Reduced-size document holder
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2026/055383
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-02-27
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-03
Smart Images
Figure EP2026055383_03092026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Description Title of the invention: Compact document holder
[0001] The invention relates to a document holder designed to hold multiple documents, each document being inserted individually into its own dedicated pocket with a clearly identifiable and removable edge. Such a document holder may take the form of a wallet, but also a briefcase, satchel, briefcase, attaché case, satchel, box, or any other similar item designed to carry a set of documents of at least one standard size. Prior Art
[0002] In the case of wallets, for example, these generally consist of two panels attached to each other by a hinge, allowing them to open and fold relative to one another, so that when closed, the two panels are positioned against each other. Each panel comprises a series of tiers formed by overlapping and offset pockets, their openings parallel or perpendicular to the hinge axis of the panels. Each pocket is designed to hold a card and has a front face whose depth is less than the width of the card, so that the card has an uncovered, visible edge. The card may be a bank card, a health insurance card, a store loyalty card, a membership or sports license card, an identity card, a driver's license, or any other type of card.Such cards have a format that tends to become standardized to the credit card format. Thus, the cards are inserted individually into each pocket, overlapping and with a visible uncovered edge, facilitating their identification and removal.
[0003] The same applies to larger document holders. For example, a briefcase might consist of two panels connected by a hinge, each panel containing a series of compartments formed by pockets for individually holding documents or files. One edge of each pocket remains visible and uncovered, allowing for quick identification and retrieval. In this case, the briefcase can be designed so that the pockets can accommodate documents in one or more standardized formats from series A, B, and / or C of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard number 216.
[0004] Regardless of the document holder's format, the overlapping of documents inserted into the pockets results in significant thickness where the maximum number of documents are stacked. Consequently, each panel has a thickness with a roughly triangular profile. Since the pockets of each panel are arranged symmetrically around the hinge axis, the two thickest parts of each panel meet when the document holder is closed, creating a substantial bulge that forms on at least one side of the panels when closed. Such a bulge is unsightly. Furthermore, in the case of a wallet, this bulge prevents it from being placed in a thin pocket, such as a trouser or shirt pocket.
[0005] US patent 7264 119 B2 describes a system of interlocking pockets for creating a versatile storage system that offers various handling modes (such as accordion, parallel, or tilting) to facilitate access, organization, and sorting of stored items. This is achieved by a flexible coupling section that sequentially connects one edge of a pocket to the edge of an adjacent pocket. This flexible coupling section includes two hinges along the edges of two adjacent pockets, and a third hinge located at a midpoint of the flexible coupling section, between the first two hinges. The pockets are thus connected by a flexible system consisting of three hinge axes and two ease folds, and are mobile relative to one another. The flexible coupling section between each pocket creates a slight increase in thickness when the pockets are stacked on top of each other.This system of linked pockets is very flexible and does not allow the pockets to be held fixedly, thus obtaining a set of pockets with a reduced bulk in both thickness and length.
[0006] To solve this problem of excess thickness, patent FR2907319 describes a solution consisting of arranging the step sets of two adjacent flaps so that the thickest area of one flap is adjacent to the thinnest area of the other flap, allowing the two step sets to interlock when the document holder is closed. This interlocking also allows the documents to self-lock when the document holder is folded.
[0007] Figures 1A and 1B schematically represent such a document holder 100, 100' seen from above when open. Figure 1A shows a diagram of a document holder 100 comprising two flaps 110, 120 connected by a hinge axis 150 parallel to the width of said flaps 110, 120. Each flap 110 and 120 comprises a set of tiers 130; 140 formed of three pockets respectively 131, 132, 133 and 141, 142, 143, said pockets having their opening parallel to the hinge axis 150, so that the document holder can accommodate six documents referenced D1 to D6. Pockets 131, 132, 133, on the one hand and 141, 142, 143 on the other hand, are arranged with the same insertion direction.Thus, document D1, located in the lowest step of the first section 110's step set 130, is adjacent to document D6, located in the highest step of the second section 120's step set 140. Therefore, when the two sections 110 and 120 are folded together, the two sections 130 and 140 are nested within each other, reducing the thickness of the document holder. Figure 1B shows a diagram of another document holder 100' comprising two sections 110' and 120' connected by a hinge axis 150' parallel to the length of each section 110' and 120'. Each 110', 120' panel comprises a set of steps 130', 140' formed of five pockets each, said pockets having an opening perpendicular to the hinge axis 150', so that the document holder 100' can accommodate ten documents D1 to D10. The sets of steps 130', 140' are arranged with an opposite insertion direction.Thus, document D1 located in the lowest step of the set of steps 130' of said first panel 110' is adjacent to document D10 located in the highest step of the set of steps 140' of said second panel 120', such that when the two panels 110', 120' are folded against each other, the two sets of steps 130', 140' are nested within each other so as to reduce the thickness of the document holder 100'.
[0008] This solution allows for a reduction in thickness. However, for the two sets of shelves 130, 140; 130', 140' to be able to nest together, the documents in each section 110, 120; 110', 120' must remain visible, and nothing can be inserted between the two sections 110, 120; 110', 120' without making it impossible to nest the two adjacent sets of shelves 130, 140; 130', 140'. Furthermore, the length of the document holder 100, 100' when closed is approximately equal to that of a section 110, 120; 110', 120' and is directly related to the capacity of the document holder 100; 100'. Indeed, the more documents the document holder 100, 100' can hold, the longer it is while remaining flat and thin, the documents from each set of tiers 130, 140; 130', 140' of two adjacent panels 110, 120; 110', 120' interlocking in pairs. For example, nowadays, consumers carry an average of nine cards in their wallets.Therefore, it is preferable to design wallets that can hold between ten and twelve cards. However, such a wallet is longer than a similar wallet with nested compartments that holds six cards, as shown in Figure 1A. A thin but long wallet is difficult to slip into a pocket and difficult to handle for those with small hands. Similarly, with larger document holders, the goal is to increase the number of documents that can be inserted without increasing their volume. A compromise must therefore be found between reduced length and thickness so that the document holder is compact enough to be easily carried and handled.
