U.S. patent application number 11/290236 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-01 for standing file folder.
Invention is credited to James Warner.
Application Number | 20060113206 11/290236 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36216926 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060113206 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Warner; James |
June 1, 2006 |
Standing file folder
Abstract
A standing file folder that includes a support structure
including a rigid back panel, a base, a front panel and an interior
angled support wall positioned above the base and between the front
panel and the back panel, and an expandable file section including
a plurality of pockets, the expandable file section connected
between the front panel and the back panel. The angled support wall
forms a bottom support for the plurality of pockets such that the
expandable file section is in a tiered configuration.
Inventors: |
Warner; James; (Westfield,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WINSTON & STRAWN LLP
1700 K STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
36216926 |
Appl. No.: |
11/290236 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60632734 |
Dec 1, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/425 ;
229/67.3; 229/67.4; 229/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2207/00 20130101;
B65D 27/08 20130101; B42F 17/02 20130101; B42F 7/08 20130101; A45C
13/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/425 ;
229/067.3; 229/072; 229/067.4 |
International
Class: |
B65D 27/00 20060101
B65D027/00; B65D 37/00 20060101 B65D037/00; B65D 27/08 20060101
B65D027/08; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A standing file folder, comprising: a support structure
including a rigid back panel, a base, a front panel and an interior
angled support wall positioned above the base and between the front
panel and the back panel; and an expandable file section including
a plurality of pockets, the expandable file section connected
between the front panel and the back panel, wherein the angled
support wall forms a bottom support for the plurality of pockets
such that the expandable file section is in a tiered
configuration.
2. The file folder of claim 1, further comprising a front flap
hingedly connected to a top edge of the front panel and moveable
from a closed position to an open position to access the
pockets.
3. The file folder of claim 2, wherein the front flap is configured
and dimensioned to support the standing file folder upright in the
open position.
4. The file folder claim 3, further comprising a support flap
associated with the front panel and the front flap, the support
flap including a notch configured to engage with an edge of the
front flap to provide support for the front flap when the file is
in the open position.
5. The file folder of claim 1, wherein the expandable file section
includes first and second accordion-pleated side walls and a
plurality of divider panels connected to inside edges of the first
and second accordion-pleated side walls.
6. The file folder of claim 1, further comprising a closure device
for releasably securing a closure portion of the front flap to a
closure area of the rigid back panel.
7. The file folder of claim 6, wherein the closure device comprises
at least one snap fastener.
8. The file folder of claim 6, wherein the file folder is opened by
unfastening the closure device and folding the front flap
downwardly such that the closure portion rests on a surface to
further support the standing file folder upright in the open
position.
9. The file folder of claim 6, further comprising a handle
associated with the closure portion of the front flap and the
closure area of the back panel and configured to hide the closure
device from view.
10. The file folder of claim 9, wherein the handle is hingedly
connected to one of the rigid back panel or the front flap.
11. The file folder of claim 1, further comprising a handle
associated with a closure portion of the front flap.
12. The file folder of claim 1, further comprising a retractable
accessories drawer located above the base and below the angled
wall.
13. The file folder of claim 12, wherein the accessories drawer
includes finger notches to facilitate gripping.
14. The file folder of claim 1, wherein the front flap further
comprises an angled transparent portion positioned to permit
viewing of the contents of the pockets when the front flap is in
the closed position.
15. The file folder of claim 1, wherein the folder is made of at
least one of cardboard, plastic, elastomer, or composite material
or combinations thereof.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional
application No. 60/632,734 filed Dec. 1, 2004, the entire content
of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention generally relates to a portable,
multiple pocket, expandable file folder. In particular, the
invention pertains to a file folder that is capable of standing in
an upright position on a desktop and that provides improved access
to documents contained therein.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] It is known to provide expandable envelopes or folders that
include a plurality of individual pockets or compartments for
separating documents. Such envelopes or folders must be capable of
being shipped or stored in a flat, collapsed state to use shipping
or storage space efficiently, and then expanded to receive varying
sizes and amounts of contents, such as sheets of paper. Such file
folders typically include pockets defined by divider panels of the
same size which tend to obscure the identifying indicia located on
documents so that, in order to find pertinent documents, a user
must at least partially remove documents from their pocket sections
for review.
