JPS62255194A - Method and device for manufacturing postcard - Google Patents

Abstract

A first strip (50) is supplied continuously and comprises a card layer (51) and a first layer of adhesive (52). A second strip (54) is also supplied continuously and comprises a transparent sheet (55) and a second layer of adhesive (56) on it. A protective sheet (57) is supplied continuously between the first and second strips (50, 54). The first and second strips are laminated together, with one edge bonded together by the first and second layers of adhesive. The protective sheet is laminated between the remaining, main parts of the layers of adhesive. This composite strip is cut transversely to form individual postcards (100). In use, the protective sheet can be removed, to enable photographs and other articles to be laminated between the card and the transparent sheet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Cross-Relationship with Related Applications This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier patent application no. 688,939, filed on January 4, 1985. That application is itself a continuation-in-part of my earlier patent application No. 550.287, filed on November 9, 1983, which in turn was filed on September 12, 1983. This is a partial continuation of patent application No. 531.528,
Both Application No. 531.528 and No. 550.287
issue is currently abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing interleaves for use in mailing sheet-shaped articles.

Prior Proposals for Invention Previous proposals already exist for mailing photographs by mail, and for mounting photographs. However, these earlier proposals generally had complex structures, which were complex, difficult and expensive to manufacture.

Therefore, U.S. Patent No. 3,304,641 (QonC
ZV) discloses a picture postcard having a number of removable parts which, when removed, expose areas of adhesive. The stated intention is that photographs of different dimensions can be glued to the postcard. Providing a large number of parts that can be removed by separation requires a complex form of separation line to be cut into the top of the postcard structure. Such postcards would be difficult to manufacture. Additionally, it leaves the top surface of any article adhered to it exposed.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,329,333 (Ormand) discloses a postcard that is not intended for mailing items, but merely allows selected portions of correspondence to be concealed. For this purpose, it provides in one sheet a raised part and a notch forming the ears. These features also create considerable manufacturing difficulties and prevent postcards from being easily manufactured in any continuous form.

Articles for mailing are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,899,127 (M
elander). We have a somewhat complex structure here. A transparent outer wrapper cover is glued to the postcard around the three edges of the postcard, which means that the two components of the postcard are bonded to each other better than if the adhesive layer were placed over all of those three edges. This immediately creates the problem of forming an adhesive layer around the edges only.

Therefore, this structure is also not suitable for continuous mass production.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,852 (Davis)
A punched postcard and method of using the same is disclosed. This *i is complicated. This postcard has two card areas that are folded together. One adhesive part is provided along the edge of one section so that said two sections can be fixed in the folded state. One card area is provided with an adhesive area and a removable backing sheet for the photograph, while the other card area is provided with an opening for viewing said photograph. The opening is covered with a transparent sheet. It will therefore be clear that this postcard contains a large number of components of different proportions, and it is not clear after all how such a structure could be produced economically. Not.

The postcard in the condition shown in the photo is U.S. Patent No. 4,237.63.
3 (M urrel I). A complex structure is disclosed here. Its interlobes contain numerous cutting, scoring, and folding lines. It has six separate adhesive deposits, which apparently use two or three different types of adhesive. Therefore, both humidifiable type adhesives and contact adhesives are mentioned in particular. It would be extremely difficult to construct such a postcard with all the cut lines, score lines, etc. mentioned above, and to provide different types of adhesives in different locations. It would require a long and complicated manufacturing process. U.S. Patent No. 4,249.32
No. 8 (plun+adore) G discloses an electrophotographic slide, while U.S. Patent No. 4.378°64
No. 7 (3tancato) discloses a photo album. In both of these proposals, their structures are also quite complex. In the Plun+adore proposal, each slide comprises a pair of panels hingedly connected to each other. Each panel forms a window and is coated with adhesive. The film area is adhered to one panel while a transparent protective film is adhered to the other panel. Therefore, its structure is extremely complex and is not easily manufactured in a simple and economical manner. The 3 Tancato patent discloses a photo album, in which each individual page has a photograph mounted thereon, intended to give the effect of the page being then glued into the album. There is. As such, the structure requires fixed and movable components with a large number of different dimensions and orientations. This would also require complex and expensive manufacturing techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My earlier Application No. 688,939 discloses such postcards that can have uniform characteristics or dimensions across the width of the postcard.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing such postcards, which allows the postcard to be manufactured as a continuous strip. All of the main components are assembled together in the form of a strip, and at the end of the manufacturing process this strip is cut to form individual confections.

