U.S. patent application number 13/386752 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-27 for filer with insertable cover.
This patent application is currently assigned to MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Elizabeth M. Lacher, Michael D. Rowe.
Application Number | 20120241507 13/386752 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45605395 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120241507 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rowe; Michael D. ; et
al. |
September 27, 2012 |
FILER WITH INSERTABLE COVER
Abstract
A filer is disclosed which has front panel and rear panel
defining a storage compartment therebetween, the storage
compartment having a width. The filer includes a cover coupled to
the rear panel and releasably attachable to the front panel to
generally cover or seal the storage compartment. A distal portion
of the cover has a width that is about equal to or smaller than the
width of the storage compartment to allow the distal portion of the
front cover to be received in the storage compartment.
Inventors: |
Rowe; Michael D.; (Medway,
OH) ; Lacher; Elizabeth M.; (Beavercreek,
OH) |
Assignee: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
Richmond
VA
|
Family ID: |
45605395 |
Appl. No.: |
13/386752 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
August 9, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2011/047023 |
371 Date: |
January 24, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61374682 |
Aug 18, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/67.3 ;
229/67.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42F 7/08 20130101; B42P
2241/18 20130101; B42F 21/04 20130101; A45C 13/02 20130101; A45C
11/18 20130101; B42P 2241/02 20130101; B43K 23/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/67.3 ;
229/67.4 |
International
Class: |
B65D 27/24 20060101
B65D027/24; B65D 27/08 20060101 B65D027/08 |
Claims
1. A filer comprising a front panel; a rear panel; a pair of side
panels between the front and rear panels and defining a pocket
between the front and rear panel, the pocket having a first width;
and a cover attached to the rear panel, the cover comprising a
proximal portion nearer the rear panel and having a second width; a
distal portion further from the rear panel and having a third width
less than the second width; and wherein the cover may be positioned
so that the distal portion fits in the pocket while the proximal
portion does not fit in the pocket.
2. The filer of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises at
least one flex area that is more flexible than at least one of the
proximal and distal portions.
3. The filer of claim 2, wherein the flex area comprises as least
one transverse crease line in the cover.
4. The filer of claim 2, wherein the flex area comprises a material
different from at least one of the proximal and distal
portions.
5. The filer of claim 1, wherein the second width is greater than
the first width, and the third width is less than the first
width.
6. The filer of claim 2, wherein the flex area forms the cover so
that the proximal and distal portions lie approximately parallel to
at least one of the front panel and rear panel.
7. The filer of claim 1, wherein the side panels comprise an
accordion-folded material.
8. The filer of claim 1, wherein the front panel, rear panel, and
cover comprise plastic, paper, or paperboard.
9. The filer of claim 1, wherein the front panel, rear panel, and
cover comprise polyethylene or polypropylene.
10. The filer of claim 1, wherein the front panel, rear panel, and
cover comprise leather, cloth, or metal.
11. The filer of claim 1, wherein the flex area forms a bend or
curve, the bend or curve having an included angle of approximately
180 degrees.
12. The file of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
removable dividers positioned in the pocket.
13. The filer of claim 1, further comprising a retaining means for
releasably fastening the cover to the front panel.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.
61/374,682 filed on Aug. 18, 2010 which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
[0002] The present invention is directed to a filer for storing
loose papers and the like, and more particularly, to a filer having
a cover that is insertable into the filer.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Filers, such as accordion-style folders and the like, are
used by students, professionals and others for storing loose-leaf
papers and the like. Such filers may be utilized as portable
devices to carry papers in a convenient and organized manner. Many
filers include a cover which closes the filer and must be moved out
of the way to access the contents of the filer. However, many
existing filers do not provide satisfactory positioning of the
cover when it is opened.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one embodiment, the invention is a filer including a
front panel and rear panel defining a storage compartment
therebetween, the storage compartment having a width. The filer
further includes a cover coupled to the rear panel and releasably
attachable to the front panel to generally cover or seal the
storage compartment. A distal portion of the cover has a width that
is about equal to or smaller than the width of the storage
compartment to allow the distal portion of the front cover to be
received in the storage compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the
filer of the present invention, shown in its closed position;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the filer of FIG. 1,
with the cover opened;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the filer of FIG. 2,
with the cover inserted into the storage compartment;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a front view of another embodiment of the filer of
the present invention, shown in its closed position;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a side view of the filer of FIG. 4;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a front view of the filer of FIG. 4, with the
cover opened;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a front view of the filer of FIG. 6, with the
cover inserted into the storage compartment;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a side view of the filer of FIG. 7;
[0013] FIGS. 9A and 9B are front views of another filer in closed
and open positions;
[0014] FIGS. 10A-10C are front views of yet other filers in closed
and open positions; and
[0015] FIGS. 11A-12B are front views of other files in closed and
open positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1-12, the filer 10 of the present
invention may include a front panel 12 and a rear panel 14, with a
storage compartment 16 positioned therebetween. The filer 10 may
include a pair of opposed side panels 18, 20 and a bottom panel 22
extending between the front panel 12 and rear panel 14. In the
illustrated embodiment, each of the side panels 18, 20 may be made
of expandable/collapsible accordion-style material. A plurality of
generally rectangular folders 24 (or dividers or other content) may
be positioned in the storage compartment 16 to define a plurality
of pockets or spaces for receiving loose papers and the like. Each
folder 24 may have a label tab 26 extending generally upward
therefrom, and each folder 24 may be removable from the storage
compartment 16. Alternately, each folder 24 may be non-removably
received in the storage compartment 16, and/or a plurality of
dividers may be positioned in the storage compartment 16. Such
dividers may be attached to one or more of panels 18, 20, and 22.
