U.S. patent application number 11/913199 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for holder, flat pattern and method for the making thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to ROBERT PACHOWSKI MODELMAKING AND SPECIAL EFFECTS. Invention is credited to Robert Pachowski.
Application Number | 20080230672 11/913199 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35457829 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080230672 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pachowski; Robert |
September 25, 2008 |
Holder, Flat Pattern and Method For the Making Thereof
Abstract
A foldable holder fabricated from a material layer, consisting
of panels that together form an essentially triangular profiled
tube for supporting, for example, documents or a laptop.
Inventors: |
Pachowski; Robert;
(Amsterdam, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POWELL GOLDSTEIN LLP
ONE ATLANTIC CENTER FOURTEENTH FLOOR, 1201 WEST PEACHTREE STREET NW
ATLANTA
GA
30309-3488
US
|
Assignee: |
ROBERT PACHOWSKI MODELMAKING AND
SPECIAL EFFECTS
Amsterdam
NL
|
Family ID: |
35457829 |
Appl. No.: |
11/913199 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
May 3, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NL2006/050109 |
371 Date: |
May 15, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/453 ;
248/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 23/044
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/453 ;
248/459 |
International
Class: |
A47B 97/04 20060101
A47B097/04; A47B 23/04 20060101 A47B023/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 4, 2005 |
NL |
1028976 |
Claims
1. A holder fabricated from a foldable material layer, comprising:
a) a base panel for resting on a surface; b) a support panel joined
to the base panel arranged for supporting a document at a sloping
angle with the base panel wherein a support section abutting onto
the support panel is arranged for supporting the underside of the
document; and c) a rear panel joining the support panel and the
base panel, wherein the base panel, the support panel and the rear
panel together form an essentially triangular profiled tube,
wherein the holder features at least one reinforcement panel formed
out of the material layer that is arranged to attach to at least
two panels selected from the base panel, the support panel and the
rear panel, wherein the reinforcement panel extends at an angle to
the longitudinal axis of the profiled tube.
2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement panel is
attached to a recess selected from at least one panel selected from
the base panel, the support panel and the rear panel.
3. The holder of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement panel further
comprises a side arranged for mutual support with at least one
panel selected from the base panel, the support panel and the rear
panel.
4. The holder of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement panel is at
least partially formed out of one panel selected from the base
panel, the support panel and the rear panel, wherein the
reinforcement panel is provided with a hinge-joint with the one
panel.
5. The holder of claim 4, wherein at least one reinforcement panel
is formed out of the base panel and the reinforcement panel is
arranged to attach to at least the support panel.
6. The holder of claim 4, wherein at least one reinforcement panel
is formed out of the support panel and the reinforcement panel is
arranged to attach to at least one recess in the rear panel.
7. The holder of claim 6, wherein the reinforcement panel formed
from the support panel is arranged for the opening up of a primary
recess in the central part of the support panel in a configuration
wherein the reinforcement panel attaches to the rear panel and the
primary recess is dimensioned to admit a part of the spine of a
document.
8. The holder of claim 7, wherein the rear panel is provided with a
secondary recess that aligns with the primary recess.
9. The holder of claim 1, wherein the holder includes more than one
reinforcement panel.
10. The holder of claim 9, wherein the reinforcement panels are
essentially symmetrically divided over the longitudinal axis of the
profiled tube with respect to a central surface.
11. The holder of claim 1, wherein a part of the support section
penetrates the profiled tube and at least one of the reinforcement
panels formed out of the base panel is arranged to attach to the
part of the support section that penetrates the profiled tube.
12. The holder of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises at least
one undoable fastener between two panels selected out of the base
panel, the support panel and the rear panel.
13. The holder of claim 12, wherein the undoable fastener comprises
at least one attaching element formed out of the one panel,
arranged for working together with a recess in the other panel.
14. The holder of claim 1, wherein the support section comprises at
least one peg-hole dimensioned for at least partial insertion of a
pen
15. The holder of claim 1, wherein the material layer is at least
one essentially comprising a relatively rigid material, wherein
fold lines are formed in the material layer by local weakening.
16. The holder of claim 15, wherein the material layer is a
laminate, comprising at least a top layer and an under layer, the
top layer is made of comprises a relatively rigid material, and the
under layer comprises a relatively flexible material, wherein the
local weakening is obtained by local removal of the top layer.
17. The holder of claim 16, wherein the laminate consists of three
layers, including an under layer that is surrounded on opposite
sides by a top layer, wherein the local weakening is obtained by
local removal of the top layer on opposite sides of the under
layer.
