Binding Patents (Class 281/21.1)
  • Patent number: 6685415
    Abstract: A bookbinding structure and method. The bookbinding structure is used to bind pages together in existing, commercially available binding machines. The bookbinding structure has a heat activated adhesive matrix for binding the pages. To attach a wrap-around book cover once the pages have been bound with the bookbinding structure, an adhesive on the outer surface of the bookbinding structure may be exposed by removing a release liner covering the adhesive. The book cover may then be adhered to the exposed adhesive either by a heat method or by applying pressure over the adhesive, depending on the particular type of adhesive of the bookbinding structure. The book cover may be printed with information and/or graphics prior to being wrapped around the pages of the book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Powis Parker Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Rush, Laura H. Rush
  • Patent number: 6669392
    Abstract: A device for binding sheets in a pack, the device having a flat rectangular sheet element (3) in turn having, along one major side (3a), a number of flexible tongues (7) arranged combfashion; and a closing strip (10) extending along the major side (3a). The strip (10) has an application surface (13) facing the tongues (7) and having a layer of adhesive (17). The flat element (3) is placeable on a first face of the pack, with the tongues (7) inserted inside the respective holes (33) formed along one edge of the pack, and with respective ends (7e) of the tongues (7) projecting from the holes. The closing strip (10) is foldable and placeable with the layer of adhesive (17) superimposed on a flat element (30b) defining a second face of the pack (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Prima S.r.l.
    Inventor: Francesco Rebora
  • Patent number: 6666608
    Abstract: A loose-leaf file folder includes two covers, a spine made integrally with the covers, and a plurality of paper-holding sets, each set being formed of a shaft, a paper-holding stem, and a crossbar. The shaft and the stem are integrally made with one of the two covers such that the shaft and the stem are uprightly projected from a margin of the one of the two covers. The shaft and the stem are provided in a top end with a retaining hole. The crossbar is provided at two longitudinal ends with a retaining arm and is detachably joined with the shaft and the stem such that the two retaining arms of the crossbar are retained respectively and removably in the retaining holes of the shaft and the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Chin-Liang Chen
  • Publication number: 20030230887
    Abstract: The present invention relates to bindings for books, wherein the spine is hidden behind an extension of the cover. Specifically, a piping element is inserted into a recess formed by a doubled-over center section of a cover of the book. Because of the structure of the piping element, the book is capable of laying flat when opened, while hiding the spine and concurrently protecting both the spine and other objects from damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Robert John Roca
  • Patent number: 6663310
    Abstract: The primary object of the present of invention is to provide a button binder in which paper or sheets can be easily retained and moved out, which exclude the above-mentioned disadvantages. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the button binder includes several buttons, connection pieces, pulling pieces, a front sheet, a rear sheet and strips. An appropriate number of the buttons are fixed on the appropriate position on the binder, such as on the left portion or top portion of the rear sheet. The buttons mainly compromises a cap and a post. The cap has an axial hole. The post is capable of engaging in the axial hole of the cap and being fastened tightly. Punched papers or sheets can be hold by the post under the cap. When paper in the button binder is opened, there is big force to open the buttons. In order to secure the paper tightly, the buttons are designed to be opened only in a proper direction or site, and the buttons can not be opened in non-proper direction or site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Nanlin Han
  • Patent number: 6663311
    Abstract: A document formed of a stack of papers bound at the spine is equipped with a slide bar that achieves locking engagement with a document cover formed of a plurality of sheets of material. The sheets of document cover material are joined to each other at a binding margin. The sheet of cover material that passes around the spine of the cover forms a back cover beneath the stack of papers and a narrow, margin panel or strip that overlies the adjacent edge of the other sheet of binding material, which forms a front cover. The slide bar has a pair of jaws that terminate in distal tips that face each other at an angle of least forty-five degrees across a gap defined between the distal tips of the jaws. The slide bar is inserted onto the binding edge of the stack of papers and the cover encompassing them in a direction parallel to the binding edge from either the top or bottom end of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Bon S. Ong
  • Publication number: 20030222454