While some of the Figures illustrate the filer containing five to
six tabbed folders or dividers, it should be understood that any
number of folders, dividers, or other content may be contained,
with or without tabs, attached within the filer, or removable from
the filer. Alternately the filer may be provided without any
contents.
[0017] The filer 10 includes a cover 32 fixedly yet flexibly or
movably coupled to the rear panel 14, and removably attachable to
the front panel 12. The cover 32 is movable between a closed
position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 9A, 10A, 10C, 11A and 12A
wherein the cover 32 generally covers and/or seals the storage
compartment 16 to retain items therein, and an open position (FIGS.
2, 3 6-8, 9B, 10B, 11B and 12B) in which the cover 32 does not
generally cover and/or seal the storage compartment 16. When in the
closed position, the cover 32 is generally co-planar with, and
positioned outside but adjacent to or in contact with, the front
panel 12. In the fully open configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 6,
the cover 32 extends generally upwardly from the rear panel 14 and
is generally co-planar with the rear panel 14. The cover 32 and/or
rear panel 14 may include a flex area such as a plurality of
transverse crease lines or areas of weakness 36 formed therein to
enable the front cover 32 to move or flex relative to the rear
panel 14. The filer 10 may be expandable due to the expandable
nature of the accordion-style side panels 18, 20, and the creases
36 in the cover 32 enable the cover 32 to bow and accommodate
expansion of the filer 10. Instead of crease lines 36, cover 32 may
include a flex area made of a material having more flexibility than
the remainder of cover 32 and/or rear panel 14. For example if the
cover 32 and/or rear panel 14 are made of a plastic sheet material
having a certain thickness, such a flex area may be made of a
thinner plastic sheet material, or a fabric material. The crease
lines 36 may be formed at least in part by perforating or slitting
the cover 32. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the flex area or crease
lines 36 may be located generally above the height of any intended
contents of the filer, for example, above the height of any folders
24 contained within the filer.
[0018] The cover 32, or any part of the filer, may be formed in one
or more pieces, and from one or more materials. At least part of
the cover 32 or the filer in general may be transparent or provided
with an opening, for example to view the contents of the filer.
[0019] The cover 32 and/or front panel 12 may include an optional
retaining means 34 to releasably couple the cover 32 to the front
panel 12, and thereby retain the filer 10 in its closed position.
In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining means 34 includes a
cord, such as an elastic cord 40, coupled to the cover 32, and a
rivet 42, button, post or the like located on the front panel 12.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the elastic cord 40 can be stretched and
fit around the rivet 42 to retain the cover 32 in place against the
front panel 12. However, the retaining means 34 need not include
both the cord 40/rivet 42 and may, for example, include only one of
the cord 40/rivet 42. Further, the position of the rivet 42 and
cord 40 may be reversed such that the rivet 42 is located on the
cover 32 and the cord 40 is located on the front panel 12.
Additionally, any of a wide variety of mechanisms may be used as
the retaining means 34, including but not limited to, hook-and-loop
fastening material (such as VELCRO.RTM. as illustrated in FIGS.
11A, 11B), clasps, brackets, magnets, interengaging geometries such
as illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, cords, ties and the like.
Instead of, or in addition to, retaining means 34 being provided to
couple the cover 32 and outside of front panel 12 as shown,
retaining means may be provided to couple the cover 32 with the
inside of the front panel 12, with the inside or outside of the
back cover 14, or with content items such as folders or dividers.
The retaining means 34 is optional and may be omitted.
[0020] Front panel 12 may be provided with one or more optional
notches 17 for receiving writing utensils such as pens or pencils
which may have a clip that will fit in notch 17.