According to the invention, therefore, there is provided a method for producing postcards for use in mailing sheet-shaped articles, the method comprising the following steps.

(i) continuously supplying a first, elongated, sheet member strip with a first layer of adhesive on one side; Adhesive No. 2-15
(i'ii) a third, elongated strip of protective sheeting between said first and second strips; supply continuously,
thereby leaving opposing edge regions of the first and second adhesive layers adhered to each other, with the remainder of the first and second adhesive layers being separated by the protective sheet; thereby forming a fourth composite strip; and (iv) cutting the fourth composite strip in a transverse direction to form individual postcards.

The method of the invention therefore allows the various components of the postcard to be combined as a continuous strip. This produces a composite strip with a cross-section that corresponds to that of a finished postcard. This composite strip then only needs to be cut transversely to form individual postcards.

-16 - In a preferred form of the invention, said strip of sheet-shaped members is first provided with its own intermediate protective sheet to form a stock of sheet-shaped members.

This is removed before being glued to the transparent sheet.

Furthermore, the transparent sheet stock can carry the primary protective sheet covering the second adhesive layer to provide the transparent sheet stock. The edges of the protective sheet are removed before adhering the transparent and sheet-shaped member strips together. To form the edge of the protective sheet at the other edge of the postcard, the strip of transparent sheet and the strip of sheet-shaped member are then removed by separation together with their respective adhesive layer portions. If desired, the bonded edges of the sheet-shaped member and transparent sheet can be cut to a finished condition to provide flush edges. A composite strip with the appropriate cross section is then obtained, which can be cut transversely to form the finished postcard.

Since all operations can be carried out in a continuous manner and the necessary forming operations are relatively simple,
The postcards can be economically produced in large quantities. There is no need to separate each individual postcard and submit it to complex forming operations.

According to other features of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for use in manufacturing postcards, the apparatus comprising: a strip path;
means for moving the elongate strip along the strip path; a first supply unit for supplying a first elongate sheet-shaped member strip to the strip path; and a second feed unit comprising a transparent sheet to the strip path. a second supply unit for supplying a long strip of;
and a lamination station located downstream from the second supply unit for laminating the first and second elongated strips together to form a composite strip, and for cutting the composite strip into a finished condition. A finishing cutting zone is located downstream from the lamination station and a cutting zone is downstream from the finishing cutting zone for cutting the composite strip into individual postcards.

The means for moving the elongated strip may include a plurality of rollers driven along the strip path.

In the following, for a better understanding of the invention and to show in more detail how it may be implemented in practice, reference will be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, all cross-sections in FIGS. 2-6 are taken in the same direction. The description relates to a postcard structure, in which the height of the postcard is equal to the strip (strip material).
and its width extends along the same strip. - For the sake of clarity, the term "height"
It is used throughout to express both the height of the postcard and the transverse dimension of the strip.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an apparatus designated generally by the reference numeral 1. As shown in FIG. The interleaf@1 comprises a postcard stock (accumulation) supply unit 2 and a transparent sheet stock supply unit 4. These units 2.4 have respective cores rotatably mounted on them, onto which a roll of postcards or transparencies is wound. The device 1 also comprises four winding units 6.8.10 and 12. Each of the winding units 6.8.10 and 12 also has a core rotatably mounted thereon for winding a portion of said strip, as detailed below. . There are also a number of transverse rollers 14 in the device 1 for guiding said postcard stock and other strips. These rollers 14 guide the postcard in a known manner and will therefore not be described in further detail.

The roller 14 forms part of a strip path 15;
and may be driven to move material through the device 1.

