WO1999026217A1 - Fabrication de timbres - Google Patents

Fabrication de timbres Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999026217A1
WO1999026217A1 PCT/GB1998/003063 GB9803063W WO9926217A1 WO 1999026217 A1 WO1999026217 A1 WO 1999026217A1 GB 9803063 W GB9803063 W GB 9803063W WO 9926217 A1 WO9926217 A1 WO 9926217A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
stamp
substrate
adhesive
release paper
stamps
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1998/003063
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Richard J. Ashwell
Colin Gibson
Original Assignee
The House Of Questa Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9724117.8A external-priority patent/GB9724117D0/en
Priority claimed from GBGB9805150.1A external-priority patent/GB9805150D0/en
Application filed by The House Of Questa Ltd. filed Critical The House Of Questa Ltd.
Priority to AU95469/98A priority Critical patent/AU9546998A/en
Publication of WO1999026217A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999026217A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31D—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN SUBCLASSES B31B OR B31C
    • B31D1/00—Multiple-step processes for making flat articles ; Making flat articles
    • B31D1/02—Multiple-step processes for making flat articles ; Making flat articles the articles being labels or tags
    • B31D1/026—Cutting or perforating
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/08—Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself
    • G09F3/10—Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself by an adhesive layer

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the manufacture of stamps, labels, and other substrates of predefined size which are adapted to be adhered to. a carrier by a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on one side of the substrate.
  • the invention relates in particular to the method of segregating individual stamps or labels on the web or sheet of substrate material from which they are constituted.
  • a self adhesive stamp assembly comprises the stamp material substrate on one side of which the stamps are printed and the other side of which is pressure sensitive adhesive, and a carrier sheet on a release surface of which the stamp substrate is held by the pressure sensitive adhesive.
  • stamps are effected by firstly printing one surface of a web or sheet of substrate material with a plurality of rows of the images which are displayed on the individual stamps.
  • the substrate material is conventionally a pre-gummed paper with a dry but water-soluble adhesive compound applied to the alternate surface of the substrate from that which will receive the printing inks. It is important that the adhesive is dry so that the web of substrate material can be perforated without adhesion and subsequent forming of clumps of the chads produced by perforation within the perforating press.
  • the perforation of the web is necessarily effected in precise register with the printed images on the web such that the image is exactly centrally located within the perimeter of the stamp defined by the perforations.
  • the water soluble adhesive layer has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, in moist and warm conditions, the adhesive layer may be activated resulting in the unwanted adhesion of the stamps, either to one another or to the inside of a booklet in which the stamps are contained, rendering the stamps useless.
  • a second disadvantage is the inconvenience, and possible unpleasantness, to the user who has to moisten the adhesive, usually with saliva by licking the said adhesive layer, and has to affix a large number of stamps to envelopes and the like.
  • the adhesive layer is non-toxic, such a user will rapidly be aware of the unpleasant taste in his mouth after application of only relatively few stamps in such manner.
  • Self-adhesive stamps have therefore been proposed, in which a pressure sensitive adhesive, such as a soluble acrylic adhesive, is applied to the opposite surface of the substrate to that which is printed with the stamp images as described above.
  • the substrate is adhered to a silicone coated release paper to prevent any unwanted adhesion of the substrate, either to itself or to anything else.
  • the main disadvantage associated with such pressure sensitive adhesives when applied ubiquitously to one surface of a substrate to be perforated is that the chads which are removed by perforation are liable to adhere to one another, thus clogging the perforating machine.
  • die cutting of the substrate is currently effected and to a large extent overcomes this problem, perforation shapes are of importance on account of the security features that may be provided thereby.
  • die cutting of stamps results in reduced customer acceptance, and such stamps are easily distinguishable from perforated stamps.
  • die cutting of substrates to which a pressure sensitive adhesive has been applied and which are mounted on a release paper often results in unwanted cutting or embossing of the release paper.
  • a user may experience difficulties in removing an individual stamp from the release paper because said release paper has been cut along a portion of the edge of the stamp with an identical edge contour and the adhesion betwixt stamp and release paper precludes easy removal. Repeated fingering of this edge portion is generally required to separate the stamp from the release paper, which inconvenience somewhat defeats the objects of simplicity and convenience to which the provision of self-adhesive stamps is directed.
