EP3368333B1 - Data page, especially for a book-like document, and method for producing the same - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a data page, in particular for a book-like document, with at least one individual page for applying and/or storing data and with at least one tab made of a flexible layer, and a method for its production.

From the WO 2006 054072 A1 a data page is known which consists of an injection molded carrier layer. This carrier layer is completely covered on both sides by a flexible layer, with the two layers forming a flexible section which goes beyond the carrier layer and is designed as a tab. The flexible layers are attached to the carrier layer by an injection molding process.

From the DE 10 2008 025 075 A1 a data page is known which has a polymer carrier layer which is provided with security paper on both sides. The security paper applied over the entire area on both sides of the carrier layer extends beyond the carrier layer on one long side and forms a flap. An analogous structure for a data page is shown in WO 98/19870 A1 known.

From the EP 2 001 686 B1 a data page is known in which a stepped receiving area is introduced at an edge area for connecting a tab. A tab is placed on this stepped receiving area. The flap consists of a fabric, which is surrounded on both sides with a plastic layer. Subsequently, the tab in the receiving area is connected to the data side by means of ultrasonic welding.

From the DE 10 2012 213 913 A1 a method is known for connecting a flap made of a textile material to a document sheet in an overlapping area. An ultrasonic welding device is provided to connect the flap to the document sheet in the overlapping area, which flap rests on one side of the document sheet to form the overlapping area. The working surface of the sonotrode includes a profile. The working surface of the anvil is planned. The flap is attached to the document sheet on one side by this ultrasonic welding device.

From the WO 2007/054618 A1 a data page is also known in which a tab is assigned to a bottom of a single page, so that a tab portion of the tab forms an overlap area with the bottom of the single page. This tab section and the individual side are then connected to one another in the overlapping area under pressure and temperature, with the tab made from a net-like material being pressed into the underside of the individual side.

After producing this data page and the flap fixed to it, these data pages are introduced into a book-like document and preferably connected by means of a seam to a book block and/or to an endpaper and/or to a book cover to form a book-like document.

These aforementioned embodiments have the disadvantage that a manipulation in which the tab is mechanically separated from the individual page and the data page is then reconnected to the tab is not immediately apparent, since the tab is attached to the underside of the individual page and the relevant data, such as the name and/or a picture of the document holder, is applied to the top. In addition, the connection of the lug to the individual side has the disadvantage that the lug and the individual side are designed with different degrees of hardness, making assembly, in particular ultrasonic welding, more difficult. In addition, the one-sided application of the tab has only a limited durability to the single side.

The invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a data page and a method for its production, by means of which manipulation is made more difficult and a data page is created which has an improved tear-off strength of an individual page to the flap.

This object is achieved by a data page, in which on a top and on a bottom of the single page in each case Overlap area to the individual side, a tab section of the at least one tab element is arranged to form the tab and is laminated or welded to the top and bottom of the individual side in the overlap area. This makes it possible for the tab to attack the individual side on both sides. The side edges of the individual pages associated with the tab sections of the tab are embraced on both sides. The tab sections are preferably connected in a form-fitting manner to the top and bottom of the individual page. This enables a symmetrical structure and a symmetrical arrangement of the tab on the individual side, which results in increased tear-off strength. In addition, manipulation by peeling off one side or mechanically detaching the individual side from the tab is immediately apparent.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides for a strip-shaped tab element to form the tab to be arranged on the top and bottom of the individual page. On the one hand, this allows the flap elements to grip on the outside of the individual pages, and at the same time a free flap area is formed that has twice the material thickness and thus increases the tear resistance compared to a seam to form a book block.

Alternatively, the tab can be formed by at least one strip-shaped tab element, the at least one strip-shaped tab element being folded over and connected to the free ends, which form the tab sections, on the top and bottom of the individual page. The tab is thus converted into a U-shape before it is attached to the individual page, in order to then form an overlapping area with the free ends or the tab sections to the top and bottom of the individual page and to be connected.

