GB2573122A

GB2573122A - A binder assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2573122A
Application number: GB1806668.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phillips Peter
Original assignee: Phillips Direct Ltd
Current assignee: Phillips Direct Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-24
Filing date: 2018-04-24
Publication date: 2019-10-30
Also published as: GB201806668D0

Abstract

A binder assembly 1 for storing loose leaf paper or other materials includes a cover member 2, in which at least one separable segment is present. Fastening members, such as rivets 20, are used to attach a binding mechanism 10, such as a ring fitting, to the at least one removable portion of the cover. This allows the binding mechanism 10 to be detached from the cover 2 by applying a pulling force. The separable segments of the cover 2 may be defined within weakened boundaries, created for example by perforating the material of the cover member 2. A plurality of detachable regions may be provided in the cover 2, in order to allow the fastening of one of several different types or sizes of filing mechanisms thereto. A method a manufacturing a binder assembly is also disclosed.

Description

A Binder Assembly

The present invention relates to a binder assembly for storing loose leaf paper or other loose material, and in particular to a binder assembly which can be readily disassembled for recycling purposes. A wide variety of systems exist for the storage of loose leaf paper or other loose material. Herein, the term ‘binder’ is used to refer to any device suitable for the storage of such material, and encompasses clipboards, ring binders, lever arch files or other such devices.

Typically, such binders comprise a binding mechanism attached to a cover. The binding mechanism may, for example, be a ring fitting onto which paper or other material is threaded, such as in a ring binder or lever arch file, or a clip arranged to clamp the paper or other material against the cover, such as in a clipboard. Numerous other binding mechanisms are known.

The cover of the binder can take a wide range of forms depending on the desired use. For example, the cover may comprise a single panel having a binding mechanism attached to hold paper in place on top of the panel, such as in a clipboard. Alternatively, the cover may comprise foldable front and back panels, the binding mechanism being arranged to hold the paper in place between the panels. The front and back panels may be connected by a spine section, such as in a ring binder.

The binding mechanism is typically fastened to the cover using rivets, wherein the tail of the rivet is inserted through openings in the cover and binding mechanism, with the head of the rivet abutting an outside surface of the cover. The tail of the rivet can then be deformed to engage the binding mechanism, and thus fasten the binding mechanism to the cover. This provides a secure attachment of the binding mechanism to the cover, which cannot be readily removed. This is advantageous as the assembly process is simple, and the resulting binder is strong and durable.

However, fastening of the binding mechanism to the cover using rivets makes disassembly of the binder difficult, which disassembly might be desirable for recycling purposes. In particular, the binding mechanism is typically formed of a rigid material such as metal, whilst the cover is commonly formed of a different, less rigid material, such as cardboard or a plastic polymer (typically polypropylene), or a combination of two or more materials, such as a layer of cardboard covered in a plastic polymer. The different materials must be separated in order to be recycled. Thus, in order to recycle the binder, it is necessary to separate the cover from the binding mechanism, which cannot be easily achieved where the binding mechanism is permanently riveted to the cover as described above. Thus, in a large number of cases, redundant binders are disposed of as a complete unit and are sent to landfill.

Removable rivets are known, which can be used to fasten the binding mechanism to the cover, and which can then be removed to permit disassembly of the binder. However, inclusion of such rivets increases the complexity of the manufacture of the binder, as well as being complicated and awkward to remove. Further, such binders rely upon a component which could fail during the normal use of the binder and may thus reduce the normal lifespan of the binder.

The present invention arose in an attempt to provide an improved binder which can be readily disassembled for recycling of the various components of the binder assembly.

According to the present invention, there is provided a binder assembly for storing loose leaf paper or other material, the binder assembly comprising: a cover member; a binding mechanism configured to retain said loose leaf paper or other material; and one or more fastening means for fastening the binding mechanism to the cover member. The cover member comprises one or more separable segments capable of separating from the cover member; and the binding mechanism is fastened to one or more of the separable segments of the cover member by the fastening means, such that, in use, application of a pulling force to the binding mechanism causes the one or more separable segments to separate from the cover member.

The term ‘cover’ is not limited to embodiments in which the paper or other loose material is completely enclosed, but the term as used in this specification, including the claims, extends to an item which may cover only a single side of the contents of the binder assembly, such as in the case of a clipboard.

The binding mechanism is advantageously fastened to the cover member within the separable segments. Pulling the binding mechanism away from the cover member causes the separable segments to separate from the cover member, thus providing a quick and easy mechanism for detaching the binding mechanism from the cover member. The cover member and the binding mechanism can then be separately processed for recycling. The present invention thereby provides the user with a greatly simplified process for recycling the binder compared to a binder of conventional construction. However, during normal use of the binder, the binding mechanism is securely fastened to the cover member by conventional fastening means, and thus there is no detriment to the strength and durability of the binder.

