STEP INDEX FILE FOLDER

Abstract

A file folder is formed with front and back faces and a plurality of dividers located therebetween. Side panels of the folder are formed with pleated folds. Each of the dividers is provided with a pocket label tab. The folder may include a cover that forms a window to allow concurrent visual observation of all of the label tabs on all the dividers, even when the pockets are collapsed. The cover can be closed over the front face of the folder. The label tabs can be arranged in a single row, or in a plurality of rows in which each row behind projects above the row immediately in front. Even with the cover closed and the pockets collapsed all of the label tabs are concurrently visible through the window. Also, the file folder may be formed without a cover and with the pockets collapsed.

Description

The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/618,744, filed Nov. 15, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a file folder device for storing and classifying files and preferably to a file folder formed with a transparent, see-through portion that allows pocket label tabs to be viewed when the folder is closed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Conventional portable file folders are typically formed with a folder body that includes front and back faces joined together at the bottom and with a foldable cover that may be moved between opened and closed positions. A plurality of pocket dividers are arranged between the front and back faces. Pleated side panels extend between the front and back faces and include accordion folds that allow file pockets formed (a) between the dividers and (b) between the dividers and the folder faces to alternatively be collapsed or expanded. The dividers are each provided with a pocket label tab to accommodate indicia identifying the contents of the file pockets in front of or behind the label tab.

Conventional file folders require the user to open the cover and often to expand the file pockets in order to view the pocket label tabs and read the label tabs so as to identify the contents of the file pockets within the folders. Where a number of file folders are involved, this involves extensive and time-consuming manual manipulations of the file folders in order to locate a particular file pocket of interest.

The existing, conventional accordion style file folders are inconvenient for locating a desired file from within a number of file folders because the user needs to open all file folders in order to read the file pocket labels so as to identify a desired file. As a consequence, working efficiency is low in accessing specific files which may be in any of a number of different file folders.

FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional accordion style file folder 19 of the type widely sold on a commercial basis. The file folder 19 affords a means for storage, protection and easy classification of documents and other thin articles. The conventional file folder 19 has a file folder body 20 formed with front and back faces 21 and 22, respectively, and a cover 24 extending up from the top of the back face 22. The file folder body 20 is provided with opposing sides 26, formed with pleated folds. Dividers 23 extend between the opposing sides 26 and are located within the file folder body 20. A plurality of pockets 27 are defined between the dividers 23 and between the dividers 23 and the front and back folder faces 21 and 22. The pleated sides 26 allow the pockets 27 to be expanded, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, or collapsed as illustrated in FIG. 1B.

Each of the file dividers 23 is provided with an upwardly projecting label tab 25 adapted to receive indicia indicative of the contents of the pocket 27 in front of or behind the divider 23 bearing the label tab 25. The label tabs 25 are laterally offset from each other as illustrated in FIG. 1A, and may be arranged in a single rank or row, or a plurality of ranks or rows 29 and 30, as shown in FIG. 1A.

In the typical arrangement shown the label tabs 25 in the back row 30 are arranged directly behind corresponding label tabs 25 in the front row 29, in both lateral and front to back alignment therewith. As is apparent from the illustration of FIG. 1A, it is necessary for the user to pull the file cover 24 open, and then pull the front face 21 away from the back face 22 so as to expand the file pockets 27. Only then is the user able to see all of the label tabs 25 in searching for a particular file pocket 27.

If there is but a single file folder 19, searching for a specific pocket 27 involves two manual manipulations, namely opening the cover and expanding the file pockets. However, if there are a plurality of file folders 19, as shown in FIG. 1B, the difficulty of finding a specific file pocket 27 increases significantly, since the user has to open each of the file folders 19 and expand it to read each of the label tabs 25 therein, until the correct folder 19 and the label tab 25 of interest are found.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system that allows the user to visually locate and identify particular file compartments of interest more rapidly than is possible utilizing conventional prior art file folders. According to the present invention the user may visually ascertain whether or not a file folder contains a particular pocket of interest without ever having to open the file folder and without ever having to expand the file pockets.

