US3806163A

US3806163A - Binding for microfiches and the like

Info

Publication number: US3806163A
Application number: US00275344A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Mercure
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-07-26
Filing date: 1972-07-26
Publication date: 1974-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-23

Abstract

A binding for microfiches consisting of an elongated transparent strip defining adjacent regular zones extending across the full width of the strip, each of said zones has an equal length along the axis of the strip and each second zone displays a microfiche which may be located inside a pocket. A line of reduced bending resistance divides each adjacent zone to permit the folding of a transparent zone over an adjacent zone displaying a microfiche. The strip is adapted to fold into an accordion type to constitute a binding for the microfiches.

Description

United States Patent [191 Mercure BINDING FOR MICROFICHES AND THE LIKE [76] Inventor: Gerard Mercure, 38 Duchesne St.,

Apt. 505, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada [22] Filed: July 26, 1972 211 App]. No.: 275,344

[ 1 Apr. 23, 1974 1,697,350 1/1929 Eubank 40/102 UX 2,377,968 6/1945 Richman 40/102 3,555,713 1/1971 Leinbach 40/104.19

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 749,839 l/l967 Canada 122,366 12/1927 Switzerland ..40/l04.l9

Primary Examiner-Wm. H. Grieb [5 7 1 ABSTRACT A binding for microfiches consisting of an elongated transparent strip defining adjacent regular zones extending across the full width of the strip, each of said zones has an equal length along the axis of the strip and each second zone displays a microfiche which may be located inside a pocket. A line of reduced bending resistance divides each adjacent zone to permit the folding of a transparent zone over an adjacent zone displaying a microfiche. The strip is adapted to fold into an accordion type to constitute a binding for the microfiches.

15 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 2 3 I974 SHEET 3 [1F 5 FIG. I2

PATENTEnmw m4. 3806163 SHEET 4 [1F 5 FIG. 14

' ATENTEBAPR QQ I974 SHEET 5 BF 5 FIG. 15

mmmmqm mum FIG. 17

FIG. 16

BINDING FOR MICROFICHES AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a binding for microfiches, transparent slides or the like. The binding is essentially constituted by an elongated strip. Microfiches and transparent zones are alternately displayed across the strip and have the same dimensions. The strip can be folded along a line between each microfiche and transparent zone.

This type of binding facilitates the classification and the projection of the microfiches. A temporary or permanent classification of the microfiches is obtained when the strip is folded in accordion fashion, the binding being closely related to a book. The projection from this binding permits the elimination of a cumbersome cover and enables the superposition of two or more images as may be desired. The present binding also lends itself easily as a storage medium for protecting the microfiches while being readily available for reference.

The present binding also permits the computerizing of each microfiche so that it can be selected at will.

An other object of the present binding is to permit a one-to-one relationship between a document and a classification unit, that is, one book, one binding.

2. Description of the Prior Art.

According to the present state of the art, a microfiche may be lost or misfiled but it has advantages over the microfilm such as its facility for manipulation and relocating. I

Up to now, the microfiches were located in an envelope or in a pocket provided at the end of a book.

Canadian Pat. No. 749,839 issued on Jan. 3, 1967 to 1.8. Wright, offers an alternative solution which consists of a coil spring or a ring binder used to connect a cover with a transparency.

Another method used at present consists of a transparent envelope which may result as a jacketed microfiche.

However, the known method of binding microfiches results in various problems:

1. The insertion of the microfiche between two plates of a projector whose opening is possible only from one side, the said opening being determined by the manufacturer of the projector. 2. The binding must, in no way, interfere with the movement of the plates of the projector according to the north-south or east-west axes. 3. The relative position of the light source and the reading screen for a film document seen by transparency, defines the emulsion side of the film the right side up and the upside down at the views and the presence of only one micro-image. 4. On certain projectors, it is possible to rotate the image by 90. The binding may present a restriction if the opening of the projector is reduced.