18. A flat pattern for a holder fabricated from a foldable material
layer, comprising: a) a base panel for resting on a surface; b) a
support panel joined to the base panel arranged for supporting a
document at a sloping angle with the base panel wherein a support
section abutting onto the support panel is arranged for supporting
the underside of the document; and c) a rear panel joining the
support panel and the base panel, wherein the base panel, the
support panel and the rear panel together form an essentially
triangular profiled tube, wherein the holder features at least one
reinforcement panel formed out of the material layer that is
arranged to attach to at least two panels selected from the base
panel, the support panel and the rear panel wherein the
reinforcement panel extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis of
the profiled tube.
19. The flat pattern of claim 18, further comprising an essentially
rectangular surface, wherein the surface is divided by two fold
lines into three essentially equally-shaped panels and the fold
lines are arranged for the mutually overlapped folding of the
panels for the formation of a portfolio.
20. A method for the fabrication of a flat pattern, comprising: a)
fabricating a base panel, a support panel, a support section and a
rear panel from one material layer, wherein the base panel, the
support panel and the rear panel are connected; and b) forming at
least one reinforcement panel from the material layer.
21. The holder of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement panel further
comprises a side arranged for mutual support with at least one
panel selected from the base panel, the support panel and the rear
panel.
22. The holder of claim 5, wherein at least one reinforcement panel
is formed out of the support panel and the reinforcement panel is
arranged to attach to at least one recess in the rear panel.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This patent application is a U.S. National Phase of
International Application No. PCT/NL2006/050109, filed May 3, 2006,
which claims priority to Netherlands Patent Application No.
1028976, filed May 4, 2005, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to holders made of a foldable
material layer. The present invention also relates to a flat
pattern for such a holder and a method for making the flat
pattern.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Holders are known, for example, through the U.S. Pat. No.
3,410,516, in the name of Criswell, in which a book rest is
described. A similar holder is made of a thin sheet material, such
as cardboard, which is sturdy enough to carry a document such as a
book. This patent describes a book rest where adjoining panels are
joined with tape-reinforced hingeable folds. The support section (6
in FIG. 1) is a groove formed by making several folds in a part of
the flat pattern (FIG. 3) between the support panel (9) and the
base panel (1 and 13), whereby the document has to fit into the
formed groove (FIG. 2). Furthermore a strip can be folded out of
the support panel (9) and joined to the rear panel (11) by means of
a tongue 24.
[0004] A disadvantage of the known holder is that the book rest has
a relatively low carrying capacity. Another disadvantage is that
the book rest is only suitable for documents of a limited
thickness. Furthermore, the making of the holder requires a
relatively large amount of material.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present disclosure provides several exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, some of which is discussed
below.
[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a holder
fabricated from a foldable material layer, comprising a) a base
panel for resting on a surface; b) a support panel joined to the
base panel arranged for supporting a document at a sloping angle
with the base panel wherein a support section abutting onto the
support panel is arranged for supporting the underside of the
document; and, c) a rear panel joining the support panel and the
base panel, wherein the base panel, the support panel and the rear
panel together form an essentially triangular profiled tube,
wherein the holder features at least one reinforcement panel formed
out of the material layer that is arranged to attach to at least
two panels selected from the base panel, the support panel and the
rear panel, wherein the reinforcement panel extends at an angle to
the longitudinal axis of the profiled tube.
[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a flat
pattern for a holder fabricated from a foldable material layer,
comprising a) a base panel for resting on a surface; b) a support
panel joined to the base panel arranged for supporting a document
at a sloping angle with the base panel wherein a support section
abutting onto the support panel is arranged for supporting the
underside of the document; and, c) a rear panel joining the support
panel and the base panel, wherein the base panel, the support panel
and the rear panel together form an essentially triangular profiled
tube, wherein the holder features at least one reinforcement panel
formed out of the material layer that is arranged to attach to at
least two panels selected from the base panel, the support panel
and the rear panel, wherein the reinforcement panel extends at an
angle to the longitudinal axis of the profiled tube.
[0008] A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a method
for the fabrication of a flat pattern, comprising a) fabricating a
base panel, a support panel, a support section and a rear panel
from one material layer, wherein the base panel, the support panel
and the rear panel are connected; and b) forming at least one
reinforcement panel from the material layer.
