GB2487653A

GB2487653A - Folder for flat information carriers and modular assembly system for such folders

Info

Publication number: GB2487653A
Application number: GB1201103.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Horst-Werner Maier-Hunke
Original assignee: Durable Hunke and Jochheim GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Durable Hunke and Jochheim GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2011-01-27
Filing date: 2012-01-24
Publication date: 2012-08-01
Also published as: GB201201040D0; DE102011003288A1; GB201201103D0

Abstract

A folder 1, suitable for paper documents or other flat information carriers such as CDs or DVDs, comprises a cover sheet 2 folded around the outside of at least one folder sheet 4. The cover sheet 2 preferably consists of a transparent plastic material and has front cover flap 3 and a rear cover flap (39) folded along the spine 6. Meanwhile, the folder sheet 4 has a front folder flap 5 and at least one rear folder flap 38. The cover sheet 2 is connected to the folder sheet 4 by at least one push-in/pull-out connection 31 (figure 2). The modular assembly system comprises different folder sheets 4 for manufacturing folders 1 of different thicknesses, with them all being put together with one type of cover sheet 2.

Description

Folder for flat information carriers and modular assembly system for such folders The invention relates to a folder for paper documents and other flat information carriers and to a modular assembly system for such folders.

Folders are used in varied configurations for storing, organizing and presenting paper documents. The configuration of a folder substantially depends on the purpose thereof. For instance, folders used to present paper documents usually have at least one transparent side so that the paper documents enclosed therein can be seen from outside. Folders used to organize paper documents usually have subdivisions or sections such as registers, thus enabling to find specific paper documents quickly. Folders used for transportation usually are especially lightweight, stable and buckling-safe. Furthermore, the configuration of the folders can be determined by the kind of fastening the information carrier to be accommodated: the information carriers may e.g. be gathered loosely in the folder when said folder is preferably provided with an insertion or tuck-in pocket. Punched information carriers can be held by means of corresponding fixtures of the folder such as rings. Moreover, the information carriers can be held by clamping means.

DE 10 2009 006 328 Al, DE 202 20 860 Ul, DE 203 12 980 Ul and DE 298 00 278 Ul show examples of diverse prior art folder configurations.

Folder manufacturers are endeavored to offer the most user-friendly configuration for each individual application. As a result, manufacturing the variety of folders optimized for their individual application, respectively, will mostly be expensive for the manufacturer.

It is the object of the invention to facilitate the manufacture of diverse folders optimized with regard to different applications.

According to the invention, this object is solved by a folder for paper documents or other flat information carriers, comprising at least one folder sheet having at least one front folder flap and at least one rear folder flap, and comprising at least one cover sheet having at least one front cover flap covering the front folder flap at least section-wise at the outside and at least one rear cover flap covering the rear folder flap at least section-wise at the outside, said cover sheet and said folder sheet being connected with each other by at least one push-in/pull-out connection.

Owing to such push-in/pull-out connection, it is easily possible to combine varied folder sheets and cover sheets with each other in order to change the folder configuration with regard to the respective purpose.

Accordingly, the above object will be solved by the above-mentioned modular assembly system for manufacturing varied folders to accommodate or receive paper documents or other flat information carriers therein when said modular assembly system comprises varied folder sheets that can be connected to or combined with at least one kind of cover sheet.

By combining a folder sheet adapted to the respective purpose with the cover sheet, the number of tool shapes and production steps required for the manufacture of folders will be reduced, irrespective of the configuration or design of the folder or of the folder sheet.

Assembly is done by mere tucking together.

The above-referenced invention will be further developed by means of the additional features as mentioned below that may arbitrarily be combined with each other.

According to a first advantageous embodiment, the cover sheet may form an insertion or tuck-in pocket. Such insertion pocket can be formed by subdividing the rear cover flap into several flaps, e.g. two or three flaps. The information carriers can be inserted into said insertion pocket. The insertion pocket may open up towards the spine or back of the folder so that it will be closed automatically when the folder is shut. The rear folder flap may be accommodated in the insertion pocket so as to enhance the connection between cover sheet and folder sheet.

According to another advantageous feature, the cover sheet can be made of a transparent, e.g. limpid or frosted material. In this embodiment, information carriers can be inserted between the cover sheet and the folder sheet which, in turn, can be seen from outside through the cover sheet. Accordingly, the folder can be provided with replaceable markings.

The cover sheet and/or the folder sheet can be made of a plastic material, e.g. polypropylene.

