Abstract:
The present invention comprises a document binder assembly which may be printed commonly available office equipment, which results in a document binder assembly with exponentially wider distribution, use and much lower cost to the user when compared to the prior art. A slide and spacer in the document binder assembly operate to attach a cover to a bound document. Said cover may be received by a standard printer, wherein a user may print text, logos, graphics, or other desired material onto the cover. Optionally, an adhesive strip may be mounted to the spine of the document to reinforce the strength of the document binder assembly. The result is a document binder assembly useful for making short run full dress documents may be printed on commonly available office equipment, singly or in quantity, and offering highly desirable combination of low cost, professional appearance, and ease of decoration on all surfaces.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of document binder assemblies, and more specifically, relates to a document binder assembly, and method for manufacturing same, that is configured for volume production and allows users to create document binder assemblies quickly, inexpensively, and in low quantities. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Currently, businesses and individuals alike have a need to present documents in an aesthetically pleasing manner. In the world of business, this need may arise when presenting marketing materials to a potential client, submitting a business proposal, or dispersing reports at a large meeting. Individuals also have a need for presenting bound documents in an aesthetically pleasing manner, including students who may prepare book reports and term papers which, if bound, have a pleasing appearance as well as enjoying the benefits of having the pages securely bound together versus a less secure staple or paperclip. 
         [0003]    Frequently, business and individuals turn to binding their documents via a coil binding technique. This technique involves a round coil binding which pierces each page via a hole placed in the left side periphery of the page. The coil binding is typically applied to the pages via a designated device, which is usually available at most document service retail establishments. This coil binding technique is a popular method for presenting documents because of the effectiveness of the coil in keeping the pages bound together, as well as the low cost for such a technique. Coil binding is also ubiquitous because of the ease of use such binding offers for users. For example, coil binding is a quick method of binding documents. A user may print, bind and ship a document within a few minutes. Coil binding is reversible, as pages may be replaced or substituted after the document is bound, if needed. Further, the coil binding technique comparatively low cost and lies flat when opened. These factors contribute to the coil binding technique favoring low production volume projects. 
         [0004]    However, the coil binding technique comprises several disadvantages. One such disadvantage includes difficulty in identifying the document when stacked or placed on a bookshelf. Because the coil binding does not comprise sufficient area to place any text, graphic, or logo, the document is usually identified by the front cover, which is not visible when stacked or stored on a bookshelf. Another alternative is taping an identifier, such as a label with printed material, on the coil binding. This alternative is undesirable for the taped identifier usually detaches over time, and detracts from the overall appearance of the document. 
         [0005]    As a result, various mechanisms for presenting documents have arisen in the prior art. These mechanisms include document binder assemblies which involve a cover for a coil bound document. An example of such a document binder assembly includes U.S. Patent Application 20050254885 to David Laufer, filed on May 13, 2004 (hereinafter referred to as “the &#39;885 Application”). The assembly in the &#39;885 Application provides a breakthrough in the document binder assembly market by providing a document binder assembly configured to serve the needs of mass market desktop binding systems. 
         [0006]    However, the assembly in the &#39;885 Application requires a non-standard size of paper, as the assembly in the &#39;885 Application is configured for customized printing in a commercial printing environment. For example, the document binder assembly in the &#39;885 Application requires 14×20″ sheet, which is a standard-sized commercial printing paper. In order to effectuate the printing of the &#39;885 Application, a user would likely utilize the services of a special manufacturer offering services in accordance with the &#39;885 Application. 
         [0007]    Thus, there is a need in the prior art for a document binder assembly which is configured for the mass market, that allows users to produce desktop bound documents quickly, inexpensively, and in low quantities. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention comprises a document binder assembly which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages in the prior art by providing a document binder assembly which, by means of a different configuration of components, makes the covers imprintable on commonly available office equipment, allows exponentially wider distribution, use and much lower cost to the user. In one embodiment, the document binder assembly in accordance with the present invention covers a bound document, and comprises a slide having an insert portion at a first side thereof and an engagement portion at a second opposite side thereof; a cover including a first wrap portion at a first side thereof, a second wrap portion at a second opposite side thereof, the second wrap portion receiving the insert portion of the slide, and an intermediate portion between the first wrap portion and the second wrap portion. A spacer is affixed to said cover of the document binder assembly and received by the slide by a notch in the slide. The resulting document binder assembly is an improvement over the prior art for the cover for said document binder assembly may be printed on most standard printers, which aids volume production. Furthermore, said spacer as provided by the present invention provides a unique and effective way to secure the cover to the document binder assembly. 
