Flexibly equippable album with specific inner back element

Abstract

 The invention relates to a very flexible equippable album (1), or more specifically an inner back-element (4, 4¹) with extremely professional and attractive looks which can be used as an album for growing children and for bridal couples and such or as a business album for adjustable product presentations, in which the album (1) is constructed of an inner back-element (4, 4¹) formed out of a sandwich plate, with covers (2, 2¹, 3, 3¹) also formed out of sandwich plate and an outer back-element (5), in which a special frame (10) is fixed to apply special images, photographs, texts or material on the front cover (2, 2¹).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device constructed as a complete flexible equippable album with a professional look consisting of a specific inner back-element for binding strips provided with round or bayonet-shaped and round insert holes, in which on the back of the inner back-element a pair of cover sheets are connectable and the inner back-element can be finished with a separate back covering or outer back-element and on the front cover extra facilities for presentation of the contents can be applied.

[0002] According to the known art a multifunctional portfolio, called improved collect album, is known from the submitter and inventor LEUVERINK, Arend, Jan, p/a Mallemse Molenweg 11, 7152 AT EIBERGEN, The Netherlands, NL 1017908, submitted 24-04-2002 and EP 0273 1009.3, submitted 30-09-2002.

[0003] Here, it concerns an improved collect album, in whicn on the back part of the cover on the inner side a U-shaped back element with screws and bushes for inserting bindstrip mounting elements is applied, in which the mentioned U-shaped back-element is provided with special end parts for inserting and removing the bindstrip mounting elements with special bayonet fastenings, in which for this purpose special facilities are applied to the U-shaped back element. This multifunctional portfolio has a number of disadvantages with regard to the use of the multifunctional portfolio in opened position, in which the U-shaped back-element stands with its legs upwards so the bindstrip mounting elements with the therein applied double foils with pictures etc. is heavily loaded on bending near the bindstrip mounting elements and will also start showing damage there.

[0004] Further, replacing the bindstrip mounting elements must be possible, but has a minor function and thus a less visible construction must be used for replacing the bindstrip mounting elements.

[0005] The known device or multifunctional collect album has thus a number of disadvantages especially for personal use, for example albums for following a child in a professional way in its different stages in growing up, besides that to vary the look and the contents of the album and display the album on a cabinet or a stand. Also, in the same way wedding photo's and the wedding ceremony and the time after, in which every time additions and changes must be applied in a professional way, and considering the beautiful exterior of the album to be developed, placing the album in a bookcase is less attractive than putting it on a cabinet or stand in the living room. Only changing the contents of the multifunctional portfolio with sheets provided with binding strips with only bayonet connections requires relatively difficult construction elements on the inner back-element, through which the aesthetic look of the album also deteriorates. These disadvantages also count for the professional adjustment for business use of the mentioned known album or known multifunctional portfolio.

[0006] It is the aim of the present invention to provide a very flexible to organise and decorate album, in which the construction element for changing the sheets with all kinds of connecting binding strips are constructed in a very simple way and the finishing of the ends of the inner back-element is constructed beautifully and solidly, and that the mentioned album can be professionally kept up to date from time to time by, for example, a photographer, and can have a very beautiful look completely according to the owners' taste with on the front cover a special frame with specifications and should furthermore be very flexible in composition, dimensions and such.

[0007] In order to achieve the mentioned aim, a multifunctional collect album with a special cover, inner back-element and frame, called Nexter album, is further developed in such an inventive way, characterized in that the mentioned inner back-element is made by folding the sandwich plate, treated with slotted lines, into a double-walled U-shaped profile with length L and width between the legs D, in which the sandwich plate walls of the body of the U-shaped profile are adhered to each other, in which the walls of the standing legs show an interspace for inserting the locking and securing devices which are invisible from the outside for the so called bushes for placement of various binding strips, which are available on the market.

[0008] The aim of the invention is achieved in the most broadly based manner by this independent claim to achieve a very professional and beautiful album and a whole lot of further independent and additional specifications are indicated in the dependant or secondary claims.

[0009] Further, the device according to the invention is further developed in such a way, that the mentioned sandwich plate for the inner back-element and the sheets are constructed of three layers, being two outer aluminium layers with a thickness of approximately 0,2 mm and a plastic intermediate layer, such as polypropylene with a thickness of approximately 0,8 mm.

