Abstract:
A compact case for repositionable notes includes a thin, rectangularly-shaped base in which is formed a shallow well for holding a stack of repositionable note sheets, and a similarly shaped lid which is fastened by an integral hinge to a rear edge of the base. The lid has formed in the lower surface thereof a shallow depression which serves as a “parking” area for posting notes containing writing. The lid is releasably securable to the base to enclose the interior space composed of the lid depression and base well by a releasably lockable fastener consisting of a wedge-shaped locking tab which protrudes diagonally outwards from a corner of the front lower edge of the lid, which is snappingly engageable within a diagonally inwardly facing, obliquely disposed slot formed in a flexible button which protrudes diagonally outwards from a front corner of the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    A. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a compact case for carrying small, flat articles such as repositionable paper note sheets, paper money, business cards, compact mirrors and the like, the case being sufficiently small and flat to fit conveniently within a garment pocket, briefcase, or the like.  
           [0003]    B. Description of Background Art  
           [0004]    Repositionable notes such as 3M Company&#39;s Post-it® notes are well-known and in widespread use today all over the world. These adhesive paper notes have low-tack adhesive on a portion of the backside of every sheet in a pad, so that written notes can be transferred to other papers or objects with a smooth surface without getting easily lost. The notes are usually sold in pads of 50 or 100 sheets per pad, and offered in a variety of standard sizes. For example, 2″×1½″ is a very common “small” size, used for brief notes and messages.  
           [0005]    People increasingly use repositionable notes not only in offices, but also in homes, schools, or any place where notes with facts or reminder messages may be needed. Also, with the widespread use of mobile telecommunications devices, a user may need to take a brief note anywhere he or she may be traveling and then be able to transfer the note at a later time to a document, for example.  
           [0006]    One problem with repositionable note pads is that taking them along in a briefcase, shirt or trouser pocket, wallet, or hand bag, will quickly soil or “dog-ear” them. The pads may also break apart easily when carried in this way, causing the adhesive on the back to collect dust and dirt, rendering them unusable for their intended purpose. Although various holders for repositionable note pads are available, these are primarily intended for desktop use and tend to be bulky and unsuitable for carrying in briefcases, shirt pockets, etc.  
           [0007]    There is therefore a need for a compact, easy-to-carry protective case for keeping repositionable notes handy in shirt pockets, wallets, briefcases, bags, glove compartments of cars, etc.  
           [0008]    A variety of holders or transportable containers have been designed, some of them having the general size and shape of a standard credit card.  
           [0009]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,307 to Friedman disclosed a one piece construction polypropylene polymer container for irregularly shaped objects such as keys in the size of a credit card and with a thickness between 0.18 to 0.21 inch.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,871 to DeField discloses a key chain note holder with transparent housing.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,173 to Shiraishi discloses a credit card size container for a cosmetic liquid.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,858 to Bar-Yona et al. discloses a tablet dispenser about the size of a credit card.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,254 to Knieriem discloses a transportable holder for self-stick notes.  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,409 to Marquardt discloses a note caddy for adhesive notes.  
           [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,259 to Garza discloses a notepad for checkbooks.  
           [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,205 to Bodziak et al. discloses a dispenser for a small stack of note paper.  
           [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,153 to Linn discloses a memo pad holder device in combination with a key ring.  
           [0018]    There remains a need for a slim, wallet or shirt pocket fitting holder that is easy to use, protective of the note pad, convenient to carry from place to place, and inexpensive to produce. Additionally, there remains a need to provide such a device with a relatively large flat smooth area on its front side suitable for imprinting a company&#39;s logo or message so that the product is suitable as a premium gift or advertising specialty.  
           [0019]    Also, it would be desirable to have available a compact case that could in addition to or in place of providing protective storage for repositionable notes, hold paper money, business cards, or a small, flat compact mirror for use in personal grooming tasks. The unavailability of a case with characteristics described above was a motivation for the present invention.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0020]    An object of the present invention is to provide a compact case for carrying thin objects such as repositionable paper note sheets, paper currency, business cards, compact mirrors and the like, the case being closable to provide a closed interior space for protecting such objects from flexural damage or soiling, while being readily openable with the fingers, and sufficiently compact to be easily carried in a shirt pocket, wallet, or the like.  
