a shut-off layer 130. The shut-off layer 124 therefore rests against the covering layer 114, and the shut-off layer 130 rests against the covering layer 118.

The way in which this structure can be used is entirely the same as is described with reference to Figures 6a and 6b, with the difference that for fixing of the protective layer 120, 126, the covering layer 124, 130 concerned must be removed in order to expose the glued layer 122, 128 concerned.

In Figure 7 the protective layers 120, 126 on the left side of the figure are fixed by a strongly adhering glue to the edge of the central support 100. It is also assumed in the figure that the remaining layers 112, 114, 116, 118, 122, 124, 128 and 130 do not run up to the abovementioned edge, but end at a short distance therefrom, so that it is possible to fix the protective layers 120, 126 directly on the free area along the left edge of the central support 100.

This left edge can also be used for making holes 136, by means of which the plate-type or sheet-type structure can be affixed in a file or the like.

Claims (4)

1. Laminated structure in the form of a sheet, card, leaf and the like, comprising a support layer, carrying an adhesive layer covered by a first covering layer on its one side and a second adhesive layer covered by a second covering layer on its other side, whereby at both sides the adherence between the adhesive layer and the support layer is stronger than the adherence between the adhesive layer and the covering layer, characterized in that the first and/or the second covering layer is provided with a pattern of tear lines which extend across the adjacent adhesive layer such that part of the covering layer can be removed exposing thereby part of the adhesive layer whereby the other part of said adhesive layer is still covered by the other part of said covering layer.
2. Laminated structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and/or the second covering layer is in turn covered by a protective layer, of which the side, facing the covering layer concerned is provided with a glue layer.
3. , Laminated structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the covering layer underneath the protective layer serves to cover the glue layer, the material of the covering layer and the glue layer adhering to each other in a detachable manner.
4. Laminated structure according to claim 2, characterized in that a shut off layer between the covering layer and the protective layer serves to shut off the glue layer, the material of the shut off layer and the glue layer adhering to each other in a detachable manner.

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