Patent Publication Number: US-10787021-B2

Title: Movable tab

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/357,639, filed Jan. 25, 2012, now issued as U.S. Pat. No 10,427,448, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/439,506 filed Feb. 4, 2011, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     The present invention is directed to a tab usable in conjunction with a divider or folder, and more particularly, to such a tab that is movable to various positions on a divider or folder or movable between differing dividers or folders. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Dividers, folders, pockets and the like are widely used in notebooks, binders, etc. to divide the notebook or binder into discrete segments for quick and easy access. Such dividers may include a tab which extends outwardly from the main body of the divider so that a user can quickly identify and utilize the divider. However, many such tabs are located at a fixed, predetermined position, which limits the usefulness of a tab, and/or requires a user to obtain a replacement divider should a divider having a different tab placement be desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention is a tab which can be moved to various positions along a divider, pocket or folder, and which can be moved from one divider, pocket or folder to another. More particularly, in one embodiment, the invention is a tab system including a tab for attachment to a component, the tab having a display portion proximate to a first edge of the tab and a pair of laterally extending attachment portions. Each attachment portion is located on a corner of the tab along a second edge opposite from the first edge, or the attachment portion may be located to extend from the side edges between the first and second edges. Each attachment portion includes curved or angled, generally parallel upper and lower edges, or, alternately, each attachment portion includes a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart outwardly-extending legs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a plan view of a notebook with a pocket divider incorporating one embodiment of the tab of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  is a plan view of a blank for forming a pocket divider as in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a plan view of the tab of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIGS. 2B and 2C  are detail views of the tab; 
         FIGS. 3A-3F  show steps in inserting the tab into slots; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  show relative dimensions of the tab and an alternative tab; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the alternative tab; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of an alternative divider incorporating the tab of  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of a tab-supplying insert. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a notebook, generally designated  10 , having a front cover  12 , rear cover  14 , a divider  16  and a plurality of sheets of paper  18  bound by a binding device  20 . In the illustrated embodiment the binding device  20  takes the form of a coil binding device and the covers  12 ,  14 , divider  16  and sheets of paper  18  each includes a plurality of openings  22  formed along the associated inner edge to receive a coil of the binding device  20  therethrough. However, the binding device can take any of a wide variety of forms besides a coil, including a spiral binding device, twin or non-spiral wire binding, ring binding, adhesives, spines, prongs, clips, tabs, a book-style binding and the like. The notebook  10  may also have a set of holes  24  formed therethrough which are spaced and configured to receiving a binding ring of a standard three-ring binder therethrough. The divider  16  shown in  FIG. 1A  includes a pocket and thus may be considered a “pocket divider.” However, the divider may also be useful without a pocket. Covers  12 ,  14  may be “oversize” and extend on any or all edges beyond the sheets  18 , dividers  16 , and even tab display portions  48  (described below); however, the covers  12 ,  14  may have some or all edges aligned with the corresponding edges of the sheets or dividers. The tab display portions  48  may extend beyond the edges of the covers  12 ,  14 . 
     The divider  16  has an upper edge  26 , lower edge  28 , an inner edge  30  positioned adjacent to the binding device  20 , and an outer edge  32  positioned opposite the inner edge  30 . The illustrated divider  16  includes a main panel  34  and a lower panel  36  facing, and secured to, the main panel  34  to define a pocket  38  therebetween. If desired the divider  16  may have various internal pockets, or pockets on the opposite side thereof. Moreover, in some cases the divider  16  may simply be a divider and lack any pockets thereon. 
     The divider  16  has a plurality of slots  40  formed therein or therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots  40  are regularly spaced along the upper edge  26  and outer edge  32  of the divider  16 , and extend generally perpendicular to the associated edge. In one embodiment, each slot  40  may extend entirely through the main panel  34 . However, in some cases, the divider  16  may include a panel or other covering surface on the opposite side thereof to cover the opposite side of the slots  40 . 
