EP2079339A1

EP2079339A1 - Reduced thickness document case

Info

Publication number: EP2079339A1
Application number: EP07858473A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pascal François Jean MORAND
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: MORAND, PASCAL FRANCOIS JEAN
Priority date: 2006-10-18
Filing date: 2007-10-17
Publication date: 2009-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-17
Also published as: CN101563001B; EP2079339B1; RU2009118396A; US20110048593A1; WO2008050000A1; FR2907319A1; ES2407729T3; FR2907319B1; JP2010506761A; CN101563001A; CA2666824C; RU2418557C2; JP5095744B2; CA2666824A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a document case for receiving a large number of standardized format documents (8) comprising at least two first flaps (8) articulated relative to each other, the documents (8) being inserted separately into overlapping pockets with an offset, their openings being parallel to the articulation axis of the flaps so that the documents are arranged in a stepped manner (11, 12) in order to expose a visible uncovered edge thereof. In case of two adjacent flaps, the steps (11, 12) are arranged with the same insertion direction, the highest document of one flap being adjacent to the lowest document of the other flap so that when the two flaps are folded on each other, the two series of steps (11, 12) are interleaved in order to reduce the thickness. Application for wallets, multifunction diaries and document briefcases.

Description

Briefcase with reduced thickness

The present invention relates to a briefcase for receiving a plurality of standard format documents, such as a wallet for receiving credit card format documents or business cards or a bag for receiving files of any kind. standard format or leaflets.

For many documents such as the vital card, store loyalty cards, subscription cards and sports license cards, the format of credit cards has been adopted. We quickly arrive at a large number of cards that must be inserted into a wallet.

Portfolios with at least two flaps hinged to one another are often used, the cards being inserted in insets in offset pockets, their opening being parallel or perpendicular to the hinge axis of the flaps, so that the cards are arranged in tiers with an uncovered visible edge. It is thus possible to identify a card by its visible edge and to extract it easily from its pocket to use it. The cards are overlapping, forming a sort of staircase and the result is a large thickness where the maximum number of cards are on top of each other. Each flap has in profile a substantially triangular shape. The pouches are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of articulation of the two flaps and, when the wallet is closed, the two thickest parts of the two flaps are opposite one another so that This results in a significant extra thickness which creates a bulge on one side of the shutters in the closed position and prohibits placing it in a thin pocket, such as the rear pockets of pants or shirt pockets.

In the same way, people who have to carry a large number of files, for Customers' files for a representative, wish to be able to accommodate their folders also separately in steps in a bag with two flaps so as to identify and extract them quickly and in this case, we also want to limit the volume of the bag.

The problem underlying the invention is to provide a document holder of the aforementioned type whose thickness is reduced, avoiding the aforementioned bulge.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the cost of manufacturing such a document holder.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a document holder that can receive a large number of documents of several formats (A4 or other).

For this purpose, the invention provides that, for two adjacent flaps, the pockets are arranged with the same direction of insertion, the highest document of one of the flaps is adjacent to the lowest document of the other flap, so that when the two flaps are folded over one another, the two sets of steps are nested one inside the other so as to reduce the thickness of the wallet or document holder.

In this way, the bulge is reduced, the thicker sections of the two flaps being in opposition when the briefcase is closed. This allows for a two-fold portfolio with a maximum number of documents in a minimum thickness.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the series of steps of a shutter is constituted by a folded sheet on itself in zigzag, the distance between two folds having, alternately, two different values, a value equal to the side of the document to be inserted which is perpendicular to the opening of the pocket and a slightly lower value to make it possible to grasp the document, the edges of the zigzag sides of the sheet being fixed on each other and the set of pockets of all the shutters is made in a single sheet. This provision simplifies the manufacture of the briefcase and reduce its cost. Advantageously, the edges of the zigzag sides of the sheet are fixed to one another by a seam. We get a pinch of pockets on the side, which prevents documents from falling out of the pocket.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the briefcase comprises a third intermediate flap which is articulated on one of the other flaps, which, in the closed position, is folded down on one of the other two flaps and which has pockets on its sides. two faces, the series of pouches of its two faces being arranged in an antisymmetric manner so that, in the closed position, the series of steps of each face of the third intermediate flap is nested in the series of steps of the inner face of the one of the first two components and in that the width of the ease pleat separating the two first flaps substantially corresponds to 2 n times the thickness of an inserted document, n being the number of documents that can be inserted into a flap.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, an assembly of two adjacent flaps comprises an outer lateral pocket extending over the entire length and whose opening is perpendicular to the hinge axis.

