Patent Grant
10946689
The present invention is generally related to systems and methods for providing security, binding, and labeling for a plurality of papers, leaves, sheets, pages, covers, books, notebooks, documents, or other stationery (collectively referred to as papers) and for covering, protecting, or concealing the recording, viewing, or using personal, private, and nonpublic information.
Notaries Public provide notarial and authentication services to the general public and in numerous industries such as banking, real estate closings, employment, and other industries requiring verification of identity and signature witnessing. Generally, a Notary Public (also referred to as a “Notary” or “public Notary”) is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and foreign and international business. A Notary Public's main functions are to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official acts related to transactions and signing of important documents such as which grant powers of attorney, convey interest in real estate, and other documents. A Notary's duty is to screen a signer's identity, their signing without duress or intimidation, and their awareness of the transaction or contents of the document being signed. The Notary may administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits, and statutory declarations, witness and authenticate the execution of certain classes of documents, such as, for example, take acknowledgments of deeds and other conveyances, protest notes and bills of exchange, provide notice of foreign drafts, prepare marine or ship's protests in cases of damage, provide exemplifications and notarial copies, and perform certain other official acts depending on the jurisdiction. Any such act is known as a notarization or a notarial act.
Typically, there are multiple methods of identification presented to a Notary Public and extensive titles of documents a Notary Public records. Recording such data and information can be time consuming as documents, acts, and services must be substantially written in a Notary journal. For example, some Notary journals have record entries containing a box that can be quickly checked for an Acknowledgement or Oath but do not contain a box to quickly check the type of identification method presented by a signer/affiant, such as driver's license, tribal card, or credible witness, or for quickly checking a box for a specific title of the type of document being notarized, such as a Power of Attorney, bill of sale, contract, last will and testament, etc., or have an acronym reference list which can assist a Notary Public to record such more quickly. Additionally, for the purposes of signature authentication, a Notary Public verifies a signature of a signer/affiant with a signature on the identification method presented to a Notary Public by a signer/affiant before a document can be officially notarized, recorded, and/or have legal effect. In many states and countries, a citizen utilizing the services of a Notary Public sign within a record of a Notary Public's journal (also referred to as book, logbook, book of notarial acts, journal of notarial acts, or record book). The Notary Public must be reasonably satisfied that the identification presented is authentic, valid, unexpired, and matches the signer/affiant. That determination may be made by multiple methods including comparing and/or matching a signer/affiant's signature made in a Notary Public's journal, with and/or against the identification presented by a signer/affiant; by visual inspection of physical data, photograph, and signatures shown on an identification method presented by a signer/affiant; by the physical appearance; by comparing and/or matching relevant information and/or signatures on other documents and records; by usage of credible witnesses; and other law-regulated or best practice guidelines and procedures.
Historically, a Notary journal consists of a bound book. The type of Notary journal may be governed by state laws but generally must be well-bound. The term well-bound, is not generally specific, however, when referring to a Notary journal, it is oftentimes assumed in reference to prevent fraud, tampering with the contents of a journal, and having journal and content integrity, generally meaning the condition of being unified, unimpaired, or of sound construction and the state of being whole and undivided. Often, notarial acts and events are recorded in a Notary journal in exact numerical and sequential order. The bound book includes line item information records for data entry that contain, for example, information regarding the type of document notarized, a signer/affiant, a place for a signer/affiant's signature. Data entered regarding a signer/affiant may include personal, private, NonPublic Personal Information (NPPI or NPI) such as their name, address, driver's license number, date of birth, fingerprint, etc. Information specific to a signer/affiant may also include the nature of a signed or notarized document which may reveal private, personal, confidential, nonpublic, intellectual property, or secret information. A Notary Public enters signer/affiant information into a Notary journal and upon examination and verification of the identification presented for authenticity and accuracy of identity, a Notary Public may then turn a Notary journal and present it to the signer/affiant for their signature and/or fingerprint (generally a thumbprint).
