Technical Field

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to binding systems, and more particularly to a connected disk ring binding mechanism.

Background

[0002] Binding systems are used in connection with binders, folders, books, notebooks, and the like. A binding system functions to maintain two or more sheets, which may be paper, paper-like sheets, or sheets of any other material, in a bound association with one another. A binding system may also function to maintain such sheets in a bound association one or more cover members, the cover members being optionally bound to the binding system.

[0003] Various forms of binding systems are known in. the art. For example, typical a spiral binding system includes a thin, coiled, binding wire with coils that pass through holes at an edge of the sheets. A typical ring binding system includes one or more rings or ring-like members, optionally connected to one another by a spine member, that pass through the holes in the sheet edges. An adhesive binding system includes a spine member with an adhesive thereon for adhesively binding the sheets along an edge thereof. Other binding systems are known by those having ordinary skill in the art.

[0004] A subset of ringed binding systems are disk ring binding systems. In one example thereof, U.S. Patent No. 5,015,1 14 discloses a binder ring having a disk shaped central portion, an aperture formed substantially in the center of the central portion, and an annular outer rim formed on the periphery of the central portion. The outer rim includes an arcuately shaped, outer surface configured as an outer segment of a circle, and has an axial width greater than the axial width of a central portion. The paper sheets have die cut perforations on one edge sized to fit about the outer rim of the binder rings. U.S. Patent No. 5,553,959 discloses a disk ring binding system in which a stack of sheets is bound together using a plurality of disk fastening members insertable into openings of the stack of sheets to retain the sheets in the stack. The disk members have a substantially flat disk-like central surface portion and an enlarged continuous rim portion which extends around the periphery of the central surface portion of the disks. The rim portion extends outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the flat centra! portions of the disks, and the central surface portion lias a radius which is larger than the thickness of a stack of sheets to he bound thereby. U.S. Patent No. 6,074,152 discloses a binding system for index-books and notebooks, with mutually aligned disks having a double-T cross-section. The edge portion of the sheets receives the disks inserted in seats formed in the sheets. Further examples of disk ring binding systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,350,096, U.S. Patent No. 6,364,560, and PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2007/060185.

[0005] It would be desirable to provide an improved disk ring binding system over those systems known in the art.

Summary

[0006] In one embodiment, the binding member has a first disk ring portion configured for reception in a binding recess of a sheet member. The first disk ring portion can have an inner surface that faces radially inward for engaging and retaining a first binding protrusion of a sheet member for binding the sheet member. The first disk ring portion can be configured for allowing the bound sheet members to slide around the first disk ring portion while retaining the engagement. The binding member can also have an axial extension member associated with the first disk ring portion and extending generally in an axial direction with respect thereto.

[0007] The binding member can also include a second disk ring portion connected to the axial extension on an opposite side thereof from the first ring portion. The second disk ring portion can be configured for reception in a binding recess of a sheet member. The second disk ring portion can have an inner surface that faces radially inward for engaging and retaining a second binding protrusion of a sheet member for binding the sheet member. The second disk ring portion can be configured for allowing the bound sheet members to slide around the second disk ring portion while retaining the engagement. The first and second ring portions can be associated for cooperatively maintaining the first and second binding protrusions engaged thereto.

[0008] The axial extension can have a smaller diameter than a diameter of the first and second disk ring portions to define a channel therebetween. The depth of the channel can be between about 1/4 and 1/2 the diameter of the first and second disk ring portions.

7 [0009] In one embodiment, the first and second disk ring portions can also have a rim that can include the inner surface for engaging and retaining first and second binding protrusions, respectively. The axial extension member is disposed coaxially with the rim.

[0010] The first and second disk ring portions can also have a recessed area disposed radially inward of the rim, the rim extending radially and axially outward beyond the recessed area.

[0011] In another embodiment, the axial extension member can have an axial width, the first ring portion has a diameter, and the ratio of the axial width to the diameter is greater than about 3/4.

[0012] In an embodiment of a booklet, the booklet can have a plurality of binding members that align coaxially to form a booklet hinge and a plurality of sheet members that can define a sheet binding portion for receiving and engaging to the binding members such that the sheet members is slidable around the binding members to move the sheet members around the booklet hinge. The sheet binding portions can define binding recesses for receiving the binding members, such that the sheet member can be flipped around the binding members to turn the sheet member. Further, the sheet members can comprise first and second covers and a stack of pages therebetween receiving the binding members in the recesses, such that the sheet member can be flipped around the binding members to turn the covers and pages. In one configuration the booklet can be a notebook.

