Wallet with separable linked accordion pockets for storing planar media elements

Abstract

A planar material piece has a substantially rectangular area wherein one or two pocket units with separable accordion pockets are attached to make wallets for storing and accessing planar media elements including credit cards, business cards, paper money, receipts, ID cards, etc. One, two, or four flaps are configured to extend from the rectangular area and fold back over and couple to an attachment feature on the pocket units. Portions of one opposing coupled flap act as a hinging element when the other flap is decoupled and the pockets are fanned open to allow access to the pockets for storing and retrieving planar media elements.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to the commonly owned copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/550,142, “WALLET WITH SEPARABLE LINKED POCKETS FOR STORING PLANAR ITEMS,” filed Mar. 4, 2004, and claims the benefit of its earlier filing date under 35 U.S.C. §119(e).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to systems for storing, retrieving, and transporting planar media elements.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Wallets utilize various methods for storing paper money, credit cards, business cards, and photographs. Most wallets use some type of slot to store one or more credit cards or business cards. Paper money is usually stored in a lengthwise slot or placed in a money clip external to the wallet itself. Photos are stored in transparent plastic sleeves. Money clips are bulky and expose one's money for anyone to see. To access money, all the bills normally have to be separated. Photographs sometimes stick to the plastic sleeves and may degrade the photos. While credit cards may be partitioned in multiple slots, they are usually stored with multiple cards to a slot. Some wallets provide only one slot for credit cards requiring all cards to be removed to access a particular card.

There is, therefore, a need for a wallet system for storing, accessing and transporting planar media elements like credit cards, business cards, photos and paper money in a smooth wallet structure minimizing thickness and providing protection and privacy of a user's valuables while using a bi-lateral linked accordion pocket structure (accordion pocket) for all the planar media.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Wallets are configured using one or more planar material pieces coupled to one or more bi-lateral accordion like separable pocket units having a plurality of linked pockets. A pocket unit has one outside surface coupled to a planar material piece that has one or two flaps that fold back over the second outside surface of the pocket unit. The one or two flaps have features that enable them to be attached to the second outside surface. One embodiment uses one of the opposing pockets of the accordion linked pockets. A single material piece has an area for attaching the pocket unit and two flaps. One flap folds over and couples to the pocket unit. The second flap folds over the openings of one set of pockets and has latching means for coupling the second flap to the first flap. When the second flap is uncoupled from the first flap, the linked pockets are fanned open to access media stored in the pockets.

Another embodiment uses one material piece with one side of the pocket unit coupled to a rectangular surface area. The material piece has two flaps each having a width substantially equal to one half the width of the rectangular surface area and substantially equal to the length of the rectangular surface area. The second side of the pocket unit has a stiffener applied out of metal or a magnetic material. Each of the flaps has a magnetic strip attached that allows the flaps to be coupled to and be retained by the stiffener. As the pockets in the pocket unit store planar media, the pockets get thicker. The flaps slide towards the outside edge of the rectangular surface allowing the wallet to get thicker while retaining latching.

In another embodiment of the present invention, two material pieces are attached on either side of a pocket unit each with a flap extending in opposing directions. The flap from the first material piece is folded over and attaches to the second material piece. Likewise, the flap from the second material piece is folded over and attaches to the first material piece. When one flap is decoupled, one set of pocket opening of the bi-lateral accordion pockets may be fanned open for access. When the first flap is attached, the second flap may be opened exposing the second set of bi-lateral according pockets so they may be fanned open for access.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, two pocket units are attached to opposite sides of a rectangular area on a piece of planar material. The rectangular area has two side flaps extending from the sides, a top flap and a bottom flap. The pocket units are configured so that the pocket openings face orthogonal directions. The bottom flap is folded over and attached to the first pocket unit. The top flap folds over pocket openings in the first pocket unit and attaches to a surface of the bottom flap securing planar media stored in the first pocket unit. The two side flaps fold over both pocket openings and attach to a surface, the second pocket unit protecting planar media stored in the second pocket unit. The attachment means for the flaps allows the pocket unit thickness to increase by allowing the attachment point to move toward an edge increasing the portion of the flaps that cover the pocket openings, thus allowing the unit to get thicker.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate one expandable pocket structure suitable for use with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a block diagram symbol used to illustrate a pocket unit according to embodiments of the present invention to simplify drawings;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D illustrate one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a planar material piece with side flaps, a top flap and a bottom flap according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7A illustrates a compound wallet with two pocket units according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7B illustrates more detail of the material piece of FIG. 6 with added attachment features;

