GB2290752A - Folders for leaflet systems, and combinations thereof. - Google Patents

Abstract

A folder (11) comprises a front panel (18) a spinal panel (16) a rear panel (17), an edge panel (21) and a closure panel (22) interconnected in succession at parallel fold lines (13a, 13b, 19, 20) about which the panels (16, 17, 18, 21, 22) can be folded together to form a cover, with a free edge portion (15) of the closure panel (18) overlapping a free edge portion (14) of the front panel (17), the free edge portion (15) of the closure panel (18) comprising or including a tab (12) which can be inserted through a cooperating slit (23) in the front panel (17) to retain the cover in its closed form. Also described is a folder in which at least one major panel is transparent; and a folder in which a major panel has a further inwardly folded panel associated therewith. <IMAGE>

Description

FOLDED COVERS, LEAFLET SYSTEMS AND COMBINATIONS THEREOF The present invention relates to folded covers particularly for booklets, to leaflet systems and to booklets, particularly of a size approximating that of a credit card.

It is well known that the use of credit and like cards is becoming ever more widespread and with that use there is an ever greater provision of wallets with compartments for holding such cards which are all made in substantially the same size. This growing use has also made it convenient to provide leaflets in a form which will fold to approximately the same size so that they can also be stored in such wallets. Such leaflets may be used to present a limited body of information in a concise manner to a user but alternatively, or in addition, may be a vehicle for advertising material or promotional coupons for a sponsor.

One object of the present invention is to provide a folded cover which can provide a safe and convenient housing for such leaflets, whether in folded or in multi-leaf form, to enable them to be stowed conveniently and without danger of damage in a wallet, pocket or other portable container. A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternative, attractive mode of presenting folded or multiple laminar elements such as leaflets or coupons to the public.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a folded cover comprising a front panel, a spinal panel, a rear panel, an edge panel and a closure panel interconnected in succession at parallel fold lines about which the panels can be folded together to form a cover with a free edge portion of the closure panel overlapping a free edge portion ofthe front panel, the free edge portion ofthe closure panel comprising or including a tab which can be inserted through a cooperating slit in the front panel to retain the cover in its closed form, the dimensions of the panels being such that, when the front panel and the rear panel are folded over one another they can be moved to a relatively offset position in which the free end of the tab is spaced from the slit and is insertable therein by movement of these latter panels towards and over each other.

The advantages of the cover defined above lie in the combination of its ease and cheapness of manufacture with its convenience of use. The cover may, for example, be blanked cheaply from a single sheet of relatively stiff card or more preferably plastics material which will protect its contents in use from bending and damage to edges and is easy to manipulate for insertion into or removal from a wallet. At the same time the cover has a closure which contributes to its protective function but is easy to engage because of the dimensioning of the cover panels which enables the closure tab to be inserted in its slit in the front cover by a simple movement: the tab does not need to bend to achieve this insertion so that it can be relatively stiff which facilitates its manipulation.

In preferred embodiments of the cover the slit in the front panel is T-shaped having a head portion through which the tab is insertable and which is parallel to the fold lines and a stem portion extending from the head portion away from the free edge of the front panel. The provision of the T-stem facilitates the flexure of the cover material adjacent the head portion ofthe slit and thus the insertion of the closure tab.

It will be appreciated that the cover of the invention is preferably substantially the same size and rectangular format as a credit card but will generally be thicker in its closed form to provide internal space for a leaflet or the like. The plastics material used is preferably thinner than that currently used for credit cards to minimise the thickness. The spinal and edge panels are preferably ofthe same size in the direction perpendicular to the fold lines. The edge panel may extend the flill length of the front and back panels but preferably the edge panel and the closure panel are formed from a small rectangle of material having the required dimension, parallel to the fold lines, ofthe closure tab.The above shape and dimensional limitations are, however, purely for the specific purpose of emulating a credit card and the various panels constituting the cover may be of very different shapes and sizes for other purposes.

