Abstract:
A multi-function desktop organizer incorporating a tape flag dispenser, a notepad tray, and a storage for small desktop articles such as paperclips into a compact, aesthetically designed unit. The organizer in the preferred embodiment has a housing comprising upper and lower layers attached together to define an interior therebetween. The tape flag is retained in a depressed compartment defined on the upper layer, being covered by a removable lid having a flag-tape dispensing slit. The upper layer also defines an open depression for storing paperclips therein. The notepad tray is configured such that a substantial portion of it is slidably extendible out of and retractable into the interior through an opening defined on the housing. Further, the tray may be spring-loaded so as to be ejectable by spring force.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    (Not Applicable) 
       STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    (Not Applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to field a multi-function desktop organizer including a notepad tray, a tape flag dispenser, and a storage for desktop articles such as paperclips. 
         [0004]    Desktop items such as notepads, flag tapes, or paperclips are almost indispensable desktop accessories in business offices, houses, or other living spaces. These items, being sold in a separate package and so used and stored, tend to be easily misplaced and disorder working spaces on a desk. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a desktop organizer in which those items are stored and organized in such a way as to provide a user not only the advantage of quickly and efficiently accessing any item as needed, but also the advantage of saving desktop spaces, and thereby, permitting larger desktop working space. It would be further desirable if such a desktop organizer has an aesthetically appeasing appearance so as to contribute to office decoration as well. 
         [0005]    In particular, for a desktop organizer with a notepad storage, it would be desirable if the notepad is stored in a tray that can be selectively opened or closed as needed because if the notepad storage is designed to be constantly exposed to the exterior of the organizer, the notepad retained therein is liable to get stain or dirt. Also in such a case, if there is a confidential message written on the notepad, it may be unwittingly exposed to the view of a third party. Further, it would be still desirable if the retractable tray is spring-loaded so as to be automatically ejected by spring force when, for example, an eject button is pressed. 
         [0006]    Some prior art inventions disclose combining the particular desktop utilities listed above. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,230 discloses a tray having two relatively movable portions. The first portion having a flag tape dispenser and several open depressions to store articles such as paperclips. The second portion has a depressed receptacle that can retain notepads. However, since the tray is designed to fit in a drawer, the second portion of it is not completely retractable into the first portion. Rather, at least a part of the second portion is constantly exposed out of the first portion although the size of the exposed part is adjustable by slidably moving the second portion relative to the first portion. Further, the second portion is not ejectable by spring force 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,519 discloses a desktop organizer having a flag tape dispenser and a notepad storage. But the notepads in that invention are stored in a depression defined on the top surface thereof, not in a retractable, spring-loaded tray as desired. 
         [0008]    Similarly, U.S. Pat. No, 4,176,743, No. 4,919,276, and No. 4,475,022 disclose a desk top organizer having a conventional roll-tape dispenser with a tape-cutter and one or multiple depressed receptacles, some permanently exposed and some covered, for storing various kinds of desk articles. But those inventions fail to disclose, first, a flag-tape dispenser, and second, an extendible/retractable tray for storing notepads. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,610 discloses a multi-functional stapler having a roll-tape dispenser formed on the upper leg and a retractable compartment contained in a lower leg for storing small desktop articles. But the invention fails to disclose a flag-tape dispenser. Further, being formed in a lower leg of a stapler, the retractable compartment is not sized and configured to store notepads, and also, not spring-ejectable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a low-cost multi-function desktop assembly incorporating commonly used desktop utilities such as a tape flag dispenser, a notepad storage, and a storage for other small desktop articles such as paperclips. 
         [0011]    The multi-function desktop organizer made in accordance with the present invention is largely comprised of an organizer housing; a tape flag dispenser disposed in the housing; and a retractable notepad tray. The organizer housing comprises upper and lower layers attached together so as to define therebetween an interior for disposing a notepad tray therein. In the preferred embodiment, the upper layer comprises a smoothly and convexly curved, rectangularly shaped upper surface and two opposing contiguous side surfaces substantially perpendicular to the upper surface. The lower layer is substantially planar and accordingly rectangularly shaped. The housing defines an opening at an edge where the upper and lower layers are attached through which the notepad tray may be slidably extends out or retracts into the housing. 
         [0012]    The tray defines a receptacle sized and configured to store desktop items such as notepads therein, and is configured to be selectively and slidably movable between an extended position in which a substantially entire portion of the tray extends out of the opening and a retracted position in which a substantially entire portion of the tray retracts into the interior. Further, the tray may be configured to be manually pulled out of the housing in one embodiment, or in another, it may be spring-biased so as to be ejectable by spring force by pressing an eject button. 
         [0013]    The tape flag dispenser is disposed in the upper layer. In the preferred embodiment, the tape flag is retained within a depressed compartment defined on the upper layer, being covered by a removable lid having a dispensing slit through which the tape flag is dispensed one by one. The upper layer further defines thereon in the preferred embodiment an open depression for storing small desktop articles such as paperclips. 
