Abstract: The apparatus and case are used with a core formed of sheets and end sheets covered on their exteriors with pressure sensitive material initially protected by release paper all bound togehter by narrow plastic binding strips along the spine edges of the core. The novel case for such a core has a spine having a strip of material covered by pressure sensitive adhesive of a width substantially greater than the thickness of the core plus twice the width of the binding strips, the same strip preferably being glued or otherwise permanently affixed to the spine of the case and extending outward to the inner edges of Davey board cover stiffeners (if used). The apparatus has right and left horizontal platens movable in and out relative to the center. The case is placed on the platens and centered.

Abstract: A looseleaf binder having a protective envelope that encases the front and rear flaps and spine of the binder such that the binder can be opened to view the interior of binder while protecting the binder cover from dust and other substances. The protective envelope is wrapped around the binder prior to attaching a ring binder unit to the cover, and joined to itself along the periphery of the binder. The ring binder unit is then attached to the interior of the spine through the envelope so the front and rear flaps foldably enclose the ring binder unit. The protective envelope may be removed from the binder without damaging or blemishing the binder.

Abstract: A combination holder/enclosure for a multi-leaf folded article is disclosed, and includes a front cover, a back cover hinged to the front cover, and means for retaining a portion of the leaves against the inside surface of the front cover and the remaining portion of the leaves against the inside surface of the back cover when the holder/enclosure is open. The front and back covers have raised edges extending from their inside surfaces, and the means for retaining the leaves is clips on the edges and bands extending from the clip on a bottom raised edge to the clip on a top raised edge of the respective cover. The hinge is an elongated member, and the means for retaining the article includes at least one band extending the length of the hinge, and holding the fold portion of the multi-leaf article against the inside surface of the hinge. When the holder/enclosure is closed, a carrying case is formed, and the multi-leaf article can be stored within the enclosure, along with other items.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for binding sheaves of papers into covers such as to form booklets, each booklet comprising a cover made up of two cover sheets, a spine therebetween, and a binding agent attached to the inside of the spine, as well as a sheaf of papers inserted in the cover, one side edge of the sheaf being connected to the inside of the spine. The binding takes place by means of the binding agent being activated by an activation device such that the edge of the sheaf of papers will be connected to the inside of the spine via the binding agent. Each cover acts on a sensing means, which senses the presence or non-presence of indication means connected to the cover and which actuates means for influencing the further course of the method. The invention also relates to a cover provided with indication means sensed in the above described manner.

Abstract: A combined negative holder and viewing device includes a loose sheet binder having a three-sided rigid folder, and a loose sheet retainer mounted on the folder. An electrical negative viewing device is similarly mounted on the folder to provide lighting, thus facilitating the viewing of negatives.

Abstract: A laminated article of two or more leaves with an improved hinge and method for manufacturing laminated articles. This improved hinge pivots easily and does not act to change the position of the leaves it connects. The hinge means opens from 0.degree. to 360.degree. and yet allows rigid, substantial leaves.

Abstract: An information pad for checkbooks that comprises a checkbook cover having flexible material, and an information receiving pad that is flexibly fastened to an edge of the checkbook cover. The checkbook cover is a type that has a suitable slot for receiving checkbooks. The information receiving pad has a size less than the area of the checkbook cover. The information receiving pad includes a backing layer and a plurality of flexible sheets detachably connected to the backing layer. The backing layer has a first planar surface and a second planar surface. The plurality of flexible sheets are suitable for the receipt of written information. A hinge member extends between the edge of the backing layer and the edge of the checkbook cover so as to allow the information receiving pad to be folded within the cover.

Abstract: A method for binding a stack of fan folded sheets including manually disposing the stack of sheets with spine edges of the sheets generally aligned in a plane generally at a right angle to the side surfaces of the sheets in the stack; manually positioning a thick layer of pressure sensitive adhesive already adhered to a generally planar portion of a highly flexible backing having low resiliency over the spine edges; and manually pressing the side of the backing against the spine edge of the sheets to cause conformation of the backing and adhesion of the layer of pressure sensitive adhesive to the spine edges of the sheets, which is most easily done by manually pressing the spine edges of the sheets toward an edge of a structure such as a table or desk with the edge disposed transverse of the spine edges of the sheets along the surface of the backing opposite the layer of pressure sensitive adhesive while moving the spine edges longitudinally to bring the majority of the side of the backing opposite the layer

