Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FOLDABLE CARRIER FOR RETAINING OBJECTS
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to carriers for removably retaining
articles
therein, and, more specifically, to such carriers formed from a folded flat
web of flexible
material.
Background of the Invention
Frequently, it is desirable to store various small objects such as computer
disks,
photographs, tape cassettes and index cards in portable packages or carriers
for transport or
storage. Various prior devices exist for that purpose, including hanging file
disk pockets,
hanging pockets, and 3 1/2" diskette viewer folders from Globe-Weis of Atapco
Office
Products Group, St. Louis, MO. IIowever, such conventional containers may be
deficient
in certain circumstances.
Hanging file pockets, add-on pockets and the like are typically open-ended.
Therefore, disks and other objects placed into the pockets can fall out,
particularly if the
pocket becomes inverted in use or transport. Some prior devices appear to
respond to that
difficulty by making the pocket more rigid and closely dimensioned to the
object to be
carried so as to grip the object better. Unfortunately, such devices have a
tendency to be
more difficult for the object to be inserted into and removed from, often
requiring the users
to employ both hands in the effort.
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Many prior carriers we're also integrally formed with or permanently secured
to an
underlying support, such as a folder, ring binder or documentation package.
When the
object is to be removed from the package, a separate, additional carrier has
been
employed. Also, each such package has typically employed a carrier specialized
in
dimension and materials which is particularly adapted to that package type
alone. Thus,
even where the carriers have been removable, efficient collection and storage
by users of
carriers from diverse packages has been inhibited.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved
carrier
for storing and transporting a small object or article. Other objects include
the provision
of a carrier which:
a. is inexpensive and convenient to manufacture and assemble;
b. is durable and protective of an object inserted therein,
c. permits an object to be readily inserted and removed therefrom
for repeated storage therein;
d. is reusable and detachable from its initial packaging;
e. can be easily attached to or integrated into the design of various
packages; and
f. securely retains an object once deposited therein.
Summary of the Invention
These and other objects of the present invention are attained by the provision
of an
object carrier formed from a folded web of flexible material having an
enclosed pocket
defined thereby regardless of the insertion of the object and a slit opening
to that pocket
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which is biased open. The pocket is preferably formed by retaining one portion
of the web
in bowed relation to another portion of the web, and a third portion can be
employed to
overlay the bowed portion as a cover. The web may be integrally formed as part
of the
underlying package and/or detachable therefrom.
The present invention provides the carrier from a substantially flat web of
flexible
material which is folded and assembled to define a pocket space and an over-
pocket space
for retaining at least one object on three sides or aspects. A cover panel may
also be
formed from a fold in the web to overlie both such spaces to retain the object
therein from
above and across its face. A portion of the web may also be used for attaching
the carrier
to another body or structure.
Especially preferred embodiments include a portable carrier which may be
attached
to a variety of surfaces, and which includes a single piece body, cut and
scored for manual
assembly from a unitary blank of suitably sized semi-flexible sheet material
such as
paperboard, which has an interconnected front panel, back panel, top panel and
cover
panel. The back panel has a fastening slit which interlocks with a locking tab
and lock
notch arrangement extending from the fastening edge of the front panel along
with a first
over-flap and a second over-flap that cooperate to hold the carrier in its
folded shape when
the front panel is folded over the back panel. The cover panel is then folded
to overlie the
front panel and thereby retains an object deposited into the carrier's pocket
space from
above and across the object's exposed face. A strip of adhesive or other
attachment device
is attached to the back panel so tliat, when the body is folded to form a
carrier, the carrier
may be attached to another article, such as an interior surface of a file
folder. When the
carrier is attached to an interior surface of a file folder, closure of the
file folder impinges
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the overlying carrier cover panel to hold the cover panel in a closed
position. Once
attached in this way to a file folder, the carrier provides a secure storage
and transport
device for objects deposited therein, while also permitting quick and easy,
one-handed
access to the object retained. The nature of the arrangement permits
standardization of
carriers across a variety of applications and easy reuse and removability of
the carrier.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will
become
readily apparent from the following drawings and detailed description of
preferred
embodiments.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure I is a plan view of the exterior face of a carrier according to the
present
invention in its flattened, unfolded state.