In an alternative aspect, the invention provides a folded cover comprising a front panel, a spinal panel and a rear panel interconnected in succession at parallel fold lines about which the panels can be folded together to form a cover, and means for retaining the panels in their closed form, in which at least one of the panels is transparent. The transparent panel enables the contents of the cover to be seen but may, in addition itself be provided with information. In particular it may be provided with a grid or a regular array of indica and the cover may house an information panel viewable through the transparent cover, information on the panel being related to the grid or indicia on the transparent panel.The information panel may comprise a panel of the cover itself, the information being provided on its inner surface opposite the transparent panel, or may comprise a laminar element housed in the cover.

In a further alternative aspect, the invention provides a folded cover comprising a front panel, a spinal panel and a rear panel, interconnected in succession at parallel fold lines at which the panels can be folded together to form a cover, and means for retaining the panels in their closed form, in which the front or rear panel has at least one additional flap attached at or adjacent a free edge thereof, which flap can be housed within the cover in its closed form to retain a substantially flat article between itself and the panel to which it is attached. It is particularly intended, though not essential, that such a cover should incorporate a leaflet or the like attached to one panel of the cover while also having the space for a loose leaflet or the like between the flap or flaps and another panel of the cover.Such a flap may be housed permanently within the cover, being attached to the panel along two or three edges but is preferably attached along only one edge, preferably an edge perpendicular to the fold lines, and can be folded into and out of the cover. Preferably the cover has two such flaps attached to opposite edges of the front or rear panel.

A further aspect of the invention comprises a cover according to any aspect of the invention indicated above having at least one laminar element housed therein and preferably attached to a panel thereof. The laminar element may, for example, comprise a sheet of any material on which information can be provided but preferably comprises a folded sheet of paper or leaves of paper.

A pack which, in some embodiments could conveniently be housed as a loose article in a cover of the invention is defined in yet a further aspect of the invention and comprises a laminar support and a cover attached to the support so as to define a generally flat housing between it and the support, the cover being secured to the support by closure means which are openable to allow the cover to be raised or removed from the support to allow access to the housing contents, and at least one laminar element housed in the housing.

It is envisaged that a pack as defined above will be of particular advantage to provide promotional material such as a leaflet, preferably several leaflets and particularly coupons, or possibly fairly flat free gifts to the public. The promotional material may be supplied in the sealed cover so that it is secure against theft or tampering or, at least, any tampering is rendered obvious, but the cover is readily openable by the authorised user. The user may then, if he does not wish to use all the contents immediately, store them conveniently for later use. The coupons or leaflets may be interconnected in a readily releasable manner, at least one leaflet being releasably attached to the support to retain the leaflets in the housing when the cover is raised or removed. For this purpose the coupons may be connected together in a panel, preferably a strip, with adjacent leaflets separated by perforated, easy-tear lines, or the coupons may be superposed in a pack and stuck together by releasable adhesive. In some cases it may be convenient to use a resealable adhesive.

A pack as described above may have a relatively stiff support panel of substantially the same size as a credit card so that it can be stored in a credit card wallet.

Alternatively it may conveniently be attachable to merchandise for example by adhesive to promote the manufacturer's goods: for this purpose the support may be stiff for attachment for example to a flat backing or flexible for attachment to a flat or curved surface. The support and/or cover may be transparent so as to enable the packaging to which it is attached or the material in the housing to be visible.

Several embodiments of the invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a booklet cover according to a first embodiment of the invention showing it in an unfolded condition; Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the cover of Figure 1 in a partially folded condition taken on a line corresponding to II-II of Figure 1 but with the thickness of the cover exaggerated for clarity; Figure 3 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 showing the cover fully folded; Figure 4 is a plan view of a booklet according to a second embodiment of the invention with the booklet open; Figure 5 is a plan view of the booklet of Figure 4 closed; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative form of the cover of Figures 1 to 3 showing the cover open;; Figure 7 is a plan view of a pack according to a further embodiment of the invention in a closed condition; Figure 8 is an exaggerated elevational view taken on the arrow VIII of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a the pack of Figure 7 in an open condition; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pack of the invention.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, a booklet cover is shown generally indicated 10 containing a booklet or leaflet indicated L. The cover 10 is formed from a single sheet of plastics material including a larger, generally rectangular, cover portion 11 which in practice would have rounded corners (not shown) and a much smaller generally rectangular closure tab 12.

