Decorative portable filing bag

Abstract

A decorative portable filing bag having reinforced layers of coordinating interior and exterior fabrics precisely fitted over a hanging file frame and coordinated removable hanging files with a fabric handle. This novel filing system provides significant differentiation from current briefcases and cardboard portable systems both in utility and style.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/675,651, filed 2005 Apr. 28 by the current inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to storage systems, specifically to decorative portable systems used for transporting, samples, forms, brochures, invoices, receipts, legal papers, or any important documents requiring separation and organization.

2. Prior Art

There are multiple portable filing systems on the market today, primarily available in office supply stores. These portable filing systems are available in many different sizes, colors, and designs. Most portable filing systems include an accordion file of some type with tabs to record the specific file section. While these tabs are either alphabetical or blank for the owner to record their own customer file name, the file names are not easily changed. Most systems are made out of paper cardboard of varying thicknesses and quality. Many have a small handle and a closure system. Current portable filing systems are designed for function and not style. Traditional briefcases lack the file separation and labeling ability that my decorative portable filing bag offers. Plastic and cardboard portable filing systems can be awkward to carry and have no style or differentiation.

A search of the following classes and subclasses did not reveal any relevant prior artwork: 69/1 file, leather; 69/20 file, leather, implement; 493/947 file, folder; 407/29, 15 files, handles; 139/389+ bag, fabric; 211/11 file, sorting type desk; 220/529+ file, receptacle file partition; 916 pliable container; 921 insert; 926 handle; 935 covering bag; 937 textile; 206 special receptacle or package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Several objects and advantages of this invention include:

• • (a) to provide owners with option of selecting designer fabric and trim for the exterior of the file bag;
  • (b) to provide owners with option of selecting interior lining fabric to coordinate with the exterior fabric and trim;
  • (c) to provide owners with option to order custom made interior file folders to coordinate with the interior and exterior fabric colors;
  • (d) to provide owners with the option of a custom embroidered initials, business or company names on the exterior of the bag;
  • (e) to provide owners with a convenient long strap connected to the file bag to drape over their shoulder freeing up both hands;
  • (f) to provide multiple hanging file folders that can be conveniently transferred back and forth to alternate, more permanent filing drawers yet transported in style;
  • (g) to provide owners with a unique method to transport important articles and documents in a very stylish way that reflects owners personality and taste;

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention a decorative portable file bag comprises of three reinforced fabric layers precisely fitted over a hanging file frame and coordinated removable hanging files, trim, and file tabs.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the right side panel construction of the bag.

FIG. 2 shows the left side panel construction of the bag.

FIG. 3 shows the bottom panel construction of the bag.

FIG. 4 shows the front panel construction of the bag.

FIG. 5 shows the back panel construction of the bag.

FIG. 6 shows the decorative, coordinating trim attached.

FIG. 7 shows two long handles attached to the side panels.

FIG. 8 shows the standard or legal size hanging files and file frames inserted into the completed fabric bag.

FIG. 9 shows the completed decorative portable file bag.

FIG. 10 shows the file tabs and labels FIG. 11 shows the optional decorative monogram.

FIG. 12 shows the optional Velcroed top cover

FIG. 13 shows the completed file bag with optional Velcroed top cover.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 20a right interior decorative panel
• 20b right center interfacing panel
• 20c right exterior decorative panel
• 22a left interior decorative panel
• 22b left center interfacing panel
• 22c left exterior decorative panel
• 24a bottom interior decorative panel
• 24b bottom center interfacing panel
• 24c bottom exterior decorative panel
• 26a front interior decorative panel
• 26b front center interfacing panel
• 26c front exterior decorative panel
• 28a back interior decorative panel
• 28b back center interfacing panel
• 28c back exterior decorative panel
• 30 decorative top perimeter fabric trim
• 32a, b fabric handles
• 34a-j standard or legal size hanging files
• 36a-d connector screws
• 38a, b frame connector parts
• 40a, b standard or legal size frame parts
• 42 hanging file tab labels
• 44 hanging file tabs
• 46 optional decorative embroidered initials
• 48a, b alternative side handles
• 50 alternate Velcroed top left side
• 52 alternate Velcroed top right side

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1-10 PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-5 show the basic construction of the fabric bag. Part 20a in FIG. 1 is the right interior decorative fabric that coordinates with 20c, the exterior decorative fabric. Part 20b is the fabric interfacing that adds body to the side wall. Parts 20a, 20b, and 20c are all the same dimensions and are sewn together to form the right side wall and then the completed side wall is sewn to join the bottom, front, and back sides described in subsequent drawings.

Part 22a in FIG. 2 is the left interior decorative fabric that coordinates with 20c, the exterior decorative fabric. Part 22b is the fabric interfacing that adds body to the side wall. 22a, 22b, and 22c are all the same dimensions and are sewn together to form the left side wall and then the completed side wall is sewn to join the bottom, front, and back sides described in subsequent drawings.

Part 24a in FIG. 3 is the bottom interior decorative fabric that coordinates with 24c, the exterior decorative fabric. Part 24b is the fabric interfacing that adds body to the bottom wall. Parts 24a, 24b, and 24c are all the same dimensions and are sewn together to form the bottom wall and then the completed bottom wall is sewn to join the side, front, and back sides described in subsequent drawings.

