U.S. patent application number 10/125828 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-21 for magnetic write/erase binder.
This patent application is currently assigned to Avery Dennison Corporation. Invention is credited to Castillo, Arthur G., Hibberd, Christine K., McKelvaine, Terri, Podosek, Ed, Stenger, John F..
Application Number | 20030155761 10/125828 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22138375 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030155761 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stenger, John F. ; et
al. |
August 21, 2003 |
MAGNETIC WRITE/ERASE BINDER
Abstract
A binder, such as a three ring binder, is provided with a
magnetizable panel on the front cover of the binder and with a
stylus and a permanent magnet erasing device mounted onto the
binder. The magnetizable panel may be inset into the cover of the
binder, or it may constitute substantially the entire front cover
of the binder, or it may be inserted into a transparent pocket on
the front cover of the binder. The eraser may be of a broad area
permanent magnet type which may be brought into engagement with the
entire magnetizable panel; or a smaller linear permanently
magnetized eraser may be employed. In one embodiment the
magnetizable panel may be pivotally mounted on the front cover of
the binder, so that it may be folded over to expose the back of the
binder for accessible erasing.
Inventors: |
Stenger, John F.; (Anaheim
Hills, CA) ; Podosek, Ed; (Wilbraham, MA) ;
Hibberd, Christine K.; (Irvine, CA) ; McKelvaine,
Terri; (Meridian, MS) ; Castillo, Arthur G.;
(Chino Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OPPENHEIMER WOLFF & DONNELLY LLP
38th Floor
2029 Century Park East
Los Angeles
CA
90067-3024
US
|
Assignee: |
Avery Dennison Corporation
|
Family ID: |
22138375 |
Appl. No.: |
10/125828 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10125828 |
Apr 18, 2002 |
|
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10077492 |
Feb 15, 2002 |
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6550812 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
281/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 402/503 20130101;
B82Y 15/00 20130101; B42D 15/0093 20130101; B42F 13/0013 20130101;
B43L 1/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
281/39 |
International
Class: |
B42D 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A binder assembly with a magnetizable write/erase panel
comprising: a binder with front and rear covers and an intermediate
spine; a magnetizable write/erase panel pivotally mounted to extend
over at least part of one cover of said binder, to selectively
expose either the front or the rear of said panel; at least one of
said covers having a substantially flat magnetizable write/erase
panel mounted thereon; said write/erase panel having inner and
outer sheets, viscous material between said sheets, and particulate
magnetic material dispersed in said viscous material; said outer
sheet being translucent, a magnetic stylus for applying a magnetic
force to said outer sheet to draw said particulate magnetic
material to said translucent outer sheet to create an image; a
magnetic eraser for application to said write/erase panel to erase
any image appearing on said outer surface; and said binder having
retaining arrangements for securing said magnetic stylus to said
binder.
2. A binder assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein means are
provided for selectively holding said magnetizable panel closed
against the front cover of said binder assembly.
3. A binder assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said holding
means is a zipper or slide fastener.
4. A binder assebly as defined in claim 3, wherein said front and
rear covers are selectively held in the closed configuration by a
zipper or slide fastener.
5. A binder as defined in claim 1, wherein said panel is pivotally
mounted to said binder assembly near said spine.
6. A binder assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said panel is
substantialy coextensive with said front cover.
7. A binder assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said front
cover has pockets thereon.
8. A binder assembly comprising: a front cover; a rear cover
hingedly coupled to said front cover; a paper retention
construction for holding papers within said binder; a magnetizable
write/erase panel pivotally mounted to extend over at least part of
one cover of said binder, to selectively expose either the front or
the rear of said panel; a magnetic stylus for writing on or forming
an image on said panel; and a magnetic eraser for application to
said magnetizable panel to clear any writing or image on said
panel.
9. A binder assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein means are
provided for selectively holding said magnetizable panel closed
against the front cover of said binder assembly.
10. A binder assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said holding
means is a zipper or slide fastener.
11. A binder assebly as defined in claim 8, wherein said front and
rear covers are selectively held in the closed configuration by a
zipper or slide fastener.
12. A binder as defined in claim 8, wherein said panel is pivotally
mounted to said binder assembly near said spine.
13. A binder assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said panel is
substantialy coextensive with said front cover.
14. A binder assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said front
cover has pockets thereon.
