WO2014160933A1

WO2014160933A1 - Self-laminating protector and method for using same

Info

Publication number: WO2014160933A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/032166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicole C. CHIPMAN; Charles R. Kleissler
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date: 2013-03-29
Filing date: 2014-03-28
Publication date: 2014-10-02
Also published as: TWI634022B; TW201446550A

Abstract

Self-laminating protectors comprising: (a) a first sheet (12); (b) pressure sensitive adhesive (18) covering at least a portion of a side of the first sheet (12); (c) a release member (20) releasably adhered to a portion of the adhesive, the release member (20) having a first segment (22) and a second segment (24), the protector being adapted such that the first segment (22) can be readily gripped by hand at a location proximate to the second segment (24); and (d) a second sheet (26), wherein the first and second sheets (12) are conjoined and the first segment (22) of the release member (20) is located closer to where the first and second sheets (12,26) are conjoined than is the second segment. Also, a method of using such protectors.

Description

SELF-LAMINATING PROTECTOR AND METHOD FOR USING SAME

Field

The present invention relates to constructions for self-laminating protectors and methods for using such constructions.

Background

A variety of laminating constructions for protecting selected articles, e.g., documents, photographs, business cards, identification cards, etc. are well known.

A well known common construction comprises two polymeric sheets, one having a release liner- covered adhesive on one side thereof, that are typically used by removing the liner, placing a selected article thereon, then laminating the second sheet over the selected article to the first sheet such that the bond between the first sheet and the second sheet surrounds the article.

Such constructions are fabricated in a range of sizes, typically selected to accommodate selected articles of common sizes, e.g., letter size or A4 documents, 4 inch by 6 inch photos, 5 inch by 7 inch photos, wallet size photos, 3 inch by 5 inch index cards, business cards, etc.

Some illustrative examples of known protector constructions include the laminated card or label construction disclosed in US Patent No. 5,518,787 (Konkol); the card attachment construction disclosed in US Patent No. 5,658,016 (Goeken); the self laminating card assembly disclosed in US Patent No.

8,383,222 (Cunningham); the self-adhesive kit disclosed in US Patent Appln. Publn. No. 2008/0020163 (Salva Calcagno); and the label protector disclosed in PCT Appln. No. WO2009/0077791 (Michelena). Some illustrative examples of known commercial embodiments include SCOTCH® Photo Laminating Sheets and Self-Laminating Document Protectors, and GBC™ SelfSeal Repositionable Laminating Film Pouches.

In a typical construction, a portion of the release liner proximate to where the first and second sheets are conjoined is first removed and then remaining portion(s) of the release liner are removed to permit mounting of the selected article thereon.

The need exists for improved self-laminating protectors that offer greater ease of use and enhanced performance. For instance, if a lower strength adhesive is used to permit (e.g., to permit removal of a laminated article), there is a tendency for the first and second sheets to separate accidentally opening the protector for initial or subsequent uses, leading to misalignment and making the protector unusable.

Summary

The invention provides self-laminating protectors for use with selected articles and methods for using such protectors. In brief summary, self-laminating protectors of the invention comprise the following components: (a) a first sheet having first and second sides; (b) pressure sensitive adhesive covering at least a portion of the second side of the first sheet; (c) a release member releasably adhered to a portion of the adhesive on the first sheet, the release member having a first segment and a second segment, the protector being adapted such that the first segment can be readily gripped by hand at a location proximate to the second segment and removed from the protector while the second segment remains; and (d) a second sheet having first and second sides. The first sheet and the second sheet are conjoined at a connecting zone and the first segment of the release member is located closer to the connecting zone than is the second segment of the release member. The protector is adapted such that the components can be arranged (1) in an open configuration that permits removal of one or more segments of the release member and insertion of a selected article and (2) in a closed configuration with the pressure sensitive adhesive and selected article disposed between the first sheet and the second sheet.

Briefly summarizing, the methods of the invention comprise: (a) arranging the protector in an open configuration; (b) separating the first segment of the release member and the second segment of the release member; (c) removing the first segment of the release member thereby exposing a portion of the adhesive; (d) adhering a selected article to the exposed adhesive; and (e) sealing the protector by arranging the protector in a closed configuration so as to bond the second side of the second sheet to the adhesive.

Protectors of the invention provide surprising and previously unattained convenience and ease of use by virtue of the novel configuration and method of use. The first segment of the release member is adapted to be grasped by hand at a location proximate to second segment and distal from where the first sheet and second sheet are conjoined. This permits the first segment to be easily removed without disrupting the conjoined union of the first sheet and the second sheet. As a result, the protectors and method of the invention provide a combination of high ease of use, and low cost, simple construction that was previously unknown.

