Flattenable loop binder

Details Flattenable loop binder Flattenable loop binder

1999-02-03

2001-01-02

Fridie, Jr., Willmon (Department: 3722)

Binder device releasably engaging aperture or notch of sheet

Pliant, deformable sheet retainer

C402S070000, C402S073000, C402S075000, C402S013000, C402S060000, C402S068000, C024S0160PB, C024S1320AA, C024S200000

Utility Patent

active

06168337

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a flattenable loop binder for retaining loose-leaf sheets, and particularly to a simple strip structure useful to convert an ordinary file folder into a loop binder folder. The invention also relates to loop binder folders formed incorporating principles of the invention and to methods of using the new binder principles of the invention.
Heretofore, the prior art has directed itself to the formation of ring binders that are far too stiff to be collapsible or flattenable. For the most part, such ring binders either form the backbone or have been affixed to the backbone of a folder having a front cover hinged to one side of the backbone and a back cover hinged to the other side, much the same as the front and back covers of a book are hinged to opposite sides of a backbone to which the pages of a book are attached. These ring binders are essentially precluded from being flattened even if attempted. They are far too stiff, even fracturable.
Further, insofar as is known, even when ring binders have been mounted near the inner edge of the back cover of a folder, they have not been designed to be flattenable. The principle of a strip hinged to a back cover carrying a ring binder and also hinged to a front cover on its opposite side remains the standard procedure for known back cover mounted binders, presumably because the binders are stiff and totally impractical to flatten under ordinary use conditions, and even may be fractured on any attempt to flatten.
Equally significant to the above is the fact that the ring binders as heretofore known are astonishingly sophisticated and frequently too sophisticated and expensive for the mass of uses involving but a few loose-leaf sheets as in many sales folders, pricing folders, business proposals of a preliminary nature, and a multitude of other uses where a thick volume of loose-leaf paper is not required and is indeed undesirable, especially when it comes to storage, whether the storage is in a briefcase or other carrying case or in any file cabinet.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention directs itself to simple loose-leaf binding that facilitates easy optional collapse of the binder structure on folding the front and back cover of a folder equipped with the new binder. This new loop binder reduces the thickness of a folder equipped with it (as compared to known ring binder folders) and thus reduces the space occupied by the folder in a brief case or in a file cabinet or in otherwise handling and storing it. The new binder is pliable and readily flattenable.
A key feature of the new binder is that it has a mounting strip, and the dominant essence of this strip is its elongated spine. The spine has opposing longitudinal edges which define the transverse width of the spine. For convenience, one of the longitudinal edges is suitably called a strap edge and the other a receiver edge.
Loop-forming elements project outward from the opposing longitudinal edges of the spine, and these loop-forming elements are in a paired transversely aligned relationship. Pliable and readily bendable loop-forming straps project outward from the strap edge of the spine, and flexible strap receivers project outward from the receiver edge of the spine.
The relationship between the straps and the receivers is the epitome of simplicity. Formation of a loop involves threading a strap through its transversely aligned receiver in a manner that causes the end of the strap to project outward from the spine and the back of the straps to face the back of the receiver. The loop is easily flattened, and in doing so, a single fold is formed in the strap. The fold in the strap is off the strap edge of the spine.
For the purpose of enhancing the formation of loops of equal size, the loop-forming straps are preferably equipped with a locking structure for engagement with the strap receivers on the opposite edge of the spine; and the locking structure for each strap is ideally at an equally distant location from the strap edge of the spine so that, once each locking structure engages its strap receiver, teardrop loops of equal size will be formed.
The manner of affixing the spine of a mounting strip to the back cover of a folder near the dominant crease or fold of the folder is preferably by adhesion, whether effected by fusion or by employing a special material as an adhesive. The preferred structure of the invention employs a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Ideally, the pressure-sensitive adhesive is coated on the back surface of the spine and then, if the spine is not immediately secured to the back cover of a folder, a low adhesion protective removable liner is temporarily applied over the outer surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.
For the purpose of orienting a mounting strip having a spine and adhesive layer in an ideally spaced relationship from and parallel to the dominant crease of a folder, special spacer elements are preferably provided.
Many other advantageous and highly desired features for the new loop binder, and for folders employing it, as well as the method or process of using it, will be evident from the further description and details to follow.


REFERENCES:
patent: 212061 (1879-02-01), Smith
patent: 2329786 (1943-09-01), Ringler
patent: 2495180 (1950-01-01), Phillips
patent: 2595427 (1952-05-01), Trussell
patent: 2612166 (1952-09-01), Trussell
patent: 2910068 (1959-10-01), Lane
patent: 3077887 (1963-02-01), Levitan
patent: 3313303 (1967-04-01), Beyer
patent: 3433688 (1969-03-01), Staats et al.
patent: 3956798 (1976-05-01), Wright
patent: 5888011 (1999-03-01), Reinbold, Jr.
Sketch of old check stub storage cover from Delux Check Corp., 1985.

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