EP2074606B1

EP2074606B1 - Composite stamp

Info

Publication number: EP2074606B1
Application number: EP07747396A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Enno Renier Van Der Werff; Boudewijn Rip
Original assignee: PTT Post Holdings BV
Current assignee: PTT Post Holdings BV
Priority date: 2006-09-11
Filing date: 2007-04-20
Publication date: 2012-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-20
Also published as: EP2074606B9; CN101573740A; ES2386823T3; EP2074606A1; WO2008033015A1; PT2074606E; ES2386823T9; AU2007295170B2; DK2074606T3; BRPI0716919A2; BRPI0716919B1; NL2000228C2; AU2007295170A1; CN101573740B

Abstract

A stamp is provided with a sticker made of an elastic material. The sticker made of elastic material comprises a layered adhesive part and a layered storage part. The adhesive part of the sticker is connected to a surface of the stamp and encloses the storage part so as to form a hollow between the storage part and the stamp.

Description

The present invention relates to a composite stamp. The invention furthermore relates to a sticker and also to a method for producing the composite stamp.
A postal item such as a letter or postcard, or also printed matter that is sent by post, is generally processed by automated means in sorting machines and other mail processing machines.
In such machines the postal items are conveyed along curved processing paths during which the postal items undergo a bending.
It is known that sometimes an object is enclosed in an envelope of a postal item. The automated processing may lead to the object enclosed in the envelope becoming damaged, or the envelope becoming damaged, through the bending imposed by the processing machine.
DE 202 14 508 discloses a sticker for postcards, packages and leaflets, etc., which has an upper layer and a lower layer that are solvably connected to each other. In a seed arrangement area between the upper layer and the lower layer, the sticker can hold at least one germinative seed.
It is an object of the present invention to prevent such damage to the enclosed object or the envelope as a result of automated mail processing.
The object is achieved by a composite stamp according to Claim 1.
The invention advantageously provides a storage space for the enclosed object, which storage space is deformable and can remain connected to the stamp during a bending of the composite stamp. Provision is made for an embossing to be provided in the stamp in which the sticker is placed. In this way a simplified fit of the sticker on the stamp can be achieved. It can also be ensured in this way that the filling of the storage part is simplified.
In a further embodiment the adhesive part of the sticker is provided with a raised edge, so that it is advantageously ensured that the composite stamp according to the present invention is reinforced.
In yet another embodiment provision is made for the layer of the adhesive part to increase in thickness from its outside towards the storage part. A reinforcement of the composite stamp is also achieved in this way.
In a further embodiment provision is made for the layer of the storage part to be thinner than the connecting part of the layer of the adhesive part. This advantageously leads to a volume being formed for the storage part.
In yet a further embodiment provision is made for the sticker to comprise an optically transparent material. This makes it possible for the contents of the storage part and/or the stamp underneath to be visible.
The present invention also relates to a method for producing the composite stamp according to Claim 14.
Further embodiments according to the present invention are described in the sub claims.
The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to a number of drawings, in which a number of exemplary embodiments are shown. The drawings are intended only for illustrative purposes and do not serve as a limitation of the inventive idea, which is defined by the appended claims.
In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a top view of a composite stamp according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a side view of the composite stamp according to Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a side view of a composite stamp according to a further embodiment;
Figure 4 shows a side view of a composite stamp according to yet a further embodiment;
Figure 5 shows a side view of a composite stamp according to yet another embodiment;
Figure 6 shows a side view of a composite stamp according to a further embodiment;
Figure 7 shows a top view of a stamp sheet provided with composite stamps according to the present invention;
Figure 8 shows a side view of a composite stamp according to a further embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a top view of a composite stamp according to the invention.
The composite stamp 1 comprises a stamp 2 and a layered sticker 3. The sticker 3 comprises an adhesive part 4 and a storage part 5.
The adhesive part 4 of the sticker 3 is provided with an adhesive on one side and is connected by said adhesive to a surface of the stamp 2.
The adhesive part 4 also surrounds the storage part 5, which does not have any adhesive on its surface and is consequently not connected to the surface of the stamp. A hollow can therefore be formed between the surface of the stamp 2 and the storage part.
Suitable objects can be accommodated in the hollow, as will be explained in greater detail below.
The sticker 3 is made of a plastic material with such properties that an elastic deformation of the sticker can occur during automated mail processing. The elastic deformation that is possible prevents the sticker from becoming detached from the stamp or prevents damage from occurring to the composite stamp during mail processing.
The sticker can be made of an optically transparent material. This means that contents of the storage part and/or the surface of the stamp underneath can be visible.
Figure 2 shows a cross section of the composite stamp 1 along line II - II.
