Abstract:
The methods and devices of the present invention comprise and result generally in sturdy foldable, performed protective comers of sturdy construction, preferably acid-free, non-yellowing polymeric film, and preferably having a preformed comer pocket for a convenient, snug fit on a comer, and include a self-sticking adhesive for permanent adhesion to a comer. The methods provide convenient steps to creating such products economically.

Description:
CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/435,519, filed Nov. 8, 1999, entitled “CORNER PROTECTORS AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,955. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to protective comers and, more particularly, to protective comers to adhere to a comer of a book, poster, prospectus, folder, posted notice, or any document or thing prone to wear and tear or mutilation through normal use. 
     Books and paper documents, and virtually countless other paper and other products, have corners which can become worn, mutilated, unraveled, torn or otherwise destroyed through normal use. Similarly, tacking, taping and other mounting methods can damage the comers of documents. Such untimely destruction can unnecessarily shorten the useful life of the document, book, etc. Unfortunately, no known device existed prior to the present invention which provided an inexpensive, easily mountable, non-yellowing protection device which provides continuing protection to comers. Often, paperback books and novels, or other documents which are read and used repeatedly over long periods of time, had to be replaced or simply discarded. The present invention provides an inexpensive, convenient device which protects and/or repairs the corners of a book or document, for example, to greatly increase the useable life of the book or document. The present invention further provides methods for inexpensively and efficiently mass-producing the corner protectors. 
     The only known devices which utilize a structure and an adhesive capable of bonding to a comer are (1) Mounting Comers manufactured by Light Impressions of Rochester, N.Y. shown graphically at FIG. 19 a , and (2) Vinyl Comers made by Pioneer Photo Albums, Inc., of Chatsworth, Calif., shown graphically at FIG. 19 b . Neither of these products teaches the inventions described herein. The Light Impressions product consists of a strip of plastic material with adhesive on the outer edges thereof. The Light Impressions product does not form a discreet comer pocket as does each embodiment of Applicant&#39;s invention. The Pioneer Photo product appears to be a vinyl product with a performed comer, but with adhesive on a backside thereof. It is intended to mount pictures. It cannot protect a comer because of the way the adhesive is preformed and because they are no flaps or other means to allow it to adhere properly to a comer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides protection devices and methods for corner protectors in many forms. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a relatively firm strip or band of polymeric material which has been preformed having a comer pocket into which a comer to be protected can be inserted, and an adhesive area to adhere the strip to the book or other document or product to be protected, reinforced or repaired. The strip preferably has a flap extending from a fold line about which the flap may be folded so that the flap can adhere to the book or document and provide further support and protection to the document or book. The flap portion of the strip and the adhesive can be positioned such that the flap adheres to either the front or back side of the book, or document. In certain instances, the protective comer has an area of view, which may include an advertisement, notice, logo, company name, security code, bar code, inventory, file number or any other useful information. Further, the protective comers of the present invention can be constructed of translucent or opaque colored material so that files, documents, etc., can be readily organized and retrieved by color coordination. 
     The present invention also provides methods to efficiently produce the devices of the present invention in mass quantities. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1 through 4 are different views of preferred embodiment one of the device of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 5 through 8 are different views of preferred embodiment two of the device of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 9 through 12 are different views of preferred embodiment three of the device of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 13 and 14 are different views of preferred embodiment four of the device of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 15 and 16 are different views of preferred embodiment five of the device of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 17 and 18 are different views of preferred embodiment six of the device of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 19 a  and  19   b  are representations of devices in the prior art. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention takes on many forms, as shown in the attached drawing FIGS. 1 through 18. Each will be described herein. Throughout this patent, reference is made to application of the present invention to books or other documents. It should be understood, however, that the invention is at least equally applicable to any other thing which requires comer reinforcement, repair, or protection, such as album covers, disk jackets, posters, prospectuses, folders, posted notices, memos, etc. Further, the size and thickness of each embodiment can vary significantly, depending on the intended application. Additionally, in each embodiment, the exposed surface of the protector, when applied, can carry an advertisement, company name, logo, design, or any other information, as desired. 