Typically, a bound book may contain any number of pages. Notary Journals, for example may contain about 60-150 pages with each page including up to eight to eighteen information records. A Notary journal is not configured to keep private information from the view of others or subsequent signers/affiants. When open, the bound book may reveal approximately seven to seventeen records containing private information. For example, a signer/affiant that places their signature or fingerprint for identification verification on line seven of a book is able to see information records for the previous six signers/affiants, and a signer/affiant on line 14 is able to view information records for the previous 13 signer/affiants. Thus, NPPI and other signer/affiant information is exposed.
Notaries, for example are professionals and generally state commissioned officials who are guided by standards, principals, and/or laws that include protecting private, nonpublic, personal information. This includes concealing information and prior signer/affiant information already entered in a journal from the general public, current signer/affiants, clients, or others, and while a journal is in usage, being viewed or reviewed, during data entry, and when verifying the identification of a signer/affiant, and/or presenting a journal for a signature or fingerprint for authentication.
Thus, Notaries Public have used Notary journals with such binding systems and methods as library binding, edition binding, publisher binding, standard binding, Smyth-sewn binding, glued binding, and other similar bindings, which do not generally lay flat when open, do not allow pages to substantially turn through 360 degrees, do not conceal information records or data regarding a title or contents of a Notary journal.
Notaries Public have attempted to conceal NPPI in such bound journals using a sheet of paper or with a folder as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,946,552B1 which is a type of substantially opaque privacy folder sleeve which can be slid or placed around a page to cover any portion of a page to prevent others and/or subsequent signer/affiant's from viewing data records, a previous signer/affiant's NPPI, and/or committing identity theft. A disadvantage of this type of covering device is that such device is oftentimes moved out of the way by a signer/affiant, inadvertently, and/or purposefully when signing the Notary Journal. Also, a Notary Journal will generally not lay flat when open due to a natural curvature of the bookbinding spine which can further complicate the use of the folder sleeve. Another disadvantage of such covering device is that the device may not stay where placed, if bumped, when moving the Notary Journal about, or when presenting the book to a signer/affiant to receive their signature, fingerprint, or for other reasons. A sheet of paper or folder tends to shift when a Notary turns and presents a Notary Journal to a signer/affiant for their signature and/or fingerprint. Additionally, many current Notary Journals can contain NPPI record sections for a single record on two facing pages of a journal which may require concealment of NPPI on two pages, simultaneously. In such Notary journals, the possibility of NPPI exposure can double and be twice as challenging to conceal. The sheet of paper or folder sleeve concealment approach may leave NPPI of prior signer/affiants exposed.
Notaries are not the only people, profession, or industry that seeks to conceal or protect private, personal, and/or nonpublic information, or prefer a bound plurality of papers which can lay flat when open, have fold back capabilities, along with security or integrity features, and spine label concealment. For example, hospitals and medical offices seek to comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) requirements, and scientists, accountants, corporations, businesses, government agencies, and others seek to reduce visibility of documents, records, data, private and/or NPPI such as medical information, records, log books, accounting ledgers, business journals, books, scientific records, top-secret documents, records, and data, and similar data or information from exposure or undesired or unauthorized exposure.
Generally, current systems and methods for binding a plurality of papers, stack of papers, sheets, leaves, pages, covers, books, notebooks, documents, or other stationery (collectively referred to as papers) can restrict or limit function, usability, or maneuverability, and/or not provide labeling concealment, security, integrity, or evidence of tampering of the binding and/or papers. Binding systems and methods, such as library binding, fine binding, edition binding, publisher binding, standard binding, metal binding, sewn binding, glued binding, tied binding, and/or other similar bindings, housings, or enclosures for a plurality of papers, are generally intended for frequent or non-frequent reading, usage, data retrieval, reference, handwritten entries, or notations. Current binding systems and methods for stacks of papers configured as for example, a book, notebook, data record, journal, accounting ledger, business journal, blank book, log or log book, scientific record, guest book, manifold book, day book, diary, portfolio, data record, Notary Public journal, Notary Public log book, Notary Public record book, government record, or medical record, file, document, form, or other stationery (collectively referred to as books) may not lay flat when open or allow pages to substantially turn through 360 degrees, conceal data regarding a title or contents, and can require to be held open to use. Other binding systems and methods, such as used in spiral binding, wire binding, coil binding, color coil binding, ring binding, or other similar bindings, housings, or enclosures, provide little security or evidence of tampering, if any, and can restrict and/or limit the use of the book.