[0010] The advantage is that a very suitable sandwich plate, due to the slotted lines in the outer layers and the inner layer, which can be used as a hinge, a very professional construction of the album or collect album is achieved and almost all desired dimensions can be supplied flexibly.

[0011] Furthermore, the device according to the invention is further developed in such a way, that for the mentioned inner back-element the sandwich plate, by applying V-shaped slotted lines with a depth of the aluminium layer, eight successive rectangular sections a up to h are formed, in which in sections c and e slotted and round openings are applied in the direction of the folding lines and on section a also a fixing snap construction is applied, and in which also two rectangular loose sandwich plates with round bores are provided at the location of the slotted and round openings, in which in folded position the total inner back-element with Velcro, bushes, pins and flat headed screws are locked by the mentioned snap construction.

[0012] The advantage is an inner back element that has a very professional look with adjustable contents for professionals, to begin with.

[0013] Furthermore, the device according to the invention is further developed in such a way, that the mentioned covers, being the front- and back cover, are made of mentioned sandwich plate, in which along three edges only V-shaped slotted lines are applied on the outside and then are folded in at 180 degrees and along the fourth side a broader edge part is formed by applying V-shaped slotted lines in the outer aluminium layers.

[0014] The advantage is, that the covers, as far as the dimensions and shape, can be completely constructed to the client's requirements.

[0015] Furthermore, the device according to the invention is further developed in such a way, that the mentioned specially constructed segment-shaped outer back-element has a sandwich plate as base plate provided with the slotted lines and is folded, in which the mentioned base plate is adhered onto the back of the inner back-element, onto which then a segment-shaped prismatic outer part or inner back-element is adhered, which then again can be provided with all kinds of decorative layers.

[0016] The advantage is a beautiful back of the album, which, when fastened, also covers the front ends of the sheets or binding strips.

[0017] Furthermore, the device according to the invention is further developed in such a way, that onto the front cover of the album a presentation frame is applied with dimensions that can reach to the surface dimensions of the front cover.

[0018] The advantage is that the contents of the album is obvious to everyone and can also be shown and changed on the front cover in a beautiful and characteristic way.

[0019] Furthermore, the device according to the invention is further developed in such a way, that in sections c and e in the direction of the folding lines round bores or openings are applied for inserting the mentioned bushes by means of flat headed screws for the binding strips, which can be provided with only round bores and/or a combination of round bores and bayonet-shaped openings.

[0020] The advantage is that no loose sandwich plates are needed and only a few flat headed screws need to be loosened, after which sections a, b and c can be turned away and the bushes are free to apply the binding strips provided with sheets with round holes or slotted and round holes and then to close sections b and c and the flat headed screws can be fastened and section a clamped.

[0021] Furthermore, the device according to the invention is further developed in such a way, that the mentioned covers being the front and back cover with different dimensions, if required, are made of mentioned sandwich plate, in which along three edges separate frames or facetted edges are applied by adhesive, in which then decorative sheets can be applied on the inner and/or outer mirror.

[0022] The advantage is, that a beautiful finishing of the mentioned covers is achieved.

[0023] The preferred construction of the invention will be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[0024] In which:

Fig. 1A/1B

show a view in oblique projection of the flexible equippable album according to two preferred embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 2A/2B

show a cross-section over the line II-II of figure 1A and 1B of two preferred embodiments;

Fig. 3

shows a cross-section of the inner back-element of first figure 1A according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4A/4B

show a top view of the unfolded sandwich plate for the construction of the inner back-element (4A) and a view of the two rectangular sandwich plates with bindstip part with bayonet catch;

Fig. 5A/5B

show a cross-section (fig. 5A) of the inner back-element of figure 1B according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and the unfolded sandwich plate for the construction of the inner back-element (fig. 5B);

Fig. 6A/6B

show the outer back-element in oblique projection (fig. 6A) and partly unfolded sandwich plate onto which the segment-shaped outer back-element is attached (fig. 6B);

Fig. 7A-C

show cross-section over the line VII-VII of figure 1A, 1B as cover edge (fig. 7A) and as facetted edge constructed with L-profile and strip; and

Fig. 8

shows a solution for the corners of a front and back cover in detail, being detail VIII of figure 1A and 1B as cover edge and further indicated in figure 7A.

