Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Hitchings

Timothy J. Hitchings 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: 7118520
    Abstract: A method of producing an adhesively closable data disk holder having of a pair of heat-sealable plastic panels fused together to form an interior pocket with an opening thereto, wherein an additional adhesive layer is fused to the inner surface of one of the holder panels adjacent the opening thereof to facilitate adhesive closure of the opening without the use of an overlying flap. The adhesive layer is constructed of a thin panel of compatibly heat-sealable plastic material, one surface of which carries a pressure sensitive adhesive over which an adhesive release strip is disposed. The adhesive layer is disposed between the outer holder panels so that the adhesive release strip insulates against fusion to its adjacent panel, as the opposing non-adhesive surface of the adhesive layer is heat-sealed to its adjacent holder panel. The process results in a data disk holder having a substantially uniform thickness throughout which is particularly beneficial when used in a bindery process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Vinyl Art, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Hitchings
  • Patent number: 6968944
    Abstract: A data disk holder which includes a firm backing panel is constructed of a lamination of paperboard and heat-sealable plastic materials that has enhanced structural integrity suitable for use in a bindery process. A top panel of compatibly heat-sealable material is fused to the plastic lamina of the backing panel to form an interior pocket therebetween with an opening for receipt of a data disk. The firm paperboard backing is consistent with other bound pages, thereby improving handling and efficiency during binding operations, and the opening-defining edge of the holder may be bound shut to fully enclose the data disk for permanent storage. An optional security access window may be provided for access to the stored data disk, and an alternative adhesive closure strip may be used to secure the data disk holder opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Vinyl Art, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Hitchings
  • Patent number: 6892879
    Abstract: An adhesively closable data disk holder constructed of a pair of heat-sealable plastic panels fused together to form an interior pocket with an opening thereto, wherein an additional adhesive layer is fused to the inner surface of one of the holder panels adjacent the opening thereof to facilitate adhesive closure of the opening without the use of an overlying flap. The adhesive layer is constructed of a thin panel of compatibly heat-sealable plastic material, one surface of which carries a pressure sensitive adhesive over which an adhesive release strip is disposed. The adhesive layer is disposed between the outer holder panels so that the adhesive release strip insulates against fusion to its adjacent panel, as the opposing non-adhesive surface of the adhesive layer is heat-sealed to its adjacent holder panel. The resulting data disk holder has a substantially uniform thickness throughout which is particularly beneficial when used in a bindery process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Vinyl Art, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Hitchings
  • Publication number: 20040026278
    Abstract: A data disk holder which includes a firm backing panel is constructed of a lamination of paperboard and heat-sealable plastic materials that has enhanced structural integrity suitable for use in a bindery process. A top panel of compatibly heat-sealable material is fused to the plastic lamina of the backing panel to form an interior pocket therebetween with an opening for receipt of a data disk. The firm paperboard backing is consistent with other bound pages, thereby improving handling and efficiency during binding operations, and the opening-defining edge of the holder may be bound shut to fully enclose the data disk for permanent storage. An optional security access window may be provided for access to the stored data disk, and an alternative adhesive closure strip may be used to secure the data disk holder opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Timothy J. Hitchings
  • Publication number: 20040026277
    Abstract: An adhesively closable data disk holder constructed of a pair of heat-sealable plastic panels fused together to form an interior pocket with an opening thereto, wherein an additional adhesive layer is fused to the inner surface of one of the holder panels adjacent the opening thereof to facilitate adhesive closure of the opening without the use of an overlying flap. The adhesive layer is constructed of a thin panel of compatibly heat-sealable plastic material, one surface of which carries a pressure sensitive adhesive over which an adhesive release strip is disposed. The adhesive layer is disposed between the outer holder panels so that the adhesive release strip insulates against fusion to its adjacent panel, as the opposing non-adhesive surface of the adhesive layer is heat-sealed to its adjacent holder panel. The resulting data disk holder has a substantially uniform thickness throughout which is particularly beneficial when used in a bindery process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Timothy J. Hitchings