[0009] The invention therefore aims to remedy at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a document holder designed to hold a plurality of documents of at least one standardized format. This document holder is reduced in length and thickness, resulting in a smaller footprint and lighter weight, thus facilitating its transport and handling. Another objective of the invention is to reduce the manufacturing cost of such a document holder. Description of the invention
[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a document holder intended to receive a plurality of documents of at least one standardized format, comprising at least one flap, said at least one flap supporting a set of tiers, said tiers being formed by a plurality of pockets arranged in superimposed levels and offset from one another, each pocket being designed to accommodate one document, each document inserted into a pocket having a visible uncovered edge located between two consecutive tier noses, said document holder being characterized in that it comprises at least one sectioning axis arranged along a tier nose of said set of tiers, said at least one sectioning axis separating said set of tiers into two parts, a first part being fixed and integral with said at least one flap and a second part being movable around said sectioning axis,between a first open position revealing the documents inserted in the pockets of the said set of tiers and a second position folded over the first fixed part, the second folded position allowing the documents of the second movable part to be nested within at least some of the documents of the first fixed part.
[0011] Thus, the sectioning axis allows the entire set of tiers to fold back on itself, reducing the document holder's length. Furthermore, when the tiered assembly folds back on itself, the documents interlock, resulting in a reduction in thickness and self-locking protection.
[0012] Depending on other optional features of the briefcase: - it comprises two sections, each comprising a set of steps, said sections being linked to each other by an articulation axis, said articulation axis being perpendicular or parallel to each set of steps of said sections; - the set of steps of said at least one flap extends between a first end of the fixed part and a second end of the movable part and the sectioning axis of said set of steps is provided on a step nose located at half the length measured between said second end of the movable part in unfolded position and an end of said flap, opposite said second end of said movable part; - at least one pocket of the set of bleachers, adjacent to the sectioning axis, is condemned; - it comprises two panels connected by a hinge axis, at least one set of steps of one of the panels includes a sectioning axis, and the movable part of said sectionable set of steps is divided by an internal wall, into two sections of steps, said sections of steps being oriented in a direction allowing a first interlocking of the documents of a first section of steps into at least a part of the documents of the fixed part, when said movable part is folded over said fixed part, and a second interlocking of the documents of a second section of steps into the documents of the set of steps of the adjacent panel when said movable part is folded over said fixed part and the two panels are folded against each other; - the articulation axis is parallel to said sets of steps, said sections of steps of said moving part are positioned back to back, allowing access to all documents of said two sections when said moving part is in the open position and to documents of said second section when said moving part is in the folded position on said fixed part of said set of steps; - said set of tiers is formed from a sheet folded accordion-style to form pockets, each pocket comprising a base whose depth is equal to the dimension of the side of the document to be inserted perpendicular to the opening of said pocket, and a front face whose depth is less than said side of the document to be inserted, so as to be able to identify and extract the document, the edges of the accordion-style sheet being fixed to each other; - the flap forms a case enveloping the set of steps, said case comprising a sectioning axis separating the fixed part from the moving part; - each fixed and moving part of said case comprises a set of steps formed from a sheet folded over itself in an accordion style, said case comprising, in each fixed and moving part, a means of attaching said folded sheet, said means of attaching being positioned opposite the sectioning axis; - said case-forming flap is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material and each fixed and moving part of said case comprises a set of steps formed by grooves made in the side walls of said part; - the movable part of the bleacher assembly has a customizable rear surface, visible when said movable part is folded onto said fixed part; - the sectioning axis comprises at least one set of two detachable elements designed to cooperate with each other, each detachable element being attached respectively to said fixed part and said moving part of said set of steps and said moving part of said set of steps forms a removable document support device for said document holder.
[0013] The invention further relates to a removable document support device designed to be attached to the fixed part of a set of tiers in a flap of a document holder as previously described. This removable document support device is characterized in that it comprises a first attachment element designed to connect to a second attachment element of complementary shape, which is integral with the fixed part of the tiered set. When the first and second attachment elements cooperate, they form a sectioning axis, allowing the removable document support device to form a movable portion between a first open position, exposing the documents of both the fixed and movable parts, and a second position folded back onto the fixed part, in which the documents of the movable part are nested within at least some of the documents of the fixed part. Figures
[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description provided by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures which represent:
[0015] [Fig 1A] and [Fig 1B], already described, a very schematic representation in top view, of a reduced thickness document holder of the prior art, according to two possible variants, in open position;
[0016] [Fig 2A], [Fig 2B] and [Fig 2C], schematic representations seen from above and in section, of a document holder according to a first embodiment;
[0017] [Fig 3A] and [Fig 3B], schematic top-view representations of a document holder according to a second embodiment;
[0018] [Fig 4A], [Fig 4B] and [Fig 4C], diagrams respectively seen from above and in section of a document holder according to a third embodiment;
[0019] [Fig 5A] and [Fig 5B], diagrams seen from above of a document holder according to a fourth embodiment;
[0020] [Fig 6A], [Fig 6B] and [Fig 6C], cross-sectional diagrams of a document holder according to a fifth embodiment;
[0021] [Fig 7A], [Fig 7B], [Fig 7C], [Fig 7D], [Fig 7E] and [Fig 7F], diagrams seen from above, below and in section of a document holder according to a sixth embodiment at different stages of its closure. Definitions
[0022] A document holder is defined as any container designed to carry multiple documents, each document being inserted individually into a dedicated pocket within the holder and having a visible, easily identifiable, and removable edge. Such a document holder can take the form of a wallet, but also a briefcase, satchel, briefcase, attaché case, satchel, box, or any other similar item designed to carry a set of documents of at least one standard size.
[0023] The term "document" refers to any sheet, set of sheets bound together in a file, or card of standardized format. This could be a card whose format is standardized to the credit card size, or a sheet of paper or set of sheets of paper whose format, from series A, B and / or C, is standardized by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard number 216.
[0024] The term "flap" of a document holder means a compartment of said document holder designed to organize and / or protect documents of the card or paper type, of at least one standardized format, said compartment supporting a plurality of pockets held fixedly to one another and intended to receive said documents.
