Sticker, and an insert for a book

Abstract

The invention relates to a sticker, and/or to an insert for a book.

The sticker of the present invention is suitable for inserting into a loop-bound book, and comprises: (i) a detachable coupling means (preferably elongate such as a finger portion), which can be (i.e. which is capable of being) detachably coupled to the binding of a loop-bound book; and (ii) a sticky body for attachment to a material, in particular for attachment to a sheet material and/or to a generally planar material, such as a piece (e.g. sheet) of paper or a plastic sheet;
and wherein the sticker is capable of functioning as an attachment for attaching the material to the loop binding of the book.

Claims

1. A sticker suitable for inserting into a loop-bound book, comprising: (i) a detachable coupling means, which can be (i.e. which is capable of being) detachably coupled to the binding of a loop-bound book; and (ii) a sticky body for attachment to a material; wherein the sticker is capable of functioning as an attachment for attaching the material to the loop binding of the book.

2. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sticky body is suitable for attachment to a material comprising a sheet and/or to a generally planar material.

3. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body of the sticker is in the form of a sheet, preferably a flexible sheet, and/or is generally planar.

4. A sticker as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sticky body contains, or the body of the sticker excluding any adhesive is at least partially covered by, an adhesive on one face of the sheet of the body and/or on one face of the generally planar body.

5. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detachable coupling means of the sticker is not covered by an adhesive.

6. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, wherein an adhesive, and/or the application or distribution pattern of an adhesive, on one face of a sheet of the body and/or on one face of a generally planar body, is such that the sticker can be removed from the material, preferably substantially without damaging the material, in particular without tearing or delaminating the material.

7. A sticker as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adhesive, and/or the application or distribution pattern of the adhesive, is such that, after removal from the material, the sticker can then be repositioned and re-stuck to the material.

8. A sticker as claimed in claim 4, wherein the chemical composition of the adhesive, and/or the manner and/or pattern in or by which the adhesive has been applied to and/or distributed around the one face of the sheet of the body and/or of the generally planar body, is such that: the sticker can be removed from the material, preferably substantially without damaging the material, in particular without tearing or delaminating the material; and the sticker can then be repositioned and re-stuck to the material.

9. A sticker as claimed in claim 4, wherein the adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

10. A sticker as claimed in claim 4, wherein the adhesive is a removeable and re-stickable adhesive; and/or wherein the application or distribution pattern of the adhesive achieves said removeability and re-stickability.

11. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detachable coupling means is elongate; and wherein the detachable coupling means and the body together form a gap between the detachable coupling means and the body, wherein the gap is adapted to receive the loop binding of the book, and/or wherein the gap is adapted so that the loop binding of the book can be inserted inside the gap.

12. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detachable coupling means is elongate and comprises a finger portion which is capable of being detachably coupled to the binding of the loop-bound book.

13. A sticker as claimed in claim 12, wherein the finger portion is aligned generally parallel to the body and/or to a side of the body; and the finger portion is connected to the body via a stem portion.

14. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detachable coupling means is integrally formed with the body.

15. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detachable coupling means is elongate and comprises a finger portion which is capable of being detachably coupled to the binding of a loop-bound book, wherein: the finger portion is aligned generally parallel to the body and/or to an adjacent side of the body; and the finger portion of the elongate detachable coupling means and the body together form a gap between the finger portion and the body, wherein the gap is adapted to receive the loop binding of the book; and the finger portion has a width of from 1.5 to 6 mm, or preferably from 2 to 5 mm, more preferably from 2 to 4.5 mm, or even more preferably from 2.5 to 4 mm; and the finger portion has a length of from 5 to 45 mm, preferably from 7 to 30 mm, more preferably from 9 to 25 mm; wherein the length of the finger portion is measured, in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the finger portion and/or in a direction parallel to an adjacent edge of the body, from (i) an outer tip of the finger portion to (ii) the innermost portion of the gap between the finger portion and the body, and/or, from (i) an outer tip of the finger portion to (ii) to the point where an inner edge of the finger portion, or an inner edge of a or the stem portion connecting the finger portion to the body, extends and/or projects from the body.

16. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body of the sticker is in the form of a sheet and/or is generally planar; and the body of the sticker has a height of from 5 to 100 mm and/or a width of from 5 to 100 mm; or preferably has a height of from 8 to 60 mm and/or a width of from 8 to 60 mm.

17. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body of the sticker, being the sticky body or the body before addition of any adhesive, is in the form of a sheet and/or is generally planar; and the body of the sticker has a thickness of from 0.05 to 1 mm, or preferably has a thickness of from 0.05 to 0.5 mm, or more preferably has a thickness of from 0.2 to 1 mm or from 0.2 to 0.5 mm.

18. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body of the sticker, being the sticky body or the body before addition of any adhesive, is in the form of a sheet and/or is generally planar; and the body of the sticker has a thickness of from 0.25 to 1 mm, or preferably has a thickness of from 0.25 to 0.5 mm, or more preferably has a thickness of from 0.3 to 0.5 mm.

19. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sticker, and/or the sticker's detachable coupling means and/or the sticker's body, is made out of a flexible plastic, wherein the flexible plastic comprises: (i) a flexible polyester; (ii) a flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC); (iii) a flexible polypropylene (PP); (iv) a flexible polyethylene (PE) and/or (v) a flexible acrylate-polymer-based plastic; and/or (vi) a flexible copolymer of, or containing, one or more of the polymers (i), (ii) (iii), (iv) and/or (v).

20. A sticker as claimed in claim 19, wherein: the sticker, and/or the sticker's detachable coupling means and/or the sticker's body, is made out of a flexible plastic, wherein the flexible plastic comprises: (i) a flexible polyester comprising (e.g. being): a flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), a flexible poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), a flexible poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT), a flexible poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN), a flexible poly(hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA), a flexible poly-?-caprolactone (PCL) (wherein ? is epsilon), a flexible poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a flexible poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), a flexible poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu), a flexible poly(propylene succinate) (PPSu), a flexible poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu), a flexible poly(ethylene adipate) (PEA) and/or a flexible poly(butylene adipate) (PBA); (ii) a flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC); (iii) a flexible polypropylene (PP); (iv) a flexible polyethylene (PE), wherein the flexible polyethylene is: a flexible high-density polyethylene (HDPE, defined by a density of greater than or equal to 0.941 g/cm.sup.3), a flexible medium-density polyethylene (MDPE, defined by a density range of from 0.926 to 0.940 g/cm.sup.3), a flexible low-density polyethylene (LDPE, defined by a density range of from 0.910 to 0.940 g/cm.sup.3), a flexible linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE, which is a substantially linear polyethylene and/or which is defined by a density range of from 0.915 to 0.925 g/cm.sup.3), and/or a flexible very-low-density polyethylene (VLDPE, defined by a density range of from 0.880 to 0.915 g/cm.sup.3; and being a substantially linear polymer containing some C.sub.1-C.sub.8alkyl branches); and/or (v) a flexible acrylate-polymer-based plastic, which comprises a flexible polyacrylic-acid-based plastic, a flexible poly(methyl acrylate) plastic, a flexible polyethyl acrylate) plastic, a flexible poly(methacrylate) plastic and/or a flexible poly(methyl methacrylate) plastic; and/or (vi) a flexible copolymer which is a flexible polypropylene-polyethylene copolymer (PP-PE), a flexible ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, a flexible poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), a flexible poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), and/or a flexible poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT).

21. A sticker as claimed in claim 1, which is in the form of a plurality of stickers forming a pad.

22. A method of removeably attaching a sticker, as defined in claim 1, to the binding of a loop-bound book; the method comprising removeably inserting, into the loop binding of the book, the detachable coupling means as defined in claim 1 and which is elongate; and/or to sheet material and/or to generally planar material; the method comprising removeably attaching the sticky body to the material.

23. A combination, comprising one, two or more stickers, as defined in claim 1, wherein the one, two or more stickers are attached via the sticky body(ies) thereof to a material, wherein the material comprises a sheet and/or is a generally planar material; and wherein, optionally, the one, two or more stickers are also attached to the binding of a loop-bound book via the detachable coupling means.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0241] FIG. 1 shows a plan view from above of an insert for a spiral bound book of the present invention, as described in Example 1 herein.

[0242] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view from above of an embodiment of the present invention, as described in Example 2 herein.

[0243] FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view from above of a further embodiment of the present invention, as described in Example 3 herein.

[0244] FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view from above of an insert or bookmark of the present invention, having the additional feature to function as a measuring device (ruler), as described in Example 4 herein.

[0245] FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view from above of an insert or bookmark of the present invention, having the additional feature to function as a measuring device (protractor), as described in Example 5 herein.

[0246] FIG. 6 depicts a plan view from above of a book insert (sticker) of present invention which functions as an attachment for various materials, as described in Example 6 herein. More particularly, FIG. 6 is a plan view from above of an open loop-bound (e.g. ring-bound, e.g. open-and-dose ring-bound) book, into the binding of which has been inserted a book insert (sticker 209), wherein the sticker is attached to a piece of material (in FIG. 6, the piece of material is an envelope).

