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(11) | EP 1 582 111 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Folder-case |
| (57) It consists of first and second sheets (1, 2) with contiguous edges joined together
by a hinge (3a) that allows the said first and second sheets (1, 2) to rotate, one
with respect to the other until they become superposed, and covering one or more sheet-like
objects (4) because the first and second sheets (1, 2) include, at least next to a
part of its free edges, respective portions (1a, 2a) that are magnetically attracted
to each other with sufficient force to maintain the folder-case closed with the said
one or more sheet-like articles (4) held in place inside. |
Field of the invention
[0001] In general, this invention is concerned with a folder with a magnetic latch, and more specifically, a folder in which one variant also provides a case, fitted with elements that possess sufficient mutual magnetic attraction to maintain the folder closed or the case formed based on this with one or more sheet-like, or thicker articles that are housed inside.
Background to the invention
[0002] In the state of the art, the use of magnetic elements is known for holding sheet-like articles in place, such as sheets of paper, plastic or similar items.
[0003] For example, the utility model ES-A-199092 describes a support for sheets of paper or plastic fitted with a magnetic clip consisting of two flat, ferromagnetic parts, that are suitable for mutually attracting each other, housed inside their respective flexible encasing sheaths, that are articulated along the length of one of the longer edges. One of the said sheaths is fixed to a support base, whereas the other is free to rotate around the said articulation until it comes into contact with the other, which is determined by the mutual attraction between the two magnetic parts in the form of a clip for the purpose of holding, for example, sheets of paper. In this device, the sheets of paper or plastic are held in place by means of a narrow strip at one of the edges, with the rest of the sheet clearly visible, or covered by an additional, non-magnetic sheet.
[0004] Utility model ES-A-259286 describes an extendable diary with a magnetic latch that consists of a considerably long sheet of paper that is folded into a bellows shape, together with a pair of independent covers joined together to respective end portions of the said sheet. The two covers are made of materials that mutually attract each other so that, in the folded position, the extendable sheet of paper is folded and housed inside the covers that tend to maintain themselves superposed and joined together. Here, the covers completely enclose the sheet of paper. However, the covers are not linked together in the form of a folder, which makes it difficult for this device to be used to hold loose sheets of paper.
[0005] Utility model ES-A-285273 describes a magnetic clip for holding posters and sheet of paper in place, which comprises two sheets of material that mutually magnetically attract each other, and which are joined together in an articulated fashion at one of their edges in order to allow an angular separation between the two that is sufficient to house the edge of a poster or sheet of paper between them. When these two sheets are superposed, they become magnetically joined together, holding the poster or sheet of paper. One of these sheets is adapted to be fixed, for example, to a wall. In the cited background in this document, the two magnetic sheets are articulated by means of a sheet of adhesive paper that externals covers the two sheets and where a free portion of the said sheet of paper operates as a hinge between the two sheets. However, because of its function, this clip is of a size that is significantly smaller than the poster or sheet of paper that is to be held in place and it is not intended to hold and retain one or more sheets of material inside, such as paper or plastic, covering them completely.
Description of the invention
[0006] One objective of this invention is to provide a folder-case that includes magnetic closing elements that are capable of keeping the folder-case closed with one or more sheet-like articles being held in place inside.
[0007] This utility model, contributes to achieving the previous objective by providing a folder-case, consisting of at least first and second sheets with respective contiguous edges joined together by means of a hinge that allows the said first and second sheets to rotate with respect to each other until they are superposed, thus housing between them and covering one or more sheet-like articles. The folder-case of this invention is characterised in that the first and second sheets include, at least next to a part of their free edges, respective portions that magnetically attract each other with sufficient force to maintain the folder-case closed with the said one or more sheet-like articles held in place inside.
[0008] Preferably, each of the first and second sheets is a single sheet-like piece of plastic material with additional magnetic material parts. This magnetic plastic sheet-like material is known and commercially available, being habitually used in various applications, such as closing devices for folding panels for bath or shower screens, for the securing of carpeting to computer flooring or self-adhesive elements for holding objects in place to ferromagnetic surfaces, such as refrigerator doors.
[0009] However, the invention is not limited to the use of this magnetic plastic sheet-like material and two magnetic metal sheets may also be employed with identical results. Moreover, it would be sufficient for either the first or second sheet to be made of magnetic material, with the other being made of ferromagnetic material.
[0010] The first and second sheets, especially when they are made from this magnetic plastic sheet-like material, possess a moderate degree of flexibility that is adequate for providing the folder with consistency. Preferably, the first and second sheets are joined to a single exterior sheet that completely covers them, and there is a free portion of the said exterior sheet between the first and seconds sheets that operates in the mentioned form of hinge. For this reason, the exterior sheet is made of material that has a significantly greater degree of flexibility than that of the first and second sheets, which makes it able to carry out the said hinge function. A suitable material for the exterior sheet is a sheet of plastic material, such as a sheet of PVC or other flexible plastic material. According to an embodiment example, this flexible PVC sheet comes from the reuse of a material employed in publicity banners which, on the one hand, can involve taking advantage of the graphic designs included in the said banners and, on the other, it represents a clear environmental benefit.
