GB2342618A

GB2342618A - A book cover with integral flaps to provide an envelope for posting

Info

Publication number: GB2342618A
Application number: GB9915240A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Ingham
Original assignee: STANLEY PRESS Ltd
Current assignee: STANLEY PRESS Ltd
Priority date: 1999-07-01
Filing date: 1999-07-01
Publication date: 2000-04-19
Also published as: GB9915240D0

Abstract

The cover 2 to which pages are attached by stitching 8 has a cover portion 4 which includes foldable flaps 12,14,16 extending from edges thereof. Folding the flaps inwardly provides an envelope for the book. The flaps include a series of parallel folds 22,26,28. The inner fold 26 is parallel with the edge of the other cover portion 6 but spaced inwardly therefrom so that the edges of the folded flaps are protected during trimming. The middle fold 26 is perforated to enable the flaps to be removed after use. The outer fold 28 facilitates folding the flaps inwardly. The envelope is secured for posting by inserting edge 18 of flap 16 in slot 20 of the other cover portion 6.

Description

A BOOK COVER The present invention relates to a book cover.

Some of the simplest forms of book covers are provided for relatively thin books and generally comprise a thin piece of card comprising a front and back cover which is folded around the folded pages of the book and subsequently stitched directly to the pages. The stitching may take the form of stapling or stitching with thread. Such types of books are very commonly used for children's books or for information pamphlets etc.

It is very common to post books or to present books as gifts in a packaged form. Such packaging or envelopes for posting are purchased separately from the book itself.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to overcome this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a book cover adapted to act as an envelope for the pages of a book.

Preferably, the book cover has two page covers to provide the front and back cover of the book. Preferably, the book cover has three additional flaps to cover the three remaining sides of the book.

Preferably, the flaps, front cover and back cover are adapted to be folded together and interlocked so that the envelope may be safely posted.

During production of paper back books a common sequence of production incorporates the steps of folding pages of the book over a moving saddle stacking the pages of the book sequentially on the saddle, stitching the pages and cover together and, finally, trimming the book cover with a three knife trim on the three open sides of the book.

With a book cover in the form of an envelope, it is not desirable to trim off the three enclosed sides of the book cover but it is desirable to trim the cover of the book.

Accordingly, in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a book cover adapted to act as an envelope for the pages of a book, the three open sides of the book cover being enclosable by foldable flaps each extending from edges of the cover, wherein a first flap fold is parallel with the corresponding edge of the opposite face of the cover but spaced inwardly therefrom so that folding of the said flap over the enclosed pages of a book does not result in the enclosing edge formed thereby extending beyond the corresponding edge defined by the said second face of the cover.

Preferably, the cover has a first and a second face opposite each other and corresponding to the front and back cover of the book or vice versa.

Preferably, a second flap adapted to enclose the opposite side of the enclosed book has a fold similarly adapted.

Preferably, for ease of manufacture, the said first and second flaps extend from the same face of the cover, however, it is possible that they could extend from opposite faces of the cover on alternate sides thereof.

Preferably, a third flap is provided for the open edge of the book opposite the spine and, preferably, a first fold of the said flap extends from a first or second face of the cover, parallel with the corresponding edge of the second or first face of the cover respectively but spaced inwardly therefrom so that the folding of the said flap over the pages of an enclosed book does not result in the enclosing edge formed thereby extending beyond the corresponding edge defined by the said second or first face respectively of the cover.

Preferably, the flaps are folded over the pages of the book and, are themselves covered by the remaining face of the cover, during the trimming step.

Preferably, at least one of the flaps is adapted to be folded over the outside of the remaining face of the cover to form an envelope after the trimming step.

At least one flap may be secured onto the outside of the said remaining face of the cover by means of adhesive, by means of a tongue and slot arrangement or by an other suitable means to provide an enclosed envelope which may be offered or posted as a gift. Two side flaps may remain tucked within the outer cover or may be folded outside the outer cover and held in position by an end flap.

A removable address label may be affixed to the envelope or the cover, preferably, the back cover may be adapted to receive address details.

Preferably, each of the flaps are provided with a second fold spaced outwardly from the first fold and substantially aligned with the corresponding edge of the face of the cover to which the flap is not attached. Preferably, each of the flaps also includes a third fold which is spaced outwardly from the second fold and adapted to ease enclosure of the pages of the book.

The folds themselves may be adapted to receive address details.

Preferably, the second fold of the flaps is perforated so that the flaps may be removed after use leaving the covers of the book intact so that the book may be used in the ordinary manner.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for producing a book cover in accordance with the first or second aspect of the present invention.

