GB2253374A

GB2253374A - Document folder

Info

Publication number: GB2253374A
Application number: GB9118145A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert James Cooksey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-01-11
Filing date: 1991-08-22
Publication date: 1992-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2011-08-22
Also published as: GB2253374B; GB9118145D0

Abstract

A document folder (2) comprising: a cover sheet (4) which has been folded so as to form a cover portion (6) and a folded edge portion including a first elongate band (16) which is connected to the cover portion (6) by a first fold line (10) and a second elongate band (20) which is connected to band (16) by a second fold line (14), the first and second bands (16, 20) being foldable so as both to lie over an elongate edge region of the cover portion (6), one of the first and second bands (16, 20) being locatable in its folded position so as to cover mechanical securing means e.g. clips (44, fig 2), (320, fig 12) or staples (68) which, in an assembled configuration of the folder (2), secure one or more sheets (40) at least to the other of the first and second bands (16, 20). Double sided adhesive strip (28) attaches the band (16) to cover portion (38, fig 2). Adhesive strip (32) attaches the folded edge portion to the cover portion (6). <IMAGE>

Description

DOCUMENT FOLDER The present invention relates to a document folder, in particular a document folder which can be assembled together with a number of sheets so as securely hold the sheets between front and back covers of the folder.

A variety of document folders are known. However, there is still the need for a document folder which has a simple construction, is easy to use and is versatile.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a document folder comprising: a cover sheet which has been folded so as to form a cover portion and a folded edge portion including a first elongate band which is connected to the cover portion by a first fold line and a second elongate band which is connected to the first elongate band by a second fold line, the first and second elongate bands being foldable so as both to lie over an elongate edge region of the cover portion, one of the first and second elongate bands being locatable in its folded position so as to cover mechanical securing means which, in an assembled configuration of the folder, secure one or more sheets at least to the other of the first and second elongate bands.

The cover portion may include a spine between the first elongate band and an elongate edge region of the cover portion.

Preferably, the second elongate band is adapted to cover mechanical securing means which secures the one or more sheets to the first elongate band and the document folder further comprises an overlapping portion which is connected to the second elongate band and is adapted to be folded so as to cover the first fold line and an outer surface of an elongate edge region of the cover portion which is adjacent the first elongate band.

More preferably the document folder may further comprise adhering means being located on the overlapping portion and adapted to adhere the overlapping portion to the elongate edge region of the cover portion.

Optionally, the document folder may further comprise â second cover portion which overlies the first-mentioned cover portion, the second cover portion being attached to the first elongate band.

More preferably, the document folder may further comprise a second adhering means which adheres the second cover portion to the first elongate band.

Alternatively, the first elongate band may be adapted to cover mechanical securing means which secures the one or more sheets to the second elongate band.

More preferably, the document folder may further comprise a second cover portion which overlies the first-mentioned cover portion, the second cover portion being adhered to the second elongate band.

Still more preferably, the second cover portion has foldably attached thereto an inner rear band which is folded so as to define between the second cover portion and the inner rear band a channel in which the one or more sheets are located and secured by the mechanical securing means.

Preferably, the inner rear band is adhered to the first-mentioned cover portion.

Preferably the mechanical securing means comprises an elongate plastics strip which has a pair of arms biassed towards each other and the arms secure therebetween the edge region of the cover portion, the front elongate band and the one or more sheets.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a main portion of a document folder in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the main portion comprising a back cover and a spine assembly; Figure 2 is a persepctive view of the main portion of Figure 1 when assembled with a front cover and a sheet; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the final assembly of the document folder incorporating the sheet; Figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the assembled document folder as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an assembled document folder and sheet in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;; Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the spine of the assembled document folder of Figure 5 when unfolded; Figure 7 is a perspective view of an assembly of a document folder in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the document folder of Figure 7 in a partly-assembled configuration; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an assembled document folder and sheet in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an assembled document folder and sheet in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a partially assembled document folder in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;; Figure 12 is a perspective view of an assembled document folder in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 13 is an enlarged side elevation of the spine assembly of the document folder of Figure 12.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a main portion 2 of a document folder in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The main portion 2 comprises a folded sheet 4 which may be made of any suitable material, such as cardboard; plastics; paper; etc.. In the illustrated embodiment, the folded sheet 4 is rectangular but it will be understood that it may have any desired shape and dimensions.

