Cover for book cover and application method thereof

Abstract

A cover (1) for a book cover (2), the cover comprising a sheet (8) divided into a plurality of zones on its inner surface, the sheet comprising a central zone (3) that covers the spine of the cover when in use, and two outer panel zones (4) consisting of two or more strips (4a, 4b) that at least partially cover the outer surfaces of the front and back covers of the cover when in use, respectively, and each extending from the bottom to the top of the cover when in use, a layer of adhesive (7) is provided only in the outer panel zones on the inner surface of the sheet, the adhesive (7) being covered by individual removable release papers (6) in all strips of all outer panel zones, and the width of the strip (4a) in the two or more strips (4a, 4b) in all outer panel zones (4) that contacts the central zone (3) is narrower than the sum of the widths of the remaining strips (4b) in the two or more strips.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] BOOK COVER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to covers for book covers. More particularly, the invention relates to protecting hardcover books.

[0002] Traditionally, books are produced in two main forms: softcover or hardcover. Softcover books usually have a flexible cover made of laminated paper or thin paperboard. Hardcover books usually have a rigid cover made of paper or other covering material around it, which may or may not be laminated.

[0003] It is known to provide hardcover books with printed paper covers. Such known covers are loosely wrapped around the book's hard cover, completely covering the outer surface of the hard cover, and are provided with sleeves that fold inward against the inner surfaces of the front and back covers of the hard cover. Information about the contents and / or author is typically printed on the sleeves. While such loose printed paper covers are easy to install and remove, they are difficult to maintain in an ideal position, are easily damaged, and serve a relatively temporary function in providing adequate protection for the cover.

[0004] A potential solution would be to permanently fasten the cover to the rigid cover to prevent it from shifting and leaving the cover partially exposed and unprotected to the environment. However, such fastening may prevent the book from opening properly, for example, for reading. Furthermore, correctly aligning the cover relative to the cover for proper fastening is a challenge.

[0005] GB 1480954 discloses a cover for a paperback book, in which both the front and back covers are hinged to the middle spine cover at their longitudinal sides. The inner portions of the front and back covers that cover the outer surface of the paperback book are provided with double-sided adhesive tape with removable release paper at their free edges (top, bottom, and outer edges).

[0006] US 2008 / 0054619 A1 and US 2009 / 0179414 A1 disclose a cover for a book. The cover is provided with sleeves that fold in when in use to partially cover the inside of the book cover. The sleeves are provided with adhesive. In US 2009 / 0179414 A1, the part of the cover that comes into contact with the spine of the book is also provided with adhesive.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a solution for long-term protection of the cover.

[0008] It is also an object of the invention to provide a solution for fastening a cover to a cover in such a way that the proper opening of the book, for example for reading, is not hindered.

[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a solution that allows the correct positioning of the cover relative to the front cover without the use of tools, or substantially without the use of tools, which in fact have to be purchased, which not only requires an additional investment but can also be lost.

[0010] To at least partially achieve one or more of the aforementioned objects, the invention, in one aspect, relates to a cover for a book cover configured to cover the outer surface of the cover in use. The cover comprises a sheet, the inner surface of the sheet being divided into a plurality of zones, the sheet comprising a central zone that covers the spine in use and two outer panel zones that at least partially cover the outer surfaces of the front and back covers, respectively, in use, and each of which is composed of two or more strips that extend from the bottom to the top of the cover in use, and on the inner surface of the sheet, only the outer panel zones are provided with a layer of adhesive, and the adhesive is covered in all strips of all outer panel zones by a separate removable release paper. Preferably, the strips in the outer panel zones are adjacent.

[0011] In every outer panel zone, the strip adjacent to the central zone is also called a border strip, i.e., every outer panel zone consists of a border strip and one or more additional strips, each covered with a layer of adhesive, each with a separate release paper, e.g., a paper with a silicone layer, attached to it, The width of the border strip of an outer panel zone is narrower than the sum of the widths of the remaining strips of that outer panel zone.

[0012] This solution allows the cover to be fixed in place by first removing the release paper of one or both border strips, positioning the cover completely around the front cover, and then pressing the cover onto the front cover where the release paper has been removed and partially fixing it there. The remaining release paper can then be removed and the cover can be further pressed onto the part provided with an adhesive layer, such as a double-sided adhesive layer or a hot melt adhesive, preferably working in stages from the central zone of the cover towards the outer surface. The advantage of this solution is that the cover can be fixed precisely around the front cover without the use of tools.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the cover extends beyond the front and back covers at the front edge of the cover and is folded inward to at least partially cover the inner surfaces of the front and back covers, respectively. Thus, the zone on the inner surface of the cover includes two inner panel zones, i.e., zones that, in use, at least partially cover the inner surfaces of the front and back covers, respectively. Each inner panel zone may be provided with a layer of adhesive covered with a separate, removable release paper.

