WO2011004041A2

WO2011004041A2 - Element and cover for binding

Info

Publication number: WO2011004041A2
Application number: PCT/ES2010/000295
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maria Hava Verges; Iván PANAREDA CIRES
Original assignee: Facil Binder, S.L.
Priority date: 2009-07-08
Filing date: 2010-07-08
Publication date: 2011-01-13
Also published as: WO2011004041A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a binding element enabling a set of sheets to be bound without pressing the profile, punching or gluing, that is without requiring any type of manipulation that requires machinery. Said element consists of a longitudinal body having a cross-section formed by a base and two opposing lateral walls that extend from said base. The element is characterised in that each free end of the walls extends in respective inclined sections essentially defining a V shape, the free ends of said inclined sections remaining separated by a distance suitable for receiving a set of sheets.

Description

Element v cover for binding

The present invention relates to the field of office supplies and photography, and in particular to a binding mechanism of

documents

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

There are several ways to bind sheets of paper, photographs, etc. both in the field of office supplies and in the field of photography. In the latter case and currently with the appearance of digital photography, a multitude of mechanisms to bind printed photographs in the form of an album are offered on the market. Currently one of the most used mechanisms is based on putting the printed sheets inside some covers that have a spine with a thermal adhesive that melts with a machine that generates heat. After a certain time the printed sheets of paper are fixed on the spine. Based on this binding system, many improvements are being made with respect to the formation of the spine and the application of the adhesive. Some of these improvements are described in patents and patent applications EP 1637344, EP 2051833, EP 1533132 and EP 1993851 of Unibind Limited. With this system you are obliged to have a special machine to heat the adhesive. This means that the binding is reserved for establishments dedicated to this and makes it difficult for an end user to make albums at home. In addition, these binding systems do not allow incorporating more sheets or photographs in the book or album once bound. Another binding mechanism is known commercially as

Channel ^® consisting of covers and a spine that has a U-shaped metal profile inside. Once the printed sheets are inserted inside, a machine that puts pressure on the metal profile is used and packed All the leaves In this case a special machine is also needed to be able to press the profile and it does not allow to add more sheets in the future since the U profile has initially been deformed. US patent 5733087 describes a binding mechanism that consists of a spine with an adhesive strip that is inserted into a reusable cover that acts as a guide to square the sheets that will be inside. Once the sheets are placed on the spine, the adhesive is melted with a machine and when the set of sheets is well attached to the spine, the guide cover that can be reused is removed.

All these binding mechanisms need a special machine to melt the adhesive or apply pressure to the sheets of paper, so it is more laborious and difficult to apply.

Another mechanism currently used is that described in patent applications EP 2064072 and EP 2043878 of Hewlett-Packard. It is based on a cover that includes inside leaves and some

clamps that exert forces opposite each other when the cover is opened or closed. The set of sheets is held between the clamps. The advantage of this mechanism is that no adhesive or a special binding machine is needed, but as a drawback it is not possible to customize the covers since the entire album (that is, the covers and the sheet fixing system) is factory ready. Because of the large number of elements that constitute it and the manufacturing processes through which it is feasible to disassemble it in order to customize the album.

In view of the mechanisms for binding known in the state of the art and used in the market, the objective of the invention is to provide a new mechanism that allows the end user to easily and economically make their own photo albums or bind sheets of paper for office applications. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

These inconveniences, and others that may derive from them, are solved with the mechanism object of the present invention, which has been devised to be able to carry out quickly and efficiently and without auxiliary machinery the binding of sheets and to make books for different applications . Thus, one aspect of the invention refers to a binding element comprising at least one longitudinal body whose cross section is formed by a base and two opposite side walls that extend from said base. Each free end of the walls extends in respective inclined sections which define a shape

substantially of V leaving the free ends of said inclined sections separated a suitable distance to accommodate a set of sheets between them. The binding element of the invention makes it possible to bind a set of sheets without pressing the profile, or piercing or gluing; that is, without the need to do any manipulation that requires machinery.

The element is constituted by a longitudinal body manufactured

preferably in plastic or metal that has separate inclined sections that at the time of introducing the set of sheets are flexed outward facilitating the entry of the sheets and immediately the inclined longitudinal sections recover the form by exerting pressure on the set of sheets.

Thanks to the conformation of the inclined sections and the pressure exerted by these sections on the set of sheets, the exit of the sheets during the use of the bound set is impossible. In addition, it allows the sheet assembly to be removed if the sheet assembly slides longitudinally along the longitudinal body. Therefore, the flexibility and conformation of the inclined sections allows the possibility of placing and removing the set of sheets as many times as necessary and the number of sheets can be varied without the need for any machine. With the binding element of the invention, the procedure for binding is very simple. The set of sheets is pre-squared, and preferably stapled so that it does not move. The set of sheets is directed in front of the binding element and pressure is pressed against it, so that the inclined sections flex allowing the entry of the sheets and immediately recovering the tension and the initial shape, the sheets being well fixed. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the inclined sections of the binding element form an angle of approximately 20 to 80 degrees with respect to the side walls. More preferably, said angle is approximately 45 degrees relative to the side walls.

