Loose-leaf binder and method and apparatus for manufacturing improved loose-leaf binders

A binder for storing tabbed document archivinq office products capable of non-destructive retention of standard-sized documents in industry standard storage shelves which have a standard width, comprising:

• a rigid and planar front lid board having a width which is within a range of industry-standard widths;
• a rigid and planar back lid board having a width which is identical to that of said rigid and planar front lid board;
• a rigid and arcuate spine board, having a preselected radius of curvature, and being positioned intermediate said rigid and planar front lid board and said rigid and planar back lid board;
• a flexible and bondable cover sheet;
• a flexible and bondable liner sheet;
• said flexible and bondable cover and liner sheets being bonded together at portions peripheral to (a) said rigid and planar front lid board, and (b) said rigid and planar back lid board, and (c) said rigid and arcuate spine board;
• said rigid and planar front lid board, said rigid and planar back lid board, and said rigid and arcuate spine board together having a width which does not exceed said standard width of said industry standard storage shelves when said binder is in a closed condition;
• a fastener mechanism coupled to said rigid and planar back lid board adjacent a convex side of said rigid and arcuate spine board;
• said binder being operable in a plurality of conditions, including:
• (a) an open condition for receiving a plurality of documents and office products, including tabbed document archiving office products capable of non-destructive retention of standard-sized documents;
• and
• (b) a closed condition for storing said plurality of documents and office products;
• means for maintaining said tabbed document archiving office products entirely within said rigid and planar front lid board and said rigid and planar back lid board when said binder is in a closed condition, including:
• means for at least partially housing said fastener within a curvature defined by said rigid and arcuate spine board when said binder is in a closed condition.

A binder for storing tabbed document archiving office products capable of non-destructive retention of standard-sized documents in industry standard storage shelves which have a standard width, comprising:

• a flexible and planar front lid board;
• a flexible and planar back lid board;
• said flexible and planar front and back lid boards having identical widths;
• a rigid and arouate spine board positioned intermediate said flexible and planar front lid board and said flexible and planar back lid board;
• said rigid and planar front lid board, said rigid and planar back lid board, and said rigid and arcuate spine board together having a width which does not exceed said standard width of said industry standard storage shelves when said binder is in a closed condition;
• a fastener mechanism coupled to said flexible and planar back lid board adjacent said rigid and arcuate spine board;
• said fastener mechanism including:
• (a) a plurality of separable ring members spaced apart;
• (b) each of said plurality of separable ring members including an arcuate ring portion adjacent said rigid and arcuate spine board with a curvature generally corresponding to that of said rigid and arcuate spine board;
• means for maintaining said tabbed document archiving office products entirely within said rigid and planar front lid board and said rigid and planar back lid board when said binder is in a closed condition, including:
• means for at least partially housing said fastener within a curvature defined by said rigid and arcuate spine board when said binder is in a closed condition.

A binder for storing tabbed document archiving office products capable of non-destructive retention of standard-sized documents in industry standard storage shelves have a standard width, comprising:

• a flexible and planar front lid board having a width which is within a range of industry-standard widths;
• a flexible and planar back lid board having a width which is identical to that of said flexible and planar front lid board;
• a rigid and arcuate spine board, having a preselected radius of curvature, and being positioned intermediate said flexible and planar front lid board and said flexible planar back lid board;
• said rigid and planar front lid board, said rigid and planar back lid board, and said rigid and arcuate spine board together having a width which does not exceed said standard width of said industry standard storage shelves when said binder is in a closed condition;
• a fastener mechanism coupled to said flexible and planar back lid board adjacent a convex side of said rigid and arcuate spine board;
• said binder being operable in a plurality of conditions, including:
• (a) an open condition for receiving a plurality of documents and office products, including tabbed document archiving office products capable of non-destructive retention of standard-sized documents;
• and
• (b) a closed condition for storing said plurality of documents and office products;
• means for maintaining said tabbed document archiving office products entirely within said rigid and planar front lid board and said rigid and planar back lid board when said binder is in a closed condition, including:
• means for at least partially housing said fastener within a curvature defined by said rigid and arcuate spine board when said binder is in a closed condition.