[0009] The present disclosure provides a holder comprising at least
one reinforcement panel formed from the material layer that is
arranged to attach to at least two panels selected from the base
panel, the support panel and the rear panel, whereby the
reinforcement panel extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis of
the profiled tube. Such a holder is sturdier than the known
holders. Exceptionally, such a reinforcement panel gives an
improved mechanical strength to the holder against side forces
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the profiled tube. At the same
time, such a reinforcement panel offers improved mechanical
strength against forces directed inward on the profiled tube.
Holders of the present disclosure are especially suitable for
supporting essentially flat objects, such as books or other
documents, or, for example, a laptop.
[0010] The material layer can be any suitable foldable material,
such as cardboard, plastic, or thin foldable metal sheet.
Preferably the material layer is made essentially of a
thermoplastic. Such plastic is easily workable and moreover
recyclable. Examples of suitable thermoplastics include, but are
not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like. The
foldability can be an intrinsic property of the material, but can
also be introduced by adding a hinge-able joint, such as a fold
line, indentation or other local weakening. The material layer has
a thickness preferably between 0.5-10 mm, or more preferably
between 0.5 and 3.5 mm. The foldability of a material layer of such
thickness is simply brought about. It is advantageous if the
average density of the material layer is less than 2 kg/m2. Such a
holder is comfortably transportable.
[0011] The material layer can comprise of more material layer
parts, but is preferably in one piece. The base panel is preferably
arranged for support on a flat surface, such as a table. The
support panel serves to support one side of a document, such as,
for example, the cover of a book. The sloping angle of the support
panel to the base panel lies preferably between 30 and 85 degrees.
In a preferred embodiment, the sloping angle between the support
panel and the base panel lies between 50 and 70 degrees. A document
at such an angle on the holder is easily readable, while the
document is also supported on the holder with sufficient stability.
In another exemplary embodiment, the sloping angle between the
support panel and the base panel lies between 30 and 50 degrees. A
holder with such an angle is especially suitable as a holder for a
laptop computer.
[0012] The support section that is arranged to support the
underside of a document abuts onto the support panel preferably at
an angle between 80 and 90 degrees. At such an angle between the
support panel and the support section a document, such as a book,
is supported with exceptional stability on the holder.
[0013] The essentially triangular profiled tube is formed by the
base panel, the support panel and the rear panel, and forms an
exceptionally stable load-bearing structure. The support section
abuts onto the outside of the triangular profiled tube.
[0014] The reinforcement panel can, for example, be formed by
cutting out or punching out of the material layer, after which the
reinforcement panel can be folded out into the required position.
The attachment of a reinforcement panel to another panel can be,
for example, by means of mutual support, a tongue-and-groove
connection, or a fold connection.
[0015] The longitudinal axis of the profiled tube is defined as the
direction of the vector that is perpendicular to the surface that
is perpendicular to the three surfaces traced by the base panel,
the support panel and the rear panel.
[0016] A holder according to the present disclosure is especially
suitable for holding objects, especially essentially flat objects
such as documents, sheet music, books, or a laptop computer.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement panel is
arranged to attach to a recess from at least one panel selected
from the base panel, the support panel and the rear panel. Such an
attachment provides improved mechanical strength for the holder.
Preferably the recess is arranged for the attachment of the
reinforcement panel in at least one essentially perpendicular
direction to the panel. Such an attachment gives the holder
exceptional sturdiness.
[0018] It is advantageous if the reinforcement panel is provided
with one side arranged for mutual support with at least one panel
selected from the base panel, the support panel and the rear panel.
Such a side gives the holder good mechanical load-bearing ability
for forces directed inwards on the profiled tube. This load-bearing
ability is especially large by essentially perpendicular support.
Preferably, the slope of the side arranged for supporting the panel
should essentially match the slope of the panel. In such a
configuration, the mechanical load-bearing ability is exceptionally
large.
[0019] It is preferable when the reinforcement panel is at least
partially formed out of one panel selected from the base panel, the
support panel and the rear panel, and the reinforcement panel is
provided with a hinge joint with that panel. In this way, the
material layer is used efficiently, which also allows the holder a
low weight. The reinforcement panel can be formed out of the panel
by, for example, punching, cutting and/or folding.
[0020] It is advantageous if at least one reinforcement panel is
formed out of the base panel, whereby the reinforcement panel is
arranged for attaching to at least the support panel. In so doing,
exceptionally high load bearing ability by the support panel is
obtained in a simple manner. Even more sturdiness is obtained when
the reinforcement panel that is formed from the base panel also
attaches to at least one recess in the rear panel.
