Abstract:
The invention includes a pocketbook adapted to be customized by a consumer. The pocketbook has a plurality of pages and a pocket adapted to hold the pages. The pages are removably held in the pocket. The pages typically have a subject so that the consumer may select pages according to the subject. The pages and the pocket may include a common theme. One embodiment of the invention includes a pocketbook assembly adapted to allow a consumer to assemble a customized pocketbook. The assembly typically includes a page display; a plurality of pages removably supported by the page display; and a plurality of pockets. Generally, each pocket is adapted to hold at least one of the pages. And the pockets are generally available near, or on, the page display. In another embodiment the invention includes a pocketbook kit adapted to allow a consumer to assemble a pocketbook. The kit generally includes a plurality of pages, the pages having a subject; and a pocket for removably holding the pages. The pages would typically include a common theme. Generally the page display comports with the common theme.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to books. More particularly, this invention pertains to the ability to assemble a custom book or a custom novelty book. 
     Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,063,369 describes a visual storybook teaching tool in which a child selects a number of objects (story figures) and places them in “pockets” that are attached to the pages of a binder or book. The pockets themselves are not a novel feature of the design. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,404 describes the design of a photo album page which has multiple expanding pockets for holding photographs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,936 teaches a display album having modular sheet pages for displaying photographs and the like. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,449 illustrates a sheet having multiple pockets for storing photographic film. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,399 teaches a sports team folder for organizing information about members of a sports team in individual “pockets.” 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,482 shows a display album comprising multiple pages formed of a washable material into a “pocket” shape. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,609 shows a “story quilt” that is intended to be hung on a wall for storage and display of dolls. Multiple panels are formed on the front of the quilt, some having pockets for storing various items. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,889 describes a book formed of multiple pages of “bags” or pockets. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,245 is directed at a combination of a pillow and book which is carried in a pocket attached to the side of the pillow. 
     None of the prior art include an invention whereby a consumer may create a custom book. What is needed is book which a consumer may custom assemble to include only subjects the consumer wants, or needs. The book should have pages which are easily removable from (and replaceable to) a holding article. 
     It would be useful if the book could be assembled from a display having a theme so that the consumer could quickly decide to browse the available subjects on the pages available, or move on. If the consumer is interested in the subjects, it would be useful for the page holding article to be interesting, appealing “different” and perhaps matching the theme of the cards (or pages) displayed. Currently, if a consumer is interested in a particular subject, she must buy the whole book. 
     Further, a typical book may not be ‘fun’ for a child. What is needed is a book that could be adapted to be fun for a child, or perhaps make a unique gift for an adult. What is need is a book assembly that will allow a consumer to have more purchasing control and more alternatives to chose a book from among. 
     What is needed is a book assembly which can quickly convey to a potential consumer that a certain type of information is available. What is needed is a book assembly that may serve as an educational tool to teach ‘which of these belongs with the rest’ association. What is needed is a ‘fun’ way for the consumer to assemble a custom book containing subjects of her choosing; a fun way to exercise her creativity. 
     Prior art lacks these needed books and book assemblies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to books. More particularly, this invention pertains to the ability to assemble a custom book or a custom novelty book. 
     In one embodiment, the invention includes a pocketbook adapted to be customized by a consumer. The pocketbook has a plurality of pages and a pocket adapted to hold the pages. The pages are removably held in the pocket. The pages typically have a subject so that the consumer may select pages according to the subject. The pages and the pocket may include a common theme. 
     Another embodiment of the invention includes a pocketbook assembly adapted to allow a consumer to assemble a customized pocketbook. And to exercise her creativity and assemble a unique and individualized book for a unique individual. This could be particularly fun for a child or for an adult who enjoys personalizing gifts. The assembly typically includes a page display; a plurality of pages removably supported by the page display; and a plurality of pockets. Generally, each pocket is adapted to hold at least one of the pages. And the pockets are generally available near, or on, the page display. 