A disadvantage of a spine binder, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,280, is that the spine allows for the easy insertion and removal of the sheets and does not lock securely, can be removed, pried open, is designed to be openable, and is non-locking which can allow a bound stack of sheets to be tampered with, or pages removed or inserted. Additionally, the spine binder of U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,280 has no system or method to provide an identifying label or spine label, tag, identification tag, identifier, identification marker, spine label, electronic identifier, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, electronic tag, electronic IDdentification (eID) tag, micro-chip tag, Unique Identifier (UID) tag, Personal Identifier (PID) tag, transponder, digital identifier, book spine poetry, book marker, and decorative tag (collectively referred to as a label) as to the title or contents, an identifying label or spine label which can also function as a place marker, or provide security for, or tamper-evidence of insertion or removal of pages of a bound plurality of papers or book.
A disadvantage of injection molded ring binders, such as one disclosed in EP0704322A2, is that they provide a method of removably binding a stack of sheets of paper. A stack of sheets of paper is inserted in a one-piece ring binder, wherein the rings are spread apart and opened using a machine for binding, then the rings, utilizing a spring mechanism force, closes and holds a stack of sheets of paper. This type of spine binder does not securely lock in place and is configured to allow removal of one or more pages and requires a binding machine to insert pages of paper, making binding and/or assembly costlier and/or inconvenient, and/or does not allow such bound material to turn through 360 degrees, since a spine of a binder substantially prevents bound pages from folding back neatly and usably upon itself.
Existing books that allow the pages to be removed or inserted lack a security feature that deters removal or insertion of pages, or provide evidence of tampering with the pages, or include an identifying label or spine label to reveal data regarding a title or contents of the book and wherein the identifying label or spine label also functions as a place marker. These features would allow the maintenance of the integrity of the book and/or pages of the book.
Thus, solutions are needed to solve these problems.
The aforementioned problems and other problems are reduced by systems and methods for providing security, integrity, binding, and labeling for a plurality or stack of papers and their covers, and for concealing the recording, viewing, or using private, personal, confidential, nonpublic, intellectual property, or secret information in accordance with the present invention.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the system provides for improving usability, function, maneuverability, integrity, labeling, and security for a plurality or stack of papers comprising a spine binder shaft having a posterior side and an bendable center axis, a first plurality of loop fasteners having a first end configured as a male connector connected to the posterior side of the spine binder shaft, and a second plurality of loop fasteners having a first end connected to the posterior side of the spine binder shaft configured as a female connector and configured to receive and engage the male connector of the first plurality of loop fasteners to form a cooperating pair of loop fasteners that close and lock to bind a stack of papers. When closed the spine binder shaft, first plurality of loop fasteners, and second plurality of loop fasteners form a continuous un-releasable unit and when the first and second plurality of loop fasteners are closed flush, a bound plurality of papers can rotate substantially 360 degrees to fold back upon itself and lie flat when open.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the system provides for improving usability, function, maneuverability, integrity, labeling, and security for a plurality or stack of papers and their covers comprising a plurality or stack of papers, a binding device to secure the plurality or stack of papers wherein the bound stack of papers can rotate substantially 360 degrees to fold back upon itself and lie flat when open, and a tamper-evident security device wherein upon closing the binding device, the tamper-evident security device prevents removal and insertion of a page without evidence of tampering.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a covering device for releasably covering, providing security, and concealing personal, private, and nonpublic information including a plurality of magnetic repositionable strips and a magnetic repositionable sheet and wherein the magnetic repositionable strips are sized to adhere to and cover personal, private, and nonpublic information and the magnetic repositionable sheet is at least sized to adhere to the plurality of magnetic repositionable strips.
