WO2000032414A1

WO2000032414A1 - Document folder

Info

Publication number: WO2000032414A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/014897
Authority: WO
Inventors: David R. Rew
Original assignee: Rew David R
Priority date: 1998-11-27
Filing date: 1999-06-30
Publication date: 2000-06-08
Also published as: AU4964999A

Abstract

A document folder (10) has a cover (11) formed of relatively flexible sheet material with a back and a front panel (12, 14), and a spine (16) hingedly connecting the panels (12, 14) so that they may be disposed in an overlying position and provide an enclosure for documents (30) therebetween. The panels (12, 14) are movable relative to each other about the spine (16), and disposed therebetween is a relatively rigid stiffener (32) dimensioned cooperatively with the back panel (12) to rigidify the folder (10) when stored vertically. A document holder (36, 96, 100) is engaged with the stiffener for securing a multiplicity of documents between the stiffener and the front panel. The cover (11) may be integrally formed or assembled from separate panels, one of which provides the spine (16). At least a portion of the cover (11) is formed from a material which may be imprinted in a computer printer.

Description

DOCUMENT FOLDER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to document folders and, more particularly, to folders into which documents are easily inserted and removed from, and which may be stored in erect

position in a row of folders when individual folders are vertically positioned in horizontally

extending rows.

Document or file folders, e.g. , manila folders, are well known and are employed for collecting, accumulating, and indexing or segregating a plurality of related documents in a unitary volume. Typical applications for document folders include bundling and indexing legal

documents and retail sales records. In retail specialty sales, sales receipts are kept as a record of

business transactions for each day for financial reasons and as a record of a customer's

instructions concerning an order.

The receipts thereby provide a record of customers' orders which may be referred to for

various purposes, including the filling of repeat orders. This type of repeat order transaction is

common in the retail florist industry. For example, many customers order flowers or floral

arrangements simply by asking for the same arrangement of flowers that was sent on a particular

previous occasion. Thus, most retail florists keep extensive records comprising copies of daily

retail sales slips, organized in chronological, or other, order. Such records may be kept in a

document folder which provides a ready reference for sales persons when a customer requests a

repeat of a previous order.

The document folders in which the sales receipts are bundled may be kept in a drawer or a filing

cabinet.

Similarly, professionals such as physicians maintain file folders into which they insert

documents relating to patients and wish to maintain them in chronological or other specific order for repeated reference. Lawyers store documents in folders which separate by client, matter and

subject.

Generally, file folders are stored in horizontal or venical file drawers and have tabs with

indicia placed thereon to facilitate their identification. These tabs can be readily damaged

because they are relatively small projections and the card stock is easily bent, and the size limits

the amount of information which can be printed thereon.

In some applications, the most active file folders are stored in open top trays or boxes for

easy access, but the same problems of identification and potential damage to the tab occurs.

Order form booklets are a form of document file which can present special problems in

that it is sometimes desirable to place loose copies of documents therein, and these may fall out

when the folder is removed from the storage area.

Moreover, many document folders employ paper board stock which is so flexible that the

folder does not have sufficient stiffness to stand vertically without lateral support.

With the widespread use of computers and associated printers, label or file titles are

frequently stored in computer memory and used to print identifying information on various

documents. Generally, this requires printing of labels which are then adhered to the file folders

and which are frequently damaged or fall off.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel document folder in which

multiple documents can be readily assembled and stored and which is relatively rigid so that it is

self-supporting in a upright position.

It is also an object to provide such a document folder in which documents may be stored

loosely and retained from falling out when the folder is moved about. Another object is to provide such a document folder in which there is a portion of large area position which is visible in its stored position and upon which identifying indicia may be

printed utilizing conventional computer printers.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects may be readily attained in a

document folder for enclosing and retaining a multiplicity of documents comprising a cover formed of relatively flexible sheet material and having a back panel, a front panel and a spine hingedly connecting the panels. The panels are disposable in an overlying position and, together with the spine, provide an enclosure for receiving a multiplicity of documents therebetween, and

the panels are movable relative to each other about the spine. Also included are a relatively rigid

stiffener dimensioned cooperatively with the back panel to rigidify the folder when stored

vertically so that it is self-supporting and document securing means engaged with the stiffener for

securing a multiplicity of documents between the stiffener and the front panel.

