GB2083376A

GB2083376A - Improvements in self-adhesive stamps labels or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2083376A
Application number: GB8028876A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: CLARK JOHN K PAPER Ltd
Current assignee: CLARK JOHN K PAPER Ltd
Priority date: 1980-09-06
Filing date: 1980-09-06
Publication date: 1982-03-24
Also published as: GB2083376B

Abstract

In a laminated material for self- adhesive stamps or labels which are released from a backing, the face layer comprising the stamps or labels is coated with a water soluble layer. The backing carries a releasable coating such as a silicon-based material to which an adhesive coating is applied with the water soluble coating intermediate the face layer and the adhesive. Accordingly, after use of the self-adhesive stamp or label, the water soluble coating permits removal from the substrate to which the stamp or label was adhered. This is an advantage for philatelic applications.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in self-adhesive stamps labels or the like

DESCRIPTION: This invention relates to improvements in selfadhesive stamps, labels or the like such as tokens, tallies, tickets or markers. For convenience herein, the term stamps or labels will be used as the context permits and is intended to include the various forms or applications as just mentioned which arise from the eventual use or printing applied.

It is already well known to provide sheets or strips of laminated material comprising a backing releasable from the face layer with the face layer comprising a plurality of stamps or labels. The face layer may be stripped of waste to separate discrete stamps or labels on the backing, and the backing may be separable into portions carrying one or more stamps or labels.

Such sheets or strips are produced from stock laminated material which is printed and scored and/or perforated as required. The laminated material comprises the paper of the face layer, an adhesive coating on the back of the face layer and a silicon coating on the underlying face of the backing. The silicon coating provides the releasable bond between the face layer and backing by means of which the stamp or label can be released carrying the adhesive for application by the user.

The conventional adhesives which are suitable for such self-adhesive stamps or labels where stability and long shelf-life is essential are not water-soluble and this leads to certain problems. The stamps and labels are bonded to the envelope or like carrier medium by the user, and cannot be removed easily by the user or a subsequent recipient by simple water immersion or application of water. This has obvious important disadvantages in connection with philately in that known self-adhesive postage stamps cannot be removed from the envelopes or covers in the traditional manner.

In connection with other uses of labels such as tokens for redemption by the purchaser, it has not been possible to use self-adhesive labelling comprising such tokens.

We acknowledge that certain adhesives used for providing self-adhesion are water resoluble, but these adhesives are generally unacceptable for applications such as stamps or labels which has to be stored for long times, and may be subject to a wide variation in storage conditions.

According to this invention, we provide laminated material comprising a backing and face layer comprising at least one stamp or label, and on the back of the facing layer a water soluble layer and a superposed adhesive coating releasably bonded to a releasable coating on the underlying face of the backing.

By this invention, the water soluble coating interposed on the laminated material permits the stamp or label to be removed by traditional water treatment to separate the stamp or label from the adhesive adhered to the used carrier such as an envelope, cover or packaging.

Preferably, the water soluble coating comprises a polyvinyl alcohol, dextrine, a starch, a gelatine or a blend mixture. The coating can be applied to the paper or similar material constituting the face layer prior to printing and after printing the face layer can be laminated to the backing carrying a silicon releasable coating and an adhesive. The adhesive may be of the aqueous acrylic type.

Conveniently, the water soluble coating may be applied to the reverse face of the paper in a continuous manner such as by dip, roller or spray coating whilst the paper is in a continuous web form and the coating dried so that the coated paper can be stored or held ready for printing.

The uncoated face of the paper can be printed and processed, for instance to comprise scores or perforations and include registration marks (if necessary) to provide means for aligning the printing with scores or perforations to be provided in the backing after lamination.

This facility of printing and processing the paper by traditional methods prior to lamination to the backing has additional advantages in manufacture.

The invention can be applied to stamps or labels or the like in strip or sheet form and comprising a plurality of stamps or labels. If desired the backing can be slit to assist in peeling off the backing from the stamp or label. The backing may comprise any suitable material.

Various adhesives can be employed but it is preferred that adhesives having a stable long life are used, particularly for postage or revenue stamp applications. In this regard, certain aqueous acrylic adhesives are preferred as they can be applied to silicon coated backing and the lamination of the facing layer thereto can be effected following drying of the adhesive to avoid physical distortion such as cockling and creasing which arises when high water content adhesives are employed.

Other advantages achieved by the invention will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

CLAIMS 1. A laminated material comprising a backing and a face layer comprising at least one stamp or label, and on the back of the face layer a water soluble layer and a superposed adhesive coating releasably bonded to a releasable coating on the underlying face of the backing.