In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a covering device for releasably covering, providing security, and concealing personal, private, or nonpublic information on a page of an open plurality of pages including a plurality of repositionable strips magnetized on a first side and a second side forming double magnetized repositionable strips and a sheet magnetized on a first side and a second side of the sheet forming a double magnetized sheet with both sides of the double magnetized sheet are configured to receive and releasably adhere to both sides of the double magnetized repositionable strips, and a connecting component configured to connect the double magnetized sheet to the double magnetized repositionable strips, wherein the double magnetized repositionable strips are sized to adhere to and cover the personal, private, and nonpublic information.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a covering device for providing security for, reducing exposure, covering, protecting, or concealing personal, private, and nonpublic information comprising a folder sleeve having a first face and a second face, the first face having a substantially opaque exterior side and an interior side having at least one magnetic component or border and the second face having an interior side having at least one magnetic interior component or border, and wherein the first face and the second face forming the folder sleeve such that the folder sleeve can secure the contents of the folder or can slip over two sides and a corner of a page and releasably magnetically join the magnetic components or border edges to secure the folder sleeve where positioned.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a covering device for releasably providing security for, reducing exposure, covering, protecting, or concealing personal, private, and nonpublic information including at least one or a plurality of a substantially opaque repositionable adhesive strips having a first edge and at least one or a plurality of non-adhesive handling tabs configured to extend from the first edge of the substantially opaque repositionable adhesive strip, wherein the substantially opaque repositionable adhesive strip is configured to cover personal, private, nonpublic information and configured for repositioning.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for covering, protecting, or concealing personal, private, and nonpublic information on a paper or page including personal, private, and nonpublic information comprising the steps of positioning a magnetic sheet covering device behind a paper or page of personal, private, nonpublic information, positioning a magnetic strip covering device over personal, private, nonpublic information located on the paper or page, releasably securing the magnetic strip covering device over personal, private, nonpublic information to be covered on the paper or page, exposing other information, blank spaces, or information fields on a paper or page, entering data on the exposed area on the page or on a blank information field as necessary or preferred, and upon completion of entering data, allowing the magnetic strip covering device to remain in place covering information on the paper or page or releasing the magnetic strip covering device and magnetic sheet covering device for subsequent use.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for covering, protecting, or concealing personal, private, nonpublic information on a paper or page including personal, private, and nonpublic information, comprising the steps of positioning a double magnetized covering device that is bound and connected by a binding device to a plurality of double magnetized strips, wherein the double magnetized strips are magnetically situated on a second side of the double magnetized sheet. A first side of the double magnetized sheet is placed under a paper or page having personal, private, nonpublic information located on the paper or page. Rotating one or more of the double magnetized strips from the second side of the double magnetized sheet and positioning the double magnetized strip over the personal, private, nonpublic information located on the paper or page. Releasably securing the double magnetized strip over personal, private, and nonpublic information on the paper or page to be covered. Exposing information and blank information fields on the paper or page, entering data on an exposed area on the paper or page or on a blank information field on the paper or page as necessary or preferred, continuing to enter data as needed until all double magnetized strips have been rotated to cover the personal, private, and nonpublic information. Allowing the double magnetized strips and the double magnetized sheet to remain in place covering information on the page or releasing the double magnetized strips and the double magnetized sheet for subsequent use over other information or papers. Releasing and removing the connected double magnetized strips and the double magnetized sheet away from the paper or page. The double magnetized strips can remain on the first side of the double magnetized sheet and the connected double magnetized strips and double magnetized sheet unit can be rotated horizontally for reuse or the double magnetized strips can be rotated back to the second side of the double magnetized sheet for future use.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention is a system for providing security for, evidence of tampering, and covering, protecting, and concealing personal, private, and nonpublic information comprising a plurality or stack of papers, a binding device configured to connect, secure, and bind the plurality of papers such that the bound plurality of pages can substantially rotate 360 degrees and can fold back upon itself and lie flat when open, a covering device configured to cover the personal, private and nonpublic information, and a tamper-evident device such as an indicative seal, barrier seal, security seal, security sticker, plastic seal, metal seal, adjustable length seal, banking seal, fixed seal, bolt seal, screw seal, security ring, locking seal, padlock seal, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, electronic IDdentification (eID) tag, microchip tag, Unique Identifier (UID) tag, Personal Identifier (PID) tag, transponder, and digital identifier (collectively referred to as a security seal) inserted in at least one combining hole of a plurality of papers or attached to at least one combining loop and configured to deter or prevent removal or insertion of one or more papers or pages in the bound plurality of papers.
