Abstract:
My invention is a portfolio to contain small papers in an orderly fashion with index tab dividers that enables categorical filing of coupons and receipts or any other small paper documents. The invention is constructed of polypropylene material and is generally the size of a large standard and/or small standard envelope of which size is generally 4 inches by 9 inches and 4 inches by 6 inches respectively.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Portfolio Envelope filing system for receipts, coupons and also a dual purpose use as recyclable packaging for flat surface products. 
     2. Background 
     Thompson U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,734: 
     This patent is specifically for use as a file folder for sheet paper that is maintained in a closed position by fabric type fasteners and has three non-connected edges. It is not made in such a way to accommodate coupons, and small pieces of paper such as receipts in an orderly fashion as it has no compartments to separate pieces of paper. Another disadvantage is that it has fabric fasteners and is not self-closing. 
     Carroll, III, U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,869 
     This invention is generally for use to package labels for computer magnetic diskettes, video tapes and audio tapes and as a reusable storage media for computer magnetic disketes, video tapes and audio tapes for consumers and for use in trade-shows as a display item. It has V-folds and accordion folds which create pages or leaves resembling a perfect bound book. It does not provide separable compartments with index tabs and labels to divide the contents within the embodiment. It is disadvantageous also because it has accordion folds which in its opened state is cumbersome in accessing contents. 
     Idstein, U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,561 
     This patent is specifically for use as a file folder for standard size sheet paper that is maintained in a closed position by punch-out fasteners and pocket flaps created by folding edges. 
     It is not made in such a way to accommodate coupons, and small pieces of paper such as receipts in an orderly fashion as it has no compartments to separate pieces of paper and no index tabs. 
     Hedge, U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,566 
     This patent discloses a combined advertising brochure and separable reusable envelope device formed from a rectangular sheet being portioned and folded through the application of parallel scorelines and perforation lines and also includes vertex fold points. It has a separable re-usable envelope at either end of the embodiment. This separable re-usable envelope has an accordion expansion with male and female tuck-in die cuts to hold it in a closed position. The separable re-usable envelope device on the Hedge patent is not constructed in such a way to accomodate coupons, and small pieces of paper such as receipts in an orderly fashion as it has no separable compartments within the embodiment to separate pieces of paper and identify them with index tabs. The fold-over flap with male and female tuck-in die cuts is difficult to close This method of closure has drawbacks as it is cumbersome to place the tuck-ins into the slits and if dropped it can flip open on impact. 
     Lee et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,279 discloses an invention relating generally to storage and organization of documents and computer storage media. While this arrangement provides index tabs for identifcation and access to contents, this format is far from ideal as it is at least 1 and ½ inch thick in its empty state and becomes much thicker when full of contents. It is therefore cumbersome as respects portability in a clothing pocket, dayplanner or notebook. Also, it is disadvantageous because it has a rubberband type fastener which is not advantageous for storing in glove compartments or purses because it could catch on any other items in the purse or glove compartment, whereas the instant invention has a self-closing flap that lays flat. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a flexible, compact, protective portfolio-type organizer filing and storage system specifically for, but not limited to, small documents such as coupons and receipts. The invention has separable compartments with index tabs for the labeling of categories. The invention provides a thin, compact filing system that can be placed in a clothing pocket, glove compartment, notebook or any narrow or small area of space. A punched-out hole tab or tabs provides the capability of hanging from an office wall, or a display rack for marketing purposes or in a ring binder. To provide durability the construction material is polypropylene or other poly-type material. The invention has a self-closing flap mounted at the top, constructed of same polypropylene material which, due to the somewhat stiffness of material, creates a snap-back closing device. The bottom and sides of the portfolio organizer are closed creating a top-end opening with dividers and index tabs to identify contents within the embodiment. The dividers are heat welded together at the bottom thereby making the dividers a separate unit to provide removal of said dividers which provides an un-encumbered view of contents within the dividers when outside of the embodiment. To provide at-a-glance differentiation of categories the invention can be color coded. 
     The embodiment without dividers is for use as a storage envelope for single category documents. This single category use can have identification indicia imprinted on the envelope. 
     The invention has a dual purpose use as a package for flat-surfaced products. The self-closing flap can be placed on any side or top of the embodiment to allow for different configurations of products being held within. The use of invention as a package is ecologically sound as it can be used again as a sturdy, durable storage envelope instead of discarding the package. 
     The advantages of the invention are as follows: 
     1. The portfolio envelope provides a compact container for small documents that can easily be stored in a clothing pocket, purse, dayplanner, notebook, on a wall or any small area of space. 
     2. The invention has a self-closing flap which is compact and will not catch on anything. 
     3 The invention has dividers which gives the consumer a categorical identification of small documents such as ATM receipts and deposit slips which normally ends up in a pocket or purse that are easily lost or misplaced. 
     4. It can be color coded to provide identification of type of receipts or small documents, for example, storing Banking receipts . . . Blue, Green for Money, Purple for Coupons, etc. 
     5. The invention can include printed labels for each category of use, for example, for general type receipts labels will read, Department Store, Target, Wall-Mart, Home Improvement, etc. The consumer can choose from the list of labels for their own personal use. 
     6. The invention without the dividers provides a single category portfolio with or without identifying indicia and can be color coded also to provide identification of contents. The size makes it possible to fit it into a small desk drawer or other small area. 
     7. The invention in its use as package for flat surfaced products eliminates the need of stapling or glueing advertising indicia to package, it is a easily opened and can also be used as a portfolio instead of discarding the package which is an ecological solution to all of the plastic packages that are discarded. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF VIEWS OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG.  1 . FRONT VIEW OF ENVELOPE ORGANIZER. 
     FIG.  1 A. SHOWS SCORING FOR USE TO EXPAND ENVELOPE. 
     FIG.  1 B. BACK VIEW. 
     FIG.  2 . SHOWS ENVELOPE IN OPENED STATE SHOWING TAB INDEX DIVIDERS. 
     FIG. 2A, B SHOWS TYPE OF INDEX TABS. 
     FIG. 2C INDEX TABBED DIVIDERS THAT ARE INSIDE ENVELOPE. 
     FIG.  3 . FRONT VIEW OF ENVELOPE USED AS A (ECOLOGICAL) PACKAGE. 
     FIG.  3 A. BACK VIEW-ECOLOGICAL PACKAGE 
     FIGS. 4-4C. PACKAGING EXAMPLES 
     FIG.  5 . ALTERNATE VIEW OF PACKAGING ENVELOPE 
     FIG.  5 A. VIEW SHOWING ANOTHER CONFIGURATION WITH PLURALITY OF TABS. 
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                  8 
                 Scoring Line 
               