[0021] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, at least one
reinforcement panel is formed out of the support panel, and the
reinforcement panel is arranged for attaching to at least one
recess in the rear panel. In so doing, exceptionally good
mechanical load bearing ability by the holder is obtained in a
simple manner.
[0022] It is preferable when the reinforcement panel that is formed
out of the support panel is arranged for the opening out of a
primary recess in the central part of the support panel in a
configuration in which the reinforcement panel attaches to the rear
panel, and the primary recess is dimensioned to admit a part of the
spine of a document. Such a recess makes possible the exceptionally
stable positioning on the holder of documents with a spine,
especially books or folders. Furthermore, tension-free positioning
of books is possible, thereby reducing wear on books, while at the
same time the unwanted turning of pages of the book influenced by
tension is countered. Acceptable dimensions for the admission of a
spine are a depth of the recess of at least 0.5-2 cm in relation to
the surface traced by the support panel, and a width of at least
1.5-10 cm. Preferably the recess runs vertically from at least the
support section. Preferably the primary recess in the central part
is combined with a support section that abuts onto the support
panel at an angle between 80 and 90 degrees to the support panel.
Such a combination produces better stabilization of a book placed
on the holder.
[0023] Preferably the rear panel is provided with a secondary
recess that aligns with the primary recess. Such a secondary recess
makes possible the stable support of documents of which the spine
extends vertically beyond the support panel.
[0024] It is preferable if the holder features more than one
reinforcement panel. In this way, the holder is provided with
improved mechanical load bearing ability. An optimal sturdiness is
achieved when each panel of the base panel, the support panel and
the rear panel features a reinforcement panel connecting with at
least one other panel.
[0025] Preferably, the reinforcement panels are essentially
symmetrical in relation to a central surface divided over the
longitudinal axis of the profiled tube. In this way, an optimal
distribution of mechanical load bearing by the holder is
achieved.
[0026] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, a part of the support
section penetrates the profiled tube, and at least one of the
strengthening panels formed from the base panel is arranged to
attach to the part of the support section that penetrates the
profiled tube. In so doing, the position of the support section is
fixed in a simple way. Moreover, such a construction produces
improved load bearing by the holder.
[0027] It is preferable when the holder features at least one
undoable fastener between two panels selected from the base panel,
the support panel and the rear panel. In so doing, the holder is
simple to fold. The undoable fastener can, for example, be
comprised of a fabric hook-and-loop fastening, a snap fastener
and/or press fastener.
[0028] It is preferable when the undoable fastener comprises at
least one attaching element made from one panel, arranged to
function with a recess in another panel. In so doing, such a
fastener can be realized in a simple manner with efficient use of
material. A hook-hole fastening or a tongue-recess fastening comes
to mind, as an example. Preferably such a fastening comprises more
than one co-functioning attaching element and recess. In so doing,
a reliable undoable fastening is simply obtained.
[0029] It is preferable when the support section features at least
one peg hole dimensioned for at least partial insertion of a pen.
Thus the holder has an additional function as pen holder.
Preferably the holder features more than one peg hole so that more
pens, pencils and other bureau accessories can be inserted. More
preferably, the holder features more than one peg hole, and the peg
holes lie at least at a distance from the central part of the
support section. This provides the possibility to prevent unwanted
page turning from a book placed on the holder by placing a pen in a
peg hole. Most preferably, the peg holes are positioned at various
distances in the width and at various distances from the support
panel, in such a way that unwanted page turning of various widths
and thicknesses can be blocked by placing a pen in a peg hole at an
appropriate place.
[0030] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the material layer
consists essentially of a relatively rigid material, and fold lines
are formed in the material layer by local weakening. In so doing, a
holder is produced with good load-bearing ability and durability.
For example, the material can be cardboard, where the weakening is
formed by scoring, which determines the fold lines.
[0031] It is preferable when the material layer is a laminate,
consisting of at least a top layer and an under layer, whereby the
top layer is made out of a relatively rigid material and the under
layer is made out of a relatively flexible material, and the local
weakening is obtained by local removal of the top layer. In so
doing, many design opportunities in choosing the top layer are
obtained. Preferably, a flexible and tough plastic, such as a
thermoplastic, should be chosen for the under layer, whereby the
fold lines have a high durability.
[0032] Examples of a suitable thermoplastic include, but are not
limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like. The top layer
consists preferably of a hard metal or metal alloy, for example,
based on aluminium or stainless steel. Such a top layer has a high
scratch resilience. Also other hard materials compared to plastic
come to mind, such as wood, ceramic or fiber-reinforced
plastic.