The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
The present invention provides systems and methods for providing security, binding, and labeling for a plurality of papers or books and covering, protecting, and concealing private and nonpublic information while viewing, using, data entry, and/or recording information, such as, for example personal information.
In an embodiment, the covering device 112 further comprises magnetic repositionable strips 113 configured to releasably cover information on the first side 114 and/or second side 116 of the book 110.
In
In an embodiment, signature authentication records 122 are configured to include headings that describe each section of the authentication record 122 and space for the signer/affiant to provide the required information. The signature authentication record 122 may include signer/affiant information, identification methods used, signatures, or fingerprints and the same record number listed on the information record 120. In an embodiment, the signer/affiant information 108 comprises the signer, affiant, or credible witness' information such as name, street address, city, state, and zip code. In an embodiment, the identification methods presented and/or used may include driver's license, local, state, federal identification, passport, United States military identification, or other identification method, such as the signer/affiant was personally known or via credible witness. The signature authentication record 122 includes the signature of signer/affiant, affiant, or credible witness, and/or the signer/affiant's thumb or finger print.
In an embodiment, the book 110 includes a plurality of information records 120 on the first side 114 of the book 110 and an associated plurality of private, personal, confidential, nonpublic, intellectual property, or secret information, identity, and/or signature authentication records 122 for a single record on the second side 116 of the book 110. In an alternative embodiment, the journal 110 includes eight information records 120 on the first side 114 of the journal 110 and eight associated records for identity verification and/or signature authentication 122 on the second side 116 of the journal 110.
Pages of the book 110 should not be inserted and/or removed to maintain the integrity of the book 110, information records 120, 122, identification, and signature authentication process. A tamper-evident security device 124 (see
In addition, the binding device 118 is configured to allow the book 110 to lay flat, and/or fold back upon itself, and further configured to be remain closed, be tamper-evident, and configured to be unreleasable. In an alternative embodiment, the tamper-evident security device is configured to or as a punch and bind spiral binding 160 (see
In alternative embodiments, the tamper-evident security device comprises such as, for example, a sealed strip or security seal attached to the binding device 118 and/or through at least one combining hole 138 of the plurality of papers and their covers. In another alternative embodiment, pages of the book 110 comprise tamper-evident security features such as, for example, pantograph paper, erasure resistant paper, coin-reactive ink, thermochromic ink, microtext print, bar codes, or radio frequency identification tags in pages of the journal inserted, attached to or part of a page of the book 110 with specific identifiable colors, numerical combinations, custom markings, warnings, labels, tracking history, records, or other data embedded, printed, or attached in or to the book 110 for determining that the book 110 has been tampered with. In an alternative embodiment, the book 110 includes consecutive page numbers 127 on each side 114, 116 of the book 110 that serve as a visual indicator as to whether or not the book 110 has been tampered with or pages removed or replaced. In addition, the book 110 may include a special code or identifier 128 on each page of each side 114, 116 of the book 110 as an indication of association of that page with that book 110.