     The page display will typically represent some common theme so that a potential consumer can quickly determine if information of interest to the consumer is to be had there. For instance, the subjects on the pages may be local maps under a theme of travel. Or maybe tourist and vacation information would be displayed. Bed time stories customized for a particular child&#39;s personality and interests. The pocketbook assembly may be used as a teaching tool in one embodiment. It will aid assimilation of information through associative learning. For instance, typical activities of a farmer (or some other vocation) may be included on various pages. Or, one could assemble a pocketbook containing animals of a particular interest, while excluding others. 
     In another embodiment the invention includes a pocketbook kit adapted to allow a consumer to assemble a pocketbook. The kit generally includes a plurality of pages, the pages having a subject; and a pocket for removably holding the pages. The pages would typically include a common theme. Generally the page display would comport with the common theme and would support the pages for display to a consumer. In one particular embodiment, the pocketbook kit the common theme is planting; and the pages include a plurality of packets of seeds. The pocket holding the seeds would typically include a flower box or planter shape. 
     The page display would typically support the pages in pockets on the pages display (or in display pockets) which match the common theme. The pages as well as the pocket which hold the pages often include interesting shapes and features. For example, leaf, fruit, or example shapes; apron, shirt, or image features; or the like. The page display may include various representations such as trees, people in a vocation, animals, scenery, etc. The display may be two or three dimensional. 
     Another embodiment of the invention includes a pocketbook assembly which typically includes a page display figure; a plurality of page supports attached to the page display figure; a plurality of pages removably supported by the page supports; a pocket holder proximate the page display figure; and a plurality of pockets adapted to hold the pages, the pockets removably held in the pocket holder. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a book which a consumer may custom assemble to include only subjects the consumer desires; to provide a way for the consumer to exercise her creativity and create a unique book for a unique child or adult. Another object of the invention is to provide a book in which the pages are easily removable from (and replaceable to) a pocket. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide the consumer a way to quickly decide if the assembly has information useful to the consumer. An objective is to provide this through a page display figure indicative of a theme. Another objective is to provide a pocket in which to assemble the pages where the pocket matches the theme of the cards (or pages) displayed. 
     An object of the invention is to give the consumer more purchasing control, enabling her to select only the subject information of interest or suitable for a particular person. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a ‘fun’ book for a child. Learning is achieved at a more rapid pace when new information is assimilated with old information of a similar nature or category. One objective of this invention is to provide an educational tool to teach such association, in essence, ‘which of these belongs with the rest’ games. 
     Another objective of the invention is to provide a ‘fun’ way for the consumer to assemble a custom book containing subjects of her choosing or to buy a unique and individualized gift. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a pocketbook assembly  10 . The assembly  10  includes a display  14  sometimes referred to as a Hall Tree. 
     FIG. 2 shows a Playhouse Tree pocketbook assembly  20 . 
     FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a playhouse tree  30 . 
     FIG. 4 shows another tree pocketbook assembly embodiment  50   
     FIG. 5 shows a cooking theme for a pocketbook assembly  60 . 
     FIG. 6 shows a medical theme pocketbook assembly  70 . 
     FIG. 7 shows an animal theme for the pocketbook assembly  80 . 
     FIG. 8 shows another embodiment for a custom book assembly  90 . It includes a display FIG. 91 which is a representation of a teacher. 
     FIG. 9 shows a custom book assembly  100  which includes a carpenter page display FIG.  101 . 
     FIG. 10 shows an architectural embodiment of a custom book assembly  110 . 
     FIG. 11 shows a typical shirt pocket style pocket  120  for use with a custom book. 
     FIG. 12 shows the back of the shirt pocket style pocket  120  shown in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a hip pocket style pocket  130  for holding pages. 
     FIG. 14 shows an apron theme pocket  140 . 
     FIG. 15 shows an alternate embodiment of an apron style pocket  150 . 
     FIG. 16 shows a neck style apron pocket  160 . 
     FIG. 17 shows a pillow style pocket  170 . 
     FIG. 18 show another pillow style pocket  180 . 
     FIG. 19 shows a pillow pocket  180  similar to the one shown in FIG. 18, however, it includes a hook and loop fastener  184  on the inside of the pillow packet. 
     FIG. 20 shows a window box display FIG.  200 . 
     FIG. 21 shows a pocket  204  in the shape of a window box for receiving pages  202 . 
