JP2000505350A

JP2000505350A - Apparatus and method for applying coating material to individual sheet members

Info

Publication number: JP2000505350A
Application number: JP09529326A
Authority: JP
Inventors: イー．ブランチ，ドン; リシェ，フレデリックピー．エー．ル; アール．ピエール，バーナード
Original assignee: ミネソタマイニングアンドマニュファクチャリングカンパニー
Priority date: 1996-02-16
Filing date: 1996-11-01
Publication date: 2000-05-09
Also published as: AU721556B2; WO1997029985A1; AU7720296A; KR19990082493A; CA2247303A1; EP0881982A1

Abstract

(57)【要約】水ベースの塗料材、例えば、下塗と低接着裏糊とを塗布されたシートが、端と端とが重なり合う関係で、フィーダ（１）から、シートが個別に両面とも塗布される二重コーター（３）に供給される。シート挿入機（２）が二重コーターの上流に設けられ、第２の供給からのシートをフィーダ（１）からのシートへ挿入する。二重塗布シートは個別シートとしてまたは重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブとして乾燥される。シートは、既に重なり合っているのでなければ、重ね合わされ、必要に応じて重なり合いの方向を変えられ、各シートの後縁を各後続シートの前縁の上に提供する。重なり合ったシートは接着剤転写ステーション（７）を通って運ばれ、少なくとも部分的に乾燥された接着剤の帯（２３６）が転写ベルト（７１）からの二重塗布シートに塗布される。 (57) [Summary] Sheets coated with a water-based coating material, for example, a primer and a low-adhesion backing paste, are individually coated on both sides from a feeder (1) in such a way that the edges overlap one another. Is supplied to the double coater (3). A sheet inserter (2) is provided upstream of the double coater and inserts sheets from the second feed into sheets from the feeder (1). The double coated sheet is dried as individual sheets or as a simulated web of overlapping sheets. The sheets are overlapped, if not already overlapped, redirected as necessary, providing the trailing edge of each sheet above the leading edge of each succeeding sheet. The overlapped sheet is conveyed through an adhesive transfer station (7) and an at least partially dried strip of adhesive (236) is applied to the double coated sheet from the transfer belt (71).

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】塗布材料を個別シート部材に加えるための改良された装置及び方法発明の分野本発明は主に、個別の紙のシート等の複数の重なり合った個別シートに塗料材を加える装置及び方法に関する。本発明の特定の態様は、複数の個別シートを対向する主要面の両方に塗料材を加える装置及び方法に関する。背景塗料材を紙に加えなければならない必要は頻繁にあり、異なる塗料材を紙の両主要面に加えなければならない場合もある。例えば、ミネソタマイニングアンドマニュファクチャリング社販売のPost- る際に、下塗材を紙の一方の側に塗布し、その側から再貼り付け可能なノートが切断され、低接着裏糊または剥離材料を紙の他方の側に塗布することは公知である。再貼り付け可能な接着剤を、次に、下塗材上の紙の頂に塗布する。従来、再貼り付け可能なノートの製造のために、様々な塗料が連続ロールから出る紙のウェブに加えられる。塗料材は溶剤中に分散され、紙ウェブに直接塗布される。ウェブは、塗布の間に乾燥され、次に巻き取られ、塗布されたロールはその後、ノートを製造するのに使用されるシートにカットされる。再貼り付け可能なノートの製造過程は、剥離材と下塗材は紙ウェブの対向する側に続いて塗布されるが、国際特許出願公開第８７／０５３１５号に記載されている。紙の連続ウェブではなくカットシートに塗料材を加えることが好ましい場合もある。例えば、再貼り付け可能なノートの製造にあたり、製造過程の適用性を上げるために、普通の紙ウェブの代わりに、供給源として、予め印刷したシートの積層を使用する選択が望ましい場合も多い。更に、環境的理由のため、そのような塗布過程では環境破壊的な有機溶剤の使用から離れ、より環境フレンドリーな水ベースの材料を使用することが望まれている。多くのインクは有機溶剤には溶けるが、水には溶けないことも更なる注目事項である。国際特許出願公開第９４／１９４１９号には、塗布されていない個別の紙シートの積層から再貼り付け可能なノートのパッドを形成する装置及び方法が開示されている。シートは積層から重なり合った状態で塗布ステーションへ供給され、そこで水ベースの下塗材の連続層が重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブの一方の主要面に塗布され、同時に低接着裏糊（ＬＡＢ）材の連続層が他方の主要面に塗布される。次に重なり合ったシートは乾燥され、第２の塗布ステーションに供給され、そこで再貼り付け可能な接着剤の帯がエンドレス転写ベルトから重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブの、第１の塗布ステーションで下塗が塗布された面へ転写される。その後、シートは積層に一緒に接着され、揃えられて、再貼り付け可能なノートのパッドを形成する。個別シートの塗布一定の塗布過程において、シートは、重なり合った疑似ウェブの形態ではなく、個別に塗布されることが好ましい場合もある。しかし、商用の塗布ステーションは一般に、大ロールから排紙される紙の連続ウェブを塗布するように設計されているため、個別シートを収容することができない。従って、効果的な量の塗料材を個別シートに塗布することができ商用可能なシステムを開発するために努力が続けられている。重なり合いの方向逆転一定の状況では、重なり合った個別シート取り扱いは、シートが塗布過程の一定のセグメントを通るときに重なり合いの方向を逆にすることによって容易にすることができる。そのような重なり合いの方向の逆転を所望するとき、逆転を達成するのに使用する装置は、広範囲のシートサイズ、重量及び型に対して信頼できるように機能するものでなければならない。塗料材をシートに塗布する従来のシステムは、自己の効用をはあるが、望まれているほど効果的でもなく適用性があるものでもないことがわかった。エンドレス転写面を使用して塗料材をシートに塗布する従来のシステムは、一定の型の塗料材及び／または一定の型及びサイズのシートが塗布されるときに、転写面からシート及び塗料材を除去する際に、通常問題に出逢う。従って、エンドレス転写面からシートへ塗料材を転写するための改良された方法及び装置を含めて、塗料材をシートに塗布する改良された方法及び装置が望まれる。発明の開示二次シートの挿入本発明のシート挿入態様は、塗布される対象の連続した重なり合ったシートに異なる二次シートを定期的に挿入する効果的な装置及び方法を提供する。装置は、(i)互いに端と端とが重なり合う関係で一次シートの積層からコンベヤへ一次シートを続けて供給するよう操作することができるシートフィーダと、(ii)少なくとも１枚の二次シートを第２の積層からコンベヤ上の重なり合った一次シートへ挿入するよう操作することができるシート挿入機と、(iii)コンベヤから重なり合った連続した一次及び二次シートを受けるよう位置決めされ、塗料材を各シートの少なくとも１つの主要面へ塗布するよう操作することができるコーターと、を含む。方法は、（ａ）互いに端と端とが重なり合う関係で第１のシートの積層から一次シートをシート路へ供給するステップと、（ｂ）重なり合った一次シートをシート路に沿って運ぶステップと、（ｃ）少なくとも１枚の二次シートを第２の積層からコンベヤ上のシート路に沿って運ばれる重なり合ったシートへ挿入することによって、互いに端と端とが重なり合う関係に配列される連続した一次及び二次シートを形成するステップと、（ｄ）シートがシート路に沿って運ばれ続けるときに連続した一次及び二次シートの各々の少なくとも１つの主要面に塗料材を塗布するステップと、を含む。個別シート部材の二重塗布本発明の二重塗布態様は、水ベース塗料材を分かれた個別のシート部材の両主要面へ同時に塗布する装置及び方法を提供する。装置は、(i)シート部材がシート路に沿って運ばれるときに１枚のシート部材を連続して受けるよう位置決めされる二重塗布システムであって、シート路の反対側に位置する第１及び第２の塗布機構を具備し、各塗布機構は水ベース塗料材を各シートの主要面に塗布するよう作用することができる二重塗布システムと、(ii)塗布機構によってシートに塗布された水ベース塗料材から水を除去するためにシート路に沿って位置決めされる乾燥機と、(iii)端と端とが重なり合う関係で連続してシートが乾燥機から出るときにシートを配列する手段と、(iv)シート路に沿って位置決めされ、重なり合ったシートを受けて、重なり合ったシートの一方の側に二次塗料材を塗布するのに効果的な二次塗布機構と、を含む。方法は、（ａ）第１のシートの積層からシート路へ個別シートを続けて供給するステップと、（ｂ）重なり合った一次シートをシート路に沿って運ぶステップと、（ｃ）シート路に沿って運ばれる各個別シートの主要面へ水ベース塗料材を塗布するステップと、（ｄ）塗布されたシートを乾燥しながら、シート路に沿ってシートを運び続けるステップと、（ｅ）互いに端と端とが重なり合う関係に乾燥したシートを続けて配列する手段と、（ｆ）シートがシート路に沿って運ばれ続けるときに、配置されたシートの各々の少なくとも１つの主要面に二次塗料材を連続的に塗布するステップと、を含む。パッド塗布ドラム本発明の被覆塗布ドラム態様は、水ベース塗料材を分かれた個別のシート部材の主要面の少なくとも一方に塗布する装置及び方法を提供する。装置は、(i)塗布ロールと、(ii)塗布ロールの表面にわたって取り外し可能に固定された支持シートと、(iii)塗布ロールの円周の一部のみにわたって延在する支持シートに接着剤で固定されるエラストマー系被覆部材と、(iv)塗布ロールと協働して、被覆部材で被覆される塗布ロールのその部分のみとともにニップを形成するニップロールと、(v)塗料材源と、(vi)塗料材の源から塗料材を塗布ロール上の被覆部材に塗布する手段と、を含む。方法は、（ａ）塗料材源から塗料材を塗布ロール上の被覆部材に塗布するステップと、（ｂ）被覆部材上の塗料材がニップロールに転写されずにシートヘ塗布されるように、シートが揃えられ塗布ロール上の被覆部材に整列される方法で、塗布ロールとニップロールとの間に形成されるニップに個別のシートを運ぶステップと、を含む。重なり合い方向の逆転本発明の重なり合い方向変更態様は、シートが重なり合わせられる方向を逆転する装置及び方法を提供する。装置は、（ａ）連続した重なり合ったシートを運び、各シートの後縁は後続シートの前縁の下の位置決めされる第１の搬送手段と、（ｂ）第１の搬送手段からシートを受けるよう配列された第２の搬送手段と、（ｃ）第１の搬送手段と第２の搬送手段との間に位置決めされ、シートの相対的な重なり合い位置の変更を効果的にし、それによって、第２の搬送手段によって受けられるシートは各シートの後縁が後続シートの前縁の上の位置決めされるよう配列される配列と、を含む。シートの相対的な重なり合い位置の変更を効果的にする配列は、（Ａ）シートの各対の重なり合った縁に空気の流れを方向付けて、そのような縁部を連続したシートによって規定される平面から離して動かすブロアーと、（Ｂ）前のシートの後縁の次の戻りを遅らせて、そのような後縁が後続シートの前縁の頂上に一貫して置かれることを確実にする手段と、を具備する。本発明の重なり合い方向変更態様の好適な実施例は、重なり合い方向配列を本発明の二重塗布態様の二重塗布システムと乾燥機との間に位置決めする。この実施例において、シートは二重塗布システム内で１度に１回ずつ塗布され、次に第１の搬送手段上に配置され、各シートの後縁は後続シートの前縁部の下に位置決めされる。重なり合ったシートは、乾燥機へ送られるために、第１の搬送手段から第２の搬送手段へ移されるため、重なり合い方向変更配列は、シートの相対的な重なり合い位置を逆にし、それによって、各シートの後縁は後続シートの前縁部の頂に位置決めされる。方法は、(i)第１の搬送手段上の重なり合ったシートを運ぶステップであって、各シートの後縁は後続シートの前縁部の下に位置決めされるステップと、(ii) 連続した重なり合ったシートを第１の搬送手段から第２の搬送手段へ移すステップと、(iii)シートが第１の搬送手段から第２の搬送手段へ移されるときにシートの相対的な重なり合い位置を変更し、第２の搬送手段によって受けられるシートは各シートの後縁が後続シートの前縁の上の位置決めされるよう配列されるステップと、を含む。シートの相対的な重なり合い位置を変更する好適な手段は、（Ｉ）シ−トの各対の重なり合った縁に空気の流れを吹き付けて、そのような縁部を連続したシートによって規定される平面から離して動かすステップと、（ＩＩ）前のシートの後縁の次の戻りを遅らせて、そのような後縁が後続シートの前縁の頂上に一貫して位置決めされることを確実にするステップと、を含む。塗布されたシートの転写面からの取り外し本発明のシート取り外し態様は、塗料材を重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブに接触させて運ぶのに使用した転写面から重なり合ったシートと塗料材とを一貫して取り除くのを容易にする装置及び方法を提供する。シート取り外し装置は、部分的に乾燥した塗料材を重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブに転写するよう設計された転写装置に関連して特に有用である。簡単に言うと、そのような転写装置は、重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブを転写位置へ運び、そこでエンドレス転写面は、疑似ウェブと同一方向へ同一速度で動き、転写面から疑似ウェブのシートへ塗料材を転写する目的で、運ばれたシートの主要面に接触する。塗料材は、様々な型の塗料材を様々な厚さ及び様々なパターンで転写面へ塗布することができるディスペンサーによって転写面へ遠隔操作で塗布される。シート取り外し装置は、（ａ）転写位置を離れるシートの路に隣接して位置する取り外しコンベヤと、（ｂ）減圧源であって、（Ａ）転写位置に最近接して位置決めされ、転写面からシートを取り外してシートを取り外しコンベヤへ取り付けるのに効果的な取り外しコンベヤの第１の長さ方向にわたって減圧領域を提供し、（Ｂ）シートが転写位置から離れて動くときに取り外しコンベヤへ取り付けられたシートを維持するのに効果的な取り外しコンベヤの第２の長さ方向にわたって減圧領域を提供するよう操作することができる減圧源と、を含む。方法は、(i)シート路に沿って転写位置を通って重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブを運ぶステップと、(ii)エンドレス転写面の表面へ塗料材を塗布するステップと、(iii)シートが転写位置から運ばれるときに、疑似ウェブのシートの第１の主要面を塗布したエンドレス転写面に接触させるステップと、(iv)転写面からシート及び塗料材を取り外して塗布されたシートをコンベヤへを取り付けるのに効果的な転写位置からすぐ下流に位置決めされた、コンベヤのその位置へ部分的真空を加えるステップと、(v)シートが転写位置から離れて動くときにコンベヤへ取り付けられた塗布されたシートを維持するのに効果的な転写位置から下流に位置決めされたコンベヤのバランスへ部分的真空を加えるステップと、を含む。図面の簡単な説明図１は、本発明の１つの実施例の概略側面図である。図２は、図１に示す装置の概略平面図である。図３は、本発明の第２の実施例の概略側面図である。図４は、図１に示す装置の概略平面図である。図５は、本発明の第３の実施例の概略側面図である。図６は、図１に示す装置の一部を形成する二重塗布ステーションに入るシートの比較位置の概略図である。図７は、図１に示す装置の一部を形成する二重塗布ステーションに入るシートの別の配列を示す。図８は、図１に示す装置の一部を形成する二重塗布ステーションの概略側面図である。図９は、図８の二重塗布ステーションの一部の拡大概略図である。図１０は、図８、９に示す二重塗布ステーションの塗料材供給システムの端面図である。図１１は、図８、９に示す塗布ドラム（３３）の拡大側断面図である。図１２は、二重塗布ステーションの第２の実施例の概略側面図である。図１３は、図１に示す装置の一部を示す拡大概略側面図である。図１４は、図１３に示す真空シリンダ（６１）の拡大端面図である。図１５は、図１に示す接着剤転写ステーションの拡大概略側面図である。図１６は、図１５に示す接着剤転写ステーションの一部を示す拡大側面図である。図１７は、図１６に示す真空箱（９４）の拡大部分平面図である。図１８は、図１６に示す真空ベルト（9５）の拡大部分平面図である。図１９は、図１、３、５に示す装置の操作に有用な別のシート配列の概略平面図である。図２０は、図５に示すシート供給ステーションの拡大側面図である。図２１は、接着剤転写ステーションの第２の実施例の一部の概略側面図である。図２２は、図２１に示す矢印４の方向の拡大部分図である。図２３は、図２２の塗布ロール及び平滑化ストライプの側面図である。図２４は、図２２に示すグラビアリング（７７ｒ）の大幅な拡大図である。図２５は、図１に示す接着剤転写システムの第３の実施例の概略側面図である。図２６は、図２５に示す矢印８の方向の拡大部分図である。図２７は、図２１、２５に示す転写ベルトの１つの実施例の側断面図である。図２８は、図２１、２５に示すような装置の転写ベルトに手で塗布された再貼り付け可能な接着剤を示す顕微鏡写真である。最良の形態を含む本発明の詳細な説明参照符号１シート供給ステーション２シート挿入ステーション２ａ挿入コンベヤ２ｂ挿入シートフィーダ３二重塗布ステーション４シート間隔あけステーション５乾燥ステーション６シートガイドステーション７接着剤転写ステーション８シート重なり合いステーション９シート積層ステーション１０テーブル１１シートの積層１２吸引ヘッド１２ａジェットノズル１３対の供給ロール１４第１のコンベヤ１５停止ゲート１６上塗布システム１７下塗布システム２０挿入シート２１失われるシート２２先行シート２３後続シート２５ａ歯車箱２５ｂ二方向クラッチ３０ニップロール対３１上計量ロール３１３１ｔ下塗上トラフ３２上塗布ロール３２ｃ上逆圧ロール３３塗布ドラム３４下計量ロール３４３４ｔＬＡＢ下トラフ３５下塗布ロール３５ｃ下逆圧ロール３６塗布ドラム内のチャネル３７シートグリッパー３８パッド３８ａ支持シート４０上ノズル４１下塗供給タンク４２ポンプ４３オーバーフロー出口４５下ノズル４６ＬＡＢ供給タンク４７ポンプ４８オーバーフロー出口５０クラスプユニット５１第２のコンベヤ５２クラスプ５３エンドレスチェーン５４ブロアー５５低圧源５６第３のコンベヤ６０エアナイフ６１真空シリンダ６２真空シリンダの端６３真空シリンダの開口部６６真空ポンプ６７真空シリンダと真空ポンプとの間の線６８撓みプレート７０転写位置７１転写ベルト７２テンションロール７３転写ベルト運動の方向７４塗布システム７５接着剤乾燥機７６転写面７７グラビアロール７７ｒグラビアリング７８ポンプ７９接着剤供給タンク８０接着剤トラフ８１計量ロール８２ドクターブレード８４排気ファン８５転写ニップ８６接着剤転写位置を通る重なり合ったシート９０駆動ロール９１逆圧遊びロール９２駆動ロールの溝９３フィンガ９４真空箱９４ａ真空箱の前チャンバ９４ｂ真空箱の後チャンバ９４ｘ前チャンバの開口９４ｙ後チャンバの開口９５真空ベルト９６標準コンベヤ９７追加ロール９７ｐ追加ロールの旋回線９８真空ベルトの開口部９９シートのへり１００機械方向１１０入ロール１１１駆動ロール１１２レバー１１３出ロール１２１分割装置の第１の部分１２２分割装置の第２の部分１３０二重塗布され乾燥されたシートの積層１４０接着剤塗布シートの積層１５０二次シート挿入機２２０ａ転写ベルトの基部層２２０ｂ基部層の前主要面２２０ｃ基部層の後主要面２２０ｄ前剥離層２２０ｅ後剥離層２２０ｇ基部層の刻み２２０ｈ前剥離層の最外面２２０ｉ後剥離層の最外面２２０ｊ剥離層の刻み２２９平滑化ストリップ２３０グラビアリングのセル２３０Ａグラビアリングのセルのパターン線２３６接着剤帯２３９真空ロール２４２塗布ダイ２４５接着剤供給線２４６ポンプ２４７フィルタ定義請求の範囲を含み本明細書で使用する「真空」という用語は、大気圧未満であり、シート部材を所望により除去または保留するのに十分な吸引力を有するいずれの圧力を意味する。構造装置装置（符号なし）は、例えば、紙、ポリマーフィルムまたは金属箔等の箔のいずれの適切な支持体のシート（符号なし）から再貼り付け可能なノート（図示せず）の製造に使用するために特に設計され、特に、下塗材（図示せず）、低接着裏糊（ＬＡＢ）材料（図示せず）及び再貼り付け可能な接着剤（図示せず）を個々のシート（符号なし）に塗布するためのものであり、シートは結果として再貼り付け可能なノートを形成するのに使用することができる。下記の詳述では、他に注意のない限り、シート（予め印刷される）は紙製であると仮定する。紙は、ミネソタ州、セントポールのミネソタマイニングアンドマニュファクチャリング社（３Ｍ）から販売のPost- 紙等の、いずれの適切な紙でもよい。シートが紙から形成される場合、紙シートを加工中に丸まったりしわがよったりする傾向を減じるために、紙シートの機械方向（符号なし）が装置の機械方向１００に平行して走るように、シートは装置を通して運ばれることが好ましい。第１の実施例図１、２に示すように、装置の第１の実施例は、シート路（符号なし）に沿った紙シートの運動を開始するように、連続した紙シート（図示せず）をシート１１の積層から第１のコンベヤ１４へ運ぶシート供給ステーション１を含む。シートフィーダ１から、シートは矢印１００によって示す機械方向にあるシート路に沿って移動する。連続したシートは、(i)シート路の一方の側に位置するシート挿入ステーション２を超えて、(ii)二重塗布ステーション３を通り、(iii)シート間隔あけステーション４を通り、(iv)乾燥ステーション５を通り、(v)シートガイドステーション６を通り、(vi)接着剤転写ステーション７へ続いて移動する。様々なステーション（１〜７）を通るシート運動の制御及び同期は、例えばSi mens PLC135等の中央電子制御ユニット（図示せず）によって行ってもよい。下記に詳述するように、シート挿入ステーション２を使用しないとき、シートはシートフィーダ１を連続した流れで離れ、シート供給ステーション１と二重塗布ステーション３との間に必要とされる空間が減少し、各先行シート２２の後縁（符号なし）は、後続シート２３の前縁（符号なし）と重なり合う。しかし、シートは別々に二重塗布ステーション３を通って運ばれ、そこで、一方の主要面（符号なし）に下塗材を、他方の面（符号なし）に低接着裏糊材を個別に塗布される。二重塗布ステーション３から出たシートはシート間隔あけステーション４で再度重なり合い、疑似ウェブ（符号なし）を形成し、そこで各シートの後縁は後続シート２３の前縁と重なり合う。疑似ウェブは、装置の残りの間中維持されるが、重なり合いの最初の方向は乾燥ステーション５には不満足なものであり、接着剤転写ステーション７には適切ではないため、疑似ウェブがシート間隔あけステーション４を出るときに反対にされる。乾燥ステーション５を通った後（そこで、下塗剤及びＬＡＢ塗膜を乾燥する）、疑似ウェブはシートガイドステーション６を通り、そこでシートは側面を揃えられ整列され、接着剤転写ステーション７を通り、そこで複数の接着剤帯２３６が下塗を塗布したシートの主要面に塗布される。シートは次に積み重ねられ、必要に応じて形を整えられて、再貼り付け可能なノートのパッドを形成する。第２の実施例図３、４に示すように、装置の第２の実施例はシートが二重塗布ステーション３に到達するまでは第１の実施例を複製する。第２の実施例では、シートがひとたび二重塗布ステーション３を通ると、シートは、(i)シート間隔あけステーション４、(ii)乾燥ステーション５、(iii)シート重なり合いステーション８、及び最後に(iv)接着剤転写ステーション７へ運ばれる。このわずかに再構成された装置により、シートは、シートが重なり合う前に、二重塗布ステーション３と乾燥ステーション５との両方を通って運ばれる。第３の実施例図５に概略的に示すように、装置の第３の実施例は、第１または第２の実施例を複製するが、プロセス及び装置を２つの個別の弁別的な部分に分ける。第１の部分１２１は、第１及び第２の実施例に関して述べられたシート供給ステーション１、シート挿入ステーション２、二重塗布ステーション３、シート間隔あけステーション４を及び乾燥ステーション５を含む。第１の部分１２１は、シート積層ステーション９で終結し、そこに二重塗布されて乾燥されたシートの積層１３０が集められる。第２の部分１２２は、シート供給ステーション１の複製で開始し、その中へ二重塗布されて乾燥されたシートの積層１３０が挿入される。第２の部分は、次に、第１及び第２の実施例に関して述べられたシート重なり合いステーション８及び接着剤転写ステーション７を含む。最後に、第２の部分は第１の部分と同様に、接着剤塗布シートを積み重ねるためのシート積層ステーション９で終結する。この分割システムにより、プロセスの各部分を他方とは無関係に実施することができる。従って、シートは、下塗及びＬＡＢを一時に及び／または１つの場所に塗布することができ、接着剤を別の時に及び／または別の場所に塗布することができる。あるいは、プロセスの第２の部分は、その後シートに切断する支持体の連続ロールに下塗及びＬＡＢを塗布する従来のロール対ロール法によって製造されるシート等の、完全に異なるプロセスで製造された二重塗布シートを使用することができる。シート供給ステーション様々な適切なシート供給ステーションが市販されているが、適切なシート供給ステーション１を図１に示す。図１に示されるシート供給ステーション１は、シート１１の積層が位置する垂直に動くことのできるテーブル１０を具備する後縁フィーダである。吸引ヘッド１２が積層１１の後縁（符号なし）上に位置決めされ、後縁によって積層１１から一番上のシート（符号なし）を持ち上げて、シートを前へ動かす。持ち上げられたシートの前進運動は、ジェットノズル１２ａからの空気の噴射によって助けられる。持ち上げられたシートは次に対の供給ロール１３によって取り上げられ、シート供給ステーション１から第１のコンベヤ１４へ運ばれる。吸引ヘッド１２は最初の位置へ戻り、次の紙を拾い上げ、このプロセスを繰り返す一方、第１のシートは依然として対の供給ロール１３の間にある。そのようにして、シートが対の供給ロール１３の間を通り、第１のコンベヤ１４へ供給されるとき、各先行シート２２の後縁（図示せず）は後続シート２３の前縁（符号なし）と重なり合う。重なり合いの長さは、シートの長さ及び吸引ヘッド１２の操作と対の供給ロール１３の取り上げ速度との間の関係による。シート供給ステーション１と二重塗布ステーション３との間の不必要に長い空隙の必要性を避けるために、各シートの重なり合う部分の長さはかなり長いことが好ましい。例えば、各シートの長さの７０％が重なり合うことが、満足して使用することができる。積層１１の高さが減ると、テーブル１０は上へ動き、吸引ヘッド１２に対する所定の垂直位置に積層１１の頂部（符号なし）を維持する。各積層１１のシートはすべて同一のサイズで同一重量であることが好ましい。今述べた型のシートフィーダは、ドイツ、オッフェンバッハのMABEG Maschine nbau GmbH市販の商品番号「４１９８８」を含み、様々な製造業者から市販されている。第１のコンベヤ及び停止ゲートシート供給ステーション１を出るシートは、第１のコンベヤ１４上に置かれ、シート挿入ステーション２を超えて、二重塗布ステーション３の入口（符号なし）の停止ゲート１５へ運ばれる。シート挿入ステーション２が作用していないとき、シート供給ステーション１によって第１のコンベヤ１４上に置かれる重なり合ったシートは、第１のコンベヤ１４上に連続した重なり合ったシートを形成する。各シートが停止ゲート１５に着くと、その前進運動は一時的に停止するが、塗布ドラム３３は正しい位置へ回転して、シートを運んで塗布する。停止ゲートは次に開き、蓄積したシートの１枚が二重塗布ステーション３に入る。停止ゲート１５は、次に後続シート２３の到着前に閉じ、塗布ドラム３３が再び正しい位置へ回転するまでそのシートの前進運動を一時的に停止する。シート挿入ステーションシート挿入ステーション２を使用して、シートの第２の積層（図示せず）から１枚以上のシートを、二重塗布ステーション３へ入る連続したシートヘ挿入する。シート間隔あけステーション４内に形成されるシートの疑似ウェブを壊すのを避けるために、挿入されるシートが、二重塗布ステーション３に供給される連続したシート内に正確に置かれることが重要である。シート挿入ステーシヨン２は、シート供給ステーション１に関連して述べた後縁シートフィーダにほぼ類似した後縁挿入シートフィーダ２ｂを含む。シート挿入ステーション２は、シート路の側面に位置し、シート供給ステーション１と停止ゲート１５との間に位置決めされる。シート挿入ステーション２には挿入コンベヤ２ａが設けられ、挿入シート２０を停止ゲート１５から直接シート路上流へ供給する。挿入シート２０は、いずれの適切な型の材料からも製造することができるが、通常、シート供給ステーション１によって排紙されるシートとはいくつかの点で異なる。挿入シート２０の各定期挿入の間に、シート挿入ステーション２は、挿入コンベヤ２ａに数枚の重なり合ったシートを保持し、シート路に即座に挿入する準備となる。挿入シート２０が、シート路に沿って運ばれる連続したシートに挿入されるとき、シート供給ステーション１の操作は１サイクル分差し止められ、所定の位置でシート供給ステーション１によって第１のコンベヤ１４へ供給される連続したシートから１枚失われる。挿入コンベヤ２ａは、適切な時間に作動され、入シートをシート路に挿入し、失われるシート２１の代わりをする。必要に応じて、複数の挿入シート２０を続けて挿入することができ、その場合、対応する数のサイクルだけ、シート供給ステーション１の操作を差し止めることが必要になる。図６は、停止ゲート１５へ送られる過程にある挿入シート２０を示す。失われるシート２１がシート供給ステーション１を出る連続したシート内で占有したであろう位置は、破線２１によって示される。シート２２は、失われるシート２１のすぐ先行するシートを表す。停止ゲート１５が開き、先行シート２２が二重塗布ステーション３に入るやいなや、挿入シート２０は、失われるシート２１の代わりに停止ゲート１５からすぐ上流へ置かれる。挿入シート２０はシート路の上から挿入されるため、挿入シート２０の後縁（符号なし）は、挿入シート２０がシート供給ステーション１から供給されたかのように後続シート２３の前縁（符号なし）と重なり合う。一定のサイズの紙シートのために、上述の用紙挿入手順は、用紙がシート供給ステーション１から二重塗布ステーション３へ移動する速度を変えることによって、うまく実行することができるだけである。図６を参照すると、先行シート２２の前進運動は停止ゲート１５で停止するにも係わらず、後続シート２３は第１のコンベヤ１４によって停止ゲート１５へ向けて前進し続ける。先行シート２２と後続シート２３との間の空隙（符号なし）の長さはシート２２、２３の長さによる。ある場合には、シート２２、２３の長さは、結果として、先行シート２２の前進運動が停止ゲート１５によって停止されるまで、これらのシートの間にできる開口空隙となる。後続シート２３の前進運動が続くことにより、後続シート２３の前縁は先行シート２２の後縁に接触する一方、先行シート２２は依然として停止ゲート１５で待機している。この状況は、シートがゆがんだりジャムしたりするため、望ましくない。この状況は、第１のコンベヤ１４の速度を必要に応じて減じ、挿入シート２０を収容するために１枚のシートを飛ばすことによって開口空隙が作られるとき、後続シート２３の前縁が先行シート２２の後縁に接触しないことを確実にすることによって避けることができる。そのような減速が必要な紙の特定のサイズは、第１のコンベヤ１４の通常の速度と、シートが停止ゲート１５で保持される時間の長さによる。例えば、Ａ４サイズのシートは、１枚のシートを飛ばすことによって生じる空隙の長さが常に長く後続シート２３の前縁は先行シート２２の後縁に絶対に接触しないため、問題なく扱えることがわかるだろう。Ａ２サイズのシートは、１枚のシートが飛ばされたときでさえ、先行シート２２の後縁は後続シート２３の前縁に必ず重なり合うため、問題なく扱えることがわかるだろう。この後者の状況は図７に示し、失われるシート２１が占有したであろう位置は破線２１によって示される。しかし、Ａ４サイズシートとＡ２サイズシートとの間（それぞれ２１０mm、４２０mm）の長さのシートは、第１のコンベヤ１４の速度を減じる必要があることがわかるであろう。そのような減速（連続したシートに空隙があり、先行シート２２の前進運動が停止ゲート１５で停止するときにシートが互いに接触するときのみ必要である）は、図２に概略的に示したように、シート供給ステーション１の主駆動（図示せず）に連通する歯車箱２５ａ及び二方向クラッチ２５ｂを介して中央電子制御ユニット（図示せず）によって行われる。二重塗布ステーション図１に示し、図８、９に詳細に示すように、停止ゲート１５を通って供給されるシートは、二重塗布ステーション３に入り、ニップロール対３０によって拾い上げられる。ニップロール対３０は、それぞれシート路の上下に位置する上塗布システム１６と下塗布システム１７との間にシートを供給する。上塗布システム１６は各シートの上主要面（図示せず）へ下塗材（図示せず）を塗布し、下塗布システム１７は同時に各シートの下主要面（図示せず）へＬＡＢ（図示せず）を塗布する。上述の国際特許出願公開第９４／１９４１９号公報に特定されるような他の配列と比較して、シートが重なり合わずに二重塗布ステーション３を通って個別に供給されることが本発明の装置の利点の１つである。これによって、各シートの両主要面の実質的に全面領域に下塗及びＬＡＢを塗布することができる。紙は、紙繊維（図示せず）をワイヤメッシュまたはワイヤスクリーン（図示せず）上に蓄積して、蓄積した繊維をスクリーンとスクリーン層とは反対側にある「フェルト」すなわち布層（図示せず）との間に圧縮することによって、通常形成される。これによって「ワイヤ」側と「フェルト」側とを有する用紙を製造する。「ワイヤ」側を剥離材（図示せず）を塗布する側にし、「フェルト」側を下塗（図示せず）を塗布し究極的に接着剤（図示せず）を塗布する側にして、本発明の装置を介してシートを運ぶことも利点がある。各シートは下塗とＬＡＢとを同時に塗布される。下塗とＬＡＢとは、類似の粘性、重量％固体、塗布量等を選択して、塗布を行われるシートが丸まったりしわがよったりする可能性を最小限にする。二重塗布ステーション３で達成された塗布は、塗布ドラム３３上のパッド３８が上塗布ロール３２に当接してシートがニップロール対３０を通ってパッド３８へ供給されるときのみ発生するため、不連続である。塗布ドラム図１１を参照すると、塗布ドラム３３は、矩形横方向チャネル３６を含み、ニップロール対３０から供給されるシートをつかむ従来のシートグリッパー３７を含む。シートグリッパー３７に係合する各シートの部分は、下塗またはＬＡＢを塗布するのには利用できない。塗布ドラム３３の面（符号なし）は、その周囲の半分未満をパッド３８で覆われる。上塗布システム上塗布システム１６は、シート路上に位置する上計量ロール３１と上塗布ロール３２とを含む。上塗布ロール３２は、塗布ドラム３３と協働して塗布ニップ（符号なし）を形成する。塗布ドラム３３及び上塗布ロール３２は、パッド３８が上塗布ロール３２に隣接するときのみ上塗布ロール３２が塗布ドラム３３とともに塗布ニップを形成するように、互いに対して位置決めされる。下塗の供給を保持する上トラフ３１ｔは、上計量ロール３１及び上塗布ロール３２の面、及びロール３１、３２の端（符号なし）にある溝（図示せず）内に密封可能に係合される一対の対向する端壁（図示せず）によって形成される。ロール３１、３２が回転するにつれて、上トラフ３１ｔ内の下塗材は上塗布ロール３２上にフィルムを形成し、塗布ドラム３３のパッド３８上の上塗布ロール３２の下を通るシートへ運ばれる。上塗布ロール３２上の下塗フィルム（図示せず）の厚さ、及び従ってシートに塗布される下塗の量は、下塗の粘性及び上計量ロール３１と上塗布ロール３２との間の接触圧に左右される。与えられた下塗にとって、シートに塗布される下塗の厚さは、上塗布ロール３２に対して上計量ロール３１を動かすことによって、及び上計量ロール３１の回転速度を調節することによって、調節することができる。図１０を参照すると、上トラフ３１ｔは、ポンプ４２によって供給タンク４１から下塗を受ける横方向に間隔をおいた上ノズル４０によって下塗を供給される。上トラフ３１ｔは、オーバーフロー出口４３を有し、それを介して余剰下塗は下塗供給タンク４１へ戻される。下塗布システム下塗布システム１７は、上塗布システム１６の本質的に鏡像であり、シート路下に位置決めされる。下塗布システム１７は、シート路上に位置する下計量ロール３４と下塗布ロール３５とを含む。下塗布ロール３５は塗布ドラム３３と協働して塗布ニップ（符号なし）を形成する。塗布ドラム３３及び下塗布ロール３５は、パッド３８が下塗布ロール３５に隣接するときのみ下塗布ロール３５が塗布ドラム３３とともに塗布ニップを形成するように、互いに対して位置決めされる。ＬＡＢの供給を保持する下トラフ３４ｔは、下計量ロール３４及び下塗布ロール３５の面、及びロール３４、３５の端（符号なし）にある溝（図示せず）内に密封可能に係合される一対の対向する端壁（図示せず）によって形成される。ロール３４、３５が回転するにつれて、下トラフ３４ｔ内のＬＡＢ材は下塗布ロール３５上にフィルムを形成し、塗布ドラム３３のパッド３８上の下塗布ロール３５の上を通るシートへ運ばれる。下塗布ロール３５上のＬＡＢフィルム（図示せず）の厚さ、及び従ってシートに塗布されるＬＡＢの量は、ＬＡＢの粘性及び下計量ロール３４と下塗布ロール３５との間の接触圧に左右される。与えられたＬＡＢにとって、シートに塗布されるＬＡＢの厚さは、下塗布ロール３５に対して下計量ロール３４を動かすことによって、及び計量ロール３４の回転速度を調節することによって、調節することができる。図１０を参照すると、下トラフ３４ｔは、ポンプ４７によって供給タンク４６からＬＡＢを受ける横方向に間隔をおいた下ノズル４５によってＬＡＢを供給される。下トラフ３４ｔは、オーバーフロー出口４８を有し、それを介して余剰ＬＡＢはＬＡＢ供給タンク４６へ戻される。シートは任意に表示を予め印刷してもよい。表示をパッドノート（図示せず）の前面に表すために、ＬＡＢを塗布するシートの主要面に表示を印刷しなければならない。従って、予め印刷したシートを二重塗布ステーション３で塗布するとき、印刷された表示は、下塗布システム１７によってシートに塗布されるＬＡＢで被覆される。このようにして、ＬＡＢは印刷物を保護する作用をし、特に、積層中のすぐ先行するノートに塗布された接着剤によって除去されるのを保護する作用をする。ＬＡＢ塗膜によって提供されるそのような保護によって、予め印刷されたノートのパッドにより強力な接着剤を使用することができる。もちろん、印刷表示は、シートが二重塗布ステーション３から出てから従来の印刷技法を使用して、シートに加えることができる。シートストリッパーシートストリッパー（図示せず）は、上塗布ロール３２、下塗布ロール３５の両方及び塗布ドラム３３の下流側に位置し、シートがロール３２、３５またはドラム３３の周りを巻かず、二重塗布ステーション３を出てシート間隔あけステーション４へ向けて進むことを確実にする。あるいは、図１２に示すように、二重塗布ステーション３は、下塗塗料とＬＡＢ塗料とを同時にではなく順次に加えることもできる。例えば、塗布ドラム３３が除かれ、上塗布システム１６が下塗布システム１７から上流に位置する。上塗布ロール３２、下塗布ロール３５の各々は、それぞれ逆圧ロール３２ｃ、３５ｃを設ける。しかし、そのような代わりの方法は、本明細書に記載の同時塗布手順に関連する利益は提供しない。図１２に示す代わりの実施例も供給トラフ３１ｔ、３４ｔを示し、それぞれ上計量ロール３１、下計量ロール３４へ下塗材及びＬＡＢ材を供給することが注目される。パッド及び支持シート塗布ドラム３３上のパッド３８は、いずれの適切な型の材料から製造される。好適な材料は、天然ゴム及び合成ゴム等の様々なエラストマー材料である。パッド３８は、塗布ドラム３３の周りに巻かれて塗布ドラム３３に取り外し可能に固定される支持シート３８ａに接着剤（図示せず）で固定される。支持シート３８ａとして使用するのに適切な材料として、Mylar^TM等の様々な可撓性のあるプラスチックが挙げられる。パッド３８は、アメリカ合衆国、ミネソタ州セントポールのミネソタマイニングアンドマニュファクチャリング社から1236^TMという商品番号で販売されている物等のネオプレングルーで支持シート３８ａに固定してもよい。支持シート３８ａは、塗布ドラム３３の完全円周の周りに延在することが好ましく、支持シート３８ａの端（符号なし）は、塗布ドラム３３内に形成されるチャネル３６内へ下に延在する。支持シート３８ａは、ボルトまたは小ネジ（図示せず）等の便利な手段によって塗布ドラム３３に取り外し可能に固定されてもよい。そのようにして、消耗品であるパッド３８は塗布ドラム３３に固定的に取り付けられるが、必要に応じて、塗布ドラム３３から容易に取り外して交換することができる。パッド３８が支持シート３８ａに接着される一方、支持シート３８ａが平坦に広げられる場合、可撓性のある接着剤を使用して、パッド３８を支持シート３８ａに固定することが好適である。支持シート３８ａが塗布ドラム３３の形状に一致するようになってからのみパッド３８を支持シート３８ａに固定する場合は、接着剤の可撓性があまり重要でないのは明らかである。パッド３８の隅がパッド３８の耐用期間中に支持シート３８ａからはがれて持ち上がることがないほど十分に接着剤が強力であることを条件にして、いずれの適切な接着剤を使用して、パッド３８を支持シート３８ａに固定することができる。パッド３８は、アメリカ合衆国、デラウェア州WilmingtonのE.I.DuPont de Ne moursが販売のポリウレタン材料、Cyrell^TMから製造されてもよい。下塗下塗は、例として、有機結合剤の水溶液及び劈開無機顔料でよい。より具体的には、下塗材は、ドイツ、フランクフルト／マインのHoechst AGから市販されている結合剤、MOWIOL^TMのおよそ３〜７重量％と、ドイツ、フランクフルト／マインのDegussa AGから市販されている顔料、AEROSIL^TMのおよそ３〜８重量％とを水に混合することによって得られる。シート上の下塗の一般な塗布量は、約０．５gsm〜約１２．０gsmである。下塗の塗布量とＬＡＢの塗布量とは一致することが好ましく、各シートの両主要面をほぼ同一速度で乾燥することによって、一般に濡れたシートを乾燥することに関連してしわがよったり丸まったりすることを減じる。低接着裏糊（ＬＡＢ）ＬＡＢは、アクリレート共重合体、シリコーン、ウレタン及びフルオロポリマーを含むがそれらに限定されない様々な適切な材料のいずれかから選択される。例えば、ＬＡＢは、欧州特許公開第０６１８５０９号に記載の水溶性ＬＡＢ溶液から選択されてもよい。使用してもよい他のＬＡＢ材料は、米国特許第５,２０２,１９０号及び第５,０３２,４６０号に開示されたものを含む。シート上のＬＡＢの一般な塗布量は、約０．５gsm〜約１２．０gsmである。また、下塗の塗布量とＬＡＢの塗布量とは一致することが好ましく、各シートの両主要面をほぼ同一速度で乾燥することによって、一般に濡れたシートを乾燥することに関連してしわがよったり丸まったりすることを減じる。シート間隔あけステーション図１に示し、図８、９に詳細に示すように、二重塗布ステーションを出るシートは、シート間隔あけステーション４に入り、そこでクラスプユニット５０が位置決めされ、二重塗布シートが塗布ニップから出てくるときに把持し、図８に示す第２のコンベヤ５１上に置く。クラスプユニット５０は従来のユニットであり、エンドレスチェーン５３上に担持されるクラスプ５２を含む。チェーン５３の運動は塗布ドラム３３の回転に同期するため、クラスプ５２は、シートが塗布ニップを離れるときに各二重塗布シートを受けるよう位置決めされる。図８を参照すると、ブロアー５４がシート路の下、塗布ニップの出口側に近接して位置決めされ、空気の緩衝を提供し、シートがクラスプ５２によって第２のコンベヤ５１へ向けて運ばれる時にシートを支持する。ブロアー５４は、シートが第２のコンベヤ５１上に置かれる前に、シートの下側に塗布されたＬＡＢを部分的に乾燥するよう作用するヒーター（図示せず）を組み込む。これによって、二重塗布シートが第２のコンベヤ５１へ粘着する傾向を減じる。第２のコンベヤ５１は、クラスプユニット５０のチェーン５３よりも遅い速度で走る。これによって、第２のコンベヤ５１に置かれる各シートの前縁部は先行シート２２の後縁部と重なり合い、重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブを形成する。必須ではないが、一般に、重なり合いの大きさは約１〜２cmである。あるいは、第２のコンベヤ５１は、クラスプユニット５０のチェーン５３と本質的に同一速度で走ってもよい。これにより、第２のコンベヤ５１上に置かれるシートの間の空隙を維持する。シートのそのような配列により、シートは乾燥ステーション５内で個別に乾燥され、それによって、部分的に重なり合うシートを乾燥することから生ずる問題を回避することができる。第２のコンベヤ５１は、低圧源５５に接続される真空コンベヤであることが好ましい。低圧源５５によって作られる吸引は、シートを第２のコンベヤ５１上の適所に保持し、シート間の必要な重なり合い関係を維持する。二重塗布ステーション３とシート間隔あけステーション４とを結合する１つのユニットは、ドイツ、ニュルンベルクのBillhofer Maschinenfabri k GmbHからGulla Speed GS GS 8000^TMの商品名で市販されている。重なり合い逆転システム図１３に示すように、第２のコンベヤ５１上のシートは第３のコンベヤ５６へ移され、乾燥ステーション５を通って運ばれる。シート間隔あけステーション４によってシートが重なり合わされたときにシートの重なり合い位置を逆転するシステム（符号なし）が第２のコンベヤ５１と第３のコンベヤ５６との間に設けられる。