“See-through” binder with printed frame cover

Details “See-through” binder with printed frame cover “See-through” binder with printed frame cover

1999-07-27

2001-03-27

Fridie, Jr., Willmon (Department: 3722)

Binder device releasably engaging aperture or notch of sheet

Depository

C402S070000, C281S029000, C281S031000, C281S037000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06206602

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to binders, such as three-ring binders, of the type having a visible sheet supplied by the user which is presented within a frame on the front of the binder.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Binders of the type identified above are becoming quite popular. In one known prior art binder, the entire opaque cover of a binder has a transparent sheet extending over the cover, with the transparent sheet being secured to it on three sides to form a pocket into which visual presentation sheets may be inserted. However, such arrangements may be somewhat unfinished or unprofessional in their appearance.
In another more elaborate type of binder, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,797 granted Jan. 12, 1999, for example, the binder covers may be formed of stiff opaque material covered with opaque plastic sheet material; and the opaque plastic sheet material may form a frame around a transparent front sheet pocket, thus setting off the visual material which may be inserted into the front cover pocket. However, binders of this type require different materials and a number of manufacturing steps which make the binders somewhat more expensive than would be desirable for some applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive binder configuration which still has substantially all of the features, including the frame surrounding the visual material, in a binder of the type described in the preceding paragraph.
In accordance with one specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, the covers of a ring binder are formed from a single sheet of fairly stiff, semi-flexible transparent plastic, which are formed to provide a spine, with the front and rear covers extending out substantially parallel from the spine; and with a paper holding ring mechanism mounted at or near the spine. The inside of the front cover has a coating applied thereto, with an open area in a central or intermediate area of the coating. A plastic sheet pocket is secured to the inner surface of the binder along three sides of the pocket, leaving an opening into which visual material may be inserted by the user, for viewing through the cover. The three edges of the pocket are preferably secured to uncoated areas of the inner surface of the front cover for secure fastening thereto.
The covers and spine may be formed of polypropylene or any other suitable transparent plastic, and the coating is preferably silk-screened onto the inner surface of the front cover, using ultraviolet (UV) curable ink.
Concerning the geometry of the coating, it will include a central or intermediate open area through which the visual material may be seen. One desirable geometry involves retaining a coating-free zone, perhaps ¼-inch or {fraction (3/16)}-inch wide, around the periphery of the front cover, and then providing a peripheral coating perhaps ½-inch to two inches wide around the edge of the cover just inside the bare edge zone, to provide a frame effect. The inner pocket (which may be opaque or translucent) may be heat-bonded on three sides to the bare outer edge of the inside surface of the front cover of the binder. Then, when visual material is inserted into the pocket, it appears through the transparent cover, with the coating providing a frame effect, setting off and enhancing the visual material.
Alternatively, the thin plastic sheet forming the pocket may be secured to the inner side of the front cover of the binder just inside the peripheral coated area. Particularly when the window or central open area of the coating is relatively small, this arrangement is convenient for holding the visual material in the desired location.
The principles as described above are applicable to other types of binders, such as those where a number of pages or pockets are secured within a binder, without a ring mechanism. In binders of this type, for example, where a series of pockets are bound into a binder, and where at least one side of the pocket is transparent, the visual material to be viewed through the binder cover may be inserted into the initial pocket “page” of the binder.
It is also noted that the transparent cover may be used with a binder wherein the spine and back cover are opaque or are made of different material or materials.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description, in combination with the accompanying drawings.


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