           [0021]    Another object of the invention is to provide a compact case for enclosing a supply of repositionable note sheets or similar thin flat articles within an interior space between inner facing concave surfaces of a base and lid which are hingedly joined together and held in a closed position by a snap-lock type fastener that is openable and closable by a thumb when held in a person&#39;s hand.  
           [0022]    Another object of the invention is to provide a compact case for repositionable note sheets which is openable and closable using one of a person&#39;s hands, and which when opened provides access to note sheets therewithin for writing on with the other hand, and attaching written notes to interior “parking” surfaces of the base and lid of the case.  
           [0023]    Various other objects and advantages of the present invention, and its most novel features, will become apparent to those skilled in the art by perusing the accompanying specification, drawings and claims.  
           [0024]    It is to be understood that although the invention disclosed herein is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages described, the characteristics of the invention described herein are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, I do not intend that the scope of my exclusive rights and privileges in the invention be limited to details of the embodiments described. I do intend that equivalents, adaptations and modifications of the invention reasonably inferable from the description contained herein be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0025]    Briefly stated, the present invention comprehends a compact portable carrying case for thin flat objects. A primary intended function of the invention is to provide a compact case for a pad of repositionable note sheets, the case having a closed interior space for holding a supply of repositionable paper note sheets, and which has a lid which may be released from securement from a base with the thumb of one hand to provide access to the interior space of the case, enabling note sheets therein to be written on with a writing instrument held in the other hand.  
           [0026]    According to the invention, a compact case for repositionable note sheets includes a generally rectangularly-shaped, laterally elongated thin flat base which has formed in the upper surface thereof a concentric shallow recess of slightly smaller size than the perimeter of the base, the recess having a flat, rectangularly-shaped lower surface parallel to the lower surface of the base. The case includes a lid which has an outline shape and size generally similar to that of the base and which has in its lower surface a similarly shaped recess. The lid and base are joined at rear edges thereof by a laterally disposed hinge which extends nearly the full width of the lid and base and which enables the lid to pivot between a downward, closed position in contact with the base, and an upward, open position which affords access to the interior of the case. In a preferred embodiment, the base and lid are fabricated as a molded plastic part, and the hinge joining the lid and base comprises a thinner cross-section portion of plastic material molded unitarily with the base and lid to thereby form a thin, laterally elongated, “living” or integral hinge.  
           [0027]    A compact case for repositionable notes according to the present invention includes a novel thumb-lock fastener operable by the thumb of a person&#39;s hand while the case is being held in the palm of the hand.  
           [0028]    The novel thumb-lock fastener according to the present invention includes a locking tab or blade which protrudes diagonally outwards from a front diagonal corner of the lid. The tab has a straight outer edge which is disposed perpendicularly to the lid diagonal, and an upper surface which tapers downwardly and diagonally outwardly to give the tab in cross-sectional view a wedge shape similar to that of a chisel, screwdriver or knife blade.  
           [0029]    The thumb lock fastener also includes a locking button which protrudes diagonally outwards from a front diagonal corner of the base adjacent to that corner of the lid where the locking blade is located. The locking button has a straight, obliquely disposed inner edge wall which is disposed perpendicularly to the base diagonal, and parallel to the straight front edge of the locking tab. With the lid in a fully closed position, i.e., with the inner, lower peripheral surface of the lid contacting the inner, upper peripheral surface of the base, the inner transverse edge wall of the locking button is located diagonally inwardly of the outer transverse edge wall of the locking blade, which is received in a rectangular-shaped aperture or slot formed in the inner transverse edge wall of the locking button, locking the lid to the base and thereby retaining the case in a fully closed disposition.  
