WO1999042299A1

WO1999042299A1 - Publication inserts

Info

Publication number: WO1999042299A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/002297
Authority: WO
Inventors: William A. Hettinger; Timothy A. Mertens; Douglas P. Bodziak; Alden R. Miles; Mark S. Volden
Original assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
Priority date: 1998-02-18
Filing date: 1999-02-03
Publication date: 1999-08-26
Also published as: AU2656199A

Abstract

Pagemarker and note inserts for printed publications are described. Each insert is comprised of a base sheet, and at least one stack of releasable pressure-sensitive sheets. The base sheet carries multiple stacks of pressure-sensitive sheets. The pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets are made of polymeric film or paper, and preferably use a repositionable pressure-sensitive adhesive. The completed insert is constructed to have a flexibility, thickness, size, ply separation force, bottom ply separation force, and peel adhesion to successfully feed through commercial printing bindery equipment.

Description

-1-

Publication Inserts

Cross-Reference to Related Application

This application is an original patent application claiming priority from the earlier filed provisional application having the Serial Number 60/075045, filed February 18, 1998.

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the application of pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets to articles such as advertising media, newspapers, envelopes and the like and in particular relates to the application of repositionable pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets as publication inserts.

Background of the Invention

Magazines, catalogs, newspapers, and direct mail pieces are all well-known methods to communicate specific information to readers. The information frequently takes the form of advertisements that are designed to capture the reader's attention and elicit a response for the advertiser. Printing the advertisements can take form of an individual sheet to form a letter for mailing, or printing wide webs that are folded and cut to form 'signatures'.

Printing is controlled by the 'registration' of the various ink stations. Registration can be 'hairline' (0.1 mm or less variation between ink printed in different stations), 'normal' (1 to 5 mm), or 'loose' (5 to 25 mm variation). Following printing, the web is folded to provide a 'registration edge' . The registration edge is a folded edge, which is in a predetermined ('registered') location with respect to the printing, and is used, in subsequent steps in processing the printed piece. A printed, folded piece may form a 'signature', a booklet formed from the web and used to form a larger book. Signatures are commonly used to form magazines and catalogs. Multiple signatures are typically joined together on a binding line. Separate signatures are grouped together by precisely aligning them on at least two edges. The group is bound together, for instance by glue or staples and typically trimmed to final form. High quality books can hold very close registration between the printing and all assembly and converting operations. - 2 - Several methods are known to enhance the advertisement and increase the response from a reader. Such methods include attaching a reader response card to a sheet in the publication, or binding a card directly into the spine. Another method includes use of a pressure-sensitive label or a sheet of paper carrying a repositionable adhesive. The most popular of these repositionable products is a POST-IT® note.

Typical labels are constructed from a backing, such as paper, carrying indicia on one major surface and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive entirely covering the other major surface, this is attached to a so-called 'release liner'. This liner usually is formed from paper and is coated with a thin layer of a release material, such as a crosslinked silicone polymer.

Common labeling equipment provides for a location to place the smaller rolls, means to pull the construction, means to detect the location of a label, means to separate the label from the liner, and means to attach the label to an underlying surface. Label-Aire Corporation of Fullerton, CA manufactures common labeling equipment. Such labeling equipment will commonly unwind the length of label material from a 3 inch (3.76 cm) inner-diameter core, transport the label over a series of rollers having a 2 inch (2.54 cm) diameter rollers, finally to be separated from the liner and applied to the desired substrate. Labels are designed to adhere well to the liner for transport through the labeler and still easily separate from the liner. Another method to feed materials into printed materials into books is a business response card. The card is typically 0.007 inches (0.18 mm) thick and may be transported over rollers of 1 inch (2.54 cm) to 5 inches (12.7 cm) before they are inserted to the books.

Popular marking and indexing products are POST-IT® Flags. They are currently sold into print media in a pack of 10 pop-up flags (as described in U.S. 5,411,168) or attached to cards (as described in U.S. 5,332,265). Both products are commercially available from 3M. The stack of flags described in ' 168 is not attached to the underlying substrate, but shuttle in the package to provide dispensing through a slot covering the stack. The flags attached to cards in '265 are directly attached to the card and are not a stack. U.S. Patent No. 4,842,303 ('303) described an advertisement bearing a stack of

POST-U® Notes. The case states, "To promote the POST-IT® note pads, during the early days of their introduction, pads with as few as ten sheets had been placed on an - 3 - advertising sheet to provide a physical sample of the product to the consumer at the time of purchase of the advertising sheet or magazine bearing the advertising sheet. The sheets in the pad were adhered by the adhesive band along an edge perpendicular to the binding edge with the back sheet permanently glued to the page." Another related article is a commercially available card product from "Imtek" of

Bridgeport, CT. The article consists of a large card approximately 8.5 inches (21.6 cm) wide and 11 inches (27.9 cm) tall. The card carried a transparent polymeric layer 4 inches

(10.2 cm) wide and 3.6 inches (9.2 cm) tall. Attached to the polymeric layer is a single layer of paper sheets, each sheet being partially coated with a layer or pressure-sensitive adhesive. The polymeric layer could not be removed from the card without damage to the card.

