WO2007099366A1

WO2007099366A1 - An information product

Info

Publication number: WO2007099366A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/050080
Authority: WO
Inventors: Derek Dacey
Original assignee: Compass Maps Limited
Priority date: 2006-03-03
Filing date: 2007-02-22
Publication date: 2007-09-07
Also published as: GB0604265D0; GB2435710A

Abstract

There is provided an information product comprising four panels (21, 23, 24, 26) which are connected by folds (22, 25, 27). Secured between the first and second panels (21, 23) a star-folded product (10a) is provided and between the third and fourth panels (24, 26) a second star-folded product (106) is provided. A fifth panel (30) is also provided to close around the product when the product is in a closed condition.

Description

An Information Product

The present invention relates to an information product which incorporates a number of star-folded products designed to be folded and unfolded repeatedly during use.

Such star-folded products are known and are often used for foldable maps or for any other printed information which needs to be presented to a user and then folded away. One star-folded product is disclosed, for example, in WO 03/017235 and another in US 4636192. In a star-folded product, a series of inward and outward folds are made, principally along fold lines meeting at a centre point of the sheet, but also including secondary fold lines positioned towards the edges of the sheets. The arrangement is such that when the product is folded to a predetermined folded condition, two principal portions of the sheet are closed one toward the other by a closing movement in the manner of the closing of the covers of a book, and other portions of the product automatically fold inwardly so as to be enclosed between the two closed principal portions of the sheet. In this way the product may be folded to an area much smaller than the open product, and can be folded by a single closing movement similar to closing the covers of a book.

According to the present invention there is provided an information product comprising a first panel which is hingedly connected to a second panel, a third panel which is hingedly connected to a fourth panel, the second and third panel being joined together along a line which is substantially parallel to the hinge connections between the first and second panels and between the third and fourth panels, a first star-folded product being secured relative to and between the first and second panels such that moving the first and second panels relative to each other about their hinge connection causes automatic folding and unfolding of the first star-folded product, a second star-folded product being secured relative to and between the third and fourth panels such that moving the third and fourth panels relative to each other about their hinge connection causes automatic folding and unfolding of the first star-folded product. Usually, but not always, the panels are substantially rectangular. The securing of the star-folded products can be by means of adhesive or by means of a releasable attachment.

Preferably a fifth panel is hingedly connected to first panel, the fifth panel being foldable around the fourth panel when the product is in a fully folded condition and normally the hinge connection of the fifth panel to the first panel is parallel to the hinge connection between the first panel and the second panel. Ideally the free edge of the fifth panel opposite its hinge connection with the first panel carries retention means for interaction with complementary means provided on the rear of the first panel to retain the product in a folded condition. In some embodiments the retention means and complementary means comprises interengaging elements such as a stud and receiver, hook and loop fastening. Often the fifth panel is double thickness by virtue of a further panel being folded back on itself.

With some arrangements the connection between the second panel and the third panel is a hinge connection. In these arrangements it is possible for a third star-folded product is secured relative to and between the reverse sides of the second and third panels such that moving the second and third panels relative to each other about their hinge connection causes automatic folding and unfolding of the third star-folded product.

With other arrangements the reverse sides of the second and third panels are secured together. Conveniently the second and third panels are secured along a top margin and a bottom margin extending generally perpendicularly from the upper and lower ends of the connection line between the second and third panels to define a space between the second and third panels and in such arrangements the access to the space is via a gap defined between the top and bottom margins at the edge opposite the line connection between the second and third panels. Additionally, or alternatively, access to the space is via a slot formed in the line connection between the second and third panels. The second and third panels can be secured to each other with adhesive.

Normally the first to fourth panels and the fifth panel where provided are formed from a single folded sheet of paper and often the folded sheet is paperboard.