     By way of example,  FIG. 1B  shows a blank  15  from which divider  16  may be formed. Blank  15  is divided into four sections by horizontal and vertical fold lines which will define the lower edge  28  and the outer edge  32  of the divider  16 . Starting with the blank  15  as shown in  FIG. 1B , lower panels  36 ,  36 ′ may first be folded upward along fold line  28  to lie upon main panels  34 ,  34 ′ respectively. The combined panels  34 ′,  36 ′ may then be folded back around fold line  32 , bringing inner edges  30 ,  30 ′ together, to form a divider  16  which includes two plies of material in the upper part of the main panels  34 ,  34 ′ and four plies of material in the area of the lower panels  36 ,  36 ′. Thus are formed pockets  38  (shown in  FIG. 1A ) and  38 ′ (on the reverse side of the divider, not shown). 
     Slots  40  may be provided as shown on only one side of the divider, for example in the main panel  34 . Alternately the slots may be provided in both sides, that is, in main panels  34  and  34 ′. Openings  22  and holes  24  may be provided as shown on both sides of the divider, along the inner edges  30 ,  30 ′. 
     The divider as shown in  FIG. 1A  and the blank  15  as shown in  FIG. 1B  should be considered as only examples, as other embodiments of the divider may be achieved with only one pocket, or with no pocket at all. Furthermore the main panel may either be two-ply as described, or a single ply of material. In another embodiment the main panel may be two-ply in the vicinity of slots  40 , for example along edges  26  and  32 , but single ply elsewhere. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 1A , the slots  40  are arranged and positioned to receive a tab  42  therein/therethrough to removably couple the tab  42  to the divider  16 . More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 2A , the tab  42  of  FIG. 1A  is generally rectangular in front view and includes a top or first edge  44  and a bottom or second edge  46  extending generally parallel to each other. The tab  42  includes a display portion  48  proximate to the first edge  44  of the tab  42 , and a pair of laterally extending attachment portions  50 , each attachment portion  50  being located on a corner of the tab  42  along the second edge  46 , or along the side edges between the first and second edge. The display portion  48  provides a surface which can be written upon or carry a label sticker or the like, and/or may have an inner cavity into which a label can be inserted. 
     Each laterally extending attachment portion  50  protrudes generally outwardly from the body of the tab  42 , and includes curved or angled, generally parallel upper  52  and lower  54  edges extending generally upwardly and outwardly. One or both of upper edge  52  and lower edge  54  may be curved in a concave ‘downward’ shape, that is, concave in a direction away from display portion  42 . Each attachment portion  50  terminates in an outer edge  56  extending generally perpendicular to the top  44  and bottom  46  edges of the tab  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, each lower edge  54  of the attachment portion  50  terminates at a position proximate to the lower edge  46  of the tab, and each upper edge  52  terminates at a position proximate to a middle portion of the tab  42 . A pair of relief cuts  58  and  59  are positioned where each attachment portion  50  joins the body of the tab  42  to provide increased flexibility thereto and to aid in anchoring the tab into the slots. 
     A pair of optional score or fold lines  60  may extend across the length of the tab  42 , generally parallel to the top  44  and bottom  46  edges. The fold lines  60  can be considered a line of delineation of the display portion  48  of the tab, and provide flexibility such that the display portion  48  can flex in and out of the plane of the tab  42 . However, the fold lines  60  may also be used to stiffen the tab so that any flexing in the display portion tends not to extend into the body portion, and thus the body portion may be somewhat isolated from forces that might tend to bow the body and reduce the holding strength of the attachment portions  50 . Each fold line  60  can take the form of a score line in which an indentation is formed or cut in the tab  42 . The fold lines  60  may both be formed in the top surface of the tab  42 , although one, or both, of the fold lines  60  can be formed on the opposite, bottom surface of the tabs  42 . Moreover, rather than taking the form of score lines, the fold lines  60  can take the form of creases or pre-folded lines, areas of weakness, or the like. In some embodiments fold lines  60  may be omitted. For example in a die-cutting process it may be easier to manufacture a tab without the fold lines. 
