Double wing pocket portfolio and file folder

Abstract

A double wing twin pocket portfolio with two external file folder pockets with identification tabs is formed from a single, integral blank.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to portfolios, and more particularly to an inexpensive, versatile, twin pocket portfolio and file folder formed from a single, integral, die-cut blank.

Examples of simple and inexpensive portfolios assembled from one or more pieces of paper or cardboard may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,683,996, 1,859,631, 2,103,203, 2,390,864, 3,070,279, 3,129,872 and 3,516,599. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,226,837, 2,345,793, 2,633,848 and

3,308,942 . These folders provide one or more interior pockets of various sizes and shapes, and in some cases score lines in the inner portfolio walls provide a multiplicity of openings into the pockets. However, notwithstandi ng the efforts which have been made to maximize the usefulness of such one-piece portfolios, the outer surfaces of these portfolios have rarely been used except as portfolio covers. U.S. Pat. No. 2,390,864 discloses slits and slots around the edges of the outer rear wall of the portfolio for supporting a piece of paper, but finds no other use for the outer walls of the portfolio.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention provides a single, one-piece, integral blank which is cut and folded to provide a twin pocket portfolio and file folder having pockets for storage on the interior and easily accessible file folder storage on the exterior.

A front outer panel is hingedly connected to a rear outer panel, and a front inner panel is similarly hingedly connected to a rear inner panel. The inner panels are connected to their respective outer panels by a bottom fold line and folded into facing relationship with their outer panels. The panels are then joined along the edges opposite their hinge lines to form front and rear pockets which are open at the top.

The inner panels have slits to provide access to their respective pockets for reception, filing, storage and support therein of papers, notepads, envelopes, and so on.

The front and rear outer panels are shorter than the front and rear inner panels so that the pockets formed by these panels provide exterior front and rear file folders with identification tabs.

Thus the single blank of the present invention provides portfolio pockets on the inside of the portfolio and file folders on the outside of the portfolio. A maximum of utility and flexibility results from an uncomplicated and inexpensive single-piece construction.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a twin pocket portfolio and twin pocket file folder formed from a single, integral blank of material; a portfolio and file folder in which the outer panels or surfaces are utilized as well as the inner panels; which may conveniently support a removable and replaceable notepad therein; which is simple and economical to fabricate; and which is sturdy, durable and readily suited to inexpensive mass production.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the blank from which the double wing, twin pocket portfolio and twin file folder is formed;

FIG. 2 is an outside view showing the portfolio and folder partially folded and assembled;

FIG. 3 is an inside view detailing attachment of an outer panel flap to a corresponding inner panel;

FIG. 4 is a perspective inside illustration of the assembled twin pocket portfolio and file folder showing a notepad supported therein;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the twin pocket portfolio and file folder when closed in the direction of the arrows in FIGS. 4 and 7; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective outside view of the twin pocket portfolio and file folder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates the single, unitary blank 10 from which the twin pocket portfolio and file folder 11 (FIG. 7) is formed. As may be seen, blank 10 is a one-piece blank which includes a front outer panel 12 and a rear outer panel 13 joined by a first center fold line 14. A front inner panel 17 is connected to the front outer panel 12 along a first bottom fold line 18. Bottom fold line 18 runs along the edge of the front outer panel which is adjacent and intersects the edge of panel 12 defined by the first center fold line 14. similarly, a rear inner panel 21 is connected to the rear outer panel 13 along a second bottom fold line 22, and to the front inner panel 17 along a second center fold line 24. The second bottom fold line 22 forms an extension of the first bottom fold line 18, and the second center fold line 24 forms a similar extension of the first center fold line 14.

A front flap 26 is joined to the front outer panel 12 on a front flap fold line 27 on the edge of panel 12 opposite the first center fold line 14. A rear flap 28 is similarly joined by a rear flap fold line 29 to the edge of the rear outer panel 13 opposite the first center fold line 14.

The front inner panel 17 is partially cut through by a diagonal slit 31 and the rear inner panel 21 is partially cut through by a transverse slit 32. The ends of slits 31 and 32 include round cutouts 34 to resist tearing of the portfolio material at the ends of slits 31 and 32.

The edges of the front and rear outer panels 12 and 13 opposite the bottom fold lines 18 and 22 include respective integral index tabs 36 and 37, as well as generally arcuate recesses or cutouts 38 and 39, for reasons explained more fully below.

The blank 10 is formed into the twin pocket portfolio and file folder 11 by folding the inner panels 17 and 21 along their respective bottom fold lines 18 and 22 to bring the inner panels into facing relationship with their respective front and rear outer panels 12 and 13. The front and rear flaps 26 and 28 are then folded on lines 27 and 29 around the inner panels 17 and 21 (FIGS. 3 and 4) and attached to the inner panels by adhesive lines 41 and 42 on flaps 26 and 28. The flaps 26 and 28 and adhesive lines 41 and 42 thus join the inner panels to their respective outer panels along the edges opposite the center fold lines 14 and 24.