This side pocket can accommodate long documents such as bank notes and IDs. According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the side of the flaps which is parallel to the hinge axis is substantially greater than twice the width of the credit cards and each flap successively comprises three pockets intended to receive a document. the map format credit arranged parallel to the axis of articulation of the two components, and two sets of two adjacent pockets for receiving a credit card size document disposed transversely to the axis of articulation of the two components. This allows for a portfolio of reduced size two-fold that contains 14 documents of the credit card format.

Advantageously, at least one flap further comprises at least one larger pouch for larger documents.

This makes it possible to house official documents whose dimensions are larger than those of credit cards, for example official papers such as the identity card, the driving license, the new European registration certificate, etc. Advantageously, the outer side pocket may have an inner partition. This makes it possible to accommodate documents of different sizes, such as business cards.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the document holder comprises an insert consisting of a single flap which is hingedly mounted on a tongue that can be inserted into an inner pocket of a flap and which comprises, on one of its faces. , a series of steps whose opening is parallel to the axis of articulation, said tongue being folded over the pockets in the storage position in a pocket of clothing.

In this way, one can have a removable card holder that can be used separately or inserted in a wallet. When used separately and placed, for example, in a shirt pocket or an outer jacket pocket suit, the documents it contains are protected against the formation of static electricity that can damage documents with elements electronic or magnetic, such as credit cards, memory cards or tickets.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, given by way of illustration and in no way limitative, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGS. 1 to 1 g are explanatory diagrams of the 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a 2-fold wallet for receiving credit card size documents; FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the wallet of FIG. 3, FIGS. 6 are explanatory diagrams of one embodiment of the pockets, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sewing point, FIGS. 8 to 11 are explanatory diagrams of an embodiment of a 3-section wallet and FIG. 4 steps of pockets, Figure 12 is a schematic sectional view of the outer side pocket of a portfolio with at least two parts, Figure 13 is a front view of a flap of a portfolio of dimensions reduced to 7. map FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a card holder constituted by a single flap comprising a tongue that can be inserted into an inner pocket of a flap, FIGS. 15 and 16 and 20 illustrate three modes of embodiment of a four-section portfolio according to the invention, FIG. 17 represents an exemplary embodiment of a flap fixed on a flap, in the open position, FIG. 18 represents a portfolio comprising two flaps in the closed position. FIG. 19 represents a flap comprising a double pocket, one of the two inputs receiving the tongue of a single flap insert (FIG. 14).

FIG. 21 explains with this sectional diagram, the manner in which a tongue insert is produced by zig-zag folding, comprising a step on each of its faces, with a single strip, FIGS. 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d show the folding steps of a tri-fold wallet, which allow to ensure an optimal security of storage, figure 23 is a diagram of portfolio with on each of the shutters a pocket located under the bleachers of pouches and of which the opening perpendicular to the axis of articulation allows the storage of documents larger than the documents of the steps.

Figures 24a and 24b show the steps of folding a two-leaf wallet and two inserts, each of which is located at one end of the wallet, making it possible to secure the storage of the cards and to increase the capacity of the wallet. outer faces of each of the inserts comprising a window pocket.

Figures 24c and 24d show these window pockets provided with slide fasteners which are thus folded by complementary shape. Figure 25 shows a reduced size portfolio with three tiers, each tier holding up to ten cards.

FIGS. 25a and 25b show a 3-part wallet comprising on the rightmost end flap, a set of smaller and smaller pockets for receiving documents of different sizes, with a folding window flap on said pouches in the closed position as shown in Figure 25c. Figures 1a to 1g are diagrams explaining the principle of the invention. FIG. 1a shows a card holder of known type which consists of two shutters 1 and 2 which pivot about a hinge axis 3. Each flap comprises pockets 4 which are intended to receive documents of the format credit card and shifted relative to each other, their openings 7 being directed towards the hinge axis 3, the series of steps of the flaps 1 and 2 being arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of articulation 3. In the case of FIG. 1b, the pockets 4 'are perpendicular to the axis of articulation 3' The depth 5 of a pocket 4 or 4 'is smaller than the width 6 of a map of such so that an edge of the card is visible in the space between two successive openings 7. In the closed position (Figure 1 e), the two flaps are folded over one another, the pockets of the two flaps being in contact.

