Patent Application
20150075039
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.
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.
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.
With reference to
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
The display folder 10 is movable into and out of a compact configuration, as shown in
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 12a facing the rear panel 14, and an outer face 12b on the opposite side thereof. The pocket 28 can be located on the outer face 12b 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
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.
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.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61879451 | Sep 2013 | US |