     Preferred Embodiment 1 
     The first preferred embodiment of the present invention is designated generally  10  in FIGS. 1 through 4. This embodiment includes a substantially rectangular band  12  of firm material having an operational surface  13 , a top edge  14 , bottom edge  15 , and opposing edges  11 . Two separate strips of adhesive  17  extend from each edge  11  substantially across band  12 . An adhesive cover  21  of the same size as band  12  is removably attached to adhesive stripe  17  for removal upon application of band  12 . Band  12  also has two seams  19   a ,  19   b  each extending from top  14  to bottom  15  at bond  12  at 90° with respect to one another. 
     Corner protector  10  is used by aligning the apex  20  of seams  19   a ,  19   b  at the apex of a corner  22  of a book or other document. Adhesive cover  21  is removed. Band  12  is then adhered to the corner  22  such that the corner apex  23  aligns with seam apex  20 . Then, the areas of band  12  distal of seams  19   a ,  19   b  are folded about seams  19   a ,  19   b  such that the adhesive strip portions adhere to the corner  22 . Comer  22  is the therefore protected against mutilation and premature wearing. Band  12  is formed of acid-free polypropylene or other firm polymeric material which is clear, resilient and non-yellowing Of course, as with each embodiment of the present invention, band  12  may be formed of any sturdy, firm material resistant to mutilation from normal use. 
     Preferred Embodiment 2 
     This preferred embodiment is designated generally  30  in FIGS. 5 through 8. This embodiment includes a band  32  in the shape as shown being symmetrical about a centerline and being shoe-shaped on each side thereof. An upper section  32  is generally rectangular and a lower section  34  is generally rectangular with rounded corners  35  on the upper sides thereof, as shown. Band  32  has an operational surface  33  which abuts the book page  42  surface to be protected. A plurality of adhesive areas  36  are preferred on surface  33  for contact with and adhesion to page  42 . Each area  36  has an adhesive cover  38  which can be readily peeled away to expose the adhesive. Upper section  32  also has adhesive areas  38 . Adhesive areas  38  are preferably T-shaped and comprise one continuous area or two L-shaped areas back-to-back, as shown. Areas  38  also have a corresponding cover  39  which may be readily peeled away to expose the adhesive surfaces. Band  33  has two seams  41   a ,  41   b  running from a center point at the tope of upper section  32  to approximately the lower corners  37   a ,  37   b of lower section  34  in  90° relation to one another, such that outer portions of band  32  may easily fold along seams  41   a ,  41   b.    
     Embodiment 2 of corner protector invention  30  is used as follows. The corner  45  of a document  42  sought to be protected is placed in loose alignment with apex  47  and seams  41   a ,  41   b.  At that time, adhesive covers  38  are removed from areas  36  and lower section  34  of band  32  is adhered to document  42 . Then, cover  39  may be removed to expose adhesive area  38 . At that time, both upper section  32  and lower section  34  outer portions can be folded about seams  41   a ,  41   b , as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, to adhere to and stabilize cover  45  of document  42 . This embodiment covers a relatively small area of the protected corner, in those situations where that may be necessary or important. 
     Preferred Embodiment 3 
     This preferred embodiment is designated generally  50  in FIGS. 9 through 12. This embodiment 50 consists generally of a lower rectangular portion  51  and upper triangular portion  52 , with the apex of the upper portion  52  removed, as seen best in FIG.  9 . Lower portion  51  has an adhesive strip  53  across substantially all of that area, and having a peelable protection strip  54  thereon. 
