GB2587439A - A document file - Google Patents
A document file Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2587439A GB2587439A GB1918226.0A GB201918226A GB2587439A GB 2587439 A GB2587439 A GB 2587439A GB 201918226 A GB201918226 A GB 201918226A GB 2587439 A GB2587439 A GB 2587439A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- document file
- hole punch
- punch
- alignment
- panel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008275 binding mechanism Effects 0.000 abstract description 9
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 12
- 238000004080 punching Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 244000038293 primary consumers Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42F—SHEETS TEMPORARILY ATTACHED TOGETHER; FILING APPLIANCES; FILE CARDS; INDEXING
- B42F13/00—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots
- B42F13/40—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots combined or formed with other articles, e.g. punches, stands
- B42F13/404—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots combined or formed with other articles, e.g. punches, stands with punches
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42F—SHEETS TEMPORARILY ATTACHED TOGETHER; FILING APPLIANCES; FILE CARDS; INDEXING
- B42F13/00—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots
- B42F13/16—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots with claws or rings
- B42F13/20—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots with claws or rings pivotable about an axis or axes parallel to binding edges
- B42F13/22—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots with claws or rings pivotable about an axis or axes parallel to binding edges in two sections engaging each other when closed
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42F—SHEETS TEMPORARILY ATTACHED TOGETHER; FILING APPLIANCES; FILE CARDS; INDEXING
- B42F13/00—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots
- B42F13/16—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots with claws or rings
- B42F13/20—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots with claws or rings pivotable about an axis or axes parallel to binding edges
- B42F13/22—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots with claws or rings pivotable about an axis or axes parallel to binding edges in two sections engaging each other when closed
- B42F13/26—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots with claws or rings pivotable about an axis or axes parallel to binding edges in two sections engaging each other when closed and locked when so engaged, e.g. snap-action
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42F—SHEETS TEMPORARILY ATTACHED TOGETHER; FILING APPLIANCES; FILE CARDS; INDEXING
- B42F13/00—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots
- B42F13/40—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots combined or formed with other articles, e.g. punches, stands
- B42F13/408—Filing appliances with means for engaging perforations or slots combined or formed with other articles, e.g. punches, stands with sheet rests or sheet lifters
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO BOOKS, FILING APPLIANCES OR THE LIKE
- B42P2241/00—Parts, details or accessories for books or filing appliances
- B42P2241/06—Handles; Gripping means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO BOOKS, FILING APPLIANCES OR THE LIKE
- B42P2241/00—Parts, details or accessories for books or filing appliances
- B42P2241/08—Perforations or slots that can cooperate with filing means as claws, rings or the like
Landscapes
- Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)
Abstract
A document file with front 9.1 and rear 9.2 panels and a hole punch 8 supported by one of the panels. The hoe punch may be removable from the panel with a locking means to engage the punch with the panel. There are alignment means for aligning a sheet of paper with the punch, which may be alignment tracks 6. Alignment tracks may be on the inner face of the panel supporting the punch, and may be foldable toile flat and may be retained by clips. The file may have a binding mechanism 3 that is a ring binder or a lever arch. The hole punch may have a closure device that connects the front to the rear panels in order to lock the file.
Description
A DOCUMENT FILE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a document file.
In particular the invention relates to a type of document file, referred to as a ring binder, which stores punched sheets of paper, usually along their lengthwise margins, by way of a pair of openable and closable rings that snap shut to retain sheets of paper.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Regular document files and ring binders cover and protect documents, but they require the user to use an additional hole punching mechanism, which is not always readily available. Consequently failure to use a hole punch may lead to important documents being creased or damaged, or misplaced or lost due to a failure to file them correctly.
Presently there is no solution for the alignment, protection and perforation of documents in a paper file.
PRIOR ART
US patent US 1 623 824 (John A Bondesson and Allan F Hunt) discloses a combined punch file which is heavy and does not allow a user to remove sheets from the middle of the binder without removing all the sheets and so requires finding each sheet manually.