Protectors of the invention are well suited for use with such selected articles as business cards, insurance cards, identification cards, driver licenses, photographs, single page documents, greeting cards, index cards, slips of paper, etc. Typically, selected articles used with the present invention are flat and planar in configuration. Typically, selected articles used with the present invention have indicia, images, or other graphic matter on at least one side and in some instances on both sides.

Brief Description of Drawing

The invention is further explained with reference to the drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of an illustrative embodiment of protector of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the front face of the embodiment of protector shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of protector shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the front face of the embodiment of protector shown in Fig. 1 in which a selected article has been inserted;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the protector with selected article shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the front face of the embodiment of protector shown in Fig. 1 in which a selected article has been inserted; and

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of the protector with selected article shown in Fig. 6.

These figures are not to scale and are intended to be merely illustrative and not limiting.

Key and Glossary

For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings of the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviations found in their respective testing measurements.

Weight percent, percent by weight, % by weight, and the like are synonyms that refer to the concentration of a substance as the weight of that substance divided by the weight of the composition and multiplied by 100.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5). As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a composition containing "a compound" includes a mixture of two or more compounds. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments

Referring to Figs. 1-3, an illustrative embodiment of a protector of the invention is shown. Self- laminating protector 10 comprises the following components: (a) a first sheet 12 having first side 14 and second side 16; (b) pressure sensitive adhesive 18 covering at least a portion of the second side of the first sheet; (c) a release member 20 releasably adhered to a portion of the adhesive on the first sheet, the release member having a first segment 22 and a second segment 24; and (d) a second sheet 26 having a first side 28 and a second side 30. First segment 22 and second segment 24 of release member 20 are divided by a line of separation 32.

The first sheet and the second sheet are conjoined in connecting zone 34. First segment 22 is closer to the connecting zone than is second segment 24. The protector 10 is adapted such that the first segment 22 can be readily gripped by hand at a location 36 proximate to the second segment 24. For instance, flexing or bending the first sheet 12 and release member 20 at location 36 can present an edge or corner of first segment 22 at the line of separation 32 that can be separated from adhesive 18 be hand (e.g., pried off by finger nail or grasped by fingers).

The protector is adapted such that the components can be arranged (1) in an open configuration that permits removal of one or more segments of the release member and insertion of a selected article and (2) in a closed configuration with the pressure sensitive adhesive and selected article disposed between the first sheet and the second sheet.

First and Second Sheets

The first and second sheets may be made of the same or different materials as desired. Those skilled in the art will be able to readily select suitable materials for the first sheet and for the second sheet readily. The selection will be dependent in part upon materials appropriate to the desired application, e.g., exhibiting a desired flexibility, color, clarity, thickness, abrasion resistance, tear strength, and other parameters that determine the durability and other performance. An illustrative example of material typically suitable for use in at least one or both of the first sheet and the second sheet is polyester

The first sheet and the second sheet may of similar composition, color, and other properties or selected to have different properties as desired.

The first sheet and the second sheet may be monolayer or multilayer laminates as desired. The first sheet and second sheet may individually be matte or glossy finish as desired.

Typically, at least one of the first and second sheets is transparent to permit one or both sides of the article to be viewed therethrough as desired.

In many embodiments, the first sheet and second sheet will be of substantially equal size. In other embodiments, the second sheet is larger than the first sheet such that when the protector is assembled one or more portions of the edge of the second sheet protrudes beyond the respective portion(s) of the edge of the first sheet.

Adhesive

The adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive selected for desired adhesion to the first sheet, the release member, the second sheet, and the selected article(s) of the desired application. The adhesive may provide releasable adhesion or permanent adhesion to the first sheet, the second sheet, and the selected article. Typically, releasable adhesion is desired.

Those skilled in the art will be able to readily select suitable adhesives for use in accordance with the invention.

Typically, the adhesive covers substantially the entirety of the second side of the first sheet.

Release member

The release member is selected to cover the adhesive as desired, then remove cleanly therefrom. Those skilled in the art will be able to readily select suitable release members for use in accordance with the invention. Illustrative examples of commonly useful release members include sheets or films of paper, plastic, etc.

The protector being adapted such that the first segment of the release member can be readily gripped by hand at a location proximate to the second segment and relatively distal from the conjoined portions of the first and second sheet. For instance, if the first segment of the release member is relatively stiffer than the first sheet and the adhesive, and if the first segment and second segment are completely separated or only weakly connected, the first sheet can be flexed to cause at least a portion of the edge of the first segment proximate to the second segment to separate and pop up from the underlying adhesive, making it accessible and easy to graph by hand for removal. An advantage of protectors of the invention and this configuration is that the release member can be readily grasped and removed without unduly stressing the conjoined junction of the first sheet and second sheet (i.e., so as to cause separation of the first sheet from the second sheet), marring the edge of the first or second sheets, etc.

