AU2004202430B2 - A book cover - Google Patents

Description

03-JUN-2004 06:37 P j PPF~( 64 9 3566990 P.03 03-JUN-2004 06:37 A J PARK 64 9 3566990 P.03 -1- Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: HENKEL KGaA Actual Inventors: KEATH KWONG SETO Address for service A J PARK, Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT in Australia: 2601, Australia Invention Title: A BOOK COVER The following statement is a ftll description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us.

1000I4399 COMS ID No: SBMI-00777146 Received by IP Australia: Time 09:59 Date 2004-06-03 03-JUN-2004 06:37 A J PARK 03-UN-80406:7 PJ PRI<64 9 3566990 P.04 -2- FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a protective and/or decorative covering for a book.

BACKGROUND OF TILE INVENTION Books that are handled and transported every day undergo degradation of at least the book cover. In environments where there are foodstuffs or liquid present the cover also may come into contact with such foodstuffs and liquid and become marked, degraded or even permanently stained. Exercise and text books for a student at school or in working environments are one such example where damge which may readily occur may wish to be prevented. Library books are another example where such damage may occur.

It is desirable therefore to protect such books when in such example environments and to preserve the cover and aid in the prevention of ""dog cared" covers and corners of a book.

A protective cover of adhesive backed plastic film may be applied to such books to achieve such an aim. The protective film water proofs the cover and allows most foodstuffs, liquids and other matter to be easily wiped fr-om the cover leaving it in good condition. The protective cover also lends some rigidity and reinforcement to the book cover, particularly at the corners.

Traditionally such cover material has been sold in rolls. The user must then unroll the material out and hold it flat whilst cutting to size, examples of such products have been marketed under the names CoversealTh and Duraseal®. The disadvantage in such products being the material has a tendency to return to its original rolled configuriation making it difficult to cut. This coupled with having to decide the size and form of cover to cut out can lead to a time consuming process; particularly when more than one book, Ms is often the case, is required to be covered.

It has therefore been a long felt want and desire to have sheets for covering of books which is available in pit-cut defined sizes for various book sizes which is available in multiple lots for quick and easy covering of books.

100027044_1 COMS ID No: SBMI-00777146 Received by IF' Australia: Time (Him) 09:59 Date 2004-06-03 03-JUN-2004 06:37 A J PAW 03-UN-08406:7 PJ PRK64 9 3566990 -3- It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a protective film for a book which goes at least someway to overcoming the disadvantages of the prior an, addresses the above desiderata and/or at least provides the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TILE INVENTION Accordingly in a firt aspect the present invention broadly consists in a protective cover for adhesive lamination to a cover of a book comprising, a pliable film having a first and second opposed major surfaces, a first of which is at least partially covered with an adhesive material, to form at least one adhesive region, wherein a peclable backing layer of flexible material is applied over and at least coextensive with said at least one adhesive region to capture said adhesive between the peelable backing layer and the pliable film, which prior to application of the protective cover can be peeled away from said pliable film to expose said adhesive material, wherein said pliable film defines at least one region (hereafter "a first panel") for location against at least one cover (rear or front) of said book, and (ii) at least one peripheral tab which includes a said adhesive region on its first major surface, wherein said at least one peripheral tab is to be adhesively secured to the inside of said cover.

Preferably said protective cover is pro-cut to a size for a particular book size to which it is to be applied an A4 sheet or 1834, l B5 book size).

Preferably said pliable film is a plastics material such as, but not limited to cast or biaxially oriented polypropylene.

Alternatively said pliable filmnimay be paper based.

Preferably said adhesive material is selected from either a rubber resin or emulsion acrylic adhesive.

Preferably said adhesive material is touch sensitive.

Preferably said at least one peripheral tab is entirely covered with said adhesive material.

1002704_1 COMS ID No: SBMI-00777146 Received by IP Australia: Time 09:59 Date 2004-06-03 03-JUN-2004 06*37 A J PARK< 64 9 3566990 P.06 -4- Alternatively said first major surface including said first panel and said peripheral tab are entirely covered with an adhesive material.

Preferably there is a second panel for engagement to the first said panel.

Preferably said first and second paneIs are connected.

Preferably said first and second panels arm connected together via a spine coverable area of said pliable film.

Preferably said first and second panels are formed from one sheet of said pliable film.

