Special receptacle or package – Book-type cover with attached article retainer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-25
2001-02-13
Gehman, Bryon P. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Book-type cover with attached article retainer
C206S450000, C206S486000, C206S733000, C206S775000, C206S784000, C190S016000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186327
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wide variety of carpet styles are readily available for installation in home and office settings. In order to show prospective buyers these styles, a carpet salesman must carry a large number of carpet swatches to meetings with buyers. Typically, these carpet swatches are held together in a “flip-book,” i.e., a number of small squares or rectangles of carpet bound together at one end, allowing the buyer to flip through the various different styles. Flip-books are bulky and not particularly stable, making the flip-book difficult to use and even more difficult to carry from meeting to meeting.
Carpet sample books have been disclosed which address the problems associated with carrying about carpet samples. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,138 to Thompson, entitled “Carpet Display Sample Kit,” discloses a sample kit comprising a box and a support tray. While Thompson's kit makes it easier to carry a number of carpet samples about, it accommodates only a limited number of samples. Moreover, Thompson's kit is relatively complex and requires several parts. This may increase the weight of the kit, making it bulky and difficult to carry. Also, the multi-part construction may increase the cost and complexity of manufacture.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a carpet sample book which is lightweight, easy to manufacture and capable of carrying and displaying a large number of carpet samples.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A carpet sample book in accordance with the present invention is constructed from a single sheet of cardboard or other suitable material. The sheet is creased to define a number of panels. The sheet may be folded over itself to make the panels several layers thick. Cutouts are made through some or all of the layers to holding carpet samples. The creases act like hinges which allow the panels to be folded over each other so that the entire assembly can be folded into a compact book.
The sample book of the present invention provides several advantages over prior sample books. Because the sample book may be constructed from a single sheet of material, its fabrication is relatively simple and therefore inexpensive. Moreover, the sample book is very light and compact, thereby reducing the difficulty in transporting numerous carpet samples about. Also, because of the simple design, it is easy to customize the sample book for individual needs, thereby providing a wide range of options to users without substantially increasing production cost or complexity.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a carpet sample book that allows numerous samples to be displayed.
Another object of the invention is to provide a carpet sample book that allows numerous samples to be displayed in a book which may be folded into a relatively compact configuration.
Another object of the invention to provide a carpet sample book that allows samples to be easily removed from the sample book for closer inspection.
Another object of the invention to provide a carpet sample book which may be constructed from a single sheet of material.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings, the following description of the drawings and the claims.
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Gehman Bryon P.
Interface, Inc.
Johnson Kristin L.
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Pratt John S.
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