[0014] The cover sheet is made of a flexible material, such as paper, paperboard, or a synthetic material. The printed or unprinted outer surface of the sheet can be covered with a laminate. For example, the sheet can be made of paperboard with or without paper glued to the outer surface. The paper can be synthetic.

[0015] In one embodiment, the width of the border strips in the outer panel zones is less than 25% of the width of the front cover. Best results are achieved when the width of the border strips is in the range of 1 cm to 5 cm.

[0016] In one embodiment, each outer panel zone includes three or more adjacent strips, the width of the strips gradually increasing outward relative to the central zone.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the width of the central zone is selected so that, in use, it covers the spine and overlaps the front and back covers. Typically, the overlap between the central zone and the back and front covers is within a few centimetres. This has the advantage that the cover remains securely fastened to the front cover while still allowing the book to be properly opened and read, thereby maximising its protective function.

[0018] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of fixing a cover according to one of the above embodiments or a random combination thereof to a front cover, the method comprising the steps of: a) removing the removable release paper in at least one of both border strips, the border strip being the strip located closest to the central zone in the two or more strips of all outer panel zones; b) applying a cover around the cover, and if the cover extends beyond the front and back covers, folding the inner panel zones inward to at least partially cover the inner surfaces of the front and back covers, respectively; c) pressing the cover against the front cover at the side of the at least one border strip from which the removable release paper has been removed; and d) removing the remaining removable release paper from the strip of the outer panel zone and pressing the cover onto the front cover with the side of the strip from which the removable release paper was removed.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, in the aforementioned step a) of the method, the removable release paper is removed from both border strips. Thus, after performing steps b) and c), the cover is already adhered to the front and back covers by the border strips, and the central zone is already permanently in place. The release paper of the remaining strips can then be systematically removed, gradually pushing the strips from which the release paper has been removed further and further away from the spine until the front and back covers are finished. Finally, the release paper of the inner panel zones is removed, and the inner panel zones are pressed against the inner surfaces of the front and back covers.

[0020] In order to better illustrate the features of the invention, preferred embodiments of the invention of a cover for a book cover and a method for fastening such a cover to a book cover will now be described by way of example, without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the invention of a cover for a bookcase, in which the cover in FIG. 1a shows a perspective view, FIG. 1b shows a top view of the inner surface, and FIG. 1c shows an enlarged longitudinal section; FIG. 2 shows a schematic exploded view of the cover shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the various steps AP of one embodiment of the inventive method.

[0021] As shown in various views in Figure 1 and in the exploded view in Figure 2, the cover 1 comprises a sheet 8, the inner surface of which is divided into a number of zones. The inner surface of the sheet is the side that faces the cover when the cover is wrapped around the cover in use. The central zone 3 is the zone that covers the spine, which in use consists of a base and two protruding legs, so that the spine of the cover 2 in the closed state of the cover has a substantially U-shaped cross section. Adjacent outer panel zones 4 are disposed on both sides of the central zone 3. The outer panel zones 4 are zones in the cover that partially cover the outer surfaces of the front and back covers, respectively, when in use. In the illustrated embodiment, the central zone 4 in use not only covers the spine but also extends outward beyond the spine legs to overlap the front and back covers, with each of the overlapping portions 12 having a width of one to several centimeters. Each outer panel zone 4 of the cover is comprised of parallel strips 4a, 4b that extend from the bottom to the top of the cover in use. A first narrow strip 4a, or border strip, is adjacent to the central zone and, in the illustrated example, is 2-3 cm wide, adjacent to which is a second, wider strip 4b. An inner panel zone 5 is located adjacent to each outer panel zone 4. In use, each inner panel zone (5) partially covers the inside surface of the front and back covers. The small space between the inner panel zone 5 and the adjacent outer panel zone 4 facilitates folding the inner panel zone 5 of the cover 1 inward.

