Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method of making a book or booklet cover including a metal sheet supporting a sheet-like information carrier.

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.

Background of the invention

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.

GB 2249859 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. DK 179915 B1 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.

Objective of the invention

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 bend in an angle of 270 degrees or more in relation to a metal sheet with an unbended edge.

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

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

In an aspect of the method the edge is bend in an angle a being in a range between 180 and 270 degrees in relation to a metal sheet with an unbended edge.

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.

In another aspect the edge is bend in an angle a being 270 degree in relation to a metal sheet with an unbended edge. 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 edge is bend in an angle a being in a range between 270 and 360 degrees in relation to a metal sheet with an unbended edge.

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 bend in an angle a being 360 degrees in relation to a metal sheet with an unbended edge.

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 bend in an angle a being more than 360 degrees in relation to a metal sheet with an unbended edge.

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 bend in an angle a of 270 degrees or more in relation to a metal sheet with an unbended edge.

In an aspect of the book or booklet cover, the metal sheet has an edge bend in an angle a in a range between 180 and 270 degrees in relation to a metal sheet with an unbended edge.

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.

In another aspect, the metal sheet has an edge bend in an angle being 270 degree in relation to a metal sheet with an unbended edge.

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 bend in an angle a in a range between 270 and more than 360 degrees in relation to a metal sheet with an unbended edge.

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 disclosure.

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. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.

Brief descriptions of the drawings

The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an example of a machine with a tool capable of bending portion of a flat article in a rounded way along an edge of another flat article, where the two flat articles are placed in the tool;

Figure 2 shows the machine with the tool beginning bending the portion rounding the edge of the first flat article around the edge of the other article; Figure 3 shows the machine with the tool finishing rounding the edge of the first flat article around the edge of the other article;

Figure 4 shows the machine with the tool releasing an item with a finished rounding the edge of the first flat article around the edge of the other article;

Figure 5 shows schematically a sheet-like information carrier placed on a metal sheet before processing the portion of the metal sheet;

Figure 6 shows schematically the sheet-like information carrier placed on a metal sheet with the rounded edge of the metal sheet pressing against the sheet-like information carrier;

Figure 7 shows schematically an embodiment of the sheet-like information carrier placed on a metal sheet with the rounded edge of the metal sheet pressing against the sheet-like information carrier;

Figure 8 shows schematically another embodiment of the sheet-like information carrier placed on a metal sheet with the rounded edge of the metal sheet pressing against the sheet-like information carrier;

Figure 9 shows schematically another embodiment of the sheet-like information carrier placed on a metal sheet with the rounded edge of the metal sheet pressing against the sheet-like information carrier; and

Figure 10 shows schematically another embodiment of the sheet-like information carrier placed on a metal sheet with the rounded edge of the metal sheet pressing against the sheet-like information carrier. Detailed description

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

A method of making a book or booklet cover including a metal sheet 2 supporting a sheet-like information carrier 1 can be carried out as follows.

A first face 3 of the sheet-like information carrier 1 is placed on a first side 5 of the metal sheet 2, in such a way that the metal sheet 2 extends at least beyond one edge 10 of the sheet 1 . Then a portion 11 of the metal sheet 2 is bend in a rounding way along an edge of the metal sheet 2, for said portion 11 to bear against and to elastically press on said sheet-like information carrier 1 . In some embodiments this is sufficient to hold the sheet-like information carrier 1 firmly in the metal sheet 2 by the pressure of the bended portion 11. In other embodiments abutting edges of the metal sheet 2 can be bend to more firmly hold the sheet-like information carrier 1 within the metal sheet 2.

When bending in a rounding way a portion 11 of the metal sheet 2 along an edge thereof, for said portion 11 to bear against and to elastically press on said sheet 1 the book or booklet cover is formed, where the edge 7 is bend in an angle of 270 degrees or more in relation to a metal sheet 2 with an unbended edge.

In an embodiment of the method the edge 7 is bend in an angle a being in a range between 180 and 270 degrees in relation to a metal sheet 2 with an unbended edge 7, with the effect that a first edge part 8 of the edge 7 of the metal sheet 2 can carve into the material of the sheet-like information carrier 1 , providing a holding force.

In another embodiment, the edge 7 is bend in an angle a being 270 degree in relation to a metal sheet 2 with an unbended edge 7, with the effect that it is possible to provide a contact area corresponding to a material thickness of the metal sheet 2 pressing against a second face 4 of the sheet-like information carrier 1 , thereby squeezing the sheet-like information carrier 1 between the edge 7 of the rounded portion 11 of the metal sheet 2 and the first side 5 of the metal sheet 2, providing a holding force.

