Report cover with improved binding structure and method of making same

A one-piece report cover with binding structure for holding a report document, the cover comprising:

• a one-piece report cover having a back panel and a three hinged panel foldable about an edge of a report document during use;
• a female connector panel having fastening means for fastening the female connector panel to the back panel of the one-piece report cover at at least two points during use;
• an aperture through the female connector panel positioned between the two fastened points;
• a male connector panel having a tab portion sized and shaped to fit through the aperture of the female connector pane, the aperture retaining the tab portion beneath the female connector panel during use;
• and
• a binding element for binding the three hinged panel, a report document and the male connector panel together during use, the binding element fixing a relationship between the three hinged panel, report document and the male connector panel preventing disengagement of the tab portion of the male connector panel from the aperture during use.

In a report cover having a front panel, a back panel, a first connector panel fastened to the back panel at at least two points and a second connector panel for engagement with the first connector panel, wherein the improvement comprises:

• a three hinged panel integral with the back panel, the three hinged panel foldable about an edge of a report document during use;
• an aperture through the first connector panel positioned between the two fastened points;
• and
• a tab portion connected to the second connector panel sized and shaped to fit through the aperture of the female connector panel, the aperture retaining the tab portion beneath the female connector panel during use.

A method of making a one-piece report cover with binding structure, the method comprising:

• forming a female connector panel with an aperture therethrough and a three hinged portion positioned parallel and adjacent an edge of the female connector panel;
• forming a male connector panel with a tab shaped portion sized and shaped for retention by the aperture through the female connector panel;
• forming a one-piece report cover with a front panel, spine panel and back panel defined by a plurality of hinges;
• binding a document with and between the female connector panel and male connector panel with a binding element, the binding element positioned between the edge of the female connector panel and the three hinged portion;
• fastening the female connector panel to the back panel of the one-piece report cover;
• pivoting the document and male connector panel about the female connector panel by the three hinged portion;
• inserting the tab shaped portion of the male connector panel in the aperture of the female connector panel.