Books – strips – and leaves – Book – element thereof – or accessory therefor – Covers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-02
2001-10-23
Fridie, Jr., Willmon (Department: 3722)
Books, strips, and leaves
Book, element thereof, or accessory therefor
Covers
C281S029000, C281S031000, C281S051000, C402S004000, C402S070000, C402S073000, C040S700000, C040S725000, C040S726000, C040S775000, C040S768000, C040S777000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305714
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to folders. More particularly, this invention is directed to a folder or a loose-leaf binder comprising a cover having first and second panels and a mounting portion connected to the cover for securing a display sheet in different positions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Folders and loose-leaf binders are conventionally used for holding and organizing sheets of paper. Loose-leaf binders typically have front and back covers and a spine disposed between the covers. Additionally, ring segments that abut to form rings are incorporated in the inside surface of these binders, either along the spine or the back cover, to allow the insertion of paper to or removal of paper from the binder. To further facilitate the organization and identification of the sheets of paper held within the folder or binder, content identifiers such as labels are generally affixed to the spine, front cover, or both. Although the area available for an inscription is more limited, content identifiers have been displayed on the spine of these folders or binders to provide identification when they are stored in the upright position either on a shelf or a desk top. Displaying content identifiers on the front cover allows the user more inscription space in displaying titles or graphics, but is only visible when the binders are laid flat.
Various forms of content identifiers are known in the art and have been incorporated into binders. The simplest form is attaching inscribed self-adhesive labels to either the front cover or the spine of the binder. Also commonly used are transparent plastic materials, typically rectangular in shape, that are either heat sealed or adhesively attached to the spine or the front cover into which a label can be inserted.
Improvements have developed in content identifiers for binders to enhance both usage versatility and visual appeal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,797 discloses a three-ring binder having a spine, front cover and back cover. The spine and the front cover each includes a rectangular frame aligned with and welded to the bottom and side edges of the spine and cover. A clear plastic membrane is secured to the frame's interior and covers the opening in the picture frames. A display insert is dimensioned for inserting into each of the picture frames.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,704,546 discloses a ring binder having a transparent cover with a framed border and an interior pocket opening alongside the spine for holding a title sheet. The ring mechanism is connected to the spine and content identification is provided only on the covers. Both references require separate identification for the spine and the covers.
Another reference allowing customized insertion of a content identifier in an exterior window is U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,564. This reference teaches a binder having a single sheet of transparent plastic material wrapping around the spine and extending to at least a portion of the front and back covers to form a single pocket. The pocket is formed to hold a label made from a conventional 8.5 by 11-inch sheet of paper.
The Avery® Framed View Binder™ has two individually framed label pockets, with one extending over the front cover and the other extending over the spine. A spine label is first printed and either must be manually retrofitted to the size necessary for fitting into the pocket on the spine or printed on a pre-sized label which minimizes the inscription options available to a user. Thereafter, a cover sheet is separately prepared for insertion into the pocket on the front cover. Although the spine label or cover sheet can be printed using conventionally sized 8½ by 11-inch paper on a widely popular laser printer, the printed sheet must thereafter cut into size to fit in both pockets. Moreover, the spine label and cover sheet can easily shift out of position when the binder is handled, mis-aligning the printed materials with respect to the front cover. U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,417 discloses a three-ring binder having full length pockets with opaque framing applied by silk screening. The pockets are heat sealed to the front and back covers such that identification is not available on the spine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A folder with framed windows according to the present invention features a first panel, a second panel and a spine panel disposed between the covers. A pocket secured to the holder provides framed windows in substantial alignment with the front cover and the spine such that a sheet containing content information is insertable within the pocket and displayable over the front cover, spine or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, cut-outs are provided within the front cover and the spine forming framed windows. A pocket is secured to the inside surface of the binder to allow the insertion of a sheet containing content information to be displayed through the windows.
Also, the present invention reduces the probability of the display sheet or spine label from getting loose when the binder is dropped or transported by providing a mounting sheet insertable within the pocket. The mounting sheet has a plurality of fasteners adaptable for securing and displaying sheets in multiple orientations. In the first orientation, the plurality of fasteners secures the sheet such that it extends over the front cover and is viewable only within the framed window of the front cover. In the second orientation, the fasteners secure the sheet such that it extends over both the front cover and the spine and is viewable within both framed windows. In both orientations, the window frames cover the fasteners from view.
The present invention is also directed to a method manufacturing a folder comprising the steps of forming a base by layering a board between a first and second cover material such that the first cover material is on top. A mounting sheet is located over the base, covering a portion of the base. A pocket sheet is placed over the mounting sheet atop of the base such that the pocket sheet covers the mounting sheet. The pocket sheet is affixed to the base by radio frequency welding the edges of the pocket sheet to the base such that at least one seal line abuts the mounting sheet. Once the pocket sheet is sealed onto the base, the edges are trimmed along the seal line.
REFERENCES:
patent: 170042 (1875-11-01), Anthony
patent: D. 289530 (1987-04-01), Arrington
patent: D. 293335 (1987-12-01), Egly
patent: D. 313619 (1991-01-01), Moor
patent: D. 350983 (1994-09-01), Penniman
patent: 498761 (1893-06-01), Becker
patent: 868998 (1907-10-01), Lang
patent: 1023834 (1912-04-01), Gareis
patent: 1029280 (1912-06-01), Davidson
patent: 1330894 (1920-02-01), Muffley
patent: 1381674 (1921-06-01), Simpson
patent: 1435762 (1922-11-01), Tomsich
patent: 1677277 (1928-07-01), Federbush et al.
patent: 1865741 (1932-07-01), Carney
patent: 2088672 (1937-08-01), Steinthal
patent: 2239145 (1941-04-01), Doner
patent: 2477840 (1949-08-01), Vasilas
patent: 2523129 (1950-09-01), Maier
patent: 2532132 (1950-11-01), Vogel
patent: 2544566 (1951-03-01), Rose
patent: 2568178 (1951-09-01), Widder
patent: 2616431 (1952-11-01), Kalwajtys
patent: 2639168 (1953-05-01), Coppock
patent: 2639254 (1953-05-01), Smith
patent: 2701426 (1955-02-01), Vlock
patent: 2704546 (1955-03-01), Slonneger
patent: 2801115 (1957-07-01), Federbush et al.
patent: 2828975 (1958-04-01), Wright
patent: 2842882 (1958-07-01), Greene et al.
patent: 2852275 (1958-09-01), Brook
patent: 2935807 (1960-05-01), Townsend, Jr. et al.
patent: 3133750 (1964-05-01), Gerald
patent: 3175847 (1965-03-01), McKowen
patent: 3252462 (1966-05-01), Quarton et al.
patent: 3431667 (1969-03-01), Woods
patent: 3473246 (1969-10-01), Parobek
patent: 3492743 (1970-02-01), Schmidt
patent: 3589049 (1971-06-01), Cornelius
patent: 3663041 (1972-05-01), White
patent: 3810324 (1974-05-01), Hart
patent: 3814527 (1974-06-01), Lawes
patent: 3822495 (1974-07-01), Ohfuji
patent: 4001960 (1977-01-01), Holson
patent: 4164085 (1979-08-01), Steeb et al.
patent: 4275517 (1981-06-01), Blanchard
patent: 4294469 (1981-10-01), Errich
Forrest Patricia
Rossetto Paul
Steger James Joseph
ACCO Brands Inc.
Fridie Jr. Willmon
Henderson Mark T.
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
LandOfFree
Folder with framed windows and method of manufacturing thereof does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Folder with framed windows and method of manufacturing thereof, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Folder with framed windows and method of manufacturing thereof will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2605637