BE1018987A3 - CONNECTING ARTICLE WITH MAGNETIC CLOSURE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a book binding article comprising a first and a second cover (2 ', 3'), a spine (4 ') connecting said covers (2', 3 '), a plurality of pages (5') attached. articulated with respect to said back (4 '), a first flap (6') extending said first cover (2 '), a second flap (7') extending said second cover (3 '), at least one magnetic pair (15) comprising a first member (16) and a second member (17) magnetically attracted to each other, said first member (16) being disposed in said first flap (6 ') and said second member ( 17) being disposed in said second flap (7 '). The thickness of the flaps does not exceed the thickness of the covers, the sum of the widths of said first and second flaps (6 ', 7') being equal to the width of said back (4 ') and the magnetic attraction s' exerting longitudinal edge of said first flap (6 ') against longitudinal edge of said second flap (7').

Description

Binding article with magnetic closure

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

. (The invention relates generally binding articles such as notebooks, notebooks, diaries or other, whatever the format.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

Binding articles of this type equipped with magnetic closure means which when they are closed have a parallelepipedal shape are already known.

Such an article will now be described in more detail in support of FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of this binding article in the closed position; and Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the binding article of Figure 1 along the plane marked II-II.

The binding article 1 comprises two covers 2, 3, a back 4 connecting the cover 2 to the cover 3, and a plurality of pages 5 hingedly fixed relative to the back 4.

Article 1 also comprises two flaps 6, 7 each arranged in the extension of a respective cover 2, 3; each flap 6, 7 being hinged to the corresponding cover 2, 3, along a fold line 8, 9 (Figure 2).

The magnetic closure means comprise a magnetic pair formed of two plates 10, 11 attracted magnetically with respect to each other and each arranged in a respective flap 6, 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the arrangement of the plates 10, 11 is. provided that they are face-to-face when the article 1 is in the closed position with the flap 6 folded over the flap 7.

When a user wishes to unfold the top cover (in this case the cover, 2) to open the article 1, it must first unfold the first flap 6 by exerting, for example with his thumb, a sufficient effort on one of the slices of this flap 6 to overcome the magnetic attraction force exerted between the two plates 10, 11 in a direction perpendicular to these plates (and tangent to the field lines 12 shown in phantom in FIG. 2 ).

To return the article 1 to its closed position illustrated in Figure 1, the user must position the flap 7 at 90 ° of the cover 3, then close the cover 2 and at least partially fold the flap 6 on the flap 7 to to bring the plates 10, 11 sufficiently close together so that the magnetic attraction force exerted between the faces of these plates becomes large enough to cause complete folding of this flap 6 on the flap 7.

OBJE.T OF THE INVENTION

The. The invention relates to such a magnetic closure binding article whose implementation is facilitated.

She proposes for this purpose a binding article such as notebook, notebook, diary or other, whatever the format, comprising: - a first cover; - a second cover; - a back connecting said first cover to said second cover; a plurality of pages fixed in an articulated manner with respect to said back; a first flap extending said first cover and having a thickness at most equal to the thickness of the first cover; a second flap extending said second cover and having a thickness at most equal to the thickness of the second cover; at least one magnetic pair comprising a first element

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and a second element magnetically attracted to each other, said first element being disposed in said first flap and said second element being disposed in said second flap; characterized in that the sum of the widths of said first and second flaps is equal to the width of said back and in that the magnetic attraction between the first and second elements of the magnetic pair maintains the longitudinal edge of said first flap against the longitudinal edge of said second flange flap when the binding item is closed.

The opening and closing operations of the binding article according to the invention each require only one and only manipulation.

Thus, to move the article from its open position to its closed position, the user simply has to close one of the covers, as it would with a conventional binding article without magnetic closure means. Surprisingly, the magnetic attraction exerted between the first and second elements of the magnetic couple is sufficient to allow a good maintenance of the closed position, although these two elements are opposite one another only on a relatively small area at the edges of the flaps.