Some of the bindings which are known on the market and which consist of a series of continuous pockets are intended for receiving a document in each of the said adjacent pockets. Such binding cannot be used adequately for viewing and storing microfiches.

The microfiches which are usually placed in an envelope or in a folder are generally classified according to the three following methods:

a. by an optical or mechanical coding and are generally located by a sorter or picker,

b. by an alpha-numerical or numerical classification which groups by sets a plurality of microfiches according to a single subject matter,

c. by a visual locating method, which consists of a diagonal line which permits to identify a microfiche which has been misplaced. However a microfiche placed with its emulsion on the wrong side may not be easily noticed. Also, the microfiche may be altogether misplaced with another set of microfiches.

It is another object of the present invention to overcome or at least-reduce these disadvantages so as to overcome definite lacks in the field of storing, classifying and viewing microfiches or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a binding for microfiches or the like which consists of a elongated transparent strip, the said strip defining adjacent rectangular zones extending across the substantial full width of the strip. Each of these zones has an equal length along the axis of the strip and each second zone displays a microfiche. Each adjacent zone is separated by a line of reduced bending resistance so as to permit the folding of a transparent zone over an adjacent zone displaying a microfiche. The strip may also be folded into accordion folds.

One embodiment consists of having each second zone made of a pocket provided by two superposed transparent sheets in which the microfiche is introduced.

This arrangement enables to keep a plurality of microfiches together, and also, to fold a microfiche zone over an adjacent transparent zone so that they may be viewed by a projector which has plates hinged along a side axis.

Furthermore, this binding for microfiche enables to retain an homogeneous set of microfiches which may be located at the end of a book. It may also constitute the full subject matter of a book and be located between covers to which the strip is attached. This latter arrangement is important because, in the future, libraries may become more a distribution center for literature than a lending center. Consequently, it is important that microfiches be bound adequately so as to be easily classified and viewed in order to duplicate the existing books.

. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a strip constituting one embodiment of the binding according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the strip as shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an embodimentof a strip according to the invention, illustrating the removal of a microfiche from a pocket,

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a strip illustrating a lateral removal of the microfiche from a pocket.

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate various connecting means between two adjacent portions of the strip constituting a binding for microfiches,

FIG. 10 is a side view of a binding according to the invention having a portion thereof under observation through a projector partially illustrated,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a partly folded binding according to the invention.

FIG. 12 is a binding as illustrated in FIG. 11, and mounted inside the cover of a book,

FIG. 13 is an alternative embodiment of the invention showing an unfolded binding adapted to form a book,

FIG. 14 is a side view of a binding of microfiches in a partly folded form, one portion of which is under observation in a projector partially shown.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a binding under observation in projector, wherein both extremities of the binding are connected together so as to be folded in a book form.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show two embodiments ofa binding provided with identification references for locating each microfiche.

FIG. 18 is an alternative embodiment of the strip shown in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the invention consists of an elongated strip of transparent material 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is essentially made of a photographic film. Each strip is made of adjacent rectangular zones 12 and 14 identified in the Figures as 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b. These zones extend the full width of the strip 10 and have the same length along the longitudinal axis of the strip. Between each adjacent zone, the thickness of the strip is reduced to form a line 16 of reduced bending resistance so as toenable a zone 12 to fold over a zone 14.

The zones 12 are constituted by a microfiche displaying a plurality of small images which may be seen by transparency and which, as usual, needs to be enlarged for normal viewing. All the zones 14a are transparent so that when a zone 12 is folded over a zone 14, a projector or an enlarger may focus on the microfiche.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show two other embodiments of a binding wherein the strip 10 is provided with pockets 18 and 20 in which a microfiche 22 is introduced. In FIG. 3, the microfiche 22 is introduced into the pocket through an opening along the edge of the strip 10 while in FIG. 4, the microfiche 22 is introduced through an opening made along an edge of the pocket 20 transversely of the strip 10. These two distinct embodiments are chosen according to the manner in which the binding for microfiches are expected to be manipulated so that the microfiches will not fall out of its pocket.