    Abstract: A bias binding system facilitates the filing, storage, and retrieval of rigid, tabular objects. The bend and living hinge holder design allows for the rigid, tabular objects to be scrolled and scanned easily for rapid retrieval. The bias binding system is manufactured from a thin plastic web that is capable of collapsing and expanding easily and that is loose enough to display identifying numbers or symbols on some or all of the objects. The binding can be completely or partially biased to any side to reveal object information. The bias binding system is also used as a storage system for CDs and their literature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: F. Baker Williams
  • Patent number: 6655868
    Abstract: A binding mechanism (2) is provided for securing compact disc sleeves and other sheet material in a notebook binder and which preferably can be quickly and selectively opened and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Case Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Terrence M. Drew
  • Patent number: 6644695
    Abstract: A novel method of advertising in appropriate bound or unbound publications wherein the pages of the publication are folded in half and may be bound along one edge by either saddle-stitching or perfect-binding the pages at the center of the publication together, wherein a carrier member formed of a folded member that is appropriately bound into the publication and has at least one adhesive strip or a plurality of adhesive spots positioned adjacent one edge for mounting a substantially thinner mouse pad thereon for ease of removal and subsequent use. The mouse pad is formed of a thin generally transparent plastic material and carries advertising printed on the undersurface of the pad, which advertising is viewed through the transparent pad; the mouse pad acting to insure that the publication will flip open at the position of the pad so that the viewer or reader will see the advertising early in the inspection of the publication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel L. O'Malley
  • Patent number: 6629800
    Abstract: A book structure having front and back covers bound together along a spine, with pages therein being secured to the back cover by a binder mounted exclusively upon the back cover, separate and apart from the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Streetwise Maps Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Brown
  • Publication number: 20030184079
    Abstract: A journal with acid-free pages has removable portions. Some pages include a plurality of removable perforated note sections. The note sections are sized to conveniently accompany photographs in standard photo processing sleeves and/or photo boxes. Notations pertinent to accompanying photographs may be written on note sections for subsequent recordation in a scrapbook or for other archival purposes. The note sections may include various icons, forms and text to facilitate the entry and arrangement of pertinent information. The note sections are aesthetically pleasing, making them suitable for prominent display in a scrapbook or photo album.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Heather S. Betzold
  • Publication number: 20030178838
    Abstract: A folder apparatus includes a folder, a holder for holding leaves and a connector for attaching the holder to the folder in a detachable manner. The holder includes a number of hooks formed thereon. The folder includes two covers and an intermediate panel interconnecting the covers. The connector is formed on the intermediate panel. In a first aspect, the holder includes a base attached to the intermediate panel in a detachable manner by means of the connector. The base includes two ends. The connector includes two clips formed on the intermediate panel for engagement with the ends of the base of the holder. In a second aspect, the connector is a hook-and-loop device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Yu-Chia Ke
  • Patent number: 6607216
    Abstract: A binder, such as a three ring binder, is provided with a magnetizable panel on the front cover of the binder and with a stylus and a permanent magnet erasing device mounted onto the binder. The magnetizable panel may be inset into the cover of the binder, or it may constitute substantially the entire front cover of the binder, or it may be inserted into a transparent pocket on the front cover of the binder. The eraser may be of a broad area permanent magnet type which may be brought into engagement with the entire magnetizable panel; or a smaller linear permanently magnetized eraser may be employed. In one embodiment the magnetizable panel may be pivotally mounted on the front cover of the binder, so that it may be folded over to expose the back of the binder for accessible erasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Stenger, Ed Podosek, Christine K. Hibberd, Terri McKelvaine, Arthur G. Castillo
  • Patent number: 6601874
    Abstract: A bookbinding repair kit containing instructions, diagrams and equipment to carry out repair to damaged or torn backing shoulder joints of any book, the equipment comprising a complete endpaper consisting of one evenly folded sheet of paper with a double-sided adhesive strip no less than 7 mm and no more than 10 mm in width but of a particular length, with a peel away backing paper attached to the endpaper adjacent one side of the endpaper fold, a double-sided self adhesive strip of mull cloth of a particular width and length, two thirds of each side of the mull cloth being covered with a peel away backing strip and the remaining third adhered to the adhesive side of a sconelined, one sided self-adhesive paper the same size as the endpaper, the endpaper side without the adhesive strip being glued to the plain side of the scorelined paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Gennaro Raffaele Amitrano