               
                  9 
                 Dimension of Cover Flap 
               
               
                 10 
                 Cover Flap 
               
               
                 11 
                 Heat Welded for Cover Flap 
               
               
                 12 
                 Short Heat Weld 
               
               
                 13 
                 Long Heat Weld 
               
               
                 14 
                 Fold 
               
               
                 15 
                 Front 
               
               
                 16 
                 Dividers 
               
               
                 17 
                 Index Tab 
               
               
                 18 
                 Index Tab for Label Insertion 
               
               
                 19 
                 Punch-out Hole Tabs 
               
               
                 20 
                 Front of Re-usable package 
               
               
                 21 
                 Cover Flap of Re-Usable Package 
               
               
                 22 
                 Heat Welds 
               
               
                 23 
                 Back of Re-usable package 
               
               
                 24 
                 Adevertising Label-Front View 
               
               
                 25 
                 Advertising Label-Back View 
               
               
                 26 
                 Cover Flap in Raised Position 
               
               
                 27 
                 Product inserted into package 
               
               
                 28 
                 Cover Flap in raised position 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In referring to the drawings as illustrated it shall be understood that the combined entities of FIGS. 1 thru  5  inclusive, are formed of polypropylene or other poly-type material capable of being imprinted with advertising, or indicia on all surfaces and capable of being repeatedly bent without fracturing. A number of embodiments of the invention are described in detail in the following paragraphs, with reference to the drawings, in which the elements in various figures are denoted by the reference numerals. 
     FIG. 1 shows the front view perspective of the portfolio organizer in its closed position. The construction of the embodiment of the portfolio organizer is composed of a rectilinear sheet of polypropylene material folded at the bottom  14  creating two open sides which sides are then closed by means of a heat weld  12 , 13  thereby creating three connected sides of the embodiment with one open side and said open side held closed by means of a cover flap  10  heat welded to the open end  11  of the back side  20  of portfolio to provide a fastening device. 
     The top front opening side  15  of the portfolio is generally {fraction (3/16)}″ shorter in height than the back  20  to allow mounting of the cover flap  10  to the back of the embodiment. The construction material is a pliable and yet somewhat stiff material therefore the mounting of cover flap by means of a heat weld creates a snap back effect thereby creating a self-closing cover flap that stays in a closed position unless lifted up to release the closure  28  (FIG.  5 ). The dimension of the flap  9  will vary according to the size of the portfolio to insure snug fit of contents. When the closure is released, the portfolio envelope can be opened wider one one side  12  due to the heat weld longitude being shorter than the heat weld on the opposite side of the portfolio envelope which accomodates a better viewing of contents. The opposite side of the portfolio is heat welded together  13  from the bottom of the side of the fold ( 14 ) to approximately ½″ below the front top edge  15 . This said heat weld measurement will vary in accordance with the size and type of contents in order to insure the snug fit of documents inside the embodiment. The cover flap in some cases, dependent upon thickness of material used, may have a score line to ease the pressure of the cover flap thereby expanding the envelope  8 . 
     FIG. 2 Within the portfolio there are a plurality of dividers, usually three to four  16 , made of same material, which said dividers are heat welded together at the bottom  16  (FIG.  2 C), whereas the dividers being a free standing unit it makes it possible to remove the dividers from the portfolio encasing to provide a free-er space for perusal of enclosed papers if so desired. Each divider has index tabs to provide labeling of contents in each compartment. The index tabs are constructed in either of two ways, a flat surface to provide adhesive labels or screen printing on the surface  17  or a fold-over index tab  18  with said fold-over heat welded to the divider to provide a slot into which a label can be inserted  18  (FIG.  2 B). 
     The portfolio has a punched-out hole tab or tabs  19  for the purpose of hanging from either a display rack for marketing purposes, to hang on a wall, or store in a ringbinder within a notebook This said tab is an inherent part of the design construction of the portfolio generally designed into the back side of portfolio on the top but can be applied to the side to accomodate a ring binder (FIG.  5 A). 
     USE AS A RE-USABLE PACKAGE. FIG. 3 The invention in its use as a package for flat surfaced products is, in most cases transparent. The package is made in different dimensions to accomodate the product enclosed within the embodiment. In this instance the package has no dividers. The heat welds sealing the two ends  22  on the sides of the fold  14  extend longitudinally to the edge of opening of the back  23  of embodiment, however the length of these heat welds can be adapted to accomodate the product within the package. The cover flap  21  is mounted to the side of the front  20  or it can be mounted to the top with the sides heat welded and the fold on the bottom of enclosure, dependent upon product enclosed. The punch-out hole tab is applied to the top on the front  20  or back of the embodiment  23 . 
     FIGS. 4-4C In its use as a re-usable package in most cases the invention is of a clear or transparent material in which the advertisement of the product  24  is inserted inside the package facing the front of the package along with the product itself  27  thereby providing a package that does not need any stapling or glueing. If the package is made of an opaque material the advertising labels or indicia can be applied to the outside of package by means of adhesive labels that can peel off.