FIG. 7C illustrates another view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A; and

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known mechanisms may be shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. For the most part, details concerning materials, processes and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention and are within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views. For details of a separable and expandable accordion pocket structure, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,082 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. Accordion pockets are defined as a linked pocket structure where the pocket openings may be either separated or separated and expanded. One class of accordion pockets form bi-lateral pockets when the pockets are joined to provide linking. Embodiments of the present invention may use the accordion pockets to provide either single pocket openings for access and storage or opposing bi-lateral pockets openings for access and storage. In the following detailed descriptions, the shortened term “accordion pockets” may be used when referring to the class of pockets comprising separable or separable and expandable bi-lateral accordion pockets. It is understood that other classes of accordion pockets may be employed and are considered within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a diagram of a pocket unit 100 that uses accordion pockets and is suitable for use with embodiments of the present invention. Pocket unit 100 has pocket openings 102 and opposing pocket openings 103. Pocket unit 100 has outside surfaces 101 and 102. FIG. 1B illustrates the pocket unit 100 with the pockets compressed closed. FIG. 1C is a block diagram symbol for a pocket unit 100 with separable or separable and expandable linked bi-lateral accordion pockets (accordion pockets). One set of pocket openings 121 is illustrated by a numeral one in a circle and the second set of pocket openings 122 is illustrated by a numeral two in a circle.

FIG. 2A illustrates a wallet 200 according to embodiments of the present invention. Pocket unit 100 is attached to one surface of material piece 201. A bottom flap 210 is folded back over openings 121 and attached to surface 101 of pocket unit 100. Flap 210 has an attachment feature 203 for mating with corresponding attachment feature 202 on top flap 211. Attachment features 202 and 203 may be selected from attachment systems consisting of a hook and loop system (e.g., Velcro®), a magnetic system, or a temporary bonding adhesive system.

FIG. 2B illustrates wallet 200 with flap 211 extended open and with attachment features 202 and 203 disengaged. FIG. 2C illustrates pocket unit 100 fanned open to allow a media element 205 to be inserted into one of the pocket openings in pocket openings 122. Wallet 200 only utilizes one set of pocket openings 122 while the characteristics of the other linked pockets allow the pocket opening 122 to be smoothly fanned open for access.

FIG. 3A illustrates a wallet 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention where both of the bi-lateral opposing pocket openings (e.g., 121 and 122) are utilized. Pocket unit 100 is attached to a surface area 309 on single piece of material piece 301. Material piece 301 has flaps 306 and 307 configured to extend beyond the dimensions of pocket unit 100. Pocket unit 100 has attachment features 302 and 303 and material piece 301 has mating attachment features 305 and 304. In one embodiment, pocket unit 100 has a ferrous metal piece attached to the surface where flaps 306 and 307 attach. In this embodiment, attachment features 302 and 303 are thin flat Plastiform magnets. The widths of flaps 306 and 307 are sized so that they may touch when folded over and attached to the metal surface when pocket unit 100 is empty. As planar media is placed in pocket unit 100, it increases in thickness and the attachment points of the magnets on flaps 306 and 307 move apart allowing more material of the flaps to be available along the thickness measure of the pocket unit 100 covering the pocket openings 121 and 122. In another embodiment, attachment features 302-305 are part of a Velcro® system.

FIG. 3B illustrates attachment feature 303 uncoupled from mating attachment feature 304 and flap 303 rotated open exposing pocket openings 122. Flap 306 remains coupled to pocket unit 100 with attachment features 302 and 305. A portion of flap 306 secures any media in pocket openings 121 and acts as a hinge when pocket openings 122 are fanned open.

FIG. 3C illustrates pocket unit 100 fanned open in one direction exposing pockets with openings 122. Flap 306 bends and acts as a hinging element when attachment features 302 and 305 are coupled. Attachment features 303 and 304 are uncoupled and flap 307 is rotated away from pocket openings 122 to aid in expanding pocket unit 100. FIG. 3D illustrates wallet 300 with attachment features 303 and 304 uncoupled so that pocket unit 100 may be fanned open in the opposite direction. Flap 306 is rotated away from pocket openings 121 fanning pocket unit 100 open exposing pocket openings 121 for storing a media element 308. Flap 307 bends and acts as a hinging element while attachment features 303 and 304 are coupled. Wallet 300 may have the relationship of attachment features such that, for an empty wallet 300, flaps 306 and 307 will extend over pocket openings 121 and 122, respectively, towards the center of a side of pocket unit 100. As media is added to wallet 300, attachment features 302 and 304 slide over and attach to a different portion of their corresponding mating feature 305 and 303 allowing more of the width of flaps 306 and 307 to accommodate expansion of pocket unit 100 while still covering pocket openings 121 and 122. In another embodiment, the relationship of the attachment features remain fixed and an empty wallet 300 would allow the extra width of flaps 306 and 307 necessary to accommodate expansion to extend the width of wallet 300. In this embodiment, an empty wallet 300 may be wider than one filled with planar media elements.

