Pressure seal adhesive system

Abstract: Business forms are sealed by pressure with reduced tenting and pillowing. Each form has a strip o£ pressure sensitive adhesive of a predetermined width. In an automatic continuous, sequential manner, upper and lower rollers (36,26) operatively biased together by spring pressure (52) activate the pressure sensitive adhesive to affix one part of the form to another. The force applied by the rollers is applied only to the approximate area of the predetermined width of the adhesive, not over the whole form. Conveyor tapes (46,47) are associated with the rollers to facilitate conveyance of the forms, and a pressure of about 120 lbs. per lineal inch is applied to the pressure sensitive adhesive. A buckle or insert folder can be used to fold the forms, and they are then fed to a first pressure sealing module. A 90° transfer conveyor (19) conveys the forms from the first pressure sealing module to a second module, and from the second module they are removed by a discharge conveyor.

Description: BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION In the manufacture of business forms, it is almost always necessary to seal one part of the form construction with respect to another. This is typically accomplished by utilizing an adhesive which acts between the two portions of the business form to be fixed together. Oftentimes heat activated adhesives are utilized. WO-A 87/02943 describes a sealer apparatus for use with moist or heat activatable adhesive. At least one of each of the discs between which edges of a form pass is of elastomeric material which could not transmit the pressure required for sealing dry pressure activated adhesive. In this specification the rollers are heated and in cooperation with a pre-heating zone activate the adhesive. US-A 4343129 is concerned with sealing using an adhesive which is applied by applicators immediately before the action of the sealing rollers so that the adhesive is still moist and only a low sealing pressure is required. The roller which seals down the flap of an envelope is not suitable for applying the pressure required to seal pressure activated glue. In many circumstances it is desirable to utilize pressure sensitive adhesives. A sealing system for business forms used with one type of pressure sealing adhesive requires that the adhesive applied to the forms during manufacture be capable of cohesive bonding to a fiber tearing strength when pressure sealed after computer printing by the end user, but must be entirely free of adhesive bonding under all conditions of normal handling during manufacture, storage and imaging. Thus the margins of pressure applied to the paper during normal handling, and the pressure applied to effect fiber tearing bonds are widely separated. A typical pressure sealing piece of equipment for use with business forms uses a multiple roll sealing system to apply pressure to the entire web (or the entire individual sheets) being processed. Those roll are capable of exceeding the threshold unit pressure required, which is quite high, typically about 36kg per lineal cms (200lbs. per lineal inch) of paper width when using a succession of two or three pressure couples. This requires a very rigid yet accurate mechanical system. While the application of such high forces requires massive and precise construction of the sealer, it is also necessary that the web or sheet manifold be clean --that is that there be no disturbances in the surface configuration. Therefore it is extremely difficult to utilize such equipment with inserts, window patching, folds internal to the form, etc., since such build ups in thickness or non-uniformities in the surface characteristics decrease the unit pressure at the sealing edges and could increase the sealing pressure in the inclusion area so that a jam or physical tearing of the sheet occurs. When inserts are provided, there is also the problems of "tenting" or "pillowing". According to the present invention a pressure applying apparatus for applying pressure to business forms to activate pressure sensitive adhesive strips associated with the forms to seal one part of the form to another comprising:- a frame; a pressure applying device including a first set of rollers comprising upper and lower sealing rollers having first, smooth, hard, peripheral surface portions defining a first nip between them, and force applying means for applying to the rollers, to urge them together, a sealing force; and conveying means for continuously conveying business forms through the nip; characterised in that the size