     Embodiment 50 includes the following features. Two fold lines or seams  55   a ,  55   b  run from the lower corners of lower portion  51  to the corner of the cutout section of upper portion  52 , and are situated in 90° relation to one another, as shown in FIG.  9 . Two slits  56   a ,  56   b  exist in upper portion  52 , as seen in FIG. 10, resulting in four flaps  58   a ,  58   b  and  59   a ,  59   b.  Each flap  58   a ,  58   b ,  59   a ,  59   b  includes an adhesive section on an operational surface thereof having a protective peelable cover attached thereto. The operational surface is the surface which will contact the corner to be protected. 
     As best seen with reference to FIGS. 10 through 12, embodiment 50 is used in the following manner. Flap  58   b  is folded along seam  55   b.  Flap  58   a  is then folded along seam  55   a  such that the adhesive on flap  58   a  adheres to the back side of flap  58   b , thus forming a corner pocket  60 . Once formed, the corner of document  63  is inserted into pocket  60  until properly aligned. Once properly aligned, the adhesive strips on flaps  59   a ,  59   b  are exposed and the flaps are folded to adhere to document  63 , as best seen in FIGS. 10 and 11. The adhesive of lower rectangular portion  51  may also be exposed to adhere to document  63 . The adhesive may be continuous or discreet smaller portions. 
     This embodiment is especially preferred due to its ease of manufacture. This embodiment allows the protector to be easily mass-produced in a single run. Because of the overlap of flaps  58   a  over  58   b , the protector can be manufactured with a pre-formed corner very readily. To do so, a suitably sized strip  50  is cut or delineated from a larger source of suitable material. The strip is formed with the seams  55   a ,  55   b.  The adhesive strips are adhered. Importantly, an adhesive  57  is placed on the operational side of flap  58   a.  No adhesive protective cover is placed on adhesive patch  57 . Instead, when ready, flap  58   b  is folded along seam  55   b  and then flap  58   a  is folded along seam  55   a.  Adhesive  57  then adheres to the back side of flap  58   b  to create a pre-formed corner for perfect alignment with a corner. With such a product design and system, it is believed the product can be readily mass-produced with very little if any human involvement in forming the pre-formed corner, making production of the product very economical. 
     Preferred Embodiment 4 
     This preferred embodiment is designated generally  70  in FIGS. 13 and 14. Embodiment 4 of corner protector  70  comprises a generally rectangular strip  72  of firm, preferably polymeric, material which is acid-free and non-yellowing. Strip  72  has an operational surface  73 , top  74 , bottom  75  and opposing edges  76 . Extending a predetermined distance downward toward bottom  75  from top  74  are slits  77   a ,  77   b  spaced equidistantly from the center of top  74 . Protector  70  further includes seams  78   a ,  78   b  preformed into surface  73 , and extending from the center of top  74  to the corners of bottom  75  and in 90° relation to one another. Adhesive strips  80   a ,  80   b ,  80   c ,  80   d  are located across the upper portion of operational surface  73  as shown. 
     In use, protector  70  is placed in position so that a corner  87  of a document is substantially aligned with the center of top  74  of protector  70  and seams  78   a ,  78   b.  First triangular flap  82   a  is folded over so that it adheres to a surface of corner  87 . Next, triangular flap  82   b  is folded over to adhere to the surface or corner  87 . Then, flaps  84   a ,  84   b  are folded over along seams  78   a ,  78   b  to adhere to, stabilize and protect corner  87 , as seen in FIGS. 13 and 14. 
     Preferred Embodiment 5 
     The Preferred Embodiment 5 is designated generally  90  in FIGS. 15 and 16. Embodiment 5 of corner protector  90  comprises a generally T-shaped band of material  92 . Band  92  has top horizontal portion  93  and bottom vertical portion  94 , depending therefrom. At approximately the lower-most portion of bottom portion  94 , is an adhesive strip  96 . Adhesive strip  96  can be an elongated strip, as shown, on one or more discreet adhesive pieces. The inclusion of bottom portion  94 , and adhesive strip  96  thereon, provides for increased durability and stability to the protective corner when mounted to its target. Protector  90  also includes preformed seams  97   a ,  97   b.  Seams  97   a ,  97   b  extend downwardly from the center of the top edge of top portion  93 , in 90° relation to one another. Top portion  93  also includes adhesive strip  99  across the very top section thereof. 
