GB2327206A

GB2327206A - A concertina file that can be held open by rigid support panels

Info

Publication number: GB2327206A
Application number: GB9714340A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bruce Hutchison; Alasdair Barnett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-07-15
Filing date: 1997-07-15
Publication date: 1999-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2017-07-15
Also published as: GB9714340D0; GB2327206B

Abstract

The file has two rigid support panels that can either lock the concertina panels open to allow access into the compartments of the file or be folded away to permit the collapse of the concertina panels to create a compact storage file. The file has an outer casing (1, figure 1) made from a single blank (2) that comprises a handle (10), two side closure flaps (5), an access flap (4) and the two rigid support panels (9). To connect the concertina panels (20) to the casing, slots (23) are provided in the panels that are held by opposing flaps (24) on the casing.

Description

A collapsible and extendible file assembly A collapsible and extendible file assembly which stores paper/literature"m:-easilv accessible compartments and can be collapsed into a compact and portable storage file.

The design can vary in size to store different paper formats for example A4, A3 and A2 variants.

FIG 7 is an exploded view showing a typical file assembly; FIGS 4,6,7 and 8 are perspective views illustrating how the file is operated; FIG 5 is a detail view showing how the outer case locks; FIG 9 is a perspective view of the file in the closed position; FIG 2 is a detail view showing the ratchet system locating the dividing panels; FIG 3 is a detail view showing how the concertina panels fit to the outer case; FIGS 10 and 11 shows an alternative support panel arrangement.

A typical file assembly is shown in FIG I and consists of: An outer casing (folder) 1 made up from a single blank 2 with a front panel 3, an access flap 4, two side closure flaps 5, a base panel 6, rear panel 7, top panel 8 and two support panels 9.

With reference to FIGS 1-9 the front panel 3 contains a handle 10 which is created by folding sheet material back on itself, for use when the file is in the compact portable state.

A foldable access flap 4 which interlocks with the top panel 8 via a tab 11 and slot 12 engagement thus closing the file FIG 4,5.

The outer casing corner structure is formed by inserting a tab 13 on the side closure flaps 5 into a perpendicular slot 14 on the top panel 8 using a press fit locking tongue and slot location. FIG I Two foldable support panels 9 lock the outer casing into an open position FIG 8 and fold away flat when the outer casing is closed FIG 4-6.

FIG 9 shows the base panel 6 has an area to house a descriptive label 15 which can be colour coded to differentiate files when in storagWstacking position.

FIG 2 illustrates a ratchet system 16 which locates into slots 17 in a variable number of dividing panels 18 to create storage compartrnents. The dividing panels 18 also use a finger recess 30 to enable the user to grip the file contents and a punched-out index system 19 which can be either upright or folded and staggered from divider to divider if required.

The dividing panels are supported on each side by concertina panel 20 using a locking tab 2land slot 22 arrangement. The concertina panel is created using a number of collapsible creases and with reference to FIG 3 connects to the rear panel 7 of the outer casing via slots 23 which are held by opposing flaps 24 in the rear panel 7.

With reference to FIGS 10 and 11 an alternative support panel arrangement which links a folding panel 26 to a support panel 27 using a tab 28 and slot fit 29 which allows the linked panels to fold as an integral part of the outer casing.

Accordingly, the collapsible storage system includes a configuration that is simple to manufacture and can include a variety ofsizes and compartment variations.

The design is intended for flat packaging for the user to assemble with a simple instruction leaflet. Alternatively the product could easily be assembled by the manufacturer if it was deemed necessary.

Many of the features such as the foldable access flap 4, ratchet system 18 and concertina locking tab 23 and slot 24 could be replaced with moulded or press-stud components.

A variety ofmaterials could be used to manufacture the product such as plastic sheet, card, corrugated card, metal and mesh. The file can also be produced in various different integral/printed colours, finishes and textures.

Claims

1. A personal organising file comprising of easily accessible storage compartments with dividing walls supported by two concertina panels which in turn can be locked open by rigid support panel The file can then be substantially reduced in size by folding in the rigid support panels and collapsing the concertina panels thus creating a compact and portable storage file.

2. A collapsible and extendible file folder assembly as claimed in claim 1 comprising of components which can be formed from sheet material and if required can be assembled without any additional fixings.

3. A collapsible and extendible storage file as claimed in claims 1-2 wherein the outer casing corner structure is formed by inserting a tab on the side closure flaps into a perpendicular slot on the top panel using a press fit locking tongue and slot location.

4. A collapsible and extendible storage file as claimed in claims 1-3 wherein dividing panels are connected to the main structure by means of a ratchet system which locates through slots into a variable number ofdividing panels.