and position of said peripheral portions and the strength of the force applying means is such that a sealing pressure in the range 18 to 36 kg. per lineal cms (100 to 200 lbs per lineal inch) will be applied to the forms only along narrow width strips of pressure sensitive adhesive on the forms and confined to the margins of the business forms. The general manner in which the desirable results are accomplished according to the invention is by effecting sealing along only the pressure sensitive adhesive strips of the business forms -- rather than along the entire surface of the forms. This allows the coupling force between each sealing roll pair to be reduced from about 454 kgs (1,000 lbs) in the prior art, to about 45.4 to 90.9 kg (100-200 lbs.), dependent on the ratio of total form width to sealing bond width. This also allows production of a system that is much less massive than conventional, and one that is reliable and simple and easy to utilize. According to another aspect the invention provides a method of handling business forms, each having first and second generally parallel marginal strips of pressure sensitive adhesive each of a predetermined width, for fixing one part of the business form to another part, comprising the step of (a) automatically, in a continuous, sequential manner, acting on successive business forms using smooth hard peripheral portions of rollers to apply a force thereto to fix one part of the form to another, characterised in that step (a) is practised so as to apply an activating pressure of substantially 18 to 36 kg per lineal cms (100 to 200 lbs. per lineal inch) to both the first and second adhesive strips of each form simultaneously, the force only being applied to the approximate areas of the predetermined widths. The business form may have a third (or others) strip of pressure sensitive adhesive generally perpendicular to the first strip, and of a predetermined width. In a continuous and sequential manner, according to a preferred method of the invention the form would be acted on to apply a force to the third strip, too, this force also being applied only to the approximate area of the predetermined width of the third adhesive strip. Prior to the practice of step (a), the business form may be initially configured by folding a sheet of paper to provide at least two plies. The paper may be V-folded, C-folded, or Z-folded. An insert may be inserted between the plies, in which case the adhesive activating step or steps are practiced so that activating force is not applied to any area of the business form containing the insert. The pressure applying device preferably comprising means for simultaneously applying pressure along a pair of spaced, generally parallel strips while simultaneously conveying business forms through the device, including two sets of narrow width upper and lower rollers. The upper roller of each set is disposed above and in peripheral engagement with the lower roller of that set along a common vertical center line. The pressure applying device also preferably further comprises a pair of conveyor transport belts or tapes, one associated with each set of rollers, and mounted interiorly of the rollers for assisting conveyance of business forms between the rollers. Each upper and lower roller preferably has a segment with an elastomeric material periphery to assist accurate rotary displacement of said upper and lower roller pairs. The rollers have a width approximately equal to the predetermined width of a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive which they act upon (e.g. about 0.76 to 1.78 cms (0.3-0.7 inches)). A second pressure sealing device, substantially identical to the first device, may also be provided. A 90° transfer conveyor means continuously feeds business forms from the first device to the second similar sealing device; and, discharge conveyor means convey sealed forms away from the second device. The rollers and the apparatus according to the invention typically are steel pressure wheel couples having a diameter of about 7.6 cms (three inches), and separated by a linear distance of about 8.9 cms (3 1/2 inches). They have an operative peripheral width of about 0.76 to 1.78 cms (0.3-0.7 inches) e.g. about 1.27 cms (1/2 inch) so that they act only on that portion of the business form on which the strip of pressure sensitive adhesive is applied. Preferably horizontally spaced sets of rollers are provided so that multiple parallel strips of pressure sensitive adhesive can be acted upon at the same time, and the horizontal spacing between the rollers perpendicular to the direction of movement of the forms may be adjusted to accommodate forms of different dimensions. The second pair (in the direction of form movement) of rollers of each set is very slightly larger in diameter than the first, to provide a slight tension on the forms during conveyance. It is the primary object of the present invention to provide for the effective high speed automatic sealing of business forms in a continuous, successive manner by applying pressure only to strips of pressure sensitive adhesive associated with the forms, and not other parts of the form. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the invention, and from the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a top schematic view of an exemplary pressure sealing system for business forms, according to the invention; FIGURE 2 is an end view of one of the sealing devices of the system of FIGURE 1, partly in cross-section and partly in elevation; FIGURE 3 is a side view (in an unstressed condition) of the device of FIGURE 2; FIGURE 4 is a top perspective view of one composite set of upper and lower rollers of the device of FIGURES 2 and 3; FIGURE 5 is a schematic representation illustrating the manner of manufacture of an exemplary business form according to the method of the present invention; and FIGURE 6 is a view like that of FIGURE 3 of a slightly modified form of a device according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An exemplary pressure sealing system for business forms according to the invention is illustrated generally by reference numeral 10 in FIGURE 1. Preferably, although not necessarily, the system 10 has as a part thereof a buckle folder, or folder inserter 11, for feeding business forms in a continuous manner to a first pressure sealing device 13, preferably using conventional in feed conveyor 12. The first pressure sealing device 13 includes a plurality of rollers and conveyor tapes to effect contemporaneous sealing and conveyance of the forms, as will be described hereinafter. The system 10 further comprises a 90° transfer conveyor means 14 for continuously feeding business forms from the first device 13 to a second device 15. The second pressure sealing device 15 is substantially identical to the first device 13 and will be hereinafter described in detail. Attached to the second device 15 is a discharge conveyor means 16 for conveying sealed forms away from the second device 15. The feeding means 12, right angle conveyor 14, and discharge conveyor 16 are conventional components. An exemplary pressure sealing device 13 according to the invention can be seen in FIGURES 2 and 3. Each device 13 comprises a frame 19 that is stationary, including a bottom support 20, a reinforcing cross-brace 21, and a top truss bar 22 against which spring or hydraulic pressure (hereinafter described) is applied. At least one pressure applying device, shown by reference numeral 25, is operatively connected to the frame. Preferably two such devices are provided horizontally spaced from each other in a dimension perpendicular to the dimension of movement of forms through the device 13. Hydraulic pressure would typically be used in a plant environment, and spring pressure in an office environment. Each pressure applying device 25 includes at least one lower roller 26, and preferably two lower rollers (26, 26' in FIG. 3). Each lower roller (26) has peripheral portions 27, 28 with a recess therebetween. A typical lower roller 26 is shown at perspective in FIGURE 4. Preferably the diameter of the roller portions 27, 28 is slightly over 7.6 cms (three inches), having a circumference of about 25.4 cms (ten inches). This is a relatively large diameter so as to provide an approach angle at the nip between the lower roller 26 and the upper roller (to be hereinafter described) as low as possible. The diameter of roller 26 (the second in the direction of conveyance of the forms) may be the same as, or very slightly greater than, that of roller 26' to provide a slight tension on the forms, as a form set being processed from first sealing couple 26'-36' to second sealing couple 26-36. The roller 26 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 29, which preferably is a splined shaft. The shaft 29 is horizontal and essentially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the forms through the device 13. The shaft 29 is rotated by a conventional electric motor 30 (FIGURE 2) or the like. A conventional belt or gear assembly 30' connects shafts 29, 29′ so that they are simultaneously driven by motor 30. Bearings 31 are