2. The material according to claim 1

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in self-adhesive stamps labels or the like DESCRIPTION: This invention relates to improvements in selfadhesive stamps, labels or the like such as tokens, tallies, tickets or markers. For convenience herein, the term stamps or labels will be used as the context permits and is intended to include the various forms or applications as just mentioned which arise from the eventual use or printing applied. It is already well known to provide sheets or strips of laminated material comprising a backing releasable from the face layer with the face layer comprising a plurality of stamps or labels. The face layer may be stripped of waste to separate discrete stamps or labels on the backing, and the backing may be separable into portions carrying one or more stamps or labels. Such sheets or strips are produced from stock laminated material which is printed and scored and/or perforated as required. The laminated material comprises the paper of the face layer, an adhesive coating on the back of the face layer and a silicon coating on the underlying face of the backing. The silicon coating provides the releasable bond between the face layer and backing by means of which the stamp or label can be released carrying the adhesive for application by the user. The conventional adhesives which are suitable for such self-adhesive stamps or labels where stability and long shelf-life is essential are not water-soluble and this leads to certain problems. The stamps and labels are bonded to the envelope or like carrier medium by the user, and cannot be removed easily by the user or a subsequent recipient by simple water immersion or application of water. This has obvious important disadvantages in connection with philately in that known self-adhesive postage stamps cannot be removed from the envelopes or covers in the traditional manner. In connection with other uses of labels such as tokens for redemption by the purchaser, it has not been possible to use self-adhesive labelling comprising such tokens. We acknowledge that certain adhesives used for providing self-adhesion are water resoluble, but these adhesives are generally unacceptable for applications such as stamps or labels which has to be stored for long times, and may be subject to a wide variation in storage conditions. According to this invention, we provide laminated material comprising a backing and face layer comprising at least one stamp or label, and on the back of the facing layer a water soluble layer and a superposed adhesive coating releasably bonded to a releasable coating on the underlying face of the backing. By this invention, the water soluble coating interposed on the laminated material permits the stamp or label to be removed by traditional water treatment to separate the stamp or label from the adhesive adhered to the used carrier such as an envelope, cover or packaging. Preferably, the water soluble coating comprises a polyvinyl alcohol, dextrine, a starch, a gelatine or a blend mixture. The coating can be applied to the paper or similar material constituting the face layer prior to printing and after printing the face layer can be laminated to the backing carrying a silicon releasable coating and an adhesive. The adhesive may be of the aqueous acrylic type. Conveniently, the water soluble coating may be applied to the reverse face of the paper in a continuous manner such as by dip, roller or spray coating whilst the paper is in a continuous web form and the coating dried so that the coated paper can be stored or held ready for printing. The uncoated face of the paper can be printed and processed, for instance to comprise scores or perforations and include registration marks (if necessary) to provide means for aligning the printing with scores or perforations to be provided in the backing after lamination. This facility of printing and processing the paper by traditional methods prior to lamination to the backing has additional advantages in manufacture. The invention can be applied to stamps or labels or the like in strip or sheet form and comprising a plurality of stamps or labels. If desired the backing can be slit to assist in peeling off the backing from the stamp or label. The backing may comprise any suitable material. Various adhesives can be employed but it is preferred that adhesives having a stable long life are used, particularly for postage or revenue stamp applications. In this regard, certain aqueous acrylic adhesives are preferred as they can be applied to silicon coated backing and the lamination of the facing layer thereto can be effected following drying of the adhesive to avoid physical distortion such as cockling and creasing which arises when high water content adhesives are employed. Other advantages achieved by the invention will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. CLAIMS

1. A laminated material comprising a backing and a face layer comprising at least one stamp or label, and on the back of the face layer a water soluble layer and a superposed adhesive coating releasably bonded to a releasable coating on the underlying face of the backing.

2. The material according to claim 1

wherein the water soluble layer is selected from blends or mixtures of polyvinyl alcohol, dextrine, starch and gelatine.

3. The material according to claim 2 wherein the water soluble layer is applied to the back of the face layer and the front of the face layer is printed.

4. The material according to claim 3 wherein the face layer includes scores or perforations for dividing the face layer into a plurality of stamps or labels.

5. The material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the releasable coating on the backing is a silicon-based compound.

6. The material according to claim 5 wherein the adhesive bonded to the releasable coating is of the aqueous acrylic type.

7. A laminated material comprising a backing and a face layer substantially as here it before described.