According to yet another embodiment, at least one region where the cover sheet covers the folder sheet may be provided with fastening means for information carriers to be arranged between said cover sheet and said folder sheet. Thus, the space between cover sheet and folder sheet can be used as an additional storage and/or presentation space for information carriers. Said fastening means securely hold each information carrier in said storage and/or presentation space. Particularly with the cover sheet being transparent, the information carrier can be seen, identified and/or read in this region from outside.

The fastening means may be formed by the folder sheet itself, preferably in the form of flexibly deflectable fastening or mounting flaps. Such fastening flaps must not necessarily be separated from the material of the folder sheet by means of punching but this may also be done by another cutting and separation method so that no additional material is required for the fabrication of said fastening means. More efforts will be required when said fastening means are applied to the folder sheet in another conceivable embodiment.

The push-in/pull-out connection used to connect the cover sheet and the folder sheet is preferably provided at the spine of the folder, the advantage being that while cover sheet and folder sheet are being unfolded they will not be separated from each other at the folder spine, thus making the reliable and comfortable handling thereof easier.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the push-in/pull-out connection may comprise an insertion member projecting into the interior of the folder. Preferably, such insertion member can be formed by the cover sheet itself, e.g. in the form of an insertion or tuck-in flap, but can also be applied to the cover sheet. In particular, said insertion flap may be punched out or otherwise cut out from the cover sheet in a material-saving manner. For fastening purposes, the insertion member can be inserted or tucked-in through a folder sheet insertion slot. Said embodiments enable that the insertion member can be used for further functions in the interior of the folder. Beyond, in this embodiment, the push-in/pull-out connection may form a hinge for the cover flap around which the cover flap is pivotally held.

The push-in/pull-out connection may form a fastening means for inserts to be inserted into the folder. The advantage thereof is that the push-in/pull-out connection does not only serve to ensure connection between cover sheet and folder sheet at least section-wise but can also be used to apply inserts. In particular, the folder may comprise such an insert as a further component. The insert may be or comprise, for example, a register, transparent pockets, clamp mountings, loose-leaf binders, etc. In particular, the insertion member projecting into the interior of the folder may be part of a push-in/pull-out connection through which the insert can be fastened or is fastened to the folder.

Particularly for fastening inserts that can be turned and/or opened it is advantageous to have the push-in/pull-out connection arranged at the folder spine as the insert thus can be pivoted about the spine or back of the book. Thus, the push-in/pull-out connection or the insertion member enable that the inserts can be fastened at the folder spine in a bookbinding-like manner.

The push-in/pull-out connection may particularly be arranged at a fold of the folder sheet so that the swivel axis of the insert provided at the push-in/pull-out connection is coincident with the swivel axis of the folder flap adjacent to said fold or that both are as close together as possible. Simultaneous turning of the folder flap and the insert has, thus, become easier and handling of the inserts fastened to the push-in/pull-out connection has become simpler.

Still another advantageous embodiment will arise when the front folder flap and the front cover flap are connected so as to form a folder cover that can be commonly swiveled in one piece. Accordingly, while opening the folder it is not required to move the folder flap and the cover flap separately, as they form a unit. Preferably, said unit comprises at least one push-in/pull-out connection.

The front cover flap may be held at the folder sheet in independently swiveling manner.

Folding out the front cover flap away from the front double-flap enables the user to gain access in a simple manner to the region of the folder flap covered by the cover flap and to information carriers that might be fastened there.

The front cover flap may be provided with a projecting locking flap at its end extending parallel to the folder spine. Said locking flap may be designed such that it can repeatedly be inserted into an insertion slot of the folder flap. Such measure allows detaching of the cover flap from the double flap easily so that the region outside of the cover flap can be reached.

The at least one rear cover flap and the at least one rear folder flap may be connected to each other by further push-in/pull-out connections. In particular, said push-in/pull-out connections may have the form of angularly punched-out insertion flaps of the cover sheet or of the folder sheet which can be inserted or tucked into corresponding insertion slots of said folder sheet or of said cover sheet. Said angular insertion flaps are preferably provided at the corners facing away from the folder spine so that these are stabilized by said push-in/pull-out connection.

In case of broad folder spines which are preferably confined by two parallel extending spaced-apart folds, a push-in/pull-out connection may be provided between folder sheet and cover sheet preferably at the lower fold adjacent to the rear cover flap and the folder flap.

Such measure makes sure that the push-in/pull-out connection lies on the ground when the folder is open. This makes sense particularly when heavy inserts are being fastened to the push-in/pull-out connection, as the push-in/pull-out connection will then not be loaded by the weight of the insert.