In one broad aspect the present invention is a file folder comprising a folder body, and a plurality of dividers each including a pocket label tab. The file folder body has a front face, a back face, a folder cover and side panels. Both the front and back faces have opposing side edges and top and bottom regions or extremities. The top and bottom regions or extremities are longitudinally separated from each other. The bottom regions or extremities of the front and back faces are connected to each other, either directly or indirectly. That is, they may be coupled together by a floor extending therebetween. The folder cover extends above the top of the back face and is foldable and unfoldable between closed and opened positions. In the closed position the cover folder extends down over the top of the front face and in contact with at least a portion of the front face. Alternatively, the cover may be unfolded and raised out of contact with the front face to fully expose the front face of the folder body.

The dividers each have top and bottom regions or extremities longitudinally separated from each other. The dividers are disposed in the folder body. Each of the dividers has a width that extends laterally between the side panels so that the dividers define a plurality of pockets therebetween and between the front and back faces.

A pocket label tab is located at the top region or extremity of each of the dividers. Each pocket label tab extends laterally over only a portion of the width of the divider upon which it is located. At least some of the pocket label tabs are arranged in a front row or rank in laterally offset relation to each other. The folder cover is either transparent or provides a window so that the pocket label tabs in the front rank are all concurrently visible through the window when the folder cover is in the closed position. The construction of the file folder of the present invention thereby facilitates a quick search of a desired file or plurality of files. Searching efficiency is improved by reading indicia on the pocket label tabs through a transparent file folder window portion without requiring any of the file folders to be opened.

In another broad aspect the invention may be comprised of a folder body as aforesaid, but with or without a folder cover. Only some of the pocket label tabs are arranged in the front rank or row. The remainder of the pocket label tabs are arranged in at least one additional rank or row that is located behind the front rank or row. The pocket label tabs in the additional ranks or rows project longitudinally further from the bottom regions or extremities of the dividers upon which they are formed than do the pocket label tabs of the rank or row was in front of them. In this way, all of the pocket label tabs are visible from in front of the front face without the necessity of expanding the file folder.

The invention may be described with greater clarity and particularity by reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view illustrating a single prior art file folder shown in an expanded, open position.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a plurality of prior art folders according to FIG. 1A shown stacked together and in a collapsed condition.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view illustrating one preferred embodiment of a file folder constructed according to the present invention, shown with its cover in a closed condition.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view illustrating the file folder of FIG. 2, shown with its cover in an opened condition with the pockets collapsed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the file folder of FIG. 2 shown with its cover in an opened condition with the pockets collapsed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the file folder of FIG. 2 with its cover shown in an opened condition with the pockets expanded.

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view taken along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plurality of file folders according to FIG. 2 shown stacked together and in a collapsed condition.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention that has no cover.

FIG. 9A is a front elevational view illustrating another alternative embodiment of a file folder constructed according to the present invention having a cover a portion of which is transparent and shown with its cover in an open condition.

FIG. 9B is a front elevational view illustrating another alternative embodiment of a file folder constructed according to the present invention having a completely transparent cover and shown with its cover in a closed condition.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view illustrating still another embodiment of the invention having an opaque cover and shown with its cover in an opened condition with the pockets collapsed.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 10 in a closed condition covering the front face of the folder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate one preferred embodiment of a file folder 119 constructed according to the present invention. As illustrated, the file folder 119 is comprised of a folder body 120 having a planar, sheetlike front face 121, a planar, sheetlike back face 122, a folder cover 124, and a pair of opposing side panels 126. The front face 121 has opposing side edges 130 and 131, a top region or extremity 132 and a bottom region or extremity 133. The top and bottom regions or extremities 132 and 133 are longitudinally separated and are remote from each other. Likewise, the back face 122 also has opposing side edges 135 and 136, a top region or extremity 137, and a bottom region or extremity 138. The top and bottom regions or extremities 137 and 138 are also longitudinally separated and are remote from each other. The bottom regions or extremities 133 and 138 of the front face 121 and back face 122 of the folder body 120 are connected or joined to each other by a web forming a file folder floor 139.

