PACKAGED ENVELOPES

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a block of packaged envelopes, comprising: a plurality of envelopes arranged in series, facing one another; a first paper-based rigid sheet at a first end of the series; a second paper-based rigid sheet at a second, opposite end of the series; the plurality of envelopes being located in-between the first and second paper-based rigid sheets; and a binder that extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, to bind the plurality of envelopes in series arrangement, and to form the block of packaged envelopes.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to packaged envelopes, and in particular to a block of packaged envelopes. The present invention also relates generally to apparatus and a method for producing such a block of packaged envelopes.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from United Kingdom patent application number GB1606401.6, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

It is of course known to send items by mail within an envelope. Individual or more casual users of the mail system may purchase one or more individual envelopes at a time, or small packs of envelopes, for use as and when necessary. However, more commercial users of the mail system may order, use and generally handle envelopes in bulk. In such a more commercial scenario, it is often more efficient to use blocks of packaged envelopes, for example when shipping the envelopes to the commercial user, or even when being handled by the commercial user, for example when loading the envelopes into an automated envelope packing or mailing system.

It is desirable to ensure that the blocks of packaged envelopes are packaged with sufficient structural integrity for handling and so on, but at the same time with as little excess packaging as possible. Minimising packaging leads to minimising the size and weight of the block of packaged envelopes for shipping, handling and storage, but at the same time reduces waste associated with the use of the block of packaged envelopes.

As discussed in more detail below, one approach to packaging envelopes in a block configuration is to locate the envelopes in a cardboard box or similar. However, this can lead to excess packaging and, as a result, waste. A more recent alternative has been to replace the cardboard box with rigid plastic sheets located at either end of a series of envelopes, the rigid plastic sheets being used to provide structural integrity to the block of envelopes as a whole. However, this latter development is also not ideal, since the plastic sheets bring an element to the packaging that is difficult or sometimes impossible to readily recycle or dispose of in a responsible manner.

SUMMARY

It is an example aim of example embodiments of the present invention to at least partly diminish or avoid the disadvantages of the prior art as discussed herein or elsewhere, or to at least provide a viable alternative to prior art implementations.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a block of packaged envelopes, comprising: a plurality of envelopes arranged in series, facing one another; a first paper-based rigid sheet at a first end of the series; a second paper-based rigid sheet at a second, opposite end of the series; the plurality of envelopes being located in-between the first and second paper-based rigid sheets; and a binder that extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, to bind the plurality of envelopes in series arrangement, and to form the block of packaged envelopes.

The first and second paper-based rigid sheets may comprise card or cardboard.

The first and second paper-based rigid sheets may be separate from one another.

The first and second paper-based rigid sheets may be rigid in that each sheet is more rigid than: a packaged envelope, or a substantial portion of a packaged envelope, or a substantial portion of a face of such a packaged envelope.

The binder may extend around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, such that a top edge and/or a bottom edge of each envelope is substantially unencumbered by the binder.

The top edge may comprise or partially define an envelope flap or other opening, and the bottom edge may be substantially opposite to the top edge.

Each of the first and second paper-based rigid sheets may be each adjacent to and substantially cover a face of an end envelope of the series.

The binder may be elastic.

The binder may be a polymer film.

One or more envelopes may each comprise a flap which results in a localised increased thickness of the envelope. The block might comprise one or more inserts provided in-between the envelopes, to counteract the localised increase in thickness and to promote and/or maintain a more cuboid series formation of envelopes.

