US20040026294A1

US20040026294A1 - Scrap book stamp and accessories tote/organizer

Info

Publication number: US20040026294A1
Application number: US10/215,840
Authority: US
Inventors: Curtis Platte
Original assignee: Westrim Inc
Current assignee: Westrim Inc
Priority date: 2002-08-08
Filing date: 2002-08-08
Publication date: 2004-02-12
Also published as: CA2404596A1

Abstract

A scrap book stamp and accessories tote/organizer having a case defining an interior cavity accessible through an opened front panel thereof. The internal front compartment houses a drawer assembly, having removable drawers and removable stackable supports. An internal side compartment of the interior cavity is configured to house an embossing gun. An internal top compartment of the internal cavity, accessible through a top cover, houses a removable platform and a plurality of embossing powder jars held by loops. Pockets of the tote/organizer are configured to hold embossing stamps. The tote/organizer includes a wheeled base and an extendible handle for easy transport. The tote/organizer also includes handles to facilitate lifting the tote/organizer onto working surfaces.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to totes and organizing carriers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tote/organizer for storing, organizing, and transporting scrap book supplies, including embossing stamps, jars, and guns and the like.

It is, of course, generally known to provide a photo album for displaying pictures or other items that are generally flat in nature. Many photo albums and scrap books require mounts or special adhesives for attaching the photos or other items to the pages of the book. Other photo albums and books are known which have sheets that are removably attached to each of the pages. The pictures or items to be mounted on the page lay between the removable sheet and the page of the photo album.

More recently, activities such as scrap booking, art, assembling school reports, preparing formal presentations or business reports, collecting baseball cards, photography and other related pursuits have become increasingly popular. In particular, photo albums and scrap books have become more artistic and creative in nature including the use of colored pages. The pages are typically heavier weight construction-type paper often having ornate colors and designs imprinted thereon. Often, individuals secure their photos or other items and then place their own written notes or the like on those pages to create a storybook type album of personal photos and memorabilia.

Such elaborate scrap books often require the use of design-forming punches, various colored pens, scissors which cut a unique design to create esthetically pleasing pictures and cut-outs, etc. Some scrap bookers like to use. Such stamps are typically blocks having a rubber surface forming a design. This rubber design is pressed into an adhesive material and the adhesive material is transferred to the scrap booking page using the block. Embossing powder is then sprinkled on to the adhesive design on the page. Embossing powdered material typically comes in jars of varying colors. An embossing gun, essentially a heat gun, is then utilized to heat the embossing powder and adhesive so that the adhesive becomes colored and permanently affixed to the page.

As these items can be quite expensive, scrap bookers often form groups and periodically meet with one another to share supplies and ideas. Aside from the economy of such groups, scrap bookers generally find pleasure in the social aspect of meeting with one another on a periodic basis. However, such meetings require the transportation of the scrap book paper, photos, cutouts, stamps, embossing jars, embossing guns and other supplies.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a tote bag specifically designed to organize, store and transport scrap book supplies, and particularly embossing stamps, jars, guns, etc. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resides in a tote/organizer particularly adapted for organizing, storing and transporting scrap book accessories, and particularly embossing stamps, embossing jars, an embossing gun, and related accessories. Generally, the tote/organizer comprises a wheeled case having an expandable and retractable handle and having compartments, fasteners, pockets, loops, etc., for organizing and transporting these scrap book materials and accessories.

More particularly, the tote/organizer comprises a case having opposing front and back panels. A bottom wall extends between bottom edges of the front and back panels, and side walls extend between respective side edges of the front and back panels. At least a portion of the front panel is movable between an opened and a closed position, typically utilizing a zipper mechanism. The case defines an interior cavity having an internal front compartment accessible through the open front panel. A drawer assembly having removable drawers and removable stackable supports, each support configured to releasably hold a drawer therein, is housed in an internal front compartment. A fastener securely holds the drawer assembly within the front compartment for selective removal.

Preferably, the case includes at least one external pocket formed on a the sidewall of the case, and configured to hold the embossing stamps. Handles are attached to an upper portion of each side wall so that the tote/organizer can be lifted from the floor to a bench or table surface.