There are 5 pockets per flap and it can be seen that the cards 8 housed in the pockets 4 are overlapping one above the other, as shown schematically in Figure 1 c. In the example of Figure 1a, the visible end of the first card inserted in the pocket opposite the hinge axis 3 is overlapping with the following four cards. As a result, after folding (FIGS. 1 d and 1 d '), a stepped profile schematized into a triangle constituting a bulge as shown in FIG. 1 d or 1 d' in the case of FIG. 1 b. When the two sets of steps are arranged symmetrically in the known card holder of Figure 1a or 1b, in the closed position, as shown in Figure 1 e, the extra thicknesses of the two triangles are on top of one another and you get a card holder that is very thick and will have trouble getting into a narrow pocket of clothing, such as the back pocket of a pair of trousers, the pocket of a shirt, or the outer pocket of a jacket. suit. According to the present invention, for two adjacent flaps, the pockets are arranged with the same direction of insertion, the highest document of one of the flaps is adjacent to the lowest document of the other flap, so that when the two flaps are folded over one another, the two sets of steps are nested one inside the other so as to reduce the thickness of the wallet or document holder. This is shown schematically in FIG. 1f and, in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 1g, the triangles of the two flaps are opposite and there is a compensation of the thicknesses so that the overall thickness of the card holder is markedly reduced.

In Figures 2 and 3, there is shown schematically, in longitudinal and transverse sections, a wallet with two flaps according to the present invention which comprises an outer side pocket. It can be seen that the two series of steps 11 and 12 have a common inner face 13. An outer lateral pocket is formed on the outer face of this common inner face 13, it comprises two compartments 14 and 15 intended to receive large documents such as bank notes and identity papers. In the inner compartment 14, there is provided a pouch 16 of short length and width less than that of a flap for receiving, for example, business cards.

In Figure 3, which is a cross section at the level of the small pocket 16, we see that the pocket is made by means of a sheet 17 folded three times in zigzag.

Figures 4 to 6 describe an embodiment of the stepped pockets. FIG. 4 shows a flexible and foldable sheet 21, such as a canvas liner, in which transverse fold lines 22 to 25 are made. The distance between two adjacent fold lines has, alternately , two different values, a value equal to the dimension of the side of the document to be inserted which is perpendicular to the opening of the pocket and a slightly lower value, the edges of the zigzag sides of the sheet being fixed on one another, namely that the distance between the two lines 23 and 24 is equal to the width of a credit card and corresponds to the depth of a pocket and that the distance between the two lines 22 and or 24 and 25 is slightly less than this width, for example about 9 mm. The sheet 21 is then zigzag folded as shown in Figure 5, the edges of the zigzag sides of the sheet 21 are then fixed on each other so as to obtain three pockets as shown in Figure 6. In these figures 4 6, for the sake of clarity only three pockets with a sheet having six parts folded in five folds have been shown, but in reality, series with many more pockets per flap are made, for example for documents credit card format, the length of each flap then being about 14 cm. On the assembly obtained in Figure 6, it is possible, for aesthetic reasons, to fix a covering cover, for example leather, on at least a portion of all the pockets. Advantageously, it is possible to cut a window 28, in the part of the finishing cover that covers the first pocket to better visualize the map disposed in this pocket; this window can be closed by means of a transparent element.

According to the invention, a cord 20 of flexible material is deposited on the edges of the sheet 21 when it is not yet folded (see Figure 4). This flexible bead 20 is disposed at the location where the edges are secured.

The presence of this flexible cord 20 makes it possible to obtain a pinching effect of the edges of the cards inserted into the pockets so that the cards are well held in the pockets and can not escape.

Advantageously, it is possible to cut the sheet 21 at every other fold as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. An indentation 26 of substantially elliptical shape is obtained on the folds 22 and 24 at the nose of the steps. When the edges of the sheet 21 are fixed to make the pockets, as shown in Figure 6, there is obtained a recess 27 which makes it easier to grasp the card that is to be extracted. Moreover, in the case where a finishing cover is provided, this recess 27 reveals the cover sheet, which indicates an empty cover.

When the briefcase comprises several sets of pouches, all of these pouches is made in a single sheet by providing an unfolded portion between two sets of pouches that corresponds to the axis of articulation. We then obtain an inner continuous sheet on which are the different series of pockets which constitute successive series of steps oriented in the same direction. The fixing of the edges on each other is advantageously effected by sewing, for example by means of a winding point as shown in FIG. 7. The sewing thread passes over the sides of the sheet over a distance D, then it passes below in the opposite direction over a distance d which is smaller, for example half of D, then the wire is passed over over the distance D and so on. If there is a flexible cord 20, as described in Figure 6, the seam is performed on the flexible cord or at the edge of this cord outside the pouch so as to obtain an effective nipping without crushing.