Preferably, each separable segment comprises a segment of the cover member defined by a weakened boundary surrounding the separable segment. Each separable segment may be formed by cutting a series of perforations in the cover member, so as to define an area inside of the perforations, which area is the perforated segment of the cover member. Accordingly, when the binding mechanism, which is fastened to the perforated segment of the cover member, is pulled away from the cover member, the perforated segment is torn out of the cover member along the perforations until the perforated segment becomes completely separated from the cover member. However, the separable segment may be formed by forming the weakened boundary by some other means, such as stamping to form a partial cut.

The perforated segment may be circular. That is to say, the perforations which define the perforated segment may be formed in a circle. The perforated segment may alternatively be oval, square, rectangular, or may have any other appropriate shape.

Each fastening means may be provided within an individual perforated segment. Alternatively, two or more fastening means may be provided within a single perforated segment. The binder assembly may comprise a single perforated segment in which all of the fastening means are provided.

Each fastening means may preferably comprise a rivet arranged to extend through the cover member and the binding mechanism, so as to secure the binding mechanism to the cover member. Advantageously, this allows the binder assembly of the present invention to be constructed using conventional manufacturing processes and does not require the use of bespoke fastening means.

The cover member may comprise a front section, a back section and a spine section connecting the front section and the back section. One or more of the separable segments may be provided on the back section of the cover member. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the separable segments may be provided on the spine section of the cover member. The cover member may alternatively comprise a single panel.

The cover member may be provided with a plurality of separable segments, suitable for attachment of a variety of different binding mechanisms (i.e. binding mechanisms of different types and sizes), such that standardised cover members may be mass produced, and appropriate binding mechanisms may be later fastened to the cover members according to the desired use of the cover member.

The cover member may be formed of a plastic polymer. The cover member may be formed of polypropylene. The cover member may preferably have a thickness of less than 5 mm, and more preferably of 3 mm or less.

The binding mechanism may comprise a ring fitting, or alternatively the binding mechanism may comprise a clip.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a binder assembly for storing loose leaf paper or other material, the method comprising forming one or more separable segments in a cover member and fastening a binding mechanism to the one or more separable segments. Accordingly, the resulting binder assembly can be readily disassembled by separating the separable segments of the cover member, thus concurrently detaching the binding mechanism from the cover member.

The separable segments are preferably formed by cutting perforations in the cover member. Thereby, the separable segments are perforated segments of the cover member as hereinbefore described. The binding mechanism can thereby be detached by pulling the binding mechanism away from the cover, causing the perforated segment to tear away from the cover member along the perforations, thus separating the perforated segment from the cover member and detaching the binding mechanism.

The method may comprise riveting the binding mechanism to the cover member. Accordingly, a secure attachment between the binding mechanism and the cover member is formed.

Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an inside view of a binder assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an outside view of the cover member of the binder assembly of Figure 1 prior to attachment of the binding mechanism;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the perforated segment of the cover member of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an inside view of the binder assembly of Figure 1 after the binding mechanism has been detached; and

Figure 5 is an outside view of the outside of the binder assembly of Figure 4.

With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a binder assembly 1 comprising a cover member 2 having a front section 4, a back section 6 and a spine section 8 joining the front section 4 to the back section 6. Each of the longitudinal edges of the spine section 8 are pivotably joined to corresponding longitudinal edges of the front section 4 and the back section 6 at joins 9a and 9b. Accordingly, the cover member 2 is foldable about the respective joins 9a, 9b between the spine section 8 and the front section 4 and the back section 6. The front section 4 can thus be folded over the back section 6 to enclose a quantity of paper or other loose material, the quantity being dependent on the width of the spine section 8.

It will be appreciated, however, that other cover member arrangements may be used within the scope of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the cover member may not comprise a spine section, and the front section may be pivotably attached to the back section and arranged to fold over the back section so as to enclose paper or other material within. In yet further embodiments, the cover may comprise a single panel on which paper or other loose material is arranged to be held, such as in a clipboard, for example.

Referring back to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, a binding mechanism 10 is attached to the back section 6 of the cover 2, adjacent join 9b. However, it will be appreciated that the binding mechanism 10 may be attached to the cover 2 at any appropriate position, in particular in some embodiments the binding mechanism 10 may be attached to the spine section 8 of the cover member 2.

In the illustrated embodiment, binding mechanism 10 comprises a ring fitting having a plurality of ring members 12 projecting from an elongate base 14. Each ring member 12 comprises cooperating half portions 12a, 12b, the ends of which are arranged to separate to place the ring fitting is in an ‘open’ configuration, and to engage to place the ring fitting is in a ‘closed’ configuration as shown in Figure 1. When the ring members 12 are in an open configuration, the half portions can be threaded through a hole punched in a piece of paper, for example, and subsequent closure of the ring members 12 retains the paper within the ring fitting.