[0013] In another embodiment, the sheet member can be an expandable sheet member that has a first sheet member having a binding edge and a second sheet member having a bindable edge opposite the binding edge. The first and second sheet member can be hinged to each other at the intra-sheet hinge disposed between the binding edge and bindable edge. The expandable sheet member can also include a sheet binding portion defining binding recesses that can be disposed on the binding edge and bindable edge configured for engaging the binding members. The bindable edge can have fewer binding recesses than the binding edge for easier engagement and disengagement of the bindable edge to the binding members coaxially aligned to form the booklet hinge.

[0014] The second sheet member can be moveable between a folded position and an unfolded position. In the folded position, the second sheet member can be folded over the first sheet member at the intra-sheet hinge such that the bindable edge of the second sheet member is aligned with the binding edge of the first sheet member. In the unfolded position, the bindable edge of the second sheet member can extend away from the binding edge of the first sheet member.

[0015] The binding recesses can be disposed along the bindable edge of the second sheet member to engage the binding members in the folded position. In one embodiment, the binding recesses of the bindable edge can engage to the same binding member as a binding recesses of the binding edge when in the folded position. The sheet member can be a cover member.

[0016] in one embodiment of the booklet, the booklet can have a gripping member disposed along the bindable edge configured to facilitate disengaging the second sheet member from the binding members.

[0017] In one embodiment of an expandable sheet member, the expandable sheet material can include a first sheet member having a binding edge and a second sheet member having a bindable edge opposite the binding edge. The first and second sheet member can be hinged to each other at the intra-sheet hinge, the intra-sheet hinge being between the binding edge and bindable edge. The expandable sheet material can also include a binding mechanism and a sheet binding portion that can define binding recesses being disposed on the binding edge and bindable edge configured for receiving and engaging with the binding mechanism.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a disk ring binding mechanism employed on a notebook;

[0020] Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof;

[0021] Figs, 3a~c are side, perspective, and front views, respectively, of a disk ring member in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1 ;

[0022] Figs. 3d and 3e are a front and side cross-sectional views thereof;

[0023] Fig. 4a shows the connected disk ring member receiving portion of the embodiment of Fig. 1 ;

[0024] Fig. 4b shows a connected disk ring member received within the receiving portion of Fig. 4a;

[0025] Fig. 5a shows a dividing member in accordance with one embodiment;

[0026] Fig. 5b shows the dividing member of Fig. 5a employed in the notebook of Fig. 1 ;

[0027] Fig. 6a shows an alternative embodiment of a notebook employing a multiple panel cover in an unfolded configuration; and

[0028] Fig. 6b shows the notebook of Fig. 6a in a folded configuration.

Detailed Description

[0029] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a notebook 10 is provided with a binding mechanism

18, such as a ring binder mechanism, that preferably includes a plurality of a disk ring binding members 1 1. The notebook 10 generally includes bounded elements including sheet members 15, such as a first cover member 13, a second cover member 17, and a plurality of sheets 16 disposed therebetween.

[0030] A notebook 10 is disclosed herein in connection with the binding mechanism 18 for ease of description. The connected disk binding system disclosed herein, however, can alternatively be used for other types of books, booklets, or pamphlets or the like, such as preprinted reports, pre-printed books, graph paper books, notebooks and/or printed books with dividers, and the like. As such, which a notebook 10 is described, the presently described binding system can be employed in connection with any or all of such other forms where paper or other sheets are bound together and/or enclosed by one or more cover members.

[0031] A notebook 10 may generally be of any size or shape. For example, a notebook

10 may be configured to hold standard 8.5 by 1 1 inch sheets of paper, in a rectangular shape. Alternatively, notebook 10 may be square, circular, oval, polygonal, regular, irregular, etc., and can hold other standard and non-standard paper sizes. It typically ranges in size from less than one square inch to greater than 1000 square inches, and more typically 50 square inches to 150 square inches.

