EP1982841A1

EP1982841A1 - Strechable fabric book cover and method

Info

Publication number: EP1982841A1
Application number: EP07007710A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert Silverman
Original assignee: Kittrich Corp
Current assignee: Kittrich Corp
Priority date: 2007-04-16
Filing date: 2007-04-16
Publication date: 2008-10-22

Abstract

The present invention is a flexible, preferably elastic empanelled book cover (12) that has pocket portions to receive the covers of a book (10) that is inserted therein. The cover (12) consists of a unitary hexagonal sheet (30) of pliable material with extended upper and lower edges and with each edge bisected by a slot (32) of predetermined width that extends orthogonally. Fold lines (34,38) form a laterally-extended rectangle, with the side fold lines forming the lateral apices of the hexagon two triangular flap portions (20) of the cover pockets (25). The in-folded upper and lower flap portions (22,24) of the hexagon are attached to each other and to the triangular side flap portions (20), to form the pocket portion (25), with lock stitching at the innermost juncture by the spine opening. A central top and bottom fold-over engages the spine of the book (10) in stabilizing relation. The unitary hexagonal blanks (30) can be economically mass produced from roll material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally towards an adjustable book cover, and more particularly to a single, adjustable book cover formed from protective, elasticized fabric which easily conforms to and can be utilized on a variety of book sizes and thickness. Specifically, the invention features an improved construction and a method for fabricating an adjustable fabric sleeve that snugly envelops the exterior panels and spine of a book.

BACKGROUND

Books are constructed with a front cover and a rear cover with pages in-between. Paperback books, as their name implies, use covers that are made of a lightweight cardboard material. Educational/reference books are usually hardcover books, with significantly thicker and stronger covers. Regardless of the type utilized, book covers are often subjected to damage. This is especially true for paperback covers which are easily torn, bent or even removed from the book binding.
The easiest and most efficient way to protect a book is to use a book cover. Book covers are available in many sizes and styles, and school children are often taught how to make book covers out of paper bags. The major drawback to book covers though is that a single cover must be made for each book. Additionally, using paper material book covers typically causes any writing on the books' cover, such as the book's title, to be hidden. If a person has numerous books that are all covered with identical covers, it is difficult to distinguish each book.
Numerous book covers have been devised to protect schoolbooks and other hard covered texts from moisture, grime, or other damage. Many of these coverings utilize paper wrappings or are fabricated from more durable plastic materials.
Further, the application of book covers typically requires the time consuming steps of trimming the covering to size, fashioning and folding flaps, and then inserting the front and back panels of a bound book into lateral envelopes formed by the flaps. Adhesive tape may also be required to secure the protective covering into position, which will often mar a text when removed. Some conventional plastic book covers are similarly available with a coating of repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive. Although intended to removably cling to the exposed surfaces of a book, such coverings are known to become troublesome to remove after long term usage. Alternatively, stretchable fabric covers which have attempted to remedy the problems of paper and plastic sleeves fall short of uniformly protecting the vulnerable surfaces of a book.
For example, United States Patent Numbers 5,004,514 ; 5,013,068 ; 5,029,900 ; 5,056,663 ; 5,092,630 ; 5,470,109 ; 5,158,325 ; 5,209,624 ; 5,219,437 ; 6,257,622 ; 4,893,979 ; and 4,744,592 all describe prior art book covers.
United States 5,004,514 issued to Pugliese et al ., describes a method of making a protective book covering comprising a relatively long piece of plastic sheet material and a relatively short piece of plastic sheet material overlying the long piece. The longitudinal edges of the two sheets are heat sealed together, and there is an alternative option of applying a strip of adhesive to secure one of the longitudinal edges.
U.S. Patent No. 5,013,068 issued to Maldonado discloses a protective envelope for a book comprising a stretchable sheet of compressible synthetic polymer fabric and a relatively thick layer of closed-cell elastomeric compressible foam that is lined on one side. The stretchable composite sheet may comprise neoprene foam and stretchable nylon, with the foam having a thickness of approximately 1/32-inch to 1/16-inch.