The folder sheet may be of simple geometry, e.g. rectangular, and merely comprise insertion members or spine folds, whereas the cover sheet, particularly the rear cover flap thereof, may be subdivided into further flaps forming a pocket for accommodating the folder sheet at least section-wise, particularly the rear folder flap thereof, and, if need be, any information carriers.

The folder, particularly the folder sheet, may be provided with at least one organization means. Said organization means may be provided at the folder in a moving manner and may take at least two different information or notification positions for providing the user with information, e.g. with regard to the state of progress or the contents of the folder, for example by means of a rotary disc, by which a particularly sector-like section becomes visible through a punched-out window of the folder sheet and/or the cover sheet from the outside.

Additionally or alternatively, a indicating flap may be provided at the folder sheet and/or the cover sheet as organization means projecting, when fold-out, preferably in the plane of the folder. When the indicating flap is provided at the folder sheet, a corresponding recess may be provided at the cover sheet. Said indicating flap serves to mark the folder from outside in an immediately noticeable manner so that, for example, the state of progress can be signalized. When in folded condition, said indicating flap preferably cannot be seen from the outside.

It is also advantageous to have the folder exclusively held together by means of push-in/pull-out connections so that neither additional tools nor additional materials such as bonding materials or rivets are required for the manufacture thereof.

The modular assembly system may comprise folder sheets of different spine strengths so that various numbers of information carriers may be accommodated between the front and the rear folder flaps. Within the modular assembly system, folder sheets of the same spine strength may be assigned to one kind or several kinds of cover sheets. Such a combination allows for the production of folders optimally adapted to each purpose.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the folder sheets of preferably one spine strength and the cover sheets of said spine strength are combined with or connected to each other irrespective of their respective design by means of an identical push-in/pull-out connection or identical push-in/pull-out connections. Owing to such measure, the folder sheets and the cover sheets can be combined arbitrarily.

Furthermore, the modular assembly system may comprise at least one insert that may be connectable via the push-in/pull-out connection with the various folder sheets, especially irrespective of the spine strength thereof. To this end, such an insert is connected, as already described further above with regard to the folder, with the folder sheet and/or the cover sheet by means of said push-in/pull-out connection.

In the following, the invention will exemplarily be described in more detail by means of different embodiments with regard to the drawings. To this end, the different features according to the following embodiments may be combined arbitrarily in accordance with the above statements, unless the advantage assigned to the respective feature is not the point for a special application.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of a folder according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the folder of Fig. 1 with the front cover flap being opened up; Fig. 3 is a schematic view of Fig. 2 with the information carrier being removed and the organization means being moved; Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of the folder of Fig. 1 with the front folder flap being opened; Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of another embodiment of a folder according to the invention; Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of the folder of Fig. 5 with the front folder flap being opened; Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view of yet another embodiment of a folder according to the invention; Fig. 8 is a side view of the folder of Fig. 7 in unfolded condition; Fig. 9 is a schematic plan view along arrow IX of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a schematic plan view of still another embodiment of a folder according to the invention; Fig. 11 is a schematic side view along arrow Xl of the folder of Fig. 10.

First, the structure of an inventive folder 1 will exemplarily be explained with reference to Fig. 1. Folder 1 comprises a cover sheet 2 of which only the front cover flap 3 can be seen in the plan view according to Fig. 1. Cover sheet 2 preferably consists of a transparent material such as a plastic material like PP through which information carriers (not shown in Fig. 1) can be seen from outside which have been provided directly below cover sheet 2.

Furthermore, folder 1 comprises a folder sheet 4 around the outer side of which said cover sheet 2 has been folded at least section-wise. Preferably, folder sheet 4 is also made of a plastic material which may either be transparent or non-transparent. At its front side, folder sheet 4 has a front folder flap 5 which forms, together with front cover flap 3, the front side of folder 1.

Front cover flap 3 covers front folder flap 5 at least section-wise. According to Fig. 1, a folder spine or back 6 is located at the left side of folder 1 where the cover sheet and/or the folder sheet, preferably both of them, is provided with a fold 7. Fold 7 serves as a hinge about which front cover flap 3 and front folder flap 5 may be pivoted so as to open up folder 1.

At the end 8 facing away from folder spine 6, front cover flap 3 comprises a projecting locking or tuck-in flap 9 which can be seen in Fig. 1 just in the region of its base 10, as it has been inserted or tucked into a locking slot 11 of front folder flap 5. Locking flap 9 and locking slot 11 preferably extending parallel to folder spine 6 are an example for intermeshing insertion members 12 of a push-in/pull-out connection 13 for holding front cover flap 3 at front folder flap 5. To fold-up front cover flap 3 away from front folder flap 5, push-in/pull-out connection 13 is pulled out and front cover flap 3 is tilted or folded around fold 7 or folder spine 6.