[0025] Figures 1A and 1B show in front view and oblique projection the flexible equippable album 1 with special constructed front cover 2 and 2¹ and specially constructed back cover 3 and 3¹. The inner back-elements 4 and 4¹ are shown in figures 2A, 2B and 3 and 5A. Further is shown, the outer back-element 5 covered with the special cut out, slotted and folded closing sandwich plate 6 and 6¹ (not indicated). In the inner back-elements 4 and 4¹ the binding strips 7, whether or not with round or bayonet-shaped openings 8, are applied. The sheets 9 with photographs and such are adhered to the binding strips 7. Onto the front covers 2 and 2¹ the presentation frame 10 is adhered with a changeable presentation possibility, according to the invention. The frame 10 consists of three solid facetted edges 11, 12, 13, which have a single slotted line and are adhered onto a back plate 14 of, for example, plastic. The fourth edge 15 has double slotted lines and functions as a hinge which is closed by Velcro. In the frame 10, for example, images, texts, photographs and other plate-shaped material can be applied, such as leather, wood, fabrics and such.

[0026] The lengths of L and B can vary and can be adjusted to the clients wish, but mostly dimensions, like A3 and A4 will be used. The dimension D (see figures 3 and 5A) have a preferred value of 14, 20, 32 and 50 mm, concerning inserting at least 25, 35, 50 and 80 pieces of mentioned binding strips 7, 7¹ with sheets 9. Also covers 2¹ and 3¹ provided with a hingeable binding strip edge can be applied as common binding strips in the inner back-element 4¹. The covers 2, 2¹, 3, 3¹ can, as regards the width dimension B, be completely adjusted to the client's wish. The covers 2, 2¹, 3, 3¹ can also be provided with a separate framed or facetted edge 16 along three edges by means of adherence, in which then on the inner and/or outer mirror decorative covers or finishing can be applied.

[0027] Figures 2A and 2B show the cross-sections over lines II-II of figures 1A and 1B. The front and back cover 2 and 2¹, 3 and 3¹ are folded near the edges and thus form the special edges 17, 18 of figure 7A, 2A, 2B or are provided with a facetted edge 16 of figure 7B. The covers 2, 3 are provided with a hinging cover part 19, 20, which can be used as a permanent hinge with the double V-shaped slotted lines and can be adhered onto the inner back-element 4 (figures 2A and 3), the covers 2¹ and 3¹ are provided with a so called hinging binding strip edge.

[0028] The inner back-element 4 is folded from the layout with slotted lines 21 of the sandwich plate 22 of figure 4A.

[0029] The sandwich plate 22 consists of sections a up to h by the slotted lines 21. By folding the sandwich plate 22 around the slotted lines 21 and by applying single and double sided tape (not indicated) the inner back-element 4 is formed. In sections c and e the slotted openings 23 for sliding the bushes 24 with the flat headed screws 25, 26 with the two rectangular loose sandwich plates 27, 28 are provided with round bores 29, 30, which fit with the slotted openings 23 (see also figure 4B). Figure 3 shows the whole in mounted position with the bushes 24 and the screws 25, 26. The whole is closed with a fixing snap construction 31 constructed as a kind of press-stud. For removing and/or inserting the binding strip 7 with the sheets 9 section a can be turned at an angle α and the bushes can slide over a length of the slotted openings 23 after removing a bush-shaped pin 37 out of the bores 36 (figure 4B) and the bayonet-shaped openings 32 (figure 4B) of the binding strip 7 can be removed from and/or inserted into the inner back-element 4. Following, closing is done again by mentioned fixing snap construction 31. For loosening the fixing snap construction (not indicated) between the sections a and c, the slots 33 (figure 4A) are applied for a lifting pin.

[0030] In figures 5A and 5B the slotted holes 23 have been replaced by circle-shaped holes or by bores 36, by which loosening the screw 25, the left U-shaped leg is folded down and the sheet can be inserted.

[0031] Figure 6A shows the outer back-element 5 in oblique finished projection which is then adhered onto the back of the inner back-element 4 or 4¹ with the back element 4 or 4¹. In figure 6B a part of the layout of the sandwich plate 6 is indicated, which is adhered against the segment-shaped outer back-element 5. The outer back-element can be embellished in all kinds of ways with leather, plastic and such. In the sandwich plate 6 slotted lines 34, 35 are applied.