           [0030]    The locking button is joined to the base by a transversely disposed transition or neck section which consists of a thinner wall part of the base that is parallel to the inner edge wall of the locking button. In a vertical, diagonally disposed longitudinal sectional view, the transition section which joins the button to the diagonally inwardly located part of the base has an elongated, transversely disposed, shallow U-shaped depression formed in the upper surface of the transition section, and a V-shaped groove formed in the lower surface of the transition section. The depression and groove are vertically aligned to form in the neck a reduced thickness section which comprises a self-hinge for the locking button.  
           [0031]    When a downward pressure is exerted on the upper surface of the locking button, by a person&#39;s thumb, for example, the button flexes downwardly along the button self-hinge, thus displacing the button slot downwardly away from the locking blade edge, and releasing the locking blade from the slot, thereby unlocking the lid from the base. To re-close the case, thumb pressure is applied to the lid near the blade, which when pressed down against the upper surface of the button, near the inner transverse edge of the button, causes the button to flex downwardly along the button hinge. Downward motion of the button displaces its inner edge wall outwardly from the outer edge of the locking blade sufficiently for the edge of the blade to penetrate the slot, whereupon the button hinge returns elastically to its horizontal, unstressed disposition with a snapping action to thereby engage and lock the locking blade within the button slot.  
           [0032]    In a preferred embodiment of the case, the U-shaped depression formed in the upper surface of the base extends diagonally across the recessed area of the base, and has a lower surface co-extensive with the recessed lower surface of the base, thus forming in unrecessed portions of the base a pair of spaced apart aligned U-shaped channels disposed transversely to a diagonal of the base. To seal those channels with the lid closed, thereby inhibiting dust and/or moisture from entering the interior of the case when is it closed, the lid has protruding downwardly from its inner, lower surface, a pair of obliquely disposed, arcuately curved, convex ribs having shapes and relative locations complementary to those of the U-shaped base channels. Thus, when the case is closed, the base channels are effectively sealed by the lid ribs. Also in the preferred embodiment, the base and lid recesses both have formed therein laterally elongated, rectangularly-shaped regions which are relatively highly polished, to afford good adhesion surfaces for self-stick repositionable notes.  
           [0033]    A modification of a compact case for repositionable notes according to the present invention includes a generally U-shaped wire money clip which has rear end segments of a pair of parallel legs thereof bent forward parallel to the legs. The end segments of the legs are inserted into a pair of laterally spaced apart perforations formed in the rear lower surface of the base, and received in grooves formed in the lower interior surface of the base, which protrude forward from the apertures. The money clip is made of spring wire, and has a front laterally disposed, upwardly curved edge which is biased by torsional spring tension in the bent leg segments, against the lower surface of the base, and which may be elastically bent away from the lower surface of the base to insert paper currency, and released to exert a spring force against the currency to thereby hold it fast to the base.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 is an upper plan view of a compact case for re-positionable notes according to the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 is a lower plan view of the case of FIG. 1.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the case of FIG. 1.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view of the case of FIG. 1.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the case of FIG. 1, showing the case partially open.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, but showing a lid of the case pivoted perpendicularly upwards from a base of the case.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the case of FIG. 6, showing the lid fully open, repositionable notes removed from the case, and showing an optional money clip attached to the case.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary upper perspective view of the case of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale, showing a live hinge part of the case.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary scale elevation view of the case of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale, showing a flexible fastener part of the case.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 10 is a diagonal vertical sectional view of the case of FIG. 1, taken in the direction of line  10 - 10 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 11 is a lower plan view of a modification of the case shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 12 is a partly sectional side elevation view of the case of FIG. 11.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 13 is a lower perspective view of the case of FIGS. 11 and 12.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another modification of the case shown in FIG. 1  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of the case of FIG. 14.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 16 is a right side elevation view of the case of FIGS. 14 and 15.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0050]    FIGS.  1 - 10  illustrate various aspects of a basic embodiment of a compact case for repositionable notes according to the present invention. FIGS.  11 - 13  show a modification of the basic embodiment, which includes a money clip.  