     FIG. 22 shows a pocketbook  208  in the shape of a leaf. 
     FIGS. 23 a  and  23   b  show a mitten pocket  232  and page  236  for a cold theme. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Applicant&#39;s invention will be best understood when considered in light of the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the attached drawings. 
     FIG. 1 shows a pocketbook assembly  10 . The pocketbook assembly includes pages  11  to be selected by the consumer. A plurality of pocket holders  12  hold a plurality of pockets  13  on a display  14 . The display  14  also supports the pages  11 . The display  14  shown in FIG. 1 is also referred to as a Hall Tree. It may be three dimensional or cardboard cutout or any conventional display. The consumer would select one of the pockets  13  from one of the pocket holders  12 , then select various pages  11  and then place pages in the pocket, thus forming a pocketbook. The pages  11  shown in FIG. 1 are in the shape of a leaf or a variety of shapes representing a variety of leaves. The leaves on the Hall Tree  14  could be changed to correspond to the season. For instance, buds for spring, leaves for summer, and multi-colored fall leaves for autumn. Likewise, the subject of the pages could be changed to correspond to the seasons or a particular holiday such as Mother&#39;s Day or Christmas. 
     FIG. 2 shows a Playhouse Tree pocketbook assembly  20 . It includes tree pocket holders  21  for holding pockets, pages, or both. The tree pocket holder  21  is shown with a hinged door  22  in FIG.  2 . The Playhouse Tree  20  also includes other points of interest such as a bird&#39;s nest  24 , a squirrel or similar animal  25 . It may include a playhouse  26  up in the branches of the tree as well as a ladder  27  to reach the upper length of the tree. 
     FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a Playhouse Tree  30 . It includes a picnic table  31  for sitting and reading the pocketbook. Knot holes  32  in the display may be used for storing pockets  12  or cards  11  (pages of the pocketbook). A playhouse  33  may be associated with the tree, and be used to store pockets or pages for backup inventory or for actual display. Knot holes  32  may optionally include a sound device (not shown) for playing theme music, for instance, “Don&#39;t Sit Under the Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me”. The sound device may be located in any convenient place on the display. A sound device may also be included in any page or pocket of a pocketbook. (See FIGS. 23 a  and  23   b .) The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 also includes a swing  35 . Leaf pages  36  which would be chosen by the consumer are shown on the branches of the display. A bird&#39;s nest  37  may be used for storing extra pages or pockets. The pockets  38  may be in the shape of leaves, birds&#39; nests, or ordinary rectangular books. A squirrel  39  is shown for the added effect, as is a bird house  40 . Cutout FIG. 41 may show a person in an occupation and may include the pockets  38  or the pages  36 . Basket  42  may also be used to hold additional pockets or selections of cards. 
     FIG. 4 shows a pocket assembly book  50  with a page display FIG. 51 of a tree. Pockets  52  may be in the shape of leaves or any conventional shape. The pocket holders would hold the pages  53 . The pages  53  may alternatively be packets of pages. Dowels  54  extending from the tree  51  may also be used to hold pockets  52 . A ladder  55  is shown, it may be an additional location to hold pockets  56  or pages  53 , or just used for added effect. Additional packets  53  and pockets  56  are shown on the ladder  55 . 
     Typically, a pocket assembly would include a theme, for instance, that of a vocation, of family values, of nature, of cooking, etc. The themes available for selection are as diverse as a person&#39;s imagination. The pages may include various subject matter corresponding to the theme. For instance, in a nature theme, the subject may include local flora, fauna, or local points of interest; perhaps the topography or geology of the region. The pages or cards might be just pictures or written descriptions and they might be cutout in appropriate shapes to represent corresponding subjects. There could be complete stories, or just pithy sayings on the pages. The pages may be hard plastic laminated cards (ideal for cooking), or thin light weight pages (ideal for traveling), or packets of multiple pages, or any conventional format. Again, the possible subjects are virtually unlimited. That is one appeal of the pocketbook assembly, it enables consumers to select the subjects that interest them. 
