Card file

Abstract

This card file offers excellent operability when folded, improved aesthetics when folded, and stable posture. [Solution] A card file 1 that can be folded from an unfolded state to a folded state, The aforementioned card file 1 includes a storage sheet 2 for storing various types of cards C, The aforementioned storage sheet 2 comprises a plurality of case sections 4 arranged in a grid pattern in the vertical and horizontal directions when unfolded. Each of the case sections 4 has a bag-shaped storage section 6 formed therein, and is arranged such that the number of rows in one direction is an odd number of 3 or more, and the number of rows in the direction perpendicular to it is an even number of 2 or more. The above problem is solved by a card file 1 characterized in that four independent back plates 3 are fixed to the corresponding corners of either the front or back surface of the case portion 4 located at the four corners of the storage sheet 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a card file for storing various cards, and particularly to a card file that can be folded freely.

Background Art

[0002] Game cards (so-called trading cards) are widely used in collections and battle games, such as well-known contents like Pokémon (registered trademark), Duel Masters (registered trademark), and MAGIC: THE GATHERING (registered trademark). Conventionally, various card files have been known for protecting and carrying these cards. For example, as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a typical one is to use a mount provided with pockets capable of accommodating a plurality of game cards bound in a booklet form.

[0003] On the other hand, Patent Document 3 describes a card file formed by connecting a plurality of rectangular sleeves having pockets in a row. The card file can be folded in a bellows shape with the connecting portions between the sleeves as fold lines. Thereby, compared with a booklet-shaped card file, the overall bulk can be suppressed, and thus it has excellent portability. In addition, Patent Document 3 also discloses a modified example in which the sleeves are connected in the vertical and horizontal directions respectively.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the conventional foldable card files described above had the following problems. Specifically, card files consisting of sleeves connected in a row were long in overall length, making them difficult to fold and requiring cumbersome folding operations, thus making smooth folding difficult. Furthermore, there was room for improvement in the aesthetic appearance when folded. In addition, the holding power was insufficient when folded, causing the folders to easily fall apart and resulting in a lack of stability when carried.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a card file that offers excellent operability when folded, improves aesthetics when folded, and can maintain a stable posture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the first invention is: A card file that can be folded from an unfolded state to a folded state, The card file comprises a storage sheet for storing various types of cards and a backing plate attached to the storage sheet. The aforementioned storage sheet comprises a plurality of case sections arranged in a grid pattern in the vertical and horizontal directions when unfolded, and each of the plurality of case sections has a bag-shaped storage section formed therein. The present invention provides a card file characterized in that the back panel is disposed on the back surface of the case portion located at each of the four corners of the storage sheet.

[0008] According to the first invention described above, a card file can be provided that offers excellent operability when folded, improves aesthetics when folded, and maintains a stable posture, thanks to a storage sheet and back plate that can be folded vertically and horizontally.

[0009] The second invention is, in the first invention described above, The arrangement of the case section is characterized by having an odd number of 3 or more columns in one direction, and an even number of 2 or more columns in the direction perpendicular to it.

[0010] According to the second invention described above, in addition to the effects of the first invention described above, The card file offers flexibility in folding procedures, as it can be folded either vertically and then horizontally, or horizontally and then vertically, when transitioning from an unfolded to a folded state. In addition, intuitive operation allows for smooth folding, improving convenience.

[0011] The third invention is, in the second invention described above, The case portion has an extended portion that extends toward the adjacent case portion, Between the extended portions, a boundary line is formed that separates the case portions and serves as a fold when folded. The extension portion is formed to become narrower toward the boundary line, thereby creating a constriction between the extension portions that are opposite each other across the boundary line.

[0012] According to the third invention described above, in addition to the effects of the second invention described above, folding the card file becomes even easier, further improving its convenience.

[0013] The fourth invention is, in the third invention described above, The back panel is rectangular in shape, and is characterized by having a recess on one of its four sides to prevent interference between the back panel and the extended portion during folding.

[0014] According to the fourth invention described above, in addition to the effects of the third invention described above, The design facilitates folding in the desired direction, and when folded, allows the user to easily grip the card file by securing their fingers.

[0015] The fifth invention is, in the fourth invention, characterized in that an attachment portion for attaching the storage sheet is provided along the lower side and the outer side of the back plate.

