U.S. patent application number 09/921974 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-07 for transport case for portable expanding file folders.
Invention is credited to Johnson, Lynne B..
Application Number | 20020014429 09/921974 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26916950 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020014429 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson, Lynne B. |
February 7, 2002 |
Transport case for portable expanding file folders
Abstract
A carrying case for removably holding an expandable file folder,
the carrying case including a body member having opposite end
portions, the body member being foldable about a central axis
between a substantially flat unfolded position and a folded closed
position. In a preferred embodiment, the carrying case includes at
least one tab member fixedly attached to each opposite end of the
body member, each tab member being positioned and located to
operatively engage one of the outer side walls of the expandable
file folder when the file folder is positioned therewithin. Each
tab member is bendable in a direction away from the body member so
as to engage and overlap an edge portion of one of the outer side
walls of the expandable file folder for removably holding the file
folder within the carrying case such that when the carrying case is
opened and closed, the file folder will open and close in unison
therewith.
Inventors: |
Johnson, Lynne B.; (Fenton,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Frank B. Janoski
Lewis Rice & Fingersh LC
Suite 2000
500 North Broadway
St. Louis
MO
63102
US
|
Family ID: |
26916950 |
Appl. No.: |
09/921974 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60222571 |
Aug 3, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/425 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42F 7/08 20130101; Y10S
190/901 20130101; A45C 13/008 20130101; A45C 3/00 20130101; A45C
11/22 20130101; A45F 3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/425 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/00 |
Claims
1. A carrying case for removably holding an expandable file folder
wherein the expandable file folder includes outer side walls, the
carrying case comprising: a body member having opposite end
portions, said body member being foldable about a central axis
between a substantially flat open position and a closed position;
said body member including a portion extending substantially along
the length of the perimeter thereof; at least one connector member
fixedly attached to said body member at each opposite end thereof,
each of said connector members being positioned and located so as
to operatively engage one of the outer side walls of the expandable
file folder, said connector members removably holding the
expandable file folder within said carrying case such that the
expandable file folder will open and close in unison with the
opening and closing of said carrying case; and a closure device
fixedly attached to said body portion for maintaining said body
member in its closed position.
2. The carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said
connector members includes a resilient tab member, each of said tab
members being fixedly attached to said body member along at least a
portion of one edge portion thereof so as to be bendable in a
direction away from said body member, said tab members being
positioned and located so as to overlap an edge portion of the
outer side walls associated with the expandable file folder when
the file folder is positioned within said carrying case.
3. The carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said
connector members includes a snap type fastener positioned and
located for operative engagement with a cooperatively engagable
corresponding snap type fastener associated with one of the outer
side walls of the expandable file folder.
4. The carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said
connector members includes a VELCRO type member positioned and
located for operative engagement with a cooperatively engagable
corresponding VELCRO type member associated with one of the outer
side walls of the expandable file folder.
5. The carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein said closure
device includes at least one zipper member.
6. The carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body
member is comprised of a waterproof material.
7. The carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body
member includes polypropylene.
8. The carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body
member includes a scored area.
9. The carrying case as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body
member includes a fluted spine area.
10. A transport case for removably holding an expandable file
folder, the expandable file folder including outer side walls, the
carrying case comprising: a unitary body member having opposite end
portions, said body member being foldable about a central axis
between a substantially flat unfolded position and a substantially
closed folded position; and at least one tab member associated with
each opposite end portion of said body member, each tab member
being fixedly attached to said body member along at least a portion
of one edge portion thereof so as to be bendable in a direction
away from said body member, said tab members being maneuverable so
as to engage and overlap an edge portion of each of the outer side
walls of the expandable file folder when the expandable file folder
is positioned within said carrying case, said tab members removably
holding the expandable file folder within said carrying case such
that the file folder will open and close in unison with the opening
and closing of said carrying case.
11. The transport case as set forth in claim 10 wherein said body
member includes a closure device for maintaining said body member
in its closed folded position.
12. The transport case as set forth in claim 11 wherein said body
member includes a portion extending substantially along the length
of the perimeter of said body member, said closure device being
fixedly attached to said body portion.
13. The transport case as set forth in claim 11 wherein said
closure member includes at least one zipper member.
14. The transport case as set forth in claim 10 wherein said body
member includes a fluted spine area.