         [0051]    Referring first to FIGS.  1 - 7 , a compact case for repositionable notes  10  according to the present invention may be seen to include a generally rectangularly-shaped, laterally elongated, thin flat rectangular base  11  which has generally flat and parallel upper and lower surfaces  12  and  13 , respectively. As shown in the figures, upper and lower surfaces  12 ,  13  of base  11  are over most of their respective areas substantially flat and parallel. Upper surface  12  of base  11  has formed therein a relatively large, rectangularly-shaped recess  14  which is concentric with the outer perimeter wall surface  15  of the base. Recess  14  has a flat, rectangularly-shaped floor surface  16  which is enclosed by a rectangular ring-shaped perimeter wall  17  which has an upper surface  18  which is relieved below the unrecessed upper surface  12  of the base to a height intermediate between floor surface  16  and upper surface  12 .  
         [0052]    As may be seen best by referring to FIG. 1, base  11  of case  10  preferably has protruding from one side thereof, e.g., right side  19 , a flange  20  which has in plan view the shape of a triangular wedge, which has an outer edge wall  21  that angles outwardly and rearwardly from front edge wall  22  to rear edge wall  23  of base  11 . Flange  20  has an upper surface  12 R which is coextensive with the upper surface  12 F of a front laterally elongated bar-shaped web section  22 A of base  11 , located between front edge wall  22  and the front laterally disposed rib-shaped portion  17 F of ring-shaped perimeter wall  17 . Also, flange  20  preferably has formed through a wider rear portion  24  thereof an aperture  25  for receiving a key chain or key ring. Aperture  25  can have any suitable shape, such as an oval shape as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0053]    As may be seen best by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, base  11  has protruding from a front corner thereof, e.g., left front corner  26 , a locking button flange section  27  which has a left side wall  28  which angles forwardly and outwardly from left side  29  of the base, and a front side wall  30  which angles forwardly and laterally outwardly from front edge wall  22  of the base. Locking button flange section  27  contains a locking button  32 , the structure and function of which are described in detail below.  
         [0054]    As may be seen best by referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, compact case  10  includes a lid  41  which has a plan view shape similar to that of base  11 , but of slightly smaller size. Thus, lid  41  has a thin, laterally elongated rectangular shape and generally flat and parallel lower and upper surfaces  42 ,  43 , respectively. As shown in the figures, lower and upper surfaces  42 ,  43  of lid  41  are over most of their respective areas flat and parallel. Lower surface  42  of lid  41  has formed therein a relatively large, rectangularly-shaped shallow recess  44  which is concentric with the outer perimeter wall surface  45  of the lid. Recess  44  has a flat, rectangularly-shaped surface  46  which is enclosed by a rectangular ring-shaped perimeter wall  47  which has an upper front, back, left and right surfaces  48 F,  48 B,  48 L,  48 R, respectively, which are coextensive with unrecessed lower surface  42  of the lid.  
         [0055]    As may be seen best by referring to FIGS. 4, 6, and  8 , lid  41  has a rear laterally disposed edge wall  53  which is approximately perpendicular to lower surface  42  of the lid. Rear edge  53  of lid  41  is pivotably joined to rear edge wall  23  of base  11  by a laterally elongated integral hinge  54 . Integral hinge  54  extends substantially the full width of lid  41 , and is disposed between an upper rear corner edge intersection  55  of rear edge wall  23  and upper surface  12  of base  11 , and a lower rear corner edge intersection  56  of rear edge wall  53  and lower surface  42  of lid  41 . Hinge  54  has in a vertical longitudinal sectional view the shape of an hour glass laid on its side, and includes relatively thick outer portions  57  and  58  which join rear wall  23  and  53  of base  11  and lid  41 , respectively, and a relatively thin central joint section  59 . Hinge  54  is made of a resiliently deformable material which may be repeatedly flexed along joint section  59 , without fatigue damage. In a preferred embodiment, hinge  54  is made of a synthetic polymer such as polypropylene, and is molded or cast integrally and unitarily with base  11  and lid  41 .  