The front and back faces 121, 122 are preferably generally rectangular in shape and similar in both size and shape. The folder cover 124 is preferably as long or longer than both the front face 121 and the back face 122. The folder cover 124 extends from the top region or extremity 137 of the back face 122 and is bendable to fold into a closed position down over the top region 132 of the front face 121 and in contact with at least the upper portion of the front face 121. The folder cover 124 is shown in the closed position in FIG. 2. An optional binding strap 115 may be employed to hold the file folder 119 in a closed condition, if desired. The binding strap 115 may be elastic and disposed on the folder body 120 to pass externally around the back face 122 and the articulated end of the folder cover 124. Alternatively, with the binding strap 115 released the folder cover 124 may be unfolded into an open position fully exposing the front face 121 and out of contact with the front face 121, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

The opposing side panels 126 are pleated with accordion folds from top to bottom, as best illustrated in FIG. 5. The side panels 126 extend between and join together the side edges of both the front and back faces 121 and 122. That is, one of the pleated side panels 126 joins together the side edges 131 and 136 of the front face 121 and the back face 122, respectively. The other side panel 126 joins together the side edges 130 and 135 of the front face 121 and the back face 122, respectively.

A plurality of planar, generally rectangular sheetlike dividers 140, each having a top region or extremity 141 and a bottom region or extremity 142 are provided within the file folder 119. The file folder 119 accommodates and receives the dividers 140 in between the front face 121 and the back face 122. Each of the dividers 140 is formed as a pocket partition. Each of the dividers 140 has a width that extends laterally between the side panels 126. The partitions formed by the dividers 140 are disposed in the file folder 119 and have a width wide enough to extend laterally between the side panels 126. The partitions formed by the dividers 140 thereby define a plurality of pockets or receptacles 143 therebetween and between the front and back faces 121,122, and the dividers 140 immediately adjacent thereto. Each of the dividers 140 is secured to both the side panels 126 at a separate one of the accordion pleats formed therein.

Because the side panels 126 are folded in accordion fashion with the dividers 140 security thereto, they allow the front face 121 and the back face 122 to be compressed toward each other, thereby evenly collapsing the pockets 143. Alternatively, the pleated, accordion structure of the side panels 126 allows the front and back faces 121 and 122, respectively, to be drawn apart from each other. Since the side edges of the dividers 140 are secured to the side panels 126, the dividers 140 are likewise drawn apart from each other and from the front and back faces 121,122. All of the pockets 143 are thereby evenly expanded to facilitate access to documents and other articles filed therein.

A pocket label tab 144 is located at the top region 141 of the each of the dividers 140. Each pocket label tab 144 serves as a storage receptacle label tab and extends laterally over only a portion of the width of the divider 140 upon which it is located. The pocket label tabs 144 are staggered, that is laterally offset from the pocket label tabs 144 on adjacent dividers 140 in the file folder 119.

The terms “length”, “longitudinal”, and “longitudinally”, as used herein, refer to the direction of the shortest straight line distance between the top region or extremity and the bottom region or extremity of the planar structure with which the term is used. That is, with reference to the back face 122 the terms “length”, “longitudinal”, and “longitudinally” refer to the direction of the straight line distance between the top region or extremity 137 and the bottom region or extremity 138 of the back face 122, parallel to the side edges 135 and 136, when utilized as a descriptive term with respect to the back face 122. Likewise, the same terms refer to the direction of the straight line distance between the top region or extremity 132 and the bottom region or extremity 133 of the front face 121 parallel to the side edges 130 and 131, when utilized as a descriptive term with respect to the front face 121. These same terms refer to the direction of the straight line distance between the top region or extremity 141 and the bottom region or extremity 142 of a divider 140, parallel to the side edges thereof, when utilized as a descriptive term with respect to the divider 140.