Furthermore, in comparison with magnetic closure articles with overlapping flaps, the article according to the invention has thinner lines, has a smaller footprint and requires less material for its manufacture, which reduces its cost.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the first flap can be articulated with the first cover and the second flap can be articulated with the second cover. This arrangement allows a layout that facilitates the writing on the pages of the article, when the binding article is opened.

In this case, the magnetic attraction force exerted between the elements of the magnetic torque is sufficient to cause the first and second flaps to fold back until they are positioned in the same plane perpendicular to the first and second covers. . Since the sum of the widths of the first and second flaps is equal to the width of the back, the longitudinal slices are then in contact with each other: the magnetic attraction is then maximal and keeps the article in its position closed.

To move the article from its closed position to its open position, the user simply has to unfold one of the covers, as it would with a conventional binding article without magnetic closure means. Only the intensity of the force exerted must be greater to overcome the force of magnetic attraction between the longitudinal slices. The user can further reduce this effort without additional gesture if he slightly presses with a finger on the line of separation of the flaps towards the back of the article, which easily initiates their opening, thanks to the particular arrangement of the magnetic couples according to the invention.

According to preferred features for reasons of simplicity and convenience of implementation: the width of each of said first and second flaps is equal to half the width of said back; Each of said flaps extends opposite said back; - The articulation between each of said flaps and the corresponding cover is formed by a thin strip of a flexible sheet of padding covering the outer face of said blankets, said back and said flaps; Said flexible sheet of re-framing is in paper optionally coated or impregnated; - The binding article comprises four magnetic couples the first elements of said pairs being disposed in the thickness of said first flap at regular intervals along its longitudinal edge, said second elements of said couples being disposed in the thickness of said second flap at regular intervals along its longitudinal edge and vis-à-vis said first elements; Said first elements extend transversely to said longitudinal slice of said first flap, said second elements extending transversely to said longitudinal slice of said second flap;

Said first and second elements of a said magnetic torque are magnetized parallelepiped magnets in the longitudinal direction;

Said first and second elements of a said magnetic pair are sintered magnets composed of neodymium powder, iron and boron, and coated with a nickel layer; At least one of the elements of said magnetic pair is a permanent magnet having North and South poles aligned parallel to the longitudinal slices of the flaps; - The two elements of said magnetic torque are permanent magnets having North and South poles aligned parallel to the longitudinal slices of the flaps; At least one pole of the first element is close to an opposite pole of the second element; - The North Pole of the first element of said magnetic torque is close to the South Pole of the second element and the South Pole of the first element is close to the North Pole of the second element; The first flap comprises a tongue and the second flap comprises a notch adapted to receive the tongue, the first element of said magnetic torque being arranged in the tongue, with its North and South poles at least partially aligned with the North and South poles. the second element; - The first element of said magnetic torque is a permanent magnet whose North and South poles are aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the first flap, one of the poles of the first element being close to the opposite pole of the second element; - The binding article comprises at least two magnetic couples having a first common element and two second elements respectively belonging to the two magnetic couples and magnetically attracting said first common element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. a perspective view of a binding article according to a first embodiment of the invention in a closed position; and Figure 4 is a partial view, in section, of the binding article of Figure 3 along the plane indicated by IV-IV; - Figure 5 is a side view of the binding article of Figure 3 in the open position with the flaps fully unfolded; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a binding article according to a second embodiment of the invention in the closed position; - Figure 7 shows the arrangement of the flaps of the binding article of Figure 6 in the closed position; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a binding article according to a third embodiment of the invention in the closed position; - Figure 9 shows the arrangement of the flaps of the binding article of Figure 8 in the closed position; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a binding article according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in a closed position; - Figure 11 shows the arrangement of the flaps of the binding article of Figure 10 in the closed position; and - Figure 12 is. a side view of the binding article, in the closed position, according to an alternative embodiment with a rounded shape of the flaps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The binding article according to the invention is of the same kind as that previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the following and in Figures 3 to 5 illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same references were used with a premium for similar elements.

