Miscellaneous Patents (Class 402/80R)
  • Patent number: 6164859
    Abstract: A folding album page for use in a binder with additional, similar album pages. The album page being formed of transparent material and having at least two pocket sections, which are folded relative to each other between a closed position and an open, panoramic display position. In the closed position, the album page can be stored in the binder. In the open position, the album page provides a panoramic display of articles placed within the pockets, especially when used in conjunction with other, adjacent album pages. A hinge connects the multiple pocket sections and permits the sections to be easily folded relative to each other in a range of approximately 360 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Perry N. Hambright
  • Patent number: 6155738
    Abstract: An organizer includes sample cards which are mounted on pages which, in turn, are stored within a binder. Each of the sample cards bears a color sample and an associated written description for a particular cosmetic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Tammye Lynn King
  • Patent number: 6135662
    Abstract: A lesson planner includes a foldable notebook containing a series of transparent lesson plan retaining sheets for supporting lesson planning cards used by an instructor to prepare and present a lesson plan for a class. Each lesson plan retaining sheet includes a first panel removably secured to the binder of the notebook and a second panel hingedly coupled to the first panel. The hinged coupling allows the second panel to be folded against the first panel when not in use, and to be extended outwardly away from the first panel when in use. A releasable fastener temporarily maintains the second panel proximate the first panel when the lesson plan retaining sheet is not in use. The first and second panels of each lesson plan retaining sheet including pockets for temporarily storing and displaying one of the lesson planning cards. Labels adjacent such pockets indicate the time of day each lesson is to be taught; likewise, each lesson plan retaining sheet includes a label indicating the day of the week.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventors: David L. Bakke, Donald L. Bakke
  • Patent number: 6068423
    Abstract: A one-piece divider assembly which is folded over along one edge may be fed into a laser printer, ink jet printer, or photocopier. The assembly includes a divider sheet having a binding edge, a reduced-thickness binding edge region extending inwardly from the binding edge, and a main body with an integral, outwardly-extending tab. The divider sheet has a folding line which is inset from and which runs parallel to the binding edge. The binding edge region has a folding portion defined on one side by the binding edge and on the opposite side by the folding line. The binding edge region also has a non-folding portion adjacent to the folding portion. The folding portion includes spaced holes for a binder. A binding edge reinforcement film may be adhered to at least a portion of the binding edge region. The folding portion of the binding edge region may be folded over at the folding line, and the folding portion may be releasably tacked with a single-use adhesive to the non-folding portion of the divider sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Sonia Owen
  • Patent number: 6045285
    Abstract: A reusable refillable binder for use with papers having marginal perforations. The binder including a spiral coil having tapered ends, each of the ends of the coil having an area width for receipt of a removable locking element. A removable locking element for securement to binding element about the area of reduced width to prevent the unintentional unbinding of the binder when secured to the coil and to allow the user to unbind the binder when the locking element is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Michael N. Friedman
  • Patent number: 6027275
    Abstract: A seal is provided for notebooks and albums to prevent inadvertent opening of the rings and to prevent pilferage of paper, photo album insert sheets and the like. The seal is a continuous band or overlapped loop of plastic material which is heat-shrunk over the rings. In the most preferred embodiment, the material used for the seal in spot welded, such as by ultrasonic welding, to hold it in place during the heat-shrink operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Intercraft Company
    Inventor: Randall Dale Williams
  • Patent number: 6019540
    Abstract: A device for use in inserting a label into a holder or pocket comprises a pair of laminar members of low friction material of a size and shape corresponding generally to that of the label so as to be adapted to lie against opposite surfaces of the label to reduce frictional resistance between the label and the surfaces of the pocket to facilitate insertion of the label, a central portion of one of the members being removed at the end which is first inserted into the pocket and the other member being shorter in length, whereby following insertion pressure may be applied through the container or pocket to the portion of the label at said central location to hold the label in position during withdrawal of the device. An alternative form of device incorporates locating devices at intervals along its length for use in inserting labels of different length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Duraweld Limited