FIG. 4A illustrates a wallet 400 made according to embodiments of the present invention. Wallet 400 comprises two planar flexible material pieces (e.g., leather) 401 and 411. Material piece 401 has attachment features 402 and 404. Attachment feature 403 is attached to one surface and at one end of material piece 401. Attachment feature 402 is on the opposing surface and at the opposing end of material piece 401. Likewise, material piece 411 has attachment features 403 and 405. Attachment feature 403 is one surface and at one end of material piece 411. Attachment feature 405 is on the opposing surface and at the opposing end of material piece 411. Material pieces 410 and 411 are overlaid attaching to opposing outside surfaces of pocket unit 100 and have substantially the same length as pocket unit 100. The portions of material pieces 401 and 411 that extend out from the width of pocket unit 100 form flaps 406 and 407. Attachment feature 402 is then associated with flap 406 and attachment feature 403 is associated with flap 407. Flaps 406 and 407 have a width sufficient to accommodate thickness variations of wallet 400 when media elements are added to pocket unit 100 and to remain coupled with their corresponding attachment features 402 and 403 and mating attachment features 405 and 404. It is understood that material pieces 401 and 411 may be made from a variety of flexible materials, including by not limited to, leather, plastic, woven fabric, and non woven fabric. Likewise, attachment features 402-405 may be elements of attachment systems including mating snaps, mating Velcro, and mating magnetic materials.

FIG. 5A illustrates a wallet 500 according to embodiments of the present invention. Wallet 500 is similar to wallet 400 in configuration. Wallet 500 is made of material pieces 501 and 511 overlaid and attached to a pocket unit 100 with opposing pocket openings 121 and 122. Wallet 500 has attachment features 504 and 505 with widths extended towards centerline 513. In this manner, corresponding attachment features 503 and 502 may attach to different portions of their mating attachment features to allow wallet 500 to expand as media elements are added to pocket unit 100. FIG. 5B is a view of wallet 500 with both attachment features 503 and 502 decoupled from their corresponding mating attachment feature 504 and 505. Normally, one of the pairs of attachment features 503 and 504 or 502 and 505 are coupled when pocket unit 100 is expanded fanning pocket openings 121 or 122 open for accusing or storing planar media. FIG. 5C illustrates attachment features 502 and 505 coupled. Attachment feature 503 is decoupled from mating attachment feature 504 and material piece 501 is rotated away from material piece 511 using the bending of flap 506 as a hinging element thereby fanning pocket unit 100 open separating and expanding pocket openings 122 to allow media 520 and 521 to be stored or accessed.

FIG. 6 illustrates a material piece 600 used in another embodiment of the present invention. Material piece 600 has an area 601 defined by fold lines 606-609. Material piece 600 is folded along fold line 606 to form flap 604, fold line 607 to form flap 602, fold line 608 to form flap 603, and fold line 609 to form flap 605. Flaps 603 and 604 are folded towards each other over one surface of area 601. Flap 605 is folded over the opposing surface of area 601. Flap 605 is substantially the same width of area 601 but has a length longer than the area 601 such that it forms a loop of excess material length 610 when folded over area 601. The excess material length 610 allows the space between flap 605 and area 601 to expand. Flap 602 folds over flap 605 when flap 605 is folded over the opposing surface of area 601.

FIG. 7A illustrates pocket units 100A and 100B (indicates two pocket units like pocket unit 100 in FIG. 1) attached to surfaces of area 601 on material piece 600 forming a portion of a wallet 700 made according to embodiments of the present invention. The pocket unit 100A has an attachment feature 701 coupled to the surface of pocket unit 100A opposing the surface attached to area 601 on material piece 600. An edge of flap 605 and extended material length 610 are shown with an edge of flap 602. Another pocket unit 100B is shown attached to the surface of area 601 opposing the attachment surface for the pocket unit 100A. Pocket unit 100A and 100B may have different dimensions but are so labeled to indicate that they both have similar features to a pocket unit 100 of FIG. 1 that allows pockets to expand either unilaterally or bi-laterally.

