Notebooks with removable components

Described herein are examples of notebooks with removable components, comprising a front cover, a back cover, binding, and internal pages. The front cover and back cover are prepared from rigid or semi-rigid materials. The front cover comprises personalization space, and the front cover or back cover comprises a removable component. The removable component is separated from the front cover or back cover by an exterior edge and connected to the back cover by tabs. The exterior edge and tabs form a continuous perimeter around the removable component. The tabs are configured to be broken using average human finger strength allowing the removable component to be fully separated from the back cover.

BACKGROUND

Notebooks have been a device for keeping personal and business records since the invention of paper. There are many known variations on notebooks for use in taking notes from the classic marble school notebook of youth to the gilded leather-bound tomes suitable for museums. Regardless of the size, shape and features, the general purpose of these notebooks is to provide a medium for recording notes, ideas, or any information worth memorializing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A notebook with removable components as disclosed herein will become better understood through a review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various embodiments of notebooks with removable components. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity and clarity, all the contemplated variations may not be individually described in the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will understand how the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered and not depart in substance from the scope of the examples described herein.

A conventional notebook may include a front cover, a back cover, binding, and a series of pages located between the two covers. The pages can be blank, lined, colored, and/or contain pre-set formats such as graphs, item lists, charts, or other designs. Notebooks can be spiral bound or have standard hard bindings.

When considering existing notebooks, there is not currently a notebook that can be personalized for individuals or companies, which also has removable components that provide additional personalization and added features for the notebook. While personalization of stationary is known in the art, there is a lack of products that provide the ability to use handwritten notes accompanied by an additional removable component that can be used by the notetaker. More particularly, there is a lack of personalized notebooks the contain removable components that reinforce and/or highlight the personalization provided by the notebook.

Embodiments of notebook with removable components can be personalized in multiple manners. One embodiment can have a name, logo or image on the front cover, the back cover or both. Additional personalization of the notebook can be found in the form and nature of the removable component. Embodiments of the removable component can be related to the functions of the notebook, such as a pen holder for the notetaker or an easel for the notebook. Additionally, the removable component can be related to the personalization of the notebook, such as a name tag, key holder, key hanger, or ornament that contains the logo or name that has been personalized on the notebook.

The notebook with removable components provides personalization and brand recognition that is not readily available from stationary, notepads, notebooks or books currently available. The combination of personalization, brand recognition, and related removable components can provide increased marketing opportunities and improved customer relations for the provider of the notebook, as well as additional benefits for the notetaker. In alternate embodiments the removal component is not directly related to the personalization of the notebook100or the use of the notebook100.

FIG.1illustrates a front view of a notebook100, according to an embodiment. The notebook100includes a front cover110, a back cover120(referred to herein as covers110,120), and binding130. The notebook100includes personalization spaces115and internal pages140. The covers110,120can include corners, upper left corner111, upper right corner112, lower left corner113, and lower right corner114(referred to herein as cover corners111,112,113, and114). The front cover110illustrated inFIG.1demonstrates the ability to place various personalization spaces115on the front cover110of the notebook100. The personalization of the notebook100allows it to be used as a gift from a giver/distributor for marketing purpose, such as swag. Alternatively, the notebook can be a present from a friend or loved one, designed for personal use, or for internal company use.

FIG.2illustrates a back view of a notebook100, according to an embodiment. The notebook100includes a back cover120, which includes removable components150. The removable components include exterior edges160, interior edges165, tabs170and optionally filler components175. The removable components150of the notebook100, provide additional personalization and/or advantages for the notebook100.FIG.2further illustrates the optional use of personalization space115on the back cover120. The combination of the features shown inFIGS.1and2create a device that can be a gift, a promotional item, a marketing tool, and/or swag, that fulfills multiple purposes, needs or requirements simultaneously in a stylish, flexible, versatile and adaptable manner.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the front cover110contains personalization spaces115for placing names, logos, images, words, markings or any types of designation chosen to provide personalization to the notebook100. Personalization spaces115can also be included on the back cover120. The personalization can be printed, engraved, stickered, or cut into the covers110,120by laser cutting, press-cutting or other cutting methods suitable for the notebook100. There can be multiple personalization spaces115on either the front cover110or the back cover120. The personalization space115can occupy between 10-90%, preferably 20-80%, and most preferably 30-50% of the surface area of the covers,110,120.