Generally, the stiffener is substantially coextensive with the back panel, and conveniently it is adhesively engaged with the back panel. In some embodiments, the securing means

comprises a fastener having a center poπion with a pair of prongs at its ends which are adapted

to extend through apertures in the stored documents. The center poπion is conveniently mounted

on the back panel and the prongs extend through apertures in the stiffener to secure it thereto.

In one embodiment, the back panel has an overlying flap along one side thereof and the

fastener is secured to the overlying flap. The front panel is separately formed and has a flap

along one side thereof which overlies the flap of the back panel, and the front panel flap has

apertures therein through which the prongs extend. In another embodiment, the center of the fastener poπion is mounted on the stiffener which is adhered to the back panel.

In some embodiments, the cover is integrally formed. In others, the front and back panels are separate elements with the spine being integrally formed with one of the panels.

Other securing means include a clamp mounted on the stiffener, a ring binder element

mounted on the stiffener, and a pocket forming element on the stiffener.

The spine may have a plurality of fold lines extending longitudinally thereof whereby the

spine may be varied in width to vary the spacing between the panels.

Desirably, at least the spine is adapted to be imprinted with indicia viewable when stored in a file.

In some embodiments, the back panel has side flaps hingedly connected thereto along the side margins thereof and an end flap hingedly connected to its end opposite the spine, the side and end flaps being foldable into a position overlying the back panel to provide a pocket. The front panel may be releasably engageable with the end flap, and the side and end flaps may have

a plurality of fold lines extending longitudinally thereof adjacent the back panel whereby the

spacing between the overlying poπions of the flaps and the back panel may be varied.

The folder may include a plurality of dividers for separating the documents on the

stiffener into groupings. The center poπion of the fastener may be adhesively engaged with the

inner surface of the back panel and have its prongs extending through the stiffener.

Preferably, the folder is dimensioned so that it may be fed through a computer printer.

The material from which the folder is formed should be printable in a computer printer. When

the folder is formed of separate panels, at least the spine should be printable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a document folder embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the front face of the folder of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the rear face of the folder of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the folder of Figure 1 drawn to an enlarged scale;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the folder of Figure 1 with the front flap opened and the

clamp element removed;

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of document folders of Figure 1

arranged veπically in a plurality of rows;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the front face of another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the opened folder of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a paπially diagrammatic view of a cover emerging from a fragmentarily

illustrated computer printer wherein it has been imprinted with indicia;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a stiffener with a release paper strip paπially removed

to expose a stripe of adhesive;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the cover of Figure 9 with the stiffener of Figure 10

aligned with the back panel of the cover prior to engagement thereon;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the paπially opened folder embodiment of Figures 9-11

with a number of documents retained on the fastener within the folder;

Figure 13 is an end elevational view of the folder of Figure 12 as stacked in an upright

position; Figure 14 is a partially exploded perspective view of another embodiment of folder in

which the fastener is secured to the back panel of the folder and extends upwardly through

apertures in the stiffener;

Figure 15 is an elevational view of the folder of Figure 14 with documents assembled

therein;

Figure 16 is another embodiment of the present invention in which the stiffener has a

series of flaps formed thereon which are foldable into overlying position to provide a pocket in

which documents are stored;

Figure 17 is a paπially exploded view of the inseπ of Figure 16 prior to engagement on the rear panel of the folder;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the closed folder of Figures 16 and 17;

Figure 19 is a partially exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the folder

utilizing a ring binder mounted upon the stiffener which is to be secured to the back panel by an

adhesive stripe;

Figure 20 is a partially exploded perspective view of still another embodiment of the

folder of the present invention utilizing a stiffener which has adhered thereto an expandable

pocket and which is to be secured to the back panel of the cover by an adhesive stripe;

Figure 21 is a partially exploded view of another embodiment having a cover assembled

from separate front and back panels;

Figure 22 is a partially exploded view of the front panel of this embodiment showing the

separated base element of the fastener;

Figure 23 is a perspective view showing a stiffener embodiment which has flaps formed

thereon which can be folded into overlying position to define a pocket in connection with the body portion of the stiffener and employing engageable closure elements on a flap of the stiffener

and front panel;

Figure 24 is a perspective view of the closed embodiment of Figure 23;

Figure 25 is a sectional view along the line 25-25 of Figure 21 ;

Figure 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the folder of the present

invention utilizing a clamp type fastener for securing the documents to the stiffener and an

adhesive stripe for securing the stiffener to the back panel of the cover;

Figure 27 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention in which

the cover is assembled from separate front and back panels which have overlying flaps through

which a fastener extends to join the panels in assembly;

