EP1007374B1 - Binding element for sheets of paper - Google Patents

Binding element for sheets of paper Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1007374B1
EP1007374B1 EP96904351A EP96904351A EP1007374B1 EP 1007374 B1 EP1007374 B1 EP 1007374B1 EP 96904351 A EP96904351 A EP 96904351A EP 96904351 A EP96904351 A EP 96904351A EP 1007374 B1 EP1007374 B1 EP 1007374B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
end portion
body portion
perforator
insertion end
binding element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96904351A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1007374A1 (en
Inventor
Ronald De Jong
Lucas Maria Pijfers
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
JPI Innovators BV
Original Assignee
JPI INNOVATORS BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by JPI INNOVATORS BV filed Critical JPI INNOVATORS BV
Publication of EP1007374A1 publication Critical patent/EP1007374A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1007374B1 publication Critical patent/EP1007374B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42F—SHEETS TEMPORARILY ATTACHED TOGETHER; FILING APPLIANCES; FILE CARDS; INDEXING
    • B42F13/00—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots
    • B42F13/02—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots with flexible or resilient means
    • B42F13/06—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots with flexible or resilient means with strips or bands

Definitions

  • CH-A-243 783 is a flat and elongate binding element with an insertion end portion, a second end portion and a body portion being wider than the end portions and positioned therebetween, wherein the transitions between the body portion and the end portions are formed by preformed bends.
  • the present invention provides an element for mutually binding two or more sheets of paper provided with perforator holes as defined in claim 1.
  • the binding element according to the present invention is preferably applied in combination with round holes of a usual perforator such as is available in most offices (and households), while the decorative part can be used in distinctive or humorous manner to draw the attention of the recipient of the sheets of paper to a logo or other message.
  • a binding element 1 according to the present invention (fig. 1 and 2) comprises a body portion 2, an insertion end portion 3 and a second end portion 4 which is provided with a decorative part 5 which can take different forms, such as the decorative part 5' of fig. 3.
  • the body portion 2 and the end portions 3, 4 respectively are preferably manufactured from one piece of flexible metal, thus resulting in a low cost price and preventing the binding element from buckling during use. Silver-coloured metal is also easily visible.
  • the transition between body portion 2 and insertion end portion 3 and the second end portion 4 is formed by bends 6, 7 respectively so that the sheets of paper remain lying flat on a planar base.
  • the embodiment of fig. 3 has the further feature that the insertion end portion 3' is provided with a locking element 8 which can be fixed non-releasably to insertion end portion 3' whereby the sheets of paper, for instance together forming a contract, are joined together inseparably.
  • the locking element 8 can for instance be snapped into the hole 9 in the insertion end portion 3' such that locking element 8 cannot be removed without noticeably damaging the insertion element 3'.
  • Locking element 8 has a dimension which is larger than the diameter of the perforator holes (not shown in fig. 3) and can for instance be provided with a logo or the seal of a lawyer or the like.

Landscapes

  • Sheet Holders (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Package Frames And Binding Bands (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)
  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
  • Fixed Capacitors And Capacitor Manufacturing Machines (AREA)
  • Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention provides an element (1) for mutually binding two or more sheets of paper provided with perforator holes, comprising: a substantially flat and elongate body portion with a length roughly equal to a distance defined by two perforator holes and a width smaller than or equal to the diameter of the perforator holes; an insertion end portion (3) in the line of the body portion of a width such that it can be placed through the perforator holes; and a second end portion (4) which can be provided with a decorative part (5) which is wider than the insertion end portion (3) and which extends relative to the insertion end portion (3) in opposing direction from the body portion (2).

