FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to document storage devices such as binders, folders, folios, report covers, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to pockets and indicator features on document storage devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Document storage devices are often used to contain loose materials related to a common subject. For example, students sometimes use three ring binders to contain class notes for one or more classes. In business, important papers or records related to a common subject or a project are sometimes kept in binders. In addition, procedures, processes, forms, and other documents are conveniently stored within binders .

Because binders often look similar, it is convenient to apply a spine label to a spine of the binder and/or a title sheet to a front cover of the binder to identify the contents of the binder. Some vinyl-covered binders provide clear pockets open on at least one end to receive these spine labels and title sheets. It is also known to have binders customized with company names and/or logos. Typically, the names and logos are printed or embossed directly on the binders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

While spine labels and title sheets can assist the user in distinguishing one document storage device from another, there remains a need for new ways to provide user- friendly indicators that can differentiate document storage devices from each other and from other conventional document storage devices. Furthermore, there remains a need to provide customized binders at a lower expense, and in a manner that is more practical for more users. The custom printing or embossing of binders with company names and/or logos can be inefficient in that such custom printing can require large orders and be very expensive, as well as being time consuming. Also, should any of the customized information printed on the binder change, such as a new logo for a company or other change in company information, binders that have been previously i

customized are no longer useful and can amount to wasted expense for the company.

The present invention provides a document storage device having a cover including a first edge. The document storage device also has a layer of material on the cover, coupled to the cover along the first edge. The layer of material and the cover together define a pocket assembly configured to receive an indicator sheet. The pocket assembly includes a window having a perimeter. The window is configured to permit viewing of at least a portion of the indicator sheet through the otherwise generally opaque pocket assembly. A portion of the window's perimeter extends along the first edge of the cover.

In some embodiments, the window is defined by a cutout in one of the cover and the layer of material. The pocket assembly further includes a translucent material coupled to the pocket assembly over the cutout. In another embodiment, the layer of material has a width that is less than the overall width of the cover. In another embodiment, the document storage device further includes an overlay coupled to the cover to define a pocket for receiving a title sheet distinct from the indicator sheet.

The present invention also provides a document storage device having a cover defined by a plurality of edges, and a layer of material on the cover. The layer of material and the cover together define a pocket assembly configured to receive an indicator sheet. The pocket assembly includes a window having a perimeter and configured to permit viewing of at least a portion of the indicator sheet. A substantial portion of the window's perimeter is bordered by a generally opaque material, and a remaining portion of the perimeter is substantially adjacent at least one of the plurality of edges and is substantially un-bordered by any generally opaque material.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a document storage device embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial exploded view of a pocket assembly of the document storage device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the document storage device of Fig. 1, shown in the open position, illustrating an overlay of the document storage device. Fig. 4 is a perspective view similar to that of Fig. 3, illustrating a title sheet received within the pocket formed by the overlay.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the document storage device of Fig. 1, illustrating an indicator sheet being placed in the pocket assembly.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the inside of the document storage device of Fig. 1.

Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including", "having" and "comprising" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 illustrates a document storage device according to the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the document storage device is a binder 10. But it is understood that in other embodiments, the document storage device could be a folder, a folio, a report cover, or the like.

The binder 10 includes a front cover 14 having a top edge 18, a bottom edge 22, a left edge 26, and a right edge 30. It is understood that the "top," "bottom," "left," and "right" descriptors for the edges indicate the orientation of the edges in the illustrated embodiment, and are not intended to limit the edges of the cover to any particular orientation. Similarly, the use of the terms "front" and

"rear" to describe the covers are used to describe the orientation of the covers of the illustrated embodiment and are not intended to limit the covers to any particular orientation. The front cover 14 also includes an overall width 34.

With reference to Fig. 2, the front cover 14 of the illustrated embodiment comprises an inner layer of chipboard 36 that is sandwiched between an inner vinyl sheet 38 that is welded to an outer vinyl sheet 40. It is understood that in other embodiments, the cover could include other constructions and may include materials other than the chipboard and vinyl sheets. For example, die cut or molded constructions are also contemplated.