[0021] The front panel 12, rear panel 14, bottom panel 22, and
cover 32, may each be made of a material to form an outer casing 44
of the filer 10. The material or materials used may be chosen
according to manufacturing preference. In one embodiment, the
material may be a relatively durable, stiff and rigid material such
as 0.65 mm thick polypropylene or polyethylene. The material may
also be paper, paperboard, fabric, or other material. In one
embodiment, the front panel 12, rear panel 14, bottom panel 22, and
cover 32 are made from a single piece of material. If desired,
however, any one or each of the panels 12, 14, 22, 32 may be made
from separate pieces of material. Each of the panels 18, 20 and
folders 24 may be made of a material chosen according to
manufacturing preference, for example a relatively thin and
flexible plastic material such as, for example, 0.5 mm thick
plastic film. However, paper, paperboard, fabric, and other
material may be used.
[0022] As best shown in FIG. 6, the front panel 12/rear panel
14/bottom panel 22/outer casing 44 has a width A in a lateral or
left-to-right direction. The storage compartment 16 may have a
width B in the lateral direction that is somewhat less than the
width A. In particular, due to the inward positioning on the side
panels 18, 20 and/or the folded/accordion nature of the side panels
18, 20, each side panel 18, 20 may extend inwardly, thereby
reducing the effective width of the storage compartment 16, which
can be considered the distance between the inner-most portions of
the side panels 18, 20.
[0023] The cover 32 includes a base or upper or proximal portion
32a (nearer rear panel 14) with a first width C, and a second,
lower or distal portion 32b (further from rear panel 14) with a
smaller width D. The width C is, in the illustrated embodiment,
about equal to the width A of the front panel 12, rear panel 14,
and bottom panel 22. The width D, in the illustrated embodiment, is
slightly less than, or about equal to, the width B of the storage
compartment 16 (i.e., within about 3% of the width B). However,
width D may also be substantially less than width B, or width D may
be equal to or somewhat greater than width B. A pair of opposed
notches 46 in cover 32 delineate upper portion 32a and lower
portion 32b.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, the reduced width portion 32b
of the cover 32 enables the cover 32 to be inserted into the
storage compartment 16 when the filer 10 is in its open position.
In particular, the lower portion 32b can be inserted into the
storage compartment 16 until the notches 46 engage the side panels
18, 20.
[0025] The crease lines 36 may be made to lend sufficient
flexibility to the cover 32 such that the cover 32 generally
desires to lay flat against the front panel. The crease lines 36
may be made to cause the cover 32 to have an approximately 180
degree curve so that the portions 32a, 32b tend to lie parallel
with panels 12, 14. Accordingly, when the cover 32 is inserted into
the storage compartment 16, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, the cover
32 remains in place due to the curved shape, or due to frictional
engagement of the front cover 32 with other components.
[0026] If the width D of the portion 32b is made slightly greater
than the width B of the storage compartment 16, the portion 32b can
be inserted with slight resiliency but without significantly
deforming, which helps to keep the cover 32 in place. Cover
portions 32a, 32b may be flexed or deformed slightly in order to
move cover 32 from the outside of filer 10 to the inside, or vice
versa. However, once released in either the outside or inside of
filer 10, portions 32a, 32b may have sufficient stiffness and
resilience to assume a flat configuration, and thereby rest easily
against the outside of panel 12, or inside the pocket. Crease lines
36 may be formed so as to focus the bending of cover 32 in a
limited area so that the bend does not become bulbous or the cover
too springy, which might tend either to "open" the cover when it in
intended to be closed against panel 12, or to move the cover out of
the filer, when the cover is intended to remain inside the filer.
By appropriately forming of crease lines 36, the portions 32a, 32b
may be made to tend to lie approximately parallel to panels 12
and/or 14. The crease lines may be linear or nonlinear. One or more
crease lines may be provided. The number, width, depth, and spacing
of crease lines 36 may be chosen according to manufacturing
preference. Instead of, or in addition to, the crease lines,
apertures such as slits (not shown) may be used to provide the flex
area. In one embodiment, the flex area may cover a front-to-back
width approximately equal to the front-to-back width of bottom
panel 22. However, the flex area may cover a greater or lesser
width than bottom panel 22.
[0027] Thus, the insertable nature of the cover 32 enables the user
to tuck the cover 32 into the storage compartment 16, which places
the cover 32 out of the way and enables full access to the folders
24/storage compartment 16. In this manner, the user can easily
place the cover 32 in a position where the cover 32 is not in the
way of the user and does not block access. Moreover, the cover 32
is not flipped over/behind the rear panel 14, which merely presents
an additional free surface which can be caught on other items, and
is not a feasible position for the cover 32 when the filer 10 is
positioned flat against another surface (i.e., backed against a
wall, or another filer, or stack of documents, etc.).