Instead of the embodiment as shown in Fig. 1 the locking flap may also be provided at front folder flap 5 and locking slot 11 may also be provided at front cover flap 3.

Front folder flap 5 is put together with a rear cover flap 15 by means of another push-in/pull-out connection 14. For instance, rear cover flap 15 comprises an insertion slot 16 into which a tuck-in flap 17 of front folder flap 5 has been inserted towards a folder interior space. To this end, tuck-in flap 17 was punched out of the material of front folder flap 5 or cut out in any other way. Arched end areas 19' of the cutting edge 19 of tuck-in flap 17 prevent tearing thereof when in use. As concerns push-in/pull-out connection 14, tuck-in flap 17 may, in contrast to the embodiment as shown, be provided at rear cover flap 15, and the insertion slot may be provided at front folder flap 5. In this case, however, tuck-in flap 17 might project from the folder front side which might possibly be annoying.

Folder 1 may be provided with an organization means 20 which, when the folder is closed, can be seen from outside and onto which something can be written. Organization means 20 serves to inform the user at a glance about the contents or the status of the contents of folder 1. To this end, the organization means is provided at folder 1, i.e. at cover sheet 2 and/or folder sheet 4, so as to be movable in at least two information or notification positions 21. A folder 1 may have either no organization means 20 or any number thereof which depends on the specific application required.

According to the embodiment of Fig. 1, said organization means is a indicating flap 22 which can be unfold and which is made of the material of folder sheet 4 and projects, when in the unfolded notification position 21 as shown in Fig. 1, preferably in the plane of the cover flap of folder 1, particularly folder spine 6. When in notification position 21, indicating flap 22 may protrude through a recess 23 of cover sheet 2. Preferably, said recess 23 is dimensioned and arranged such that, with cover sheet 2 and folder sheet 4 being connected, especially when folder 1 is closed, indicating flap 22 cannot be moved out of notification position 21.

To save material, indicating flap 22 is punched out or cut out of folder sheet 4. Generally, it is also possible to fabricate indicating flap 22 of the same material as cover sheet 2. In such a case, however, indicating flap 22 should be designed in such a manner that it can be fixed at folder sheet 4 in at least one of said notification or information positions so as to avoid any unintended movement out of said notification position.

Fig. 2 shows folder 1 of Fig. 1 with front cover flap 3 being unfolded or opened. To this end, insertion members 12 of push-in/pull-out connection 13 have been released, and the front cover flap has been swiveled around fold 7 at folder spine 6 away from front folder flap 5.

Spine 6' of cover sheet 2 can be moved away from spine 6" of folder sheet 4 when front cover flap 5 has been unfolded.

As shown in Fig. 2, an information carrier 25, for example a cardboard onto which something has been written or can be written, may be provided in the region 24 of the front folder flap covered by front cover flap 3. With folder 1 being entirely closed, as shown in Fig. 1, the user is able to see information carrier 25 in region 24 through front cover flap 3.

Information carrier 25 is held to folder 1, here folder sheet 4, especially front folder flap 5, via fastening means 26. As a fastening means 26, front folder flap 5 forms at least two opposite fastening flaps 27 facing each other. These may either be punched out or cut out and may correspond to locking flap 9.

Owing to fastening means 26 in region 24 same can be used for securely storing and/or presenting information carriers or for marking folder 1 or the contents thereof by means of information carriers.

With front cover flap 3 and folder flap 5 being connected information carrier 25 is securely held between the two fastening means 26, push-in/pull-out connection 12 and folder spine 6.

Indicating flap 22 additionally secures the information carrier.

Information carrier 25 in region 24 may also serve as organization means 20 and take various information or notification positions 21. Information carrier 25 may be leaf-shaped, e.g., and a marking element 28 may be movably applied to information carrier 25 between fastening means 26. Marking element 28 may have the form of a plastic frame, for instance.

Double arrow 29 adumbrates the direction of movement or displacement extending along a longitudinal direction of information carrier 25.

Fig. 2 further again clearly shows recess 23 of front cover flap 3 through which indicating flap 22 of front folder flap 5 has been inserted or tucked. To this end, indicating flap 22 has been turned or folded down. The thus resulting opening 30 reveals the interior of folder 1.