Australian patent application AU 3345099 (Suk-Hyun Hwang) discloses a document file having punching function that eliminates a need for a separate punch for making holes in documents, as it simultaneously performs punching and filing operations in a unit on the document file.
UK patent GB 712 002 (Hussain Jaber) discloses a punch file that incorporates a hole punching mechanism onto a bottom portion of an openable and closable split binding clip, thereby eliminating the need for a separate punch for making holes in documents.
Chinese patent application CN108 422 765 (YMNI) discloses a file with a punching function which is convenient for binding and which prevents a user from closing the file into the shape of regular widely used document files and so provides a convenient storage system for documents.
German Patent Application DE 2 947 367 (Horst Ing Grad Klimach) discloses a file that eliminates a need for a separate punch for making holes in documents and uses spring loaded pin, loose leaf files with an in-built punching means.
Although successful the aforementioned systems suffer from one or more drawbacks The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the problem of having a separate hole punch and document file.
In addition an aim of the present invention is to provide a ring binder to assist a user to align a sheet of paper and present them to the hole punch in a manner that assures that holes are formed in the same region on separate sheets. An advantage of the invention is that sheets of paper are neatly aligned in the folder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a document file comprising: a folder with front and rear panels; a hole punch for making holes in a sheet of paper is supported by one of the panels; and an alignment means is provided to align a sheet of paper so as to present it to the hole punch in order that holes are formed in the sheet of paper in a user selected region.
The alignment means ensures that as each sheet of paper is presented to the hole punch, it aligns them so that holes are formed in substantially the same location of each sheets. This ensures that sheets are neatly aligned so to make for a tidy and balanced filing system.
Ideally the hole punch is removable from the panel.
In some embodiments the hole punch is adapted to lie flat so as to occupy minimum space and thereby enable the panel, in which it is located, to be closed without standing proud of the contents of the document file.
In some embodiments the hole punch may have a lock means that is adapted to lock and engage the hole punch with the panel.
Optionally the means for forming holes is a dual hole punch, although a single or multi hole punch device may be used.
In some embodiments of the invention the alignment means comprises first and second alignment tracks that are provided on inner faces of the panel that support the hole punch.
Preferably the alignment tracks are foldable to lie on the inner face of the panel. The alignment tracks are ideally retained on the inner face of the panel by way of clips or glue or other connection means or they may be detachable so that they can be substituted by wider alignment means, so as to accommodate the contents of a folder as it becomes thicker.
Ideally the document file is a ring binder file. Alternatively it may be a lever arch file.
In an another embodiment the document file includes a hole punch which has a closure device that connects the front to the rear panels in order to lock the file.
Embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows an end view of a closed document file; Figure 2 shows a plan view of an open document file; Figure 3 shows an overall view of a folder with a hole punch supported by one of the panels and the alignment means aligning an exemplar sheet in preparation for being punched; Figure 4 shows an overall view of the folder with the punched sheet of paper placed on a ring binding mechanism of the folder; and Figure 5 shows an overall view of an example of a perforating mechanism cut out from a section of the document file
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the Figures, Figure 1 shows an example of a document file 10 which has a reinforced circular hole 4 on a back of a foldable base plate 9.
This circular hole 4 provides a convenient solution for a user to remove the document file 10 from a high storage vicinity; for example a shelf (not shown). A user typically hooks a finger into an aperture defined by the hole 4 and pulls backwards and downwards in order to remove the document file 10 from the high storage vicinity, in an easy and convenient fashion.
The document file 10 comprises a binding mechanism 3 to aid with the binding and storage of a user's documents. This binding mechanism 3 may be of the type which is commonly referred to as a ring binder, a lever arch file or a similar binding mechanism. In preferred embodiments, this binding mechanism 3 is located on an inner face of the file and in the same plane as other components, such as the perforating mechanism 8, of rear panel 9.3 of the foldable base plate 9.
This foldable base plate 9 when opened preferably has two alignment tracks 6. The alignment tracks 6 are ideally triangular shaped so as to allow the document file to fold into its preferred well known form, that of a regular parallelepiped or box shape as it provides for easy and a standardised form of storage.