[0025] The term "tiers" or "set of tiers" refers to a series of pockets arranged in superimposed levels and slightly offset from one another to facilitate visibility and access to the documents they contain. The pockets in a set of tiers are fixed in relation to each other.
[0026] The term "step nose" refers to a visible edge of a step that separates the bottom of a first pocket and the opening of a second adjacent pocket located at the upper level in the superposition of said pockets.
[0027] The term "bottom" of a pocket refers to the back face of a pocket, usually concealed by a document when the latter is inserted into said pocket.
[0028] The "articulation axis" of a document holder refers to the axis that connects two panels of the document holder and allows movement between them, enabling them to fold or open relative to each other. This axis can be formed by a seam, such as a pleat or a hinge, for example.
[0029] A "section axis" is defined as a break line intended to separate an element into two distinct parts or sections. Such a break line can be formed from a point located on the edge of a step. Detailed description of the invention
[0030] The various embodiments of the document holder according to the invention are described below with reference to a wallet. However, the invention is not limited to such a document holder and extends to any type of document holder regardless of the documents it contains and the format(s) of the documents.
[0031] Figures 2A to 2C schematically represent a document holder 200 comprising two panels 210 and 220, capable of holding ten documents D1 to D10, respectively viewed from above when open, in cross-section when open, and in cross-section when its tiered sections 230 and 240 are folded. These three figures are described simultaneously, and the same reference numerals are used to designate the same elements. The document holder 200 according to the invention is shown in Figures 2A and 2B with a standard length for a conventional document holder accommodating ten documents. Figure 2C highlights the length reduction achieved by the document holder according to the invention compared to a conventional document holder. A first panel 210 supports a first set of tiers 230 formed by pockets 231 to 235, each pocket 231, 232, 233, 234, 235 being designed to accommodate a document respectively D1, D2, D3, D4, D5.To achieve this, pockets 231 to 235 are arranged in superimposed and offset levels to form tiers. Each document D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 inserted into each pocket 231, 232, 233, 234, 235 has a visible, uncovered edge located between two consecutive tier edges. Similarly, the second panel 220 supports a second set of tiers 240 formed by pockets 241 to 245, each pocket 241, 242, 243, 244, 245 being designed to hold a document D6, D7, D8, D9, D10 respectively. To achieve this, pockets 241 to 245 are arranged in superimposed and offset levels to form tiers. Each document D6, D7, D8, D9, D10 inserted into each pocket 241, 242, 243, 244, 245 has a visible uncovered edge located between two consecutive step noses.The second panel 220 is connected to the first panel 210 by a pleat, forming an articulation axis 250, parallel to the tiered assemblies 230, 240 and to the opening of the pockets 231 to 235 and 241 to 245.
[0032] A sectioning axis 238; 248 is provided along the edge of a step of each of said sets of steps 230; 240. This sectioning axis 238; 248 separates the associated set of steps, respectively 230; 240, into two parts. A first part F1; F2 of the set of steps 230; 240 remains fixed and attached to said panel 210; 220. A second part M1; M2 of each set of steps 230; 240, is movable around said sectioning axis, respectively 238; 248, between a first open position, in the extension of said fixed part F1; F2 and revealing all documents D1 to D5 and D6 to D10 inserted in said pockets 231 to 235 and 241 to 245 of each set of steps 230; 240, and a second folded position allowing an interlocking of documents D1 to D3; D6 to D8 of the second movable part M1; M2 in documents D4 to D5; D9 to D10 of the first fixed part F1; F2.
[0033] The folding of the second movable part M1; M2 onto the first fixed part F1; F2 of each set of steps 230; 240 is represented by an arrow in Figure 2B. According to this embodiment, it is the movable parts M1; M2, which include the documents D1; D6 located in the lowest steps of the set of steps 230; 240, that fold onto the fixed parts F1; F2, which include the documents D5; D10 located in the highest steps of the set of steps 230; 240. According to this first embodiment, the sectioning axis 238; 248 of each set of steps 230; 240 is preferably provided on a central step nose, such that the movable part M1, M2 of each set of steps 230; 240 can cover all the documents D4, D5; D9, D10 of the fixed part F1; F2. The document holder 200 can also include a pocket 251 provided on the back of the document holder 200, which can for example contain banknotes.
[0034] Figure 2C shows the document holder 200 with its movable part M1, M2 folded over the fixed part F1, F2 of each set of tiers 230, 240 respectively. In this case, the documents D1 to D5 and D6 to D10 of each set of tiers 230; 240 are nested within each other and invisible. With the movable part M1; M2 turned over, it reveals a flat, document-free surface, offering a new space that can be fully customized. When the document holder 200 is completely closed, the flaps 210, 220 fold down against each other around the hinge axis 250. The sectioning axis 238 of the first set of steps 230 of the first flap 210 and the sectioning axis 248 of the second set of steps 240 of the second flap 220 are then positioned side by side.Thanks to the presence of the sectioning axis 238; 248, which allows the tiered assemblies 230, 240 to fold back on themselves, it is possible to shorten the required length of each flap 210, 220 at segments A1-B1 and A2-B2. Thus, the document holder 200 according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a length reduction equal to the conventional length of a flap 210 or 220 minus the section A1-B1 or A2-B2. Sections (A1, B1) and (A2, B2) correspond to the effective length of the two flaps 210, 220 of the document holder 200 according to the invention, said flaps each comprising a set of steps 230, 240 equipped with a sectioning axis 238, 248. More generally, if "I" is the width of a visible edge of a standard document D1 to D10, the gain in length of the document holder is equal to the number of steps of the movable part M1, M2 folded onto the steps of the fixed part F1, F2 multiplied by "I".In an example where the standard document D1 to D10 is a standard-sized credit card measuring 8.6 cm x 5.4 cm, where the visible edge width (I) is 0.8 cm, and where the number of folded sections is 3, the length saving is 3 x 0.8 cm, or 2.4 cm, for a standard flap length of approximately 14 cm (210 or 220), representing a length saving of roughly 17%. The visible edge width (I) of each document can vary and be specific to each document. In this case, the length saving represents the sum of the visible edge widths (I) of each document in the moving section. The sectioning axis 238, 248 of each set of steps 230, 240 is provided along a step nose which is then located at half the length L measured between the end of the movable part M1, M2 of the set of steps 230, 240, when it is in the open position, and the end of the corresponding flap 210, 220 opposite said end of said movable part M1, M2.