このシステムは、(i)シート路の下且つ第２のコンベヤ５１と第３のコンベヤ５６との間に位置決めされるエアナイフ６０であって、シートがエアナイフ６０上を通るときにシートの重なり合った縁部を持ち上げるエアナイフ６０と、 (ii)シート路の上且つエアナイフ６０からわずかに下流に位置決めされて、シートの持ち上げられた後縁部の戻りを引きつけ一時的に遅らせる静止真空シリンダ６１と、を含む。システムは、それによって、各シートの前縁部が、先行シート２２の後縁部が戻る前に紙路に戻って、重なり合ったシートの各セット間の重なり合い関係を逆転する。真空シリンダ６１は、閉鎖端６２と、エアナイフ６０へ向けて方向付けられる真空シリンダ面（符号なし）のその部分を通った複数の開口部６３と、を有する。開口部６３は真空シリンダ６１の中空内部（図示せず）に接続し、中空内部は線６７によって真空ポンプ６６に接続する。真空シリンダ６１は、直径約１５cmであり、開口部６３の３つの列は３０cm離れて間隔をおかれることが便利である。開口部６３は、直径６mmであり、各列の個別の開口部６３は３０cm離れて間隔をおかれることが便利である。真空シリンダ６１によって行われる吸引はシートに影響を与えない一方、シート平面内にあるため、真空は一定して加えることができる。真空は、第３のコンベヤ５６にあるシートの連続した前進運動を妨げることなく、エアナイフ６０によって持ち上げられたシートの後縁を引きつけ保持することを確実にする十分なレベルに加えるべきである。任意に、撓みプレート６８を、図１３に示すように、真空シリンダ６１及びエアナイフ６０の上に位置決めして、エアナイフ６０から発出するエアジェットを真空シリンダ６１へ向けて方向付ける。例えば、エアナイフ６０のみ、または英国特許出願公開第２１６６７１７号に記載のものに類似した機械配列等の他のシステムを使用して、連続した重なり合ったシートの重なり合いを逆転してもよい。しかし、そのようなシステムは、本明細書に記載するシステムによって生じる効率及び信頼性は提供しない。乾燥ステーション図１に戻ると、重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブは第３のコンベヤ５６によってシート間隔あけステーション４から運ばれ、乾燥ステーション５を通り、そこでシート上の下塗及びＬＡＢ塗膜から湿分が除去される。重なり合ったシートは第３のコンベヤ５６によって乾燥ステーション５を通って連続して動き、線速度を不当に遅らせることなくまたは過度に大きな乾燥ステーション５を必要とすることなく、シートが丸まる傾向を減じる速度で乾燥される。乾燥ステーション５は、高周波乾燥機を使用して下塗及びＬＡＢ塗膜を乾燥することが好ましい。適切な乾燥機は、イギリス、バークシャーのProctor Strayf ield Ltd.製造のModel No．SP 890 GF "C"AGであり、この特定のシステムに適合する。高周波乾燥機の使用は好適であるが、必須ではない。重なり合ったシートは、代わりに、赤外線または強制空気加熱システムを使用して乾燥してもよい。あるいは、第３のコンベヤ５６を加熱することもできる。しかし、高周波乾燥機は、その単純さ、低エネルギ消費、熱発生の減少等を初めとする数多くの理由により、好適である。乾燥ステーション５には、制御ユニット（図示せず）が設けられ、システムの線速度に従って乾燥機の電力を自動的に調節する。適切な制御ユニットは、Siem ensからPLC 55-95Ｕの商品名で市販されている。制御ユニットは、システムの操作を適切にモニタし制御するのに必要な情報を送受信するために、システム全体の中央電子制御ユニット（図示せず）と相互接続することができる。シートが第３のコンベヤ５６から持ち上げられる可能性を減じるためにシートが乾燥ステーション５に入る前に重なり合いの方向を逆転するのは好適であるが、図３に示すように、乾燥ステーション５から下流にシート間隔あけステーション４を位置決めすることによって、シートを乾燥してから、重なり合いの方向を逆転することは可能である。シートガイドステーション図１に示すように、乾燥された塗布されたシートは第３のコンベヤ５６からシートガイドステーション６ン移され、そこでシートは、接着剤転写ステーション７を通る前進の準備のために側面を揃えられ互いに整列される。シート重なり合いステーション図３に示すように、シートが乾燥ステーション５を通って個別に供給されるとき、シート重なり合いステーション８は乾燥ステーション５と接着剤転写ステーション７との間に位置決めされ、シートが接着剤転写ステーション７に入る前にシートを重なり合わせる。シート重なり合いステーション８は一対の入ロール１１０を具備し、入ロール１１０は乾燥ステーション５を出るシートを取り上げ、一対の駆動ロール１１１の間にシートを通す。駆動ロール１１１は、シートをレバー１１２へ運ぶ。レバー１１２は、図３に示すように、レバー１１２がシート路内に突出してレバー１１２に接触するいずれのシートの前進運動も停止する第１の位置と、レバー１１２がシート路の下に位置決めされいずれの蓄積したシートも接着剤転写ステーションへ向けて前進運動をすることのできる第２の位置と、の間を旋回する。駆動ロール１１１は、レバー１１２の位置に応じて開位置と閉位置との間を旋回することができる。レバー１１２が開位置に旋回するときに駆動ロール１１１は開き、入ロール１１０から現れるシートは駆動ロール１１１の間を自由に通り、レバー１１２で一時的に停止される。レバー１１２がシート路下の第２の位置へ旋回するとき、駆動ロール１１１は閉じ、ニップを形成し、ニップは、駆動ロール１１１にあるシートを出ロール１１３へ向けて進ませる。ひとたびシートが出ロール１１３によって取り上げられると、レバー１１２は第１の位置に戻り、駆動ロール１１１は開いて、後続シート２３がレバー１１２に突き当たるまで、入ロール１１０からの後続シート２３をレバー１１２へ通らせる。図３に示すように、レバー１１２が第１の位置へ戻る一方、先行シート２２の部分は依然としてレバー１１２上に位置決めされるため、先行シート２２の後縁はレバー１１２によってシート路から持ち上げられる。レバー１１２は次に第２の位置へ旋回して駆動ロール１１１が閉じる一方、先行シート２２の後縁部は依然としてレバー１１２上にあるため、先行シート２２の後縁部は後続シート２３の前縁部と重なり合う。一般に、約１〜２cmの重なり合いは、重なり合ったシートの完全な疑似ウェブが接着剤転写ステーション７へ運ばれるのを確実にするのに十分である。本明細書に記載されたシートの疑似ウェブを製造する特定のシート重なり合いステーション８はシステム全体の必須の特徴部ではなく、同一の重なり合い配列を製造することができる他のいずれの機構も使用することができることが認識される。接着剤転写ステーション揃えられた重なり合いシートは転写位置７０を通り、そこでエンドレス転写ベルト７１に接触し、それに対して接着剤塗料（図示せず）は、転写ベルト７１に沿って長手方向に延在する複数の帯２３６の形状で予め加えられている。転写ベルト転写ベルト７１は、一連のテンションロールの周りを巻きつき、少なくともそのうちの１つが駆動されるため、転写ベルト７１は、矢印７３の方向及び機械方向１００へ進み、転写位置７０を通る。転写ベルト７１は、重なり合ったシートと同一速度で進み、(i)塗布システム７４、(ii)接着剤乾燥機７５及び(iii)転写位置７０を通る。転写ベルト７１は、様々なシリコーンゴム塗布金属及びプラスチックを含む様々な材料から製造することができる。転写ベルト７１は、高周波透過材料から製造することが好ましいため、高周波接着剤乾燥機７５を使用してもよい。本明細書内で使用するように、「高周波透過」は、かなりの熱を発生したり材料を揮発させたりすることなく放射線が材料を通るように、材料が高周波放射線と互いにあまり影響し合わないことを意味する。適切な高周波透過転写ベルト７１は、およそ０．１５mm厚さのシリコーンゴムスキンを両主要面に塗布されるおよそ０．１mm厚さのファイバーガラス繊維基部層２２ａを具備する。転写ベルト７１の１つの実施例を図２７の断面図に示す。この実施例では、転写ベルト７１は、ノースカロライナ州のJ.P．Stevenから市販されている０．００４インチ厚さのファイバーガラスファブリックベルトを具備する基部層２２０ａを含む。基部層２２０ａは、前主要面２２０ｂと後主要面２２０ｃとの両方に０．００３インチ厚さの剥離層２２０ｄ、２２０ｅをそれぞれ塗布される。剥離層２２０ｄ、２２０ｅの最外面２２０ｈ、２２０ｉはグラビアロール７７から接着剤を受ける面を形成し、接着剤を転写位置７０で重なり合ったシートに転写する。基部層２２０ａと剥離層２２０ｄ、２２０ｅとを組み合わせた結果、転写ベルト７１の総厚はおよそ０．０１０インチになる。剥離層２２０ｄ、２２０ｅを形成するのに使用する適切な材料は、ニューヨーク州、WaterfordのGeneral Ele ctric Co.のシリコーン製品部からG.E．SE-100の商品名で販売のシリコーンゴム溶液の分散液である。この溶液は、触媒として、水に対する７８％ベンゾイルペルオキシド溶液に６重量％の固体を含む。剥離層２２０ｄ、２２０ｅは、所望の材料を基部層２２０ａにナイフ塗布し、６０ヤード／時の速度で３６０°Ｆでオーブン乾燥することによって形成することができる。剥離層２２０ｄ、２２０ｅは、転写位置７０で転写ベルト７１から重なり合ったシートへの接着剤の剥離を容易にする。剥離層２２０ｄ、２２０ｅの最外面２２０ｈ、２２０ｉは、滑らかでも表面模様つきでもよいが、転写ベルト７１から重なり合ったシートへの接着剤の剥離を更に容易にするために、表面模様つきまたは包旋状であることが好ましい。最外面２２０ｈ、２２０ｉは、転写位置７０で紙製の重なり合ったシートへ転写ベルト７１から転写する接着剤帯２３６に相補的パターンを課する刻みパターンで模様づけられることが最も好ましい。好ましい刻みパターンは図２８に示す。パターンは主に、基部層２２０ａにある対応刻み２２０ｇから形成される−揃いの刻み２２０ｊを具備する。基部層２２０ａの刻み２２０ｇは、ファイバーガラス層を織る過程中に形成されてもよい。あるいは、基部層２２０ａの刻み２２０ｇのパターンは、剥離層２２０ｄ、２２０ｅの最外面２２０ｈ、２２０ｉにエンボスしても、他の方法で賦課してもよい。剥離層２２０ｄ、２２０ｅの最外面の刻み２２０ｊは、(i)好ましくは４０〜２００ミクロンの幅、最も好ましくはおよそ１００ミクロンの幅と、(ii)好ましくは５０〜１００ミクロンの深さとを有する。刻み２２０ｊは、矩形アレイ内でおよそ１０〜３０ミクロン離れて間隔をおいて配置されることが好ましい。剥離層２２０ｄ、２２０ｅの最外面２２０ｈ、２２０ｉ上のそのようなパターンは、感圧微小球接着剤を塗布するときに特に有用である。微小球接着剤は、剥離層２２０ｄ、２２０ｅの最外面２２０ｈ、２２０ｉで「湿潤する」傾向がある一方、接着剤組成物中にある微小球は刻み２２０ｊに向けて沈下し、各刻み２２０ｊ内に保持される傾向があると思われる。従って、重なり合ったシートへ転写される接着剤は、図２８に示す表面パターンを維持する傾向があり、結果として微小球の均一な分布と優れた接着力とが得られる。前剥離層２２０ｄと後剥離層２２０ｅとは同一の厚さで刻み２２０ｊのサイズ、形状及びパターンが同一にして、そのため、接着剤は必要に応じて転写ベルト７１の前最外面２２０ｈと後最外面２２０ｉのいずれかに塗布し、転写位置７０で重なり合ったシートへで転写される接着剤帯２３６の特性を変化させることなく転写ベルト７１の有用耐用年数を延ばすことが好ましい。もちろん、所望により、主要面２２０ｂまたは２２０ｃの一方のみに剥離層２２０ｄまたは２２０ｅを有する転写ベルト７１を使用してもよい。前途のように、グラビアロール７７を使用して転写ベルト７１に接着剤帯２３６を塗布する場合、接着剤帯２３６のパターンは、グラビアパターンの形状によって更に影響される。従って、グラビアロール７７のパターンと転写ベルト７１とは両方とも、シートに塗布される接着剤帯２３６にある微小球の均一な分布を高める目的で選択される。あるいは、例えば、グラビアロール７７及びシート路の両方に接触する円筒形ドラム（図示せず）を含む他の配列を使用することもできる。従って、今後中間搬送子は転写ベルト７１と称されるが、本発明はそれに限定されるものではないと理解するものである。接着剤転写塗布システム接着剤塗布システム７４は、感圧接着剤の少なくとも１つの長手方向の帯２３６を転写ベルト７１の転写面７６に塗布する。接着剤塗布システム７４は、例として、図１５に示すような逆回転グラビアロール７７、または図２５、２６に示すような塗布ダイ２４２を初めとする数多くの適切な塗布装置のいずれでもよい。グラビアロールグラビアロール７７は、ベルト７１の実質的に全幅（図示せず）にわたってを転写ベルト７１に接触する。グラビアロール７７は、複数のセルまたはキャビティ２３０から形成されて、転写ベルト７１上の接着剤帯２３６の所望の位置でグラビアロール７７の完全円周の周りに延在する少なくとも１つのグラビアリング７７ｒを含む。グラビアロール７７が転写ベルト７１と同一方向に回転する場合、接着剤転写過程は直接グラビア塗布過程として参照される。グラビアロール７７が転写ベルト７１と反対方向に回転する場合、接着剤転写過程はリバースグラビア塗布過程として参照される。本発明ではいずれの配列も使用することができるが、他に特定のない限り、本明細書に示し詳述する過程はリバースグラビア過程をもとにしている。一般に、グラビアロール７７は転写ベルト７１と同一方向にほぼ同一速度で回転するため、接着剤塗布システム７４は、リバースグラビア過程として機能する。図２２は、転写ベルト７１に３つの長手方向の接着剤帯２３６を塗布する３つのグラビアリング７７ｒを描く。グラビアリング７７ｒにある個々のセル２３０を示すグラビアリング７７ｒの表面の拡大図を図２４に示す。見られるように、各セル２３０は一般に、倒立平頭ピラミッドの形態を有する。一般に、グラビアリング７７ｒの１cm長さ当たりセル２３０の約２４パターンの線２３０Ａがある。図２４に示す特定のグラビアパターンは必須ではなく、所望により変更して接着剤帯２３６内の接着剤の分布を変えることができる。あるいは、接着剤塗布シートの意図された使用により、接着剤は、バラバラの接着剤帯２３６内ではなく、転写ベルト７１の全幅にわたって転写塗布することもできる。接着剤トラフ８０はグラビアロール７７のすぐ下に位置決めされ、計量ロール８１の表面に接着剤を供給する。接着剤は、ポンプ７８によって接着剤供給タンク７９から接着剤トラフ８０へ供給される。あるいは、計量ロール８１を削除してもよく、グラビアロール７７が接着剤トラフ８０の接着剤に直接接触して位置決めされる。１つ以上のドクターブレードがグラビアロール７７の表面に係合してグラビアロール７７から余剰接着剤を除去し、グラビアロール７７上の接着剤だけが、単数または複数のグラビアリング７７ｒ内に含まれることを確実にする。これにより、接着剤は、長手方向の帯２３６として転写ベルト７１に塗布される。リバースグラビア塗布過程を使用する場合、重なり合ったシート（符号なし）へ塗布される接着剤帯２３６の均一性は、接着剤を転写ベルト７１へ転写する前にグラビアリング７７ｒに塗布される接着剤の層を滑らかにすることによって改良することができる。図２２、２３に示すように、グラビアロール７７上の接着剤層は平滑化ストリップ２２９によって滑らかにすることができ、平滑化ストリップ２２９はグラビアロール７７に近接して位置決めされて、計量ロール８１から転写ベルト７１へ接着剤がグラビアロール７７に転写されるときに、グラビアリング７７ｒに塗布される接着剤に接触する。平滑化ストリップ２２９は、グラビアロール７７に対して旋回することができ、接着剤を転写ベルト７１へ転写する前にグラビアリング７７ｒに塗布される接着剤に接触する。平滑化ストリップ２２９は、可撓性のあるポリマー材料から製造されるのが好ましく、最も具体的には厚さおよそ０．００１１インチのポリエステルのストリップである。ある適用では、接着剤を転写ベルト７１へ転写する前にグラビアロール７７に塗布される接着剤の平滑化は、再貼り付け可能な微小球接着剤に含まれる微小球の分布を高めることができる。言い換えると、滑らかになった微小球接着剤を重なり合ったシートに塗布する場合、接着剤帯２３６の露出面の均一性は、より大きな制御及び均一接着剤強度を提供する接着剤帯２３６を提供するという利益的効果を伴って改良される。ダイコーター図２５に示す接着剤転写ステーション７は、感圧接着剤を転写ベルト７１へ塗布する塗布ダイ２４２の使用を示す。各塗布ダイ２４２は、転写ベルト７１へ向けて方向付けられるダイスロット（図示せず）を有し、それを介して接着剤帯２３６が転写ベルト７１に塗布される。図２６に示すように、複数の塗布ダイ２４２は転写ベルト７１の幅にわたって間隔をおいておかれ、接着剤帯２３６の所望の位置に位置決めされる。各塗布ダイ２４２は、適切な接着剤供給線２４５を有し、ポンプ２４６及びフィルタ２４７を伴い、それを介して接着剤は接着剤溜め２４８から塗布ダイ２４２へ供給される。あるいは、単一の塗布ダイ２４２に分割スロットが設けられ、転写ベルト７１の幅にわたっていくかの分かれた場所に接着剤を塗布してもよい。接着剤が転写ベルト７１に塗布される速度は、装置の線速度により装置の中央電子制御ユニット（図示せず）の制御下で別の方法で駆動されるポンプ２４６の速度を変えることによって容易に調節される。接着剤帯２３６のダイ塗布は、塗布ダイヘッド２４２の位置を、転写ベルト７１に対して即座に且つ容易に調節できるようにすることによって、塗布過程の適応性を上げる。あるいは、図１９に示すように、重なり合ったシート（符号なし）は、接着剤を塗布した転写ベルト７１へ露出される比較的短い長さの表面を提供するよう配置することができ、接着剤塗布システム７４は転写面７６の全長さ及び幅に塗布するよう構成され配置される。その場合、図１９に示すように、隣接するシート間にかなりの量の重なり合いを提供することによって、各シートは、シートの一方の縁のみに沿った狭いへり９９に沿って接着剤を塗布される。シートは次に積み重ねられてパッドを形成し、シートは接着剤を塗布したへり９９に沿って一緒に保持される。接着剤乾燥機転写ベルト７１上の接着剤塗膜は接着剤乾燥機７５によって少なくとも部分的に乾燥される。例えば、適切な水溶性接着剤の含水量は塗布時に一般に、約５０〜８０重量％の間であり、接着剤乾燥機７５によって含水量約０〜５０重量％まで乾燥することが好ましい。乾燥過程中に実質的に全水分を除去することが好ましい。乾燥した接着剤は、より容易に重なり合ったシートに接着する。接着剤乾燥機７５は、例えば、イギリス、バークシャーのProctor Strayfield Ltd.が製造したModel No．SPW12-73の特定の版等の高周波乾燥機であることが好ましく、一般に、約２７ＭＨｚあるいは約３０ＭＨｚで運転される。接着剤乾燥機７５は、転写ベルト７１の移動方向に約２．５ｍの長さであり、排気装置（図示せず）を有し、それを介して排気ファン８４の助けで接着剤乾燥機７５の内部が換気される。接着剤乾燥機７５には、制御ユニット（図示せず）が設けられ、塗布装置の線速度に従って接着剤乾燥機の電力を調節する。この制御ユニットは、例えば、装置全体の中央電子制御ユニットと相互接続するSiemensのPLC 55. 95Uでよい。高周波接着剤乾燥機７５を使用することにより、転写ベルト７１を大幅に加熱することなく接着剤を乾燥することができる。これによって、転写ベルト７１から接着剤塗布システム７４への、転写ベルト７１へ塗布する前に接着剤を凝固させがちな望まれない熱の転写がなくなる。高周波接着剤乾燥機７５の使用は、比較的単純で低エネルギ消費という利点も提供する。更に、接着剤転写ステーション７は長い予熱を必要とせず、転写位置７０で転写ベルト７１から重なり合ったシートへ接着剤が容易に剥離する。高周波接着剤乾燥機７５の使用が好ましいが、必須ではない。接着剤は、代わりに、赤外線または強制空気加熱システムを使用して乾燥してもよい。しかし、高周波乾燥機は、その単純さ、低エネルギ消費、熱発生の減少等を初めとする数多くの理由により、好適である。更に、接着剤乾燥機７５が転写ベルト７１をかなり加熱する場合、接着剤が凝固する危険を減じるために接着剤転写ベルト７１を冷却する目的で接着剤転写ステーション７に冷却システム（図示せず）を組み込む必要がある。接着剤乾燥機７５には、転写ベルト７１の線速度に従って接着剤乾燥機７５の電力を自動的に調節する制御ユニット（図示せず）が設けられる。適切な制御ユニットは、SiemensからPLC 55-95Uという商品名で販売されている。制御ユニットは、装置の操作を適切にモニタし制御するために必要な情報を送受信するために、システム全体の中央電子制御ユニットに相互接続することができる。乾燥した接着剤塗膜を次に転写位置７０へ送り、そこで接着剤は転写ベルト７１から重なり合ったシートへ転写される。転写位置駆動ロール９０と逆圧遊びロール９１とが転写位置７０で転写ニップ８５を形成する。接着剤を塗布された転写ベルト７１及び連続した重なり合ったシートは転写ニップ８５を通り、そこで転写ベルト７１上の乾燥した接着剤は、接着剤と転写ベルト７１との間の結合力により接着剤と重なり合ったシートとの間の結合力の方が大きいため、重なり合ったシートの第１の主要面に転写される。図１６に示すように、逆圧遊びロール９１には、複数の横方向に間隔をおいた円周溝９２と、複数のフィンガ９３とが設けられ、複数のフィンガ９３は、逆圧遊びロール９１のすぐ下流に位置決めされ、溝９２内に係合して、重なり合ったシート８６が転写位置７０を出た後に転写ベルト７１とともに移動を続け、逆圧遊びロール９１の周りを巻かないことを確実にする。真空ベルト図１６に示すように、重なり合ったシート８６は転写位置７０を出た後、真空ベルト９５によって転写ベルト７１から取り除かれる。転写ベルト７１から重なり合ったシート８６を取り除くことは、各シートの後援部が後続シート２３の前援部と転写ベルト７１との間に位置決めされるという事実により、容易になる。これは、各シートの後援部の除去によって後続シート２３の前縁部が転写ベルト７１から本質的に引かれるため、除去過程の開始を容易にする。真空ベルト９５は、金属ベルトを兼備し、その金属ベルトが金属ベルトの前縁で真空ロールの周りに巻きかけられて真空ベルトを囲繞する、フランス、Mulhou seのHoneycomb Systems Valmet S.a.r.l.が販売しているシステム等の数多くの市販の型及びスタイルから選択することができる。追加ロール９７が駆動ロール９０と最下流のテンションロール７２との間に設けられ、真空ベルト９５の前端（符号なし）から下流にある転写ベルト７１の内部に係合する。追加ロール９７は駆動ロール９０及び下流のテンションロール７２に対して位置決めされ、追加ロール９７から上流で約２〜３度の小角度で真空ベルト９５の前端から離れて転写ベルト７１を傾斜させて、その後、約５度のより大きな角度で真空ベルト９５から離れて傾斜させる。より具体的には、転写ベルト７１は約５０mmの距離で約２〜３度の角度で真空ベルト９５から離れて傾斜し、真空ベルト９５によって行われる吸引が転写ベルト７１から重なり合ったシートを引きつけて取り除くようにし、その後、転写ベルト７１と接着剤塗布シートとの間の距離を増やすために約５度の角度で傾斜する。追加ロール９７は、過程の操作を最大限にするために、転写ベルト７１と真空ベルト９５との間にある当初角度及び最終角度を必要に応じて調節できるようにするために、旋回線９７ｐで主に示される第１及び第２の位置の間を動けることが好ましい。図１７、１８を参照すると、真空ベルト９５は、低圧源（図示せず）に接続される真空箱９４上にある。真空箱９４は、前チャンバ９４ａと後チャンバ９４ｂとに分割され、前チャンバ９４ａは第１の低圧源（図示せず）に接続され、後チャンバ９４ｂは第２の低圧源（図示せず）に接続される。第１の低圧源は、第２の低圧源によって引かれる真空よりも大きな真空を引く。前チャンバ９４ａ内に引かれたより大きな真空によって、シートが転写位置７０を出るときに転写ベルト７１から接着剤塗布シートを取り除くことが容易になる。真空ベルト９５上に必要なより大きな当初吸引を更に容易にするために、前チャンバ９４ａの頂（符号なし）にある開口９４ｘは、後チャンバ９４ｂによって提供される開口９４ｙよりも大きい。真空ベルト９５も複数の開口部９８を含むため、真空箱９４の頂を通して真空ベルト９５の裏側（符号なし）へ加えられる減圧は、真空ベルト９５を介して、真空ベルト９５の上面に位置決めされたいずれのシートと連通し、相互に作用する。真空ベルト９５を通して低圧源によって加えられる減圧は、真空ベルト９５の当初長さ（符号なし）にわたって比較的強力であり、真空ベルト９５の残りの長さにわたって減少する。当初真空は、シートを損傷することなく、重なり合ったシートと添付接着剤帯とを転写ベルト７１から外すほど十分なものでなければならない。重なり合ったシートと添付接着剤帯とがひとたび転写ベルト７１から離層すると、真空は真空ベルト９５上の外れたシートを維持しなければならないだけである。容認可能な最も望ましい減圧レベルは、塗布する接着剤の特定の型及び塗布されるシートの特性を初めとする数多くの要因によって左右されるが、３５０〜５５０ mm Ｈ₂Ｏの範囲（一般に４００mm Ｈ₂Ｏ)の当初減圧が一般に受け入れられ、１５０〜２００mm Ｈ₂Ｏの範囲の減圧が残りの行程に対して一般に受け入れられる。真空ベルト９５は、単一のベルトが真空箱９４の全幅を覆うか、または複数の狭いベルトが真空箱９４の幅にわたって並んで配列されるように構成されてもよい。真空ベルト９５からひとたび外れると、シートは積み重ねられ形を整えられて、例えば、ミネソタ州セントポールのミネソタマイニ名で販売されているような再貼り付け可能なノートのパッドを形成する。本明細書に記載し、図１５、１６に示した特定のシート除去システムは必須ではなく、例えば、(i)機械グリッパー、(ii)図２１、２５に示すように、別の標準コンベヤ９６を組み合わせた転写ベルト７１から重なり合ったシートを外して、外したシートを所望の位置へ送る真空ロール２３９、または(iii)別の真空ベルト９５を組み合わせた真空ロール２３９等の他の適切なシステムと取り替えてもよい。しかし、そのような他のシステムは、本明細書に記載し、図１５、１６に示したシステムに関連する利益は提供しない。本明細書に記載したシート除去システムは、本明細書に記載の特定の装置以外の他のシート塗布装置に使用することもできる。接着剤等の再貼り付け可能なノートを製造するときには、接着剤は、米国特許第５,０４５,５６９号、第４,４９５,３１８号、第４,１６６,１５２号、第３,８５７, ７３１号、第３,６９１,１４０号、再発行特許第２４,９０６号、欧州特許出願公開第４３９,９４１号に記載されたような再貼り付け可能な微小球感圧接着剤が好ましい。他の適切な接着剤は、有機溶剤を含むものを初めとする当該分野で公知のフィルム形成材料を含む。シート積層ステーション図５に示すように、接着剤転写ステーション７を出る接着剤塗布シート（符号なし）はシート積層ステーション９に運ばれ、そこで接着剤塗布シートは積み重ねられ１４０、所望のサイズ及び形状のノートパッドに切断する準備をされる。二次シート挿入ステーション図５に示すように、二次シート挿入ステーション１５０は、接着剤転写ステーション７とシート積層ステーション９との間に位置決めすることができ、シートを積み重ねる直前に裏材料シート等のシートをシート路に定期的に挿入する。シート装置は紙シートの塗布に関連して記載したが、装置は、ポリマーフィルム及び金属箔等の他の材料から製造されるシートを塗布することもできる。所望により、サイズ、重量及び模様づけが異なる紙を使用することができる。例えば、記載の装置は、Ａ２及びＡ４サイズのシートを容易に扱うことができる。同様に、装置は、比較的重量の重いシート（例えば９０gsm）及び低重量のシート（例えば７０gsm）を扱うことができる。操作シート供給ステーション吸引ヘッド１２は積層１１から一番上のシート（符号なし）の後縁（符号なし）を持ち上げて、持ち上げられたシートを前へ進ませる。持ち上げられたシートの運動は、ジェットノズル１２ａからの空気の噴射によって助けられる。持ち上げられたシートは次に、対の供給ロール１３によって取り上げられ、シート供給ステーション１から第１のコンベヤ１４へ運ばれる。吸引ヘッド１２は元の位置へ戻り、次のシートを拾い上げて、第１のシートが完全に対の供給ロール１３を通って供給される前に、次のシートを対の供給ロール１３へ供給する。そのようにして、シートが対の供給ロール１３の間を通って、第１のコンベヤ１４へ供給されるときに、各シートの後縁（図示せず）は後続シート２３の前縁（図示せず）と重なり合う。積層１１の高さが減ると、テーブル１０は上へ動き、吸引ヘッド１２に対する所定の垂直位置に積層１１の頂（符号なし）を維持する。第１のコンベヤ及び停止ゲートシート供給ステーション１を出るシートは第１のコンベヤ１４上に置かれ、二重塗布ステーション３の入口にある停止ゲート１５へ運ばれる。各シートが停止ゲート１５に着くと、その前進運動は一時的に停止するが、塗布ドラム３３は正しい位置へ回転して、シートを運び塗布する。次に停止ゲート１５は開き、蓄積したシートの１枚が二重塗布ステーション３に入る。停止ゲート１５は後続シート２３の到着に先んじて閉じ、塗布ドラム３３が再び正しい位置へ回転するまで、そのシートの前進運動を一時的に停止する。二重塗布ステーション停止ゲート１５は、塗布ドラム３３の回転位置に対するタイミング関係で、シートを二重塗布ステーション３へ放し、シートは塗布ドラム３３の回転ごとに二重塗布ステーション３に供給される。塗布ドラム３３のパッド３８は下塗布ロール３５に接触し、ＬＡＢを塗布される。ＬＡＢを塗布されたパッド３８が上塗布ロール３２に近づくにつれて、シートはニップロール対３０を通って供給され、シートの前縁はシートグリッパー３７によって拾い上げられる。シートは、塗布ドラム３３上の上塗布ロール３２とパッド３８との間に形成される塗布ニップを通って運ばれ、第１の主要面に下塗を塗布される。塗布ニップの力により、パッド３０上のＬＡＢ塗膜はシートの第２の主要面へ移行する。二重塗布シートは次にシートグリッパー３７によって放され、クラスプ５２によって塗布ドラム３３から取り外される。この手順は、二重塗布ステーション３に供給される各シートで繰り返される。停止ゲート１５に待期シートがない場合、その事実は、停止ゲート１５に位置決めされた光電子（図示せず）によって検出され、上塗布ロール３２が塗布ドラム３３から離れて動き、下塗材とＬＡＢ材とが混合するのを防止する。シート間隔あけステーション二重塗布ステーション３を出るシートはシート間隔あけステーション４に入り、そこにクラスプユニット５０が位置決めされ、二重塗布シートが塗布ニップから出るときに二重塗布シートを把持し、第２のコンベヤ５１に置く。チェーン５３の運動は塗布ドラム３３の回転に同期するため、クラスプ５２は、シートが塗布ニップを離れるときに各二重塗布シートを受けるよう位置決めされる。二重塗布シートの下側のＬＡＢ塗膜は、第２のコンベヤ５１上に置かれる前に、ヒーター（図示せず）によって部分的に乾燥される。クラスプユニット５０のチェーン５３に対する第２のコンベヤ５１の速度が、塗布されたシートが個々のシートとして乾燥ステーション５に運ばれるか、重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブとして運ばれるかを決定する。第２のコンベヤ５１がクラスプユニット５０のチェーン５３よりも遅い速度で走る場合、各シートの前縁部は先行シート２２の後縁部と重なり合い、第２のコンベヤ５１上の重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブを形成する。第２のコンベヤ５１がクラスプユニット５０のチェーン５３と同一速度またはより速い速度で走るときは、第２のコンベヤ５１上に置かれるシートの間の空隙が維持される。重なり合い逆転システムシートが重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブとして供給されるとき、重なり合ったシート２２、２３の各対の重なり合った縁に対して空気の別々の噴射を方向付けるようエアナイフ６０のタイミグが合わされる。これは、先行シート２２が第３のコンベヤ３６へ丁度動き、後続シート２３が第２のコンベヤ５１から出て丁度動き始めるときに必ず起こる。エアナイフ６０から発するエアジェットによって、先行シート２２の後縁部と後続シート２３の前縁部とが、図１３の点線によって示すように、シート路から持ち上げられる。先行シート２２の後縁部は、真空シリンダ６１から発せられる吸引の影響を受け、真空シリンダ６１へ向けて引かれ、そこで後続シート２３の後縁部が真空シリンダ６１の表面に対して保持される一方、後続シート２３の前縁部はシート路に戻る。先行シート２２は第３のコンベヤ５６によって前へ運ばれ続けるため、先行シート２２の後縁部は真空シリンダ６１の表面にわたって摺動し、真空シリンダ６１上の開口部６３の最後の列を越えてシート路へ戻る。先行シート２２の後縁部は、今や後続シート２３の前縁部の下ではなく、その上にある。乾燥ステーションシート（個別でも、重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブの形態でも）はシート間隔あけステーション４から第３のコンベヤ５６によって運ばれ、乾燥ステーション５を通り、そこでシートの下塗塗膜及びＬＡＢ塗膜から水分が除去される。重なり合ったシートは、第３のコンベヤ５６によって乾燥ステーション５を連続して動き、シートが丸まる傾向を減ずる速度で乾燥される。シート重なり合いステーションシートが個別に乾燥ステーション５を通して供給されるとき、シート重なり合いステーション８は、シートが接着剤転写ステーション７に入る前に、シートを重ね合わせるために乾燥ステーション５と接着剤転写ステーション７との間に位置決めされる。乾燥ステーション５を出る個別のシートは、一対の入ロール１１０によって取り上げられ、シートを一対の駆動ロール１１１の間に通す。駆動ロール１１１はシートをレバー１１２へ運ぶ。レバー１１２は、レバー１１２がシート路に突出してシート路に沿ったシートの前進運動を止める第１の位置と、レバー１１２がシート路の下に位置決めされていずれの蓄積したシートも接着剤転写ステーション７へ向けて前進を続ける第２の位置との間を旋回する。駆動ロール１１１は、レバー１１２の位置に応答して開位置と閉位置との間を旋回し、レバー１１２が第１の位置へ旋回するときにシートを前進させずに回転し、レバー１１２がシート路の下の第２の位置へ旋回するときにシートをシート路に沿って前進させる。レバー１１２が第１の位置へ戻る一方、先行シート２２の部分は依然としてレバー１１２上に位置決めされるため、先行シート２２の後縁部はレバー１１２によってシート路から持ち上げられる。レバー１１２は次に第２の位置へ旋回して駆動ロール１１１が閉じる一方、先行シート２２の後縁部は依然としてレバー１１２上にあるため、先行シート２２の後縁部は後続シート２３の前縁部と重なり合う。接着剤転写ステーション揃えられて重なり合ったシートは転写位置７０を通り、そこでエンドレス転写ベルト７１に接触し、それに対して接着剤塗料が、転写ベルト７１に沿って長手方向に延在する複数の帯の形態で予め加えられており、少なくとも部分的に乾燥される。接着剤帯２３６は転写ベルト７１から重なり合ったシートの疑似ウェブへ転写され、シートは、接着剤帯２３６に沿って、真空ベルト９５及び／または真空ロール２３９によって転写ベルト７１から取り除かれる。シート積層ステーション接着剤転写ステーション７を出る接着剤塗布シートはシート積層ステーション９へ運ばれ、そこで接着剤塗布シートは積み重ねられ１４０、所望のサイズ及び形状のノートパッドに切断される準備をする。Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates primarily to the application of paint material to a plurality of overlapping individual sheets, such as individual paper sheets. Apparatus and method. Certain aspects of the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for applying a plurality of individual sheets to both opposing major surfaces. BACKGROUND Paint materials often need to be added to paper, and different paint materials may need to be added to both major surfaces of the paper. For example, Post-Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing It is known to apply a primer material to one side of the paper, from which re-stickable notes are cut, and apply a low-adhesive back glue or release material to the other side of the paper. . A reapplicable adhesive is then applied to the top of the paper on the primer. Conventionally, various paints are added to the paper web exiting a continuous roll for the production of re-stickable notes. The coating material is dispersed in a solvent and applied directly to the paper web. The web is dried during application and then wound up, and the applied roll is then cut into sheets used to make notes. The process of making a re-stickable notebook is described in WO 87/05315, in which a release material and a primer material are subsequently applied to opposite sides of the paper web. It may be preferable to add the coating material to the cut sheet instead of the continuous web of paper. For example, in the production of re-stickable notebooks, it is often desirable to use a stack of pre-printed sheets as a source instead of a regular paper web to increase the applicability of the manufacturing process. Furthermore, for environmental reasons, it is desirable to use a more environmentally friendly water-based material in such application processes, away from the use of environmentally destructive organic solvents. It is a further note that many inks are soluble in organic solvents but not water. WO 94/19419 discloses an apparatus and method for forming a re-stickable note pad from a stack of individual uncoated paper sheets. The sheets are fed from the stack to the application station in an overlapping manner, where a continuous layer of a water-based primer is applied to one major surface of the simulated web of the overlapping sheets, while a continuous low adhesive backing (LAB) material is applied. A layer is applied to the other major surface. The overlapped sheets are then dried and fed to a second application station where a band of reappliable adhesive is applied from the endless transfer belt to a simulated web of overlapped sheets at a first application station. Is transferred to the specified surface. The sheets are then glued together into a stack and aligned to form a re-stickable note pad. Application of Individual Sheets In certain application processes, it may be preferable for the sheets to be applied individually rather than in the form of overlapping pseudowebs. However, commercial application stations are generally not designed to apply a continuous web of paper discharged from a large roll and therefore cannot accommodate individual sheets. Accordingly, there is an ongoing effort to develop a commercially viable system that can apply an effective amount of paint material to individual sheets. Reversal of Overlap Direction In certain situations, handling of overlapping individual sheets can be facilitated by reversing the direction of overlap as the sheets pass through certain segments of the application process. When such reversal of the direction of the overlap is desired, the equipment used to accomplish the reversal must function reliably for a wide range of sheet sizes, weights and molds. Conventional systems for applying paint material to sheets have been found to have their own utility, but are not as effective or applicable as desired. Conventional systems for applying a coating material to a sheet using an endless transfer surface include a method of applying the sheet and coating material from the transfer surface when a certain type of coating material and / or a sheet of a certain type and size is applied. When removing, usually encounter problems. Accordingly, an improved method and apparatus for applying a coating material to a sheet is desired, including an improved method and apparatus for transferring the coating material from an endless transfer surface to a sheet. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Insertion of Secondary Sheets The sheet insertion aspect of the present invention provides an effective apparatus and method for periodically inserting different secondary sheets into successive overlapping sheets of an object to be applied. The apparatus comprises: (i) a sheet feeder operable to continuously supply primary sheets from a stack of primary sheets to a conveyor in an end-to-end overlapping relationship with each other; and (ii) at least one secondary sheet. A sheet inserter operable to insert from the second stack into the overlapping primary sheets on the conveyor; and (iii) positioning the coating material to receive the overlapping continuous primary and secondary sheets from the conveyor and dispensing the coating material each time. A coater operable to apply to at least one major surface of the sheet. The method comprises: (a) feeding a primary sheet from a stack of first sheets to a sheet path in an end-to-end overlapping relationship with each other; (b) transporting the overlapped primary sheet along the sheet path; (C) a continuous primary arranged in end-to-end relationship with one another by inserting at least one secondary sheet from the second stack into overlapping sheets conveyed along a sheet path on the conveyor; And forming a secondary sheet; and (d) applying a coating material to at least one major surface of each of the continuous primary and secondary sheets as the sheet continues to be conveyed along the sheet path. Including. Dual Application of Individual Sheet Members The dual application aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for simultaneously applying a water-based coating material to both major surfaces of separate individual sheet members. The apparatus includes: (i) a dual application system positioned to continuously receive one sheet member as the sheet member is conveyed along the sheet path, wherein the first coating apparatus is located on an opposite side of the sheet path. And a second application mechanism, wherein each application mechanism is operable to apply a water-based coating material to a major surface of each sheet, and (ii) applied to the sheet by the application mechanism. A dryer positioned along the sheet path to remove water from the water-based paint material, and (iii) means for arranging the sheets as they exit the dryer in a continuous end-to-end relationship. And (iv) a secondary application mechanism positioned along the sheet path and effective to receive the overlapping sheets and apply a secondary coating material to one side of the overlapping sheets. The method includes: (a) continuously feeding individual sheets from a first stack of sheets to a sheet path; (b) transporting overlapping primary sheets along the sheet path; and (c) along the sheet path. Applying a water-based coating material to the major surface of each individual sheet being transported; (d) continuing to transport the sheet along the sheet path while drying the applied sheet; Means for continuously arranging the dried sheets in overlapping edge-to-edge relationship; and (f) a secondary coating material on at least one major surface of each of the arranged sheets as the sheets continue to be conveyed along the sheet path. And continuously applying. Pad Coating Drum The coating coating drum aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for applying a water-based coating material to at least one of the major surfaces of a separate, separate sheet member. The apparatus comprises an adhesive on an (i) application roll, (ii) a support sheet removably secured over the surface of the application roll, and (iii) a support sheet extending over only a portion of the circumference of the application roll. An elastomeric coating member to be secured, (iv) a nip roll that cooperates with the application roll to form a nip with only that portion of the application roll to be coated with the coating member, (v) a paint material source, and (vi) Means for applying a coating material from a source of the coating material to the covering member on the application roll. The method includes: (a) applying a coating material from a coating material source to a coating member on a coating roll; and (b) applying the coating material to the sheet without transferring the coating material on the coating member to a nip roll. Transporting the individual sheets to a nip formed between the application roll and the nip roll in a manner aligned and aligned with the coating member on the application roll. Reversing the Overlapping Direction The overlapping direction changing aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for reversing the direction in which sheets are overlapped. The apparatus conveys successive overlapping sheets, the trailing edge of each sheet being positioned below a leading edge of a succeeding sheet by a first transport means, and (b) receiving the sheets from the first transport means. (C) positioned between the first transport means and the second transport means to effect a change in the relative overlap position of the sheets, and The sheets received by the two transport means include an array in which the trailing edge of each sheet is positioned above the leading edge of the succeeding sheet. An arrangement that effectively alters the relative overlapping positions of the sheets is defined by (A) directing the flow of air to the overlapping edges of each pair of sheets, with such edges being continuous. A blower that moves away from the plane and (B) means for delaying the next return of the trailing edge of the previous sheet to ensure that such trailing edge is consistently atop the leading edge of the succeeding sheet And A preferred embodiment of the overlap direction changing embodiment of the present invention positions the overlap direction arrangement between the dual application system of the dual application embodiment of the present invention and the dryer. In this embodiment, the sheets are applied one at a time in a dual application system and then placed on the first transport, with the trailing edge of each sheet positioned below the leading edge of the succeeding sheet Is done. The overlapping redirection arrangement reverses the relative overlapping positions of the sheets as the overlapping sheets are transferred from the first transport to the second transport for delivery to the dryer, whereby The trailing edge of the sheet is positioned on top of the leading edge of the succeeding sheet. The method comprises the steps of (i) transporting overlapping sheets on the first transport means, wherein the trailing edge of each sheet is positioned below the leading edge of a subsequent sheet; (Iii) changing the relative overlapping position of the sheets when the sheets are transferred from the first conveyance means to the second conveyance means. Arranging the sheets received by the second transport means such that the trailing edge of each sheet is positioned above the leading edge of the succeeding sheet. Preferred means for altering the relative overlapping positions of the sheets include: (I) blowing a stream of air over the overlapping edges of each pair of sheets so that such edges meet the plane defined by the continuous sheet. (II) delaying the next return of the trailing edge of the previous sheet to ensure that such trailing edge is consistently positioned on top of the leading edge of the succeeding sheet. Step. Removal of the applied sheet from the transfer surface.The sheet removal aspect of the present invention provides for consistent transfer of the overlapped sheet and paint material from the transfer surface used to carry the paint material in contact with the simulated web of the overlaid sheet. Devices and methods are provided that facilitate removal. Sheet removal devices are particularly useful in connection with transfer devices designed to transfer partially dried paint material to a simulated web of overlapping sheets. Briefly, such a transfer device conveys a simulated web of overlapping sheets to a transfer location, where the endless transfer surface moves at the same speed and in the same direction as the simulated web, and paints from the transfer surface to a sheet of simulated web. Contact the major surface of the conveyed sheet for the purpose of transferring material. The coating material is remotely applied to the transfer surface by a dispenser that can apply various types of coating material to the transfer surface in various thicknesses and in various patterns. The sheet removal device includes: (a) a removal conveyor positioned adjacent to a path of a sheet leaving a transfer position; and (b) a pressure reducing source, which is positioned at (A) a position closest to the transfer position, and is positioned from the transfer surface. Providing a vacuum area over a first length of the removal conveyor effective to remove and attach the sheet to the removal conveyor, and (B) the sheet attached to the removal conveyor as the sheet moves away from the transfer position A reduced pressure source operable to provide a reduced pressure area over a second length of the detachable conveyor effective to maintain the reduced pressure. The method includes: (i) transporting a pseudo web of overlapping sheets through a transfer location along a sheet path; (ii) applying a coating material to the surface of an endless transfer surface; and (iii) transferring the sheet. Contacting the first major surface of the sheet of pseudoweb with the applied endless transfer surface as it is transported from the location; and (iv) removing the sheet and paint material from the transfer surface and transferring the applied sheet to the conveyor. Applying a partial vacuum to that location on the conveyor, positioned just downstream from the transfer location effective for attachment; and (v) the applied coating attached to the conveyor as the sheet moves away from the transfer location. Applying a partial vacuum to the balance of the conveyor positioned downstream from the transfer position effective to maintain the sheet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a comparative position of a sheet entering a dual application station forming part of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows another arrangement of sheets entering the dual application station forming part of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a dual application station forming part of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion of the dual application station of FIG. FIG. 10 is an end view of the coating material supply system of the dual application station shown in FIGS. FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional side view of the coating drum (33) shown in FIGS. FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of the dual application station. FIG. 13 is an enlarged schematic side view showing a part of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is an enlarged end view of the vacuum cylinder (61) shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is an enlarged schematic side view of the adhesive transfer station shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is an enlarged side view showing a part of the adhesive transfer station shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is an enlarged partial plan view of the vacuum box (94) shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is an enlarged partial plan view of the vacuum belt (95) shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of another sheet arrangement useful for operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. FIG. 20 is an enlarged side view of the sheet supply station shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a schematic side view of a portion of a second embodiment of the adhesive transfer station. FIG. 22 is an enlarged partial view in the direction of arrow 4 shown in FIG. FIG. 23 is a side view of the application roll and the smoothing stripe of FIG. FIG. 24 is a greatly enlarged view of the gravure ring (77r) shown in FIG. FIG. 25 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of the adhesive transfer system shown in FIG. FIG. 26 is an enlarged partial view in the direction of arrow 8 shown in FIG. FIG. 27 is a side sectional view of one embodiment of the transfer belt shown in FIGS. FIG. 28 is a photomicrograph showing the re-stickable adhesive manually applied to the transfer belt of the device as shown in FIGS. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, INCLUDING BEST MODES Reference numeral 1 Sheet supply station 2 Sheet insertion station 2a Insert conveyor 2b Insert sheet feeder 3 Double application station 4 Sheet spacing station 5 Drying station 6 Sheet guide station 7 Adhesive transfer station Reference Signs List 8 sheet overlapping station 9 sheet stacking station 10 table 11 sheet stacking 12 suction head 12a jet nozzle 13 pair of supply rolls 14 first conveyor 15 stop gate 16 upper coating system 17 lower coating system 20 inserted sheet 21 lost sheet 22 preceding Sheet 23 Subsequent sheet 25a Gear box 25b Two-way clutch 30 Nip roll pair 31 Upper measuring roll 31 31t Undercoating upper trough 32 Upper coating roll 32c Upper reverse pressure roll 33 Coating drum 4 Lower measuring roll 34 34t LAB Lower trough 35 Lower application roll 35c Lower back pressure roll 36 Channel in application drum 37 Sheet gripper 38 Pad 38a Support sheet 40 Upper nozzle 41 Undercoat supply tank 42 Pump 43 Overflow outlet 45 Lower nozzle 46 LAB supply Tank 47 Pump 48 Overflow outlet 50 Clasp unit 51 Second conveyor 52 Clasp 53 Endless chain 54 Blower 55 Low pressure source 56 Third conveyor 60 Air knife 61 Vacuum cylinder 62 Vacuum cylinder end 63 Vacuum cylinder opening 66 Vacuum pump 67 Vacuum Line 68 between cylinder and vacuum pump Flexure plate 70 Transfer position 71 Transfer belt 72 Tension roll 73 Transfer belt direction 74 Application system 75 Adhesive dryer 76 Transfer surface 77 Gravure roll 77r Gravure ring 78 Pump 79 Adhesive supply tank 80 Adhesive trough 81 Metering roll 82 Doctor blade 84 Exhaust fan 85 Transfer nip 86 Overlapping sheets 90 passing through the adhesive transfer position 90 Drive roll 91 Reverse pressure play roll 92 Drive roll Groove 93 Finger 94 Vacuum box 94a Vacuum box front chamber 94b Vacuum box rear chamber 94x Front chamber opening 94y Rear chamber opening 95 Vacuum belt 96 Standard conveyor 97 Additional roll 97p Additional roll swirl line 98 Vacuum belt opening 99 Sheet edge 100 Machine direction 110 Incoming roll 111 Driving roll 112 Lever 113 Outgoing roll 121 First part of splitting device 122 Second part of splitting device 130 Lamination of double coated and dried sheets 140 Adhesive coated sheet Lamination 150 Secondary sheet insertion machine 220a Transfer belt base layer 220b Front main surface of base layer 220c Rear main surface of base layer 220d Front release layer 220e Rear release layer 220g Base layer notch 220h Outermost surface of front release layer 220i Post release layer Outer surface 220j of release layer 229 Smoothing strip 230 Smoothing strip 230 Gravure ring cell 230A Gravure ring cell pattern line 236 Adhesive band 239 Vacuum roll 242 Application die 245 Adhesive supply line 246 Pump 247 Filter definition As used herein, the term "vacuum" means any pressure that is below atmospheric pressure and has sufficient suction to remove or hold the sheet member as desired. Structural equipment The equipment (unsigned) is used for the production of notes (not shown) that can be re-applied from a sheet (unsigned) of any suitable support, for example paper, polymer film or foil, such as metal foil. In particular, a base material (not shown), a low-adhesion backing glue (LAB) material (not shown) and a re-stickable adhesive (not shown) are applied to individual sheets (unsigned). ), And the sheet can be used to form a re-stickable notebook as a result. In the following description, it is assumed that the sheet (preprinted) is made of paper unless otherwise noted. Paper is a Post-Made by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M) in St. Paul, Minnesota. Any suitable paper, such as paper, may be used. When the sheet is formed from paper, the machine direction (unsigned) of the paper sheet should run parallel to the machine direction 100 of the apparatus to reduce the tendency of the paper sheet to curl and wrinkle during processing. Preferably, the sheet is conveyed through the device. First Embodiment As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the device is adapted to start a movement of a paper sheet along a sheet path (unsigned) so that a continuous paper sheet (not shown) is started. ) From the stack of sheets 11 to the first conveyor 14. From the sheet feeder 1, the sheet moves along a sheet path in the machine direction indicated by arrow 100. Successive sheets pass (i) past the sheet insertion station 2 located on one side of the sheet path, (ii) through the dual application station 3, (iii) through the sheet spacing station 4, (iv). It passes through the drying station 5, (v) through the sheet guide station 6, and (vi) continues to the adhesive transfer station 7. Control and synchronization of seat movement through the various stations (1-7) may be performed by a central electronic control unit (not shown) such as, for example, Simens PLC135. When the sheet insertion station 2 is not used, the sheets leave the sheet feeder 1 in a continuous flow, as will be described in more detail below, reducing the space required between the sheet supply station 1 and the dual application station 3 However, the trailing edge (unsigned) of each preceding sheet 22 overlaps the leading edge (unsigned) of the succeeding sheet 23. However, the sheets are conveyed separately through the dual application station 3 where the primary surface (unsigned) is individually coated with a primer and the other surface (unsigned) is coated with a low-adhesion backing material. You. The sheets exiting the dual application station 3 overlap again at the sheet spacing station 4 to form a pseudoweb (unsigned), where the trailing edge of each sheet overlaps the leading edge of the succeeding sheet 23. The spurious web is maintained throughout the rest of the apparatus, but the initial direction of overlap is unsatisfactory for the drying station 5 and is not suitable for the adhesive transfer station 7 so that the spurious web is Opposite when leaving station 4. After passing through the drying station 5 (where the primer and LAB coating are dried), the simulated web passes through a sheet guide station 6, where the sheets are aligned and aligned, pass through an adhesive transfer station 7, and there. A plurality of adhesive strips 236 are applied to the major surface of the primed sheet. The sheets are then stacked and shaped as needed to form a re-stickable note pad. Second Embodiment As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a second embodiment of the apparatus duplicates the first embodiment until the sheet reaches the dual application station 3. In a second embodiment, once the sheet has passed the dual application station 3, the sheet is (i) sheet spacing station 4, (ii) drying station 5, (iii) sheet overlapping station 8, and finally ( iv) It is carried to the adhesive transfer station 7. With this slightly reconfigured device, the sheet is conveyed through both the dual application station 3 and the drying station 5 before the sheets overlap. Third Embodiment As schematically shown in FIG. 5, a third embodiment of the apparatus duplicates the first or second embodiment, but separates the process and the apparatus into two separate and distinctive parts. Separate. The first part 121 includes a sheet supply station 1, a sheet insertion station 2, a double application station 3, a sheet spacing station 4, and a drying station 5 as described with respect to the first and second embodiments. The first part 121 ends at the sheet stacking station 9 where the double coated and dried sheet stack 130 is collected. The second part 122 begins with a copy of the sheet supply station 1 into which the double coated and dried sheet stack 130 is inserted. The second part then includes a sheet overlap station 8 and an adhesive transfer station 7 described with respect to the first and second embodiments. Finally, the second part, like the first part, terminates at a sheet laminating station 9 for stacking adhesive coated sheets. This partitioning system allows each part of the process to be performed independently of the other. Thus, the sheet may have the primer and LAB applied at one time and / or in one location, and the adhesive may be applied at another time and / or in another location. Alternatively, the second part of the process is a two-part process manufactured by a completely different process, such as a sheet made by a conventional roll-to-roll process in which a continuous roll of support is primed and LAB is subsequently cut into sheets. Heavy application sheets can be used. Sheet Feeding Station Although a variety of suitable sheet feeding stations are commercially available, a suitable sheet feeding station 1 is shown in FIG. The sheet supply station 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a trailing edge feeder comprising a vertically movable table 10 on which a stack of sheets 11 is located. The suction head 12 is positioned on the trailing edge (unsigned) of the stack 11 and lifts the top sheet (unsigned) from the stack 11 by the trailing edge to move the sheet forward. The forward movement of the lifted sheet is assisted by the ejection of air from the jet nozzle 12a. The lifted sheet is then picked up by a pair of supply rolls 13 and transported from the sheet supply station 1 to a first conveyor 14. The suction head 12 returns to the