WO1992001403A1

WO1992001403A1 - Improved portfolio case

Info

Publication number: WO1992001403A1
Application number: PCT/US1991/005072
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan J. Dauphin; Nadia A. Chudzik
Original assignee: Dauphin Alan J; Chudzik Nadia A
Priority date: 1990-07-19
Filing date: 1991-07-18
Publication date: 1992-02-06
Also published as: AU8425891A

Abstract

A portfolio case (10) is provided which may optionally be of fire-resistant and/or water-tight construction and within which are pivotally mounted a plurality of portfolio leaves (36, 38, 40 and 42, 44, 46 and 48). The leaves are mounted within one or both the shells (12, 14) comprising the case and are pivotally carried on a portfolio hinge means (50, 52 and 54) which enables turning the leaves in the same manner as turning the pages of a book. In this way each of the stacked portfolio leaves contained within the portfolio case (10) may be conveniently accessed and displayed while remaining within the open case. In an alternate version, the portfolio leaves (136, 138, 140 and 142, 144, 146 and 148) may be readily detached for removal from the porfolio case (110) and re-attached for re-insertion therein.

Description

IMPROVED PORTFOLIO CASE

Field Of The Invention

The present invention relates to portfolio cases, i.e., briefcases, attache cases and the ll.ke, and in particular t an improved portfolio case having particular utility for th organization and long-term storage of important documents.

Related Art Generally, portfolio cases within which segregated folders are contained are well known in the art. For exam¬ ple, U.S. Patent 3,123,190 to L. Lifton shows an attache case having within it an expandable fan file defining a plu¬ rality of expandable compartments within the case. The fan file is designed to open in accordian-like fashion to pro¬ vide access to the individual compartments, as best illus¬ trated in Figures 10 and 11 of the patent. A somewhat simi¬ lar construction is illustrated in U.S. Patent 1,889,765 to L. Switkes, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 of that pa- tent. In both constructions, a unitary fan fold file is af¬ fixed within the attache case and expands sufficiently to provide access to the individual compartments for the em¬ placement therein and withdrawal therefrom of papers and the like. U.S. Patent 4,265,286 to George Rapoport discloses an arrangement which is similar to that of the above-noted Lif¬ ton and Switkes patents, but in which the fan file is remov¬ able from the case.

U.S. Patent 4,420,270 to Henry S. Rossello discloses a portfolio case within which is mounted a rigid display plate on which a loose-leaf ring binder is mounted. The board is arranged so that by drawing upon a pull strap 84 as shown in Figure 3 of the patent, the display plate is pivoted to an elevated position within the case to serve as an easel, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the patent. The plurality of sheets of display material may "then be turned en the ring binder to display individual sheets.

SU SUHMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is pro vided an improvement in a portfolio case comprising a pair of rigid shells which cooperate to define a storage compart 5 ent. The shells have respective hinged walls which are joined by a case hinge about which the shells are pivotable relative to each other between a closed position and an ope position in which the storage compartment is exposed. The portfolio case includes handle means attached to at least lø one of the shells, and the improvement is provided by the following structure. A plurality of portfolio leaves is mounted in a stacked storage position within at least one of the shells. The portfolio leaves are pivotally mounted by leaf hinge means which define a pivot axis located within 5 its associated shell. At least one of the leaf hinge means and a portfolio leaf is directly attached to the shell. The portfolio leaves are dimensioned and configured to be en¬ closed in their stacked storage position within the portfo¬ lio case when the case is in its closed position. When the 0 portfolio case is in its open position, the portfolio leaves are pivotable about the fixed axis defined by the leaf hinge means, between their stacked storage position and a position outwardly of their associated shell, in the manner in which the leaves, i.e., pages, of a book can be turned, thereby 5 enabling individual selected portfolio leaves to be exposed. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the portfolio case includes a first stack of portfolio leaves mounted in one of the shells by a first leaf hinge means and a second stack of portfolio leaves mounted in the _Q other of the shells by a second leaf hinge means.