The binder 10 also includes a layer of material 42 coupled to the exterior surface of the front cover 14 along the right edge 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the layer of material 42 comprises a substantially opaque vinyl material that is substantially the same color and texture as the outer vinyl sheet 40, but this need not be the case. With reference to Fig. 1, the layer of material 42 has a width 46 that is less than the overall width 34 of the front cover 14, and has a height 48. The layer of material 42 also includes a top edge 42a, a bottom edge 42b, a left edge 42c, and a right edge 42d. Together, the layer of material 42 and the front cover 14 define a pocket assembly 50 that is configured to receive an indicator sheet 54 (shown in Figs. 1 and 5). The pocket assembly 50 includes an open edge 56, defined by the left edge 42c of the layer of material 42, that allows for the insertion of the indicator sheet 54 in the pocket assembly 50 (see Fig. 5). It is understood that in other embodiments, the open edge 56 may not be defined by the left edge 42c, but rather the pocket assembly 50 may be open along another edge, such as the top edge 42a, for insertion of the indicator sheet 54.

With further reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the pocket assembly 50 includes a window 58 that is configured to permit viewing of at least a portion of the indicator sheet 54. The window 58 includes a perimeter 62, a portion 62a of which extends along the right edge 30 of the front cover 14. As illustrated, a substantial portion of the perimeter 62 is bordered by the generally opaque layer of material 42. The portion 62a of the perimeter 62 that extends along the right edge 30 of the front cover 14 is substantially un-bordered by any generally opaque material. As used to describe the portion 62a of the perimeter 62 extending along the right edge 30, "substantially un-bordered" means that the binder 10 gives the appearance that the window 58 extends to the right edge 30 of the binder 10, and that only a thin lip of opaque vinyl, formed by the welding process, extends along the edge 30 immediately adjacent the portion 62a of the perimeter 62.

The window 58 is defined by a cutout 66 in the layer of material 42 and the illustrated pocket assembly 50 includes a layer of translucent material 70 coupled to the pocket assembly 50 over the cutout 66. It is understood that in some embodiments, the translucent material 70 is transparent. It is also understood that in some embodiments, the translucent material can be eliminated.

It is further understood that in some embodiments, the window can be defined by a cutout in the cover 14, rather than by the layer of material 42.

With reference to Fig. 5, the indicator sheet 54 can be created using a template, such that a logo, a photo, or other indicia can be printed on the indicator sheet 54 using a standard computer printer, and can be sized to fit within the pocket assembly 50. For example, the user can print indicia, such as the logo 72, on standard printer paper, which can then be cut or folded to fit snugly into the pocket assembly 50, with the logo 72 viewable through the window 58. Such a template may be found on software installed on a user's home or office computer, or on a website accessible to the user. In other embodiments, the indicator sheet

54 can be created manually and/or can be of other sizes (e.g., a business card) such that substantially all of the indicator sheet 54 is viewable through the window 58. The desired outcome is an indicator sheet 54 sized and located such that the logo 72 is viewable through the window 58. The pocket assembly 50 with the window 58 and the insertable indicator sheet 54 allow for customization of the binder 10 without the need for embossing or printing directly onto the vinyl material of the binder. As discussed above, embossing or printing directly onto the binder can be inefficient and expensive. By providing a way for users to quickly and easily customize a binder with desired indicia, the extra expense is avoided.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the binder 10 also includes a rear cover 74 coupled to the front cover 14 along the left edge 26 of the front cover 14 via a spine 78. It is understood that in other embodiments, such as where the document storage device is a folder, the front cover 14 can be coupled to the rear cover 74 along the left edge 26 directly, without a spine between the covers.

The binder 10 includes an overlay 82 coupled to the front and rear covers 14, 74. As illustrated in Figs 3 and 4, the overlay 82 extends across the spine 78. A first edge 94 of the overlay 82 is secured to the front cover 14 to define a securement edge, and a second edge 98 of the overlay 82 is secured to the rear

cover 74. The overlay 82 also includes a third edge 99, a portion 99a of which is secured to the front cover 14, a portion 99b of which is secured to the rear cover 74, and a portion 99c of which remains unsecured. The overlay 82 further includes a fourth edge 101 that also remains unsecured to the binder 10. Together, the covers 14, 74, the spine 78, and the overlay 82 define a title sheet pocket 86 for receiving a title sheet 90 therein that is distinct from the indicator sheet 54. The title sheet 90 also extends across the spine 78 for easy identification of the contents of the binder 10 when only the spine 78 is viewable. In the illustrated embodiment, the title sheet 90 is an S ¹ A x 11 inch sheet in landscape orientation. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the title sheet 90 includes cover indicia 96 and spine indicia 100 that are visible through the overlay 82.

In the illustrated embodiment, the overlay 82 comprises a layer of transparent plastic such that the title sheet 90 is visible through the overlay 82. As shown in Fig. 1, the overlay 82 has a height 92 that is substantially equal to the height 48 of the layer of material 42. However, it is understood that in other embodiments, the heights of the overlay 82 and the layer of material 42 need not be substantially equal. The heights 92, 48 of the overlay 82 and layer of material 42, respectively, are configured to secure a standard Z ¹ A x 11 inch sheet of paper within the pockets in landscape orientation, though it is understood that the heights 92, 48 can vary to accept sheets of other sizes.

