Abstract: A binder, notebook or portfolio including a body having a front cover and a rear cover pivotally joined together and a retaining mechanism located on an outer surface of the body. The retaining mechanism includes a pair of panels coupled to the body, the panels being releasably attachable together. In another embodiment, the invention is a binder, notebook or portfolio including a body having a front cover and a rear cover pivotally joined together and a retaining mechanism located on an outer surface the body. The retaining mechanism includes a pair of panels pivotally coupled to the body such that loose components can be located between the panels and the outer surface.

Abstract: A binder that can be opened/closed relatively easily by manually handling the tops of binding rings includes a holding member having a sufficient length to allow binding rings to be arranged with a spacing therebetween, and an operating member fixed movably to the inner side of the holding member such that the binding rings anchored to the surface thereof are fixed to the holding member. The operating member includes a pair of operating pieces movable along the longitudinal direction of the holding member within the holding member, and a pivot shaft formed along the abutting edges of the pair of operating pieces. Further, an opening/closing member is provided to move the operating pieces within the holding member in the longitudinal direction of the holding member while rotating the pair operating pieces around the pivot shaft in the directions to open the binding rings.

Abstract: A divider for use in a binder having a binding mechanism, the divider including a generally rigid inner portion shaped to be coupled to the binding mechanism. The divider further includes a pocket outer portion, the outer portion being coupled to the inner portion and including an inner cavity for storing loose items.

Abstract: A booklet having a base, a plurality of pages having at least one mounting portion and a plurality of display portions. The mounting portions are hinged with respect to the display portions. The mounting portions have page engaging members, and the base has base engaging members. The base engaging members are configured to engage the page engaging members to attach the mounting portions to the base and to provide for the mounting portions to move with respect to the base to allow the display portions to move to a greater extent than the display portions would move without such movement of the mounting portions, to allow the display portions to lie more flat against one another when the pages are turned. The base engaging members may include pins mounted on the base, and the page engaging members include holes formed through the mounting portions, the pins extending through the holes. The holes may be elongated.

Abstract: An optical storage media management system and process for storing and organizing a relatively large collection of optical discs in the form of a display binder with a plurality of display sheets including associated indicia matching a positional identifier indicating the location of the disc. In one embodiment, the binder is used in conjunction with a table of contents indicating the position of individual optical discs in relation to the binder contents and a centralized database for storing optical disc information in a categorized format in cooperation with a computerized table of contents generator for generating the table of contents for the binder.

Abstract: A binder for releasably retaining loose-leaves. The binder has a front cover that lies flatly beneath its back cover when the binder is open 360 degrees. The rings of the binder can rotate around an edge of the flatly-folded cover to enable loose-leaves to lie flat above and below the cover. The binder also has a skeleton with a minimal cross-section spine which may be partially or completely embedded in a cover and rotates in relation to parallel front and back covers when the binder is open 360 degrees. The front cover, middle cover and back cover are connected in a way so that they do not interfere with the rotation of the rings. Mechanisms to open and close the rings of the skeleton to allow addition or removal of loose-leafs, and ring shapes to optimize or stabilize the capacity of the binder during operation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ring binder for a filing system with a plurality of cover panels of a cover that are pivotally connected together for pivoting between open and closed cover positions. The cover defines an interior binder space between the cover panels in the closed cover position. A ring binding member is attached with the cover and includes rings that are openable and closeable for receiving and releasing pages and for binding and holding the pages inside the binder in the closed cover position. The binding member is preferably accessible in the open cover position. At least one of the cover panels comprises an indexing extension that extends beyond the cover panels that are disposed opposite thereto in the closed cover position by a distance sufficient for receiving and displaying indexing indicia visible from opposite sides of the first cover panel in the closed cover position and for viewing the indicia when the binder is disposed on a shelf substantially aligned with a plurality of other binders.

Abstract: This is to provide a cover suitable to hollow-backed binding and provide a binding method for an album and the like for obtaining a well-bound appearance using the cover at low cost and easy to turn over. A cover is composed of a decoration cloth, a pair of substratum paper and a spine affiche adhered on required positions on the back of the decoration cloth, an interconnected reinforcement paper adhered to substratum paper to create a space between a spine affiche and a reverse paper.

