Patent Publication Number: US-8109672-B1

Title: Pouch with connectors and system of such pouches

Description:
This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/156,065, filed Jun. 8, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/489,145, filed May 23, 2011. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Our invention relates to a pouch, and a corresponding system of pouches that can be connected together. More specifically, our invention relates to pouches that include male connectors and female connectors, wherein the male connectors and female connectors are configured to snap-fit together to connect the pouches. 
     2. Related Art 
     Nowadays, an increasing number of tasks must be completed at both home and work. The head or heads of a household are now faced with chores such as managing schedules, planning meals, and tracking active projects, all of which must be completed within a limited amount of time. Meanwhile, at work, many of these same heads of households are responsible for completing numerous tasks. Careful planning and organization are therefore required to ensure that everything is completed, and that things are not lost in the shuffle. 
     A variety of products are made with the goal of aiding day-to-day organization, particularly in the area of containing and grouping items. In general, there are two types of such organizational tools available to consumers: general receptacles meant to hold anything put in them, and specific tools that prescribe a solution to a narrowly defined set of materials or activities. These tools include folders, pockets, envelopes, securing systems such as binders, labels, label makers, etc. While many of these organizational tools are helpful for managing one type of item, a multi-purpose functionality is often lacking in these devices. For example, a conventional folder is designed to securely hold papers. The conventional folder, however, cannot be connected with another folder, absent a separate structure such as a binder or drawer-type filing system. Moreover, the conventional folder is not readily adaptable to hold items other than paper, and is often made from opaque materials that obscure its contents. Further, while multi-folder accessories, such as a binder, a filing cabinet, or a file folder are able to contain multiple files, there is no ability to quickly, easily, and effectively separate a particular folder of interest from such accessories, nor the ability to quickly, easily, and effectively create new folder combinations from multiple folder sets with such accessories. 
     Thus, there is a need for organizational tools that are easily associated with similar organizational tools. In particular, there is a need for organizational tools that can contain diverse items, with the contents of the tools being easily discernable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a pouch and a system of pouches that can be used to contain a variety of items. 
     In one aspect, our invention is directed to a pouch that includes a first panel, and a second panel associated with the first panel so as to form an enclosed space between the first panel and the second panel. The pouch further comprises a connection structure, which includes a female connector provided at one side of the connection structure, with the female connector positioned adjacent to the first panel. The connection structure also includes a male connector provided at a second side of the connection structure, with the male connector positioned adjacent to the second panel at a position opposite to a position of the female connector on the first panel. The male connector is configured to snap-fit with another female connector that has the same configuration as the female connector, and the female connector is configured to receive by snap-fit another male connector that has the same configuration as the male connector. 
     In another aspect, our invention is directed to a pouch that comprises a first panel, and a second panel associated with the first panel so as to form an enclosed space between the first panel and the second panel. A connection structure is provided adjacent to the first and second panels. The connection structure includes a first part provided on the same side of the pouch as the first panel, and a second part provided on the same side of the pouch as the second panel. The first part is configured to couple to, with a releasable connection, a second part of another connection structure having the same configuration as the second part of the connection structure. The second part is configured to couple to, with a releasable connection, a first part of another connection structure having the same configuration as the first part of the connection structure. 
     In yet another aspect, our invention is directed to a system of pouches that include a first pouch with a first panel, and a second panel that is associated with the first panel so as to form an enclosed space between the first panel and the second panel. The first pouch further comprises a connection structure, which includes a female connector provided at one side of the connection structure, the female connector positioned adjacent to the first panel. The connection structure of the first pouch also includes a male connector provided at a second side of the connection structure, the male connector positioned adjacent to the second panel at a position opposite to a position of the female connector on the first panel. The system of pouches further comprises a second pouch with a first panel, and a second panel that is associated with the first panel so as to form an enclosed space between the first panel and the second panel. The second pouch further comprises a connection structure, which includes a female connector provided at one side of the connection structure, the female connector positioned adjacent to the first panel. The connection structure of the second pouch also includes a male connector provided at a second side of the connection structure, the male connector positioned adjacent to the second panel at a position opposite to a position of the female connector on the first panel. The male connector on the first pouch is configured to snap-fit with the female connector on the second pouch, and the male connector of the second pouch is configured to snap-fit with the female connector on the first pouch. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a pouch according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the pouch shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is another side view of the pouch shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the pouch shown in  FIG. 1  in an unexpanded configuration. 
