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(11) | EP 0 988 995 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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| (54) |
Document folder Ordner Classeur |
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
[0001] The present invention relates to a document folder for holding a document, a business card and the like.
[0002] Document holders heretofore known typically have a rectangular shape in plan, and include a document holding portion defined by a pair of synthetic resin sheets, a reinforcement portion provided adjacent the document holding portion along one edge thereof, and binder engagement means including a plurality of generally T-shaped cutaway portions formed in the reinforcement portion in a properly spaced relation along the edge of the document holding portion for engagement with a document binder. The document holding portion has an opening on a top edge thereof, as viewed when the document folder is postured vertically, through which opening a document is inserted into and taken out of the document holding portion. An example of such type of document folders is to be seen described in DE-A-1 536 613.
[0003] It is also known to provide, as a reinforcement of the binder engagement means, a synthetic resin reinforcement tape held between the pair of synthetic resin sheets extending along the one edge of the document holding portion. Therefore, production of the document folder requires the steps of preparing the synthetic resin reinforcement tape and fixing the tape between the synthetic resin sheets. This leads to an increase in costs.
[0004] To solve the aforesaid drawback, it is an object of the present invention to ensure easy reinforcement of binder engagement means of a document folder for cost reduction.
[0005] For achievement of the object, the present invention has the following features.
1. A document folder for holding a document is provided, which comprises: a document holding portion having a rectangular shape in plan; a reinforcement portion provided adjacent the document holding portion along one edge of the document holding portion and reinforced by a multiplicity of fusion-bonded spots formed therein; and binder engagement means including a plurality of engagement portions formed in the reinforcement portion in a properly spaced relation along the one edge of the document holding portion for engagement with a document binder, the document holding portion and the reinforcement portion being integrally composed of a synthetic resin sheet, the document holding portion having an opening formed along at least one edge of the other three edges of the document holding portion through which opening the document is inserted into and taken out of the document holding portion.
2. The reinforcement portion has a multi-layer structure which includes not less than three layers formed by folding one or both edge portions of the synthetic resin sheet and spot-fusion-bonded to each other.
3. The fusion-bonded spots have a total area accounting for 30% to 75% of an area of the reinforcement portion.
4. The fusion-bonded spots are spots formed by at least one method selected from an ultrasonic spot fusion method and a thermal spot fusion method.
5. The engagement portions of the binder engagement means are generally T-shaped cutaway portions.
6. The engagement portions of the binder engagement means are holes.
[0006] With these features, the reinforcement portion provided adjacent the document holding portion along the one edge thereof is reinforced by the multiplicity of fusion-bonded spots for reinforcement of the binder engagement means. Therefore, the reinforcement of the reinforcement portion can more easily be achieved than in the conventional case where the reinforcement is achieved by the provision of the synthetic resin tape between the synthetic resin sheets. Thus, the costs can be reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a document folder according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from one side thereof;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view illustrating major portions of the document folder;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line X-X in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the document folder bound in a document binder; and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a document folder according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] In FIGS. 1 to 4, there is shown a document folder 1 having a rectangular shape in plan. Referring to FIG. 1, the document folder 1 has a document holding portion 4 defined by a pair of synthetic resin sheets 2 and 3, and a reinforcement portion 5 provided adjacent the document holding portion 4 along one edge thereof and reinforced by a multiplicity of ultrasonically fusion-bonded spots. More specifically, the reinforcement portion 5 has a multi-layer structure, as shown in FIG. 3, which includes a plurality of layers (e.g., three or four layers) formed by folding at least one of the edge portions of the synthetic resin sheet 2, 3 and ultrasonically spot-fusion-bonded to each other. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of generally T-shaped cutaway engagement portions 6 are formed as binder engagement means in the reinforcement portion 5 in a properly spaced relation along the one edge of the document holding portion 4. The document folder 1 has an opening formed along a top edge of the document holding portion 4, as viewed when the document folder 1 is postured vertically, through which opening a document 7 is inserted into and taken out of the document holding portion 4.
[0010] As shown in FIG. 4, a document binder typically has a plurality of openable binding rings 10 each comprised of a pair of binding hooks 9, and a pair of covers 11. The T-shaped cutaway engagement portions 6 as the binder engagement means are brought into engagement with the binding rings 10. Thus, a plurality of document folders having the aforesaid construction can be bound in the document binder.
