Stair-Step File Folder With Equal Depth Pockets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stair-step expandable file folders have pockets of varying depths, making documents stored in rear pockets more difficult to access than those in front pockets, as the dividers at the rear extend farther upward than at the front, leading to accessibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A stair-step file folder design featuring a unitary divider web insert with vertically oriented accordion folds that creates top-accessible pockets of substantially equal depth, with flanges attached to the sidewalls to maintain a fixed height, allowing for uniform pocket depth from front to back, and an optional additional frontal pocket that can be integral or separate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the dividers at the rear of the folder extend farther upward than those at the front to create a stair-step configuration, then the top edges of all dividers are viewable simultaneously, but the pockets at the rear become deeper and documents are more difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a horizontal dimension solution by extending the divider web laterally beyond the front face of the folder. This creates an overhanging divider structure that provides a horizontal surface for document placement, eliminating the need for documents to be pushed deep into rear pockets. The horizontal extension transforms the vertical depth problem into a horizontal accessibility solution.
2Ease of operation
If a unitary divider web insert with accordion folds is used to create pockets of substantially equal depth, then document accessibility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometry of the divider web insert, specifically creating panels with different heights that correspond to different pocket locations. The rear panels extend higher than front panels, and horizontal extensions are added at specific heights. These parameter changes allow equal pocket depths while maintaining visibility of all divider top edges, resolving the accessibility contradiction.
3Manufacturing precision
If flanges are attached to the accordion folds in the sidewalls to maintain a fixed height, then pocket depth uniformity is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the divider web insert structure itself. The horizontal extensions serve dual purposes: they provide the horizontal surface for document accessibility while simultaneously acting as the height-maintaining elements that ensure uniform pocket depth. This integration eliminates the need for separate flange components, reducing device complexity while achieving manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An add-on pocket affixable to a folder or a stair-step, expandable file folder or other product with a front face is disclosed. The add-on pocket has a portion which is affixed to the front on the folder and a flap portion which wraps over the front. The remainder of the pocket is formed from a bottom portion and front portion which includes retaining tabs. The tabs mate to form the sidewalls of the pocket.