In Figure 2 the sticker 3 is affixed on the stamp 2. The adhesive part 4 is connected to the surface of the stamp 2 at boundary face 4a.
According to the invention, the dimensions of the sticker 3, and in particular of the adhesive part 4, are selected in such a way that the forces which can occur on the surface of the stamp (i.e. boundary face 4a) during the deformation do not lead to the stamp 2 tearing or to the sticker 3 being torn off the stamp 2.
The storage part 5 is designed not to adhere to the surface of the stamp 2, so that the hollow 6 is produced between the storage part and the stamp.
One or more suitable objects 6a can be accommodated in the hollow 6. Said objects 6a can be selected from, for example, a group comprising plant seeds, minerals, miniatures, ground products (such as coffee), herbs or herb mixtures, soil samples (for example from a particular archaeological site such as a native soil) etc.
A selection of these objects 6a can be determined by the fact that the objects and/or materials that are suitable may represent a particular use or a particular emotional value for a recipient.
The only limitation set for the one or more objects is that the dimensions of said object(s) must be such that accommodation in the hollow 6 is possible.
In the event of the one or more objects being a plant seed, it may be possible for the composite stamp (possibly with a part of the letter or postcard) to be placed in soil. In this case the material of the sticker is preferably a biodegradable material.
Figure 3 shows a cross section of the composite stamp 1 along line II - II in a second embodiment.
Reference numerals in Figure 3 that are the same as those in the preceding Figures 1, 2 always refer to elements of the same kind as those described in those figures.
In this embodiment provision is made for the layer of the storage part 5 to be thinner than the connecting part of the layer of the adhesive part 4. This advantageously leads to an increase in volume for the hollow 6 of the storage part 5.
Figure 4 shows a cross section of the composite stamp 1 along line II - II in a further embodiment.
Reference numerals in Figure 4 that are the same as those in preceding figures always refer to elements of the same kind as those described in those figures.
In this further embodiment the adhesive part 4 of the sticker 3 is provided with a raised edge 7 on its outer periphery 4b. The raised edge 7 provides a reinforcement of the composite stamp.
Figure 5 shows a cross section of the composite stamp 1 along line II - II in yet a further embodiment.
Reference numerals in Figure 5 that are the same as those in preceding figures always refer to elements of the same kind as those described in those figures.
In this embodiment provision is made for the layer of the adhesive part 4 to have a thickness increasing from its outer periphery 4b towards the storage part 5. A reinforcement of the sticker 3, in particular a reinforcement of the hollow 6, is also achieved in this way. Furthermore, this embodiment provides a relative enlargement of the hollow 6.
In addition, the gradual thickness curve of the sticker 3 provides a relatively smoother composite stamp 1, which can improve a throughput in a mail processing machine.
Figure 6 shows a cross section of the composite stamp 1 along line II - II in yet a further embodiment.
Reference numerals in Figure 6 that are the same as those in preceding figures always refer to elements of the same kind as those described in those figures.
The composite stamp 1 according to this embodiment comprises an embossing 8 in the stamp 2.
The provision of the embossing 8 produces a recessed part in the stamp. This recessed part can advantageously be used when the object 6a is being placed in the hollow 6 of the storage part 5. After the embossing 8 has been provided in the stamp 2, an object 6a can be placed in the embossing 8, after which the sticker 3 is placed on the embossing. The embossing process is preferably carried out after printing of the stamps. The embossing makes it easy to place the object 6a (and also the sticker 3) in the correct position on the stamp 2.
In this embodiment the stamp 2 preferably has a paper weight of at least 100 grams per square metre, in order to simplify the embossing process of the stamp.
Figure 7 shows a top view of a stamp sheet 10 provided with composite stamps 1 according to the present invention. The composite stamps 1 are separated from each other by perforations or tear lines 11.
Figure 8 shows a cross section of the composite stamp in a further embodiment. Reference numerals in Figure 8 that are the same as those in preceding figures always refer to elements of the same kind as those described in those figures.
In this embodiment the composite stamp 1 furthermore comprises an intermediate layer 12 situated between the surface of the stamp 2 and the sticker 3. The adhesive part 4 of the sticker 3 is stuck to an upper side of the intermediate layer 12. The storage part 5 is situated between the sticker 3 and the intermediate layer 12. An underside of the intermediate layer 12 is provided with an adhesive and is connected to the surface of the stamp 2. This embodiment advantageously provides for objects to be enclosed in the storage part before the sticker is connected to the surface of the stamp.
In a further embodiment the composite stamp 1 is provided with a local weakening in the part of the sticker that adjoins the storage part 5. The local weakening serves for easy opening of the storage part in the sticker. The weakening can be a thinner part of the sticker layer, or it can be a perforation or micro-opening of the sticker layer that is smaller than the dimensions of the object(s) 6a which can be present in the storage part. As an alternative, the local weakening can be made in the stamp 2 adjacent to the storage part 5.
A method for producing a composite stamp which is provided with a sticker made of elastic material, in which the sticker comprises a layered adhesive part and a layered storage part, can comprise a number of steps:

producing a stamp sheet in which stamps that are separated from each other by perforations or tear lines are provided;
printing the stamps in a suitable printing process (in one or more colours);
placing on one or more stamps of the stamp sheet the one or more objects to be accommodated, or in an alternative manner placing said one or more objects in the storage part of the sticker; and
connecting the adhesive part of the sticker to a surface of the stamp;

The placing of said one or more objects in the storage part of the sticker can be carried out in various ways. Examples of the ways in which they can be placed are explained briefly below.
In a first variant the objects can be placed in the storage part by means of a metering device which places one or more objects per sticker in the storage part, after which the sticker and the stamp are brought together to form the composite stamp. The metering device comprises a stock storage area (a container) from which the one or more objects 6a can be transferred to the storage part 5 of the sticker 3.
In a second variant the stickers are formed from a strip-shaped sticker material. The strip-shaped sticker material is provided with a fold in the longitudinal direction, and said fold is preferably situated halfway across the width of the strip-shaped sticker material. One or more objects are always placed in this fold in the longitudinal direction at points with a predetermined distance between them. The strip-shaped material is then folded up. The edges of the strip-shaped material are joined together here, for example by providing an adhesive on the edges to be folded over on each other. The folded-up strip-shaped sticker material is then cut through at a point between every two points where the one or more objects are situated, so that individual stickers are formed. Cut edges at points where the folded-up strip-shaped material has been cut through are preferably provided with an adhesive, so that the one or more objects are enclosed in the individual sticker. The individual sticker is affixed on the surface of the stamp in order to form the composite stamp.
In a third variant the sticker material is strip-shaped. A quantity of adhesive is applied to the strip-shaped sticker material at predetermined points on one side of the strip-shaped material, the distance between the predetermined points being determined by a distance between adjacent stamps. After that, the one or more objects are placed at each predetermined point of the sticker material that has been provided with adhesive. An adhesive is subsequently applied to each stamp, on at least the surface by means of which the stamp has to stick on the sticker. The side of the strip-shaped sticker material on which the one or more objects are situated is then brought into contact with the stamp material in such a way that the composite stamp is formed, with the one or more objects in each case situated substantially at a predetermined position in a storage part between stamp and sticker. After this, the individual composite stamps can be cut off if desired.
As an alternative to this third variant, instead of a direct connection between the sticker material and the stamp, it is also possible to use a connection to an intermediate layer; in that case an adhesive is applied to the intermediate layer, in each case at those points of the surface by means of which the intermediate layer has to stick to the sticker. The intermediate layer can then be placed on the surface of the stamp.
The composite stamp 1 according to the invention can be a postage stamp (or parcel stamp), or it can also be a stick-on label.
The composite stamp 1 can be a stamp that is provided with a gum layer or with a self-adhesive layer.
Provision is also made for a space to be left between an outside edge of the stamp 2 and the outside edge of the adhesive part 4. This ensures that in a stamp sheet comprising one or more composite stamps 1, in which each stamp 1 is surrounded by a perforation line or tear line 11, the removal of the composite stamp from the stamp sheet is improved.
For a composite stamp 1 that can be used as a postage stamp or parcel stamp the dimensions are, for example, 25 by 36 mm (or, for example, 30 by 40 mm). The sticker 3 is, for example, circular with a diameter of 18 mm, the diameter of the storage part being 9 mm. The space between perforation 11 and outside edge of the sticker 3 is then at least 3.5 mm (with centred placing of the sticker 3 on the stamp 2).
It is also ensured that a space is available for franking the composite stamp 1.
In a further embodiment the sticker 3 is designed in such a way that stamp ink can be absorbed in the sticker surface. To this end, the sticker is, for example, made of a suitable plastic that can absorb ink.
If the composite stamp 1 is a postage stamp or parcel stamp, the sticker 3 is placed on the stamp 2 in such a way that any phosphor area that may be present in the stamp 2 is not covered by the sticker. The phosphor area is an area of the stamp 2 in which a phosphorescent ink is present.
The space to be left between the outside edge of the sticker 3 and the perforation 11 of the stamp 2 preferably at least partially coincides with the phosphor area.
It is pointed out that the sticker 3 can also be of a shape other than round, for example it can be triangular, square or hexagonal in shape.
It is furthermore pointed out that the sticker 3 could also be affixed directly on a paper sheet, cardboard sheet, writing paper, a postcard or other printed matter instead of on a stamp 2.
The following clauses relate to various variants of the composite stamp.