The first and second segments of the release member are proximate to one another meeting, or in some embodiments separably connected, at a line of separation. Illustrative examples of suitable types of lines of separation include a kiss cut through the entirety of the release member (i.e., the first and second segments are completely separate but may abut or be spaced apart); or a kiss cut through a portion of the release member, a line of cuts and ties (e.g., perforations), and combinations thereof such that the first segment may be removed separately from the second segment.; i.e., the first and second segments are connected but only weakly so to permit the first segment to be gripped by hand.

The second segment should be sufficiently large (e.g., wide in the dimension extending away from the conjoined area) to permit a user to hold the protector by hand or hold it in secure position on a work surface such as a table top or desk top by pressing without contacting the adhesive exposed upon removal of the first segment.

Typically, the first segment is at least as large as the second segment (i.e., it's width in the direction extend from the connecting zone is at least as large as that of the corresponding dimension of the second segment). In some embodiments, the first segment will be relatively larger, perhaps many times so, than the second segment. Conjoined

The first sheet and second sheet are conjoined in a connecting zone. They may be conjoined by the adhesive, i.e., a portion of the adhesive is contact with the second sheet and conjoins the first sheet and the second sheet, by mechanical means (e.g., binding clips, staples, stitching, heat welding, etc.) or they may be an integral sheet that is folded so as to define first and second sheets as described herein.

Conjoining the first and second sheets via the adhesive is typically an easily fabricated construction, however, such a connecting zone is subject to being disrupted easily. An advantage of the invention is that by configuring the release member in first and second segments as described herein with the line of separation and easily gripped portion of the first segment as described above, protectors of the invention can be easily and effectively used without disrupting the conjoining connection of the first and second sheets.

Configurations

After fabrication, during storage, sale, etc., protectors of the invention are commonly arranged in a closed configuration with the pressure sensitive adhesive and one or more segments of the release member disposed the first sheet and the second sheet.

When put into use, the protector is arranged into an open configuration wherein the second sheet and release member/adhesive/first sheet are pulled apart at one edge, i.e., opposite the conjoined portion, permitting the first segment of the release member to be grasped and removed, as well as insertion of a selected article.

Making a Protector of the Invention

Those skilled in the art will be able to fabricate protectors of the invention using known techniques.

For instance, an adhesive tape-like structure with a first sheet, adhesive layer thereon covered by a release liner, can be assembled as is known, than a portion of the release liner removed from an edge to permit a second sheet to be conjoined thereto and a line of separation formed in the release liner to form the first and segments of the release member as described above.

Frequently fabrication will be carried out on large, web-handling apparatus, with finished protectors of the invention being cut off a long web.

Using a Protector of the Invention

Depending upon the desired use, the second segment of the release member may be left in position on the adhesive when at least some the (e) sealing is carried out, or it may be removed before any of the (e) sealing is carried out.

If the second segment of the release member is left in place, if desired, at least a portion of the selected article may lie between the second segment of the release member and the second sheet when the (e) sealing is carried out. Figs. 4 and 5 show such an embodiment wherein a portion of selected article 38 lies between second segment 24 and second sheet 26. In other instances, the selected article may be positioned so that no portion of it lies between the second segment of the release member and the second sheet, i.e., such that the entirety of the selected article is adhered to the adhesive when the (e) sealing is carried out. Figs. 6 and 7 show such an embodiment wherein the entirety of the back side of selected article 138 is adhered to adhesive 18 (in this instance the second segment of the release member having been removed) and second sheet 26 is adhered to first sheet 12 around the entire perimeter, fully encapsulating selected article 138.

Depending upon the embodiment and component materials selected, protectors of the invention may be permanent, one time use, i.e., substantially incapable of being opened without significant damage to the components of the protector and selected article.

In other embodiments, after sealing it may be possible to open the protector without significant damage to the selected article. If desired, after opening the protector, i.e., separating at least a portion of the second sheet from at least a portion of the selected article, the selected article may be manipulated, e.g., repositioned on the adhesive within the protector, removed from the adhesive, examined directly, i.e., without the intervening second sheet, written on, etc. Example

The invention will be further explained with reference to the following illustrative example.

A first sheet with adhesive was prepared as follows. Polyester film of thickness 0.0179 inch (0.455 millimeter) was coated with microsphere adhesive by water-based coating method to yield an average coating weight measured at 3.2 grains per 4 inch x 6 inch area (13 grams/meter²). The resultant coating exhibited an average adhesion to polyester film of 247 grams/inch.

