Binder device releasably engaging aperture or notch of sheet – Depository
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2001-05-22
Wellington, A. L. (Department: 3722)
Binder device releasably engaging aperture or notch of sheet
Depository
C402S070000, C402S077000, C402S062000, C402S08000L, C402S024000, C402S08000L, C281S020000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234701
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to multi-ring binders for the educational market.
2. Description of Related Art
Three-ring binders made of a flexible outer jacket having a spine with a metal three ring clip are known in the art. The edges of such multi-ring binders are sometimes held together with Velcro or other such hook-and-loop fasteners Many schools have banned such hook-and-loop fastener binders because school children make excessive noise opening and closing these binders.
In addition, when mass-producing binders unit costs must be kept as low as possible, while maintaining a high quality look and feel to the binder. One area of cost involves the need to cut and size plastic stock used to make binders on conventional RF welding binder machinery.
Further, it has been found that users prefer the texture, thermal conductivity, resiliency and look and feel of certain materials. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for products that are aesthetically pleasing to the touch. Further, consumers are also willing to pay a premium for products that are more durable, and have a sleek look to them, such as for products made from injection molded polypropylene.
At the same time, consumers want binders that are easy to use and durable. That is, the injection molded binder should open and close easily and be well constructed to withstand the stress of repeated use by a user. In particular, some injection molded binders have a pocket made of extruded film designed to hold sheets of paper. However, after some use, the pocket made of extruded film is too weak to hold sheets of paper. In other words, the extruded film pocket is not rigid enough to hold sheets of paper. Furthermore, after some use, the extruded film pocket tends to rip.
Thus, there still is a need for a binder made of injection molded plastic that is easy to use, reliable, and which has a pocket capable of holding sheets of paper for an extended period of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved three-ring binder that solves the above mentioned problems using both improved materials and improved mechanical design.
The present invention discloses a plastic binder that is made from plastic material, preferably injection molded polypropylene, in a novel configuration, that is both easier to manufacture in a single pass operation using existing machinery, which holds down unit costs, as well as being aesthetically pleasing.
The present design of an embodiment of the present invention, involving a pocket and living hinge latch and fastener, has numerous features and advantages, including but not limited to:
a non-Velcro type fastener, which makes less noise when opening;
a living hinge fastener or binder closure that is manufactured on the first pass of a production process;
the incorporation of a pocket manufactured on a roll process, rather than cut from one or more sheets, to incorporate the pocket into the binder on the first pass of a production process;
the use of a perforated mechanism for attachment of a pocket allows a press operator to easily attach the pocket by snapping it to the binder cover during the press operator's down time, avoiding the need for an additional assembly line process;
a contemporary, aesthetically pleasing design is made without excessive weld lines, bumps or creases;
the use of a strong, rigid material, such as injection molded polypropylene, combines an impression of durability and aesthetics;
the use of a rigid polypropylene shell as one of the binder covers in a unitary, one-piece manner eliminates the need for an underlying inner chipboard for strength;
the use of dual soft and hard textures on the cover, which aid to aesthetics and have utilitarian functions;
cover portions may be provided with a number of design features to properly align one cover portion to the other cover portion;
a pocket formed of injection molded plastic may be ultrasonically welded to one of the covers.
The sum total of all of the above advantageous, as well as the numerous other advantages disclosed and inherent from the invention described herein increases consumer satisfaction and helps expand the market for binders throughout, especially from the kindergarten to high school level.
The above described and many other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Karten Stuart
Kirley Paul
Schroeder Dennis
Avery Dennison Corporation
Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP
Thurston Alisa L
Wellington A. L.
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