In one embodiment of the notebook100, the covers110,120are prepared from a rigid or semi-rigid material. Examples of the rigid or semi-rigid materials include wood, such as balsa wood, basswood, plywood, soft woods, and so forth; plastics, such as acrylic materials, polymers, laminates, and so forth; metals, such as titanium, aluminum, tin, and so forth; styrofoam; ceramics; cardboard; or any rigid or semi-rigid material that is suitable for cutting, and will maintaining enough structural integrity to allow the removable components to remain in the cover110,120until a user chooses to remove them, and not so rigid or strong that average human finger strength cannot break the tabs170. Additional rigid or semi-rigid materials with be readily recognizable to a person of skill in the art. The use of rigid or semi-rigid materials for the front cover110and/or back cover120provides structural integrity to the removable component150.

In one embodiment of the notebook100, in which the covers110,120are prepared from a plastic material, such as an acrylic or polymer material, the cover110,120can be used as a reusable dry erase board with a non-permeant marker. In one embodiment, the cover110,120contains a blank space, a space which does not contain any writing or removable components150, that occupies between 20-80%, preferably 40-60% and most preferably 50% of the cover surface area. In certain embodiments, wherein the cover110,120are plastic materials suitable as dry erase boards, both sides of the front cover110and both side of the back cover120can include a blank space to be used as a dry erase board.

In one embodiment of the notebook100, the front cover110can be prepared from a different material than the back cover120. Examples of alternate material for the front cover110are leather bound covers, vellum bound covers, and so forth. Alternatively, the front cover110can be a plastic material suitable for a dry erase board and the back cover can be prepared from a wood or metal material. Variations of cover materials can be employed to reflect the style and/or personalization chosen for the notebook100.

In one embodiment the internal pages140can include standard paper, parchment, bond paper, matte coated paper, recycled paper, silk coated paper, construction paper, uncoated paper, watermarked paper, graph paper, or other type of writing material suitable for the notebook100and commonly employed in notebooks or other writing materials.

The removable components150are configured to be removed or separated from the covers110,120. In certain embodiments the removable component150is partially cut-out of the covers110,120. The removable component150can be partially cut-out of the covers by press cutting, laser cutting, die-cutting, or other techniques commonly employed in the industry to prepare cut-outs from solid surfaces. The removable components150are separated from the covers110,120by the exterior edge160and connected to the covers110,120by the tabs170. The exterior edge160and the tabs170form a continuous perimeter around the removable components150. The filler component175are formed in a similar manner to the removable component150, the interior edge165and the tabs170are cut out of the cover110,120, and the interior edge165and the tabs170form a continuous perimeter around the filler component175.

In one embodiment the removable component150is attached to the covers110,120by tabs170. The tabs170are created by the partial cut-out of the removable component150from the covers110,120. In one embodiment, the removable component150is partially cut-out and a series of cuts or perforations define the exterior edge160and the interior edge165of the removable component150. The space created by the partial cut-out also defines the tabs170that continue to connect and link the removable component150and the covers110,120. The tabs170further connect and link the removable component150to the filler component175.

After the removable component150is removed or separated from the cover110,120, the total perimeter of the removable component150is defined as a removed exterior edge180. The tabs170allow the removable component150to remain a part of the covers110,120, until the removable component150is separated from the covers110,120. Additionally, the tabs170are configured to be broken to allow the removable component150to be removed or separated from the covers110,120. The tension or strength required to break the tabs170is within the average strength of human fingers, but not so easily broken that normal handling of the notebook100results in accidental breaking of the tabs170and separation of the removable component150.

In one embodiment the total perimeter length of the tabs170and the exterior edge160of the removable component will be equal to 100% of the perimeter of the removed exterior edge180. In certain embodiments the length of the tabs170is between 50-40% and the length of the exterior edge160is between 60-50% of the removed exterior edge180. In alternate embodiments the length of the tabs170is between 30-40% and the length of the exterior edge160is between 70-60% of the removed exterior edge180. In alternate embodiments the length of the tabs170is between 20-30% and the length of the exterior edge160is between 80-70% of the removed exterior edge180. In alternate embodiments the length of the tabs170is between 10-20% and the length of the exterior edge160is between 90-80% of the removed exterior edge180. In alternate embodiments the length of the tabs170is between 5-10% and the length of the exterior edge160is between 95-90% of the removed exterior edge180. In alternate embodiments the length of the tabs170is between 2-5% and the length of the exterior edge160is between 98-95% of the removed exterior edge180. In alternate embodiments the length of the tabs170is between 1-2% and the length of the exterior edge160is between 99-98% of the removed exterior edge180. In alternate embodiments the length of the tabs170is 0.1-1% and the length of the exterior edge160is between 99.9-99% of the removed exterior edge180.