One or more envelopes might each comprise a flap which results in a localised increased thickness of the envelope. Such envelopes might each comprise one or more edges which have a thickness similar to that of the flap-related localised increased thickness of the envelope, to counteract the localised increase in thickness and to promote and/or maintain a more cuboid series formation of envelopes.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for producing a block of packaged envelopes, the apparatus comprising: a clamp arranged to clamp together a first paper-based rigid sheet at a first end of a series of envelopes, a plurality of envelopes arranged in the series, the envelopes facing one another, and a second paper-based rigid sheet at a second, opposite end of the series, such that the plurality of envelopes are located in-between the first and second paper-based rigid sheets, and maintained in that configuration by the clamp; and a wrapper, arranged to provide a binder that extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, to bind the plurality of envelopes in series arrangement, and to form the block of packaged envelopes.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing a block of packaged envelopes, the method comprising: clamping together: a first paper-based rigid sheet at a first end of a series of envelopes, a plurality of envelopes arranged in the series, the envelopes facing one another, and a second paper-based rigid sheet at a second, opposite end of the series, such that the plurality of envelopes are located in-between the first and second paper-based rigid sheets; providing a binder that extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, to bind the plurality of envelopes in series arrangement; removing the clamp.

Clamping might be applied against the first and second paper-based rigid sheets.

The binder might also initially extend around a portion of a clamp that performs the clamping, and the clamp is subsequently removed such that the binder is in contact with the first and second paper-based rigid sheets and/or the series of envelopes.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person, from a reading of this disclosure in combination with the inherent knowledge of the skilled person, that unless clearly mutually exclusive, one or more features of any aspect of the invention might be combined with, and/or replace one or more features of any other aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic Figures in which:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a block of envelopes;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a block of envelopes packaged in a cardboard box;

FIGS. 3 to 6 schematically depict the packaging of a block of envelopes using rigid plastic sheets;

FIGS. 7 to 9 schematically depict the packaging of a block of envelopes using rigid paper-based sheets, according to an example embodiment;

FIGS. 10 to 15 schematically depict principles and apparatus for producing a block of packaged envelopes according to an example embodiment;

FIGS. 16 to 18 schematically depict problems associated with a packaging series of envelopes, and a proposed solution; and

FIG. 19 schematically depicts a method of producing a block of packaged envelopes according to an example embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a block of envelopes 2. The block of envelopes 2 comprises a plurality of envelopes arranged in series, facing one another. It is often necessary to handle such a block of envelopes 2 in a unitary manner, such that the block can be moved as a single element, as opposed to having to move a sub-set of the envelopes of the block 2 at any one time.

FIG. 2 shows that the block of envelopes of FIG. 1 may be conveniently located in a cardboard box 4, for example, for general handling and so on. The cardboard box 4 is convenient, in that it is relatively cheap. It is also more rigid than the envelopes 2, so that the block 2 and box 4 together maintain their structural integrity during handling. The box 4 can be made to be relatively tight fitting with respect of the block of envelopes 2, to ensure that little or no damage occurs to the block of envelopes during handling. Of course, another highly significant benefit of the use of the cardboard box 4 is the relative ease by which such a box 4 may be constructed and disposed of, and in particularly recycled.

Although the use of the cardboard box 4 is in many ways very convenient, there are also disadvantages. For example, when the envelopes need to be removed from the box 4, the box 4 will then serve little or no purpose whatsoever, and is thus simply treated as waste. The amount of waste might be significant in a commercial environment, where many blocks 2 might be used. Storing the waste might be inconvenient, and disposing of the waste might also be inconvenient. So, it is desirable to minimise the amount of waste that needs to be stored and disposed of. Finally, the amount of packaging might be excessive simply in terms of required packaging, regardless of the subsequent problem of waste disposal.

More recently, an alternative to the cardboard box of FIG. 2 has been proposed as a significant improvement. FIG. 3 shows the block of envelopes 2. Rigid plastic sheets 6 are located at each end of the series of envelopes forming the block 2. The rigid plastic sheets 6 may be scaffold, skeleton or frame like, to maintain rigidity whilst at the same time minimising size or weight.

FIG. 4 shows the block of envelopes 2 with the rigid plastic sheets 6 located at either end of the series of envelopes forming the block 2.