  • Patent number: 6599074
    Abstract: An encoded binder strip having an adhesive matrix and an encoded pattern formed on a surface of the matrix to identify the type of binder strip. The encoded pattern includes relatively high reflectivity regions and relatively low reflectivity regions. Preferably, the encoded pattern is read as the binder strip is fed into a binding machine, with the encoded pattern controlling operation of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Powis Parker Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin P. Parker
  • Patent number: 6581970
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel book cover which is used together with the known firm bindings, that is U-shaped steel bars. According to the invention, a flexible support material is arranged in two layers and in parallel to the flanks of a U-shaped bar. The layers of the book cover that are in parallel to the flanks are intimately glued together except for a flexible connection of two layers, that is either the support material is flexibly arranged in relation to its two layers or—as shown in FIG. 1—the inner surface of the flank is flexibly arranged in relation to the layer. The resin layer usually fixes the leaves, the resin layer being applied on the transversal insert of the support material. The transversal insert rests against the base of the U-shaped bar, that is it is not firmly linked with it, when the book is closed. When the book is opened, the bound leaves are vertically moved, thereby allowing the leaves to be turned so that they lie flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Copy-Lein GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Lein
  • Patent number: 6578873
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a photo album (1) suitable to contain a relatively large number of photographs printed through computers on pages (4) which are folded and combined with other pages (4) so as to form a block. The combination of said pages (4) is obtained through interposition between the external sides of two of said pages of a bi-adhesive relatively stiff paperboard, which has a basic weight ranging between 300 and 800 g/m and which is shorter at least 1.5 mm than the pages (4) wherein the paperboard has inserted. The paperboard (6) can be made bi-adhesive through the combination of a bi-adhesive film with any one of the two sides of the paperboard or sticking on every one of said sides a dry adhesive. Preferably, the back 3 is joined to the covers 2 only for a short line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Promo Gift S.r.l.
    Inventor: Luciano Pimpini
  • Patent number: 6572302
    Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for imparting both flexibility and lamination to leaves or sheets comprising laminate films, including but not limited to leaves or sheets which at least partially enclose or encase printed matter to or between laminate film(s). The first laminate film and the second laminate film may or may not have part of all of a segment of printed matter, e.g., a display content sheet, positioned or sandwiched therebetween. All embodiments have a flex or flexible zone which provides flexibility to the leaf or sheet, the thickness of the flex zone being thinner than the thickness of portions of the leaf or sheet having two laminate films. The flex zone of each sheet or leaf provides flexibility for the leaf at strategic locations, the remainder of the sheet or leaf having durability and stiffness as afforded by the two films of lamination and the adhesive utilized in conjunction with one or both of the two lamination films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: Marian V. Gogoana
  • Publication number: 20030094806
    Abstract: A vinyl lace and bead bound foam-based book is presented herein. The foam book includes a plurality of soft pages made from a foam material stacked together to form a book. The foam pages if the book are perforated with at least one hole therethrough, with a vinyl lace and bead binding retaining the pages at each hole with the vinyl strip of the binding passed through the hole in the pages and the hole in the bead. The vinyl strip is knotted in such a way that the bead and the pages are held by the vinyl strip, whereby the pages may be held in a book-like fashion with the vinyl strip forming a loop-type binding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: William Derraugh
  • Patent number: 6558099
    Abstract: A reinforced book assembled from a stack of media sheets and a cover. Each media sheet includes at least one binding region located adjacent to a binding edge of that media sheet. The binding region of each sheet is aligned with and faces a binding region of an adjacent media sheet. The cover extends at least partially over a first face of the stack, wraps around the binding edges of the media sheets, and extends at least partially over a second face of the stack. The book also includes activated imaging material on the binding region of each media sheet binding the media sheets together as well as activated imaging material on the cover binding the cover to the binding regions on the first and second faces of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Co., L.P.