         [0056]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5- 8 , hinge  54  enables lid  41  to be pivoted upwardly from a closed position contacting base  11 , as shown in FIG. 1, to small pivot angles less than 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. 5, an upright perpendicular orientation, as shown in FIG. 6, and rearwardly 180 degrees parallel to the plane of the base, as shown in FIG. 7. Case  10  includes a novel locking mechanism for releasably securing lid  41  to base  11  in the closed disposition as shown in FIG. 1, which locking mechanism will now be described.  
         [0057]    Referring now to FIGS. 2, 5,  9  and  10 , it may be seen that locking button support flange  27  of case  10  has a diagonally outwardly located base section  61  which has in lower plan view an approximately triangular shape, with a diagonally outwardly located vertex truncated by a convex arcuately curved, radiused surface  62 . As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, base section  61  of flange  27  has a thickness similar to that of front edge wall  22  and left side edge wall  28  of base  11 , and is joined to front and left side edge walls by a diagonally disposed, thinner transition section or neck  63 .  
         [0058]    As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and  9 , neck  63  is formed between an upper, obliquely disposed U-shaped channel or groove  64  which is formed in upper surface  12  of base  11 , and a lower V-shaped channel or groove  65  formed in lower surface  13  of the base in vertical alignment with the upper channel. As shown in FIG. 5, upper channel  64  is disposed perpendicularly to a diagonal of base  11 , and obliquely intersects a front peripheral rib part  66  of ring-shaped perimeter wall  17 , and left hand peripheral rib  67  of the base, forming in the front and side ribs front and side U-shaped sub-channels  70 ,  71 , respectively, which have lower surfaces proximate lower surface  16  of recess  14  in the case. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the aforementioned construction results in U-shaped channel  64  having a continuous, downwardly concavely curved, elongated bottom wall surface  72 . The reduced thickness of neck section  63  of button support flange  27  resulting from upper U-shaped groove  64  and lower V-shaped groove  65  enables the neck section to function as a live hinge, enabling base section  61  of the button support flange to flex elastically downwardly with respect to lower surface  13  of base  11 , as shown in FIG. 9, for purposes which will be explained shortly.  
         [0059]    Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and  9 , it may be seen that button  32  protruding upwardly from base section  61  of button support flange  27  has an upper surface  73  which protrudes above upper surface  43  of lid  41 , with case  10  closed as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, upper surface  73  of button  32  preferably is convexly curved, and has protruding upwardly therefrom a plurality of hemispherically-shaped dots  74  which provide a tactile response to a person&#39;s thumb.  
         [0060]    As shown in FIGS. 5, 9 and  10 , button  32  has an obliquely disposed vertical inner wall surface  75  in which is located a horizontally elongated, rectangularly-shaped perforation  76 . Perforation  76  is provided to lockingly receive a blade-like locking tab  77  which protrudes diagonally outwards from left front corner  78  of lid  41 , in a manner which will now be described.  
         [0061]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5, it may be seen that locking tab  77  protrudes diagonally outwards from front left corner  78  of lid  41 , and has a front edge wall  79  which in plan view is straight and disposed perpendicularly to a diagonal of the lid. As may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1 and 10, front edge wall  79  of locking tab  77  has in a vertically diagonally disposed longitudinal sectional view a wedge shape which tapers diagonally to a thinner and narrower front or diagonally outwardly located end  80 . As shown in FIG. 1, locking tab  77  is of the proper size, shape, and location relative to button  32  for the locking tab to be insertably receivable in rectangular perforation  76  of locking button  32  when lid  41  is pressed flush against base  11 .  
