GB2203694A

GB2203694A - A sheet of paper

Info

Publication number: GB2203694A
Application number: GB08809448A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick John Fairon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-04-22
Filing date: 1988-04-21
Publication date: 1988-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2008-04-21
Also published as: GB2203694B; GB8709494D0; GB8809448D0

Abstract

A sheet of paper (2) of a first size is perforated longitudinally (10, 12) and transversely (4, 6, 8) such that at least one sheet of paper (14) of a second and smaller size is obtainable by tearing along the perforations (4, 6, 8; 10, 12). The sheet of paper (2) of the first size has at least one set of six holes (16) or partially cut out discs arranged such that the holes are in that part of the sheet of paper (2) of the first size which forms the sheet of paper (14) of the second and smaller size. Thus the sheet of paper of the second and smaller size is locatable in a ring binder with the rings thereof passing through the set of six holes. The sheet of paper (2) of the first size is feedable through a document copying machine to make a copy of a separate sheet of paper (14) of the second and smaller size which can then be torn out and located in a ring binder. <IMAGE>

Description

A SHEET OF PAPER This invention relates to a sheet of paper.

Sheets of paper are normally of a standard size such for example as A4 size. Such standard sheets of paper are easily copied using similarly sized sheets of paper and an appropriate document copying machine.

Recently, there has become available personal information systems which use non-standard sheets of paper. These personal information systems may take the form of simple diaries or they may be of a more sophisticated nature providing various types of persons with information that they are likely to require, for example accountants with information relevant to accounting and surveyors with information relevant to surveying. The personal information systems are marketed under various names by various organisations, one well known personal information system being known as Filofax (trade mark) and another one being known as Personal Organiser.

Because the personal information systems use nonstandard paper, that is paper of a size which is not generally accepted at the current time, difficulty occurs if it is desired to obtain a copy of one of the sheets of paper used in the personal information systems. For example, if a sheet of paper of a personal information system is copied on a standard photocopying machine using A4 paper, then the copy comes out on A4 size paper which is considerably larger than the original sheet of the personal information system. Furthermore, it is a feature of the personal information systems that each sheet of paper has a set of six holes for enabling the sheet of paper to be located on the rings of a ring binder. The ring binder enables the sheets of paper to be interchangeable as may be desired so that a flexible personal information system-cum-diary is obtained.With the mentioned A4 size copy, not only will the copy be oversized but also there will be no holes for the ring binder. As the personal information systems are becomming increasily popular and more and more widely used, the problem of obtaining copies of the sheets of the personal information systems, for example for back-up or other purposes, is becomming more and more acute.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, this invention provides a sheet of paper which is of a first size and which is perforated longitudinally and transversely such that at least one sheet of paper which is of a second and smaller size is obtainable by tearing along the perforations, the sheet of paper which is of the first size having at least one set of six holes or at least one set of six partially cut out discs which can be pushed out to give the set of six holes, the set of six holes being arranged such that the holes are in that part of the sheet of paper of the first size which forms the sheet of paper of the second and smaller size whereby the sheet of paper of the second and smaller size is locatable in a ring binder with the rings of the ring binder passing through the set of six holes, and the sheet of paper of the first size being such that it is feedable through a document copying machine so that the sheet of paper of the first size can be used to make a copy of a separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size, and so that, when the copy of the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size has been made on the sheet of paper of the first size, the sheet of paper of the second and smaller size can be torn out of the sheet of paper of the first size thereby to obtain a copy of the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is of the correct size and which is locatable in the ring binder.

It will thus be apparent that the sheet of paper of the present invention forms abridging device which enables standard paper such for example as of A4 size to be used in a standard document copying machine for copying the non-standard pages of the personal information systems, these non-standard pages of the personal information systems being referred to as the sheets of paper of the second and smaller size. The sheet of paper of the present invention avoids the hitherto tedious need to cut large copied sheets of paper, for example of A4 size, down to the size of the sheets of paper for the personal information systems, and then to punch in the six holes in order that the sheets of paper can be located in the ring binder.The sheet of paper of the present invention is thus extremely simple to use and yet totally effective in providing exactly what is required, even although document copying machines work with one size of paper and the ring binders of the personal information systems work with another and smaller size of paper.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the sheet of paper of the first size has three transversely extending lines of perforations and three sets of six holes, thereby to form three of the sheets of paper of the second and smaller size.