[0032] Generally, the binding mechanism 18 includes a binding member 1 1 having a disk ring portion configured for reception in a sheet binding portion 70. The sheet binding portion 70 includes binding features, such as receiving portions 27, of a sheet member 15, that are disposed along the binding edge 14 of the sheet members 15, The disk ring portion 21 has an inner surface 20 thai faces radially inward, providing a circumferential ridge for engaging for retaining a binding protrusion 29 of a sheet member 15 therein for binding the sheet member 15, wherein the ring portion 21 is configured for allowing the bound sheet members 15 to slide around the ring portion 21 while retaining the engagement; and an axial extension member associated with the ring portion and extending generally in an axial direction with respect thereto. Certain embodiments of such binding member 1 1 will be discussed below.

[0033] The notebook 10 disclosed in Fig. 1 includes ten disk ring binding members 11 forming the connected disk ring binder system. It will be appreciated, however, that in various embodiments, more or fewer members 1 1 may be used. For example, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve or more connected disk ring binding members 1 1 may be used. Preferably, the notebook 10 has eight to twenty disk members. Preferably, the number of binding features of the sheet binding portion 70 is between 20% to 70% the number of binding members 1 1. More preferably, the number of binding features is equal to the number of disk ring binding members 1 1.

[0034] The sheets 16 can generally be made of any suitable material or combination of materials. In some embodiments, the sheets 16 may be made of a thermoplastic material, such as PP or PE. In some embodiments, the sheets 16 may be made of a fiber-based material, such as various forms of paper. Zero, one or more sheets 16 may be used, for example, 50 sheets, 100 sheets, 500 sheets, or more. The disk ring binding members 1 1 may be sized to accommodate more or fewer sheets 16.

[0035] The cover members 13, 17 can generally be made of any suitable material or combination of materials, although the cover material is typically more robust and often stiffer than the sheets 16. In some embodiments, the cover members 13, 17 may be made of a thermoplastic material, such as PP or PE. In some embodiments, the cover members 13, 17 may be made of. a fiber-based material, such as various forms of paper. Cover members 13, 17 can be laminated to add strength, such as when made of paper or other fiber-based material. Typically, one, or two covers are used, although covers with pivoted panels, and sometimes additional covers are used, such as in embodiments with more than one hinge, each formed of a line of disk ring binding members 11 or another type of hinge. Some embodiments employ dividers of similar configuration to the covers, but placed within the bound stack of sheets. The sheets 16 are typically disposed between the cover members 13, 17, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Alternatively, sheets 16 may be disposed on any side of a single cover member, or interspersed variously between two or more cover members, depending on how the notebook 10 is assembled or how the covers 13, 17 are flipped.

[0036] The binding mechanism 18 is disposed proximate and along the binding edge 14.

The binding mechanism 1 8 can include disk ring binding members 1 1 that are disposed proximate and along the binding edge 14 of the sheet members 15.

[0037] One embodiment of a disk ring binding member 1 1 is shown in Figs. 3a-3e. Fig.

3a shows a side view thereof. Fig. 3b is a perspective view thereof. Fig. 3c is a front view thereof. Fig. 3d is a cutaway view of thereof taken along line d-d as shown in Fig. 3a. Fig. 3e is a cutaway view of the connected disk ring member, taken along line e-e as shown in Fig. 3c. f

[0038] As shown in Figs. 3a through 3e, the disk ring binding member 11 includes a first disk ring portion 21 and an axial member that extends generally in an axial direction with respect to the first disk ring portion 21. In this embodiment, the axial member can be connected to a second disk ring portion 22 to form a connection portion 23.

[0039] The disk ring portions 21, 22 are generally circular as viewed axially (see Fig.

3a). The outer perimeter of each disk ring portion 21 , 21 can be curved, or in some

configurations can be substantially flat when viewed radially, or can have other suitable shapes. The disk ring portions 21, 22 can include a recessed area 62, 64, respectively, that is disposed radially and axially inward of a rim 58, 60. Thus, the rim 58, 60 extends radially and axially outwardly beyond the recessed area. The rim 58, 60 can be generally ring-shaped, or can have other suitable shapes. The outer edges 54, 56 of each of the rim 58, 60 can define the outer perimeter of the disk ring portions 21 , 22. Each of the rims 58, 60 further includes & im .24, 26 that face radially inwardly. Each of the rim inner surfaces 24, 26 preferably has a generally hollow, cylindrical configuration, providing a ring to allow smooth flipping of the sheet members 15 therearound. The rim inner surfaces 24, 26 can be generally flat in axial cross- section, or they may have a curvature, or other suitable shape to engage the protrusions 29, 30 of the receiving portions 27.