The cover portion 11 is divided by two fold lines 13a, 13b parallel to one pair of opposite free edges 14, 15 respectively into a central spine 16, lying between the two fold lines 13a, 13b and front and rear cover panels 17, 18 defined between a respective fold line 13a, 1 3b and the adjacent, parallel free edge 14, 15 respectively. The front and rear cover panels 17, 18 are of exactly the same size and shape.

The closure tab 12 is attached to the free edge 15 of the rear panel 18 substantially centrally thereof, there being a fold 19 at the junction between the tab 12 and the rear panel 18. The tab 12 also has a fold line 20 parallel to its junction fold 19 and spaced therefrom by a distance "w" equal to the width ofthe cover spine 16, also shown as "w" and measured along a line perpendicular to the fold lines 13a, 13b defining the spine 16. The tab fold line 20 divides the tab itself into an attachment portion 21 attached to the rear cover panel 18 and a closure portion 22 having a length "1" perpendicular to the fold line 20.

All the folds 13a, 13b, 19, 20 enable the adjacent portions ofthe cover 10 to be folded in the same direction and, in a view of the relative thickness and stiffness of the plastics material, are defined by incisions which cut part-way but not fully through the plastics material.

A final feature of the cover 10 is a slit 23 in the front panel 17 close to its free edge 14. The slit 21 cuts right through the plastics material and is parallel to and slightly longer than the dimension of the tab along its fold line 20. The slit 23 is in a position to receive the closure tab portion 22 inserted therethrough to close the booklet cover 10, as shown in Figure 3, and is located at a distance "d" from the free edge 14 of the front panel 17.

The important factor in the manufacture of the cover 10 is the relative dimensioning of the tab closure portion 22 and the slit 23 and its spacing "d" from the edge 14. In fact the length 1 of'the tab is given substantially the formula: 2w+d > 1 > 2w The reason for this dimensioning to facilitate closure of the booklet cover 10 as illustrated by Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows a first stage in the folding in which the front panel 17 has been folded over along its fold line 12 so as to overlie the spine 16 and part of the rear panel 11, the spine being raised through a small angle relative to the rear panel 18 by this action to allow the folded leaflet L to be accommodated between the front and rear panels 17, 18.The closure tab 12 has also has been folded along its fold line 20 so that the free end 24 of its closure portion 22 overlaps the front panel 17 but is spaced from the slit 23.

From the position of Figure 2, the front panel 17 and the tab closure portion 22 are then slid towards each other to the position shown in Figure 3, the spine 16 and tab attachment portion 21 being raised to positions substantially perpendicular to the front and rear panels 17 and 18 and the free end ofthe tab closure portion 22 being pressed against the front panel 17 to open the slit 23 and then inserted through the slit 23.

It should also be noted that the free end corners of the tab 12 are cut away as shown at 25 to facilitate the insertion Also the plastics material constituting at least the closure portion 22 is sufficiently stiff for the closure portion to be almost rigid to facilitate the insertion.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, a variant of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 is shown in which similar features are indicated by the same references increased by 100 and will not be described in detail.

There are three main differences between this embodiment and that of figures 1 to 3.

The first lies in the provision of an additional incision 130 extending from the centre of the closure slit 123, perpendicularly thereto and towards the spine 116. This incision allows the edges of the slit 123 to open wider apart to facilitate insertion of the closure tab portion 122. The slit 23 of Figures 1 to 3 could also be modified by an additional incision to form a T-shape.

The second difference lies in the fact that the leaflet L is attached to the rear panel 118 instead ofto the front panel 117.

