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).
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Patent number: 7972076Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: MeadWestvaco CorporationInventors: Richard H. Harris, Edward P. Busam, J. Michael Tims
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Publication number: 20100196082Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: MeadWestvaco CorporationInventors: Richard H. Harris, Edward P. Busam, J. Michael Tims
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Patent number: 7717638Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: MeadWestvaco CorporationInventors: Richard H. Harris, Edward P. Busam, J. Michael Tims
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Patent number: 7717713Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 17, 2005Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: MeadWestvaco CorporationInventors: Catherine H. Wescott, Michelle L. Martin, Thomas S. Walker, J. Michael Tims, Sandra L. Cashman
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Patent number: 7717469Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: MeadWestvaco CorporationInventors: J. Michael Tims, Catherine Ayres, Sandra L. Cashman
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Patent number: 7607853Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 15, 2004Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: MeadWestvaco CorporationInventors: Edward P. Busam, J. Michael Tims, Lewis Ray Dyson, Stephen D. Wehmeyer
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Patent number: 7118135Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: MeadWestvaco CorporationInventors: J. Michael Tims, Catherine Ayres, Sandra L. Cashman
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Publication number: 20040155454Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2003Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: J. Michael Tims, Catherine Ayres, Sandra L. Cashman
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Patent number: 6773195Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: MeadWestvaco CorporationInventor: J. Michael Tims
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Patent number: 6739784Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: MeadWestvaco CorporationInventors: J. Michael Tims, Thomas Joseph Africa
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Patent number: 6695519Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: MeadWestvaco CorporationInventors: J. Michael Tims, Bobby G. James, Jr.
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Publication number: 20030210950Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2002Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: J. Michael Tims, Bobby G. James,
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Publication number: 20030210949Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2002Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventor: J. Michael Tims
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Patent number: D486518Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: MeadWestvaco CorporationInventors: Thomas Joseph Africa, J. Michael Tims
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Patent number: D498257Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: MeadWestvaco CorporationInventors: Thomas Joseph Africa, J. Michael Tims