PAPER FOLDING DEVICE

Abstract

A paper folding device (1) adapted to be attached to a digit of a hand comprises a rotatable member (5) attached to the body (2) of the device via a rotatable attachment means (7), whereby the rotatable member (5) rotates in relation to the body (2). The rotatable member (5), in use, is rolled along a fold of pulp based material and communicates pressure from the device (1) to the pulp based material to form a creased line.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a paper folding device, in particular to a paper folding device for use with folding large sheets of paper in design offices, architects' practices, printing establishments or the like.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

The closest prior art known to the applicant is U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,604 which discloses an apparatus. for creasing the folded edges of continuous paper products that incorporates a pair creasing tools. The creasing tools are two cylindrically shaped tools, which are positioned on either side with the folded edge of a continuous paper product with axes parallel to each other and perpendicular to the folded edge.

The disadvantage of the known paper folder apparatus is that the creasing tools are integral to a printing process in which two creasing tools are applied to either side of a folded edge of a continuously conveyed printed product. This apparatus cannot be used within a non-mass production environment where the printed product is typically a single sheet of printed product which is manually handled and folded by the hand of a user, such as a draughtsman, architect or the like.

Also, the problem of folding drawings is that the person often folds the paper over and runs their thumb or finger along the fold to form a crease-line. This leads to possible abrasions and risks irritating and/or the cutting of the skin.

The present invention seeks to provide a remedy/solution for these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad independent the invention provides a paper folding device adapted to be attached to a digit of a hand, comprising a rotatable member attached to the body of said device via a rotatable attachment means, whereby said rotatable member rotates in relation to said body; wherein said rotatable member, in use, is rolled along a fold of pulp based material and communicates pressure from said device to said pulp based material to form a creased line.

The advantage of this configuration is that it enables the user of the device to crease a sheet of paper through the use of one of a finger or thumb, with out the possibility of incurring any paper cuts or abrasions. The downward pressure applies the pressure to the fold, without the naked finger or thumb making contact with the paper. The roller provides a means of easing the movement of the device along the length of the fold, whilst applying the downwards pressure.

Preferably, a paper folding device further comprising a second rotatable member attached to said body via a second rotatable attachment means. This provides a more stable device for applying a downwards pressure onto the sheet of paper, which in use, distributes the downwards pressure over the two rotatable members, therefore preventing the device from rotating about the digit when creasing the paper.

Preferably, said second rotatable member is adjacently disposed to said first rotatable member. This maintains the device in a position beneath the digit of the user, distributing the downward force over a wide contact area on the sheet of paper, therefore preventing the device from rotating about the digit, whilst being moved when in contact with the paper.

Preferably, said body comprises a first aperture for receiving said digit and a second aperture for ventilating said aperture said digit. This enables the user to insert their digit into the device for a prolonged period without any discomfort, because the second aperture provides ventilation to the inserted digit.

Preferably, said first and second rotatable attachment means protrude perpendicular from a curvature arranged within an outer surface of said body, whereby said rotatable attachment means is angled away from said first rotatable attachment means in accordance with said curvature. This enables the rotatable members of the device to be held at a position away from the outer surface of the device, whereby their rotational movement is not impeded by any contact with the outer surface of the device. The curvature of the body determines the spacing of the rotational members, and their increased contact area with the sheet of paper.

Preferably, said first and second rotatable attachment means are formed from a plastics material. This provides a lightweight, robust and cost effective means of mass producing the rotatable attachment means.

Preferably, said first rotatable attachment means cooperates with a third aperture disposed within said body; and said second rotatable attachment member cooperates with a fourth aperture within said body, This provides a light weight, robust and cost effective means for incorporating the rotatable members in to the device body via friction fitting or the like.

Preferably, said body is formed from a flexible material. This provides enables the device to be placed upon the user's digit, whereby the device deforms about the digit as a downward pressure is applied to the paper, This provides a comfortable fitting the user's digit, without the device digging into user's flesh. It also provides a means of applying the downward pressure without fracturing the body of the device.

More preferably, said flexible membrane is a silicone material. This provides a device which can be moulded by a mass production means. The silicon also provides a device with an elastic function, which contracts back to its original shape when placed on the user's digit, therefore gripping the outer surface of the user's digit.

Preferably, said body is formed from a rigid material which fits over the end portion of said digit. This provides a means of supporting the roller whilst directing a downward pressure on to it, without the body of the device deforming and impeding he rotation of the roller. Furthermore, this configuration also provides the means of protecting the finger from any paper edges, which may cut or slice through relatively soft material.