    Inventors: Gabriel Mendoza, Israel Cruz, David J. Arcaro
  • Patent number: 6558062
    Abstract: An expandable outside pocket is provided on one panel of a binder. This pocket includes a releasable closure to control expansion of the pocket. In one configuration, the outside pocket includes a zippered gusset, where the zipper can be closed to prevent expansion of the pocket capacity. The gusset and zipper configuration enables the pocket to be expanded when it is desired to increase the size of the pocket in order to accommodate larger items such as books, but also enables the gusset to be held in a non-extendable position when the pocket does not need to be expanded, such as when the pocket is only used to carry papers or slim folders. A second zipper is preferably also provided in order to control access to the pocket. In another configuration, the outside pocket includes gussets along its sides which facilitate expansion of the pocket, and a single zipper provides access to the pocket interior when unzipped and also enables the pocket to expand when unzipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Jon R. Wyant, Marc L. Moor
  • Publication number: 20030075917
    Abstract: A photo album is disclosed, made from a unitary strip of image bearing media having images printed in a pre-determined sequence. A plurality of pages is formed by folding the image media strip between the images into accordion folds and adhering the folds together so that each pair of the images forms two sides of a page. The photo album may have reinforced front and rear photo album covers. A binding holds the pages together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter A. Frosig, Joseph A. Manico
  • Publication number: 20030067156
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved apparatus for carrying and/or storing paper and the like. The apparatus is typically a binder for paper and the like that has a first cover and a second cover. The covers are hingedly connected at one of their ends. On the second, or rear cover, usually in the vicinity of the hinged connection of the front and rear cover, there is typically a holding means such as a multi-ring or another type of mechanism for securing the papers and other items in the binder. At least one cover, usually the front, is made up of a material that is relatively flexible. Both covers are preferably provided with a score line extending from the top edge to the bottom edge at their ends opposite their connection. Extending from the score lines on each cover is an end portion that may be used to secure the covers together. The holding means is preferably a “D” shaped ring and one cover, usually the front, wraps itself around the curved segment of the “D”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Sebastian, Michael McGinn, Agnes de Bethune
  • Patent number: 6540260
    Abstract: A photograph album system (10) has a spine (14) with an internal lateral groove (30) at one end and a removable retainer (42) having a plurality of internal retaining fingers (44) within the groove. A plurality of pages (52) are defined by a plurality of signatures (54). Each signature is defined by a plurality of page sets (56). Each page set consists of an interior support sheet (58) with a central fold (60) and a pair of exterior cover sheets (64). The exterior cover sheets are folded around an individual outer edge of an interior support sheet with each having a central fold defining an outer bend (66). The exterior cover sheets are adhered to the interior support sheet so that two pages are formed with separate pockets (72) on each side of each page. Posts (36) couple the pages to the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Whang Kwee Tan
  • Patent number: 6527465
    Abstract: A ring binder assembly is disclosed as including a ring mechanism, a connecting means secured to the ring mechanism, and at least one removable module frictionally engaging the connecting means. The connecting means is configured to receive the removable modules, wherein when the modules are removed the connecting means is maintained in a substantially tight configuration. The connecting means typically includes a rivet passing through an eyelet in the ring mechanism. In addition, the means to connect may also include the means to resilient secure the removable modules in place. The resilient means may include a compression spring housed in the eyelet biasing an upper washer downwardly towards the rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen R. Welch
  • Patent number: 6499766
    Abstract: A media folder or book binder provided with a rotor having elastic bands stretched between pins on its opposite ends has mounting brackets which are mechanically fastened to the spine of the folder. The brackets have trunnions facing inwardly toward the opposite ends of the rotor to journal the rotor. An important aspect of the invention is that each bracket is provided with a shroud which inhibits or prevents bands from disengaging with their supporting pins as a folded sheet is removed from or installed on the rotor under a strand of the band. In effect, winding-up of the bands during relative lateral movement of a sheet still occurs, but the adverse twisting affect of enabling the bands to slip off pins is prevented. The folder has straps fixed thereto and preferably formed integrally therewith at opposite ends of the folder's spine. These straps interact with latches on the mounting brackets to firmly hold the brackets in place mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Karl S. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6485060