[0022] The illustrated cover sheet 8 consists of a preformed flexible paperboard 9 to which paper or synthetic paper 11, which may or may not be printed, is secured to its outer surface using an intermediate double-sided adhesive layer 10, which may or may not be interrupted where the paperboard 9 is interrupted. Synthetic paper is a material made from epoxy resin and engineered to have properties similar to those of regular paper. Synthetic paper is typically made from high-density biaxially oriented polypropylene or polyethylene. A double-sided adhesive layer 7 is applied to the inner surface of the sheet 8 only in the inner and outer panel zones. In other words, no adhesive layer 7 is provided in the central zone. Also, no adhesive layer is provided in the areas where the paperboard 9 is interrupted. The adhesive layer 7 is covered with a removable release paper 6 made of silicone-coated paper. Alternatively, other coverings can be used that effectively protect the adhesive layer and allow it to be easily removed without damaging or deforming it. The release paper 6 is composed of separate pieces 6a, 6b, and 6c for each of the inner panel zones 5 or strips 4a and 4b. More specifically, the release paper 6a covers the adhesive layer 7 in each of the boundary strips 4a, the release paper 6b covers the adhesive layer 7 in each of the remaining strips 4b, and the release paper 6c covers the adhesive layer 7 in each of the inner panel zones 5.

[0023] Securing the cover 1 to the front cover can be achieved in a simple manner. With reference to the characteristics of the cover 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, one embodiment of a method for securing the cover 1 substantially comprises the steps shown in Figure 3.

[0024] FIG. 3A shows cover 1 in an open state with the outer surface facing downwards, i.e., the side that faces outward when the cover is wrapped around the cover, and cover 2 in a closed state.

[0025] With the cover 2 closed, it is placed on the side of the cover 1 that faces inward during use, with the spine of the cover 2 facing the central zone 3 and a selected panel from one of the front cover (surface panel) and back cover (rear panel) superimposed on the outer panel zone 4 corresponding to the selected panel in the cover 1. For example, suppose the selected panel is the back cover (rear panel), and the cover is placed with the back cover (rear panel) in contact with the cover, as shown in Figure 3B.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3C and 3D, the removable release paper 6a is removed from the border strip 4a that corresponds to the front cover during use.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3E, the cover is opened and the sleeve of the cover with the inner panel zone 5 corresponding to the back cover is first folded inwards relative to the cover, and then the cover is similarly wrapped around the front cover, and the cover and the cover are aligned relative to each other as shown in Figure 3F.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3G, the cover with the cover is closed and the back cover is placed face down, and the boundary strip 4a from which the release paper 6a has been removed is pressed against the front cover as shown in Figure 3H, and the cover and the front cover are adhered to each other by the adhesive layer, and the relative positions of the cover and the front cover are fixed.

[0029] Next, as shown in Figure 3I, the front cover is folded back, and the removable release paper 6b of strip 4b adjacent to the adhesive border strip is removed, as shown in Figures 3J and 3K. As shown in Figure 3L, the cover is wrapped around the front cover again, and strip 4b, from which release paper 6b has been removed, is pressed against the front cover. In this embodiment, each outer zone is divided into one border strip and one additional strip. Alternatively, for larger sizes, for example, to apply multiple additional strips, each with a separate release paper, the procedure shown in Figures 3I to 3L can be repeated for each additional strip, starting with the additional strip adjacent to the border strip and gradually moving outwards.

[0030] Next, as shown in Figure 3M, the cover 2 is opened again, and the removable release paper 6c of the inner panel zone 5 of the cover corresponding to the front cover is removed, as shown in Figures 3N and 3O. As shown in Figure 3P, the sleeve from which the release paper 6c of the inner panel zone 5 has been removed is pressed against the inner surface of the front cover. The corresponding inner and outer panel zones of the cover 1 are adhered to the front cover. Similarly, the cover with the corresponding inner and outer panel zones is systematically attached, starting with the border strip 4a, then the other strip 4b of the associated outer panel zone 4, and finally the inner panel zone 5 and the back cover.

[0031] Another embodiment of a method for fastening the cover 1 essentially comprises the steps described below with reference to the characteristics of the cover 1 shown in FIGS.

[0032] Place the cover 1 in its open state on a flat surface such as a table with the outer side facing down, i.e., the side that will face outwards when the cover is wrapped around the cover. Remove the removable release paper 6a from the border strips 4a on both sides of the spine.

[0033] The cover 2 is placed upright on a table in an open state, and the cover 1 is wrapped around the cover without applying pressure to the cover near the boundary strip 4a from which the release paper 6a has been removed.

