IES20070282A2 - An assembly of sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly of sheets and a method of assembling a collection of sheets are disclosed. The assembly provides a first collection of staggered sheets having an exposed index. The assembly further provides a second collection of staggered sheets having an exposed sub index. The sheets of the first collection are interleaved with subsets of sheets of the second collection. When folded, the first collection of sheets provide an exposed master index, the second collection providing an internal sub index for each master index item. <Figure 3>

Description

An Assembly of Sheets The present invention relates to a method of creating an indexed and sub-indexed assembly of sheets, and to an indexed and sub-indexed assembly of sheets. ______________________________ hncitessfeL.._____ Background to the Invention | __ It is known to create an indexed assembly of sheets through the progressive staggering of successive sheets having the same dimensions layered on top of each other. An index is formed from the subsequently exposed edges of the sheets, which can be used to navigate the contained information by a reader.

However, use of this method does not result in an efficient presentation of information, as the indexed contents of each page are displayed to the reader, which may result in an information overload of the contents of the collected sheets.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method of creating an assembly-of sheets,-andsuch an assembly, that overcomes the above problem. { Summary of the Invention | V/iDia viG: ;.z AGO ΓΓ,ϋS 22 *·»*·:·· According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly of sheets, the assembly comprising: a first plurality of master index sheets of substantially identical length; a second plurality of sub index sheets, the second plurality of sub index sheets being of smaller length than the first plurality of master index sheets, each master index sheet and sub index sheet having a fold line off-set from a notional longitudinal mid-line, each master index sheet and sub index sheet also having first and second surfaces and first and second longitudinal terminal edges, the master index sheets and sub index sheets being stacked with their fold lines aligned and with their first surfaces facing in one direction and their first longitudinal terminal edges adjacent one end; and means for connecting the master index sheets and sub index sheets adjacent their fold lines; the fold line of a first sheet being off-set by an off-set distance from the midline, IE 07 0 Μ wherein a subset of the second plurality of sub index sheets are located between successive master index sheets, wherein when folded about the first surface of the uppermost sheet of the assembly of sheets, the respective first longitudinal terminal edges of the master index sheets are staggered to form first indexable areas on the first surfaces of the master index sheets and the second longitudinal terminal edges of the master index sheets are staggered to form second indexable areas on the second surfaces of the master index sheets, wherein when folded about the first surface of the uppermost master index sheet adjacent the subset of sub index sheets, the respective first longitudinal terminal edges of the sub index sheets are staggered to form first sub-indexable areas on the first surfaces of the sub index sheets, and wherein when folded the first indexable areas of the sub index sheets are covered by the second surface of the master index sheet directly below the subset of sub index sheets.

The use of the above assembly of sheets provides for a document having an instantly accessible master index of the document contents, which each master index page capable of having a sub index related to that master index item. This allows for more efficient navigation of the document contents.

Preferably, the respective second longitudinal terminal edges of the sub index sheets are staggered to form second sub-indexable areas on the second surfaces of the sub index sheets, wherein when folded the second sub-indexable areas of the sub index sheets are covered by the first surface of the master index sheet directly above the subset of sub index sheets.

Preferably, the master index and sub index sheets are provided with print on the respective first and second surfaces, the print being arranged about the fold line, the print on the first surface being arranged for reading from the second to the first longitudinal terminal edge and the print on the second surface being arranged for reading from the first to the second longitudinal terminal edge.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling a collection of sheets, the sheets comprising master index sheets of substantially identical IE 07 0 282 length and sub index sheets of shorter length than the master index sheets, the sheets having first and second surfaces and having first and second longitudinal terminal edges, the method comprising: providing a first plurality of sub index sheets, each sub index sheet having a fold line being off-set from a notional longitudinal mid-line by a different off-set distance so that, when folded about the first surface of the sub index sheets, the first longitudinal terminal edges of the sub index sheets are staggered to form a first indexable area on the second surface of the sub index sheets, and the second longitudinal terminal edges of the sub index sheets are staggered to form a second indexable area on the first surface of the sub index sheets; providing a first master index sheet having a fold line off-set from a notional longitudinal mid-line by a first off-set distance; providing a second master index sheet having a fold line off-set from a notional longitudinal mid-line by a second off-set distance; interleaving the first plurality of sub index sheets between the first master index sheet and the second master index sheet so that the fold line of the sub index sheets is aligned with the fold line of the master index sheets so that when folded about the first surface of the uppermost master index sheet, the first and second longitudinal terminal edges of the master index sheets are staggered to form a first indexable area on the first surface of the master index sheets, the master index sheets covering the sub index sheets when folded, the first indexable area on the second surface of the sub index sheets located adjacent the first longitudinal terminal edge of the second master index sheet, and the second indexable area on the first surface of the sub index sheets located adjacent the second longitudinal terminal edge of the first master index sheet; and connecting the sheets at the respective fold lines.