Summary of the Invention

Briefly, in one aspect of the present invention, publication inserts and manufacturing processes for inserting such publication inserts are provided. The articles and methods of use provide a more efficient, less costly means to provide a stack of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets for notes or flags in print media or office supplies. The stack of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets are comprised of a backing sheet that may be coated or uncoated paper or treated or untreated polymeric film. The backing sheet may also be a single article comprising card stock weight sheeting. This sheeting may also be paper or polymeric film. The paper or polymeric film may be transparent, translucent or opaque and may be clear, white or colored. The stacks of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets may be partially or fully coated with a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. Pressure sensitive adhesives include repositionable adhesives (adhesives that are removable and reusable), removable adhesives (adhesives that are removable and not necessarily reusable) and permanent adhesives.

The articles are efficiently inserted using automated equipment including labelers, card inserters and other inserting or onserting devices used in print advertising and publishing.

The articles are an assembly that includes a base layer and carries at least one stack of pressure-sensitive sheets. The stack of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets may be first repositionably adhered to continuous or discontinuous label stock. The label stock may then be inserted into a publication. If continuously label stock is used, a mechanism - 4 - may be used to cut the stock to a predetermined length. Typically, when a label stock is used, the stack of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets are onserted a page or pages in a publication.

In another aspect of the present invention, publication inserts are provided wherein the insert comprises stacks of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets for notes or flags, wherein the article is assembled from a base layer and carries at least one stack of pressure sensitive sheets. In this configuration, the stacks of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets are inserted directly into the publication.

In yet another configuration contemplated in this invention, publication inserts comprise card stock with or without a release coating on the card stock and at least one stack of pressure sensitive sheets. The card stock can then be blown in, sewn in or otherwise inserted into a publication.

Advantageously, the configuration of the article of the present invention provides the ability to insert a wide variety of notes and flags. Samples of notes and flags can be inserted simultaneously. Alternatively, a stack of notes having different indicia can be inserted, for example a stack of coupons, each coupon being different.

Brief Description of the Drawing

Figure 1 is a top view of a perfect-bind or blow-in card having multiple stacks of pressure sensitive plies attached. Figure 2 is a top view a card suitable for saddle stitch binding for publications.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a base sheet carrying stacks of plies. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly consisting of stacks of plies shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of stacks of pressure-sensitive plies. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of stacked pressure-sensitive plies shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of a base sheet and stacks as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a base sheet carrying a smaller stack of pressure-sensitive sheets.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the stack shown in Figure 8. - 5 - Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of stacks attached to a base sheet wherein adjacent plies become sequentially smaller from the bottom ply to the top ply.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of stacks attached to a base sheet wherein stacks are positioned on both major surfaces of the base sheet.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment(s)

Novel articles and manufacturing processes are described. The articles and methods of use provide a more efficient, less costly means to provide a stack of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets for notes or flags in print media or office supplies. The articles are efficiently inserted using automated equipment including labelers, card inserters and other inserting or onsertrng devices used in print advertising and publishing. The articles are an assembly that includes a base layer and carries at least one stack of pressure-sensitive sheets. The articles may be coated with release coatings or may be layered with a release liner positioned between the base layer and the stack of sheets. Such materials are commonly known to those skilled in the art and generally include silicone coated paper or film, silicone-based release coatings, fluorine containing films, fluorine coated paper or film, fluorine-based release coatings. Low energy surfaces can also be obtained by chemically or mechanically treated the base layer and/or release liners.

Flexibility is important to successfully feed through common bindery devices without damaging the article by having the stack spontaneously separate from the base sheet. The ply contacting the base sheet must have sufficiently high removal force to securely hold the stacks during processing, but cleanly release when either mechanically dispensed or manually separated by users. Ply separation force is a measure of the bond between layers in the stack. The plies preferably have sufficiently high removal force to securely hold the stacks during processing, but cleanly release when manually separated by users. Active area is a measure of pressure-sensitive stack as a percent of the total assembly. Higher active areas are more efficient at delivering the pressure-sensitive stacks, thus saving processing time and costs to the advertisers.