[0016] According to the fifth invention, in addition to the effect of the fourth invention, when taking out the stored card, an appropriate gap is formed between the case portion and the back plate. Thereby, the user can easily take out the card by separating a part of the case portion from the back plate.

[0017] The sixth invention is, in any one of the first to fifth inventions, characterized in that the back plate includes a latching ring rubber and a latching recess portion capable of latching the latching ring rubber in a folded state.

[0018] According to the sixth invention, in addition to the effect of any one of the first to fourth inventions, the card file can be well held in a folded state by the latching and locking by the latching ring rubber.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a card file that is excellent in operability during folding, improves the aesthetic appearance in the folded state, and can stably maintain its posture.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the front side of a card file according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the back side of the card file. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the use state of the card file. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the storage sheet. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7(a) shows the first back panel installed at the first corner, Figure 7(b) shows the second back panel installed at the second corner, Figure 7(c) shows the third back panel installed at the third corner, and Figure 7(d) shows the fourth back panel installed at the fourth corner. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the folding procedure (vertical and horizontal order) for the card file. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the folding procedure (vertical and horizontal order) for the same item. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a plan view of a card file folded so that the cards are arranged in a single horizontal row. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a plan view of the card file in its folded state. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a plan view of a card file in a folded state, secured by a rubber ring. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the folding procedure (horizontal to vertical) for the card file. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the folding procedure (horizontal to vertical order) for the same item. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a plan view of a card file folded so that the cards are arranged in a single vertical column. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] <Overview of Card File 1> An overview of a preferred embodiment of the card file 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a plan view of the front side of the card file 1, Figure 2 is a plan view of the back side thereof, and Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the card file 1 in use. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the vertical direction of the paper in Figure 1 is the vertical direction of the card file 1 and its components, the horizontal direction of the paper is the horizontal direction, and the front side of the paper is the front side, and the opposite side is the back side. However, these directions and definitions of front and back are not intended to limit the present invention, but are definitions for convenience in explaining the structure of the card file 1. Therefore, for example, it does not mean that the side defined as the front side will always face the front side during actual use, and depending on the manner of use, the direction defined as the front side may be the back side to the user.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the card file 1 comprises a storage sheet 2 for storing various types of cards C (hereinafter simply referred to as "card C") and a backing plate 3 attached to the storage sheet 2. While game cards are preferred as an example of card C, the file is not limited to these; other card-shaped items such as business cards, point cards, magnetic cards, IC cards, paper tickets, and sticker sheets can also be stored. In the following explanation, the case where card C is a game card will be used as an example.

[0023] As will be explained in more detail later, the card file 1 is designed to be foldable. In this specification, unfolding the card file 1 is referred to as "unfolding," the unfolded state is referred to as the "unfolded state," and the folded state is referred to as the "folded state." As shown in Figure 3, by unfolding the card file 1, the user can view all the cards C stored in the storage sheet 2 at a glance.

[0024] <Composition of Storage Sheet 2> Figure 4 is a plan view of storage sheet 2, Figure 5 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 1. The storage sheet 2 is formed by joining two layers of rectangular transparent film sheets, front and back, by heat welding, and by drilling diamond-shaped (so-called cloisonné) notches with tapered ends at predetermined intervals. As a result, when unfolded, the storage sheet 2 is provided with a plurality of case sections 4 that are arranged in a regular grid pattern in the vertical and horizontal directions and are integrally connected to one another. In this embodiment, the storage sheet 2 has a total of 12 case sections 4 arranged in 4 columns horizontally and 3 columns vertically. However, the arrangement of the case sections 4 is not limited to this, and the arrangement of the case sections 4 of the storage sheet 2 is sufficient if the number of columns in the vertical direction is an odd number of 3 or more, and the number of columns in the horizontal direction is an even number of 2 or more. Conversely, the number of columns in the vertical direction may be an even number of 2 or more, and the number of columns in the horizontal direction may be an odd number of 3 or more. In other words, the arrangement of the case sections 4 of the storage sheet 2 is sufficient if the number of columns in one direction is an odd number of 3 or more, and the number of columns in the direction perpendicular to this is an even number of 2 or more.