         [0009]    Additional objectives, features and advantages will be apparent in the written description which follows, while referring to the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
           [0011]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate the document binder assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a bound document as utilized in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a system diagram illustrating the system components of the document binder assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates the slide as utilized in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a system diagram illustrating the slide in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention broken into pre-cut components. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a system diagram illustrating the application of adhesive on the cover  110  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a system diagram illustrating the placement of the spacer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of the back interior of document binder assembly  1  in a completed state. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of an embodiment using a snap for a spacer. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 10A ,  10 B &amp;  10 C illustrate an embodiment utilizing tabs and slots to perform the function of the spacer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0022]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 
         [0023]    For the purpose of describing the present invention in detail, certain terms used hereinafter are defined as follows: 
         [0024]    “Binding member” includes, but is not limited to, the following: brads, staples, saddle stitching, perfect binding, plastic coil, metal wire coil, plastic comb, plastic post, plastic disk, wire, ring binder, Smythe sewn, kettle stitched process by hand, adhesive, or combinations of the above elements. 
         [0025]    “Printed material” includes but is not limited to alphanumeric characters, numerals, trademarks, any graphic and textual marks. 
         [0026]    “Bound document” includes, but is not limited to, reports, analyses, proposals, marketing materials, brochures, manuals, guides, prospectus, booklets, and other such items. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate the document binder assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1A , document binder assembly  1  comprises a bound document  5  comprising a multiplicity of sheets  50  bound by binding member  60  and having a front cover  25 . The multiplicity of sheets may be of any size, including but not limited to, letter size (8.5″×11″) or A 4  size (as defined by ISO  216 , which comprises 210 mm×297 mm). 
         [0028]    Cover  110  comprises a first wrap portion  30  which is attached to front cover  25  of bound document  5 . Second wrap portion  120  encloses a slide  95 , which is attached to binding member  60  after the multiplicity of sheets  50  of bound document  5 . Text, graphics, or other printed material may be printed on cover  110  by a standard printer or specialized commercial use printer. The resulting document binder assembly  1  is an attractive, innovative approach to presenting a bound document  5  which allows printed material to be printed on cover  110 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the document binder assembly  1  from a front view when in a closed position. Binding member  60 , which binds the multiplicity of pages  50 , is enclosed within document binder assembly by cover  110 . Thus, text or graphics may be printed on cover  110  on the other side of binding member  60  on spine portion  140 . 
         [0030]    First wrap portion  30  adheres directly to front cover  25 . An adhesive strip may be used to adhere first wrap portion  30  to front cover  25 , but those skilled in the art will recognize that other mechanisms may be utilized within the spirit of the present invention. This adhesive strip may be applied by the user, or applied during the manufacturing process of cover  110 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a bound document as utilized in an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2A , the bound document  5  comprises a front cover  25 . The front cover is linked to bound document  5  via binding member  60 . Front cover  25  may be of any material capable of being bound to the multiplicity of pages  50  by binding member  60 , including but not limited to, paper or plastic. Binding member  60  may be any binding mechanism capable of binding a multiplicity of pages, including but not limited to a coil binding, a spiral binding, an adhesive binding, a brad binding, or one or more staples. 
         [0032]    Bound document also comprises a multiplicity of pages  50 , which are preferably made of paper and bound together by binding member  60 . The pages  50  may comprise perforations  15  on the left periphery for receiving the binding member  60 . The size of the perforations  15  will vary depending on the size needed to receive binding member  60 , as binding members vary in size depending on the amount of pages in the bound document. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2B  is a front view of a bound document  5  with slide attached in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Slide  95  is attached after the last page of the multiplicity of pages  50  to the bound document  5  via binding member  60 . The attachment of slide  95  to bound document  5  will be described in greater detail in the following description of  FIG. 2C . 
         [0034]      FIG. 2C  is a back view of a document binder assembly with slide  95  attached in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Bound document  5  comprises slide  95 , which is attached to the bound document  5  via the binding member  60 . Slide  95  comprises perforations  100  which receive binding member  60 . Binding member  60  also holds a multiplicity of pages  50  behind slide  95 . Slide  95  defines a notch  80 , which is an indention cut into slide  95 . The size of notch  80  may vary depending on the size of a spacer which is received by slide  95 , but cannot be of such variance in size from the spacer as to allow for possible misalignment of the document binder assembly  1 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a system diagram illustrating the system components of the document binder assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Cover  110  comprises several areas, including first wrap portion  30 , spine portion  140 , intermediate portion  130 , and second wrap portion  120 . These areas may be defined via a variety of methods, including but not limited to, folded creases in cover  110 , or printed lines on cover  110  scoring each area. Preferably, these areas are defined by a printed dotted line on cover  1   10  to indicate a machine score to facilitate folding of the cover  1   10  into the several areas listed above. 