Preferably a spine recoverable region of said pliable film is interposed between the first and second panels.

Preferably each said panel is substantially quadrilateral in shape and there are three tabs on the peripheral regions of each said panel.

Preferably each of said three tabs is co-extensive with its respective periphery.

Preferably said peelable backing layer is at least co-extensive with those regions of said first surface having adhesive thereon, and preferably with the entire pliable film.

Preferably each said tab(s) is formed at its edge to be at an angle of between 00 and 90 O to the side of the panel to which it is joined.

Preferably each said tab(s) is formed at its edge to be at 45 or less to the side of the panel to which it is joined.

Alternatively each said tab(s) is formed at its edge to be at an angle of between 450 and 90 O to the side of the panel to which it is joined.

Preferably there are indicia or a line denoting, on said peelable backing layer, the division of said first and second panels, or at least the location in the middle between said first and second panels.

Preferably said peelable backing layer is severable at said line.

Preferably there is a visual difference, indicia or line defined by one of said peelable backing layer or said pliable film between the tab and its respective panel indicating the preferred line of folding of said tab.

Preferably there is a visual difference colour, texture, or finish) between the 00027044_1 COMS ID No: SBMI-00777146 Received by IP'Australia: Time 09:59 Date 2004-06-03 03-JUN-2004 06:38 A J PARK 64 9 3566990 P.07 first and second panels.

Preferably there are graphics visible from the second surface of said pliable film.

Preferably the backing sheet includes instructions (graphics and/or text) on the preferred method of application of said protective cover.

Preferably said backing sheet is separable such that at least the peelable backing layer over a panel is removable whilst leaving the peelable backing layer on a peripheral tab, or. vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In a second aspect the present invention consists in a protective cover as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In a third aspect the present invention consists in a method of application of a protective cover as hereinbefore described to a book comprising the steps of i) exposing adhesive or the panel region(s) of said protective cover, ii) aligning said book with indicia of said protective cover, iii) applying said exposed adhesive panel region(s) to said book, iv) exposing the adhesive of the tab(s) of said protective cover, v) folding this/these tab(s) over onto the interior of the cover of said book to form a protective cover, at least in part adhesively affixed to said book.

Preferably said protective cover is pre-cut to a size for a particular book size to which it is to be applied an A4 sheet or 1B4, 1B5 book size).

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a retailable pack containing a plurality of protective covers as hereinbefore described.

Preferably said retailable pack includes at least three protective covers.

Preferably said protective cover is pre-cut to a size for a particular book size to which it is to be applied an A4 sheet or 1B4, IB5 book size).

Preferably said protective pack includes protective covers of different size.

Alternatively said retailable pack includes protective covers of the same size.

A method of making a protective cover as herein described.

1000Z7044_I COMS ID No: SBMI-00777146 Received by IP Australia: Time 09:59 Date 2004-06-03 03-JUN-2004 06:38 PJPR 493690 P0 A J PARK 64 9 3566990 P.08 -6- In yet a further aspect still the present invention consists in a book laminated with a protective cover as hereinbefore described.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in toe art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of the protective cover, Figure 2 shows the same view of Figure I with one side ofthe peelable backing layer removal initiated, Figure 3 shows a book, front and rear covens flat and open, pages up, having been applied to the panels of the protective cover, the peripheral tabs waiting to be applied to the front and rear cover inside, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of Figure 3 with one peripheral tab folded in, and the predicted location of others in phantom, Figure 5 shows the view of Figure 4 wit all tabs folded in and the protective cover finally attached to the front and rear covers oft.e book Figure 6 shows a number of the covers of Figure 1 as they would appear in a bag, pack or like container presented to the user a flap for access, to the interior and the protective covers, being open, Figure 7 shows a cross section through protective cover showing the pliable plastic film (bottom) toe adhesive layer (middle) and the peelable backing layer (top), Figure 8 shows a similar cross-section to that of Figure 7 with the exception that the pliable plastic film has been applied to the outside cover of a book and the top layer now is the cover of the book, and Figure 9 shows a view similar to that of Figure 8, with the exception that the protective covers are individually folded in half and stacked individually in the pack.

