Notebook

Abstract

To provide a notebook that allows a user to easily turn pages regardless of whether the user is right-handed or left-handed.SOLUTION: A notebook 10 comprises a front cover 21, a back cover 22, and an inner-paper stack 30 consisting of a plurality of inner papers 41-43 bound between the front cover 21 and the back cover 22, and a free side edge 14 extending in the vertical direction Y has a spiral shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a notebook. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, notebooks with distinctive shapes and designs for the inner pages have been disclosed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a notebook that has a front and back cover and multiple inner pages bound between them, with perforated and non-perforated inner pages stacked alternately. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-187144 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the notebook disclosed in Patent Document 1, pages with holes and pages without holes are layered alternately, allowing children to use the holes to freely draw pictures or play, and the notebook can be used as a learning material.

[0005] On the other hand, when using a normal notebook, when the user holds the spine where the front and back covers and the inner pages are joined together in one hand and tries to turn over the inner pages with the other hand, the inner pages overlap each other, making it difficult to open the desired inner page.

[0006] Furthermore, no notebooks designed to address this issue, whether the user is right-handed or left-handed, have been manufactured or sold.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a notebook which is an improvement over the prior art and allows the user to easily turn the pages regardless of whether the user is right-handed or left-handed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the technical problem, the present invention relates to a notebook having a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, a front cover, a back cover, and an inner-paper stack consisting of a plurality of inner papers bound between the front and back covers, and a free side edge extending in the vertical direction has a spiral shape. Effect of the Invention

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the notebook of the present invention, the free side edge of the vertically extending stack of inner pages has a spiral shape, making it easy for the user to turn the desired page regardless of their dominant hand, whether they are right-handed or left-handed, and allowing for easy and stress-free use. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] The drawings show specific embodiments of the present invention of the notebook according to the present disclosure, including essential features of the invention as well as alternative and preferred embodiments. [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the front side of the notebook according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] Plan view of the back of the notebook. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] (A) A perspective view of the front side of the notebook. (B) A perspective view of the back side of the notebook. [Diagram 5] (A) A cross-sectional view taken along line V(a)-V(a) in Figure 1. (B) A cross-sectional view taken along line V(b)-V(b) in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Exploded view of the notebook. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the notebook open. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing how the notebook is used when the user is right-handed. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing how the notebook is used when the user is left-handed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The details of the notebook 10 according to the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments include essential features of the present invention, as well as features that can be selectively adopted and can be appropriately combined.

[0012] The notebook 10 shown in this embodiment is of a structure generally called a bound notebook.

[0013] The notebook 10 is generally rectangular in shape, with a longitudinal direction Y, a transverse direction X, and a thickness direction Z that intersect with each other, and has first and second edge portions 11, 12 that extend in the transverse direction X and are positioned opposite each other in the longitudinal direction Y, and a fixed side edge portion 13 and a free side edge portion 14 that extend in the longitudinal direction Y and are positioned opposite each other in the transverse direction X. The side edge of the free side edge portion 14 of the notebook 10 has a shape that, in a surface view, gradually extends laterally inward from the first edge portion 11 toward the transverse center line Q, and gradually extends laterally outward from the transverse center line Q toward the second edge portion 12.

[0014] The notebook 10 has a front cover 21, a back cover 22, and an inner-paper stack 30 consisting of multiple inner pages bound between the front and back covers 21, 22. The front and back covers 21, 22 and the inner-paper stack 30 are joined via the spine cover at the fixed side edge 13. The overlapping inner pages in the inner-paper stack 30 are joined to each other with various known adhesives or pressure-sensitive adhesives. However, for example, the stacked state may be maintained via multiple rings, as in notebooks generally known as ring notebooks, and various joining and connection methods may be appropriately adopted as long as the stacked state is maintained.

[0015] The front cover 21 and the back cover 22 are different in shape, but are set to the same size. The front cover 21 and the back cover 22 are generally set to the size of A3, A4, A5, B4, or B5 as defined by the JIS standard. In this embodiment, the front cover 21 and the back cover 22 are set to the size of B5.