15. A combination carrying case and expandable file folder
comprising: an expandable file folder having outer side walls and
expandable end portions, said file folder being sized and shaped so
as to fit within said carrying case; said carrying case including a
body member having opposite end portions, said body member being
foldable about a central axis between a substantially flat open
position and a folded closed position; at least one connector
member associated with each opposite end of said body member, each
of said connector members being positioned and located so as to
operatively engage one of the outer side walls associated with said
expandable file folder, each of said connector members removably
holding said expandable file folder within said carrying case such
that said file folder will open and close in unison with the
opening and closing of said carrying case; and a closure device
fixedly attached to said body member for maintaining said body
member in its folded closed position.
16. The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set
forth in claim 15 wherein each of said connector members includes a
resilient tab member, each of said tab members being fixedly
attached to said body member along at least a portion of one edge
portion thereof such that said tab members are bendable in a
direction away from said body member, each of said tab members
being positionable so as to overlap an edge portion of one of said
outer side walls associated with said expandable file folder, said
tab members removably holding said expandable file folder within
said carrying case.
17. The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set
forth in claim 15 wherein said connector members each include a
cooperatively engageable snap type fastener, the outer side walls
of said expandable file folder including corresponding
cooperatively engagable snap type fasteners positioned and located
for operatively engaging the snap type fasteners associated with
said carrying case when said expandable file folder is positioned
within said carrying case.
18. The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set
forth in claim 15 wherein said connector members each include a
cooperatively engageable VELCRO member, the outer side walls of
said expandable file folder including corresponding cooperatively
engagable VELCRO members positioned and located for operatively
engaging the VELCRO members associated with said carrying case when
said expandable file folder is positioned within said carrying
case.
19. The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set
forth in claim 15 wherein said body member includes a fluted spine
area in the vicinity of said central axis.
20. The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set
forth in claim 15 wherein said closure device includes at least one
zipper member.
21. A combination carrying case and expandable file folder
comprising: an expandable file folder having outer side walls and
expandable end walls, said expandable file folder being sized and
shaped for storage within said carrying case; said carrying case
including a unitary body member having opposite end portions, said
body member being foldable about a central axis between a
substantially flat unfolded open position and a substantially
folded closed position; at least one tab member fixedly attached to
each opposite end of said body member, each of said tab members
being bendable in a direction away from said body member for
cooperatively engaging and overlapping an edge portion of the
respective outer side walls of said expandable file folder when
said file folder is positioned within said carrying case, said tab
members removably holding said expandable file folder within said
carrying case such that said file folder will open and close in
unison with the opening and closing of said carrying case; and a
closure device fixedly attached to said body member for maintaining
said body member in its closed folded position.
22. The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set
forth in claim 21 wherein said body member includes a fluted spine
area in the vicinity of said central axis.
23. The combination carrying case and expandable file folder as set
forth in claim 21 wherein said body member includes a body portion
extending substantially along the length of the perimeter thereof,
said closure device being fixedly attached to said body portion.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELLATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/222,571 filed Aug. 3, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
filing devices and, more particularly, to an improved carrying case
for removably and detachably holding a portable expanding file
folder.
[0003] Accordion-like or expanding file folders are commonly used
for storage of papers and the like. These folders are preferable to
conventional file folders because they save space; they have the
ability to expand to hold additional documents; and they allow for
more careful and segregated organization of individual documents
within the particular folder. Previously, expanding file folders
have been designed either for desktop usage or with a closure flap
for portability. If the documents housed within the folder have to
be transported from one location to another, a user would merely
pick up the file folder and carry it from location to location. The
desktop version of the known expandable folders without a closure
flap is not an optimum design for portability because the open top
associated with these types of folders exposes the documents filed
therewithin to the elements and there is a greater likelihood that
the documents stored therein could fall out of the folder or
otherwise become shuffled or rearranged during transportation. This
often occurs due to improper handling or positioning of the folder
during transportation, improper placement of the folder at a
particular location, and/or dropping or otherwise knocking the
flapless folder over onto its side. Although the known expandable
file folders having a closure flap provide better portability than
those without flaps, such folders likewise suffer from
disadvantages in that repeated opening and closing of the closure
flap leads to wear and tear at the hinge location and normal usage
of the closure flaps will eventually lead to separation of the flap
from the main body of the folder. In addition, although expanding
file folders with flaps provide some protection to the documents
contained therein from the elements, such folders are themselves
exposed to the inclement weather and may be damaged by rain, snow
or other environmental conditions since the known portable
expandable file folders are primarily made from some type of paper
material.
