US20150075039A1

US20150075039A1 - Collapsible display folder

Info

Publication number: US20150075039A1
Application number: US14/490,237
Authority: US
Inventors: Laura E. Reasoner
Original assignee: Acco Brands Corp
Current assignee: Acco Brands Corp
Priority date: 2013-09-18
Filing date: 2014-09-18
Publication date: 2015-03-19
Also published as: CA2827361A1

Abstract

A display folder including a front panel and a rear panel pivotally coupled to the front panel, the rear panel having generally the same size and shape as the front panel. The display folder further includes a pocket positioned on at least one of the front or rear panels, and a collapsible support panel coupled to both the front and rear panels. The display folder is movable between an expanded configuration wherein the front and rear panels form a first angle therebetween and the support panel is generally not collapsed, and a compact configuration wherein the front and rear panels form a second angle therebetween smaller than the first angle and the support panel is collapsed.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/879,451, filed on Sep. 18, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention is directed to a display folder, more particularly, to a display folder which can be arranged in a relatively flat, compact configuration.

BACKGROUND

Display folders and the like may be used to store and display items. However, many existing display folders are fixed in configuration, and not able to be moved to a relatively flat, compact configuration.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention is a display folder including a front panel and a rear panel pivotally coupled to the front panel, the rear panel having generally the same size and shape as the front panel. The display folder further includes a pocket positioned on at least one of the front or rear panels, and a collapsible support panel coupled to both the front and rear panels. The display folder is movable between an expanded configuration wherein the front and rear panels form a first angle therebetween and the support panel is generally not collapsed, and a compact configuration wherein the front and rear panels form a second angle therebetween smaller than the first angle and the support panel is collapsed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the display folder of the present invention, shown in its expanded configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the display folder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the display folder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the display folder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the display folder of FIG. 1, shown in its compact configuration; and

