Abstract:
Disclosed is a multi-function paper handling device primarily for use on pronged papers holders, typically two-pronged, which normally employ a compressor plate to hold papers which are spindled on the prongs. Instead of a compressor plate, the device replaces that function while simultaneously providing a hole punch which provides the holes for the prongs. The punch can also include an alignment guide, a letter opener or other features. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/316,121, filed 22 Dec. 2005 now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/638,900 filed on 22 Dec. 2004, the complete subject matter of each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a paper handling device including hole punching. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In an office setting, it is common to use files in which holes are punched in each page of the file contents, and the file contents are held together through the punched holes. It is commonplace to first punch two holes along the top edge of each page in a file, then insert each page onto a pair of flexible prongs which form a binder that secures the pages by the holes. This “prong binder” is secured to the file, either through holes in the folder or by an attachable element or by being integrated into the file itself, and in turn attaches all the file contents to the file through the punched holes at the top of each page. Common binders may use metal or plastic strips that protrude through the holes. The compressor plate is then slipped over the prongs, the prongs are bent and the papers are then held compressed together. Sometimes the compressors have further locking means to prevent the prongs from coming free from their bent position, but generally these are unnecessary, or unused as the strength of the prongs themselves prevents removal of the compressor. 
     The binders generally affix the file contents through the punched holes, but the holes are generally punched by an external punch. This is often inconvenient, as an external punch must be on hand if a document is to be added to the file. These external punches are generally quite large and expensive, and are not nearly as easily transported as the files themselves. Furthermore, if the spacing between the holes in the file is not the same as the punch, as may be the case if a European-sized file is examined in an office that only has a U.S.-sized punch, then documents are not easily added to the file. 
     More importantly, the punch is rarely conveniently available when papers are to be inserted into the binder. 
     One sure way to make the punch available is to make sure that it is indispensable to the operation of the prong binder/compressor system. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a hole punch that is relatively small and inexpensive which may be contained in the file itself, thereby eliminating the need for an external hole punch when documents are added to the file. 
     SUMMARY 
     There are several aspects to the invention. Reference should be had to the detailed description and the claims. For the reader&#39;s convenience a summary of some of salient features appears below. 
     For example, the invention includes a multifunction paper punch-compressor device for use with a multi-prong paper binder, having a first member having a first edge and at least two spaced apart apertures, a second member having a first edge and at least two spaced part apertures; said first edge of said first and second members being pivotally and resiliently joined, having a relaxed state where said members define a gap therebetween at said apertures and a compressed state wherein said member are in at least partial contact, said apertures of said first and second members being substantially co-axially aligned; a hole punch formed from said first and second members around said apertures, and configured to punch holes in papers when said device is in a compressed state; said apertures spaced apart at a predetermined distance to receive said prongs and to act as a compression plate to maintain the papers confined between the multi-prong binder and said device. 
     In another embodiment, the invention includes a paper punch-alignment device for use with a multi-prong paper binder, having a first member having a first edge and at least two spaced apart apertures, a second member having a first edge and at least two spaced part apertures; said first edge of said first and second members being pivotally and resiliently joined, having a relaxed state where said members define a gap therebetween at said apertures and a compressed state wherein said member are in at least partial contact, said apertures of said first and second members being substantially co-axially aligned; a hole punch formed from said first and second members around said apertures, and configured to punch holes in papers when said device is in a compressed state; said apertures spaced apart at a predetermined distance to receive said prongs and to act as a compression plate to maintain the papers confined between the multi-prong binder and said device; an alignment arm extending from one of said members generally along an axis passing through said apertures, said arm having a generally planar extension and being bounded by at least one side wall extending generally orthogonally from extension, so that a paper may be aligned against said side wall prior to punching to receive holes in a predetermined location. 