Another aspect of the present invention provides for the leaf hinge means to be fixed to the respective sides of their associated shells which are opposite to their respec¬ tive hinge sides. Yet another aspect of the present invention provides that the portfolio case is dimensioned and configured to en- able it to stand upright on a flat horizontal surface, when the shells are in their open position, with the axis or axe of the leaf hinge means being disposed substantially verti¬ cally. In still another aspect of the present invention, the portfolio leaves may be detachably mounted within their as¬ sociated shell, whereby the portfolio leaves may be detache for removal from, and re-attached for insertion into, the portfolio case. In yet another aspect of this invention, a base portfo lio leaf among the plurality of portfolio leaves is attache to the associated shell, and the leaf hinge means is free t flex away from the shell.

In accordance with the present invention there is also provided a portfolio case comprising the following compo¬ nents, Including a first shell and a second shell. Each of the shells has a base, a hinge wall opposite from a closure wall, and first and second opposite lateral walls extending between the hinge and closure walls at opposite ends there- of, the hinge walls, closure walls and lateral walls each having an exterior and an interior side. The first and sec¬ ond shells are connected to each other by a case hinge join¬ ing their respective hinge walls. In this way, the first and second shells are pivotable relative to each other about the case hinge means between a closed position, in which the first and second shells cooperate to define between them a closed compartment,' and an open position. The portfolio case also includes a plurality of portfolio leaves mounted by a leaf hinge means in a stacked storage position within at least one of the first and second shells. The leaf hinge means define a pivot axis within its associated shell, and the portfolio leaves have outer faces which face in a direc¬ tion outwardly of their associated shell and opposite-facing inner faces. The portfolio leaves are dimensioned and con- figured to be enclosed within the closed compartment defined by the first and second shells in their closed position, and, when the first and second shells are in their open po- sition, to pivot about the pivot axis defined by the leaf hinge means. The portfolio leaves are thus free to pivot between their stacked storage position and a position out wardly of their associated shell in the manner of the lea of a book, thereby enabling selected faces of individual ones of the portfolio leaves to be exposed.

As used herein and in the claims, "inner faces" of th portfolio leaves are those which face towards the base of the shells when mounted therein in their stacked storage p sition, and "outer faces" are those which face towards the open side of the shells when mounted therein in their stacked storage position.

Other aspects of the present invention are described the following detailed description of the invention and ce tain embodiments thereof are shown in the appended drawing

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portfolio case co prising one embodiment of the present invention, shown in its closed position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the portfolio case Figure 1 shown in its open position with some of the port¬ folio leaves pivoted outwardly of the case;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the portfolio case of Figure 2 with portions of the top lateral walls of the cas broken away for improved clarity of illustration;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale relative to Figure 3, of that portion of Figure 3 en closed within the circle 4, but showing the portfolio leav in their stacked storage position;

Figure 4A is a view, on an enlarged scale relative to Figure 3 , of that portion of Figure 3 enclosed within the circle A;

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 3 of a se- cond embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a view, on an enlarged scale relative to Figure 5, of that portion of Figure 5 enclosed within the circle 6, but showing the portfolio leaves in their stack storage position;

Figure 6A is an exploded view, on a scale enlarged wi respect to Figure 6, of that portion of Figure 6 enclosed within the circle A;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to that of Figure 4, but of a portfolio case according to an¬ other embodiment of the present invention having a particu lar type of flexible hinge; and Figure 7A is a partial perspective view of the hinge Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS THEREOF Individuals as well as businesses have important docu ments such as wills, stocks and bonds, business records, deeds to property, patent documents and the like which are desirably kept in an organized manner to provide ready ac¬ cess to the documents. Such documents are usually stored file cabinets, desk drawers and the like. These provide convenient access at a single site but they are not conven ient or efficient if the documents have to be taken to an¬ other location or removed in an emergency such as fire or flood. The present invention provides a convenient means permanently storing such records in an organized and physi cally protected fashion within a portfolio case, i.e., a briefcase or attache case, which facilitates transporting the documents without loss of organization or physical pro tection. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown' a portfolio cas generally indicated at 10 and comprising a first shell 12 and a second shell 14. First shell 12 has a handle 16 af¬ fixed thereto and a pair of conventional lock means 18a, 1 which serve to lock portfolio case 10 in the closed positi illustrated in Figure 1. The external construction of port folio case 10 as shown in Figure 1 is conventional for port folio case (or briefcase or attache case) construction. Identification plates or the like may be provided on the terior of the portfolio case 10 to contain indicia identi ing the owner of the portfolio case and/or its contents. The portfolio case 10 may be made of a molded material su as a synthetic polymeric material, in which case shallow cesses may be provided as indicated at 19a, 19b and 19c i order to receive for mounting therein thin metal or plast plates containing identifying indicia.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, first shell 12 seen to be of generally rectangular configuration having peripheral wall which (as best seen in Figures 2 and 3) i comprised of top lateral wall 20 and bottom lateral wall which are spaced apart and generally parallel to each oth and extend between hinge wall 22 and closure wall 26. Hi wall 22 and closure wall 26 extend generally parallel to, and are spaced apart from, each other. Shell 12 further comprises a base 28, the periphery of which is provided by walls 20, 22, 24 and 26 extending transversely from the pe iphery of base 28 to provide first shell 12 with an open side S (Figure 3) opposite its closed side defined by base 28.