Figures 8 to 11 show an embodiment of a portfolio that has 3 parts, but 4 sets of steps. As indicated above, all sets of steps 31 to 34 are made with a single sheet being separated by non-folded portions of the sheet 35 to 37 which are arranged at the axes of articulation of the flaps and which constitute folds of ease. It can be seen that all series of steps are oriented in the same direction. One of the flaps 38 is obtained by folding the two sets of steps 33 and 34 one over the other as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Three flaps, two first flaps 39 and 41 which comprise a single series of flaps are then obtained. steps on their inner face and a third intermediate flap 38 which, in the closed position, is between the two other flaps and has pockets on both sides. To close the wallet, first folds the third spacer 38 on the first flap 39 and then folds the assembly obtained on the first flap 41. It can be seen in Figure 11 that, according to the invention, the interlocking series of steps is achieved and that significantly reduces the total thickness of the portfolio which corresponds substantially to the thickness of two sets of steps.

The width of the folds 35 to 37 (see also Figure 2) is adapted to the cumulative thickness of documents that are applied to each other when the wallet is folded and closed. More specifically, if each of the flaps comprises n pockets, the width of the fold of ease 37 which is between the sets of steps 33 and 34 of the intermediate flap 38, is substantially equal to n times the thickness of a document, c that is to say the thickness of the intermediate flap 38 and the width of the pleat of ease 35 which separates the two first flaps constituted by the series of steps 31 and 32 is substantially equal to 2n times the thickness of a document, that is to say the total thickness of the wallet in the closed position.

Figure 12 shows, in schematic longitudinal section, the side pockets of a portfolio with two compartments. A first outer compartment 51 is for example, to receive identity papers, the second compartment 52 is intended, for example, to receive bank notes and it comprises a small pocket 53 for receiving visiting cards. FIG. 13 shows a wall flap in the case where the flap side which is parallel to the hinge axis is substantially greater than twice the width, I, of the documents, which makes it possible to provide pairs of pouches 62 or 63 arranged next to each other, their length being perpendicular to the axis of articulation 64. In this case, the maximum number, or "vertical" pockets, is first arranged in steps; 62 and 63 which is determined by the length of the document, L, and the dimension, e, of the visible part, the dimension, A, of the flap which is perpendicular to the hinge axis 64 being substantially equal to A = L + denies, nor is the number of pairs of vertical documents.

In the free part 65 of the flap which is below the openings of the pockets 62 and 63, "horizontal" pockets 66 are arranged whose width corresponds to the length, L, of the documents. The maximum number, n2 of horizontal pockets is determined by the relation:

A = I + (ni + n2) e; I being the width of the documents. This arrangement optimizes the number of pockets; thus, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 13, there are seven pockets whose opening is directed towards the hinge axis 64, whereas, if all the pockets are arranged "horizontally" as in FIG. the previous embodiments, only five pockets can be provided. FIG. 14 represents, in front view, an insert which is constituted by a flap 71 and a tongue 72 which is articulated on the flap along the axis 73 and which can be introduced into a pocket formed in a flap (89) and whose opening is parallel to the axis of articulation of the shutter in such a way that the insert can be articulated between two parts of a wallet. This insert can also be marketed and used separately, for example in a shirt pocket.

This insert comprises, on at least one of its faces, pouches 74 and when used separately, in the closed position, the tongue 72 is folded on these pouches 74. This tongue protects the documents against friction when the insert is placed in a pocket, this avoids, in particular, static electricity phenomena that can damage documents with electronic and / or magnetic elements, such as smart cards, tickets and memory cards .

This insert can also have pockets on its second side for static-insensitive documents. One can also provide a side pocket to receive some bank notes. Thus one can make an insert having on one side, a series of stepped pockets for the most used credit cards, on the other side one or more pockets of larger dimensions for identity papers and a side pocket for banknotes. Such an insert is used separately to take the necessary documents with you and to be inserted into a portfolio of two or more pieces containing documents that are used infrequently and are not essential. Figures 15 and 16 show, in unfolded position, two embodiments of portfolios according to the invention. FIG. 15 relates to a fourfold portfolio 81 to 84 which each have a series of six "horizontal" pockets and whose dimensions are 11.5 cm x 9.5 cm and which includes a side pocket 85. The folds of external comfort 86 and 87 between an outer flap 81 or 84 and a central flap 82 or 83 is about 6 mm, that is to say substantially six times the thickness of a document and the pleat of interior ease between the two central flaps 82 and 83 has a double value that corresponds to the thickness of an outer flap folded on a central flap. This gives a wallet that can receive 24 credit card size documents, which is 48.7 cm long when unfolded and whose dimensions are approximately 11.5 cm x 9.5 cm with a thickness of about 15 mm. It can easily fit into a shirt pocket or the outer jacket pocket of a suit whose dimensions are approximately 15 cm x 10 cm.

