Patent Publication Number: US-2004056473-A1

Title: Pocket book insert

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001] The present invention relates to books and pamphlets, and more particularly the invention relates to inserts that provide features to books and pamphlets.  
       STATEMENT OF A PROBLEM ADDRESSED BY THIS INVENTION  
       [0002] Interpretation Considerations  
       [0003] This section describes the technical field in more detail, and discusses problems encountered in the technical field. This section does not describe prior art as defined for purposes of anticipation or obviousness under 35 U.S.C. section 102 or 35 U.S.C. section 103. Thus, nothing stated in the Statement of a Problem Addressed by This Invention is to be construed as prior art.  
       [0004] Discussion  
       [0005] Often, when reading a book (and particularly when traveling), a person will fumble about luggage, purse, or briefcase for pens, post-it notes, and other small items to underline passages, make margin notes, or perform some other simple task. As anyone who has done so can attest, such efforts are frustrating, time consuming, and often break the flow of reading or another activity.  
       [0006] In addition, many persons travel with small booklets, such as passports or travel guides. Often, a person needs items that complement the booklet. For example, when carrying a passport, a person may need items such as a second photo identification, immigration papers, or other items. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a device that allows a person to keep small items near or with a booklet or a book.  
       SELECTED OVERVIEW OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0007] The present invention achieves technical advantages as a pocket insert for a book or a booklet. The insert typically includes a base sheet, a pocket sheet coupled to the base sheet so as to create at least a first pocket, and a coupling piece attached to at least the base sheet. Alternative embodiments of the invention may provide additional features such as reading lights, calculators, or zipper-type storage means. Accordingly, persons need not be embarrassed or frustrated by fumbling through briefcases, luggage, or purses to have quick access to items commonly needed when using a book or booklet.  
       [0008] Of course, other features and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. After reading the specification, and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiment, these persons will recognize that similar results can be achieved in not dissimilar ways. Accordingly, the detailed description is provided as an example of the best mode of the invention, and it should be understood that the invention is not limited by the detailed description. Accordingly, the invention should be read as being limited only by the claims.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0009] Various aspects of the invention, as well as at least one embodiment, are better understood by reference to the following EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE. To better understand the invention, the EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE should be read in conjunction with the drawings in which:  
     [0010]FIG. 1 a  illustrates a pocket book insert;  
     [0011]FIG. 1 b  shows an exploded view of a pocket book insert;  
     [0012]FIG. 2 a  is a pocket book insert having a slit for coupling the insert to a book or pamphlet;  
     [0013]FIG. 2 b  shows a pocket book insert having a band for coupling the insert to a book or pamphlet;  
     [0014]FIG. 2 c  provides a pocket book insert having a detachable strip for coupling the insert to a book or pamphlet;  
     [0015]FIG. 3 a  is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a insert having a light source; and  
     [0016]FIG. 3 b  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention adapted for a shopper.  
    
