Abstract:
A folder for holding a sheet includes two panels interconnected by strap systems that form two different hinges as the panels are folded over each other. The straps and panels form pockets for storing the sheet.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     None  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of Invention  
         [0003]     This invention pertains to a folder for holding papers and other similar laminar material, and more particularly to a folder having two flat panels interconnected by straps.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Folders are frequently used for both business and personal uses to hold several sheets of documents, pictures, and other thin and sheet-like laminar materials. Existing folders usually consist of two panels joined by a live hinge. Each of the panels is formed with one or more inner pockets. In addition, folders are also available with external pockets. The internal pockets normally extend no more than about half the length of the respective pannel.  
         [0006]     A problem with existing folders is that the sheets must be inserted carefully into the pockets so that they are not creased or otherwise distorted. This is problem is especially acute when sheets of several different sizes, shapes and thicknesses are loaded into the pockets at different times. A further problem is that if the pockets are short, they do not provide sufficient support and protection to the sheets, and, as a result, the sheets may fall out.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     A folder constructed in accordance with this invention consists of two panels interconnected by two non-overlapping strap systems, each strap system consisting of at least one strap. Preferably at least one of the strap systems consists of two outer straps disclosed close to the top and the bottom of the panels while the second strap system includes one or more central straps disposed between the outer straps. The ends of the straps are connected to the panels. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of a folder constructed in accordance;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  shows an end view of the folder of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of the folder of  FIG. 1  in a second configuration;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  shows the folder in the first configuration with a stack of sheets;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  shows the folder in the second configuration with the stack of sheets disposed in a pocket;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  shows the folder of  FIG. 5  after it has been folded with the stack shifted to the other panel; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  shows a folder with a central strap system formed of a single strap. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an improved folder  10  constructed in accordance with this invention. The folder  10  is formed of two panels  12  and  14 . The panels may be made of cardboard, plastic or other similar somewhat stiff materials and may be covered with leather or other decorative materials. The folder further includes two strap systems  16  and  18  interconnecting the two panels. In  FIG. 1  each strap system includes two straps ( 16 A,  16 B), ( 18 A,  18 B). The straps of the first system are connected to the first edges  12 A,  14 A and the straps of the second system are connected to the second edges  12 B,  14 B. However, other arrangements may be used as well as illustrated below.  
         [0016]     Each strap has two ends, each end being secured to one of the panels, as at  20  by sewing, an adhesive, or other similar securing means. So, for example, one end of strap  16 A is secured to one edge of panel  12  and the other end is secured to the edge of panel  14 .  
         [0017]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , one of the panels may have an outer pocket  22  that can be used for additional storage.  
         [0018]     As shown in  FIG. 1  the straps of system  16  are disposed close to the upper and lower edges of the panels, and are referred to as the outer straps. The straps of system  18  are disposed closer to the center of the panels, between the outer straps  16 A,  16 B and are referred to as the central straps  18 A,  18 B.  
         [0019]     The two lateral edges of panels  12  and  14  are marked respectively as edges  12 A,  12 B and  14 A,  14 B. In  FIG. 1  edges  12 B,  14 A are adjacent.  
         [0020]     An interesting characteristic of the folder  10  is that the two panels can be folded over each along the hinge formed by the strap system between the edges  12 B,  14 A. Then the two panels can be unfolded by separating the edges  12 B and  14 A to obtain a new configuration shown in  FIG. 3 . In this configuration, edges  12 A,  14 B are adjacent and the two panels have switched sides as compared to the configuration of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  shows the folder  10  in the first configuration of  FIG. 1  with a stack of sheets  12  disposed on panel  12 . When the panels are folded and then unfolded to the second configuration, the central strap system  18  folds over the paper stack  30  and secures it over the panel gets secured to shifted to panel  12 . The stack or individual sheets can be readily slipped out of the pocket formed between the strap system  18  and the panel  12 . If the panels are folded over again, a new pocket is formed between the strap system  16  and the panel  12  and the stack is secured in this new pocket, as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0022]     In this manner a single sheet or a stack of sheets can be stored either by slipping them between the straps and the panels, or by placing them over the one of the panels and then folding the panels twice thereby causing the sheet(s) to be placed into one of the pockets between the strap systems and the panels. In order to support the sheets properly, the distance between the straps of each system must be smaller than the length of the sheets.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a folder  10 A with a single strap  18 C. The strap may have an H-shape to faciliate inserting and removing the sheets from the folder  10 A.  
         [0024]     While the invention has been described with reference to several particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described in particular should be considered as exemplary, not limiting, with respect to the following claims.