[0033] More preferably, the laminate consists of three layers,
comprising an under layer surrounded on both sides by a top layer,
whereby local weakening is obtained by local removal of the top
layer on opposite sides of the under layer. Such a laminate
provides an improved durability and sturdiness for the holder. Also
the design opportunities are again increased in that different
materials can be chosen for the opposite sides comprising the two
top layers.
[0034] The present disclosure also provides a flat pattern for the
holder. Such a pattern can be easily folded into a holder complying
with the present disclosure.
[0035] Moreover a flat pattern is compactly transportable and
stackable.
[0036] In an especially preferred exemplary embodiment, the flat
pattern has an essentially rectangular surface, whereby the surface
is divided by two fold lines into three essentially equal panels,
and the fold lines are designed for the mutual overlapping of the
panels so as to form a portfolio. The portfolio can be used for the
crease-free carrying of documents. In addition, the flat pattern
itself is compactly transportable. Preferably at least one of the
fold lines coincides with a fold line between two panels of the
holder. It can be possible that at least one fold line specifically
serves to form the portfolio, but has no further function in the
folding of the holder according to the present disclosure. Such a
fold line will generally be positioned in the plane of the base
panel, the support panel or the rear panel.
[0037] The present disclosure provides a method for the fabrication
of a flat pattern comprising the steps of fabricating a base panel,
a support panel, a support section and a rear panel from one
material layer, wherein the base panel the support panel and the
rear panel are connected and forming at least one reinforcement
panel from the material layer. In this manner, a flat pattern for
the fabrication of a holder according to the present disclosure is
simply obtained. The fabrication of the panels can be brought about
by, for example, punching, scoring, cutting and/or folding.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The invention will now be explained on the basis of the
following non-limiting preferred embodiments.
[0039] FIG. 1a shows one exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0040] FIG. 1b shows a side view of the holder of FIG. 1;
[0041] FIG. 1c shows a flat pattern for the fabrication of the
holder of FIGS. 1a and 1b;
[0042] FIG. 1d shows a portfolio folded out of the flat pattern of
FIG. 1c;
[0043] FIG. 2a shows the use of fold lines in the case of the
material layer being a laminate; and
[0044] FIG. 2b shows the bending of the material of FIG. 2a on the
fold lines.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] FIG. 1a shows a holder 1 fabricated from one foldable
material layer according to the present disclosure consisting of a
base panel 2 for support on a flat surface, and a support panel 3
joined at a sloping angle to the base panel 2 for supporting a book
or a laptop, for example, and a support section 4 abutting onto the
support panel 3 is arranged to support the underside of the
document. The support section 4 subtends an angle of less than 90
degrees to the support panel 3, whereby a book or laptop is
stabilized on the holder. The support panel 3 and the base panel 2
are joined together by a rear panel 5, and the base-panel, the
support panel and the rear panel together form an essentially
triangular profiled tube. The holder is consolidated by two
symmetrically positioned reinforcement panels 6 punched out of the
base panel 2, which are hinge joined to base panel 2, by means of
fold line 7. The support panel 3 is supported by a side 8 of the
reinforcement panel 6, while an opposite side 9 of the
reinforcement panel 6 attaches to a groove shaped recess 10 in the
rear panel 5. The triangular profiled tube may be regarded as two
adjoined triangular profiled tube parts located on opposite sides
of the recess 10. The reinforcement panel 6 is perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the profiled tube according to arrow A. Two
reinforcement ribs 11 that are folded away from the central part of
the support panel 3 attach to groove shaped recesses 12 in the rear
panel 5. The folded away reinforcement ribs 11 leave free a central
recess 13 in which the spine of a book, for example, fits for
stable positioning of the book on the holder. The central recess
aligns with a second recess 14 in the rear panel 5, by which books
having a spine longer than the height of the central recess from
the support section 4 can be placed in stability.
[0046] Hook elements 15 formed out of the material layer, together
with groove shaped recesses 16 in the support section 4, form an
undoable fastening between the support panel 3 and the base panel
2, which is simple to open and close for folding-up the book-rest.
Also, circular peg holes 17, which can be used as penholders, are
placed in the support section. Furthermore, a pen placed in a peg
hole 17 can prevent unwanted page turning of books placed on the
holder 1. Because more peg holes 17 are positioned in extending
rows parallel to support panel 3 and at various distances from the
surface traced out by support panel 3, the blocking of unwanted
page turning of books of varying format and thickness by placing a
pen in a peg hole 17 can be applied. The reinforcement panels 6, 11
are divided symmetrically over the breadth of the holder 1 in the
direction according to arrow A, whereby an optimal division of the
load on the holder is brought about. It is possible to use a
relatively light material for the material layer such as cardboard
or plastic.
