Booklet and method for producing a booklet

Abstract

The invention relates to a booklet (10) comprising at least two layers (11) as an inlay (12). The at least two layers (11) are made of plastic.

Description

[0001] AII4Labels Group GmbH October 22, 2025

[0002] 1

[0003] Booklet and method for producing a booklet

[0004] The present invention relates to a booklet and its manufacturing process according to the independent claims.

[0005] Booklets are generally known from the prior art. For example, DE 10 2008 020 831 Al describes a booklet in which a paper-based booklet is contained between a self-adhesive base label and a top laminate. The top laminate is made of plastic, meaning the booklet is manufactured using different materials, which complicates the recycling process.

[0006] The present invention therefore aims to further develop a booklet in such a way that it is predominantly made of one material, thus making it recyclable. Furthermore, the booklet should be easy to manufacture and weatherproof.

[0007] The aforementioned problem is solved by a booklet comprising at least two layers as an inlay. Preferably, the booklet comprises more than two, preferably more than four, and most preferably more than ten layers. These layers are made of plastic. The layers can form the inner part of the booklet as an inlay. An outer layer can close off the booklet on each side.

[0008] Preferably, the layers are made of a thermoplastic material, especially polyethylene. The layers therefore do not contain any paper.

[0009] The layers can be printed on both sides. This is therefore the inlay, which can display the corresponding information from the booklet.

[0010] The booklet can consist of a base layer and a laminating layer. These extend beyond the booklet, particularly in the width direction, and can be adhered to each other in the overhanging areas. The laminating layer can preferably be self-adhesive and thus attached directly.

[0011] RGTH A241354W009902PT AII4Labels Group GmbH October 22, 2025

[0012] 2

[0013] The booklet is preferably a book-like document, a so-called booklet, whose length and width are a maximum of 50 cm, preferably a maximum of 46 cm, and most preferably a maximum of 42 cm. Above all, it can be understood to mean a booklet label.

[0014] Preferably, the layers of the inlay are bonded to each other, preferably exclusively, by an adhesive bond. As described above, the booklet can comprise several layers, with adjacent layers being bonded to each other by an adhesive bond. In particular, a seam is formed along one long or short side of the booklet by the adhesive bonds between the layers. The booklet is designed to open on the other sides. Thus, the booklet is preferably not welded.

[0015] Overall, the booklet can therefore consist solely of plastic, adhesive, and printing ink. This makes the booklet very easy to recycle, as different materials, such as paper and plastic, do not need to be separated first. The booklet is also more robust overall, for example, against moisture, and thus more weather-resistant.

[0016] The thickness of a layer is preferably between 40 pm and 100 pm, preferably between 50 pm and 90 pm, most preferably between 60 pm and 80 pm.

[0017] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a booklet comprising at least two layers. According to the method, the layers are formed from plastic. The method is preferably designed for producing a booklet as described above. As described above, a self-adhesive laminating film can be applied to an outer layer in the thickness direction of the inlay or the booklet.

[0018] To produce the layers and thus the inlay, at least one plastic sheet can be printed on both sides. Preferably, two

[0019] RGTH A241354W009902PT AII4Labels Group GmbH October 22, 2025

[0020] 3

[0021] The plastic sheets are printed on both sides. In other words, they are provided with printable areas.

[0022] Adjacent print areas are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the print areas are arranged side by side in one longitudinal direction of the web. Furthermore, several longitudinally adjacent print areas can be arranged on the upper half of each printed web in the width direction, and the same on the lower half.

[0023] An adhesive is applied to at least one plastic sheet in a partial layer. This adhesive is used to create a bundle. It is specifically a UV-curable adhesive.

[0024] In particular, the adhesive is applied longitudinally between adjacent printed areas. Specifically, the adhesive is applied in a strip-like fashion in the width direction of the web between printed areas. This is followed by the layering of printed plastic webs and / or the cutting of at least one plastic web into two strands and the layering of these strands. The layering is carried out in such a way that printed areas from different webs and / or different strands are arranged one above the other in the thickness direction of the inlay to be produced. The webs are therefore aligned so that printed areas are arranged one above the other in the thickness direction.