[0035] The embodiment described above in relation to Figures 2A to 2C results in a slight increase in thickness corresponding to the thickness of the central document D3, D8 of each set of steps 230, 240 and its pocket 233, 243. According to a variant of this embodiment, not shown in the figures, it is also possible to close the opening of the central pocket 233, 243 of each set of steps 230, 240, located just below the sectioning axis 238, 248. Such a variant is equivalent to accommodating eight documents without any increase in thickness, by removing the document D3, D8, which is normally located below the sectioning axis 238, 248 in the overlap of the steps.
[0036] Figures 3A and 3B schematically illustrate a document holder 300 seen from above and according to a second embodiment. In this embodiment, the document holder 300 holds twelve documents labeled D1 to D12. This document holder 300 comprises two flaps 310; 320 joined by a pleat forming a hinge axis 350. The hinge axis 350 is parallel to the length of each flap 310, 320 and perpendicular to the sets of tiers 330; 340 of each flap 310; 320, formed by a succession of pockets 331 to 337 and 341 to 347 superimposed and offset from one another. Each set of tiers 330; 340 includes a sectioning axis 338; 348 located on the nose of a central tier.More specifically, the step nose along which the sectioning axis 238, 248 is provided is located at the midpoint of the length L measured between the end of the movable part M1, M2 of the step assembly 330, 340 when it is in the unfolded position, and the end of the corresponding flap 310, 320, opposite said end of said movable part M1, M2. Preferably, the opening of the pocket 334; 344 located just below the sectioning axis 338; 348 is sealed, so as not to insert any document into it, to avoid an added thickness when folding the movable part M1; M2 of each step assembly 330; 340 onto the fixed part F1; F2.More generally, depending on the width of the visible edge of each document, it is possible to block the opening of at least one pocket of the tray assembly, adjacent to the sectioning axis 338, 348, to allow for optimal interlocking of the documents in the movable part M1, M2 with the documents in the fixed part F1, F2, while avoiding excess thickness when the movable part M1, M2 is folded onto the fixed part F1, F2. The two tray assemblies 330; 340 are arranged side by side, and all documents D1 to D12 are visible simultaneously when the document holder 300 and the movable parts M1, M2 of said tray assemblies 330; 340 are opened. Documents D1 to D12 are completely hidden when each movable part M1 is folded by sectioning 338; 348. M2 of the said sets of bleachers 330; 340.Advantageously, folding each movable part M1; M2 of each set of steps 330; 340 allows, as illustrated in Figure 3B, customization of the surface ZPM1; ZPM2 located on the back of the two movable parts M1, M2 of the two sets of steps 330; 340, and customization of the end surface ZP310, ZP320 of each flap 310, 320, visible when the movable parts M1; M2 of said sets of steps 330; 340 are folded. The customization can be highly varied. By way of illustration, and in no way limiting, it can consist of a special fabric printed with a custom design, the creation of a pass-through window to insert a photo, for example, the creation of a pocket for a mini-card or a coin purse, the insertion of a screen, or any other type of customization.
[0037] This embodiment significantly reduces the size of the document holder. For example, while a standard wallet holding six cards is 23 millimeters thick and 140 millimeters long, a wallet conforming to this second embodiment and holding 12 cards is 14 millimeters thick and 115 millimeters long. Such a wallet therefore allows for carrying twice as many cards as a standard wallet while being 39 percent thinner and 18 percent shorter.
[0038] Figures 4A to 4C show a document holder 400 according to a third embodiment capable of holding up to fourteen documents D1 to D14, respectively viewed from above with the step assemblies 430; 440 in the open position, viewed from above with the step assemblies 430; 440 in the folded position, and in cross-section with the document holder 400 fully closed. The document holder 400 comprises two flaps 410; 420 connected to each other by a hinge axis 450 parallel to the step assemblies 430; 440 supported by said flaps 410, 420. The step assemblies 430; 440 of each flap 410; 420 are oriented in the same direction, and their movable part M1; M2 folds in the same direction.The sectioning axes 438, 448 of the aforementioned tier assemblies 430, 440 are spaced apart so that the movable parts M1, M2 can open simultaneously, allowing the identification of all documents D1 to D14 at the same time, as with a longer, conventional document holder. The sectioning axes 438, 448 are further positioned so that the movable parts M1, M2, when folded back onto the fixed parts F1, F2 of the tier assemblies 430, 440, conceal all the documents D1 to D14, which are then nested within one another, thus securing and protecting them.In this case, the sectioning axis 438; 448 of each set of steps 430; 440 is provided along a step nose positioned at the midpoint of the length L1; L2 measured between the end of the movable part M1; M2 of the set of steps 430; 440, in the unfolded position, and the end of the corresponding flap 410; 420, opposite the end of the movable part M1; M2. Thus, after folding the movable part M1; M2 of each set of steps 430; 440, all documents D1 to D14 are completely hidden, allowing for customization of the flat surface ZPM1; ZPM2 located on the back of each of the movable parts M1; M2 of each set of steps 430; 440. Similarly, it is possible to customize the end surface ZP410, ZP420 of each flap 410, 420, visible at the time of folding the movable parts M1; M2 of said step assemblies 430; 440.After folding, a bill clip 451 can also be arranged parallel to the articulation axis 450, as shown schematically in Figure 4B, to arrange the bills along the folded surfaces of the moving parts M1, M2.
[0039] Such a document holder, once the movable parts M1 and M2 of each set of steps 430 and 440 are folded onto the fixed parts F1 and F2, offers not only a reduction in thickness but also a 30 percent reduction in length compared to a conventional portfolio holding 14 documents parallel to the hinge axis and lacking a sectioning axis. This reduction in size results in substantial savings in materials used and a reduction in manufacturing costs, and facilitates its transport and handling by small hands.
