Abstract: Attachment systems, components, and methods are described herein that use a combination of attachment, anchor, or retention mechanisms to secure components to one another. By one approach, a combination of flap, swing clip, and notch features incorporated into one or more devices to provide the ability to attach or combine devices of multiple formats. In some configurations, the attachment systems include a device with at least one panel having a flap and a swing clip on a free edge thereof. The attachment systems also may include at least one attachable device having at least one panel with a notch formed on a free edge thereof. The attachable devices may be attached to each other in a configuration where the notch is aligned with the flap and the swing clip is in a closed position such that the notch and the flap are nested within the swing clip.

Abstract: A backpack for providing improved user access points. In particular a backpack providing for side entry into the contents. The backpack may utilize an S-shape zipper to improve access. The backpack may have multiple ways to access the inner pocket, including top access and dual side access.

Abstract: A pocket assembly includes a major panel and a pocket panel coupled together to define a pocket between the panels. A divider is placed in the pocket to partition the pocket into two or more compartments. The divider comprises a securing element secured to at least one of the major and pocket panels.

Abstract: A backpack for providing improved user access points. In particular a backpack providing for side entry into the contents. The backpack may utilize an S-shape zipper to improve access. The backpack may have multiple ways to access the inner pocket, including top access and dual side access.

Abstract: A bound system including a plurality of pages and a cover/divider including a bound outer edge and a plurality of free outer edges. The cover/divider is bound to the plurality of pages along the bound edge. The cover/divider includes one or more discrete tabs extending generally outwardly relative to one of the free edges. Each tab is integrally formed from a single piece of material with the rest of the cover/divider. Each tab further has an opening formed therethrough and is configured to receive at least part of a binding device therethrough to thereby couple the cover/divider to the binding device.

Abstract: A bound system including a plurality of pages and a cover/divider including a bound outer edge and a plurality of free outer edges. The cover/divider is bound to the plurality of pages along the bound edge. The cover/divider includes one or more discrete tabs extending generally outwardly relative to one of the free edges. Each tab is integrally formed from a single piece of material with the rest of the cover/divider. Each tab further has an opening formed therethrough and is configured to receive at least part of a binding device therethrough to thereby couple the cover/divider to the binding device.

Abstract: A bound system including a plurality of pages and a cover/divider including a bound outer edge and a plurality of free outer edges. The cover/divider is bound to the plurality of pages along the bound edge. The cover/divider includes one or more discreet tabs extending generally outwardly relative to one of the free edges. Each tab is integrally formed from a single piece of material with the rest of the cover/divider. Each tab further has an opening formed therethrough and is configured to receive at least part of a binding device therethrough to thereby couple the cover/divider to the binding device.

Abstract: A pocket assembly includes a major panel and a pocket panel coupled together to define a pocket between the panels. A divider is placed in the pocket to partition the pocket into two or more compartments. The divider comprises a securing element secured to at least one of the major and pocket panels.

Abstract: A desk pad including a generally flat support component configured to lay generally flat on an underlying support surface. The desk pad further includes a support flap pivotally coupled to the support component, and a prop mechanism coupled to the support flap. The prop mechanism is configured to support the support flap in a non-parallel position relative to the support component.

Abstract: A bound component including a variable display component coupled to an outer cover of the bound component. The display component includes indicia located thereon, and only part of the indicia is visible from outside the bound component. The display component is manually manipulable to change the part of the indicia that is visible from outside the bound component, and the display component is configured to be uncoupled from the outer cover.

Abstract: A calendar system including a bound component having a plurality of sheets of paper and a binding mechanism binding the plurality of sheets together. Each sheet includes a calendar portion printed thereon, with each calendar portion of each sheet being of substantially the same size and format. The system further includes a generally translucent insert configured to be directly releasably coupled to the binding mechanism such that the insert is positionable on top of one of the sheets such that the calendar portion of the underlying sheet is visible through the insert. The system includes a permanent writing instrument configured to dispense permanent markings on the insert when the insert is written upon by the writing instrument, and erasing means for erasing permanent markings from the insert.

Abstract: A writing instrument system including a writing instrument and packaging generally encasing the writing instrument, wherein the packaging includes an opening formed therein. The system further includes a retaining component, configured to be releasably coupled to the writing instrument. The retaining component is configured to at least partially extend through the opening when the writing instrument is releasably coupled to the retaining component.

Abstract: A bound component including a plurality of pages and at least one reminder strip coupled to the plurality of pages. The reminder strip is separable from the bound component, and once the strip is separated from the bound component the strip is wrappable around the wrist of a user. The bound component further includes a plurality of stickers coupled to the plurality of pages such that each sticker is separable from the plurality of pages and adhereable to the wrapped reminder strip to secure the reminder strip in the wrapped configuration.

Abstract: A bound component including a binding mechanism having a first and a second portion extending along a length thereof. The bound component further includes a plurality of pages directly bound only to the first portion of the binding mechanism, and a plurality of sticker sheets directly bound only to the second portion of the binding mechanism.

Abstract: A retractable writing surface system including a binding mechanism and a pocket directly bound to the binding mechanism, the pocket having an inner cavity. The system further includes a polymer writing surface at least partially received in the pocket. The writing surface is movable between an extended position wherein at least part of the writing surface is exposed for writing upon by a writing instrument, and a retracted position wherein less of the writing surface is exposed for writing upon by the writing instrument compared to when the writing surface is in the extended position. At least part of the writing surface is located in the cavity when the writing surface is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A system including a bound component comprising a plurality of sheets of paper and a binding mechanism binding the plurality of sheets of paper together. The system further includes a divider configured to be directly releasably coupled to the binding mechanism such that the divider can be positioned between adjacent ones of the sheets of paper. The divider is made of a polymer material. The system further includes a permanent writing instrument configured to dispense permanent markings on the divider when the divider is written upon by the writing instrument. The system further includes an erasing means for erasing permanent markings from the divider.

Abstract: A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. The loop is fixedly and not slidably coupled to the backing member.

Abstract: A posterboard display stand system including a display stand configured to frictionally grip a posterboard along an edge thereof and to impart a curvature thereto when the posterboard is frictionally gripped therein. In another embodiment the invention is a posterboard display stand system including a backing portion and a movable portion shaped to be coupled to the backing portion. The movable portion is movable relative to the backing portion such that the backing portion and the movable portion can frictionally grip a posterboard therebetween and impart a curvature thereto.

Abstract: A binding mechanism system including a first support portion including a first ring portion located thereon and a second support portion including a second ring portion located thereon. At least one of the first and second support portions is movable relative to the other between a closed position wherein the first and second ring portions contact to form a generally closed ring, and an open position wherein the first and second ring portions are spaced apart from each other. The binding mechanism further includes an indicator that is generally visible when the ring portions are in one of the open or closed position and that is generally not visible when the ring portions are in the other one of the open or closed positions.

Abstract: A notebook sleeve including a first generally rectangular side panel having a top edge, a pair of side edges and a bottom edge and a second generally rectangular side panel having a top edge, a pair of side edges and a bottom edge. The second side panel is generally parallel to and generally aligned with the first side panel, The notebook sleeve further includes a bottom generally rectangular panel located between and coupled to the bottom edges of first and second side panels, the bottom panel having a pair of long edges and a pair of short edges. The notebook sleeve further includes a pair of generally parallel connecting panels, each connecting panel being located between and coupled to a side edge of each of the first and second side panels, wherein the first side panel, the second side panel, the bottom panel and the pair of connecting panels define a cavity therebetween.