     In order to couple the tab  42  of  FIG. 2A  to the divider  16  of  FIG. 1A , the tab  42  is positioned adjacent to the upper  26  or outer  32  edges, and one of the attached portions  50  is inserted into one of the slots  40 . In  FIG. 1A  the tab  42  is shown spanning two of the spaces between slots  40 . However, the tab may span more or less than two spaces. The height of the attachment portions  50  and/or slots  40  is selected such that the slots  40  may have a height that is only slightly greater than that of the attachment portions  50 . Accordingly, in order to insert the curved attachment portion  50  into an associated slot  40 , the attachment portion  50  may be pivoted or rotated to guide the attachment portion  50  into/through the slot  40 . The relief cutouts  58  and  59  provide increased flexibility to the attachment portions  50  to aid in their insertion. Once one of the attachment portions  50  is inserted into an associated slot  40 , the other attachment portion  50  is inserted into another (i.e., adjacent) slot  40  in the same manner. 
     In this manner, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the tab  42  can be releasably secured to the divider  16 . The display portion  48  of the tab  42  is configured to at least partially extend beyond the associated top  26 /outer edge  32  such that the tab  42  can be seen and gripped by a user. The flex lines  60  enable the display portion  48  of the tab  42  to easily pivot to accommodate forces applied thereto, which avoid the tab  42  breaking off and/or being pulled out of the associated slots  40 . In particular as shown in  FIG. 2A , the shape of tab  42  strongly resists coming out of the slots  40  when subjected to a pulling force exerted upon display portion  48  or the outward edge  44  of the tab, as may be encountered during typical use of the tab. However the shape allows the tab  42  to be removed from slots  40  without much difficulty by applying a lifting and slight rotational force to the inward edge  46  of the tab. 
     In order to decouple the tab  42  from the divider  16 , each attachment portion  50  is backed out of the associated slot  40 , while rotating/pivoting the attachment portions  50 . The tab  42  can then be located at a different position on the divider  16 , or used in conjunction with a different divider  16 , to provide the user flexibility in the use and positioning of tabs  42 . 
       FIGS. 2B and 2C  show details of relief cuts  58 , and  59  respectively. As shown in  FIG. 2B , upper relief cut  58  may include a first portion as an upper edge  58 A that may be approximately horizontal, that is, parallel to the longer dimension of the tab as shown in  FIG. 2B . A second portion as an inner edge  58 B may be approximately vertical. A third portion as a lower edge  58 C may be approximately horizontal. A fourth portion as an outer edge  58 D may slant outward to an outer corner  58 E, from which attachment portion  50  extends along upper edge  52 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2C , as the lower edge  54  extends inward it meets lower relief cut  59  at outer corner  59 A. The relief cut may then extend along an upper edge  59 B that is approximately horizontal but may slope slightly inward and upward, to an inner edge  59 C that may be approximately vertical, and thence to a lower edge  59 D that may be approximately horizontal. 
     The relief cuts may take other shapes, including circles, ovals, and regular or irregular polygons or portions thereof. 
       FIG. 3A  shows a tab  42  proximate to two slots  40 A and  40 B that will receive tab attachment portions  50 A and  50 B respectively.  FIGS. 3B to 3F  show example steps in the process of inserting the tab into the slots, As shown in  FIG. 3B , the tab may be rotated slightly for example about 30 degrees, and attachment portion  50 B inserted into slot  40 B, so that upper relief cut  58  is received into the upper edge of slot  40 . Next, as shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , the tab may be rotated back to approximately horizontal position so that lower relief cut  59  is received into the lower edge of slot  40 B. Certain dimensions are shown in  FIG. 4A  and enumerated by way of example here. All dimensions given herein, whether relative or actual, are examples. The slot height y 1  (16 mm) from its top edge to its bottom edge may be approximately equal to the ‘neck’ distance h 1  (15 mm) from the lower edge  58 C of the upper relief cut  58 , to the upper edge  59 B of the lower relief cut  59 . Because of the angle of upper edge  59 B, and the shoulder height h 4  (18 mm) being nearly equal or slightly greater than slot height y 1  (16 mm), the outer corner  59 A may encounter some resistance entering (or exiting) the slot. The geometry of the two relief cuts may thus help hold the attachment portion in the slot. 
