The devices of the present invention comprise sturdy foldable, performed protective corners of sturdy construction, preferably acid-free, non-yellowing polymeric film, and preferably having a preformed corner pocket for a convenient, snug fit on a corner, and include a self-sticking adhesive for permanent adhesion to a corner, and methods for making the same.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to protective corners and, more particularly, to protective corners to adhere to a corner of a book, poster, prospectus, folder, posted notice, or any document or thing prone to wear and tear or mutilation through normal use.
Books and paper documents, and virtually countless other paper and other products, have corners which can become worn, mutilated, unraveled, torn or otherwise destroyed through normal use. Similarly, tacking, taping and other mounting methods can damage the corners of documents. Such untimely destruction can unnecessarily shorten the useful life of the document, book, etc. Unfortunately, no known device existed prior to the present invention which provided an inexpensive, easily mountable, non-yellowing protection device which provides continuing protection to corners. Often, paperback books and novels, or other documents which are read and used repeatedly over long periods of time, had to be replaced or simply discarded. The present invention provides an inexpensive, convenient device which protects and/or repairs the corners of a book or document, for example, to greatly increase the useable life of the book or document. The present invention further provides methods for inexpensively and efficiently mass-producing the corner protectors.
The only known devices which utilize a structure and an adhesive capable of bonding to a corner are (1) Mounting Corners manufactured by Light Impressions of Rochester, N.Y., shown graphically at FIG. 19
a
, and (2) Vinyl Corners made by Pioneer Photo Albums, Inc., of Chatsworth, Calif., shown graphically at FIG. 19
b
. Neither of these products teaches the inventions described herein. The Light Impressions product consists of a strip of plastic material with adhesive on the outer edges thereof. The Light Impressions product does not form a discreet corner pocket as does each embodiment of Applicant's invention. The Pioneer Photo product appears to be a vinyl product with a performed corner, but with adhesive on a backside thereof. It is intended to mount pictures. It cannot protect a corner because of the way the adhesive is preformed and because they are no flaps or other means to allow it to adhere properly to a corner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides protection devices and methods for corner protectors in many forms. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a relatively firm strip or band of polymeric material which has been preformed having a corner pocket into which a corner to be protected can be inserted, and an adhesive area to adhere the strip to the book or other document or product to be protected, reinforced or repaired. The strip preferably has a flap extending from a fold line about which the flap may be folded so that the flap can adhere to the book or document and provide further support and protection to the document or book. The flap portion of the strip and the adhesive can be positioned such that the flap adheres to either the front or back side of the book, or document. In certain instances, the protective corner has an area of view, which may include an advertisement, notice, logo, company name, security code, bar code, inventory, file number or any other useful information. Further, the protective corners of the present invention can be constructed of translucent or opaque colored material so that files, documents, etc., can be readily organized and retrieved by color coordination.
The present invention also provides methods to efficiently produce the devices of the present invention in mass quantities.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 through 4
are different views of preferred embodiment one of the device of the present invention.
FIGS. 5 through 8
are different views of preferred embodiment two of the device of the present invention.
FIGS. 9 through 12
are different views of preferred embodiment three of the device of the present invention.
FIGS. 13 and 14
are different views of preferred embodiment four of the device of the present invention.
FIGS. 15 and 16
are different views of preferred embodiment five of the device of the present invention.
FIGS. 17 and 18
are different views of preferred embodiment six of the device of the present invention.
FIGS. 19
a
and 19
b
are representations of devices in the prior art.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment of the present invention takes on many forms, as shown in the attached drawing FIGS. 1 through 18
. Each will be described herein. Throughout this patent, reference is made to application of the present invention to books or other documents. It should be understood, however, that the invention is at least equally applicable to any other thing which requires corner reinforcement, repair, or protection, such as album covers, disk jackets, posters, prospectuses, folders, posted notices, memos, etc. Further, the size and thickness of each embodiment can vary significantly, depending on the intended application. Additionally, in each embodiment, the exposed surface of the protector, when applied, can carry an advertisement, company name, logo, design, or any other information, as desired.