FIG. 5 then shows that a binder 8 is provided which extends around the rigid plastic sheets 6 and the series of series of envelopes 2 located in between the sheets 6, to bind the envelopes 2 in the series arrangement, and to form the block of packaged envelopes.

FIG. 6 shows that an alternative rigid plastic sheet 10 may be used, which is more sheet-like. The sheet 10 might be provided with one or more apertures 12, for example for receiving one or more arms or fingers of a machine used in the packaging or un-packaging of the envelopes 2.

The idea behind the use of rigid plastic sheets, and binder, is that the overall amount of packaging is reduced, when compared with, for example the cardboard box approach of FIG. 2. For instance, FIG. 5 shows that the structural integrity of the block of envelopes or the block of packaged envelopes as a whole is maintained, without the need for a covering or base otherwise supporting a top or bottom of the block of envelopes 2. That is, the block 2 may maintain structural integrity simply by use of the binder pushing or otherwise compressing the rigid sheets 6 into and toward faces of the series of envelopes 2, since this maintains the envelopes in the block-like series configuration. This simple but effective approach might mean that the amount of packaging is significantly reduced, which might reduce shipping costs, storage costs, disposal time and costs and so on.

However, much like the situation with the cardboard box of FIG. 2, while the rigid plastic sheet approach of FIG. 6 is often convenient, it is not ideal. For instance, the use of rigid plastic sheets 6, 10 may be more harmful for the environment than the use of a cardboard box, and the rigid plastic sheets 6, 10 may be over-engineered in comparison with a cardboard box.

According to an aspect of the present invention, disadvantages of the existing approaches of, at least, FIGS. 1 to 6, may be at least partially overcome or entirely avoided. According to example embodiments, these aims may be achieved by taking the best aspects of the cardboard box approach, and the best aspects of the rigid plastic sheet approach, and excluding the parts of both approaches which are associated with disadvantages. In particular, this means that, according to example embodiments, the rigid plastic sheets of the example of FIGS. 3-6 are, quite simply but effectively, replaced with paper-based rigid sheets.

The simple changing of a rigid plastic sheet to a rigid paper-based sheet may seem simple. In many ways, this is the case. However, the approach is nevertheless extremely effective, and takes the advantages of the cardboard box approach in terms of paper-based sheets being easy to produce, brand, process, and dispose and recycle, but also takes the approach of the rigid plastic sheet example, in there being no need to provide a rigid sheet or other sheet around the entirety of the external surface of the block of envelopes, thereby minimising the amount of material (paper-based or otherwise) that is required.

FIG. 7 schematically depicts a block of envelopes 2. The block 2 comprises a plurality of envelopes arranged in a series, facing one another. First and second paper-based rigid sheets 20 are, respectively, located at first and second ends of the series of envelopes that form the block 2.

It can be seen that the rigid paper-based sheets 20 are separate from one another. That is, the sheets 20 are not connected to one another, for example by a connecting piece of paper-based material, which might be the case in a cardboard box-like approach described above. In other words, such an interconnecting piece or the like is not required in this example. Simple square or rectangular sheets are all that is required.

The paper-based sheets 20 are conveniently formed from card or cardboard, or any other rigid form of paper-based configuration that is more rigid than an envelope to be packaged, a substantial portion of such an envelope, or a substantial portion of a face of such an envelope. In other words, the sheet needs to be generally more rigid than one or more envelopes in order to ensure that, when packaged, the block has structural integrity, and leads to little or no damage to the envelopes.

It can be seen that each of the first and second paper-based rigid sheets 20 are adjacent to and substantially cover a face of an end envelope of the series 2. This might assist in protecting not only the end envelopes, but one or more envelopes at the ends of the series, for example from bending or tearing during handling and the like, or at the very least may improve the structural integrity of the block of packaging below as a whole.

In an alternative, each sheet might comprise one or more holes for reducing the weight of, or amount of material constituting, the sheet, while at the same time providing sufficient rigidity. The one or more holes could be perforations, or more sizeable apertures.

