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Office Binders in the US vs binders in the EU

Ringless Binder with a BIG TAG
Ringless Binder with a BIG TAG

Except for the difference in the number of rings and holes, a wider variety of binders are available in the EU. Market divided between 27 countries, Each one with its language and with several producers and often national only distribution allows for a wider variety of available products you never have opportunity to ever see in the US. In the US, the market is devoid of any real competition, and with a small number of prominent sellers dominating the industry and Legal protection practically nonexistent thanks to the 2011 American invention Act as well rulings of the Supreme Court for years consistently taking away patent rights from small entities and individuals, the fringe products have no chance to exist. If it does, the damage comes quickly in the form of unauthorized copies sold by Chinese or domestic infringers.


But let’s go back to the EU Binders.

Strip binder mechanism

#1 Strip Binder or Loop File with prongs. With no single term describing

strip binder

this binder is challenging to find. Produced by four big companies.

1) Due to its construction can carry no more than 30-50 sheets.

2) Its flexible fork mechanism doesn’t survive rough handling. It can be damaged even in regular but prolonged use.

But it sells since there is always demand for an alternative to a ring binder.

 


#2 C/BOARD FILE W/STRING  I found it under the fascinating Polish

fascicle

name FASCYKUŁA  (Fascicle in English) Simple, Old but practical. Made from 630 gsm Cardboard. Produced by several enterprises in the EU. Used to keep larger portions of archived documents.

 

 

 


#3  Q-Connect Transfer File 35mm Capacity Foolscap Buff. Wow, What a name!! Sounds like a Spanish Hidalgo.

Q-Connect Transfer File 35mm Capacity Foolscap Buff

Luckily their price is very short. According to reviews, they take in more pages than the venerable #1 strip binder.

In one review Mrs. Payroll wrote: “Needed some files to store clients’ end-of-year accounts and paperwork. I did not want to spend a lot on storage files. Use lever arch files all year and then transfer to these spring files, so they are less bulky for storage purposes.
Not sure the files are thick enough for everyday use. May need to spend a bit more. But ideal at 39p each for my needs!!”

 

 


That’s it for now.  More will come…