Part 26a in FIG. 4 is the front interior decorative fabric that coordinates with part 26c, the exterior decorative fabric. Part 26b is the fabric interfacing that adds body to the front wall. Reference Numeral 26a, 26b, and 26c are all the same dimensions and are sewn together to form the front wall and then the completed front wall is sewn to join the side, bottom, and back sides described in subsequent drawings.

Part 28a in FIG. 5 is the back interior decorative fabric that coordinates with 28c, the exterior decorative fabric. Part 28b is the fabric interfacing that adds body to the back wall. Parts 28a, 28b, and 28c are all the same dimensions and are sewn together to form the back wall and then the completed back wall is sewn to join the side, front, and bottom sides described in subsequent drawings to form the completed shell of the file bag.

Part 30 a decorative coordinating fabric trim piece in FIG. 6 is sewn to the entire perimeter of the bag along the top edge.

Fabric handles 32a and 32b in FIG. 7 are sewn to the top inside edge of the front and back panels.

Standard letter or legal size hanging file frames 40a and 40b in FIG. 8 are connected with cross frame connectors 38a and 38b and screws 36a-d. File frames and hanging files are available at most office supply stores. Frame connectors 38a-b frame can be cut to varying lengths to allow for different widths for the bag. The completed bag fabric panels from FIG. 1-5 are stretched over the completed file frame 36a-d, 38a-b, 40a-b and standard or legal hanging folders are placed on the file frame supported by the file frame notches. Precise fabric measurements are required to permit a tight fit for the file frames inside the fabric bag.

Ten standard hanging file tabs 44 and labels 42 in FIG. 10 are included with each bag order for the customer to label each file.

Operation

The operation of the decorative portable file bag is quite simple. Teachers, attorneys, real estate agents, interior decorators, and anyone seeking organization with style use the decorative portable file bag to transport important files and documents to and from jobs, customers, offices, and vendors. A significant advantage of this system is the ability to easily remove (FIG. 8) the hanging files and place them in more permanent filing cabinets at different locations. Another advantage is the long handles in FIG. 7 that can be placed over the shoulder to free up hands and provide better support. However, the most significant advantage is the decorative fabric that covers the inside and outside of the bag and is coordinated with the trim piece in FIG. 6 and hanging files in FIG. 8.

Consumers love the fact that they own a very unique, classy, decorative, portable filing system that they are proud to display and use. Consumers can actually pick out coordinating materials at a local fabric store as well as have their initials or business name monogrammed on the exterior of the bag.

FIGS. 11-13—Additional Embodiments

Additional embodiments are shown in FIGS. 11-13. The first option for consumers is to have their initials monogrammed on the exterior of the file as shown by 46 in FIG. 11. This option further differentiates the file bag from others.

Another option is a Velcroed top cover to prevent documents from being observed or falling out of the file bag as shown in FIG. 12. Part 50 has a strip of Velcro sewn on the underside of it that adheres to the Velcro sewn into the top of Part 52. FIG. 13 shows the final Velcro option embodiment applied to the file bag. The Velcro option requires repositioning of straps 48a and 48b that are sewn to the outside edges of 50 and 52.

Advantages

From the descriptions above, a number of advantages of the decorative portable file bag become evident:

• • a) File bag owners have the distinct advantage of portability of important documents as well as the unique ability to easily remove any or all of the hanging files and place them in another filing cabinet or storage system in an alternate location. Most current systems are composed of a cardboard accordion file from which individual files cannot be removed.
  • b) Current portable filing systems are made out of cardboard and have no style. The decorative portable file bag is stylish and makes a statement about the taste and style of the owner. Owners can special order interior, exterior, trim, and hanging files to coordinate with each other and the style of the owner.
  • c) Current portable filing systems do not have the flexible long handles. The longer handles can be draped over the shoulder to better balance the weight and free up the owner's hands for other tasks.
  • d) Current portable filing systems have a clumsy elastic band or cardboard piece that acts as a closure for the top of the files. An option for the decorative portable filing bag is a Velroed top cover that opens in the middle to secure files and documents. This closure method is more convenient and more stylish than the current options on the market.
  • e) The biggest compliment I receive out of the several hundred decorative portable file bag owners is that, “I own something very unique and useful and no one else I know has one. I love taking my files and cool bag to meet my clients.”
  • f) Teachers, interior decorators, real estate agents, and anyone seeking stylish organization love my new invention and refer me to their friends.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

As documented above, the ramification of this new invention is there is a large potential customer base that will enjoy the style, uniqueness, and fabulous utility of the decorative portable file bag I have named the ClassyFile under my business name TaterTotes. With input from early buyers, I have added multiple widths as well as an optional legal size in addition to the standard letter size files. Another option is the Velcroed top that keeps documents private and from falling out when the bag is tipped. The descriptions and preferred embodiments above should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. The size in width, length, and depth can vary depending upon the needs of the buyer. In addition, the monogramming and Velcro options add additional differentiation from current portable storage items.

Claims

1. A decorative portable file bag comprising:

a) reinforced fabrics with coordinating designs on the interior and exterior surfaces sewn together to form the shell of said file bag, and

b) a standard or legal size file frame with multiple color coordinated hanging files inserted into said fabric file bag, and

c) attached fabric handles for convenient transporting and significant utility

whereby said decorative portable file bag provides a convenient yet stylish vehicle to organize and transport important documents or samples.