With reference to Fig. 6, the binder 10 includes a ring mechanism 110 for securing documents within the binder 10. Similar to the front cover 14 described above, the rear cover 74 also includes a layer of chipboard (not shown) sandwiched between the inner vinyl sheet 38 and the outer vinyl sheet 40. The inner vinyl sheet 38 of the front cover 14 and the rear cover 74 also includes document pockets 122, 126 welded thereon. The document pockets 122, 126 comprise opaque vinyl material, similar to that of the inner vinyl sheet 38. The document pocket 122 further includes a business card pocket 130 coupled thereto. The business card pocket 130 comprises translucent plastic material such that a business card or other indicia placed in the pocket 130 is visible therethrough. It is understood that in other embodiments, the binder 10 need not include the document pockets 122, 126 or the business card pocket 130.

The binder 10 described in detail above may be assembled according to the following method. It is to be understood that the welding process used in the

following description refers to radio frequency (RF) welding techniques that are commonly understood in the art. However, other bonding techniques, such as heat welding or the use of adhesives, could also be used. It is also understood that other methods of assembling the binder 10 can be used. Referring to Fig. 2, the cutout 66 is formed in the layer of material 42 and the translucent material 70 is welded along the edge of the cutout 66 in the layer of material 42 to create the window 58. The layer of material 42 is then welded to the outer vinyl sheet 40 of the front cover 14 along the upper and lower edges 42a, 42b. At least one edge of the layer of material, such as the left edge 42c, is left unwelded to allow insertion of the indicator sheet 54 into the pocket assembly 50.

The document pockets 122, 126 and the business card pocket 130 are then welded to their respective vinyl sheets.

Once these pockets are attached to the inner and outer vinyl sheets 38, 40, respectively, the layers of chipboard for the front cover 14, the rear cover 74, and the spine 78 are sandwiched between the inner vinyl sheet 38 and outer vinyl sheet

40. The inner vinyl sheet 38 is then welded to the outer vinyl sheet 40 along the entire perimeter of the binder 10, including along the right edge of the transparent material 70 and along the right edge 42d of the layer of material 42. The inner and outer vinyl sheets 38, 40 are also welded along either side of the spine 78 to secure the chipboard in place. The weld lines 134 along either side of the spine 78 define hinges that enhance the motion of the binder 10 between the open position, shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 6, and the closed position, shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Welding the right edge 42d of the layer of material 42 and the right edge of the transparent material 70 to the inner and outer layers of vinyl 38, 40 closes the right edge of the pocket assembly 50. As discussed above, the thin lip of vinyl created by the welding is the only opaque vinyl that borders the right edge of the window 58, thus substantially giving the appearance that the window 58 extends all the way to the right edge 30 of the front cover 14.

Serrated hinge lines 138 formed in the overlay 82 substantially correspond to the weld lines 134 along either side of the spine. The serrated hinge lines 138 enhance the ability of the overlay 82 to conform to the shape of the binder 10 when the binder is in the closed position. The overlay 82 is then welded along the first edge 94 and second edge 98 to the front cover 14 and rear cover 74, respectively, and is welded along portions of the third edge 99 as discussed in

detail above, forming the title sheet pocket 86. The ring mechanism 110 is then coupled to the inner surface of the spine 78.

Once the binder 10 is assembled, the user can then insert the title sheet 90 into the title sheet pocket 86, and can insert the indicator sheet 54 into the pocket assembly 50 such that at least a portion of the indicator sheet 54 is visible through the window 58. The title sheet 90 of the illustrated embodiment is substantially the same size as the overlay 82 and thus includes a portion that extends across the spine 78 (see Fig. 4). In other embodiments, the title sheet 90 can be any size, and may not extend across the spine 78. As mentioned above, alternate embodiments of the binder exist that yield the same result as the binder 10 discussed in detail above. For example, the binder could have a molded construction, with the front cover, rear cover, and spine being molded of plastic or other known material. In such constructions, the pocket assembly to hold the indicator sheet could be formed on the inside of the cover, the cover having a cutout therein forming the window for viewing the indicia on the indicator sheet. Those of skill in the art would understand that other ways exist to achieve the same effect as the binder 10 described above - namely, having a window that extends substantially all the way to the edge of the binder for displaying indicia therethrough to provide quick and inexpensive customization of a document storage device - and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.