         FIG. 4B  shows a cross-sectional view of the pouch shown in  FIG. 1  in an expanded configuration. 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of a connector for the pouch shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of two connectors snap-fit together. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of a plurality of connected pouches according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the pouches shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a pouch according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a pouch according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are side views of the pouch shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11A  is a top view of a pouch according a further embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is another top view of the pouch shown in  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 12  is a view of a plurality of pouches of the type shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , with the pouches connected together. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a pouch with a connection structure. The connection structure includes a male connector and a female connector that allow the pouch to be connected to another pouch with corresponding male and female connectors. The connection structures of the pouches are also configured to allow the pouches to pivot relative to each other such that the connected pouches can be displayed in a fan-like arrangement. 
     As will be apparent from the description herein, the term “pouch” encompasses a broad range of structures designed to contain items, such as envelopes bags, packets, and the like. 
     As will be described below, a pouch according to the invention includes a female connector and a male connector. A “female connector,” as used herein, means a connection structure that receives another connection structure. A “male connector,” as used herein, means a connection structure that is provided to another connection structure. Notably, a single connection structure could include both a female connector and a male connector, and the male and female parts could be positioned in any manner relative to each other in the connection structure. 
     A pouch according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The pouch includes a first panel  10  and a second panel  20 . The panels  10  and  20  are connected together by a first side wall  30  and a second side wall  40 . The panels  10  and  20  are also connected along side  50  of the pouch. An enclosed space is thereby formed between the panels. An opening  60  is provided to the enclosed space along the side of the pouch opposite to the side  50 . 
     The pouch also includes a flap  70  extending from the second panel  20 . The flap  70  is movable between an extended position wherein the opening  60  to the enclosed space is accessible, and a folded position wherein the flap  30  is positioned adjacent to the first panel  10 . In the folded position, the flap  30  closes the opening  60  to the enclosed space of the pouch. In an alternative configuration (not shown), the flap extends from the first panel and is folded adjacent to the second panel. 
     The flap  70  includes attachment structures  52  that are positioned to corresponding attachment structures  54  on the first panel  10  when the flap  70  is in the folded position. The attachment structures  52  and  54  provide a connection between the flap  70  and the first panel  10 . In one embodiment, the attachment structures  52  and  54  are a hook and loop combination, such as VELCRO® by Velcro USA, Inc. of Manchester, N.H. It should be noted that while the depicted pouch includes two attachment structures, one pair of attachment structures, or more than two pairs of attachment structures could be provided. Moreover, those skilled in the art will recognize that the attachment structures  50  and  55  could take a variety of forms equivalent to a hook and loop combination, such as buttons, zippers, or adhesive structures. Specific examples of other attachment structures are the resealable structures used in ZIPLOC® storage bags by S.C. Johnson &amp; Inc. of Racine, Wis. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the side wall  30  and the side wall  40  provide a gusset-type connection, i.e., expandable, between the first panel  10  and the second panel  20 . The gusset connection allows the relative size of the enclosed space to be changed from a size with the first panel  10  and the second panel  20  proximate to each other, and an expanded state wherein the first panel  10  and the second panel  20  are separated from each other. In the relatively narrow state, the pouch assumes a substantially flat configuration, whereas in the expanded state, the pouch can accommodate larger objects in the enclosed space. 
     The attachment structures  54  provided on the first panel  10  of the pouch may be sized so to accommodate the expandable nature of the pouch. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1  the attachment structures  54  have a length extended in the direction L that is longer than the length of the attachment structures  52  on the flap  70 . When the first panel  10  and the second panel  20  are proximate to each other, the attachment structures  52  on the flap  70  align to a position on the attachment structures  54  on the first panel  10  that is more towards the side  50  of the pouch. On the other hand, when the first panel  10  and the second panel  20  are in an expanded state, the attachment structures  52  on the flap  70  align to a position on the attachment structures  54  more towards the opening  60  of the pouch. In a specific example, the attachment structures  54  on the first panel  10  have a length of about 2.25 inches, whereas the attachment structures  52  on the flap  70  have a diameter of about 0.75 inches. Of course, the dimensions of the attachment structures can be varied in accordance with the configuration of the rest of the pouch. 