[0040] In Figure 4C, the document holder 400 is schematically shown closed. The two flaps 410; 420 are joined at the hinge axis 450, but they no longer interact with each other, thanks to the presence of the sectioning axis 438; 448. Each set of steps 430; 440 is then sectioned and separates into two parts with a movable part M1; M2 that folds onto a fixed part F1; F2 attached to the flap 410; 420. In profile, the two flaps 410; 420 appear independent, like two document holders 410; 420 placed one on top of the other and joined at the axis of the joint 450 where the ticket clip 451 can then be placed without harming the interlocking of documents D1 to D14 of the two sets of steps 430; 440.
[0041] Figures 5A and 5B depict a document holder 500 according to a fourth embodiment comprising a single flap 510 capable of holding six documents D1 to D6, the tiered section 530 of which is viewed from above, respectively in the open and folded positions. A sectioning axis 538 formed on a central tier nose allows the movable part M1 to be unfolded and folded onto the fixed part F1. More specifically, the sectioning axis 538 of the tiered section 530 is formed along a tier nose positioned at midpoint of the length L measured between the end of the movable part M of the tiered section 530, in the unfolded position, and the end of the flap 510 opposite the end of the movable part M. Figure 5B shows the surface ZPM1 located on the back of the movable part M1, which can advantageously be customized.Similarly, the end surface ZP510 of the flap 510, visible when the movable part M1 is folded over the fixed part F1, can be customized. Such customization could, for example, and without limitation, consist of creating a pocket for storing objects that are to be kept flat, unfolded, and protected, such as a viewing window for inserting a photograph. The invention is not limited to such customization, and any other customization is possible. This embodiment allows for the creation of a single-flap document holder 500. The tiered assembly 530 is advantageously made by accordion-folding a sheet, such as a sheet of fabric, to form the pockets 531 to 537.Each pocket 531 to 537 comprises a base whose depth is equal to the dimension of the side of the document D1 to D6 to be inserted perpendicularly to the opening of said pocket, and a front face whose depth is less than said side of the document to be inserted, so as to leave an edge of each document D1 to D6 visible between two consecutive step edges and thus allow for easy removal of the document. The edges of the accordion-folded sheet are advantageously fixed to one another by a seam, referenced 560 in Figure 5A, which runs along the edges and holds the entire set of steps 530. This seam 560 is preferably made with strong thread capable of holding all the thicknesses of the accordion-folded sheet and resisting multiple document insertions.Furthermore, according to one variant, to avoid a small overthickness when folding the movable part M1 of the tier assembly 530 onto the fixed part F1, and to obtain optimal interlocking of the documents of the movable part M1 with the documents of the fixed part F1, the opening of at least one pocket 534 of the tier assembly, adjacent to the sectioning axis 538, can be blocked, by sewing the nose of the tier for example, thus prohibiting the insertion of a document into said pocket 534.
[0042] According to another embodiment, the shutter 510 can be designed to support a set of steps on each of its faces. Each set of steps includes a sectioning axis separating a fixed portion from a movable portion between an open position and a position folded back onto the fixed portion. In this case, the surface on the back of each movable portion, visible when the movable portion is folded back onto the fixed portion, can be customized. Similarly, the two end surfaces of the shutter 510, visible when the two movable portions are folded back onto the two fixed portions, can be customized. The end of the shutter 510 can also be customized in its thickness, by providing a space designed to accommodate an object.
[0043] According to yet another variant, it is possible to connect at least two flaps 510, each flap 510 supporting a set of steps that can be sectioned on at least one of its faces, said at least two flaps 510 being connected to each other by an axis of articulation parallel or perpendicular to said at least one set of steps.
[0044] Figures 6A to 6C show cross-sectional diagrams of a document holder 600 according to a fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, the document holder 600 comprises a single flap 605 supporting a series of tiers formed by overlapping and staggered pockets into which documents D1 to D14 are inserted. The flap 605 of the document holder 600 is in the form of an outer casing forming a case, comprising a flat base 601, a flat top 602, and side panels. The outer casing can be made of various flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid materials. For example, it can be made of leather, a composite material such as a resin printed in three dimensions using a printer, or a precious metal such as gold or silver. The fixed part F includes pockets for holding documents of various sizes.Thus, in the example shown, the fixed part F comprises eight pockets, six of which can hold six documents D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 in credit card format, for example, while two other pockets, deeper than the first, can hold larger documents D7 and D8, such as an identity card or an old-style driver's license still valid in several European countries. The movable part M can hold other documents, six documents D9, D10, D11, D12, D13, D14 in the example shown, and has an opening 617 allowing documents D9 to D14 to be nested within documents D1 to D8 of the fixed part F when the movable part M is folded over the fixed part F.The document holder 600 includes a sectioning axis 638 along the step nose separating the opening of the pocket holding document D1 located in the lowest step of the fixed part F and the bottom of the pocket holding document D14 located in the highest step of the movable part M.
[0045] Figure 6B shows the fixed part F of this document holder according to an example embodiment. The fixed part F is in the form of a case with a first layer E1 that holds the eight documents. This case can advantageously be extended by a section 603 of thickness E2, less than the first layer E1, allowing for better retention of the documents D6, D7, and D8 located in the upper tiers. In this case, the movable part M has a notch 609 in its side walls, the shape of which is complementary to the front section 603 of the case of the fixed part F, so that in the folded position, the movable part M conforms to the shape of the fixed part F. The documents in the case of the fixed part F or the movable part M can be inserted into grooves 630 formed in the side walls of said fixed part F or movable part M, as shown schematically in Figure 6B.A variation to these grooves may consist of connecting each side wall of the case of the fixed part F and / or mobile part M by thin plates instead of grooves.