Preferred Embodiment 1
The first preferred embodiment of the present invention is designated generally 10
in FIGS. 1 through 4
. This embodiment includes a substantially rectangular band 12
of firm material having an operational surface 13
, a top edge 14
, bottom edge 15
, and opposing edges 11
. Two separate strips of adhesive 17
extend from each edge 11
substantially across band 12
. An adhesive cover 21
of the same size as band 12
is removably attached to adhesive stripe 17
for removal upon application of band 12
. Band 12
also has two seams 19
a
, 19
b
each extending from top 14
to bottom 15
at bond 12
at 90° with respect to one another.
Corner protector 10
is used by aligning the apex 20
of seams 19
a
, 19
b
at the apex of a corner 22
of a book or other document. Adhesive cover 21
is removed. Band 12
is then adhered to the corner 22
such that the corner apex 23
aligns with seam apex 20
. Then, the areas of band 12
distal of seams 19
a
, 19
b
are folded about seams 19
a
, 19
b
such that the adhesive strip portions adhere to the corner 22
. Corner 22
is the therefore protected against mutilation and premature wearing. Band 12
is formed of acid-free polypropylene or other firm polymeric material which is clear, resilient and non-yellowing Of course, as with each embodiment of the present invention, band 12
may be formed of any sturdy, firm material resistant to mutilation from normal use.
Preferred Embodiment 2
This preferred embodiment is designated generally 30
in FIGS. 5 through 8
. This embodiment includes a band 32
in the shape as shown being symmetrical about a centerline and being shoe-shaped on each side thereof. An upper section 32
is generally rectangular and a lower section 34
is generally rectangular with rounded corners 35
on the upper sides thereof, as shown. Band 32
has an operational surface 33
which abuts the book page 42
surface to be protected. A plurality of adhesive areas 36
are preferred on surface 33
for contact with and adhesion to page 42
. Each area 36
has an adhesive cover 38
which can be readily peeled away to expose the adhesive. Upper section 32
also has adhesive areas 38
. Adhesive areas 38
are preferably T-shaped and comprise one continuous area or two L-shaped areas back-to-back, as shown. Areas 38
also have a corresponding cover 39
which may be readily peeled away to expose the adhesive surfaces. Band 33
has two seams 41
a
, 41
b
running from a center point at the tope of upper section 32
to approximately the lower corners 37
a
, 37
b
of lower section 34
in 90° relation to one another, such that outer portions of band 32
may easily fold along seams 41
a
, 41
b.
Embodiment 2 of corner protector invention 30
is used as follows. The corner 45
of a document 42
sought to be protected is placed in loose alignment with apex 47
and seams 41
a
, 41
b
. At that time, adhesive covers 38
are removed from areas 36
and lower section 34
of band 32
is adhered to document 42
. Then, cover 39
may be removed to expose adhesive area 38
. At that time, both upper section 32
and lower section 34
outer portions can be folded about seams 41
a
, 41
b
, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8
, to adhere to and stabilize cover 45
of document 42
. This embodiment covers a relatively small area of the protected corner, in those situations where that may be necessary or important.
Preferred Embodiment 3
This preferred embodiment is designated generally 50
in FIGS. 9 through 12
. This embodiment 50 consists generally of a lower rectangular portion 51
and upper triangular portion 52
, with the apex of the upper portion 52
removed, as seen best in FIG. 9
. Lower portion 51
has an adhesive strip 53
across substantially all of that area, and having a peelable protection strip 54
thereon.
Embodiment 50 includes the following features. Two fold lines or seams 55
a
, 55
b
run from the lower corners of lower portion 51
to the corner of the cutout section of upper portion 52
, and are situated in 90° relation to one another, as shown in FIG. 9
. Two slits 56
a
, 56
b
exist in upper portion 52
, as seen in FIG. 10
, resulting in four flaps 58
a
, 58
b
and 59
a
, 59
b
. Each flap 58
a
, 58
b
, 59
a
, 59
b
includes an adhesive section on an operational surface thereof having a protective peelable cover attached thereto. The operational surface is the surface which will contact the corner to be protected.
As best seen with reference to FIGS. 10 through 12
, embodiment 50 is used in the following manner. Flap 58
b
is folded along seam 55
b
. Flap 58
a
is then folded along seam 55
a
such that the adhesive on flap 58
a
adheres to the back side of flap 58
b
, thus forming a corner pocket 60
. Once formed, the corner of document 63
is inserted into pocket 60
until properly aligned. Once properly aligned, the adhesive strips on flaps 59
a
, 59
b
are exposed and the flaps are folded to adhere to document 63
, as best seen in FIGS. 10 and 11
. The adhesive of lower rectangular portion 51
may also be exposed to adhere to document 63
. The adhesive may be continuous or discreet smaller portions.
