This invention relates to clo sure means, and more specifically to closure means which are provided on items of pocket information packs. The term "pocket information pack" as used hereinafter is intended to include and describe credit card sized items which contain info rmation o f a promotional or other like nature.

A typical pocket information pack is provided with at least a front panel and a rear panel which are parallel and between which a paper, cloth or plastics o r other suitable material fold-out is disposed when the pocket information pack is in the clo sed condition. The fold out is generally attached to either or both of these panels with adhesive, and the method of folding between the two panels is generally dependent on the provision o f closure means on the two panels and the shape o f the fold out itself.

In the case where no closure means are provided on the panels and the shape fold out is similar to that of foolscap paper, the folding of the paper may be such that separation o f the front and rear panels by a user of the pocket info rmation pack wishing to view the information printed on the folded sheet results in the sheet automatically opening completely as the two panels are separated. An example o f such a folded sheet is given in European Patent Number 0372042, the disclosure o f which is incorporated herein by reference. Although it is not essential to fold the paper in such a manner, there is advantage in doing so over the conventional concertina folding o f the paper in that the sheet may be completely opened in a single discreet motion without requiring the panels to be separated a long distance from each other.

Where closure means are provided between the front and rear panels o f the item, the method of folding the sheet disposed

therebetween is less important, as the likelihood o f the folded sheet escaping from between the front and rear panels and causing an inconvenience to the user is reduced, and as a result many different methods o f folding the sheet material are common.

However, a disadvantage o f pocket information packs which are not provided with closure means , regardless of the manner in which the printed sheet is folded, is that the folds in th sheet always urge the front and rear panels of the pocket information pack apart, and this effect is exacerbated with the number o f folds. The space occupied in the wallet of the user therefore increases, and the pocket information pack becomes bulky and inconvenient to sto re therein.

A further problem as sociated with current pocket information packs, whether there is some interconnection between the front and rear panels or not, is that the edges o f the said panels, when fabricated o f cardboard as is common, become ragged quickly with us e. Furthermore, on the edges o f pocket information packs where there is no interconnection between the front and rear panels, the gap between said panels presents a hindranc e to inserting the packs in a wallet or the like. I f the pocket information packs are inserted in a pocket of the wallet in which a credit o r business card or the like vhave been previously inserted, it is quite possible that the edge o f said card may slip between the front and rear panel o f the pocket information packs thus fouling the sheet disposed therebetween, thus increasing the rapidity o f deterioration of the pocket information packs and the folded sheets contained therein. This is an important consideration to companies who distribute such pocket information packs which have marketing and promotional information printed on the folded sheets contained therein, and the longevity o f the product may increase the sales of that company, or where important telephone numbers and emergency information is

printed on the folded sheet and it is essential that such information is always readable.

Many different types o f closure mechanism currently exists on pocket information packs which attempt to solve some o f the above difficulties, but each has its own particular drawback. In a particular closure mechanism, the front and rear panels are fabricated o f a magnetic material such that the magnetic attraction therebetween when the pocket information pack is in a closed condition is sufficient to overcome the force separating said panels which results from the folds of the sheet material between them. The co st o f this closure mechanism precludes its use on a large scale, as the fundamental concept of such pocket information packs is that they are cheap to manufacture, and thus may be distributed freely on a large scale. The use o f Velcro® is also obviated for this reason.

A further disadvantage of magnetic materials is the possible corruption o f information stored on the magnetic data strip on the back o f credit cards and the like by pocket information packs whose panels are fabricated of such materials and are inserted adjacent said cards in a wallet.

Other closure mechanisms involve the interconnection o f the front and rear panels along at least one edge, some form o f tab and slot arrangement being provided along another edge to clo se the pocket information pack. In general, the folded sheet is adhered to the inside o f only the front or the rear panel, and a folding action reveals the folded sheet of material for subsequent opening and inspection by the user. Such pocket information packs are inconvenient to use as in some configurations, as many as three identifiable steps are required befo re information on the printed sheet may be inspected by the user (e.g. removing the tab from the slo t, unfolding the front panel away from the rear panel, and

unfolding the folded sheet) . Also, tab and slot arrangements are prone to wear may tear and rip easily, especially if fabricated o f board material. In any case, the free unconnected edges o f pocket information packs which incorporate such arrangements still suffer from the abovementioned disadvantage.