Second shell 14 is, in the illustrated embodiment, of similar or substantially identical construction to first shell 12 and it therefore is not necessary to repeat a de- tailed description thereof, it being noted that the parts second shell 14 are identically numbered to corresponding parts of first shell 12 except for the addition of a prime indicator. Thus, second shell 14 has a base 28' (Figure 3 from which walls 20', 22', 24' and 26' extend to provide a open side S' of second shell 14.

First shell 12 is joined to second shell 14 by a case hinge 32 (Figures 2 and 3) which connects the edges of hin walls 22 and 22' to each other. Shells 12 and 14 accordin ly are joined to each other for relative pivoting movement about case hinge 32 between the fully-closed position show In Figure 1 and the fully-open position shown in Figure 3, including intermediate open positions, one of which is 11- lustrated In F'gure 2. In Figure 3 it is seen that the planes of shells 12 and 14, i.e., the planes in which the respective bases 28 and 28' lie, are disposed substantially parallel to each other so that the planar angle between bases 28 and 28' is about l8θ°. In the position illustrated in Figure 2, shells 12 and 14 are in an intermediate open position in which their respective bases 28 and 28' lie in planes disposed at an angle of less than l8θ° to each other, but substantially more than 90°, for example, at an angle of about 120 to 175°. It will be observed from Figure 2 that even in an Intermediate open position, i.e., with respective shells at a planar angle to each other of less than 180°, the open sides S and S' of shells 12 and 14, and the port¬ folio leaves (described below) contained therein, are fully accessible to a user.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4, there is shown mounted within first shell 12 a first stack 34 of individual portfolio leaves 36, 38 and 40. In Figures 2 and 3, port¬ folio leaves 36 and 38 are shown pivoted outwardly of their associated first shell 12 while portfolio leaf 40 is shown in its stacked storage position within first shell 12. Portfolio leaf 36 has (Figure 2) a plurality of pockets 36a, 36b and 36c (only partly visible in Figure 2) formed on the inner face 36i thereof in order to retain papers therein. Additional pockets (not shown) may also be formed on the outer face 36t of portfolio leaf 36. Portfolio leaf 38 has a full-width pocket' 38a formed on the inner face 38i thereof and may have a similar or differently configured pocket or other retainer means formed on the outer face 38t thereof. Portfolio leaf 40, has on the outer face 40t thereof (Fig¬ ures 2 and 3), a retaining band 40a (Figure 2) which may be of elastic or similar configuration to hold a small article such as a cassette recording tape, as well as a pair of half-width pockets 40b and 40c which are adapted to hold papers such as the folded sheaf of papers P shown in Figure 2. Pockets 40b and 4θc include clear plastic label holders 41b and 41c into which a label may be inserted which serves to identify the contents of those pockets. Obviously, suitable arrangement of retaining bands, clips, pockets etc. may he used.