[0047] FIG. 1b shows the holder 1 from FIG. 1a numbered
correspondingly, in a side-view in the direction of the
longitudinal axis of the essentially triangular profiled tube
formed by the base panel 2, the support panel 3 and the rear panel
5. In this view it can be seen how a side 8 of the reinforcement
panel 6 props up the inside of the support panel 3. Also shown is a
part 20 of the support section 4 penetrating the profiled tube,
whereby the reinforcement panel 6 formed out of the base panel
attaches to the part 20 of the support section 4 penetrating the
profiled tube. A book 21 is positioned on the document holder 1,
whereby the support panel 3 and support section 4 carry the book.
Also it can be seen how the spine 22 of the book 21 lays in the
recess 13 (see FIG. 1a) which is opened up in the support panel 3
by the folding away of the reinforcement ribs 11.
[0048] FIG. 1c shows a flat pattern 30 for the fabrication of
document holder 1 shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, with corresponding
numbering. Dotted lines denote the local weakening in the material
layer, which determine the fold lines. The fold lines 7, 31 for the
reinforcement panels 6, are sufficiently hinge-able to make folds
perpendicular to the surface of the pattern possible. The flat
pattern 30 shows the lines along which the reinforcement panels 6
and the reinforcement ribs 11 are punched out of the material
layer. Further, the hook shaped ends 32 of the reinforcement panels
6, which are arranged to attach to the openings 33 in support
section 4, can be clearly seen.
[0049] Two fold lines 34 positioned at a short distance from each
other make an acute angle possible between support panel 3 and rear
panel 5. For the angle between rear panel 5 and base panel 2, a
single fold line 35 is sufficient. An intermediary panel 36 bound
by two fold lines 37, 38 joins the base panel to the support
section 4.
[0050] The double fold line 39 that is formed in the base panel 2
has no function in the folding of the book-rest as shown in FIGS.
1a and 1b. The double fold lines 34, 39 essentially divide the
rectangular pattern 30 into three essentially equal parts, whereby
folding-up the pattern 30 into a portfolio as shown in FIG. 1d is
possible.
[0051] FIG. 1d shows a portfolio 40 folded out of a flat pattern 30
as shown in FIG. 1c, with corresponding numbering. The double fold
line 39 formed in the base panel 2 hereby forms the first long side
of the portfolio 40. The other double fold line 34 which forms the
hinged join between support panel 3 and the rear panel 5 forms the
opposite side. In the closed configuration of the portfolio 40 the
three essentially rectangular parts determined by the double fold
lines 34, 39 are stacked. The holder as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b
can be compactly transported as portfolio 40, whereby portfolio 40
offers space to comfortably transport documents crease free.
Furthermore, such a portfolio is simple to carry in a bag together
with a laptop computer.
[0052] FIG. 2a shows an enlargement of a material layer 50 in the
form of a laminate built up of a layer of plastic 51 protected on
opposite sides by a metal top layer 52. The material layer can be,
for example, the material commercially available under the name
Hylite, in which the plastic layer 51 consists essentially of
polypropylene and the top layer 52 out of aluminium. This material
has an average density of 1.8 kg/m2. However, it is conceivable to
use another suitable plastic for the plastic layer, such as
polyethylene or ABS (a co-polymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and
styrene). Also other materials could be used for the material for
the top layer 52, especially metals or alloys such as stainless
steel or titanium. In the material layer, a weakened zone 53 is
brought out by selective removal of the relatively rigid aluminium
layer 52 along a straight fold line. The weakening can be brought
about, for example, by milling, grinding, cutting and/or etching
the top layer, depending on the type of material. The remaining
plastic layer forms a hinge joint between the parts 54, 55 of the
material layer 50 bound by the fold line 50. Such a weakened zone
53 can be utilized as a fold line for a holder as shown in FIGS.
1a, 1b, 1c and 1d.
[0053] The bending of the material layer on the fold line 53 is
shown in FIG. 2b. A large variable angle is available, as indicated
by arrow A, between the two adjoining hinged panels 54, 55 formed
by the weakening.
[0054] It should be clear that many alternative embodiments of the
invention are conceivable for an expert in the field.
[0055] All patents, patent applications and publications referred
to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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