Figure 2a is a perspective view of the unfolded interior face of the carrier
shown in
Fig. 1.
Figures 2b through 2e are sequential perspective views of the carrier shown in
Fig.
2a with various folding and assembly operations being performed.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the completed carrier taken
substantially along
line 3-3 of Fig. 2e.
Figure 4 is a perspective rear view of the carrier shown in Fig. 2e with a
bipronged
fastener.
Figures 5a and 5b are side elevational views of a carrier according to the
present
invention affixed to an interior surface of a file folder.
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Figure 6 is a perspective view of a carrier according to the present invention
in a
folded and assembled state with the cover panel shown open and the retained
object shown
in broken lines.
Figure 7 is a plan view of the exterior face of another embodiment of the
present
invention in its flattened, unfolded state.
Figure 8a is a perspective view of the unfolded interior face of the
embodiment
shown in Fig. 7.
Figure 8b through 8f are sequential perspective views of the embodiment shown
in
Fig. 8a with various folding and assembly and integration operations being
performed.
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the completed embodiment taken
substantially
along line 9-9 of Fig. 8d.
Figure 10 is a perspective rear view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 8d with a
bipronged fastener.
Figure 11 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 8d
affixed to
an interior surface of a file folder in an orientation where the interior
surface of the file
folder and its folded edge functionally serve to retain the object from above
and across its
exposed face.
Figure 12a is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12b is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 12a in a
folded
orientation.
Figure 13 is a plan view of still another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14 is a plan view of yet still another embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 15a is a plan view of a further embodiment of the present invention.
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Figure 15b is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 15a in a
folded
orientation.
Figure 16 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 18 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 19 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in Fig. 18 after it is
folded and
assembled.
Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of the completed carrier taken
substantially
along line 20-20 of Fig. 19.
Figure 21 is a plan view of the interior face of the carrier shown in Fig. 1
showing
the function of the mouth flap design.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the
several
views. Although the drawings represent various embodiments of the present
invention, the
drawings are not necessarily to scale and features may be exaggerated in order
to better
illustrate and explain aspects of the present invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
The embodiments disclosed in the detailed description below are not intended
to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to merely the precise forms disclosed.
Rather, the
embodiments selected for the description are disclosed so that others skilled
in the art may
utilize their teachings. The limits of the patent are defined by the appended
claims.
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Figure 1 shows a carrier 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. Carrier 10, in its flattened or unfabricated state, includes a
substantially flat
web or body 12 and a thin strip of adhesive 60 which is, for example, double
sided and
covered by a larger protective strip of removable release liner 61 on its
exposed side.
Body 12 includes a front panel 18, a back panel 16, a top panel 68 and a cover
panel 70.
Front panel 18 and back panel 16 are preferably separated by a bottom
scoreline 22 which
forms the bottom edge 23 of carrier 10 when fully folded and assembled, as
described in
further detail below. Back panel 16 and cover panel 70 are preferably
separated by a set of
parallel score marks, namely a first top scoreline 65 and a second top
scoreline 66, which
together define the top panel 68 of carrier 10 when fully folded. A single
score mark could
alternatively be provided so that the width of top panel 68 is minimal if
noticeable at all.
Back panel 16 also contains a fastening slit 34, cut through its faces,
laterally offset from
center by a distance "e", oriented parallel to and spaced away from bottom
scoreline
22 by a distance designated "a" in Figure 1. Fastening slit 34 also has an
angled
extension 33 opposite its offset end 35 as shown in Figure 1. Additionally,
back panel 16
includes a first prong slit 48 and a second prong slit 49 which are adapted to
receive the
first prong 51 and the second prong 52 of a standard bipronged fastener 50 as
shown in
Figure 4.