It is an object of this invention to provide a closure means for pocket information packs which overcomes the above disadvantages which is nevertheless inexpensive and simple to manufacture.

According to first aspect o f the invention, there is provided a pocket information pack provided with a front panel, a rear panel and a plurality o f sheet sections disposed therebetween which he face to face to define a stack when the pocket information pack is in a closed condition, complimentary mechanical interengagement means being provided on both panels to hold the pack in its closed condition, characterised in that one or both panels is / are provided with raised edge strip means which contact the alternate panel and define a recess housing the stack when the pack is in its clo sed condition

It is preferable that the complimentary mechanical interengagement means interengage as the pack is closed

According to a different aspect the present invention there is provided a pocket information pack provided with a front panel, a rear panel and a sheet of material, possibly folded, which when the pocket information pack is in a closed condition is disposed between said panels, wherein said panels are provided along a portion o f at least one edge adjacent the perimeter o f the panel or at a corner or corners o f the panels with mechanical interengagement means attached to or formed on the inner faces o f said panel s which

interengage as the panels are brought together and the pocket information pack is closed

The mechanical interengagement means are preferably in the form o f corresponding formations which frictionally engage one another as the pocket info rmation pack is closed.

I t is preferable that said formations are integrally formed with the front and rear panels.

In a different aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the said formations are adhered to the inner faces o f the said panels

Preferably, said mechanical engagement means are provided substantially around the entire perimeter o f said panels

In one embodiment of the invention, it is preferable that the mechanical engagement means locates the front and rear panels such that the edges thereo f are flush with one another

In a different embodiment o f the invention, it is preferable that the mechanical engagement means locates the front and rear panels and/or dimensions of said panels are different such that an overlap is provided on at least one edge of the pocket info rmation pack to provide a purchase location to facilitate opening thereof.

It is further preferable that raised edge strip means are provided on at least one edge of either o r both of the front and rear panels which de fine a recess to hous e the folded sheet and which contact the alternate panel when the panels are brought together and the pocket information pack is closed thus rendering said edges substantially impenetrable by dirt, moisture and other foreign bodies, such as credit and busines s cards as described above

I t is yet further preferable that the mechanical interengagement means are provided on the raised edge strip means.

Preferably, at least on o f the raised edge strip means o f at leas t one of the panels is provided externally o f the pocket information pack with a chamfered portion to increase the purchase of a finger or thumb o f a user of said pack has on that particular panel. In this manner, the continuity of the contacting portions of the pocket information pack is broken, and the pack may be more easily opened.

It is yet further preferable that the folded sheet be completely contained by the front and rear panels, i.e. mechanical interengagement means or raised edge strip means being provided around substantially the entire perimeter o f said panels.

It is preferable that the front and rear panels of the pocket information pack be fabricated o f plastics material, or plastic coated paper material.

It is preferable that the majority o f at least one of the panel s be translucent to permit inspection o f printed matter on the folded sheet therethrough.

The invention thus provides a resilient and lightweight pocket information pack which can contain a large folded sheet with printed matter thereon, and which may be mass-produced with only marginal increase in cost over conventional existing pocket information packs. Furthermore, the longevity o f such pocket info rmation packs is radically increased when the item is manufactured in plastics material, which is impo rtant for the reasons stated above.

Furthermore, in certain aspects, as the invention provides a conveniently sized sealed container, it is . envisaged that a playing surface may be printed on the folded sheet and that counters may be included in the information pack thus providing a pocket game.

A specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way o f example with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view o f a connected front and rear panel of a pocket information pack according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a sectional view o f the front panel o f Figure 1 along X-X, and

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the connection between the front and rear panels of Figure 1 along Y-Y.

A pocket information pack 2 in its fully opened condition, which although not indicated on the Figure is approximately the same size as a common credit card, is provided with a front panel 4 and a rear panel 6. Said panels are provided with inner and outer faces 8, 10, 12 arid 14 respectively. Around the edge o f the inner faces 8, 12 are provided raised lip po rtions 16, 1 8 which stand proud of the faces 8, 12. Although not shown in the Figure, it is to be understood that to at least one of the inner faces 8, 12 is adhered or o therwise attached a sheet o f material provided with a number of folds such that n its folded condition it seats within the lip portions 16, 18 o f one o f the panels 8, 12.