The covers110,120can be any shape that is usable as a cover for a notebook100. Embodiments of the covers110,120can be rectangular, square, triangular, polygonal, animal shaped, or circular. The covers110,120can include cover corners, upper left cover corner111, upper right cover corner112, lower left cover corner113, and lower right cover corner114(referred to herein as cover corners111,112,113, and114). The cover corners111,112,113, and114can be right angles, rounded, tapered, or any shape used for notebook covers.

The binding130can be saddle binding, thermal binding, spiral binding, comb binding, velo-binding, tape binding, wire binding, perfect binding, hardcover binding, coil-binding, binder clip binding, or any or any type of binding used for notebooks. Suitable materials for the spiral, coil or clip binding include plastics, such as acrylic materials, polymers, laminates, and so forth; metals, such as titanium, aluminum, tin, and so forth or other materials suitable for these types of bindings.

In an alternate embodiment the removable components150can be returned to the cover110,120and stored in the notebook100for later use or as a storage container. The removable component150can be configured to allow it to fit firmly back into the space from which it was removed. This can be accomplished by putting the removable component150back into the cover110,120in a different confirmation from the original confirmation, through the use of re-usable tabs, a hook and loop mesh, re-useable adhesive polymers, or other components to re-insert the removable components150back into the covers110,120.

FIG.3illustrates a three-dimensional (3D) product300prepared by assembling the removable components150of a notebook100, according to an embodiment. The 3D product300illustrated inFIG.3is prepared from six removable components151,152,153,154,155and156. More specifically, the 3D product300according toFIG.3is prepared from a top component151, a bottom component152, a front component153, a back component154, a left-side component155, and a right-side component156. The six removable components151,152,153,154,155and156are removed or separated from a cover110,120as illustrated inFIG.2.FIG.3illustrates an embodiment of the 3D product300that can be personalized to reflect the user of the notebook100and/or the giver/distributor of the notebook100. The embodiment illustrated as 3D product300is a pen holder that provides a place for the user of the notebook100to store writing devices to be used to take notes in the notebook100.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.3, the perimeter of the removable component150includes a series of tails220and pins230. The tail and pins shapes of the perimeter of the removable component150allow multiple removable components to be joined, combined or connected to form three-dimensional structures. The tails220are defined by the space between the pins230. The tails220and pins230alternate around the perimeter of the removable component150. The tails220and pins230are configured to form a joint210at a generally perpendicular or 90-degree angle. In the embodiment shown inFIG.3, the tails220and pins230are generally equal in length. The tails220and pins230alternate one for one around the perimeter of the removed exterior edge180of the removable component150. Interior corner edges185define the demarcation of the tails220and pins230along the removed exterior edge180. With regard to the tails220, the tail length is defined as the distance from a first interior corner edge185to a second interior corner edge185. With regard to the pins230, the pin length is defined as the distance from a first exterior corner edge186to a second exterior corner edge186. The depth of the tails220and pins230are defined as the distance from the interior corner edge185to the exterior corner edge186. In alternate embodiments the tails220are longer than the pins230, but the depth of the tails220and pins230is generally equal.

As illustrated inFIG.3the six removable components151,152,153,154,155and156are configured to be joined in a system to form the 3D structure300.FIG.3illustrates multiple joints210allowing the removable components to form a 3D structure to form the 3D product300. The joint210illustrated inFIG.3is a box-joint in which the tails220and pins230are generally equal in shape, length and depth. Alternative joints, such as dove tail joints, with varying, shapes, lengths and depths of the tails220and pins230can be employed. In alternate embodiments the tails220and pins230can be triangular, polygonal, tapered, or any shape, length or depth commonly employed to join two or more rigid components as employed by skilled artisans such as woodworkers.

The 3D product300can be prepared from multiple removable components. In certain embodiments, the 3D product will be prepared from two removable components. As illustrated inFIG.3, the 3D product can be prepared from six removable components. Alternate embodiments can include variations from 2 to 100 or more removable components. The limit of the number of removable components in determined by the available surface area of the covers110,120. Additional back covers110,120can be employed to provide additional surface area for additional removable components150.