[0025] The adhesive is arranged in such a way that when different webs are overlapped and / or at least one web is cut into two strands and the strands are then overlapped, the adhesive bonds the overlapping printed areas together on one side. Overlapping the webs or strands creates a multi-layered web. In other words, multiple layers are created where the printed areas overlap. This results in several layers arranged side-by-side along the length of the multi-layered web.

[0026] RGTH A241354W009902PT AII4Labels Group GmbH October 22, 2025

[0027] 4

[0028] Inlays. Multiple inlays can be arranged side by side, even in a transverse direction.

[0029] Preferably, the method includes curing the adhesive, preferably by exposure to UV light. In particular, the adhesive is cured directly after printing, before the webs are joined together. Preferably, the adhesive is partially cured and then fully cures over time. The layers forming the inlay can be die-cut. In this process, the areas of the multi-layered web where the printed areas are arranged one above the other are die-cut, thus separating the inlays. The individual inlays are preferably die-cut using a cross-cutter. In this sense, the die-cutting is a process of separating the inlays.

[0030] The process therefore does not include a folding process for producing the inlay or the booklet. Instead, as described above, the number of plastic sheets is adjusted so that by layering several plastic sheets or their printed areas on top of each other, and / or by cutting at least one plastic sheet into two strands and layering them, a multitude of layers and thus a multitude of inlays are created. The process is therefore significantly simpler than a process involving a folding step.

[0031] To produce booklets based on the inlays, these can be applied to a base layer, preferably a base film, and fixed there, for example, using hot melt adhesive. The inlays can thus be arranged longitudinally on the base layer. Furthermore, a laminating layer, preferably a laminating film, can be placed over the inlays. The inlays can thus have a common "top layer" on both sides. The booklets are preferably separated again by die-cutting.

[0032] They show in a purely schematic representation

[0033] Figure 1 shows an inlay of a booklet in perspective view;

[0034] RGTH A241354W009902PT AII4Labels Group GmbH October 22, 2025

[0035] 5

[0036] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a booklet with an inlay according to Figure 1;

[0037] Figure 3 shows a process diagram of a method for producing a booklet; and

[0038] Figure 4 shows different phases of the process shown in Figure 3.

[0039] Figure 1 shows an inlay 12 of a booklet 10 with several, here five, layers 11 in a perspective view. The layers 11 are connected to each other by a binding 15, which is formed by an adhesive bond.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a booklet containing an inlay according to Figure 1. The binding 15 of the inlay 12 is visible. The thickness direction is indicated by 13. The booklet 10 comprises a base layer 14 on one side in the thickness direction and a laminating layer 14a on the other side. These extend beyond the base layer in the width direction, so that the laminating layer 14a adheres to it in the extended areas.

[0041] Figure 3 shows a process diagram of a process 100 for producing a booklet 10.

[0042] First, at least two layers 11 of plastic are formed 101. For this purpose, at least one plastic sheet 200 can be printed on both sides 102. An adhesive 201 is partially applied 103. Now, several such printed and partially adhesive-coated plastic sheets 200 can be laid on top of each other 104. Alternatively, the at least one plastic sheet 200 and / or several plastic sheets laid on top of each other can be cut into two strands 105, and the strands can be laid on top of each other 106. This is followed by die-cutting 108 of the multiple layers as an inlay. Thus, several inlays are produced.

[0043] The inlays can be laid on top of a base layer, preferably formed as a sheet of material, joined together, preferably by an adhesive bond. A laminating layer can then be placed on top of this. In this way, the layers are bonded to each other, as is the inlay itself, and both the inlay and the base layer are bonded together.

[0044] RGTH A241354W009902PT AII4Labels Group GmbH October 22, 2025

[0045] 6

[0046] The "cover layers" are joined together via an adhesive bond 110. Several booklets are now die-cut 111.

[0047] Figure 4 shows different phases of the process 100 shown in Figure 3.

[0048] In section a), a plastic web 200, namely a first web 200a, is printed with a design 203, creating longitudinally adjacent printed areas 203. This applies to an upper half of the web 200a in the width direction and a lower half. The non-visible reverse side of the web is also printed.