A back flap is pivotly attached to a top edge of the back panel and moveable between an opened and closed position. Preferably, the back flap includes a pocket formed in an inner surface thereof for storing pictures, scraps of paper and the like. A front flap is similarly pivotly attached to a top edge of the front panel and moveable between an open and a closed position. Preferably, the front panel includes a plurality of pen loops formed in an inner surface thereof for securely holding scrap book pens. The front and back flaps cooperatively form a top cover when in the closed positions. A fastener may be utilized for securing the front and back flaps in the closed position.

An internal top compartment is accessible through the top cover. A platform is removably disposed within the top compartment. Preferably, the platform underlies a plurality of loops extending into the top compartment from the front and back panels and which are configured to securely hold a plurality of embossing powder jars.

The interior cavity also defines an internal side compartment configured to house an embossing gun.

The tote/organizer of the present invention allows a scrap booker to store her/his supplies in an organized manner, and easily transport the supplies. The wheeled base and retractable handle allow the tote/organizer to be transported easily without requiring lifting of the otherwise heavy supplies and tote/organizer.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which illustrate, by way of example, the principals of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: [0015]
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a tote/organizer embodiment of present invention. [0016]
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the tote/organizer of FIG. 1; [0017]
FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the tote/organizer of the present invention; [0018]
FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the tote/organizer of the present invention, illustrating the extension of a handle thereof; [0019]
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the tote/organizer of the present invention; [0020]
FIG. 6 is an opposite side view of the tote/organizer; [0021]
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the tote/organizer; [0022]
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the tote/organizer; [0023]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tote/organizer with a top cover opened, illustrating embossing jars in a top compartment thereof; [0024]
FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the removal of a platform and embossing and jar from the top compartment of the tote/organizer; [0025]
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a front panel of the tote/organizer opened, illustrating pockets and a drawer assembly disposed in a front compartment thereof; [0026]
FIG. 12 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 11, illustrating opening of the drawers for removal of items; [0027]
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the tote/organizer, having the drawer assembly removed therefrom; [0028]
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the drawer assembly, illustrating drawers removed from supports; and [0029]
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the drawer assembly supports, illustrating their stackable nature.[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the accompanying drawings for illustration purposes, the present invention resides in a tote/organizer, generally referred to by the [0031] reference number 10, for organizing, storing, and transporting scrap book accessories, particularly stamp embossing accessories, as will be more fully described herein.
With reference now to FIGS. [0032] 1-8, the tote/organizer 10 comprises a case 12 having front a panel 14 and an opposing back panel 16. A bottom wall 18 extends between bottom edges of the front and back panels 14 and 16. Opposing side panels 20 and 22 cooperatively form, with the front and back panels 14 and 16 and bottom wall 18, an interior cavity of the case 12.
As shown in the various figures, the [0033] side panels 20 and 22 include pockets 24 and 26 for holding scrap book supplies and articles. In particular, pocket 24 is segmented so as to be configured to hold individual stamps within each segmented portion of the pocket 24. The pockets 24 and 26 each preferably include a flap 28 which overlies the opening of pockets 24 and 26 and which can be secured in a closed position using hook and loop tape or any other appropriate fastening means. The flap 28 prevents these stamps and other accessories from accidentally falling from pocket 24 or 26, while providing easy access to the contents of the pockets 24 and 26.
With particular reference now to FIGS. [0034] 3-5, the tote/organizer includes a set of wheels 30, which are attached to a base portion of the case 12 to facilitate transportation of the tote/organizer. The tote/organizer also includes a handle 32 which can be extended, as illustrated in FIG. 4 in order to roll the tote/organizer on the wheels 30, in a manner similar to rolling luggage or the like. While the wheels 30 and extendable handle 32 aid in transporting the tote/organizer 10 on a generally horizontal surface, scrap bookers and the like often like to have their supplies within easy reach and at approximately at the same level as the pages on which they are working. Accordingly, the tote/organizer can include hand grips 34 extending from each side panel 20 and 22 at an upper portion thereof so that the entire tote/organizer 10 can be lifted from the ground onto a workbench, table surface, counter top or into a vehicle.
