Folder with a side hinge

Abstract

The folder has only one side substantially connected using a side hinge. Prior art style folder front and back panels (40 and 41) are hingedly attached along a horizontal bottom edge (47). The front and back panels each have a left-hand side edge (43 and 45). These LHS edges are substantially vertical and perpendicular to the panels' bottom edge. The proximal edges (53 and 55) of side hinge (50) are hingedly attached to respective LHS edges of the panels. The hinge portions' distal edges (56 and 54) are hingedly attached together (along vertical line 60). The hinge substantially connects the LHS front panel edge to the LHS back panel edge. The lower edge of the hinge (23) is at least 1.5″ up from the folder's bottom edge (47). The hinge is short (like ¾″). The hinge folds inside / between the folder panels (like 1″ in and 1″ out).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVEOLPEMENT [0002] Not Applicable REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0004] This invention relates to file folders or file envelopes or, more specifically, expandable file folders. Heretofore, folders up till now have been mostly of five basic types: standard single-fold folders, hanging folders, jackets, pockets, expanding pocket folders, and combinations thereof. [0005] Prior Art FIG. 1 shows a prior art folder with a single bottom fold, front perspective view. Back panel P10, front panel P15, and fold lines P20 noted. Panels' bottom edge P7 noted. There are many problems with these standard file folders. Papers can fall out the sides. Papers can become disorganized (like upside down or out of order). This is because papers can be put in from either side or dropped in. If both front and back panels of a full folder are not...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] With only one side hinge hingedly attached to a bottom-fold folder: #1: Papers slide in one way, so less likely any will be upside down. #2: Papers line up evenly/same length in folder. #3: Papers are easy viewed while in fairly open folder/all data visible. #4: Since papers can be viewed while in folder, papers stay in order. #5: An embodiment of this folder expands 2″ wide. #6: They are inexpensive to make and easy to produce. #7: These folders can be placed in a backward-tilted tray (FIG. 4), making sorting papers super-extra-easy. #8: On a backward-tilted tray, papers don't slip out either side and stay aligned. #9: These folders, when full, pull from file drawers with contents intact (even grabbing just one panel). #10: These folders fit anywhere standard file folders fit. #11: The tab-type folder's side hinge can be clipped off if ever necessary. #12: The tab-type side hinge can be hinged outward and be viewed as a side tab (in an opened-back tray), like if folders have few papers in them. #13: Face the side hinge down, and papers can be looked at as if one were reading a book (without the papers falling out) (folder positioned like in FIG. 9). #14: Unused folders fit in-bulk in a drawer ) even the tab-type hinge out fits because the hinge can just bend slightly rearwardly in drawer. #15: Folder is aesthetically pleasing. #16: T

Problems solved by technology

There are many problems with these standard file folders.

Papers can become disorganized (like upside down or out of order).

Hanging folders have problems and limited uses.

Any papers that stick out the edges of a hanging file can get bent / torn (while pulling a folder out) by the metal edge supports of the file rack.

Such pockets have tight corners making it hard to put in and take out papers.

It is hard to see what is on the papers without taking them out.

Closed corners limit the quantity of papers.

Pocket folders also require the expense of a length of sealing on the two seams without the fold.

Pockets made of standard-folder card stock make inserting papers into the tight corners even more difficult than a thin-paper shipping envelope.

This procedure can be time consuming and frustrating, especially, as is usual, many papers must be filed.

Jackets (2 sides closed) have the tight corner problem also.

The fuller the jacket the farther sideways papers extend, making jackets not so useful in the sideways-limited space of a file drawer.

But they are bulky (deep) even when empty.

Also they require multiple steps of construction, which increases production costs.

Still, any paper inside the folder can only be partially viewed.

Since it is already difficult to get papers in a pocket, the bulky multi-pocket unit may have to be pulled from the file drawer and placed somewhere, like on a desk.

But because of the pocket's bottom W shape, papers can end up being crumpled (or papers already inside get smashed).

Similarly, multiple sheet materials stapled together (like pages of a document) become hingedly attached, effectively along the vertical length of the staple, such that the papers weaken / fold under stress against the more rigid staple.

Images