In outlines, Fig. 2 further shows a push-in/pull-out connection 31 in the region of folder spine 6. Said push-in/pull-out connection 31 is formed at the rear fold of the folder spine when, as in case of folder 1 according to Fig. 2, folder spine 6 is formed by two folds 7. Further detailed information concerning push-in/pull-out connection 31 can be derived from the following with regard to Fig. 4.

Compared to the schematic representation according to Fig. 2, in Fig. 3 information carrier has been removed so that the entire front folder flap 5 can be seen. As can be seen, a number of fastening means 26 may be arranged in region 24 to accommodate information carriers 25 of different size therein or to hold one or more information carriers 25 at different positions of region 24.

Beyond that, compared to Fig. 2, indicating flap 22 according to Fig. 3 has been moved from its notification position 21 to a different notification position 21 which in this case is folded in.

In this position it may be provided in the plane of front folder flap 5. In Fig. 3, the parting lines 33 by which indicating flap 22 is separated from folder sheet 4 and fold 34 forming the snap hinge of indicating flap 22 can be seen. Indicating flap 22 is moved into the notification position which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by being folded towards arrow 35 through recess 23.

Compared to Fig. 3, front folder flap 5 has been unfolded in Fig. 4. Front cover flap 3 is connected to front folder flap 5 by means of push-in/pull-out connection 13. Due to said push-in/pull-out connection 13, front cover flap 3 and front folder flap 5 constitute a folder covering 36 which can be unfolded in one piece, with folder spine 6 serving as hinge. Fig. 3 shows that folder spine 6 or cover sheet 2 and/or folder sheet 4 may not only be provided with front fold 7 of Fig. 1 but, depending on their thickness, may also be provided with another fold 37 which may be spaced apart more or less from fold 7. Fold 37 connects, for example, spine 6" of folder sheet 4 to a rear folder flap 38 of folder sheet 4 and/or spine 6' of cover sheet 2 (see Fig. 2) to rear cover flap 15. Rear folder flap 38 may have the same size as front folder flap 5 so that folder sheet 4 is of substantially rectangular shape and comprises two folder flaps 5, 38 of substantially the same size and is divided in the middle by folder spine 6.

Rear cover flap 15 covers rear folder flap 38 at the outside and comprises at least two, according to Fig. 4 three, flaps 40 which are folded around rear folder flap 38 and preferably form an insertion or tuck-in pocket 41 that opens up towards folder spine 6. The thickness of insertion pocket 41 approximately corresponds to the thickness of the folder spine. Insertion pocket 41 is created by combining or putting together at least two flaps 40. Another flap 40' may also be combined with the two remaining flaps or, as in Fig. 4, may only be turned-down loosely so as to facilitate removal of the contents from insertion pocket 41 when being opened up. A push-in/pull-out connection 42 between flaps 40 may be realized by means of complementary insertion members 43, for instance at least one tuck-in flap inserted or tucked into at least one insertion slot. The design of insertion members 43 preferably correspond to the design of the other insertion members of the folder so that they can be manufactured by means of identical tools or the same tool.

Insertion members 16, 17 of push-in/pull-out connection 14 (see Fig. 1) which has to be unlocked or released to fold up front folder flap 5 and to open insertion or tuck-in pocket 41 are partly located on rear cover flap 39 or on one of its flaps 40. To enhance the stability or the interlocking of insertion pocket 41, a part of push-in/pull-out connection 14 is located on flap 40" opposite to folder spine 6, and tuck-in flap 9 is directed towards folder spine 6. Thus, when in closed condition (Fig. 1), push-in/pull-out connection 42 is able to resist to any unfolding of insertion pocket 41 that might be caused e.g. by a weight acting upon flap 40'.

Finally, Fig. 4 shows push-in/pull-out connection 31 to which it had already been referred to in Fig. 3 in more detail. An insertion or tuck-in member 44 of push-in/pull-out connection 31 projects in the region of folder spine 6 into the interior of folder 1. Insertion member 44 itself serves as a holding means 45 used to fix inserts in the interior of folder 1. These inserts (not shown) can be attached to the insertion member 44 and, thus, also make use of push-in/pull-out connection 31.

To this end, insertion member 44 or holding means 45 may be provided with undercuts 46, e.g. in the form of edges or fins or hooks as well as extensions. In particular, at least one undercut 46 may be provided directly at folder spine 6 or spine 6" and spine 6' of folder sheet 4 and cover sheet 2 at the basis 46' of said insertion member, in order to prevent unintentional unlocking or loosening of cover sheet 2 and folder sheet 4 at this point.

Besides, undercut 46 at basis 46' also holds attached inserts close to the folder spine, as will be explained further below.