The book 1 'comprises two covers 2', 3 ', a back 4' connecting the cover 2 'to the cover 3', and a plurality of pages 5 'hingedly fixed relative to the back 4'. The two covers 2 ', 3' preferably have the same thickness e.

This notebook 1 'also comprises two flaps 6', 7 'each arranged in the extension of a respective cover 2', 3 'opposite the back 4' and whose sum of the respective widths is equal to that of the back 4 ' . The thickness e 'of the flaps 2', 3 'is of the same order of magnitude and preferably slightly less than or equal to the thickness e of the covers 2', 3 '.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the two flaps 6 ', 7' have the same width equal to half that of the back 4 '.

The covers 2 ', 3', the back 4 'and the flaps 6', 7 'are here cardboard, their outer faces being covered by a flexible sheet 14 of repositioning, here paper optionally coated or impregnated.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the flaps 6 ', 7' is connected to the corresponding cover 2 ', 3' by a thin strip 14a, 14b of this backing sheet 14 which constitutes a particularly flexible articulation zone between flaps. 6 ', 7' and cover 2 ', 3'.

The magnetic closing means comprise four magnetic couples 15 each formed by two parallelepiped magnets 16, 17, magnetized in the longitudinal direction, so that the poles are at both ends.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the four magnets 16 are disposed inside housings provided in the flap thickness 6 ', at regular intervals along its longitudinal edge 18. They extend transversely moreover. at the longitudinal edge 18 of the flap 6 '.

In the same way, the four magnets 17 are arranged, inside housings provided in the thickness of the flap 7 ', at regular intervals along its longitudinal edge 19 (FIG. 5) and opposite the magnets 16. They extend further transversely to the longitudinal portion 19 of the flap 7 '.

The magnets 16, 17 are here sintered magnets composed of neodymium powder, iron and boron, and coated with a layer of nickel. This type of magnet has the advantage of having a significant attraction force while being available. commercially in standard dimensions particularly well suited to the small thickness e 'flaps (of the order of a millimeter) of such a binding article. The magnetic attraction between two magnets 16, 17 of the same magnetic pair 15 is longitudinal slice 18 of the flap 6 'against the longitudinal edge 19 of the flap 7'.

In the closed position illustrated in Figure 3, the flaps 6 ', 7' are perpendicular to the covers 2 ', 3' with their respective slices 18, 19 which are in contact with each other.

The field lines 20 traversing two magnets 16, 17 of the same pair 15 and illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 4, are then parallel to the plane formed by these flaps 6 ', 7' and perpendicular to the plane of the covers '2 ' , 3 '.

The opening of the book 1 'from its closed position illustrated in Figure 3, is performed in the same way as for a classic notebook without flap. The user unfolds the upper cover (here, the cover 2 ') exerting sufficient effort to overcome the magnetic attraction force exerted between the pairs of magnets 16 and 17.

Once the notebook 1 'open, the flexibility of the hinge strips 14a> 14b allows the user to easily unfold each of the two hinged flaps 6', 7 'so as to position in the extension of the cover 2 ', 3' to which it is linked (Figure 5).

Such a positioning makes it possible to prevent the hand or the forearm of this user from resting on the longitudinal edge 18, 19 of one of these flaps 6 ', 7' (as would be the case if the flaps 6 ' , 7 'remained constantly perpendicular to the covers 2', 3 ') thus improving its comfort of reading or writing.

To bring article 1 'back to its closed position illustrated in FIG. 3, the user simply has to close the top cover 2' (as it would do with a conventional binding item without a flap), the pulling force magnetic being exerted between the slices 18, 19 then becoming sufficient to bring them closer together and thus the folding of the flaps 6 ', 7'.

This movement continues until the slices 18, 19 come into contact with each other, the flaps 6 ', 7' forming a right angle with the covers 2 ', 3' (Figure-4).

In Figures 6-7, 8-9 and 10-11 illustrating three other preferred embodiments of the invention, the previously used references were modified by deleting the premium and a number of hundred (s) was added.