Front panel 18 includes a mouth flap 79, a cut slit which substantially
divides front
panel 18 into an upper portion 86 and a lower portion 87 and defines the width
of pocket
mouth opening 32 when carrier 10 is fully folded and assembled as best shown
in Figure
6. Mouth flap 79 is, for example, bow shaped and includes a center curve 80, a
first
angled side 82, a second angled side 83, a first end curve 84, and a second
end curve 85.
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Mouth flap 79 serves to provide the pocket mouth opening 32 which is biased
toward an
open position leading into pocket space 26 by the flexing of front panel 18 of
carrier 10
when assembled as is described in further detail below.
Fastening edge 20 of front panel 18 has, extending from it, a locking tab 36
which
includes a lock notch 38, inset and in registration with the offset end 35 of
the fastening
slit 34. Disposed to the sides of this locking tab 36 are a first over-flap 42
and a second
over-flap 44 extending from fastening edge 20. Lock notch 38 with fastening
edge 20, is
inset a distance "e" from the edge of the locking tab 36 and is spaced from
bottom
scoreline 22 by a distance "b". The amount by which distance "b" is greater
than
distance "a" determines the thickness of pocket space 26, as will become
apparent from
the following description of the assembly and operation of carrier 10.
Assembly
Figures 2a through 2e show a folding and assembly process for a carrier 10 of
the
present invention. As shown in Figure 2a, body 12 can readily be cut or
stamped from a
single piece of substantially flat and preferably semi-flexible material
during the
manufacturing process.
Carrier 10 is assembled by first folding front panel 18 upwardly along bottom
scoreline 22 and then downwardly toward back panel 16, as shown by the arrows
in
Figures 2a and 2b, so that the interior face 13 of each is in contact as best
shown in
Figure 2c and Figure 3. Upper portion 86 of front panel 18 is then pressed
toward back
panel 16 to separate upper portion 86 from lower portion 87 along mouth flap
79. Upper
portion 86 is slid along back panel 16 toward bottom edge 23, as shown by the
arrow in
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WO 99/58425 PCT/US98/09470
Figure 2c, which causes lower portion 87 of front panel 18 to flex or bow
outwardly
generally along mouth flap 79 so that the lower portion 87 becomes spaced or
bowed
from back panel 16 while upper portion 86 remains substantially planar with
back panel
16 and the pocket space 26 is formed. Locking tab 36 is aligningly moved
laterally a
distance "e" and inserted through fastening slit 34. Lock notch 38 of locking
tab 36 is
defined by fastening edge 20 so that once it is inserted through fastening
slit 34, lock
notch 38 returns a lateral distance "e" to overlie the offset end 35 of
fastening slit 34, as
shown in Figure 4, and secures the locking tab 36 in position. Cover panel 70
is now
folded along parallel score marks, namely a first top scoreline 65 and a
second top
scoreline 66, to overlie front panel 18, as shown by the arrow in Figure 2d.
Carrier 10,
when thus assembled, creates an over-pocket space 72 above pocket space 26 and
between back panel 16 and cover panel 70 as shown in Figure 2e. An object 11,
such as
a diskette or like article, may be placed within this over-pocket space 72 and
partially
inserted in pocket space 26 formed by mouth flap 79 and the outwardly bowed
lower
portion 87 of front panel 18 for convenient, secure transportation and storage
as shown in
Figure 3 and Figure 6. Figure 21 illustrates how a diskette or like article 11
can be
packaged for shipment with an unassembled carrier blank 10. Figure 3 shows the
interlocking connection between front panel 18 and back panel 16 of assembled
carrier
10.
Referring now to Figure 4, after the release liner 61 is removed from the
strip of
adhesive 60, locking tab 36 may be adhered to back panel 16, leaving the
remaining
portion of the strip of adhesive 60 exposed. Carrier 10 may be affixed to a
selected surface
of a container or underlying package by pressing the remaining portion of the
exposed
9
CA 02331594 2003-05-09
strip of adhesive 60 into contact with the package's surface. Depending upon
the nature
of the adhesive selected, the cai-rier can be pennanently, releasably or
repeatedly bound
to the package.