More preferably, said rigid material is a plastics and/or metallic material. This provides the means of mass manufacturing the paper folding device easily and cheaply. Furthermore, this configuration will enable the device to be recycled at the end of its useable life.

Preferably, the outer surface of said device further comprises a substantially flat portion. This enables the pressure to be comfortably applied on to the roller by the user as the pad of the finger or thumb spreads whilst applying the pressure. Furthermore, this configuration strengthens the device's body, so that it doesn't distort, fail or impede the rotation of the roller, whilst the roller is under pressure.

Preferably, said first and second rotatable members are substantially cylindrically shaped. This enable the pressure to be continuously applied as the device is moved along the fold of paper. The cylindrical length of the rollers allows the point of contact with the fold of paper to move up or down the roller, without point of contact relieving the applied pressure,

Preferably, said first and second rotatable means are substantially spherically shaped. This enables the rollers to be used on an embodiment of the device which is smaller than the embodiment using the cylindrical roller. Furthermore, this configuration provides a means of accurately applying on a small surface area of the paper fold.

Preferably, said first and second rotatable attachment means are spindles that cooperate with a first and second attachment portions of said body. This enables the cylindrical roller to be rotatably mounted on the device via a moulded or snap-fitting means.

Preferably, said rotatable member is substantially cylindrically shaped. This enable the pressure to be continuously applied as the device is moved along the fold of paper. The cylindrical length of the roller allows the point of contact with the fold of paper to move up or down the roller, without contact relieving the applied pressure,

Preferably, said rotatable member is substantially spherically shaped. This enables the roller to be used on an embodiment of the device which is smaller than the embodiment using the cylindrical roller. Furthermore, this configuration provides a means of accurately applying on a small surface area of the paper fold.

Preferably, said rotatable attachment means is a spindle that cooperates with an attachment portion of said body. This enables the cylindrical roller to be rotatably mounted within the recess of the device via a moulded or snap-fitting means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the paper folding device incorporating a single roller.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the paper folding device, whereby the paper roller device is open at both ends.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the paper folding device incorporating one roller.

FIG. 4 shows a closed end view of the paper folding device incorporating one roller.

FIG. 5 shows a an open end view of the paper folding device incorporating one roller.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of the paper folding device incorporating two rollers

FIG. 7 shows a closed end view of the paper folding device incorporating two rollers.

FIG. 8 shows an open end view of the paper folding device incorporating two rollers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a paper folding device, generally indicated by 1. The paper folding device 1 incorporates a substantially frustroconically shaped body 2 with an aperture at one end, 3 and a closed tip at the opposite end 4 of the body 2.

The body 2 incorporates a cylindrical roller member 5 which is located within a recess 6 of the outer surface of the body 2 of the device. The cylindrical roller member 5 is rotatably attached to the body 2 of the device by two spindle elements 7. Each spindle element 7 protrudes from each end face 8 of the cylindrical roller 5. The spindles 7 co-operate with and are secured by an attachment means, (not shown), which retains the cylindrical roller member 5 within the recess 6 of the body 2. The attachment means are on or within the sidewalk of the recess 6. The spindles 7 may be either moulded into the sidewalk of the recess 6, or clipped into position by snap-fitting the roller 5 and spindles 7 into the co-operating snap-fitting attachment means. The body 2 and/or the cylindrical roller 5 of the device are typically formed from a metallic and/or plastics material.

The body 2 also incorporates a substantially flat bottom portion, about the outer surface about the recess 6.

The recess 6 is substantially rectangular and sized to accommodate the cylindrical roller 5. The recess 6 may be in the form of a rectangular blind hole/or a rectangular hole to enable the rotation of the cylindrical roller 5 without the sides of the hole or aperture from impeding the rotation of the cylindrical roller 5.

In use, the user will place the paper folding device over the end portion of one of their fingers or thumb (also known as digits, which extend from a hand) and will locate and align the roller with a fold of the paper product. The paper product is typically a paper sheet but may incorporate other wood-based pulp products such as board, hardboard, cardboard, thick gauge paper, thin gauge paper or the like. The user then applies a force onto the fold of paper by pressing the device onto the fold. The pressure is then communicated from the device, onto the fold, via the roller. The pressing of the device onto the fold of paper product applies a force which is at right-angles to the movement of the device along the fold, Therefore, once pressure has been applied the roller is rotated along the fold of the paper product, which facilitates in providing even pressure on the fold along its whole length. The rotation of the roller is typically 360° or more, but may be less if required. The flat bottom portion of the paper folding device facilitates the rotation of the roller,

