As described in the title of this descriptive memory, the present invention relates to a device for marking specific spots in thin films, made of paper, cloth or other materials, such as pages of books or magazines. The device is designed so that after it is placed in a specific place it will remain there, hindering involuntary displacements, yet allowing to displace it if desired. This characteristic makes it ideal, for example, for use as a page marker in a book, as it fulfils the following characteristics: it is easy to place, it will not move accidentally after it is placed, it will not fall out if the book is opened at the marked page, it can mark a specific page and line, it can be easily removed from its position and it can be used to identify the thin film to which it is adhered.
Currently, the problem of marking a specific spot in thin films is generally solved by mechanical devices which, by an elastic deformation, are placed at the desired spot and released, so that they tend to recover their original form, pressing and deforming the film, or if it is rigid maintaining a certain elastic deformation. One example of these devices is the well-known clip, which is also normally used to hold two films against each other. The drawback of this system is that it affects the film in a mechanical sense, deforming it, and it makes it difficult to slide the marker on the film so that in order to change its position it is generally necessary to remove it and then place it at the new position.
When the aim is to mark a specific film in a multiple-film element, such as appointment books, notebooks, magazines or books, other solutions are available: (a) simple strips of cardboard or any other rigid or semi-rigid material; (b) flexible cords or ropes attached to the spine of the multiple-page element; (c) small self-adhesive pieces of paper, used as markers. Solutions (a) and (b) allow marking a page but not a spot within the page, while solution (c) allows marking a specific spot but the adhesive wears out with use, so that after a time they cease to work.
The device of the invention consists of a thin plate of a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible material divided into two bodies which are joined to each other such that one can fold over the other, thereby allowing the two rear faces to touch. Two magnets placed on the rear face of each body will keep the two rear faces attached to each other due to their magnetic attraction, such that a force must be exerted in the opposite sense to separate them.
The magnets are such that the magnetic field formed between them can pass through thin films (such as sheets of paper) allowing to fold the two bodies with the aforementioned film between them and maintain the above-described attractive force between the two bodies.
The two bodies can have different lengths so that the main body can be identified easily, thereby allowing to indicate in the film the position and the face to be marked.
The blank between the bodies can be made in a non-linear shape, so that when it is folded a flap is defined that allows handling the device when placing or removing it.
The entire rear face of the device (in both bodies) may be coated with a thin film so that, in addition to providing a finish that improves the appearance and safety of the device, the device can be placed on the film directly with the second body folded on the first body, simply sliding it through the film without the edges of the magnets colliding with the edge of the film.
Either of the two bodies can be provided with an identification device, whether optical, mechanical, electronic, acoustic or of any other form. This device allows to identify the invention or the film to which it is attached.
In view of the aforementioned figures it can be seen that the device comprises the two bodies 1 and 2, respectively upper and lower. The rear face of each body bears corresponding magnets 3 and 4 at identical distances measured from the blank 5. The blank in turn has a central non-linear part that is fully cut and two lateral linear parts that are marked to facilitate folding. In this way when it is folded the flap 6 is obtained, which simplifies placing and removing the device.
The material of both bodies can be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible (such as cardboard, etc.). The magnets are glued to the corresponding body.
The following sequence must be carried out to place the device in the tin film to be marked: (a) fold the body 2 on the body 1, so that the two magnets touch each other and the attractive force is exerted; (b) slide the device from the edge of the film inwards, so that the film is between the two bodies; (c) move the device to the spot to be marked.
To remove the device from the film simply grip it by the flap 6 and pull away from the film gently until the two magnets touch each other.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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U200300643 | Mar 2003 | ES | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/ES04/00099 | 3/3/2004 | WO | 10/26/2005 |