         [0036]    Information such as graphics, text, or other branding material may be printed and displayed on cover  1   10 . To print information on the cover  1   10 , a user may use a program on a personal computer. Alternatively, a user may use a dedicated device to print the information on the cover  110 . If a personal computer is utilized, the information may be printed on cover  110  via a command from the program. Such program may comprise, but is not limited to, an MS Office (TM) application or Adobe Creative Suite (TM) program. 
         [0037]    Slide portion  90  comprises first slide portion  75 , second slide portion  85 , and the slide  95 . First slide portion  75  is preferably coated with adhesive on both sides to enable the slide  95  to be connected to the cover  110 . However, other adhering mechanisms other than adhesive may be utilized within the scope of the present invention. Also, the user may apply adhesive to first slide portion  75 , instead of first slide portion  75  receiving the adhesive on both sides during the manufacturing process. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  illustrates the slide as utilized in an embodiment of the present invention. Slide  95  is preferably made of paper or a paper product, but may be made of any other material (e.g., plastic) capable of being bound by binding member  60 . The first outer edge of slide  95  defines notch  80  for receiving spacer  70 . The first outer edge of slide  95  comprises the insert portion of slide  95 , for the insert portion of slide  95  is configured to slide in between cover  110  and second wrap portion  120 . 
         [0039]    Perforations  100  are located on the second outer edge of slide  95  as to enable slide  95  to be bound by binding member  60 . These perforations  100  comprise the engagement portion of slide  95 , for the perforations  100  engage the slide  95  with the binding member  60 . The size of the perforations  100  will vary depending on the size needed to receive the particular binding member  60 , as binding members exist in various sizes in the industry. 
         [0040]    However, if binding member  60  does not require perforations  100  to bind a multiplicity of pages together, slide  95  may not comprise perforations  100  along the second outer edge. In this circumstance, the engagement portion will be the edge of the slide  95  which engages the binding member  60 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  is a system diagram illustrating the slide portion  90  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention broken into pre-cut components. Slide portion  90  is broken apart by the user into first slide portion  75 , second slide portion  85 , slide  95 , and spacer  70 . The first slide portion  75  and second slide portion  85  are preferably covered with an adhesive material. Alternatively, a user may apply adhesive to first slide portion  75  and second slide portion  85  as part of the assembly process of document binder assembly  1 . 
         [0042]    Slide portion  95  is preferably manufactured to comprise spacer  70  as an attachment to slide portion  90 , where in the spacer  70  is configured to be removed by a user as part of the assembly process of document binder assembly  1 . The removal of spacer  70  from slide portion  90  creates a cavity in slide  95 . Thus, after the removal of spacer  70 , the perimeter of slide  95  defines a notch  80  for receiving spacer  70 . Spacer  70  may be perforated in such a manner as to provide for easy removal from slide  90 . However, spacer  70  may also be manufactured separately, or removed before providing the document binder assembly  1  to an end user 
         [0043]    The perimeter of slide  95  defining the notch remaining after removal of spacer  70  comprises the insert portion of slide  95 . Thus after assembly, spacer  70  is adhered to intermediate portion  130 , and performs the crucial task of holding slide  95  in place longitudinally, while allowing it to slide latitudinally. This feature allows the document binder assembly  1  to close smoothly in operation and lay flat when open. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  is a system diagram illustrating the application of adhesive on the cover  110  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Cover  110  comprises several portions: first wrap portion  30 , second wrap portion  120 , intermediate portion  130 , and spine portion  140 . The first slide portion  75  and second slide portion  85  are manufactured to be placed on the outer edge of first wrap portion  30  and spine portion  140 . For purposes of illustration, first slide portion  75  is applied to first wrap portion  30 , and second slide portion  85  is applied to spine portion  140 . However, the first slide portion  75  may be applied to spine portion  140 , and second slide portion  85  may be applied to first wrap portion  30  if first slide portion  75  and second slide portion  85  are of equal dimensions. 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 6 , cover  110  comprises an optional reinforcement of the spine portion  140 , which is created when second slide portion  85  is placed over spine portion  140  to provide additional strength and support along the spine portion  140  of the document binder assembly  1 . The additional strength provided by the optional spine reinforcement prevents crushing or damage to the spine area. The adhesive may be placed on the interior side of spine portion  140 , which is the side of spine portion  140  which faces the bound document  5  when the document binder assembly  1  is fully assembled. Any damage to the spine area negatively affects the life of the document binder assembly  1  and impacts the legibility of any graphics, text, or other printed material placed on the spine portion  140 . This damage is increasingly likely to occur if the binding member  60  is of smaller size than the width of the spine portion  140 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  is a system diagram illustrating the placement of the spacer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Spacer  70  is preferably an object composed of paper, paper product, or plastic, covered on both sides with an adhesive material, and is configured to be placed on cover  110  in such a position that the spacer  70  is received by the notch  80  defined by slide  95 . One side of spacer  70  is attached to the intermediate portion  130  of cover  110 . The other side of spacer  70  which is not attached to intermediate portion  130  is configured to be attached to second wrap portion  120 . 