[0011] It should be pointed out, however, that the invention is not limited to using these flexible PVC sheets and other materials, such as textiles, felt, reinforced paper, rubber, cork sheeting, metal, silicone, and neoprene among others, may be employed, with their different visual and tactile properties. Nor is it necessary for the sheet-like hinge element to completely cover the first and second sheets and instead, these could be joined by an exterior strip that only covers some strips next to the respective contiguous edges, with, as occurred in the previous example, a free portion of the said exterior strip between the first and second sheets that can be employed as a hinge.
[0012] It will be understood that, because folder closing, when it contains one or more sheet-like articles inside, is carried out by a peripheral area of the first and second sheets, an embodiment example is feasible in which only the peripheral portions of the first and second sheets are made of plastic with additional magnetic material, while other portions of the respective first and second sheets located away from the free edges are made of a non-magnetic material, but with similar thickness and degree of flexibility, such as cardboard or plastic. This leads to a reduction in the amount of material employed with consequent economic savings.
[0013] The previous and other advantages and characteristics of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed descriptions of some embodiment examples with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Brief description of the drawings
[0014]
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an open folder with a magnetic latch in accordance with an embodiment example of this invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the closed folder of Figure 1 showing greater detail;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an open folder with a magnetic latch in accordance with another embodiment example of this invention; and
Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of a closed folder with a magnetic latch in accordance with yet another embodiment example of this invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment variant that shows a case that employs the basic structure of the already described folder;
Figure 6 is a view equivalent to the previous one that shows the same case with certain differences in its component parts.
Detailed description of some embodiment examples
[0015] First referring to Figure 1, this shows a folder with a magnetic latch in accordance with an embodiment example of this invention comprising first and second sheets 1, 2, with respective contiguous edges joined together by means of a hinge 3a. Dotted lines have been used on the said first sheet 1 to represent one or more sheet-like articles 4, for example, sheets of paper or plastic, that occupy a smaller area than that of the first and second sheets 1, 2.
[0016] An exterior sheet 3, made of flexible material, is exteriorly joined to the first and second sheets 1, 2 so that it completely covers them, with a free portion of the said exterior sheet 3 remaining between the mentioned contiguous edges of the first and second sheets 1, 2, which acts as the cited hinge 3a. This enables the said first and second sheets 1, 2 to rotate, one with respect to the other, until they are superposed, housing between them and completely covering one or more sheet-like articles 4, as shown in Figure 2.
[0017] In this embodiment example, the first and second sheets 1, 2 are both made of a sheet of plastic material with additional magnetic material so that they magnetically attract each other with sufficient force to keep the folder closed with the said sheet-like articles 4 housed inside. Probably, if only one or two sheet-like articles 4 of a size that is substantially similar to that of the first and second sheets 1, 2 are housed, then the magnetic flux will pass through the sheet-like articles permitting the folder to be magnetically closed. However, in order to house many sheet-like articles 4 which together represent a considerable thickness, the surface area of the first and second sheets 1, 2 must be greater than that of the sheet-like articles 4 so that respective portions 1a, 2a located next to the free edges are in direct contact when closed.
[0018] Preferably, the first and second sheets 1, 2 possess a moderate degree of flexibility that is adequate for providing consistency to the folder, and the exterior sheet 3 has a second degree of flexibility that is greater than the first, in order to allow the flexion of the said free portion of the exterior sheet 3 so that it can perform the function of the cited means of hinging 3a, as is better shown in greater detail in Figure 2.
[0019] In order to facilitate opening the folder, the second sheet 2, together with the corresponding part of the exterior sheet 3, comprises a cut-out section that allows access for a finger to press down on the first sheet 1 when the first and second sheets 1, 2 are closed. Evidently, the folder could include more than one of the said cut-out sections 6 in one or both first and second sheets 1, 2, together with the corresponding parts on the exterior sheet 3.
[0020] Taking into account what is described above, Figure 3 shows another embodiment example of the folder of this invention in which only the said peripheral portions 1a, 2a of the first and second sheets 1, 2 are made of plastic material with additional magnetic material. These peripheral portions 1a, 2a are fixed in place in a similar fashion to that described above in relation to figures 1 and 2, to an exterior sheet 3 that operates as the cited means of hinging 3a. Preferable, the first and second sheets 1, 2 include other respective portions 1b, 2b of a non-magnetic material, complementary to portions 1a, 1b, with the thickness and degree of flexibility of the complementary portions 1b, 2b being similar to the thickness and degree of flexibility of the magnetic portions 1a, 2a, and sufficient to provide consistency to the folder. There is also a cut-out section 6 here that is described in relation to Figures 1 and 2.