Figure 28 is another embodiment in which the fastener is mounted upon the insert and

extends through a flap on the front panel to secure it in assembly;

Figure 29 is a perspective view showing a number of folders embodying the present

invention and printed along the spine, some of the folders being stacked in an upright position

and others lying in a horizontal position; and

Figure 30 is a fragmentary perspective view of a file drawer or canon in which a number

of folders embodying the present invention are stored in upright position and have identifying

indicia printed upon their spine.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A document folder in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the

numeral 10 in Figure 1. The document folder 10 includes a cover generally designated by the

numeral 11 with a back panel 12 and a front panel 14. The back panel 12 and front panel 14 are

movable relative to each other and connected to each other by means of the spine 16 at their upper ends. The cover 11 is fabricated from relatively flexible sheet material such as heavy gauge paper or paperboard, or plastic, e.g. , a polyolefin or other resin which may be imprinted.

Suitable indicia 18 may be provided on the front panel 14 for identifying the subject matter and/or date range of the documents contained within the folder. The spine 16 (and the panels)

may also be imprinted with indicia 20 so that they are visible when the folder 10 is placed in a file.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the front panel 14 may include a notched poπion 22. The

notched poπion 22 may be useful to thumb to a paπicular document or documents contained

within the document folder 10 by, for example, indexing tabs or the like (not shown).

As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6, the back panel 12 and the front panel 14 include smooth outer surfaces 13,15 for ease in stacking the document folders 10, e.g. , in a container such as a

filing cabinet (not shown). By stacking the document folders 10 in rows in the illustrated upright

position, indicia 20 are viewable, and space in the file drawer or container is conserved.

Referring to Figure 6, the document folders may be stacked, e.g. , in a plurality of rows in a

storage container of suitable width whereby, because of the smooth outer surfaces of the back

and front flaps 12 and 14, individual document folders 10 may be readily inseπed into, and

removed from, a row as indicated by the arrow 23.

As best illustrated in Figure 5, the spine 16 includes three fold lines 24, 26 and 28 formed

by scoring or other well known techniques. They provide for varying of the distance between the

panels 12, 14 to accommodate varying volumes of documents 30 (Figure 5) within the document

folder 10. The first fold line 24 is disposed advantageously a shoπ distance away from an upper

edge 31 of the documents 30 so as to allow for ease in folding of the front flap 14 thereover. As

the number of documents pinned in the folder increases, the additional fold lines 26. 28 provide extra spacing. It will be appreciated that while three fold lines are shown for illustrational

purposes, any suitable number may be employed.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the document folder 10 includes a stiffener 32 along with a

plurality of document dividers 34. The stiffener 32 may be formed of any suitable sheet material

that is relatively rigid or inflexible such as a plastic, e.g. , a polyolefin, or a heavier gauge

paperboard or cardboard. The stiffener 32 is employed to suppoπ the document folder 10 to

make it self-suppoπing in an upright position as illustrated in Figure 6. It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the stiffening member 32 and the back panel 12 are approximately coextensive to prevent folding or creasing damage to the bottom edge 12a of back flap 12 when the document folder 10 is in the upright position shown in Figure 6. Also, by employing the

stiffener 32, the cover 11 may be integrally formed, or formed of separate panels, of relatively

thin material.

The dividers 34 are advantageously provided for separating various groups of documents

30 based upon, for example, a category of various methods of payment such as house accounts,

credit cards or cash as illustrated by indicia 35. Physicians may separate tests from reports, etc.

A conventional two prong fastener generally designated by the numeral 36, usually made

of a metal or plastic, is employed for retaining the documents together on the back flap. It

includes a base 38, a pair of deformable prongs 40 and a clasp 42. The base 38 is preferably mounted on the inner surface 44 of the back panel 12 by any suitable means such as an adhesive

or tape which does not protrude through the back flap 12. If elements of the fastener were to

protrude through the back flap 12. such elements would interfere with smoothly withdrawing and

inserting individual document folders 10 from and into a tightly packed row, as illustrated in

Figure 6. For this reason, front panel 14 as well as the back panel 12 are maintained smooth and free of protrusions of any kind. The clasp 42 includes apertures 48 and a groove 50 for receiving the prongs 40. A pair of sliders 46 are disposed on the clasp 42 and are selectively movable to lock the prongs 40 in place. The stiffener 32, dividers 34 and documents 30 include apertures 52 through which the prongs 40 extend for retention on the back panel 12 of the document folder

10.