Alternatively, the release liner 61 may be left in place and carrier 10 may be
attached to a package or surface using a bipronged fastener 50. Once carrier
10 is
folded and assembled according to the procedure illustrated in Figures 2a
through 2e,
first prong 51 and second prong 52 of bipronged fastener 50 are inserted
through first
prong slit 48 and second prong slit 49 from the exterior face 14 of back panel
16 to
permit attachment of carrier 10 with the bipronged fastener 50 to a standard
twin-hole
punched file folder. Bipronged fastener 50 may optionally carry an additional
fastener
adhesive strip 54 that allows it to be affixed to the surface of a file folder
150 or other
selected package as shown in Figure 5a.
As best shown in Figiures 5a and 5b, once carrier 10 is attached to an inside
surface or interior page of a file folder 150, closure of the file folder 150
and its contact
with cover panel 70 permit the cover panel 70 to remain in engagement with
front
panel 18, as shown in Figure 5b. The impingement between the file folder 150,
or its
contents, and cover panel 70., when the file folder 150 is closed, can prevent
carrier 10
from accidentally opening and discharging a retained object 11. The overlap
between
cover panel 70 and front panel 18 enhances the positive closure provided by
the above-
mentioned impingement. Also, parallel score marks, namely the first top
scoreline 65
and the second top scoreline 66, further enhance the tendency of carrier 10 to
remain
closed by providing cover panel 70 with clearance of the thickness of object
11 to
generally assume this folded position overlying front pane118. As such,
carrier 10
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resists opening so long as the file folder 150 is closed. When affixed to a
file folder 150
in the above-described manner, carrier 10 secures the object 11 (shown in
broken lines)
loosely deposited within pocket space 26 while also allowing quick and easy
one-handed
removal and reinsertion of the object 11 whenever file folder 150 is opened.
An additional feature of the present invention is depicted in Figure 6. An
optional retaining tab 76 is provided, which in an exemplary embodiment is a
cut semi-
circular slit in front panel 18. Retaining tab 76 is disposed on front panel
18 so that,
when separated, retaining tab 76 receives the distal edge 71 of cover panel 70
when cover
panel 70 is folded to overlie front panel 18. As such, retaining tab 76
retains cover panel
70 in its folded, closed position and additionally secures the object 11 in
carrier 10 when
carrier 10 is used to transport object 11. Additionally, a sticker-seal 77 may
be applied to
jointly overlay the cover panel 70 and the retaining tab 76, as shown in
Figure 6, thereby
securing the retained object 1 1 from pilferage during retailing operations.
Another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 7.
Here
carrier 10 has a back panel 16 that has cut through its faces a c-shaped
fastening tab 24
with two extremity points 25. A front panel 18 has a simple fastening edge 20
and a c-
shaped pocket mouth flap 28 cut through its faces andjoined at one side along
a zone of
attachment 30 to the upper portion 86 of the front panel 18. Carrier 10 is
assembled by
first folding front panel 18 upwardly along the bottom scoreline 22 and then
downwardly
toward the back panel 16 as shown by the arrows in Figures 8a and 8b. Upper
portion 86
of ftont panel 18 is then pressed toward back panel 16 to separate upper
portion 86 ftom
lower portion 87 along pocket mouth flap 28. Upper portion 86 is slid along
back panel
16 toward bottom edge 23, as shown by the arrow in Figure 8c, which causes
lower
11
CA 02331594 2003-05-09
portion 87 of front panel 18 ti-) flex or bow outwardly generally along pocket
mouth flap
28 so that the lower portion 87 becomes spaced or bowed from back panel 16
while
upper portion 86 remains substantially planar with back panel 16 and the
pocket space
26 is formed. Fastening edge 20 is then inserted under fastening tab 24 as
shown in
Figure 8d. Carrier 10 can then be removably or permanently bound or stapled
near the
distal edge 71 of the back panel 16 along with the pages of a booklet, as
shown in
Figure 8e, for later assembly and storage of an object. Carrier 10, when
integrated
along a lateral edge of back pa.n.e116 at a lateral scoreline 146 with the
right cover panel
147 of a booklet or brochure, as shown in Figure 8f, can also be assembled as
just
described and an object 11, such as a diskette, may be placed within the
pocket space
26 for storage. In the embod iirients described in Figures 8e and 8f, the left
cover panel
145 and cover spine 148 of the booklet or brochure perform the retaining
function
performed by the top panel 68 and cover panel 70 of the carrier 10 in a
previously
described embodiment. Figure 9 shows the interlocking connection between front
panel
18 and back panel 16 when carrier 10 is assembled.