EXAMPLES

[0247] The present invention is further described and/or illustrated, by way of example only, in the following non-limiting examples and/or non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the accompanying Figures which are listed and briefly described in the Brief Description of the Drawings section hereinabove.

Example 1

Insert (100) for Loop-Bound Books

[0248] FIG. 1 illustrates an overall view of an insert (100), for loop-bound (e.g. spiral bound) books, notebooks and/or the like, suitable to act as bookmark, comprising an elongated generally rectangular area (body) (200), which is aligned parallel to two narrow (and preferably elongate) inserting members (201) and (202). A first narrow inserting member (201) continues (i.e. extends) from the top of the elongated generally rectangular area (200), forming a very narrow gap (203) between the generally rectangular area (body) (200) of the bookmark (insert 100) and the first inserting member (201), wherein the gap (203) is to be inserted inside (i.e. is to receive) the spiral binding. A second narrow inserting member (202) continues (i.e. extends) from the bottom of the elongated rectangular area (200); also with very narrow gap similar to the gap formed by the first inserting member of the bookmark, and also to be inserted inside (i.e. is to receive) the spiral binding.

Example 2

Insert (110) for Loop-Bound Books Having a Plurality of Diagonal Slits (204)

[0249] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an insert (100) of the present invention, wherein the said insert is suitable for using with a loop-bound (e.g. spiral-bound) book. In addition to the said insert acting as a normal bookmark for loop-bound (e.g. spiral-bound) books, the book insert is further provided with a plurality of diagonal slits (204) adjacent to (just inside of) each of the four corners of the of the elongated generally rectangular area (200) of the insert (100). These slits act as insertion points for a slip of paper (205), to be temporarily affixed on the generally rectangular area (200) of the insert (100), for jotting points or notes of importance, to be later recollected or simply to tabulate points as a reminder list or a daily planner, etc.

Example 3

Book Insert Comprising a Plurality of Dividers (206)

[0250] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an insert (100) of the present invention, wherein the book insert is provided with multiple clips (dividers) of varying colours and having varying width, which overlap each other, in a way that serves to act as plurality of dividers (206), such that the user can see the said dividers (preferably each of the dividers) individually. This allows the user to use the insert/dividers as a marking instrument for different pages of the book.

[0251] Preferably, the material used for the insert is a thin sheet of flexible plastic or paper.

Example 4

Ruler (207)

[0252] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the book insert of the present invention, apart from functioning as a bookmark for loop-bound (e.g. spiral-bound) books, also functions as a measuring device. For achieving this outcome, the elongated generally rectangular portion (body) (200), of the insert (100), is provided with ruler markings (207) printed on the surface thereof along or adjacent to one edge, preferably along or adjacent to one long edge, thereby acting as a ruler (207). In this way, distances, e.g. small-to-medium distances, can be measured using the ruler.

[0253] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, in the ruler (207), the ruler markings (207) are printed on the surface of the generally rectangular portion (body), along or adjacent to an edge (preferably a long edge) of the generally rectangular portion which is opposite to (i.e. faces directly away from) the edge (preferably long edge) of the generally rectangular portion (body) from which the first and second inserting members extend and/or project.

Example 5

Protractor (208)

[0254] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the book insert of the present invention, apart from functioning as a bookmark for loop-bound (e.g. spiral-bound) books, also functions as another measuring device and more particularly, a protractor (208). In this embodiment, the elongated generally rectangular portion (200), of the insert (100), is broader in breadth (and preferably also and longer in length), to accommodate the measurements of a protractor. In this way, angles can be measured using the protractor.

[0255] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, longitudinal ruler markings are also provided on the protractor (208), for measuring distances.

Example 6

Sticker (209)

[0256] As mentioned hereinabove, FIG. 6 depicts a plan view from above of a book insert (sticker, 209) of present invention which functions as an attachment for various materials, as described in this Example 6. More particularly, FIG. 6 is a plan view from above of an open loop-bound (e.g. ring-bound, e.g. open-and-close ring-bound) book, into the binding of which has been inserted a book insert (sticker 209), wherein the sticker is attached to a piece of material (in FIG. 6, the piece of material is an envelope).

[0257] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention (Example 6), wherein the book insert of the present invention comprises a sticky body (sticker) (209) for attachment of a piece or pieces, in particular a sheet or sheets, of material [preferably of sheet-like material and/or generally planar material, such as paper (preferably as a paper sheet or sheets), an envelope, and/or plastic (preferably as a plastic sheet or sheets)] to the loop-binding (e.g. spiral binding or ring binding) of the book, e.g. of a notebook.