U.S. Patent No. 5,029,900 issued to Axelrod discloses a wrap-around plastic cover for a bound book that is formed from a rectangular sheet having a center portion that abuts the book spine, with end portions of the sheet folded inward to enclose the front and rear covers of the book. The distal portions of the rectangular sheet thus form inward-facing flaps to receive the front and rear covers of the book as a removable cover.
U.S. Patents No's 5,056,663 and 5,092,630 issued to Ostrowski disclose adjustable protective book covers having similar features. The Ostrowski '663 patent discloses an adjustable cover having releasable hook and loop fasteners or adhesives which serve to secure a book within the cover. The Ostrowski '630 patent discloses a one-size-fits-all book cover which comprises sheet material having folded over top and bottom edges, and sides with short hems. The side edges are folded over to form side pockets for insertion of the covers of a book therein.
U.S. Patent No. 5,470,109 issued to Grande discloses an adjustable book cover made of SPANDEX material which is cut in a diamond shaped pattern wherein two diagonal stitched seams converge to form the apex of a triangle for inserting the book's front and back book covers.
U.S. Patent No 5,158,325 issued to Landis et al . discloses an adjustable book cover similar to that taught by Grande, except that the book cover forms pockets with a sinusoidal stitched seam at the lip of the insert portion of the cover.
U.S. Patent No. 5,209,624 issued to Nocolaisen , describes a method for interconnecting two sheets or plates for covering a book. The cover comprises an adhesive layer applied to a narrow zone that extends along the adjacent ends of the plates. An adjoining portion of each plate is folded inward along a folding line to define an acute angle, with the longitudinal axis of the protective strip such that the free end portion of the protective strip extends beyond the edge of the sheet to form a gripping end.
U.S. Patent No. 5,219,437 issued to Moor et al . discloses a fabric covered book cover comprising a front leaf board, a back leaf board, and a spine having a plurality of integral ridges formed therein to promote foldability. The inner and outer surfaces of the cover are covered by woven nylon or other synthetic material.
U.S. Patent No. 6,257,622 issued to Peker discloses a cloth book cover that is preferably made of SPANDEX. The cover has end pockets to receive the front and back covers of a book that is inserted therein. The top and bottom edges of the cover are stitched, the protruding portions of which tend to promote local wear. The formation of the end pockets requires extension of the cover material when inserting a book within the cover.
The 4,893,979 patent, issued to Alpers, discloses a supplemental cover for reinforcing a book having a spine, a first cover and a second cover. The supplemental cover consists of a first stiff sheet and a second sheet. The second sheet consists of a flexible region and a stiff region. The first sheet is adhered to the first cover of the book, and the flexible region of the second sheet is adhered to the spine of the book and the first sheet. The stiff region of the second sheet is adhered to the second cover of the book.
The 4,744,592 patent, issued to Barnette, discloses a laminate and method for protecting books. The laminate consists of a stiff rectangular sheet adhered through a pressure sensitive adhesive to a thin flexible transparent rectangular sheet, which is of the same height as but wider than the stiff sheet. The two sheets are juxtaposed so that three edges of each sheet mutually coincide. The flexible sheet has a flexible rectangular side portion or extension to which the stiff sheet is not adhered. The stiff sheet is preferably of the same dimension as the book to be covered.
What is therefore needed is a single book cover that could be utilized for books having varying thicknesses. Fortunately, especially among paperback books, there is a common size factor for the book's width and length. Therefore, if a single book cover could be made that would accommodate books of various thicknesses, and utilize materials and/or designs that would allow a person to easily identify the book, the benefits would be significant. Further, it would be beneficial if the book cover would be sufficiently robust to resist tearing, particularly along the book cover seams.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a flexible empanelled book cover having pocket portions to receive the paperboard covers of a book that is inserted therein. The cover pocket portions provide an access slot, which is parallel with the spine of the book, to facilitate insertion of the covers of a book within the pocket portions of the book cover.
