WO2015175585A1

WO2015175585A1 - Pouch attachable to the spine of a binder

Info

Publication number: WO2015175585A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/030451
Authority: WO
Original assignee: KOCHAN, Ryan
Priority date: 2014-05-15
Filing date: 2015-05-13
Publication date: 2015-11-19

Abstract

An elongated pencil pouch (10) having an opening (22), possibly with a closure (24), is attached to the outside of a spine of a typical binder (30) by having one or more bands connected to the two sides of the pouch (12) forming an infinite loop, the bands running along the inside of the spine (32) to thereby hold the pouch (12) against the spine (32). The bands may be elastic and be fixedly attached to each side (18, 20) of the pouch (12) or may be removably attached to at least one side (20), or may be in two sections that removably attach to each other. Instead of using bands, the pouch (12) may be fixedly attached to the spine (32) of the binder (30) or hooked to the binder (30) or snap fit to the binder (30).

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

POUCH ATTACHABLE TO THE SPINE OF A BINDER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an elongate pouch that holds various items, such as pencils and rulers, wherein the pouch is attachable to the outside surface of a spine of a binder.

2. Background of the Prior Art

While more and more documents are being produced, stored, and transferred electronically, paper documents are still with us for the foreseeable future. Paper documents have certain advantages that electronic documents lack, such as the ability to take pen and paper notes quickly, which is not easy for slow typists on a keyboard, as well as the ability to make hand drawings in the notes. A student in a math or physics class can quickly jot down a formula on paper, which formula may be quite difficult to place into an electronic document on a laptop or a tablet. By the time the student enters such a formula, if even possible, the instructor may be two subjects ahead of the student. Many people find leafing through paper documents in search of a particular page is easier than a search through electronic files.

Unlike its electronic counterpart, the paper document has mass which must be accounted for. One of the chief ways people, especially students, carry paper documents is via a three-ring binder. The binder can hold a sizable amount of paper pages, allows a person to remove and insert pages at will, and is considered relatively easy to carry about by hand. In using paper as a note taking medium, a person needs certain accompaniments such as pencils, pens, erasers, rulers, etc., and these accompaniments also have mass and must be accounted for. Many students carry such accompaniments in a pencil pouch which is a soft sided bag, often made from mesh material, and has a zipper or similar closure. While efficient as a storage medium, the pencil pouch tends to be awkward to carry by a student also carrying a binder. The bulk of the pencil pouch makes carrying both the pencil pouch and the binder relatively difficult. Often the pencil pouch is placed onto a surface, such as a desk, only to be forgotten by the student who grabs the important binder and forgets the pencil pouch. One solution to this problem is to place the pencil pouch into a storage pocket often found on the inside cover of the binder (or placement of the various accompaniments directly therein without the use of a pencil pouch). However, even if there is sufficient space within the binder for the pencil pouch or the accompaniments themselves, which is not always the case, especially when using a relatively thin binder, such inside storage pouches quickly become torn, even with moderate use, and thus become ineffective.

What is needed is a device that allows the paper carrying person to also be able to carry needed accompaniments, such as pencils, pens, rules, erasers, etc., which device overcomes the above mentioned shortcomings found in the art. Such a device must offer the efficiency of storage and transport offered by a pencil pouch without the inconvenience of the present day pencil pouch. Specifically, such a device must allow easy transport of both binder and accompaniment laden pouch without the need to rely on the internal storage pouches found on the inside of the cover of many binders. Such a device must be of relatively simple design and construction and must be easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The pouch attachable to the spine of a binder of the present invention addresses the aforementioned needs in the art by providing a pencil pouch that can hold various items needed by a student such as pencils, pens, rulers, erasers, etc., wherein the pouch is easily stored and transported by a user without the inconvenience of a traditional pencil pouch. The pouch attachable to the spine of a binder is of relatively simple design and construction, being produced using standard manufacturing techniques, so as to make the device relatively inexpensive so that the device is economically attractive to potential consumers of this type of product. The pouch attachable to the spine of a binder is relatively easy to use so that a student can quickly and easily retrieve items from and return items back to the pouch. The pouch attachable to the spine of a binder is less likely to be forgotten or misplaced by a user compared to a traditional pencil pouch.

