Patent Description:
The invention further relates to a book or booklet cover including a metal sheet supporting a sheet-like information carrier, which sheet has a first face and an opposite second face, with the first face of the sheet on a first side of a metal sheet, the metal sheet having a portion that extends beyond at least one edge of the sheet.

Among the many variations within the field of sheet-like information carriers there are a couple that should be mentioned in this context.

The traditional book comprising a cover and a number of content pages is very well-known.

Plastic boxes where a printed inlay is loosely placed inside the box, often together with other items, is likewise a well-known solution.

<CIT> discloses a media packaging where on the outside a number of leaves are placed for containing and displaying various information or artwork. Commonly known problems related to these information holding articles are the need to individualize the cover for the book in order to achieve the right dimensions and the ability to maintain the sides of the cover essentially parallel when the book is closed or have the inlay loosely placed in the cover.

<CIT> discloses an information holding article that may be manufactured in a standard size and being adapted for variations in the content and hence reduce the effort of individualising the information holding article. The information holding article comprising an inner part and an outer part, where the inner part comprises a number of pages adapted for holding printed information and optionally comprises one or more parts for holding an information carrying medium or an object, where the outer part comprises a plastic cover with a first and a second side element and where a back element is provided between the first and the second side element an being adapted for mutual pivotal movement between the back element and the first and/or the second side element, where the inner part is connected to the plastic cover at one of the first side element, the second side element or the back element, where the two side elements are spaced apart when the inner part is connected to the plastic cover, where the pages of the inner part has a thickness less than the width of the back element, and where the inner part is adapted to fit a the width of the back element by including, together with the pages, a thickness correcting element to the inner part. Here the metal cover is fastened to the book by gluing.

<CIT> discloses a holder for a calendar with a bent metal edge.

<CIT>discloses a binding apparatus for edge binding, wherein the edge of a paper sheet is provided with a metal edge.

<CIT> discloses a back member including spring clamp elements.

The object of the present invention is to therefore provide for a sheet-like information carrier that may be manufactured in a standard size and being adapted for variations in the content and hence reduce the effort of individualising the information holding article without need for using glue for attaching a cover in shape of a metal sheet to a sheet-like information carrier.

This is achieved by a method of making a book or booklet cover including a metal sheet supporting a sheet-like information carrier comprising the steps of: placing a first face of the sheet-like information carrier on a first side of a metal sheet, which metal sheet extends et least beyond one edge of the sheet; bending in a rounding way a portion of the metal sheet along an edge thereof, for said portion to bear against and to elastically press on said sheet, thereby forming the book or booklet cover, wherein the edge is bent in an angle of <NUM> degrees or more in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet.

By bending an edge of the metal sheet without bending it into a sharp bend in such a way that an outermost part or portion of the sheet along an edge is pressed against a surface of the second face of the sheet-like information carrier, holding the first face of the sheet-like information carrier against the first side of the metal sheet.

The bent portion of the metal sheet can be bent in a radius, which bending radius is greater than a thickness of the metal sheet in such a way that the bent portion bent along the edge elastically presses against the surface of the second face of the sheet-like information carrier, holding the first face of the sheet-like information carrier against the first side of the metal sheet.

Hereby is achieved that the metal sheet can be fastened to the sheet-like information carrier without use of glue or other kind of adhesive.

The edge is bent in an angle a being <NUM> degrees or more in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet.

Hereby is achieved that it is possible for a first edge part of the edge of the metal sheet to carve into the material of the sheet-like information carrier.

When the edge is bent in an angle a being <NUM> degree in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet, it is possible to provide a contact area corresponding to a material thickness of the metal sheet pressing against the first face of the sheet-like information carrier.

In another aspect, the edge is bent in an angle a being in a range between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet.

Hereby is achieved that it is possible for a second edge part of the edge of the metal sheet to carve into the material of the sheet-like information carrier.

In another aspect the edge is bent in an angle a being <NUM> degrees in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet.

Hereby is achieved that it is possible to provide a resilient contact area of the second edge part of the portion of the metal sheet pressing against the first face of the sheet-like information carrier.

In another aspect the edge is bent in an angle a being more than <NUM> degrees in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet.

Hereby is achieved that it is possible to provide a resilient contact of the portion of metal sheet pressing against the first face of the sheet-like information carrier.

Also provided is a book or booklet cover including a metal sheet supporting a sheet-like information carrier, which sheet has a first face and an opposite second face, with the first face of the sheet on a first side of a metal sheet, the metal sheet having a portion that extends beyond at least one edge of the sheet, where the portion of the metal sheet has a rounded bend along an edge thereof, the portion elastically pressing against said sheet, and that the metal sheet has an edge bent in an angle a of <NUM> degrees or more in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet.