The third difference lies in the dimensioning of the various cover parts. The tab attachment portion 121 and an adjoining part 122a, of width "z", ofthe closure portion 122 are extended to the full height of the cover 110 parallel to the fold lines 113a, 113b. The front cover panel 117 has a width "x" which is not as great, in a direction perpendicular to the fold lines 112, 113, as the width "y" of the back panel 118 but the extended part 122a of the closure portion 122a is of such a width that, in the folded condition ofthe cover 110 shown in Figure 6, a free edge portion ofthe extended part 122a lies over the free edge 114 of the front flap 117 but does not overlap the slit 123, the free end portion 122b of the closure portion being inserted in the slit 123.The dimensions of the parts are substantially such that: yx+d > Z > y -x y-x+2w+d > 1 > 2w+y-x With reference to Figure 6 of the drawings, a different variant of the cover of Figures 1 to 3 is shown in which the same features are indicated by the same references increased by 200. Only the differences will be described below.

The cover of figure 6 has two generally-rectangular additional flaps 231 and 232 attached to the top and bottom edges respectively of the rear panel 218, that is to the two edges indicated 233,234 perpendicular to the fold lines 213a and 213b. The top and bottom edges 233,234 here define fold lines between the rear panel 218 and the two flaps 231, 232 such that the flaps 231, 232 are pivotable about the fold lines between a closed position, in which they lie over the rear panel, inside the cover, and a fully open position in which they are coplanar with the rear panel. The upper flap 231 is shown in a raised intermediate position while the lower flap 232 is shown in its closed position.

In their closed positions the flaps may hold a leaflet or other similarly flat article against the rear panel of the cover as indicated at 235.

It will be appreciated that an additional flap or flaps may be attached either to the front panel or to the rear panel. Also, such a flap may be attached to the cover along two or three edges, so as to form a pocket for a leaflet.

With reference to Figures 7,8 and 9 of the drawings, a leaflet pack is shown generally indicated 40. The pack 40 has a rectangular laminar support 41 of plastics material which caries a leaflet generally indicated 42 on its upper face indicated 43.

The leaflet 42 in fact comprises an elongate rectangular strip of paper which is folded about parallel concertina folds 44 from one end 45 to form a plurality of identical rectangular panels 46, which are slightly smaller than the laminar support 41. The folds 44 are such that the panels 46 can be superposed on one another in a pack.

The strip also has an end panel 47 opposite the said one end which is longer than the identical panels 46 by an additional strip 47b which is joined to the main portion of the panel 47, indicated 47a, by an easy-tear perforated line 48. This end panel 47 is joined to the ultimate identical panel, indicated 46a at a fold line 44a about which the panel folds in the opposite sense from the concertina folds.

The leaflet 42 is located on the support 41 with the ultimate identical panel 46a against its upper face 43 and the remainilig identical panels 46 folded on top of it. A strip of the ultimate panel 46a adjacent its end fold 44a is adhered to the support 41 by adhesive indicated 49a to attach the leaflet 42 to the support 41.

In the folded condition of the identical panels 46 the end panel 47 can be folded over on top of them to form a cover. In this position, the end strip 47b of the panel 47 lies against the upper face 43 of the support 41 and is also adhered to the support 41 by adhesive 49b. The leaflet panel 46 are thus enclosed between the cover panel 47 and the support 41.

When access is required to the leaflet panels 46, the easy-tear line 48 may be torn to separate the two portions 47a, 47b of the panel 47, as shown in Figure 9, and enable the panels 46 to be unfolded although they are still retained on the support 41 by the adhesive 49.

It will be apparent that the pack 40 may be supplied to a user or customer with the tear line 48 unbroken so that the integrity of the leaflet panels 46 is ensured. The panels themselves may be printed with information, promotional literature, coupons or other matter. The panels 46 may also be joined to each other at easy-tear lines so that they are readily separable. In addition, information may be printed or formed on one or each face of the laminar support 41 itself.

Although the leaflet 42 of Figures 7 to 9 is shown as a continuous strip, the cover panel 47 could be completely separate from the folded panels 46 and/or could overlap all four edges of the panels 46, with easy-tear lines along one or more sides.

Alternatively the cover panel 47 could be attached to the support 41 by a releasable, possibly resealable adhesive.