FIG. 7B is a top view of a wallet 700. Attachment feature 701 covers pocket unit 100A so that it is not visible. Mating attachment features 703 and 704 are attached to flaps 604 and 603, respectively. Likewise, attachment features 702 and 705 are attached to flaps 602 and 605. Attachment features 701-705 may be elements of attachment systems including but not limited to mating snaps, mating Velcro®, releasable adhesives, and mating magnetic materials.

FIG. 7C is a view of completed wallet 700. Pocket unit 100A is shown with flaps 603 and 604 folded over and coupled attachment feature 701 covering its corresponding bi-lateral pockets and protecting planar media stored in the pockets of pocket unit 100A. Pocket unit 100B is coupled between area 601 (not shown) and flap 605. Flap 605 has attachment feature 705. Flap 602 is decoupled from attachment feature 705 on flap 605 allowing pocket unit 100B to be fanned open expanding its pockets for storing or accessing media. Pocket unit 100A may be sized to store credit cards in one set of pockets and business cards or photographs in the other set of bi-lateral pockets. Pocket 100B may be sized to store paper money, receipts, business cards or credit cards. In this manner, there are no bulging clips or features extending from the outside surfaces of wallet 700. The outside surface of flap 605 may incorporate a clear sleeve for receiving a user's driver's license or ID card that may be easily accessed without opening wallet 700.

In another embodiment of the present invention, flaps 602 and 605 may be made similar to flaps 603 and 604. In this embodiment, flaps 602 and 605 fold over a bi-lateral pocket unit 100B attached to side of area 601 and flaps 603 and 604 fold over another bi-lateral pocket unit 100A attached to the opposing side of area 601. In this manner, wallet 700 would have two sets of bi-lateral pockets or four sets of independent pockets, wherein the pocket openings in pocket unit 100A are orthogonal to the pocket openings in pocket unit 100B.

A wallet 800, according to another embodiment of the present invention, is shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, both sets of flaps 603, 604 (not visible in this view) and 602, 605 extend half way over the corresponding pocket units 100A and 100B. Since all four flaps couple to an attachment feature (e.g., 801) on one side of their corresponding pocket unit, the bi-lateral function of both pocket units 100A and 100B may be utilized.

The present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wallet for storing planar media elements comprising:

a plurality of linked, separable, accordion pockets (accordion pockets) having first and second laterally opposing pocket openings disposed between a plane side of a first pocket and a plane side of a last pocket, wherein plane sides of the plurality of accordion pockets extend a pocket length between the first laterally opposing pocket openings and the second laterally opposing pocket openings and extend a pocket width substantially orthogonal to the pocket length; and

a flexible material piece that extends a length dimension between a top edge and a bottom edge and extends a width dimension between first and second side edges, wherein one surface of a first portion of the flexible material piece couples to the plane side of the first pocket such that a first flap of the flexible material piece with the bottom edge extends a first length beyond the second pocket openings, and a second flap of the flexible material piece with the top edge extends a second length beyond the first laterally opposing pocket openings, and

wherein the first flap is bent around the second pocket openings forming a first hinging edge and a portion of the first flap is coupled to the plane side of the last pocket such that the bottom edge on the first flap is adjacent to the first pocket openings and opposing the top edge thereby allowing accordion pockets with the first pocket openings to be fanned open for access by rotating the flexible material piece about the first hinging edge so the top edge moves in an arc away from the bottom edge.

2. The wallet of claim 1, wherein the first length of the first flap is sufficient to allow the bottom edge to extend beyond the first openings the second length of the second flap when the first flap is bent around the second openings and coupled to the plane side of the last pocket.

3. The wallet of claim 2, wherein the top edge of the flexible material piece has a first latch feature and the bottom edge of the flexible material piece has a mating second latch feature for coupling the top edge to the bottom edge and holding the first pocket openings in a substantially closed position retaining planar media elements stored in the accordion pockets having the first laterally opposing pocket openings.

4. The wallet of 1 wherein the second flap is bent around the first pocket openings forming a second hinging edge and a portion of the second flap is releasably coupled to a feature on a surface of a portion of the first flap coupled to the plane side of the last pocket thereby allowing the second flap to cover and retain planar elements stored in the accordion pockets with the first laterally opposing pocket openings.