[0046] Figure 6C shows the fixed part F of the document holder 600 according to an alternative embodiment. The fixed part F is in the form of a case with a flat bottom 601 and a flat top 602 and has a thickness sufficient to hold documents. The document pockets forming the tiered assembly 640 can be created by folding a sheet of paper accordion-style. Each folded pocket has a bottom whose depth is equal to the dimension of the side of the document to be inserted perpendicular to the pocket opening, and a front face whose depth is less than that side of the document to be inserted, so as to allow the document to be identified and removed. The sheet can, for example, be made of any type of fabric. In this case, the sheets do not need to be joined together by stitching the edges since the side edges are closed by the side walls of the outer casing forming the case.A fastening means 604, which may, for example, be in the form of a lug and located opposite the sectioning axis 638, advantageously allows the accordion-folded assembly of steps 640 of the fixed part F to be attached to the outer casing, thus securing the assembly of steps 640 in its housing. Similarly, the pockets forming the assembly of steps of the movable part M are made by accordion-folding a sheet of paper, and the folded sheet is attached to the movable part M by a fastening means located opposite the sectioning axis.
[0047] Whether the pockets are made by grooves, plates or sheet folding, this method of construction allows the creation of sets of tiers without lateral seams, and thus reduces the width of the 600 document holder.
[0048] Since documents D9 to D14 of the movable part M fit inside documents D1 to D8 of the fixed part F when the movable part M is folded over the fixed part F, such a document holder 600 has a thickness E1 equal to the sum of the thicknesses of documents D1 to D8 of the fixed part F and their pockets. In this example, the thickness of the document holder 600 is on the order of ten to fifteen millimeters, that is to say, of the same order of magnitude as the thickness of a mobile phone equipped with a protective case.
[0049] Figures 7A to 7F schematically illustrate yet another document holder 700 according to a sixth embodiment. Figures 7A and 7B schematically show a top and bottom view, respectively, of the document holder 700 when it is fully open. Figure 7C schematically shows a cross-sectional view of this same document holder 700 when fully open. Figures 7D to 7F schematically show a cross-sectional view of this same document holder 700 during the folding of the movable part of a set of steps 740 of a flap 720 and then the folding of the two flaps 710, 720 against each other. According to this embodiment, the document holder 700 comprises two panels 710, 720 connected to each other by a hinge axis 750. Each panel 710, 720 comprises a set of steps 730, 740. The hinge axis 750 is parallel to the two sets of steps 730, 740.In this example, the first part 710 includes a set of fixed, non-sectionable tiers 730, comprising four pockets referenced 731, 732, 733, 734, each containing a document referenced respectively D1, D2, D3, D4. The second panel 720 comprises a set of tiers 740 in which the opening of pockets 741 to 746 is opposite to the opening direction of pockets 731 to 734 of the first panel 710. Thus, document D1, located lowest in the set of tiers 730 of the first panel 710, is adjacent to document D5, located lowest in the set of tiers 740 of the second panel 720. In the absence of a sectioning axis, such an orientation of the two sets of tiers 730, 740, identical to the orientation of the sets of tiers of a traditional document holder of the prior art, does not allow for the interlocking of documents when the two panels 710, 720 are folded against each other.The tiered assembly 740 includes a sectioning axis 760 formed along a tier nose. This sectioning axis 760 separates a fixed part F, comprising four pockets referenced 741, 742, 743, 744, each holding a document referenced D5, D6, D7, D8 respectively, from a movable part M holding five documents D9, D10, D11, D12, D13. Figures 7A and 7B show, respectively, a top view and a bottom view of the document holder 700 when the movable part M of the tiered assembly 740 of the second section 720 is fully extended, so as to allow access to all documents D1 to D13. This fully open configuration of the document holder 700 is also schematically shown in cross-section in Figure 7C. According to this embodiment, the movable part M of the set of bleachers 740 further comprises two sections S1, S2 of bleachers oriented back to back and separated by an internal wall 761.A first section S1, visible in top view and called the front section, comprises two stepped pockets 745 and 746, each holding a document D9 or D10. A second section S2, visible in bottom view and called the back section, comprises three pockets, one of which is not visible, labeled 747 and 748, each holding a document D11, D12, or D13. For the sake of simplicity, the pockets are not shown in the cross-sectional diagrams; only the documents are represented. Figure 7C shows the document holder 700, with the movable part M of the stepped assembly 740 of the second panel 720 in the fully open position. According to this embodiment, the fully open position differs from other embodiments because the moving part M is not located in the extension of the fixed part F but is completely turned around so as to allow access to all the documents in the moving part M.Thus, documents D9 and D10 from the front section S1 of the movable part M are visible and accessible from the top of the movable part M, while documents D12 and D13 from the second section S2 of the movable part are visible and accessible from the bottom of the movable part. Document D11 from the back section S2 of the movable part M, however, is visible and accessible from both sides of the movable part M.
[0050] Figure 7D shows a cross-sectional view of the document holder 700 when the movable part M of the step assembly 740 of the second panel 720 is being folded down onto the fixed part. The movable part M is then inclined relative to the panel 720, and documents D9 to D13 of both sections S1 and S2 are still visible and accessible. Figure 7E shows a cross-sectional view of the document holder 700 when the movable part M of the step assembly 740 of the second panel 720 is completely folded down onto the fixed part F. In this case, documents D9 and D10 of the first section S1 of the movable part M are no longer visible or accessible and are interlocked with documents D6, D7, and D8 of the fixed part F. Document D5 of the fixed part and documents D11, D12, and D13 of the reverse side section S2 of the movable part M are then visible.Document D5 cannot be extracted without unfolding the movable part M because it is blocked by document D11 located in the highest step of the reverse side section S2 of the movable part. Thus, when the movable part M is folded onto the fixed part F, the orientation of documents D11, D12, D13 of the reverse side section S2 of the movable part M is reversed with respect to the orientation of documents D5, D6, D7, D8 of the fixed part, so as to allow the interlocking of said documents D11, D12, D13 of said reverse side section S2 of said movable part M with documents D1, D2, D3, D4 of said non-sectionable set of steps 730 of said first panel 710 when the document holder is closed. Figure 7F represents a cross-sectional diagram of the document holder 700 when the movable part M of the step assembly 740 of the second flap 720 is completely folded over the fixed part F and the flaps 710 and 720 are folded against each other.In this case, documents D11, D12, D13 of the second section S2 of the movable part M are found to be nested with documents D1, D2, D3, D4 of the first part 710.