Said postcard stock supply unit 2 carries a roll of elongated strip of postcard stock having the cross-section shown in FIG. 2 and designated by the reference numeral 50. The cross section of this postcard stock 50 need only be slightly larger than the height of the finished postcard to allow for finishing cutting. The postcard stock 50 includes an actual postcard strip 51,
The postcard strip 51 constitutes said sheet-shaped member. This postcard strip 51 is shown on top in the cross-section of FIG. 2 and carries on its underside a first layer 52 of adhesive. An intermediate protective or backing sheet 53 is provided overlying the first layer of adhesive 52 to protect it. This protective sheet 53 is
For example, it can be silicone coated paper.

As shown in cross-section in FIG. 2, all components of the postcard stock 50 are of the same width.

The postcard stock 50 is located at a printing station (location) 1
The roller 14 can be run up to 6.

At this printing station 16, the upper or exposed side of the postcard strip 51 is printed, thereby providing the desired information on what will be the opposite side of the finished postcard. Therefore, it is a known method,
An outline or box indicating the location for the postage stamp, an instruction where the addressee's address should appear, and an instruction where the correspondence is to be marked can be printed.

It may also include material indicating the postcard's origin, trademark, and other information.

After leaving the printing station 16, the postcard stock 5o passes to a drying device 18. This drying device 18
, as well as printing station 16, are shown schematically. Here, the ink on the upper side of the postcard stock 50 is dried.

The next major operation is to combine the postcard stock 50 with transparency stock. For this reason, it is necessary to invert the postcard stock 50. This is achieved by a rotating rod unit 20, which is shown schematically in FIG. This rotary rod unit 20 inverts the postcard stock 50 so that the protective sheet 53 is in the uppermost position, the inverted configuration of which is shown in FIG.

The intermediate protective sheath 1-53 is then removed from the postcard stock 50 across the entire width of the postcard stock 50. This separation occurs at the location indicated at 22. The protective sheet 53 is pulled vertically upward and placed over the protective sheet winding core of the intermediate protective sheet winding unit 6. The same unit 6 is activated to maintain sufficient tension in the protective sheet 53 and to separate it from the adhesive layer 52.

This leaves a modified postcard stock strip 50a comprising a postcard strip 51 with a first adhesive layer 52, which is transferred to the next operating step.

Said postcard strip 51 and adhesive layer 52 move to a lamination station 24. At the same time, transparency sheet stock 54 is fed to strip lamination station 24 . This transparency stock 54 is fed as a roll onto the core on the transparency stock supply unit 4. Transparency stock 54 has a height that is greater than that which defines the height of the transparency and the height of the ears in the finished postcard, as will be discussed in more detail below. Transparent sheet stock 54 includes a strip of transparent material 55, a second adhesive layer 56, and a protective sheet 57, as shown in FIG. Transparent sheet stock 54 is supplied with the protective sheet 57 already torn along one side as indicated at 58. This tear 58 separates the protective sheet 57 into a main portion 59 and an edge strip 60.

The slit 58 allows the edge strip 60 to be separated immediately. This edge strip 60 is removed as shown and disposed of by vacuum waste removal system 26. FIG. 4 shows the edge strip 60 in cross section just after it has been lifted off the second adhesive layer 56. This modified transparency sheet stock without edge strip 60 is designated by reference numeral 54a.

It should be noted that the protective sheet 57 is located at the top in FIG. 4 due to the position of section line 4--4. As the stock 54a moves around the roller 4 to the modified transparent sheet 1, the protective sheet 57 is folded back downward. said edge strip 6
0 is schematically shown moving around rollers 29 to the vacuum waste removal system 26.

Pre-lamination station 24 includes a plurality of rollers which laminate or press the modified postcard stack 50a against the modified transparency stock 54a. The main portion 59 to the protective sheath 1 keeps the first and second adhesive layers 52,56 largely separated. However, the edge portions of each of said adhesive layers, designated by reference numerals 52a, 56a, are pressed together.

This is shown on the left hand side of FIG. It results in a composite strip designated by reference numeral 62. This composite strip 62 has a uniform cross section in its center and has five layers: the postcard strip 51, the first adhesive layer 52, the protective sheet 57,
the second adhesive layer 56 and the transparent strip 55
It is equipped with These five layers are all approximately the same height at the right hand edge. The composite strip 62 has the cross-section shown in FIG. 5, but is shown prior to the removal of edge cuts 66, which will be discussed in more detail below. When the right-hand edge of the postcard strip 51 is discarded, it need not extend as far as the right-hand side, preferably flush with the edge of the protective sheet 57.

