Sheet, laminate sheet, and printing device

A sheet includes a first surface, a second surface, an adhesive portion, a fold-back portion, and a first area. The first surface extends in a first direction. The second surface is opposite to the first surface, and allows light to pass therethrough from the first surface to the second surface. The adhesive portion is a portion of the first surface to which an adhesive is applied, and is disposed at a first end portion of the sheet in the first direction. The fold-back portion is disposed on the first end portion. The first area is disposed on the adhesive portion between a first edge of the first end portion and the fold-back portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-048712 filed Mar. 15, 2019.

BACKGROUND

(i) Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a sheet, a laminate sheet, and a printing device.

(ii) Related Art

A sheet label wound around an object such as a PET bottle made of polyethylene terephthalate is known.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-204312 discloses a label formed from two sheets laminated while having their print surfaces located on the inner sides.

Another known example of a label wound around an object is formed from one sheet with a surface that is brought into contact with an object, that is subjected to printing, and that receives an adhesive.

SUMMARY

Aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sheet including in advance an adhesive with which it is bonded to an object, and bonded to the object while having a surface on which an image is formed facing the object, a laminate sheet including the sheet laminated on another sheet, and a printing device that performs printing on the laminate sheet.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a sheet including a first surface that extends in a first direction; a second surface that is opposite to the first surface and allows light to pass therethrough from the first surface to the second surface; an adhesive portion that is a portion of the first surface to which an adhesive is applied, and that is disposed at a first end portion in the first direction; a fold-back portion disposed on the first end portion; and a first area disposed on the adhesive portion between a first edge of the first end portion and the fold-back portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, below.

FIGS. 1A and 1Billustrate a laminate sheet according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Here,FIG. 1Ais a plan view andFIG. 1Bis a side view. In the side view ofFIG. 1B, the thickness of an adhesive is exaggerated for ease of understanding.

A laminate sheet1A includes a first sheet10and a second sheet20laminated on a first surface10aof the first sheet10. The first sheet10is an optically transparent thin plastic sheet. The second sheet20is a sheet thicker than the first sheet10to serve as a mount for the first sheet10.

At an end portion in the direction of arrow R on the first surface10aof the first sheet10facing the second sheet20, a bonded area12to which an adhesive is applied is formed. Also at an end portion in the direction of arrow L on the first surface10aof the first sheet10facing the second sheet20, a bonded area13to which an adhesive is applied is formed. In the exemplary embodiment, the bonded area13at the end portion in the direction of arrow L is used to only keep the first sheet10bonded to the second sheet20so as not to allow the first sheet10and the second sheet20to be detached from each other without being effectively used later. The adhesive in the bonded areas12and13is more easily removable from the second sheet20than from the first sheet10, and kept bonded to the first sheet10when the first sheet10is removed from the second sheet20.

At the end portion of the first sheet10in the direction of arrow R at which the bonded area12is formed, a fold-back line14extending in the direction of arrow F-B, crossing the direction of arrow L-R, is formed. The fold-back line14according to the present exemplary embodiment is formed from a perforation line that is formed from discontinuous cuts in the first sheet10. The perforation line corresponds to an example of a first perforation line in the present disclosure. The fold-back line14will be described in detail, below.

The first sheet10includes multiple separation perforation lines15extending parallel to each other in the direction of arrow L-R, a perforation line16formed at the end portion in the direction of arrow R and extending in the direction of arrow F-B, and a perforation line17formed at a portion away from the end portion in the direction of arrow R and adjacent to the end portion in the direction of arrow L, and extending in the direction of arrow F-B. These perforation lines15,16, and17are also perforation lines that are discontinuous cuts in the first sheet10. The perforation lines15,16, and17respectively correspond to examples of a third perforation line, a fourth perforation line, and a fifth perforation line of the present disclosure. These perforation lines15,16, and17also correspond to an example of a second perforation line of the present disclosure.

Here, the area interposed between the fold-back line14and the perforation line16is referred to as a first area18. The area interposed between the fold-back line14and the edge of the bonded area12on the side of arrow L is referred to as a second area19.

After a printing operation described later, the first sheet10is separated at the perforation lines15,16, and17, and divided into four sheets in the example illustrated inFIG. 1Aexcept for a portion wasted while being bonded to the second sheet20. Each sheet obtained after separation corresponds to an example of a sheet according to an example of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bare enlarged views of circle IIA and circle IIB, XA, XIA illustrated inFIG. 1A.FIG. 2Aillustrates the perforation line15for separation.FIG. 2Billustrates the fold-back line14, formed from a perforation line, and the separation perforation line16.