In the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-7, the article is a notebook 101 which has two flaps 106, 107 arranged in a manner similar to the example of FIGS. The two flaps 106, 107 are thus each arranged in the extension of a respective cover 102, 10, opposite the back 104 and cover the side of the pages 105 opposite the back in the closed position of the notebook 101. tongues 121, 122 are optionally formed at the. joining edge of each of the flaps 106, 107 and protrude outwardly from the face opposite to the pages 105. These tabs 121, 122 are offset relative to each other along the junction between the slices 118. , 119 to allow a gripping of the flaps 106, 107 which facilitates the opening operation of the notebook 101. Indeed the user can open the notebook 101 simply with two thumbs by spreading the tabs 121, 122.

Here, the approximation between the flaps 106, 107 results from the attraction between respective magnets 116a-116b, 117a-117b coupled pairwise in the closed position of the notebook 101 and whose North and South poles are oriented parallel to each other in the flaps 106, 107 extending along the corresponding slice 118 or 119. In particular, these are permanent magnets 116a-116b, 117a-117b whose North and South poles formed at the longitudinal ends · are aligned parallel to the longitudinal slices 118, 119 of the flaps 106, 107. The directions of the poles is inverted between the magnets 116a and 117a of a magnetic torque 115, as can be seen in FIG. 7. Thus the North Pole of a first magnet 116a in the first flap 106 is close to the South Pole of a second magnet 117a and the south pole of this first magnet 116a is close to the north pole of the second magnet 117a. The arrangement is similar for the 116b-117b magnets.

This orientation of the North and South poles and the inversion of the poles between the two flaps 106 and 107 make it possible to impose the same closed position, that is to say without risk of longitudinal shifting between the flaps 106, 107. Upon contact between the flaps 106, 107, the magnets 116a-116b, 117a-117b are juxtaposed and the magnetic attraction maintains the exact position of closure. Of course, the juxtaposition coincides with a rapprochement of the opposite poles (North and South) of the magnets 116, 117, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. Although. Although two magnets are shown in each of the flaps 106, 107, a greater number of magnets could of course be used. On the other hand, one or more of the permanent magnets of one of the flaps 106, 107 could be replaced by elements of soft iron or similar ferrous material.

In the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-9, the article is a notebook 201 which has two flaps 206, 207 each arranged in the extension of a respective cover 202, 203, opposite the back 204 and which allow to cover the side of the pages 205 opposite the back in the closed position of the book 201.

Here too, the approximation between the flaps 206, 207 results from the attraction between respective magnets 116, 217a-217b forming magnetic couples 215 and. whose North and South poles are aligned parallel to the longitudinal slices 218, 219 of the flaps 206, 207. However in this case, two magnets 217a-217b are arranged in the second flap 207 and are attracted magnetically by the same magnet 216 arranged in a tongue 206a of the first flap 206. Thus, the north pole of this magnet 216 is coupled with the adjacent south pole of a magnet 217a disposed in the second flap 207 and the south pole of this magnet 216 is coupled with the north pole adjacent to Another magnet 217b disposed in the second flap 207. In this example, the first flap 206 comprises a tab 206a which is received in a notch 207a of complementary shape of the second flap 207 and adapted to receive the tongue 206a at which is arranged the magnet 216.

The magnets 217a-217b are distributed on either side of the notch 207a, with a North pole for one and a South pole for the other which are each vis-à-vis one of the longitudinal ends Thus, the first magnet 216 can form two magnetic couples 215 being arranged in the tongue 206a with its North and South poles at least partially aligned with the North and South poles of the two magnets 217a-217b. This arrangement makes it possible to place the poles of the magnets 216, 217a-217b opposite each other, which are not juxtaposed edge-to-edge as in the example of FIGS. 6-7. With this arrangement, an attraction is obtained between the longitudinal slices 218, 219 by using one less magnet in one of the flaps with respect to the example of FIGS. 6-7. It is of course possible to use in one or the other flaps 206, 207 a member of soft iron or other similar ferrous material in place of permanent magnets.

