Expandable capacity pocket device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10005311-B2
Application number	US-201615228652-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 4, 2016
Priority date	Jan 9, 2013
Publication date	Jun 26, 2018
Grant date	Jun 26, 2018

Abstract

A pocket device including a major panel and a pocket panel coupled to the major panel and defining a pocket with the major panel. The pocket panel has a lateral dimension greater than a lateral dimension of the major panel at at least one position to thereby define a laterally-extending gap therebetween, which enables expansion of the pocket.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A pocket device comprising:
a major panel; and
a pocket panel having a front pocket panel and a back pocket panel, said front pocket panel coupled to said major panel and defining a front pocket with said major panel on a front side of said major panel, said back pocket panel being coupled to said major panel and defining a back pocket with said major panel on a back side of said major panel which is generally opposite said front side, wherein said pocket panel includes a fold line or dividing line extending between said front pocket panel and said back pocket panel that is positioned along an outermost edge of said pocket device, wherein both said front pocket panel and said back pocket panel have a portion extending laterally beyond a corresponding lateral portion of at least part of said major panel to define a laterally-extending gap therebetween that extends along a height of said pocket panel along or adjacent to said outermost edge of said pocket device, said pocket device being configured such that said fold line or dividing line is movable inwardly to enable expansion of at least one of said pockets, said height of said pocket panel being generally perpendicular to said lateral direction, wherein said major panel and both pocket panels are permanently coupled together along an edge of said pocket device positioned opposite said fold line or dividing line and extending parallel to said height of said pocket panel.

2. The pocket device of claim 1 wherein said pocket panel is oriented generally parallel with and facing said major panel to define said back pocket and said front pocket, each pocket having a mouth, and wherein said gap extends in a lateral direction generally parallel to both mouths.

3. The pocket device of claim 1 wherein said major panel and said pocket panel are coupled together along a binding edge, and wherein said gap is positioned on an opposite side of said pocket device relative to said binding edge.

4. The pocket device of claim 1 wherein said pocket device is configured such that a volume of said at least one of said pockets increases as a lateral dimension of said gap decreases due to said movement of said fold line or dividing line.

5. The pocket device of claim 1 wherein said portion of each pocket panel that extends laterally beyond said corresponding lateral portion of said major panel due is to a cutout in said major panel.

6. The pocket device of claim 1 wherein said portion of each pocket panel extends laterally beyond said corresponding lateral portion of said major panel is due to a gusseted portion of said major panel being positioned over or under a main portion of said major panel.

7. The pocket device of claim 1 wherein said major panel and said pocket panel are formed of a single unitary piece of material and are coupled along a pair of pocket fold lines positioned along a bottom of said pocket device.

8. The pocket device of claim 1 wherein said at least one of said pockets is at least partially defined by a folding panel positioned adjacent to said gap, said folding panel being configured to be generally parallel with one of said front or back pocket panels when said one of said pockets is in a compact state, said folding panel being configured to be oriented generally perpendicular to said one of said front or back pocket panels when said one of said pocket is filled with contents and in an expanded state.

9. The pocket device of claim 1 wherein said major panel includes a front major panel and a back major panel, and wherein said front pocket panel defines said front pocket with said front major panel and said back pocket panel defines said back pocket with said back major panel.

10. The pocket device of claim 9 wherein said front major panel and said back major panel are pivotally coupled together along a major fold line or area, and wherein said gap is positioned between said fold line or dividing line and said major fold line or area.

11. The pocket device of claim 9 wherein said front major panel and said back major panel are coupled together by a pair of folding panels, and wherein said folding panels are positioned between said front major panel and said back major panel in a thickness direction thereof.

12. The pocket device of claim 1 wherein the front pocket panel and the back pocket panel are coupled together by a pair of folding panels, each folding panel being movable between a compact position in which each folding panel is generally parallel with the associated pocket panel, and an expanded position in which each folding panel is generally perpendicular to the associated pocket panel.

13. A pocket device comprising:
a major panel; and
a pocket panel having a front pocket panel and a back pocket panel, said front pocket panel coupled to said major panel and defining a front pocket with said major panel, said back pocket panel being coupled to said major panel and defining a back pocket with said major panel, wherein at least part of said pocket panel extends laterally outwardly beyond at least part of said major panel to define a laterally-extending gap therebetween that extends along a height of said pocket panel at or adjacent to an outer edge thereof, said laterally-extending gap being positioned at or adjacent to an outer edge of said pocket panel such that at least part of said pocket panel is movable inwardly to enable expansion of at least one of said pockets, said height of said pocket panel being generally perpendicular to said lateral direction, wherein said front pocket panel and said back pocket panel are coupled together along an edge of said pocket device positioned on an opposite side of said pocket device relative to said gap and extending parallel to said height of said pocket panel.

14. A pocket device comprising:
a major panel; and
a pocket panel coupled to said major panel and including a front pocket panel defining a front pocket with said major panel and a back pocket panel defining a back pocket with said major panel, wherein said pocket panel has an extension portion extending laterally beyond a lateral edge of at least part of said major panel along a height of said pocket panel at or adjacent to at least part of an outer perimeter thereof, wherein said height of said pocket panel extends perpendicular to said lateral direction, wherein said extension portion enables expansion of said pocket, wherein said front pocket panel and said back pocket panel are coupled together along an edge of said pocket device, and wherein a gap is positioned along or adjacent to said edge, extending parallel to said height of said pocket panel.

15. The pocket device of claim 13 wherein the front pocket is positioned on a front side of said major panel and the back pocket is positioned on a back side of said major panel generally opposite said front side.

16. The pocket device of claim 1 wherein said major panel and both pocket panels are permanently coupled together along said edge of said pocket device positioned opposite said fold line or dividing line such that said pocket device is retained in a folded position wherein said pocket panels are positioned on opposite sides of said major panel in a thickness direction extending perpendicular to a plane of said pocket device.

17. The pocket device of claim 13 wherein said front pocket panel, said back pocket panel and said major panel are coupled together along said edge of said pocket device positioned opposite said gap and extending parallel to said height of said pocket panel.

18. The pocket device of claim 13 furth

Assignees

• Acco Brands Corp

Inventors

• Busam Edward P

Classifications

• B42F7/02 Primary

  {Filing appliances comprising only one pocket or compartment, e.g.} single gussetted pockets · CPC title

• B42D1/007

  Sheets or sheet blocks combined with other articles · CPC title

• B42D1/06

  in which the fillings and covers are united by other means · CPC title