     The first and second panels  10  and  20 , side walls  30  and  40 , and the flap  70  may be constructed from materials such as paper, plastic, plastic coated paper, cloth, leather, and wood. In more particular embodiments, the pouch is formed from a thermal plastic such as polyethylene. Alternatively, the pouch may be formed from other types of plastic that are made from renewable resources or are biodegradable, such as bioplastics. Examples of bioplastics include those made from bioployesters polymers such as polyhyroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Further examples of plastics which may come from renewable resources include those that may be originated from sugarcane. Further still, the plastic or paper material forming the pouch may also include a certain amount of recycled content. 
     A plastic used to form the pouch may be substantially transparent so that the contents of the pouch can be seen without opening the pouch. While still being transparent, the plastic can be tinted to provided one or more colors to the pouch. In alternative embodiments, however, the plastic forming the pouch is made opaque or have an appropriate pattern printed thereon in order to conceal the contents of the pouch. Such pouches may be used to contain confidential items. Techniques for varying the transparency or color of a plastic pouch will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In one nonlimiting embodiment, a pouch may have one transparent face and an opposing opaque face. It is thought that by providing such a configuration, the user may be able to easily discern the contents of one pouch from another because, while all the pouches may be visible when the group is fanned out (which is described in greater detail below) the opacity of one side will prevent items from one pouch to appear as though they are in another pouch. 
     In one specific embodiment of the invention, the pouch is formed from a blown tubular sheet of polyethylene film with a thickness in the range of 2 to 8 mils. The tubular sheet is either initially formed with two gusset structures running the length of the film, or the gusset structures are created in the tubular film through a separate process step. The gusset structures become the side walls  30  and  40  between the panels  10  and  20  in the pouch. The flap  70  is formed by die cutting one end of the tubular sheet. The other end of the tubular sheet is joined together, forming the side  50  of the pouch. There are a variety of techniques known in the art for joining the end of the plastic sheet, such as heat sealing, mechanical welding, or using adhesives. 
     It should also be noted that while the pouch is formed from a singular sheet of tubular film in the specific embodiment described above, in alternative embodiments, the pouch can be formed from multiple sheets of material. For example, the panels  10  and  20 , side walls  30  and  40 , and flap  50  could all be formed from separate sheets of plastic material that are joined together to form the final pouch product. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a connection structure  80  is provided through a hole at the corner of the pouch adjacent to the second side wall  40  and the third side  50 .  FIG. 5A  shows the details of the connection structure  80 . The connection structure  80  is a grommet-like structure that includes a female connector  82 . A male structure  84  is formed on a side of the connection structure  80  opposite to the female connector  82 . An opening  86  extends through the connector along an axis A between the female connector  82  and the male connector  84 . 
     The connection structure  80  can be made from a variety of materials using a variety of techniques. In one specific example, the connection structure  80  is plastic and formed by injection molding. It should also be noted, however, that while the depicted connection structure  80  is a one-piece integral structure, the female connector  84  and male connector  82  that make up the connection structure  80  could alternatively be separate structures that are not integral to each other. The pouch could also include a plurality of connection structures  80 , in order to allow for additional pouches to be connected to the pouch at different places. (The connection of pouches will be described below.) Moreover, the connection structure  80  could be placed at different positions on the pouch, such as in the area  90  adjacent to the side wall  30 . The sides from which the female connector  82  and male connector  84  extend could also be reversed, such that the male connector  84  is positioned adjacent to the first panel  10  side of the pouch, and the female connector  82  is positioned adjacent to the second panel  20  side of the pouch. It should also be noted that while the female connector  82  and the male connector  84  in the depicted embodiment have a generally circular shape, the connectors  82  and  84  could take a variety of other, non-circular, shapes, but still possess the functionality described herein. As one example, the female connector and the male connector could take the form of a ball and socket-type connection. 
