Sheet retaining device and method of packaging sheet retaining devices

A method of packaging a plurality of sheet retaining devices, the method comprising the following steps:

• providing a plurality of sheet retaining devices, each sheet retaining device having an upper member having a central longitudinal axis extending in a first direction along a length thereof, a pair of hinged leaves supported by said upper member, a plurality of ring members secured to said hinged leaves for engaging corresponding holes in sheets of material retained by the sheet retaining device, a plurality of elongated first ribs located on said upper member and extending in a first direction along said upper member, said first ribs protruding outwardly from said upper member to form a trough therebetween, and at least one pair of laterally spaced-apart elongated second ribs protruding outwardly from said upper member and extending in said first direction along said upper member, said second ribs being spaced laterally outwardly from said first ribs;
• and
• locating a first of said sheet retaining devices below a second of said sheet retaining devices such that the ring members of the second sheet retaining device engage at least one of the first or second ribs of the first sheet retaining device, wherein said first ribs are positioned on said upper member for engagement by ring members of the second sheet retaining device located thereagainst for packaging in a first arrangement, and wherein said second ribs are positioned on said upper member for engagement by ring members of the second sheet retaining device located thereagainst for packaging in a second alternative arrangement.

A package of sheet retaining devices, comprising a plurality of sheet retaining devices, each sheet retaining device having an upper member having a central longitudinal axis extending in a first direction along a length thereof, a pair of hinged leaves supported by said upper member, a plurality of ring members secured to said hinged leaves for engaging corresponding holes in sheets of material retained by the sheet retaining device, a plurality of elongated first ribs located on said upper member and extending in said first direction along said upper member, said ribs protruding outwardly from said upper member to form a trough therebetween, and at least one pair of laterally spaced-apart elongated second ribs protruding outwardly from said upper member and extending in said first direction along said upper member, said second ribs being spaced laterally outwardly from said first ribs, a first of said sheet retaining devices being located below a second of said sheet retaining devices such that the ring members of the second sheet retaining device engage at least one of the first or second ribs of the first sheet retaining device, wherein said first ribs are positioned on said upper member for engagement by ring members of the second sheet retaining device located thereagainst for packaging in a first arrangement, and wherein said second ribs are positioned on said upper member for engagement by ring members of the second sheet retaining device located thereagainst for packaging in a second alternative arrangement.