[0051] Thanks to the presence of the sectioning axis 760 and the sectioning of the movable part M into two tiered sections S1, S2, the documents which would normally have had to overlap when the two flaps 710, 720 of the document holder 700 were closed, in a classic configuration without sectioning, are found to be nested within each other.
[0052] More generally, the document holder 700 comprises two panels 710, 720 connected by a hinge axis 750, which can be parallel or perpendicular to the tiered sections of each panel. A tiered section 740 of one of the panels 720 includes a sectioning axis 760, and the movable portion M of said sectioned tiered section 740 is divided by an internal wall 761 into two tiered sections S1, S2. The tiered sections S1, S2 are then oriented in a direction allowing double nesting. A first nesting allows the documents D9, D10 of a first tiered section S1 to be nested within at least a portion of the documents D5, D6, D7, D8 of the fixed section F, when said movable section M is folded onto said fixed section F.A second nesting allows the documents D11, D12, D13 of a second section S2 of bleachers to be nested in the documents D1, D2, D3, D4 of the adjacent flap 710 when said movable part M is folded over said fixed part F and the two flaps 710, 720 are folded against each other.
[0053] In the embodiment shown in Figures 7A to 7F, the sectioning axis 760 is provided on a step nose positioned such that the sum of the lengths of the movable part M of the step assembly 740, when said movable part M is in the folded position on the fixed part F of the step assembly 740 of the second panel 720, and of the second panel 720 is equal to the length of the first panel 710. The back 721 of the movable part M then forms part of the panel 720, and the sectioning axis 760 is made along a step nose of the step assembly and in the thickness of said panel 720.
[0054] The set of bleachers 740 is therefore first sectioned by the sectioning axis 760 to form the fixed part F and the mobile part M of the set of bleachers 740 and the bleachers of the mobile part M are themselves sectioned into two sections S1, S2.
[0055] Regardless of the embodiment, the pockets forming the tiered assemblies can advantageously have different depths, so as to accommodate documents of different sizes. It is also possible to have a movable section that does not completely cover the fixed section when folded, as is the case, for example, in the sixth embodiment described opposite Figures 7A to 7F.
[0056] According to yet another variant, it is possible to designate the sectioning axis of a set of bleachers to comprise at least one set of two detachable elements designed to cooperate with each other. In this case, the sectioning axis could, for example, be in the form of a rod, the diameter of which may be less than one millimeter, said rod being integral with the moving or fixed part and sliding into a sleeve integral with the fixed or moving part, said sleeve having elements at its ends allowing the rod to be fixed and made integral with said sleeve.In another example, the sectioning axis may take the form of a zipper comprising a first strip equipped with a groove attached to one of the fixed or moving parts, and a second strip with a raised profile attached to the other fixed or moving part. This second strip is inserted into the groove of the first strip by finger pressure. In another example, the sectioning axis may take the form of hook-and-loop fasteners. In yet another example, the sectioning axis may comprise at least one set of two detachable elements, this set being positioned at at least one end of a step nose. These detachable elements may take the form of a snap fastener, a ball joint, or any other element allowing detachment. Thus, providing a detachable sectioning axis allows the moving part M of a set of steps to be interchanged.
[0057] Thanks to such a sectioning axis comprising detachable elements, the movable part M of the tier assembly then forms a removable document support device, designed to cooperate with the fixed part of a tier assembly of a document holder made according to any of the embodiments previously described.A first attachment element constituting the sectioning axis and integral with said removable document support device connects to a second attachment element of complementary shape, constituting the sectioning axis, and integral with said fixed part of the set of tiers, so that when said first attachment element and said second attachment element cooperate, they form said sectioning axis allowing said removable document support device to be mobile between a first open position, revealing the documents of the fixed part and the mobile part, and a second position folded over the fixed part, in which the documents of the mobile part are nested in those of the fixed part.
[0058] According to this variant, when the removable document holder is detached from the fixed part of the tier assembly of a document holder, a protective cap can be provided. In this case, at least one of the attachment elements forming part of the sectioning axis and attached to the removable document holder connects to at least one of the attachment elements forming part of the sectioning axis and attached to the cap. The cap thus protects the documents inserted in the removable document holder and prevents them from falling. The cap can also incorporate any functionalities that can be provided on the flap supporting the fixed part of the tier assembly, such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) protective screen that acts as a shield against data theft.The cap can also include all kinds of customization on its external surface as well as on its internal surface.
[0059] Regardless of the specific embodiment, the invention provides a document holder capable of accommodating a variety of documents, with a reduced footprint compared to existing document holders of the same capacity. This reduced footprint also results in material savings during manufacturing, leading to lower production costs. When the document holder is closed, the documents are held securely in place by nesting and protected. The ability to fold the tiered sections back on themselves creates a new space, a flat surface on the back of the moving parts, which can be customized.
Claims
Demands
1. Document holder (200; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700) intended to receive a plurality of documents (D1-D10; D1-D12; D1-D14; D1-D6; D1-D14; D1-D13) of at least one standard format, comprising at least one flap (210, 220; 310, 320; 410, 420; 510; 605; 710, 720), said at least one flap (210, 220; 310, 320; 410, 420; 510; 605; 710, 720) supporting a set of tiers (230, 240; 330, 340; 430, 440; 530; 630, 640; 730, 740), said tiers being formed by a plurality of pockets arranged in superimposed levels and offset from one another, each pocket being designed to accommodate a document, each document inserted into a pocket having a visible uncovered edge located between two consecutive tier noses, said document holder (200; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700) being characterized in that it comprises at least one sectioning axis (238, 248; 338, 348; 438, 448; 538; 638;760) arranged along a step nose of said set of steps (230, 240; 330, 340; 430, 440; 530; 630, 640; 730, 740), said at least one sectioning axis (238, 248; 338, 348; 438, 448; 538; 638; 760) separating said set of steps (230, 240; 330, 340; 430, 440; 530; 630, 640; 730, 740) into two parts, a first part (F; F1, F2) being fixed and integral with said at least one flap (210, 220; 310, 320; 410, 420; 510; 605; 720) and a second part (M; M1, M2) being movable around said sectioning axis (238, 248; 338, 348; 438, 448; 538; 638; 760), between a first open position revealing said documents (D1-D10; D1-D12; D1-D14; D1-D6; D1-D14; D1-D13) inserted in said pockets of said set of steps (230, 240; 330, 340; 430, 440; 530; 630, 640; 730, 740) and a second position folded over said first fixed part (F;F1, F2), said second folded position allowing an interlocking of the documents (D1-D3, D6-D8, D1-D3, D7-D9; D1-D4, D8-D12; D1-D3; D9 - D14; D9, D10) of said second movable part (M; M1, M2) in at least a part of the documents (D4-D5, D9-D10; D4-D6, D10-D12; D5-D7, D12-D14; D4-D6; D1-D8; D5-D8) of said first fixed part (F; F1, F2).
