Patents Examined by Mark T. Henderson
  • Patent number: 6641345
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for increasing the binding strength of a bound text body by increasing the spinal surface area exposed for adhesive penetration greater than an area corresponding to the product of the sheet height dimension, the sheet thickness dimension and the number of sheets. In one aspect, sheet-wise conditioning of the binding area is performed prior to the application of adhesive to increase the bond area between sheets of the text body. In another aspect, the spinal surface area exposed for adhesive penetration is increased as adhesive is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert L. Cobene, II, Steven W Trovinger, Christopher A Schantz, Raymond G. Schuder, John P Ertel
  • Patent number: 6626755
    Abstract: A carbonless form is provided that may be folded selectively into a duplicating state or a non-duplicating state. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a carbonless form is provided comprising a form sheet, a transverse fold line, an assigned data entry portion, and an exposed data entry portion. The form sheet defines a front face, a rear face, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a pair of side edges. The transverse fold line extends across the form sheet to define a first panel and a second panel on opposite sides of the transverse fold line. The assigned data entry portion is defined on the rear face of the second panel. The exposed data entry portion is defined on the front face of the first panel. A CB coating is applied to the rear face of the form sheet in the first panel and a CF coating is applied to the rear face of the form sheet in the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Standard Register Company
    Inventors: Joseph L. Klenke, Dale Lakes
  • Patent number: 6623040
    Abstract: The present invention recognizes and takes advantage of the fact that there is a correlation between a consumer's overall like or dislike of two particular products (hedonic test results), each evaluated individually, and the likelihood that the consumer will choose one product over the other (forced choice test results) in a forced choice comparison. Taking advantage of this correlation, it is possible to determine the likelihood that a consumer will choose one product over another product of the same type simply by conducting hedonic testing and without specifically conducting forced choice testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary M. Foley, Beaufort M. Lancaster
  • Patent number: 6601874
    Abstract: A bookbinding repair kit containing instructions, diagrams and equipment to carry out repair to damaged or torn backing shoulder joints of any book, the equipment comprising a complete endpaper consisting of one evenly folded sheet of paper with a double-sided adhesive strip no less than 7 mm and no more than 10 mm in width but of a particular length, with a peel away backing paper attached to the endpaper adjacent one side of the endpaper fold, a double-sided self adhesive strip of mull cloth of a particular width and length, two thirds of each side of the mull cloth being covered with a peel away backing strip and the remaining third adhered to the adhesive side of a sconelined, one sided self-adhesive paper the same size as the endpaper, the endpaper side without the adhesive strip being glued to the plain side of the scorelined paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Gennaro Raffaele Amitrano
  • Patent number: 6599074
    Abstract: An encoded binder strip having an adhesive matrix and an encoded pattern formed on a surface of the matrix to identify the type of binder strip. The encoded pattern includes relatively high reflectivity regions and relatively low reflectivity regions. Preferably, the encoded pattern is read as the binder strip is fed into a binding machine, with the encoded pattern controlling operation of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Powis Parker Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin P. Parker
  • Patent number: 6581971
    Abstract: A file folder blank can be folded to form a file folder. The file folder blank is designed for single side printing. The file folder blank can be folded to reveal printed indicia to two directions of a single panel. The printed indicia can be printed by a standard desktop type of printer. The printed indicia can include graphics, location indicator, content indicators, pictures, graphs or the like. In addition, top taps or side tabs are integrally formed with the file folder blank that can be printed with identifying indicia. In some applications, the identifying indicia comprises a repeating set of color bars that can be individualized during printing of the folder blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: The Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Steve C. MacWilliams
  • Patent number: 6581972
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tubular label with pre-printed fixed information adapted to be wrapped around a container body of a container with an inwardly facing surface of the tubular label contacting the container body and the pre-printed fixed information being visible from the outside of the container. The tubular label includes printed arbitrary information such as lottery indicia provided on the inwardly facing surface by a non-impact printer in such a manner as to be invisible through the outwardly facing surface of the tubular label. An elongated tubular member and method of manufacturing the same, as well as a labeled container are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Seal, Inc.