initial position, picks up the next paper and repeats this process, while the first sheet is still between the pair of supply rolls 13. As such, when a sheet passes between the pair of supply rolls 13 and is fed to the first conveyor 14, the trailing edge (not shown) of each preceding sheet 22 becomes the leading edge (not numbered) of the succeeding sheet 23. ) And overlap. The length of the overlap depends on the length of the sheet and the relationship between the operation of the suction head 12 and the pick-up speed of the paired supply rolls 13. To avoid the need for unnecessarily long gaps between the sheet feeding station 1 and the dual application station 3, the length of the overlapping portion of each sheet is preferably quite long. For example, overlapping 70% of the length of each sheet can be used satisfactorily. As the height of the stack 11 decreases, the table 10 moves up, maintaining the top (unsigned) of the stack 11 in a predetermined vertical position with respect to the suction head 12. It is preferable that all sheets of each laminate 11 have the same size and the same weight. Sheet feeders of the type just described are commercially available from various manufacturers, including MABEG Maschine nbau GmbH, Offenbach, Germany under the product number "41988". First Conveyor and Stop Gate Sheets exiting the sheet supply station 1 are placed on a first conveyor 14 and beyond the sheet insertion station 2 to a stop gate 15 at the entrance (unsigned) of the dual application station 3. Carried. When the sheet insertion station 2 is inactive, the overlapping sheets placed on the first conveyor 14 by the sheet supply station 1 form a continuous overlapping sheet on the first conveyor 14. When each sheet arrives at the stop gate 15, its forward movement is temporarily stopped, but the application drum 33 is rotated to the correct position to carry the sheet and apply it. The stop gate is then opened and one of the accumulated sheets enters the dual application station 3. The stop gate 15 closes before the next sheet 23 arrives, and temporarily stops the forward movement of the sheet until the coating drum 33 rotates again to the correct position. Sheet Insertion Station The sheet insertion station 2 is used to insert one or more sheets from a second stack of sheets (not shown) into successive sheets entering the dual application station 3. It is important that the inserted sheet is accurately placed in a continuous sheet fed to the dual application station 3 in order to avoid breaking the spurious web of sheets formed in the sheet spacing station 4. is there. The sheet insertion station 2 includes a trailing edge insertion sheet feeder 2b that is substantially similar to the trailing edge sheet feeder described in connection with the sheet supply station 1. The sheet insertion station 2 is located on the side of the sheet path and is positioned between the sheet supply station 1 and the stop gate 15. The sheet insertion station 2 is provided with an insertion conveyor 2a, and supplies the inserted sheet 20 directly from the stop gate 15 to the upstream of the sheet path. The insert sheet 20 can be made from any suitable type of material, but typically differs in some respects from the sheet discharged by the sheet supply station 1. During each periodic insertion of the insertion sheet 20, the sheet insertion station 2 holds several overlapping sheets on the insertion conveyor 2a and is ready for immediate insertion into the sheet path. When the inserted sheet 20 is inserted into a continuous sheet being conveyed along the sheet path, the operation of the sheet supply station 1 is suspended for one cycle and is supplied to the first conveyor 14 by the sheet supply station 1 at a predetermined position. One sheet is lost from a continuous sheet. The insertion conveyor 2a is activated at the appropriate time and inserts the incoming sheet into the sheet path, replacing the lost sheet 21. If necessary, a plurality of insertion sheets 20 can be inserted successively, in which case it is necessary to suspend the operation of the sheet supply station 1 for a corresponding number of cycles. FIG. 6 shows the insertion sheet 20 in the process of being sent to the stop gate 15. The position where the lost sheet 21 would have occupied in successive sheets exiting the sheet feed station 1 is indicated by the dashed line 21. Sheet 22 represents the sheet immediately preceding sheet 21 to be lost. As soon as the stop gate 15 opens and the preceding sheet 22 enters the dual application station 3, the insert sheet 20 is placed immediately upstream from the stop gate 15 instead of the lost sheet 21. Since the insertion sheet 20 is inserted from above the sheet path, the trailing edge (unsigned) of the insertion sheet 20 becomes the leading edge (unsigned) of the succeeding sheet 23 as if the insertion sheet 20 was supplied from the sheet feeding station 1. Overlap with. For a fixed size paper sheet, the above paper insertion procedure can only be successfully performed by changing the speed at which the paper moves from the sheet supply station 1 to the dual application station 3. Referring to FIG. 6, although the forward movement of the preceding sheet 22 is stopped at the stop gate 15, the succeeding sheet 23 continues to advance toward the stop gate 15 by the first conveyor 14. The length of the gap (unsigned) between the preceding sheet 22 and the succeeding sheet 23 depends on the length of the sheets 22,23. In some cases, the length of the sheets 22, 23 will result in an open air gap between the preceding sheets 22 until the advancement of the preceding sheets 22 is stopped by the stop gate 15. As the forward movement of the succeeding sheet 23 continues, the leading edge of the succeeding sheet 23 contacts the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22, while the preceding sheet 22 is still waiting at the stop gate 15. This situation is undesirable because the sheet may buckle or jam. This situation is such that the leading edge of the succeeding sheet 23 is advanced when the opening gap is created by reducing the speed of the first conveyor 14 as necessary and skipping one sheet to accommodate the insert sheet 20. This can be avoided by ensuring that the trailing edge of the sheet 22 is not contacted. The particular size of the paper that requires such deceleration depends on the normal speed of the first conveyor 14 and the length of time the sheet is held at the stop gate 15. For example, it can be understood that the A4 size sheet can be handled without any problem because the length of the gap generated by skipping one sheet is always long and the leading edge of the succeeding sheet 23 never contacts the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22. right. It can be seen that the A2 size sheet can be handled without any problem even when one sheet is skipped because the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22 always overlaps the leading edge of the succeeding sheet 23. This latter situation is shown in FIG. 7, where the position that the lost sheet 21 would have occupied is indicated by the dashed line 21. However, it will be appreciated that sheets between A4 and A2 size sheets (210 mm and 420 mm respectively) will require the speed of the first conveyor 14 to be reduced. Such a deceleration (a gap in successive sheets, which is only necessary when the forward movements of the preceding sheet 22 come into contact with each other when stopping at the stop gate 15), as shown schematically in FIG. The operation is performed by a central electronic control unit (not shown) via a gear box 25a and a two-way clutch 25b communicating with a main drive (not shown) of the sheet feeding station 1. Dual Coating Station As shown in FIG. 1 and shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9, the sheet fed through the stop gate 15 enters the double coating station 3 and is picked up by a nip roll pair 30. The nip roll pair 30 feeds a sheet between an upper coating system 16 and a lower coating system 17 located above and below the sheet path, respectively. The top application system 16 applies an undercoat material (not shown) to the upper major surface (not shown) of each sheet, and the lower application system 17 simultaneously applies a LAB (shown) to the lower major surface (not shown) of each sheet. Is applied. Compared to other arrangements as specified in the above-mentioned WO 94/19419, it is an aspect of the present invention that the sheets are fed individually through the dual application station 3 without overlapping. This is one of the advantages of the device. This allows the undercoat and LAB to be applied to substantially the entire area of both main surfaces of each sheet. The paper accumulates paper fibers (not shown) on a wire mesh or screen (not shown) and deposits the accumulated fibers on a "felt" or fabric layer (shown) opposite the screen and screen layers. ) Are usually formed by compression between This produces a paper having a "wire" side and a "felt" side. The “wire” side is the side to which a release material (not shown) is applied, and the “felt” side is the side to which an undercoat (not shown) is applied and ultimately an adhesive (not shown) is applied. It is also advantageous to carry the sheet through the device of the invention. Each sheet is simultaneously coated with a primer and LAB. Primer and LAB are selected with similar viscosities, weight percent solids, laydowns, etc. to minimize the likelihood of the coated sheet curling or wrinkling. The coating achieved in the dual coating station 3 occurs only when the pad 38 on the coating drum 33 abuts on the upper coating roll 32 and the sheet is fed to the pad 38 through the nip roll pair 30 and is therefore discontinuous. It is. Application Drum Referring to FIG. 11, the application drum 33 includes a rectangular lateral channel 36 and includes a conventional sheet gripper 37 that grasps the sheet supplied from the nip roll pair 30. The portion of each sheet that engages the sheet gripper 37 is not available for applying a primer or LAB. The surface (unsigned) of the application drum 33 is covered with a pad 38 on less than half of its periphery. Upper coating system The upper coating system 16 includes an upper measuring roll 31 and an upper coating roll 32 located on a sheet path. The upper coating roll 32 forms a coating nip (no reference numeral) in cooperation with the coating drum 33. The application drum 33 and the upper application roll 32 are positioned relative to each other such that the upper application roll 32 forms an application nip with the application drum 33 only when the pad 38 is adjacent to the upper application roll 32. The upper trough 31t, which holds the supply of the undercoat, is sealingly engaged in a groove (not shown) at the surface of the upper metering roll 31 and the upper coating roll 32, and at the end (unsigned) of the rolls 31, 32. Formed by a pair of opposite end walls (not shown). As the rolls 31, 32 rotate, the undercoat material in the upper trough 31t forms a film on the upper application roll 32 and is conveyed to a sheet passing under the upper application roll 32 on the pad 38 of the application drum 33. The thickness of the undercoat film (not shown) on the top coat roll 32, and thus the amount of base coat applied to the sheet, depends on the viscosity of the base coat and the contact pressure between the top metering roll 31 and the top coat roll 32. Is done. For a given undercoat, the thickness of the undercoat applied to the sheet is adjusted by moving the upper metering roll 31 relative to the upper application roll 32, and by adjusting the rotational speed of the upper metering roll 31. Can be. Referring to FIG. 10, upper trough 31t is supplied with primer by laterally spaced upper nozzles 40 which receive primer from supply tank 41 by pump. The upper trough 31t has an overflow outlet 43, through which excess undercoat is returned to the undercoat supply tank 41. Undercoating System Undercoating system 17 is essentially a mirror image of upper coating system 16 and is positioned below the sheet path. The lower coating system 17 includes a lower measuring roll 34 and a lower coating roll 35 located on the sheet path. The lower coating roll 35 forms a coating nip (no symbol) in cooperation with the coating drum 33. The coating drum 33 and the lower coating roll 35 are positioned with respect to each other such that the lower coating roll 35 forms a coating nip with the coating drum 33 only when the pad 38 is adjacent to the lower coating roll 35. The lower trough 34t, which holds the supply of LAB, is sealingly engaged in a groove (not shown) at the surface of the lower metering roll 34 and the lower application roll 35, and at the ends (not numbered) of the rolls 34, 35. Formed by a pair of opposite end walls (not shown). As the rolls 34, 35 rotate, the LAB material in the lower trough 34t forms a film on the lower application roll 35 and is conveyed to a sheet passing over the lower application roll 35 on the pad 38 of the application drum 33. The thickness of the LAB film (not shown) on the lower application roll 35, and thus the amount of LAB applied to the sheet, depends on the viscosity of the LAB and the contact pressure between the lower metering roll 34 and the lower application roll 35. Is done. For a given LAB, the thickness of the LAB applied to the sheet can be adjusted by moving the lower metering roll 34 relative to the lower application roll 35 and by adjusting the rotation speed of the metering roll 34. it can. Referring to FIG. 10, lower trough 34t is supplied with LAB by laterally spaced lower nozzles 45 which receive LAB from supply tank 46 by pump 47. The lower trough 34t has an overflow outlet 48, through which excess LAB is returned to the LAB supply tank 46. The display of the sheet may be arbitrarily printed in advance. In order for the indicia to appear on the front of the pad note (not shown), the indicia must be printed on the major surface of the sheet to which the LAB is applied. Thus, when a pre-printed sheet is applied at the dual application station 3, the printed indicia is covered with the LAB applied to the sheet by the undercoating system 17. In this way, the LAB acts to protect the printed matter, in particular, from being removed by the adhesive applied to the immediately preceding notebook in the stack. Such protection provided by the LAB coating allows for the use of stronger adhesives on pre-printed note pads. Of course, the printed indicia can be added to the sheet using conventional printing techniques after the sheet exits the dual application station 3. Sheet Stripper The sheet stripper (not shown) is located on both the upper coating roll 32 and the lower coating roll 35 and on the downstream side of the coating drum 33 so that the sheet does not wrap around the roll 32, 35 or the drum 33, Ensure exiting application station 3 and proceeding to sheet spacing station 4. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12, the dual coating station 3 can add the primer and LAB paint sequentially instead of simultaneously. For example, the application drum 33 is removed and the upper application system 16 is located upstream from the lower application system 17. Each of the upper coating roll 32 and the lower coating roll 35 is provided with a back pressure roll 32c, 35c, respectively. However, such alternative methods do not provide the benefits associated with the co-application procedure described herein. It is noted that the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 12 also shows the supply troughs 31t and 34t, supplying the undercoat material and the LAB material to the upper weighing roll 31 and the lower weighing roll 34, respectively. Pads and Supporting Sheets The pads 38 on the application drum 33 are made from any suitable type of material. Suitable materials are various elastomeric materials such as natural rubber and synthetic rubber. The pad 38 is fixed with an adhesive (not shown) to a support sheet 38 a which is wound around the coating drum 33 and is detachably fixed to the coating drum 33. A suitable material for use as the support sheet 38a is Mylar ^TM And various flexible plastics. Pad 38 was obtained from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn., USA. ^TM May be fixed to the support sheet 38a with neoprene glue such as a product sold under the product number. The support sheet 38a preferably extends around the full circumference of the application drum 33, and the end (unsigned) of the support sheet 38a extends down into a channel 36 formed in the application drum 33. I do. The support sheet 38a may be removably secured to the application drum 33 by convenient means such as bolts or machine screws (not shown). In this way, the consumable pad 38 is fixedly attached to the coating drum 33, but can be easily removed from the coating drum 33 and replaced as needed. If the pad 38 is bonded to the support sheet 38a while the support sheet 38a is spread flat, it is preferable to use a flexible adhesive to secure the pad 38 to the support sheet 38a. If the pad 38 is fixed to the support sheet 38a only after the support sheet 38a conforms to the shape of the application drum 33, it is clear that the flexibility of the adhesive is not so important. Using any suitable adhesive, provided that the adhesive is strong enough that the corners of the pad 38 do not detach from the support sheet 38a and lift during the life of the pad 38, the pad 38 Can be fixed to the support sheet 38a. Pad 38 is a polyurethane material sold by EIDuPont de Nemours of Wilmington, Delaware, USA, Cyrell ^TM May be manufactured from. Undercoat The undercoat may be, for example, an aqueous solution of an organic binder and a cleaved inorganic pigment. More specifically, the primer is MOWIOL, a binder commercially available from Hoechst AG of Frankfurt / Main, Germany. ^TM AEROSIL, a pigment commercially available from Degussa AG, Frankfurt / Main, Germany ^TM About 3 to 8% by weight of water in water. Typical laydowns of the primer on the sheet are from about 0.5 gsm to about 12.0 gsm. Preferably, the amount of undercoat and the amount of LAB are consistent, and drying both major surfaces of each sheet at approximately the same rate generally results in wrinkles or rounds associated with drying wet sheets. Reduce rolling. Low Adhesive Back Glue (LAB) The LAB is selected from any of a variety of suitable materials including, but not limited to, acrylate copolymers, silicones, urethanes and fluoropolymers. For example, the LAB may be selected from the water-soluble LAB solutions described in EP-A-0618509. Other LAB materials that may be used include those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,202,190 and 5,032,460. Typical LAB coverage on the sheet is from about 0.5 gsm to about 12.0 gsm. Also, it is preferable that the amount of the undercoat and the amount of the LAB coincide with each other, and by drying both major surfaces of each sheet at substantially the same speed, wrinkles generally occur in connection with drying a wet sheet. Reduces curling and curling. Sheet Spacing Station As shown in FIG. 1 and shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9, sheets exiting the dual application station enter the sheet spacing station 4 where the clasp unit 50 is positioned and the dual application sheet is When coming out of the application nip, it is grasped and placed on the second conveyor 51 shown in FIG. Clasp unit 50 is a conventional unit and includes a clasp 52 carried on an endless chain 53. As the movement of the chain 53 is synchronized with the rotation of the applicator drum 33, the clasp 52 is positioned to receive each double-applied sheet as the sheet leaves the applicator nip. Referring to FIG. 8, a blower 54 is positioned beneath the sheet path and proximate the exit side of the application nip to provide air cushioning and as the sheet is conveyed by the clasp 52 toward the second conveyor 51. I support. The blower 54 incorporates a heater (not shown) that acts to partially dry the LAB applied to the underside of the sheet before the sheet is placed on the second conveyor 51. This reduces the tendency of the double coated sheet to stick to the second conveyor 51. The second conveyor 51 runs at a lower speed than the chain 53 of the clasp unit 50. As a result, the leading edge of each sheet placed on the second conveyor 51 overlaps the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22, forming a pseudo web of overlapping sheets. Typically, but not necessarily, the size of the overlap is about 1-2 cm. Alternatively, the second conveyor 51 may run at essentially the same speed as the chain 53 of the clasp unit 50. This maintains the gap between the sheets placed on the second conveyor 51. Such an arrangement of the sheets allows the sheets to be dried individually in the drying station 