Similarly, the terms “width”, “lateral”, and “laterally”, as used herein refer to the direction of the shortest straight line distance between the side edges of the planar structure with reference to which these terms are used. That is, when used with respect to the back face 122 the terms “width”, “lateral”, and “laterally” refer to the direction of the shortest distance between the back face side edges 135 and 136. When utilized with reference to the front face 121 these terms refer to the direction of the shortest distance between the front face side edges 130 and 131. When utilized with reference to the dividers 140, these terms refer to the direction of the shortest distance between the opposing side panels 126 between which the dividers 140 extend and to which they are connected.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 at least some of the pocket label tabs 144 are arranged in a front row or rank 146 in a laterally offset or staggered relation to each other. In the preferred embodiment of the file folder 119 illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 the remainder of the pocket label tabs 144 are arranged in at least one additional rank or row 147 that is located behind the front rank or row 146.

The file folder 119 has twelve dividers 140 located between the front face 121 and the back face 122. The pocket label tabs 144 on the six dividers 140 located closest to the front face 121 and furthest from the back face 122 comprise the first rank or row 146. The pocket label tabs 144 on the six dividers 140 located furthest from the front face 121 and closest to the back face 122 comprise the additional back rank 147. The pocket label tabs 144 in the additional or back rank or row 147 project longitudinally further from the bottom regions 142 of the dividers 140 upon which they are formed than do the pocket label tabs 144 in the front rank 146. As a consequence, all of the pocket label tabs 144 of both of the ranks or rows 146 and 147 are visible from in front of the front face 121, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, even when the pockets 143 are in a collapsed condition.

Preferably, each of the pocket label tabs 144 is laterally offset from the pocket label tabs 144 on the immediately adjacent dividers 140 in the front rank 146 a distance greater than one-half of its width. Likewise, each of the pocket label tabs 144 is laterally offset from the pocket label tabs 144 on the immediately adjacent dividers 140 in the back row or rank 147 a distance greater than one-half of its width.

It should be appreciated that while there are only two different ranks or rows 146 and 147 in the file folder 119, embodiments of the invention can be constructed with any number of different rows or ranks. For example, the pocket label tabs 144 on the twelve dividers 140 could be divided up into three or four ranks or rows if greater width is desired in the pocket label tabs to accommodate lengthier indicia. Also, any number of dividers 140, each bearing a pocket label tab 144, can be positioned between the front face 121 and the back face 122 and divided into any number of different rows or ranks, depending upon the size of the file folder. In any event, the pocket label tabs 144 in each rank are laterally offset from each other across the width of the dividers 140. Also, the pocket label tabs 144 in each row or rank project longitudinally above the pocket label tabs 144 in each row or rank that is closer to the front face 121. Therefore, all of the pocket label tabs 144 in all of the rows are concurrently visible from in front of the front face 121, even without expanding the pockets 143.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-6, the folder cover 124 includes a window 150 formed by a laterally extending and elongated, oblong cut-out window opening 151 in the opaque structure of the folder cover 124. Preferably, though not necessarily, the window 150 includes a pane of transparent material 152 secured by adhesive or otherwise to the marginal area of the folder cover 124 immediately adjacent the window opening 151 therein. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 the front face 121, back face 122, side panels 126, folder cover 124, and dividers 140 are all formed of Manila card stock or opaque plastic sheet stock. The window pane 152 is formed a sheet of transparent polyethylene plastic.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, even when the pockets 143 are collapsed and the folder cover 124 is in the closed position, all of the label tabs 144 are visible through the window 150 formed in the folder cover 124. The label tabs 144 in the back row 147 are visible because they project longitudinally upwardly above the level of the labels 144 in the front row 146. Consequently, even though label tabs 144 in the back row 147 are in lateral registration with corresponding label tabs 144 in the front row 146, the label tabs 144 in the front row 146 do not visually obscure the pocket label tabs 144 in the back row 147. All of the pocket label tabs 144 in all of the ranks or rows 146,147 are concurrently visible through the transparent window pane 152, even when the pockets 143 are collapsed and even when the folder cover 124 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 the file folder cover 124 of the file folder 119 can be opened for accessing files contained in the pockets 143. When a number of file folders 119 are placed on a shelf, as shown in FIG. 7, or upright in a file drawer, the user can easily pick out a desired file pocket by reading its identifying indicia on the pocket label tab 144 of interest through the transparent see-through window pane 152 of the file folder 119 containing the pocket of interest without taking down or opening any of the other file folders 119.