The separation perforation lines15and16are so-called micro-perforation lines, which are discontinuous cuts formed at a pitch finer than the pitch at which the perforation line forming the fold-back line14is formed. Although not illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the separation perforation line17illustrated inFIG. 1Ais also a micro-perforation line. The separation perforation lines15,16, and17are used to tear the first sheet10, and for facilitating tearing of the first sheet10and forming smooth edges with the tearing.

The perforation line serving as the fold-back line14is formed with discontinuous cuts formed at a wider pitch than the pitch at which the separation perforation lines15,16, and17are formed. As will be described later, sheets separated at the perforation lines15,16, and17are folded back at the fold-back line14. Thus, the fold-back line14has to satisfy both easily foldable and hardly tearable characteristics. Thus, the perforation line formed at a wider pitch than the pitch at which the separation perforation lines15,16, and17are formed is used as the fold-back line14.

FIG. 3illustrates test results of perforation lines serving as fold-back lines.

In the test results of perforation lines, x:y such as 0.3:0.3 refers to a ratio of x to y, where x denotes the length of each cut in millimeters, and y denotes the distance between two adjacent cuts in millimeters.

The test results illustrated inFIG. 3reveal that the tensile strength and the foldability are well balanced when x:y is 1 mm to 1 mm.

The test results illustrated here are a mere example, and changed depending on the material or the thickness of the first sheet10. Thus, the ratio is appropriately determined depending on the used first sheet10.

FIG. 4is a plan view of a printed laminate sheet.

An image is printed on the laminate sheet1A illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B, on a second surface10b(refer toFIG. 1B) of the first sheet10, opposite to the first surface facing the second sheet20. The image printed here is a reverse image, as is clear from the characters illustrated inFIG. 4.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram of a print system.

FIG. 5illustrates a printer50and a personal computer (abbreviated to “PC”, below)60connected with each other with a communication line70. The printer50corresponds to an example of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The PC60produces image data representing, for example, an image illustrated inFIG. 4, and transmits the image to the printer50. The printer50prints the image based on the image data transmitted from the PC60onto a sheet. The printer50includes a sheet tray51, which accommodates sheets before subjected to printing, and a discharge tray52, to which sheets subjected to printing are discharged. When receiving image data from the PC60, the printer50picks up a sheet from the sheet tray51, prints an image on the sheet, and discharges the sheet onto the discharge tray52. Here, printing of an image on the laminate sheet1A illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Bis studied.

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram of a structure of a printer at a portion from which sheets are picked up.

The sheet tray51accommodates the laminate sheets1A. The laminate sheets1A accommodated in the sheet tray51are picked up by a pickup roller53from the sheet tray51, and reliably separated one from another by separation rollers54, so that one of the laminate sheets1A is transported by transport rollers55. Then, a reverse image illustrated inFIG. 4is printed on the laminate sheet1A thus transported, which is discharged onto the discharge tray52illustrated inFIG. 5. Thus, when picked up from the sheet tray51, the leading end portion of the laminate sheet1A from which the laminate sheet1A is picked up from the sheet tray51receives a high stress from the pickup roller53and the separation rollers54.

Here, the laminate sheet1A includes the separation perforation lines15,16, and17, as illustrated inFIG. 1AorFIG. 4. If the laminate sheets1A are accommodated in the sheet tray51in a wrong orientation, the laminate sheets1A may be broken at the separation perforation lines. Here, the laminate sheets1A are accommodated in the sheet tray51while having the end portion in the direction of arrow R located at the leading end from which the laminate sheets1A are picked up from the sheet tray51. The laminate sheets1A also have the separation perforation line16at the end portion in the direction of arrow R. The portion including the perforation line16, however, is bonded to the second sheet20, and is not broken even when receiving a high stress from the pickup roller53or the separation rollers54.

FIG. 7illustrates one sheet obtained after a printed laminate sheet is separated at the perforation lines, and the method for using the sheet.

The sheet30illustrated here has an image printed thereon. The sheet30before being subjected to printing is a sheet having a first surface (the surface facing the second sheet before detachment from the second sheet20illustrated inFIG. 1B) and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the surfaces allowing light to pass therethrough. The sheet30does not have to be colorless and transparent, and may, for example, be colored or have low light transmission. However, for clear printing, the sheet30before being subjected to printing is preferably as colorless and transparent as possible.