The information panels 46 may also be folded in a different manner or be formed as a booklet of separate leaves. Individual leaves may be releasable from the booklet by means of easy-tear lines or releasable adhesive.

The support 41 may be relatively stiff and of substantially the same size as a credit card so that the pack 40 can be housed in a credit card wallet or in a cover, particularly such as that shown in Figure 6. Alternatively the support may be fairly flexible for attachment to a package, even a cylindrical container as shown in the embodiment of Figure 10.

With reference to Figure 10, this shows a leaflet pack 50 attached to a cylindrical container C. The pack 50 could be identical to the pack 40 of Figures 7-9 but a modification is shown in which similar features are indicated by the same references increased by ten.

In the embodiment of Figure 10, the information panels 56 comprise a booklet of separate leaves adhered to a flexible laminar support 51 by an adhesive strip 59a. The cover panel 57a, 57b is separate from the panels 56, and overlaps them along all four edges in its closed form (not shown). The panel 57a, 57b is glued to the support 51 by adhesive along two opposite edge strips, that is, the strip 57b adjacent the easy-tear opening line 58 and the opposite edge strip 60. In addition, the remaining two parallel edge strips 61 of the panel 57a which contact the support 51 are provided with resealable adhesive so that, once the tear line 58 has been broken to allow access to the booklet panels 56, the cover panel 57a may temporarily be resealed over the panels 56 to protect them from damage, if desired, although the fact that the booklet has been opened will be the apparent from the presence of the torn line 58.

The laminar support 51 may be substantially permanently or releasably attached to the container C. Both the laminar support 51 and the cover panel 57a, 57b may be transparent, if desired. The cover panel 57a may also carry indicia related to information on one or more of the booklet panels 56.

Claims (10)

1. A folded cover comprising a front panel, a spinal panel, a rear panel, an edge panel and a closure panel interconnected in succession at parallel fold lines about which the panels can be folded together to form a cover with a free edge portion ofthe closure panel overlapping a free edge portion ofthe front panel, the free edge portion of the closure panel comprising or including a tab which can be inserted through a cooperating slit in the front panel to retain the cover in its closed form, the dimensions of the panels being such that when the front panel and the rear panel are folded one over another they can be moved to a relatively offset position such that the free end of the tab is spaced from the slit and is insertable therein by movement of these latter panels towards and over each other.

2. A folded cover as claimed in Claim 1, which the slit in the front panel is Tshaped having a head portion parallel to the fold lines through which the tab is insertable and a stem portion extending from the head portion away from the free edge of the front panel.

3. A folded cover comprising a front panel, a spinal panel and a rear panel interconnected in succession at parallel fold lines about which the panels can be folded together to form a cover, and means for retaining the panels in their closed form, in which at least one of the panels is transparent.

4. A folded cover comprising a front panel, a spinal panel and a rear panel interconnected in succession at parallel fold lines about which the panels can be folded together to form cover, and means for retaining the panels in their closed form, in which the front or rear panel has at least one additional flap attached at or adjacent a free edge thereof, which flap can be housed within the cover in its closed annular form to retain a substantially flat article between itself and the panel to which it is attached.

5. A booklet comprising a folded cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having at least one laminar element attached thereto which can be housed in the cover in its closed form.

6. A pack comprising a laminar support and a cover attached t the support so as to define a generally flat housing between it and the support the cover being secured to the support by a closure means which are openable to allow the cover to be raised or removed from the support to allow access to the housing contents, and at least one laminar element housed in the housing.

7. A pack as claimed in Claim 6, including a plurality of leaflets interconnected in a readily releasable manner, at least one leaflet being releasably attached to the support to retain the leaflets in the housing when the cover is raised or removed.

8. A leaflet system as claimed in Claim 6, in which the leaflets are connected together in a strip, the connections between adjacent leaflets being formed by perforated, easy-tear' lines.

9. A leaflet system as claimed in Claim 7, in which the leaflets are superposed in a pack and are stuck together by a releasable adhesive.

10. A leaflet system as claimed in Claim 8, in which the adhesive is a resealable adhesive.