         [0014]    One of the advantages provided by the present invention is the ease and quickness, which arises from the efficient integration of desktop functions, in accessing and using multiple common desktop utilities as desired. Another advantage of such integration of desktop utilities is a considerable saving in the space on a desk for storing various desktop items, which would definitely contribute to enhancing work efficiency as more working space is secured on the desk. Still anther advantage is that the neat, compact, and appeasing appearance of the organizer would contribute to enhancing the aesthetics of office working environment. 
         [0015]    Lastly, the present invention provides an effective means for advertising and promotion. Since the multi-function desktop organizer would be accessed and used more frequently by a user due to the integration of multiple utilities and more likely to attract attentions for its compact, aesthetic appearance, it can be an effective vehicle for advertisement as well, whereby advertising materials can be permanently imprinted on any outer surface of the organizer housing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the multi-function desktop organizer made according to the present invention with the notepad tray retracted into the housing; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the multi-function desktop organizer made according to the present invention with the notepad tray extended out and the flag-tape dispenser lid lifted; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective, exploded view of the multi-function desktop organizer made according to the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the multi-function desktop organizer made according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, in  FIGS. 1-4 , a preferred embodiment of the multi-function desktop organizer  1  including a tape flag dispenser, a notepad tray, and a storage for small office articles like paperclips comprises an organizer housing  10 , a notepad tray  40 , and a flag tape dispenser  50 . 
         [0021]    The organizer housing  10  comprises generally opposing upper and lower layers  20  and  30  attached together to define an interior  25  of the housing  10  in which the tray  40  is movably disposed. The upper layer  20  comprises, in the preferred embodiment, a smoothly and convexly curved, generally rectangularly shaped upper surface  21  having two opposing straight marginal edges  21   a,    21   b  and two opposing curved marginal edges  21   c,    21   d  which are substantially perpendicularly to the two straight marginal edges  21   a,    21   b,  and two opposing side surfaces  22  extending downward substantially perpendicularly from the respective two opposing curved marginal edges  21   c,    21   d,  to terminate at respective marginal edges  22   a  and  22   b.  The upper surface  21  and two side surfaces  22  are, preferably, integrally formed. The lower layer  30  is substantially planar and rectangularly shaped with four marginal edges  30   a,    30   b,    30   c,  and  30   d.  The two straight marginal edges  21   a,    21   b  and two marginal edges  22   a  and  22   b  of side surfaces  22  are attached, respectively, to the marginal edges  30   a,    30   b,    30   c,  and  30   d  of the lower layer  30  to thereby enclose the housing interior  25 . The attachment may be accomplished by any attachment means known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, bolts, rivets, adhesives, snap-fitting, friction-fitting, or the like. The upper layer  20  has a cut-away  26  at the straight marginal edges  21  to define an opening  26  thereat when attached to the lower layer  30  for providing access to the interior  25 , through which the tray  40  is slidably movable in and out of the housing  10 . 
         [0022]    The tray  40  is rectangularly shaped corresponding to the shape of the housing  10  and defines thereon a recessed receptacle  41 , preferably rectangular, sized to retain therein commercially available notepads of standard sizes. The tray  40  is configured to be slidably movable between an extended position in which a substantially entire portion of the tray  40  extends out of the opening  26  as shown in  FIG. 2  and a retracted position in which a substantially entire portion of the tray  40  retracts into the interior  25  as shown in  FIG. 1 . For effecting smooth sliding of the tray  40  upon the lower layer  30 , a rectangular sliding ridge  31  is integrally formed on the lower layer  30  so that the tray  40  may slide thereon as shown in  FIG. 3 , the exploded view of the lower layer  30 . Also, a pair of parallel guiding ridges  32  is integrally formed on the lower layer  30  in a longitudinal direction, next to the sliding ridge  31 , for guiding the tray  40  to slide only longitudinally. Further, a transverse ridge  42  is integrally formed on the bottom surface of the tray  40  at its front edge so that once the tray  40  becomes fully retracted into the housing  10 , it is stopped from further receding unnecessarily into the interior  25  as the transverse ridge  42  is engaged with the front portion of the rectangular sliding ridge  31  of the lower layer  30 . 