Abstract: A resilient adhesive resin tab adapted to permanently secure paper sheets thereto by edge-binding in a hot melt condition is, at one extreme side peripheral area thereof, bonded or heat-sealed to a width-adjustable backbone of a bookbinding cloth. The adhesive tab may be split, before use, along a selective one of a plurality of equally spaced, lengthwise extending slit rows, to adjust the width in conformity with a thickness of the paper sheets to be edge-bound. One of side extensions formed integrally with the backbone is larger than the other which improves applicability of this bookbinding cloth to bookbinding into a variable thick booklet by folding back the extended portion of the larger side extension in dependence upon the adjusted width of the backbone. The folded end is bonded to the larger side extension by adhesive.

Abstract: A blank book attachment having a mark and sweep leaf with a fold out feature is provided. The leaf is pivotably retained along one edge on a frame, and the frame is pivotably retained at the binding spine of the host blank book. Pulling outward on the leaf causes the leaf to extend out and beyond the pages of the book allowing the pages to turn freely. When the leaf is placed within the host book, with the book open or closed, the leaf can be turned as a page, in which case it also acts as a mark to identify a specific position in the host book. Alternatively, the leaf may be pivoted on the frame to allow the host book pages to be turned past it in either direction.

Abstract: A combined cover and storage compartment for a ring binder which comprises an envelope which can be closed on all sides to protect the contents thereof from falling out, while at the same time, providing easy access thereto when desired.

Abstract: A book stiffener comprises a relatively flat, thin, elongated, ridged, rotatable strip (32) having a length dimension (38) substantially greater than a width (44) of a back binding (22) of a book cover (16) but less than a length (46) of the book cover and a width dimension which is less than the length (40) of the back binding and a swivel attachment (34, 30) for attaching the rotatable strip to a rear surface of the book cover so as to allow rotation of the rotatable strip relative to the book cover whereby the rotatable strip can be rotated to a position in which it extends across hinge seams (24, 26) of front and back flap covers (18, 20) of the book cover with the back binding off the book to thereby impinge upon the front and back flap covers to prevent them from being opened substantially beyond an approximate common plane.

Abstract: A device to facilitate organization of educational and business schedules and paperwork, simultaneous with conveying varied graphic and social images. The device is a ring binder in which a time piece is mounted for easily viewing the time display. A pocket is provided on the front cover of the device for receiving and easily changing opaque and transparent imprinted sheets to alter appearance, while exposing the time display.

Abstract: A wrap-around cover for a bound book which includes a rectangular sheet having a center portion that abuts the book spine, with the side portions of the sheet being folded inwardly to overlie the front and rear covers of a book to be protected, and with the distal portions of the rectangular sheet being formed with inwardly-facing flaps. These flaps receive the outer portions of the front and rear covers of the book to removably retain the wrap-around cover on the book, and with the wrap-around cover being formed of a flexible synthetic plastic material so printing on the front and rear book covers is visible.

Abstract: A binder is provided having a cover featuring a three-dimensional design produced by depressing plastic cover sheets into an opening in an underlying cover panel. The cover sheets are heat sealed together around the perimeter of the cover panel and in the regional of the depression. A plurality of such openings may be provided, all so shaped and positioned as to avoid substantially impairing the structural integrity of the cover.

Abstract: Various selected characteristics of digital (or analog) signals in an electrical circuit are converted into audible signals and transmitted as a sound pattern(s) through a speaker or headphones to a user. Such selected signal characteristics include pulse width, duty cycle, activity level (state changes), repetitive pattern comparison, and sampled signal level. Some representative types of differentiable noise or sounds include clicks, pitch, harmonics, noise bursts, ticks and tocks, and voice stopped consonants. By matching selected noise types with selected characteristics an audible display is generated which represents to the user various characteristics of the sampled signal either individually or collectively.

Abstract: A protective envelope for a book having front and rear covers, and a binding area, the envelope comprising, a stretchable sheet defining front and rear sections adapted to closely overlie the front and rear book covers, the sheet having edges; a stretchable seam binding extending in a loop and attached to the edges; the front and rear sections having outer and inner sides, and including stretchable flaps extending adjacent the book cover side of the sheet sections, the flaps peripherally attached to the sheet section to form pockets for reception of the book covers into the respective pockets in conformed, retained position therein.