The articles of the present invention can also be characterized by refer to a constant-rate-extension device (CRE) that measures a force two as fixtures are separated at a constant rate. The force is displayed as a function of time, and statistics (such an average of the force over time) may be calculated from the plot. One such device is a - 6 - Sintech 1122, commercially available from MTS Systems Corporation, Research Triangle

Park, NC.

Flexibility is measured by attaching a cylinder having a 3.75 inch (9.5 cm) diameter in a fixed position A test assembly is placed with the lower surface (that without stacks) of the bottom ply adjacent the cylinder. The bottom ply is secured to the secured to the cylinder. Each stack on the assembly is measured in a direction parallel to the cylinder edge ("initial length"). The assembly is manually wrapped around the cylinder until the bottom ply is in direct contact with the cylinder having no gaps between the two, and held for 15 seconds. Each stack on the assembly is again measured only the distance still adhering to the bottom ply ("final length"). If different plies in the stack exhibit varying flexibility measurements, a flexibility measurement is reported for each ply. A flexibility percentage is reported as the ratio of final length divided by initial length. Each stack in the assembly is measured in this manner, in both the machine direction and cross direction. Some examples have stacks on both major surfaces of the bottom ply. Tests are conducted on stacks on both major surfaces, each time ignoring the presence of stacks on the second major surface. The only change is that the assembly is manually wrapped around the cylinder until it is taught, with no practical gaps between the assembly's second surface and the cylinder. Bottom ply removal force, ply separation force, and peel adhesion are all measures of the force required to remove one ply from a specified surface. Separation forces are measured using a CRE, having a stationary lower fixture and a moving upper fixture that is attached to a recording device. The test substrate is attached to the lower fixture. Then an extending strip is attached to the edge of the test ply, and extends under the cylinder and to the upper jaw of the CRE. The upper jaw is initially placed 12 inches (305 mm) from the uppermost point of the cylinder, and is separated at 12 inches per minute (305 mm/min.) in a direction normal to the plane of the ply. The force during test is continuously measured, and an average value is calculated over the test duration.

Bottom Ply Removal Force is a separation force test as described above. The 'test substrate' is the 'base sheet'. The 'test ply' is the bottom ply in the stack, directly attached to the base sheet. All plies above the lowermost ply are removed before the bottom ply is attached to the upper fixture of the CRE. - 7 - The force is recorded and the adhesive width in the direction perpendicular to the test direction is measured. The Bottom Ply Separation Force is reported as force per 1 inch (2.54 cm) adhesive width.

Ply Separation Force is a separation force test as described above. The test is conducted using a stack of the present invention. The stack is attached to the lower fixture of the CRE. The uppermost ply is attached to the upper fixture of the CRE. The uppermost ply is separated from the stack as the force is measured, and an average force is calculated for the uppermost ply.

All plies are tested in sequence in a similar manner, the force is recorded and the adhesive width in the direction perpendicular to the test direction is measured. The Ply

Separation Force is reported as force per 1 inch (2.54 cm) adhesive width.

Peel Adhesion Force is a separation force test as described above. The 'test substrate' is a plate of clean glass. The 'test ply' is one of the plies from the current invention. A ply is removed from the stack or the substrate and laminated to a clean glass plate with a 2 kg rubber roller. The test ply is attached to the upper fixture and peeled away from the glass plate. All plies are tested in sequence in a similar manner, and an average force is reported for each ply. The force is recorded and the adhesive width in the direction perpendicular to the test direction is measured. The Peel Adhesion Force is reported as force per 1 inch (2.54 cm) adhesive width. Thickness is measured using a caliper gauge, measured at the thickest point.

The total area covered by the pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets is measured and reported as the "Active Area Ratio", and the total area of the base ply. The 'active area' reports a ratio of the stack area divided by total area of both major surfaces of the base ply. The preferable ranges are listed below:

- 8 -

Test Preferred Most Preferred

Flexibility 25 % to 100 % 50 % to 100 %

Active Area Ratio 0.10 to Infinite 0.25 to Infinite

Bottom Ply Removal Force 5 g/in to lOO g/in 5 g/in to 25 g/in

Ply Separation Force 5 g / in to 250 g / in 5 g / in to 100 g / in

Thickness 0.004 in to 0.250 in 0.008 in to 0.200 in

Peel Adhesion Force

Repositionable Layers 10 g/in to 250 g/in 25 g/in to 150 g/in

Removable Layers 200 g/in to 600 g/in 250 g/in to 400 g/in Permanent Layers Min. of 400 g/in Min. of 600 g/in

Most preferably, all pressure-sensitive plies have a repositionable adhesive, though some ads or processing methods may accept either a removable or permanent adhesive (least preferred). When all pressure-sensitive layers are repositionable or removable, the entire stack may be removed from its attached position by the end-user and placed at various locations in the publication. Thus, the reader can mark or make notes of items in the publication as they read.