The line of reduced bending resistance between each zone may take various forms. a few of which are illustrated in FIGS. 9. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, resorts to thinning of the film per se which may be obtained by pressure, heat, solvent, or various combinations thereof. FIG. 6 illustrates two parts of the strip 10 connected by adhesive tapes 24 having a greater flexibility than the one of the strip 10. Where the thickness of the strip must remain constant up to the edge of each zone, the margin of these zones is reduced in thickness so that the superposition of the adhesive tapes over the strip will not exceed the thickness of the strip per see 10.

TI-Ie strips of FIGS. 7 and 8 each consists of a thin sheet of plastic 28 and a thicker one 26. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the thin sheet of plastic 28 is heat sealed over the line of reduced bending resistance 16 so as to form two adjacent pockets 18, one of which being adapted to receive a microfiche. In FIG. 8,

the thin sheet of plastic 28 is heat sealed over the line of reduce bending resistance 16 while a pocket 18 remains between these transparent zones.

FIG. 9 illustrates a splicing arrangement. This type of splicing 30- between two

adjacent parts

70 and 72 of a strip may be used for connecting two ends of the strip as will be indicated later.

As indicated in the summary of the invention, a purpose of the invention is to obtain a binding that combines improved classification and projection facilities for the microfiches. One type of projector or viewer is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 10, 14 and 15 and consists of a source of light 40 and a pair of plates 42 I and 44 mounted to be pivoted about an axle 46. In FIG. 10, the plates are angularly spaced and between which is inserted a pair of zones 48 and of a binding 52 folded over each other. An optical system 52 is located on the side of the

plates

42 and 44 opposite that of the light source 40 to magnify the image of the microfiche for projection or viewing. In FIG. 10, a microfiche zone 48 is folded over a transparent zone 50 of the strip 52. The folding and the overlapping of two zones is required for most of the known projectors or viewers because the latter are, in general, provided with

plates

44 and 42 which are hinged about an axle 46, the said axle preventing the free passage of the strip directly between the two

plates

42 and 44.

This arrangement is preferred by manufacturers of projectors and viewers because it provides a better way of positioning the microfiches between the holding

plates

42 and 44. When the microfiche is appropriately located, the upper plate 44 is pivoted about the axle 46 so as to clamp the two

superposed zones

48 and 50 of the binding 52.

It will thus be gathered that, with such an arrangement any microfiches located in the binding 10 may be folded over an adjacent transparent zone and inserted between the two holding

plates

42 and 44 in the manner of the

zones

48 and 50.

FIG. 11 illustrates a binding according to the invention folded like an accordion manner which is the manner in which it is filed in appropriate drawers, the adjacent zones being in practice, in contact with each other. i

FIG. 12 illustrates a similar binding 52 mounted inside a cover 54 of a book 56, one end of the binding being inserted into an open envelope 58 secured on the inside of the cover 54.

FIG. 13 illustrates another binding 60 constituted by adjacent transparent zones and microfiche zones, each end edge of the binding being connected to the outer edges 62'and 64 of the covers 66 of a folder. When all the zones of the binding 60 are folded over each other, the two covers 66 of the folder may also be folded over each other in the manner illustrated in FIG. 14.1n addition, FIG. 14 illustrates the manner in which the microfiches inside the covers 66 may be pulled out in part for viewing through a viewer or a projector of the type illustrated in FIG. 10.