         [0062]    Locking insertion of tab  77  into perforation  76  is accomplished by pressing left front corner  78  of lid  41  down against upper surface  73  of locking button  32 . Downward pressure exerted on locking button  32  by locking tab  77  causes the locking button to flex downwardly along self-hinge/neck section  63 . Downward flexure of locking button  32  in turn causes inner wall surface  75  of the locking button to move in a circular arc, away from front edge  80  of locking tab  77 . When this motion is sufficiently large, front edge  80  of locking tab  77  is enabled to slide downwardly on inner facing wall surface  75  of locking button  32 . When this happens, locking tab  77  moves into horizontal alignment with perforation  76  in side wall  75  of locking button  32 , and is insertably received within the aperture, whereupon the locking button elastically and rapidly flexes upwards with a snapping action that captivates the locking tab within the locking button aperture.  
         [0063]    To open case  10 , downward pressure is exerted on upper surface  73  of locking button  32 , thus displacing wall surface  75  of the locking button sufficiently far outwards from front edge  80  of locking tab  77  to enable the locking tab to move outwardly from aperture  76 , thereby enabling lid  41  to be pivoted upwardly from base  11  to an open position.  
         [0064]    As shown in FIG. 5, rectangular ring-shaped perimeter  47  of recess  44  in lid  41  is comprised of left and right straight rectangular cross ribs  81 ,  82  and front and rear straight rectangular cross-section ribs  83 ,  84 . Left and front ribs  81 ,  83  have located near their front and left ends, respectively, i.e., adjacent to left front corner  78  of lid  41 , convex, arcuately curved extensions  85 ,  86 , which protrude downwardly from the left and front ribs, respectively. Extensions  85 ,  86  have shapes complementary to channels  70 ,  71  in base  11 , and fit within the channels to form seals which inhibit moisture or dust from entering the interior  87  of case  10  when the case is closed. As shown in FIG. 10, interior space  87  of case  10  is comprised of adjacent rectangularly-shaped spaces  87 B,  87 L of recesses  14 ,  44  in base  11  and lid  41 , respectively, when the case is closed. Interior space  87  is of the proper size and shape for conveniently storing a pad of repositionable notes A.  
         [0065]    As shown in FIG. 7, recessed surfaces  16  and  46  of base  11  and lid  41  have formed therein rear rectangularly-shaped laterally elongated surfaces  88 ,  89 , respectively, that are highly polished to provide smooth surfaces which repositionable note sheets adhere readily to. Thus, when a person has written on an upper sheet of a stack of notes A, the sheet containing writing may be peeled off the stack, and adhered to surface  89 , which thus serves as a “parking” area for notes containing writing.  
         [0066]    FIGS.  11 - 13  illustrate an optional modification  90  of case  10 , which has a base  111 , lid  141 , and a money clip  91  for holding paper currency. As shown in FIGS.  11 - 13 , money clip  91  is formed from an elastically deformable material, such as spring tempered wire, and has in plan view a shape approximating that of an inverted U which has a pair of laterally opposed angled sides  92 L,  92 R of which are angled obliquely forward and inwardly to a front laterally disposed segment  93 . Clip  91  also has a pair of laterally opposed, parallel, left and right rear side segments  94 L,  94 R, which protrude rearwardly from rear ends of oblique segments  92 L,  92 R, respectively. The latter terminate at rear ends thereof in a pair of laterally opposed and aligned, laterally outwardly protruding left and right leg segments  95 L,  95 R, respectively.  
         [0067]    As may be understood best by referring to FIG. 12, each laterally disposed leg  95 L,  95 R of money clip  91  has protruding upwardly from an outer lateral end thereof an L-shaped spring retainer  96 L,  96 R. Each spring retainer  96 L,  96 R is comprised of a short, vertically disposed foot member  97 L,  97 R, which is bent perpendicularly upwards from legs  95 L,  95 R, and a longer, vertically disposed retainer segment  98 L  98 R, which is bent perpendicularly forwards from the foot member, parallel to lower surface  123  of base  111 . Legs  95 L,  95 R protrude upwardly through holes  99 L,  99 R in base  111  of case  90 , and retainer segments  98 L,  98 R fit in grooves  100 L,  100 R, which are formed in upper surface  112  of the base.  