Other embodiments of the invention are also possible. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates a coverless file folder 219. That is, all of the components present in the file folder 219 are the same as those in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-6, absent a cover. The file folder body 220 is formed with front and back faces and side panels as previously described, but without any cover. Nevertheless, all of the pocket label tabs 144 on all of the dividers 140 in both of the rows shown are clearly visible from in front of the front face 121, even when the folder body 220 is in a collapsed condition. This is because the pocket label tabs 144 on the rearmost dividers 140 project longitudinally above the pocket label tabs 144 on the dividers 140 in front of them. The uppermost extremity 137 of the back face 122 projects a short distance above all of the pocket label tabs 144, so as to provide a degree of protection to prevent the pocket label tabs 144 from being bent or torn during use of the folder 219.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention incorporating a cover illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 has a cover with a window 150, other embodiments of the invention are also possible. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 9A the file folder 310 has a construction in which many of the component elements are similar to those of the embodiment of FIGS. 2-6, but in which at least a portion of the folder cover itself is transparent. This is achieved by constructing the cover 310 with a transparent strip of material 311 joined to the uppermost extremity 137 of the back face of the folder back face, and with an opaque cover portion 312 joined to the edge of the transparent strip of material 311 remote from the back face of the folder 310. The opaque cover portion 312 extends over only the lower portion of the front face 121 when the cover is closed. The transparent portion of the structure of such a folder cover near its juncture with the back face of the folder body, namely the transparent strip of material 311, forms a window. The pocket label tabs 144 in the front rank, as well as the pocket label tabs 144 in the rear rank, are all concurrently visible through the cover 310 when the folder cover 310 is in its closed position.

However, in the embodiment of FIG. 9B the entire cover 324 is formed of a completely transparent sheet material. Indeed, the entire folder body 320 is constructed of transparent components. Due to the transparent nature of the cover 324, the pocket label tabs 144 in the front rank, as well as the pocket label tabs 144 in the rear rank, are all concurrently visible through the cover 324 when the cover 324 is in its closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 9B.

Other alternative embodiments of the invention are also possible. For example, the file folder 419 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 has many components that are the same as those in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-6. However, the cover 424 in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 is completely opaque. Although the pocket label tabs 144 are not visible when the cover 424 is closed, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the pocket label tabs 144 in the two ranks or rows illustrated are all clearly visible from directly in front of the front face 121 when the cover 424 is opened, as illustrated in FIG. 10. All the pocket label tabs 144 are visible with the cover 424 opened, even when the file folder pockets are in a collapsed condition, as shown in FIG. 10.