The sheet30extends in the direction of arrow L-R. The direction of arrow L-R is referred to as a first direction, here. An adhesive portion32to which an adhesive is applied is formed on the first surface (the surface facing the second sheet before being detached from the second sheet20illustrated inFIG. 1B) at the end portion of the sheet30in the direction of arrow R. The end portion in the direction of arrow R at which the adhesive portion32is formed is referred to as a first end portion, here. The end portion in the direction of arrow L is referred to as a second end portion, here.

A fold-back portion34is formed at the first end portion of the sheet30. The fold-back portion34according to the exemplary embodiment extends in a second direction denoted with arrow F-B, crossing the first direction denoted with arrow L-R. Specifically, the fold-back portion34in the sheet30according to this exemplary embodiment is a perforation line, which is formed from discontinuous cuts in the sheet30, extending in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The perforation line has a ratio of a distance between adjacent cuts to the length of each cut of 1 to 1.

As is clear fromFIG. 1AandFIG. 4, the edge of the sheet30includes a portion cut at the perforation lines. The edge is formed by tearing at a so-called micro-perforation line, formed at a pitch finer than the pitch at which the perforation line for the fold-back portion34is formed. The edge is thus smooth without being roughed by tearing. This perforation line corresponds to an example of a second perforation line according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Here, the area between the fold-back portion34and an edge30acloser to the first end portion is referred to as a first area38. The edge30acloser to the first end portion corresponds to an example of a first edge according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The area of the adhesive portion32across from the first area38with respect to the fold-back portion34, that is, the area between the fold-back portion34and the end of the adhesive portion32in the direction of arrow L is referred to as a second area39. As illustrated inFIG. 7B, the first area38according to the present exemplary embodiment is a bonded portion bonded to a PET bottle40. The PET bottle40corresponds to an example of an object to which a sheet is bonded and an object to which a sheet is wound according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

An image is printed on the second surface of the sheet30. The image printed on the second surface is a reverse image that is the reverse of an image actually observed.

As illustrated inFIG. 7B, the sheet30is bonded to the PET bottle40. During bonding, preferably, the fold-back portion34is aligned with a vertically extending particle line41of the PET bottle40that is formed during manufacturing of the PET bottle40.

After the first area38of the sheet30is bonded to the PET bottle40, the sheet30is folded back at the fold-back portion34, as illustrated inFIG. 7C. The fold-back portion34includes a perforation line. Thus, the fold-back portion34is more easily folded back than the area adjacent to the fold-back portion34. When the orientation of the sheet30is changed from the one inFIG. 7Bto the one inFIG. 7C, the orientation change exerts a force of folding back on the fold-back portion34, so that the sheet30is folded back at the fold-back portion34. When the fold-back portion34is aligned with the particle line41, the sheet30is accurately folded back sideways. When the sheet30is folded back at the fold-back portion34, the second surface faces the PET bottle40. Specifically, the image printed on the sheet30is visually observed correctly.

After folded back as illustrated inFIG. 7C, the sheet30is wound around the PET bottle40. After being folded back at the fold-back portion34, the first surface of the sheet30faces outward, and the second area39of the adhesive portion32has the adhesive disposed outward. Thus, the second end portion of the sheet30in the direction of arrow L illustrated inFIG. 7A, after wound around the PET bottle40, is bonded to the second area39. Thus, a label formed from the sheet30is bonded to the PET bottle40. The print surface on the sheet30after bonded faces the PET bottle40, and is thus prevented from being damaged with, for example, frictional scratches.

FIGS. 8A to 8Care cross-sectional views of a PET bottle around which a sheet is wound.

FIG. 8Aillustrates an edge (edge closer to the second end portion in the direction of arrow L inFIG. 7A)30bafter wound around located beyond the second area39to which an adhesive is applied. When the wound sheet30is to be detached again, the sheet30may have such a length that the edge30bis located beyond the second area39, as illustrated inFIG. 8A.

InFIG. 8B, the edge30bis aligned with the edge of the second area39. When this structure is regarded as being preferable in design, the sheet30may have such a length that the edge30band the edge of the second area39is aligned with each other, as illustrated inFIG. 8B.

InFIG. 8C, the edge30bis located to allow part of the second area39to be exposed to the outside. In this case, an adhesive is directly exposed to the outside, and thus may allow dust to adhere thereto or annoy a person holding the PET bottle40. Thus, the sheet30having such a length as to allow part of the second area39to be exposed as illustrated inFIG. 8Cis not recommended.