The individual side is preferably formed at least partially from a thermoplastic polymer, in particular polycarbonate, or from a polycarbonate derivative.

Furthermore, the at least one tab is preferably formed at least partially from a thermally meltable plastic. is preferred the tab is made of a textile material, such as fleece or fabric, which consists at least partially of a thermoplastic polymer and/or comprises at least one layer or ply of a thermoplastic polymer. This enables a material connection between the individual side and the tab through temperature and/or pressure, which leads to an adhesive and/or cohesive adhesion of the materials.

A further preferred embodiment of the data page provides that the respective tab sections arranged on the top and bottom of the individual page are arranged congruently. This simplifies production.

Furthermore, the tab sections are connected to one another in the overlapping area on the individual side by lamination or welding, in particular ultrasonic welding.

When connecting the tab sections in the overlapping area to the individual side, punctiform, linear or flat connecting areas are created at least in the overlapping area. This can enable a secure and permanent connection.

Furthermore, tab sections of the free tab area of the at least one tab are connected by punctiform, linear or planar connecting areas. This keeps the tab flexible. In addition, it can also be possible to sew the flap into a book block using a thread. The connection areas do not extend completely over the free flap area.

Furthermore, the two tab sections acting on the top and bottom of the individual page grip the edge region of the individual page associated with the tab in a U-shape or V-shape. As a result, the tab sections can be securely and firmly connected to the individual side in the overlapping area, and in particular a material connection between the tab sections and the individual side can be made possible.

Furthermore, the single page preferably has at least one front booklet with at least one layer or printed layer and at least one back booklet with at least one layer or printed layer, and the one flap section of the at least one flap on a top side of the front booklet and the at least one flap section on a bottom side of the back booklet are connected. Such a single side is preferably referred to as a PC card, i.e. polycarbonate card, in which the respective outer layers consist of polycarbonate and at least one printed layer or a printable layer and/or a transponder module with an antenna for storing data can be provided in between . Such a single page can have a completely circumferential and closed edge due to the outer layers of PC, which is gripped on the outside by the tab sections, the tab sections being materially bonded to the closed edge of such a PC card in the overlapping area.

The object on which the invention is based is also achieved for the production of a data page in which a tab section of the at least one tab is arranged so that it overlaps on the top side of the individual page and another tab section of the at least one tab is arranged so that it overlaps on the underside of the individual page, and then each tab section has a tool is assigned and then each flap section is connected to the single side with the tool in the overlapping area. When connecting the tab sections in the overlapping area to the individual side, punctiform, linear or flat connecting areas are created at least in the overlapping area. In particular, the tab sections are laminated or welded to the individual side in a form-fitting manner in the overlapping area. With such a method, due to the symmetrical structure and the two-sided introduction of the tab sections, a permanent and firm connection can be created between the tab and the individual side from the outside, without this being a particularly sensitive one has tear-off direction. In addition, improved durability is achieved through the double connection of the tab sections in the overlapping area to the single side.

The tools lying opposite one another are preferably moved into the connecting position and held at the same time. As a result, a force is applied on both sides, at least in the overlapping area, to the tab sections and the individual side in between, so that the selection of the material of the individual side plays only a minor role compared to applying the tab to the individual side on one side.

A sonotrode is preferably used as the welding tool, so that on both sides the sonotrodes are fed to the respective tab section for welding to the individual side and weld the tab sections to the individual side at least in the overlapping area.

Alternatively, a laminating tool is used and the tab sections are connected to the individual side at least in the overlapping area under heat and pressure.

According to a first embodiment of the method, at least one strip-shaped tab element is folded over on both sides and then the free ends or the tab sections of the at least one strip-shaped tab element are positioned so that they overlap the top and bottom of the individual page, and the tab sections are then connected to the individual page at least in the overlapping area. As a result, for example, a strip-shaped tab element can be arranged on the outside of the individual page and connected to it.