In an embodiment, the female connector comprises a bead 164 having a rimmed chamber cavity 165 selected from the group consisting of ball, square, rectangle, cube, oval, cabochon, marquise, baroque, barrel, polygon, octagon, geometric bead, and tab, and comprising material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, wood, leather, fabric, steel, tin, vinyl, precious metal, stone, bone, clay, glass, porcelain, crystal, ceramic, glass, carbon fiber, resin, graphene, synthetic elastomer, gemstone, poly, acrylic, acrylic glass, plexiglass, bio-plastic, eco-plastic, polyesters, silicone, rubber, rubber, and silicone, and sized larger than a combining hole 138.
In a preferred embodiment, the spiral binding device 160 is formed to bind a plurality of papers and their covers, wherein the pages can rotate 360 degrees to fold back upon itself and lie flat when open and includes tamper-evident security features 162, 163, and 165. In an alternative embodiment, a tamper-evident security seal such as an indicative seal, barrier seal, security seal, security sticker, plastic seal, metal seal, adjustable length seal, banking seal, fixed seal, bolt seal, screw seal, security ring, locking seal, padlock seal, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, electronic IDdentification (eID) tag, microchip tag, Unique Identifier (UID) tag, Personal Identifier (PID) tag, transponder, and digital identifier, (collectively referred to as security seal) (not shown) is inserted through one or more combining holes 138, or a tamper-evident security device attached to a closed binding device loop 131. Alternatively, to provide security and integrity to spiral binding 160 a coil, wire, and/or comb binding (not shown) is attached to each end 161 of the spiral binding 160, and/or inserted in at least one combining hole 138, so that pages cannot be removed without cutting the binding or being tamper-evident. In an embodiment, the binding device 118 (or locking spine binder 119 shown in
Preferably, the covering device 112 is double magnetized (magnetized on both sides of the material) such that the first side 130 is configured as double magnetized repositionable strips 113 and the second side 132 configured as a double magnetized sheet to attract the double magnetized repositionable strips 113 whereby the first side 130 remains in place and covers the second side 132 when the first side 130 is placed over the second side 132 yet the first side 130 is releasable on demand. Preferably, the double magnetized sheet and double magnetized strips are combined utilizing the spine binding device 119. In another embodiment, the double magnetized sheet 132 and corresponding double magnetized strips are utilized to cover information and/or records containing private, personal, confidential, nonpublic, intellectual property, or secret information such as, for example, a book title, newspaper title and/or article, magazine title or cover, page, note, material, notebook, file, form, accounting ledger, business journal, blank book, log, scientific record, guest book, sign-in sheet, record sheet, sign, billboard, easel paper, poster, book, general office stationery, manifold book, day book, diary, portfolio, or other stationary, etc. In an embodiment, the double-magnetized covering device comprises a magnetic sheet material, without vinyl and/or paper coating and, a plurality of magnetic sheet strips constructed of magnetic material, without vinyl and/or paper coating. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic covering device 112 comprises a substantially opaque covering device. In an embodiment, the double magnetized sheet is configured as a full standard letter size sheet in a portrait orientation with corresponding double magnetized strips. In an alternative embodiment, the double magnetized sheet is configured as a full standard letter size sheet in a landscape orientation with corresponding double magnetized strips. In another embodiment, the double magnetized sheet is configured as a standard legal-size sheet in a landscape orientation with corresponding double magnetized strips. In another embodiment, the double magnetized sheet is configured in a landscape or portrait orientation in any size with corresponding double magnetized strips. In a landscape orientation, the covering device 112 covers a book 110 in an open position and a sheet size of approximately 6″×22″ with the first side 130 measuring 6″×11″ and the second side 132 measuring 6″×11.″ In an embodiment, the first side 130 include eight magnetic or double magnetized repositionable strips 113 with each magnetic repositionable strip 113 measuring approximately 10/16″×10 11/16″ with a distance between each magnetic repositionable strip 113 of approximately 2 mm. In the alternative embodiment where the covering device 112 comprises a single sheet adapted to fold in the center, an allowance for center bend is approximately 3 mm. In an embodiment, the magnetized covering device 112 has a portrait orientation for covering information. In a portrait orientation with the book 110 in an open position the covering device 112 comprises a sheet size of approximately 8″×11″ with the first side 130 measuring 8″×11″ and the second side 132 measuring 8″×11.″ In further embodiments, the magnetized covering device 112 may be single-side magnetized, double magnetized (magnetized on both sides), and may have any size and orientation (such as landscape) to cover information and/or cover information or embodiment on the book 110 or in an open or closed position according to the viewer or user's preference.