     In use, protector  90  is positioned to be adhered to a corner as follows. Top portion  93  is folded along seams  97   a ,  97   b  so that a corner is formed. At this point, adhesive protector  95  of adhesive strip  99  is still in place. The corner formed of protector  90  is fitted over the corner  100  to be protected. Then, the lower adhesive protector  101  is removed and lower portion  94  is adhered to the book or corner  100  to be protected. Flaps  98   a ,  98   b  defmed by seams  97   a ,  97   b  are then folded back along seams  97   a ,  97   b  and adhesive protective corner  95  is removed. Lastly, flaps  98   a ,  98   b  are folded over to adhere to book or corner  100 , securing protector  90  in place to protect the book or corner  100 , as best seen with reference to FIG.  16 . 
     Preferred Embodiment 6 
     Preferred embodiment 6 is designated generally  110  in FIGS. 17 and 18. Embodiment 6 of protector  110  comprises a generally square band of material  112 . Band  112  has a top edge  113 , a bottom edge  114 , and operational surface  115 . Two slits  116   a ,  116   b  depend downwardly from top edge  113  equidistantly from a center of top edge  113 , approximately preferably ½inch. Two seams  117   a ,  117   b  are preformed in material  112  depending from the center of top edge  113  to the bottom of slits  116   a ,  116   b,  such that seams  117   a ,  117   b  are at a right angle to one another. Seams  117   a ,  117   b,  and slits  116   a ,  116   b  define flaps  118   a ,  118   b,  and tabs  119   a ,  119   b . Each of flaps  118   a ,  118   b , and  119   a  and  119   b  has an adhesive strip thereon with a protective, removable covering. 
     In use, protector  110  is positioned to be adhered to and protect a corner as follows. Top edge  113  and the apex of seams  117   a ,  117   b,  are placed near the corner. Flaps  118   a ,  118   b  are folded over along seams  117   a ,  117   b.  With one flap  118   a  or  118   b  folded over the adhesive protective covering of the other is removed to expose the adhesive. That flap  118   b  or  118   a , is then adhered to the corner. Subsequently, the other flap is adhered to the corner in a similar manner. Then, the adhesive strips of tabs  119   a ,  119   b  are removed and folded about seams  118   a ,  118   b  to adhere to and reinforce the corner. 
     Additional Features Applicable To The Various Embodiments 
     As stated, several preferred embodiments include a pocket, pre-formed or otherwise, in the shape of a right triangle. On each embodiment, an adhesive may be used to apply the protective corner to the target document. However, in each such embodiment, the protective corner may be constructed so as to allow insertion and temporary holding of another document within the protector when in use. 
     This feature will be described, for instance, with reference to FIGS. 9-12. In FIGS. 9 and 10, protective corner includes flaps  58   a  and  59   b  which fold over upon one another and form a pocket. The protector may include an adhesive exposed within an interior of the formed pocket to secure the protector to a corner. However, a desirable feature in such an embodiment may be to include an adhesive on only the bottom surface within the pocket. Or the user could simply leave the adhesive cover strip on the adhesive so that it does not expose the adhesive. In either case, this feature would allow easy insertion and the securing of a corner into the pocket, but would also leave a top surface of the corner of the document not adhered to this inside of the pocket. As such, another document, such as a business card, photo, or anything the user may wish to associate with the document, could be temporarily inserted into the pocket and be removably held in the corner protector. 
     Another feature possibly common to each preferred embodiment is the use of opaque or translucent colored materials to construct the corner protectors. This feature allows the protector to be fabricated in any different color, combination of colors, or design. This feature would allow color-coded filing conveniences and organization while also providing the protection to the documents. 
     Of course, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Other changes and modifications, such as those expressed here or others left unexpressed but apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the following claims.