Patent Publication Number: US-7717639-B2

Title: Binder

Description:
FIELD 
   Aspects of the invention relate to binders for holding articles such as paper. 
   DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
   Binders are employed to hold articles, typically loose-leaf papers, documents, and the like. Labels may be viewable from the outside of the spine or cover(s) in order to identify the contents of the binder to a user. 
   SUMMARY 
   According to one aspect of the invention, a binder for retaining an item is provided. The binder includes a first and second panel with a spine connecting the first panel to the second panel. The spine defines a spine outer surface and a cutout. The binder also includes a window substantially in the cutout that defines a window outer surface, where the window outer surface is substantially flush with the spine outer surface. The binder also comprises a first flexible tab connected to the spine that extends at least partially in back of the window. 
   According to another aspect of the invention, a binder for retaining an item is provided. The binder comprises a first and second panel, each having an outer surface. A spine connects the first panel to the second panel. The spine has an outer surface. A cutout is disposed in at least one of the first and second panels and the spine. The binder also has a window substantially placed in the cutout that defines a window outer surface, wherein the window outer surface is substantially flush with the outer surface of at least one of the first and second panels and the spine. 
   According to yet another aspect of the invention, a binder for retaining an item is provided. The binder comprises first and second panels and a spine connecting the first and second panels. A cutout is disposed in at least one of the first and second panels and the spine. The binder includes a first flexible tab connected to the at least one of the first and second panels and the spine. The tab extends into the cutout. The binder also includes a window placed substantially in the cutout and at least partially in front of the tab. 
   Various embodiments of the present invention provide certain advantages. Not all embodiments of the invention share the same advantages and those that do may not share them under all circumstances. 
   Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure of various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a binder; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of a portion of the spine of the binder shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2A  is an enlarged side view of section A-A of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an end view of the spine of the binder shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a spine window of the binder shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 A- 4 A of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the inside of the binder shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the spine according to another embodiment; and 
       FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the spine according to yet another embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   This invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
   Aspects of the invention are directed to improved binders constructed to display and retain a label such that it is viewable from the outside of the binder. The binder includes a label display which may be formed of a window that is flush with the outer surface of the binder. The display may comprise at least one recessed tab to hold a label behind the window, and in one embodiment, against the window. 
   According to one aspect, a binder has a front panel, a back panel, and a spine connecting the front and back panels. The spine includes the label area or label display in the form of a pocket formed between a window and a recessed portion of the spine. The pocket may be accessed and a label may be placed in the pocket to identify the contents of the binder. Although in one embodiment, the label area is formed on the spine, any other locations on the binder may include a label area. 
   In one aspect, the window may be substantially rigid. The window may be substantially flush with the outer surface of the binder, such as the outer surface of the spine, such that the outer surface of the window is substantially contiguous with and follows the contour of the outer surface of the spine. The binder may be configured such that there are substantially no protruding edges of the window. In this manner, the window is substantially flush with the spine outer surface. 
   In another aspect, the binder may comprise at least one tab behind the window forming a pocket between the window and the tab. The tab may help hold a label in place behind the window. The tab may have a flexible portion to facilitate loading a label between the window and the tab. The tab may comprise a resilient material such that it is biased toward the window and springs back when flexed. The tab may additionally comprise a finger hold to aid a user in flexing a free end of the tab in order to load a label between the tab and the window. In one embodiment, the tab may be integrally formed with the spine. The outer surface of the tab may be recessed with respect to the outer surface of the rest of the spine in order to create a space for a window to be placed. 
   In yet another aspect, the binder may be configured such that a label is placed between the window and tab from the interior of the binding. Thus, in order to insert a label so that it can be viewed through the window, the binder is at least partially open. 
   It should be appreciated that various combinations of the above-described features can be employed together; however the aspects of the present invention are not limited in this respect. Therefore, although the specific embodiments disclosed in the figures and described in detail below employ particular combinations of the above-discussed features, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited in this respect, as the various aspects of the present invention can be employed separately, or in different combinations. Thus, the particular embodiments described in detail below are provided for illustrative purposes only. 
   Turning to  FIG. 1 , a binder according to one illustrative embodiment is shown. The binder  1  comprises a front panel  2 , a back panel  3 , and a spine  4 . The spine  4  is pivotably connected to both the front  2  and back  3  panels. The binder  1  is configured to hold papers, such as looseleaf 8½ by 11 papers, although other sizes may be used. To accomplish this, the binder  1  comprises a set of rings (not shown) attached to the front panel  2 , back panel  3 , or to the spine  4 . The rings are configured to correspond to the holes in the looseleaf paper(s) and may be of split ring configuration with an operating mechanism that opens the rings. Thus, the rings can be opened to add or remove papers, and closed to retain the papers as is known in the art. Some examples of binders are described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 11/301,338 and 11/327,194, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, although other covers, hinges, and ring configurations may be employed. 