The book cover consists of a unitary hexagonal sheet of pliable material with extended upper and lower edges, which are each bisected by a slot of predetermined width, which extends at right angles to the respective edge. The hexagonal blank contains four fold lines in the form of a laterally-extended rectangle, wherein the shorter side fold lines, in conjunction with adjoining side faces of the hexagonal blank, define triangular flap portions of the cover pockets.
The longer side fold lines, in conjunction with the respective upper and lower adjoining sections of the hexagonal blank, define upper and lower flap portions which, when folded, abut the triangular side flap portions to which they are joined together. This attachment positions the horizontal edges of the hexagonal blank in a mutually adjoined relation, thus providing two reciprocally aligned access apertures, by way of which the book is inserted into the protective cover. The bisecting slots do not intersect the fold lines. Rather, the vertices of the slots are positioned away from the respective fold lines by a predetermined amount, thereby creating a fold-over when folded along the fold line. The fold-over engage the ends of the spine of the book in a stabilizing relation.
The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing a book cover from a sheet of pliant material, including the steps of: cutting a laterally-elongated, substantially symmetrical hexagon from a sheet of material; cutting a slot in each laterally- elongated side in a substantially bisecting relation therewith, the slots extending at right angles to the respective elongated sides, and extending a predetermined distance into the hexagon; creating laterally-extended fold lines, and end fold lines orthogonal thereto, to form a rectangle having the corners thereof coincident with the four shorter sides of the hexagon; folding inward the portions of the hexagon that are located external to the rectangle to bring the edge portions of the hexagon into a mutually adjoining relation, and securing the adjoining edge portions together, thereby forming two pockets to receive, conceal and protect the exposed covers of a book.
In the described method, the bisecting slots may be cut to extend adjacent to, but not to intersect, the laterally-extending fold lines. The subsequent folding of the upper and lower sections of the hexagon about the laterally extending fold lines creates a pair of central flaps. The flaps engage and stabilize the ends of the spine of a book when inserted within the protective cover.
The present invention may be cut from SPANDEX material, or other fabric materials composed of stretchable elastic threads, such as nylon. When SPANDEX material is utilized, the slot may have a width of one centimeter. When nylon is utilized, the slot width is increased to as much as four centimeters in order to avoid overstressing the nylon material. Additionally, the horizontal joints of the upper and lower flaps each comprise a row of stitching, including lock-stitching that is applied at the innermost ends to withstand the stresses applied when the cover is stretched during the insertion of a book within the cover.
The described method also includes laying out and cutting a plurality of the hexagonal blanks in a mutually nested relation, thus permitting the simultaneous cutting of the bisecting slots, for two adjoined rows of hexagons, as a single slot. Further, adjacent hexagonal blanks that share adjoining peripheral edges are also cut during the same procedure.
In a second embodiment, the present invention is an adjustable book cover that is designed to be utilized on paperback and hard-cover books having varying thicknesses. The book cover is comprised of a front cover and an integrally attached rear cover. Located on the front cover's inner surface is a front cover retaining pocket, which is attached to the front cover's upper edge, lower edge and right edge. A rear cover retaining member is located on the rear cover's inner surface and is attached to the rear cover's upper edge and lower edge. Attachment means, preferably in the form of a hook and loop fastener, are attached to the rear cover's inner surface and the rear cover retaining member's outer surface.
The rear cover is dimensioned so that when the book cover is placed on a book, the rear cover can be folded inward, which allows the attachment means on the rear cover's inner surface to interface with the attachment means on the retaining member's outer surface. The distance that the rear cover is folded inward is determined by the thickness of the book being covered. When a relatively thin book is being covered, the rear cover is folded inward a greater distance than when a thicker book is being covered. This method assures that regardless of the book's thickness, the adjustable book cover will be rightly and securely maintained on the book.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a single adjustable book cover that can provide a protective covering for paperback and hardcover books of various thickness.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a single, adjustable book cover that a) can be made in various sizes to accommodate large or small books; b) can be made of various material to provide significant amounts of protection and/or various aesthetic appearances; c) can include indicia that identifies the book that is covered or that allows a person to customize his/her cover according to taste; d) can be quickly and easily attached and removed from a book, and/or e) is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and a consumer's point of view.