The adhesives that can be used in the present invention are those that are repositionable, removable and permanent adhesives. Repositionable adhesives are adhesives that allow an article to be removed and reused. Examples of such adhesives are those commonly used on repositionable notes, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,152,166 (Baker et al.). Removable adhesives are adhesives that allow an article to be removed from a substrate but may cause damage to the article and/or adhesive and thus could not be reused. Examples of such adhesives are those commonly sold under the tradename of CONTROLTAC adhesives from 3M Co. Permanent adhesives are adhesives that once adhered remain permanently attached to the substrate. These adhesives are well known to those skilled in the art and any such adhesives may be used in the practice of the present invention. The preferred adhesives are the repositionable adhesives and the preferred repositionable adhesives are microsphere adhesives and can be prepared by suspension, dispersion, direct emulsion and modified emulsion techniques. Preferably, the microspheres are prepared according to the suspension polymerization methods described in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,691,140; 4,166,152; 4,495,318; 4,786,696; 4,988,467; - 9 - 5,045,569; 5,508,313; and 5,571,617 and PCT Publications WO96/01280, WO97/46633, and WO97/46634, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to the illustrations, Figure 1 illustrates a perfect-bind or blow-in card 10 having multiple stacks 11 of pressure sensitive plies attached thereto. Each stack 11 of plies is generally the same size and shape and carries indicia 16. The card 10 has a marginal 'binding tab' 12 used to hold the card 10 into the binding of a publication (not pictured). A perforation, score, or fold line 13 defines the binding tab 12. The card 10 has a predetermined height 14 and width 15.

Figure 2 illustrates a card 20 according to the present invention suitable for saddle- stitch binding for publications (not pictured). A series of stacks 21 are attached to the card 20. Stacks 21 of plies may be of different size and shape and carry different indicia 26 on each ply or stack 21. A binding tab 22 is defined along a perforation or fold line 23. The saddle-stitch card 20 has a predetermined height 24 and width 25.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional illustration of an assembly 35 comprising a base sheet 30 carrying stacks 31 of plies. Each ply consists at least of a backing 32, 33 and a pressure-sensitive adhesive 34. The plies are accumulated in register to form stacks 31, and laminated to the base sheet 30. The base sheet 30 may carry indicia (not pictured), varnish (not pictured) and also a release coating (not pictured). The base sheet 30 may take the form of a discrete card or a continuous length of release paper. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of an assembly 40 comprising of stacks 41 of plies. The stacked configuration is similar to that of Figure 3, wherein the assembly 40 comprises a base sheet 44 and at least one stack 41 of plies. However, pressure-sensitive adhesive 43 is coated on adjacent plies in an alternating-opposite pattern.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional illustration of an assembly 50 comprising a base sheet 53 and at least one stack 51 of pressure sensitive adhesive coated plies 52. The base sheet 53, which may be printed or coated with a release material (not pictured), carries a large pressure-sensitive ply 54 having a second backing 55 and a second pressure sensitive adhesive layer 56. Plies 52 form smaller stacks 51, each comprising a first backing 57 and a first pressure sensitive adhesive layer 58. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional illustration of an assembly 50 of stacked pressure sensitive adhesive coated plies 52 as show in Figure 5. However, only one ply of first backing 57 and first adhesive 58 is attached to the second backing 55. - 10 - Figure 7 is a cross-sectional illustration of an assembly 40 of a base sheet 74 and stacks 41 as shown in Figure 4. However the base sheet 74 is extended and folded to provide a top wall 75 and a central orifice 76. After one ply (not pictured) is removed, a second ply 78 will extend beyond, and be supported by, the side wall 79. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional illustration of an assembly 80 comprising a base sheet

81 carrying a smaller (in dimension) stack 82 of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets comprising a backing 83 and an adhesive 84.

Figure 9 is a perspective illustration of stack 82 shown in Figure 8. Each ply 85,

86, 87 may be made of a different material (e.g., plastic or paper) and carry different indicia. The assembly comprises a base sheet 81 and a stack of plies, wherein each ply comprises a backing 83 and an adhesive 84.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional illustration of an assembly 100 comprising stacks 101 attached to a base sheet 102 wherein the stack 103 of plies become sequentially smaller from the bottom ply 104 to the top ply 105. Alternatively, the plies could be smaller to larger or the sizes could be varied within the stack of plies.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional illustration of an assembly 110 comprising several stacks 111 attached to a base sheet 112 having an upper and lower surface. The stacks 111 are positioned on both surfaces of the base sheet 112. The stacks are comprised of plies comprising a backing 114 and an adhesive layer 113. This invention is further illustrated by the following examples that are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the examples, all parts, ratios and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated. All materials are commercially available, for example from Aldrich Chemicals, unless otherwise indicated or described.