     With attachment portion  50 B securely positioned in slot  40 B, tab  42  may be flexed or bowed upward and out of the plane between the slots, as shown in  FIG. 3E , to shorten the tab lateral size and allow an edge of attachment portion  50 A to enter slot  40 A. The tab may be rotated slightly during this step particularly if the upper edge of attachment portion  50 A would otherwise be too far upward to enter slot  40 A. 
     Flexing or bowing of the tab may then be released to allow attachment portion  50 A to slide into slot  40 A as shown in  FIG. 3F . When the attachment portion  50 A is almost completely into slot  40 A, resistance may be encountered as the height of the attachment portion (such as shoulder height h 4 ) moving through the slot reaches a maximum when outer corners  58 E and  59 A encounter the slot at about the same time. The resistance then drops as outer corner  58 E passes through the slot allowing the attachment portion  50 A to easily transition upward due to the sloped area of outer edge  58 D. Thus it is seen that the tab  42  with the relief cuts  58 ,  59  allows the attachment portions both to be easily inserted into the slots, and held securely in place during use. If desired to remove the tab, the process steps may be reversed. The tab lower edge  46  may be flexed upward (as shown in  FIG. 3E ) and the attachment portion  50 A pulled inward and slightly “downward” (e.g. toward the body of the divider) to release it from slot  40 A. However, during use the forces on tab  42  are mainly outward from the body of the divider, causing the attachment portions  50  to sit more firmly rather than pull out. Furthermore any tendency of tab display portion  48  to flex upward will be resisted by outer edge  58 D of the upper relief cut  58 , and the upper parts of attachment portions  50 . 
     The tab  42  and slots  40  are configured such that when a tab  42  is coupled to an associated divider  16 , the tab  42  is held securely in place. For example, the particular motion used to decouple a tab  42  from the divider pocket  16  may involve each attachment portion  50  being pulled out while the attachment portions  50  are rotated in opposite directions. Removing the tab may involve a rotation of the tab during at least one of the steps during the removal. Although the removal motion to extract the tab  42  can be accomplished relatively easily and without much force, applying movement to tab  42  such as flexing out of the plane of the divider, or rotating the tab, during normal use of the notebook would be unusual or unexpected. Thus, although the tabs  42  can be easily manually removed when desired, they can generally be expected to remain in place during normal use. 
       FIG. 4A  shows dimensions of tab  42  relative to slots  40 . These dimensions whether relative or actual, are only examples. Certain features of the tab are identified in  FIGS. 2A-2C . The tab may have a first major width w 1  (e.g. 46 mm) between inner edge  58 B of the upper relief cut  58 . Width w 1  may also represent the width between inner edge  59 C of the lower relief cut  59 . This width w 1  may be approximately equal to, or slightly less than, the slot outer spacing x 2  (52 mm) between the outer edges of the two slots  40  into which the tab is being inserted. The upper portion of the tab may have a second major width w 2  (51 mm) that may be less than, about equal to, or greater than slot outer spacing x 2 . 
     Attachment portion  50  may have a extension width w 3  (15 mm) large enough combined with dimension w 1  or w 2  so that the sum (about 65 mm) is sufficiently greater than slot outer spacing x 2  (52 mm) such that, once a first one of the attachment portions  50  has been inserted into its associated slot, tab  42  will require some flexing or bowing in order to start the second of the attachment portions  50  into its associated slot. Thus extension width w 3  may be, for example, from about 10% to 50% of width w 1  or w 2  (e.g., 5 to 25 mm), depending on manufacturing preference and such factors as the stiffness of the tab material. Attachment portion  50  may have a distal or outer height h 3  (13 mm) that is sufficiently less than slot height y 1  (16 mm) so as to enable the attachment portion  50  to be easily started into the slot. Near its proximal or inner end, attachment portion  50  may have a shoulder height h 4  (18 mm) that is greater than h 3  and is approximately equal to or somewhat greater than slot height y 1  (16 mm), so that the shoulder height h 4  causes the attachment portion  50  to encounter at least slight resistance when moving though slot  40 . Slightly inward relative to the shoulder height h 4 , at the juncture of the attachment portion  50  with the body of the tab, the height may drop to neck height h 1  (15 mm) that may be approximately equal to or slightly less than slot height y 1  (16 mm). Neck height h 1  may extend horizontally over a width w 4  (3 mm) providing a relaxed or resting position in which attachment portion  50  rests in slot  40 . Slot  40  may have a slot width x 3  (3 mm) that may be just a narrow slit or may be wide enough so as to allow easily starting the distal end of attachment portion  50  into slot  40 . The upper and or lower ends of slot  40  may be squared off or rounded. 