One benefit of certain embodiments of the present invention is that the book cover would be sufficiently robust to resist tearing, particularly along the book cover seams, relative to prior art book covers. In particular, the Y-seam construction, created by the triangular side panel and the polygonal top and bottom panels, distributes stress along the seams in a more effective manner than prior art seam constructions, thereby reducing tearing and increasing longevity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated, as they become better understood by reference to the following Detailed Description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view showing a book standing on its bottom edge, wherein the partially open covers of the book are concealed within a book cover in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an interior plan view of one embodiment of the book cover of the present invention, in an open configuration;
Figure 3 is a scalar plan view of the panels of one embodiment of the book cover of the present invention, as shown in Figure 2, in an unfolded, unstitched configuration;
Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of a sheet of pliant material illustrating cut and fold lines for the mass production of the book covers of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a plan view of one embodiment of the book cover of the present invention, illustrating the fold lines and width of the slots;
Figure 6 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the book cover of the present invention in an open configuration as viewed from its inner surface, illustrating the stretchable elastic thread material;
Figure 7 is a partial isometric view of the outside of one embodiment of the book cover of the present invention with rhinestone and/or nail head transfer indicia on the front arranged in the form of a star design;
Figure 8 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the book cover of the present invention, in a closed configuration;
Figure 9 is an inner elevational view of the book cover of the present invention as described with respect to Figure 8, in an open position;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the book cover of the present invention as described with respect to Figure 8, on a book, illustrating how the attachment means interface;
Figure 11 is a perspective view the book cover of the present invention as described with respect to Figure 8, illustrating an alternate design in which the front cover retaining pocket is created by folding the front cover's right edge inward; and
Figure 12 is an inner elevational view the book cover of the present invention as described with respect to Figure 8, showing the front cover's right edge as the means for securing the book within the book cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment of a book cover 12, as shown in Figures 1-7. A book 10, as shown in Figure 1 has covers which are contained within and concealed by the book cover 12. As shown in Figure 2, the book cover 12 has outer panel portions extending from a spine cover portion 14 that is laterally bounded by a left front cover portion 16, for the book front cover, and a right rear cover portion 18 to receive the book back cover. The 15 cover 12 consists of a plurality of panels in a mutually folded-in edge secured relationship.
The cover 12, as shown in Figure 2, has triangular edge panel portions 20, top edge panels 22 and bottom edge panels 24, which all form the interior of the book cover 12. The top edge panels 22 interface with the bottom edge panels 24, thereby forming between them two pockets 25. The pockets 25 are comprised of lines of stitching 26 that provide the means of insertion for the covers of a book 10 into the book cover 12. The innermost junctures of the top panels 22 and the bottom panels 24 are secured by locking stitches 27. The side edges of the panel portions 20, 22 and 24 are preferably connected by rows of stitching 26. Alternative forms of connection such as taping and/or gluing, ultrasonic welding or R.F welding, or heat sealing can also be utilized. The stitched seams may be made with interlocking stitching, which can be substantially concealed by turning the cover 32 inside out, whereby the stitching is contained within the pocket portions of the book cover 12.
As shown in Figure 3, a cover blank 30 is an unequal hexagon having slots 32 of predetermined length in its top and bottom edges. A top fold line 34 and a bottom fold line 36, along with side fold lines 38, form the bounds of the cover outer panel 40, which includes the intermediate spine area. The fold lines 34, 36 and 38 define one side of each of the panels 20, 22 and 24. It should be noted that the bottom or inner portion of each slot 32 does not reach the respective fold lines 34, 36. As a result, top and bottom turn- over portions of the cover 12 are created, which overhang and engage the top and bottom portions of the book spine. This serves to stabilize the book within the cover 12.
