This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/675,651, filed 2005 Apr. 28 by the current inventor.
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1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to storage systems, specifically to decorative portable systems used for transporting, samples, forms, brochures, invoices, receipts, legal papers, or any important documents requiring separation and organization.
2. Prior Art
There are multiple portable filing systems on the market today, primarily available in office supply stores. These portable filing systems are available in many different sizes, colors, and designs. Most portable filing systems include an accordion file of some type with tabs to record the specific file section. While these tabs are either alphabetical or blank for the owner to record their own customer file name, the file names are not easily changed. Most systems are made out of paper cardboard of varying thicknesses and quality. Many have a small handle and a closure system. Current portable filing systems are designed for function and not style. Traditional briefcases lack the file separation and labeling ability that my decorative portable filing bag offers. Plastic and cardboard portable filing systems can be awkward to carry and have no style or differentiation.
A search of the following classes and subclasses did not reveal any relevant prior artwork: 69/1 file, leather; 69/20 file, leather, implement; 493/947 file, folder; 407/29, 15 files, handles; 139/389+ bag, fabric; 211/11 file, sorting type desk; 220/529+ file, receptacle file partition; 916 pliable container; 921 insert; 926 handle; 935 covering bag; 937 textile; 206 special receptacle or package.
Several objects and advantages of this invention include:
In accordance with the present invention a decorative portable file bag comprises of three reinforced fabric layers precisely fitted over a hanging file frame and coordinated removable hanging files, trim, and file tabs.
FIG. 1 shows the right side panel construction of the bag.
FIG. 2 shows the left side panel construction of the bag.
FIG. 3 shows the bottom panel construction of the bag.
FIG. 4 shows the front panel construction of the bag.
FIG. 5 shows the back panel construction of the bag.
FIG. 6 shows the decorative, coordinating trim attached.
FIG. 7 shows two long handles attached to the side panels.
FIG. 8 shows the standard or legal size hanging files and file frames inserted into the completed fabric bag.
FIG. 9 shows the completed decorative portable file bag.
FIG. 10 shows the file tabs and labels FIG. 11 shows the optional decorative monogram.
FIG. 12 shows the optional Velcroed top cover
FIG. 13 shows the completed file bag with optional Velcroed top cover.
FIGS. 1-5 show the basic construction of the fabric bag. Part 20a in FIG. 1 is the right interior decorative fabric that coordinates with 20c, the exterior decorative fabric. Part 20b is the fabric interfacing that adds body to the side wall. Parts 20a, 20b, and 20c are all the same dimensions and are sewn together to form the right side wall and then the completed side wall is sewn to join the bottom, front, and back sides described in subsequent drawings.
Part 22a in FIG. 2 is the left interior decorative fabric that coordinates with 20c, the exterior decorative fabric. Part 22b is the fabric interfacing that adds body to the side wall. 22a, 22b, and 22c are all the same dimensions and are sewn together to form the left side wall and then the completed side wall is sewn to join the bottom, front, and back sides described in subsequent drawings.
Part 24a in FIG. 3 is the bottom interior decorative fabric that coordinates with 24c, the exterior decorative fabric. Part 24b is the fabric interfacing that adds body to the bottom wall. Parts 24a, 24b, and 24c are all the same dimensions and are sewn together to form the bottom wall and then the completed bottom wall is sewn to join the side, front, and back sides described in subsequent drawings.
Part 26a in FIG. 4 is the front interior decorative fabric that coordinates with part 26c, the exterior decorative fabric. Part 26b is the fabric interfacing that adds body to the front wall. Reference Numeral 26a, 26b, and 26c are all the same dimensions and are sewn together to form the front wall and then the completed front wall is sewn to join the side, bottom, and back sides described in subsequent drawings.
Part 28a in FIG. 5 is the back interior decorative fabric that coordinates with 28c, the exterior decorative fabric. Part 28b is the fabric interfacing that adds body to the back wall. Parts 28a, 28b, and 28c are all the same dimensions and are sewn together to form the back wall and then the completed back wall is sewn to join the side, front, and bottom sides described in subsequent drawings to form the completed shell of the file bag.
Part 30 a decorative coordinating fabric trim piece in FIG. 6 is sewn to the entire perimeter of the bag along the top edge.
Fabric handles 32a and 32b in FIG. 7 are sewn to the top inside edge of the front and back panels.
Standard letter or legal size hanging file frames 40a and 40b in FIG. 8 are connected with cross frame connectors 38a and 38b and screws 36a-d. File frames and hanging files are available at most office supply stores. Frame connectors 38a-b frame can be cut to varying lengths to allow for different widths for the bag. The completed bag fabric panels from FIG. 1-5 are stretched over the completed file frame 36a-d, 38a-b, 40a-b and standard or legal hanging folders are placed on the file frame supported by the file frame notches. Precise fabric measurements are required to permit a tight fit for the file frames inside the fabric bag.
Ten standard hanging file tabs 44 and labels 42 in FIG. 10 are included with each bag order for the customer to label each file.
Operation
The operation of the decorative portable file bag is quite simple. Teachers, attorneys, real estate agents, interior decorators, and anyone seeking organization with style use the decorative portable file bag to transport important files and documents to and from jobs, customers, offices, and vendors. A significant advantage of this system is the ability to easily remove (FIG. 8) the hanging files and place them in more permanent filing cabinets at different locations. Another advantage is the long handles in FIG. 7 that can be placed over the shoulder to free up hands and provide better support. However, the most significant advantage is the decorative fabric that covers the inside and outside of the bag and is coordinated with the trim piece in FIG. 6 and hanging files in FIG. 8.
Consumers love the fact that they own a very unique, classy, decorative, portable filing system that they are proud to display and use. Consumers can actually pick out coordinating materials at a local fabric store as well as have their initials or business name monogrammed on the exterior of the bag.
Additional embodiments are shown in FIGS. 11-13. The first option for consumers is to have their initials monogrammed on the exterior of the file as shown by 46 in FIG. 11. This option further differentiates the file bag from others.
Another option is a Velcroed top cover to prevent documents from being observed or falling out of the file bag as shown in FIG. 12. Part 50 has a strip of Velcro sewn on the underside of it that adheres to the Velcro sewn into the top of Part 52. FIG. 13 shows the final Velcro option embodiment applied to the file bag. The Velcro option requires repositioning of straps 48a and 48b that are sewn to the outside edges of 50 and 52.
Advantages
From the descriptions above, a number of advantages of the decorative portable file bag become evident:
As documented above, the ramification of this new invention is there is a large potential customer base that will enjoy the style, uniqueness, and fabulous utility of the decorative portable file bag I have named the ClassyFile under my business name TaterTotes. With input from early buyers, I have added multiple widths as well as an optional legal size in addition to the standard letter size files. Another option is the Velcroed top that keeps documents private and from falling out when the bag is tipped. The descriptions and preferred embodiments above should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. The size in width, length, and depth can vary depending upon the needs of the buyer. In addition, the monogramming and Velcro options add additional differentiation from current portable storage items.