  • the pattern must be in precise register with the lines of perforations (if the substrate is perforated prior to adhesive application), but in any event there must be no application of adhesive to an area of substrate which will be perforated.
  • the viscous and unmanageable nature of the adhesive which is usually applied at elevated temperatures makes this a difficult proposition.
  • the absence of adhesive around the periphery of the stamp is such that when the stamp is applied to a carrier, such as an envelope or the like, the perforated edges of the stamp are not adhered to the carrier. Said edges are thus likely to become frayed and ragged as the carrier material is handled through sorting offices and mail bags, and thus be separated from the surface of the carrier.
  • a method of cutting a web or sheet of a substrate one surface of which is adapted to be printed with a number of identical images in rows or otherwise arranged, a layer of adhesive being applied to the alternate surface to which a release paper is affixed, characterised in that a laser light traces a path on the substrate eliminating matter thereof to define a number of discrete portions of the substrate corresponding to the number of images printed or to be printed thereon, said portions being substantially unattached to the web of substrate and to one another.
  • substantially unattached is meant that there is practically no tearing required between said portions and the remaining substrate material or adjacent portions as a particular portion is removed from the release paper to which it is affixed by the adhesive.
  • printing of the substrate may be effected either before or after the material of the substrate has been eliminated.
  • the elimination path to which the said path will hereinafter be referred, is in precise register with the images printed or to be printed on the substrate such that the resulting removable portions are identical.
  • the intensity of the laser light is such that only the substrate material is eliminated, the release paper being substantially unaffected by the laser light.
  • the intensity of the laser light may be adjusted as required by the thickness of the substrate and adhesive layer, and thus the depth of penetration of the laser light through the substrate can be adjusted.
  • the discrete portions formed by the elimination of the substrate material are stamps of value, such as postage stamps, revenue stamps or labels and the like.
  • the elimination path of the laser light along any particular edge of the stamp defined thereby is such that said edge appears to match conventionally perforated shapes.
  • the laser light eliminates areas of predefined shapes of the substrate between and surrounding the stamps, said areas being connected by a linear elimination path, thus providing the stamps of the substrate material with a perforated effect without the production of chads.
  • the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
  • the remaining carcase of substrate material is removed from the release paper leaving the discrete portions of substrate material thereon.
  • a self-adhesive stamp assembly comprising a release paper and a stamp substrate releasably attached by adhesive to said release paper, characterised in that said assembly is provided as continuous stationery and in fan folded form, each section of the assembly between folds forming a sheet or page of stamps.
  • the fold lines are preferably formed as lines of weakness to ensure that the assembly can be torn along said lines easily.
  • the said fold lines are preferably defined by a laser which eliminates the material of the release paper, and further preferably this is effected through the stamp substrate which is adhered to said release paper.
  • the fold lines in the stamp assemblies of the second aspect of the invention may also be defined by a conventionally used cutting method known as "rouletting" in which weakening cuts are formed in only the release paper.
  • the perforations in the case of the fold lines may furthermore pass through both the stamp material substrate, and the release paper.
  • the release paper and stamp substrate are preferably in web form defining a longitudinal axis, the fold lines extending transverse to the longitudinal axis, but fold lines may also extend in a direction which is parallel to the longitudinal axis depending on the particular direction of substrate and/or release paper elimination or rouletting.
  • the elimination of the material of the substrate and/or release paper using laser light as according to the invention is an improved method of cutting same, and provides much greater flexibility and control.
  • the elimination of the substrate material by laser is a non-contact process, and thus reducing both the likelihood of any imperfections in the resulting stamps produced by such method and machinery down time previously caused by the fouling of the perforating or punching machinery or damage to the perforating or punching tool.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of press machinery adapted for use with the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a plan view of a portion of a web of stamp paper with individual stamps defined by edges resulting from the elimination of stamp paper by laser
  • Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the web of Figure 2 curved to facilitate removal of the stamp therefrom.
  • Fig. 4 is a plan view of a stamp assembly embodying the second aspect of the invention.
  • Fig 4A is a plan view of a stamp assembly embodying the second aspect of the invention, but with the stamp material substrate adopting an alternate orientation to that shown in Figure 4;
  • Fig. 5 is a side view of the assembly of Fig. 4 when in fan folded form
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing one method according to the second aspect of the invention.
  • Fig. 7 is a side view showing another method according to the second aspect of the present invention.
  • a web of stamp paper 2 has an upper surface 4 and a lower surface 6.
  • the stamp paper 2 is specifically adapted for the printing of postage stamps, in that it may contain luminescent compounds of have such compounds printed thereon to enable automatic mail sorting machines to recognise and authenticate postage stamps printed on such paper.
  • the stamp paper 2 passes between a blanket cylinder 8 and an impression cylinder 10, the blanket cylinder applying to the upper surface 4 of the stamp paper 2 a plurality of stamp images 12.
  • the ink is transferred to the blanket cylinder 8 by a means of a plate cylinder (not shown) as is usual practise in lithographic printing, but it will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the particular method of printing is unimportant.
  • only a single row of images 12 is shown in the figure for the purposes of clarity.
  • the stamp paper with images 12 printed thereon is then passed between a pair of cylinders 14, 16, cylinder 16 being an adhesive application cylinder which applies adhesive to the lower surface 6 of the stamp paper 2.
  • Such layer is indicated by the hatching 18 shown in the figure.
  • the adhesive applied to the surface 6 of the stamp paper is preferably a hot-melt adhesive, or any of the commonly available pressure sensitive adhesives which may be applied in the manner described above, or in any other manner so proposed in which there is uniform application of an adhesive to the lower surface 6 of the stamp paper across the entire width of the web.
  • the stamp paper 2 is mounted on a release paper 20, which has a silicone coated upper surface 22 and a lower surface 24, by compression between a pair of pressure cylinders 26, 28.
  • the resulting combined laminated web 30 of stamp paper and release paper then passes beneath laser apparatus 32 powered and controlled through a connection cable 34.
  • a beam of laser light emanates from the lower portion of the laser apparatus 32 as schematically shown at 36. The intensity of this beam is precisely controlled so as to burn, evaporate or otherwise eliminate the stamp paper surrounding the images 12 in a uniform and repeatable manner. It is to be understood that the use of the word "burn" and cognate expressions as used hereinafter is intended to encompass all such means of eliminating matter and others not specifically mentioned.
  • the depth of burn is controlled such that the release paper 20 is substantially unaffected.
  • burning is effected by controlling the laser apparatus, possibly by computer, to trace a predetermined burn path or pattern around each individual image within the row of images 12.
  • the laser apparatus 32 is computer controlled, the laser beam may trace out any desired burn path on the stamp paper 2 and with high precision, depending on the collimation of the laser light.
  • An example of such a burn path which has been designed to give the effect of perforations is shown in Figure 2.
  • the images 12 are applied to the upper surface 4 of the stamp paper with a degree of separation which requires that separate burn paths are required between each of the images to create a stamp 42, whereas in Figure 2, the proximity of the printed images 12', 12" is such that only a single burn path is required to be traced by the laser beam between the said images to create individual stamps 42.
  • the stamp paper 2 may be separated from the combined laminate 30 and passed over a separation cylinder 34 after the burn process has been effected, beneath which the release paper 20 passes.
  • the burning of the stamp paper 20 allows said stamp paper to be separated from the release paper as a carcase 38 in which apertures 40 exist as a result of the burning of said stamp paper around the images 12.
  • Each edge of the apertures 40 represents a burn path of the laser beam on the stamp paper, and thus it can be observed from the figure that separate and distinct burn paths are required between each of the images 12 as described above.
  • stamps manufactured according to the invention may be securely attached to a carrier, such as an envelope, not only in their centre but around their entire periphery which may be accordingly patterned as desired. This represents an improvement over the prior art methods of stamp application, in which either a moistenable adhesive layer was licked by a user but usually not completely, or in which there was substantially no adhesive adjacent the periphery of the stamp, as disclosed in the abovementioned European patent application.