Referring to Figure 10, after the release liner 61 is removed, fastening edge
20
may be adhered to fastening tab 24 leaving the balance of the strip of
adhesive 60 free
to affix carrier 10 to a file folder 150 or like article. Figure 11 shows
carrier 10
attached to the inside surface of a file folder 150 oriented such that the
folding edge and
cover of the closed file folder 150 perform the retaining function normally
performed
by the top panel 68 and cover panel 70 of the carrier 10 in its preferred
embodiment.
Alternatively, a bipronged fastener 50 with a fastener adhesive strip 54 can
be used to
attach carrier 10 in the same manner.
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An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 12a and
12b. This embodiment is disclosed to demonstrate carrier 10 integrated with
another
article, such as the pocket folder 152 shown in the figures. The components
and
operation of carrier 10 are preferably substantially the same as described
above except
that one lateral edge of back panel 16 is connected to pocket folder 152 by an
extension
section 154. Also, glue or adhesive could be used to attach back panel 16 to
the
underlying folder leaf 156. By folding carrier 10 along folder scorehne 158,
and then
assembling carrier 10 in the above-mentioned manner, a pocket folder 152 with
an
integrally formed and internally disposed carrier 10, as shown in Figure 12b,
is
constructed.
An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 13. This
embodiment is disclosed to demonstrate carrier 10 integrated into a disposable
section 92
which is separated from the carrier 10 along a line of perforation 90. The
components
and operation of carrier 10 are substantially the same as described above
except that one
edge of front panel 18, back panel 16, top panel 68 and cover panel 70 is
integrated with
disposable section 92 along the line of perforation 90. Disposable section 92
has two or
more mounting apertures 94 cut through it to allow storage in a standard ring
or spiral
binder prior to use. At the time of use, disposable section 92 is removed
along line of
perforation 90 and discarded. Carrier 10 is then folded and assembled in the
same
manner as described above.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 14. This
embodiment is disclosed to demonstrate carrier 10 integrated into a side panel
98. The
components and operation of carrier 10 are substantially the same as described
above
13
CA 02331594 2003-05-09
except that only one lateral edge of back panel 16 is integrated with side
panel 98.
Front panel 18 is separated from side pane198 by a first side perforation 100
while top
panel 68 and cover panel 70 are separated from side panel 98 by a second side
perforation 102, Side panel 98 has two or more mounting apertures 94 cut
through it
to allow storage in a standard ring or spiral binder both prior to and during
use. At the
time of use, front panel 18 is separated from side panel 98 along first side
perforation
100 and top pane168 and cover panel 70 are separated from side panel 98 along
second
side perforation 102.
Carrier 1.0 is then folded and assembled in the same manner as described above
except that it remains connected to side pane198 along a lateral edge of back
panel 16
after first side perforation 100 and second side perforation 102 are separated
from side
panel 98. In this configuration, carrier 10 is retained within a standard ring
or spiral
binder by this side panel 98 during use.