5. A collapsible and extendible storage file as claimed in 14 wherein a carrying handle is created by folding sheet material back on itself. For use when the file is in the compact portable state.

6. A collapsible and extendible storage file as claimed in 1-5 wherein collapsible concertina panels are connected to the outer case by means by means of opposing flaps thus suspending the dividers from the main body when in an open state.

7. A collapsible and extendible storage file as claimed in claims 1- 6 wherein dividing panels are connected to collapsible concertina panels by means ofa locking tab and slot arrangement.

8. A collapsible and extendible storage file assembly substantially as herein described with reference to figs 1-11.

Amendments to the clakns have been filed as follows 1. A collapsible and extendible file assembly comprising easily accessible storage compartments with dividers supported by two concertina panels which can be locked open by rigid support panels to put the file in an operating condition having an open operating size, the arrangement being such that the file can be substantially reduced in size in comparison with its operating size by folding in the rigid support panels and collapsing the concertina panels thus creating a compact and portable storage file.

2. A collapsible and extendible file assembly as claimed in claim 1 comprising components which can be formed from sheet material.

3. A collapsible and extendible file assembly according to claim 2 which can be assembled without any additional fixings.

4. A collapsible and extendible file assembly as claimed in any preceding claim which has an outer casing having a corner structure formed by inserting a tab on side closure flaps into a perpendicular slot on a top panel using a press fit locking tongue and slot location.

5. A collapsible and extendible file assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the dividing panels are connected to a housing of the file assembly by means of a ratchet projection which locates a variable number of dividing panels by means of slots provided in the dividing panels.

6. A collapsible and extendible storage file according to any preceding claim in which a carrying handle adapted for use when the file is in the compact portable state is created by folding sheet material back on itself.

7. A collapsible and extendible file assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the collapsible concertina panels are connected to an outer case by means of opposing flaps, thus suspending the dividers from the main body when the file is in the open state.

8. A collapsible and extendible file assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the dividing panels are connected to the collapsible concertina panels by means of a locking tab and a slot arrangement.

9. A collapsible and extendible file assembly as claimed in any preceding claim which has a foldable access flap which interlocks with a top panel via a tab and a slot, the engagement thus closing the file assembly.

10. A collapsible and extendible file assembly as claimed in any preceding claim which has a base panel having an area to house a descriptive label to differentiate files when the file assembly is in its storage position.

11. A collapsible and extendible file assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the dividing panels have a finger recess to enable the user to grip the file contents.

12. A collapsible and extendible file assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the dividers each have a projecting tab which is movable from an upright, projecting, position to a folded, down, position, the tabs being staggered from divider to divider.

13. A collapsible and extendible file assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the rigid support panels are linked to a folding panel using a tab and slot fit, the arrangement allowing the linked panels to fold as an integral part of the outer casing.

14. A collapsible and extendible storage file assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the connecting panels, the dividers and other components of the file assembly are connected together to form the file assembly and the connections are mediated by moulded or press stud components.

15. A collapsible and extendible storage file assembly according to any preceding claim in which the file has a back panel provided with two pairs of arcuate slots defining arcuate tongues, one pair being adjacent one side edge of the back panel and the other pair of slots being at the other side edge of the panel, the tongues of each pair extending away from each other towards the top and bottom of the file assembly; and in which the concertina panels each have a pair of slots through which a respective pair of tongues extends to hold the concertina panels to the back panel.

16. A collapsible and extendible storage file assembly according to any preceding claim in which the concertina panels have slots which receive tabs on the side edges of the dividers to locate the dividers to the concertina panels.

17. A collapsible and extendible storage file assembly according to any preceding claim in which the assembly has a front panel connected to a back panel via a spine and in which the spine has a pair of slots which define a pair of ratchet projections which extend through a pair of complementary slots provided at the base of the dividers, thereby retaining the dividers to the spine.

18. A collapsible and extendible storage file assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A flat pack adapted to be assembled into a collapsible and extendible file assembly in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 18, the pack comprising an outer casing sheet having a front, bottom, back, top and side wall panels; two concertina panels adapted to be attached to the front and back panels; and a plurality of dividers adapted to be attached to the concertina panels so that the concertina panels support the dividers in use; and rigid support panels foldably connected to said outer casing sheet and being adapted in use to be folded between a locking position in which they lock the file assembly in an open operating condition and in a foldedin position in which the concertina panels can be collapsed, thereby enabling the file assembly to be collapsed to a closed, portable, compact condition.

20. A flat pack adapted to be assembled into a collapsible and extendible file assembly substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.