With reference now to FIGS. 1, 7 and [0035] 9-10, the tote/organizer includes a top cover comprised of a back flap 36 pivotly attached to an upper edge of the back panel and moveable between an opened and closed position, and a front flap 38 pivotly attached to a top edge of the front panel 14 and pivotly between open and closed positions. The back and front flaps 36 and 38 are illustrated in their closed positions in FIGS. 1 and 7. In such closed position, a fastener, such as the straps and buckles 40 and 42, are used to keep the flaps 36 and 38 in a closed position. The flaps 36 and 38 can be opened to access a top compartment 46 of the interior cavity of the case 12. Within the compartment, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, is a platform 44. Loops 48, preferably comprised of an elastic material, extend from an inner top portion of the front and back panels 14 and 16. The loops 48 are sized as such to accept and securely hold jars of embossing powder 50. Platform 44 can be removed from top compartment 46 and used in the stamp and embossing process described above. More particularly, once a page has been stamped with adhesive in the preselected design, the embossing powder jar 50 is removed containing the color or design desired. The embossing powder is sprinkled upon the adhesive design. Typically, there is an excess amount of embossing powder which has been sprinkled upon the page. This can be tapped off of the page and onto the platform 44 for later disposal so as to prevent the occurrence of messes, stains, etc., on the scrap booker's furniture. The platform 44 can also be used to hold scraps of paper, stamps, etc., during the course of stamping and scrap booking.
With continuing referencing FIGS. 9 and 10, it will be noted that the inner surface back [0036] flap 36 includes a pocket 52 which can be used to store photographs, smaller scraps of paper, and the like. Preferably, a strap 54 extends over the pocket 52 and which can be snapped or fastened by hook and loop tape in order to effectively close the pocket 52 and prevent the photos and the like from accidentally falling from the flap 36, such as when the flap 36 is opened. In order to maximize the space and optimize organization, an inner surface of the front flap 38 includes a plurality of pen loops 56 preferably comprised of an elastic material and sized and configured to removably hold a series of gel pens, and the like used predominantly during scrap booking.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 13, an [0037] internal side compartment 58 is defined by walls 60 and 62 and accessible through the front and back flaps 36 and 38. The side compartment 58 is sized such to hold an embossing heating gun. Thus, with the back and front flaps 36 and 38 the scrap booker is availed of all of the necessary accessories for stamping.
With reference now to FIGS. [0038] 11-13, at least a portion, and preferably substantially all, of the front panel 14 is moveable between an opened and a closed position. This is typically accomplished with the use of a zipper 64. Opening the front panel 14 exposes an internal front compartment 66 housing a drawer assembly 68. As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the drawer assembly 68 is comprised of a plurality of supports 70 stackable upon one another and configured to receive drawers 72 therein. Preferably, the drawers each include a front notch 74 so that a scrap booker can insert his or her finger and pull the drawer from the assembly 68. It will be noted that the drawers are not only able to slide out from the front compartment 66 for retrieving the items and accessories therein, but the entire assembly 68 is removable from the front compartment, as illustrated in FIG. 13. A strap 76 and clasp mechanism 78 serve to hold the drawer assembly 68 and individual drawers 72 in place within the front compartment 66 until selectively removed.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the [0039] front panel 14 is connected to the case 12 by hinge straps 80 to prevent the front panel 14 from opening beyond horizontal. As illustrated, an interior surface of the front panel preferably includes a relatively large pocket 82 closeable by a button or hook and loop fasteners 84 or the insertion of sheet protectors, large sheets of paper, photographs and other generally flat items. Additionally, pockets 86 are formed on the large pocket 82 for holding stamps a other accessory items. Additionally, pockets 88 are formed along a top edge of the case 12 and sized so as to contain individual stamps and the like.
The advantages of the present invention to scrap bookers, and particularly those scrap bookers who utilize embossing and stamping techniques, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the field. The tote/[0040] organizer 10 of the present invention allows a scrap booker to organize his or her stamping, embossing, and scrap booking materials within the tote/organizer 10 and readily the transport a tote/organizer. Use of the present invention is far superior to the suit cases, boxes, bags, etc., which scrap bookers currently use to store and transport all of their items in an disorganized and half hazzard manner.
Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without department from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims. [0041]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A scrapbook stamp and accessories tote/organizer, comprising: a case having opposing front and back panels, a bottom wall extending between bottom edges of the front and back panels, and side walls extending between respective side edges of the front and back panels, at least a portion of the front panel being movable between an open and a closed position, wherein the case defines an interior cavity having an internal front compartment accessible through the opened front panel and housing a drawer assembly having removable drawers;

a base associated with the case and having wheels; and

an extendible handle associated with the case.