Detailed Description of the Invention An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of three staggerable master index sheets forming an assembly of sheets according to a first aspect of the invention and for use in the method according to a second aspect of the invention and; IE 0/0282 Fig. 2 is a plan view of a master index sheet of Fig. 1 and three sub-index sheets; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the sheets of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the master index sheets of Figs. 1 and 3;and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the assembly of Fig. 4, with one of the master sheets opened.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a first assembly of master index sheets is illustrated generally at 10.

The assembly 10 comprises a first staggerable master index sheet 12, a second staggerable master index sheet 14 and a third staggerable master index sheet 16. Each staggerable master index sheet 12-16 has a first surface 18 and a second surface 20. Each staggerable master index sheet 12-16 also has first and second longitudinal terminal edges 22,24.

Each staggerable master index sheet 12-16 is provided with a fold line 26 which is off-set from a notional longitudinal mid-line 28.

The fold line 26 of the first staggerable master index sheet 12 is off-set from the mid-line 28 by an off-set distance x, so that, when folded about the first surface 18, the first and second longitudinal terminal edges 22, 24 are staggered to form a first indexable area 30 on the first surface 18.

The fold lines 26 of the second and third staggerable master index sheets 14, 16 are off-set from the mid-line 28 by substantially thrice the off-set distance 3x and substantially five times the off-set distance 5x, respectively.

The staggerable master index sheets subsequent to the first staggerable master index sheet 12, i.e. in this embodiment the second and third master index sheets 14,16, may have a sub-assembly of staggerable sub-index sheets associated with it.

With reference to Fig. 2, a sub-assembly of sub-index sheets for the second master index sheet 14 is indicated generally at 34. The sub-assembly 34 comprises a first staggerable sub-index sheet 36, a second staggerable sub-index sheet 38 and a third staggerable subindex sheet 40. The sub-index sheets 36,38,40 are of substantially the same width as the IE 07 ο 282 master index sheets 12,14,16, but are of shorter length than the master index sheets 12,14,16.

As with the master index sheets 12,14,16, the sub-index sheets 36,38,40 each have a first surface 42 and a second surface 44; first and second longitudinal terminal edges 46,48; and a fold line 50.

The fold line 50 of each staggerable sub-index sheets 36,38,40 is off-set as with the fold line 26 of the master index sheets 12,14,16. The position of the fold line 50 is chosen so that, when the fold line of the sub-index sheets 36,38,40 is aligned with the fold line 26 of the master index sheet 14, the terminal edges 46,48 of the sub-index sheets 36,38,40 do not extend over the terminal edges 22, 24 of the master index sheet 14.

The first surface 42 of the second sub-index sheet 38 is then positioned under the second surface 44 of the first sub-index sheet 36, and the first surface 42 of the third sub-index sheet 40 is positioned under the second surface 44 of the second sub-index sheet 38, with each of the respective fold lines 50 aligned, to form the sub-assembly 34 of sub-index sheets.

The first surface 18 of the second staggerable master index sheet 14 can then be positioned under the exposed second surface 44 of the sub-assembly 34, with the second surface 20 of the first staggerable master index sheet 12 positioned above the exposed first surface 42 of the sub assembly 34.