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the display folder of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the display folder of the present invention, generally designated 10, may include a front panel 12 and a rear panel 14, with a support panel 16 positioned therebetween. The front 12 and rear 14 panels may be pivotally coupled together along a pivot or fold line/area 18 along their uppermost, outer edges. The support panel 16 may be directly pivotally coupled to the front 12 and rear 14 panels at opposite ends thereof. The front 12, rear 14 and support 16 panels can all be generally rectangular in front view, and in one embodiment have the same width (e.g. a dimension extending in a direction parallel to the fold line 18). The front 12 and rear 14 panels can have the same or generally the same size and shape, if desired. In the illustrated embodiment the support panel 16 has a support panel fold line 20 extending across its entire width, parallel to the fold line 18. The support panel fold line 20 divides the support panel 16 into support panel portions 16 a, 16 b.
In one embodiment, the front 12, rear 14 and support 16 panels are all different portions of a single, unitary rectangular piece of material separated by fold lines or areas of weakness. Thus in this case the support panel 16 can be permanently and non-removably coupled to the front 12 and/or rear 14 panels at both ends thereof. However, the display folder 10 can be formed in various differing manners, and if desired, the panels 12, 14, 16 can be made of separate and discrete pieces of material joined together. The folder 10/ panels 12, 14, 16 can be made of or include any of a wide variety of materials, such as polymers (including plastic, vinyl, etc.), paper, cardboard, polymer-covered cardboard, leather, or the like.
The front panel 12 may include or be coupled to a coupling flap 22 that extends over or at least partially defines the pivotal connection 18 between the front 12 and rear 14 panels. The coupling flap 22 can thus be positioned over an upper part of the rear panel 14 and secured via a joint or coupling 24, shown as a heat sealing coupling 24 in FIG. 3. The coupling flap 22 can be formed as a single, unitary piece of material with the front panel 12 and/or the other panels 14, 16, or can be made of a separate piece of material. In one case the coupling flap 22 solely defines the pivotal connection 18 between the front 12 and rear 14 panels, spanning a gap therebetween, wherein the front 12 and rear 14 panel are not joined directly together (except by the coupling flap 22). The positioning and utility of the front coupling flap 22 can provide ease of assembly and ensures that the joint 24 of the display folder 10 is spaced away from the lower edges of the display folder 10, such that the joint 24 does not support any weight of the display folder 10 and/or is exposed to relatively little wear and tear to protect the joint 24 and provide a more robust arrangement.
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the display folder 10 in an expanded configuration, wherein the front 12 and rear 14 panels form a first, relatively large angle therebetween (e.g. at least about 20° in one case or at least about 30° in another case) and the support panel 16 is generally flat and planar, and not folded/collapsed. When in the expanded configuration, the display folder 10 may be in a generally triangular configuration wherein the support panel 16 forms a base of a triangle at the bottom-most extent of the display folder 10 and supporting the weight or at least part of the weight thereof, engaging a support surface(such as a desk, table top, etc.) therebeneath, and the front 12 and rear 14 panels form sides of the triangle extending generally upwardly away from the support panel 16/base. The support panel portions 16 a, 16 b, are parallel or generally parallel in this configuration. The support panel 16 also limits pivotal movement of the panels 12, 14 away from each other when the display folder 10 is opened to ensure that the display folder has the proper shape and configuration.
The display folder 10 is movable into and out of a compact configuration, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, by pivoting the front 12 and rear 14 panels about the fold line 18 to bring them closer together, and folding/collapsing the support panel 16 about the support panel fold line 20. When the display folder 10 is in the compact configuration the front 12 and rear 14 panels form a relatively small angle therebetween (e.g. less than about 10° in one case, or less than about 5° in another case), and the support panel 16 is folded/collapsed (or more folded/collapsed than when in the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-4) and positioned/sandwiched between the front 12 and rear 14 panels. In this configuration, the support panel portions 16 a, 16 b are brought together and form a relatively small angle therebetween (e.g. less than about 10° in one case, or less than about 5° in another case).
In one embodiment, the folder 10 includes a pocket panel 26 that is generally parallel with and spaced apart from the front panel 12 to define a pocket 28 therebetween in which loose items can be placed, along with a mouth 30 providing access to the pocket 28. The pocket 28 can further includes a pair of side panels 32 oriented generally perpendicular to the pocket panel 26 and the front panel 12, the side panels 32 being positioned on opposite sides of the pocket 28. In the illustrated embodiment the side panels 32 are gusseted to provide a collapsible/expandable functionality to the pocket 28.
The front panel 12 can include an inner face 12 a facing the rear panel 14, and an outer face 12 b on the opposite side thereof. The pocket 28 can be located on the outer face 12 b of the front panel 12 such that the pocket 28 can be accessed from the front side of the front panel 12 for ease of access. In the illustrated embodiment at least part of the mouth 30 is at least partially spaced away from an outer perimeter of the front panel 12 to further provide ease of access. The pocket 28 is shown as being positioned on the front panel 12; however, it should be understood that the pocket 28 could instead or in addition be positioned on the rear panel 14.
The folder 10 can also include a supplemental pocket 34 positioned on the pocket 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the supplemental pocket 34 is defined by a supplemental pocket panel 36 positioned on the pocket panel 26, defining the supplemental pocket 34 therebetween. In one embodiment the supplemental pocket panel 36 is made of a generally clear, transparent and/or translucent material such that items positioned in the supplemental pocket 34 are viewable therethrough.
As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the display folder 10 may include a closure strap 40, which can be generally elastic, coupled to the rear panel 14. In the illustrated embodiment the strap 40 has a pair of ends 42, 44, and each end 42, 44 is attached to an upper and lower portion, respectively, of the rear panel 14 by a tab 43 positioned on an inner surface of the rear panel 14. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the strap 40 is at least partially passable around the display folder 10 (including the front panel 12 and/or pockets 28, 34 and/or support panel 16) when the display folder 10 is in the compact configuration. In this manner the strap 40 can help to retain the display folder 10 in its compact configuration, and help to retain loose items in the pockets 28, 34. It should be understood that while FIGS. 3-6 illustrate the strap 40 as being coupled only to the rear panel 14, the strap 40 can instead or in addition be coupled to the front 12 and/or support panel 16, or other portions of the display folder 10. Moreover, the strap 40 can be a continuous loop, in one case with both ends 42, 44 joined directly together, with the strap 40 being coupled to the display folder 10, such as via a staple, passing the strap 40 through a flap/opening, etc.
The display folder 10 can be used in a variety of settings and to provide various functionalities. However, in one particular case, the display folder 10 can be used as an activity center in a classroom. In this case, the teacher can place instructions for a particular activity or activities, or an invitation to participate in the activity, or a description of a particular activity, in the supplemental pocket 34. When the supplemental pocket material 34 is clear, transparent or translucent, the instructions are visible to all users/students facing the display folder 10. In this manner the materials in the supplemental pocket 34 can act as an attention-getting device for the student. The teacher can then place materials associated with the instructions, description or invitation, such as hand-outs, worksheets or the like, in the pocket 28. Since the pocket 28 can have a relatively high storage capacity, due to the gusseted side panels 32, materials for a number of users, such as each member of a classroom, can be stored therein. The system thereby enables a user to display contents and provide associated materials in bulk, utilizing a single display folder 10 which can be easily folded relatively flat and stored when not in use.
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the various embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A display folder comprising:

a front panel;

a rear panel pivotally coupled to said front panel, said rear panel having generally the same size and shape as said front panel;

a pocket positioned on at least one of said front or rear panels; and

a collapsible support panel coupled to both said front and rear panels, said display folder being movable between an expanded configuration wherein said front and rear panels form a first angle therebetween and said support panel is generally not collapsed, and a compact configuration wherein said front and rear panels form a second angle therebetween smaller than said first angle and said support panel is collapsed.