     FIG. 5 shows an alternate theme for a pocketbook assembly  60 . The theme shown is that of cooking. FIG. 61 is a cutout of a showing a baker, a chef, or a homemaker, with an apron  65 . The apron  65  includes pocket page containers  62  in the shape of pockets (or display pockets) for storing pages  63 . The page containers (or holders) might show individual themes on the outside of the display pockets  62  indicating particular recipes on the pages  63  in which the pages  63  are stored. The pages  63 , of course, could be packets of recipes related to particular foods, or individual cards or any conventional format. In one embodiment, the cards are washable. Typically a bowl, or in this case a grocery sack, would be used as a pocket holder  64  for holding the pockets  67  in which the consumer is to keep the pages  63 . The consumer would select a pocket of choice from the pocket holder  64 , and then select appropriate cards  63  from the various display pockets  62  on the display  61 , thus allowing the consumer to create a customized pocketbook or a custom book. 
     FIG. 6 shows a doctor or other medical personnel in a medical theme pocketbook assembly  70 . It includes a display figure representation  71  (representing a medical theme or a person in a medical field). Page holders  72  in the shape of pockets hold individual (or groups of) pages  73  for the consumer to select. A medical bag, or similar device typically associated with the medical profession, is used for storing the pockets (not shown) for the consumer to keep the pages in. 
     FIG. 7 shows an animal theme for the pocketbook assembly  80 . The page display figure is that of animal, in this case a dog  81 . The dog  81  includes display pockets  82  on the display  81  for holding the pages  83 . The pockets (not shown) for the pages  83  might be stored in a bone  84  in the dog&#39;s mouth. The themes or subjects displayed on the display FIG. 81 may be any appropriate theme such as how to train dogs, what to feed your animals, what type of flea and tick medicine is best, etc. Other appropriate animal themes or subjects may cover the type of animal at a local game reserve, or hunting area, or nature reserve and the cards might be used for educational purposes or simply for souvenirs. The page display dog  81  may, of course, be two dimensional or three dimensional. 
     FIG. 8 shows another embodiment for a custom book assembly  90 . It includes a display FIG. 91 which is a representation of a teacher. The teacher  91  includes display pockets  92  for holding pages  93 . The pockets (not shown), in which the pages  93  might be held by the consumer, could be kept in a chalkboard  94 . The chalkboard  94  is one object typically associated with a teacher, there are many others. This would be true with most professions. 
     FIG. 9 shows a custom book assembly  100  which includes a page display FIG. 101 of a carpenter. The page display FIG. 101 includes a tool box  102  which might be used for holding pockets (not shown). But, any object typically associated with carpentry would do. Pages  103  would be stored in display pockets  104 . The pockets (not shown) stored in the tool box  102  could be of an appropriate theme to match carpentry (or farming or any theme comporting with a display including overalls). 
     FIG. 10 shows a custom book assembly  110  using an architectural theme. It includes a house display FIG.  111 . The windows  112  may be used to hold pages (or packets of pages)  113 . Pages  113  may be placed behind, or in front of, the windows. The roof  114  might be hinged for storage of extra pockets (not shown) or for pages  113 . The window boxes  115  may also serve as a location for storing pockets (not shown) for holding the pages  113 . 
     FIG. 11 shows a typical shirt pocket style pocket  120  used in conjunction with a custom book. The pocket  120  shown in FIG. 11 includes a flap  121 , a side  122 , a front  123 , and a closure  124 . Typically, the pockets used with the custom book assembly would comport with the theme of the display or with the theme of the cards. Alternatively, a variety of pockets would be available for selection and the cards would include a variety of themes and subject. The consumer would have chosen the pocket and the cards, thus creating a custom book (or pocketbook) with a customized theme, book cover (or book pocket), and subject matter. 
     FIG. 12 shows the back of the shirt pocket style pocket  120  shown in FIG.  11 . It includes a back  125  and a supporting strap  126 . 
     FIG. 13 is a hip pocket style pocket  130  for holding pages. It includes a closure  131 , a belt  132 . A loop  133  for holding the belt onto the hip pocket. Typically the belt  132  would continue all the way around the pocket  130 . 
     FIG. 14 shows another theme pocket  140 . It is an apron pocket. The apron pocket  140  shown in FIG. 14 includes a lace trim  141  and a picture on the front  142  as well as a waistband  143 . The apron may be functional so that it actually prevents spillage on the consumer&#39;s clothing. And it would typically include a pocket for holding the cards. 