The composite strip 62 then moves to the first finishing cutting station 28. This finishing cutting station 2
8 is shown schematically as including a circular cutting blade on one side and a support roller on the other side, similar to the finish cutting station icon described below. At this first finishing cutting station 28, the transparent strip 51 is cut together with the adhesive layer 56 to the protective sheet 57. This cut is designated at 671 in FIG. This separates the transparent edge cut portion 66,
This is the edge of the transparent strip 55 and the second
It consists of a corresponding portion of the adhesive layer 56. The transparent edge cutting portion 66 is removed and wound onto the transparent cutting portion winding units I to 8. This results in a first modified composite strip 62a, which has the cross section shown in FIG. 5 without the edge cut 66.

This modified composite strip 62a passes to the second finishing cutting station 30. This second finishing is carried out at the cutting station 30, where the postcard slip 51 is cut as indicated by the reference numeral 68 in FIG. The cutting portion 68 extends to the protective sheet 57 and separates a postcard edge cutting portion 70 consisting of a portion of the postcard strip 51 and a portion of the first adhesive layer 52. The postcard edge cutter 70 is then separated and wound onto the core on the postcard string cutter take-up unit 10 as shown in FIG. This results in, as shown in the cross section of Figure 6,
This results in a second modified composite strip 62b. Here, the edges of the protective sheet 57 are currently exposed as ears 61.

This modified composite strip 62b then passes to the third finishing cutting station 32. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, once the postcard stock 50 and transparency stock 54 have been laminated, the edges of the various components do not necessarily have to be at the same height; Also, they generally will not be at the same height. The third finishing cutting station 32 cuts this left-hand edge of the composite strip 62b to a finished condition, thereby ensuring that the various layers are of the same height at the left-hand edge of the composite strip 62b. It is set up for this purpose. This final edge cut at station 32 is indicated by dotted line 72 in FIG. This results in the removal of the composite edge cut 74, which is removed and wound onto the core on said composite edge cut winding unit 12.

This results in a third and final modified composite strip 62G, which has the required contour for the final postcard. This composite strip 62G passes to a cutting unit 34, which can be conventional.

This cutting unit 34 comprises an anvil 35 and a cutting or sheeting blade 36, both shown schematically. The sheeting blade 36 cuts the strip to the required length to form the finished postcard 100. The cutting unit 34 is connected to the printing station 16
to ensure proper alignment of printed matter on postcard 100.

Next, the finished postcard 100 is transferred to the loading device 40 by the conveyor 38. This loading device @40 is postcard 1
00 is stacked for packaging, shipping, etc.

8 and 9 show a finished postcard 100. FIG. Here, the various components of the same postcard 100 are given reference numerals corresponding to the reference numerals used for the strip in the step, but the number 100 is larger. , major cards,
Or sheet-shaped portion 151 and transparent sheet 155
have.

The main card 151 carries a first layer 152 of adhesive, while the transparent sheet 155 carries a corresponding second layer 156 of adhesive. These adhesives 1iW15
2.156 touch each other along edge strip 149. In another case, the protective strip 157 is adhesive 1iii! 152°156 are held in a separated state. This protective sheet 157 includes ears 161.

As shown in FIG. 8, the protective sheet 157
Preferably, the instructions 167 are preprinted. These instructions 167 do not need to be synchronized with the cutting unit 34 when the protective sheet 157 is discarded.

Instead, instructions 167 are repeated at regular intervals, e.g., less than half a width γ of postcard 100, to ensure that each sheet 157 contains at least one complete set of instructions. be able to.

To explain the preferred material, the card 151 is made of K
It can be made from cardboard sold under the name ron+ecote®, which
It has a point thickness. One side of the card is matte and the other side is glossy. The matte side is the side on which information related to addresses and the like is printed at the printing station 16. The shiny side is coated with the first layer 152 of adhesive. Preferably, this side is first coated or printed a gray color before the first layer 152 of adhesive is applied. The first layer 152 of adhesive is preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive and must be transparent.

