Essentially open file folder

• US 6,453,589 B1
• Filed: 02/09/1999
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Productive Environments Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Productive Environments Incorporated
• Inventors: Schwartz, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder, Jack
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hewitt, James M.
• Application Number:
  US09/247,786
• Time in Patent Office: 1,323 Days
• Field of Search: 403/59, 406/420.2, 406/49, 406/610.8, 229/67.1, 229/67.4, 229/71, 229/77, 281/29, 281/31, 281/37
• US Class Current: 40/359
• CPC Class Codes: B42F 7/02 Filing appliances comprising only one pocket or compartment, e.g. single gussetted pockets
• CPC Class Codes: B42F 7/04 Covers with retention means

Abstract

This invention provides for an essentially open file folder construction where the containment means allows for use of the file folder in an open style as featured in all file folders, while at the same time providing for a box like closure structure that allows for closure along the spine and orthogonal bottom edge of the file folder, which locking closure has the additional feature of showing a substantial portion of the contents, enabling a self typing categorization of the folder by way of the meaning first member contained therein, which member is partially viewable when said file folder is set into its locked configuration. The primary basis for offering the locking feature is by way of a retaining panel along a bottom portion of the back panel with a leading edge substantially at or partially offset from a hinged front panel such that the hinged front panel, when folded backward and into the file folder may be latched behind the retaining panel to lock the front panel in a half open position, thereby forming a containment system, with no other supports for closure than the locking front panel and retaining flap.

Claims

1. An essentially open file folder said essentially open file folder having the ability to be placed into a locked closed position, said essentially open file folder formed from a pliable material with semi-rigid properties and having the ability to hold its shape while at the same time to be folded into multiple panels, the folder having at least a back panel and a front panel, said back panel comprising a set of back panel sides, side 1, side 2, side 3, and side 4, at least two of said sides being substantially orthogonal one to the other,one of said orthogonal sides comprising a back panel vertical side and one of said orthogonal sides comprising a back panel horizontal side, said front panel comprising a set of front panel sides, side 1, side 2, side 3 and side 4, at least two of said front panel sides being substantially orthogonal one to the other,one of said orthogonal front panel sides comprising a front panel vertical side and one of said orthogonal front panel sides comprising a front panel horizontal side and, wherein said front panel and said back panel are hingedly attached along said vertical sides,thereby forming a spine hinge, said horizontal sides being substantially colinear one with the other, said front panel having a front panel first portion and a front panel second portion hingedly attached one to the other along a front panel first portion second portion hinge, each of said hinges being substantially parallel one to the other, said front panel first portion second portion hinge being set a predetermined distance from said spine hinge wherein said front panel first portion comprises a predetermined length and said front panel second portion comprises a predetermined length, such that said front panel second portion can fold back inward or outward along said front panel first portion second portion hinge into a position substantially onto and coplanar with said front panel first portion, said back panel further comprising a retaining panel, said retaining panel comprising at least a set of retaining panel sides, retaining panel side 1, retaining panel side 2, retaining panel side 3, and retaining panel side 4, wherein one of said retaining panel sides is a retaining panel side opposing said spine hinge, and one of said retaining panel sides is colinear with said horizontal back panel side forming a retaining panel hinge, thereby forming said retaining panel as a folding tab portion protruding off said horizontal back panel side, said retaining panel further having at least a retaining panel length, and a retaining panel leading edge location, said retaining panel leading edge location being a predetermined distance from said spine hinge, and further wherein said retaining panel side opposing said spine hinge has a point which is coterminous with said retaining panel leading edge location,wherein said predetermined distance of said retaining panel leading edge location from said spine hinge is no greater than said predetermined distance of said front panel first portion second portion hinge from said spine hinge, such that when said retaining panel is folded into said file folder about said retaining panel hinge, and said front panel second portion is folded into said file folder about said front panel first portion second portion hinge into a substantially coplanar position with said front panel first portion, and said front panel first portion is folded about said spine hinge into a position substantially coplanar with said back panel, and said front panel second portion is tucked between said retaining panel and said back panel, said essentially open file folder is placed into a locked closed position, with said front panel second portion hidden from view, for retaining papers with said front panel second portion folded in and locked under said retaining panel as to allow a portion of the papers to be exposed for viewing, while at the same time providing containment along said back panel side to which said retaining panel is attached.

2. The essentially open file folder of claim 1 wherein said front panel has at least one expansion hinge formed therein, where said at least one expansion hinge is substantially parallel to said spine hinge, and wherein said retaining panel side opposing said spine hinge comprises a gradient portion with a point of origin at said retaining panel leading edge location, said gradient portion of said retaining panel side formed in said side opposing said spine hinge, for allowing expansion of said file folder when said file folder front panel second portion is folded in and locked under said retaining panel and said front panel expansion hinge is expanded.

3. The essentially open file folder of claim 1 wherein said retaining panel further comprises at least one retaining panel expansion hinge which hinge is substantially parallel to said retaining panel hinge.

4. The essentially open file folder of claim 1 wherein said pliable material is paperboard.

5. The essentially open file folder of claim 1 wherein said pliable material is a poly plastic material.