GB2514101A

GB2514101A - Method and document

Info

Publication number: GB2514101A
Application number: GB1308285.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Morris; David Brian Roberts
Original assignee: Document Management Solutions Ltd
Current assignee: Document Management Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 2013-05-08
Filing date: 2013-05-08
Publication date: 2014-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2033-05-08
Also published as: WO2014181113A2; GB201308285D0; GB2514101B; WO2014181113A3

Abstract

A blank form 1 comprises: a paper substrate 2 having a first area 11 and a second area 12; cohesive 4 or adhesive located in the first area 11 and in the second area 12 positioned such that when the form is folded cohesive 4 located in the first area 11 contacts cohesive 4 located in the second area 12; and a barrier layer 3 interposed between the paper substrate 2 and the cohesive 4 in the first area 11; the barrier layer 3 may be a printers varnish or a silicone and the cohesive 4 is preferably applied to the periphery of the first 11 and second 12 areas; the second area may form a separate part which can be removed and additionally includes cohesive 4 along regions 15, 16 adjacent a fold 9. The blank form is preferably a one piece mailer which forms its own envelope.

Description

METHOD AND DOcuMENT

Description

Backuround In a broad aspect the invention relates to a method of attaching together pieces ofpaper. More particularly it relates to a blank form for a document and a method of making such a form. It is particularly applicable to a mailing document which does not require an envelope.

Mailing documents are traditionally sold as flat blank forms and text is printed on one or both faces. The document is then folded and sealed at its borders in such a way that any confidential text is inside, out of view, and the name and address of the recipient is either on the outside or otherwise visible through a clear window. Thus the mailing document provides an integral envelope and letter combination, and is commonly known as a "one-piece mailer".

For the purpose of sealing such documents, narrow strips of a thin layer of adhesive are laid down around the periphery of the document in a suitable pattern so that when the document is folded, opposing edges bond together to seal the document.

The adhesive may be one which seals by contact, by pressure, by heat or by other mcans.

Traditionally the adhesive bonds permanently so that the document seals irreversibly to maintain the confidentiality of the information inside. One such mailer is that described in WO 00/07825. In this mailer a dry non-tacky contact adhesive is used. The contact adhesive means that the user can seal the mailer in a permanent manner using only finger pressure. Such use of a contact adhesive is also described in (iS 3,476,307. Typically perforations are built into the document a predetermined distance from the edges, inside the adhesive strips, so that the sealed edges can be torn off to open the document to read the text inside.

Such mailing documents are used for communicating confidential information, such as details of an employee's pay, or bank card pin numbers, because the printing, folding and sealing steps can be automated without human intervention. The need to tcar off thc cdgcs to open the document makes it clear to a recipient if it has been opened or tampered with.

However tearing off the edges can be unsatisfactory since it is slow, produces waste which can be a nuisance, at a post desk for example, and the opened document has untidy edges and is not a standard size for documents, which makes it unsatisfactory for further processing such as filing or scanning. In addition, tearing of the edges cannot always be done cleanly and can result in damage to the body of the document. For these reasons such one-piece mailing documents are not widely used other than for security applications.

A one-piece mailing document which can be opened more easily is known from GB 2475092, which describes a mailing document with a reversible seal which can be peeled open. However such a document can be opened by a third party and could be resealed without the intended recipient knowing that it has been tampered with, because peeling part the seal leaves adhesive on both opposing surfaces. This presents a security issue since the intended recipient cannot tell whether the document has been opened and resealed. To avoid this lack of security, slits are incorporated in the edges of the blank form. These cause the paper to tear and/or layers to separate when the seal is peeled apart so that a recipient can see that the document has been opened and resealed.

These slits are complex to insert during manufacture and add to the cost of the document. They mean that the opened document is damaged even when opened by the intended recipient if the perforations are not used.