         [0023]    In the present invention, the tray  40  is configured to release out of the housing  10  only when needed, that is, only by a user&#39;s action. In order to prevent an accidental, unwanted sliding release of the tray  40  out of the housing  10  by, for example, gravity when the housing  10  is tilted down, a pair of detents  33  are integrally formed, in the preferred embodiment, at respective ends of the guiding ridges  32  adjacent the front marginal edge  30   a  and a pair of matching detents  43  are formed on respective side surfaces of the tray  40  adjacent the front edge thereof as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . The matching detents  43  are thin detent-strips  43  branching out from rear edges of respective rectangular slots  44  defined on the side surfaces of the tray  40  adjacent its front edge. Without external pressure acting thereupon, the detent-strips  43  are slightly tilted out of the respective slots in a transversely outward direction. The engagement of such tilted detent-strips  43  with the corresponding detents  33  on the lower layer  30  stops the tray  40  from sliding forward out of the opening  26 . When the detent-strips  43  are pushed transversely inward to align within the respective slots  44 , the engagement between respective pairs of detents  33  and  43  becomes released and the tray  40  can slide forward. In order to push the detent-strips  43  transversely inward and release the tray  40 , each side surface  22  of the upper layer  20  has a lip  23  that has a protrusion  23   a  on an inner surface thereof adjacent the marginal edge  20   a  as shown in  FIG. 3 . As similar to the detent-strips  43 , the lips  23  extend in the longitudinal direction from respective rear edges of rectangular slots  24  defined on respective side surfaces  22 , and can be pushed transversely inward. Then they push, in turn, the detent-strips  43  on the tray  40  transversely inward to disengage them from the detents  33 . 
         [0024]    In the preferred embodiment, the tray  40  is automatically ejected out by spring force once released from a locking position. For that, a coiled spring  45  is disposed within the housing  10  between the rear portion of the tray  40  and the rear end of the interior  25  so as to bias the tray  40  toward the opening  26 . In the retracted position, the tray  40  is restrained from ejecting out of the opening against the spring force by the detents  33  and  43  as described above. Once the locking is released by pushing the lips  23  transversely inward, the tray  40  is slidably ejected out of the housing  10  by the spring force. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, however, the tray  40  may be manually pulled out after it is released by pushing the lips  23  transversely inward. For facilitating manual pulling out, a finger notch  45  may be defined at the front edge of the tray  40 . 
         [0026]    The flag tape dispenser  50  for storing and feeding typical adhesive flag tapes used for tagging book pages is disposed, preferably, on the upper layer  20 . In the preferred embodiment, a recessed rectangular compartment  51  is defined on the upper layer  20  in which a flag tape is retained. The compartment  51  is covered by a removable lid  52  that has a dispensing slit  53  through which the tape flag can be dispensed one by one at a time. The lid  52  may be snap-fitted on, or pivotally connected with, the compartment  51  so as to be easily removable therefrom for restocking the flag tape therein when the flags are used up. 
         [0027]    Moreover, in the preferred embodiment, the upper layer  20  further defines a slight depression  27 , next to the flag tape compartment  51 , for storing small desktop articles such as paperclips, pins, staples, or the like. 
         [0028]    The organizer housing  10  and the tray  40  are fabricated, preferably, of plastic material. But they may be manufactured from any other suitable rigid or semi-rigid material well known to the one skilled in the art, including but not limited to, wood, metal, cardboard, polymeric compositions, fiberglass, hardboard, or other synthetic materials. Further, the overall geometrical shape of the housing  10 , determined by that of the upper and lower layers  20  and  30 , is not restricted to what has been described above in the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The organizer may have other geometrical shapes in another embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the upper and lower layers may have generally circular, elliptical, or other polygonal shapes. Also, the upper layer may not be convexly curved as in the preferred embodiment. In some embodiment (not shown), it may be substantially planar, and may have four contiguous side surfaces, instead of two in the preferred embodiment, which are attached to a correspondingly shaped lower layer at the respective lower marginal edges thereof. 
         [0029]    Lastly, the present invention also provides an effective method for advertising and promotion. Since the multi-function desktop organizer in the present invention is likely to be accessed and used more frequently by a user and attract the attention of the user and viewers owing to its integrated multiple functionality and compact, aesthetically appeasing appearance, it can be an effective vehicle for advertisement, whereby advertising material may be permanently disposed on any outer surface of the desktop organizer. For that, advertising material  60  may be imprinted on either the upper surface  21  as shown in  FIG. 1 , the side surfaces  22  as shown in  FIG. 4 , or even on any outer surface of the housing  10 . Such advertising material may include, but not be limited to a logo, trademark, advertisement, emblem, label, stamp, feature, brand, insignia, crest, token, seal, decal, pitch, announcement, slogan, monogram. Such indicia need not be limited to letters or words, but can be also a photo, design, or other pictorial representation. 
         [0030]    Accordingly, the present invention also includes a method of advertising using the desktop organizer made according to the invention. Such an advertising method comprises the steps of providing a desktop organizer made according to the present invention, and disposing advertising indicia on an external visible surface of the housing. The term “providing” has a broad meaning, including not only manufacturing but also acquiring from another source or selecting from available supplies. The term “disposing” is meant broadly to encompass any means for physically putting the advertising indicia on the surface, including but not limited to, imprinting, engraving, adhering, etc. 
         [0031]    Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the invention.