A release member was prepared by as follows. A 3.2 mil (81 micron) supercalendered paper was flexographically printed at 440 cells/linear inch and 4 billion cubic microns/square inch (BCM) anilox roll. The release member and first sheet with adhesive thereon were then laminated by passing through a Mark-Andy rotary press at 80 feet/minute (24 meters/minute) laminating the adhesive to the release member. The release member was kiss-cut and the weed was stripped off to provide an area for the second sheet to be adhered to the adhesive and thereby conjoin the second sheet with the first sheet. An additional cut was formed in the release member along the side opposing the conjoining area to provide for a tear strip. A second sheet, nominal 0.007 inch (0.18 millimeter) thick polyester film, was subsequently laminated to the adhesive and cut to shape to form a pouch for laminating business cards.

The laminating pouch was utilized to laminate a business card as follows. The first segment of the release member or liner was removed by flexing the first sheet such that the first segment could be grasped by hand at the line of separation with the second segment, exposing the repositionable adhesive layer. A business card was placed face down on second sheet, and the adhesive covered first sheet then closed thereover. Bubbles and wrinkles were able to be pushed out in order to form a flat laminated business card. The second segment of the release member was subsequently removed and the final edge was sealed. The pouch remained well sealed for at least 30 days. After 30 days, the adhesive layer was able to be removed and the business card was recovered undamaged by the laminating sheet.

Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.

The complete disclosure of all patents, patent documents, and publications cited herein are incorporated by reference. The foregoing detailed description and examples have been given for clarity of understanding only. No unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom. The invention is not limited to the exact details shown and described, for variations obvious to one skilled in the art will be included within the invention defined by the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A self-laminating protector for use with a selected article comprising the following components: (a) a first sheet having first and second sides; (b) pressure sensitive adhesive covering at least a portion of the second side of the first sheet; (c) a release member releasably adhered to a portion of the adhesive on the first sheet, the release member having a first segment and a second segment, the protector being adapted such that the first segment can be readily gripped by hand at a location proximate to the second segment and removed from the protective while the second segment remains; and (d) a second sheet having first and second sides;

wherein (i) the first sheet and the second sheet are conjoined; (ii) the first segment of the release member is closer to where the first sheet and second sheet are conjoined than is the second segment of the release member; and (iii) the protector is adapted such that the components can be arranged (1) in an open configuration that permits removal of one or more segments of the release member and insertion of a selected article and (2) in a closed configuration with the pressure sensitive adhesive disposed between the first sheet and the second sheet.

2. The protector of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second sheets comprises polyester.

3. The protector of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second sheets is transparent.

4. The protector of claim 1 wherein the first sheet and second sheet are equal size.

5. The protector of claim 1 wherein the second sheet is larger than the first sheet.

6. The protector of claim 1 wherein the adhesive covers substantially the entirety of the second side of the first sheet.

7. The protector of claim 1 wherein the release member has a line of separation between the first segment and the second segment.

8. The protector of claim 7 wherein line of separation is selected from the group consisting of kiss cut through the entirety of the release member, kiss cut through a portion of the release member, a line of cuts and ties, and combinations thereof.

9. The protector of claim 1 wherein a portion of the adhesive is contact with the second sheet and conjoins the first sheet and the second sheet.

10. The protector of claim 1 wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are conjoined by the pressure sensitive adhesive.

1 1. The protector of claim 1 wherein the first sheet and second sheet are conjoined by mechanical means.

12. The protector of claim 1 wherein the first sheet and second sheet are integral.

13. The protector of claim 1 wherein the components are arranged in a closed configuration with the pressure sensitive adhesive and one or more segments of the release member disposed the first sheet and the second sheet.

14. A method of using a protector of claim 1, the method comprising: (a) arranging the protector in an open configuration; (b) separating the first segment of the release member and the second segment of the release member; (c) removing the first segment of the release member thereby exposing a portion of the adhesive; (d) adhering a selected article to the exposed adhesive; and (e) sealing the protector by arranging the protector in a closed configuration so as to bond a portion of the second side of the second sheet to the adhesive.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the second segment of the release member is still in position on the adhesive when at least a portion of the (e) sealing is carried out.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein at least a portion of the selected article lies between the second segment of the release member and the second sheet when the (e) sealing is carried out.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the entirety of the selected article is adhered to the adhesive when the (e) sealing is carried out.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising (c") removing the second segment of the release member before any portion of the (e) sealing is carried out.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising (c") removing the second segment of the release member before the (d) adhering a selected article to the exposed adhesive is carried out.

20. The method of claim 14 or 15 further comprising after step (e), the (f) opening the protector and optionally (g) manipulating the selected article.