WO1989006602A1 - Reference-aid interfacing system apparatus for periodicals - Google Patents

Abstract

A user installed reference-aid interfacing system apparatus designed for periodical publications (31) to uniformily and systematically file, index and cross-reference personally needed information contained therein. The apparatus (10) is integrally formed from flexible sheet stock, which include periodical insert supplements and the page marker element (18) being defined thereon by perforated lines (24, 25, 26), a main periodical file marker element (11) being substantially larger in size than the individual subordinate page index marker elements (18B, 18C, 18) and all marker elements (18B, 18C, 18) having an adhesive means portion (16) on one face with a removable covering (15, 21) which further allows complete separation of the marker elements. The protective covers (15, 21) are removed and the markers (18B, 18C, 18) are positioned and secured to selected outside margin areas of preselected page leaves of a periodical publication (31). The affixment of the the main periodical file marker element (11) to a desired outside margin converts the periodical, into a folderless self-file folder. Matched like identification marks are used to correspond desired apparatus elements to each other and to a master log directory means (34).

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION Reference-Aid Interfacing System Apparatus For Periodicals

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuatlon-ln-part of Application Serial Number 06/940,422, filed December 11, 1986.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a unique and economically fabricated reference-aid designed specifically for periodical use and is in accordance with the observance of periodical preservation and conservation of current reference materials in the establishment of a personal periodical library. More specifically, a user installed apparatus that provides a uniform and systematic filing, indexing and cross-referencing system as the primary, secondary and tertiary functions, respectively. The implemented apparatus is designed for the purpose of rapidly retrieving and accessing information contained within periodical publications on demand and establishes a compatable and standardized filing system for periodicals having dissimilar binding types when placed Juxtaposed collectively as a series in storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Periodicals are published with a market focus toward serving numerous interest groups. The publishing of new targeted periodicals is a burgeoning business attempting to satisfy and address the needs of those special interest groups with newsworthy articles as well as product information.

Many periodicals, frequently mailed to both home and/or office, are used by students, teachers, business and professional people as well as general readers alike, Though issue frequency varies from periodical to periodical, for instance, on a weekly, bi-monthly, monthly, quarterly, annual basis or no more than every two years, the result is that they do, in fact, collectively build up over time. Normally, periodicals are piled, stacked or placed in a storage receptacle with or without their insertion into a file folder jacket. The piled or stacked groups are usually discarded first. The stored periodicals give the intent to save the information for future reference due to the "value" of the pertinent material contained therein.

Storage becomes a difficult problem to solve especially when there is a product mix of periodicals having dissimilar binding types. The Implementation of the present invention provides a systematic approach to establish a uniform and standardized system of filing, indexing and cross-referencing periodicals which drastically reduces the time required to retrieve and access information, rather than having to page through each publication as if on an article "hunt". in addition, this economically fabricated, quick and easy-to-use, user-friendly system may be installed in seconds thereby saving time in both apparatus assembly and in later accessing of the desired periodical information. in addition, ultimately providing a reference-aid educational enhancement tool for the benefit of the reader-consumer for whom it was specifically designed. Generally speaking, periodicals fall within approximate standardized size dimension parameters of 8 in. by 11 in. and are produced with two distinctly different binding types. The saddle-stitched and perfect bound mechanical bindings, being the most prevalent in publishing today, are noncompatable when placed in a filing arrangement and stored collectively in a storage receptacle. The insertion of a periodical into a file folder, when in series, would permit easier access of the publication by means of the Identification on the file head tab. This method would, of course, require the additional purchase of file folders and their identification labeling prior to their placement in storage.

Saddle-stitched periodicals are bound together by means of wire stitches sewn along the longitudinal center fold line forming the spine. In comparison, perfect bound bindings are glued spines which have an exterior cover sheet that is wrapped over the glue body portion permitting a plurality of pages, insert supplements and other periodical component members to be adhesively joined along one edge. Unlike saddle-stitched bindings, perfect bound spines are capable of displaying printed information longitudinally along the outside spine area such as the publication title, volume number, issue date, etc. which is not feasible with the saddle-stitched type as it has a longitudinal fold line in place of the flat surface spine area, thus making these two types non-compatable. Examples of either binding type may be commonly found on various consumer and trade magazines, professional journals and digests, direct mall catalogs, directories and other publications which utilize these types of mechanically fastened bindings securing the page gatherings together.

