Container for filing sheets removed in a block from a loose-leaf binder

Abstract

 The container comprises an envelope (7) of cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic or other material of a shape similar to that of a loose-leaf binder but without mechanical elements for holding the sheets. The envelope can be extended in a plane in the form of a rectangular sheet or plate exhibiting a pair of holes (9, 9′ - 10, 10′) at standardized reciprocal distance, close to each smaller side of the rectangle (AB-CD), a pair of holes that are coincident, when the container has been folded, to receive known plastic closing fastener, used with U-shaped metal handle also known, to perform the removal in block of sheets from the loose-leaf binder and transfer it to the container, closing the latter.
An upper extension of one face of the container is provided which can be folded like a cover to protect the contents from dust and an extractable strip is provided, covered with a hygroscopic substance that absorbs moisture with indication of the degree of moisture reached and able to be heated to restore its efficiency.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a container for filing sheets removed in a block from a loose-leaf binder.

[0002] A type of handle is known which has a U shape formed by small metal tubes joined at one end by a crosspiece that makes it possible to remove from a loose-leaf binder the entire block of sheets in their order to file them.

[0003] In said handle is inserted a plastic fastener also having a U shape that serves to bind the block of sheets to be able to file it.

[0004] The container according to the invention makes it possible to protect said block of sheets from dust, moisture and possibly other damages during the long period of lying in the file.

[0005] The container in question is characterized by an envelope of cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic or other material of a shape similar to that of a loose-leaf binder but without mechanical elements for holding the sheets, an envelope that can be extended in a plane in the form of a rectangular sheet or plate exhibiting a pair of holes at standardized reciprocal distance, close to each smaller side of the rectangle, a pair of holes that are coincident, when the container has been folded, to receive the known plastic closing fastener, used with the U-shaped metal handle also known, to perform the removal in block of sheets from the loose-leaf binder and transfer it to the container, closing the latter.

[0006] The accompanying drawings represent a preferred, nonlimiting and nonbinding embodiment of the container in question.

Figures 1 to 6 represent the successive phases of removal of the block of sheets from the loose-leaf binder and insertion in the container, object of the invention.

Figures 7 to 9 represent some variants.

[0007] With reference to the drawings:

[0008] Fig. 1 shows the loose-leaf binder 1 open, with elements for holding sheets 2, 2′-3, 3′ also open.

[0009] To remove the entire block 4 of sheets from loose-leaf binder 1 without danger of their getting out of their perfect order, in a known way the lower ends of small metal tubes 5′, 5˝ of fork 5, also known, are slipped on free ends 2, 2′ of said holding element, and the entire block of sheets 4 is made to slide on tubes 5′, 5˝ in the direction of arrow 6.

[0010] When block 4 has been removed from loose-leaf binder 1, it is turned upside down (fig. 2), of course, also turning fork 5, 5′, 5˝ upside down, and the entire unit is transferred under container 7, 7′, 7˝, 7‴ (fig. 2), object of the invention, by slipping, according to arrow 8, the two metal tubes 5′, 5˝ of fork 5 into holes 9, 9′ of container 7 and then slipping the two flexible plastic branches 11′, 11˝ of fastener 11 in the two metal tubes 5′, 5˝ of fork 5.

[0011] The entire unit (fig. 4) is turned upside down and fork 5 is removed from the fastener according to arrow 13, thus leaving the two flexible branches 11′, 11˝ of the fastener itself free.

[0012] Holes 10, 10˝ are introduced (fig.5) onto flexible branches 11′, 11˝ of fastener 11, then clip 14 is inserted on the two branches 11′ 11˝ and the excess parts of the two branches 11′, 11˝ (fig. 6) are bent under brackets 15′, 15˝ to close the fastener.

[0013] Returning to figure 3, container 7, according to the invention, consists of an envelope 7 of cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic or any other material of a shape similar to that of loose-leaf binder 1 (fig. 1) but without mechanical elements 2,2′ - 3, 3′ for holding the sheets. The envelope can be extended in a plane in the form of a rectangular sheet or plate, as illustrated in figure 3, and exhibits a pair of holes 9, 9′ - 10, 10′ at standardized reciprocal distance, i.e., of the holes of loose-leaf binder 1 (fig. 1) close to each smaller side (AB or CD) of the rectangle.

[0014] Figure 7 shows a variant according to which face 7′ of the container exhibits on top an extension 7a, 7b, 7c, that can be folded like a cover (figure 8) to protect the contents from dust. Tongue 7c is inserted in the slot 16 made in face 7˝ of the container itself.

[0015] Another variant is illustrated in figure 9 and consists of a strip 18 drilled with hole 17′ coincident with hole 17 of face 7‴ (fig. 7) of the container and coated with a layer 19 of a hygroscopic substance that absorbs the moisture inside the container itself.

[0016] As hygroscopic substance silica gel can be used soaked, in a way known in the art, with an indicator that changes color according to the amount of moisture absorbed.

[0017] By periodically extracting said strip it is possible to tell if the contents of the container are in a dry, moist or very moist environment. In the two latter cases the strip can be removed and heated, for example in the sun, to restore its efficiency, then putting it back in said container.

[0018] This is very important because it provides the certainty that the contents are always in the best preservation conditions.

[0019] The shape of the container and the material from which it is made, compatible with what has been claimed can vary without going outside the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Container for filing sheets removed in a block from a loose-leaf binder, characterized by an envelope (7) of cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic or other material of a shape similar to that of a loose-leaf binder but without mechanical elements for holding the sheets, an envelope that can be extended in a plane (7′, 7˝, 7‴) in the form of a rectangular sheet or plate exhibiting a pair of holes (9, 9′ - 10, 10′) at standardized reciprocal distance, close to each smaller side of the rectangle, a pair of holes that are coincident, when the container has been folded, to receive known plastic closing fastener (11, 11′, 11˝), used with U-­shaped metal handle (5, 5′, 5˝) also known, to perform the removal in block of sheets from the loose-leaf binder and transfer it to the container, closing the latter.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized by folding extension (7a, 7b, 7c, fig.7) of a face (7′) of envelope (7) at its, top, an extension provided with a tongue (7c) that can be inserted Into, a slot (16) made in the other face (7˝) of the envelope itself, to protect its top (7a, fig. 8) like a cover, preventing the entry of dust.

3. Container according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by a strip (18, fig. 9) or the equivalent, which can be inserted in and extracted from the container, covered with a hygroscopic substance that absorbs moisture and a means for indicating the degree of moisture reached, a strip that can be extracted and heated to restore its efficiency.

4. Container according to claim 3 wherein said hygroscopic substance is silica gel with a known indicator incorporated that takes on different coloring depending on the degree of moisture reached, thus making possible a periodic checking of the conditions of preservation of the contents of said container.

Drawing