AU2011100148A4 - An apparatus for storing items - Google Patents

Description

GRIFFITH HACK PATENTS, TRADE MARK. IP LAW SPECIFICATION OF PATENT APPLICATION COUNTRY AUSTRALIA TYPE Innovation Patent TITLE AN APPARATUS FOR STORING ITEMS APPLICANT(S) ACCO Australia Pty Ltd AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Innovation Patent Applicant(s) ACCO Australia Pty Ltd Invention Title; AN APPARATUS FOR STORING ITEMS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 AN APPARATUS FOR STORING ITEMS TECHNICAL FIELD 5 An apparatus for storing items, and particularly, although not exclusively, to an apparatus arranged to store one or more sheets. BACKGROUND 10 A clipboard is a stationery item used to provide a simple support and portable writing surface. Known clipboards are constructed with two components, a planar base suitable to operate as a writing surface and a clamp 15 arranged to secure paper sheets on the writing surface. The clipboard is useful in that the clamp is able to hold paper on the writing surface whilst allowing the user to move around and write on and read the paper, etc. 20 Although clipboards are able to provide a convenient writing surface, clipboards are not suitable to store and protect items. This is because a clipboard, although able to secure sheets of paper to its base, is unable to effectively secure other items of stationery, writing 25 instruments or personal effects. In addition to this, clipboards are also unable to protect documents or other items from exposure to environmental debris such as moisture or dust which may contaminate a document or item. 30 The above references to the background art do not constitute an admission that the art forms a part of the common general knowledge of a person or ordinary skill in the art. The above references are also not intended to limit the application of the apparatus as disclosed 35 herein. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 2056647_' (GHMatters) 3/0211 - 3 In accordance with a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for storing items comprising: a base, a cover member for covering the base, and an envelope located on 5 the cover member, wherein the envelope is arranged to store one or more items. By providing an envelope, additional items, such as stationery items, may be stored within the envelope 10 securely which can also protect the items from environmental contaminants such as moisture or dust. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the envelope comprises expandable sides arranged to expand the volume 15 of the envelope when in use. The expandable sides may provide the envelope with additional storage capacity when needed by the user without the disadvantages of a thick envelope body when the storage space provided by the envelope is not required. 20 In an embodiment of the first aspect, each expendable side comprises an intermediate fold extending along its length. 25 In an embodiment of the first aspect, the envelope comprises a resealable opening flap. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the flap is retained closed by a hook and loop fastening system. By 30 providing a hook and loop fastening system, the flap may be open and sealed multiple times during the life of the apparatus. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the envelope is 35 located on the cover member such that the cover defines a back portion of the envelope. 205647_1 (CHMatters) 3/0211 In an embodiment of the first aspect, the envelope is located on an internal face of the cover member. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the apparatus 5 further includes an engagement mechanism arranged to engage one or more sheets onto the base. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the engagement mechanism is located on the base. 10 In an embodiment of the first aspect, the engagement mechanism is a clamp. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the clamp 15 includes a spring loaded member, which can be pivoted into an open position against a bias of the spring, to enable loading of one or more sheets into a mouth of the clamp, and which can be released to then clamp down on the so loaded sheets to retain the same on the base. 20 In an embodiment of the first aspect, the cover member is arranged to fold onto the base to cover the base. In this regard, the cover members can be hingedly connected to the base. 25 In an embodiment of the first aspect, the cover member further includes a sleeve for housing one or more sheets. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the sleeve is 30 located on an external face of the cover member. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for storing items comprising: a base, a cover member for covering the 35 base, and a sleeve located on the cover member, the sleeve having expandable sides, wherein the sleeve is arranged to store one or more items. 2056647_1 (GHMatters) 3102/11 - 5 In an embodiment of the second aspect, the sleeve forms part of an envelope as defined in the first aspect. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the apparatus will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying 10 drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective front view of an apparatus for storing items in accordance with one embodiment; Figure 2 is a perspective rear view of the apparatus 15 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective front view of an apparatus for storing items in accordance with a second embodiment. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated an embodiment of an apparatus for storing items 25 comprising: a base, a over member for covering the base, and an envelope located on the cover member, wherein the envelope is arranged to store one or more items. In this embodiment, the apparatus 100 has a base 102 30 which may be a substantially planar member arranged to support items such as sheets of paper or plastic. Preferably, the base 102 is formed from a generally hard or sturdy material such that the base 102 may define a non deformable surface to support items on its surface for 35 writing or reading by a user. 2065471 (GHMretters) W0211 - 6 The base 102 may be engaged to a cover member 104 by a hinge. In this embodiment, the cover member 104 may also be a substantially planar member formed of a generally hard or sturdy material. Preferably, the cover member 104 S is arranged to fold onto the base 102 so as to substantially cover the base 102. In the examples illustrated by Figures 1 to 3, the cover member 104 is connected to the base 102 by a spine portion 103 which comprises at least one folded joint to provide a hinge for 10 the cover member 104 to fold onto the base 102. In this embodiment, the cover member 104 has an envelope 106 arranged to store items including, but not limited to stationery, writing instruments, personal 15 effects or one or more sheets of paper or plastic. The envelope 106 may be located on an internal face of the cover member 104, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. In some examples, the envelope 106 is defined by a generally planar sheet bonded onto the internal face of the cover 20 member 104 so as to form a sleeve portion 107 with an opening. Preferably, an additional flap is also bonded to the cover member 104 adjacent to the opening so that the flap may close the opening and thereby close the sleeve to form an envelope 106. 25 Preferably, the envelope has a fastening means between the flap and the sleeve portion. The fastening means, which may be a loop and hook system, may allow the flap to be removed or engaged to the sleeve portion to 30 thereby form a secure opening and closing for the envelope. This is advantageous in that items stored within the envelope 106 may be restricted from leaving the envelope should the apparatus 100 be turned upside down or moved aggressively during use. 35 In some embodiments, edges 112 which form a bond between the generally planar sheets defining the sleeve 20566471 (GHMattors) 3/02/11 - 7 portion with the cover member 104 to define the sleeve may be an expandable. In these embodiments, the edges 112 are expandable edges which are arranged to expand when stretched when a pulling force is applied or retract when 5 the pulling force is withdrawn. In this embodiment, the expandable edges 112 may each comprise a strip having an intermediate fold in the middle of the strip to form two portions. The first portion of the strip is bonded to the cover member 104 whilst the second portion of the strip is 10 engaged to the sleeve such that when the sleeve is filled with an item, the edge is expanded as the two portions of the strip defining the edge may be stretched about the intermediate fold, As such, the expandable edges 112 may be expanded when items, particularly items with 15 substantial thickness or volume are stored into the envelope 106. This is advantageous in that the volume of the envelope 106 may be expanded to allow more items to be stored within the envelope 106 when needed whilst allowing the envelope 106 to retract to its original thickness when 20 the items are removed. In some embodiments, the base 102 may also include an engagement mechanism 108 which may be a clamp or clip arranged to resiliently engage one or more sheets onto the 25 base 102. Preferably, the clamp or clip 108 is spring loaded such that the mechanism 108 is able to securely engage one or more sheets onto the base 102 in use. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 2, the 30 cover member 104 has a second sleeve 202. Preferably, the second sleeve 204 is disposed on an external face of the cover 104 and is defined by a planar sheet bonded to the external face to form the second sleeve 202 with an opening for the insertion of planar items such as sheets 35 of paper, plastic or other suitable materials 204. These embodiments are advantageous in that additional sheets, such as cover pages, may be stored on the front of the 2056647_1 (GHMtters) 3/Q2/ 1 - 8 cover member 104 for easy identification or referencing of the apparatus 100. In some examples, the apparatus 100 may be made of 5 plastic, cardboard, wood, metal, fibreglass or any other suitable materials or any combination of plastic, cardboard, metal or other materials. Preferably, a planar sheet of plastic may be cut into rectangular shape of suitable size such that the subsequent apparatus may be 10 able to receive standard sized paper or plastic sheets. Once the plastic sheet is cut into a rectangular shape, the base 102, the cover member 104 and spine portion may be folded and formed by pressing the plastic sheet into these three portions. 15 Once the cover member 104, the base 102 and spine portion is defined, an envelope 106 may be bonded to the cover member 104. In one example, a planar sheet of translucent plastic, or other materials may be bonded to 20 the cover member 104 so as to form a sleeve with an opening. After the sleeve is defined, an additional flap may then be bonded to the cover member 104 near the opening to restrict access to the envelope 106 until the flap is moved into an open position. 25 Following this, a clamp arrangement 108 may also be engaged to the base 102. In embodiments where there is a second sleeve member 202, a second planar sheet, preferably made from a translucent plastic may then be 30 bonded to the external face of the cover member 104. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the apparatus as shown in the specific embodiments 35 without departing from the spirit or scope of the apparatus as broadly described. The present embodiments 2056S471 (GHMtters) 3/11 are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to S be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated. In this specification, the word "comprising" and its variations, such as "comprises", has its usual meaning in 10 accordance with International patent practice. That is, the word does not preclude additional or unrecited elements, substances or method steps, in addition to those specifically recited. Thus, the described apparatus, substance or method may have other elements, substances or 15 steps in various embodiments of the invention. The purpose of the claims is to define the features which make up the invention and not necessarily all features which a working embodiment of the apparatus, substance or method, to which the invention defines, may have. The apparatus, 20 substance or method defined in the claims may therefore include other elements, steps or substances as well as the inventive elements, steps or substances which make up the invention and which are specifically recited in the claims. 2055647_1 (GHMaterS) 3102/l1