11 -

Examples

Comparative Example Cl

POST-IT® Thin-Pack Flags are commercially available from 3M Corporation, St. Paul, MN. The product was tested as described above with the following results: Machine-Direction Flexibility: 52 %

Cross-Direction Flexibility: 57 % Bottom Ply Separation Force: 23 g / 2.54 cm Ply Separation Force: 139 g / 2.54 cm (average for all top 10 plies) Ply Peel Adhesion: 70 g / 2.54 cm (average for all top plies) Thickness: 0.043 inches (1.1 mm) Active Area Ratio: 0.44

Comparative Example C2

POST-IT® Flags on a Card are commercially available from 3M Corporation, St. Paul, MN. The product had an uncoated card and 8 flags in a single layer arranged in two rows of 4 each. The rows of flags were aligned such that the non-adhesive colored ends of the flags were generally disposed in the center of the card. The assembly was tested as described above with the following results: Machine-Direction Flexibility: 100 %

Cross-Direction Flexibility: 68 % Bottom Ply Separation Force: 93 g / 2.54 cm Ply Separation Force: Not Applicable Ply Peel Adhesion: 49 g / 2.54 cm (same for all top plies) Thickness: 0.010 inch (0.25 mm) Active Area Ratio: 0.31 - 12 - Comparative Example C3

POST-IT® Tip-in Notes for Labelers are commercially available from 3M

Corporation, St. Paul, MN. The product was a sequence of pressure-sensitive notes attached to a release liner. The product was tested as described with the following results: Machine-Direction Flexibility: 100 %

Cross-Direction Flexibility: 100 %

Bottom Ply Separation Force: 14 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Separation Force: Not Applicable

Ply Peel Adhesion: 44 g / 2.54 cm Thickness: 0.007 inches (0.18 mm)

Active Area Ratio: 0.43

Example 1

A 5.5 inch-wide (14.0 cm) cardstock web was obtained from Westvaco Corporation, New York, NY with the designation 1-Side Coated 129 pound cardstock. Separately, two webs of 2.0 mil (0.05 mm) polyester POST-IT® Flags were prepared having tabs colored red, and yellow respectively. The flag rolls were 5.5 inches (14.0 cm) wide, with the first web having adhesive bands along both edges each 1.1 inches (2.8 cm) wide, and a colored band in the uncoated area. The second web had an adhesive band 2.2 inches (5.6 cm) wide in the center of the web, and colored bands in the uncoated areas. The cardstock was unwound and printed and each web of flag material was also unwound and laminated to the cardstock. The webs were laminated such that the bottom ply was cardstock, the next ply was the first flag roll above, the next ply was the second flag roll above, and the top ply was the third roll above. One edge of all webs was aligned during lamination. The laminate was then die-cut to form 8 stacks approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide and 1.7 inches (4.4 cm) tall, with a space between stacks of 0.125 inches (3.2 mm) in the machine direction and 0.063 inches (1.6 mm) in the cross direction, attached to the card which was 3.3 inches (8.4 cm) wide and 6 inches long (15.2 cm). Two rows of stacks of 4 stacks each were present on the card for a total of 8 stacks. The resulting stacks had colored non-adhesive areas in alternating opposite relationship as diagrammed in Figure 4. The assembly was tested with the following results: - 13 - Machine-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply: 100 %

Cross-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 68 % Bottom Ply: 68 %

Bottom Ply Separation Force: 105 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Separation Force: 28 g / 2.54 Ply Peel Adhesion: Top: 37 g / 2.54 cm

Bottom: 47 g / 2.54 cm

Thickness: 0.011 inches (0.28 mm)

Active Area Ratio: 0.64

Example 2 Assemblies were taken from Example 2, and all the stacks were removed. The card was trimmed to 4.875 inches (12.4 cm) long. The card was folded twice along its 3.3 inch (8.4 cm) dimension, each fold being 0.625 inches (1.6 cm) from opposing edges of the card. Six stacks were manually placed between the folds with the adhesive bands running parallel to the fold, in the same respective orientation and placement when removed from the card in Example C 1. The non-adhesive portion of each of the top plies were aligned in the central portion of the card between the folds. The card was then completely folded over along the fold lines to form a dispenser packet. The dispenser packet was tested with the following results:

Machine-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply: 100 % Cross-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 68 % Bottom Ply: 100 %

Bottom Ply Separation Force: 95 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Separation Force: 40 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Peel Adhesion: 53 g / 2.54 cm (same for all top plies)

Thickness: 0.025 inches (0.64 mm) Active Area Ratio: 0.84

Example 3

POST-IT® Tip-in Notes for Labelers, commercially available from 3M Co., was obtained. The notes had two parallel bands of adhesive along two edges of the notes in the machine direction. The notes were 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide in the cross direction, and 4 inches (10.2 cm) long with 0.625 inch (1.6 cm) wide adhesive bands. The notes were die- cut with 0.125 inches (0.3 cm) between each note. The notes were attached to a release liner 3.125 inches (7.9 cm) wide, and were printed on both major surfaces.