As shown in
In an alternative embodiment, the double magnetized covering device 112 is configured to include one or more accessible handling tabs (not shown), which can be attached to, or a component of the double magnetized sheet or strip 132, 113, which can be placed, attached, or part of a double magnetized sheet or strip 132, 113, which can be in a horizontal, vertical, or other orientation.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the magnetized covering device 112 can be configured as a one-piece magnetic folder (also referred to as a sleeve) (not shown) covering device having at least two releasably connected substantially opaque sides and configured in a plurality of shapes, sizes, and materials, such that the magnetic folder covering device can be placed over any portion of or completely around or over one or more pages and magnetically adhere to its opposing side. The magnetic folder covering device may include a magnetic strip, component, or border, and can have one or more accessible handling tabs, which can be attached to or are a component of the magnetic folder and/or magnetic strip and placed at one or both ends of the magnetic folder, strip, or a top or bottom of the magnetic folder or strip.
An advantage of the present invention is a book, a bound plurality of papers and their covers, or journal is well-bound, in that it assists in maintaining the integrity of the contents when configured with the binding device which allows a book, plurality of papers and their covers, or journal to lie flat and/or fold back upon itself, which provides for maneuverability and ease of use of a book, plurality of papers, or journal.
Another advantage of the present invention is a book, a bound plurality of papers and their covers, or journal is having an identification label that can expose the title or contents, can be concealed within the book, plurality of papers and their covers, or journal, concealing identifying title or content information, and be used as a place marker.
Another advantage of the present invention is the book, bound plurality of papers, or journal is that it reduces private, personal, confidential, nonpublic, intellectual property, or secret information exposure of one-half of the book, plurality of papers, or journal, when folded back upon itself.
Another advantage of the present invention is the information records of the journal are organized to provide for rapid recording options and quick reference lists.
Still another advantage of the present invention is the inclusion of a tamper-evident security device and/or security seal such that a book, plurality of papers and their covers, or journal's binding device cannot be removed without being tamper-evident. The tamper-evident security device provides security enhancement and integrity to a book, plurality of papers and their covers, or journal, and/or its contents when in a lay flat, fold back binding style.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the covering devices cover information easily and affordably, generally remain in place until removed, are reusable, easy to carry and use, and can be custom sized or custom printed.
The present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. The present invention may readily be implemented using configurations other than those described in the exemplary embodiments above. Therefore, these and other variations upon the exemplary embodiments are covered by the present invention.
This application claims benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/757,722, filed Nov. 8, 2018, the entirety which is incorporated herein by this reference and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/899,154, filed Sep. 12, 2019, the entirety which is incorporated herein by this reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2178767 | Unger | Nov 1939 | A |
| 6270280 | Baumann | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 7946552 | St Claire | May 2011 | B1 |
| 20030213154 | Park | Nov 2003 | A1 |
| 20150298486 | Miyata | Oct 2015 | A1 |
| 20160332478 | Jameson | Nov 2016 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 0704322 | Apr 1996 | EP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200147993 A1 | May 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62757722 | Nov 2019 | US | |
| 62899154 | Sep 2019 | US |