Typically, a table of contents is enclosed as a standard Item in periodicals and may be further enhanced by an optional index page listing. These elements are contained between the cover leaves and serve a functional purpose in a general sense, but do not provide for specific personalization of information. In satisfying this personal need, several techniques, however damaging to the periodical as they may be, are frequently used to indicate specific reading areas of personal interest. Unfortunately, until the present invention, the burden of developing an organized means of filing and accessing information lied individually in the initiative of the reader-user to establish his or her own suitable method. Traditionally, reader-users of periodicals have implemented personal "unstandardized" methods of indicating articles and information having particular personal interest to which they will want to retrieve and access at a future point in time. These methods which are commonly and widely used consist of highlighter markers, "dog-eared" page corners, folded pages in half into the gutter margin, Implementing the use of metal or plastic clips, slips of paper inserted into the spine gutter margin and the like. The end result, periodicals being stored haphazardly and eventually discardeddue to the inability to access the required information on demand. All of these man-implemented make-shift methods, however practical, are deficient for a variety of reasons and, in addition, are detrimental to the preservation and conservation of reference material according to the American Library Association.

The practical use of business reply cards, response cards and reader service cards are articles commonly found between the adjacent pages of a periodical publication. Other miscellaneous periodical enclosures provided by the publisher or advertising sponsors include reply envelopes, brochure leaflets, perfume pouch samplers, prize winning games with entry forms and the like. All of these membering article elements are incorporated as supplements into the periodical page gatherings by three methods. They may be "hung" on-line and secured with spool wire saddle-stitched style, glued into the spine via an extended Up portion or pneumatically blown in between the page gatherings singlely in which the insert remains loose and unattached.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,364, Bortner discloses an advertising insert cover bearing opposing flaps of detachable coupons for the retaining and securing of loose insert advertising sheets in periodicals. U.S. Pat. Ho. 3,582,111 cites Siiter in this example disclosing a periodical insert sheet having a number of groups of detachable portions gummed on the back and the periodical having coupons printed on one of Its regular pages for affixment thereon of the detachable gummed portions. Further, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,227,179, Didier discloses a periodical reply card which has foldable parts for enveloping a coin to be mailed upon folding. Accordingly, though each disclosure described pertains to periodical supplements having detachably connecting portions and use adhesive, in general, they do not teach nor accomplish the present invention as a self-adhering reference-aid system apparatus insert supplement and designed for periodical publications which upon implementation enables rapid retrieving and accessing of selected information contained therein upon demand.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,253 describes Beisswanger disclosing a coding system for file folder tabs that create a visual pattern using color-coded bars such that when the label is affixed allows removing or replacing of a particular folder. Barber, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,191 also discloses a labelling system for file folder tabs using indicia and color coding having electronical, mechanical and visual readability. Both disclosures accomplish a readable labelling system when applied to file folder tabs, however, do not teach the use of a self-adhering reference-aid system apparatus for periodicals which converts, through assembled transformation, periodical publications into "folderless" self-file folders by the attachment of a periodical file tab element having readable Identification In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,574,727 and 3,324,823, Martin and Peters, respectively, wherein each disclose a book mark device designed for selected insertion between adjacent pages of a book, specifically, and does not teach the accomplishment of the present invention designed for periodical publications as a reference-aid insert supplement, upon implementation, uniformily files, indexes and cross-references a series of publications having dissimilar binding types, compatably.