Preferably, the process includes the steps of cutting a book cover which includes at least three flaps. Preferably, the process includes the step of forming at least one fold in at least one of the flaps which fold is spaced inwardly from the corresponding edge of the face of the cover to which the flap is not attached. Preferably, at least two of the flaps are folded in the aforesaid manner, more preferably, at least three of the flaps are folded in the aforesaid manner. Preferably, the process includes the steps of forming a second fold in at least one of the flaps, which second fold is spaced outwardly from the first fold. Preferably, the process includes the step of forming a third fold in at least one of the flaps which third flap is spaced outwardly from the second fold. Preferably, the process includes the steps of carrying out a three line trim after cutting the flaps and folding the flaps over the pages of an enclosed book. Preferably, the process includes the step of securing the envelope by means of adhesive or by means of a tongue and slot arrangement.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of an adapted book cover, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of a book cover in accordance with the present invention with two of the flaps folded over the enclosed book; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a book cover in accordance with the present invention with three of the flaps folded over the enclosed book; Figure 4 shows a plan view of a book cover in accordance with the present invention with the rear cover of the book covering the three folds prior to three line trimming ; and Figure 5 shows a book cover in accordance with the present invention with the envelope assembled.

Figure 6 shows a book cover in accordance with the present invention with the envelope assembled in the alternative manner.

Referring to figure 1, a book cover 2 comprises a front cover 4 and a rear cover 6 for the pages of a book (not shown) suitable to be stitched at stitch points 8 which are located on the fold 10 between the front and back face of the cover.

The rear cover 4 has formed integral therewith three truncated triangular flaps 12,14,16 each tapering outwardly from the comers of each of the three non connected sides thereof respectively. The two opposing flaps 12,14 are smaller than an end flap 16 and are designed to be folded inwardly over a book located on the rear cover 4 and stitched at points 8 and to be subsequently covered by front cover 6 by folding along the line 10. In a further step, end flap 16 is folded over front cover 6 and the end edge 18 thereof is secured in slot 20 on the front cover 6. For the avoidance of doubt, the front cover 6 and the rear cover 4 are interchangeable and the rear cover 4 may also be designed as a front cover and the front cover 6 may also be designed as a rear cover. Turning now to the fold lines by which the integral flaps co-operate with the rear cover 4, each flap has a first fold line 22 which is parallel with but spaced inwardly from the corresponding edge 24 of the front cover 6. In addition, the first fold lines 22 are designed to correspond with the edges of the pages of the book to be stitched at points 8. In this manner, folding of the flaps 12,14,16 over the pages of an enclosed book (not shown) prevents the outer edges of the folded flaps extending outwardly from the edges 24 of the folded front cover 6 and thus protects the folded flap edges during the three line trimming process.

Each of the flaps also has a second fold line 26 spaced outwardly from the first fold line 22 and aligned with the corresponding edges 24 of the front cover 6. The edge 26 is perforated so that, after use, the flaps can be removed from the rear cover to leave matching edges on the front and rear cover. A third fold line 28 is located outwardly from the second fold line 26 and is designed to ease folding of the flap inwardly over the enclosed pages of the book. The distance between the first fold line and third fold line is designed to accommodate the thickness of the pages of the book.

Referring to figures 2,3 and 4, the sequence of folding prior to three line trimming is shown. Firstly, the side flaps 12,14 are folded inwardly over the pages of the enclosed book. Secondly, the end flap 16 is also folded inwardly over the page of the enclosed book and the leading edges of the side flaps 12, 14. Finally, the front cover 6 is folded over the pages of the book and all three folded flaps 12,14,16 in preparation for three line trimming. During the trimming process, the edges of the folded flaps do not protrude outwardly beyond the edges of the front cover 6 and it is thereby possible to trim the front cover without damaging the edges of the folded flaps.

Referring to figure 5, the end flap 16 has been folded out and re-folded over the front cover 6 so that the leading edge 18 thereof may be secured in slot 20 thereby securing the envelope in preparation for posting and/or presentation. Referring to figure 6, the side flaps 12,14 have been folded back out and re-folded over the front cover 6 so that the end flap 16 may be folded out and folded thereover and over the front cover 6 so that the leading edge 18 thereof may be secured in slot 20 thereby securing the envelope in preparation for posting and/or presentation.

