The Gem Group, Inc.

Joshua B Lederer

Mark T Salander

Agnes Csilla Domotor

Quincy L Reese

Richard C Bellofatto, Jr

Frank J Papa

Maryann Ivers

This invention provides a combination note pad and credential holder having a neck cord or lanyard that passes through a loop in the notepad to allow the item to be worn about the neck at a desired level, typically at chest height. The notepad can include a back cover that supports a writing pad and a hinged front cover, joined to the back cover and selectively opened to access the writing pad. A small pen can be removably attached to a loop between the covers along a side of the writing pad. The bottom edge of the notepad includes a fastener assembly for removably attaching a credential sleeve with a clear window for displaying the user's credential document(s). The sleeve has an open side that allows the documents to be slid thereinto. The fastener assembly can comprise one or more sets of interengaging snaps, look-and-loop members or a zipper-like structure. When not needed, the sleeve can be removed or flipped into a position behind the back cover, out of view. The sleeve can also be removed from the notepad and pinned or clipped in a conventional manner to a separate location on the user's clothing.

Covered notepad with document holder

This invention provides a padfolio, portfolio, case, bag or other business accessory that carries, on an exterior surface, a pocket flap that is typically open at the top edge and joined at a bottom edge. It has a size sufficient to completely cover a predetermined range of conventional documents (or other items), and in one embodiment, has side walls that taper from a wider bottom that may be longer than the predetermined documents to a narrower top that is typically shorter than the predetermined documents so that the side edges of the predetermined documents are at least partially visible to evidence their presence in the pocket. A narrow elastic strip joins each of the opposing side edges to the exterior surface at a location along the exterior surface that is outboard of opposing edges of the predetermined documents so that they may slide into the pocket free of interference for the joint between the elastic strips and the exterior surface. The tension generated by the strips is, however, sufficient to maintain holding friction, via the pocket flap on the documents, but enables expansion of the flap to admit thicker items when desired, including machinery for providing decoration to the flap. In an illustrative embodiment, the strips may be less than one half the total length of the side edges.

Padfolio with tapered elastic outer pocket

This invention provides a padfolio, portfolio or other foldable business accessory that is organized with three hinged leaves (including two main leaves and one overriding leaf that folds over the main leaves when closed together) that may be unfolded and laid flat to expose various internal elements within an overall interior. The elements are organized so that a notepad is provided in a center leaf, while one of the opposing side leaves include a raised clock base having a well or recess for securing a clock having a folding stand that can be raised into an angled, standing position from a flat position. One main leaf also includes a support base that removably supports a personal digital assistant (PDA), that is normally secured flat against the leaf, but that can be hinged upwardly into at least one adjustable angled position whereby the PDA is tilted for easier viewing whilst working in another area of the padfolio, such as the notepad. In this manner, it is more accessible and easier to use. During folding of the leaves, both the clock and the PDA can be secured in a flat orientation for compact storage. The leaves can include, variously, a series of pockets and sleeves for carrying documents, effects and business accessories. In an illustrative embodiment, the a leftmost main leaf can include the pockets the PDA, the center leaf can include the notepad and the overriding leaf includes the clock.

Padfolio with work area

Notepad with lanyard and document holder

Notepad cover

A padfolio having, along at least one cover's interior, a raised, substantially rigid tray structure that defines plurality of compartments with dividing walls therebetween is provided. The surface of the tray structure is covered in a fastener material that removably interengages with an opposing fastener material that is applied to a set of pockets, pouches, electronic devices, pen holders, clocks, calculators and other items. In one embodiment, the fastener material consists of a loop material formed along the tray and a hook material attached to an underside of each of the various attachable items. In this manner, the pockets, pouches or other items can be freely or variably placed anywhere along the loop surface, in any of the compartments, at a wide variety of locations therein. A pen holder for the padfolio or other business accessory is constructed from a flexible material that defines a barrel with a top slot formed between a pair of opposing side walls and a base. The side walls include undulating top edges that define the slot and facilitate passage of the pen therethrough. The penholder can have a linear groove along the base on the barrel interior to guide a stitch for fixed attachment to the padfolio or other business accessory.

Padfolio with compartmentalized interior

Note jotter cover

A custom decoration for bags, cases, portfolios and other business accessories (the 'item') that can be printed at an appropriate location directly on the otherwise-finished item is provided. The decoration comprises a single or multi-colored ink image transferred from a lithographic plate using a transfer pad. The underlying tag or 'substrate' for the decoration is a smooth-surfaced soft polyvinylchloride or rubberized material with appropriate ink-receptive or attractive characteristic&#x2014;such as a matte or semi-gloss surface finish. The item is placed on a supporting surface in a pad printing device so that the substrate is restrained within a registration jig; an inked image on a plate is contacted with a printing pad and the pad is moved to contact the substrate, thereby applying the custom decoration thereto. In one embodiment, the substrate is secured by cords to a side of the item. The substrate is constructed from a pliable material, such as rubberized polyvinylchloride, with custom ink decoration applied thereto. The opposing ends of the substrate include tabs that are secured around each of opposing cords. Likewise, a substrate can be secured along an edge of an item by adhesives or stitching. This edge can be that of an outer pocket.

Decoration for bags and cases and method for applying the same

A digital clock mounted within a flap overlying the spine of a notepad on a notepad cover is provided. A raised bezel or surround constructed from a soft, pliable material, such as soft polyvinylchloride (PVC), covers a portion of the clock chip, exposing its digital readout. Detents or holes may be provided for inserting pens or other blunt instruments for setting the clock. A port is provided in the flap to access the underside of the clock chip, and can be covered, along the underside of the flap, with a piece of elastic material. By moving the elastic material aside, access to the battery of the clock chip is provided.

Growing community of inventors

Brookline, MA, United States of America

Joshua B Lederer