[0028] The filer may be made of any convenient sheet material. By
means of example, the filer may be made of sheet plastic, such as
polypropylene or polyethylene, or other plastic, having a sheet
thickness from about 0.020'' to 0.030''. However, other thicknesses
may also be used, as may other sheet materials, including paper or
paperboard (with or without coatings including plastic coatings),
or even cloth, leather, or metal.
[0029] If desired, additional retaining means (such as magnets,
hook-and-loop fasteners, or other fastening means disclosed above
in the context of the retaining means 34), can be utilized to
retain the cover 32 in the inserted position. However, in other
embodiments, the cover 32 is retained in its inserted position
either by shape memory, frictional forces, or physical interference
with other parts of the filer such as accordion style material in
side panels 18, 20. Moreover, it is not necessarily required that
the cover 32 have an upper portion 32a of a greater width than the
lower portion 32b. However, in one embodiment, providing the upper
portion 32a with a greater width helps to more securely cover the
storage compartment 16 and retain any loose components therein.
[0030] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, the cover 32 is
inserted in the rear-most position of the storage compartment 16
such that the cover 32 is positioned adjacent to the rear panel 14,
as best shown in FIG. 8. However, the cover 32 can be inserted at
any position along the depth of the storage compartment 16 and can,
for example, be used as a placeholder or marker by a user of the
filer 10.
[0031] FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 depict filers that may receive contents in
a "portrait" orientation, and therefore may have a "taller" aspect
ratio as would receive sheets with a long or longer dimension
running vertically. FIGS. 9-12 show filers that may receive
contents in a "landscape" orientation, and may therefore may have a
"wider" aspect ratio as would receive sheets with a long or longer
dimension running horizontally. The shape of notches 46 may be
chosen according to manufacturing preference any filer described
here. For example the lower portion 32b may have outer edges that
are generally parallel to the sides of the filer as shown in FIGS.
10A, 10B. Such a configuration might allow the lower portion 32b to
fit relatively tightly within pocket 16. However, the lower portion
32b may have outer edges that become narrower as they approach end
of the lower portion as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B. Such a configuration
might allow the lower portion 32b to more easily be inserted into
pocket 16. The lower portion 32b may have outer edges that become
wider as they approach end of the lower portion as shown in FIG.
9C. Depending on how closely the outer edges fits against the
inside of the pocket 16, such a configuration might cause the lower
portion 32b to more readily remain in place once inserted into
pocket 16.
[0032] Besides the cord and button closure means 34 as shown in
FIGS. 1-10, other closure means may be utilized. FIG. 11A and 11B
show closed and open configurations of a filer 10 using one or more
closure means 34 that may take the form of hook and loop fasteners,
releasable adhesives, magnetic devices, and the like. FIGS. 12A and
12B show closed and open configurations of a filer 10 using one or
more inter-engaging features such as cutouts, slits, and the like
that fit together to hold the filer in a desired configuration.
[0033] Besides use with a filer, the cover described herein may be
used with other storage compartments including envelopes, file
boxes, and the like.
[0034] Having described the invention in detail and by reference to
the preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications
and variations thereof are possible without departing from the
scope of the invention.
[0035] In one embodiment, the invention is a filer including a
front panel and rear panel defining a storage compartment
therebetween, the storage compartment having a width. The filer
further includes a cover coupled to the rear panel and releasably
attachable to the front panel to generally cover or seal the
storage compartment. At least a distal portion of the cover has a
width that is about equal to or smaller than the width of the
storage compartment to allow the distal portion of the front cover
to be received in the storage compartment.
[0036] In one embodiment, the width of the storage compartment is
less than the width of the front or rear panels.
[0037] In one embodiment, the cover has a base portion having a
width greater than the distal portion.
[0038] In one embodiment, the filer is configured to enable the
cover to be received in the storage compartment adjacent to the
rear panel such that the cover remains in its open position wherein
the cover does not generally cover or seal the storage
compartment.
[0039] In one embodiment, the filer further includes a pair of
opposed accordion style side panels coupled to and extending
between the front and rear panel, and wherein the side panels
define the width of the storage compartment.
[0040] In one embodiment, a plurality of pockets are positioned
within the storage compartment.
[0041] In one embodiment, the invention is a method for
manipulating a filer including the step of accessing a filer
including a front panel and rear panel defining a storage
compartment therebetween, the storage compartment having a width.
The filer further includes a cover coupled to the rear panel and
releasably attachable to the front panel to generally cover or seal
the storage compartment. At least a distal portion of the cover has
a width that is about equal to or smaller than the width of the
storage compartment. The method further includes inserting the
distal portion of the front cover in the storage compartment such
that the front cover is retained in an open position such that the
front cover generally does not cover or seal the storage
compartment.
* * * * *