     FIG. 15 shows an alternate embodiment of an apron style pocket  150 . The apron pocket  150  includes a lace trim  151 , a bow  152 , and a waistband  153 . 
     FIG. 16 shows another apron style pocket embodiment  160  which includes a pocket for holding pages, i.e., a page holder  161 , and a neck strap  163 . The apron pocket shown in FIG. 16 is functional. So a baker might keep the recipe handy, stuck down in the pocket  161 , while keeping the flour and egg off of herself while baking a cake, any similar combination of ingredients and foods. 
     FIG. 17 shows what might be called a pillow style pocket embodiment  170 . It includes a loop fastener  171 , a tassel  172 , and a lace fringe  173 . 
     FIG. 18 includes another embodiment of a pillow pocket  180 . Pillow pocket  180  includes hook and loop fasteners  181 . The pillow pocket  180  may be padded, or may be nonfunctional, or may be sized to contain the packets or pages. Likewise, any style of pocket may be padded and appropriately sized. Some appropriate themes used with a pillow pocket might be those associated with bedtime stories or nighttime prayers, or the like. 
     FIG. 19 shows another embodiment for a pillow pocket  180 , however, it includes a hook and loop fastener located on the inside of the pillow pocket  180 . 
     FIG. 20 shows a window box display FIG.  200 . The leaves or pages  202  might be stacked vertically or horizontally within the display FIG.  200 . FIG. 21 shows a window box pocket  204  for holding pages  202 . This might be appropriate for a theme for planting herbs, fruits, vegetables and the like. 
     FIG. 21 shows a pocket  204  in the shape of a window box for receiving pages  202 . The pages  202  shown in FIG. 21 are packets of seeds. In one embodiment the window box pocket is flexible fabricate adapted to fold flat when no pages are in the pocket  204 . 
     FIG. 22 shows a pocketbook  208  in the shape of a leaf. It includes a pocket  209  for holding a plurality of cards (or pages)  212 . The pocket  209  shown includes a pouch  210  and a closure  211 . The plurality of cards  212  includes a card  214  including symbol or representations  215 ; and a card  220  including an image  221 . 
     FIG. 23 a  shows a mitten pocket  232  having a thumb  234 . A sound device for playing a winter, or cold, theme song, such as “Frosty the Snowman” could be located in the thumb  234 . A sound device may also be incorporated into a page in the pocketbook such as is shown in FIG. 23 b . FIG. 23 b  shows a card  236  having as snowman scene  237 . A sound device  238  could be incorporated into a button on the snowman scene  237 . Those skilled in the art will be aware of other conventional locations for sound devices. 
     It should be evident that many display figures and themes might be used for presenting the pocketbook (or custom book) assembly to consumers. A wall hanging style display might be one such choice. The cards may be supported in pockets or dowels or other conventional manner. Another type of assembly might include a display for holding the cards and another display, perhaps a clothes line display, for holding various pockets. 
     One theme might be that of a traveler, where the pages are various maps. 
     In an assembly with a cooking or baking theme, appropriate subjects might be various recipes, types of cookware available, or any other cooking related subject. The pockets might be cookbooks, or maybe an oven-mitt shape, where the pockets are washable or cleanable; and the pages, in one embodiment, would be washable as well. 
     The pockets may also be displayed in a mobile-type display where they are hanging or swinging and the consumer selects one pocket from among those hanging. 
     The representations, or images on the page could be formed in any conventional manner such as sewing patterns, either by hand or computerized; adhesives; printing and the like. The cards may be cut-outs as well representing an object matching the theme. Cards may also have various subject representations including shaped, pictures, text, maps, souvenirs, etc. 
     One theme could include bird watching where the subject is the local birds available at the particular region. The consumer would select the birds he needs further information about, and not have to buy cards covering birds he is familiar with, or birds not in the region. Similarly, a vacation theme might include various cards representing either vacations available to different spots; or various adventures available at particular resorts. The display figure could be any appropriate vacationer image, or service representative. 
     Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Pocketbook Book, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.