Patent Application
20080206019
The present invention relates to the field of document binder assemblies, and more specifically, relates to a document binder assembly, and method for manufacturing same, that is configured for volume production and allows users to create document binder assemblies quickly, inexpensively, and in low quantities.
Currently, businesses and individuals alike have a need to present documents in an aesthetically pleasing manner. In the world of business, this need may arise when presenting marketing materials to a potential client, submitting a business proposal, or dispersing reports at a large meeting. Individuals also have a need for presenting bound documents in an aesthetically pleasing manner, including students who may prepare book reports and term papers which, if bound, have a pleasing appearance as well as enjoying the benefits of having the pages securely bound together versus a less secure staple or paperclip.
Frequently, business and individuals turn to binding their documents via a coil binding technique. This technique involves a round coil binding which pierces each page via a hole placed in the left side periphery of the page. The coil binding is typically applied to the pages via a designated device, which is usually available at most document service retail establishments. This coil binding technique is a popular method for presenting documents because of the effectiveness of the coil in keeping the pages bound together, as well as the low cost for such a technique. Coil binding is also ubiquitous because of the ease of use such binding offers for users. For example, coil binding is a quick method of binding documents. A user may print, bind and ship a document within a few minutes. Coil binding is reversible, as pages may be replaced or substituted after the document is bound, if needed. Further, the coil binding technique comparatively low cost and lies flat when opened. These factors contribute to the coil binding technique favoring low production volume projects.
However, the coil binding technique comprises several disadvantages. One such disadvantage includes difficulty in identifying the document when stacked or placed on a bookshelf. Because the coil binding does not comprise sufficient area to place any text, graphic, or logo, the document is usually identified by the front cover, which is not visible when stacked or stored on a bookshelf. Another alternative is taping an identifier, such as a label with printed material, on the coil binding. This alternative is undesirable for the taped identifier usually detaches over time, and detracts from the overall appearance of the document.
As a result, various mechanisms for presenting documents have arisen in the prior art. These mechanisms include document binder assemblies which involve a cover for a coil bound document. An example of such a document binder assembly includes U.S. Patent Application 20050254885 to David Laufer, filed on May 13, 2004 (hereinafter referred to as “the '885 Application”). The assembly in the '885 Application provides a breakthrough in the document binder assembly market by providing a document binder assembly configured to serve the needs of mass market desktop binding systems.
However, the assembly in the '885 Application requires a non-standard size of paper, as the assembly in the '885 Application is configured for customized printing in a commercial printing environment. For example, the document binder assembly in the '885 Application requires 14×20″ sheet, which is a standard-sized commercial printing paper. In order to effectuate the printing of the '885 Application, a user would likely utilize the services of a special manufacturer offering services in accordance with the '885 Application.
Thus, there is a need in the prior art for a document binder assembly which is configured for the mass market, that allows users to produce desktop bound documents quickly, inexpensively, and in low quantities.
The present invention comprises a document binder assembly which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages in the prior art by providing a document binder assembly which, by means of a different configuration of components, makes the covers imprintable on commonly available office equipment, allows exponentially wider distribution, use and much lower cost to the user. In one embodiment, the document binder assembly in accordance with the present invention covers a bound document, and comprises a slide having an insert portion at a first side thereof and an engagement portion at a second opposite side thereof; a cover including a first wrap portion at a first side thereof, a second wrap portion at a second opposite side thereof, the second wrap portion receiving the insert portion of the slide, and an intermediate portion between the first wrap portion and the second wrap portion. A spacer is affixed to said cover of the document binder assembly and received by the slide by a notch in the slide. The resulting document binder assembly is an improvement over the prior art for the cover for said document binder assembly may be printed on most standard printers, which aids volume production. Furthermore, said spacer as provided by the present invention provides a unique and effective way to secure the cover to the document binder assembly.
Additional objectives, features and advantages will be apparent in the written description which follows, while referring to the drawings.
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
For the purpose of describing the present invention in detail, certain terms used hereinafter are defined as follows:
“Binding member” includes, but is not limited to, the following: brads, staples, saddle stitching, perfect binding, plastic coil, metal wire coil, plastic comb, plastic post, plastic disk, wire, ring binder, Smythe sewn, kettle stitched process by hand, adhesive, or combinations of the above elements.
“Printed material” includes but is not limited to alphanumeric characters, numerals, trademarks, any graphic and textual marks.
“Bound document” includes, but is not limited to, reports, analyses, proposals, marketing materials, brochures, manuals, guides, prospectus, booklets, and other such items.