The pouch attachable to the spine of a binder of the present invention is comprised of a storage pouch that has a top, a bottom, a front surface, a back surface, a first side and a second side, the pouch also has an opening. Attachment means are provided for attaching the pouch to the outer surface of a spine of a binder, the spine joining a front page (cover) and a back page (cover) of the binder. The binder also has a ring system that is either attached to the inner surface of the spine or folds thereon. The attachment means may comprise one or more bands that extend between the left side of the pouch and the right side of the pouch such that the bands run along the inner surface of the spine when the pouch is attached to the outer surface of the pouch. The bands may each be formed as a single continuous section and be made from an elastic material or may be formed from a first section and a second section that is removably attachable to the first section. Alternately, the attachment means may comprise an adhesive that adhesively binds the back surface of the pouch to the outer surface of the spine. Alternately, the attachment means may comprise a first hook that extends outwardly from the first side of the pouch and a second hook that extends outwardly from the second side of the pouch such that the first hook hooks onto the top side of the spine and the second hook hooks onto the bottom side of the spine. Alternately, the attachment means may comprise a first snap section located on the outer surface of the spine and a corresponding second snap section located on the back surface of the pouch such that the first snap section and the second snap section are removably attachable to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view the pouch attachable to the spine of a binder of the present invention attached to the binder.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pouch attachable to the spine of a binder with the pouch detached from the binder and with the pouch using single section bands.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the pouch attachable to the spine of a binder with the pouch detached from the binder and with the pouch using dual sectioned bands.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pouch attachable to the spine of a binder with the pouch detached from the binder and with the pouch attached to the spine using adhesives.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pouch attachable to the spine of a binder with the pouch detached from the binder and with the pouch attached to the binder using clips.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pouch attachable to the spine of a binder with the pouch detached from the binder and with the pouch attached to the binder using snaps.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and specifically to figures 1 and 2, it is seen that the pouch attachable to the spine of a binder of the present invention, generally denoted by reference numeral 10, is comprised of an elongate pouch 12 that has a top 14, a bottom 16, a first side 18, and a second side 20. The pouch 12 is made from any appropriate material, such as the illustrated mesh material, vinyl, leather, etc. An opening 22 is located at or near the top 14 of the pouch 12 allowing for access into the interior of the pouch 12. The opening 22 may have a closure mechanism, such as the illustrated zipper 24, cooperating hook and loop material, snaps, etc.

One or more bands 26a each have one end attached to the first side 18 of the pouch 12 and an opposing second end attached to the second side 20 of the pouch 12 in appropriate fashion such as by stitching or via an adhesive, etc., essentially forming an infinite loop (the bands 26a can also be removably attached to either side 18 and 20 of the pouch 12). The bands 26a, which are elastic, are each fitted over one of the covers 28 of the binder 30 so that the bands 26a run along the inside of the spine 32 of the binder 30 on either side of the ring system 34 of the binder 30 and thereby hold the pouch 12 in place along the outside of the spine 32 - if the ring system folds out from the spine, then a single relatively wide band may be used. The pouch 12, which is dimensioned to be about no taller than the width of the spine 32 of the binder 30 (or possibly slightly taller) and about no longer than the height of the spine 32 of the binder 30 is carried along with the binder 30 and allows a user to retrieve various objects from within the pouch 12 via the opening 22. As such, the pouch 12 is not obtrusive and does not tear up the inside pockets of the binder 30. The pouch 12 can be removed from the binder 30 by simply removing the one or more bands 26a back over their respective cover 28, the resilient nature of the bands 26a allowing the bands 26a to each easily pass over its respective cover 28. Alternately, as seen in figure 3, the bands 26b can each be made of two sections that removably attach to one another via appropriate means such as the illustrated sections of cooperating hook and loop material 38 on each end of each section of the band 26b. In this way, the pouch 12 is positioned on the outside of the spine 32 of the binder 30 and the upper (used as a relative term only) section of each band 26b is fitted over the upper end 36 of the spine 32 of the binder 30 while the lower section of each band 26b is fitted over the opposing lower end 36 of the spine 32 of the binder 30 with the upper section and lower section of each band 26b running along the inside spine 32 of the binder 30, on either side of the ring system 34 (again, if a fold out ring system is used by the binder 30, then a single, relatively wide band 26b may be used) such that the two sections of each band 26b are attached to one another via the attachment system 38 in order to hold the pouch 12 on the outside of the spine 32 of the binder 30. When removal of the pouch 12 from the binder 30 is desired, the two sections of each band 26b are detached from one another and the pouch 12 removed from the binder 30. These two section bands 26b may but need not necessarily be resilient in that tightening of the bands 26b about the binder 30 in order to hold the pouch 12 snug against the spine 32 can be accomplished via the sizing permitted by the hook and loop material 38.

As seen in figure 4, in lieu of the use of bands, the pouch 12 can be affixed to the outside of the spine 32 of the binder 30 via the use of an adhesive 40 that adhesively holds the pouch 12 on the spine 32.

As seen in figure 5, attaching of the pouch 12 to the spine 32 of the binder 30 can be accomplished via the use of hooks 42 that protrude from either side of the pouch 12. The hooks 42, which have some resiliency, are hooked onto either end 36 of the spine 32 of the binder 30, first one hook 42, then the other hook 42 with the resiliency giving this second hook 42 sufficient play to overcome the fact that the distance between the hooks 42 is very slightly greater than the height of the spine 32 of the binder 30. Once the hooks 42 are in place, the pouch 12 remains clipped to the outside of the spine 32 of the binder 30 until removed by unhooking the hooks 42 from the spine 32 of the binder 30. The hooks 42 can be made from any appropriate material, such as aluminum, a resilient plastic, etc., and are attached to the pouch 12 in appropriate fashion, such as via adhesion, stitching, ultrasonic welding, etc., as is appropriate for the materials used to produce the hooks 42 and the pouch 12. The two hooks 42 can be two separate and discrete hooks or, as illustrated, the hooks 42 can be on either end of a connecting rod 44 such that the hook system is a single unitary member.