[0049] Adhesive 201 is partially applied to the first layer 200a. The adhesive 201 is shown here, by way of example, positioned between the five lower left print areas.

[0050] In section b), another plastic sheet 200, now the second sheet 200b, is printed with 203, so that printed areas 203a are again created on the upper and lower halves, which are adjacent in the longitudinal direction. The non-visible reverse side of the sheet is also printed again.

[0051] Adhesive 201 is also partially applied to the second lane 200b. The adhesive 201 is positioned between the five right-hand printing areas of the upper and lower halves.

[0052] Section c) shows how the area of ​​the left five printed areas 203 of the first web 200a is laid over the area of ​​the right five printed areas 203 of the second web 200b (only these areas are shown in Figure 4c). The two webs are held together by the adhesive 201. A longitudinal cut is then made along the cut line AA. The two half-width strands are then laid on top of each other again. This creates the bond shown in Figure 4d. In other words, a multi-layered web with four layers and thus eight sides is created. These printed areas, which therefore consist of four layers, form the inlays. They are separated along the first stippled lines 301 running from top to bottom; alternatively, they can be further processed as strand stock. After a possible

[0053] RGTH A241354W009902PT AII4Labels Group GmbH October 22, 2025

[0054] 7

[0055] During the dispensing and laminating processes, the booklets are separated by die-cutting (second surrounding dotted lines 302).

[0056] RGTH A241354W009902PT AII4Labels Group GmbH October 22, 2025

[0057] 8

[0058] Reference symbol list

[0059] 10 Booklet

[0060] 11 Location

[0061] 12 Inlay

[0062] 13 Thickness direction

[0063] 14 Baseline

[0064] 14a Laminating layer

[0065] 15 bundles

[0066] 100 methods for making a booklet

[0067] 101 Forming at least two layers of plastic

[0068] 102 Double-sided printing of at least one plastic sheet

[0069] 103 Partial application of an adhesive

[0070] 104 Layering several plastic sheets

[0071] 105 Cutting the at least one plastic sheet into two strands

[0072] 106 Layering the strands

[0073] 108 die-cutting of the layers as inlay

[0074] 109 Joining the inlays of at least one top layer

[0075] 110 Joining several layers to each other and / or to a layer and a cover layer via an adhesive bond

[0076] 111 Die-cutting booklets

[0077] 200 plastic sheeting

[0078] 200a first track

[0079] 200b second lane

[0080] 201 adhesives

[0081] 203 Print

[0082] 203a Pressure areas

[0083] 300 first dashed line

[0084] 301 second dashed line

[0085] RGTH A241354W009902PT

Claims

AII4Labels Group GmbH October 22, 2025 9 Claims 1. Booklet (10) comprising at least two layers (11) as inlay (12) characterized in that the at least two layers (11) are made of plastic.

2. Booklet (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the layers (11) are formed from a thermoplastic material, preferably polyethylene.

3. Booklet (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the layers (11) are printed on both sides.

4. Booklet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several layers (11) are connected to each other via an adhesive bond.

5. Booklet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the booklet (10) consists exclusively of plastic, adhesive and printing ink.

6. Booklet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of a layer (11) is between 40 pm and 100 pm, preferably between 50 pm and 90 pm, most preferably between 60 pm and 80 pm.

7. Method (100) for producing a booklet comprising at least two layers (11) RGTH A241354W009902PT AII4Labels Group GmbH October 22, 2025 10 characterized in that the at least two layers (11) are made of plastic (101).

8. Method (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that several layers (11) are joined to each other via an adhesive bond (110).

9. Method (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one plastic web (200) is printed on both sides (102).

10. Method (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that an adhesive is partially applied (103) to the at least one plastic sheet (200).

11. Method (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the method (100) comprises a layering (104) of printed plastic webs and / or a cutting (105) of the at least one plastic web into two strands and a layering (106) of the strands.

12. Method (100) according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the layers (11) are punched out as an inlay (12).

13. Method (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the method (100) comprises joining (109) at least one inlay (12) with at least one base layer (14) as a material web, applying a laminating layer (14a) and punching out (111) the booklet (10). RGTH A241354W009902PT

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