The transparent sheet 155 is preferably a laminate formed from polyester having a thickness of 2 mils. The second adhesive layer 156 needs to be transparent or largely transparent so that photographs or other items can be viewed through it. This second adhesive layer 156 can also be a pressure sensitive adhesive. It may, for example, be marked with some target which may be desirable for some purpose.

The protective sheet 157 is made of paper material having a weight of 65 bonds/ream (480 sheets). It is coated with silicone on both sides.

The instructions 167 are printed onto the protective sheet 157 before being coated with the silicone.

The silicone is also transparent so that instructions 167 can be read through transparent sheet 155.

Bottom silicone coating 163 and top silicone coating 165 should preferably be of different weights. Preferably, the bottom silicone layer 163 has a protective sheet 1-157 attached to the first adhesive layer 152.
At the same time, the second silicon layer 165 should require an active peeling action to separate the protective sheet 157 from the transparent sheet 155-d. be. This (well, it guarantees that the postcard 100 is used correctly) (first of all).

In describing preferred dimensions, it is proposed that each component of postcard 100 be sized to receive a standard sized photograph. Currently, standard sized photographs have dimensions of 4 inches by 6 inches. Therefore, all components have a width of 6 inches. Said card 1
51 and transparent sheet 155 have a height of 4 and a quarter inches, as do their adhesive layers 152, 156. The edge strip 160 has a width of approximately one-quarter inch according to the finish cutting operation, so that:
The usable area of postcard 100 is 4 inches by 6 inches. Since inserting a photograph would distort the transparent sheet 155, it may be cut to a slightly increased height to allow for such distortion. Therefore, the lower edge of transparent sheet 155 is
It may be 32 inches below the bottom edge of card 151. Then, after inserting the photo as detailed below, the edges of the card 151 and transparency 155 will be at the same height.

In FIG. 8, the protective sheet 157 is attached to the adhesive layer 1.
52, 156, and in actual use said ear 161 is shown separated from both the protective sheet 1.
57 together with the transparent sheet 155. This then exposes the first adhesive layer 152 except along the edge strips. Next, the photograph designated by reference numeral 170 in FIG.
It is placed on top of the adhesive layer 152. Figure 9 is photo 17
The photo is shown to be smaller than the adhesive layer to leave an exposed border of adhesive around 0. Next, the protective sheet 157 is removed and replaced with the transparent sheet 155. This connects the second adhesive layer 156 to the first adhesive layer 156.
Contact and adhere to the exposed border of adhesive layer 152 and photograph 170. FIG. 9 shows the transparent sheet 15
5 is shown as it would be replaced. This results in a laminate 411 as a tie-down beam, which protects the photograph 170 during handling, such as in a postal system (first of all).

The process described above in connection with Figures 1-6 is based on producing a composite strip with a cross-section equal to that of a single postcard. FIG. 7 shows a modified embodiment in which a composite strip 80 is fabricated. This composite strip 780 comprises a card strip 81 carrying a first adhesive layer 82 . A transparent strip 85 extends across the second adhesive 18
6. Two separate protective sheet parts 87.8
8 are provided to separate the adhesive layers 82, 86 of each strip. This leaves the central area 89 and this central area 8
In 9 the adhesive layers 82, 86 are glued together. Protective sheets 87 and 88 are attached to each ear 90.91
have.

The components of this composite strip 80 can be formed similar to the techniques detailed above.