Parallel to these triangular alignment tracks 6 are two raised groove shaped sections 2 to allow the alignment tracks 6 to slot into place. The alignment tracks 6 also serve to align a sheet of paper or documents prior to formation of holes. These are advantageous as otherwise documents may be left badly perforated and may stick out of a paper file, leading to them becoming damaged and out of place. These alignment tracks 6, when engaged with the alignment grooves 2, also form a protection system along the top and bottom edges of the document file. This further protects documents in conjunction with the other elements of the file in a way that is beneficial to many users.
Often, the primary consumers of what are commonly referred to as ring binders or document files of the like, place these into rucksacks, sometimes placing other objects along the top of the document file. This often leaves the top edge of the documents damaged due to the uneven and direct distribution of the weight of the objects resting along the top of the document file onto the documents. This alignment system further serves as a protection system and therefore aim to minimise the likelihood of this occurrence.
In preferred embodiments, the document file 10 has reinforced edges 1 and front 9.1 and rear panels 9.2. A perforation device 8, such as a hole punch, is located in a front panel 9.1. A binding mechanism 3 encompasses outer edges of the document file 10.
The perforation device or hole punch 8 when depressed forms holes in a sheet of paper and is supported by one of the panels. An alignment means, such as an alignment groove or channel 2, is provided to align a sheet of paper so as to present it to the hole punch 8 in order that holes are formed in the sheet of paper in a repeatable manner at a desired location.
The reinforced edges 1 typically are formed from a stiffer and more resilient more robust material than that which forms the foldable base plate 9, thus reducing the propensity for the document file to be damaged. This also reduces the risk of damage to the documents that are stored on the file from becoming damaged. The reinforced edges thereby create a safe and convenient alternative solution to the binding and storage of documents in a bound volume.
In another preferred embodiment, the perforating mechanism or hole punch 8 is detachable from the front panel 9.1 of foldable base plate 9. This allows for the perforating mechanism or hole punch 8 to be used in other ways as a standalone hole punch for example. Removal of the hole punch also reduces the weight of the file.
To remove the hole punch or perforating mechanism 8 the user may grip the perforating plate 8.1, (on a top side or edge so as to avoid the perforating blades 8.2 and pulls it downwards and to the side, in order to imitate the swinging of the hinges 8.3 and lay the perforating plate 8.1 on the same plane as the foldable base plate 9. Once the perforating plate 8.1 is in the same plane as the foldable base plate 9, it becomes detachable, for example by the user giving a sharp pull to one side, so as to disengage two hinge elements A and B one from another.
The user is then left with one of the integrated hinge elements A (which may be a pair of cylindrical tags) connected to the document file 10 and the other integrated hinge element B connected to the perforating plate 8.1 itself. This configuration allows the user to use the perforating plate 8.1 to manually punch holes in sheet or documents. The hinge elements A and B may readily reengaged one with another so that the perforating mechanism 8 is once again connected to the folder or cover 9 of document file 10.
To do this, the user aligns both sets of hinge elements on an even plane parallel one to another and pushes them together so that they reengage in a natural way to engage positively. Optionally this produces a click that ensures that the two hinge elements are repositioned in a way that the hinge functions as before.
In preferred embodiments, this perforating mechanism 8 ideally includes at least two perforation blades 8.2. The distance between each of these blades is substantially identical to the distance between the two individual binding prongs so that perforated documents fit easily within the binding mechanism.
To use the document file in preferred embodiments, a user may simply open the document file by gripping the foldable base plate 9 and lifting, like a book.
Then, if the document is perforated, the user will simply store it in the binding mechanism 3, and if not, the user will use the alignment tracks 6 in conjunction with the perforating mechanism 8 in order to perforate the paper.
Referring again to Figure 1, upon closing the document file, the alignment tracks 6 slot into the raised alignment grooves 2.
As shown in Figure 2, upon opening the document file, the foldable baseplate 9 naturally folds into a flat plane which is a convenient configuration for the user to use the individual elements of the document file.