[0011] Since the engagement portions 6 are engaged with the binding hooks 9 of the binding rings 10 as described above, the reinforcement portion 5 formed with the engagement portions 6 is required to have a sufficient hardness and stiffness for prevention of disengagement of the engagement portions 6 from the binder rings 10. This is why the engagement portions 6 are formed in the reinforcement portion 5 which is reinforced by the ultrasonically fusion-bonded spots. The size of each of the fusion-bonded spots is properly selected depending on the size of the document folder 1, the type of the synthetic resin sheet to be used for formation of the document folder 1, and the like. In order to impart the reinforcement portion 5 with a sufficient hardness and stiffness, the total area of the fusion-bonded spots should account for 30% to 75% of the area of the reinforcement portion 5. If the total area of the fusion-bonded spots is less than 30% of the area of the reinforcement portion 5, the hardness and stiffness of the reinforcement portion 5 are not satisfactory. If the total area of the fusion-bonded spots is greater than 70%, the reinforcement portion 5 will have an excessively high hardness and may be impaired due to deterioration of the synthetic resin sheet. In this embodiment, the synthetic resin sheet for the document folder 1 is made of polypropylene.
[0012] In the first embodiment, the generally T-shaped cutaway engagement portions 6 are formed as the binder engagement means in the reinforcement portion 5. Alternatively, a plurality of round holes 12 may be employed for the binder engagement means as in a second embodiment shown in FIG. 5. The round holes 12 are also adapted to be engaged with the openable binding rings 10 of the document binder.
[0013] In the embodiments described above, the document folder 1 is adapted to hold a document therein, but may be designed so as to hold business cards, photographs and the like.
[0014] Further, the position of the opening through which a document or the like is inserted into and taken out of the document folder is not limited to that depicted in FIG. 1, but may be determined depending on the kind of an article to be held in the document folder 1.
[0015] The fusion-bonded spots in the reinforcement portion 5 are formed by the ultrasonic spot fusion method in the embodiments described above, but may be formed by a thermal spot fusion method. Further, the ultrasonic spot fusion method and the thermal spot fusion method may be used in combination for the formation of the fusion-bonded spots. Where the formation of the fusion-bonded spots is achieved by the ultrasonic spot fusion method, a frequency of 15KHz to 50KHz may be employed to apply 15,000 to 50,000 impacts per second to the folded edge portions of the synthetic resin sheet (which is formed into the reinforcement portion). By adjusting the frequency, the fusion speed can be controlled as desired. Where the formation of the fusion-bonded spots is achieved by the thermal spot fusion method, a roll having a multiplicity of needles provided on its circumferential surface is heated up to a temperature at which the synthetic resin sheet is melted to some extent but not perfectly, and the folded edge portions of the synthetic resin sheet are passed between the roll and a counter roll.
[0016] In the embodiments described above, the reinforcement portion 5 provided along the one edge of the document folder 1 has the multi-layer structure which includes three or four layers formed by folding at least one of the edge portions of the synthetic resin sheet 2, 3 and spot-fusion-bonded to each other. Alternatively, the reinforcement portion 5 may have a two-layer structure which is formed simply by spot-fusion-bonding the edge portions of the synthetic resin sheet 2, 3 to each other. Further, the reinforcement portion 5 may have a multi-layer structure having five or more layers which are spot-fusion-bonded to each other.
[0017] In accordance with the present invention, the reinforcement portion 5 provided along the one edge of the document folder 1 is reinforced by the formation of the multiplicity of fusion-bonded spots, and the binder engagement means including the plurality of engagement portions (generally T-shaped cutaway engagement portions or round holes) 6 are formed in the reinforcement portion 5. Therefore, the reinforcement of the binder engagement means can more easily be achieved than in the conventional case where the reinforcement is achieved by the provision of the synthetic resin tape. Thus, the costs can be reduced.
1. A document folder 1 for holding a document (7), comprising: a document holding portion
(4) having a rectangular shape in plan; a reinforcement portion (5) provided adjacent
the document holding portion(4)along one edge of the document holding portion; and
binder engagement means including a plurality of engagement portions (6) formed in
the reinforcement portion (5) in a properly spaced relation along the one edge of
the document holding portion (4) for engagement with a document binder; wherein the
document holding portion (4) and the reinforcement portion (5) are integrally composed
of a synthetic resin sheet (2, 3), and the document holding portion (4) has an opening
(8) formed along at least one of the other three edges of the document holding portion
(4) through which opening the document (7) is inserted into and taken out of the document
holding portion (4), characterised in that the reinforcement portion (5) is reinforced by a multiplicity of fusion-bonded spots
formed therein.
2. A document folder 1 as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement portion 5 has
a multi-layer structure which includes not less than three layers formed by folding
one or both edge portions of the synthetic resin sheet and spot-fusion-bonded to each
other.