The sheet 4 is folded so as to comprise a back cover 6 along one edge of which a pair of parallel fold lines 8, 10 define an inner spine 12. A further fold line 14 is spaced from and parallel to fold line 10 so as to define therebetween an inner front band 16 and a further fold line 18 is Spaced from and parallel to fold line 14 so as to define therebetween an outer front band 20. A final fold line 22 is spaced from and parallel to fold line 18 so as to define therebetween an outer spine 24 adjacent to which is a rear band 26 along the edge of the sheet 4. Figure 1 shows these various parts of the main portion 2 in an unassembled configuration.

The inwardly-directed surface of inner front band 16 is provided with an adhesive means extending therealong which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a strip of double-sided self-adhesive tape 28, one side of which is adhered by the adhesive surface thereof to the inner front band 16 and the other side thereof is protected by a co-extensive strip of release material 30 such as silicone-coated paper. The inwardly-directed surface of rear band 26 is similarly provided with a strip of double-sided adhesive tape 32 which extends therealong, with the adhesive surface of that side of the tape 32 which is not adhered to the rear band 26 being protected by a co-extensive strip of release material 34. The locations of the tapes 28, 32 are shown in phantom in Figures 1 and 2.It will readily be understood by those skilled in the art that instead of the double-sided adhesive tape any other suitable adhesive means could be employed, such as wettable gum.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a document folder 36 in a partly assembled configuration. The document folder 36 comprises, in addition to the main portion 2, a front cover 38 which is preferably co-extensive with the back cover 6.

The front cover 38 may be made of any suitable material such as cardboard; plastics, which may be opaque or transparent; paper; etc.. The front cover 38 may be printed if desired or carry a pocket thereon for receiving loose material such as a business card. An edge region of the front cover 38 is adhered to the inwardly-directed surface of the inner front band 16 by the adhesive tape 28. The release material 30 is initially stripped off the adhesive tape 28 and then the edge region of the front cover 38 is pressed onto and adhered to the adhesive tape 28 by the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface thereof. One or more sheets 40, which may be printed if desired, are then disposed between the front and back covers 38, 6 so that an edge region of the or each sheet 40 is located underneath the inner front band 16. For simplicity of illustration only one sheet 40 is shown in the drawings.The sheet or sheets 40 are then mechanically secured between the inner front band 16 and the edge region 42 of the back cover 6 by mechanical securing means 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanical securing means 44 comprises a series of metal clips 46 disposed along the inner spine 12 which firmly grip the sheet or sheets 40 between the inner front band 16 and the edge region 42 of the back cover.

Although Figure 2 only illustrates one metal clip 46, it will be understood that a series of clips, for example three clips 46, are spaced at appropriate locations along the inner spine 12. Staples may be employed instead of the clips 46.

The document folder 36 in its final assembled configuration is shown in Figures 3 and 4. The final assembled configuration is achieved by folding the outer front band 20 over the inner front band 16 about fold line 14, then folding outer spine 24 over inner spine 12 and finally folding rear band 26 over the edge region 42 of the back cover 6. The rear band 26 is adhered to the rearwardly-directed surface of the edge region 42 of the back cover 6 by the adhesive tape 32 after the release material 34 has been stripped off therefrom. The resultant assembled document folder 36 has a neat appearance with both the front and rear covers being provided with a longitudinal band which completely conceals the mechanical securing means. Each band is adhesively secured to the respective cover by the double-sided adhesive tape thus providing a secure binding.The provision of inner and outer spines results in a rigid binding for the folder.

The document folder of the first embodiment is extremely versatile in that it is possible to secure a wide range of numbers of sheets between the front and back covers. The document folder can be assembled with as little as only one sheet or a large number of sheets, the maximum number being determined by the total thickness of the sheets which is limited by the capacity of the mechanical securing means and the thickness of the spines. The document folder is also versatile in that it can be assembled, using a single main portion, with any of a wide variety of front covers. The front cover could be transparent plastics or cardboard. It is merely necessary to adhere, by means of the adhesive tape, the desired front cover to the main portion before assembling the sheets therebetween.Alternatively, the front cover can be omitted with the top sheet 40 acting as a cover for the remaining sheets, if present. In the manufacture of the folder, it is merely necessary to form the fold lines and apply the adhesive means, such as the double-sided adhesive tape, to the main portion. No perforation of the folder is required. The folder can be provided in a completely unassembled form, with a main portion and a separate front cover. Alternatively, the document folder could be provided in a partly assembled form with a front cover already adhered to the main portion.