[0040] Each of recessed area 62, 64 can be bounded by the axial surfaces 20, 25 and rim inner surfaces 24, 26, respectively. The rim inner surfaces 24, 26 can extend axially from the axial surfaces 24, 25 respectively to form the perimeter of the recessed area. Each axial surface 20, 25 can have a generally circular disk shape. Alternatively, the axial surfaces 20, 25 can have a flat surface, or in other configurations can be curved or other suitable shape. Connected to and disposed adjacent to each axial surface 20, 25 can be the respective rim inner surface 24, 26. The connection therebetween may define generally a right angle. Angle "A", as shown in Fig. 3d, generally illustrates this relationship between the axial surface 25 and the ring portion 26. In alternative embodiments, angle "A" cars be any oilier suitable angle, such as forty-five degrees, or shape. Additionally, the recessed area 62, 64 and/or the rim 58, 60 ears have a depth W5 that is sufficient to retain and engage the receiving portion 27 of the sheet materials.

[0041] The disk ring portions 21 , 22 have a diameter Dl at their outer radial perimeter.

In this embodiment, for example, the rim inner surfaces 24, 26 have a diameter D2 at which it engages the protrusions 29, 30 of the sheet members 15. The rim inner surfaces 24, 26 are parallel to the axis 66 of the binding member so that the rim 58, 60 at its inner surface has a diameter D2. The recessed area 62, 64, being bounded by the rim inner surfaces 24, 26, also has a diameter D2 in this embodiment. The ratio of diameters D2 to Dl can be, for example around or under 98% to preferably at least about 50%. In a preferred embodiment, said ratio is between about 75% and 95%.

[0042] While the preferred embodiment described has rims 58, 60 that extend axially outwardly, having rim inner surfaces 24, 25 and recessed areas 62, 64 that receive and trap the protrusions 29, 30 of the sheet members 15 from a axially outside the binding member 11, an alternative embodiment can have the rims 58, 60 extending axially inwardly to receive and capture the sheet member protrusions 29, 30 from an axially interior side of the rims 58, 60. Thus, other configurations of the binding features of the sheet members 15 can be employed, binding the sheet members 15 while allowing them to be turned about the binding mechanism 18.

[0043] The connection portion 23 shown has a generally cylindrical in shape, or other suitable shape. The connection portion 23 can define a generally pinched inward area, groove, or channel 44 around the connection portion 23 and between the two disk ring portions 21, 22. In one embodiment, the channel 44 can be ring-shaped.

[0044] The channel 44 provides profile of disk ring binding members 11 that can be beneficial, for example, to aid in holding the binding members 1 1 and manipulation of the members 1 1 during removal and insertion of sheets or of the member 1 1 into the covers or covers assembled with the sheets. The channel 44 can provide improved tactile gripping area for the fingers, allowing the finger pads or other fleshy part of the finger to enter the channel 44 to help gain purchase over the member 1 1 and prevent slippage while holding the member 11 between the fingers. Additionally, the connection portion 23 or channel 44 can be beneficial during manufacturing of the binding member 11. For example, in situations where the binding member 1 1 is created through injection molding, there is decreased chance of deformities during the cooling process because the thickness of the connection portion 23 is reduced or maintained more consistent. The channel 44 has a depth DS as shown in Fig, 3c. Preferably, the depth D5 of the channel 44 is 10% to 30% of the radius of the disk ring portions.

[0045] The connection portion 23 shown has an axial width W2 between the two ring disk portions 21 , 22 (Fig. 3c) and a diameter D3 (Figs. 3c, 3d). As shown in Fig. 3d, the diameter of the recessed area D2 is generally larger than the diameter D3 of the connection portion 23. Alternatively, diameter D3 may be large or smaller than diameter D2.