[0016] The side edge of the front cover 21 on the fixed side edge 13 side extends linearly in the vertical direction Y perpendicular to the transverse center line Q, whereas the side edge of the free side edge 14 side extends obliquely with respect to the transverse center line Q so as to extend outward in the transverse direction X from the first edge 11 side toward the second edge 12 side. This gives the front cover 21 a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front. On the other hand, the back cover 22 has an inverted trapezoidal shape, with the side edge of the free side edge 14 side extending obliquely with respect to the transverse center line Q so as to extend inward in the transverse direction X from the first edge 11 side toward the second edge 12 side.

[0017] The inner-paper laminate 30 has a first region 31 located between the transverse centerline Q and the first edge 11, a second region 32 located between the transverse centerline Q and the second edge 12, and a boundary portion 33 between the first region 31 and the second region 32. The boundary portion 33 is located near the transverse centerline Q.

[0018] 1 to 5, the free side edge 14 of the notebook 10 has a spiral shape. The free side edge 34 of the inner-paper stack 30 also has a spiral shape.

[0019] 1, 3, 4(A) and 5(A), in a plan view of the front side, the first region 31 is exposed to the outside, and in the first region 31, the inner-paper laminate 30 on the first edge portion 11 side has a stepped shape that gradually extends outward in the lateral direction X from the front cover 21 side toward the back cover 22 side, and has a shape in which the front cover 21 side and the back cover 22 side gradually approach each other toward the transverse center line Q. The second region 32 is covered by the front cover 21 and is not exposed to the outside.

[0020] 1, 3, 4(B) and 5(B), in a plan view of the back side, the second region 32 is exposed to the outside, and in the second region 32, the inner-paper laminate 30 on the second edge portion 12 side has a stepped shape that gradually extends outward in the lateral direction X from the back cover 22 side toward the front cover 21 side, and has a shape in which the back cover 22 side and the front cover 21 side gradually approach each other toward the transverse center line Q. The first region 32 is covered by the back cover 22 and is not exposed to the outside.

[0021] 6, the inner-paper sheets 41-43 constituting the inner-paper stack 30 have first edges 41a, 42a, 43a located on the first edge side of the notebook 10, second edges 41b, 42b, 43b located on the second edge side, and free edges 41c, 42c, 43c forming the free edge portion 34. The free edges 41c, 42c, 43c of the inner-paper sheets 41-43 have first portions extending from the first edges 41a, 42a, 43a to the vicinity of the transverse centerline Q, second portions extending from the second edges 41b, 42b, 43b to the vicinity of the transverse centerline Q, and bent portions 41d, 42d, 43d where the first and second portions intersect with each other.

[0022] In the front side inner page 41 located closest to the front cover 21, the angle α1 between the first edge 41a and the first portion of the free side edge 41c is 95 to 120°, and the angle β1 between the second edge 41b and the second portion of the free side edge 41c is 90° or less.

[0023] In the back side inner page 42 located closest to the back cover 22, the angle α2 between the first edge 42a and the first portion of the free side edge 42c is less than 90°, and the angle β2 between the second edge 42b and the second portion of the free side edge 42c is greater than 90°.

[0024] In addition, in any intermediate paper 43 that is stacked between the front side paper 41 and the back side paper 42 and is located approximately in the middle of the paper stack 30 in the thickness direction Z, the angle α3 between the first edge 43a and the first portion and the angle β3 between the second edge 43b and the second portion are approximately 90°.

[0025] In this way, the free side edges 41c, 42c, 43c of the multiple inner pages 41-43 stacked between the front and back covers 21, 22, including the free side edges of the front and back covers 21, 22, all have different outline lines, giving the notebook 10 the unique design described above. Therefore, compared to regular notebooks where the free side edges are formed in a straight line, the notebook 10 has a distinctive design in appearance that attracts the consumer's attention and differentiates it from other products.

[0026] In addition, since the front and back covers 21, 22 and the inner-paper stack 30 each have a different outer shape, it can be said that the design is more complex and unique, resulting in a technical effect, compared to when the design is formed by cutting paper of the same shape.

[0027] 7, the inner pages forming the inner-paper stack 30 are printed with ruled lines consisting of a number of dots 51 arranged at equal intervals in a scattered pattern. The spacing R1, R2 between the dots 51 in the ruled lines is approximately 7 mm. The shape of the ruled lines allows writing to be done vertically or horizontally, and also allows free drawing to be done ignoring the ruled lines.

[0028] 8, if the user is right-handed, he or she can turn the page (inner page) by placing the fingers of the right hand 2 on the first area 31 while holding the notebook 10 with the left hand 3. At this time, because the first area 31 has a stepped shape, it is easy to turn the pages, and even if the user is in a hurry or has difficulty using his or her hands, he or she can easily turn to the desired page.