A second embodiment of a document folder in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Referring to those figures, a document folder 50 is comprised of a single sheet which has been folded so as to provide a front cover 52, a back cover 54, an inner front band 56 which is connected an edge of the front cover 52 by a fold line 58 and an outer front band 60 which is connected to the inner front band 56 by a fold line 62 and is connected to the back cover 54 by a fold line 64.

One or more sheets 66 are disposed between the front and back covers 52, 54.

As is shown more clearly with reference to Figure 6, the one or more sheets 66 are secured to the folder 50 by means of mechanical securing means 68, such as staples, which pass through the inner front band 56, the front cover 52 and an edge region 70 at the one or more sheets 66, there being a series of the staples 68 extending along the edge region 70 of the one or more sheets 66. Additionally, an adhesive layer 72, e.g. of water-soluble adhesive, is provided between the inner front band 56 and the front cover 52 so as to adhere them together. This prevents the edges or corners of the inner front band 56 being accidentally pulled away from the front cover 52 and ensures a neat appearance.

It will be seen that as with the first embodiment, the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 is a neat and simple arrangement wherein any desired number of sheets can be secured in the document folder and the mechanical securing means are completely concealed in the region of the spine of the folder. The arrangement is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and has great versatility in use.

A third embodiment of a document folder in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The document folder of the third embodiment is a modification of document folder of th second embodiment which is illustrated in Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 7 shows the document folder 80 in its assembled configuration. The document folder 80 comprises a back cover 82 having at one edge thereof an outer spine 84 which is connected to the back cover 82 by a fold line 86. An outer front band 88 is connected to the outer spine 84 by a second fold line 90 and an inner front band 92 is connected to the outer front band 88 by a single fold line or composite pair of fold lines 94. The outer front band 88 and the inner front band 92 are folded so as to lie over an elongate edge 96 of the back cover 82. The back cover 82, the outer spine 84, the outer front band 88 and the inner front band 92 constitute a main portion 98 of the document folder 80. In addition to the main portion 98 there is provided a front cover 100 which is preferably co-extensive with the back cover 82.An edge region 101 of the front cover 100 is adhered to the inwardly-directed surface of the inner front band 92 by an elongate adhesive layer 102. The adhesive layer 102 may comprise a double-sided self-adhesive tape or any other suitable adhesive. The document folder 80 may be provided to a user either in a form wherein the front cover 100 is already adhered to the main portion 98 or the front cover 100 and the main portion 98 may be provided separately so that they can be subsequently adhered together by a user. This latter option permits different front covers to be used with different main portions. An inner spine 104 is adjacent to the edge region 101 of the front cover 100 and is separated therefrom by a fold line 106. An inner rear band 108 is adjacent the inner spine 104 and is separated therefrom by a fold line 110. The rear surface of the inner rear band 108 is adhered to the front surface of the back cover 82 by an adhesive layer 102 which preferably comprises a double-sided self-adhesive tape.

The inner rear band 108 and the edge region 101 of the front cover 100 define therebetween an elongate channel 114 into which one or more sheets 116 to be secured in the document folder 80 are disposed. The edges 118 of the sheets 106 which are received in the channel portion 114 are secured in the channel portion 114 by a mechanical securing means such as staples, clips, which were employed in the previous embodiments.

Figure 8 shows the document folder 80 in a partly assembled configuration. It will be seen that the front cover 100 is adhered to the inner front band 92 by the adhesive 102 and the inner rear band 108 has been folded over the edge region 101 of the front cover 100 so as to define the channel portion 114. One or more sheets 116 are slotted into the channel portion 114 and then clips 120 are clipped along the spine of the document folded 80 clipping therebetween the inner rear band 108, the inner front band 92, the edge region 101 and the edges 118 of the sheets therebetween. The double-sided self-adhesive tape 112 which is disposed on the inner rear band 108 has its un-adhered surface covered with a strip of release paper 122.The release paper 122 is removed and then the document folded is folded about fold lines 9, 90 and 86 so as to adhere the free adhesive surface of the adhesive tape 112 to the back cover 82 so as to assemble the document folder 80. If desired, the upper surface (with reference to Figure 8) of the inner rear band 108 may be provided with printed instructions as to how to assemble the document folder. In particular, the instructions could explain how the edges of the one or more sheets should be slotted into the channel, how the clips should be disposed over the inner rear band 108 and the inner front band 92 and then how the self-adhesive tape 112 should be employed finally to assemble the document folder.