As shown in Figure 4, a roll of material is marked and cut. The illustrated portion 40 shows twenty three complete cover blanks 30, with the fold lines shown dotted, to facilitate recognition of the respective blanks 30. It should be noted that a comparatively small amount of selvedge 42 is involved. The preferred pliable material is SPANDEX or a material made of stretchable elastic threads. Additionally, a plastic material such as an elastomeric film or a stretchable fabric coated with an elastomeric resin can also be utilized.
For aesthetic qualities and to enhance the overall appearance of the book cover 12 the outer panel portions may include indicia. For example, the indicia can comprise a plurality of rhinestone or nail head transfers 44 that are arrayed in sequence, thus forming a design or motif on either the front or rear outer panel portion. The rhinestone or nail head transfers 44 are applied to the outer surface of the left front cover portion 16 and/or the right rear cover portion 18, and infused in place with a heat transfer press. Figure 7 shows a representative design in an form of the outline of a number of stars.
The method of manufacturing the book cover 12 is basically the same as described in detail above and consists of the steps of cutting the cover blank 30 in a hexagonal shape and cutting slots 32 in the elongated sides 22 and 24. Fold lines 34, 36 and 38 are created to form a rectangle, and the adjoining edge portion of the hexagon are secured to form two pockets to receive the covers of a book. The cutting steps are selected from the group consisting of cutting by rule and rotary dies, rule and rotary dies with heating, and rule and rotary dies with ultrasonic energy. Further, the blank material 30 may be cut into the hexagonal shape from a roll of material, as described above and illustrated in Figure 4. The method consists of laying out and cutting a plurality of hexagonal blanks in adjoining rows having respective hexagons in mutually nested relation, and simultaneously cutting the bisecting slots of two adjoined hexagons as a single slot.
Referring to Figure 5, the book cover 12 is illustrated in the flat prior to folding and consists of the cover blank 30 in the form of an unequal hexagon of pliable material having a top edge 46, a bottom edge 48, an angular right side edge 50 and an angular left side edge 52, with each edge 46-52 in opposed parallel relationship.
The top edge 46 has a first slot 32' while the bottom edge 48 includes a second slot 32", with each slot 32', 32" bisecting the edge 46 and 48, and extending inward at right angles to the edges 46 and 48. The slots 32' and 32" have a width of from 1 centimeter to 4 centimeters at a predetermined depth. The width of the slots 32' and 32" is indicated with the alpha designation "A" in Figure 5.
A top fold line 34 is formed by preferably creasing the material between the angular right edge and the angular left side edge 52 parallel with the top edge 46 and bordering the terminal end of the first slot 32'. When the cover blank 30 is doubled over the top cover fold line 34, a pair of top edge panels 22 are formed, as shown in Figure 6.
A bottom fold line 36 is formed in like manner between the angular right side edge 50 and the angular left side edge 52 parallel with the bottom line 48 and bordering the terminal end of the second slot 32". When the cover blank 30 is doubled over the bottom cover fold line 36, a pair of bottom edge panels 24 are formed, as shown in Figure 6.
A right side fold line 38' and a left side fold line 38" are formed parallel with each other. When the material is doubled over the fold lines 38' and 38", a pair of triangular edge panels 20 are formed, as also shown in Figure 6.
Fastening means for attaching the top edge panels 22, bottom edge panels 24 and triangular edge panels 20 together to form pockets are defined as locking stitches 27, preferably by rows of stitching 26 or alternatively taping, gluing, ultrasonic/ R.F welding, or heat sealing. It should be noted that the first slot 32' and second slot 32" provide sufficient span to accommodate the spine of the book 10.