In the first embodiment of the invention, the first sheet of the formed three sheets of paper of the second and smaller size is preferably arranged to have its edge adjacent its six holes coincident with the edge of the sheet of paper of the first size. However, if desired, this edge of the first sheet of the formed three sheets of paper could be moved inwardly with respect to the edge of the sheet of paper of the first size in which case there would be four of the transversely extending lines of perforations, unless the edge of the third sheet of the formed three sheets of paper which is remote from its six holes is arranged to coincide with the adjacent edge of the sheet of paper of the first size in which case only three of the transversely extending lines of perforations would be required.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the sheet of paper of the first size has two of the sets of holes, two transversely extending lines of perforations, and one transversely extending fold line, thereby to form one sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is foldable about the fold line, and one sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is not foldable, the sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is foldable being larger than the sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is not foldable.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the transversely extending lines of perforations can be moved to and away from either transversely extending edge of the sheet of paper of the first size as mentioned above in connection with the first embodiment of the invention.

The fold line will normally be just a printed line but it could be a pre-creased line if desired.

In a third embodiment of the invention, the sheet of paper of the first size has one set of the holes, one transversely extending line of perforations, and two transversely extending fold lines, thereby to form one sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is foldable about the two fold lines.

In the third embodiment of the invention, the transversely extending line of perforations can be moved to and away from either transversely extending edge of the sheet of paper of the first size as mentioned above in connection with the first embodiment of the invention.

In all embodiments of the invention, the sheet of paper of the first size preferably has two longitudinally extending lines of perforations which are positioned one adjacent but inwardly of both longitudinally extending edges of the sheet of paper of the first size.

If desired, the positioning of the longitudinal perforations may be varied such that there is only one longitudinally extending line of perforations, the other line of longitudinally extending perforations being not necessary if one edge of the paper of the second and smaller size is arranged to coincide with the edge of the paper of the first size. However, when this happens, it may be that some imageblurringmay occur along the edge of the paper, dependent upon the various types and makes of document copying machines employed. In order to avoid any possibility of image blurring it is thus preferred that the sheets of paper of the second and smaller size are positioned inwardly of the sheet of paper of the first size, which means that the above mentioned two longitudinally extending lines of perforations are preferred.

The perforations in the sheet of paper may be of any desired and appropriate type. Thus, for example, the perforations may be formed as straight slits which partially cut through the paper. The slits may cut completely through the paper if desired and perforations in a form other than straight slits may be employed. Generally, the perforations should be such as to enable the sheet of paper to be easily handled as a single sheet of paper since it will be appreciated that it would not be desirable for the sheet of paper of the second and smaller size to start to break free from the sheet of paper of the first size during initial handling or during actual document copying.

The partially cut discs can each be formed by one continuous cut or alternatively by perforations. The perforations can extend partially or completely through the sheet of paper. The continuous cut or the perforations should be such as to ensure that the discs will remain in the sheet of paper during normal handling and during document copying. It will be apparent that if the discs should fall out prematurely they could mar the produced copies. It is for the reason of avoiding loose discs that could possibly mar document copies or that could create an untidy mess in the vicinity of a document copying machine, that it is preferred that the sheet of paper of the invention is provided with actual holes in the first instance.

Usually, the sheet of paper of the invention will be of A4 size. If desired however, larger size sheets of paper may be employed. For example, most document copying machines are able to take A4 and A3 sized sheets of paper. Apart from wasting paper, relatively large sheets of paper of the first size can be employed since their actual size is irrelevant providing that they are of a sufficiently standard size to be used as standard sheets of paper on a document copying machine and providing they enable the required production of the sheet or sheets of paper of the second and smaller size.

As indicated above, the sheet or sheets of paper of the second size will usually be those of the size which are used in the personal information systems known as Filofax (trade mark) and Personal Organiser. These sheets of paper are basically 9.5mm wide and 17mm long.