Further, in U.S. Pat, No. 3,290,059, Newman discloses a reminder arrangement comprising a plurality of message-receiving removable labels for attachment and containment on the page body of a diary or a book as Illustrated therein. Newman does not teach nor create a reference-aid specifically designed for use in periodical publications which converts the selected periodicals into "folderless" self-file folders permitting rapid selected access.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,816 discloses an apparatus for books, specifically, designed and Illustrated to mark the edges of pages in which the "edge" markers correspond by number to learning key cards stored within an adhesively backed envelope holder which fastens inside a book. Remmey does not teach a self-adhering reference-aid system apparatus designed for periodical use, which converts through assembled transformation, periodical publications into"folderless" self-file folders and further utilize page index marking elements in which all marking elements, upon affixment, are adhesively secured to selected outside margins of pre-selected pages and in addition, the present invention is a periodical insert supplement for the benefit of the reader-user to rapidly retrieve and access the desired periodical and the information contained therein upon demand by readable means.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,523 though Haines discloses an information label with a detachable "pull tab" portion having an adhesive strip thereon designed to unwind a duplicate information label wound around a container with a pharmaceutical product contained therein, he does not suggest nor teach a' system apparatus designed for rapidly accessing periodical information upon demand having this intent and purpose in which this practical function is addressed, specifically, No prior art disclosure suggests the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order that periodicals be useful as personal resources of current reference materials in our daily lives, they must have an efficient and effective means to be uniformily filed, indexed and provide a cross-referencing capability. These identified capabilities permit rapid retrieval and access of the personally needed information on a timely basis, contained within each selected issue, considered at one time to be worthwhile saving and storing for future reference. Further, these capabilities are deemed "essentials" when instituting the building and standardizing of a personal periodical reference library.

In accordance with the present invention there is a reference- aid interfacing system apparatus for periodicals publications providing filing, indexing and cross-referencing capabilities as the primary, secondary and tertiary functions respectively, permitting rapid access and retrieval of pertinent current reference material information in a timely fashion upon demand.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to employ a reference-aid interfacing system apparatus for periodical publications which permits rapid accessing of the desired publication and the information contained therein and which further observes and is in accordance with the preservation and conservation of current reference material maintained in a personal library environment to barefit the reader-use .

Another object of this invention is the transformation of a periodical publication into a "folderless" self-file folder which compatably and uniformlly permits arrangement of periodical publications having dissimilar binding types when placed in series juxtaposed in a storage receptacle with other

"periodical file folders" using the same apparatus.

Still another object of this invention is to incorporate the use of identification marks and codes of matched sets which allows a reciprocal cross-referencing capability of the individual page index markers to a remote main directory having designated entry areas each indicated by a cooperating matched mark. Another object of this invention is to provide the use of periodical insert supplements and other periodical membering elements in which to integrally form the reference- aid apparatus and to permit containment of the apparatus within the periodical for distribution to the reader-user prior to being user installed thereon as an educational enhancement tool. A further object of this invention is to provide a self- adhering reference-aid system apparatus for periodicals using non-damaging adhesive which permits engagement and disengagement of the selected apparatus marker component elements and which further uses protective removable coverings that allow each desired marking component element to be detachably connected and separable completely, upon demand. Still a further object of this invention is the employment of the reference-aid system apparatus for periodicals which increases the "information value" of the publishers' product and concurrently enhances the advertising effectiveness and exposure due to the increased frequency of consumer usage.

Another further object of this invention is the incorporation of readable identification marks which interface with the desired periodical publication.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide the use of laminants as desired to increase the product longevity.

These and further objects and advantages of this invention are apparent in the disclosure and will be best understood in the following detailed specification, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-adhering reference-aid system apparatus for periodical publications in accordance with this invention showing the protective removable covers in place and engaged with one face of flexible sheet means having one cover positioned on the body portion of the main periodical file marker and a second cover positioned across a plurality of page index markers being detachably connected permitting complete separation of each marker element integrally formed from sheet means;

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the protective removable covers partly removed from sheet means of the apparatus exposing the adhesive portions;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3 - 3 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 4 - 4 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows showing a lamination applied to one face of the apparatus; FIG. 5 is an elevatlonal view of the reference-aid apparatus showing a variation of FIG. 1 as a periodical insert supplement designed for saddle-stitched periodicals in accordance with this invention and illustrating the union of an integrally formed and detachably connected non-marker periodical component membering element from sheet means;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing solely the main periodical file marker without any component elements made in accordance with this invention and Illustrating another variation; FIG 7. is a perspective view of a periodical publication Illustrating the apparatus of this invention shown in FIG. 5 secured to the center fold line of the periodical in an unexercised state and also Illustrating the separated marker component elements demonstrating the positioning of the implemented marker elements affixed to the selected outside margins of the page leaves;