Clause 1. Stamp provided with a sticker of elastic material, in which the sticker comprises a layered adhesive part and a layered storage part, the adhesive part being connected to a surface of the stamp, and the adhesive part enclosing the storage part so as to form a hollow between the storage part and the stamp, the elastic material having such properties that an elastic deformation of the sticker can occur during automated mail processing, preventing the sticker from becoming detached from the stamp or preventing damage from occurring to the composite stamp during mail processing, the stamp having a paper weight of at least 100 grams per square metre.
Clause 2. Stamp according to Clause 1, in which the adhesive part comprises a raised edge.
Clause 3. Stamp according to Clause 1 or 2, in which the layer of the adhesive part increases in thickness from its outside towards the storage part.
Clause 4. Stamp according to Clause 3, in which the layer of the storage part is thinner than the connecting part of the layer of the adhesive part.
Clause 5. Stamp according to one of the preceding Clauses 1 - 4, in which the sticker comprises an optically transparent material.
Clause 6. Stamp according to one of Clauses 1 - 5, in which the sticker comprises a biodegradable material.
Clause 7. Stamp according to one of Clauses 1 - 6, in which an embossing is provided in the stamp in which the sticker is placed.
Clause 8. Stamp according to one of Clauses 1 - 7, in which an intermediate layer is placed between the sticker and the stamp, the adhesive part of the sticker being connected to an upper side of the intermediate layer, and an underside of the intermediate layer being connected to the surface of the stamp.
Clause 9. Stamp according to Clause 1, in which a space is left between the outside edge of the adhesive part and an outside edge of the stamp.
Clause 10. Stamp according to Clause 9, in which the stamp comprises a phosphor area in the surface, and the sticker is placed on the surface outside the phosphor area.
Clause 11. Stamp according to one of Clauses 1 or 9 - 10, in which the stamp is provided with a gum layer.
Clause 12. Stamp according to one of Clauses 1 or 9 - 10, in which the stamp is provided with a self-adhesive layer.
Clause 13. Stamp according to one of the preceding Clauses 1 - 12, in which the stamp is a postage stamp or parcel stamp.
Clause 14. Stamp according to one of the preceding Clauses 1 - 12, in which the stamp is a stick-on label.
Clause 15. Stamp according to one of the preceding Clauses 1 - 14, in which one or more objects are provided in the hollow.
Clause 16. Stamp according to one of the preceding Clauses 1 - 15, in which a local weakening is provided in a part of the sticker that adjoins the storage part.
Clause 17. Stamp according to Clauses 1 - 15, in which a local weakening is provided in a part of the stamp that adjoins the storage part.
Clause 18. Stamp according to Clause 16 or 17, in which the local weakening comprises a thinning or a perforation or one or more micro-openings.
Clause 19. Stamp according to Clause 15, in which the one or more objects are selected from a group comprising plant seeds, minerals, miniatures, ground products, herbs and soil samples.
Clause 20. Stamp according to one of the preceding clauses, in which the sticker surface is capable of absorbing ink.
Clause 21. Sticker of elastic material, in which the sticker comprises a layered adhesive part and a layered storage part, the adhesive part being connectable to a surface of a paper sheet and the adhesive part enclosing the storage part so as to be able to form a hollow between the storage part and the paper sheet.
Clause 22. Method for producing a stamp provided with a sticker of elastic material, in which the sticker comprises a layered adhesive part and a layered storage part, the adhesive part being connected to a surface of the stamp and the adhesive part enclosing the storage part so as to form a hollow between the storage part and the stamp, , the elastic material having such properties that an elastic deformation of the sticker can occur during automated mail processing, preventing the sticker from becoming detached from the stamp or preventing damage from occurring to the composite stamp during mail processing;
the method comprising the step of connecting the adhesive part to a surface of the stamp, the adhesive part enclosing the storage part so as to form a hollow between the storage part and the stamp, the stamp having a paper weight of at least 100 grams per square metre.