     While the connection structure  80  in the depicted embodiment consists of a female connector structure and a male connector structure, those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of other configurations are possible that still achieve the female and male functionality. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the connection structure attached to the pouch could consist of one of a female connector or a male connector. In this embodiment, a detachable structure is provided to the connection structure attached to the pouch in order to provide the other of the female and male connector. In yet another alternative embodiment, the connection structure on the pouch could include finger-like structures that initially do not specifically define the female and male connection structures. In this embodiment, when a male connector structure is inserted into the connection structure with the finger-like structures, some of the fingers accept the male connection structure, i.e., act as the female connector. At the same time, others of the fingers are moved to a position forming a male connection structure for the pouch. 
     As will be explained more fully below, the connection structure  80  is configured to allow a plurality of pouches to be connected together. To facilitate such a system of connected pouches, the female connector  82  is configured to receive with a snap-fit another male connector that has the same configuration as the male connector  84 . Similarly, the male connector  84  is configured to snap-fit in another female connector that has the same configuration as the female connector  82 . With this connector structure configuration, a universal connection system is provided for the system of pouches whereby any one pouch can be connected to either side of another corresponding pouch. 
       FIG. 5B  details the snap-fit connection between a male connector  82  of a first connector  80 A and a female connector  84  of a second connector  80 B. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a snap-fit is a type of releasable connection that can be achieved when a portion of one or both of the female connector  84  and that male connector  82  moves aside as the connectors are moved into engagement, followed by a return of the moved aside portion of connectors returning toward its original position when the connectors reach their final position relative to each other. The snap-fit with hold the male and female connectors in an engaged state until some appreciable amount of force is used to pull the connectors apart. In this case, the snap-fit is accomplished by one or both of a rim  88  of the male connector  84  and a wall  90  of the female  82  slightly moving as the male connector  84  is inserted into the female connector  82 , with the rim  88  and/or the wall  90  snapping back into its original configuration when the female connector  82  and the male connector  84  are set in their final configuration shown in  FIG. 5B . 
     The connector  80  is provided in an area  90  adjacent to the end wall  50  in which the first panel  10  and the second panel  20  are connected together. As noted above, in embodiments of the invention where the paneling of the pouch is formed from plastic, the first and second panels  10  and  20  are connected together through techniques such as heat sealing or mechanical welding. Such techniques stiffen the area  90 , which in turn provides a more secure platform for mounting the connector  80  to the pouch. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a backing panel  25  is provided adjacent to the second panel  20 . The backing panel  25  adds stiffness and durability to the pouch, and can be constructed from a variety of materials, such as paper and plastics. In one specific embodiment, the backing panel  25  is made from paperboard with a thickness of 10 to 20 mils. In this specific example, the paperboard includes about 25% or more of recycled content, thereby improving the environmental characteristics of the pouch. 
     As discussed above, the panels  10  and  20  of the pouch can be made from substantially transparent plastics. As such, the backing panel  25  will be visible through the panels  10  and  20 . The backing panel  25  can be provided in different colors, which in turn may impart different colors to the pouch. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the backing panel  25  is fixed to the surface of the second panel  20  that is opposite to the surface of the second panel that faces the inside of the pouch. The backing panel  25  may be fixed to the second panel  20 , for example, with an adhesive or with a mechanical fixture. In alternative embodiments, the backing panel is provided adjacent to the surface of the second panel  20  inside the pouch, with the backing panel thereby enclosed in the pouch structure. In these alternative embodiments, the backing panel  25  may or may not be adhered to the second panel  20 . As is apparent from the foregoing description, the backing panel  25  can also be provided adjacent to either surface of the first panel  10 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show a system of connected pouches according to an embodiment of the invention. As seen in the cross section shown in  FIG. 7 , the male connector  1080  of a first pouch  1000  is inserted into the female connector  2082  of a second pouch  2000 . The male connector  1080  is received by the female connector  2082  with a snap-fit, as described above. Meanwhile, the male connector  2084  of the second pouch  2000  is received by in the female connector  3082  of a third pouch  3000 . Thus, a system of connected pouches can be formed without providing any additional structures. Moreover, as will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the universal nature of the connection structures of the pouches  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  allow for the pouches to be connected in any order, and an unlimited number of other pouches may be further connected to the system. 