Abstract: A binding system including a method for binding sheets in which a stack of the sheets is shingled to disclose narrow side surface portions along their spine edges, a uniform layer of pressure sensitive adhesive is adhered to those spine edges and narrow side surface portion after which the spine edges are moved into alignment at a right angle to the side surfaces of the sheets to re-form the pressure sensitive adhesive along the spines of the sheets, and a flexible backing is adhered over the re-formed adhesive along the spine edges and at the side surfaces of the sheets to retain the spine edges of the sheets in that alignment. The system also includes a novel cover structure which facilitates the method and includes cover plates, the pressure sensitive adhesive and the backing; and a novel device for holding and positioning the sheets during binding.

Abstract: A binding system including a method for binding connected fan folded sheets in which a stack of the sheets is shingled to disclose narrow side surface portions along their spine edges, a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on a highly flexible backing is adhered to those spine edges and narrow side surface portion after which the spine edges are moved into alignment at a right angle to the side surfaces of the sheets to cause the backing and layer of pressure sensitive adhesive to pleat around the spines of the sheets. The system also includes a novel cover structure which facilitates the method and includes cover plates, the pressure sensitive adhesive and the backing; and a novel device for holding and positioning the sheets during binding.

Abstract: The invention consists of a method which provides a business form with removable labels. This method produces a business form which maintains its integrity and does not jam or damage production or processing equipment. It includes providing a first web with a bottom release ply, a top label stock ply and adhesive disposed between these two plies for releasably joining the two together. It also provides a second web and places it in side-by-side laterally spaced relation with the first web. The method further includes the step of adhering a splicing strip to the first and second webs to join them together. The resulting form includes the first and second webs disposed in spaced, side-by-side relation. It also includes the splicing strip adhered to the inner edge portions of the first and second webs to connect the first and second webs together.

Abstract: A protective book covering including a relatively long piece of sheet material and a relatively short piece of sheet material overlying the long piece, the longitudinal edges of the two sheets being sealed together. A seal and tear line extending transverse to their longitudinal edges joins the two pieces and forms a line of severance along which the pieces can be torn to produce two units, each unit having a pocket adjacent to the seal and tear line for accommodating one of the covers of a book. One of the units has a section, extending from the pocket of that unit, long enough to wrap around the spine of the book, and be secured to the other unit. The sheet material is preferably transparent plastic. The book covering can be made in a continuous manner by providing independent lengths of relatively wide and relatively narrow plastic sheet material, and placing the lengths in face-to-face contact so that their longitudinal axes extend in the same direction.

Abstract: A binding provided with stationary transparent pockets which can receive sheets of any type of materials, such as sheets of paper, cardboard, photographs, samples of floor or wall coverings, and the like. The cover of the binding comprises a transparent double sheet of the same material as the pockets. This sheet is heat-sealed together with pockets in the zone of folding, while two cardboard sheets are glued to the inside of the double sheet in the zone comprising two flat surfaces.

Abstract: A thin wood dimensionally stable flat laminate panel made out of one or more wood veneer sheets attached to one or more sheets of core ply material such as chipboard by adhesive. The thickness of the panel is in the range of from about 0.080 inches to about 0.180 inches. Apertures passing through the panel are positioned around or arranged along the edges of the panel in order to decrease warpage of the panel due to moisture passing to and from the wood veneer sheets at the edges of the panel as a result of moisture passing to the atmosphere from the sheets and from the atmosphere to said sheets. The apertures are preferably spaced the same distance apart. The apertures may be formed by using a commercial sewing machine to position the stitching along the edges of the panel. The stitching provides a capillary "wicking" action facilitating venting of the moisture from the wood veneer sheets to the atmosphere. Stitching may also be used to attach a bias cover material around the edges of the panel.

Abstract: A method and device for advertising goods which includes a booklet having front and back cover sections and a plurality of pages therebetween adapted to bear descriptive material. A plurality of slots partially extend through the pages. Each of the slots is adapted to receive a sample of goods being advertised.

Abstract: A blanket for covering the printed document comprising an elongated sheet of flexible transparent material having a vertical height substantially equal to the vertical height of the document which is covered and a horizontal length substantially equal to the horizontal width of the document to be covered, the blanket having vertical pouches at the opposite horizontal ends thereof and adapted to be positioned adjacent to the vertical side edges of the document to be covered, the pouches being filled with a material constituting weights.