This embodiment is especially preferred due to its ease of manufacture. This embodiment allows the protector to be easily mass-produced in a single run. Because of the overlap of flaps 58
a
over 58
b
, the protector can be manufactured with a pre-formed corner very readily. To do so, a suitably sized strip 50
is cut or delineated from a larger source of suitable material. The strip is formed with the seams 55
a
, 55
b
. The adhesive strips are adhered. Importantly, an adhesive 57
is placed on the operational side of flap 58
a
. No adhesive protective cover is placed on adhesive patch 57
. Instead, when ready, flap 58
b
is folded along seam 55
b
and then flap 58
a
is folded along seam 55
a
. Adhesive 57
then adheres to the back side of flap 58
b
to create a pre-formed corner for perfect alignment with a corner. With such a product design and system, it is believed the product can be readily mass-produced with very little if any human involvement in forming the pre-formed corner, making production of the product very economical.
Preferred Embodiment 4
This preferred embodiment is designated generally 70
in FIGS. 13 and 14
. Embodiment 4 of corner protector 70
comprises a generally rectangular strip 72
of firm, preferably polymeric, material which is acid-free and non-yellowing. Strip 72
has an operational surface 73
, top 74
, bottom 75
and opposing edges 76
. Extending a predetermined distance downward toward bottom 75
from top 74
are slits 77
a
, 77
b
spaced equidistantly from the center of top 74
. Protector 70
further includes seams 78
a
, 78
b
preformed into surface 73
, and extending from the center of top 74
to the corners of bottom 75
and in 90° relation to one another. Adhesive strips 80
a
, 80
b
, 80
c
, 80
d
are located across the upper portion of operational surface 73
as shown.
In use, protector 70
is placed in position so that a corner 87
of a document is substantially aligned with the center of top 74
of protector 70
and seams 78
a
, 78
b
. First triangular flap 82
a
is folded over so that it adheres to a surface of corner 87
. Next, triangular flap 82
b
is folded over to adhere to the surface or corner 87
. Then, flaps 84
a
, 84
b
are folded over along seams 78
a
, 78
b
to adhere to, stabilize and protect corner 87
, as seen in FIGS. 13 and 14
.
Preferred Embodiment 5
The Preferred Embodiment 5 is designated generally 90
in FIGS. 15 and 16
. Embodiment 5 of corner protector 90
comprises a generally T-shaped band of material 92
. Band 92
has top horizontal portion 93
and bottom vertical portion 94
, depending therefrom. At approximately the lower-most portion of bottom portion 94
, is an adhesive strip 96
. Adhesive strip 96
can be an elongated strip, as shown, on one or more discreet adhesive pieces. The inclusion of bottom portion 94
, and adhesive strip 96
thereon, provides for increased durability and stability to the protective corner when mounted to its target. Protector 90
also includes preformed seams 97
a
, 97
b
. Seams 97
a
, 97
b
extend downwardly from the center of the top edge of top portion 93
, in 90° relation to one another. Top portion 93
also includes adhesive strip 99
across the very top section thereof.
In use, protector 90
is positioned to be adhered to a corner as follows. Top portion 93
is folded along seams 97
a
, 97
b
so that a corner is formed. At this point, adhesive protector 95
of adhesive strip 99
is still in place. The corner formed of protector 90
is fitted over the corner 100
to be protected. Then, the lower adhesive protector 101
is removed and lower portion 94
is adhered to the book or corner 100
to be protected. Flaps 98
a
, 98
b
defined by seams 97
a
, 97
b
are then folded back along seams 97
a
, 97
b
and adhesive protective corner 95
is removed. Lastly, flaps 98
a
, 98
b
are folded over to adhere to book or corner 100
, securing protector 90
in place to protect the book or corner 100
, as best seen with reference to FIG. 16
.