Undoubtedly, numerous other variations and modifications of the invention will become readily apparent to those familiar with the construction and use of file folders. For example, while the pocket label tabs 144 in the embodiment of the invention illustrated our longitudinally upwardly extending projections from the upper regions or extremities of the dividers 140, pocket label tabs of a different construction could be utilized. Flat plastic sleeves to accommodate inserted paper labels with printed indicia thereon could be employed in place of the pocket label tabs 144 illustrated. Such sleeves would be secured to the upper extremities of the dividers 140 by adhesive or adhesive tape. Alternatively, stiff pocket label tabs which can receive written indicia directly may be permanently or removably attached to the tops of the dividers. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be construed as limited to the specific embodiments of the invention depicted and described, but rather is defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A file folder comprising:

a folder body having a front face with opposing side edges and with top and bottom regions longitudinally separated from each other, a back face with opposing side edges and with top and bottom regions longitudinally separated from each other, and said bottom regions of said front and back faces are connected to each other, a folder cover extending from said top region of said back face and bendable to fold into a closed position down over said top region of said front face and in contact with at least a portion of said front face and alternatively to unfold into an open position fully exposing said front face and out of contact with said front face, and side panels extending between and joining together said side edges of both said front and back faces;

a plurality of dividers each having a top region and a bottom region longitudinally separated from each other and said dividers are disposed in said folder body and each of said dividers has a width that extends laterally between said side panels so that said dividers define a plurality of pockets therebetween and between said front and back faces;

a pocket label tab located at said top region of each of said dividers, each pocket label tab extending laterally over only a portion of the width of the divider upon which it is located, and at least some of said pocket label tabs are arranged in a front rank in laterally offset relation to each other; and

wherein said folder cover provides a window so that said pocket label tabs in said front rank are all concurrently visible through said window when said folder cover is in said closed position.

2. A file folder according to claim 1 wherein said folder body is formed of sheets of opaque material with a window opening defined in said folder cover and further comprising a transparent material forming a window pane and secured to said folder cover across said window opening.

3. A file folder according to claim 1 wherein said side panels are folded in accordion fashion so as to allow said front and back faces to be compressed toward each other thereby collapsing said pockets and alternatively to allow said front and back faces to be drawn apart from each other thereby expanding said pockets.

4. A file folder according to claim 1 wherein only some of said pocket label tabs are arranged in said front rank and the remainder of said pocket label tabs are arranged in at least one additional rank behind said front rank.

5. A file folder according to claim 4 wherein said pocket label tabs in said at least one additional rank project longitudinally further from said bottom regions of said dividers upon which they are located than do said pocket label tabs in said front rank, so that all of said pocket label tabs are concurrently visible through said window when said folder cover is in said closed position.

6. A file folder according to claim 5 wherein each of said pocket label tabs in said front rank is laterally offset from each laterally adjacent pocket label tab a distance greater than one-half of its width.

7. A file folder comprising:

a folder body having a front face with opposing side edges and with top and bottom regions longitudinally separated from each other, a back face with opposing side edges and with top and bottom regions longitudinally separated from each other, and said bottom regions of said front and back faces are connected to each other, and side panels extending between and joining said side edges of both said front and back faces;

a plurality of dividers each having a top region and a bottom region longitudinally separated from each other and said dividers are disposed in said folder body and each of said dividers has a width that extends laterally between said side panels so that said dividers define a plurality of pockets therebetween and between said front and back faces;

a pocket label tab located at said top of region of each of said dividers, each pocket label tab extending laterally over only a portion of the width of the divider upon which it is located, and at least some of said pocket label tabs are arranged in a front rank in laterally offset relation to each other, and only some of said pocket label tabs are arranged in said front rank and the remainder of said pocket label tabs are arranged in at least one additional rank behind said front rank, and said pocket label tabs in said at least one additional rank project longitudinally further from said bottom regions of said dividers upon which they are located than do said pocket label tabs in said front rank, so that all of said pocket label tabs are concurrently visible from in front of said front face.

8. A file folder according to claim 7 further comprising a folder cover extending from said top region of said back face and bendable to fold into a closed position down over said top region of said front face and in contact with at least a portion of said front face and alternatively to unfold into an open position fully exposing said front face and out of contact with said front face.