According to an alternative embodiment of the method, at least two tab elements are provided, which form the tab and at least one tab element with its tab section on the top and the at least one other tab element with its tab section on the underside of the individual pages are arranged and connected to the individual page in the overlapping area. Through this the tab can also consist of two different materials or different structure of materials.

A further preferred embodiment of the method provides that during or after the connection of the tab sections to form a single side in the overlapping area, at least one connecting area is introduced into the tab sections forming the free tab area. As a result, the tab sections can be fixed to one another in sections in the free tab area, with flexibility and bendability being maintained at the same time.

• Figur 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines buchartigen Dokumentes,
• Figur 2 eine schematische Ansicht auf eine Datenseite gemäß Figur 1,
• Figur 3a eine schematische Seitenansicht eines ersten Herstellungsschritts für eine Datenseite gemäß Figur 2,
• Figur 3b eine schematische Seitenansicht eines zweiten Verfahrensschritts zur Herstellung der Datenseite gemäß Figur 2,
• Figur 4 eine schematische Ansicht der Datenseite gemäß Figur 2 mit Verbindungsbereichen,
• Figuren 5a und 5bschematische Seitenansichten von Herstellungsschritten für eine alternative Ausführungsform der Datenseite zu den Figuren 3a und 3b, und
• Figur 6 eine schematische Seitenansicht einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform der Datenseite zu den Figuren 3a und 3b.

The invention and other advantageous embodiments and developments thereof are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings. The features to be found in the description and the drawings can be used according to the invention individually or collectively in any combination. Show it:

• figure 1 a perspective view of a book-like document,
• figure 2 a schematic view of a data page according to FIG figure 1 ,
• Figure 3a a schematic side view of a first production step for a data page according to FIG figure 2 ,
• Figure 3b a schematic side view of a second method step for producing the data page according to FIG figure 2 ,
• figure 4 a schematic view of the data page according to figure 2 with connecting areas,
• Figures 5a and 5b schematic side views of manufacturing steps for an alternative embodiment of the data page to the Figures 3a and 3b , and
• figure 6 a schematic side view of a further alternative embodiment of the data side to the Figures 3a and 3b .

In figure 1 a book-like document 11, in particular a security document, is shown in perspective. This book-like document 11 is, for example, a Identification document such as a passport. The document 11 comprises a book cover 12, for example. A data page 17 and one or more inner pages 18 are connected to one another via a seam 16 . If a book cover 12 and in particular a header 14 are provided, at least this header 14 is also connected to the seam 16 . The inner pages 18 of the book-like document 11 are used to hold visas, stamps or other entries. The data page 17 can be designed according to the ICAO standard, for example, and can include an image 19 of the document owner, an OCR-readable ICAO zone 21 and further personalization data 22 . The personalization data 22 are provided within the data page 17 . The data page 17 has a flap 23 which extends over the seam 16, for example. This flap 23 also includes a seam area in which the seam 16 is formed. In addition to the seam 16, an adhesive and/or welded connection can also be provided in order to bind the flap 23 into the book-like document 11.

In figure 2 a view of the data page 17 is shown schematically. According to one embodiment, the data page 17 can include, for example, a transponder module 24 which consists of an IC chip 25 and an antenna 26 . In addition or as an alternative, further electronic and/or other security elements, in particular diffractive security elements, can be introduced.

In Figure 3a FIG. 17 is a schematic side view of a first manufacturing step of a data page 17 according to FIG figure 2 shown. The Figure 3b shows a further production step of the data page 17 according to FIG figure 2 . The data page 12 in Figure 3b shows a sectional view along the line II-II in figure 2 .

The data page 17 comprises a single page 27, which can consist of a single layer, for example. This can be, for example, a layer made of plastic or a layer made of paper and impregnated with plastic.