In another embodiment, the edge 7 is bend in an angle a being in a range between 270 and 360 degrees in relation to a metal sheet 2 with an unbended edge 7, with the effect that it is possible for a second edge part 9 of the edge 7 of the metal sheet 2 to carve into the material of the sheet-like information carrier 1 , providing a holding force.

In another embodiment, the edge 7 is bend in an angle a being 360 degrees in relation to a metal sheet 2 with an unbended edge 7, with the effect that it is possible to provide a resilient contact area of the second edge part 9 of the portion 11 of the metal sheet 2 pressing against the second face 4 of the sheetlike information carrier 1 , providing a holding force.

In another embodiment, the edge 7 is bend in an angle a being more than 360 degrees in relation to a metal sheet 2 with an unbended edge 7, with the effect that it is possible to provide a resilient contact of the portion 11 of the metal sheet 2 pressing against the first face 4 of the sheet-like information carrier 1 , 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 figure 1 to 4, showing different stages during the process.

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

In figure 1 the tool comprises a lower part 20 and an upper part 21 , the lower part 20 comprising a support surface 22 on which the articles 1 , 2 for forming the book or booklet cover is placed and a first tool part 23 having a grove 24 for performing the rounded bending of the portion 11 of the metal sheet 2. The upper part 21 comprises a second tool part 25 comprising an inwardly rounded edge 26 for completing the rounding of the portion 11 of the metal sheet 2, when the tool parts 23, 25 are put together.

When moving the upper part 21 towards the lower part 20, the first tool part 23 is moved towards the edge 7 of the metal sheet 2 and the portion 11 is forced along the rounding in the grove 24 thereby being bend in a rounded way. The traveling distance of the first tool part 23 determines how much of the portion 11 to be bend and the dimension of the grove determines the dimension of the bended edge portion.

In figure 2, the first tool part 23 is moved towards the second tool part 25 and the portion 11 of the metal sheet 2 is beginning the bending.

In figure 3, the bending is completed and in figure 4, the tool parts 23, 25 are moved apart from each other and the end product can be seen.

Figure 5 shows a sheet-like information carrier 1 placed on a metal sheet 2 before being joined in an edge portion. The sheet 1 comprises a first face 3 and an opposite second face 4, where the first face is placed against a first side 5 of the metal sheet 2. The metal sheet 2 has an opposite second side 6, which second side rest on the support surface 22 of the tool during bending. A portion 11 of the metal sheet 2 comprises an edge 7 having a first edge part 8 and a second edge part 9. The sheet 1 shows an edge 10.

The product obtained by completion of the process is a book or booklet cover including a metal sheet 2 supporting a sheet-like information carrier 1 , which sheet 1 has a first face 3 and an opposite second face 4, with the first face 3 of the sheet 1 on a first side 5 of a metal sheet 2, the metal sheet 2 having a portion 11 that extends beyond at least one edge 10 of the sheet 1 , where the portion 11 of the metal sheet 2 has a rounded bend along an edge thereof, the portion 11 elastically pressing against said sheet 1 .

In an embodiment as shown in figure 7, the metal sheet 2 has an edge 7 which is bend in an angle a in a range between 180 and 270 degrees in relation to a metal sheet 2 with an unbended edge 7. Hereby the first edge 8 carves into the sheet 1 forming a better grip than if the edge 7 of the metal sheet 2 was just folded around the edge of the sheet 1 .

In an embodiment as shown in figure 6, the metal sheet 2 has an edge 7 which is bend in an angle a being 270 degree in relation to a metal sheet 2 with an unbended edge 7. The angle a mentioned in the different embodiments are indicated in figure 6, which angle a refers to an angular position of the edge 7 compared to an edge 7 of a sheet with an unbended edge.

In embodiments as shown in figures 8, 9 and 10, the metal sheet 2 has an edge 7 which is bend in an angle a being more than 360 degrees (figure 10), preferable 360 degrees (figure 9), more preferable in a range between 270 and 360 degrees (figure 8) in relation to a metal sheet 2 with an unbended edge 7. As shown in figure 8, the second edge 9 carves into the sheet 1 forming a better grip than if the edge 7 of the metal sheet 2 was just folded around the edge of the sheet 1 .

Hereby it is possible to retain the sheet-like information carrier 1 in relation to a metal sheet 2, where a portion 11 that extends beyond at least one edge 10 of the sheet 1 , where the portion 11 of the metal sheet 2 has a rounded bend along an edge thereof, the portion 11 elastically pressing against said sheet 1 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 bend, 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 bend more than 180 degrees in relation to its initial position will be able to press against a sheet or the like on which the metal sheet 2 is placed to cover, without the inner portion of the bended edge pressing against the inner sheet. The part forming contact with the inner sheet is the edge of the metal sheet 2 or the corner lines of the edge.

In figures 6 to 10 it is shown that a hollow channel is formed in the edge portion of the cover.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.