FIG. 8 is an elevational plan view of a self-adhering reference-aid apparatus for perfect bound periodicals in accordance with this invention wherein this variation illustrates an integrally formed and detachably connecting Up portion from the apparatus of sheet means and designed for attaching the apparatus to the glue portion of this periodical type during production.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a perfect bound periodical having the apparatus shown in FIG. 8 adhesively attached in place. FIG. 10 is another perspective view of a periodical insert supplement page formed and detachably connected from the "hanger" portion of sheet means showing still another variation in arrangement of the apparatus made in accordance with this invention; FIG. 11 is still another perspective view of this apparatus according to this invention being formed as an integral part of the cover leaf and detachably connected as a gatefold portion illustrating a further variation;

FIG. 12 is a front pictorial view showing yet another variated arrangement of the apparatus as a periodical insert supplement made in accordance with this invention, integrally formed from sheet means and detachably connected therefrom displaying the main periodical file marker and page index markers corresponding by matched identification means to a a remote directory means thereon;

FIG. 13 is a rear pictorial view of FIG. 12 showing the placement of the protective removable coverings positioned on the adhesive portions;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational plan view illustrating a plurality of index page markers having identification means and in which each marker component member is detachably connecting and separable from a periodical insert card demonstrating another variation of this apparatus in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 15 is rear plan view of FIG. 14 showing the detachably connecting protective removable covering positioned across a plurality of index page markers concealing the adhesive beneath permitting complete separation of the desired page index marker components;

FIG. 16 is an elevational view of a closed periodical publication shown in FIG. 7 illustrating the preferred arrangement of the implemented apparatus elements applied thereto construed in accordance with this invention displaying the main periodical marker and subordinate page index markers positioned and secured thereon as in this example also showing the hidden body portions of the marker elements which are indicated by intermittent drawn lines and the adhesive portions that attach the marker elements to selected page outside margins of a periodical, the tab portions extending outwardly from the fore edge of the page gatherings, thus preparing the periodical publication for insertion into a storage receptacle for future access upon demand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION in accordance with this invention, a self-adhering reference-aid system apparatus 10 for periodical publications which includes the main periodical file marker element 11 and subordinate index page marker elements 18 as shown in FIG. 1 having a front and back face 13 and 12; 20 and 19, respectively. Ideally, the device is preferably fabricated from a sheet of paper card, cover stock, plastic, vinyl, mylar, etc. in free form or in combination with other materials which may be laminated or be a laminated composite sheet for greater durability viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4. The front and back faces of the apparatus are capable of accepting the lithography of graphics, advertising, indicia, indentification marks as well as information and instructions in which all aid in the appearance, functional and practical features, for instance, a "how-to" explanation of implementing the user-friendly periodical reference-aid system apparatus. The main periodical file marker element 11 consists of a file head tab 14 with a body portion and includes an optional plurality of page index marker elements 18 which are uniquely fabricated from a periodical publication insert card or other periodical membering elements. The file head tab 14 may be lithographed to resemble the shape, image and likeness thereof on a sheet stock as viewed in FIGS. 10 and 11 or perforated to shape, shown in FIGS. 5 and 12 with detachably connecting portions 53, or die cut to shape illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6.

Elements 11 and 18 have pressure sensitive adhesive portions 16 and 22 with removable covers 15 and 21, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, which protects the adhesive portions beneath prior to affixment of the selected marker elements to a pre-selected outside margin area 33 of a periodical publication 31 illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 16. The page index marker elements 18, subordinate to the main periodical file marker element 11, are the secondary function of the system apparatus 10 and are detachably connected by perforated lines 24, 25 and 26 or by other separable means such as intermittent die cut lines, score lines, tear lines, etc. allowing individual separation from the main periodical element 11 and each other 18 and from other detachably connecting member elements 28 all formed from sheet means. To allow complete cooperating separation of the page index markers desired, the protective removable covering 21 is also detachably connecting at specific exacting points which match the page marker element perforations 25. The covering 21 may be perforated concurrently with the apparatus during production or while being dispensed as a tape and applied thereon.

