GB2246978A

GB2246978A - Continuous multi-part form sets

Info

Publication number: GB2246978A
Application number: GB9018016A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeremy John Plimmer
Original assignee: Kenrick and Jefferson Ltd
Current assignee: Kenrick and Jefferson Ltd
Priority date: 1990-08-16
Filing date: 1990-08-16
Publication date: 1992-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2010-08-16
Also published as: GB2246978B; GB9018016D0

Abstract

A continuous multi-part form set comprises front, back and intermediate webs (10, 11, 12). The or each intermediate web (11) is narrower than the front and back webs (10, 12). The front and back webs are adhesively connected together along one margin and all of the webs except the back web (10) are adhesively connected together along the other margin, the margins being separable from the webs along longitudinally extending lines of weakening (13). The front web (12) is formed with transverse lines of weakening (14), the strength of which decreases progressively across the web. The intermediate sheets (11) are cut right through at positions corresponding to the transverse lines of weakening (14). <IMAGE>

Description

CONTINUOUS MULTI-PART FORM SETS This invention relates to continuous multi-part forms sets intended for use in computer controlled printers.

Many computer printers intended for high speed production of form sets have pull-type tractor feed device which ensure proper feeding of the form sets at high speeds. Such printers give rise to problems, however, when it is required to produce single form sets and it is frequently necessary to waste a form set after printing of a single form set to enable the printed form set to be removed from the printer. If the production of single form sets is a frequent occurrence this can lead to a high proportion of the form sets being wasted.

Previous proposals have been made which enable just part of a form set to be removed, leaving at least the margins of one or more forms in the set engaged in the tractor feed, but even these proposals are unworkable when access to the printer is limited by an acoustic hood or the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a continuous multi-part form set construction in which a single printed form can readily be removed even when access is limited.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a continuous multi-part form set construction comprising: (a) a continuous back web (b) a continuous front web, and (c) at least one continuous intermediate web interposed between the front and back webs, said intermediate web(s) being narrower than said front and back webs, said front and back webs being adhesively connected together along one margin, all of said webs except said back web being adhesively connected together along the opposite margin, said margins being separable from the webs along longitudinally extending lines of weakening, at least said top web being formed with transverse lines of weakening constituting the ends of succes.sive form sets, said lines of weakening being of strength which decreases progressively in the direction from said opposite margin to said one margin, and said at least one intermediate sheet being cut through substantially completely in areas extending between said longitudinally extending line of weakening at said opposite margin to the other edge thereof, and coinciding with respective transverse lines of weakening.

With the construction defined above a form set, excluding the back sheet can be removed by opening the tractor feed device at said opposite margin, lifting the front and intermediate webs from the back webs by the corner, so as to break the progressively weakening line of weakening between the front sheets of the adjacent sets and then pulling the set from said one margin.

An example of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of a continuous multipart form set construction in accordance with the invention and Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 in Figure 1.

The particular form set construction shown comprises, a back web 10, two intermediate webs 11 and a front web 12. The webs 11 are narrower than the webs 10 and 12. All the webs 10 and 12 have removable sprocketholed margins at opposite edges connected to the body of each web by longitudinally extending lines of weakening 13 and the webs 11 have such margin portions at one edge only. The marginal portions of the webs 10 and 12 are adhesively attached together along one edge of the assembly whereas all but the backweb are similarly attached together along the opposite edge as shown in Figure 2 in which "x" marks between the marginal portions indicate adhesive lines.

The front and back webs are also formed with transverse lines of weakening 14 which divide the continuous web assembly into separate form sets. These lines of weakening 14 are formed with a specially designed tool which cuts elongated slits in the webs, such slits being separated by narrow bridge portions of remaining web material. The strength of the lines of weakening is made to reduce progressively across the webs from said opposite edge to said one edge by virtue of the increasing length of successive slits.

Coinciding with the transverse lines of weakening 14 the intermediate webs have areas removed by chipping, die-cutting or otherwise during collation of the webs.

The process for removing these areas is similar to that used in the production of sealed "data mailers". These areas extend across the webs from the longitudinal line of weakening at said opposite edge to the free edges of the webs 11.

In use, when it is required to remove a single printed form set from a printer with a pull tractor feed mechanism, the tractor feed device at said opposite edge of the webs is opened and the front and intermediate sheets are lifted from the back sheet. Continued lifting causes the progressively weakening line of weakening in the front web to part. The longitudinal line of weakening 13 along said one edge of the assembly can now be severed by pulling on the forms. It will be noted that no tearing along the line cf weakening at said opposite edge of the assembly is needed and avoidance of such tearing considerably simplifies detachment of the form set.

It should be noted that conventional crimping together of the marginal portions of the webs may be provided to ensure that the webs do not separate during normal handling prior to deliberate separation.

Claims

1. A continuous muitl-part form set construction comprising: (a) a continuous back web (b) a continuous front web, and (c) at least one continuous intermediate web interposed between the front and back webs, said intermediate web(s) being narrower than said front and back webs, said front and back webs being adhesively connected together along one margin, ail cf said webs except said back web being adhesively connected together along the opposite margin, said margins being separable from the webs along longitudinally extending lines of weakening, at least said top web being formed with transverse lines of weakening constituting the ends of successive form sets, said lies c;; weakening being of strength which decreases progressIvely In the direction from said opposite sala O S ld one margin, and sad at least one Intermediate sheet being cut through substantially completely In areas extending between said longitudinally extendIng line of weakening at said opposite margin to the other edge thereof, and coinciding with respective transverse lines of weakening.

2. A form set construction as claimed in Claim 1 in which each of said transverse lines of weakening is formed by aligned elongated slits separated by narrow bridge portions cf web material, the slits increasing in length from said opposite margin to said one margin.

3. A form set construction as claimed in Claim i or Claim 2 in which said intermediate sheets are cut through as aforesaid by chipping or die-cutting to remove areas cf the web.

4. A continuous multi-part form set construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.