Referring back to the present example, FIG. 8 shows the block of envelopes 2 with the rigid paper-based sheets 20 located at either end of the series of envelopes that form the block 2.

FIG. 9 shows that the rigid paper-based sheets 20 are maintained in contact with the series of envelopes that form the block 2 by way of a binder 22. The binder 22 extends around the paper-based rigid sheets 20 and the plurality of envelopes 2 located in between the sheets 20, in order to bind the plurality of envelopes 2 in a series of arrangement, and to therefore form a block of packaged envelopes.

The binder 22 can be anything that is capable of binding and thus maintaining the plurality of envelopes in the series arrangement. For example, the binder 22 might be a tape, strip, sheet, or wrap, or anything which will fulfill the needs described previously. The binder 22 might conveniently be formed from an elastic material which might assist not only in the maintaining of a series arrangement but also be convenient for use in the application of the binder to the rigid sheets 20 and envelopes 2. Alternatively and/or additionally, the binder might be conveniently formed from a polymer film which might be easy to produce, apply, dispose of and so on. Also, a polymer film might be very lightweight yet strong, but at the same time have other desirable properties, for example being transparent, or easy to print on, and so on. The binder might be at least partially transparent, so as to allow the envelopes/rigid sheets to be visible when bound.

Referring back to FIG. 9, and in summary, it can be seen that the finished block of packaged envelopes takes much the same advantageous general form as that already described in relation to the rigid plastic sheet approach of FIG. 5. However, the main advantages of the approach of the example embodiments is the relatively ease by which paper-based sheets may be produced and disposed of in comparison with the use of rigid plastic sheets. Again, the benefits of a cardboard box, and the benefits of plastic rigid liners, are brought together, but without related disadvantages.

FIGS. 10 to 15 will now be used to describe principles and apparatus for producing the block of packaged envelopes, for instance the block of packaged envelopes as already shown in and described with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 shows the block of envelopes 2. Opposing arms or parts of a clamp 30 are used to bring or urge the paper-based rigid sheets 20 into contact with the block of envelopes 2.

FIG. 11 shows the situation when the paper-based rigid sheets 20 have been brought into engagement and contact with the block of envelopes 2 by the clamp 30.

FIG. 12 shows that the block 2, sheets 20, and clamp 30 may together be located within a wrapper 32 (e.g. a wrapping station, system or configuration). Alternatively, the wrapper 32 may be brought about and or located around the block 2, sheets 20, and clamp 30. The wrapper 32 is arranged to provide the binder 22 that extends around the paper-based rigid sheets 20, and envelopes 2. In this particular example, and due to the nature of the clamping 30, the binder 22 also initially extends around a portion of the clamp 30 that performs the clamping.

The binder 22 may be applied in any particular manner, for example by relative movement between the wrapper 32 or a part thereof and clamp 30, sheets 20, and envelopes 2. In general, the binder 22 might be conveniently wrapped around the clamp 30, sheets 20 and envelopes 2.

FIG. 13 shows the situation when the binder 22 has been applied.

FIG. 14 shows the clamp 30 being removed. One or more parts of the clamp 30 being tapered or relatively non-stick in nature might facilitate relatively easy removal of the clamp from in-between part of the binder 22 and the paper-based rigid sheets 20.

FIG. 15 shows the finished lock of packaged envelopes, comprising the envelopes in series 2, the paper-based rigid sheets 20 located at either end of the series, and the binder 22 extending around the sheets 20 and envelopes 2.

It can be seen that in at least the examples described so far, the binder 22 extends around the paper-based rigid sheets 20 and the plurality of envelopes 2 located in-between the sheets 20, such that a top edge and/or a bottom edge of each envelope in the series is substantially unencumbered by the binder 22—i.e. not covered or impinged upon by the binder 22. Firstly, such an arrangement means that any unnecessary packaging in the form of excessive binder is not required, reducing costs and weight. At the same time, the envelopes 2 might be unpacked and, for example, loaded into other machinery in a convenient manner, simply by removal of the binder 22, allowing the envelopes to fall or otherwise be loaded into the machinery in a straight forward manner.

