GB2337230A

GB2337230A - Folder with hinge comprising a separate binding element

Info

Publication number: GB2337230A
Application number: GB9908389A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Brown
Original assignee: DESIGNEASE Ltd
Current assignee: DESIGNEASE Ltd
Priority date: 1998-05-13
Filing date: 1999-04-14
Publication date: 1999-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2019-04-14
Also published as: GB2337230B; GB9810124D0; GB9908389D0

Abstract

The folder is formed from a blank 11,12 and has a flap 10 or an attachment (eg a CD case) which is connected to the blank by a separate binding element 19 defining a hinge. The binding element may be a wire binding element or a plastics comb-type binding element which passes through a series of spaced apart apertures 22 punched in each of the two parts it connects together.

Description

2337230 FOLDERS This invention relates to a folder and, more particularly,

but not exclusively, to a folder made of plastics material.

It is well known to produce folders or cases (herein called R folders") from a single blank of plastics material. The blank may simply comprise a single sheet having a front and rear flap and a spine. In this case, it is known to provide fold lines between the spine and each of the front and rear flaps. Alternatively, the blank may have appropriate fold lines and co-operating tongues and tongue receiving openings whereby the blank can be assembled into a folder (or case) having front and rear walls, two side walls, a bottom wall, a top wall and a closure flap so as to fully enclose documents contained therein.

is According to the present invention there is provided a folder formed at least in part from a blank and having at least one flap or an attachment which is connected to the blank by a separate binding element defining a hinge.

Pr9ferred andlor optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 15, inclusive' The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 11 Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a folder according to the present invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing a detail of the folder of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows the folder of Figure 1 opened out, and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a detail of the folder shown in Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, the folder shown therein is formed from a single blank with the exception of a front flap 10 which is connected to the blank by a separate binding element 19 defining a hinge.

The blank defmes a rear flap 11, a spine 12 connected to one edge of the rear flap by a fold line, a rear flap extension 14 connected to an opposite edge of the rear flap 11 by another fold line and a side closure flap 13 connected to the rear flap extension 14 by yet another fold line. The blank also comprises a top wall 15 and a bottom wall 16 connected to opposite edges of the rear flap 11 by fold lines. Top and bottom closure flaps 17 and 18 are connected to the top and bottom walls, respectively, by further fold lines. The side closure flap 13 has two tongues 20 punched out of the flap 13 and these co-operate with tongue receiving openings 21 formed respectively in the top and bottom closure flaps 17 and 18 to hold the folder together as shown in Figure 1.

The binding element 19 passes through a series of spaced apart aperuires 22 punched in each of the two parts it connects together. The binding element 19 is, preferably and as shown, a known wire binding element of the type sold under the de mark WIRE-0 by James Bum Binding Limited of Esher, Surrey. Alternatively, it could be a known helically wound wire binding element. It may also be in the form of a known plastics comb-type binding element having a plurality of spaced apart pairs of resilient teeth extending transversely from an elongate web. The two teeth of each pair extend from opposite edges of the web and are curled in opposite directions to overlap one another.

The top and bottom walls 15 and 16, respectively, and the top and bottom closure flaps 17 and 18, respectively, may be omitted. In this case, reIeasable fastening means, such as a press stud comector, could be provided between the front flap 10 and the side closure flap 13.

The side closure flap 13 could be connected to the rear flap extension 14 by another separate binding element defining a hinge. The rear flap extension 14 and side closure flap 13 could also be omitted. The folder could be in the form of a ring binder having an appropriate ring binder fitment attached to the spine 12.

In another embodiment, the folder is formed from a plastics blank and comprises at least front and rear flaps and a spine. An attachment, for example a CD case which may be formed from a single plastics blank, is connected to one of the front and rear flaps by a separate binding element.

1

Claims

1. A folder formed at least in part from a blank and having at least one flap or an attachment which is connected to the blank by a separate binding element defining a hinge.

2. A folder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blank has at least one fold line.

3. A folder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the blank defines a rear flap and a spine of the folder and a front flap is connected to the spine by a separate binding element defining a hinge.

4. A folder as claimed in claim 3 in the form of a ring binder.

5. A folder as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, further including a closure flap connected to a fold around rear flap extension.

6. A folder as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closure flap is an integral part of the blank,

7. A folder as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closure flap is connected to the fold around rear extension flap by another separate binding element defining a hinge.

8. A folder as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising top and bottom walls.

9. A folder as claimed in clahn 8, wherein the top and bottom walls are an integral part of the blank.

10. A folder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, having front and rear flaps and a spine and an attachment connected to one of the front and rear flaps by a separate binding element.

11. blank.

A folder as claimed in claim 10, wherein the attachment is formed from a

12. A folder as claimed in claim 11, wherein the attachment is in the form of a CD case.

is

13. A folder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the binding element passes through a series of spaced apart apertures formed in each of the two parts it connects together.

14. A folder-as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the or at least one of the binding elements is a wire binding element.

1

15. A folder as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 13, wherein the or at least one of the binding elements is a plastics binding element having a plurality of spaced el-- -6apart pairs of resilient teeth extending transversely from an elongate web.

16. A folder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.