[0258] In particular, the sticker (209) comprises a sticky body (209), and an insert which can be (i.e. which is capable of being) detachably coupled to the binding (binder) of a book, preferably to the binding (binder) of a loop-bound book such as a spiral-bound or ring-bound (e.g. open-and-dose ring-bound) book. Preferably, the insert comprises a detachable coupling means and/or an inserting member.

[0259] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, the insert and/or inserting member of the sticker (209), which is preferably elongate and/or narrow, continues (i.e. extends) from the top of the sticky body (209), and is aligned parallel to the adjacent edge of the sticky body, in such a way as to form a narrow gap between the sticky body (209) and the insert and/or inserting member, wherein the gap is to be inserted inside (i.e. is to receive) the loop binding (e.g. spiral binding) of the book.

[0260] Thus, preferably, in Example 6, the insert and/or inserting member of the sticker (209) is generally similar in form, position and/or orientation to the first inserting member (201) of the insert (100) of the Example 1 embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1. However, unlike Example 1, the sticker (209) of Example 6 functions as an attachment for various materials (such as an envelope, as shown in FIG. 6).

Example 7

Sticker (212)FIG. 7

[0261] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention (Example 7), which is a sticker 212, comprising a sticky body 214 for attachment of a piece or pieces, in particular a sheet or sheets, of material [preferably of sheet-like material and/or generally planar material, such as paper (preferably as a paper sheet or sheets), an envelope, and/or plastic (preferably as a plastic sheet or sheets)] to the loop-binding (e.g. spiral binding or ring binding) of the book, e.g. of a notebook.

[0262] In particular, the sticker 212 comprises a sticky body 214, and an insert 216 (a finger portion 216) which is capable of being detachably coupled to the binding (binder) of a loop-bound book such as a spiral-bound or ring-bound (e.g. open-and-close ring-bound) book. The insert 216 (the finger portion 216) is part of the detachable coupling means according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0263] As shown in FIG. 7, the finger portion 216 of the sticker 212, which is elongate (and generally narrow), extends from the top of the sticky body 212, and is aligned parallel to the adjacent edge of the sticky body 214, in such a way as to form a narrow gap 220 between the sticky body 214 and the finger portion 216, wherein the gap is to be inserted inside (i.e. is to receive) the loop binding (e.g. spiral binding) of the book.

[0264] The sticker 212 of Example 7 functions as an attachment for various materials (such as an envelope, similar to that shown in FIG. 6, & as shown in FIG. 11, or a sheet of paper e.g. as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0265] The sticker body (but not the finger portion) has adhesive on one side eg as defined herein.

Example 8

Sticker (222)FIG. 8

[0266] This sticker is generally similar to Example 7, but the finger & gap is differently sized.

[0267] FIGS. 9-11use of the sticker(s).

[0268] FIGS. 12A-16Cdividers.

[0269] A used herein, the terms loop binding, loop binder, loop-bound or similar terms, should be understood as meaning a binding system (or bound by a binding system) which loosely joins a sheaf or stack of pages (preferably pages of a book), wherein the binding system loops around and/or through holes (in particular sequential holes) on one edge of the pages. The binding system preferably comprises loops, typically a plurality of loops. The loops may be in a spiral (preferably a continual spiral); or the loops may be as separate, individual loops. Preferably, the loops are curved in some manner; and more preferably the loops are made from circles, rings, spirals, straight lines, and/or ellipses, and/or are made from portions of circles, rings, spirals, straight lines, and/or ellipses. For example, ring binding, typically as or in a multi ring binding system and/or a ring binder such as a two-ring or three-ring binder (preferably a binder having a plurality of, more preferably two or three, openable and closable rings; and/or preferably an open-and-dose ring binder), would be included as a preferred embodiment of loop binding. Other examples, which are alternative and/or additional preferred embodiments of loop binding, include comb binding, spiral binding (also called coil binding), and/or wire binding.

[0270] The bookmark, insert (preferably book insert), divider and/or sticker may be made out of a wide variety of materials. It is particularly economical and desirable to make it out of a non-brittle and/or flexible plastic (preferably a non-brittle and/or flexible plastic which is a common plastic and/or which is a flexible plastic as defined herein, preferably PET, PBT, PTT, PEN, another polyester (preferably a biodegradable polyester), PVC, PP, PE and/or other plastic(s) as defined herein). However, various kinds of paper and/or cardboard may also be used satisfactorily.

[0271] Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the preferred embodiment of the invention is described in relation to its use to engage the loop-binding (loop-binders) of the book, in the form of ring binders or binding coils (spiral binding), it would be appreciated that it is also applicable to other forms of loop binding, such as comb binding and/or wire binding.