[0046] The connection portion 23 preferably has a smaller diameter D3 than the diameter

Dl of the disk ring portions 21, 22. The ratio of diameters D3 to Dl is typically, for example, about 1/2 to about 4/5. Preferably, such ratio is between about 3/5 to about 4/5. In this respect, the disk ring binding member 11 in one embodiment can have a dumbbell configuration, pinched in the middle at the smaller diameter connection portion 23 between the larger diameter disk ring portions 21, 22. For example, the binding member 11 can have two large diameter disk ring portions 21, 22 at either end of a narrower diameter connection portion 23.

[0047] While the connection portion 23 of the embodiment shown has a constant axial diameter, alternative embodiments can have connection portions of varying diameters, such the shape of one or two cones tapering towards the center of towards one of the ring portions 21 , providing the recessed channel around the periphery of the binding members.

[0048] The disk ring portions 21, 22, when viewed from the front (see Fig. 3c) may have a width that is defined by W3. The combined width W3 of both disk ring portions 21, 22 and the width W2 of the connection portion 23 therebetween may define a width of the connected disk ring binding member 1 1 of Wl .

[0049] The ratio of the width of the binding member 1 1 Wl to the diameter of the binding member 1 1 Dl may generally be greater than about 1/3, greater than about 2/5, greater than about 1/2, greater than about 3/4, or greater than about 1. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio may be between about 0.5 and 0.7. The relatively high width to diameter ratio, or aspect ratio, of the presently described connected disk ring binding members 11 yield several beneficial results compared to traditional disk ring binders in which the width to diameter ratios are much smaller. This elevated width to diameter ratio can allow the binding members 1 1 may be more easy to manipulate by hand, for example, when adding or removing sheets from the notebook 11. Additionally, when two sheets 16 or the covers 13, 17 are slidable with respect to the hinge axis 68, tending to shear the disk binding members therebetween, the higher aspect ratio tends to limit the pivoting of the disk binding members between the moving sheets and covers. This maintained alignment preserves the ease of flipping sheets around the disk binding members 11 , such pages of a notebook are turned, reducing tears or other damage to the sheets and covers. As further shown in Fig. 5b, a hinge axis 68 is generally coaxial with the binding member axis 66 defining a hinge, such as a booklet hinge, of the binding mechanism 18.

[0050] Receiving portions 27 include a recess 12, which is preferably cut away from the sheet material of the covers 13, 17 and sheets 16, and is configured and dimensioned for receiving and retaining the disk ring binding member 11 while allowing the disk binding member 11 to rotate therein, or the cover or sheet to rotate around the member 1 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the receiving portions 27 are disposed proximate and along the binding edge 14 of sheet members 15. Binding recess 12 includes a disk ring retaining area 12a and a disk ring sliding area 12b. The disk ring retaining area 12a, in the embodiment shown, is of a generally oval shape, in some embodiments other suitable shapes can also be used, and it is bounded by opposite end portions 28a, 28c of the interior edge the sheet member 15. Opposite end portions 28a, 28c have a relatively smaller radius of curvature than back portion 28b, although other shapes, including with straight sides and sharper angles, can be used. The side of the retaining area 12a opposite the back side of the retaining area 12a is open to the sliding area 12b, The side of the sliding area 12b opposite from the retaining area 12a is open to the exterior of the binding recess to receive the binding member 1 1. The sliding area 12b is defined by binding protrusions 29, 30. In one embodiment, the binding protrusions 29, 30 can be parallel to one another. The protrusions 29, 30 in this embodiment can extend toward each other and axially inward, or in other embodiment axially outward, to pinch the recessed area 62, 64 such that the sliding area 12b is narrower than the retaining area 12a to catch on the rims 58, 60 on the opposite side of the binding member.

[0051] The ratio of the depth L2 (e.g., from the back side 28b of the sliding area 12a to the ends 29a, 30a of the protrusions 29, 30) and width LI (between opposite axial sides 28a, 28c) of the retaining area 12a) of the sliding area is typically about 1/4 to 3/4. Preferably, the ratio is between about 1/4 to 1/2, and sometimes between about 1/4 and 1/3. In one embodiment, width LI is two or three times larger than depth L2. This high-width ratio can provide for greater stability without requiring an increased width W2 of the connection portion 23. In general, the ratio of the width L3 of the sliding area 12b to width LI is typically about 1/3 to 3/4. Preferably, the ratio is between about 2/5 and 3/5.