    Inventor: Richard McAlister Moorehouse Senior
  • Patent number: 6010270
    Abstract: A ring type binder for perforated sheets or the like in which two members are coaxially secured so that a slot is formed along each longitudinal edge of the members. Another partially open ring member is provided that is configured to be slidably received in the slots so that ring member may be moved from an opened to a closed position. A locking device is provided so that the binder may be selectively locked in the closed portion, thereby preventing the unwanted shifting of the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignees: Michael N. Friedman, Marcia J. Friedman
    Inventor: Michael N. Friedman
  • Patent number: 5984560
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing selected items within the covers of a ringed notebook or ringed binder. The notebook or binder is of a type that typically stores paper or accessories that do not extend to the full width of the covers thereby leaving presently unused volumes between the covers beyond the perimeter of the paper or other accessories. The present invention includes a thin main plate member and a storage device. The thin main plate member has a plurality of spaced openings therethrough. These spaced openings are arranged and sized so as to accommodate the rings of a ringed notebook or ringed binder. The storage device stores at least one selected item. This storage device means extends from the main plate member into a presently unused volume between the covers. Thus, the normally unused volume can be utilized to store the selected item. The storage device includes a plurality of spaced arms for grasping the at least one selected item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Mark A. Bedol
    Inventors: Mark A. Bedol, Doug Noyes
  • Patent number: 5967690
    Abstract: A ring capture mechanism of a loose-leaf binder includes a first plate having a U-shaped slot of continuous circumference designed to receive a ring of the binder through the slot within the circumference. The first plate moves across a second plate having a straight slot of continuous circumference designed to receive the ring of the binder, and locks the arms of a ring contained in both slots in the legs of the U-shaped slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Specialty Loose Leaf, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Tibbetts
  • Patent number: 5951189
    Abstract: This binder (10) includes a front cover (12), a rear cover (14) and a spine (16) and is provided with a transparent label holder (50) which extends across the spine (16) and is attached to at least one of the covers (12,14). The label holder (50) provides an open upper margin (52) and is attached at the side margins (60, 62) and at least partially attached at the lower margin (54) to retain the label (100) which thereby has an increased area for label information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: American Trading and Production Corporation
    Inventor: Debra Winzen
  • Patent number: 5947524
    Abstract: A cover folder having a binder and a cover. The binder includes an elongated channel shaped member having a pair of oppositely facing side walls and a pair of ribs, the side walls converging at a slit and defining an interior slot along the length of the elongated channel shaped member. Each rib protrudes into the slot from the interior side of one of the side walls in a direction away from the slit and at an acute angle with the side wall from which it protrudes. The cover is slidably and removably mounted in the binder and includes a sheet and an elongated strip, the sheet being folded to form a pair of cover sheets having a common folded edge. The elongated strip has a lock portion and a securing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Edward Podosek
  • Patent number: 5924736
    Abstract: A new Organizing and Planning Device For Weddings for providing a convenient system for organizing the multitude of information associated with planning a wedding. The inventive device includes a binder including a back cover, a front cover, and a spine portion hingedly joining the back cover and the front cover wherein the binder further includes a plurality of openable retaining rings mounted to the spine portion thereof. A plurality of pocketed dividers, a plurality of notational information sheets, a reference calendar, a plurality of monthly planning calendars, and a plurality of tabbed dividers are each removably and replacably retained in the binder by the plurality of openable retaining rings. Each of the plurality of pocketed dividers corresponds to an element of the wedding occasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Giacomo Russo
  • Patent number: 5915873