The best mode for carrying out the second embodiment of the present invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment for an adjustable book cover 10. In a second embodiment, the book cover 10 is designed to be utilized for paperback and hardcover books, but it is especially effective for paperback books as a result of paperback books having inherently weak front and rear covers. The primary benefit the inventive book cover 10 has over other conventional book covers is that a single book cover can be utilized for books of various thicknesses. The inventive book cover 10 provides a tight and secure protective covering for thin books with relatively smaller number of pages, and for thick books with significantly more pages. Obviously, a single book cover can not be utilized for all books, regardless of thickness, but the inventive book cover 10, as a result of its unique design, can accommodate many paperback and hardcover books. Additionally, the book cover 10 can be made in various sizes in order to cover books with large or small lengths and widths.
As shown in Figures 8-12, the adjustable book cover 10 is comprised of the following major elements: a front cover 12, a rear cover 30, a front cover retaining pocket 48, a rear cover retaining member 70 and attachment means 92. Additionally, in order to provide a complete description of the book cover 10, a book 100 is also referenced in the text and figures.
As shown in Figures 8-10, the front cover 12 is comprised of an upper edge 14, a lower edge 16, a left edge 18, a right edge 20, an outer surface 22, and an inner surface 24.
Similarly, the rear cover 30 is also comprised of an upper edge 32, a lower edge 34, a left edge 36, a right edge 38, an outer surface 40, and an inner surface 42. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the rear cover's right edge 38 is integrally attached to the front cover's left edge 18, thereby forming a single structure, adjustable book cover 10.
Both the front cover 12 and the rear cover 30 can be made of various materials. Typically, the material would be fabric, nylon or plastic. The front and/or rear covers 12, 30 can be a single, solid color, or various images or artwork can be utilized to provide an improved aesthetic appearance. Indicia 98, as shown in Figure 8, can also be applied to the front and/or rear covers 12,30, and the indicia can include anything from writing/words that identify the book that is covered, a person's or school's name, various animal prints, etc.
As shown in Figure 9, the front and rear covers 12, 30 can further comprise a stitched border 44 that extends along the front cover's upper edge 14, lower edge 16 and right edge 20, and the rear cover's upper edge 32, lower edge 34 and left edge 36. In addition to adding to the appearance of the book cover 10, the stitched border 44 also adds to the cover's 10 structural integrity.
As shown in Figure 9, the front cover retaining pocket 48 is comprised of an upper edge 50, a lower edge 52, a left edge 54, a right edge 56, an outer surface 58, and an inner surface 60. The retaining pocket 48 is located on the front cover's inner surface 24 and is attached by an attachment means 62 to the front cover's upper edge 14, lower edge 16 and right edge 20. The attachment means 62 for attaching the retaining pocket 48 is comprised of stitching or an adhesive, with stitching preferred. The retaining pocket 48 is made from a material selected from the group consisting of fabric, solid plastic, transparent, translucent plastic or nylon. As also shown in Figure 9, when the retaining pocket is attached, an opening 64 is created along the length of the pocket's 48 right edge 56.
As shown in Figure 9, the rear cover retaining member 70 is comprised of an upper edge 72, a lower edge 74, a left edge 76, a right edge 78, an outer surface 80, and an inner surface 82. The retaining member 70 is located on the rear cover's inner surface 42 and is attached, by an attachment means, to the rear cover's upper edge 32 and lower edge 34. The attachment means utilized to attach the retaining member 70 to the rear cover's inner surface 60 are the same attachment means 62 that are utilized to attach the front cover retaining pocket 48 to the front cover's inner surface 24. Additionally, the rear cover retaining member 70 can be made of the same materials as the front cover retaining pocket 48. As also shown in Figure 9, when the rear cover retaining member 70 is attached an opening 84 is created along the length of the retaining member's left edge 76 and an opening 86 is created along the length of the retaining member's right edge 78.
As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the attachment means 92 are located on the rear cover's inner surface 42 and on the rear cover retaining member's outer surface 80. The attachment means 92 are preferably comprised of a hook and loop fastener 94, which is known as VELCRO, or snap buttons (not shown). The rear cover 30 of the book cover 10 is dimensioned to allow the right edge 38 of the rear cover 30 to be folded inward. When the book cover 10 is placed on a book 100, the rear cover 30 is then folded over a distance that is allowed by the thickness of the book 100, as shown in Figure 10. Once the rear cover 30 is folded over, the attachment means 92 interface, thereby securing the cover on the book 100.