[0021] Figure 4 partially shows yet another embodiment example of the folder of this invention in which both the first and second sheets 1, 2 is a single piece of magnetic of ferromagnetic material. However, here, the first and second sheets 1, 2 are joined to an exterior strip 5 of flexible material that only covers some strips next to the respective contiguous edges, with a free portion of the said exterior strip 5 remaining between the first and second sheets 1, 2 and which operates as the cited means of hinging 5a.
[0022] Although the attached figures show the folder of this invention with its first and second sheets in a generally rectangular form, in any of its embodiment examples, these first and second sheets may have other shapes. They could, therefore, have an irregular or functional shape, such as a round shape to hold one or more compact disks.
[0023] Figure 5 shows one embodiment variant in which at least one of the said sheets 1, 2 is of considerable thickness, at least sufficient to define a perimeter rabbet 9 adapted to that of an object 4a which fits inside.
[0024] In general, the rabbet 9 is adapted to mate with a flat object and to present an extension 20 on its edge directed outwards to facilitate the extraction of the cited article 4a.
[0025] In the two embodiment examples shown in figures 5 and 6, the rabbet 9 has a circular plan and is adapted to mate with a disk 4a, such as a CD or DVD.
[0026] According to Figure 6, at least one of the sheets 1, 2 (which are thin in this case) are set out on a padded sheet 8 that provides most of the thickness that is required to define the cited adapted perimeter rabbet 9 to an object 4a, such as a disk fitting inside. Moreover, in this example, there is a second padded, thinner sheet 7 over the cited sheet 3 of flexible material that exteriorly covers the whole assembly determining its spines and towards the interior.
1. A folder-case with a magnetic latch that consists of at least first and second sheets
(1, 2) with respective contiguous edges joined together by means of hinging (3a, 5a)
that allows the said first and second sheets (1, 2) to rotate, one with respect to
the other, until they become superposed, housing and covering one or more sheet-like
articles (4) between them, characterised in that the first and second sheets (1, 2) include, at least from their free edges, respective
portions (1a, 2a) that are magnetically attracted to each other with sufficient force
to maintain the folder-case closed, with the said one or more sheet-like articles
held in place inside.
2. A folder-case, in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the first and second sheets (1, 2) are completely made of plastic material with additional
magnetic material.
3. A folder-case, in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that only the said portions (1a, 2a) of the first and second sheets (1, 2) are made of
a plastic material with additional magnetic material, whereas the first and second
sheets (1, 2) include other respective portions (1b, 2b) of a non-magnetic material
that are complementary to the portions (1a, 2a) of the magnetic material.
4. A folder-case, in accordance with claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the first and second sheets (1, 2) are joined to an exterior sheet (3) of flexible
material that covers them, with a free portion of the said exterior sheet (3) remaining
between the first and second sheets (1, 2) and which acts as the cited means of hinging
(3a).
5. A folder-case, in accordance with claim 4, characterised in that the first and second sheets (1, 2) possess a first degree of flexibility that is
sufficient to provide the folder-case with consistency, and the exterior sheet (3)
has a second degree of flexibility that is greater than the first and sufficient to
provide the function of the cited means of hinging (3a).
6. A folder-case, in accordance with claim 5, characterised in that it consists of, in at least one of the first and second sheets (1, 2) and in the
corresponding part of the exterior sheet (3), a rabbet (6) that allows a finger to
access to the other of the first and second sheets (1, 2) when these are in the closed
position.
7. A folder-case, in accordance with claim 2, characterised in that the first and second sheets (1, 2) are joined to an exterior strip (5) of flexible
material that covers only some strips next to the respective contiguous edges, with
a free portion of the said exterior strip (5) remaining between the first and second
sheets (1, 2), and which acts as the cited means of hinging (5a).
8. A folder-case, in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that at least one of the said sheets (1,2) is of sufficient thickness to define a perimeter
rabbet (9) adapted to an object (4a) that fits inside it.
9. A folder-case, in accordance with claim 8, characterised in that the said rabbet (9) is adapted to mate with a flat object and which presents at its
edge an extension (20) directed towards the outside to facilitate extraction of the
article (4a).
10. A folder-case, in accordance with claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the said rabbet (9) has a circular plan and is adapted to hold a disk (4a).
11. A folder-case, in accordance with claim 4, characterised in that at least one of the sheets (1, 2) is arranged on a padded sheet (8) that provides
most of the thickness required to define a perimeter rabbet (9) within that is adapted
to that of an object (4a) that fits inside.
12. A folder-case, in accordance with claim 11, characterised in that a second sheet (7a) is extended over the cited sheet (7).