[0004] It is therefore desirable to provide a carrying case that
can be used with a plurality of different expanding file folders,
the carrying case having the ability to allow one expandable file
folder to be easily installed and removed when desired, and
thereafter allowing another expandable file folder to be
reinstalled within the carrying case for transporting any
particular file folder from one location to another. It is also
desirable that such a carrying case allow for easy access to the
documents contained within the expanding file folder, and that it
provide for easy transport and protection of the documents
contained therewithin.
[0005] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to overcoming
one or more of the problems as set forth above.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a carrying case for expanding or accordion-like file folders
wherein the carrying case allows for easy access to the documents
contained within the expandable folder; it provides document
security during transportation; and it provides protection to both
the expanding file folder and the documents contained therein from
the elements. In keeping with this objective, a carrying or
transport case is provided with a holding mechanism by which any
one of a plurality of known expandable file folders can be easily
removably attached to the interior of the carrying case. In a
preferred embodiment, flexible or resilient tab members are used to
engage the side walls of the expandable folder when the folder is
positioned within the carrying case, the tab members being
positioned and located so as to engage and overlap an edge portion
of each folder side wall. When installed, the carrying case becomes
part of the file folder and can be used to expand and contract the
individual pockets of the file folder in a normal fashion. Other
means for removably holding the expandable file folder within the
carrying case can likewise be utilized. The present carrying case
may likewise include a wide variety of different closure mechanisms
for securely closing the carrying case once the expandable folder
is attached therewithin for easy grasping when transporting the
file folder from one location to another. The present carrying case
adds security, weather proofing, and style to the transportation of
a basic expandable file folder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference may be made to the accompanying drawings.
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the present
carrying case and a typical expandable file folder positioned for
insertion therewithin.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the carrying case of
FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an end view of the carrying case of FIG. 1
illustrating one embodiment of a closure mechanism used to maintain
the carrying case in its closed folded position.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top planform view of the carrying case of FIG. 1
in its substantially flat unfolded position.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a top planform view of the carrying case similar
to FIG. 4 illustrating other means for removably attaching an
expandable file folder to the interior of the carrying case.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference
numbers wherein like numerals refer to like parts, number 10 in
FIGS. 1-4 identifies a transport or carrying case 10 constructed in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the
carrying case 10 being specifically designed for removably holding
and attaching a conventional expandable file folder 12 via a set of
connectors 16 associated with the interior of the case 10. More
particularly, carrying case 10 includes a body member 14 which is
foldable about a central or transverse axis 15 between a
substantially flat, open and unfolded position as best shown in
FIG. 4 and a substantially closed folded position as best shown in
FIG. 3. The body member 14 is preferably unitary in construction
and can be fabricated from a wide variety of different materials
such as from polypropylene, polyethylene, wrapped chipboard,
wrapped and sealed vinyl, cloth, and other suitable materials. The
carrying case 10 includes a pair of connectors 16 located at each
opposite end of body member 14 as best shown in FIG. 4. In a
preferred embodiment, the connectors 16 are resilient tab members
each of which are fixed along at least a portion of one edge
portion thereof to the interior surface of body member 14 in such a
manner so as to be flexible or bendable in a direction away from
the interior surface of body member 14. In this manner, the tab
members 16 can be easily maneuvered into positions overlapping an
edge portion of the respective outer side walls 22 of the
expandable folder 12. This can be accomplished by either lifting
the tab members 16 over the respective edge portions 22a of folder
side walls 22, or the folder side wall edge portions 22a can be
easily maneuvered and positioned under the tab members 16. Once the
upper edge portions 22a of the expandable file folder side walls 22
have been positioned under the respective tab members 16, the
folder 12 is securely held within the carrying case 10 and can be
transported therewith as will be hereinafter explained.
[0014] Although the carrying case 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4
utilizes a pair of connectors or tab members 16 at each opposite
end of the folder body member 14, it is recognized and anticipated
that any number of connectors 16 could be utilized in association
with the respective opposite end portions of folder body 14
depending upon the overall size of the carrying case 10, including
using a single connector 16 at each opposite end thereof. It is
also recognized that the individual connectors or tabs 16 can be
attached or otherwise permanently affixed along at least a portion
of one edge portion thereof to the interior surface of body member
14 through any conventional means such as by gluing, heat sealing,
stitching or by using other suitable attaching or fastening
means.