[0025] Each case section 4 is formed by heat-welding the front sheet 2a and the back sheet 2b together by a welding section 5 that extends in a roughly U-shape, and this welding section 5 forms a bag-shaped (pocket-shaped) storage section 6. An opening 7 is provided at the upper edge of the storage section 6, and various cards C can be inserted and stored through this opening 7. Furthermore, since the storage sheet 2 is made of a transparent material, the user can see the cards C stored in each case section 4.

[0026] Each case section 4 has an extension e that extends toward the adjacent case section 4, and boundary lines k1 and k2 are formed between these extensions e. These boundary lines k1 and k2 separate adjacent case sections 4 and also function as folds when the card file 1 is folded. Note that boundary lines k1 and k2 include a first boundary line k1 that extends in the vertical direction and a second boundary line k2 that extends in the horizontal direction.

[0027] Furthermore, each extension e serves to connect the case sections 4 together and is formed to narrow towards the boundary lines k1 and k2. As a result, a constriction is formed between the extension e facing each other across the boundary lines k1 and k2, making it easy to fold.

[0028] Furthermore, if card C is a game card, it is preferable that the vertical dimension of each case section 4 be approximately 11.5 cm and the horizontal dimension be approximately 8.5 cm so that it can be stored even when it is in a sleeve (a transparent film bag), and the vertical dimension (i.e., the depth of the bag) of the storage section 6 be approximately 9.5 cm and the horizontal dimension (i.e., the width of the bag) be approximately 7.0 cm. In addition, it is preferable that the length of the first boundary line k1 be approximately 7.0 cm and the length of the second boundary line k2 be approximately 5.0 cm. Furthermore, it is preferable that these dimensions be appropriately designed according to the type of card C to be stored in the card file 1.

[0029] <Composition of back panel 3> Figure 7(a) shows the first back panel 31 located at the first corner, Figure 7(b) shows the second back panel 32 located at the second corner, Figure 7(c) shows the third back panel 33 located at the third corner, and Figure 7(d) shows the fourth back panel 34 located at the fourth corner.

[0030] The back panel 3 is attached to the back of each case section 4 located at the four corners of the storage sheet 2, and is configured to cover the back of the case section 4. This improves the aesthetic appearance of the card file 1 when it is folded. Of the four corner case sections 4, the one located at the first corner when unfolded is designated as the first case section 41, the one located at the opposite corner (second corner) in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) is designated as the second case section 42, the one located at the opposite corner (third corner) in the up-down direction (vertical direction) is designated as the third case section 43, and the one located at the diagonal corner (fourth corner) is designated as the fourth case section 44. The first case section 41 is fitted with the first back panel 31, the second case section 42 with the second back panel 32, the third case section 43 with the third back panel 33, and the fourth case section 44 with the fourth back panel 34.

[0031] The following describes the configuration of each back panel 3 (first back panel 31 to fourth back panel 34). In this specification, the upper edge of the back panel 3 in the unfolded state is referred to as the "top edge," the lower edge as the "bottom edge," the edge towards the horizontal center as the "inner edge," and the edge opposite it as the "outer edge." Each back panel 3 is rectangular in shape, and its four corners are rounded. Furthermore, if the card C is a game card, it is preferable that the vertical dimension D1 of the back panel 3 be approximately 12.0 cm and the horizontal dimension D2 be approximately 9.0 cm. Therefore, although the back panel 3 in this embodiment is a vertically elongated rectangle, it is not limited to this, and may be designed as a square or a horizontally elongated rectangle depending on the type of card C stored in the card file 1.

[0032] Furthermore, each back panel 3 (first back panel 31 to fourth back panel 34) is provided with an attachment portion t along its bottom and outer edges in a roughly L-shape for attaching the case portion 4. The attachment portion t is constructed, for example, by ultrasonic welding, high-frequency welding, or heat welding. By providing the attachment portion t in this way, an appropriate gap can be formed between the case portion 4 and each back panel 3 when removing the stored card C. This allows the user to easily remove the card C by separating a part of the case portion 4 from each back panel 3.

[0033] The first back panel 31 has an inner recess u1 on its inner edge, with the longitudinal direction being longer and the width narrowing, and a lower recess u2 on its lower edge, with the transverse direction being longer and the length narrowing. The inner recess u1 is provided in a position and with a vertical dimension corresponding to the extension e, and facilitates folding by preventing interference between the first back panel 31 and the extension e when folding. Similarly, the lower recess u2 is provided in a position and with a horizontal dimension corresponding to the extension e, and facilitates folding by preventing interference between the first back panel 31 and the extension e when folding.