In an example of the book or booklet cover, not forming part of the scope of the appended claims, the metal sheet has an edge bent in an angle a in a range between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet.

In another aspect, the metal sheet has an edge bent in an angle being <NUM> degrees in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet.

Hereby is achieved that it is possible to provide a contact area corresponding to a material thickness of the metal sheet pressing against the first face of the sheet-like information carrier.

In another aspect, the metal sheet has an edge bent in an angle a in a range between <NUM> and more than <NUM> degrees in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet.

Hereby is achieved that it is possible to provide a resilient contact of the portion of metal sheet pressing against the first face of the sheet-like information carrier or possible for a second edge part of the edge of the metal sheet to carve into the material of the sheet-like information carrier.

Effects and features of the different embodiments are to a large extent analogous to those described above in connection with the first embodiment.

The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed disclosure is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method may vary, whilst remaining within the scope of the appended claims.

The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure, as claimed in the appended claims, to the skilled person.

A method of making a book or booklet cover including a metal sheet <NUM> supporting a sheet-like information carrier <NUM> can be carried out as follows.

A first face <NUM> of the sheet-like information carrier <NUM> is placed on a first side <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM>, in such a way that the metal sheet <NUM> extends at least beyond one edge <NUM> of the sheet <NUM>. Then a portion <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> is bent in a rounding way along an edge of the metal sheet <NUM>, for said portion <NUM> to bear against and to elastically press on said sheet-like information carrier <NUM>. In some embodiments this is sufficient to hold the sheet-like information carrier <NUM> firmly in the metal sheet <NUM> by the pressure of the bended portion <NUM>. In other embodiments abutting edges of the metal sheet <NUM> can be bent to more firmly hold the sheet-like information carrier <NUM> within the metal sheet <NUM>.

When bending in a rounding way a portion <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> along an edge thereof, for said portion <NUM> to bear against and to elastically press on said sheet <NUM> the book or booklet cover is formed, where the edge <NUM> is bent in an angle of <NUM> degrees or more in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet <NUM>.

In an example of the method, not forming part of the scope of the appended claims, the edge <NUM> is bent in an angle a being in a range between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet <NUM>, with the effect that a first edge part <NUM> of the edge <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> can carve into the material of the sheet-like information carrier <NUM>, providing a holding force.

In another embodiment, the edge <NUM> is bent in an angle a being <NUM> degree in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet <NUM>, with the effect that it is possible to provide a contact area corresponding to a material thickness of the metal sheet <NUM> pressing against a second face <NUM> of the sheet-like information carrier <NUM>, thereby squeezing the sheet-like information carrier <NUM> between the edge <NUM> of the rounded portion <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> and the first side <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM>, providing a holding force.

In another embodiment, the edge <NUM> is bent in an angle a being in a range between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees in relation to an unbended edge of the metal sheet <NUM>, with the effect that it is possible for a second edge part <NUM> of the edge <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> to carve into the material of the sheet-like information carrier <NUM>, providing a holding force.

In another embodiment, the edge <NUM> is bent in an angle a being <NUM> degrees in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet <NUM>, with the effect that it is possible to provide a resilient contact area of the second edge part <NUM> of the portion <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> pressing against the second face <NUM> of the sheet-like information carrier <NUM>, providing a holding force.

In another embodiment, the edge <NUM> is bent in an angle a being more than <NUM> degrees in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet <NUM>, with the effect that it is possible to provide a resilient contact of the portion <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> pressing against the second face <NUM> of the sheet-like information carrier <NUM>, providing a holding force.

An example of a machine with a tool for bending a portion of a metal sheet in a rounded way around an edge portion of a sheet-like information carrier is shown in <FIG>, showing different stages during the process.

This is just for mentioning one example, different tools may perform the same bend.

In <FIG> the tool comprises a lower part <NUM> and an upper part <NUM>, the lower part <NUM> comprising a support surface <NUM> on which the articles <NUM>, <NUM> for forming the book or booklet cover is placed and a first tool part <NUM> having a grove <NUM> for performing the rounded bending of the portion <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM>. The upper part <NUM> comprises a second tool part <NUM> comprising an inwardly rounded edge <NUM> for completing the rounding of the portion <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM>, when the tool parts <NUM>, <NUM> are put together.