In further embodiments further panels are added in series to the fourth panel, together with additional star-folded products secured to the front and/or reverse sides of the products.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view of a known star-folded product in an unfolded/open condition,

Figure 2 is a view of the figure 1 product in a folded/closed condition,

Figure 3 is an end view of an information product according to the present invention in an intermediate open position,

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the information product of figure 3,

Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the information product of figure 3,

Figure 6 is a schematic end view of the information product of figure 3 in a fully folded condition,

Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the information product according to the present invention, and

Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the information product according to the present invention.

In figures 1 and 2 there is shown a known star-folded product 10 which could present a map or any other printed/graphic matter, for example common phrases in one or more foreign languages. The star- folded product 10 does not need detailed description as it is known from at least the two patent specifications stated earlier but is generally formed from a rectangular sheet of material, such as paper, which incorporates a predetermined pattern of inward and outward fold lines 11. Most of the folds 11 meet at a centre point 12 of the sheet but there are also secondary folds 13 positioned towards the edges of the sheets. When the sheet is folded into its predetermined folded condition (as shown in figure 2), two principal portions 15, 16 of the sheet are closed one toward the other by a closing movement similar to the closing of the covers of a book such that other portions of the sheet automatically fold inwardly so as to be enclosed between the two closed principal portions 15, 16 of the sheet (see figure 2).

Figures 3 to 6 show an information product 20 having a first panel 21 which is hingedly attached at fold 22 to a second panel 23. A third panel 24 is hingedly connected at reverse fold 25 to the second panel 23 and a fourth panel 26 is hingedly connected at fold 27 to the third panel. The four panels 21, 23, 24, 26 are therefore linked in concertina fashion. Opposite the fold 22, an optional fifth panel 28 is hingedly connected at fold 29 to the first panel 21 and in this arrangement the fifth panel 28 is reinforced by virtue of being double thickness. This is effected by a further panel 30 being folded over and adhered to the front of the fifth panel 28.

The panels are shown as being rectangular and connected to each other at opposite edges. Other shaped panels could be used but conditions which will become apparent will need to be met. Also, the panels are made from a single folded sheet of paperboard although other materials would be apparent to the skilled person, such as plastics, and hinge connections other than folds are possible such that the panels could actually be made separately.

Between the first and second panels 21, 23 on the front side thereof, a first star-folded product 10a is provided. The principal portion 15 is secured to the first panel 21 and the principal portion 16 is secured to the second panel 23 with the centre point 12 being adjacent or in the region of the fold 22. Preferably adhesive is used although it is possible that a releasable attachment means could be used. For example, a hook and loop fastening means, e.g. Velcro®, could be used so that the star- folded products 10 could be replaced or interchanged.

Similarly, between the third and fourth panels 24, 26, on the front side thereof, a second star-folded product 10b is provided. The principal portion 15 is secured to the third panel 24 and the principal portion 16 is secured to the second panel 23 with the centre point 12 being adjacent or in the region of the fold 27.

The product 20 can be used in a number of ways. For example, in a book-like mode, as shown in figure 3, the second and third panels 23, 24 are kept together and can be folded forward and back to alternately open and close the first and second star-folded products 10a, 10b. Alternatively, both star-folded products 10a, 10b could be opened up next to each other if all four panels 21, 23, 24, 26 were opened up into general alignment. The product 20 could also be opened such that the first star- folded product 10a is opened up on one side and the second star-folded product 10b could be opened up on the reverse side.

It will be appreciated that in addition to the information provided on the star-folded products 10a, 10b, the product can be printed with more information/graphics on the reverse sides of the panels 21, 23, 24, 26 and also on the front and reverse sides of the fifth/further panel 28, 30. That would be six surfaces in the illustrated embodiment.

In the illustrated embodiment, when fully folded, the fifth panel 28 folds over the reverse side of the fourth panel 26. Although not shown, fastening means could be provided on the fifth panel/first panel so as to retain the product 20 in its closed condition. Figure 6 shows the closed condition although an optional spine 40 is shown between the fifth and first panels so as to accommodate the thickness of the product. The retention means could be constituted in a number of ways, for example a tab extending from one of the panels for interengagement with corresponding means on the other panel, e.g. a stud fastening or a hook and loop material such as Velcro®.