100027044l COMS ID No: SBMI-00777146 Received by IP Australia: Time 09:59 Date 2004-06-03 03-JUN-2004 06:3e A J Ppja< 64 9 3566990 P.09 -7- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The protective cover I consists of a pliable plastics film 2 over which is applied an adhesive layer 3. The layer in the present embodiment is applied to one entire major surface area or part thereof of the pliable plastics film.. A peelable backing layer 4 is applied over at least those areas to which adhesive has been applied, however other embodiments are envisaged where this need not be so these will be explained shortly. The use of a peelable backing layer allows the protective cover with its adhesive regions to be stored and handled easily keeping the adhesive regions in good condition for later application.

The pliable plastics film is preferably cast polypropylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene or metallised polyethylene terephthalate, however any pliable film which can be adhesively coated is suitable and/or any particular surface treatment.

One example of a preferred material is a biaxially oriented polypropylene, which has the book cover presenting surface printed on and thereafter optionally given a surface treatment (for example but not limited to, a further lamination with a metallised film or a metallised coating), which surface is then overlaid with adhesive in the desired locations. Such metallised coating gives the book cover an opaque finish from the exterior, whilst still allowing the desired printing to show through.

The adhesive is a rubber resin or emulsion acrylic adhesive and the peelable backing sheet is a silicon coated paper. The pliable plastics film thickness is preferably in the range of 40 microns to 70 microns; 50 microns being the preferred thickness. The adhesive thickness is preferably in the range of 10 microns to microns; 20 microns being the preferred thickness. The peelable bacldng layer weight is preferably between 50 to 60 grns; 50 being the preferred weight. Other materials may be substituted which perform the same or similar function without departing from the scope of the invention.

The pliable film comprising the protective cover may be transparent. However it may also be coloured, opaque, patterned or has graphics or similar treatment to give it additional decorative appeal and function. The panels 8 may each be visually different as may the tabs in relation to each other and/or the panels also. The indicia markings 10002704.1 COMS ID No: SBMI-00777146 Received by IP Australia: Time 09:59 Date 2004-06-03 03-JUN-2004 06* 139PJPF(6495690 .1 R J PPRK 64 9 3566990 P-10 -8- 12 may be printed on either side of the peelable bacing layer 4 or may be on either side of to pliable film 2.

The protective cover consists of at least one panel section 8, though in the prefered embodiment there are two such panels joined by a spine coverable region 6.

Along the sides forming the periphery of the panel are tabs 7; in the preferred embodiment these are at the top, side and bottom of each panel. Tabs may be only present at the top, or bottom or sides, or any combination thereof. The tabs are part of the body of the pliable film and extend therefrom. At the spine coverable region 6 there is no tab material present to allow convenient application of the protective cover to the book. At the vertices of the panel(s) 8 the tabs are cut away to form an angle with the panel side they extend from of between 00 and 900".

In one preferred embodiment the tabs 7 are cut away to form an angle of less than or equal to 450 with the panel side they extend from to allow convenient application of the protective cover. In this way they prevent the addition of a cover to a book adding too much bulk to the inside cover.

In an alternative embodiment the tabs 7 are cut away to form an angle of equal to or between 450 and 9O'Dwith the panel side they extend from to allow convenient application of the protective cover. This particular embodiment gives added security to the corner areas as they will overlap and aid prevention of the cover pealing off.

In the shown embodiment the adhesive 3 is applied to the entire major surface of the pliable film. 2, accordingly the peelable backing layer 3 extends over the entire major surface of 2 to cover the adhesive. A line (which also may be severable line) also acting as a guide separates the peelable backing layer 4 into two easily peelable sctions.

Alternatively the adhesive may only be applied to a part of the panels or not at all, and may only be applied to part or all of the tabs, such as at the outer extremity lI such situations the peelable backing layer may only be applied to the adhesive portions of the tab(s), or may extend across the non adhesive portions also.

The peclable backing layer also has instructions on how to apply the protective 100027014_1 COMS ID No: SBMI-00777146 Received by IP Australia: Time 09:59 Date 2004-06-03 03-JUN-2004 08:39 A j PFR< 84 9 3588990 P.11 -9cover to the book. Thesw instructions may be pictorial wbich would transcend language barriers, or have text or a combination of both. The peelable backing layer may also has indicia, 12 indicating the preferred location of the edges of' the cover of the book and also the preferred location for folding ofthe tabs 7.