    Abstract: A notebook insert for use in a notebook that has a front cover and a back cover hingedly connected to an elongated spine where the spine has either at least two axially-aligned, openable rings evenly spaced longitudinally along the spine or a helical coil. The notebook insert includes a C-shaped frame and a rectangular support. The frame has a center portion and a pair of substantially equal-length arms, where the center portion has a plurality of openings near one edge for receiving the notebook rings and/or a plurality of catches for projecting through the loops of the coil. The support is pivotally connected to the frame by at least two axially-aligned, snap-together journals. The outer bearing surface of each journal is defined by the inner surface of a cylindrical depression located in a protrusion from one of support surfaces, where the cross section of the cylindrical depression forms an arc greater than 180.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Clix Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Karlis
  • Patent number: 5909897
    Abstract: A photo album includes a binder shaft which has a receiving space therein for receiving APS film cartridges, and an opening communicated with the receiving space for passage of the APS film cartridges. Top and bottom cover sheets and picture holding sheets are hinged to the binder shaft. A cover can close the opening. The picture holding sheets have a plurality of picture pockets which are 3 inches in width and 10 inches in length for receiving three common specifications of APS picture types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Inventor: Tsung-Tai Lu
  • Patent number: 5908258
    Abstract: A variable volume file for documents, includes a folder, constituted by two flat parts and by a back, and a box, corresponding in shape and volume to the folder, having two larger bases and by three lateral surface faces. The folder and the box are made individually in two separate parts, which can be partly overlapped on one another in the width direction of the back. Each folder part includes a flat and a back wing; each box part includes one of the bases and lateral surface wings. Provided in the back wings of the folder and in the lateral surface wings of the box are structures for sliding engagement which interact with one another for the relative movement of one part in relation to the other and structures for mutual locking of the respective parts in prefixed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: Roberto Boccacci
  • Patent number: 5895165
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new folio pocket system that securely holds inserted supplemental material. The inserted supplemental material, such as a computer diskette or a CD-ROM disk, is held in a pocket created by and between a first sheet and a second sheet attached thereto, where the second sheet has at least one cutout opening therethrough that defines an opening in the pocket through which the supplemental material may be inserted into the pocket. In use, the preventer means and components of the pocket prevent the inserted supplemental material from unintentionally sliding out of the pocket. Additionally, the folio pocket system of the present invention may be included as a part of a folio, binder or report cover system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Post-Fax Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Leibe Mogelonsky
  • Patent number: 5888011
    Abstract: A binder for containing a plurality removable paper sheets and having a back portion with covers attached to each side thereof and an elongated spine portion attached to the inside of the back portion with a plurality of binder rings integrally formed with the elongated spine to form a single unit. The annular rings have an outer portion of a first width and an inner portion of a second smaller width that matingly engages die-cut recesses in each sheet that likewise have a first narrow portion extending inwardly from the edge of the sheet to a second portion having a greater width than the first narrow portion such that the paper sheets can be inserted and removed from attachment to the binder rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Williamson Printing Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick I. Reinbold, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5887900
    Abstract: A retainer clip (1) for holding mementos and keep-sakes, such as greeting cards (7), invitations, ticket stubs, and the like, particularly multi-page ones, within a multi-ringed binder scrapbook (11) so as to typically not damage the memento in any way, while allowing the complete viewing of the memento, including the front and back pages of a multi-page item. The clip has an item clip retainer portion (3), which can be substantially similar to a conventional paper clip, with a binder ring retainer portion (5) attached to the item clip retainer portion, which binder retainer portion secures the clip to at least two of the rings (9) of the multi-ring binder scrapbook. The clip preferably has two, parallel, extended, oval-shaped portions, one longer than the other, with the shorter, ring attachment portion being shorter but having a length to extend across at least two, spaced rings of a multi-ring binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: Rosie L. Raymond
  • Patent number: 5882038
