AU2010100180A4

AU2010100180A4 - A closure mechanism

Info

Publication number: AU2010100180A4
Application number: AU2010100180A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Wayne Abrahamse
Original assignee: ACCO AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ACCO AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-03-01
Filing date: 2010-03-01
Publication date: 2010-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 2018-03-01

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Innovation Patent Applicant(s): ACCO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD Invention Title A CLOSURE MECHANISM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 A CLOSURE MECHANISM TECHNICAL FIELD S The present invention relates to a closure mechanism, and particularly, but not exclusively, to a closure mechanism for household or stationery items such as containers or folders. 10 BACKGROUND containers such as folders or envelopes are useful for the carriage of stationery, papers, photos or the like. It is desirable to produce a container that provides a 15 closure mechanism to prevent stationery, papers and the like from falling out of the container. Closure mechanisms may be used to allow repeated opening and closing of the containers to insert or remove 20 stored items. However, complex closure mechanisms may increase the cost of manufacturing the container, or decrease the general aesthetic appearance and feel of the container. 25 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closure mechanism comprising: 30 a first flap arranged to at least partially fold over an opening to at least partially cover the opening; and a second resilient flap arranged to resiliently secure the first flap to maintain the first flap in the at least partially covering position. 35 -3 In an embodiment of the first aspect, the second flap is arranged to at least partially fold over the first flap. 5 In an embodiment of the first aspect, the second flap is arranged to resiliently release the first flap to allow the first flap to be unfolded over the opening when a user opens the closure mechanism. 10 In an embodiment of the first aspect, the closure mechanism is arranged to close a container. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the container is a stationery item. 15 In an embodiment of the first aspect, the first flap is incorporated into the body of the container. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the container 20 is a folder. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a folder comprising: a first planar sheet bonded to a second planar sheet 25 to define an envelope arranged to receive one or more substantially planar members through an opening, wherein the first planar sheet has a first flap arranged to at least partially fold over the opening to at least partially close the opening; and 3o the second planar sheet has a second flap arranged to resiliently secure the first flap whereupon the first flap is secured in the at least partially closed position. In an embodiment of the second aspect, the first flap 35 is integrated with the first planar sheet.

- 4 In an embodiment. of the second aspect, the second flap is integrated with the second planar sheet. In accordance with a third aspect of the present 5 invention, there is provided a method of defining a folder in accordance with an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, comprising the steps of: folding a planar rectangular sheet together such that a first portion of the sheet offsets a second portion of 10 the sheet, bonding a portion of two opposing sides of the folded sheet to define an envelope with an opening, folding the first portion to cover the opening to thereby define the first flap; and forming the second flap from the edge of the second 15 portion adjacent to the opening. In an embodiment of the third aspect, the folder is formed from a resilient material. 20 In an embodiment of the third aspect, the folder is formed from a plastics material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 25 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an illustration of a closure mechanism in 30 accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2A to 2C are illustrations of the closure mechanism of Figure 1 in use; 35 Figure S is an illustration of a folder having the closure mechanism of Figure 1; and - 5 Figures 4A to 4C are illustrations of one example construction process for the folder of Figure 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 5 Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated an embodiment of a closure for a container comprising a first flap arranged to at least partially fold over an opening in the container to at least partially cover the opening; 10 and a second flap defined by a resilient material arranged to resiliently secure the first flap whereupon the first flap at least partially covers the opening to secure the contents within the container. 15 In this embodiment, the closure mechanism 100 is located adjacent to an opening 102 of a container suitable to carry any type of item. Preferably, the opening of the container 102 is arranged to receive planar items 104 such as paper, photos, money bills or the like. The closure 20 mechanism 100 has a first flap 106 arranged to fold outwardly from the opening 102 to expose the opening 102 to allow the insertion of items 104. The mechanism 100 also has a second flap 108 arranged to be fold (or lifted) so as to increase the size of the opening 102, to allow 25 the item 104 to be inserted into the opening. Once the item 104 is inserted into the opening, the user may close the opening 102 by folding the first flap 106 over the opening 102 followed by allowing the second 30 flap 108 to secure the position of the first flap 106. These steps are described in detail with reference to Figures 2A to 2C, Preferably, the second flap 108 utilises a flexible and resilient bond such that the second flap 108 may resiliently secure the first flap 106- This allows 35 the closure mechanism 100 to be repeatedly opened and closed under normal usage, but remains in the closed position when not in use.