[0052] The axial width W4 between the two recessed areas 62, 64 (e.g., through the binding member 1 1 between the axial surfaces 20, 25, as shown in Fig. 3d. In one embodiment, width L3 is the same as or very clos to width W4 of the binding member, as shown in Fig. 3d, for snug association between the disk portions 20, 25 if the binding member 11 and the protrusions 29, 30 of the sliding area 12a. Preferably, however, width L3 of the binding recess 12 is slightly larger than width W4, but smaller than width Wl , to reduce friction during flipping of the sheet members around the rims 58, 60. In use, the user will slide the binding member 11 through the sliding area 12b of the receiving portion 27. The protrusions 29, 30 are sufficiently flexible to resiliently deform to accommodate entry or removal into and out of the recessed area 62, 64, for example by bending or deflection of the protrusions 29, 30. The axial length of the protrusions 29, 30 is also sufficient to retain engagement of the sheet material 15 on the binding member 1 1 , but not inhibit sliding of the sheet material around the binding member 11 ,

[0053] As shown in Fig. 4b, the protrusions 29, 30 are received in the recessed area 62,

64 and the binding member 1 1 is received in the recess 12 and the protrusions 29, 30 are held by the rims 58, 60 to allow the sheet members 15 to be flipped or slide all around the rim 58, 60. For example, the protrusions 29, 30 can engage radial ly with rim inner surfaces 24, 26 to retain the sheet material .

[0054] The length LI may be slightly greater than the width Wl, thus accommodating the full width of the member 1 1 within the retaining area 12a of the receiving portion 27.

However, because L3 is smaller than Wl, the protrusions 29, 30 of the sliding area are disposed within the perimeter of the ring portions 24, 26, and generally abut the flat surface of the disk portions 20, 25. In this manner, the binding member 1 1 is retained within the receiving portion, the ring portions 24, 26 thereof being retained within the retaining area 12a (prevented from sliding back out through the sliding area 12b because length L3 is smaller than width Wl).

[0055] The relatively low L2:L1 ratio of the presently described receiving portion 27 yields several beneficial where such ratio is much larger (as in the case of a circular area, for example, where there ratio would be about 1 ). in one aspect, the sheets 16 may be more securely connected to the binding members 1 1. The low ratio effectively prevents the binding members from deflecting in either direction with respect to their central axis, thus resulting in a smaller chance of the member being inadvertently dislodged. In another aspect, the binding members 1 1 may allow the sheets 16 to move more easily while connected to the binding members 1 1 , such pages of a notebook are turned. The wide profile of the receiving portion allows the binding member 1 1 to stay more stable (move less) when pages are turned, thus resulting in smoother page turning and less chance of jamming.

[0056] A notebook 10 in accordance with the present disclosure may be provided with one, two, three, four, or more dividing members 50. An example dividing member 50 is shown in Fig. 5a. The dividing member 50 can generally be made of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the sheets may be made of a thermoplastic material, such as PP or PE. In some embodiments, the sheets may be made of a fiber-based material, such as various forms of paper. Dividing member 50 may include receiving portions 27, as discussed above, for receiving connected disk ring binding members 11. In this manner, dividing members 50 may be inserted within the notebook 10 between sheets 16, for example, to divide the plurality of sheets 16 into sections, as may be useful for organizing purposes.

[0057] In some embodiments, sheets 16 may be made of a relatively flexible material, and/or covers 13, 17 may be made of a relatively flexible material, so as to allow relatively facile yet secure insertion of the binding members 11 into the receiving portions 27. Alternative embodiments can have other members that attach to one or a plurality of the binding members, such as sheets or other supports for releasable stickers.