Description

Even in a time when personal computers are widely used for both commercial and domestic purposes, the number of reports, contracts and the like which are issued, mailed or stored seems to increase rather than decrease.
Well-presented, "clean" reports are usually bound and provided with a spine, which is time-consuming and laborious and also undesirable from an environmental viewpoint. In addition, use is generally made for filing purposes of a binding element of metal arranged on a cover wherein two insertion end parts are placed through perforator holes arranged in sheets of paper and a counter-element with corresponding holes is placed thereover, whereafter the insertion end parts are fixed in place with slide elements. Due to their unattractive appearance these binding elements are little used for distribution of reports, contracts and the like.
Further known from the European patent application 81.101.039.6 is a connecting element with a stem and two holding members which can be placed through oval holes in a number of sheets of paper, whereafter this connecting element must be turned in order to hold together the sheets of paper. This connecting element requires a special type of perforating machine in order to make the oval holes.
Further known from CH-A-243 783 is a flat and elongate binding element with an insertion end portion, a second end portion and a body portion being wider than the end portions and positioned therebetween, wherein the transitions between the body portion and the end portions are formed by preformed bends.
The present invention provides an element for mutually binding two or more sheets of paper provided with perforator holes as defined in claim 1.
The binding element according to the present invention is preferably applied in combination with round holes of a usual perforator such as is available in most offices (and households), while the decorative part can be used in distinctive or humorous manner to draw the attention of the recipient of the sheets of paper to a logo or other message.
Further features and details of the present invention are defined in claims 2-5 and will be elucidated on the basis of the following description with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:
  • fig. 1 shows a view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of a binding element according to the present invention;
  • fig. 2 shows a front view of the binding element of fig. 1 in use; and
  • fig. 3 is a view in perspective of a second embodiment of the binding element according to the present invention in use.
    • A binding element 1 according to the present invention (fig. 1 and 2) comprises a body portion 2, an insertion end portion 3 and a second end portion 4 which is provided with a decorative part 5 which can take different forms, such as the decorative part 5' of fig. 3.
    The decorative part 5 is preferably provided with a logo or other message printed thereon for the recipient of the report or contract formed by the sheets of paper S, S'. The decorative part 5' can likewise be printed and also be embodied in a desired colour composition.
    After perforator holes H1 and H2 have been arranged in a plurality of sheets of paper S, S' using a normal perforator, the insertion end portion 3 is inserted through both holes and the decorative part 5 lies on the upper side thereof in a position easily visible to the recipient of the sheets of paper.
    The body portion 2 and the end portions 3, 4 respectively are preferably manufactured from one piece of flexible metal, thus resulting in a low cost price and preventing the binding element from buckling during use. Silver-coloured metal is also easily visible.
    The transition between body portion 2 and insertion end portion 3 and the second end portion 4 is formed by bends 6, 7 respectively so that the sheets of paper remain lying flat on a planar base.
    Relative to the embodiment of fig. 1 and 2 the embodiment of fig. 3 has the further feature that the insertion end portion 3' is provided with a locking element 8 which can be fixed non-releasably to insertion end portion 3' whereby the sheets of paper, for instance together forming a contract, are joined together inseparably. The locking element 8 can for instance be snapped into the hole 9 in the insertion end portion 3' such that locking element 8 cannot be removed without noticeably damaging the insertion element 3'. Locking element 8 has a dimension which is larger than the diameter of the perforator holes (not shown in fig. 3) and can for instance be provided with a logo or the seal of a lawyer or the like.
    The rights applied for are in no way determined by the above described embodiments. These are defined by the following claims.

    Claims (5)

    1. Binding element for mutually binding two or more sheets of paper, the sheets being provided with a first and a second perforator hole, said binding element comprising:
      a substantially flat and elongate body portion with a length roughly equal to a distance defined by the perforator holes;
      an insertion end portion in the line of the body portion; and
      a second end portion which can be decorated, said second end portion extending relative to the insertion end portion in opposing direction relative to the body portion,
      wherein the transitions between the insertion end portion and the body portion and between the body portion and the second end portion are formed by respective preformed bends, the fixed length of said body portion corresponding to the distance between the two perforator holes;
      characterized in that
         the body portion, the insertion end portion and the second end portion are manufactured of one piece of strong metal, which is difficult to buckle, providing a fixed form to the binding element,
         said insertion end portion has a width smaller than the diameter of the perforator holes, so that the insertion end portion can be inserted without turning through the first perforator hole and subsequently through the second perforator hole; and in that
         said body portion has a width smaller than or equal to the perforator holes, so that the body portion can be inserted without turning through the first perforator hole.
    2. Binding element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end portion is provided with a decorative part which is wider than the insertion end portion.
    3. Binding element according to claim 2, wherein the decorative part is wider than a perforator hole.
    4. Binding element as claimed in any of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said binding element is provided with a locking element.
    5. Binding element as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the insertion end portion, the body portion and the second end portion are substantially the same.
    EP96904351A 1996-02-16 1996-02-16 Binding element for sheets of paper Expired - Lifetime EP1007374B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (1)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    PCT/NL1996/000071 WO1997029917A1 (en) 1996-02-16 1996-02-16 Binding element for sheets of paper

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1007374A1 EP1007374A1 (en) 2000-06-14
    EP1007374B1 true EP1007374B1 (en) 2004-10-20

    Family

    ID=19865977

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP96904351A Expired - Lifetime EP1007374B1 (en) 1996-02-16 1996-02-16 Binding element for sheets of paper

    Country Status (8)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1007374B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE280046T1 (en)
    AU (1) AU4847696A (en)
    DE (1) DE69633684T2 (en)
    DK (1) DK1007374T3 (en)
    ES (1) ES2225872T3 (en)
    PT (1) PT1007374E (en)
    WO (1) WO1997029917A1 (en)

    Family Cites Families (3)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    CH243783A (en) * 1944-09-13 1946-07-31 Fischer Franz Holder for interchangeable grouping of loose sheets with at least two holes.
    SE353050B (en) * 1969-05-23 1973-01-22 J Sahlin
    MC1207A1 (en) * 1978-04-18 1979-05-18 S Metni PERSONALIZED ATTACHMENT

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    DE69633684T2 (en) 2005-10-20
    PT1007374E (en) 2004-12-31
    WO1997029917A1 (en) 1997-08-21
    ES2225872T3 (en) 2005-03-16
    EP1007374A1 (en) 2000-06-14
    DK1007374T3 (en) 2005-02-07
    DE69633684D1 (en) 2004-11-25
    ATE280046T1 (en) 2004-11-15
    AU4847696A (en) 1997-09-02