In case no insert is used, the free end 46" of insertion member 44 can be inserted or tucked into a slot 46" or, with its free corners 46", into slots 46" of the rear folder flap. Thus, the insertion member cannot get caught up with the contents of the folder.

As shown in Fig. 4, insertion member 44 may be formed of a tuck-in flap 47 of cover sheet 2 which has been inserted through a complementarily designed insertion or tuck-in slot 48 of folder sheet 4. Tuck-in flap 47 may be tapered in the direction away from folder spine 6 so as to facilitate attaching of inserts. Owing to undercut 46, the inserts will be securely held at the base 46' of tuck-in flap 47.

Preferably, the push-in/pull-out connection is provided at rear fold 37 so that when unfolding folder cover 36 or front folder flap 5 an insert attached to insertion member 44 does not have to be moved and rests on the base of folder 1 together with rear folder flap 38. Besides, the swivel axis of the insert, thus, coincides in the region of basis 46' with fold 37 forming a swivel axis of folder flap 5 or of folder cover 36. Unfolding the insert together with front folder flap 5 or folder cover 36 has, thus, become easier.

Conceivable options or alternative developments with regard to the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4 will now exemplarily be explained below in the light of further embodiments. For brevity, it is hereby just referred to the differences with regard to the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4, respectively, wherein the same reference numbers have been used for elements of the same structure or function.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a closed folder 1 having an organization means 20 that is visible from outside and different from the one in the embodiment described before. Organization means of the embodiment according to Fig. 5 is located preferably at the same location as organization means 20 or indicating flap 22 of the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4.

Furthermore, it has preferably been dimensioned such that the same cover sheet 2 can be used as in case of the preceding embodiment. This is possible because the same recess 23 can be used for various organization means 20.

Organization means 20 according to Fig. 5 comprises a disc 49 provided at cover sheet 2 or preferably at the folder sheet in a rotary manner of which a sector-like section can be seen from outside through recess 23 in cover sheet 2 and possibly another recess 50 of folder sheet 4 lying underneath, the contour of which substantially corresponding to recess 23 of cover sheet 2. The disc can be rotated to various notification positions 21.

When disc 49 is located in the region of folder spine 6, as shown in Fig. 5, recesses 23, 50 may extend at both sides of folder spine 6 towards the region of the front and rear cover and folder flaps 3, 5, 15, 38. Hence follows that organization means 20 or disc 49 is visible in the same manner from both the front and the rear side. If the organization means only needs to be seen from one side, recess 23 also only needs to be provided at one side of cover sheet 2. Rotating along arrow 51 causes that differently marked sectors or sections of disc 49 are rotated into the visible region, i.e. into recesses 23, 50. Thus, the user can recognize or realize the status of the contents of folder 1.

Fig. 6 shows the embodiment according to Fig. 5 with front folder flap 5 being opened. Disc 49 is attached to front folder flap 5 in a rotary manner, for instance by means of a rivet, a punch or a snap connection.

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of a folder 1 which is provided with an insert 52, here in the form of a register system 53 with tabs 54. Instead of a register system 53 folders or pockets for information carriers and other inserts may also be used as inserts 52.

Insert 52 may be provided between front cover flap 3 and front folder flap 5, between front folder flap 5 and rear folder flap 38. However, a specific folder sheet 3 already provided with a tab 54' may also be used which is, apart from that, identical to folder sheets 4 according to Figs. 1 and 5 SO that cover sheet 2 according to Fig. 1 may also be used for this folder sheet.

Alternatively, a cover sheet 2 without recess 23 may be used when the cover sheet, as in Fig. 7, does not include an organization means 20 which requires such a recess. Insert 52 may especially be located between front folder flap 5 and insertion pocket 41 or flaps 40 respectively or inside of insertion pocket 41.

When insert 52 is provided between front cover flap 3 and front folder flap 5 or between front folder flap 5 and insertion pocket 41 insert 52 may comprise the insertion members respectively required to form push-in/pull-out connections 13 at its sides facing front cover flap 3 and front folder flap 5, or the insertion members required to form push-in/pull-out connection 14 at its sides facing front folder flap 5 and insertion pocket 41. Thus, push-in/pull-out connections 13, 14 continue beyond inserts 52, respectively. Accordingly, the inserts are connected to the adjacent flaps 3, 5, 40, respectively.

When insert 52 rests upon insertion pocket 41 same may be used to store information carriers or other items therein in a jumbled manner while information carriers may additionally be included therein by means of insert 52.

