# US 2003/0177682 A1 · Document display and retention device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2003/0177682 A1 - Document ID: US20030177682A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 10/394,537 - Filed: 2003-03-20 - Published: 2003-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 2002-03-22 - Assignees: Corbitz, Ltd. - Inventors: Howard M. Bing; Richard A. Bennett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20030177682A1 ## CPC - G06F 1/1611: {to support document holders} - A47B 2200/0094: Copyholder for VDU screen - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) ## Abstract A device for displaying and exchanging a plurality of documents of various shapes and sizes and for organizing the same. The device of the present invention comprises at least two layers of pliable sheet material. If multiple sheets are used, the sheets may be nested together. The sheets may then be inserted into a binder mechanism where the binder mechanism compressibly engages the layers to create a pressure region adjacent thereto. The frictional force between the sheet material and the inserted document retains a document inserted into the pressure region formed between two adjacent layers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for releasably retaining a plurality of documents, the device comprising: a folded sheet having a first layer and a second layer, both extending from a common edge; the common edge being releasably retained in a binder mechanism configured to prevent the common edge from unfolding; the first and second layers having free edges opposite the common edge, the free edges configured to facilitate document insertion between the layers without hands-on manipulation of the binder mechanism or the layers by a user. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the folded sheet is configured with a tab offset between the free edges of the respective layers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the sheet is transparent. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the sheet is made from plastic, vinyl, Lexan, Lucite, Acrylic, or other similar material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second layers are different colors. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein first and second layers are formed by creating a crease and folding the sheet at the crease. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6 wherein the crease is formed by perforating or scoring the sheet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6 wherein the crease is substantially parallel to the free edge of the first layer, the second layer, or both. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the sheet is spliced into separate first and second layers, a spliced edge of each layer being sealed together. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the sheet is spliced into separate first and second layers, a spliced edge of each layer being mechanically attached together. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the sheet has an average thickness in the range of about 0.0050-0.020 inches. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the binder mechanism comprises a forward flange, an aft flange, and a backing, the forward and aft flanges extending from the backing for releasably receiving the common edge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein the binder mechanism is made from a plastic material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein the forward and aft flanges are biasly separable to releasable receive at least one sheet. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the binder mechanism comprises an object with a channel formed therein for releasably receiving at least one sheet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15 wherein the binder mechanism comprises a desk display item for holding writing utensils with the channel formed therein. ### Claim 17 A device for releasably retaining a plurality of documents, the device comprising: a first sheet of resiliently pliable material having a fixed edge and an opposing free edge; a second sheet of a resiliently pliable material having a corresponding fixed edge and an opposing free edge, the fixed edge of the second sheet being at least substantially fixed to the fixed edge of the first sheet such that the fixed edges resist relative motion; and wherein at least one of the first and second sheets is long enough from its fixed edge to its free edge to facilitate manual separation from the other of the first and second sheets whereby at lease one document can be inserted and retained between the first and second sheets. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the first and second sheet are fixed together such that a tab offset is created between the respective free edges of the sheets. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the fixed edge of the first sheet is thermally sealed to the fixed edge of the second sheet. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the fixed edge of the first sheet is mechanically attached to the fixed edge of the second sheet. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the sheets are different sizes. ### Claim 22 A device for releasably retaining a plurality of documents, the device comprising: a plurality of sheets, each sheet being folded to have a first layer and a second layer, the first and second layers attached to each other at a common edge; the common edge being retained in a binder mechanism configured to provide a sufficient biasing force in the layers in a region located proximate to the binder mechanism for retaining at least one documents inserted between adjacent layers, the first and second layers having free edges opposite the common edge, the free edges configured to facilitate document insertion between the layers without hands-on manipulation of the binder mechanism or the layers by a user, and at least one sheet being insertably nested within another sheet. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The device of claim 22 wherein the plurality of sheets are configured to be nested with respect to one another in any order. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The device of claim 22 wherein at least one sheet is configured with a tab offset between the free edged of the first and second layers. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The device of claim 22 wherein the sheets are different sizes. ### Claim 26 A device for releasably retaining a plurality of documents, the device comprising: a binder having a mounting portion and a retention portion, the mounting portion being configured to be mounted to another object; a plurality of sheets of pliable material sharing at least one common edge, the common edge of each of the plurality of sheets being retained in the retention portion of the binder in fixed parallel planar alignment with the other common edges, and wherein at least one of the plurality of sheets is sufficiently large to facilitate separation of the sheets at an edge spaced apart from the common edge and insertion of the document between the adjacent sheets. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The device of claim 26 wherein the common edge is formed by thermally sealing at least one edge of each of the plurality of sheets together. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The device of claim 26 wherein the common edge is formed by mechanically attaching at least one edge of each of the plurality of sheets together. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The device of claim 26 wherein the sheets are different sizes. ### Claim 30 A method for assembling a document display device, the method comprising: providing at least two sheets of pliable transparent material; creating a first layer and a second layer from the sheets, the first and second layers having a common edge; and inserting the common edge into a binder mechanism configured to provide a sufficient compressive force against the sheets for retaining at least one document therebetween. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30 wherein placing the common edge of the sheet into the binder mechanism is accomplished by slidably inserting the sheet into a channel formed in the binder mechanism. ### Claim 32 A method for displaying a document in the vicinity of an object, the method comprising: inserting at least two sheets having a common edge into a binder mechanism, the binder mechanism configured to supply a compressive force to the sheets to retain documents therebetween; coupling the binder mechanism to the object; and placing a document between the sheets where an edge of the document is positioned proximate to, but not within, the binder mechanism. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32 wherein the binder mechanism is attached to the object with adhesive, for example, foam tape attaching the binder mechanism to a computer monitor. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32 wherein the binder mechanism is attached to the object with Velcro. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32 wherein the binder mechanism is mechanically fastened to the object, for example with screws or nails. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32 wherein the binder mechanism is a self-stabilizing structure having a channel formed therein, for example a desk, windowsill, counter top, workbench, or table, the channel formed to releasably receive at least one sheet.