The sheet of paper of the present invention may be of any desired and suitable thickness and quality. Usually, the sheet of paper will be blank since it will just be used as a copying sheet of paper. It is however within the scope of the present invention to provide the sheet of paper with appropriate printing as may be desired, for example, a printed grid of lines.

It is envisaged that the piece of paper of the present invention can be copied using any of the available document copying machines. The document copying machine will usually be a photocopying machine but it could be another type of machine such for example as a laser document copying machine.

The present invention also extends to the combination of a plurality of the sheets of paper and a template for the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size from which a copy is to be made, the template being locatable on the part of the document copying machine that receives the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size in order to ensure that the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size is correctly registered. The template may be especially advantageous when only a single separate sheet of the paper of the second and smaller size is being copied.

The template may be provided with cut out portions for receiving the separate sheet or sheets of paper of the second and smaller size from which a copy is to be made.

Alternatively, the template may be in the form of a sheet of transparent material which is provided with an adhesive surface, e.g. an electrostatic surface, which holds the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size from which copies are to be made in a correctly registering position whilst it is being copied. Preferably, the template is in the form of a folded sheet of transparent plastics material which is provided with location marks for facilitating accurate location of the sheet or sheets to be copied.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a first sheet of paper in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a second sheet of paper in accordance with the invention; and Figure 3 shows a third sheet of paper in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a sheet of paper 2 which is of a first size. This sheet of paper 2 is of A4 size. The sheet of paper 2 is provided with three transversely extending lines 4,6,8 of perforations. The sheet of paper 2 is also provided with two longitudinally extending lines 10,12 of perforations.

The lines of perforations 4,6,8,10,12 are such that by tearing along these lines of perforations, the sheet of paper 2 can be divided up into three sheets of paper 14 which are of a second and smaller size than the sheet of paper 2.

The sheet of paper 2 has three sets of six holes 16.

The holes 16 are as shown so that they will occur one in each of the sheets of paper 14. Thus each set of six holes is arranged such that the holes are in that part of the sheet of paper 2 which forms the sheet of paper 14, whereby the sheets of paper 14 are locatable in a ring binder (not shown) with the rings of the ring binder passing through the holes 16.

The sheet of paper 2 is such that it is feedable through a document copying machine. Thus, the sheet of paper 2 can be used to make a copy of a separate sheet of paper (not shown) of the second and the smaller size. The sheet of paper 2 can be fed as a standard item through the document copying machine. When the copy of the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size has been made on to the sheet of paper 2, then the sheet of paper 14 can be torn out of the sheet of paper 2 to obtain a copy of the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is of the correct size and which is locatable in the ring binder. If three of the separate sheets of paper of the second and smaller size are copied together, then these will be reproduced on the illustrated three sheets of paper 14 which can then be torn out of the sheet of paper 2.

Referring now to Figure 2, similar parts as in Figure 1 have been given the same reference numerals and their precise construction and operation will not again be given.

In Figure 2, the line 4 of perforations has been replaced by a fold line 18.This means that the sheet of paper 2 shown in Figure 2 can be torn to give one sheet of paper 14 which is f6ldable about the fold line 18, and one sheet of paper 14 which is not foldable. As shown, the sheet of paper 14 which is foldable about the fold line 18 is larger than the sheet of paper 14 which is not foldable.

In Figure 3, similar parts as in Figures 1 and 2 have been given the same reference numerals and their precise construction and operation will not again be given.

In Figure 3, the lines 4,6 of perforations as shown in Figure 1 have been replaced by fold lines 18,20. This means that only one sheet of paper 14 is obtainable as shown in Figure 3, this sheet of paper being foldable about the fold lines 18,20. By comparing Figures 1,2 and 3, it will be seen that the fold lines 18,20 are not exactly in the same position as the lines 4,6 of perforations, this being because the folded parts of the sheets of paper 14 cannot interfere with the holes 16 which enable the piece of paper 14 to be located on the rings of the ring binder.