Other, alternative and equivalent embodiments of the present invention are conceivable within the inventive idea, as will be clear to the person skilled in the art. The inventive idea is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

Stamp (2) provided with a sticker (3) of elastic material, in which the sticker comprises a layered adhesive part (4) and a layered storage part (5), the adhesive part being connected to a surface of the stamp (2), and the adhesive part enclosing the storage part so as to form a hollow (6) between the storage part and the stamp,
characterized in that
the stamp has a paper weight of at least 100 grams per square meter, and
an embossing (8) is provided in the stamp in which the sticker is placed.
Stamp according to Claim 1, in which the adhesive part comprises a raised edge (7).
Stamp according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the layer of the adhesive part increases in thickness from its outside towards the storage part.
Stamp according to Claim 3, in which the layer of the storage part is thinner than the connecting part of the layer of the adhesive part.
Stamp according to Claim 1 - 4, in which the sticker comprises an optically transparent material, or in which the sticker comprises a biodegradable material.
Stamp according to one of Claims 1 - 5, in which an intermediate layer (12) is placed between the sticker and the stamp, the adhesive part of the sticker being connected to an upper side of the intermediate layer, and an underside of the intermediate layer being connected to the surface of the stamp.
Stamp according to Claim 1, in which a space is left between the outside edge of the adhesive part and an outside edge of the stamp.
Stamp according to Claim 76, in which the stamp comprises a phosphor area in the surface, and the sticker is placed on the surface outside the phosphor area.
Stamp according to one of the preceding Claims 1 - 8, in which the stamp is a postage stamp or parcel stamp, or in which the stamp is a stick-on label.
Stamp according to one of the preceding Claims 1 - 98, in which one or more objects are provided in the hollow.
Stamp according to one of the preceding Claims 1 - 109, in which a local weakening is provided in a part of the sticker that adjoins the storage part or in which a local weakening is provided in a part of the stamp that adjoins the storage part; the local weakening comprising a thinning or a perforation or one or more micro-openings.
Stamp according to Claim 109, in which the one or more objects are selected from a group comprising plant seeds, minerals, miniatures, ground products, herbs and soil samples.
Stamp according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sticker surface is capable of absorbing ink.
Method for producing a stamp (2) provided with a sticker (3) of elastic material, in which the sticker comprises a layered adhesive part (4) and a layered storage part (5), the adhesive part being connected to a surface of the stamp and the adhesive part enclosing the storage part so as to form a hollow (6) between the storage part and the stamp,
the method comprising the step of connecting the adhesive part to a surface of the stamp, the adhesive part enclosing the storage part so as to form a hollow between the storage part and the stamp, characterized in that the stamp (2) has a paper weight of at least 100 grams per square meter,
and the method comprises that an embossing (8) is provided in the stamp in which the sticker is placed.