In some examples, the second flap 108 may be integrally formed with the opening 102. 5 With reference to Figures 2A to 2C, the operation of an embodiment of a closure mechanism 100 is shown. In this embodiment, a user initially inserts an item or items 200 through an opening 202 of the container 204. The user may peel back the second flap 206 towards the container 204 to 10 increase the dimensions of the opening 202 to allow items 200 to be more easily inserted into the container 202. As shown in Figure 2B, once the user is ready to close the opening 202 to prevent the items 200 from falling out 15 of the container 204, the user may lift or peel the second flap-206 away from the opening 202 so as to allow the first-flap 208 to be folded over the opening 202. Once the second flap is clear of the first flap 208, the user may proceed to fold the first flap 208 over the opening 202 to 20 thereby close the opening 202. As shown in Figure 2C, the user may then release the second flap 206 or push the second flap 206 towards the opening 202 such that the second flap 206 prevents the 25 free movement of the first flap 208, thereby preventing the first flap 208 opening and releasing the items 200 stored within the container 204. In examples where the second flap 206 is integrally formed with the container, the second flap 206 may return to a natural closed 30 position over the first flap 208- The second flap 206, as it overlaps the first flap 208, may therefore secure the movement of the first flap 208 from opening, which in turn closes the container 204 35 With reference to Figure 3, there is shown an embodiment of the closure mechanism 300 for use in a folder 302 arranged to hold paper or documents 304. In - 7 this embodiment, the folder 302 comprises two planar sheets 306A and 306B bonded together to define an envelope with a single opening 308 to allow planar items 304 to be inserted therein. 5 In this example, the folder 302 has a first flap 310 and a second flap 312 adjacent to the opening 308 so as to provide a closure mechanism 300 for the folder- The first and second flaps 310, 312 may also be integrally formed 10 with the folder 302 as a single body, although in other examples, each of the flaps may be separately formed and bonded to the folder body 302. Preferably, the folder 302 is made of a resilient material such as a plastics material which allows the closure mechanism 300 to open 15 and close resiliently. Turning to Figures 4A to 4C, there is illustrated an embodiment of the steps required to manufacture a folder 400 with the closure arrangement 402 from a single planar 20 sheet 404 In this embodiment, the planar sheet 404 may be made of plastic or another form of resilient material. The sheet 404 is laid flat on a surface and then folded over a first fold line 406 arranged to provide a suitable proportion to form the general depth 412 of the folder 25 400. Preferably, the sheet 404 is folded such that a suitable offset 408 is provided on one portion of the sheet 404 to define the first flap 410. once the sheet 404 is folded together, the opposing 30 edges 414 are bonded together to define an envelope 416 with an opening 417 arranged to enclose items. The opposing edges 414 may be bonded together, for example, by heat sealing the edges 414 together. In some examples, the edges may be bonded together by adhesive or fasteners. 35 Preferably, the edges are bonded such that a portion of the edge is bonded together to define the depth 412 of the folder 400, leaving a small portion of the edge 418 to - 8 remain free of the bond. This small portion 420 forms the second flap 422 arranged to secure the first flap 410 once the first flap 410 closes the opening 417. 5 This embodiment is advantageous in that a folder with a closure mechanism can be created from a single planar sheet. As such, the manufacture process may be relatively simple and cost effective when compared to other forms of folders with a different closure mechanism, since the 10 present embodiment does not require the utilising of any irregular shapes, nor does it require the use of exotic or unusual materials or techniques to manufacture a closure mechanism for the folder. Moreover, as no additional closure mechanisms need to be provided, the folder is 15 aesthetically appealing. In alternative embodiments, reinforcing bonds may be placed on the edges 424 adjacent to the second flap 422. This reinforcing bond may provide additional strength to 20 the bonded edges to reduce the likelihood of the second flap 422 tearing due to repeated operation of the folder 400. Once the edges are bonded together, the first flap 410 25 is folded over the opening 417 to close the opening 417. Preferably, the first flap 410 is folded such that the second flap 422 is able to retain the first flap 410 in a closed position. 30 Embodiments of the present invention are advantageous in that the closure mechanism may be integrally formed with the container without the necessity to use additional components whilst also creating a reusable and secure closure. 35 It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as 5 illustrative and not restrictive. Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

1. A closure mechanism comprising; - a first flap arranged to. at least partially fold over 5 an opening to at least partially cover the opening 7 and - a second resilient flap arranged to resiliently secure the first flap to maintain the first flap in the at least partially covering position. 10

2. A closure mechanism in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second flap is arranged to at least partially fold over the first flap.

3. A closure mechanism in accordance with claims 1 or 2, 15 wherein the second flap is arranged to resiliently release the first flap to allow the first flap to be unfolded over the opening where a user opens the closure mechanism.

4. A closure mechanism in accordance with any one of the 20 preceding claims arranged to close a container.

5. A closure mechanism in accordance with claim 4 wherein the container is a stationery item. 25

6. A closure mechanism in accordance with claims 4 or 5, wherein the first flap is incorporated into the body of the container.

7. A closure mechanism in accordance with any one of 30 claims 4 to 6, wherein the container is a folder.

8. A folder comprising: - a first planar sheet bonded to a second planar sheet to define an envelope arranged to receive one or more 35 substantially planar members through an opening, wherein the first planar sheet has a first flap arranged to at - 11 least partially fold over the opening to at least partially close the opening; and - the second planar sheet has a second flap arranged to resiliently secure the first flap.whereupon the first flap 5 is secured in the at least partially closed position.

9. A folder in accordance with claim 8, wherein the first flap is integrated with the first planar sheet.

10 10- A folder in accordance with claims 8 or 9, wherein the second flap is integrated with the second planar sheet

11. A method of defining a folder in accordance with any 15 one of claims 8 to 10, comprising the steps of: - folding a planar rectangular sheet together such that a first portion of the sheet offsets a second portion of the sheet, - bonding a portion of two opposing sides of the folded 20 sheet to define an envelope with an opening, - folding the first portion to cover the opening to thereby define the first flap; and - forming the second flap from the edge of the second portion adjacent to the opening. 25

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the folder is formed from a resilient material.

13. A method in accordance with claims 11 or 12, wherein 30 the folder is formed from a plastics material.

14. A closure mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 35

15. A folder substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. - 12

16. A method of defining a folder substantially as herein described with reference to the accompany drawings.