US3572767A

US3572767A - Adjustable protective cover for books

Info

Publication number: US3572767A
Application number: US808126A
Authority: US
Inventors: Samuel M Learned; Joseph E Wisotzkey
Original assignee: Maple Press Co
Current assignee: Maple Press Co
Priority date: 1969-03-18
Filing date: 1969-03-18
Publication date: 1971-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-30

Abstract

An adjustable protective cover attachable to the exterior of either a casebound or a paperback book formed from flexible synthetic resin sheet material comprising two sections each having two overlying plies of said material connected permanently along three edges by heat-sealing to form pockets respectively positioned to receive the covers of a casebound or paperback book, one of said sections having one free edge extending laterally beyond the open edge of the pocket to provide a connecting panel adapted to extend around the spine of a casebound or paperback book, and adhesive means to connect the outer edge portion of said connecting panel to the other section of said cover to secure the sections together to provide a unitary cover. When used with paperback books, each of said pockets also is arranged to contain a thin stiffening board of substantially the same size as the covers of a paperback book which is to be received in the pockets, said boards being positioned adjacent the inner surfaces of said book covers when received within said pockets, whereby the entire exterior of a paperback book may be viewed through the transparent cover which overlies said outer surfaces thereof.

Description

United States Patent {72] lnventors Samuel M. Learned; Primary ExaminerLawrence Charles Joseph E. Wisotzkey, York. Pa. Attorney-C. Hercus Just [21 1 Appl. No. 808,126 [22] Filed Mar. 18, 1969 [45] patented Man 30 1971 ABSTRACT: An ad ustable protective cover attachable to the [73] Assignee The Maple Press Company exterior of either a casebound or a paperback book formed York, Pa. from flexible synthetic resin sheet material comprising two sections each having two overlying plies of said material connected permanently along three edges by heat-sealing to form pockets respectively positioned to receive the covers of a 54] ADJUSTABLE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR BOOKS casebound or paperback book, one of said sections having one zclaims, 12 Drawing Figs. free edge extending laterally beyond the open edge of the pocket to provide a connecting panel adapted to extend 281/34 around the spine of a casebound or paperback book, and adl l Cl 342d hesive means to connect the outer edge portion of said con- [50] Field Of Search 281/34, 37 eeting pane] to the other ection of aid cover to ecure the sections together to provide a unitary cover. When used with [56] References and paperback books, each of said pockets also is arranged to con- UNITED STATES PATENTS tain a thin stiffening board of substantially the same size as the 949,307 2/ 1910 Smalley 281/34 covers of a paperback book which is to be received in the 1,525,688 2/1925 Page 281/34 pockets, said boards being positioned adjacent the inner sur- 2,850,295 9/ 1958 Niederman et al. 281/34 faces of said book covers when received within said pockets, 2,935,337 5/1960 Ecclestone 281/34 whereby the entire exterior of a paperback book may be 3,133,750 5/ 1964 Gerald 281/34 viewed through the transparent cover which overlies said 3,367,680 2/ 1968 Greenspan 281/37 outer surfaces thereof.

PATENTED man Ian SHEET 1 BF 2 FIG.2

llllll ll'llnllI siig i FIG.4

FIG.5

INVENTORS E @K Z T M Y Em E LW N ME T HH T iv A MS% A0 SJ Y FIG.3

PATENTEU M30197 INVENTORS SAMUEL M. LEARNE BY JOSEPH OTZK I nv E WIS ATTOR F u a e a. F k

, l ADJUSTABLE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR BOOKS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For many years, various types of protective covers formed from paper have been available for covering books and especially books having stiff covers. However, paper covers of this type render the names and other identifying indicia and decorations on the outside of books obscure so that the book has to be opened to learn the title thereof, for example.

More recently, transparent book covers have been available having pockets which usually are relatively narrow, adjacent opposite ends of the cover, said covers being unitary and adapted to receive either the stiff covers on casebound books or the covers of so-called paperback books, thereby rendering the exterior of such books visible through the transparent material from which the protective covers are formed. The principal difficulty present in book covers of this type, however, is the fact that there must be many different sizes of protective covers provided to accommodate a reasonable range of different sizes of books and particularly books of different thicknesses. In this regard, it is obvious that a protective cover for a book one-half inch in thickness must be substantially narrower than a protective cover for a book 2 inches or more in thickness.