[0034] Furthermore, one of the two pairs of corners of the first back panel 31 that face each other in an oblique direction (diagonal direction) is provided with a pair of hooking recesses u3, u3, which are recessed notches. In the folded state, the hooking ring rubber 8, which will be described later, can be hooked onto this pair of hooking recesses u3, u3.

[0035] The second back plate 32 has a shape that is symmetrical to the first back plate 31 with respect to the horizontal center line of the card file 1, and, like the first back plate 31, is equipped with an inner edge recess u1, a lower edge recess u2, and a pair of latching recesses u3, u3.

[0036] The third back plate 33 has a shape that is substantially symmetrical to the first back plate 31 with respect to the vertical center line of the card file 1, and has an inner edge recess u1 on the inner edge with the length in the vertical direction and a narrower width, and an upper edge recess u4 on the upper edge with the length in the horizontal direction and a narrower height. The upper edge recess u4 is formed in a position and width corresponding to the extension e, and facilitates folding by preventing interference between the third back plate 33 and the extension e when folded. The pair of hooking recesses u3, u3 of the third back plate 33 are provided in the same position as those of the first back plate 31.

[0037] The fourth back panel 34 has a shape that is approximately point-symmetric to the first back panel 31 with respect to the intersection (center point) of the vertical and horizontal center lines of the card file 1. Similar to the third back panel 33, it has an inner edge recess u1 formed on the inner edge with the vertical direction being longer and the width narrowing, and an upper edge recess u4 formed on the upper edge with the horizontal direction being longer and the height narrowing. A locking ring rubber 8 is attached to the upper corner of the fourth back panel 34 by a grommet fitting 8a. In addition, a locking recess u3 is provided at the corner opposite to the upper corner in an oblique direction (diagonal direction).

[0038] Furthermore, the inner edge recess u1, the lower edge recess u2, and the upper edge recess u4 facilitate folding in the folding direction and also assist in operation by allowing the user to grip the back panel 3 with their fingers. In the above embodiment, the inner edge recess u1, the lower edge recess u2, and the upper edge recess u4 are shown on each back panel 3 (first back panel 31 to fourth back panel 34), but the invention is not limited to this configuration, and similar recesses may be provided on any of the four sides of the back panel 3.

[0039] As described above, card file 1 can be folded from its unfolded state to its folded state by either folding it vertically first, then horizontally (vertical-horizontal folding), or folding it horizontally first, then vertically (horizontal-vertical folding). The folding procedure will be explained in detail below.

[0040] <Folding Instructions (Vertical and Horizontal Order)> Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views showing the folding procedure (vertical and horizontal order) of card file 1. Figure 10 is a plan view of card file 1 folded so that the cards are in a single horizontal row. Figure 11 is a plan view of card file 1 in the folded state. Figure 12 is a plan view of card file 1 secured by the locking ring rubber 8 in the folded state.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, the user first folds the card file 1 vertically. Specifically, the user folds the card file 1 into a single horizontal row by overlapping the first back plate 31 with the front side of the third back plate 33 and the second back plate 32 with the front side of the fourth back plate 34 (see Figure 10). Alternatively, the user may fold the card file into a single horizontal row by overlapping the first back plate 31 with the back side of the third back plate 33 and the second back plate 32 with the back side of the fourth back plate 34.

[0042] Next, as shown in Figure 9, the card file 1 is folded by overlapping the stacked first back plate 31 and third back plate 33 on the front side of the stacked second back plate 32 and fourth back plate 34 (see Figure 11). Alternatively, the card file can be folded in the same way by overlapping the stacked first back plate 31 and third back plate 33 on the back side of the stacked second back plate 32 and fourth back plate 34. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, the folded state of the card file 1 can be securely maintained by hooking the retaining ring rubber 8 into the retaining recess u3 while the card file is folded. Furthermore, by configuring the retaining ring rubber 8 to be attached and secured diagonally like a sash, interference with the storage sheet 2 protruding from each back panel 3 (first back panel 31 to fourth back panel 34) is avoided when the unit is folded, deformation due to the tension of the retaining ring rubber 8 can be effectively prevented, and furthermore, vertical and horizontal misalignment of each back panel 3 can be prevented, improving the aesthetic appearance.