provided for mounting the ends of the roller 26 for rotation about the axis defined by shaft 29, the bearings being received within a U-shaped support 32 which is maintained stationary during rotation of the shaft 29. The support 32 may engage the bottom plate 20, or other part of the frame 19, so that it is supported thereby yet it must be slideable with respect to the frame 19 in order to adjust the spacing between the devices 25 mounted on the common shaft 29. Typically the device 13 would be set up on a center line register arrangement, with the spacing between the devices 25 being dependent upon business form dimensions and geometry. An upper U-shaped support 33 is provided having bearings 34 for mounting the shaft extensions 35 of an upper roller 36 which cooperates with the bottom roller 26. The upper roller 36 has peripheral portions 38, 39 separated by a recess, for cooperating with the peripheral portions 28, 27, respectively, of the lower roller 26. Roller portions 28, 38 are both of elastomeric material (e.g. urethane O-rings), while 27, 39 are of metal (e.g. steel). The elastomeric material engagement causes the rolls to rotate even when the actual sealing wheels are out of engagement. The elastomeric material also provides a resilient cushion to reduce the impact noise which would otherwise occur when the paper forms pass from a roll couple. As can be seen in both FIGURES 2 and 3, the device 13 also includes a plurality of relatively small diameter accessory rollers 42, 43, the set 42 being associated with the lower rollers 26, 26' and the set 43 with the upper rollers 36, 36'. A conveyor tape 46 cooperates with the lower rollers 26, 26' and their accessory rollers 42, while a conveyor tape 47 cooperates with the upper rollers 36, 36' and their cooperating rollers 43. The rollers 42, 43 are all rotatable about horizontal axes parallel to the shaft 29. The conveyor tapes 46, 47 are preferably about 1.6cms (5/8 of an inch) in width and are of reinforced plastic or like material conventionally used for conveyor belts. The rollers 42 are mounted on the support 32, or extensions thereof, while the rollers 43 are mounted on the support 33 or extensions thereof. The tapes 46, 47 engage the lower roller portions 28 and upper roller portions 38, respectively and are driven by rotation of the rollers 26, 26'. The elastomeric nature of the peripheral portions 28, 38 of the rollers 26, 36 provides a secure engagement between the rollers 36, 26, and with the conveyor tapes 46, 47. The conveyor tapes 46, 47 are mounted interiorly of the devices 25, that is they cooperate with the interior peripheral surfaces 28, 38 rather than the exterior ones 27, 39. There is also provided a force applying means for applying the force between the frame and the upper rollers 36 so that the periphery of the upper rollers 36 is operatively pressed into engagement with the periphery of the lower rollers 26. Such force applying means may be a hydraulic element, but preferably -- for simplicity -- comprises spring means as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3. Such force applying means in the preferred embodiment includes a U-shaped bracket 50 mounting a rotatable shaft 51 therein, with a coil spring 52 received within the bracket 50 and acting between the bottom of the bracket 50 and a cam 53 mounted on the shaft 51. The bottom of the bracket 50 is connected by extension 54 to the support 33, while the cam 53 -- in the operative position thereof -- engages the channel 22 of the stationary frame 19. A handle 55 allows rotation of the shaft 51 to move the cam from an "on" position wherein it compresses the spring 52 and causes the springs to apply a downward force to the upper rollers 36, 36' and an "off" position in which it does not compress the spring 52, and therefore no spring force (only a relatively small gravitational force) biases the upper rollers 36, 36' downwardly. Normally the springs 52 urge the top rollers 36, 36' into actual engagement with the rollers 26, 26'. However, a mechanical stop (not shown) may be provided so that a small clearance (less than a double thickness of paper) is provided between the roller parts 27, 39. It should be appreciated that the upper rollers 36, 36' are entirely distinct from the lower rollers 26, 26' and from the frame 19, having no positive or rigid connections thereto. Also the driving action for rotating the rollers 26, 36, and for powering the conveyor tapes 46, 47 is provided solely by rotation of the shaft 29 by the motor 30. The frictional engagement between the lower roller peripheral