Cover 110 comprises a first wrap portion 30 which is attached to front cover 25 of bound document 5. Second wrap portion 120 encloses a slide 95, which is attached to binding member 60 after the multiplicity of sheets 50 of bound document 5. Text, graphics, or other printed material may be printed on cover 110 by a standard printer or specialized commercial use printer. The resulting document binder assembly 1 is an attractive, innovative approach to presenting a bound document 5 which allows printed material to be printed on cover 110.
First wrap portion 30 adheres directly to front cover 25. An adhesive strip may be used to adhere first wrap portion 30 to front cover 25, but those skilled in the art will recognize that other mechanisms may be utilized within the spirit of the present invention. This adhesive strip may be applied by the user, or applied during the manufacturing process of cover 110.
Bound document also comprises a multiplicity of pages 50, which are preferably made of paper and bound together by binding member 60. The pages 50 may comprise perforations 15 on the left periphery for receiving the binding member 60. The size of the perforations 15 will vary depending on the size needed to receive binding member 60, as binding members vary in size depending on the amount of pages in the bound document.
Information such as graphics, text, or other branding material may be printed and displayed on cover 110. To print information on the cover 110, a user may use a program on a personal computer. Alternatively, a user may use a dedicated device to print the information on the cover 110. If a personal computer is utilized, the information may be printed on cover 110 via a command from the program. Such program may comprise, but is not limited to, an MS Office (TM) application or Adobe Creative Suite (TM) program.
Slide portion 90 comprises first slide portion 75, second slide portion 85, and the slide 95. First slide portion 75 is preferably coated with adhesive on both sides to enable the slide 95 to be connected to the cover 110. However, other adhering mechanisms other than adhesive may be utilized within the scope of the present invention. Also, the user may apply adhesive to first slide portion 75, instead of first slide portion 75 receiving the adhesive on both sides during the manufacturing process.
Perforations 100 are located on the second outer edge of slide 95 as to enable slide 95 to be bound by binding member 60. These perforations 100 comprise the engagement portion of slide 95, for the perforations 100 engage the slide 95 with the binding member 60. The size of the perforations 100 will vary depending on the size needed to receive the particular binding member 60, as binding members exist in various sizes in the industry.
However, if binding member 60 does not require perforations 100 to bind a multiplicity of pages together, slide 95 may not comprise perforations 100 along the second outer edge. In this circumstance, the engagement portion will be the edge of the slide 95 which engages the binding member 60.
Slide portion 95 is preferably manufactured to comprise spacer 70 as an attachment to slide portion 90, where in the spacer 70 is configured to be removed by a user as part of the assembly process of document binder assembly 1. The removal of spacer 70 from slide portion 90 creates a cavity in slide 95. Thus, after the removal of spacer 70, the perimeter of slide 95 defines a notch 80 for receiving spacer 70. Spacer 70 may be perforated in such a manner as to provide for easy removal from slide 90. However, spacer 70 may also be manufactured separately, or removed before providing the document binder assembly 1 to an end user
The perimeter of slide 95 defining the notch remaining after removal of spacer 70 comprises the insert portion of slide 95. Thus after assembly, spacer 70 is adhered to intermediate portion 130, and performs the crucial task of holding slide 95 in place longitudinally, while allowing it to slide latitudinally. This feature allows the document binder assembly 1 to close smoothly in operation and lay flat when open.
In
Spacer 70 is described as comprising an object with adhesive on both sides. However, spacer 70 may comprise any object or mechanism for creating a bound area as to receive slide 95 via the notch 80 defined by the first outer edge of slide 95. For example, spacer 70 may comprise, but is not limited to, a Velcro (TM) fastener, one or more snaps, as illustrated in
When document binder assembly 1 is in a completed state, spacer 70 is hidden in document binder assembly 1 by second wrap portion 120. Slide 95 is configured to slide between the second wrap portion 120 and intermediate portion 130. Preferably, the portion of slide 95 which defines the notch 80 for receiving spacer 70 is covered by second wrap portion 120 for aesthetic reasons. Additionally, second wrap portion 120 completely covering notch 80 and spacer 70 reduces the chance of slide 95 misaligning to such a position that slide 95 cannot receive spacer 70.
In concluding the detailed description, it should be noted that it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without substantially departing from the principles of the present invention. Also, such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. Further, in the claims hereafter, the structures, materials, acts and equivalents of all means or step-plus function elements are intended to include any structure, materials or acts for performing their cited functions.
