Compact case for re-positionable notes

Abstract

A compact case for repositionable notes includes a thin, rectangularly-shaped base in which is formed a shallow well for holding a stack of repositionable note sheets, and a similarly shaped lid which is fastened by an integral hinge to a rear edge of the base. The lid has formed in the lower surface thereof a shallow depression which serves as a “parking” area for posting notes containing writing. The lid is releasably securable to the base to enclose the interior space composed of the lid depression and base well by a releasably lockable fastener consisting of a wedge-shaped locking tab which protrudes diagonally outwards from a corner of the front lower edge of the lid, which is snappingly engageable within a diagonally inwardly facing, obliquely disposed slot formed in a flexible button which protrudes diagonally outwards from a front corner of the base.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable case for carrying thin articles such as repositionable paper note sheets, said case comprising; 
 a. a base in which is formed a well for holding articles,    b. a lid which is positionable above and in contact with said base to form with said well a closed interior space,    c. hinge means which joins a rear edge of said lid to a rear edge of said base, said hinge means enabling pivotable motion along a line parallel to said rear edge of said lid from a closed position in contact with said base, to an open position above said base, and    d. fastener means for releasably securing said lid to said base in said closed position.    
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said lid is further defined as having in an inner surface thereof a depression which communicates with said base well to comprise said interior space of said case.  
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said hinge means is further defined as comprising an elongated strip of flexible material which joins said rear edges of said lid and said base.  
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said hinge means is further defined as being a live hinge which comprises an elongated strip of flexible material which joins said rear edges of said lid and said base, said strip of material being formed integrally of a polymer material with said case and said lid.  
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 4  wherein said live hinge has in transverse section perpendicular to a longitudinal hinge axis thereof a shape approximating that of an hour glass, including first and second outer portions attached to said base and lid which taper outwardly to wider sections from a thinner central section defining said longitudinal hinge axis.  
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said fastener means is further defined as comprising in combination a locking button which protrudes diagonally outwards along a diagonal of said base from a front corner of said base, said locking button having a diagonally inwardly located upwardly protruding face wall which is disposed obliquely to said diagonal, and a rectangular aperture formed in said inner face wall, said inner face wall of said button being spaced diagonally inwardly of a front obliquely disposed edge of a locking tab which protrudes diagonally outwards from a front corner of said lid adjacent to said base corner, said locking tab being insertable into said aperture of said locking button aperture when said locking button is deformed elastically away from said front edge of said locking tab, and captured in said aperture when said locking button elastically relaxes to its undeformed state.  
     
     
         7 . The case of  claim 6  wherein said locking button is further defined as being joined to said base by a diagonally disposed support section which has an obliquely disposed thin, central neck section which enables said button to flex elastically about an obliquely disposed flexural axis through said thin central section.  
     
     
         8 . The case of  claim 7  wherein said thin central neck section is formed at least partially by an obliquely disposed groove in a lower surface of said support section.  
     
     
         9 . The case of  claim 7  wherein said thin central neck section is formed at least in part by an obliquely disposed, U-shaped cross section groove formed in an upper surface of said support section.  
     
     
         10 . The case of  claim 9  wherein said U-shaped groove is further defined as obliquely intersecting front and said peripheral base ribs bordering said base well, said groove thereby being segmented into front and side segments, each of which provides a convenient insertion point for a finger tip to lift a corner of a note sheet from said base surface of said well.  
     
     
         11 . A compact case for carrying articles such as repositionable paper note sheets, said case comprising; 
 a. a base which has a straight rear edge portion and a downwardly concave upper surface which comprises a well for holding articles,    b. a lid which is positionable above and in contact with said base, said lid having a straight rear edge portion and an upwardly concave lower surface which communicates with said base well to form an interior article storage space with said lid in contact with said base.    c. hinge means which joins said straight rear edge portions of said base and lid, said hinge means enabling pivotable motion along a line parallel to said rear edge of said lid from a closed position in contact with said base, to an open position above said base, and    d. fastener means for releasably securing said lid to said base in a mutually contacting, closed position.    
     
     
         12 . The case of  claim 11  wherein said fastener means is further defined as comprising in combination; 
 a. a locking button support flange which protrudes diagonally outwardly along a base diagonal from a front corner of said base, said locking button support flange being elastically bendable downwardly with respect to a lower surface of said base, along a bend axis disposed obliquely to said diagonal,  
 b. a locking button supported on an outer diagonal portion of said locking button support flange, said locking button having through a diagonally inwardly located, obliquely disposed, upright face wall thereof an aperture, and  
 c. a locking tab which protrudes diagonally outwardly along a diagonal of said lid from a front corner of said lid adjacent to said front corner of said base, said locking tab having a front obliquely disposed edge which protrudes diagonally beyond said face wall and horizontally aligned with said aperture with said lid in contact with said base, said locking button support flange being elastically bendable along said bend axis to thereby displace said button face wall and aperture diagonally outwardly of said outer edge of said locking tab to thereby insertably receive said locking tab in said aperture, when downward pressure is applied to said locking button, said locking tab being captured in said aperture when said downward pressure is removed from said locking button to thereby enable said support flange and locking button to elastically reform to undeformed dispositions parallel to said lower surface of said base.  
 
     
     
         13 . The case of  claim 12  wherein said well of said base is further defined as having a generally rectangular shape.  
     
     
         14 . The case of  claim 13  wherein said well is further defined as comprising a depression bounded by a rectangular ring-shaped body.  
     
     
         15 . The case of  claim 14  wherein said locking button support flange is further defined as having formed in an upper surface thereof an obliquely disposed, U-shaped cross section groove which forms in said flange an obliquely disposed thin section which defines said axis of said flange section.  
     
     
         16 . The case of  claim 15  wherein said U-shaped groove is further defined as obliquely intersecting front and side rib portions of said rectangular ring-shaped body, said groove thereby being segmented into front and side segments, each of which provides a convenient insertion point for a finger tip to lift a corner of a note sheet from said base surface of said well.  
     
     
         17 . The case of  claim 16  wherein said lid is further defined as having a rectangular plan view shape.  
     
     
         18 . The case of  claim 17  wherein said lid is further defined as having protruding downwardly from front and rear flange walls adjacent said locking tab a pair of obliquely opposed, convex arcuately curved extensions which have a size and shape complementary to that of said groove segments, whereby said extensions are conformally receivable within said grooves with said lid closed, thereby sealing said groove segments.  
     
     
         19 . The case of  claim 18  wherein said base is further defined as having a generally rectangular shape of larger size than said lid.  
     
     
         20 . The case of  claim 19  wherein said locking button support flange is further defined as having a front edge which angles forward laterally outwardly from a front edge of said base, and a side edge which angles laterally outwards and forward from a side edge of said base.  
     
     
         21 . The case of  claim 20  further including a triangular wedge-shaped flange which protrudes laterally outwards and rearwards from a side of said base opposite to the side of said base to which said button support flange is attached.  
     
     
         22 . The case of  claim 21  wherein a wider rear portion of said flange has therethrough a vertically disposed aperture for receiving a key chain.  
     
     
         23 . The case of  claim 21  further including a corner boss which protrudes upwardly from front and side corner intersecting portions of said wedge-shaped flange, said boss having an arcuately curved inner surface located to frictionally engage adjacent outer front and side corner intersecting portions of said lid when said lid is in a closed position proximate said base.  
     
     
         24 . The case of  claim 12  further including a clip for retaining paper currency-like articles between said case and said clip, said clip being pivotable away from said base and including spring bias means urging said clip into compressive contact with said base.