To apply a certain specific size of protective book cover respectively to such a relatively thin book and also to a relatively thick book of the same size-otherwise usually results in the protective cover being much too large for the thin book so that a very loose fit results and the desired support and protection is not realized, while if the same cover is applied to such a relatively thick book and particularly one which is too thick to actually be accommodated by such protective cover, damage will be sustained by the book after a relatively short period of time by the hinges of the book covers becoming broken as well as causing other forms of injury.

Attention also has been given to stiffening the covers of a so-called paperback book in the form of a three-part protective cover comprising the subject matter of US. Pat. No. 3,l 33,750, issued May 19, 1964, in which two similar protective sheets have cement applied to one surface thereof for purposes of a portion of the sheet adhering to a stiffening board and extending beyond one edge thereof, whereby,the stiffening board may be applied against the exterior surface of the cover of a paperback book and the projecting edge of the protective cover sheet is affixed by the adhesive thereon to the inner surface of the cover of the paperback book. One such board and protective sheet is applied to each cover of the paperback book, and a third protective sheet having adhesive on one surface thereof extends across the spine of the book and opposite edges thereof project evenly from opposite edges of the spine and are applied by adhesive to the exterior surfaces of the previously applied combination boards and protective cover sheets. In order to neatly affix such a protective cover to a paperback book, considerable skill is required and, in addition, when such a book is covered by said means, the title and artwork normally printed upon at least one cover of a paperback book is rendered completely obscure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention supplies a need presently existing in the protective book cover field for both casebound and paperback books by providing a protective book cover preferably formed from flexible synthetic resin sheet material which is thermoplastic so-that overlying plies thereof may be sealed along a pair of'opposite edges and the intervening edge to form a rectangular pocket to receive the cover of a casebound or paperback book. The protective cover comprises sections each having such a pocket thereon, one of said sections having the edge of one ply adjacent the open end of the pocket extending laterally beyond the pocket an adequate amount to form a connecting panel adapted to extend around the spine of a book when enclosed by said two sections, and adhesive means, of which several embodiments are provided, are used to secure the outer edge portion of said connecting panel of the one section to the other section and thus neatly and effi- LII ciently fit such a compound type of protective cover to any given size of casebound or paperback book, regardless of thickness thereof within reasonable limits. Under such circumstances, it is only necessary to maintain in inventory a limited number of different lengths of such cover sections in the direction parallel to the hinge which connects a book cover to the back or spine of a book.

Still another improvement afforded by the present invention comprises the provision of thin stiffening boards which are insertable within the pockets of said protective cover adjacent the inner surfaces of the covers or a paperback. book whereby desirable stiffening, strength, and protection of said covers of a paperback book is afforded while the transparent nature of the protective cover renders all outer surfaces of the paperback book readily visible through the protective cover.

Still another advantage afforded by the present invention comprises providing hinge-stiffening means in the form of a relatively narrow flexible strip having adhesive, such as pressure-sensitive cement, applied to one surface thereof, said strips being affixable to the inner surfaces of the covers of a casebound or paperback book adjacent the hinge thereof and extending also along the portion of the first inside page of the book, such reinforcing strip preferably being arranged substantially evenly on opposite sides of said hinge for the book cover of a casebound or paperback book and thereby substantially lengthening the life of the hinges for the covers of casebound or paperback books.

BRIEF DESCRIII ION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of an exemplary casebound or paperback book and two sections of a protective cover incorporating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the protective cover illustrated in FIG. I applied to an exemplary book shown in partially open condition, said view also illustrating stiffening boards inserted within the pockets adjacent the inner surfaces of the covers of a paperback book so that the exterior surfaces of the paperback book are visible through the transparent book cover.

FIG. 3 is a small perspective view showing the manner in which the outer surfaces of a paperback book mounted within the embodiment of transparent protective cover illustrated in FIGS. I and 2 may be seen therethrough.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and showing the arrangement by which the protective cover plies which form the pocket enclose both the cover of a paperback book and a stiffening board adjacent the inner surface of said book cover.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of an assembled protective book cover as seen generally on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the front cover of a casebound or paperback book enclosed within the protective cover embodying the invention shown in the preceding FIGS.

FIG. 7 is an assembled pair of sections generally incorporating another embodiment of the invention slightly different from the embodiments shown in the preceding FIGS.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged slightly exploded transverse sectional view of the assembledcover shown in FIG. 7 as seen on the line 8-8 thereof.

