EP2084017A2 - Folder - Google Patents

Abstract

A folder is disclosed having two side sections flexibly joined by a base (11) section so as to enable the folder to be opened and closed. A fastener (14) for securing documents inside the folder is attached to a side section adjacent the edge of that side section furthest from the base section such that, when the folder is open, a document can be attached to the fastener so as to extend over the base section and, when the folder is subsequently closed, the document bent over adjacent the base section without creasing. Preferred embodiments comprise a sliding mechanism which can slide from a first position where it is engaged with only one side section to a second position where it is engaged with both side sections, thereby holding the folder open. Especially preferred embodiments have a plastic insert sheet adapted to further protect the documents stored in the folder and resist creasing thereof.

Description

FOLDER

This invention relates to a folder having two side sections flexibly joined by a base section so as to enable the folder to be opened and closed.

Such folders are known and perhaps the best known example is that of the ring binder where documents are punched and inserted into retractable ring shaped clips. Typically, a pair of such clips are provided in a unitary construction attached to the spine of the folder.

Whist ring binders are often used to store documents of up to A4 size, larger documents, such as art work, are preferably stored flat in correspondingly large "art folders". That is, without folding or creasing.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a folder having two side sections flexibly joined by a base section so as to enable the folder to be opened and closed, and a fastener for securing documents inside the folder; wherein the fastener is attached to a side section adjacent the edge of that side section furthest from the base section; and wherein, when the folder is open, a document can be attached to the fastener so as to extend over the base section and, when the folder is subsequently closed, the document bent over adjacent the base section without creasing.

The first aspect of the present invention provides a folder suitable for storing documents larger than the side sections of the folder itself without creasing the documents or by creasing the documents less; and one in which the documents are secured in position by a fastener. When the folder is open, a document attached may extend over, not only a portion of the base section, but may extend over a portion of the other side section.

Typically the folder is devoid of any fastener for securing documents on an preferably adjacent the base section.

Typically the fastener protrudes inside the folder from the side section to which it is attached; and wherein the other side section has an aperture or recess to accommodate that protrusion.

The folder may further comprise a band attached between respective edges of a side section, and between which a document can be inserted whereby the band holds the document adjacent that side section typically without constraining movement in the plane of the side section, perpendicular to the band.

A single band may be attached to one side section; and the fastener may be attached to the other side section.

The folder may be a ring binder and the fastener may be a retractable clip.

The folder may further comprise a sliding mechanism which can slide from a first position where it is engaged with only one side section to a second position where it is engaged with both side sections, thereby holding the folder open.

Preferably an insert is secured to the inside of the folder, ideally to one of the side sections; wherein, when the folder is open, the insert extends over the base section; and wherein, when the folder is closed, the insert is bent over adjacent the base section without creasing.

The insert further protects documents held within the folder and reduces their tendency to crease.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a folder having two side sections flexibly joined by a base section so as to enable the folder to be opened and closed, and an insert secured to the inside of the folder, ideally to one of the side sections; wherein, when the folder is open, the insert extends over the base section; and wherein, when the folder is closed, the insert is bent over adjacent the base section without creasing.

The insert is typically permanently secured to the folder.

The insert is typically planar in the absence of bending forces being applied to it. The insert can optionally adopt other shapes in the absence of bending forces, but typically the same resting shape is adopted between each bending event.

The insert is typically flexible and is optionally resilient. A resilient and/or flexible insert typically incorporates a shape memory, so that after bending of the insert that occurs during closure of the folder, the insert returns to its original shape that it adopted before the bending event. Typically the insert is adapted to bend with a substantially constant bend radius, so that sudden changes in bend radius (such as folds and creases) in the insert are minimised. The insert typically has an initial shape (before bending) that is substantially planar, or at least closer to a planar sheet than its final bent configuration when the folder is closed, and so the insert is typically placed in compression or tension when it is in its final bent configuration with the folder closed, so that upon opening the folder, the insert reverts to its original shape. The biasing of the insert by the folder in the closed position typically presses a face of the insert against the document when the folder is closed and therefore supports the document against creasing even in the event of small movements of the document or the insert in the closed folder.

Plastics materials are preferred for the insert, typically with a polymeric structure that minimises propensity to bend in any one place or plane.

Thus the insert typically adopts smooth curves in its bent configuration and avoids sudden changes in bend radius. A useful material for the insert is a planar plastics sheet of polypropylene of typical thickness of 0.1-0.5 mm, but thicker sheets can be used with larger or more dense documents and folders. For example, a very thin paper may be adequately supported by a comparatively thin insert of less than 0.1 mm thickness, whereas a stiff card document might require a fairly rigid supporting insert of thickness exceeding 0.5mm.

Typically the insert has structural rigidity sufficient to resist folds and creases, but sufficient flexibility to permit repeated folding in one place without cracks or permanent folds developing.