[0032] Figures 7A and 8 show the folded edges 17, 18 and its corner solutions. Figure 7B shows the facetted edge 16. In figure 7C the facetted edge is constructed with an L-shaped profile 38 and a strip 39, with which the covers 2, 2¹, 3, 3¹, can be finished.

[0033] Figure 8 shows the folding of the cover at the corner according to figure 7A, in which the folded parts are cut in for mitre at and angle of 45 degrees.

[0034] Finally it has to be emphasized, that the above description constitutes preferred embodiments of the invention and that further variations and modifications are still possible without departing the scope of this patent description.

Claims

1. Device constructed as a complete flexible equippable album (1, 1¹) with a professional look consisting of a specific inner back-element (4, 4¹) for binding strips (7, 7¹) provided with round or bayonet-shaped and round insert holes, in which on the back of the inner back-element (4, 4¹) a pair of cover sheets (2, 2¹, 3, 3¹) are connectable and the inner back-element can be finished with a separate back covering or outer back-element (5) and on the front cover (2) extra facilities for presentation of the contents can be applied, characterized in that, the mentioned inner back-element (4, 4¹) is made by folding the sandwich plate (22, 22¹), treated with slotted lines, into a double-walled U-shaped profile with length L and width between the legs D, in which the sandwich plate walls of the body of the U-shaped profile are adhered to each other, in which the walls of the standing legs show an interspace for inserting the locking and securing devices, which are invisible from the outside for the so called bushes (24, 24¹, 37) for placement of various binding strips (7, 7¹), which are available in the market.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the mentioned sandwich plate (22, 22¹) for the inner back-element (4, 4¹) and the sheets (2, 2¹, 3, 3¹) are constructed of three layers, being two outer aluminium layers with a thickness of approximately 0,2 mm and a plastic intermediate layer, such as polypropylene with a thickness of approximately 0,8 mm.

3. Device as claimed in claims 1-2, characterized in that, the hinging cover parts (19, 20) of the mentioned sheets (2, 3) are adhesible onto the back of the inner back element (4) and adhered onto that a segment-shaped outer back-element (5) for further finishing.

4. Device as claimed in claims 1-2, characterized in that, for the mentioned inner back-element (4, 4¹) the sandwich plate, by applying V-shaped slotted lines (21) with a depth of the aluminium layer, eight successive rectangular sections a up to h are formed, in which in sections c and e slotted and round openings (23, 36) are applied in the direction of the folding lines (21) and on section a also a fixing snap construction (31) is applied, and in which also two rectangular loose sandwich plates (27, 28) with round bores (29, 30) are provided at the location of the slotted and round openings (23, 36), in which in folded position the total inner back-element (4) with Velcro, bushes (24), pins (37) and flat headed screws (25, 26) are locked by the mentioned snap construction (31).

5. Device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, the adhesives consist of double sided tape for adhering the sections d up to h and single sided tape with a snap knob on the rear side for a mutual detachable connection of the sections a with the loose section of the sandwich plate (27).

6. Device as claimed in claims 1-3, characterized in that, in sections c and e in the direction of the folding lines (21) round bores or openings (36) are applied for inserting the mentioned bushes (24¹) by means of flat headed screws (25, 26) for the binding strips (7¹), which can be provided with only round bores and/or a combination of round bores and bayonet-shaped openings.

7. device as claimed in claims 1-2, characterized in that, the mentioned covers (2, 3), being the front- (2, 2¹) and back cover (3, 3¹), with different dimensions if required, are made of mentioned sandwich plate, in which along three edges only V-shaped slotted lines are applied on the outside and then are folded in at 180 degrees and along the fourth side a broader edge part is formed by applying V-shaped slotted lines in the outer aluminium layers, in which also decorative sheet finishing can be applied on the mirrors of the sheets (2, 3).

8. Device as claimed in claims 1-2, characterized in that, mentioned specially constructed segment-shaped outer back-element (5) has a sandwich plate (6) as base plate provided with the slotted lines (34, 35) and is folded, in which the mentioned base plate is adhered onto the back of the inner back-element, onto which then a segment-shaped prismatic outer part or inner back-element (5) is adhered, which then again can be provided with all kinds of decorative layers.

