BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention is an improved system for identifyin bound works by labeling the spine of the works and, mor specifically, an improved system for locating the label on th spine of a looseleaf binder.

Description of the Prior Art

When several similar binders are used, each containin different contents, it is necessary to label the binders s that they may be distinguished. Binders are usually identi fied by attaching a label to the spine and/or the front o each binder.

Several methods of identifying binders exist. One metho involves labels which are adapted for writing on one side an contain an adhesive substance on the opposite side. Afte identifying marks are made on the side adapted for writing th adhesive side of the label is placed onto the spine of th binder. Over time these labels tend to easily wear out an the corners of the labels begin to pull away from the spine o the binder. With the passage of time notations on the labe become illegible and the labels must be replaced. Another common method of identifying binders comprise placing a label into a transparent pocket section located o the spine of the binder. The pocket section can occupy portion of the spine or it can extend the entire length of th spine. The pocket section is usually attached to the spin along three edges, allowing the label to be inserted into th pocket through the unattached edge.

One system of placing a label into a transparent sectio on a spine is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,663,041 (1972) t White. The system includes a spine assembly comprised of window or flange which receives a label or similar identifyin means. The window includes a transparent section and i located over the spine of the bound work. A label is pushe down in-between the spine and the window, and is viewe through the transparent section of the window. Flange located along each longitudinal edge of the spine may b

sucstituted for the window. Each flange is an L-shaped membe which is oriented to hold the label when the label is place between the flanges.

When using the window alternative of the White patent, i is difficult to place the label between the window and th spine without jamming the label into place and subsequentl damaging the label. Once the label is in place it is eve more difficult to remove or to replace with another label.

The use of the flange alternative of the White paten eliminates the problem evident with the window alternative but creates problems of its own. As with the adhesive labels the labels held by the flange tend to wear easily, and tend t be pushed out from between the flanges and detached from th spine. Another system for placing a label into a transparen section on the spine is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,814,52 (1974) to Lawes. This patent discloses a system using tw covers and an outer curved spine. The inner cover include paper retaining means, used to hold a label or similar identi fying means. The outer cover is located over the inner cove and comprises removable portions defined by line welds whic are created during the production of the outer cover. Th removable portions are located longitudinally along the oute cover and, when they are removed, form a window through whic a label inserted into the inner cover is visible.

The label is pushed in-between the inner and outer cover and is located at a desired location along the spine. Th appropriate removable portion is then peeled back to expos the legend on the label. The deficiencies of this system are similar to thos discussed above. While the label is being placed into th pocket the edges of the label are prone to damage, and fold are frequently created in the center of the label by the forc used to push the labels into the pocket. Removal of the labe from the pocket is even more difficult. Additional damage i done to the transparent pocket and the label when pens, pape clips and other items are used to fish a label lodged into th Docket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above problems with the prior art, the object of the present invention is the provision of a nove and improved system that allows for identifying bound work such as looseleaf binders by labeling the spine of the binder. A further object of the present invention is to provide labeling system that allows for the placing and removal of th label from the slot located on the spine of the binder, with out causing damage to the label or to the slot. An additiona obiect is to protect the label from wear and to limit th possibility ^• of removing the label from the slot unti intended. The invention is also intended to provide a mor convenient mechanism for inserting a label into a spine slot and for accurately positioning the label at any desire location within the slot, even locations that are remote fro the ends of the slot and cannot be reached by finger.

The present invention provides an improved system fo locating a label on the spine of a bound work by means of leader which is located in a slot formed by an overlay cove which is sealed to the longitudinal edges of the spine. Th leader extends out of the slot beyond each transverse edge o the overlay cover. One end of the leader is adapted to b attached to a label, such as by an adhesive portion on the en of the leader; the other end is adapted to pull the leader an the attached label through the slot until the label is posi tioned in a desired location.

In the preferred embodiment the leader comprises a elongate member with a width less than the width of the spine and the slot is formed by high frequency sealing the overla cover to the spine along its longitudinal edges. At leas part of the transverse edges of the overlay cover are no sealed with respect to the spine, thereby allowing the leade to pass through and extend beyond the overlay cover on eac side. The label is attached to an adhesive portion on one en of the leader. The opposite end of the leader is pulled causing the leader and the attached label to travel longi tudinally through the slot until the label is positioned at desired location along the spine. After the label is place at the desired location, finger pressure is applied to th

label via the overlay cover. The leader is then firmly drawn and detached from the label. The adhesive portion used is stron-' enough to hold the label, but is weak enough so that the leader can be detached from the label without damaging the label.

If removal of the label from the slot is desired, the adhesive portion of the leader is placed into the slot through the top transverse edge and is attached to the label. The leader is then withdrawn, thus removing the label from the slot.

