The present invention is directed to a folder, and more particularly, to a folder which can be quickly coupled to a binding device.
School and office products, such as folders, filers, portfolios, pockets, storage devices and the like (collectively termed a “folder” herein) are often utilized to store papers and other loose items. In many cases, it is desired to secure the folder to a binding device, such as a three-ring binder/binding device. However, many existing systems utilize binding holes which require the binding device to be opened and closed to couple the folder to the binding device.
Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention is a folder which provides a quick and easy connection to a binding device. More particularly, in one embodiment the present invention is a folder system including a folder having a first panel and a second panel pivotally coupled to the first panel along a pivot line. The folder further includes a spine portion positioned between the first and second panels at the pivot line, wherein said spine portion includes a hole formed therethrough. The spine portion further includes a slit extending from an outer edge of the spine portion to the hole to enable a binding device to be passed through the slit into the hole.
In one embodiment, shown in
The folder 10 may also include a spine or spine portion 22 positioned between the first 12 and second 14 panels at the pivot line 16. In one embodiment, the spine 22 is made of two plies of material, wherein the plies are facially abutting (such as by folding a piece of material) and optionally joined together by adhesives, mechanical joining devices or the like. However, the plies may not necessarily be joined together, and alternatively the spine 22 can include only a single ply. The first 12 and second 14 panels can each have a height extending generally parallel to the pivot line 16, and a width w1 (
In one embodiment the first panel 12, second panel 14 and spine 22 (including both plies, if a two-ply spine is utilized) can be formed of a single unitary piece of material. Alternatively, however, if desired the various panels 12, 14 and spine 22 can be made of different pieces of material joined together. The folder 10/panels 12, 14/spine 22 can be made of any wide variety of materials including but not limited to polymers (including plastic), cardboard, paper, polymer-coated paper or cardboard, fabric coated paper or cardboard, etc.
The folder 10 may be moveable between a closed position (
As best shown in
The first 12 and second 14 panels may each include a cutout 28, wherein each cutout 28 is generally aligned with an associated hole 24/slit 26. Each cutout 28 can be positioned on/intersect an inner edge of the associated panel 12, 14 and/or the pivot line 16. In particular, as shown in
The holes 24/slits 26/cutouts 28 enable the folder 10 to be easily coupled/bound to, and decoupled/unbound from a binding device 30. In the illustrated embodiment the binding device 30 takes the form of a three ring binder including three binding rings 32, and each hole 24/slit 26/cutout 28 is spaced and configured to be aligned with an associated binding ring 32. In order to couple the folder 10 to the binding device 30, each ring 32 is passed through an associated slit 26 until the ring 32 is fully seated in the associated hole 24.
Each hole 24 is illustrated as being circular in the illustrated embodiment, and having a diameter/size/area greater than the cross-sectional area of the associated ring 32. However, each hole 24 can take any wide variety of other shapes and configurations, so long as the holes 24 are, in one case, shaped to entirely receive a ring 32 therethrough. The non-linear configuration of the slits 26 helps to ensure each ring 32 remains securely positioned in the associated hole 24, and is not inadvertently separated. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment each slit 26 has a width smaller than a width of the associated ring 32 to prevent the ring 32 from inadvertently passing through a slit 26. The folder 10 can be uncoupled from each ring 32 by simply passing the ring 32 back through the associated slit 26 to retract the ring 32 out of the associated hole 24 and slit 26.
The embodiment shown in
Accordingly, as can be seen, the folder disclosed herein can be quickly coupled to, and decoupled from, a binding device, such as a three-ring binding device or the like, without having to open or close the binding device. The folder can be relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and is simple and intuitive to 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.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
717957 | Weaver | Jan 1903 | A |
818130 | Swan | Apr 1906 | A |
1371459 | Amlie | Mar 1921 | A |
2153575 | Irving | Apr 1939 | A |
2599768 | Losch, Jr. | Jun 1952 | A |
2911977 | French | Nov 1959 | A |
4551039 | Basseches | Nov 1985 | A |
4595309 | Chinchar | Jun 1986 | A |
5125561 | Idstein | Jun 1992 | A |
5335027 | Lin et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5417509 | Schwartz | May 1995 | A |
5697646 | Venegas | Dec 1997 | A |
6168340 | Lehmann et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6196748 | Schwartz | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6196750 | Hansen | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6382864 | Moor | May 2002 | B1 |
6412819 | Paine | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6666610 | Moor et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
7237805 | Fasan et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
20150048610 | Harris | Feb 2015 | A1 |
Entry |
---|
“Mead Five Star Two Pocket Snap-in Poly Portfolio” from website of The Douglas Stewart Co., http://www.dstewart.com/five-star-2-pocket-snap-in-poly-portfollo.html (retrieved from the internet on Oct. 9, 2013). |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20150115021 A1 | Apr 2015 | US |