Pocket Folder Expansion via V-Notch and Scored Flaps

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Pocket folders with multiple documents often bulge and fail to fold properly, causing damage, and accommodations to prevent this can lead to papers falling out due to compromised pocket integrity.

Innovation Solution

A document holder design featuring angular notches and semi-circular cutaways in pocket flaps, along with a retainer flap and scored fold lines, to maintain structural integrity and secure documents without bulging or loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the pockets are filled with many sheets, then the document capacity is improved, but the folder bulges and fails to fold properly, causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument capacityVSAvoidfolder structure integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pocket flap is segmented by introducing a cutaway portion that divides it into separate regions. This segmentation allows the flap to flex and accommodate thick document stacks without compromising the overall folder structure, enabling the folder to fold properly even when filled with many sheets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutaway portion is strategically positioned at specific locations on the pocket flap where stress concentration occurs during folding. This local modification provides targeted flexibility at critical points while maintaining structural integrity in other areas, allowing the folder to handle large document volumes without damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If accommodations are made to prevent bulging, then the folder structure integrity is improved, but the papers in the pockets may fall out easily because the accommodation disturbs the viability of the pocket feature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolder structure integrityVSAvoiddocument retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pocket flap is designed with a cutaway portion that creates a dynamic, multi-state structure. The flap can assume different configurations - remaining substantially planar when empty for secure document retention, and becoming flexibly contoured when filled to prevent bulging and enable proper folding. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between structure integrity and document retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the pocket flap remains substantially planar, then document retention is improved, but the folder cannot accommodate thick document stacks without bulging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument retentionVSAvoiddocument capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cutaway portion segments the pocket flap into regions with different functional properties. The remaining portions maintain planarity for secure document retention, while the cutaway region provides the necessary flexibility to accommodate thick document stacks without causing the entire flap to bulge uncontrollably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9346311B2High capacity pocket file folder

Publication Date: 2016.05.24 THE SMEAD MANUFACTURING COMPANY LLC

AI summary

A pocket folder with increased document capacity and method of manufacturing same is disclosed. The folder has two cover panels 14-16, joined along a longitudinal joint or score line, a pair of pocket flaps 40a-40b and a top flap 70. Top flap 70 folds along a score line 72a-72b and a midline score 74 and a plurality of parallel scores 78 to accommodate expansion. At the pockets, a v-shaped notch 52 between the pockets prevents bunching and a circular cut away 90a-90b provides greater access to the documents.