Flags were removed from the card described in Example C2. The flags were trimmed along the adhesive-bearing edge to provide flags 1.0 inch (2.5 cm) wide and 1.25 inches (3.0 cm) tall. Six flags were manually positioned on the note having a similar arrangement with respect to the original position on the card. There was approximately - 14 - 0.125 inches (3.2 mm) between flags in the machine direction and approximately 0.06 inches (1.6 mm) between flags in the cross direction.

The resulting assembly was tested with the following results:

Machine-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply: 100 % Cross-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 51 % Bottom Ply: 100 %

Bottom Ply Separation Force: 16 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Separation Force: 25 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Peel Adhesion: Top: 25 g / 2.54 cm

Bottom: 46 g / 2.54 cm Thickness: 0.009 inches (0.23 mm)

Active Area Ratio: 1.45

Example 4

An assembly was prepared as in Example 3, however paper POST-IT® Notes replaced the flags. A card was prepared as in Example C2, however a web of POST-IT® Note material was substituted for the flag material, with the notepaper's adhesive band positioned in the center of the card web. The cards and notepaper were printed and die- cut. Subsequently, the notes were along the non-adhesive edge to provide notes 1.0 inch (2.5 cm) wide and 1.25 inches (3.0 cm) tall. Six notes were manually positioned on the note having a similar arrangement with respect to the original position on the card. There was approximately 0.125 inches (3.2 mm) between notes in the machine direction and approximately 0.06 inches (1.6 mm) between notes in the cross direction. The resulting assembly was tested with the following results:

Machine-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply: 100 %

Cross-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 35 % Bottom Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply Separation Force: 14 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Separation Force: 22 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Peel Adhesion: Top: 31 g / 2.54 cm

Bottom: 46 g / 2.54 cm

Thickness: 0.010 inches (0.25 mm) Active Area Ratio: 1.45

Example 5

A 1 meter length of POST-IT® Tip-in Notes, commercially available from 3M Co., was obtained. Individual notes are defined by printed eyemarks on the adhesive- bearing surface of the web. The eyemarks were spaced at 4 inches (10.2 cm). A package of POST-IT® Note pads, product number 654-5UC was obtained. The pads were 3 inches (7.6 cm) on each edge, with each pad having a different paper color. The non-adhesive edge parallel to the adhesive band was trimmed to provide smaller pads 3 inches (7.6 cm) - 15 - wide and 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) long. Pads each having three notes were formed by sequentially removing a note from each of two different colored pads and reassembling a smaller pad with successive sheets having a different color.

The smaller pads were laminated to the length of tip-in notes. Two pads were laminated for each 4 inch (10.2 cm) length, each about 0.125 inches (3.2 mm) from an edge of the tip-in note web. The pads were positioned generally in the center of the note

(as defined by the distance between eyemarks) with the non-adhesive edge of the pads near the centerline of the tip-in web. The assembly was wound on to a 3 inch (7.6 cm) inner diameter core. Subsequently, the roll was unwound, and a section was detached and tested with the following results:

Machine-Direction

Flexibility: Top Ply: 100 % Middle Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply: 100 %

Cross-Direction

Flexibility: Top Ply: 45 % Middle Ply: 45 % Bottom Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply 30 g / 2.54 cm

Separation Force: Ply Separation Force: Top Ply: 12 g / 2.54 cm Middle Ply: 14 g / 2.54 cm Ply Peel Adhesion: Top Ply: 30 g / 2.54 cm Middle Ply: 22 g / 2.54 cm

Bottom Ply: 36 g / 2.54 cm Thickness: 0.012 inches (0.31 mm)

Active Area Ratio: Infinite since there is no layer without pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Example 6

An assembly was prepared as in Example 3, however paper POST-IT® Notes replaced the flags. A card was prepared as in Example C2, however a web of POST-IT® Note material was substituted for the flag material, with the notepaper's adhesive band positioned in the center of the card web. The cards and notepaper were printed and die- cut. Notes from a second card were removed and laminated over notes from a first card to forma series of small stacks. Indicia on the adjacent notes in a stack were different. Machine-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply: 100 %

Cross-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 56 % Bottom Ply: 56 %

Bottom Ply Separation Force: 33 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Separation Force: 16 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Peel Adhesion: Top Ply: 38 g / 2.54 cm Bottom Ply: 36 g / 2.54 cm

Thickness: 0.015 inches (0.38 mm)

Active Area Ratio: 0.64 - 16 - Example 7

Two cards were prepared as in Example 6. The stacks were removed from one card and applied to the other on the obverse surface to the stacks originally on the card. The resulting card had 16 stacks of notes, 8 stacks on each major surface, each stack having two printed notes.