  • Figure 3 shows the simplicity of removal of a stamp 42 effected according to the invention, but in the figure the carcase 38 has not been separated from the release paper 20 as may optionally be effected as shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 shows a thumb and forefinger 44, 46 respectively of a user which acts on the combined laminate 30 to bend said laminate. This bending action, and the bond strength between the adhesive on the underside of the stamp 42 and the upper surface 22 of the release paper 20 is such that an edge 48 of the stamp 42 separates from the release paper 20, thus presenting an area in the region of said lower edge 48 which may be pinched by the fingers on the other hand of the user to remove the stamp 42.
  • a web assembly 10X is shown, and comprises a carrier sheet 12X having an upper surface 14X having a release characteristic, for example by having a silicone coating thereon, and on the surface 14X is adhered a substrate of printed stamps 16X. On the rear of the stamps 16X is pressure sensitive adhesive by which the substrate adheres to the carrier.
  • stamps are surrounded by lines 22X of perforations formed as set forth in said co-pending application or as described subsequently herein.
  • the assembly is arranged so that there are defined sheets in the assembly, these sheets being defined between fold lines C-C, A-A and B-B.
  • the fold lines are formed by cutting perforations as described in said co-pending application, or as set forth hereinafter, or by rouletting, or by any other means, and the assembly is fan folded as shown in Fig. 5 to place it in condition for transportation and for convenience in dispensing by retailers. It is in fact preferred that the perforations of the fold lines pass through both the substrate and the carrier sheet so that the fold line is visible from both sides of the strip.
  • Figure 4A shows a similar self-adhesive stamp assembly to that shown in Figure 4 and like reference numerals have been used to indicate like parts, except that the carrier web 12X is wide enough to accommodate transversally disposed printed stamp material substrate portions 16X.
  • Fold lines A-A, B-B, C-C, and D-D may be provided as described above in relation to Figure 4.
  • the direction of travel of the self-adhesive stamp assembly is shown by arrow 15X in both Figures 4 and 4A.
  • the length of fan folded sheets can be varied to suit individual requirements.
  • Fig. 6 shows how the method according to the invention in the said co-pending application can be modified in accordance with one example of the second aspect of this invention.
  • the substrate, before printing is shown at 30X, and it travels in the direction of the arrow 32X. As it moves, it is printed with the stamp information at 34X, and at 36X laser cutting of the substrate is effected to define lines of perforations 38X between individual stamps.
  • the printed and perforated substrate is then laminated to the carrier sheet 40X at laminating station 42X.
  • the perforations can be provided before the printing step.
  • the substrate 50X (already printed) and the carrier 52X are delivered to the cutting apparatus 54X in laminated form. They are separated at 56X, and whilst they are so separated, the substrate 50X is provided with the perforations at 58X, and then the substrate 50X and the carrier 52X are recombined at 60X.
  • a collecting tray 62X may be provided under the cutting means to prevent cuttings from web 50X from falling onto the web 52X.
  • the printing could be effected after step 60X, or between step 58X and 60X.
  • the apparatus of Fig. 6 or 7 could be used also to form the fold line perforations.
  • the advantage of forming the perforations whilst the substrate is separated from the carrier is that there is no need to exercise the control needed when the cutting whilst the substrate is laminated to the carrier.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de fabrication de timbres dans lequel une bande de substrat en papier à timbres est perforée par découpage au laser. On obtient ainsi des perforations extrêmement précises autour de la périphérie d'une pluralité d'images de timbres imprimées avant ou après l'étape de perforation. Le substrat peut également être pourvu d'un revêtement auto-adhésif et appliqué sur un papier anti-adhésif soit avant soit après l'étape de perforation, laquelle peut en outre permettre de découper le substrat en papier à timbres autour de la périphérie de timbres individuels qui sont ainsi séparables les uns des autres, et dans chaque cas, il est possible de réaliser dans le papier anti-adhésif des lignes de pliage qui coïncident avec un bord d'une pluralité de timbres perforés de telle manière qu'une bande continue d'un ensemble de timbres autocollants peut être obtenue. Les lignes de pliage pratiquées dans le papier anti-adhésif peuvent également être réalisées par découpage au laser de manière à ménager des points d'affaiblissement dans ledit papier, ou bien à le perforer selon une configuration similaire aux perforations des timbres de telle manière que la bande résultante puisse être pliée en accordéon. En conséquence, un ensemble de timbres autocollants pliés en accordéon peut également être obtenu.
PCT/GB1998/003063 1997-11-15 1998-10-09 Fabrication de timbres WO1999026217A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU95469/98A AU9546998A (en) 1997-11-15 1998-10-09 Stamp manufacture