15. A binder assembly comprising: a front cover; a rear cover
hingedly coupled to said front cover; a paper retention
construction for holding papers within said binder; a magnetizable
write/erase panel pivotally mounted with respect to said front
cover, to extend over at least part of said front cover of said
binder, to selectively expose either the front or the rear of said
panel; and releasable fastening arrangements for holding said panel
overlying said front cover; whereby said magnetizable panel may be
written on when in the closed configuration and said panel may be
erased when pivoted to an open configuration.
16. A binder assembly as defined in claim 15, wherein said
fastening arrangements are implemented by a zipper or slide
fastener.
17. A binder assembly as defined in claim 15, wherein said front
and rear covers are selectively held in the closed configuration by
a zipper or slide fastener.
18. A binder as defined in claim 15, wherein said panel is
pivotally mounted to said binder assembly near one edge of said
front cover.
19. A binder assembly as defined in claim 15, wherein said panel is
substantialy coextensive with said front cover.
20. A binder assembly as defined in claim 15, wherein said front
cover has pockets thereon.
21. A binder as defined in claim 15, wherein said magnetic panel
has a micro-encapsulated construction.
22. A binder as defined in claim 15, wherein the overall dimensions
of said binder are greater than 81/2 by 11 inches to readily
accommodate paper having A-4 or 81/2 by 11 inch size.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/077,492 filed Feb. 15, 2002 entitled Magnetic
Write/Erase Binder (Docket 682).
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to binders and to magnetic
write/erase assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A number of toys have been proposed using magnetic
write/erase assemblies. These toys characteristically have an upper
translucent plastic sheet and a lower plastic sheet bonded together
at the edges thereof, with a viscous material, such as a gel or
thick fluid between the two sheets, and particulate magnetic
material dispersed in the viscous material. A magnetic stylus is
provided to write on the assembly by engaging the stylus to the
upper surface of the assembly. Magnetic particles are drawn to the
upper surface providing a visual image; and a large area magnet or
an extended linear magnet is moved across the lower surface of the
assembly to erase the image. The assembly may be divided into cells
in order to maintain substantially uniform distribution of magnetic
particulate material throughout the assembly.
[0004] A number of prior art patents disclose specific
constructions for write/erase magnetic assembly boards, and these
include the following: U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,684; U.S. Pat. No.
4,804,327; U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,979; U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,363; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,151,032; U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,398; U.S. Pat. No.
3,426,453; U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,229; U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,837; U.S.
Reissue Patent No. 25,363 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,426,453.
[0005] Toys involving the type of magnetic write erase assemblies
disclosed in the foregoing patents are available in toy stores.
Such toys are provided with magnetic styli and integral mechanical
erase arrangements, with the resultant assemblies being in the
order of a half inch or more in thickness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, a
three ring type binder for holding papers is provided with a cover
which has an exposed magnetic read/write panel which is relatively
thin, such as one tenth of an inch (0.10 inch) or less; and secured
to the binder are a permanent magnetic stylus, and an extended
permanent magnet eraser. The stylus and the extended permanent
magnet eraser are removably mounted onto the binder structure so as
not to impair the normal capability of the three ring binder.
[0007] Various features which may be included in the binder include
the following:
[0008] 1. The extended permanent magnet erasing may be accomplished
using a permanent magnet sheet, preferably mounted in the rings of
the three ring binder, so that it may be shifted into engagement
with the rear of the magnetizable panel for erasing.
[0009] 2. The permanent magnet eraser may be elongated and may be
one inch up to several inches long, and may be mounted on the
inside of one of the covers of the binder for easy access.
[0010] 3. The magnetizable panel may be inserted into the
transparent pocket of a binder such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,857,797.
[0011] 4. The magnetizable panel may form substantially the entire
front cover of the binder.
[0012] 5. The binder may be of any conventional configuration for
holding papers, and need not be a conventional three ring
binder.
[0013] 6. The magnetic writing stylus may be mounted on the spine
of the binder, or on the inner surface on one of the covers of the
binder so that it does not unduly expand the size of the
binder.
[0014] 7. The permanent magnet writing stylus may be structurally
combined with a magnetic eraser.
[0015] In accordance with an additional embodiment of the invention
a write/erase magnetic binder may have a main portion of the binder
with front and rear covers, and paper retention arrangements, and
may have the write/erase magnetic sub-assembly or panel, separately
pivoted at or near the spine of the binder or along any edge of the
magnetic panel, and overlying the main front cover of the binder,
so that the rear of the write/erase magnetic panel may be exposed
for easy and accessible erasing, while the main section of the
binder remains closed.