The assembly was tested with the following results:

Machine-Direction Flexibility: First Side Top Ply: 100 %

First Side Bottom Ply: 100 %

Second Side Top Ply: 100 % Second Side Bottom Ply: 100 %

Cross-Direction Flexibility: First Side Top Ply: 56 %

First Side Bottom Ply: 56 %

Second Side Top Ply: 56 %

Second Side Bottom Ply: 56 % First Surface Data

Bottom Ply Separation Force: 34 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Separation Force: 15 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Peel Adhesion: Top Ply: 38 g / 2.54 cm

Bottom Ply: 36 g / 2.54 cm Second Surface Data

Bottom Ply Separation Force: 102 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Separation Force: 15 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Peel Adhesion: Top Ply: 36 g / 2.54 cm

Bottom Ply: 35 g / 2.54 cm Thickness: 0.022 inches (0.56 mm)

Active Area Ratio: 1.28

Example 8

Two rolls of POST-IT® Notepaper were prepared. The paper was 6.25 inches (15.9 cm) wide and coated in the center with a 1.25 inch (3.2 cm) wide band of adhesive. The rolls were printed with different indicia and aligned with a 6.5 inch (16.5 cm) wide web of release liner. The three webs were laminated together and die-cut and slit to form two rolls of note stacks on a liner. The stacks were 3 inches (7.6 cm) square positioned in the center of the 3.25 inch (8.2 cm) liner. The assembly was subsequently wound on to a 3 inch (7.6 cm) inner diameter core. A section of the assembly was removed from the core and tested with the following results: - 17 - Machine-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 92 % Bottom Ply: 92 %

Cross-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 24 % Bottom Ply: 24 %

Bottom Ply Separation Force: 24 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Separation Force: 36 g / 2.54 cm Ply Peel Adhesion: Top Ply: 38 g / 2.54 cm

Bottom Ply: 45 g / 2.54 cm Thickness: 0.010 inches (0.25 mm)

Active Area Ratio: 0.92

Example 9 A linered labelstock having a permanent pressure-sensitive, AC-20P commercially available from Acucote, Inc. of Graham, NC, was obtained and die-cut to form a series of identical square labels 2-7/8 inches (7.3 cm) on edge. A series of four POST-IT® Small Flags, 0.4 inches (1.1 cm) wide and 1.6 inches (4.0 cm) long were laminated to each label, with the adhesive strip on each flag in parallel with the machine direction of the labels. The assembly was tested with the following results:

Machine-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply: 100 %

Cross-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 70 % Bottom Ply: 100 %

Bottom Ply Separation Force: 5 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Separation Force: 96 g / 2.54 cm Ply Peel Adhesion: Top Ply: 33 g / 2.54 cm

Bottom Ply: 1002 g / 2.54 cm

Thickness: 0.009 inches (0.23 mm)

Active Area Ratio: 1.17

Example 10 A 5.5 inch-wide (14.0 cm) labelstock web was obtained from Accucoat,

Incorporated, Graham, NC with the designation 1EA40PS. The labelstock consisted of a liner of paper, and a label layer of transparent polystyrene coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Separately, a web of 2.0 mil (0.05 mm) polyester POST-IT® Flags were prepared having tabs colored. The flag roll was 5.5 inches (14.0 cm) wide, with the web having adhesive bands along both edges each 1.1 inches (2.8 cm) wide, and a colored band in the uncoated area. The labelstock was unwound and printed, the web of flag material was also unwound, printed and laminated to the cardstock. The webs were laminated such that the bottom layer was the labelstock liner, the bottom ply was labelstock label, the top ply was flag web. The laminate was then die-cut assemblies with the bottom ply being 3.3 inches (8.4 cm) wide and 4.0 inches (10.2 cm) long having a space between bottom plies of 0.125 inches (3.2 mm) in the machine direction. The top ply was die-cut to form an - 18 - array of six flags on the label, each flag being 1.6 inches (4.0 cm) wide in the cross direction and 1.0 inches (2.5 cm) long in the machine direction.