The removable components150of the notebook100can be configured to be in any two-dimension (2D) shape. Additionally, the combination of removable components150can be joined to form a variety of three-dimensional (3D) shapes as shown by 3D product300inFIG.3. Alternative 2D or 3D products can include, but are not limited to, coasters, key hangers, ornaments, shadow boxes, puzzles, name tags, phone holders, toys, board games with board game pieces, 3D logos, animal shapes, or any shape or structure suitable for 2D or 3D construction.

FIG.4illustrates a side view of the 3D product300prepared by assembling the removable components150of a notebook100, according to an embodiment.FIG.4illustrates how the 3D product300can rest on its bottom component152in a 3D rectangular cuboid formation. The empty space formed by the removal of the filler components175allows the 3D product300to hold cylindrical objects including, but not limited to pens, pencils, and highlighters.

FIG.5illustrates a top view of the 3D product300prepared by assembling the removable components150of a notebook100, according to an embodiment.

FIG.6illustrates a front view of the 3D product300prepared by assembling the removable components150of a notebook100, according to an embodiment.FIG.6illustrates the 3D product300resting on its back component154in a 3D rectangular cuboid formation. In an alternate embodiment, the filler component175is not removed, or not cut into the front component153or back component154, and the space can used as a personalization space115.

FIG.7illustrates a pattern of removable components150that can be employed on covers110,120of the notebook100to prepare an alternate 3D product700, according to an embodiment, which is similar to 3D product300, but with different shape tails220and pins230forming different joints210. The tails220and pins230illustrated inFIG.7are generally equal in length and depth, but the shape of the tails220and pins230has been changed by increasing the angle at the interior corner edge185and decreasing the angle at the exterior corner edge186. This formation allows for a dove-tail joint310linkage of the removable components150. The dove-tail joint310will still be generally perpendicular and generally at a 90-degree angle, but the dove-tail nature of the joint310will provide greater stability for the 3D product300.

FIG.8illustrates a pattern of removable components150that can be employed on covers110,120of the notebook100to prepare an alternate 3D product800, according to an embodiment.FIG.8illustrates removable components including a front board810, a back board820, multiple circular game pieces830, frame legs840, and frame floor850. The back board820can include a personalization space115.FIG.8illustrates a series of removable components that can be assembled to form a game including a hollow upright structure in which circular components are dropped into the hollow upright structure to form patterns. Games such as the one shown inFIG.8provide increased personalization and benefits to the notebook100.

As illustrated inFIG.8the removable components810,820,830,840and850include exterior edges160and tabs170similar to the removable components shown inFIG.2. This allows the removable components to be easily removed from the cover110,120, but provide enough support to maintain the structure of the covers110,120until a user chooses to remove them from the notebook100. Further, the removable components810,820, and840are configured in a box-joint type style, similar to the tail220and pin230configuration shown inFIG.2, except that the pins230are shorter in length than the tails220in the embodiment inFIG.8. The removable components830(circular game pieces) and850(frame floor) are configured to be used with the 3D product800shown inFIG.8. Markings, symbols, letters, colors, or other identifying features can be included on circular game pieces830to create two or more separately identifiable sets of game pieces.

Additional games, including game boards/structures and game pieces can be constructed in accordance with the removable components of the notebook100. Examples, include, but are not limited to chess, checkers, backgammon, mahjong, and dominoes. The removable pieces of the notebook100can be adapted to prepare various games based on the teachings of the present application.

FIG.9illustrates a pattern of removable components in various animal shapes that can be employed with the cover110,120of the notebook100, in an embodiment. The animals have a first animal shape910, with an upper slot915cut into first animal shape910, and second animal shape920, with a lower slot917cut into second animal shape920. The animal shapes910,920provide 3D upright structures that can be used as toys or game pieces in accordance with the notebook100. The use of different types of animals, or alternate shapes, provides additional personalization and benefits of the notebook100.

As illustrated inFIG.9, with the exception of the slots915,917, the individual animal shape910,920is identical (e.g., they are identical images of a deer, penguin, rhinoceros, elephant, dolphin, bear, or any other type of animal). After the identical animal shapes910,920are removed from the notebook100, they can be slotted into the identical animal shape, with animal shape920being placed over and then down into animal shape910, forming a horizontal “X” that allows the combined animal shapes to support themselves in an upright manner.

As illustrated inFIG.9, the removable components910,920are in the shape of animals, and the first animal shape removable component910includes a vertical slot915cut into a top of the first animal shape removable component910, and the second animal shape removable component920includes a vertical slot917cut into a bottom of the second animal shape removable component920. This configuration allows the first and second animal shape components910,920to be joined or linked to form a three-dimensional product.