         [0047]    Spacer  70  is described as comprising an object with adhesive on both sides. However, spacer  70  may comprise any object or mechanism for creating a bound area as to receive slide  95  via the notch  80  defined by the first outer edge of slide  95 . For example, spacer  70  may comprise, but is not limited to, a Velcro (TM) fastener, one or more snaps, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , or interlocking tabs, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B &amp;  10 C. Spacer  70  may also include just the adhesive used to bind intermediate portion  130  to first wrap portion  30 , forming an adhesive area. 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of the back interior of document binder assembly  1  in a completed state. Document binder assembly  1  is in a completed state when the bound document  5  is covered by cover  110 , and slide  95  is attached to bound document  5  in a manner as to receive spacer  70  which is attached to cover  110 . Slide  95  is connected to bound document  5  via binding member  60 . 
         [0049]    When document binder assembly  1  is in a completed state, spacer  70  is hidden in document binder assembly  1  by second wrap portion  120 . Slide  95  is configured to slide between the second wrap portion  120  and intermediate portion  130 . Preferably, the portion of slide  95  which defines the notch  80  for receiving spacer  70  is covered by second wrap portion  120  for aesthetic reasons. Additionally, second wrap portion  120  completely covering notch  80  and spacer  70  reduces the chance of slide  95  misaligning to such a position that slide  95  cannot receive spacer  70 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of an embodiment using a snap for a spacer. Document binder assembly  1  comprises binding member  60 , which receives the multiplicity of pages  50  and slide  95 . The insert portion of slide  95 , which is the right side of slide  95  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , defines notch  80  for receiving spacer  70 . In this embodiment of the present invention, spacer  70  comprises a connected snap, which is formed by the connection of first snap half  71  and second snap half  72 . This connected snap forms a bound area, which serves the purpose of spacer  70 , and is received by slide  95  via notch  80  to accomplish the purposes of the present invention. 
         [0051]      FIG. 9  illustrates a single snap as spacer  70 . However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of snaps may be used to accomplish the objectives of the present invention. Notch  80  will vary in size to receive the number of snaps used to comprise spacer  70 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 10A ,  10 B &amp;  10 C illustrate an embodiment utilizing tabs and slots to comprise the spacer.  FIG. 10A  provides an interior view of document binder assembly  1  utilizing tabs and slots to comprise the spacer  70 . Document binder assembly  1  comprises binding member  60 , which receives the multiplicity of pages  50  and slide  95 . The insert portion of slide  95 , which is the right side of slide  95  as illustrated in  FIG. 10A , defines notch  80 . Intermediate portion  130  comprises slots  73 , which may be of any length, but adequate to receive tabs  76  on first wrap portion  30 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 10B  provides an interior view of the document binder assembly utilizing tabs and slots to perform the function of the spacer once the slide has been inserted between the first wrap portion  30  and intermediate portion  130 . The notch  80  defined by the insert portion of slide  95  is not visible, as notch  80  is hidden by first wrap portion  30 , and receives the spacer  70 , or bound area defined by the slots  73  receiving the tabs  76 . Notch  80  may vary in size as to comfortably receive the bound area defined by the slots  73  receiving the tabs  76 . This bound area serves the purpose of spacer  70 , and thus, comprises spacer  70  in this embodiment of the invention. 
         [0054]      FIG. 10C  provides a rear view of the document binder assembly utilizing tabs and slots to perform the function of the spacer. The rear of bound document  5  comprising a multiplicity of pages  50  bound together by binding member  60  is covered by intermediate portion  130 . Slots  73  in intermediate portion  130  receive tabs  76  to create a bound area, wherein said bound area comprises spacer  70 . Once the slots  73  receive the tabs  76 , the result is a bound area which comprises the spacer  70  for purposes of the present invention. In  FIG. 10C , four slots  73  and four tabs  76  are shown. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention in this particular embodiment may comprise any number of slots  73  and tabs  76 , including only one slot  73  and tab  76 . 
         [0055]    In concluding the detailed description, it should be noted that it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without substantially departing from the principles of the present invention. Also, such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. Further, in the claims hereafter, the structures, materials, acts and equivalents of all means or step-plus function elements are intended to include any structure, materials or acts for performing their cited functions.