The use of the present invention allows the simple place¬ ment and removal of a label from any desired location within a slot located on the spine of a bound work, without damaging the label during the insertion or removal. The present invention also ensures that the label will not be worn or inadvertently removed from the spine until intended. These and other features and objects of the invention will be appar¬ ent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bound work incorporating the present invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the end of the leader prior to use, with an adhesive portion connected to a. waxed portion present on the opposite end of the leader; FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a different embodiment of the leader, with a detachable cover positioned over the adhesive portion;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of a binder incor¬ porating the present invention; FIG. 6 is a fragmentary isometric view of a label being attached to the leader; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary isometric view showing the posi¬ tioning of a label on the spine of a bound work.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is an improved system for labeling the spine of bound works. The bound work to be labeled, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is comprised of a spine 2 with a pair 5 of parallel longitudinal edges 4 and 6 and a pair of parallel transverse edges 8 and 10. Front and rear covers 12 and 14, respectively, are attached to the spine along each longitudi¬ nal edge with hinges 16 located between each cover and the s ine 2. lϋ A cover means 18 is located on the spine 2 and sealed to the spine along the longitudinal edges 4 and 6, forming a slot 20 between the spine and the cover means (FIGs. 5, 6 and 7). A leader 22 is located in the slot 20 and extends beyond th non-sealed transverse edges 8 and 10 of the cover means 18.

15 Attaching means 24 (FIGs. 3 and 4) are located near one end o the leader 22 and are intended to attach a label 26 to th leader 22 and allow the leader 22 to pull the label 26 int the slot 20 (FIGs. 6 and 7).

In the preferred embodiment the cover means 18 is a

20 overlay cover, in the form of a transparent plastic sheet, which is sealed to the longitudinal edges 4 and 6 of the spin 2 along the hinges 16 by a high frequency seal. A portion o the bottom transverse edge 10 is also sealed, leaving a unsealed segment 28 near the middle of the lower edge 10 whic

25 allows the leader 22 to extend out of the slot beyond th overlay cover 18.

The leader 22 is an elongate member with a width les than the width of the spine 2 and overlay cover 13, as show in FIGs. 1, 6 and 7. The leader 22 is located in the slot 2

30 and extends through the non-sealed section 28 of the botto transverse edge 10 and through the top transverse edge 8 o the overlay cover 18.

The leader 22 contains an adhesive portion 24 near on end (FIGs. 3, 4 and 6) . In the preferred embodiment th

35 adhesive portion 24 allows the leader 22 to be releasabl attached to a label 26 (FIGs. 6 and 7) , pulling the label int the slot 20 and detaching from the label without damaging it. The opposite end of the leader on the reverse side from th adhesive is a waxed surface 30 (FIGs. 3 and 4). The leader i

40. stored by bringing its opposite ends together along the out

side of the overlay cover and attaching the adhesive portion 24 to the waxed surface 30, so that the leader extends entire¬ ly around the overlay cover as illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2.

In an alternate embodiment, a detachable cover is posi 5 tioned over the adhesive portion, as illustrated in FIG. 4, t protect the adhesive portion from contacting foreign materia that may effect its ability to adhere.

In the present invention the overlay cover 18 extend beyond the spine 2 to cover the front and back covers 12 an

10 14, and is high frequency sealed to the bottom and side edge of the covers. The top edges of the front and back covers ar not sealed, allowing additional labels to be inserted into th area between the overlay cover and the covers if desired. high frequency seal is a conventional process that involve

15 agitating the molecules of the polymer material that make u the outer surfaces of the binder and causing these molecule to interact, forming a weld between the several layers o material.

The present system is assembled by placing the leader 2 0 longitudinally along the spine 2 of the bound work. Th overlay cover 18 is placed over the bound work and is seale along the longitudinal edges 4 and 6 of the spine and the sid and bottom edges of each cover 12 and 14, leaving a non-seale segment 28 along the bottom transverse edge 10 of the spine

25 through which the leader 22 can be pulled (FIGs. 1 and 7).

A label 26 or other identifying means is attached to th adhesive portion 24 on the end of the leader 22, as shown i FIG.6. When the leader 22 is pulled through the non-seale segment 28 of the bottom transverse edge 10, the label 26 i

30 consequently pulled through the top transverse edge 8 of th overlay cover 18 into the slot 20 (FIG. 7) . The leader 22 an the label 26 are pulled through the slot until the label i positioned at a desired location. Finger pressure is the placed on the label 26 via the overlay cover 18 to ensure tha

35 the label remains in place, and the force on the leader i continued until it detaches from the label.

When desired, the label 26 can be removed from the slo 20 in a similar fashion. The adhesive portion 24 of th leader 22 is inserted into the slot until it attaches to th

40 label; finger pressure may be applied to secure th

attachment. The label is then removed from the slot 20 by pulling the leader through the top transverse edge.

An apparatus and system for labeling the spine of a bound work has been shown and described which is highly effective. As numerous modifications and alternate embodiments of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.