FIG. 9 is a slightly exploded, plan view of the embodiment of two sections of protective cover similar to that shown in FIG. I but illustrating a different location for the cement means used to connect the two sections together after application thereof to a casebound or paperback book,

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing an exemplary appearance of the heat-sealed edges of panels of the protective cover which form the pockets to receive the covers of a casebound or paperback book.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another feature of the present invention for reinforcing the conventional hinge of the cover of a casebound or paperback book.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the book shown in FIG. 11 with the covers thereof extended into a common plane to illustrate the hinge reinforcing strips mounted in operative position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary paperback book is illustrated therein in perspective. Said book comprises a body 12 of leaves formed from a plurality of signatures thereof, opposite book covers 14 and 16 made from heavy paper or sheet stock known as tag board or cloth covered casemaking board and the back or spine which secures the signatures and pages of the body of leaves 12 together. The outer surfaces of one or both of the book covers 14 or 16 usually has the title printed thereon and/or appropriate designs and ornamentation to enhance the esthetic appearance of the book. The spine portion usually has at least the title and the author of the book printed thereon attractively.

As indicated above, the principal objective of the present invention is to provide a preferably transparent protective cover for such a casebound or paperback book, the same being formed from durable material such as a suitable synthetic resin in sheet form and preferably being of a thermoplastic nature for purposes to be described. By utilizing transparent or at least substantially transparent sheet material to form such protective cover, the color, title and indicia, and other decorations printed upon the outer surfaces of the book covers and/or spines readily may be viewed through the protective cover, thereby representing a marked improvement over conventional covers which are intended to protect the contents of a book.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, one embodiment of protective cover is shown in FIG. 1 in the form of a pair of sections and 22. Each section is formed from a plurality of

plies

24 and 26, the plies 26 being substantially equal in length to the plies 24 but being narrower than plies 24 in a transverse direction. Preferably, the plies 26 of each section are of similar size, including the width in a direction transverse to the outer edge of each section. The

plies

24 and 26 are permanently connected to each other along the opposed narrow edges of the ply 26 and along the intervening outer edge of the section, preferably by heat'sealing, due to the fact that the sheet material forming the protective cover section preferably is thermoplastic. This arrangement forms a pocket which is dimensioned with respect to the book covers 14 and 16 so as to have a close sliding fit with said covers to receive the same to the full depth of said pockets. To facilitate the disposition of the book covers 14 and 16 within the pockets, as well as for other purposes to be described hereinafter, the plies 26 preferably are appreciably narrower than the width of the book covers received therein.

Although the plies 24 of said section may be of the same width in a direction transverse to the sealed outer edges 28 of said pockets, in the preferred construction, the panel 24 of section 22 preferably is wider than the panel 24 of section 20 to provide a connecting panel which is sufficiently wide to extend around the back or spine 18 of a casebound or paperback book after the book covers 14 and 16 have been inserted within the pockets of the

sections

20 and 22 to the full extent thereof. The panel 30 also is sufficiently wide to overlap at least a limited portion of the exterior surface of the ply 24 of section 20. If desired, the panel 30 may be precisely cut after the sections are applied to a book, to abut the edges of the plies 24, and connect the same by a suitable adhesive strip.

The width of the connecting panel 30 is sufficient to accommodate books of an extensive range of thicknesses, at least within reasonable limits, so as to minimize the need for an extensive inventory except with regard to providing a range of sections varying in length in the direction parallel to the outer sealed edges 28 of the pockets thereof, such variations in length preferably being in regular increments, such as of the order of one-fourth inch or one-half inch, thereby accommodating such cover sections to books having different lengths in directions parallel to the outer edges of the covers thereof.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer edge portion of the connecting panel 30 of section 22 is fixedly connected to a surface of ply 24 of section 20 which it overlies by means of a stripe of suitable adhesive 32 which extends along the connecting panel 30 preferably for the full length thereof. An appropriate type of transparent pressure-sensitive cement is highly useful for this purpose but, if desired, other types of cement compatible with the material from which the sections of the protective book covers are formed may be used.

Particularly when the adhesive 32 is of a pressure-sensitive nature, it is preferred that the same be covered with a protective strip 34 until attachment of the two sections together is to occur, after placement of the book covers 14 and 16 within the pockets of the

protective cover sections

20 and 22, for example. The manner in which the stripe of adhesive 32 secures the

sections

20 and 22 together can readily be understood from FIG. 5.