    Abstract: A plastic folder, for holding sheets of paper, which includes a front cover and a back cover connected by a hinge. The hinge includes a first fold line adjacent to the front cover, and a second fold line adjacent to the back cover, and a third fold line intermediate the first and second fold lines, thereby dividing the hinge into a first portion adjacent to the front cover and a second portion adjacent to the back cover. A pair of weld areas are disposed in the hinge so as to connect the first hinge portion to the second hinge portion. The weld areas are spaced from one another so as to produce a holding force on the paper inserted into the plastic folder. The first and second fold lines, together with the welded areas, produce a plastic folder that more securely, and durably, holds paper therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Nada, Katsuyuki Tono
  • Publication number: 20020167159
    Abstract: A book with improved binding includes a front cover page having at least one binding hole extending therethrough, a rear cover page having at least one binding hole extending therethrough and at least one center page having at least one binding hole extending therethrough which is positioned between the front and rear cover pages. Each of the front, rear and center pages are constructed of foam material and the invention includes at least one binding cord which extends through each of the binding holes of the front cover page, rear cover page and center pages for binding the pages to one another in book format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Christian Noel Guy Legrand
  • Patent number: 6479126
    Abstract: Reactive hot melt polyurethane adhesives are useful in the graphic arts area, and in particular, for bookbinding applications such as casemaking, casing-in, gluing-off or thread-securing, facing, slip cases, lining-up, tightbacking, and bonding sides and joints; and for puzzle and gameboard lamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: H. B. Fuller Licensing & Financing Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Yang, David B. Malcolm, Michelle B. Acquaye, Kevin J. Reid, John M. Zimmel, Merilee M. Reski
  • Patent number: 6474693
    Abstract: A novelty item in which pages can be rotated about a fastener to form an integrated image on one side of the pages while forming independent pages of text and/or graphics on the other side. Such an item can be used as a combination comic book and poster. By including at least one die-cut hole, the combination comic book and poster can be hung on the wall using the nail or hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Jude Gregory Nitsche
  • Publication number: 20020135176
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the binding of signatures and in one of its aspects relates to a method and apparatus for binding a digitally printed product such as “books on demand” wherein the signatures used in the printed product are produced by a digital printer or the like and the spine element used in binding products of different thicknesses can be supplied from a single supply roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Helmut Domes
  • Patent number: 6454307
    Abstract: An accordion-folded page book with a binding which compresses the pages of the book but is not permanently fastened in one location, thereby allowing the binding to be moved from one position which allows access to one set of pages, to a second position which allows access to a second set of pages; whereby sliding the binding and flipping the book over enables the user to have access to the opposite sides of the pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Innovative USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Polick
  • Patent number: 6449886
    Abstract: A greeting card or document holder constructed from an elongated piece of plastic folded in half along its longitudinal axis, the two halves are then bonded together along a line running parallel with the fold. An adhesive is located inside the two flaps created by the fold adjacent to the longitudinal edges opposite the fold. The two adhesives are located such that they can attach to the front and back surface of a greeting card or other brochure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: William (Bill) James Gray
  • Patent number: 6450535
    Abstract: A compact disc storage book is formed with board book pages having pockets therein to receive compact discs. The board book is comprised of folded, printed signatures adhered to one another. A hard cover is attached to and covers the pages to protect the pages and compact discs from damage or contamination. The board book has an expandable spine, which increases its size or thickness from its smaller empty size to its larger, filled size when filled with compact discs. In the preferred method of making this storage book, the signatures have been printed and slit to form the CD receiving pockets prior to being folded on a signature folding machine. The folded signatures are fed by feeders of a signature gathering machine in proper sequence onto a gathering conveyor. The signature gathering machine has a programmable glue applicator to form the glue pattern including the glue pattern for the accordion fold, expandable backbone for the book form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventor: Steve Shafer
  • Patent number: 6447196
    Abstract: A fastening sheet assembly for attaching flat sheets to a backing panel has a releasable contact adhesive on its under-surface, and an integral disengaging member which is used to lift the low tack contact adhesive clear of the surface to which it is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: George A. Arkwright
  • Patent number: 6447013