Fig. 8 shows how a front sheet 56 of insert 52 is connected to front cover flap 3 by means of a push-in/pull-out connection 13' and a rear sheet 57 is connected by means of a push-in/pull-out connection 13". Push-in/pull-out connections 13' and 13" and their respective insertion members correspond to push-in/pull-out connection 13.

Fig. 8 further shows that insert 52 has been attached to insertion member 44 and is held in the region of the basis 46' thereof, i.e. butting folder spine 6 or fold 37 if possible (Fig. 4).

Thus, folder 1 and insert 52 may be simultaneously opened substantially along the same swivel axis 58. Insert 52 rests on insertion pocket 41 and closes same. If such a closure is irrelevant, the insertion members required to form push-in/pull-out connection 13" may be omitted, at least at the side of insert 52.

As shown in Fig. 9, insert 52 can be assembled of individual sheets 59 comprising a fold 60 in the middle. Fold 60 is provided with an insertion slot 61, the geometry of which preferably corresponds to that one of insertion slot 48 in folder sheet 4 (Fig. 4). Tuck-in flap 47 may be inserted or tucked into insertion slot 61. As many sheets 59 as required or as offered by the respective register system may be attached to insertion member 44. To provide for push-in/pull-out connections 13' and 13", the outermost sheet 59' constituting front sheet 56 and rear sheet 57 may be of a different shape than the inner sheets 59".

Folder 1 may be of varying thickness 62 so as to be able to accommodate a varying amount of information carriers therein. As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, corner clamps 63 preferably arranged in pairs and provided with flexible threads or cables may be used for especially thick folders. Preferably, such corner clamps are provided at front folder flap 5. Corner clamps 63 may be provided in addition or as an alternative to push-in/pull-out connection 14.

To provide for a stable connection between cover sheet 2 and folder sheet 4 in the region of folder spine 6, one or more push-in/pull-out connections 64 may be provided between folds 7, 37. Width and location of such push-in/pull-out connections are determined by thickness 62 of the folder. Preferably, one push-in/pull-out connection is provided at an end portion 65 of folder spine 6, respectively. The configuration of the insertion members of push-in/pull-out connection 64 may correspond to the configuration of the insertion members of push-in/pull-out connection 14.

The folders according to the above-described embodiments have been built up or constructed by folder and cover sheets 4, 2 exclusively connected via push-in/pull-out connections and the inserts 52 are preferably also exclusively connected via push-in/pull-out connections. They constitute a modular assembly system in which varying folder sheets with e.g. varying organization means 20 or with no organization means 20 can be combined with identical and/or varying cover sheets 2 so as to obtain a predetermined thickness 62 for manufacturing a folder 1, in order to enhance the diversity of variance with little production effort. Besides, folders 1 may be provided with inserts 52 which can be fastened by at least one push-in/pull-out connection, preferably push-in/pull-out connection 31. Such inserts may be used independently of the thickness 62 and of the configuration of folder 1, as push-in/pull-out connection 31 always is of an identical form.

Summing up it can be said that the modular assembly system constituted of cover sheet 2, folder sheet 4 and insert 52 always provides identical push-in/pull-out connections, irrespective of folder thickness 62.

Modifications of the above-described embodiments are conceivable. For instance, push-in/pull-out connection 14 or the insertion members thereof in the cover and folder sheets may be omitted separately or jointly in case folder 1 needs not to be closed.

Instead of push-in/pull-out connections snap connections may also be used.

List of reference numbers: 1 folder 2 cover sheet 3 front cover flap 4 folder sheet front folder flap 6 folder spine or back 6' cover sheet spine 6" folder sheet spine 7 fold 8 cover sheet end facing away from folder spine 9 locking flap base of locking flap 9 11 locking slot for locking flap 9 12 insertion members of push-in/pull-out connection 13 13 push-in/pull-out connection between front cover and folder flaps 13' push-in/pull-out connection of insert 52 and front cover flap 3 13" push-in/pull-out connection of insert 52 and front folder flap 5 14 push-in/pull-out connection between front cover and folder flaps rear cover flap 16 insertion slot 17 tuck-in flap 18 arched end areas 19 cutting edge 19' end areas of cutting edge organization means 21 information or notification position 22 indicating flap 23 recess for organization means 24 front folder flap region covered by the front cover flap information carrier 26 fastening means for information carrier in region 24 27 fastening flap 28 marking element 29 double arrow opening caused by folding down the indicating flap 31 push-in/pull-out connection 33 parting line 34 fold of indicating flap 22 folding direction of the indicating flap 36 folder covering 37 rear fold of folder spine 6 38 rear folder flap flap of rear cover flap 40' loose flap 40" flap opposite to folder spine 6 41 insertion or tuck-in pocket 42 push-in/pull-out connection 43 insertion members of flap 40 44 insertion member of push-in/pull-out connection 31 insertion member 44 serving as holding means 46 undercut 46' base of holding means 45 46" free end or free corners of insertion member 44 46" slot or slots for the insertion member 47 tuck-in flap 48 insertion slot 49 disc recess provided in folder sheet 51 arrow 52 insert 53 register system 54 tabs 54' tabs of folder sheet 56 front sheet of the insert 57 rear sheet of the insert 58 swivel axis 59 insert sheets 59' outermost sheet 59" inner sheet fold of a sheet 59 61 insertion slot of a sheet 59 62 thickness of folder 1 63 corner clamps 64 push-in/pull-out connections at folder spine 6 end portion of folder spine