     When installed in slots  40 , an upward portion of the attachment portion  50  may extend an upward extension distance h 2  (5 mm) above the top of slot  40 . For example this may represent the height of the ‘highest’ edge of attachment portion  50 , relative to lower edge  58 C of upper relief cut  58 . The upward portion may help retain the tab in place. Upward extension height h 2  may, for example, range from about 10% to about 50% of slot height y 1 . 
     Attachment portion  50  may have a curved shape. As shown in  FIG. 4A , the shape may be concave downward, that is, become more horizontal further out from the tab body. However the shape may instead be concave upward, that is become more vertical further out from the tab body. Alternately attachment portion  50  may have straight edges replacing one or more of its curved edges. 
       FIG. 4B  shows dimensions of alternative tab  42 ′ relative to slots  40 . This tab will be further described below and certain features identified in  FIG. 5 . The dimensions discussed are examples. Tab  42 ′ may have a width w 1 ′ (51 mm) across its display portion  48 . This width w 1  may be approximately equal to, or slightly less than, the slot outer spacing x 2  (52 mm) between the outer edges of the two slots  40  into which the tab is being inserted. 
     Attachment portion  50  may have a width w 3 ′ (15 mm) sufficiently greater than slot outer spacing x 2  so that, once a first one of the attachment portions  50  has been inserted into its associated slot, tab  42 ′ will require some flexing or bowing in order to start the second of the attachment portions  50  into its associated slot. Width w 3 ′ may be, for example, from 10% to 50% of width w 1 ′ (e.g., 5 to 25 mm). Attachment portion  50  may have a distal or outer height h 3 ′ (13 mm) that is sufficiently less than slot height y 1  (16 mm) so as to enable the attachment portion  50  to be easily started into the slot. Near its proximal or inner end, attachment portion  50  may have a shoulder height h 4 ′ (18 mm) that is greater than h 3 ′ and is somewhat greater than slot height y 1 , so that the shoulder height h 4 ′ causes the attachment portion  50  to encounter at least slight resistance—and even to require legs  66  to flex toward one another when moving though slot  40 . Shoulder height h 4 ′ may be, for example, from about 10% to about 50% larger than slot height y 1  (e.g., from 18 to 30 mm). Slightly inward relative to the shoulder height h 4 ′, at the juncture with the body of the tab, the height may drop to a radiused corner or plateau defining a height h 1 ′ (15 mm) as shown, which may be approximately equal to or slightly less than slot height y 1 . Height h 1 ′ thus may provide a relaxed or resting position in which attachment portion  50  rests in slot  40 . Slot  40  may have a width x 3  (3 mm) that may be just a narrow slit or may be wide enough so as to allow easily starting the distal end of attachment portion  50  into slot  40 . 
     Lower edge  46  of tab  42 ′ may have a width w 2 ′ (47 mm) between the shoulders of the lower legs  66 . Width w 2 ′ may be approximately equal to or somewhat greater than the inside distance x 1  (45 mm) between the associated pair of slots  40 . Thus when inserted into the slots, the ends of the lower legs may expand once passing through the slots. Between each pair of upper and lower legs  66  may be provided a gap  69  which may allow the upper and lower legs to more readily flex toward one another. The gap  69  may be defined by a cutaway area as shown, or by simply a slit. The distance w 4 ′ between opposing gaps  69  may be somewhat less than the slot width x 1  or x 2 . However distance w 4 ′, as well as the shape of gaps  69 , may be chosen to provide the desired amount of flex between the upper and lower legs  66 . Besides being less than the slot width x 1  or x 2 , the distance w 4 ′ may be approximately equal to or even greater than slot x 1  or x 2 . 
