Abstract:
A storage system for retaining mementoes and for reminding a user of specific dates and methods of using the system are disclosed. The system includes a book portion, which includes multiple sets of adjoining pages, where one of the pages includes a compartment, such as an envelope, and the other page is initially substantially blank, and a storage container.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/883,383, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RETAINING MEMENTOES, filed Jan. 4, 2007. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to storage systems, and more particularly, to storage systems that include a means to remind a user to perform a function and to store material related to the function. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Storage systems for retaining mementoes and the like have long been known. Exemplary systems often include boxes, into which the mementoes are placed, or books such as photo albums or scrapbooks, into which mementoes are often placed onto various pages. 
         [0004]    Although such systems work relatively well for their intended purpose, the systems generally do not include indicia to remind users of certain anniversaries or other dates and are often not theme (e.g., wedding, marriage, birth) specific. Accordingly, improved systems and methods of storing and organizing information are desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides an improved system for retaining mementoes for predefined events. While the ways in which the present invention addresses the various drawbacks of the prior art are discussed in greater detail below, in general, the present invention provides a system that includes storage compartments for collecting items associated with predefined dates. 
         [0006]    In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, a system includes a book and a storage container. The book includes a plurality of pages having two surfaces. One surface of each page includes a compartment for storing memorabilia, such as a letter, and each compartment has a corresponding date, such as an anniversary, birth date, or the like. The other surface may be used to write on and/or to attach photographs or the like. The container may be in the form of a box and may be used to store writing utensils, stationery, photographs, photo corners, charms, and the like. 
         [0007]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a system includes a book, a storage container, and a sleeve. The book and storage container fit within the sleeve for convenient handling and storage of the book and container. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a system includes a book and a container that are substantially the same size in at least two dimensions, and the container and book are bound together using a strap or the like. 
         [0009]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a system includes a book, a storage container, and a case that folds over and secures the book and the container. In accordance with various aspects of this embodiment, a portion of the case is fixedly attached to one of the books and the container. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a portion of an exemplary book in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary storage container in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary cover in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cover in accordance with various embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates another system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. The dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The following description is of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient roadmap for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function, steps, sizes, and proportions of the various system elements, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in claims and their requirements. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system  100 , including a book  102 , a storage container  104 , and a sleeve or cover  106 . System  100  is designed to retain mementoes and to remind individuals to periodically create and/or retain mementoes. System  100  also optionally includes materials to create various mementoes such as letters, photographs, recordings, and the like. 
         [0020]    Book  102  is further illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Book  102  includes multiple sets of adjoining pages  202 ,  204 , one of which includes a compartment  206 . Book  102  also optionally includes a pre-printed indicia, such as a date  210  or special occasion corresponding to each compartment. For example, the date may correspond to wedding anniversaries, birthdays, other anniversaries, and the like. If not preprinted, users are encouraged to print corresponding dates on or near compartment  206 . In either case, compartment  206  generally corresponds to a specific date or occasion. 
         [0021]    In accordance with one aspect of this embodiment, the pre-printed dates correspond to wedding anniversaries, and book  102  preferably includes 50 or more sets of pages. In this case, system  100  can be used to remind married couples to write love letters to each other at least once a year and provides a convenient storage place for the letters. When the book is used by or for children, the book may include 18 sets of adjacent pages and parents, friends, or the children may write letters on or near birthdays, which are conveniently stored within compartment  206 . 
         [0022]    Book  102  may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, book  102  may be a bound book; a multiple ring binding book, having removable pages; a spiral-bound book; or the like, all with either hard or soft covers. In accordance with one specific embodiment of the invention, the book is a hard-cover book, having a leather exterior, with 50 double-sided pages. However, other cover materials, such as silk, suede, rustic leather, and other book configurations are within the scope of the invention. Additionally, a cover of book  102  may include a pocket—e.g., on a front surface of the book (not shown)—to receive and hold and display items such as photographs or the like. 
         [0023]    Pages  202 ,  204  of book  102  may be formed of any suitable material, such as acid-free paper, water color paper, and the like. Page  203  is preferably configured such that individuals may write on the page and/or attach photographs and/or other memorabilia. For aesthetic purposes, pages  202 ,  204  may be substantially the same throughout book  102 . 
         [0024]    Compartment  206  may similarly be formed of any suitable material, such as acid-free paper, water color paper, and the like. Compartments  206  may also be formed in a variety of configurations. By way of example, compartment  206  is an envelope and the corresponding indicia (e.g., date is written on a portion of the envelope (e.g., a flap  208 ). 
         [0025]    In accordance with particular examples of the invention, letters corresponding to the indicia (e.g., a date printed on compartment  206 ) are stored in compartment  206  and a corresponding photograph (e.g., taken proximate in time to the date on compartment  206 ) is placed on the opposing page  204 . 
         [0026]    Container  104  may be configured in a variety of ways, such as a flexible folder, a box  300  having a compartment  302  and lid  304  (as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ), a sealable bag, and the like. In accordance with various examples of the invention, container  104  is a box having at least 2 dimensions that are substantially similar to two dimensions of book  102 . For example, book  102  may have dimensions of about 8.5″×11″×1.5″ and container  104  may have dimension of about 8.5″×11″×0.75″. 
         [0027]    System  100  may also include various items within container  104 . In accordance with specific examples of the invention, system  100  includes paper, such that an individual can write on the paper at dates corresponding to indicia  210 . The paper may be of any suitable type, such as water color paper, which is preferably acid free. Also, the paper may be scored to facilitate folding the paper along the folds, so that the folded paper will easily fit within compartment  206 . 
         [0028]    System  100  may also include pens, photographs, photo corners (e.g., acid free photo corners), a gift reminder (e.g., a list of suggested anniversary gifts), recordings, and the like. System  100  may also include a list of suggested topics to write about—e.g., vacations, honeymoons, and may be used to store mailed, but yet unopened, mail. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cover  400 , for encasing book  102  and container  104 , in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Cover  400  is configured to wrap around three sides of combined book  102  and container  104  (e.g., a first side of the book, a second side of the book, a first side of the container, and a second side of the container). Cover  400  may be secured to book  102  and container  104  by placing a band around cover  400  and securing the band using, for example, buttons, a buckle, a snap, or the like. 
         [0030]    In alternative embodiments, book  102  and container  104  may be bound together using a strap and a fastening mechanism, such as buttons, a buckle, a snap, or the like. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate another system  500  in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. System  500  is similar to system  100 , and system  500  includes book  502  and container  504 , which are retained within cover  506 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , book  502  and container  504  are stored within cover  506  and cover  506  is retained in a closed position using hooks  602  and rod  604 . In accordance with one particular embodiment, system  500  is about 7×10.5×2.5 inches. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate another system  700  in accordance with yet additional embodiments of the invention. System  700  includes a book  802 , a container  804 , and a cover  702 . Cover  702  is similar to cover  400 , except cover  702  includes loops  704 ,  706 , and cover  702  is retained in a closed position by attaching loops  704 ,  706  around bulbs  708 ,  710 . In accordance with one embodiment, system  700  is about 9.5×14.5×1.75 inches. 
         [0033]    The present invention has been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments and examples. It should be appreciated that the particular embodiments shown and described herein are illustrative of the invention and its best mode and are not intended to limit in any way the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art having read this disclosure will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.