The reference-aid apparatus 10 as a periodical insert supplement may also include other non-marker component member elements formed from the same sheet stock as the apparatus elements. For example, reply card inserts 28 in FIGS. 5 and 14; page supplement extensions 28B in FIG. 10; gate fold extensions that are hingedly yet detachable connected to the cover portion 51 in FIG. 11 and other integrally formed component extensions 28A, FIG. 9 which futher allow versatility in format design, arrangement and variations of the apparatus at the descrection of the publisher, advertiser or other parties to whom it may concern. The apparatus 10 may consist of a single element such as the main periodical file marker element 11 shown in FIG. 6 or perhaps solely a plurality of index page marker elements. Further, an individual may require additional product in generic form for the purpose of assembling back issues of periodicals previously collected to-date. The generic product may be sold in quantity enabling the desired product element to be packaged in grouped form, padded as desired or available in detachably connected rolled form.

Viewed in FIGS. 5 and 14, the apparatus is integrally formed with an optional component member extension, in this case, a business reply card portion 28, which is a continuous integrally formed component non-marking element detachably connected from the page marker elements 18 in this component layout arrangement example. This arrangement of the component elements provides a "hanger" portion 18 consisting of a plurality of page index markers detachably connected along perforated line 26 allowing the card 10 to be "hung" on-line during the production assembly to supplement the publication as an enclosure. The perforated line 26 may act as a natural fold line, in this example, for "hanging" and securing the apparatus 10 within the periodical publication 31 along the binding center fold line 32, illustrated in FIG. 7. The entire card may be sewn into the periodical by saddle-stitching along the matched fold lines 26 inside 32 or the apparatus maybe simply held between two stitches. The perforated line 26 allows detachably releasing of the desired component member elements upon demand. A similar "hanger" portion illustrated in FIG. 10 extends from a full page portion 28B connected along longitudinal perforated line 26B which shows a variated arrangement of the apparatus 10B illustrating the main and subordinate marker elements 11B and 18B, respectively. Another arrangement of the marker component elements is Illustrated in FIG. 1 with FIG. 13 showing the back side of the periodical supplement displaying the protective removable coverings 15 and 21 positioned thereon concealing the pressure sensitive adhesive beneath. Viewed in FIG. 8 is an apparatus 10A similar to the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, but having an extended Up portion 28A designed to be inserted into the adhesive body 41 of the prefect binding 40 with the attached cover 42 in FIG. 9. When the apparatus 10A is released from the prefect bound periodical publication, it will be detached along perforated line 26A leaving the remaining Up portion 28A secured to the adhesive 41. As an alternative, the integrally formed extended component lip element 28A may also have adhesive applied to one face, which upon insertion between the adjacent pages will retain the apparatus therein so as to avoid loss in transit or during use of the periodical publication, thus preventing fall out of the insert apparatus. A modification would delete the use of the protective coverings applied, 15 and 21 in FIG. 2, such that when the apparatus with the exposed adhesive is inserted between the adjacent pages, a page leaf sheet acts to substitute, protect, and secure the apparatus within the periodical thereby economically saving a manufacturing operation. Further, gate folds are widely used within periodical publications which create an extended fold out panel leaf portion. When not in use, the sheet leaf extension is folded inwardly as a protection from damage. Likewise, FIG. 11 illustrates a cover sheet of a periodical publication having a longitudinal gate fold 52 which in this case is a perforated line to allow complete detachment of the apparatus 10C integrally formed from the gate fold flap portion and hingedly connected to the cover sheet leaf 51. The perforated gate fold 52 permits the entire apparatus 10C comprising the flap portion to be detached from the fore-edge 52 of the cover sheet leaf 51 of the periodical 50 prior to use thereon. As a note, the "hanger" portions, though essential to the securement of an insert supplement within a saddle-stitched periodical, are seldom used for any constructive purpose or function, have been considered for some time to be wasted space and a wasted product portion until the incorporation of this invention.

