CZ2015506A3 - A label with an arbitrary number of separable, mutually dependent or independent parts - Google Patents

Abstract

The label (A) with any number of detachable interdependent or independent parts, in particular a printable label adhering to a substrate, such as an envelope, leaflet, mail, and the like, consists of two layers. From a printable topsheet with a bottom adhesive surface and a cover backsheet to prevent the topsheet from sticking to the backing. The backsheet and the topsheet each consist of several separate portions (1, 2, 3) of any shape defined by perforations.

Description

Label with any number of separable, interdependent or independent parts

Technical field

The present invention relates to a label with any number of separable interdependent or independent parts, in particular a printable label that can be glued to a substrate, such as an envelope, leaflet, postal item, and the like, which consists of two layers, namely a printable top layer with a lower adhesive surface and a covering bottom layer preventing the top layer from sticking to the substrate.

State of the art

Printable adhesive labels of the above type are generally known and their use is quite wide in many areas of human activity. One important use is as address labels on postal envelopes.

Envelopes are known with a detachable part, which is formed in the form of a flap attached to the envelope body itself, at one or two places of the envelope, this flap comprising a perforation or other separating element, which enables the separation of a substantial part of this detachable part from the envelope body itself. One such solution is described, for example, in Swiss document CH 68-78418. Other solutions are also known, for example described in documents EP 181 309 A2, US 2405 511, WO 93/19991, US 5 052 613, comprising detachable parts serving in particular as return address labels, which can be separated from the original shipment and reused, for example, for a reply shipment. It is also known that the detachable part of the envelope may be provided on its inner side with a carbon writing layer, allowing the text from the detachable part to be written onto the outer surface of the envelope body. The vast majority of envelopes known to date are produced in the classical way by folding and gluing a single piece of chopped paper. The disadvantage of such envelopes is that they do not contain any number of detachable interdependent or independent parts that could be used without any problems in ordinary office printers, especially printers connected to computers. A classic example of such envelopes are official envelopes, especially for court mail, which, in addition to their own detachable delivery note, must also have, according to the relevant regulations, another separately detachable part containing instructions and a call to collect the mail stored at the post office, which the postman leaves in the addressee's mailbox in the absence of the addressee. In known envelopes, various flaps with free ends get caught and cross in computer printers, which complicates work with envelopes. Automation and printing when using these envelopes are very difficult. The reason for this is the sizes of envelopes, e.g. C5, B5, C4, B4.

The envelopes do not fit into standard A4 laser printers due to their size and thickness. In places where they are glued, the paper is layered to a layer of more than 300g/m2, which is outside the parameters of the printer. Similar problems arise with such envelopes in sorting machines. Furthermore, it is almost unthinkable to produce an envelope with detachable parts for a larger content of delivered documents - for example, an envelope with a cross bottom, or even a package with such a delivery note. In addition, the produced and stored envelopes become unusable if the description is changed due to changes in legislation or other regulations and must be thrown away, as they are no longer of use.

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate some or preferably all of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art by designing a label that is easy to manufacture and can be easily adapted for various applications as needed.

The essence of the invention

The above-mentioned objective is achieved by a label of the type mentioned in the introduction, the essence of which lies in the fact that the lower layer and the upper layer each consist of several separate parts of any shape, delimited by perforation.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the perforation of the lower layer is continuous and the perforation of the upper layer is discontinuous.

Preferably, the separate parts of both layers are identical in number, size and location.

Preferably, the individual parts are in the shape of rectangles.

Preferably, the top layer is printable.

Preferably, the top layer has an adhesive underside.

The advantages of the present invention are obvious and are mainly as follows: simplicity and flexibility of production, saving costs and labor.

The present invention will be described below with reference to exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the figures of the accompanying drawings.

Overview of images in drawings

Figure 1 shows a view of the top layer of a label according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a view of the bottom layer of a label according to the present invention.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

Figure 1 shows the top layer of a printable label A from above. The printable side of the label is thus visible, the underside of this layer being preferably adhesive. On the surface of the label, 3 separable parts 1., 2. and 3. are delimited by a dashed line (perforation). Part 2. is nested in part 1. Part 3 is separate.