In the exemplary embodiment, the single page 27 comprises a front booklet 28 and a back booklet 29, each of which consists of at least one layer or printed layer. This front booklet 28 and back booklet 29 are cohesively connected to one another.

The tab 23 is formed from a tab element 32 in the form of a strip. The tab element 32 can extend almost or completely along a side edge 41 of the individual page 27 . Alternatively, a plurality of tab elements 32 can also extend along the side edge 41 of the individual page 27 at a distance from one another. According to the first embodiment, the tab element 32 is arranged in a U-shape or folded in on two sides. As a result, a tab section 34 is assigned to an upper side of the single page 27 or the outside of the front booklet 28 and another tab section 35 of the tab element 32 is assigned to the underside of the single page 27 or to the outside of the back booklet 29 . The tab sections 34, 35 each form an overlapping area 30 to the individual page 27 or to the front booklet 28 and back booklet 29. A free strap area 31 is formed adjacent thereto by the strap sections 42, 43, along which the strap element 32 extends in a U-shape.

After the tab element 32 has been positioned on the individual side 27, the tab element 32 is connected to the individual side 27 using a tool 36, 27. The tools 36, 37 each grip an outer side of the tab element 32 and are moved towards one another. As a result, at least the flap sections 34, 35 in the overlapping area 30 are connected to form the individual page 27 or to form the front booklet 28 and back booklet 29.

According to a first embodiment, the tools 36, 37 are designed as sonotrodes, so that the tab sections 34, 35 are connected to the individual side 27 by welding in the overlapping area 30. FIG. For example, several connection areas 38 are introduced, which can be formed in a point-like manner, for example, as is shown in figure 4 is shown. Alternatively, linear or be provided partly flat connection areas. Likewise, the connection area can be formed by a line surrounding the connection area or a dotted line or seam line or the like. In addition, the sonotrodes can also provide for the introduction of connecting areas 39 in the free strap area 31, by means of which the individual strap sections 42, 43 of the strap element 32 are connected to one another. These connecting areas 39 can be formed and/or incorporated analogously to the connecting areas 38 .

The tools 36, 37 have a working surface which, starting, for example, from the free end of the free strap area 31 and in the direction of the individual side 27, is initially planar and preferably aligned parallel to one another, in order to then transition into a curved course, whereby the distance between the two Work surfaces enlarged to each other. In this way, for example, a tab 23 can be formed with a tab element 32 which, viewed in cross section, has a Y-shape, with the free legs of the Y engaging on the individual side 27, in particular encompassing the side edge 41, through which the overlapping region 30 is formed. This allows a rounded or smooth transition of the tab element 32 from the free tab area 31 to the transition area 30 and then to the top and bottom of the individual page 27 .

Alternatively, the tools 36, 37 can be embodied as laminating tools, so that these also—as in Figure 3b shown - are moved towards one another in order to connect the tab 23 to the individual side 27, whereby at least one material connection between the tab section 34, 35 and the individual side 27 is formed in the overlapping region 30 under pressure and temperature.

In the Figures 5a and 5b 12 are side views of manufacturing steps according to an alternative embodiment to FIGS Figures 3a and 3b shown. This embodiment deviates from that Figures 3a and 3b that two separate strip-shaped tab elements 32 are provided. In each case one strip-shaped tab element 32 is assigned to an outside of the individual page 27 . Subsequently, the manufacturing steps for connecting the tab element 32 to the single side 27 analogous to the embodiment according to FIG Figure 3b carried out.

In the embodiments according to Figures 3a, 3b and Figures 5a, 5b several tab elements 32 can also be provided one above the other.

In the embodiment according to Figures 5a and 5b the tab elements 32 can even differ from one another in structure and/or material.

In figure 6 FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of another alternative embodiment of data page 17. FIG figure 2 shown. In this embodiment, the tab sections 34, 35 embrace the side edge 41 in the edge region of the individual page 27 in a U-shape. Such an embodiment can be achieved both by a flap element 32 folded over on two sides according to Figure 3a as well as by two separate tab elements 32 according to Figure 5a getting produced.