Abstract: A variable capacity binder including an outer cover and a binding mechanism including a plurality of spaced rings, each ring being shaped to be received through a hole of a piece of paper to couple the paper to the binding mechanism. Each ring is non-symmetrical with respect to at least one axis and has a longitudinal axis. The binding mechanism is pivotally coupled to the cover such that the longitudinal axis of each ring can be pivoted relative to the spine.

Abstract: A portfolio assembly including a first portfolio including a pair of opposed panels with a hinge line extending therebetween and a second portfolio including a pair of opposed panels with a hinge line extending therebetween. The first and second portfolios are directly coupled together at or adjacent to the hinge line of each portfolio.

Abstract: An improved system for labeling the spine of a binder is disclosed. The system includes an improved flexible label leader to load labels into a binder slot. The leader includes a first end portion having an adhesive section for adhering a binder label thereto. It also includes a second end portion for pulling the label adhered to the first end portion into a binder slot and a middle portion between the first and second end portions that resides in said binder slot. The adhesive section of the first end portion in detachable from the remainder of the leader.

Abstract: A thin, flat device (10) for inserting scrapbook page device (22) for quick application of article protectors (20). The device is made of a flexible material, with a spine (12) so it can be repeatedly folded, without fracturing, tearing or cracking. In addition it provides a fast, easy and hassles free approach to applying article protectors (20). Not only does it provide a quick method of inserting it also protects a scrapbook page (22) from being torn, folded, bent or torn during the application of article protectors (20).

Abstract: A folder apparatus includes a folder, a holder for holding leaves and a connector for attaching the holder to the folder in a detachable manner. The holder includes a number of hooks formed thereon. The folder includes two covers and an intermediate panel interconnecting the covers. The connector is formed on the intermediate panel. In a first aspect, the holder includes a base attached to the intermediate panel in a detachable manner by means of the connector. The base includes two ends. The connector includes two clips formed on the intermediate panel for engagement with the ends of the base of the holder. In a second aspect, the connector is a hook-and-loop device.

Abstract: The cover of a binder or album is provided with a coating which is receptive to inks which are water based, solvent based or gel based, and which is substantially water-fast after the ink has dried. A coated transparent or translucent sheet may be provided on the front cover of the binder to form a pocket so that visual material inserted in the pocket may be traced, and so that the cover may be personalized. The coating may include finely divided porous particulates and a binder which includes as a component a water soluble polymer. The coating may be applied to backpacks, zippered binders, and pencil pouches, and to the transparent sheet material overlying photographs mounted in a photo album. Personalized writing or designs may be written or drawn onto the coated products using ink pens of virtually any type.

Abstract: A report cover (10) is disclosed which can be used with a report (12) bound by a flexible comb binding (14). An insert (20) is bound with the report (12) in the flexible comb binding (14). The insert (20) is then fit within a pocket (38) in the back cover (28) of the cover (26). The spine or side cover (30) and front cover (32) of the cover (26) then encloses the report (12) and spiral binding (14) to provide an attractive final report appearance. The report cover can be used with a report that is bound with a spiral, wire loop or three ring binding also.

Abstract: An insert for being coupled to coil, the insert comprising a piece of sheet-like material having an inner edge and a plurality of wings. Each wing has a central stem extending outwardly from the inner edge and a pair of tip portions located on opposed sides of the central stem. Each tip portion extends inwardly toward the inner edge to define a coil receiving portion located between the stem and the associated tip portion. Each coil receiving portion is shaped and located to receive a turn of the coil therein to couple the insert to the coil.

Abstract: A device for binding sheets in a pack, the device having a flat rectangular sheet element (3) in turn having, along one major side (3a), a number of flexible tongues (7) arranged combfashion; and a closing strip (10) extending along the major side (3a). The strip (10) has an application surface (13) facing the tongues (7) and having a layer of adhesive (17). The flat element (3) is placeable on a first face of the pack, with the tongues (7) inserted inside the respective holes (33) formed along one edge of the pack, and with respective ends (7e) of the tongues (7) projecting from the holes. The closing strip (10) is foldable and placeable with the layer of adhesive (17) superimposed on a flat element (30b) defining a second face of the pack (30).