Figure 2 shows a view of the bottom layer of label A. The 3 separable parts 1, 2 and 3 are again visible, this time delimited by a solid line. Part 2 is nested within part 1. Part 3 is separate. The parts are the same in terms of location on the label and size as in Figure 1.

The label A according to the present invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 represents a specific advantageous example intended for gluing an envelope. On this label A, the separable parts 1, 2 and 3 are formed by means of special notches and perforations in the printable self-adhesive top layer and at the same time special notches and perforations in the protective cover bottom layer. The essence is that after suitable, tailor-made printing of the top layer of the label A in a conventional printer, which is not shown here, only a part of the thus planned protective bottom layer (the protective bottom side of the label) is manually separated (peeled). This will create non-adhesive islands or areas on label A (where the covering lower layer of label A remained) precisely in the places of the future detachable parts 1, 2 and 3. After sticking the thus modified label A to an envelope, leaflet or shipment, these parts of the protective lower layer of label A, which were intentionally not separated from the adhesive upper layer of label A due to the notches (were not peeled off), will not stick to the envelope or shipment and thus, by sticking label A, detachable dependent parts (parts 1 and 2) or independent parts (part 3) will be created. Dependent parts 1 and 2 can be nested within each other and contain other parts created in this way. Independent part 3 is separate. The number of these parts 1., 2. and 3. is limited only by the size of the label A and the size of the individual parts 1., 2. and 3. The shape and location of the individual parts X, 2. and 3. is arbitrary over the entire area of the label A. For easier tearing, a place for the beginning of the part removal can be marked on each tear-off part .1, 2. and 3. The printable top layer of the label A is perforated with non-continuous perforation. By tearing off a separate part 3, we obtain, for example, a document of acceptance by the addressee. On the next part 1, 2 and 3, there can be, for example, a notice that the addressee could not be reached, etc.

The big advantage is that the removable parts 1, 2 and 3 are essentially self-adhesive labels and can be stuck or placed anywhere without any problems.

A significant change compared to the current state is that an envelope with detachable parts is no longer produced, but only label A with notches. By sticking label A to basically any object, an envelope, leaflet or shipment with separate dependent or independent detachable parts 1, 2 and 3 is created.

The advantage of the presented solution is the easy possibility of changing the text of the print and easily changing the shape and size of the created removable parts or parts 1, 2 and 3. The production of the notches is carried out using a laser and therefore there is the possibility of production from just one piece of label A (changing the print of label A for envelopes or shipments), but also easy personalization and automation of the expedition itself.

Another advantage is that printers are not burdened with materials thicker than 300g/m2 (the envelope glued through the printer has 4 layers of paper and glue at the point of gluing), which destroy printers and reduce their lifespan.

Another great advantage is that an envelope, parcel or leaflet with separate dependent or independent detachable parts is not manufactured, but is created subsequently by simply sticking the A label.

Another very significant advantage is that all pre-printed and filled-in data is placed on one side of the envelope or other object labeled Ά, so there is no need to turn the envelope over when filling it out, which significantly simplifies handling.

Another undeniable advantage is that the A label and subsequently the envelope or shipment have no loose or loose parts and do not get stuck in sorting machines. The A labels prepared in this way can be produced in the form of sheets or strips on rolls.

The present invention has been described above in particular in connection with a label used for an envelope with a delivery note. However, as is quite obvious to a person skilled in the art, the present invention is by no means limited to this embodiment, but has much wider practical applications. Examples of such applications are advertising leaflets, parcels, general postal items, product labels, lottery and prize coupons and vouchers, and so on and so forth.

Claims (6)

1. A label with any number of separable interdependent or independent parts, in particular a printable label that can be glued to a substrate, such as an envelope, leaflet, postal item, and the like, which consists of two layers, namely a printable top layer with a lower adhesive surface and a covering bottom layer preventing the top layer from sticking to the substrate, characterized in that the bottom layer and the top layer each consist of several separate parts (1, 2, 3) of any shape, delimited by perforations. 2. The label according to claim 1, characterized in that the perforation of the lower layer is continuous and the perforation of the upper layer is discontinuous. 3. A label according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the separate parts (1, 2, 3) of both layers are identical in number, size and location. 4. A label according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the individual parts (1, 2, 3) are in the shape of rectangles. 5. A label according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top layer is printable. 6. A label according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top layer has an adhesive underside.