The at least one layer 32 of the front booklet 28 and/or the at least one layer 34 of the back booklet 29 can be made of one or more plastics (polymers). In particular, these consist of polycarbonate (PC). Other alternatives can be bisphenol A polycarbonate, carboxy-modified PC, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), its derivatives such as glycol-modified PET (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyimide (PI), Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polystyrene (PS), polyvinylphenol (PVP), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), in particular thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS) and/or derivatives thereof, or of paper and/or cardboard or of mixtures of the aforementioned materials.

The tab element 32 for forming the tab 23 can consist of one or more flexible strip-shaped layers. The tab element 32 can be formed from a textile material. For example, a textile fabric can be provided in the form of a woven fabric, knitted fabric, crocheted fabric or the like or in the form of a felt or fleece. The material is preferably formed from a composite of filaments, in particular fibers, yarns, threads or the like. In particular, the textile material consists of or contains one or more fusible materials in order to enable a welding or laminating process. The at least one fusible textile material is preferably formed from plastic (polymer), in particular from thermoplastic material. For example, polyester, in particular polyethylene terephthalate or a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) can be provided. The melting point or the glass transition temperature of the fusible material is preferably adapted to the material properties of the individual sides. The melting or glass transition temperatures of the tab element 32 and the individual side 27 are preferably of a similar magnitude, in particular within a temperature range of 50 degrees. As a result, the welding and/or laminating process can be carried out easily. Furthermore, the tab can be made of different materials, such as a blended fabric. In this case, one of the two materials melts when the connection is made, at least in the transition area, and the other material does not connect. In a woven fabric, for example, the warp and weft threads can consist of different materials. For example, the warp threads of a blended fabric can remain unchanged during welding, while the weft threads melt or fuse and connect to the individual side. In this case, the weft threads extend from the free flap area into the overlapping area. In such a blended fabric, for example, the weft threads can also consist of metallic threads.

Reference List

11. Book-like document 29. Back cover booklet 12. Book cover 30. Overlap area 14. Intent 31. Free flap area 16. Suture 32. Tab element 17. Data Page 34. Tab section 18. Inside 35. Tab section 19th picture 36. Tool 21. ICAO zone 37. Tool 22. Personalization Data 38. Interface 23. Tab 39. Connection area 24. Transponder module 40. Working surface 25. IC chip 41. Side edge 26. Antenna 42. Tab section 27. Single page 43. Tab section 28. Front cover booklet

Claims (14)