Turning next to Figures 7 and 8 therein illustrated is another embodiment of the present

invention which includes side and end flaps 60, 62 to provide a four-sided enclosure for any

loose documents which might also be stored in the folder 10. In this embodiment, the back panel

12 has the side flaps 60 extending over most of the length thereof and provided with a series of

fold lines 64 to enable adjustment of the width therebetween when folded over. Along the end of

the back panel 12 opposite the spine portion 16 is the end flap 62 with a series of fold lines 66 and a series of parallel slits 68 therein.

In this embodiment, the front panel 14 is not coextensive with the back panel 12 and has a

tab 70 formed at its free end which will, when the front panel 14 is folded over be engageable in

one of the slits 68. In addition to the documents 30, loose papers 74 may be placed within the

folder and will be retained therein by the side and end flaps 60, 62.

In subsequent illustrations, modifications of a previously numbered structural element

may bear the same numeral but coupled with a letter modifier, e.g. , 11a.

In Figure 9, a cover 11a is seen exiting from the fragmentarily illustrated computer

printer 80 wherein it has been printed with indicia 82,84.

In Figures 10 and 11, there is illustrated an alternate embodiment for the folder 10 of the

present invention in which the rigidifying stiffener 32 is secured to the back panel 12a by a stripe

of adhesive 86 which is covered by a release paper strip 88, and the two-prong fastener 36 has its base portion 38 adhered to the surface of the stiffener 32. In Figures 12 and 13, there is illustrated the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11 in which a number of documents 30 have been

mounted upon the fastener 36.

Turning next to Figure 14, it is basically similar to the first embodiment of the present

invention. The fastener 36 is adhered to the back panel 12b along its short side and the spine 16b

extends along the long side of the back panel 12b. In Figure 15, the embodiment of Figure 14 is

shown with documents 30 therein and with the fastener 36 disposed in the upper most position

and the spine 16b extending along veπically the side opposite that presented in the drawing.

Turning next to Figures 16 and 17, another embodiment of the folder of the present

invention has the stiffener 32c formed with flaps 90 along three of its sides and it is provided

with a stripe of adhesive 92 along its body poπion. A release paper strip 94 covers the adhesive 92 until such time as it is desired to mount the stiffener 32c on the back panel 12c of the cover

lie. In this embodiment the documents 30 (not shown) are stored and held in position within the

folder by the flaps 90. The closed document folder is illustrated in Figure 18.

In Figure 19, there is illustrated an embodiment in which a 3-ring binder 96 is mounted

upon the stiffener 32 which in turn is mounted upon the back panel 12d by an adhesive stripe

(not shown) which is covered by the release paper strip 88.

Figure 20 shows still another embodiment in which an expandable pocket 100 is

adhesively bonded to the surface of the stiffener 32 which in turn is adhesively secured to the

back panel 12e of the cover lie.

Turning next to Figure 21, there in illustrated is a modification of the embodiment of

Figures 16 and 17 wherein the cover llf is fabricated from separate panel elements 12f,14f with

the front panel 14f providing the spine 16f and an inturned flap 104 by which it is secured to the stiffener 32f by a stripe of adhesive 106. As seen, the flap 104 has mounted thereon a fastener

36 to be utilized for the binding of the documents within the folder.

In Figure 22, the base element of the fastener 36 can be seen separated from its clamp.

The flap 108 on the front panel 14f has a pair of apertures 110 through which the prongs 40 extend. The flap 108 and the fastener 36 are secured to the stiffener 32 by adhesive 106.

The embodiment of Figures 23-25 is similar to that of Figures 15-17 except that the flap

90a is provided with a hook and loop fastener 120 which cooperates with a hook and loop

fastener 122 on the inside surface of the front panel.

Figure 26 shows a clamp fastener 112 mounted upon the stiffener 32.

Figure 27 shows another embodiment in which both panels 14h and 12h are separately

formed and joined together by the fastener 36. The back panel 12h has an inturned flap 108 with

apertures 120 through which the prongs of the fastener 36 extend. The prongs also extend through apertures 110 in the stiffener 32 and through an inturned flap 114 on the end of the spine 16h which is integrally formed with the front panel 14h. In the illustration, the clamp has been omitted for clarity.

Figure 28 is still another embodiment utilizing a separately formed front panel 14j with a

flap 114 formed as in the prior embodiment and through which the prongs of the fastener 36

extend. However, in this instance the fastener 36 is secured to the surface of the stiffener 32.