Abstract: A case or cover for a hard bound book is formed by bonding the formed by bonding the cover boards to the book cover stock using a hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising:(a) 10 to 40% by weight of a substantially radial styrene-butadiene block copolymer, the copolymer having a styrene content greater than about 35% by weight, a modulus at 300% elongation of at least 4.5 MPa and a solution viscosity less than about 1000 cps;(b) 20 to 65% by weight of a compatible tackifying resin;(c) 0.1 to 4% by weight stabilizer; and(d) the remainder (to 100%) comprising a plasticizing oil.

Abstract: Hot melt adhesive compositions suitable for disposable constructions are prepared from tackifying resins, oil diluent and a substantially radial styrene-butadiene block copolymer, the copolymer having a styrene content greater than about 35% by weight, a molulus at 300% elongation of at least 4.5 MPa and a solution viscosity less than about 1000 cps.

Abstract: A handy bookbinder comprises at least one cover and a spine member. The spine member is formed with an adhesive face at one surface thereof. The spine member may or may not be attached to the cover at one side portion of its adhesive face. In the case where the spine member is attached to the cover, for use, sheets of paper to be held together are placed on the cover, and the spine member is bent and attached to one side of the whole of the sheets, and is attached to the uppermost sheet. Thus, the sheets are held together very easily as if a book were bound. If it is desired to add a new sheet or sheets to the book or to remove one or more of the existing sheets, the spine member may be stripped from the cover or the last sheet and the foregoing one side of the whole of the sheets. After the desired addition or removal, the book can be rebound in the same manner as described above.

Abstract: A combination document binder and cover holder is provided in a single article. The binder and cover holder is in the form of an elongated, generally channel-shaped body, preferable made from a resilient plastic material. The body includes two parallel strips joined along one edge to form a spine. At the opposite edge the two strips are adjacent to one another and form an elongated narrow opening. The open side of the "U" is where sheets of paper are inserted and gripped together by the binder. Two branch strips are attached to the binder on the outside of the U-shaped channel. Each branch strip is attached to the binder along one side of the channel opening, at a point near the opening, and extends back toward the spine generally parallel to the binder. Cover sheets can be inserted between the branch strips and the binder and folded over the binder and sheets held in the binder to create a complete, bound package.

Abstract: Cover folders for permanently binding a stack of paper sheets without the use of fasteners. The cover folder has a binder spline which contains a quick drying adhesive which is protected by a removable protective film. The film is removed just prior to use to expose the adhesive. The cover folder allows for quick permanent binding of the stack of paper sheets which are pressed into contact with the adhesive. In alternative embodiments the adhesive may be applied directly to the binder spline from a dispenser and the stack of sheets then inserted in the spline. The dispenser may be in the form of a squeezable tube or pouch positioned in the binder spline. As the tube or pouch is pulled it ruptures, releasing adhesive into the spline channel.

Abstract: An information pad for checkbooks that comprises a checkbook cover having flexible material, and an information receiving pad that is flexibly fastened to an edge of the checkbook cover. The checkbook cover is a type that has a suitable slot for receiving checkbooks. The information receiving pad has a size less than the area of the checkbook cover. The information receiving pad includes an impression layer, a flexible translucent adhering sheet, a flexible transparent sheet, and a slip coating. The impression layer has a first planar surface and a second planar surface. The first planar surface has a black waxy coating for recording written information. The flexible translucent adhering sheet overlies the first planar surface of the impression layer. The flexible transparent sheet overlies the flexible translucent adhering sheet. This transparent sheet is in surface-to-surface contact with the adhering sheet during the receiving of written information.

Abstract: A lottery kit comprising a scraping tool for removing particle covering materials from a lottery ticket, a collection mat for collecting the particles, and pocket size foldable panels that contain slash type pockets for frictionally holding a lottery ticket, a scraping tool, and a collection mat.