Abstract: A folder for receiving papers including a first side panel including a recess formed in an edge thereof, and a first lower panel facing the side panel. The first side panel and the first lower panel are joined to form a pocket therebetween, and the recess is located adjacent an open end of the pocket to enable the pocket to expand without tearing the first side panel.

Abstract: A loose-leaf file folder includes two covers, a spine made integrally with the covers, and a plurality of paper-holding sets, each set being formed of a shaft, a paper-holding stem, and a crossbar. The shaft and the stem are integrally made with one of the two covers such that the shaft and the stem are uprightly projected from a margin of the one of the two covers. The shaft and the stem are provided in a top end with a retaining hole. The crossbar is provided at two longitudinal ends with a retaining arm and is detachably joined with the shaft and the stem such that the two retaining arms of the crossbar are retained respectively and removably in the retaining holes of the shaft and the stem.

Abstract: A rectangular opening/closing bar is formed, which is inserted in the curl ring of the ring binder to bind papers. The tip end of the opening/closing bar 28A is provided with an instruction portion 28a to raise and open ring pieces in turn while inserting the opening/closing bar 28A. Further, the opening/closing bar may have swollen portions on both ends of the opening/closing bar 28A to enable the bar slide smoothly in the curl ring. And it may be provided with a guide plate 28D perpendicular to the side wall 28b of the opening/closing bar 28A of the swollen portions side. In order to enhance the workability of the opening/closing bar, it may be preferable to use an auxiliary device for positioning the ring binder.

Abstract: A document formed of a stack of papers bound at the spine is equipped with a slide bar that achieves locking engagement with a document cover formed of a plurality of sheets of material. The sheets of document cover material are joined to each other at a binding margin. The sheet of cover material that passes around the spine of the cover forms a back cover beneath the stack of papers and a narrow, margin panel or strip that overlies the adjacent edge of the other sheet of binding material, which forms a front cover. The slide bar has a pair of jaws that terminate in distal tips that face each other at an angle of least forty-five degrees across a gap defined between the distal tips of the jaws. The slide bar is inserted onto the binding edge of the stack of papers and the cover encompassing them in a direction parallel to the binding edge from either the top or bottom end of the stack.

Abstract: A part recycle device of a document file includes two spaced first through holes formed in a clamping member, two spaced second through holes formed in a side wall of an outer plate, two screw members, a press plate, and two nuts. Each of the two screw members extends through one of the two spaced first through holes and one of the two spaced second through holes. The press plate has a first end face formed with two spaced third through holes, and a second end face provided with two spaced protruding rings each formed with a polygonal recess aligning with one of the two spaced third through holes. Each of the two nuts is received in the polygonal recess of one of the two spaced protruding rings of the press plate, and may be engaged with one of the two screw members.

Abstract: A binding mechanism (2) is provided for securing compact disc sleeves and other sheet material in a notebook binder and which preferably can be quickly and selectively opened and closed.

Abstract: A foldable dry erase surface, such as a temporary wall, permits writing on the surface as is typically done with a dry erase board. The dry erase surface includes individual panels that are hinged together so that the surface formed by the panels is foldable. The individual panels have a dry erase film attached to them so that writing may occur on the panels themselves. The dry erase surface may be collapsed when not in use, or it may be expanded when it is necessary to write on or read from the surface. The dry erase surface is collapsed or expanded by pivoting the panels about the hinged connections, which is typically done by pushing or pulling an end panel of the dry erase surface.

Abstract: A folder, binder or book includes envelope pages with slits in the outer edges thereof so that the tabs of tabbed index cards, sized to fit snugly in the envelope pages can retain their tabs extending out through the slits. The index cards have cut off inner corners to allow easy insertion and removal.

Abstract: A portfolio assembly including a first portfolio including a pair of opposed panels with a hinge line extending therebetween and a second portfolio including a pair of opposed panels with a hinge line extending therebetween. The first and second portfolios are directly coupled together at or adjacent to the hinge line of each portfolio.