         [0068]    As shown in FIG. 12, clip  90  has a front end portion  113  which consists of front segment  93  and front portions of oblique side segments  92 L,  92 R, which are bent upwardly at a dihedral angle of about 15 to 20 degrees relative to lower surface  123  of base  111 . Since clip  91  is made of a spring wire such as spring steel, torsional force is exerted between each clip retainer segment  98 L,  98 R and side segments  94 L,  94 R, respectively. This torsional spring force biases front end portion  113  of spring clip  91  sufficiently tightly against lower surface  123  of case  111  to secure folded paper currency inserted between the clip and the base.  
         [0069]    As is shown in FIG. 2, button support flange  27  of base  11  of case  10  preferably has formed therein a depression  101  to reduce the wall thickness of the button section, as is conventionally provided in injection molded articles.  
         [0070]    Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 9, it should be noted that neck section  63  would function effectively as an integral hinge for locking button  32  if upper groove  64  were V-shaped like lower groove  65 . However, upper groove  64  preferably has a wider, U-shape as shown in FIG. 5, so that it not only serves to form thin neck section  63 , but also provides a convenient place to insert a finger nail to lift the corner of a note sheet, when the stack of notes has gotten short.  
         [0071]    In preferred embodiments of a compact case for repositionable notes according to the present invention, the case is molded from a polymer such as polypropylene, by known techniques which impart a degree of memory to integral hinge  54  which joins case  11  to lid  41 . Thus, when locking tab  77  is released from perforation  76  of locking button  32 , the lid will flex upwardly from the case, although not always to the extent depicted in FIG. 5. However, when the lid is folded completely open to a position parallel and rearwardly of the base, as shown in FIG. 7, the lid will stay flat and not bounce back to interfere with the act of writing on note sheets within the case.  
         [0072]    Other modifications of a compact case for repositionable notes according to the present invention are of course possible, such as providing a window in a portion of the lid and/or base, enabling writing on flat cards or sheets within the case to be viewed from outside the case. Thus modified, the case may be used as a luggage tag.  
         [0073]    FIGS.  14 - 16  illustrate another modification  130  of a compact case for repositionable notes according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS.  14 - 16 , case  130  is substantially similar in structure and function to case  10  shown in FIGS.  1 - 10  and described above. However, base  131  of case  130  is modified as follows. As shown in FIGS.  14 - 16 , base  131  of case  130  has protruding from right side  139  thereof a flange  140  which has in plan view the shape of a triangular wedge, which has an outer edge wall  141  that angles outwardly and rearwardly from front edge wall  142  to rear edge wall  143  of base  131 . Flange  140  has an upper surface  142 R which is coextensive with the upper surface  142 F of a front laterally elongated bar-shaped web section  142 A of base  131 , located between front edge wall  142  and the front laterally disposed rib-shaped portion  137 F of ring-shaped perimeter wall  137 . Also, flange  140  preferably has formed through a wider rear portion  144  thereof an aperture  145  for receiving a key chain or key ring. Aperture  145  can have any suitable shape, such as an oval shape as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0074]    Base  131  of modified case  130  has a corner boss  160  which protrudes upwardly from intersecting right front corner portions of flange  140  and front web section  142 A of the base. Boss  160  has ramp-shaped front and right side portions  161 , 162 , respectively, which have inner generally vertically disposed wall surfaces  163 ,  164  which intersect at a concavely arcuately curved, radiused vertex  165 . Front and rear wall surfaces  163 , 164  are positioned a short distance inwardly of the front edge of front rib  137 F of perimeter wall  137 , and the outer right-hand edge  137 R of perimeter wall  137 . Thus, wall surfaces  163 ,  164  of boss  160  are so positioned as to make an interference fit with front and right side flange walls  172 ,  173  of lid  181 , when the lid is in a closed position relative to the base. The interference fit further secures lid  181  to base  131 , even if the right front corner of the lid should be warped slightly upwards from the planes of the base and lid.