5. The wallet of claim 1, wherein the first length of the first flap is sufficient to extend substantially to a center of the length of the plane side of the last pocket when bent around the second pocket openings forming a first hinging edge and the second length of the second flap is sufficient to extend substantially to the center of the length of the plane side of the last pocket when bent around the first laterally opposing pocket openings forming a second hinging edge.

6. The wallet of claim 5, wherein the plane side of the last pocket has latch features for releasably coupling to the first and second flaps of the flexible material piece when the first and second flaps are bent around the second and first laterally opposing pocket openings, respectively.

7. The wallet of claim 6, wherein the latch features for releasably coupling to the first and second flaps are such that a thickness between the plane side of the first pocket and the plane side of the last pocket varies to accommodate added planar media elements inserted in the accordion pockets having the first and second laterally opposing pocket openings.

8. The wallet of claim 6, wherein the latch features on the plane side of the last pocket for releasably coupling to the first and second flaps comprises one element of a releasable joining system consisting of a hook and loop joining system, a magnetic joining system, and a mechanical snap joining system.

9. The wallet of claim 2, wherein a second surface of the first portion of the flexible material piece coupled to the plane side of the first pocket has a clip feature for holding planar paper elements.

10. The wallet of claim 9, wherein the clip feature for holding planar paper elements is a money clip for holding folded paper money.

11. The wallet of claim 10, wherein the second surface of the first length of the first flap of the flexible material piece has a license slot feature adapted for receiving and holding a drivers license or an identification card (ID), the license slot feature configured such that printing on the driver license or ID card may be read without removing from the license slot feature.

12. The wallet of claim 5 further comprising a second plurality of linked, separable, accordion pockets (accordion pockets) having first and second laterally opposing pocket openings disposed between a plane side of a first pocket and a plane side of a last pocket, wherein plane sides of the plurality of second accordion pockets extend a pocket length between the first laterally opposing pocket openings and the second laterally opposing pocket openings of the second plurality of accordion pockets and extend a pocket width orthogonal to the pocket length, wherein the plane side of the last pocket of the second plurality of accordion pockets is coupled to a second surface of the flexible material piece directly opposing the one surface of the flexible material piece coupled to the plane side of the first pocket of the first plurality of accordion pockets thereby the first laterally opposing pocket openings of the second plurality of accordion pockets are disposed adjacent to the second side edge of the of flexible material piece.

13. The wallet of claim 12, wherein the first side edge of the first portion of the flexible material piece coupled to the plane side of the first pocket of the first plurality of accordion pockets extends a first width beyond the pocket width of the second plurality of accordion pockets thereby forming a third flap that is bent over second laterally opposing pocket openings of the second plurality of accordion pockets forming a third hinging edge and a portion of the third flap is coupled to the plane of the first pocket of the second plurality of accordion pockets.

14. The wallet of claim 13, wherein the second side edge of the first portion of the flexible material piece coupled to the plane side of the first pocket of the first plurality of accordion pockets extends a second width beyond the pocket width of the second plurality of accordion pockets thereby forming a fourth flap.

15. The wallet of claim 14, wherein the fourth flap is bent over the first laterally opposing pocket openings of the second plurality of accordion pockets and releasably coupled to a surface of the first portion of the first width of the flexible material piece coupled to the plane of the first pocket of the second plurality of accordion pockets thereby allowing the fourth flap to cover and retain planar media elements stored in accordion pockets of the second plurality of accordion pockets with the first laterally opposing pocket openings.

16. The wallet of claim 6, wherein the first laterally opposing pocket openings are fanned open for access by releasing the first flap from coupling to the feature on the plane side of the last pocket and rotating the plane side of the first pocket about the first hinging edge and the second laterally opposing pocket openings are fanned open for access by releasing the second flap from coupling to the feature on the plane side of the last pocket and rotating the plane side of the last pocket about the second hinging edge.

17. The wallet of claim 16, wherein the latch features on the plane side of the last pocket for releasably coupling to the first and second flaps of the flexible material piece comprises a second material piece coupled to the plane side of the last pocket.