Figure 20 shows a portfolio with 4 components, each of the flaps having the same size as the flaps of Figure 15, but arranged transversely, it allows a use more suitable for a woman's hand, the capacity being reduced by 15%. In the free space of the shutters, pocket pockets 201, can receive documents that can not take place in the pockets in tiers, such as large business cards, photos, stamps or subway tickets, receipts credit cards. The opening of these window pockets is oriented on the same side as the stepped pockets. Thus, no document contained in these different pockets can fall when the wallet is in the closed position.

The portfolio shown in Figure 16 can accommodate up to 7 cards per flap. It is four-section of the type described in Figure 13 each with four vertical pockets and three horizontal pockets and whose dimensions are 10.5 cm x 12 cm. The outer and inner pleats have a respective width of 5 and 10 mm which is adapted to the thickness of the shutters with seven pockets. In the unfolded state, this portfolio has a length of 44 cm and in the closed position, its dimensions are substantially 10.5 cm x 12 cm with a maximum thickness of about 18 mm. Its capacity is 28 credit card size documents.

FIG. 17 represents an exemplary embodiment of a flap 91 which is hinged to a flap 92 on the side of the wallet, that is to say on a side perpendicular to the axis of articulation 93. This flap may include a pocket on each of its faces and it is arranged at the level of the stepped nose formed by the edges of the documents itself. located in the pockets of the flap 92 so as to cover them in the folded position on the flap 92.

In Figure 18, there is shown a portfolio with two shutters each having 6 horizontal pockets, each flap comprising a flap 94 or 95 which is in the closed position and whose width is slightly less than the length of the flap. When the wallet is folded, the two flaps 94 and 95 are arranged next to each other without overlap so that the capacity of the portfolio of 4 documents is increased while the thickness is only increased by 2 the thickness of a document, the fold of ease 96 having a width of 8 mm instead of 6. This portfolio with 2 parts can therefore contain 16 documents in a reduced volume. In the case where a finishing cover is provided, the flaps 94 and 95 hide the steps of the pockets, which improves the aesthetic appearance of the wallet.

FIG. 19 represents, in longitudinal section, a flap 101 which comprises two pockets 102 and 103 arranged head-to-tail whose openings are parallel to the axis of articulation 104. Again, once, this double pocket is constituted by a folded sheet in zigzag and whose edges are fixed on one another. Each of the pockets obtained can receive a document of large dimensions or the tongue 105 of an insert as described in FIG.

Briefcases are made by attaching the edges of the zigzag sides of the sheet (21) to one another by a seam with a wrapping stitch as shown in Figure 7.

FIG. 21 shows a tongue insert 210 made by zig-zag folding of a strip 213 so as to obtain a succession of pouches 211, 212, arranged in steps alternately opening on both sides of the insert and hinged to a tongue 210, of rectangular shape intended to be introduced into a pocket of a wallet. Note that in this example the pouches 211, 212, the inner face and the outer face are oriented in the opposite direction. The distance between two consecutive folds of the strip 213 has, alternately, a value equal to the width of a document to be inserted which is perpendicular to the opening of the pouch and a lower value so as to extract the document. Advantageously, the wallet may include flaps comprising steps oriented in the same direction of insertion and which then fit perfectly with those of the insert, which allows for example to double the capacity of a portfolio whose components include the same number of steps as each of the faces of the insert.

Figures 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d show a folding mode of a wallet with three parts, connected to each other by two folds of ease 222, 223, of different width. As can be seen in FIG. 22a, which shows the portfolio in the unfolded state, each flap comprises a series of five pockets opening on their left side. The five pockets of each pane are inscribed, viewed from the side, in a right triangle (figure 22b). Folding the wallet is done by folding the leftmost flap on the central flap so that the hypotenuse of the two triangles are superimposed. The rightmost flap is then folded onto the stack constituted by the two other flaps. Thus, in the folded position, the wallet has a reduced thickness. In addition, this solution ensures that cards do not fall once the wallet folded. It implies that the ease pleats 222, 223 are sized correctly, the ease pleat 223 being larger than the ease pleat 222. Figure 23 shows a portfolio with two sections connected to each other by a fold of ease. Each of the flaps comprises a main longitudinal zone in which is disposed a series of pouches opening on the same side, a width substantially smaller than the width of the flap, and a lateral area at which a pocket opens. 231 located below the main zone. The opening of the pouches extends parallel to the fold of ease while the opening of the two pockets 231 extends perpendicularly to said fold.