surface 28 and the upper roller peripheral surface 38 under the influence of the force provided by the spring 52 causes the lower roller 26 to drive the upper roller 36. Similarly the frictional engagement between the tapes 46, 47 and the rollers 26, 26', respectively, provides the driving action for the tapes 46, 47 which engage the business forms and convey them to the nip between the metal roller portions 27, 39 (which effect the seal). In an actual operating commercial device employing the teachings of the invention, it is desirable to provide a fault detector for sensing when there is a possible jam. For example photoelectric sensors may be provided at the exit of each of the devices 13, 15 to distinguish between black and white (relying upon the reflectivity of the forms). If the discharge area is either "black" or "white" more than a predetermined period of time (e.g. about 1/2 second), then the system will be automatically shut down since it will be presumed that a fault (jam) exists. Also, it is desirable to provide a control console at the second device 15 for operating the entire system, the control console providing a power on and off switch, along with run, stop, and jog switches. It is also desirable to provide all of the circuitry in modules that may be pulled out and worked on, and to provide all the circuitry with solid state components. However such details as a specific fault detector, control panel, circuitry, and the like, are not a part of the present invention. FIGURES 1 and 5 illustrate a typical business form that may be handled according to the invention, and its manner of passage through the system 10. Typically a sheet of paper to form the business form 59 is first folded in the buckle or insert folder 11. It could either be V-folded, C-folded, or Z-folded. The folded form 59 comprises a first edge 60 and a second parallel side edge 61, a leading edge 62, and a trailing edge 63. Narrow strips of pressure sensitive adhesive 64, 65 are provided on one of the portions of the folded over sheet 59, and at least one or both of pressure sensitive adhesive strips 66, 67 (which are perpendicular to the strips 64, 65) are also preferably provided. Under many circumstances it is desirable that the folder 11 be capable of inserting inserts, such as the insert sheets 70. After folding and insertion of the insert 70, the form 59 passes to the first device 13, with the edge 62 the leading edge. The rollers 26', 36' and 26, 36 of each of the roller sets engage (i.e. at portions 27, 39) the form 59 only at the adhesive strips 64, 65 while the conveyor tapes 46, 47 engage interior portions of the form 59. The strips 64, 65 are approximately the same width as the roller peripheral portions 27, 39, i.e. about 0.76 to 1.78 cms (0.3-0.7 inches) (e.g. about 1.27 cms (1/2 inch)). The pressure applied by the roller portions 27, 39 (via springs 52) is preferably between about 18 to 36 kg per lineal cms (100-200 lbs. per lineal inch) (e.g. 21.5 kg per lineal cms (120 lbs. per lineal inch)), effective to make a secure seal. Note that the roller surfaces 27, 39 do not engage any portion of the form 59 in which the inserts 70 are disposed so that tenting and pillowing are substantially avoided. After sealing the strips 64, 65, the form is automatically moved by the right angle conveyor 14 so that the edge 60 is now the leading edge. The form then passes through the second device 15 and this time the strips 66, 67 are activated by pressure in the same manner described earlier with respect to the strips 64, 65. Thus a completely sealed business form 59 is produced. The movement of each form set occurs in the 0° direction of the first device 13 until the first device releases the form set to begin movement in the 90° direction. During the transition of the form movement to 90°, the form is controllably moved clear of the subsequent form set at the time the subsequent form set enters the right angle conveyor 14, although there may be a brief time when the subsequent form set overlaps the first form set in the transfer area. Relative speeds of first device 13, right angle conveyor 14, and second device 15 are adjusted to maintain the effective lineal spacing displacement of the form sets in the second device substantially the same as in the first device. By adjusting the delivery speed through the first device 13 relative to the speed of the right angle conveyor 14 in FIGURE 1, form assemblies emerging from the first device abut the registration rail 70 and change travel direction 90° for delivery into the second device 15. A forced