Summary

The present invention proposes an alternative mailing document which, in broad contrast to those made in accordance with WO 00/07825, can be opened by the recipient without damaging it and is cheaper and simpler to manufacture.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a blank form comprising: a paper substrate having a first area and a second area; cohesive located in the first area and in the second area so positioned that when the form is folded cohesive located in the first area contacts cohesive located in the second area; and a barrier layer interposed between the paper subsfrate and the cohesive in the first area, so that the cohesive in the first area is not in direct contact with the surface of the paper, and the cohesive in the second area is in direct contact with the surface of the paper.

The invention also provides a blank form comprising: a paper substrate having a first part and a second part, each having an outside border region; a pattern of cohesive located in cach outside border region so positioned that whcn the mailer is closed cohesive located in the fir st part contacts cohesive located in a corresponding position in the second part; and a barrier layer interposed between the paper substrate and the cohesive pattern so that the cohesive located in one part, for example in substantially the whole of the border region of the first part, is not in direct contact with the surface of the paper, and cohesive located in a corresponding position in the other part, for example at least a significant part and preferably substantially the whole of the border region of the second part is in direct contact with the surface of the paper.

In particular a blank form for a mailing document, may comprise a paper substrate having a first part and a second part, each having a border region, a pattern of cohcsivc locatcd in each border region and a barrier laycr in the first part intcrposcd between the paper substrate and the cohesive pattern so that in the first part the cohesive is not in direct contact with the surface of the paper, and in the second part the cohesive is in direct contact with the surface of the paper.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a blank form, the method comprising applying a barrier layer to a paper substrate in a border region along outside edges of a first part of the paper substrate and subsequently applying a cohesive pattern overlying the barrier layer in the first part, and applying a cohesive pattern contacting the paper substrate in a border region along outside edges of a second part.

The barrier layer does not need to be applied exclusively to one or other part of the form, but can be applied to specific positions on one part, while at the same time the corresponding positions, at least for the most part, and preferably in all corresponding positions, on the other part of the form does not have a barrier layer.

The cohesive overlying the barrier layer does not need to be coextensive with the barrier layer and may overly only a portion of the barrier layer.

Cohesive is generally different to adhesive in that it forms a bond or seal with itself but not easily or permanently with non-absorbent materials. It is generally non-tacky, so the blank forms can be stacked, stored and printed on without sticking to each other or other materials. However when the form is folded so that the cohesive on one part contacts cohesive in another part, and pressure is applied, then the cohesive pieces bind to each other to seal the document. In the mailers of W000!07825, the resultant seal is permanent, and in practice such mailers cannot be peeled open without damaging the substrate. In contrast, in accordance with the present invention, the resultant seal can be peeled open again to reconstitute the original document without damage to the substrate because the barrier layer prevents the cohesive penetrating or otherwise binding with the paper substrate in the area where it is applied. Hence the cohesive substantially peels away from the barrier layer where the barrier layer is applied, but it remains attached to the paper substrate in the corresponding position on the other part where there is no barrier layer between the cohesive and the paper substrate. For example, where the cohesive is applied with a barrier layer between it and the substrate in the first part, the seal can be peeled apart without damaging the paper substrate, because the cohesive substantially peels away from the barrier layer applied on the first part on one part of the blank form, although the cohesive remains attached to the paper substrate on the other part where the barrier layer has not been applied. Thus the document cannot be resealed because the cohesive will not reseal to the barrier layer. Even if some residue of cohesive remains on the barrier layer it will not be sufficient to form a seal, and it will be obvious to the intended recipient that the document has been opened.

In one embodiment the barrier layer may be varnish and may be applied by a printing process. The cohesive layers may also be applied by a printing process in thin, non-tacky layers.

Preferably two layers of varnish are applied in the outside border area of the first section before a pattern of cohesive is laid down.

In another embodiment the paper is coated with a layer of liquid silicone in the border area of the first part (which may be for example one half of the document) which is then dried and overlaid with thc pattern of cohesive.