The two pockets have larger dimensions than the pockets and can therefore receive larger documents that can spill over the side areas, such as, for example, the national identity card, driver's license, voter's card or health insurance, the green car insurance card, etc.

Figures 24a and 24b show a portfolio with two flaps connected to each other by a fold of ease and equipped with two inserts each comprising a series of pockets arranged in tiers. The pockets of these inserts open on the same side as the pockets of the shutters of the wallet with which they are associated. For this purpose, the shutters of the wallet each comprise, under the bleachers pockets a pocket 232 whose opening extends parallel to the fold of ease, along the edge of the shutter opposite said fold and in which engages a corresponding insert.

Thanks to these provisions, in the folded position of the wallet, the series of pockets of the insert and the adjacent flap interlock one into the other so as to reduce the thickness of the wallet or briefcase, the capacity of which is then increased. In addition, this ensures optimal storage security, in the folded state of the wallet, the openings of the flap pockets and inserts being turned towards the inside of the wallet, which prevents the contents of these wallets from falling.

In this example, the inner face of each of the inserts is provided with a series of steps while the outer face of each of these inserts is provided with a transparent window pocket 248, 249, the opening of the transparent pockets being oriented on the same side (Figure 24b). In order to maximize the capacity of these window pockets and to prevent the documents or objects therein from falling, they are in the example of FIG. 24c each provided with a slide fastener (246, 247) allowing complete closure of these window pockets, and equipped with a bellows (233) to increase the capacity. These pouches window of the outer face of the inserts, equipped with zipper, once they closed, form two closed areas that may contain objects that can not take place in the pockets of the inner tiers of the wallet, such as, for example, coins of different national currencies that can be easily grasped, the transparency of the window promoting their identification. In the last folding step, the two flaps on which are folded the two inserts, fold against each other, the zippers of the window pockets of the outer face of the inserts interlocking without extra thickness in the free space flaps 244, 245 (Figure 24d).

In Figure 24d, the bellows window pockets (233) are shown from the side and their shape in a right triangle, allows the folding of the two parts of the wallet, a perfect nesting of the two pockets, complementing form. The wallet once closed stays flat and its thickness is minimized.

FIG. 25 shows a wallet of the same dimensions as that of FIG. 16, with three flaps connected by folds of comfort (252) each comprising pockets arranged in bleachers, some of which may receive loyalty mini-cards or tickets, the mini-loyalty cards having a length L1 equal to one-third of the length L of the credit card-size loyalty cards, all having a width I. Fig. 25 shows a portfolio whose width B is substantially larger than twice the width I of the documents. First and foremost on each of the flaps and in steps is the maximum number or pairs of vertical pockets (256, 257) arranged next to each other, which is determined by the length L of the document and the dimension e of the visible part, the dimension A of the flap which is perpendicular to the axis of articulation of the flaps being substantially equal to: A = L + ni e. The width B of the wallet is also substantially greater than four thirds of the length L of the documents, it is cleaned in the free space of the flap (258), two steps of horizontal pockets, one of width equal to the length L documents and the other of width L / 3 of the documents. The maximum number of pockets of each of the steps is n2 determined by the relation: A = I + (n1 + n2) e, where I is the width of the documents. This arrangement optimizes the number of pockets; thus in the example of FIG. 25, the number of pockets for credit cards is identical for the three flaps (253, 259) but for the two left-most flaps, it allows in addition to receive 3 pouches for the Half loyalty cards (250, 251) are 10 pockets instead of 7 for the last pane, the rightmost pane.

FIG. 25a shows a portfolio in the open position, comprising on the rightmost end flap, a storage area for accommodating documents that can not fit into the pockets of the two leftmost flaps, said documents may have different formats. This storage area consists of a set of superposed pockets (263), open on two of their four sides, on the one hand the side parallel to the axis of articulation of the shutter and on the other hand one of the sides perpendicular to said axis, side where is fixed the flap (261) of rectangular shape whose dimensions are substantially equal to those of the flap and connected to said flap by a pleat of ease (260), this flap having on each of its faces a pocket window (262) whose opening is directed towards the pleat of ease (252 ). These superimposed pockets, are smaller and smaller, the width and length of the pouch located above being substantially and respectively lower than the width (265) and the length (266) of the pouch below, so that the document in the bottom pocket is sufficiently large to allow identification and seizure. FIG. 25b shows a wallet of the same type whose storage area for documents in different formats is also constituted by a set of superimposed pockets according to the same principle as in FIG. 25a but of a different shape, with cutaway, the part covered with each of the documents placed in the pockets being lower. The placement and extraction of the document in each of the pockets (263) are then facilitated. This cutaway shape is obtained by practicing on the rectangular pockets of the storage area of FIG. 25a, a cut parallel to the diagonal of said pocket, so that the pocket

^Λ Cutaway has a surface slightly larger than half of the rectangular pocket before cutting. The distance between the diagonal and the parallel (267) in which the pockets are cut is substantially equal to the difference between the widths (265) and the lengths (266) of two contiguous and superposed pockets.