     Another embodiment includes a method of making a multifunction hole punch and paper compressor device for use on a multi-prong paper binder, comprising the steps of; determining the standard prong spacing of a multi-prong binder; folding over a single sheet material onto itself to form a pair of substantially planar members joined at one edge thereof; placing spaced apart apertures of said standard spacing in one of said planar members, said apertures being of predetermined diameter; forming similarly spaced apart apertures in the other planar member, said apertures of the planar members being coaxially aligned, forming a circumferential lip on the inside circumference of the one set of apertures, said lip having an outer diameter smaller than said predetermined diameter; so that said device may function both as a paper punch and a the compressor for the multi-pronged binder. 
     This summary is just exemplary. Reference should be had to the detailed description for further inventive concepts and to the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of a two-hole punch in an open position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective drawing of the two-hole punch of  FIG. 1  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective drawing of an alternate embodiment a two-hole punch in an open position. 
         FIG. 4  is an alternate perspective drawing of the two-hole punch of  FIG. 3  in an open position. 
         FIG. 5  is an orthographic projection of the two-hole punch of  FIGS. 3 and 4  in an open position. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective drawing of an embodiment of a two-hole punch with a letter opener. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan drawing of an embodiment of a two-hole punch, in front view. 
         FIG. 8  is a section drawing of the two-hole punch of  FIG. 7 , in right side view. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan drawing of the two-hole punch of  FIG. 7  in right-side view, in nearly closed position. 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of the two-hole punch of  FIG. 7  in right-side view, in closed position. 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of a two-hole punch used as the compressor for a pronged paper holder. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show an exemplary embodiment of a two-hole punch with alignment member and compressor. Element  10  shows the punch in an open, or unfolded, state, and element  20  shows the punch in a closed, or folded, state. The punch included two halves, a back half  11  and a front half  12 , separated by a hinge  13 . The hinge  13  may be continuous, or may be generally colinear segments that may or may not be connected. A gap between the segments with a recessed/exposed region will provide a visual indication that the paper to be punched is properly in place. Proper placement occurs when the top edge of the paper engages the hinge  13 . This will insure that the top margin relative to the holes, is correct. 
     The back half  11  has two holes  14  that align with two holes  15  on the front half  12  when the punch is closed. One set of holes, say  14 , has a raised cylindrical lip  24  extending around the diameter of the hole, so that the outside diameter of the raised cylindrical lip  24  fits snugly inside the inner diameter of the other set of holes, say  15 . Alternatively, the raised cylindrical lip  24  may be on the other set of holes, or may be distributed with one on each half. When a piece of paper is inserted between the two halves of the punch and the punch is closed, the holes  14  and  15  punch holes in the paper. The diameter of the punched holes is roughly equal to the outer diameter of the raised cylindrical lip  24 , and the spacing of the punched holes is roughly equal to the distance between the holes  14  and between the holes  15 . 
     Alternatively, the punch may have more or fewer than two holes  14  and  15 . For instance, a three-hole punch may be desired, using three holes  14  and three holes  15 . As a further alternative, the spacing of the holes may be in accordance with U.S. conventions, European conventions, or any other standard or non-standard configuration. One use of the punch is as a substitute compressor used with twin pronged paper fasteners which allows the punch to always be accessible to the user because it is stored in the place of a compressor holding down papers and immediately available to punch papers when needed. 
     During use, the back half  11  may be held against a surface, such as a tabletop or a file folder, while the front half  12  may open and close freely. The front half  12  may have a pressable region  16 , upon which the user may press to force the front half  12  into contact with the back half  11 . The pressable region  16  may be structurally reinforced so that it does bend undesirably or become permanently distorted during use. 
     The back half  11  may contain an alignment arm or punch gauge  17 , which is useful for positioning the paper before the holes are punched. For a page that is to receive holes along its top edge, the page is first positioned against a top guide  19  and a side guide  18 . As a gauge, extension  17 , it may include calibrations and stop  18  can be deleted to allow multiple size papers or placements to be aligned. The guides  18  and  19  may be raised portions of the alignment arm  17 , or sidewalls (top and side) extending generally upwardly (orthogonally) from the extension of the arm, and may protrude generally perpendicular to the plane of the alignment arm  17 . When first located against the guides  18  and  19 , a page then receives holes in the proper locations, preferably symmetrically centered along a particular edge of the page, with the paper also visible in the gap between the hinges. Note that top guide  19  and side guide  18  are merely exemplary names, and need not correspond strictly to the top or side edges of a page. 