Abstract: Cover folders for permanently binding a stack of paper sheets without the use of fasteners. The cover folder has a binder spline which contains a quick drying adhesive which is protected by a removable protective film. The film is removed just prior to use to expose the adhesive. The cover folder allows for quick permanent binding of the stack of paper sheets which are pressed into contact with the adhesive. In alternative embodiments the adhesive may be applied directly to the binder spline from a dispenser and the stack of sheets then inserted in the spline.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device produced by folding a blank of sheet material which is improved so as to safely hold printed matter of various widths down to the last sheet. This is achieved according to the invention in that the sheet material is subdivided into a front wall panel and a back wall panel connected to one another by a portion forming the lower boundary of the printed matter and two webs with fold lines forming lateral boundaries. The front wall panel and the back wall panels being separated by two circular cuts each emanating at the lower end of the webs and the upper ends of the circular cuts each terminating in a straight cut and that a horizontal fold line connecting the front wall panel to the back wall panel via said portion is provided between the lower ends of said circular cuts and the upper part of said circular cuts.

Abstract: A supplemental cover for and method of reinforcing a book with a spine, a first cover and a second cover is disclosed. The supplemental cover comprises a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet is stuff throughout. The second sheet comprises a flexible region and a stiff region. Both sheets are provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side. The first sheet is adhered to the first cover of the book. The flexible region of the second sheet is adhered to the spine of the book and the first sheet. The stiff region of the second sheet is adhered to the second cover of the book.

Abstract: Provided is an insertion device for paper sheet materials into window pockets. The invention is composed of two elongated flat prongs composed of a stiff but flexible material that are joined at one end to form a handle. Paper sheet material is placed between the elongated flat prongs which act as a shield therefor during insertion of the invention into a window pocket. A finger placed on a protruding edge corner of the paper sheet allows withdrawal of the invention from the window pocket without removing the paper sheet. The invention may be used for extraction of the paper sheet as well.

Abstract: A combined children's amusement device and transport and storage pack is constructed of first and second substantially rectangular members having a central portion disposed therebetween for joining the first and second members together. Each member has opposite inner and outer major surfaces. A three dimensional object, such as a stuffed toy, is substantially permanently attached to an outer major surface of one of the members and a children's story imprinted on a fabric material is attached on the inside of the device so that the fabric material is sandwiched between the first and second members when the first and second members are folded together. The fabric material containing the children's story is preferably removably attached to the central portion between the first and second members so that the fabric material is detachable by means of moderate force exerted thereon by a user.

Abstract: An article for forming a protective cover for a book has a first sheet for forming a protective cover with an adhesive coating and a backing sheet. One sheet has delineations facilitating the removal of surplus portions of the first sheet in the regions of the ends of the spine and corners of the book being covered. The spine delineations may be convergent series of regularly spaced parallel lines. The corner delineations may be regularly spaced parallel lines which traverse corner regions. The backing layer is formed as three separately removal portions whereby the book spine and each book cover may be covered in separate steps.

Abstract: A binder having recesses at both sides of the spine to enable easy grasping for removal from a shelf. The spine recesses also facilitate carrying of the binder. Carrying of the binder is additionally facilitated by a hand-hold recess opposite the spine recesses.

Abstract: A perforated interior binder pocket is provided for use in conjunction with binders having hingedly connected covers. The perforated interior binder pocket is located on at least one cover of the binder. The pocket has first and second walls which are molded together on three sides. The first wall includes a plurality of apertures arranged in a geometric pattern, with the pattern being separated from the plastic cover which forms the inner surface of the binder cover by a border portion. A vertical opening is provided adjacent the border with this opening extending from the top to the bottom of the binder cover.

Abstract: Universal paper file with inside glued back for bundling documents, of the type consisting of a front cover, a back cover and a back, the inside of the back containing a glue layer including a thermosetting glue, wherein both the glue of said glue layer and the back of the paper file are made of materials that upon thermal activation, enter into a chemical reaction to form a mutual permanent bond therebetween.

Abstract: An aminated toy figurine which may be used as a cover for a book having a head and a body including a trunk and at least a pair of protruding appendages such as a pair of arms. Extending between the head and the trunk is a pivot member. One end of the pivot member is attached to the stuffing material inside the head. The other end of the pivot member is attached to the inside of the fabric forming the trunk. Extending and attached along the inside of the arms is a length of elastic. The length and elasticity of the elastic is such that when the arms are pulled together about a vertical surface, the elastic is tensioned forcing the fabric of the trunk and the pivot member to fulcrum against the vertical surface raising the head of the figurine. Alternatively, when the arms are moved apart, the tension on the elastic is reduced allowing gravitational forces to act on the head permitting the pivot member to pivot away from the vertical surface and thus lower the head of the figurine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a screen-like photo album constituted by linking adjacent edges of each page in sequence to form a belt-like structure, placing its first page and last page inside with respect to a hard front cover and hard back cover, and edging the top and the bottom edges of each but the first and last pages by metal clips to form a double duty photo album which will be in the form of a file when closed or in the form of a screen when the linked pages of the photo album are opened.