     The connected pouches  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  can pivot relative to each other about the connection structures.  FIG. 6  shows the connected pouches  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  pivoted relative to each so as to create a fan-like arrangement. As discussed above, the pouches can be made of substantially transparent plastic. Moreover, as also described above, in embodiments of the invention the pouches may have a transparent face and an opposing opaque face. The transparency of the pouches in combination with the fan arrangement allows for the contents of all the connected pouches to be displayed while the pouches are all closed and connected. As such, the contents of the pouches can be easily discerned. 
     As described above, a passage is formed through the connection structures of pouches according to the invention. When a system of pouches is connected together using the connection structures as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the passages of the connectors align so as to form a passage  450  from the pouch  1000  at one end of the system, through to pouch  3000  at the other end of the system. This passage  450  allows for other structures to be easily associated with the system of pouches. An example of such an accessory is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , wherein a holder  550  is passed through the passage  450  in the connected pouches. The holder  550  could be used, for example, to hang the connected pouches in a convenient place. Examples of other accessories that could be associated with the passage  450  include hooks, pegs, lanyards, and adaptors for associating the system of pouches to other organizational structures such as file cabinets. Still further, even more functionality can be added to the system by providing magnetic structures, labels, filing clips, etc., to the accessories associated with the passage  450  in the connected pouches. 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the pouches  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  have the same size and shape. In other embodiments of the invention, however, the pouches can be provided in different sizes and shapes. For example, one of the pouches can be a smaller size relative to the other two pouches, another of the pouches can be larger than the other two pouches, and one of the pouches can be made in a medium size that is between the small and large pouches. Along these lines, the length, width, and/or the depth of the pouches can be varied. In a specific example, a small pouch is provided as about 6.5 in. wide and about 6.375 in. tall, a medium pouch is provided as about 6.5 in. wide by about 11.75 in. tall, and a large pouch is provided as about 11.75 in. wide by about 10 in. tall. In this specific example, the pouches include about 0.75 in. deep gussets extending from the first and second panels, which, as described above, allow for an expandable depth. It should also be noted that an opening to the enclosed space of the pouch could be provided along a long or short side of a rectangular pouch, and further, that the pouch as a whole may have a shape other than a rectangle. 
     A pouch  5000  according to another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, the pouch  5000  is generally configured similar to the pouches described above, except that the connector  5080  is not provided in an area of the first and second panels of the pouch structure. Instead, a connection structure  5080  is provided on an extension  5082  that is provided adjacent to the rest of the pouch structure. As discussed above, the pouch may include a backing panel. In some embodiments, the extension  5082  is formed as part of the backing panel (not shown in  FIG. 8 ) for the pouch. In other embodiments, the extension  5082  is a separate structure that is fixed to rest of the pouch structure. As is readily aparent from the disclosure herein, the extension  5082  can alternatively be formed or placed at other positions relative to the rest of the pouch structure other than the position shown in  FIG. 8 . Moreover, the extension  5082  itself can be provided in a variety of different shapes. 
     A pouch structure  6000  according to yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . In this embodiment, two pouch structures  6002  and  6004  are provided on a common backing panel  6025 . The pouch structure  6000  also includes two connection structures  6080  and  6085 , which are provided at opposite corners along edges  6026  and  6027  of the backing panel  6025 . The backing panel  6025  is also provided with a crease  6027  in a center area  6026  between the pouches  6002  and  6004 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the pouch structure  6000  can be folded along crease  6027  such that the pouches  6002  and  6004  face each other. In the folded position shown in  FIG. 10B , the male connector of the connection structure  6085  can be inserted into the female connector of connection structure  6080 . As such, the pouch structure  6000  is held in the folded position with the snap-fit of connectors  6080  and  6085 . Thus, the pouch structure  6000  of this embodiment provides a folder-like arrangement. 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  are top views of the two sides of a pouch  7000  according to yet another embodiment of the invention. In pouch  7000 , the female connector  7082  is provided adjacent to panel  7010  at one corner of the pouch, and the male connector  7084  is provided adjacent to the panel  7020  at another corner of the pouch. That is, unlike the embodiments described above, the connectors  7082  and  7084  are separate structures, and not provided opposite to each other on the pouch.  FIG. 12  shows a plurality of the pouches  7000 ,  8000 , and  9000 , of the type shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , with the pouches connected by their respective connectors  7082 ,  7084 ,  8082 ,  8084 ,  9082 , and  9084 . With the positioning of the connectors on the pouches, the connected pouches  7000 ,  8000 , and  9000  form a chain-like structure. 
