POCKET FOR SHEET-RETAINING DEVICE AND RELATED MATERIAL AND METHOD
An apparatus including a pocket that is at least partially defined by an elastomeric film, and a related method. The elastomeric film comprising a material that includes a styrene block copolymer, a polyolefin, a polyurethane, a polystyrene, an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a processing oil, or mixtures thereof.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a. a pocket that is at least partially defined by an elastomeric film;
b. wherein the elastomeric film includes a material selected from the group consisting of a styrene block copolymer, a polyolefin, a polyurethane, a polystyrene, an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a processing oil, and mixtures thereof.
2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
a. the material is a styrene block copolymer; and
b. the styrene block copolymer is selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene, and mixtures thereof.
3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
a. the material is a polyolefin; and
b. the polyolefin is a polyolefin rubber.
4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
a. the material is a polyolefin; and
b. the polyolefin is selected from the group consisting of an elastic polyolefin and a non-elastic polyolefin.
5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
a. the material is a mixture of a styrene block copolymer and a polyolefin;
b. the styrene block copolymer is a mixture of styrene-butadiene-styrene and styrene-isoprene-styrene; and
c. the polyolefin is an elastic polyolefin.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
a. the elastomeric film includes a multilayer configuration having at least one layer; and
b. the at least one layer of the multilayer configuration includes an additive selected from the group consisting of an antiblocking agent and a slip promoter.
7 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein:
a. the additive is an antiblocking agent; and
b. the antiblocking agent is selected from the group consisting of a solid filler and a compound of silica particles.
8 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein:
a. the additive is a slip promoter; and
b. the slip promoter is a fluoropolymer.
9 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein:
a. the additive has an additive weight;
b. the at least one layer has a total weight; and
c. the additive weight ranges in value from five percent to ninety percent of the total weight.
10 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a binder, a folder, a report cover, a divider, and a sheet protector.
11 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a non-elastic component, wherein the elastomeric film is welded to the non-elastic component.
12 . A binder comprising:
a. a cover including a pocket;
b. wherein:
i. the pocket is at least partially defined by an elastomeric film, and
ii. the elastomeric film includes a material selected from the group consisting of a styrene block copolymer, a polyolefin, a polyurethane, a polystyrene, an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a processing oil, and mixtures thereof.
13 . The binder according to claim 12 , wherein
a. the elastomeric film includes a multilayer configuration having at least one layer; and
b. the at least one layer of the multilayer configuration includes an additive selected from the group consisting of an antiblocking agent and a slip promoter.
14 . The binder according to claim 12 , further comprising a cover, wherein the elastomeric film is welded to the cover.
15 . A method for manufacturing an apparatus, the method includes:
a. providing an elastomeric film that includes a material selected from the group consisting of a styrene block copolymer, a polyolefin, a polyurethane, a polystyrene, an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a processing oil, and mixtures thereof,
b. providing a nonelastic component; and
c. coupling the elastomeric film to the non-elastic component to form a pocket.
16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein:
a. the apparatus is a binder having a cover; and
b. the non-elastic component is the cover of the binder.
17 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the non-elastic component includes a non-woven material.
18 . The method according to claim 15 , further comprising activating the elastomeric film to provide a unidirectional stretch property to the elastomeric film before the step of coupling the elastomeric film to the non-elastic component.
19 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the step of coupling the elastomeric film to the non-elastic component includes laminating the elastomeric film to the non-elastic component.
20 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the step of coupling the elastomeric film to the non-elastic component includes welding.
21 . The method according to claim 20 , wherein the elastomeric film is welded to the non-elastic component using a technique selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic welding, radio-frequency welding, and thermal welding.
22 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the step of coupling the elastomeric film to the non-elastic component is accomplished using a releasable technique selected from the group consisting of a removable adhesive, VELCRO, and a snap.