The fold on the paper product is located between the roller and a separate flat working surface, which may be a top of a desk or a draughtsman's drawing board or the like. The pressing and roller of the device whilst located on the fold, presses the fold and causes a crease to be formed within the paper product itself.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, whereby the body incorporates a second aperture, at the end opposite the first aperture, whereby the device substantially forms a tube that can be located on a lower portion of the thumb or finger.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the paper folding device 1, which is generally indicated by 1. The device 1 has a substantially bell-shaped body 10, with an aperture. 11 at one end and a closed frustroconical configuration 12 at the opposite end, The body has rows of elliptical apertures 13 located substantially about the body 1. Each elliptical hole 13 reduces in size and diameter as they progress towards the closed conical end 12, which does not incorporate any apertures, A reinforcing rim portion 14 is located about the aperture 11. The cylindrical roller member 5 is located along the length of the body 10, and protrudes from the body 10 via two protruding rotatable attachment means 15. The roller member 5 incorporates a spindle 20 located at both ends, which shares the same horizontal axis as the cylindrical member 5. The spindles 20 are rotatably attached to the attachment means 15 via two sets of snap fitting jaws 16. The attachment means 15 protrude from a supporting plate 17, which is adjacent the inner surface of the body 10. The supporting plate 17 and attachment means 15 protrude through the body 10 via a rectangular aperture 18. The supporting plate 17 is maintained in position by cooperating with the rectangular aperture 18 in a friction fitting means. The square aperture 18 has two substantially triangular-shaped apertures 19, which are adjacently located on either side of the rectangular aperture 18. The supporting plate 17 further incorporates two triangular supporting pads 21, which locate within the triangular apertures 19 of the body 10.

In use, the user will place an end portion of their finger or thumb, also known as a digit, through the open end of the device, whereby the cylindrical member is located beneath the pad of the end portion of the finger/thumb. The user then moves the device across a sheet of paper applying a down force pressure through the cylindrical member, which creases the sheet of folded paper. The elliptical apertures provide vent holes to the user's finger/thumb, thereby providing ventilation, which provides comfort to the user during prolonged use. The supporting plate is formed from a plastics material, which is more rigid than the flexible material used for forming the device body. The plastics material may typically be Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The flexible material of the device body deforms when down force pressure is applied to the device from the finger/thumb, therefore preventing the device from splitting or cracking due to extended or excessive use. The material for the device body is typically silicon which is capable of expanding and contracting, and thereby gripping the outer surface of the user's digit. However, the material for the device body may also be Polyurethane (PU), which is a synthetic version of silicon and is almost 100% allergy proof, which may be preferred for use in contact with the skin. Polyurethane (PU) is also a cheaper equivalent of silicon.

FIG. 4 shows an end view of the closed frustroconical end 12 of the device 1 which has no elliptical apertures 13. The rotatable attachment means 15 protrudes through the device body 10.

FIG. 5 shows an end view of the device 1, through the open end 11 whereby the supporting plate 17 is adjacent the circular inner surface 40 of the body 10, and extend 180° about the circular inner chamber 40. The attachment means 15 extends from the supporting plate 17 through the device body 10 in a downwards direction, along a vertical axis. The plate has two triangular-shaped pads (not shown—see FIG. 3) that are located on its outer surface which co-operates with the inner surface 40 of the device body 10, and which protrudes through the triangular-shaped holes (not shown—see FIG. 3) within the device body 10.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the paper folding device may include bodies which incorporate different internal volumes, i.e. for locating the device on a range of differing finger or thumb sizes.

In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the device may incorporate an elasticated body, which facilitates in a “one size fits all” body for all finger and thumb sizes.

In another embodiment of the invention, the roller may be, in the form of a spherical roller, which may be rotatably attached to the paper folding device by a locating the spherical roller within a bezel, which enables the spherical roller to rotate.

In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the rotatable attachment means may incorporate a portion that protrudes from the body of the device.

In another embodiment of the invention, the body may be in the form which is substantially conical or pyramid in shape.

In another embodiment of the invention, the body of the device may incorporate the high friction surface or coat which enables the user manually hold and/or manipulate the paper product whilst wearing the device.