Claims

Claims 1. A folder (1) for paper documents and other flat information carriers, comprising at least one folder sheet (4) having at least one front folder flap (4) and one rear folder flap (38), and at least one cover sheet (2) having at least one front cover flap (3) covering the front folder flap (3) at least section-wise at the outside and at least one rear cover flap (39) covering the rear folder flap (38) at least section-wise at the outside, wherein the cover sheet (2) and the folder sheet (4) are connected to each other by at least one push-in/pull-out connection (31).
2. The folder (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cover sheet (2) constitutes an insertion pocket (41).
3. The folder (1) according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover sheet (2) is made of a transparent material.
4. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover sheet (2) and/or the folder sheet (4) are made of a plastic material, preferably polypropylene.
5. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one portion (24) where the folder sheet (4) is covered by the cover sheet (2) is provided with fastening means (26) for at least one information carrier (25) to be provided between the cover sheet (2) and the folder sheet (4).
6. The folder (1) according to claim 5, wherein fastening means (26) are formed by the folder sheet (4) itself, preferably in the form of elastically deflectable fastening flaps (27).
7. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the push-in/pull-out connection (31) is arranged to be a folder spine (6).
8. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the push-in/pull-out connection (31) comprises an insertion member (44) projecting into the interior of the folder (1).
9. The folder (1) according to claim 8, wherein the insertion member (44) is in the form of a tuck-in flap (47).
10. The folder (1) according to either claim 8 or 9, wherein the insertion member (44) is formed by the cover sheet (2).
11. The folder (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the insertion member (44) is inserted through an insertion slot (48) of the folder sheet (4).
12. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the push-in/pull-out connection (31) forms a fastening means (44, 45) for at least one insert (52) that can be fastened in the folder (1).
13. The folder (1) according to one of claims ito 12, wherein the folder (1) comprises an insert held by means of the push-in/pull-out connection (31).
14. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the push-in/pull-out connection (31) is located at a fold (7, 37) of the folder spine (6).
15. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the front folder flap (5) and the front cover flap (3) are connected to each other by at least one further push-in/pull-out connection (13) so as to form a folder covering (36) commonly movable as one piece in a pivoting manner.
16. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the front cover flap (3) is held to the folder sheet (4) in a pivoting manner.
17. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the front cover flap (3) comprises a projecting locking flap (9) provided at its end parallel to the folder spine (6).
18. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the at least one rear cover flap (15) and the at least one rear folder flap (38) are put together by at least one further push-in/pull-out connection.
19. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the rear cover flap (15) is subdivided into further flaps (40) constituting an insertion pocket (41) accommodating the folder sheet (4) at least section-wise.
20. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 19, wherein organization means (20) are provided at the folder and/or cover sheets (2, 4) so that they become visible from the outside and wherein the organization means (20) are designed in such a manner that they can be moved to at least two different notification positions (21).
21. The folder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the folder (1) is held together exclusively by push-in/pull-out connections.
22. A modular assembly system for manufacturing different folders (1) used to accommodate paper documents or other flat information carriers therein, wherein the modular assembly system comprises different folder sheets (4) which can be tucked together with at least one type of cover sheet (2).
23. The modular assembly system according to claim 22, wherein the modular assembly system comprises different cover sheets (2).
24. The modular assembly system according to either claim 22 or 23, wherein the folder sheets (4) and the cover sheets (2) are connected to each other irrespective of their configuration by at least one identically formed push-in/pull-out connection (31).
25. The modular assembly system according to claim 24, wherein the identical push-in/pull-out connection (31) constitutes a holding means (44) for at least one insert (52) of the modular assembly system.
26. A folder, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by any of the accompanying drawings.
27. A modular assembly system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, any of the accompanying drawings.