    Abstract: A document folder is constructed so as to allow an individualized title to be custom made for use with a folder formed of a sheet of stiff cover stock that is folded to delineate front and back covers. The front cover of the folder is formed with at least a title viewing window defined therethrough. A stiff title backing of a size no greater than the front cover is engaged with the front cover so that the backing is disposed immediately behind the front cover. The backing may be formed as an extension flap of the stock from which the front and back covers are formed, or it may be a separate structure inserted into a pocket behind the front cover. In either case a title sheet is preferably provided and the backing is equipped with means for releasably holding the title sheet in contact with the interior surface of the front cover and in contact with the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Bon S. Ong
  • Patent number: 5876143
    Abstract: A document binder is formed with front and back covers hinged together in articulated fashion with a spine located therebetween. An overlay is provided across the outer surface of at least the front cover and the spine and is secured by fusion to inner and outer, plastic cover sheets that encapsulate a flat, stiff, front cover core, spine, and back cover core therebetween. A front cover title sheet pocket is defined between the overlay and the outer, plastic cover sheet. The title sheet pocket is of a narrow enough width to readily accommodate title sheets printed on paper of standard width, such as eight and a half inches. The fabrication technique employed allows a title sheet pocket to be created for the front cover of the document binder which snugly confines the title sheet and prevents it from shifting laterally as occurs in conventional devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Bon S. Ong
  • Patent number: 5873513
    Abstract: A folio is comprised of a sheet of flat, expansive panel stock having a backing region and a document retention region that is folded about a laterally-extending fold or folds against the backing region. The sheet is also folded longitudinally perpendicular to the laterally-extending fold in articulated fashion to define a plurality of panels or leaves. Specifically, the longitudinal folds form a pair of mutually-adjacent interior panels and a pair of side panels. A separate one of the side panels is joined to each of the interior panels by longitudinal side panel delineating folds. Each of the side panels has one bound edge and one unbound edge. The bound edges of the side panels are secured to each other, preferably by means of transition webs that are defined between the side panels and the interior panels. The folio may include a jacket within which the sheet of folded stock forming the interior panels and side panels is encompassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Bon S. Ong
  • Patent number: 5865469
    Abstract: A cover folder which includes a binding bar and a cover, the binding bar being slidably and removably mounted on the cover. The binding bar includes a pair of oppositely facing sidewalls which define the sides of an interior slot. Each sidewall includes an angled barb which projects out in a direction towards its opposing sidewall. The cover comprises a sheet folded over on itself to form a pair of panels having a common folded edge, the body of each of the pair of panels being separable from one another. A plurality of semicircular cutouts are formed on each panel. In use, the cover is inserted into the interior slot of the binding bar such that at least some of the cutouts on each panel engage the barbs so that the binding bar will not slip off the cover when the cover is opened to insert sheets or examine sheets already inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Marybeth Chin
  • Patent number: 5845941
    Abstract: A clip binder for holding paper which does not require damaging the material to be held within the clips. The clip binder has a front cover, a binder spine, a back cover and a pair of clips mounted on each end of the binder spine. The clips have a clip spine and two retainer walls which together define the jaws within which the paper is inserted. The clips are positioned perpendicularly to the binder spine such that the jaws face each other and are at right angles to the binder spine. The height of the retainer walls are constructed low so that the papers can be easily leafed through and without and fold back problems. In an alternative embodiment, the clips are slidably mounted to the binder spine. In yet another embodiment, the clips are rotatably mounted to the binder spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Shivi Fotedar
  • Patent number: 5836711
    Abstract: An adapter for holding a spiral bound booklet in a multiple ring notebook. The adapter comprises a flat carrier with holes to receive the notebook rings and supports an elongated rod which passes through the spirals of the spiral binding. End crowns are removable to allow removal of the elongated rod from the spirals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Richard M. Stewart
  • Patent number: 5823572
    Abstract: A self defense weapon for use by a victim subject to being attacked by a perpetrator includes a memo pad having a plurality of pages. The memo pad has a plurality of edges and an indentation in at last one of the edges adapted to accept at least part of at least one finger or the victim's hand such that the indentation facilitates the victim's capability to firmly grasp and hold the memo pad in the victim's hand, whereby the memo pad can thereby be used by the victim as a self defense weapon to ward off perpetrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Yoshiro NakaMats