The steps in the process for producing the book cover envelope in accordance with the present invention utilise the techniques known to those skilled in the art. In particular, the cutting and folding techniques utilise conventional equipment which is adapted to fold and cut in the manner aforedescribed. A suitable book preparation method known to those skilled in the art may be utilised such as the method incorporating the steps of placing the pages of a book on a saddle, stacking the pages on the said saddle, stacking the cover on the saddled pages, stitching the cover and pages together and carrying out a three line trim of the stitched booklet. The step of folding the flaps inwardly over the pages of the book is carried out prior to the three line trimming step. The final step of removing the end flap and securing it in the slot 20 may be carried out by hand or, a suitable automated technique may be incorporated.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A book cover adapted to act as an envelope for the pages of a book.
2. A book cover according to claim 1, wherein the book cover has two page covers to provide the front and back cover of the book.
3. A book cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the book cover has three additional flaps to cover the three remaining sides of the book.
4. A book cover according to claim 3, wherein the flaps, front cover and back cover are adapted to be folded together and interlocked so that the envelope may be safely posted.
5. A book cover according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the three open sides of the book cover are encloseable by foldable flaps each extending from edges of the cover, wherein a first flap fold is parallel with the corresponding edge of the opposite face of the cover but spaced inwardly therefrom so that folding of the said flap over the enclosed pages of a book does not result in the enclosing edge formed thereby extending beyond the corresponding edge defined by the said opposite face of the cover.
6. A book cover adapted to act as an envelope for the pages of a book, the three open sides of the book cover being enclosable by foldable flaps each extending from edges of the cover, wherein a first flap fold is parallel with the corresponding edge of the opposite face of the cover but spaced inwardly therefrom so that folding of the said flap over the enclosed pages of a book does not result in the enclosing edge formed thereby extending beyond the corresponding edge defined by the said opposite face of the cover.
7. A book cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover has a first and a second face opposite each other and corresponding to the front and back cover of the book or vice versa.
8. A book cover according to any of claims 5-7, wherein a second flap adapted to enclose the opposite side of the enclosed book has a fold similarly adapted to that of the said first flap.
9. A book cover according to any of claims 5-8, wherein the said first and second flaps extend from the same face of the cover.
10. A book cover according to any of claims 5-8, wherein the said first and second flaps extend from opposite faces of the cover on alternate sides thereof.
11. A book covering according to any of claims 5-10, wherein a third flap is provided for the open edge of the book opposite the spine.
12. A book cover according to claim 11, wherein a first fold of the said flap extends from a first or second face of the cover, parallel with the corresponding edge of the second or first face of the cover respectively but spaced inwardly therefrom so that the folding of the said flap over the pages of an enclosed book does not result in the enclosing edge formed thereby extending beyond the corresponding edge defined by the said second or first face respectively of the cover.
13. A book cover according to any of claims 5-12, wherein the flaps may be folded over the pages of the book and, are themselves covered by the remaining face of the cover, during the trimming step.
14. A book cover according to any of claims 5-13, wherein at least one of the flaps is adapted to be folded over the outside of the remaining face of the cover to form an envelope after the trimming step.
15. A book cover according to any of claims 5-14, wherein at least one flap may be secured onto the outside of the said remaining face of the cover by suitable means to provide an enclosed envelope which may be offered or posted as a gift.
16. A book cover according to any of claims 5-15, wherein each of the flaps are provided with a second fold spaced outwardly from the first fold and substantially aligned with the corresponding edge of the face of the cover to which the flap is not attached.
17. A book cover according to claim 16, wherein each of the flaps also includes a third fold which is spaced outwardly from the second fold and adapted to ease enclosure of the pages of the book.
18. A book cover according to any of claims 16 or 17, wherein the second fold of the flaps is perforated so that the flaps may be removed after use leaving the covers of the book intact so that the book may be used in the ordinary manner.
19. A process for producing a book or a book cover in accordance with any of claims 1-18, wherein the process includes the steps of cutting a book cover which includes at least three flaps.
20. A process according to claim 19, wherein the process includes the step of forming at least one fold in at least one of the flaps which fold is spaced inwardly from the corresponding edge of the face of the cover to which the flap is not attached.
21. A process according to claim 20, wherein at least two of the flaps are folded in the said manner.
22. A process according to claim 20, wherein at least three of the flaps are folded in the said manner.
23. A process according to claims 19-22, wherein the process includes the steps of forming a second fold in at least one of the flaps, which second fold is spaced outwardly from the first fold.
24. A process according to claim 23, wherein the process includes the step of forming a third fold in at least one of the flaps which third flap is spaced outwardly from the second fold.
25. A process according to claims 19-24, wherein the process includes the steps of carrying out a three line trim after cutting the flaps and folding the flaps over the pages of an enclosed book.
26. A book cover as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.
27. A process for producing a book cover as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.
28. A book having a book cover in accordance with any of claims 1-18.
29. A process for producing a book having a book cover produced according to any of claims 19-25.