5, thereby avoiding problems arising from drying the partially overlapping sheets. The second conveyor 51 is preferably a vacuum conveyor connected to the low pressure source 55. The suction created by the low pressure source 55 holds the sheets in place on the second conveyor 51 and maintains the necessary overlapping relationship between the sheets. One unit connecting the double application station 3 and the sheet spacing station 4 is a Gulla Speed GS GS 8000 from Billhofer Maschinenfabrik GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany. ^TM It is commercially available under the trade name. Overlap Reversing System As shown in FIG. 13, the sheets on the second conveyor 51 are transferred to a third conveyor 56 and conveyed through the drying station 5. A system (not numbered) is provided between the second conveyor 51 and the third conveyor 56 for reversing the overlap position of the sheets when they are overlapped by the sheet spacing station 4. The system includes (i) an air knife 60 positioned below the sheet path and between the second conveyor 51 and the third conveyor 56, the overlapping edges of the sheet as the sheet passes over the air knife 60. (Ii) a stationary vacuum cylinder 61 positioned above the sheet path and slightly downstream from the air knife 60 to attract and temporarily delay the return of the raised trailing edge of the sheet. . The system thereby reverses the overlapping relationship between each set of overlapping sheets, with the leading edge of each sheet returning to the paper path before the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22 returns. The vacuum cylinder 61 has a closed end 62 and a plurality of openings 63 through that portion of the vacuum cylinder surface (not numbered) directed toward the air knife 60. The opening 63 is connected to a hollow interior (not shown) of the vacuum cylinder 61, and the hollow interior is connected to a vacuum pump 66 by a wire 67. The vacuum cylinder 61 is approximately 15 cm in diameter, and the three rows of openings 63 are conveniently spaced 30 cm apart. The openings 63 are 6 mm in diameter and the individual openings 63 in each row are conveniently spaced 30 cm apart. The suction provided by the vacuum cylinder 61 does not affect the sheet, while being in the plane of the sheet, the vacuum can be applied constantly. The vacuum should be applied at a sufficient level to ensure that the trailing edge of the sheet lifted by the air knife 60 is attracted and retained without impeding the continuous forward movement of the sheet on the third conveyor 56. Optionally, a flexure plate 68 is positioned over the vacuum cylinder 61 and air knife 60 as shown in FIG. 13 to direct an air jet emanating from the air knife 60 toward the vacuum cylinder 61. For example, the air knife 60 alone or other systems such as a mechanical arrangement similar to that described in GB-A-2166717 may be used to reverse the overlap of successive overlapping sheets. However, such systems do not provide the efficiency and reliability provided by the systems described herein. Drying Station Returning to FIG. 1, the simulated web of overlapping sheets is conveyed from the sheet spacing station 4 by a third conveyor 56 and passes through the drying station 5 where moisture is removed from the primer and LAB coatings on the sheets. Is done. The overlapping sheets are continuously moved through the drying station 5 by the third conveyor 56 and reduce the tendency of the sheets to curl without unduly slowing the linear speed or requiring excessively large drying stations 5. And dried. The drying station 5 preferably uses an induction dryer to dry the undercoat and LAB coating. A suitable dryer is Proctor Strayfield Ltd., Berkshire, UK. Manufacturing Model No. SP 890 GF "C" AG, fits this particular system. The use of a high frequency dryer is preferred but not required. The overlapping sheets may alternatively be dried using an infrared or forced air heating system. Alternatively, the third conveyor 56 can be heated. However, high frequency dryers are preferred for a number of reasons, including their simplicity, low energy consumption, reduced heat generation, and the like. The drying station 5 is provided with a control unit (not shown) for automatically adjusting the power of the dryer according to the linear speed of the system. A suitable control unit is commercially available from Siemens under the trade name PLC 55-95U. The control unit can be interconnected with a central electronic control unit (not shown) for the entire system to send and receive information necessary to properly monitor and control the operation of the system. It is preferred to reverse the direction of overlap before the sheets enter the drying station 5 to reduce the likelihood of the sheets being lifted from the third conveyor 56, but as shown in FIG. By positioning the sheet spacing station 4 at the end, it is possible to dry the sheets and then reverse the direction of overlap. Sheet Guide Station As shown in FIG. 1, the dried applied sheet is transferred from a third conveyor 56 to a sheet guide station 6 where the sheet is flared in preparation for advancement through an adhesive transfer station 7. Are aligned and aligned with each other. Sheet Stacking Station As shown in FIG. 3, when sheets are fed individually through the drying station 5, the sheet stacking station 8 is positioned between the drying station 5 and the adhesive transfer station 7, and the sheet is The sheets are overlapped before entering the transfer station 7. The sheet stacking station 8 includes a pair of input rolls 110 that pick up sheets exiting the drying station 5 and pass the sheets between a pair of drive rolls 111. The drive roll 111 carries the sheet to the lever 112. As shown in FIG. 3, the lever 112 has a first position where the lever 112 projects into the sheet path and stops any forward movement of any sheet that comes into contact with the lever 112, and the lever 112 is positioned below the sheet path. It is pivoted between a second position where the positioned and any accumulated sheets are capable of making a forward movement toward the adhesive transfer station. The drive roll 111 can pivot between an open position and a closed position according to the position of the lever 112. When the lever 112 turns to the open position, the drive roll 111 opens, and the sheet emerging from the input roll 110 passes freely between the drive rolls 111 and is temporarily stopped by the lever 112. When the lever 112 pivots to a second position below the sheet path, the drive roll 111 closes and forms a nip, which causes the sheet on the drive roll 111 to advance toward the exit roll 113. Once the sheet is picked up by the output roll 113, the lever 112 returns to the first position, the drive roll 111 opens, and the subsequent sheet 23 from the input roll 110 is moved to the lever 112 until the subsequent sheet 23 hits the lever 112. Let it pass. As shown in FIG. 3, while the lever 112 returns to the first position, the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22 is lifted from the sheet path by the lever 112 because the portion of the preceding sheet 22 is still positioned on the lever 112. The lever 112 then pivots to the second position and the drive roll 111 closes, while the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22 is still on the lever 112 so that the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22 is Overlap with the department. In general, an overlap of about 1-2 cm is sufficient to ensure that a complete simulated web of overlapping sheets is conveyed to the adhesive transfer station 7. The particular sheet overlap station 8 for producing the pseudo web of sheets described herein is not an essential feature of the overall system, but uses any other mechanism that can produce the same overlap arrangement. It is recognized that can be. Adhesive Transfer Station The aligned overlapping sheets pass through a transfer location 70 where they contact an endless transfer belt 71, whereas an adhesive paint (not shown) extends longitudinally along the transfer belt 71. It is added in the form of a plurality of bands 236 in advance. Transfer Belt The transfer belt 71 wraps around a series of tension rolls, at least one of which is driven, so that the transfer belt 71 travels in the direction of arrow 73 and in the machine direction 100 and passes through the transfer position 70. The transfer belt 71 travels at the same speed as the overlapping sheets and passes through (i) an application system 74, (ii) an adhesive dryer 75, and (iii) a transfer location 70. The transfer belt 71 can be manufactured from various materials including various silicone rubber coated metals and plastics. Since the transfer belt 71 is preferably manufactured from a high-frequency transmission material, a high-frequency adhesive dryer 75 may be used. As used herein, "high frequency transmission" means that the material does not interact much with the high frequency radiation so that the radiation passes through the material without generating significant heat or volatilizing the material. Means that. A suitable high-frequency transmission transfer belt 71 is approximately 0.5. A silicone rubber skin with a thickness of 15 mm is applied to both major surfaces at approximately 0.1 mm. It has a 1 mm thick fiberglass fiber base layer 22a. One embodiment of the transfer belt 71 is shown in the sectional view of FIG. In this embodiment, the transfer belt 71 is a J.K. P. Commercially available from Steven. Includes a base layer 220a with a 0.004 inch thick fiberglass fabric belt. The base layer 220a has 0.1 mm on both the front major surface 220b and the rear major surface 220c. 003 inch thick release layers 220d and 220e are applied respectively. The outermost surfaces 220h and 220i of the release layers 220d and 220e form the surfaces that receive the adhesive from the gravure roll 77, and transfer the adhesive to the sheets that overlap at the transfer position 70. As a result of the combination of the base layer 220a and the release layers 220d and 220e, the total thickness of the transfer belt 71 is approximately 0.5 mm. 010 inches. Suitable materials used to form the release layers 220d, 220e are from General Electric Co. of Waterford, NY. G. from the silicone product department of E. A dispersion of silicone rubber solution sold under the trade name SE-100. This solution contains 6% solids by weight in a 78% benzoyl peroxide solution in water as a catalyst. The release layers 220d, 220e can be formed by knife-coating the desired material to the base layer 220a and oven drying at a rate of 60 yards / hour at 360 ° F. The release layers 220d and 220e facilitate the release of the adhesive from the transfer belt 71 at the transfer position 70 to the overlapped sheets. The outermost surfaces 220h, 220i of the release layers 220d, 220e may be smooth or textured, but in order to further facilitate the release of the adhesive from the transfer belt 71 to the overlapping sheets, the textured or spiral shape is used. It is preferred that Most preferably, the outermost surfaces 220h, 220i are patterned with a notch pattern that imposes a complementary pattern on the adhesive strip 236 that transfers from the transfer belt 71 to the overlapping paper sheets at the transfer location 70. A preferred notch pattern is shown in FIG. The pattern mainly comprises aligned notches 220j formed from corresponding notches 220g in the base layer 220a. The cut 220g of the base layer 220a may be formed during the weaving of the fiberglass layer. Alternatively, the pattern of the notch 220g of the base layer 220a may be embossed on the outermost surfaces 220h and 220i of the release layers 220d and 220e, or may be imposed by another method. The outermost indentations 220j of the release layers 220d, 220e have (i) preferably a width of 40-200 microns, most preferably about 100 microns, and (ii) a depth of preferably 50-100 microns. The notches 220j are preferably spaced approximately 10-30 microns apart in a rectangular array. Such a pattern on the outermost surfaces 220h, 220i of the release layers 220d, 220e is particularly useful when applying a pressure sensitive microsphere adhesive. The microsphere adhesive tends to "wet" on the outermost surfaces 220h, 220i of the release layers 220d, 220e, while the microspheres in the adhesive composition sink toward the notches 220j, and within each notch 220j. Likely to be retained. Thus, the adhesive transferred to the overlapping sheets tends to maintain the surface pattern shown in FIG. 28, resulting in a uniform distribution of microspheres and excellent adhesion. The front peeling layer 220d and the rear peeling layer 220e have the same thickness, and the size, shape and pattern of the notch 220j are the same. It is preferable to extend the useful life of the transfer belt 71 without changing the properties of the adhesive band 236 that is applied to any one of the transfer belts 220i and transferred to the sheet overlapped at the transfer position 70. Of course, if desired, a transfer belt 71 having a release layer 220d or 220e on only one of the main surfaces 220b or 220c may be used. As before, when the adhesive band 236 is applied to the transfer belt 71 using the gravure roll 77, the pattern of the adhesive band 236 is further affected by the shape of the gravure pattern. Therefore, both the pattern of the gravure roll 77 and the transfer belt 71 are selected to enhance the uniform distribution of the microspheres in the adhesive strip 236 applied to the sheet. Alternatively, other arrangements including, for example, a cylindrical drum (not shown) that contacts both the gravure roll 77 and the sheet path may be used. Therefore, although the intermediate conveyor will be referred to as the transfer belt 71 in the future, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to this. Adhesive Transfer Application System The adhesive application system 74 applies at least one longitudinal band 236 of pressure sensitive adhesive to the transfer surface 76 of the transfer belt 71. The adhesive application system 74 may be, for example, any of a number of suitable application devices, including a counter-rotating gravure roll 77 as shown in FIG. 15, or an application die 242 as shown in FIGS. Gravure Roll The gravure roll 77 contacts the transfer belt 71 over substantially the entire width (not shown) of the belt 71. The gravure roll 77 is formed from a plurality of cells or cavities 230 and includes at least one gravure ring 77r extending around the full circumference of the gravure roll 77 at a desired position of the adhesive band 236 on the transfer belt 71. Including. When the gravure roll 77 rotates in the same direction as the transfer belt 71, the adhesive transfer process is directly referred to as a gravure coating process. When the gravure roll 77 rotates in a direction opposite to the transfer belt 71, the adhesive transfer process is referred to as a reverse gravure coating process. Although any arrangement can be used in the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the processes shown and described herein are based on the reverse gravure process. Generally, the gravure roll 77 rotates in the same direction as the transfer belt 71 at substantially the same speed, so that the adhesive application system 74 functions as a reverse gravure process. FIG. 22 depicts three gravure rings 77r that apply three longitudinal adhesive strips 236 to the transfer belt 71. FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the surface of the gravure ring 77r showing the individual cells 230 in the gravure ring 77r. As can be seen, each cell 230 generally has the form of an inverted flat-headed pyramid. Generally, there are about 24 patterns of lines 230A of cells 230 per cm length of gravure ring 77r. The particular gravure pattern shown in FIG. 24 is not essential and can be changed as desired to change the distribution of the adhesive within the adhesive strip 236. Alternatively, due to the intended use of the adhesive-coated sheet, the adhesive may be transfer-applied over the entire width of the transfer belt 71 instead of within the discrete adhesive strip 236. Adhesive trough 80 is positioned just below gravure roll 77 and supplies adhesive to the surface of metering roll 81. The adhesive is supplied to an adhesive trough 80 from an adhesive supply tank 79 by a pump 78. Alternatively, the measuring roll 81 may be omitted, and the gravure roll 77 is positioned by directly contacting the adhesive of the adhesive trough 80. One or more doctor blades engage the surface of gravure roll 77 to remove excess adhesive from gravure roll 77, and only the adhesive on gravure roll 77 is contained within one or more gravure rings 77r. To ensure. Thus, the adhesive is applied to the transfer belt 71 as a band 236 in the longitudinal direction. When using the reverse gravure coating process, the uniformity of the adhesive band 236 applied to the overlapping sheets (unsigned) depends on the adhesive applied to the gravure ring 77r before transferring the adhesive to the transfer belt 71. It can be improved by smoothing the layer. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the adhesive layer on the gravure roll 77 can be smoothed by the smoothing strip 229, which is positioned proximate to the gravure roll 77 and When the adhesive is transferred to the transfer belt 71 to the gravure roll 77, the adhesive comes into contact with the adhesive applied to the gravure ring 77r. The smoothing strip 229 can pivot with respect to the gravure roll 77, and contacts the adhesive applied to the gravure ring 77r before transferring the adhesive to the transfer belt 71. Preferably, the smoothing strip 229 is made of a flexible polymeric material, and most particularly has a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm. 0011 inch polyester strip. In some applications, smoothing the adhesive applied to the gravure roll 77 before transferring the adhesive to the transfer belt 71 can enhance the distribution of microspheres in the re-stickable microsphere adhesive. . In other words, when applying the smoothed microsphere adhesive to the overlapping sheets, the uniformity of the exposed surface of the adhesive strip 236 provides an adhesive strip 236 that provides greater control and uniform adhesive strength. It is improved with the profitable effect. Die Coater The adhesive transfer station 7 shown in FIG. 25 illustrates the use of a coating die 242 that applies a pressure sensitive adhesive to the transfer belt 71. Each application die 242 has a die slot (not shown) oriented toward the transfer belt 71, through which the adhesive strip 236 is applied to the transfer belt 71. As shown in FIG. 26, the plurality of coating dies 242 are spaced over the width of the transfer belt 71 and positioned at desired positions on the adhesive strip 236. Each application die 242 has a suitable adhesive supply line 245 and is accompanied by a pump 246 and a filter 247 through which adhesive is supplied from adhesive reservoir 248 to application die 242. Alternatively, a single application die 242 may be provided with a divided slot, and the adhesive may be applied to several divided locations across the width of the transfer belt 71. The speed at which the adhesive is applied to the transfer belt 71 can be easily controlled by changing the speed of the pump 246, which is otherwise driven under the control of the central electronic control unit (not shown) of the device, by the linear speed of the device. Adjusted. Die application of the adhesive strip 236 enhances the adaptability of the application process by allowing the position of the application die head 242 to be adjusted quickly and easily with respect to the transfer belt 71. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19, the overlapping sheets (not numbered) can be arranged to provide a relatively short surface exposed to the adhesive coated transfer belt 71. System 74 is configured and arranged to apply the full length and width of transfer surface 76. In that case, as shown in FIG. 19, by providing a significant amount of overlap between adjacent sheets, each sheet is glued along a narrow lip 99 along only one edge of the sheet. You. The sheets are then stacked to form a pad, and the sheets are held together along an adhesively applied lip 99. Adhesive Dryer The adhesive coating on the transfer belt 71 is at least partially dried by an adhesive dryer 75. For example, the water content of a suitable water-soluble adhesive is generally between about 50-80% by weight at the time of application, and is preferably dried by an adhesive dryer 75 to a water content of about 0-50% by weight. Preferably, substantially all of the moisture is removed during the drying process. The dried adhesive will more easily adhere to the overlapping sheets. The adhesive dryer 75 is manufactured by, for example, Proctor Strayfield Ltd. of Berkshire, United Kingdom. Model No. manufactured by Preferably, it is a high frequency dryer such as a particular plate of SPW12-73, which generally operates at about 27 MHz or about 30 MHz. The adhesive dryer 75 moves about 2. It is 5 m long and has an exhaust device (not shown) through which the interior of the adhesive dryer 75 is ventilated with the aid of an exhaust fan 84. The adhesive dryer 75 is provided with a control unit (not shown), and adjusts the power of the adhesive dryer according to the linear speed of the coating device. This control unit is, for example, the Siemens PLC 55. 