drop in the elevation delivery of form set 71 in FIGURE 3 -- due to the downturned portion 73 of the upper conveyor -- causes the trailing edge of an advancing form set 71 to clear the sealing elevation which allows subsequent form set 72 to overlap or "shingle" the preceding form set 71. In this manner, when the first form set 71 enters the right angle conveyor 14 it is nipped by multiple balls 74 (see FIGURE 1) in registration 70 to begin a right angle travel as subsequent form set 72 enters the right angle conveyor substantially the same time, but slightly delayed compared to preceding form set 71. Right angle movement of the second form set 72 occurs at a speed related to the ratio of the length and width of the form. For example, if the width of the form is 1/2 the length, the lineal processing speed of the second device 15 acting upon the length of the form would be approximately double that of first device 13. FIGURE 6 is similar to FIGURE 3 only it illustrates a slightly modified embodiment in which the relative dimensions of the components are slightly different, and end plates for actually mounting some of the rollers are shown. In this embodiment structures generally comparable to those in the FIGURE 3 embodiment are shown by the same reference numeral only preceded by a "1". The first pressure sealing device 113 includes rollers 142 and 143 that may be biased into the positions illustrated and move along the dotted line paths also illustrated in FIGURE 6. All of the various rollers, etc., may be mounted on plates at their ends, such as the plates 80, 81, and 82. At the out feed end of the device 113, which has the downwardly extending portion 173, in order to facilitate proper delivery of the forms, the roller assembly 83 could be provided. The roller assembly 83 includes first and second rollers 84, 85 with a plurality of elastomeric bands 86 running in grooves on the roller 84, 85 peripheries. The bands/grooves may be spaced approximately every one and one-half inches along the length of the rollers 84, 85, and in this way they properly guide the forms as desired. For both the FIGURES 3 and 6 embodiment, the downturned end portions 73, 173 are not absolutely necessary although desirable, and particularly the second pressure sealing device 15 need not have such a downturned end portion. Method of Operation In the normal practice of the method according to the invention, it is desirable to operate the folder 11 at a speed which is within a few percent of the speed of the first device 13. Also it is desirable to seal the narrow sides of the form 59 first (if there are any) and then the long sides. In order to accomplish this most effectively it is thus desirable to run the first sealer module 13 at a slightly faster speed than the second module 15. The exact speed at which the device is run will be determined by the form geometry, number of inserts, type of folding, etc. At some facilities where the volume of form production is not particularly high, the second sealer 15 need not be employed. The forms could be run through the first sealer 13 and then turned manually 90 degrees and fed back through the sealer 13. Also if the form has only parallel pressure sensitive adhesive strips, then it need only be run through the first device 13, to provide the completed form. According to the method of the present invention, business forms 59 are handled each having at least one strip 64 of pressure sensitive adhesive of a predetermined width. In a continuous and sequential manner successive individual business forms are automatically acted upon by applying a force thereto sufficient to activate the pressure sensitive adhesive to affix one part of the form to the other, the force being applied only to the approximate area of the predetermined width of the adhesive 64. For example the width of the strip 64 is typically about 1.27 cms. (1/2 inch), the same as the width of the roller portions 28, 39. The force applied results in a pressure of about 18 to 36 kg per lineal cms. (100-200 lbs. per lineal inch), preferably about 21.5 kg per lineal cms. (120 lbs per lineal inch), and a plurality of strips of adhesive both parallel to and perpendicular to the strip 64 may be provided. When inserts 70 are provided in the form, the insert area is not acted upon during the practice of the method, rather only the adhesive strips. It will thus be seen that according to the present invention a simple yet advantageous system, apparatus, and method have been provided for the pressure sealing of business forms, with reduced tenting and pillowing.