As shown in Figure 3, the user uses the alignment tracks 6 in order to guide documents into the desired position for the perforating mechanism 8.
As shown in Figure 4, the user can make use of the binding 3 mechanism in conjunction with the alignment grooves 2 in order to ensure that the chosen documents are bound in a desired, orderly fashion.
As shown in Figure 5, the user manipulates a perforating plate 8.1 and thereby perforating blades 8.2, in conjunction with the alignment tracks 6, in order to ensure that documents are perforated in a desired location and so can be arranged in an orderly fashion.
Optionally the alignment grooves 2 and alignment tracks 6 are integrated.
The invention has been described by way of example only, and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.
Claims (10)
- CLAIMS1. A document file comprises: a folder with front and rear panels; a hole punch for making holes in a sheet of paper is supported by one of the panels; and an alignment means aligns the sheet so as to present the sheet of paper to the hole punch so that holes are formed in the sheet of paper in a user selected region.
- 2. A document file according to claim 1 wherein the hole punch is removable from the panel
- 3. A document file according to claim 2 wherein the hole punch has a lock means that is adapted to lock and engage the hole punch with the panel.
- 4. A document file according to any preceding claim wherein the means for forming holes is a dual hole punch.
- 5. A document file according to any preceding claim wherein the alignment means comprises first and second alignment tracks provided on inner faces of the panel that supports the hole punch.
- 6. A document file according to claim 5 wherein the alignment tracks are foldable to lie on the inner face of the panel.
- 7. A document file according to claim 6 wherein the alignment tracks are retained on the inner face of the panel by way of clips.
- A document file according to any preceding claim is a ring binder file.
- A document file according to any preceding claim is a lever arch file.
- 10. A document file according any preceding claim wherein the hole punch has a closure device that connects the front to the rear panels in order to lock the file.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1918226.0A GB2587439B (en) | 2019-12-11 | 2019-12-11 | A document file |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1918226.0A GB2587439B (en) | 2019-12-11 | 2019-12-11 | A document file |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB201918226D0 GB201918226D0 (en) | 2020-01-22 |
GB2587439A true GB2587439A (en) | 2021-03-31 |
GB2587439B GB2587439B (en) | 2021-12-22 |
Family
ID=69171970
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB1918226.0A Expired - Fee Related GB2587439B (en) | 2019-12-11 | 2019-12-11 | A document file |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2587439B (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD959549S1 (en) * | 2020-06-19 | 2022-08-02 | ACCO Brands Corporation | Binder with three hole punch |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL7403453A (en) * | 1973-03-15 | 1974-09-17 | ||
US20120039664A1 (en) * | 2009-04-27 | 2012-02-16 | Chung-Real Lee | Binder having structure for punching document |
DE202013008495U1 (en) * | 2013-09-24 | 2013-11-21 | Dieter Brahmer | Pocket punch mounted in file folder |
JP2016112677A (en) * | 2014-12-12 | 2016-06-23 | 株式会社リヒトラブ | punch |
CN108422765A (en) * | 2018-03-14 | 2018-08-21 | 浙江协利科技有限公司 | A kind of file with punching functions and convenient for binding |
-
2019
- 2019-12-11 GB GB1918226.0A patent/GB2587439B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL7403453A (en) * | 1973-03-15 | 1974-09-17 | ||
US20120039664A1 (en) * | 2009-04-27 | 2012-02-16 | Chung-Real Lee | Binder having structure for punching document |
DE202013008495U1 (en) * | 2013-09-24 | 2013-11-21 | Dieter Brahmer | Pocket punch mounted in file folder |
JP2016112677A (en) * | 2014-12-12 | 2016-06-23 | 株式会社リヒトラブ | punch |
CN108422765A (en) * | 2018-03-14 | 2018-08-21 | 浙江协利科技有限公司 | A kind of file with punching functions and convenient for binding |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD959549S1 (en) * | 2020-06-19 | 2022-08-02 | ACCO Brands Corporation | Binder with three hole punch |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2587439B (en) | 2021-12-22 |
GB201918226D0 (en) | 2020-01-22 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20231211 |