Providing an insert having sufficient flexibility so as to be folded but enough rigidity so as not to crease enables a document to be placed in the folder adjacent the insert and folded without creasing when the folder is closed. With a light weight or very flexible document and without the support of the insert, it is possible that such a document would otherwise crease under its own weight when folded over. The insert can be in sheet form, and can comprise a single sheet, or more than one sheet. For example, the insert can comprise a pair or sheets between the document can be placed. The resilience of the insert and its controlled bending during and after closure of the folder ensures that (at least part of) the document is forced in to conformity with the shape of the insert and creases are minimised.

Optionally, the insert can be connected to the folder by a retaining mechanism, which may optionally be in the form of fasteners such as one or more rivets or clips. The folder can optionally have one or more resilient straps of e.g. elastic material to restrain the insert or the document.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a folder having two side sections flexibly joined by a base section so as to enable the folder to be opened and closed, and a sliding mechanism which can slide from a first position where it is engaged with only one side section to a second position where it is engaged with both side sections, thereby holding the folder open.

The first and second aspects of the present invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 A shows a section through a folder according to the first aspect of present invention, whilst open and whilst containing a document;

Figure 1 B is a plan view of the folder of figure 1 A, whilst open and without a document; Figure 2A shows a section through an alternative folder according to the first aspect of present invention, whilst open and whilst containing a document;

Figure 2B is a plan view of the folder of figure 2A, whilst open and without a document;

Figures 3A and 3B are plan views of a folder according to the second aspect of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a section through a folder according to the present invention whilst closed; and, Figure 5 is a plan view of the folder of figure 4 whilst open.

Figure 1A shows a section through an folder 10 according to the present invention, whilst open and containing a document 19; and figure 2B shows the corresponding plan view of the folder, whilst open without a document. The folder 10 has a base section 11 and side sections 12, 12', and a ring binder 13, 14 attached to the outer edge (relative to the base section) of one of the side sections 12. The ring binder is shown securing a punched document 19. The document 19, which is longer than the side sections 12, 12', is shown bent over inside the folder 10 without any creasing. This is in part possible because of the absence of any protrusions or fasteners adjacent the base section 11.

The folder 10 is provided with two elastic bands 16, 16' running from the top and bottom edges of respective side sections 12, 12' of the folder 10. The elastic bands serve the purpose of constraining the document 19

(which is tucked under the bands) against the side sections whilst allowing lateral movement of the document (in the plane of the side section, perpendicular to the band) when the folder is opened and closed.

The folder 10 is provided with handles 18, 18' for convenient carrying. The folder 10 is shown made from a conventional unitary construction whereby the side sections and base section are defined and by preformed folds 17, 17' in a common substrate.

In order to fully close the folder, apertures 15 are formed in the one of the side sections 12' to accommodate the ring clips 14 of the ring binder attached to the other side section 12.

Figure 2A shows a section through an alternative folder 20 according to the present invention, whilst open and containing a document 27; and figure 2B shows the corresponding plan view of the folder, whilst open without a document.

The folder 20 differs from the folder 10 shown in figures 1A and 1B in that a retractable clip 24 and a sprung base 23 of conventional type is provided instead of a ring binder.

The folder 20 is similarly provided with apertures 26 in one of the side sections 22' to receive the retractable clip 24 which protrudes from the surface of the sprung base 23 attached to the other side section 22.

However, unlike the previous example, the folder 20 is shown with a single elastic band attached to a side section 22' which is sufficient for restraining a document 27, especially given the retractable clip 24 for securing a document attached to the other side section 22. A folder may also be provided without any such bands.

Whilst the two embodiments of the present invention shown above employ apertures in planar side sections to accommodate the protrusions of the ring binder and retractable clip, a shaped recess in a side section would perform the same function. Figures 3A and 3B show plan views of a folder 30 according to a second aspect of the present invention with a base section 33 and side sections 31, 31'. The folder is provided with a sliding mechanism which 32 can slide from a first position (shown in figure 3A) where it is engaged with only one side section to a second position where it is engaged with both side sections across the base section ((shown in figure 3A), thereby holding the folder open.

Ideally, the sliding mechanism slides along a recess in the folder (not shown)

Also, the sliding mechanism is shown illustrated with a folder according to the first aspect of the present invention, however, it could conceivably be applied to conventional folders for the same purpose of holding a folder open.

Figure 4 shows a section through a second embodiment of a folder 100 also according to the present invention whilst closed and containing a document 119; and figure 5 shows the corresponding plan view of the folder whilst open without a document.

The folder 100 has a central base section 111 and first and second side sections 112, 112' connected to the central base section 111 at their inner edges, and an insert in the form of a planar sheet 114 of flexible plastics material. One end of the sheet 114 can be secured to one of the side sections 112, optionally by a series of rivets 113, which can typically be located near to an outer edge of the side section 112. The insert 114 is shown supporting a document 119. The document 119, which is longer than one of the side sections 112, 112', is shown bent over inside the folder 100 and the insert 114, without any creasing. This is in part possible because of the absence of any protrusions or fasteners adjacent the base section 111.

The folder 100 is provided with two elastic bands 116, 116' running from the top and bottom edges of respective side sections 112, 112' of the folder 100. The elastic bands serve the purpose of constraining the insert 114 and the document 119 (which are tucked under the bands) against the side sections whilst allowing sliding lateral movement of the insert and the document (in the plane of the side section, perpendicular to the band) when the folder is opened and closed.