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9724117.8 1997-11-15
GBGB9724117.8A GB9724117D0 (en) 1997-11-15 1997-11-15 Stamp manufacture
GB9805150.1 1998-03-12
GBGB9805150.1A GB9805150D0 (en) 1998-03-12 1998-03-12 Improvements relating to self adhesive stamp asemblies

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999026217A1 true WO1999026217A1 (fr) 1999-05-27

Family

ID=26312603

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1998/003063 WO1999026217A1 (fr) 1997-11-15 1998-10-09 Fabrication de timbres

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU9546998A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999026217A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2189580A1 (es) * 2000-01-31 2003-07-01 Complisa Sa Material laminar complejo flexible, con impresion transferible a diversos substratos.
US6626096B1 (en) 2000-11-09 2003-09-30 Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr. Redemption ticket maker

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4851061A (en) * 1987-03-16 1989-07-25 Sorkoram Paul O Method and apparatus for patterned cut of thermoplastics
WO1991018378A1 (fr) * 1990-05-15 1991-11-28 Australian Postal Corporation Trading As Australia Post Timbres
WO1994014605A1 (fr) * 1992-12-23 1994-07-07 Graydon Wesley Nedblake Systeme de production d'etiquettes a partir d'un ruban
FR2733447A1 (fr) * 1995-04-25 1996-10-31 Poste Procede et dispositifs de decoupe de materiau par faisceau laser
WO1997011841A1 (fr) * 1995-09-26 1997-04-03 Timothy Platt White Decoupage d'etiquettes

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4851061A (en) * 1987-03-16 1989-07-25 Sorkoram Paul O Method and apparatus for patterned cut of thermoplastics
WO1991018378A1 (fr) * 1990-05-15 1991-11-28 Australian Postal Corporation Trading As Australia Post Timbres
WO1994014605A1 (fr) * 1992-12-23 1994-07-07 Graydon Wesley Nedblake Systeme de production d'etiquettes a partir d'un ruban
FR2733447A1 (fr) * 1995-04-25 1996-10-31 Poste Procede et dispositifs de decoupe de materiau par faisceau laser
WO1997011841A1 (fr) * 1995-09-26 1997-04-03 Timothy Platt White Decoupage d'etiquettes

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2189580A1 (es) * 2000-01-31 2003-07-01 Complisa Sa Material laminar complejo flexible, con impresion transferible a diversos substratos.
US6626096B1 (en) 2000-11-09 2003-09-30 Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr. Redemption ticket maker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU9546998A (en) 1999-06-07

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