Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 0222~9~7 l997-l2-29
WO 97/02147 PCT/~ 5rl~-B~3
SHEET FOR A NOTEPAD
The present invention relates to a sh~eet for a notebook or like device in which notes
can be made.
J 5 Many different types of systems for recording memoranda and notes are at present
available cornmercially.
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 w hich 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 .efele-lce to anexemplifying embodiment thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which similar or corresponding parts ha~-e 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 ~ire back, etc.
The sheet has a tear weakening or perforated line 3 that extends along the full
length of the sheet adjacent the spine '~. 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.
CA 0222~9~7 l997-l2-29
WO 97/02147 PCT/~.h~5
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 mntll~lly 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
10 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
15 choosing whether to remove the region 6 or not.
When several sheets are gathered together in a file for in~nre, 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 scht-m~tic~lly 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
20 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 inrlir~t~ s 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
25 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
30 tear-off region 6 can have any apl)lupliate 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.
CA 0222~9~7 l997-l2-29
WO 97/02147 PCT/~h~ ??
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
S 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.