     As will be apparent from the foregoing description, a pouch according to the invention many come in a variety of alternative configurations with different combinations of features. For example, a pouch according to the invention can be provided with two pairs of male and female connectors, with one pair of male and female connectors provided at one corner of the couch, and the other pair of male and female connectors provided at another corner of the pouch. Such an embodiment can be used, for example, to create a chain of connected pouches, or, as another example, to attach accessories that allow the pouch to be hung in a filing cabinet. As another alternative embodiment, a plurality of pouches could be attached to a common backing panel. 
     The pouch and system of pouches described herein have a multitude of applications, and are particularly useful in organizing items. The pouches can be used to contain numerous items, such as pens and markers, photos, coupons, bills, flash drives, cables, optical disks, business cards, etc. Moreover, the ability of the pouches to be connected together, in turn, allows for grouping of different items together. Accessories associated with the system of pouches further increase the functionality of the invention, for example, by allowing the pouches to be hung in convenient places. 
     To understand some of the advantages of the present invention, consider life in a modern household. The head(s) of the household often has multiple responsibilities, such as taking care of children, paying bills, updating calendars, managing family records, shopping for food and other necessities, and performing other day-to-day errands. In order to take care of all of these responsibilities, the head of a household must handle a variety of papers, such as coupons, bills, school reports, stamps, etc. The household head may also have access to several other types of small items, for example, optical disks, flash drives, specialized writing instruments such as colored pencils, batteries, etc. The end result is that papers and other items pile up, be it on tables, on counters, in drawers, or in other locations around the house. Thus, keeping related materials together for a specific activity can be very challenging for the head of a household. Multiply that by all the different activities that need to be accomplished, and the challenge might be overwhelming. 
     Along these lines, consider a hypothetical head of a household who has numerous responsibilities, and is constantly on the go to manage activities stemming from the responsibilities. One task for the hypothetical head of the household might be to buy groceries at the supermarket. In a rush to get to the supermarket before picking children up from school, the head of the household may think to take along coupons recently clipped from the newspaper. The supermarket coupons, however, may be buried in a pile, underneath coupons for other stores. Further, the supermarket coupons might be buried underneath other items. Thus, while the head of the household may remember the supermarket coupons, in the pinch to get to the store, she or he may not have time to find the coupons. 
     Previously, there were a limited number of organizational tools available to the head of a household to aid with the organization of smaller-sized items, such as coupons. Moreover, the prior art organizational tools that are available, such as standard file folders, are often optimized for standard paper sizes, and are narrowly prescriptive as to where and how they can be used. Other tools, such as larger storage envelopes, are general catch-alls that are hard to search through, and often conceal the items that they contain. With respect to the hypothetical described above, the prior art organization tools might be of little aid to the head of the household in storing and locating the supermarket coupons. For example, while the supermarket coupons could be stored in a file folder, that file folder will most likely conceal the coupons within its structure, and further, the file folder itself may be obscured when stored with other file folders. 
     On the other hand, the present invention provides a convenient system for storing, grouping, and locating items. As described above, the connectors on pouches according to the invention allow multiple pouches to be grouped together. Further, as also described above, the pouches according to the invention can be made at least partially transparent, and connected pouches positioned relative to each other for easy determination of their contents. Thus, the contents of pouches can be quickly located. 
     Returning to the hypothetical, the supermarket coupons could be stored in a pouch according to the invention. The pouch, in turn could be connected with pouches containing other coupons, and, with the holder described above, hung in a convenient place. With at least part of the pouch being made transparent, and with an arrangement of the connected pouches, the head of the household can quickly find the pouch that contains the supermarket coupons. Moreover, if desired, the pouch containing the supermarket coupons could be removed from the group, and the head of the household can use the pouch to carry the coupons on the way to the supermarket. 
     Of course, while the foregoing provides examples of the utility and convenience of the present invention, particularly in the context of home administration, the present invention has many other uses in other contexts and other places, such as in an office or other business. Along these lines, although this invention has been described in certain specific exemplary embodiments, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. It is, therefore, to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the exemplary embodiments of the invention should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention to be determined by any claims supportable by this application and the equivalents thereof, rather than by the foregoing description.