  • Patent number: 5797630
    Abstract: A method and system for generating, inventorying, storing and managing records and record forms is disclosed. The record management system and method utilizes a system record generator which generates a plurality of policies, record forms and the like in response to a questionnaire record. Customized record forms and policies are generated and stored in a unique record receiver having indicia for clearly identifying forms therein. A record holder is also provided for storing, inventorying, and managing the record forms used. The method and system are particularly useful for managing and insuring that record forms are completed for employees in a company by providing convenient means for visually identifying record forms, such as employment applications and the like, for ascertaining when one or more forms is missing by the presence of an empty compartment in the record holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Direct Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph F. Conley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5795090
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photograph log (10) which comprises at least one first page (12A). The photograph log (10) further comprises a plurality of first photograph log labels (14A) which comprise a non-permanent adhesive on a first photograph log label under side (14AD). The plurality of first photograph log labels (14A) are each removably attached to the at least one first page (12A). Each first photograph log labels (14A) comprises a first photograph log label frame number (14AA) number indicia printed on a first photograph log label top side (14AE) which correlates to the camera film frame (16AA). Each first photograph log label (14A) further comprises a first photograph log label frame description (14AB) area printed on the first photograph log label top side (14AE) wherein an user writes information about the picture taken which correlates to the camera film frame (16AA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Jenny Jackson
  • Patent number: 5788085
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for retrieving and then later refiling one or more sheets of single or multi-part architectural plans, blueprints, and/or any document from a flat storage file drawer comprising a sheet separator, a first clamping element, and a second clamping element, said sheet separator having a tapered front portion and means for being mounted on at least one transverse member for slidingly coupling to runners of the storage drawer. The portable arrangement allows the removal of a single sheet from a tightly packed stack of sheets without losing the place of the single sheet in the file and to replace the single sheet in the stack of sheets without disturbing the order in which the sheets are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Ralph M. Pidcock
  • Patent number: 5785444
    Abstract: A fastener for binding documents having binding holes includes a fastening band and a back cover having binding holes. A layer of adhesive on one surface of the back cover is covered with a peel-off paper. The fastening band is inserted through the binding holes of the documents and the back cover. According to one embodiment, the fastening band includes a flat board part that holds the documents down and first and second clasp parts having engagement crenelations connected to both ends of the flat board part. The documents are securely bound by bending the first and second clasp parts to lock the engagement crenelations. Then, the peel-off paper is removed and the back cover is folded to conform to the documents and glued to the documents. According to another embodiment, the fastening band includes a flat board part having a narrow clasp part. The flat board part includes multiple spaced clamp holes. The clasp part is inserted into one of the clamp holes to bind the documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Toyoki Matsuura
  • Patent number: 5772349
    Abstract: A protective sleeve or jacket for displaying and storing a greeting card or other similarly folded flat object such as a program, announcement or invitation is disclosed. The sleeve is made from a single rectangular sheet of transparent synthetic polymeric film, such as polypropylene, incorporating five parallel transverse folds. Narrow binding flaps project from the back of the sleeve and provide a means for binding the sleeve as a page in an album. The greeting card is inserted through the open top or bottom of the sleeve and the card's center fold is aligned with the center fold of the sleeve. An album containing one or more of these sleeve pages is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Matthew Alan Tubergen
  • Patent number: 5722694
    Abstract: An envelope includes a transparent sleeve for holding an overhead projector transparency. The envelope further includes at least one transparent flap which is hingedly connected to the sleeve along a long edge thereof. The flap defines a pocket, and a transparent supplemental information sheet or an opaque blocking sheet is inserted into the pocket of the flap for selectively juxtaposing the sheet with the transparency, thereby altering the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: Helgi E. Baldursson