    Similar Documents

    Publication Publication Date Title
    USD413934S (en) Information terminal
    US6332247B1 (en) Two-piece clip with elastically adjustable ferrule
    US4521035A (en) Paper sheet holders
    USD446503S1 (en) Power strip
    USD536236S1 (en) Receiver pin
    CA1271970A (en) Bookbinding strips and method of binding books
    USD446209S1 (en) Netport
    USD468735S1 (en) Information terminal
    US6973700B2 (en) Paper clip
    USD473554S1 (en) Information terminal
    USD420331S (en) Electrical wire terminator
    US20060107496A1 (en) Paper clip with double clipping effect
    USD536038S1 (en) Label for packaging
    EP1007374B1 (en) Binding element for sheets of paper
    AU656000B2 (en) Clip for paper or other objects
    US5785444A (en) Fastener
    USD554010S1 (en) Single-spacing stud tape
    JP2001519926A (en) Pin clip
    US20070277417A1 (en) Cover for paper clips
    USD385910S (en) Business paper
    USD445128S1 (en) Laser printable card badge sheet
    USD445127S1 (en) Laser printable card badge sheet
    USD443894S1 (en) Tabbed label
    JP3148897B2 (en) Ring binder holder
    EP0856418A3 (en) Process of forming binding albums

    Legal Events

    Date Code Title Description
    PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

    17P Request for examination filed

    Effective date: 19980910

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: A1

    Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

    17Q First examination report despatched

    Effective date: 20000927

    GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

    GRAS Grant fee paid

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

    RAP3 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

    Owner name: JPI INNOVATORS B.V.

    RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

    Inventor name: PIJFERS, LUCAS, MARIA

    Inventor name: DE JONG, RONALD

    GRAA (expected) grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: B1

    Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: GB

    Ref legal event code: FG4D

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: CH

    Ref legal event code: NV

    Representative=s name: ARNOLD & SIEDSMA AG

    Ref country code: CH

    Ref legal event code: EP

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: SE

    Ref legal event code: TRGR

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: IE

    Ref legal event code: FG4D

    REF Corresponds to:

    Ref document number: 69633684

    Country of ref document: DE

    Date of ref document: 20041125

    Kind code of ref document: P

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: PT

    Ref legal event code: SC4A

    Free format text: AVAILABILITY OF NATIONAL TRANSLATION

    Effective date: 20041109

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: GR

    Ref legal event code: EP

    Ref document number: 20040404051

    Country of ref document: GR

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: IE

    Payment date: 20050127

    Year of fee payment: 10

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: PT

    Payment date: 20050201

    Year of fee payment: 10

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DK

    Ref legal event code: T3

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: ES

    Payment date: 20050303

    Year of fee payment: 10

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: ES

    Ref legal event code: FG2A

    Ref document number: 2225872

    Country of ref document: ES

    Kind code of ref document: T3

    ET Fr: translation filed
    PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

    STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

    Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

    26N No opposition filed

    Effective date: 20050721

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: IE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20060216

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: IT

    Payment date: 20060228

    Year of fee payment: 11

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: PT

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20060816

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: LU

    Payment date: 20060828

    Year of fee payment: 11

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: MC

    Payment date: 20060829

    Year of fee payment: 11

    Ref country code: GR

    Payment date: 20060829

    Year of fee payment: 11

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: DK

    Payment date: 20060831

    Year of fee payment: 11

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: PT

    Ref legal event code: MM4A

    Effective date: 20060816

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: IE

    Ref legal event code: MM4A

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: SE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20070217

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: MC

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20070228

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DK

    Ref legal event code: EBP

    EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: DK

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20070228

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: SE

    Payment date: 20060831

    Year of fee payment: 11

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: CH

    Payment date: 20080227

    Year of fee payment: 13

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: ES

    Ref legal event code: FD2A

    Effective date: 20070217

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: AT

    Payment date: 20080226

    Year of fee payment: 13

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: ES

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20070217

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: GR

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20070904

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: GB

    Payment date: 20090227

    Year of fee payment: 14

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: BE

    Payment date: 20090226

    Year of fee payment: 14

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: LU

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20070216

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: IT

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20070216

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: CH

    Ref legal event code: PL

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: LI

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20090228

    Ref country code: CH

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20090228

    Ref country code: AT

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20090216

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: FR

    Payment date: 20090226

    Year of fee payment: 14

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: DE

    Payment date: 20100226

    Year of fee payment: 15

    BERE Be: lapsed

    Owner name: *JPI INNOVATORS B.V.

    Effective date: 20100228

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: NL

    Payment date: 20100226

    Year of fee payment: 15

    GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

    Effective date: 20100216

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: FR

    Ref legal event code: ST

    Effective date: 20101029

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: FR

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20100301

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: BE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20100228

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: GB

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20100216

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: NL

    Ref legal event code: V1

    Effective date: 20110901

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: NL

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20110901

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: DE

    Ref legal event code: R119

    Ref document number: 69633684

    Country of ref document: DE

    Effective date: 20110901

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: DE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20110901