The peelable backing layer may also be further separable at these lines 12 so that the adhesive on the tab need only be -exposed immediately prior to its folding and securing to the book. In the situation where the entire pliable film has an adhesive applied and hence is entirely covered with peelable backing this allows selected parts of the cover and adhesive to be exposed only when required prior to attachment to the cover of the book. For instance the pliable film without a peelable backing layer has little flexible integrity and may fold over inadvertently and stick to unwanted locations if the adhesive were exposed all at once. Thus a progressive exposure of the adhesive can be achieved. Likewise by splitting the peelable hacking layer at 5, only one panel may be exposed at a time to allow ease of application of the cover.

In applying the protective cover 1 to a book 13, the peelable backing layer 4 of the Portion to be adhered is removed from the adhesive area it covers. In the preferred embodiment backing layer 4A is removed, separating at line 5 from 4]a and exposing the adhesive. The book spine 14 is then centrally aligned on the separable line 5 and the book cover 16 (the front cover in Figure 3) and rear cover 15 is aligned vertically between the tabs 7A and 7C (and the indicia 12A for 78 and 7D)) and horizontally between tab 7F and the indicia 12B for tab 7E. Once aligned the exposed protective cover is then rolled onto the outside of the cover 16. The same process is substantially repeated for the rear book cover 15 with removal of peelable backing layer panel 413.

In between or during these steps any air bubbles that may exist trapped between the book cover(s) and protective cover may be removed. This may be achieved either with use of a ruler to "squeeze' the bubbles out if the adhesive has not fully adhered to the book(s), or by a pin bunsting the bubbles or by similar means. The use of a touch sensitive adhesive aids the repositioning of the book for whatever reason and also the removal of entrapped air bubbles.

100027044) COMS ID No: SBMI-00777146 Received by IP Australia: Time 09:59 Date 2004-06-03 03-JUN-2004 06-40 R J PRW 63-UN-88406:0 RJ PRK64 9 3566996 P.12 Once the front and back covers of the book have the panel(s) 8 of the protective cover are applied then the tabs 7 may be folded over the book cover(s) edges, to adhere to the interior side of the book cover(s). As stated if a severable line exists, at the line 12 between the protective cover panel(s) 8 and the tabs 7 then (if adhesive is applied to the panel(s) 8) the panels 8 may be exposed Whilst leaving the adhesive on the tabs 7 covered. Then the tab cover panel 4C (on tab 7B) can be removed immediate to the tab 7B being folded over to secure to the rear cover inside 17.

Likewise with tabs 7E and 7D, and tabs 7A, 7C and 7F for the front cover inside 18.

The angle ac of the tab 7 at its edge 20 in one; embodiment prevents overlap with a neighbouring tab once folded over and secured to the inside cover of the book. In an alternative embodiment the tabs may overlap in their folded position to help prevention of the tabs becoming unadhered.

In trials, the present invention will allow a matching protective cover to be applied to a matching book size in two or three minutes. Use of standard sheet coverings where the protective cover must be cut out takes 10 to 15 minutes. Thus a substantial time saving is evident with the present invention.

The protective covers may be sold in packs containing 3 protective covers. The pack may contain a mixture of different cover sizes, but more preferably will contain protective covers 1 of the same size,, the pack 19 being marked accordingly. An alternative form of packing the protective cover 1 involves the covers being folded in half at the line 5 and stacked individually in the pack 19.

100027044 I COMS ID No: SBMI-00777146 Received by IP Austr~Iia: Time 09:59 Date 2004-06-03

Claims (2)