A similar, second stack of portfolio leaves 3¹*' is manently mounted within second shell 14 and comprises ( ures 2 and 3) four portfolio leaves 42, 44, 46 and 48 w are provided with various sizes pockets, retaining band label holders and the like, including a flap-cover pock 42a on the outer face 42t of portfolio leaf 42. Each stack 3 and 34' of portfolio leaves is hinge its associated shell in a manner as best seen with resp to stack 34' in Figure 4. As shown with respect to por folio leaves 46 and 48, each portfolio leaf 36 through 4 inclusively terminates in a mounting strip 50 which, In cross-sectional profile, Is disposed perpendicularly of spine 52 of its associated portfolio leaf to provide a- T-shaped configuration which facilitates securing each portfolio leaf 36-48 by means of mechanical fasteners 54 Its associated closure wall 26 or 26'. A decorative cov 56 may overlie the mounting strips 50 and the protruding heads of mechanical fasteners 54 to improve the aestheti appearance of the portfolio case. The mounting strips 5 spines 52 and mechanical fasteners 54 cooperate to provi leaf hinge means which, by virtue of the flexible connec of spine 52 to mounting strip 50, enables pivoting movem of each individual portfolio leaf 36-48 between its stac storage position (illustrated in Figure 4) within the st age compartment provided by its associated shell, and th outwardly pivoted position as shown with respect to por folio leaves 36, 38, 42 and 44 in Figures 2 and 3. Obvi ly, any other fastening means could be used, such as a m brane adhesive tape fastener, electronic welding or the or any suitable combination thereof.

It will be appreciated that in use a wide variety o documents, cassette tapes, etc., may be stored within th various pockets, retaining clips, etc., on the individua portfolio leaves for storage and convenient transport of portfolio case. When it is desired to gain access to the materials contained within the case, the opened portfolio case may either be placed on edge in the upright position illustrated in Figure 2, or lain flat as described below. Because of the construction of the portfolio case 10, in¬ cluding in the illustrated embodiment the flat configuration of the exterior surfaces of bottom lateral walls 24 and 24', the case 10 will stand upright and be stable, particularly when positioned in the less-than-fully-opened configuration shown in Figure 2. Individual ones of portfolio leaves 36-48 may be accessed on either the inner or outer face thereof by pivoting one or more of the Individual portfolio leaves outwardly of its associated shell 12 or 14 in the same manner as one would turn the pages of a book. Of course, the opened portfolio case 10 may also be placed flat, that is, with bases 28 and 28' lying upon a table or other suitable support. Alternatively, it may be propped at any convenient viewing angle as one would prop up a book being read. All of these positions will provide access to the individual portfolio leaves 36-48 by turning them as de¬ scribed above. In short, like a book, the portfolio case of the invention may be set on edge as in Figure 2, lain flat, or propped up for use.

It will be apparent that the portfolio case and the as- sociated portfolio leaves may be made of any suitable mate¬ rial, whether vinyl, or some other synthetic organic polymer¬ ic material, or leather or a combination thereof. Leather, silk, nylon or other natural or synthetic linings may be used to line the Interior of the portfolio case to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

In one embodiment of the Invention, which is preferred because it provides fire security for the contents of the portfolio case, the first and second shells may be made of any suitable fire-resistant material. Any known type of fire-resistant construction may be utilized for the shells, Including known layered constructions which Include materi¬ als such as vermiculite or the like which expand and/or char

- 10- at high temperatures to absorb heat energy, thereby thermal¬ ly insulating the contents of the portfolio against the high temperatures of a fire.

Alternatively, or in addition to being of fire-resis- tant construction, the portfolio case may be made of water¬ tight construction to protect it against the elements, chem¬ icals and water dispensed by fire extinguishers and fire hoses, and against seepage if the portfolio case should be immersed in water as in a flood. For this purpose, a seal- ing means may be provided along the lips of one or both of first shell 12 and second shell 14. Referring to Figure 4, a groove 58 is formed within the peripheral lip of second shell 14 and a sealing gasket 60 made of a suitable compres¬ sible sealant material, such as silicone rubber, may be mounted throughout the entire length of the groove 58, which circumscribes the entire periphery of the lip framing open side S' of second shell 14. As shown in Figure 4A, a corre¬ sponding lip 62 is formed to project from the entire peri¬ phery of the edge of open side S of first shell 12. Lip 62 is complementary in shape to groove 58, so that it will fit therein when the portfolio case 10 is in the closed position illustrated in Figure 1. Lip 62 will compress sealing gas¬ ket 60 to thereby effectuate a water-tight seal of the closed compartment formed between first shell 12 and second shell 14 when in the closed position. Any other or addi¬ tional suitable means of construction to enhance water tightness of the seal effectuated by closing the portfolio case 10 may of course be utilized.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig- ures 1-4, the portfolio leaves are permanently, i.e., non- removably, mounted within the shell. Figures 5, 6 and 6A of the drawings illustrate an alternate embodiment of the in¬ vention in which the individual portfolio leaves may be re¬ moved from the portfolio case. Parts of the portfolio case illustrated in Figures 5-6A which are similar or identical to the portions of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-4 are identically numbered thereto, except for the addition of - 21 -