Yet another alternate ernbodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures
15a and 15b. This emboclinient is disclosed to demonstrate carrier 10 with an
integral side extension panel 112 which extends from back panel 16 along an
extension score;line 110. Bv fblding this side extension panel 112 along
extension
scoreline 110 so as to overlie back panel 16, a document space 114 is formed
between these panels as seen in Figure 15b, open from above and on one side,
that can receive contents such as a booklet of instructions. When carrier 10
is
then folded arici assembled in the manner described above, articles such as
CDs
can be stored and transported safely and securely. If carrier 10 is to be used
for articles sensitive to scratching, such as CDs, a strip of soft fabric or
paper 118
can be adhesively attached to its exterior face 14 and interior face 13 in the
region of
mouth flap 79 to reduce friction when articles are inserted and removed. In
this
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CA 02331594 2003-05-09
embodiment, carrier 10 provides storage for articles and associated notes or
instruction
booklets and has expansiveõ unbroken surfaces for advertising or instructions
on the
exterior face 14 of back panel 16, top panel 68 and cover panel 70.
Still another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure
16. This embodiment is disclosed to demonstrate carrier 10 with a U-shaped cut
hanging tab 120 in the upper portion of the back panel 16, laterally centered
with its
open end adjacent the first tol) scoreline 65, and attached to the back
pane116 by at least
two narrow points of interconnection or nicks 121 where the cut is
interrupted.
Hanging tab 120 has centered within it a hanging aperture 124. When the nicks
121 are
manually broken and hanging tab 120 is bent upward through 180 degrees,
hanging
aperture 124 can be used to niount carrier 10 on a hook or post for retailing
operations.
A further alternate enibodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure
17.
This embodiment has two pin apertures 128 cut in the upper portion of back
panel 16,
laterally centered and adjacent to the first top scoreline 65. These pin
apertures 128
receive a safety-pin fastener 130 oriented so the carrier 1.0 can be attached
to a person's
apparel for use in trade shows or as a means of identification based on
information
applied to the exterior face of ttie cover pane170.
Yet still. another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown
in Figure 18. This embodiment is disclosed to demonstrate carrier 10 having a
body 12 with. a front panel 18 extended in length and its fastening edge 20
replaced by a semi-circular internal lockirig tab 136, laterally centered and
having an internal lock slit. 138 inset a distance (e), both cut through the
faces
of the front panel 18. This semi-circular shaped internal locking tab 136
has extremity points 25 disposed to form a line generally parallel to
bottom
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scoreline 22 and located a predetermined distance (b) from it. The front panel
18 is further
subdivided by a first top scoreline 65 and a second top scoreline 66 that
define a top panel
68 and a cover panel 70. The back panel 16 has a fastening slit 34, laterally
offset from
center by a distance (e) to match the lateral inset of the internal lock slit
138. Carrier 10 is
then assembled by first folding front panel 18 upwardly along bottom scoreline
22 to
overlie the back panel 16. The internal locking tab 136 is then urged through
the fastening
slit 34 in a manner similar to the preferred embodiments described above, as
shown in
Figure 20, whereupon the front panel 18 bows outward and the pocket mouth flap
28
flexes inward and internal lock slit 138 comes to engagingly overlie the
offset end 35 of
fastening slit 34. Finally, top panel 68 and cover panel 70 are folded along
the two top
scorelines to overlie the front panel 18 and its pocket mouth opening 32 as
shown in
Figure 19. The opposing edge of the cover panel 70 is then inserted under the
retaining
tab 76. Two mounting apertures 94 adjacent the opposing edge of back panel 16
allow the
carrier 10 to be retained by any two of the rings in a standard 3-ring binder.
Alternately, a
first prong slit 48 and a second prong slit 49 located adjacent the opposing
edge of the
back panel 16 can be used to attach a bipronged fastener 50 with a fastener
adhesive strip
54 to the carrier 10, in a manner already disclosed above, so that the carrier
10 can be
attached to articles such as a file folder 150 and the like in any desired
orientation.
While this invention has been described as having exemplary embodiments, the
present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this
disclosure and
appended claims. This application is thus intended to cover any variations,
uses, or
adaptations of the invention using its general principles. For example, the
flexible
materials used to form the carrier may be of paper, cardboard, paperboard or
plastic and
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WO 99/58425 PCT/US98/09470
colored, patterned or textured. Where desired for particular applications, the
carrier
material may be transparent to microwave energy and the carrier may be filled
and shrink-
wrapped for retail merchandising.
17