The document folder cf the third embodiment has the advantage over that of the first embodiment in that it has a neater appearance in the spine region since the back cover consists of a single sheet whereas in the first embodiment the rear band is adhered to the rear surface of the back cover.

In addition, the document folder is more secure and safer to handle since there is less chance of the spine coming apart since the mechanical securing means are securely covered by the back cover and the outer front band. Even if the inner rear band 108 were to become unstuck from the back cover 82, the clips or staples would still be covered. Furthermore, this embodiment provides the advantage that a channel is clearly defined into which the sheets are slotted which makes assembly easier.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 9. A document folder 130 comprises an outer cover 132 constituted by opposed outer cover portions 134, 136, separated by a central spine 138 which is defined by spaced fold lines 140, 142. At the free end of the outer cover portion 134 is disposed a spine construction 144 comprising a spine panel 146 which is connected to the outer cover portion 134 by a fold line 148, an upper spine portion 150 which is separated from the spine panel 146 by a fold line 152 and a lower spine panel 154 which is connected to the upper spine panel 150 by a fold line 156. The lower spine panel 154 is folded beneath the upper spine panel 50 so as to be concealed thereby. One or more sheets 158 of paper are mechanically attached e.g. by stapling, to the lower spine panel 154, a staple 160 being illustrated in Figure 9.In the assembled configuration, the mechanical securing means such as the staples 160 are concealed by the upper spine panel 150.

The rear surface of the one or more sheets of paper 158 is adhered to the cover portion 134 by a band of double-sided adhesive tape 162 which extends along the end of the cover portion 134. The adhesive tape 162 secures the one or more sheets to the cover 134 and retains the spine construction 144 in its folded configuration.

The cover portion 136 is provided with integral or attached panels which are configured to define a pocket 164 into which documents 166 may be temporarily disposed.

The entire document folder 130 may be folded about the fold lines 140, 142 so that the pocket 164 is disposed over the spine construction 144 and the one or more sheets 158 so as to provide a convenient and compact arrangement.

A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 10. This embodiment is essentially the same as that of Figure 9 but with a modification to the spine construction 144. In this embodiment, a further panel 168 is connected to the lower spine panel 154 by a fold line 170.

The further panel 168 is folded behind the lower spine panel 154 so as to define a slot 172 into which the one or more sheets 158 may be received. The rearwardly-directed surface of the furtherr panel 168 is adhered to the cover portion 134 either by a double-sided adhesive tape such as that employed in the embodiment of Figure 9 or by two layers of co-adhesive 174 which are initially applied one to the further panel 168 and the other to the cover portion 134. The co-adhesive is formulated so that the two layers thereof adhere to each other but not to the other components of the document folder or to o user's fingers.

A still further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 11. In this embodiment, the document folder 180 comprises a single sheet of card or stiff paper which has been folded and adhered together so as to define a front cover panel 182, a rear cover panel 184, an inner spine 186 constituted by an inner spine panel 188 which is connected to the rear cover 184 and a securing panel 190 connected to the inner spine panel 188, and an outer spine 192 which is disposed between the securing panel 190 and the front cover panel 182. The outer spine 192 comprises a three panel arrangement formed of three pairs of opposed panels which are adhered together by an adhesive 194 located therebetween.The outer spine 192 thus comprises a front panel 196 which is connected between the securing panel 190 and the front cover 182 by a fold line 198, a spine panel 200 which is connected to the front panel 196 by a fold line 202 and a rear panel 204 which is connected to the spine panel 200 by a fold line 206.

An adhesive layer 208, such as double-sided adhesive tape, is disposed on the inwardly directed face of the rear panel 204.

In use, one or more sheets 210 to be enclosed in the document folder 180 is disposed between the front and rear covers 182, 184 and the sheets are attached to the securing panel 190 by mechanical securing means, such as staples. The outer spine 192 is then folded over the inner spine 186 and the rear panel 204 is adhered to the rear surface of the rear cover 184 by the adhesive layer 208.