   Continuing with reference to  FIG. 1 , in one illustrative embodiment, a window  5  is attached to the spine  4 . A label (not shown) may be placed behind the window. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the spine  4  comprises a central section  10 . Connectors (not labeled) for attaching the central section  10  to the front  2  and back  3  panels may be employed. Other suitable attachment arrangements for attaching the spine to the front and/or back panels may be employed, as the present invention is not limited in this regard. The central section  10  may have a cutout  6  which defines a space to place a window  5  (not shown). 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the window  5  may comprise a central section  51  and at least one flange  52 . The size and shape of the central section  51  may substantially correspond to the size and shape of the cutout  6  in the central section  10  of the spine  4 . 
   The central section  51  may be raised compared to the flange(s)  52 . The height difference h between the central section  51  and the flange(s)  52  of the window may substantially correspond to the thickness of the central section  10  of the spine  4  adjacent the cutout  6 . In this way, the central section  51  of the window  5  may be placed in the cutout  6  of the central section  10  of the spine  4  such that an outer surface  50  of the window  5  may be substantially flush with the outer surface  44  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the central section  10  of the spine  4 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the spine  4  may comprise an arcuate profile. Thus, the central section  10  of the spine  4  may not be substantially flat. If this is the case, the outer surface  50  of the window  5  may likewise be arcuate with substantially the same radius of curvature as the central section  10  of the spine  4 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . As such, the outer surface  50  of the window  5  does not substantially protrude along the outer surface  44  of the spine  4 . In other words, the outer surface  50  of the window  5  being “coplanar” or “flush” with the outer surface  44  of the spine  4  does not limit either the window  5  or central section  10  of the spine  4  to having a flat outer surface. Instead, the outer surface  50  of the window  5  substantially follows the curvature of the outer surface  44  of the spine  4  where the window  5  is to be placed. 
   Additionally, the window  5  may comprise attachment points  53  where the window  5  may be attached to the spine  4  to hold the window  5  in place. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the attachment points  53  include holes which can be attached to the central section  10  of the spine  4 . For example, the hole may mate with and be secured by a post  78  disposed on the spine  4  (see  FIG. 2A ). Although the attachment points  53  are located at the top and bottom of the window  5  in the  FIG. 4  embodiment, the attachment points  53 , if any, may be located at any position on the window  5 . Additionally or alternatively, the window may be attached to the spine  4  by adhesives, heat bonding, other mechanical fasteners, or any other means. The window  5  may be secured to the spine  4  at discrete attachment points  53 , by the flange(s)  52 , and/or around the perimeter of the window  5 . Any attachment methods, mechanisms, and/or location may additionally or alternatively be used, as the invention is not limited in this respect. 
   In one embodiment, the window  5  is made from a material such that the label is usable through the window. In one embodiment, the window is formed of clear plastic, such as polycarbonate, acrylic and/or polypropylene. The window  5  may comprise a relatively hard, durable, stiff plastic which will not substantially flex. However, any material or combination of materials may be used as the invention is not limited in this regard. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the central section  10  of the spine  4  may also have at least one tab  7  in the area of the cutout  6  to retain a label adjacent or against the window  5  so that the label is viewable through the window  5 . The tab  7  may be recessed behind the outer surface of the majority of the central section  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2A  to create a pocket for the label. In other words, an outer surface  79  of the tab  7  may not be flush with an outer surface  44  of the central portion  10  of the spine  4 . 
   The tab  7  may be connected to the central section  10  of the spine  4 . In one embodiment, the tab  7  is integrally formed with the central section  10  of the spine  4 , although it does not have to be as the invention is not limited in this respect. The tab  7  may be connected to the central section  10  of the spine  4  in any way. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tab  7  may be connected to the spine  4  by a bridge  75 . The bridge  75  may additionally connect a second tab  7 , opposite the first tab, to the central section  10  of the spine  4 . Alternatively, only one tab  7  may be employed, as the present invention is not limited in this regard. Indeed, any number of tabs may be employed as the present invention is not limited in this regard. Any other configuration may alternatively or additionally connect the tab  7  to the spine  4 . 
   The tab(s)  7  may have any orientation. Although the tabs  7  depicted in the Figures permit access to the window  5  from the top and/or bottom, the tab(s)  7  may be formed and connected to the spine  4  such that a label  6  may be loaded from the side or any other location. 
   In one embodiment, the tab  7  is configured to apply pressure on a label placed between the window  5  and the tab  7 . This pressure may prevent the label  5  from slipping out of the pocket. In one embodiment, the tab may be formed from a material which inhibits slippage of the label with respect to the tab  7 . The tab  7  may additionally or alternatively prevent slippage of a label by having a sticky coating, roughened surface or any other treatment which would reduce label movement. 