1. A data page, in particular for a book-like document, having at least one single page (27) for printing and/or storing data thereon and at least one flexible tab (23) which is connected to said at least one single page (27) in an overlap region (30) and which comprises a free tab region (31) protruding therefrom, wherein tab portions (34, 35) of the at least one tab element (32) are arranged in the overlap region (30) on a top surface and on a bottom surface of the single page (27), respectively, and are laminated or welded onto said top and bottom surfaces of the single page (27), and wherein the tab portions (34, 35) facing towards the single page (27) positively embrace a peripheral zone of the lateral edge (41) of the single page (27) in a U-shaped or a V-shaped manner to form the overlap region (30), wherein a rounded or smooth transition of the tab element (32) is formed from the free tab region (31) to the overlap region (30) and, subsequently, to the top surface and the bottom surface of the single page (27), characterised in that the tab portions (34, 35) in the overlap region (30) are connected to the single page (27) by means of dot-like, linear, or planar connection zones (38) .
2. The data page as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the tab (23) is formed by two strip-shaped tab elements (32), arranged respectively on the top side and on the bottom side of the single page (27), or in that the tab (23) is formed by a single strip-shaped tab element (32) which is folded over, the tab portions (34, 35) formed at the free end regions of the folded-over tab element (32) being respectively connected to the top surface and the bottom surface of the single page (27).
3. The data page as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the single page (27) is at least partially formed from polycarbonate or from a polycarbonate derivative.
4. The data page as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said at least one tab (23) consists of at least one flexible, strip-shaped layer and is preferably at least partially formed of a thermofusible plastic material or of a textile material which consists at least partially of a thermoplastic polymer or comprises at least one sheet or layer made of a thermoplastic polymer.
5. The data page as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tab portions (34, 35) which are respectively arranged on the top surface and on the bottom surface of the single page (27) are disposed such as to be congruent with each other in the overlap region (30).
6. The data page as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that tab portions (42, 43) of the free tab region (31) of said at least one tab (23) are connected by means of dot-like and/or linear, or planar connection zones (39).
7. The data page as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the single page (27) has at least one front-side booklet (28) with at least one sheet or printable layer and at least one rear-side booklet (29) with at least one sheet or printable layer, and in that one tab portion (34) of the at least one tab element (32) is provided on a top surface of the front-side booklet (28) and the other tab portion (35) of the at least one tab element (32) is provided on a bottom surface of the rear-side booklet (29).
8. A method of fabricating a data page (17), in particular as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which at least one tab (23) is arranged in an overlapping manner with respect to a single page (27) such that an overlap region (30) is formed, and in which the at least one tab (23) is connected to the single page (27),

   - in which, for forming the at least one tab (23), a tab portion (34) of the at least one tab element (32) is disposed in an overlapping manner with respect to a top surface of the single page (27) and another tab portion (35) of the at least one tab element (32) is disposed in an overlapping manner with respect to the bottom surface of the single page (27),

   - in which each tab portion (34, 35) has a die (36, 37) associated therewith, respectively, and

   - in which each tab portion (34, 35) is laminated or welded to the single page (27) in the overlap region (30) using the die (36, 37) and in which the tab portions (34, 35) facing towards the single page (27) positively embrace a peripheral zone of the lateral edge (41) of the single page (27) in a U-shaped or a V-shaped manner to form the overlap region (30), wherein a rounded or smooth transition of the tab element (32) is formed from the free tab region (31) to the overlap region (30) and, subsequently, to the top surface and the bottom surface of the single page (27), characterised in that the tab portions (34, 35) in the overlap region (30) are connected to the single page (27) by means of dot-like, linear, or planar connection zones (38) .
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the opposing dies (36, 37) are simultaneously moved to, and maintained in, the connection position designed for connecting the tab portions (34, 35) in the overlap region 30 with the single page (27), and, in particular, the tab portions (34, 35) are being positively connected in the overlap region with the single page.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that sonotrodes are used as dies (36, 37) and that one sonotrode is applied respectively to either side of the tab portions (34, 35) so as to weld them to the single page (27) at least in the overlap region (30), or in that a laminating tool is used as dies (36, 37) and the tab portions (34, 35) are connected to the single page (27) in the overlap region (30) by applying pressure and temperature.
11. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that at least one strip-shaped tab element (32) is folded over on two sides and the free ends of the tab element (32) form tab portions (34, 35) which are positioned so as to overlap the top surface and the bottom surface of the single page (27), and in that said tab portions (34, 35) are subsequently connected to the single page (27) at least in the overlap region (30).
12. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the tab (23) is formed by at least two tab elements (32) and the respective tab portions (34, 35) of the tab elements (32) are positioned so as to overlap the top surface and the bottom surface of the single page (27) and are subsequently connected to said single page (27) in the overlap region (30).
13. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that while the tab portions (34, 35) of the at least one tab element (32) are being connected to the single page (27) in the overlap region (30) or once said connection has been accomplished, at least one connection zone (39) is created in the tab portion (42, 43) located in the free tab area (31).
14. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the tab portions (34, 35) are connected to the single page (27) in the overlap region (30) by means of ultrasound welding.

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