[0016] In one preferred embodiment, two zippers or other closures
may be provided, one extending around the main section of the
binder, and the other extending around the outer edges of the front
cover and the magnetic write/erase sub-assembly. Further, this
embodiment may conveniently have a cloth outer covering.
[0017] The magnetic panel is preferably substantially coextensive
with the front cover of the binder. However, if desired, the
magnetic panel may be fairly small, and pivotally mounted to the
front cover along one edge of the panel, not necessarily at or near
the spine.
[0018] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent by consideration of the following detailed
description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a 3-ring binder illustrating
the principles of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front view of the binder of FIG. 1 showing the
read/write erase panel, and the magnetic stylus;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line
3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment
of a read/write magnetizable panel;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a stylus showing
a small permanent magnet at one end thereof;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a broad area permanent
magnet which may be used either for erasing by engaging the
permanent magnet surface with the backside of the magnetizable
panel or for darkening broad areas on the front, writing side of
the panel;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a cross-section of a linear erasing magnet, with a
side view of the erasing magnet of FIG. 7 being shown in FIG.
8;
[0026] FIG. 9 shows a simple linear eraser;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of
FIG. 9;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a front view of a binder where the magnetizable
panel constitutes most of the front cover of the binder;
[0029] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the front cover
of the binder taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 11;
[0030] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a magnetizable panel
being inserted into a transparent pocket in a prior art type
binder;
[0031] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another binder illustrating
the principles of the invention in which a broad area erasing
magnet is mounted to the rings of the 3-ring binder;
[0032] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the
invention in which the binder has the magnetic write/erase panel
pivotally mounted on the binder cover and accessible without
opening the main cover of the binder; and
[0033] FIG. 16 shows the binder of FIG. 15 with the magnetic
write/erase assembly in the process of being erased.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] While the specification describes particular embodiments of
the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise
variations of the present invention without departing from the
inventive concept.
[0035] Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a
perspective view of a 3-ring binder 14 having a front cover 16 into
which a magnetizable panel 18 has been mounted. A magnetic stylus
20 is mounted on the spine 22 of the binder 14 with an integral
pouch 24.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a front view of the binder 14, with the reference
numerals identifying corresponding parts.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along lines
3-3 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3 the cover 16 of the binder 14 has
a central stiff panel 26 which may be formed of a chip board
covered with a thin layer of plastic material 28. The magnetizable
panel 18 may be recessed into the cover 26, and may have a thin
layer of tape 30 to hold it firmly in place.
[0038] The magnetizable panel 18 may be in any of a number of
specific physical configurations, with one panel 18 shown in FIG. 4
corresponding to the panel shown in U.K. Pat. Application 2034640A
filed Sep. 14, 1979. The exemplary panel shown in FIG. 4 includes
an upper flat transparent or translucent plastic layer 34, and a
second layer of plastic material 36 into which a plurality of
pockets have been formed. Within the pockets between the layers 34
and 36 is high viscosity or gel like material 38 in which
magnetizable material is suspended. With the panel 18 including a
large number of spaced pockets, the particulate magnetic material
is blocked from drifting down to one edge of the entire panel.
Instead, the magnetizable material is distributed across the
surface of the panel so that some of the magnetic particulate
material is available to respond and to be drawn up against the
upper translucent or transparent panel 34 when the stylus is moved
into engagement with the upper panel 34. The lower panel 40 is
optional and may not be needed when stiffness or semi-rigidity of
the two panels 34 and 36 is sufficient. Incidentally, the thickness
of the layers in the showing of FIG. 4 has been exaggerated and the
total thickness of the panel would normally be about 0.10 inch or
less, with each plastic sheet being only a few thousandths of an
inch thick.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows a stylus 42 which may be formed of plastic
material, with a permanent magnet 44, preferably having a rounded
tip, extending from one end of the stylus. In order to erase the
writing which appears on the magnetizable panel as a result of
application of the stylus, a magnetic field is applied to the lower
surface of the panel. This may be accomplished by the application
of a permanent magnet in the form of a permanently magnetized sheet
46 secured to a plastic sheet 48 to which a handle 50 is pivotally
mounted at pivot points 52 and 54. The resultant flat eraser
assembly may be mounted on one of the covers of the binder.