In the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-11, the article is a notebook 301 which has two flaps 306, 307 each arranged in the extension of a respective cover 302, 303, opposite the back 304 and which allow to cover the side of the pages 305 opposite the back in the closed position of the book 301.

In the thickness of the first flap 306, there is provided here a permanent magnet 316 whose North and South poles are aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edge 318 of the first flap 306. A pole of this magnet 316, here the South pole, faces the longitudinal edge 319 of the second flap 307. In the thickness of the second flap 307, there are provided two magnets 317a-317b spaced relative to each other and each having poles aligned parallel to the wafer longitudinal 319 of this second flap 307. The spacing is sufficient to allow to orient the poles in the opposite direction.

Longitudinal slice 318 magnetic fastening longitudinal edge 319 is obtained by placing the magnets 317a-317b so as to each have a same pole, here the North · pole in the vicinity of the complementary pole, here the South Pole, of the magnet 316. Two magnetic couples 315 are formed here with the same common magnet 316 for the attraction of the two magnets 317a-317b. Of course, the arrangement of Figures 10-11 allows the use of elements, soft iron or similar ferrous material, for example in replacement of the magnet 316 or replacing the two magnets 317a-317b.

In the variant shown in Figure 12, the article is a notebook 1 'completely similar to that shown in Figures 3-5. The flaps 6 ', 7', however, differ in that they have a rounded profile. The wall defined by these flaps 6 ', 7' in the closed position of the article 1 'thus has a convex outer face. Magnets 16, 17 of the same magnetic torque may be optionally inclined relative to each other. The flaps 16 and 17 here have the same thickness e 'which is for example equal to the thickness e covers 2', 3 '.

In a variant not shown, the flaps are arranged in the extension of the end slices of the covers and / or these flaps have a different width, for example, the width of the first flap is 1/3 of that of the back while that of the second flap is equal to 2/3 of that of the back.

In another variant not shown, the number of magnetic couples is different from four, for example two or six and / or the dimensions of the magnets are different.

In other variants not shown, the flaps have cuts of various shapes and sizes, to insert the fingertips to facilitate opening.

In other variants not shown: - the covers, the back and the flaps' are made of another material, the cardboard; - The flexible sheet is made of a material other than paper, for example a textile, leather or a plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC); each flap comprises only one magnet extending all along the longitudinal edge of the flap in which it is housed, this magnet having transverse magnetization parallel to the end slices of this flap; and / or - the magnets are barium and strontium ferrite magnets and / or one of the two flaps houses not magnets but soft iron elements having the same dimensions.

Many other variants are possible depending on the circumstances, and it is recalled in this regard that the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.

Claims (17)