  • Patent number: 5720565
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fastener for the resilent fillets or strips which are used to hold fast various kinds of papers in a folder or file. The fastener (10) has the shape of a bar (12) of plastics or sheet metal, at each end provided with a first notch (14) in one side of the bar and, closer to the end of the bar, a second notch (18) narrower than the first notch (14) and extending from the opposite side of the bar to form a cantilevered end portion or first tongue (15) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bar, whereas a longitudinal groove (22) extends from the inner end of said second notch (18) in a direction away from the end of the bar, to form a second cantilevered tongue (25). The strips (20) are inserted into the first notches (14), bent down and clamped between the tongues (15 and 25) at the ends of the bar (12) by being pushed underneath the first tongues (15) and above the second tongues (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Anders Benson
  • Patent number: 5720564
    Abstract: This binder (10) includes a front cover (12), a rear cover (14) and a spine (16) and is provided with a transparent label holder (50) which extends across the spine (16) and is attached to at least one of the covers (12,14). The label holder (50) provides an open upper margin (52) and is attached at the side margins (60, 62) and at least partially attached at the lower margin (54) to retain the label (100) which thereby has an increased area for label information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Debra Winzen
  • Patent number: 5713682
    Abstract: A paper handling device comprises a flexible, substantially U-shaped handle portion having first and second side members, the first and second side members terminating at first and second ends respectively; first and second arms are respectively disposed at the first and second ends and each directed substantially away from the handle portion; first and second tines depend transversely from the first and second arms respectively, the first and second tines extending in a generally parallel relation and normally spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than the spacing between pre-punched holes in the paper. Compressing the handle portion reduces the distance between the tines so as to allow the tines to be inserted into the respective holes in the paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dennis Gary Clark, Steven Charles Black, Duane Christensen, Michael Barry Lasky
  • Patent number: 5713684
    Abstract: A greeting card album (1) with a plurality of pages (6) for holding, displaying and preserving greeting cards (9). Each page contains a pocket sleeve (7) formed by overlays (20,29) sealed at a top edge (36), bottom edge (37) and outer edge (19) with an opening along an inner edge (25) into which the back leaf of the greeting card (5) can be inserted in a manner so that it can be opened and read without having to remove the card from the album page. Each album page is preferably made of transparent plastic with the pockets formed by heat sealing the edges thereof. The pages can be secured in the album by various means, preferably rings (14,28) through holes (16,31) in the inner portion of pages, such that pages may be added or subtracted as needed or desired. The album may be divided or cataloged into sections as desired by attaching tabs (10,11,12) to the outer edges of pages and marked according to the occasion, such as birthdays, anniversaries and holidays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Nathalie W. Turecamo
  • Patent number: 5704724
    Abstract: For mounting in a notebook having outer covers and a spine, a sheet of clips comprises: a frame having inner and outer side rims and top and bottom cross rims; a set of paper clips integrally connected to the frame via the rims; each of the clips including an outer retainer, an inner retainer and a yoke connecting the outer retainer and the inner retainer; a rupturable junction extending between the frame and the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Clix Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Karlis, Gordon A. Vinther
  • Patent number: 5695294
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing items in the volume formed within the rings of a ringed notebook or ringed binder. A main plate member having a plurality of spaced openings therethrough is provided. The spaced openings are arranged and sized so as to accommodate the rings of a ringed notebook or a ringed binder. A storage mechanism is provided for storing at least one selected item. The storage mechanism extends from the main plate member into the volume formed within the rings. Thus, this volume, which is normally unused, can be utilized to store the selected item. In one embodiment the storage mechanism includes a snap on holder. This snap on holder may comprise a storage plate member, locking mechanism and a storage item receiving element. The locking mechanism is associated with the storage plate member for securely attaching the storage plate member to the main plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Mark A. Bedol