A document formed from a blank according to the invention can be sealed by applying finger pressure to bond the cohesive layers. It may be opened by peeling the two parts away from each other, since under shearing pressure the cohesive layer will detach from the barrier layer without damaging the document itself According to a particular embodiment of the invention cohesive is located adjacent all four sides of the second part, i.e. a line of cohesive is also located close to the fold line of the blank document. Thus the second part can be detached, and when folded can be sealed on all its sides to provide a second mailing document, which could be used as a reply document.

Preferably in this second part a barrier layer is interposed between the cohesive and the paper substrate in a section of the border, preferably along half of one edge, to provide a tamper evident mechanism for the reply document.

A method or document according to the present invention could be used for applications other than mailing documents, for example any application in which paper items arc to be attached or sealed in a reversible manner, or where a document is to be re-used in part or in whole. For example a voucher could be attached to a promotional letter or card in this way and could then simply be peeled away from the letter for storage in a purse or wallet. The voucher would thus be easy to detach and both the voucher and the letter would be undamaged. This would be advantageous compared to the current system usually requiring vouchers to be torn or cut out.

For security reasons, if confidential information is to be contained in the document then it is preferably sealed substantially around the whole edge. However smaller sections of sealing would suffice for other applications, for example for greetings correspondence, advertisements or promotional material.

The first and second parts of the form may each be one half of the blank in a traditional "V fold document, or may be one third of the blank in either a "C" or fold document.

Description of the Drawinus

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank form according to one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a plan view of a blank form according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Thc figures illustrate a blank form I comprising a paper substrate 2 with a window area 6, preferably die cut, over which is laid a transparent window film 5.

The invention is equally applicable to a form 1 without a window.

The form 1 has two equal parts 11 and 12 and is intended to be folded along fold line 9, so that the surfaces of the two parts 11, 12 contact each other.

A pattern of cohesive is located in strips in areas 4 around the outer four edges of the blank form 1, i.e. the three outer border edges 8 in the first part 11 and the three outer border edges 7 in the second part 12. When the form 1 is folded the border edges 8 are adjacent border edges 7 and the respective areas of cohesive 4 contact each other and bond together so that the folded form I seals at its edges and becomes a mailing document. The properties of the cohesive 4 are generally such that the seal is not permanent and the mailing document can be peeled open again without damage to the papcr substrate 2.

The peripheral border areas 4, adjacent to the outer border edges 8, on the first half 11 of the form have a thin layer of an impermeable barrier 3 interposed between the strips of cohesive 4 and the paper substrate 2. This prevents the cohesive 4 penetrating the paper substrate on the first half 11 and hence when the sealed document is peeled open, the cohesive on the first half 11 peels away from barrier 3.

The barrier 3 may be formed of printer's varnish which is deposited on the paper by a printing process. Printer's varnish and processes to print varnish on documents are well known. For example printer's vamish is used to improve the appearance of high quality documents by making them appear "glossy". It may also be used to make a document more hard wearing or to seal the printing on a document to prevent ink rubbing off or running or spreading. Printer's varnish can typically be applied using the same printing techniques and apparatus used for applying ink.

Hence conventional methods of applying vanish include litho-printing and offset-litho printing techniques.

The varnish is then cured, i.e. dried, and the pattern of cohesive is applied over the varnish 3 and the remaining border areas as shown at 4.

A type of printer's vamish known as U-V varnish is particularly suitable for the invention because it only dries to the touch when exposed to ultra-violet light.

Such varnish is dried by ultra-violet light before the pattern of cohesive is applied over the varnish as shown as strips 4 in the border edges 8 of the first part 11 of the form 1.

Either gloss or matt varnish may be used and gloss varnish is generally preferred because it allows the seal to be unpeeled more easily. Preferably a double layer of varnish is applied.

Alternatively the barrier 3 may be formed by a thin layer of liquid silicone instead of varnish. This is also cured before cohesive 4 is applied over the top.