Another important advantage afforded by the present invention comprises the possibility to insert relatively thin, stiffening panels or boards 36 within the pockets of the protective cover sections between the inner surfaces of the book covers 14 and I6 and the inner surfaces of the plies 26 of the pockets. The stiffening boards 36 may he formed from any suitable material such as chip board of suitable thickness, fiber, synthetic resin, or otherwise. The length of the boards 36 preferably is substantially equal to the length of the surfaces of the book covers I4 and 16 against which they are applied and the width thereof preferably is slightly less than that of said book covers in order that when the book covers are closed and the boards are contained between the book covers 14 and I6 and the first and last pages of the body of leaves 12, the hinges 38 of the book covers will not be strained or damaged.

By the arrangement described above, insertion of the boards 36 within the pockets of the

protective cover sections

20 and 22 is facilitated. The lesser width of the plies 26 of the pockets, compared to the width of the boards 36, also facilitates the insertion of the boards within said pockets in a manner to stiffen the normal book covers 14 and 16 of socalled paperback hooks. Further, many types of paperback books have very attractive and artistic arrangements of the titles, authors names, and ornamental designs thereon. By arranging the stiffening boards 36 adjacent the inner surfaces of the book covers 14 and I6, the exterior surfaces thereof as well as the exterior surface of the spine 18 are readily visible through the transparent outer plies 26 of each of the protective sections. This can be appreciated particularly from FIGS. 3 and 6.

An exemplary, enlarge illustration of the manner in which the

plies

24 and 26 may be secured together at the outer edges thereof by means of heat-sealing will be seen in FIG. I0, wherein such arrangement is illustrated in exemplary manner. As shown, the outer corners of the

protective cover sections

20 and 22 preferably are at least slightly rounded so as not to afford objectionable sharpness which otherwise could be annoying in handling a book enclosed in such protective cover.

Another embodiment of protective book cover is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 in which the

sections

20 and 22 preferably are the same as in the preceding embodiment. Also, the exemplary illustration of section 22 having a connecting panel 30 projecting from the outer edge of the ply 24 thereof is the same as in the preceding embodiment, though primarily for purposes of illustration rather than restriction inasmuch as the ply 24 of section 20 likewise may have a similar connecting panel projecting from the outer edge thereof if desired. In this embodiment, the outer edge portion of the connecting panel 30 is connected in overlying relationship with part of the outer surface of ply 24 of section 20 by means of an auxiliary sealing tape or strip 40 which may be formed from material similar to that from which the plies 24 are formed, for example.

A layer 40 of suitable cement is applied to one surface of the sealing strip 40, whereby when the strip is applied against the terminal edge portion of connecting panel 30, it will securely affix the same to the overlying portion of ply 30 of protective cover section 20. The cement 42 may, for example, be similar to the strip of adhesive 32, for example, described hereinabove, it being of a pressure-sensitive nature or otherwise. If desired, however, the connecting panel 30 may be trimmed, after the sections have been fitted to the covers of a book, so that the edges of plies 24 abut, and the sealing strip 40 is applied over said abutting edges to connect said sections.

In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 9, a slight reversal of the structure of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is illustrated in that the ply 24 of section is wider than theply 24 of section 22. Thus, the section 20 provides a terminal portion 30 comprising a connecting panel which may be wrapped around the back orspine 18 of-a casebound or paperback book and the strip of adhesive 32 is on ply 24 of section 22 for connecting contact with the interior, overlying surface of the connecting panel 30 of section '20 to affix the two sections permanently together in a manner to neatly and compactly enclose a casebound or paperback book within said protective cover section. Although stiffening boards are not illustrated in the arrangements shown in FIGS. 7-9, it is to be understood that such boards may be employed therein and have been omitted primarily for purposes of simplifying the illustration.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide reinforcing means for the hinges 38 of the book covers 14 and 16 of a casebound or paperback book 10. By referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, it will be seen that such reinforcement is provided in the form of ribbons or strips 44 of suitable flexible material, such as linen, suitable synthetic resin, or other appropriate material upon one surface of which appropriate adhesive is applied. By opening the book covers 14 and 16 to a sufiicient extent, the hinge reinforcing strips 44 may be applied by means of said cement to the inner surface of each book cover 14 and I6, adjacent the hinges 38 of the book, the strips 44 preferably extending approximately evenly along opposite sides of the lines of said hinges so as similarly to overlie and be affixed to the adjacent surface of the outermost pages of the body of leaves 12 of said book. 1

By way of illustration and without restriction thereto, it is intended that the

plies

24 and 26 of the

protective cover sections

20 and 22, as well as the auxiliary sealing strip 40, for example, may be fonned from any of a wide range of appropriate flexible and durable synthetic resins such as vinyl, vinyl laminates, polyesters, polystyrenes, eurethanes, and other- Said materials are all sufficiently thermoplastic to permit the edges of the plies which form the pockets of said protective cover sections to be permanently connected together by fusion or heat-sealing. To provide adequate rigidity to the protective cover sections, the thicknesses of the sheet material from which said plies of the protective covers are formed may vary within the range of between 0.005 inch and 0.015 inch but, if desired, thicker sheet material may be used. Further, the color of said material may vary from transparent, waterwhite to various desired transparent and translucent colored hues, such as pastel or otherwise, which may be selected to provide desirable esthetic characteristics.