Thus protected, the documents placed in this storage area are stored flat which allows, the flap (261) being folded over said documents, to minimize the thickness of the wallet that stays flat in the closed position and to prevent documents from falling out.

The invention makes it possible to realize a whole range of portfolios adapted to the needs of the users. The dimensions of the pockets can be adapted to the formats of all types of documents such as credit cards (5.4 x 8.5 cm), business cards (7.5 x 12.5 cm), mini-cards fidelity (5.4 x 2.83 cm), new formats of official papers such as driving license (7.5 x 11 cm), identity card (7.2 x10.3 cm), etc. can also provide pockets for items such as memory cards, flat batteries camera or phone, permanent tickets for example for the subway or highway tolls. The use of an insert allows to take with you only the most important documents, the insert having a series of steps on one of its faces for the documents sensitive to the static electricity that comes to protect the tongue and several pockets on his other face. The invention has been described in detail with examples of portfolios intended to receive personal documents, but it obviously applies to any briefcase. In particular, we can design towels or bags with two panels comprising sets of pockets forming series of steps interlocking into each other to reduce the thickness of the towel. Such a towel may for example contain customer cards or product samples for representatives or deliverymen, these cards or samples, for example carpet or wallpapers, being easily identifiable and can be easily extracted.

Claims

A briefcase for receiving a plurality of standard size documents (8; 62, 63), such as a wallet for receiving credit card format documents or business cards, or a purse for receiving a large number of documents of several sizes, A4 or other, comprising at least two first flaps hinged to one another, the documents being inserted in isolation in pockets (4, 4 ') arranged in offset overlap, their opening (7) being parallel to the hinge axis (3; 38, 39, 41; 93) of the flaps (1, 2; 64; 81 -84), so that the documents are arranged in steps ( 11, 12) having an uncovered visible edge, characterized in that, for two adjacent flaps, the steps (11, 12) are arranged with the same insertion direction, the highest document of one of the flaps is adjacent to the lowest document of the other component, so that when the When the flaps are folded over one another, the two sets of steps (11, 12) are nested one inside the other so as to reduce the thickness of the wallet or document holder.

2. Briefcase according to claim 1, characterized in that the series of pouches of a flap is constituted by a sheet (21) folded on itself zigzag, the distance between two folds (22-25) having, alternately, two different values, a value equal to the side of the document to be inserted which is perpendicular to the opening of the pocket and a slightly lower value so as to extract the document, the edges of the zigzag sides of the sheet ( 21) being fixed on one another and in that the set of pockets of all the shutters is made in a sheet (21), the series of steps (11, 12; 31 -34) being separated by non-sectional sections. folded, forming folds of ease (35-37; 86, 87) whose width corresponds substantially to n times the thickness of an inserted document, n being the number of documents that can be inserted into a flap.

3. Briefcase according to claim 2, characterized in that the edges of the zigzag sides of the sheet (21) are fixed to one another by a seam with a winding point.

4. Briefcase according to claim 2, characterized in that, before the folding of the sheet (21), is deposited on the edges of the zigzag sides of the sheet, a bead (20) of flexible material at the level of the line of their fixation.

5. Briefcase according to claim 2, characterized in that there is provided a partial cut (26), a notch 26 of substantially elliptical shape, the sheet (21) folded at the fold (22, 24). constituting the step nosing.

6. Briefcase according to claim 2, characterized in that the sheet comprises a finishing cover which comprises a window cutout (28) at the level of at least one pocket or pocket.

7. Briefcase according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least a third intermediate flap (38) which is articulated on one of the other flaps (39, 41), which, in the closed position, is folded over one of the two other flaps and which has pockets on both sides, the series of pouches of its two faces being arranged in an antisymmetric manner so that, in the closed position, the series of steps of each face of the third intermediate flap ( 38) is nested in the series of steps of the inner face of one of the first two flaps and in that the width of the fold of ease (35) separating the two first flaps (39, 41) substantially corresponds to 2 n times the thickness of an inserted document, where n is the number of documents that can be inserted into a pane.

8. Briefcase according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an outer side pocket extending over the entire length of the first two flaps, whose opening is perpendicular to the axis of articulation and which has two compartments (14, 15; 51, 52) and in that one of the compartments (14) comprises a pocket of lower width (16) than that of a shutter.

