METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AFFIXING APPENDIXES TO OBJECTS

Abstract: A method for affixing appendixes (2) to objects by means of a rebondable adhesive (3), wherein an appendix (2) extends substantially in one plane, wherein appendixes (2) which are connected to an assembly (4) of appendixes (2) by means of said rebondable adhesive (3) are separated from said assembly (4) one by one in order to be affixed to an object. Two appendixes (2) to be successively separated are staggered in said assembly (4), in a direction parallel to said plane, so that an appendix (2) can be easily separated from said assembly (4).

Description: METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AFFIXING APPENDIXES TO OBJECTS The invention relates to a method for affixing appendixes to objects by means of a rebondable adhesive, wherein an appendix extends substantially in one plane, wherein appendixes which are connected to an assembly of appendixes by means of said rebondable adhesive are separated from said assembly one by one in order to be affixed to an object. The term rebondable adhesive is understood to mean an adhesive which has been applied to the surface of said appendix and by means of which the appendix can be detachably affixed to objects several times. Such a rebondable (pressure sensitive) adhesive is applied to the surface of the appendix in the form of a film, possibly with the interpolation of a coating. Such a rebondable adhesive is known per se. The term "appendix" should be given a broad interpretation, it may consist of a sheet of paper, on which a message is for example printed, which sheet of paper can be affixed at practically any desired place by means of said rebondable adhesive, for example in order to display said message at a desired place. The appendix may also be a container in which a product, for example a liquid, is packed. The objects to which the appendixes are affixed may be magazines or newspapers, for example, which are moved in a row during production, so that a stationary affixing element for the appendixes is capable of affixing an appendix to each passing object. The objects may also consist of packages or containers which pass the affixing element for the appendixes. Thus, cartons of milk, for example, can be provided with an appendix in the form of a sheet of paper on which a recipe is printed, for which recipe the milk can be used as an ingredient . When sheets of paper are affixed to the passing objects by means of an affixing element, said sheets may be supplied by unrolling a strip of paper, from which sheets to be affixed are cut off one by one. A rebondable adhesive may be present on the strip of paper near the edge thereof. It is also possible to supply the sheets of paper to the affixing element in the form of a stack of said sheets of paper, in which stack the sheets are bonded together by means of said rebondable adhesive. The affixing element can pull sheets from the stack one at a time and affix it to a passing object. Especially if the appendixes are to be affixed to printed matter in newspapers, whereby the pages to which the appendixes are to be affixed pass the affixing element at a high rate, it is important that the appendixes can be separated from the stock of appendixes and be affixed to the object at a high rate as well. Reliability is an important factor thereby, since the passing objects cannot be stopped in case a malfunction would occur during the affixation of the appendixes. It will be understood that the risk of a malfunction increases along with the increase of the rate at which said affixation takes place. The rate of affixation may relate to the speed at which the objects move and/or to the number of objects that pass per unit time. The object of the invention is to provide a method for affixing appendixes to objects, wherein a high rate of affixing appendixes can be achieved, and wherein the risk of malfunction is relatively low. According to the invention, in order to accomplish that objective, the appendixes are so positioned in the assembly of appendixes that two appendixes to be successively separated are staggered in a direction parallel to the plane in which the appendix extends. As a result of this, the edge of a respective appendix can easily be engaged, because said edge extends beyond the corresponding edge of the next appendix. Moreover, a long strip substantially consisting of appendixes can be formed in this manner, which strip can be rolled up into a disc-shaped roll. Thus an appendix can be prepared within the required period of time in order to be affixed to an object, whilst the affixation itself can take place at a much higher rate. The assembly can thus be formed with all due care . In one preferred embodiment, two abutting appendixes are bonded together by means of said rebondable adhesive in the assembly, so that the assembly consists of a strip which is entirely made up of staggered (with some overlap) appendixes. In another preferred embodiment, the assembly consists of appendixes which are affixed to a carrier by means of the rebondable adhesive that is present on said appendixes, which carrier will for example consist of a long strip of a flexible material, for example a strip of paper. The carrier may be narrower or wider than the appendixes present thereon, and the appendixes may be arranged with some overlap on the carrier. It is also possible to arrange the appendixes in side-by-side relationship on the carrier, seen in top plan view. The appendix may be in the form of a piece of plate- shaped material, preferably a printed sheet of paper, but in another preferred embodiment the appendix consists of a number of parts which are bonded together by means of a rebondable adhesive. Thus, the appendix may consist of a number of stacked-together, identical sheets of paper, which are interconnected by means of the rebondable adhesive which is present on each of said sheets, so that each sheet can be used separately after the appendix has been removed from the object. The printed sheets may all carry the same message, but the appendix may also comprise a number of sheets carrying different messages. In another preferred embodiment, the appendix comprises a container, for example a flat, closed bag containing a shampoo or the like. Such a product can be enclosed in a magazine as a sample. In another preferred embodiment, the appendix consists of a folded piece of plate-shaped material, such as