    Abstract: A volume comprising a plurality of pages made from folded contiguous sheets. The volume includes joining together the external faces of the pages of the contiguous sheets to provide a plurality of pages without a spine binding. The volume may further include pages having sleeves on internal faces which are adapted to receive photographs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: De Marco Seo Francesco
  • Patent number: 6428260
    Abstract: A bookbinding system and method of binding books including a cover/spine assembly having a relatively rigid cover section with a length and width at least as great as that of the stack of sheets to be bound and a spine section having a width greater than the height of the stack. The cover/spine assembly and the spine section are secured together along the length of the cover section so that the spine section can be folded along a first edge with respect to the cover/spine assembly. A heat activated matrix is disposed on the spine section including a central adhesive band and an outer band disposed between the central adhesive band and a second edge of the spine section. Binding is carried out by placing the stack over the cover section and folding the spine section over the edge of the stack. Preferably a second relatively rigid cover section is placed on top of the stack so that the outer adhesive band on the spine section will extend over second cover section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Powis Parker Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin P. Parker
  • Patent number: 6422797
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a binding element for binding a stack of documents comprised of loose sheets, having a spine piece and two side pieces, the side pieces being arranged essentially perpendicular to the spine piece. The binding element is made of a shape memory material or has at least part of the binding element made of a shape memory material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Esselte N.V.
    Inventor: David Pas
  • Patent number: 6412819
    Abstract: A cover for a binding which comprises at least one looped formation to enable it to hold together a plurality of sheets of paper and which is held on or adjacent to the inside of a spine of the cover when the latter is in use. The cover has at least one tab on or adjacent to the spine of the cover, the tab having an aperture into which such a looped formation can be inserted when the cover is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Folders Galore Limited
    Inventors: Leslie Paine, Hugh Webb
  • Patent number: 6409447
    Abstract: A method of binding folded signature sections together into a book comprised of a signature comb element having teeth which are inserted through perforations in the fold of the signatures and the teeth having tabs which secure the signature comb in slots between two or more spine tapes. The spine tapes adjustably lock into the hinge of the covers by a tooth and pawl mechanism, further interlocking one or more signatures to the spine of the book and securely fasten together the signatures and book cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Tanarax, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Kent Malmros
  • Patent number: 6402132
    Abstract: A method for folding demand printed webs into signatures for gathering by rotary gathering and binding machines, as well as the signatures produced thereby, are disclosed. The method involves the steps of digitally printing pages onto a moving web of material, creating a series of fan folds across the transverse axis of the web, severing the web after a desired number of fan folds have been created to form a separate log, and chop folding the resulting log zero one or more times to form a signature. The resulting signature includes a plurality of layers each having pages printed thereon in proper orientation and sequence and includes a sturdy closed backbone which enables the signature to be easily handled by conventional high-speed rotary gathering machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: R. R. Donnelley & Sons
    Inventors: A. John Michaelis, Stephen M. Purduski, James L. Warmus
  • Patent number: 6403189
    Abstract: A unitary stack of paper sheets has alternating individual paper sheets and double release liners which are releasably bonded together in a manner whereby an individual paper sheet is easily removed and used as a base. Each paper sheet in the unitary stack has a pressure sensitive adhesive partially covering each face thereof in approximate aligned areas of the respective faces. In use, an individual paper sheet is readily removed from the unitary stack and one or more release liners removed from the individual sheet to fully expose the front face and the back face of the individual sheet. The front face or the back face of the individual sheet is then adhered to the substrate, and an item posted on its opposed face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: P. R. Donahue Incorporated
    Inventor: P. Richard Donahue
  • Patent number: 6398474
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a book block with a rounded or a rounded and pressed back includes adhering a first plurality of narrow retaining strips along outer leaves and back of the book block. Additional retaining strips may be applied transversely across the back of the book block in the region of the top and bottom of the back of the book block. Thereafter, the book block may be rounded or rounded and pressed. It is believed that application of the retaining strips prior to the rounding and pressing operations reduces the forces of resistance in the rounding and pressing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Kolbus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Shmücker, Karl-Friedrich Schröder, Reimer Voss
