Abstract: A system and method for data compression of structured medical history information using multiple, updatable, static dictionaries in conjunction with an advanced probability-based model. The system is not a free text, word or phrase compressor as is presented in generalized or universal data compression systems. It employs a series of static dictionaries consisting of structured data developed from standardized medical classifications of disease, disorders, surgical procedures and medications. Prior probability information is utilized to achieve a high level of data compression of multiple data items at a time. The dictionaries are designed for flexible updating, efficient storage and retrieval, and data integrity. A portable medical card may be imprinted with the compressed medical information.

Abstract: A product/installation service proposal booklet for use in estimating the cost of installing proposed systems including such products, for quick review and acceptance by a customer. The booklet comprising a cover sheet and a multi-sheet, pressure-duplicating proposal order form group including an original order form sheet and at least one duplicate customer copy order form sheet, which are bonded together along one side edge of each, the undersurface of the cover sheet facing the face of the original order form sheet when the booklet is opened, being a product menu sheet illustrating and identifying specific products, one or more of which are to be included within the proposed systems. The face of the contractual proposal original order form sheet, and of the duplicate copies, carry a list of the specific products corresponding to those illustrated and identified on the facing menu sheet, and associated areas for designating the number of those of such products included within the proposal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a label for displaying information regarding a bottle or the like and for suspending the bottle from a support. The label includes a bottom panel having an upper surface and a lower surface. An adhesive layer is disposed on the lower surface of the bottom panel for securing the label to the bottle. A hanger flap is connected with the bottom panel by a fold along an edge of the bottom panel, the hanger flap overlying the upper surface of the bottom panel and defining an opening arranged and configured to receive the support.

Abstract: To impede the counterfeiting of a valuable instrument (e.g., a cash card, negotiable instrument or any document), an issuance mark is formed on the instrument at a programmed distance from a reference mark located on the instrument. The information pertaining to the distance is encoded and written onto a storage medium located in the instrument. In a particular system embodying the invention, a card vending machine is programmed to encode cards with various parameters, such as the distance between the reference and issuance marks, by writing the parametric information into an information storage medium located in the card. As a corollary, in a particular system embodying the invention, a dispensing machine is programmed to read the information stored in the information storage medium and the parametric information present in the card and to then compare the stored information with the values of the actual parameters present in the card.

Abstract: An elongate binding member 10 is initially open. A series of loops extend along the open edges and these are suspended from a row of holding teeth 12. The other loops are exposed and pages 9 are threader over the exposed loops to be suspended downwardly from the binder.

Abstract: The invention is a binder or portfolio for carrying looseleaf paper, books, school supplies, etc. wherein the binder includes an expandable gusset attached to the front and back covers of the binder. The gusset is preferably made from an elastic material, such as neoprene, so that the gusset may expand if the binder is filled to greater than normal capacity without threatening the integrity of the binder.

Abstract: A stamp collection sleeve is provided including a pair of sheets of clear plastic integrally coupled along inboard edges, outboard edges, and top and bottom edges thereof. The sheets are each further coupled along lines for defining a plurality of compartments which are accessible via openings situated along a single line which extends between the compartments.

Abstract: An automatic spiral binding apparatus for edge binding a book of sheets with a spiral coil includes a book supporting table that is indexable between loading, coil insertion, coil crimping and book discharge stations. The apparatus can accommodate a wide range of book thicknesses, coil diameters and coil pitches. Positioning hooks in the loading station are selected to correspond to the coil diameter and are mounted at an incline to match the coil pitch in a manner which pre-orients the book edge to both the proper curvature and proper pitch to facilitate subsequent threading of the spiral coil into the holes in the edge of the book at the following insertion station.

Abstract: A method and a device for the production of folded products utilizes a row of folding jaws and a row of counter folding jaws. A signature to be cross-folded is inserted between the jaws by a folding blade. The folding jaws and counter folding jaws form a line of embossing on the folded signatures adjacent the transverse fold line. The resultant folded item has an increased moment of resistance in the direction of transport.

Abstract: A document holder includes upper and lower plastic sheets superimposed on each other to define a document holding space therebetween. A saddle member of a flexible and heat sealable material is heat sealed on two corresponding edges of the upper and lower sheets to form a stiffened ridge, and first and second straddle portions that extend along an entire length of the stiffened ridge. A rider has a riding portion slidably disposed on the straddle portions and a tab index holding portion exposed outwardly of the stiffened ridge into which a tab index can be inserted to classify the documents held in the document holding space.