Instead of using folder covers 66, as illustrated. in FIG. 15, it is possible to extend the binding 68 per se at both ends with two

additional zones

70 and 72, these zones having an overlapping edge 74. The width of the edges 74 corresponds to the thickness of all the zones of the binding 68. When all these adjacent transparent and microfiche zones are folded for filing, they are stacked up between the additional zones and 72 substantially in a manner illustrated in FIG. 14. The connecting edges 74 may be spliced as illustrated in FIG. 9, that is, with both edges being provided with a corresponding stepwise recess so that the thickness of the two

parts

70 and 72 may be maintained throughout the connecting edges 74.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate bindings for microfiches which are provided with locating references. In FIG. 16, the transparent zone 80 is provided with a grid having a series of indications which, when folded over the microfiches 82 will identify each image. As it may be seen from FIGS. 16, the markings on the transparent zone 80, are printed in a reverse manner so as to be seen correctly when folded over the mirofiches.

Considering that the strip has, at least, a double thickness, when seen through a projector, the focusing will have to be modified from the reading of the grid to the reading of the microfiche. It is possible to overcome this disadvantage if the markings on the transparent zone appear on the side which comes in contact with the side of the microfiche which carries the emulsion, i.e. on the inner side 72 as shown in FIG. 15.

When the binding is used with certain types of viewers or projectors, the marking is preferably clearly seen with the naked eye and may be located along the margin of the microfiche and the transparent zone. The indications A, B, C etc. and the consecutive numbers l, 2, 3 etc. are located in the margin. The dotted line 86 indicates the space which exists between the guiding mark which guides the eye and the center of the objective which is the line with the image under observation. It is to be noted that the figures identified by 88 and 90 are located along the margin of the zone so as not to obstruct the readng of the following microfiche.

Either of the

transparent zones

92 and 94 may be folded over the microfiche Zone 96.

The use of grids or markings on the binding per se provides the following advantages:

1. The elimination of a slide and an outer grid which is used with the usual film carrying envelope.

2. The projection on the viewing screen of the coordinates of a same scale as the text of these projected images without having this coordinate directly on the microfiche.

3. In the case where a book binding is used with a portable projector without a microfiche carrier, the marking code which is visible with the naked eye may be located in the margins.

4. It is possible to obtain a margin all around the microfiche so as to facilitate the manipulation thereof and the inscription of letters or figures of the grid.

5. The registration or correspondence between the image seen and the coordinates is insured.

FIG. 18 is an alternative embodiment of the strip shown in FIG. 3 wherein the zone receiving the microfiche is subdivided in a few channels 32 which are parallel to the line 34 of reduced bending resistance. Each channel is slightly shorter than the width of the strip and provides a margin 40 for the insertion of the bands of microfiches. This arrangement may be more suitable for certain type of classification.

Although the previous disclosure refers to plastic sheets which are heat sealed, it is to be understood that they may also be sealed by other known methods such as impulse sealers, ultrasonic sealers, radiofrequency sealers, etc. It is further to be understood that in a binding arrangement such as illustrated in FIG. 13, the first zone which is connected to the edge 64 of the cover 66 may be constituted by an opaque sheet carrying data or identifications concerning the enclosed microfiches. These identifications are visible with the naked eye.

The strip 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be constituted of a strip of photographic film. It may also consist of a transparent strip of plastic having adhesive patches 17 (see FIG. 5) on which is fixed a microfiche.

I claim: 1. A binding for microfiches or the like for use in a viewing machine having a pair of transparent plates, a light source on one side of said plates and an optical system on the other side for enlarging and projecting said microfiches, said plates being hinged to one another along adjacent edges whereby to be angularly moved apart for the insertion of microfiches of said binding" and then folded one over the other with said microfiches between said plates, said binding comprising:

an elongated strip of transparent material divided longitudinally into a succession of rectangular panels of even thickness and of equal length and width, each panel extending fully across said strip;

alternate ones of said panels of said strip displaying at least one microfiche and the others being devoid of microfiches and being fully transparent; said microfiche panels and transparent panels alternating along the full length of said strip;

means, separating said panels, defining a line of reduced bending resistance having a thickness at most equal that of the panels so that one panel may be folded over one of its two adjacent panels by bending in either direction, to lie in face-to-face contact throughout their areas, and said entire strip may be folded accordion fashion, whereby, in use, the panel displaying the microfiche to be viewed may be folded over one of its two adjacent panels and inserted between said transparent plates of said viewing machine, the hinges of said plates acting as an insertion guide for said panels.