Abstract: A notebook including a plurality of sheets of paper, a binding mechanism binding the plurality of sheets together; and a cover bound to the plurality of sheets of paper by the binding mechanism. The cover includes first and second opposed panels coupled together and having a hinge line extending between the opposed panels. The cover includes a lower panel fixedly coupled to and facially abutting at least one of the panels to form a pocket therebetween.

Abstract: A folder includes a spine having a base and first and second spine hinge portions. The spine defines a longitudinal axis and has an exterior surface that is curved around the longitudinal axis. The folder also includes a first cover having a first cover hinge portion pivotably attached to the first spine hinge portion. The first cover has a first curved portion with an exterior surface that is curved around the longitudinal axis. The folder further includes a second cover having a second cover hinge portion pivotably attached to the second spine hinge portion. The second cover has a second curved portion with an exterior surface that is curved around the longitudinal axis. The spine and the first and second curved portions together define a generally rounded contour around the longitudinal axis when the folder is in a closed position.

Abstract: A book-marking device for marking a page location in a book. The device includes a pocket having a first end, a second end, and a mid-section, the pocket being of a pocket length between the first end and the second end the pocket length being adapted to extend approximately the cover length, and an elastic strap, the elastic strap extending from the first end and terminating in a strap end, and being of a relaxed length that is approximately as long as the pocket length. The elastic strap is adapted for extending around the cover to the second end of the pocket, retaining the pocket against the cover.

Abstract: A binder for receiving and retaining papers includes first and second strips slidably connected to one another. Each strip includes spaced-apart fingers extending upwardly therefrom. The fingers of the first and second strips are offset from one another when the first and second strips are in a closed position. The first and second strips include releasable locking catches to retain the strips in a closed position, and release tabs for selectively moving the second strip into the open position. A cover having living hinges is attached to a lower surface of the first strip. The cover may include pockets on an outer surface thereof for accepting inserts, such as file hangers or printed labels.

Abstract: In addition to a set of dividers having staggered tabs and binder holes, the retail packaging includes a sheet protector pocket having a front sheet and a back sheet and binder holes. The user removes the dividers and pocket from the packaging and custom designs and prints sheet indicia on a paper sheet. He/she then inserts the printed sheet into the pocket whereby the front sheet allows the sheet indicia to be viewed therethrough. The front sheet has pre-printed indicia thereon. With the printed sheet in the pocket and the pocket and dividers assembled in a ringed notebook or other binding system, the sheet indicia and the pre-printed indicia line up with respective ones of the tabs. The indicia thereby form an attractive custom-designed table of contents, which can be easily corrected or changed by the user by simply printing and inserting into the pocket a new sheet. The front sheet can either be transparent or have a window to allow the sheet indicia to be viewed therethrough.

Abstract: A hanging file system that makes use of an improved hanging binder. The filing system includes a number of complementary hanging file supports, implementations and accessories. In one aspect of the present invention, the hanging binder makes use of a common center post to support a telescopic section of the hanger members. In another aspect of the present invention, hanging binder supports are designed to complement usage of the hanging binder to provide filing of loose-leaf papers, such as a hanging file sleeve provides support for portable storage of hanging file, a hanging file carrying case provides easy handling of hanging files, and a foldable hanging file base may be folded during shipment or when the case is not in use. In another aspect of the present invention, a hanging binder supports a receptacle, such as an envelope or file pocket, that provides filing of lose papers and/or articles.

Abstract: A storage pouch has a pouch body and a cord. The pouch body encloses an interior cavity and has an opening in communication with the interior cavity. The cord is attached to the pouch body and has variable-size first and second loops located outside the pouch body, wherein increasing the size of the first loop decreases the size of the second loop, and wherein increasing the size of the second loop decreases the size of the first loop. The loops are made of substantially equal size to attach the storage pouch by the loops to the rings of a loose-leaf ring binder, and the size of one loop is enlarged to hang the storage pouch by the one loop on a larger hook.

Abstract: A single sheet of non-woven material is provided with sufficient strength and durability to store two compact discs without the necessity of laminating or otherwise interconnecting the non-woven sheet to a backing sheet or other materials for strength. The single sheet of non-woven material is positioned between the playing surfaces of the two compact discs to provide a non-scratching, protective surface and to reduce the costs associated with manufacturing the sleeves used to store the CDS.