The central part of the protective strip will therefore be removed to form said two separate protective sheets 87,88. The transparent sheet 85 with the protective sheet is then laminated with the card strip 81 carrying the first adhesive layer 82 . The edges of both transparent strip 85 and card strip 81 are then cut and removed to form said ears 90.91. It will then be understood that this composite strip 81 may be compared with said two composite strips 62c which are arranged back-to-back. Therefore, reference number 9
As shown at 2, the composite strip 80 is cut in half to form a plurality of separate strips, each of which need only be cut transversely to form an individual postcard. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a side view of an apparatus according to the invention for carrying out the process of the invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1; and FIG.
A sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 1.
5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-58 in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a modified example of the process that can be compared with the cross section of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a postcard produced by the process of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a photograph FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the postcard of FIG. 8 including; 1... Apparatus, 2... Postcard stock supply unit, 4... Transparent sheet stock supply unit, 6.8,
10.12... Winding unit, 14... Roller,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15... Strip path, 16... Printing station, 18... Drying device, 20... Rotating rod unit, 26... Vacuum waste removal system, 28... First finishing cutting station, 30... ... Second finishing cutting station, 32... Third finishing cutting station, 34... Cutting unit, 35...
Anvil, 36... Sword, 38... Conveyor, 40... Loading device, 50... Postcard stock, 51... Postcard strip, 52... First adhesive layer, 53... Protective sheet, 54... Transparent sheet stock, 55... Transparent strip, 56... Second adhesive layer,
57...protective sheet, 58...tear, 59
... Main part, 60 ... Edge strip, 61 ... Ear, 62 ... Composite strip, 64 ... Cutting, 66 ... Edge cutting part, 80 ... Composite strip, 81. ...Nonode strip, 82...First adhesive layer, 85...Transparent strip, 86...Second adhesive layer, 87.88...Separation protection sheet portion, 90.91.
...Ear, 100...Postcard, 149...Edge...
Strip, 151... Main card, 152... First adhesive layer, 15 Death... Transparent sheet, 156... Second adhesive layer, 157... Protective strip, 160... Edge... Strip, 161...Ear, 163...Bottom silicone coating, 165 Upper silicone coating, 167...Instructions. 1UU May 11, 1988j Mr. Akio Kuroda, Director General of the Patent Office, 1988 Patent Application No. 083.702 Name of the invention Relationship with the case of the person who amends the method and device for producing postcards Patent applicant 4, agent resident Address: 5-2-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Uraiya Building 7M5゜6, Number of inventions to be increased by amendment None 7. Specification subject to amendment, power of attorney and priority certificate 8, Contents of amendment 1) Amend the drafted specification into a typed copy. (No change in content) 2) Replenish the power of attorney. 3) Replenish the priority certificate first. 9. Attached documents

Claims (21)