[0006] Thus, there remains a need for new file folders that can
separate documents and make effective use of available space while
facilitating the identification of documents and providing easy
access to them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a standing file folder,
comprising a support structure including a rigid back panel, a
base, a front panel and an interior angled support wall positioned
above the base and between the front panel and the back panel, and
an expandable file section including a plurality of pockets, the
expandable file section connected between the front panel and the
back panel, wherein the angled support wall forms a bottom support
for the plurality of pockets such that the expandable file section
is in a tiered configuration.
[0008] If desired, the file folder can further comprise a front
flap hingedly connected to a top edge of the front panel and
moveable from a closed position to an open position to access the
pockets. The front flap is advantageously configured and
dimensioned to support the standing file folder upright in the open
position. Also, a support flap associated with the front panel and
the front flap can be included, with the support flap including a
notch configured to engage with an edge of the front flap to
provide support for the front flap when the file is in the open
position.
[0009] The expandable file section preferably includes first and
second accordion-pleated side walls and a plurality of divider
panels connected to inside edges of the first and second
accordion-pleated side walls.
[0010] If desired, the file folder can include a closure device for
releasably securing a closure portion of the front flap to a
closure area of the rigid back panel. The closure device preferably
comprises at least one snap fastener, so that the file folder can
be opened by unfastening the closure device and folding the front
flap downwardly such that the closure portion rests on a surface to
further support the standing file folder upright in the open
position.
[0011] Another optional feature of the invention is a handle
associated with the closure portion of the front flap and the
closure area of the back panel and configured to hide the closure
device from view. This handle may be hingedly connected to one of
the rigid back panel or the front flap. Alternatively, a handle may
be associated with a closure portion of the front flap.
[0012] A preferred feature of the invention is the inclusion of a
retractable accessories drawer located above the base and below the
angled wall. This drawer can include finger notches to facilitate
gripping and removal.
[0013] The front flap of the folder is preferably includes an
angled transparent portion positioned to permit viewing of the
contents of the pockets when the front flap is in the closed
position, although the folder can be made of at least one of
cardboard, plastic, elastomer, or composite material or
combinations thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Other aspects, purposes and advantages of the invention will
become clear after reading the following description with reference
to the attached drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1A is a generally front and left side perspective view
of an embodiment of a standing file folder according to the
invention in the closed and upright position;
[0016] FIG. 1B is a left side view of the file folder shown in FIG.
1A;
[0017] FIG. 2A is a front and left side perspective view of the
file folder of FIG. 1A in the standing and open position; and
[0018] FIG. 2B is a left side view of the open file folder of FIG.
2A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] In the following description, like numerals are used to
designate like parts.
[0020] FIG. 1A is a generally front and left side perspective view
of an embodiment of a standing file folder 10 in the closed and
upright position, wherein a bottom wall 21 of the folder is seated
on a flat surface 7. The file folder 10 includes a front flap 12
having a closure portion 14, an angled portion 16, and a folding
portion 17 hinged along a fold line 18. The file folder 10 also
includes a rigid front panel 19 connected to the front flap at the
fold line 18. In this embodiment, an elastomeric carry handle 11 is
included on the closure portion 14. In addition, the angled portion
16 is preferably made of a transparent or translucent material so
that a user can view the interior file pockets to generally
determine the contents of the folder 10. Also located on the front
portion of the file folder 10 is a support flap 20 having a notch
23, which will be explained herein.
[0021] FIG. 1B is a left side view of the file folder 10 of FIG.