In the arrangement illustrated in figure 7, a third star-folded product 10c is secured between the second and third panels 23, 24, on the reverse side thereof, in a similar manner to the star-folded products 10a, 10b. Again, any or all of the star-folded products 10a, 10b, 10c could actually be releasably secured to the respective panels. The figure 7 product provides a further star-folded product 10c with its increased area for information although this is at the expense of the information/graphics bearing surfaces on the rear of the second and third panels 23, 24.

The embodiment shown in figure 8 is similar to the information product 20 shown in figures 3 to 6 except that the reverse sides of the second and third panels 23, 24 are secured together along the top and bottom edges extending perpendicularly from the fold 25 linking the two panels. This creates a small space between the two panels 23, 24 and between the glue lines with a slit-like opening 35 at the rear for receiving small card-like objects such as a business card. The securing of the two panels could be by means of adhesive or could be non-permanent by using two lines of a releasable attachment means such as a hook and loop fastening means, e.g. Velcro®.

Alternatively, the rear margin adjacent the folds 22, 27 could also be secured and a slit could be cut into the fold 25 in order to provide access to the opening.

In other arrangements, which are not shown, further panels could be added to the fourth panel or indeed to the fifth panel, together with associated star-folded products where desired. Also, a booklet or a further star-folded product could be added between the fifth panel 28 and the further panel 30. Other alternative arrangements will also be apparent and are envisaged by the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

1. An information product comprising a first panel which is hingedly connected to a second panel, a third panel which is hingedly connected to a fourth panel, the second and third panel being joined together along a line which is substantially parallel to the hinge connections between the first and second panels and between the third and fourth panels, a first star-folded product being secured relative to and between the first and second panels such that moving the first and second panels relative to each other about their hinge connection causes automatic folding and unfolding of the first star-folded product, a second star-folded product being secured relative to and between the third and fourth panels such that moving the third and fourth panels relative to each other about their hinge connection causes automatic folding and unfolding of the first star-folded product.

2. The information product as claimed in claim 1 wherein the panels are substantially rectangular.

3. The information product as claimed in claim 2 wherein a fifth panel is hingedly connected to first panel, the fifth panel being foldable around the fourth panel when the product is in a fully folded condition.

4. The information product as claimed in claim 3 wherein the hinge connection of the fifth panel to the first panel is parallel to the hinge connection between the first panel and the second panel.

5. The information product as claimed in claim 4 wherein the free edge of the fifth panel opposite its hinge connection with the first panel carries retention means for interaction with complementary means provided on the rear of the first panel to retain the product in a folded condition.

6. The information product as claimed in claim 5 wherein the retention means and complementary means comprises interengaging elements such as a stud and receiver, hook and loop fastening.

7. The information product as claimed in claim 6 wherein the fifth panel is double thickness by virtue of a further panel being folded back on itself.

8. The information product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the connection between the second panel and the third panel is a hinge connection.

9. The information product as claimed in claim 8 wherein a third star-folded product is secured relative to and between the reverse sides of the second and third panels such that moving the second and third panels relative to each other about their hinge connection causes automatic folding and unfolding of the third star-folded product.

10. The information product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the reverse sides of the second and third panels are secured together.

11. The information product as claimed in claim 10 wherein the second and third panels are secured along a top margin and a bottom margin extending generally perpendicularly from the upper and lower ends of the connection line between the second and third panels to define a space between the second and third panels.

12. The information product as claimed in claim 12 wherein the access to the space is via a gap defined between the top and bottom margins at the edge opposite the line connection between the second and third panels.

13. The information product as claimed in claim 11 wherein access to the space is via a slot formed in the line connection between the second and third panels.

14. The information product as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the second and third panels are secured to each other with adhesive.

15. The information product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the first to fourth panels, and the fifth panel where provided, are formed from a single folded sheet.

16. The information product as claimed in claim 15 wherein the folded sheet is paperboard.

17. The information product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein further panels are added in series to the fourth panel, together with additional star-folded products secured to the front and/or reverse sides of the products.