     The punch may be formed out of sheet metal, or may be another suitable material, such as a molded plastic. Alternatively, the punch may be formed from a combination of materials, such as a molded plastic body, with metallic reinforcements on each cylindrical lip and holes or other suitable cutter. In a preferred embodiment, the punch may be stored on the same binder that secures the contents of the file to the file itself. The binder typically has two metal or plastic strips that extend through the punched holes in the file contents and either fold perpendicular to the holes or removably attach to each other to prevent the contents of the file from falling out. Preferably, the punch itself may be stored on the binder when not in use, and the two metal or plastic strips may extend through the holes  14  and  15  and secure the punch to the file itself. Furthermore, the punch may replace an optional reinforcing element in the binder, which may be stored on the strips as the “last” document before the strips are bent, folded or attached to each other. The punch is removed from the strips during use, and may be replaced onto the strips when not in use. Alternatively, the punch may be attached to the file by an adhesive, (which includes a magnet, hook and loop—Velcro® system or other removable fixative, so that the back half  11  remains stuck to a particular location on the file, both during use and during non-use. The back side may also include a clip, such as that used on mobile phone holsters to clip the unit to a folder, binder, shirt pocket or belt. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show another embodiment of a two-hole punch  30 , shown in an open, or unfolded, state. A back half  31  is connected to a front half  32  by a hinge  33 . Hinge  33  may comprise a series of parallel bends to create a spring effect.  FIG. 4  illustrates a series of bends to form an accordion-like wavy, zig zag or sinusoid like pattern to create a spring effect in soft steel which would otherwise lack resilience. The punch  30  may be closed by folding the halves together. The view in  FIG. 3  shows only the “outside” of the punch, where the “inside” of the punch is visible in  FIG. 4 . The back half  31  has a pair of holes  34 , with a raised cylindrical lip  44  surrounding each hole  34 . The front half  32  has a corresponding pair of holes  35 , where the outer diameter of the raised cylindrical lip  44  fits snugly inside the inner diameter of the hole  35 . The back half  31  has an alignment arm  37  with a side guide  38  and a top guide  39 . Note that the top guide  39  may extend past the end of the alignment arm  37  and may optionally extend along the entire length of the hinge  33 . To punch a pair of holes in a page, the page is first aligned to the top guide  39  and side guide  38 , then the front half  32  is brought toward the back half  31  by pivoting the front half  32  about the hinge  33  into the page as drawn in  FIG. 3 , and out of the page as drawn in  FIG. 4 . The user then depresses the raised reinforced pressable region (strengthen by a ridge which surrounds, and perhaps encompasses, the space between the holes, forcing the raised cylindrical lip  44  through the page, and through the hole  35 . The punch is then released, the halves are brought apart, and the page is removed, having a pair of new holes. 
       FIG. 5  shows the two-hole punch of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in a top view  51 , front view  52 , and right-side view  53 . The punch is shown in an open, or unfolded, position. 
       FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of a two-hole punch  60  that includes a letter opener  67  and structural reinforcements  66 ,  67  and  68 . A back half  61  is connected to a front half  62  by a hinge  63 . The back half  61  has a pair of holes  64 , with a raised cylindrical lip  54  surrounding each hole  64 . The front half  62  has a corresponding pair of holes  65 , where the outer diameter of the raised cylindrical lip  54  fits snugly inside the inner diameter of the hole  65 . The back half  61  has a letter opener  67  with structural reinforcements  68  to reduce bending of the letter opener  67 . The back half  61  and front half  62  each have structural reinforcements  69  and  66 , respectively. The structural reinforcements may be indentations in the material, such as grooves. Alternatively, the structural reinforcements may be added material of the same type or a different type from the rest of the punch  60 . Note that the punch  60  does not have an explicit guide or guide to position the paper before punching. The hinge  63  may be used to position an edge of the paper. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show a front view  70  and a side view  80  of an embodiment of a two-hole punch. A back half  71  is connected to a front half  72  by a hinge  73 . The back half  71  has a pair of holes  74 , with a raised cylindrical lip  84  surrounding each hole  74 . The front half  72  has a corresponding pair of holes  75 , where the outer diameter of the raised cylindrical lip  84  fits snugly inside the inner diameter of the hole  75 . The holes  75  have a hole reinforcing element  79  around them, which adds strength to the holes  75  and improves the efficiency of the punch. Note the section view  80  of  FIG. 8 , taken through the holes  74  and  75 , in which the raised cylindrical lip  84  and the hole reinforcing element  79  are clearly shown. This embodiment is particularly well suited as a substitute compressor for the paper compress known in the art used with a pronged paper holder. 
