Patent ID: 6453589
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: B42F

Abstract:
An essentially open file folder said essentially open file folder having the ability to be placed into a locked closed position, said essentially open file folder formed from a pliable material with semi-rigid properties and having the ability to hold its shape while at the same time to be folded into multiple panels, the folder having at least a back panel and a front panel, said back panel comprising a set of back panel sides, side 1, side 2, side 3, and side 4, at least two of said sides being substantially orthogonal one to the other,one of said orthogonal sides comprising a back panel vertical side and one of said orthogonal sides comprising a back panel horizontal side, said front panel comprising a set of front panel sides, side 1, side 2, side 3 and side 4, at least two of said front panel sides being substantially orthogonal one to the other,one of said orthogonal front panel sides comprising a front panel vertical side and one of said orthogonal front panel sides comprising a front panel horizontal side and, wherein said front panel and said back panel are hingedly attached along said vertical sides,thereby forming a spine hinge, said horizontal sides being substantially colinear one with the other, said front panel having a front panel first portion and a front panel second portion hingedly attached one to the other along a front panel first portion second portion hinge, each of said hinges being substantially parallel one to the other, said front panel first portion second portion hinge being set a predetermined distance from said spine hinge wherein said front panel first portion comprises a predetermined length and said front panel second portion comprises a predetermined length, such that said front panel second portion can fold back inward or outward along said front panel first portion second portion hinge into a position substantially onto and coplanar with said front panel first portion, said back panel further comprising a retaining panel, said retaining panel comprising at least a set of retaining panel sides, retaining panel side 1, retaining panel side 2, retaining panel side 3, and retaining panel side 4, wherein one of said retaining panel sides is a retaining panel side opposing said spine hinge, and one of said retaining panel sides is colinear with said horizontal back panel side forming a retaining panel hinge, thereby forming said retaining panel as a folding tab portion protruding off said horizontal back panel side, said retaining panel further having at least a retaining panel length, and a retaining panel leading edge location, said retaining panel leading edge location being a predetermined distance from said spine hinge, and further wherein said retaining panel side opposing said spine hinge has a point which is coterminous with said retaining panel leading edge location,wherein said predetermined distance of said retaining panel leading edge location from said spine hinge is no greater than said predetermined distance of said front panel first portion second portion hinge from said spine hinge, such that when said retaining panel is folded into said file folder about said retaining panel hinge, and said front panel second portion is folded into said file folder about said front panel first portion second portion hinge into a substantially coplanar position with said front panel first portion, and said front panel first portion is folded about said spine hinge into a position substantially coplanar with said back panel, and said front panel second portion is tucked between said retaining panel and said back panel, said essentially open file folder is placed into a locked closed position, with said front panel second portion hidden from view, for retaining papers with said front panel second portion folded in and locked under said retaining panel as to allow a portion of the papers to be exposed for viewing, while at the same time providing containment along said back panel side to which said retaining panel is attached.