Turning lastly to Figures 29 and 30. therein illustrated are folders produced in accordance

with the present invention in which the spines 16 have been imprinted with indicia 20. These

folders can be stored in an upright position on a shelf or table 118 as seen in Figure 29 or in a

box or drawer 120 as seen in Figure 30. The cover stock preferably a lightweight paperboard material such as the manila stock

conventionally employed for manila folders. As has been previously indicated, the front and

back panels can be formed integrally with the spine connecting them or they may be formed as

separate elements with the spine formed as a component of one of them. If they are separate

elements, one of the elements can be made of a printable paperboard or plastic stock and the other from a different material which may not be so readily imprinted and which may have a

feature such as transparency for a paπicular application.

As will be appreciated, the covers and inserts may be separately stored and shipped, and

assembled only after the cover has been printed. This enables substantial savings of time and

money over a preassembled structure and also enables feeding the flexible cover through a printer.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to paπicular

embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that upon a reading and understanding of the foregoing,

numerous alterations to the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the an and it is

intended to include such alterations within the scope of the appended claims.

Thus, it can be seen from the foregoing detailed description and attached drawings that

the document folder of the present invention provides a self-suppoπing structure which can be

stacked in a veπical position, and which is easily removed from, and inseπed into, a large

number of such folders. The cover may be formed of relatively flexible and inexpensive

paperboard stock, and is coupled with a relatively rigid member which can be fabricated from

relatively rigid paperboard, plastic or other materials and assembled with the cover when the

folder is placed into use. The spine connecting the covers is readily imprinted with indicia so as to allow facile identification of the contents of the folders when placed in a stack either

horizontally or veπically.

Claims

CLAIMSHaving thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A document folder for enclosing and retaining a multiplicity of documents comprising:

(a) a cover formed of relatively flexible sheet material and having a back panel, a front panel and a spine hingedly connecting said panels, said panels being disposable in an overlying position and together with said spine providing an enclosure for

receiving a multiplicity of documents therebetween, said panels being movable relative to

each other about said spine;

(b) a relatively rigid stiffener dimensioned cooperatively with said back panel

to rigidify said folder when stored veπically so that it is self-suppoπing; and

(c) document securing means engaged with said stiffener for securing a

multiplicity of documents between said stiffener and said front panel.

2. The document folder in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said stiffener is

substantially coextensive with said back panel.

3. The document folder in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said stiffener is

adhesively engaged with said back panel.

4. The document folder in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said securing means

to extend through apertures in the stored documents.

5. The document folder in accordance with Claim 4 wherein said center poπion is

mounted on said back panel and said prongs extend through apeπures in said stiffener.

6. The document folder in accordance with Claim 5 wherein said back panel has an

overlying flap along one side thereof and said fastener is secured to said overlying flap.

7. The document folder in accordance with Claim 6 wherein said front panel is

separately formed and has a flap along one side thereof which overlies said flap of said back panel, and wherein said front panel flap has apertures therein through which said prongs extend.

8. The document folder in accordance with Claim 4 wherein said center portion is mounted on said stiffener.

9. The document folder in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said cover is integrally formed.

10. The document folder in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said front and back

panels are separate elements and said spine is integrally formed with one of said panels.

11. The document folder in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said securing means is a

clamp mounted on said stiffener.

12. The document folder in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said securing means is a

ring binder element mounted on said stiffener.

13. The document folder in accordance with claim 1 wherein said securing means

comprises a pocket forming element on said stiffener.

14. The document folder in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said spine has a plurality

of fold lines extending longitudinally thereof whereby said spine may be varied in width to vary

the spacing between said panels.

15. The document folder in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said spine is adapted to

be imprinted with indicia viewable when stored in a file.

16. The document folder in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said back panel has side

flaps hingedly connected thereto along the side margins thereof and an end flap hingedly

connected to its end opposite said spine, said side and end flaps being foldable into a position overlying said back panel to provide a pocket.

17. The document folder in accordance with Claim 16 wherein said front panel is

releasably engageable with said end flap.

18. The document folder in accordance with Claim 16 wherein said side and end flaps have a plurality of fold lines extending longitudinally thereof adjacent said back panel whereby

the spacing between the overlying poπions of said flaps and said back panel may be varied.

19. The document folder in accordance with Claim 1 including a plurality of dividers

for separating the documents on said stiffener into groupings.

20. The document folder in accordance with Claim 5 wherein said center poπion of

said fastener is adhesively engaged with the inner surface of said back panel.