1A. It should be understood that the right side view of the file
folder 10 is a mirror image of the left side, and thus the right
side representation has not been included herein. A rigid back
panel 15 is connected to the bottom wall 21, which in turn is
connected to the bottom edge of the front panel 19. The rigid back
panel 15 includes a closure area 22 that is opposite the closure
portion 14 of the front flap 12.
[0022] The front flap 12, front panel 19, bottom wall 21, and back
panel 15 may be an integrated, one-piece structure. An interior
expandable file portion 40 (see also, FIG. 2A) is located between
the front panel 19 and the back panel 15. The expandable file
portion 40 includes a first accordion-pleated side wall 26, a
second accordion-pleated wall (not shown), a plurality of divider
panels 30, and an angled support wall 32. Although six divider
panels are shown in FIG. 2A, any number can be used with between
four and twenty-four being preferred. Advantageously, the divider
panels can all be of the same size so that documents placed therein
are positioned at the same depth within the pockets. This is a
significant improvement over the use of different sized dividers
with a flat bottom, for example, since in that type folder,
documents can be hard to see when placed in the deeper pockets.
[0023] Front and rear edge portions of the first and second
accordion-pleated side walls are connected to the front panel 19
and to the back wall 15. The angled support wall 32 has a back edge
connected to an inside portion of the back panel at a preset
distance from the bottom wall 21, and a front edge connected near
or adjacent to an inside portion of the bottom of the front panel
19. The angled support wall 32 provides an angled supporting
surface for documents or other items placed within the file folder
10. Consequently, documents placed within the pockets of the
expandable file section 40 are arranged on an inclined surface,
which is known as a "stadium-seating" arrangement, so that the
items are tiered for improved viewing of the pockets and easy
access to the documents therein. Also, the same sized documents are
provided in the same vertical position in each pocket due to the
uniform height of the divider members.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the folder includes a member for
closing the pockets to retain the documents therein. In one
embodiment, the closure portion 14 and closure area 22 support a
button and snap fastener, which will be explained herein. However,
other fastener arrangements may be configured to either secure the
front flap 12 in the closed position as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,
or to permit the file folder to be opened (as shown in FIGS. 2A and
2B). In particular, the front flap 12 is moveable when unfastened
to fold outward and/or downward, as will be explained herein.
[0025] FIG. 2A is a front and left side perspective view of the
file folder 10 of FIG. 1A in the upright and open position. A user
unfastens the closure portion 14 from the closure area 22 of the
back panel by grasping the elastomeric carry handle 11, and then
unfastening two snap buttons 30 and 31 that are located between two
half-portions of the handle. In alternate configurations, the
handle 11 may be hingedly connected to the rigid back 15, or may be
attached in other ways, or may be totally removable. In this
embodiment, the snap buttons are hidden between the two handle
portions in a central area of the closure portion, but may be
located in other locations along the closure portion 14 as desired,
based, for example, on aesthetic or other considerations.
Conversely, the folder need not contain a handle to provide the
benefits disclosed herein, as the handle is required for
facilitating transport of the folder.
[0026] Referring again to FIG. 2A, the closure device includes male
portions 30 and 31 of the snap buttons located on the closure
portion 14, and female receptacles 32 and 33 located on the closure
area 22 of the back panel 15. A user unfastens the snap buttons
from the receptacles and then pulls the closure portion 14 away
from the closure area 22 of the rigid back 15, and folds the front
flap 12 about fold line 18 forward and downward to uncover the
expandable portion 40. As shown, portions of the closure portion 14
and angled portion 16 may rest on a surface 7 when the front flap
12 is fully opened.