       FIG. 5  also illustrates the embodiment  42 ′ of the tab shown in  FIG. 4B .  FIG. 6  shows a divider  16 ′ that may be coupled to the notebook  10  of  FIG. 1A  by the binding device  20 . The divider  16 ′ lacks the outer pocket  38  of the divider  16  of  FIG. 1A  (although the divider  16 ′ may include internal pockets), and also includes a plurality of “wings”  65  extending inwardly from the inner edge thereof to act as a coupling mechanism to couple the divider  16 ′ to a coil or spiral binding mechanism. Such a coupling mechanism is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,785 to O&#39;Hara et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the illustrated embodiment, the divider  16 ′ includes a flap of material  64  folded over its outer edge  32  which carries the slots  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , and previously discussed relative to  FIG. 4B , in this embodiment each attachment portion  50  of the tab  42 ′ includes a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart outwardly extending legs  66 , each leg  66  extending generally parallel to the top  44  and bottom  46  edges of the tab  42 ′. Each leg  66  has a generally triangular-shaped tip  68  having or contributing an area of lesser thickness at its end, increasing to an area of greater thickness toward the base of each leg  66 . Each leg  66  also has a tapered surface  70  positioned at the base of each leg  66  forming a notch. 
     In order to couple the tab  42 ′ of  FIG. 5  to the divider  16 ′ of  FIG. 6 , a first set of legs  66  of an attachment portion  50  is initially inserted into one of the slots  40 . As the tab attachment portion  50  is urged into the associated slot  40 , the increased thickness presented by the tips  68  of the legs  66  causes the legs  66  to be urged/squeezed together. Finally, once the legs  66 /attachment portion  50  is sufficiently inserted into the slot  40 , the notches  70  become aligned with the slots  40 , thereby allowing the legs  66  to spring outwardly securing the attachment portion  50  in the slot  40 . The opposite attachment portion  50  of the tab  42 ′ is then inserted into the associated (i.e., adjacent) slot  40  in a similar manner. 
     Thus, in this embodiment, each tab  42 ′ is again securely coupled to the associated divider  16 ′ such that the tab  42 ′ is not easily removed. However, when it is desired to remove the tab  42 ′, each attachment portion  50  can be manually pulled from the slot  40 , as the angled/chamfered edges  70  will allow the legs  66  to be urged together when sufficient force is applied, thereby decreasing the effective height of the attachment portion  50  and allowing the attachment portion  50  to be extracted out from the associated slot  40 . Although both legs  66  are shown as having an area of increased thickness  68 , if desired, only one leg  66  of each attachment portion  50  may have the increased thickness characteristics. The slots  40  of the divider  16 ′ may be of generally the same size, shape and spacing of the slots  40  of the divider  16  of  FIG. 1A , such that the tabs  42 ,  42 ′ can be used interchangeably, although it is also possible for the size, shape and/or spacing of the slots  40  to differ. 
     Tabs  42 ,  42 ′ may be made of a sturdy but resilient material such as a paperboard, cardboard, polymer, plastic and the like. The material may be flexible enough to allow bowing and flexing as described for inserting and removing the tab from the divider. However, the material may also be stiff enough or elastic enough to spring back into original shape once bowing or flexing forces are removed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , an insert sheet  74  may be provided and coupled to the notebook  10  of  FIG. 1A  by the binding device  20 . The insert sheet  74  may include a plurality of holes  22  proximate to its inner edge for receiving at least part of the binding device  20  therethrough. The insert sheet  74  can be made of a polymer, cardboard or other material having a plurality of components partially, but not entirely, die cut therein. The sheet of  FIG. 7  illustrates two tabs  42  of  FIG. 2A  die cut therein, although the tab of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and/or other suitable tabs, may be included. In this manner, when the user desires to use a tab  42 , the tabs  42  can be separated from the remainder of the sheet  74  and utilized as desired. Thus, the sheet  74  of  FIG. 7  provides a convenient method for storing and supplying the tabs  42  to the user such that they are provided and available for use when desired. 
     Although the invention is shown and described with respect to certain embodiments, it should be clear that modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification, and the present invention includes all such modifications.