Claims (16)

1. An apparatus for storing items comprising: - a base, 5 - a cover member for covering the base, and - an envelope located on the cover member, wherein the envelope is arranged to store one or more items.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the 10 envelope comprises expandable sides arranged to expand the volume of the envelope when in use.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein each expendable side comprises an intermediate fold extending 15 along its length.

4. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope comprises a resealable opening flap. 20

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein the flap is retained closed by a hook and loop fastening system. 25

6. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope is located on the cover member such that the cover defines a back portion of the envelope. 30

7. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope is located on an internal face of the cover member.

8. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the 35 preceding claims, further including an engagement mechanism arranged to engage one or more sheets onto the base. 2056647_1 (GHMatters) 2/0211 - 11

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the engagement mechanism is located on the base.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claims 8 or 9, wherein 5 the engagement mechanism is a clamp.

11 An apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the clamp includes a spring loaded plate, which can be pivoted into an open position against a bias of the spring, to 10 enable loading of one or more sheets into a mouth of the clamp, and which can be released to then clamp down on the so-loaded sheets to retain the same on the base.

12. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the 15 preceding claims, wherein the cover member is arranged to fold onto the base to cover the base.

13. An apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover member further 20 includes a sleeve for housing one or more sheets.

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein the sleeve is located on an external face of the cover member. 25

15. An apparatus for storing items comprising; - a base; - a cover member for covering the base, and - a sleeve located on the cover member, the sleeve having expandable sides, wherein the sleeve is arranged to store 30 one or more items.

16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein the sleeve forms part of an envelope as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14. 2056647_1 (GHMatters) 3/02111