2. The display folder of claim 1 wherein said at least one of said front or rear panels includes an inner face facing the other one of said front or rear panels and an outer face on the opposite side thereof, and wherein said pocket is located on said outer face, and wherein said rear panel has the same size and shape as said front panel.

3. The display folder of claim 1 wherein said pocket at least partially defines an inner cavity, and wherein said inner cavity is accessible from a front side of said at least one of said panels.

4. The display folder of claim 1 wherein said pocket includes a mouth, and wherein at least part of said mouth is at least partially spaced away from an outer perimeter of said at least one of said front or rear panels.

5. The display folder of claim 1 wherein said pocket includes a pocket panel that is generally parallel with and spaced apart from said at least one of said front or rear panels, said pocket further including a pair of side panels positionable generally perpendicular to said pocket panel and said at least one of said front or rear panels, said side panels being positioned on opposite sides of said pocket.

6. The display folder of claim 5 wherein each side panel is made of a gusseted material.

7. The display folder of claim 1 further comprising a supplemental pocket positioned on said pocket.

8. The display folder of claim 1 further comprising contents stored in said pocket, and wherein the display folder further includes a clear, transparent or translucent supplemental pocket positioned on said pocket, and wherein the display folder further includes instructions positioned in said supplemental pocket such that said instructions are viewable therethrough, wherein said instructions relate to said contents of said pocket.

9. The display folder of claim 1 further comprising an elastic strap coupled to at least one of said front panel, rear panel or support panel, wherein said elastic strap is passable at least partially around said display folder when said display folder is in said compact configuration to retain said display folder in said compact configuration.

10. The display folder of claim 9 wherein said elastic strap has a pair of ends, and wherein each end is attached to the other one of said front or rear panels.

11. The display folder of claim 1 wherein said front panel, said rear panel and said support panel are all made of a single, unitary piece of material.

12. The display folder of claim 11 wherein said single, unitary piece of material includes a coupling flap unitarily formed with said at least one of said of said front or rear panels and directly secured to the other one of said at least one of said front or rear panels, wherein said coupling flap extends over or at least partially defines said pivotal connection between said front and rear panels.

13. The display folder of claim 1 wherein said support panel includes a fold line formed therein about which said support panel is foldable.

14. The display folder of claim 1 wherein when said display folder is in said expanded configuration said display folder is in a generally triangular shape such that the support panel forms a base of a triangle at a bottom-most portion of said display folder, and the front and rear panels form sides of the triangle extending generally upwardly away from the base.

15. The display folder of claim 1 wherein said support panel is permanently and non-removably coupled to said front panel and rear panel on opposite sides thereof

16. A display folder comprising:

a front panel;

a rear panel pivotally coupled to said front panel along a fold line or area;

a pocket positioned on at least one of said front or rear panels; and

a collapsible support panel coupled to both said front and rear panels, said display folder being movable between an expanded configuration wherein said front and rear panels form a first angle therebetween and said support panel is generally not collapsed, and a compact configuration wherein said front and rear panels form a second angle therebetween smaller than said first angle and said support panel is collapsed, wherein said front panel, said rear panel and said support panel are all made are all made of a single, unitary piece of material, and wherein one of said front panel or said rear panel includes a coupling flap that extends over or at least partially defines said fold line or area.

17. The display folder of claim 16 wherein said rear panel has the same size and shape as said front panel, wherein said front and rear panels are pivotally joined together solely by said coupling flap.

18. A display folder comprising:

a front panel;

a rear panel pivotally coupled to said front panel along a fold line or area located along an uppermost edge of both said front panel and said rear panel;

a pocket positioned on at least one of said front or rear panels; and

a collapsible support panel coupled to both said front and rear panels, said display folder being movable between an expanded configuration wherein said front and rear panels form a first angle therebetween and said support panel is generally not collapsed, and a compact configuration wherein said front and rear panels form a second angle therebetween smaller than said first angle and said support panel is collapsed, wherein said front panel, said rear panel and said support panel are all made are all made of a single, unitary piece of material.

19. The display folder of claim 18 wherein one of said front panel or said rear panel includes a coupling flap that extends over or at least partially defines said fold line or area.

20. The display folder of claim 18 wherein said rear panel has the same size and shape as said front panel.