9. A file folder according to claim 8, wherein said folder cover provides a window so that said pocket label tabs in all of said ranks are all concurrently visible through said window when said folder cover is in said closed position.

10. A file folder according to claim 8 wherein said folder cover is opaque.

11. A file folder comprising:

a folder body having a front face with opposing side edges and with a top extremity and a bottom extremity located remote from each other at longitudinally opposite ends of said side edges thereof and said top and bottom extremities extend laterally between said side edges, a back face with opposing side edges and with a top extremity and a bottom extremity extending longitudinally between said side edges thereof, and said bottom extremities of said front and back faces are secured to each other, a folder cover extending from said top extremity of said back face and bendable to fold into a closed position down over said top extremity of said front face and into contact with at least a portion of said front face and alternatively to unfold into an open position fully exposing said front face and out of contact therewith, and side panels extending between and securing together said side edges of both said front and back faces;

a plurality of divider partitions each having a top extremity and a bottom extremity longitudinally separated from each other and said divider partitions are disposed in said folder body and each of said divider partitions has a width wide enough to extend laterally between said side panels so that said divider partitions define a plurality of receptacles therebetween and between said front and back faces;

a storage receptacle label tab located at said top extremity of each of said divider partitions, each storage receptacle label tab extending laterally over only a portion of the width of the divider partition upon which it is located, and at least some of said storage receptacle label tabs are arranged in a front row in laterally offset relation to each other, and

wherein said storage receptacle label tabs in said front row are all concurrently visible when said folder cover is in said closed position.

12. A file folder according to claim 11 wherein said folder body is formed of sheets of an opaque material and a window opening is defined in said folder cover and further comprising a transparent window pane secured to said folder cover across said window opening.

13. A file folder according to claim 11 wherein said side panels are folded in accordion fashion so as to allow said front and back faces to be compressed toward each other thereby collapsing said storage receptacles and alternatively to allow said front and back faces to be drawn apart from each other thereby expanding said storage receptacles.

14. A file folder according to claim 11 wherein only some of said storage receptacle label tabs are arranged in said front row and the remainder of said storage receptacle label tabs are arranged in at least one additional row behind said front row.

15. A file folder according to claim 14 wherein said storage receptacle label tabs in said at least one additional row project longitudinally further from said bottom extremities of said divider partitions upon which they are formed than do said storage receptacle label tabs in said front row, so that all of said storage receptacle label tabs are concurrently visible when said folder cover is in said closed position.

16. A file folder according to claim 11 wherein each of said storage receptacle label tabs in said front row is laterally offset from each laterally adjacent storage receptacle label tab a distance greater than one-half of its width.

17. A file folder comprising:

a folder body having a front face with opposing side edges and with top and bottom regions longitudinally separated from each other, a back face with opposing side edges and with top and bottom regions longitudinally separated from each other, and said bottom regions of said front and back faces are connected to each other, a folder cover extending from said top region of said back face and bendable to fold into a closed position down over said top region of said front face and in contact with at least a portion of said front face and alternatively to unfold into an open position fully exposing said front face and out of contact with said front face, and side panels extending between and joining together said side edges of both said front and back faces;

a plurality of dividers each having a top region and a bottom region longitudinally separated from each other and said dividers are disposed in said folder body and each of said dividers has a width that extends laterally between said side panels so that said dividers define a plurality of pockets therebetween and between said front and back faces;

a pocket label tab located at said top region of each of said dividers, each pocket label tab extending laterally over only a portion of the width of the divider upon which it is located, and at least some of said pocket label tabs are arranged in a front rank in laterally offset relation to each other, and

wherein at least a portion of said folder cover is transparent so that said pocket label tabs in said front rank are all concurrently visible through said cover when said folder cover is in said closed position.

18. A file folder according to claim 17 wherein said entire folder cover is transparent.

19. A file folder according to claim 18 wherein said entire folder body is constructed of transparent components.