Abstract: The invention relates to a specific web roll, a process for making the web roll, and a process for making a casemade binder. The web roll can be: 1) a laminate of plastic film and printed sheets, or 2) a laminate of two plastic films, or 3) a single plastic film. The web roll has images printed on the printed sheets in the first embodiment, images printed on one or both films of the second type, and a reverse printed image on the third embodiment. In each embodiment, the image includes at least one alignment spot that corresponds to each casemade binder. In each application, the web roll is aligned, cut and secured to a substrate for each binder so that the exterior of the binder has the image thereon.

Abstract: A loose-leaf binding device has a first binder, a second binder, a plurality of sheets of loose-leaf paper disposed between the first binder and the second binder, and a coiled ring fastening the first binder, each sheet of loose-leaf paper, and the second binder. The first binder has an oblong hole and a round hole. The second binder has an oblong slot to match the oblong hole of the first binder. A pleated flap is connected to the second binder. The pleated flap has a first crease and a second crease. The pleated flap is inserted in the oblong hole of the first binder.

Abstract: A scrapbook includes a spine adapted to bind a variable plurality of binder inserts; includes a substantially rectangular and planar front cover coupled to the spine, where the front cover includes a co-planar storage area, a window in its front surface opening onto the co-planar storage area and an opening into the co-planar storage area; and includes a substantially rectangular and planar, bag-like display sheet that has a substantially transparent front wall and a back wall, and is adapted to receive contents for display therein, and is also adapted to be inserted through the opening of the front cover and into the co-planar storage area of the front cover such that the contents for display may be seen through the window and the transparent front wall.

Abstract: An improved structure of a file covering board is disclosed. The structure comprises an outer file covering board, an inner file covering board, a rivet means, a plurality of loose-leaf pages and an inner and outer spine. The outer file covering board is located at the external side of the inner file covering board and is secured using the rivet means. The two sides of the outer file covering board are provided with a cut section allowing a stable upright position. The middle section is provided with a foldable section having downward extended outer folding line. The combination region of the inner file covering board and the outer file covering board is provided with a bending section for offsetting potential difference and for increasing the strength of erection.

Abstract: An improved system for labeling the spine of a binder is disclosed. The system includes an improved flexible label leader to load labels into a binder slot. The leader includes a first end portion having an adhesive section for adhering a binder label thereto. It also includes a second end portion for pulling the label adhered to the first end portion into a binder slot and a middle portion between the first and second end portions that resides in said binder slot. The adhesive section of the first end portion in detachable from the remainder of the leader.

Abstract: A display binder having a spine, a first cover connected to the spine, and a second cover also connected to the spine. A support clip is removably attached to the first cover and the second cover. In a preferred embodiment, the support clip has a first ear and a second ear. The ears function to provide a compressive force to the first cover and second cover, thereby attaching the support clip to the first and second covers. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the support clip is attached to the first and second covers along their bottom edges.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose leaf pages. The mechanism includes an elongate plate, hinge plates supported by the plate for pivoting motion relative to the plate, and ring members mounted on the hinge plates which are moveable between a closed position and an open position. A control structure controllably pivots the hinge plates to thereby move the ring members between the closed and open positions. The control structure includes a single actuator at one end of the mechanism, a travel bar movable relative to the elongate plate, and two connecting links operatively connecting the travel bar to the hinge plates. The control structure is configured to selectively place the mechanism in a locked position wherein the ring members are securely closed.

Abstract: A ring binder mechanism for retaining loose leaf pages. The mechanism includes a rigid, elongate plate having a longitudinal axis. Hinge plates are supported by the plate for pivoting relative to the elongate plate. Rings for holding loose leaf pages include ring members mounted on the hinge plates and moveable between a closed position and an open position. A control structure is supported by the elongate plate and controllably pivots the hinge plates to move the ring members between the closed and open positions. The control structure has a travel bar connected to the hinge plates for moving the hinge plates between the closed and open positions. A spring biases the travel bar to a position toward the closed position of the hinge plates.