   Additionally or alternatively, the shape of the tab  7  may provide an additional force, thereby reducing label slippage. For example, the tab  7  may be curved along its length in order to create a larger biasing force on a label placed between the window  5  and the tab  7 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the tab  7  may be formed such that a bridge  75  is not coplanar with the free ends  71  of the tab. An outer surface  79  of the tab  7  may protrude towards the window  5  on at least one free end  71 . With this configuration, the tab(s)  7  may exert additional pressure on a label placed between the window  5  and the tab  7 . In another embodiment and as shown in  FIG. 7 , the outer surface  79  of the tab  7  protrudes in the central area  76  such that it biases a label  6  against the window  5 . A binder  1  according to the invention may have additional or alternative protrusions to bias a label against the window  5 , as the invention is not limited in this regard. 
   In one embodiment, the tab  7  is flexible and bends relatively easily to permit access to the window. The tab  7  may be configured to bend as shown in  FIG. 5  and then to rebound back to the position shown in  FIG. 2A . In the embodiment shown, the tab  7  is formed integral with the bridge  75  and in the form of a cantilevered element. As such, the tab  7  can flex, as shown. However, the present invention is not limited in this regard, as other suitable arrangements to allow the tab  7  to flex may be employed. For example, the tab  7  may be hinged or otherwise movable away from and towards the window to facilitate loading a label between the window  5  and the tab  7 . A separate spring may be employed. It should be appreciated that the tab  7  may not be movable with respect to the window  5  as the invention is not limited in this regard. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A, and  3 , the tab  7  may also comprise at least one finger hold  70 . The finger hold  70  may facilitate loading a label between the tab  7  and the window  5  by providing a space for a user to grab in order to flex the free end  71  of the tab  7  away from the window  5 . The finger hold  70  may comprise a flange  72  as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A, and  3 . Any other configuration may additionally or alternatively be used. For example, the finger hold  70  may comprise a ring, a pull string, or any other design configured to facilitate user access to the window  5 . 
   The spine  4  may comprise any number of materials, such as polymers and elastomers. For example, in one illustrative embodiment, polypropylene and/or a thermoplastic elastomer is used. However, any material may be chosen as the invention is not limited in this regard. The tab  7  and/or bridge  75 , being formed integral with the spine, may also be formed of the same material as the spine. 
   When configured in this or a similar manner, the tab(s)  7  may act to facilitate loading a label behind the window  5 , and/or help retain the label so that it is viewable through the window  5  from the outside of the binder  1 . 
   In one illustrative embodiment, a stop may prevent a label  6  from slipping and/or a user from pushing a label beyond the view of the window  5 . Any part of the binder  1  may act as a stop. For example, the window  5  may have an inner lip  54  as shown in  FIG. 4 , which may prevent a label from slipping beyond the view of the window. Alternatively or additionally, the post  78  which secures the window  5  to the spine  4  may also catch the bottom edge of a label in order to prevent it from slipping beyond the view of the window. There may be any number or type of physical obstacles which act as a stop by preventing or inhibiting a label from slipping. There also may be no physical obstacles serving as a stop, as the invention is not limited in this respect. 
   The size and location of the window is not limited to the one shown in  FIG. 1 . The spine may have a larger window that extends over a greater length and/or width, or a smaller window than the one shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively or additionally, the spine  4  may comprise multiple windows. The window(s) may be placed at any location along the length of the spine, as the invention is not limited to the window size and location depicted in or suggested by the Figures. 
   Other identification means may be used on the binder  1  in addition to the one on the spine  4 . For example, the front  2  and/or back  3  panel may have a clear pocket (not shown) in which to place a label or other identifying materials. In this regard, the spine label window and tab configuration described above may be configured for use on either or both of the front and back panels in addition to or instead of on the spine. 
   The spine and the tab  7  and/or bridge  75  may be formed using any suitable manufacturing processes. In one embodiment, the binder is formed by injection molding techniques. In this embodiment, the spine and tab  6  and bridge  75  are molded together so as to be integrally formed. 
   In use, to load a label in the window, the binder is opened by opening the front panel. This exposes the interior of a binder  1  to a user. A tab  7  may be flexed toward the user as shown in  FIG. 5 . The leading edge of a label may be slipped in the gap between the tab  7  and the window  5 , and a user may continue to push the label further until it rests on a stop. If a stop is not used, a user may push the label until the label is satisfactorily viewable through the window  5 . The bent tab  7  may then be released, which, as explained, may act to secure the label in place. Alternatively, a label may be slipped into the gap between the tab  7  and window  5  without first bending a tab  7  toward the user. 
   Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.