3. A document folder 1 as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fusion-bonded spots have
a total area accounting for 30% to 75% of an area of the reinforcement portion 5.
4. A document folder 1 as set forth in claim 2, wherein the fusion-bonded spots have
a total area accounting for 30% to 75% of an area of the reinforcement portion 5.
5. A document folder 1 as set forth in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fusion-bonded
spots are ultrasonically fusion-bonded spots.
6. A document folder 1 as set forth in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fusion-bonded
spots are thermally fusion-bonded spots.
7. A document folder 1 as set forth in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fusion-bonded
spots are spots formed by employing an ultrasonic spot fusion method and a thermal
spot fusion method in combination.
8. A document folder 1 as set forth in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the engagement portions
6 of the binder engagement means are generally T-shaped cutaway engagement portions
6.
9. A document folder 1 as set forth in claim 5, wherein the engagement portions 6 of
the binder engagement means are generally T-shaped cutaway engagement portions 6.
10. A document folder 1 as set forth in claim 6, wherein the engagement portions 6 of
the binder engagement means are generally T-shaped cutaway engagement portions 6.
11. A document folder 1 as set forth in claim 7, wherein the engagement portions 6 of
the binder engagement means are generally T-shaped cutaway engagement portions 6.
12. A document folder 1 as set forth in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the engagement portions
6 of the binder engagement means are holes 12.
13. A document folder 1 as set forth in claim 5, wherein the engagement portions 6 of
the binder engagement means are holes 12.
14. A document folder 1 as set forth in claim 6, wherein the engagement portions 6 of
the binder engagement means are holes 12.
15. A document folder 1 as set forth in claim 7, wherein the engagement portions 6 of
the binder engagement means are holes 12.
1. Ordner (1) zum Halten eines Dokuments (7), bestehend aus:
der Versteifungsabschnitt (5) durch eine Vielzahl von daran gebildeten schmelzgeklebten Punkten versteift ist.
einem Dokument-Halteabschnitt (4) mit einer in Draufsicht rechteckigen Form; einem Versteifungsabschnitt (5), der neben dem Dokument-Halteabschnitt (4) längs eines Randes des Dokument-Halteabschnitts vorgesehen ist; und einer Hefter-Eingriffseinrichtung mit zahlreichen Eingriffsabschnitten (6), die in dem Verstärkungsabschnitt (5) in einer passend beabstandeten Zuordnung längs eines Randes des Dokument-Halteabschnitts (4) zum Eingriff mit einem Dokumenthefter gebildet sind; wobei der Dokument-Halteabschnitt (4) und der Versteifungsabschnitt (5) einstückig aus einer Kunstharzfolie (2, 3) bestehen, und wobei der Dokument-Halteabschnitt (4) eine Öffnung (8) aufweist, die längs wenigstens einer der anderen drei Ränder des Dokument-Halteabschnitts (4) gebildet ist, durch welche das Dokument (7) in den Dokument-Halteabschnitt (4) eingesetzt und aus diesem herausgenommen wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daßder Versteifungsabschnitt (5) durch eine Vielzahl von daran gebildeten schmelzgeklebten Punkten versteift ist.
2. Ordner (1) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der Versteifungsabschnitt (5) einen Mehrschichtaufbau
besitzt, welcher nicht weniger als drei Schichten aufweist, die durch Falten eines
oder beider Randabschnitte der Kunstharzfolie gebildet und aneinander schmelzverklebt
sind.
3. Ordner (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die schmelzgeklebten Punkte eine Gesamtfläche besitzen, die 30 % bis 75 % der Fläche des Versteifungsabschnitts (5) beträgt.
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die schmelzgeklebten Punkte eine Gesamtfläche besitzen, die 30 % bis 75 % der Fläche des Versteifungsabschnitts (5) beträgt.
4. Ordner (1) nach Anspruch 2, bei dem die schmelzgeklebten Punkte eine Gesamtfläche
besitzen, die 30 % bis 75 % einer Fläche des Versteifungsabschnitts (5) beträgt.
5. Ordner (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, bei dem die schmelzgeklebten Punkte mit
Ultraschall schmelzgeklebte Punkte sind.
6. Ordner (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, bei dem die schmelzgeklebten Punkte thermisch
schmelzgeklebte Punkte sind.
7. Ordner (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, bei dem die schmelzgeklebten Punkte Punkte
sind, die durch Anwenden eines Ultraschall-Punktfusionsverfahrens in Kombination mit
einem thermischen Punktfusionsverfahren gebildet sind.
8. Ordner (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, bei dem die Eingriffsabschnitt (6) der
Hefter-Eingriffseinrichtung allgemein T-förmige Ausschnitt-Eingriffsabschnitte (6)
sind.