95U is fine. By using the high-frequency adhesive dryer 75, the adhesive can be dried without significantly heating the transfer belt 71. This eliminates unwanted heat transfer from the transfer belt 71 to the adhesive application system 74 that tends to solidify the adhesive prior to application to the transfer belt 71. The use of a high frequency adhesive dryer 75 also offers the advantage of relatively simple and low energy consumption. Further, the adhesive transfer station 7 does not require long preheating, and the adhesive is easily separated from the transfer belt 71 at the transfer position 70 to the overlapping sheets. The use of a high frequency adhesive dryer 75 is preferred but not required. The adhesive may alternatively be dried using an infrared or forced air heating system. However, high frequency dryers are preferred for a number of reasons, including their simplicity, low energy consumption, reduced heat generation, and the like. In addition, if the adhesive dryer 75 heats the transfer belt 71 significantly, a cooling system (not shown) is provided at the adhesive transfer station 7 for the purpose of cooling the adhesive transfer belt 71 to reduce the risk of solidification of the adhesive. Need to be incorporated. The adhesive dryer 75 is provided with a control unit (not shown) for automatically adjusting the power of the adhesive dryer 75 according to the linear speed of the transfer belt 71. A suitable control unit is sold by Siemens under the name PLC 55-95U. The control unit can be interconnected with a central electronic control unit of the entire system to send and receive information needed to properly monitor and control the operation of the device. The dried adhesive coating is then sent to a transfer location 70 where the adhesive is transferred from transfer belt 71 to the overlapping sheets. Transfer Position The drive roll 90 and the back pressure play roll 91 form a transfer nip 85 at the transfer position 70. The adhesive coated transfer belt 71 and the continuous overlapping sheets pass through a transfer nip 85, where the dried adhesive on the transfer belt 71 is separated from the adhesive by the bonding force between the adhesive and the transfer belt 71. Because of the greater bonding force between the overlapping sheets, it is transferred to the first major surface of the overlapping sheets. As shown in FIG. 16, the counter pressure play roll 91 is provided with a plurality of laterally spaced circumferential grooves 92 and a plurality of fingers 93, and the plurality of fingers 93 are , And is engaged in the groove 92 to ensure that the overlapped sheet 86 continues to move with the transfer belt 71 after exiting the transfer position 70 and does not wrap around the back pressure idler roll 91. I do. Vacuum Belt As shown in FIG. 16, the overlapping sheet 86 leaves the transfer position 70 and is removed from the transfer belt 71 by the vacuum belt 95. Removing the overlapping sheets 86 from the transfer belt 71 is facilitated by the fact that the backer of each sheet is positioned between the backer of the succeeding sheet 23 and the transfer belt 71. This facilitates the start of the removal process because the removal of the backing portion of each sheet essentially pulls the leading edge of the succeeding sheet 23 from the transfer belt 71. The vacuum belt 95 also serves as a metal belt, which is wrapped around a vacuum roll at the leading edge of the metal belt to surround the vacuum belt, Honeycomb Systems Valmet S. Mulhouse, France. a. r. l. You can choose from a number of commercially available types and styles, such as the systems sold by. An additional roll 97 is provided between the drive roll 90 and the most downstream tension roll 72, and engages with the inside of the transfer belt 71 downstream from the front end (no symbol) of the vacuum belt 95. The additional roll 97 is positioned with respect to the driving roll 90 and the downstream tension roll 72, and inclines the transfer belt 71 away from the front end of the vacuum belt 95 at a small angle of about 2 to 3 degrees upstream from the additional roll 97. And then tilt away from the vacuum belt 95 at a greater angle of about 5 degrees. More specifically, the transfer belt 71 is inclined away from the vacuum belt 95 at an angle of about 2-3 degrees at a distance of about 50 mm, and the suction performed by the vacuum belt 95 attracts the overlapping sheets from the transfer belt 71. Then, it is inclined at an angle of about 5 degrees to increase the distance between the transfer belt 71 and the adhesive applied sheet. The additional roll 97 is provided with a swivel line 97p so that the initial and final angles between the transfer belt 71 and the vacuum belt 95 can be adjusted as needed to maximize the operation of the process. It is preferable to be able to move between the first and second positions shown mainly. Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the vacuum belt 95 is on a vacuum box 94 connected to a low pressure source (not shown). The vacuum box 94 is divided into a front chamber 94a and a rear chamber 94b. The front chamber 94a is connected to a first low pressure source (not shown), and the rear chamber 94b is connected to a second low pressure source (not shown). Connected. The first low pressure source draws a larger vacuum than the vacuum drawn by the second low pressure source. The greater vacuum drawn into front chamber 94a facilitates removal of the adhesive coated sheet from transfer belt 71 as the sheet exits transfer location 70. To further facilitate the larger initial suction required on the vacuum belt 95, the opening 94x at the top (not numbered) of the front chamber 94a is larger than the opening 94y provided by the rear chamber 94b. Since the vacuum belt 95 also includes a plurality of openings 98, the reduced pressure applied to the back side (unsigned) of the vacuum belt 95 through the top of the vacuum box 94 is positioned on the upper surface of the vacuum belt 95 via the vacuum belt 95. It communicates with and interacts with any sheet. The reduced pressure applied by the low pressure source through the vacuum belt 95 is relatively strong over the initial length (unsigned) of the vacuum belt 95 and decreases over the remaining length of the vacuum belt 95. Initially, the vacuum must be sufficient to release the overlapped sheet and attached adhesive strip from transfer belt 71 without damaging the sheet. Once the overlapped sheet and the attached adhesive strip delaminate from the transfer belt 71, the vacuum only needs to maintain the detached sheet on the vacuum belt 95. The most acceptable vacuum level that is acceptable will depend on a number of factors, including the particular type of adhesive being applied and the properties of the sheet being applied, but will vary from 350 to 550 mm H _Two O range (generally 400 mm H _Two O) initial decompression is generally accepted and is 150-200 mmH _Two A vacuum in the O range is generally acceptable for the rest of the process. The vacuum belt 95 may be configured such that a single belt covers the entire width of the vacuum box 94, or a plurality of narrow belts are arranged side by side across the width of the vacuum box 94. Once detached from the vacuum belt 95, the sheets are stacked and shaped, for example, Minnesota Minini, St. Paul, Minnesota. Form a re-pastable note pad as sold under the name. The specific sheet removal system described herein and shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is not required, for example, (i) a mechanical gripper, (ii) another standard conveyor 96 as shown in FIGS. Remove the overlapped sheet from the combined transfer belt 71 and replace it with another suitable system, such as a vacuum roll 239 that feeds the removed sheet to the desired position, or (iii) a vacuum roll 239 combined with another vacuum belt 95. You may. However, such other systems do not provide the benefits associated with the systems described herein and shown in FIGS. The sheet removal system described herein can be used with other sheet applicators other than the specific devices described herein. adhesive When manufacturing re-stickable notes, such as US Patent Nos. 5,045,569, 4,495,318, 4,166,152, 3,857,731. No. 3,691,140, Reissue Patent No. 24,906, and European Patent Application Publication No. 439,941 are preferable. Other suitable adhesives include film-forming materials known in the art, including those containing organic solvents. Sheet Laminating Station As shown in FIG. 5, the adhesive coated sheets (not numbered) exiting the adhesive transfer station 7 are conveyed to a sheet laminating station 9 where the adhesive coated sheets are stacked 140 and of desired size and shape. Be prepared to cut into notepads. Secondary Sheet Insertion Station As shown in FIG. 5, a secondary sheet insertion station 150 can be positioned between the adhesive transfer station 7 and the sheet laminating station 9 so that a backing sheet or the like can be placed immediately before stacking the sheets. Insert the sheet into the sheet path regularly. Although the sheet apparatus has been described in relation to the application of paper sheets, the apparatus can also apply sheets made from other materials such as polymer films and metal foils. If desired, papers of different sizes, weights and textures can be used. For example, the described device can easily handle A2 and A4 size sheets. Similarly, the device can handle relatively heavy sheets (eg, 90 gsm) and low weight sheets (eg, 70 gsm). Operation Sheet Supply Station The suction head 12 lifts the trailing edge (unsigned) of the top sheet (unsigned) from the stack 11 and advances the lifted sheet forward. The movement of the lifted sheet is assisted by the ejection of air from the jet nozzle 12a. The lifted sheet is then picked up by a pair of supply rolls 13 and transported from the sheet supply station 1 to a first conveyor 14. The suction head 12 returns to its original position, picks up the next sheet, and feeds the next sheet to the paired supply roll 13 before the first sheet is completely fed through the paired supply roll 13. . In that way, the trailing edge (not shown) of each sheet passes through the leading edge (not shown) of the succeeding sheet 23 as the sheets pass between the pair of supply rolls 13 and are fed to the first conveyor 14. Overlap). As the height of the stack 11 decreases, the table 10 moves upward, maintaining the top (unsigned) of the stack 11 in a predetermined vertical position with respect to the suction head 12. First Conveyor and Stop Gate Sheets exiting the sheet supply station 1 are placed on a first conveyor 14 and conveyed to a stop gate 15 at the entrance of the dual application station 3. When each sheet arrives at the stop gate 15, its forward movement is temporarily stopped, but the application drum 33 rotates to the correct position to carry and apply the sheet. Next, the stop gate 15 opens and one of the accumulated sheets enters the dual application station 3. The stop gate 15 closes prior to the arrival of the succeeding sheet 23, and temporarily stops the forward movement of that sheet until the coating drum 33 rotates again to the correct position. The double coating station The stop gate 15 releases the sheet to the double coating station 3 in relation to the rotation position of the coating drum 33, and the sheet is supplied to the double coating station 3 every time the coating drum 33 rotates. The pad 38 of the coating drum 33 comes into contact with the lower coating roll 35 to apply LAB. As the LAB coated pad 38 approaches the upper coating roll 32, the sheet is fed through the nip roll pair 30 and the leading edge of the sheet is picked up by the sheet gripper 37. The sheet is conveyed through a coating nip formed between the upper coating roll 32 and the pad 38 on the coating drum 33, and the first main surface is coated with a primer. The force of the application nip causes the LAB coating on pad 30 to move to the second major surface of the sheet. The double coated sheet is then released by the sheet gripper 37 and removed from the coating drum 33 by the clasp 52. This procedure is repeated for each sheet fed to the dual application station 3. If there is no waiting sheet at the stop gate 15, that fact is detected by photoelectrons (not shown) positioned at the stop gate 15, the upper coating roll 32 moves away from the coating drum 33, and the lower coating material and the LAB material are moved. And prevent mixing. Sheet spacing station Sheets exiting dual application station 3 enter sheet spacing station 4 where clasp unit 50 is positioned and grips the double coated sheet as it exits the application nip. Place it on the second conveyor 51. Since the movement of the chain 53 is synchronized with the rotation of the coating drum 33, the clasp 52 is positioned to receive each double coated sheet as the sheet leaves the coating nip. The lower LAB coating on the double coated sheet is partially dried by a heater (not shown) before being placed on the second conveyor 51. The speed of the second conveyor 51 relative to the chain 53 of the clasp unit 50 determines whether the applied sheets are conveyed to the drying station 5 as individual sheets or as a pseudo web of overlapping sheets. If the second conveyor 51 runs at a lower speed than the chain 53 of the clasp unit 50, the leading edge of each sheet overlaps the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22 and the pseudo-web of overlapping sheets on the second conveyor 51. To form When the second conveyor 51 runs at the same speed as the chain 53 of the clasp unit 50 or at a higher speed, the gap between the sheets placed on the second conveyor 51 is maintained. Overlap Reversing System When sheets are fed as a pseudoweb of overlapping sheets, the timing of the air knife 60 is adjusted to direct a separate jet of air to the overlapping edges of each pair of overlapping sheets 22,23. This occurs whenever the preceding sheet 22 just moves to the third conveyor 36 and the succeeding sheet 23 just exits the second conveyor 51 and starts moving. The air jet emitted from the air knife 60 raises the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22 and the leading edge of the succeeding sheet 23 from the sheet path, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. The trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22 is affected by the suction emitted from the vacuum cylinder 61 and is pulled toward the vacuum cylinder 61, where the trailing edge of the succeeding sheet 23 is held against the surface of the vacuum cylinder 61. On the other hand, the leading edge of the succeeding sheet 23 returns to the sheet path. As the leading sheet 22 continues to be carried forward by the third conveyor 56, the trailing edge of the leading sheet 22 slides over the surface of the vacuum cylinder 61, past the last row of openings 63 on the vacuum cylinder 61. Return to the seat path. The trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22 is now above, rather than below, the leading edge of the succeeding sheet 23. Drying Station Sheets (individually or in the form of simulated webs of overlapping sheets) are conveyed from the sheet spacing station 4 by a third conveyor 56 and pass through the drying station 5 where the sheet primer and LAB coatings are removed. Moisture is removed. The overlapped sheets are continuously moved through the drying station 5 by the third conveyor 56 and are dried at a rate that reduces the tendency of the sheets to curl. Sheet Stacking Station When sheets are fed individually through the drying station 5, the sheet stacking station 8 communicates with the drying station 5 and the adhesive transfer station 7 to overlap the sheets before entering the adhesive transfer station 7. Is positioned between The individual sheets leaving the drying station 5 are picked up by a pair of input rolls 110 and pass the sheets between a pair of drive rolls 111. The drive roll 111 carries the sheet to the lever 112. Lever 112 includes a first position in which lever 112 projects into the sheet path and stops the sheet from moving forward along the sheet path, and a position in which lever 112 is positioned below the sheet path to transfer any accumulated sheets to the adhesive transfer station. 7 to a second position that continues to move forward. The drive roll 111 pivots between an open position and a closed position in response to the position of the lever 112, and rotates without advancing the sheet when the lever 112 pivots to the first position, so that the lever 112 The seat is advanced along the sheet path when pivoting to a second position below the path. While the lever 112 returns to the first position, the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22 is lifted from the sheet path by the lever 112 because the portion of the preceding sheet 22 is still positioned on the lever 112. The lever 112 then pivots to the second position and the drive roll 111 closes, while the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22 is still on the lever 112, so that the trailing edge of the preceding sheet 22 is in front of the succeeding sheet 23. Overlaps the edges. Adhesive Transfer Station The aligned and overlapped sheet passes through a transfer location 70 where it contacts an endless transfer belt 71, to which an adhesive coating is applied in a plurality of bands extending longitudinally along the transfer belt 71. Pre-applied in form and at least partially dried. Adhesive strip 236 is transferred from transfer belt 71 to a simulated web of overlapping sheets, and the sheet is removed from transfer belt 71 along adhesive strip 236 by vacuum belt 95 and / or vacuum roll 239. Sheet Laminating Station The adhesive coated sheet exiting the adhesive transfer station 7 is transported to the sheet laminating station 9 where the adhesive coated sheets are stacked 140 and prepared to be cut into notepads of the desired size and shape.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (51)Int.Cl.⁷ 識別記号ＦＩテーマコート゛(参考）Ｂ６５Ｈ 1/22 Ｂ６５Ｈ 1/22 5/24 5/24 (31)優先権主張番号９６０３３５５．０ (32)優先日平成８年２月16日(1996．2．16) (33)優先権主張国イギリス（ＧＢ） (31)優先権主張番号９６０３３６５．９ (32)優先日平成８年２月16日(1996．2．16) (33)優先権主張国イギリス（ＧＢ） (31)優先権主張番号９６０３３６６．７ (32)優先日平成８年２月16日(1996．2．16) (33)優先権主張国イギリス（ＧＢ） (81)指定国ＥＰ(ＡＴ，ＢＥ，ＣＨ，ＤＥ，ＤＫ，ＥＳ，ＦＩ，ＦＲ，ＧＢ，ＧＲ，ＩＥ，ＩＴ，ＬＵ，ＭＣ，ＮＬ，ＰＴ，ＳＥ)，ＯＡ(ＢＦ，ＢＪ，ＣＦ，ＣＧ，ＣＩ，ＣＭ，ＧＡ，ＧＮ，ＭＬ，ＭＲ，ＮＥ，ＳＮ，ＴＤ，ＴＧ)，ＡＰ(ＫＥ，ＬＳ，ＭＷ，ＳＤ，ＳＺ，ＵＧ)，ＵＡ(ＡＭ，ＡＺ，ＢＹ，ＫＧ，ＫＺ，ＭＤ，ＲＵ，ＴＪ，ＴＭ)，ＡＬ，ＡＭ，ＡＴ，ＡＵ，ＡＺ，ＢＡ，ＢＢ，ＢＧ，ＢＲ，ＢＹ，ＣＡ，ＣＨ，ＣＮ，ＣＵ，ＣＺ，ＤＥ，ＤＫ，ＥＥ，ＥＳ，ＦＩ，ＧＢ，ＧＥ，ＨＵ，ＩＬ，ＩＳ，ＪＰ，ＫＥ，ＫＧ，ＫＰ，ＫＲ，ＫＺ，ＬＣ，ＬＫ，ＬＲ，ＬＳ，ＬＴ，ＬＵ，ＬＶ，ＭＤ，ＭＧ，ＭＫ，ＭＮ，ＭＷ，ＭＸ，ＮＯ，ＮＺ，ＰＬ，ＰＴ，ＲＯ，ＲＵ，ＳＤ，ＳＥ，ＳＧ，ＳＩ，ＳＫ，ＴＪ，ＴＭ，ＴＲ，ＴＴ，ＵＡ，ＵＧ，ＵＺ，ＶＮ (72)発明者ピエール，バーナードアール. アメリカ合衆国，ミネソタ 55133―3427, セントポール，ピー．オー．ボックス 33427──────────────────────────────────────────────────続き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme court ゛ (Reference) B65H 1/22 B65H 1/22 5/24 5/24 (31) Priority claim number 9603355.0 (32) Priority date February 16, 1996 (February 16, 1996) (33) Priority claim country United Kingdom (GB) (31) Priority claim number 9603365.9 (32) Priority date February 16, 1996 ( (Feb. 16, 1996) (33) Priority claim country United Kingdom (GB) (31) Priority claim number 9603366.7 (32) Priority date February 16, 1996 (Feb. 16, 1996) (33) Priority Claiming country United Kingdom (GB) (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, C M, GA, GN, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (KE, LS, MW, SD, SZ, UG), UA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU) , TJ, TM), AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GE , HU, IL, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, P L, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, UZ, VN (72) Inventor Pierre, Bernard Earl. United States, Minnesota 55133-3427, St. Paul, P. Oh. Box 33427

Claims