Lne numeral 1 at the beginning of the identifying numeral. Accordingly, Figure 5 shows a portfolio case 110 comprising a first shell 112 and a second shell 114. The exterior de- t..Is of construction of the portfolio case 110 are substan- tially identical to those of portfolio case 10, so that Fig¬ ure 1 could as well serve to illustrate the embodiment of Figures 5, 6 and 6A in its closed position.

Referring now to Figures 5 , 6 and 6A, first shell 112 comprises a base 128 from which extends a peripheral wall comprised of a top lateral wall 120, a bottom lateral wall

124, a hinged wall 122 and a closure wall 126. Second shell 114 is of similar construction to first shell 112 and parts thereof are identically numbered as the corresponding parts of first shell 112, except for the addition of a prime in- dicator thereto. Since shells 112 and 114 are similar to shells 12 and 14 of Figures 1-4A, it is not necessary to re¬ peat a detailed description of shells 112 and 114. As in the case of portfolio case 10 illustrated in Figures 1-4A, a first stack 13²* of portfolio leaves Is mounted within first shell 112 and a second stack 134' of portfolio leaves is mounted within second shell 114. The first stack 134 is comprised of portfolio leaves 136, 138 and 140 and the se¬ cond stack 134' is comprised of portfolio leaves 142, 144, 146 and 148. Generally, these are of similar or identical construction to the corresponding portfolio leaves described with respect to the embodiment of Figures 1-4A, except that the mounting strips' 150 associated therewith are each faced, as best seen in Figure 6A, with a strip of gripping material 59, such as a component of a loop-and-hook fabric fastener of the type sold under the trademark VELCRO^®. The interior side of closure wall 126 is faced with a complementary strip 61 of such fastening material. In this manner, each of the individual ones of portfolio leaves 136-148 may be conven¬ iently e placed within or removed from its associated shell 112 or 114. Any other suitable means which permit conven¬ ient mounting and de-mounting of the portfolio leaves in the shells 112 and 114 may of course be used. - 12-

An alternative embodiment of the invention utilizes a particular preferred form of hinge construction which is shown in Figure 7, in a view similar to that of Figure 4. In this embodiment, a stack of portfolio leaves 3 ' ' is mounted in base 28" and is comprised of leaves 70, 72 and 74. Leaves 70 and 72 are hingeably attached to hinge strip 76. Hinge strip 76 is a flat, flexible ribbed strip of plastic which includes integral, parallel supporting ribs 78 for reinforcement. Hinge strip 76 extends between portfolio leaf 74 and outer portfolio leaf 70 at edge 84. Leaf 74 is a base leaf bound at edge 82 to base 28'' by any suitable means such as glue or a plurality of double-sided adhesive tape strips 73. In this embodiment, only base portfolio leaf 74 is bound to base 28''; hinge strip 76 is not at- tached to base 28'' at all but is free to flex away from base 28'' to allow the portfolio to be opened more fully for more convenient access to the documents therein. Intermedi¬ ate leaf 72 is secured to hinge strip 76 by laminate strip 80. Laminate strip 80 is attached to intermediate leaf 72 at edge 81, and is laminated to hinge strip 76 so that it extends beyond edge 84 of hinge strip 76 and is bound at at least one point to outer leaf 70. Additional intermediate leaves may be added, each having a laminate strip laminated to the preceeding laminate strip 80 and preferably extending to outer leaf 70. In such case, laminate strips 80 will be layered one over the other at their ends extending to outer leaf 70.