The sheets are arranged that when folded about the first surface 18 of the first staggerable master index sheet 12, the respective first longitudinal terminal edges 22 of the second and first staggerable master index sheets 14, 12 are staggered to form a first indexable area 30 on the first surface 18 of the second staggerable master index sheet 14 and the respective second longitudinal terminal edges 24 of the first and second staggerable master index sheets 12,14 are staggered to form a second indexable area 32 on the second surface 20 of the first staggerable master index sheet 12.

The staggering of the sub-index sheets 36,38,40 in the sub-assembly 34 act to provide a first indexable area 52 on the first surface 42 of the sub-index sheets 36,38,40, and a IE 0 7 0 28 2 second indexable area 54 on the second surface 44 of the sub-index sheets 36,38,40. This structure forms a master index assembly 10 of sheets having a sub-assembly 34 of sheets.

The first surface 18 of the third staggerable master index sheet 16 can then be positioned under the second surface 20 of the second staggerable master index sheet 14 to form the assembly 10 of sheets with their respective fold lines 26 aligned so that, when folded about the first surface 18 of the first staggerable master index sheet 12, the respective first longitudinal terminal edges 22 of the third and second staggerable master index sheets 16, 14 are staggered to form a first indexable area 30 on the first surface 18 of the third staggerable master index sheet 16 and the respective second longitudinal terminal edges 24 of the second and third staggerable master index sheets 14, 16 are staggered to form a second indexable area 32 on the second surface 20 of the second staggerable master index sheet 14.

A sub-assembly 34 may be provided between the first surface 18 of the third staggerable master index sheet 16 and the second surface 20 of the second staggerable master index sheet 14 as above, allowing for further sub-indexing.

Such further staggerable master index sheets and sub-assemblies as are desired may be provided, each master index sheet having a fold line 26 off-set by an incremental substantially twice the off-set distance 2x relative to the fold line 26 of the immediately overlying staggerable master index sheet in the assembly 10 of sheets (not shown). The fold line 50 of the subsequent sub-assemblies 34 chosen so that the terminal edges 46,48 of the sub-index sheets 36,38,40 in each sub-assembly 34 do not extend over the terminal edges 22, 24 of the appropriate master index sheets.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, in Fig. 4 the finalised assembly of sheets can be seen. Only the master index sheets 12,14,16 are exposed, with the first and second longitudinal terminal edges of each sheet forming first and second indexable areas 30,32 exposed to the reader.

In Fig. 5, the second surface 20 of the third master index sheet 16 has been folded back, to display a series of sub-index sheets, each displaying second indexable areas 54, allowing for easy navigation through the contained information.

IE 070 282 Each master index sheet may have any desired dimensions, for example, a length of 575cm and a width of 3-29cm, preferably a length of 37cm and a width of 15.8cm. The subindex sheets may have the same width as the master index sheets, but a reduced length, as appropriate.

The off-set distance x may have any desired length, for example, 0.15-0.94cm, preferably 0.4-0.6cm, more preferably 0.40-0.55cm, even more preferably 0.45cm. The number of staggerable master index sheets may be increased by reducing the off-set distance x to a shorter length relative to the master index sheet length. Conversely, the number of staggerable master index sheets may be reduced by increasing the off-set distance x to a longer length relative to the master index sheet length.

Each master index sheet and sub-index sheet is provided with print, for example, illustrations and/or typescript, on its first and second surfaces 18,20,42,44, the print being arranged about the fold line 26,50 (not shown). The print on the first surface 18,42 is arranged for reading from the second longitudinal terminal edge 24,48 to the first longitudinal terminal edge 22,46. The print on the second surface 20,44 is arranged for reading from the first longitudinal terminal edge 22,46 to the second longitudinal terminal edge 24,48.

The method of staggering the sheets to form the assembly 10 having sub-assembly 34 is as follows. Each sheet is provided with print in conventional manner, having regard to the intended location of the fold line 26 for that sheet. The particular sub index sheet subsets are either machine collated or hand collated. The sub index sheets are provided with the fold line 50 at the intended location, by vernier adjustment of the feeder which, in turn, alters the position at which the folding knife of the paper folding machine strikes the sub index sheet. Individual sub-assemblies 34 are then collected and interleaved with the master index sheets, the fold line of the particular sub-assembly 50 aligned with the fold line 26 for the master index sheet directly below the sub-assembly. Successive master index sheets and sub-assemblies can be layered as desired. The fold knife strikes the uppermost master index sheet along the fold line 26. The folded sheets are then collated by another machine or by hand and bound together by staples adjacent the fold line 26. «070282 Alternatively, the sub index sheets may initially be of the same dimensions as the master sheets, a particular sub-assembly of sub index sheets having the fold line 50 located in the same position as the fold line 26 of the master index sheet directly beneath the subassembly. The sub index sheets of the sub-assembly may then be trimmed either by hand or machine, so that the edges of the sub index sheets are progressively retarded, and do not extend beyond the edges of the adjacent master index sheets.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