[0040] In practice, therefore, a stylus such as the stylus 42
engages the upper surface of a magnetizable panel such as the panel
18, and magnetic particles are drawn up into engagement with the
inner surface of the translucent panel 34, thereby providing a
visual image. When it is desired to erase the image, the permanent
magnet eraser unit as shown in FIG. 6, is applied to the lower
surface of the panel 18, to pull the magnetic particles away from
the upper surface 34, thereby wiping out the image.
[0041] Alternative forms of permanent magnet erasers are shown in
FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10. More specifically, the eraser shown in FIG. 7
includes a permanent magnet 62 with pole pieces of magnetizable
material 64 and 66.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a side view of the eraser of FIG. 7 with only the
pole piece 64 being visible in this showing.
[0043] FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternative linearly extending
eraser 72 which includes a rectangular elongated permanent magnet
74 and an outer U-shaped plastic layer 76 which covers the upper
portion of the magnetic eraser. Incidentally, the cross-sectional
view of FIG. 10 is taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 9.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 11 of the drawings, this is a front
view of a binder 80 in which the magnetizable panel 82 constitutes
virtually all of the front cover of the binder. The outer edges 84,
86, 88 and 90 of the binder are fabric material and they are
stitched into the outer edges of the panel 82 where the top and
bottom surfaces are bonded together.
[0045] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the top cover and edge
treatment of the binder of FIG. 11 taken along lines 12-12 of FIG.
11. In FIG. 12, the magnetizable panel 82 is stitched to the outer
cloth binding at reference number 84, with the edge beading of the
binder being indicated at reference numeral 92. The zippered
closure of the binder 80 is indicated at reference number 94.
[0046] FIG. 13 shows a binder 102 of the type shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,857,797 in which the front cover has a transparent pocket 104
which is intended to receive images such as photographs and the
like. In this embodiment, the read/write magnetic panel is mounted
in the pocket formed between the transparent window 104 and the
main stiff portion of the binder cover.
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 14 of the drawings, the binder 110
includes a front cover 112, and a rear cover 114. The area 116
which is defined by dashed lines, refers to the location of a
magnetizable panel such as the panel 18 as shown in FIG. 1 of the
drawings. The stylus 118 is mounted in a stylus holder 120 well
above the area 116 where the magnetizable panel is located. Below
the area 116 is an additional holder 122 in which the elongated
permanent magnet eraser 124 may be mounted. Alternatively, a pen or
other conventional writing instruments may be mounted in an
appropriately sized pouch 122. A large area permanent magnet 126 is
mounted on the flexible plastic panel 128, which in turn is mounted
through the apertures 130 to the rings 132 of the binder 110. When
the mounting sheet 128 is folded toward the front cover 112, with
the permanent magnet material 126 directly overlying the area 116,
the permanent magnet material 126 may be pressed forward into
engagement with the inner surface of the front cover 112 of the
binder, overlying area 116, thereby erasing any image previously
written onto the magnetizable panel on the front of the binder.
Normally, the panel 128 is spaced somewhat apart from the front
cover 112, by the presence of the stylus 118 and the lower pouch
122 on the inner cover 112 of the binder 110. However, the mounting
sheet 128 for the permanent magnet eraser 126 is sufficiently
flexible that it may be bent slightly permitting engagement of the
permanent magnet 126 with the interior surface 116 of the front
cover 112 of the binder.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16 of the drawings, the binder
202 includes two sections, a main section 204 containing a 3-ring
paper holding assembly as shown in FIG. 1, for example, and a front
portion which is principally formed of the central magnetic
write/erase panel 206. Secured around the panel 206 is a cloth
frame 208 which has a zipper 210 extending around three sides
thereof. A mating zipper 212 extending along three sides of the
front cover 214 of the binder permits closure of the front section
by the zipper actuator 216.
[0049] Accordingly, images 218 may be formed on the front of the
magnetic write/erase panel 206 by magnet 220, in stylus form; and
the images may be erased by the application of the extended surface
erase magnet 222 on the back of the magnetic panel 206, as
indicated in FIG. 16.
[0050] The main section of the binder 202 has a front cover 214,
and a rear cover 224. These two covers may be held together by a
second zipper 226. Accordingly the rear of the magnetic panel 206,
may be exposed for erasing purposes without opening the main
section of the binder 202.