18. A wallet for storing planar media elements comprising:

a plurality of linked, separable, accordion pockets (accordion pockets) having first and second laterally opposing pocket openings disposed between a plane side of a first pocket and a plane side of a last pocket, wherein plane sides of the accordion pockets extend a pocket length between the first laterally opposing pocket openings and the second laterally opposing pocket openings and extend a pocket width orthogonal to the pocket length;

a first flexible material piece that extends a length dimension between a top edge and a bottom edge and extends a width dimension between first and second side edges, wherein one surface of a first portion of the first flexible material piece couples to the plane side of the first pocket such that a first flap of the flexible material piece with the bottom edge extends a first length beyond the second laterally opposing pocket openings and the top edge of the first flexible material piece is substantially adjacent to the second laterally opposing pocket openings; and

a second flexible material piece that extends a length dimension between a top edge and a bottom edge and extends a width dimension between first and second side edges, wherein one surface of a first portion of the second flexible material piece couples to the plane side of the last pocket such that a second flap of the second flexible material piece with the bottom edge extends a first length beyond the first laterally opposing pocket openings and the top edge of the second flexible material piece is substantially adjacent to the first laterally opposing pocket openings,

wherein the first flap of the first flexible material piece forms a first hinging edge when bent around the second laterally opposing pocket openings and releasably coupled to a portion of the second flexible material piece to cover and secure the second laterally opposing pocket openings and the second flap the second flexible material piece forms a second hinging edge when bent around the first laterally opposing pocket openings and releasably coupled to a portion of the first flexible material piece to cover and secure the first laterally opposing pocket openings thereby allowing the first laterally opposing pocket openings to be fanned open by releasing the second flap of the second flexible material piece from coupling to the first flexible material piece and rotating the second flexible material piece about the first hinging edge and allowing the second laterally opposing pocket openings to be fanned open by releasing the first flap of the first flexible material piece from coupling to the second flexible material piece and rotating the first flexible material piece about the second hinging edge.

19. The wallet of claim 18, wherein the first flap has a first latch feature for coupling to a first mating latch feature on a surface of the portion of the second material piece and second flap has a second latch feature for coupling to a second mating latch feature on a surface of the portion of the first material piece.

20. The wallet of claim 19, wherein the first latch feature and the first mating latch feature and the second latch feature and the second mating latch feature comprise elements of a releasable joining system consisting of a hook and loop joining system, a magnetic joining system, and a mechanical snap joining system.

21. The wallet of claim 19, wherein latch positions, where the first and second latch features of the first and second flaps couple to the first and second mating latch features on the surfaces of the portions of the first and second material pieces, vary from the center of the first and second material pieces to the top edges of the first and second material pieces to accommodate increased thickness of the accordion pockets resulting from inserting planar media elements.

22. A billfold wallet comprising:

a first material piece having a length and a width and forming the outside surface of the billfold wallet;

a second material piece disposed over the first material piece and seamed on three edges to form a slot for storing paper money; and

one or more storage elements coupled to the second material piece and configured for storing and retaining planar media in a plurality of linked, separable, accordion pockets (accordion pockets) having first and second laterally opposing pocket openings disposed between a plane side of a first pocket and a plane side of a last pocket, wherein plane sides of the plurality of accordion pockets extend a pocket length between the first laterally opposing pocket openings and the second laterally opposing pocket openings and extend a pocket width orthogonal to the pocket length.

23. The billfold wallet of claim 22, wherein the storage element further comprises

a flexible material piece that extends a length dimension between a top edge and a bottom edge and extends a width dimension between first and second side edges, wherein one surface of a first portion of the flexible material piece couples to the plane side of the first pocket such that a first flap of the flexible material piece with the bottom edge extends a first length beyond the second laterally opposing pocket openings, and a second flap of the flexible material piece with the top edge extends a second length beyond the first laterally opposing pocket openings, a second surface of the flexible material piece directly opposing the first surface of the first portion of the flexible material piece is coupled to the second material piece of the billfold wallet, and

wherein the first flap is bent around the second laterally opposing pocket openings forming a first hinging edge and a portion of the first flap is coupled to the plane side of the last pocket such that the bottom edge on the first flap is adjacent to the first laterally opposing pocket openings and opposing the top edge thereby allowing accordion pockets with the first laterally opposing pocket openings to be fanned open for access by rotating the flexible material piece about the first hinging edge so the top edge moves in an arc away from the bottom edge.

24. The wallet of claim 23, wherein the top edge of the material piece has a first latch feature and the bottom edge of the material piece has a mating second latch feature for coupling the top edge to the bottom edge and holding the first laterally opposing pocket openings in a substantially closed position retaining planar elements stored in the accordion pockets having the first laterally opposing pocket openings.

25. The wallet of 22 wherein the second flap is bent around the first laterally opposing pocket openings forming a second hinging edge and a portion of the second flap is releasably coupled to a feature on a surface of a portion of the first flap coupled to the plane side of the last pocket thereby allowing the second flap to cover and retain planar elements stored in the accordion pockets with the first laterally opposing pocket openings.