It will be appreciated that “top” and “bottom” might be understood as relative terms. However, it is common in the art for the top edge to be understood as comprising or at least partially defining an envelope flap or other opening, and the bottom edge as being substantially opposite to such a top edge.

In all of the previous examples, a block-like series of envelopes has been shown and described. In some instances, the block-shape might be relatively easy or straight forward to achieve or maintain. However, this might depend on the particular features of the envelopes that are used. These particular features might, without some form of intervention, actually make it quite difficult to achieve the uniform block-shape shown above. For instance, FIG. 16 shows a series of envelopes 40. Each envelope 42 in this series 40 is provided with a flap 44 for use in gaining access to and sealing an internal space of the envelope 42. It can be seen that this flap 44 results in a localised increase in thickness of each envelope 42 which, when a plurality of such envelopes are located in the series, results in the series not having a block-form. The block exhibits a fan-like or taper shape or similar. This is not ideal for packaging or handling. It is desirable to at least encourage the formation of a block-like shape.

FIG. 17 shows that a block-shape might be achieved by locating one or more inserts 46 in-between the envelopes 44, away from, or not including, the region defining or comprising the flap 44, to counteract the localised increase in thickness of the flap 44. The inserts 46 might have the same sort of thickness as the flap 44. It can be seen that a more block-like cuboid form is the result of the use of such inserts 46.

The inserts might be paper-based in construction, so as to be easily produced and disposed of along with waste sheets described previously.

FIG. 18 depicts an alternative to the solution of FIG. 17, by the use of modified or different envelopes 52. Each envelope 52 again comprises a flap 54 for gaining access to an internal space of the envelope 52, or for sealing the envelope 52. Flap 54 again results in a localised increase in the thickness of the envelope 52. In this embodiment and different from that described in FIG. 17, each envelope 52 comprises one or more edges 56 which have a thickness similar to that of the flap 54, or at least the flap-related localised increase in thickness of the envelope 52. The thicker edges (or more generally, regions) counteract the localised flap-related increase in thickness, and so promote and/or maintain the more cuboid block-like series formation of envelopes.

The thicker edges 56 might be integrally formed with the envelope 52, for example comprising additional material in the construction of the envelope, or one or more folds or creases or the like in the envelope. It might well be that the edges 56 with increased thickness do not extend along, about or around an entire perimeter, length or face of the envelope, but only at certain locations of the envelope, for example along all or parts of (e.g. at corners or a middle of) an edge opposite the flap.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart schematically depicting a method of producing a block of packaged envelopes according to an example embodiment. The method largely summarises the methodology and principles already described above. The method comprises clamping together: a first paper-based rigid sheet at a first end of a series of envelopes, a plurality of envelopes arranged in the series, the envelopes facing one another, and a second paper- based rigid sheet at a second, opposite end of the series, such that the plurality of envelopes are located in-between the first and second paper-based rigid sheets 60. A binder is then provided that extends around the paper-based sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, to bind the plurality of envelopes in series arrangement 62. The clamp is then removed 64, to leave the block of packaged envelopes.

It is worth repeating that even though the invention is quite simple, and is closely related to at least the two previous approaches to packaging or producing blocks of envelopes, the benefits are nevertheless extremely significant to the industry. No-one has yet realised that the best portions of the two prior art approaches can be used or taken advantage of, whilst at the same time not employing certain parts of these approaches which are associated with certain disadvantages. The result is a simple but effective and extremely advantageous solution which has far more benefits than the previous approaches, yet none of the drawbacks.