[0027] FIG. 2B is a left side view of the open file folder 10 of
FIG. 2A. The expandable file portion 40 includes a plurality of
separate pockets 41 to 47, wherein each pocket is defined by two
divider panels 35, the first and second accordion-pleated side
walls and the angled support wall 32. In a preferred embodiment,
the bottom end of each divider panel is connected to the angled
support wall 32, and the two opposite side edges of each divider
panel are connected to the first and second accordion-pleated side
walls. The accordion-pleated side walls are expandable, as shown,
and may be formed by providing folds in the material in a
conventional manner. The construction of the expandable file
portion 40 thus permits the pockets formed therein to expand as
items are added, and contract as items are removed. Each divider
panel may also include a tab 50 or tabs that could be marked to
identify the items contained within a particular pocket and that
can be used to assist in opening the pockets.
[0028] Again referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, it should also be noted
that the support flap 20 has been folded outwardly away from the
front panel 19 so that the notch 23 engages with an edge 25 of the
folding portion 17. The flap 20 can be locked in this position to
form a support structure similar to a kick-stand, to add stability
to the file 10 when it is in the open and upright position as shown
in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Thus, a file folder 10 containing many
documents or items will be less likely to tip and/or fall over
towards the closure portion 14.
[0029] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, a retractable
accessories drawer 60 is provided. The accessories drawer 60 is
housed in between the bottom wall 21 and the angled wall 32 and is
configured to accommodate common items for use with documents, such
as pencils and erasers. The accessories drawer may include finger
notches 62 to facilitate gripping, and is capable of sliding into
and out of the bottom or base portion of the file folder 10 as
shown. Accessories housed within the drawer 60 are easily
accessible to the user. When removed from the base portion, the
accessories drawer can be used as a tray for retaining the
accessories therein. The accessories drawer 60 may be made out of
foam rubber or other soft material to impart a cushioning effect at
the flat bottom wall 20 which is designed to rest on a surface such
as a desktop. A releasable retaining mechanism (not shown) may be
included to retain the accessories drawer 60 in a closed position
within the file folder 10 when not in use, to prevent the contents
from accidentally spilling out when the file folder is being
transported.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the pockets 41-47 are tiered so
that a user can easily view and access the contents of each pocket.
The tiered or stadium-seating configuration is provided by the
angled wall 32 located above the bottom wall 21 of the folder. In
particular, the first and second accordion-pleated side walls 26,
28 and the divider panels 35 are connected at their bottom edges to
the angled top wall 33 which provides the stadium-seating structure
as shown. In addition, at least the angled portion 16 of the front
flap 12 is preferably made of a translucent or transparent material
to permit a user to see into the pockets of the file folder without
having to unfasten the front flap. Plastic materials are preferred
for this purpose.
[0031] It is contemplated that the file folder 10 may be
dimensioned to accept documents or sheets of paper, but could also
be of larger or smaller dimensions to accept other items. The
various components of the file folder may primarily be made of a
cardboard material, or of other materials such as light-weight
plastic, urethane foam sheet stock material, durable and semi-rigid
plastic material, a polymer sheet stock material, a rubber
material, an elastomer material, a durable composite material
and/or combinations of such materials. Various or all components of
such a file folder 10 may be injection molded from plastic using
known techniques.
[0032] Again referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B,
the closure device shown is a snap closure arrangement. But other
fasteners, such as a polymer zipper arrangement that includes a
slider on the top wall closure portion 14 of the front flap 12 and
a track on the upper portion of the rigid back 15, could be used.
Furthermore, other closure arrangements and/or devices could also
be used, such as hook and loop fasteners, or a magnetic fastener,
or a fastener that utilizes interlocking lids, so long as the
closure portion 14 of the front flap 12 is releasably secured to
the closure area 22 of the rigid back panel 15 in a manner to
protect and hold the contents within the pockets of the file folder
10.
[0033] One of skill in the art would understood that, although six
pockets are shown in the configurations shown in the figures, more
or less pockets could be formed depending on such considerations as
the overall size of the file folder 10 and its intended use. That
is, the expandable pocket section 40 may be larger or smaller as
needed according to various design considerations.
[0034] Although a particular embodiment has been chosen to
illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those of skill
in the art that various changes and modifications could be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the claims.
* * * * *