a folded sheet of paper. The advantage of this embodiment is that the sheet of paper affixed to the object occupies a smaller part of the surface area of the object than is required for printing the message in question on the sheet of paper. Thus, the space which is available for a message is larger than the space which the affixed appendix takes up on the object. Preferably, the assembly of appendixes is in the form of a flexible, tape-like strip, which essentially consists of interconnected appendixes, which strip is fed to an affixing element, which engages a respective front appendix of the strip, separates it from the strip and affixes it to the respective object. In one preferred embodiment, the flexible, tape-like strip is passed through a bend, so that parts of the appendix on which no rebondable adhesive is present extend substantially tangentially outwards, as a result of which they can be easily engaged by part of the affixing element. The invention furthermore relates to an assembly of appendixes which are interconnected by means of a rebondable adhesive, from which assembly appendixes can be separated in order to be affixed to objects by means of said rebondable adhesive, wherein an appendix extends substantially in one plane, with appendixes to be successively separated being staggered in a direction parallel to said plane. Preferably, the appendixes are thereby affixed to a carrier, which may be rolled up into a roll. The carrier may be narrower or wider than the appendixes, or have the same width, so that the appendixes may or may not extend beyond the edge of the carrier. The appendixes affixed to the carrier may overlap each other partially, but the appendixes may also be arranged in spaced-apart relationship on the carrier. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing such an assembly, wherein appendixes which are provided with a rebondable adhesive are assembled to form a flexible, tape-like strip, which may or may not include a carrier, wherein appendixes successively added to the assembly are located in staggered position in a direction parallel to the plane in which the appendix extends. Preferably, the assembly is formed by rolling up the flexible, tape-like strip substantially consisting of appendixes into a substantially discshaped roll. Further aspects of the method and of the invention, which can be used separately as well as in combination with each other, will be described by means of the figures and be defined in the claims . In order to explain the invention more fully, a few embodiments of an assembly of appendixes will be b described hereafter with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the affixation of appendixes which are being separated from an assembly, and Figures 2 - 13 show various ways in which the appendixes may be arranged in the assembly. The figures are merely schematic representations, wherein parts corresponding to each other are indicated by the same numerals. Figure 1 shows a flexible, tape-like strip 1 consisting of appendixes 2, which are bonded together with some overlap by means of a rebondable adhesive 3. In the figures, said rebondable adhesive 3 is indicated by a line which is slightly thicker than the lines used to indicate the other part of appendix 2. Appendix 2 consists of a sheet of paper. Strip 1 is rolled up into a disc-shaped assembly 4, which forms a stock of a large number of appendixes 2, which stock is of relatively small size. The roll is unrolled in the direction indicated by arrow 15, so that strip 1 is supplied to an affixing element, which separates respective appendixes 2 from strip 1 and subsequently affixes them to successive passing objects (not shown) . Affixing element 16 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 17, and the objects move in the direction indicated by arrow 18. In this embodiment, the appendixes are adhered to the circumferential surface of affixing element 16, pulled off strip 1 and delivered to a passing objects by suction nozzles (not shown) . Strip 1 may thereby be moved and held by means of a roller 19, which is likewise provided at the surface thereof with suction nozzles (not shown) by which the strip 1 can be engaged. The embodiment for affixing the appendix to the objects that is schematically represented in Figure 1 is merely an example, also other methods are possible, in particular methods wherein the front appendix is engaged at the free edge at the front of strip 1 by means of a mechanical gripping element. Accordingly, the invention is not directed at a particular type of affixing element, but at a method wherein such an assembly of appendixes is used that the appendix can be easily, reliably and efficiently separated from the assembly at a high rate. Figure 2 is a side view of a number of appendixes 2, which are interconnected with some overlap by means of rebondable adhesive 3, thus forming a flexible strip 1. Also in this figure the flexible adhesive 3 is indicated by a line which is thicker than the lines used to indicate the other part of appendix 2. Figure 3 is a bottom view of the strip 1 of Figure 2, wherein the adhesive 3 is indicated in the hatched part with broken lines, as is the case in the other figures. Figure 4 shows an embodiment wherein each appendix 2 consists of three sheets of paper 5 bonded together by means of the rebondable adhesive, so that sets of three sheets can be affixed to an object as an appendix thereto. The three sheets 5 of appendix 2 can be separately affixed to objects in different places. Figure 5 is a bottom view of strip 1 including the appendixes 2 of Figure . Figure 6 shows an embodiment wherein the appendixes 2 consist of a folded sheet of paper. Part 7 of the sheet is folded about a fold 8. Since the assembly is formed before appendixes 2 are affixed to the object, there is ample time to do this. During that time, the folding of appendixes 2 can take place . Figure 7 is a bottom view of the strip of appendixes 2 of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a strip of appendixes, wherein appendixes 2 are containers in the form of closed, flat plastic bags, whereby the rebondable adhesive 3 is present on one side of each bag, near the centre thereof, at some distance from the circumferential edge. Also here the appendixes 2 are stacked with some overlap, so that a flexible, striplike assembly is obtained, from which successive appendixes 2 can be easily and quickly separated so as to be affixed to passing objects by means of an affixing element . Figure 9 is a bottom view of the appendixes 2 of Figure 8. Figures 10 and 11 are a side view and a bottom view, respectively, of a part of a strip 1 including appendixes 2 which are present on a carrier 6. Carrier 6 is in the form of a strip of paper. Also in this manner a flexible strip is formed, which can be rolled up to form a disc-shaped stock 4 of appendixes 2. When appendixes 2 are being separated from the strip, carrier 6 can be rolled up, so that the appendixes 2 can be easily transported to the place where they are engaged and pulled off carrier 6 by the affixing element. Also the embodiments of Figures 12 and 13 include a carrier 6. In this embodiment, however, the appendixes are affixed to carrier 6 in spaced-apart relationship, as a result of which the appendixes can be engaged and separated from the assembly even more easily by the affixing element. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations of the invention, also other embodiments are possible within the framework of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method for affixing appendixes (2) to objects by means of a rebondable adhesive (3), wherein an appendix (2) extends substantially in one plane, wherein appendixes (2) which are connected to an assembly (4) of appendixes (2) by means of said rebondable adhesive (3) are separated from said assembly (4) one by one in order to be affixed to an object, wherein two appendixes (2) to be successively separated are staggered in said assembly, in a direction parallel to said plane. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that two abutting appendixes (2) in the assembly (4) are bonded together by means of said rebondable adhesive (3) . 3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the appendixes (2) in the assembly (4) are affixed to a carrier (6) by means of said rebondable adhesive (3) . 4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an appendix (2) comprises a piece of plate-shaped material, preferably a printed sheet of paper. 5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an appendix (2) consists of a number of parts which are bonded together by means of a rebondable adhesive (3) . 6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an appendix (2) comprises a container. 7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an appendix (2) consists of a folded piece of plate-shaped material, such as a folded sheet of paper. 8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly (4) of appendixes (2) in the form of a flexible, tape-like strip (1) , which essentially consists of interconnected appendixes (2) , is fed to an affixing element (16) , which affixing element engages a respective front appendix (2) of the strip (1) , separates it from the strip (1) and affixes it to the respective object. 9. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that said flexible, tape-like strip (1) is passed through a bend, so that parts of the appendix (2) on which no rebondable adhesive (3) is present extend substantially tangentially outwards. 10. An assembly of appendixes (2) which are interconnected by means of a rebondable adhesive (3), from which assembly (4) appendixes (2) can be separated in order to be affixed to objects by means of said rebondable adhesive (3), wherein an appendix (2) extends substantially in one plane, with appendixes (2) to be successively separated being staggered in a direction parallel to said plane. 11. An assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that two abutting appendixes (2) in the assembly (4) are bonded together by means of said rebondable adhesive (3) . 12. An assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the appendixes (2) in the assembly (4) are affixed to a carrier (6) by means of said rebondable adhesive (3) . 13. An assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that said carrier (6) is a strip (1) of paper. 14. An assembly according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said appendixes (2) are arranged on said carrier (6) with some overlap. 15. An assembly according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said appendixes (2) are arranged in spaced-apart relationship on said carrier (6) . 16. An assembly according to any one of the claims 12 - 15, characterized in that said carrier (6) has substantially the same transverse dimension as the appendixes (2) present thereon, measured in the same direction. 17. An assembly according to any one of the claims 10 - 16, characterized in that an appendix (2) comprises a piece of plate-shaped material, preferably a printed sheet of paper. 18. An assembly according to any one of the claims 10 - 17, characterized in that an appendix (2) comprises a number of parts which are bonded together by means of said rebondable adhesive (3) . 19. An assembly according to any one of the claims 10 - 18, characterized in that an appendix (2) comprises a container. 20. An assembly according to any one of the claims 10 - 19, characterized in that an appendix (2) comprises a folded piece of plate-shaped material (2, 7), such as a folded sheet of paper. 21. An assembly according to any one of the claims 10 - 20, characterized in that said assembly (4) essentially comprises a rolled-up, flexible, tapelike strip, which strip (1) substantially consists of interconnected appendixes (2) . 22. A method for producing an assembly (4) according to any one of the claims 10 - 21, characterized in that appendixes (2) which are provided with a rebondable adhesive (3) are assembled to form a flexible, tape-like strip (1) , which may or may not include a carrier (6) , wherein appendixes (2) successively added to the assembly (4) are staggered in a direction parallel to the plane in which the appendix (2) extends. 23. A method according to any one of the claims 1 - 9 or according to claim 22, characterized in that said assembly (4) is formed by rolling up the flexible, tape-like strip substantially consisting of appendixes (2) into a substantially disc-shaped roll . 24. An object, such as a package, a newspaper or other type of publication provided with an appendix (2) which as been separated from an assembly (4) according to any one of the claims 10, 21.

Inventors: ROS RAYMOND EDMUND, ROS, RAYMOND, EDMUND
Applicants: ADD ON INT BV, ROS RAYMOND EDMUND, ADD-ON INTERNATIONAL B.V., ROS, RAYMOND, EDMUND
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B65H37
IPC codes: B65C9, B65H37