It will be appreciated that the invention might be employed in a new block of packaging envelopes, or a new apparatus for producing such a block of packaged envelopes, or a related new method. However, the invention might also be implemented by modification of existing apparatus or methods. For example, existing methods which employ rigid plastic-based sheets might be modified by replacing those plastic sheets with paper-based sheets described above. This simple but extremely effective change will result in a block of packaged envelopes that is more efficient to make, handle, and process, and for which the packaging is easier to dispose of in a responsible manner and/or recycle.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A block of packaged envelopes, comprising: a plurality of envelopes arranged in series, facing one another;a first paper-based rigid sheet at a first end of the series;a second paper-based rigid sheet at a second, opposite end of the series; the plurality of envelopes being located in-between the first and second paper-based rigid sheets; anda binder that extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, to bind the plurality of envelopes in series arrangement, and to form the block of packaged envelopes.

2. The block of packaged envelopes of claim 1, wherein the first and second paper-based rigid sheets comprise card or cardboard.

3. The block of packaged envelopes of claim 1, wherein the first and second paper-based rigid sheets are separate from one another.

4. The block of packaged envelopes of claim 1, wherein the first and second paper-based rigid sheets are rigid in that each sheet is more rigid than: a packaged envelope, ora substantial portion of a packaged envelope, ora substantial portion of a face of such a packaged envelope.

5. The block of packaged envelopes of claim 1, wherein the binder extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, such that a top edge and/or a bottom edge of each envelope is substantially unencumbered by the binder.

6. The block of packaged envelopes of claim 5, wherein the top edge comprises or partially defines an envelope flap or other opening, and the bottom edge is substantially opposite the top edge.

7. The block of packaged envelopes of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second paper-based rigid sheets are each adjacent to and substantially cover a face of an end envelope of the series.

8. The block of packaged envelopes of claim 1, wherein the binder is elastic.

9. The block of packaged envelopes of claim 1, wherein the binder is a polymer film.

10. The block of packaged envelopes of claim 1, wherein one or more envelopes each comprise a flap which results in a localised increased thickness of the envelope, and wherein the block comprises one or more inserts provided in-between the envelopes, to counteract the localised increase in thickness and to promote and/or maintain a more cuboid series formation of envelopes.

11. The block of packaged envelopes of claim 1, wherein one or more envelopes each comprise a flap which results in a localised increased thickness of the envelope, and wherein such envelopes each comprise one or more edges which have a thickness similar to that of the flap-related localised increased thickness of the envelope, to counteract the localised increase in thickness and to promote and/or maintain a more cuboid series formation of envelopes.

12. Apparatus for producing a block of packaged envelopes, the apparatus comprising: a clamp arranged to clamp together: a first paper-based rigid sheet at a first end of a series of envelopes, a plurality of envelopes arranged in the series, the envelopes facing one another, anda second paper-based rigid sheet at a second, opposite end of the series, such that the plurality of envelopes are located in-between the first and secondpaper-based rigid sheets, and maintained in that configuration by the clamp; anda wrapper, arranged to provide a binder that extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, to bind the plurality of envelopes in series arrangement, and to form the block of packaged envelopes.

13. A method of producing a block of packaged envelopes, the method comprising: clamping together:a first paper-based rigid sheet at a first end of a series of envelopes,a plurality of envelopes arranged in the series, the envelopes facing one another, and a second paper-based rigid sheet at a second, opposite end of the series, such that the plurality of envelopes are located in-between the first and second paper-based rigid sheets;providing a binder that extends around the paper-based rigid sheets and the plurality of envelopes located in-between the sheets, to bind the plurality of envelopes in series arrangement;removing the clamp.

14. The method of producing a block of packaged envelopes of claim 13, wherein clamping is applied against the first and second paper-based rigid sheets.

15. The method of producing a block of packaged envelopes of claim 13, wherein the binder also initially extends around a portion of a clamp that performs the clamping, and the clamp is subsequently removed such that the binder is in contact with the first and second paper-based rigid sheets and/or the series of envelopes.