Preferred Embodiment 6
Preferred embodiment 6 is designated generally 110
in FIGS. 17 and 18
. Embodiment 6 of protector 110
comprises a generally square band of material 112
. Band 112
has a top edge 113
, a bottom edge 114
, and operational surface 115
. Two slits 116
a
, 116
b
depend downwardly from top edge 113
equidistantly from a center of top edge 113
, approximately preferably ½ inch. Two seams 117
a
, 117
b
are preformed in material 112
depending from the center of top edge 113
to the bottom of slits 116
a
, 116
b
, such that seams 117
a
, 117
b
are at a right angle to one another. Seams 117
a
, 117
b
, and slits 116
a
, 116
b
define flaps 118
a
, 118
b
, and tabs 119
a
, 119
b
. Each of flaps 118
a
, 118
b
, and 119
a
and 119
b
has an adhesive strip thereon with a protective, removable covering.
In use, protector 110
is positioned to be adhered to and protect a corner as follows. Top edge 113
and the apex of seams 117
a
, 117
b
, are placed near the corner. Flaps 118
a
, 118
b
are folded over along seams 117
a
, 117
b
. With one flap 118
a
or 118
b
folded over the adhesive protective covering of the other is removed to expose the adhesive. That flap 118
b
or 118
a
, is then adhered to the corner. Subsequently, the other flap is adhered to the corner in a similar manner. Then, the adhesive strips of tabs 119
a
, 119
b
are removed and folded about seams 118
a
, 118
b
to adhere to and reinforce the corner.
Additional Features Applicable To The Various Embodiments
As stated, several preferred embodiments include a pocket, pre-formed or otherwise, in the shape of a right triangle. On each embodiment, an adhesive may be used to apply the protective corner to the target document. However, in each such embodiment, the protective corner may be constructed so as to allow insertion and temporary holding of another document within the protector when in use.
This feature will be described, for instance, with reference to FIGS. 9-12
. In FIG. 9 and 10
, protective corner includes flaps 58
a
and 59
b
which fold over upon one another and form a pocket. The protector may include an adhesive exposed within an interior of the formed pocket to secure the protector to a corner. However, a desirable feature in such an embodiment may be to include an adhesive on only the bottom surface within the pocket. Or the user could simply leave the adhesive cover strip on the adhesive so that it does not expose the adhesive. In either case, this feature would allow easy insertion and the securing of a corner into the pocket, but would also leave a top surface of the corner of the document not adhered to this inside of the pocket. As such, another document, such as a business card, photo, or anything the user may wish to associate with the document, could be temporarily inserted into the pocket and be removably held in the corner protector.
Another feature possibly common to each preferred embodiment is the use of opaque or translucent colored materials to construct the corner protectors. This feature allows the protector to be fabricated in any different color, combination of colors, or design. This feature would allow color-coded filing conveniences and organization while also providing the protection to the documents.
Of course, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Other changes and modifications, such as those expressed here or others left unexpressed but apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the following claims.
Claims
1. A mountable corner protector comprising:a sturdy strip of material including a preformed corner pocket; at least one extension from said pocket constituting a foldable flap for attachment to a corner to be protected; a self-adhesive on said extension for adhering said protector to said corner; and a plurality of flaps extending from said pocket in different directions.
2. The corner protector of claim 1 wherein the protector is formed of a colored translucent material.
3. The corner protector of claim 1 wherein the protector is formed of a colored opaque material.
4. A mountable corner protector comprising:a sturdy strip of material including two preformed creases situated at substantially right angles to one another depending from a top edge and defining a plurality of flaps adapted to be folded along said creases to define a corner pocket and at least one extension from a pocket and wherein at least one of said flaps has an overlap portion adapted to at least partially overlap another of said flaps; an adherence portion on at least one of said flaps for attachment to a corner to be protected; and an adhesive on said adherence portion for adhering said protector to said corner.
5. The protector of claim 4 further comprising an adhesive on said overlap portion for self adhesion to the another of said flaps.
6. The protector of claim 4 wherein the material is polypropylene.
7. The protector of claim 4 wherein the material is polymeric material.
8. The protector of claim 4 wherein the material is paper.
9. The protector of claim 4 wherein the material is transparent material.
10. The corner protector of claim 4 wherein the protector is formed of a colored translucent material.
11. The corner protector of claim 4 wherein the protector is formed of a colored opaque material.
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry
Light Impressions The Leading Resource For Archival Supplies, Mar. 1998, pp. 20-21.
Patent Grant
6224955