[0058] Fig. 5b shows three dividing members 50 connected to the members 1 1 of the connected disk ring binding system. Such dividing members 50 are sized such that an extending portion 52 extends beyond the side edge 19 of the notebook 10. The extending portion allows for easy reference in finding a particular sheet 16, or section of sheets 16. Extending portion 52 may extend 1/4 inches, 1/2 inches, 3/4 inches, 1 inch, 2 inches, or more beyond the side edge 19. In a preferred embodiment, the extending portion 52 extends between about 1/4 inches and 3/4 inches beyond the side edge 19. The dividing portions 50 may be of different colors with respect to the sheets 16, with respect to the cover members 13, 17, and/or with respect to each other, for ease and variety of use. The dividing portions 50 may be connected by at least 1 , at least 2, at least 3, or at least 4 members 1 1 in alternative embodiments. The dividing portions may be connected by 10% to 50% of the members 1 1 , or 20% to 40% of the members 1 1 in alternative embodiments. Any number of dividers may be provided. The width of the dividers may be 1/5 to 1/2 of the width of the sheets, such that there may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more dividers provided between any given sheets. As shown, they are about 1/3 of the width, allowing for three dividers between any given sheets.

[0059] As further shown in Fig. 5b, in one embodiment, the sheets 16 can include one or more lines of weakness 46, which may be perforations, disposed inwardly from and parallel to the binding edge 18. Such lines of weakness 46 may facilitate separation of sheets 16 from the notebook 10, as is known in the art. In one embodiment, lines of weakness 46 may be disposed inwardly from the receiving portions 27 of the sheets 16, thus leaving a sheet strip 16a bound to the binding members 11 when removal portion of the sheet 16b is removed along the line of weakness 46.

[0060] In another embodiment of the notebook 10, the sheet members 15 can be associated with a binding mechanism 18 and can be expandable such that the sheet member 15 includes expandable portions connected at a hinge 33 that are moveable between a folded and unfolded position. In the folded position, the expanded portions of the sheet member 15, in some configurations, can engage with the binding mechanism 18. The hinge 33 preferably is disposed to bi-sect the sheet member 15 into two generally equal portions. Alternatively, the hinge 33 can be disposed in other locations on the sheet member 15 to split the sheet member 15 into different sized portions. In other embodiments, multiple hinges 33 can be used to achieve the result of an expanded sheet member 15.

[0061] Figs. 6a and 6b discloses an exemplary expandable sheet member 15, such as an expandable cover member 17. The cover member 17 has an outer expandable portion 17a and an inner expandable portion 17b, connected to one another along a intra-sheet hinge 33, such as a fold, live hinge, or a score line, other types of hinges can also be employed. The hinge 33 may in the alternative be a set of disk ring binding members associating the cover portions in a hinged connection.

[0062] The outer expandable portion 17a and inner expandable portion 17b can be generally similar in size and shape. In other configurations, the outer expandable portion 17a can have different sizes or shapes than the inner expandable portion 17b. As shown in Fig. 6a, the inside surface of expandable portions 17a and 17b can include one or more pockets 36, 37 affixed thereto. Affixing means 38 can be disposed along the edges of the pockets 36, 37, along edge portions thereof, to affix said pockets 36, 37 to the cover portions 17a, 17b, respectively. Affixing means 38 may include, for example, thermal welding, sonic welding, adhesives, and the like. Edge portions 39, 40 of the pockets 36, 37, respectively, may remain free from the cover portions 17a, 17b, to allow receipt of an item or items (for example, sheets) therewithin.

[0063] The expanded sheet member 15 disclosed in Figs. 6a and 6b is associated with a binding mechanism 18. The cover portion 17 includes a binding edge 14 disposed proximate and along the inside expandable portion 17a, and a bindable edge 19 disposed along the outer expandable portion 17b parallel to the binding edge 14 and opposite die hinge 33. The hinge 33 is oriented in relation to the inner and outer expandable portions 17a, 17b so that when in the folded position the binding edge 14 and bindable edges 19b are aligned with each other, preferably overlapping to engage the binding mechanism 18. Sheet binding portions 70 are disposed along the binding edge 14 and bindable edge 19b to engage with the binding

mechanism 18. The sheet binding portions 70 can be disposed continuously along the binding edge 14.

[0064] Preferably, the bindable edge 19b and binding edge 14 has a sheet binding portion

70, such as receiving portions 27, disposed continuously along the binding edge 14 and/or bindable edge 19b. In other configurations, the bindable edge 19b and binding edge 14 can be disposed discontinuously along the bindable edge 19b and/or binding edge 14. The receiving portions 27 along the bindable edge 19b can have a discontinuous portion to define a gripping portion 35. The gripping portion 35 is configured for not engaging with the binding members 1 1 of the binding mechanism 18 when the binding edge 14 and bindable edge 19b are aligned with each other. For example, the gripping portion 35 can be recessed inward with respect to the bindable edge 17b to facilitate gripping. The gripping portion 35 also decreases the number of receiving portions 27 thai need to be disengaged from the binding members 1 3. ^' Thus, less effort, less force, and fewer receiving portions 27 are required compared to the binding edge 14, which is more securely bound to the binding mechanism 18.