In an alternative design of the book cover 10, the front cover retaining pocket 48 can be created by extending the length of the front cover's right edge 20 and then folding the right edge 20 inward. The attachment means 62 are utilized to attach the folded section's upper edge to the front cover's upper edge 14, and the folded section's lower edge to the front cover's lower edge 16. With the folded section's upper and lower edges attached, the opening 64 for a book's front cover is created, as shown in Figure 11.
In order to provide the most effective disclosure of the adjustable book cover 10, the following steps are included which describe how to attach the book cover 10 onto a book 10. The first step is to place the book cover 10 on a flat surface, such as a table, with the front cover's inner surface 24 and the rear cover's inner surface 42 facing upward. The second step is to insert the front cover of the book 100 into the opening 64 that is located along the length of the front cover retaining pocket's right edge 56. The third step is to insert the rear cover of the book 100 into the opening 84 that is located along the length of the rear cover retaining member's left edge 76. The fourth, and final step is to fold inward the rear cover's left edge 36 so that the attachment means 92 located on the rear cover's inner surface 42 interface with the attachment means 92 located on the retaining member's outer surface 80. The adjustable book cover 10 is designed so that the rear cover's left edge 36 can be folded inward by varying amounts to allow books of different thickness to be securely and completely covered. It should be noted that while this disclosure describes the book cover 10 utilizing the rear cover's left edge 36 as the means to secure a book 100 within the cover 10, the front cover's right edge 20 can also be utilized equally effectively, as shown in Figure 12.
While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.
The present invention is a flexible, preferably elastic empanelled book cover that has pocket portions to receive the covers of a book that is inserted therein. The cover consists of a unitary hexagonal sheet of pliable material with extended upper and lower edges and with each edge bisected by a slot of predetermined width that extends orthogonally. Fold lines form a laterally-extended rectangle, with the side fold lines forming the lateral apices of the hexagon two triangular flap portions of the cover pockets. The in-folded upper and lower flap portions of the hexagon are attached to each other and to the triangular side flap portions, to form the pocket portion, with lock stitching at the innermost juncture by the spine opening. A central top and bottom fold-over engages the spine of the book in stabilizing relation. The unitary hexagonal blanks can be economically mass produced from roll material.

Claims

A stretchable book cover for insertion of a book therein, said cover having outer panel portions for covering the front cover, back cover and spine portions of said book; said book cover having in-folded panel portions, including a lateral triangular panel, a top panel having at least four sides, and a bottom panel having at least four sides in mutually edge-joined relation to form a pair of opposed pockets, with each pocket having an elongated aperture extending substantially parallel with said book spine, wherein said cover consists of a unitary, laterally-elongated hexagon of pliable material with extended upper and lower edges, with each edge bisected by said aperture, which is defined as a slot of predetermined width, extending at right angles to the respective upper and lower edge to permit insertion of said front and back covers of said book into the cover.
The stretchable book cover as specified in claim 1 further comprising upper and lower laterally-extending fold lines, and side fold lines extending normal to said laterally-extending fold lines and forming a laterally-elongated rectangle therewith, said rectangle having corners substantially coincident with said hexagon sides, wherein said slots extend adjacent to said laterally-extending fold lines in non-intersecting relation therewith, portions of said hexagon lying outside said rectangle being folded inward about said fold lines into mutually adjoining relation; mutually adjoining edge portions of said hexagon being secured together to form a pair of laterally-opposed pockets, with each pocket having access thereto by way of said elongated aperture, to facilitate the insertion of the covers of a book therein.
The stretchable book cover as specified in claim 2 wherein said edge portions are joined in mutual secured relation by fastening means selected from the group consisting of stitching, taping, gluing, ultrasonic welding, R.F welding and heat sealing.