Once the apparatus 10 is removed from the periodical publication by the reader-user, the protective removable coverings 15 and 21 are peeled off shown in FIG. 2 and 5 from only the desired marker components to be affixed thereon. The preferred assembly of the main periodical marker 11 and the subordinate page index markers 18 is to attach the desired marker elements to the selected outside margins of pre-selected page leaves of the periodical 31 with the file tab portion and page index tab portions extending outwardly beyond the fore-edge 36 of the page gatherings. This assembled transformation converts the periodical publication into a "folderless" self-file folder as illustrated in FIGS.7 and 16 being ready for insertion among an assorted collection of periodicals using the same system apparatus when placed juxtaposed in series within a storage receptacle creating a uniformily arranged and standardized filing system compatable to all binding types. in addition, this system apparatus eliminates the need to use and prepare a file folder for the insertion of the periodical therein, prior to filing. The main periodical file marker element 11 and the subordinate page index markers 18, being the primary and secondary accessing functions respectively, are positioned by personal preference which may be in a graduated, staggered or other personally desired scheme. More specifically, the main periodical file marker element may be positioned as suited in series on periodicals to reflect the chronological order in which the publications are received, alphabetically or perhaps categorized by similar type groupings.

It is important to note, the pressure sensitive adhesive is of a low tack type which allows engaging and disengaging of the self-adhering reference-aid marker component elements without tearing the outside margin edge or causing damage to the periodical publication. It is further understood that the adhesive will not run or ooze to contact contiguous objects and provides complete removal from the page upon disengagement of the self-adhering marker component element.

Imprinted on the file head tab 14 portion of the main periodical marker 11 is product information such as the periodical name, volume and issue number, issue date and other pertinent identification marks which may include bar code indicia to interface the desired periodical selection electronically with computers. It also allows rapid visual reviewing, at a glance, without having to remove the periodical publication from the storage receptacle, file drawer or the like. In addition, the assembled main periodical file tab marker permits the filing, removal and proper replacement of the converted "periodical file folder" for insertion into series with other "periodical file folders" which are juxtaposed in storage using the same apparatus of this invention. Accordingly, the Implemented system apparatus creates a unique "standardized" filing capability enabling an individual to uniformily build a personal library of assorted current periodical materials and further, one that is also suitable for use among an existing juxtaposed collection of standard file folders in series due to the similarity in the overall finished size dimension relationship of the converted periodicals to traditional file folders. In observance of periodical preservation, the preferred method to store the publication using this system apparatus is by inserting the volume into the storage receptacle, binding first.

Likewise, FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 14 and 16 illustrate the subordinate page index markers indicated by 18B, 18C and 18 respectively, which may also carry reference identification coding, for instance, numeric, alphabetic, alphanumeric, color-code marks, etc. or other symbols used to identify and differentiate the page marker components from each other. An inscribable entry area is provided on each page marker component designated for personal notations of columns, paragraphs and line numbers including specific key words indicating the passages to be read. This notation area on the marker elements assists in eliminating the need to inscribe within the periodical thereby further defacing the current reference materials. Viewed in FIG. 12 are matched identification marks 35 which correspond the remote directory element 34 to the page index markers 18 also bearing the like reference mark establishing a reciprocal cross-referencing application, the tertiary function. The corresponding remote directory 34 menu format has a cooperating inscribable entry area adjacent the Identification reference marks for writing articles of general interest found to be of personal importance within the selected periodical. Another example in apparatus design illustrates the remote directory with the personally inscribable "menu" as a part of the main periodical file marker element 11B and 11C body portion shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 respectively.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 the lamination 27 serves a multifunctional purpose and as an option may become embodied on either or both face surfaces of the apparatus 10. In addition, the entire sheet stock used in the manufacturing of this apparatus could be a sandwiched laminate composite type having a film core and paper exterior layers. Whichever type selected, the lamination embodiment may provide durability and stiffening means where desired. Further, it may provide a material impervious to moisture and uniquely capable of being effectively marked on with a writing instrument preventing smearing or smudging thereon. The stiffening means provides reinforcement and is especially a concern in the main periodical file tab portion and page index marker tab portions that extend outwardly beyond the edge of the page gatherings.

Determining what optional component elements are to be used in conjunction with the apparatus as well as the component layout arrangements, formats, laminations and other considerations previously described with respect to the device is up to the descretion of the publisher, printer and advertiser sponsor of the apparatus for the convenience of the reader-user. The apparatus, upon supplementation to a periodical publication, serves as a value added product enhancing the publishers' periodical product, which upon implementation of the apparatus, the frequency of periodical use increases by the reader-user and automatically generates high-impact advertising exposure thereon for the ad dollars spent.