Abstract: A business form (preferably continuous) with self-contained labels has significant versatility and a number of advantages. A cellulose ply is applied larger than a release liner ply, while the release liner ply may be provided so that one edge (e.g. with tractor drive holes) extends past a substantially parallel edge of the cellulose ply. At the opposite edge of the release liner ply adhesive release material is provided along between about 10-50% of the length of the edge so that the release material covered portion of the edge is not substantially permanently adhered to the edge by the adhesive between the plies. This allows the labels formed in the cellulose ply where overlapped by the release liner to be removed from the back or front, and allows one to separate the release liner ply completely from the cellulose ply for ease of recycling. The method of making the forms typically uses a conventional Webtron press.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing book blocks from various printed sheets composed of a plurality of quarto sheets which are inserted into one another, wherein the printed sheets are successively pulled fold first along a conveying path from a stack of printed sheets by a gripping unit of a feeder and are subsequently gathered with their flat sides placed against each other into book blocks. The gripping unit which grasps the printed sheets approximately at the fold thereof produces a deformation or injury which extends at least partially through the quarto sheets, so that the respective quarto sheets are secured relative to each other and displacements relative to each other are prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tape heating apparatus in which both side portions of a bind tape can positively be adhered to front and rear surfaces of a sheet bundle without creating any swollen portions. When a thickness of the sheet bundle is smaller than a predetermined value, side heaters perform a first heating/pressurizing operation at a position in the vicinity of a bound edge of the sheet bundle and then performs a second heating/pressurizing operation at a position spaced apart from the bound edge of the sheet bundle by a predetermined distance. In the first heating/pressurizing operation, portions of a thick hot melt adhesive layer existing on the front and rear surfaces of the sheet bundle are melted to be flattened, to thereby eliminate swollen portions. In the second heating/pressurizing operation, thin hot melt adhesive layers are melted, to thereby positively adhere both width-wise side portions of the bind tape to the front and rear surfaces of the sheet bundle.

Abstract: A folio having a flip-over pad is disclosed. The folio has a front cover, a back cover, and, attached to the back cover, a pad holder into which a note pad or pad of paper may be inserted. The pad holder is configured such that the note pad can be stored between the front and back covers when the folio is closed and access to the pad is not needed or can extend around a front edge of the front cover to lay flat on the front cover when the folio is closed and access to the pad is desired. This configuration allows the folio to be in a normal closed position during use of the pad, rather than having the covers folded back in an extreme position with the cover outside surfaces facing each other.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of a book, wherein an adhesive is applied to the side faces of an inner book, the inner book is subsequently cased into a book cover and the book cover folds are shaped by the application of heat and pressure, adhesive is additionally applied to the book cover in the regions which are to be formed into the folds before the joining together of the cover and inner book and, optionally, the fold regions of the book cover and/or inner book are heated before the application of adhesive.

Abstract: A folder or loose leaf type binder has a novel spine construction using a rigid sheet with a pair of spaced apart creases to form a spine stiffener with adjacent cover stiffeners. Since the cover stiffeners extend only partially into the cover portions of the folder, a natural break occurs in each of the two covers which, in turn, makes the folder easier to handle, prevents the covers from closing inadvertently, and allows the pages of the folder to lay at a preferred attitude and angle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for producing books on-demand. An electronic bookstore in accordance with the subject invention can receive an electronic text file of a book and then print and bind a copy of the book. A user may browse an electronic catalog, for example over the Internet, and place an order for a book which can be picked up at a conveniently located electronic bookstore shortly after placing the order. The subject invention reduces costs and waste associated with conventional production and distribution of print matter. Advantageously, the subject invention allows books with smaller audiences to be published at a reasonable price. An electronic bookstore in accordance with the subject invention can have access to literally millions of books and can print and bind any selected book in a few minutes.

Abstract: A two-piece cover for binding a stack of loose sheets into a booklet or brochure is disclosed. The cover includes a front cover panel and a rear cover panel. The rear cover panel includes a cover portion and a spine portion. The spine portion includes a front side and a back side, and is adapted to be folded to securely bind the stack of loose sheets within the cover. The spine portion includes a plurality of score lines respectively defining fold sections. The cover further includes a first second and third adhesive strips respectively coupled to the back side of the first fold section, the back side of the fourth fold section, and the front side of the fifth fold section. In use, the spine portion is folded along the third score line to create a recess between the second fold section and the third fold section into which the loose sheets of paper may be placed and secured.

Abstract: A pull tab accessory device for any type of binder but most particularly for a ring binder having multiple rings such as the commonly known "three ring binder". In one embodiment the tab may be an extension of the spine of a book or binder elongated as desired and tapered to form a surface which may be readily grasped by the thumb and fingers of a person. The extension is pliable and deformable to form an angle of ninety degrees with the spine if required. A second embodiment is an elongated flexible member having one or more legs provided with an aperture at one end and with a tab suitable for grasping by the thumb and fingers of a person at the end remote from the aperture. The aperture is shaped in cross-sectional dimension to slide over the lowermost ring of a ring binder.

Abstract: A binding machine for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate a flexible plastic spiral element 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 spiral bonding elements. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding element 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. A spring is mounted on the slidable block for engaging and adjustably press the spiral binding element on the mandrel so that the upper portion of the binding element is spaced from the top of the mandrel.