The shapes that can be employed with the notebook100are not limited to animal shapes. There can be squares, triangles, rectangles, polygons, or any suitable two-dimensional shapes. Additionally, the shapes can be configured as logos, names, images, or any type of shape that will provide personalization or utility.

An additional use of the notebook100in accordance with the configuration of animals shown inFIG.9, is as a stencil. Once the animal shapes910,920have been removed from cover110,120, the empty space can be used as a stencil in which a user can draw an outline of the animal shape910,920onto a piece of paper or other material, by following the outline created by the removal of animal shape910,920. The shape of the stencil will be whatever the shape of the removed component had been, therefore, the stencil can be for any shape chosen for the removable components150of the notebook100.

A feature illustrated in one of the figures may be the same as or similar to a feature illustrated in another of the figures. Similarly, a feature described in connection with one of the figures may be the same as or similar to a feature described in connection with another of the figures. The same or similar features may be noted by the same or similar reference characters unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, the description of a particular figure may refer to a feature not shown in the particular figure. The feature may be illustrated in and/or further described in connection with another figure.

Elements of processes (i.e. methods) described herein may be executed in one or more ways such as by a human, by a processing device, by mechanisms operating automatically or under human control, and so forth. Additionally, although various elements of a process may be depicted in the figures in a particular order, the elements of the process may be performed in one or more different orders without departing from the substance and spirit of the disclosure herein.

The foregoing description sets forth numerous specific details such as examples of specific systems, components, methods and so forth, in order to provide a good understanding of several implementations. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that at least some implementations may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components or methods are not described in detail or are presented in simple block diagram format in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present implementations. Thus, the specific details set forth above are merely exemplary. Particular implementations may vary from these exemplary details and still be contemplated to be within the scope of the present implementations.

Related elements in the examples and/or embodiments described herein may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity and clarity, related elements may not be redundantly explained. Instead, the use of a same, similar, and/or related element names and/or reference characters may cue the reader that an element with a given name and/or associated reference character may be similar to another related element with the same, similar, and/or related element name and/or reference character in an example explained elsewhere herein. Elements specific to a given example may be described regarding that particular example. A person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that a given element need not be the same and/or similar to the specific portrayal of a related element in any given figure or example in order to share features of the related element.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many other implementations will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of the present implementations should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The foregoing disclosure encompasses multiple distinct examples with independent utility. While these examples have been disclosed in a particular form, the specific examples disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter disclosed herein includes novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above both explicitly and inherently. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims is to be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more of such elements.

As used herein “same” means sharing all features and “similar” means sharing a substantial number of features or sharing materially important features even if a substantial number of features are not shared. As used herein “may” should be interpreted in a permissive sense and should not be interpreted in an indefinite sense. Additionally, use of “is” regarding examples, elements, and/or features should be interpreted to be definite only regarding a specific example and should not be interpreted as definite regarding every example. Furthermore, references to “the disclosure” and/or “this disclosure” refer to the entirety of the writings of this document and the entirety of the accompanying illustrations, which extends to all the writings of each subsection of this document, including the Title, Background, Brief description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, Claims, Abstract, and any other document and/or resource incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein regarding a list, “and” forms a group inclusive of all the listed elements. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, and D is an example that includes A, includes B, includes C, and also includes D. As used herein regarding a list, “or” forms a list of elements, any of which may be included. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, or D is an example that includes any of the elements A, B, C, and D. Unless otherwise stated, an example including a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude other examples that include various combinations of some or all of the alternatively-inclusive elements. An example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements includes at least one element of the listed elements. However, an example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude another example that includes all of the listed elements. And, an example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude another example that includes a combination of some of the listed elements. As used herein regarding a list, “and/or” forms a list of elements inclusive alone or in any combination. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, and/or D is an example that may include: A alone; A and B; A, B and C; A, B, C, and D; and so forth. The bounds of an “and/or” list are defined by the complete set of combinations and permutations for the list.

Where multiples of a particular element are shown in a FIG., and where it is clear that the element is duplicated throughout the FIG., only one label may be provided for the element, despite multiple instances of the element being present in the FIG. Accordingly, other instances in the FIG. of the element having identical or similar structure and/or function may not have been redundantly labeled. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize based on the disclosure herein redundant and/or duplicated elements of the same FIG. Despite this, redundant labeling may be included where helpful in clarifying the structure of the depicted examples.

The Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed examples that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Examples embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same example or a different example and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the examples described herein.