[0051] Incidentally, one or more pockets 228 for papers or other
objects, such as a ruler, a magnetic stylus, or magnetic eraser,
may be provided on the front cover 214. It is also noted that the
edges and the rear of the binder 202 may be fabric covered.
[0052] It is noted in passing that the magnetic panel could be
hinged to the front cover at the top, bottom, or front edge of
cover 214 instead of at the spine. Further, the magnetic panel may
be only one-half or less in size than the cover of the binder, and
the magnetic panel may be pivoted along any edge thereof to expose
the back surface thereof for erasing.
[0053] It is also noted that instead of a zipper the magnetic panel
may be releasable held in place by mating hook and loop type
fasteners, by snap locking arrangements or by other convenient
fastening arrangements. The main front and rear covers of the
binder may be similarly held together, or may be free to open and
close without closure arrangements.
[0054] It is noted in passing that the patents cited hereinabove
indicate the types of materials which may be employed for the
magnetizable binder panel per se. High strength permanent magnet
material may be made of known ferrite materials, or any other known
high magnetic strength materials.
[0055] In the foregoing detailed description several specific
embodiments of the invention have been described in some detail. It
is to be understood, however, that various changes and
modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. Thus, by way
of example and not of limitation, different materials for the top
and bottom and sheets of the magnetizable panels, as well as
different materials for the high viscosity or gel like contents of
the panel, and the magnetic particulate material, may be employed,
with reference being made to the cited patents. As indicated, the
magnetizable panel may constitute the entire front cover of the
binder, or may be of a smaller size, occupying only a portion of
the area of the front cover of the binder. The permanent magnet
stylus and the permanent magnet eraser may be located in any
desired location on the binder either on the outer covers or spine,
or on the inside surface of the front or rear covers. If desired,
the stylus and the eraser may be mounted along the outer edge of
the binder so that there is no reduction in the amount of paper or
sheets of paper which may be contained within the binder. The
binders may be of any of the known types of binders, including
those with fairly stiff covers, and those where the covers are
quite thin and are semi flexible.
[0056] With regard to the construction of the magnetizable panels,
although the panels as shown in the present drawings are indicated
as being segmented or compartmentalized, this construction is not
necessary if the magnetizable material is maintained substantially
uniformly distributed across the panel. Preferred magnetizable
panels using a micro-encapsulative construction to avoid the need
for compartmentalization, are available from a company identified
as "China Zhejiang 001 Electronic Group Co. Ltd." of Zhejiang
Province, China.
[0057] Concerning the size of the binder, in one illustrative
binder, a ring configuration was mounted at the spine, to hold
81/2.times.11 inch or A-4 paper, and the overall size of the binder
was approximately 123/4 inches long and about 111/4 inches wide.
The magnetic panel was about 81/2 inches by 113/4 inches in size.
More generally the magnetic panel is preferably substantially
coextensive with the cover, as in the foregoing example, but may
also be somewhat smaller, if desired.
[0058] Concerning other alternatives or variations, it is noted
that the magnetic panels may be on either or both the front cover
or back cover of the binders. For private reminder notes, for
example a magnetizable panel mounted on the rear cover could have
its writing surface on the inside of the rear cover. It is noted
that the cited prior art references disclose various alternatives
including the use of permanently magnetized movable elements in the
panel with north and south polarized writing styli; and many other
alternatives, any of which may be incorporated into the present
binder assemblies. Erasing may be accomplished from the front in
some embodiments. It is also noted that when the term "translucent"
is used, it includes "transparent" materials. In addition to
applicability to common three ring binders the invention is
applicable to other types of binders for papers, including binders
with posts for holding papers and binders where the sheets are held
together with spiral, spring like coils. Concerning the thickness
of the magnetic panels, successful binder assemblies have used
magnetic panels which are about 80 thousandths (0.080) of an inch
thick. More generally, it is desirable to have binders as thin as
possible, less than 1/4 inch thick and preferably less than one
tenth (0.10) inch thick. If desired, a single stylus may be
provided with both writing and erasing capabilities, using, for
example, an extended magnet on the side thereof, or appropriate
north and south poles at different locations on the stylus. The
extended linear erasing arrangements may be an inch or more in
length, and the width may be one half or less than the length.
[0059] Accordingly, the present invention is not limited precisely
to the embodiments shown in the drawings and is described in detail
hereinabove.
* * * * *