Patents by Inventor Stephen R. Schmitz

Stephen R. Schmitz 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: 5145068
    Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum formed cassette album having front and rear covers connected by a spine. The covers and spine are formed from a stiff, self-supporting thermoformed tray sheet extending the height and breadth of both the front and rear covers and across the spine area. A soft cover sheet, formed for example from supple plastic, is sealed to the tray sheet along its edges. A pair of parallel, vertically disposed, laterally spaced apart vacuum formed channel-form hinges are provided in the tray sheet at the edges of the spine and extending to the top and bottom edges of the tray sheet to define fold lines between the spine and the covers. The channel-form hinges are substantially uncompressed and are of uniform thickness throughout. Between the channels in the spine area is an elevated rectangular plateau defining a box-like frame to help keep the spine flat. One cover has tabs that extend into recesses within the other cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Blackbourn Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Schmitz, Philip K. Sykes, Breck J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4966283
    Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum formed cassette album having front and rear covers connected by a spine. The covers and spine are formed from a stiff, self-supporting thermoformed tray sheet extending the height and breadth of both the front and rear covers and across the spine area. A soft cover sheet, formed for example from supple plastic, is sealed to the tray sheet along its edges. At least a pair of parallel, vertically disposed, laterally spaced apart vacuum formed channels are provided in the tray sheet at the edges of the spine and extending to the top and bottom edges of the tray sheet to define fold lines between the spine and the covers. The channel-form hinges are substantially uncompressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Blackbourn Inc
    Inventors: Philip K. Sykes, Stephen R. Schmitz