GRIFFITH HACK -. PATENTS, TRADE MARK5, IP LAW SPECIFICATION OF PATENT APPLICATION COUNTRY AUSTRALIA TYPE Innovation Patent TITLE Custom-Build Notebooks Presentation APPLICANTS) ACCO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIVICATION Innovation Patent Applicant (o): ACCO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD Invention Title. Cuatom-Build Notebooks Presentation The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 A NOTEBOOK Technical Field 5 The present invention relates to a notebook, and particularly, although not exclusively, to a notebook having one or more paper sheets. Background 10 Notebooks are known stationary items which are used by users to record information. In many instances, a notebook comprises a bundle of paper sheets bound together with a pair of covers to form a book. The methods of 1i binding these paper sheets together vary, but may include a spring binder device which comprises multiple coils each arranged to retain the paper sheets through a pre punched hole in the paper sheets. Although these binders are convenient for users in 20 that a user may turn each page with ease, these binders are not durable during use. This is because the coils of the binder are exposed on the exterior of the notebook in a manner which is likely to catch onto any surrounding objects. As such, the binder may be damaged when the 25 notebook is moved or stowed into a bag. In some instances, an even worse outcome may result if the binder catches onto items such as clothing or container surfaces which may cause both the item and the binder to be damaged. 30 Summary of the Invention in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, - 3 there is provided a notebook comprising: one or more paper sheets; and a cover member having a plurality of engagement members arranged to engage and retain the one or more 5 paper sheets to the cover; wherein each of the plurality of engagement members is received in an aperture disposed on a spine portion of the cover member. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of engagement 10 members is arranged to be received by the aperture to engage the engagement member to the spine portion of the cover member. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of engagement members is received by the aperture at an internal face of 15 the spine portion. In an embodiment, each engagement member is at least partially exposed on an external face of the spine portion. In an embodiment, the engagement member includes a 20 rail arrangement arranged to be received by a slot in the aperture. In an embodiment, each engagement member is defined by a ring structure. In an embodiment, the rail arrangement is annular. 25 In an embodiment, a plurality of second slots are provided in the one or more paper sheets, each for receiving a respective engagement member therein to engage the one or more paper sheets to the engagement member. In an embodiment, the notebook further comprises a 30 strip arranged to secure the cover in a closed position.
- 4 Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the 5 accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an opened notebook in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front cover of 10 the notebook of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a illustration of one embodiment of a disk used in the notebook of Figure 1; and Figures 4A and 4B are illustration of one embodiment of a slot disposed on the spine portion and paper sheets 15 of the notebook of Figure 1. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated 20 embodiment of a notebook comprising: one or more paper sheets; and a cover member having a plurality of engagement members arranged to engage and retain the one or more paper sheets to the cover; 25 wherein each of the plurality of engagement members is received in an aperture disposed on a spine portion of the cover member. In this embodiment, the notebook 100 comprises a cover member 102 which includes a front cover portion 104, 30 a rear cover portion 106 and a spine portion 108 arranged to define a housing to house one or more paper sheets. Preferably, the cover member 102 is a single sheet made of plastic, cardboard or other suitable materials which are - 5 folded into each of these portions 104, 106 and 108. In this example as shown, the front cover portion 104 is arranged to fold over the rear cover portion 106 such that each portion 104, 106 and 108 define a chamber 110 within 5 the cover member 102. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cover member 102 includes a number of apertures 112 disposed on the spine portion 108 of the cover member 102. These apertures 112 may be spaced out along the spine portion 108 in an even 10 manner at a distance suitable for the construction and purposes of the notebook. In this example, the apertures 112 are arranged to receive and retain an engagement member 114 which are in turn, arranged to engage one or more paper sheets 120. The apertures 112 may take any 15 suitable shape to receive and retain an engagement member 114, but in this example, the apertures 112 take the shape of a dumbbell so that the engagement member 114 may be received and retained within the aperture 112. A further description of the shape of the aperture is provided with 20 reference to Figure 4A. Preferably, the engagement members 114 are inserted into the apertures 112 at the internal face of the spine portion such that paper sheets engaged by the engagement members 114 are retained within the chamber 110. Once the 25 engagement members 114 are inserted into the apertures 112, the apertures 112 engage with the engagement members 114 such that the engagement members are generally engaged and retained into the aperture 112. In examples where the cover member 102 is made of a flexible material, such as 30 plastic, the apertures 112, may be slightly flexible so that each of the engagement members 114 may be removably retained within the apertures 112. This example is - 6 advantageous as users of the notebook can remove the engagement members 114 if required for storage purposes. As illustrated in Figure 2, once the engagement members 114 are inserted into the apertures 112, a small 5 portion of the engagement members 114 are exposed on the external face of the cover member 102. This is advantageous in that this arrangement provides a relatively smooth profile for the external face of the spine portion 108, and therefore minimises exposure of the 10 spine and the engagement members 114 to damage since the relatively smooth profile of the spine portion minimises the chances of the spine and each of the engagement members 114 from being caught with other objects or items during use or storage. 15 With reference to Figure 3, there is illustrated an embodiment of the engagement member 114, which in this embodiment is in the form of a circular disk 300. The disk 300 has a peripheral rail arrangement 302 which is annular along the peripheral edge of both sides 20 of the disk. Preferably, the disk 300 is cast from a plastic or similar material into a circular structure. Although it is also possible that the disk is of any shape, such as square, rectangular or other forms of polygons. 25 In this embodiment, the rail arrangement 302 of the disk is arranged to be received by the aperture 112 of the cover member 102 and engagement slot 402 of the paper sheet. As shown in Figure 4A, the aperture 112 which takes the shape of a dumbbell forms a slot arranged to 30 receive the rail arrangement 302 of the disk such that the disk is retained within the aperture 112. In a similar manner, with reference to Figure 4B, a cut out of each paper sheet in the form of a slot 402 is arranged to - 7 receive rail arrangement 302 of the disk to thereby allow the disk to engage with the paper sheet. In one example, an embodiment of the notebook is manufactured by the following steps. Firstly, a plastic 5 sheet may be cut to a suitable dimension and folded by a heated press to form a cover member 102 with a front cover portion 104, spine portion 108 and a rear cover portion 106. Once the cover member 102 is formed, apertures 112 10 are cut into the spine portion of the cover member 102. Engagement members 114, which may take the shape of disks 300, each having an annular peripheral rail arrangement 302 is then inserted into each aperture 112 at the internal face of the spine portion, after which, one or 15 more paper sheets are then engaged to each disk 300 such that the rail arrangement 102 of each disk is engaged to each of the engagement slot of each paper sheet. In another example, the disks 300 may be engaged to the engagement slot of each paper sheet prior to having the 20 disks 300 each arranged to engage with the cover member 102. In an alternative embodiment, the notebook 100 further includes a marker strip 150 disposed on the cover member 102. The marker strip 150 is arranged to be moved 25 by a user in between each page of the notebook so that the page may be accessed by locating the position of the market strip 150, In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the market strip 150 may also be arranged to operate as a secure strip arranged to secure the opposite cover (front 30 cover if the strip is disposed on the rear cover or vice versa) to the cover member when the notebook 100 is closed, and thereby securing the notebook 100 in the closed position. Preferably, the strip 150 is made from an elastic material, such as an elastic band, although the strip may also be made from non elastic materials. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made 5 to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 10 Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.