Quick-mount folder

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9290034-B2
Application number	US-201314062106-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 24, 2013
Priority date	Oct 24, 2013
Publication date	Mar 22, 2016
Grant date	Mar 22, 2016

Abstract

A folder system including a folder having a first panel and a second panel pivotally coupled to the first panel along a pivot line. The folder further includes a spine portion positioned between the first and second panels at the pivot line, wherein said spine portion includes a hole formed therethrough. The spine portion further includes a slit extending from an outer edge of the spine portion to the hole to enable a binding device to be passed through the slit into the hole.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A folder system including a folder comprising:
a first panel;
a second panel pivotally coupled to said first panel along a pivot line; and
a spine portion positioned between said first and second panels at said pivot line, wherein said spine portion includes a hole formed therethrough, said spine portion further including a slit extending from an outer edge of said spine portion to said hole to enable a binding device to be passed through said slit into said hole, wherein the first and second panels each include a cutout generally aligned with the hole, and wherein said spine portion has a length extending parallel to said pivot line that is greater than a length of at least one of said cutouts.

2. The folder system of claim 1 wherein the first and second panels each include an outer perimeter, and wherein when the folder is in a closed position said spine portion is internally positioned in said folder such that the spine portion is generally positioned within each outer perimeter.

3. The folder system of claim 1 wherein said folder is movable between a closed position, wherein said first and second panels are generally parallel and facing each other, and an open position wherein said first and second panels are generally parallel and not facing each other, and wherein each cutout provides direct access to the hole when the folder is in the closed position.

4. The folder system of claim 3 wherein each cutout intersects an outer edge of the associated panel.

5. The folder system of claim 3 wherein each cutout provides direct access to the entirety of the slit and hole when the folder is in the closed position, and wherein the first and second panels cover a remainder of said spine portion not exposed by any cutout when said folder is in the closed position.

6. The folder system of claim 3 wherein said spine portion is positioned between said first and second panels when said folder is in said closed position such that said folder has at least a three ply thickness along a straight line extending through said folder in an area of said spine portion.

7. The folder system of claim 3 wherein said spine portion is positionable generally perpendicular to said first and second panels when said folder is in said open position.

8. The folder system of claim 1 wherein said slit extends to and intersects said pivot line, and wherein said cutout extends to and intersects said pivot line.

9. The folder system of claim 1 wherein the first and second panels each include a cutout generally aligned with the hole, and wherein the system further includes said binding device extending through said hole to thereby bind said folder.

10. The folder system of claim 1 wherein said slit has a non-linear configuration.

11. The folder system of claim 1 wherein said slit has a 90 degree bend therein.

12. The folder system of claim 1 wherein said first and second panels and said spine portion are all made from a single, unitary piece of material.

13. The folder system of claim 1 wherein said spine portion is a two-ply spine portion.

14. The folder system of claim 1 wherein said spine portion includes a first supplemental hole and a second supplemental hole formed therethrough, and further includes a first supplemental slit and a second supplemental slit, each supplemental slit extending from an outer edge of said spine portion to an associated supplemental hole to enable a binding device to be passed through the first and second supplemental slits into the associated first and second supplemental hole.

15. The folder system of claim 1 wherein each first and second panel is generally flat and planar, and has a pocket thereon.

16. The folder system of claim 1 wherein said first and second panels each have a laterally extending width, and wherein said spine portion has a laterally extending width that is less than said widths of said first and second panels.

17. The folder of claim 1 wherein said spine portion has at least one of a different size or shape than each cutout.

18. The folder of claim 1 wherein said spine portion has a length extending parallel to said pivot line that is generally the same as a height of each panel extending parallel to said pivot line.

19. A folder comprising:
a first panel;
a second panel pivotally coupled to said first panel along a pivot line; and
a spine portion coupled to said first and second panels at said pivot line, wherein said spine portion includes a hole formed therethrough, said spine portion further including a slit extending from an outer edge of said spine portion to said hole to enable a binding device to be passed through said slit into said hole, wherein said folder is movable between a closed position, wherein said first and second panels are generally parallel and facing each other, and an open position wherein said first and second panels are generally parallel and not facing each other, and said spine portion is positioned directly between and parallel to said first and second panels when said folder is in said closed position.

20. The folder of claim 19 wherein the first and second panels each include a cutout generally aligned with the hole.

21. The folder of claim 19 wherein said spine portion is positioned directly between said first and second panels in a thickness direction extending perpendicular to a plane of at least one of said first or second panel when said folder is in said closed position.

22. A folder comprising:
a panel having a cutout; and
a spine portion pivotally coupled to said panel such that said folder is movable to a closed position wherein said panel and said spine are generally parallel and facing each other, said spine portion having a width less than a width of said panel, wherein said spine portion includes a hole formed therethrough and aligned with said cutout, said spine portion further including a slit extending from an outer edge of said spine portion to said hole to enable a binding device to be passed through said slit into said hole, wherein said cutout surrounds said slit and hole to provide direct access to the entirety of the slit and hole when the folder is in a closed position.

23. The folder of claim 22 wherein said spine portion has at least one of a different size or shape than said cutout.

24. The folder of claim 22 wherein said spine portion is a two-ply spine portion.

Assignees

• Busam Edward P
• Harris Richard H
• Acco Brands Corp

Inventors

• Busam Edward P
• Harris Richard H

Classifications

• B42F11/00 Primary

  Filing appliances with separate intermediate holding means (B42F17/00 takes precedence; with adhesive strips for mounting papers or sheets B42D1/10) · CPC title