FIG. 6 shows another alternative embodiment of the paper folding device 60, which is identical to the device shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, apart from incorporating a second cylindrical roller member 30. The cylindrical roller member 30 is located along the length of the device body 61 and is maintained in position via a second attachment means 31, The roller member 30 and attachment means 31 both protrude from the body 61 via a rectangular aperture 32. The roller member 30 is rotatably attached to the attachment means 31 via two sets of snap fitting jaws 33, which co-operate with the spindles 40 located at both ends of the roller member 30. Both the rotatable attachment means 31 and 15 are located on a large supporting plate 34, which is attached to the device body 61 via rectangular apertures 32 and 18. The supporting plate 34 has two triangular-shaped pads 41 that locate through triangular-shaped apertures 35, within the body 61 of the device 60. Each triangular pad 35 is located adjacent an outer edge of the rotatable attachment means 15 and 31, which is not adjacent the neighbouring rotatable attachment means. The rotatable attachment member 31 and 15 are tilted away from each other. This is due to each rotatable attachment member 31 and 15 protruding perpendicular to the curvature incorporated within the body 61 of the device 60. The angle of the tilt of the rotatable attachment means 15 in relation to the neighbouring attachment means 31 is in the range of 35 to 45 degrees. The angle is determined by both the rotatable attachment members having a common radius and therefore having an angle of separation of 35 to 45 degrees. The distance between the rotatable attachment means 15 and 31 is determined by the length of the radius, therefore the longer the radius, the larger the gap separating the rotatable attachment means 15 and 31. The shorter the length of the radius, the smaller the gap separating the rotatable attachment means 15. and 31. The gap between the two rotatable attachment means 15 and 31 provides the device 60 with an overall contact area, which makes contact with a sheet of folded paper. The gap between the two roller members 5 and 30 prevents any rotational movement of the device, therefore making the device 60 more stable as it moves across the sheet of folded paper.

In use, the end user's finger or thumb is placed into the device whereby the two rollers are located underneath the pad of user's finger/thumb. The two rollers provide an enlarged contact area on which the device makes contact with the paper. The user moves the device across the folded paper to form a crease.

FIG. 7 shows an end view of the closed frustroconical end 62 of the device 60, which does not incorporate any elliptical apertures 63. The two rotatable attachment means 15 and 31 protrude through the body 61 of the device 60.

FIG. 8 shows an end view of the device 60 through the open end of the body 61. The supporting plate 34 is shown to extend 180° about the inner surface of the device 60 and has an attachment means 15 and associated cylindrical roller member 5 located vertically downwards, which in use, engages a paper sheet. The second attachment means 31 and its associated roller member 30 is tilted/offset to a position on the supporting plate 34, and protrudes through a second aperture 32 of the body 61 of the device 60. Both rotatable attachment members 15 and 31 are shown to be perpendicular to the curvature of the supporting plate 34. Therefore, the first rotatable attachment means 15 in relation to the second rotatable attachment means 31 are shown to be positioned away from each other which are characteristic of the two rotatable attachment means 15 and 31 being perpendicular to a common curved surface, and sharing a common radius i.e. the supporting plate 34. The offset between the two supporting members, i.e. the angle of separation is approximately 35 to 45 degrees.

Claims

1. A paper folding device adapted to be attached to a digit of a hand, comprising a rotatable member attached to a body of said device via a rotatable attachment element, whereby said rotatable member rotates in relation to said body; wherein said rotatable member, is rolled along a fold of pulp based material and communicates pressure from said device to said pulp based material to form a creased line.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a further rotatable member attached to said body via a further rotatable attachment element.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said further rotatable member is adjacently disposed to said rotatable member.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said body comprises a first aperture for receiving said digit and a second aperture for ventilating said aperture for said digit.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable attachment element protrudes perpendicularly from a curvature arranged within an outer surface of said body,

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable attachment element is formed from a plastics material.

7. The device according to claim 4, wherein said rotatable member cooperates with an additional aperture disposed within said body.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said body is formed from a flexible material.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said flexible membrane is a silicone material.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said body is formed from a rigid material which fits over the end portion of said digit.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said rigid material is a plastics and/or metallic material.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein an outer surface of said device further comprises a substantially flat portion.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable member is substantially cylindrically shaped.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable member is substantially spherically shaped.

15. A The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said rotatable attachment element is a spindle that cooperates with an attachment portion of said body.

16. The device according to claim 2, wherein the further rotatable attachment element protrudes perpendicularly from a curvature arranged within an outer surface of said body, whereby said further rotatable attachment element is angled away from the first said rotatable attachment element in accordance with said curvature.

17. The device according to claim 2, wherein the further rotatable member cooperates with a further aperture within said body.

18. The device according to claim 2, wherein said further rotatable member is shaped identically to said rotatable member.

19. The device according to claim 2, wherein the further rotatable attachment element is a spindle that cooperates with an attachment portion of said body.