The stretchable book cover as specified in claim 1 wherein said pliable material is a fabric comprised of stretchable and elastic threads.
The stretchable book cover as specified in claim 1 wherein said slot of a predetermined width in said fabric which is comprised of stretchable and elastic threads is essentially four centimeters in width.
The stretchable book cover as specified in claim 1 wherein said outer panel portions have indicia in the form of a plurality of rhinestone/nail head transfers forming a design on said outer panel portion.
A method for manufacturing a book cover from a sheet of pliant material including the steps of: cutting a laterally-elongated, unequal hexagon from a sheet of material sheet, cutting a slot in each laterally-elongated side in a substantially bisecting relation therewith, the slots extending at right angles to the respective elongated sides, and extending a predetermined distance into the hexagon; creating laterally-extended fold lines and end fold lines orthogonal thereto, to form a rectangle having rectangle corners thereof coincident with the sides of the hexagon, folding inward the portions of the hexagon that are located external to the rectangle to bring the edge portions of the hexagon into mutually adjoining relation, and securing said adjoining edge portions together, thereby forming two pockets to receive, conceal and protect the covers of a book, wherein each pocket comprises a lateral triangular panel, a top panel having at least four sides, and a bottom panel having at least four sides.
The method as specified in claim 7 wherein said cutting step is selected from the group consisting of cutting by rule and rotary dies, rule and rotary dies with heating, and rule and rotary dies with ultrasonic energy.
The method as specified in claim 7 wherein said bisecting slots are cut to extend adjacent in non-intersecting relation with said laterally extending fold lines, wherein upon the folding upper and lower portions of said hexagon about the lateral-extending fold lines, a pair of central flaps are created, which engage in stabilizing relation with the ends of the spine of a book when the book is inserted within the cover.
The method as specified in claim 7 including laying out and cutting a plurality of said hexagonal blanks in adjoining rows having respective hexagons in mutually nested relation, and simultaneously cutting said bisecting slots of two adjoined hexagons as a single slot.
The method as specified in claim 7 wherein said adjoining edge portions are stitched together by applying lock stitching to the innermost adjoined edge portions.
A stretchable book cover for insertion of a book therein which comprises: a) a cover blank in the form of an unequal hexagon of pliable material having a top edge, a bottom edge, an angular right side edge and an angular left side edge, with each edge in opposed parallel relationship, b) said top edge having a first slot and said bottom edge having a second slot bisecting each said edges and extending inward at right angles, said slots having a width of from 1 centimeter to 4 centimeters at a predetermined depth, c) a top fold line formed between the angular right side edge, and the left side edge parallel with the top fold line and bordering the first slot, with the cover blank doubled over the top cover fold line, thereby forming a pair of top edge panels, d) a bottom fold line formed between the right side edge, and the left side edge parallel with the bottom fold line and bordering the second slot, with the cover blank doubled over the bottom fold line, thereby forming a pair of bottom edge panels, e) a right side fold line and a left side fold line formed parallel with each other doubled thereupon forming a pair of triangular edge panels, and f) fastening means for attaching the top edge panels, bottom edge panels and triangular edge panels together to form pockets for retaining the book front and back covers, with said first slot and said second slot providing sufficient span to accommodate the book spine, wherein the top edge panels and bottom edge panels have at least four sides.
The stretchable book cover as specified in claim 12 wherein said pliable material further comprises a fabric composed of stretchable and elastic threads.
The stretchable book cover as specified in claim 12 wherein said first and second slots further comprise a width of essentially 4 centimeters when the pliable material is composed of stretchable and elastic threads.
The stretchable book cover as specified in claim 12 wherein said fastening means for attaching the top edge panels, bottom edge panels and triangular edge panels together are selected from the group consisting of stitching, taping, gluing, ultrasonic welding, R.F welding and heat sealing.
The stretchable book cover as specified in claim 12 further comprising indicia in the form of a plurality of rhinestone/nail head transfers that form a design on an outer surface of said book cover.