WO2005034673A1

WO2005034673A1 - Wallet

Info

Publication number: WO2005034673A1
Application number: PCT/NL2004/000729
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Wilhelmus Franciscus Maria Van Grunsven; Anna Beeftink
Original assignee: Grunsven Johannes Wilhelmus Fr; Anna Beeftink
Priority date: 2003-10-16
Filing date: 2004-10-15
Publication date: 2005-04-21
Also published as: NL1024555C2; EP1684608A1

Abstract

Wallet (1) comprising a rectangular storage section, which at one side, preferably a longitudinal side, is accessible to bank notes and as to dimensions is adapted to the dimensions of bank notes, wherein the storage section is foldable along a folding line extending parallel to a side from a flat condition into a folded condition, wherein the storage section when in the folded condition is situated at the outside of the wallet, and wherein at the inside of the storage section means are provided for detachable connection of one or more insertable holders to the storage section, which insertable holders fit within the contour of the storage section in its folded condition and are provided with means for holding other objects, for instance for making payments.

Description

Wallet

The invention relates to a wallet, particularly to a wallet having several uses. In this case a wallet means a holder having a storage section for paper money.

Wallets are usually put in the back pocket of trousers. As a result the size of the wallet is limited to a maximum. Also when carrying wallets in other places (inside pockets, bags) there are limitations as to the dimensions of the wallet. Particularly when the wallet has to cater for several functions, such as in addition to an amount of paper money and an amount of coins, a number of credit cards, club passes, etcetera, the user is confronted with a limitation as to the capacity of the wallet, particularly as regards the thickness. Therefore there is a need for a more compact wallet.

Many wallets or other, similar holders for money, securities and the like are known.

For instance from NL-C1 -1 .008.1 0 a diary is known to the cover of which a holder for money and credit cards can be attached.

From DE-U 1 -201 1 6 724 a wallet is known which is provided with a specially designed section for car keys. The lay-out is predetermined.

From GB-A-620.677 a so-called billfold is known having unfoldable sections attached to its edges, which sections are mutually connected by an edge. In order to use these sections the entire billfold has to be unfolded in many cases. Moreover the lay-out is predetermined. US-A-2.803.281 describes a cover closable with a zip, which cover at its inside is provided with sections, and with an attachment eye having holders for coins attached thereto.

EP-A1-599.715 describes a collection of mutually connected holders, including a holder for paper money. The collection of holders may be provided with a cover.

It is an object of the invention to provide a more compact wallet, provided with several uses.

From one aspect the invention to that end provides a wallet comprising a rectangular storage section, which at one side, preferably a longitudinal side, is accessible to bank notes and as to dimensions is adapted to the dimensions of bank notes, wherein the storage section is foldable along a folding line extending parallel to a side from a flat condition into a folded condition, wherein the storage section when in the folded condition is situated at the outside of the wallet, and wherein at the inside of the storage section means are provided for detachable connection of one or more insertable holders to the storage section, which insertable holders fit within the contour of the storage section in its folded condition and are provided with means for holding other objects, for instance for making payments.

The wallet according to the invention has a permanent paper money carrying function, but the other functions can be included to one's needs, by placing the chosen insertable holder in the wallet. For instance the interior of the wallet can be adapted to the needs of that moment. The necessary functions are thus kept ready in an organised manner. The functions that are not necessary can be left at home by detaching the insertable holders in question from the wallet, as a result of which the wallet can be more compact.

Preferably the folding line is situated at least almost in the middle, as a result of which the storage section covers the insertable holders oriented towards two main sides.

In a compact embodiment the connection means are situated along the folding line, as a result of which they are optionally capable of extending in the plane in between two folded halves of the storage section and the thickness of the wallet in the folded condition can remain limited.

In an embodiment the connection means are adapted for turning over the insertable holders about the connection means when the storage section is in the flat condition, as a result of which in the open condition all insertable holders are optimally accessible.