The invention also lends itself readily to the attachment of a v bookmark strip 46 to one of the

cover sections

20 or 22,

preferably to one edge of one of the plies 24 adjacent the open edge of the pocket formed by ply 26. An exemplary illustration of one form of such strip 46 and an operable location is shown in FIG. 7. The strip 46 is pliable and may be formed from the same material as

plies

24 and 26. A thinner stock may be preferred, however, for the strip 46 in the event plies 24 and 26 are of stock which is relatively thick for durability. The strip 46 preferably is of thermoplastic material and readily lends itself to being attached to the cover section by fusion, such as when a heated sealing device is used to fuse the edges of

plies

24 and 26 together to form the cover-receiving pockets of the

sections

20 and 22. The marking strip 46 is used in the usual manner to mark a place in a book within the united

protective cover sections

20 and 22.

We claim: I l. A protective book cover adapted to extend around the exterior of the covers and spine of a casebound or paperback book, said cover comprising two similar sections formed from relatively transparent sheet stock of durable flexible thermoplastic synthetic resin, each section comprising at one end two overlying plies of said sheet resin of the same length but one ply being substantially narrower than the other and permanently connected by fusion along the narrow end edges and one intervening side edge to one end portion of the wider ply to form a pocket open along one edge to receive at least the outer end portion of one cover of a book, the opposite end of each wider ply of each cover section being of a length adequate to extend around the spine of a book and be disposed substantially in flat overlying relation with the corresponding opposite end of the other cover section, a strip of pliable sheet material having pressure-sensitive cement on one surface adapted to be applied over the terminal end portion of the outermost opposite end portion of the overlying opposite end portions of said sections and adhere thereto and the adjacent portion of the other opposite end portion to secure the two cover sections adjustably connected together to closely fit a selected book, and stiffening boards complementary in size to said pockets and slightly narrower'than the cover of a book to be enclosed in said cover respectively. positioned in each pocket and adapted to be disposed against the inner surface of a book cover when mounted within said cover to stiffen the covers of such book.

2. The protective book cover according to claim I further including a plurality of flexible reinforcing strips respectively applicable to the inner surface of each book cover and the page facing the same along the hinge of each book cover to strengthen said hinges, said strips having adhesive upon the surface thereof which is attachable to said covers and page facing the same and said strips being adapted to be substantially evenly disposed on either side of said hinges of said book covers.

Claims

1. A protective book cover adapted to extend around the exterior of the covers and spine of a casebound or paperback book, said cover comprising two similar sections formed from relatively transparent sheet stock of durable flexible thermoplastic synthetic resin, each section comprising at one end two overlying plies of said sheet resin of the same length but one ply being substantially narrower than the other and permanently connected by fusion along the narrow end edges and one intervening side edge to one end portion of the wider ply to form a pocket open along one edge to receive at least the outer end portion of one cover of a book, the opposite end of each wider ply of each cover section being of a length adequate to extend around the spine of a book and be disposed substantially in flat overlying relation with the corresponding opposite end of the other cover section, a strip of pliable sheet material having pressure-sensitive cement on one surface adapted to be applied over the terminal end portion of the outermost opposite end portion of the overlying opposite end portions of said sections and adhere thereto and the adjacent portion of the other opposite end portion to secure the two cover sections adjustably connected together to closely fit a selected book, and stiffening boards complementary in size to said pockets and slightly narrower than the cover of a book to be enclosed in said cover respectively positioned in each pocket and adapted to be disposed against the inner surface of a book cover when mounted within said cover to stiffen the covers of such book.

2. The protective book cover according to claim 1 further including a plurality of flexible reinforcing strips respectively applicable to the inner surface of each book cover and the page facing the same along the hinge of each book cover to strengthen said hinges, said strips having adhesive upon the surface thereof which is attachable to said covers and page facing the same and said strips being adapted to be substantially evenly disposed on either side of said hinges of said book covers.