FOLDER FOR STORAGE, IN PARTICULAR FOR DOCUMENTS

Abstract

A folder for storage has a folder back, a first swivelable flat disposed on the folder back, mutually opposing further swivelable flaps disposed laterally to the first swivelable flap, wherein the flaps being arranged so that in a closed state of the folder the first flap rests on the folder back and the mutually opposing further flap rests on the first flap, and an elastic band interconnecting the further flaps and tensioned in an opened state of the folder, thereby enabling the first flap to be placed onto the band.

Description

The invention relates to a folder for storage, in particular for documents, and a folder back on which a first swivelable flap is disposed and, laterally thereto, mutually opposing further swivelable flaps.

Documents DE 890 56 30 U1 and EP 047 09 85 B1 each describe folders of the type in question. In the case of those folders, the flaps—which cover the folder back in the closed state of the folder—must be bent individually outward in order to insert a document into the folder or remove a document from the folder. This can make handling very difficult, in particular when the aim is to insert several documents into the folder or remove several documents from the folder. To close the folder, the flaps must likewise be bent individually back inward.

The problem addressed by the invention is that of improving a folder of the initially described type such that the usability of the folder is clearly improved.

The problem is solved by the invention with a folder of the type in question, in the case of which, according to the invention, in the closed state of the folder, the first flap rests on the folder back, and the mutually opposing further flaps rest on the first flap. As a result, the folder can be opened using a minimum of hand motions by swiveling the first flap outwardly, since the mutually opposing further flaps can therefore likewise be swiveled outwardly by the first flap.

The folder can be integrated in entirety or in part into another product, such as writing folders, work folders, or the like.

In a development of the invention, the mutually opposing further flaps can be interconnected by an elastic band. The elastic band, which is preferably tensioned in the opened state of the folder, pulls the two mutually opposing flaps toward one another, thereby enabling them to be swiveled inwardly as soon the first flap is swiveled inwardly to close the folder. Therefore, all that is needed in order to close the folder is one gentle motion of a finger against the first flap, and the mutually opposing flaps automatically swivel inwardly. In addition, in the opened state of the folder, the tensioned elastic band presses the two mutually opposing flaps against the side edges of the first flap, thereby increasing the friction between the side edges and the two other opposing flaps, thereby ensuring that the position of the flaps can be reliably maintained in the opened state of the folder.

The mutually opposing further flaps can be provided with a recess and/or a ridge. In this manner the first flap can be affixed in position in the opened state of the folder when the side edges thereof engage in the recesses and/or are slid over the ridge, which then forms a stop for the first flap in the opened state of the folder.

The folder can comprise a cover flap which covers the first flap and the mutually opposing further flaps in the closed state of the folder. In the closed state of the folder, documents stored therein are therefore optimally secured against accidentally falling out.

The flaps and the cover flap can be connected to the folder back using hinges. The flaps can therefore be swiveled about a defined swivel axis.

To ensure that production is low-cost, the flap back, the flaps, and the cover flap can be made as a single piece out of a base material. However, it is also possible to assemble the folder out of a plurality of individual parts, and therefore the flaps and/or the cover flap are adhered to the folder back, for example.

Advantageously, the hinges can be economically stamped into the base material.

Cardboard and/or a plastic can be used as the base material, to ensure cost-effectiveness. High-quality materials such as cloth and leather can also be used, however.

An embodiment of a folder according to the invention is explained below in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the partially opened folder;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the completely opened folder.

FIG. 1 shows a folder 10 comprising a folder back 11, a first flap 12, mutually opposing further flaps 13 and 14, and a cover flap 15. Cover flap 15 is swiveled outwardly, while flaps 12, 13 and 14 rest on the folder back 11. In the closed state of folder 10, flaps 13 and 14 rest partially on flap 12. To open the folder 10 completely, flap 12 is swiveled outwardly, thereby causing flaps 13 and 14 resting thereon to likewise be automatically swiveled outwardly (see FIG. 2).

The two flaps 13 and 14 are interconnected by an elastic band 16 which is tensioned in the opened state of folder 10 (see FIG. 2). By way of band 16, the two flaps 13 and 14 are pressed against lateral edges 17 and 18, thereby ensuring that the position of flaps 12, 13, and 14 are reliably retained in the opened state of folder 10. In addition, band 16 limits the swiveling motion of flap 12 when folder 10 is opened. If the aim is to close folder 10, flap 12 is swiveled inwardly using one gentle motion of a finger, thereby enabling flaps 13 and 14 to be likewise swiveled inwardly automatically by tensioned band 16.

To close folder 10 completely, cover flap 15 can likewise be swiveled inwardly.

To ensure that flaps 12, 13, and 14 can be affixed in position in the opened state of folder 10, inwardly projecting ridges 19 and 20 can be provided on flaps 13 and 14. When folder 10 is opened, flap 12 is swiveled outwardly until lateral edges 17 and 18 thereof slide over ridges 19 and 20. Ridges 19 and 20 therefore act as stops and prevent the folder from closing accidentally.

Furthermore, a likewise inwardly projecting ridge 21 is provided in the region of the front edge of flap 12 which holds flap 12 away from folder back 11 or from the contents of folder 10 by a slight distance, thereby making it easy to grasp and lift flap 12.

Hinges 22, 23, 24, and 25 are provided between flaps 12, 13 and 14 and folder back 11, and between cover flap 15 and folder back 11, which make it possible to swivel flaps 12, 13 and 14, and cover flap 15 about a defined swivel axis.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

• 10 Folder
• 11 Folder back
• 12 Flap
• 13 Flap
• 14 Flap
• 15 Cover flap
• 16 Band
• 17 Lateral edges
• 18 Lateral edges
• 19 Ridge
• 20 Ridge
• 21 Ridge
• 22 Hinge
• 23 Hinge
• 24 Hinge
• 25 Hinge

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A folder for storage, comprising a folder back; a first swivelable flap disposed on said folder back; mutually opposing further swivelable flaps disposed laterally to said first swivelable flap, wherein said flaps being arranged so that in a closed state of the folder said first flap rests on said folder back and said mutually opposing further flap rests on said first flap; and an elastic band interconnecting said further flaps and tensioned in an opened state of the folder, thereby enabling said first flap to be placed onto said band.

13. A folder as defined in claim 12, wherein the folder for storage is configured as a folder storage of documents.

14. A folder as defined in claim 12, wherein said flap and said mutually opposing further flaps are provided with a recess for fixation.

15. A folder as defined in claim 12, wherein said first flap and said mutually opposing further flaps are provided with a ridge for a fixation.

16. A folder as defined in claim 12, further providing a cover flap which covers said first flap and said mutually opposing further flaps in said closed state of the folder.

17. A folder as defined in claim 16, further comprising hinges which connect said first flap, said further flaps, and said cover flap to said folder back.

18. A folder as defined in claim 17, wherein said folder back, said first flap, said further flaps, and said cover flap are formed as a single piece out of a base material.

19. A folder as defined in claim 18, wherein said hinges are formed as hinges stamped into said base material.

20. A folder as defined in claim 18, wherein said base material is a material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, plastic and both.

21. A folder as defined in claim 12, wherein the folder is formed so that it is integratable into folders selected from the group consisting of writing folders and work folders.