In another particular embodiment, the length of the inclined sections is substantially less than the height of the side walls.

In another particular embodiment, the side walls of the element of

Binding are parallel to each other. In another embodiment, the base is flat.

Finally, another particular embodiment of the invention refers to the fact that the distance to accommodate a set of sheets is substantially equal to or less than the total thickness of said set of sheets to be accommodated.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a binding cover comprising a binding element as defined above and a set consisting of a cover, a spine, a back cover and grooves between spine and cover and back cover. Between the binding element and the spine, there are suitable fastening means.

The fastening means for securing the binding element in the spine can be adhesive, double-sided adhesive tape, rivets, etc. The invention allows the binding covers to be personalized in an easy way, since single covers can be printed with some personal motif of the client and the binding element can be attached to the cover by means of an adhesive or the like. Thus, one way to bind documents would be to use the binding element alone, with custom covers (for example, thicker sheets, cardboard, etc.). The whole set of sheets and covers would be fastened with the binding element that would make loin in this case. Another possibility would be to have the binding element and choose a set consisting of a cover, a spine, a back cover and indentations between the spine and cover and back cover, as described herein, and to join the binding element with fastening means at the time of bind. This allows to choose the client's "tapas" at the time of binding. Finally, another product would be constituted by the cover that integrates all the aforementioned elements:

binding already attached to the set consisting of a cover, a spine, a back cover and indentations between spine and cover and back cover. Covers can be offered as a finished product of different colors, shapes and materials.

The binding element and cover have many applications in the field of office supplies to bind all types of documents, photography and in general any laminar element capable of containing graphic information, text and combinations thereof.

Throughout the description and the claims the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics,

components or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and characteristics of the invention will emerge partly from the description and partly from the practice of the invention. To complement the description and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, drawings and an embodiment that are provided by way of illustration are attached to the present specification, and are not intended to be limiting of The present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the binding element. FIG. 2 shows a front view of the binding element when introducing the set of sheets through the separation between the inclined sections.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the binding element where it is seen how once the set of sheets has been introduced, the inclined sections make a pressure on the sheets. FIG. 4 shows an elevation view of the element included in a cover, with the sheets inserted in the element and this one glued to the spine.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

5

In view of the aforementioned figures, it can be seen that the binding element object of the present invention is constituted by a longitudinal body of plastic and / or metallic material. Its cross section is formed by a base 2, which in the embodiment shown is flat, and two or opposite side walls 3 which in the embodiment shown are

substantially parallel to each other. These walls extend from the base, and each free end 1 of the walls 3 extends in respective inclined sections 4 defining between the sections a substantially V-shaped and forming an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the side walls.5 The free ends of said inclined sections are separated a

adequate distance to accommodate a set of sheets 5. Highlights the rounded shape 1 that is in the extension of each wall towards the inclined section, which provides the flexion of the material, and upon recovering the tension will generate the pressure on the set of sheets. In the embodiment shown, or this distance is substantially less than the total thickness of sheets

inserted. Because of the shape, the binding element has sufficient flexibility so that between the package of printed sheets and then they are fully fixed due to the forces generated by the inclined sections. The element is glued with covers 6 5 simply with an adhesive on the three outer sides of the element

finishing a book for different applications.

Claims

1. Binding element comprising at least one longitudinal body whose cross section is formed by a base (2) and two opposite side walls (3) that extend from said base, characterized in that each free end (1) of the walls ( 3) it extends into respective inclined sections (4) which define a shape

substantially of V, the free ends (1) of said inclined sections (4) being separated a suitable distance to accommodate between them a set of sheets (5).

2. Binding element according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclined sections (4) form an angle of approximately 20 to 80 degrees with respect to the side walls (3).

3. Binding element according to claim 2, characterized in that the inclined sections (4) form an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the side walls (3).

4. Binding element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the inclined sections (4) is substantially less than the height of the side walls (3).

'

5. Binding element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls (3) are parallel to each other.

6. Binding element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (2) is flat.

? Binding element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance to accommodate a set of sheets (5) is substantially equal to or less than the total thickness of said set of sheets (5) to be accommodated.

8. Binding element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of plastic or metal.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (Rule 26) 2010/000295

9. Binding cover comprising:

(a) a binding element as defined in any of the preceding claims;

(b) a set (6) formed by a cover, a spine, a back cover and grooves between spine and cover and back cover; Y

(c) fastening means (7) between the binding element and the spine.

REPLACEMENT SHEET (Rule 26)