In summary, this invention provides a unique reference- aid interfacing system apparatus to establish a uniform and systematized method of filing, indexing and cross-referencing periodical information compatably in a standardized fashion and which forms a personal library of current reference material that permits access and retrieval therefrom in a time-saving manner upon demand. This consumer-oriented system apparatus is designed for both home and office use as an educational enhancement tool for students, teachers, business and professional people including general readers alike whom are in need of accessing current information pertinent to their daily lives. The systematized method, established from this invention, alleviates having to save unsightly "piles" of periodicals in an unorganized fashion which increases the likelihood of their early discarding whereby the personal information collected is lost and forgotten. The implementation of this self-adhering reference-aid system apparatus on periodical publications, being unique in concept, is more beneficial to the reader-user than conventional periodicals without the incorporated apparatus. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many different design formats, element arrangements and creative layout variations of component combinations are possible with respect to this apparatus formed or constructed from periodical inserts, supplements and other periodical membering elements which comprise the periodical publication.

Accordingly, while example embodiments of this invention have been described and Illustrated for the purpose of clarity and understanding, the invention should not be considered limited as variations and modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention and the appended claims which follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1, A reference-aid interfacing system apparatus designed for periodical publications to rapidly access informative material contained therein upon demand comprising: a main periodical file marker element integrally formed from flexible sheet means having a front and back face, said periodical marker element having a main file tab portion with a body portion; an area of adhesive means on one face of said body portion, said adhesive means having a removable cover means being removed prior to affixment of said periodical file marker element on a selected outside margin area of a pre-selected page leaf of a periodical publication means with said main file tab portion extending outwardly beyond the corresponding edge of said pre-selected page leaf thereby converting said periodical publication means into a folderless self-file folder through transformation means; said main periodical marker element having desired identification means and desired inscribable entry area means for writing notations thereon; said main periodical marker element having said identification means reciprocally corresponding to matched cooperating like identification means located on a master log directory means with all said identification means being of readable means permitting rapid access and retrieval of the desired periodical publication means and the informative material contained therein upon demand.

2. A reference-aid interfacing system apparatus designed for periodical publications to rapidly access informative material contained therein upon demand comprising: an apparatus of elements having a plurality of selected individual marker component member elements integrally formed from flexible sheet means, said sheet means having a front and back face, each of said individual marker component member elements having a tab portion with a body portion and each of said individual marker elements defined by detachably connected and separable line means; said plurality of individual marker elements having one main periodical file marker element substantially larger in size than the remaining plurality of subordinate individual page Ind ex ma rke r e l ement s ; a n a rea of adhe s i ve means on one face of each of said marker element body portions, said adhesive means having removable cover means being removed prior to affixment of each of said marker elements on a selected outside margin area of a pre-selected page leaf of a periodical publication means with each of said tab portions extending outwardly beyond the corresponding edge of said pre-selected page leaf; the main periodical file marker element converting said periodical publication means into a folderless self- file folder through transformation means; said plurality of individual marker component member elements each having desired Identification means with readable means and desired inscribable entry area means for writing notations thereon; each of said individual subordinate page markers having said identification means reciprocally corresponding to a desired remote directory element means having cooperating like identification means with readable means; said remote directory element means having desired inscribable entry area means for each of said cooperating like identification means; each of said selected marker elements and said remote directory element means having said like identification means reciprocally corresponding to matched cooperating like identification means located on a desired master log directory means and said like Identification means corresponding to each other permitting rapid access and retrieval of the desired periodical publication means and the informative material contained therein upon demand.