[Claims] 1. A method of manufacturing a coated sheet, comprising: (a) continuously feeding a sheet having first and second major surfaces from a first stack to a sheet path, and feeding the sheet along the sheet path. (B) inserting at least one of the sheets having the first and second major surfaces from the second stack into the sheets carried along the sheet path, and Forming a continuous sheet arranged in an end-to-end overlapping relationship; and (c) at least one major surface of each sheet of the continuous overlapping sheet as the sheet continues to be conveyed along the sheet path. Applying a coating material individually to form an applied sheet. 2. Temporarily suspending the supply of sheets from the first stack in a timing relationship with respect to the insertion of sheets from the second stack so that the sheet spacing of the continuous overlapping sheets is uniform. The method of claim 1 comprising: 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising changing the speed at which the continuous overlapping sheets are conveyed along the sheet path in the machine direction relative to the length of the sheet. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the sheet inserted from the second stack is inserted into the sheet path at right angles to the machine direction. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein a water-based coating material is applied to both major surfaces of each sheet. 6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein a primer is applied to the first major surface of the sheet and a low-adhesive back glue is applied to the second major surface. 7. The method of claim 5, further comprising drying the applied sheet to form a dry sheet as the applied sheet continues to be conveyed along the sheet path. 8. (i) arranging the dried sheets in an end-to-end overlapping relationship with each other, and (ii) applying at least one of the major surfaces of the dried sheets as the dried sheets continue to be conveyed along the sheet path. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the further coating material is applied continuously. 9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said further coating material is an adhesive. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the adhesive is a re-stickable adhesive. 11. An apparatus for producing a coated sheet, comprising: (a) a conveyor; and (b) continuously feeding sheets from the first stack to the conveyor in an end-to-end overlapping relationship to form an overlapped sheet. And (c) inserting at least one sheet from a second stack into the overlapping sheets on the conveyor to form a continuous overlapping sheet. (D) an application system positioned to receive the continuous overlapping sheets from the conveyor and operable to individually apply a coating material to at least one major surface of each sheet. An apparatus comprising: 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the speed of a conveyor between the sheet feeder and the application system is adjustable to compensate for different sheet lengths. 13. 12. The sheet inserter is located on one side of the conveyor, whereby sheets fed to the conveyor from the first stack are fed at right angles to the direction of travel of the conveyor. Equipment. 14． The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the application system is a dual coater operable to apply a water-based coating material to both major surfaces of each sheet. 15. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a dryer positioned to receive a sheet from the double coater and operable to remove water from paint material applied to the sheet in the double coater. . 16. (i) a secondary coater positioned to receive sheets exiting the dryer and operable to apply additional paint material to at least one major surface of each sheet member; and (ii) the secondary coater. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a sheet overlapping station located downstream from the coater and operable to arrange the sheets in an end-to-end overlapping relationship and to enter the secondary coater. 17． 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said sheet stacking station is located upstream from said dryer. 18. A method of applying a water-soluble paint material to both major surfaces of a plurality of sheets, comprising: (a) continuously transporting a plurality of sheets having first and second major surfaces along a sheet path and a machine direction. (B) applying a water-soluble coating material to the first and second major surfaces of each sheet as the sheets continue to be conveyed along the sheet path to form the applied sheets; (C) drying the coated sheet while carrying the sheet along the sheet path to form a dried coated sheet; and (d) drying the coated sheet in a continuously overlapping end-to-end relationship. Arranging the coated application sheets to form a continuous, overlapping and dried application sheet; and (e) continuously applying a further coating material to at least one of the major surfaces of the continuous dried application sheet. And a method comprising: 19. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the water-soluble coating material is applied to the first and second major surfaces of the sheet simultaneously. 20. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the water-soluble coating material applied to the first major surface of the sheet is a primer and the water-soluble coating material applied to the second major surface is a low-adhesive back glue. . 21. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the plurality of sheets are preprinted with the second major surface. 22. (i) the further coating material is a water-soluble adhesive; (ii) the further coating material is applied to the first major surface; (iii) the adhesive covers less than the entire width of the sheet. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the method is applied in the machine direction as a separate strip of paper. 23. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the applied sheets are dried and applied to the first and second major surfaces of each applied sheet simultaneously. 24. Arranging the sheets in a continuous end-to-end overlapping relationship includes: (i) raising the trailing edge of each sheet from the sheet path; and (ii) raising the leading edge of the immediately succeeding sheet to that sheet. Inserting between the raised trailing edge and the sheet path; and (iii) returning the raised trailing edge to the sheet path so that the raised trailing edge of each sheet is 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising positioning over the leading edge of the next sheet. 25. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the sheets overlap at a distance between about 1 cm and 2 cm. 26. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising inserting at least one sheet from a second stack of sheets into a sheet carried along the sheet path before applying the water-soluble paint material to the sheet. Method. 27. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising collecting and stacking the dried coated sheets before they overlap. 28. An apparatus for applying a water-soluble coating material to both first and second major surfaces of a plurality of sheets, comprising: (a) receiving and applying both major surfaces of a continuously supplied sheet; A dual application station comprising first and second application systems configured and arranged to apply a water-soluble coating material to each of the first and second major surfaces; and (b) exiting the dual application station. A dryer configured and arranged to receive a sheet, the dryer being operable to remove water from the water-soluble coating material applied to the sheet in the dual application station; and An overlapping mechanism configured and arranged to receive the exiting sheet and operable to arrange the sheets in a continuous end-to-end overlapping relationship; and (d) receiving an overlapping sheet exiting the overlapping mechanism. As constructed are arranged, device comprising, further a coating station which can serve to applied continuously further coating material to a major surface of the first of said overlapping sheets. 29. (i) the first and second application systems each include an application roll; (ii) the application rolls are disposed in opposing relation to opposing sides of a sheet path to transfer sheets passing through the dual application station. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus forms a nip effective to simultaneously apply a coating material to both major surfaces of the sheet as the sheet passes through the nip. 30. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the overlap mechanism is effective to position a trailing edge of each sheet above a leading edge of the next sheet. 31. A laminating station configured and arranged to receive the sheets exiting the dryer and operable to stack the sheets and to continue feeding the stacked sheets in a side-by-side overlapping relationship to a paper path. 29. The device according to claim 28, further comprising: 32. (i) a conveyor for transporting the overlapping sheets through the transfer location; and (ii) a transfer surface configured and arranged to be transported through the transfer location and in contact with any overlapping sheets transported through the transfer location on the conveyor. And (iii) an applicator configured and arranged to apply additional paint material to the transfer surface for subsequent transfer from the transfer surface to any sheet conveyed through the transfer position on the conveyor. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, comprising: 33. (i) a sheet feeder that continuously feeds sheets from the primary sheet source into the dual coating station; and (ii) a sheet from a secondary sheet source positioned upstream from the dual coating station to remove the primary sheet. 29. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising: a sheet inserter operable to insert into a continuous sheet supplied from a source. 34. A sheet handling device, comprising: (a) a first conveyor that conveys continuous overlapping sheets along a sheet path, with a trailing edge of each sheet positioned below a leading edge of a succeeding sheet; A second conveyor configured and arranged to receive the overlapped sheets from a first conveyor; and (c) a relative position of the overlapped sheets positioned between the first and second conveyors. A mechanism for changing the overlap position, comprising: (1) a blower for directing airflow to the overlap edge of each pair of overlapped sheets and lifting the overlap edge from the sheet path; The next return of the raised trailing edge of a sheet is delayed long enough for the leading edge of the succeeding sheet to return to the sheet path before the trailing edge, whereby each sheet The trailing edge Anda mechanism comprising means at the top of the front edge of the succeeding sheet on the second conveyor, the. 35. The means for delaying the return of the raised trailing edge of each sheet may include pulling the raised trailing edge of the sheet without attracting and holding the raised leading edge of the succeeding sheet. 35. The device of claim 34, comprising a vacuum device effective to hold. 36. (i) the vacuum device is a vacuum cylinder connected to a reduced pressure source for performing suction, the vacuum cylinder comprising: (A) first and second ends; (B) side walls; Ii) a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends, and (D) a plurality of openings through the side walls of the cylinder in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source; The vacuum cylinder extends longitudinally across the width of the sheet path and the sheet is positioned such that the suction performed through the opening attracts the raised trailing edge of the sheet and delays return. 36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the apparatus is positioned with respect to a path and the blower. 37. 36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the raised trailing edge of the sheet held by the vacuum device is removed from the vacuum device by advancing the sheet on the second conveyor. 38. The second conveyor includes a transport surface and a vacuum system for applying a reduced pressure to the transport surface, wherein the force used by the vacuum system reduces the vacuum as the sheet moves forward by the second conveyor. 38. The device of claim 37, sufficient to remove the sheet from the device. 39. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising a baffle configured and arranged to direct air from the blower toward the vacuum device. 40. An apparatus for applying a sheet, the apparatus comprising: (a) a first conveyor for conveying continuous, overlapping sheets along a sheet path; and (b) an application station, wherein (i) a coating material is applied to both the plurality of sheets. (Ii) placing the applied sheet on the first conveyor such that the trailing edge of each sheet is below the leading edge of a succeeding sheet; An application station operable to form a continuous overlapping sheet; and (c) receiving the continuous overlapping sheet from the first conveyor and moving the continuous overlapping sheet along the sheet path. And (d) a mechanism positioned between the first and second conveyors to change the relative overlap position of the overlapped sheets. (E) a mechanism including a blower for directing airflow to the overlapping edges of each pair of the overlapping sheets and lifting the overlapping edges away from the sheet path; and (e) the blower of each sheet. The return of the lifted trailing edge is delayed long enough for the raised leading edge of the succeeding sheet to return to the sheet path before the trailing edge, whereby the trailing edge of each sheet Means at the top of the leading edge of the subsequent sheet on the second conveyor. 41. The means for delaying the return of the raised trailing edge of each sheet may include pulling the raised trailing edge of the sheet without attracting and holding the raised leading edge of the succeeding sheet. 41. The device of claim 40, comprising a vacuum device effective to hold. 42. (i) the vacuum device is a vacuum cylinder connected to a reduced pressure source for performing suction, the vacuum cylinder comprising: (A) first and second ends; (B) side walls; Ii) a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends, and (D) a plurality of openings through the side walls of the cylinder in fluid communication with the reduced pressure source; The vacuum cylinder extends longitudinally across the width of the sheet path and the sheet is positioned such that the suction performed through the opening attracts the raised trailing edge of the sheet and delays return. 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the apparatus is positioned with respect to a path and the blower. 43. 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the raised trailing edge of the sheet held by the vacuum device is removed from the vacuum device by advancing the sheet on the second conveyor. 44. The second conveyor includes a transport surface and a vacuum system for applying a reduced pressure to the transport surface, wherein the force used by the vacuum system is such that the sheet is moved forward by the second conveyor and the vacuum device is moved. 44. The device of claim 43, which is sufficient to remove said sheet from the device. 45. 42. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising a baffle configured and arranged to direct air from the blower toward the vacuum device. 46. 41. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising a dryer configured and arranged to dry the coated sheet as the sheet is transported along the sheet path by the second conveyor. 47. 47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the apparatus is configured and arranged to receive the continuous overlapping sheets exiting the dryer and is operable to continuously apply additional paint material to a first major surface of the sheets. . 48. A method of applying a sheet, comprising: (a) continuously transporting a sheet having first and second major surfaces in a machine direction along a sheet path; and (b) first and second of each individual sheet. Applying a water-soluble paint material to the main surface of the sheet as it is carried along the sheet path to form an applied sheet; and (c) applying the applied sheet to each sheet. Arranging the trailing edge below the leading edge of the succeeding sheet; and (d) changing the relative overlapping position of the sheets, and (i) overlapping edges of each sheet away from the sheet path. And (ii) the next return of the raised trailing edge of each sheet until the leading edge of the succeeding sheet returns to the sheet path before the trailing edge. Delaying (iii) such that the trailing edge of the sheet returns to the paper path and is on top of the leading edge of the succeeding sheet. Changing the relative overlapping position of the sheets by performing the method. 49. Apparatus for applying a coating material to a continuous overlapping sheet comprising: (a) transporting a continuous overlapping sheet along a sheet path through a transfer location, wherein the trailing edge of each sheet is the leading edge of a succeeding sheet; A transfer surface positioned over the conveyor; and (b) a transfer surface configured and arranged to contact overlapping sheets conveyed through the transfer location and conveyed through the transfer location on the conveyor; and (c) the overlap. An applicator configured and arranged to apply a coating material to the transfer surface for subsequent transfer from the transfer surface to the overlapping sheet as the sheet is conveyed through the transfer location on the conveyor; (D) a first size sufficient to interact with the overlapped sheet as the overlapped sheet exits the transfer location to remove the sheet from the transfer surface. Now configured to apply suction to the sheet, and then apply suction to the sheet at a second size sufficient to hold the sheet in place as the sheet is transported away from the transfer location. An array of dismounting mechanisms. 50. The transfer surface is conveyed through the transfer location along a first plane, and the apparatus further includes a second conveyor upon which the sheet is placed as the sheet exits the transfer location; 50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the second conveyor moves along a second plane inclined away from the first plane. 51. The second conveyor transitions from the second plane to a third plane as the conveyor moves from the transfer position, such that the angle between the first and third planes is 51. The device of claim 50, wherein the angle is greater than an angle between the first plane and the second plane. 52. 51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the angle between the first plane and the second plane is between 1 degree and 6 degrees. 53. The suction is about 350-550mmH _Two 50. The device of claim 49 having a first magnitude between O. 54. The suction is about 150-200mmH _Two 54. The apparatus of claim 53 having a second magnitude between O. 55. (A) a roll configured and arranged to form a nip with the transfer surface to support the overlapped sheet in contact with the transfer surface; and (b) the overlapped sheet positioned downstream from the roll. 50. The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising: sheet engaging means for maintaining the overlapped sheets in contact with the transfer surface when exiting the nip. 56. (i) the roll includes a series of circumferential grooves; and (ii) the sheet engaging means cooperatively engages in the circumferential grooves such that the overlapped sheets are disposed in the nip. 56. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising a plurality of fingers to maintain the sheet in contact with the transfer surface after exiting the transfer surface. 57. 50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the applicator is effective to apply paint material to the transfer surface in one or more longitudinal bands. 58. The apparatus of claim 57, further comprising a reservoir for supplying a coating material to said applicator. 59. 59. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising an adhesive in said reservoir as said coating material to be supplied to said applicator. 60. A method of applying a coating material to a sheet, comprising: (a) applying the coating material to an endless transfer surface; and (b) transporting a continuous, overlapping sheet along a sheet path through a transfer location, wherein the continuous Positioning the trailing edge of the overlapped sheet on the leading edge of the succeeding sheet; and (c) contacting the overlapped sheet against the transfer surface at the transfer position to form a sheet on the transfer surface. Transferring said coating material to said overlapping sheet; and (d) sufficient suction to remove said overlapping sheet and said coating material from said transfer surface as said overlapping sheet exits said transfer position. (E) sufficient to keep the overlapped sheet in place as the sheet is conveyed away from the transfer location, to the overlapped sheet further downstream from the transfer location. The method comprising adding a reducing suction to the sheet, a. 61. An apparatus for applying a coating material to a first major surface of a continuous sheet, comprising: (a) a first roll; and (b) an outer surface and a circumference, the first roll defining a coating nip. (C) a support sheet removably secured to the outer surface of the second roll, and (d) a pad made of an elastomeric material, Covers the circumference of the second roll and is adhesively bonded to the support sheet, thereby forming an application nip only when the pad covering portion of the second roll abuts the first roll And a pad that is provided. 