WO1997002147A1 - Sheet for a notepad - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sheet for a notebook or like device in which notes can be made and which has a spine that binds a plurality of sheets together. The sheet includes fields (4) in which notes can be entered and a tear-weakening or perforated line (3) which extends along the spine. Each field is delimited by weakened tear lines or perforated lines (3, 5, 7) and in one embodiment the fields are disposed in a column such that each field will border on the spine (2).

Description

SHEET FOR A NOTEPAD

The present invention relates to a sheet for a notebook or like device in which notes can be made. Many different types of systems for recording memoranda and notes are at present available commercially.

These systems range from memoranda or notations recorded on loose sheets of paper to complicated loose-leaf files or in computer environments.

One drawback with known systems is that the recorded activities, memoranda and events are difficult to sort-out, find, afford priority to and update. Functional systems are also often very expensive and bulky and difficult to carry in a coat or jacket pocket, for instance.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks and provide a flexible system which will enable recorded activities, events and memoranda to be sorted, given priority and updated and which will take up only a small amount of space, and at a low cost.

This object is achieved with a sheet according to the following Claims.

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an exemplifying embodiment thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings in which similar or corresponding parts have been identified by the same reference signs and in which Fig. 1 illustrates a plurality of sheets according to the present invention bound together by a spine; Fig. 2 shows the bound sheets of Fig. 1 in an upfolded state and with parts thereof removed; and Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present inven¬ tion. Fig. 1 illustrates a sheet 1 that can be used advantageously in a notebook or like device for recording memoranda, where several such sheets are bound together in a spine 2. The spine can be formed in any manner known to the skilled person, e.g. glued, wire- bound, provided with rings or a helical wire back, etc.

The sheet has a tear weakening or perforated line 3 that extends along the full length of the sheet adjacent the spine 2. This enables a sheet to be easily torn out when the information contained is no longer of interest or when desiring to move the sheet to another place in the file. The sheet 1 is provided with fields 4 which divide the sheet into smaller sections and enable several notes or records to be made/entered on each sheet. In order to enable each field 4 and the information entered thereon to be handled separately, each field is delimited from mutually adjacent fields by weakened tear lines or perforated lines 5. Thus, any field whatsoever can be torn from the sheet first, irrespective of its position on the sheet.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fields are rectangular in shape and disposed in a column parallel with the spine 2. Each field therewith borders on the spine (to the left in the fields shown in Fig. 1). The opposite ends of respective fields (to the right in the field according to Fig. 1) corresponding to the free end or edge of the sheet are provided with a tear-off region 6 which is delimited from the field by a weakened tear line or perforated line 7.

The user is able to classify the information or notes entered on the field, e.g. give the information or notes differing degrees of priority, i.e. important or less important, by choosing whether to remove the region 6 or not.

When several sheets are gathered together in a file for instance, an underlying sheet (or field) will always fill the empty space that is left when a sheet (or field) is torn out. Fig. 2 illustrates schematically how an underlying field 4' will become visible when an overlying field 4 is torn from an overlying sheet. Even though a tear-off region 6 is removed, an underlying tear-off region or thumb grip 6' will be present, which facilitates searching through the notes in the book.

A removed thumb grip 6, which preferably indicates information of a less important nature, facilitates searching in the notebook. When the user runs a finger along the free edge of the sheet or fields and turns over the sheets or pages, the user will mostly stop at those fields where the thumb grip is intact, i.e. at sheets or fields that contain important information or which are unused and available for entering notes or information. An empty field can thus be quickly found, when an entry is to be made.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the note carrying fields 4 have rectangular tear-off regions 6 at their free edges. It will be understood, however, that the tear-off region 6 can have any appropriate shape, for instance a polygonal, curved or arcuate shape, as shown in Fig. 3. The tear-off region, however, shall always be placed on the free end of its respective field. A notebook or file that includes sheets constructed in accordance with the invention can be used in the following way.

When an activity noted in a field has been carried out, the field may be torn from the sheet and therewith expose an underlying field. This can be done even if the field is located in the middle of a sheet and flanked by other fields. The activities are given priorities in the notebook, e.g. depending on the urgency or non-urgency of the activities, by either tearing off the tear-off region - the thumb grip - or leaving it intact. The notebook is thus always up to date and the information contained therein easy to find.

Claims

1. A sheet for a notebook, file or like device in which notes and memoranda can be recorded and which includes a spine that binds a plurality of sheets together, wherein the sheet is provided with a tear- weakening or perforated line that extends along the spine, and tear-weakenings or perforated lines which extend from the first-mentioned perforated line to a free edge of the sheet such as to delimit notation fields that can be torn out independently of one another, characterized in that the free edge of the sheet opposite to the spine end thereof is provided with a tear-off region in each field for classification of the notes or records entered in said field.

2. A sheet according to Claim 1, characterized in that the vertical extension of the spine exceeds the horizontal extension of each field.

3. A sheet according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the vertical extension of the spine is such that when carried in a breast pocket of a garment, it will extend up from the pocket and thereby be readily available and easily gripped.