Edges 82 and 84 of hinge strip 76 are bifurcated, hav¬ ing split edges 86a and 86b, Figure 7A. The split edge 82 is adapted to receive base leaf 74 and split edge 8l to re¬ ceive leaf 70, to facilitate the attachment of the leaves to the hinge strip. Hinge strip 76 and the outer covering of the portfolio leaves may advantageously be made of the same plastic (synthetic polymeric) material, as this facilitates securing the edges 86a, 86b of the hinge strip and the edge 8l of the intermediate strip to the respective leaves by conventional heat sealing or other techniques. Thus, the hinge strip 76, laminate strip 80 and the covers of the portfolio leaves are advantageously made of a thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl chloride. Any method of heat sealing may be used including the direct application of heat via, e.g., an electrical resistive element, or sonic welding or by laser beam welding. Alternatively, or in addition, adhesive or mechanical fasteners may be used. These methods may also be used to laminate laminate strip 80 to hinge strip 76 as discussed above. In any of the illustrated embodiments of the invention, one or both of the shells could be made somewhat deeper, or one or more of the illustrated Individual portfolio leaves could be omitted, in order to leave room within the portfo¬ lio case for material in addition to the hinge-mounted stack of portfolio leaves and materials carried therein. For ex¬ ample, room could be left for a looseleaf binder, ledger or other notebook which may conveniently be sized to fit within one of the shells atop the stack of portfolio leaves stored in that shell. Such binder or other notebook would be re- moved from the portfolio case in order to provide access to the portfolio leaves disposed beneath it. Alternatively, the portfolio case may be sized such that one or more of such binders or notebooks or other materials may be carried in one shell which may optionally be free of any portfolio leaves, with the portfolio leaves mounted only in the other shell. Of course, one of the shells may comprise a simple cover for the other' shell and could be flat with no or very shallow peripheral walls. However, for a portfolio case of given overall depth, it is preferred to provide a portfolio leaf storage compartment in each shell inasmuch as such con¬ struction, by dividing the total of portfolio leaves between two shells, provides fewer portfolio leaves in a given stack of leaves and thereby facilitates gaining access to all leaves. Any suitable configuration of the pockets, retaining clips, etc., of the Individual portfolio leaves may be utilized to provide a storage system tailored for specific -14- needs. For example, and by way of Illustration only, the portfolio leaves may be configured to provide individually tailored storage for an individual's important financial and legal documents. Thus, the various pockets and retaining clips may be designed to contain one or more last wills and testaments, insurance policies, pension plans and group ben¬ efit plans, auto Insurance policies and Identification cards, automobile or other vehicle titles, mortgage deeds and loan agreements, passports, bank and saving institution passbooks, birth certificates, social security cards, safe deposit box keys, individual retirement account and annuity plans and the like, stocks and bonds certificates, financial statements, a list of next of kin or other persons to be notified in case of emergency or death, one or more tape cassettes containing recorded instructions, family messages or the like, written instructions, photographs to identify jewelry or other property for Insurance purposes and the like, or any other items of like import. In addition, the portfolio case may accommodate a binder or other book con- taining such items.

The portfolio leaves and any binders utilized may also serve, and be specifically designed, to accommodate tax re¬ turns, business plans, corporation kits including corporate minute books and the like, sales presentation kits, etc. In short, the portfolio case of the invention may be used for any specific combination of important documents or other small items which it is desired to keep in organized condi¬ tion in a convenient transportable container, which may op¬ tionally be fire-resistant, and/or chemical resistant and water-tight, and which may be conveniently transported and easily used to provide immediate and convenient access to its contents.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that, upon a reading and understanding of the foregoing, nu¬ merous alterations and variations thereto may occur to those skilled In the art. It is intended to include all such var¬ iations and alterations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

-16-THE CLAIMSWhat it claimed is:

1. In a portfolio case comprising a pair of rigid shells which cooperate to define a storage compartment, the shells having respective hinged walls joined by a case hinge about which the shells are pivotable relative to each other between a closed position and an open position in which the storage compartment is exposed, the portfolio case including handle means attached to at least one of the shells, the Im¬ provement comprising: a plurality of portfolio leaves mounted In a stacked storage position within at least one of the shells, the portfolio leaves being pivotally mounted by leaf hinge means defining a pivot axis located within its associated shell with at least one of (a) the hinge means and (b) a portfolio leaf being attached to the shell, the portfolio leaves being dimensioned and configured to be enclosed In their stacked storage position within the portfolio case when the case is in its closed position and, when the port¬ folio case in in its open position, to be pivotable about the pivot axis defined by the leaf hinge means between the stacked storage position of the leaves and a position out¬ wardly of their associated shell in the manner of leaves of a book, thereby enabling individual selected portfolio leaves to be exposed.