2. The tote/organizer of claim 1, including a back flap pivotally attached to the back panel and movable between an open and a closed position, and a front flap pivotally attached to the front panel and movable between an open and a closed position, the front and back flaps cooperatively forming a top cover when in the closed positions.

3. The tote/organizer of claim 2, including a fastener for securing the front and back flaps in the closed positions.

4. The tote/organizer of claim 2, wherein the interior cavity of the case includes an internal top compartment accessible through the top cover and configured to house a plurality of embossing powder jars.

5. The tote/organizer of claim 4, including a platform removably disposed within the top compartment and a plurality of loops extending into the top compartment above the platform for securely holding the embossing powder jars.

6. The tote/organizer of claim 1, wherein the interior of the cavity includes an internal side compartment configured to house an embossing gun therein.

7. The tote/organizer of claim 2, wherein the back flap includes a pocket formed on an inner surface thereof.

8. The tote/organizer of claim 2, wherein the front flap includes a plurality of loops on an inner surface thereof configured to securely hold pens therein.

9. The tote/organizer of claim 1, including external pockets formed on a sidewall of the case.

10. The tote/organizer of claim 1, including handles attached to an upper portion of each side wall.

11. The tote/organizer of claim 1, wherein the drawer assembly includes removable stackable supports, each support configured to releasably hold a drawer therein.

12. The tote/organizer of claim 11, including a fastener for securely holding the drawer assembly within the front compartment.

13. The tote/organizer of claim 1, including a pocket formed on an inner surface of the front panel.

14. A scrapbook stamp and accessories tote/organizer, comprising:

a case having opposing front and back panels, a bottom wall extending between bottom edges of the front and back panels, and side walls extending between respective side edges of the front and back panels, at least a portion of the front panel being movable between an open and a closed position;

an interior cavity defined by the case and having an internal front compartment accessible through the opened front panel and housing a drawer assembly having removable drawers and removable stackable supports, each support configured to releasably hold a drawer therein, the interior cavity defining an internal side compartment configured to house and embossing gun;

a back flap pivotally attached to the back panel and movable between an open and a closed position, and a front flap pivotally attached to the front panel and movable between an open and a closed position, the front and back flaps cooperatively forming a top cover when in the closed positions;

an internal top compartment accessible through the top cover and including a platform removably disposed therein and a plurality of loops extending into the top compartment above the platform for securely holding a plurality of embossing powder jars;

wheels associated with a base of the case; and

an extendible handle associated with the case.

15. The tote/organizer of claim 14, including a fastener for securing the front and back flaps in the closed positions.

16. The tote/organizer of claim 14, wherein the back flap includes a pocket formed on an inner surface thereof.

17. The tote/organizer of claim 14, wherein the front flap includes a plurality of loops on an inner surface thereof configured to securely hold pens therein.

18. The tote/organizer of claim 14, including external pockets formed on a sidewall of the case.

19. The tote/organizer of claim 14, including handles attached to an upper portion of each side wall.

20. The tote/organizer of claim 14, including a fastener for securely holding the drawer assembly within the front compartment.

21. The tote/organizer of claim 14, including a pocket formed on an inner surface of the front panel.

22. A scrapbook stamp and accessories tote/organizer, comprising:

a case having opposing front and back panels, a bottom wall extending between bottom edges of the front and back panels, and side walls extending between respective side edges of the front and back panels, at least a portion of the front panel being movable between an open and a closed position and having a pocket formed on an inner surface thereof;

an external pocket formed on a sidewall of the case;

handles attached to an upper portion of each sidewall;

an interior cavity defined by the case and having an internal front compartment accessible through the opened front panel and housing a drawer assembly having removable drawers and removable stackable supports, each support configured to releasably hold a drawer therein, the interior cavity defining an internal side compartment configured to house an embossing gun;

a fastener for securely holding the drawer assembly within the front compartment;

a back flap pivotally attached to the back panel and movable between an open and a closed position and having a pocket formed on an inner surface thereof, and a front flap pivotally attached to the front panel and movable between an open and a closed position and having a plurality of pen loops formed on an inner surface thereof, the front and back flaps cooperatively forming a top cover when in the closed positions;

a fastener for securing the front and back flaps in the closed position;

wheels associated with a base of the case; and

an extendible handle associated with the case.