       FIG. 9  shows a side view  90  of the two-hole punch of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , folded into a nearly closed position. A back half  91  is connected to a front half  92  by a hinge  93 . The back half  91  has a pair of holes (not shown), with a raised cylindrical lip  94  surrounding each hole. The two elements labeled  94  are the upper and lower portions of a single cylindrical lip, seen end-on. The front half  92  also has a pair of holes (not shown), each with a hole reinforcing element  99  around it. To punch a hole, a sheet of paper is inserted between the two halves  91  and  92 , then the two halves are brought toward each other. The raised cylindrical lip  94  fits snugly inside the hole formed by the hole reinforcing element  99  in the front half  92 , and produces a hole-shaped aperture in the inserted sheet of paper. The two halves are retracted from each other, and the holed paper is withdrawn. 
       FIG. 10  shows a side view  100  of the two-hole punch of  FIGS. 7-9 , folded into a closed position. A back half  101  is connected to a front half  102  by a hinge  103 . The back half  101  has a pair of holes (not shown), with a raised cylindrical lip  104  surrounding each hole. The front half  102  also has a pair of holes (not shown), each with a hole reinforcing element  109  around it. 
       FIG. 11  shows a two-hole punch  110  used as the compressor for a pronged paper holder. A folder  114  has a flap  113  that folds over an edge  116  of the folder  114 . Two prongs  111  and  112  are fixedly attached to the flap  113  and are used to spindle the paper. The prongs  111  and  112  are generally made from metal, although a plastic or other suitable material may be used. To insert or remove pages  115  from the paper holder, the prongs  111  and  112  are bent perpendicular to the folder  114 . Likewise, when the prongs  111  and  112  are bent parallel to the folder  114 , the pages  115  are held in place. The two-hole punch  110  may be used as the compressor for the paper holder, i.e., the last element entered onto the prongs  111  and  112  before they are bent parallel to the folder  114 . In this manner, the two-hole punch  110  may be stored with the folder, while simultaneously providing structural reinforcement for the punched holes in the pages  115 . 
     The invention also includes a method of manufacturing a multifunction hole punch and paper compressor device for use on a multi-prong paper binder. One method includes the steps of: 
     a. Determining the standard prong spacing of a multi-prong binder. Different countries use different spacing and number of holes. 
     b. Folding over a single sheet material onto itself to form a pair of substantially planar members joined at one edge thereof. It is possible to use two separate members which are joined along one edge, instead of a single sheet. 
     c. Placing spaced apart apertures of the standard spacing in one of the planar members, said apertures being of predetermined diameter. 
     d. Forming similarly spaced apart apertures in the other planar member, the apertures of the planar members being coaxially aligned (i.e. upper and lower members mating). 
     e. Forming a circumferential lip on the inside circumference of the one set of apertures, said lip having an outer diameter smaller than said predetermined diameter. The preferred method is to use a punch of slightly greater diameter than the hole (but less that the inside diameter of the apertures in the other plate) and pressing the lip out of the material. This will create a sharp lip which create cutting engagement with the paper. 
     The result is a punch and compressor in a single unit so that said device may function both as a paper punch and a the compressor for the multi-pronged binder. 
     The invention also includes a method of using the multi-functioned punch as a compressor. 
     The description of the invention and its applications as set forth herein is illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein are possible, and practical alternatives to and equivalents of the various elements of the embodiments would be understood to those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of this patent document. These and other variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.