62. 63. The apparatus of claim 61, further comprising: (i) a paint material source; and (ii) an applicator effective to apply a paint material from the paint material source to the pad. 63. 62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said support sheet is a plastic flexible sheet. 64. 62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the support sheet is secured to the second roll with a threaded fastener. 65. 63. The apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said coating material is a water-soluble material. 66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein said water-soluble material is a low adhesion back glue. 67. further comprising: (i) a source of additional coating material; and (ii) an applicator effective to apply additional coating material from the source of additional coating material to the first roll. Item 63. The apparatus according to Item 62. 68. 68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein said further coating material is a second water-soluble material. 69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein said second water-soluble material is a primer. 70. (A) a sensor effective to detect the presence / absence of a sheet supplied to the application nip and to transmit a secondary signal when there is no sheet; and (b) the first sensor in communication with the sensor. Separating the roll from the second roll, and breaking contact between the first roll and the pad on the second roll in response to receiving the secondary signal from the sensor. 62. The apparatus of claim 61, further comprising: 71. 62. The apparatus of claim 61, further comprising means for controlling the entry of a sheet into the application nip in a timing relationship with respect to the rotation of the second roll to ensure that the entire length of the sheet is above the pad. apparatus. 72. A method of applying a coating material to a sheet, comprising: (a) transporting one sheet at a time through an application nip formed by first and second rolls; (Ii) a pad made of an elastomeric material covers the circumference of the outer surface of the second roll and is adhesively bonded to the support sheet, whereby A coating nip is formed only when the pad covering portion of the second roll comes into contact with the first roll; (b) applying a coating material to the pad; and (c) coating the coating material from the pad. Transferring to a sheet conveyed through the application nip. 73. A method of applying a water-based coating material to opposite major surfaces of a plurality of sheet members, comprising: (a) transporting the sheet members continuously along a sheet path; Simultaneously applying a water-based paint material simultaneously to both major surfaces of each sheet as it is conveyed along the sheet path; and (c) continuously applying the applied sheet members to one another. Arranging in an overlapping relationship and continuing to carry the sheet member along the sheet path; (d) drying the applied sheet member; and (e) transporting the sheet member along the sheet path. Applying a further coating material to at least one major surface of the overlapping sheet members when applied. 74. The step (c) includes: (i) placing the front edge of each sheet member on the rear edge of the preceding sheet member by continuously placing the sheet members on a conveying means; 74. Changing the relative position of the sheet members so that the trailing edge of each sheet member is above the leading edge of the succeeding sheet member before applying the further water-based coating material. the method of. 75. The step (b) comprises applying a water-based primer to a majority of one major surface of the sheet member and applying a water-based low-adhesion backing material to a majority of the other major surface of the sheet member. 75. The method of claim 74, comprising: 76. 75. The method of claim 74, wherein step (e) comprises continuously applying at least one band of a water-based adhesive material to one major surface of the overlapping sheet members. 77. The step (d) includes partially drying one major surface of each sheet member before the sheet members are arranged in an overlapping relationship, and then simultaneously drying both major surfaces of the overlapping sheet members. 74. The method of claim 73, comprising: 78. 74. The method of claim 73, wherein step (d) comprises simultaneously drying both major surfaces of the overlapping sheet members. 79. The sheet members each include a felt major surface and a wire major surface, the step (a) wherein the undercoat is applied to the felt surface of the sheet member, and the low-adhesive back glue is applied to the wire surface of the sheet member. 77. The method of claim 75, comprising orienting the sheet member to be applied to a sheet. 80. 74. The method of claim 73, wherein the water-based coating material is applied to aligned zones on opposing major surfaces of the sheet member. 81. The sheet member is paper, and step (e) includes aligning the machine direction of the paper sheet member with the sheet path to reduce curling or wrinkling of the sheet member. 73. The method according to 73. 82. A method of applying a water-based coating material to both major surfaces of a plurality of sheet members, comprising: (a) continuously transporting the sheet members along a sheet path; and (b) transferring the sheet members to the sheet path. Applying a water-based primer to one major surface of each sheet member as it is carried along, and applying a water-based low-adhesive back glue material to the other major surface of each sheet member; Forming a pseudo web of overlapping sheet members by successively placing the sheet members on conveying means in the sheet path, thereby placing the leading edge of each sheet member on the trailing edge of the preceding sheet member; (D) directing the flow of air to the overlapping sheet members to continuously change the overlapping relative positions of the sheet members so that the trailing edge of each sheet member is at the leading edge of each succeeding sheet member. Overlapping steps, (E) drying the overlapping sheet members as the sheet members are conveyed along the sheet path. 83. Applying a water-based adhesive material to the overlapping sheet members as the sheet members are conveyed along the sheet path, wherein the adhesive material is applied to the sheet members in step (b). 83. The method of claim 82, further comprising applying the primer material to the major surface where the primer material has been applied. 84. 83. The method of claim 82, wherein at least some of the sheet members are pre-printed on at least the major surface coated with a low-adhesion backing material in step (b). 85. Said step (c) comprises: (i) transporting said overlapped sheet member along said sheet path on a belt which is insensitive to high frequency; and Reducing the water content of the water-based material to a desired level. 86. 83. The method of claim 82, further comprising, after step (b), partially drying the sheet member at the major surface located on the transport means. 87. 83. The method of claim 82, wherein the sheet members are overlapped by about 1 cm to 2 cm. 88. 84. The method of claim 83, further comprising aligning the sheet member before the adhesive is applied. 89. An apparatus for applying a water-based coating material to both sides of a plurality of sheet members, comprising: (a) a conveyor that continuously carries the sheet members along a sheet path; and (b) a sheet member that continuously receives the sheet members from the conveyor. A dual application station to be positioned, the dual application station comprising first and second application stations positioned on opposite sides of the sheet path through the dual application station; And each of the second application stations includes a respective source of water-based coating material and a respective application member positioned to contact the sheet member at a point along the sheet path, and wherein A dual application station for applying a coating material to the respective surface from the respective source; and (c) the dual application station being arranged to receive a sheet member from the dual application station. An overlapping conveyor, wherein the leading edge of each sheet member leaving the station is placed on the trailing edge of the preceding sheet member on the conveyor, thereby being able to move at a speed forming a pseudo-web of overlapping sheet members; (D) positioned to direct the flow of air to the overlapping sheet members, changing their relative position within the simulated web, such that the trailing edge of each sheet member is at the leading edge of the succeeding sheet member. An apparatus comprising: an overlapping air knife; and (e) a dryer in the sheet path to remove water from the coating material applied to the sheet member in the dual application station. 90. (F) a further application station comprising a water-based coating material source, and the overlapping sheet from each coating material source positioned to contact the overlapping web of sheet members at a point along the sheet path. 90. The apparatus of claim 89, further comprising: an application member for applying a coating material to one side of the pseudo web of the member. 91. The application member of the first and second application stations of the dual application station includes an application roll positioned in opposing relation to an opposing surface of the sheet path to form an application nip, whereby: 90. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein a coating material can be simultaneously applied to both sides of the sheet member passing through the application nip. 92. 92. The method of claim 91, further comprising including a covering member on a portion of one circumference of the application roll, such that the application nip is formed only when that portion of the roll is positioned adjacent to the other application roll. apparatus. 93. 93. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the one application roll includes a sheet gripper that pulls each sheet member from the application nip. 94. 94. The apparatus of claim 93, further comprising an additional sheet gripper downstream of the dual application station for removing each sheet member from the dual application station and placing the sheet members on the overlapping conveyor. 95. 90. The apparatus of claim 89, further comprising a blower positioned to provide an air cushion and supporting the sheet member when the sheet member is removed from the dual application station. 96. 97. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the blower includes a heater that partially dries the sheet on a side that is placed on the overlapping conveyor. 97. A dryer arranged to carry the overlapping sheet members along the sheet path without being responsive to high frequency; and a high frequency source directed to the water-based coating material on the sheet members. 90. The apparatus of claim 89, comprising: 98. 91. The apparatus of claim 90, further comprising an alignment station located in the sheet path to align the overlapped sheet members before entering a further application station. 99. 90. The apparatus of claim 90, wherein the application member of the further application station comprises a transfer belt having a transfer surface positioned to contact the overlapping sheet members at a point along the sheet path. 100. A method of applying a water-based coating material to a plurality of sheet members, each sheet member having opposing edges, side surfaces, and major surfaces, the method comprising: (a) continuously overlapping edges. Arranging the plurality of sheet members in relation to each other; (b) carrying the overlapped sheet members along a road; and (c) transferring a transfer surface that contacts the overlapped sheet members along the road. Providing an intermediate carrier that is insensitive to high frequency; and (d) applying the water-based coating material to the transfer surface of the intermediate carrier at a position spaced from the path of the sheet member. (E) after step (d) and before step (f), exposing the water-based coating material to high frequency enough to reduce the water content of the coating material to a desired level. And (f) moving the intermediate carrier forward. Way through the contact comprising the steps of sequentially applying one to paint material of said major surface of each of the overlapped sheet member between the intermediate conveying element and the sheet member. 101. 100. The method of claim 100, further comprising: after step (f), (g) successively removing the sheet member with the coating material from the intermediate carrier. 102. 102. The method of claim 101, wherein step (g) includes applying a sub-atmospheric pressure to the opposite side of the sheet member from the intermediate conveyor to remove the sheet member from the intermediate conveyor. 103. 100. The method of claim 100, wherein the sheet member is paper, and step (a) includes (h) aligning the machine direction of the paper sheet member with the path to reduce curl and wrinkles of the sheet member. 104. An apparatus for applying a water-based coating material to a plurality of sheet members, comprising: (a) a conveyor that conveys the plurality of sheet members in an end-to-end relationship along a sheet path; A dispenser for controllably discharging the water-based coating material at a desired speed; and (c) an intermediate carrier supported adjacent the dispenser, the intermediate carrier extending into the path of the sheet member. A transfer surface that contacts the overlapping sheets along the path, the transfer surface facing the dispenser and spaced from the lateral contact with the overlapping sheet members. Receiving said paint material at said intermediate carrier, said intermediate carrier being capable of advancing to transfer said paint material from said dispenser to said overlapping sheet member, said intermediate carrier being non-responsive to high frequencies; ) Of the intermediate carrier A high frequency source directed to the water-based coating material on the transfer surface to reduce the water content of the coating material prior to applying the coating material from the intermediate carrier to the overlapping sheet members. apparatus. 105. 105. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the dispenser includes a die that connects to the source of paint material. 106. 105. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the dispenser includes a rotatable gravure roll connected to the coating material source. 107. 107. The apparatus of claim 106, further comprising one or more flexible strips in sliding contact with the gravure roll to smooth the coating material prior to transfer to the intermediate carrier. 108. The intermediate carrier comprises: (i) a backing layer that does not react to high frequency and has a first major surface; and (ii) a silicone paint applied to the first major surface, wherein the first major surface is Wherein the silicone layer has an outermost major surface overlying the first major surface of the backing layer forming the transfer surface; and 105. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein iii) the first major surface of the silicone layer is textured so that the transfer surface receives the coating material from the dispenser. 109. The textured first major surface of the silicone layer includes a plurality of regularly sized, spaced indentations, each of which receives a fixed amount of the coating material from the dispenser. 109. The device according to claim 108. 110. 105. The apparatus of claim 104, further comprising means for facilitating removal of the applied sheet member from contact with the intermediate carrier. 111. The removal means includes a removal roll located adjacent to the path of the sheet member and coming into contact with the sheet member after application of the coating material, the removal roll being connected to a vacuum source to reduce the vacuum. 112. The apparatus of claim 110, wherein said sheet member is removed from said intermediate transport in addition to said sheet member. 112. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a removal belt adjacent to the removal roll, wherein the removal belt is inclined downward with respect to the path of the sheet member to facilitate removal of the sheet member from the intermediate transport. The apparatus according to claim 11, 113. 112. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the release belt is inclined at between about 2-4 degrees with respect to the path of the seat member. 114. The apparatus of claim 104, further comprising a nip roll located on the opposite side of the path from the intermediate carrier and supporting the sheet member when applying the coating material to the sheet member. 115. 105. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the dispenser discharges the coating material in one or more longitudinal bands across the width of the intermediate transporter and aligns and transfers to the overlapping sheet members. 116. An apparatus for applying a water-based paint material to a plurality of sheet members, comprising: (a) a conveyor that carries the plurality of sheet members in an end-to-end relationship along a road; and (b) a fixed amount of water. A die for controllably discharging the base coating material at a desired speed; and (c) an intermediate carrier having a transfer surface extending to the path of the sheet member, wherein the transfer surface extends along the path. Upon contacting an overlapping sheet, the transfer surface faces the dispenser and receives the coating material at a location spaced from the path of the overlapping sheet member, and the intermediate carrier is displaced from the dispenser. An intermediate transporter capable of advancing to transfer the coating material to a sheet member; and (d) directed to the water-based coating material on the transfer surface of the intermediate transporter and on the intermediate transporter. Reduce the water content of the coating material to a desired level An apparatus comprising: a dryer. 117. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein said dryer is a source of infrared energy. 118. The apparatus according to claim 116, wherein said dryer is a source of heated air. 119. 117. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein the intermediate carrier is insensitive to high frequency and the dryer includes a high frequency source directed to the water-based coating material on the transfer surface of the intermediate carrier. 120. An apparatus for use with a system for applying a water-based coating material to a plurality of sheet members, the system comprising: a conveyor for conveying the plurality of sheet members in end-to-end relationship along a path; A dispenser that controllably discharges the water-based coating material at a desired rate, further comprising an intermediate carrier adjacent the dispenser, the intermediate carrier extending into the path of the sheet member. The transfer surface contacts the overlapped sheet member along the path, the transfer surface faces the dispenser, and the coating material is spaced from the path of the overlapped sheet member. Receiving the intermediate carrier from the dispenser to transfer the coating material from the dispenser to the overlapping sheet member, the apparatus positioned adjacent the path of the sheet member; After application of the coating material, comprising a removal roll in contact with the sheet member, the removal roll is connected to a vacuum source, the apparatus removing the vacuum the sheet member in addition to the seat member from said intermediate conveying element. 121. 121. The detachment belt further comprising a detachment belt adjacent to the detachment roll, wherein the detachment belt is inclined downwardly with respect to the path of the sheet member to facilitate detachment of the sheet member from the intermediate transport. Equipment. 122. 124. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the release belt is inclined at between about 2-4 degrees with respect to the path of the seat member.