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 binding apparatus including a plurality of generally coaxially arranged binding coils. Each binding coil includes a pair of generally parallel wires terminating in a tip. Each binding coil is coupled to an adjacent binding coil by a connection portion extending generally parallel to an axis of the binding apparatus. At least one binding coil is directly circumferentially attached to itself, or to a connection portion.

Abstract: A bound component including a first panel and a second panel pivotally coupled together along a hinge. Each panel includes an outer covering and a substrate positioned in the outer covering, wherein the outer covering of the first panel is directly coupled to the outer covering of the second panel to form the hinge. The substrates of the first and second panels are not directly coupled together. The bound component further includes a reinforcement extending over or forming at least part of the hinge.

Abstract: A backpack including a backpack body having an inner cavity therein. The backpack body includes a releasable closure configured to provide access to the inner cavity and a back surface configured to be positioned adjacent a back of a wearer when the backpack is worn. The backpack further includes a shoulder strap assembly coupled to the backpack body and configured to be positioned about a shoulder of the wearer when the backpack is worn. The shoulder strap assembly is coupled to an upper portion of the backpack body only at an attachment location that is located on an opposite side of the releasable closure relative to the back surface.

Abstract: A tab status indicator system including a generally planar body portion and a tab coupled to the body portion and protruding generally outwardly therefrom. The system further includes an indicator movable between a deployed position, in which the indicator generally overlaps with the tab in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane of the body portion, and a retracted position, in which the indicator does not overlap with the tab or overlaps with the tab less than when the indicator is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A tab system including a tab for attachment to a component, the tab having a display portion proximate to a first edge of the tab and a pair of attachment portions. Each attachment portion is located on a corner of the tab along a second edge opposite from the first edge. Each attachment portion includes curved or angled, generally parallel upper and lower edges, or, alternately each attachment portion includes a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart outwardly-extending legs.

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: The present invention provides a calendar desk pad, comprising a base member, a plurality of monthly calendar pages bound to the base member, wherein the calendar pages have at least one perforation or fold line located between the days or weeks on the calendar.

Abstract: A tab is provided for notebooks and binders. The tab is placed within the space otherwise occupied by a binding, and thus is protected from wear and does not appreciably increase the overall size of the notebook or binder. The tab may be located at a corner of the binding or at an intermediate point along the binding.

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. A release mechanism is provided for opening the loop.

Abstract: A project planning system, including a first document and at least one date-range document. The first document may be a worksheet and the date-range document may be a planner, calendar, or both. Project planning is facilitated by the use of removably adhesive labels that may be transferred between the documents and between dates on the documents.

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. A release mechanism is provided for opening the loop.

Abstract: A bound component including a cover having an outer perimeter, a plurality of pages, and a binding mechanism binding the cover and the plurality of pages together, wherein the binding mechanism includes a plurality of coils. The bound component further includes a sell tag including at least one opening, the at least one opening receiving at least one coil of the binding mechanism therethrough, wherein the sell tag includes a flap which is folded about part of the outer perimeter of the cover.

Abstract: A system for storing index cards, the system including at least one storage sheet having at least one pocket, at least one supply sheet having at least one index card formed therein and detachable therefrom. The system further includes a binding mechanism that binds the storage sheet and the supply sheet together.

Abstract: A binder including a first cover and a second cover pivotally coupled to the first cover, both of the covers being generally flat and planar and having a first and second opposite sides thereof. The binder further includes a pocket coupled to the first cover, wherein the pocket can be accessed from both the first and second sides of the first cover.

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 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 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 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 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.