As seen in figure 6, the pouch 12 can be attached to the outside of the spine 32 of the binder via a snap system so that one or more snap sections 46 are attached to the outside of the spine 32 of the binder 30 in appropriate fashion (adhesive, press fit, etc.,) and

corresponding snap sections 46 are attached to the back side of the pouch 12 in appropriate fashion (adhesive, via a grommet, etc.,). In order to attach the pouch 12 to the spine 32 of the binder 30, each snap section 46 on the pouch 12 is aligned with its corresponding snap section 46 on the spine 32 and the each snap section pair is snapped together. In order to remove the pouch 12 from the binder 30, the snap sections 46 are unsnapped from one another.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

I CLAIM:

Claim 1.

A storage system for use with a binder, the binder having a front page and a back page joined by a spine, the spine having an outer surface and an inner surface and having a top side and a bottom side, the storage system comprising:

a storage pouch having a top, a bottom, a front surface, a back surface, a first side and a second side, the pouch also having an opening; and

attachment means for attaching the pouch to the outer surface of the spine.

Claim 2.

The storage system as in claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises a band that extends between the left side of the pouch and the right side of the pouch such that the band runs along the inner surface of the spine when the pouch is attached to the outer surface of the spine.

Claim 3.

The storage system as in claim 2 wherein the band is made from a resilient material.

Claim 4.

The storage system as in claim 2 wherein the band is formed from a first section and a second section that is removably attachable to the first section.

Claim 5.

The storage system as in claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive that adhesively binds the back surface of the pouch to the outer surface of the spine.

Claim 6.

The storage system as in claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises a first hook attached to the back surface of the pouch proximate the first side of the pouch and a second hook that attached to the back surface of the pouch proximate the second side of the pouch such that the first hook hooks onto the top side of the spine and the second hook hooks onto the bottom side of the spine.

Claim 7.

The storage system as in claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises a first snap section located on the outer surface of the spine and a corresponding second snap section located on the back surface of the pouch such that the first snap section and the second snap section are removably attachable to one another.

Claim 8.

The storage system as in claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises either a band that extends between the left side of the pouch and the right side of the pouch such that the band runs along the inner surface of the spine when the pouch is attached to the outer surface of the spine or an adhesive that adhesively binds the back surface of the pouch to the outer surface of the spine or a first hook attached to the back surface of the pouch proximate the first side of the pouch and a second hook that attached to the back surface of the pouch proximate the second side of the pouch such that the first hook hooks onto the top side of the spine and the second hook hooks onto the bottom side of the spine or a first snap section located on the outer surface of the spine and a corresponding second snap section located on the back surface of the pouch such that the first snap section and the second snap section are removably attachable to one another.

Claim 9.

The storage system as in claim 8 wherein the band is made from a resilient material.

Claim 10.

The storage system as in claim 8 wherein the band is formed from a first section and a second section that is removably attachable to the first section.

Claim 11. A storage system in combination with a binder, the binder having a front page and a back page joined by a spine, the spine having an outer surface and an inner surface and having a top side and a bottom side, the storage system comprising:

attachment means for attaching the pouch to the outer surface of the spine.

Claim 12.

The storage system as in claim 11 wherein the attachment means comprises a band that extends between the left side of the pouch and the right side of the pouch such that the bands run along the inner surface of the spine when the pouch is attached to the outer surface of the spine.

Claim 13.

The storage system as in claim 12 wherein the band is made from a resilient material.

Claim 14.

The storage system as in claim 12 wherein the band is formed from a first section and a second section that is removably attachable to the first section.

Claim 15.

The storage system as in claim 11 wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive that adhesively binds the back surface of the pouch to the outer surface of the spine.

Claim 16.

The storage system as in claim 11 wherein the attachment means comprises a first hook attached to the back surface of the pouch proximate the first side of the pouch and a second hook that attached to the back surface of the pouch proximate the second side of the pouch such that the first hook hooks onto the top side of the spine and the second hook hooks onto the bottom side of the spine.

Claim 17.

The storage system as in claim 11 wherein the attachment means comprises a first snap section located on the outer surface of the spine and a corresponding second snap section located on the back surface of the pouch such that the first snap section and the second snap section are removably attachable to one another.

Claim 18.

The storage system as in claim 11 wherein the attachment means comprises either a band that extends between the left side of the pouch and the right side of the pouch such that the band runs along the inner surface of the spine when the pouch is attached to the outer surface of the spine or an adhesive that adhesively binds the back surface of the pouch to the outer surface of the spine or a first hook attached to the back surface of the pouch proximate the first side of the pouch and a second hook that attached to the back surface of the pouch proximate the second side of the pouch such that the first hook hooks onto the top side of the spine and the second hook hooks onto the bottom side of the spine or a first snap section located on the outer surface of the spine and a corresponding second snap section located on the back surface of the pouch such that the first snap section and the second snap section are removably attachable to one another.

Claim 19.

The storage system as in claim 18 wherein the band is made from a resilient material.

Claim 20.

The storage system as in claim 18 wherein the band is formed from a first section and a second section that is removably attachable to the first section.