Machine-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply: 100 %

Cross-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply: 68 % Bottom Ply Separation Force: 10 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Separation Force: 210 g / 2.54

Ply Peel Adhesion: Top: 37 g / 2.54 cm

Bottom: 281 g / 2.54 cm

Thickness: 0.0085 inches (0.22 mm) Active Area Ratio: 0.45

Example 12

A 5.5 inch-wide (14.0 cm) labelstock web was obtained from Accucoat, Incorporated, Graham, NC with the designation 1EA40PS. The labelstock consisted of a liner of paper, and a label layer of transparent polystyrene coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Separately, a web of 2.0 mil (0.05 mm) polyester POST-IT® Flags were prepared having tabs colored. The flag roll was 5.5 inches (14.0 cm) wide, with the web having adhesive bands along both edges each 1.1 inches (2.8 cm) wide, and a colored band in the uncoated area. The labelstock was unwound and printed, then fully coated with a varnish to help protect the ink and provide a more releasable surface from the flag. The varnish was supplied by Akzo Nobel Inks Corp., Langhome, PA under the designation UVF9113. The varnish was flexographically applied using an anilox roller having 400 lines per inch (157 lines per cm), and cured with ultra-violet light. The web of flag material was also unwound, printed and laminated to the cardstock. The webs were laminated such that the bottom layer was the labelstock liner, the bottom ply was labelstock label, the top ply was flag web. The laminate was then die-cut assemblies with the bottom ply being 3.3 inches (8.4 cm) wide and 4.0 inches (10.2 cm) long having a space between bottom plies of 0.125 inches (3.2 mm) in the machine direction. The top ply was die-cut to form an array of six flags on the label, each flag being 1.6 inches (4.0 cm) wide in the cross direction and 1.0 inches (2.5 cm) long in the machine direction. Machine-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply: 100 %

Cross-Direction Flexibility: Top Ply: 100 % Bottom Ply: 68 %

Bottom Ply Separation Force: 10 g / 2.54 cm

Ply Separation Force: 36 g / 2.54

Ply Peel Adhesion: Top: 37 g / 2.54 cm Bottom: 281 g / 2.54 cm

Thickness: 0.0085 inches (0.22 mm)

Active Area Ratio: 0.45 - 19 -

Various modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and principles of this invention, and it should be understood that this invention is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth hereinabove. All publications and patents are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

- 20 - What is Claimed:

1. An adhesive article comprising an assembly comprising a base layer and at least one stack of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets wherein each pressure-sensitive adhesive coated sheet comprises a backing and an adhesive layer and the stacks are removably adhered to the base layer.

2. The adhesive article according to claim 1 wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets are paper notes.

3. The adhesive article according to claim 2 wherein the paper notes are transparent, translucent or opaque.

4. The adhesive article according to claim 1 wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets are polymeric tape flags.

5. The adhesive article according to claim 4 wherein the polymeric tape flags are transparent, translucent or opaque.

6. The adhesive article according to claim 1 further comprising a release liner positioned between the base layer and the stack of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets.

7. The adhesive article according to claim 1 further comprising a sheet of label stock positioned between the base layer and the stack of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets, wherein the sheet of label stock comprises a backing and an adhesive layer and the adhesive layer is adjacent to the base layer.

8. The adhesive article according to claim 7 wherein the base layer is a release liner.

9. The adhesive article according to claim 7 wherein the sheet of label stock is translucent, transparent or opaque. - 21 -

10. The adhesive article according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer is repositionable adhesive, removable adhesive or permanent adhesive.

11. The adhesive article according to claim 7 wherein the adhesive layer of the sheet of label stock is repositionable adhesive, removable adhesive or permanent adhesive.

12. An adhesive article comprising an assembly comprising a base layer and a plurality of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets wherein each pressure-sensitive adhesive coated sheet comprises a backing and an adhesive layer and the stacks are removably adhered to the base layer.

13. The adhesive article according to claim 12 wherein each pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheet has a different indicia printed on the upper surface of the sheet.

14. The adhesive article according to claim 12 wherein the plurality of sheets are stacked into more than one stack on the base layer and such stacks are the same size and configuration.

15. The adhesive article according to claim 12 wherein the plurality of sheets are stacked into more than one stack on the base layer and such stacks are different sizes and configurations.

16. The adhesive article according to claim 12 wherein the base layer is a single sheet of cardstock weight paper or polymeric film.

17. The adhesive article according to claim 16 wherein the base layer is coated with a release coating.

18. The adhesive article according to claim 16 further comprising a release line positioned between the base layer and the stacks of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets. - 22 -

19. An adhesive article comprising an assembly comprising a base layer and at least one stack of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets wherein each pressure-sensitive adhesive coated sheet comprises a backing and an adhesive layer and the stacks are removably adhered to the base layer, such that the removal force of the stacks securely hold the stacks during processing and release when either mechanically dispensed or manually separated.

20. The adhesive article according to claim 19 further comprising a plurality of stacks of pressure sensitive adhesive coated sheets.