3. A reference-aid interfacing system apparatus designedor periodical publications to rapidly access informative material contained therein upon demand comprising: an apparatus of elements having a plurality of individual marker component member elements integrally formed from flexible sheet means, said sheet means having a front and back face, each of said individual marker components having a tab portion with a body portion and each of said marker members defined by detachably connected and separable line means; said plurality of marker component member elements having main periodical file marker elements as desired being substantially larger in size than other subordinate page index marker elements; an area of adhesive means on one face of each of said marker body portions, said adhesive means having removable cover means being removed prior to affixment of each of said marker elements on a selected outside margin area of a preselected page leaf of a periodical publication means with each of said tab portions extending outwardly beyond the corresponding edge of said preselected page leaf; said desired main periodical file marker elements converting said periodical publication means into folderless self-file folders through transformation means; said plurality of marker component member elements each having desired Identification means with readable means and desired inscribable entry area means for writing notations thereon; each of said subordinate page marker component elements having said identification means reciprocally corresponding to desired remote directory element means having cooperating like identification means with readable means; said remote directory element means having inscribable area means for each of said cooperating like identification means; each of selected marker component member elements and said remote directory element means having said like Identification means reciprocally corresponding to matched cooperating like Identification means located on a desired master log directory means with said identification means being of readable means and all like identification means corresponding to each other permitting rapid access and retrieval of a desired periodical publication means and the informative material contained therein upon demand.

4. A reference-aid interfacing system apparatus designed for periodical publications to rapidly access informative material contained therein upon demand comprising: a plurality of individual marker component member elements integrally formed from flexible sheet means, said sheet means having a front and back face, each of said individual marker elements having a tab portion with a body portion and each of said marker members defined by detachably connected and separable line means ; said plurality of marker component member elements each having desired identification means with readable means and desired inscribable entry area means for writing notations thereon; an area of adhesive means on one face of each of said marker body portions, said adhesive means having removable cover means being removed prior to affixment of each of said marker elements on a selected outside margin area of a preselected page leaf of a periodical publication means with each of said tab portions extending outwardly beyond the corresponding edge of said preselected page leaf thereby permitting rapid access of the informative material contained within a desired periodical publication means upon demand.

5. A reference-aid interfacing system apparatus designed for periodical publications to rapidly access informative material contained therein upon demand comprising: a plurality of individual marker component member elements integrally formed from flexible sheet means, said sheet means having a front and back face, each of said marker member elements being defined by detachably connected and separable line means; said plurality of marker component member elements each having desired identification means with readable means and desired inscribable entry area means for writing notations thereon;

an area of adhesive means on one face of each of said marker elements, said adhesive means having removable cover means being removed prior to affixment of each of said marker elements to a selected outside margin area of a preselected page leaf of a periodical publication means thereby permitting rapid access of informative material contained within a desired periodical publication means upon demand.

6. A reference-aid interfacing system apparatus designed for periodical publications to rapidly access informative material contained therein upon demand comprising: an apparatus element formed from flexible sheet means, said sheet means having a front and back face, said apparatus element being a remote directory element means and being secured to selected periodical publication means, said remote directory element means having identification means corresponding to cooperating inscribable entry area means for writing notations thereon, said identification means also corresponding to matched like identification means which correlate to designated periodical information means contained within said periodical publication means and all said identification means being of readable means permitting rapid access and retrieval of informative periodical material contained therein upon demand.

7. A reference-aid for periodical publication material as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one element of said apparatus is contained within the confines of selected periodical publication means.

8. A reference-aid for periodical publication material as in claim 7, in which selected apparatus elements have attaching means to selected periodical publication means.

9. A reference-aid for periodical publication material as in claim 7, in which selected designated advertising portion means are provided on selected said apparatus elements.

10. A reference-aid for periodical publication material as in claim 7, in which the information value of a periodical publication means is increased with the incorporation means of said apparatus to said periodical publication means.

11. A reference-aid for periodical publication material as in any one of the claims 1-7, in which at least one of said apparatus elements Implemented on selected periodical publication means provides a standardized accessing means for a collection of said selected periodical publication means

12. A reference-aid for periodical publication material as in any one of the claims 1-6, in which said apparatus elements incorporate a laminant means to selected said apparatus elements to enhance said sheet means durability.

13. A reference-aid for periodical publication material as in any one of the claims 1- 5, in which a plurality of selected said apparatus elements are in pad form means as desired having separable means.

14. A reference-aid for periodical publication material as in any one of the claims 1-5, in which a plurality of selected said apparatus elements having said separable means upon demand are in rolled form means as desired.