The ring fitting may comprise any appropriate number of ring members 12, and the ring members 12 may be longitudinally spaced along the base according to the specific material which the binder is to be used to store. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that any appropriate binding mechanism may be used in a binder assembly according to the present invention. The specific operation of ring fittings and other binding mechanisms is well known and will not be discussed in detail herein.

Figure 2 is an outside view of the cover member 2 prior to attachment of the binding mechanism 10. Circular perforated segments 16 are formed in the cover member 2, inside of which openings 18 are provided, as seem more clearly in Figure 3. Perforated segments 16 are formed by cutting perforations 17 in the cover member 2 so as to define an area inside of the perforations 17. It will be appreciated that the perforated segments 16 may have any desired shape.

Referring back to Figure 1, binding mechanism 10 is fastened to the perforated segments 16 of the cover member 2 by rivets 20, which are placed through the openings 18 such that the head of each rivet 20 is positioned on the outside surface of the cover member 2, and the tail of each rivet extends through the opening 18 and a corresponding opening formed in the base 14 of the binding mechanism 10. Deformation of the tail of each rivet 20 engages the base 14 of the binding mechanism 10 and fastens the binding mechanism 10 to the respective perforated segment 16 of cover member 2. With the binding mechanism 10 securely attached to the cover member 2, the binder assembly 1 can thereby be used for storing loose leaf paper or other loose material.

Figure 4 illustrates disassembly of the binder assembly 1 once the binder is no longer required. To detach the binding mechanism 10 from the cover member 2, a pulling force is applied to the binding mechanism 10. When pulled with a sufficient force, the perforated segments 16 separate from the cover member 2 along the perforations 17, such that the binding mechanism 10 becomes detached. Openings 22 are formed in the cover member 2 where the perforated segments 16 are torn out, with the perforated segments 16 of the cover member 2 remaining attached to the binding mechanism 10. After disassembly, the cover member 2 and the binding mechanism 10 can be individually recycled or reused.

Whilst the illustrated embodiment comprises an individual perforated segment surrounding each rivet, it will be appreciated that a binder assembly according to the present invention may comprise a single perforated segment surrounding all of the rivets. That is to say, each of the rivets should be positioned within a perforated segment to allow detachment of the binding mechanism from the cover member, however it is possible within the scope of the present invention that two or more rivets may be positioned within the same perforated segment. A particular advantage of the present invention is that the binder can be readily disassembled by tearing out the binding mechanism, without the need for any special components or fittings such as removable fasteners. Thus, the binder assembly of the present invention can be assembled using conventional components and standard manufacturing processes with only minor modification.

In order to produce the perforated segments on the cover member on a mass production scale, the perforations may be advantageously formed at the same time as the cover member is cut from a larger sheet of material, for example. A cutting roller may be provided, for example, having cutters arranged to cut the perforations, in addition to cutters arranged to cut the cover member from the larger sheet of material. The perforations may alternatively be cut as a separate step in a manufacturing process.

The invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, given by way of example only. It will be appreciated that many different arrangements of the invention are possible, which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A binder assembly for storing loose leaf paper or other material, the binder assembly comprising: a cover member; a binding mechanism configured to retain said loose leaf paper or other material; and one or more fastening means for fastening the binding mechanism to the cover member, wherein the cover member comprises one or more separable segments capable of separating from the cover member; and the binding mechanism is fastened to one or more of the separable segments of the cover member by the fastening means, such that, in use, application of a pulling force to the binding mechanism causes the one or more separable segments to separate from the cover member.

2. A binder assembly according to claim 1, wherein each separable segment comprises a segment of the cover member defined by a weakened boundary surrounding the separable segment.

3. A binder assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each separable segment comprises a perforated segment of the cover member.

4. A binder assembly according to claim 3, wherein a series of perforations are formed in the cover member so as to define an area of the cover member inside of the perforations, which area inside of the perforations defines a perforated segment of the cover member.

5. A binder assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein each fastening means comprises a rivet.

6. A binder assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover member comprises a front section, a back section and a spine section connecting the front section and the back section.

7. A binder assembly according to claim 6, wherein one or more of the separable segments are provided on the back section of the cover member.

8. A binder assembly according to claim 6 or 7, wherein one or more of the separable segments are provided on the spine section of the cover member.

9. A binder assembly according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of separable segments sized and positioned to allow fastening of any one of a plurality of binding mechanisms of different sizes and configurations to one or more of said separable segments.

10. A binder assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover member is formed of polypropylene.

11. A binder assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the binding mechanism comprises a ring fitting.

12. A binder assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover member and the binding mechanism are formed of different materials.

13. A method of manufacturing a binder assembly for storing loose leaf paper or other material, the method comprising forming one or more separable segments in a cover member and fastening a binding mechanism to the one or more separable segments.

14. A method of manufacturing a binder assembly accordingly to claim 13, wherein the separable segments are formed by cutting perforations in the cover member.

15. A method of manufacturing a binder assembly according to claim 13 or 14, wherein binding mechanism is riveted to the separable segments of the cover member.