The connection means themselves can be movable between a position retaining the insertable holders and a position releasing the insertable holders, wherein for instance a selection can be made from the group comprising ring binders, clamps, hooks, zips, adhesive tapes.

Thus the connection means may comprise a ring binder, preferably provided with rings that are adapted to the dimensions of the storage section in closed condition.

In an embodiment of the wallet according to the invention the insertable holders are substantially rectangular and along one side provided with means for cooperation with the connection means, for instance in the form of an edge provided with continuous holes for the rings of the ring binder.

In an embodiment of the wallet the storage section comprises an outside layer of material and an inside layer of material, wherein the connection means are connected to the inside layer of material.

In an embodiment thereof the layers of material except for one longitudinal side are mutually connected at the outer edges for forming a storage section for for instance bank notes, accessible via said longitudinal side.

In a further embodiment thereof the wallet comprises further layers of material between the inside layer of material and the outside layer of material for forming further parallel storage sections.

In a further embodiment the connection means are attached to the inside layer of material.

Because of a construction of layers of material and the attachment of the connection means thereon, an easily accessible storage section or sections is/are created as well as a flexible lay-out.

The wallet according to the invention may comprise one or more insertable holders, adapted for small change, keys, securities (in folded condition) such as a driver's license, an International Motor Insurance Card, insurance papers and the like, receipts, photos, medicines (pills, band aids), business cards, knife/scissors, writing materials (pen and paper) or plastic cards (such as credit cards and club cards), respectively.

From a further aspect the invention provides an insert, suitable and intended as insertable holder according to the invention.

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment of a wallet according to the invention, in which:

Figure 1 shows a storage section in unfolded condition;

Figure 2 shows an insertable holder having a small change section;

Figure 3 shows an insertable holder having sections for (banker's) cards; and Figure 4 shows the wallet or the storage section according to figure 1 in folded condition.

The wallet 1 shown in figure 1 comprises a cover 1 formed by substantially two layers of supple material 8 and 9 which in between them form a flat accommodation space 10 for paper money, which accommodation space 10 is accessible via access slit 1 1. In the cover 1 two halves 12 and 13 can be distinguished, in between which a folding area 14 is present, in order to be able to fold the halves 12 and 13 towards each other, as shown in figure 4. If so desired the cover may comprise several layers of supple material in such a way so as to create several sections for paper money.

In the folding area 14 at the inside of the double cover 1 , a ring binder structure 15 is disposed, having rings 16, that can be opened and closed by pulling the rings 16 open and pushing them closed, respectively.

When the ring binder 15, 16 is opened, inserts can be placed in there, such as those that are for instance shown in figures 2 and 3. In the figure the ring binder structure 15 extends over almost the full width, and a small part of the width remains free. Preferably the ring binder structure (or other connection means) is at the most 2/3 of the length of the fold, preferably even shorter than half the length of the fold. In addition or in another embodiment the connection means is flexible, or consists of several parts such that the fold does not result in a rigid and inflexible unit. This improves the comfort of use.

The insert 3 shown in figure 2 is provided with an envelope-like bag 5, a bag portion 5c, access flap 5a and fastener 5b. On the left-hand edge a pattern of holes 4 has been disposed, with which the insert 3 can be connected or coupled to the ring binder 5, 16. Usually the insert 3 itself will have been made of a flexible yet firm material, for instance a sheet of synthetic material.

In figure 3 another insert 6 is shown, provided with a number of sections 7 for plastic cards, such as credit cards or club cards. Insert 6 as well has been provided with a pattern of holes 4 at the left-hand edge, for cooperation with the ring binder 15, 16.

In the unfolded condition of the double cover 1 the user is able to place or remove inserts, and is able to turn over the inserts when looking for the wanted insert. After that he can fold the double cover about folding area 14, into the condition shown in figure 4. In that condition the wallet double cover can be taken along in a pocket of trousers or in a handbag.