    Inventors: Michihiro Nojima, Masato Nakanishi, Toshinori Mimatsu
  • Patent number: 6565277
    Abstract: A paper fastener includes a base having two end legs for engaging through sheet materials to be clamped and having two side panels bent relative to the base and two outer flanges folded relative to the side panels and shielded by the side panels. A bar includes two end orifices for receiving the legs of the base, and includes two side flaps bent relative to the bar and two outer flanges folded relative to the side flaps and shielded by the side flaps of the bar. Two retainers are slidably engaged on the bar for securing the paper sheets between the base and the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Jien Wei Huang
  • Patent number: 6561547
    Abstract: An envelope sheet assembly for securing into a brochure or binder includes multiple sheets overlying one another so that the assembly is of uniform thickness to facilitate printing thereon. The envelope sheet assembly is preferably 8½ inches by 11 inches in size, and the envelope is preferably 11 inches by 4½ inches. Permanent pressure sensitive adhesive is employed to hold the sheets together and to form the envelope. The adhesive is also applied to the sealing flap, with a removable strip coated with a suitable release agent (i.e. silicone) protecting the adhesive coated flap. Perforations permit easy removal of the envelope from the assembly. The perforations can have a cut and tie pattern wherein the ties attach the envelope to the sheet assembly. The sheet assembly frames the envelope at all outside edges of the envelope or some of the outer edges of the sheet assembly can form outer edges of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Omar S. Attia, Blaine Jackson, Andre Saint, Brett Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6547501
    Abstract: A device for preparing a book spine includes a plurality of movable pockets, each pocket having an angled back, a packer and a spine stop at a lower end of the pocket for receiving the spine. The spine stop has a first collect position, a second position wherein the spine stop is lower with respect to the packer than in the collect position but still holds the spine, and a third position wherein the spine stop is rotated away from the spine. A method for preparing a spine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: James Richard Schlough
  • Patent number: 6547283
    Abstract: A system for mounting a component to a portfolio including a tongue located on the component, the tongue having a tail portion and a tip portion, and a portfolio having a tongue opening formed therein. The top can be inserted into the tongue opening and component rotated relative to the portfolio until the tongue is generally received through the tongue opening to couple the component to the portfolio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Marc L. Moor
  • Patent number: 6547502
    Abstract: A combination book binding machine with a plastic coil forming machine, whereby a plastic spiral coil is formed at a first raised temperature, then cut to a length sufficient for the plastic spiral coil to bind a book, cooled and then advanced toward a receiving coil conveyor of a coil binding machine, for binding the book with a plastic coil at the lowered cooled temperature. The binding machine and method for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate the cooled flexible plastic spiral coil into respective holes in the book. The book has a plurality of holes in a row adjacent one edge of the book to receive the leading edge of the plastic spiral binding coils. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding coil is fed onto the mandrel from the distal end thereof, with the leading edge of the binding element facing and spaced apart from the book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Spiel Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Norton Spiel
  • Patent number: 6543810
    Abstract: In producing a film by printing on a top sheet with non-glossy surface, a first glossy varnish imprint adheres on the surface. A second continuous imprint produced on the first, adheres neither on the top sheet nor on the varnish, and the film is completed. A glossy imprint is thus provided in the film external surface which is then applied on a document to protect it from being reproduced by optical scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Francois Trantoul
  • Patent number: 6543809
    Abstract: A data package assembly comprises a substrate which includes a panel portion and a data card portion detachable from each other. The data card portion has an exposed face and a concealed face on opposite sides of the substrate, with personal identifying indicia on the concealed face correlated with a prepaid account. The data card portion is folded into an overlapping relationship with the panel portion so that the panel portion faces the concealed face of the data card portion and thereby conceals the personal identifying indicia without requiring folding of the panel portion. The data card portion is detachably retained in overlapping relationship with the panel portion, at least a major portion of the exposed face of the data card portion being visibly exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Western Graphics and Data Inc.