2. A binding as recited in claim 1 wherein said strip is a photographic film having photographic emulsion thereon, at least on said alternate ones of said panels, said emulsion defining said microfiches.

3. A binding as recited in claim 2, wherein the photographic emulsion of each alternate panel is on the inner side of the binding.

4. A binding as recited in claim 1 wherein'said means separating said panels comprises a material having greater flexibility than the material of said panels.

5. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the strip is reduced along a line between each adjacent zone.

6. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said alternate panels consists of a pocket made of two superposed transparent sheets adapted to receive a microfiche therebetween.

7. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein the strip is constituted by two superposed transparent sheets, the said sheets being sealed to one another between the said panels and, being adapted to receive a microfiche between the two sheets.

8. A binding as recited in claim I, wherein the two terminal edges of the strip are fixed together to define a connecting band having a predetermined width, the said width corresponding to the total thickness of the folded zones.

9. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein a grid is of the strip is connected to one edge of a book cover. displayed in the transparent panel of the strip adjacent each alternate panel, the pattern of the grid corre- 13. A binding as recited in claim 1, including book sponding to the array of the images on the microfiche covers, wherein both ends of the said strip are respecof the alternate panel. tively connected to both outer edges of the said covers.

10. A binding as recited in claim 9, wherein each portion of the grid carries an identification so as to locate 14. A binding as recited in claim 13, wherein a panel a predetermined portion of a microfiche. adjacent one of said covers carries identifications.

11. A binding as recited in claim 9, wherein the grid 15. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein each of carries marginal inscriptions so as to identify each por- 10 said alternate panels displays a microfiche adhesively tion of the grid. fixed thereto.

12. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein one end

Claims

1. A binding for microfiches or the like for use in a viewing machine having a pair of transparent plates, a light source on one side of said plates and an optical system on the other side for enlarging and projecting said microfiches, said plates being hinged to one another along adjacent edges whereby to be angularly moved apart for the insertion of microfiches of said binding and then folded one over the other with said microfiches between said plates, said binding comprising: an elongated strip of transparent material divided longitudinally into a succession of rectangular panels of even thickness and of equal length and width, each panel extending fully across said strip; alternate ones of said panels of said strip displaying at least one microfiche and the others being devoid of microfiches and being fully transparent; said microfiche panels and transparent panels alternating along the full length of said strip; means, separating said panels, defining a line of reduced bending resistance having a thickness at most equal that of the panels so that one panel may be folded over one of its two adjacent panels by bending in either direction, to lie in faceto-face contact throughout their areas, and said entire strip may be folded accordion fashion, whereby, in use, the panel displaying the microfiche to be viewed may be folded over one of its two adjacent panels and inserted between said transparent plates of said viewing machine, the hinges of said plates acting as an insertion guide for said panels.

4. A binding as recited in claim 1 wherein said means separating said panels comprises a material having greater flexibility than the material of said panels.

8. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein the two terminal edges of the strip are fixed together to define a connecting band having a predetermined width, the said width corresponding to the total thickness of the folded zones.

9. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein a grid is displayed in the transparent panel of the strip adjacent each alternate panel, the pattern of the grid corresponding to the array of the images on the microfiche of the alternate panel.

10. A binding as recited in claim 9, wherein each portion of the grid carries an identification so as to locate a predetermined portion of a microfiche.

11. A binding as recited in claim 9, wherein the grid carries marginal inscriptions so as to identify each portion of the grid.

12. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein one end of the strip is connected to one edge of a book cover.

13. A binding as recited in claim 1, including book covers, wherein both ends of the said strip are respectively connected to both outer edges of the said covers.

14. A binding as recited in claim 13, wherein a panel adjacent one of said covers carries identifications.

15. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said alternate panels displays a microfiche adhesively fixed thereto.