1. 28-SEP-206 16: 15 A J PRRK 64 9 3566990 P.03 -It- NO CLAIMS o 1. A retailable pack that includes a plurality of different sized protective covers for Sadhesive lamination to a cover of a book each of said protective covers comprising, C.3 a pliable film having a first and second opposed major surfaces, a first of which 0 0 is at least partially covered with an adhesive material, to form at least one adhesive region, wherein a peelable backing layer of flexible material is applied over and at 0 least coextensive with said at least one adhesive region to capture said adhesive between said peelable backing layer and said pliable film, which prior to application of 0 the protective cover can be peeled away from said pliable film to expose said adhesive material, o wherein said pliable film defines at least one region (hereafter "a first panel") for location against at least one cover (rear or front) of said book, and (ii) at least one peripheral tab which includes a said adhesive region on its first major surface, wherein said at least one peripheral tab is to be adhesively secured to the inside of said at least one cover (rear or front) of said book, and wherein said protective cover is pre-cut to a size for a particular size of said book to which it is to be applied an A4 sheet or 1B4, 1B5 book size). 2. A retail pack as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pliable film is a plastics material such as, but not limited to, cast or biaxially oriented polypropylene. 3. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims I to 2 wherein said peelable backing layer may be paper based. 4. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said adhesive material is selected from either a rubber resin or emulsion acrylic adhesive. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said adhesive material is touch sensitive. 6. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said at least one peripheral tab is entirely covered with said adhesive material. 10ooo27044 I.DOC COMS ID No: SBMI-04897276 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:20 Date 2006-09-28 8-SE%-206, 16:15 A J PRRK 64 9 3566990 P.04 -12- ,O 7. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said first major 0 surface including said first panel and said peripheral tab are entirely covered with an O adhesive. C) /3 8 A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims I to 7 wherein there is a second N panel for engagement to the first said panel. 9. A retailable pack as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first and second panels are connected. A retailable pack as claimed in either of claims 8 or 9 wherein said first and Ssecond panels are connected together via a spine coverable area of said pliable film. 11. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said first and o second panels are formed from one sheet of said pliable film. 12. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein each said panel is substantially quadrilateral in shape and there are three tabs on the peripheral regions of each said panel. 13. A retailable pack as claimed in claim 12 wherein each of said three tabs is co- extensive with its respective periphery. 14. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said peelable backing layer is at least co-extensive with those regions of said first surface having adhesive thereon, and preferably with the entire pliable film. 17. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims I to 14 wherein each said tab(s) is formed at its edge to be at an angle of between 0O and 90 0 to the side of the panel to which it is joined. 16. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein said peripheral tab(s) is/are formed at its edge to be at 45° or less to the side of the panel to which it is joined. 17. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 each said tab(s) is formed at its edge to be at an angle of between 45° and 90 O to the side of the panel to which it is joined. 18. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein there are indicia or a line denoting, on said peelable backing layer, the division of said first and 100027044_i.DOC COMS ID No: SBMI-04897276 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:20 Date 2006-09-28 8-SEP-2006 16:16 F J PARK 64 9 3566990 -13- O second panels, or at least the location in the middle between said first and second C panels. S19. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein there is a visual 0 difference, indicia or line defined by one of said peelable backing layer or said pliable 00 Cl film between the tab and its respective panel indicating the preferred line of folding of said tab. 0 20. A retailable pack as claimed in claim 19 wherein said peelable backing layer is C severable at said line. 0 21. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 20 wherein there is a visual Sdifference colour, texture, or finish) between the first and second panels. 0 22. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein there are graphics visible from the second surface of said pliable film. 23. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 wherein said peelable backing layer includes instructions (graphics and/or text) on the preferred method of application of said protective cover. 24. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23 wherein said peelable backing layer is separable such that at least the peelable backing layer over a panel is removable whilst leaving the peelable backing layer on a peripheral tab, or vice versa. A method of application of a protective cover selected from a retailable pack that includes a plurality of different sized protective covers to a book comprising the steps of, i) exposing adhesive or the panel region(s) of said protective cover, ii) aligning said book with indicia of said protective cover, iii) applying said exposed adhesive panel region(s) tab to said book, iv) exposing the adhesive of the tab(s) of said protective cover, v) folding this/these tab(s) over onto the interior of the cover of said book to form a protective cover, at least in part adhesively affixed to said book, wherein said protective cover is pre-cut to a size for a particular size of said book to which it is to be applied an A4 sheet or 1B4, 1B5 book size). 100027044 I.DOC COMS ID No: SBMI-04897276 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:20 Date 2006-09-28 28-SEP-2008 16:16 A J PARK 64 9 3566990 P.06 INO 0 N ci o -14- 26. A retailable pack as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24 wherein said retailable pack includes at least three protective covers. 27. A retailable pack as claimed in claim 26 wherein said retailable pack includes a plurality of each of said different size. 28. A book laminated with a protective cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24.
2. 29. A book laminated with a protective cover by a method as claimed in any one of claims 100027044_1.DOC COMS ID No: SBMI-04897276 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:20 Date 2006-09-28