When moving the upper part <NUM> towards the lower part <NUM>, the first tool part <NUM> is moved towards the edge <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> and the portion <NUM> is forced along the rounding in the grove <NUM> thereby being bent in a rounded way. The traveling distance of the first tool part <NUM> determines how much of the portion <NUM> to be bent and the dimension of the grove determines the dimension of the bent edge portion.

In <FIG>, the first tool part <NUM> is moved towards the second tool part <NUM> and the portion <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> is beginning the bending.

In <FIG>, the bending is completed and in <FIG>, the tool parts <NUM>, <NUM> are moved apart from each other and the end product can be seen.

<FIG> shows a sheet-like information carrier <NUM> placed on a metal sheet <NUM> before being joined in an edge portion. The sheet <NUM> comprises a first face <NUM> and an opposite second face <NUM>, where the first face is placed against a first side <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM>. The metal sheet <NUM> has an opposite second side <NUM>, which second side rest on the support surface <NUM> of the tool during bending. A portion <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> comprises an edge <NUM> having a first edge part <NUM> and a second edge part <NUM>. The sheet <NUM> shows an edge <NUM>.

The product obtained by completion of the process is a book or booklet cover including a metal sheet <NUM> supporting a sheet-like information carrier <NUM>, which sheet <NUM> has a first face <NUM> and an opposite second face <NUM>, with the first face <NUM> of the sheet <NUM> on a first side <NUM> of a metal sheet <NUM>, the metal sheet <NUM> having a portion <NUM> that extends beyond at least one edge <NUM> of the sheet <NUM>, where the portion <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> has a rounded bend along an edge thereof, the portion <NUM> elastically pressing against said sheet <NUM>.

In an example, not forming part of the claimed invention, as shown in <FIG>, the metal sheet <NUM> has an edge <NUM> which is bent in an angle a in a range between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet <NUM>. Hereby the first edge <NUM> carves into the sheet <NUM> forming a better grip than if the edge <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> was just folded around the edge of the sheet <NUM>.

In an embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the metal sheet <NUM> has an edge <NUM> which is bent in an angle a being <NUM> degree in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet <NUM>. The angle a mentioned in the different embodiments are indicated in <FIG>, which angle a refers to an angular position of the edge <NUM> compared to an unbent edge of the metal sheet <NUM>.

In embodiments as shown in <FIG>, the metal sheet <NUM> has an edge <NUM> which is bent in an angle a being more than <NUM> degrees (<FIG>), preferable <NUM> degrees (<FIG>), more preferable in a range between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees (<FIG>) in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the second edge <NUM> carves into the sheet <NUM> forming a better grip than if the edge <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> was just folded around the edge of the sheet <NUM>.

Hereby it is possible to retain the sheet-like information carrier <NUM> in relation to a metal sheet <NUM>, where a portion <NUM> that extends beyond at least one edge <NUM> of the sheet <NUM>, where the portion <NUM> of the metal sheet <NUM> has a rounded bend along an edge thereof, the portion <NUM> elastically pressing against said sheet <NUM> and thereby attaching the two parts together without need to use any adhesive material.

The first side or page of the sheet-like information carrier can be of same thickness as the rest of the pages in the book or booklet, or the first side or page can be thicker than the rest of the pages in the book or booklet. The same apply to the last side or page.

Bending in a rounding way should be understood as when the edge of the metal sheet is bent, the side which is bend around the bending edge is rounded and do not form a plane inner surface. Hereby is achieved that the edge which is now bent more than <NUM> degrees in relation to its initial position will be able to press against a sheet or the like on which the metal sheet <NUM> is placed to cover, without the inner portion of the bent edge pressing against the inner sheet. The part forming contact with the inner sheet is the edge of the metal sheet <NUM> or the corner lines of the edge.

In <FIG> it is shown that a hollow channel is formed in the edge portion of the cover.

Claim 1:
A method of making a book or booklet cover including a metal sheet (<NUM>) supporting a sheet-like information carrier (<NUM>) comprising the steps of:
- placing a first face (<NUM>) of the sheet-like information carrier (<NUM>) on a first side (<NUM>) of the metal sheet (<NUM>), which metal sheet (<NUM>) extends at least beyond one edge (<NUM>) of the sheet-like information carrier (<NUM>);
- bending in a rounding way a portion (<NUM>) of the metal sheet (<NUM>) along an edge (<NUM>) thereof, for said portion (<NUM>) to bear against and to elastically press on said sheet-like information carrier (<NUM>), thereby forming the book or booklet cover, wherein the edge (<NUM>) is bent in an angle of <NUM> degrees or more in relation to an unbent edge of the metal sheet (<NUM>).