1. Binding article such as notebook, notebook, diary or other, whatever the format, comprising: - a first cover (2 '; 102; 202; 302); a second cover (3 '; 103; 203; 303); a back (4 '; 104; 204; 304) connecting said first cover to said second cover; a plurality of pages (5 '; 105; 205; 305) hingedly attached to said back; a first flap (6 '; 106; 206; 306) extending said first cover and having a thickness (e') at most equal to the thickness (e) of the first cover; a second flap (7 '; 107; 207; 307) extending said second cover and having a thickness (e') at most equal to the thickness (e) of the second cover; at least one magnetic torque (15; 115; 215; 315) comprising a first element (16; 116a-116b; 216 ~; 316) and a second element (17; 117a-117b; 217a-217b; 317a-317b); magnetically attracted to each other, said first member (16; 116a-116b; 216; 316) being disposed in said first flap (6 '; 106; 206; 306) and said second member (17; 117a); -177b; 217a-217b; 317a-317b) being disposed in said second flap (7 '; 107; 207; 307) characterized in that the sum of the widths of said first and second flaps (6', 7 '; 107, 206, 207, 306, 307) is equal to the width of said back (4 '; 104; 204; 304) and in that the magnetic attraction between the first and second elements of the magnetic torque maintains the longitudinal portion (18 118, 218, 318) of said first flap (6 '; 106; 206; 306) against the longitudinal edge (19; 119; 219; 319) of said second flap (7'; 107; 207; 307) when the article of rel iure is closed. 2. Binding article according to claim 1, characterized in that the first flap (6 '; 106; 206; 306) is articulated with the first cover (2'; 102; 202; 302) and the second flap (7; 107; 207; 307) is articulated with the second cover (3 '; 103; 203; 303). 3. binding article according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the width of each of said first and second flaps (6 ', 7'; 106, 107; 306, 307) is equal to half of the width of said back (4 '). 4. Binding article according to one of claims 3, characterized in that each of said flaps (6 ', 7'; 10 6, 107; 206, 207; 306, 307) extends opposite said back (4 '). 5. Binding article according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the articulation between each of said flaps (6 ', 7'; 106, 107; 206, 207; 306, 307) and the corresponding cover (2 ', 3') is formed by a thin strip (14a, 14b) of a flexible foil (14) covering the outer face of said blankets (2 ', 3') 'of said back (4') and said flaps. 6. Binding article according to claim 5, characterized in that said flexible foil (14) is paper optionally coated or impregnated. 7. binding article according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises four magnetic couples (15), the first elements (16) of said couples (15) being arranged in the thickness of said first flap (6 ') at regular intervals along its longitudinal slit (18), said second elements (17) of said pairs (15) being disposed in the thickness of said second flap (7') at regular intervals along the its longitudinal edge (19) and vis-à-vis said first elements (16). Binding article according to claim 7, wherein said first elements extend transversely to said longitudinal edge of said first flap, said second members extending transversely. at said longitudinal edge (19) of said second flap (7 '). 9. Binding article according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said first and second elements of a said magnetic torque (15; 115; 215; 315) are parallelepiped magnets (16, 17; 116b, 117a-117b, 216, 217a-217b, 316, 317a-317b) magnetized in the longitudinal direction. Binding article according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said first and second elements of a said magnetic couple are sintered magnets (16, 17; 116a-116b, 117a-117b; 216, 217a). -217b; 316, 317-317b) compounds of neodymium powder, iron and boron, and coated with a nickel layer. The binding article according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the elements (117a-117b; 217a-217b; 317a-317b) of said magnetic torque (115; 215; 315) is a permanent magnet having North and South poles aligned parallel to the longitudinal slices (119; 219; 319) of the flaps (107; 207; 307). A binding article according to claim 11, wherein the two elements (116a, 117a, 216, 217a) of said magnetic torque (115) are permanent magnets having North poles. and South aligned parallel to the longitudinal slices (118, 119, 218, 219) of the flaps (106, 107, 206, 207). A binding article according to claim 12, wherein at least one pole of the first member (116a; 216) of said magnetic torque (115; 215) is adjacent to an opposite pole of the second member (117a; 217a). A binding article according to claim 13, wherein the North Pole of the first member (116a; 216) of said magnetic torque (115; 215) is proximate to the South Pole of the second member (117a; 217a) and the South Pole of the first member (117a; element is adjacent to the North Pole of the second element. A binding article according to claim 13, wherein the first flap (206) comprises a tongue (206a) and the second flap (207) has a notch (207a) adapted to receive the tongue, the first member (216) of said tongue magnetic torque (215) being arranged in the tongue (206a), with its North and South poles at least partially aligned with the North and South poles of the second element (217a-217b). 16. Binding article according to claim 11, wherein the first element (316) of said magnetic torque (315) is a permanent magnet whose North and South poles are aligned - substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal portion (318) of the first flap ( 306), one of the poles of the first element (316) being close to the opposite pole of the second element (317a). Binding article according to one of claims 1 to 6 or to one of claims 11 to 16, comprising at least two magnetic couples (215; 315) having a first element (216; 316) common and two second elements (217a-217b; 317a-317b) respectively belonging to the two magnetic couples and magnetically attracting said first common element.