9. Ordner (1) nach Anspruch 5, bei dem die Eingriffsabschnitte (6) der Hefter-Eingriffseinrichtung
allgemein T-förmige Ausschnitt-Eingriffsabschnitte (6) sind.
10. Ordner (1) nach Anspruch 6, bei dem die Eingriffsabschnitte (6) der Hefter-Eingriffseinrichtung
allgemein T-förmige Ausschnitt-Eingriffsabschnitte (6) sind.
11. Ordner (1) nach Anspruch 7, bei dem die Eingriffsabschnitte (6) der Hefter-Eingriffseinrichtung
allgemein T-förmige Ausschnitt-Eingriffsabschnitte (6) sind.
12. Ordner (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, bei dem die Eingriffsabschnitte (6) der
Hefter-Eingriffseinrichtung Löcher (12) sind.
13. Ordner (1) nach Anspruch 5, bei dem die Eingriffsabschnitte (6) der Hefter-Eingriffseinrichtung
Löcher (12) sind.
14. Ordner (1) nach Anspruch 6, bei dem die Eingriffsabschnitte (6) der Hefter-Eingriffseinrichtung
Löcher (12) sind.
15. Ordner (1) nach Anspruch 7, bei dem die Eingriffsabschnitte (6) der Hefter-Eingriffseinrichtung
Löcher (12) sind.
1. Classeur (1) pour contenir un document (7), comprenant: une partie (4) de support
de document, possédant une forme rectangulaire selon une vue en plan; une partie de
renfort (5) prévue au voisinage de la partie (4) de support de document, le long d'un
bord de la partie de support de document; et des moyens d'engagement de reliure comprenant
une pluralité de parties d'engagement (6) formées dans la partie de renfort (5) dans
une relation d'espacement correct le long dudit bord de la partie (4) de support de
document pour coopérer avec une reliure du document; dans lequel la partie (4) de
support de document et la partie de renfort (5) sont formées intégralement d'une feuille
de résine synthétique (2, 3), et la partie (4) de support de document possède une
ouverture (8) formée le long d'au moins l'un des trois autres bords de la partie (4)
de support de document, ouverture par laquelle le document (7) est inséré dans et
est ressorti hors de la partie (4) de support de document, caractérisé en ce que la partie de renfort (5) est renforcée par une multitude de taches réunies par fusion
qui sont formés en elle.
2. Classeur (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la partie de renfort (5) possède
une structure multicouche, qui inclut pas moins de trois couches formées par pliage
d'une ou des deux parties de bord de la feuille de résine synthétique et réunies par
fusion des taches entre elles.
3. Classeur (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les taches réunies par fusion possèdent
une surface totale constituant 30 % à 75 % d'une surface de la partie de renfort (5).
4. Classeur (1) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel les taches réunies par fusion possèdent
une surface totale constituant 30 % à 75 % d'une surface de la partie de renfort (5).
5. Classeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel les taches
réunies par fusion sont des taches réunies par fusion par voie ultrasonique.
6. Classeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel les taches
réunies par fusion sont des taches réunies par fusion par voie thermique.
7. Classeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel les taches
réunies par fusion sont des taches formées en utilisant en combinaison un procédé
de fusion de taches par ultrasons et un procédé de fusion de taches par voie thermique.
8. Classeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel les parties
d'engagement (6) des moyens coopérant avec la reliure sont des parties d'engagement
(6) découpées en général en forme de T.
9. Classeur (1) selon la revendication 5, dans lequel les parties d'engagement (6) pour
les moyens de coopération avec la reliure sont des parties d'engagement (6) découpées
d'une manière générale en forme de T.
10. Classeur (1) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel les parties d'engagement (6) des
moyens de coopération avec la reliure sont des parties d'engagement (6) découpées
d'une manière générale en forme de T.
11. Classeur (1) selon la revendication 7, dans lequel les parties d'engagement (6) des
moyens de coopération avec la reliure sont des parties d'engagement (6) découpées
d'une manière générale en forme de T.
12. Classeur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel les parties
d'engagement (6) des moyens de coopération avec la reliure sont des trous (12).
13. Classeur (1) selon la revendication 5, dans lequel les parties d'engagement (6) des
moyens de coopération avec la reliure sont des trous (12).
14. Classeur (1) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel les parties d'engagement (6) des
moyens de coopération avec la reliure sont des trous (12).
15. Classeur (1) selon la revendication 7, dans lequel les parties d'engagement (6) des
moyens de coopération avec la reliure sont des trous (12).