[0043] <Folding Instructions (Horizontal to Vertical Order)> Figures 13 and 14 are perspective views showing the folding procedure (horizontal to vertical) of card file 1. Figure 15 is a plan view of card file 1 when folded into a single vertical column.

[0044] As shown in Figure 13, the user first folds the card file 1 horizontally. Specifically, the user folds the card file 1 into a single vertical column by overlapping the first back plate 31 with the front side of the second back plate 32 and the third back plate 33 with the front side of the fourth back plate 34 (see Figure 15). Alternatively, the user can fold the card file into a single vertical column by overlapping the first back plate 31 with the back side of the second back plate 32 and the third back plate 33 with the back side of the fourth back plate 34.

[0045] Next, as shown in Figure 14, the card file 1 is folded by overlapping the stacked first back plate 31 and second back plate 32 on the front side of the stacked third back plate 33 and fourth back plate 34 (see Figure 11). Alternatively, the card file can be folded in the same way by overlapping the stacked first back plate 31 and second back plate 32 on the back side of the stacked third back plate 33 and fourth back plate 34. Furthermore, as described above, the folded state of the card file 1 can be securely maintained by the latching and locking of the latching ring rubber 8 (see Figure 12).

[0046] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. According to the present invention, flexibility in the folding procedure can be obtained. In addition, intuitive operation enables smooth folding, improving convenience. Furthermore, by folding vertically and horizontally, the thickness of the card file 1 can be reduced, making it more compact, and improving the aesthetics in the folded state and stability when carried. Moreover, the folding operation can be easily performed by gripping the back plate 3, and the stored cards C can be well protected in the folded state. Furthermore, the card file 1 can be held in the folded state well by the latching and locking mechanism of the latching ring rubber 8. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and appropriate modifications and substitutions are possible within the scope of the described technical ideas.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the locking ring rubber 8 is shown attached to the upper corner of the fourth back plate 34 by a grommet fitting 8a, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The locking ring rubber 8 can also be attached by means other than the grommet fitting 8a, for example, by a rivet or a snap button. Alternatively, the locking ring rubber 8 may be a separate component independent of the card file 1 (in other words, the grommet fitting 8a and the locking ring rubber 8 fixed thereto in the configuration of the card file 1 are omitted). In these cases, it is preferable that a locking recess u3 is provided at the upper corner of the fourth back plate 34. It is also possible to attach the locking ring rubber 8 to a location other than the upper corner of the fourth back plate 34. Furthermore, although the back plate 3 is shown attached to the back surface of each case portion 4 located at the four corners of the storage sheet 2, it can also be attached to the front surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Card File 2 Storage Sheets 2a Front sheet 2b Backside sheet 3 back plate 31 1st back plate 32 Second back plate 33 Third back plate 34 4th back plate 4. Case section 5 Welded area 6 Storage compartment 7 aperture 8. Retaining ring rubber 8a Eyelet fittings e Extension part t Adhesive part u1 inner edge recess u2 Lower edge recess u3 Recessed part for fastening u4 Upper recess k border k1 1st boundary line k2 2nd border C Card

Claims

1. A card file that can be folded from an unfolded state to a folded state, The aforementioned card file is equipped with storage sheets for storing various types of cards, The aforementioned storage sheet comprises a plurality of case sections arranged in a grid pattern in the vertical and horizontal directions when unfolded. Each of the case sections has a bag-like storage compartment, and is arranged such that the number of rows in one direction is an odd number of three or more, and the number of rows in the direction perpendicular to it is an even number of two or more. A card file characterized in that four independent back panels are fixed to the corresponding corners of either the front or back surface of the case portion located at the four corners of the storage sheet.

2. The card file according to claim 1, characterized in that adhesive portions for fixing the back plate to the storage sheet are provided along the lower and outer edges of the back plate.

3. One of the four back panels is provided with a retaining ring rubber at its corner. Of the four back panels mentioned above, the other back panel is provided with a recessed portion, which is a recessed cutout, at the corner where the rubber fastening ring is fastened. The card file according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when folded, the card file is configured to be able to be locked by attaching the locking ring rubber to the locking recess in a crisscross manner.

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