A variety of other materials may be suitable as the barrier 3 provided they stick to or bind strongly with the paper substrate and prevent the overlying cohesive being in direct contact with the surface of the paper.

Cohesive is activated when two pieces of cohesive are brought together, as when the form is folded, and pressure is applied. A suitable such cohesive is available from producers such as National Starch & Chemical Co. in the UK or Henkel AG & Co. of Germany and an example of a suitable product is also described in US 5,314,944.

Pressure may be applied by hand or the paper may be put through a machine to apply a more even and/or higher pressure and/or to increase productivity.

The paper does not seal together permanently even under a high pressure so that the folded and sealed document can be peeled apart to open it. This means that the opened document is intact and thus retains its original size, since it is not necessary to tear away the border areas to open the document. The opened document thus has clean straight edges instead of the ragged ones produced by tearing, which makes the document easier to handle and file. There is also no peripheral tearing or disruption of the paper substrate such as that caused by the security slits of the prior art.

When the form 1 is peeled open, the cohesive 4 substantially peels away from the barrier 3, e.g. varnish, because the bond between the cohesive and the barrier 3 is weaker than the bond between cohesive and cohesive. Hence there will be no cohesive or very little cohesive left on the varnished side 11 of the opened form 1 and the form 1 cannot easily be resealed. it is thus evident to the recipient if the form 1 has been opened, or if any attempt has been made to open it before receipt, so the recipient is alerted if the form 1 has been tampered with and that confidential information may have been obtained from it without authorisation. In addition the opened form is non-tacky and thus does not stick to other paper and can hence be stacked or filed.

Preferably the cohesive pattern is formed in strips with small gaps 13 to facilitate the expulsion of air from within the folded document.

The fold line 9 may be pre-ereased or perforated to make folding the form 1 easier so that the cohesive patterns 4 match accurately when the form is folded.

The form 1 illustrated is a "V" fold form but the invention is equally applicable to "Z" and "C" fold forms. In the case of "C" or "Z" fold documents the areas covered by cohesive and by varnish would be adapted accordingly.

Figure 2 shows an ahernative embodiment which provides for a "built-in" reply form.

The information intended for the recipient, such as pay slip information, is printed on the lower half 11 of the form 1, and reply information is printed on the upper half 12 of the form 1. The form 1 is then folded about centre fold line 9 and pressure is applied to seal the three open edges to form a mailing document.

When the recipient receives the sealed form 1, the edges can be peeled open to view the printed information. Again the whole opened document can be filed or lower part 11 can be detached along the centre line 9 for filing. The upper half 12 can then be used as a reply document, for example to notify any biographic changes or to acknowledge receipt of the original document. Appropriate details, for example answers to questions, could be entered on the detached upper part 12, which is then folded along fold line 14. All of the four edges of the upper part 12 have cohesive in their border areas and so the reply document will seal securely around its periphery when pressure is applied, and the reply document can be returned.

Optionally an area 15 of the cohesive pattern in the upper part 12 of the form 1, located adjacent the central fold line 9, which becomes an edge of the detached reply document, is under printed with barrier material 3. Thus when the reply document is peeled open, cohesive 4 on the barrier 3 in the area 15 transfers to the other side 16. This is evident to a recipient and provides a visual sign that the reply document has not been tampered with, since this side cannot be resealed if the reply document has been opened.

With reference to Figure 2 the recipient's name and address can be printed in box 20 on the lower part 11 so that it is visible in window 6 when the blank is folded.

Confidential information can be printed in box 21 on the lower part 11. In the upper part 12, which is to be used as the reply document, the return address can be printed in box 22 to show through the window 6, and any reply questions or template information can be printed in box 23 and supplemented as required by the recipient bcforc mailing back.

A small unsealed flap could be provided in one corner of the blank form 1 to aid opening of the mailing document and/or the reply document, and attention could be drawn to this by pre-printing words or symbols.

Perforations could optionally be incorporated around the edges of the reply part 12 of the form 1 to provide an alternative way of opening the sealed reply document.