FIGS. 9A to 9Eeach illustrate a device that facilitates visual recognition of the position of a fold-back portion.FIGS. 9A to 9Eillustrate five examples of a device that facilitates visual recognition of the position of a fold-back portion further than in the case of a structure not including the device.

FIG. 9Ais an example where the first area38is colored. The fold-back portion34is thus easily recognized as a colored edge.

FIG. 9Bis an example where the first area38has a notch30cat the boundary of the fold-back portion34. The fold-back portion34is thus easily recognized as an edge of the notch30c.

FIG. 9Cis an example where the first area38has a mark30dindicating the fold-back portion34. The fold-back portion34is thus easily recognized by being indicated with the mark30d.

FIG. 9DandFIG. 9Eare examples in each of which the first area38has a shape different from the second area39adjacent to the fold-back portion34. Specifically, in each of both examples, the first area38has a dimension in the widthwise direction indicated with arrow F-B shorter than the second area39adjacent to the fold-back portion34.

Here, the first area38illustrated inFIG. 9Dis a simple rectangle having a shorter dimension in the widthwise direction. The first area38illustrated inFIG. 9Ehas a segment shape having a dimension in the widthwise direction decreasing further in the direction away from the fold-back portion34.

Subsequently, exemplary embodiments following the second exemplary embodiment will be described. For easy understanding, the exemplary embodiments following the second exemplary embodiment will be described using the same reference signs used in the first exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10Billustrate a laminate sheet according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIGS. 10A and 10Bare enlarged views of a laminate sheet1B corresponding to circle IIB, XA, XIA illustrated inFIG. 1A, whereFIG. 10Ais a plan view andFIG. 10Bis a side view.

The fold-back line14of the laminate sheet1B does not include a perforation line. Instead, a rigid portion35formed from a hard material, such as a plastic thread, extending along the fold-back line14at which the sheet is to be folded back, is formed. The material is harder than the material for the adjacent areas. When each of sheets into which the laminate sheet1B is separated is folded back, the sheet is folded back at the fold-back line14adjacent to the rigid portion35.

FIGS. 11A and 11Billustrate a laminate sheet according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As inFIGS. 10A and 10B,FIGS. 11A and 11Bare enlarged views of a laminate sheet1C corresponding to circle IIB, XA, XIA illustrated inFIG. 1A, whereFIG. 11Ais a plan view andFIG. 11Bis a side view.

The laminate sheet1C illustrated inFIGS. 11A and 11Bhas a crease37on the fold-back line14. This crease37is formed by folding and then unfolding the laminate sheet1C before being separated into individual sheets. The crease37is a fold formed so that the surface on the inner side when folded back has a recess.

When the individual sheets are folded back, each sheet is folded back at the fold-back line14having the crease37.

FIG. 12is a plan view of a laminate sheet according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, only the points different from those of the first exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Bwill be described.

A laminate sheet1D includes bonded areas12A and12B at both end portions in the direction of arrow L-R. The laminate sheet1D also has fold-back lines14A and14B at inner edges of the bonded areas12A and12B. The bonded areas12A and12B correspond to examples of an adhesive portion and a second adhesive portion according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The outer edges of the bonded areas12A and12B correspond to examples of a first edge and a second edge according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The fold-back lines14A and14B correspond to a fold-back portion and a second fold-back portion according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Other points of the laminate sheet1D are the same as those of the laminate sheet according to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B, except for the dimensional differences.

FIG. 13is a schematic diagram of a sheet wound around a cylinder. Here, print on the sheet is omitted. A sheet80is a sheet formed by cutting the first sheet10(refer toFIGS. 1A and 1B) of the laminate sheet1D illustrated in FIG.12at separation perforation lines. Here, for easy understanding, the reference signs of components denoted on the laminate sheet1D before separation illustrated inFIG. 12are used to describe the structure.

The sheet80is bonded to a cylinder90while having a first surface, to which an adhesive is applied over its bonded areas12A and12B, facing the cylinder90, and folded back at the fold-back lines14A and14B. The portion other than the bonded areas12A and12B is helically wound around the cylinder90while having a surface that is the same as the first surface to which an adhesive has been applied in the state of the laminate sheet1D inFIG. 12facing outward.

Thus, the sheet and the laminate sheet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure are not limited to the ones used so as to be simply wound around an object.