[0015] Expandable file folder 12 is of a conventional construction
and may be likewise fabricated from a variety of materials,
including paper, cardboard, file folder stock, and other materials
similar to those used in fabricating carrying case 10. Expandable
folder 12 includes outer side walls 22 having upper edge portions
22a, expandable end walls 18 and a plurality of individual
partitions 20 which define a plurality of expandable pockets
therebetween. The side walls 22 preferably have a greater thickness
than the partitions 20 thereby providing added structural integrity
to the overall folder. The upper edge side wall portions 22a slide
beneath connectors 16 in the preferred embodiment of carrying case
10. Connectors 16 hold the file folder 12 firmly in place such that
when the case 10 is opened and closed, the expandable folder 12
will open and close in unison therewith. Once installed, the
expandable folder 12 can be carried from one location to another
within the carrying case 10. The carrying case 10 provides security
and protection to the folder 12 and the documents positioned
therewithin during transport and it provides protection during
times of inclement weather. Access to documents contained within
the expandable folder 12 can be easily achieved by merely unfolding
or opening the carrying case 10 in a normal fashion. Importantly,
the expandable folder 12 can be easily disengaged from the
connectors 16 by merely sliding or otherwise moving either the
respective connectors 16 or the upper edge portions 22a of the
outer side walls 22 in a direction so as to disengage the side wall
edge portions 22a from under the connectors 16. Once this is
accomplished, the expandable file folder 12 can be easily withdrawn
from the carrying case 10 and another folder can be positioned and
secured therewithin.
[0016] As best shown in FIG. 3, the carrying case 10 may likewise
include a zipper member 24 for securely holding the carrying case
10 in its closed and carrying or transport position, the zipper
member 24 providing additional security and protection to the
expandable folder 12 and the documents contained therein. The
zipper member 24 is attached to body portion 26 which extends
substantially around and along the perimeter of body member 14 as
best shown in FIG. 1. Body portion 26 could be made of a nylon
material and could be integrally formed with body member 14, or
body portion 26 could be otherwise attached to body member 14 by
any suitable means. The carrying case 10 may be constructed with
one or two zipper members, and it is recognized and anticipated
that other closure mechanisms such as snap fasteners, clasp type
closures, VELCRO fastening members and other similar mechanisms
could be used in place of zipper member 24.
[0017] As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the folder body member 14
may be scored or fluted along certain lines 28 in the vicinity of
central axis 15 in order to increase the foldability and
flexibility of carrying case 10. This scored or fluted spine area
28 facilitates the expanding of the file folder 12 as it is
installed and used in conjunction with the carrying case 10. This
scored or fluted area also facilitates opening and closing of the
carrying case 10 during normal use and helps to extend the useful
life of the case 10.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of carrying case 10
wherein the resilient tab connectors 16 can be replaced with a wide
variety of different types of cooperatively engagable connector
means 30 such as cooperating snap fasteners, VELCRO fastening
members, and other similar mechanisms. In this situation, the outer
side walls 22 of expandable folder 12 will likewise include
reciprocal cooperating connectors 30 as illustrated in FIG. 1 in
order to complete the engagement. In this regard, the cooperatively
engagable means 30 will be appropriately positioned and located on
the interior surface of body member 14 and on the outer surface of
folder side walls 22 such that when the expandable folder 12 is
positioned within the carrying case 10, the cooperatively engagable
connectors 30 will mate and engage with each other to securely hold
the folder 12 in operative engagement within the carrying case 10.
It is recognized and anticipated that still other types of
connectors or attachment means could likewise be utilized without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is
also recognized that the number and placement of the connectors 16
and 30 may vary depending upon the size and shape of the carrying
case 10 and corresponding file folder 12. Still further, it is
recognized that still other connecting means and still other
modifications to the placement of the connectors 16 or 30 would be
obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0019] As can be seen from the disclosure above, the carrying case
10 can be utilized to safely and securely transport documents
positioned within an expandable folder from one location to another
without worry that the documents will somehow become damaged or
lost during the transportation process. The ease by which an
expandable file folder can be installed, removed, and another
folder reinstalled within the carrying case 10 further adds to the
value and utility of the present invention.
[0020] As is evident from the foregoing description, certain
aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular
details of the examples illustrated herein and it is therefore
contemplated that other modifications and applications, or
equivalence thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. It is
accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such
modifications and applications that do not depart from the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
[0021] Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present
invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the
disclosure and the appended claims.
* * * * *