Such a two-part form could be used for invitations, questionnaires, postal voting or direct debit instructions and many other applications.

Alternatively such a two-part form could be made for traditional mailing document blanks which seal permanently at their edges by providing additional strips of adhesive or cohesive inside the tear-off edges.

Claims

Claims 1. A blank form comprising: a paper substrate having a first area and a second area; cohesive located in the first area and in the second area so positioned that when the form is folded cohesive located in the first area contacts cohesive located in the second area; and a bather layer interposed between the paper substrate and the cohesive in the first area, so that the cohesive in the first area is not in direct contact with the surface of the paper, and the cohesive in the second area is in direct contact with the surface of the paper.
2. A blank form according to claim I, wherein the barrier layer is formed by printer's varnish.
3. A blank form according to claim 2, wherein the varnish is applied by a printing process.
4. A blank form according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the varnish is liv vamish.
5. A blank form according to claim 4, wherein the varnish is cured by liv light before cohesive is applied.
6. A blank form according to claim any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the barrier layer comprises two layers of varnish.
7. A blank form according to claim 1, wherein the barrier layer comprises a layer of liquid silicone.
8. A blank form according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier layer prevents the cohesive penetrating the paper substrate in the first area so that the first and second areas can be peeled apart without damaging the paper substrate.
9. A blank form according to claim 1, wherein the first area is located in a border region of a first part of the form and the second area is located in a border region of a second part of the form and the form can be folded so that the cohesive in the first area contacts the cohesive in the second area to bond the border regions together.
10. A blank form according to claim 9, wherein the first area comprises substantially the whole of the border region of the first part, and the second area comprises substantially the whole of the bother region of the second part.
11. A blank form according to any onc of claims 1 to 10, whcrcin cohcsivc is located on all borders of the second part so that the second part can be used as a reply document.
12. A blank form according to claim 11, wherein a barrier layer is interposed between the cohesive and the paper substrate in a section of the border of the second part to provide a tamper evident mechanism for the reply document.
13. A blank form according to claim 11 or 12, comprising perforation between the first part and the second part to provide means for detaching the second part to use as the reply document.
14. A mailing documcnt comprising a blank form according to any onc of thc preceding claims.
15. A method of making a blank form, the method coiiqlising applying a barrier layer to a surface of a paper substrate in a first area and subsequently applying a cohesive over the barrier layer in the first area so that in the first area the cohesive is not in direct contact with the surface of the paper, and applying cohesive to a second area so that in the second area the cohesive is in direct contact with the surface of the paper.
16. A method of making a blank form according to claim 15, wherein the barrier layer comprises printers varnish and is applied by a printing process.
17. A method according to claim 6, wherein the varnish is liv varnish and is cured by liv light before cohesive is applied.
18. A method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein two layers of varnish are applied.
19. A method according to claim 15, wherein applying the barrier layer comprises applying liquid silicone.
20. A method of reversibly attaching a first area of paper substrate to a second area of paper substrate, the method comprising: applying a barrier layer to the first area, applying a cohesive layer over the barrier layer in the first area and applying a cohesive layer contacting the paper substrate in the second area; joining the first area to the second area so that the respective layers of cohesive contact each other; and applying pressure to bond the cohesive layers together.
21. A blank foim comprising: a paper substrate having a first part and a second part, such that when the blank form is folded the first part contacts the second part and forms a first mailing document, and such that the first part can be detached from the second part, and can be folded to form a second mailing document; wherein an adhesive is located on the surface of the paper substrate in a pattern such that an outer border region of the first mailing document can be substantially sealed; and such that an outer border region of the second mailing document can be substantially sealed.
22. A mailing document comprising a blank form according to claim 21.
23. A blank form substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure I or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. -13-
24. A method of making a blank form substantially as hereinbefore described with rcfcrcnce to Figure 1 or Figurc 2 of the accompanying drawings.
25. A mailing document substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.