    Inventors: Erin E. Kistner, Brian Klure
  • Patent number: 6540260
    Abstract: A photograph album system (10) has a spine (14) with an internal lateral groove (30) at one end and a removable retainer (42) having a plurality of internal retaining fingers (44) within the groove. A plurality of pages (52) are defined by a plurality of signatures (54). Each signature is defined by a plurality of page sets (56). Each page set consists of an interior support sheet (58) with a central fold (60) and a pair of exterior cover sheets (64). The exterior cover sheets are folded around an individual outer edge of an interior support sheet with each having a central fold defining an outer bend (66). The exterior cover sheets are adhered to the interior support sheet so that two pages are formed with separate pockets (72) on each side of each page. Posts (36) couple the pages to the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Whang Kwee Tan
  • Patent number: 6536980
    Abstract: A ring binder is disclosed as including a curved upper plate supporting a pair of pivotable hinged leaves to which a number of half-rings are attached, and two pivotable actuating levers for moving the pair of hinged leaves between a first position in which the half-rings are closed and a second position in which the half-rings are open, in which the actuating lever.includes an aperture, and a cushion engaged with each actuating lever, in which the cushion has a first body part and a second body part, in which part of the first body part extends through the aperture of the actuating lever to engage with the second body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: World Wide Stationery Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun Yuen To
  • Patent number: 6503040
    Abstract: An applicator for applying an adhesive to a spine or adjoining regions of a book block conveyed guided past the applicator along a conveying plane in a conveying direction includes a trough for holding the adhesive. At least one applicator roller protrudes into the trough and is arranged for transferring adhesive onto the spine of the book block for forming an adhesive layer on the spine. The roller is driven in a direction which is the same as the conveying direction and defines an approach region in which the surface of the roller approaches the conveying plane. A sharply-pointed separating wedge is disposed downstream of the approach region of the applicator roller and forms a separating region for the supplied adhesive between the applicator roller and the conveying plane of the book block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Grapha Holding AG
    Inventors: Peter Abegglen, Peter Fischer
  • Patent number: 6499766
    Abstract: A media folder or book binder provided with a rotor having elastic bands stretched between pins on its opposite ends has mounting brackets which are mechanically fastened to the spine of the folder. The brackets have trunnions facing inwardly toward the opposite ends of the rotor to journal the rotor. An important aspect of the invention is that each bracket is provided with a shroud which inhibits or prevents bands from disengaging with their supporting pins as a folded sheet is removed from or installed on the rotor under a strand of the band. In effect, winding-up of the bands during relative lateral movement of a sheet still occurs, but the adverse twisting affect of enabling the bands to slip off pins is prevented. The folder has straps fixed thereto and preferably formed integrally therewith at opposite ends of the folder's spine. These straps interact with latches on the mounting brackets to firmly hold the brackets in place mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Karl S. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6494661
    Abstract: A method for covering a book includes delivering a book into a pocket, delivering an inverted cover for the book into the pocket, the cover having a first side and a second side, the first side of the cover contacting a side of the book in the pocket, and reversing the second side of the cover so as to contact another side of the book. Also disclosed is a book covering device including a plurality of movable pockets for receiving a book and an inverted cover, each pocket having a support wall and a spine stop movable with respect to the support wall, and each pocket including a cover reversing device for reversing the inverted cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: John N. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 6485060
    Abstract: A plastic folder, for holding sheets of paper, which includes a front cover and a back cover connected by a hinge. The hinge includes a first fold line adjacent to the front cover, and a second fold line adjacent to the back cover, and a third fold line intermediate the first and second fold lines, thereby dividing the hinge into a first portion adjacent to the front cover and a second portion adjacent to the back cover. A pair of weld areas are disposed in the hinge so as to connect the first hinge portion to the second hinge portion. The weld areas are spaced from one another so as to produce a holding force on the paper inserted into the plastic folder. The first and second fold lines, together with the welded areas, produce a plastic folder that more securely, and durably, holds paper therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Nada, Katsuyuki Tono