9. Briefcase according to claim 1, characterized in that the side of the flaps which is parallel to the hinge axis is substantially greater than twice the width of the documents, in that, in at least one flap a maximum number of pairs of adjacent pouches (62, 63) constituting two sets of adjacent vertical steps is provided, and that in the remaining free space of the shutter is completed with pouches arranged perpendicularly so as to form a series horizontal steps (66), the opening of all the pockets being directed towards the hinge axis (64).

10. Briefcase according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an insert which can be used separately and which consists of a single flap (71) which comprises, on at least one of its faces, pouches, and which is hingedly mounted on a tongue (72), the tongue (72) being fixed on the insert on a side parallel to the hinge pin (73), and when the insert is used alone , said tongue (72) being folded over the pockets in storage position in a garment pocket, so that it covers the documents inserted in the pockets, and the insert is fixed to the wallet by inserting said tongue in a pocket (89) in a flap and whose opening is parallel to the hinge axis of the flap so that the insert can be hinged placed between two flaps of a portfolio.

11. Briefcase according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one of the first flaps (101) further comprises at least two superposed pockets (102, 103) whose openings are opposite and parallel to the hinge pin (104, 105) so as to receive an insert tongue (72) or a large document both pockets (102, 103) being made by means of a folded zigzag sheet.

12. Briefcase according to claim 2, characterized in that the first two flaps (92) each comprise a flap (91) which is articulated on the flap (92) on a side perpendicular to the axis of articulation (93). at the level of the step noses, and which has a pocket on at least one of its faces, the width of the flap being slightly smaller than the length of the flap, when the flap is in the closed position, and the folded wallet, the two flaps are arranged adjacent to one another, without overlap.

13. Briefcase according to claimi, characterized in that it comprises at least three flaps, connected by two folds of ease (222, 223), each comprising a series of pockets opening on the same side, the Folding the portfolio by folding the flap located at the end of the open wallet, corresponding to said side (220), on the central flap, and then by folding the shutter at the end of the open wallet corresponding to the opposite side ( 221).

14. Briefcase according to claim 1, comprising at least two flaps, each flap comprising a series of stepped pockets with a width substantially smaller than the width of the flap, characterized in that it comprises a side pocket (231). located beneath the steps, parallel to the axis of articulation and whose opening extends over the entire length of the flap, perpendicular to said axis.

15. Briefcase according to claim 1, comprising two flaps, connected to each other by a fold of ease, each flap having a series of pouches opening on the same side, characterized in that each of shutters additionally features under the pouches, a pocket (232) whose opening extends parallel to the pleat of ease along an edge of the flap opposite said ply and in which engages a tongue insert having on one of its facing a series of pockets arranged in steps opening on the same side as the pockets of the flaps of the portfolio with which it is associated and the face of this insert located opposite the one carrying the bleachers pockets is provided with a pocket to transparent window (248, 249) and a bellows (233) perpendicular to the opening of these transparent pockets, said openings of the transparent pockets of the two flaps, extending on the same side parallel to the fold of ease, and closing by means of a zipper (246, 247).

16. Briefcase according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a tongue insert (210) made by zig-zag folding of a strip (213) so as to obtain a succession of pockets (211, 212 ) arranged in steps, opening alternately on both sides of the insert and articulated to the tongue (210) of rectangular shape intended to be introduced into a pocket of said document holder.

17. Document holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the side of the flaps which is parallel to the hinge axis is substantially greater than twice the width of the documents and substantially greater than four thirds of the length in that, in at least one flap, there is a maximum number of adjacent pocket pairs (256, 257) constituting a series of adjacent vertical steps and in that in the remaining free space of the flap there is complete with two horizontally and adjacently arranged bleachers of pockets, the openings of the pouches being oriented in the same direction as those of the vertical steps, the widths of which are respectively substantially greater than the length of a document (253) and for the other substantially greater than one third of the length of a document (251).

18. Document holder according to claim 1, comprising three flaps connected by two folds of ease (252) one of the end flaps comprising a set of superimposed pockets (263), and such that the dimensions of the pocket of the above are substantially lower than those of the pockets below, each of the pockets being open on two sides, on the one hand the side parallel to the fold of ease (252) and on the other hand one of the sides perpendicular to said fold, the same side being the one where is fixed the flap (261) of rectangular shape and dimensions substantially equal to that of the flap, connected to said flap by a fold of ease (260), and which in the closed position is folded on the set of pockets, and which has on each of its faces a window pocket (262) whose opening is oriented towards the fold of ease (252).