9. Device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, onto the front cover (2) of the album (1) a presentation frame (10) is applied with dimensions that can reach to the surface dimensions of the front cover (2, 2¹).

10. Device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, the mentioned frame (10) is composed of edges (11, 12, 13, 15) of the mentioned sandwich plate, in which three edges (11, 12, 13) are provided with a single slotted line in the same way as mentioned sheets (2, 3) and the fourth edge (15) is constructed as a hinge with double slotted lines and Velcro retaining, in which the mentioned edges are adhered to or around a plastic back plate (14), in which the whole is attached onto the front sheet (2) with double sided tape.

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 86(2) EPC.

1. Device constructed as a complete flexible equippable album (1, 1¹) with a professional look consisting of a specific inner back-element (4, 4¹) for binding strips (7, 7¹) provided with round or bayonet-shaped and round insert holes, in which on the back of the inner back-element (4, 4¹) a pair of cover sheets (2, 2¹, 3, 3¹) are connectable and the inner back-element can be finished with a separate back covering or outer back-element (5) and on the front cover (2) extra facilities for presentation of the contents can be applied, wherein the said inner back-element (4, 4¹) is made by folding the sandwich plate (22, 22¹), treated with slotted lines, into a double-walled U-shaped profile with length L and width between the legs D, in which the sandwich plate walls of the body of the U-shaped profile are adhered to each other, in which the walls of the standing legs show an interspace for inserting the locking and securing devices, which are invisible from the outside for the so called bushes (24, 24¹, 37) for placement of various binding strips (7, 7¹), which are available in the market, characterized in that, said cover sheets (2¹, 3¹), being the front and back cover, are executed as sheets with one edge provided with bayonet and/or round shaped or only round shaped insert holes like the binding strips (7, 7¹) and wherein the other edges of the cover sheets (2¹, 3¹) are provided with a special finished or treated edge (18, 17, 16, 38, 39) wherein the ends of the double-walled U-shaped profile of the inner back-element (4, 4¹) together with the outer back-element (5) are covered with a folded closing plate (6).

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, said cover sheets (2, 2¹, 3, 3¹) are executed in sandwich plate (22, 22¹), which are build up of three layers, wherein the top layers or outer layers are aluminium layers with a thickness of approximately 0,2 mm and a plastic intermediate layer, such as polypropylene with a thickness of approximately 0,8 mm, wherein the special finished or treated edges (18, 16, 38, 39) of the cover sheets (2, 2¹, 3, 3¹) consist of folded edges (17, 18) or loose installed edges (16) or edges provided with an L-shaped profile (38) and a strip (39).

3. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the double-walled U-shaped profile of the inner back-element (4, 4¹) has slots (33) for opening with a lifting pin to loose flat headed screws (25, 26) for changing the sheets (9) and/or cover sheets (2¹, 3¹), wherein the inner back-element (4, 4¹) is fixed into the segment-shaped outer back-element (5) and the walls (d, h) of the U-shaped back-element (4, 4¹) are fixed together with adhesives.

4. Device as claimed in claims 1-2, characterized in that, the sandwich plate from which the inner back-element is made is divided into eight successive rectangular sections (a up to h) by V-shaped slotted lines (21), as deep as the thickness of the aluminium layer, wherein two of those sections (c, e), which will form the inner side of the legs of the U-shaped back-element, are provided with slotted and round openings aligned in the direction of the slotted lines (21), and wherein the section (a) positioned at the extremity of the plate and which forms on the outer sides of the U-shaped back-element is provided with a fixing snap construction (31), in which the device also comprising two loose sandwich plates (27, 28) with round bores (29, 30) which plates are positioned inside the U-shaped back-element in such a way that the bores (29, 30) fit with the slotted openings (23) of the plate (22) and wherein in folded position the inner back-element and the locking devices are locked by said snap construction.

5. Device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, the adhesives consist of double sided tape for adhering the sections d up to h and single sided tape with a snap knob on the rear side for a mutual detachable connection of the sections a with the loose section of the sandwich plate (27) .

6. Device as claimed in claims 1-3, characterized in that, in sections c and e in the direction of the folding lines (21) round bores or openings (36) are applied for inserting the mentioned bushes (24¹) by means of flat headed screws (25, 26) for the binding strips (7¹), which can be provided with only round bores and/or a combination of round bores and bayonet-shaped openings.

Drawing