Expandable capacity pocket device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9457611-B2
Application number	US-201414150969-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 9, 2014
Priority date	Jan 9, 2013
Publication date	Oct 4, 2016
Grant date	Oct 4, 2016

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 having a front major panel, a back major panel, and a corresponding lateral dimension; and
a pocket panel having a front pocket panel and a back pocket panel, said front pocket panel coupled to said front major panel and defining a front pocket with said front major panel, said back pocket panel being coupled to said back major panel and defining a back pocket with said back major panel, wherein said pocket panel defines a fold line extending between said front pocket panel and said back pocket panel that is positioned along an outermost edge of said pocket device when folded in a closed position, wherein a lateral dimension of said pocket panel is greater than said corresponding lateral dimension of said major panel to define a laterally-extending gap therebetween that extends along an entire height of said pocket panel along said outermost edge of said pocket device when folded in a closed position, said laterally-extending gap positioned relative to said fold line such that said fold line is pulled inwards to enable expansion of at least one of said pockets based on content being placed within said pocket panel, said height of said pocket panel being generally perpendicular to said lateral dimension.

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

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 at least one of said pockets increases as a lateral dimension of said gap decreases due to movement of said pocket panel.

5. The pocket device of claim 1 wherein said lateral dimension of said pocket panel is greater than said corresponding lateral dimension of said major panel due to the gap being a cutout in said major panel.

6. 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 pocket fold line positioned along a bottom of at least one of said pockets.

7. The pocket device of claim 1 wherein said gap is positioned adjacent to and generally aligned with a major fold line or area.

8. A pocket device comprising:
a first major panel and a second major panel coupled together along a fold line;
a first pocket panel coupled to said first major panel along a first pocket fold line and defining a first pocket with said first major panel; and
a second pocket panel coupled to said second major panel along a second pocket fold line and defining a second pocket with said second major panel, wherein said first pocket panel and said second pocket panel are coupled together at an outermost fold line positioned along an outermost edge of said pocket device when folded in a closed position, and wherein each pocket panel has a lateral dimension greater than a lateral dimension of the associated major panel at at least a distal end of said pocket panel positioned opposite the associated pocket fold line to thereby define a lateral gap therebetween, said lateral gap disposed along said outermost edge of said pocket device when folded in a closed position having a greater height than said first pocket panel and said second pocket panel, said laterally-extending gap positioned relative to said outermost fold line such that said outermost fold line is pulled inwards to enable expansion of said first and second pockets based on content being placed within at least one of said first pocket panel and said second pocket panel.

9. A pocket device comprising:
a major panel having a front major panel, a back major panel, and a corresponding lateral dimension; and
a pocket panel having a front pocket panel and a back pocket panel, said front pocket panel coupled to said front major panel along a pocket fold line and defining a front pocket with said front major panel, said back pocket panel being coupled to said back major panel along said pocket fold line and defining a back pocket, wherein said pocket panel defines a second fold line extending between said front pocket panel and said back pocket panel and positioned along an outermost edge of said pocket device, wherein said pocket panel has a lateral dimension greater than said corresponding lateral dimension of said major panel at least at a distal end of said pocket panel positioned opposite said pocket fold line to thereby define a lateral-extending gap therebetween that has a height greater than said pocket panel, said laterally-extending gap extending along said outermost edge of said pocket device and positioned relative to said second fold line such that said second fold line is pulled inwards to thereby enable expansion of at least one of said pockets based on content being placed within said pocket panel.

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