The panels 8, 12 are connected along a pair o f corresponding sho rt edges 20, 22 by a flexible connecting strip 24 which assists co rrect mutual lo cation o f the panels above one another when rotated

together in a direction shown by arrow 26. Such rotation brings the two panels 4, 6 or the pocket info rmation pack 2 together and thus encases the folded sheet of material therebetween. In the case where said folded sheet is printed with company promotional or marketing information or emergency information the like, the faces 8, 10, or the faces 12, 14 of the panels 4, 6, or both sets o f faces may be translucent to permit a user of the pocket information pack to ascertain the gist o f the information printed on the folded sheet, or to quickly glean emergency information without having to open the pocket information pack.

In an alternative embodiment, a border portion o f one or both o f the panels 4, 6 may be opaque and the central portion may be translucent. It is thus possible to apply adhesive to the inner surface o f either panel within said opaque border to adhere the folded sheet thereto such that the user o f the pocket information pack sees only the folded sheet through the translucent portion o f the panel, and not the points of application of the adhe sive. Obviously, other combinations of translucent/opaque panel finishes exist which are not described here.

Although the front and rear panels 4, 6 of the pocket information pack shown m Figure 1 are shown connected along a pair of short edges 20, 22, it is to be understood that other configurations are possible and within the scope o f this invention. For example, the connection may be along a pair of long edges, o r the only connection between said panel s may be through the folded sheet, portions o f which may be adhered to both the inner face 8 o f the front panel 4, and also to the inner face 12 o f the rear panel 6. In this configuration, the separation o f the panels by hand simultaneously unfolds the sheet between said panels , whether the sheet is folded in single concertina fashion (obλ'iously in such cases the shape of the sheet will be similar to that o f a strip o f material,

the width o f which is less than the length o f a relevant edge o f a front or rear panel o f the pocket information pack), or in the double concertina manner described in European Patent Number 0372042. In the circumstance where a portion o f the folded sheet is adhered to only a single panel, a second action o f manually unfolding the sheet is required subsequent to the opening o f the pocket information pack before information printed on said sheet may be read by a user.

The closure mechanism which is the subject of the instant invention of the pocket information pack is now described.

On the lip portions 16 provided on the front panel 4 there are further provided narrow rib protrusions 28, whereas in the lip portions 18 provided on the rear panel 6 there are further provided narrow grooves 30 o f marginally greater thicknes s than that o f the rib protrusions 28 and which are adapted to receive said protrusions. In Figure 2 it can be seen that the sides o f the rib protrusions 28 may be inclined to assist the frictional interengagement with the faces o f the grooves 30 in the lip portions 18 of the rear panel 6. Although it is shown in Figure 3 that the protrusion 28 adjacent the connecting strip 24 is of reduced height (to ^facilitate the interengagement o f the other protrusions and grooves as the rear panel 6 is rotated over and onto the rear o f the front panel 4), it has been found that pocket info rmation packs which do not have any such protrusion adjacent the connecting strip 24 may be closed without hindrance therefrom.

It will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that many modifications and changes may be made to the invention which fall within the scope o f the invention. For example, additional formations such as clips may be provided on an oute r face o f a panel in order that the pocket information packs may be securely

attached to a belt or the like. Alternatively, a hole may be provided to enable the pocket information pack to be attached to a key ring or a string for carrying said information pack around the neck.

In one embodiment, the rear panel of the pocket information pack may be weighted and in the form o f a paper weight where the information pack is intended to be situated on a desk or the like. In this case, a user of the pack inspects the information printed on the folded sheet by simply raising or rotating (where front and rear panels are connected) the front panel away from the stationary rear panel.

Furthermore, although the shape of the pocket information pack shown in the Figures is rectangular, it will be appreciated that such is not necessary. Indeed circular, elliptic and custom designed shapes o f pocket information packs are all feasible and all may be provided with the closure mechanism which is the subject o f this invention.