Abstract: A loose-leaf personalized album comprising a top cover having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The top cover contains a recess in the exterior surface thereof. A personal indicia is positioned within the recess so as to permanently maintain the personal indicia in position in the recess whereby said personal indicia is visible. A bottom cover has an exterior surface and an interior surface. The bottom cover contains a recess within the interior surface thereof for receipt of a second personal indicia. The album i includes a means for maintaining the second personal indicia within said recess. A plurality of feet project from the exterior surface of the bottom cover. A ring assembly is affixed to the interior surface of the bottom cover. A spine has an interior surface an an exterior surface. The spine is hingedly connected to the top and bottom covers.

Abstract: A cover for the machine-less binding of pages into a booklet comprises a cover having a longitudinal edge of a strip of pressure sensitive tape adhered inside the cover along the central fold line to accept shingled edges of the pages.

Abstract: A cover for protecting and supporting a plurality of sheets bound together with a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape and bound to the cover by the tape. The cover has a binding area and a protective coating in that area where the binding tape has an adhesion force of between 200 and 700 grams per 1.27 cm width of tape according to a standard adhesion peel test. The coating may be an actual coating of low adhesion material, a film, a coated plastic film, or the cover material. The cover may include a sheet folded centrally, a truncated cover to afford attachment of a separate cover sheet, or the cover may be formed to cover only the front or back of the documents to be bound thereon.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a story book wherein the rear cover is of increased thickness so that it can hold the necessary transparencies and optics therein for viewing and wherein predetermined pages of the story book are provided with apertures aligned with transparencies and optics associated therewith so that the viewer can observe the scene being depicted on a transparency by locking through the aperture on the page. The transparency illustrations which are disposed in the book rear cover, in one embodiment, are encased in opaque tubes, each tube being aligned with one of the apertures on the book pages. Each of the tubes includes a magnifying lens on the side of the rear cover closest the apertures on the pages and a transparency of the scene to be depicted between the lens and the portion of the rear cover remote from the apertures.

Abstract: A loose-leaf notebook (10) including a spine (12) on which a ring assembly (14) with openable rings (18) is mounted includes front and back cover flaps (22,24) of plywood with a generally uniform thickness in the range of about 0.08 to 0.18 of an inch. The plywood cover flaps (22,24) provide a lightweight, high strength, rigid construction and each has an outer exposed wood surface (28) that facilitates writing on the notebook as well as providing an aesthetically appealing appearance. A hinge (30) of the notebook is preferably embodied by a flexible hinge strip (38) such as adhesive backed decorative vinyl that secures the front and back cover flaps (22,24) to the spine (12) for movement between open and closed positions.

Abstract: In a standard binder, the improvement comprising the provision of a closure connected by a hinge to one of the covers at an outside edge thereof, a ledge on the closure and having an upper surface, the surface located at a distance from the cover to which the closure is connected approximately equal to the distance between the inner faces of the two covers at the spine, whereby the covers are maintained in substantially parallel relationship to each other regardless of the amount of paper in the binder. In alternate forms of the binder, a flap is provided which is releasably secured to one of the covers. The flap may overlie or be tucked under the other cover, and the closure and ledge are so arranged that the covers are approximately parallel when the binder is closed and secured.

Abstract: Laminate and method for protecting books using same. The laminate comprises a stiff rectangular sheet adhered through a pressure sensitive adhesive to a thin flexible transparent rectangular sheet, which is of the same height as but wider than the stiff sheet. The two sheets are juxtaposed so that 3 edges of each mutually coincide. The flexible sheet has a flexible rectangular side portion or extension to which the stiff sheet is not adhered. The stiff sheet is preferably of the same dimension as the book to be covered. To protect a book, one applies successively two laminates of preferred size so that each sheet is adhered to the outside of one book cover; and each flexible extension is adhered to the spine and the adjacent portion of the opposite cover. The back cover is preferably covered first. The laminates are cut to size when necessary. The spine and portions of each cover of a protected book have a two-ply covering, and the remaining portions of the book covers have one-ply coverings.