2. Document holder (200; 300; 400; 700) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two panels (210, 220; 310, 320; 410, 420; 710, 720) each comprising a set of steps (230, 240; 330, 340; 430, 440; 730, 740), said panels being linked to each other by a hinge axis (250; 350; 450; 750), said hinge axis (250; 350; 450; 750) being perpendicular or parallel to each set of steps (230, 240; 330, 340; 430, 440; 730, 740) of the said panels (230, 240; 330, 340; 430, 440; 730,;
3. Document holder (200; 300; 400; 500) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the set of steps (230, 240; 330, 340; 430, 440; 530) of said at least one flap (210, 220; 310, 320; 410, 420; 510) extends between a first end of the fixed part (F; F1, F2) and a second end of the movable part (M; M1, M2) and in that the sectioning axis (238, 248; 338, 348; 438, 448; 538) of said set of steps (230, 240; 330, 340; 430, 440; 530) is provided on a step nose located at the halfway point of the length (L; L1, L2) measured between said second end of the movable part (M; M1, M2) in unfolded position and one end of said flap (210, 220; 310, 320; 410, 420; 510), opposite said second end of said movable part (M; M1, M2).
4. Document holder (300; 500) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one pocket (334, 344; 534) of the set of steps (330, 340; 530), adjacent to the sectioning axis (338, 348; 538), is sealed.
5. Document holder (700) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises two panels (710, 720) connected by a hinge axis (750), in that at least one set of steps (740) of one of the panels (720) comprises a sectioning axis (760), and in that the movable part (M) of said sectionable set of steps (740) is divided by an internal wall (761), into two sections (S1, S2) of steps, said sections (S1, S2) of steps being oriented in a direction allowing a first nesting of the documents (D9, D10) of a first section (S1) of steps in at least a part of the documents (D5, D6, D7, D8) of the fixed part (F),when said movable part (M) is folded onto said fixed part (F), and a second nesting of the documents (D11, D12, D13) of a second section (S2) of bleachers into the documents (D1, D2, D3, D4) of the bleacher assembly (730) of the adjacent flap (710) when said movable part (M) is folded onto said fixed part (F) and the two flaps (710, 720) are folded against each other.
6. Document holder (700) according to claim 5, characterized in that the articulation axis (750) is parallel to the tier assemblies (730, 740), and in that the tier sections (S1, S2) of said movable part (M) are positioned back to back, allowing access to all documents (D9-D13) of said two sections (S1, S2) when said movable part (M) is in the open position and to the documents (D11-D13) of said second section (S2) when said movable part (M) is in the folded position on said fixed part (F) of said tier assembly (740).
7. Document holder (200; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said set of tiers (230, 240; 330, 340; 430, 440; 530; 630, 640; 730, 740) is formed of a sheet folded accordion-style to form pockets, each pocket comprising a base whose depth is equal to the dimension of the side of the document to be inserted perpendicular to the opening of said pocket, and a front face whose depth is less than said side of the document to be inserted, so as to be able to identify and extract the document, the edges of the accordion-style sheet being fixed to each other.
8. Document holder (600) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flap (605) forms a case enveloping the assembly of steps (630, 640), said case comprising a sectioning axis (638) separating the fixed part (F) from the movable part (M).
9. Document holder according to claim 8, characterized in that each fixed part (F) and movable part (M) of said case (605) comprises a set of steps (640) formed of a sheet folded accordion-style, said case comprising, in each fixed and movable part, a means for attaching said folded sheet, said means for attaching being positioned opposite the sectioning axis (638).
10. Document holder according to claim 8, characterized in that said flap (605) forming case is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material and each fixed (F) and movable (M) part of said case comprises a set of steps (630) formed of grooves made in lateral walls of said part.
11. Document holder (200; 300; 400; 500) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable part (M1, M2) of the tier assembly has a customizable rear surface (ZPM1, ZPM2), visible when said movable part (M1, M2) is folded over said fixed part (F1, F2).
12. Document holder (200; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sectioning axis (238, 248; 338, 348; 438, 448; 538; 638; 760) comprises at least one set of two detachable elements designed to cooperate with each other, each detachable element being attached respectively to said fixed part (F; F1, F2) and to said movable part (M; M1, M2) of said set of steps and in that said movable part (M; M1, M2) of said set of steps (230, 240; 330, 340; 430, 440; 530; 630, 640; 730, 740) forms a removable document support device of said document holder.
13. Removable document support device (M; M1, M2) designed to be attached to the fixed part (F; F1, F2) of a set of steps (230, 240; 330, 340; 430, 440; 530; 630, 640; 730, 740) of a flap of a document holder (200; 300; 400; 500; 600;700) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, said removable document support device being characterized in that it comprises a first attachment element designed to connect to a second attachment element of complementary shape integral with said fixed part (F; F1, F2) of said set of steps, such that when said first attachment element and said second attachment element cooperate, they form a sectioning axis (238, 248; 338, 348; 438; 448; 538; 638; 760) enabling said removable document support device (M; M1, M2) to form a movable part between a first open position, revealing the documents of said fixed part and of said movable part, and a second position folded over said fixed part, in which the documents of said movable part are nested in at least a part of the documents of said fixed part.;