Claims

1. An assembly of sheets, the assembly comprising: a first plurality of master index sheets of substantially identical length; a second plurality of sub index sheets, the second plurality of sub index sheets being of smaller length than the first plurality of master index sheets, each master index sheet and sub index sheet having a fold line off-set from a notional longitudinal mid-line, each master index sheet and sub index sheet also having first and second surfaces and first and second longitudinal terminal edges, the master index sheets and sub index sheets being stacked with their fold lines aligned and with their first surfaces facing in one direction and their first longitudinal terminal edges adjacent one end; and means for connecting the master index sheets and sub index sheets adjacent their fold lines; the fold line of a first sheet being off-set by an off-set distance from the midline, wherein a subset of the second plurality of sub index sheets are located between successive master index sheets, wherein when folded about the first surface of the uppermost sheet of the assembly of sheets, the respective first longitudinal terminal edges of the master index sheets are staggered to form first indexable areas on the first surfaces of the master index sheets and the second longitudinal terminal edges of the master index sheets are staggered to form second indexable areas on the second surfaces of the master index sheets, wherein when folded about the first surface of the uppermost master index sheet adjacent the subset of sub index sheets, the respective first longitudinal terminal edges of the sub index sheets are staggered to form first sub-indexable areas on the first surfaces of the sub index sheets, and wherein when folded the first indexable areas of the sub index sheets are covered by the second surface of the master index sheet directly below the subset of sub index sheets.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the respective second longitudinal terminal edges of the sub index sheets are staggered to form second sub-indexable areas on the second surfaces of the sub index sheets, wherein when folded the second sub-indexable areas of the sub index sheets are covered by the first surface of the master index sheet directly above the subset of sub index sheets. IE 070 282

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the master index and sub index sheets are provided with print on the respective first and second surfaces, the print being arranged about the fold line, the print on the first surface being arranged for reading from the second to the first longitudinal terminal edge and the print on the second surface being arranged for reading from the first to the second longitudinal terminal edge.

4. A method of assembling a collection of sheets, the sheets comprising master index sheets of substantially identical length and sub index sheets of shorter length than the master index sheets, the sheets having first and second surfaces and having first and second longitudinal terminal edges, the method comprising: providing a first plurality of sub index sheets, each sub index sheet having a fold line being off-set from a notional longitudinal mid-line by a different off-set distance so that, when folded about the first surface of the sub index sheets, the first longitudinal terminal edges of the sub index sheets are staggered to form a first indexable area on the second surface of the sub index sheets, and the second longitudinal terminal edges of the sub index sheets are staggered to form a second indexable area on the first surface of the sub index sheets; providing a first master index sheet having a fold line off-set from a notional longitudinal mid-line by a first off-set distance; providing a second master index sheet having a fold line off-set from a notional longitudinal mid-line by a second off-set distance; interleaving the first plurality of sub index sheets between the first master index sheet and the second master index sheet so that the fold line of the sub index sheets is aligned with the fold line of the master index sheets so that when folded about the first surface of the uppermost master index sheet, the first and second longitudinal terminal edges of the master index sheets are staggered to form a first indexable area on the first surface of the master index sheets, the master index sheets covering the sub index sheets when folded, the first indexable area on the second surface of the sub index sheets located adjacent the first longitudinal terminal edge of the second master index sheet, and the second indexable area on the first surface of the sub index sheets located adjacent the second longitudinal terminal edge of the first master index sheet; and connecting the sheets at the respective fold lines. «070282

5. An assembly of sheets, substantially as described herein, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.