Next the panels are folded on the first and second center fold lines 14 and 24 to bring the front outer panel 17 adjacent the rear inner panel 21. The center fold lines 14 and 24 serve as hinges for the portfolio, hingedly joining their respective outer panels and inner panels. An inside elongated cutout 45 on the second center fold line 24 adjacent and extending away from the bottom fold lines 18 and 22 promotes the proper and desired folding of the center fold lines 14 and 24 and helps to prevent tenting thereof.

The blank 10 is thus folded twice and adhered at the flaps 26 and 28 to form a front pocket 50 between front outer and inner panels 12 and 17, and a rear pocket 55 between rear outer and inner panels 13 and 21. The slits 31 and 32 then provide access to these pockets from within the portfolio, for reception, filing, storage and support therein of papers, notepads, envelopes, and so on. For example, a pad 58 of notepaper (FIG. 4) may be conveniently supported through transverse slit 32 in panel 21.

The front and rear pockets 50 and 55 are open at the top, and the front and rear outer panels 12 and 13 are shorter than the inner panels 17 and 21 (FIG. 7). That is, the front and rear inner panels are longer along the second center fold line 24 than the front and rear outer panels along the first center fold line 14. These panels thus define respective exterior front and exterior rear file folders 60 and 65, with the shorter front and rear outer panels 12 and 13 providing ready access to the file folders 60 and 65. The utility of the file folders 60 and 65 is further enhanced by the cutouts 38 and 39 which facilitate access to the file folders, and by the integral index tabs 36 and 37 for indexing the file folders, as desired.

As may be seen, therefore, the present invention provides numerous advantages. It is inexpensive and uncomplicated. It is formed from a single, one-piece blank of material which may be die-cut and assembled on conventional mass production machinery. It may be formed of any suitable material, such as cardboard. In addition to providing the utility and convenience of a multi-pocket portfolio, the present invention provides integral, exterior file folders without requiring any additional, separate pieces of material, or any additional assembly procedures.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A twin pocket portfolio and file folder formed from a single, integral blank, comprising:

a. a front outer panel,

b. a rear outer panel hingedly connected to said front outer panel along a first center fold line,

c. a front inner panel facing said front outer panel and connected thereto along a first bottom fold line on an edge of said front outer panel adjacent the edge on said first center fold line, said facing front panels forming a front pocket in said portfolio,

d. a rear inner panel facing said rear outer panel and connected thereto along a second bottom fold line forming an extension of said first bottom fold line, and hingedly connected to said front inner panel along a second center fold line forming an extension of said first center fold line, said facing rear panels forming a rear pocket in said portfolio,

e. means attaching said front outer panel to said front inner panel along the respective edges thereof opposite said center fold lines,

f. means attaching said rear outer panel to said rear inner panel along the respective edges thereof opposite said center fold lines,

g. said front and rear inner panels being longer along said second center fold line than said front and rear outer panels along said first center fold line to lengthen said inner panels with respect to said outer panels to define respective front and rear exterior file folders opening into said front and rear pockets opposite said bottom fold lines, said shorter front and rear outer panels providing ready access to said exterior file folders, and

h. slit means in said front and rear inner panels providing access through said inner panels to said respective front and rear pockets for reception, filing, storage, and support therein of papers, notepads, envelopes and so on.

2. The twin pocket portfolio and file folder of claim 1 wherein said front panel attaching means and said rear panel attaching means further comprise:

a. a front flap connected to said front outer panel along a front flap fold line on the edge of said front outer panel opposite said first center fold line,

b. adhesive means adhering said front flap to said front inner panel along the edge of said front inner panel opposite said second center fold line,

c. a rear flap connected to said rear outer panel along a rear flap fold line on the edge of said rear outer panel opposite said first center fold line, and

d. adhesive means adhering said rear flap to said rear inner panel along the edge of said rear inner panel opposite said second center fold line.

3. The twin pocket portfolio and file folder of claim 1 wherein said front inner panel slit is diagonally oriented and said rear inner panel slit is transversely oriented.

4. The twin pocket portfolio and file folder of claim 1 further comprising means defining round cutouts at the ends of said inner panel slits to resist tearing of the portfolio material.

5. The twin pocket portfolio and file folder of claim 1 further comprising means defining an inside cutout on said second center fold line adjacent and extending away from said bottom fold lines to prevent tenting of said center fold lines and to promote the proper and desired folding thereof.

6. The twin pocket portfolio and file folder of claim 1 further comprising integral index tabs attached to said front and rear outer panels along the edges thereof opposite said first and second bottom fold lines.

7. The twin pocket portfolio and file folder of claim 1 further comprising means defining cutouts in the edges of said front and rear outer panels opposite said first and second bottom fold lines to facilitate access to the contents of said front and rear exterior file folders.