[0065] In some configurations, the side edge 19a of cover member 13, can remain generally fla and continuous, as in notebook 10. Alternatively, the cover member 13 can also be expandable and have a bindable edge similar to that of the cover member 17 described in Figs. 6a and 6b.

[0066] The expandable cover member 17 can be moveable between two positions: a folded position and unfolded position. In the folded position, the inner expandable portion 17b is folded over the hinge 33, as indicated by arrow "b" in Fig. 6a, such that the inner expandable portion 17b lays on the outer expandable portion 17a and the inside surface of the inner expandable portion 17b faces, or in some embodiments against, the inside surface of the outer expandable portion 17a. In the folded position, the receiving portions 27 of the sheet binding portions 70 along the bindable edge 19b is brought into proximity and alignment with the binding edge 14 and binding members 1 1. The bindable edge 19b, in some embodiments, can be coaxial with the binding edge 14, and in some embodiments, with the hinge axis 68 when in the folded position. When the inner expandable portion 17b is fully folded over on the outer expandable portion 17a at the hinge 33, the receiving portions 27 disposed along the bindable edge 19b can engage with the binding members 11. Preferably, the inner expandable portion 17b engages the same binding mechanism 18 as the binding edge 14 of the outer expandable portions 17a. In this manner, the inner expandable portion 17b and outer expandable portion 17a form the second expandable member 17, and the notebook 60 can function in the manner of notebook 10 in a folded state (Fig. 6b), with a first and second cover members for simply enclosing sheets 16 therebetween. In other embodiments, the bindable 19b and binding edges 14 engage different binding mechanisms 18 when in the folded position.

[0067] The cover member 17 can be expanded by gripping the bindable edge 19b or the recessed gripping member 35, separating the binding members 1 1 from the receiving portions 27 disposed on the bindable edge 19b, and unfolding along hinge 33, as indicated by arrow "a" in Fig. 6b. In the fully unfolded state, the inner expandable portion 17b can be adjacent to, but not over, the outer expandable portion 17a and the bindable edge 19b of the inner expandable portion 17b extends away from the binding mechanism 18 _< When the expandable cover member is in the unfolded position (Fig. 6a), the two expandable portions 17a, 17b can reveal pockets 36,37 for holding additional items.

[0068] Other expandable sheet member 15 shapes can be used. In some embodiments, other configurations of the expandable sheet members 15 can be used with other locations of the bindable 19b and binding edges 14 along sheet member 15 and with a hinge 33 being positioned between the bindable 19b and binding edge 14 such that when the sheet member 14 is folded, the bindable 19b and binding edges 14 are in condition to engage binding members 1 1. Preferably, the bindable edges 19b are disposed to extend away from the hinge 33 and binding mechanism 18 in the unfolded position, but in other configurations, the bindable edges 19b can extend in different directions.

[0069] In other embodiments, the expandable sheet member 15 as described can have other types of binding mechanisms 18, and is not limited to notebooks having a binding member 1 1 with two disk ring portions 21, 22 shown in Figs. 3a-3e. Instead, the expandable sheet member 15 can be used in other binding systems, for example, ring binders, standard spiral notebooks, and other similar books.

[0070] In some embodiments, one or more tabs 47 may be provided with notebooks 10 or

60. Tabs may be removably adhesively securable to any portion of such notebook, and may further a further means for making or otherwise indicating particular sheets 16, etc. A tab 47 is shown adhered to the cover member 13 in Fig. 16. Tabs may be of various colors and sizes, as is known in the art. A portion of one side of such tab 47 may include an adhesive, for effecting the removable adhesive securement, as is also known in the art.

[0071] Any and all references specifically identified in the specification of the present application are expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto. The term "about," as used herein, should generally be understood to refer to both the corresponding number and a range of numbers. Moreover, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include each whole integer within the range.

[0072] While illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, the features for the various embodiments can be used in other embodiments, Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.