    Inventors: Mark A. Bedol, Doug Noyes
  • Patent number: 5695295
    Abstract: A restraining device for a loose leaf binder comprises restraining members each having a substantially rigid spacing portion with cover mounting and coupling portions at respective opposite ends. The cover mounting portions extend perpendicularly from respective spacing portions and comprise respective clips for gripping respective free edge portions of respective cover members releasably to mount the restraining members thereon with the respective spacing portions extending perpendicularly from their respective cover members across the binder towards each other. The coupling portions have complementary latching means inter-engageable with a snap action by closing movement of the cover members so that the restraining members bridge the free edges of the cover members maintaining them spaced apart in parallel relation irrespective of the height of papers stacked therebetween and are releasable by application of finger pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Fikre Ayele
    Inventors: Fikre Ayele, Richard Roig
  • Patent number: 5687992
    Abstract: A simple foldable greeting card wherein, upon opening, decorative display elements self-generate a 3-D effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: Yan Finkelshteyn
  • Patent number: 5641234
    Abstract: A file fastener, which is of a flat metal strip having top and bottom surfaces with narrow side surfaces therebetween, includes an elongate body portion. A prong extends from each end of the body portion, with at least the side surfaces of the prongs having a protective coating. The invention extends to a string of file fasteners, each file fastener being of a flat metal strip and having an elongate body portion. A prong extends from each end of the body portion, with the file fasteners being connected via frangible bridges. The invention also extends to a method of manufacturing file fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Press Engineering (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Murray Basil Blumberg
  • Patent number: 5636868
    Abstract: A holder apparatus acts in frictional cooperation with books, notebooks, folders, and other hand held rigid or semi-rigid binders containing reading material. The bolder allows one-handed manipulation of the book, notebook, folder, or binder free of accidental dropping or slipping. A strap having inelastic and elastic portions, and fasteners on each free end, allows the strap to encircle the book, notebook, folder or binder. A strap having a single inelastic or elastic portion, and fasteners, allows the strap to encircle the book, notebook, folder or binder. The fasteners releasably attach the strap to the book, notebook, folder or binder. A hand piece attached to the strap is adapted to receive a person's hand and allows easy manipulation and holding of the book, notebook, folder or binder. The hand piece is adjustable to accommodate both large and small hands of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Edward A. Ross, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5634666
    Abstract: A binder with cover spacer which restrains the covers of a binder in a near-parallel relationship to enable the binder to be stored in a stacked or shelved manner. The binder of the invention is comprised of a back portion, or spine, which determines the width of the closed binder, and generally two covers hingedly attached to the spine. The cover spacer of the invention comprises a first base portion affixed to one of the covers of the binder near the distal, or outer, edge of the cover. A stand-off element is hingedly attached to the first base portion, such that the stand-off element is moveable from a position approximately parallel to the cover, essentially laying flat against the cover, to a position approximately perpendicular to the cover. A second base portion is affixed to the other cover in a position generally opposite to the first base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Dong H. Lee
  • Patent number: 5620271
    Abstract: A loose leaf page for selectively storing four compact discs (CDs) on each side of the page, or for storing two CDs and associated printed and graphic information on each side of the page. A flexible, plastic, two-sided, loose leaf page includes four CD storage pockets per side of the page, and includes a hole pattern that facilitates releasably mounting the page in a standard cover-size 1-inch, 1 1/2-inch or 3 inch three-ring binder notebook, certain embodiments also facilitating mounting of the page in a three-ring Chicago-posted binder. In order to prevent interference between two CDs that reside closest to the binder rings when a user manually leaves through binder pages, the page includes a six-hole pattern, or a three-hole/three-notch pattern, that is configured to ensure that a vertical pivot line, or binder edge, on the page being turned moves past the vertical leading edge of the three rings, and then moves backward under the three rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Case Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Bergh, Terrence M. Drew
  • Patent number: 5618061