Abstract: A binder strap system for facilitating easy handling of a binder. The binder strap system includes a binder, a depression extending into a first portion of the binder, and an elongate strap member attached to the first portion extending across the depression. The strap member has a first segment, a second segment and a third segment, wherein the second segment traverses the depression. A user inserts their fingers within the depression beneath the second segment for carrying the binder. The first segment and the second segment are preferably sewn directly to the first portion to reinforce the strap member. A first fastener and a second fastener are preferably attached to the strap member and the first portion of the binder for increasing the attachment of the strap member to the binder.

Abstract: A document holder includes a flat base part, front and rear wall parts, a pair of lateral wall parts, and a cover part. Each of the front and rear wall parts extends upwardly from a respective one of front and rear edges of the base part. The lateral wall parts extend between the front and rear wall parts, and cooperate with the latter to confine a document holding space with an open top. The cover part is hinged to the rear wall part, is movable so as to cover and uncover the open top of the document holding space, and is formed with a window section that permits viewing into the document holding space when the latter is covered by the cover part.

Abstract: An expandable outside pocket is provided on one panel of a binder. This pocket includes a releasable closure to control expansion of the pocket. In one configuration, the outside pocket includes a zippered gusset, where the zipper can be closed to prevent expansion of the pocket capacity. The gusset and zipper configuration enables the pocket to be expanded when it is desired to increase the size of the pocket in order to accommodate larger items such as books, but also enables the gusset to be held in a non-extendable position when the pocket does not need to be expanded, such as when the pocket is only used to carry papers or slim folders. A second zipper is preferably also provided in order to control access to the pocket. In another configuration, the outside pocket includes gussets along its sides which facilitate expansion of the pocket, and a single zipper provides access to the pocket interior when unzipped and also enables the pocket to expand when unzipped.

Abstract: A binder, such as a three ring binder, is provided with a magnetizable panel on the front cover of the binder and with a stylus and a permanent magnet erasing device mounted onto the binder. The magnetizable panel may be inset into the cover of the binder, or it may constitute substantially the entire front cover of the binder, or it may be inserted into a transparent pocket on the front cover of the binder. The eraser may be of a broad area permanent magnet type which may be brought into engagement with the entire magnetizable panel; or a smaller linear permanently magnetized eraser may be employed.

Abstract: A planner tool comprising multiple pouch pages, lead cards, and printed calendar sheets. Each pouch page and calendar sheet has holes that are appropriately spaced apart so that each of the pages can be placed in a binder. The lead cards have two sets of times of the day and a blank center which are used in conjunction with the printed calendar sheets to make appointments to call, appointments to see others, and keep information regarding the nature of such appointments all in one place. The lead cards are placed in the pouches of the pages. The printed calendar sheets of the planner have the days of the week printed on them with specific columns under each day. The columns have the headings c, m, a, and e, which stand for call, mileage, appointment, and expenses respectively.

Abstract: An optical storage media management system and process for storing and organizing a relatively large collection of optical discs in the form of a display binder with a plurality of display sheets including associated indicia matching a positional identifier indicating the location of the disc. In one embodiment, the binder is used in conjunction with a table of contents indicating the position of individual optical discs in relation to the binder contents and a centralized database for storing optical disc information in a categorized format in cooperation with a computerized table of contents generator for generating the table of contents for the binder.

Abstract: A notebook that has a latch for securing the closure of the notebook wherein the latch uses a writing utensil to secure the closure of the notebook. In some embodiments, the latch comprises a loop. The main body of the notebook has an opening that corresponds to the shape of the loop such that when the notebook closes, the loop can substantially pass through the opening. A writing utensil or other instrument shaped like a writing utensil is then inserted into the loop, securing the closure of the notebook. Some embodiments include one or more additional loops through which the writing utensil is inserted.

Abstract: A set of binders includes round ring binders and binders with flattened rings, having the same exterior appearance, but with the flattened ring binders, accommodating wider sheets, such as index sheets. Individual flattened ring binders include reliable over-center ring operating action with elongated plates to which the rings are secured, and an overlying elongated spring cover to apply inward pressure on the plates. Using flattened rings, the covers of the binders may be reduced in extent.