[0029] On the other hand, if the user is left-handed, as shown in Fig. 9, the user can turn the pages by holding the notebook 10 with the right hand 2 while placing the fingers of the left hand 3 on the second area 32 while turning the notebook 10 over from the state shown in Fig. 8. In this case, since the second area 32 is stepped, it is easy to turn the pages, and even if the user is in a hurry or has difficulty using their hands, they can easily turn to the desired page.

[0030] In this way, because the Note 10 has a unique shape, it is easy for users to turn the pages whether they are right-handed or left-handed, and it does not discriminate between users with a dominant hand and can be shared by multiple people, even if they are differently handed.

[0031] 1 and 2 again, the maximum dimensions (width dimensions) W1, W2 of the stepped portions in the horizontal direction X in the first and second zones 31, 32 are 8-12 mm, and preferably 10 mm when the length of the notebook 1 is 257 mm and the width is 82 mm. By having the stepped portions have such width dimensions, it can be said that the user can place his / her fingers firmly on the first and second zones 31, 32 and quickly turn over the desired page without skipping any pages.

[0032] As shown in each figure, the outer surfaces of the front and back covers 21, 22 of the notebook 10 have the same decorative elements 5 and the same design. In this way, the front and back covers 21, 22 have the same design, giving the user the impression that the notebook can be used from any angle, left or right, top or bottom, or front or back.

[0033] Any known material commonly used in this field may be used without restriction as the material for the notebook 10 according to the present invention. Furthermore, as long as the technical effects of the present invention are achieved, the shape of the notebook 10 is not limited to a rectangular shape, but may be variously changed to a circular, elliptical, square, other polygonal shape, or other shape including curved portions.

[0034] The notebook 10 according to the present invention may include at least the following embodiments, which may be adopted separately or in combination with each other. (1) The inner paper laminate further has first and second edge portions extending in the horizontal direction opposite each other in the vertical direction, and a transverse center line dividing the vertical dimension in half, and the inner paper laminate has a first region located between the transverse center line and the first edge portion, and a second region located between the transverse center line and the second edge portion, and in a plan view viewed from the front side, the first region is exposed to the outside while the second region is not exposed to the outside, and in a plan view viewed from the back side, the second region is exposed to the outside while the first region is not exposed to the outside. (2) When viewed in a plan view of the front side, the first region has a stepped shape at the first edge portion that gradually extends outward in the horizontal direction from the front cover side to the back cover side, and has a shape such that the front cover side and the back cover side gradually approach each other toward the transverse center line. (3) When viewed in a plan view from the back side, the second region has a stepped shape at the second edge portion that gradually extends outward in the horizontal direction from the back cover side to the front cover side, and has a shape such that the back cover side and the front cover side gradually approach each other toward the transverse center line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10 Notes 11 First edge 12 Second edge 21 Front cover 22 Back cover 30 Inner paper laminate 31 Area 1 32 Area 2 34 Free edge Q Transverse centerline X Horizontal Y Vertical

Claims

1. The notebook has a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, a front cover, a back cover, and an inner-paper stack consisting of a plurality of inner papers bound between the front and back covers, and a free side edge extending in the vertical direction has a spiral shape.

2. 2. The notebook according to claim 1, further comprising first and second edge portions extending in the horizontal direction opposite each other in the vertical direction, and a transverse center line dividing the vertical dimension in half, wherein the inner-paper stack has a first region located between the transverse center line and the first edge portion and a second region located between the transverse center line and the second edge portion, wherein, in a plan view viewed from the front side, the first region is exposed to the outside while the second region is not exposed to the outside, and, in a plan view viewed from the back side, the second region is exposed to the outside while the first region is not exposed to the outside.

3. 3. The notebook according to claim 2, wherein, in a plan view of the front side, the first region has a stepped shape that gradually extends outward in the horizontal direction from the front cover side toward the back cover side at the first edge portion, and the front cover side and the back cover side gradually approach each other toward the transverse center line.

4. 4. The notebook according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, in a plan view of the back side, the second region has a stepped shape at the second edge side that gradually extends outward in the horizontal direction from the back cover side toward the front cover side, and the back cover side and the front cover side gradually approach each other toward the transverse center line.

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