    Abstract: This folder (10) includes covered pocket portions (12, 14) connected by a spine (16) and each separately reinforced. The reinforcing for one portion (12) includes a slide-stiffener assembly (20) and the reinforcing for the other portion includes at least one stiffener (160, 260) separated from the slide-stiffener assembly (20). The slide-stiffener assembly (20) includes a base unit (22) housing a sliding extension member (40) which can be extended to bridge the spine (16) to hold the two pocket portions (12, 14) in an open position and provide a rigid writing surface and retracted to permit the folder (10) to be folded for storage by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: American Trading and Production Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas Ritterling
  • Patent number: 5607246
    Abstract: A ring binder which is easy to grasp at the spine and is capable of accommodating a great number of loose-leaf sheet. According to one embodiment, such a ring binder comprises a stiffener assembly, the stiffener assembly having an interior surface and an exterior surface and comprising a front cover stiffener panel, a rear cover stiffener panel and a flexible backing. The front and rear cover stiffener panels are spaced apart from one another and are interconnected by the flexible backing, the stiffener assembly being devoid of any stiffeners disposed between the front and rear cover stiffener panels. An interior surface sheet, preferably of canvas material, is secured to the interior surface of the stiffener assembly, and an exterior surface sheet, preferably of canvas material, is secured to the exterior surface of the stiffener assembly. A ring assembly is secured to the rear cover stiffener panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Edward Podosek
  • Patent number: 5597256
    Abstract: An insert for a loose-leaf binder is provided with a perforation near one inside corner at a proximal end of the insert to receive one ring of a loose-leaf binder. The insert is thus positioned with respect to the rings of the binder, and retained by the one ring. In one embodiment, the insert is provided with a slot formed along the inside edge of the insert to receive at least one other ring of the binder. A first web between the perforation and the slot has a length less than the distance between adjacent rings of the binder. A second web at a distal end of the insert is sized likewise to fit between adjacent tings of the binder. Upon insertion into a binder and securement by the tings thereof, the insert holds the tings in the perforation and the slot. The perforation can be positioned to receive any ting, while the slot receives one or several adjacent tings within the length of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventors: Joseph D. Burton, Stephen P. Vuyk, Steven C. Hatch
  • Patent number: 5593242
    Abstract: A filing strip is of a bendable material. The filing strip has a central elongate anchor strip and a prong extending from each end of the strip. Each prong has a tip portion and an intermediate portion. Each tip portion is narrower than its adjacent intermediate portion. The invention extends to a filing accessory for use with the filing strip, The accessory includes a pair of elongate members. A socket defining element is arranged on an end of each member. Each socket has internal dimensions complementary to the tip portion of the prong and external dimensions which are substantially equal to external dimensions of the intermediate portion of the prong. The invention also extends to a filing accessory for use with a filing strip having a pair of opposed prongs. With this accessory a free end of each socket defining element is chamfered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Kemtek SA
    Inventor: Claudia B. Mathias
  • Patent number: 5590909
    Abstract: A file cover restraining device includes a strut-like restraining member for bridging the inside surfaces of the file cover members and constructed from first and second elongate strut members interconnected for relative longitudinal sliding movement thereby to adjust a length of the restraining member to match the separation of the cover members and retained in a selected position by manually operable latches. The first strut member has a hook on an end thereof remote from the second strut member, a first cover mounting portion being pivotally connected to an end of the second strut member remote from the first strut member and having adhesive for attachment to an inside surface of one cover member and, a second cover mounting portion has adhesive for attachment to an inside surface of the other cover member and is formed with an eye. The hook and eye are releasably engaged by pivotal movement of the restraining member toward the spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Fikre Ayele
    Inventors: Joseph Urban, Richard Roig, Fikre Ayele
  • Patent number: 5586829
    Abstract: This invention relates to inside out folded dual pocket folders, and particularly to the construction of a multi-pocket enclosure which provides three pockets where the entry lips of each successive pocket are stacked one on top of and below the next, all showing on the same face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Productive Environments, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Schwartz