Patents by Inventor J. Michael Tims

J. Michael Tims has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7972076
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Richard H. Harris, Edward P. Busam, J. Michael Tims
  • Publication number: 20100196082
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Richard H. Harris, Edward P. Busam, J. Michael Tims
  • Patent number: 7717638
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Richard H. Harris, Edward P. Busam, J. Michael Tims
  • Patent number: 7717713
    Abstract: A writing guide system including a piece of sheet-like material having a depressed area in the shape of an alphanumeric character. In another embodiment the invention is a progressive writing guide system including a first set of papers including a writing guide feature, and a second set of papers including a writing guide feature. The second set of papers are coupled to the first set of papers. The writing guide feature of the first set of papers provides more guidance to a user that the writing guide feature of the second set of papers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Catherine H. Wescott, Michelle L. Martin, Thomas S. Walker, J. Michael Tims, Sandra L. Cashman
  • Patent number: 7717469
    Abstract: A sheet of embossed paper including a sheet-like body portion, at least one embossed or depressed line located on the body portion, and at least one printed line located on and extending at least partially along the embossed or depressed line. The invention may also include a notebook including a plurality of sheets of paper, each sheet including a sheet-like body portion, at least one embossed or depressed line located on the body portion, and at least one printed line located on and extending at least partially along the embossed or depressed line. The notebook may include binding means binding the plurality of sheets together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: J. Michael Tims, Catherine Ayres, Sandra L. Cashman
  • Patent number: 7607853
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Edward P. Busam, J. Michael Tims, Lewis Ray Dyson, Stephen D. Wehmeyer
  • Patent number: 7118135
    Abstract: A sheet of embossed paper including a sheet-like body portion, at least one embossed or depressed line located on the body portion, and at least one printed line located on and extending at least partially along the embossed or depressed line. The invention may also include notebook including a plurality of sheets of paper, each sheet including a sheet-like body portion, at least one embossed or depressed line located on the body portion, and at least one printed line located on and extending at least partially along the embossed or depressed line. The notebook may include binding means binding the plurality of sheets together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: J. Michael Tims, Catherine Ayres, Sandra L. Cashman
  • Publication number: 20040155454
    Abstract: A sheet of embossed paper including a sheet-like body portion, at least one embossed or depressed line located on the body portion, and at least one printed line located on and extending at least partially along the embossed or depressed line. The invention may also include notebook including a plurality of sheets of paper, each sheet including a sheet-like body portion, at least one embossed or depressed line located on the body portion, and at least one printed line located on and extending at least partially along the embossed or depressed line. The notebook may include binding means binding the plurality of sheets together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: J. Michael Tims, Catherine Ayres, Sandra L. Cashman
  • Patent number: 6773195
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventor: J. Michael Tims
  • Patent number: 6739784
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: J. Michael Tims, Thomas Joseph Africa
  • Patent number: 6695519
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: J. Michael Tims, Bobby G. James, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030210950
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: J. Michael Tims, Bobby G. James,
  • Publication number: 20030210949
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: J. Michael Tims
  • Patent number: D486518
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Africa, J. Michael Tims
  • Patent number: D498257
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Africa, J. Michael Tims