A document folder 300 in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 12 and 13. The document folder 300 comprises a front cover 302, a rear cover 304, and a spine assembly 306 which are formed from a single folded piece of stiffened paper or card. The spine assembly 306 comprises an outer spine panel 308, an outer rear edge panel 310, an inner rear edge panel 312, and a front edge panel 314, these panels being separated by corresponding fold lines and being disposed in turn between the front cover panel 302 and the rear cover panel 304. The panels 312 and 314 are preferably adhered together by an elongate strip of adhesive 315 extending therebetween. Panels 312 and 314 define a support region of the spine assembly 306 to which one or more sheets 316 of paper are attached in the document folder 300.

A folded over strip of paper 318 is adhered to the rearwardly-directed surface of the panel 312 and is folded over the frontwardly-directed surface of panel 314. Edge portions 319 of one or more sheets of paper 316 which are to be held in the folder 300 are disposed between the folded over strip of paper 318 and the panel 314. An extruded elongate plastics strip 320 is disposed over the folded over strip of paper 318 on both sides thereof so as to clip both the folded over strip of paper 318 and the one or more sheets 316 to the adhered panels 312 and 314 and thereby securely hold the one or more sheets of paper 316 therebetween. The plastics strip 320 has a flattened rear portion 322, a curved edge 324, and an inclined front portion 326.When one or more sheets are disposed between the front and rear portions 326, 322 they are held therebetween as a result of the elastic deformation of the strip 320. The front panel 302 is provided with a pocket 328 into which documents may be removably inserted.

This embodiment has the advantage that it is a neat and elegant construction which is versatile in that the plastics strip can accommodate a range of paper thicknesses therebetween. The document folder can be easily assembled and disassembled by removing the plastics strip from the spine assembly. The paper strip beneath the plastics strip assists smooth insertion of the paper sheets into the spine assembly and also defines an internal spine against which the edges of the one or more sheets are disposed. If desired, a cut-out may be made in the front cover panel 302 and a printed sheet adhered to the inner surface thereof so that a title or picture is visible on the front of the front cover panel through the cut-out.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A document folder comprising: a cover sheet which has been folded so as to form a cover portion and a folded edge portion including a first elongate band which is connected to the cover portion by a first fold line and a second elongate band which is connected to the first elongate band by a second fold line, the first and second elongate bands being foldable so as both to lie over an elongate edge region of the cover portion, one of the first and second elongate bands being locatable in its folded position so as to cover mechanical securing means which, in an assembled configuration of the folder, secure one or more sheets at least to the other of the first and second elongate bands.

2. A document folder according to claim 1 wherein the cover portion includes a spine between the first elongate band and an elongate edge region of the cover portion.

3. A document folder according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second elongate band is adapted to cover mechanical securing means which secures the one or more sheets to the first elongate band and the document folder further comprises an overlapping portion which is connected to the second elongate band and is adapted to be folded so as to cover the first fold line and an outer surface of an elongate edge region of the cover portion which is adjacent the first elongate band.

4. A document folder according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the document folder further comprises adhering means being located on the overlapping portion and adapted to adhere the overlapping portion to the elongate edge region of the cover portion.

5. A document folder according to any foregoing claim wherein the document folder further comprises a second cover portion which overlies the first-mentioned cover portion, the second cover portion being attached to the first elongate band.

6. A document folder according to claim 5 wherein the document folder further comprises a second adhering means which adheres the second cover portion to the first elongate band.

7. A document folder according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first elongate band is adapted to cover mechanical securing means which secures the one or more sheets to the second elongate band.

8. A document folder according to claim 7 wherein the document folder further comprises a second cover portion which overlies the first-mentioned cover portion, the second cover portion being adhered to the second elongate band.

9. A document folder according to claim 8 wherein the second cover portion has foldably attached thereto an inner rear band which is folded so as to define between the second cover portion and the inner rear band a channel in which the one or more sheets are located and secured by the mechanical securing means.

10. A document folder according to claim 9 wherein the inner rear band is adhered to the first-mentioned cover portion.

11. A document folder according to any foregoing claim wherein the mechanical securing means comprises an elongate plastics strip which has a pair of arms biassed towards each other and the arms secure therebetween the edge region of the cover portion, the respective elongate band and the one or more sheets.

12. A document folder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, Figures 5 and 6, Figures 7 and 8, Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11, or Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.