  • Patent number: 6390507
    Abstract: A soft book comprised of foam pages bound by a book binding portion and a plurality of page binding portions is presented. A front cover page, a rear cover page, and at least one page, each page may which may have a perimeter, are provided, with the pages forming a spine portion, with the book bound such that a portion of the perimeter each page may extend beyond the binding portions to provide a soft perimeter for the book so that it is safe, particularly for children. The pages of the book may include impressions or cutouts that may be made in various shapes. Cutouts may provide a puzzle-type game for children. Various binding materials may be used, preferably chosen to provide sufficient support for the flexible foam pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: William Derraugh, Michael Morris
  • Patent number: 6390713
    Abstract: An adapter for coupling a piece of paper having a plurality of holes to a binding coil, the adapter comprising a strip of material having a plurality of attachment components. Each attachment component is shaped to be passed through one of the plurality of holes of the paper to couple the paper to the strip. The strip of material further has a quick attachment feature for releasably coupling the strip to the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventors: Marc L. Moor, Kate M. O'Hara, Bobby G. James, Jr., Thomas DeBlasis
  • Patent number: 6386589
    Abstract: A clipboard comprises a clip mechanism comprising a body having two spaced protuberant members, a flexible plate member, two U-shaped fastening members for fastening body and plate member for being capable of holding papers, and a retractable hanging device, and a board mechanism comprising four bottom channels for securing to clip mechanism, and a recessed portion surrounded by channels. In an unused state hanging device is retracted while in a use state hanging device is extended for being capable of banging object. A space is formed between spoon-like members and recessed portion for holding an elongate object such as a pen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Su Shyi Yuh
  • Patent number: 6364361
    Abstract: A holder for supporting a book upright and open. The holder includes a base portion upon which is positioned a movable portion. The base portion includes a foot for positioning upon a supporting surface and supporting the bottom of a book. A leg extends upwardly from the foot. The movable portion has both a spine that slidably engages the leg and a pair of outstretched arms extending from the spine. An uncomplicated locking mechanism is provided for fixing the position of the movable portion on the base portion. A pair of hook-like hands is affixed at the ends of the arms for grasping the top of an opened book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen P. Kushner
  • Patent number: 6364560
    Abstract: An EVA book comprises a number of leaves and at least one pivot member. Each leaf has an edge and at least one hole adjacent to the edge. A slit extends from the edge into the hole. The pivot member includes a central member and two outer members respectively provided on two sides of the central member, thereby defining two outwardly facing recesses. Each leaf and the pivot member are deformable to allow forcible insertion of the pivot member into the hole until the central member is received in the slit, thereby allowing relative pivotal movement between the pivot member and the leaves. In addition, each leaf and the pivot member are also deformable to allow forcible removal of the pivot member from the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Jieh-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 6349969
    Abstract: A booklet having a base, a plurality of pages having at least one mounting portion and a plurality of display portions. The mounting portions are hinged with respect to the display portions. The mounting portions have page engaging members, and the base has base engaging members. The base engaging members are configured to engage the page engaging members to attach the mounting portions to the base and to provide for the mounting portions to move with respect to the base to allow the display portions to move to a greater extent than the display portions would move without such movement of the mounting portions, to allow the display portions to lie more flat against one another when the pages are turned. The base engaging members may include pins mounted on the base, and the page engaging members include holes formed through the mounting portions, the pins extending through the holes. The holes may be elongated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: OmniQuip International, Inc.
    Inventors: Marty Spaeth, Dave Petrovic
  • Publication number: 20020021000
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a photo album (1) suitable to contain a relatively large number of photographs printed through computers on pages (4) which are folded and combined with other pages (4) so as to form a block. The combination of said pages (4) is obtained through interposition between the external sides of two of said pages of a bi-adhesive relatively stiff paperboard, which has a basic weight ranging between 300 and 800 g/mand which is shorter at least 1.5 mm than the pages (4) wherein the paperboard has inserted. The paperboard (6) can be made bi-adhesive through the combination of a bi-adhesive film with any one of the two sides of the paperboard or sticking on every one of said sides a dry adhesive. Preferably, the back 3 is joined to the covers 2 only for a short line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Luciano Pimpini