2. The portfolio case of claim 1 Including a first stack of portfolio leaves mounted in one of the shells by a first leaf hinge means and a second stack of portfolio leaves mounted in the other of the shells by a second leaf hinge means.

3. The portfolio case of claim 2 wherein the leaf hinge means are fixed to the respective sides of their asso¬ ciated shells which are opposite to their respective hinge sides .

4. The portfolio case of claim 3 wherein the shells further comprise respective closure walls spaced from and opposite to the hinge walls, and the leaf hinge means are fixed to the interior sides of the closure walls of their associated shells.

5. The portfolio case of claim 1 dimensioned and con¬ figured to enable the portfolio case to stand upright on a flat horizontal surface with the axis or axes of the leaf hinge means disposed substantially vertically, when the shells are In their open position.

6. A portfolio case comprising:

(a) a first shell and a second shell, each having base, a hinge wall opposite from a closure wall, and first and second opposite lateral walls extending between the hinge and closure walls at opposite ends thereof, the hinge walls, closure walls and lateral walls each having an ex¬ terior and an interior side, and the first and second shell being connected to each other by a case hinge means joining their respective hinge walls whereby the first and second shells are pivotable relative to each other about the case hinge means between (i) a closed position in which the firs and second shells cooperate to define between them a closed compartment, and (ii) an open position; and

(b) a plurality of portfolio leaves mounted in a stacked storage position within at least one of the first and second shells, the portfolio leaves being pivotally mounted by leaf hinge means defining a pivot axis within its associated shell with at least one of the leaf hinge means and a portfolio leaf being attached to the shell, and the portfolio leaves having outer faces which face in a direc¬ tion outwardly of their associated shell and opposite-facing inner faces, and being dimensioned and configured to be en¬ closed within the closed compartment defined by the first -18- and second shells in their closed position, and, when the first and second shells are In their open position, to piv about the fixed axis defined by the leaf hinge means betwe their stacked storage position and a position outwardly of their associated shell in the manner of the leaves of a book, thereby enabling selected faces of individual ones o the portfolio leaves to be exposed.

7. The portfolio case of claim 6 including a first stack of portfolio leaves mounted in the first shell and a second stack of portfolio leaves mounted in the second shell.

8. The portfolio case of claim 7 wherein the leaf hinge means are fixed to the interior sides of the closure walls of their associated shells.

9. The portfolio case of claim 6, claim 7 or claim 8 wherein at least the exterior sides of the second lateral walls are dimensioned and configured to enable the portfoli case to stand upright on a flat horizontal surface on which the exterior surfaces of the second lateral sides are placed, with the axis defined by the case hinge means being disposed substantially vertically.

10. The portfolio case of claim 9 wherein the leaf hinge means are dimensioned and configured to define a fixe axis which is disposed substantially parallel to the axis defined by the case hinge means.

11. The portfolio case of claim 6 further including a handle means affixed to at least one of the shells.

12. The portfolio case of claim 1, claim 2, claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the portfolio leaves are detachably mounted within their associated shell, whereby the portfolio leaves may be detached for removal from, and re-attached for inser

tion into, the portfolio case.

13. The portfolio case of claim 1 or claim 6 wherein the shells are of fire-resistant construction.

14. The portfolio case of claim 1 or claim 6 wherein the shells are dimensioned and configured to form, in thei closed position, a water-tight compartment.

15. The portfolio case of claim 14 wherein the first and second shells include sealing lips dimensioned and configured to engage each other in water-tight engagement when the shells are in their closed position.

16. The portfolio case of claim 1 or claim 6 wherein the plurality of portfolio leaves comprises a base portfoli leaf affixed to the shell and wherein the leaf hinge means is free to flex away from the shell.