Thus the wallet 1 is a flexibly adaptable wallet, fitting in the back pocket of trousers. The wallet consists of a double cover and specifically designed inserts having various storage functions, which inserts can be attached and removed by the user himself at the inside via an attachment system, as a result of which a variety of storage systems is supported. For instance it is possible to keep for instance two dozen of plastic cards in an organised manner in addition to a storage function for small change and the storage function for paper money. Others may prefer another lay-out, both as regards functionality and positioning in the wallet.

The storage functionality via the inserts is specifically adapted to, in an organised fashion, keeping for instance small change, keys, securities (in folded condition) such as a driver's license, an International Motor Insurance Card, insurance papers and the like, receipts, photos, medicines (pills, band aids), business cards, knife/scissors, writing materials (pen and paper) and plastic cards (such as credit cards). In addition papers and paper money can be kept in the double cover of the wallet. The intended storage systems are created by inserts provided with accessories such as for instance sections, transparents and box structures, resulting in various storage systems, all in such a fashion so as not to loose the compact size of the wallet.

The objects to be stored in the wallet are protected from various kinds of wear (for instance plastic cards with electronic reading options have to protected from bending, pills against breaking and/or pulverisation and business cards against creasing or folding).

The coupling function can be realised in various ways, insofar as this does not affect the intended compact size of the wallet. Examples are ring binders, clamps, hooks, zips, adhesive tapes and the like.

Many materials are possible for the cover, attachment system, inserts and storage systems.

It will be clear that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert.

Claims

1 . Wallet comprising a rectangular storage section, which at one side, preferably a longitudinal side, is accessible to bank notes and as to dimensions is adapted to the dimensions of bank notes, wherein the storage section is foldable along a folding line extending parallel to a side from a flat condition into a folded condition, wherein the storage section when in the folded condition is situated at the outside of the wallet, and wherein at the inside of the storage section means are provided for detachable connection of one or more insertable holders to the storage section, which insertable holders fit within the contour of the storage section in its folded condition and are provided with means for holding other objects, for instance for making payments.

2. Wallet according to claim 1 , wherein the folding line is situated at least almost in the middle.

3. Wallet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection means are situated along the folding line.

4. Wallet according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the connection means are adapted for turning over the insertable holders about the connection means when the storage section is in the flat condition.

5. Wallet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection means are movable between a position retaining the insertable holders and a position releasing the insertable holders.

6. Wallet according to claim 5, wherein the connection means are selected from the group comprising ring binders, clamps, hooks, zips, adhesive tapes and Velcro.

7. Wallet according to claim 6, wherein the connection means comprise a ring binder, preferably provided with rings that are adapted to the dimensions of the storage section in closed condition.

8. Wallet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insertable holders are substantially rectangular and along one side are provided with means for cooperation with the connection means.

9. Wallet according to claim 8, wherein the said means at the insertable holders are formed by an edge provided with continuous holes for the rings of the ring binder.

10. Wallet according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising one or more insertable holders, adapted for small change, keys, securities (in folded condition) such as a driver's license, an International Motor Insurance Card, insurance papers and the like, receipts, photos, medicines (pills, band aids), business cards, knife/scissors, writing materials (pen and paper) or plastic cards (such as credit cards and club cards), respectively.

11. Wallet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage section comprises an outside layer of material and an inside layer of material, wherein the connection means are connected to the inside layer of material.

12. Wallet according to claim 1 1 , wherein the layers of material except for one longitudinal side are mutually connected at the outer edges for forming a storage section for for instance bank notes, accessible via said longitudinal side.

13. Wallet according to claim 1 1 , comprising further layers of material^' between the inside layer of material and the outside layer of material for forming further parallel storage sections.

14. Wallet according to any one of the claims 1 1 -13, wherein the connection means are attached to the inside layer of material.

15. Insert, suitable and intended as insertable holder according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. Wallet provided with one or more of the characterising measures described in the description and/or shown in the drawings.