    
     AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE  
     [0017] Interpretation Considerations  
     [0018] When reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment of a Best Mode, which describes an exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter “exemplary embodiment”), one should keep in mind several points. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.  
     [0019] Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the invention are provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a following exemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure or substantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the same results in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way.  
     [0020] Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well as related species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that as technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are hereby incorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described.  
     [0021] Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified by the claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts, functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not be interpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described and identified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that “tacking” may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning, riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling, gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, such as “attaching”). Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as “or”, “and”, “including”, or “comprising” for example) should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words “means” and “step” are provided to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the invention and do not mean “means” or “step” as defined in §112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as “means for —functioning—” or “step for —functioning—” in the claims section.  
     [0022] Discussion of the Figures  
     [0023] Features and advantages of the invention can be better understood by reviewing FIG. 1 a , which illustrates a pocket book insert (the insert)  100  disposed within a booklet  150 , and secured about the spine (not shown) of the booklet  150 . The insert  100  is shown having a plurality of pockets. A first pocket  120  is adapted to hold a credit card  154 , a second pocket  124  is adapted to hold a pencil  124 , and a third pocket  122  is adapted to securely close via a pocket fastener such as a zipping-type enclosure  132 . Note that the boundaries  121  between the pockets  120 ,  122 ,  124  are indicated with dashed lines  121 .  
     [0024] The invention can be better understood by examining its components. Accordingly, FIG. 1 b  shows an exploded view of a pocket book insert  100  that generally includes a base sheet  160 , a pocket sheet  170  coupled to the base sheet  160  so as to create at least a first pocket  122 , and a coupling piece  140  attached to at least the base sheet, the coupling piece  140  being attachable to at least a portion of a book spine (not shown). The base sheet  160  and the pocket sheet  170  can be coupled together via an adhesive, stitching, or, in the event both the base sheet  160  and the pocket sheet  170  are malleable material, coupling can be achieved with a pressing machine or by the selective application of heat as is known in the art. Of course, although a single base sheet and a single pocket sheet are discussed here, a plurality of base sheets can be coupled together to create storage means for items that provide features to the invention, such as lights as discussed below. In addition, a plurality of pocket sheets may be provided to create pockets on either/both sides of the base sheet. Similarly, multiple base sheets and multiple pocket sheets can be used to create a plurality of pocket inserts coupled to a book spine with a single coupling piece.  
     [0025] A coupling piece is any means for coupling a book insert to a book spine in a preferred embodiment, the coupling piece is adapted to fit about a spine of a book. In an alternative embodiment, the coupling piece fits about a portion of a book spine, but at least a sufficient portion of the book spine to securely hold the insert in a book. A coupling piece can be made of any material, such as plastic, reinforced plastic, fabric, or cloth, for example, and may be a continuous piece, or may be shaped like a clip or clips that run up and down only a portion of the back of a book spine. For example, FIG. 2 a  is a pocket book insert having a slit  142  for coupling the insert to a book or pamphlet. The slit  142  of FIG. 2 a  is preferably created by cutting or burning at least a left-most edge of the base sheet  160 . Of course, if the pocket sheet  170  occupies the area of the slit  142 , the slit  142  is also created in the pocket sheet  170 . In an alternative embodiment of the insert  100 , the slit  142  is formed into a flat, sheet-like coupling piece that is attached to at least the base sheet  160 , but is preferably attached to the insert by placement and adhesion between the base sheet  160  and the pocket sheet  170 .  
     [0026] Likewise, FIG. 2 b  shows a pocket book insert having a band  160  for coupling the insert to a book or pamphlet, such as a passport. To couple the band  160  to the insert, the band  160  may be a continuous band (continuous meaning that the band is tied or otherwise attached at its ends) that fits within a cavity  161  formed by a small vertical pocket formed between a base sheet and a pocket sheet, or any other combination of other sheets. In an alternative embodiment, the band  160  is coupled to the insert with, for example, an adhesive. Preferably, the band  160  is elastic or plastic. FIG. 2 b  provides a pocket book insert having a detachable strip  170  for coupling the insert to a book or pamphlet—this is particularly useful for attaching an insert within a thicker book. To couple the insert to a book or pamphlet using the detachable strip  170  having coupling knobs  173 , the insert is placed within a book with the coupling edge  174  pressed against an inside edge of a book spine (not shown). Then, the detachable strip  170  is attached to the inset by placing the coupling knobs  173  within a cavity  175  sized to securely accept the coupling knobs  173  (requiring substantial force to remove the coupling knobs  173  from the cavity  175 ). Of course, any of the above-mentioned coupling pieces may be securely coupled to the insert with an adhesive disposed between a portion of the coupling piece set against the base sheet.  
     [0027] Additional features can be provided to a user by adapting an insert for a specific purpose. For example, persons who read in the dark, such as while traveling on airplanes, may benefit from a reading light. Accordingly, FIG. 3 a  is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of an insert  300  having a plurality of light sources  320  embodied as light emitting diodes (LEDs)  320 . A power source  310  is provided in a first power pocket  312 , and powers the LEDs  320  maintained in a flap  307  preferably in a top portion of the pocket sheet  305 . Of course, other features can be provided to assist readers, such as a bookmark strip (not shown) which is preferably attached to the base sheet.  
     [0028]FIG. 3 b  shows an alternative embodiment of an insert adapted for a shopper as a shopper system  300 . The shopper system  300  has a credit card pocket  330 , at least one coupon pocket  375 , and a bill calculator  365  that is preferably disposed underneath a covering on a first panel  390  of the insert  300 . A display  370 , such as a plasma screen display or liquid crystal display, for example, displays information entered into the calculator  365 . Additionally, a plurality of hot buttons  382 ,  384 , and  386  provide a user quick access to frequently used calculator functions, such as a determination of a tip percentage, a determination of a price with sales taxes added in, or other desired functions. In a preferred embodiment, the hot buttons  382 ,  384 , and  386  are programmable. Also in a preferred embodiment, a second panel  392  is foldable over the first panel  390  so that the insert  350  more easily fits into a pocket book or other half-sized book, and can attach to the book spine via a coupling piece  352 .  
     [0029] Thus, though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.