Claims: A pressure applying apparatus for applying pressure to business forms (59) to activate pressure sensitive adhesive strips (64, 65) associated with the forms to seal one part of the form to another comprising:- a frame (20); a pressure applying device including a first set of rollers comprising upper and lower sealing rollers (26, 36) having first, smooth, hard, peripheral surface portions (27, 39) defining a first nip between them, and force applying means (52) for applying to the rollers, to urge them together, a sealing force; and conveying means (29, 30, 46, 47) for continuously conveying business forms through the nip; wherein the size and position of said peripheral portions (27, 39) and the strength of the force applying means is such that a sealing pressure in the range 18 to 36 kg. per lineal cms (100 to 200 lbs per lineal inch) will be applied to the forms only along narrow width strips of pressure sensitive adhesive on the forms and confined to the margins of the business forms. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the width of the first peripheral surface portions (27, 39) is in the range 0.76 to 1.78 cms (0.3 to 0.7 inches). Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that each of the rollers has a second, peripheral surface portion (28, 38) of elastomeric material, the second peripheral portions defining between them a second nip. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the conveying means includes drive means (29, 30) for driving at least one of the rollers, and conveyor tapes (46, 47). Apparatus according to claim 4 together with claim 3 in which a conveyor tape (46) passes through the second nip defined by the elastomeric material (28, 38) and is driven by such contact with the elastomeric material. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the force applying means comprises a spring (52). Apparatus according to claim 6 characterised in that the force applying means includes cam means (53) rotatable to either compress the spring (52) or to relieve compression of the spring to thereby selectively activate or de-activate the sealing pressure. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 including a further set of substantially identical sealing rollers (26, 36) arranged spaced apart horizontally from the first set so that they will act to seal adhesive lines on opposite marginal portions (64, 65) of business forms passing therethrough. Pressure applying apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8 characterised by a second set of rollers similar to the first set arranged downstream of the first set and aligned therewith and in which the conveying means is arranged to convey business forms through both sets of rollers to act sequentially on the pressure sensitive adhesive strips. Pressure applying means according to claim 9 characterised in that the second set of rollers have a slightly larger diameter than those of the first set so as to provide a slight tension on the forms passing from the first to the second set. A pressure sealing system for business forms, each form having at least two generally perpendicular strips (64, 66) of pressure sensitive adhesive of predetermined width for sealing one part of the form to another, comprising a first pressure applying apparatus (13) according to any of claims 1 to 10, and characterised by a second pressure applying apparatus (15), also according to any of claims 1 to 10, and by a 90° transfer conveyor means (14) for continuously feeding business forms from the first apparatus to the second apparatus. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11 including a down turned portion of the conveyor means at the discharge end of the apparatus. A method of handling business forms, each having first and second generally parallel marginal strips of pressure sensitive adhesive each of a predetermined width, for fixing one part of the business form to another part, comprising the step of (a) automatically, in a continuous, sequential manner, acting on successive business forms using smooth hard peripheral portions of rollers to apply a force thereto to fix one part of the form to another, wherein step (a) is practised so as to apply an activating pressure of substantially 18 to 36 kg per lineal cms (100 to 200 lbs. per lineal inch) to both the first and second adhesive strips of each form simultaneously, the force only being aplied to the approximate areas of the predetermined widths. A method according to claim 13 wherein each business form has a third or transverse strip of pressure sensitive adhesive generally perpendicular to said first and second strips and of a predetermined width; and characterised by the further step (b) of, in a continuous, sequential manner, acting on successive business forms to apply a force thereto sufficient to activate the pressure sensitive adhesive of the third strip to fix one part of the form to another, the force being applied only to the approximate area of the predetermined width of adhesive of the third strip. A method according to claim 14 comprising the further step (c), prior to step (a), of folding a sheet of paper to provide at least two plies, and inserting an insert between plies, to provide the business form; and characterised in that at least step (a) is practised so that the adhesive activating force is not applied to any area of the business form containing the insert. A method according to claim 15, wherein step (c) is practised by effecting either V-folding, C-folding, or Z-folding of the paper. A method according to claim 14 wherein each form has a narrower edge and a longer edge perpendicular to the narrower edge, and characterised in that the first strip is along the narrower edge of the business form, and the transverse strip along the longer; and comprising the further step of automatically transporting each business form at a right angle to its direction of conveyance during the practise of step (b). A method according to claim 17 characterised by handling a succession of forms through the right angle in a manner which effects partial overlap of the advancing form when being transported at a right angle. A method according to any of claims 14 to 18 wherein step (a) is practised before step (b) and at a slightly higher speed than step (b).

Inventors: HUTCHINSON WILBUR P, TRAISE JOHN E, HUTCHINSON, WILBUR P., TRAISE, JOHN E.
Applicants: MOORE BUSINESS FORMS INC, MOORE BUSINESS FORMS, INC.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B43M5
IPC codes: B43M5