8. A twin pocket portfolio and file folder formed from a single, integral blank, comprising:

a. a front outer panel,

b. a rear outer panel hingedly connected to said front outer panel along a first center fold line,

c. a front inner panel facing said front outer panel and connected thereto along a first bottom fold line on an edge of said front outer panel adjacent the edge on said first center fold line, said facing front panels forming a front pocket in said portfolio,

d. a rear inner panel facing said rear outer panel and connected thereto along a second bottom fold line forming an extension of said first bottom fold line, and hingedly connected to said front inner panel along a second center fold line forming an extension of said first center fold line, said facing rear panels forming a rear pocket in said portfolio,

e. a front flap connected to said front outer panel along a front flap fold line on the edge of said front outer panel opposite said first center fold line,

f. adhesive means adhering said front flap to said front inner panel along the edge of said front inner panel opposite said second center fold line,

g. a rear flap connected to said rear outer panel along a rear flap fold line on the edge of said rear outer panel opposite said first center fold line,

h. adhesive means adhering said rear flap to said rear inner panel along the edge of said rear inner panel opposite said second center fold line,

i. said front and rear inner panels being longer along said second center fold line than said front and rear outer panels along said first center fold line to lengthen said inner panels with respect to said outer panels to define respective front and rear exterior file folders opening into said front and rear pockets opposite said bottom fold lines, said shorter front and rear outer panels providing ready access to said exterior file folders,

j. diagonally oriented slit means in said front inner panel and transversely oriented slit means in said rear inner panel, said slit means providing access through said inner panels to said respective front and rear pockets for reception, filing, storage and support therein of papers, notepads, envelopes, and so on,

k. means defining round cutouts at the ends of said inner panel slits to resist tearing of the portfolio material,

l. means defining an elongated inside cutout on said second center fold line adjacent and extending away from said bottom fold lines to prevent tenting of said center fold lines and to promote the proper and desired folding thereof,

m. integral index tabs attached to said front and rear outer panels along the edges thereof opposite said first and second bottom fold lines, and

n. means defining generally arcuate cutouts in the edges of said front and rear outer panels opposite said first and second bottom fold lines to facilitate access to the contents of said front and rear exterior file folders.

9. The twin pocket portfolio and file folder of claim 8 further comprising a pad of notepaper supported through said transverse slit in said rear inner panel.

10. A single, integral blank for forming a twin pocket portfolio and file folder, comprising:

a. a front outer panel,

b. a rear outer panel hingedly connected to said front outer panel along a first center fold line,

c. a front inner panel connected to said front outer panel along a first bottom fold line on an edge of said front outer panel adjacent the edge on said first center fold line,

d. a rear inner panel connected to said rear outer panel along a second bottom fold line forming an extension of said first bottom fold line, and hingedly connected to said front inner panel along a second center fold line forming an extension of said first center fold line,

e. said front and rear inner panels being longer along said second center fold line than said front and rear outer panels along said first center fold line to lengthen said inner panels with respect to said outer panels, and

f. slit means in said front and rear inner panels providing access through said inner panels for papers, notepads, envelopes, and so on.

11. The blank of claim 10 further comprising:

a. a front flap connected to said front outer panel along a front flap fold line on the edge of said front outer panel opposite said first center fold line, and

b. a rear flap connected to said rear outer panel along a rear flap fold line on the edge of said rear outer panel opposite said first center fold line.

12. The blank of claim 10 wherein said front inner panel slit is diagonally oriented and said rear inner panel slit is transversely oriented.

13. The blank of claim 10 further comprising means defining round cutouts at the ends of said inner panel slits to resist tearing of the portfolio material.

14. The blank of claim 10 further comprising means defining an inside cutout on said second center fold line adjacent and extending away from said bottom fold lines to prevent tenting of said center fold lines to promote the proper and desired folding thereof.

15. The blank of claim 10 further comprising integral index tabs attached to said front and rear outer panels along the edges thereof opposite said first and second bottom fold lines.

16. The blank of claim 10 further comprising means defining cutouts in the edges of said front and rear outer panels opposite said first and second bottom fold lines.

17. A single, integral blank for forming a twin pocket portfolio and file folder, comprising:

a. a front outer panel,

b. a rear outer panel hingedly connected to said front outer panel along a first center fold line,

c. a front inner panel connected to said front outer panel along a first bottom fold line on an edge of said front outer panel adjacent the edge on said first center fold line,

d. a rear inner panel connected to said rear outer panel along a second bottom fold line forming an extension of said first bottom fold line, and hingedly connected to said front inner panel along a second center fold line forming an extension of said first center fold line,

e. said front and rear inner panels being longer along said second center fold line than said front and rear outer panels along said first center fold line to lengthen said inner panels with respect to said outer panels,

f. a front flap connected to said front outer panel along a front flap fold line on the edge of said front outer panel opposite said first center fold line,

g. a rear flap connected to said rear outer panel along a rear flap fold line on the edge of said rear outer panel opposite said first center fold line,

h. diagonally oriented slit means in said front inner panel and transversely oriented slit means in said rear inner panel, said slit means providing access through said inner panels for notepads, papers, envelopes, and so on,

i. means defining round cutouts at the ends of said inner panel slits to resist tearing of the portfolio material,

j. means defining an inside cutout on said second center fold line adjacent and extending away from said bottom fold lines to prevent tenting of said center fold lines and to promote the proper and desired folding thereof,

k. integral index tabs attached to said front and rear outer panels along the edges thereof opposite said first and second bottom fold lines, and

l. means defining generally arcuate cutouts in the edges of said front and rear outer panels opposite said first and second bottom fold lines.