The single folded sheet of paper 14 and the double folded sheet of paper 14 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 respectively are in fact modified sheets of paper which are used in the personal information systems.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, instead of having the holes 16, partially cut out discs could be used which would subsequently be pushed out after document reproduction such for example as xeroxing. Also, as viewed in Figure 1, the sheets of paper 14 can be moved slightly to the right with respect to the sheet of paper 2 so that then another line of transversely extending perforations would be required just to the left hand side of the left hand set of the holes 16. Still further, if the sheets of paper 14 as viewed in Figure 1 were moved relatively to the sheet of paper 2 sufficiently far to the right, the line 8 of transversely extending perforations could be arranged to coincide with the extreme right hand edge of the sheet of paper 2 so that then the line 8 of transversely extending perforations would not need to be employed. In a similar manner, the sheets of paper 14 as shown in Figure 1 can be moved up and down with respect to the sheet of paper 2 to bring either the line 10 of longitudinal perforations or the line 12 of longitudinal perforations into registry with its adjacent edge of the sheet of paper 2, thereby dispensing with this line of perforations. Similar adjustments can be made for the sheets of paper shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Claims

1. A sheet of paper which is of a first size and which is perforated longitudinally and transversely such that at least one sheet of paper which is of a second and smaller size is obtainable by tearing along the perforations, the sheet of paper which is of the first size having at least one set-of six holes or at least one set of six partially cut out discs which can be pushed out to give the set of six holes, the set of six holes being arranged such that the holes are in that part of the sheet of paper of the first size which forms the sheet of paper of the second and smaller size whereby the sheet of paper of the second and smaller size is locatable in a ring binder with the rings of the ring binder passing through the set of six holes, and the sheet of paper of the first size being such that it is feedable through a document copying machine so that the sheet of paper of the first size can be used to make a copy of a separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size, and so that, when the copy of the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size has been made on the sheet of paper of the first size, the sheet of paper of the second and smaller size can be torn out of the sheet of paper of the first size thereby to obtain a copy of the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is of the correct size and which is locatable in the ring binder.

2. A sheet of paper according to claim 1 in which the sheet of paper of the first size has three transversely extending lines of perforations and three sets of six holes, thereby to form three of the sheets of paper of the second and smaller size.

3. A sheet of paper according to claim 2 in which the first sheet of the formed three sheets of paper of the second and smaller size is arranged to have its edge adjacent its six holes coincident with the edge of the sheet of paper of the first size.

4. A sheet of paper according to claim 1 in which the sheet of paper of the first size has two of the sets of holes, two transversely extending lines of perforations, and one transversely extending fold line, thereby to form one sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is foldable about the fold line, and one sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is not foldable, the sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is foldable being larger than the sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is not foldable.

5. A sheet of paper according to claim 4 in which the fold line is a printed line.

6. A sheet of paper according to claim 1 in which the sheet of paper of the first size has one set of the holies, one transversely extending line of perforations, and two transversely extending fold lines, thereby to form one sheet of paper of the second and smaller size which is foldable about the two fold lines.

7. A sheet of paper according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sheet of paper of the first size has two longitudinally extending lines of perforations which are positioned one adjacent but inwardly of both longitudinally extending edges of the sheet of paper of the first size.

8. A sheet of paper according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sheet of paper of the first size is of A4 size.

9. A sheet of paper according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sheet or sheets of paper of the second size are 9.5mm wide and 17mm long.

10. A sheet of paper according to any one of the preceding claims and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

11. The combination of a plurality of the sheets of paper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a template for the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size from which a copy is to be made, the template being locatable on the part of the document copying machine that receives the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size in order to ensure that the separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size is correctly registered.

12. The combination according to claim 11 in which the template is provided with cut out portions for receiving the separate sheet or sheets of paper of the second and smaller size from which a copy is to be made.

13. The combination according to claim 11 in which the template is in the form of a sheet of transparent material which is provided with an adhering surface which holds a separate sheet of paper of the second and smaller size from which copies are to be made in a correctly registering position whilst it is being copied.

14. The combination according to claim 11 in which the template is in the form of a folded sheet of transparent plastics material which is provided with location marks for facilitating accurate location of the sheet or sheets to be copied.