[0034] The cover 1 is aligned with the cover 2, and the cover with the cover is closed and placed on the table with the back cover or the front cover facing down. The boundary strip 4a with the release paper 6a removed is pressed against the upward-facing cover, and the cover and the cover are adhered together by the adhesive layer, fixing the relative positions of the cover and the cover. Next, the cover with the cover is turned over, and the other boundary strip 4a with the release paper 6a removed is pressed against the upward-facing cover.

[0035] The cover of the upward-facing cover is then folded back, and the removable release paper 6b of the strip 4b adjacent to the adhesive border strip is removed. The cover is then wrapped around the cover again, and the strip 4b from which the release paper 6b has been removed is pressed onto the upward-facing cover. The cover sleeve of the upward-facing cover is then folded back, and the removable release paper 6c of the inner panel zone 5 of the cover corresponding to the upward-facing cover is removed. The sleeve from which the release paper 6c in the inner panel zone has been removed is pressed onto the inner surface of the upward-facing cover. The corresponding inner and outer panel zones of the cover 1 are glued to the front cover.

[0036] The cover with the cover is turned over and the procedure is repeated for the other strip 4b and the other inner panel zone 5. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described by way of example and shown in the drawings, and the cover for the cover and the method of fixing such a cover to the cover can be realized in any shape and size without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cover (1) for a book cover (2), In use, the cover covers the outer surface of the front cover; The cover has a sheet (8) divided into a plurality of zones on the inner surface, The sheet comprises a central zone (3) which covers the spine in use, and two outer panel zones (4) which at least partially cover the outer surfaces of the front and back covers, respectively, in use, and each of which is composed of two or more strips (4a, 4b); On the inner surface of the sheet, only the outer panel zones are provided with a layer of adhesive (7), the adhesive being covered in all strips of all the outer panel zones by a separate removable release paper (6); Each of said strips (4a, 4b) extends from the bottom to the top of said cover in use; the width of the strip (4a) in contact with the central zone (3) in the two or more strips (4a, 4b) of each of the outer panel zones (4) is narrower than the sum of the widths of the remaining strips (4b) in the two or more strips; Cover for the book cover.

2. 2. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the width of the strip (4a) bordering the central zone (3) in two or more of the strips (4a, 4b) of all the outer panel zones (4) is a few centimeters.

3. 3. The cover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the width of the strip (4a) in contact with the central zone (3) in two or more of the strips (4a, 4b) of all the outer panel zones (4) is less than 25% of the width of the front cover.

4. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that two or more of the strips (4a, 4b) of every outer panel zone (4) are adjacent.

5. 5. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that all the outer panel zones (4) comprise three or more adjacent strips (4a, 4b), the width of the strips gradually increasing outwards relative to the central zone (3).

6. 6. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the width of the central zone (3) is selected so that, in use, it covers the spine of the cover (2) and partially overlaps the front and back covers, respectively.

7. 7. A cover according to claim 6, characterized in that the central zone (3) overlaps the back cover and the front cover over a width ranging from one centimetre to several centimetres.

8. 8. Cover according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the layer of adhesive (7) is a double-sided adhesive layer or a hot melt adhesive.

9. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the removable release paper (6) is a paper with a silicone layer.

10. 10. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sheet (8) of the cover is made of flexible paperboard or flexible paperboard covered on the outer surface with synthetic paper.

11. 11. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cover (1) extends beyond the front and back covers at the front edge of the cover (2) and the extending portions are folded inward to at least partially cover the inner surfaces of the front and back covers, respectively, and the zones on the inner surface of the cover include two inner panel zones (5), i.e., zones which, when in use, at least partially cover the inner surfaces of the front and back covers, respectively.

12. 12. A cover according to claim 11, characterized in that each of said inner panel zones (5) is provided with a layer of adhesive (7) covered with said removable release paper (6c).

13. A method for fastening a cover (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 to a cover (2), comprising the steps of: a) removing the removable release paper (6a) of at least one of both border strips (4a), the border strip being the strip closest to the central zone (3) of the two or more strips (4a, 4b) of all outer panel zones (4); b) applying the cover around the front cover; c) pressing the cover onto the front cover at the side of the at least one border strip (4a) from which the removable release paper (6a) has been removed; and d) removing the remaining removable release paper (6a, 6b) of the strips (4a, 4b) of the outer panel zone (4) and pressing the cover onto the front cover with the side of the strip from which the removable release paper was removed; A method comprising:

14. 14. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that in step a) the removable release paper (6a) of both border strips (4a) is removed.

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