When the folder 100 is open, and there are no forces acting on the sheet 114, the sheet 114 is in a planar configuration, which is its natural moulded configuration. The polypropylene structure of the plastics material selected for the sheet 114 also has natural resilience, so that when the sheet 114 is deformed from its original resting planar configuration, it tries to return to that planar configuration. This is beneficial for the invention, because when the folder 100 is closed and the sheet 114 is bent over into the position shown in figure 4, the sheet forces itself against the document so that the document is not left unsupported at any point, which reduces the propensity to bends occurring in the document. Also, the natural resilience of the sheet 114 means that it will resist any sudden changes in bend radius, such as creases, that might tend to occur in the sheet 114 itself.

The document 119 is held pressed against the smoothly curved face of the sheet 114 by the tension in the sheet 114 in its bent configuration shown in Figure 4, at least in the area of the bend at the base section 111. In the event of relative movement of the sheet 114 and the document 119, the tension on the document 119 is maintained by the resilience of the sheet 114, so that the two can slide relative to one another (for example if the folder is flattened) and the inner face of the sheet 114 is still pressed against the face of the document, thereby supporting it against creases, at least in the area of the central base section 111.

The folder 100 is typically provided with handles 118, 118' for convenient carrying.

The folder 100 is shown made from a typical unitary construction whereby the side sections and base section are defined by preformed folds 117, 117' in a common substrate.

Modifications and improvements can be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. Such modifications may involve other features which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein. For example, in a modified embodiment, the resting configuration of the sheet can be arcuate rather than planar. For example, the sheet 114 can be initially moulded or heat set in a U-shape with a preformed bend at the central base section of the folder 100. The stiffness and flexibility of the insert can be uniform across the insert or alternatively some parts of the insert can be more or less flexible or stiff than others. In one such example, a U-shaped insert has a relatively stiff central section with a defined bend radius that is preformed during moulding or heat setting and is adapted to match the dimensions of the side and central sections of the folder 100, and the size and stiffness of the document to be carried in the folder 100. In another different embodiment the insert can have relatively rigid end sections that are less adapted to bend in any configuration than the central base section of the insert 114, so that the outer ends of the document to be carried in the modified embodiment always has planar supporting portions of the insert pressed against it.

Typically the document can be kept pressed against one face of the insert, and this is typically the inner face as shown in figure 4, but in some embodiments the document can be pressed between the outer face of the insert and the inner face of the side and central sections, so that the inner radius of the bent document is supported by the insert 114. In some other modified embodiments, each face of the document can be supported by an insert, so that the document is pressed between two sheets of the insert. In such cases, the insert can advantageously comprises two separate sheets each separately attached to the same fasteners, or a single unitary insert having the two distinct sheets that are arranged in a planar fashion adapted to retain the document between them.

Embodiments of the invention with an insert sheet may also comprise a fastener attached to a side section adjacent the edge of that side section furthest from the base section such as that exemplified by the Fig. 1 embodiment.

From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involve other features which are already known in the design of folders and component parts thereof and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

Claims

1. A folder having two side sections flexibly joined by a base section so as to enable the folder to be opened and closed, a fastener for securing documents inside the folder; wherein the fastener is attached to a side section adjacent the edge of that side section furthest from the base section; and wherein, when the folder is open, a document can be attached to the fastener so as to extend over the base section; and wherein, when the folder is subsequently closed, such a document is bent over adjacent the base section without creasing.

2. A folder according to claim 1 further comprising a band attached between respective edges of a side section, and between which a document can be inserted whereby the band holds the document adjacent that side section.

3. A folder according to claim 2 wherein there is a single band attached to one side section; and wherein the fastener is attached to the other side section.

4. A folder as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plastic insert is secured to the inside of the folder, wherein, when the folder is open, the insert extends over the base section; and wherein, when the folder is closed, the insert is bent over adjacent the base section without creasing.

5. A folder as claimed in claim 4, wherein the insert is planar in the absence of bending forces being applied to it.

6. A folder as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the insert is resilient and incorporates a shape memory, such that after bending of the insert that occurs during closure of the folder, the insert returns to its original shape that it adopted before the bending event.

7. A folder as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the insert is adapted to bend with a substantially constant bend radius, so that sudden changes in bend radius (such as folds and creases) in the insert are minimised.

8. A folder as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the insert is of a thickness of 0.1 -0.5 mm.

9. A folder according to any of the preceding claims further comprising a sliding mechanism which can slide from a first position where it is engaged with only one side section to a second position where it is engaged with both side sections, thereby holding the folder open.

10. A folder having two side sections flexibly joined by a base section so as to enable the folder to be opened and closed, and an insert secured to the inside of the folder, ideally to one of the side sections; wherein, when the folder is open, the insert extends over the base section; and wherein, when the folder is closed, the insert is bent over adjacent the base section without creasing.

11. A folder having two side sections flexibly joined by a base section so as to enable the folder to be opened and closed, and a sliding mechanism which can slide from a first position where it is engaged with only one side section to a second position where it is engaged with both side sections, thereby holding the folder open.