[Claims] (1) A method of manufacturing a postcard for use in mailing sheet-shaped articles, comprising: (i) a first, elongated, sheet member strip having a first layer of adhesive on one side thereof; (ii) continuously supplying a second, elongated strip of transparent sheet having a second layer of transparent adhesive throughout on one side thereof; iii) continuously feeding a third, elongated strip of protective sheeting between said first and second strips, thereby adhering opposing edge regions of said first and second adhesive layers to each other; In such a case, the first
and (iv) cutting the fourth composite strip in a transverse direction, separating the remainder of the second adhesive layer by the protective sheet, thereby forming a fourth composite strip. A method for manufacturing a postcard, comprising: a step of forming individual postcards; (2) prior to step (i), the additional step of continuously coating the first elongated strip with a first layer of adhesive as the first elongated strip is provided; A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: (3) the first elongated strip has the same dimensions as the first elongated strip carrying the first layer of adhesive and the first elongated strip;
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive layer is provided as an intermediate protective sheet covering the adhesive layer, and that said intermediate protective sheet is removed before step (iii). 4. The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising the additional step of printing on the other side of the first elongated strip. (5) comprising the additional step of printing on the other side of said first elongated strip before step (iii), said printing being synchronized with step (iv), so that the printed matters are printed on said individual postcards; 4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the method comprises ensuring that the image appears in the desired position on the top. (6) said second elongated strip has a height equal to the height of said first elongated sheet-shaped strip on said individual postcard plus the height of the ears of said protective sheet stock; 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a height is provided. (7) said second and third elongate strips have the same height and are provided as a single composite strip, and one edge strip of said third elongate strip is arranged in a slit ( The edge strip is separated from its main body by a step (i
7. A method as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that it is removed before ii), thereby allowing the opposing edge regions of the plurality of adhesive layers to be adhered to each other. (8) After step (iii), the other edge of the second elongate strip remote from the opposing edge area is cut to separate the transparent edge cut from the main body thereof; Claim 7, wherein the transparent edge cut portion is removed together with a corresponding portion of the second adhesive layer to expose one side of the edge portion of the protective sheet as an ear. The method described in section. (9) after step (iii), cutting an edge of the first elongated strip remote from the opposing edge regions to separate a sheet-shaped edge cut from a main body thereof; and the additional step of removing a shaped edge cut along with a corresponding portion of the first layer of adhesive, thereby exposing the other side of the ear of the protective sheet stock. The method according to claim 8. (10) After the step (iii), the first and second
10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that one edge of the elongate strip of is cut to a finished state near the opposite edge area, with the result that a compound edge cut is removed. . (11) before said step (ii): (a) printing on the other side of said first elongated strip, and synchronizing said printing with step (iv), so that printed matters are printed on said individual postcards; (b) drying the other printed side of the first elongated strip; and (c) reversing the orientation of the stock of the sheet-shaped member. 11. A method according to claim 7, 9 or 10, characterized in that it additionally comprises the steps of: (12) A method of manufacturing a postcard for use in mailing a sheet-shaped article, comprising: (i) a strip of sheet-shaped member and a layer of a first adhesive on one side thereof; (ii) printing on the other side of the strip of sheet-shaped members; (ii) printing on the other side of the strip of sheet-shaped members; (iii) drying the other printed side of the strip of sheet-shaped member; (iv) removing the intermediate protective sheet from the first elongated strip; (v) ) a second elongated transparent sheet comprising a strip of transparent sheet and a second generally transparent adhesive layer on one side thereof, and a strip of primary protective sheet covering the second adhesive layer; - continuously supplying stock; (vi) removing one edge of said primary protective sheet to expose one edge area of said second adhesive layer; (vii) said second adhesive layer; the first and second elongated strips are laminated together, such that one edge area of said second adhesive layer is adhered to a corresponding edge area of one of said first adhesive layer, and (viii) along the other edge of the transparent strip such that the remainder of the first and second adhesive layers are separated by the primary protective sheet, thereby forming a third composite strip; (ix) cutting the transparent strip to separate the transparent edge cut from the main body thereof and removing the transparent edge cut along with a corresponding portion of the second adhesive layer; cutting the strip of sheet-shaped member along the other edge of the strip of sheet-shaped member to separate the cut portion of the sheet-shaped member edge from the main body thereof;
and removing the cut portion of the edge of the sheet-shaped member together with the corresponding portion of the first adhesive layer to expose the selvedge of the main protective sheet along the other edge; (x) (xi) cutting the composite strip synchronously with the printing of step (ii), thereby forming individual postcards; , A method for producing a postcard, comprising: (13) An apparatus for use in manufacturing postcards, comprising a strip path, means for moving an elongated strip along the strip path, and a first elongated sheet-shaped member strip along the strip path. a first supply unit for supplying a second elongated strip of transparent sheet to the strip path; a second supply unit located downstream from the first and second supply units; a lamination station for laminating the first and second elongated strips together to form a composite strip; and a finish cutting area located downstream from the lamination station for cutting the composite strip into a finished condition. a cutting section located downstream from the finishing cutting section for cutting the composite strip into individual postcards. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a printing station located downstream from the first supply unit in the strip path. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a drying device in the strip path at a location downstream from the printing station. (16) for turning the first elongated strip;
Claims 13 and 14 further comprising a rotary rod unit located downstream from the first supply unit and in front of the second supply unit in the strip path. or the device according to paragraph 15. (17) In order to remove and wind up the intermediate protective sheet provided on the first long strip, an intermediate protective sheet winding unit is provided between the first and second supply units. 14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that: (18) The claim further comprises a removing device for removing the edge strip of the main protective sheet covering the second adhesive layer on the second elongated strip. Apparatus according to clause 17. (19) a first finishing cut station downstream from the laminating station in the strip path for separating a transparent edge cut from the composite elongated strip; and a first finishing cut station for removing the transparent edge cut from the composite elongated strip. 19. The device according to claim 18, further comprising an edge cutting section and a winding unit. (20) a second finishing cutting station downstream from the first finishing cutting station in the strip path for separating the edge cutting portion of the sheet-shaped member; and a sheet for removing the edge cutting portion. 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that it comprises a profile edge cutter and a take-up unit. (21) a third finishing cutting station downstream from the second finishing cutting station in the strip path for cutting the edges of the composite strip into a finished state; and a third finishing cutting station for removing the composite edge cutting section. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a composite edge cutter and take-up unit.